The Lies of Locke Lamora
Mod: Locke Lamora
Back-up: CallMeLiam
Reviewed by: mykonian and CallMeLiam
Mod: Locke Lamora
Back-up: CallMeLiam
Reviewed by: mykonian and CallMeLiam
Chapter 1 - News of the Traitors
It was the eighth hour of another hot morning in the month of Parthis and Camorr was beginning to spring into life. Merchants poled their boats slowly around the Shifting Market, already calling and coaxing passers-by into sampling their wares. On Coin-Kisser's Row, the money-lenders, traders and speculators prepared for another frenzied day that was mere commonplace in Camorr's financial circles. Across the city, pickpockets and thieves were already scoping out targets, identifying tourists and merchants who would prove to be rich and easy pickings. And up in Raven's Reach, the tallest of the Five Towers, Duke Nicovante, ruler of Camorr, was having a troubling conversation.
“So, Officer Piccari, you mean to tell me that someone is plotting to take control of Camorr?” asked the Duke, glaring at the officer who had been dispatched to bring him the news.
“Well...um...that is to say...yes, my Duke,” stammered the terrified Piccari, shifting uncomfortably from foot to foot.
“And you have failed to identify these traitors?” continued the Duke, a stern edge coming into his voice.
“Thus far we...ah...we have been...unable to do so, my Duke.”
“Unacceptable!” roared Nicovante. “Can you at least tell me something of this threat?” Piccari stood in silence for several seconds, mouth moving soundlessly until the Duke seized a book from his table.
“We...we know they're hiding in Camorr!” he cried, holding up an arm to shield himself. The Duke stared at him incredulously.
“Of course they're hiding in Camorr, you imbecile! They wouldn't be doing a very good job of overthrowing me if they were trying to do it from Tal fucking Verrar, would they?” Nicovante began to pace the room, trying to diminish his apoplexy a little in order to think more clearly. Piccari stood uncomfortably in silence, waiting for further instruction, until the Duke finally stopped pacing and fixed him with an icy stare.
“What...are your orders?” ventured Piccari cautiously.
“These traitors must be hiding amongst the people, Piccari. Someone must have noticed something, heard something, they may be receiving help from a Camorri. They might even be Camorri.”
“What are you saying, my Duke?”
“Order a hanging. Not just on Penance Day, every day. Let the people know that there are traitors in their midst and the Duke requires their help to protect Camorr. They must choose who hangs from the Black Bridge.”
“The people? But, my Duke...”
“Enough, Piccari! The people of Camorr should wish to protect their city and I have great faith in their ability to flush out the traitors. Besides,” he added with a half-smile, “Fear and self-preservation are powerful motivations.”
“As...as you wish, my Duke. The arrangements will be made.” Piccari saluted and turned on his heel, striding out of the Duke's study. The Duke walked over to the window and looked out over the streets and canals of Camorr, hundreds of feet below.
“This is my city,” he declared to the sprawl of Camorr. “You won't be able to hide forever.”
It was the eighth hour of another hot morning in the month of Parthis and Camorr was beginning to spring into life. Merchants poled their boats slowly around the Shifting Market, already calling and coaxing passers-by into sampling their wares. On Coin-Kisser's Row, the money-lenders, traders and speculators prepared for another frenzied day that was mere commonplace in Camorr's financial circles. Across the city, pickpockets and thieves were already scoping out targets, identifying tourists and merchants who would prove to be rich and easy pickings. And up in Raven's Reach, the tallest of the Five Towers, Duke Nicovante, ruler of Camorr, was having a troubling conversation.
“So, Officer Piccari, you mean to tell me that someone is plotting to take control of Camorr?” asked the Duke, glaring at the officer who had been dispatched to bring him the news.
“Well...um...that is to say...yes, my Duke,” stammered the terrified Piccari, shifting uncomfortably from foot to foot.
“And you have failed to identify these traitors?” continued the Duke, a stern edge coming into his voice.
“Thus far we...ah...we have been...unable to do so, my Duke.”
“Unacceptable!” roared Nicovante. “Can you at least tell me something of this threat?” Piccari stood in silence for several seconds, mouth moving soundlessly until the Duke seized a book from his table.
“We...we know they're hiding in Camorr!” he cried, holding up an arm to shield himself. The Duke stared at him incredulously.
“Of course they're hiding in Camorr, you imbecile! They wouldn't be doing a very good job of overthrowing me if they were trying to do it from Tal fucking Verrar, would they?” Nicovante began to pace the room, trying to diminish his apoplexy a little in order to think more clearly. Piccari stood uncomfortably in silence, waiting for further instruction, until the Duke finally stopped pacing and fixed him with an icy stare.
“What...are your orders?” ventured Piccari cautiously.
“These traitors must be hiding amongst the people, Piccari. Someone must have noticed something, heard something, they may be receiving help from a Camorri. They might even be Camorri.”
“What are you saying, my Duke?”
“Order a hanging. Not just on Penance Day, every day. Let the people know that there are traitors in their midst and the Duke requires their help to protect Camorr. They must choose who hangs from the Black Bridge.”
“The people? But, my Duke...”
“Enough, Piccari! The people of Camorr should wish to protect their city and I have great faith in their ability to flush out the traitors. Besides,” he added with a half-smile, “Fear and self-preservation are powerful motivations.”
“As...as you wish, my Duke. The arrangements will be made.” Piccari saluted and turned on his heel, striding out of the Duke's study. The Duke walked over to the window and looked out over the streets and canals of Camorr, hundreds of feet below.
“This is my city,” he declared to the sprawl of Camorr. “You won't be able to hide forever.”
Spoiler:
). Don't resort to personal attacks and insults.
