phew；

Shevket； and Shekure had conspired to steal it from his house。 This was

apparently　proof　enough　that　I　was　one　of　Black’s　men　who　raided　his　house

at night to abduct Shekure。 This arrogant； shrill…voiced； irate man also knew

Black’s artist friends and that they would return to the workshop。 He

brandished a long sword that shimmered brightly with a strange red and

indicated that he had a number of accounts that； for whatever reason； he

meant to settle with me。 I considered telling him that there was some

misunderstanding；　but　I　saw　the　incredible　anger　on　his　face。　I　could　read　in

his　expression　that　he　was　about　to　launch　a　sudden　murderous　assault　on　me。

How　I　would’ve　liked　to　say；　“I　beg　of　you；　stop。”

But　he’d　already　acted。

436

I　wasn’t　even　able　to　raise　my　dagger；　I　simply　lifted　the　hand　in　which　I

held　my　satchel。

The satchel dropped。 In one smooth motion； without losing speed； the

sword　cut　first　through　my　hand　and　then　clear　through　my　neck；　lopping　off

my　head。

I　knew　I’d　been　beheaded　from　the　two　odd　steps　taken　by　my　poor　body

which　had　left　me　behind　in　its　confusion；　from　the　stupid　manner　in　which

my　hand　waved　the　dagger　and　from　the　way　my　lonely　body　collapsed；　blood

spraying from the neck like a fountain。 My poor fee