nightgown of Chinese silk she was wearing； which she’d purchased from
Esther the clothier； then mockingly parroted me； “Allow me to put some
linden tea on the boil for you； my dear guest；” and placed her hand on my
cock。
I took out the agate…handled sword hidden among rose…scented sheets at
the bottom of the chest on the floor nearest our roll…up mattress； which she’d
hopefully spread out； and drew the weapon from its sheath。 Its edge was so
sharp that if you tossed a silk handkerchief over it； the sword would easily cut
through it； if you placed a sheet of gold leaf upon it； the edges of the resulting
pieces would be as straight as any cut with a ruler。
Concealing the sword as best I could； I returned to my atelier。 Black Effendi
was so pleased with his interrogation of me that he was still circling the red
cushion； dagger in hand。 I placed a half…finished illustration upon the cushion。
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“Take a look at this；” I said。 He knelt out of curiosity； trying to understand the
picture。
I stepped behind him； drew my sword and in one motion lowered him to
the ground； pinning him with my weight。 His dagger fell away。 Grabbing him
by the hair； I pushed his head against the ground and pressed my sword to his
neck from below。 I flattened out Black’s delicate body and pressed him
facedown beneath my heavy body； using my chin and one free hand to push
his head so it nearly touched the sharp point of the sword。 My one hand was
full of his dirty hair； the other held the sword to the delicate skin of his throat。
Wisely； he didn’t move at all； becau