Snot, seeing the Blade enter, at once stood up and went toward him. "So then?"
"Calm, calm! I know in what prison they put him."
"Nothing more?"
"Not for the moment. But there I know nobody. I have t' find a way t' get more information."
"Then, you are not sure you can free him!"
"Not yet. Fuck, that chap really bewitched you!"
"Yes. Without him I feel less than nothing. Please, Blade, do something!"
"I'm doing it, fucking shit! But I pity you, Snot, t' lose yer head so. You be worse than a woman!"
Félicie intervened harshly, "An' you be more of an idiot than a goose. The boy be in love, simply. An' then, we women be better than you men, never you forget it!"
The Blade smiled scoffingly and shook his head. Then addressing Snot again, he asked, "But between you two, who was the girl?"
"The girl? Neither one of us," the boy answered astounded.
"D' you mean that you didn't bugger the other's ass?"
Félicie again intervened. "Filthy pig! Isn't that their fucking business? All you care is t' slip it in some hole, so you feel sated? T' you it is the only important thing. You would slip it even in the key hole just t' show how manly you are! Ha, you!"
The Blade smiled with amusement. "Sure! But yer holes don't seem t' me key holes, not one of the three of them."
"Miracle, miracle! You are even able t' spot the difference!"
Snot attended to that squabble in silence, but his head was elsewhere. He almost didn't realize that they had stopped talking and that Félicie was going out. However, when he felt a man's hand seizing his arm, he was shaken out of his thoughts. "What's up? What do you want?"
"Félicie went out... why not t' profit of that..."
"What for?"
"I want t' fuck you."
"Forget it, leave me alone."
"What's that, now you take it in yer ass only by aristocrats?"
"And if even it was so?"
"Come on, don't be a turd! D' you want me t' help you or not? Lower yer breeches, go on!"
"Ha, and this would be your price?"
"Yes, sure, right so!"
"You have little memory, then. Either you help me, or I'll kill you. My ass has nothing to do with that."
"Just a little bang bang..."
"No."
"An' if it were me t' kill you?"
"If you are able. But I didn't know you liked to fuck corpses."
The Blade frowned. "Bah, you be all stupid. Rather, crazy!"
"So then, will you help me or not?"
"Yes, yes, I'll try. But who put you between my balls? Who?"
"You, when my mother died and you started to fuck me."
"Right... An' I loved yer little ass... Well, I'm going out, now. I'll be back for supper."
"Busy yourself!"
"Yes, yes! You be completely crazy!"
The Blade left, and Snot sat at the table, leaning on it with his elbows and taking his face in his hands. It was hard for him to stay there, doing nothing and just waiting. However, the Blade absolutely didn't want to take Snot with him during his visits.
The Blade went at a fast pace toward the Versailles Gate. Slipping into a small lane, he went to the first floor of a house of modest appearance. He knocked at a door, two knocks, then three. After a while the door was slightly opened.
"What be you looking for?"
"Be the citizen Sévion at home?"
"Be he waiting for you?"
"No, just tell him that Mathieu be here."
"Wait here."
After a while the man came back, told him to come in and guided him to a small studio.
"Ah, Mathieu. Who do you want to sell me this time?"
"Nobody. This time I'm here t' buy."
"To buy? I don't understand..."
"T' now I arranged for you t' nab several big names, right?"
"Well, let's say average names..."
"Also big, don't try t' take me for a ride!"
"Two or three, I must admit."
"An' I can arrange for you t' nab more."
"And we pay you well."
"Let's say almost well. But this time it's me who wants a man."
"Who is? Explain to me."
"One you nabbed. I want him free."
"You are crazy, Mathieu! To free a prisoner? And why, on the earth?"
"The next I give you I'll give you for free. An' he will have more value than the one I'm asking you for."
"No, it's impossible. But... just out of curiosity, who could be the man you want? And why do you want him?"
"My fucking business why I want him!"
"But who is he? I don't think it changes anything, but..."
"A boy. The younger of the Jambvilles."
"And who would you give us in exchange? It is not possible to do such an exchange, but you make me curious."
"Will a Verdun be enough?"
"Who, father or son?"
"Elder son."
"Do you know where he be hiding?"
"I could. But anyway, if an exchange be not possible..."
"I could... try to... to propose that to my superiors. They could take this thing in... in consideration. You say you want the cadet of the Jambville... It will have to be seen of what he is accused. If there is nothing really serious, it could even be possible..."
"I'll be back here tomorrow."
"The day after tomorrow will be better. See you soon, Mathieu."
"See you. Ah, by the way, stop having me shadowed. I always shake off all your useless and loser henchmen anyway. An' anyway, you could get one for free, but then you'd never see me again!"
The man nodded. "What do you want, it is a professional bias. I'll tell them to stop, all right?"
"It will be better. See you soon, citizen Sévion."
The Blade left. He loitered a while in several lanes until he was sure he was not being followed, then went toward the prison where Julien was kept. It would not have been easy to have him escape from that prison. An exchange was the simplest solution. That was only if the boy wasn't in big trouble. He had to discover that before his next meeting with Sévion, so he would know how to play his cards. From there he went straight to see a fellow who was the warden in another prison. He was not at home, so he waited for him on the street. When at least saw him coming, went toward him.
"Hey, Fernand!"
"Hey, Mathieu!"
"I need a tip-off an' you can probably know who can give me it."
"What's it about?"
The Blade explained to him that he needed to know the charge against a prisoner. The man in turn explained to him how to get this information and the Blade, to thank him, offered him a drink. Then he went to the address this fellow gave him and, forking out some coins to the clerk, he got the information. The only specific charge against the boy was, for the moment, having given fake personal particulars. The Blade smiled - absolutely nothing serious then. However, to free that ragamuffin was costing him... Yes, he would earn that little house that could be useful for his business. However, if only Snot would say yes to being fucked again... he would help him even for free. How was it possible for two men to be in love with each other? He never fell in love, not even for a woman! After all, Félicie was right, he was just interested in a hole where to push it when he was turned on. And Félicie was always available, and skilled. He smiled to himself and shook his head in amusement.
He was going back home when a man approached him. "Excuse me, citizen..."
"You're talking t' me?"
"Aren't you a certain Gerlain?"
"Yes, the very one," the Blade answered.
"I've heard that you can organize a transport of fragile wares..."
This was the code sentence with which he made contact himself to help a noble flee away.
"At times. But only if it be legal wares," he answered, always in code.
"Certainly, legal! But, you know, there are so many thefts around in these times..."
"Well, come t' the point. Who be he?"
"Here? Is it not dangerous?"
"The street be the safest place. If it not be you who be in danger."
"No, not me. My master. I can't hide him at my place anymore... I'm afraid my neighbours might start to suspect, and that one of them might report me."
"It will be very expensive."
"We know that. When he is abroad, you will be paid really well."
"No. Half before, half after or we will d' nothing."
"How much?"
The Blade wanted to know who was the man and where he wanted to go, and then fixed the price. The other accepted without turning a hair, but added, "But he has to get abroad safe and sound. Or the half we have not given you will be spent to pay whoever will kill you. I know where you live, I know many things about you, don't forget it."
The Blade looked at him astounded. "If you know so many things about me, why be you asking my help?"
"Because I also know that, if you want, you are able to carry out and conclude your... shipments."
They made an appointment and parted. The Blade went back home, satisfied. As soon as he entered the room, Snot went toward him with an anxious look.
"Well, you can sleep with two pillows. It will cost me a lot, but possibly I'll be able t' free yer paramour."
"Really? Are you sure?"
"Be you deaf? I said possibly! But when he will be out, you'll need fake documents so as not t' risk him being caught again."
"You think so? I didn't think about it, that is... How can I get them?"
"I can probably get them for you. But this also costs money."
"I've given you my house. I don't have anything more."
"Money, don't you have money?"
"No. But I can get it. It depends on how much is needed."
The Blade scratched his head, then said, "I'll ask, an' I'll tell you. Anyway, try t' get as much as you can. You'll need money also for the journey, if I manage t' get him out."
Snot nodded. "Well, I'll go, then."
"How do you think to make money? Selling your nice little ass?"
"My fucking business, what the fuck are you asking for?" Snot answered going out.
He at once went toward his small house in the Bois de Boulogne. He had lots of money hidden there. He just lied to the Blade, guessing his greediness. He thought that it would be better to take it all now, since soon he would have to give the house to the Blade. However, he also didn't like so much the idea of going around with all those gold coins on him. He didn't know how nor what to do. If he had at least a real friend he could ask him to keep his money... Or he could find a way to exchange all that gold with something easier to hide and carry around... For instance, gems... However he, being so rough, could for sure not just go see a jeweller with all that money. The man could become suspicious and call the guards... While he was immersed in these reflections, he was walking fast, going out of the town. Just before the gate from a crossing lane a man came out and they clashed.
"Oh, I'm sorry!" the man said, but then brightened. "Aren't you Jaquot!?"
Snot looked at him astounded. "Sorry, citizen, I don't know you..."
"Aren't you Jaquot, the stable-boy of the Jambvilles?"
"Yes, I was a stable-boy there..."
"Don't you remember me? I am Chenuel, the veterinarian. Or, to better say, I was once a veterinarian."
"Ah, pardon me, sir, I didn't recognize you, so, without your wig and with these bourgeois clothes on you..."
"What are you now, Jaquot?"
"Nothing special. And you?"
"In these times, one tries to survive."
"You should not have problems. You aren't an aristocrat, right?"
"No, certainly not. Rather, the fact that I'm not an aristocrat, but that I know so many of them is what allows me to have a nice living. You see, now they are scared, and they need money to hide or to run abroad. And I give them the money..."
"You? You give money to the nobles? What do you mean?"
"That I'm now in commerce. You see, noble men, usually, have little liquidity, but a lot of valuable things. Jewels, rare or antique objects and such. And these refined things tempt the rich bourgeois, the new masters. But aristocrats and bourgeois are now enemies, they will never have commerce between themselves... So I buy from one party and sell to the other, and I earn a lot more than caring for animals."
Snot thought that destiny, for this last while, was literally making him clash with the right people. "So then, if somebody has a lot of gold coins and wanted to buy a gem, you could be the right man for him."
"Certainly, the best one!"
"You see, I have a friend who was looking for something..."
"Gems, you say?"
"Right. Where can I find you, if my friend is interested in the affair?"
"I live nearby. Do you know where Saint Jacques Church is?"
"No, but I can ask."
"Good. After the church there is a chemist's shop, then a gate. You have just to ask for Chenuel, at the gate."
"Then, perhaps I'll come to see you, with my friend."
"At evening, around this time, I'm usually at home."
They parted and Snot, hurriedly and happily, resumed his way. Reaching his small house, he started to gather all the gold coins he had in his hideouts. He divided them in three parts which he wrapped in three pieces of fabric that he tied to his body, under his clothes. Then before leaving, possibly forever, that house, he went upstairs and sat on the bed. The burning memory of when he had lain there with his Marc in his arms made him quiver. He shut his eyes. How much did he miss his beloved! Who knows how was he now? What was he thinking? "Possibly he is thinking of me..." he said at half voice. Almost as if it was an answer, he felt a strong warmth in his body. "Marc, my love. Soon we will be free, don't worry," he said and, standing up, he looked for a last time at that small room that had been the witness of their passion, and went out.
He could feel the weight of the coins on him. He thought he had divided them right. The smaller bundle would be to pay for the documents that the Blade would get for them. The middle one, to have some money available for the journey. The bigger one to buy the gems... All that gold on him was heavy, but more than its weight, it was the worry he could lose them, he could be robbed. But, he thought, who could guess that a boy so poorly dressed could have a treasure on him? This thought relieved him. But soon a new worry peeped in his mind - what did he know about precious stones? How could he recognize a true one from an imitation? What if Chenuel cheated him, selling him a handful of shining glass? Unconsciously he slowed his pace. Could he trust that man? He didn't have the slightest idea. Suddenly he recalled Etienne. Could he ask him to help him? Possibly he could, in spite of the way they had parted last time. Etienne had always been honest with him, and was not a bad person. But, to look for him, he risked being found by Roland's men...
He was immersed in these thoughts, hesitant and confused, when a loud row attracted his attention. It came from a side street. Curious, he turned the corner and saw a group of hot headed men, all with the unfailing cockade, who, with a big beam, were trying to break down a gate. All around there was a small crowd of people, mute, silent, at a respectful distance, observing the scene.
Snot approached and, touching the elbow of a boy, asked, "What's up?"
"They turn out the cloistered nuns."
"And why?"
"They want to steal their monastery. For now it is forbidden to be nuns, in the Republic."
Another boy turned with a scoffing smile. "And then they also say they are pretty. And they all are virgin. I think they want also fuck them. Where can you find any more virgins in our times?"
"They don't leave in peace not even the nuns, now! To whom did they wrong, those poor women?" the first boy said, shaking his head.
Also Snot shook his head, "And then, they talk about freedom, equality and fraternity..."
"Hey, are you a Loyalist? Or a Papist?" another of the boys asked him.
"Not one and neither the other. I was just a stable boy..."
"The nuns never did evil to anybody, that's true. Rather, when we were hungry, they even helped us," the first boy said.
The second smiled cunningly. "The parson often helped me, as long as I lowered my breeches and gave him free way."
"And you let him do it?" the first boy asked.
"Sure. Each time he gave me a nice present. And anyway he didn't have a big tool. Don't tell me that you never took it from the parson, Martin!"
"No, never from the parson."
"But you did take it from the inn keeper's son, right?"
Snot listened amused at the bickering between the two boys.
The one called Martin, seeing Snot's smile, asked him, piqued, "Your master never made you lower your breeches? What do you have to laugh about?"
"No, I'm not laughing at you. I was just thinking that I would really like to lower your breeches, to take you."
"To take me? And what would you give me in exchange?"
"Nothing, I was just joking."
The other boy, smiling with a cunning air, said, "That's a pity that you're joking. I would willingly let you take me, even for free. You must have a nice tool under there."
"Would you really like it?" Snot asked.
"Sure. You are handsomer than the parson... and also the baker..."
"Ha, also the baker buggers you, Rene?"
"Come on, he fucks you too, the baker, he told me so. And anyway, what would one not be ready to do, for a good piece of fresh bread!"
Snot went away, amused, but soon the two boys followed him calling him, "Hey, you, wait!"
Snot turned and stopped waiting for them. "What's your name?" one of the boys asked.
"Luc."
"I am Martin and he is Rene. I was joking, before, when I asked you what you will give me in exchange. If you are game, I know a quiet and safe place, and..."
"No, thank you. I am not game."
"I told you, Martin, he doesn't like men!"
"No, it's not that, on the contrary. I like men and you two are likeable and well shaped."
"But then? Don't you feel like amusing yourself a while with us? We would really like it, right Martin?"
"And how much!"
"No, thank you."
"I don't understand you. What is there in me or Rene that is wrong?"
"Absolutely nothing. Really. It's that I... I am in love with a boy and am interested in him only."
"In love? And he too is in love with you?"
"Yes, sure."
"Fucking hell, that must be good. Are you going to meet him, now?"
"No, unhappily I cannot."
They talked, and Snot, at a certain point, started to tell them all his story, as he on instinct felt he could trust these two boys.
At the end, Martin said: "Possibly I can help you. One of my brothers is an experienced assistant at a jeweller's. He knows if a stone is good or fake."
"Yes, but after I bought it, it would be too late."
"But he could possibly come with you and check the stones. Rather, didn't you say to that man that it was a friend of yours who was interested? You can say he is your friend."
"It would be perfect. Do you think he would be ready to help me?"
"For a louis-d'or, I think he will. Would you give him a louis-d'or?!"
"Willingly. When can we conclude?"
"Come with us. We can possibly find him at home."
Snot followed the two boys. On the way, they talked some more and jested. Snot came to know that the two boys were friends from the first childhood, and that they often had sex together, even if they didn't really consider themselves as lovers. Together they fucked their first woman, and together they decided it was way better with men.
Arriving at Martin's place, the boy looked for his brother. "Claude is not yet at home. If you are not in hurry, we can wait for him here."
They sat on a bench. Martin pulled out a piece of hard bread, broke it in three pieces and shared it with the others.
"And your parents?" Snot asked.
"Dead. And the other brothers and sisters married. So we remain just my elder brother and me. While we wait for him why don't you tell more about you two?"
"Marc and me?"
"Sure."
Snot started to tell them again.