Nightside the Long Sun by Gene Wolfe

better than most, and high, wide and handsome, too. Know what I mean, Patera? That’s why I gave her the brooch. When she wanted more…”
    â€œI understand.”
    â€œI was going to kick her. I didn’t, but if I had I’d probably have killed her. I kicked a man to death, once. That was part of what I told Patera Pike.”
    Silk nodded, forcing his eyes away from Auk’s boots. “If Patera brought you pardon, you need not repeat that to me; and if you refrained from kicking the unfortunate woman, you have earned the favor of the gods—of Scylla and her sisters particularly—by your self-restraint.”
    Auk sighed. “Then that’s all I’ve done, Patera, since last time. Solved those houses and beat on Chenille. And I wouldn’t have, Patera, if I hadn’t of seen she wanted it for rust. Or anyhow I don’t think I would have.”
    â€œYou understand that it’s wrong to break into houses, Auk. You must, or you wouldn’t have told me about it. It is wrong, and when you enter a house to rob it, you might easily be killed, in which case you would die with the guilt upon you. That would be very bad. I want you to promise me that you will look for some better way to live. Will you do that, Auk? Will you give me your word?”
    â€œYes, Patera, I swear I will. I’ve already been doing it. You know, buying things and selling them. Like that.”
    Silk decided it would be wiser not to ask what sorts of things these were, or how the sellers had gotten them. “The woman you beat, Auk. You said she used rust. Am I to take it that she was an immoral woman?”
    â€œShe’s not any worse than a lot of others, Patera. She’s at Orchid’s place.”
    Silk nodded to himself. “Is that the sort of place I imagine?”
    â€œNo, Patera, it’s about the best. They don’t allow any fighting or anything like that, and everything’s real clean. Some of Orchid’s girls have even gone uphill.”
    â€œNevertheless, Auk, you shouldn’t go to places of that kind. You’re not bad looking, you’re strong, and you have some education. You’d have no difficulty finding a decent girl, and a decent girl might do you a great deal of good.”
    Auk stirred, and Silk sensed that the kneeling man was looking at him, although he did not permit his own eyes to leave the picture of Scylla. “You mean the kind that has you shrive her, Patera? You wouldn’t want one of them to take up with somebody like me. You’d tell her she deserved somebody better. Shag yes, you would!”
    For a moment it seemed to Silk that the weight of the whole whorl’s folly and witless wrong had descended on his shoulders. “Believe me, Auk, many of those girls will marry men far, far worse than you.” He drew a deep breath. “As penance for the evil you have done, Auk, you are to perform three meritorious acts before this time tomorrow. Shall I explain to you the nature of meritorious acts?”
    â€œNo, Patera. I remember, and I’ll do them.”
    â€œThat’s well. Then I bring to you, Auk, the pardon of all the gods. In the name of Great Pas, you are forgiven. In the name of Echidna, you are forgiven. In the name of Scylla, you are forgiven…” Soon the moment would come. “And in the name of the Outsider and all lesser gods, you are forgiven, by the power entrusted to me.”
    There was no objection from Auk. Silk traced the sign of addition in the air above his head.
    â€œNow it’s my turn, Auk. Will you shrive me, as I shrove you?”
    The two men changed places.
    Silk said, “Cleanse me, friend, for I am in sore danger of death, and I may give offense to Pas and to other gods.”
    Auk’s hand touched his shoulder. “I’ve never did this before, Patera. I hope I get it right.”
    â€œTell me…” Silk prompted.
    â€œYeah. Tell me, Patera,