The arrival of the servants with trays of food saved them from further awkward discussion. Rahniseeta had learned that Derian liked mildly spicy food, especially if there was beer with which to wash it down. Thus far he had not drunk more than was wise, but if he chose to do so, and if that choosing loosened his tongue, was she to blame?
Harjeedian did not dismiss Rahniseeta, as she had half expected, but instead motioned for her to take a seat at the table. He had the servants set the platters in the center of the table where they could all easily reach, then dismissed them. The pitcher of beer was set near Derian, the pitcher of cool water between Rahniseeta and Harjeedian.
"I thought we would eat informally," Harjeedian said, filling Derian's beer glass, then his own and Rahniseeta's. "Our quarters are not really the place to stand on ceremony."
"Fine with me," Derian said. He ladled himself a portion of spiced chicken and raisins mixed with rice. "I am not a very ceremonial person."
They briefly discussed the different dishes, just as if this were a more typical dinner party, and then Derian himself turned the conversation to business.
"I hope you don't mind," he began, "but I don't know how long it will take you to make arrangements."
"Arrangements?" Harjeedian asked.
"Lady Blysse has decided she wants to go to the islands and see the wolves. I didn't know whether you need to… " He looked rather uncomfortable. "I don't know, see if they're receiving visitors or something?"
Rahniseeta lost part of what came next because they switched to Pellish, but afterward she gathered that Derian wasn't certain how one went about visiting yarimaimalom. Apparently, his culture had all sorts of different rules for making visits based on the social rank of those involved, and he wasn't certain where the yarimaimalom were placed—not surprisingly, since his first introduction to the local yarimaimalom had been Truth, and the great cats were notoriously haughty. He might have had a different impression if it had been a bear year.
After he understood why Derian was concerned, Harjeedian explained that there was no established protocol.
It varies from type to type," he said. "I am certain that Lady Blysse knows what is proper among wolves."
"I hope so," Derian said. "Having seen what passes for play between Firekeeper and Blind Seer, I worry about her if someone wants to fight."
Harjeedian frowned. Rahniseeta thought he might enjoy seeing the wolf-woman humbled, but he definitely did not want her killed.
"Is there anything I should offer her in the way of equipment?"
Derian considered. "Bow and arrows might be nice, in case she needs to hunt. Whetstone and oil for her knife. You returned her flint and steel, so that's fine. And she might want tougher clothing. You'd need to ask her."
Harjeedian nodded. "And when am I likely to have an opportunity?"
"Tonight, if you want," Derian said. "I think she's staying in the u-Nahal gardens. She never has been much for sleeping indoors. We could walk over after dinner."
"That would be fine," Harjeedian said. "Will you be sleeping here?"
"I would prefer that," Derian said. He gave a half-grin. "Now that I know the doors will open, I imagine I'll be pretty comfortable. Is Barnet still here?"
"He is," Harjeedian said.
Derian's expression was so noncommittal that Rahniseeta guessed that despite Barnet's charm and the ease with which the two men had conversed in her presence, there was still some resentment on Derian's part regarding Barnet's role in their invitation to u-Seeheera.
Realizing that Derian was not going to say anything more, Harjeedian filled the silence before it could become awkward.
"In the morning, I can arrange for a boat to take Lady Blysse to Misheemnekuru. There are several of appropriate size always available to the temples. The only thing that could alter our plans is the weather, and the omens are that it will continue fair."
Derian nodded, and the conversation shifted to a general discussion of how the local message service worked. Since he would be staying in various temple facilities, he could simply use the established courier system.
"Transportation is easily arranged as well," Harjeedian concluded, "and, of course, your needs in the way of food and clothing will be met as a small thanks for the knowledge you will share with us."
Derian nodded. "It seems fair that I teach Pellish to those who can put up with me as a teacher. Be warned, I do not have Barnet's facility for instruction."
"I shall keep that in mind," Harjeedian assured him.
"One more thing," Derian said, and all the awkwardness that had left him earlier returned. "There was a time when you said I might be permitted to write my parents so they wouldn't worry."
"Yes?"
"We've been gone awhile. I don't know exactly how long a message sent from here will take to reach them. They're not worrying now, but I'd prefer they didn't have reason to start."
Harjeedian smiled, as well he might, for this was the strongest indication they had been given that the northerners were coming to view themselves as guests rather than captives.
"Arrangements can be made," he said. "All I ask is that you not mention where you are—even to direction—or as to how you came here."
"I can do that."
"I believe there are already writing implements in your quarters."
"There are," Derian said. "Then you'll send a letter if I write one?"
"With great pleasure." Harjeedian looked at the nearly empty trays spread before them. "Are you finished eating?"
Derian nodded. "The meal was very excellent."
"Then I think it would be wise if we located Lady Blysse. That way she will know what arrangements will be made, and I will have opportunity to acquire what equipment she desires."
"Sounds good," Derian agreed.
He rose and offered Rahniseeta a bow after the fashion of his own country, following it with a fairly good rendition of the pulled-hands gesture used for polite leavetakings between those who were not kin or close friends.
Rahniseeta offered him the same, and a delighted smile.
"You are learning so much, so quickly," she said.
"Thank you, miss," Derian replied. "I hope I'll have opportunity to visit with you again."
"Frequently, I am sure. Harjeedian wishes me to learn Pellish so I may better assist him."
Derian nodded, and the two men departed, Harjeedian promising he would be back before long.
"Wait up for me," he suggested to Rahniseeta in a low voice. "I have something to say to you."
Rahniseeta agreed without difficulty. The day had been very full, and she was glad to have the opportunity to reflect. There was also a little poem she had been working on, and this would certainly keep her occupied. She was seated at the now clean table, puzzling over how to make the meter of line work without forcing the meaning, when Harjeedian returned.
She had expected his step to be lighter, but it remained measured, a sign that he was deep in thought. Therefore, she said nothing, continuing with her composition as if she were alone. Beneath her calm exterior, her temper was rising. She was getting a bit tired of how her brother treated her as nothing more than an extension of his own will.
"Rahniseeta," Harjeedian said after a long pause, "I think it would be wise if you went out of your way to be pleasant to Derian Counselor."
Rahniseeta put on her most neutral expression. "I apologize, brother, if I have been less than pleasant."
"Don't be impossible, Rahni," Harjeedian replied. "I wasn't criticizing you."
"Than what were you doing?"
He looked completely astonished. "Simply making a request that you be pleasant to our guest."
"Very well," Rahniseeta said. "I have been and I shall continue to be so."
She rose and began to gather up her papers.
"Rahni… "
There was a warning note in Harjeedian's voice, but she kept on as if she hadn't noticed.
"Rahniseeta."
"Yes."
&n
bsp; "What is wrong with you?"
She set her papers down and leaned both arms on the table, pressing down with all the anger she could not otherwise express. Nor did she raise her voice when she spoke. The walls within the Temple of the Cold Bloods were thick, but the weather was warm. Too many doors and windows were open for her to be sure her voice wouldn't carry. However, the tightness in her voice made quite clear she was less than happy.
"What is wrong? Perhaps the fact that for the last several days I have been watching over the strangers—arranging for their meals, clothing, and entertainment—and you have yet to say anything other than 'Rahniseeta, I think you should… ' Perhaps it is that I have repeatedly placed myself at tremendous risk, allowing myself to be shut in with two men, a crazy woman, and a wolf, and you don't seem to realize my danger? Perhaps it is that today I attended a meeting of u-Liall—a highly important meeting of the type one of my rank does not usually attend, unless deaf and dumb."
Harjeedian interrupted her, "Rahniseeta, don't be ridiculous. You have never been in any real danger. U-Liall's meeting was private, yes, but nothing sensitive was discussed."
"But what if it had been?" she retorted.
Harjeedian shook his head dismissively. "What it could have been is not worth discussing. I am certain you would have been sent away if anything serious had arisen."
"If any had remembered I was there," Rahniseeta muttered, aware she was sulking, but unwilling to withdraw her protest now that it had been made.
Harjeedian pretended not to hear her, but moved on to another aspect of her complaint.
"As for the time you have spent with our guests, I dwelled quite closely with them for a long while on board the ship and studied them carefully. They are well enough aware of their vulnerability to treat all of us with care."
"I wish I was so certain," Rahniseeta retorted. "Every time I was alone with them I found myself remembering how you captured them by playing off Lady Blysse's fondness for Derian Counselor. What if it occurred to them to try the same? Remember, Lady Blysse was ill aboard ship. She is no longer ill and might act quite differently."
Harjeedian was trying to speak, but Rahniseeta spoke through his words.
"And do you know what bothered me the most? The knowledge that they might just overestimate my importance to you or anyone else, and that I might find myself a hostage without redemption value."
Rahniseeta sealed her lips shut, though all the pent-up worry and fear she had felt urged her to say more. Besides, she wanted to hear what Harjeedian would say in his defense. His first words were not the apology she craved, but more in the lines of an accusation.
"Rahniseeta, why didn't you say something sooner?"
"What?"
"You could have explained that you felt at risk."
"Would you have changed anything?"
"I could have reassured you that I do not think our guests would react in the fashion you feared."
"What about Lady Blysse?" Rahniseeta persisted.
"Rahni, she did not do any of the things you feared. Tomorrow she will go to Misheemnekuru. Why must you harp on things that did not happen and now are unlikely to happen?"
"Because," Rahniseeta snapped, getting to the root of her unhappiness, "I am tired of being treated as an extension of your will. Feed this one. Clothe that one. Wait here outside this temple—no matter that you have been up since dawn and had an exhausting day. Now what is it you ask? Be pleasant to this Derian—and since I have been perfectly pleasant to him, to Barnet, to everyone who so much as looks my way, I think that you want something more than mere pleasantry. Why not say precisely what you want? Do you want me to seduce him? To make him love me? To steal his secrets?"
Harjeedian thumped his fist on the table.
"Have I ever asked any such thing of you?"
"Not yet," Rahniseeta hissed, "but how long will it be? The higher you have risen within the temple, the less you have seen me as your equal. Oh, I am grateful to you, Harjeedian—you brought me with you as you rose in status. Many brothers would not have done the same. However, I am not going to pay for my comfortable room and good clothing by becoming your obedient lackey. Better that I return to the town where we were born and take up residence in our mother's hut!"
"I will not have it," Harjeedian said sternly.
"Why?" Rahniseeta replied, her emotions too high now to be stilled. "Because having a weaver of grass mats for a sister would shame the rising aridisdu? Because I am too useful to lose? Because you have other plans for me?"
"Because," Harjeedian said, rising and pulling her hands from the table so he might hold them in his, "I love you, little sister. We have been each other's support since those days of poverty. Our mother's last request was that I watch over you, but I would have done so without those words. If I have been an overweening, overly ambitious garbage-eating dog I apologize."
He raised her hands and beat his forehead against them in the second-most-humble gesture of apology—and the one that was certain to touch her heart, for it was the one used between equals.
"Will you forgive me?" he asked with true sincerity.
Rahniseeta looked at him and smiled. "Maybe. If you start explaining yourself and stop giving orders without offering thanks."
"I can manage that," Harjeedian said with a matching smile. "The short explanation now, for as you have so aptly noted, we have had a long day."
"Short then," Rahniseeta agreed, resuming her place at the table. "What did Lady Blysse want?"
"Very little," Harjeedian replied. "Offer of a hunting bow was accepted with pleasure. I also convinced her to take a few items of camping gear—though she refused my offer of a tent with real scorn. She did thank me prettily when I offered to make her up a small medical kit, and even asked me to include some of the powder I gave her for seasickness."
"So she doesn't think you wish to poison her," Rahniseeta said. "That's good."
"She knows perfectly well that I hope she will agree to teach the art of speaking with Beasts, and she cannot do that if she is dead. However, we are taking a great gamble letting her go to Misheemnekuru. They are large enough that if she does not wish to return, and sways the yarimaimalom to her way of thinking, then we will never see her again."
"Not all the yarimaimalom will agree," Rahniseeta reassured him. "I am no aridisdu nor kidisdu, but I am perfectly certain that unanimity between them is as rare as between humans."
"True. Still, if only the wolves agree to protect her, we would be hard-pressed to force her back against her will."
"Is this why we need to be pleasant to Derian Counselor?" Rahniseeta asked.
"Partially," Harjeedian said, "but not wholly. Varjuna's news that the Wise Horse carried Derian back to the city has aroused considerable conjecture as to Derian's own worth, above and beyond what he offers as a means of swaying Lady Blysse. Many will court him now. I only wish that our temple's voice not be overwhelmed—and he does not like me."
"He has little reason to do so," Rahniseeta said bluntly. "You kidnapped him and used him to manipulate his friend. I have wondered this ever since I met them. Why did you not simply issue an invitation?"
Harjeedian's face grew very still and from this Rahniseeta knew he was debating whether or not to confide matters of the disdum.
"The omens were against it," he began, and she thought she was going to have to settle for that unarguable point, but he continued, "and u-Liall and their highest counselors thought it unwise that word of our land reach the rulers of the northern realms. So far the gods have kept us out of contact with them, and after hearing what warlike people they are, I say the gods' wisdom is unchallengeable."
"And both Lady Blysse and Derian Counselor would not depart without telling more than is wished known."
"Precisely," Harjeedian said. "The letter Derian wrote to his parents is a model of conformity to our wishes in this matter. He reassures his parents as to his safety and suggests that any questions as to where he is and wh
at he is doing be answered with misdirection."
"And how," Rahniseeta asked with genuine curiosity, "is this letter to be delivered? I did not know another vessel was going north."
"One is not," Harjeedian said. "Derian has created a problem for us by asking to write home earlier than we had imagined he would. However, when we spoke, I realized that he expected that one of the winged yarimaimalo would be carrying the letter. I simply did not discourage this belief."
"Clever," Rahniseeta said. "Though I am surprised he would think such a thing."
"Apparently, Lady Blysse has friends who have done her similar favors in the past."
"Then she is honored by her own land's yarimaimalom."
"So it seems," Harjeedian replied. "Now, we must both sleep. We can talk more later—and I promise I will remember that you are my sister, not my servant."
"And I," Rahniseeta said, making her own apology, "certainly will go out of my way to be pleasant to our foreign guests."
Chapter XII
So the wolfling was going to Misheemnekuru. Truth licked a paw and considered the implications of this action. She had given up trying to read the future where Firekeeper was concerned. Not only was it impossible to get a clear resolution on something that should be as clear as whether good or ill would come from this action, it was impossible to get any resolution at all. And trying to force one gave her a blinding headache. Truth's tail snapped in annoyance as she contemplated the fact that Firekeeper seemed to exist in the deities' blind spot. It wasn't really that incredible when one considered the young woman's given name. Who could keep Fire, after all? Only someone incredibly lucky—or incredibly ignorant of the risks she took.
Then there was the wolf who accompanied her—his own name overweighed with omens and contradictions—and yet neither of the pair seemed to be able to see beyond their own immediate concerns.
Didn't they see that the fate of everything they held dear might rest upon what they did—or did not do?
That great land is an island?" Firekeeper asked. She tried to keep the doubt and wonder out of her voice, but from the amusement in Harjeedian's voice when he replied, she knew she had failed.
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