‘Depends on the place. It’s usually worse when we stop at cities. Towns can be bad but cities are worse. You get all sorts in cities.’
‘I’ve never been to a city to know. The people in Omashi seem more… stuffy.’
‘City people are more concerned with themselves than their community. In the tribes, you work together or you die.’ Grimacing slightly, Nareel pulled at her bodice. It seemed like a habit rather than a need. ‘In the cities, it’s like even people living next door to you are your enemies.’
‘It’s like that, mostly, in Avrilatha. I mean, we all have to work together to keep the village working. You really aren’t confident in that outfit, are you?’
Nareel was not in the blue tunic and trousers she normally wore. She had changed into a corseted bodice made of soft leather with blue cups and blue-grey around the ribs. It left her shoulders, arms, and much of her chest bare, and it also exposed a bit of skin at her waist. Her trousers were made of a padded material and were tight-fitting. She also had ankle-high boots with a quite substantial heel.
‘Not really,’ Nareel admitted. ‘Herra Taravel says that looking good for the customers is important. I… don’t really like showing off this much skin. You don’t seem to have a problem.’
Ayah grinned. She was still in her deerskin outfit. ‘Adults didn’t show a lot of skin in my village, but when I left a friend persuaded me that it wasn’t such a terrible thing to do. Our villages tend to be conservative. Towns follow city fashions more. The Iron City and Astollar have some really quite exotic fashions. Like that dress Suyin was wearing earlier. I’ve got one like that. Doesn’t fit so well now. I grew up a bit since Xian bought it for me.’
‘Evening, girls.’ Ayah looked around to see the speaker, a big man dressed in brown britches and a tunic. Aside from the obvious muscle across his shoulders and down his arms, he had the face of a fighter, including a nose which had been broken at some point and had reformed twisted. His hair was sandy-blonde and he had blue eyes. He might have been attractive if not for that nose and the look of massive superiority he was wearing.
‘Watch that one,’ Nareel said when they had walked past. ‘His name’s Rathven. He’s got… an eye for the ladies.’
‘Huh,’ Ayah responded. ‘Well, so does Yaena.’
‘Yaena asks before she takes you to her bed.’
‘Oh. Um, actually, we did it on the cushions on the floor.’
‘I did not need to know that.’
‘I was just being accurate.’
‘I still didn’t need to know.’
~~~
Ayah stood at the back of the Fire Dance enclosure and watched as the girls whirled through their performance. Tonight she was trying to be analytical, or more analytical than she had been the night before. She was, she thought anyway, at least as good as most of the dancers and better than some. Yaena was another matter. Yaena was almost as good as Xian. Ayah’s instruction in the dance had been good – Xian was a good teacher and a good dancer – but there were still things to learn and Yaena would be a good source of that learning, even if just by example.
The sight of the blonde girl moving through the dance, her body writhing like dancing flames, mingled with memories of the hour they had spent together that afternoon. The faster the dance got, the more Ayah squirmed and felt herself dampen down there where Yaena’s mouth had stirred up a considerable amount of pleasure. That could be an issue. If Ayah was going to want Yaena’s tongue to go to work every time she watched her dancing, it was going to be hard to learn anything. Stupid pumped-up libido. Stupid qi imbalance.
The beat of the drums sank into Ayah’s body and turned into a pulsing beat between her legs. She pressed her lips together and kept her eyes on the dancing, but as the dance ended and the drums crashed to their climax, she had to bite back on a moan as the throbbing within her reached its own peak. Stupid qi imbalance!
‘You looked like you were enjoying that,’ Yaena said with a far too knowing grin on her face.
‘You’re very good,’ Ayah said, knowing that her cheeks were glowing. ‘You’re almost as good as my teacher.’
‘Almost?’
‘She’s… older than you. She’s had more time to perfect her skills.’
‘Then I guess I’ll let that slide. Want to come back with me? Maybe we can perfect some other skills.’
Ayah smiled. ‘I was hoping you’d say that.’ They set off out of the enclosure and Ayah noticed that a couple of the other dancers had found themselves a companion too. These were local men, however, and there seemed to be a little negotiation going on. ‘Uh, Yaena?’
‘Mm-hmm?’
‘Am I getting entirely the wrong picture, or are some of the girls–’
‘You’re not. They are. It’s a way to make a little money on the side. It’s not compulsory or anything. Taravel doesn’t even take a cut. If it was compulsory, I wouldn’t be here.’
‘No?’
‘No. I don’t… entertain men. And if we get to know each other a lot better, I might even tell you why. But it’ll have to be one night when we can afford to get drunk.’ Some of the brightness had left Yaena’s voice and Ayah shifted her steps slightly, slipping her hand into her companion’s.
‘Sorry. I shouldn’t have asked.’
The smile was a little forced, but it was there. ‘Since you did, I expect you to make it up to me.’
‘Oh, I think I might be able to do that. I don’t think it’ll be a chore at all.’
10th Day, First Nahad.
They were up early in the morning to dismantle the circus and load it into wagons. It took everyone about three hours to dismantle it all. Ayah helped, though she felt like she was more of a hindrance. She would be more useful the next time they took things down: she was determined to be.
By midday, everyone was piling onto the wagons and Taravel’s Circus was heading out to the next town or village on the list. Sitting on a bench seat in one of the passenger wagons, Ayah looked back at the town, or rather past it to the forest. She rather doubted that Leshak was watching and she had no idea where Xian was, but she said a silent goodbye anyway.
‘Saying goodbye?’ Suyin asked from the other side of the wagon.
‘Sort of.’
‘Did you live in Omashi for long?’
‘Oh, I didn’t actually live in Omashi. My teachers lived in the forest. I’ve been there for… fourteen months? I think it was fourteen months.’
Suyin’s eyes widened. ‘You were the girl in the forest?’
‘Huh?’
‘We heard rumours of a girl living in the forest. I mean, no one really believed them. No one lives in the forest.’
Ayah grinned. ‘Of course they do. As long as you don’t hunt for sport and don’t light fires, there’s nothing much to worry about. Anyway, I was staying with… people who know how to survive in there. One of them taught me Wood Form and the other taught me the Fire Dance.’
‘You are a little crazy,’ Suyin said firmly. ‘There are spirits in that forest and they don’t like humans. There are amaroqs in that forest.’
‘It’s not so different from the deep tundra,’ Nareel countered. ‘There are things in the snow which don’t treat men well. In the mountains it can get much worse, but even the tribes avoid the mountains.’
‘No,’ Ayah said, ‘Suyin’s right. I am a little crazy.’
Nareel peered at her for a second and then shrugged. ‘Perhaps. Most people think that anyone willing to live on the tundra is more than a little insane.’
‘Is that why you left? Not insane enough?’
‘No. No, I left because I was told that it was my destiny.’ Nareel’s icy-blue eyes focused on Ayah’s and she looked terribly serious. ‘Really, Ayah, trust me when I tell you that when a fortune teller tells you your destiny, it’s really best to do the exact opposite of whatever they tell you.’
11th Day, First Nahad.
Each night, the circus would make camp at the side of w
hatever road they were on. Tents were not usually put up, Ayah was told, but some would be if they were expecting rain and then it would be only some of the tents while some of the people crammed into the covered wagons. So far, the weather was staying clear and Avoona was predicting that it would stay that way for the week. The moon was a couple of days from full with about two-thirds of its disc showing so the nights were not especially dark.
It was as Ayah was walking back to camp with a bucket of water from the nearby stream that Rathven decided to pay her some attention. She was almost back to where Suyin and Nareel and a few of the other dancers were setting a fire. She had to walk between a couple of wagons still laden down with tents and enclosure canvas, and she was not immediately sure what was happening when a large shape stepped into her path. She stepped back, looking up to see the stupid, rather triumphant grin on Rathven’s face.
‘Excuse me, Rathven,’ Ayah said, keeping her voice even. ‘I need to take this water to the others and you’re in the way.’
‘What do I get out of that arrangement?’ Rathven asked, still smirking.
‘The pleasure of knowing you did the right thing.’
‘I think I’d like something else, but it will involve pleasure.’ His arms rose, reaching for her, but she stepped back, setting the bucket of water down beside her. He was big, but that was where she had the advantage: because he knew he was big, he relied on it.
‘Back off, Rathven,’ Ayah warned him.
‘I don’t think–’
‘You heard the lady.’ The voice came from behind Rathven; Ayah could not see whoever it was because of the wrestler’s bulk, but the voice sounded like Jun’s. ‘I think you should do what she says.’ Rathven turned, quite slowly and with intent, and Ayah saw that it was Jun standing back there. Rathven was aiming for intimidation and he probably could have pulled it off if Jun were not standing there with his hand on the hilt of his sword. ‘Just don’t,’ Jun went on. ‘Taravel would be annoyed if I cut you up, but he’d forgive me after I told him what you were doing.’
‘Think you’re so big with your sword,’ Rathven said.
‘Sure do,’ Jun said equitably. ‘And you think you’re so big when you’re trying to intimidate a girl little more than half your weight and a hand shorter than you.’
Grumbling, Rathven moved past Jun and vanished into the wagons. Ayah thought she heard some comment to the effect that ‘this is not over,’ but she could not be entirely sure.
Grinning, Jun raised his hands, placing his left fist against the heel of his right hand with the right fingers held straight upward. Then he bowed. ‘It was my pleasure to provide the lady with assistance.’
Ayah picked up her bucket. ‘Thank you, Jun, but I could’ve handled him myself.’
‘He does outweigh you by quite a lot and he’s a lot stronger.’
‘What does that have to do with anything? You know, if he had realised there was no way you could’ve got your sword into a position to hurt him in time, you’d probably be lying on the floor with a broken nose.’ She started in the same direction that Rathven had taken.
‘I could’ve–’
‘I have a sword just like that one and it’s not a close-combat weapon. You were standing too close. Luckily, Rathven’s not nearly as good as he thinks he is at tactics and is probably a bit of a coward.’
Jun turned and followed her as she wove toward the campfire. ‘Uh, oh. I thought you were joining the fire dancers.’
‘I am.’
‘But you have a sword.’
‘I do. I learned Metal Form before I learned Fire Form. And my teacher taught me Fire primarily by teaching me the dance.’
‘Oh. Uh, can I carry that for you?’
Ayah grinned but did not turn so he could see it. ‘I learned Earth Form before I learned Metal. I’m stronger than I look. At least as far as lifting things goes.’
‘You took longer than I expected,’ Nareel said as Ayah approached with the bucket and Jun still in tow.
‘I ran into Rathven who wanted me to take longer. Jun defended my honour.’
Nareel peered at the tall, young swordsman. ‘Thank you for your assistance, Jun.’
‘Yeah,’ Jun said, sounding a little disconsolate. ‘I’m going to, um…’ He trailed off and turned, heading toward some other part of the small camp.
‘I kind of told him I could take care of myself,’ Ayah said. ‘And that his intimidation technique had a massive flaw. I think I hurt his feelings.’
‘Jun’s a nice guy,’ Suyin said. ‘Mostly. I mean, he’s male and that comes with all sorts of baggage. Men are high maintenance.’
‘You’re too young to be that cynical,’ Yaena said from across the fire. Apparently, she had turned up while Ayah was getting water. ‘I, on the other hand, am quite old enough to know that men aren’t worth the trouble.’
Ayah flashed her a grin. ‘I didn’t see you there, Yaena. Are you staying for some food?’
‘Well, since you asked… Anyway, get some food inside you and let it settle. Then it’s time for practice. We have to get you up to speed for Moon Day. That will be your first performance!’
‘Great. That sounds like it should be… great.’
‘Nervous?’ Yaena asked. ‘There’s nothing to worry about. I have seen you dance. You’ll do great.’
14th Day, First Nahad.
Ayah had taken her food a little way from the wagons as the circus stopped for lunch. They always stopped for lunch because it gave the horses a good chance to rest before moving on in the afternoon, but most of the people stayed on their wagons. Ayah had found herself becoming increasingly nervous about their arrival in Fulsom the following day – and her first performance that evening – and had decided to take a break from the chatter of her colleagues. She was a little surprised then when Avoona appeared beside her, settling onto the grass.
‘I said I’d give you a reading when we had the time,’ Avoona said, ‘and now is a good time for it.’ She pointed up at the sky where the moon was a white shape in the blue, full and strangely large. ‘Full moon is always a good time for casting.’
‘Uh, thanks,’ Ayah responded.
‘Is there some question on your mind? I can tell something’s troubling you.’
‘Ha! Yeah, will I mess up tomorrow and make a total fool of myself?’
Avoona smiled. ‘I don’t need my coins to answer that, girl. I’ve seen you dancing with Yaena and the others. Don’t let your nerves get to you and you’ll have nothing to worry about.’
‘Well, I’ll try. Um, in that case, there’s nothing specific I need to know until I get to Istollam.’
Opening a leather pouch, Avoona took out six gold coins, imperial crowns and old ones by the look of them. ‘Then we’ll just see what the coins tell us.’ Her brown eyes looked up into Ayah’s. ‘I’m going to do this properly, so it will take a little time.’
Ayah’s brow furrowed. She had never put much stock in the proclamations of fortune tellers and was unaware that there was a ‘proper’ way to do it. ‘Okay.’
Avoona gave a nod and then stilled herself, the coins held in her hands, and closed her eyes. She seemed almost to be meditating over the metal discs in her hands and there was an odd feeling of stillness which seemed to spread out from her. After a short time, her eyes still closed, she cast the coins into the grass in front of her. Her right hand moved out, not touching the coins, not even touching the blades of grass, but moving over them slowly.
‘Tell me, Ayah, have you had past dealings with spirits?’
‘Uh, yes. My–’
Avoona raised her hand and Ayah stopped. ‘This casting is known as “Household” or “Family,” but there is a sense of negation and imbalanced energies. There is a sense of the workings of spirits.’ The fortune teller let out a long breath and opened her eyes. ‘This is a confusing casting, Ayah, and my interpretation may be faulty. This normally represents a harmonious and happy family. The women of the household are he
ld within it and gain favour from it, but the feeling I get is that whatever lies in your future involves a broken household. I sense that some spirit or spirits work within this future, but for good or ill, I cannot tell. The advice I would give is that, so long as you remain steadfast and hold tightly to what you know is right, the situation will resolve itself favourably.’
‘Um, okay, I guess. Are all your predictions so… vague?’
‘No,’ Avoona said, smiling and picking up her coins. ‘Sometimes things are very simple. For example, I can also tell you that you will perform perfectly tomorrow.’
‘Oh! Well, good.’
‘But you are a complicated one. I’m going to have to keep an eye on you.’
‘That’s comforting.’
Avoona gave a shrug. ‘When I give a proper reading, I’m not trying to be comforting. When I give a proper reading, I’m just aiming to tell someone the truth, no matter how uncomfortable it is.’
22nd Day, First Nahad.
Fulsom was behind them and Ayah had performed well enough to avoid embarrassment. Now the village of Loffton was awaiting the circus, though not with great anticipation, or so it seemed from the look of things. At Loffton, children had emerged from within the village to watch the circus rise from a field just outside the gate, but here there was nothing but the log palisade which surrounded the village.
Ayah had been through putting up the circus’s equipment once and knew how things were likely to go. Everyone helped unload the wagons, taking the various pieces of equipment to wherever Taravel directed them before going back for more. Then the more skilled staff would begin putting up the various enclosures and the rest would see to the residential tents. Avoona’s tent did double duty and, since she had it to herself, someone always helped her with it. Ayah took a turn this time because Suyin and Nareel said they could manage their tent without Ayah. Ayah also helped Yaena get her tent pitched: she had spent several hours in it at Fulsom and figured she might end up doing the same here, so why not help put it up?
And then Taravel came along, handed Ayah and Nareel a roll of posters, a pot of glue, and a brush, and sent them off into town. ‘Put one at the gate,’ he said, ‘and there’s a board outside the village hall for notices. If you spot anywhere else that’s worth the bother, put the third poster up, but don’t worry too much about that.’ His gaze turned to the town. ‘And keep your eyes open. I’m not getting a good feeling about this place.’
The Iron Princess Page 13