“Pretty good. They’re a bright group of people. They really understood why I was showing them all that—I was half-expecting them to be bored, but they weren’t.”
“Because you’re a natural teacher,” Kei said. “When you stop trailing around Periter looking for plants, I want you at the academy.”
“Wait a damn minute, Kei of Ai-Albon,” his Ma said indignantly. “He’s trailing around Periter looking for plants for you, you ungrateful wretch, and when he’s done with that, we’ve got first dibs on him!”
Karik looked at Gyo, who just grinned back and shrugged. Everyone seemed to be making a claim on him tonight. “They’re silly, aren’t they, Jes?” he whispered, giving her the tail of his braid to play with. At the sight of the blond hair, her face lit up with delight, and her chubby hands grabbed it immediately. “Ouch, Jeichi, not so rough! That’s attached.”
“No complaints, nephew. I’ve got a bald spot from where she’s pulled all my hair out at the back,” Arman said.
“You do not,” Kei said. “Don’t exaggerate. A few hairs, no more.”
“I notice you keep your damn braid away from her,” his lover retorted.
“Now you know how I manage to keep it so long,” Kei said sweetly. “Anyway, it just shows Jes has good taste if she likes the colour of your hair.”
“It’s just different from boring old brown,” Mila said, letting her daughter take hold of her finger.
“Your hair’s not boring,” Seiki said stoutly, leaning over to kiss Mila’s cheek. “Jes loves it too. So, are you really going to turn all those soldiers into scientists?”
“It’s more likely than turning scientists into soldiers, at any rate,” Karik said with a smile.
“I want to know all you’ve been doing,” Neka said firmly. “That’s why you’re here.”
“So it’s not my sparkling company—you just want a progress report?”
“And your sparkling company,” Meda said, giving him a dimpled smile. “Come on, Karik, we’ve missed you. Tell us everything!”
Karik pretended to groan, which made Jes giggle at his silliness, and then began.
~~~~~~~~
Romi looked up as Kepi came into the barracks. “Finished?”
“Nearly. Matu said I was done. The others are still working on their surveys.”
Romi nodded, and stretched. “You should spend some time at the butts. You need the practice,” he teased. His friend wasn’t their best archer—to be honest, Romi was the best on the team—but they all needed to be sharp. “I thought we could all get a few rounds in before supper, after the children leave.”
“Young Karik going to come along again?”
“I suppose he will. He’s been at most of the shoots.”
“Not a bad shot for a civilian, is he? When’s that Soza fellow going to make an appearance? Is he too grand to be trained?”
Romi didn’t say what he really thought. “Karik says he’s handling the research matters at the academy. I don’t expect to see much of him.”
Kepi grinned. “You look heart-broken.”
“Do I? I don’t mean to,” Romi deadpanned. While part of him resented that the man wasn’t participating in the team building and preparation, the rest of him was guiltily grateful not to have to make accommodations for his peculiar personality, or to have a reason to clash with Karik again.
Kepi lay down on his bunk. Romi didn’t begrudge him a rest—he’d been working them hard, though they could have been ready in half the time they’d been allowed. Training, drills and archery practice were honing the team nicely, and he felt they were as fine a group as the Rulers could have wished for. Some of them were a little more adept at the botany, others at the map making and geology, but there was no serious weakness in any of them.
Most important of all, they were working well as a team, and fast becoming good friends as well as comrades. There was a certain holiday feel with them having no other duties but to train, though the training was hard enough. Though he doubted any of them would want to do it for much longer, it was an enjoyable change from soldiering.
Each night he wrote a brief report for Lord Arman, which Karik carried back to the house the following evening. Though he doubted Karik was reading the letters, Romi kept the reports as neutral as possible, as was his habit anyway, but there was no reason to fudge the assessment of their preparedness.
“What are you looking at, Romi? Every time I see you, you’ve got your head in a report. Didn’t they do all the logistical planning before we got here?”
“Just checking it all twice. If we freeze to death or starve, I don’t want it to be because I didn’t think of something. I don’t leave things to damn bureaucrats.”
The main difficulty was in obtaining enough warm clothing—heavy winter coats, boots and gloves that could withstand the kind of bitter cold they were expecting all had to be specially made. Romi got to his feet. “I’ll have to catch you after lunch. We’re picking out the mounts. Tiko’s got some civilian, an expert on beasts, coming to give us some advice.”
Kepi sat up and gave him a surprised look. “A civilian? Why do we need a civilian to tell us about army animals?”
Romi shrugged. “Beats me, but Tiko’s organising it. I’m not an expert on the damn things, and if we can get a bit of free wisdom, then that’s fine by me. Tell the others not to dawdle after lunch. We’re meeting those Andonese families, remember?”
“I remember. See you later, Romi.
He walked over to the main gate to meet Tiko, Karik and the animal expert. To Romi’s great surprise, the civilian turned out to be Karik’s father, Reji—a big, good-looking man, broad and tall, with a piercing intelligent gaze, a ready smile and a grip like iron, as Romi discovered when he shook his hand.
The four of them went to the stables to examine the available stock, and while Romi and Tiko took a seat, Reji asked the stable hands to lead each animal out so he could check their feet, teeth, breathing and coat, and even lifting their stubby tails. Karik assisted his father, asking occasional questions, and pointing silently to this or that part of the animal’s body.
Romi and Tiko let them get on with it, but after they rejected one beast which seemed no different from others that Reji had approved, Romi raised his hand. “Would you mind telling me what’s wrong with that one?”
Reji glanced at Karik, who answered. “Low weight,” he said briefly.
Romi gave him an exasperated look and Reji grinned. “A scrawny animal is a picky eater, captain. That’s fine here in stables, and when you’re not expecting tough conditions. It can even be an advantage in the heat, or if you want speed. But in Andon, you need beasts that will eat whatever forage they can get, ones that will keep the weight on so when the weather’s bad and they can’t feed, they still keep going. Basically I’m looking for placid, well-padded animals with good breathing and legs, and no sign of chronic infection or parasites. These are good beasts, mostly, but if I was running them, I’d cull that one for a start,” he said, nodded at the rejected one.
“You’re a trader, I believe Karik said.”
“Not anymore, not much. I’ve started breeding jesigs. I wouldn’t mind if someone would import a few of those pack animals they use in Andon, but they don’t like the heat, so maybe they’d be more trouble than they’re worth. At least for now.”
Karik grinned at his father. “I’ll see if I can smuggle a couple of doigs back, Pa. Pack them in snow or something.”
Reji patted his son’s shoulder. “I bet you would too, but I think the captain would object.”
“Please, call me Romi. I can’t see why we can’t try and get a couple of animals if there’s no extra cost or trouble.”
“Well, if you could, that’d be great,” he said, looking pleased and surprised at the offer. “I don’t suppose Arman will mind, if you don’t. Not worth risking anything over, but I’d love to get my hands on a breeding pair.”
“I’ll see what we can do.”
After that, Romi paid close attention to what the two of them were doing, and Karik, perhaps realising the reason for it, began to explain their thought processes. “Breath smells clean, no lung rot.” And—“No good, Pa. Tight tendons—it’ll pull up in no time.”
The coats were combed and the volume of hair checked to see that the beast wasn’t losing more than a usual amount of hair, a sign of age or illness. One animal was rejected because it was marginally scruffier than the others—Karik said it was possible it didn’t groom its coat properly and that made it more susceptible to parasites.
Romi was impressed despite himself. He was used to assessing people this carefully, but not animals, and he was astonished how much information a dumb creature could give up about itself. Tiko watched everything with a benevolent smile—he seemed to be enjoying watching a master in action.
At last twenty animals were chosen—slightly more than they absolutely needed, but it meant they wouldn’t have to rely on doigs, which were hardier but could carry far less weight. They’d have to be flexible once in the field, but now they had a good core of working animals.
Tiko declared himself happy and insisted on Karik and Reji coming to the officers’ mess for lunch. It emerged that Tiko had known Reji since Karik was a baby, and the two took merciless advantage of this fact to tease him. “Pa,” Karik complained finally, after Reji regaled them with a story concerning an escaped pet lizard and a bottle of strong-smelling distillate. “The captain doesn’t need to hear all that.”
Reji just grinned. “Sorry, son. Sorry, Romi—fathers and their boys, you know.”
“Well, no, I’m not likely to, am I? You’re lucky, being one of us and yet being a father.” Damn, it was astonishing how this kept coming up to bite him.
Karik and his Pa exchanged a look. “Yes, I am,” Reji said in a quiet tone. “More than you realise. But my apologies again. I get a bit carried away since I had a blessing I never expected.”
Tiko cleared his throat. “Not that they’re always a blessing. My damn son, did I tell you what foolishness he’s thought up now?”
He launched into a story about his son adding to his house, and putting in some new-fangled plumbing that Tiko thought was a complete waste of money and effort. In doing so, he managed to get them past a slightly sticky patch and the rest of the meal was peaceful.
Finally they were done, and Romi stood. “You’ll have to excuse me, I’m afraid. I’ve got to meet Juizeigi before the children arrive.”
“Children?” Reji asked.
“I told you about that, Pa,” Karik said. “The captain’s been inviting local Andonese to come and meet our team, so we get to know their customs. Not sure why you wanted to see the children though, Romi.”
“Well, none of us are parents, and if we’re in the settlements, it would be nice to know what Andonese children are like, and the games they play and so on. I didn’t think it could hurt, at least.”
“I think that’s a sound idea, “ Reji said. “Unusually imaginative for a soldier too,” he added winking at Tiko.
“Oh, sit on a thurl, you hulking arse,” Tiko said mildly. “You better go, Romi. I’ll make sure this gentleman is escorted off the premises.”
Reji stood and stuck out his hand. “Pleasure doing business with you, Romi. Now you keep up your side of the bargain and bring my boy back in one piece.”
“I’ll do my best to bring everyone back,” Romi replied in all seriousness, shaking the offered hand.
“That too,” Reji agreed.
And with that, Romi took his leave.
Reji seemed a solid, decent fellow, like the rest of Karik’s family, and Romi wondered yet again how Karik could be carrying on a double life under their noses. He couldn’t see Soza appealing to a fellow like Reji, or Reji not protesting about Karik walking away from his young family—something he’d never mentioned since that first time on the ship. Perhaps the situation was more complicated than Romi had assumed.
He wasn’t going to ask about it, that was for sure—not when things were running as smoothly as they were for now. He hoped that by the time Soza was thrown back into the mix, Karik would have developed enough respect for him and such a strong bond with the team that he wouldn’t be so blind to his lover’s faults.
Not that he was blind, exactly—but touchy. Yes, that was the word. If Karik could be less touchy about Soza, they might be all right. Romi would have to do what he could to make the subject of Soza less explosive. He wasn’t looking forward to the potential arguments the damn man could cause simply by breathing.
~~~~~~~~
“Thanks, Pa,” Karik said as his father prepared to leave. “I think we’ve got a good bunch of animals.”
“Not bad for Army bred,” Pa said, unable to resist a poke at Tiko. “So that was the lieutenant. Seems a nice fellow. Good soldier, is he, Tiko?”
“Came with the most amazing reports I’ve ever seen, Reji. Arman said they had to be too good to be true, but they weren’t. The man will make colonel before he’s thirty-five, I guarantee it. Not something I ever had an ambition to do, but I guess Romi’s making up for the other things in life he can’t have.”
Karik had felt bad about that. “I know it doesn’t matter to all the gifted, but it does for a lot,” he said. “That’s why I wanted to help Seiki and Mila. I’d do it for anyone in that situation.”
His Pa put his hand on Karik’s shoulder. “I know how Romi feels—well, I do now, though when I was his age, I was sure children weren’t something I ever wanted. Maybe he’ll find a young woman and have a good friend to help them, the way you did with Seiki. I’ve known it happen, though mostly we gifted stick to our own kind. It’s simpler.”
Karik nodded—his Ma had said the same thing often enough. “Hope so. He’d be a lot nicer if he was happier, I think.”
His Pa smiled. “Come on, he seems all right to me. Maybe you just need to find some points in common. I’ll see you later. Tiko, supper tomorrow, right?”
“Juli’s expecting all of you. Thanks, Reji.”
His Pa waved and walked off—he’d hitch a lift back to the city, and knowing him, he’d probably find a friend driving a cart to take him.
Tiko turned to him. “Where are you off to now, Karik?”
“I should go and sit in with the children Romi’s bringing in, or at least talk to Matu about going to the cliffs tomorrow. I want to go to the archery practice later too.”
“Matu’s not here, he’ll be back later this afternoon.”
“Then it’s the children.” Karik was half beginning to wish he’d gone with his Pa—he had things to do at the academy and time was running out.
“The children can wait. I wanted a word with you, actually. Come back around to the stables, there’s a nice spot in the sun and we can watch other people working. That’s my favourite pastime these days.”
As promised, there was a bench against the stable walls, bathed in warm sunshine, and which gave them a good view of the beasts being trained in the large circular yard. It reminded Karik that Soza was on another riding lesson today—he’d said he was quickly improving. Karik hoped that was so—there would be a lot of riding on this expedition, and very little of it suitable for beginners, though the early part of the journey would be easier than the latter.
“What’s on your mind, Tiko?”
“Well, that little discussion with Romi and your Pa reminded me. You haven’t really done something like this before—I mean, been away from home for months in a small group of people.”
“No, but I can’t see how it will be so different, other than the extra supplies we need to take.”
Tiko smiled and shook his head. “It’s very different. When you have to live and work closely with others, you have to think about what you say and do all the time. Small grudges become major cause for complaint. Little irritations can make people come to blows. And when you throw homesickness and loneliness into the mix, it can really be hellish. I’m talking about mor
ale, Karik. Low morale is the danger on a mission like this, as much as running out of supplies or illness.”
“I know this. Why are you suddenly bringing this up now?” After all, Arman had been discussing this with Karik just a few days ago.
“Because you and Soza are going to be the only two civilians. There’s going to be friction there because you don’t think quite the way we do, though you do as well as any civilian ever could,” he added with a smile, but then he glowered at something he’d seen in the exercise ring. “Oh, pissing hells, I knew that corporal was going to fall on his arse, keeping a seat like that. I’d put him on extra duty for being so sloppy if I was his lieutenant.”
“Tiko,” Karik said impatiently. “I know we’re civilians, but so do they.”
“Yes, yes, but my point is that if you’ve got people with lovers left behind, friends, family, and so on, the fact you’ve brought a good...friend...with you might just make people a bit jealous, that’s all.”
“Oh.” Karik hadn’t even considered this. “But I don’t play favourites.”
“I know, lad, but sometimes perceptions get a little distorted. I’m just saying it’s something to be aware of. After all, you’ve seen how easy it is to spark ill-feeling.”
“Yes, I have,” Karik said fervently. “I’ll keep an eye on it, I promise.”
“Good. I knew I wouldn’t have to say much to you.” He slapped his thigh. “Right, I’m going over to see why my soldiers suddenly can’t ride a pissing urs beast to save their lives, and you can go and play with the children. I know you like that.”
“I’d rather be at the academy, actually.”
Tiko’s face crinkled up in a grin. “Sure you would. Go and play. Enjoy being young, it doesn’t last for long.”
Karik shook his head as Tiko walked off. Damn man, as if he had time to mess around with children’s games. But if he had to.... He thought of Jes, and how he would miss her and her parents, and the rest of his friends. Tiko had a point. He would have to mention it to Soza—they weren’t just friends, but the only two naturalists. It wouldn’t do if the soldiers thought they considered themselves elite or separate in some way. He just hoped the soldiers didn’t take the opposite route and consider themselves superior to the civilians—that would get very tiresome.
Staying Power (Darshian Tales #3) Page 11