by Unknown
‘But when?’
‘When Tierken came to Kessom after the fighting. Aren’t you going to congratulate me?’
‘May you have a long life with clear skies,’ said Farid, still looking stunned. ‘I would have thought –’
‘I think Tierken’s only told Laryia and Tresen. Many in Kessom know, but not even my people know here. He wants to give the city time to get used to their kin having come north again, without trying to explain what bonding is. But I wanted you to know.’
There was no time for Farid to say anything further as they’d reached the Meeting Hall doors where Tierken and Laryia were greeting their guests. Servers then escorted them to their seats and Kira eagerly scanned the tables for Caledon – until Farid reminded her that the Talliens were neither part of the Terak Kirillian nor joined by treaty or alliance. Tresen wasn’t at the banquet either, as he was saving his strength for the ceremony to come.
Guests continued to stream in: the darker Kirs, the tall muscular Illians and Teraks, and the slightly built Kessomis. Even Ashmiri were there, but not Uthlin or his son. The Tremen Protector Leaders came straight to Kira and greeted her formally, and Kira had to blink hard to clear her vision.
Tierken didn’t rise to speak until well into the meal, and then he spoke only briefly. He welcomed all the Terak peoples in turn – listing the Tremen after the Kirs and Illians, but before the Kessomis – and then those allied with or treatied to the Terak. He finished by toasting Laryia and speaking of his joy at her imminent marriage. Then he sat down.
Kira stared at him, trying to catch his eye, but he didn’t look in her direction. The guests finished their meals and conversations, drifting outside to the bright courtyard, and Farid escorted Kira out too. She yearned to speak to Tierken, but was reluctant to delay Farid, who she knew had other important matters to attend to.
She’d only been back in her rooms a moment before Niria appeared to dress her hair and help her into her gown. The server reported excitedly that the Domain path was already thick with people.
‘You look like Queen Kiraon herself, come back to life,’ said Niria as she tweaked the gown into place. ‘She was Kessomi with fair hair and gold eyes, and favoured green and gold too, or so the tales tell.’
Kira felt more treacherous than queenly, horribly aware of how much metal she had already worn that day.
Farid’s eyes widened when he saw her, and he continued to glance sideways at her as they made their way down to the gate along a side street. On the day of a wedding, it was considered ill fortune to use the Domain path to descend, and the narrow street they used was crowded with other richly attired men and women who were also part of the marriage procession.
Black-and-silver ribbons and banners of material hung from doorways in honour of the Feailner’s sister, and Kira smiled at the children whose noses were pressed against the windows of the houses.
‘The beautiful Tremen Feailner,’ said Adris, falling into step beside her. ‘You look very well indeed.’
Kira flushed as his black eyes roved over her. ‘King Adris, it’s good to see you once more. I am very relieved that you escaped the fighting unscathed.’
‘You doubt my sword skill?’
The heat in Kira’s face increased. ‘By no means. You’ve been formally introduced to the Domain Keeper?’ she asked, gesturing to Farid.
‘Of course,’ said Adris, his gaze remaining on her.
‘I’ve yet to see the Lord Caledon,’ said Kira. ‘Is he in front or behind us?’
‘It’s hard to tell in this crowd. You’ll see him at the banquet though. I know he’s keen to speak with you.’
‘And I with him,’ said Kira. ‘Do you know when he intends to return home?’
‘I think that depends on you.’
Kira was aware of Farid’s silence, but if Adris noticed, he didn’t seem to care.
‘I’ve bonded with the Terak Feailner so the Domain is now my home,’ she said. ‘Bonding’s the Tremen form of marriage,’ she added.
‘Not quite, from what the Lord Caledon tells me,’ said Adris pleasantly. ‘But I’ll let him know your happy news. I’m sure he will wish to congratulate you in person.’ Then, with a nod, he lengthened his stride and drew ahead.
They reached the base of the wall and made their way along in its cool shadow until they came to the gate. There was a long line of dignitaries already assembled there but Farid escorted Kira past them up the line, a hush descending as they passed.
‘They admire your gown,’ murmured Farid.
‘But not my bloodline.’
Farid smiled. ‘You look exquisite. It’s just that Sarnia’s not used to gold that lives.’
‘What about the Feailner’s eyes?’
‘Now which Feailner would that be?’
‘Which would you prefer?’ asked Kira, her tension lessening.
‘It’s hard to choose. They’re both my favourites.’
Kira laughed, at ease again. ‘Are Tierken, Laryia and Tresen late, or are they hiding in this crowd?’ she asked, peering about.
‘They wait in the Marriage House. It’s just behind the stables over there. It was built especially for the happy couple to rest in while the Sarnia Guard persuade their guests to form a line. This can take quite a while, as it’s perplexing for those who think they’re the most important people in Sarnia to discover that they’re the sixth most important, or the twenty-third. No one likes moving back.’
‘Does that mean we’re the most important people in Sarnia?’ asked Kira, as she and Farid took up their position at the top of the line.
‘Indeed it does – after the Feailner, who leads, and the pledged couple, of course. I always come next, as Keeper of the Domain, then the highly placed members of the Kir, Illian and Kessomi communities follow. But because this is the marriage of the Feailner’s sister, those we’re allied to have been invited and must be slotted in. King Adris is placed highly because of the renewed friendship between the Tain and the Terak. The only marriage more important than this will be the marriage of the Feailner himself.’ Farid faltered, looking mortified. ‘I beg your pardon, Kira. I didn’t mean –’
‘I know you didn’t,’ Kira reassured him.
The people behind fell silent, craning their necks to the left, and Kira and Farid followed suit. Then a cheer went up from the crowd as Tierken walked slowly forward wearing the Domain black and silver, a circlet of silver bright against his dark hair. Kira’s heart sped as she looked at him, and the joyous wonder of their love broke over her anew.
Laryia and Tresen followed, and the cheering increased as they took their place behind Tierken. Laryia sparkled in blue, her beauty heightened by her radiant smile, and Tresen wore the Domain black and silver. But his face was pale and Kira watched him anxiously. There was a brief hiatus as black-clad music-makers took up position, then with a clash of thumb cymbals, the Marriage Walk began.
Bells joined the cymbals, then pipes, soft drums and thumbelins, the tinkling music rippling in a happy wave that carried them up the path. Flowers rained down, thrown by the crowd, and Kira laughed in delight. Those gathered along the way cried ‘long life’, ‘clear skies’ and ‘burn bright’ – wishes for happiness and prosperity that Farid said came from their herding past.
Once the procession had passed, the bystanders fell into step behind, following the wedding guests up to the Domain gate. Here the Marken stood to either side of Rosham, with the city’s trader leaders gathered behind them. With a final clash of cymbals, the music stilled and the crowd hushed.
Tierken went forward and took his place in the midst of the Marken, turning to face the crowd and forcing Rosham to move sideways or stare at his back. Then Marken Milsin stepped forward and in a sonorous voice outlined the gravity of the step the couple were about to take. Milsin eventually fell silent and then Tresen and Laryia turned to face each other. Tresen’s pallor had increased, but he spoke steadily, completing his pledge. As Laryia began hers, Kira glanced beyo
nd them to Tierken and smiled, but although he looked directly at her, he didn’t smile back.
Laryia finished her pledge to love and live together until death, then Tresen took the pledge-bracelet from Laryia’s right wrist and slipped it onto her left one. The crowd erupted with cheers and applause, but Kira barely heard them. Her heart thundered in her ears and despite the warm day, she shivered. Perhaps Tresen had been right about Tierken after all.
24
The servers had been busy since the breakfast banquet, and the Meeting Hall was now festooned with flowers, silver chimes and black ribbons, the tables set in crisp white. Metal platters and goblets gleamed in the light of lattice-worked lanterns, and perfumed candles lent the air a sweet scent. The seating order was much as it had been at the Mid-market banquet, with the addition of Tresen to the top table; Kira and Farid were seated at the closest lower table, along with Adris, Caledon, and the more important of the lesser traders.
Conversations hummed amidst the clang of metal, but Kira barely attended to them, her attention focused on Tierken. Just one tender glance from him would be enough to reassure her, but he was conversing with two of the trader leaders. Kira knew that Tierken still wanted to marry in the Terak way, and that having to watch his sister do so would have been hard for him, but the more she considered how Tierken had looked at her, the more frightened she grew.
Finally she turned to ask, ‘Could you grant me a favour, Farid?’
‘Of course.’
‘Could you change places with the Lord Caledon? I need to speak with him.’
‘By all means,’ said Farid.
He rose, whispered to Caledon, and then Caledon settled beside her. ‘You look very well, Kira. Your time in Kessom seems to have done you good,’ he said.
‘I’ve also been fortunate that those I care most about have survived the fighting,’ she said, touching his hand.
‘Adris tells me that congratulations are in order.’
‘Yes. Tierken and I have bonded,’ she said, forcing a smile.
Just a short time ago, passing on such news would have brought her joy, but now doubts gnawed.
‘Then I wish you both long life and happiness,’ said Caledon, inclining his head. Kira said nothing and Caledon considered her calmly. ‘It’s unclear to me why you aren’t sitting with your bondmate given your new status.’
‘I think the Terak have enough things to come to terms with over the recognition of the kin-link and the granting of Kasheron’s Quarter to us without adding a bondmate,’ said Kira.
‘You think? Or Tierken thinks?’
‘We both think,’ said Kira.
‘When exactly will Tierken acknowledge you then?’
‘I don’t know. We haven’t discussed it.’
Caledon smiled and sipped his drink. ‘I admit I was surprised when Adris informed me of your news. I’d heard nothing about it from the Marken, or the trader leaders, or even the Tremen Protectors. If I had bonded with you, Kira, the whole world would have known by now.’
Kira flushed. ‘Tierken still has difficulties in Sarnia,’ she said, but the excuse sounded unconvincing even to her own ears.
‘That might be true, but I don’t think it’s the reason he’s denied you your rightful place at the top table, or acknowledgement of you in the Marriage Walk. I think the reason is as we discussed the last time I was here – namely that Tierken doesn’t accept who and what you are.’
‘We’ve bonded,’ said Kira, having trouble meeting Caledon’s eyes.
‘I’ve no doubt that you’ve bonded with him, but I see little evidence that he’s bonded with you.’
Kira said nothing. ‘Perhaps it’s best I return to my seat,’ he said then, glancing beyond her.
Kira knew Tierken must be watching them but she gripped Caledon’s hand. ‘Pledge me you won’t leave Sarnia without saying goodbye. I couldn’t bear to have you suddenly disappear.’
‘As you’ve chosen the Feailner over the Placidien, I can’t see that it would make any difference.’
It was the first time Caledon had alluded to how her meeting with Tierken had interrupted their growing love. And although his clear grey eyes held none of Tierken’s hardness, Kira suddenly understood how much she’d hurt him. She dropped her head, but he raised it, for once careless of the gaze of others.
‘I’ll not leave without proper farewell on the condition you pledge me not to stay with any man who brings you unhappiness,’ he said.
‘I’ve bonded,’ reiterated Kira woodenly.
‘And Miken’s explained to me what that means.’
‘I’m not faithless,’ said Kira. ‘I didn’t bond on a whim.’
‘As I’ve said, it’s not your commitment that concerns me.’ Caledon lowered his voice. ‘The test of love is trust, Kira. Where there is no trust, love will fail. If all Tierken needs is a little more time to return the trust you’ve already given him, then I will leave you gladly, knowing you’ve found happiness – for if anyone deserves happiness, it’s you. But I don’t believe it will be so, and I don’t want you to remain here in misery under the misapprehension that you’ve failed in some way, or that it’s your fault.’
The intensity of Tierken’s gaze was beginning to draw the attention of others.
‘People are staring,’ she muttered.
‘I’m waiting for your answer.’
‘I pledge it,’ said Kira, desperate to put a stop to the interest they were generating.
Caledon rose and, with a small bow, made his way back to his seat. Farid returned and launched into an animated description of how the rest of the night would proceed.
Kira kept her gaze on his face as if fascinated by his words. In truth, she was struggling not to panic, the certainties of just a few days ago scattered to the winds. For once Caledon hadn’t minced his words, and what he’d said fed the black hole of her own doubts.
She wanted Tierken close, the reassurance of his touch and the smile that was just for her, but she didn’t trust herself to look at him again, fearful that his expression would confirm what Tresen and Caledon had warned her of. The music-makers began and conversations hushed as Laryia and Tresen made their way down from the top table to the dance floor, then applause broke out as they began to dance. But Tresen looked so pale and uncertain in his movements that Kira feared he would collapse.
The dance steps were slow and intricate, and the applause fell into the same rhythm. Then Tierken rose and made his way down. Kira’s heart pounded but he walked past her without a glance and onto the dance floor and, with a bow to Tresen, took Laryia’s hand. It was Tresen who turned towards Kira, his face so pale that Kira rose hurriedly and met him halfway. Her lack of familiarity with the steps didn’t matter as Tresen barely had the strength to move, and as the Marken and the trader leaders and their wives came to the dance floor, Kira eased Tresen towards the door and they slipped out into the cooler night air.
‘Are you in pain from the wound or are your lungs giving you difficulties?’ she asked, as he sagged against the wall.
‘Pain,’ gasped Tresen. ‘It’s been . . . a long day.’
‘I can solve that,’ said Kira, busy with his jacket buttons.
Tresen’s hand closed over hers. ‘No. I do feel . . . a little better now.’
‘I know what you feel, Tresen, my hand’s burning through your shirt. And I don’t intend for this special night to be ruined for either of you.’
Kira slid her hand through the openings in his jacket and shirt and was immediately engulfed by the fire in the tunnel. Then she was back outside the Meeting Hall, Tresen now supporting her.
‘I’ve never decided whether you bear the most wonderful gift, Tremen Leader Feailner Kiraon of Kashclan, or the most terrible curse,’ he said softly, bringing his forehead to hers.
‘Definitely the first, clanmate,’ she said, still dizzy.
The door opened and Tierken appeared. ‘Your wife wonders where you are, Healer Tresen.’
‘I th
ank you, Feailner,’ said Tresen. But he didn’t release Kira. ‘All right now?’
‘Yes,’ said Kira. ‘Enjoy the rest of your wedding day.’
Tresen bowed to Tierken and disappeared back inside the Meeting Hall, but Tierken remained where he was.
‘Tresen wasn’t feeling well,’ said Kira. ‘I was –’
‘I saw what you were doing.’
Tierken’s inference was plain. ‘Tresen’s my clanmate. He’s –’
‘Married to my sister, a pledge which is binding, unlike the arrangements the Tremen make. I know you’re ignorant of the difference, Kira, but I didn’t realise Tresen was too.’
Kira stared at him in dismay. ‘Are you suggesting –’
‘You disrupted the last celebration I hosted here,’ went on Tierken. ‘I was hoping you’d matured since then, or at least learned some manners. It seems I’m to be disappointed on both counts.’
The door shut behind him and the anxiety she’d carried since dawn flashed to anger. Wrenching open the door, she stormed back in to the celebrations. The dance floor was crowded, Laryia and Tresen now leading thread-the-leaves and Tierken speaking to a beautiful woman with jet-black hair. Farid, Caledon and Adris were all partnerless, though, and she strode to their table.
‘Lord Caledon,’ she said, ‘I’ve shared rain, wind and thunder with you, but never a dance. Would you do me the honour?’
‘The honour and pleasure is mine,’ said Caledon, rising.
But Kira had only been dancing with Caledon for a short while before she realised that she’d made a terrible mistake. His sweet spice scent invaded her senses, reminding her of his Shelter, and making the temptation to remain in his arms overwhelming.
If I had bonded with you, Kira, the whole world would have known by now, he had said.
Kira had intended to ask Adris to dance next, then Farid, determined not to suffer a repeat of the humiliation of the Mid-market banquet, but she felt so unnerved by the feelings Caledon had roused that when the dance had finished she excused herself and hastened back to her rooms, turning the key in the lock behind her.