by Anna Kashina
He swallowed. “I… I’ll try.”
“Yes, you will. We’ll start practicing with water tomorrow. In the meantime, I will also start teaching you and Alder to control the spiders. But all of this must wait until you rest. Let’s walk back to your camp.”
Kyth didn’t question this as he rose to his feet and followed her.
The sky was still bright as they emerged into their campsite, but the tall trees around the glade made it seem dark, the glowing campfire in its center beckoning with light and warmth. Kyth trudged toward it and lowered down next to Celana, who smiled and edged sideways on the log she was using as a seat to give him room.
As if on cue, Alder rose from his seat on the other side and stepped toward Ayalla. She drew him into a deep kiss that made Kyth look away in embarrassment. Then she turned and walked away, Alder following her like a sleepwalker.
Kyth sat for a while, aware of Celana’s blush and of the way Garnald looked at them nonchalantly, as if everything happening here was normal and natural.
Kyth raised his eyes to the old Mirewalker with wonder. He knew that to achieve this title, to become Ayalla’s errand man, Garnald had to have been her lover too, at least at some point. From the lack of jealousy or restlessness as Garnald watched Alder’s nightly forays, Kyth had to assume that this love affair was in the past. It made him worry. What would happen to Alder when he got older or Ayalla outlived her fancy for him? Would he become heartbroken? Or would he turn into one of Ayalla’s errand men, bound to her without seemingly getting much in return, like Garnald?
He wanted for Alder to be able to find happiness and lead a normal life. Being Ayalla’s lover, growing old in the forest to come and go at her beck and call, didn’t fit the bill, however much Alder seemed to be enjoying his time here at the moment.
“Does Ayalla ever let her men go?” Kyth asked.
Garnald briefly glanced down the path Ayalla and Alder had disappeared a short time ago. “Yes, she does. Frequently, in fact.”
Frequently. Somehow, the information brought no reassurance at all.
“What happens to them then?”
Garnald shrugged. “Nothing bad, if that’s what you’re thinking. It feels somewhat like a spell being lifted. The men remember the pleasure of being with her, as well as all the lovemaking skills they learned, but they are no longer consumed with obsession over her. They can return to normal life, as if nothing happened. It feels quite good, actually.”
He leaned forward and filled his mug from the kettle hanging over the fire, taking a long sip. Kyth also poured two mugs, handing one to Celana, and drinking from his own. The tea felt fragrant, so good after the exhausting day.
“Was it the same with you, Garnald?” he asked.
The Mirewalker chuckled. “At some point, yes. But since I had no other family, no woman who waited for me at home, my relationship with Ayalla continued longer than normal, on and off. In fact, I got so used to this life that I can imagine no other way, really.”
Does she still sleep with you? Kyth knew he would never dare to ask. Yet, he felt glad at seeing the contentment in the older man’s face. Garnald seemed genuinely happy with his life. That was all that mattered, wasn’t it?
“What about Alder?” he said.
Garnald raised his eyebrows. “What about him?”
“Do you think some day she will let him go too?”
“Probably,” Garnald said. “At some point, he will most certainly run out of stamina. Men do, as they age, and I’ve never yet seen her drive anyone that hard.”
Kyth blushed, stealing a quick glance at Celana. She asked to be here, of course, but he knew this kind of talk wasn’t appropriate for the ears of a young girl. He supposed talking was better that watching the foreplay as Ayalla took Alder away every evening, but he still felt guilty for pressing the subject in Celana’s presence. Only his concern for Alder drove him to continue the conversation.
“Alder is different,” Garnald said thoughtfully. “She likes him a lot, almost like a lover, not merely someone to sate her urges.”
Kyth’s heart sank. “Do you mean, because of this she may keep him by her side?”
Garnald shook his head. “On the contrary. My guess is, she may release him earlier than usual. Perhaps when this war is over?”
Kyth let his tired eyes wander, looking into the greenish depths of the darkening forest. When they were growing up, Alder had his sights set on Ellah and she seemed to be agreeable with the idea. This was of course before Ayalla took him as a lover. If she ever lifted her spell off him, was it too late for this relationship to take off again?
When this war is over. To an extent it was up to Kyth to see to it. Yet, the knowledge didn’t seem to settle in his head. He was so used to thinking of himself in a supportive role, a shield that could protect the formidable Majat force. He never thought of becoming a central player in this battle. Was he truly capable of living up to the hopes everyone was placing into him?
Was this war ever going to end, to allow them all a chance for happiness?
26
Sandstorm
“Is this bloody weather ever going to improve?” Mai asked.
They were sitting in a shelter, a plain stone building with a flat roof, its gaping windows doing only a little to protect them from the raging sandstorm outside. Kara felt only partially comforted by the knowledge that the people who built this place, more than a century ago, felt it important enough to bring large blocks of hewn rocks for reinforcement, making it withstand even the very strong blasts of wind. According to the locals they met a day earlier, this storm was minor compared to the others to be expected this time of the year.
Egey Bashi pulled the flap of his mask tighter, covering his face against the flying sand. “You have to stop thinking like a Majat Guildmaster, Aghat Mai.”
Mai’s lips twitched. “You can’t be serious, Magister.”
“Perhaps not entirely. But even the Majat Guild can’t defeat the weather.”
Mai grumbled something indistinct as he receded deeper into the corner.
“There’s a well in a sheltered area outside,” Lance said. “And an outhouse. Given that the storm is showing no sign of stopping, I believe we should settle here for the night.”
Mai glanced at the window. “At this rate, we’ll surely be buried by morning.”
“I remember,” Egey Bashi said, “that these shelters are supposed to have storm shutters one could fit into place if the storm rages a while. Let’s dig near that wall.”
Digging through the sand revealed a trapdoor leading to a shallow cellar, too small to accommodate any people but large enough to store a stack of flat boards, along with ropes and metal straps. They also found a shovel and a broom, a pile of firewood and a flint, a supply they decided to leave alone for now.
It took some time to figure out how to fit the shutters into the brackets near each window, finally blocking out the worst of the sand. The air was still full of it, creaking on the teeth and parching the tongue, but at least it didn’t hit the face anymore.
They took turns with the shovel and broom to sweep out the thick layer of sand, revealing a smoothly polished floor, comfortable enough to spread their bedrolls.
“Why don’t they leave the shutters on all the time?” Ellah wondered.
Mai examined the nearest one. “I can only guess if they do, the wind would destroy them too fast. For those who know where to look this seems like a better system.”
“Especially since most travelers normally take shelter here before the storm,” Egey Bashi pointed out.
Mai shrugged. It was his idea to continue traveling despite the weather warnings, driven partly by the hurry they were in, and partly by the knowledge that no matter what they would be likely to reach this shelter on time. Deep inside, Kara suspected that Mai was simply having trouble letting go of his own sense of weather, which of course did nothing useful here, where all the signs seemed to be opposite to what they were used t
o. How could one in their right mind suspect that a storm like this would follow the clear sunny sky they enjoyed only a few hours ago on their last stop?
Just as they were about to settle in, the doors swung open again, letting in a group of five people. They removed their masks, revealing a handsome middle-aged Olivian woman and four men that bustled around her, shaking off the sand and spreading out cushions for her to sit on. She accepted it casually, as if used to enjoying excessive comforts even on a march.
Her curious eyes moved around the group, singling out Kara. Her smile held strange recognition, as if identifying her as her only equal in their group. With unease, Kara remembered the Olivian matriarchal society and the way that her looks made everyone believe she was a native. It was perhaps to the best that they met the woman here. The earlier she settled into this role, the better.
“On your way to Tahr Abad?” the woman asked, addressing only Kara as if the rest of her companions were not here at all. Did she think they were all servants?
“Yes,” Kara said.
“You live there?”
Kara glanced around. “My companions and I have business there.”
“Your companions.” The woman’s eyes lit up with new interest. “Your family must be very rich.”
Kara felt a blush rise into her cheeks as she belatedly remembered the double meaning of the word “companion” in these parts. Rich Olivian women kept male harems. With her Olivian looks and a large retinue of young men someone might assume she was one of those women too, but she didn’t expect to have to deal with this before they reached the Queen’s court.
“We do things differently in the north,” she said.
“I must definitely travel to the north myself.” The woman clicked her tongue appreciatively, her eyes lingering on Mai.
Now that one of the men had a chance to wipe her face clean of the sand, Kara realized that the woman wasn’t as old as she originally thought. She looked to be in her mid- to late thirties, and still very good looking. Her meaningful glances made Kara feel less and less comfortable, even more so when she saw Egey Bashi snigger and cover his face with a flap of his head gear to hide his grin.
She had to remind herself that each of her companions was a deadly warrior quite able of defending his honor – assuming that they were even interested in defending it against this kind of attention. The Majat ranking did not forbid casual affairs. And now, the men’s smiles as they caught the woman’s eyes made her wonder.
“I am Meera,” the woman said. “A merchant in the lower city.”
“A merchant? What are your wares?” Kara asked, more out of politeness than of real interest.
“Garments. Some of the finest. Even the royal family buys from us.” Meera’s eyes drifted to Mai again. “Perhaps, when you reach the city, you and your, um, companions would like to visit my shop?”
Kara nodded stiffly. She wasn’t normally a jealous type, and she was long used to the reaction Mai stirred in pretty much every woman who came near him, but she wasn’t accustomed to anyone undressing him with their eyes so openly without being in the least bashful about it. Were things going to be this way at the Queen’s court?
“Perhaps,” Meera went on, “when you visit, we could also consider an exchange?”
“An exchange?” Kara’s eyes widened.
Meera laughed. “Come now, don’t look so terrified. You don’t keep all these gorgeous men exclusively for yourself, do you?”
“I, um…” Kara paused, seeing Egey Bashi in the corner doubled up, shaking with silent laughter. She swore to herself to have a conversation with the Magister as soon as she could.
“I have spent most of my life in the north,” she said. “I am not familiar with this custom.”
“It’s lucky that you met me, then, isn’t it?” Meera winked to her conspiratorially. “With how handsome your men are, you will get offers everywhere you go, I’m sure.”
“Offers?”
“Come now.” Meera smiled. “However many men you have, you surely want a variety from time to time. If you send some of your men to entertain me, I can send you some of mine – for a night, or longer, if they strike your fancy.”
Kara gaped. She knew she shouldn’t be looking so appalled at the idea, but she just couldn’t help it.
“Don’t worry,” Meera said “These ones that travel with me are not my best. I have more at home to pick from. Just got a new boy from down south – he is more your age, and he does wonders with his tongue.”
“Thank you.” Kara brought a flap of her head dress to her own face to hide a twitch in her lips. Thinking this through in any detail made her feel nauseated. Yet, things could probably only get worse from now on, so she’d better get used to having these conversations without flinching. “It’s very kind of you, Meera. I will consider it.”
Meera smiled. “Good. My house is a large white one, right by the port. Ask anyone.”
The storm died out some time during the night, enabling them to leave just before dawn. Kara was glad that they were able to leave quietly enough not to wake Meera and her men who were still sleeping in the opposite corner of the room.
When they saddled up and set on the road, she maneuvered her lizardbeast to ride next to Egey Bashi.
“You could have warned me, Magister,” she said.
Egey Bashi grinned. “I thought I did. They view men differently in Shayil Yara. This is why you need to lead the negotiations when we reach the Queen, remember?”
“That is not what I meant.”
Egey Bashi turned to watch the road ahead. His face looked calm, but the crinkling lines around his eyes and in the corners of his mouth told her he was trying his best to suppress laughter. She wanted to feel angry, but deep inside this reaction calmed her down. Magister Egey Bashi was a wise and experienced man. He wouldn’t be laughing if the situation was dangerous in any way.
“Seriously, though,” she said. “Exchange? Offers? Is this how it’s going to be?”
“Much worse, actually.”
“Worse?”
“The women of power at the Queen’s court are used to always getting what they want.”
Kara’s eyes widened. “Mai is the Majat Guildmaster. The women of power should know the meaning of this title.”
“They do. Yet, they are only human. You know well what kind of reaction Aghat Mai stirs in women everywhere he goes. Olivian noblewomen are much less inhibited in showing it.”
“Still. Do they expect him to... to entertain them?”
“They will probably respect his title – even though I wouldn’t be surprised if they proposition him at some point or another. If it’s any comfort, these relationships are always expected to be consensual, so you really don’t need to worry so much.”
Kara averted her gaze. She knew she should be used to women ogling Mai by now, but the idea that he would be propositioned by women used to getting what they want and not in the least bit shy about it still did not sit well with her.
“What about the other men in our party?” she asked.
Egey Bashi’s grin widened. “The Queen and her key advisors would understand these men are not your consorts. But the rest of the courtiers would surely have problem grasping this idea. You should probably be prepared for offers of exchange.”
“Bloody great.” Kara turned away abruptly. She did feel angry now, even if mostly at herself. Why did she of all people have to be the one to end up in this position?
“Come now, Aghat.” Egey Bashi spoke soothingly, but she could see that he was still holding back laughter. “Your conversation with Meera wasn’t all that bad, was it?”
“It bloody was. How am I supposed to handle these kinds of offers?”
“Why don’t you let the men worry about it?”
“The men?”
Egey Bashi sniggered. “See? You are already thinking like a Shayil Yaran, assuming that men in your party cannot take care of themselves. You should give them more credit.”
“I hope they can handle it,” she said.
“Back in the shelter,” Egey Bashi said, “I was observing the scene closely. I don’t think any of them minded Meera’s attention. I would venture to guess the men probably found it flattering. I’d say you should relax and focus on your negotiations with the Queen, Aghat. Let the rest of it sort out on its own.”
“If you want me to stay out of this, I should probably do my best to make it very clear that these are not my men.”
“Not a good idea.”
“Why?”
“If you do, this could become distracting. Everyone would believe these men are available for the taking.”
“Taking?”
Egey Bashi laughed. “Why do you think they always employ female negotiators here?”
“Didn’t you tell me this was because they don’t take men as seriously?”
“Exactly. This goes for more than business talk. An unattached man is sort of like a stray child. Even if they know he comes from a different culture, their instincts tell them otherwise. Many feel more or less obliged to pick him up and bring him home. The Queen is not like this, of course, but even for her, the distraction could become too great for comfort, not to mention the effect it would have on the women at her court. This is why male-only parties are often turned away without even gaining audience.”
“It seems they are making things far too complicated.”
“Or simple, if you will. In the end, this is no more than a cultural difference.”
Kara fixed her eyes on the road. She never thought she would be able to serve as a protector for a group of their top warriors. It seemed even more strange that this protection in their case was based entirely on gender.
“Just remember,” Egey Bashi said. “When you do get offers of exchange, as I am sure you will, no one would expect you to make a decision on the spot. You should feel free to take your time. More than that, no one would be offended if you refused to share – even though if you do it repeatedly, they may find it strange.”