by Ginn Hale
Though Ravishan’s voice had been barely a murmur, everyone in the room seemed to hear him. Both Giryyn and Arren appeared alarmed by the statement. But there was an aspect of Giryyn’s expression that disturbed John. He seemed both horrified and awed by Ravishan’s ruthlessness. Ji cocked her head as if she were considering Ravishan’s suggestion.
“Sixty lashes are more than enough,” John put in quickly. He could easily remember the intense pain of the prior’s whip in Rathal’pesha. Sixty lashes would nearly flay a man’s back. The pain would flare through his every motion for months.
“They tried to murder you, Jahn,” Ravishan protested.
“But they didn’t,” John said. “It’s better to let it go. This isn’t Rathal’pesha.”
Ravishan only frowned at the flames burning in the fireplace.
“Sixty lashes,” Arren said firmly. He addressed the two big men who had escorted Lyyn’s accomplices into the chapel. “See that the punishments are carried out immediately.”
The men flashed a hand sign of obedience and then led their prisoners out of the chapel. Ji yawned as they walked past, displaying the wide gape of her jaws.
Giryyn’s attention still hung on Ravishan. He took a slow half step closer.
“Common men are not familiar with the kind of self-discipline that the ushiri’im possess,” Giryyn addressed Ravishan. “They are weak and can’t tolerate what you could easily endure. I’m sure that you will become more accustomed to them after a little time.”
Across the room, Arren cleared his throat.
“There is still the matter of Eriki’yu’s guardianship,” Arren said quietly.
Giryyn looked plainly annoyed by the interruption. “Can’t that be dealt with within his district of the Warren?”
Eriki’yu bowed his head. He appeared embarrassed that Giryyn should have to consider his situation.
“He has no relations within the Warren or even in the north. His sister brought him from Nurjima,” Arren said with a little more insistence.
“Then the head of his district should choose a guardian for him.” Giryyn looked to Ji and she nodded in agreement.
“That might be a little awkward,” Arren said. “Eriki’yu lives in the Smiths District. The head of the district is the uncle of one of the men you just sentenced.”
“That should not matter,” Giryyn replied. “It isn’t the boy’s fault that the nephew committed a crime.”
“No, of course not,” Arren agreed. “But in situations like this it’s difficult to be completely impartial. I’d like to suggest that Eriki’yu be allowed to change districts.”
“That would be fine so long as there is one that will take him.” Giryyn studied Eriki’yu without much interest. Eriki’yu’s face flushed red. “Does he have a skill that might recommend him to any particular district?”
“He’s just a boy.” Arren shrugged. Eriki’yu’s shoulders sagged.
“Is there a particular district that you think he would do well in?” Ji asked Arren. Arren frowned down at his weathered hands.
“There are two empty rooms in my house,” Arren said almost shyly. “I don’t think Lafi’shir would care if the boy were to move in there.”
“You should have said as much sooner,” Giryyn responded. “Very well, Arren. So long as Lafi’shir gives his consent, you may have guardianship of the boy. Do you agree, Ji?”
“I don’t see why not,” Ji replied.
“Thank you.” Arren bowed to both Giryyn and Ji. Eriki’yu stared at Arren’s back, wonderstruck.
Arren glanced back to him. “We should go and pack your things.”
Eriki’yu simply nodded. They left the chapel, walking side by side. John briefly wondered what kind of a guardian Arren would be. He had at least shown more than a modicum of concern for Eriki’yu’s safety. That alone made him far better than Lyyn.
“Now do you think we can discuss Ushiri Ravishan’s admittance into the Fai’daum?” Giryyn asked Ji.
“Of course,” Ji replied. She looked at Ravishan. “Ushiri Ravishan, is it your intention to join the Fai’daum?”
Ravishan straightened. He watched Giryyn and Ji with an expression of defiance.
“Yes,” Ravishan said. “I have skills that you could use to defeat the Payshmura.”
“That’s true enough,” Ji replied. “But do you have the loyalty that we require?”
John frowned at Ji. He had expected her to simply agree to take Ravishan in. She had said that she owed him as much.
“Do you want a blood oath?” Ravishan’s tone was almost that of a dare. Giryyn’s expression lit up at the suggestion.
“No,” Ji said flatly, “we are not the Payshmura and we do not use sorcery to enslave those who fight for us. I simply want your word that you will serve the Fai’daum.”
John caught Ravishan’s brief, rebellious glower. John knew that it grated against Ravishan’s entire upbringing to swear allegiance with the Fai’daum.
“I will serve the Fai’daum faithfully,” Ravishan said, “so long as I and mine are treated in good faith. I will not tolerate any harm done to Jahn.”
“We have no desire to harm Jahn,” Ji said. “Those who did have been punished, as you just saw. You will both be treated with respect and good faith. So, will you give us your oath?”
Ravishan said, “I swear on my bones and before Parfir that I will serve the Fai’daum faithfully.”
“Good.” Giryyn broke into a wide, almost luminous smile.
John found the way Giryyn watched Ravishan disturbing. He’d seen men gaze at guns and fast cars the same way. It was a look of greed for a powerful machine.
“I would be happy to sponsor Ravishan into the Fai’daum,” Giryyn said quickly.
Ji’s eyes narrowed briefly. Then she shook her head. “I respect your intentions, Giryyn, but it might worry the common Fai’daum if a priest sponsors an ushiri into the fold. They might fear that old allegiances were arising.”
“Who would dare to insult my loyalty?” Giryyn demanded.
“No one. But they might wonder about Ravishan. They might worry that he had used his Payshmura rank to influence you.” Ji flicked her ears again and then went on in a soothing tone. “It’s all rubbish, I know, but it would give Ravishan a terrible start among us. You know how people are in the Warren, especially in the winter. They have nothing to do but gossip and gripe. We’ve already seen how badly that went for Jahn this afternoon.”
“Ushiri Ravishan could hardly be threatened by curs like the men we sentenced today,” Giryyn replied.
John couldn’t believe Giryyn’s awe of Ravishan could so completely overshadow the fact that Ravishan was still a human being. Of course common men and women could harm him.
Before John could comment, Ji replied, “That may be, but wouldn’t it be better if we avoided the conflict altogether?”
“What would you suggest?”
“Lafi’shir or I should sponsor Ravishan,” Ji said.
Giryyn scowled at the suggestion but obviously couldn’t think of an objection.
“Either way he will be one of us,” Ji said. “Really the only difference it will make is where he is housed, isn’t it?”
Giryyn didn’t answer. He studied Ravishan almost possessively. John frowned at him but Giryyn didn’t notice.
“Ushiri Ravishan would be most comfortable in the Chapel District,” Giryyn said.
Ji laughed and Giryyn seemed genuinely surprised.
“I think he would be most comfortable with his lover, Jahn. Don’t you?” Ji asked.
Giryyn looked sick. He didn’t seem able to form a reply.
“I won’t be separated from Jahn,” Ravishan pronounced. “Our union has been blessed by Parfir. It is more holy to me than any chapel could be.”
Outrage flashed across Giryyn’s features and he shot John a look murderous enough to have done Dayyid proud. For a split second John thought the priest might actually attack him and he tensed, but then Giryyn blew ou
t a long sigh and turned his attention to the statue of Parfir.
“He blesses even those worms that lie amidst the foulest filth, for he welcomes all who come to him in humble worship.” Giryyn quoted the prayer quietly, perhaps just to himself.
“Don’t worry about it, Giryyn. I’ll sponsor him.” Ji stood. “Come, Ravishan. Jahn and I will show you the Warren.”
Chapter Eighty-Five
They walked through the pale green light of the Warren. People glanced at them curiously. A young woman from the kitchen offered John a sign of greeting. He returned it with a smile.
“Who is she?” Ravishan asked in a low whisper.
“One of the cooks. I don’t know her name, but she’s nice.”
Ravishan studied the young woman briefly before seeming to dismiss her. John leaned close to Ravishan.
“You could definitely take her in a fight,” John teased him.
“If it came to that I would,” Ravishan replied easily.
John almost laughed out loud.
As they walked down the wide main corridor, John noticed more and more people stopping to watch them pass by. He saw an older man make the sign of Lyyn’s name along with a flurry of other hand signs. Ji was right, John realized. Gossip traveled fast in the Warren.
“It seems that you’ve started a little debate in the Warren,” Ji commented to John.
“A debate?” John asked. He tried to read the hand signs that flashed between the men and women in the Warren, but all he caught were tiny phrases. One man glared at John, but the woman next to him waved.
“Lyyn had his friends and his detractors,” Ji replied as if that explained it all. Then she asked, “Are you hungry, Ravishan?”
“I ate in Nurjima a few hours ago,” Ravishan replied. “But I could use a bath and some yellowpetal salve, if you have it.”
“You’re injured?” Ji asked.
“Just a few scratches.” Ravishan indicated the thin cut that ran across his cheek. “I’d like to clean them up.”
John frowned. Yellowpetal had some antiseptic properties, but John knew from working with Hann’yu that it was mainly used as a strong painkiller. Ji didn’t comment but just nodded.
“The baths are this way.” Ji led them south through the wide central tunnel. As they walked, Ravishan studied the carved walls and doorways.
“This was all carved by hand?” Ravishan asked.
“Some of the caverns were natural. We expanded them,” Ji said.
“It must have taken years.”
“The first tunnels were dug out sixty years ago. They were used to hide grain stores from the Payshmura tithe collectors. Then Fai’daum dissidents started regrouping here and storing weapons. Over the last twenty years it’s almost become a city.”
John guessed that the Warren’s population was about half that of Amura’taye. On the whole they were much better fed, clothed, and employed. And even the kitchen girls were trained to fight.
“There are wards carved in some of the walls,” Ravishan commented.
Ji nodded and flashed her teeth.
“Your work?” Ravishan asked.
“Mostly mine,” Ji said. “Why do you ask?”
“They feel like Payshmura wards.” Ravishan studied the crowds of men and women. John guessed that he was trying to read their hand signs.
“I picked up a few tricks while I was in Umbhra’ibaye,” Ji said.
Surprise flashed through Ravishan’s expression but he asked nothing more and Ji offered no further explanation.
As they passed close to the kitchens, the tunnels filled with more people. Many of them carried grain sacks or baskets loaded with root vegetables. A group of young boys herded a cluster of black milking goats past them.
“All these people,” Ravishan whispered. “They’re all Fai’daum?”
“All of them,” Ji said.
It could have been an effect of the green light or just exhaustion at last catching up with him, but Ravishan looked suddenly ill. John stepped closer to offer support if Ravishan needed it.
“There are so many,” Ravishan said quietly. “Here and in Nurjima.”
“There are just as many in the south,” Ji said. “And now there will be a lot more.”
“What do you mean?” Ravishan asked.
“You’ll find out soon enough.” Ji led them through a narrow hallway. At last she stopped at the painted doors of the Witches District’s private baths.
“I’ll have Tanash bring you yellowpetal,” Ji said. “Will you need bandages as well?”
Ravishan didn’t respond right away. John knew that he didn’t want to admit the extent of his injuries. John answered for him.
“That would be good. My neck is a little cut up.” John smiled down at Ji. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” Ji gazed at John. “Though, next time maybe you should tell me before you decide to rush into an ambush.”
“I sent Eriki’yu to you,” John said.
“You should have come with him instead of going to fight. And you shouldn’t have fought so well,” Ji said. “I don’t know how I’m going to convince Lafi’shir that you’re unsuited to military service now. Arren has already been hinting that you should be sent out.”
“But I’m your student,” John protested.
“Yes, well, we’ll see,” Ji replied. “Don’t worry about it right now. Just take care of Ravishan.”
Ji gave a heavy sigh that made John want to reach out and pat her head. He restrained himself.
“I’ll send Tanash in a little while.” Ji turned and loped back towards the central tunnel.
“Well, you heard her,” Ravishan said softly. “Take care of me.”
He smiled at John. It was an inviting smile, but John recognized the bluff in it. Ravishan was exhausted and sick from spending so much time in the Gray Space. He stood at the verge of collapse, far too proud to admit it.
John took Ravishan’s hand and pulled him into the small tiled room. He closed the door and locked it behind them. Ravishan slipped out of his heavy coat. John helped him strip off the rest of his clothes. He paused a moment, seeing the gold key that Ravishan wore on a silver chain around his neck. John didn’t try to remove it.
He made Ravishan sit down on one of the bathing stools. John kissed him gently and washed him. At least two dozen thin, red cuts crisscrossed his chest, arms, and legs. A strange, stale ozone scent clung to his skin. John filled bucket after bucket of hot water and rinsed away the dirt and dank scents.
The water splashed over John, soaking the leg of his pants. He quickly stripped them off and continued washing Ravishan.
“I feel like your prize goat,” Ravishan muttered as John worked lather through his hair.
“My goat. You know, my thoughts were headed in an entirely different direction,” John replied. He rinsed the soap out of Ravishan’s hair. They kissed again.
Ravishan draped his arms over John’s shoulders and leaned against him. He closed his eyes and rested his head against John’s neck.
“Are we going to be safe here?” Ravishan whispered.
“I think so,” John said.
“I’m tired of hiding.”
“I know.” John kissed Ravishan’s clean dark hair.
Comfortable warmth radiated from the pipes running overhead. John held Ravishan close and felt the tension drain from his body. Ravishan’s breath slowed to a deep, relaxed rhythm.
There was a loud knock at the door. Ravishan bolted upright and instantly disappeared into the Gray Space. John started to grab him but then thought better of it. A moment later, the air next to John shuddered. A hiss of brutal cold escaped as Ravishan reappeared. He looked a little dazed and embarrassed.
There was a second knock at the door.
“Who is it?” John called.
“Tanash. I’m loaded down like a pack animal so you have to open the door for me…ahem, if you’re decent.”
John took a towel for himself and tossed another to
Ravishan. Ravishan wrapped it around his waist. John opened the door.
Tanash staggered in. The stack of clothes and baskets in her arms was piled high enough to almost block her vision. She carried at least two jackets, several shirts, and pants, as well as bundles of socks and underwear. John recognized the clothes. Larran had made them for him.
John quickly took the two baskets that balanced on top of the clothes. Clay pots of medical salves and bandages cluttered one of the baskets. The other contained a jar of oil, brushes, a shaving razor, and a tin of tooth powder.
Tanash stared past the huge stack of clothes in her arms to Ravishan. Ravishan regarded Tanash with slight suspicion. Tanash blanched and then turned quickly to John.
“Ji wanted me to bring your clothes. And she sent yellowpetal and your shaving kit as well…”
“Thank you,” John said. He took the clothes and piled them on the bathing stool. “Let me introduce you. Ravishan, this is Tanash. She’s another of Ji’s students.”
“I’m new to the Warren too. My father sent me up from Amura’milaun to study here,” Tanash said. She smiled, showing her protruding front teeth. Ravishan didn’t smile in return.
“I’m Ravishan. I’ve come from Rathal’pesha.”
Tanash nodded. “Everybody’s talking about you. They’re saying that you’re an ushiri.”
“I was,” Ravishan said. “I’m not one of them now.”
“Did you really kill Lyyn with a touch of your hand?” Tanash asked in a whisper.
“I used a Silence Knife,” Ravishan replied.
“Oh.” Tanash frowned slightly. John doubted that she knew what a Silence Knife was. Ravishan didn’t seem inclined to explain. He was probably too tired to realize that he ought to.
John handed Ravishan the jar of yellowpetal salve.
“Did Ji say if Ravishan would be initiated at dinner tonight?” John asked Tanash.
“I think so.” Tanash’s smile returned when she looked to John. “Ji’s going to sponsor him.”
John nodded. He wondered if his underwear would fit Ravishan. He guessed that it didn’t matter. Ravishan rarely wore underwear.
“Now we’re going to have two men in the Witches District.” Tanash grinned. “Kansa was flapping her fingers like mad. But I told her that you’re going to room together, so it won’t be indecent.”