by Rachel White
When he was pleased with himself, Lieutenant Taarq preened like a starcock. It was an exceptionally charming sight. "I'm glad my practice is paying off. One day I'll defeat you."
Rallis leered at him. "You can try," he said, turning his focus back to the game. Lieutenant Taarq was getting better, and sooner or later he would win against Rallis, but it wouldn't be that day. Rallis would ensure it.
Sure enough, he did win, though the difference in their scores was closer than it had ever been. Lieutenant Taarq was extremely self-satisfied. He spent the next half an hour asking Rallis questions about alternate strategies, squinting at the board, occasionally moving an unnae here or there, as though experimenting with what would happen. Two months ago, Rallis would have found it intolerable, but now he wanted the moment to last forever. When Lieutenant Taarq finally said, "I'm sorry, I'm sure you must need to go," the disappointment that speared through Rallis's chest was as sharp as a blade and as deadly.
At the door of the garrison, Rallis lingered. "I'll ask my cousin—Head Yy—about the supper," he promised.
"Thank you. I know it's a lot to ask. And if she's uninterested, that's fine, of course."
But Miana looked thoughtful when he mentioned the request to her later that night. She had been doing better lately, no longer coughing up blood, not quite as visibly frail as before. Planning for the Festival brought out the life in her. She requested that he bring Lieutenant Taarq to the motherhouse so she could speak to him in person, but Rallis could see she was already inclined toward the idea, both for its benefits to House Yy and because it was interesting. Different.
Miana was a responsible and competent House Head, but she was always daring, and this was no exception. Either the supper would go very well and they would all be elevated for it, or it would be a disaster. There was no third option. In her heart, Miana wanted to see which would happen. Rallis just wanted to live through it.
*~*~*
The following day, he brought Lieutenant Taarq to the motherhouse. It was the first time since before the war that a Jevite had set foot over the threshold. Though Jev had spread its children through Adesa and most Adesi spaces were no longer preserved—temples, meeting halls, schools, markets all had Jevites coming and going as they pleased—the motherhouses of the hundred and fifty Adesi Houses remained unsullied. No Jevite was allowed into a motherhouse without express permission from the House Head. Sometimes Rallis wondered if that rule was an apology for the All Council massacre. If so, it was a mediocre one.
In the salon, Miana was already waiting, her maidservant Kirra at hand to bring tea and light refreshments. Lieutenant Taarq bowed elegantly at the waist in greeting when Rallis escorted him in.
"Head Yy," he said. "I sincerely appreciate you taking this time to speak with me."
"Of course." Miana indicated a nearby chair and Lieutenant Taarq obediently sat. Rallis followed suit, unexpectedly restless. It didn't feel as though Miana and Lieutenant Taarq were meeting to discuss a supper. Instead, he almost felt as though Miana were interviewing Lieutenant Taarq like one of Naravi's prospective suitors. There was an appraising gleam in her eye when she looked him over. "Rallis tells me you'd like us to include some Jevite officers in our supper during the Festival of the Thousand Suns. Is this correct?"
"Yes." Quickly, Lieutenant Taarq laid out everything he had told Rallis: concerns over the tension, Jev's desire for accord between the peoples. Afterward, Miana thoughtfully tapped her chin.
"And how many are you envisioning?"
"A small group. Five at the most."
"Will you know all of them?"
"Yes," said Lieutenant Taarq. "They're all men I've worked with closely. I'll vouch for them. No one will cause any trouble."
"Will it just be for the supper, or will you want to attend the earlier ceremonies as well? Or participate in the prayers the following day?"
"Just the supper." Lieutenant Taarq glanced toward Rallis. "My impression is that it was the least…sacred…part of the Festival. We don't mean to impede on your worship. This is only meant to show that we want to acknowledge and learn about the Adesi way of life. If another time would be better…"
Miana shook her head. "It's not the time that concerns me. There will be tensions if you do this, you understand. Some Houses won't see the action as sincere. After what happened last year, I'm sure you can understand why."
Lieutenant Taarq flinched. "Yes. Your mother—"
She held up a hand. "We don't need to discuss that. I mention it only because your superiors should be aware that this might make things worse, not better. And—" she gave a faint laugh—"House Yy isn't the most highly regarded House in Adesa. We're not in disgrace, but neither are we honored. If you really wanted to improve your reputation, you would do better to ask another family. I can recommend you some."
Lieutenant Taarq looked toward Rallis again, his eyes oddly warm. "Honestly, there's no House I'd rather celebrate with than Yy, if you'll allow it."
For a long moment, Miana was silent. The wheels in her head were turning. "I'll allow it," she finally said. "Once our plans are further along, I'll pass them on to you. I look forward to having you for supper, Lieutenant Taarq," she added, giving him a smile as bright and sincere as the sun.
Lieutenant Taarq's return grin was sincere as well. "Thank you, Head Yy. Again, I do appreciate it."
He stayed for a while more, chatting with Miana and Rallis about his experiences in Adesa. The conversation was pleasant and the atmosphere was relaxed, but Rallis was still uncomfortable. Miana hadn't stopped eyeing Lieutenant Taarq as though he were a notai cow she was thinking about buying. Surely, she didn't actually intend for him to marry Naravi… The idea was lunacy.
By the time Lieutenant Taarq rose to leave, Rallis was jumping out of his own skin. He saw Lieutenant Taarq to the front gate only half paying attention to his words.
"… Should be interesting," Lieutenant Taarq was saying as Rallis opened the gate. "Can you play khas soon? Tomorrow or the day after?"
"Tomorrow, I think." Nur, if Rallis were this distracted the next time they played, Lieutenant Taarq would have his victory for sure. "I'll let you know."
"Of course."
They hesitated at the threshold of the motherhouse, each watching one another, waiting for…something. Rallis wasn't sure what, only that the desire was an ache inside of him. Finally, Lieutenant Taarq moved; Rallis expected him to bow, but instead he held up his hand, palm facing outward.
Rallis stared at it. "What is that?"
"Ah, it's a Jevite greeting." Lieutenant Taarq laughed lightly and dropped his hand again. "It's…less formal than a bow. I thought… But of course you wouldn't recognize it."
"Less formal?"
It was hard to tell, but Rallis would bet money he was flushing. "Between friends," he said softly.
"Do it again."
When Lieutenant Taarq raised his hand again, Rallis mirrored him. "Like this?" he asked, pressing his palm against Lieutenant Taarq's gloved palm.
Lieutenant Taarq swallowed. "Yes. Like that."
The place where their hands touched burned. Rallis almost thought he could feel the pulse of Lieutenant Taarq's heartbeat against his skin. He withdrew his hand too quickly, embarrassed.
"Until tomorrow, then," he muttered, and Lieutenant Taarq stepped hastily back into the street.
"Yes. Tomorrow. Have a good evening."
"And you."
He watched Lieutenant Taarq until he disappeared around a corner and then went to find Miana again. She was still in the salon, deep in thought, and didn't react when he entered. It wasn't until he said, "So what do you think?" that she noticed him
"It wouldn't be easy," she murmured, twirling a piece of hair around her finger. "It could be very troublesome."
"You don't have to do it for me."
She laughed. "Do you think I am?" she asked, and then, seeing the question on his face, "Jev isn't going away. I don't think it's unreasonable to want t
o foster good relationships with them. This would go a long way toward advancing our House's reputation."
Her words gave no indication about whether she liked the idea. Not for the first time, Rallis wished he could read her mind. Though he loved Miana intensely and trusted her absolutely, she was a solitary person, inclined to withdraw into her own mind to mull over ideas for as long as she needed before emerging with the conclusion already determined. If she felt any anger or antipathy toward Jev—and how could she not?—she wasn't letting it show and probably never would. She had already come to terms with it for herself, by herself; there was no need for public demonstrations after the fact. But it made it hard for Rallis, who was always following in her wake without answers.
Worse, too, the source of her pain was the All Council massacre. They hadn't discussed Miia Yy's death very much beyond those first terrible days because the incident sat like a trap between them. It was one of the few places they fundamentally disagreed, for Miana loved her mother and Rallis hated her.
"Of course, that's if things go well. Other Houses will also be looking to us to see how to react."
Rallis sat beside her. "I don't expect them to cause trouble," he said. "I'll vouch for Lieutenant Taarq, and if he vouches for the other Jevites, I'll trust his word."
"It's not Lieutenant Taarq I'm concerned about."
She didn't need to elaborate. Naravi would be the real source of trouble, if there was trouble to be had. The presence of Jevites in the motherhouse could drive him into a fury. But…
"I don't think Naravi will like it," Rallis admitted, "but at least it might bring light to whatever he's been doing lately. I'm concerned he's getting involved in the rebellion. Faida Tlirr seeks trouble like a moth to flame, and he's doing everything he can to pull Naravi along with him. If this supper could subdue some of that fire, it would be worth it just for that."
"I agree. He's been very coy about what he and Faida are up to."
They sat in silence for a moment as the phantom of Naravi pressed down on them. "You're right, though," Rallis added. "If the Jevites are grateful, that might give us…leverage."
Instead of agreeing or disagreeing, Miana patted his shoulder. "Ah, Rallis," she said, "you think they'll be beholden to us? Believe me, you don't need a supper to have power over at least one Jevite."
"What do you mean?"
"I'm going to take a nap," she said, rising. "If you see Naravi, tell him I'd like to speak to him."
"Wait, Miana, what do you mean?"
But despite his questions, she wouldn't elaborate further. She smiled at him and disappeared into the sleeping chamber and didn't say another word.
Chapter Six
The Festival of the Thousand Suns was a whirlwind of activity. Rallis spent the better part of the day at Miana's side, her Hand in all but name, since Naravi had vanished early in the morning to celebrate with Faida Tlirr. "Let him go," Miana said when Rallis began to protest. "If it makes him happy, there's no need to stop him."
In the morning, there was the temple to visit, neighbors to socialize with, offerings to make. Though the presence of Jevite soldiers and the occasional pass of a flier overhead cast a pall over the festive mood, it seemed to Rallis that most people were sincerely excited. Vendors hawked powdered-sugar sweets to shrieking children and their tired, laughing parents. Couples threw pennies into the temple well and wished for luck in love. To one side of the temple courtyard, a troop of musicians played lilting music for the passing crowds. The day was intensely hot, the bright summer sun turning the air humid and stifling. Sweat trickled down Rallis's neck and his shirt clung to his back, his head throbbing from the heat and the noise. Beside him, Miana fanned herself with a bunch of colorful feathers purchased from a festival stall.
In the afternoon, they returned to the motherhouse to prepare for the meal. Lieutenant Taarq had said he would be bringing four Jevites with him, officers he knew, which meant they were expected to host a total of twenty-one people, including Rallis's uncles Genas and Paruus and their families. Genas, the previous Hand to Miana's mother Miia, had a wife and four children; Paruus, the younger brother, had a husband and five children. They lived in a different area of Kavck and rarely visited, but all of them would be attending supper. Although the servants would make the actual meal, someone needed to oversee the preparations. Rallis and Miana traded off, staying near the kitchen to field questions and direct preparations.
Later, as the afternoon light grew deep and red and the house filled with the smell of spices and frying meat, Rallis sat on the couch in the main room, and waited, and dreaded.
"You look deep in thought." Miana joined him on the couch, stretching her legs out. She had held up admirably throughout the day, but the long hours were weighing on her. Even as she sat beside him, he could see her struggling to keep down a cough. "What's on your mind?"
"I'm just thinking about tonight."
"What about it?"
"I want it to be over," said Rallis honestly.
She laughed, though he hadn't meant it as a joke. "Are you that worried?"
"I'm very worried. Aren't you?"
"Yes." Miana sobered slightly, looking at her hands, which were trembling. Her chest hitched again. "But it's your Lieutenant Taarq planning the entire thing, isn't it? He seems trustworthy. I don't think you need to worry."
"He's not my anything," Rallis muttered, face heating. "Don't let Naravi hear you talking like that. He'll work himself into a fit."
Miana sighed a laugh. "True. I'm only teasing. I'm worried too, but…what's there to be done? We've invited them. It's not as though we can rescind the invitation now."
The lightness of her voice did nothing to soothe the fear sitting in Rallis's chest. "If something goes wrong…"
"Well, let's pray to the gods nothing does."
Miana was not, by nature, a pious person, and rarely left her fate in the gods' hands. When Rallis scowled at her, she met his irritation with another half-smile. "Do you not like my faith?" she asked. "Isn't it appropriate for the day?"
"You're distracting yourself by tormenting me."
"You caught me." She rose and patted his hair like she was soothing an animal. "Try not to worry about it too much. Genas and Paruus will be here soon. It's only three hours. We'll get through it."
"If you say so," said Rallis sourly, ignoring the way she laughed as she walked off.
He stayed on the couch until the food was done and then went to observe the arrangement of the banquet table. By the time the meal was laid out, it was nearly seven and Genas and Paruus had arrived with their families—two spouses, nine children between them, everyone tired and hungry and overstimulated from a day of celebrations. The older children were fighting among themselves and most of the younger children were in tears. He ushered them all into the salon and left Miana to hold court among them while he went back to the anteroom and waited for the other guests to arrive.
Lieutenant Taarq was punctual as always, appearing on the motherhouse doorstep just as the temple bells were ringing seven. He was dressed in a ceremonial uniform more formal and elegant than his normal attire and looked nearly as anxious as Rallis felt, though his expression softened when their eyes met. "Good evening," he said in Adesi, bowing at the waist. "Nur's blessings on you. Is that correct?"
Rallis laughed. "Athonya's grace on you. It's correct. Come in."
He stepped aside to let Lieutenant Taarq and his companions enter the anteroom. As he had said, Lieutenant Taarq had brought four men with him, all Jevites in officers' uniforms. One was older than Lieutenant Taarq, two were around his age, and one was a few years younger. None of them were familiar to Rallis even in passing.
"This is Captain Jeron Durranqen, my superior officer," said Lieutenant Taarq, indicating the older man. He was forty or so, with dark weathered skin and dark eyes, and his uniform had the dual-banded sleeves of a captain. He bowed stiffly to Rallis and Rallis obediently bowed back.
Lieutenant Taarq i
ntroduced the others in quick succession. Lieutenant Fawcen Dell was thirty or so, broad-shouldered and heavy-armed, with a drawling voice and a fast, easy smile. Lieutenant Iros Havvery was the young one, a thin, jumpy man with a narrow mustache on his upper lip and gloves that he kept playing with. Lieutenant Nasir Harn was last, a handsome man about Lieutenant Taarq's age with light skin and dark hair and stormy dark eyes. He didn't say anything to Rallis when Lieutenant Taarq introduced him, though when Lieutenant Taarq said, "This is Rallis Yy," he shot a look of sudden intensity in Lieutenant Taarq's direction.
Rallis greeted them all and indicated the salon. "Most of the other guests are already here. Would any of you like something do drink? We'll eat shortly."
They refused as one, no surprise. It wasn't, Rallis didn't think, that Jevites indulged less than Adesi did: they just indulged more privately. More than once, Lieutenant Taarq had offered to split a bottle of vekk between them while they played khas, so obviously he did drink. But perhaps they were self-conscious about drinking in uniform or in front of seventeen Adesi—or both.
In the salon, everyone was talking but fell silent when Rallis opened the door. The children gaped at the Jevites, and Genas and Paruus and their spouses shifted uncertainly in their seats. Only Miana seemed unaffected: she rose and greeted them graciously, accepting their bows and escorting them to the meal room as Rallis and the others followed.
They all took their places around the banquet table. Lieutenant Taarq ended up near the head, next to Miana; Rallis found himself seated beside Lieutenant Harn, who frowned vaguely at nothing while the Adesi-ren servants—Iayan and Mikka—carried drinks around the table.
"How do you know Lieutenant Taarq?" Rallis asked him as people began to serve themselves from the platters laid out before them.
"We're in the same company," said Lieutenant Harn shortly. From his demeanor, Rallis expected that to be the entirety of the conversation for the evening, but after helping himself to food, Lieutenant Harn spoke again, "Amun told me you play khas together."
