Kheda hid his misgivings in his empty goblet, pretending to drink. ‘How do you propose to make the best of it?’
‘What do you make of the omen in this?’ Itrac’s gaze still held his. ‘That Daish suffers such an ill-fated start to their year? Do we want dealings with a domain facing such misfortune? We have reason enough to shun their waters, after Chazen Saril died while enjoying their hospitality.’
Kheda’s mind’s eye showed him Chazen Saril’s agonised death once again.
Am I billy innocent because I had no notion that Janne was feeding all three of us mussels gathered after a red tide, potentially lethal? The wife of my youth and I had no idea she could be so ruthless, wagering all our lives against her judgement that Chazen Saril’s cowardice forfeited his right to rule and to life, and that my choice to cloak myself in a deceit of death and search out lore to counter the invaders’ magic forfeited any right of return to my own domain.
‘Chazen Kheda?’ Itrac’s pointed prompting struck him harder than Rekha’s slap to his face.
He blinked and chose his words carefully. ‘Whatever this portent means for Daish, we must consider Chazen’s situation. The safest seaways to the rest of the Archipelago run through Daish waters. Crossing open water to Redigal is far more dangerous for our galleys. If we don’t give Rekha something of what she wants, we risk her closing Daish waters to anyone wanting to trade with us. That’s if they have overcome their doubts about our domain’s recovery from the magic that swept over us last year.’
‘Word will have spread fast enough that the wild wizards spurned any wealth born of the seas and only sought gemstones.’ Itrac was scornful. ‘And I want the entire Archipelago to know that our new year is blessed with such a potent omen. I am not about to let Rekha pass off our pearls or our good fortune as her own.’
‘And Chazen needs so many things that you can buy with those pearls.’ Kheda inclined his head slowly. ‘Of course, drilled pearls are more valuable, as are finished ornaments made from the petals and dog’s teeth. But I do have some unwelcome news from my voyage around the domain, Itrac. Many of our best craftsmen fled the invaders to Daish waters and they’re slow to return, whatever Daish Sirket might decree. You might allow Rekha some limited share in our pearl harvest on the strict understanding that such valuable men and women of Chazen be sent home.’
‘Possibly.’ Itrac looked a little mutinous before smiling with new boldness. ‘You’re right to say it would be better to keep our access to their sea lanes. Trade with Ritsem is certainly easier with passage through Daish waters and I’ve a proposal for Taisia. Ulla Safar’s wives are doing all they can to deny Ritsem the limestone they need to smelt the iron ore they discovered last year. Given how little nacre our harvest yields, I propose to burn the oyster shells for lime. We can trade that with Taisia Ritsem for swords and armour.
‘An excellent opportunity for Chazen to help Ritsem and to snub Ulla,’ observed Kheda. ‘And no one will weep to see Ulla Safar’s power as the only purveyor of iron in these reaches undermined.’ / owe Ulla Safar and his pack of bitches every ill turn I can contrive. He would have killed me for pure malice before lifting a finger to help Daish against the invaders. But would all the warriors from the Ulla domain have been any use against magic?
Though without his attempts on your life, you ‘d never have been able to play dead and go in search of lore to combat the invaders’ sorceries.
But the price of that was being landed with Chazen and with Dev. And where is he?
‘Taisia Ritsem sends me plenty of news.’ Itrac didn’t notice his preoccupation, looking down at the message slips brought by the courier doves. Her voice shook a little. ‘For the sake of Olkai Chazen, who was her sister before she was mine.’
‘You could make it a condition of trading pearls with Rekha,’ Kheda said without thinking, ‘that Olkai’s bones are returned from the Daish tower of silence where we laid her.’
He looked through the far window over towards the only other tower on these islands. Out on the most distant islet at the far end of the reef, a tall wall with a single gate ringed a solid pillar. Unrailed stairs spiralled up the outside to the open platform where the most honoured dead of the domain were laid. There were no carrion birds wheeling around in the fading sky. There was nothing to bring them to play their part in returning all that the dead had been to the islands they had lived in, to bind them to the future of the whole domain.
Forgive me, Sekni Chazen, on your own behalf and for the three little children of the domain who died with you. There was simply no way of telling your charred bones from all those others killed here. At least you are buried with your people and your virtues will bless this residence at least.
‘I miss her so much.’ Itrac choked on an abrupt sob and tears spilled from her long painted lashes. ‘Olkai and Sekni.’
‘You did all you could.’ Kheda laid gentle hands on her bare shoulders and felt her trembling with the effort of holding back hysterical weeping. You brought Olkai out of the fires of the wild men’s attack. I used all the healing lore I had. There was just no saving her from such burns.’
Not with more than half her body blistered and blackened by magical fires. One of the kindest and most amiable women I have ever known, from her earliest girlhood as Olkai Ritsem. She was far more wife than Chazen Saril deserved, the best first wife this domain had had in a long while.
‘Perhaps—’ Itrac took a deep breath and wiped the tears from her decorated eyes with careful fingers ‘it might have been better for the domain if I had died and she had lived.’
Never think that.’ Kheda tightened his grip on her shoulders. ‘When someone dies despite all we can do, we must accept that fate. All we can do is seek to understand the omens in that death.’
‘I’ll never understand why Olkai had to die like that. Omens are your business and trade is mine.’ Itrac twisted free of Kheda’s hands, her chin trembling. But perhaps I’ll make a deal with Rekha for Olkai’s bones. Then I might at least feel her presence in my dreams here.’
‘You will prove as fine a first wife for this domain as she was,’ Kheda said warmly.
‘You’ve seen that in the portents, have you?’ Itrac demanded with sudden brittle anger. ‘When I’m so terrified of dying like Olkai that I spend half my days staring out over the southern ocean, wondering when those savages will return? When every day I spend here reminds me of Sekni and the children she and Olkai bore to Saril, all dead at the invaders’ hands? I wake expecting their laughter and hear only the endless silence in their empty rooms.’
She pressed her hands to her flat stomach. ‘Don’t say it, Kheda. I hear it whispered in corners day after day. I see the way everyone looks at my belly before they look me in the eye, as if all I need is to get with child to make me forget the babies I took in my arms when they were still wet with their birth blood.’ Her voice rose in wild accusation. ‘And don’t tell me all the village spokesmen and half the shipmasters weren’t making tactful enquires after my health on your voyage. Or were they offering up travelling seers to predict an auspicious future for our children, as soon as I care to supply them? Well, I don’t care to, Kheda, not until you can show me a future beyond doubt where I’ll never see those I love murdered by wild men and their vicious magics. And I don’t care if that does send you to Rekha’s bed!’ Is this why Rekha came instead of Janne? Itrac would always have the advantage of youth over Janne’s grey hair and thickened waist. But she’s a bud blighted by drought and uncertainty compared to Rekha in the full bloom of her womanhood. And I see some things remain consistent in my marriages. Such as impossible conversations where I’ll be in the wrong whatever I say. But if I don’t at least try, I’m definitely condemned.
‘Itrac, listen to me.’ Kheda seized her shoulders again and this time he shook her, sending Jevin backwards with a fierce glare when the slave would have intervened. ‘Yes, I’ve had all the veiled hints you can imagine, and some not so veiled. True, the islanders wou
ld be greatly reassured if you bore a baby to the domain as token of your confidence in Chazen’s future. If you chose me to father your child, many would feel more certain of my commitment to them and their domain, given that I was not born here.’
He waved a hand at the darkening skies beyond the window where stars were now visible. ‘The Winged Serpent rides in the arc of the heavens where we could seek signs concerning children and serpents of any kind are a reminder of male and female intertwined. None of this gives me any rights over your choices. It is ever a wife’s prerogative to decide when and if to give her husband a child, from the least to the highest born in any domain.’
Itrac stood frozen between his hands. Kheda leaned forward to kiss her cheek once again before speaking more softly. ‘If you invite me to your bed, when you judge that the time is right, I will be honoured. You’re a beautiful and desirable woman. Forgive me if I haven’t made myself clear on that; I wanted to leave you to grieve for Chazen Saril in peace. I know you married him for love more than any affiance. I can wait, and if I find myself in need of companionship in the meantime, Pll find some bedmate who won’t exact the kind of price Rekha Daish would be seeking for her favours,’ he concluded frankly.
‘I’m sorry . Itrac stammered. ‘I shouldn’t have said—’
Kheda shook his head. Don’t apologise. We should have had this conversation long since but that’s as much my fault as yours. And since the subject of children has come up, you should think very carefully whether or not you want to me to father any child of yours. For every learned sage who declares an innocent touched by magic is not stained with it, there’s another who says merely being in the presence of magic taints us. I was in the presence of magic time and again, Itrac, however honest my motives. If you don’t want to risk blighting your baby’s future with such a father, I couldn’t blame you. There’s always Jevin.’ He was careful not to look at the youthful slave. ‘He was a gift from Taisia Ritsem and that domain’s certainly untouched by magic’
Are you untouched by him or have you already turned to him for consolation? Does it matter? I’ve no right to dictate who you may or may not take to your bed and Dev’s presence in my life doesn’t exactly leave me feeling very wholesome.
Itrac surprised the warlord with a tremulous smile. ‘I never thought of that—not Jevin, I mean, but the whole business of the taint of magic’ She shrugged. ‘If just encountering magic contaminates us with its evil, I’ve been touched along with everyone else who survived the savages.’ She shivered despite the warmth. ‘Have you had any news from the triremes to the west? I dream about those wild men out there over the horizon, and all they did to us.’
If a warlord’s prerogative is the reading of omens written in the world around us, it’s women whose dreams link their inner lives to past and future through the unbroken thread of blood.
‘The time has come to make an end of them,’ Kheda said firmly. ‘The portents are clear about that. As soon as we’ve celebrated the alignment of the new year, I’ll summon every swordsman and ship we can call on and cleanse every last isle of the domain. I’ll burn their bolt-holes to black ash and throw their splintered bones into the sea.’
Itrac’s eyes widened at his vehemence. ‘Be careful.’
‘I will be,’ Kheda assured her.
A peremptory knock on the door leading to the garden startled them both and Jevin hastily gathered his wits to hurry over to open it.
Dev stood there, scanning the room with amused curiosity. ‘Are we ready to dine with Rekha Daish in sufficient state to convince her that Chazen is set fair for a successful year?’ The barbarian mage was wearing a plain tunic and trousers of rich brown silk, his paired swords thrust through a wide sash. His coppery skin gleamed with oil and he wore a single earring, a ruby faceted in the fashion of the unbroken lands of his birth.
Not till I’ve seen to your cosmetics, my lady.’ Jevin spoke up apologetically. ‘You’re a bit smudged.’
‘Then there’s a messenger you might like to see, my lord,’ said Dev briskly. ‘If we’ve a bit of time in hand.’
‘I think we can feel free to keep Rekha waiting.’ Kheda kissed Itrac’s mouth firmly now that he didn’t need to be so careful not to mar her face paint. ‘Any lesser wife must expect to serve a first wife’s convenience.’
He followed Dev across the dusky garden and out through the reception hall where everything was nearly ready for the celebratory feast. They skirted servants carefully bringing in tall lamp stands and a slave boy waiting with a pitcher of oil.
‘Green oil, my lord,’ Dev observed with a grin, just to show anyone who might be wondering that Chazen trade-links still reach all the way to the unbroken lands of the barbarous north.’
Kheda glanced around the room. ‘We’re not exactly dressed to match the furnishings, though. That will give Rekha something to gloat over.’
‘Which will doubtless spur Itrac on to make the most profitable trades she can,’ said Dev comfortably, ‘so that she can invite all the neighbouring domain’s women here along with the Daish wives next year, to see hangings, carpets, cushions and everyone’s clothes matched to a shade. Care to make a wager on it?’
‘Was that the first Archipelagan habit you acquired?’ Kheda wondered. ‘Laying bets whenever you get the chance?’
Not that you have any true understanding of testing your perception of the present against the chances of the future. You just seize any opportunity to enrich yourself like the barbarian you were born.
Kheda paused on the outer steps and surveyed the wide expanse of the reef and lagoon. Triremes and galleys had their stern lanterns lit, rocking peaceably at anchor. A woman’s song swelled above the shimmering music of a round harp and laughter rang across the water as the resident islanders welcomed Chazen mariners and Daish newcomers alike to their celebrations. The pungent scents of finger-fish fried in peppery oil and spit-roasted ducks stuffed with herbs made Kheda’s stomach rumble. ‘There’s your messenger, my lord.’ Dev pointed to a drifting lantern and Kheda peered through the half-light to see a small boat picking its cautious way towards the far isle where his pavilion and the observatory stood.
It was a sturdy little vessel of the kind that travelled unremarked between the islands of a domain, with a capacious hold full of useful items. A boat easily handled by two crew and manageable enough for a solitary mariner who knew the ropes of its triangular rigged sail. A boat big enough for someone bold enough to sail across the more open seas to another warlord’s waters and negotiate for the pennants granting safe passage to go and see what was on offer at the beaches where islanders and traders swapped their wares. Kheda felt the first uncalculated smile of the day widen on his face.
Better not run, however much you want to. That would attract attention and someone would jump to a wrong conclusion or start some panic.
He began walking more briskly and, schooling his face into placid affability for the servants and islanders he passed, always kept the little boat in view as it nosed into a modest berth close by the observatory. Leaving the busier pavilions behind, Kheda made his way across the walkways to the far island as rapidly as possible.
Just as eager at his shoulder, Dev was concentrating on watching the little ship easing up to the unforgiving coral. You watch what you’re doing, girlie. That’s still my ship.’
Nice to see you, too, Dev,’ called the female mariner wielding a single weighty oar at the stern. Shipping her sweep, she threw out a heavy anchor that landed on the reef with a crunch. ‘You could come and lend a hand, you idle barbarian.’ She hauled on the rope to make sure all was secure.
Dev spread mock-apologetic hands. ‘My lord would hardly approve of me getting all dirty before such an important evening.’
‘The first thing I want is a decent bath.’ The girl wiped her forehead with the back of one hand before deftly throwing a loop of rope over a mooring post. ‘I’m sick of being all sticky with salt.’
‘Have you brought my Ami
gal back in one piece?’ Dev laid a proprietorial hand on the rail. ‘You can go aboard and satisfy yourself while Risala tells me her news.’ Kheda held out a hand to the girl. ‘Or at least the most important details. We don’t have long before we have to go and play our parts at Itrac’s dinner table.’
The girl jumped deftly over the little ship’s stern, ragged grey trousers hanging loose on her skinny frame, her overlarge red tunic patterned with faded black canthira leaves. She brushed tousled black hair out of her vivid blue eyes. Where can we talk without some maid bobbing up?’ She cocked her head at Kheda, thin face alert.
‘In there.’ Kheda nodded towards the observatory tower. ‘Dev, stay on deck and keep an eye out. Don’t let anyone interrupt us.’
Naturally, my lord.’ Dev’s face was intent as he climbed aboard the Amigal, keen eyes searching the mast, sail and boom.
No chance of you getting your dinner till he’s satisfied I’ve kept his precious ship safe.’ Risala chuckled as she followed Kheda to the round building at the base of the tower. With only the sun’s afterglow fading fast on the horizon it was dark inside.
‘Wait a moment.’ Kheda felt for the lamp set in a niche in the wall and found the spark-maker beside it. A few snaps and the toothed steel stuck a spark from the glaucous firestone to catch in the tandra-tree fluff. Kheda lit the lamp’s wick and crushed the flame from the tinder with licked fingers.
‘You haven’t forgotten how to do things for yourself, then?’ Risala was amused. ‘With all these slaves and lackeys running around after you again? I take it they’re all still as desperate to serve your every whim?’
‘Desperate to prove to themselves that things are back to normal. I do wonder if Chazen Saril ever lifted a finger for himself,’ said Kheda wryly as he led the way through the open archway to the half-moon hall beyond. ‘We of
Daish used to do the little things for ourselves when it was just us, when there was no one else to be impressed by the devotion of our servants keeping us in indolence. My father wouldn’t have it any other way.
Northern Storm ac-2 Page 11
