by Sharon Shinn
Senneth’s attention had been caught by the first mention of the word Lirren. The Lirrenfolk were a fierce, close-knit, insular network of families who lived just across the mountain range that marked the boundary of Gillengaria, and Kianlever was comfortably nestled right up against that range. Still, it was rare that the clans crossed the mountains for any reason whatsoever. “How did you manage to scrape an acquaintance with a Lirren man to begin with?” Senneth asked.
Albert offered a booming laugh. “I’d been tracking a wolf that had been hanging around my property, and he lured me up into the mountains, where I got caught by snow.”
“I was so worried about him,” Betony said.
“I got turned around in the blizzard and went down the wrong slope. Halfway down I came across a campfire and three Lirren men roasting dinner. They were so unfriendly that I figured they’d just as soon kill me as come to my aid, but they let me sit around their fire till the storm passed.”
“The Lirrenfolk don’t like outsiders,” Senneth said.
“Quite obvious!”
“But they are used to offering hospitality to travelers, since that is the only way to cross their land,” she added. “There are no inns and cities like we’re used to, just these small communities of family homesteads. They can be very generous even to strangers—as long as those strangers aren’t from a warring clan.”
“How do you know so much about them?” Julia asked.
Oh, this was the first tricky question that could lead to more tricky questions about Senneth’s complex and unconventional life. She contemplated a lie, but gave it up as being too difficult to maintain if anyone pressed for more details. “I lived with a Lirren family for a time,” she said.
Degarde laid down his fork and stared at her. “Really,” he said. “I imagine that is a tale far more fascinating than Albert’s account of his blizzard encounter.”
“Maybe, but I don’t wish to tell it,” she said, smiling. “I’d much rather hear how Albert went from unwanted guest at the campfire to potential trading partner.”
Good manners prevented anyone from indulging curiosity by asking more pointed questions. “Well, I offered to share my rations, which were accepted, and I laid down my weapons to show that I was peaceful,” Albert said. “I happened to be carrying an exceptionally fine dagger, and one of the men at the fire—he looked to be about sixteen—he was quite taken with it. So I said, ‘I’d be happy to leave that weapon with you in return for your kindness in sharing the fire with me.’ That seemed to please all of them—if you can tell anything by the expressions on their faces—and then we all ate the food. And then we all slept. And the next morning the oldest man said if I wanted to return to this very spot in three weeks’ time, he could bring me gems to look over. I formed the opinion,” Albert added, “that merely by not trying to kill anyone in the middle of the night, I had displayed some kind of honor or passed some kind of test.”
Senneth was laughing. “If you had tried to attack any of them while they were sleeping,” she said, “you would most assuredly be dead. They are quite accomplished fighters and always eager to take up weapons. No doubt one of them stayed awake all night, watching to make sure you did not turn violent. Probably the young boy, in fact, who would have happily killed you with your own weapon.”
Betony had a hand pressed to her heart. “I’m glad I knew none of this the whole time he was gone!”
“And nothing you say makes me any more confident that I will ever be able to secure their trade,” Albert said. “I feel that they are still trying to determine if I am worthy of their business, but I don’t know what proof they are looking for. I don’t know what they consider important.”
“Did you return to that spot in three weeks?” Senneth wanted to know. “Did they have jewels to sell you?”
Albert waved a hand dismissively. “Yes—just a few samples—and I handed them coins and everyone was satisfied, but it was such a meager amount. To really make this worthwhile, we need to trade in quantity. I need ten times the number of stones. But they keep stalling.”
“What would you advise him to do?” Degarde asked Senneth. “What would make them trust Albert?”
She thought it over. “What matters to them more than anything is family,” she said. “Generations live together in interconnected clan networks, and they can recite for you how everyone is related. While there are a few people who break free of the clans and have respectable positions within their society, for the most part, they distrust anyone who seems solitary or self-reliant.” She looked at Albert. “Were you accompanied by anyone when you met with them?”
Albert shook his head. “No, I went alone.”
“Then for your next visit, bring along a son or two, perhaps a couple of nephews. A brother, if you have one. None of them need to speak during your negotiations, but they should be very alert and interested in the conversations. And if one or two of them likes to brawl,” she added with a laugh, “that is no bad thing. As long as he can handle himself in a fight and acquit himself with skill.”
Albert looked bemused. “This is not how business is done among the Twelve Houses. I would never offer violence to a man I was trying to strike a deal with!”
“I’m curious,” Degarde said. “You suggested Albert only bring male relatives with him. Are women a liability?”
“Not at all,” Senneth said. “You might see a Lirren woman traveling with her brothers and husband and sons—but she would probably be older and married. The Lirrenfolk are very protective of their women. They do not let their girls marry outside the clans. But they greatly value the advice and wisdom of older women.”
Albert took Betony’s hand in his. “So I should bring my wife along on my next trip.”
Betony looked so alarmed by the prospect that Senneth laughed again. “She would be perfectly welcome, but she would not give you as much status in their eyes as a few rough-and-tumble young kinsmen,” she said.
“Curtis would be happy to go with you,” Betony murmured to her husband. “And Seever! They’d love being told they should pick a fight.”
“It seems like odd advice, but I am willing to try it,” Albert said. “I am getting nowhere using other methods.”
“You should bring Senneth with you next time you negotiate,” Julia suggested. She had lowered Halie to the floor and now the little girl was crawling under the table. Senneth saw Degarde hastily scoot his chair back when Halie started prying at the buckles on his boot.
“An excellent idea!” Betony exclaimed.
“Indeed, yes, you could help me translate Lirren notions into rational behavior,” Albert said.
Senneth laughed, but then she realized he was serious. “Oh—I’m not sure I would be much of an asset,” she demurred.
“Well, you wouldn’t be a hindrance,” Albert said. “I could hardly do worse with the Lirrenfolk than I have done so far.”
“Oh, I wish you would!” Degarde said. “Julia and I live a short ride from the Cordwains. We would love to have you among our small circle for a few days.”
“What a most excellent idea,” Evelyn said, giving Senneth a meaningful look. “How enjoyable for Senneth to spend a week or two among you and your friends. They all live a stone’s throw from a most charming town,” Evelyn added for Senneth’s edification. “You would have a most enjoyable visit.”
“Oh, but really—I had no thought of taking such a detour—”
“Are you on a schedule?” Betony asked. “Is someone expecting you? Could you write and ask pardon for a delay?”
This was where the vagabond’s life truly failed you, Senneth thought bitterly. It was so empty that it never offered excuses. In fact, she had no deadlines at all—no reason she could not accompany these people back to their little town and live with them forever, should the arrangement seem appealing. “Not exactly, but—it is hard to explain,” she replied somewhat desperately. “I am so used to my solitude—I do not think I would make much of a guest—�
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“We would require nothing of you,” Betony said firmly. “You would not even need to join us at the breakfast table if you did not want to.”
“Just come with me to bargain with the Lirrenfolk,” Albert said. “You may ignore the rest of us the whole time you’re there, and no one will complain.”
“Well, I hope you won’t ignore me completely,” Degarde said with a warm smile. “I should like to see you now and then while you are at Albert’s.”
Is he flirting with me? Senneth thought a split second before the room was rent by the sound of crashing metal and a child’s woeful howl. Betony muffled a shriek and Julia jumped up to race across the room. Halie had knocked over a small decorative suit of armor and now stood before the scattered visors and breastplates, sobbing with pitiful abandon. It was clear even before Julia scooped her up that the little girl had suffered nothing worse than shock—which had afflicted the rest of them as well, in varying degrees.
“I think my heart almost jumped out of my chest,” Betony said, while Evelyn hurried to Julia to assure the apologetic mother that no harm was done, the suit of armor was more a nuisance than a treasure, and wouldn’t Julia and Halie like to come sit down again? The final course was about to be served, and everyone would surely enjoy the fruit cobbler.
Senneth was hopeful that the noisy interruption would have made everyone forget the last few minutes of conversation, but that turned out not to be the case. “So! Senneth! Would you be willing to travel back with us and help me negotiate with the Lirrenfolk?” Albert asked.
“How soon are you expecting to meet with them again?” she said, praying that the lead time would be so long that no one could reasonably expect her to linger.
“Next week!” Albert said cheerfully. “In fact, I told Evelyn we could only stay here two nights because I didn’t want to miss my next appointment.”
“I think you have no choice,” Degarde said. “You must come.”
The servants entered the room bearing platters of food as the others reseated themselves around the table. Halie squirmed out of her mother’s arms the instant Julia took her chair. Senneth was not surprised to see the child duck under the table again.
“I think you should go,” Evelyn said.
“I consider it settled, in fact,” Albert said.
She could only yield. “Then I will come just long enough to meet your Lirren friends,” Senneth said. “I hope I will be able to do you some good.”
Betony was tasting the cobbler. “Mmm, Evelyn, this is delicious! How did you get fruit at this time of year?”
Senneth missed the answer because something clutched at her leg through the thin fabric of her skirt. She pushed her chair back and found Halie clinging to her knee.
“Up,” the girl said, releasing her grip and holding her arms out. This seemed like the invitation to go to Albert’s—impossible to refuse—so Senneth swung the little girl onto her lap, where she balanced precariously.
“Oh—I’m sorry—you can give her back to me,” Julia said, half rising from her chair.
“No, I don’t mind,” Senneth said. Which was only half a lie. The little girl watched her with huge, intent blue eyes and put out a tiny hand to explore Senneth’s face. A sticky pat on Senneth’s cheek, on her nose, a finger perilously close to gouging out Senneth’s eye. Then Halie laid her small palm flat against Senneth’s forehead and made a clucking noise.
“Feeber?” she asked.
“What?” Senneth responded.
Julia groaned. “She’s asking if you have a fever. I put my hand on her forehead whenever I think she’s sick.”
“Feeber?” Halie repeated. “Hot?”
Senneth flicked a quick look at Evelyn and glanced away. Senneth’s skin was invariably warm to the touch, a consequence of the banked fire always slumbering in her veins. Halie was not so far off. “No fever,” Senneth said firmly. “I’m quite healthy.”
Julia had gotten to her feet and circled the table to pluck Halie from Senneth’s lap. “I keep thinking she’ll fall asleep,” the young widow said. “Usually by this time of day she’s ready for a nap.” She set Halie on her feet and said, “Your doll is in the basket in the corner. Why don’t you play with her while we finish our meal?”
Halie obediently trundled off, and for a moment they all had leisure to eat and appreciate their cobbler. Talk turned to news about friends and nobles unknown to Senneth, so she was able to drop out of the conversation until Degarde addressed her.
“I hope you will come visit Julia and me while you’re staying with Albert,” he said.
“Your sister lives with you?”
“Yes—for now, at any rate. Her husband died suddenly a year ago, and Halie, as you can see, is quite a handful. So I moved them into my house, which has been good for both of them, but I think Julia is trying to find a reason to move on.” He smiled. “She keeps urging me to look around for a wife, which leads me to think she is looking for a husband. Or else she plans to seize on that excuse if I ever do marry. ‘Oh, see, your wife wants me out of the house!’ And she’ll be gone.”
Senneth laughed. “Well, then, you must oblige her!”
He sipped his water. “Prospects have been thin in my neighborhood. Perhaps I need to travel to Kianlever Court and look around.”
“Or even Ghosenhall,” Senneth said. “Many noble ladies visit the royal city.”
He gestured at his clothes with both hands. “I am not so fine a man myself that I require a truly noble wife. Just someone who interests me and has the skills and intelligence to act as a reasonable partner.”
Senneth hadn’t given much thought to a love match herself, but that description struck her as drearily devoid of passion. It had been clear to her for a long time that she would never marry, but if she had been looking for a husband, she would have had wholly different requirements. She would want someone who filled her mind, who shaped her days, someone whose mere presence brought her to life, whose absence felt like death.
She hardly expected to stumble across such a man in her aimless wanderings.
“I would think such a woman would be possible to find,” she replied, “somewhere among the Twelve Houses.”
“So, tell me,” he said, “which of the Houses do you call home?”
“Oh, I travel so much that I really have no allegiance to one region,” she replied.
He cocked his head to one side, trying to dig beneath the answer. “And no allegiance to the family where you were born, I take it.”
She was not going to talk about this. “Correct.”
He took the rebuff. “Then I hope you have managed to replace parents and siblings with a multitude of friends.”
“Indeed, my friends represent quite an astonishing variety! From noblewomen to blacksmiths to Lirren clansmen. I am quite rich in my acquaintances.”
“Then I think—” he began.
His words were lost in a sudden hysterical shrieking. Senneth’s instant reaction was to leap up and gaze around wildly. She saw all the other guests on their feet and screaming. Evelyn, pointing and fainting. Julia, racing across the room.
Halie, contorted before the fire, her dress blazing around her tiny body, her arms waving in the air, her face a howling mask of terror and pain.
Senneth didn’t even think. She flung her hands out and felt the power snap from her body in a great, dark, rolling wave.
Every fire went out. The grate was cold. The candles steamed with smoke. Halie was stunned to silence, her dress falling in charred ribbons from her small frame, her arms still outstretched. Across the width of the room, Senneth could not judge if the girl’s skin had been burned, though her face looked untouched.
Julia reached the child a second later, falling to the floor beside her, sobbing and pulling at the incinerated dress. Degarde was moments behind her, followed by Betony and Albert. Evelyn was at the door, issuing orders to the servants. “Bring us water and salve and dressings!”
Senneth stood
at the table and let her arms fall, feeling the inevitable wash of adrenaline flare up and down her veins, awaiting the next call to action. Halie had started crying again, but it was the hiccupping, nervous kind of weeping that indicated distress rather than pain. Senneth was pretty sure she had doused the flames before they had done any real damage. But Bright Mother burn me, she thought savagely. That child is going to kill herself before she’s three years old.
Senneth estimated she had five minutes before the other guests started asking her questions. She remained standing before the table, waiting.
In fact, Degarde broke away only a moment later and crossed the room to Senneth’s side. “She is unhurt,” he said, his voice threaded with both amazement and relief. “It seems the clothing caught fire but the flames did not have time to reach her skin.”
“I didn’t even see her approach the fire,” Senneth said.
“No. She’s very quick. You would not believe the kinds of accidents that occur around her. Well, you have seen two of them today.”
“No wonder Julia wanted her brother’s assistance to raise the child.”
Degarde was watching Senneth very closely. She was a tall woman, but he could look her straight in the eye, and his expression was intent. “You put that fire out,” he said. “From across the room. You controlled it.”
Senneth would have thought everyone else was still focused on Halie—certainly Julia was—but Betony and Albert and Evelyn caught Degarde’s words. Evelyn laid her hand on Albert’s arm and pulled him back toward the table.
“What’s that? What’s he saying?” Albert demanded. The little girl’s near disaster had shaken him considerably. His jovial aspect had completely given way to a set look of solemnity.
Degarde gestured toward the fireplace. “Senneth. She waved her hands and the flames went out. All the flames in the room. Possibly in the entire house.”
“Just this room,” Senneth said coolly. She could hear, as if they were melodies being played in different keys, the fires in the kitchen grate and the downstairs parlor and the upstairs bedroom snapping and spitting. She could feel their gradations of heat brush along her skin as if they were breezes wafting in from a long and windy desert. “I can control exactly what my power touches.”
