by Callie Kanno
The man turned slightly at their entrance. Adesina met his light brown eyes and was arrested by what she saw. There was a vigilant and highly intelligent expression that was both shrewd and deceptively benign. Adesina instinctively felt that she would need to be wary when near this man, but she seemed to be the only one who felt anything was amiss. Ravi looked merely thoughtful as he studied the shop and the people in it. Hass’s body language spoke of complete ease and Fia waved to him with a friendly smile on her face. The man smiled back at Fia, and Hass motioned for them to come closer.
“Adrie, I am glad that you came to the shop today. This is Master Termell. He is the assistant to Master Chatham, the man from whom I purchase all of my lumber.”
Adesina gave him a polite nod and tried to ignore the fact that he was studying her with interest. The introductions were interrupted by the entrance of a middle-aged man dressed in the same uniform as Termell. He was bald, except for a fringe of brownish hair, and had a long grizzled beard. Hass hailed him as a friend.
“Ah, Chatham! We were just talking about you. This is Adrie, my new apprentice. Adrie, this is Master Chatham.”
When Chatham clapped his eyes on Adesina, he froze in place. A look of distrust and something that bordered anger shone on his face. The tension in the room was palpable and Chatham seemed to be the only one who knew the reason why. Termell cleared his throat and Chatham started from whatever abstraction of thought he had been in. He gave Adesina a curt acknowledging nod and turned to his assistant.
“The boy is back. I need your help at once.”
Chatham had the presence of mind to raise his hand in farewell to Hass before hurrying out of the shop. Termell nodded in response to these instructions, bid Hass goodbye and followed Chatham.
Hass frowned in confusion at this strange behavior, then gave a slight shrug. He proceeded to show Adesina around the shop. She was told what days she was to come in and work, where all tools and supplies could be found, what kind of work would be expected of her, and so forth.
This recital only ended when they were abruptly joined by Gainor. She was fairly bouncing on the balls of her feet from excitement.
“Mother has given me permission to invite you to dinner tonight, Adrie! May she come, Master Hass?”
Hass looked strangely reluctant at this request. At some length he answered, “I suppose that is fine. I will send her along when we are finished here.”
Gainor thanked him profusely and darted out the door. Hass closed up the shop and instructed Fia to go home.
“Tell your mother that I will be walking Adrie over to Governor Ralis’s house.”
Fia did as she was told, and Hass motioned for Adesina to follow him through the Square. The sun was setting and everyone was heading home for the day. Ravi walked sedately by Adesina’s side, and she found herself reaching over to rest a hand on his back. She felt a strange sort of comfort from the contact. Ravi hummed softly as they passed through the buildings and parks that led back home.
Gainor’s house was just down the street from Hass’s home. Its roof was pink, as were the curtains in the windows. Adesina detected a flurry of movement just beyond the curtains and the door opened to reveal Gainor and a woman who must have been her mother.
The young woman stepped forward in a rather formal manner. “Mother, this is my new friend, Adrie of the Northern Tribes. Adrie, this is my mother, Mistress Donia.”
Mistress Donia and her daughter looked very much alike. Even though Mistress Donia looked older, she did not look old enough to have a daughter Gainor’s age. The biggest difference was that the laughter in Gainor’s eyes had turned to a steely glint in her mother’s. Mistress Donia had the distinct look of a woman accustomed to being in control.
She gave Adesina a condescending nod and welcomed her into her home with a flourish of her hand. “Please, come in, Adrie. Master Hass, thank you for bringing your young charge.”
Hass nodded with the same reluctant look on his face. “Is it just a family gathering?”
Donia gave a controlled smile. “And a few friends. Please give my regards to Mistress Jelana.”
Hass took the hint and began to turn away. He briefly touched Adesina’s elbow. “Do not stay out too late. You have school in the morning.”
She was then herded into the house to meet the ominous group of people that ruined Hass’s peace of mind. Ravi kept close to her side, but did not respond to anything going on around them. He acted as if he were oblivious to the dinner party.
Adesina was instantly met with a number of new faces. There were two girls with features strikingly similar to Gainor’s, one of which was hanging on the arm of a disgruntled-looking young man and holding a baby that was perhaps a year old. Behind them were two elderly couples seated across from each other. A short, thin man hovered between them anxiously.
Mistress Donia began introductions with the obviously uneasy small man. “Adrie, my dear, that is my husband, Governor Ralis.”
A sickly smile appeared on his face. “Welcome, young lady, welcome.”
Next were the two couples sitting by Governor Ralis. “This is Governor Wadell and his wife, Mistress Caryl. And here is Governor Odinan and his wife, Mistress Hulda.”
Each of them smiled and inclined their head when named. Donia then pointed to the young family and the sister standing next to them. “My eldest daughter, Maret, her husband, Palti, and their son, Mazal. And my other daughter, Isela.”
Donia gestured to Adesina with a smug expression on her face. “This is Adrie of the Northern Tribes. A good friend of my daughter, Gainor.”
Adesina understood why Hass had looked apprehensive. This whole dinner seemed to be a political hothouse, and Adrie was a young and innocent girl. Adesina, however, suppressed a smile at such an opportunity being presented so soon after entering the High City. She fixed her face with her most innocent expression and gave a polite bow to her new acquaintances.
Mistress Donia seated Adesina in a chair between the two Governors’ wives. Ravi sat down next to her, his expression slightly amused at the situation, but otherwise unresponsive. The elderly women both leaned in to engage her in conversation. Mistress Caryl was first to speak.
“I am so pleased to meet you, Adrie, dear. A young face such as yours is like a fresh wind to my aging heart.”
Mistress Hulda broke in. “Indeed, my dear. I am so happy to see one of the Northern Tribes. I have been honored to know several tribesmen over the years. They are such an openhearted people.”
The two Governors sat back and watched the scene intently, allowing their wives to take point on these artful attacks. Adesina wasn’t entirely sure why, but she had become an object of interest to these powerful figures.
Governor Ralis rocked back and forth as if unable to contain his agitation. The attempts at conversation were interrupted by Mistress Donia, who had enlisted the aid of her two younger daughters to usher the guests into the dining room and then serve the first course of the meal.
As Adesina took her seat she glanced to see if Ravi had followed them from the adjoining room. He sat in the doorway, watching them from a short distance. She inclined her head, silently asking him to come closer, but he merely shook his head and smiled. It was easier for him to observe from where he was currently positioned.
Adesina was again seated between Mistress Caryl and Mistress Hulda. Gainor looked a bit disappointed at this arrangement, but said nothing.
Mistress Donia and her daughters began passing out cups of some sort of soup. Gainor handed Adesina her cup and gave an uncertain smile. “Are you enjoying yourself?”
She took the cup and nodded mildly. “Very much.”
Gainor’s smile widened to a grin. “I am glad!”
Adesina sipped her soup politely, saying very little. The two women next to her continued to fence verbally, each trying to gain an advantage in the eyes of their young companion. This was carried on until the main course was served.
Adesina hardly p
aid attention to the food placed in front of her. The conversation around the dinner table was so unlike anything she expected that she turned all of her focus on what was being said. The three Governors spoke so openly about matters of policy, recent issues that were causing problems, ideas of city improvement, and so forth, that Adesina was astonished. The running of the Shimat fortress had always been done strictly and silently. Those matters that could not be solved by the Sharifal alone involved only those who were necessary.
Adesina did her best to follow the conversation, but she was frequently addressed by the women sitting next to her, as well as Gainor and Mistress Donia.
“I cannot see how that is pertinent to our city, Ralis. If they do not wish to have a more open line of trade with us…”
Mistress Caryl touched Adesina on the arm. “You know, my dear, I really must introduce you to my niece. She has always had a fascination with carpentry. I am sure that you would be good friends.”
Adesina forced a smile. “Yes, of course.”
“Would it be improper of me to ask you to dinner some night? I mean, I know we have only just met, but I feel a strange sort of kinship for you.”
“Yes, indeed!” broke in Mistress Hulda, “I feel exactly the same. Would you also honor us with a visit, my dear?”
The young Shimat gave a distracted nod. “If Master Hass and Mistress Jelana do not object…”
Both ladies effused their assurances that there could not possibly be any objections, and Adesina turned her attention back to the Governors.
“…but surely not! They live so far north they could not have so great an impact on our city.”
“Besides, they have always made it very clear that they are neutral. They will not do anything to risk that standing…”
Gainor, who was sitting across the table from Adesina, leaned forward. “Are you enjoying yourself?”
This was the fourth time Gainor had asked this question. Adesina was careful to keep the irritation she felt out of her voice. She gave her usual answer, “Very much.”
“Do not be a fool, Wadell. It will not come to that! War is something we all want to avoid!”
Adesina’s eyes darted to the end of the table, where Governor Ralis sat wide-eyed and afraid. Governor Wadell looked slightly smug at this reaction. “Only the naive think otherwise, my friend.”
Mistress Hulda beckoned for Adesina to lean closer. She whispered in her ear, “I hope that such talk does not worry you, my dear. I am sure you have great concern for you native home, the north.”
The beginnings of a smile played at the corner of Adesina’s lips. She replied in an equally low voice. “Yes, of course. It is, after all, my home.”
Mistress Caryl sat forward. “What is that you are saying, my dear?”
Mistress Hulda straightened with a satisfied look on her face. “Oh, nothing. Nothing at all.”
Mistress Caryl looked uneasy at the expression on Mistress Hulda’s face. She leaned in to have her own whispered conversation with Adesina. “You must be anxious for the north, child.”
Adesina gave a small shake of the head. “Actually, the northerners were not very kind to my family. That is why I chose to come here to live.”
It was Mistress Caryl’s turn to look smug as she sat back. It looked as if Adesina was finally going to get a few moments to listen to the arguing Governors, but the dinner was now over and the conversation put away for the time being. They all moved into the sitting area for the evening entertainment.
Each of the men took a turn telling a story about their own exploits. Adesina suspected that the majority of these stories were exaggerated, but smiled politely as if she believed them. Then, to end the evening, Gainor and her sisters sang a song. It was simple and pleasant, but Adesina could not truly appreciate it because she was spoiled by the exceptional music she had so often heard from Ravi.
There was a polite but strained conversation about who would have the honor of walking Adesina to her home. After some quiet debate, it was decided that Gainor would walk her home alone. The two visiting Governors and their wives looked disappointed at the missed opportunity, but let it go. They all shook Adesina’s hand warmly and reminded her of her promise to visit each of them soon.
Gainor chattered without restraint all the way to Adesina’s home. She would have been grateful if the volunteered information had been of any use to her. Unfortunately, Gainor’s thoughts were filled with the trivial that night. Ravi padded quietly behind them, humming a cheerful little tune.
Master Hass and Mistress Jelana were still waiting up when she walked through the door. Jelana smiled warmly. “Did you have a nice time?”
She nodded. “Yes. They were very hospitable.”
It was obvious that they were unsure how closely they could question her without offending her sense of independence. Adesina didn’t really feel like talking about the dinner, so she gave them a benign smile and walked up to her room.
Chapter Eleven: Fruitless Lessons
Adesina didn’t sleep very well that night. Her thoughts were a flurry, unable to even arrange themselves in a coherent manner. Strangely, the thought that seemed to dominate was the fact that she hadn’t Dreamed since entering the High City. For some reason, that bothered her. Just after midnight Adesina sat up in exasperation.
“Ravi?”
He lifted his head immediately, as if he had been awake the whole time. His golden eyes glowed in the moonlight. “Yes, Ma’eve?”
“My mother told me that I did not need the forest in order to Dream.”
Ravi inclined his head, following her train of thought in spite of her lack of clarity. “That is true.”
“Then why have I not Dreamed since leaving it?”
A soft sigh escaped Ravi, as if he were preparing for a long explanation. “The gift of Dreaming is a skill that takes practice. The forest is a special place that makes Dreaming easier to those who have the ability. You simply need to learn how to Dream without that extra help.”
A slight frown furrowed Adesina’s brow. “Will you teach me?”
There was a hint of hesitation in Ravi’s eyes. “I can try, but it would be difficult. Especially for one such as you.”
Her pride was immediately piqued. “What do you mean?”
Ravi smiled at her reaction. “Merely that you have been trained to think a certain way your entire life. The gift of Dreaming requires a different sort of perception.”
She leaned forward, eager for a challenge. “How do I begin?”
Ravi nodded his head toward the window. “Look out and tell me what you see.”
Adesina did as she was bid. The moon was waning, but the white buildings seemed to amplify the light. Everything was silent, almost as if any sort of noise would not be allowed in a city such as this. “I see white buildings, all evenly spaced from each other. Cobblestone streets painted white. Lots of reflected light and open space.”
She turned around when she heard a quiet chuckle. Ravi was shaking his head. “That would be helpful to know if I were trying to sneak through the city, but is that all that there is?”
Adesina looked again. She wasn’t sure what kind of answer Ravi wanted to hear. She began studying the details of the scene before her. “Each house has a garden and each yard is surrounded by a white picket fence…”
Ravi appeared noiselessly at her side. “You are only looking at the obvious, Ma’eve. You must be able to see deeper than what is immediately apparent.”
She nodded. This was a principle that was taught at the Shimat fortress. However, Ravi had stated that her Shimat training would be different from what he was teaching her. She blew out her breath as she turned her eyes to the window again. “What am I supposed to be seeking?”
Ravi returned to his place on the floor next to her bed. “Keep looking. When you see it, you will know.”
Adesina sat at the window for the remainder of the night. She studied the street until she knew every minute detail. Still, she could
not see anything miraculous. She did not know what Ravi expected her to see. Even as the first rays of dawn crept through the city, her perspective didn’t change.
She even neglected her exercise routine that morning in favor of this new training, but could not help but think it was a waste of time.
Jelana appeared at the appointed hour to encourage her to hurry downstairs. Adesina gave Ravi a reproachful glance as she got ready for the day. “I still do not see anything.”
Ravi nodded as if that was what he had expected. “Keep looking, Ma’eve. It will come to you in time.”
Days passed and Adesina could see nothing out of the ordinary. Any time she observed something new to Ravi, he smiled and shook his head. Finally, after a week of this, Adesina gave it up in frustration. She went back to her Shimat routine every morning with a glare shot at Ravi, daring him to comment.
Even though she had given up her daily vigil at the window, she still studied her surrounding more carefully than she had done before. She had never failed a challenge before, and she didn’t intend to fail now.
The afternoon after she resumed her Shimat training, Adesina and Ravi were alone in the shop, which was a rare occurrence. Ravi had settled in a patch of sunlight and closed his eyes as if to sleep. Adesina knew he was wide awake and usually liked to use their limited time alone to talk. Today, she felt should be an exception and she left him to immerse himself in whatever deep thoughts swirled around in his head.
Adesina picked up her tools and began finishing the repairs on the chairs she had been assigned by Hass. There was a sort of content absorption that filled Adesina’s mind when she sat to do carpentry work. All of her focus turned on the task, freeing her thoughts from the drudgery of her everyday life.
As she sat smoothing a replacement rung, a quiet noise penetrated her consciousness. Her hand paused as she turned her attention to the sound. It was a voice singing—a rich baritone that swelled with poignant emotion. Almost involuntarily, Adesina got to her feet and followed the music, which led to the medical clinic next door.
