Again, I held the coach door and helped the ladies up, then followed.
When the hacker turned into Hagahl Lane, I cleared my throat. “I suppose I should go . . .” I didn’t want to, but I also didn’t want to intrude.
“Don’t run off,” Betara said.
“Please come in,” added Seliora.
It didn’t take any more persuasion for me to accompany them inside.
Only two lamps were lit in the main-level hallway, and the large space was hushed.
“It’s early for you young people, but we need quiet time,” Betara said. “Good night.”
“Good night, Mama, Papa,” Seliora said. “We won’t stay up too late. Remember, we’re going riding tomorrow after brunch.”
“Better you than us. Good night.”
As they turned and headed up the side staircase to the third level, Seliora said, “It’s too cold on the upper terraces, but this late there won’t be anyone in the plaques room. It does have a small settee that’s not too uncomfortable. . . .”
Again, I wasn’t about to argue . . . and I followed her to a door I hadn’t noticed before, set almost in the northwest corner of the hall, but on the north wall. It was ajar, and Seliora eased it open and stepped inside the narrow room that ran across much of the north side of the building. In the dim light from the single pair of lamps still burning in the main hallway, I could see two boxes resting on the dark blue felt of the nearer plaques table, obviously holding plaques. Several other boxes rested on a cabinet against the far wall. The other two tables had nothing on them. Pharsis were known for being avid plaques players, but generally the gambling games, while the High Holders preferred whist.
Seliora didn’t light one of the wall lamps, and I didn’t suggest it. She did leave the door ajar. “This is the only time someone’s not here on the weekends. Well . . . except before breakfast.”
“Do you play?”
“Some. That’s because Shomyr insisted I had to learn. I’d rather do other things.” She turned and lifted her lips.
Thankfully, the settee was on the south wall and not visible from the doorway, unless someone actually stepped into the room.
43
On Samedi night, once more, despite the pleasant dinner with Betara and Shelim-and the even more enjoyable time with Seliora in the plaques room-I didn’t sleep well. I woke not that long after dawn on Solayi feeling like my intestines were strangled and my legs had been under an iron weight. I was so sore and stiff that I had to do some exercises before I headed downstairs for a cold shower and a colder shave. I knew that every muscle in my body would have contracted into spasms if that water had hit me without my loosening up.
Because I’d get a filling meal at Seliora’s, I didn’t have to eat breakfast at the dining hall. That way I could avoid Heisbyl, who was the duty master. It wasn’t that I disliked him, or even that I even disagreed with what he said. It was the condescending attitude. While he was older and more experienced, we were of the same rank, and I had been moderately successful both as a portraiturist and as an imager, facts that his attitude ignored.
I set out across the Bridge of Desires after eighth glass under a gray sky. Occasional fine flakes of snow drifted down, but melted as soon as they touched the stone of the pavement. In the sky to the west, I could see patches of pale blue. With some luck, the sun might be out before we started out on our ride. I had to wait more than a quint on the west side of the river before I could catch a hack to take me to NordEste Design and Seliora, and I wasn’t all that certain the driver wanted the fare, but was afraid to turn down an imager. Because it was cold, when I got out of the coach at Seliora’s, I gave him an extra pair of coppers beyond the normal one or two for a gratuity.
He didn’t quite smile, but he looked to be the type who seldom did. He did incline his head and say, “Much obliged, sir.”
“My thanks for the ride.” I did smile before turning and hurrying up the steps.
The twins-Hanahra and Hestya-opened the door, even before I lifted the knocker.
“Good morning, Master Rhennthyl,” offered one.
“Aunt Seliora,” the other called up the entry staircase, “he’s here!”
The twin at the door closed and bolted it, while the other scurried up before me.
Seliora was waiting at the edge of the carpeted part of the main entry hall. She wore long black riding skirts, with a pale pink shirt and a deep crimson vest.
She gave me an embrace and a kiss on the cheek, while the twins stood there and giggled, then said, “Mother and Aunt Odelia have fixed far too much. I hope you’re hungry.”
“I’m very hungry,” I admitted. “I didn’t have breakfast.”
“Good. You might even eat as much as Shomyr.” She took my arm, gently possessive. We walked toward the archway at the back of the entry hall that opened into the dining chamber.
Betara and Shelim turned as Seliora led me toward our places near the head of the table.
“Seliora told Mama Diestra about your brother. She is as sorry as we are.” The concern faded from Betara’s face, followed by a hardening expression as she added, “She also believes that we must give you anything we can to help. Anything.”
Shelim nodded.
From where she stood just across the table from Betara, Diestra nodded as well.
“Thank you.” I couldn’t help but be touched . . . and a bit fearfully awed.
All three smiled.
Whether it was because of Rousel’s accident, or informality, I actually ended up at the table beside Seliora, with Odelia and Bhenyt across from us, and Betara to my right.
Shelim cleared his throat as everyone continued to stand, then said, “For the grace that we all owe to each other, for the bounty of the earth of which we are about to partake, for good faith among all, and mercies great and small. For all these we offer thanks and gratitude, both now and ever more, in the spirit of that which cannot be named or imaged. . . .”
“In peace and harmony,” we replied.
I reached out and squeezed Seliora’s hand, and got a warm but gentle squeeze in return, and there was a scuffing of chairs as everyone sat down. Then platters of food appeared, along with a large teapot and carafes of heated mulled wine. One platter held the thinnest of fried cakes, rolled around a mixture of what looked to be sauteed mushrooms, cheese, and chopped sausage. I took several.
“They’re better with the berry syrup,” suggested Bhenyt.
“Thank you.” I took his suggestion and dosed mine with the syrup, then ate one. Bhenyt was definitely correct about the syrup.
“You’re going riding, aren’t you?” asked Odelia. “Seliora says that you finally look like you’ve seen a horse before.”
“Once or twice, if I don’t have to ride one that doesn’t care for me.”
“The horses all like you,” Bhenyt said.
I laughed gently, but I wondered where he’d gotten that idea.
“You’re Pharsi at heart,” Betara explained, “maybe more than at heart, and Pharsis have a way with horses.”
I didn’t think I’d pass that compliment along to my mother, not the way she felt about Pharsis. Yet I felt very much at home with Grandmama Diestra’s clan.
“I heard indirectly from Horazt that you’ve been kind and helpful to his nephew,” Diestra said from across the table.
“Shault’s a good boy, and I’d like him to succeed as an imager.”
“He also said that you got rid of Youdh before he could make any more trouble.”
I shrugged. “He attacked me and another patroller. I did what had to be done.” I really didn’t want to discuss the details surrounding Youdh’s hearing and death.
“You understand that one must act before too many suffer,” Grandmama Diestra said carefully. “So often, the good innocents always believe that there is another way. They are convinced that there must be a way that hurts no one, or only the most evil of the evil. While they try in vain to find such a way, more suffer and more die.”