‘You’ve been here before, haven’t you?’ Dev objected.
Not recently and never for very long,’ Kheda admitted ruefully. ‘And then I always had Telouet to show me where to go.’
‘Yes, he was everyone’s friend, was Telouet,’ said Dev, a trifle sourly. ‘Let’s hope they’re willing to let me in on their secrets.’
‘You’re my personal slave, whatever else you may be,’ Kheda said crisply. ‘Remind them of that, if need be, but keep yourself in check.’
It’s bad enough that preparing the ground for Risak’s return with tales of banishing dragons from the wizard—
plagued north has reminded everyone that you’re a barbarian in their midst. We cannot have anyone suspecting that you’re anything more.
Are we far enough away from the fire mountains in the centre of Esabir, in case the dragon does appear and you lose control of your magic again? If it does, and you do, you’ll lose your head and hide for it, do you realise that?
‘Maybe I should grow a beard,’ Dev muttered. ‘Show them all I’m properly tamed.’
‘It’s probably better if they carry on thinking you’re zamorin,” Kheda said frankly.
‘You don’t think they’ll wonder why you trust your safety to some castrated lapdog?’ the barbarian said softly, mocking. ‘Maybe there’ll be a maidservant here who I can bed to put paid to that worry—with your permission, naturally, my lord. Saedrin knows, I wouldn’t mind easing the ache in my stones.’
Not unless you can swear to me you don’t talk in your sleep,’ Kheda shot back as they strode across the greensward.
‘It’s all right for you; you can take that prize piece to bed any time you choose.’ Dev slid the chests he was carrying down to the ground with a sigh of relief and bowed low. Kheda ignored the barbarian’s insolence as Itrac emerged from the main gate of the residence. Servants scattered in all directions as she hurried towards them, something white clutched in one hand.
‘My lady.’ Kheda hurried to meet her, a chill running through him despite the heat of the day. ‘Is there some news from the west? From the Mist Dove?’
‘What? Oh, no.’ Itrac was dressed in all the elegance befitting a domain’s first wife. Her trousers of green silk were patterned with intricate flowers of blue and gold, a tunic of the same cloth fitted close to her body, emphasising her slenderness. The neckline plunged to her breastbone, cloth caught with golden clasps, emphasising the swell of her modest breasts. Strings of sapphires and emeralds swathed her elegant neck, her eyes vivid with sapphire and emerald cosmetics.
The sun struck blue and green fire from her rings as she brushed at her intricately braided hair.
For all her finery, she looks no more than a child, and a child caught in some mischief not of her making. ‘What is it?’ Kheda held out his hands. ‘My beloved wife,’ he added for the benefit of slaves and servants frozen in their bustle on all sides.
‘I find an unlooked-for letter from Daish awaiting us.’ Itrac crushed the reed paper with an audible crackle. At her heels, Jevin was scowling openly.
‘Concerning our invitation?’ Kheda raised his voice a little. ‘That Rekha Daish join us at the Equinox, so she might take word of the auguries in this domain back to her lord, that he might compare them with the fortunes written in Daish skies?’
‘When I would have the household prepared to welcome her properly.’ Itrac’s hand trembled and Kheda saw a torrid confusion of emotion in her eyes. When I would have refreshed my memory as to Chazen’s various trading accounts with Daish. But it seems we are to expect their beloved lady tonight.’
‘Are we?’ Kheda managed to keep his tone light. ‘What an unexpected pleasure.’ He didn’t mind anyone hearing the cynicism in his voice.
‘More unexpected than you know, my lord.’ Emboldened by Kheda’s reaction, Itrac let slip a hint of irritation. ‘We are to entertain that domain’s first lady, Janne Daish, not Rekha. We had better make haste to make ready.’
No, we’ll make ready as and when we see fit.’ Kheda resolutely avoided looking at the household servants and slaves as Itrac’s mouth opened with surprise. ‘Our household has worked hard with this unexpected move from the south. I’m not inclined to repay their efforts with yet more demands. He shrugged with unconcern. ‘If we’re not ready to receive Janne Daish when she arrives, she can stay aboard her galley. It’s her choice to arrive earlier than invited.’
A deliberate choice, I’ve no doubt, to throw Itrac off balance, on to the back foot with mortified apologies for shortcomings in her hospitality.
‘You’re right, my husband.’ Itrac lifted her chin, face serene. ‘Our people serve us well and deserve our consideration. Chazen concerns outweigh those of Daish.’ Behind her, Jevin was now grinning widely.
Kheda hid his qualms as Itrac’s bold statement prompted whispers all across the open ground. ‘It’s a hot day, my wife. Let’s take some refreshment before we continue about our own duties. It’s time everyone had a break.’
As he gave a lordly wave of his hand, maids and men-servants alike promptly set down their loads and abandoned their errands. Some dropped to the grass; others headed for a stone spring house where water barrels were being filled. Those carrying provisions up from the shore “shared out fruit and cloud bread.
Kheda drew Itrac to him, tucking her hand through his arm as they walked towards the main gate of the residence. The outer wall constructed of Esabir’s pale, gritty rock towered over them. It was set with angular towers banded with different stone, dark as shadow. Here and there, dark smudges were mute testament to the magical fires of the invaders. Kheda acknowledged the salutes of the warriors standing on the wall-walk
‘Each contingent has its own tower, my lord,’ Jevin explained from the rear, ‘where they eat and sleep and keep their armoury.’
‘Most impressive,’ Kheda said approvingly. Do they keep as alert a watch on what goes on inside the walls? Where will their loyalties lie if Dev and I need to get in and out without arousing suspicion when Risala returns? Kheda led the way into the inner compound through a gatehouse easily the equal of the one in the beach defences. Here springs bubbled up from fissures in the riven grey rocks and had been channelled into a lattice of rivulets enclosing delightful arbours, songbirds busy among the bright blossoms. Miniature waterfalls tumbled into pools with splashes of glee. As they passed, white and silver dart fish hid among swollen green spears soon to bear scarlet flagflowers or the sprawling, rumpled leaves of azure lilies now fading from their first magnificence. ‘I wouldn’t fancy trying to mount an attack along these dainty little paths,’ Dev observed to Jevin.
‘Try running through the water and you’ll find pits and beds of spikes.’ The younger slave pointed to shadows beneath the ruffled surface of a pool.
Not that anything stopped the wild men, by all accounts,’ Itrac said tightly.
I’m not the only one who hasn’t wanted to come here. You’ve made restoring the southern dry season residence your excuse for avoiding all the memories lying in wait for you here, haven t you?
Not here, perhaps, but we stopped them eventually,’ Kheda reminded her. ‘Chazen and our allies.’ Will leading that rescue be enough to see me accepted here’/ He looked up at the heart of the complex. A solid fortification of banded stone barred their way, outer wall pierced only by small windows at the very top. The single access was through a substantial forebuilding boasting octagonal towers at each corner. Colonnades ringed the walls at ground level, providing shade and benches for those who had come to call on their lord. The benches were full of men and women scrambling to their feet, faces hopeful as they bowed low. Warriors looked down from the heights of the battlements above.