Seeing Poppy made Minikin glow. ‘Hello to both of you,’ she said warmly. ‘How is the little one today?’
‘Fine,’ said Eiriann. ‘Just fine.’
‘And you? How are you, Eiriann?’
Young Eiriann made a brave face, shrugging off the question. ‘I’m well.’ She paused, then glanced up at the mistress. ‘As well as I could be, I guess.’
‘You’ve had quite a time, I’m sure,’ said Minikin gently. She squatted down beside Poppy using her cane for balance, and with her free hand traced her finger over the babe’s smooth belly. ‘Have you thought about what you will do now?’
Eiriann’s face tightened. ‘You have been so kind to us. I know we can’t remain here in the palace now, but perhaps we can find a place in the town outside the wall. I was hoping Kahana White-Eye might know of a place, or one of her people.’
‘Hmm, yes, that might do,’ said Minikin, trying to hide her mirth. ‘You understand why I could never take the baby into Grimhold, don’t you?’
Eiriann nodded. ‘I understand. Lorn was mistaken; we all were. But it’s all he ever wanted for Poppy, to be healed. To be like these other children.’ Her gaze flicked momentarily toward the children and their mothers, all of them normal, none of them possibly understanding what it was like for Poppy. ‘He wasn’t just a bad man, Minikin. He was a good man, too.’
‘Some people don’t believe that,’ said Minikin. ‘But I do.’
The young woman looked at her strangely. ‘Yes,’ she sighed. ‘I believe you. He liked you, Minikin. I think it’s because you saw the real him. The good one underneath the bad one, I mean.’
‘He loved his daughter, certainly. And he loved you.’
‘And he loved Norvor,’ said Eiriann sourly. ‘And that’s what killed him. I don’t blame Lukien for what he did; he probably thinks that, but I don’t. Lorn was obsessed; I know that. But he was good to me and my father.’ She smiled at Minikin. ‘I’m glad I’m not the only one that saw the good in him.’
Minikin put her finger into Poppy’s palm. The little hand closed on it immediately. ‘And he left you this little one to care for. It’s a big job. You’ll need help with her, probably more than you can give her.’
A shadow crossed Eiriann’s face. ‘I’ll do the best I can for her. I’ll work for money. Maybe I’ll find a man who’ll take care of us. I don’t know. .’
‘You know,’ Minikin began mischievously, ‘I may know a place for her. There’s a family not far from here that can take good care of her, teach her the things she needs to know to survive.’
‘Really?’ Eiriann was stunned. ‘Who would do that?’
Minikin grinned. ‘Who do you think?’
For a moment the girl did not understand, but then the realization dawned on her. She could not speak.
‘King Lorn fought and risked his life for us,’ said Minikin softly. ‘He knew I was weak and never took advantage. He was true to his word to Gilwyn, right to the end, and he made a kahana out of White-Eye. Whatever else he might have been, he was never an enemy to Jador, or to Grimhold. We owe him a debt but we can never repay it because he is gone. But his daughter. .’ Minikin stroked Poppy’s face. ‘She belongs here. She can be one of us now.’
‘You’ll take her into Grimhold?’ asked Eiriann breathlessly. ‘How?’
‘Every now and then I choose a child to enter Grimhold. It only happens seldom because there are very few Akari. But when an Inhuman passes, the Akari is free to find another host.’
‘Passes? Who has died?’
Minikin shook off the question. ‘It doesn’t matter. There are many Inhumans. You did not know her. What’s important is that there is space for Poppy now. . if you’ll let me take her.’
Eiriann looked heart-broken, and also hugely glad. She looked down at Poppy with tears welling in her eyes. ‘She’s like my own,’ she choked.
‘I know,’ Minikin agreed. ‘And that’s why you’ll let me take her, because you want the best for her.’
‘She’ll be normal in Grimhold? She will see and hear, like normal children?’
‘No, not like normal children, dear.’ Minikin got that impish look. ‘She’ll be better than normal. She’ll be an Inhuman.’
87
Lukien lay in the steaming water, his wet hair dripping into his one, half-closed eye. His naked body had given itself over to the warmth, falling into an almost trance-like relaxation. Overhead, the mosaic ceiling of the bath chamber dazzled him with intricate colours. His arms spread out on the ledge of the pool, holding him at chin level in the water. As he floated, sleep crept ever closer. He watched his toes break the surface then sink back down. The hair on his body moved like in a breeze. Alone in the vast chamber, Lukien heard the slow ebb and flow of his breath and, if he listened closely, the calm rhythm of his heart.
Time did a wonderful disappearing act here in the baths. It had been morning when Lukien had entered, but he was no longer sure the sun was even up anymore. On the stone floor behind his head, the Sword of Angels lay on the moist surface, strangely impervious to getting wet. Though the weapon still sat near him, Lukien could barely sense Malator in his mind, the Akari having backed off. It was a small gift but Lukien was grateful for it, and had in fact enjoyed it for a week now. Since returning to Jador he had spent most of his time alone, with little contact with anyone, including Malator. He had done too much over the last year, traveling too many miles and watching friends die. Lukien never wanted to think again. All he wanted now was to drift away, high up to the colourful ceiling like the mist.
Today, however, a visitor interrupted his bathing. From time to time Jadori soldiers would enter the chamber, sliding down silently at the other end of the pool. On occasion, mothers brought their children to the baths as well, laughing while the naked babes were carried through the water, splashing and giggling. Lukien enjoyed the solitude but never expected it, and in fact he liked when others joined him in the baths, even when he never said a word to them. Lukien simply wanted to relax. And not to talk at all.
Still, it did not surprise him when Gilwyn entered the chamber. He heard the boy before he saw him, the distinctive clip-clop of his special boot dragging on the echoing stones. As Gilwyn turned the corner he peered into the pool chamber through the mists, seeing Lukien floating in the water. Lukien’s eye widened a little. Was he glad to see Gilwyn? He didn’t know, though he supposed the time had come to tell of his decision.
‘Don’t just stand there gawking,’ he told his friend.
Gilwyn made a face before stepping around the corner. ‘You looked like you were sleeping.’
Lukien’s eye widened as he saw what Gilwyn was wearing. Not at all ready for the baths, Gilwyn sported his usual shirt and trousers, his special boot buckled up the length of his calf. ‘If you try swimming like that you’ll sink like a rock.’
Gilwyn smiled a little sheepishly, making his way across the edge of the pool. The way was narrow where Lukien floated, and Gilwyn was careful to keep his balance on the slick stone. Lukien watched, ready to help the boy if he needed it but Gilwyn did not, finally coming to a stop near Lukien’s sword.
‘I can’t see you if you stand behind me,’ said Lukien. ‘Take your shoes off at least. Dip your feet in the water; that’s what Minikin does.’
‘No, thanks,’ said Gilwyn. It was obvious there were things on his mind. ‘I didn’t come for a bath.’
‘Still, I prefer you didn’t stand there. Sit at least. Get comfortable.’
It was an effort for Gilwyn to sit himself down, but he found a spot that wasn’t too damp over Lukien’s left shoulder. He lowered himself to the stones, using his good hand for support. Then he looked around, admiring the chamber. They had the entire place to themselves.
‘I’ve been waiting for you,’ Lukien confessed. ‘I should have talked to you sooner. I’m sorry. I’ve had some things I needed to consider.’
‘I know,’ said Gilwyn. ‘I could leave if you like.’