"And are there other women on the crew?"
"Oh yes, but not many. Men are better for physical labor. Women have more endurance and reasoning power, but men possess more physical strength. It is best to let the men do what they do best and leave the rest to us."
"I beg your pardon." Li Sung's tone had a distinct edge as he stepped out of the shadows cast by the huge tent.
Dilam's gaze swung to Li Sung and her eyes widened. "You are Li Sung? I did not see you there in the shadows behind Jane."
"Even though I'm a mere humble man destined to do only what he does best, I do not stand in the shadow of any woman."
"I meant no insult by my words." Her tone was absent, her expression totally absorbed as she gazed at Li Sung. "But it is the truth, you know."
"I do not know."
"The Cinnidans have a principally matriarchal society," Ruel said. "Did I forget to mention that?"
The devil knew very well he hadn't mentioned that important fact, Jane thought crossly. Ruel's eyes were shimmering with mischief as he looked from Dilam to a bristling Li Sung.
"I'm sure we'll all get along very well," she said.
"If she does not try to treat me as a mindless beast of burden," Li Sung said caustically.
"Oh no, that is not my intent." Dilam frowned earnestly. "You misunderstand my words. Men are truly splendid creatures."
"Creatures," Li Sung echoed. "Like mules or elephants perchance?"
"They do not deserve to be bunched together. Elephants are much more intelligent than mules."
"And where do men rank in this bestial hierarchy?"
"By the gods, you're prickly," Dilam said, exasperated. "What do you wish me to say?"
"I wish you to explain these acts of splendor of which you deem men capable."
"I think you wish to quarrel with me." Dilam shrugged. "Men are good hunters and warriors. They can also be fine craftsmen."
"But we are not worthy to govern?"
Dilam shook her head. "Their temper is too hot. Before women took over the council, we had many tribal wars."
"And now I suppose peace reigns under your benevolent council."
"Not always." She smiled cheerfully. "But since it takes us nine months to bring a child into the world, we think much more carefully about starting a war that will crush out their lives."
"I'm sure your men have an equal concern for their children," Li Sung said stiffly.
"Then why do they war?" She held up her hand as he started to speak. "We have no real quarrel. I can see you are different." She added, "In some ways."
Jane could see Dilam's words were only exacerbating Li Sung's irritation and interceded hurriedly. "Will you show me to my tent, Dilam? Perhaps we could discuss—"
Dilam was shaking her head. "Samir Ruel will show you where you sleep." She smiled and pointed her index finger at Li Sung. "I take you."
"That is not necessary," Li Sung said coldly.
"It is a pleasure, not a necessity. You are angry with me and I must make things right. I think we nesling before supper."
Jane heard a sound that was half gasp, half snort from Ruel.
"Nesling?" Li Sung frowned as he cast an inquiring glance at Ruel.
"Copulation," Ruel murmured.
"That's another thing men are good at," Dilam said with another beaming smile. "Nesling."
"How kind that you approve our carnal capability." Li Sung looked at her in outrage. "I think not."
"Oh," she said, disappointed. "I do not please you?"
"You do not please me."
"You please me very much. I find you . . ." She made a face as she read his forbidding expression. "Oh, well, perhaps you will like me better later."
"I doubt it."
"You will not change your mind?" she asked wistfully. "I am truly exceptional at nesling."
"I will not change my mind." Li Sung turned to Ruel. "Where is my tent?"
"I'll show you." Ruel was trying to keep from smiling as he told Dilam, "I'm afraid you'll have to be satisfied with the discussion Jane suggested. Bring her to the candmar in an hour."
Dilam watched them as they walked away. "It is not a good beginning." Then she noticed something else. "He limps."
"His leg was crushed when he was a child. It doesn't hinder him. You'll find he works harder than anyone on the crew."
"I know this." She shook her head gloomily. "But the limp explains much. I could have wished for an easier task."
"What do you mean?"
Dilam didn't answer, her gaze still on Li Sung's retreating figure.
"What is a candmar?" Jane asked.
"What?" Dilam's glance shifted back to Jane. "Oh, candmar means eating place. We all eat together at one campfire in the center of the encampment." She turned and started in the opposite direction. "Come, I will show you where you sleep and then we will come back here. We have time for more dice before supper."
Jane shook her head. "I need to study the map and find what problems there might be on the—"
"We will go play dice," Dilam said adamantly. "Gambling gives zest when one is tired and downhearted. Your head will be clearer when your heart is more content." She studied Jane. "You must learn to enjoy life. You are too solemn."
"I have to build a railroad in seven months. That's a solemn matter."
"Li Sung is also too serious." Dilam jumped on to another subject. "You nesting with him?"
"Me?" Jane chuckled. "We're only friends."
"Friends nesting. Sometimes that is very pleasant."
Evidently Cinnidar culture was very different from her own, Jane realized. She tried to clarify. "We're like brother and sister."
"Oh, that is good. Then we will also be friends." Dilam smiled broadly. "You nesting with Samir Ruel?"
Her smile faded. "No, I don't." She stiffened as a sudden thought occurred to her. "Do you?"
Dilam shook her head, looking at her curiously. "Why does it matter to you?"
"It doesn't matter," she said quickly. "I only wondered."
"You lie," Dilam said flatly. "It matters."
Dilam was right, the raw sharpness of the pain that had torn through her at the thought of Dilam and Ruel together had shocked as well as frightened her. She quickly changed the subject. "Ruel said your people didn't get along with the Savitsar rulers."
"They tried to make slaves of us. We had no weapons to fight them, so we had to run." Dilam's lips tightened. "That time must never come again. One of the reasons the High Council decided to work with Samir Ruel was that we knew it was inevitable that others would again intrude."
"And you preferred the intruder be Ruel?"
"He was an intruder at first but no longer."
"You work well with him?"
Dilam nodded. "Samir Ruel is fair, works as hard as any of us, and knows how to laugh at his mistakes."
"But you still won't allow him on your council."
"In time. He belongs to Cinnidar, but we must season him."
The idea of anyone seasoning Ruel brought a smile to Jane's lips. "I'd like to see that."