sudden tears. “You should have told me something. I’m not just some, some game piece on a board.” My hands clench, and I force them open, stare at them. I see him shift out of the corner of my eye.
He sighs, seems about to take my hand. Changing his mind, he stands and paces the three steps available in the cabin. “It really couldn’t be helped; he wanted you not to know. Now, we’re on the ship Jihansa, and from here out —”
The door opens and I jump, ready to run, only there isn’t any escape from the cabin. A woman enters, tall, dark, her bright skirts swirling gaily. She smiles, her teeth a startling contrast to her copper skin.
Connor bows while I stand in a half-crouch, clutching my skirts awkwardly.
“Connor, it is so good to see you. Bhanu told me you’d arrived.”
“Mistress Asa Siradhi, please let me introduce my cousin, the lady Rhia Wolff fitzWellan.”
I bite my lips and curtsey, catch a warning look from Connor as I glance at him. I try to seem poised, aware of my ripe smell, my rumpled clothes and bare feet. All things that were true in front of Cardinal Robere, as well, I think.
“Please accept our apologies for our hurried arrival,” he continues. “Trader Siradhi is indeed a friend of King Peter to come to our aid.”
Asa curtseys herself, a graceful movement of layered skirts that float on the slightest breeze.
I watch, mesmerized by the material and rose color. I have never seen so many different shades of red.
“The Indrani Crown is eager to promote trade, your Grace, of information as well as goods.” Indrani: of course. The name of the southern empire sinks into my head as I try not to stare. Da promised a trip to Indranah for my honeymoon — as long as I brought back dye. It’s several weeks by sea.
Her accent bubbles over Talarian words like spring water over rocks. I try to pay attention to her words, but the meaning gets lost in the sound, and Connor leaves with a curt bow before I figure out what’s been said.
Panicked, I stand frozen as Asa smiles at me.
After a moment, she looks a little uncertain. “Are you hungry, lady Rhia? Is there anything I can bring you? Your journey must have been arduous. Connor will fetch your trousseau so you can change.” She smiles graciously and gestures to the door. It takes a moment for her words to register.
My tongue sticks to my lips when I lick them. I think longingly of the wash basin in the tower. “Hot water,” I sigh, “and soap.”
Asa smiles, bows out of the cabin. Sinking onto the cot, I let out a cautious sigh. This all would have been easier if Connor had prepared me. He is so close-mouthed, I complain to myself. And you are so open, Rhiannon.
I’m afraid to speak of the demons. When I try to even hint, I can’t speak at all. Demon-taint is not tolerated. I’m not sure how anyone can tell — how do you know if you’re tainted? When you run mad? Am I mad already? I think that Bishop Gantry must be, but no one around him in the kirche seems to have noticed.
When the door opens again I am ready for it, and Asa and three men enter. One man carries a round copper tub of a size to sit in. The other two carry large buckets of water. A bath — I hadn’t expected a bath. The last time I had a real bath …
Asa directs them and soon the tub is full, steaming in the spring air. Now that I’m not locked in a chest, the sweat drying on my body chills me a little, and I look forward to the warmth. I try to look like a lady, not fidget, and not hunch my shoulders. The sailors leave, and Asa closes the door after them.
“I brought some water to drink, as well,” she says, pointing to a pitcher she brought in, and a goblet. “And I can take your gown and air it and brush it out, at least. I have no proper smoothing-iron, but I can get the worst of your travels out of it.”
I nod, thinking that the dress has fewer travels to smooth out than I do. Asa stands, staring, and I realize she’s waiting for me to
He sighs, seems about to take my hand. Changing his mind, he stands and paces the three steps available in the cabin. “It really couldn’t be helped; he wanted you not to know. Now, we’re on the ship Jihansa, and from here out —”
The door opens and I jump, ready to run, only there isn’t any escape from the cabin. A woman enters, tall, dark, her bright skirts swirling gaily. She smiles, her teeth a startling contrast to her copper skin.
Connor bows while I stand in a half-crouch, clutching my skirts awkwardly.
“Connor, it is so good to see you. Bhanu told me you’d arrived.”
“Mistress Asa Siradhi, please let me introduce my cousin, the lady Rhia Wolff fitzWellan.”
I bite my lips and curtsey, catch a warning look from Connor as I glance at him. I try to seem poised, aware of my ripe smell, my rumpled clothes and bare feet. All things that were true in front of Cardinal Robere, as well, I think.
“Please accept our apologies for our hurried arrival,” he continues. “Trader Siradhi is indeed a friend of King Peter to come to our aid.”
Asa curtseys herself, a graceful movement of layered skirts that float on the slightest breeze.
I watch, mesmerized by the material and rose color. I have never seen so many different shades of red.
“The Indrani Crown is eager to promote trade, your Grace, of information as well as goods.” Indrani: of course. The name of the southern empire sinks into my head as I try not to stare. Da promised a trip to Indranah for my honeymoon — as long as I brought back dye. It’s several weeks by sea.
Her accent bubbles over Talarian words like spring water over rocks. I try to pay attention to her words, but the meaning gets lost in the sound, and Connor leaves with a curt bow before I figure out what’s been said.
Panicked, I stand frozen as Asa smiles at me.
After a moment, she looks a little uncertain. “Are you hungry, lady Rhia? Is there anything I can bring you? Your journey must have been arduous. Connor will fetch your trousseau so you can change.” She smiles graciously and gestures to the door. It takes a moment for her words to register.
My tongue sticks to my lips when I lick them. I think longingly of the wash basin in the tower. “Hot water,” I sigh, “and soap.”
Asa smiles, bows out of the cabin. Sinking onto the cot, I let out a cautious sigh. This all would have been easier if Connor had prepared me. He is so close-mouthed, I complain to myself. And you are so open, Rhiannon.
I’m afraid to speak of the demons. When I try to even hint, I can’t speak at all. Demon-taint is not tolerated. I’m not sure how anyone can tell — how do you know if you’re tainted? When you run mad? Am I mad already? I think that Bishop Gantry must be, but no one around him in the kirche seems to have noticed.
When the door opens again I am ready for it, and Asa and three men enter. One man carries a round copper tub of a size to sit in. The other two carry large buckets of water. A bath — I hadn’t expected a bath. The last time I had a real bath …
Asa directs them and soon the tub is full, steaming in the spring air. Now that I’m not locked in a chest, the sweat drying on my body chills me a little, and I look forward to the warmth. I try to look like a lady, not fidget, and not hunch my shoulders. The sailors leave, and Asa closes the door after them.
“I brought some water to drink, as well,” she says, pointing to a pitcher she brought in, and a goblet. “And I can take your gown and air it and brush it out, at least. I have no proper smoothing-iron, but I can get the worst of your travels out of it.”
I nod, thinking that the dress has fewer travels to smooth out than I do. Asa stands, staring, and I realize she’s waiting for me to
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