Ella,’ Olfuss said, a little sadly. ‘What sort of men tempt you, hmmm? Kings, maybe,’ he added with a sly smile.
‘Fadah would turn you into a castrato if you even looked at me!’ Elena laughed. He was not being serious, she knew that, but she appreciated the licence he permitted her.
He grinned in response, looking for a moment like a mischievous teenager, but he sobered quickly. ‘Ella, we had news last night that Fadah’s sister Homeirah is failing fast. The growths in her belly are killing her, and Fadah must go to her at Forensa. Cera and Timori will accompany her. Solinde insists she must stay here for the ball, and who can deny her when she loves to dance so much? You must go with the children to Forensa, and Taguine will accompany you, to protect Fadah. You will stay until – well, until Homeirah is buried, I expect. I cannot go myself. Salim’s emissary has crossed the borders and I must be here to receive him.’
Elena nodded, her mind racing ahead.
What will Olfuss tell the emissary? Surely he will pledge to Salim. Perhaps that is why Gurvon is pulling out? Not doing so would put us on the wrong side of the Crusade. And that’s another reason why I can’t accept Olfuss’ offer
…
‘I’m sure we can find a way that works for us all,’ Olfuss said, as if reading her thoughts. ‘We Javonesi have learnt that compromiseis the greatest art of all. I will talk with Magister Gyle and we will find a way that benefits both.’ Olfuss stood, putting his hand on her shoulder. ‘Look after my children in Forensa, Donna Elena.’
She nodded mutely, flushed with a sudden rush of emotion, as if blood were flowing through arteries that had fallen into disuse and filling her with unaccustomed feelings. She didn’t know what to say, how to deal with feelings she had long ago cauterised inside herself.
Olfuss seemed to understand, for he limped away and closed the chapel door behind him, leaving her alone in the echoing silence.
The rest of the day was a blur of religious observance as the Rimoni marked Samhain Eve with a court feast that culminated in traditional dances and hymns, then solemn midnight chanting about a bonfire as the drui led the prayers for Father Sol to guide them through the coming winter. Olfuss looked as regal as Sol himself, and Fadah was as darksome and mysterious as Luna, the Moon Goddess. Cera was clad in grey-silver and sang gently, whilst Solinde wore gold and glowed, a trail of besotted young men trailing in her wake. She danced most with Fernando Tolidi, a scion of the Gorgio, one of the few who had unbent enough to leave their northern fastness at Hytel to join the festivities in the capital. Typical Solinde, to chose the partner who would most vex the gathering – though Fernando was an impressive young man, and more personable than most of his clan. Solinde would no doubt scandalise the court by dancing with him again at tomorrow night’s grand ball.
All of the important Rimoni families were here, but no Jhafi, who were still fasting on this last day of the Amteh Holy Month. Samhain celebrations were only observed by the Rimoni; the Jhafi’s own Eyeed festivities, much more lavish – and popular – would burst onto the streets tomorrow, and the combination of the two would turn the day into one giant party.
Elena had been fascinated by the story of Javon. When the Leviathan Bridge opened, a few Rimoni crossed to trade, and found the climate and terrain in Ja’afar (which they called ‘Javon’) similar in places toRimoni. They purchased land and experimented with olives and grapes and other crops from their home. Over the following years they thrived and their numbers swelled quickly as tens of thousands emigrated before the Crusades, trying to escape Rondian oppression in Yuros. Many compromises had averted war with the native Jhafi, and now the kingdom was a strong one. A guru from Lakh had brokered a peace that averted civil war, and his settlement included a
‘Fadah would turn you into a castrato if you even looked at me!’ Elena laughed. He was not being serious, she knew that, but she appreciated the licence he permitted her.
He grinned in response, looking for a moment like a mischievous teenager, but he sobered quickly. ‘Ella, we had news last night that Fadah’s sister Homeirah is failing fast. The growths in her belly are killing her, and Fadah must go to her at Forensa. Cera and Timori will accompany her. Solinde insists she must stay here for the ball, and who can deny her when she loves to dance so much? You must go with the children to Forensa, and Taguine will accompany you, to protect Fadah. You will stay until – well, until Homeirah is buried, I expect. I cannot go myself. Salim’s emissary has crossed the borders and I must be here to receive him.’
Elena nodded, her mind racing ahead.
What will Olfuss tell the emissary? Surely he will pledge to Salim. Perhaps that is why Gurvon is pulling out? Not doing so would put us on the wrong side of the Crusade. And that’s another reason why I can’t accept Olfuss’ offer
…
‘I’m sure we can find a way that works for us all,’ Olfuss said, as if reading her thoughts. ‘We Javonesi have learnt that compromiseis the greatest art of all. I will talk with Magister Gyle and we will find a way that benefits both.’ Olfuss stood, putting his hand on her shoulder. ‘Look after my children in Forensa, Donna Elena.’
She nodded mutely, flushed with a sudden rush of emotion, as if blood were flowing through arteries that had fallen into disuse and filling her with unaccustomed feelings. She didn’t know what to say, how to deal with feelings she had long ago cauterised inside herself.
Olfuss seemed to understand, for he limped away and closed the chapel door behind him, leaving her alone in the echoing silence.
The rest of the day was a blur of religious observance as the Rimoni marked Samhain Eve with a court feast that culminated in traditional dances and hymns, then solemn midnight chanting about a bonfire as the drui led the prayers for Father Sol to guide them through the coming winter. Olfuss looked as regal as Sol himself, and Fadah was as darksome and mysterious as Luna, the Moon Goddess. Cera was clad in grey-silver and sang gently, whilst Solinde wore gold and glowed, a trail of besotted young men trailing in her wake. She danced most with Fernando Tolidi, a scion of the Gorgio, one of the few who had unbent enough to leave their northern fastness at Hytel to join the festivities in the capital. Typical Solinde, to chose the partner who would most vex the gathering – though Fernando was an impressive young man, and more personable than most of his clan. Solinde would no doubt scandalise the court by dancing with him again at tomorrow night’s grand ball.
All of the important Rimoni families were here, but no Jhafi, who were still fasting on this last day of the Amteh Holy Month. Samhain celebrations were only observed by the Rimoni; the Jhafi’s own Eyeed festivities, much more lavish – and popular – would burst onto the streets tomorrow, and the combination of the two would turn the day into one giant party.
Elena had been fascinated by the story of Javon. When the Leviathan Bridge opened, a few Rimoni crossed to trade, and found the climate and terrain in Ja’afar (which they called ‘Javon’) similar in places toRimoni. They purchased land and experimented with olives and grapes and other crops from their home. Over the following years they thrived and their numbers swelled quickly as tens of thousands emigrated before the Crusades, trying to escape Rondian oppression in Yuros. Many compromises had averted war with the native Jhafi, and now the kingdom was a strong one. A guru from Lakh had brokered a peace that averted civil war, and his settlement included a
Similar Books
