Rebel Ice by S. L. Viehl Page B

suitable female behavior, would have been uncivil, and possibly dangerous. Hurgot could prove nothing, but he suspected Sogayi had sent many women and more than one man to the ice by pouring her sweet poison into Navn's ear.
    "I will send women to care for her," Sogayi said, as if it were her decision. "Tonight you may present her to the rasakt."
    Hurgot forgot discretion and raised his eyebrows. "It is likely that she will not be well enough to walk such a distance for several suns."
    Sogayi wrapped her face, but not in time to hide her smile. "Then you may carry her." She slipped out through the flap and left it open and fluttering.
    Had any other woman in camp spoken to him in such a fashion, Hurgot would have been within his rights to immediately order her to be beaten. As Navn's kedera, Sogayi was not exempt from proper behavior—on the contrary, she was expected to set an example for the other females—but making any issue of her disrespect was the same as telling Navn that he had made a poor choice in wives.
    Given the rasakt's blind affection for his wife, Hurgot was not inclined to be so reckless.
    "Well, ensleg," he said to the woman, who was watching his face, "at least you do not weigh very much."
    The events of the day had left Navn with a sour belly and an aching head. Neither was improved by the "Our hunters brought down seven ptar," Skuyl, Navn's storekeeper, said as he made his report on the day's hunt. "No cave marms were taken, so Yakop has set new trench traps. Wem reports the jlorra are kept well fed but seem restless."
    The pack animals had not been out on the ice for weeks, thanks to the rebel blockades. "Have the beast master release unmated pairs so that they may hunt." Navn felt impatient. The rebellion had everyone so preoccupied that they were forgetting to use common sense. "Wem loses one day's rations, so that he might contemplate his work and not his fears."
    Skuyl nodded and made two notations on the scraped-clean portion of the plas panel that he used for writing before he continued. "The renser have filled the quota tank and Umot has made repairs to the cleaners. The gjenvin master has uncovered an old wreck site and requests additional females for the sorting sheds. One of the ahayag has delivered a male child; Gonnur claims knowledge of her and has no sons of his two wives."
    Traditionally, married men were not supposed to use the camp's ahayag, but if both wives proved barren, it was considered an acceptable alternative to getting children. Gonnur would not have put this before Navn if he doubted the boy's paternity. "He may take the child weaned. I want that tank kept filled. Anything else?"
    The storekeeper hesitated and looked over Navn's left shoulder. "I have all but your orders as to the disposition of the ensleg female."
    "There is nothing to be done presently. She is under my consideration." Navn's head was throbbing miserably. "That is all I wish to hear now. See to the needs of the tribe."
    Skuyl bowed and left the shelter. Always attuned to his moods, his wife slipped into the main room and attended him with silent and gratifying care. Sogayi had a soothing broth prepared and personally served it to him, humming a wordless, pleasing tune as she made the graceful presentation. As was proper, she refused to take sustenance herself until he had finished his meal, and then drank only a few dainty sips from the dregs in his bowl.
    "You are a good woman," Navn said when she knelt to remove his boots and massage his feet with a piece of warming cloth.
    "I belong to a great man," Sogayi said, giving him the shy smile that pleased him most. "Your wisdom and kindness have shaped me."
    Navn suspected the misfortunes of her youth had been rather more influential, but allowed the flattery to remain unchallenged. Sogayi need not be reminded of how much her beauty and talent had caused her to suffer. "You should retire now, wife. I will join you after I have dealt with this ensleg."
    "May I