Waking Olympus (The Singers of the Dark Book 1) by Peter Yard Page B

to anticipate fashion I'm afraid."
    She passed Tei another drink. Tei had no idea where she got it from, she didn't have it a moment ago.
    "I have heard so many interesting things about Traders. Is it true you travel all the way east, past the Eastern Desert? That you worship Zeus?" She took a sip, held the pose, waiting for Tei to take a sip. It looked like a white wine, it had the taste of sweet wine with extra alcohol. What was the bet dear Liz was drinking colored water?
    "No, we haven't been beyond the Eastern Desert. We know what was once on the other side but no one has returned from expeditions to the East. As for Zeus, we respect Zeus, but we don't worship him."
    Liz looked quizzically at her. "Does that mean he is real but not a god? Or just another god who you don't bother worshipping?"
    She laughed suddenly, then caught herself. The typical laugh Bethorese use when they dismiss outsider ideas as primitive and superstitious.
    "And you have a city in the desert, Tanten, I believe?"
    "Yes. Our capital is Tanten in the Eastern Desert."
    "Must be small. A desert can't support many people. So, Tei, how big is it compared to say the village of Fairmeadow, which you pass by in the Gap? Smaller? Same size?"
    "It is big enough for us, Lady Markham."
    "Don't be so formal. We are all friends here. I just want to get to know our friends from the East." She smiled. Tei gritted her teeth and smiled back.
    "I must introduce you to some friends of mine, Tei." She waved her arm at someone across the crowded room.
    Two young men in formal ornate Bethor uniforms made their way across the room, each a full head above everyone else, a blur of red, black, and gold.
    Liz, conspiratorially, whispered in Tei's ear, hand on her shoulder. "They're brothers. Can't you tell? They are magnificent, but don't tell them that. You know what men are like."
    It was a setup and Tei knew it. She just had to ride this dust storm out to the end. And smile all the way.
    There was some typical small talk as the two men introduced themselves. They were Brian and Roberto Hammersli, Bethor aristocracy, officers by appointment and welcome in the Royal Court of the High Emperor of Bethor.
    "Ah yes, we were talking about Tanten. I would like to visit it sometime. But I don't know how to get there. What is the best route Tei?" Liz said. An obvious invitation for them to add pressure on her.
    Roberto added his voice. "Oh, Tanten. I've heard of it. A friend said he visited it. Just headed southeast from the Eastern Caravanserai."
    Tei smiled. "Don't believe everything you are told. I am unable to tell you the way to Tanten. It is just a place in the desert, no valuable land."
    Liz leaned in to her, her smile vanished for an instant then returned, "but you see my dear, there are stories of treasures and knowledge. There are so many who would like to visit to see it. You do have a library don't you?"
    "I thought Bethor had the best library in Arva?" Her irritation was starting to show, those words were unwise.
    "It does. But you know it would benefit us all if our scholars could safely visit other libraries and museums, especially those of the Traders. Perhaps we could arrange a cultural exchange to strengthen our friendship?"
    "I don't think that will be possible, I fear. Only the council can authorize visitors to the Library. They are strict and do not listen to a mere Ambassador such as myself."
    It was getting too much. Three against one.
    "Pardon me. I must be going now. I have to make arrangements to take a caravan tomorrow morning. I will have to be up early. Good night, Brian, Roberto, Ms Markham. Thank you for the party, it was most interesting."
    She got out the door. Took a deep breath of the sour town night air. Briskly down the steps and through the gate. Night, dim yellow street lights, lamplight through distant windows, acrid smoke rising above the city from hundreds of small home fires. Some stars above showing through the murk, always the stars watch