Asena Blessed, page 18
part #2 of Altaica Series
‘Ah,’ Hamza replied knowingly.
‘What does that mean?’
‘Nothing, nothing … Some of us fall harder than others, that’s all,’ Hamza said.
‘I have not fallen for her,’ Karan snapped.
‘No?’
‘No.’
‘So what’s the problem?’ Hamza asked.
‘She’s re-injured her leg while swimming.’
Hamza dropped his work to the ground and glared at Karan. ‘Where is she? Why didn’t you stop her overdoing it?’
‘I’ve a feeling you don’t stop her doing anything. If I’d realised I would have tried to persuade her to return …’
Hamza’s eyebrows shot up.
Karan stopped working and paced. ‘I wasn’t swimming with her. I couldn’t tell through our bond … it’s not working … or it’s gone.’
Hamza resisted the urge to laugh. He’d known Karan since he was a boy and he’d never seen him so unsettled. ‘And that bothers you?’
Karan stopped walking, leaned against the barn wall and ran a hand through his hair. ‘Yes,’ he said in defeat.
‘You never wanted it though.’
‘No. I thought Umniga had caused it.’
‘Daft, man. There’s no earthly power that can cause that …’
‘I won’t be manipulated into falling in love … even by the gods.’
‘That’s even dafter. I don’t believe any power can make two people love each other.’ And if you believe me then you’re mad, Hamza thought. ‘What does Isa think?’
Karan pushed himself off the wall and began pacing again. He shook his head, before confessing, ‘She thinks I’m worth a quick tumble, but that’s it.’
Merriment danced in Hamza’s eyes and laughter erupted from his lips.
‘Damn it! I’m going for a walk,’ Karan said, storming off into the woods.
Still grinning, Hamza watched him walk away. ‘Oh, my friend,’ he murmured. ‘You’re doomed.’
CHAPTER TWENTY
Malak stood before Vikram’s desk in his office in the watch house. ‘So you see,’ she finished, ‘I’ve come asking for your help.’
Vikram’s brows rose and for several moments he could think of nothing to say to her. Malak put her hands behind her back and gazed around the austere room, waiting. A single chair behind a plain wooden desk, a bench seat against one wall, and a cupboard with a collection of scrolls were all that occupied the room. The room revealed nothing of the man. Malak tapped her foot and cleared her throat, prompting Vikram to speak.
‘I’d heard that you wanted to help these people, but frankly Mistress Malak, I’m surprised,’ Vikram said.
Malak’s expression soured. ‘I was concerned for the red-head, Daniel. He’s alone and his looks make him a target. The rest were just part of a package deal, but now that I’ve got them I have to find places for them.’
‘You need my help?’
Malak nodded. ‘Now that you’re Pasha, I don’t have to ask Ratilal. I’ve an idea for what to do with Daniel, but the others …’ She shrugged her shoulders.
‘Have you talked to Chatelaine Gita?’
‘Yes, the baker and one or two others have proved worthwhile and Gita says she’ll keep them. They appear to want to stay.’
‘What are the others?’
‘One seems to have been a shopkeeper, the others merely farmers.’
‘Do they speak Altaican yet?’
‘They’re learning rapidly,’ Malak said. ‘They have to, if they don’t want to get a clip around the ear from all and sundry every time they’re slow or misunderstand.’ Vikram laughed, but Malak was furious. ‘What’s so funny, Captain?’
He held up his hands placatingly, though failed to wipe the amused grin from his face. ‘I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve seen you clip a servant around the ear. Your temper,’ he looked pointedly at her, ‘is legendary.’
Malak folded her arms across her chest. ‘I think I’m getting soft in my old age!’ she complained.
‘This does you credit, Mistress Malak,’ Vikram said. ‘Particularly when those around you would do nothing. I’ll see if I can find places needing labourers or servants. I know of two farms run by elderly couples with no children who could probably do with help. I’ll look into it.’ He paused. ‘What are you planning for the red-head? I ask only so I can set the gossips straight.’
‘I’m going into business with him,’ Malak said proudly.
* * *
Pio’s eyes lit up as he looked upon the campsite. It lay nestled below them in a large clearing near a lake, at the base of a forested mountain range.
‘This is Bear Tooth Lake,’ Sarala told him. ‘Those are the Bear Tooth Mountains.’
Rapt, grinning at the sight before him, Pio could only nod. Smoke from small campfires wafted up into the air. Tents and yurts of varying sizes dotted the field. Two large round yurts sat near the trees. A black and a brown pennant flew from each. Warriors were training; the clash of weapons drifted to them. Archers practised shooting into butts resting against earthen mounds. Mounted warriors galloped and slashed at suspended swinging targets. Other riders appeared to be playing some sort of game. They galloped along, competing at spearing tiny timber targets on the ground.
‘Ma, Pa, do you see? Do you see what they’re doing?’ Nicanor and Lucia smiled tiredly at him. ‘This is going to be so much fun!’ His attention snapped to Sarala. ‘When do I get to do all that?’
‘You can start training today. But first you must care for your horse. Give him a rest before you try charging about tent pegging.’ Pio’s smile vanished. ‘Don’t worry, I can think of plenty to keep you busy.’
They approached the camp and Baldev came to meet them. ‘I told you someone was coming!’ Kiriz’s strident cry carried through the air as she ran to catch up with him. ‘Can you slow down? I want to be with you when you say hello.’
‘We’ll wait here then, Little General.’
Baldev scanned the riders, desperately seeking Asha. Thank the gods, she’s safe. Yet Karan was not amongst them. Just wait, all may yet be well.
‘They look funny,’ Kiriz said to Baldev. Eyeing the strangers uncertainly, she slipped her hand into Baldev’s.
He squeezed her hand. ‘Ssh.’
‘But they do!’ she whispered before subsiding.
Asha saw Baldev’s face light up upon seeing her. He hasn’t changed his mind. Emboldened, she said cheekily, ‘Baldev, is there something you need to tell me?’
‘No.’
‘Then who is this lovely young woman beside you … holding your hand?’ Asha added ominously.
Kiriz’s eyes rounded. ‘Asha, it’s me! Kiriz. You know who I am.’
Umniga chuckled. ‘Oh, Asha, I wouldn’t believe that if I were you. Kiriz is just a baby, not like this one.’
‘Baby! I am not a baby. It’s me! Lord Baldev, tell them.’
Asha slid from Honey’s back and bent down, peering closely at Kiriz. Her hand entwined with Baldev’s as she did. ‘Uminga, I think it might be Kiriz … Yes, it is.’
‘I told you!’
Asha pulled Baldev’s head to her and kissed him soundly upon the lips. ‘Just a reminder.’
Baldev let go of Kiriz’s hand and embraced Asha. ‘I don’t need reminding. But I’m so glad you’re safe.’ He released her from his embrace, but kept holding her hand. ‘Where’s Karan?’
‘There’s a lot to report,’ Asha said. ‘Lord Karan is a day or so behind us with Isaura. She has recovered and been sent her guardian. He is …’
‘Crazy as a loon,’ Āsim added quietly from behind them.
Asha blanched. ‘He is … protective—very protective. Lord Karan hopes to help her with controlling him.’
Baldev gestured to his second, who stood nearby. ‘Take them to their tents as we discussed. Come, Asha, I’d like a full report.’
Kiriz went to follow Baldev, but Umniga snagged her hand in hers. ‘Child, you’ve grown like a mushroom. Let Asha and Baldev talk. I want you to tell me all about how you wound up here.’
‘I’m Lord Baldev’s adviser. I help with the wounded and I know everything that goes on,’ Kiriz said proudly.
Umniga nodded. ‘Well then I think you’ll be the perfect person to help Pio.’
Tugging on her hand, Kiriz made Umniga bend down so that she could whisper, ‘Is that the boy who doesn’t know anything?’
She looked at Kiriz sternly. ‘He knows things, plenty of things—just not about us.’
‘I’ll fix that.’
* * *
Daniel followed Malak through the streets of Faros. She had collected him that morning insisting he come with her. Life at the citadel had been easier since she had taken over the welfare of the refugees. The servants were frightened of her and immediately treated them better. Malak took the time to teach him the language and he, in turn, taught the others. Her bright eyes and the bounce in her stride that morning conveyed her excitement.
At the end of a street near the outer walls they stopped before an old shop. ‘This store is owned by an old friend. He has no family. I’ve known him for years. He’s one of the few weavers who specialises in our traditional patterns. In the past his workshop wove rugs and beautiful wall hangings. You’ve seen some of his work on the walls of my home. His business used to thrive.’ Malak looked momentarily melancholy.
‘Used to?’
She nodded, drew a deep breath and said, ‘We’re going to change that.’ Daniel frowned. ‘I own this workshop now. He still lives here and works here, but now you’ll be working with him. You can both share your skills and he can teach you our traditional patterns. Neither of us wants his knowledge to vanish with his passing. This clan has already lost so much.’
‘I’ll be using my trade again.’ A sigh escaped him. ‘Thank you.’
‘Don’t thank me yet, young man. There’s a great deal of work ahead of you. I said this shop used to thrive. The demand for traditional works has all but disappeared. I don’t just want you to learn his ways. I want you to put your own unique stamp on the work here. We’ll diversify and produce fabric for clothing too. I’m about to purchase the tailor’s next door.’
‘I don’t want to disappoint you, but who’ll want to buy it? You’ve seen the way they look at me.’
‘I’ll pray to Rana and Jalal that they will. I’ve much influence here … and I now also own the seamstress’s shop two doors down. Fabric you make will be used there.’ Malak linked her arm through his. ‘I think we could save a piece of our history, yet provide something new and make money for ourselves. Besides, Vikram has given me names of suppliers in the outer city who may be most helpful. They’re tired of being fleeced by the merchants here, so played correctly we should do well. Never fear, Daniel, we shall prevail. Like the rest of my clan, there’s nothing I enjoy better than trade.’
* * *
Elena lay on the bedroll in their tent. After days of riding they’d finally arrived and she wanted nothing more than to ease her aching bones and to sleep. She listened to the noises from across the camp. Pio stood outside with Lucia and Nicanor, asking to explore with the girl, Kiriz. How he even understands their babble is beyond me. She closed her eyes tightly, her hand covered her mouth as she let out a soft sob. There’s no privacy. Everything is strange. She listened to Curro laugh as he approached the tent and hastily composed herself. At least Isaura isn’t here. Hopefully they’ll keep her somewhere else.
Curro shoved his head through the tent flap. ‘Come on, Leni. There’s more to be done,’ he said.
‘We just got here.’ She grabbed Curro’s proffered hand with a wan smile.
They approached Āsim and Umniga, where the rest of the group had gathered. Umniga summoned Lucia forward and gave her a stave. She moved Lucia’s hands to the rear third of the stave and adjusted her stance so that she stood, balanced, with the stave facing forward. Umniga made slow simple movements with her own stave—thrusting it forward, changing sides and alternating her hand position and stance.
‘Follow, Lucia,’ she ordered. Lucia nodded and worked her way through the movements.
Umniga and Āsim summoned each of them in turn, showing them the same movements. Elena was last. Reluctantly, Elena took the stave from Āsim, her hands holding it loosely before her. He moved her hands into a better grip position and raised her arms to hold the staff at the ready. Elena looked along the line at the others and began the drill.
The staff grew heavier for Elena with each passing moment. She stopped to wipe sweat from her brow and rubbed her hands upon her clothes. Leaning on her staff, Elena paused to watch the others. They were all tired. Enough, I’ve had enough. We’ve been riding for hours and now this. It’ll be dark soon. I’ve had it!
‘A brief rest,’ Umniga called. Elena sighed with relief. ‘Not you,’ Umniga said, stopping in front of her. ‘You do ten more repetitions before you stop.’ Elena sagged.
‘Umniga, she’s exhausted,’ Āsim said.
‘I don’t care. So are the others and they didn’t give up. Again,’ Umniga demanded.
Elena raised her chin defiantly.
Umniga laughed, ‘Girl, if we can put that defiance to a better use, we might make something of you. Again!’
‘Leni,’ Curro said. ‘Just finish the drill.’
Elena narrowed her eyes and moved the staff at a leisurely pace through the drill. She finished and smiled sweetly as Umniga’s jaw clenched.
‘Watch!’ Umniga instructed them all as she added another movement into their task. She slid her hands along the staff to hold it out before her, then returned to the original strike position. Āsim aimed a mock strike at her, which she blocked and deflected using her staff. Umniga worked through the movement again, combining the new section with what they had already practised.
‘Again!’ Umniga ordered.
Elena heard Āsim praising the others. She gritted her teeth under Umniga’s withering gaze. You want me to do this. Fine, I’ll do it on my terms … not yours.
* * *
The Bear captains were bellowing orders and settling the newcomers into the lakeside camp as Baldev drew Asha into his tent. His arms encircled her. ‘Thank the gods, you’re back.’
‘Everything went fine. Apart from Vikram. I can’t believe he betrayed us.’
‘He won’t have betrayed you. He’s Karan’s spy; has been for years.’ Asha’s jaw dropped. ‘Don’t tell anyone. Not even Umniga. If Karan wants her to know, he’ll tell her.’
‘It was all an act?’ She paused. ‘They beat the stuffing out of him!’
‘It’ll help his cover.’
Affronted, Asha asked, ‘You couldn’t trust us with this earlier?’
‘Even the slightest hint of what he was would get him killed. A look, a quiet word—any difference in how you treated him could’ve given him away.’
‘But now you trust me?’
‘You’re unlikely to see him again until this is over. You can’t give him away, but even here you can’t breathe a word of this. If we’ve spies you can bet that Ratilal does too. Besides, I don’t want secrets between us. I’ve wasted too much time keeping things from you.’
‘Yes, you have,’ Asha said, smiling. ‘You promised me at Parlan that you had much to say to me.’
Baldev let go of her and ran his hand through his hair. ‘I did and now … Agh!’ He threw his hands in the air. ‘I can address troops and go into battle without flinching, but I don’t know where to start … I’m worried about getting this wrong.’
‘Just talk—speak your heart.’
‘Ever since we were children and Umniga would bring you to train with us, you’ve always been a part of my life. We had fun. But it seemed from one visit to the next the girl disappeared and the woman arrived. Your training ended, your duties increased, you visited less.’ Baldev shrugged. ‘I became clan lord and everyone treated me differently. You treated me differently. By the time I realised how I felt, I was certain it was too late. I don’t want to be clan lord with you. I want … After we annexed the North, it made it almost impossible for you to cross the Divide. Then Ratilal …’
‘Baldev, I’m fine.’
‘You’re still covered in bruises!’ he said angrily, pacing. ‘I’ll kill that bastard …’
‘You’ll have to get in line for that …’
‘I’ve kicked myself for not acting earlier.’
‘I would still have gone to Faros. I have my duty.’ Asha moved in front of him, placing her hands on his chest and stopping his pacing. ‘You wanted to tell me something?’
Baldev searched her face. ‘I love you.’ A rueful smile slowly formed upon his lips. ‘See? No flowery speeches—I don’t have it in me.’
‘I prefer honest sentiment any day,’ she said.
‘After all this time I was certain that there’d be someone else.’
‘There was no one special,’ Asha said softly. She laughed at the scowl on his face. ‘Don’t give me that look. I’m sure you’ve had your share of “nobody specials” over the years too.’ Asha arched her brow, challenging him to deny it.
‘Yes, but not since I realised. Asha, I missed you.’
‘Good. So what happens now?’
‘Whatever you want. Though I’ve some suggestions and this is a very roomy tent.’
* * *
Head downcast, Isaura left Hamza’s house wiping her eyes.
Hamza gave a cursory wave to Karan. ‘I’ve got stock to tend. Safe journey. I’ll see you in when I come for the children.’
Before Karan could comment, Hamza had left and not looked back. Sentimental old fool, Karan thought fondly. He doesn’t want to watch Isa leave.
Alejo waited by the corral fence railing as Isaura climbed it.
‘You’re not always going to have a fence to climb up, you know,’ Karan said.
‘There’s no stirrups. How else could I get up?’ Isaura asked.
‘Leap.’
Isaura quirked her brow. ‘Could you? Alejo’s taller than Mirza.’
