Page 47

Bahba sighed. ‘When he did not come with us from Middren we thought he might spend his time at court. But then he left that too, and we hoped it would not be long until he followed. We didn’t understand how much he was hurting, and we let ourselves get busy.

Busier. Then, Ellac died, and …’ A rosette of grief in light blue blossomed around her colour.

It was not a harsh pain, like the grief Inara had seen, but more of a deep ache through her colours, down to her soul.

A yearning that shone with pain and warmth in shining currents.

‘Tell me about him,’ Bahba said to Kissen. ‘He wrote like you knew each other well.’

The veiga looked at her, and lowered the piece of gourd and rice she was holding. ‘Do you want softness or honesty, Mitha Bahba?’ she said. ‘We’ve a god here who doesn’t like it when I speak plain, but I never learned any other way to be.’

‘Speak plain to me,’ Bahba assured her.

Kissen tongued her gold tooth, and sighed. ‘Your son is heart-wounded,’ she said, ‘and tied to a king who has done little but hurt him. When some of us go through bad things, it haunts our body, our mind. Waking nightmares, shakes, pain, it feels like your enemy is your own self.’

Telle nodded slowly, and Inara remembered her own pain and panic when first hearing Hseth’s bell in Blenraden. The terror that had frozen and trembled her all through.

‘When I met him, I … pitied him. Proud bastard that he was. I could see he held that haunting.’

True pain crossed Bahba’s colours, a tainted, coppery red. Her expression, guarded, did not change, but Skedi shrank a little. He was likely wishing, as Kissen had said, that she was better at telling gentle lies around her harder truths.

‘I also saw that he had a kindness in him,’ said Kissen.

‘And strength. And he’s a bit of a prissy fucker if I’m honest.’ Telle widened her eyes with warning at Kissen, but Bahba chuckled.

‘If he had children and gave them half the attention he gives his bread they’d lead very loved lives.

’ Inara, who had saddened at Kissen’s first description of Elo, managed a laugh.

‘He’s also smart, most of the time. But he’s gone far away from himself, and he can’t find the way back. ’

Bahba breathed out. ‘His heart has always been the king’s,’ she said. ‘Ever since we allowed him to go squire at the palace. He was a sad, lonely little boy, that Arren.’

‘Now a sad, lonely little king,’ said Kissen. Bahba huffed a small laugh.

‘He would come around to our home,’ she said. ‘He was charming, but you could see it in his eyes. Half-starved for love, he hungered for it always. Our Elo wanted nothing more than to protect him.’

Inara considered that, looking at Bahba and seeing the shine of her care for her son. With two mothers who felt such a way, who poured it into him, Elo must have experienced so much love growing up that it had filled him, and he wanted to pour his cup into others.

How godlike humans could be, said Skedi, directly to her. I will never understand why Hseth would take pain when she could have love. Inara reached out to him, putting her hand on his back, but Lessa spoke next, thumbing her glass.

‘I have little pity for the king,’ she said. ‘Yes, he was badly treated as a boy, but many have suffered pain and not burned others for their power.’

Bahba smirked over her cup. ‘I thought you were here to plead for your king, my lady,’ she said.

‘Mitha, I came to plead for my country.’ Lessa nodded at Kissen. ‘The veiga told me the king could assure our survival. That uniting with him would renew the trust of our old allies.’ She glanced up, pointedly. ‘It seems the effort was wasted.’

Kissen clicked her tongue. ‘I was advised by wiser folk,’ she said.

‘You were advised by gods,’ said and signed Inara, taking no small pleasure in saying so, and making Yatho and Telle laugh enough for Kissen to glower at them as Skedi fluffed his fur.

A parade had started through the night market, following small palanquins and playing music, trailing flags. The noise was discordant and joyful, and loud despite the curtains that separated them.

‘Your gods are also against Hseth?’ said Bahba, looking askance at Kissen. ‘So much that they sought help from a godkiller?’

‘I was born in Talicia,’ Kissen said, signing easily as she spoke. ‘I saw it fall to riches and ruin, then lived in Blenraden with the worst of the gods’ scraps—’

What a rude thing to call us, Yatho signed, and Telle snorted. Their colours were liquid and woozy now; perhaps they had also had too much of the strong liqueur.

‘But when I saw what Hseth would become … the gods knew I’d believe them.

Osidisen of the north sea, Aan of the river,’ her scowl deepened, ‘Faer of the north wind. They once were well loved in Talicia, but were forced out by Hseth. If the fire god takes on more power, more faith, more killings, she will eat everything in her path.’

‘Elogast said that she also had gods on her side,’ said Bahba, gazing over at the parade.

The palanquins were covered, but Inara could see the glow of colour around them.

Totems for gods were inside, and the parade was collecting coin as offerings from those they passed.

This was an interesting turn to the conversation, from sons and childhoods to gods and the war.

‘Used to,’ said Inara, and Skedi looked at her in surprise. ‘Hestra, god of hearths, was her ally, but now Hseth has left her behind.’

‘Ah, harvest, haven and hearth. I have heard of Hestra. She was popular in Restish for a while, before trade and haven cults took precedence. Few care for their homes when they can have wealth and riches, and the Restish king saw the other gods as better for his coffers.’

Bahba looked across at Lessa. ‘You have a fine daughter here,’ she said. ‘A god who has blessed you, smart women around you. A ship and connections, pirates and riches. Now Irisia has turned you down what will you do?’

Lessa lowered her glass and Inara watched her. In her heart, she knew what she thought was right, even here among all these beautiful things, she could feel the hot breath of the war in Middren. She wanted to go home. What did her mother want? Lessa breathed in, and then out.

‘I will return to defend my country,’ she said at last. ‘I am loyal to my House, and my land, and I believe that between the intelligence of Elogast, and the ruthlessness of King Arren, they may yet win. I will be damned if I let them fight for my people without my help. I will do my daughter proud.’

I can see why you like her, said Yatho to Kissen, once again forgetting that Lessa and Inara could understand her. Kissen put her palm to her face for a moment, then signed back to her sister weakly.

I hate you.

Inara decided not to notice, and Lessa only had her dark gaze on Bahba. ‘You do realise, Mitha,’ Lessa added, ‘that if Restish and Talicia take over Middren and build their alliance, Irisia will be next.’

Bahba sat back, her fingers on her chin, and considered her at length.

Then, something in her colours turned steady, and her mouth lifted in a smile, and Inara understood why she had brought Lessa here, fed her alcohol and good food, loosening her defences.

It was a test. This was where decisions were made, in private meetings, over wealth and dinners. A special, separate kind of lie.

‘Yes,’ said Bahba. ‘I realise that. And so do others besides. A few of the Mithrik have made their own deals with the Restish in return for a blind eye, believing the end of this war is already certain. Others … well, we are prepared for another outcome.’

Lessa’s face stilled. ‘Prepared how?’ she said, lowering her glass.

‘The god of change is not passive,’ said Bahba.

‘There are those who see the future as inevitable, and others who see it as opportunity. I see it as an opportunity to save my son, my country, and our future. I have a few ships at my disposal, with arms and supplies. And Irisia has a well-trained army that you sorely need.’

‘Your army will not move without your council’s agreement. And they have already refused.’

Kissen and her sisters were silent, watching the exchange and signing to Telle what words were said.

‘That would change if Restish were to commit an act of war,’ said Bahba.

Lessa’s barely controlled temper flared up. ‘If you think we can wait to make a pissing painting of them landing on our coast, you are—’

‘I do not mean an attack on the coast,’ said Bahba calmly. ‘I mean an attack on a king’s ambassador, bearing his seal.’

Lessa paused, and Kissen sat up straighter.

Yatho still signed to Telle, but her wife stopped her.

The parade was coming past, louder now, covering their speech.

If someone could read their handspeak, someone paying attention to them, the secrets of that table would be revealed.

Had Bahba planned that too? Inara was starting to see where Elo got his strategic mind.

‘She is not lying,’ said Skedi, sitting back on his haunches.

‘I have no lies to give you,’ said Bahba, leaning in and lowering her voice. ‘Only danger. My allies believe the Restish intend to capture or stop you from setting sail. Most likely, they intend to ambush you on your ship as you return.’

Lessa tensed, then stood. ‘My crew,’ she said. ‘Are they in danger?’

‘Do you trust them?’ Bahba asked. ‘Fully and completely?’ Lessa didn’t answer, and Inara knew why. They had been loyal, they had been true, but then thirteen years had passed without her as captain. After Satuan, they didn’t trust her, not fully.

And so no, they could not trust them.

Bahba nodded. ‘Listen a moment longer, then you may decide,’ she said. ‘My spies tell me the Restish intend to consolidate rule of Middren under a puppet monarch, once the current king is killed. I understand you have some relation to the Regna line.’

‘Most Houses do,’ said Lessa, sitting back down, slowly, her hand tight on her sabre.

‘Most Houses didn’t manage to rally half the country into a coup,’ said Bahba. ‘You are the only monarch the remaining Middrenites might be moved to accept. Hence, you are now in great danger.’

The lady’s jaw clenched, and Skedi grew defensively.

Inara knew he was trying to make her feel safe, but it wouldn’t work.

He should save his power. The parade was almost upon them, and several of the dancers eyed their little party, their colours showing not violence, but deception.

Inara realised that the palanquins had been just large enough for two humans, and balled her fist in her skirts.

Whatever Bahba wanted, she’d better make it clear, or they would have to run.

‘My original plan was to keep you here and hide you,’ said Bahba, ‘even against your will.’ She looked over at the parade.

Inara was right. The palanquins would have been enough to fit her and her mother.

And, when Bahba held up her hand, knuckles to the dancers, they spun away, colours softening and carrying the shrines into the market.

‘But I believe you have some fight in you my lady.’

Lessa was neither flattered nor soothed. ‘You have kept me here while you knew my crew was being either bought or killed.’

‘It was them, or you, or both,’ said Bahba. ‘This is life or death, Lady Craier. I know the balance of battle better than you think.’

‘The fuck …’ hissed Kissen.

‘If you return to your ship, you will be captured by the Restish,’ said Bahba. ‘On Irisian land. Most likely they will have your crew capture you first, and then transport you to their ship out beyond the Long Harbour, where there are fewer prying eyes.’

An act of war. Inara’s heart was thudding against her ribs. Her mother on a throne? Restish planning an attack?

‘No,’ said Kissen. ‘This is ridiculous. There are a hundred ways it could go wrong.’

‘This will sway the Mithrik to help Middren?’ asked Lessa. ‘They will be able to use it a reason to override the others?’

‘I swear it on my son’s life,’ said Bahba.

‘I have not helped him as I should.’ She looked at Kissen.

‘This is the way I have found. More than weeks of council negotiation, a scouting mission, a petition, we will catch Restish in the act, and be able to move swiftly in retaliation to Middren’s shores. Inara can come with me …’

‘I’ll go with Mama.’

‘You will not,’ said Lessa.

Inara had expected that. ‘Then … I’ll go with Yatho and Telle.’ They knew what she was, what she could do, she wouldn’t sit idly with Bahba eating sweets. Besides, Skedi’s shrine was with them, he deserved to see it one more time. Telle reached over and squeezed her arm.

Kissen shook her head, but what she said wasn’t what Inara expected. ‘ I’ll go with you.’ Inara’s heart stopped its thudding, and it swelled. Kissen wanted to help. Kissen would protect her mother.

‘Don’t be ridiculous, veiga,’ said Lessa. ‘You’ve found your family. Your part is more than done in this.’

‘I …’ Kissen looked at her sisters, and bit her lip.

Her control slipped for a moment, and Inara saw the heady rush of her colours, the rage, the love, the gentleness, the violence.

The fear. And Inara knew then, before she spoke, that Kissen would go back to Middren, that she would fight, because she would not forgive herself if she didn’t.

It would be pointless to try to stop you, wouldn’t it? said Yatho. Like trying to stop the tide.

I want to bring you home, signed Kissen. I want to see your school. I want to save Elo, and stop Hseth. She turned to Lessa.

‘I’m your guard, aren’t I?’ she said. ‘It would be strange if I didn’t come with you.’

‘I told you I wanted you to stay behind.’

‘And I told you I could be of use. Your daughter needs her mother safe, Craier, and you need me.’