Chapter 1
"Oy, Romi! I thought you'd be back yesterday!"
Romi grinned as he dismounted. "We had a little problem. Sarte managed to blow himself up."
"Gods, again?" Eto came over and took his beast's reins. Around him, the rest of the squad were dismounting too, and leading their mounts over to the stables. "Anyone hurt?"
"No, but the beasts bolted and we spent the best part of a day catching the damn things up. The good news is that he thinks he knows what he did wrong this time."
"Oh, he thinks." Eto's scepticism was understandable. Sarte's experiments were...erratic, to say the least. But he was the best weapon-maker in south Darshian, and the army was using many of his inventions, so the occasional dramatic failure was tolerated, so long as no one was seriously injured or killed. So far, he'd managed to avoid that.
"What's been happening?" Romi said, following Eto and his beast into the stables.
"Nothing much. The new recruits have started their training, there was mail in from Urshek. Oh, and Daiso dropped over, left you a note."
"Daiso?" Romi stopped and looked at his corporal in surprise. "Why would he leave me a note? Is he going away? I was planning to go over to see him as soon as we stood down."
"Don't know. It's in your room." Eto was already unsaddling the beast. Romi took his pack off, and went to set it aside so he could help brush the animal down and water it, but Eto waved him away. "Go wash, unpack. Fancy a beer later?"
"Stupid question, corporal. Give me an hour or so. I need to report to Captain Wilsu."
Eto nodded. Romi checked that his men had things under control, knew what to do with the extra supplies they'd brought back and were properly storing equipment and tools, then shouldered his pack and headed across the exercise yard towards the barracks. Why was Daiso leaving him notes all of a sudden? He hoped his lover wasn't going out of town for some reason because Romi was feeling deprived and missing him after three weeks in the field. It was probably an invitation to a family event or some such.
Smiling to himself over just how he planned to celebrate his return with Daiso, he opened the door to his small room and dumped the pack on the floor. He would have to do laundry the next morning, but not tonight. Tonight was report, bath, beer, and then Daiso when he was finished up at the grain mill. They were stood down now for three days, so Romi was going to try and persuade his lover to take a half-day, even a whole day, off with him. They hadn't done that in such a long time.
The note was sealed, which struck him as odd. He broke the wax, trying to remember if he'd ever even seen Daiso's handwriting before. He was still thinking about that as his eyes began to scan the words, so it was a moment or two before their actual meaning sank in.
It was like the feeling you got just before someone fired an arrow at you, he thought. That sense that your life was about to change for ever, and there was nothing you could do about it.
He crushed the paper tight in his fist. No wonder Daiso had left a note. Far easier to impart bad news that way. Far easier to not face a combat-trained soldier who could wring your lying, deceitful neck with one hand, or to have to explain your choices which made a mockery of the joy someone had felt just a few seconds before at the thought of being with you.
He shoved the note into his pocket, and stalked out of the room to find his captain and make a brief, clipped report that conveyed none of the drama or humour that had been a feature of the latest field exercises, while giving the barest facts – which men had performed well or badly, which weapons had passed their tests, and how many men had been injured (one, slightly), beasts lost (none) and supplies wasted (none, and they'd come back with more meat than they'd taken). The captain expressed satisfaction at a job well done. Romi saluted, turned on his heel and went in search of a harmless way of working off his anger. He didn't think alcohol on top of a bitter taste of betrayal would be a good idea.
The workout hall was empty except for a couple of soldiers practicing vaults over to the side. Romi headed for the padded pole. He took off his boots, the only concession to a proper exercise regime he was prepared to make right now, then flew at the pole, attacking it with hard, vicious blows of hands and feet, launching flying kicks, and propelling himself back from it, welcoming the pain of impact as a distraction from that in his heart.
It wasn't that he imagined it was Daiso he was kicking. It was himself. He'd been so stupid. He'd been caught before, so why had he made the mistake of giving his heart to a normal again?
"Whoa, Romi! Hold for a minute, will you?"
Romi aborted the punch he was about to throw, and dropped his hands. He made himself smile as he turned to face Eto. Eto, of course, was understandably confused as to why his lieutenant wasn't off enjoying a nice hot bath, or looking for a welcome mug of beer. "Fancy a spar, Eto?"
His friend blinked. "Now?"
"Why not? I want to burn off some excess energy."
"You've got energy to spare after a three week exercise? Gods, Romi, you're not human."
Romi bared teeth at that remark, and if Eto thought he was smiling, that was up to him. "Staves, how about that?"
"All right, but mind my damn hands."
"Glove up, then."
"You too, I'm not fighting an ungloved man."
Romi nearly asked what did it matter since he wasn't human, but choked off what he knew was a petty and undeserved remark. Eto tossed him the sparring gloves, things Romi would normally not use given his preference, but it was correct practice to wear them in training, and he was in barracks. He didn't want to earn either of them a demerit just because he was in a temper.
"You should be in a workout tunic," Eto reminded him, handing him a staff.
"Look, do you want to spar or cite regulations, Eto? My uniform's fine." Eto shrugged, clearly not wanting to argue. Eto knew his moods well enough by now, at least. Romi assumed the standard defence position. "Begin."
It was fast, and dirty, but he tried very hard not to inflict his temper-fuelled aggression on his friend, and to keep control of his moves as a good soldier should whatever the provocation. Still, after less time than he would have expected, Eto backed away. "Gods, Romi, go dunk your head or something."
Romi forced himself to stop, and to get his breathing back under control. "Did I hurt you?"
"No, but I'm not going to let you get to that point. What's wrong? You were fine a few minutes ago. Did Wilsu say something?"
"It's nothing, Eto, but you're right. I shouldn't be sparring when I'm like this." He made himself smile. "I'll get that bath, I think, but then I need to go see Daiso. I'll find you tomorrow for the beer."
Eto frowned. "All right. If you want to...talk or something, I'll be around."
Romi aimed an affectionate cuff at his friend's head. "Don't worry about me. See you later."
"Lieutenant?"
Romi turned towards the newcomer. "Yes...Kev, isn’t it?"
"Yes, sir. Colonel Ajil would like to see you in his office as soon as you're free."
Romi looked down at his travel-stained and now freshly sweaty uniform, and weighed up whether his superior was more likely to be offended by his rough appearance or a delay. "Thanks, Kev, I'll go over there now." He tossed his staff to Eto, then did the same with his stripped off gloves, waving to the two soldiers as he walked out into the yard again.
He was kept waiting just a moment or two, then admitted to the colonel's office. He saluted his superior smartly. "Lieutenant Romi, as requested, sir."
The colonel indicated a chair and then sat down behind his desk. "Thank you, Romi, please take a seat. Captain Wilsu said you were back. I understand things went relatively smoothly?"
"Yes, sir. Relatively," he added.
The colonel smiled. "Ah yes, Sarte's little toys. Still, spirit of scientific investigation and all that. Speaking of which, that's what I wanted to speak to you about. We've had a request for volunteers from the Rulers in Urshek." Romi raised his eyebrows in surprise, but said nothing. "Yes, it seems the academy and the Rulers in the north are collaborating with ours here and are putting together an expedition to examine the plant and mineral wealth of Andon. All the military establishments throughout Darshian have been asked to put forward names of any personnel interested and qualified to participate. It's a major undertaking and they have very particular requirements, hence the nationwide call. You'd be expected to be in the field for the best part of a year."
"Yes, sir. What requirements?"
"Fluency in Andonese for a start, and since you're without doubt our best speaker here, your name was naturally at the front of my mind. However, they also want someone familiar with Andon, experienced in field missions, preferably with some scientific or medical training. I know you don't have the last, but you did accompany the army geologists last year to the Treyk Range. If you're interested, I would have thought that should count for something."
"Possibly." Romi was already intrigued. He had spent eight months in Tsikiugui as part of an exchange with the Andonese military, and liked the people and the country very much. "I'm just surprised this hasn't been done before."
The colonel nodded. "Well, that's because of the Prijian conflict. I understand the plans for this were drawn up a good three years ago. If things were still bubbling over in Kuprij, I daresay they wouldn't want to divert our people for this, but since peace has been restored, our Rulers are very keen to advance the mission for its own sake, and promote closer ties between the three governments." He sat back and steepled his hands. "I can let you look at the specifications. You don't have to decide now...."
"I'd like to do it, sir."
"Just like that? Don't you want to know more about it, Romi? It's a long time away from base. What about your family?"
Romi suppressed a grimace. "My family lives near Ai-Vinri, sir, and I have no other ties. I've always wanted to return to Andon, so if I'm suitable, I'd like to go."
Colonel Ajil grunted in apparent approval. "Very well. Let me contact the people in Urshek arranging it. They want to leave for Darshek soon with the prospective personnel, but the final decision will be made by the Darshek side since they're putting it all together. There's a special mission allowance and extra leave – if you're rejected, you'll get some of that for your trouble. I know you're stood down, but you'd need to depart soon."
Romi made a dismissive gesture. "It doesn't matter, sir. I have no plans." At least, not any more, he thought bitterly.
"As you wish. I won't get an answer until tomorrow morning. You've time to think about it – it's purely voluntary, you do understand that?"
"Yes, sir, but I'd still like to go."
"Very well. Assume you'll be going, and come back to my office tomorrow for confirmation and your orders. I'll speak to Captain Wilsu, but there won't be a problem releasing you. Unfortunately you would appear to be the only suitable candidate from these barracks, so it would reflect well on us if you were accepted. The other personnel will be mustered in Urshek on the fifteenth day of this month. You can leave any time that suits you, provided you're there by then." He handed a letter over to Romi. "Have a read of that, bring it back tomorrow."
"Thank you, sir. Are the researchers from the south or the north?"
"Both, so I understand. They're hoping for army geologists, but the naturalists are from the southern and northern academies. I'll find out if you need to know."
"It doesn't matter, I was just curious. And it's to be a civilian mission?"
"The scientific planning is under civilian control. Logistics and security will be military. I believe a final decision as to who has overall authority will be made by that Prijian chap they have as a Ruler in the north. He's ex-military, so he'll understand the problem."
The northerners had another former officer as a Ruler as well, so despite the potential difficulty a jointly-run mission might cause, Romi thought it was likely the thing would be better handled than it appeared on the face of it. "Yes, sir. Was that all?"
"Yes, it was. Now I suggest you make yourself presentable and go out and enjoy yourself. If you end up in Andon, you'll be glad of all the baths you had now."
Romi stood and saluted again. He hoped he would be acceptable for this mission. He felt the sudden need to get away from Temshek, and this would give him that, as well as time to mend a battered heart, and a valuable experience to further his promotion prospects. At least his career didn't depend on his fertility.
He decided not to waste time on a proper bath, just washing himself thoroughly and changing into clean civilian clothes, before heading into Temshek town to wait. Other members of his squad were on their way too, happy grins showing their anticipation of a good night out after a hard three weeks. Normally, Romi would have been glad to be with them, but for now, he had other things to deal with.
He walked down to the grain mill and waited. It wouldn't be long now – the mill's sails were already being set into their overnight resting position, and the workers were beginning to leave for the evening. At last, he saw his man.
"Hello, Daiso."
He got a slight satisfaction from the way his lover – his former lover – nearly jumped out of his skin, before turning with a forced-looking smile to where he was leaning against the wall of the mill. "Romi! Back already?"
"I was due back yesterday, as you knew perfectly well. Is that why you made sure to leave your lovely little note for me three days ago?" He threw the crumpled up paper at Daiso. "I thought you had more style than that, Dai. What's the matter, are you so ashamed of her that you didn't want to tell me to my face?"
Daiso grimaced. "No, I'm not ashamed, I just didn't want a scene. Like the one you're making right now," he muttered, walking away, and forcing Romi to follow him if he wanted to continue the conversation. They walked in silence down to the river bank, a place where they had spent many a fine summer evening, just sitting and talking, swimming when it was hot, lying on the grass afterwards and holding each other. Never again, Romi thought angrily, already grieving for the irretrievable loss.
Daiso took up his usual position under the large, overhanging tree, and for a moment, it seemed just like old times – but then Romi saw the note in Daiso's hand and knew it was never to be the same again. "Why, Daiso? Why lie to me? If you loved another, you could have told me before this. I would never stand in the way of your happiness."
Daiso laughed a little. "Oh come on, Romi, don't be dramatic. We’re just friends who sleep together. You know it was never more than that."
Romi clenched his fist, and stamped down hard on his temper. "No, I did not know that," he said through gritted teeth. "Are you saying you felt nothing for me at all? The entire time we've been together, I was just amusement for you?"
Daiso seemed genuinely puzzled. "I just said you're my friend, but you knew I wanted a family. At least if you'd paid any attention, you would have done," he added with devastating accuracy.
"But...we could have...."
"What? Adopted? Don't be silly, Romi. Beside, I love Catli. She's already carrying our baby."
Romi felt like he'd been struck. "I see," he said, his heart feeling cold and heavy in his chest. "So not only was I too blind to see that I was merely a way of passing the time, I was too stupid to realise you were going behind my back and sleeping with someone else. If you really believed I took things as casually as you, why did you hide her from me?" The suddenly shifty look in Daiso's eyes confirmed his suspicion. "You knew, didn't you? You knew how I felt and you still planned to betray me." He pushed away from the tree and began to walk off, disgusted with himself and with his erstwhile lover.
"Romi, wait!"
"What else is there to say, Daiso? Good luck with your wedding, your wife and your child."
"Wait. Please, Romi."
With ill-concealed impatience, Romi let Daiso pull him to a stop with a hand on his arm. "I'm sorry. I really didn't mean to hurt you. I thought you knew...I want a family. I want children. Everyone does."
"Yes, but some of us don't have that option and never will. Does that make me unimportant to you?"
"No, of course not. Romi, I still think of you as my best friend. I...I wanted you to come to my wedding, actually."
Romi stared in disbelief at Daiso's hopeful expression. "I'm not going to be here," he said coldly. "I'm going to Andon for a year."
"A year? Why?"
"None of your business."
"Don't be like that, Romi – it's not like I don't care about you at all...."
Romi cut him off. "I'm sorry, Daiso, but I expect honesty from my friends and my lovers too."
Daiso looked down. "I'm sorry too," he said quietly. "I wish...well, it's too late for that. Be safe, Romi. I want you to be happy."
Romi paused, his anger abating a little, and not wanting this to end in an uncivilised way, since there was just no retrieving it. "That's what I want for you too, Dai. I hope you and Catli find joy in your child."
"Thank you. I hope you find someone who can give you what you want one day. I'm sorry it wasn't me. I really am, Romi."
Just then, with his eyes looking sad, and perhaps a little hopeful that things could be mended one day between then, Daiso looked as wonderful and kind and desirable as ever. Romi made himself stop wishing for what could never be. "Just forget it, Dai."
He walked off without looking back, wanting to hate Daiso and failing entirely. The heart had no logic about it, and if Daiso didn't love him, then there was nothing Romi could do about it, except move on with his own life. Daiso had been right about one thing, though – he should have known how important having children was to his lover. Stupid, blind, deluded...of course Daiso wanted a family. Of course Romi wasn't going to be his partner for life. Romi was male, and worse than that, he was infertile. No one wanted an infertile partner. Lover, yes. Partner – no.
He'd let himself be blinded because he loved Daiso, and now he had nothing, not even the friendship. Well, this had to be a lesson he learned properly this time. No more normal lovers. He couldn't offer what they wanted. He was twenty-five, old enough to know better several times over. And now he did.
Karik jumped as a hand descended on his shoulder. "Careful, my dear boy. You're easily spooked."
He grinned at his visitor as he took a seat next to him at the table. "Oh, Soza, I was just caught up in this paper by Semeke. Have you seen it?"
"Master Jezinke told me about it this morning, yes. I was planning to read it later. But I've got news about the Andon mission – the army have managed to find us seven more potential recruits. They'll all be here in four days."
Karik laid his pencil down. "Seven – that's wonderful. Even if we have to send half away, with the personnel we can get in Darshek, and the people in Tsikiugui, that will be all we need. Do we know how good they are?"
Soza reached into his pocket and drew out a piece of paper. "Let's see – they're all Army trained so far as the language is concerned. One spent nearly a year in Andon, two others have been there for a month only, but have other field experience. Three are medics, another is a surveyor, and the others have experience in or knowledge of the physical sciences. There's one who's got no scientific background but fills all the other criteria – he's the one with the most time in Andon. So I'd say they're about as good as we could hope for."
"The scientific background isn't as important as the field knowledge," Karik said. "I really feel this is going to be a success, Soza."
"Well, we hope. Quite a feather in our caps if it is."
Karik flushed. "I just want to see what's up there. I've always wanted to explore Andon, and Kei's certain we'll find a good many useful plants."
"I'm sure he's right. I know the panacea is out there, waiting to be found. All that we need is the will to find it."
"If anyone can, you can," Karik said with feeling. Soza was the best plant taxonomist in Darshian, and he surely would be able to determine what was new and useful in the flora of Andon. He had no field experience, but Soza's skill lay in distinguishing the subtle distinctions between very similar looking samples that might make the difference between a totally useless plant or mould, and the much-needed cure-all that was Soza's life's ambition to find. The discovery by Prijian lens makers of the very tiny organisms that lived on the surface of so many living things and in every drop of water, had set the scientific community alight, and new ideas about the origins of illness were being proposed all the time now. Soza wasn't alone in thinking that there was a single drug that would eradicate infections of all kinds – it was currently the hot theory among healers, though uncle Kei was less convinced of it. Personally, Karik thought it was more important to just keep finding the new plants and drugs and investigating them, but so long as the research continued, the underlying theory was not so crucial.
"Ah, well, we'll see. Master Jezinke wanted to see you when you were free, but no hurry."
Karik nodded and stood, pushing Semeke's paper over to Soza. "I'll go up there now. Here, you may as well have a look at this. It's fascinating, what he's saying."
"So Jezinke told me, though I wish Semeke was a bit more assiduous in acknowledging other people's contribution to his ideas," Soza said, looking slightly peevish. "He spent quite a lot of time talking to me about this species distribution but he merely thanks me for assistance without explaining just how much I did for him. It doesn't inspire confidence. I hope that's not a habit you intend to follow, young Karik."
"No, Soza. I know I know nothing."
Soza smiled. "Oh, I wouldn't say that. You've learned a good deal here in six months. If we had you another year, who knows, you might be master one day yourself."
"No thanks, I prefer being out in the field. Besides, everyone knows who's the natural successor to Master Jezinke." Soza looked pleased at what was only Karik's honest opinion. "I'll find you later in the dining hall, if you're not going to be busy."
"Of course not. It would be a pleasure, Karik, as always."
Karik bowed a little and then left. Soza always had time for him, which was amazing really considering he was just a student and Soza was one of the most senior researchers at the academy. Karik considered himself fortunate to have such a clever mentor, and had tried to learn all he could from him during his stay here.
A stay which was coming to an end, however, and while he was excited and eager to begin the Andon mission, part of him was sorry to be leaving Urshek. Of course he was homesick for the north and his family, but Master Jezinke was such a brilliant man, and the scholarship to study with him had been a wonderful opportunity. He just hoped the Rulers in Darshek would consider it money well spent when he returned.
He knocked and waited for Master Jezinke's summons, then entered, making the bow with his arm crossed over his chest as was polite. The master repeated the gesture. "Ah, sit down, Karik. I didn't mean you to rush up to see me."
"It's all right, Master Jezinke, I'd finished what I was doing." They were speaking Andonese, of course. Master Jezinke spoke Darshianese quite well, but there was no doubt that he preferred his native tongue for conversation, and Karik wanted to practice as much as he could before they left. "What did you want to see me about?"
"Well, these were just delivered and I wanted to have the pleasure of giving you them in person." He handed over a small bundle of printed papers to Karik. As he recognised what it was, he smiled, and ran his fingers along the title at the top – Some notes on the herbaceous products of Gidei. He'd spent three months in the south-western plains just before coming to Urshek, and the master had urged him to write up his discoveries himself, instead of leaving it for one of the academicians to do it for him. "I thought you'd be pleased. I was hoping they would come before you had to leave. Now you will be able to hand Master Kei copies of your first scientific paper in person, not to mention carrying them to Andon for their civic library. It's excellent work, Karik. If you wanted, you could stay and do much more in the same line."
"Thank you, Master Jezinke. I just feel there's more exploring I want to do before I get too old to manage it."
The master chuckled, stroking his long, straggling beard as he often did when he was amused. "You have many years before that happens, my boy, unlike some of us. I'd say I envied you going back to my homeland, but it's not virtuous to lie. My bones appreciate the warmth of the south too much."
"I'm used to the cold, Master Jezinke. I like it."
"Oh, not like this, Karik. Spit and it'll freeze in mid-air, at least in the far north in mid-winter, not that you'll be there then, thank the merciful god. Soza tells me you've had a good response to your call for military assistance."
"Yes, it looks like. It will be up to Lord Arman and Master Kei to make the decision. And Soza, of course," he added assiduously, since Soza was the scientific leader of this expedition.
"Yes, wise heads, all three, and if it goes well, I hope that more such expeditions will be carried out. Andon is a large and mysterious land, and its treasures are vast, though its people are few. The more we learn about it, the better, and since thanks to men like you, we now know so much about Darshian, it's right that science turns its attention to the far reaches of Periter."
"Yes, agreed. My uncles were hoping you might come up at least as far as Darshek in advance of our departure."
"I confess I was sorely tempted, Karik, but there is so much to do here, there always is. There's perhaps a chance of persuading them to come to Urshek."
Privately, Karik thought that was even more unlikely than Master Jezinke being able to find the time to travel north – now Kei had finally been made Master of the academy, he and Arman were both busier than ever. Still, Karik expressed polite agreement with the master's wish. "Are there other things you wish me to take to Master Kei for you?"
"Only my good wishes, my boy. I believe we both have all the books we could desire, and I'm up to date with papers. No, what I want to get my hands on is the collected material you're going to send back. I don't think Soza can sleep for excitement, thinking about what he will be able to make of it all. He fancies he will make quite a name for himself with this, and I dare say he will, as will you."
"I don't care about that, Master Jezinke. But the exploration will be wonderful."
Master Jezinke shook his head. "Ah, the enthusiasm of youth. Well, you'd better make the best of the time you have left to you. You'll find a sad lack of libraries in the wilds of my country, I'm sorry to say."
"I'm sure there will be other compensations, Master."
He bowed politely and left, clutching his paper close to him. It was only a minor monograph, but he was still pleased with it. It had been harder to write than he'd thought, needing to bear in mind the wider audience for which it was intended instead of it just being a report for Kei and the other researchers who knew him personally. Soza had declared it well-done, and so had Master Jezinke. Karik hoped Kei would think so too. In two weeks, he'd find out for himself, and in another six, he would be in Andon for the first time. It would be, he knew full well, the adventure of a lifetime, and he could hardly wait to start on it.
Chapter 2
His official orders issued, and his travel allowance pocketed, Romi had been free to leave Temshek barracks the day after his return from the field and he'd departed as soon as he was released. It usually took two days to reach the capital travelling at best speed, but he chose to dawdle, not wanting to spend more time in Urshek than he had to since he found it rather charmless compared with other places he'd visited. At the same time, he wanted to get away from Daiso, and even the kind concern of friends like Eto. There was precious little solitude in the army and he wanted time to just consider where his life was going, something he'd thought he had settled once and for all once he'd decided to join the army at seventeen, rejecting the future his brothers had chosen, working on the family farm. He'd longed to see what there was in the world, and the idea of working the same acres of land, seeing the same people every day for the rest of his life, had seemed like a living death. Joining the army had let him travel, given him opportunities to learn many new skills, to prove himself and had been a decision he'd never regretted. The army had been very good to him, though the world beyond the barracks had not been so kind.
He spent the four days it took to reach Urshek, thinking hard about love, and Daiso, and what he wanted from his future. It seemed children were not to be part of it, however much it hurt bitterly to accept that. He'd never really thought that he would have to give up on love too, but the more he thought, the more he had to accept that unpleasant truth as well. Gifted men and women were rare, and scattered widely across the population. The chances of finding another who was free and willing and attractive and attracted.... It was most likely hopeless. But better to accept that than to waste his affections on another like Daiso. The same thing had happened with Kera, three years ago – she'd set him aside to marry too. Every gifted person he'd ever met had similar tales to tell. One or two had been lucky enough to find a lover who would be faithful to them – most just survived on a diet of casual affairs and friends who they could sleep with from time to time. Romi thought he was to be one of the lucky ones, once he'd met Daiso. But no, he was just a stepping stone to wedlock with another, fertile person.
Well, no more. If he could not have what every normal person took for granted, he would not stoop to being second best, or mere practice, not for anyone. He had his pride, he had his career, and henceforth, he would fuck who he wanted where he wanted without conscience or commitment. He had companions aplenty in the barracks. All he really needed from anyone else was sexual relief, and he'd rather pay for that than sell his dignity.
With that resolution made, he headed to the port side of the city, Urshek-si, determined to find precisely that relief in. Welcome houses were peculiar to Darshian, he'd discovered in his travels – a combination of a brothel and an inn, managed by the women (and one or two men) themselves, selling bed and board and comfort to sailors, traders and soldiers without family or lovers in the place where they broke their travels. They were far more common in the south than in the north, though Darshek had at least two welcome houses down by the docks. The Andonese had no long tradition of inns and those they had were poor. Brothels were officially illegal in Tsikiugui, though they certainly existed, and Romi had heard they flourished in the northern capital of Visiqe, which was legendary for its decadence (at least by Andonese standards). The Prij had both brothels and inns, but apparently never thought to bring the two together, which was all of a piece with their rather odd and prudish attitude to sex in general.
Personally, he found the welcome houses a very civilised institution for the single traveller, and since it looked like he was to remain such for the rest of his life, it was as well they existed for his convenience. It had been over a year since he'd last been in Urshek, and even longer since he'd availed himself of the welcome girls' charms since, unlike Daiso, he believed in such old-fashioned ideas as fidelity. Now, there was no scruple stopping him. He was not due to report for duty at the barracks until the next day, and if he wanted to spend his own coin on his own pleasure and lodging, the army didn't care. So he stabled his beast at one of the smaller inns, and asked if Kori still had her rooms there. To his delight, she did, so he paid for the night's accommodation, and went upstairs.
She didn't remember him at first, which hardly surprised him since it had been easily two years since he'd seen her. But when he reminded her that he'd been there before, and asked after her son, Miku, she clapped her hands with pleasure. "Oh, yes, I remember now. You're a soldier, and you'd just got back from Andon."
He took her hands and kissed her cheek. "Yes, and I'm on my way back there for a few months, so I'm looking for a little fun and relaxation before I go."
She looked up at him and smiled. "I think we'll be able to manage that. But first, a bath and a meal. You look in need of both."
And that was one of the things he liked most about Kori, he decided. She understood the importance of the simple comforts in life.
Not that this was her only talent, he thought drowsily, lying with her in his arms, sated and relaxed. She wasn't a great beauty nor a great intellect. But she was a kind woman and a generous lover, with simple, uncomplicated needs. Someone who would make a good partner for someone, he thought, and indeed she already had. Kori was a widow whose five-year-old son was downstairs with Kori's mother right now. If she followed the pattern of most welcome girls, she would eventually find another husband or lover and leave the work, although one or two continued with their partner's blessing. It was rare though – there was no shame to being a welcome girl, but lovers traditionally didn't like to share. Unless of course, they didn't know they were doing so.
Kori shifted in her sleep and muttered. Romi found he was holding her a little too tightly as his thoughts drifted, despite his best intentions, back to Daiso, and he let go, kissing her temple in apology though she hadn't woken at all. Daiso was also kind and generous, but unlike Kori, he was also well-read and had a sharp wit – Romi missed his conversation even more than he missed their love-making. But unlike Daiso, Kori had not an ounce of deceit about her. When she married again, she wouldn't play her husband false. Perhaps he should offer to marry her himself, he thought. An honest heart was to be prized, even if the conversation might be a little lacking at times.
But even in the depths of his bitterness, he couldn't deceive himself. He wanted more from life, and he wasn't someone who could be happy with compromise. He wanted the best, or he wanted nothing. Kori was someone's ideal wife or lover, but not his. He kissed her again, again in apology. He wished her well, and hoped she would remember him kindly. He couldn't really offer more than that.
He departed before she woke, as he usually did, leaving her a gift of scented oil that he'd bought on the way to Urshek for just this purpose, and a small extra sum of money, with a note to say it was to buy her son something he might need. The stable lad was yawning as he opened up and brought Romi's beast to him – Romi gave him a tip for his trouble as well. Then he saddled up and rode the short distance to the barracks, where he presented his credentials to the quartermaster, who seemed rather put out by his late arrival. "Cutting it fine, aren't you, lieutenant? The others have been here two days."
Romi shrugged. "I had leave, and I couldn't see the point in sitting around in barracks. I'm here now – or have I missed something?"
"No, not really. The fellow from the academy is going to come here this afternoon and give the lot of you a briefing, then you'll board the ship at sunset. The Darshek army are provisioning the expedition, I suppose your colonel told you that."
"Yes – he just said to take my normal kit."
The quartermaster nodded. "They seem very organised. Hardly like a civilian mission at all. Make yourself known to the duty sergeant and he'll introduce you to the others."
Though it was early, the barracks were already busy, with squads performing drills, animals being led out of the stables as soldiers left for their morning patrols of the city, and those not on early duty, heading for their breakfast in the canteen. When Romi found the sergeant, the man told him his travelling companions were eating, and took him across to meet them.
To his surprise, he recognised two of them instantly. "Kepi! Taz! Gods, it's good to see you!"
His friends jumped up and enthusiastically shook his hand. "Damn, Romi, I knew as soon as I heard about this, you'd be up for it," Kepi said, clapping him on the shoulder.
The sergeant, seeing that he could make his own introductions, just told him to stay in the barracks – he would be summoned to meet the scientists some time in the afternoon, though just when, he wasn't sure. "The Rulers have sent around some books and papers for you all to read, should you want to bone up on Andon," he said, then left them to it.
Romi excused himself only long enough to grab some tea, smoked meat and bread before coming back to the table where the other six prospective expeditioneers were sitting. Kepi insisted he sat next to him. "I see you got your promotion – I knew you would. I really hoped you'd be in on this. "
"I'm just surprised to see you here, Kepi. Doesn't Sera mind you being away so long again?" He felt a kick against his left boot, and glanced to the side to see Taz frowning. "Ah...something happened?"
"Sera and I divorced," Kepi said quietly, looking down at his mug. "She, uh, found someone else while I was in Utuk. She remarried last year and moved north with him."
"Damn, I'm sorry," Romi said, placing a comforting hand on his friend's shoulder. He'd not seen Kepi since they'd got back from Andon, but after Romi had come back from Utuk, Kepi's unit had been sent to Kuplik, helping the Prij restore order after the assassination of their sovereign. It wasn't uncommon for partners to stray while their lovers were in the field or on foreign duty, but it still hurt a great deal, as he knew from personal experience.
"It happens," Kepi said with a shrug. "But that answers your question – no one cares that I'm going off to Andon for a year. And you?"
"Same here. No attachments, no commitments. Just how I want it." Kepi grunted in agreement. "I'm looking forward to this, aren't you? Taz, what about you?"
"Yes, I am. Not sure about the civilian component, though."
One of the other soldiers, a female corporal, spoke up. "I heard they were sending a Prij with us on this too."
"Really? From where?"
"No idea – I just heard it in passing. We'll find out more this afternoon. I'm Jou, by the way."
Introductions were quickly made, and Romi briefly explained his background to those men who didn't know him, and the others did the same. It seemed a good team. Jou, her friend Sibu and a quiet fellow called Netu were all medics. Kepi was a weapon-maker, Taz and Reisa were both surveyors. The army was surrendering some very qualified people for this expedition. "I understand we still have to jump through the hoops in Darshek."
"It's that Prijian Ruler – Lord Arman," Taz said. "He's a real perfectionist, I hear. My colonel said he hand-picked the north Darshian troops for this himself, and he's going to approve each of us personally."
"What about Lord Jiv? Is he involved?"
Taz shook his head. "Not that I heard. Can't say I'm all that keen to have a civilian making judgements about my ability."
Romi looked at him, astonished at his ignorance. "Taz, that man's a former general in the Prijian army. Didn't they teach you fellows any history when you were inducted?" Taz was just twenty, as Romi recalled, so the war was before his time, but gods, he'd have thought he'd have made some enquiry about who was running this.
"Not just any general either – the general," Kepi added. "The one who led the Prijian campaign against the north in the war, and he was in charge of things here during the occupation for a while too. Not that this is a recommendation, necessarily. If he's that rusty, maybe he's not the best judge of things any more."
"He was good enough to advise the Andonese on that sea barrier that they built," Romi said. "Don't you remember them telling us about the Darshek rulers who came to help with that? Lord Arman was one of the Rulers involved."
Kepi looked impressed. "Ah, yes, I do recall that, now you mention it."
Taz just shrugged. "Oh, well, so long as they have properly trained and experienced people coming with us, I don't suppose it matters who's picking them. We'll see soon enough."
The rest of the meal was spent exchanging gossip and speculating on exactly how long they would be away for. The plan was for them to travel north so they could explore the mountainous regions during the short summer, and be on their way back south before deep winter set in. Andon was a sparsely populated country, with vast, unexplored territories. Unlike the Darshian plains, the land was changeable and dangerous, with high mountain ranges which had permanent glaciers, unimaginably deep lakes that were as wide as small seas, many swift-flowing rivers, wild volcanic regions, and even a huge and uninhabited desert at its heart. Even a mission as ambitious as this one would barely scratch the surface of what Andon could offer. If it went well, Romi wouldn’t be at all surprised if more were planned. If it went badly...but then Romi hadn't got to be a lieutenant by the age of twenty-four by dwelling on the negatives.
He was glad to know Lord Arman was a perfectionist. Far better to have a man like that in charge than someone slapdash and without a care to the quality of the personnel involved. The Prij were prickly about honour and personal reputations. If Lord Arman was bearing responsibility for the success of this mission, then he would do his utmost to make sure the chosen team reflected well on his abilities.
Taz's ignorance of Lord Arman's unusual background surprised him, but if there was a failing in Romi's military colleagues, it was a lack of curiosity and unwillingness to investigate outside their strict area of authority. If crime was involved, most soldiers that he'd worked with were tireless in seeking out the facts and hunting down the perpetrator. But ask them about the history of their own country, let alone that of any others, and most of the common soldiers, at least, would look at him as if he'd grown horns. The officers were different, naturally, as they were obliged to study such things if they were to pass their exams. But even then, there was often very little interest in the subject itself, unless they had ambitions to rise through the ranks quickly, or to leave the army and join the public administration, as many did.
Perhaps this mission would open up their minds, Romi thought. He was in favour of men under his charge thinking outside their usual parameters, and he did what he could to encourage imaginative and logical thinking. There was a limit to what he or anyone could achieve though – he wasn't their teacher or their father. It was up to each soldier to improve himself.
Speaking of which, he wanted to look at the material the sergeant said he had in his office. He finished his tea, collected his things and stood. "I'm going to look at the books on Andon – anyone else interested?" He wasn't surprised that no one was. He told them he'd be in the officers' recreation room, and left in search of the sergeant.
There was a lot of material to read, but it was disappointingly uninformative. He'd already read the report by Lords Arman and Jiv on the Andonese coastal system, and there was nothing new in the rest of the papers on that. There were several books on Andonese history and government – likewise, he'd read them before, multiple times in fact. There was an up-to-date but hardly comprehensive map of the areas of Andon surveyed during the time he'd been up there and since, which was interesting, but again, not much use. The rest were highly technical papers on mineral, geological and plant products. He got on a little better with the papers on rocks and minerals, since he'd spent so much time talking to the geologists the previous year on the Treyk Range survey. But the plant papers left him bewildered. Part of it was that he couldn't follow the technical naming system at all, and part of it was that the author of many of the papers, one Soza, had a very dry and esoteric style and a way of forming his arguments which Romi found simply incomprehensible.
He put the papers down in disgust. This wouldn't do – he needed to know how these people spoke to each other if he was to help them with their work. He collected the papers and books and returned them to the sergeant.
"Any use?"
"Not much. I need to see if there's a reference on plant naming that I can look up quickly. Don't want to let the civilians make me look like an idiot. Do you think the civic library would have such a thing?"
"No idea, lieutenant. Are you proposing to leave the barracks? The captain wanted you lot to stick together so we didn't have to roust you up to get on board ship."
"I'll clear it with him but I only want to make a quick visit to the library this morning. It's hours to noon, I won't be long."
The sergeant looked dubious. "Well, if he clears it.... As for the book, I honestly have no idea. You know where the library is, over by the main square? You could ask. Can't see why you'd bother, myself."
No, he probably couldn't, and even Romi thought he was being rather zealous. But then, he had hours to kill and no better employment, so why not?
The captain readily gave his agreement, since Romi was an officer and hardly likely to run off on an excursion to delay himself, and even went so far as to pen a short note requesting all assistance be given to Romi, as if he were on an official investigation – he had to wonder what on earth the librarians would think of that. Still, it would ensure cooperation if there was any hesitation in giving it, so Romi pocketed the note, saluted and went in search of enlightenment.
The main square was a good half-mile from the barracks, and walking along the streets reminded Romi why he was glad to be stationed in provincial Temshek. Urshek sprawled, unbounded by sea and precious farmland as Darshek was, or mountains like Utuk. The inrush of refugees from the brutal Prijian uprising had led to new buildings to house them, he noted, and most looked cramped and hastily constructed. The roads were crowded with beasts, jesigs and vehicles of all kinds, and he was very grateful not to have to police this mess, nor the large and mixed population which filled the city to bursting point. Still, the large population meant there were many facilities denied him in Temshek, of which the library was one example.
It was a huge building, and already very busy with people of all kinds reading, asking for help or talking very quietly to each other, but he was still greeted politely and offered every assistance by the staff. Unfortunately, they had nothing for him. "The only place that would have something like that would be the academy," he was told. "Since it's official business, I'm sure they'd help you. It's across the square – just ask for their library."
Feeling just a little foolish at persisting with this – it wasn't as if he was wanted for his non-existent scientific credentials – nonetheless, Romi thanked the librarian and went across to the academy, a large, dark stone building with a newish-looking dome adorning the roof.
The harried clerk at the reception read the captain's note impatiently, and waved him down a north corridor to find the library. "Ask, someone will help you," she said, and then turned to deal with the next visitor. Romi left her to it.
Like the civic library, this place was also bustling, and very confusingly laid out. Despite his excellent sense of direction in the field, he had none of the clues inside the building to discover where he was going, and so very quickly became lost.
He saw a young Prij coming towards him. "Excuse me," he asked in Prijian. "Could you tell me where the library is?"
"Certainly. I'm on my way there myself, let me take you."
Romi had been going entirely the wrong way, so he turned and fell in behind the man who, he noted curiously, was wearing his hair Darshianese style. It wasn't the first time he'd seen that in Prij living in Darshian, but it still looked odd. Since he also had a beard, which was uncommon even among the Prij, Romi wondered if it perhaps was just his way of expressing his individuality. Shame about the beard, he thought. It seemed to be masking a rather handsome face.
"May I ask what you wish to find out? Perhaps I could help you."
"I'm looking for something simple, something for the lay person to read on how plant classification works."
His assistant stopped to look at him. "Why do you need something like that?"
Something in the man's green eyes seemed rather challenging, as if he was going to withdraw cooperation if Romi's answer wasn't good enough. "It's official business," he said stiffly. "I'm not at liberty to explain."
"Very well." The man began to walk on. "There isn't actually a reference of that type which will explain it, but I can do my best, if you would like. We can use a map room to talk."
He was led to a set of heavy doors, and was immediately stunned by the huge interior and enormous numbers of books revealed when they were opened. His companion seemed completely at home and went quickly over to the librarian's desk, presumably to explain his purpose. He told Romi to wait a moment while he collected some books, then asked him to follow him to a side room with large tables, and drawers set into a wall cupboard – the maps he'd mentioned, Romi presumed.
He asked Romi to sit, then took up a place next to him. "All right, let's see if I can put this simply for you. The classification system only appears complicated, but it's not really. The intention is to provide an accurate nomenclature that is accepted by all scientists across Periter – well, in effect, the three nations which use it. If we didn't have it, then each country, each region, would use their own local name, and it would be hopelessly confusing. See this plant?" He opened one of the books and revealed a beautifully illustrated flower. "Perhaps you know the klek bush from here in the south?" Romi nodded – he'd seen it in gardens near Temshek. "Well, the Prij also have it, but they call it sorus. In the Welensi Islands, the natives call it 'sikok'. You see how we might not realise we were dealing with the same plant, unless we saw it?"
Romi nodded, and his companion continued. "So our scientists devised a system ten years ago which uses a trinomial nomenclature. All the botanists in Darshian, Kuprij and Andon use this now, so when we correspond and refer to Aci sorus Garok benefici, we know in our heads that it refers to the klek, sorus and sikok plant. No room for confusion or error."
Romi held his hands up in confusion. "Aci what?"
His companion smiled. "Sorry, I was just going to explain. The parts of the name refer to a hierarchy. The klek plant is part of a large group, I mean, related to other plants in the way that all the timkir trees are obviously related, though they differ slightly from area to area."
"Like breeds of jesig?"
"Yes, like that, though it's not by human intervention, of course. So Aci is the group name. Sorus is the particular name of this species. Garok refers to where it was first collected and from where it was described, though of course it occurs in many places – it’s just a further level of precision. And 'benefici' just means that it has medicinal properties."
"How in hells do you remember all that?"
"It's just like any other language. It's logical, it has a known structure, and it really is very useful. Now, does that give you enough for your purposes?"
"Well, it's a start. It's a pity all scientists couldn’t be as clear as you – I was trying to follow some papers by someone called Soza and it was like trying to read a ball of tangled string."
His companion didn't look at him as he pulled out another book. "Soza-gidu is one of our finest researchers. He's used to dealing with people of a similar background and training. He doesn’t write for the layman."
"I didn't mean any offence."
"None taken," he said coolly. "Now, this book here may illustrate what I was talking about...."
For the next hour, Romi had the mysteries of plant classification patiently explained to him. By the end of it, he had a headache. Not that it was his young teacher's fault – the man had a remarkably clear way of expressing himself. Romi found himself wondering what he did in the academy – he had the slight drawl of the Prijian upper class, but was dressed as simply as any Darshianese. With the braid and the beard, it made his appearance rather difficult to decode.
He finally realised that he had to stop. "I'm sorry, but I have to be back at my barracks by noon. Thank you for your assistance."
"You're welcome. I hope your investigation is carried forward. I have to be going myself. Can you find your own way out?"
Romi said he could, then stood and bowed formally as was expected in Prij custom. His companion did the same and left. Only once the door had closed, did Romi realise he'd forgotten to ask the man's name.
Oh well, it was unlikely he would encounter him again. Romi was just glad he didn't have to remember all this classification stuff for real – some of the rules seemed a bit on the petty side, though no doubt the scientists would say the same about Army regulations. Right now, he would have to get a move on if he was not to abuse the captain's trust in his reliability.
But it had been a surprisingly interesting, if confusing, morning. His fellow soldiers had missed out on yet another opportunity to learn something new. Their loss, he thought.
After lunch, Romi had another look at the papers, and found them much more comprehensible, though he still thought this Soza fellow wrote very clumsily. He also noticed that there seemed to be a lot more papers by him than were strictly necessary for the purpose, and if he really wasn't writing for a lay audience, Romi couldn't see any reason to provide such a mountain of specialist information. They weren't much use to him, but he felt a little more confident that he could hold his own in a conversation with the scientists, and he thanked his unnamed benefactor once more. If he'd had more time, he'd have made an effort to find out who he was and express his gratitude properly – perhaps on his return he would try to find him, though he may have gone by then. It was possible he was only visiting the academy, and if so, Romi would most likely never find him.
He had just returned the books and papers to the sergeant when Kepi came looking for him and told him to come to the colonel's briefing room, since the scientists were there to talk to them. They were the last ones to arrive, and Romi was about to take a seat at the end of the table when he jerked up in surprise. There was his mystery teacher, listening intently to a middle-aged Darshianese civilian with a heavily pitted face, a pile of books arrayed before them on the table. The man didn't seem to have noticed him yet - what was he doing here?
But there was no time to ponder, since the colonel came in, and everyone stood and saluted before sitting and giving him his attention. "Ah, welcome, gentlemen. I won't waste time since we need to get you all onto the boat fairly soon. Let me introduce Soza of Urshek to you, from the academy. He's the chief scientist on this expedition."
As he sat, the Darshianese civilian stood up. "Thank you, Colonel Kel," he said with a bow. "I am Soza. This young man here is my assistant, Karik of Ai-Albon. We shall be directing the specimen collection and exploration on this mission."
Romi didn't hear the rest of what he said, he was too busy glaring at his damn companion. 'Karik of Ai-Albon'? That little shit – he'd known perfectly well that Romi had thought him a Prij and had done nothing whatsoever to correct that impression. The man himself saw him staring, and started to smile, before he clearly realised that Romi was none too pleased with him. His expression went blank, then he looked away, pretending to be absorbed in what his superior was saying.
Romi realised they were being asked to introduce themselves, and collected himself just in time for his turn. He stood smartly to attention. "Lieutenant Romi of Temshek barracks," he snapped, and sat again. Karik looked at him, blushed and looked away. Little shit. Romi didn't care for games of that type in the least.
Soza was speaking again. He had a far more pleasant manner in person than in print, though he seemed to like the sound of his own voice, speaking for rather longer than was strictly necessary, about things that, really, they would have several weeks to learn. After a few minutes, Romi thought even the colonel's pleasant smile was looking forced, and his companions were beginning to shift in their seats.
But at last the rambling discourse came to an end. "So there you have it, gentlemen. Any questions?" Romi put his hand up. "Ah, yes, Lieutenant...?"
"Lieutenant Romi, sir. May I ask what experience you have?"
Soza smiled happily as if he'd just been waiting for someone to ask. He rattled off a list of his achievements, all to do with plants he'd named, and drugs that had been derived from them, which wasn't the experience Romi had been asking about. He waited politely until the other man came to a halt before asking, "That's very interesting, sir, but what I really wanted to know about was the other expeditions you've been on."
"This is my first what you might call, field exploration," Soza said stiffly. "However, my assistant, Karik, has been in the field. Karik, would you like to describe your background to the lieutenant?"
Karik nodded, and stood. "Yes. I studied at the academy in Darshek, then I spent some time collecting plants on Darshian plain and in the eastern hinterland. I was offered a scholarship to continue my studies into natural production here in Urshek, and I've been here for six months." He gave a little bow, and sat down, looking at Romi as if to dare him to challenge the facts of that dry recitation.
Romi was hardly encouraged by any of that, but didn't want to say so in front of the colonel. The fact that the supposed leader of this mission had no field experience at all, and his assistant had very little, didn't exactly give him confidence in either man.
The colonel had had enough. "Right, men, if that's all, our guests need to return to the academy. Lieutenant, as the most senior soldier in the group, I want you to take charge and ensure you all get down to the docks in good time to board the Storm Wave at sunset – she departs with the tide, if you're not on board, you will not be going on this mission. See the officers posted at the dock before you board."
"Yes, sir," Romi said, snapping off a salute.
The colonel returned it and left the room, as did the other men. Soza seemed to want a word with the colonel and hastened after him, leaving Karik behind to pick up the books, and Romi to watch. "Want a hand with those?"
Karik seemed surprised at the offer, but then nodded. "If you wouldn't mind."
Romi picked up a few of the heavy volumes, wondering exactly why Soza had decided to bring them all the way down here and not use them, and followed Karik out of the room and across the exercise yard towards a calash that was waiting for them. Karik stowed the books with great care in the vehicle and thanked him politely. As Romi saw Soza approaching from the other side of the yard, he asked Karik, "Why didn't you tell me you spoke Darshianese?"
Karik gave him a cool look. "You didn’t ask."
"But you knew damn well I thought you were Prijian!"
Karik's expression went blank. "I am Prijian. Excuse me, I must collect the other books we left with your sergeant."
And then, to Romi's exasperation, he walked off. What did he mean, he was Prijian? If he was Prijian, why was Soza introducing him as being from a little village in the north? Why the braid and the perfect Darshianese? Little shit, he thought.
"Ah, Lieutenant, I see you're getting acquainted with our rising star."
"Not exactly acquainted," Romi muttered. "He doesn’t give much of himself, does he?"
Soza seemed to find that amusing. "Well, you know, he's got very little he needs to prove, not with his connections. He's of noble Prijian blood, and is the favourite nephew of Lord Arman and Master Kei in Darshek." He leaned toward Romi a little. "Of course, I say 'nephew' but rumour has it that the relationship with Lord Arman is what you might say, more paternal than avuncular," he said with a knowing wink.
Romi had no interest in gossip and couldn't give a damn about Karik's alleged connection with the pissing Prijian nobility. "Is that his excuse for being so mysterious?"
"Is he mysterious? I'd not noticed. Of course, he and I are very close. Very close," he added archly, then leered in quite a repulsive manner.
Suddenly realising what the man was implying, Romi moved back in disgust. So this Soza was taking his lover with him on this mission – Karik's credentials were probably far less important than his services in bed. The hair bracelet Romi had noticed on Karik's wrist as he was packing the books was undoubtedly a gift from this oily bastard. "Congratulations," he said coldly.
"Thank you. I thought it was best to let you know how things stood. I wouldn't want any misunderstanding to occur."
It was clear from the intent way Soza was staring at him, that Romi was being warned off. "Don't worry, I'm not in the habit of getting into 'misunderstandings' with other people's lovers. I just hope he knows what he's doing because Andon's no place for someone hoping to get by on 'connections'. Excuse me, I must check my pack. I'll see you on board."
Soza bowed politely – the man was almost like a Prij, he bowed so often, Romi thought – and then went to speak to the calash driver. Romi left him there, and wondered what in hells he'd got himself into.
Karik was still seething by the time he'd collected the academy property from the sergeant's office and returned to the main yard. To think he'd been hoping to see that arrogant bastard again! He'd thought he was a good-looking, intelligent man with an unusual curiosity for a soldier, but it had turned out he was just the same kind of narrow-minded idiot that Karik had encountered so many times before. It wasn't his fault the man hadn't even stopped to ask if he spoke Darshianese. Karik just got tired of the confusion that resulted when he responded in another language than that used by the questioner. It happened so often that people thought he was a Prij, he never even thought about it any more. If someone spoke to him in Prijian, he responded that way – same if they used Andonese. He'd had a perfectly normal and friendly conversation with that stupid lieutenant, even with all his 'official business' nonsense, so why was the man jumping all over him now as if he had a right to know Karik's background from the second he'd encountered him?
Soza was waiting by the carriage. "Oh, you remembered, well done." He saw where Karik's glare was directed – towards where that enormous arse was talking to some of the other soldiers. "I see he's ruffled your feathers. Not a good start, really. I didn't like his attitude much."
"Nor I," Karik muttered, getting into the calash after Soza.
"Perhaps we should inform Colonel Kel that the lieutenant's services won't be needed. We have more people than we need, after all."
Karik's head jerked up in surprise – it had been agreed that neither of them should make any judgement at all on the soldiers until Arman had a chance to look them over. "Isn't he the one with the most experience in Andon? And he speaks fluent Andonese – I don't think we can afford to let personalities come into it. If he's the best man for the job, I don't care if I like him or he likes me."
Soza laughed and leant forward to clap his hand on Karik's shoulder. "Perhaps you're right, but I wonder if he would be so logical. Somehow I suspect he's of a rather narrow intellect – unimaginative. All right if he needs to deal with beasts or travelling, but you don't need a clever mind for that."
Karik, whose own father dealt almost entirely in those matters, and who still managed to be one of the most broadly intelligent men he'd ever encountered, forbore from pointing out the two things were not mutually exclusive. The man himself was still talking to his colleagues, and totally ignoring Karik and Soza. Great arse, he thought. He hoped his uncle would find a good reason to turn him down.
While Soza went to see Master Jezinke and report on their meeting, Karik went to where their stores were being readied for transport to the ship. There was a good deal to be taken, though nothing like as much as there was before Karik had diffidently explained to Soza how very different it was working in the field, and that really, books were going to be a hindrance, not a help. There was still no getting away from the need for vast quantities of note books, ink, pencils, pens, labels, paper wallets for plant material, and many, many small cloth bags for seeds which was the one thing they had to bring back if at all possible. Karik was still rather dismayed by the volume of it all – when the bags and wallets were full, they would take up even more room, although they were planning to send material back in stages which should ameliorate the problem.
Since his mentor was unused to field work, Karik felt it wasn't unreasonable of him to take some of the comforts that Karik had long ago eschewed in favour of easy travel. His own personal gear was rather more modest, being just a single pack and a bedroll. When he had first set out collecting for Kei, both his father and Arman had given him useful advice on how to minimize the amount he had to hump from place to place, and how to travel in relative comfort while still keeping his belongings in a single pack. The flysheet he used for shelter from wind and rain was the only other thing he normally took, but on this trip he would have the luxury of a tent, one of the large ones used by the Andonese military. He couldn't help feeling a little decadent for travelling so wastefully. But this mission was on such a large scale compared to his own little forays that perhaps such feelings were unnecessary. He couldn't wait to get on with it. He wished he was on the ship and a-sail already – apart from anything else, it would be just nine days until he would see his parents again, and his uncles, and Reis and Seiki and Mila and Jes.
Soza took longer than Karik was expecting – the drivers were starting to grumble about there not being enough time to reach the ship if they didn't hurry – but finally he came in, all smiles and apologies. "Sorry, the master wanted my advice. Are we all ready?"
"Yes, we should really go."
"Fine. Then I'll head straight down to the ship in the calash and speak to the captain and meet you there. Let's hope our soldiers know where to go and are on time."
In Karik's experience, punctuality was definitely not something one had to worry about with the army. Soza left him to it, and the two carts were quickly hitched. Karik rode down alongside them to the docks on a beast, and then watched as the carts were efficiently unloaded and the boxes and sacks carried up the gangplank. Soza, already on the boat, watched anxiously as the items were carried on board, and fussed about their disposal, wondering if things would be kept dry, or if they would be mixed up with other goods. Karik reassured him that the stores would be fine and would arrive perfectly safely – the ship's captain was a personal friend of his Pa's and his vessel had been chosen for its reliability and excellent reputation.
Soza gave him a rueful smile. "Forgive me, Karik, I can't help but be anxious. It seems such a enormous thing that we're doing."
"It is, but it's still something that many people have done before us in different ways. It'll be fine. Have you been shown our cabin?"
Soza's expression darkened. "I have, and I'm not impressed. I was told that we were to be given first class accommodation. What we have isn't fit to keep an urs beast in. I've complained to the captain but he says there's nothing better on board. Hardly what I call acceptable. If so many other people would not be inconvenienced, I would insist we remove ourselves and wait until a ship meeting our requirements was in dock."
"Oh, I'm sorry." Karik was puzzled – with Captain Temu being his Pa's friend, he was surprised he would pull a trick like this. "Can I see it?"
"Follow me."
Karik did so, wondering what could have happened. Even a large ship of this size would usually only have one, at most two, first-rank passenger cabins, which were charged accordingly, but their passage had been booked some time ago, and Temu had seemed very grateful to get the business. If it were left to himself, Karik would not have bothered with a cabin, but someone of Soza's importance, not to mention his inexperience, could not be expected to bunk with the soldiers in the hold. Had Temu mismanaged things and booked another passenger for the best cabin? It was possible, Karik supposed.
When they got to the accommodation deck, Soza threw open the cabin door. "Do you see? How are the two of us supposed to sleep in this?"
Karik blinked. He walked around the well-appointed, neatly made cabin, sat on the comfortable bunk, and then looked up at his companion. "I don't understand the problem, Soza."
"It's minute! There's no room to move, the beds are hard and narrow, and there's just that one tiny window! Impossible conditions, impossible!"
Karik bit his lip. "Um, actually... this is the nicest cabin I've ever seen. I think it's probably finer than the captain's."
Soza stopped pacing and stared. "You're surely not serious. There's barely room to turn around!"
Karik really didn't know what to say. Compared with living in a tent, this was luxury, and he'd travelled on enough ships now to know this was well above the normal standard. "Well, there usually isn't much space on a boat anyway. The captain hasn't tried to cheat us, I assure you. If you want more room, I could bunk with the soldiers. It's what I normally would do."
Soza wiped his brow, and then gave Karik a bright smile. "I'm revealing my lack of experience, aren't I? I'm sorry, it was just nothing like what I was expecting."
Karik smiled back reassuringly. "That’s how I felt, the first time I was on a boat." Although that cabin had been much smaller and far less nicely done out than this. Still, to the new traveller, he understood the surprise. "You get used to it, and really, the space is well thought out. You will find it's much more comfortable than you imagine, and in rough weather, you'll be glad the cabin isn't bigger, and that the window can't let in the rain more than it does."
Soza gulped. "It gets that bad?"
"It can do, though the route from here to Darshek is one of the safest in Periter, I've been told. Only very inexperienced captains or small and poorly constructed boats come to grief, and Captain Temu is a very good man, so my father says. My uncle...I mean, Lord Arman, also recommended him."
"Ah. Well, if his lordship is happy with him, then so shall I be. Well, we're finally here," he said with a grin. "Excited?"
"Very. We've got hours before we sail though – if you wanted to go back on shore, there's time."
"No, no, best get used to it. I'll need your guidance, I'm afraid," he added mournfully.
"That won't be a problem, Soza."
Much as Karik hoped, Soza's annoyance quickly turned to fascination with the clever way shipbuilders dealt with the twin difficulties of lack of space and constant, often violent motion. In fact, by the time he was done, and had shown his mentor the galley and explained how food could be cooked in all but the very worst weather, Soza had declared himself very impressed. "It seems a very fine ship, just as you said, Karik. I gather not all are like this."
"No, this is a large, modern boat. I've travelled on much smaller ones, and one that was older, and less comfortable. We'll do very well."
"Wonderful," he said, clapping his hand on Karik's shoulder. "Well, perhaps I'll go down and read for a bit."
Karik thought he would let Soza get used to the cabin, and said he would see him later. Besides, he wanted to explore. After his first disastrous experience on a boat, he'd never expected to enjoy being on water again, but in fact he had come to like sailing, and to appreciate the skill of sailors and the fine thing that a good boat was to have under one's feet. The fact that he had excellent sea legs helped, of course. Poor Gyo had sworn never to set foot on a boat again so long as he lived, and Karik could hardly blame him – his two journeys had been marked by the most awful seasickness. Gyo was never going to make a good sailor no matter how much sedative he took to ease the illness.
He went up on deck to walk around, fascinated as ever by the sailors as they prepared the ship to depart, and the activities on the dock as the rest of the stores were brought on board. Food and water were always the last things on and now crates of fowls, sacks of vegetables, beans and lem flour, and barrels of beer were being shouldered and carried up the gang-plank by wiry-muscled men.
"Karik?"
He turned, and smiled at Captain Temu, who came closer and shook his hand. "Thank you for having us on board, Temu."
"It's a pleasure, Karik. I'm sorry your friend isn't satisfied with the cabin – there's really nothing more I can do, it's the best we have on board."
Karik dismissed the apology with a wave of his hand. "I explained. He's just never been on a ship before."
"Ah, now I understand. But you're going to Andon with someone that inexperienced? Is that wise?"
Karik knew Temu was only asking out of kind concern. "He's a very clever man, and there will be plenty of us with enough experience to help him. It'll be fine. Pa sends his regards, by the way."
"Good, good – will I be seeing him soon? It has to be eight, nine months since I did, I think. Yes, easily nine."
"He and Ma are going to be in Darshek when we dock. He said to tell you that he expects you to pay up on that bet."
Temu grinned. "I've got the beer all laid down for him. It'll be good to see him. He doesn't get to Darshek that often any more."
"Not since he took Gyo on, no. He keeps his hand in, though."
"I'm sure. Reji was never one for the quiet life. Well, I better make sure things are settling down – but you and your friend must have dinner with me in my cabin after we're under way."
"It'd be a pleasure, Temu, thank you."
Karik watched the captain head towards the wheelhouse. Hearing someone mention his Pa made him homesick all over again. He'd spoken to his parents just two weeks before, but there was really nothing like seeing them in the flesh. He was hoping Gyo would be coming up with them as well, though Pa hadn’t been sure when Karik had spoken to him.
He watched the loading activity for another hour or so – the sun would be setting soon, and they would be sailing about an hour after that. An odd noise caught his attention and as he glanced down at the docks, he realised it was a group of soldiers marching in time, led by his nemesis. He had to admit the man cut a fine figure in his uniform, marching proudly up to the watch station and disappearing briefly inside – to report as his colonel had ordered, Karik presumed.
Moments later, the lieutenant re-emerged and then he and his men headed over to the gangplank to board. Karik decided to retreat – he really didn't want to clash with lieutenant Romi again, not twice in one day. Shame, really – he was quite a splendid example of the male form. Karik decided not to waste another minute thinking about the man, and went down to find more intellectual company.
It was with considerable regret that Karik discovered his mentor had a very fragile stomach. They'd not been under sail for more than two hours when Soza announced he felt queasy, and from the colour he was turning, Karik knew what to expect. Fortunately, he had, based on Kei's advice and his own experiences, packed a generous supply of nerf leaf tea, and quickly brewed up a batch. Soza cared very little for the taste, but it did at least enable him to get a good night's rest. However, the rolling motion of the ship, which was actually rather gentle in Karik's experience, wasn't going to stop until they got to Darshek, and it seemed that Soza couldn't tolerate it at all.
Unfortunately, the nerf leaf tea revolted him, and he could only bear it with copious amounts of honey and tidbits of food to help it go down. His appetite was depressed anyway, so it was something of a struggle to find something from the galley that would tempt him. He was so miserable and helpless that Karik couldn't begrudge the effort, and he spent the day keeping him company, and reassuring him that no, he really wasn't going to die. Karik just hoped they didn't hit any bad weather on the route.
Over the next day, the wind strengthened and Karik noticed that there were fewer people about when he went to the galley for food or tea. When he ran into one of the soldiers coming to Darshek, the man confirmed that several of their people were laid low with seasickness as well. When Karik learned they had no nerf leaf at all, he gladly supplied them, although he was annoyed at the lack of forethought. He knew the drug wasn't much favoured by the army because there was a tendency for some soldiers to abuse it, but since the academy in Darshek had recommended the treatment in cases of motion sickness, he would have thought the southern army could have approved its use in such limited circumstances. His supply was more than enough to cope, fortunately. He could replenish his stock in Darshek, and would certainly need more, since the journey to Andon was longer and bound to be plagued by rough seas.
He brought a covered mug of broth and some hard bread back to the cabin – Soza needed to eat, at least a little. But at the sight of the food, he covered his mouth and looked about to throw up again, so Karik hastily set it aside. "Just the tea," Soza moaned. "Why didn't anyone warn me about this?"
"Well, no one would have known if you were susceptible or not," Karik said, pouring out some freshened tea and passing it to his mentor. Soza looked dreadful after just two days. Perhaps once he drank the tea, he would be able to take the food – nerf leaf on its own for too long was bad for a person, and hardly nutritious. "You really should try the soup," he urged.
"I can't, I'll throw up. Take it away," he said petulantly. "Just let me sleep."
"Are you sure there's nothing I can get you?"
"Poison – I want to die."
Karik bit his lip so he didn't laugh – poor Soza. "I think that would be a great loss to science," he said gravely. "I'll leave you alone for a bit. Try to sleep. Most people adjust and get their sea legs after a couple of days."
Soza just groaned and waved at him to leave. Karik collected the food and took it up onto deck to eat. He was hungry after all.
It was cold up on deck, but clean and fresh after spending the day in the foetid air of the cabin, and Karik felt a guilty relief at being freed from nursing duty, however briefly. He found a place out of the wind, sipped the warm soup as he huddled down into his coat. There was little moonlight, the new moon being only four days past, and the stars shone brilliant against the night. He'd always liked the stars ever since he'd been a child. He could watch them for ages, trying to make patterns with them in his imagination.
He'd been sitting there for a few minutes before he realised he wasn't alone on deck. Of course there were sailors, but what he'd taken for a fixed lamp some distance to his left, was actually a free-floating flame. He was so surprised, he blurted out without thinking, "Oh, you're a fire-shaper!"
His unknown companion turned and to Karik's embarrassment, he realised it was the dread lieutenant Romi. "Yes, didn't you know that?"
Karik came a little closer and leaned on the rail. "No, it wasn't in the report on you. My Pa's a fire-shaper."
The frown that had come across Romi's face as he'd turned towards Karik, was replaced by a puzzled expression. "But the Prij don't have gifts."
"Uh, I meant my adoptive father. Reji of Ai-Albon. My Ma's gifted too."
"Oh. I don't think I've ever heard of a gifted person being able to adopt before."
Karik decided now was as good a time as any to try and mend things with this man, with whom he most likely would have to work for months. "It's a bit complicated," he said. "I think fire-shaping is a wonderful gift. I've always wished I had it."
"So people say. But they don't have any idea what it's actually like to be gifted," Romi said with surprising bitterness.
"Yes, that's what my uncle Kei says. He's a soul-toucher."
Romi arched an eyebrow at him, his handsome features thrown into sharp relief by his flame. "Is there anyone in your family who's not gifted?"
"Well, there's uncle Arman. I suppose it is unusual – they're all adopted relatives, though."
"What about your real parents? They're Prijian?"
"Of course. I don't know who my father is. My mother lives in Utuk. I don't...I don't have any contact with her."
"Ah." That seemed to have exhausted the other man's conversational abilities. Karik almost groaned – this man was a hard nut to crack. But then Romi turned to him again. "Thanks for the nerf leaf. Two of our people have been pretty sick today. It was a real relief to the poor sods to be able to stop puking."
"You're welcome. I was just surprised the southern army isn't issued it for sea travel."
To his surprise, Romi looked embarrassed. "We are, but because none of our medics is the medic, none of them thought to apply for a stock."
"So, just a logistical glitch?"
"Yes. You caught us with our pants down – almost literally."
Karik smiled at the joke. "I was just glad to help. My best friend gets seasick, I know it's horrible."
"Soza, you mean?"
"No, my friend Gyo, in the village. He works with my Pa now."
Romi nodded. "Miss them much?"
"All the time," Karik said with feeling. "But at least I'll get to see Ma and Pa in Darshek, maybe even Gyo. I have other good friends up there too. It's been a long time since I saw them and my family."
"Fortunate for you. I don't see mine more than once a year, if that. They're from near Ai-Vinri – do you know it?"
"Yes, I do. I spent a week there last year. I thought it would be awkward since they have this ban on the Prij, but they accepted my naturalisation and I was made very welcome."
"Glad to hear it. You're confusing, you do realise – a Prij from Ai-Albon?"
"You're hardly the first person to say so," Karik said wryly. "I'm sorry about before – it's just tiresome trying to explain to people that actually I speak Darshianese as well as they do. I speak both languages now, it makes no difference to me."
"Well, I'm sorry too," Romi said with a sudden charming smile and flash of perfect teeth. "I should have asked, since you were at the Academy. I must have seemed like a pompous bastard."
"Um...."
"Maybe you better not answer that."
"All right," Karik said with a grin. "And you speak Andonese? I've been hoping to practice it some more – I have a terrible accent, Master Jezinke said."
"Care to demonstrate?" Romi said, asking in Andonese.
"Now I have to think of something to say."
"Well, tell me about your family. You have parents – sister, brother?"
"No, I'm an only child. I have cousins, all adoptive. Oh, and my daughter," he added with a smile, thinking of Jes. She would be walking by now.
"Daughter? Where's her mother?"
"In Darshek, of course." Karik frowned. Romi's expression had gone cold again, just as he'd thought they were getting on so well. He switched back to Darshianese, just in case he was saying something other than what he meant to. "Did I say something wrong?"
"No." Romi straightened up and doused his little fire sprite. "But you'll have to excuse me. I just recalled that there was something I needed to do." And with no further hesitation, the man walked off, pulling his cloak around him and over his hair.
What in hells? Karik stared after the man, trying to work out what he'd said that could have made things deteriorate so quickly. So much for practicing his Andonese, let alone making friends with that man. What an arse he was.
Romi couldn't get away from that little shit fast enough. Just when he'd thought that he'd misjudged the man, he revealed that he was even more deceitful than Romi had thought. So, what had he done? Abandoned his lover for Soza? Was he planning to just walk back into his family's life after spending six months or more fucking the man, and not tell them what he'd been doing? Or was the poor woman about to receive the kind of bad news that Romi himself had had so recently?
After his and Kepi's experience, and now this, Romi was beginning to think no one believed in honour or trust at all. Were there no faithful lovers any more? At least with his soldiers, he knew in a crisis they would back him all the way, and that none would ever betray him, not over the slightest matter. Brothers and sisters in arms, more loyal than real siblings, some of them. He wrenched his angry thoughts away from the unpleasant revelations he'd just heard, and went down to the passenger hold to see if he could make his sick colleagues a little more comfortable.
All was quiet. The seasick soldiers were sleeping peacefully in their bunks, and Netu reported they were doing much better since they'd had the tea, a fact that reminded Romi of Karik and made him clench his jaw. "Have you had your supper, Netu?"
"Not yet."
"Then clear off and get some fresh air and have a break. I'll watch things."
"Thanks, Romi. I won't be long."
"Take the time you need, it's not like I've got anything else to do."
Netu grinned and left. Romi took up his place on the hard little stool. It wasn't strictly necessary to watch the sleeping soldiers, and there were others in their group around, but he was feeling guilty over the omission which had meant they had had to borrow basic medical supplies. True, he'd not been placed in official command until quite late in the day, and that only to get the soldiers down to the docks in good time, but he was the officer in charge – actually, the only officer – in the group, and really, if he'd not been so worried about looking like a fool in front of what turned out to be a pair of fools themselves, he'd have done his job and made damn sure that someone had been thinking about things like medical supplies.
"Sorry, Kepi," he murmured, placing his hand on his sleeping friend's arm. Kepi wasn't the worst sailor, but the wind had been picking up in strength and the seas had been high all day. Romi had watched Kepi turning green, Netu hastily preparing tea and honey in a futile attempt to stave off the inevitable nausea, and even then, he'd not thought to ask Karik or Soza if they had nerf leaf. He'd taken his eye off his duty and his people had suffered for it. That had been inexcusable, and he would not allow it to happen again.
On paper, this mission had seemed such a good idea. But the actual people involved meant there were problems built in right from the start – the inexperience of the scientific leader being one of them. The relationship between the two scientists was another worrying factor – what if the two lovers had a falling out? It couldn't be a healthy thing that it was based on the ashes of Karik's other relationship, and what about the child? What if Karik decided to leave Soza, or leave the mission, to return to care for her?
A lot would depend on who was in overall charge of things, and how much authority they had. Civilians giving orders to soldiers was a very bad idea even when they were competent, and Romi had so far not been convinced Soza was. Karik, he would reserve judgement on, though it wasn't looking good. Andon was a poor choice for someone getting their very first field experience, and Soza struck him as exactly the kind of arrogant arse who would get himself into trouble at the first opportunity. If he was to be the one to dictate matters on which his safety and that of the team depended, then that was unacceptable. Romi intended to say this to Lord Arman if he got the choice, even if he was sacked from the team as a result – but if that happened, he'd be urging his fellow soldiers to boycott the entire thing. A few plants weren't worth losing good people over.
For now, his job was to ensure that everyone got to Darshek in one piece. As the weather worsened, even the hardier sailors among them began to succumb, lying helpless in their beds and turning over only to puke into the buckets that now sat by every stack of bunks, or into bowls held tightly against their chests. Netu and Romi struggled to care for them, making sure they had enough liquid and sedatives, but on the fourth morning, Netu suddenly went pale, throwing up his small amount of breakfast and collapsing onto a stool before Romi helped him to his bunk to lie down.
Romi was truly worried now – what if this wasn't seasickness at all? What if it was an infection? Netu was so hot – surely that wasn't normal. He had no medical training, and there was only one sailor who acted as unofficial ship's surgeon – when Romi asked him for advice, he said he didn't know, and couldn't really help if it wasn't just ordinary seasickness.
Watching the soldiers groaning, pale faced and wretched in their bunks, he knew he had to do something, but the only thing left to try was to ask the scientists. He stalked up to the next deck and found the passenger cabin, rapping on the door with possibly more vehemence than was necessary. Even so, the response was slow, which irritated him, but when the door opened, he realised the delay had not been a deliberate slight. Karik looked very tired and dishevelled, as if he'd been woken up, or had been at least trying to rest. "Lieutenant...is something wrong?"
"All our people are sick and I'm worried about them. I wanted to know if you or Soza had any medical training."
"He doesn't, and he's sick too. But I'm trained as a healer. Give me a minute and I'll come down." He left the door open, but Romi didn't enter. From the doorway, he could smell the now familiar stench of vomit and general illness, which was enough to make even a healthy man sick. Over on the lower bunk, he saw Karik speaking to Soza, who had his arm over his eyes and seemed to be uninterested in whatever Karik was saying. Then Karik came back over to Romi and closed the door behind him.
"Has he been like that for long?"
"Since we set sail, more or less."
Karik had been caring for him all this time? They must be in love, Romi thought sardonically.
"Are your medics sick?" Karik asked.
"All of them are. They're so ill, and I don't know what to do for them. I don't even know if this is just seasickness."
"It probably is, but I'll do what I can. I don't have a lot of practical experience as a healer, I'm sorry."
He sounded so weary that Romi bit back any sarcastic comment he might have been inclined to make. It wasn't as if the man had claimed to be a healer, so he couldn't hold that against him.
The passenger hold was every bit as vile as the cabin, but Karik didn't flinch. "Which one is the worst, do you think? Who's been sickest the longest, or who was struck down most quickly?"
Romi was momentarily confused, since he hadn't thought about things that way. "Netu was doing fine until this morning, then he just collapsed and threw up."
Karik asked him to fetch clean water, soap and a towel, carefully washing his hands before going to Netu. He checked his pulse, his eyes, his breathing and his temperature, then asked Romi about the symptoms and the sequence of events. He washed his hands again, then looked at the other soldiers just as methodically. Finally, he drew Romi aside. "Netu has an infection, most likely some transitory illness but it might be contagious – I'll see if there's somewhere he can be placed away from the others. The others are just seasick – what are you giving them?"
"Salt ipo tea and honey, nerf leaf tea every few hours. None of them want to eat."
Karik grimaced. "Not surprising. Use the nerf leaf as little as you can, and not for Netu at all. You must wash your hands before and after tending to him, and keep any of his waste away from the others. There's little we can do but help people endure. The ipo tea is good, give that to them as much as you can. Difficult with six of you to look after." He bit his lip. "Let me speak to Captain Timu about a place for Netu, and then I'll do what I can to help. I'd suggest our cabin, but it's just Soza's very sick and can't do anything for himself at all, and I think it would just make him worse if I suggested he came down here as well."
"I'll manage, if you can't help."
"I'm sure," Karik said tiredly. "Get some fresh air in here, and empty the waste buckets, will you? Wash your hands after, as I said. I'll come back shortly."
Romi was a little taken aback at the authoritative way he'd just been ordered about, but there was no point in being prickly about trivial matters of pride – all that mattered was the health of the team.
Karik was longer than he'd said, but when he returned, he said that he had arranged matters so that the first mate would share the cabin with Soza for the time being, and the mate's cabin would become Netu's sick room, and that of anyone else who might fall ill from the same thing. The captain was anxious that, whatever the illness was, it should not spread through his crew. For that reason, Karik would care for Netu alone, and sleep in that room, at least until Netu was well and the chance of infection had passed. The captain would ask his sailors to help if they could, and Karik would try to give advice if needed.
Romi had to admit it was a relief to have things so quickly and sensibly arranged. In matters of health and illness, he knew only the basics of emergency care and hygiene, though like all soldiers, he'd been issued a small book on how to deal with everything from blisters to field surgery which he had made sure to study carefully. It was pure luck that Karik had not been felled by seasickness too, and Romi was grateful for that good fortune.
The bad weather continued for three days, and he ran himself ragged attending to his sick colleagues. Every so often a sailor would turn up and offer to fetch tea, or sluice out buckets which took the pressure off him a little – he was developing a new respect for healers, if they had to do this all the time.
The storms passed and within an hour of the rain stopping, Taz was feeling well enough to leave his bed. Soon several of the others were up too, all pale and fragile, but able to keep down soup and look after themselves. Kepi was the last to recover, but he was so weak, the now recovered medics forbade him from leaving his bed, in case he just passed out.
It was the following morning before Romi saw Netu again, looking decidedly weak and weary as he walked into the passenger hold. Taz exclaimed at the state of him and made him sit.
"Gods, Netu, should you be up?" Romi demanded.
Netu shrugged. "I'm a lot better, and they wanted the cabin back. That Soza fellow didn't like sharing with the first mate, apparently. Karik's gone back to look after him."
Romi made a disgusted noise. "He said he'd look after you – if I'd known he was going to run off after that bastard...."
Netu held up a hand to silence him. "Romi, it's all right. I told him to. He's been running back and forth between the two of us and he's exhausted. I was much better yesterday but he told me to rest until we were sure the infection was gone. I'm not complaining."
Romi grunted – perhaps he'd been too hasty. "Well, you rest now. If we get more bad weather, everyone will be hit by this again and I'll need you." He looked at the team. None of them, including himself, were anything like ready for duty. There wasn't anything more he could do. It was still another two days to Darshek, though the most storm-ridden part of the journey was likely over.
The team were so tired that they spent much of the day in their bunks, dozing or sleeping. Romi slept a good five hours before waking near sunset, hungry and refreshed as he had not felt in days. He found he'd been deserted – the others had to be up getting fresh air or finding solid food. He lit a fire sprite and decided that before he ate, he desperately needed to wash at least his neck and face. He went on deck to where barrels of rain water were kept for that purpose, now full to overflowing with the weather they'd had. He shuddered as the freezing water hit his skin, and he hastily rubbed it dry with his shirt.
"It's a little too cold for that, don't you think?"
He turned, still wiping the water from his face. "Maybe, but I couldn't stand being dirty any longer. I'd kill for a bath." Karik was standing at the rail, his coat pulled around him and a scarf covering his pale hair. He looked rather drawn and pale in the dying sunlight. "Are you all right? You've not taken Netu's illness, I hope."
"No, I'm not sick. Just tired. I wanted some air. I should go back though."
He started to walk away but stopped when Romi put his hand on his arm. "Wait...I wanted to thank you for your help, especially with Netu. We're very grateful."
"It's nothing. We're all part of a team, we need to help each other."
"True. Pity your friend Soza doesn't think like that."
He felt Karik go rigid under his arm, and then the man pulled away from him. "You're very harsh in your judgements, lieutenant," he said in a low voice. "And yet you know nothing about the people who you condemn. Soza's never travelled on a boat, or been this ill before. You may not make an allowance for that – I do."
"He's not the only one who's sick, but he's the only one demanding special favours."
Karik's eyes narrowed. "You are so ready to criticise. Perhaps the rest of us don't appreciate being held to your standards in that manner. Good night."
And then he walked quickly away and disappeared into the stairwell. Romi stood watching him go, rather shocked at the sharpness of Karik's response. But then of course he was defending his lover. Romi should have had more sense than to expect Karik to agree with him. He shook his head at the foolishness of someone who was making such a mess of his life, and then went in search of his supper and more rational company.
As Karik went to find refuge in the stores hold, he wasn't sure what was worse – having to listen to that enormous arse criticising his friend, or that the enormous arse was right, damn him. He'd only gone up on deck because it was either that or snap at a sick man, and he knew that would be neither wise nor kind. But then of course he had to encounter he who knew everything. Couldn't even make a simple thank you without adding a derogatory comment – the fact it was justified and for once, not aimed at him, made no difference. Karik was beginning to regret not encouraging Soza to turn Romi away, however much he grudgingly admired the way he had looked after his men, and spotted something was wrong with Netu despite his lack of training. The man was going to foment ill-feeling. He already had done.
He rubbed his forehead and climbed up on some sacks of beans and flour, so tired he could barely see straight, and needing to get away from everyone and everything for a few hours or he was going to become homicidal. He knew it wasn't Soza's fault he was ill, and he was making allowances for that and his inexperience, but the man seemed to be incapable of even trying to help himself. Gods, Netu had been much more sick for a day or so, and even then he'd been apologetic about Karik having to clean up his messes – that when he couldn't even lift his head from the pillow without vomiting, poor man. Karik was sure if Soza got off his bunk, especially now the weather had improved so much, he might find the ship's motion much less troubling. The sailors had assured him that seasickness was much worse if you stayed below deck, but Soza had refused to move at all. And now Karik, perhaps only because he was so desperately weary and irritated with life, was starting to question Soza's fitness for the role of scientific leader of the mission.
Rather, he amended scrupulously, he questioned whether he could lead the mission. The tantrum that Soza had thrown over the presence of the first mate in the cabin had been deeply embarrassing, and even though the mate didn't seem to blame Karik for it, Karik's attempts to explain and apologise had been met by polite scepticism. That Captain Temu would undoubtedly hear about it made it worse, but the fact remained that Soza was being completely unreasonable. Netu had been very sick and needed to be isolated. Karik, Temu – even that arse – had known that it was necessary, but Soza had refused to listen. This was not a good sign, he thought.
He didn't know what to do. Master Jezinke had been the one to insist on Soza's presence on the mission as its leader, and Kei, who with Karik had been the one to draw up plans for the expedition while Karik was still in training, had bowed to that, though he'd freely admitted to knowing nothing of Soza. Now Karik was in the uncomfortable position of not being able to wholeheartedly support Soza, but at the same time, not wanting to cause offence and dissension.
He covered his eyes with his arm, wishing the headache would go away. If someone asked him directly if Soza should be in charge, he supposed he would have to be honest. But hopefully Arman and Kei would be able to arrange things so Soza could be left to do what he was good at, and the logistical matters could be placed in someone else's hands. Even Romi's hands, he thought with a scowl.
He sighed and got comfortable. It was so much simpler when he was collecting off on his own. He wished he could just head off on a beast and roam Andon as he had in Darshian, answering to no one and making his own decisions. He thought this present mission would still succeed, if it had the right management – he just wasn't expecting to like the experience much. And with that gloomy thought, he decided to stop thinking and get some sleep.
Twelve hours later, he felt a lot more cheerful. Some uninterrupted sleep had helped, and when he returned to their cabin, Karik was surprised to see Soza sitting up. "Feeling better?" he asked politely, helping Soza to straighten up.
"Yes, I do. Karik, I apologise. I behaved atrociously last night."
"I understood, you're unwell."
"You're being far too kind. But the nerf leaf tea is making me so tired and irritable, and I sometimes can't tell if I'm awake or dreaming. It makes it very hard to control my actions."
Karik, having been unwillingly dosed with the stuff years ago, knew the drug had some rather unpleasant after-effects. "Do you think you might be able to stop taking it now? The weather is much better."
"I'm going to try. I want to get up – perhaps you're right, if I got some fresh air, it would help."
Karik was only too happy to help his friend leave his bed, and settle him in a comfortable spot before fetching him his first real meal in days. Once Soza was on deck, wrapped in his warm coat and sipping some of the ship's excellent broth (the cook on board was a genius, Karik thought – the food was some of the best he'd ever been served on a boat), he looked a lot more cheerful. "Well, this is wonderful," he said, as he looked out over the ocean, which was indeed looking beautiful under the bright sun. "Oh, dolphins!"
Karik had seen the dolphins playing in the ship's wake many times, but he still found them a delight, as did many of the sailors who thought they brought good luck. "There's lots to see even out here, if you look. Later on they'll be netting fish – they've caught some species I've not seen before."
"Always the scientist," Soza said fondly. "I wish someone could find a cure for seasickness though. I'm dreading the trip to Andon. You said it gets rough?"
"So my uncle Arman says. But I plan to speak to uncle Kei about what we can do to make you more comfortable, and this time, I hope our soldiers are going to be properly supplied with the medicines they need."
"Ah yes, that was an unfortunate lapse, and it does seem extraordinary they had nothing for infection in their kit. I shall need to keep a close eye on the outfitting, I can see that." Karik said nothing. The outfitting needed to be handled by someone who knew what they were doing, and Soza could have no idea what was required. "You must be looking forward to seeing your uncles again."
"Very much. Uncle Kei is just a wonderful man, a great scientist, a talented healer. I sometimes don't know who I want to be more like – my Pa or him. Both, I guess," he added with a grin.
"And your uncle, his lordship?"
"Oh, I admire him too, but I could never hope to be anything like Arman. He's like a god, almost – he's so tall and brave and his mind is so sharp. He can cut through any problem with just a few words. He can seem rather terrifying, although he's actually very kind underneath it all."
"I look forward to meeting him then. You know, this broth is very good."
It was by far the best day of the journey. Soza insisted on staying out in the fresh air, which suited Karik just fine – with just another day to go, he felt the worst had to be over. And now Soza was showing the side of himself with which Karik was more familiar, his own natural optimism was returning. Perhaps it would be an enjoyable expedition after all. Even the occasional sighting of lieutenant Romi, who just gave him a rather cold look whenever he saw Karik, didn't dampen his spirits. Soldiers could be tedious bores, he knew that from past experience, but that didn’t mean they were incompetent. So long as Romi and the others did the job they were being asked to, Karik wouldn't care what opinion they had about him in private – and if they didn't keep it private, he'd have no hesitation in telling them to do so. He wasn't going to silently suffer the contempt of someone who knew nothing about him. He'd had more than enough of that in his twenty-one years, and he'd long ago decided the best course of action was to stand proud. Romi wasn't going to make him feel inadequate, because he wasn't inadequate.
He knew when they were getting close to Darshek because he suddenly heard Seiki's voice in his head as he was returning to the cabin to finish packing. Karik! You're nearly here.
Yes, we must be, he said, grinning to hear her welcome voice. The weather is fair, the wind is good, we should be in dock by sunset. Have my parents arrived?
Two days ago. Jena's been playing with her granddaughter.
Karik grinned. Well that will leave you more time with Mila. I can't wait to see you all again, Seiki. I've missed you.
So have we, Karik. We're going to have the biggest party here at the house when you arrive.
Not the first night, Seiki, please, I need a bath.
Not the first night, silly. But the second for sure – Reis is beside himself with excitement.
Karik could imagine. Reis was so enthusiastic about the things he liked, and Karik was assuredly one of those. It would be so good to see them all again – he had so many wonderful friends in Darshek. Is Gyo with Ma and Pa?
He sure is. Kei's house is bursting at the seams! He said to let you know that your friend has been given accommodation at the Rulers' House. He hoped that would be all right – there's just no room at their home.
I'll explain. How is Jes – is she walking?
Yes, a little, and she's starting to talk, can you believe? Jena thinks she's saying actual words, though it sounds like babble to me. Mila's not sure. But she's beautiful, Karik. I love her so much.
How could she not be beautiful with you two as parents? I don't suppose she'll remember me.
She'll probably think you're Arman, because of the hair, Seiki said with a chuckle. She's discovered his braid makes a very good handhold. She'll use anyone's but for some reason, she particularly loves his.
Ouch. Poor Arman. His uncle wasn't very fond of children, and Karik wondered how he was dealing with it.
Oh, he doesn't seem to mind. He's very good with her, even looks after her in his office from time to time.
Arman does?
Yes, he does. Funny, isn't it? Kei's still besotted of course, but I wasn't expecting Arman to be at all interested. People are strange, don't you think?
Well, we knew that, Seiki.
They chatted a little longer, then Seiki said she was needed, so closed the link. Karik would see them soon enough. It sounded as if Mila and Seiki wanted their second child as soon as Karik was able to help – he wondered if they would want to attempt it while he was in Darshek this time, or wait until he got back. Of course, they might find another willing assistant, but somehow Karik thought this was unlikely. Dealing with a fourth set of grandparents would be too much to think about.
Oh well, he would find out everything soon. After being immersed in study and research for six months, and spending much of the previous two years before that in solitary collecting, he was looking forward to some time just being a son, a nephew, and a friend.
Soza had restored the cabin to order, Karik was glad to see. "My friend the mind-speaker has just been in contact. I'm to tell you that rooms have been prepared for you at the Rulers' House."
"The Rulers' House? My word, such an honour!"
That wasn't the reaction Karik had been expecting, but since Soza was inclined to see it that way, and not as the insult it might otherwise appear, Karik didn't explain it was simply because there wasn't enough room for him at Kei's house. "The apartments are very comfortable there, and it's just across the square from the Academy, quite convenient."
"Yes, indeed, and when Lord Arman wishes to consult with me about the mission, I shall be right there," he said with a satisfied smile. "Another example of his excellent planning."
"Er, yes, it is." Karik thought it had probably been Kei's idea, but he decided not to mention that. "I'm not sure when he's going to hold the interviews. He might want to let the soldiers have a day or two to rest. You might like that too," he suggested diffidently. Soza looked pale and haggard – travelling on a ship wasn't going to make anyone look at their best.
"There's no time to be slack, young Karik. We must ensure the soldiers are properly trained in collecting techniques. We must be able to trust their samples."
As it had only taken Karik two days to be trained in collecting methods, he doubted it would take the soldiers much longer – they didn't have to analyse the material, just be meticulous in recording where they found a specimen, and take the correct parts of the plant. But there was other training to be carried out as well, in which Karik would also participate – surveying techniques, map-making and meteorological observations were all to be learned by the entire team before they set out. Karik was looking forward to it, although not as much he might do if the dread lieutenant Romi had not been there.
Still, they had allowed three weeks for preparation, more than enough time, and Karik felt they could afford a couple of days to let people recover from the journey. He was certain once Soza got on shore, he would appreciate the importance of a little rest time too. The man was a hard worker, spending long hours at his papers, and several times since Karik had met him, had worked right through the night without even realising it. But that wasn't quite the same as working in the field, and Soza would not be able to force people to work at that pace.
But surely Soza, an intelligent and usually reasonable man, would understand all this. It was Karik's job to gently guide him with the benefit of his own experience, and complement his mentor's skills. The trick would be to do that without causing offence. Or letting an arse like Lieutenant Romi cause it for him. Now that would be the real challenge.
Chapter 3
Romi waited impatiently on deck as the ship came in to its berth. The journey had definitely been one of the least pleasant of his experience, and he would be glad to be on solid ground again, a sentiment his companions shared. There was already much slavering in anticipation of the first beer to be had in barracks, although Romi's own personal ambition was to have a long, thorough bath. He felt seedy and grimy, and relished the thought of clean clothes on clean skin. Roughing it had its place, and so did being neat and orderly. He was also looking forward to a workout – there just had been no way to exercise properly on board, and he missed it.
By the time the boat was secured in the dock, his companions were all assembled on deck. Karik and Soza had finally come out to join them – Karik was avoiding his eyes, as well he might, Romi thought. No doubt he was thinking of the reunion with his other lover and what lies to feed her. Romi ground his teeth a little in anger, thinking of the misery that little shit was about to cause some innocent woman. It wasn't as if Soza was worth it.
He forced himself to attend to his men. He could see an army captain waiting for them below, and a little way off a jesig-drawn calash bore a Ruler and another man – there to meet Karik and Soza, he assumed. Yes, there was the proof – Karik was waving to the calash passengers, one of whom had to be the notorious Prijian Ruler, Lord Arman. The other passenger, a Darshianese, was waving back enthusiastically. Now Karik and Soza were leaving the ship, so Romi ordered the men to follow suit, since no one had bothered to tell them what to do.
As soon as he was off the gangplank, the captain came over to them. Romi saluted. "Lieutenant Romi, Temshek Barracks. Here on the Andonese mission."
The captain returned his salute. "Welcome, I'm Tiko. You all look like you need a beer, a bath and a bed, am I right?"
Romi grinned. Already he liked this man. "Yes, you could well be."
"Then come this way – you know the barracks, Romi?"
"Yes, been there a couple of times on my way in and out of Andon." He glanced over at the calash – a reunion was taking place. He refused to give them the satisfaction of seeing his curiosity, and turned his attention back to Tiko. "How many of your people are coming on this, do you know?"
"Not sure – it's this way, if you recall – that's up to his lordship and Kei to decide. We weren't expecting seven of you – three or four were all we were hoping for. If you all pass muster, that leaves me more of my fellows here where it's nice and warm. I really don't envy you going up there at this time of year, you'll freeze your pissing balls off."
"Ah, see, we're made of sterner stuff in the south. We carry spare ones made out of jombeker hide." Tiko just grinned at the joke. "When do we get assessed?"
"Oh, a day or two. Arman...er, Lord Arman thought you might like to get your legs back under you. He understands what it's like on that route. Did you have bad weather?"
"Yes, and Netu," he said, indicating the medic who was taking up the rear, "had some sort of infection. That fellow, Karik, helped look after him."
To his surprise, Tiko's weathered face crinkled up in a fond smile. "He's a good lad, young Karik. A good man to have at your side, just like his uncle and his Pa."
Romi wondered if Tiko knew about Karik's double life, but it wasn't his job to enlighten him. "Anyway, Netu's been very ill, so a day or so to recover would be useful."
"I'll let his lordship know – he won't have a problem with that. Now, come along, gentlemen, we brew a fine beer in the barracks, let me tell you."
His Pa just about crushed the life out of him, and then it was Arman's turn, although his uncle was a little more dignified than his father. "Where's Ma?" Karik finally asked when he was released.
"Can't you guess?" Arman said dryly.
"Jes?"
"Of course." Arman cleared his throat. "And this would be Soza?"
Karik flushed. "Gods, sorry. Soza, let me introduce my father, Reji, and my uncle, Lord Arman."
Soza bowed low. "I am deeply honoured, your lordship."
Karik saw his father's eyebrows rise, and Arman cleared his throat again. "Ah, well, thank you. Has Karik explained about the accommodation?"
"Yes, indeed, and thank you for this kindness. It's unnecessary for someone as lowly as me."
Karik thought his father's eyebrows would reach his hairline at that remark. "Um, Pa, what about our supplies? We need to stow them."
"That's why I'm here, son. If you come with me, we'll speak to Temu. Soza can go to the House while we handle all that."
"I'll take Soza over there and come back for the two of you," Arman said.
"We could hitch a lift, uncle Arman," Karik said, not wanting to use a Ruler's calash like a cart for hire.
"Afraid not, nephew," Arman said with a smile. "I've been personally charged with getting you back to the house by Kei and your mother, and you know that it's worth more than my life to ignore their orders."
"Let him do as he wants, son," his Pa said, clapping him on the shoulder. "Thanks, Arman, we won't be long. An hour should see it all squared away."
"Yes, that's what I thought. Soza? If you would?"
Soza still seemed a little overwhelmed at the personal attendance of a Ruler, but he hastily gathered his packs and got into the calash. "I shall see you tomorrow, Karik?" he said as Arman climbed into the vehicle after him.
"I'll be at the academy – I'll come to the House first and collect you."
Soza gave him a smile for that, and then Arman ordered the calash to drive off.
"So, how was the trip?" Pa asked as they walked back over to the ship.
"I've had better – all the soldiers were sick, so was Soza. It was his first sea journey – not a great introduction."
"No, doesn't sound it. You're looking well, son. Looks like Urshek agreed with you."
"It was great, Pa. Darshek's a nice city and there's everyone here, but Master Jezinke is such a clever man, you can't imagine. I learned so much."
"I'm glad, son. I wished you were coming home for a few months, but this expedition is too good an opportunity to miss. Er...this Soza – sound, is he?"
Pa wasn't giving much away in his expression. "He's very knowledgeable, Pa – very well-respected."
"Good, good, glad to hear it. What about the soldiers you brought with you? Sound people?"
"They seem so," Karik said, keeping his tone as neutral as he could. "We didn't have a lot to do with them since Soza was so sick."
That got him a sharp glance from Pa. "Doesn’t sound much like you, Karik, not to find out what they're like."
"Well, they're soldiers, Pa. They don't really have much interest in the things I care about."
"Hmmm." He could tell Pa was unconvinced, but he really hoped he would drop it, because he wanted Arman and Kei to assess the soldiers on their own merits and not his prejudices. "Oy, Temu! You old rascal!"
The captain waved to them from the deck. Pa bounded up the gang plank like a man half his age, and the two men embraced as the long-time friends they were. Karik followed more sedately and found the two of them already deep in conversation about the expedition stores. "Right, then I think we're fine to take things to the barracks as we planned. Can you spare someone, Temu, or shall I ask Tiko to order some soldiers to help?"
"Oh, I think I can ask a few of the men. You don't need to supervise, Reji, I'm sure you want to get back to Jena with your son."
"I can spare you a few minutes, Temu. Besides, I want to make sure you don't skip out on the bet."
"You wound me, Reji. As if I would. Come on down to the hold. Karik, you can tell us what needs moving in what order."
Between the three men and Temu's competent crew, the supplies were efficiently extracted and sent on their way to the barracks for Tiko to take charge of. As they had a little time to spare before Arman returned, Temu invited them to sample a little Prijian wine from his private store before they went.
Temu wasn't going on shore like the rest of his crew were – he lived on the ship, and Pa had told Karik that he preferred its accommodation to the inns. He was a widower with a grown son and daughter who lived in south Darshian, so he had no ties and no need to please anyone but himself. He poured them small glasses of the dark wine, and handed one each to Karik and his father. "There you go. I was sorry we never had dinner together, Karik. You had a bad journey this time, I'm sorry."
"Not your fault, Temu. I was very grateful for your help."
"Not at all, my boy, you took charge of that sick soldier very efficiently. It was just a shame that your friend couldn't have been a little more understanding."
Karik flushed and hid his face in the glass. "He was sick too, Temu." He could tell his Pa was intensely curious about Temu's remarks and wished the captain hadn't mentioned it.
"Yes, I suppose so. I'm so used to my boat, I forget what it must be like for someone who's never been on one. I wasn't expecting to be taken to task over the quality of my cabin though. I've just had it refitted by the finest ship's carpenter in Urshek."
"It's very fine, Temu. I'm sorry about the misunderstanding." Shut up, Temu, he begged silently.
It seemed his pleas were heard by someone, because Pa lifted his glass and looked at the liquid in it. "Gods, Temu, who did you have to kill to get this? I swear even the Rulers don't have wine this good in their cellars."
"And you would know, I'm sure. It's lovely, isn't it? I bought a stock in Urshek, a wine merchant selling up to retire to the country. I could let you have a bottle or two, if you like."
His Pa held up his hand. "No, don't let me deprive you. Besides, it would spoil me for the beer. Karik, what do you think?"
Karik sipped it again. He disliked wine usually, since it was on the sharp side, but this one rolled nicely on his tongue. "Smooth. Tastes...old."
Temu slapped his thigh. "Now that's extraordinary, Reji. I was just about to tell you that this wine is a good twenty years old and your son works it out from the taste."
"Hmmm, I have to wonder what you've been learning in Urshek, Karik. Not been sneaking off and becoming a wine expert instead of learning about your plants, have you?"
Karik pulled a face at his father's teasing. "I'm just saying what it tastes like. It's nice, Temu. Thank you."
Temu acknowledged the thanks with a nod. He stood and went to his locker and extracted a small cask of beer. "There you go, you mangy old bastard. I've been carrying that for months waiting to give it to you. That's the best Urshek has to offer."
"Thanks, Temu, I'll think of you when I drink it. Kei says you have to come to dinner while Jena and I are up here."
"That's kind of him, thank you. Now, I suspect his lordship is probably back by now. Shall we go?"
Karik hastily finished off the lovely wine, and then followed the other two out on deck. Sure enough, Arman was waiting patiently for them.
"I'll come down to fetch you for supper," Reji said, hoisting the cask onto his shoulder.
"I look forward to it. Karik, it was good having you on board – I'll see you again, I hope."
Karik shook the man's hand and then they were waved off down the gangplank. His Pa's need to ask about Temu's remarks was almost palpable. "Pa," he whispered, "don't mention any of that to Arman, please."
"Are you sure, Karik? If Soza is that unreasonable...."
"He's not, not normally. He had a really bad start, but he's very nice, honest. I don't want Arman to judge him unfairly. Give him a chance, please."
"As you wish, son, but I can't say I was happy to hear that."
"I know, Pa, but we need Soza's knowledge on this trip and there's plenty of us who can make up for any deficiencies of experience. I don’t want any trouble."
"You can't expect me not to worry, Karik. The man's supposed to be the mission leader."
"Only the scientific leader." They were nearly on the ground. "But maybe... he shouldn't be more than that." There, he'd said it, though he felt like a traitor. "Arman should make the decision, why don't you leave it to him?"
His Pa frowned. "Very well. I'm not officially involved, you know that. But I'll speak up if I think things aren't being well-handled. I'd be a poor father and a poor friend if I didn't."
"I know. It'll be all right, Pa."
"It had better be, son of mine, because if you don't come back alive from Andon, I kick your arse when I catch up with you in the next life."
Karik had to grin at that – if anyone could do it, he bet his Pa could.
Arman was looking a little disgruntled as they got to the calash. "Sorry we're late, uncle Arman."
Arman dismissed his apology with a wave of his hand. "I've not been here long. Is your friend always that long-winded or is he just nervous?"
Karik risked a quick look at his Pa who had his 'don't ask me' expression on his face. "I think he's nervous, that's all. And tired – it was a rough trip."
Arman grunted. "Very well, I suppose we need to make allowances. Driver, let's go. My house this time."
The calash set off again. It was getting dark, but there was still enough light – just – to see their way as the calash clipped along. "The reports I had on the soldiers were very promising. What's your impression of them, Karik?"
"I was telling Pa that I didn't really get a chance to form one." Just as his Pa had, Arman looked surprised. "I was helping Soza most of the trip – he had the worst seasickness – and then one of the soldiers had an infection so I was busy with him. By the time that was all settled, the journey was over."
"Hmmm. I'd been looking forward to your assessment, Karik. Never mind, we have three weeks to see them working with you and Tiko's people. We need this to be a very tightly knit team. There will be no place for loose cannons or inflated egos, or incompetence. I won't risk your life or theirs by sending the wrong people on this expedition. Better not to run it at all than to do that."
"Agreed," Karik's Pa said. "I wish Kei and Jena would let us go on this, don't you, Arman?"
His uncle's expression became rueful. "If only. I envy you, Karik. Give me ten years of my youth, and my own head, and I would be with you from the start. And then Kei would murder me."
"Jena would help him," his Pa said with a grin. "Are you excited, son?"
"Can't wait, Pa. Just to see glaciers...and a volcano...."
"Ho, and I thought you were just eager to find some more plant species," Pa said, mock-cuffing him. "It's supposed to be a very beautiful land, Andon."
"Beautiful, wild and dangerous," Arman said. "If this goes well, Karik, it won't be the only expedition we send there. I hope you are prepared for that possibility."
"I'm hoping for it, uncle Arman. Though I wish I could go home too."
His uncle's eyes became soft with sympathy. "I know, my boy. There'll be time for that too, but don't waste your youthful vigour while you have it. There aren't many men your age who will have seen as much as you will have. Think of the stories you'll have for Jes when she's older."
"And Jes' children too," his Pa added. "But I wish I was going too. I never thought I'd say this, but I sometimes miss trading."
"It's hardly exploring, Reji. I'd have never stuck it for as long as you did," Arman said with a smile.
"Probably not, and if I had to start doing it again, I dare say I'd be complaining about it. There's just something freeing about being on the trail. What do you think, Karik?"
"Well, when I'm out exploring, I love it, and when I'm home, I love that too."
His Pa laughed and gave Arman a rueful look. "And so the son is wiser than the father once more. The secret of a long and contented life is to be happy where you are right now, of course. Kei's like you, Karik."
"I hope I'm like Kei," Karik corrected, which made Arman grin. "I wish you were coming too – it'd be fun."
"Don't say that in front of your Ma, son. Don't mind me, I just get restless sometimes."
"Perhaps I should get you appointed official ambassador to Andon," Arman said with a straight face.
"You're joking, I hope. Jena would castrate you with a rusty knife."
"Of course I'm joking. You, a diplomat?"
"I can be diplomatic," his Pa said indignantly. "What are you implying, you Prijian bastard?"
"A fine demonstration of your skills right there, I see," Arman retorted. Karik decided not to get involved.
Gods, it was so good to be home.
After two days' rest, Romi and the others were entirely back to normal. Even Netu was suffering no ill effects from what he thought had probably been a mild ear infection. Romi thought it had been a clever move to grant them this short break. On the Ruler's orders, they had spent most of that spare time getting to know their possible team mates, and investigating what exactly was involved in the expedition, a rare luxury. Usually a soldier and his unit were ordered to go with a survey team with no chance to decide if they were the best people for the job. Someone had put a lot of thought into this.
Captain Tiko was as solid and likeable on further acquaintance as he had first appeared. A career soldier who could have retired at least a year before, he had opted to keep working if he could be excused from field duties. He was the Rulers' liaison with the barracks, and he clearly enjoyed a good working relationship and friendship with Lord Arman. Romi picked his brains as best he could, though Tiko was discreet for all his open manner, and disliked to gossip, which Romi admired in a man. What he did learn was heartening – it had never been intended for Soza to lead the expedition. There were four other scientists going – two geologists, two surveyors, as well as the naturalists. The other strands of research would have to be taken into consideration, and decisions made as a team. Romi wondered when Soza was going to be told all this.
To his surprise, he learned also that Karik was rather better qualified than he'd indicated. He was the son of a healer, had spent over two years in formal studies and research, and a further two years in the field, working entirely alone – he was no soft innocent, that was for sure. While Romi still couldn't forgive his infidelity, he was at least capable at his job. So far as Romi could see, the only deadweight they were to be carrying was Soza – not an agreeable prospect, but not one that they couldn't work around.
He was beginning to get enthusiastic about the project again. The four northern soldier specialists were quiet, efficient men who inspired confidence. Romi made it his job to make a private assessment of each member of the team, because in a territory like Andon which would be unforgiving of weakness or error, he wanted to know to whom he was entrusting his safety. His good impression of the soldiers who'd travelled with him from Urshek was reinforced in those two days – all of them were eager, and so far as Romi could tell, competent and suitable for the task.
Kepi and Taz he already knew well. Netu was a reserved, gentle man, the son of a healer who had once had ambitions to be a healer himself, but after joining the army, he found the life of a medic suited him so had not done the advanced training. He had never been to Andon, but had, like Romi and Reisa, taken up the army's financial incentive to learn the language, and had worked with soldiers on training exchange from that country. Jou and Sibu had been in Andon in the last year on short exchange, and Reisa had been part of a survey on the southern coastline of the country.
He was just a little worried about Jou and Sibu – both had fellow soldiers as lovers and were hoping to wed on their return south. Romi didn't like the fact they would be putting a strain on their relationships by such a long absence, and the morale question also had to be considered. A long mission was hard enough anyway, and this was one of the longest Romi had ever known planned.
As they ate supper in the officer's mess on their second day in Darshek, he asked Tiko for his opinion. The older man sat back and rubbed his chin. "It's a problem, definitely. When I was younger, I spent a year away from my wife, more or less, and our marriage did need a bit of repairing. Some of my men came home, found their lovers or wives had left, like young Kepi's did – one poor fellow found his wife had died. Of course, we were fighting a war, so we had things to occupy our minds, but there was a lot of sitting around, missing home. But I can't see anything for it, Romi. Even the men without partners to return to, will be homesick. Seems unfair to penalise those who do, for what they may or may not feel. They chose freely after all. We soldiers know it's a hard life." He lifted his mug and grinned. "But there are compensations."
Romi smiled and took a pull from his own mug. "You don't think the presence of a couple will make things harder?"
Tiko looked completely confused. "Who? Which couple? Two of your people? I hadn't realised...."
"No, Soza and Karik."
"Soza...." Tiko choked. "Are you serious? Karik and Soza?"
"Man told me to my face. Warned me off, though there was no reason to. I can't think it's a good thing, myself. I mean for morale."
Tiko was still blinking in shock. "No, I don't suppose it is. Are you quite sure, Romi?"
"Soza explicitly told me they were lovers, Tiko."
"Blessed gods. Well, that's a factor I'd not known about – and I wouldn't mind betting his lordship doesn't either."
"Ah, well, I suspect Karik has reason to keep it quiet, so I don't know that Lord Arman should hear it from either of us – unless you think it will affect the mission."
"Hmmm." Tiko looked into his beer. "Well, I suppose it might – but then again, there's no reason for it to unless there's a falling out, or some other jealousy. I don't want to violate the lad's privacy, but you're the one whose arse will be on the line if it does affect things. I suggest you wait and watch, though. If you think you should mention it, then do so, but his lordship doesn't like a tittle-tattle any more than I do."
"I didn't mention it for gossip's sake, captain," Romi said stiffly.
Tiko waved at him to simmer down. "I know that, Romi. I just think that perhaps there's no need to take it further. If Karik has his reasons for discretion, then knowing him as I do, I would advise respecting them. Up to a point, mind."
"Agreed." Romi wondered if Tiko knew Karik as well as he thought he did, because he couldn't see this man, father, grandfather and loving husband as he was, being happy at a child and mother being abandoned. But Romi had to admit he didn't know all the facts. His main reservations about Soza stemmed not from his relationship with Karik but his lack of experience, and that was already known to all. No, having mentioned it, he would leave it. For now.
It had been arranged that they would be assessed on the third day, which had given them time to wash their uniforms and get spruced up. They were called to the colonel's briefing room one by one, Romi being the last to be summoned, so he had a good idea from the others of who he would be meeting and what they would want to know. He found quite a battery of examiners waiting for him – the army surveyors and geologists, Karik, Soza, Lord Arman, another Darshianese man and an Andonese woman. He saluted. "Lieutenant Romi, as requested."
"Take a seat, lieutenant," the Ruler said. "You met most of us, of course. I am Lord Arman of Darshek. This is Kei, Master of the Darshek Academy, and this is Juizeigi, of Andon."
The handsome man who'd been introduced as Kei gave Romi a wide smile – he had to be Karik's soul-toucher uncle. No shortage of looks in that family, Romi thought, adopted or otherwise. Lord Arman was also exceptionally good-looking in a very severe, aristocratic manner – despite Soza's hints, if there was a blood relationship between the Ruler and his nephew, there was nothing other than their colouring to suggest it. Arman was huge, imposing and proud of bearing, while Karik was slim and unassuming, though his green eyes could flash with as much hauteur as any Prijian noble. Right now, he was looking at Romi almost as if he had never seen him before, and was giving nothing away. Soza was looking smug and full of self-importance, nothing like the faded creature who had left the boat two days ago. Romi didn't find him any easier to stomach, so he turned his attention back to Lord Arman.
"Lieutenant, you spent a year in Andon. Would you care to tell us – in Andonese – how you found it, and what you liked about the country?"
He'd been expecting this, and was glad he was completely confident of his fluency. "The people were what that I liked most. They have a strict sense of honour, and respect moderation in all appetites, something we strive for in the military too, but they also have a wonderful sense of fun, and a great love of life and its blessings." Everyone but Soza was nodding. "I saw only a little of the country, but what I did see, I found majestic. I wanted to explore, to see what I could from the ranges and what was hidden in the valleys. It's a land which demands respect, but I could see why it inspires such fierce love in its people."
"Very poetic," Lord Arman said dryly. "Juizeigi, if you would?"
She nodded in acknowledgement. "Lieutenant, please list the three principle virtues of a good Andonese woman."
"They are the same as those of a good Andonese man – continence, kindness and piety."
"And the name of the god whom we worship?"
"May not be named, for a man is not worthy to utter it. Instead, we should call him, 'Sephiz', which means 'beloved and loving', for he is both."
That won him a thin smile of approval. "Finally, how does one Andonese greet another, and why?"
Romi demonstrated the crossed-chest bow. "It is done thus because the soul belongs to Sephiz and resides in the heart, and in bowing this way, we show our respect for the benevolent god's most precious gift to man."
Juizeigi blinked. "You're the first one to get that right. Most people think it's because we think handshaking is dirty."
"Yes, I know. That never made any sense to me, so I asked."
She leaned over and whispered in Lord Arman's ear. The Ruler remained impassive. Karik was staring at him, but Romi couldn't work out what he was thinking. Master Kei gave him another reassuring smile – the lines around his eyes indicated he habitually smiled a good deal. Romi got the impression that it was because he was happy, rather than to present a pleasant facade as Soza seemed to do. Karik certainly had some interesting relatives.
Finally Lord Arman cleared his throat. "Well, you've impressed our Andonese liaison, lieutenant, which is a good beginning. But now about this survey you were on in the Treyk range...."
Romi, who had been feeling just a little pleased with himself over the cultural exam, now found himself being closely questioned by a man with a razor-sharp mind and one who'd been a general by the age at which Romi had just made lieutenant. Lord Arman was unabashedly trying to trip him up, catch him out in the smallest lie, the least fuzziness of logic, and Romi needed all his wits about him not to look like a simpleton. He'd seen interrogations of hardened criminals that took a softer line than this man did now with him. Not only was Lord Arman challenging his judgment, he was doing it in three languages, switching without warning between Darshianese, Prijian and Andonese, and giving Romi very little time to think. He got the slight impression that the Ruler was enjoying himself, and did his best to rise to the challenge.
At last, Lord Arman stopped and gave him a friendly smile. "Forgive me, lieutenant. We need sharp minds and rapid reactions on this and you were so well-recommended, I wanted to see if your superiors weren't trying to get rid of a substandard officer. I can see now that everything they said was justified."
"Thank you, my lord."
Lord Arman glanced at his companions, and seemed happy with their reactions. "Then I have no hesitation in saying you will be welcome on this expedition. You do understand this is voluntary – and that you may back out up to the point you get on the ship to Andon? After that, of course, it becomes tricky."
"Yes, I understand. I'm looking forward to it."
Kei raised his hand. "Just one thing, Romi. It's a long mission, much longer than most. What about lovers, your family, friends...how do you feel about leaving them behind?"
Romi couldn't suppress the pang of pain at the mention of lovers, but he forced himself to smile back at the man. "I'm unattached. My friends are in the army, so they understand, but I already count two of the southerners who came with me as friends, and I like the others a good deal. As for my family – they're used to me being away. It's not easy, but I wouldn't give up the experiences I've had since I joined the army for anything."
"Thank you. Carry on, Arman."
The Ruler gave Kei a sharp look, but then turned back to Romi. "Very well. Lieutenant, I want to discuss a few things with my colleagues, but I will almost certainly want to speak to you again before I leave. Gentlemen, thank you," he said to the other four soldiers, who rose and saluted. "Lieutenant, could you let the adjutant know where we can find you?"
"Certainly." He stood and saluted again, and on being dismissed, left the room with the other four. That had been rather different from anything he'd ever experienced, but he was happy with his performance, and glad to see the professionalism on display. This expedition was finally beginning to smell of success.
Arman turned to the others. "A very impressive officer, don't you think? Captain Pek is a good man, but I feel this lieutenant would make an even better head of the expedition. Kei?"
"Well, he stood up to one of your infamous grillings without batting an eyelid," Kei said with a grin. "He deserves a medal for that. Yes, he seems perfect."
"Soza?" Arman asked.
"A very good choice, my lord. I find him as impressive as you do."
Karik blinked – just before they'd come to the barracks, Soza had been so dismissive of Romi, quite certain they would be able to do without him.
Arman noticed his surprise. "Karik? You're not so sure?"
"I...well, he's a bit...." He stopped, not wanting to sound whiny or malicious.
Kei smiled at him. "Just be honest, Ka-chi. Do you think he would be a bad leader?"
"No, not that. I just...he makes rather fast judgments." That sounded rather wet, he thought.
Kei raised an eyebrow. "Of people?" Karik nodded. "Unfair judgements?"
Karik bit his lip. No, he couldn't say 'unfair' exactly. "Just...harsh."
Arman cleared his throat. "I suspect that's his military background, Karik. Policing forces you to make rapid assessments on little evidence. He didn't strike me as the kind of man who would be rigid about it – do you feel that he doesn't change his opinion once made? Or that he wilfully misunderstands a situation?"
"No...." Karik said slowly.
"Put it another way," his uncle said. "Would you trust him to back you up and keep you safe?"
"Yes." No hesitation at all this time. "Even if he hated your guts, he would do that."
Arman smiled. "And that's exactly the kind of person I want in charge here. You and the other scientists, Juizeigi too," he said nodding at their Andonese liaison, "will all have a chance to get to know these men very well over the next three weeks. If you still have reservations by the time the bulk of the training is complete, then I want to know. But my instinct is that Lieutenant Romi is precisely the man for the job. We've been very lucky with the southerners, don't you think?"
Though the questions had been addressed to Karik, it was Soza who answered eagerly. "Oh, yes, indeed, my lord. The proper training in correct methodology and they will make very able assistants."
Arman frowned a little. "I'm not sure I would refer to them as assistants, Soza. Those soldiers may not be scientists, but they will be the ones who will get you there and back safely, and I hope, be able to work independently. None of them strike me as the kind of people who need minute to minute supervision, or who would welcome it either."
Soza bowed his head politely. "As you say, my lord. We are all part of a team."
Karik was glad to hear him say that, just as he had been intensely relieved to learn that Arman had already dealt with the question of leadership of the mission. Karik hadn't been present when Kei and Arman had explained it to Soza, but since Soza had been very satisfied with the way it had been presented to him, complimenting the wisdom of a structure which meant he would not have to bother himself with mere logistics, Karik was happy that the thorny issue of wounded pride had been so neatly sidestepped.
"Then are we agreed? I would like to appoint him today, so he can start organising things." Everyone nodded. "Excellent. Soza, Juizeigi, would you care to take the calash back to the House? The driver will return for us later."
"As you wish, my lord. Efficiently handled, if you don't mind me saying so."
Arman coughed. "Ah, thank you, Soza. That will be all, everyone. Karik, remain here, please."
Karik stayed in his seat as the others left, his heart sinking. He shouldn't have said anything and now Arman would want to know why he had spoken up. This was just what he had hoped to avoid, but once Arman had asked directly....
"Don't look so worried, Ka-chi," Kei said, laying a hand on his shoulder. "Now what has that big bad soldier done to you?"
"Kei, don't be an idiot," Arman said severely as Karik flushed hot. "Karik, I take it you and the lieutenant didn't get off to a good start. I thought as much when you arrived."
"It was my fault, in a way," Karik said, rather embarrassed. "He came to the academy to learn about plant nomenclature, and assumed I was Prijian. You know I get tired of explaining that, so I just spoke to him as he spoke to me. I never expected to see him again – and when I did, he thought I'd deliberately deceived him."
"I can see that not going down well," Kei murmured. "Are you saying he took it on his own initiative to learn about plant names? Even though he's had no training?"
"Yes. I was impressed by that – but then he was so rude to me afterwards."
"Hmmm. Unfortunate," Arman said. "Was that all that bothered you?"
"Um, well...he doesn't like Soza."
Kei looked a little embarrassed while Arman gave Karik a rueful smile. "Karik, disliking Soza is not a hanging offence and, to be brutally honest, Soza isn't the kind of man who would appeal to someone as straightforward as the lieutenant. Or to me," he added in a perfectly audible mutter. "Kei, tell me again why we need him on this expedition?"
Kei folded his arms and gave his lover an exasperated look. "You know as well as I do it's political – if we want the Rulers in Urshek to help fund and support this, we have to take Jezinke's wishes into consideration. He comes highly recommended."
"Uncle Arman, he really does know his plants. He's got a very sharp eye," Karik said, anxious to present Soza in a proper light, even if Arman had decided he didn't care for him.
"That may be so but he makes my teeth ache. But it's your honest opinion that his presence is necessary?"
"I believe we will achieve more for his presence than without him."
"I'm not happy about him being on this – I hadn't realised just how little experience he had. He's just going to be deadweight, Karik. He can't even ride."
That had been something that had been rather awkward to discover, and when he'd heard about it, his Pa had been as forthright in his disgust as Arman was now. "I know...but he learns fast, and he got used to the ship eventually. He's going to get some riding practice in – it won't take long for him to become capable on a quiet beast." He was aware that sounded incredibly feeble. "He would take it as a deadly insult to be turned away now, and Master Jezinke would be offended."
"Nephew, I care very little what either of them think – my main, my only concern, really, is that this whole matter is carried out with no harm to either our relations with the Andonese or to any of you. If Soza goes on this, I intend to give lieutenant Romi complete authority over him – and if he has to be tied to the back of a beast and carted home, he will have authority to do that. He'll have the same authority over you. Will you accept that?"
"Yes, I do. He's going to be like the captain of a ship."
Arman seemed pleased at that analogy. "And do you believe he would exercise that authority well? Do you trust him? Answer me honestly."
"I believe...I believe he might be an irritating arse sometimes, but he would not be arbitrary. Harsh, perhaps, but open to reason." At least, so Karik hoped.
Arman nodded and Kei smiled. "You are always so fair-minded, Karik, it's one of your best qualities. As for him being an arse, you've plenty of experience of that kind, and you've won more than a few of them over. Let the man see a little of your charm and he'll be as devoted to you as we are."
Karik pulled a face. "No thanks," he said firmly, which made Arman laugh.
"Enough of that nonsense, Kei. I meant what I said, Karik – if after the training you have any reservations at all, I want to know about them. I know you won't be petty."
"I hope not, uncle Arman."
"Good lad. Now, why don’t you two go and speak to Tiko and I'll have a word with the colonel. I'll tell the lieutenant my decision, and then we'll go home. I don't want to be late."
Karik smiled to himself – Arman wanted to see Jes before Seiki and Mila took her home. He was so sweet sometimes.
Kei kept a hand on his shoulder as they walked out of the briefing room and onto the long verandah. In the exercise yard, men and women were practising weapon drills. Karik felt Kei go tense. "Let's just go out to the colonel's garden. I'll ask Neka if she can send Tiko to us."
Karik agreed readily and they went to the small private area behind the colonel's house. "I wish I knew how to tell Soza he's annoying Arman," Karik said as they sat down.
"Ah, well, Arman's always disliked any hint of obsequiousness. I take it Soza wasn't like that in Urshek?"
"He was really nice to me, Kei. I learned so much and he wasn't like this, really. I don't know why he's suddenly started to behave this way."
Kei didn't say anything for a moment, apparently fascinated by the winter blooms in the garden bed next to the chair. "He doesn't have a wide circle of friends, does he?"
Karik thought and then nodded. "He spends all his time in research."
"Then perhaps he's just out of his depth. Not everyone fits in as effortlessly as you, Karik. Master Jezinke was glowing in his praise, and I second what you say about him as a researcher – but Jezinke doesn't get out much either, I think."
"I've never seen him anywhere but the academy," Karik admitted. "Soza was very good to me, Kei. I don't want him turned away without a chance."
"No, I know, and defending him is admirable. Arman's being severe because he's worried about your safety, as am I. Do you really think Soza should go, Ka-chi? In your heart? I know you have some reservations," he said with an apologetic smile and a touch to his forehead.
"I do. I don’t know, Kei. If I say no, it's a terrible thing to do to him. If I say yes and I'm wrong...it's much easier on my own," he blurted out.
"Undoubtedly. What about this Romi? Would his opinion be worth having on this?"
"He despises Soza," Karik said mournfully. "Soza isn't very pleasant when he's sick."
"Hmmm. And does Romi despise you, do you think?"
"I don't know. He kept going hot and cold on me. I didn't feel like playing games with him – I was too tired."
Kei rubbed his shoulder in comfort. "I rather suspect our handsome lieutenant is nursing a recently wounded heart, Karik. If my guess is right, it's the reason he's so eager to get away from Temshek for a while. People unlucky in love tend to be bitter and judgmental for a while until they've expended their grief. But I got no sense of malice from him, and he's genuine in what he says."
Karik was surprised at Kei's surmise, but thinking about it, there could be some truth in it, he admitted. "I don't think that would affect his opinion of Soza, though."
"No, I suspect not. Different worlds – Arman's an unusual man in that he's by nature possibly as much a scientist as you or I. Most soldiers aren't like that, but it doesn't make them bad people. I tell you what. Soza is going for riding lessons in the afternoons this week, and I'll make the time to go with him – I'd like that chance to pick his brains anyway, he really has the most encyclopaedic knowledge of plants. I'll talk to him about being on the road, travelling – in a general way – and see if I can help him feel a little more at ease. Hint at how Arman would like to be treated, and so on. He's not stupid, I think he might well take the advice. We can only do so much, of course, and you're not responsible for his presence on the expedition or his success at it. Soza's a grown man, he has to make his own mistakes."
"I know, I just don't want any bad feelings. I want to be able to keep working with the Urshek academy, Kei. They have a wonderful reference collection, and Soza's not the only botanist down there I wish you could meet."
"With good will, many things are possible," Kei said peaceably. "Don't look so worried, nephew mine. Look, there's Tiko." He rose and went to greet their friend.
Karik felt a little calmer. Kei had such a way of making things seem so much less tangled. He just hoped Soza would take the well-meant advice and learn a few of the social skills he seemed to lack, and that was surely all that was needed for him to fit in with the rest of the team. If not.... Well, best not to think of that.
Romi got the summons to return to the colonel's offices a bare half hour after he'd been dismissed. He wondered what Lord Arman could want to cover that he had not done already – he doubted the man could be having second thoughts.
The colonel welcomed him and then told him that Lord Arman would be using his office for a few minutes while he, the colonel, attended to other business. The Ruler greeted him politely and invited him to sit. "Sorry this is such an extended business, lieutenant – we had a few matters to settle before I spoke to you again. But before I do that, would you be good enough to tell me your assessment of your colleagues from the south? Speak frankly, please."
"I'm glad to do so, my lord, because they're all good people. Sound, capable and intelligent. There's not one I would not like at my side."
Lord Arman smiled. "Then you'll be pleased to know that was exactly their opinion of you. It's a stroke of luck to have so many volunteers of such quality. We had four more soldiers ready to join the expedition, but they won't be needed. You seem to have formed a good team in short order – that speaks well of you all. However, the team needs a leader, and my colleagues and I have decided that should be you. Would you be willing to take on this role?"
"Yes, my lord, gladly. It would be an honour."
"A great responsibility as well, but I know you understand that. Of course, you'll be given a field promotion to captain with a commensurate pay increase for the duration."
Romi hadn't been expecting that at all. "Thank you, my lord," he said, flushing a little in pleasure. "Does this mean Captain Pek won't be coming?"
"Unless you feel your team is understaffed, I can't see a reason for him to do so. Your task starts now, lieutenant. Your job, in addition to being trained, is to test your team for weakness, see if you have enough people to compensate, and to anticipate and plan for all emergencies. We've done a lot of planning, but I will plan and prepare and supply this expedition until it is as safe as we can make it for the people on it. That means you too – and the civilians. Especially the civilians." At those last words, Lord Arman fixed him with a steely blue gaze.
"Yes, of course, my lord. I've sworn to protect the citizens of Darshian even at the cost of my own life – that won't change because we're in Andon."
"Good. Because I shall take it very personally if the slightest harm comes to my nephew through any lack – or prejudice – of yours."
Romi flushed. "Your nephew will be as considerately treated as anyone else, my lord. I'm a little insulted that you think it could be otherwise."
"Then you'll be pleased to know he was just as adamant that you would be even-handed and trustworthy despite his own feelings towards you." Romi was a little startled by that – Karik had been defending him? "I know you and he did not have the best beginnings for a relationship among team members. You two will have to reach your own understanding, but I will say this – Karik bears making the effort to understand. He's an exceptional man, and serves this country as devotedly as any soldier. I speak now not as a friend and an uncle, but as someone looking to this country's future. I believe you also will give much to Darshian. It would be a shame if you two pulled in different directions over some petty grudge."
"Yes, my lord. My aim is to make sure this mission succeeds in every way possible. I am aware how important your nephew is to that success."
"Hmmm. There's another consideration, and I confess I can't be as wholehearted about this as I should perhaps be."
"Soza?"
The Ruler gave him a wry look. "So you're a mind-speaker as well as a fire-shaper?"
"No, my lord, but I'd be amazed if someone like yourself had not considered his...deficiencies."
"One way of describing it, and if I'm honest, I would really like him struck from this mission. However, Kei and Karik both insist he's necessary and they're the experts on botany, not me. Your job is also to enable Soza to contribute what he may – but you have absolute power in this matter, lieutenant. You will be a dictator, but a benevolent one, I trust. Having said that, you must do all in your power to help the scientists get on with their job. Where there is a dispute, I expect you to use diplomacy, not order things done or not done. Civilians don't like that kind of thing, and you can't expect them to accept military discipline. You have three weeks to build up relations with everyone on the team, including Soza. By the time that ship leaves, I want you to be able to handle him and compensate for him. If you can't, then someone will be left behind, because this is too important and too dangerous for one man's ego to destroy. Do you understand me?"
"Perfectly, my lord. I'll do my best."
"Good. Now, that's more than enough for today, but we shall speak again. I expect daily progress reports and assessments directly from you. Give them to Karik to bring to our home, or have them delivered. Now, speak to Tiko – he knows my decision and is waiting to help you get started. You'll be earning every rina of your extra pay, I warn you."
"I'm not afraid of hard work, my lord. Thank you – and thank Karik for his endorsement."
Lord Arman shook his head and smiled. "No, you do your own dirty work, lieutenant. It's an excellent chance for you to mend some fences."
"As you wish." He stood and saluted, then at the Ruler's dismissal, he left.
A promotion! Even if it did mean pandering to that damn fool for months, it would make a real difference to Romi's long term career prospects – field promotions were rare, and nearly always meant a full promotion was not long in coming. But that meant he really had to lay his dislike of the two naturalists aside and pull the team into shape. He suspected Lord Arman's 'taking it personally' involved long pointy objects, so Karik's pretty backside would have to be treated like it was made of glass from now on.
Oh well, it was just one more challenge and Romi thrived on challenges. He began to whistle as he walked off. Yes, this really was going to be a great expedition.
Chapter 4
After the congratulations and celebratory beers, it was down to work. Unfortunately, training got off to an inauspicious start with a session by Soza, which took a group of bright, interested and motivated people and reduced them to fidgeting tedium with three unrelieved hours of rambling, pompous discourse on plant collecting. Even Karik was looking less than fascinated long before the end of it. Romi would have a revolt on his hands if his people had to put up with three more weeks of this.
Fortunately, Soza had a luncheon appointment and was going to be busy that afternoon – Karik had been deputised to take them through the practical exercises and oversee the field work on the subsequent two days. There were audible sighs of relief as Romi called the session to a halt for the morning, and told the team to head to the mess for lunch. He politely helped Soza collect his materials and escorted him to the calash, and walked back with Karik to the mess. Karik seemed rather embarrassed. "Not a natural teacher, is he?" Romi said.
Karik gave him a sharp look, then slumped a little. "He's much better one to one – and with someone with a little background in the subject. Teaching's a skill like any other, and not everyone has it."
"You do. You explained things to me just fine in the library."
Karik looked as if he was about to make a smart remark, but then thought better of it. "What do you want me to do? I doubt your soldiers have the patience to sit through another lecture."
"You're having lunch with us – why not just explain things over the meal, let them ask questions. Perhaps explain what you and Soza will be doing with the material we collect before it's sent back to port."
"I can do that, lieutenant."
"Uh, actually, it's 'captain' while we're on this mission. But 'Romi' is fine – I don't insist on rank, especially not with civilians."
Karik drew himself up to his full height. "As you wish, captain." Then he walked off across the yard to the mess, leaving Romi to wonder how he'd managed to offend the little shit this time.
But he had to give Karik his due – he made himself approachable to the team, even diffidently criticising Soza's methods while expressing respect for his knowledge, and giving the soldiers an opening to ask questions and vent a little. Karik was going to have to get used to people criticising Soza, Romi thought grimly, but he'd have to make sure the bitching didn't get out of hand. It would help if Soza could display some kind of conspicuous competence – that would do more than all the spouting of facts and theories to win over the people who would be working with him.
Good humour was restored by the end of the meal, which Romi deliberately allowed to run longer than normal to let the team have a break and question Karik. It was a far more cheerful group who mounted the carts taking them to the academy for the afternoon, and Karik was engaged in a deep conversation with Sibu and Kepi as they drove along. Romi was in the other cart and couldn't hear what they were saying, but it was making Karik laugh – which made Romi feel inexplicably jealous that they could make Karik smile, but he couldn't even get the man to call him by his own name. He needed to stop giving a damn about what the little bastard was doing, he thought, turning his eyes back to the road.
None of them, bar Karik, had been inside the Darshek academy before, and only two of them – well three, if one counted Romi's brief exposure – had any familiarity with its Urshek equivalent. Romi smiled to see the reaction of the team to the library, which was even larger and more elegant than the one in Urshek, and to see them itching to get their hands on the maps, always something soldiers loved to see. Karik patiently answered their questions and showed them around, then took them to the plant reference collections and introduced them to the researchers there. They were greeted enthusiastically, several of the people working there expressing gratitude for what they were doing and envy at the chance they were to have.
The entire process of dealing with collected specimens was explained with care and humour, not just by Karik but two female researchers who seemed to be his friends as well as colleagues. It was fascinating to see the man in what might consider his natural habitat, away from the odious Soza and without any arrogance or pretence. Romi wondered again why he had decided to take up with someone so lacking in social skills as Soza when it was clear he was so well-liked.
Though it would not be part of their work in the field, the researchers insisted they have a go at the specimen processing, so they were set into teams of two, carefully stripping plants to their component parts, separating seeds, flowers, leaves, bark and even galls, and then being shown how they would be preserved by drying or pressing. Karik paired up with Romi without a comment, but after getting him started, left him to check on how the others were doing.
The forceps were fiddly in Romi's large hands, and he was doing more damage to the specimens (thankfully unimportant common plants) than good. He started a little as a slim hand was lain over his own, preventing more mess. "Gently, captain. It's not like changing a wheel on a wagon."
"Oh and you would know, I suppose," Romi retorted.
Karik gave him a pitying look. "Yes, I would, actually – my father's a trader and the only wainwright we have in the village. I've changed more wheels than you've dissected specimens, I guarantee. Do you want to do this right or shall I help someone less obdurate?"
Chastened, and annoyed at his own hasty words, Romi went to hand Karik the forceps so he could show him, but Karik made him hold them, then curled his fingers carefully around Romi's hand. "Lightly, captain. The metal is springy, so if you apply more than necessary force, all you do is compress the material harder and damage it, without improving your grip. Here." He made Romi open the forceps, then placed a few miniscule seeds on his open palm. "Imagine this is a baby's face and you want to remove a dangerous insect. If you squeeze too hard, you will make the insect sting the child, and if you push, you will hurt it. Just take it slowly – you can do it." Romi wondered why Karik was taking this trouble since they wouldn’t need to do this in the field, but he hated to fail at things, so he concentrated. "Careful, captain. I'm a newborn with extremely delicate skin and that insect is very nervous."
It took forever, and Karik kept telling him to slow down, using his voice as a guide until he was almost whispering, which made Romi respond as if it really was a baby's face he was lifting seeds from. At last he had one of the fragile objects delicately placed between the tips of the forceps, and placed it carefully on the tray. "Gods. That was worse than an hour's sword work," he said with feeling.
Karik grinned. "You big men all have the same problem – you're used to solving things with brute force. My Pa, my uncle, all just like that." He waggled his slender fingers. "Sometimes being small has its advantages."
"You're not that small." The man was only four inches or so shorter than Romi – he was, in fact, slightly above average height – but gave the impression of being more delicate than he was. He had the build of a youth, slender and fine-boned, though if he really had helped his Pa change wagon wheels, then he couldn't be as dainty as he appeared. If he hadn't got the beard, one would think he was still in his minority.
"Perhaps not, but I can't rely on my brawn to work my way. I think that's enough – the leaf pressing is easier, but you still need to use the tips of your fingers. I'm sure you caress your lovers tenderly – use that knowledge."
Stung, Romi snapped without thinking, "That's not something you're likely to find out at close hand, is it?"
Karik stiffened and moved away, colour pinking his cheeks. "My apologies," he said in a low voice. "Forgive me for being so personal." He made a slight bow and then retreated to where Taz was struggling with a stem.
Romi was momentarily so angry he forgot that Karik could not know about Daiso, and that the remark had not been intended as any kind of insult. He clenched his fist and forced himself to calm down – even after nearly three weeks, the pain of Daiso's rejection could hit him unexpectedly and with as much force as the first time he'd read that cowardly note.
When he had got himself back under control, he looked over to see how the rest of the team were getting on. Karik was apparently engrossed in helping Taz and very carefully not looking at him. Romi felt like a bastard – it had been an innocent remark, and all he'd done was reinforce Karik's dislike of him. Whatever Romi's personal opinions about Karik, he was expected to behave much more fairly than that – he expected it of himself.
But there was no chance to apologise. After the men finished their practical work, Karik took them back to the library to show them the beautifully illustrated scientific drawings done from the fresh plants, and the way they were labelled – and how with improved knowledge and better specimens, the accuracy of the art improved. Finally, they were taken out to the large garden at the rear of the building and shown the plants from all over Periter which had been cultivated from collected seeds. As tea and pastries were served to them under a tree, Karik and a Prijian gentlemen answered questions and told them of the recent discoveries of drugs taken from foreign plants. Though the medics were passing familiar with the process, they seemed as fascinated by the information as any of the others. By the time Karik and Master Pitas were done, they were all very clear on the importance of the work they were embarking on.
At last, Karik told them they were done for the day. They were getting to their feet when Romi noticed Master Kei coming towards them down the paths. "Ah," he said, smiling broadly, "I was hoping to catch you all before you left. How was it, everyone? Did you enjoy being botanists for a day?"
Romi answered on behalf of his men. "It was fascinating. Thank you for allowing us to see behind the scenes this way."
Kei shook his head. "Oh, no thanks are due to me – it was entirely young Karik's idea. He set it up as soon as he got back."
"Then thank you," Romi said, turning to Karik.
"You're welcome, captain," Karik said neutrally, not really meeting his eyes. Romi saw Kei frown a little. "I find a task is always more enjoyable when you understand why you're doing it."
"Yes, I agree."
Kei was still frowning, but then he smiled at them. "Well, don't let me keep you. It's an early start tomorrow. I think you'll enjoy the experimental farm, and the owner always does a splendid lunch when we take students out there. You may as well enjoy yourselves now. No honey cakes in the outback of Andon."
"Then you'd better never go, uncle Kei," Karik said, making an obvious effort to appear cheerful. "Thank you, gentlemen, ladies – thank you, Master Pitas."
The master bowed and took his leave, then Romi told the team to make their way to the front of the academy while he went to the stables and ordered up the carts. "Karik," Kei said, "I'll see you in my office, I just have a couple of things to do before we go home."
"Of course."
Kei gave his nephew an unreadable look, frowned at Romi, then walked off. A fine figure of a man, Romi thought absently, admiring Kei's excellent bearing. Then he realised Karik was hanging back, as if he didn't want to be caught walking with Romi. He turned to him. "I'm sorry, Karik. I shouldn't have reacted in that way."
Karik still wouldn't meet his eyes. "No, it was my fault, captain. It's the kind of remark one can make to a friend, but it was unprofessional of me. There won't be a repeat of it."
Romi sighed. "Are you really going to call me 'captain' all year? Don't you think that's a little ridiculous?" He deliberately kept his tone mild and his expression friendly.
Now he got the full force of Karik's haughty glare. "Is it more ridiculous than your snap assessments and strange likes and dislikes, captain? I confess I'm having trouble working out what does or does not set you off."
Romi had never received such a cold and unfriendly look in all his life, at least not from someone his own age and so apparently harmless. He reminded himself that he couldn’t kill this man, and he had to work with him for quite some time. "Look, can we put that behind us? I can see you're highly competent. I hope you'll find me the same. The expedition is going to be on too intimate a basis for us to be hostile."
Karik narrowed his eyes, and his nostrils flared. "It's not I who started this, captain. I don't need your damn approval – I know I'm competent. On any other matter, I don't want your opinion, and that includes making personal comments about my friends."
"Am I supposed not to try and mend a problem caused by your friend's lack of teaching skills just because of your relationship? Why does Soza merit more consideration than you, or Pali, or Matu? My job is to make sure we're all trained and ready. Soza wasn't helping that."
"I know that. You were right to take the steps you did, but it was your attitude I disliked."
Romi sighed again. "Look, Karik – there's no kind way to say someone's a rotten teacher. At least, if there is, I don't know it. Your uncle's the diplomat, not me."
Karik's severe expression cracked quite suddenly. "Do you mean Arman? A diplomat? I don’t think so."
Romi spread his hands. "Then why castigate me for what he couldn't do? I admit I don't like Soza. I don't like what he did to Netu, and he seems to delight in trying to make everyone else seem stupid. But he'll be given the same fair treatment as the rest of you, and I'll help him do his job as much as I can. It's not a hanging offence to dislike someone."
For some reason Karik seemed startled, and then gave a slightly rueful smile. "No, it's not. Very well, Romi. We'll pretend we met today and put it all behind us, but you remember this – no one gets anywhere with me by running down my friends. If you have a problem that needs my help, you can guarantee to have it, but stay off the personal or we'll be at odds."
"That's fair." He cleared his throat. "I better go fetch the carts."
"My uncle is waiting for me. You did well today, you know. For a first attempt, it was very good."
"Thank you. But I think I won't change careers just yet."
"No, I think being a soldier suits you better. Good day."
Well, that wasn't very friendly, Romi thought in exasperation. He just didn't know what to make of the man at all. The only thing to do was as Karik had requested – keep off anything remotely personal, and wasn't that going to be fun trying to sustain over a year?
Kei sat back in his chair as Karik came into his office. "All right, who poked the other one?"
Karik winced and sat down. "Me. My fault entirely – I made a stupid comment and he reacted badly. I didn’t think – but you're right, he must have had a misfortune in love." He sighed. "I know why I upset him then – I just don't know why he was hostile before."
"Can't ask him?"
"I don't dare. If he says something unforgivable, then how will we work together?"
Kei wagged a finger at him. "Come on, Karik, nothing's that unforgivable. Maybe he'll tell you when he's got to know you better. He was genuinely impressed by your practical session."
"Unfortunately he wasn't so impressed with Soza this morning, and wasn't backward in saying so. I feel like the ball in a pooki match."
Kei laughed. "Poor Karik. You know, Soza can defend himself. Tell Romi to take it up with him."
"I can't, Kei. Romi would just be horrible and blunt and Soza would be so offended and then I would be stuck peacemaking. Um, did you...?"
Kei shook his head. "I tried. Maybe I was being too subtle. But I'll try again, and so will you. With the lieutenant, I mean. It'll be worth it, Karik. Don't give up so easily."
"I won't. But can we stop talking about him? I'm fed up."
Kei got to his feet and closed the book in front of him. "Come along then. We mustn't be late for dinner. You realise Reis is going to be a little overexcited with all of us there."
Karik grinned. "I can handle it. I've missed him. I missed everyone."
"It'll certainly make a difference for us to be talking to you instead of about you," Kei said with a grin. "Let's find Arman and we can go."
Captain Romi and his eccentricities occupied Karik's thoughts only until they reached the House of the Gifted, and then he was simply too busy returning the enthusiastic greetings of his friends. "Karik! You still have the beard!" Reis, for once, allowed them to get to the front door under their own power, but then swept down the steps and took Karik into a suffocating hug.
"Just practical, Reis, isn't that right, uncle Arman?"
"Indeed, nephew. But people always complain – they don't know what it's like to shave every day," he said, winking at Kei, who stuck his tongue out.
"If Karik had a lover, you can bet he would shave for their sake," Kei said. "Beards are nasty, nasty things against the skin."
"Then when I have a lover, you'll know because I'll take it off," Karik retorted.
Reis grinned. "Have you got someone in mind, Karik? Everyone should have a lover. Everyone should have two lovers!"
"Are you corrupting my son again, Reis?" Pa came out onto the porch, his arm around Ma. "I swear, I'm going to have to forbid him to come to Darshek if that's what is going to happen every time he visits you."
Reis pouted. "I was just saying lovers are wonderful."
"The right lovers are wonderful," Ma said, nudging Pa in the ribs.
"Will everyone stop talking about me and my completely non-existent lovers, please?" Karik said in exasperation. "And Pa, I'm too old for you to forbid me to do anything."
"He's got you on that, Reji," Kei said cheerfully.
"They grow up so quickly," Pa said in a mournful tone, though his eyes twinkled with mischief.
Karik frowned at them all. "Are we ever going to be allowed to go into the house? I thought I was here for supper, not advice on my love life."
"Sorry, Karik," Reis said, hugging him again and keeping his arm around his shoulders as he ushered him inside. "We're in the indoor garden – Jes loves the birds."
"A budding naturalist, just like her Pa," Kei said. Karik rolled his eyes. The child was eighteen months old – to her, birds were just pretty things that moved.
As they walked through the house, Karik's eyes were drawn to the large painting in pride of place in the main hall – the last portrait of Wyma, finished after his death, peacefully in his sleep, two years before. All the Gifted still mourned for Wyma in their own quiet, private way. Karik still missed the old man, and he knew Reis had never really got over losing the only father he'd ever known. As Wyma's personal choice to succeed him, Neka had been asked to take on the role of their head, though she had protested she was much too young. From what Karik had seen, it had been a good decision.
Reis saw where his eyes had drifted, and squeezed his shoulder. "It's like he's still here sometimes, with that watching over us."
"I'm sure he does, in some way," Karik said. "Now, tell me what you've been doing. I passed by the new infirmary – that's going to be a wonderful place."
"Did you know Meda helped design it? Kei suggested it so it would be a restful place – he thinks that it will help people heal if it's light and cheerful. I think it's going to be beautiful."
"I'm sure it will be," Karik said as they followed Karik's parents into the conservatory. The room was full of Karik's gifted friends, and there was Mila holding Jes. "Hello, everyone."
"Karik!" Neka said with a little cry of pleasure, coming over to hug him and give him a kiss. "Beard," she said sadly, rubbing her lips.
"Oh, don't you start," Karik said in mock-irritation.
"I told you, Karik," Seiki said, coming over and greeting him warmly, before taking his hand, and getting him to sit next to her lover and their daughter. Mila immediately gave him Jes to hold. Jes looked up at him with large, green eyes as she tried to recall whether he was safe to be with or not, but then she stopped looking so worried and smiled at him.
"Where's Gyo?"
"Here, Ka-chi," his friend said, coming out from behind a huge potted tree. "Jes dropped her ball." He held a cloth ball up triumphantly, and she gurgled as he handed it to her. "How was it today, Karik?"
"Pretty good. They're a bright group of people. They really understood why I was showing them all that – I was half-expecting them to be bored, but they weren't."
"Because you're a natural teacher, Karik," Kei said. "When you stop trailing around Periter looking for plants, I want you at the academy."
"Wait a damn minute, Kei of Ai-Albon," his Ma said indignantly. "He's trailing around Periter looking for plants for you, you ungrateful wretch, and when he's done with that, we've got first dibs on him!"
Karik looked at Gyo, who just grinned back and shrugged. Everyone seemed to be making a claim on him tonight. "They're silly, aren't they, Jes?" he whispered, giving her the tail of his braid to play with. At the sight of the blond hair, her face lit up with delight, and her chubby hands grabbed it immediately. "Ouch, Jeichi, not so rough! That's attached."
"No complaints, nephew. I've got a bald spot from where she's pulled all my hair out at the back," Arman said.
"You do not," Kei said. "Don't exaggerate. A few hairs, no more."
"I notice you keep your damn braid away from her," his lover retorted.
"Now you know how I manage to keep it so long," Kei said sweetly. "Anyway, it just shows Jes has good taste if she likes the colour of your hair."
"It's just different from boring old brown," Mila said, letting her daughter take hold of her finger.
"Your hair's not boring," Seiki said stoutly, leaning over to kiss Mila's cheek. "Jes loves it too. So, are you really going to turn all those soldiers into scientists, Karik?"
"It's more likely than turning scientists into soldiers, at any rate," Karik said with a smile.
"I want to know all you've been doing," Neka said firmly. "That's why you're here."
"So it's not my sparkling company, you just want a progress report?"
"And your sparkling company," Meda said, giving him a dimpled smile. "Come on, Karik, we've missed you. Tell us everything!"
Karik pretended to groan, which made Jes giggle at his silliness, and then began.
Romi looked up as Kepi came into the barracks. "Finished?"
"Nearly. Matu said I was done, the others are still working on their surveys."
Romi nodded, and stretched. "You should spend some time at the butts. You need the practice," he teased. His friend wasn't their best archer – to be honest, Romi was the best on the team – but they all needed to be sharp. "I thought we could all get a few rounds in before supper, after the children leave."
"Young Karik going to come along again?"
"I suppose he will. He's been at most of the shoots."
"Not a bad shot for a civilian, is he? When's that Soza fellow going to make an appearance? Is he too grand to be trained?"
Romi didn't say what he really thought. "Karik says he's handling the research matters at the academy. I don't expect to see much of him."
Kepi grinned. "You look heart-broken."
"Do I? I don't mean to be," Romi dead-panned. While part of him resented that the man wasn't participating in the team building and preparation, the rest of him was guiltily grateful not to have to make accommodations for his peculiar personality, or to have a reason to clash with Karik again.
Kepi lay down on his bunk. Romi didn't begrudge him a rest – he'd been working them hard, though they could have been ready in half the time they'd been allowed. Training, drills and archery practice were honing the team nicely, and he felt they were as fine a group as the Rulers could have wished for. Some of them were a little more adept at the botany, others at the map making and geology, but there was no serious weakness in any of them. Most important of all, they were working well as a team, and were fast becoming good friends as well as comrades. There was a certain holiday feel with them having no other duties but to train, though the training was hard enough. Though he doubted any of them would want to do it for much longer, it was an enjoyable change from soldiering.
Each night he wrote a brief report for Lord Arman, which Karik carried back to the house the following evening. Though he doubted Karik was reading the letters, Romi kept the reports as neutral as possible, as was his habit anyway, but there was no reason to fudge the assessment of their preparedness.
"What are you looking at, Romi? Every time I see you, you've got your head in a report. Didn't they do all the logistical planning before we got here?"
"Just checking it all twice, Kepi. If we freeze to death or starve, I don't want it to be because I didn't think of something. I don't leave things to damn bureaucrats." The main difficulty was in obtaining enough warm clothing – heavy winter coats, boots and gloves that could withstand the kind of bitter cold they were expecting had had to be specially made. He got to his feet. "I'll have to catch you after lunch. We're picking out the mounts. Tiko's got some civilian, an expert on beasts, coming to give us some advice."
Kepi sat up and gave him a surprised look. "A civilian? Why do we need a civilian to tell us about army animals?"
Romi shrugged. "Beats me, but Tiko's organising it. I'm not an expert on the damn things, and if we can get a bit of free wisdom, then that's fine by me. Tell the others not to dawdle after lunch, we're meeting those Andonese families, remember?"
"I remember. See you later, Romi.
He walked over to the main gate to meet Tiko, Karik and the animal expert. To Romi's great surprise, the civilian turned out to be Karik's father, Reji – a big, good-looking man, broad and tall, with a piercing intelligent gaze, a ready smile and a grip like iron, as Romi discovered when he shook his hand.
The four of them went to the stables to examine the available stock, and while Romi and Tiko took a seat, Reji asked the stable hands to lead each animal out so he could check their feet, teeth, breathing and coat, and even lifting their stubby tails. Karik assisted his father, asking occasional questions, and pointing silently to this or that part of the animal's body. Romi and Tiko just let them get on with it, but after they rejected one beast which seemed no different from others that Reji had approved, Romi raised his hand. "Would you mind telling me what's wrong with that one?"
Reji glanced at Karik, who answered. "Low weight," he said briefly.
Romi gave him an exasperated look and Reji grinned. "A scrawny animal is a picky eater, captain. That's fine here in stables, and when you're not expecting tough conditions. It can even be an advantage in the heat, or if you want speed. But in Andon, you need beasts that will eat whatever forage they can get, ones that will keep the weight on so when the weather's bad and they can't feed, they still keep going. Basically I'm looking for placid, well-padded animals with good breathing and legs, and no sign of chronic infection or parasites. These are good beasts, mostly, but if I was running them, I'd cull that one for a start," he said, nodded at the rejected one.
"You're a trader, I believe Karik said."
"Not any more, not much. I've started breeding jesigs. I wouldn't mind if someone would import a few of those pack animals they use in Andon, but they don't like the heat, so maybe they'd be more trouble than they’re worth. At least for now."
Karik grinned at his father. "I'll see if I can smuggle a couple of doigs back, Pa. Pack them in snow or something."
Reji patted his son's shoulder. "I bet you would too, but I think the captain would object."
"Please, call me Romi. I can't see why we can't try and get a couple of animals if there's no extra cost or trouble."
"Well, if you could, that'd be great," he said, looking pleased and surprised at the offer. "I don't suppose Arman will mind, if you don't. Not worth risking anything over, but I'd love to get my hands on a breeding pair."
"I'll see what we can do."
After that, Romi paid close attention to what the two of them were doing, and Karik, perhaps realising the reason for it, began to explain what they were doing. "Breath smells clean, no lung rot." And – "No good, Pa. Tight tendons – it'll pull up in no time." The coats were combed and the volume of hair checked to see that the beast wasn't losing more than a usual amount of hair, a sign of age or illness. One animal was rejected because it was marginally more scruffy than the others – Karik said it was possible it didn't groom its coat properly and that made it more susceptible to parasites.
Romi was impressed despite himself. He was used to assessing people this carefully, but not animals, and he was astonished how much information a dumb creature could give up about itself. Tiko watched everything with a benevolent smile – he seemed to be enjoying watching a master in action.
At last twenty animals were chosen – slightly more than they absolutely needed, but it meant they wouldn't have to rely on doigs, which were hardier but could carry far less weight. They would have to be flexible once in the field, but now they had a good core of working animals.
Tiko declared himself happy and insisted on Karik and Reji coming to the officers' mess for lunch. It emerged that Tiko had known Reji since Karik was a baby, and the two took merciless advantage of this fact to tease the naturalist. "Pa," Karik complained finally, after Reji regaled them with a story concerning an escaped pet lizard and a bottle of strong-smelling distillate. "The captain doesn't need to hear all that."
Reji just grinned. "Sorry, son. Sorry, Romi – fathers and their boys, you know."
"Well, no, I'm not likely to, am I? You're lucky, being one of us and yet being a father." Damn, it was astonishing how this kept coming up to bite him.
Karik and his Pa exchanged a look. "Yes, I am," Reji said in a quiet tone. "More than you realise. But my apologies again. I get a bit carried away since I had a blessing I never expected."
Tiko cleared his throat. "Not that they're always a blessing. My damn son, did I tell you what foolishness he's thought up now?" He launched into a story about his son adding to his house, and putting in some new-fangled plumbing that Tiko thought was a complete waste of money and effort. In doing so, he managed to get them past a slightly sticky patch and the rest of the meal was peaceful.
Finally they were done, and Romi stood. "You'll have to excuse me, I'm afraid. I've got to meet Juizeigi before the children arrive."
"Children?" Reji asked.
"I told you about that, Pa," Karik said. "The captain's been inviting local Andonese to come and meet our team, so we get to know their customs. Not sure why you wanted to see the children though, Romi."
"Well, none of us are parents, Karik, and if we're in the settlements, it would be nice to know what Andonese children are like, and the games they play and so on. I didn’t think it could hurt, at least."
"I think that's a sound idea, " Reji said. "Unusually imaginative for a soldier too," he added winking at Tiko.
"Oh, sit on a thurl, you hulking arse," Tiko said mildly. "You better go, Romi. I'll make sure this gentleman is escorted off the premises."
Reji stood and stuck out his hand. "Pleasure doing business with you, Romi. Now you keep up your side of the bargain and bring my boy back in one piece."
"I'll do my best to bring everyone back," Romi replied in all seriousness, shaking the offered hand.
"That too," Reji agreed.
And with that, Romi took his leave. Reji seemed a solid, decent fellow, like the rest of Karik's family, and Romi wondered yet again how Karik could be carrying on a double life under their noses. He couldn't see Soza appealing to a fellow like Reji, or Reji not protesting about Karik walking away from his young family – something he'd never mentioned since that first time on the ship. Perhaps the situation was more complicated than Romi had assumed.
He wasn't going to ask about it, that was for sure – not when things were running as smoothly as they were for now. He was hoping that by the time Soza was thrown back into the mix, Karik would have developed enough respect for him and such a strong bond with the team that he wouldn't be so blind to his lover's faults. Not that he was blind, exactly – but touchy. Yes, that was the word. If Karik could be less touchy about Soza, they might be all right. Romi would have to do what he could to make the subject of Soza less explosive. He wasn’t looking forward to the potential arguments the damn man could cause simply by breathing.
"Thanks, Pa," Karik said as his father prepared to leave. "I think we've got a good bunch of animals."
"Not bad for Army bred," Pa said, unable to resist a poke at Tiko. "So that was the lieutenant. Seems a nice fellow. Good soldier, is he, Tiko?"
"Came with the most amazing reports I've ever seen, Reji. Arman said they had to be too good to be true, but they weren't. The man will make colonel before he's thirty five, I guarantee it. Not something I ever had an ambition to do, but I guess Romi's making up for the other things in life he can't have."
Karik had felt bad about that. "I know it doesn't matter to all the gifted, but it does for a lot," he said. "That's why I wanted to help Seiki and Mila. I'd do it for anyone in that situation."
His Pa put his hand on Karik's shoulder. "I know how Romi feels – well, I do now, though when I was his age, I was sure children weren't something I ever wanted. Maybe he'll find a young woman and have a good friend to help them, the way you did with Seiki. I've known it happen, though mostly we gifted stick to our own kind. It's simpler."
Karik nodded – his Ma had said the same thing often enough. "Hope so. He'd be a lot nicer if he was happier, I think."
His Pa smiled. "Come on, Karik, he seems all right to me. Maybe you just need to find some points in common. I'll see you later – Tiko, supper tomorrow, right?"
"Juli's expecting all of you. Thanks, Reji."
His Pa waved and walked off – he'd hitch a lift back to the city, and knowing him, he'd probably find a friend driving a cart to take him.
"Where are you off to now, Karik?"
"I should go and sit in with the children Romi's bringing in, or at least talk to Matu about going to the cliffs tomorrow. I want to go to the archery practice later too."
"Matu's not here, he'll be back later this afternoon."
"Then it's the children." Karik was half beginning to wish he'd gone with his Pa – he had things to do at the academy and time was running out.
"The children can wait, Karik. I wanted a word with you, actually. Come back around to the stables, there's a nice spot in the sun and we can watch other people working. That's my favourite pastime these days."
As promised, there was a bench against the stable walls, bathed in warm sunshine, and which gave them a good view of the beasts being trained in the large circular yard. It reminded Karik that Soza was on another riding lesson today – he'd said he was quickly improving. Karik hoped that was so – there would be a lot of riding on this expedition, and very little of it suitable for beginners, though the early part of the journey would be easier than the latter.
"What's on your mind, Tiko?"
"Well, that little discussion with Romi and your Pa reminded me. You haven't really done something like this before – I mean, been away from home for months in a small group of people."
"No, but I can't see how it will be so different, other than the extra supplies we need to take."
Tiko smiled and shook his head. "It's very different. When you have to live and work closely with others, you have to think about what you say and do all the time. Small grudges become major cause for complaint. Little irritations can make people come to blows. And when you throw homesickness and loneliness into the mix, it can really be hellish. I'm talking about morale, Karik. Low morale is the danger on a mission like this, as much as running out of supplies or illness."
"I know this, Tiko. Why are you suddenly bringing this up now?" After all, Arman had been discussing this with Karik just a few days ago.
"Because you and Soza are going to be the only two civilians. There's going to be friction there because you don't think quite the way we do, though you do as well as any civilian ever could," he added with a smile, then as he saw something in the exercise ring, he glowered. "Oh, pissing hells, I knew that corporal was going to fall on his arse, keeping a seat like that. I'd put him on extra duty for being so sloppy if I was his lieutenant."
"Tiko," Karik said impatiently. "I know we're civilians, but so do they."
"Yes, yes, but my point is that if you've got people with lovers left behind, friends, family, and so on, the fact you've brought a good...friend...with you might just make people a bit jealous, that's all."
"Oh." Karik hadn't even considered this. "But I don't play favourites."
"I know, lad, but sometimes perceptions get a little distorted. I'm just saying it's something to be aware of. After all, you've seen how easy it is to spark ill-feeling."
"Yes, I have," Karik said fervently. "I'll keep an eye on it, I promise."
"Good, Karik. I knew I wouldn't have to say much to you." He slapped his thigh. "Right, I'm going over to see why my soldiers suddenly can't ride a pissing urs beast to save their lives, and you can go and play with the children. I know you like that."
"I'd rather be at the academy, actually."
Tiko's face crinkled up in a grin. "Sure you would. Go and play, Karik. Enjoy being young, it doesn't last for long."
Karik shook his head as Tiko walked off. Damn man, as if he had time to mess around with children's games. But if he had to.... He thought of Jes, and how he would miss her and her parents, and the rest of his friends. Tiko had a point, he thought. He would have to mention it to Soza – they weren't just friends, but the only two naturalists. It wouldn't do if the soldiers thought they considered themselves elite or separate in some way. He just hoped the soldiers didn't take the opposite route and consider themselves superior to the civilians – that would get very tiresome.
The intense preparation meant time was passing far too quickly for Karik. As they entered the final days before departure, he had to apologise to Romi and say he would need to be away from the barracks almost until they were ready to leave. To his relief, the touchy lieutenant didn't seem annoyed and even told him to make the most of the time with his family.
At Arman's request, Karik was also making a surreptitious assessment of Soza's improvement. Fortunately, he seemed to be taking advantage of the chances he'd been given – he now kept an adequate seat on a beast and was confident as a novice could be, and he could now manage a few polite phrases in Andonese, which was all that was needed. He'd also stopped being so overtly obsequious to Arman, to his uncle's obvious relief, though Arman still didn't care for the man and avoided him wherever it was politely possible to do so.
Two days before departure, Karik and Kei had lunch at the academy to discuss the expedition – Kei wanted Karik's frank assessment before they met up with Soza and Arman to go to the barracks and make a formal inspection of the preparations. "Now, Karik – how do you feel about it all?"
Karik grinned. "Can't you tell?"
"Don't be a brat, nephew. But if you're cheerful enough to tease, I think you must be feeling confident. I take it you and Romi have found a way of working together? Still think he's an arse?"
"Maybe not as much," Karik admitted, which made his uncle's smile widen. "He's very good at what he does, and he inspires respect and confidence. He's not been rude to me for nearly two weeks."
"I told you just had to work your charms on him, Ka-chi." Karik gave him a withering look for that stupidity, but Kei only grinned back. "I felt he was sound, and I'm glad to have that confirmed. Going on the reports I've had back, unless we sent researchers from the academy, I doubt we'd have more able field collectors than those men either. It sounds to me like they're wasted as soldiers, some of them."
"Perhaps." Karik could hardly wish them to be discontent with their lives as they were.
"And Soza? He's not been spending much time at the barracks – I suggested he should, but he said he was too busy. Unfortunate that he didn't understand the importance of making an early start on becoming part of the team."
That had been Karik's view too, although he'd had no complaint from Romi about Soza's absence. "Well, he has had a lot to do, and he's made good progress. He does understand the importance of the team work, I'm sure of it. We'll have two weeks on the boat, don't forget."
"Hmmm, well I hope he's not going to spend it puking his guts up. He needs to get on deck sooner than he did last time."
"Yes, it was all explained to him. I'm not going to run around after him."
"Glad to hear it," Kei said. "Well, I can't think of anything we've left undone, Karik. I can't help but worry about it. I wish now I had arranged to go with you."
"I don't see what you could do that we can't. I've got a lot more experience than you have. You're the healer, I'm the collector, remember?"
Kei reached over to tug his braid. "Cheeky brat." Then he sighed. "The house is going to be so empty when you go, and Reji and Jena and Gyo head home."
"Mila and Seiki will still visit. You'll see Gyo and Risa in a couple of months, and Meran will be at the dormitory. I'm surprised you don't want some peace and quiet."
"I think Arman might, just occasionally, but I've loved having you all here. You know, Reji and Jena have been talking about Jena taking up a position at the academy, did she mention it to you?"
"No," Karik said, somewhat surprised. "I didn't think Pa would want to leave the village."
"Well, he doesn't, but he's been talking to people here and so has your Ma, and they think it might be possible for Reji to split his breeding business between here and Ai-Albon, so they can spend half the year here and half there. Jena says she wants to wait until Meran finishes her training but then there's no need for her to be a full-time healer. You know she's a researcher at heart."
"But she's also a healer at heart." Karik couldn't imagine his Ma not being a healer, but if they moved to Darshek, he would definitely see them more, and so would Jes. "It would be good for you, though."
"The only thing that would make me happier would be if I could move the entire village north, or the academy south," Kei said, smiling. "And Myka could come up too when Jena went home. Banji is going to hand the mine work over to Pijli and her lot, and do something less strenuous. Since Keiji's off with Misek, he can please himself now."
"Well, whatever makes it easy to see them all, is good for me," Karik said. He packed up their plates onto the tray. "We'd better go."
"Yes – Karik, you won't take any stupid risks on this, will you?" Kei said, suddenly frowning. "I'd never forgive myself if you were hurt or killed. The collecting is important, but not worth a life."
"Kei, I'm not going to put myself or anyone else in danger. Besides, fate's tried to kill me already and failed. I'm going to live to be a hundred."
Kei grinned and tugged his braid again. "Easily a hundred, nephew. Very well, I'll hold you to that boast. Now, let's go."
Romi was confident that Lord Arman and Master Kei would find nothing lacking in their preparations, but he still ran over all the details and the inventory once more before they arrived just to be sure. He was glad he had done, since the Ruler seemed to be determined to examine every piece of equipment and question every choice that had been made. His men, standing smartly to attention, were asked to prove they understood what they had learned over the previous three weeks, and it wasn't just Lord Arman asking penetrating questions – Kei also tested them, and genial though he was, it was clear that he was a rigorous task master when it came to his profession. Karik stood quietly aside and let his uncles conduct their investigation, but he didn't look worried, and even gave Romi a brief smile as if to say he knew there would be no fault found. Soza just regarded the proceedings with a slightly bored and haughty look, as if it was all beneath his notice.
At last Lord Arman straightened up after looking at Kepi's perfectly made field kit. "Excellent, captain. Very good work, all of you. I'm proud to be sending such fine examples of Darshianese personnel as our emissaries."
Romi flushed with pleasure. "Thank you, my lord. It's difficult to anticipate everything, but I honestly believe we're as prepared as we can be."
"Yes, I'd agree with that. You can dismiss your men, but your medic needs to go with Kei and Karik to show them what arrangements he's made. If you could stay with us, I'd be grateful."
"Certainly. Netu, please go with Master Kei. Everyone else – dismissed. You're off duty now until tomorrow evening."
Lord Arman waited until Romi's men had left, and Netu had gone out of the stores room with Karik and Kei. "Not that they don't deserve it, I'm sure, but are you really able to stand them down until just before you leave?"
"My lord, we're drilled, trained and prepared, and they've not had a full day off since we arrived. Letters to families need to be written, they'll want time to say goodbye to new friends and so on. Besides, some of them haven't seen much of Darshek and she's a fair city."
The Ruler smiled. "Yes, she is. And you're quite right, they need time for personal matters. Juizeigi was impressed with your cultural acclimatisation programme."
"Hardly that, my lord."
"Still...." He glanced at Soza before continuing. "This is going to be an important project for us, captain. The alliance with Andon is crucial to Darshian as you well know, and the knowledge we acquire and share from this expedition will go a long way to strengthening it. I don't need to tell you how causing offence or being arrogant to your hosts could cause irreparable damage to the bond."
"No, indeed, my lord," Romi agreed neutrally, wondering if this was the Ruler's way of warning Soza to behave or whether it was a general concern. "That's why I wanted to be sure we were as familiar with customs and mores as we could be. Our people are well-mannered – at least for soldiers," he added with a smile. "They know what's at stake."
"Good. Now, I want a word with Colonel Leke. Would you wait for Kei to return, please? Soza, if you could do so?"
"Yes, my lord," Soza said, bowing respectfully, but less formally than before. The man could be taught after all, Romi thought dryly.
Soza waited until Lord Arman had left before wandering over and looking at the neatly organised supplies. "Everything seems to be as we agreed," he drawled. "I'm glad to see my instructions so well carried out."
Romi knew he was being baited, so bit back on the response that sprang to his lips. "Yes, and without close supervision too."
Soza smiled unpleasantly. "Come now, lieutenant, you don't expect me to be down here holding your hand. Your soldiers are perfectly competent to organise such routine matters and I had so many requests for my time at the academy. Master Kei wanted to speak to me on a daily basis."
"How gratifying for you. Fortunately for us, Karik was able to lend us a hand in your unavoidable absence."
"Ah, yes, Karik is a saint for the patience he's shown. Of course, if he hadn't been able to escape back to the bosom of his family each evening, I suspect he wouldn't have been quite so patient. I know he finds the military environment quite a trial. Something about the rigid way of thinking, he says."
"Is that right?" Romi said, stung despite himself. "Nice to know he can associate with people of such high calibre once he's finished lowering himself."
Soza bowed a little. "I trust I have not offended you, lieutenant. After all, Karik and I inhabit a different world from you and your men."
"Sounds like it. I hope Karik found time to sort out his domestic situation while he was resting from such tiring company."
"His domestic situation?"
"Regarding the mother of his child. Or have you kept your relationship secret from her?"
Romi knew he was pushing it, but this man made him sick with his oily smile and oilier words. However, Soza's smile merely widened. "Oh, her. Nothing to sort out, lieutenant. The child was the result of a brief liaison. The mother is a slutty little actress who's now living with someone else. Took advantage of Karik quite disgracefully, so I understand. He's being very forbearing about it, but I know the situation causes him distress. He doesn't like to talk about it."
"Then perhaps you should refrain from doing so," Romi said, keeping his temper under tight control. At least that explained why Karik's family didn’t seem to condemn him for leaving his lover behind. It seemed Karik also knew what it was like to be deserted, though if the woman was what Soza said she was – and Romi wouldn't condemn anyone on Soza's assessment – Romi was surprised he had taken up with her at all. But then Soza was no prize either, so perhaps Karik generally just had poor taste in lovers.
"I only mentioned it because you seemed so curious, lieutenant. I'm not one for gossip myself."
"Really," Romi said. He wished the other three would return so he could put an end to this inspection. He wondered how in hells he was going to restrain himself from strangling this blasted man over the coming months, and could only hope that his company, once diluted by others, would be more tolerable. He also wondered if Karik had any idea what a two-faced little shit his lover was, and then decided he didn't care. Karik was an adult and no innocent. If he couldn’t see what Soza was like, it wasn't Romi's job to enlighten him.
He heard footsteps on the verandah and turned gratefully to the doorway, where Kei and the others appeared moments later. "Oh, he's run off and left you," Kei said cheerfully. "Sorry about that."
"Are you satisfied with the arrangements, Master Kei?"
"Completely. Part of the brief is to pass on knowledge to the more remote settlements and help their local healers, and I think Netu and Karik have got that well in hand. Karik, the only thing we might add would be needle and suture packs – they won't add much weight, and they'd be appreciated, I'm sure."
"Yes, I'll collect some tomorrow."
"Then other than that, I think it's as perfect as we can make it. Well done, Netu, Romi. I really am very impressed."
"Thank you. If you don't need Netu, I'll dismiss him."
"Please do. Thank you, Netu," Kei said with a polite bow.
"It's been an honour, Master Kei. And I'd like to think about that training offer if I may."
"Of course! I've always thought all medics should have a chance to do full healer training and you're a bright young man, I'm sure you'd manage it."
"Then I might do it. See you all later."
Kei turned to Romi. "Now where did that blasted man go off to? I said I wouldn't be long."
"His lordship said he wanted a word with Colonel Leke," Soza answered before Romi had a chance to.
"Then I better find him. Soza, if I could have a word...." He nodded at Karik. "We won't be long, just outside. Don’t let Arman wander away again."
"I won't," Karik said with a grin, going over and perching on a store box, and waving his uncle off.
Romi heard the two men speaking in low voices out on the verandah. Karik got up and went over to the arrayed packs. "Well, all we have to do now is get on the boat. Are you excited?"
"I suppose. Does the army know that Kei's trying to entice its medics off on year-long training? I'm not sure Netu's colonel would be happy to know about that."
Karik just smiled and shook his head. "Oh, he can't help himself. He thinks everyone should train as much as they can, and things like colonels are mere trivialities."
"And you?"
"Well, I can see an argument for that, but I believe medics have their place too and there's no point in making someone unhappy with their position."
"So you don't think Netu has the brains to become a healer or do you think he's too narrow-minded?"
Karik looked surprised. "Not narrow-minded, no. He likes rigid discipline more than I do, but then all soldiers do."
"That rigid discipline is what keeps us alive sometimes," Romi snapped. "Having standard rules and procedures means we know what we need to do and how to do it, so we don't waste valuable time and energy arguing over things instead of doing them. It doesn't make us stupid."
"I never said it did, Romi...."
"Not to my face, no. You accused me of harsh judgements, Karik. Beware of your own prejudices. You might be grateful one day when one of us rigid thinking soldiers saves your pretty little arse. Now excuse me, I'll go and let your uncle know Master Kei is finished. Good day."
Karik was left with his mouth hanging open in shock as Romi stalked out of the stores room. What in hells was that all about? He went back over the conversation and couldn't see where he'd accused anyone of rigidity, or been the least offensive. The man was insane, that had to be it. But was he dangerously insane? It was hard to know if these constant spats were going to make the expedition merely tiresome, or impossible.
He just wished he knew what kept setting Romi off – one minute he was as reasonable as one could hope for, and the next he was like a spoilt child. The only thing that offered hope was that Karik had seen no evidence that Romi was prone to violence or irrational decisions that might lead to danger. He also seemed to be able to keep his temper when other people were present, which, while it might be hypocritical, did mean the nastiness was kept to the two of them.
He slumped onto a store box. It was too late to turn back, and besides, what would he give as his reason to cancel the mission? 'Oh, Captain Romi doesn't like me.' He'd sound like a child, and Arman would think him ridiculous, which he would be. No, all he could do was grit his teeth and learn patience. Romi wasn't the worst arse Karik had ever met, just the most recent.
Things had gone quiet outside. He put his head out the doorway and saw Soza was sitting on a bench. "Kei's gone to look for his lordship," he said with a smile. "I was surprised to see the lieutenant leave when he'd been asked to stay."
"Captain," Karik corrected absently. "He, uh, had to go find someone. He seemed a little angry about something – you don't happen to know what, do you?"
"Perhaps it was because I told him that I didn't appreciate him gossiping about you," Soza said, his smile turning solemn. "Apparently he's heard some talk about you and your daughter, and wanted to tell me how much he disapproved of the situation."
"He what?" Karik said, utterly appalled. "What business is that to him?"
"None at all, and I told him that, and said his disgusting opinions were not something I wished to hear. Really, Karik, soldiers can be dreadfully vulgar."
"Yes, they can," Karik said angrily. "How dare he comment on Jes? Or Mila, or Seiki? The smallest hair on my daughter's head is worth more than ten of him."
"I agree, and I know her parents would be horrified. I don't think you should tell them about this."
"Of course I won't. Why should I pass on the comments of a fool?" Karik was so disgusted he nearly spat. "Thanks for telling him off for me, though. He better keep his opinions to himself in future or I'll have something to say about it."
Soza shook his head in disgust. "Personally, my dear fellow, I think the less you have to do with that man, the better. He's all right for the coarse tasks, but he's not up to anything subtle. I hope he's not going to upset the Andonese."
"So do I. Do you think we should have him removed? It would mean delaying the mission by a month at least, but it would be worth it if he's going to continue to cause this kind of ill-feeling."
Soza made a dismissive gesture. "I'm sure you and I can keep an eye on him, but I wouldn't allow yourself to get too close to him, Karik. He seems to have no sense of loyalty."
"No, none. I won't make that mistake, I assure you."
He could see Kei and Arman coming across the yard, and he forced himself drop his anger against Romi, so Kei would not ask about it. But he was glad to know just what kind of bastard he was dealing with – and to think he'd been feeling sorry for him. Never again – the man didn't deserve any kindness at all.
He'd promised to be completely at his parents' disposal for the last day and a half before departure, so they went straight back to Kei's house from the barracks. Kei gave him a couple of worried looks, but said nothing, and once Karik was in the house, where Seiki was with his Ma and Jes, the sight of his precious daughter just made him melt, as it always did. He might not be her main parent, but he took his paternal role seriously. He wasn't going to let Jes grow up feeling she'd been rejected, and Mila and Seiki had been adamant that he was to be a part of her life as much as he wanted to be. He hadn't, because of his job, been around as much as he would have liked, but he loved her just the same.
How could that horrible man disapprove of anything that brought this lovely child into the world, he wondered. He sat down on the floor where his Ma and Seiki were playing with Jes and some little wooden animals Risa had carved for her. He began to set them in a row so she could knock them over with a giggle – things falling over were vastly amusing to her right now.
Karik, you're frowning. What's wrong?
Nothing, Seiki, and I don't want to talk about it in front of Ma. Gods, I'm going to miss you all.
As we'll miss you. It's going to be awful not even being able to send messages to you.
I'll be writing whenever I can but I don't know how long it will take mail to get back to you. It's just going to be tough for everyone. I'm sorry.
"Never mind, Karik," she said aloud, perhaps because his Ma was looking at them quizzically. "We'll survive. Someone has to do the exploring, or we'd never learn anything."
"I just wish it wasn't always you," his Ma said sadly. "You know Kei's got all kinds of plans for you to go back to Andon, but I wish he'd remember how hard it is on us.'
"He knows, Ma," Karik said gently. "But Seiki's right – someone has to do it, and I'm good at it. I promise I won't always be gone. Ten more years at the most."
"Ten," she said, putting her hand over her heart. "Five? Please, son?"
"All right, Ma. Five, tops. Kei wants me at the academy too, so I can hand it on to someone else. I can always train field collectors."
"Five's not so bad, Jena," Seiki said. "Jes will still be little then."
"But I won't be," his Ma replied with a sad smile. "I just got Reji to stay home with me, I want my son too, before I get too old to enjoy it."
"You're not old, Ma," Karik said, giving her a hug. "Kei says you've not changed in twenty years."
"He's just an idiot then. I'm sorry, son – I always get a bit stupid when I have to say goodbye, you know that."
"I know," he said. "Ouch," he added, as Jes tugged on his braid for attention. "Trying to make me bald again, Jeichi?" He pulled her into his lap, and she smiled at his wagging finger. "I hope you've grown out of that habit by the time I get back."
"You were the same, Karik," his Ma said. "Reji said he didn't know who was harder on his hair – the beasts or you. But you grew out of it eventually."
"I bet Pa was pleased I did." Karik didn't mind if Jes pulled every hair on his head out by the root. She was his beloved daughter, and a precious gift to his two good friends. That damn Romi could jump off a cliff and take his filthy opinions with him.
Karik wished he could hold back time for just a little longer, since every passing hour made his Ma look more and more sad. But he couldn’t, and the only consolation was that the sooner he left, the sooner he could come back and make her smile again. Though her pain hurt him deeply, the work had to be done. New plants had to be found, new drugs had to be made. Too many people died from things they should already know how to cure, and whether one believed in Soza's panacea or not, he didn't want Jes to die of a preventable infection, or his Ma or Pa to be crippled with arthritis without any relief from the pain. Darshianese medicine had saved his life five years ago and had saved many others. But too many people were not saved.
He slept badly the last night, lying in the bed he was sharing with Gyo. It had been so good to see him again, Karik thought. Gyo had grown up, filled out, become a very fine young man. He was, it had emerged, very tentatively courting his cousin, Meran, though her sparky, brilliant intelligence rather overawed Gyo, who was a more contemplative sort. Karik was rather jealous that Gyo had found contentment so close to home. He wished the village offered all that he needed for his own self-fulfilment, but it didn't, just as it hadn't for Kei. And just as there was always a small core of sadness in Kei's heart because of that, Karik knew that was to be his fate too.
He rolled over, trying to get a little sleep before he had to get up at dawn to meet the ship. The soldiers were already on board, he knew and he hoped that nasty lieutenant was finding his bed full of lumps and parasites. Karik wasn't looking forward to the sea journey – the ocean between Darshek and Andon was infamous for its great rolling waves, and Karik knew Soza was going to be ill a good part of the trip. Ill or unconscious, since Kei had decreed that since Soza was that sensitive to motion, there was nothing else for it but to dose him with pijn for the worst of it. Karik half-wished he could just bunk with the soldiers, but if there was a choice between the great arse and a puking Soza, he knew which he would choose.
He wasn't usually troubled by anxiety, but over the past day, he'd found himself getting worried about this expedition, as if there was something he'd forgotten to do that was crucial, or something that he should know about that would affect it, and couldn't work out. Possibly it was fretting about that arse, he thought. But he couldn't shake it, and didn't dare express it because everyone was already worried enough. He knew Kei could feel it, but his uncle had been discreet enough not to mention it, perhaps trusting Karik to mention it if there was anything anyone could do, which there wasn't. He just hoped it was because he'd never done anything quite on this scale before. But it was very tiresome and tiring, and by the time pre-dawn had arrived, he was as awake as ever. He slipped out of bed as quietly as he could, and pulled on his clothes – let Gyo and his parents sleep a little longer, he thought.
Arman and Kei were already up, which perhaps didn't surprise him as much as it should. Arman was cooking hotcakes, while Kei was huddled over a mug of tea, looking weary and sad. Karik slipped in beside him and gave him a hug. "I'll be home before you know it, uncle Kei."
"I know, nephew. Unfortunately, I can feel everyone in the house and they all want you not to go."
"I'm really sorry," Karik said.
"I know, I can feel that too. Never mind me, we'll cope."
Arman gave his lover a worried look as he set a plate of his excellent cakes down on the table and then sat down. "I should have thought about the effect on you, Kei. I'm sorry."
"Don’t be an idiot, Arman. As if it matters in the scheme of things. We should be pleased – we've planned this long enough. If the damn Prijian sovereign hadn't been so inconsiderate as to get herself killed, we'd have done this two years ago."
"I'm glad we didn’t, though," Karik said. "For one, I've got a lot more experience under my belt and two, we've been able to prepare that much more carefully. I'm not sorry she got herself blown up though," he added, serving himself a cake and pouring honey over it. Pira would be here in a minute and scold Arman for usurping her kitchen, but his cakes were nearly as good as hers, and Karik was hungry.
"No one is," Arman said with a slight smile, though he kept hold of Kei's hand. "I wish she'd died in her sleep though – we could have done without the troubles that followed."
"The new sovereign's at least a bit more intelligent," Kei said. "And it might be horrible of me, but I think Mekus got all he deserved."
"Indeed. My father is still saying how glad he is to have lived long enough to see him get his comeuppance."
"Me too," Karik said fervently. "Do you suppose he likes the Welensi Islands?"
"Not even slightly," Arman said with a devilish smile. "And more to the point, I very much doubt the islanders like him. I suspect they are making his life merry hell, and good luck to them."
"He certainly belongs in some kind of hell," Kei muttered as he took a cake.
"Eventually he will do," Arman said. He got to his feet. "I better wake everyone."
Kei was still staring into his mug of tea. "I'm sorry, uncle Kei," Karik repeated.
"Oh, it's not really you, Ka-chi. I'm tired, didn't sleep. Neither did you," he added dryly. "I could feel you all night."
"I kept you awake?"
"No, I was already awake. Do you want to tell me what's worrying you or is it just nerves?"
"Just nerves. And thinking of sharing a cabin with Soza."
Kei winced. "Ah, that. Well, maybe you'll find the cure for seasickness in Andon."
"I wish we knew what caused it, and why some get sick and some don't."
"Yes, indeed. That kind of puzzle has tormented me all my adult life. There is just so much we don't know, Karik. Sometimes I feel I'm drowning in ignorance. That keeps me awake at night, I can tell you."
"You've done so much, Kei. We know so much because of you, and you've discovered so many new drugs."
"Never enough, Karik. That will be my epitaph. 'Never enough.'"
Karik shivered. "Don't," he said. "I have enough to worry about."
"And I'm not even going anywhere," Kei said, patting his hand. "Your Ma says you promised her to give up collecting in five years."
"I was going to talk to you about it...." Karik said with a guilty start.
Kei raised his hand. "It's all right, Karik. I agree. If you wanted to give up now, I'd agree. You are important to so many people I love, and they need you. You're just one man, you can't carry it all. We've made a good beginning here, training those soldiers. They'll be available to the next team, and they'll train others in turn. Even if you don't go yourself, never feel you're not contributing. You wouldn't say that about me, would you?"
"No," Karik said quickly. "Never."
"Well, then. Now, eat your breakfast and put on a cheerful face for your parents. And don't worry about us. You're the one with the hard job. We'll keep each other safe until you return. Your little girl will be happy and healthy and still pulling out Arman's braid when you get back."
"It's a good thing Prijian hair grows so fast then," Karik joked.
"Perhaps I should encourage her to pull out your beard instead."
"Ouch, don't you dare," Karik said, stroking it protectively. He didn't care for his beard much himself but it saved a lot of time, especially in the field, and he certainly wasn't going to shave it before he got back. Maybe when he stopped being a collector, he thought.
It was a solemn little breakfast – everyone being sleepy and sad, and wishing they had another day with each other. But all too soon, his Pa stood. "Right, son, we're going."
Karik stood and went to his mother, so he could kiss her cheek and hug her. "Love you, Ma. I'll be home before you know it."
"Better be, son of mine." She kissed his forehead, and placed her hand over the tero stone around his neck. "Come back safe."
"I will."
Pira kissed his cheek and shed a tear when he returned her embrace. Gyo solemnly shook his hand, and then hugged him hard. "You look after Meran and Keiji for me," Karik whispered.
"You look after Karik for me," Gyo said, and then gripped his wrist where Karik wore the bracelet made from hair of his village friends. "Don't get on any strange ships."
Karik laughed. "I can promise that."
"Son, we have to go," his father reminded him.
"Yes. All right, everyone, no more long faces."
"Ask for something possible," his Ma said, but she forced a smile anyway. "Go before I make a fool of myself. Shoo."
Kei gave her a quick hug, and then he and Arman followed Karik's Pa out to where the calash was waiting for them. His Pa climbed up beside the driver, and once the rest of them were safely inside, told the man to drive on.
"Well this is cheerful," Arman said. "I feel like such a bastard taking you away from them all, Karik. We can still call the mission off, you know."
"And why would we do that, uncle Arman?" Karik snapped, more irritably than was polite. "As if soldiers all over Darshian don't do the same thing every week, and with far less preparation and pampering. Am I supposed to be treated differently because of my family?"
"No, nephew, certainly not," Arman said, bowing his head in acknowledgement.
"Then stop it, all of you," Karik said. "I just want to get on the damn boat, go to Andon and come home. And I don't want to cry, so stop saying stuff like that."
Kei just put his arm around Karik's shoulders, and immediately, he felt his distress lessen. "Don't, Kei," he said, but less impatiently than before. "You're already sad."
"So a little more won't kill me, and then you'll be able to march on board like a certain cranky lieutenant of our acquaintance, and no one will ever know you mind even a little bit."
Karik nearly told him not to talk about him either, but decided it was better not to with Arman looking right at him like that. "You all think I'm so fragile."
"I assure you we do nothing of the sort, nephew," Arman said, fixing him with a steely gaze. "Kei, let him alone. Karik's more than tough enough."
Kei obeyed his lover although he gave him a hurt look for it. Karik was grateful and at the same time, sorry – Kei had helped, he just resented that they thought he needed it.
They were at the docks in ten minutes. Soza was waiting for them, and bowed politely. "It's a fine day for a journey," he said.
Karik glanced up – it was. Cloudless and bright, as fine a day as any he'd seen in Darshek. "In two weeks, we'll really miss this," he said, making a mock shiver.
"Yes, but I think the snow has a beauty all its own, " Arman said. Karik couldn't imagine what thick snow would look like – he'd seen snow on the mountains, but never walked in it. Arman's words reminded him of how much he wanted to do this, for all the sadness he was causing now.
His Pa handed Karik his pack. "Now, remember what I said about coming after you in the next life, Karik."
"Yes, Pa. Look after my little girl and my big girls. And the men." For an answer, he was taken into a crushing hug, and then set free. "I'll come home to you, I swear."
"Good enough. Go," Pa said gruffly.
Arman just hugged him, and squeezed his shoulder. Kei kissed his forehead, then pushed him away gently. "Go."
Karik nodded. "Pa, take them back. Ma needs you more than I do."
"That she does, son. Remember you promised me those doigs."
"I did." He waved and resolutely turned his back on his loved ones. Never got any easier, this business, he thought.
Chapter 5
It was snowing the last day of the journey, but at least it wasn't as unpleasant as the sleety rain, which had turned to ice on every surface and made walking on deck hazardous. There was little wind, so the snow fell in deceptively soft feathers, quickly covering Romi's cloak as he peered towards the cloud capped mountains of the great Geriziq Range. That would be their destination once they set off from Tsikiugui though he sincerely hoped the snows would have melted a little before they got there. He was already freezing in his new winter gear.
He heard someone stamping their feet to get warm, and turned. "And to think it will be spring in two weeks' time," he said with a wry smile to Jou, who pulled a face. "You've not been up here in the winter, have you?"
"No, and now I'm wondering what in hells I'm doing here now," she said, shivering and huddling into her coat. "I thought snow was supposed to be pretty."
"Well, it is – when it settles and the sun comes out. You'll see. I think it'll clear later. Maybe by the time we dock."
"I'll be glad to get off this pissing boat, that's for sure." She joined him at the rail – the snow falling on the oily surface of the ocean had a kind of hypnotic quality, and the cold wasn't too bad when the wind was behind them as it was. "Haven't seen much of Karik this trip. I thought Soza wasn't so sick this time?"
"Don't know," Romi said briefly, not wanting to encourage discussion. To tell the truth, he was smarting over the issue of the young scientist, though he had not discussed it with any of his men, and to his knowledge, none of them had noticed the hostility between the two of them. Karik had been rarely seen, but when Romi had encountered him with any of the soldiers, the man had been civil and friendly, though not directly to Romi. If he was encountered on his own, Karik refused to speak to him or look him in the eye. It was, Romi thought, going to be something he would have to address and soon. A team could not have one member being so cold to the leader, and it made no difference that he was a civilian.
"Shame," Jou said, looking back out to sea. "I like him, he's good company. Can't say the same about Soza, sadly."
Soza could be likeable enough, Romi thought sardonically, if he thought you were worth cultivating. On the face of it, Karik didn't care about people's position, but it seemed he was disdainful of common soldiers as Soza was. They both needed a kick in the arse, Romi considered. As if being a soldier was any more lowly than a scientist or any other trade.
"Well, we just have to work around difficult people, Jou. He'll do his job, we'll do ours."
"That's what I always do, Romi. I've been thinking about that idea Karik mentioned."
"What idea?"
She turned to him and frowned. "Didn't he tell you? He and Master Kei want to set up some short courses at the two academies – so soldiers can get qualifications in botany and natural history. Sort of like the proper healer course without the medical stuff. Three months' long, he thinks. I think Master Kei's already written to the fellow in Urshek about it. I thought he would have told you, since you're so keen on us getting trained up."
"Ah, yes, it slipped my mind," he lied. "Would make a change from bandaging blisters."
She shrugged. "Can't hurt to get any training that's on offer – then I can get to go on jaunts like this."
"Seiz won't be too happy to hear that."
"Then Seiz can do the training and come along with me. I told him he should have learned Andonese, but would he listen? Men," she said with disgust, making Romi grin. "Gods, I'm going down below, I'm freezing my nipples off."
"Thank you for sharing that with me, corporal," Romi said dead-pan. She saluted him with an ironic flip and headed off for the warmth of the passenger deck.
It was getting too cold for him too, and since there were still hours to go before they got anywhere near port, he thought he would see that the men all had things stowed and that the animals were ready for disembarkation. That was his excuse – actually, the animal hold was one of the warmest, if smelliest, parts of the ship, and he was chilled to the bone. Stupid really – he knew the danger from the freezing temperatures, and while he was trying to acclimatise, he had overdone it. He shivered as he went below deck, the relief from the wind and snow immediate.
He could hear the quiet complaints of the beasts even before he entered the hold, and the familiar warm stink of urine, manure and farts wafted up in the chill air. He didn't mind though, it was a smell that reminded him of the barracks and happy times. "Reisa? These bastards all ready to off-load? We'll be in dock in about four hours, I'm told."
For a moment there was no response, and as it was darker in the hold, he had to wait until his eyes adjusted. Then he saw a figure standing up in the corner. "Reisa's not here, captain," a cool, drawling voice said.
"Well, where is he and why in hells had he abandoned his post?"
Now he could see Karik's face, showing a slight flush of colour. "He hasn't – he left me in charge while he went to get some tea and food."
"I'm surprised you'd lower yourself to look after beasts. It's not your job – you can leave that to us soldiers. That's our job, to fetch and carry and clean up after you, isn't it?"
Karik wouldn't meet his eyes. "If you say so," he said in a low voice. "Perhaps you'd prefer to take over, since you don't think I'm up to the task."
"It's not me thinking you're not up to it, my lad, it's you thinking you're too damn good for the likes of us."
Karik's head snapped up. "Oh? I thought it was because you had set yourself up in judgement on my family, and disapproved of them."
"What?" Romi stared at him in irritated confusion. "Now what are you wittering about?"
"You, captain. Making disgusting remarks about my daughter and her mother. As if you have the slightest right to comment."
Romi made an exasperated noise. "All I said was that I hoped you'd got the situation sorted out, and Soza informed me things weren't as I supposed they were. I never made any comment about your damn daughter."
"Don't you dare refer to her in that manner or in that tone of voice, captain Romi." The man had drawn himself up to his full height and his eyes flashed with pure rage. "Don't you even breathe a word about her that's less than respectful."
"Or what? You'll report me to your lordly uncle? I'm sure he'd believe you over some stupid ignorant soldier."
"My uncle adores my daughter, captain, and if I had told him what you'd said about her, he'd have thrown you off this expedition. For the sake of harmony, I did not. But repeat it, and you can be sure I will report you. You have no business discussing my personal life with anyone."
"But it's all right for you to go home and slander your team mates. I see – one rule for you, one rule for us. I get it."
Karik's eyes narrowed. "I have no idea what you're talking about. Apart from you, I have the highest respect for my team mates. None of them have ever sat in judgement on me or my family. You're the only one who's done that, so you're the only one I hold in low regard. But even you, I don't discuss with other people. Anyone who says any different is lying."
"Maybe you don't discuss us by name, Karik, but don't deny you've been going back to your family and whining about the military mindset."
Karik gave out a short laugh. "Captain, my uncle complains about the military mindset. You know, the one who used to be a general. And from the display before me, everything he says is true. Now if you're staying, please excuse me. I've got things to do. If you're minded to complain to Reisa about leaving his post, then remember who I am and whose son I am. I can watch a few beasts for half an hour."
He started to walk out, but Romi grabbed his arm as he went past. "Look you little...."
"Let go of me."
"I just...."
For a moment it was if it was Karik's uncle, not Karik himself, whose cold stare bored into him. "Let. Go. Of. Me."
Stung, Romi obeyed. "What in hells is wrong with you? Are you going to be like this all journey?"
But Karik was gone and Romi got no answer. He sat down on one of the low stools and cursed soundly for a good five minutes. Little shit. Little pissing, arrogant, irritating shit. What was all that about? He'd never said anything about his daughter....
The realisation hit him. Soza. Pissing Soza. Romi hit his head against the wall, but not too hard so he didn't startle the beast next to him. What other charming garbage had he been saying to Karik? And now he thought about it, he only had Soza's word for Karik's opinion about the military. He would have to have another word with Karik, but this time keep his temper. He'd really not displayed the finer qualities of an officer in that exchange.
He sat lost in thought until Reisa startled him. Mindful of Karik's last barb, Romi refrained from ticking Reisa off for leaving his post, since in strict point of fact, Karik was as much responsible for the care of the animals as anyone else on the team, and had never shirked any duty along those lines. It was only Soza who had made it clear he would be doing none of the menial duties, and since arguing with him would involved talking to him, Romi hadn't pressed the point. It wasn't like he would do them properly anyway.
He checked with Reisa that the animals were all in good shape, and then went to see that everyone had their packs squared away. By the time he was done, and back on deck, it was sunny again, and the clouds lifted for a few minutes from Mount Arzha, filling him with the same sense of wonder as when he had first seen this truly astounding volcano. It was so tall that its permanently snow-capped peak was rarely visible, and even as Romi watched, clouds descended to obscure it once more. It reminded him of why he had wanted to return to Andon. It was a land of majesty, of mystery and excitement. A man could make a mark there, and spend a lifetime exploring without learning all its secrets. It was at moments like this that he almost envied Karik his peripatetic life, answerable to no one but the academy, and choosing his own path for discovery. Chances to explore like that were truly rare in the military, which was why he had immediately seized this chance.
And he was messing it up, he thought, growling at his own stupidity. It shouldn't make a difference if Karik was a civilian or not. All he had to do was assert his authority and start behaving as if the respect he wanted was actually deserved. And to stop listening to pissing Soza.
"Now that looks like a lieutenant Romi scowl if ever I saw one," Soza said as Karik slammed back into their cabin and threw himself into a chair. "What's he done now?"
"Oh, just been his usual self. A great hulking arse," Karik said bitterly. "Sorry, I shouldn't take it out on you."
Soza came over and laid his hand on Karik's shoulder. "Nonsense. What are friends for if you can't talk about what's bothering you? I'm a little surprised he's pulling your tail just before we start the expedition for real. He doesn't seem to have the slightest sense of how to manage people."
"Not civilians anyway," Karik muttered. He looked up at Soza and made himself smile. "Don't mind me. Have you been up to see Mount Arzha? The sailors were saying you sometimes get a great view from here if the clouds lift."
"I'm sorry, I just had an idea for a new paper and was scribbling a few notes down." He lifted the notebook. "I thought I may as well make the most of the chance for some quiet work. I dare say we'll not have much chance on the trail."
"No, probably not, and precious little peace in the evenings." Karik scowled as he remembered they would have to share one big tent with the soldiers – and that great arse. "In the settlements we might have a chance, and we'll probably spend at least a week in Visiqe."
"I hope so. I confess I'm very curious to see that city. So many legends and stories, I don't know whether to be excited or fearful."
Karik grinned. "I don't think there's much to be afraid of. I know it's supposed to be the richest city in Periter, but it's in the middle of nowhere. It's probably just legendary to those who spend all their lives in a settlement of thirty people. It's like when I first came to Darshek – I thought it was the most bewildering, amazing place I'd ever seen, and now it's just one of my homes."
"We can get used to anything, I suppose," Soza said with a smile. '"I wonder how long it will take to get used to the cold?"
"I was wondering that myself. Probably we'll not really get used to it, but the weather will be warming up steadily from now on."
"Karik, it can still snow for the next three months, you know that."
"Well, yes, but it's still going to be warmer, even if it's below freezing." He laughed at Soza's comical shudder. "Come on, if the Andonese can do it, we can do it. Men of Darshian and all that."
"Indeed. But while we have a little privacy, let me show you what I was thinking of putting into print."
Karik let his temper cool as he got caught up in Soza's new ideas, but part of him was still seething over the way that horrible man had spoken about him and Jes. That lieutenant had better be sure he would be reported for his discourtesy – that was no way for an officer to behave. To think he'd suffered all that because he'd offered to help Reisa. At least the other soldiers welcomed him and let him be part of the team. It was only Romi who kept making this idiotic distinction between civilians and soldiers – and where had he got this notion that Karik had been insulting his team? He'd done little but praise them, even the great arse himself. Most likely it was his own sense of inadequacy fuelling this hostility, just as it had done for so many of the fools who'd decided that picking on a small Prijian boy would somehow make them look like big men. Well, Karik would show the arse that his opinion made no difference to Karik at all, and he was damned if he would change his behaviour in the smallest matter.
"Karik? Am I boring you?"
"Gods, no, Soza, not in the least. I was just... wondering if the affinities aren't stronger with the Kemis group. If you look at the seeds, I mean."
"Hmmm. Possibly. Yes, I see what you mean, but if you consider the leaves...."
He forced himself to concentrate, and succeeded so well that he was truly startled when a knock came on the door and Sibu told them they were coming into the port. Karik and Soza had to hastily clear up their notes and papers and get their packs together. Karik double-checked that Soza was wearing his new winter gear correctly, and had all the layers on that he should – the bulky clothes felt incredibly awkward to both of them, but he had already felt the iciness of the bitter wind and knew they were necessary. Soza had avoided the deck, and so had yet to really appreciate what the weather in Andon would be like. One of the things that lieutenant Romi had been relentless in drilling them in was in how to handle the cold, signs of hypothermia and frostbite, and had backed the lessons up with anecdotes from the Darshek-dwelling Andonese. But there was just no substitute for experiencing it oneself, and the time was now at hand.
The soldiers were all on deck as Soza and Karik came up, and the great ship was already in its moorings, the sailors busy throwing ropes and lowering anchors. "Blessed gods!" Soza said, his breath puffing out in huge plumes. At first Karik thought he was shocked by the cold, but then he saw his friend was just amazed by the sight of the snow, which covered all the low roofs, the streets, and to the north, the huge mountain range they could just dimly see through the lowering clouds. "How extraordinarily beautiful."
"It is," Karik agreed with feeling.
Jou, hearing their words, turned and smiled. "Not much like the dry regions, is it?"
"No, it's not." It was more wonderful than he had ever imagined it. "It hardly looks real."
"The cold's real enough," she said, hunching into her coat. She wasn't the only one – it seemed the only one of the soldiers not affected by the cold was the lieutenant, staring haughtily ahead, proud and tall, apparently uninterested in anything or anyone around him. Arse, Karik thought.
Karik and Soza walked off behind the soldiers who marched smartly down the gangplank. There followed some confusion, and rather too long a time standing around in the bitter cold, until a runner could find their Andonese contact. Karik had got so used to Neka and Seiki forewarning people when he arrived in Darshek, that he'd forgotten what it was like when people couldn't know he was coming. He was beginning to wish he was back on the boat in the animal hold, but finally an Andonese soldier, the red armbands on his coat the only thing distinguishing him from the dozens of other people milling around the docks, came walking over, and bowed to lieutenant Romi who returned the gesture. Then the two of them embraced like brothers. "Wepizi! I didn't know you were still in Tsikiugui – I thought you'd gone north!"
"Ah, been north, come south, my friend," the Andonese said, and then turned to the rest of them. "Welcome, good friends from Darshian," he said in heavily accented but easily intelligible Darshianese. "I am Lep Wepizi, at your service." He bowed formally. Karik, like the others, returned the bow.
So this presumably would be their liaison – a friend of Romi's it seemed, which might be a good thing or perhaps not. Romi, for his part, wasn't wasting time on introductions. "Wepizi, we better get the beasts off the boat."
"Certainly. Let me have one of your men to direct matters, and I'll have our stable hands make sure you meet up – we're going to the main barracks."
Romi signalled to Reisa, Wepizi likewise to someone behind him who Karik hadn't realised was a soldier. He wasn't even sure if it was male or female – the bulky clothes made everyone anonymous, and disguised weight and sex quite effectively. The Andonese soldier went back on board with Reisa. "Your personal gear is all you need for now," Wepizi said. "The ship will be in dock for several days, and your stores will be brought to the barracks tomorrow. Your requested supplies are waiting for you, and we can depart the day after, if the weather holds."
"We're in your hands, Wepizi," Romi said. "Unless our scientists object?" He turned and raised an eyebrow at Karik and Soza.
Karik didn't even bother translating the question for his friend. "Whatever Lep Wepizi advises is of course what we should do, captain," he said with cold politeness. "I have no doubt we are in excellent hands," he said with a little bow towards the Andonese officer. If Romi wanted to look like an arse, then Karik would happily help him to complete the picture, he thought.
Wepizi was looking confused, as well he might, but at Karik's words, he smiled. "Most kind, my friend. Ah, but I wasn't aware that any Prij were joining this expedition."
"They're not," Karik said with a tight smile.
Romi clapped his friend on the shoulder. "Our Karik is a man of mystery, Wepizi. Can we get out of the cold, please? My balls are falling off."
"You've got soft, my friend, too soft. You should roll naked in the snow for a bit, toughen you up. Your balls will crawl back inside your body after a bit and you won't feel them at all." Romi wasn't the only one of the men who winced, Jou and Sibu laughing at their reaction, and Wepizi grinned. "Now, come with me. I know exactly what you will need to warm yourself up."
It was only half a mile to the barracks, but by the time they got there, Karik felt like he'd walked ten, so intense was the cold that froze the air in his lungs and made every breath torture. The icy ground, snow hard packed by the passage of humans and animals, was dangerous and slippery, almost impossible to stay upright on. Very few of them had any experience of walking on snow or ice at all, and soon they were clutching at each other to stop themselves falling. Soza looked utterly miserable as Karik tried to keep him upright. "Is there some trick to this?" he muttered.
"Not that I can see," Karik said. Where the snow was less compacted, it was easier, but the ice was impossible. He wondered how the beasts would manage. At least outside Tsikiugui they shouldn't suffer this problem, and as spring approached, hopefully the ice and snow would decrease. No one had told him about this part, he thought wryly.
The barracks were nothing like as big or as solid looking as the Darshek ones, which were constructed out of stone. Arman and Jezinke had both told him of the risk of tremors and earthquakes, which was why there were no tall buildings to be seen at all, and many seemed to be the kind that would be easy to replace if they fell down. The Tsikiugui barracks were wooden and seemed rather shabby, and Karik shivered, wondering if they were as cold and barren on the inside as they seemed to be on the outside. These barracks were surrounded by a high wooden palisade, and they had to be admitted through a huge gate, behind which activity bustled every bit as much as it did in Darshek. The soldiers didn't seem to care about the cold as they went about their business.
Wepizi didn't give them much chance to look around, and as the light was going already, Karik was glad to get indoors. They were taken to an entrance hall, and requested to change into their indoor shoes before they were allowed into the large main room itself which seemed to be where the other soldiers ate, rested and slept. There were no bunks, just pallets and furs rolled up against the wall. The soldiers already in the hall were sitting on benches close to an enormous circular stove in the middle of the room. The air seemed fuggy and almost solid after the crisp cold outside.
Wepizi asked the soldiers near the stove to make room for the visitors, and made general introductions. "Now, drizu for you all, hot food and then the steam room, yes?"
There was a collective nodding. Karik was most curious to see a steam room, and from what he'd heard from his uncle, it would be just the thing they needed after a long journey and the cold walk. But that was later. They were told to stow their packs against the wall, and generous mugs-full of drizu, the famous Andonese spicy tea, were doled out to them. In very short order, they had all warmed up enough to find their heavy coats and gloves a burden, and then discovered the purpose of the pegs that were arrayed on every wall. He also now understood why the soldiers who'd been in the hall when they'd arrived were sitting in shirt sleeves – with the stove, the tea and the constant arrival of more soldiers finishing their duties for the day, the room was becoming almost sweltering. Despite its wooden construction, he could tell it was solidly built, with high, rather small windows and a central ceiling vent through which the stove's chimney protruded. On the whole, it was a rather strange cross between sleeping indoors and being outdoors.
Now they had a chance to relax, he could examine their liaison a little more closely. He was somewhat older than any of their team, perhaps in his early thirties, but still a handsome man with a winning smile, and a mischievous twinkle in his eye that reminded Karik of Kei. He was also extremely tall, taller even than Romi who was enormous. Unlike many of the Andonese in Darshek, Wepizi was clean shaven – so were all the other male soldiers, Karik now noted – except for a rather elaborately shaped moustache, which he stroked from time to time as he talked, like a pet. Already he liked this man, and was delighted at the friendliness of his soldiers towards their team, civilian and military alike. It boded well for their expedition.
He sat back and smiled to himself. He was in Andon at last, and the great adventure had begun.
Gods, it was good to see Wepizi again, Romi thought. Still the same rascal, it seemed, as he listened to his friend tease his visitors. Romi had stayed with Wepizi and Lema in their home on his down time during his Andon stay, and had been shocked to learn of her death from a sudden infection. He'd had some very painful letters from Wepizi after that terrible loss, but it seemed now he had got past the worst of his grief.
The drizu was good, warming a man from the inside rather like the Prijian pujo, but without the cloying richness. Between it and razika, the fiery Andonese spirit distilled from grain and tree sap, the deep cold of this land could be kept at bay indefinitely, and he could see his team relax as they warmed up. Karik was the subject of a few curious looks – Romi decided not to enlighten anyone unless directly asked as to why they had a Prij with them. Soza was looking bewildered and a little out of sorts – perhaps he was put out at not being able to understand what was being said. Well, that was Karik's problem, Romi had decided. If Soza had wanted to put himself forward when he didn't speak Andonese, that was up to him, but Romi wasn't going to make everyone accommodate his inadequacies. At least, not when it wasn't life or death.
The hall was filling up – the barracks were organised into groups of fifty soldiers to a set of sleeping quarters, and it looked like the full complement was here now. Before long, the rich smell of heating meat stew permeated the thick warmth of the hall, and Romi realised he was actually hungry. The food on the boat had been indifferent, and their last meal had been a long time ago. He'd been looking forward to some good Andonese cooking. He hoped Karik and Soza liked their food spicy.
The room was now very crowded and noisy as soldiers took their place to eat the evening meal. Though the sleeping quarters could seem chaotic the first time one experienced them, they were actually run efficiently. Food was cooked in a central kitchen and brought to the quarters in huge containers. Serving was done on a rota, and food delivered in a strict order, regardless of rank. Tables were transformed from boards and trestles, and cleared away quickly after the meal to be stacked against the walls. Cleaning was also done on a rota, and utensils were stored compactly and tidily in compartments under the stove. Warm living space was always short in Andon, and people got used, at least in the winter months, to living at close quarters without wasting effort or taking up more than their fair share of room. It would be even more cramped in the tent.
As he talked to Wepizi, he kept a surreptitious eye on Karik and Soza. He admitted to being curious as to how their civilians were finding it all, though he would never ask. Doubtless Karik would share his thoughts with one of the soldiers and Romi could find out that way. He doubted he would ever be able to have a casual conversation with the man, and though he admitted it was partly his fault, part of it was Karik's superciliousness, of which Romi had experienced more than the rest of the team had. Maybe the pride would get knocked out of him on this trip, he thought sardonically.
He wasn't the only one with a hearty appetite, but at last, the generosity of their hosts sated even the strongest hunger and bowls were surrendered to the cleaning crew. Wepizi called for another round of tea while the meal settled. "You're lucky, my friends," he said, sitting back and grinning. "We're having a mild winter this year."
Karik stared. "Mild? Are you joking?"
"Yes, he is," Romi couldn't resist saying. "Don't tease, Wepizi. I've been up here at this time of year and the snow wasn't so thick then."
Wepizi laughed and stroked his moustache. "Ah, caught, caught like a fish. Sorry, Karik, I embellish the truth for humour's sake. It's been a cold one. But spring is on its way and that's no lie. We can go from snow as high as a man to green grass in a week. Our seasons turn fast in Andon."
"So you're not expecting an unusually difficult journey?"
"Well, as to unusual...." Romi shot him a warning look – Wepizi could get a little carried away with his teasing. "No, my friend. Your beasts may not enjoy the first two or three weeks but that is the easier part of the route. By the time we enter the low country, the thaw will be well underway."
"You think the beasts can handle snow this thick?" Karik seemed rather worried. "Perhaps we should have used doigs instead."
"No, it will be fine. I would not lead you into danger, I swear upon Sephiz."
"Of course you would not," Karik said with a graceful bow of his head. "My apologies if I implied otherwise."
"None required at all," Wepizi said with a broad smile. "Now, we must bathe. Bring your clean gear, and you can use the laundry facilities tomorrow. Then for the rest of the journey until Visiqe, you will have to learn to love your own stink, I'm afraid."
Romi saw Soza apparently ask for a translation, and then watched his face fall as Karik delivered the bad news. Welcome to the reality of trail life, he thought not without some pleasure at seeing the pompous bastard's reaction. But he carefully showed none of this in his own expression – he had to play the diplomat, a role at which he had been failing badly. They had begun their mission, so he needed to stop sniping at his civilians and accept them, faults and all. It was like having a team member with an injury – a good leader worked it into his plans, not pretended it didn't affect them. Soza was just a broken leg he had to accommodate. As to what injury Karik was...well, he was more like a headache. Annoying but not debilitating. Romi could handle headaches.
The third great comfort of Andonese life were the thermal springs that made living in this extreme climate almost pleasant – it was not by chance that any major settlements were usually founded over hot springs, and where they were not, there was usually some other compelling reason like access to a fast flowing, ice-free river, and in such cases, the residents had to make do with wood stoves alone, a poor substitute for the endless heat of the thermal springs. Tsikiugui owed its existence to the warmth of the underground vents which kept its waters free of ice and made it a year-round harbour. The barracks, like every other household in Tsikiugui, tapped the power underneath the ground to heat water and warm the buildings under the flooring. It also used the hot springs to provide the peculiarly civilized luxury of the steam room, of which Romi had become very fond on his previous visit.
But first, two weeks' accumulated grime had to be sluiced off. Jou and Sibu had to go and use the women's facilities, but the rest of them followed Wepizi to the men's washroom. Again, it was a model of efficiency. Drying cloths and soap were dispensed, dirty clothes collected and stored for them, and clean ones put on hooks. Then they went into the main wash room and clustered around large barrels of heated water to soap and rinse off. Naturally Karik and Soza managed to avoid sharing water with him, but Romi was curious to see what Karik looked like naked – the reality surprised him. Slightly built he might be, but his musculature was far from delicate – in fact, he was as wiry and tough looking as any of Romi's soldiers. Nothing like the flabby Soza and his skinny legs. Karik was small but perfectly formed, even down to the neat reddish blond curls around his cock.
Almost perfect – Romi was shocked to see a hideous scar, clearly of some years' standing, which defaced the flat stomach and lower chest. If he wasn't mistaken, that had been a life-threatening injury and he wondered where on earth someone who lived such an unexceptional life had got it. Perhaps a riding injury? Or a carcho attack? He thought the latter was unlikely, given the placement of the scar. He would have to get someone to sneakily find out the story of it.
He was careful not to let Karik see him looking, or to show any overt curiosity, since staring in a public washroom was simply rude and led to misunderstandings. It wasn't stopping Wepizi's frank interest though, and when Romi caught his friend's eye and gave him an enquiring look, Wepizi just grinned but said nothing.
It was so good to be clean, and he luxuriated in being able to rid his hair of grease and dust. Managing long hair in such a climate was hard, he knew that, which was why most Andonese men and even many of the women, kept their hair short, the better to dry it quickly in the cold. Wepizi, seeing them all struggling with their braids, signalled to one of the attending soldiers and more towels were brought for them to wrap up their hair in. "I recall this problem now," he said, his eyes twinkling. "Such a lot of fuss for so useless an adornment."
"And how long do you spend in the mornings grooming that object under your nose?" Romi snapped back, which made Netu, standing near them, grin. "I think it takes less time to curry a beast than you take to shape that hideous growth."
"My moustache is my pride, you heathen. If it was not wise for me to have it, the benevolent god would see fit to make it fall out."
"And so he must want us to have our braids. Hanged by your own words, Wepizi."
Wepizi bowed. "And so it is, so it is. I am a sluggard when I joust at wits with you."
There was a suspicious sound behind Romi, but when he turned, he saw only innocent expressions, and on Karik's face, a cool, unreadable look. Cheeky bastards.
When they were cleaned to their satisfaction, Wepizi led them to the steam room. Just as the cold outside like a slap to the face, the humid heat here felt like they were walking into a wall. Wepizi walked in unconcerned, and told them to sit where they liked. Soza was about to sit on the bare bench, which would have been amusing, but Karik warned him to put his cloth down first.
Once they were settled, Wepizi clapped his hands with pleasure. "Now, is this not luxury, my friends? Now, let me make an offering to Sephiz in thanks for your safe arrival." He laid fresh conifer branches over the hot rocks in the corner of the steam room, filling it with the clean sharp scent of the forests, cutting through the steam and inviting them to breathe deeply. Then he took the ladle attached to a small barrel on a shelf, and dipped out some liquid. "Oh, benevolent Sephiz, all honour and gratitude be given to you for the blessing of our friends," he intoned, then threw the liquid onto the stones. It sizzled immediately and threw steam up into the air, making them cough. "We, your children, thank you for your bountiful gifts."
Within moments, Romi felt himself relax as he might have done after a pint or two of good beer – as he'd already discovered on his first visit, alcohol dispensed in this manner had a way of going straight to the head, if only briefly. Wepizi was wafting steam in his direction and inhaling deeply with obvious enjoyment. Karik seemed rather overwhelmed by the alcoholic steam, and had gone a deep pink, but didn't seem to mind the sensation. Soza couldn't stop coughing for a least a minute, and then shot Wepizi a look which clearly implied he thought the Andonese had just tried to kill him.
"Is it not good, my friends? Truly, razika is a wonderful gift from Sephiz."
Gift of the deity or not, it was a congenial habit. Drinking alcohol of any kind was forbidden in the barracks, and public drunkenness frowned upon as an act of poor self-control. But sitting in the steam room and getting ever so slightly intoxicated with one's fellows served the same purpose as going for a beer or two after the day's duty was over, and in this climate, was a good deal more pleasant. Romi stretched out, using the heat to ease the stiffness in his muscles. He also took note of the changes in his friend. Wepizi looked thinner, and behind the ever present smile, sadness lingered in his dark eyes. Lema's death had been such a tragedy – she had been a truly kind and loving woman, a perfect foil for Wepizi's mischievous, cheerful nature. Romi had envied their happiness, but its loss had broken Wepizi's heart, possibly irreparably. Now he wished he'd been more assiduous in writing. The problem with distance was there was so little he could do for his friends. At least Romi would have several months to keep Wepizi company. Perhaps he would find a little peace in the wilds of his own country.
More men were coming in as they took their turns at the washroom, and every few minutes, someone would throw a small amount of alcohol onto the rocks, making a little bow as they offered the evaporating spirit in honour of Sephiz. All the Andonese Romi had ever met were deeply devout without being po-faced about it. It was an attractive religion, demanding nothing of its believers other than gratitude for the many good things in life, and that all acts be carried out with love. To live without love, to act out of hate, were the worst sins in Andonese culture. The Andonese never questioned whether a relationship was right, or moral – all they ever wanted to know was whether it was based on genuine, mutual affection and consent. Hence their objections to brothels – sex without love was deemed an offence against their god's gift of life, and a sign of a poorly controlled appetite too, though the Andonese were practical enough to understand the need for physical relief. The Andonese were moderate even in their condemnation of immoderation.
The steam room was an important part of the social interaction for the Andonese, and the same was true in the barracks, so it wasn't unusual for the men to spend an hour or more lounging around, talking and relaxing. Romi had been looking forward to doing just that, so he was rather annoyed, after a very short time, to notice Karik looking worried, and to then realise the cause was pissing Soza. "Are you all right?" he asked the man, who had gone rather red and was fanning himself frantically.
"The heat – I can't breathe...."
Wepizi sat up, his expression concerned. "Ah, one's first time can be difficult. Please, Romi, bring your friend out to the cold bath."
Karik looked to Romi for guidance, and with an impatient flick of his hand, he indicated for him to bring the bastard along. "Men, take your time. Enjoy it while you can." There was, after all, no reason to cut everyone else's relaxation short.
Wepizi led them to where cool, though not icy water, stood in a plunge bath, and showed Karik by example what to do. Romi followed, shuddering at the shock which made his heart race. Soza, of course, took this fresh surprise as mortal offence. "Blessed gods, give me some warning next time," he snapped as he got out of the water almost as quickly as he'd entered it, wrapping the towel around his skinny hips and glaring at Romi and Wepizi.
"Feeling better, are we?" Romi drawled, not at all fazed by his anger. "Karik, maybe you'd better take him back. Everyone else will return to the sleeping quarters soon. Do you need any help?"
"I can manage," Karik said coldly, wrapping his towel around him. "Come on, Soza."
There was no reason to linger in the cold pool, so Wepizi and Romi dried themselves, then sat on the benches by the low stove. Not as warm as the steam room, but pleasant enough, and since there was little privacy in the winter, it was a chance to sit and talk quietly to Wepizi. "That," his friend said, looking in the direction in which the civilians had gone, "is a very beautiful man."
"I suppose so. Unfortunately, he belongs to that pissing fool who went with him."
Wepizi looked wide-eyed in surprise. "Him? Surely not. Are they in love? Truly?"
"So it seems." Romi wouldn't like to swear it was actually true love, but Karik was as solicitous as a wife of his lover, so there had to be something there. And surely only love could blind him to the man's faults, he thought dryly.
"Ah, well, if Sephiz wishes it, I suppose it must be. But it offends my aesthetic sense, I confess."
"Handsome is as handsome does, so they say. Never mind Karik, how are you, my friend? I wished I could have been here to help."
Wepizi only smiled sadly and shook his head. "I had people around me, Romi, and your letters gave me such comfort. As for me, I take each day as a gift from Sephiz, and do not ask why he has allowed me to be parted from her. I know one day we will be together again and for now she is with him and enjoys his love."
Cold comfort, Romi thought, but did not say. "I hope," he said gently, "you will find enough happiness that that you will not merely endure, but actively enjoy your life, my friend. Lema would not wish it any other way, I know that."
"So do I, Romi, and for her, I try. I try so very hard, but some days are easier than others. A day on which my good friend comes to stay is always easy," he added gallantly. "And what of you? You and your young man, are you happy...ah. I'm sorry, my friend. I know how fond you were of him."
"It happens," Romi said with a shrug, his own romantic failures as nothing next to Wepizi's grief. "As you would say, if Sephiz wishes it, then so it must be."
"But you are young and very handsome, my friend. You will find someone eventually who will love you and who you will love with equal joy, I am sure of it. Anything else would be contrary to Sephiz's will."
"I'm sure you're right," Romi lied. "But I didn't come up here for romance, I came up here to hunt and explore and to spend time with the good friends I made last time. Were you serious in what you told Karik? I have to admit I was a little shocked at the depth of the snow. You know our beasts aren't used to it."
Wepizi dismissed his concern with a wave of his hand. "At this time of year, we get heavy snow, then a couple of warm days and it goes. Already it's becoming milder." Romi gave him a frankly sceptical look for that comment. "No, it's true. If you're really worried, we can tarry a few days, but our beasts are no more hardy than yours and they manage fine. They complain, but I've never lost one yet, not to the cold, anyway. The main thing is you have to carry enough feed and that's not a problem. Give them water, food and they make their own heat. The doigs are hardier, but they make an uncomfortable mount if you're unused to them."
"Tell me about it," Romi said with feeling, remembering how sore his arse had got after a two-week trek using the damn things on his previous stay. "So the plan is to be in Visiqe by the end of spring, and back in Tsikiugui before year end. Are you really planning to travel the whole distance with us?"
"And who else would I trust?" he said with a grin. "I'll tell you a secret. It was a personal request from my tezrei, who had it in turn from your Lord Arman, even separately from our council's order. Your Ruler's known Tezrei Edikio for years, and asked for someone sound to accompany you. My tezrei honoured me with the suggestion, and when I learned you were coming, I was delighted I had accepted. To be honest, my friend, I could do with getting out of Tsikiugui. Sometimes we need a change of environment to see things more clearly."
"I know that," Romi said with feeling. "Well, I'm more glad than I can say that you're to be with us."
"As am I. As am I. Now, tell me who I shall be travelling with. Start with the beautiful man."
Romi smiled as he shook his head. Even with his sorrows, Wepizi was irrepressible.
Karik had been sorry to leave the steam room, and mortified by Soza's rudeness to their host, so he had to grit his teeth to avoid saying something he'd regret as they walked back to the sleeping quarters. He'd hoped Soza would appreciate what an inconvenience he had been and shut up, but the man was still grumbling as they got back to the hall. "Honestly, Karik, what a stupid damn thing to do, to overheat a person, and then ask them to freeze to death afterwards. I could have had a heart attack."
"I doubt Lep Wepizi intended any harm, Soza. After all, it's the common practice."
"I don't care," Soza said petulantly. "I should complain to a senior officer about that man's behaviour."
Karik stopped dead and took his arm. "Soza, 'lep' is a senior rank, even more senior than a colonel. Wepizi is either in charge of these barracks, or in joint charge. I don't think we should be upsetting the Andonese this early on, do you?"
"Are you sure? He's not that old."
"He's older than he looks, I think. Older than the lieutenant certainly. And he's going to be our liaison for the year or so, so could you please...um, be tolerant?"
"You think I was rude."
Karik looked at the ground. "I don't think it was wise to snap at him like that, no."
"Oh dear. Should I apologise?" He looked ready to run back to the steam room, but Karik kept a hand on his arm.
"I don't think it's necessary, but we're not at home any more, Soza. We're the guests, so we have to make allowances. The Andonese are a very kind people, you know, but they don't like rudeness."
"No, I'm sure." Soza shook his head ruefully. "I'm sorry, I just felt so unwell, and then the shock.... I'll behave, Karik, I promise. I don't want you to feel ashamed of me."
"I'm not," Karik said hastily, if not entirely truthfully. "But you'll be experiencing lots of new things on this trip, and not all of them will be pleasant so you just have to take the good and the bad."
"Yes, indeed. My wise young friend, what would I do without you?" He clasped Karik's shoulder. "I'm trying, I'm just tired after the trip. That was a difficult journey."
"Yes, it was, and I'm tired too. We'll both feel like new men after a night's sleep," he promised, and hoped it would be true. He also hoped that since the great arse had a friend of his own to keep him company on the trip, he might leave Karik alone, or at least, be in a better temper. There were already signs this might be the case, and Karik was an optimist, so he refused to fret about it too much. Romi was just a minor, temporary inconvenience on this wonderful adventure, and Karik wouldn’t let him spoil things for him.
It was a strange experience to sleep in the same room as sixty other people and he found it hard to drop off – he always had problems sleeping in a strange environment, and resigned himself to a restless night, even though Soza and the rest of the team had gone to sleep easily. But eventually, despite the soft snores, the lamplight, and the unfamiliar surroundings, he went under, and was startled to be woken by the sounds and movements of the soldiers getting ready for the day.
He sat up and yawned, scratching his beard. The room was bathed in bright sunlight coming through the high windows, and he was suddenly eager to see what the snow would look like now. Some of the team were still waking up – the great arse was gone, thank goodness. He got up and found his winter coat, and slipped out quietly into the antechamber to pull his boots on – he could feel the intense cold even through the heavy door.
But once he was outside, he was glad he had braved it. It appeared more snow had fallen overnight, dusting the ground and the trampled dirty ice, making it all gleam. The sunlight sparkled and even the rather ugly buildings of the barracks looked beautiful under its magic. He walked out into the yard, taking care not to slip. He wondered if he would ever learn to walk with the grace of an Andonese over these treacherous surfaces.
"Never seen snow before, my friend?"
He smiled and turned to look at Wepizi. "Not like this. It doesn't snow much on the plains, and I've never been in the mountains in the depths of winter. It's so pretty."
"But deadly, of course. It's like fire – it's beautiful, but you need to respect it. In its own way, the snow serves its role, just as fire does. You'll see for yourself how it shapes our landscape and the plants." Karik acknowledged the wisdom of the words with a slight bow of his head. "Ah, I hope your friend took no harm from the steam room."
"Not at all, and he apologises for his curtness. He was just tired from the journey."
Wepizi nodded. "I understand. Not everyone finds the steam rooms pleasant, though we Andonese think they're essential to life."
"I think they're a wonderful idea," Karik said politely. "I felt so much better afterwards."
A new voice broke into their conversation. "And did you sleep well, Karik?"
Karik turned. "Well enough, captain," he said coolly as Romi approached.
"Glad to hear it. We only have today to recuperate since we'll be setting off tomorrow." Karik wondered why he was being told something he already knew. "Wepizi is arranging for us to be instructed in raising the tent and on other matters. I hope you might participate." There was nothing in the lieutenant's voice or expression to indicate sarcasm, but Karik knew him too well to trust him.
"Of course. Was that all, captain? I should go and have breakfast."
"I'll come with you. I'll find you later, Wepizi."
The lep waved them off and Karik forced himself to smile, though he wondered what he had done to deserve the great arse's attentions this time. He would have preferred to have gone inside without exchanging another word with the man, but it seemed he was out of luck. "I wanted to speak to you privately," Romi said in a low voice.
"Strange, because that's the last thing I want to do," Karik snapped.
"Look...." Romi sighed. "All right. Two things. Three, actually. I apologise if I said anything which could be interpreted as disrespect towards your family. I meant none, I assure you." Karik just stared, not believing a word of it. "I also apologise for making assumptions about your attitude towards the military."
"You were accurate if you were only talking about my attitude to you."
"Karik...you can't speak to me like that. I have a position to maintain, you know."
He was being unusually mild, and Karik could only imagine he wanted to impress his friend, still watching them from the middle of the yard. "Your position is perfectly clear, captain. Was that all?"
Romi stiffened at his rude tone. "No, one more thing. Soza needs to be reminded that we are the guests of the Andonese and being snappish with someone of Wepizi's rank is not a good idea. Wepizi is a very easy going man – that's not always going to be the case."
"I've already brought that up with him, and apologised to the lep for his behaviour. It won't happen again."
"I'm glad to hear it. Thank you for handling it."
"I didn't do it for your sake, captain. Do you mind? It's cold and I'm hungry."
"No, please go ahead," he said, holding the door open. Karik slipped inside without looking back, and wished he could contrive a way not to have to speak to the damn man for the next six months. Arse.
Romi sighed and hung his head. That had gone so well, he thought dryly.
"Am I misinterpreting things if I suggest that our beautiful young man seems less than fond of my handsome friend?"
Romi turned and gave Wepizi a rueful smile. "Was it that obvious?"
"Oh, not at all," Wepizi said, his eyes sparkling with humour. "The fact that his look refroze all the icicles on the eaves wasn't the least hint. You had a falling out?"
"Several. More...misunderstandings and miscommunications. I may have left it too late to fix, I fear."
"Hmmm." Wepizi stroked his moustache thoughtfully. "Lema always said you could charm the birds from the trees. Perhaps you've just not really tried to charm this particular fledgling?"
"Perhaps this particular fledgling has his feet nailed to the branch and it wouldn't matter what I did. I'm a sorry excuse for a captain, Wepizi."
"Nonsense, my friend. You just haven't applied yourself to the task." But then his smile turned serious. "But answer me this – do you want to charm him because it's the good and right thing to do, or to prove to him what a superior person you are?"
"I...." He stopped – Wepizi had him there. "A bit of both, if I'm honest."
Wepizi looked down his long nose at him, intelligent eyes peering into Romi's heart. "Well, my friend, you don't need me to join up the pieces for you. Our beautiful boy doesn't strike me as a fool, and if you approach him without love in your heart, then his feet will be nailed to the tree for a very long time. No one wants to be another man's platform for display." Then he smiled again. "Now, I must go and see my tezrei. My people will come for you after breakfast and you can inspect your animals. Then we can go over the supplies. If anything is lacking, then we can delay our departure, but I'm sure we have all that we need."
Romi gave Wepizi the formal bow which doubled as the military salute in this country. "Thank you, my friend."
"As always, you're welcome."
Romi watching his friend walk away, and shook his head. Of course Wepizi was right – Karik was no fool. But to approach him with love in his heart – he smiled at Wepizi's romantic way of putting things – seemed beyond him right now. Karik only had to give him one of his snotty replies, or one of those frigid looks, and Romi's temper was immediately on the boil. Maybe he'd better work on controlling his own manners before he tackled anyone else's.
Breakfast was meal porridge sweetened with sugary sap. It was only designed to tide them over until the mid-morning break, and lunch would be a couple of hours after that. In winter, the Andonese ate frequent and generous hot meals, though he had never seen any obese natives – the weather just burned the fuel off. If he ate in Darshian the way the Andonese did, he'd be too fat to mount a beast, but the struggle here was to keep the weight on. He ran over his mental inventory of the supplies they had brought, and hoped he had got his calculations right – he would check them with Wepizi later.
The team looked well-rested, and relieved to be off the ship. It hadn't been as bad as journeys could get, but there had been plenty of rough weather and a good deal of seasickness to bear, though with thorough planning, he and Netu had managed much better this time. A day's rest would be welcome, even though he was impatient to be on his way. His people were already making friends, he was pleased to note. He'd found the barracks a welcoming place on his previous visit, and nothing much had changed. The tezrei of Tsikiugui was an excellent man, a good manager and a strong strategist. Romi had learned a good deal from both him and Wepizi on his previous visit and hoped to do so again. He'd already been given a valuable lesson in human relations before breakfast, after all.
As he ate, he watched Karik out of the corner of his eye. The man seemed to be fitting in easily with the Andonese as much as the Darshianese soldiers, and his language skills were improving by the minute, or so it seemed – he did, as he had said on the journey from Urshek, have a rather strong accent, but he had as good a grasp of grammar and vocabulary as Romi himself and was having no difficulty in conversing. By contrast, Soza was at a loss, and finally had to content himself with eating his porridge and pretending that he had no interest in what was being said. Romi would have felt sorry for him if he wasn't such a bastard.
When he was talking, Karik's face lit up with enthusiasm, and it was then that Romi could easily describe him as Wepizi did – a 'beautiful man'. But when he caught Romi looking at him, his expression went blank, and if he wasn't being watched, became downright cold. Even knowing the basis of his anger, Romi found it very difficult not to answer with a sneer of his own, but he forced himself to smile back pleasantly. Yes, it was motivated purely by a need to prove himself a better man, he admitted it. But he had to start somewhere. From the look of it, Karik was yet to be the least impressed by his efforts.
"Captain? I'm Groi Tisin. Your beasts have arrived from the docks."
Romi stood and caught Reisa's eye. "We better go and see they're bedding in all right."
Reisa nodded. "Karik? Fancy coming along and giving me your opinion?"
Karik looked as startled as Romi felt and easily as displeased, but then he smiled. "Certainly, if the captain has no objection." He gave Romi a look as if to defy him to come up with one.
"Not at all. Your experience has been invaluable. I welcome your assistance."
Karik's eyes narrowed, no doubt suspecting sarcasm. Soza asked what was going on, and Karik quickly explained as he rose.
Romi spoke to the rest of his team. "Netu, Jou, you take the rest of the team out to the field and begin the tent raising. Soza, if you wish to join in, you may find it interesting."
"Perhaps," Soza said coldly. For some reason, that got him an odd look from his lover which almost looked like annoyance. Surely not, Romi thought.
The three of them followed the young soldier out to the stables – the sunshine of earlier had disappeared and to Romi's dismay, it looked about to snow again, though it felt a little milder. Despite Wepizi's reassurances, he was worried about beginning their journey when the snow was still so thick on the ground. He had no experience of travelling in such weather at all. "Reisa, Wepizi is sure our beasts can handle the cold. Do you agree?"
"They're pretty tough, Romi, and it gets pissing cold on Darshian plain. Karik? You're the closest thing we have to an expert – what's your thoughts?"
Karik looked at Reisa, then at Romi. "I think we need to be guided by the people with the experience on the ground. My main concern is about the conditions at night. If Wepizi thinks they can handle that, they can handle the rest."
"There must be a reason they're not native to Andon – do you think it's because of the cold?" Romi asked.
Karik walked on. "The distribution of animals is not something I understand well, captain. Soza would be happy to elucidate, if you cared to ask him," he added sweetly.
Little shit, Romi thought, then reined in his temper. Karik was trying to bait him – pity he was too good at this game. "Perhaps I will. I might even understand the explanation, given time."
"I think that's unlikely."
Reisa grinned, but then looked confused at Karik's cold stare. This really had to stop, Romi thought – he'd been a damn fool to let it get this bad. "Never mind, it's not really important."
Tisin led them into the stables, where their twenty animals were crowding out the regular stock. Karik immediately went to the closest animal. "This is no good, Reisa. Bunched this close, they'll kick and injure each other."
Reisa looked at Romi for advice. "Tisin? You don't have any other accommodation?"
"No, captain. Only the outside paddock."
"Then they should be outside," Karik said with authority. "If they're going to acclimatise, then we should start immediately. Better to know they can't handle it before we leave."
"Yes, that's sensible. Reisa? Can you get them moved? Tisin, will that be a problem?"
"No, captain, except someone will have to make sure they have unfrozen water to drink and it should be warmed a little, at least this first day."
"I can take charge of that," Karik said.
"No, thanks for offering, Karik, but that's what we have the soldiers for." Romi almost sighed as he saw Karik bristle at the implication that he wasn't capable. "I meant, you and Soza and I and Wepizi will have things to discuss today. Apart from the tent raising, the rest of the team will be sitting around with little to do."
"I can deal with it," Reisa said.
"And our people will also," Tisin added politely. "No offence to your skill, my friend," he said to Karik. "Your suggestion is very wise."
Karik flushed. "I didn't mean...whatever suits you," he said, looking flustered. He walked down the ranks of close packed animals, and seemed absorbed in checking them over.
Romi ignored him for the moment. "Reisa, sort it out. Tisin, will they need someone to watch them overnight?"
"No, captain. So long as they have been fed and watered by sunset, they'll be fine."
"Very well." He walked over to Karik who was looking at the foot of one of the beasts with a concerned expression. "Problem?"
"I don't like the look of this. See?" There was a small wound where the hoof split at the toes. "It looks infected."
"Damn. Can we treat it?"
"Yes, but not quickly. I'm worried it will go lame if we take it on the snow."
"Your advice?"
"Try and swap it for one of the barracks animals."
"Right, I'll speak to Wepizi. What about the others, can you check them?"
Karik seemed to remember who he was speaking to. "Are you sure you want me to do that, captain?" he said in a low voice. Fortunately, Reisa had moved away to talk to Tisin, and so could not hear their conversation.
"Yes," Romi said, as evenly as he could. "I'd be very grateful for your help in his matter. Reisa's got no special training, he's a surveyor, not a beast manager."
"And I'm just a pissing Prij."
"Look, I've never called you that, so don't invent insults. I can't help it if I remind you of all the people who've attacked you in your life, Karik, but I've never given a damn what nationality you are." He made Karik look at him until he won a reluctant nod. "All right then. So I say again, I'd be grateful for your help. In fact, if I could put you in charge of supervising the animal care, it would be an enormous relief." Sensing this wasn't the greatest incentive, he added, "it would help the mission a good deal."
"So why didn't you ask me in Darshek?"
"Because I'm not infallible, and I'm rearranging things as we need them, just as you've rearranged the accommodation for the animals. Give me a little slack, Karik – or do you do everything perfectly first time, every time? If so, then you should be the captain, not me."
"Oh, no, not I – would I lower myself to being military?"
The brat was mocking him, Romi realised. "If it's good enough for your honoured uncle, then I'd have thought it was good enough for you. I'm not serious."
"I never thought you were. Very well – but if I'm in charge, then I expect to be given the respect that entails. If you treat my advice with disdain, I will cease to offer it, is that clear?"
Those amazing green eyes burned with cold pride as he demanded an answer. "Perfectly. I'll let Reisa and the others know you have that authority. Final decisions and responsibility rest with me, never forget that. Is that clear?"
"Perfectly," Karik mimicked. "Then you can begin by assisting me, or asking someone else to do so. I want go over every beast with a fine tooth comb because we can't afford to start out with injuries like this."
"Agreed. I'll assist, Reisa's busy."
Karik shot him a quick look, and then nodded. Romi kept out of his way as Karik quickly and efficiently examined the beasts. He kept his observations to himself, but secretly he couldn't help but be impressed at the easy way Karik had with the big animals, his confidence in handling them and the extensive knowledge which clearly underpinned his brief comments. It reminded Romi of when he'd been a child, following his much older brothers around their farm and learning the way of the land, the secrets of the seasons and the climate. Or even watching his mother cook or weave, with a talent that seemed instinctive but which he knew full well had been learned from her father. Seeing competence and skill unostentatiously displayed was one of the things he most enjoyed in life, but damned if he'd let Karik know of his admiration. The brat's ego was healthy enough without it.
At last Karik was done. "Right – if we can swap those three, well and good, but we can manage if we can't, though I really don't want to take that one," he said, pointing to the first one he'd spotted as being injured. "We can manage with one less animal if we have to."
"Agreed. I'll speak to Wepizi about swapping it, but I don't know if they can spare us one of the right quality – I'd appreciate your checking any borrowed beast over as well."
"Yes, I'm sure you would," Karik said coolly as he washed his hands.
"Anyway, I'm grateful. You see, we can work together if we need to. All we need is a little respect and civility and we're fine."
Karik's expression turned glacial. "You will never have my respect, captain," he said through clenched teeth. "And you will get the civility I deem you deserve. I would prefer you to not make such personal observations."
"As you wish," Romi said wearily, not wanting an argument.
"You mentioned needing us to meet with the lep?"
"Yes, later – I'll come find you. Are you going out to watch the tent being raised?"
"I don't plan to just watch, captain. Come find me when you're ready."
And with that, he walked out of the stable without a glance backwards. Romi swore to himself at the man's arrogance, but there was no doubt Karik had just done the team a service. A lame animal, let alone three, would be a great inconvenience and they didn't need that right at the start of the mission. Time would tell if he could keep up the role, but so long as he did his job, Romi wouldn’t much care about the rest of it. Pity though – he really was a handsome little brat.
Karik tried to put lieutenant arse right out of his mind as he walked carefully across the snowy yard to the sleeping quarters, but he couldn't help wondering what the man was up to, asking him to take charge of the beast management. Reisa was competent enough, though he had no special skill – all soldiers knew the basics of animal care, naturally, but very few had the level of knowledge of Karik's Pa or even Karik himself. It made him wonder why no official beast master had been appointed for the team – it seemed on the level of incompetence which had let the men travel from Urshek without an appointed medic. Perhaps that was just how they organised things in south Darshian. It was annoying, he thought. Lieutenant arse was lucky Karik had some skills in that direction but that was all it was – luck, not planning.
He shook his head, wondering at the lack of forethought, as he entered the sleeping quarters. They were deserted – except for one man. Just as Karik had thought, Soza had decided to ignore Romi's pointed hint, and was sitting near the stove, busily making notes. "Oh, are you done?" Soza said, lifting his head briefly, but then looking down at the last thing he'd written and scratching it out with his pencil.
"For now – I'm going to learn how to raise the tent. You really ought to come too, Soza."
"I don't need to be involved in that, Karik," he said impatiently, not even lifting his eyes from his work. "That's what the soldiers are for."
Despite himself, Karik felt his temper rise, and forced himself to take a deep breath or two before replying. "No, that's not right," he said with as much politeness in his tone as he could manage. "Soza, they're not our servants."
"I never said they were, Karik. But my job is not to look after the day-to-day running of the camp. That's our dear lieutenant's task."
"Soza, if there's a blizzard, we'll need to get the tent up as fast as we can. If it rains, we'll want to get dry. If we have people injured, or sick, we'll need all the hands we can get. The weather won't care if we're soldiers or scientists."
Soza looked up, and laid his pencil down. "You're saying I need to do this?"
"Yes, I am. It won't hurt to start doing things with them as a team either, whatever your opinion of the captain, which I share, trust me."
"I don't need to do manual labour to be part of this team, Karik," Soza said stiffly. "I won't be asking them to make my notes for me."
"No, and I would expect them to take the greater part of the mundane tasks, as was agreed. But this is about survival as much as anything. You and I might have to put that tent up on our own one day, and it will be too late for lessons then."
"Very well, good point." He collected his papers and took them over to his pack near the wall. "You shouldn't let them bully you into doing their work, Karik. You're not a common soldier."
"I know that, Soza. But I don't want to end up dead because I was too proud to learn some basic skills, or to offer help when it's asked."
"I bet our lieutenant wouldn't be so practical," Soza said with a sniff, pulling on his heavy clothes. "Gods, this clothing is horrible to wear," he complained as Karik helped him buckle everything up.
"You'll get used to it, and in a few weeks we can shed it. With any luck we won't need it again."
"I hope not."
Actually Karik was impressed by the design and economy of the clothes, and it was certainly effective. They weren't as heavy as they could be, and were waterproof as well as wind-proof. He was already used to wearing them, and thought them surprisingly comfortable. But to a man used to the very mild climate of south Darshian, where a coat was unusual, let alone gear like this, he understood Soza's objection.
They were directed out to the back of the barracks into a large field where the soldiers had a tent half-erected – or half-disassembled, Karik wasn't sure. Taz waved at him and beckoned him over, then Karik and Soza were set to work without the least ceremony, Taz and Sibu quickly explaining what was needed. The tent was going up, so Karik was told to hold the cross-braced frame at his side, while oiled leather and felt was stretched over it. "Careful, my friend, don't put too much stress on it," their Andonese instructor said, coming over and guiding his arm. "Let the weight do the work."
The tent was huge, and needed at least six of them to work at all, each working in close coordination. Soza lost patience almost immediately. "This is ridiculous," he snapped. "I'm going back inside. This isn't my job." He simply dropped his end and marched off across the snow. Jou had to take the weight, and shot Soza an annoyed look, for which Karik didn't blame her at all. There wasn't any point in pushing it, but he really hoped it wouldn’t come to Soza being one of the necessary six to erect it on the trail.
It took several attempts, and a lot of cursing, but suddenly Karik got the knack, and then the tent rose like a giant fungi, skin taut, and frame secure. "Now, don't stand and admire it, take it down," their instructor, one Tekwisu, ordered with a grin. Someone was enjoying teasing his Darshianese colleagues, Karik suspected.
Tekwisu had them raise it and take it down three times, until he was satisfied they could do it in twenty minutes. "Still slow," he said dryly. "But now, I'll show you what to do if you are reduced to fewer than six, or are forced to split up."
To Karik's surprise, and no little admiration, he watched Tekwisu calmly tear the frame and skin apart, and then erect the smaller tent thus produced, entirely on his own in under ten minutes. "You can make up to three tents this way, if pressed," he said, tearing the thing down, and beckoning Kepi and Taz over to start on the smaller version themselves. "It's going to be a lot warmer and more comfortable if you use it as one complete unit, but if you can't find space to put it up, or you have to split your team, then you don't need to carry extra shelter."
Karik and Jou were paired up to put the small tent up, then she insisted on doing it once herself, Karik imitating her once she'd pulled it down. He was already plotting how he could make a lighter weight version for his own use when he returned to the field in Darshian – he was sure canvas would work very well.
They drilled for well over an hour, and had worked up a good sweat in their heavy clothes, despite the biting cold and the occasional light flurries of snow. By the time Tekwisu whistled to signal them to stop, the clouds had gone again and the sky was a brilliant deep blue, the sunlight sparkling on the ice-clad trees and the snow. "Well done, my friends, well done. I can send you out with confidence. Now all I need you to do is to learn how to pack it for easy carriage on your animals."
The tent skin broke down into smaller parts and there was a clever trick to folding it. The frame split up into three slim portions which had their own leather bags to stow them. The most bulky parts were the roof poles and the centre ring, through which smoke and overheated air could escape when the tent was erected as a single unit.
As the poles were stowed, Karik heard his name being called by Jou, and turned around – only to be hit full in the face with a handful of snow. "You...!" Still scraping the mess from his beard, he scooped up his own handful and flung it – but it just spread and went nowhere near his smirking attacker.
"Come, come, that's no way to behave," Tekwisu said. Karik stopped, embarrassed at being so childish, but then Tekwisu bent and picked up some snow, compacting it with both hands. "If you're going to do something...." He suddenly turned and pelted Jou with a much more effective snowball than Karik had made. "Do it properly!"
Karik grinned, and following Tekwisu's example, swiftly made another weapon. Jou was expecting it, and already running and slipping in the snow, but he did get her on the back of the head.
As if a signal had been given, snowballs began to fly from all directions, from Andonese and Darshianese alike, and no quarter was given to rank or sex. Karik discovered that a well-aimed snowball pissing hurt, but that there was an enormous amount of satisfaction from a successful attack. There wasn't much time in the mad hail of snow lumps to master the finer points of snowball making but Karik was getting the hang of it, and he'd always had a good aim, thanks to Gyo's teaching. He was just aiming the perfect ball at Kepi when he heard a crunch of feet on snow behind him. Instinctively, he whirled and let fly. "Oh.... hells." Of all the people to hit by mistake....
The lieutenant dusted the snow from his chest. "Thank you, Karik," he said deadpan.
As the team noticed his arrival, the game came to a sudden halt with a good bit of shamefaced shuffling of feet. "My apologies, captain," Karik mumbled.
"No harm done – I just came to see if you, Pali and Matu could come and speak with Lep Wepizi. I gather you've all finished the tent training? Groi?"
"Yes, captain," Tekwisu said, looking completely unabashed. "I've a few more things I could impart, if there's time."
"Then go ahead. Karik, Pali, Matu, could you come with me? Where's Soza?"
"Back in the quarters," Pali said, looking as if he was going to make a rude comment, but then stopping himself as he looked at Karik.
"Jou, would you mind sending him to the lep's office?" She saluted and peeled off.
Karik endeavoured to look sober and responsible, but knew he'd just given Romi a perfect reason to mock him. Despite that, the lieutenant seemed not the least annoyed as they walked back to the barracks building, the snow crunching under his feet. "So, you think you could show me how the tent gets raised?" he asked Matu.
"I think so, Romi. It's simple once you work out how the frame works. Fascinating piece of equipment."
"Yes, I've always thought so. Wepizi swears they're as warm as a house."
Karik walked beside them in silence. He wondered when Romi would mention the snowball – he couldn't believe he would pass up the opportunity to be snide. He cursed himself – he'd let himself forget that he was here on a serious mission. It was all right for the others – they weren't going to be held up to the same harsh scrutiny as he and Soza were.
He was so lost in his self-recrimination, that he failed to realise Romi was talking to him. "I beg your pardon?"
"I said, Wepizi is happy to swap animals with us, and has offered to let you choose which you want to take."
"That's generous of him."
"Yes, it is. This way, gentlemen."
Romi was enjoying himself, he had to admit. The look on Karik's face when he'd realised who he'd hit with that snowball had been priceless, and now the man was clearly waiting to be ticked off, although why, Romi didn't know – it wasn't like he had been the only one mucking about. Romi knew the attraction of a snowball fight perfectly well, and if Karik had started that nonsense, Romi was a jombeker.
However, Karik was just a minor distraction. The task that had to be completed was going over their proposed route with Wepizi and the two soldiers who would be going with them as far as Visiqe. The plan was to do a long circuit around to the mountain capital, a journey, if undertaken direct, could be achieved in two weeks by river but which would take them three months, meandering through the marshlands and low forests, over the Gunozidei range and along the Epolniki river valley. Romi had seen a little of the marshlands, but never been further east or north of them – the hunting was rumoured to be good, supporting a small population of tribes in semi-permanent settlements. It was their aim to make contact with as many groups as they could to glean medical and geographical knowledge.
"Now, my friends," Wepizi said, once Soza had deigned to join them, "you must be aware the law of the mountain king and council lies only lightly in our remotest regions. They acknowledge Visiqe's authority, but they will only give the cooperation they choose to. Most will never have seen any Darshianese, and certainly none will have encountered a Prij before," he added with a little nod at Karik. "That doesn't mean you will be unwelcome, but it will mean you will need to exercise considerable tact in the face of curiosity."
"I'm used to that, Wepizi," Karik said calmly. "It might even be to our advantage."
"Perhaps," Wepizi acknowledged with a smile. "I just wanted you to be aware there is only so much I can do to gain their assistance."
"I can't see what their objection can possibly be to a simple scientific investigation," Soza said loftily. "It's not like we plan to make war on them."
"No? But how will they know that? You're foreigners invading their territory, even if it is for supposedly peaceful purposes. The tribes are fiercely proud and answer to no one. If they perceive you as a threat, be sure you will be repelled."
Romi saw Soza draw breath to argue and decided to cut this short. "We know we're uninvited guests, Wepizi, and as guests, we'll be sensitive to the feelings of our hosts. Won't we, Soza?"
"I'm sure I need no lessons in manners from you, lieutenant."
"Captain," Romi corrected mildly. Wepizi was giving them both a hard look, and Matu and Pali seemed embarrassed. Karik wasn't revealing anything in his expression. "Be that as it may, we will all take our lead from Wepizi and our guides, and if they say pull out or pull back, we will do so. Lord Arman charged me with two very specific duties – get everyone home safely, and don’t upset our friends. You would do well to listen to the lep's advice, Soza."
"I honestly don't know why you're taking this line with me, captain. Is that all, Lep Wepizi?"
Wepizi seemed a little startled at Soza's abruptness. "Yes, I believe so. There's the matter of the supplies...."
"Well you don't need me for that, so if you would excuse me?"
Wepizi nodded and Soza left, shutting the door with an unnecessary bang behind him. "Ah. I see perhaps diplomacy may have to begin at home," Wepizi said with an embarrassed smile.
"Leave him to me," Romi said, wondering if Karik was going to defend his lover, but the man was still looking down at the desk, a slight flush of colour high in his cheeks. "Are we done, Wepizi? I'd like to look over the supplies."
"Yes, of course, my friend. But perhaps Karik would like to choose the animals first?"
Karik looked up and nodded. "If we could, then we can mix them with the herd, get them used to each other. Every little bit helps."
"Of course. Gentlemen, thank you," Wepizi said, nodding at Romi's men and his own. "Feive, Gizwei, you should get to know our guests better since we are to spend so much time in their pleasant company."
The Andonese bowed, and left with Romi's soldiers. "Karik, I'll come with you to the stables," Romi said as he got to his feet. "Wepizi, will you be here?"
"Yes, naturally. If you have any problems with the animals, Tisin will assist you."
They bowed and left Wepizi to it. The pink did not leave Karik's cheeks even as they went out into the cold again, but he said nothing as they headed to the stables. Tisin was waiting for them with a few candidate animals for Karik to inspect. Romi watched the man give the beasts the same meticulous examination that he and his father had carried out in Darshek – he wasn't going to be hurried, that was for sure. Romi was content with that – these animals would have to carry them several thousand miles and across unknown territory. He didn't care if Karik took all day to find the best beasts for them.
Finally, Karik straightened up and nodded at Tisin. "Right, that one, this one and the one with the mottled face."
"As you wish. I'll take them out to the paddock now."
Romi waited until Tisin and another stable hand got the animals in charge and took them outside. Karik seemed distracted as he watched them go.
"Are you not happy with the animals?"
"What? Oh – well, the Andonese are getting the best of the bargain but we knew they don't have much in the way of decent stock."
"But they'll do?"
"I think so." Karik bit his lip. "Well?"
"Well, what?"
"Aren't you going to make some comment about earlier?"
"Oh, that. Yes – good shot."
Karik stared, and Romi nearly laughed at his obvious surprise. "Aren't you angry?"
"Over a snowball? My, you really do know some petty people."
"I...." His mouth snapped shut. "Is that all?" he asked coldly.
"No, one more thing. I don't want to keep harping on about this, but Soza needs to learn some manners. I don't care what he – or you – say to me when we're alone. But if he behaves like that when we meet the tribal people.... Surely you can see my point."
"I don't have that kind of influence over him, captain."
That comment surprised Romi, but he didn't show it. "Then we have a problem, Karik. If he can't even be civil to Wepizi, I don't know how he will act around people he presumably sees as being of even less importance. You're in charge of the beasts, and now you're in charge of him too. You're the only person who can get through to him."
"When did managing members of the team become my job?"
"The moment your friend made it clear he wasn't going to listen to anything I said. It's either this, or I leave him behind. I'm serious."
Karik stared at him again. "Did Arman tell you to do this?"
"Your uncle told me to take all steps necessary, Karik. Wepizi's worried too. There's more to this mission than the scientific knowledge, and whether it offends you to hear it or not, I have to say this – he's not impressing anyone so far."
"The same could be said of you, you know," Karik said, his embarrassment forgotten as he gave Romi a haughty look.
"Yes, very likely, but I'm in charge of this mission, not you and not him. Look – get Soza to behave, or he stays behind. Accept my right to say that, or stay behind yourself. I'm not going to be tussling with you over every point. We've both got better things to do with our time, and frankly, it's just pissing boring."
Karik seemed about to snap something back, but then he merely nodded. "I'll do what I can."
"Thank you."
Karik left and Romi sighed as he rubbed his forehead. Civilians.
The problem of Soza, and the irritation of Karik, were mere background noise to the work Romi had to do the rest of the day with Wepizi. When he encountered them again, Soza was cold, Karik unreadable but not overtly hostile. Since Karik took his place in the steam room without comment, Romi hoped that the man was intelligent enough to understand why Romi had said what he had. Any conversations Karik had with his lover on the topic were carried out away from Romi's hearing, and so he had no way of knowing how effective they had been.
In the morning, there was simply no time to worry about neurotic civilians as they loaded their animals and began the slow trek north-east. It hadn't snowed again, but there had been a crisp frost. The air was dry and bitterly cold, but the sun shone with something approaching warmth, and the sky was the most intense blue, like that over Darshek plain in winter, but even more brilliant. Romi felt his heart lift with excitement – finally they were on their way.
The first two weeks or so would be dull, he knew – travelling through farmland and settled areas which were of no scientific interest, and which he had seen before. But that didn't stop him relishing the space, the freedom and the beauty of the snow-covered land as they rode the beasts at little more than a fast walk. Even this tamed part of Andon whispered to him of mystery and excitement.
They rode in pairs, he and Wepizi leading the column. He had no reason to speak to Karik and Soza who had chosen to travel towards the rear that first day, though he noted approvingly that Karik was checking his lover's hands and feet for frostbite at each rest stop, as they had all been told to do. It was obvious Soza wasn't enjoying things much, but then Romi had never expected him to, and wasn't going to make any special accommodation for the man until he was asked.
The rest of his team seemed to be infected with Romi's enthusiasm, and even the cold wasn't stopping the ripples of quiet conversation up and down the line. Wepizi also seemed a little more cheerful as they left Tsikiugui, and Romi hoped that getting away from the scene of so much sorrow might help his healing along. Even the ache in Romi's heart that had Daiso's name on it had dulled much more than he would have imagined after such a short time – he wondered if it was because he was shallow, or because he had not cared for his lover as much as he'd believed, but then thought it was probably just because he had had so many other things to occupy him.
He still had. Though he had to rely on their guides for advice about the best places to camp, every decision was ultimately his, and there were a dozen matters needing his attention during the day – making sure firewood was collected, keeping an eye out for potential game, making sure his people were keeping up and not being affected by the weather, that the beasts weren't, and that they were making good time. Wepizi had been right – the urs beasts really didn't seem to mind the cold at all, and they walked over the snow far more easily than the humans did. He smiled as Romi commented on this very fact. "They're very adaptable, my friend. I feel that they must be Andonese, at least in spirit."
Romi grinned at the remark, but couldn't help wondering why there were no native beasts in Andon, when they were found in so many other places. The fact that Soza might know, and Romi couldn’t ask him, was a niggling annoyance. It was like being a child again and being told not to touch the books in the house because he might damage them. 'Childish' was probably a better term, he thought dryly, and tore his thoughts away from the scientists.
He didn't fail to note that Karik threw his efforts into all the camp making and the tent raising, but Soza managed to always find somewhere else to be. He wasn't the only one who'd noticed it either. "Does he think he's too fine for the work?" Jou muttered as he helped her tension a guy rope.
"Look at this way, corporal – do you want to sleep in a tent he's helped to raise?"
"Not really – but I think if he's too good to raise it, he's too good to sleep in it. I'd tell him that too, if I didn't like Karik so well."
"Best to hold your tongue, Jou. I can do without the tantrums."
She gave him a wry smile at that, then moved further around to help Taz with his end. Karik had gone with Reisa to settle the beasts. Romi went over to see how the animals had fared that day, and found them building a fire to melt snow. "Everything under control? Any of the animals suffering from the cold?" he asked Karik as Reisa went for the metal bucket they would be using for the purpose.
"Do you think I wouldn't tell you, captain?"
"No, not at all. I'm just taking an interest."
Karik gave him an icy look. "Don't," he said, then turned his back on him.
Ah, well, Romi thought. That would teach him to be nice.
They were using barracks rations tonight, but they would need to start living off the land as soon as they could. They were all carrying crossbows, and had instructions to point out any likely looking game, as well as strict orders not to kill anything that looked remotely like a domestic doig – the last thing they wanted was to antagonise a farmer by poaching. But there were wild doigs and weti to be had, as well as waterfowl, and Wepizi said that soon the dowkiqu would wake from their hibernation and make themselves prey as they looked for food among the melting snows.
They had already seen a few grazing doigs, their shaggy fur encrusted with snow, seeming part of the land itself until they moved. Soon there would be plants pushing up through the snow, and as they approached the forests, there would be berries and nuts to supplement any game they would collect. Romi had always prided himself when he had taken field exercises in using as little of the provisions they brought with them as they possibly could, and on bringing back fresh meat for the barracks. He wanted them to be as self-sufficient as possible, and to learn the woodcraft peculiar to this land from their guides as quickly as they could. Their lives might depend on it.
The tent was up, and already smoke was rising faintly above it in the gloom. The temperature inside was noticeably warmer with everyone clustered in a circle around the small portable stove on which they would cook their supper. The floor of the tent was comfortable and well-padded with saddle blankets, felt pads which were an integral part of the design, and the thick doig hides they had been given to use as sleeping mats – their usual sleeping rolls being inadequate for the conditions. In addition, each of the team had been issued with a little folding stool, to keep rumps off frozen ground when keeping watch.
While Feive and Netu cooked supper, the rest of them chewed hard biscuits and drank spiced tea. Some of his people were stretched on their sleeping hides, others were using the little stools. Everyone seemed to be handling things well. Everyone but Soza, of course, who looked cold and out of sorts. Some of that had to be do with the long day's ride, Romi knew. He would have to trust Karik to tell him if it was more serious than that. From Karik's expression, there was no need for concern just yet.
As they ate the soup and camp bread, Wepizi told them about the history of this part of Andon. "Once," he said, stroking his moustache reflectively, "Andon was ruled by no one man alone, and the only government here was a council of tribes. But then war lords came from the eastern lands, and forced the tribes and settlements to bend to their will. There was over a hundred and fifty years of oppression and cruelty – terrible things done to the people who lived in the low country and the hills in this area. Whole tribes taken into slavery, others decimated. It's a wonder any survived."
"I heard something about refuges in the hills and in the northern ranges?"
Wepizi nodded. "Yes, we think that's where some of the tribal peoples hid, though the locations remain a fiercely guarded secret. Let me warn you – if there is the least suspicion that we are looking for these, not only will cooperation dry up like spit on a griddle, we could find ourselves in a very hostile situation. It might be three generations since the line of Godiw freed our people from the war lords and gave the tribes their freedom, but that is but a moment in time to them. The army now protects the people, not oppresses it, but the memory of oppression is still strong."
"What of the Gifted?" That was Karik.
"Ah, well, they were even more tormented by the war lords, and for many years none have been known in our land. We suspect they still exist, but they have remained hidden. How new births have been concealed, I don't know – perhaps they really have been destroyed. We have far fewer minor gifted than the Darshianese, I know. A grave loss to our nation."
"I was told by my mother where I should go if there was ever another invasion," Romi said. "I think all gifted learn this secret at some point. They have to have done – how else did we keep the secret from the Prij for twenty years while they had control of the south?" Did he imagine Karik looking a little flushed at that comment? "And no, I'm not telling you where it is," he added with a grin.
"A wise man," Wepizi said, smiling. "But now you see why there is even more reason to tread very lightly. The tribes' freedom was won at a terrible cost. They won't surrender it again without a bloody battle."
Romi wondered about the different ways the Andonese and the Darshianese had dealt with imposed suzerains, but then the eastern war lords had been far crueller even than the Prij, and much more barbaric. The Prij had wanted settled colonies, the war lords only wanted to rape and pillage the lands. Both had ruthlessly suppressed rebellion, but given a choice, Romi knew who he would choose to rule over him, if he had to have one or the other.
Tooth sticks were passed around, and hands washed in a small bowl of warmed water as a minimal concession to hygiene and grooming. There was one task that had to be carried out away from the tent, naturally, and Romi left to do just that, lighting a sprite to guide his way. Kepi and Taz waved at him, making exaggerated shivers as they did, as he passed where the beasts were tied together for the night. Kepi and Taz were on the first watch, drinking soup out of heavy lidded mugs as they hunched around a deliberately large fire. At least with this many people, Romi could keep the shifts down to just over an hour – but it was necessary to keep a fire going near the beasts if they were not to be lost to one of the carnivores that roamed Andon, and which, at this time of year, were lean and desperate for food.
He untied his trousers, appreciating once again why winter clothing in Andon didn't use laces which needed bare fingers to undo, and shivered as he relieved his bladder. He didn't look around as dancing lamplight warned him someone was approaching – he expected there to be a little rush as people hastened to do their business before settling down for the night.
"Captain?"
He turned. "Yes, Karik?"
"Sibu said you'd handed out the watch roster. Which watch am I keeping?"
"You're not." Romi finished what he was doing and did his trousers up – it was too cold to have a conversation outside, didn't the man know that?
"And why not? I'm perfectly able and willing to do my part."
"Right. And which shift is Soza going to do?"
Karik seemed nonplussed at the question? "Soza? I don't.... He's not really...."
"Exactly. I know you are quite capable of keeping watch, and I appreciate your willingness. But if I can't ask Soza, I can't ask you, nor can I let you volunteer if he won't."
"Why? What difference does it make?"
Romi sighed and leaned an arm against the tree. "I know it's not what you want to hear, but Soza's unwillingness to help out is causing resentment. To a certain extent, that's not a problem. But things like the watch – well, it would make a difference if we had your assistance, there's no question. So the resentment would get much worse if he was seen to be getting out of something that we all want to get out of. The only way I can stop it becoming a problem is to pretend that the security of the camp is military business, and therefore the civilians aren't involved."
"But it's not."
"No, it's not, but do you really want Soza to be even more disliked than he is now?"
Karik bit his lip. "I see. I...appreciate the diplomacy."
"I'm not doing it for you. Leave the management to me, Karik, and you see to your own duties. All I want is for us to go home safe and sound and with the mission objectives achieved."
"That's what we all want, captain."
"Good. Now I'm going in because it's pissing freezing. Don't hang around out here, the cold can kill you."
And that, Romi hoped, might set a few hisks running. He had no great faith that Karik could improve his lover's behaviour – but he had great faith in Karik's pride. He would be curious what would result from that little conversation.
Karik wanted to be angry with lieutenant arse over what he'd said, but he knew that Romi had only done exactly what Arman or Tiko or any responsible person would have done. He couldn't fault the logic, or even the manner in which the message had been delivered. The only thing he could fault was that he had nothing he could hook his anger onto except Soza's own behaviour.
Everyone was settling down to sleep as he came back in. Jou and Sibu slipped out to relieve themselves, but the rest of the soldiers were already wrapped in blankets and huddled on the thick furs. Soza was tucked in too – he'd had a rotten day with the cold and the length of the ride, and Karik knew he was tired. It wasn't the time or place to bring up his lack of participation, though Karik wondered why Soza, normally so assiduous about not causing offence, was being so careless of his team mate's feelings. He missed the innocent enjoyment he had once had in Soza's company, and didn't welcome the new awareness of his friend's faults. He felt he was losing something he valued, and he put the blame for that fairly and squarely on lieutenant arse's broad shoulders.
He slept well enough because he was tired, though he woke several times, disturbed by the soft sounds of his companions. He was astonished how warm he was – almost too warm – and marvelled again at the efficiency of the tent. The trouble of carrying such a bulky item and of having to erect it, had proved to be well worth it.
The next few days were more enjoyable than he'd expected, since he'd not thought there would be much to see in the cultivated regions. He owed that enjoyment to Wepizi, who, to Karik's surprise, spent a good bit of each day riding alongside him, quietly pointing out the subtle features of the landscape, the signs of the small animals emerging from their winter sleep as the thaw began, and the plants which were shyly springing into life. The lep was a modest man, deprecating his own talents, but Karik was astonished how much he knew about the natural history of his land, and how keen his observations were. Broadly intelligent, tolerant, pacific and ever enquiring, he was quite unlike any soldier Karik had ever met.
It wasn't all Wepizi carrying the conversation. He was intensely curious about Karik's background, asking him frankly but without the least prurience about his Prijian ancestry, and how he had come to be raised as a Darshianese. Karik was happy to tell him, and to talk about his family in a general way, but though he like Wepizi a good deal, he was conscious of how close he was to Romi. Karik had no intention of giving lieutenant arse more information that he could twist in his own special way, so he skirted around the topic of Jes and her conception, and the precise details of his own. It was, he decided, no one else's business, and Wepizi was far too polite to press him.
Feeling guilty about abandoning Soza, he tried to spend a little time each day riding beside him, but it wasn't enough apparently. "We should be preparing our notes," Soza said with a sniff as Karik dropped back down the line to talk to him, after spending an hour's enjoyable conversation with Wepizi about the nesting habits of waterfowl. "You forget your position on this mission, Karik."
"Our role is to collect information, Soza, and Lep Wepizi is very knowledgeable."
"He's only a soldier, and an untrained one at that. Next thing you'll be telling me that I needn't have bothered coming and that we could have left it all to the military."
Karik repressed a sigh. "Of course not, Soza. But even an untrained person can bring us valuable observations."
"Then why don't you wait until there's something worth observing? I fail to see how Wepizi can be telling you anything you want to know about farmland."
Karik smiled, made some anodyne comment, and then found an excuse a few minutes later to move up the line again, so he didn't quarrel with his friend. He knew Soza was finding it hard, and being ignored by the only person he felt understood his interests wasn't helping. At the same time, he knew Soza's isolation was self-inflicted, and since Soza had dismissed his tentative attempts to get him to play a bigger part in the team tasks as being beneath his interest, he couldn't help hoping that the experience of being ignored might inspire Soza to work it out on his own. He was beginning to resent his unwanted role as Soza-wrangler.
Soza wasn't the only one who begrudged Wepizi's friendliness. More than once, Karik had looked up to see Romi giving him a long, hard look, and Karik couldn't really see it as anything but jealousy. He thought Wepizi had noticed it too, but had ignored it – in his own gentle way, Wepizi was a dreadful prankster, and probably thought it amusing to pull his friend's tail. Romi never said anything. Not that he had better dare, Karik thought.
But he wasn't just there as entertainment, Karik knew. The long, low Gunozidei range was coming closer, and the flat, apparently empty land of the marshes could now be seen at the edge of the obviously cultivated farms. The thaw was, just as Wepizi had promised, upon them with astonishing speed, and crisp snow was quickly turning slushy. Under the melting snow, early bulbs were shooting, and the trees were budding almost as Karik watched. There was still little of botanical interest, though he kept a close eye out for anything new or unusual. What was more interesting was the game the soldiers were bringing in. Though Soza knew more about the distribution patterns of animals, he wasn't much of an anatomist – that was Karik's speciality, thanks to Kei's diligent training, and though they couldn't tarry to let him really examine the carcasses, he was able to make quick sketches of the doigs and dowkiqu and weti as they were butchered, and to preserve a few feathers from the birds that were shot down from the air. Romi, he had to admit, was a fine shot, and always brought his birds down cleanly, almost if he was killing them for a reference collection than for their supper.
Ever curious, Wepizi wanted to know everything about the process, and loved to watch Karik sketching. "Such skill," Wepizi said admiringly, as Karik drew a dead liti bird, brought down earlier by Romi's bow and which would be part of their supper the following evening. "But these are common – why do you need to record them?"
"Well, for one thing, they're not common in Darshian. For another, we can use the sketches to produce identification guides if people come back to Andon. Litis can easily be confused with riqizits, and several other species. I'm trying to make a note of what distinguishes them from other birds."
"Their song," Netu said as he joined them. Others of the team, as they always seemed to in the evenings, had come to sit close by, listening to Karik and Wepizi talk. "That's how you can tell them from riqizits."
"Very true, Netu, well observed," Karik said. "But if I was a female liti and I had to wait until I heard the male sing before I knew the bird on my back was the right species, I'd be a little nervous." Sibu gave him a grin for that comment. "Fortunately for them, they don't. See this?" He pointed to a thin white bar above the beak. "Riqizits are yellow there, and their bib is reddish, not blackish."
"So they're just different versions of the same bird?" Tiro asked.
"Some might say that. I don't think so – have any of you seen the two types together, or nesting together? Wepizi?"
"Never, my friend. We consider them different."
"And that's significant," Karik said. "This is what's so important about talking to the locals – we can only see the animals and plants for a brief window in time. They have generations of knowledge to draw on. It helps when they have a good eye too," he added, with a little bow to Wepizi, who smiled at the compliment.
As he continued his little lecture, he noticed Soza was, as usual, steadfastly ignoring the activity. More than once he'd openly wondered why Karik bothered to teach people who weren't actively interested in natural history, and more than once, Karik had wondered why Soza was such a damn snob about it. His own opinion of the soldiers was undergoing something of a change. He saw now that they were as capable as he was of understanding the subtleties of the natural world and the interactions of organisms if only someone could be bothered to explain it. It would not be their primary concern, any more than how to use a sword would be his – but there was no essential difference between his abilities and theirs. Besides, Kei and Karik's own parents had impressed on him that learning and teaching were always good things. If Karik scattered seeds and some fell on barren ground, that didn't mean some might not bear fruit. Soza's approach meant you were guaranteed never to be pleasantly surprised, and Karik preferred his own way to Soza's.
The other person who remained aloof was Romi, though Karik got the impression it was not so much out of snobbery as wariness. The lieutenant always watched them closely, though from a distance and never participating himself. Was he just trying to make sure Karik didn't slip up? Or was he hoping to learn without making it obvious that someone he despised could teach him something? Karik couldn't tell, and really didn't care. He continued to teach, Romi continued to watch and if Romi's own barren ground suddenly bore fruit, then Karik was prepared to be gracious about it. If not, then he wouldn't be disappointed.
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Karik has always wanted to travel and see more of the world. Finally, he's going on his first major expedition, to explore the wild and mysterious land of Andon, and make it give up its secrets.But he's about to learn that working in a team, and managing diverse talents and personalities isn't that easy. And it's even harder when your leader is a prickly but handsome army lieutenant who thinks you're an arrogant bastard, and your colleague only seems to open his mouth to insert the other foot. Karik will encounter danger, hardship and much personal trial. But will he win his reward at the end of it? Read Staying Power and find out. Freely Given is a prequel to Falling from the tree and Staying Power, covering Kei and Arman's first few months in Darshek. Download for US$ 4.99 Buy in print for US$ 15.21 |