ARC: Assassin Queen (26 page)

26

Sandstorm

“
Is this bloody weather ever going to improve?
” Mai asked.

They were sitting in a shelter, a plain stone building with a flat roof, its gaping windows doing only a little to protect them from the raging sandstorm outside. Kara felt only partially comforted by the knowledge that the people who built this place, more than a century ago, felt it important enough to bring large blocks of hewn rocks for reinforcement, making it withstand even the very strong blasts of wind. According to the locals they met a day earlier, this storm was minor compared to the others to be expected this time of the year.

Egey Bashi pulled the flap of his mask tighter, covering his face against the flying sand.
“
You have to stop thinking like a Majat Guildmaster, Aghat Mai.
”

Mai
’
s lips twitched.
“
You can
’
t be serious, Magister.
”

“
Perhaps not entirely. But even the Majat Guild can’t defeat the weather.
”

Mai grumbled something indistinct as he receded deeper into the corner.

“
There
’
s a well in a sheltered area outside,
”
Lance said.
“
And an outhouse. Given that the storm is showing no sign of stopping, I believe we should settle here for the night.
”

Mai glanced at the window.
“
At this rate, we
’
ll surely be buried by morning.
”

“
I remember,
” Egey Bashi said, “
that these shelters are supposed to have storm shutters one could fit into place if the storm rages a while. Let
’
s dig near that wall.
”

Digging through the sand revealed a trapdoor leading to a shallow cellar, too small to accommodate any people but large enough to store a stack of flat boards, along with ropes and metal straps. They also found a shovel and a broom, a pile of firewood and a flint, a supply they decided to leave alone for now.

It took some time to figure out how to fit the shutters into the brackets near each window, finally blocking out the worst of the sand. The air was still full of it, creaking on the teeth and parching the tongue, but at least it didn
’
t hit the face anymore.

They took turns with the shovel and broom to sweep out the thick layer of sand, revealing a smoothly polished floor, comfortable enough to spread their bedrolls.

“
Why don
’
t they leave the shutters on all the time?
”
Ellah wondered.

Mai examined the nearest one.
“
I can only guess if they do, the wind would destroy them too fast. For those who know where to look this seems like a better system.
”

“
Especially since most travelers normally take shelter here
before
the storm,
”
Egey Bashi pointed out.

Mai shrugged. It was his idea to continue traveling despite the weather warnings, driven partly by the hurry they were in, and partly by the knowledge that no matter what they would be likely to reach this shelter on time. Deep inside, Kara suspected that Mai was simply having trouble letting go of his own sense of weather, which of course did nothing useful here, where all the signs seemed to be opposite to what they were used to. How could one in their right mind suspect that a storm like this would follow the clear sunny sky they enjoyed only a few hours ago on their last stop?

Just as they were about to settle in, the doors swung open again, letting in a group of five people. They removed their masks, revealing a handsome middle-aged Olivian woman and four men that bustled around her, shaking off the sand and spreading out cushions for her to sit on. She accepted it casually, as if used to enjoying excessive comforts even on a march.

Her curious eyes moved around the group, singling out Kara. Her smile held strange recognition, as if identifying her as her only equal in their group. With unease, Kara remembered the Olivian matriarchal society and the way that her looks made everyone believe she was a native. It was perhaps to the best that they met the woman here. The earlier she settled into this role, the better.

“
On your way to Tahr Abad?
”
the woman asked, addressing only Kara as if the rest of her companions were not here at all. Did she think they were all servants?

“Yes,”
Kara said.

“
You live there?
”

Kara glanced around.
“
My companions and I have business there.
”

“
Your companions.
”
The woman
’
s eyes lit up with new interest.
“
Your family must be very rich.
”

Kara felt a blush rise into her cheeks as she belatedly remembered the double meaning of the word
“companion”
in these parts. Rich Olivian women kept male harems. With her Olivian looks and a large retinue of young men someone might assume she was one of those women too, but she didn
’
t expect to have to deal with this before they reached the Queen
’s court.

“
We do things differently in the north,
”
she said.

“
I must definitely travel to the north myself.
”
The woman clicked her tongue appreciatively, her eyes lingering on Mai.

Now that one of the men had a chance to wipe her face clean of the sand, Kara realized that the woman wasn
’
t as old as she originally thought. She looked to be in her mid- to late thirties, and still very good looking. Her meaningful glances made Kara feel less and less comfortable, even more so when she saw Egey Bashi snigger and cover his face with a flap of his head gear to hide his grin.

She had to remind herself that each of her companions was a deadly warrior quite able of defending his honor
–
assuming that they were even interested in defending it against this kind of attention. The Majat ranking did not forbid casual affairs. And now, the men
’
s smiles as they caught the woman
’
s eyes made her wonder.

“
I am Meera,
”
the woman said.
“
A merchant in the lower city.
”

“
A merchant? What are your wares?
”
Kara asked, more out of politeness than of real interest.

“
Garments. Some of the finest. Even the royal family buys from us.
”
Meera
’
s eyes drifted to Mai again.
“
Perhaps, when you reach the city, you and your, um, companions would like to visit my shop?
”

Kara nodded stiffly. She wasn
’
t normally a jealous type, and she was long used to the reaction Mai stirred in pretty much every woman who came near him, but she wasn
’
t accustomed to anyone undressing him with their eyes so openly without being in the least bashful about it. Were things going to be this way at the Queen
’s court?

“
Perhaps,
”
Meera went on,
“
when you visit, we could also consider an exchange?
”

“
An exchange?
” Kara
’
s eyes widened.

Meera laughed.
“
Come now, don
’
t look so terrified. You don
’
t keep all these gorgeous men exclusively for yourself, do you?
”

“
I, um
…”
Kara paused, seeing Egey Bashi in the corner doubled up, shaking with silent laughter. She swore to herself to have a conversation with the Magister as soon as she could.

“
I have spent most of my life in the north,
”
she said.
“
I am not familiar with this custom.
”

“It
’
s lucky that you met me, then, isn
’
t it?
”
Meera winked to her conspiratorially.
“
With how handsome your men are, you will get offers everywhere you go, I
’m sure.
”

“Offers?”

“Come now.”
Meera smiled.
“
However many men you have, you surely want a variety from time to time. If you send some of your men to entertain me, I can send you some of mine
–
for a night, or longer, if they strike your fancy.
”

Kara gaped. She knew she shouldn
’
t be looking so appalled at the idea, but she just couldn
’
t help it.

“Don
’
t worry,
”
Meera said
“
These ones that travel with me are not my best. I have more at home to pick from. Just got a new boy from down south
–
he is more your age, and he does wonders with his tongue.
”

“Thank you.”
Kara brought a flap of her head dress to her own face to hide a twitch in her lips. Thinking this through in any detail made her feel nauseated. Yet, things could probably only get worse from now on, so she
’
d better get used to having these conversations without flinching.
“It
’
s very kind of you, Meera. I will consider it.
”

Meera smiled.
“
Good. My house is a large white one, right by the port. Ask anyone.
”

The storm died out some time during the night, enabling them to leave just before dawn. Kara was glad that they were able to leave quietly enough not to wake Meera and her men who were still sleeping in the opposite corner of the room.

When they saddled up and set on the road, she maneuvered her lizardbeast to ride next to Egey Bashi.

“
You could have warned me, Magister,
”
she said.

Egey Bashi grinned. “
I thought I did. They view men differently in Shayil Yara. This is why you need to lead the negotiations when we reach the Queen, remember?
”

“
That is not what I meant.
”

Egey Bashi turned to watch the road ahead. His face looked calm, but the crinkling lines around his eyes and in the corners of his mouth told her he was trying his best to suppress laughter. She wanted to feel angry, but deep inside this reaction calmed her down. Magister Egey Bashi was a wise and experienced man. He wouldn
’
t be laughing if the situation was dangerous in any way.

“
Seriously, though,
”
she said.
“
Exchange? Offers? Is this how it
’
s going to be?
”

“
Much worse, actually.
”

“
Worse
?”

“
The women of power at the Queen
’
s court are used to always getting what they want.
”

Kara
’
s eyes widened.
“
Mai is the Majat Guildmaster. The women of power should know the meaning of this title.
”

“
They do. Yet, they are only human. You know well what kind of reaction Aghat Mai stirs in women everywhere he goes. Olivian noblewomen are much less inhibited in showing it.
”

“
Still. Do they expect him to... to entertain them?
”

“
They will probably respect his title
–
even though I wouldn
’
t be surprised if they proposition him at some point or another. If it
’
s any comfort, these relationships are always expected to be consensual, so you really don
’
t need to worry so much.
”

Kara averted her gaze. She knew she should be used to women ogling Mai by now, but the idea that he would be propositioned by women used to getting what they want and not in the least bit shy about it still did not sit well with her.

“
What about the other men in our party?
”
she asked.

Egey Bashi
’
s grin widened.
“
The Queen and her key advisors would understand these men are not your consorts. But the rest of the courtiers would surely have problem grasping this idea. You should probably be prepared for offers of exchange.
”

“
Bloody great.
”
Kara turned away abruptly. She did feel angry now, even if mostly at herself. Why did she of all people have to be the one to end up in this position?

“
Come now, Aghat.
”
Egey Bashi spoke soothingly, but she could see that he was still holding back laughter.
“
Your conversation with Meera wasn
’
t all that bad, was it?
”

“
It bloody was. How am I supposed to handle these kinds of offers?
”

“
Why don
’
t you let the men worry about it?
”

“
The men?
”

Egey Bashi sniggered.
“
See? You are already thinking like a Shayil Yaran, assuming that men in your party cannot take care of themselves. You should give them more credit.
”

She nodded. Put this way, it did seem ridiculous that she should hold herself responsible for the men
’
s well-being. All Majat trainees learned early on how to handle the opposite sex. She was probably the only one among them who had serious problems with it. Was this why she had such issues with this aspect of Olivian customs?

“
I hope they can handle it,
”
she said.

“
Back in the shelter,
” Egey Bashi said, “
I was observing the scene closely. I don
’
t think any of them minded Meera
’
s attention. I would venture to guess the men probably found it flattering. I
’
d say you should relax and focus on your negotiations with the Queen, Aghat. Let the rest of it sort out on its own.
”

“
If you want me to stay out of this, I should probably do my best to make it very clear that these are not my men.
”

“
Not a good idea.
”

“
Why?
”

“
If you do, this could become distracting. Everyone would believe these men are available for the taking.
”

“
Taking?
”

Egey Bashi laughed.
“
Why do you think they always employ female negotiators here?
”

“Didn
’
t you tell me this was because they don
’
t take men as seriously?
”

“
Exactly. This goes for more than business talk. An unattached man is sort of like a stray child. Even if they know he comes from a different culture, their instincts tell them otherwise. Many feel more or less obliged to pick him up and bring him home. The Queen is not like this, of course, but even for her, the distraction could become too great for comfort, not to mention the effect it would have on the women at her court. This is why male-only parties are often turned away without even gaining audience.
”

“
It seems they are making things far too complicated.
”

“
Or simple, if you will. In the end, this is no more than a cultural difference.
”

Kara fixed her eyes on the road. She never thought she would be able to serve as a protector for a group of their top warriors. It seemed even more strange that this protection in their case was based entirely on gender.

“
Just remember,
” Egey Bashi said. “
When you do get offers of exchange, as I am sure you will, no one would expect you to make a decision on the spot. You should feel free to take your time. More than that, no one would be offended if you refused to share
–
even though if you do it repeatedly, they may find it strange.
”

Kara continued to look ahead. She was aware of the way Egey Bashi was studying her face, but she didn
’
t want to acknowledge it.

“
There
’
s more to it, isn
’
t there?
”
he said.

Kara squared her jaw.
“
I saw Meera
’
s men look at me, especially after she proposed the exchange.
”

“And?”

“
At the Olivian court, am I expected to receive
…
offers from their men?
”

“
You are a very attractive woman. You also look exactly like one of their own. I
’
d say they
’
ll try, yes. Do you have a problem with it?
”

“Yes.”

“
Why?
”

She glanced at him briefly, noticing the way his gaze softened as he watched her.

“
I find these kinds of relationships very odd,
”
she said.

“
At the times of the Old Empire,
” Egey Bashi said, “
the emperor and the nobles used to maintain harems of females.
”

“
Yes, I heard.
”

“
These women were kept far stricter than the Shayil Yaran women keep their men. They were expected to spend their lives in seclusion, hidden from other men
’
s eyes. This kind of an arrangement, however imperfect, worked for centuries. Of course, men are different in that regard.
”

“
Different? How?
”

“
If you keep a bunch of men in seclusion competing for affections of one woman, they would all kill each other before long. You need to give them something else to do. To make it work seamlessly, you should also keep their options open to other women. The noblewomen here show off their men and share them freely. Those who assume you are one of them would expect you to do the same.
”

“
So, how do I deal with this exactly?
”

“
By coming to terms with it. You don
’
t have to agree to anything, but if you show the kind of discomfort you are showing now, it would affect your negotiations too.
”

“
Would it?
”

“
The Queen is a talented politician, or so I heard. If she sees how flustered you are at the men
’
s attention, she would make sure you are surrounded by them any time you are having an important talk. A distracted opponent is much easier to manipulate.
”

Kara nodded. This situation stirred up the worst memories about her training, overcoming her fear of men in order to get her Diamond ranking. She had done it once. Now, with so much depending on her, she had to find that strength again. She had no other choice.