Chapter 2-8

Gerim led us to a bathhouse, where food and drink were brought to us. The servers were fast, and discrete, leaving us in a large room with numerous steaming tubs recessed into the floor. The sounds of running water echoed off the walls, making voices difficult to distinguish at any significant distance.

We all disrobed, climbing into the largest, central pool. Farthest from the walls, and any prying ears. In addition to Hati, Tarun, and myself; Gerim summoned Pedu and Yatek. The six of us spent a short time relaxing, although Tarun was clearly impatient and uncomfortable.

“You might as well try to relax,” I told the captain. “Gerim is a firm believer in pleasure before business. He wants everyone to let their guard down before negotiating with them.”

“It is also good for building friendly relationships!” Gerim was completely unphased by my accusation. “I am hoping that we, here, will all work well together.”

Hati and I didn’t learn much in the meeting. Instead, we provided information and introductions. As I’d worked closely with Gerim, Tarun, and Pedu in the past; I helped them find a working equilibrium relatively quickly.

Yatek wasn’t able to tell me much about the situation in Metic, just that the northern border of the region was weakening. The Metic clans were too fractious to willingly share much information with one another, let alone with outsiders. In the west, however, we had good news.

“With Ramana’s warning, Kuru’deka was able to catch all those vulture fuckers with their pants down! The nest of monks and demons in Nesratin were killed. Mostly killed.

“We tried to capture the slaves. Tie them to another to keep them alive, but then everyone died. Out of the whole lot, we only have six survivors. Five slaves, and one monk. Ramana let us know we were to hand them over to you.” Gerim sounded apologetic, although I wasn’t sure if that was because he was saddling me with the prisoners, or he regretted that there were so few of them.

“That’s good,” I replied. “I need to study the sorcery the Pure are using. How the bonds are different from regular **** bonds. But, I’ll need to arrange for additional supplies. Can I borrow Pedu for a little while? I don’t have anyone with her experience in logistics.”

Gerim saw right through my little ploy, but he agreed readily enough. I sent Hati and Pedu off together to find Myta. They’d take care of our business, and then have time to catch up.

“King Ramana has arranged for you to have your own logistics expert,” Yatek informed me. “You’ll meet with them in Seto, when you pick up the next payroll chest. I’d advise that you also find someone to negotiate contracts and navigate politics for you.”

“He didn’t already arrange that as well?” I raised a brow. “I would have expected an advisor, appointed directly from his court.”

“Per the king, someone to handle logistics is a military matter, well within the bounds of his agreement with the clans. But if he assigns a diplomat, that looks too much like political meddling.

“For my part,” Yatek continued, “I think that’s horseshit. “Ramana wants you to use Sati.”

“Does she have the skills?” I asked.

“She does,” he laughed. “If you can convince her to use them, and use them for you. Sati was always one of his cleverest daughters. Too clever for her own good.”

“Too clever for a snake pit then.” I sighed. “Smart people sometimes just learn all the wrong lessons faster.”

Yatek grimaced, but he didn’t contradict me.

We talked for a couple of hours, the others making plans for the future of Bani. I offered my advice where I felt it was relevant, on the possibility of more sorcerous sleeper agents, or stamping out any remnants of the viridian contagion. But I was leaving the city soon, then leaving Ramana entirely. This was their fight, mine lay elsewhere.

When I took my leave no one made a great show of it. But I could tell that we were all wondering when we might see each other again like this. Well, not Yatek. I barely knew the minister, and while I rather liked the man, I doubted that our brief acquaintance even registered as an event to his long memory. But Tarun and Gerim had been my friends for years, and they only had a mortal span to live.

Our parting was bitter, even if we didn’t show it. But I needed to keep moving forward. Ramana didn’t hold the answers I needed. Well, perhaps King Ramana did, but he wasn’t about to share them. If I wanted to take control of my fate, to grant my vas and I a chance to choose our own futures, then Metic called.

Finding Myta wasn’t an issue, she and Hati were back in the guardhouse I’d woken inside. I was surprised to note that Sati was with them. It was convenient, however, as I wanted to speak with the apsara. When I found the room that they were in I paused, **** to interrupt the scene before me.

Myta and Pedu were talking animatedly, laughing as they argued over some piece of paperwork. My flame’s face was alight with enthusiasm and joy, even as her aunt jabbed a finger in her direction with a mock-scowl. Hati looked on, a contented expression on the sergeant’s face, while Sati sat on a corner looking lost. I wasn’t surprised. The idea of a friendly disagreement must have been completely alien to the former princess.

Not wanting to interrupt the family members quite yet, I caught the apsara’s gaze, gesturing for her to join me in the hall. Our bond wasn’t deep enough yet to communicate silently, and I absolutely did not want to start this conversation with a compulsion, even in the form of a mild mental nudge.

“They seem… happy,” she noted as she stepped beside me.

“Pedu doesn’t speak much of it, but I think they have both been separated from their family for some time. And for Myta, at least, much of her time with her parents was painful.” I furrowed my brow. “I’m not one to put much stock in ties of blood. But there is a weight of history lying between them. Shared memories, even if most of those memories are second hand. I expect they are finding comfort in that.”

“You expect?” She shot me a piercing glance. “Surely you have family of your own to share such comfort with”

“Like you do?” My voice was sharp, sharper than I’d intended. I took a breath to release my temper. “All my blood family are surely long dead, not that I ever knew them. I had adoptive family once, but our situation was complicated. Much like yours is now.”

My brief flare of anger had drawn Myta’s attention, and broken the flow of their conversation. I smiled apologetically, drawing Sati back into the room.

“We spoke recently about your goals.” I said to Sati. “Have you thought more about what you want to do?”

“You’ve made it clear that I have no real choice.” She glared at me. “If I want to be rid of this bond then I need to travel with you. If I want to travel with you, I need to work. Isn’t that what you told me.”

“Effectively.” I agreed.

“So, I will find a role you need. You’ll soon find me indispensable.” Despite her bold words, I could feel that Sati’s confidence was surprisingly shallow. I couldn’t understand how her odd lack of confidence could coexist with her soul sickness. Arrogance and uncertainty shouldn’t walk hand in hand. Still, I couldn’t have asked for a better opening.

“Your aspect. It’s related to dreams, yes?”

Sari’s face contorted in rage, and both Pedu and Hati practically flinched at my question. Myta simply looked confused as I made a placating gesture.

“I’m sorry, but Ramana provided me with a hint. And what I know, Myta and Hati will soon learn. An aspect like that must be incredibly useful in understanding the intentions of others. No?”

I relaxed my control over my presence. Not letting it flood the room and pressure my companions, just relaxing my defenses. Sati took my invitation, letting her own presence brush against mine. What she felt there dampened her ire

“Yes. My aspect is of great benefit when it comes to understanding who you are dealing with.” Her iridescent eyes pinned me with an expression that was somewhere between anger and intrigue. At this rate, I’d just assume that was her default feeling for me. Well, hopefully I had planted the same seed with her that Yatek had planted with me.

After waiting to see if the apsara had anything more to add, I turned to the others.

“Are you satisfied with your preparations? How long before we leave for Seto?”

“One more day,” Myta replied. “Most of the supplies are ready, but our surprise guests threw the numbers off. We could make the trip with what we have, but I prefer to err on the side of caution. And you need to take stock of them.”

“We, need to take stock of them. I want you there to meet with the Pure monk. Both so that you can take their measure, and in case you know them.” I looked at Sati. “Will you join us? I’d also like your opinion on anything they have to say.”

She nodded, slowly. “Yes. Yes, my insight would serve you well there. Tomorrow morning?”

“Tomorrow morning.” I agreed.