“Thank you,” she whispered.
“No,” he answered surprisingly. “It is I who thanks you, Pilot, from the bottom of my heart.”
Before she could react to this, he turned again to Daav.
“If you and the pilot are at liberty, I would like to share some of what I have—”
There was a sudden clatter in the hall beyond, footsteps—a quiet pair and a noisier. Daav exchanged a wild look with his brother, caught Aelliana's hand and brought her to the right just as a regal-looking gentleman in green-and-gold livery appeared in the doorway.
“The Right Noble Lady Kareen yos'Phelium,” he announced, too loudly for the circumstances, and stepped nimbly to the left.
Er Thom yos'Galan inclined his head. “Thank you, Mr. pak'Ora,” he said, as serene as if he did not hear that second pair of footsteps, stamping angrily down his fine wooden hall.
The regal gentleman bowed slightly, turned, and paused to allow the owner of the footsteps by.
Into the office she came, her steps only somewhat muffled by the rug. That she was neither a pilot nor a Scout was immediately obvious. Despite this, Aelliana owned, she was a handsome woman, her dark hair a silky cap adorning a shapely head, and bright stones glittering in pretty ears. Her face was at the moment marred by a monumental frown, well-marked brows pulled tight, and lips thin in anger.
“Good afternoon, cousin,” Er Thom yos'Galan said, gentle-voiced, and speaking the Low Tongue, as one did with kin. “I had expected you earlier in the day.”
“Had you, indeed? I am desolate that the demands of my duty to Liad put me in a closed meeting all of yesterday and half of today.” The lady's voice was sharp, her choice of mode High—Elder-Kin-to-Junior. “It was only after lunch that I was at leisure to catch up the world, and then what should I do but first call upon the delm.”
Her frown increased, and she turned her head suddenly, sharp gaze going past Aelliana and resting—on Daav.
“You!” she snapped, and that was a mode Aelliana knew well—Superior-to-Inferior.
“Indeed, I.” Daav agreed, also in the Low Tongue.
“I suppose that it should not surprise me to find you here, sheltering behind your cha'leket, as you have always done! Of course it is nothing to you, that the clan dances on the brink of ruin, as long as you have had your diversion! And such a grand diversion it was, with your hand all over it, leaving no doubt in the minds of the vulgar. I say nothing of the shattered contract with Bindan—you have made it plain in the past that you intend to steer Korval into ruin, and will hear no advice from your elders! But one would think that you—even you!—would understand the impropriety, to say nothing of the cost, of ransacking a clanhouse, holding the nadelm at gunpoint, subverting the youth—”
Aelliana flushed hot. “You will not hold Daav to account for that!” she snapped, and there was the High Tongue come to her, after all: Pilot-to-Passenger.
Wondering dark eyes turned her way.
“I beg your pardon?” The lady's words fair glittered with ice.
“I said,” Aelliana repeated, somewhat more temperately, “that you will not hold Daav to account for insisting upon entry into Mizel's House, nor his employment of those willing to aid him. The muddle was of my making, and it is my shame that it fell to him to put all right for me! If you will cast blame, Balance and doom, then I am your proper target, ma'am! Daav did only as he ought!”
The room was utterly silent. The dark-haired lady did not go so far as to gape, though she was certainly taken aback. As who would not be, Aelliana thought, her hands suddenly cold, addressed thus heatedly by a stranger in the house of a kinsman? From the side of her eye, she saw Er Thom yos'Galan, lips parted; an expression of startled delight illuminating his face.
“Who,” the lady asked, in the mode between strangers, “are you?”
Aelliana swallowed, and brought her chin up.
“Forgive me, cousin, I am remiss!” Daav's brother moved forward, slipping his hand gently under Aelliana's elbow. “Allow me, please, to present to you Aelliana Caylon Clan Mizel, the foremost practitioner of mathematics on the planet today! She and my brother have only just returned from Chonselta. Scholar Caylon honors us by resting in our care.” He pressed her elbow gently, as if, Aelliana thought, encouraging her to be of good heart.
“Scholar Caylon, I make you known to my cousin, Daav's sister, Kareen yos'Phelium Clan Korval. You will of course know of her ongoing work with the Code. Now, please,” he said to Aelliana, “allow me to make amends for my dreadful manners, and offer you a cup of tea. I hear from my brother that you have endured much these last hours . . . ” He turned her away from Lady Kareen, who stood with her glare in place, and led her to the tea table by the cold hearth.
“Daav, ring for Mr. pak'Ora, will you?” Er Thom called over his shoulder. “We'll want fresh tea.” He saw Aelliana situated in a chair and smiled down at her. “Will you have something to eat?”
“I thank you, but—no. However, tea would be most welcome.”
“Of that, I have no doubt,” he murmured, his smile widening. “Well played, Pilot,” he added, for her ears alone.
Mr. pak'Ora, arrived at the door, received his orders and departed, promising tea on the instant. Er Thom yos'Galan turned to address the other lady.
“Kareen? Will you take tea?”
There was a small hesitation before she moved forward. “Certainly, cousin. Why should we not take tea while the clan crumbles about us? Already, I apprehend, we are a laughingstock, our credit fallen on the Exchange. Tea will be pleasant, as we watch all that we once were fall and burn.” She seated herself across the table from Aelliana and inclined her head. “Don't you agree, Pilot-Scholar Caylon?”
“Certainly,” Aelliana said, warily, “tea is often pleasant. It is very good of Thodelm yos'Galan to offer such kindness to a stranger.”
