deels, silver and porcelain bowls and cups, hair combs decorated with pearls. She left them all behind, only took her old clothing, the very rags she'd been wearing when she arrived.' She looked at the chiefs. 'Seemed to me that if she were lying about who she was for selfish reasons, she would've taken some of those nice things to sell out in the city.'
'Thank you, Shria.' He turned to the chiefs. 'I submit to you Dashti, a mucker maid. She said she was gentry, but is that a crime for one who was named as a sister by the lady of Titor's Garden, or for one who earned the right to be considered a member of my own honored family? She proved herself loyal to her lady even unto risking her own life, an act that should far outweigh any impropriety. As well, she faced Khasar alone on the battlefield and, blessed by the Ancestors themselves, walked away from it, victorious. For my vote, one in the nine, I find her actions justified, and what some would call a crime, I declare a noble act of loyalty. How find you?'
There was a horrible silence as the chiefs thought, some whispering to one another, some shaking their heads.
Khan Tegus clenched his jaw and his eyes were fearful. I knew it would take just four chiefs to find me guilty. It is assumed that the chief in the empty chair will always vote for death.
The oldest chief, the one who serves Evela, goddess of sunlight, turned to the four shamans and asked, 'What say you, holy ones?'
The shaman who'd read the sheep bones and declared Khasar couldn't be defeated by strength looked at me when he spoke. 'I haven't read the signs or submitted to a trance, but my instinct says the Ancestors love this girl.'
'Hmm,' said the chief. And again, the horrible silence, which was finally broken by Batu, who hit his palm against the table, making everyone jump.
'Come now, my friends. This isn't so difficult. Our khan has done a mightier job here than even we dull- brained lot needed. Who among you really thinks this girl committed a crime?'
Several chiefs shook their heads, a couple squirmed, but not one raised a fist to vote. The mood exhaled. I think I might've cried.
'Disgraceful,' said Lady Vachir, as she and all her vulture maids marched out of the room. Winter or not, I doubt Lady Vachir will be staying long in Song for Evela.
As soon as she was gone, Khan Tegus leaned against the table and sighed for relief so loudly, several people laughed. I didn't. I still couldn't breathe right.
'Thank the Ancestors,' he said. 'And you as well, honored chiefs. Thank you.'
Saren embraced me. She did it clumsily, placing one arm around my neck and resting her head on my shoulder.
She whispered, 'I was scared, Dashti. I was really scared. I thought you might die and I really, really didn't want you to.'
'You did well,' I whispered back. 'You spoke up like a lady. You were so brave.' It made my eyes sting to say it, I really did feel as proud as any mucker mama. 'Thank you, my lady.'
She looked at me now and said, 'No more 'my lady,' Dashti. No more of that.'
I couldn't respond. I didn't know what to say. No chance my mouth was going to let me call her sister. Not yet.
Batu was slapping Tegus on the back and laughing with relief. All the chiefs were standing, talking. A few were a bit disgruntled, but most seemed happy, excited even.
'And now at last,' said the chief of light, 'we'll have our khan's wedding. Lady Saren, may I be the first to congratulate you.'
Tegus and Saren looked at each other. The whole room quieted. And I found reason to be glad I was still sitting.
Of course this is how it'll end, I told myself. This is how it should end. She's an honored lady. Isn't this what I've wanted for her? And I'll stay with her still and be her friend and coddle her babies, their babies, and keep my thoughts to myself and the pages of my book. It'll be all right. Saren will be the lady of Song for Evela and maybe I can write letters for her, advise her on things, be useful. It won't be so bad. It's an ending.
And though I reminded myself that I was just happy to be alive, some part of me wanted to shrink and die.
Tegus glanced at me once before saying, 'Lady Saren, we are betrothed. Do you wish to wed me?'
Saren was watching me, and her eyes seemed troubled, but I can't be sure about that, because I felt like I was falling through the floor and seeing her from so far away.
'I'm not sure --,' she started before the chief of order rushed forward and shushed everyone.
'My lord, may I hastily remind you that if you and Lady Saren break your betrothal, Lady Vachir will have full claim on your hand.'
'Thank you, honored chief,' said Tegus. 'But Saren and I spoke this morning, and we both felt--'
'Careful,' said the town chief, her eyes on the door. 'I wouldn't advise you to say anything.'
Saren was still looking at me when she said, 'Then I will say.' She drew herself up tall. 'Khan Tegus, I would rather not marry you. However...,' she said loudly, cutting through the outcries from the chiefs, 'however, I retain my right to our betrothal, and I exact it for my sister, Dashti.'
Batu chuckled. Why was he laughing? Was it a joke on me?
Tegus didn't seem surprised. He offered Saren his hands, palms down. She took them, and he kissed her forehead as he would a younger sister.
Then he smiled at me, and I knew it wasn't a joke. Tegus would never play a cruel trick on me, and he never smiles by accident. He means each one. Then he was beside me. Then he was on one knee and taking my hand. And it felt like the tower, after he'd given me My Lord the cat when he held my hand, and everything in the world
