Noran stood at the starboard rail of the galley's aft deck, enjoying the shelter of the sail while Ullsaard reclined on the deck, his hands behind his head. Clad only in tunic and kilt, the general was less imposing than normal, but even unarmoured and lying down his massive frame and muscular body dominated the afterdeck. Noran idly wondered what it would be like to have such a remarkable body, to have eyes turn to you whenever you entered a room.
The slosh of the water, the creak of ropes and the warm evening air dulled the senses. Bare feet padded on board as the sailors turned out to trim the square sail, urged on by the quiet orders of their captain. The sailors cast glances at the reclining general as they tiptoed around him, whispering to each other.
'A welcome sight after so much desert,' suggested Noran, pointing to the vine-crowded terraces of Okhar rising up the banks of the river.
Ullsaard sat up and looked at the fertile slopes.
'Not as welcome as the streets of Askh, but it's a start,' replied Ullsaard with a languid stretch. 'Twenty-five days we've been travelling, and we're barely halfway.'
'It'll be quick enough, you'll see.' Not for the first time, Noran compared Ullsaard to an ailur; seemingly quiet and passive, but masking a capability for immense violence and destruction. His rank, his affected civilisation, were the blinkers that kept him from going wild. Some of the stories of the general's exploits moving up the ranks had made Noran glad he was a friend; he had resolved to keep that friendship for as long as possible. The tales of Ullsaard's enemies generally ended badly on the bloodfields.
'We'll pick up a few barrels of wine to celebrate your homecoming. It's been a good summer, by all accounts.'
'Stopped by to check on your estate while you were coming to see me, by any chance?' Ullsaard said, giving his companion a dubious look.
'I had to resupply somewhere before that interminable trek into the sands! The quays at Geria just happen to belong to my father. That's not my fault.'
'Yes… and I'm sure your visit didn't delay your duties as herald any longer than necessary.'
'I may have sampled an amphora or three while I waited for fresh provisions to be brought aboard. What's a day here or there when you're travelling such a long way, anyway? You're just sour because you could have left all the dust and heat a couple of days earlier.'
Ullsaard grunted and lay down, closing his eyes.
'It's not natural to have no rain for so long,' he said. 'Ever been to Enair in the winter?'
'Thankfully, no.'
'Pisses down every day. I don't mean the little squalls and showers you get in Askhor; I mean solid downpours day and night from harvest to spring. And the wind! Howls down from coldwards, bringing the sea with it.'
'It sounds truly dreadful. I'll be sure to avoid it if I can. No wonder all you Enairians are such a miserable lot.' Noran leaned back against the rail and looked down at Ullsaard, becoming serious. 'You haven't really told me much about what it was like growing up in Enair.'
'No, I haven't.'
Noran waited but nothing else was forthcoming.
'Oh, come on! Throw me a bone here. You must have friends there still; perhaps there was a lass or two you tumbled in the rain? What about family? I know your mother still lives there, but haven't you got any cousins, uncles, alluringly mature and experienced aunts?'
Ullsaard sighed deeply and remained silent.
'Fine,' pouted Noran. 'It's not like this journey isn't long enough, without you playing dumb for the whole voyage.'
'If you want to gossip, talk to the crew,' mumbled Ullsaard. 'I'm sure they'll be happy to tell you about the harlots they've humped in every town along the river, if that's what you're after.'
'You can be such an arsehole, Ullsaard. I try to take an interest in your life and you throw it back at me.'
'Don't be such a woman. We could talk about hunting, or the races, or fighting, but you just want to pry into my sex life. You're as much as a gossip as Meliu!'
'Tell me about it! I swear she and Neerita are more like old women than any of their sisters once they start jawing. Did you know that Princess Meerina has gilded rose petals scattered on her bed every night in an attempt to entice Aalun to sleep with her? Imagine that, bribing your own husband to fuck you?'
'I can't imagine that, and I'm pretty sure I don't want to try.'
'Me neither, but it's the sort of prattle I have to put up with once Neerita and Meliu start talking. I swear I'd have Neerita's tongue cut out if it wasn't for all the other things she can do with it. I tell you, she does this thing where she can curl her tongue into a tube, and when she sticks i-'
'If you finish that sentence I'm going to chop off your balls,' growled Ullsaard. 'I don't care what you and Neerita put where, just don't tell me about it.'
Noran fell into a sullen silence and watched the sailors returning to the thin strip of shadow beside the duskward gunwale, the sail having been trimmed to the captain's satisfaction. Maybe Ullsaard was right; he would be better off talking to someone else. He looked at the sailors again; most appeared to be catching what sleep they could. It was probably better not to disturb them.
Noran turned back to the river, scanning the surface for flying fish or other delights to distract him. Here and there a small dhow bobbed on the water, nets trailing behind it while the three or four fishermen aboard lounged in the setting sun. Evening was coming on and clouds of midges were rising from the rushes along the bank, gathering over the water. Birds gathered for the feast, diving and sweeping just above the river, snatching mouthfuls of the swarming flies.
It was pleasant enough, but intensely boring. Back in Askh, someone would be holding a feast, or there would be games held at Maarmes; something to stimulate the senses and the intellect, or at least rouse the flesh. Noran made one more attempt to animate his lethargic friend.
'These Okharans are a bunch of lazy bastards, aren't they?'
'Most of them,' replied Ullsaard. 'Had a couple of Okharan porters a few years back. They were always wanting to take rest breaks. Still, the ones I've got in my legions don't give me any problems. Not officer quality, mind you, but diligent enough when they've been trained, and damned obedient.'
'You'd be obedient too if you have Nemtun for your governor. He scares the shit out of me, and I'm a family friend.'
Ullsaard dismissed his friend's concern.
'He's the king's younger brother, that's what scares the shit out of you; because you're scared of the king. Nemtun's all talk, a bully. King Lutaar gave him Okhar so that he doesn't come back to Askh too often. Too many willing girls and hot days for him to want to leave.'
'He trained Aalun and Kalmud; he can't be just full of farts.'
Ullsaard yawned again and stared out towards the sunset, shielding his eyes. His tone was distracted.
'True enough, he was a tough bastard in his prime, from what Cosuas says. Pretty much conquered Anrair single-handed if some of the stories are to be believed. But after that, he couldn't be arsed anymore; he had that one great campaign and has lived off it ever since. He hung around the palace knocking up maids until Lutaar sent Murian to take over Anrair and gave Okhar to him.'
'You see, that's the sort of gossip I'd like to hear from Neerita. Useful stuff to know.'
The pair fell quiet for a while, contemplating the vagaries of the sexes. Noran took a knife from his belt and began cleaning his nails, flicking dirt into the swirling waters. Ullsaard broke the silent reverie, sitting up.
'Ever felt like going for a governorship?'
'What?' said Noran, whose thoughts had strayed back to Neerita's bedroom talents.
'A governorship — ever been interested?'
There was an intent look in the general's eyes; the question wasn't out of idle interest.
'Why? Have you heard something?'
'No, no!' Ullsaard warded away Noran's intrigued look with a wave of his hands. 'I mean, I don't see any of the current governors shifting any time soon. What I meant was, if we settle northern Mekha, for instance, or somewhere else, would you want the king to bear you in mind?'
