She put a finger to her lips. “Not a word of it will escape these lips.”
Toore grinned. “Can I give you a hand up?”
“Yes, thank you.” Stuffing the last of her belongings into her bag, she took his hand and let him help her onto the pier. She slung her bag over her shoulder and started toward the shore, the dock master beside her.
“How much for your services, lady?” he asked. “Do you think you could do anything for my leg?”
She turned to regard him. “What happened to it?”
“Got caught between a ship and the wharf, a long time ago. Managed well enough until these last few years, when it gets to aching.”
“I can sell you something for the ache,” she told him. “Maybe do a bit of healing on the leg, but I won’t know if that’ll work until I see it.”
They reached the end of the pier and stopped. Looking out at the estuary, she saw that the Pentadrian ship was putting on sail. The man followed her gaze and frowned.
“About time they left,” he muttered. “Nobody’s been happy with them around, like a black cloud over the city. Hope they never come back.”
“They will,” she said.
He looked at her, one eyebrow raised. “Why are you so sure?”
“They found a buyer for whatever they brought. I saw them loading it as I came in.”
The man scowled. “Against the king’s command! Who was it, did you see?”
She shook her head. “I haven’t been to Genria in years. I wouldn’t know a member of the ruling families if I tripped over one.”
“What were the boat’s colors?”
“It had blue and black stripes around the middle of the hull.”
“Aha! The Deore family. Of course.” He looked at her and smiled. “They’re a powerful lot. Only ones powerful enough to defy the king.”
Deore was a family name she hadn’t heard of. It was probably a new branch, less inclined to follow tradition and ambitious enough to stir up trouble. “I hope I haven’t visited Aime at a bad time.”
He laughed. “No, this is normal life here. The ruling families are always trying to aggravate each other. You’re only staying a few days, anyway.”
“Yes,” she said. “Do you want me to look at that leg now?”
“If you don’t mind,” he said. “And if the price is right, maybe we can skip the mooring fee.”
She chuckled. “That depends on the treatment. Let’s sit down and have a look.”
Tyve landed just as Wilar emerged from the bower. The Dreamweaver did not look at Tyve, but glanced around at the other bowers.
Tyve took a step toward Wilar, then stopped as a wave of dizziness upset his balance. He drew in a deep breath, but it didn’t help. Something caught in his lungs and suddenly he was coughing.
“Tyve. Sit down.”
Steady hands held him as the world spun around him. He sank to his knees. The urge to cough gradually subsided, but the discomfort was replaced by dread. He looked up at Wilar.
“I’ve got it, haven’t I?”
Wilar nodded, his mouth set in a grim line. “Looks like it. Don’t worry. I’m not going to let you die.”
Tyve nodded. “I’m not worried.” In fact, he wasn’t as frightened as he thought he’d be. It helped that he understood more about the sickness and knew he’d probably survive it What he felt most was disappointment.
“I can’t help you any more, can I? I’ll spread the disease to others.”
“No, but not for that reason. There’s not one family here that doesn’t have a sick member now so there’s not much chance anyone is going to escape it. We just had to slow down the spread in order to have time to treat them all.”
“So I
“No. You’re going to lose strength rapidly. What if you passed out in mid-flight? You might drop to your death.”
Tyve shuddered. “It’s good Auraya’s here, then, or you’d have no helpers.”
The Dreamweaver’s lips twisted into a crooked smile.
“I’m not sure she’d make a good helper. The White aren’t good at taking orders, except from their gods.”
There was bitterness as well as humor in his voice. Tyve felt himself flush at his mistake.
“I meant Auraya can help—”
“I know what you meant,” Wilar assured him. He looked away and sighed. “Your village needs all the help it can get. The drawbacks of having her here are mine alone. The damage, if any, is done. For now...” He turned back to regard Tyve again. “For now I need to find another messenger. Do you have the strength to fly back to your family’s bower, Tyve?”
Tyve considered. “It’s downward a little. I can get there mostly by gliding.” He rose, took a few steps and turned. No dizziness bothered him. “Yes, I can make it.”
“Good. Go there and rest. Sent Reet to me when he wakes up - if he is well.”
Tyve moved to the edge of the platform. He glanced back to find Wilar watching him closely. “Perhaps when you come to treat me, you can tell me how I can become a healer.”
Wilar’s eyes brightened, though he did not smile. “Perhaps. Don’t expect Auraya to like the idea, however.”
“Why not?”
The Dreamweaver shook his head. “I will tell you later. Now go, before I come and push you off myself.”
Tyve grinned. Turning away, he leaned forward, stretched his arms out and felt the rush of air over his wings as he glided away.
I mi eyed the platter and decided, regretfully, that she could not eat another mouthful. She looked at the servant standing nearby and gave a little dismissive wave at the food - a gesture she had seen Imenja make. The woman stepped forward, picked up the tray, bowed, and carried it away.
Imi sighed contentedly and sank back into the pool. She was feeling much better now. It wasn’t just the food and the salty water. These black-robed people were so nice to her. It felt much better to not be frightened all the time.
The flap of the tent opened. Golden light from a setting sun silhouetted a familiar female form. Imi sat up and smiled as Imenja walked to the edge of the pool.
“Hello, Princess Imi,” she said. “How are you feeling?”
“Much better.”
“Are you strong enough to walk?”
Imi looked at her in surprise.
“I could give it a try,” she said.
“I’d like to take you somewhere. It’s not far,” Imenja told her. “First Voice Nekaun, the leader of my people, wishes to meet you. Would you like that?”
