'And a wise decision it was, my lord husband,' Eeda said. 'Although your other wives are paragons of character and strength-and beauty, of course, since all your wives are perfection itself. Reflecting your good taste in women. But as it turned out, only I had the good fortune to be born blessed with the means of assisting you.'
Coralean chuckled. 'What a surprise that was,' he said. 'I never dreamed when I married you that you were a witch. Why didn't you tell me before?'
Eeda blushed. And somehow, although she was sitting on the bunk and her head was above his, she managed to look at him through lowered eyes, charming him through and through.
'Oh, I'm only a little witch, lord husband,' she said. 'Nothing to boast about. I can cure minor ailments, such as your sickness. And cast one or two spells that don't amount to much, but which you might find useful in your mission.'
'Pardon, my sweetness,' Coralean said, 'but you didn't answer my question. I asked why you didn't tell me about this ability before-never mind your opinion of its worth.'
Eeda hung her head. 'You promise you won't be angry with me, lord husband?' she asked. 'I couldn't bear it if I disturbed your serenity by being the cause of any irritation.'
'How could I be angry with such a pretty thing as you?' Coralean said. 'Go on-tell all. And I, Coralean, swear upon my children's souls that I won't become even slightly angry.'
After a moment's hesitation, Eeda said, 'Well, my lord husband, I was afraid if I said anything you wouldn't marry me. Most men are not so generous and forgiving of their wives. Just as most men would-dare I say it? — feel intimidated by having a wife who had powers they themselves did not possess.'
'Bah!' the caravan master exclaimed. 'Other men are not like Coralean.' He thumped his big chest. 'As all know, I have the strength and wisdom of many. How could I ever feel my manhood was being called into question by mere magic? Which, as you say, doesn't amount to much in any case.'
'I must confess it is stronger than it was before,' Eeda said. She patted her still-flat belly. 'I think it's because I am with child. There are those who say a pregnant witch comes to possess abilities far above her normal state.'
Coralean frowned. 'Your delicate condition was one thing that almost made me decide against your request to accompany me,' he said. 'This is a perilous mission, there's no denying. But Coralean has faced such dangers before-too many times to enumerate. However, not once did I risk one of my wives.
Who are all dear to me. Why, Coralean holds his wives and children as his most precious possessions!'
Perhaps Coralean caught Eeda's quick flash of irritation at his description of his women and children as possessions. Or perhaps he only sensed it without consciously realizing. At any rate, he instinctively corrected himself.
'Not that a human being-at least one not born or sold into slavery-can truly be called a possession,' he said magnanimously. 'A treasure, perhaps. But not a possession.'
He smiled broadly, feeling good about himself. As if he'd given her a rare gift by all but admitting an error.
Eeda smiled as if in appreciation, but he noted the smile vanished a shade too quickly. She plucked at a loose thread on the blanket and he got the idea that she hadn't taken kindly to his admission.
Finally, she murmured, 'You are most gracious, lord husband.'
But she said it without feeling, as if speaking words she did not mean. And for the first time in his active career as husband and lover, Coralean became unsure of himself. What, pray, had he done to offend her?
Then, changing the subject, Eeda said, 'I've nearly completed my project for you, lord husband. Are you still too ill or weary to examine it?'
'No, sweetness,' he replied. 'I'm feeling much better, thanks to your tender care-and your miracle potion, of course. Why, it's a wonder your father ever allowed a daughter as valued and useful as yourself to depart his household.'
Another quick, cold smile and Eeda rose and went to the writing table to fetch back a piece of parchment. Coralean examined it with exaggerated interest, wondering how he could climb out of the hole he'd dug, instead of deepening it with every word he said.
The parchment had once contained only a dashed-off and highly inaccurate sketch of Safar's intended journey. Safar had drawn it absently while describing his plans to Coralean and Khadji just before he'd left. There were scratched-in mileage figures on the side-all guesses-meant mainly to help determine the type and quantity of the supplies Safar would need.
He'd thrown it away when the meeting was over, but Myrna, Safar's mother, had saved it as a souvenir-just as she saved all of her scholar son's cast-off scribblings.
She'd remembered it when Eeda had asked if there was something personal of Safar's she could have as an aid in casting a spell to locate his position. Armed with the sketch, Eeda had labored hard in the days that followed. Making many false starts, but gradually working out a magical method.
At first, as Coralean studied the parchment he could see little difference from the original. Then he noticed faint lines-appearing like the marks of an artist's brush moistened only with water, which had since dried.
Still, he was bewildered-uncertain of Eeda's intent. 'You'll have to explain this to me, my sweet,' he said. He shook his mighty head. 'Sometimes, I must confess, your beloved husband-sage that he might appear to be-is not as wise as he makes out.'
The caravan master immediately became alarmed at this admission of weakness. 'But only
he hastened to add. 'Such as when I'm weary, or have not regained my sea legs. For as even Coralean's enemies will admit, lying jackals that they are, when it comes to wisdom, no man-'
Eeda put a slender finger to his lips, shushing him. Coralean saw the coldness had vanished from her eyes and her smile was once again tender and loving.
'Say no more, please, lord husband,' she said softly. 'Lest you spoil the gift you have just given me.'
Coralean didn't have the faintest idea what she meant, but he took her advice and said no more. Although he was not always wise he was never a fool, and so he let it rest, thinking understanding would most likely come later.
Then she plucked the parchment from his fingers, saying, 'Here, let me show you, lord husband, what I have done.'
Eeda took a small pouch from an inside pocket in her robe. She dipped two fingers into the pouch and drew out a pinch of glittering green dust. This she carefully sprinkled on the parchment.
'As you know, dear lord husband,' she said, 'I've tried many spells, but all have failed. Partly because I was afraid to spoil the parchment, making it useless to us forever. And partly because I am young and lack experience in such things. However, this morning I attempted something new. A spell of my own invention. I was only waiting for your return to test it.'
Eagerly, Coralean sat up in his bunk, pushing pillows behind him. 'Pray, continue, O wisest of women,'
he said. 'Coralean is but a young, ardent student crouched humbly at your pretty feet.'
Eeda gave him a sharp look, but then saw he was not attempting to make a feeble jest at her expense. It was only his way of speaking and there were no hidden meanings or insults. Once again her eyes softened and her smile became gentle.
She held the parchment up to her lips and blew. Coralean heard a sound like temple chimes swaying in the breeze. The green dust flew away, sparkling in the cabin's dim light, and hung suspended in a cloud.
Then faintly, ever so faintly, Coralean could see Safar's face forming in the cloud. He looked sad and careworn. His lips moved, forming a word, but no sound issued forth.
However, the canny old caravan master, a past master at eavesdropping on his competitors, was quite skilled at reading lips.
'Safar said, Palimak',' Coralean whispered. 'Palimak!'
Then Safar's face-and the green cloud-vanished.
Eeda held up the parchment for Coralean to see. A thin green line was now etched on its surface. It ran in a long arc, following the trade winds from Syrapis all the way to Aroborus, where it stopped.
'That's where he is now, lord husband,' Eeda said, tapping the place where the line ended.
She glanced at the mileage figures Safar had scratched on the side. 'Shouldn't he have made better progress than this?' she asked.
