Moons' Dreaming (Children of the Rock) (68 page)

“
Just remember, Jordy
’
s horse and cart go everywhere.
”

Pepper, followed by a herd of children, came racing up the road from the village. Somebody spotted Ivey and called out his name. Shouts of delight at the prospect of songs and stories shattered the stillness of the afternoon.

“
Looks like you
’
re going to be busy,
”
Vray said.
“
And I
’
d better get back to work.
”

“
Think about it,
”
he challenged her as the crowd of children surrounded him. Amid noisy questions and requests, Ivey mounted his horse, pulling the youngest of the children up behind him. He set off, followed by the rest of the crowd.

Vray watched them go, wishing she didn
’
t remember every word he
’
d spoken. As for thinking about his words, she would. Eventually. When she was ready. Today she wasn
’
t ready. She turned and hurried back into the wash house. The prospect of housework and solitude
—
and, later, Redmother tales for squabbling little girls, and Cyril
’
s mercifully unquestioning silence
—
seemed no longer a burden, but a haven.

* * *

Chasa yawned as he followed his father through the house. His father had wakened him with the announcement that he wanted to get to the practice yard in the cool of the day. Chasa agreed, in theory, but wished the king hadn
’
t persuaded him to get out of bed quite so early. His ship had just gotten in the night before, and he wasn
’
t rested yet. He hardly noticed when they turned to take a short cut through the reception room. He did notice that they were suddenly surrounded by a great many busy people. Alert at last, he looked around the big room. From all the activity, he guessed today was one of Raisal
’
s gathering d
ays. In addition to holding mid
summer and
mid
winter gatherings like smaller towns, Raisal
’
s larger population required additional days for vow taking. Chasa edged toward the wall behind his father, trying to weave between the tables which a small horde of servants were setting up without getting in the way.

“
No, put that over there!
”
Feather
’
s impatient demand echoed slightly against the hardwood floor of the reception hall.
“
The Redmother has to stand where everyone can see her, and she
’
ll want the bowl within reach. What do you expect her to do, stand on a chair?
”

The chastised servant hastily transferred the large bowl he was carrying to the table Feather indicated.

Sene beamed at the chaos.
“
Coming along nicely,
”
he called to Feather.

She had to step around a servant in order to locate them.
“
Are you here to help?
”

“
No, ma
’
am, just passing through,
”
the king replied.
“
You seem to have the gathering well organized.
”

“
I
’
ll stay,
”
Chasa volunteered.

His father turned his head, puzzled.
“
I thought we were going to weapons practice together.
”

“
Dad,
”
Chasa said, trying not to be annoyed.
“
I
’
d rather help Feather.
”

“
She
’
ll be here all afternoon,
”
Sene coaxed with his best persuasive smile.
“
I enjoy working out with you, son.
”

Chasa noticed Feather watching them. Actually, she was watching Sene, and melting slightly from the effects of his father
’
s charm, even though it wasn
’
t directed at her. Chasa clenched his teeth. The noise of many people moving lots of furniture into position around the large room made any thought of a serious conversation impossible.

“
I
’
ll be out soon. Really.
”

“
Suit yourself.
”
Sene continued along the relatively uncluttered side of the hall, directing his devastating smile at Feather.
“
I knew you
’
d come in handy. You
’
re a good Brownmother. I can tell.
”
He waved his arm toward the busy workers.
“
All
of
the servants are terrified of you.
”

She grinned, showing her teeth.
“
I do my best.
”

Sene laughed as he went out the other end of the hall. Chasa moved a stack of chairs closer to one of the tables. Dektrieb came by at once, frowned, and moved the chairs back again. Chasa sighed and looked around. So much for being helpful. He found himself facing the middle of the room, where Feather stood, hands on hips, as three people wrestled with a newly cleaned tapestry that didn
’
t want to get back up on the wall.

While she was distracted he slipped up behind her. A fragrance of lemon soap hung around her. Her black hair, which she usually wore loose, was trying to escape from being tied at the back of her neck. Bending close to her ear, Chasa whispered,
“
I have to talk to you.
”

She spun to face him.

“
I
’
m busy,
”
she hissed back at him.

“
I know. But this is important.
”

She turned her back on him.
“
Go bash something in the practice yard, Highness.
”

The only thing he wanted to bash was his father. And maybe Jenil. To Feather, he said,
“
That can wait. This is important.
”

“
The gathering is important. It
’
s tomorrow.
”
A cook chose that moment to appear and head directly for Feather. Chasa waited stubbornly while the two women discussed the menu. Feather ignored his presence. The cook glanced at him curiously and rather uneasily once or twice, and finished her questions as quickly as she could. He supposed he was frowning thunderously at the poor woman. Or maybe she just didn
’
t know what to make of his presence. When Jeyn organized the gatherings and festivals he
’
d happily run off to kill sea monsters rather than take part in any of the planning. Planning was harder work than killing monsters.

Especially planning how to court a wife.

After the cook was gone, Feather started to walk away. Chasa followed. Ivey had said to go get her. He intended to. But to get her, he first had to get her alone. The side door that led to the garden was propped open to allow fresh air into the crowded hall. She reached the opening, then whirled on him again. He took another step forward. She had no choice but to back out into the garden.

The air was still cool, the sky a sharp blue. The garden plants were bright with color, and the scents of many flowers mingled with birdsong and the thrumming of insect wings. It was as romantic a setting as he could have chosen. This might be his only chance. His father was too adept at grabbing any romantic moment for himself.

“
I
’
ve been thinking,
”
he began.

“
Good for you.
”

That did it.
“
Sometimes I wonder why I want to marry you!
”

“
So do I!
”
she shot back.
“
Why not forget the whole thing and leave me in peace?
”

“
Because you
’
re not in peace! My leaving you alone wouldn
’
t help.
”

“
Tormenting me will?
”

“
I
’
m just trying to talk to you!
”
Belatedly, Chasa turned and glared at the gaping servants. Dektrieb shooed everyone back to work, and Chasa pulled the door closed.

“
I don
’
t want to listen to you!
”

“
I know!
”
Chasa spun back to confront her.
“
And I know why!
”

She blinked.
“
What are you talking about?
”

“
You don
’
t remember. But I do.
”

“
Remember what?
”

“
First, I don
’
t think you remember what you said the night that you got drunk.
”

She flushed.
“
I talked while I was I drunk? All I remember is being sick. And the pretty colors of the wineglasses against the tablecloth.
”
Screwing her face in a frown, she continued,
“
And Dektrieb. He was angry. And there was someone else. That was you?
”

“
It was me. We had a conversation.
”

“
I
’
m not responsible for anything I said while I was drunk.
”

“
Yes, you are.
”

“
Fine. I apologize. Can we go in now?
”

“
Not until you listen to me. You told me you don
’
t like to hear my voice. I think my voice has gotten deeper, more attractive, since we were children, but maybe not.
”
He tried his own charming smile on her. It didn
’
t inspire her to run away. In fact, she seemed to be listening.

Encouraged by her attention, he continued,
“
Jenil took your memories because they were making you very sick. She and Dad thought you might go crazy. I didn
’
t think so. I thought you were stronger than that, that you
’
d grow out of the nightmares. But who listens to a child? They didn
’
t listen to either of us, and so you lost your memories. Then I lost you, because they took you away. To Garden Vale. They wouldn
’
t let me come visit you, either.
”

“
A prince from Sitrine would hardly have been welcome in Rhenlan.
”

“
I still wanted to come. You were my best friend, Feather.
”

“
I don
’
t remember!
”

“
I know!
”
His voice rose again, years of frustration pouring out.
“
But I do! We were friends, more than friends! We did everything together! The betrothal was our idea! I
’
m a Shaper. When a Shaper falls in love he stays in love! Child, adult, it doesn
’
t matter. I love you! Let me give you back your memories. Our memories!
”

Her mouth dropped open.
“
Uh
….”
No other sound came from her for several long seconds. She blinked suspiciously liquid eyes, closed her mouth, and swallowed, her throat working. In a small voice, she asked,
“
You love me?
”

“
Yes,
”
he insisted.
“
Even if you are the meanest, most bad-tempered person I
’
ve ever met.
”
That sounded a bit harsh, so he added,
“
But then I haven
’
t spent much time in Dherrica. Ivey says their women are worse.
”

Thank the gods, she laughed. It was slightly shaky, but it was a good-humored reaction. After she caught her breath, she said,
“
I
’
ve been wondering how long you people were going to let me get away with it.
”