The Broken Kingdom (29 page)

Galis narrowed her eyes. She glanced off
towards Riley, who was busy having a serious conversation with
Aerlid. Riley spent much of her time in the campsite curtly
questioning Aerlid on various cultures, the valkar, and what
Andalla knew about them. Speaking with Aerlid always put Riley in a
bad mood. The gemengs had learnt this quickly.

‘Galis, are you trying to tell me you think
the tent should go
right in front of the door?’

‘I’ll handle it, soft one. You go,’ she
waved a large, clawed hand, ‘wash clothes, do work for children and
weaklings.’

‘I’ll go speak to Riley.’ He sighed.

Galis’ eyes widened. Still, it wasn’t until
Vann had taken three steps before she called him back. ‘I move
tent. A different tent will go here, boy, take your tent away.’

The child immediately began packing up. Vann
forced a smile. He was quite sure if he left things Galis would
not
put another tent here, but if he pressed it…

‘Thank you. I’m glad we could solve this
without bothering Riley.’ Then he turned his back on her and walked
away.

A few moments later Karesh appeared at his
side.

‘You’ve done me a disservice, Karesh.’ Vann
grumbled as he looked up at the Suntree, ignoring the industry
happening around him.

Karesh raised an eyebrow.

‘I’d gotten used to you, I thought everyone
would be as reasonable as you. I didn’t realise how stubborn the
gemengs were.’

Karesh nodded. ‘You did well though. It is
good you showed her your back, showed you were not afraid.’

Vann sighed. ‘It’s frustrating.’

Karesh nodded. ‘Galis is a respected warrior
in her own right, and she led the gemengs while they were separated
from our Master. She will probably challenge me after she has her
baby.’

‘Challenge you?’ Vann frowned. ‘I don’t
think Riley cares if she can beat you in a fight.’

Karesh shook his head. ‘No, but I must prove
I am strong on my own, strength is still important to the tribe.’
Karesh looked at Vann appraisingly. ‘I see why the Master chose
you.’

‘What?’ Vann frowned.

‘You are weak, but you are brave, and she
chose you over much stronger men.’ He nodded firmly. ‘It is part of
her plan.’

Vann stared at Karesh. He decided to smile
and nod. ‘Sure, that’s it.’ When Karesh left Vann watched him go
and sighed. Karesh’s belief in Riley sometimes took Vann aback. He
had to remind himself though that Karesh
knew
he and Riley
were not together, and that she was having nightmares. He was more
sensitive, and intelligent than he let on.
I think he must
understand the fears she has that don’t fit with the image of the
‘Master’ she needs to present. I wonder if he has his own concerns
he never tells anyone, if he’s just presenting his own
not-quite-true image like Riley is…

Vann shook his head and turned back to the
tribe. Time to head back out there and deal with obstinate gemengs
who fought him at every turn. Most of them really weren’t that bad.
They’d push him and test him, but they’d generally cooperate with
him. Mostly, Riley’s influence on them was still apparent.
Galis
was the one who caused him the most problems. He had a
feeling Karesh was right; when she was ready, she would challenge
him.

Chapter 37

V
ann gazed around the
campsite, momentarily at a loss for what to do. He glanced over at
Riley, she was so often busy during the day, with Aerlid, or
Andalla, that he didn’t get to spend much time with her.

His thoughts were interrupted as Karesh came
up to him.

‘Karesh.’ Vann greeted him.

‘Vann.’ he hesitated a moment.

Vann smiled. ‘What is it, Karesh?’

‘The Master says the tent we made is too
big.’ All of the other tents were done now. Even Aerlid had a small
one, though his had been provided by the valkar. Only Riley and
Vann were still tentless. It was not so bad, the trees provided
adequate shelter during the rain.

‘And you want me to go tell her she needs a
giant tent?’

‘Not tell, exactly.’ he said hurriedly.

‘I thought she said to use that tent for
gatherings. It’s big enough to hold the whole tribe.’

‘Not quite.’ Karesh said, sounding almost
offended. ‘But the Master needs a big tent, how will you fit if we
make her a small one?’

Vann frowned. ‘I’ll ask what she wants,
Karesh.’

Karesh hesitated.

‘What is it?’ Vann prompted.

‘Did you like it?’ he finally asked.

‘Did I like what?’

‘Dirt.’

Vann’s face fell. ‘You saw that.’

Karesh nodded, a slow smile curving up his
lips.

Somehow, Vann had been convinced by Riley to
try one of her dirt recipes. When the time had come he had asked
Riley not to eat the dirt sandwich. He’d explained he didn’t think
he could sleep with her if he saw her eat dirt. And so, a very dark
look on her face she had refrained. Vann had not.

‘It was better than cave mould.’ Vann
replied. ‘But she’s letting me teach her to cook normal food now.
Without dirt or mud or grass.’ Riley’s biggest complaint was that
it tasted nice, and therefore couldn’t possibly be nutritious. It
was a view he was slowly trying to change. But how could he be
surprised? She had lived for years off cave mould after all. In her
mind, if there had been anything available to eat that wasn’t
poisonous or disgusting, the Astarians would have been eating that
instead of cave mould.

‘So it was worth it?’ Karesh asked.

Vann glowered at him. ‘Goodbye, Karesh.’

‘Bye.’ Karesh’s smile spread. As Vann walked
off to find Riley he thought he heard laughter.

When he found her and asked about the tents
she was momentarily surprised. He caught sight of Aerlid out of the
corner of his eye. He was in his circle, as he was 99% of the time.
A group of gemengs were around him, as was Adila. The gemengs were
having lessons, they had picked up on Riley’s feelings and avoided
him at all other times. Except sometimes Karesh, who occasionally
brought him things, or just happened to wander past.

‘Two tents.’ she said after a moment. ‘We
should probably start sleeping apart, Vann. I need to get over this
fear sometime.’

Vann hesitated a moment. Maybe it would be
easier to be around her if he didn’t spend all night cuddled up to
her. He had to constantly remind himself she wanted him near
because she was afraid, and for no other reason. Besides, he wanted
to help her, not stand in the way of her overcoming her fear. But
he couldn’t help a twinge of regret as he nodded and headed off to
tell Karesh.

When the wedding was announced a jitter of
fear and excitement shivered through Riley. Andalla told them all
the news as they gathered some distance away from the gemeng
campsite. They had to wait a little while for Rose to arrive. At
least she was prompt, and kept Andalla waiting no more than ten
minutes.

‘No!’ Adila cried. ‘Andalla, you cannot have
her!’

Andalla’s face became stormy and Ralana’s
beaming, shy smile faded.

But it was Riley who responded first.
‘Enough, Adila. You no longer have any say.’

Adila stared at her in stunned amazement as
Andalla smiled.

‘I am a Sunsinger.’ Adila said, her voice
becoming dangerous. ‘I will
always
have a say.’

‘I see. So you left me to the Ehlkrid King
because why then? You have no say, Adila. Accept it, and stop
embarrassing yourself.’

Adila stared at her, speechless.

Riley looked back to the couple. Her eyes
lingered on Ralana for a moment. Andalla showered her with
attention and gifts and charm. He honestly seemed quite taken with
her. And Ralana seemed to feel the same, or perhaps she only felt
what Rose had felt at Vann’s attention. But it didn’t matter if
Ralana seemed happy. Andalla would tire of her or anger or
something would happen, this brief period of gallantry would not
last.

But she had to tread more carefully now. Her
plan had become more of a plan, but it was fragile. She absently
brushed a cut on her right hand she’d got while fighting ehlkrid.
‘When will the wedding be?’ she asked Andalla, keeping her tone
deferential.

‘We have yet to decide. It will be on an
auspicious day, and the preparations will be long. It will be the
grandest wedding this world has ever seen.’

‘Will you follow valkar traditions?’ Riley
asked carefully.

Andalla’s gaze locked on her, interest and
sharpness shone in his eyes. ‘Valkar traditions?’ he asked, and
Riley knew she must be careful.

The valkar were all giving her odd looks as
well.

Riley nodded. ‘You do the valkar a great
honour by marrying their princess, your magnificence, I imagine
they will want to show their gratitude by throwing the
wedding.’

‘The valkar will organize the wedding?’ he
asked, his tone not as eager as Riley needed it to be.

Riley nodded. ‘Well,’ she said, bowing her
head lower, ‘I imagine they’d want to, your magnificence, but
whether they are worthy of such an honour… perhaps they could
organize a… celebration of the impending nuptials and if you deem
it worthy, they may take part in the wedding.’

‘Hmm… yes. It would be a great honour to
them, but I’m not sure they deserve it.’ He said, fixing Adila with
a piercing look. ‘Yes, they shall organize a celebration. Perhaps,’
he said haughtily, ‘they may prove themselves fit to take part in
the wedding.’

‘We will invite Mother, won’t we?’ Ralana
asked him in a soft and earnest voice, ‘and my sister? They must
come. They’ll be so sad if they can’t come, A-Andalla.’ and she
blushed.

He patted her hand and smiled, ‘we’ll
see.’

She smiled, ‘oh, thank you!’

Riley kept her eyes downward, lest anyone
see her expression. Andalla and his future wife departed soon
after. As soon as they were gone Riley had one furious Sunsinger
screaming at her. Rose was silent; Adila was doing enough screaming
for their entire race.

‘Adila,’ Riley interjected. ‘I need you to
judge Aerlid.’

‘What?’ she replied, nonplussed. ‘I
cannot.’

‘Yes. You must, I am concerned about
him.’

‘Really? You’re concerned about Aerlid?’ her
voice was rising again, ‘I am far more concerned about Andalla! You
sold your own sister to him to save yourself!’

‘My sister?’ Riley said harshly. ‘I don’t
have any sisters, Adila. Nor do I have a mother. They abandoned me
long before I knew them. After what your people have done to me, I
owe them less than nothing. And I am not asking you to judge
Aerlid, I am telling you. You are a judge. It is your duty. Rose
has already failed, and so it falls to you.’

Adila glowered darkly, her mouth tightly
shut.

‘You will judge him, I will give you a time,
and I expect you to perform without complaint.’

Adila, dangerous anger flaming in her eyes,
nodded.

Riley turned then and headed back to the
camp. All the while she was aware of eyes burning holes in the back
of her head.