The Red Queen (21 page)

Could they?

The chambers where people ate were not joined to the kitchen as at Obernewtyn or many larger houses in the Land, but housed in a large hut joined by a passage to the cooking huts containing anterooms for the washing and storing of dishes. These were a hive of activity and all of the tables seemed to be full. It was a shock to see so many people at once, after seeing so few faces for so long. In truth, I had been unable to conceive of the three hundred or so people who were said to inhabit Habitat until now. Since this was the second sitting, a third of Habitat must already have eaten and there would be another third eating after I had finished.

Because it had only just begun to grow light, there were lanterns hanging around the walls and set on the tables, and I let my eyes roam over the faces, reminding myself that most had been born in Habitat and so knew nothing of any other life, save as tale and rumour.

‘I must not stay long,’ Tash said, ‘but I have a little time. Let me show you what is done here.’

She led me into the anteroom where the fury of dishwashing and drying reminded me unpleasantly of my early days at Obernewtyn. We did not linger, as Tash ushered me to a door leading to a large chamber of long tables where food was laid out in vats and bowls and on trays. Beyond was another door, through which I could see a short hall leading to another hut, which must house the kitchen. Tash led me to one of the tables, taking a bowl from a pile at one end, and explained that I was supposed to help myself to what I wanted, and that I should be sure to take something from every table so that I would get a full healthy meal. She handed me the bowl, still warm from the wash, and then a plate and indicated a stack of trays.

I put the plate and bowl on the tray and helped myself carefully to a dollop of the greyish porridge on one table, the least obnoxious of the selection offered based on my limited experience. As I moved to the next table, I felt myself being studied as I took two pieces of the yellow bana fruit, and looked up into the eyes of a man whose gaze immediately slid away. I continued to work my way through the tables, becoming aware that other eyes flickered towards me, rested a moment then shifted. If I met someone’s gaze, they immediately turned away. I would not have been surprised to be the cynosure of all eyes as a new resurrectee, but most of the Speci seemed entirely uninterested, or at least they pretended very effectively. And those who exhibited curiosity only seemed mildly interested.

I wondered at this. Curiosity was not listed in the Covenant as one of the undesirable traits in a Speci, nor as one of the forbidden behaviours or attitudes, but perhaps it was another of the many things covered by the multitude of unspoken rules that seemed to operate in Habitat. Or maybe it was simpler – until I was pledged, it was possible that I was a bad Speci, and no one wanted to risk associating with me until then.

When I had finished making my choices, Tash led me to a kindly woman in the dishwashing room, who inspected the food I had chosen and nodded her approval, adding only that I should take more from the first table and the last at my next meal, to enable me to gain flesh. I nodded obediently and she glanced at Tash. I was surprised to see her frown slightly. The Speci girl did not notice for she had turned away to look for a seat, which she directed me to, saying she had to go to her work now.

‘At the end of the sitting, Sikoka and the other Committee members will come and you will make your pledge,’ Tash said. ‘Do not be anxious, for you know what you are meant to know and they will not demand a word-perfect pledge from you. If you would like to linger after your meal tonight, we can go to the bathhouse together.’

‘I would like that,’ I said.

We parted with a smile, she to go outside and I to make my way to the seat she had indicated. I noticed several of the Speci watching her go, and though none of the faces were hostile, I saw several frown. I wondered what someone as sweet natured and gentle as Tash could have done to deserve such approbation. Then an alarming possibility occurred to me. Had Tash done something to give herself away as an empath? Dameon had said he had been using empathy right from the start, and no one had sent up any alarm, but the Speci girl might have used her Talent in some more obvious way. And hadn’t Dameon said Tash was beginning to realise what she was? Could
that
be what had been weighing her down?

I felt myself observed and forced myself to eat, schooling my expression at the odours given off by the food. It was almost incredible that not a single one of the cooked foods smelled enticing. At Obernewtyn the kitchens had always been full of delicious fragrances that made your mouth water, even when you were not hungry. It was as if there were some sort of rule in Habitat against food tasting good, but what would be the point of that? Unless it was a test or some sort of obscure punishment. This made me think of Ana saying that all of the food in Habitat was prepared according to God’s recipe book. The table I had joined was full, but other than glancing at me as I sat, the other diners did not interrupt their conversation. I was very tempted to probe one of them, but I recognised it as a temptation roused by the fact that, having used my Talents after a long period of being unable to do so, I hungered to use them again.

I ate my way doggedly through the courses, leaving the sweet bana fruit till last, deciding that I would take a good bit more of it the next meal, for it was at the last table. I had lost my skeletal thinness, but it would be just as well if I put on some flesh before we left Habitat. I had no idea how we would manage to get supplies once we were free. We would have to try to get some in Pellmar Quadrants, but that depended on what was available and how accessible it was, as well as how aggressive the Tumen were. In truth, I hoped all of them were as mild mannered as my attendant, and that, once free, I would be able to coerce their help.

Of course, that would depend upon whether they wore devices that made them impervious to Misfit Talents.

As to what we would do after leaving Pellmar Quadrants, I had no idea. Once I had Cassandra’s key, the most logical course would be to travel back to the mountains and beyond them to the coast, and find a ship that could carry us to the Red Land, if indeed that was where we were to go. I was no longer sure, but the futuretellers had dreamed of us there, together. But how would we find our way through the mountains without the wolves to guide us?

I told myself sternly that I was a fool thinking so far ahead. First I must get out of Habitat, hopefully with Cassandra’s key, and then I had to find Pellmar Quadrants, locate the stone sword and the memory seed and rescue Miryum . . . unless I was to help the coercer free herself so that she could come and rescue us from Habitat. Either way, it might be that when she woke it would be with a message to me from the oldOnes, telling me what I had to do next.

This final thought cheered me and when the bell rang, which Tash had said would mark the end of the sitting, I finished the bana fruit with pleasure, piled the dishes I had emptied back on the tray and carried it into the dishwashing room as others were doing. Setting it down, I lingered, wondering if I ought to sit down until one of the Committee members found me, then I noticed Dameon enter carrying a tray of food from the other room. I was elated to see him, until I noticed that the charmless Balboa was his companion. She was carrying her tray with one hand, and had hooked the other through his arm. She was talking with an animation that turned her sullen prettiness into something closer to beauty, and Dameon was stooping a little to listen, his face attentive. I had not taken into account that, having dwelt in Habitat for months, my companions would have formed friendships with some of the Speci, but that Dameon should have befriended this girl puzzled me mightily.

I watched her steer him solicitously to the woman checking meals, and wondered how he liked that, though I had to admit that she was certainly showing him a different face than the one she had shown me. And given that Dameon was the last person to be taken in by deception, there must be something to Balboa that I did not see. When they walked by me I hailed Dameon, being careful to offer my dullard smile. He turned towards me at once, his smile sweet and spontaneous, but Balboa’s expression soured into a glaring fury that startled me with its intensity. Whatever sweetness was in her, there was none of it in her face when she looked at me, and I wondered again why I roused such animosity in her and why Dameon seemed not to sense that animosity. Perhaps he was simply shielding himself as he so often did.

‘Elspeth! I am glad you are finally able to join us. We are sitting over here,’ he invited warmly.

‘I am not in this sitting,’ I told him, careful not to look at Balboa who I felt certain had arranged it so. ‘I have just finished eating.’

‘What a shame, and you will not see Swallow or Ana because they attended the first sitting, though not this sevenday, for they are both working on the crops and will eat all but the evening meal there.’

‘We should take our seats,’ Balboa said sulkily.

‘You go ahead, Bal,’ Dameon said easily, removing his arm firmly from her grasp. ‘I can find my way to our usual table. I want to talk to Elspeth for a moment.’ Without waiting for her response, he turned back to me and asked what I was doing next.

‘I am to make my pledge,’ I announced proudly, allowing myself to feel an urgent longing to be able to talk freely. Empaths could not exchange words or thoughts, but for an empath of Dameon’s experience, feelings could sometimes have a very clear shape. I could not speak freely, for although Balboa had withdrawn a few steps, she would still hear some of what we were saying. Nor was I entirely certain that would be safe.

Dameon must have sensed my constraint, for he merely asked, ‘Have you been assigned your first work yet?’

‘First I am to learn my way around Habitat,’ I said brightly. Balboa came suddenly closer, her face full of impatience, insisting that we were in the way standing there and the food would be spoiled. Some emotion I could not read flickered over the empath’s face. But then he smiled ruefully and said, ‘Of course we must not let such wonderful and nourishing fare go to waste.’ He allowed Balboa to lead him away, but turned back to give me a surprisingly mischievous smile.

I bit my lip to keep from laughing, though I was a little shocked too, for I had never known Dameon to use mockery. Balboa led Dameon to a table where several others welcomed him with smiles, then a gnarled hand gripped my arm. I turned to discover it was a diminutive old woman with cheeks as red as two apples, yet she was not one of the Committee. ‘Do not mind Balboa, dearie,’ she said. ‘She is a misfit, poor thing.’

‘A Misfit?’ Astonishment sharpened my tone so that the old woman’s companion, a younger woman carrying their two empty trays, looked at me with surprise. ‘What is that?’ I asked lumpishly.

The old woman said, ‘You know – the one who always wants what she cannot have. Of course she would take a fancy to yon sweet blind man of yours.’

I gaped. ‘You mean Dameon?’

She gave a cackle of laughter. ‘She has been smitten with him since she found him in the Hub like some sleeping prince, and no doubt she stole a kiss, the wicked baggage. I do not fault her for that, for he is a comely fellow. She begged to be allowed to lead him about after he woke and it was clear he had been blinded. She leads him hither and thither still, though anyone can see he has long outgrown the need of her. He is full of courtesy for he tolerates her leading and advising mind your step and do this and that as if he were a child. Of course there is no mystery in it – he is the one person in Habitat who does not see how beautiful she is, so of course she wants his attention. Any other woman would have asked outright to make the blood offering with him, but being coy, Balboa wants him to do the asking. But he does not ask and no one knows why, for clearly he likes her well enough. Then you arrive and all see how it is between you.’

‘Between us?’ I echoed, bewildered because few of the Speci had even seen Dameon and me together, wondering, too, if the old woman had not been told I was simple.

‘Anyone could see by how he reacted after you had appeared in the Hub,’ the old dame said amiably. ‘There had been some deep trouble in his heart and suddenly it was gone. He smiled and laughed easily and was full of relief. Doubtless you were to cohabit in the time before?’ There was real curiosity in the engaging old biddy’s voice and in her avid little black eyes, but the younger woman elbowed her and hissed that she went too far.

‘I am old, and God has tolerated my gossip this long, I don’t suppose I will be struck down because of it now,’ she said. But perhaps she was less defiant than she seemed, for her voice became more circumspect when she asked, ‘Isn’t it so?’

‘But we . . . I never . . .’ I stopped, feeling my cheeks redden and the old woman cackled.

‘Maybe you never, but if he has anything to do with it, you will soon enough. Seeing him speak to you, anyone can see you are precious to him, even if your head is a bit soft as they say. I have no doubt he will ask permission to offer blood with you as soon as you say your words and bad luck to pretty Balboa,’ she said.

I was about to correct her misapprehension about Dameon and me, when it struck me forcibly that he must deliberately have empathised the Speci community to believe he desired me, perhaps less as a way of protecting me from unwanted suitors as to protect himself from Balboa! And like a fool I had been about to deny him. Yet it was odd that he would need such a ploy, for he had plenty of admirers at Obernewtyn and had always managed gracefully and kindly to put them off, either with empathy as Ceirwan believed, or simply in some gentle way that left them their dignity.

I had always wondered at his withholding himself and recalled a conversation with Kella after Dameon had steered away a sweet-natured and ardent girl from his own guild. I had said it was a pity Dameon would have none of those who admired him, and she had answered that in her estimation Dameon was one of those men who would only ever love with heart and mind and body, and so he would accept no less than a woman who roused his soul at its deepest level. I had responded rather tartly that he would never know if a woman could do that unless he allowed one of his admirers to get close enough to kiss him. She had given me a queer look, and I wondered at it now, even as I had done at the time.

Dismissing the memory, I thought that at least I knew now why Balboa had shown such a marked dislike of me.

‘Elspeth?’

I was startled to hear my name said in such a loud and peremptory way, and turned to see the Committee woman, Feyat, beckoning imperiously. My heart gave a sharp rap at my chest and I went to her hurriedly.

‘It is time for you to make your pledge, if you can recite the Covenant well enough.’ She turned, beckoning for me to go with her, and led me though the room where food was laid out, and along a short hall to a smaller chamber where the rest of the Committee sat about a long table covered in the remnants of their meal. I had not realised the Committee ate separately and had been dreading having to offer my pledge with a hundred watchers.

Sikoka sat at the head of the table, and, seeing me, he made a gesture that silenced the buzz of talk. ‘You took your time,’ one of the men said to Feyat.

‘Fool of a girl was standing dreaming in the middle of the dishwashing room instead of sitting at a table,’ she snapped, taking the empty chair beside him.

‘Patience is a virtue, Feyat,’ Sikoka said gently, and I was startled to hear one of Garth’s favourite Beforetime sayings voiced here in this strange settlement.

‘Come closer,’ urged one of the younger Committee men, whose name I had forgotten. The woman beside him smiled and echoed his words with a gesture. Then she frowned, her eyes on my forehead.

‘What happened to you?’ she asked.

I explained lightly that I had tripped and banged my head, and saw Feyat give Sikoka a pointed look, which he affected not to see. Instead, he pulled a low flat wooden box towards him and opened it, at the same time bidding me come closer. I obeyed, hoping the lack of a chair meant the ceremony would not take long. The Covenant in essence was quite short, being merely a statement about being the chosen of God, who had created Habitat, and being charged with maintaining it and themselves faithfully until such time as the govamen sent word that the world was renewed. I made myself stumble through it, though I could have recited it exactly, and Sikoka nodded in satisfaction. Next I had to make an avowal that I would strive each day in all ways to be a good Speci and to obey all laws and behaviours as set down in the Covenant. But before that, the many requirements of a good Speci had to be listed – first physical characteristics, then behaviours. As Sikoka named the requirements, some of the other committee members began to look impatient. No doubt they were hungry.

At last he finished.

‘Come forward and lay your hand on the Covenant,’ Feyat instructed, standing beside me.

I was startled to see that Sikoka was now holding out a thin, hard square of transparent plast reverently on his upturned palms. I went and hesitantly laid my hands face down atop his, the plast caught between our palms, and I could feel the heat of his flesh through it as I lifted my eyes to his.

‘This is the Covenant that Naha brought to Habitat at the end of the dark time when God lost faith in the Speci. It is a contract with God that each Speci must pledge to and live by. Do you understand this, Elspeth?’ Sikoka asked gravely.

‘Where are the words?’ I asked, gazing at the plast in wonderment that was not entirely pretence.

‘They can only be read with God’s help,’ Sikoka said gently. ‘Now pay close attention to what I say, Elspeth. You understand that God punishes those who fail in their oath to obey the Covenant?’

I nodded guilelessly and, feeling his empathy prodding at me, pictured Maruman and Gahltha, the oldOnes and then Ariel. Sikoka was a strong empath but he had no true mastery of his Talent, so I knew he would connect the sincerity, fidelity, love and mystery and finally the fear roused by my internal visions to his words and the ceremony we were performing.

‘Do not be afraid,’ Sikoka said, frowning a little. ‘God is not evil or punitive. Habitat was prepared for good Speci and God chose you, so we know you are worthy and will strive to be the best Speci you can be.’

‘I will,’ I said fervently.

Sikoka then formally commanded me to recite my pledge. I did so, stumbling and pretending occasionally to have trouble remembering the words I had been taught, in keeping with my simpleton persona. Tash had told me it was important not to fall silent, so I was careful when I hesitated to mutter and mumble. Nevertheless I saw Feyat frown several times and when I stopped she said querulously, ‘I knew it was too soon.’

‘It is my opinion that she spoke the meaning of the pledge adequately,’ Sikoka said, and when he glanced around, the other Committee members nodded. He turned back to me and told me gently to take my hands off the Covenant. When I obeyed, he replaced it in the box, closing it carefully.

Finally, he looked at me. ‘You have done well, Elspeth. But you must practise the words until you can say them exactly as God set them down in the Covenant, for they are sacred for that reason.’

I promised earnestly to practise, augmenting the vow with an inner oath to get us free of Habitat and complete my quest, knowing it would provoke emotions that would make Sikoka feel I truly meant what I said. I knew I had succeeded when he smiled approvingly and said I was a true Speci now and forever.

I thanked him and the rest of the Committee and said Tash had told me I was not to work yet, but that I might try to learn my own way around Habitat. Sikoka allowed that this was a good plan, but said I had better have my head seen to first. For one moment I was thrilled at the possibility that I might be taken to the Committee hut, but instead Sikoka instructed me to go to the women checking the meals, and she would give me some medicine and a bandage. Finally he said I would be told what work I was to do in a few days, whereupon I should go to that work station and observe the Speci engaged in it, even try my hand at it, as long as I did not get in anyone’s way. I thanked him again and made my escape with relief, wondering if I could catch Dameon before he left the eating hut. But first I had to sit, pretending patience, as my head was tended by a smiling, silent woman who finally let me go with a warning to mind my feet in future.

Coming out to the tables, which were beginning to empty, I was disappointed but not surprised to find Dameon had gone.

I decided to make my way to the crops without further ado, and then simply ask someone the way to the burying ground. With luck I might even run across Swallow and he could scribe a rough diagram in the earth to direct me to God’s second deaf spot. I made up my mind not to risk scrying anyone within Habitat yet, even from the deaf spot. If I were being scrutinised somehow by the Tumen, it would be now, on my first lone foray in Habitat, that my behaviour was likely to be watched.

I was about the leave the eating hut when, without warning, Dameon stepped out of the dishwashing room in front of me. I felt a rush of delight at finding I had not missed him after all, but before I could call out to him, he swung back to face me, already smiling. Of course he had felt and recognised my emotions, but it was ill timed, for Balboa, stepping out of the dishwashing room behind him, looked from one of us to the other with a frown.

‘I did not think you heard me,’ I said quickly before her confusion could harden into suspicion. Dameon looked momentarily puzzled then his expression changed, telling me he had realised his mistake. I was very glad that the Speci girl was focused on me in that moment else she would have read the play of emotions on his face as easily as I did.

‘I didn’t hear you,’ she said, her eyes dark with what I now recognised as jealousy.

‘You spoke so faintly that I thought I was imagining it,’ Dameon told me, ‘Fortunately my hearing has always been sharp, probably to compensate for my blindness.’

‘You are so brave,’ Balboa gushed, giving Dameon a look of cloying pity that made me want to slap her, but the empath merely smiled indulgently at her. She slid a possessive arm through his and gave me a triumphant look before saying haughtily, ‘I am taking Dameon to the crops, for he is assigned to the drying house this afternoon.’

‘Can I come as well? I have not been there before,’ I said with unfeigned eagerness.

Her expression froze. ‘Dameon is not due to work until the afternoon but I need to get a new dye smock before I lead him there,’ she began, but the empath said smoothly that she must get her smock and he would show me the way.

‘But you . . . I . . .’ she stammered.

‘I have been here long enough to know the paths, Balboa,’ Dameon said, and withdrew his arm from her grasp. ‘I can escort Elspeth where she wishes and easily be at the drying house in good time for my part in the labour.’

I thanked him in a happy babble of words and then impulsively hooked my arm through his. The empath looked so shocked that I nearly laughed, but then I felt his empathic shield strengthening and sobered, taking it as a warning. Balboa gave me a look of utter loathing and managed to say in a strangled voice that she would see him later then. She marched stiffly away, and I caught a flash of sorrow on Dameon’s face that made me wonder with dismay if he really had feelings for the Speci girl. I could not imagine how; she was conceited, insensitive and vicious, but that was the face she presented to me. He must see a different deeper version of her.

‘Shall we go then?’ he asked, and we walked together into the hot sun. It was only mid morning but I squinted a little, for my eyes were still sensitive to the bright light. Too late, I remembered Tash had advised me to bring water and something to cover my head for the walk, but I did not want to linger lest Balboa change her mind; Dameon wore nothing to protect his head or his pale, freckled skin so it could not be that dangerous. As we crossed the common, I told Dameon that I wanted to walk to the burying fields and that I had been told they lay beyond the crops. He said calmly that it was an interesting place to visit and that since he had a little time, he would go with me to show me the way.