Now was it embarrassment which touched the males, turning their skin ruddy and their eyes from my gaze. I reached my goblet to my lips and attempted to drink, only then recalling that I had drained the thing a moment earlier. I looked upon the empty vessel with annoyance, and suddenly the female Ladayna was before me.
“Allow this slave to refill your goblet, mistress,” said she, her voice as quiet as her gaze was steady. “I offer no apology for doing that which was beyond forgiveness; I merely thank you for my life, and for considering a poor slave who has lost all right to dignity. Never will I forget what was taught me when you slew Pinain.”
“And what was that, wench?” asked Aysayn when I made no reply to her words. The female smiled faintly, then took my goblet before turning again to the male.
“I have learned that there are those about who do not, after all, consider me too beautiful and desirable to be called to account for that which I do,” said she, looking upon the male. “You are stern with me now, Aysayn, yet you have been stern with me before for no great length of time. I have learned that your leniency is caused by your love for me, yet I have also learned that there are those who feel naught of that love—and who would do me great harm in your place. Should you consent, later, to hold me in your arms, I will allow myself to feel the terrible fear such a realization brings. For now, a slave has been given a task to perform.”
The female put her head down and hurried away with my goblet, and Aysayn turned to stare after her before slowly turning forward again. The male seemed touched by that which the female had said, as touched as every fool of a male within hearing. Ladayna had professed herself slave, yet she, in her own way, was no more slave than I. Had I had my preference in the matter, I would have preferred that her well-announced lessons had been in sword skill. I returned to my seat and sat again, hearing the return of conversation in the chamber.
“These matters of greater concern—” said Mehrayn to me, turning in his seat to reach a hand out to my hand—“they cannot be concerned with your mission, for our Sigurri will be prepared to return with you to Bellinard within a hand of feyd. The ceremonies must be gone through with Aysayn presiding, yet they are mere formalities. Do you chafe at the added delay?”
“I do not face your delay.” I shrugged, slipping my hand away from his. “I depart with the new light, yet not for Bellinard.”
“Not for Bellinard?” echoed Mehrayn with a frown, Aysayn and Chaldrin also suddenly attentive. Ladayna returned with my goblet, now refilled, and I took it without giving attention to the female. I had expected some indication of annoyance from her at the brusque dismissal, yet she, too, was aware of the attention of the males, and merely withdrew to kneel again at Aysayn’s feet.
“For what reason will you not return to Bellinard?” asked Aysayn, leaning forward past Mehrayn even as he put a hand to Ladayna’s hair. “Have you not been awaiting the completion of your mission so that you might rejoin the others of your wenches? What has occurred that has caused you to change this intention?”
“The decision was not mine,” I shrugged, swallowing from the near-daru. “While I slept, Mida walked my dreams as she has done many times in the past. She has reminded me of a boast and a lack, and commanded that I fulfill the first by mending the second.”
“Jalav, you must speak more plainly,” said Mehrayn, his light eyes concerned. “For what reason must you leave so soon, and where do you go?”
“I go to claim the war leadership of the enemy clans of Midanna,” I informed him, faintly saddened that I no longer felt desire when I looked upon the broad strength of him. “Many times I have named myself war leader of all the Midanna, yet this is not so. Fully half of our clans fail to follow me—as they must if we are to find victory over the strangers.”
“But—they are your enemies!” protested Mehrayn, deeper concern growing with him. “You cannot merely ride into their midst and announce your intentions! They will have your life! I will accompany you, and my warriors as well.”
“They are Midanna,” I denied with a headshake. “Were I so foolish as to allow you to accompany me, they would have other than your life from you—taken willingly or elsewise. You will remain here, Mehrayn, and see to your males the while I see to my own tasks. Mida willing, we shall meet again at Bellinard.”
“Should he decide to remain, I shall not,” came Chaldrin’s calm rumble as Mehrayn’s broad face set in lines of stubbornness. “I cannot aid you if I am not beside you.”
“It is not possible for a male to aid me among the Midanna,” I insisted, turning to Chaldrin to see that he wore the same expression that Mehrayn did. “Do you wish to be used more harshly than a female slave in the Caverns? Do you wish to place me in greater jeopardy than I would find alone? The penalty for leading free males to Midanna home tents is harsh; I would not care to add that to the enmity which will already be awaiting me.”
All three males began speaking at once, then, in argument rather than in disappointed agreement. The males saw only that which they, themselves, wished, and I raised my goblet to my lips and drained it quickly. Had I been wise, I would not have spoken of my intentions, yet the time was well past to consider the point. I must instead consider the best way to avoid the well-intentioned concern of those about me, and be about this further task given me by Mida. I had seen to the raising of the Sigurri; how much more difficult the raising of enemy sisters would be was best not contemplated till face to face with it. Face to face alone, without the presence of males!