(eng) L. E. Modesitt - Imager Portfolio 05 by Princeps

Author:Princeps [Princeps]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

37

Quaeryt had thought he might sleep late on Solayi morning, but he woke up with the first light. Because Vaelora was still sleeping, he lay there and thought about what else he needed to add to his report to Bhayar. He couldn’t help but wonder and worry about whether Kharst had attacked Ferravyl … and how soon Bhayar would need Third Regiment, especially since the Civic Patrol wasn’t ready to take over full patrolling duties in all parts of Extela.

He was still thinking about all the additions to his report when she woke.

“It would be so nice to wake up in a real bedchamber,” she said with a yawn.

“Before long…” he said quietly.

“Longer than I wish to think about, dearest. There is so much to do.”

“There’s been so much to do for both of us,” he pointed out.

“I should have gone to the market squares yesterday. Until life is better, the people should see me.”

“You can’t do everything.”

“No, but some of them have so little. At times, it bothers me that I’m concerned about furnishing and setting up a villa when even these quarters are so much better than what they have.”

The sadness and wistfulness in her voice moved Quaeryt, and he said, “You can’t stay here forever, and someone has to rebuild a place for us and for the governors to come.” After a moment he added, “It’s better to purchase an existing villa, because I’ll still need to build a place to house a justicing hall and studies and chambers for those who serve Lord Bhayar and the governor.” His eyes were drawn to her … again.

She sat up in the bed and yawned once more, before looking at him. “Stop staring,” she added, not quite sharply.

“Can’t I appreciate how my wife looks?”

“You appreciated enough last night.”

Quaeryt offered a mock wince.

“That’s almost disrespect.”

They both laughed.

Later, they dressed and ate at the mess, another meal that had Quaeryt wishing for either their own kitchen or even the meals fixed by the officers’ mess in Tilbora. He supposed he could have gotten involved with the kitchens at the post, but that was just another problem … and one that was far from urgent, especially when he felt he didn’t have enough time to do everything that needed to be done. Then he escorted Vaelora back to their quarters before heading to his study to write out the final version of his report to Bhayar. Close to two glasses later he scurried across the courtyard through the drizzling rain to their quarters.

While Vaelora continued to go through her lists of what the villa needed, Quaeryt tried to think of something that he could offer as a homily. Finally, he eased away from the small writing desk and went out onto the balcony, where he stood looking out into the chill rain and the mist sweeping eastward into the post from the river, trying to think of something that would inspire and not sound worn with time and repetition.

How long he stood there, he wasn’t certain, but Vaelora seemed to appear beside him from nowhere.

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