Between Starfalls by S Kaeth

Author:S Kaeth [Kaeth, S]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781733328135
Publisher: Hakea Media
Published: 2020-03-26T22:00:00+00:00

~

Answer smiled at her guests to cover the stiffening of her shoulders as Taunos entered the dining room. Around the table sat her fellow Scouts, all dressed in their finery as befitted a dinner party. Everything was going smoothly. So far, Taunos had maintained his manners, leaving her waiting for the inevitable disrespect. Since the incident in the market, she hadn’t decided what to make of him. He frightened her, and yet…

Oracle was ranting. “Did you truly hear the Justices this morning? I believe they think they are better than us simply because they interpret the Law. But who upholds the Law?”

“The Justices have their function, just as we have ours,” said mild-mannered Rubric.

Taunos ladled the soup into bowls and served them, the saucers clattering as he set them down.

Answer winced, but no one took any mind, so she let it go for now. What a shame that the same herbs that blocked him from accessing his magic made him so very bumbling as well. She needed him to impress her guests—there was no way they could top the distinction of having civilized an ebr from the Outside.

“They should give us more credit, that is all,” Oracle said.

“How much more credit do you want, Oracle? Truly, I think you wish the Scouts to lead the Kamalti people!” Epiphany waved Taunos away as he paused to fill her goblet with wine.

Taunos shuffled to the staging table on the far wall, where Tegil was arranging bread on a tray. He picked up a teapot, and Answer stifled a wince as Tegil rebuked Taunos loudly enough to hear across the room.

“Not that one, the red tea. The black tea comes after the meal, you imbecile. And don’t forget the bread,” Tegil scolded. “You do not have much for brains, have you?”

Answer plastered her smile in place, though she wished she could hide in her humiliation. Taunos hadn’t forgotten. This was another of his small rebellions. She would have to talk with Ketrik afterward. Her guests didn’t seem to mind, but both Tegil and Taunos needed further lessons in etiquette.

“And why not? It is we, after all, who protect the entire Kamalti civilization,” Oracle replied.

Answer spoke up, hoping to distract her guests from the mess her ebrs were making. “There is a balance to maintain. Yes, in some things we should be consulted first, I agree on that count, Oracle. But the Justices are better suited to some tasks than we, and the Philosophers in others.”

Tea kettle and bread in hand, Taunos returned to the table just as Victor spoke, eyeing her ebr sidelong. “Are you not afraid, having it here?”

“And does the smell not bother you?” Rubric asked.

“He only smells of the Outside. I have made him wash many times, but it does not come off. It must be their natural smell.” Answer waved her hand.

“Well, I could not stand it. I do not know how you do.” Rubric eyed Taunos as he placed the bread before her and filled her cup with tea.

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