Voices in Crystal by Mary R Woldering

Author:Mary R Woldering [Woldering, Mary R]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781490924069
Publisher: Createspace
Published: 2014-10-31T00:00:00+00:00

Naibe-Ellit snapped her head around and looked up, when she heard the sound of someone approaching.

Ariennu stepped quietly over the bench between Deka and her then sat down heavily. It was near the end of the workday and the sun blazed low on the horizon behind the Eternal Houses and temples across the river. Most of the merchants had already rolled back the awnings over their stalls, hoping to entice a few last minute traders. The young woman saw that her elder’s eyes were wide and tentative, but rimmed in red. Always confident and quick lipped, Ariennu seemed shaken and trembling. She sniffed a little, then sighed.

Tears? Are those tears? Have you been crying? What’s wrong, MaMa? Naibe’s thoughts asked. In none of her memories had she seen Ariennu cry, except during the worst of her painful agony from the sickness that nearly killed her right before Marai had found them. She never grieved. She never wept in rage.

Could this be joy? Naibe-Ellit wondered.

Marai arrived a moment later, going straight past the three of them to Etum Addi with an apology for his delayed return. He explained that he had been beseiged with a murderous headache and that his eldest wife had been able to ease him after an entire afternoon of diligent care. For a moment the sojourner stood behind Ariennu, his hands firmly and warmly on her shoulders. In a moment, he moved to his own seat beside her.

You know I’ve wanted you from the moment I fell on your feet when you saw us in the wilderness...no, before...when I watched you going up against N’Ahab and them like the light of heaven...do you remember that day?

Naibe-Ellit heard the woman telling Marai the way she felt about him when she had seen his nakedness as he emerged from the water hole back at the thieves encampment. She, even though desperately ill at the time had reacted as if she had just stumbled over a cache of rubies the size of dates.

You’re just so delicious all over! Naibe heard Ariennu remind the big man.

She knew Ariennu had finally gotten her wish and been with Marai this afternoon, but now, instead of shouting and bragging about it, she wanted to bury all that had happened between them in deepest secrecy the way she buried all of those strange little trysts along the journey and at the waterfront with persons unknown. Naibe reflected, instantly wondering why there hadn’t been any commotion noticed from the upper room.

But why a secret, Ari? Why when because of what we have become, we already know it? There had been nothing but calmness and quiet, like a secret shared by two.

“Oh no...you don’t even dare...” Naibe-Ellit heard the woman’s low whisper. She saw Ari shut her eyes and draw into herself. “Do not look into me…not you too...” then “Psst....” She whistled at a pretty young thing who had been hesitating near their shaded booth. She offered a little pot of “the perfect thing” for love.

Naibe didn’t have to try.

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