Water Logic by Laurie J Marks

Author:Laurie J Marks [Marks, Laurie J]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
ISBN: 9781931520232
Publisher: Small Beer Press
Published: 2007-06-01T05:00:00+00:00

This is a very peculiar imprisonment, commented Arel as Zanja ate the meat pie he had brought for her supper. When he first arrived, the door to his rooms had stood wide open, as the glyph master took his leave after reluctantly delivering to her a precious painting.

Arel said, Where is the lock for the door? The armed guard? The shackles?

I think the Gdeon is testing my obedience.

At least you seem resigned.

Then I am a finer actor than I thought.

The meat pie was delicious. Its flavorful gravy covered the deficiencies of long-stored vegetables and reconstituted meat. Living under the influence of an obsessive cook for just two months had taught Zanja to notice and appreciate kitchen skill. She paid attention to her meal. Arel was uncharacteristically restless. Perhaps he was feeling his own confinement, for Tadwell certainly would have forbidden him to ask Zanja any questions. Or perhaps he felt the tedium of mud season.

Zanja licked her plate and her fingers. She said, Surely Tadwell will decide my fate before he returns to Basdown. But youll be able to leave before he doestheres rarely a flood in the north, and the mountain ways will probably be passable by the time you reach them.

Come with me, he said.

Zanja found herself unable to reply. Return to the Asha Valley? How could that possibility have not occurred to her? To travel into the mountains! To traverse those bright, dark, dangerous places with easy confidence! To go home!

She took a breath. But it is not my home, my brother.

You are Ashawalai, a person-from- the-valley-of-stones!

It is not my valleynot my peoplenot even my stones.

Arel squatted before her. His braids swept the woven carpet. My sister, do you think I cannot see your loneliness? Six years you have wandered! It is time to cease being a ghost. Your family, your loversthey will not be there. But your tribe is your tribe, always.

She turned her face away from him. She heard him rise, giving her the distance and privacy that her gesture had requested. His movement across the room was nearly soundless. He stepped into the water closet and shut the door. He didnt come out until she was no longer weeping.

I will sleep somewhere else tonight, he said.

No, my brothernot for my sake. I enjoy your company.

He squatted againat a distance. I will tell you something: I have a lover here, among the Shaftali, and he has asked me to come to him.

I am shocked, she said.

Of course you have managed without a lover all your years of wandering.

Zanja met his gaze, and they both began to laugh.

Only after he had left did it occur to her that his lover was probably Tadwell.

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