Tarashana by Rachel Neumeier (little red riding hood ebook TXT) 📕

two hands of time to this moment. May I also tell them Hokino inKera is here and how that happened?”

My father’s mouth tucked in a little. He did not look at Hokino, but the inKera warleader sighed and made a resigned gesture. “Everyone will know how that happened soon. This respected warrior of the inGara may as well tell the story if he wishes.”

“Tell them everything,” my father told the man. “Tell them that if the inGeiro wish to send someone to us to observe everything as it happens, that person will be welcome. Any inGeiro who wishes to come will be welcome.”

“I will tell everyone exactly what you say,” the warrior agreed earnestly. Everyone went to do as my father commanded.

Garoyo had been watching Inhejeriel, who had lowered her gaze but had not otherwise moved. She must have understood some of what we were saying, but she made no protest. Either she could not prevent our making this trial, or she did not fear what we might learn by doing this. Or some other thing might be true that I had not thought of.

Now Garoyo turned to our father. “This is a wise decision. Yet someone should stay here, near this place. The pass through the mountains cannot be left unobserved, and this visitor of ours should not be left either unprotected or unguarded.”

Before our father could answer, Hokino spoke. “The warleader of the inGara is right,” he agreed. “I am certain he means to ask your permission to remain here himself, lord. I mean no offense when I suggest that more than one person should remain. I would be glad to stay here, near this place, if the warleader and the lord of the inGara will permit me the honor of watching over their tombs and their land.”

Garoyo did not look at him. But he said, “I am not offended by the suggestion.”

“I should stay as well,” Seroyo inVotaro said firmly.

“You will all stay,” my father decided. “Also these three young men. I am sure they will make themselves useful rather than troublesome. Raga, obey your brother and do not behave foolishly.” He said nothing to Arayo or Tano. He only added to Garoyo, “Keep the Lau horses; they will be glad of the rest, and if you must have speed, they will give you that.” Then he glanced at Aras.

“As you say, lord,” Aras said immediately. “I am glad to lend them. Accept one of my soldiers for this task as well. Suyet.”

“Lord,” Suyet agreed, touching his hand to his heart. He looked pleased and at the same time dismayed. “Yes, my lord.”

“Obey Garoyo inGara,” Aras ordered him. “You’ll do fine on your own for three days, Trooper.”

“Yes, my lord,” Suyet repeated.

Lalani glanced from one of them to the other. Then she said, her manner diffident, “Would it not be better for a woman to stay here also? Any woman would be frightened to stay alone with only men who distrust her—”

“You can’t be fool enough to trust her,” Suyet said in darau.

“That’s true, you’re right,” agreed Lalani in the same language. This was the kind of phrase any young Lau woman would say when a man disagreed with her. But she went on, her mouth quirking up in a way that was not diffident at all. “But that isn’t important, you know! A woman won’t be as afraid of another woman, even if they aren’t friends and don’t trust each other. Doesn’t everyone agree Inhejeriel isn’t dangerous? Doesn’t Lord Gaur say so? It’s fine everyone’s being careful, but probably she’s not a bit dangerous.” She faced Aras. “I think a woman should stay with this poor girl. I’ve had enough riding, and I might learn something useful. I’m not afraid of her sorcery, not if you say I don’t need to fear her. She might speak to me more freely than she’d speak to a man.” She switched back to taksu and added, smiling warmly at the Tarashana woman, “Maybe Inhejeriel can teach me a little of her language. I would like to learn it.”

The woman glanced up at her. She might have relaxed a little—I was not sure. But her eyes seemed to have become a slightly darker color, so I thought she might be a little less afraid. Lalani was friendly by nature, and obviously not as concerned about the possibility of sorcery as an Ugaro.

Aras had tilted his head to the side. He was studying Lalani in the way that meant he was probably looking at her thoughts. He said in taksu, “Very well, I agree. You may stay as well. While I appreciate your kindness and good sense, I expect you to exercise a certain degree of prudence.” He glanced at Suyet. “Both of you.”

They both said, “Yes, my lord,” and Suyet saluted once more.

All this time, Tano had been waiting, properly silent as older people decided what would happen. He was trying to pretend he was not nervous, but as my father began to discuss with Garoyo the precautions my brother would observe, I took Tano aside. I spoke to him firmly. “The warleader of the inTasiyo grievously offended Garoyo’s mother, but that has nothing to do with you. You are inGara now. Remember that. Garoyo will not be unjust. Trust him for that. Trust Hokino as well. These are both honorable and generous men. They will behave exactly as they should. You must behave properly as well. Be completely honest. Utterly honest. Tell me you will obey this order.”

“I will,” he said, his voice low.

“If anyone asks you a question that you cannot bear to answer, say so and be silent. If you have questions of your own, ask Raga. He knows how a young warrior should behave, even though he does not behave that way himself. Or ask Arayo. I am certain he knows how to behave.”