Chapter 2, A gentle breeze
A wind flew in from the sea and rustled the flags in the harbour. The sun was just rising above the horizon. Sailors walked alongside the wharf, preparing their ships to leave with the tide. The white sails coiled at the masts. Smoke rose from chimneys all over the city, the houses were small and cubicle, clustered together in small groups. The city laid on a small rise, on top of the rise were the major’s palace, though calling it a palace would be an exaggeration Eléen decided. He looked out from his window as the wind reached him and tousled his hair. His robes for the day was pale blue, his sister had given it to him before he left. Claiming he should have something more expensive. He supposed he should be grateful she hadn’t tried to stuff him into one of those suits the men here in Sirrela wore. The robe was made of gleaming silk, he didn’t feel like it suited him. Blue was an expensive colour he had heard but why that should be a reason to wear it had never seemed logical. In Alcande it was a common colour among the wealthy and the council members. Which meant most people wore it. Along the shores fishermen caught a kind of shellfish whose shell could be crushed and used for dyes. He had also seen an algae that made clothing blue.
He shocked his head. Such leisurely thoughts. On the streets more and more people became visible. Eléen crossed his arms on the windowsill and rested his head on them while looking at the city. The streets were small and crocked, winding. If he tried to brace them he would probably get lost in minutes. The only straight road was the one leading from the harbour up to the palace, he had been whisked up in a carriage the day before. Men had been chattering in his ear about things he didn’t understand. The major himself had bowed respectfully, his face reddening with effort around his girth. A few whiffs of dirty white hair had stuck to his otherwise bald head. The man’s skin had been wrinkly from fat folds. To be honest Eléen had though the major was the ugliest man he had ever seen, and the most the disgusting. Not only did he look like a too old pig, he acted like one. During dinner the man had pushing food into his face while quaffing down liquor at a heavy pace. He had seemed offended when Eléen declined any liquor on favour of water. All while pinching the maids with his fat fingers. After the meal Eléen had been showed a room on the highest floor. While simple the room was still more luxurious than the house back in Alcan he somehow sensed it was a subtle insult. The servant had looked mortified that his lord treated the ambassador of a mighty country like Alcande with such disgrace. To Eléen, it didn’t matter. The bed had been soft and he had actually managed to get a few hours of sleep.
A rooster crowed somewhere in the city. Enticing smells rose even to the top of the rise to his window. On a bend stood the lighthouse he had seen from the ship the day before. What had the captain called it? A Sailors Friend. No, that’s wasn’t the real name. The name was…
“The Tower of Archella”, he murmured. The white tower was glittering in the light from the rising sun. The idea of spending yet another meal with the major made him shudder and he left the window. He had been given several purses of money and more would be waiting for him in the capital. His salary supposedly. From one of the chests he dug one out and fastened at his belt. He looked at his slippers and changed into a pair of sandals.
A few servants were walking quietly through the corridor, if any of them took notice of him they hid it well. With relatively ease he managed to find his way through the palace and out on the courtyard. One guard at the big doors took notice of him and hurried forward. Eléen thought the man intended to stop him but the guard bowed deeply and spoke respectfully.
“Good morning, your excellence”, he said. “Do you wish for the carriage so that you might go to the city?” Eléen thought about it. Taking the carriage seemed a bit overkill. Had it been Alcan he wouldn’t had hesitated but here the carriage was only for the major and his guests. So he decided against it. On the other hand was he about to venture into a city looking like a maze, he did not fancy getting lost.
“I’m good thank you”, he said to the guard. “But perhaps if you could provide me with a guide? I would be ever so grateful.” The guard looked surprised for a moment and then nodded. He spoke to some of the other guards on duty before turning to Eléen again.
“Just give me a moment, sir”, he said. “I will just remove my armour.” Eléen sat down on the stairs to wait as the guard hurried away. He smelled the air. Having grown up in a harbour city he was used to the tang of saltwater and fish. Here it was mixed with other things he didn’t recognize. The salty air didn’t feel as fresh and a sour smell clung to the wind. He hoped it was just his imagination. The guard returned and bowed to him. Eléen stood and began walking down the sloping road down to the city.
***
With it turning into what seemed to be an beautiful day Bara had no qualms about leaving his post and acting a guide for the major’s young guest. Though he couldn’t understand why the young man had insisted on walking. Beads clicked in the brown hair and the blue silk dress fluttered in the breeze. That was another thing Bara couldn’t understand. Why was the ambassador wearing a dress? It didn’t really suit him. Granted, Bara had never seen any dress looking like that before. While he really wished he could ask he held his tongue, lords seldom appreciated being questioned.
It didn’t take them long to reach the town. By now the sun had cleared the horizon and the streets were already crowded. Even normally the pale skin would have brought attention to the young man, matched with the blue dress he stood out from the crowd like a peacock among chickens. People stared as they walked through the throng. The youngling didn’t seem to have a destination and allowed himself and Bara to be shuffled forward by the crowd. Then they reached the plaza. Market stands lined the plaza, selling everything from trinkets to rich spices. The young man stared wide eyed at the sight, or at least Bara thought he did. The ambassadors facial expression hardly changed, only a slight widening of the eyes. As in awe. Or surprise. The young man turned to him, opened his mouth as to say something and then closed it again. His faced turned troubled.
“I apologize”, he said. “But I fear I never learned your name.” Bara blinked. The tone once again that overpolite tone the youngling had used earlier at the mansion. The wording was careful, as if the young man feared he would otherwise cause offense.
“Please don’t apologize, sir” Bara said. “My name is Bara, sir.” The young man mouthed the name as if he tried to etch it into his memory. He then nodded.
“If you would please”, he said. “I would prefer being called by my name, Eléen. I’m not used to titles…”
“As you wish si…er…Lord Eléen”, Bara answered.
“Just Eléen, please?” the overpolite tone had slightly dissipated, it made the young man, Eléen, sound more human for some reason. “Is the food here any good?” Eléen asked in a surprisingly normal tone. Bara gestured toward the stalls, smoke rose from several of them.
“It depends on what you wishes to eat my L…Eléen”, he said. Eléen stepped closer to the stalls hesitantly. Even here he stood out, with Bara at his heels he made his way to one of stalls. On a spit above glowing coal a piece of goat turned slowly dripping fatty juices down on the hot bed. It hissed and small flames erupted as the fat landed. As it happened, Bara knew the man who owned the stall. It was his uncle. Uncle Hashim smiled broadly as he noticed his nephew coming closer.
“Bara!” he shouted with his loud voice. “I thought you were still on duty!”
“I am on duty, uncle!” Bara shouted back gesturing toward Eléen who had stopped at the loud shouting. It seemed to pain him for some reason. Hashim looked at the young man who now stood timidly in the midst of the plaza, every eye locked on him. Bara bowed slightly in the direction of his uncle’s stall while facing the youngling. “My lord”, he said. With flushed cheeks Eléen walked up to the stall and looked at the food. His eyes darted curiously.
“What is this?” he asked Hashim. “I have eaten food from many places but I have never seen something like this before.” Now that he spoke normally, Eléen’s voice was soft, almost pleasant. Like he was caressing each word before saying them. Bara shock his head. The dress most have made him confused. It was still a man’s voice. Hashim laughed loudly and started pointing to the food.
“This is cheba”, he said pointing at the meat, “this is phasa and this is esaph.” Pointing at a flat, round bread and a red sauce in turn. “You put the meat, the sauce and perhaps some salad into the bread. Then you eat!” He smiled even broader. “You want to try, my lord?” Eléen nodded and took out a silver coin.
“Is this enough?” he said. Hashim laughed and offered him a stool. The youngling sat down while handing the older man his coin. Bara’s uncle poured some milk into a stoop and began preparing the phasa. Bara positioned himself to the side, using the standing lounge only trained soldiers knew.
“You’ve come far from here?” Hashim asked curiously. Eléen shrugged.
“Not really, I suppose”, he said. “It is less than a week on a ship. It’s just that I have never travelled before.”
“So where’s you from then?”
“Have you ever heard on Alcande?” Bara could feel every eye converging on the young man again as he spoke. “I live, or lived I should say, in Alcan. The capital.” Hashim whistled.
“I have heard”, he said. “One of the richest and most prosperous lands in world. Peaceful and open.” Eléen nodded thoughtfully and took the phasa Hashim offered him, biting into it. His face wistful. “So you are out traveling? Seeing the world? Living the life as a lord?” Bara winced as his uncle spoke. He simply didn’t know how to treat nobility. Eléen shock his head.
“We don’t have lords in Alcande”, he said. “Not in the sense you mean. I’m simply helping my sister, doing her a favour.”
“Why, that’s kind of you!” Hashim exclaimed. “What kind of favour?”
“My sister is the leader of the ruling council”, the youngling said. “She asked me to be the ambassador here, I probably leave for the capital in a few days.”
***
At first he thought he had said something wrong. The elder looked at him with a dumbstruck look. Even Bara seemed astonished. What had he said? Eléen took another bite of the bread. It was quite tasty even if it burned slightly in his mouth. If they had added some fruits he might have enjoyed it more. His eyes wandered the market. They lingered on a stall that sold jewellery. He hadn’t packed much of his own jewellery. Not wanting to risk them on the journey. He didn’t wear any at moment either. But maybe he could find a nice bracelet and some fitting earrings. His father had never worn any jewellery, saying that it was for unmarried men only. The two men still stared at him. Eléen chewed thoughtfully on his meal. What had he said?
“Your sister is the ruler?” the older man asked with a strangled voice at last. Eléen raised an eyebrow slightly. That’s what it? So what if she were? Their mother had had the position before the two of them were born, their father had been part of the council for a while as well. At the thought of his father his chest pricked and the food in his mouth turned tasteless. He had been little when his mother had died, he didn’t remember her. But remembering his father was still painful.
“Yes”, he asked curtly. Bara looked at him with even more astonishment. What’s with him? He acted like Eléen was some kind of exotic animal.
“Is that’s why you wear a dress?” the elder said. Eléen turned to him. Dress? He looked at his clothes and at the women dotting the plaza. There was no resemblance what so ever to his robes and their dresses. He could understand the captain mistaking it, but how could these men. Eléen couldn’t be bothered to explain to he just shook his head and finished his meal. The white drink was thick and tasted odd. Milk the elderly man called it. Eléen looked at it sceptically, he had heard of milk. He preferred water. Or juice. Handing the mug to Bara’s uncle he sauntered over to the stall with jewellery.
Just as he had hoped the stall owner had several pieces of nice bracelets and earrings. The man seemed startled to have a young man looking at his wares so intently but a women shoved him to the side and bent forward to Eléen.
“Looking for something special, ambassador?” she said in a screechy voice, he supposed she meant for it to be sultry. “Something for your lady perhaps?” He decided to ignore her and looked at the wares with interest. Two bracelets caught his eyes. One was made of polished ebony, dark and thick. The other one was aged white, perhaps ivory, and while thin had small carvings of flowers. He tested to put them on his right arm, they fitted perfectly. The contrast between the two made them both blend and stand out. He then looked at the earrings. As opposite of a woman’s, a man’s earrings was supposed to be small his father had thought him. Preferably pearls or small gemstones. The male stall owner must have known something about Alcande. When Eléen put on the bracelets he had blinked and he had suddenly looked at the young man with understanding. He reached down behind the stalls and brought forth a small box.
“What about these, assa?” he said. Bara and the woman looked at him as he were mad. Eléen looked at him surprised. Assa was an old way of addressing young men in Alcande. He had heard it used about men like himself who choose a traditional way of dressing. It was very respectful. He took the little box and opened it carefully. Inside rested two earrings. Two teardrop shaped pearls on thin silvery hooks, the peals shifted in a slight peachy colour. He closed the box carefully and placed the bracelets on top.
“How much?” he said, holding his hand over the jewellery.
“Five silver coins, assa”, the man said. “I can have them sent to the mansion if you wishes.” Eléen guessed he meant the major’s palace. Mansion did seem like a more fitting word to describe the residence. Though a mansion in Alcande would have been a place of beauty. Not a pigsty.
“If you would, please”, he said and handed over five silver coins. “And I also wonder. How did you know?”
The man’s sun dark face wrinkled slightly as he smiled. “When I was young, assa, and before I married my lovely wife here”, he gestured towards the woman. She smiled at him, the smile only a little skewed. “Once my travels took me to the beautiful city of Alcan. There I saw several young men in clothing like yours. At first it astonished me but one young member of the council explained to me that it was completely normal. All though the assa I saw then had beards.” The man sighed. “Ah, if I could I would love to see the shining city once more. It is truly a place of beauty. And if I could I would like to sit down once more with the young council man I met then.” He laughed. “Though I suppose he is not so young anymore, his wife was expecting see. They already had a lovely daughter and the wife big with child. Still, I could, I would.”
“Maybe you can?” Eléen said. “Do you know his name?” The man nodded.
“I haven’t forgotten”, he said. “Meliani was his name.” The man mused. “You know, you look slightly like him, though I would say you look more like his wife. Now isn’t that curious?”
It felt like someone had punched him. Eléen wanted to bend over, he wanted to scream, to cry. Or maybe just hide. Instead he couldn’t move. Tears tried to escape from the corners of his eyes.
“You know him?” the man said expectantly. “Do you think I might met him still, assa?” Eléen’s mind felt blank.
“I knew him”, his voice hollow. “He is my father.” The man looked exited. “I’m sorry”, Eléen said with tears crawling down his cheeks. “He is dead.”
***
As always the harbour smelled like rotten fish and sour ale. Ships lined the wharf, the strong ropes creaking as the ships rose and sank slightly in the gentle waters. Bara shielded his eyes, normally he avoided going to the harbour but at this time of the day he knew it would be empty. The early ships had sailed and the crews on the other boats would be sleeping after roughing the night. Even the merchant didn’t bother trying to haggle with the captains this early. It was not that he really had a reason to be in harbour but it had felt like his responsibility to guide the young lord from the plaza. Eléen sat slumped against the wall of a tavern, the white stone shimmering from the sun. The blue silk was crumpled and certainly dusty. Red marks marred the white cheeks. Bara had never seen a man cry like that before. Silently and full of grief. It was not that he hadn’t seen men cry before. But usually they were drunk and crying about lost love or just because they were drunk. The tears of deep grief had therefore been novel. Aschim, the stall keeper, had become aghast to see his costumer burst out in tears. If it wasn’t the shock from hearing that an old friend had died.
Eléen suddenly seemed to rouse himself from his daze and scrambled to his feet, muttering something about silk being useless. He looked at the harbour and the gently bobbing ships. Without concern of his tear streaked face he started walking along the wharf.
“Assa!” Bara called and hurried after him. “Assa, where are you going?” He had no idea what assa meant but apparently it was the proper way of calling the young man. It obviously was more effective than using ‘lord’ or ‘sir’.
“I want to see the light house”, Eléen answered and pointed. Bara followed the finger. The assa was pointing towards the Tower. So early in the morning no fire was burning at the top. At night it warned ships from going to near the shallow waters at the cliffs.
“It is too far, assa”, he said. “Let me fetch you a carrage or a sedan chair for you!” A stubbornness set in the young face.
“No!” he said curtly and kept walking. The blue silk fluttering around his legs. Bara had to half run in order to keep up, Eléen was walking surprisingly quickly.
“Please assa! Sir!” he called. “His excellency, the major, would have my head if he knew I would let you walk to the Tower!” That stopped the youngling. He then obediently waited while Bara arranged an open couch. The guard also sent word to the mansion so that the official carriage could pick them up at the Tower later. It was a small couch and bumped at any small obstacle. He tried gritting his teeth as the driver hurried his team up the hill. Eléen looked excitedly at the rolling view of the town.
“May I ask a question, assa?” he inquired.
“What?”
“How did your father die? From Aschim’s story your father should have still been young.” The young man was quiet. Then he rested his head on his arm and lounged on the couch sides. He spoke loudly enough to be heard above the gritting of the wheels but not louder.
“He was supposed to go on a short trip by ship”, he answered. “But it didn’t return, nor did it reach its destination. For some reason it went under. Taking everyone on board with it. Including my father.”
“A storm?”
“I don’t know. The waters surrounding Alcande usually don’t get storms that strong, even if they got into rougher waters there had been no other sign of a storm.”
“When was this?”
“Around the time of the new moon two month ago.”
“And your sister already sends you on a mission?”
“She is the Seer, the ruler of Alcande. As her brother it is my duty to assist her. She probably wants me to have other things to occupy my mind. No matter what you might think, that’s actually the best way she can show me kindness.” Eléen turned to Bara. “We are very different. She has always been independent and strong, flourishing in the world of politics. I have never really flourished at all.”
***
The Tower of Archella stretched toward the sky like a white column of light. Inside was a spiral staircase taking them all the way up to the top. Eléen wanted to curse the silk robes. He had always preferred linen rather than expensive fabrics, now he did even more so. Silk apparently couldn’t take even one day out. He hoped that the servants might be able to tell how to clean the robes. Unless they insisted doing it for him. He didn’t like the idea. Sweat dripped down his face by the time he had reached the top, his legs ached. Unused to the long climb. There was no one in the top. A weird pool was placed in middle of the room. Mirrors was placed at one end of the room, facing the sea. Eléen walked closer to the pool, a deep bowl built into the floor. The liquid inside did not look like water. It had an odd smell, both rank and thick. Eléen retrieved a handkerchief from his robed and pressed it to his nose, hoping he didn’t look to snobbish. Some of the young men, the assa he thought with a smile, could look horribly snobbish when they walked, pressing their handkerchiefs to their faces. Bara didn’t seemed to take offense so it was hopefully not a problem.
“What is it?” he asked Bara. “Surely it is not water?”
“It is oil”, Bara answered. “Burn oil. We use in lamps as well. Normally we place a wicker inside the oil but I think they use coal in the Tower.” Eléen looked sceptically at the black water and decided to not ask any further questions. He could see the use of the mirrors, reflecting the light of the fire out toward the see. A small door led out to a terrace. Without waiting for Bara Eléen stepped through the door and closed it behind him. He looked down. Far down below was cliffs jutting out of the water. Waves crashed against the wall. In the back of his mind he knew that most people would feel uncomfortable staring out at the drop. But he felt an odd exhilaration, a tingling feeling. Birds swirled around the Tower, gliding on the wind. He stretched out his mind towards one of them, gently, only wanting to share the feeling. The bird made room for the small part of his mind without protest. As if she wanted show of the bird shoot up in the air and started doing tricks. Diving, gliding, rising on the wind. She then folded her wings and dropped alongside the cliff’s wall. Just before hitting water she spread her wings and stopped her fall. Her stomach almost touch the water. Then without warning she snapped a fish from the waves before once more flying up to the Tower.
As Bara lay a hand on his shoulder he withdrew his mind. The sun dark man looked worried and a bit nauseous, clearly avoiding looking down. Above the she bird cried regretfully, still with the fish in her beak. Eléen sent a grateful thought and then closed his mind. A gentle breeze tousled his hair, he though he sensed a familiar tinge of home on the breeze. He sighed and then, to Bara’s obvious relief, stepped inside again. When they once more reached the bottom of the Tower the major’s carriage was waiting for them.
***
He had spent the last three days pent up in his room, much to the major’s chagrin, but today there would be a huge feast. In the morrow, he was going to travel to the capital of Ilsa. As the guest of honour he had had the privilege of inviting other guests. So he had asked Bara to bring his uncle and Aschim with his wife. The servants had cleaned his blue silk robes but he had packed them and wore instead one in green. He didn’t usually wear green but the colour was marbled and made him think of a forest. The robes also fitted well with the black and white bracelets he had bought from Aschim. The small box with the pearl earrings was safely tucked away in one of his chests. From a small satchel he took a delicately blown bottle and carefully opened the stopper. A sweet smell of peaches and lemon filled the room. Eléen let a drop fall on his wrist. He rubbed his wrist against one another and put the small bottle back into the satchel. As he did a knock echoed from the door.
“Your excellence?” a female voice called. “It is time for the feast!” Eléen straightened his robes and opened the door. A maid waited patiently for him. She led him through the house to a large feast hall. Men and women milled about in fancy clothing. The men wore a tight suit with ruffle at their necks, the women’s dresses had wide skirts in fanciful colours. Several wore silk and sweated profoundly. The women’s faces were painted for some reason. With red on their lips and white in their face. The major held court in the middle of the room, his face redder than usual and looking even more like a pig in his pink suit. Some men, Eléen decided, should never be allowed to wear pink.
As the guests moved, Eléen saw a glimpse of a sun dark face. He moved through the hall, not noticing the bowing and curtsying as he made his way. All of them recognized him, they had been on the wharf when he arrived and his particular looks made him stand out. As he reached one side of the room he saw them. Bara wore his uniform, looking uncomfortable, his uncle hade put on a black vest and was bare chested underneath. Aschim and his wife wore matching kaftans in white. They huddled together as if afraid they might offend the other guests by their mere presence.
“Assa”, Aschim said politely as Eléen approached. “You presence is an honour.”
“We brought you a gift, your excellency”, his wife added and handed him a wooden box. “One of our best”, she assured. Eléen opened the box and saw in amazement to golden neckless with small gemstones fastened in the chain. It was matched with two golden bracelets and a set of earrings. Struggling to keep a straight face he thanked them warmly, encouraging them to try the buffet.
“Please, you are my guests tonight. I want you to enjoy yourselves”, he assured them. Bara took Aschim’s wife by the arm and escorted her to the laden table, Aschim hurried after them. Hashim studied Eléen intently. “You are not going to eat?” Eléen asked confused.
“Soon, after I have quenched my curiosity”, the older man said in a surprisingly low voice, a contrast to his usual booming. “You got a weird face when you opened that box.” Eléen closed the box and played with a lock of his brown hair, feeling slightly embarrassed.
“I don’t think my father told Aschim everything when they met”, he said. “Otherwise I doubt he would have gifted the necklace to me.”
“How come.”
“In Alcande, we have no judgement. People might live their lives as they wishes as long as it doesn’t causes others harm.” Eléen explain, talking in a low murmur. “When a man wishes to marry someone who follows the old traditions, an assa, he gives him a necklace. I think it is meant to symbolize ownership but I’m not certain. An assa will in turn gift the man a bracelet of similar design if he agrees to the marriage.”
“A man marrying another man?” Hashim said in astonishment. “I have never heard of such practice. Is it common?”
“It is neither common nor uncommon. It happens”, Eléen said. “Fewer and fewer people are following the old traditions so they are falling into disuse. But the laws are still intact, as long as both are willing it does not matter what gender the two have. Still, I wouldn’t say it is common.”
“A strange place, Alcande”, Hashim mused. “But I guess a country like that see far less strife and conflict. Maybe you can bring some of that kindness to Ilsa as well.”
“Please don’t tell Aschim about his gift”, Eléen asked. “I don’t want to embarrass him.”
“Of course!” the older man stretch and sniffed in the air. “Let’s go get some of that fancy food.”
***
He tried very hard not to drool as he took a plate. Several of his colleagues lined the wall, looking at him with resentment. Bara started loading his plate with food he had always wanted to try while doing guard duty. He then sat down at one of the tables, picked a tankard from a tray and began eating. While his uncle’s food sure was tasty, this was high class. The softest meat, the freshest fish, finest fruits and all spiced with the most expensive spices. Even the ale was the best he ever had. His uncle joined him and was soon followed by Aschim and Shala, Aschim’s wife. The young ambassador was seated at the high table, nobles fuzzed around him. He seemed not to notice.
“A curious young man”, Aschim noted. “Even though I have seen the wonders of Alcande he still comes off as a kind of his own.”
“Maybe things have changed since you visited?” Shala noted. “It has been more than twenty years.”
“Or maybe a simple visit can’t tell you everything about a place”, Hashim said. “Still, it sounds like a place I would like to visit. What about you, Bara?” Bara looked up from his meal, he glanced at the high table, swallowed and poked at a piece of fruit.
“I don’t know”, he answered. “When we went to the Tower, he acted weird.”
“Weird?” his uncle said. “How?”
“He went out on the terrace, looking down for a while. Then he became stiff, he didn’t move a muscle.”
“Fear?” Aschim suggested.
“I thought so as well but when I followed and called to him, he didn’t seem to notice. His face were blank, his eyes unfocused. A gull was doing all sorts of flips and he didn’t even look”, Bara said. “He didn’t move until I touch his shoulder. Then he acted like he just been woken from sleep. It’s weird, that’s all I’m saying.”
“Maybe he just was deep in thought?” Hashim suggested. “He seems like the kind who would get lost in his own thoughts. Either way, I wouldn’t worry too much. He leave tomorrow after all.” Bara nodded and focused on his food again. He didn’t notice the intense gaze with which his uncle studied the young man.
***
Hashim handed over his nephew to some of his colleagues, Bara snored loudly from being full and drunk. Eléen had already retired, stating the early morning as a reason. Hashim suspected he had wanted to escape the pig major of Sirrela. He joined Aschim at the table, Shala had been whisked away by the court ladies after having spoken loudly about her husband’s business. There were fewer guests in the hall, several had used Eléen’s retirement as means of escape from the feast. A servant placed two cups and a carafe with wine on their table, his face tired. Hashim poured wine into a cup, handed it to Aschim before filling his own cup.
“What do you think?” he asked. “About Bara’s tale?”
“I still can’t see how it would be significant”, Aschim said dismissively. “There haven’t been anyone able to use the ancient gifts in a millennia. Why would a boy from an isolated land like Alcande be able to use them?”
“You have to admit there is something about the boy, surely?”
Aschim smiled. “He is a boy from Alcande. Even if the country have changed since my visit, if he truly is the son of Meliani he would have been brought up according to the old traditions. That do would make anyone seem odd to those who do not know them.” the weathered man sighed and drank from his cup. “You really think his father is dead?”
“I see no reason he would lie about it. Bara said his father apparently died at the sea, a storm or something.”
“A storm?” Aschim said in surprise. “When would this have been?”
“About two month ago.”
“That’s odd.”
“Why?”
“The last storm was six months ago, I remember because I lost my cargo. But I did hear a ship disappeared about two month ago. It heard merchants who had lost valuable cargo. You don’t think..?”
“It is the same ship? I have a hard seeing how it cannot be”, Hashim knitted his brows. “But if it wasn’t a storm that sank the ship, something else had to.”
“Pirates?”
“Have you ever heard of pirates in this waters?” Hashim looked at Aschim who shook his head. “Exactly.”
“But then what could have possibly have happened?”
“I don’t know and I have a feeling I don’t want to know.” They sipped on their wine in quiet.
He shocked his head. Such leisurely thoughts. On the streets more and more people became visible. Eléen crossed his arms on the windowsill and rested his head on them while looking at the city. The streets were small and crocked, winding. If he tried to brace them he would probably get lost in minutes. The only straight road was the one leading from the harbour up to the palace, he had been whisked up in a carriage the day before. Men had been chattering in his ear about things he didn’t understand. The major himself had bowed respectfully, his face reddening with effort around his girth. A few whiffs of dirty white hair had stuck to his otherwise bald head. The man’s skin had been wrinkly from fat folds. To be honest Eléen had though the major was the ugliest man he had ever seen, and the most the disgusting. Not only did he look like a too old pig, he acted like one. During dinner the man had pushing food into his face while quaffing down liquor at a heavy pace. He had seemed offended when Eléen declined any liquor on favour of water. All while pinching the maids with his fat fingers. After the meal Eléen had been showed a room on the highest floor. While simple the room was still more luxurious than the house back in Alcan he somehow sensed it was a subtle insult. The servant had looked mortified that his lord treated the ambassador of a mighty country like Alcande with such disgrace. To Eléen, it didn’t matter. The bed had been soft and he had actually managed to get a few hours of sleep.
A rooster crowed somewhere in the city. Enticing smells rose even to the top of the rise to his window. On a bend stood the lighthouse he had seen from the ship the day before. What had the captain called it? A Sailors Friend. No, that’s wasn’t the real name. The name was…
“The Tower of Archella”, he murmured. The white tower was glittering in the light from the rising sun. The idea of spending yet another meal with the major made him shudder and he left the window. He had been given several purses of money and more would be waiting for him in the capital. His salary supposedly. From one of the chests he dug one out and fastened at his belt. He looked at his slippers and changed into a pair of sandals.
A few servants were walking quietly through the corridor, if any of them took notice of him they hid it well. With relatively ease he managed to find his way through the palace and out on the courtyard. One guard at the big doors took notice of him and hurried forward. Eléen thought the man intended to stop him but the guard bowed deeply and spoke respectfully.
“Good morning, your excellence”, he said. “Do you wish for the carriage so that you might go to the city?” Eléen thought about it. Taking the carriage seemed a bit overkill. Had it been Alcan he wouldn’t had hesitated but here the carriage was only for the major and his guests. So he decided against it. On the other hand was he about to venture into a city looking like a maze, he did not fancy getting lost.
“I’m good thank you”, he said to the guard. “But perhaps if you could provide me with a guide? I would be ever so grateful.” The guard looked surprised for a moment and then nodded. He spoke to some of the other guards on duty before turning to Eléen again.
“Just give me a moment, sir”, he said. “I will just remove my armour.” Eléen sat down on the stairs to wait as the guard hurried away. He smelled the air. Having grown up in a harbour city he was used to the tang of saltwater and fish. Here it was mixed with other things he didn’t recognize. The salty air didn’t feel as fresh and a sour smell clung to the wind. He hoped it was just his imagination. The guard returned and bowed to him. Eléen stood and began walking down the sloping road down to the city.
***
With it turning into what seemed to be an beautiful day Bara had no qualms about leaving his post and acting a guide for the major’s young guest. Though he couldn’t understand why the young man had insisted on walking. Beads clicked in the brown hair and the blue silk dress fluttered in the breeze. That was another thing Bara couldn’t understand. Why was the ambassador wearing a dress? It didn’t really suit him. Granted, Bara had never seen any dress looking like that before. While he really wished he could ask he held his tongue, lords seldom appreciated being questioned.
It didn’t take them long to reach the town. By now the sun had cleared the horizon and the streets were already crowded. Even normally the pale skin would have brought attention to the young man, matched with the blue dress he stood out from the crowd like a peacock among chickens. People stared as they walked through the throng. The youngling didn’t seem to have a destination and allowed himself and Bara to be shuffled forward by the crowd. Then they reached the plaza. Market stands lined the plaza, selling everything from trinkets to rich spices. The young man stared wide eyed at the sight, or at least Bara thought he did. The ambassadors facial expression hardly changed, only a slight widening of the eyes. As in awe. Or surprise. The young man turned to him, opened his mouth as to say something and then closed it again. His faced turned troubled.
“I apologize”, he said. “But I fear I never learned your name.” Bara blinked. The tone once again that overpolite tone the youngling had used earlier at the mansion. The wording was careful, as if the young man feared he would otherwise cause offense.
“Please don’t apologize, sir” Bara said. “My name is Bara, sir.” The young man mouthed the name as if he tried to etch it into his memory. He then nodded.
“If you would please”, he said. “I would prefer being called by my name, Eléen. I’m not used to titles…”
“As you wish si…er…Lord Eléen”, Bara answered.
“Just Eléen, please?” the overpolite tone had slightly dissipated, it made the young man, Eléen, sound more human for some reason. “Is the food here any good?” Eléen asked in a surprisingly normal tone. Bara gestured toward the stalls, smoke rose from several of them.
“It depends on what you wishes to eat my L…Eléen”, he said. Eléen stepped closer to the stalls hesitantly. Even here he stood out, with Bara at his heels he made his way to one of stalls. On a spit above glowing coal a piece of goat turned slowly dripping fatty juices down on the hot bed. It hissed and small flames erupted as the fat landed. As it happened, Bara knew the man who owned the stall. It was his uncle. Uncle Hashim smiled broadly as he noticed his nephew coming closer.
“Bara!” he shouted with his loud voice. “I thought you were still on duty!”
“I am on duty, uncle!” Bara shouted back gesturing toward Eléen who had stopped at the loud shouting. It seemed to pain him for some reason. Hashim looked at the young man who now stood timidly in the midst of the plaza, every eye locked on him. Bara bowed slightly in the direction of his uncle’s stall while facing the youngling. “My lord”, he said. With flushed cheeks Eléen walked up to the stall and looked at the food. His eyes darted curiously.
“What is this?” he asked Hashim. “I have eaten food from many places but I have never seen something like this before.” Now that he spoke normally, Eléen’s voice was soft, almost pleasant. Like he was caressing each word before saying them. Bara shock his head. The dress most have made him confused. It was still a man’s voice. Hashim laughed loudly and started pointing to the food.
“This is cheba”, he said pointing at the meat, “this is phasa and this is esaph.” Pointing at a flat, round bread and a red sauce in turn. “You put the meat, the sauce and perhaps some salad into the bread. Then you eat!” He smiled even broader. “You want to try, my lord?” Eléen nodded and took out a silver coin.
“Is this enough?” he said. Hashim laughed and offered him a stool. The youngling sat down while handing the older man his coin. Bara’s uncle poured some milk into a stoop and began preparing the phasa. Bara positioned himself to the side, using the standing lounge only trained soldiers knew.
“You’ve come far from here?” Hashim asked curiously. Eléen shrugged.
“Not really, I suppose”, he said. “It is less than a week on a ship. It’s just that I have never travelled before.”
“So where’s you from then?”
“Have you ever heard on Alcande?” Bara could feel every eye converging on the young man again as he spoke. “I live, or lived I should say, in Alcan. The capital.” Hashim whistled.
“I have heard”, he said. “One of the richest and most prosperous lands in world. Peaceful and open.” Eléen nodded thoughtfully and took the phasa Hashim offered him, biting into it. His face wistful. “So you are out traveling? Seeing the world? Living the life as a lord?” Bara winced as his uncle spoke. He simply didn’t know how to treat nobility. Eléen shock his head.
“We don’t have lords in Alcande”, he said. “Not in the sense you mean. I’m simply helping my sister, doing her a favour.”
“Why, that’s kind of you!” Hashim exclaimed. “What kind of favour?”
“My sister is the leader of the ruling council”, the youngling said. “She asked me to be the ambassador here, I probably leave for the capital in a few days.”
***
At first he thought he had said something wrong. The elder looked at him with a dumbstruck look. Even Bara seemed astonished. What had he said? Eléen took another bite of the bread. It was quite tasty even if it burned slightly in his mouth. If they had added some fruits he might have enjoyed it more. His eyes wandered the market. They lingered on a stall that sold jewellery. He hadn’t packed much of his own jewellery. Not wanting to risk them on the journey. He didn’t wear any at moment either. But maybe he could find a nice bracelet and some fitting earrings. His father had never worn any jewellery, saying that it was for unmarried men only. The two men still stared at him. Eléen chewed thoughtfully on his meal. What had he said?
“Your sister is the ruler?” the older man asked with a strangled voice at last. Eléen raised an eyebrow slightly. That’s what it? So what if she were? Their mother had had the position before the two of them were born, their father had been part of the council for a while as well. At the thought of his father his chest pricked and the food in his mouth turned tasteless. He had been little when his mother had died, he didn’t remember her. But remembering his father was still painful.
“Yes”, he asked curtly. Bara looked at him with even more astonishment. What’s with him? He acted like Eléen was some kind of exotic animal.
“Is that’s why you wear a dress?” the elder said. Eléen turned to him. Dress? He looked at his clothes and at the women dotting the plaza. There was no resemblance what so ever to his robes and their dresses. He could understand the captain mistaking it, but how could these men. Eléen couldn’t be bothered to explain to he just shook his head and finished his meal. The white drink was thick and tasted odd. Milk the elderly man called it. Eléen looked at it sceptically, he had heard of milk. He preferred water. Or juice. Handing the mug to Bara’s uncle he sauntered over to the stall with jewellery.
Just as he had hoped the stall owner had several pieces of nice bracelets and earrings. The man seemed startled to have a young man looking at his wares so intently but a women shoved him to the side and bent forward to Eléen.
“Looking for something special, ambassador?” she said in a screechy voice, he supposed she meant for it to be sultry. “Something for your lady perhaps?” He decided to ignore her and looked at the wares with interest. Two bracelets caught his eyes. One was made of polished ebony, dark and thick. The other one was aged white, perhaps ivory, and while thin had small carvings of flowers. He tested to put them on his right arm, they fitted perfectly. The contrast between the two made them both blend and stand out. He then looked at the earrings. As opposite of a woman’s, a man’s earrings was supposed to be small his father had thought him. Preferably pearls or small gemstones. The male stall owner must have known something about Alcande. When Eléen put on the bracelets he had blinked and he had suddenly looked at the young man with understanding. He reached down behind the stalls and brought forth a small box.
“What about these, assa?” he said. Bara and the woman looked at him as he were mad. Eléen looked at him surprised. Assa was an old way of addressing young men in Alcande. He had heard it used about men like himself who choose a traditional way of dressing. It was very respectful. He took the little box and opened it carefully. Inside rested two earrings. Two teardrop shaped pearls on thin silvery hooks, the peals shifted in a slight peachy colour. He closed the box carefully and placed the bracelets on top.
“How much?” he said, holding his hand over the jewellery.
“Five silver coins, assa”, the man said. “I can have them sent to the mansion if you wishes.” Eléen guessed he meant the major’s palace. Mansion did seem like a more fitting word to describe the residence. Though a mansion in Alcande would have been a place of beauty. Not a pigsty.
“If you would, please”, he said and handed over five silver coins. “And I also wonder. How did you know?”
The man’s sun dark face wrinkled slightly as he smiled. “When I was young, assa, and before I married my lovely wife here”, he gestured towards the woman. She smiled at him, the smile only a little skewed. “Once my travels took me to the beautiful city of Alcan. There I saw several young men in clothing like yours. At first it astonished me but one young member of the council explained to me that it was completely normal. All though the assa I saw then had beards.” The man sighed. “Ah, if I could I would love to see the shining city once more. It is truly a place of beauty. And if I could I would like to sit down once more with the young council man I met then.” He laughed. “Though I suppose he is not so young anymore, his wife was expecting see. They already had a lovely daughter and the wife big with child. Still, I could, I would.”
“Maybe you can?” Eléen said. “Do you know his name?” The man nodded.
“I haven’t forgotten”, he said. “Meliani was his name.” The man mused. “You know, you look slightly like him, though I would say you look more like his wife. Now isn’t that curious?”
It felt like someone had punched him. Eléen wanted to bend over, he wanted to scream, to cry. Or maybe just hide. Instead he couldn’t move. Tears tried to escape from the corners of his eyes.
“You know him?” the man said expectantly. “Do you think I might met him still, assa?” Eléen’s mind felt blank.
“I knew him”, his voice hollow. “He is my father.” The man looked exited. “I’m sorry”, Eléen said with tears crawling down his cheeks. “He is dead.”
***
As always the harbour smelled like rotten fish and sour ale. Ships lined the wharf, the strong ropes creaking as the ships rose and sank slightly in the gentle waters. Bara shielded his eyes, normally he avoided going to the harbour but at this time of the day he knew it would be empty. The early ships had sailed and the crews on the other boats would be sleeping after roughing the night. Even the merchant didn’t bother trying to haggle with the captains this early. It was not that he really had a reason to be in harbour but it had felt like his responsibility to guide the young lord from the plaza. Eléen sat slumped against the wall of a tavern, the white stone shimmering from the sun. The blue silk was crumpled and certainly dusty. Red marks marred the white cheeks. Bara had never seen a man cry like that before. Silently and full of grief. It was not that he hadn’t seen men cry before. But usually they were drunk and crying about lost love or just because they were drunk. The tears of deep grief had therefore been novel. Aschim, the stall keeper, had become aghast to see his costumer burst out in tears. If it wasn’t the shock from hearing that an old friend had died.
Eléen suddenly seemed to rouse himself from his daze and scrambled to his feet, muttering something about silk being useless. He looked at the harbour and the gently bobbing ships. Without concern of his tear streaked face he started walking along the wharf.
“Assa!” Bara called and hurried after him. “Assa, where are you going?” He had no idea what assa meant but apparently it was the proper way of calling the young man. It obviously was more effective than using ‘lord’ or ‘sir’.
“I want to see the light house”, Eléen answered and pointed. Bara followed the finger. The assa was pointing towards the Tower. So early in the morning no fire was burning at the top. At night it warned ships from going to near the shallow waters at the cliffs.
“It is too far, assa”, he said. “Let me fetch you a carrage or a sedan chair for you!” A stubbornness set in the young face.
“No!” he said curtly and kept walking. The blue silk fluttering around his legs. Bara had to half run in order to keep up, Eléen was walking surprisingly quickly.
“Please assa! Sir!” he called. “His excellency, the major, would have my head if he knew I would let you walk to the Tower!” That stopped the youngling. He then obediently waited while Bara arranged an open couch. The guard also sent word to the mansion so that the official carriage could pick them up at the Tower later. It was a small couch and bumped at any small obstacle. He tried gritting his teeth as the driver hurried his team up the hill. Eléen looked excitedly at the rolling view of the town.
“May I ask a question, assa?” he inquired.
“What?”
“How did your father die? From Aschim’s story your father should have still been young.” The young man was quiet. Then he rested his head on his arm and lounged on the couch sides. He spoke loudly enough to be heard above the gritting of the wheels but not louder.
“He was supposed to go on a short trip by ship”, he answered. “But it didn’t return, nor did it reach its destination. For some reason it went under. Taking everyone on board with it. Including my father.”
“A storm?”
“I don’t know. The waters surrounding Alcande usually don’t get storms that strong, even if they got into rougher waters there had been no other sign of a storm.”
“When was this?”
“Around the time of the new moon two month ago.”
“And your sister already sends you on a mission?”
“She is the Seer, the ruler of Alcande. As her brother it is my duty to assist her. She probably wants me to have other things to occupy my mind. No matter what you might think, that’s actually the best way she can show me kindness.” Eléen turned to Bara. “We are very different. She has always been independent and strong, flourishing in the world of politics. I have never really flourished at all.”
***
The Tower of Archella stretched toward the sky like a white column of light. Inside was a spiral staircase taking them all the way up to the top. Eléen wanted to curse the silk robes. He had always preferred linen rather than expensive fabrics, now he did even more so. Silk apparently couldn’t take even one day out. He hoped that the servants might be able to tell how to clean the robes. Unless they insisted doing it for him. He didn’t like the idea. Sweat dripped down his face by the time he had reached the top, his legs ached. Unused to the long climb. There was no one in the top. A weird pool was placed in middle of the room. Mirrors was placed at one end of the room, facing the sea. Eléen walked closer to the pool, a deep bowl built into the floor. The liquid inside did not look like water. It had an odd smell, both rank and thick. Eléen retrieved a handkerchief from his robed and pressed it to his nose, hoping he didn’t look to snobbish. Some of the young men, the assa he thought with a smile, could look horribly snobbish when they walked, pressing their handkerchiefs to their faces. Bara didn’t seemed to take offense so it was hopefully not a problem.
“What is it?” he asked Bara. “Surely it is not water?”
“It is oil”, Bara answered. “Burn oil. We use in lamps as well. Normally we place a wicker inside the oil but I think they use coal in the Tower.” Eléen looked sceptically at the black water and decided to not ask any further questions. He could see the use of the mirrors, reflecting the light of the fire out toward the see. A small door led out to a terrace. Without waiting for Bara Eléen stepped through the door and closed it behind him. He looked down. Far down below was cliffs jutting out of the water. Waves crashed against the wall. In the back of his mind he knew that most people would feel uncomfortable staring out at the drop. But he felt an odd exhilaration, a tingling feeling. Birds swirled around the Tower, gliding on the wind. He stretched out his mind towards one of them, gently, only wanting to share the feeling. The bird made room for the small part of his mind without protest. As if she wanted show of the bird shoot up in the air and started doing tricks. Diving, gliding, rising on the wind. She then folded her wings and dropped alongside the cliff’s wall. Just before hitting water she spread her wings and stopped her fall. Her stomach almost touch the water. Then without warning she snapped a fish from the waves before once more flying up to the Tower.
As Bara lay a hand on his shoulder he withdrew his mind. The sun dark man looked worried and a bit nauseous, clearly avoiding looking down. Above the she bird cried regretfully, still with the fish in her beak. Eléen sent a grateful thought and then closed his mind. A gentle breeze tousled his hair, he though he sensed a familiar tinge of home on the breeze. He sighed and then, to Bara’s obvious relief, stepped inside again. When they once more reached the bottom of the Tower the major’s carriage was waiting for them.
***
He had spent the last three days pent up in his room, much to the major’s chagrin, but today there would be a huge feast. In the morrow, he was going to travel to the capital of Ilsa. As the guest of honour he had had the privilege of inviting other guests. So he had asked Bara to bring his uncle and Aschim with his wife. The servants had cleaned his blue silk robes but he had packed them and wore instead one in green. He didn’t usually wear green but the colour was marbled and made him think of a forest. The robes also fitted well with the black and white bracelets he had bought from Aschim. The small box with the pearl earrings was safely tucked away in one of his chests. From a small satchel he took a delicately blown bottle and carefully opened the stopper. A sweet smell of peaches and lemon filled the room. Eléen let a drop fall on his wrist. He rubbed his wrist against one another and put the small bottle back into the satchel. As he did a knock echoed from the door.
“Your excellence?” a female voice called. “It is time for the feast!” Eléen straightened his robes and opened the door. A maid waited patiently for him. She led him through the house to a large feast hall. Men and women milled about in fancy clothing. The men wore a tight suit with ruffle at their necks, the women’s dresses had wide skirts in fanciful colours. Several wore silk and sweated profoundly. The women’s faces were painted for some reason. With red on their lips and white in their face. The major held court in the middle of the room, his face redder than usual and looking even more like a pig in his pink suit. Some men, Eléen decided, should never be allowed to wear pink.
As the guests moved, Eléen saw a glimpse of a sun dark face. He moved through the hall, not noticing the bowing and curtsying as he made his way. All of them recognized him, they had been on the wharf when he arrived and his particular looks made him stand out. As he reached one side of the room he saw them. Bara wore his uniform, looking uncomfortable, his uncle hade put on a black vest and was bare chested underneath. Aschim and his wife wore matching kaftans in white. They huddled together as if afraid they might offend the other guests by their mere presence.
“Assa”, Aschim said politely as Eléen approached. “You presence is an honour.”
“We brought you a gift, your excellency”, his wife added and handed him a wooden box. “One of our best”, she assured. Eléen opened the box and saw in amazement to golden neckless with small gemstones fastened in the chain. It was matched with two golden bracelets and a set of earrings. Struggling to keep a straight face he thanked them warmly, encouraging them to try the buffet.
“Please, you are my guests tonight. I want you to enjoy yourselves”, he assured them. Bara took Aschim’s wife by the arm and escorted her to the laden table, Aschim hurried after them. Hashim studied Eléen intently. “You are not going to eat?” Eléen asked confused.
“Soon, after I have quenched my curiosity”, the older man said in a surprisingly low voice, a contrast to his usual booming. “You got a weird face when you opened that box.” Eléen closed the box and played with a lock of his brown hair, feeling slightly embarrassed.
“I don’t think my father told Aschim everything when they met”, he said. “Otherwise I doubt he would have gifted the necklace to me.”
“How come.”
“In Alcande, we have no judgement. People might live their lives as they wishes as long as it doesn’t causes others harm.” Eléen explain, talking in a low murmur. “When a man wishes to marry someone who follows the old traditions, an assa, he gives him a necklace. I think it is meant to symbolize ownership but I’m not certain. An assa will in turn gift the man a bracelet of similar design if he agrees to the marriage.”
“A man marrying another man?” Hashim said in astonishment. “I have never heard of such practice. Is it common?”
“It is neither common nor uncommon. It happens”, Eléen said. “Fewer and fewer people are following the old traditions so they are falling into disuse. But the laws are still intact, as long as both are willing it does not matter what gender the two have. Still, I wouldn’t say it is common.”
“A strange place, Alcande”, Hashim mused. “But I guess a country like that see far less strife and conflict. Maybe you can bring some of that kindness to Ilsa as well.”
“Please don’t tell Aschim about his gift”, Eléen asked. “I don’t want to embarrass him.”
“Of course!” the older man stretch and sniffed in the air. “Let’s go get some of that fancy food.”
***
He tried very hard not to drool as he took a plate. Several of his colleagues lined the wall, looking at him with resentment. Bara started loading his plate with food he had always wanted to try while doing guard duty. He then sat down at one of the tables, picked a tankard from a tray and began eating. While his uncle’s food sure was tasty, this was high class. The softest meat, the freshest fish, finest fruits and all spiced with the most expensive spices. Even the ale was the best he ever had. His uncle joined him and was soon followed by Aschim and Shala, Aschim’s wife. The young ambassador was seated at the high table, nobles fuzzed around him. He seemed not to notice.
“A curious young man”, Aschim noted. “Even though I have seen the wonders of Alcande he still comes off as a kind of his own.”
“Maybe things have changed since you visited?” Shala noted. “It has been more than twenty years.”
“Or maybe a simple visit can’t tell you everything about a place”, Hashim said. “Still, it sounds like a place I would like to visit. What about you, Bara?” Bara looked up from his meal, he glanced at the high table, swallowed and poked at a piece of fruit.
“I don’t know”, he answered. “When we went to the Tower, he acted weird.”
“Weird?” his uncle said. “How?”
“He went out on the terrace, looking down for a while. Then he became stiff, he didn’t move a muscle.”
“Fear?” Aschim suggested.
“I thought so as well but when I followed and called to him, he didn’t seem to notice. His face were blank, his eyes unfocused. A gull was doing all sorts of flips and he didn’t even look”, Bara said. “He didn’t move until I touch his shoulder. Then he acted like he just been woken from sleep. It’s weird, that’s all I’m saying.”
“Maybe he just was deep in thought?” Hashim suggested. “He seems like the kind who would get lost in his own thoughts. Either way, I wouldn’t worry too much. He leave tomorrow after all.” Bara nodded and focused on his food again. He didn’t notice the intense gaze with which his uncle studied the young man.
***
Hashim handed over his nephew to some of his colleagues, Bara snored loudly from being full and drunk. Eléen had already retired, stating the early morning as a reason. Hashim suspected he had wanted to escape the pig major of Sirrela. He joined Aschim at the table, Shala had been whisked away by the court ladies after having spoken loudly about her husband’s business. There were fewer guests in the hall, several had used Eléen’s retirement as means of escape from the feast. A servant placed two cups and a carafe with wine on their table, his face tired. Hashim poured wine into a cup, handed it to Aschim before filling his own cup.
“What do you think?” he asked. “About Bara’s tale?”
“I still can’t see how it would be significant”, Aschim said dismissively. “There haven’t been anyone able to use the ancient gifts in a millennia. Why would a boy from an isolated land like Alcande be able to use them?”
“You have to admit there is something about the boy, surely?”
Aschim smiled. “He is a boy from Alcande. Even if the country have changed since my visit, if he truly is the son of Meliani he would have been brought up according to the old traditions. That do would make anyone seem odd to those who do not know them.” the weathered man sighed and drank from his cup. “You really think his father is dead?”
“I see no reason he would lie about it. Bara said his father apparently died at the sea, a storm or something.”
“A storm?” Aschim said in surprise. “When would this have been?”
“About two month ago.”
“That’s odd.”
“Why?”
“The last storm was six months ago, I remember because I lost my cargo. But I did hear a ship disappeared about two month ago. It heard merchants who had lost valuable cargo. You don’t think..?”
“It is the same ship? I have a hard seeing how it cannot be”, Hashim knitted his brows. “But if it wasn’t a storm that sank the ship, something else had to.”
“Pirates?”
“Have you ever heard of pirates in this waters?” Hashim looked at Aschim who shook his head. “Exactly.”
“But then what could have possibly have happened?”
“I don’t know and I have a feeling I don’t want to know.” They sipped on their wine in quiet.