Suddenly the disadvantage of mind reading became painfully clear. With her own mind open she could not prevent these people learning that she had been driven out of her home city as a criminal. Stop! Think of something else. They might not believe using magic was wrong, but she did not want to show them her memories of the humiliating experience.
She kept her eyes averted from her naked body, too, putting on the clothing as soon as she was clean and dry. On top of the pile was a set of close-fitting underclothes different to anything Rielle had worn before, thankfully easy to put on. Next was a pair of trousers–very odd for a woman to be wearing but not uncomfortable. They and the short-sleeved shift that covered it were as brightly coloured as the traditional costume she’d worn at Fyre’s festivals, though the decorative stitching covered only the ankles, wrists and high neckline.
She paused to rub in some oil, tackling her feet last. Her soles were only a little sore. Whatever the oil was, it had been very effective. A pair of sandals finished the outfit, with long straps that Rielle had to wrap around her ankles many times so she wouldn’t trip on them. Little bells had been attached to the ends of the straps but, to her relief, they made only a soft tinkle as she moved.
The curtains opened and this time Ankari pushed the fabric to either side and secured it to the wall with ties. The rest of the room was lined with cupboards and shelving. Two squat chairs stood either side of a table fixed to a wall at one end and supported by a single leg at the other. On the table was a plate, and Rielle’s stomach growled as she saw the contents. Ankari chuckled again and gestured to the chair.
“Eat,” she said, miming to ensure Rielle understood.
The meal consisted of bread, dense and chewy, pale cold meat she couldn’t identify, and a piece of unexpectedly sour fruit. There was a lump of something squishy and yellowish that she couldn’t identify, but she assumed it was edible because it was on the plate. It tasted good and she was too hungry to care.
When she was done she drained another mug of water and then sighed in relief and appreciation. Ankari patted her arm, her sympathy and understanding not needing words. Then she nodded to the bed.
“Rest,” she said.
Rielle frowned, thinking that she had slept long enough already and it was too hot, but now that she had eaten she was a little sleepy. As she moved to the bed Ankari opened shutters to reveal windows on either side. The breeze that wafted through was warm, but eased the stuffiness of the room. The woman left through a narrow door at the other end of the room.
Alone, Rielle could not resist getting up to check the view outside. Beyond the first window was a dune, higher than the room so she could see nothing but its gently sloping side. The second revealed several covered carts and by their shape and size she guessed she was in one of these strange vehicles.
The carts had been arranged in a circle. A canopy had been stretched between them and people were sitting in the shade beneath. She counted eighteen people, including a baby and several children. The sound of voices reached her, but she could not understand anything. From one of the children she caught a flash of thought–impatience over someone being elsewhere when he wanted something. That told her two things: more people were here than she could see and children weren’t good at protecting their thoughts. Curiosity sated as well as it could be, she returned to the bed, took off her sandals and lay down.
When she opened her eyes again it was dark and a chill breeze cooled her skin. She listened and heard a fuller sound of chatter: more people were talking than before. Getting up, she moved to a window to see she was right: the gathering was larger. The smell of cooking reached her and hunger stirred, yet she hesitated. How could she approach these strangers and ask for food she couldn’t pay for? Though she was sure they were friendly, they were strangers with strange abilities…
She jumped as the door opened and a small flame floated into the room. Baluka greeted her with an amused smile.
“You don’t even know how to make a simple light,” he said, the meaning of his words clear in his thoughts. “We’ll have to do something about that.” Then he paused. “Though I see learning magic goes against your beliefs. Don’t worry, I won’t make you learn anything you feel is wrong.”
He was concerned that he had offended her, but also disgusted at the idea of anyone forbidding the use of magic. It was as cruel and backward as forbidding singing or dancing, in his opinion. He looked at her expectantly.
“I can…” she began. She could tell him that the Angel had said she could use magic only in her defence, but he didn’t believe in Angels. The Angel also said that the magic of my world would be restored one day, and all would be free to use it. If this world, and others, are full of magic then perhaps people in them are free to use it.
Baluka looked pleased and hopeful at that. She shook her head. It was not for her to decide what everything meant. Only an Angel could confirm that anyone was free to use magic.