“Instead of trying to resist the gravity, try moving us towards the house.”
Rielle looked at the distant building. He had given her no clue on how to do what he asked. Perhaps instinct would help again. I want to be there. I want there to be closer. Then Baluka’s hands slipped from her own. Turning back, she saw him smile and beckon. Panic flooded her mind. No! Don’t leave me here! She reached out towards him, but her hand did not meet anything, passing though his body. Even though he was next to her, he was elsewhere.
Something loomed in the brightness. Baluka abruptly grew more distinct. His hands gripped hers.
“Time to go.”
At once the valley began to rush past. They hurtled towards the house at a frightening speed, but no rushing air buffeted her and as they came to an abrupt halt in the courtyard there was no jolt. People were emerging from the house. Baluka moved them closer to a man who stopped to gaze at the road leading to the Travellers’ arrival area. Slim and dark-skinned with long straight hair, he wore the most extraordinary clothing Rielle had ever seen. Sleeves of soft white cloth burst from a tightly buttoned vest. His trousers were equally tight to below the knee, and soft white cloth ballooned out again before disappearing in a pair of broadly cuffed boots.
The man glanced at them, then turned and squinted. As air surrounded Rielle again he smiled, stepped forward and bowed from the waist.
“Traveller Baluka. Welcome back,” he said in the Travellers’ language. “I was wondering when you’d come down to join us, but now I see you were waiting for the rest of your family to arrive.”
Baluka smiled. “Lord Felomar, it is an honour to visit you and your beautiful home again.” He bowed in reply. “You are correct. I am not surprised you spotted me training our guest. Nothing escapes your attention on your property and your country, and possibly this entire world, if not all the worlds.” He turned to Rielle. Bow as I did but with your hands pressed to your chest. “May I introduce Rielle Lazuli, our guest.”
“A pleasure.” As the lord bowed again she did as Baluka had instructed.
“Looks like Father finished our business in Kezel faster than we expected,” Baluka said. Following his gaze, Rielle saw a line of wagons descending towards the house. “I apologise if our early arrival upsets your plans.”
“Not at all,” Felomar replied. “Do you intend to leave early as well?”
“Not unless you need us to.”
“No, you are welcome to stay as long as you wish. We shall have plenty of time to enjoy each other’s company.” The lord clasped his hands together. His fingers were long and elegant, Rielle noted. His face was narrow and finely boned. He was quite beautiful, yet with a warmth that was appealing. She had a sudden wistful desire to draw him.
He glanced at her and she read a subtle warning in his expression that she remembered well from her time among the high families of Fyre. Don’t get ideas above your status, that expression said, though Lord Felomar included a hint of a smile that added but we can be friends.
She looked away, embarrassed that he’d misread her interest and hoping she had not spoiled her chances of finding a home here, however temporary.
CHAPTER 9
“So do you eat sumptuous feasts every night?” Rielle asked Baluka.
He chuckled, then chewed quickly and swallowed. “No, not every night. Not every customer we trade with can afford it, or has a custom of feeding guests–and some expect us to hold a feast for them. We visit some worlds for their markets, where we are not guests but just another trader. Sometimes we meet and trade with other Travellers, and though we share meals they are rarely extravagant.”
She glanced up as the men who attended the table took away their plates and another set a new dish in front of them.
“Ooh! Syrup and belnuts!” Baluka exclaimed appreciatively.
Rielle waited until the men had left the room, closing the gilded doors behind them. “At least the servants are well treated here.”
He nodded. “Not all lords of Diama are good to their people, but most do look after their servants. Everyone is paid, unlike the serfs of Kezel. But even the serfs have a better life than some people do in other worlds. They are free to marry who they please, raise a family, leave and settle elsewhere if they wish.”
“There are places where people can’t?”
He frowned. “Did slavery never exist in your world?”
Rielle shivered. “It must have, I guess, since the Angels saw a need to forbid it.”
Baluka nodded, his mouth pressed in a thin line. “It exists in many worlds, including some we trade in. If your Angels’ reach was greater than your own world much pain and injustice would be ended.”