Here Kevin snorted. ‘You people have tradition, but no sense of evolving style. You don’t appreciate jokes as do the folk in the Kingdom of the Isles.’
‘Ah,’ Lord Chipino broke in, the puzzlement on his leathery features relenting as if all was explained. ‘You fled from Tasaio and experienced no shame because you perceive the action as a jest.’
Kevin buried an amused irritation behind tolerance. ‘You could simplify the issue that way, perhaps, yes.’ He tilted his head to one side, raked back red bangs, and added, ‘The worst thing about the assignment was that I could barely keep from laughing outright. Good thing the straps of Lujan’s spare armour were too tight, or I would have exploded in spite of my best efforts.’
Chipino stroked his chin. ‘A joke,’ he concluded, though underneath he was obviously mystified afresh. ‘You Midkemians are wondrously strange in your thinking.’ He shifted his glance to Mara and smoothly ascertained that his servants had anticipated her needs and brought chocha as she liked it. A man who lived by subtleties, he had trained his staff to observe his guests, learn their needs, and respond in their duties of hospitality without spoken orders from him. The practice had rewards. It was amazing how soft an opponent could become when he was personally catered to with as little fuss as though he sat in his own hall. Mara was not here as an enemy, but Lord Chipino recognized his debt to her and was anxious to negotiate a favourable settlement. He chose his moment, broaching thesubject after Mara was settled with refreshment, but quickly enough that she had little space for deep thinking.
‘Lady Mara, your soldiers and the brilliance of your war tactics today spared House Xacatecas from yet more tragic losses. We are in your debt for the occasion, and are prepared to offer fair and honourable reward.’
The Lady was young; she was gifted, but she still had much hardening to undergo before she became practised in the Great Game. She proved so now, for she blushed. ‘My Lord, the Acoma soldiers achieved only what was proper between allies. Little reward is required, beyond a formal swearing of alliance with witnesses upon our return to the mainland.’
She paused, dropped her eyes, and seemed more than ever the young girl. A slight frown creased her forehead, as she thought upon the matter and realized that she must ask something more of House Xacatecas, lest she leave a social superior with an implied debt of obligation. To leave such business unfinished was an unwise move that could strain further amicable relations. ‘Lord Chipino,’ she added formally, as if the matter were an embarrassment to her, ‘for the actions of the Acoma on behalf of your house, I ask one boon: that, at a time of my choosing, you grant me your vote in the Imperial Council to be cast as I wish. Will this be acceptable?’
Lord Chipino inclined his head, well pleased. The request was a pittance, and the girl was cautious beyond her years, to keep her asking modest. He murmured a command, and his runner hurried to fetch his scribe, to set the matter officially under seal. To Mara’s most appropriate response he added one thing more. ‘Let a suit of fine armour be made for the barbarian slave, in Acoma colours, that he may serve his Lady in comfort the next time she requires to bait her traps with an honour guardsman.’ Kevin smiled in appreciation of the dry Tsurani humour: he would never be permitted to wear this armour, but he would have it as a trophy of sorts. Then, the matter disposed of in lasting satisfaction of the debt, Chipino clapped for servants to bring food. ‘You shall dine here,’ he said, and he waved to indicate the barbarian slave was to be included. ‘Together we shall drink fine spirits, to celebrate the defeat of our enemies.’
Mara woke to the touch of a hand shaking her shoulder briskly. She rolled over. Dark hair caught in her lashes, and she sighed, still deep in sleep.
‘Lady, you must wake up,’ Kevin said in her ear.
The bedding seemed much too warm and comfortable. Reluctantly Mara stirred. Though weary still from the battle the previous day, and no little bit discomforted by the sa wine consumed with Lord Chipino to celebrate the victory, she forced her heavy eyes to open. ‘What is it?’
Dawn greyed the sky beyond the tent flap, left open to catch the night breezes. In the sandy dunes of the low country, the temperature did not fall after sundown, as happened in the mountains. Mara blinked and rolled closer to Kevin’s warmth, it’s too early,’ she protested, and began provocatively to tickle him.