Mara weighed the advice. ‘You speak wisely, as always. Caution must be exercised. No opportunity for advantage can be wasted, however slight. I’ll meet with Lord Xaltepo, not in a guild hall, but in that glen in the mountains where Lujan’s band once made their camp. It is not upon Acoma soil, yet we have the advantage should any trouble arise.’
Arakasi looked dusty and gaunt after his hurried trip to town; Mara dismissed him to seek refreshment, and the rest of her advisers disbanded, talking among themselves. Once outside the garden, all would be silent concerning the subject of Lord Xaltepo.
Kevin alone remained seated. He slid his arms around Mara’s waist and buried his cheek in her hair. ‘What do you say to a special sort of council between the two of us?’
Mara turned her face to be kissed. Kevin’s hair glowed russet in the lantern light, and his hands well knew where to touch; as his lips closed over hers, Mara prepared to surrender her worries for the night.
‘My Lady,’ snapped Nacoya’s acerbic voice. Unwanted as a state visitor, the First Adviser lingered in the courtyard. ‘Stop your foolishness and hear warning.’
Mara disengaged from Kevin’s embrace. Her eyes were bright, her hair slightly mussed, and her temper short. ‘Speak, mother of my heart. But do not presume upon my patience.’ Lately her First Adviser seemed to seize upon every opportunity to insinuate the folly of Kevin’s presence. Though Mara understood that the old woman’s persistence stemmed from care, tonight she was determined to enjoy the few moments she had left with the man she loved. However kindly meant, Nacoya’s concern was not welcome.
The First Adviser did not lecture about her inopportune choice of bedmate, but crossed her wrinkled arms and stood firmly. ‘You rely far too much on those spies of Arakasi’s.’
Mara’s gaze darkened. ‘They have never failed me.’
‘They have never dealt directly with Tasaio.’ Nacoya waved a stern finger. ‘Remember the silk caravans! Desio discovered one of Arakasi’s agents, and ill came of that. His cousin will not be so stupid. He’ll not be lulled into thinking he has no watchers in his house. But unlike Desio, Tasaio will not be led by hate on discovery his security was compromised. He would spare his traitor, even nurture the man, and await his moment to exploit.’
A breeze swayed the lantern. Netted by a moving play of shadows, Mara gestured her irritation. ‘Do you suggest we should rent the public guild hall? Depend upon the security provided by clanless men?’
Nacoya pinched her sleeves as the errant wind flapped her robe. ‘I say no such thing, except to beseech you to beware. Arakasi is very good, the best of men who work in secret I have ever heard of in my years of serving this house. But his former master of the Tuscai was ruined despite his spy ring. Remember that. Informants can be helpful, but they are never infallible. All tools can break, or be turned into weapons.’
Mara stiffened, acutely feeling the chill as Kevin’s warmth drew away. ‘Old mother, your warnings are heard. I thank you for your counsel.’
Nacoya knew better than to persist. She bowed in deep disapproval, then turned and limped out of the garden.
‘She’s right, you know, the old nag,’ Kevin murmured fondly.
Mara spun and snapped at him. ‘You too! Does every evening have to be filled with warnings and fear?’ She tossed her dark hair, aching inside more than she would ever put into words; though Kevin perhaps thought better of it, he indulged her whim, and gathered her close. He kissed the hardness out of her, and on the cushions, in the flicker of a breeze-tossed lantern, he made her forget the enemies who sought her life and the utter ending of her family.
Within three weeks, high summer set in; the grasses lost the last green that lingered from the rainy season. Mara stepped out of the estate house into the misty predawn gloom. Her litter awaited, surrounded by a picked guard of thirty warriors led this day by Kenji, who needed the field experience. For her’ journey to meet with the Lord of the Hanqu she planned to be in the mountains before the heat of midday, and, at Arakasi’s suggestion, she kept her escort light for speed and secrecy. Her Adviser for War had insisted on seeing her off; since Nacoya was no longer up to rising in early morning.
Yet no adviser waited in the dooryard as Mara made her appearance, Kevin following at the proper pace behind her shoulder, but ever unmindful of propriety. ‘The old codger must have slept late,’ the barbarian said lightly. ‘I should take the chance to get back at him for the time he kicked me awake with his war sandals on.’