Staying near Narcissa and Evander all day at the hospital was definitely boring.
The quartet took turns on short walks around the immediate area to look for anything out of place; it at least gave them a chance to stretch and break the monotony and explore a little. Hospital staff either greeted them with wary nods and monosyllables, or nervously avoided eye contact.
The number of attempted intrusions had dropped dramatically, so there wasn’t even that as a distraction.
Kaveri looked up from braiding a fancier new weighted belt, hearing nails tap a cheerful rhythm on Evander’s open office door.
“Busy, Your Serenity?” a female voice said teasingly.
“Hi, Kallirhoe,” Evander said, and there was actually something in his voice that might pass for affection and humour. “What brings you here? Alone?”
“Oh, I stopped by to check on one of my newer artists, and discovered that he’d been so caught up in the freedom to work in a safe place with proper materials that he’d been ignoring a small health issue. Well, it started as a small health issue. It’s now significantly less trivial. It seemed simplest to just bundle him up and deliver him to your mob of eager students and their masters downstairs. They seem to have it well in hand, even if I had to tell him very firmly that I am not investing in his future with the intentions of watching him cripple himself or die from something easily preventable. I only had Enyo with me, and she’s making sure he cooperates while I’m up here talking to you, since I should be safe enough. I may have to hire someone sensible to at least check in on him every day or two, make him decent meals, clean up, that sort of thing. Between us, he’s brilliantly creative, but probably couldn’t find water while swimming in it.”
“You’ve had others like that.”
“Several of them, and there is just no point to imposing even the loosest of rules in an effort to keep them safe and encourage them to look after themselves. They can have every sincere intention of doing so, then off they go when inspiration strikes and they forget every word of it. I have my eye on a few from the sanctuaries who would be delighted to have an independent job and might be able to do this one well. The younger ones might be overwhelmed, but one is a widow who lost her husband, brother, and both sons when their fishing boat went down. Her sister invited her here but it didn’t take long for the sister’s husband to start causing problems. I think she might be a good fit.”
“You’re as good at getting the vulnerable into places they’re safe and have a future as you are at finding potential in artists that others overlook.”
“Is there a difference, really? I do have a question related to that, however.”
“Yes, we’re still looking for staff in some positions, largely menial ones.”
The woman, apparently Kallirhoe—hadn’t they heard that name?—laughed. “You can always read me. She’s in her late thirties. Her mother died a few years ago and her father just recently—she was a late child, with two older siblings, and neither has the resources to take her in. She’s very sweet and friendly, but she thinks very slowly and abstract concepts frequently elude her. However, she’s very good at following clear instructions, and she has an excellent memory for routines. Physically, she’s very healthy and quite strong—she’s been helping neighbours out with odd jobs for a few pennies for most of her life. Apparently she never complains about hard work, just does her best, but she positively glows when she’s praised for it. If she had a job that didn’t involve much variability or decision-making, and could make enough to support herself, I have a spot reserved for her in one of the sanctuaries that will help her out with other aspects of day-to-day life but allow her to be independent. Which would free up an emergency bed.”
“Hm... the laundry keeps telling me that they need more people. It’s hot and steamy and it’s hard physical labour despite every labour-saving modern invention that could possibly help, but it’s a very stable routine. There are a couple others down there that you routed this way for similar reasons, which I’m sure you remember. What’s her name? I’ll send them a note to expect her to drop by... is tomorrow good?”
“Tomorrow would be wonderful.”
“... and the manager of the laundry can talk to her personally. I’d rather not just tell department managers who they have to hire, but I don’t think that will matter. It’s not a high-demand job and they really want staff. If it doesn’t work out, tell me. There are other jobs, although they all involve cleaning in one way or another. Washing dishes, washing floors. But the laundry staff was, apparently, underestimated, and I have something here for Cissa to sign approving several more positions.”
“Thank you! I appreciate it. Her name is Daphne. I’ll bring her myself or arrange for someone else to accompany her. Not that I don’t trust your working conditions and pay to be better than average, and I know she’ll be safe here, but just to make sure there are no little bumps in communication.”
“No argument from me. And if it makes the laundry department happier to have a hard worker start immediately, then that will be a relief.”
“Lovely! So it works out all around. Is Narcissa busy?”
“Not for you. But you might have to get her attention. Go ahead.”
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“Thanks, Lys.”
That last syllable could easily have slipped right by unnoticed, but Kaveri, listening intently for the faintest suggestion of trouble, caught and recognized it.
Heartbeats later, the woman came to the doorway linking the offices. She was a little shorter than Narcissa, and fairly slender; her clothes probably cost a fortune, all that intricate indigo embroidery winking with beads so small they were almost a miracle in themselves, and the wealth of gold jewellery with stones of various blues matched it in multiple senses. Her hair was in complex braids, and her face made up with precision without being ostentatious.
She did pause there, though, giving Kaveri and Mirren a questioning look.
“We heard His Serenity,” Kaveri said. “We won’t stop you.”
“What?” Narcissa looked up, glanced towards the door, and smiled. “Oh, hello. Business or pleasure?”
“A little of both,” Kallirhoe said, seating herself on the couch and drawing her sandalled feet up beside her casually. “One of my artists is downstairs with Enyo supervising, and your wonderful sister is arranging a probable job for someone I’d like to see employed and secure before I get distracted. Linos has a dinner meeting day after tomorrow with a possible new business partner from Afsoun. They’re traditionalist enough that I’m not going to be able to sit in on that, but he is bringing his wife and his elder daughter, who’s looking for a husband.” She heaved a sigh. “Several days of nonstop entertaining and being a proper lady even at home in private... this is not something I’m looking forward to.”
“No, that will be frustrating,” Narcissa said sympathetically. “Even when it’s only a few days.”
“I’m trying to keep it in perspective. Far too many have less freedom, of course, and if this trade agreement is successful, it will mean we’ll need a new warehouse and the staff for it.”
“So it’s a big one, then.”
“Very. This potential partner has consistent access to most of the exotic spices Linos has been trying to find a source for, and the quality is just superb. He’s been looking for some of ours—apparently his last source started trying to pass off spices adulterated with cheap substitutes or older material that had lost most of its flavour. He’ll be getting a full tour of our warehouses and the shop. If he does the usual polite thing and gives me some as a hospitality gift, I’ll send some your way for Acantha to play with—but only if you promise to invite us for dinner. Her cooking is better than some highly-trained professionals I can think of. More satisfying, too.”
“You’re always welcome, of course, and that sounds very tasty. And of course nothing has changed as far as being yourselves in my house. I hope it works out. Your other half is very good at that sort of thing, so I’m sure it will.”
“I’m sure too, which is why I’m willing to give away spices that are even exotic in our household. I’m planning to drag the wife and daughter around the city on a tour with a few stops that might be of interest. If I bring them here, do you suppose it would be possible to arrange for a tour of the hospital? I’m not expecting you to do it personally, although if you can find a little time to meet them that would be wonderful. I intend to do my best to convince them that they would like to donate money to you, make friends, and find out how to start the equivalent back in their own country.”
Narcissa chuckled. “Let’s hope we can look good that day, then. Of course, and I’ll arrange the time to do it myself. I’m not at all sure the hospitals would exist without you anyway, and if having a royal friend makes you two look good to those who value such things, I don’t mind in the least. Just let us know. They will, however, have to tolerate the presence of my shadows, since I have promised several people, including my parents and brother, that I will not be without them outside my house until we are certain there is no further danger.”
“And Enyo will be with me, and I have no doubt they’ll have at least an attendant each, if not more... honestly, how did we get to a point at which noble and wealthy women never stir without an escort? Life as Timaios is so much freer.” She shook her head. “Not that I plan to give up all the other things that matter to me, now that I actually have the resources to do something useful, but I’m very grateful for that outlet.”
“I can’t remember anything different,” Narcissa said. “Maybe someday I’ll be able to find out what it’s like.”
Kallirhoe laughed. “Even without cutting your hair, I’m sure we could do something. Boy’s night out one of these days? Just the two of us?”
“I may need a way to escape for a few hours and be outrageous,” Narcissa chuckled. “Ask me again once I have this hospital largely secure and my protectors feel that the threat level has decreased.”
“I’ll hold you to that.”
“You’ll be able to come to the Peacock tonight, at least, I hope?”
Kaveri and Tyrel would be there; Kieran would not, choosing to keep his presence a surprise for any intruder. Madoc and Mirren would also not be able to watch Lysandra dance and flirt with admirers, with Sanur only one day short of new. Hermia and Melanippe would be swapping back in tonight. Kaveri would feel much better if Narcissa could spend her time with trusted long-time friends who wouldn’t be carrying hidden knives or poison.
“Oh yes, absolutely. As though we’d miss a chance to watch our favourite Aithre-blessed dancer. And it will give us a chance to have some fun before we have to be all respectable. I expect our guests to have left by the the next night you two will be there, although if we don’t make it then assume the visit was extended.”
“I hope, for your sake, that it all wraps up quickly and cleanly, but you know that anything we can do, we will.”
Kallirhoe smiled. “That goes both ways.” She swung around to plant her beaded sandals on the floor, and got up, but paused to lay a hand on Narcissa’s shoulder. “I’m not sure what you’ve gotten yourself into, but I’m quite sure there’s something you aren’t saying. I won’t pry. Just please don’t forget that we are absolutely behind you, no matter what, and you only have to ask for anything. No questions, no explanations. You two matter to us.”
Narcissa laid her hand over Kallirhoe’s. “I know,” she said softly. “And thank you. Everything is... a little complicated right now, but with any luck it will all settle down, and then I’ll try to tell you what I can.”
“Fair enough.” Kallirhoe leaned down to press a fleeting kiss to her cheek. “Be careful.” She straightened. “I should get back downstairs and check on whether my reckless artist is driving poor Enyo mad yet. I’ll see you tonight.”