What Is Judged Piracy In Likstalmitlof Is Lauded As Heroism In Ililesh Ashurin
As much as Onerid wanted to argue with Haderslant Rikelta's son, she did not want to do that at all. She, Takki, and Ibir returned down the picturesque palm road to Koshat Dreivis while Dirant sidled over to Keiminops Bodan-Tin with no subtlety whatever and accused him of excessive courtesy. “To see the discerning citizens of this tasteful country admiring my little drawing is most gratifying, even if I suspect you to be delaying to allow Eizesl Aishtin-Zol time to spread the news of your arrival before you appear yourself.”
“He deserves nothing less for taking care of the legs, feet, throat, and mouth his parents gave him for all these years. I haven't done better than that. The venerable authorities all say the duties of the powerful are burdens heaviest and sweetest both, but we've managed to slim them down to sometimes standing on a beach for a little while. Have you been in Drastlif long, Sajaitin? I'm not wrong about that part, I'm pretty sure.”
“Around half a month, and so I must ask about these things unlike Mr. Helsodenk. Now I must request as a favor from the powerful that you permit me to believe that you knew my profession because none but we have the skill to make this intricate field.”
Keiminops returned to the scoring field, nodding and hmphing as if analyzing it from the head to the belly. “'Intricate' is the word for it. 'Bewildering' is another.”
“The meaning of that word is unknown to me, Eizesl.”
“Good, because it would have been more honorable not to say it. Now let's say I might be able to accommodate you in ways more than a few.” Keiminops scratched his chin directly rather than his beard, and Dirant hoped it was not simply the resemblance of mannerisms to Adabans back home that was pushing him to like the man even as he conceded it probably was. “Favors always carry a cost, whether in fairy tales or politics. I want to be clear about that since we're foreigners to each other. Letting you in on a few points is within my means, but there are things I'd like to know myself.”
“An even exchange is most times a trap, and I must rely on the legendary generosity of the great families. What is it you want, stated in a broad way before either of us commits?” Dirant girded himself for the struggle with Fundamentals both Mercantile and Fundamental in order to defend Stadeskosken's secrets and his own ritual from the sly probing of this oligarch's nephew. If however Keiminops asked about the latest happenings in Koshat Dreivis or insight into the condottieri of Greater Enloffenkir, things which would not cost Dirant money, he would comply without hesitation.
Rather than any of that, after hesitating himself for a bit, Keiminops said, “I'd like to know as a prelude before the prologue, that means to start, in what terms, however you would like to put it in either free-flowing tongue of gossiping Drastlifar or patient Adaban, for of that a little I know and more of Heweks, you would describe your acquaintance with Deuani Delaosant's daughter.”
Oh. Too much mystery had made Dirant unwary regarding the usual matters of society, he realized, the common sort of thing he expected to come up in any conversation that went on long enough, or rather too long. The ideal, he had learned, was to drag the friend out of the establishment before it reached that point, but he and Keiminops had not yet reached that stage of familiarity. There was nothing to do but answer. Or not answer, but answering seemed safe, especially since he could do it in Adaban.
“I like a straightforward answer in these matters, and so it is this. We are employees of the same firm, though my presence at our Drastlif branch is temporary while hers is permanent. More significant in my opinion is that she is become a close friend of a friend of mine, that being the lady from Pavvu Omme Os whom I introduced as Millim Takki Atsa and whose sling made those marks you see yonder.”
When that response began, Keiminops held himself at attention like a student standing in line for inspection by the headmaster on the first day, but by the end he had regained the insouciance of the teacher all the boys wanted to become. “I wonder whether that is the best answer I have ever heard to a question of mine. I struggle to think of a better. You reminded me with your look just now of someone about to explain the brass has already been purchased and moved off the lot by another family. I feel double-blessed to have my expectation upturned.”
Clearly the two had different taste in similes, but Dirant nevertheless tried to be agreeable. Still, he suspected difficulties. “That look, if I did wear it, which I do not concede, owes its existence to my guess I will be asked in a moment to offer a service of a social nature I have already done for someone else, and the complexities confound me.”
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“Dismayed yet unsurprised is my mood,” said Keiminops, who indeed frowned in a calm manner. “Are you enrolled on a side?”
“I am unsure. You Drastlifars and your ways, and so.”
The frown disappeared as Keiminops adopted instead the same sort of expression his uncle bore when he thought he was about to navigate every obstacle between him and landing a popcorn deal. “Well, did you lie or tell the simple truth's more attractive parts only?”
“The latter.”
“This country isn't so far descended yet. We haven't forgotten Yunan or Vikin. You told the truth, that is all, and are free to do the same about me, or better yet, join my side. Have you seen how elaborate my shield is? The cruft of centuries, and don't let the relative simplicity of the Larstin-Megrafilt shield trick you into thinking that doesn't mean something. Don't shun my advice upcoming just because I want a certain result. Sajaitin, ask around, and the men of Drastlif will be of the same opinion, most of them. I've given Eizesl Aishtin-Zol enough time, so you can see my good judgment when it comes to social niceties.” Keiminops collected Helsodenk and proceeded to the family seat.
Dirant followed at a distance sufficient to allow the Bodan-Tin his glory, for a Ritualist might have adoration anywhere and need not diminish what others received. He pondered several subjects on the way, such as whether Keiminops himself had spread those rumors. Did that make sense? He had no idea. Aside from that, Dirant felt sorry for Loigwin Nein-Cadops-Bain but also unsure he ought to judge him the loser so quickly as that. These things took turns and turns, after all.
Then there was that matter of another guest, Helsodenk Nifkleskir, who had decided to come along for some reason, and Dirant suspected it might be one difficult to approve. Was it coincidence that put a disgraced embassy consultant in the same town as the daughter of a former ambassador? Keiminops had unquestionably decided on his sudden visit for that reason, but that Helsodenk followed behind him simply to pick up any gold that fell from his pockets, Dirant doubted.
Speaking of ambassadors, one recently fled the country amid a cloud of fear and historical appreciation, while others perhaps at that very moment were receiving their instructions from the heir to Noiswawau's throne and another person of exalted rank. Did Helsodenk know about the meeting? Had he attempted to assassinate a colleague, the dream of countless men and women? Might he be pursuing another colleague's daughter, the dream of rather fewer people, but not none? To Dirant, everything sounded plausible except for that last until he thought a little more, and then even that.
Koshat Dreivis welcomed the latest arrivals without condition or inhibition on the surface. Underneath, it also did. Dirant expected much more gossip than he heard. “The Eizesl's presence is neither expected nor unexpected,” Isarx Tomein told him, referring to Keiminops Bodan-Tin.
Isarx was the friend of the Stanops who restored Dirant to good health during the box-painting trial. They were friends already because of that, Dirant reasoned, and the other indicated his assent by allowing himself to be distracted from watching his children and those of the neighbors conduct a game according to indescribable rules. The only interest Isarx had in that proceeding was that nothing important broke, or if it did, determining who was to pay for it. “Whom he brings with him is no more a worry of ours than the fire wolves of the north or the searing swallows of the south. I won't speak of any young armigers who should have a saddle and gentle reins included in their costume except to say he is not one, Sajaitin.”
And Helsodenk Nifkleskir? “Is there some doubt about him?” Koshat Dreivis received little news of outside Drastlif but what the Stanops chose to relate at his teas and dinners, and the few who themselves traveled thought their townmates well served by learning little of such trivial affairs which were without practical significance as outsiders pretended to think important. After hearing Dirant's explanation, Isarx shrugged. “Is there a man who doesn't try what he can? Some are caught once, others again and again, and that is all the gap there is between the prosperous and the meager. The capital is burdened with boredom to treat that as a worthy subject.”
“Many prefer their seats of government to be so,” Dirant remarked. “And now, what is your opinion on romance?”
“I'll be against it when my daughters are older, Sajaitin, but today I remember it with fondness. But surely you aren't having any trouble.” Isarx grabbed Dirant's arm and gave it an encouraging shake.
“It is flattering for you to say so, though I know a handsomer man of higher station who is suffering the ancient despair.”
“Oho!”
“Even so. My question touches upon manners. May someone who passed on word of the virtues of one person so that they would reach a second person later praise a third in good conscience, knowing the first and third walk the same road of torment? In my country the matter is simple. We bring together the two as often as possible to mock them and wish them ill luck, and then we plead for their help when we ourselves are afflicted. Today I deal with Drastlifars however.”
“Sajaitin.” A grave expression settled over Isarx's features. “This can be a complicated situation. Did you tell any well-meant untruths on behalf of that first person?”
“I did not.”
The grave expression wandered off. “Then whatever you choose is correct.”
With another party confirming Keiminops's claim in much the same terms, Dirant judged the matter settled. He repaid the helpful father by keeping him company until the game ended and then parted, wondering no longer about the correctness of assisting Keiminops but rather about the efficacy. He doubted his praise meant much to Onerid, even laundered through Takki.