“What’s your favourite colour?”

Meleng jolted up. He’d just laid his head down for a moment, and had started to doze off. Maybe he’d even fallen asleep. Had he missed anything Sinitïa had been saying?

She was standing by the window in his room, looking out it and not at him.

“Uh, colour?”

“Yeah. What’s your favourite?”

Meleng hesitated a moment. “I’m not really sure. I’ve never really thought about it.”

She looked at him with a frown. “That’s what most of my family says, too. Except Gabriella. She says hers is red. Nobody ever pays attention to colours.”

Meleng rubbed a crick in his neck. “What’s yours?”

“Periwinkle.”

“I’ve never heard of that.”

She stared at him. “Really?”

He nodded. “Really. I have no idea what that is.”

She giggled and sat on the mattress beside him. “But you know everything!”

“No, I don’t. You just think I do.”

She grinned. “You mean I found something I know that you don’t?”

“There are probably lots of things you know that I don’t.”

She beamed.

“So what is it?”

“It’s like a mix of blue and violet. I could get my paints and mix some periwinkle to show you.”

He shook his head. “That’s okay. I don’t want you to waste them.”

“Most of my family probably doesn’t know what periwinkle is either.”

“I hope you’re not grouping me with them.”

She grinned and shook her head. “Never. What’s your family like? You’ve never told me.”

“You’ve never asked.”

“So tell me.”

He thought a moment and shrugged. “I don’t really know a lot about them. My father arranged my apprenticeship when I was really young. I don’t remember a lot before that.”

“Do you have any brothers and sisters?”

“Not that I know of, but it’s possible some were born after I left. I rarely heard from my family after I started my apprenticeship. I got a couple messages the first few years. Then they stopped.”

Sinitïa frowned. “Why didn’t you go see them when you finished?”

“I tried, but then I met Jorvan and we got caught up with Corvinian and Felitïa.”

“Maybe you can go later. I can go with you if you want.”

He smiled at her. “Maybe.” He didn’t tell her he had no idea where his family was. He was lost when he met Jorvan, searching aimlessly. And given that he hadn’t heard anything from them in nearly a decade, they either didn’t want to see him or were dead. He wasn’t sure which one he preferred.

Sinitïa’s frown deepened. “I’ve made you sad, haven’t I?” She put her arms over his shoulders and pulled him closer for a hug. “I’m sorry.”

“It’s all right.”

There was a knock at the door.

Meleng pulled back from Sinitïa. “Yes?”

The door swung open and Jeanne bounded into the room at the heels of Captain Gen. Miana Ting followed them. “Hope we’re not interrupting anything private.” Gen winked at Meleng and Sinitïa.

Sinitïa reached forward with open arms as Jeanne bounded into them.

“We were just talking,” Meleng said.

“Excellent,” Gen said.

Sinitïa pulled Jeanne over to the mattress and ruffled the dog’s hair. Meleng wasn’t sure he liked the idea of the dog on his bed. Her paws could have been everywhere and her fur still glistened from melting snow. Sinitïa noticed him looking at her, and turned Jeanne’s head to look straight at him. “You never pet her.”

“Oh, uh…”

The dog stared at him a moment, a few tufts of hair hanging over her wide eyes. Then she struggled against Sinitïa’s hold, and Sinitïa fell onto her back with the dog on top of her.

Gen removed his scarves and gloves, and sat on the bench in the room with a sigh. “I’m starting to worry Jeanne likes her more than me.”

Sinitïa giggled.

“So tell me, lad, how are the two of you managing?”

“Well…” Meleng shifted positions to avoid Sinitïa’s squirming. “We’re doing okay, I guess. We’re still waiting—”

“Splendid!” Gen clapped his hands together. “I wanted to let you know that Miana and I will be negotiating with the Lamdritta soon over the sale of our goods. This usually takes a couple of days and we won’t be available much in that time. If something urgent comes up in that time, you can get a message to us through my number two. He’ll be overseeing the rest of the crew. For the most part, they don’t leave the other lodges. They like the warmth and other comforts there.”

“He means the drink,” Ting said.

Gen chuckled. “The Isyar make an interesting drink called hpaks. It’s basically just the juice of those vine-like hpakrik plants. However, when fermented, it makes a very potent alcohol. The Isyar always provide my crew a generous supply. I sometimes think they do it to stop too much of my crew from overrunning their town.”

Ting rolled their eyes. “That’s exactly why they do it. I should have thought that was obvious.”

Gen sighed. “I was trying to make the Isyar sound as generous as possible. At any rate, I just thought you should know why we might not be around much over the next couple of days.”

“Thank you for letting us know.” Meleng stood up, as Sinitïa’s squirming with the dog was getting a bit much. “If you’re meeting with the Lamdritta, do you think that means they’re finished deliberating Sinitïa’s case? And Jorvan’s?”

Gen shrugged. “Honestly couldn’t say.”

“It’s just we’re not really sure what we can do while we wait. We don’t know how safe it is for Sinitïa to wander around, and we’ve seen so little of Jorvan since we got here.”

Gen shook his head sadly. “I wish I could help. The Isyar can be hard to predict sometimes. I’m so sorry I didn’t warn you about Itra. My mother often complained that I overlooked the obvious. It seems she had reason.”

“It’s not your fault,” Sinitïa said, still rolling about with the dog.

“Maybe not all the blame, but some is certainly mine to bear. I—”

There was another knock at the door.

“Come in.” Meleng wasn’t sure there was room for too many more people in his little room, but hopefully it was Jorvan.

It was, and Fevionawishtensen and Chiansamorkin followed him in.

Sinitïa sat up. “Jorvan!” She pulled Jeanne onto her lap. “I mean Jorvanultumn, sorry.”

Jorvan smiled. “It is all right, Sinitïa. The people here will not be offended if you shorten my name.” He approached Meleng and hugged him. “I am sorry I have been so unavailable. My own business has occupied my mind.”

“It’s all right,” Meleng said. “Is there any news.”

Jorvan sighed. “Only a little. The Lamdritta has not yet made any decisions, but Paydamat assures me that Sinitïa has nothing to worry about.”

Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.

“Paydamat,” Sinitïa grumbled. “I don’t trust her.”

“Then trust me,” Chiansamorkin said. “I think Paydamat’s right.”

Sinitïa scowled. “Okay.”

“I understand your dislike of her, Sinitïa,” Jorvan said. “I, too, had an unfortunate encounter with her.” He looked at Meleng. “I am sorry you had to endure yours. However, I do believe her in this.”

Fevionawishtensen began to motion with her hands, pointing at Jorvan and at her mouth amid other sweeps of her arms and wagging of her fingers. It took Meleng a moment to realise that she was using some sort of sign language.

Jorvan looked contrite and said something to her in Isyarian.

Chiansamorkin smirked. “She’s scolding him for not translating for her.”

Sinitïa peered closer at Fevionawishtensen. “Is she talking with her hands?”

Chiansamorkin nodded.

“Why?”

Jorvan turned back to her. “Fevionawishtensen was born mute.”

Sinitïa frowned.

Meleng leaned closer to her and whispered. “It means she can’t talk.”

Sinitïa grinned. “That’s why she never said anything when I was talking to her the other day.”

“That and she doesn’t know your language,” Chiansamorkin said.

Fevionawishtensen motioned again, and Jorvan translated the last few statements. Sinitïa watched closely. Meleng smiled. There was no way she would understand, but he loved how she tried, how much she wanted to understand things.

“It’s like drawing little pictures! My father says a picture is worth a thousand words. I agree. I try to tell Annai that my paintings tell stories, but she won’t listen to me. She thinks they’re dumb. Now I can let her know you can talk with pictures.”

Jorvan translated Sinitïa’s words, and Fevionawishtensen signed something else.

Sinitïa nodded eagerly. “She agrees with me!”

“You could understand that?” Chiansamorkin said.

“Not exactly, but I could tell a bit from her expression and the nod of her head. I want to learn how to do that. I bet it’s easier than learning all those dumb spoken languages.”

Meleng found himself grinning. Maybe he had underestimated Sinitïa’s abilities. She was definitely a visual person. Perhaps something like this would be naturally easier for her.

After Jorvan translated again, Fevionawishtensen signed some more. Sinitïa watched, scrunching her nose and squinting her eyes. After a moment, Sinitïa said, “This one’s harder.”

“She says she is willing to teach you if you want,” Jorvan said.

Sinitïa’s eyes widened and she nodded eagerly.

Fevionawishtensen signed some more, and Sinitïa rushed forward and hugged her. Fevionawishtensen stumbled back a moment, but then returned the hug.

“I hate to interrupt,” Jorvan said, “but I am afraid I cannot stay right now. I have to see my diare, but I would like to invite you both…” He paused, and looked at Gen and Ting. “And the two of you as well, to dinner at my family’s home.”

“That is very generous of you, Jorvanultumn,” Gen said. “In the many times I have been to Isyaria, no one has ever invited me for dinner.”

“It is not an Isyar custom,” Jorvan said, “and my diare and Mikranasta do not yet know that I am extending this invitation, but I am certain they will honour it. Once I have made arrangements with them, I will let you know.”

“Sounds good,” Gen said.

Jorvan touched Meleng’s arm. “I will see you soon. I promise.”

Meleng nodded. “Do what you need to do.”

Jorvan turned to Fevionawishtensen, and they touched their foreheads and the tips of their wings together. After a moment, they separated. Jorvan nodded to everyone else, then walked out the door.

Gen clapped his hands together. “I must say, I’m excited. I’ve not had the opportunity to experience much Isyar cuisine. I wonder what we should expect.”

Chiansamorkin smirked. “I’m sure whatever Jorvanultumn’s family serves, you will enjoy, Captain Etiënne Gen. However, if you don’t mind, I would like to talk to Sinitïa and Meleng alone. I hope I don’t offend.”

“Not all. Miana and I have some work to attend to anyway. Have to check to make sure none of the sheep have frozen.” He jumped to his feet with a laugh, and strode to the door. “Come on, Miana, let’s leave them be. Jeanne!” He pushed the door open and the dog leapt from Sinitïa’s lap and darted into the hall. Gen grinned. “At least she still listens to me.” The he followed the dog out.

Miana Ting nodded to Meleng and Sinitïa, then to Chiansamorkin and Fevionawishtensen. “A good day to you all.” They followed after Gen.

Chiansamorkin smiled at Sinitïa. “Sinitïa, I want to talk to you about your magical talent.”

“Oh.” Sinitïa hunched over and averted her eyes from the Isyar. “Okay.”

Chiansamorkin knelt beside her. “It’s all right. I know you haven’t been trained. Paydamat doesn’t know that I know, and you probably shouldn’t tell her, but I do know.”

Sinitïa raised her head slightly. “It’s not my fault.”

“Of course it’s not, and Paydamat was wrong to imply it was anyone’s.” Chiansamorkin glanced back at Meleng as she said the last words.

Sinitïa lowered her head again. “She scared Meleng.”

Chiansamorkin spread her wings a little and shifted around to sit beside Sinitïa. “She should not have done that.”

Sinitïa just nodded.

“Have you thought about what you might do to get training?”

Sinitïa shrugged. “I asked Meleng, but he said I wouldn’t be good at his kind of magic.” She glanced briefly at him, then returned her gaze to the floor.

Meleng held back a groan. He wished he knew a way to explain why to her without making her feel stupid.

“You wouldn’t want to learn enchantment anyway,” Chiansamorkin said. “It’s Griholbovroh’s discipline and you don’t want to become a grumpy old ass like him, do you?”

Sinitïa snickered and shook her head, then looked at Chiansamorkin with a grin. “You don’t think Meleng will end up like that, do you?”

Chiansamorkin shrugged. “Maybe, but it’s also Fevionawishtensen’s discipline. Maybe he’ll end up like her.”

Sinitïa looked over at Fevionawishtensen. “Does she know what we’re talking about?”

“She doesn’t know the exact words, obviously, as she doesn’t know your language, but I told her in advance I was going to talk to you about this. She also knows you’re not trained.” Chiansamorkin turned towards Fevionawishtensen and said a few words in Isyarian.

Fevionawishtensen smiled. She tapped her chest and then her forehead.

“Thoughts on what she said?” Chiansamorkin said to Sinitïa.

Sinitïa scrunched her nose. “Something like, I...and her head, um...maybe think or know. Know! She said, I know!”

“You’re good!” Chiansamorkin said.

Meleng smiled. That one was perhaps obvious, but he was glad to see how quickly Sinitïa was picking up the signs.

“At any rate,” Chiansamorkin went on, “I think you’ll be much more suited to conjuration.”

Sinitïa shrugged. “If you say so.”

“Jorvan and I were thinking the same thing,” Meleng said.

“Sinitïa, you know Isyar are forbidden from teaching non-Isyar, yes?”

Sinitïa nodded sullenly. “I know.”

“I’ll help her find a teacher as soon as we get back to Arnor,” Meleng said. “I promise.”

Chiansamorkin glanced back at him. “That may not be necessary.” She turned to Sinitïa again. “I ask that to make certain you understand why you must not tell anyone outside of this room what I’m about to offer. Not even Jorvanultumn. Not yet.” She turned again to look at Meleng. “I need your word as well as hers.”

“Uh…” What was she getting at? She wasn’t about to offer to teach Sinitïa, was she? “Yeah, sure, You...you have my word.”

“Sinitïa?”

Sinitïa looked over Chiansamorkin’s shoulder at Meleng and smiled at him. “If Meleng gives you his word, then I do too.”

“Then I offer to teach you, Sinitïa.”

Sinitïa’s eyes widened and she blinked several times. “Really?”

Chiansamorkin nodded.

“But you’re not allowed,” Sinitïa said.

“No, I’m not, which is why you can’t tell anyone.”

“But surely someone would notice eventually,” Meleng said.

“Yes, they would.” Chiansamorkin stood up and turned so she could face both Meleng and Felitïa at the same time. “That’s why the teaching won’t happen here. When you leave, I’ll go with you and start the training once we’re outside Isyaria. If Sinitïa will have me, that is.”

Sinitïa looked expectantly at Meleng. “Should I?”

“It’s your choice,” Meleng answered. “But why are you offering this?”

Chiansamorkin sighed wistfully. “I don’t know how much either of you knows of our customs regarding this, but I’m thirty-five years old. That is still young in so many ways. I’ve accomplished a lot, more than most. I am the youngest ever to hold my position. But to me, power is worth nothing if I cannot pass it on. I have no fomase, and at my age, it will almost certainly never happen. I will never bear a siare, a child to raise and teach in my discipline. Our laws will not allow me to pass on what I’ve learned to anyone else, and I can’t stand that. So fuck our laws! I’ll pass on my knowledge anyway. You will be like my siare, Sinitïa. What do you say?”

Sinitïa leapt to her feet with a squeal. “Yes!” She threw her arms around Chiansamorkin and hugged her tightly.

Chiansamorkin grunted. “Careful of my wings.”

Sinitïa let go. “Sorry.” She rushed over to Meleng and threw her arms around him, hugging and spinning him.

Until this moment, Meleng had never really imagined Sinitïa casting spells, but now images of her calling waves of water and balls of fire into existence filled his head. He had not seen a lot of conjuration magic actually cast in his presence, so he suspected his mental images weren’t entirely accurate and he was excited to see the reality. He was also starting to feel dizzy, but that was fine. He was happy for her, so he held on just as tight and spun with her.