The Past The Fire #5
The meeting ended with agreement on the points that Bashasa needed it on and the envoys showing some evidence of being reassured, as much as any reassurance was possible now.
The Enalin messengers hadn’t commented but they were only here to take news and information back to the Tescai-lin and their forces in Enalin.
When the envoys left, Bashasa told the Prince-heirs about Renitl-arik.
He finished with, “This news Hiranan has brought us is very grave, and will change our timeline. But our attack on the fort will have the added benefit now of a distraction for Renitl-arik. We can hope it will give them time to…” Bashasa made a helpless gesture.
“Follow the damn plan before they all die,” Lahshar muttered.
Kai had expected the others to be more vocal, more upset.
Maybe even to try to advocate for changing the plan to go to Renitl-arik’s defense.
It would be hopeless, but that didn’t mean no one would suggest it.
But no one did. Even Dasara, who could usually be counted on to repeat things other people had already said.
Hiranan watched with an opaque expression, Vrim rubbed his face and looked away. The others were quiet, resigned.
Bashasa nodded. “It’s getting late, and I know you all have tasks. We will speak again together tomorrow.”
The Prince-heirs and their soldiers left, and Ziede followed Tahren out.
Kai stayed behind, busying himself with folding up the maps Bashasa kept on his person.
Someone had brought Bashasa a portable writing desk and he sat down on the floor with it in his lap, making his last notes.
Lahshar’s people had carried off all the stools, which was typical.
Outside the light was starting to fail, the room growing shadowy.
“Ah, it really is getting late.” Bashasa squinted at his lapdesk in annoyance.
“I only said that to get them to leave.”
Dusting off his hands, Kai glanced over at him. “Do you want me to get a lamp?”
“No, no, thank you, Kai. I’ll just finish this and go.” He bent to his work again. “I need to check over the camp.”
Kai sat down across from him, watching Bashasa finish a last line, then start fanning the ink to dry it.
The main room was quieter, as most people had left for duties or dinner.
The groups meeting there now were some of the civilians who helped manage the supply networks between the troops and the refuges for city dwellers and villagers who had fled their homes.
It seemed a good time to ask a possibly pointed question.
“I know why Lahshar hates me, but why does she hate you?”
Bashasa lifted his brows in mock surprise.
“Lahshar hates you?” At Kai’s expression, he sighed.
“She was passed over for much of her youth. Her martial skills were never up to the standards of the others. My sister, years younger than her, would win every time they were matched. Because of this, her family gave precedence to her brothers, and Lahshar fell behind in the accomplishments expected of Prince-heirs because her education was neglected. My and my sister’s educations were not neglected, and we were held up as examples to her of what she should strive for but it was always implied she would never attain.
” He shrugged. “I was also a very annoying person, when I was younger, I suppose.” He started to collect his papers, sorting which ones to stuff in his pockets and which to tuck inside the lapdesk.
Kai pretended to find this dubious. “Only when you were younger?”
“I learned the error of my ways, as some of us have.” Bashasa rolled up a document and used it to lightly bop Kai on the head. “It probably bothered her the most that I did nothing with my accomplishments except go to parties. And sit in the city assembly and occasionally nod off.”
“And that’s why you’re both still alive.
” From Bashasa’s wry expression, it was the correct guess.
Kai pushed to his feet, suppressing a groan.
The bruises from rolling around in the rocky streambed had healed almost immediately but Talamines’ body seemed to remember them too well.
He stretched, trying to get the muscles in his back to release.
“Karanis didn’t see you or Lahshar as threats. ”
Bashasa was looking up at him with a half smile. “In his defense, I didn’t see him as much of a threat either. Which is why the Hierarchs chose him.” He asked, honestly curious, “And do you hate Lahshar?”
“Not really.” Kai found himself smiling.
Lahshar was not the least hesitant to be rude to his face, she wasn’t afraid of him.
Which meant they could work together. “Not compared to the Hierarchs.” He held out a hand.
Bashasa took it and Kai hauled him to his feet. “She’s just a very annoying person.”
Bashasa swayed a little as if Kai had pulled him up too fast, and Kai steadied him.
From the doorway, Trenal said, “Prince-heir, the Enalin messengers want to meet with you.” She sounded a little incredulous. “They said a bird just brought a message?”
Bashasa huffed out a breath, as if irritated at the interruption, and stepped back. “Yes, I’ll come right away.”