“That so-called son is of Kiseyl. None there acted for Vakayne.”
Gishna winced at Zaidra's clear irritation. That son she hated. Everyone knew it, but Joumina could be so tactless when pressed. Her irritation betrayed a growing lack of control over her house.
“If you thought us allies,” Zaidra said, still and stiff on her seat, “you would have thought to return to Kiseyl what is theirs. By right, by power.”
There it was. The ancient wound. Two cycles in the making and still raw. Still a problem.
“I could return it with the knight who wields it. What would you remark, then?”
The tension increased between them all. If the rumor was correct, Zaidra had three answers to the question, three perfect responses. A knight who could clearly wield the Kiseyl spear, commanded the Dark, for one of her precious daughters. Gishna stirred. Had she been their age, she might have risen to her feet and made plain Hosmyr's demand. The eldest Vakayne daughter was for Saugraen. She ground her teeth until her jaw ached.
“You have no say in who he consorts,” Zaidra said, as if pointing out a simple truth to a child.
Joumina's eyes flickered in the blue-light.
“He is now Lor'Vanarik,” Gishna said. “Interesting house name, isn't it, Zaidra?”
Her seer had no samples yet to make any link between Nothrin and Lor'Xaeltrin, a supposedly defunct house. Did Zaidra see the connection? Had she memorized the names of Isilayne's masters as a girl, as Gishna had? It was a learning exercise used by ancient diviners. Xaeltrin, too, was a prize beyond measure. Once the Valmasin returned, that defunct house could come out of the shadows. She thought of Julissa with that young man. She'd dominate him, certainly, but he'd be a force like Maunyn. The fact was she knew less and less about her consort as time went on.
Joumina glared at her for hinting at the secret. Did she really think no one had noticed the swirling embroidery of night steeds upon Nothrin's clothing? Could it just be a boy's fascination with a long-forgotten constellation? A name no one could utter openly since the Fifth Accord?
Gishna shook her head and turned away. Oh no, that name was a shooting star for those with the memory and the eyes to see. Joumina knew; that was certain. And she meant to do something with him. But what?
Zaidra settled down. Did Gishna's remark remind her that Zauhune had something of value within its domain?
“An interesting name, I'll grant you,” she said. “Still, it is out of your power, Joumina. I would have to approach the matron of that house. Interestingly, a servant of yours. Should a matron of a high house approach such a lowly priestess?”
Joumina lowered her gaze, her lips in a knowing smile. “I'd not come here to conduct a transaction of consortship, Zaidra, though your offer is intriguing. Which daughter, though? The first or second? Or the youngest? We can wait. The spear is still in his hands and will be while he wins. And I think we all here want him to continue winning.”
Zaidra offered no counter. The fire had turned to deep blue embers, consuming every scrap of wood. Only small traces of ash remained.
Gishna had to tread carefully. She couldn't anger Zaidra. She needed the eldest for Saugraen. The prospect of a union with Zauhune, or this new house named after a master of Isilayne and the lost founding house of Xaeltrin, still had to be kept in play. And then there was the land.
“And what of these lands in the south?” Gishna asked, her low, hoarse voice amplified by the enchanted fire. “How do you intend to manage them?” She made it sound like mere curiosity, a concerned neighbor only. “The north valley can be so harsh in comparison.”
Joumina seemed to welcome the change in discussion, and she seemed less wilting under Zaidra's glare.
“Indeed. The south will be a welcome change, though things are quite different there.”
“Your northern barbarians are not the kind to mate with,” Zaidra said.
“Are there any worth mating with?” Gishna offered, gently rescuing Joumina. Zaidra's words stung them all. It was common knowledge the other two high houses, Daushalan and Roturra, absorbed other peoples, dousing them with gray paints to make them look the part. Their houses swelled. Only Zaidra's house and its blood houses remained unsullied. Neither Zauhune nor Hosmyr could claim such purity, but at least they didn't fake it.
“I'm sure Hosmyr's knowledge and experience would help us increase yields on these lands. We could make an exchange?”
“If this is all you have, I must go.” Zaidra rose. It was no ploy.
Gishna raised her hand slightly, as if to draw her back to the fire, but Zaidra's knights fell in behind her.
Joumina shook her head. “Impossible, that woman. If I treated thus with my vassals, I'd have nothing at all.”
Gishna blinked, mouth slightly agape, her old woman face. It might just encourage the younger matron to spill her thoughts.
“I came to share, to strengthen this alliance. She can't let things go. Can't move on. This is a new age, after all.”
“Is it?” Gishna asked.
“Well, of course! My champion may summon the Dark, but what is more important is how the people cheer him on, how well they work now that they have hope. No one expects them to summon dark or wield spears. Let them have their piety. Let them pin their hopes and expectations on him. They make Zalkamas richer.”
“I see,” Gishna said softly, plaintively.
“What is it? Do you see things differently?”
Gishna shook her head. “I'd merely thought that there was more to this effort than getting new land. Though I assure you, Hosmyr is happy to aid in the soil's remediation. I understand Roturra's vassals treat the land like whipped chattel.”
“Well, of course, yes. That's right.”
“Your heiress will consort soon, I understand?” Gishna asked.
Joumina blinked once. “What of it?”
“I offer my congratulations and a blessing for favor.”
Joumina seemed lost, searching through what she thought might be a trap.
“I thank you,” she said.
Gishna left it at that. Joumina had a second unconsorted daughter, an unconsorted and aging first son, and Gishna had many matches at her disposal.
