Dalavarnet rose from the bed they'd shared the night before, wrapping a robe around his body. Eyes drawn to his, Addu-Nin-An, as she named herself the night before, shivered. Never before burned such desire for a man in her. Her soft mocha skin, black ringlet hair, still wet with the sweat torn from her by their pleasures. She disdained the robe he offered her.
"Among my peolpe, lovers do not hide in shame, we stand naked the morning after, in the window or on the balcony, for all to see." Her voice drew the stare of the filthy barbarian. He leered at her, grasping his own sex in offer. "Then again, my people behave better."
Dalavarnet laughed. "Here, only the whores stand naked in windows." Casting eyes across the street, he mumbled something, casting a gesture to the fool. "Few know the customs of your folk here. Despite it being closer to Dhibt than the ruins of the Old North Empire."
Screams and a battle cry now rang from the opposite window, pulling Dalavarnet's full smile into play, watching the barbarian attack at shadows animated briefly by his minor spell. Again she shrugged, leaning outwards to watch, but allowing the robe to be placed around her. "Useful thing, these magics you cast. Can you make the shadows he chases chide him for rudeness?"
Wrapping his arms around her, Dalavarnet chuckled softly. "Oh, I can, but silence is a better thing. If others hear nothing save his ravings, and the shadows behave once another enters the room, then more folks believe him mad, or inebriated."
Both grinned fiercely as the proprietor stormed that room, seeking the origin of the ruckus. "Ah, yes. I perceive your deviousness. My love, that is perfect." As the irate innkeeper screamed about the damages to the barbarian and his doxy, the hairy beast cast around, seeking the foes from moments before. "Shame we could not spirit in some cause to ensure his ouster."
"Ah, my Heavenly fish, that is easy. Smell alone tells me that one has such." Brandishing one of the Rahabian water pipes, stained dark with some substance the innkeeper began herding them out. "And now we get new neighbors tonight. No more barbarian louts."
Turning in his arms, her back resting on the railing, Addu-Nin-An frowned. "You know my name's meaning? You claimed no knowledge of my tongue."
The mage of shadows smiled at her. "No. I said I do not speak your tongue, at least not to converse. I have studied it. After much thinking, I remembered Nin as great lady, and An meaning heaven. Luck this morning had one of your city here, who recommended the Temoli, or Addu in your tongue, for breakfast."
Her gaze narrowed, now questioning his honesty more. "Really? Addu, or some special Addu."
"Zid-gu Gash-gi Su-su Ad-du with Lag Ga-har and Siha Gurud. Grayling battered with the dark beer-pea flour batter, seasoned with cheese, and chunk cheese and stuffed fruits, apples was all he could make, he apologizes." The look of surprise encouraged him to kiss her. Taking a moment, they held their forbidden tryst on the balcony, reckless of local mores and the laws in their own lands.
Upon breaking their clinch, she smiled broadly. "So, you have good taste in food, or at least know when to listen." Cocking her head, she surveyed him further. "You I might keep. The last few lovers were fools at the table. You have at least some manners, good taste, and.." glancing across the way, "a wicked sense of humor."
"Thank you, my lady. May I escort you to breakfast?" He indicated the table, still barren.
"And where is my promised feast?" The knock at the door spoke her answer. She laughed. "So many skills, even timing. My goodness, I must add you to my seraglio."
Escorting her to the door, he called out a command to enter. When the door swung open, the man and woman there, both with skin a bit darker than her own, wheeled in the meal cart, setting out trays with the foretold breakfast. The female looked up once, then cast her eyes downward, hissing something in the vulgar tongue to her companion. Both knelt swiftly, head to floor.
"Nin-mah! Forgive us. We meant not to see your holy form!" The man spoke softly, leaving
Dalavarnet to raise his eyebrow to his lover.
"Al-gub! Stand. We are not in Kvaeg, nor am I a great lady anymore." She looked aside, ashamed. "I fled the marriage to that assassin the Lugal wanted so badly. I will never marry a man who kills for pleasure." Indicating Dalavarnet, she let her shame at mating outside her people show, despite the joy he brought her. "Eneam anake!"
A glance from the woman showed a soft smile. "We too fled the holy city, nin-dingir! Those should not rule us. It is wrong, they way they command the bloodlines of the gods."
Tears in her eyes, she nodded. "I command you to be happy and fruitful, then. But reveal me not to those of the Giri Ugalu."
"A-agagisa!" The woman spoke softly.
"As you command, dumu-sal-lugal." The man stood. "As you like, Arindinlya."
They left the meal, moving out silently. After the door shut, Dalavarnet looked at her. "You are not a fish?"
Arindinlya laughed. "My nickname." Sitting softly, her eyes stayed on the door. "They will come, to make me marry that fool of a killer."
"I will confess, my love. I do speak your tongue." Holding up his hand to forestall her anger. "Many spells were given to your folk first, and their power lies in the words."
"Inim-ku. The pure words, those are what my folk alone speak." Her eyes looked worried.
"I will stand Ur-sag, if you desire. Even the wildest killers fear a mage." Dalavarnet tried to reassure her.
"This is no barbarian to frighten with shadows, but one who kills from the shadows himself. So arrogant he named himself Raish, headman, upon joining the Giri Ugalu."
The mage took a bite of the breaded fish, savoring the taste before answering. "The Allegiance of Blades is no stranger to me, nor do I fear them. They are men, like me."
Looking at her lover, Arindinlya shook her head. "This one revels in killing."
"I have read the holy canons of your folk. Those who kill in rage and pleasure have eternal foes. Ubara-tutu, he who saw life, and Si-muth, he who kills only in Justice." Motioning to her plate, he took another bite.
Lifting her fork, she poked the food. She knew the man and woman. They had served in the palace. No matter where she ran, she stood out or was found out. "They will speak of me to others. Word will reach the Ugalu."
"Let it." Her eyse rose to his. "Eat my love. Then we will seek out the local master of the Allegiance. They owe me favors." He winked. "Many favors."
The meal passed in mostly silence, punctured with some small talk of the food and day ahead. Not the deep talks the night before held.
"Addu-nin-An, where are you headed to next?" His words started the tears flowing. It was over, she knew.
"Somewhere else, find a place there is no Ugalu or any my kind." Turning to the window, she sought to hide her shame over thinking there would be more between them.
Silver knife tapping on the ceramic plate made her glance back to him. A smile toyed his lips. "I meant for today, but we can explore that thought too." Serious composure veiled his face, something she still wondered over. So somber, yet that boy inside sought something deeper than a night, though he'd promised nothing more before. "I seek to travel the shadow, as I told you. Perhaps we should ride together a while."
Blinking to clear her sorrow, she giggled. "Among my people, young couples riding together holds a rather naughty meaning."
"Mine as well. Perhaps we can ride beside one another while riding together?" Twisting his words to her tongue, she found it still a game of double meanings. That quirk around his mouth spoke he understood exactly what she was thinking.
"Perhaps. But I will not let you pay for every night's lodging along the way." Her pride rose up. She was her own woman, not some man's slave girl.
"Good. I cannot afford much more. My studies and research cost deeply." Meeting her eyes, he winked. "Perhaps we should seek employ with a caravan, take our three journeys as one trip."
Addu-Nin-An laughed. "Call my Drinya, shamu." The last bit shocked her, slipping out loosely. Her heart throbbed in her chest, would he know.
The somber look, but the eyes smiled. "My heart as well, just not my giblets, please. Kvaegan women have such a fierce reputation."
Drinya turned her head, softly batting her lashes, like the whores passed the day before. "We do? I must keep that up then." Again, her lip curled between her teeth. "They say the great merchant seeks replacements for barbarians who fear the shadows."
Pushing back his empty plate, right hand stroking chin stubble, his face aimed now at the ceiling above her. Outside, the angle of building shadows waltzed several hands distance, twisting darkness across the window from the watchtower adjacent the barbarian's inn. Drinya worried her words alienated him again.
"Money, adventure, riding together with you. Or, I could go alone to see the scaled lord." He shrugged, looking at her. "I know their senior overseer. Father and I do business and favors for his clan before the Jade Throne."
"What Jade Throne?" Drinya found it strange she did not know this term.
"The emperor of Ankhgor sits on a throne of jade." Dalavarnet stood slowly. a strange look on his face. "He owes me many personal favors as well. A haunting I helped him clear up."
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