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.Iknow better than most what it means. Sei.Arman.my brother is engaged, and will bring his wife to our home.He s onlydelayed because of Mother, and then Vikis.But if he could have done so, he would havemarried before now.I m learning some Darshianese, and I d work hard.I know somethingabout pottery.I could be useful, she said earnestly. Please, can we stay? It s not up to me, child, though for my part, you d be welcome, of course. He turnedto Kei. Perhaps if they travel up to Ai-Albon, and then on to Darshek.Once there, they candecide what they want to do.Lord Meki would help them if they want to stay.You do needwainwrights. Vikis is a good one too, Reji said firmly. Even Ai-Albon could do with you wedon t have a wainwright of our own, we have to use the one in Ai-Tuek, and a pain in thearse that is too. Kei shook his head. It s going to look like a home for lost Prij up north.Yes, come,Vikis, and be welcome.Fedor will have a fit, he added wryly.Vikis translated for his wife and Kesa smiled. Thank you, Kei, she said inDarshianese. You re welcome, Kei said, repeating it in Prijian.Then he pointed at Armanaccusingly. You, this is all your damn fault! Arman grinned without bothering to conceal his amusement. Well, perhaps to beginwith.But you should stop being nice to stray Prij if you don t want us following youhome. Which made Kei smile, and Jena laugh.It was Arman s fault, he knew perfectly well.Somehow, he found it hard to feel guilty over the fact. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Darshek : 14~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Jena waited until the Ai-Vinri people had left the village, before making herannouncement.It had the same effect as dropping a dead hisk into a thurl s nest, and theresulting shouting match gave Kei a worse headache than the concussion had.Vikis wiselygot Kesa away and back into the house, but Reji and Arman stood their ground, waiting forGyek and the elders to finish their accusations that Kei was poaching their healer, thatthey d turned her against her clan, that he was trying to infiltrate Prij into their village bystealth.Angry at the shabby way Jena had been treated, Kei was happy to bellow back atthem, especially Aldik, who wasn t accepting responsibility for any of it.Then Arman and Reji got into the act, and Jena, then Gonji and what seemed like halfthe village.The only thing to be said for it was that no one threw a punch, but after an hourof this, Kei had had a gutful. Right, I m not listening to this urs shit any more, heannounced loudly. Arman, I m going for a walk. Me too, Jena said, glaring at her clan head and her former lover with equal disgust. Then I am too.See you, gentlemen, Reji said cheerfully.They left the square and ignored the angry looks of the clan as they walked down thestreet.Kei had to grip Arman s arm to balance himself, and his skull pounded furiously tothe point where the road in front of him danced up and down.The moment they were out ofthe line of sight of the square, Jena pulled him aside and placed her hands on Kei sforehead. Just relax, she said quietly.Kei felt the headache melt away. Oh, thank you, he said, kissing her cheek, feelingalmost light-headed with relief. Can we get out of here now, please? Come on, there s a nice walk if we head that way. Reji took her arm, Arman took Kei s and they walked about half a mile from thevillage where there was a small sandstone outcrop, and bushes growing where the raincollected from runoff. Blessed gods, she said, sighing. I m so sorry, Kei.None of thatwas deserved.Anyone would think they damn well owned me. Perhaps they re just very fond of you? Kei said, not entirely convinced himself.Neither was Jena, who shot him a dirty look. Oh yes, they re very affectionate.People change villages all the time.I don t know why they re making such a big thing of it.It s notlike they haven t got such a wonderful bargain in pretty little Mara, her big eyes and herfertile body. Fertile? Arman said. Why do you.oh. He touched her hand. I m sorry. I don t care.If Aldik wants to be a father again at forty-five, good luck to him.Hiswife was such a nice woman too, and his children are lovely as well.I think he s lost hismind, but it s none of my business. But she gave a little sob, and Reji pulled her into hisarms. I m sorry, she said in a muffled voice. I m trying not to care, but it hurts. Of course it does, Reji said gently, rocking her a little. I take it you haven t changed your mind about leaving, Kei asked. I wish I could go now, she said, pulling out her handkerchief and blowing her nose. I feel like I never knew these people at all. It s the war, Arman murmured
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