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'His men are fortifying their positions on the islets of the Serpents' Teeth.' Suis fixed his gaze on a knothole somewhere behind Kheda's head. 'Building defences that face in all directions, in case the invaders might somehow outflank them, so Chazen Saril claims. Redigal Coron is said to have rebuked him for lack of faith in the Daish domain's ships but Chazen Saril says he fears magical treachery carrying enemy forces into their midst.' The shipmaster paused. 'He is said to argue this possibility makes launching a strike south foolhardy at best.'
Kheda frowned. 'What does he mean by that?'
Suis's reply was precise and neutral. 'Some of those Chazen men holding the Serpents' Teeth against the invaders have been given leave to visit families sheltered in the Daish domain. It is said that they are doing their best to beget children.'
Kheda looked suspiciously at the mariner. 'Men in fear of their lives commonly feel an urgency to plant their seed for a new generation.'
'It is commonly believed hereabouts that Chazen Saril is encouraging his men to give their wives a stake in the Daish domain, by virtue of a child nourished and born within its bounds.'
There was a definite edge to Suis's words that grated on Kheda's ear.
You don't like that, do you? Shek Kul assured me you'd ask no questions and offer no opinions and you've been as unreadable as a blank page, just as he promised, but you don't like that. There's something more, isn't there, if I can ask the right question, to get you to tell me. What wouldn't I give for Atoun at my side, or Telouet, giving me straightforward reports and offering blunt advice?
'The Daish islanders don't believe Chazen Saril will sail south to reclaim his own lands, do they?'
The movement of Suis's broad shoulders might have been the suggestion of a shrug. 'Few here have a favourable opinion of his courage or battle hardiness. He is certainly not spending any great deal of time with his own people and there are few signs that he is making ready to sail south. '
Kheda held his temper in check with some effort.
It's not fair to blame Suis for the time it took to make the voyage. The days at sea might have seemed endless to you but this trireme made this passage faster than you had any right to expect. These oarsmen don't know who you are or what your concerns may be and have never so much as hinted at a question but they've rowed ceaselessly against the full force of the worst of the rainy season weather without complaint. The sail master and his crew haven't so much as uncoiled their ropes, the winds have been so contrary.
Suis stood, patient, expressionless. Silence echoed loudly in the confined cabin.
'Where is Chazen Saril spending his time and what is he doing with it?' Kheda asked brusquely.
'He is presently a guest in the Daish household.' Suis's gaze flickered to Kheda's face before fixing on the stern planks again. 'In the dry-season residence, that is.'
'At whose invitation?' snapped Kheda.
'It is said he is spending a great deal of time with Sain Daish, consoling her over her widowhood and soothing her fears for the fate of her new son,' said Suis carefully. 'She has not travelled with the other wives to their rainy-season residence to the north.'
'Why not?' Kheda was taken aback.
'She gave the domain a son on the very night the rains broke.' Suis looked steadfastedly over Kheda's head. 'Apparently the child is too young to make the journey.'
'Such concerns outweigh the possibility of attack from the south?' Kheda shook his head suspiciously. Inwardly, he exulted.
A son for Sain and such a favourable omen, for the waters of birth to coincide with the rains.
'Daish Sirket has also stayed at the dry-season residence,' volunteered Suis unexpectedly. 'In case any invasion should appear on the horizon and doubtless for other reasons, so the word runs along the shore.
'To protect Sain Daish?' Kheda wondered.
Or to keep an eye on Chazen Saril?
'The word on the wind says Chazen Saril now neglects Itrac Chazen in Sain Daish's favour.' Suis let slip a speculative glance at Kheda. 'Though Itrac Chazen is not said to mind since she is much admired by Daish Sirket.
Wagers are being made over Itrac Chazen quickening with Daish blood.'
Not if Ja
It took considerable effort for Kheda not to say this out loud.
'Is there any word at all of this visitor we're expecting?' he snapped abruptly.
'Not as yet.' Suis looked properly at Kheda for the first time. 'It can't be much longer. May I return to my duties?'
Would you stay, if I said you couldn't return to your deck? No, of course you wouldn't. I have no rank aboard this vessel, not even a name.
'Naturally.' Kheda inclined his head stiffly.
Suis left the tiny cabin without so much as a bow, leaving Kheda to the endless questions that had tormented him throughout this interminable voyage south.
Just what did Shek Kul tell you, trusted shipmaster? Not that you'll tell me even if I ask. There are so many questions I can't ask.
What is Sain thinking of naming her baby, our baby, my new son? Is she recovered from the delivery? Is the child healthy, unblemished? What omens were read at his birth? Did Sirket remember to do all that was needful?
What is Sain thinking of, entertaining Chazen Saril? Is Hanyad warning him off with those dour looks and obstructive excuses he's so good at? What is Sirket thinking of, dallying with Itrac Chazen?
What were Ja
What is Chazen Saril thinking? If Sirket begets a child on Itrac, she's still married to Chazen. Her first child will be the new heir to the Chazen domain. Is this what Sanl wants? If he sires that child, there could well be whispers about a taint of magic clinging to him. Sirket is demonstrably untouched by any enchantment.
Would Saril be thinking so far ahead? He's never shown that kind of prescience before. He's not even looking ahead to the dry season, to sailing south to reclaim his domain.
Or is he thinking ahead? Is he thinking of something else entirely? Could he be looking to take over the southernmost Daish islands? Surely not. Sirket would fight him, with the backing of Redigal and Ritsem both.
But what if Sirket died, at a wild man's hand or from some pestilence? What if Sain, in her grief, her new Daish son fatherless, turned to wed Chazen Sanl, whose remaining wife was also carrying a child of Daish blood? He would have a claim to rule, as defender of children of the last two warlords so tragically slam, in such ominous circumstances.
Ja
What are you thinking of? You're weaving frustrated fantasies out of unfounded suspicion because you've been shut up in this cursed cabin ever since we reached Endit waters.