Eye of the Ocean Book 3 Ji'jin Station

Eye of the Ocean – Book 3: Ji’Jin Station
She pushed him away and the old medic let her go, squatting carelessly within
reach while she struggled. He must be very sure of the relationship between
them. Tu'pin should have been the one with her. And there was no senior sisterwife.
Would Kori do? “Are you sure you want any Zimmer that I have a hand in?”
Her laugh showed her weakness. Had he really thought she had that kind of
control over what was happening? Or did his faith give him that belief?
The old man made a sasi sign with his fingers as a Speaker might in prayer
and held the motion. But not to her. “The Overpriest requires that both of you
attend him,” Kori said in High formal. From the far end of the terrace came the
sound of hooves striking flagstones.
Oimit bit back a hiss as she got to her feet, swaying. “Tu'pin?”
“All of us.”
A white horse, like the lemon flowers were white. A moving glow against the
night sky and the faint silver of the river. Bringing music with it, a jingling sound.
Stars were captured in the long white hair as the mare shook her head, nostrils
flaring. Not stars: bells.
“Where?”
“Alisim world-altar.”
“By horse?” She looked at Awillykh, then back to Kori. “I agree,” she said.
At her touch, the mare shivered but didn't move away. Mirwin held her bridle
tightly as he murmured soothing words. He gave a nod and she mounted without
help, took the reins and let the animal dance away from the pool of blood. Bells
were tied to the long gray and white hair of the mane.
“Under what other conditions are we to attend to him?” she asked Kori. Silver
bells, she tasted the metal on her fingers. Silver and horse.
“Must there be any?” More horses were being brought forward from the
stables. “Commander, you can check the orders on the Net, if you wish.”
Should I care, she almost said. “I'd hear nothing useful on the level allowed
me,” she did say. The wassilk was almost gone; she had her balance again.
Riding felt strange with the animal alive under her. Awillykh mounted his bay with
what looked like an old skill. He was still paying more attention to Kori than to
her but at least his hands were busy with reins and not prayers.
And then with Litti when one of their borrowed servants led the child out by
the hand. She looked half asleep and as the woman lifted her up to ride in front
of the medic, Oimit caught the scent of the drug. Awillykh hummed a lullaby and
the girl's eyes closed, her head resting back against his chest.
A loud banging made the mare sidestep. A brief echo and a change in the
movement of air. Heavy doors at the near end lead to the main courtyard, sealed
since their coming here. The scent of the city and a distant roaring noise that
wasn't the river.
“Is there trouble?” she asked.
Laurel Hickey www.2morrow.bc.ca