Eye of the Ocean Book 3 Ji'jin Station

Eye of the Ocean – Book 3: Ji’Jin Station
the others in the Audience Hall to notice. A spreading buzz of talk ensued but was
followed by silence as people turned expectantly, many with mouths open, their
last words still on their lips.
“You should have done that earlier,” Lanasi said against his shoulder.
“You needn't hide in a whisper, nobody is paying us any mind.” Including his
personal guard already in attendance. They were reacting to their companions
who had just entered as escort to Ulanda and her party. Random sounding tic-tic
noises. Lanasi motioned to Bis'ti, a few words and the ti'Linn clacked orders that
had the rest instantly quiet.
Ulanda wore an Audience robe that matched the crystal beads in her hair. A bit
tidier than when he had seen her at the world-altar, the wispy strands had been
tucked in, the braiding on the ends redone. Sleep and food appeared to have
restored her, that and the humanity she wore like it was a virtue. He had
reviewed the Net records given Poss a'ltic by the Zimmer, and appreciated the
differences. Discipline had honed that Ulanda to a sharp knife-edge but this
woman... a lack of discipline hadn't kept her from being able to make decisions
last night.
He stepped forward away from the table and bowed. “Lady Priest, will you join
me?” He spoke in carefully rehearsed Hegemony and let that sink in for those
watching them. And then, relying on the translation sphere on his girdle for the
variation he needed, added, “And your tass'altin...”
A tug on her sleeve by the weaver and she bowed awkwardly in turn. “Mirwin
Kilsal of Ji'jinlini Temple, Ji'jin Station,” she murmured, glancing at the boy as
though not sure she had the right person. Dressed as formally but not as simply
as she was, his choices included makeup in a complex repeating pattern in black
against his pale skin. His oath braid was in the same pattern and prominently
displayed with the sleeve on that side tied back. And his heart as openly on
display, Ca'mit thought. When he moved to arrange the heavy beaded robe as his
Lady knelt, she brushed his hand away without thinking, then hesitated,
obviously unsure what to do, and then did nothing when Mirwin knelt, his eyes
carefully avoiding hers.
Lanasi covered the awkward moment by performing a welcome using the silent
version of High formal, adding only the name and that in Hegemony as he had
done. “Salin Ritsiniti.” The man nodded, his attention regained, he had been
watching Mirwin and looked as though he had been about to interfere.
Skittish rather than tired, Ca'mit thought. And different again than he had
appeared at their first meeting. A Salin? As much a Salin as the woman was a
Priest.
“May I present my wife, the Lady Alicia,” Ritsiniti said stiffly. Instead of the
Audience robe offered, the young woman had preferred one of her own. A heavy
shot-silk, frosted blue and white over a darker blue underrobe, the cool colors
Laurel Hickey www.2morrow.bc.ca