Read Online Emissary by Fiona McIntosh - Free Book Online

It’s an impossible tongue, child! And we don’t need Galinsean.’
    ‘Since losing the Spur I would suggest that we do, Valide. He was the only person who spoke Galinsean fluently as I understand it. And although I know he was Percheron’s army head—and I’m merely a slave—it may be handy to have someone, other than the Zar, who understands the language. I must admit to you that I’ve actually been teaching myself the language for the past year. But I’d like to devote more time to it; perhaps a tutor can help with my accent?’ This last suggestion about a tutor was a lie. Ana needed no help with her accent but she’d far prefer to just keep working in language than show she had time for anything as tedious as sewing or dancing.
    The Valide gave a sound of surprise at the girl’s claim. ‘Taught yourself?’
    Ana nodded, embarrassed.
    ‘How?’
    ‘The library, Valide.’ Ana failed to mention that Pez had guided her in this, found all the right books and secretly aided her learning, even introduced her to a shy slave—an old man who had suffered the misfortune of being captured by slavers twice in his life. He was originally from the north, where Lazar’s great friend, Jumo, hailedfrom. Jumo had disappeared since Lazar’s death but he had known the slave in the library and had suggested him to Pez as a mentor for Ana’s learning of the tough language from the west. After his second capture by the Galinseans, the slave was sold to the aristocracy because of the man’s skill in painting portraits. The librarian had learned both the language of the streets and the higher language of the wealthy. Finally taking his chance to flee from slavery, he had risked an escape with a caravan across the Great Waste Desert in an effort to reach his homeland but had been captured by Percherese slavers and sold to the palace where he now worked in the library assembling a contemporary history of Percheron in pictures. He had taught Ana well.
    ‘And how well do you speak Galinsean now, Ana?’ Herezah asked, unable to hide her shock.
    Again Ana chose not to admit that she was fluent. ‘You are right, it is a difficult language,’ came the diplomatic reply.
    Herezah had to admit that talking with Ana felt like she was conversing with a peer. The girl still looked too young to have anything much in her head, save expensive gowns and glittering jewels, but it was obvious that all the perfectly normal traits of being young and female and spoiled were completely lost on this one. Even her manner of speaking was so mature. ‘Not even Boaz can master Galinsean and he has been studying it most of his life.’
    ‘I would like to try, Valide, if you’ll permit it.’
    ‘I’ll permit it, Ana, but I see no use in it. I’ll recommend to Salmeo that you be given tutoring but I would like you to learn Akresh as well, which is far more useful for visiting dignitaries and the like.’
    ‘I’m happy to do so.’
    ‘Good. So, we’ll both help each other—that is agreed. You have only days to get the girls prepared for their boating picnic. I will recommend the trip into the city to pick out some fabrics and some jewels for you. It’s time we started dressing you to show off your lovely figure and to present you as a potential Favourite for the Zar.’
    At this Ana’s eyes clouded again but she maintained her eager expression. It was obvious to Herezah that all mentions of bedding the Zar were causing fear for Ana but, like most things, after the first time it all got easier. Ana would survive as every fearful odalisque down the centuries had. ‘I shall start helping to plan the picnic festivities now, Valide.’
    ‘Excellent. And I’ll inform Salmeo of our bargain.’
    Ana excused herself and in her hurry to depart missed the sly smile of the Valide, well pleased with how adroitly she had manipulated the young woman. Herezah reached for her bell to summon a runner. Salmeo must hear that their plan was now in play.

5
    Pez