Read Online Hienama by Storm Constantine - Free Book Online Page A

damage him too much. I hoped he could find a
companion in Arken, somehar to care for. Hara called them over to
our group, and Zehn had little choice but to comply, even though I
was aware he hated being near me, especially when Ysobi was there.
I didn’t want to make his evening miserable, and in fact was
feeling quite tender towards him, mainly because of the vileness of
Gesaril. At one point, we were sitting close to one another. I
smiled at him and leaned towards him to say, ‘Arken’s lovely, Zehn.
You look good together.’
    He smiled back thinly. ‘How are
you?’
    ‘Fine. Have you met Ysobi’s new
student?’
    He shook his head.
    ‘I’m tempted to ask you to do
your stuff on him. He’s a monster.’
    Zehn laughed a little. ‘When I
said I’d always help you out, I didn’t think you’d expect my
services to extend that far.’
    ‘I’m joking. I wouldn’t wish
him on anyhar.’
    Gesaril had stopped by our
table several times during the evening, clearly to display himself
to Ysobi, who I’m glad to say didn’t react. The next time he came
by, he spotted Zehn, who in the beauty contest stakes could give
the little horror a run for his money. ‘You must be Zehn,’ he said.
‘I’ve heard about you.’
    Zehn gave him a cold eye. ‘Who
are you?’
    ‘Hasn’t Yzzi’s chesnari told
you?’ I had no doubt he remembered my name, just chose not to use
it.
    Zehn merely shook his head. He
turned to me. ‘I’m going to the bar. You want a drink, Jass?’
    ‘Please. I’m trying to be good
and not have too much.’ I didn’t want to say more.
    ‘I understand. I’ll get you
something not too toxic.’ Zehn stood up.
    ‘I’m Gesaril,’ the horror said,
in a tone that implied he thought Zehn must surely know who he
was.
    ‘Congratulations,’ Zehn said.
He brushed past Gesaril. ‘Excuse me.’
    Gesaril was left standing there
before me. I smiled sweetly, then looked the other way.
    Of course, the only thing that
this scenario amounted to was a declaration of war.
    It didn’t take long for Gesaril
to change his tactics, although he didn’t put them into play until
after the new student turned up. This was Orphie, a shy and fairly
withdrawn young har, who was second generation as Gesaril was. I
took a liking to Orphie straight away, perhaps for obvious reasons.
In retrospect, I can see that I’d begun to burgeon with nurturing
instincts, but Orphie was also such a welcome change from the other
one. I asked Ysobi if he’d mind me asking Orphie to come and eat
with us sometimes, and he said he had no objection. He’d become a
lot more open, since me.
    The first time Orphie came to
my house, he could barely speak to me. He was a small, fragile
creature, with soft light brown hair, a pointed elfin face and
enormous doe-like dark eyes. It was hard to credit he’d been
through feybraiha a year before. I tried to make him feel at ease,
and got him to help me prepare the meal. When it was ready to eat,
Ysobi hadn’t arrived yet. It was not like him to be late. I opened
some wine, and poured Orphie and me a glass each. The dinner was
being kept warm on the stove. If Ysobi didn’t come soon, it would
spoil.
    The atmosphere became ever more
strained, until I said, ‘Well, perhaps we should just eat.’
    Orphie agreed at once; no doubt
grateful the consumption of food mitigated the need for
conversation.
    We were halfway through the
meal when Ysobi finally appeared. I didn’t like the look of him. He
was agitated. Without questioning him, I fetched his dinner. He
played with it for a while. Eventually, even though Orphie was
there, I had to ask: ‘Is everything OK, Yz?’
    He frowned. ‘Yes. I’ll talk to
you later.’
    Perhaps sensing his presence
was awkward, Orphie fled almost as soon as we’d finished eating,
which effectively ruined my plans of warm conversation to help him
relax into Jesith’s way of life.
    Ysobi took the dishes into the
kitchen, and after a while I followed him.
    ‘It’s