Read Online Path of Fate by Diana Pharaoh Francis - Free Book Online
Authors: Diana Pharaoh Francis
Ads: Link
stepped back, giving Saljane plenty of room to land if she so chose.
She did.
Reisil bit back a protest, her momentary relief evaporating like morning mist as Saljane lunged off the beam. The goshawk clutched the wooden crossbar, talons gouging into the oak as her tail flared for balance.
Kek-kek-kek-kek.
Saljane swiveled her head, gazing unblinkingly at the hushed crowd. Reisil held her breath, her heart stopping as those fierce eyes skimmed over the room.
Reisil almost sobbed with relief when Saljane turned to the feeding tray, snatching hungrily at the meat and bolting it down in choking gobs. A wave of muted clapping swept the room and then the murmurings of excited conversations.
“Upsakes, Sodur—can you say, has she come here for one of us?”
Sodur eyed the voracious goshawk with a crooked grin. “Undoubtedly. She’s been traveling a long way and not bothering to eat. I would guess she was in a hurry, and now is not. Whoever she’s looking for must be here.”
Upsakes nodded agreement. “I expect her ahaladkaaslane is very close by.” Reisil stumbled as he thrust past her to view the feeding goshawk more closely. “It won’t be long before Kallas gives Kodu Riik a new ahalad-kaaslane . Three in just this year. The Lady smiles on you all!”
“It is a sign,” Varitsema pronounced suddenly. He stood back on a bench so all could see him. He spread his thin arms, hands lifted high, his long robes billowing. A broad smile lit his pale, hatchet face. “Can it be a coincidence? The Lady has sent this goshawk to bless this treaty between Kodu Riik and Patverseme. She wishes us to welcome the Dure Vadonis into our walls. We cannot disappoint Her, not after such a token!”
A rumbling murmur and scattered clapping met his shouted last words. Varitsema nodded, pleased. Now, instead of feeling coerced into welcoming the Patverseme delegation, Kallas would be convinced that is was a celebration of the Lady’s favor. Blessed Amiya indeed.
Reisil took advantage of the moment to escape, easing her way through the thicket of townspeople. There was nothing else for her to do here and she didn’t want to give Saljane the opportunity to notice her again.
But first she had a gift for Raim—all the repayment he would take for the meals he had given her over these last months.
She stood on tiptoe, searching for the kohv-house proprietor. She caught sight of him across the room, propped against the kitchen doorway, intent upon the commotion. Reisil grimaced.
It would be easier to go out under the arches and return through the kitchen. But jealous of his domain, Raim allowed no one nonessential to its workings within the inner sanctums of his kitchen. Only Roheline, his wife, did he allow within, and then with strict dictums against touching or interfering. The potboys and scullery staff he suffered from necessity, but he prevented intrusion of the serving maids by passing prepared food through the window between the kitchen and the dining room.
Reisil edged her way around the inner wall by the enormous fireplace, empty except for an arrangement of dried flowers and brilliantly colored ribbons. Roheline’s handiwork, as were the delicate paintings of flowers, fruits, grains and grasses twining up the pillars and tracing the edges of all the doors and arches. Reisil often came to the kohv-house before dawn to have breakfast and watch the rising sun touch life to the rich hues of Roheline’s paintings.
Someone lurched into her and she stumbled. Ale splashed the side of her face and trickled down her neck.
Her face burned hot and her teeth clamped together, hearing Juhrnus snigger beside her.
She spun around and he held up empty hands.
“Not my doing, little sister.”
Anger hardened Reisil’s jaw. Maybe he hadn’t done it, but his pleasure in her embarrassment was galling.
She raised her chin, green eyes hard as agates. She was not an imposing figure, but neither was she small, and she refused to feel
She did.
Reisil bit back a protest, her momentary relief evaporating like morning mist as Saljane lunged off the beam. The goshawk clutched the wooden crossbar, talons gouging into the oak as her tail flared for balance.
Kek-kek-kek-kek.
Saljane swiveled her head, gazing unblinkingly at the hushed crowd. Reisil held her breath, her heart stopping as those fierce eyes skimmed over the room.
Reisil almost sobbed with relief when Saljane turned to the feeding tray, snatching hungrily at the meat and bolting it down in choking gobs. A wave of muted clapping swept the room and then the murmurings of excited conversations.
“Upsakes, Sodur—can you say, has she come here for one of us?”
Sodur eyed the voracious goshawk with a crooked grin. “Undoubtedly. She’s been traveling a long way and not bothering to eat. I would guess she was in a hurry, and now is not. Whoever she’s looking for must be here.”
Upsakes nodded agreement. “I expect her ahaladkaaslane is very close by.” Reisil stumbled as he thrust past her to view the feeding goshawk more closely. “It won’t be long before Kallas gives Kodu Riik a new ahalad-kaaslane . Three in just this year. The Lady smiles on you all!”
“It is a sign,” Varitsema pronounced suddenly. He stood back on a bench so all could see him. He spread his thin arms, hands lifted high, his long robes billowing. A broad smile lit his pale, hatchet face. “Can it be a coincidence? The Lady has sent this goshawk to bless this treaty between Kodu Riik and Patverseme. She wishes us to welcome the Dure Vadonis into our walls. We cannot disappoint Her, not after such a token!”
A rumbling murmur and scattered clapping met his shouted last words. Varitsema nodded, pleased. Now, instead of feeling coerced into welcoming the Patverseme delegation, Kallas would be convinced that is was a celebration of the Lady’s favor. Blessed Amiya indeed.
Reisil took advantage of the moment to escape, easing her way through the thicket of townspeople. There was nothing else for her to do here and she didn’t want to give Saljane the opportunity to notice her again.
But first she had a gift for Raim—all the repayment he would take for the meals he had given her over these last months.
She stood on tiptoe, searching for the kohv-house proprietor. She caught sight of him across the room, propped against the kitchen doorway, intent upon the commotion. Reisil grimaced.
It would be easier to go out under the arches and return through the kitchen. But jealous of his domain, Raim allowed no one nonessential to its workings within the inner sanctums of his kitchen. Only Roheline, his wife, did he allow within, and then with strict dictums against touching or interfering. The potboys and scullery staff he suffered from necessity, but he prevented intrusion of the serving maids by passing prepared food through the window between the kitchen and the dining room.
Reisil edged her way around the inner wall by the enormous fireplace, empty except for an arrangement of dried flowers and brilliantly colored ribbons. Roheline’s handiwork, as were the delicate paintings of flowers, fruits, grains and grasses twining up the pillars and tracing the edges of all the doors and arches. Reisil often came to the kohv-house before dawn to have breakfast and watch the rising sun touch life to the rich hues of Roheline’s paintings.
Someone lurched into her and she stumbled. Ale splashed the side of her face and trickled down her neck.
Her face burned hot and her teeth clamped together, hearing Juhrnus snigger beside her.
She spun around and he held up empty hands.
“Not my doing, little sister.”
Anger hardened Reisil’s jaw. Maybe he hadn’t done it, but his pleasure in her embarrassment was galling.
She raised her chin, green eyes hard as agates. She was not an imposing figure, but neither was she small, and she refused to feel
Similar Books
