Read Online Student of Kyme by Storm Constantine - Free Book Online

afternoon. Chrysm will accommodate all my
needs, and that includes sedu transport for the models I wish to
work with.’
    I had no
idea what he was talking about. ‘It’s really up to my guardians,’ I
said. ‘Perhaps you should speak to them.’
    ‘ We can pay,’ Sabarah said frostily.
    Anxiously, I glanced about, looking for Malakess. He was
still engaged in conversation with the Hegemon. I put out a plea in
mind touch, and at once Malakess turned and caught my eye. In that
moment, something happened. Everything in the room seemed to go out
of focus but for Malakess’s eyes. I gulped air, as if I’d surfaced
from drowning.
    Malakess
excused himself from his companions and came to my side. ‘I’m sorry
to drag Gesaril from you,’ he said to the artist, ‘but there are
some introductions we have to make. Please excuse us.’
    He took
my arm and led me away. ‘Are you all right?’
    ‘ No. No, I’m not.’
    ‘ Damn Gelaming. What did he threaten you with?’
    ‘ Painting me.’
    ‘ Hmm, oh well, you’re unscathed. Dinner will be served soon. I
think we can talk to somehar else now, don’t you?’
    Suddenly,
I was in a daze, confused and befuddled. What had happened? I was
introduced to hara whose faces were mere blurs to me, whose voices
were like the twittering of birds. I felt hot, sick and yet
incredibly elated at the same time.
    Presently, Iscane came into the salon and announced loudly
that dinner was ready to be served and would we all please proceed
to the dining hall. Malakess took my arm again. ‘You look very
hot,’ he said. ‘Are you all right?’
    ‘ Yes, yes, just hot.’
    ‘ Don’t let the Gelaming bother you. They were bound to target
you. Grow a thick skin, Gesaril. You’re going to need
it.’
    Hara were
moving past us back into the hall, on the way to the dining area. I
felt as if they were swiftly moving shadows and Malakess and I were
held in a pool of stillness. ‘They want me to go to
Immanion.’
    ‘ Not surprising. You will go. I’ll take you sometime. Life
doesn’t begin and end for you here in Alba Sulh. You’re destined
for bigger things.’
    Unaccountably, tears welled in my eyes. Malakess brushed away
the overspill that ran down my cheeks. ‘Hey,’ he murmured. ‘Don’t
be overwhelmed. Be an ambassador for your tribe.’ He held my face
in his hands and kissed my brow.
    As he
drew away from me, I saw Iscane staring at us, his wide-eyed
expression that of a riled cat. If he’d had fur, it would be
fluffed out. I took a step back. ‘I’m fine… honestly. Let’s
go.’
    The
dining hall was immense. There were two long tables running down
either side of the room, and a high table at top, where of course
Malakess held a place of honour. The Nagini had so far deigned not
to show themselves, but now made an appearance. Malakess said this
was because they wanted to make it clear that they were not in Kyme
for the party or to meet Gelaming. They were guests of the Sulh, it
was dinner time, so they came to join us for the meal. I have never
seen such exotic hara before. Their clothes were very colourful and
their dark skins were like creamy coffee. Some wore turbans, while
others affected complicated hairstyles. A few wore their hair long
and straight, although the partings on their heads were coloured
red or gold. Their jewellery was ostentatious, but I thought it
looked wonderful. Some had delicate filigree chains attached to
nose rings and earrings, and the skin of their hands and arms were
painted with complicated patterns, which Malakess told me was
henna. They moved softly and graciously like cats, and their eyes
were beautifully shaped, what you call almond-shaped, outlined in
kohl. They wore jewels stuck upon the centre of their brows and
their voices were gentle and melodious, although only a few of them
could speak our language. They seemed like dehara, creatures of
myth.
    I took my
place beside Malakess at the top table with the leaders of the
Nagini and