Chapter 7
After clearing up from the inordinate mess the visitors seemed to have left, Tragen had a word for Kaili about their visit to High Reaches Hold.
"You'll be taking gowns to wear to the Gather – during most of our stay, save when you ride for me" he said
Kaili scowled.
"Why?"
"I'm not going to argue, Kai. Your brother is an important man and you owe it to him – as well as to me – to look as though you're a lady, not a half-broken filly with a biting habit" his tone was teasing; but brooked no argument.
Kaili grinned.
"We could have a splendid little fight over it" she suggested.
"And I could burn all your trews"
"And I thought you fought fair! Mind you, you'd not be pleased if I turned up in just a tunic…"
Tragen raised an eyebrow.
"Would you dare, imp?"
She wrinkled her nose.
"Probably not. Besides, THEY'd think the wrong things of me."
"And there would be those to think the same things of you for wearing trews" he explained.
She burned.
"Truly? Is that why Aven assumed I was light?"
He nodded.
"Partly. Though he's the sort as takes without asking anyway."
She blenched.
"Will he be there?" her voice quavered.
Gently Tragen cupped her chin in his hands.
"If he is and if he causes trouble, I'll make him wish I'd killed him" he said seriously.
Her eyes blazed.
"What will you do?" she asked fiercely.
"I was planning on making it up as I went along" he said grimly. "But I'm a good hater of people as give me cause!"
Kaili smiled mistily up at him; and he caught his breath and let her go hurriedly.
"You've got training to do" he said harshly.
Kaili wondered how she had offended Tragen. Surely if he was not indifferent to her – and a queenrider like L'rilly should understand passion – he would not be cross at her smiling at him and appreciating that he hated Aven on her behalf. Then it dawned on Kaili. He had been afraid he might show his feelings if he did not send her about her business. Really, she should tell him that it was all right – she thought it was all right. But how to do so made her feel too shy!
There would be bound to be other opportunities, and right now she could bask in her secret hopes without having to make too many scary decisions!
Even without snow it would take the better part of two days to ride to High Reaches Hold; for in the snow, equipment could be carried on sleds through the snow-filled valleys. After the thaw, no cart could readily traverse the terrain and pack beasts had to be used. Tragen had been heard to grumble that the Major Hold had been better situate on the rich, fertile rift plain that ran north of his own Hold to a point level with High Reaches Weyr. The valley was packed with cotholds and small Holds and would be better for some more central organisation from a Major Hold which, Tragen opined, was fardling inconvenient stuck up a mountain. However, the High Reaches Hold had its own access to the sea with a port extension; and it had presumably been that which had made its originators settle there and outlying Holders must put up with it.
Closer to the Hold, good roads had been made, making it easier to access; some of them built under the orders of Fax the Tyrant to make strategic movement easier.
"I hate to admit it, but that is one useful thing that Fax did" Tragen explained to Kaili. "And I'm sore tempted to use his pattern for road making length by length out of Northfork when there are men with time on their hands. Rock's free after all" he added laconically.
"I'm surprised he never built a road to Northfork to take your runners to use for war" she commented.
Tragen grinned.
"That's why my father ran the place down" he told her. "One of the stable lads was in High Reaches when Fax seized power; and managed to escape with the news. When Fax sent men posing as traders to inspect the place, we'd dirtied it up and used pigment to make the runners look hollow cheeked, same as some cheating owners do to get longer odds. My father wore food spattered clothes with half a bottle of wine poured down his front and acted tipsy. Frankly, at the time I didn't understand the need; I never thought anyone capable of behaving the way Fax did. I was young and foolish; and because my father was a wise old cynic I lived to thank him for his wisdom" he sighed, and for a moment Kaili saw the grief on his face, still poignant, over the loss of his father. She laid a hand on his arm. Tragen looked down and touched her hand lightly; then he made effort to smile.
"Of course, we had to actually run the place down somewhat" he said "Or it would have been suspicious. It almost broke my heart to lead good stock into the wild to let them roam. Still" he brightened "I sought out most of 'em and their offspring after Fax was gone. And not too soon – they'd have been helpless in Threadfall, not knowing how to cope like true wild beasts."
"How do wild beasts know? When there's been so long an interval?" she wanted to know.
"Same as some people sense Thread or other danger, I guess" he answered. "Built into the instincts after generations. But domestic animals, they get taken care of, so I suppose the instincts get lost. Same as most people battened down behind shutters. Holders and Lords lay down rules to be followed blindly. It's why I like the covered way, with its openings. It gives some risk, though there are shutters if the wind is strong enough to blow Thread under the eaves. But it means people are all more aware. Because where you find most people who can sense Threadfall, like firelizards do, is in a weyr. Where, it's true, the talented are concentrated; but also where people experience it more."
Kaili nodded. Tragen's words made sense. Most people hid from Thread and relied on the Holds and the dragonriders to protect them. Tragen had obviously thought deeply about the matter in case anything happened to prevent dragon cover. When the Benden Weyr had been trying to cover all of Fall it must have been very hard! Some folk had just accepted the reappearance of dragons in the Oldtimers; Tragen prepared for a time they might disappear as suddenly! Kaili peeped approvingly at Tragen through her lashes. Not only was he careful and well prepared for almost any contingency – and adaptable to deal with what he had not prepared for – he was kindly, caring and looked extremely well in his smart Gather outfit. His dark russet trews pulled tight on well developed muscles, revealing his fitness; and his tunic was close fitting across broad shoulders. His harsh, weatherbeaten face was softened in repose, such few lines as he had smoothed away as he enjoyed the ride. His dark brown hair was pulled neatly off his face and tied back in a queue.
Tragen turned, as though alerted by some sixth sense that he was under scrutiny, and looked quizzically at Kaili. Colour rose in her cheeks.
"A thirtysecond for your thoughts?" he asked. "You look very serious, my imp."
She flushed redder and looked down at her hands, laughing, embarrassed.
"I was just thinking that I must be careful to protect you from all the women at High Reaches, who must surely want to chase a handsome man like you!" she said.
Tragen smiled cynically.
"And many who find my coffers even more handsome" he added.
"I suppose" Kaili kept her eyes on her hands, fumbling for words "That although anyone with sense couldn't give two hoots for wealth, I guess I just realised that does add to making you rather a matrimonial prize."
He reached out a hand to turn her chin to make her look at him.
"And does that matter so much to you?" he asked.
Kaili found herself feeling shy, and dropped her eyes from his gaze.
"There must be a very great number of very eligible women who wish to marry you and who are very suitable" she said miserably.
"And how many of these fine wherries are Whisperers?" he queried.
She raised her eyes; and gasped at what she saw. Her hand went out blindly towards him; and he caught it, releasing her chin. They rode, hand in hand, wordless and happy.
There was little opportunity for private speech until after camp had been pitched that evening; and Tragen's people watched indulgently as their Holder walked away with the young girl who had brought her liveliness into his life!
Tragen held Kaili by the hand as they drank in the beauties of the moonrise over a mountain tarn.
"I'm afraid of frightening you" he said abruptly. "You affect me so much."
Kaili moved to lean against him.
"L'rilly and T'lana and Lowri have all told me that I'd feel different when I found someone special" she whispered. "They were right. I – I don't think I could be frightened by you, Tragen."
Carefully he enfolded her in his arms and kissed her; and Windfire and Swiftwind hummed approval as Kaili responded with enthusiasm!
At last their lips parted; and Tragen looked down at her, his eyes dark with emotion, the harsh lines of his face softened; but an anxiety there withal.
"I am much older than you" he said.
"And fitter than many my own age" she retorted. "If my brother wants me to marry amongst the Ranking, why, I know from tales I've heard that many girls might expect to wed for alliance, regardless of attraction or degrees of decrepitude of the groom – providing he can move enough parts to sire another generation!"
Tragen laughed.
"Ah, I love it that you are never afraid to be blunt, my imp!" he chuckled.
"I'm no mealy mouthed Holder girl. And Tragen, I'm just a trader girl really. Not a trained girl of rank able to run a Hold."
He laid a finger to her lips.
"No 'just' about it Kai" he said. "As for training, why I thought that Marilly and Tranora were doing a good job – with input from Calum and myself. You're a clever girl and you learn fast. And you are merry, and kind, and thoughtful – and my people like you."
She flushed.
"Would I make you a good enough wife then?" she asked wistfully. "If you wanted me I –I'd settle for mistress."
His arms tightened.
"Enough of that rubbish! As to whether you're a good enough wife, the answer is assuredly YES" he told her fervently. He grinned suddenly. "So that's another purchase I must make at the Gather."
"What's that?" she asked.
"Red brocade from the Weavercrafters for your wedding dress!" he said smiling.
Later Kaili lay in the darkness in her wool filled sleeping bag, listening to the even breathing of Kirissa and Kirilly in the same tent, half thankful and half regretful that Tragen had not suggested she join him; and spinning pictures for herself about what he would do that would make it so different to her bad experience with Lord Aven that her body ached for it!
As they approached the big cliff face that was High Reaches hold it was all Kaili could do not to cut her palms on her short fingernails of her clenched fists. It seemed that every handsome and sophisticated unattached woman there knew Tragen; and from the arch looks and veiled hints most of them thought it high time he re-married – to them
In truth there were no more than a half dozen serious would be brides; it just seemed to Kaili's jealous eye that there were dozens! She was half inclined to include Lady Zeleika when she greeted Tragen cheerfully, including Kaili in the greeting, with a glance at the girl's ring finger bare of a betrothal band. Tragen commented that the engagement was not being broadcast; and to her credit, Zeleika took the confirmation that had started as a lie very philosophically and treated Kaili with kindness and courtesy, even filling her in on the other women likely to hope for Tragen's courtship. The older woman took Kaili by the arm and led her to a good vantage point where they could overlook the Gather square and she could point Kaili's would be rivals out.
"That's Belra" she pointed to a woman Kaili had not considered as being past marriageable age! Zeleika went on "You know of Lady Bellanda of Riverbend?" Kaili nodded; she knew of B'lova's mother by reputation as both a shrewd yet hysterical woman accustomed to having her own way.
"This Belra's surely not hoping to court Tragen is she?" the girl asked disgustedly. "She's OLD!"
Zeleika grinned.
"Belra is Bellanda's older sister, and as you say, well past her blooming season. But she's widowed and after a good mark-chest she can bully and foist her weedy son onto as a stepson."
Kaili grinned. Zeleika may not be the planet's brightest woman, but she seemed quite capable of a pithy summation!
"Who's the raddled blonde?" she asked. Zeleika blinked and stared.
"My dear, you're quite right. Bright sunlight doesn't suit her, does it? That's Leiona. She's a VERY high class loving wench and reputed to have coffers as deep as many a minor Holder. Tragen's in the habit of visiting her here, you know. Does that shock you?" she shot a shrewd glance at Kaili. The girl shrugged.
"Not particularly. A stallion needs his mares in spring" she replied with studied nonchalance. "I'm the one that gets to keep him. She's only had him on loan."
Zeleika laughed.
"I do like you, my dear!" she exclaimed impulsively. "I've no time for coy chits who pretend not to know what's what; and the ones that really DON'T know are just boring! But I'd watch for Leiona if I were you – I'd say he's just explained the situation to her and she's looking at you like you were Thread."
"Do you think she's so very much in love with him?" asked Kaili in consternation. To her mind, any woman who met Tragen must love him!
"Not at all, my dear. No, she just wants a wealthy retirement and the position to lord it over the ladies of the men she's laid under" said Zeleika crudely. Kaili blushed; but laughed.
"Can she cause trouble for me?" she asked anxiously. "I've never been to a big Gather, not with important people, before!"
"Even though your dragonriding kin are important people? That's throwing you off a cliff without wings! Tragen must trust you to handle yourself well though, so don't worry! Still, I sympathise, you must feel rather lost!" Zeleika patted Kaili on the shoulder. "I suppose not everyone gets that forward from an early age. The worst that some spiteful old cat can do is to try to spoil your wedding chances of a young thing by finding out some secret about them that the young idiots care about. But Tragen's not the sort to care if your grandparents or even your parents were married or no."
Kaili had stiffened; and half relaxed at what Zeleika thought a guilty secret.
"Tragen knows everything about my family – and about me" she said with dignity. Zeleika gave her a shrewd look.
"There's something people might disapprove of?"
Kaili nodded. Zeleika went on,
"If it gets out, whatever it is, because I like you and Tragen, I'll do my best to scotch it."
Kaili pulled a face.
"It's not very scotchable. I – I was raped by a social superior. It resulted in pregnancy."
Zeleika gave an unladylike whistle.
"Shards, you poor kid! Was it reported to Lord Bargen?"
Kaili nodded.
"He made Aven pay a childprice and a fine – but he can't erase the memory or the shame."
Zeleika snorted hearing the culprit.
"Oh – Aven. The sooner he irritates someone who'll stab him the better! And he cares naught for the rank of others. Sometimes I think he's not quite sane."
Kaili shuddered.
"Can we talk about something else?"
"Of course, my dear. The lady with the long black plait – the gallingly pretty one – is Katha. She's a distant cousin of Lord Bargen but her father is poor and she must find a wealthy husband. She may be of the Blood, but she's already in her twenties and getting increasingly desperate."
"Poor girl" said Kaili softly. "Can't she take a cot and branch out on her own? There's plenty of fertile soil."
"My dear – with traditional parents like hers?" Zeleika pulled a face; and Kaili echoed it.
"Stupidity. Mayhap she should go instead to the Weyr."
"I'd suggest it to her if I were you" said Zeleika. "Ah yes, and there's Elexa. The Lady Elexa. Aven's half sister. She's widowed; Fax used her for alliance as soon as she was in her teens. Her husband died within days of the wedding. Whether 'twas overexcitement or an overdose of fellis I'd not like to say – but I'd not blame her at that. He was by all accounts a brutal old so-and-so. That's her daughter Elena with her. Must be a couple of turns younger than you, born a year after Elexa's husband died. By many accounts, her brother's child."
Kaili exclaimed in horror; and Zeleika shrugged.
"With a family like that, what do you expect? I used to be sorry for Elexa, but she's grown hard. I expect she'll sell the girl to the highest bidder too."
"Can't anything be done?" Kaili was aghast.
"I don't know. I certainly wouldn't interfere. I don't have enough power to escape the consequence of seriously crossing Aven" said Zeleika honestly. Kaili shudder.
"I hope he doesn't do anything to Tragen"
Zeleika laughed.
"Tragen? Friend of multiple Bronze Riders? Richest man in the neighbourhood outside Lord Bargen? Even Aven isn't that crazy!"
It was some measure of comfort – but only some!
