Buriam Tourakom of the K'mir Hau Ma awoke with a start, all her sense alert for an intruder. Slipping silently from the low bed, she drew a long-bladed knife from a sheath on her calve. Stalking silently through the dark bedchamber she drew close to the door, which slowly, silently eased open.
"Hisst! Buri, it's me," a familiar voice whispered. Relaxing her grip upon the knife she yanked open the door and scowled up at the man waiting there.
"What is it Phatom?" She demanded, sliding the knife back into its sheath.
A flash of white in the darkness as Pathom grinned, "Surly as ever, my dear sister."
"You wake me up in the middle of the night after having been gone for months, with no word, without even saying where you were going, how should I react!" She growls softly.
"You might try, 'Why Pathom, it so good to see you again, I missed you ever so much'. Or if that's too wordy you might just try 'hello.'"
"Come here, you," Buri chuckled and embraced the young man. "So what's going on? You, mother and Kalasin were gone for so long, I was beginning to worry."
"We're fine. There was some business that the Lady needed to attend to." At Buri's curious look he shook his head, "I'm sorry Mi'cha" he said, using the K'mir word for sister, "It is not for me to say. Mother and Kalasin will explain what you need to know. They are waiting for you in the Lady's private sitting room."
Buri glanced back to the darkened bedchamber, where Princess Thayet jian Wilima still slept.
"Go," Phatom ordered, I'll watch her."
She nodded, knowing Pathom would give his very life to protect Kalasin's daughter. Just as Buri herself would. Silently she walked down the marble hallway of the women's quarters, her bare feet silent on the cold floor. She passed colorful tapestries, and portraits in gilded frames. Buri scowled at the warlord's extravagant display of his wealth. Even one of the tapestries could have fed her tribe for months. At last she came to the Queen's chambers. Guards, chosen by Kalasin or Buri's mother Jahlei, waved the girl inside.
The first chamber was an ostentatious sitting room where Thayet would entertain visitors. The room was open and airy, though large glass windows Buri could glimpse moonlit flower gardens. The chairs where crafted of fine woods imported from the Copper Isles. Large rungs covered the tile floor. The room was cluttered with expensive baubles jian Wilima had given his wife.
Buri hated that room.
Quckly she passed through and entered a second, much smaller chamber. By contrast this room was small, comfortable and spare. The only furniture was a long, low table, which dominated the small space. Soft, colorful pillows surrounded the table. The heady scent of incense filled the room. Buri smiled, this was the closest she could get to the tents of the K'mir while in jian Wilima's castle.
Two women were seated behind the table, and smiled in welcome as Buri knelt before them. "You summoned me?"
"Yes, Buri," Kalasin replied, "There is much to say, but little time to say it. When we departed last spring, already we were planning for what is to come. We went to the steppe, to consult my father and the elders. We have their blessings to proceed."
"Proceed? With what?" Buri frowned and looked from Kalasin to her mother and back.
"Buriam, daughter," Jahlei said softly, "This shall be the last time you look on us in the land of the living."
Buri made a strangled cry of protest, then was silent, waiting for the women to continue.
"I cannot sit by as my own husband enslave and impoverish the K'mir. All my pleas have fallen on deaf ears. He has passed that accursed law of his; no longer are we a free people. Tomorrow I shall offer myself as sacrifice in hopes of ending the plight of the K'mir. Jahlei and Pathom will ensure my message is heard."
Buri nodded, knowing that in doing so her mother and brother would also perish. Tears flowed unchecked down her cheeks. She wept for her people, she wept for her family and she wept for Kalasin. Kalasin whose kindness and selflessness were matched only by her daughter's.
"Please, lady, let me fight and die beside my family." She requested, prostrating herself before the queen.
Kalasin got up and stood before the girl, "No, no, Buriam, do not bow before me, you who have been as a second daughter to me." She said, lifting Buri to her feet and hugging her. "It is not for you to die this day. I charge you with Thayet's safety. She yet has her whole life before her, as do you. Live Buri, live and live well. We shall meet again, on the Plains of the Blessed."
Trembling she stepped back from the queen, "What… what will become of Thayet after…" the word hung in the air; Buri could not bring herself to say more.
"Who knows," Kalasin sighed, "I cannot foresee how jian Wilima will react. He may marry her off as quickly as may be, he may send her to her kin or some such thing."
"No matter, I'll protect her, against all her father's men if need be." Buri resolved, angrily brushing away the tears that clung to her dark lashes.
"I know you will," Kalasin smiled, "You are much like your mother that way."
"Now come kiss your mother goodbye," Jahlei ordered, her eyes shining with unshed tears.
Buri rushed into her mother's outstretched arms and was crushed by Jahlei's fierce embrace.
"Be strong, my Buri," she whispered, stroking the girl's dark hair, "Be strong for me. I love you so much, I'm so proud of you, of the woman you have become. Never forget that I love you, no matter what. We shall be together again."
"I know, mama," Buri whimpered, nestling her head against her mother's shoulder, "I know and I love you too."
At last Jahlei released her and Buri stepped back.
"Now, please," Kalasin said, "fetch my daughter."
"Of course," Buri replied bowing to the queen. The K'mir's heart was heavy as she made her way back to the Princess' bedchamber. With a silent nod to Pathom she bent to waken the slumbering girl. Buri paused, her hand raised to touch Thayet's shoulder as she was struck by the older girl's peaceful beauty. Lit by soft moonlight her alabaster skin seemed to glow. The finest artisan could have sculpted her face from marble, so elegant and flawless. Soft red lips were parted slightly in sleep and Buri had to resist the urge to taste them.
For as long as she could remember Buri had adored her older companion, but lately she felt a queer stirring in her belly whenever she was near her. Her pulse would race, her palms grow sweaty and she would stumble over her words. Never had she felt such feelings as Thayet evoked in her. With trembling hands she brushed aside a lock of black silk that had fallen across Thayet's cheek. She was loathed to awaken the slumbering goddess, but wake she must to learn the news that Kalasin would tell her. "Thayet," she whispered, gently shaking the princess' shoulder, "Thayet you must get up now, dear Thayet."
"Buri?" Thayet asked, her voice thick with sleep. Even in the predawn darkness she could see her friend's eyes were red from weeping. She sat up, her hand reaching out to caress the tear stained cheek, "What's the matter Buri? What's wrong? Why are you crying? Please tell me," she whispered, "Let me help,"
Buri leaned greedily into the comforting touch, the other girl's hands both soft and strong. Then remembering that the Queen was waiting she drew back to a safe distance, "Lady Kalasin has returned, and wishes to speak with you."
"She's back?" Thayet asked, "When did she get in? Do you know why she wants to see me?"
Buri shook her head sadly, "It is not for me to say," she said, echoing Pathom, "But she bids you come quickly before the servants are about."