Chapter Six
"Kally, are you alright?" Roald's voice demanded anxiously. "Kally?" he repeated softly. "Kal?"
His sister stirred in his arms and sighed deeply. "I was having a nice nap," she informed him mock-irritably, turning to face him, her eyes still closed. Roald raised an eyebrow and then laughed when Kalasin opened her eyes to glare at him. "Sorry Kally," he apologized.
"That's quite alright," she replied. "You are controlling the horse, so I should probably be nice to you. I don't really feel like cantering right now,"
Roald laughed again, but this time it was forced, and he frowned slightly. Kalasin glanced at him and then looked around them, giving her brother time to collect himself.
"What's wrong?" she asked softly.
"Nothing… well, it's just, I wish that it didn't have to be right now. I want to there for Shinko when she needs me, and instead I'm riding away from her, with over a thousand miles between us,"
"Well I did make the Goddess promise we'd be back before it's time; that's something at least,"
"I know,"
"And I'm sorry too. I wish this didn't have to happen at all…
"I'm scared Roald,"
"Me too," he replied softly. "But don't worry Kally, I'll take care of you, I promise,"
"I know,"
"And everything will be alright,"
"Someday,"
"Yes,"
"But not today or tomorrow, or even the day after that,"
"No, nor the day after that,"
"But someday,"
"Yes,"
She leaned back against him and closed her eyes once more. Her breathing slowed.
Roald leaned down and kissed her forehead gently. "Sweet dreams," he whispered. Kally smiled and her lips opened to form the words, "Maybe no bugs is a little too much to ask for this time," Roald laughed softly and raised his eyes to stare at the dark night sky, lost in memory.
The six year old boy sat up in bed and stared around him, eyes wide. The room around him was dark, and the night was soundless, but he knew that his sister was awake, and afraid.
Quickly he climbed out of bed, making sure to emit no sound, and crept over to her bed. She was sitting up waiting for him and her eyes were bright with tears. "I'm sorry," she whispered. "Did I make a noise?"
"No," he replied. "No you didn't," He reached out and put his arms around her. "It's ok, it was just a dream; don't be scared."
"But, oh Roald; it was such a dream!"
"I know," he replied. "Don't worry, it'll be alright,"
"But what if it's true?" she persisted. "What if that's really the future? We can't do that Roald; you know what Papa's told us,"
"I know," he repeated. "Don't worry Kally; it'll be alright. There must be a reason, if it is really the future; there must be a reason,"
"Are you sure?" she asked, looking at him with wide eyes.
"I'm sure," he replied. "And don't worry Kally, I'll take care of you, I promise,"
She yawned. "Alright. G'night Roald,"
"Sweet dreams," he muttered. "Don't let the bed bugs get you,"
She laughed and was asleep, and Roald crept back to his own bed and crept in between the covers.
"Hey, are you done dreaming yet?" Kally asked. He glanced round in surprise, and saw that they were just coming up to the inn the Goddess had shown them. He looked at Kalasin in surprise, and she smiled.
"Apparently my memories go faster than yours," she noted. Roald smiled.
"Apparently," he agreed. "Now, where do you think the stables are in this place,"
"Try to the left of the building, and follow the path," a familiar voice suggested. Kally and Roald both turned to look at the huge black cat as it prowled out of the shadows.
"My mistress decided that checking up on you to was more important than dinner," he told them, "so you'd better find me something,"
"I think we can manage that," Kalasin laughed, sliding down form the horse and running over to him. "I don't know what it is Faithful, but I'm always so glad to see you," she told the cat as she reached out to scratch behind his ears.
"Excuse me, but are you looking for accommodation," a timid voice asked from behind them. Kalasin looked around, but the horse shielded whoever had spoken from her view. She stood up slowly and heard a gasp. The old woman who had questioned Roald was staring at her in disbelief. Kalasin smiled and went to stand beside her brother. The woman made a sign of the Gods over her chest as she looked at them both. Then she let out a small scream. Kalasin looked round to see what had startled her, and saw only Faithful, who had come to stand between herself and Roald. She smiled apologetically.
"I'm sorry to alarm you," she told the woman soothingly. "That's just a pet cat; I know he's awfully big, but I promise he won't hurt you. He wouldn't harm a flea,"
"Don't bet on it Your Highness," the Cat's voice sounded in her mind.
"That's Majesty to you," she replied in the same manner as he had addressed her.
Faithful stared up at her disdainfully. "I don't recognize Catharki royalty," he told her with a sneer. Kalasin was about to give him a sharp reply, but stopped when the crone spoke again.
"Please forgive my alarm Ma'am," she begged. "It's just, you two look so familiar, and I could swear I've seen that cat somewhere before. Now if you're wanting a room you can follow me and I'll find something," She turned and walked off.
Kalasin turned to look at Roald and smiled. "I wonder how Mother would feel if she knew we were visiting her old homeland," she commented silently. Roald grimaced.
"Somehow I doubt she'd approve," he replied, at the same time offering his arm to his sister and leading her off after their hostess.
"Would you like something to eat?" the old woman inquired politely as she unlocked the door to their room. "We don't have too many guests this time of year, but if you like I'm sure I can have the cook make something and bring it to you,"
Kalasin looked at her, examining her face. This one had never been a beauty; that much was plain, but now in old age her face had acquired some small measure of loveliness that comes to those who have spent their lives helping people. She also projected a religious aura, and the sum of these things, plus their location, brought to mind some of the stories that Alanna and Buri had told her when she was young.
"Thank you; food would be wonderful," she replied. "But if it's alright with you we'll come down and eat in the common room, and you will join us," She glanced at her brother, and felt no surprise emanating from him, which confirmed that he had made the same guess as she.
The crone nodded. "Alright," she replied. "Would there be anything else now?"
This time Roald answered. "Only give us a little time to change our clothing. We can find our way down to the room unaided," He reached for his purse and offered the woman some coins from it. "Thank you,"
She smiled, but shook her head at the coins. "No need for that Sir. We are after all here to provide such services," She offered a stiff bow and then turned and walked away from them.
Kalasin collapsed onto her bed as her brother closed the door behind him. He crossed the room to kneel by her side. "Are you alright?" he asked.
She smiled weakly. "Just a little tired is all,"
"Well that's rather to be expected," Faithful commented as he appeared beside them. Kalasin glared at the Cat.
"Quiet you, or I'll forget to ask for fish with our dinner," she threatened him. Faithful quieted.
Roald returned from the tiny privy that was attached to their room, adjusting the clean tunic he had just put on. "Do you need to bathe, Kally?" he inquired. "I can call for someone if you want,"
Kalasin sat up and looked at him. "No thank you Brother," she replied. "I'm quite alright, really," She rose and walked past him into the privy, using the dignity she had practised for Court functions. Roald laughed and went to sit on his sister's recently vacated bed beside Faithful. The Cat turned over and offered his belly to be scratched. The Prince complied with the request.
"You know," he told the animal. "Sometimes she's so like Father that I think it would have been better if she had been the first born,"
"Are you insane?" Faithful demanded. "The last thing Tortall needs right now is another one of those Monarchs; one generation of perpetual war is more than enough,"
"I heard that," Kalasin called sternly. Roald laughed.
"Of course you did," he retorted. "It was about you,"
Kally stood in the doorway and glared at her brother, pouting in mock indignity. One of her slippered feet slid out to point sideways and her hands went to her hips. Roald laughed once more and rolled his eyes. Kally smiled and walked over to him. Brother and sister strolled from the room arm in arm.
The parlour of the inn was rather large and eerie, given its purpose. Some attempts had been made to make it seem more cheerful, but still it gave the impression a place of worship and whispers. The two young people exchanged a look, and then glanced at Faithful. The Cat stared back at them with large purple eyes, which were meant to seem innocent but couldn't quite carry it off. He then selected their table for them by jumping up onto one of the chairs and going to sleep there. Kalasin and Roald settled one on each side of him.
Presently the old woman hostess stepped out to join them, bringing with her bowls of hot soup and soft bread rolls.
"Would you like some wine?" she inquired politely. Kalasin shook her head.
"No thank you," she replied. "But please, join us,"
The crone frowned, but settled uncomfortably into another chair which Roald had pulled out for her. He lifted his spoon and glanced at Kalasin. The princess was stirring her soup idly and smiling at their guest.
"So, how goes things in this part of the world?" she inquired. The old woman glanced round nervously before replying.
"Dismally," she explained. "Since the Sarain monarchy fell over a quarter century ago little happens here, good or bad,"
"Was this place here then?" Kally asked, glancing furtively over at Roald as she spoke.
"Not as it is now Mistress. These buildings were a monastery then. I was a daughter here and I witnessed the flight of our kingdom's only heir; she and her companions came to us for shelter, but we were unable to provide them with safety without compromising our own; I am ashamed of that to this very day, and of how I spoke to her,"
"Why was she running?" Kalasin queried.
"Her mother was dead, and her father a mad man who had lost control of the kingdom," the crone replied. "His enemies wanted her dead, or to be used to strengthen any ties they had to the throne through marriage,"
"Do you know what happened to her after she left you?" this time Roald spoke, joining in his sister's game.
"Well, there are rumours of course. One story I've heard said that she went to Tortall, and married the king there. I hope that is the truth,"
Kalasin smiled. "Thank you," she told the woman. "You've been most kind,"
The old crone's face broke out into a smile. "It was my pleasure," she told them.
"Well thank you anyway," Roald replied. "Now if you'll excuse us, Kally," She took his arm and allowed him to lead her from the room.
Kalasin lay very quiet in her bed that night. She stared blank and unseeing at the wall on the other side of the room, and the pale beam of moonlight streaming in through the window, which had been left unshuttered at her request.
She felt sick inside, wrong and miserable. The light hearted enjoyment she'd felt as they talked to the old woman that evening had vanished, leaving in its place a void from which she couldn't escape. There was something wrong, that she knew was wrong, but she didn't know what it was. This feeling was gnawing at her, and she turned constantly in the bed, unable to get comfortable, and unable to get to sleep until she was comfortable. She felt sick and frustrated, and wanted to get up, to move, pull at her hair, and get the feeling out of her head, but she couldn't. All she could manage was to clench her fists and tuck her knees up to her body and then straighten them, and turn over and get more hopelessly caught in the blankets.
It was a long time before her body was exhausted enough to force her into sleep and out of torment, but eventually it happened, and the moon looked in through the window and saw her delicate flesh shell lying there as if in death, and pitied the girl who's beauty held such a cold and sinister destiny. So she sent Ganiel, the dream maker, to send a vision to the sleeping woman, like a promise of the dusk. In its hold Kalasin found some small rest, as the Gods looked upon her in worry, wary of the times that were to come.