Siensao could only meet Reki's mad, bright green eyes for so long without looking away.
"I got your message," the tribeswoman said, strolling forward a ways, across the floor of the empty granary. Her three-fingered hand rested casually on her sword hilt. "You had better not be wasting my time. If any of it is lies, you die." She ignored Zoukani's silent presence as though he didn't exist.
"It's all true," Siensao said, keeping her own hands tucked in her sleeves and well away from her own weapon. "I can arrange a meeting any time you like to confirm that."
Reki shook her head, her smile becoming a deep frown with startling speed. "That whining bitch. After everything I did for her, she hasn't done a single thing to repay me. She doesn't get to do that! I warned her what would happen." She let out a hiss through clenched teeth. "Arrange a meeting. Today. Tell her I know where she's living and I'll start killing people if I don't see her here before sunset."
"Just so long as you don't kill any of my people," Siensao said, bowing low.
Reki snickered, all smiles again.
"You're a smart woman, Siensao, but you don't get me. This is my game now. You brought me in knowing who I am and you think you can tell me who I can and can't kill?"
"I've offered you a deal, Reki," the merchant replied calmly, "If you refuse, Karida and I will be leaving Omashu and you'll never find her again before your little desert empire falls apart."
Reki snorted and waved a hand in dismissal.
"I'd hoped you had more of a sense of adventure, but fine, whatever. So long as they don't get in my way, challenge me, or do anything else on the same level of stupidity, they live. Just keep your pets leashed."
Jomei barreled down the hallway at a dead run, heading for Karida's room. Throwing open the door, he found the sandbender curled up on the bed, shivering and whispering to herself. Shit! Not this again! Why did Siensao think I can help her with this?
"Karida?" he said, taking a few hesitant steps towards her, "It's me. Jomei. You remember me, right? What's wrong?"
She uncurled slightly and looked up at him with bloodshot eyes and tear tracks shining on both cheeks.
"I should have died up in the mountains," she said, her voice thick and cracked.
"I disagree," Jomei said, crossing the rest of the distance. Feeling awkward towering over her, he sat down next to her. It didn't help things. "What's wrong?" he asked again.
"They're here," Karida whispered, "They can't be, but they are. Just thinking about it makes me sick. I can't find a way out."
"You mean the woman that hurt you?" Jomei asked, his hands curling into fists. Bones of the earth, if that bitch is here in the city, I'm going to kill her. He was completely surprised when Karida uncurled, scrambling back into the furthest corner from him.
"No!" she shrieked, "You can't know about her! She'll kill you! She'll kill us all! But first, she'll…she'll…do things…" She buried her face in her hands, tucking her knees up to her chest. "I don't want that to happen to anyone."
"Why don't we just hide somewhere, then?" Jomei asked, "If she's really that dangerous that Siensao can't deal with her."
Karida made a noise like a cross between a hiccup and a sob that might have been laughter.
"Siensao has better things to do than get killed for my sake. And she…she sent me a message. If I don't go to her by sunset, she'll start killing people until I do."
"What does she want?" Jomei asked, grinding his teeth, "What in all the hells is she doing all the way out here looking for you? How did she even know you were here?"
"She…wants me to fight her," Karida mumbled, "Or at least grow stronger. I haven't even started. She'll be so angry with me! I don't…I don't know what she'll do to me, but I don't think she'll kill me. Maybe. It's hard to say. I just know I can't face her. But I don't want more people to die for me, either."
Jomei sighed, bowing his head. Dammit. Karida is still the only person I can trust and I'm not letting this panther-wolf, whoever she is, get her claws into her. But I'm damned if I can think of a way out of this mess. Except one. It made him feel sick just thinking about it, but the more he thought, the more it seemed the only thing to be done. He gave a convulsive shudder, then straightened up, letting out a deep breath.
"So we can't beat her in a fight, but we have to go there," he said quietly, nodding, "I'll tell you what. We'll both go there." She started to object but he held up a hand. "Wait! Just hear me out. We both go there, we listen to what she has to say and what she wants. And if she just wants to hurt you more…I swear on my grandfather's hammer that I'll kill you before I let her do it."
Karida almost melted back against the wall and looked up at him with wide eyes.
"You mean that?" she asked breathlessly, "You'll really do that for me?"
"Yeah," Jomei murmured, "Damn me, but I mean it."
"But…" Karida hesitated, going pale, then forged ahead, shaking noticeably. "But…she'll kill you for doing that. If you're lucky, she'll be mad enough to do it quickly."
"I'm hoping she'll understand I'm serious and back off," Jomei said, though he was far from confident in that actually happening, "But if not, well, Siensao might not value you, but for some reason, she values me. I'm also hoping that means she'll come along to make sure I stay alive."
"I…Jomei," Karida said, sitting up, "Thank you." He realized that was the first time she'd ever used his name. She placed her palms together in a slow, deliberate motion and bowed low. "I am thrice shamed by courage, honor, and strength. All I can promise is that if it comes to it, I'll…I'll try to kill myself and spare you from her wrath. I still don't think I can do it. But I'll try."
"You want to repay me for this?" Jomei asked.
"I also owe you for saving me from the mines in Teoro," she said solemnly, straightening up, "I don't know what else I can offer you, but anything I can give, I will try."
"My price is the same thing I've always wanted from you," Jomei told her, "Keep living. Don't even try to kill yourself. That means she wins. She doesn't get to win today."
"She always wins," Karida said, shaking her head, the faint light in her eyes fading.
"Well," Jomei said, standing up and offering a hand, "There's a first time for everything."
