This chapter made me crazy o_O

Chapter 15

With the sun setting, it was getting colder, and there had been a few half-hearted drizzles, but nothing had dampened the festive atmosphere. Stanno generously rewarded Salar for his victory, and the young man was treating his fellows at one of the drinks tables that had been set up around the center of the festivities. The tagma members had congregated at a table across the square, and the two groups were hurling genial but noisy insults at each other.

Tables had been set up all around the temple square and beyond. Food was being sold along with the drink (as if the holy day feast hadn't been enough). There were even some handicrafts being sold, such as rugs, pottery, and toys. Stanno had originally meant to make his own bit of money on the side by selling some of his handiwork, but he cheerfully gave that up in favor of spending the day in Rose's company. He was still waiting for the opportunity to get her alone in some quiet spot. So far, that was proving difficult. She wanted to see everything, visit every table, and sample the food and drink. She particularly liked the fruit juice and halmi cocktails. Stanno had a couple of neat shots himself, just to get loosened up and establish a pleasant hum.

But then, who should butt himself in but Kaihan. After having put his horse away or whatever it was he had been doing, the tagma captain sidled up to Rose's elbow.

"I heard about your victory, Rose!" he exclaimed. "Well done!"

"Oh, well!" Rose laughed and shrugged. "I didn't do much except hold on for dear life."

"You'd have to!" Kaihan agreed. "You could get killed in one of those contraptions, even when they're not racing!"

Stanno bristled. "My 'shaws are perfectly safe," he declared stiffly.

"Oh, the 'shaws are fine," Kaihan said with a conspiratorial wink at Rose. "My horsemen have their hands full with the pullers. They're the ones who're dangerous."

"At least they don't crap in the street," Stanno muttered.

Kaihan opened his mouth to retort, but Rose quickly grabbed them each by the elbow. "Okay, boys!" she said cheerfully. "Let's play nice! There's still lots of party left—"

As if in reply, the floodlights that had been set up around Gunja started to come on. The stage where the speeches had been made earlier was now going to be occupied by Spirit of Ishval. There was a squeak of feedback as the musicians were warming up and testing the sound equipment that would broadcast their music all over Gunja, another modern twist to the ancient festival.

Rose let out a gasp. "Is the dancing going to start now? Pashmina's been teaching me some of the steps! I hope I can remember them!"

Stanno took her hand and began to lead her toward the temple square. "Just watch me."

Kaihan hung around like a bad smell. "When do you ever dance?" he scoffed.

Clenching his teeth for a moment, Stanno fought the urge to rise to the bait. "It's easy enough," he said to Rose, ignoring Kaihan. "You'll pick it up in no time."

Up on the stage, Dejan stepped up to one of the microphones. "Ishvala nadrii ho'avaat!" he called out.

"Ho'avaat!" the crowd roared back.

Dejan feigned at being startled. "Well, I guess you're all ready to cut loose." He looked around. "As soon as my dad shows up, we can get—ah, there he is!"

Shua hopped up onto the stage, holding his fiddle, and waved to the crowd.

Dejan turned back to the microphone. "Oh, yes, before we get started, I've been asked by our khorovar to remind you all to drink responsibly."

Shua stepped up to one of the other microphones and announced, "I'm donating a cut of my halmi sales to our school and hospital!"

His son gave him an exasperated look. "Dad, I just got through—"

Shua waved his remark aside. "Be temperate," he advised the crowd, "but be generous."

Dejan shrugged and grinned. "Right. Well, now, let's pick up our feet!"

He gave a nod to his brother-in-law, Damyan, who had been blowing up his bagpipe. As the first wail emanated from the chanter, Damyan lifted the drone to rest on his shoulder. Mika stepped up with her drum, tapping it with a light, rapid rhythm as Damyan gave enough of an introduction for the dancers to get into position. Several lines formed, some facing one, some another. They began to wind around curves and down side streets.

Whoever was at the head of each line would establish the basic steps. Stanno didn't even know who was leading this line, and he hoped that the steps would start out simple. It was true that he didn't participate in dancing much, generally only when it served a purpose, like now, and he didn't want to look like an idiot. Stanno tightened his hold on Rose's hand just a little. There could be quite a crush at times, and he didn't want to lose her in it. And of course that miserable shit Kaihan dove in to grab hold of Rose's other hand. She was far too kind to tell him to go lose himself, and Stanno didn't dare say anything for fear of appearing ill-mannered. It was enough to make a man weep.

With a deep stroke of the drum setting the rhythm of the dance, the line moved forward. With a quick glance up the line, Stanno quickly picked up which steps they would begin with. Oh, good, he knew that one pretty well. A few switching steps in place, then a hop, and some running steps forward to begin the pattern again. He had to admit, there was a certain infectious quality to it, and he turned to smile at Rose. She was looking down, concentrating on his feet and copying his movements. His, he thought smugly, not Kaihan's. He gave her hand a squeeze and she glanced up at him, an enchanting smile on her face, and she giggled. For a moment, he was so distracted that his steps nearly faltered. But then he took on a new sure-footedness.

The line began to curve around, doubling on itself, and those at the head of the line danced past those further down. It could easily snake around into several bends. At one point, the line curved enough to where for just a brief moment, Stanno was face to face with Kaihan, and they glared fiercely at each other. Rose was concentrating on her feet and didn't notice. Maybe they would make a sharp enough twist so that they would lose the tagma captain entirely. Maybe he would even be crushed underfoot. Once the momentum started, it was hard to stop. One could only hope. But Kaihan managed to hang on like grim death. The best Stanno could do was pretend he wasn't there, which wasn't easy, especially when Kaihan let out a short, piercing whistle, matching the rhythm of the drum. Others copied him enthusiastically. Whistling was one thing Stanno couldn't do well, and he despised Kaihan that much more.

After a time, Stanno leaned down toward Rose. Raising his voice to be heard over the music, he said, "If you get tired, let me know and we can step out."

"I'm all right!" Rose called back, just a little breathless.

"Feel free to take a rest anytime, old man!" Kaihan suggested over Rose's head. "We'll be fine, won't we, Rose!"

Stanno shot him a withering glance. He was, in fact, getting a little tired as well as irritable. "I can keep this up as long as you can!"

Kaihan grinned, not even out of breath. "Let's see you, then!"

"Oh, come on now!" Rose chided them amiably. "This is supposed to be fun! It's not a competition!"

Oh, Rose, if only you knew! Stanno thought glumly. If this kept up, he might never get the chance to tell her.

Their line had snaked all around the square and was heading back in the direction of the stage. Stanno couldn't even tell how long they had been at this. It could have been three quarters of an hour for all he knew. He wasn't quite sure he was up for too much more, but then the musicians finally brought the music to a halt. With a few final steps, the crowds of lines stopped and a cheer went up. Rose drew in a deep breath and cheered with the rest.

"We'll give you some time to wet your throats," Dejan announced over the speakers, "then we'll have at it again!"

The lines broke up and the dancers headed for the various drinks tables.

"Whew!" Rose breathed. "That sounds like a great idea! Let's grab a drink!"

Kaihan didn't release Rose's hand, so neither did Stanno, and for a moment, they seemed to be at an impasse. Then Rose strode toward one of the tables, dragging them along with her.

"Come along, boys! I'm thirsty!"

They stopped at one of the tables that didn't have too much of a crowd at it. Rose and her two escorts reached the front of the line, and one of the women behind it leaned toward her.

"What'll it be, Zhaarana?" she asked. She eyed Stanno and Kaihan with a slight grin. "Are you all together?"

"No!" both Stanno and Kaihan blurted.

Rose tucked their arms under hers. "Yes!" she declared. "Three beers, please."

"And a halmi," Stanno added, reaching into his pocket with his free hand.

"I'll take care of this!" Kaihan said quickly, digging into his pocket.

"No you won't!"

Rose leaned toward the woman as she set three bottles on the table and started to pour a small glass of halmi from a jug. "What's the damage?"

"Four hundred cenz."

"Right." Rose smiled and looked back and forth at Stanno and Kaihan. "That's two hundred from both of you. How's that?"

Kaihan chuckled and put a couple of notes on the table. "Fair enough."

"You're wise as well as beautiful, Rose," Stanno said. He picked up the glass of halmi and raised it to her. Then he knocked it back.

Kaihan raised an eyebrow. "Better watch the strong stuff, Zhaarad."

"What do you suggest, Captain?" Stanno picked up his beer bottle. "Goat's milk?"

Rose let out a sigh and freed her hands. Picking up her beer, she lifted it toward Stanno, then Kaihan. "Would you fellows do me a big favor and quit fussing?"

Kaihan smiled innocently. "It's all in fun, Rose!" He looked over her head at Stanno. "Isn't that right, Zhaarad?"

You know what would be fun? Me shoving that bottle down your throat. Stanno met Rose's look as she gazed up at him, earnestly waiting for a response. She actually looked a little worried. How could he disappoint her? He gave her a reassuring squeeze around the shoulders and kissed her temple. "Of course it is!"

"You're warming my heart!" the woman behind the table remarked. "But you're holding up the line!"

"Sorry!" Rose said quickly, moving away from the table.

Kaihan swung after her, but Stanno forced himself to lag behind, moving off to the side of the table to finish his beer. Despite every fiber of his being crying out to him to render the tagma captain unconscious, he had to be the better man. Was he not of noble blood? Was he not above this sort of petty squabbling? Wasn't that the sort of man Rose wanted him to be?

"Shouldn't you chase after her, Zhaarad Stanno?" the woman behind the table asked with a smirk. "The captain looks like he might steal her away."

Stanno watched the two of them a short distance away. Kaihan was babbling on about something or other and Rose was listening and nodding. Then she looked back toward the table and smiled at him. She tilted her head a little to beckon him over.

Stanno set down his empty bottle with a determined smile. "He hasn't got a chance," he told the woman, almost convincing himself.

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After a short break, the musicians gathered on the stage and started up again. Rose quickly took up a position in line along with her two dance partners. After the first skirl of the bagpipe and the beat of the drum, the dancing began. She was fully aware that the two men on either side of her saw themselves as rivals for her affection. It was a novel experience, and she had to admit, it was kind of flattering, but only to a certain point. She could sense a nearly palpable tension between them, but she was determined to keep things calm and equable. She didn't like conflicts. Even before the riots, conflicts made her anxious. Even more than bugs. They were both things that needed to be neutralized one way or another. The fact that she was the cause of this particular conflict made it worse.

Kaihan was normally such a nice guy, someone fun to hang out with. He didn't seem like the type to make such a point of goading Stanno. He seemed to have misinterpreted her friendliness for something more, and she was sorry if that was the case. She would have to gently set him straight without hurting his feelings. He could get his ego bruised pretty quickly, but he didn't seem to have any problem bouncing back.

Stanno, on the other hand, had plenty of scars on his ego, many of them self-inflicted. He'd had shown her these scars, laying an unattractive past bare for her, and she was so touched by the sweetness of his trust. Behind the charming, handsome front was a vulnerable, battered soul. Here was someone whose life she had touched—had changed. It was a scary responsibility. That small, empty spot in her heart was beginning to fill up again, but she wasn't sure she was ready for that.

The music and the dancing helped to make her feel a bit more lighthearted. She felt so privileged to be a part of this community experience. She wished it was having the same effect on Stanno and Kaihan, but she doubted it. She would catch them sending each other glances of veiled malice when they thought she wasn't looking. This situation called for straightening out before she left tomorrow, but she couldn't very well do that until she was able to sort things out in her own head.

Just when Rose thought her throat couldn't get any more parched, the music stopped. She drooped a little. "I really need something to drink."

"I'll get this round!" Kaihan announced quickly.

Stanno started to open his mouth, but Rose spoke up first. "That's awfully nice of you, Kaihan!"

"Ah…" Stanno put his arm around her shoulders. "So it is, Captain!" he said cheerfully. "We'll wait here for you."

Kaihan hesitated, eying the carpenter narrowly. "I could use some help."

"And leave Rose by herself?" Stanno replied in disbelief, tightening his hold. "You're a strong, capable fellow! You can manage!"

Kaihan seemed to visibly bristle. "You want to see what I'm capable of?"

Rose had enough of this. She rolled her eyes and pulled away from Stanno. "How about this? How about I treat the two of you? I'll go!" She gave them each a stern look and pointed at them. "And while I'm gone, you stay here and behave yourselves, all right?" She walking away, looking over her shoulder. "I'll be right back, and then we're going to have a little talk."

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Stanno watched Rose's retreating back with a sense of despair and foreboding. He felt embarrassed and chastened for having been scolded, and he dreaded what she might be planning to "talk" about.

"Nice job!" sneered Kaihan, the source of all his woes.

Mindful of Rose's admonition, Stanno kept his temper and said nothing.

At one of the nearby drinks tables, the tagma jostled noisily for position with the pullers. They'd been giving the tables a fair amount of custom.

Kaihan jerked his chin in their direction. "Looks like your boys might start some trouble, Zhaarad Stanno."

Stanno's jaw tightened a little. After their spectacular race, Stanno was feeling rather proud of his pullers and wasn't taking well to having them badmouthed. But he kept his temper. "They're decent fellows," he replied calmly. "They won't start anything, but they'll finish it if needs be. Your boys don't seem to be contributing much to law and order," he added. "Aren't they supposed to be on duty or something?"

Kaihan scoffed. "They're prepared for anything, day or night!"

Stanno couldn't help letting out a laugh. "Day or night, is it? Are you making a little money on the side, then?"

Kaihan cast him a disgusted look. "That's pretty filthy-minded!"

"Oh, now," Stanno replied with affected reassurance. "It's all in fun, isn't it, Captain?"

"Huh! I know about your idea of fun!" Kaihan growled back. "You used to visit the falshaii when decent men were home with their families. I've heard about you!"

Stanno just rolled his eyes. "More than one decent man spent time with the falshaii. That's old news."

"So are you!" Kaihan returned with a grin.

"I am the chieftain of Kanda," Stanno reminded him stiffly. "I have half a mind—"

"Good for you!"

Between gritted teeth, Stanno went on. "I have half a mind to speak to the khorovar about your lack of respect."

Kaihan was not intimidated. "Ah, now, everyone knows there's little love lost between the two of you. Besides, I command some respect of my own. I was the one the khorovar chose above all the others to lead the tagma!"

"Because you were the only one who could spell his own name?"

Kaihan turned to get into Stanno's face. "Listen, djaari—"

"No, you listen, lahaat!" Stanno snarled back. "I don't know what you think you're playing at, but you—"

"Hai, Zhaarad!" Salar, with a cup of halmi in one hand, clapped Stanno's shoulder with the other. A couple of the other pullers guffawed tipsily along with him. They must have opted to drink rather than dance. "You tell him, Zhaarad!"

It was unlikely that they even knew what was going on, and they were most definitely not helping. Stanno shrugged away irritably. "Go away!"

Two of his fellow tagma came up behind Kaihan. They looked like they might have been holding their liquor a little better, but not by much. "Something wrong, Captain?" one of them asked.

"Ahh!" Kaihan growled, jerking his chin at Stanno with what was meant to pass as gruff good humor. "The chieftain of Kanda wants to play the lead buck and lock horns."

Stanno smiled with perverse satisfaction. If Rose brought out the best in him, Kaihan was bringing out the worst. "Lead buck?" he laughed and raised his hands. "Oh, you're welcome to that title, Captain! You know your way around a goat pen better than me! After all, one of your does just had twins, didn't she? You must be so proud!"

Kaihan's head nearly snapped back as though he'd been struck, and his men let out incredulous gasps. Salar and the other pullers burst out laughing.

"Stanno!"

They all froze. Stanno turned to see Rose a few feet away, rooted to where she had stopped, clutching three beer bottles. She was staring at him in disbelief. Her cry was one of not just indignation but of dismay, and Stanno felt a rush of stinging remorse flood over him. Oh, Ishvala! What have I done?

Kaihan stared at her, his eyes widening as realization dawned. He looked back at Stanno, then back at Rose, outrage, hurt, and betrayal plastered over his features. Finally, as if settling on a resolve, he turned back toward Stanno and sent a fist across his chin.

Stanno rather lost track of what happened next, which was easy to do, considering how fast everything happened and the fact that he was stunned. He was engulfed in a sudden flood of bodies. There was angry, excited yelling all around him. There was the sound of breaking glass. It was difficult to determine who was trying to stop the fight and who was trying to make it worse. He tried to shuffle backwards to get out of the crush of elbows, knees, and fists, and he did finally free himself. For a moment, he thought he could possibly get away with looking like he wasn't even involved. But then Kaihan came stumbling out of the crowd as well and as soon as he caught sight of Stanno, he let out a bellow of rage and leapt forward. Stanno briefly considered the possible advantages of trying to apologize. Before he could come up with something convincing, Kaihan hit him again. His swing was wild but was fueled with twice as much momentum and anger.

Stanno was knocked backwards off his feet, dimly resigned to the fact that he would land on his back and get the wind knocked out of him. But on his way to the ground, the back of his head hit something with a hard edge and everything went dark.