Since arriving nearly two days ago, he had not really taken a moment to appreciate being back. There had been too much on his mind. There was still a lot on his mind, but it could not hurt to take a moment or two. His diare was unavailable, probably hiding away where he always went when he did not want to be disturbed. Mikranasta was busy. He should check in on Meleng and Sinit?a, but they were probably fine for the moment. He also did not want to return to them until he had had the chance to speak to the Lamdritta on Sinit?a’s behalf. He had promised to do that, after all.


    Lamdritta would agree to see him.


    Lamdir Paydamat.”


    siare, Nascanmat.”


    That explained the familiarity. Jorvanultumn had seen Nascanmat once or twice years ago, generally behind Paydamat. They had never interacted with one another. Jorvanultumn held up his right palm, and Nascanmat touched his left to it.


    Lamdir.”


    Paydamat set a brisk pace along the central path into the gardens. Nascanmat remained a short distance behind them.


    Lamdritta,” Paydamat said.


    Lamdir. I was hoping—”


    Lamdir.”


    Lamdir, you cannot make such a requirement of me. I—”


    Lamdir, there is still the matter of Princess Sinit?a Alessia Deanna Folith’s encounter with Lammdir Griholbovroh.”


    diare’s death. They were friends.”


    Lamdhir that she ignored her diare’s distress.”


    Lamdir.”


    Lamdritta.”


    Lamdir.”


    challenging my actions?”


    Lamdir.”


    She wheeled around and stormed off towards the Governance Building, nearly colliding with someone coming out. The second Isyar hastily stumbled aside to let her pass. Nascanmat said a quick apology to the individual, then followed after his diare.


    “Eli?spt,” the Isyar muttered and stomped away.


    With a shake of his head, he crossed the wide entry chamber to the administration centre where he could formally withdraw his request to speak to the Lamdritta. After he had taken care of that, he crossed the entry chamber again with the intent of heading home...or no...he needed to see Meleng and Sinit?a first.If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.


    “Jorvanultumn!”


    “I’ve been attending to some business.” Jorvanultumn looked past her to his fomase. Fevionawishtensen did not look bothered that Chiansamorkin had placed herself between them, though Fevionawishtensen was good at not showing emotions.


    “Another petition to address the Lamdritta?” Chiansamorkin said.


    “That’s probably right,” Chiansamorkin said. “Not from the Lamdritta anyway.”


    Jorvanultumn reluctantly separated from Fevionawishtensen and looked over to Chiansamorkin. “I don’t think Paydamat knows you know about Sinit?a. Is this true?”


    “That doesn’t seem very funny.”


    “Maybe. Maybe not.” Chiansamorkin took his arm. “Come, let’s go somewhere else. Best not to discuss this in here where anyone could overhear us.”


    “It’s not that I can’t fly. I just don’t want my wing—”


    As they passed through the doors, Fevionawishtensen released his arm so she could sign, Like a diare carries their infant siare.


    Fevionawishtensen looked Jorvanultumn over and nodded. Good point. She took his arm again.


    They led him through the gardens towards the path back down the mountainside. Chiansamorkin plucked a few needles from a szadan as they passed. “These look a little riper than last time.” She shoved one in Jorvanultumn’s mouth as he tried to question their actions.


    Fevionawishtensen signed, Fomaze.


    Jorvanultumn looked at her blankly. “Fomaze?”


    All signs of laughter were gone from her, and she gazed sternly at him. You told me when we met that, when she got over things, you wanted us to include her as fomaze.


    “Yes, when she calmed down and when she had a fomase of her own. She doesn’t have one yet.”


    Fevionawishtensen sighed. And you think she will?


    Fevionawishtensen stepped closer to him, grabbed his chin, and turned his face to look at her again. She has no one else. Her diare is dead, you know?


    She will never have a siare. We could bring her into our family so she doesn’t have to be alone.


    “I...I’d like to, but the fomaze is between two pairs of fomasee.”


    It is?


    Who says?


    “Well, it…” He had no idea who had written the rules of the fomaze, or why they were the way they were. Were there any actual written rules?


    No one says. That’s because it’s just a tradition. There are no formal rules. It is not like the elispt. Others may disapprove, but let them. We can do as we like. They can’t stop us.


    You’ve been gone two years. I’ve gotten to know her. Yes, I want this.


    Fevionawishtensen rolled her eyes. No one is saying we should do it right this instant.


    Chiansamorkin was clearly watching for a signal as she immediately flew over to them. She looked expectantly from Jorvanultumn to Fevionawishtensen and back again, her wings quivering.


    We’ll need to discuss when this will happen.


    Lamdritta is resolved first. Oh, probably shouldn’t announce this to anyone yet either. The others on the Lamdritta already consider me biased and if they find out about this, they might make me recuse myself, and then you’d lose your best champion.”


    Agreed, Fevionawishtensen said.