《The Sons of Mytea》


 Libri I.I Imruk

    It was bitterly cold in Imruk. Maybe that was why they had so many words to describe being cold. Aleci was glad he wasn¡¯t stuck there in winter, no doubt Praefect Damon would have to dodge daggers and poisons. Two winters had been enough for Aleci. The Imrukians made it clear that their presence was unwelcome, and he wouldn¡¯t blame them. He had silenced talks among his men of the frigidity of the Imrukian women. Praefect Damon did no such thing, as it was his personal thought that violence upon the populance was an effective strategy in war. It was a politer way of sanatizing what he meant, and Aleci knew this because Damon himself told Aleci in great detail.


    ¡°Maybe you¡¯d even get a son on one of them,¡± said Damon. ¡°They have carriers a plenty here, did you know?¡±


    Aleci did know. His father had said as much, hinted that perhaps Aleci would find a bride there. But he wasn¡¯t interested in establishing a family. If his father wanted grandchildren he would simply have to wait for his sister¡¯s children. Some would call it childish rebellion, but it was more complicated than that, at least, what Aleci had confessed to his friend one night. The wine had loosened his tongue, and he had declared there was no point in having children so that one can send them off to die in the Empire¡¯s endless wars. He didn¡¯t remember what Kaeso¡¯s reaction had been to that particular line of treasonous thought, his friend never brought up the topic. Kaeso himself never married, which was a shame, to the women at least, because Aleci had heard plenty coo and seen them flutter their eyelashes at Kaeso¡¯s handsome face.


    Aleci supposed he too could be called handsome. The emphasis was on could. Kaeso had claimed that there was something irresistible about Aleci''s blue-grey eyes and the perpetual sad frown on his face. He''d then laughed himself silly when Aleci tried and failed to dunk him in a tub. But both of them knew it wasn¡¯t women Aleci was interested in, no matter how beautiful or interested they were in winning a Praefect''s hand. He sighed deeply, rubbing his hands together to warm them. Even in the heated tent it was cold, how did the Imrukians even survive their winters?


    ¡°Praefect!¡±


    Aleci looked up from where he was pouring over the maps. It was Domerc, the best of Aleci¡¯s scouts. There was a sheen of sweat on his face that suggested he ran to Aleci¡¯s tent.


    ¡°What is it?¡± said Aleci.


    ¡°Found a thief,¡± said Domerc. ¡°A little thief. I thought he was a spy so I tailed him my men,¡± he rubbed at his neck. ¡°He¡¯s not but ah¡­ I¡¯m not sure what to make of it.¡±


    ¡°What do you mean?¡± said Aleci, getting up and pulling a cloak around himself.


    ¡°It¡¯s not everyday one finds a little family trailing a legion,¡± said Domerc.


    Aleci raised an eyebrow, ¡°How many did you find?¡±


    ¡°Four,¡± said Domerc.


    ¡°I suppose they were trying to leave Llandy,¡± said Aleci, motioning for Domerc to show him to where the ¡®little family¡¯ was. ¡°Were they on foot?¡±


    ¡°One horse between them,¡± said Domerc.


    ¡°When you say little family... you mean orphaned children?¡±


    It was an inevitably when a power struggle happened. Imruk didn''t care for the families of the losing side when their patriarch lost his seat. Perhaps they could find work for them in the Capital.


    ¡°No,¡± said Domerc. ¡°A carrier and his children. I don¡¯t think they¡¯re the  commonfolk  here.¡±


    ¡°Really?¡± said Aleci, intrigued. ¡°A noble?¡± The nobles of Llandy had been forced to give tributes, if they didn''t have the coin, and perhaps this was one that didn¡¯t agree with giving up his children, ¡°How old are they?¡±


    ¡°Begging your pardon, Praefect, but I can¡¯t tell children¡¯s ages. The carrier could be your age. Could be mine. The boy I caught¡­ maybe ten? He has a mouth on him, that one.¡± Domerc sounded amused, ¡°I didn¡¯t realize there were that many curses one can say at ten.¡±


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    Aleci¡¯s men had gathered around to watch. Domerc had his scouts point their swords at the captives, though it didn¡¯t seem to scare the boy who, even with his hands tied, was cursing them. Very creative, thought Aleci, he didn¡¯t know that his men deserved to have their entrails eaten by cats. He could see why Domerc had forgone rope, the carrier had a baby in a sling and was carrying another child, maybe four or five in his arms. The two younger children were very quiet. Too quiet, thought Aleci.


    Seeing him walk forward, the carrier bowed his head, ¡°Please forgive us,  Praefect,  my son, he is only-¡±


    His words were cut out by the young boy trying to kick Aleci in the shin.


    ¡°Edon!¡± said the man, trying and failing to pull him back. ¡°Edon,  please,¡±  he jostled the younger child in his arms and even then there was no reaction,  ¡°please  Praefect,  you can take our horse, please let us go.¡±


    The carrier didn¡¯t meet Aleci¡¯s eyes, his head was still bowed in submission. If he were to let them go now no doubt the two younger ones would freeze to death.


    ¡°Go where?¡±  said Aleci, he signaled towards Domerc. ¡°Prepare a hot bath, Domerc.¡±


    ¡°Of course, Praefect.¡±


    He ignored Edon still trying to kick him, ¡° Where are you headed?¡± To the boy he said, ¡°  If I untie you will you stop kicking?¡±


    The glare he was given was defiant, ¡°No,¡± said Edon.


    Mytea help him, must one really extend a hand to stubborn boys? But the younger ones certainly, it wouldn¡¯t sit well on his conscience for him to send babies off to freeze to death.


    ¡°You can come with us,¡±  Aleci said, he glanced at the children in the carrier¡¯s arms. ¡°How do you expect to travel with such young children?¡±  He thought it sounded reassuring, but the carrier cringed away from him and clutched the children closer to his chest. Aleci sighed deeply, ¡°I¡¯m Aleci.¡± he bowed, like an Imrukian, not a Capital salute.


    ¡°Finne, Praefect Aleci,¡± said Finne, now meeting Aleci¡¯s eyes.


    Up close he could see that they were a very striking green. Domerc had said that Finne was Aleci¡¯s age, but he could see the spider thin lines of exhaustion around them. Perhaps there was even grey in the curly brown hair as well, falling out its braid. Now he could see the resemblance between the older boy and Finne. They both shared the same curly brown hair and delicate face, though Edon''s had a touch of red in his own.


    Aleci raised an eyebrow at the lack of a surname, ¡° Just  Finne?¡±


    ¡°Finne,¡± said Finne, and when Aleci glanced at the children in his arms, swallowed. ¡°Ethain,¡± he said to the older boy in his arms, ¡°Ediann.¡±


    ¡°Come,  Finne,¡±  said Aleci, ¡°I suppose you want a decent meal,¡±


    ¡°We don¡¯t want them from you!¡±  said Edon furiously, and louder. ¡°WE DON¡¯T WANT-¡± he yelped when Finne shifted Ethain onto one arm to grab his shoulder.


    ¡°Edon,  please behave. For me, please.¡±


    That was not Imrukian, Aleci thought, startled at the words. It sounded Imrukian, but he didn''t understand the words. But Imruk had many tribes, perhaps this was one of their dialects, a mountain dialect.


    Edon crossed his arms, angrily stomping his feet, ¡°We should have taken another horse. Now look where we are!¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re a very stubborn boy, aren¡¯t you?¡±  said Aleci, amused at the boy¡¯s stubbornness even if he didn¡¯t understand the words, "Come on, aren¡¯t you hungry?¡±


    ¡°No!¡± said Edon, even as his stomach growled.


    ¡°Come, Finne,¡± said Aleci.


    He would have reached out to take Ediann from Finne¡¯s arms, in any other circumstance, but he doubted it would be welcomed. The soldiers gathered around them had all wandered off, curiosity sated. Aleci made to undo the ties around the boy¡¯s arms. Edon growled and slapped his hands away when the rope was barely untied. They were lucky not to run into Damon¡¯s legion, thought Aleci. No doubt Damon would have the boy¡¯s hand cut off for such insolence. Edon, for all his bravado earlier, stuck close to Finne the entire way to Aleci¡¯s tent, until he saw the horse tied there.


    ¡°Stygian!¡± said Edon, running towards the black horse who huffed a friendly greeting. There were two saddlebags on the horse¡¯s back.


    What an unusual name, thought Aleci, how did the boy even come to know the word?


    ¡°Do you want me to carry the bags?¡± said Aleci.


    Edon responded by pulling down the bags himself and hefting both over his shoulders.


    ¡°Come,¡± said Aleci.


    Domerc had managed to somehow fill the tub in the short time it took them to walk back to Aleci¡¯s tent. The water was even hot, Aleci suspected he¡¯d commandeered the water from other tents that were for brewing tea and cooking. There were even two camp cots set up on the opposite side, and Domerc had thought of putting a screen around the tub. Finne glanced at Aleci hesitantly before gently shaking at Ediann. The younger boy mumbled sleepily, batting Finne¡¯s hand away, but at least he seemed strong enough to stand when Finne placed him on the tent floor. Edon had gone over to the tub, and touched the water wonderingly.


    ¡°It¡¯s hot,¡±  he said to Finne, again in that odd tongue. ¡°Maybe it¡¯ll help him feel less cold?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll pull a screen around you,¡± said Aleci.


    Ediann¡¯s clothes were lovingly embroidered, and it was the same for the blanket that Ethain was swaddled in. It was in sharp contrast with the clothes Finne and Edon were dressed in. They looked worn and old, like what stablehands would wear. How odd, thought Aleci. Unswaddled, Ediann opened his mouth and began to weakly wail.


    ¡°Can you hold him for a moment?¡±  said Finne to Edon, sounding exhausted, his hands went to the clasp on his cloak, undoing it. Finne glanced hesitantly at Aleci, ¡°I can leave the tent, your tent. I need to feed him.¡±


    ¡°You want to feed him outside?¡±  said Aleci, in disbelief raising an eyebrow, ¡°In the cold?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s your tent.¡±  said Finne, ¡°I¡¯m-¡±


    ¡° I¡¯m going to eat,¡±  said Aleci, ¡°I will bring back food. Go and-¡±  he glanced at the baby in Finne¡¯s arms. ¡°Feed him, clean up,¡±  to Edon he said, ¡°I suppose you¡¯ve taken enough food?¡±


    Edon scowled angrily, ¡°Yes.¡±


    He was stubbornly endearing, thought Aleci.


    ¡°I¡¯ll be back,¡± he said, pulling his cloak closer to himself as he walked out of the tent.


    Kaeso was waiting by the fire when he went to fetch his dinner.


    ¡°You¡¯re sharing a tent now?¡± said Kaeso, amused.


    ¡°You are thinking to much,¡± said Aleci, ¡°it means nothing.¡±


    ¡°Ah, of course. Nothing,¡± Kaeso sing-songed, ¡°you¡¯re only doing as Mytea bids you.¡±

 Libri I.II Imruk

    ¡°I¡¯ll have you know it¡¯s the right thing to do,¡± said Aleci irritably.


    He knew what Kaeso would say. The right thing to do had led them on more than one merry run from various authorities and headaches. The last right thing to do was purring in Kaeso¡¯s lap. It was the biggest cat Aleci had ever looked upon, Kaeso helpfully pointed out that it was a tom at Aleci''s repeated cursing at the creature. Tom or dam, the cat wore the smuggest of looks; that it knew it was the biggest cat around, and no other would usurp it from its throne.


    ¡°It sits around and eats our food like the Caesar,¡± Aleci had muttered. At least Caesarion wasn''t as bloodthirsty, unless you counted the rats, squirrels and other small unforunate creatures that the cat occasionally deposited at the foot of Aleci''s cot.


    Caesarion¡¯s treasonous name had stuck. Not that the cat particularly cared, he came and went as he liked, somehow managing to find the warmest tent and the more generous of the guards.


    He slurped down the rest of his meal, and was filling up two bowls to take to the tent when Kaeso stopped him.


    ¡°Does he need cloths?¡± said Kaeso.


    ¡°Clothes?¡± said Aleci.


    Kaeso rolled his eyes, ¡°Cloths Aleci, what do you think babies do?¡± he shook his head, ¡°Never mind, I¡¯ll come by with some before we leave tomorrow.¡± He clapped Aleci¡¯s shoulder, ¡°There¡¯s going to be so much laundry. Should I clear up a space in one of the wagons for the four of them?¡±


    ¡°You do that," said Aleci, ¡°So helpful.¡± He added with fondness, ¡°What would I ever do without the wisdom of Kaeso?¡±


    Kaeso gave him a friendly wave, but not before adding, ¡°Announce your presence before you enter the tent.¡±


    ¡°What do you think I am, a barbarian?¡± said Aleci, getting up with the two steaming bowls in each hand. ¡°Good night Kaeso.¡±


    There was a light in his tent when he approached it, and Finne was the one to open the tent flap after Aleci called out that he was coming in. He took in the bowls in Aleci¡¯s hands with some surprise. His hair was loosely tied back and slightly damp.


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    ¡°Thank you Praefect,¡± he said, looking shocked, ¡°You needn¡¯t.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s no trouble,¡± said Aleci, offering Finne the first bowl, ¡°Don¡¯t you want something hot?¡±


    Edon scowled suspiciously and only said a begrudging thank you when Finne gently pressed him to do so. From the way he sat down and eagerly devoured the contents, it would seem that whatever he took wasn¡¯t enough. Aleci sniffed the air curiously, there was an earthy, flowery smell in his tent. Like a tea, Aleci thought, and shrugged, perhaps it was whatever Finne bought with him. The two younger children were sleeping in one of the cots, bundled in blankets. Near the tub was a small pile of soiled clothes and two towels hung over the screen.


    ¡°Do you want to bathe Praefect?¡± said Finne, ¡°I wasn¡¯t sure¡­¡±


    The water was slightly murky. Aleci shook his head, ¡°No.¡±


    Finne looked relieved, ¡°I¡¯m sorry Praefect, I should have asked-¡±


    ¡°I offered,¡± said Aleci, ¡°don¡¯t worry about it. Why don¡¯t you eat before the food¡¯s cold?¡±


    Edon protested sleeping in the same tent as the enemy. At least, he spoke in the odd tongue again but the meaning and angry glare was the same. Aleci decided to make himself scarce in the far corner on his own cot. It was as much privacy as he could give to his guests without outright giving them the tent. The older boy quieted down soon enough, his protests soon becoming yawns of tiredness, which was when he allowed Finne to tuck him into bed.


    The screen had been pulled in front of the beds Finne and the children slept on. Finne didn¡¯t need to ask for his permission, thought Aleci, bewildered at how Finne asked if he could do so and if he could sleep now. He stared at the unfinished map on the small table he balanced on his knees, wondering if this was an Imrukian thing, that a wife had to ask for permission. Certainly it wasn¡¯t the case when he learned the tongue from the Imrukian women in the Capital. But they weren¡¯t nobles. Nobles always had their... way of doing things, even in the Capital.


    ¡°Praefect Aleci.¡±


    Finne was wearing his nightclothes, holding a small pouch in his hands.


    ¡°You are going to the Capital?¡± said Finne.


    ¡°Yes,¡± said Aleci, ¡°Are you?¡±


    Finne glanced down and then back up at Aleci, ¡°Yes. I¡­ would this be enough as payment?¡±


    He tipped the contents of the pouch onto his hands and held it out to Aleci. It was a ring, an emerald in its middle and a pair of matching earrings. A bridal gift, from the looks of it, if his mother knew Aleci had deprived a woman of her bridal finery he would undoubtedly be forever barred from her house. He supposed that sentiment would also apply for carriers.


    ¡°No, Finne, you needn¡¯t-¡±


    He saw Finne swallowed, his palm closing on to the jewelry and clenching into a fist. They were quickly placed into the pouch again, and Finne approached him hesitantly, his eyes flickering to the screen and then at Aleci¡¯s face.


    ¡°Would you like something else, Praefect?¡± said Finne, voice wavering, ¡°I''m not the... prettiest, but I am sure you would-"


    ¡°No!¡± said Aleci, shaking his head, watching as Finne¡¯s hands moved to undo the ties on his clothes, ¡°No, you don¡¯t have to pay me Finne.¡± Finne¡¯s breaths were coming in great heavy heaves, there was a very far away look in his eyes, ¡°Finne.¡± said Aleci, taking Finne¡¯s chin with one hand, ¡°Finne, you needn¡¯t pay me. Not now, not ever. You and your children can come with me to the Capital and I swear on Mytea¡¯s name that I will not let any harm come onto you and your sons.¡±


    He wasn¡¯t sure if Finne even heard him, Finne had collapsed on the bed, shoulders shaking.


    Aleci stared stupidly, wondering if his touch would even be welcomed. He hesitantly placed one hand on Finne¡¯s shoulder, like what he would do to comfort his friends. He thought Finne would shake it off, or move away, but Finne leaned onto the touch as if it was a hand extended to a drowning man. Throwing caution to the wind, Aleci pulled Finne into an embrace all the while Finne wept silent tears.


    ¡°I promise,¡± he repeated, wondering if Finne even understood his soothing refrain, ¡°I promise, I promise, I promise.¡±


    The candle was very much burnt out when Finne wiped at his eyes and said, steadily, ¡°Who is Mytea?¡±

 Libri I.III Imruk

    ¡°Mytea?¡± said Aleci, glad for the change in topic, ¡°They¡¯re a God. My God. The God of lost souls.¡±


    ¡°Lost souls?¡± Finne repeated.


    ¡°Lost travelers, for example,¡± said Aleci. ¡°It is my duty to extend a hand and hearth to anyone-¡±


    His words were cut off by the sound of a baby crying.


    ¡°Please excuse me,¡± said Finne, he got up from the bed and made his way to the cots. Aleci could see him walking back and forth, soothing Ethain to no avail.


    The amount of infants Aleci had spent time with was five, if you counted their mothers in the room. They didn¡¯t sound like Ethain did, Ethain¡¯s cries were weak and fluttery.


    ¡°Feed him,¡± said Aleci, ¡°You don¡¯t have to leave the tent.¡± He wasn''t sure why Finne insisted on leaving earlier, but he would make it clear now, ¡°Do you want me to light another candle?¡±


    ¡°If you wish, Praefect,¡± said Finne.


    Aleci did so, and when the candle was lit, he heard Finne sitting down on the cot. The cries stopped, and he was relieved to hear the sounds of suckling. The last thing he wanted to do was track down a wet nurse. There probably wouldn¡¯t be one for miles.


    ¡°Why are you going to the Capital?¡± said Aleci.


    ¡°I ¡­ have family there,¡± said Finne, hesitantly and too quickly.


    ¡°Who?¡± said Aleci, ¡°I know almost all the Imrukians in the Capital. I can send a letter for you.¡± When there was a long pause he said, ¡°I would not lie to you, Finne, and I hope you wouldn¡¯t lie to me. Is there-¡± he thought of the children¡¯s names, ¡°a father looking for them? Your husband?¡± He could see Finne¡¯s shadow from the screen, and carried on, it was best to rip out a scab, ¡°If your noble husband hurts my men, Finne, I would need to know. I have my duty to them as well. Please understand.¡±


    ¡°You came to wage war,¡± said Finne faintly, so faint Aleci had to strain his ears to hear him.


    ¡°Imruk declared war first,¡± said Aleci, even though he knew it was a half truth, ¡°I want nothing more to do with this war, and-¡± he stopped himself, the chances of Finne being a spy was astronomically small, but he wasn¡¯t about to commit treason. ¡°I said to you I would take you to the Capital. You have my word. I would like to simply ask if I should assign more guards.¡±


    Finne¡¯s voice was very small when he said, ¡°He told me he didn¡¯t want a cripple.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± said Aleci.


    Finne walked over to him, the baby in his arms. Ethain¡¯s swaddles had been loosened, and Finne hesitantly sat down next to Aleci. He met Aleci¡¯s eyes warily and gently eased the baby¡¯s legs out into view. There was a healthy amount of baby fat on Ethain, but both his feet were oddly pointed together. Clubbed, thought Aleci, with dawning comprehension.


    ¡°There¡¯s a physician,¡± said Finne, ¡°a physician in the Capital that fixes these. I read-¡± he swiftly corrected himself, ¡°I heard that.¡±


    ¡°Read?¡± said Aleci, ¡°You can read my tongue?¡±


    ¡°No,¡± said Finne, looking away from him.


    Aleci sighed deeply, ¡°You can keep your secrets if you want, but tell me who you are looking for.¡±


    ¡°Thodius,¡± said Finne, carefully swaddling the now cooing infant, ¡°Thodius of Nabaeum.¡±


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    ¡°I don¡¯t know him,¡± said Aleci, ¡°Perhaps my friend does, he does like to read these odd tomes. Could your husband not send for the man? Is he not a noble?¡±


    Finne swallowed, refusing to meet Aleci¡¯s eyes, ¡°He¡¯s a cripple, Aleci, they aren¡¯t worth his time.¡± He breathed in and out, shakily, ¡°He¡¯s my child too.¡±


    Aleci glanced at the baby, then at the floor. He didn¡¯t want to dash Finne¡¯s hopes that Thodius would somehow straighten the baby¡¯s feet. Many such babies were abandoned in the Capital after all, taken in at best by beggars for begging rings and at worst by slavers. Even the nobles in the Capital he doubted would search for such a man to fix their child¡¯s feet. But Finne had taken such a risk, he must have clung desperately to this hope.


    ¡°Would your husband come searching for you?¡± said Aleci.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± said Finne faintly, wiping at his face. ¡°He¡­ I¡¯m not his favorite. Why would he look for me?¡±


    He would just have to double the scouts and nightwatches just in case, thought Aleci. The last thing he needed was some righteous bastard wanting back children he didn¡¯t even remember siring.


    ¡°Can you pay him?¡± said Aleci, ¡°I don¡¯t think Thodius would take just a ring and earrings as payment.¡±


    Finne blinked at him, wide eyed, ¡°It¡¯s not?¡± he sounded sickened, ¡°It¡¯s all I-¡±


    Finne, thought Aleci, did not think things through. But then who was he to fault him, he wasn¡¯t sure he wanted to dwell on what Fine''s husband did to warrant Finne deciding a wintry escape was the best option.


    ¡°I can pay,¡± offered Aleci, ¡°I have some¡­ means.¡±


    One must never wave their wealth in the face of others'' misfortune, his mother had told him, her brows furrowed in a disapproving frown as they waited in the streets for a Magister and his procession to pass them. Aleci had agreed, and taken great pleasure in watching the man gamble his fortunes away on horseraces that Aleci himself personally rigged as a newly minted Praefect several years later. Though he couldn''t repeat that particular excercise often, even if he thought the money could better be used elsewhere. One Magister losing his fortune could be waved off, two was a raised eyebrow and three times would warrant an investigation.


    ¡°You would?¡± said Finne, sounding faint. He bit his lip then looked at Aleci, ¡°Do you want¡­ Do you want me to repay you? I would¡­ I would do whatever you want. Whatever you want.¡± he repeated, his voice now steady, ¡°I won¡¯t say no.¡±


    It was a twisted proposition, and Aleci regretted putting Finne in the position of begging for his child¡¯s treatment.


    ¡°Are you sure,¡± said Aleci, deciding he would answer with the pretend ignorance that Finne wanted to be a servant of sorts to him, ¡°you have the time? You have three children to care for.¡±


    Finne glanced at where Aleci¡¯s hands laid in his lap, ¡°I can pay you back in the Capital,'''' said Finne. ¡°You want a son? I can give you one. The soldiers said you wanted your own line. You don¡¯t have to marry me, I can be your amatrix.¡± He visibly swallowed, rambling on, ¡°and the child, it would be like Edon, not like¡­¡± he closed his eyes, hanging his head as if waiting for a death blow.


    First of all, Aleci wanted to know which one of his guards was so openly gossipy that they declared to the entire crowd that he wanted a family. Secondly¡­ Only a handful of his guards were even remotely competent in Imrukian, and none of them were gossipers, and did Finne say amatrix? That was both beneath and above him, he wasn¡¯t a Magister.


    ¡°Gossipy bastards,¡± exclaimed Aleci, and Finne flinched, ¡°You understood them?¡±


    ¡°No,¡± said Finne and turned his head away from Aleci, shaking.


    ¡°If you can tell them what you want the trip would be so much easier for everyone,¡± said Aleci, deciding to switch to his own tongue, ¡°I won¡¯t have to assign Domerc to translate.¡±


    Finne met his eyes, blinking rapidly, ¡°You don¡¯t want a child from me?¡±


    Aleci glanced over to where Edon was sleeping and shuddered inwardly. ¡°I told you, Finne, I am Mytea¡¯s acolyte and I don¡¯t need payment from you,¡± said Aleci, kindly. ¡°You can repay this by helping another lost traveler, whenever you have the means to do so, hm?¡± he made his face into what he hoped was an amused smile, ¡°Now who was this idiot that said I wanted a family?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re not going to punish him?¡± said Finne.


    Aleci shook his head, ¡°No, I¡¯ll tell him to-¡± he jerked his head towards the pile of soiled clothing. ¡°Wash that. Clearly he¡¯s got nothing better to do. Who was it?¡± When Finne looked apprehensive he reached out to gently stroke his cheek, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, if he¡¯s mad at you then it¡¯s his own fault for refusing to hold his tongue.¡±


    He was relieved to see that Finne was capable of smiling. It made him look years younger, but as soon as it was gone he was world weary again. Like a house with the shutters drawn, thought Aleci.


    ¡°I think he was punished plenty,¡± said Finne, ¡°Domerc cuffed him over the head and told him to hold his tongue, like you said.¡±


    Whoever taught Finne must be a scholar from the Empire, ¡°You really do know the tongue,¡± said Aleci, ¡°Do they?¡± he gestured towards the sleeping children.


    ¡°No,¡± said Finne, amending himself. ¡°Maybe a little for Edon.¡±


    ¡°What about Ediann?¡± said Aleci.


    Finne rocked Ethain, hesitantly. He was biting his lips again, before he said, ¡°Would you abandon your child? If they were-¡±


    ¡°No,¡± said Aleci, softly, ¡°I wouldn¡¯t.¡±


    The more sardonic part of him thought that if he had crippled children they wouldn¡¯t be forced into service, but he quickly shut that door.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know what¡¯s wrong with me,¡± said Finne, wiping at his own eyes. ¡°I have prayed and prayed for healthy children. So that he¡¯d be happy. So that they wouldn¡¯t-¡± Finne swallowed, blinking rapidly.


    ¡°Nothing¡¯s wrong with you,¡± said Aleci quickly. ¡°Sometimes things just are. Perhaps that¡¯s why you found that book hm? To put the idea into you to find this Thodius?¡±


    Finne blinked rapidly at him, eyes wide.


    ¡°Why don¡¯t you sleep?¡± said Aleci, gently. ¡°It¡¯s been a long day for you I¡¯m sure, and we start early tomorrow. I¡¯ve had a wagon prepared, you can sit in it with your children.¡±


    Finne was still very polite and formal when he bid Aleci goodnight. Aleci could hear him tossing and turning on the other bed. He hoped that he didn¡¯t upturn Finne¡¯s world the way he normally did with people when he sat down to ask them why they thought things the way they did. But he would have blurted it out eventually, there was nothing Aleci hated more than mothers blaming themselves for how their children turned out. Well, perhaps some should, but most shouldn¡¯t. Most people were good mothers.

 Libri I.IV Imruk

    ¡°Blue blue blue, mama¨ª-¡±


    There were tugs on the cloak that he''s wrapped around himself in to sleep. Even two blankets wasn''t enough to keep warm in this place. The voice was garbled and childlike. For one wild moment Aleci thought it was his younger sister, and he was a child back in his old bedroom before he heard an impatient sigh and the tugging stopped.


    ¡°Edi, no.¡±


    Aleci opened bleary eyes to see Finne pulling away the younger boy. Now that he could see the child, he noted that Ediann and Finne had the same features, curly brown hair and green eyes.


    ¡°Blue!¡± Ediann insisted, pointing to Aleci¡¯s cloak that he was using as an extra blanket.


    ¡°It¡¯s. Not. Yours,¡± said Finne, shaking his head firmly, inflecting each word.


    Ediann ignored him, looking plaintively at Aleci¡¯s blue cloak. He pointed again, insistently, whining under his breath. Well, he can¡¯t have this one, thought Aleci, wrapping it firmly around himself. He¡¯d not bothered to undress for bed. From the light in the tent and the noise of the legion slowly waking up it was just after sunrise. Finne had swaddled the baby and was carrying him in a makeshift sling. The older boy, Edon was awake and busying himself with folding the blankets. Aleci frowned, while both Finne and Edon wore shoes and travel clothes, Ediann was still dressed in his noble finery. It wouldn''t too bad if they were traveling in the wagon, but Finne would have to buy shoes soon for Ediann soon, though looking at the state of their clothes... perhaps he could find Finne a spare set of clothes. Aleci padded over to his trunk, shivering as he flipped open the lid. None of his clothes would fit Finne, and they all needed a good wash anyway. His spare cloak though, was clean enough when Aleci gave it an experimental sniff.


    ¡°Ediann, do you want this?¡± he said, holding out the spare cloak. Ediann had his back turned to Aleci, and Aleci called out again, ¡°Ediann?¡±


    ¡°He can¡¯t hear you,¡± said Edon, scowling, ¡°He can¡¯t-¡±


    ¡°Edon!¡± said Finne, he made a hushing noise.


    ¡°I¡¯m not lying!¡± said Edon, crossing his arms, and pointing at Ediann, saying in that foreign tongue, ¡°He can¡¯t hear!¡±


    ¡°Ediann?¡± said Aleci, walking over and tapping the boy¡¯s shoulder.


    The child flinched away from him, running to hide behind Finne.


    ¡°It¡¯s for you,¡± said Aleci, kneeling and offering up the cloak to Ediann.


    The boy glanced at Aleci and then at Finne, ¡°Yes,¡± he said, slurring the s so that it sounded like ''th''.


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    Aleci frowned, wasn¡¯t Ediann the age where he should be talking in complete sentences, clear sentences? Then Edon¡¯s words made sudden sense.


    ¡°He¡¯s deaf?¡± he said to Finne, ¡°Ediann?¡±


    Finne refused to look at him.


    ¡°Ediann,¡± said Aleci, offering the cloak to the child, ¡°You. Can. Have. This.¡±


    Now Finne¡¯s earlier exaggerated pauses made sense, but that wasn¡¯t a viable way of communicating, lip reading. If it proved disastrous for an infiltration then it was worst for day to day living. Poor boy, thought Aleci, watching Ediann hesitantly take the cloak and marvel at the faded embroidery on Aleci¡¯s cloak, his little hands running over the patterns.


    ¡°Do you want me to teach him the military signs I use?¡± said Aleci.


    ¡°What do you mean?¡± said Finne, his expression unreadable.


    ¡°What is he saying?¡± said Edon, tugging at Finne¡¯s arm.


    ¡°We use hand signal,¡± said Aleci, demonstrating with a quick, sign that meant ¡®move in¡¯. ¡°To communicate. I can try teaching him, if you want,¡± he frowned, thinking out loud, ¡°I have never spoken in complete sentences with it.¡±


    ¡°You would?¡± said Finne.


    ¡°Of course,¡± said Aleci, ¡°Ediann would be traveling with us as well. I don¡¯t see why not.¡± He moved himself to Ediann¡¯s field of vision, waving his hand in front of the boy¡¯s face to catch his attention. He flexed his fingers experimentally, recalling the letters. ¡°Cloak. C-L-O-A-K,¡± he signed and said the word out loud, in exaggerated motions like Finne did, pointing at the cloak in Ediann¡¯s hands while he did so. He then gestured to his own cloak, ¡°Cloak.¡±


    Ediann stared wide eyed at him.


    ¡°Cloak,¡± Aleci signed again, this time saying the word in Imrukian.


    The boy still looked confused.


    ¡°We¡¯ll work on it,¡± said Aleci, deciding he should ask Kaeso how on earth one goes about making the connection between words, their meanings and hand gestures to a child. They would also have to establish what tongue the signs would be in, Aleci had used his own alphabet as a basis for the signs, whereas the Imrukian alphabet looked nothing like the Empire''s. Then there was the fact that he usually dropped all vowels when signing, and he was very certain that while C-L-K could be understood by his men, dropping vowels might not be the best way to teach.


    Just as he was about to stand up, Ediann reached out to pull at Aleci¡¯s tunic. He was still holding on to the cloak Aleci had given him.


    ¡°Looak,¡± he said, very slowly, mimicking Aleci¡¯s gestures.


    Aleci grinned, impressed, ¡°Cloak,¡± he signed.


    He left Finne in the tent to dress the children, and walked out to find that Kaeso had helpfully pulled the wagon up next to Aleci¡¯s tent. Something made Kaeso very amused, and he refused to say what it was when Aleci raised an eyebrow. When Finne and the children came out, Kaeso introduced himself to Finne in flawless Imrukian, perfect as always, and waved away Finne¡¯s attempts to help Aleci after he¡¯d carried the two younger children up the wagon.


    ¡°Do you know Thodius?¡± said Aleci as he started undoing the tent, ¡°Thodius from Nabaeum?¡±


    Kaeso frowned, ¡°The¡­ physician? I don¡¯t know him, Aleci. Shouldn¡¯t you ask¡­ Iachos? He¡¯s the physician here.¡±


    Aleci lowered his voice, ¡°He¡¯s my father¡¯s little spy!¡± he muttered, angrily, ¡°I¡¯ll not-¡±


    ¡°What makes you think Iachos tells your father anything?¡± said Kaeso. ¡°He¡¯s here to keep you out of trouble-¡±


    ¡°-the same thing!¡± snapped Aleci as Kaeso held out both hands placatingly.


    ¡°It¡¯s his wagon he offered up,¡± said Kaeso. ¡°Seeing as no one¡¯s severely injured. He said he¡¯ll walk, unless your guest-¡±


    ¡°Finne,¡± said Aleci.


    ¡°Finne,¡± Kaeso continued, unperturbed, ¡°Finne needs one or the children. They were fine? I suppose they¡¯re hardier folks, living in the cold and all. I heard they let the children sleep outside on cradles dangling in the branches-¡±


    ¡°He understands us.¡± said Aleci, pulling the poles of the tent down with a clatter. ¡°You don¡¯t happen to know what exactly our alphabet was for the hand signals?¡±


    ¡°Hm?¡± said Kaeso, raising an eyebrow in question. ¡°You just said he knew our tongue. You want us to sign now?¡±


    ¡°No, no!¡± said Aleci, kicking a stubborn pole out of the ground and cursing as his toes twinged painfully, ¡°His child. The middle one. Ediann. I want to-'''' he stopped at the amused look on Kaeso¡¯s tanned face, ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°You know you want it very much-¡± Kaeso began and ducked as Aleci swung the pole at his head.


    ¡°I want to teach him the alphabet. We don¡¯t use it, do we? We have like-¡± Aleci let the poles fall to the ground with a clatter to sign ¡®jump¡¯ with exaggerated movements. ¡°We dropped the alphabet entirely. It was more hand movements and single letters. J-M-P.¡± He repeated for emphasis.


    ¡°Now that you mention it... I¡¯ll think about it. Does he need a stylus? To draw? It might be easier to-¡± then he started laughing.


    ¡°What horror are you thinking of now?¡± said Aleci, even though he very well knew what Kaeso was thinking about.


    ¡°You!¡± said Kaeso, tossing his head back and wiping tears of mirth from his eyes, ¡°Drawing! Poor lad won¡¯t know what he¡¯s seeing.¡±

 Libri I.V Imruk

    His friend was still laughing when he helped Aleci load his tent into a waiting wagon. Aleci spotted Iachos loading his own supplies into another wagon and approached the older man.


    ¡°Iachos,¡± said Aleci.


    The man handed the last of the crates to a waiting soldier then turned to Aleci, ¡°Praefect.¡±


    ¡°Do you know Thodius from Nabaeum?¡± said Aleci.


    ¡°Thodius?¡± said Iachos, blinking. ¡°It has been awhile since we¡¯ve talked. Why do you ask, Praefect?¡±


    ¡°My guest, Finne,¡± said Aleci, ¡°He wants to see Thodius. He said Thodius has a cure for clubbed feet.¡±


    ¡°Oh,¡± said Iachos, nodding, ¡°I see.¡± he stroked at his beard, ¡°It might be too late for the older boys. Unless you mean the babe he was carrying? How old is the child?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± Aleci admitted.


    ¡°Hmph,¡± said Iachos, but the corner of his eyes crinkled in a smile, ¡°Typical. Is this a request, Praefect? I can examine the child.¡± He tapped his foot, ¡°By the time we get to Nabaeum it might be past the critical stage¡­ Thodius won¡¯t be able to do anything.¡±


    ¡°Oh,¡± said Aleci, his heart sinking.


    ¡°Not to worry, Praefect!¡± said Iachos, clapping Aleci on the shoulder, ¡°I¡¯ll see what I can do. A brace won¡¯t be too hard to make. I have assisted Thodius on several cases. If the bones haven¡¯t hardened then it should be relatively simple. Depending on the twist of course, you can never-¡±


    ¡°Please go see him, Iachos,¡± said Aleci, ¡°And he can understand us, you needn¡¯t ask Domerc or any of his men to help you.¡±


    This remark had Iachos raising his dark brows in surprise, ¡°He does? What serendipity!¡±


    Aleci strongly suspected that there would be a letter written to his father about this whole event as soon as they crossed the borders. But letters can be intercepted, and what was the use in worrying over potentials now? He quickly busied himself with making certain everyone was ready to leave. When he was finished making his rounds and inquiries on the scouts, he headed back to Finne¡¯s wagon. Mercus was driving the horse, his messy dark hair visible even from a distance.


    ¡°Were you gossiping earlier?¡± said Aleci.


    The soldiers around Mercus quickly made themselves busy.


    ¡°I was?¡± said Mercus, with faux innocence, ¡°About what, Praefect? Was it the weather-¡±


    ¡°When we stop for the night, you-¡± Aleci pointed to the wagon, ¡°you ask him what clothes he needs washed. And you wash them, hm?¡±


    ¡°-like your mouth!¡± chortled someone from behind Aleci.


    Aleci ignored the man, likely Domerc from the sound of it. ¡°As for you lot-¡± he said loudly to the assembled crowd, ¡°I¡¯ll have you all know Finne is my guest and he understands perfectly whatever gossip you chose to share amongst yourselves.¡±


    ¡°Guest,¡± muttered Mercus.


    He quickly clapped a hand to his mouth at Aleci¡¯s glare.


    ¡°Who else has laundry that needs doing?¡± said Aleci.


    When it was time to leave, Edon kept close to Finne''s wagon. He was an adept rider, it would seem, and wore the surliest look Aleci ever saw on a child. His soldiers, bored of anything to do but walk, decided to bet amongst themselves who would be the first to break that perpetual frown. Edon steadfastly ignored them. Domerc, riding next to Aleci on his own horse, looked impressed.


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    ¡°Everyone laughs at Mercus,¡± said Domerc, casting a glance at Mercus who was making faces.


    ¡°I suppose he doesn¡¯t care for clowns,¡± offered Aleci, amused.


    ¡°Iachos was in the wagon," said Domerc looking concerned, ¡°Are the children-¡±


    ¡°Nothing to worry about,¡± said Aleci. ¡°Iachos wanted to examine the baby¡¯s feet. He said he could do something about it being clubbed.¡±


    ¡°Really?¡± said Domerc, glancing at the wagon, ¡°I suppose¡­ exposing a child here is rather deadly.¡±


    ¡°They don¡¯t do exposure,¡± Aleci corrected, remembering a lesson from one of the Imrukian midwives. ¡°They have this¡­ tea.¡±


    The older woman had told him that an overdose of the tea would easily kill a grown man. He¡¯ll be clutching at his heart and foaming at the mouth he would, Maera had said with confidence, but in specific amounts it was a useful sleeping aid. It sounded dangerous, Aleci had told her frowning, to which she replied that everything in life was dangerous, and there were certain things one could only eat once.


    ¡°The father didn¡¯t want the child I take it?¡± said Domerc, ¡°Or is he going to want his wife back?¡±


    Domerc¡¯s quick wits was why he lead Aleci¡¯s scouting party, and got away with jokes about Aleci¡¯s personal affairs, mainly his disinterest in beautiful women. Sometimes they were funny, thought Aleci, especially the time when Domerc wondered out loud who Aleci would sail to war for, the beautiful woman that was kidnapped or the men he¡¯ll see there. Both, Aleci had lied, and the men listening in had laughed.


    ¡°I will ask him,¡± said Aleci. ¡°But I am sure he¡¯s not interested in giving chase. Best be careful anyway.¡± Domerc nodded at that.


    ¡°So he¡¯s fleeing to the Capital?¡± said Domerc, then, ¡°They¡¯ll drive all the women away from Imruk.¡± said Domerc, with a sudden burst of laughter, ¡°Just because they have carriers doesn¡¯t mean they can birth fully grown men for war!¡±


    ¡°We saw women in Imruk.¡± said Aleci, irritably, ¡°I don¡¯t know what you mean.¡±


    ¡°Ah but they¡¯re not noble women,¡± said Domerc. ¡°Didn¡¯t what¡¯s her name-¡±


    ¡°Maera,¡± said Aleci.


    ¡°Yes, Maera, she said they were obsessed with bloodlines or what not. All the noble women have either fled or taken the tea-¡± he looked sober, ¡°ah I suppose I shouldn¡¯t jest about that. What a shame¡­¡± He trailed off, then said curiously, ¡°I meant to ask, aside from the extra patrols, Kaeso told me you wanted me to sign again? To who? I thought most Imrukians don¡¯t understand our tongue.¡±


    ¡°To the middle child,¡± said Aleci, nodding his head towards the wagon. ¡°Ediann. He¡¯s deaf and I figured if they¡¯re traveling with us-¡±


    ¡°How deaf?¡± said Domerc and Aleci blinked, ¡°How deaf?¡± Domerc repeated, ¡°If he can hear some, I can try teaching him whistles, when he gets into a spot of trouble.¡±


    ¡°When?¡± said Aleci.


    ¡°You take one eye off of them and they¡¯re gone,¡± said Domerc solemnly. ¡°I¡¯m surprised Finne managed to get this far.¡±


    The rest of the day''s journey was uneventful. When they stopped for the evening, Aleci was surprised that Edon offered to help him set up the tent. The boy didn¡¯t speak a single word, still frowning all the while. They were done much quicker than expected, so Aleci decided to leave the boy to brush his black horse while he checked on Finne. He found Iachos sitting on a crate, Ethain in his lap. The physician was gently manipulating Ethain¡¯s feet, making notes under his breath as he did so. Finne sat next to Ediann, drawing something on the tablet and stylus that Kaeso must have given them. Ediann was the first to notice Aleci. He grinned, pulling the tablet away from Finne¡¯s grasp.


    ¡°Pafect,¡± he said, stopping in front of Aleci to give him a short bow. ¡°Pafect,¡± he held the tablet up to Aleci.


    ¡°Oh?¡± said Aleci, taking a look.


    They were a series of small drawings. The first he could make out was a wagon, then a bowl, a waterskin. Essentials then, but the next were figures, one with their hand to their mouth, and five other emotions. Still limited, thought Aleci, but it was a rather clever use of the space, and Finne was clearly talented.


    ¡°Is this how you used to communicate with him?¡± said Aleci to Finne who nodded.


    ¡°We had an entire book,¡± said Finne. ¡°But ah¡­¡± he glanced at where Iachos sat with Ethain, ¡°It was a rushed departure. I think I must¡¯ve dropped it.¡±


    ¡°Not to worry,¡± he looked down at Ediann, and pointed to an easier picture to demonstrate. ¡°Food?¡± he said and signed, very slowly, ¡°Do you want food?¡± with the latter question he pointed to Ediann, the flick of his hand to indicate it was a question.


    Perhaps it wasn¡¯t wise to start with sentences right away, but if the boy was already pointing to things he wanted, he could make the association. At Ediann¡¯s puzzled look, but willing copy of Aleci¡¯s movements, Aleci pulled from his pouch a sweet.


    ¡°Sweet,¡± he signed, holding out the sugared fruit. ¡°Do you want sweet?¡± he flicked his hands again.


    ¡°Sweet,¡± Ediann signed, then glancing at Finne before pointing to the tablet where a figure was handing another figure an item. ¡°Give.¡±  he paused, frowning, before saying, ¡°Pafect  give.¡±


    ¡°You give to me?¡± Aleci signed, making sure the inflection of the question was there and hoping the message was conveyed. He glanced at the tablet, there seemed to be no drawing that indicated yes or no.


    Finne came over to them, ¡°Yes?¡±  he said, tapping Ediann¡¯s shoulder, and nodding. ¡°No?¡±  he shook his head.


    ¡°Yes,¡± said Ediann, nodding.


    Aleci sighed in relief, ¡°Yes, I want sweets,¡± he signed, this time nodding his head, he made sure to gesture to the sweet in his hand as well.


    ¡°Yes. I. Want,¡± Ediann began. ¡°Sweets.¡± he shook his head at Finne.


    Aleci nodded, handing the sugared fruit to Ediann who took it with an intrigued look. It was promptly shoved into his mouth.


    ¡°He doesn¡¯t understand you,¡± said Finne, biting his lip. ¡°I haven¡¯t taught him how to spell things. He doesn¡¯t know what you¡¯re doing. The letters I mean, you are using letters?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m out of practice, normally I would drop vowels,¡± Aleci admitted. ¡°One normally doesn¡¯t ask for sweets during a mission.¡±


    Finne gave a startled laugh at that and Aleci smiled, ¡°You can teach him? It would make things easier for me. Unless you want me to try signing in Imrukian? I know you-¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t plan to return to Imruk,¡± said Finne shortly. ¡°If-¡± he looked at Ediann then at Aleci, ¡°If it makes it easier for you, I will teach him your tongue.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m done,¡± Iachos announced. ¡°Sorry to interrupt.¡± he handed Ethain to Finne, ¡°Lovely child. I¡¯m sorry to say he won¡¯t like me very much the rest of our trip,¡± he glanced at Aleci. ¡°May I speak to you, Praefect, about the supplies?¡±


    ¡°Of course,¡± said Aleci.


    When they had gone a distance away from the wagon Iachos turned to Aleci and said, his voice uncharacteristically serious, ¡°Can you stand the sound of children crying?¡± at Aleci¡¯s confused look he continued, ¡°Finne has been giving them a tea. I smelled it on the younger ones. It keeps them quiet for the journey, but I told him I would strongly suggest for him to stop. Then he said you would mind, and-¡±


    ¡°I see,¡± said Aleci. ¡°I¡¯ll talk to him. Don¡¯t worry about it.¡±


    The older man looked relieved, ¡°Ah yes, thank you, Praefect. It¡¯s very hard to properly medicate the younger ones. I¡¯m very cautious about such things. Are you sure you won¡¯t mind? I told Finne he could stay in the medic tent with me, if you-¡±


    ¡°Thank you for your offer, Iachos, but I¡¯m sure I¡¯ll manage,¡± said Aleci. ¡°I¡¯ve slept through many things.¡±

 Libri I.VI Imruk

    Iachos seemed happy by whatever it was that Aleci said. The older man was even whistling as he walked away. He¡¯d better not be scheming with Galer, thought Aleci irritably, Aleci being married was one of many tasks on his father¡¯s- no Galer¡¯s list. Galer was the scheming puppeteer, his father was a different man, Aleci liked to separate the two, otherwise he¡¯d never have a polite conversation with the man. Aleci shook his head, enough with thinking about scheming, he was capable of shutting his mouth but not crafting elaborate plots


    The physician had advised him to give Finne more food. Cheese and milk, Iachos had said, perhaps we can get them once we¡¯ve crossed the border, but in the meantime, give Finne the better portions of stew. Finne¡¯s circumstances were rather pitiable, thought Aleci, his mother, had her fill of all sorts of delicacies postpartum. No one can speak highly of the dried biscuits and meats they packed in the wagons, which was why Aleci allowed his men to hunt, fish and gather as they wished, so long as they kept up with the legion. The men were only too happy to do so, and some of them were returning from the nearby woods with various birds they''ve managed to shoot. He was offered a leg of pheasant by one of them and he ate it with relish. It wasn''t spiced, but that would do, there was nothing worse than trying to swallow rations. The men that knew him best, that is, Kaeso, Domerc and a few others, grinned among themselves at whatever joke they were telling at his expense. Aleci ignored them, traveling on the road must surely bore them, and what else was there to do but gossip about the people you''ve met on the road? He excused himself when money was exchanged and noted.


    The children¡¯s dirty clothing had been washed and were hanging outside Aleci¡¯s tent when he made his way back. Perhaps Mercus was capable of being fast on his feet after all, thought Aleci. Like the night before Aleci had bought food then left the tent, leaving Finne privacy. It was dark when he made his way back and when he politely called out, Ediann was the one to let him in.


    "Pafect," he said, and pointed enthusiastically at the furry interloper inside.


    "Is he yours?" said Edon.


    Aleci gave Caesarion an unimpressed look, and the cat ignored him, golden eyes fixed on Edon''s bowl. Finne was probably behind the screen, thought Aleci, glancing over to where it stood. He still didn''t understand Finne''s hesitancy, what did he expect Aleci would do, leer? Though now that he thought of the word, perhaps that was exactly what Finne thought he would do.


    ¡°It¡¯s not my cat,¡± said Aleci.


    ¡°Why is he in your tent then?¡±  said Edon, he smiled down at the tom, ruffling the cat¡¯s fur with both hands, ¡°Kitty, kitty!¡±


    ¡°Caesarion,¡± said Aleci, and smiled when Edon made a face.


    ¡°What kind of name is that?¡± Edon exclaimed.


    ¡°Little lord,¡± offered Aleci.


    It was the first time he¡¯d seen Edon act remotely child-like. Aleci raised an eyebrow at the cat, ¡°Stop stealing from children, hm?¡±


    Caesarion gave him a smug look and curled his tail around Edon¡¯s legs. The little bastard was an exceptionally talented beggar, thought Aleci, watching as the tom stared unblinkingly at Ediann. The younger boy relented and like Edon, slipped the cat a piece of meat.


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    ¡°At least make him work for it,¡± Aleci said reflexively, and when the brothers looked at him said, ¡°Watch.¡±


    The cat was most displeased at being forced to stand up on his hind legs but he did it anyway, to reach the morsel Aleci dangled in front of his ugly face. Ediann giggled. Edon scoffed, though Aleci suspected it was to cover a smile.


    ¡°What¡¯s so funny?¡± said Finne, coming from behind the screen.


    Edon grinned crookedly, pointing at the cat, ¡°He has a cat and it¡¯s called little lord.¡±


    ¡°They¡¯re all little lords,¡± said Finne, and that made Edon laugh. ¡°Thank you for bringing the food.¡± he said to Aleci, inclining his head.


    ¡°Thank you,¡± said Edon, when Finne looked at him.


    Ediann tugged at Aleci¡¯s hand, ¡°Food.Like,¡± he signed, then placed a hand on his chest.


    ¡°You like the food?¡± Aleci signed, ¡°Yes or no?¡±


    ¡°Yes?¡± said Ediann, imitating Aleci¡¯s signal for a question.


    He started giggling when Aleci raised an eyebrow.


    ¡°Are you joking?¡± Aleci signed, ¡°Are you being funny?¡±


    It was rather hard to convey meaning with both his hands and his face, Aleci knew he was no talented actor. Ediann smiled and laughed at his motions but didn''t look confused as he did before. Perhaps he shouldn''t jump immediately into sentences, thought Aleci, but Ediann should be speaking in sentences and signing one word sentences would do the boy no favors.


    ¡°No,¡± signed Ediann, all the while nodding and smiling.


    ¡°Clever boy,¡± Aleci said to Finne, patting Ediann¡¯s head.


    Finne looked dubiously at Aleci when Aleci confirmed that he''d prefer Finne not brew the tea, and now Aleci could see why. Ethain was fussy, and the wails that Aleci had thought quiet before were now excruciatingly loud. It could just be that everyone had gone to bed for the night, thought Aleci, trying very hard to shut off his ears. He''d even thrown open his trunk to search for anything that would do as earplugs and found none.


    ¡°Shut up, shut up!¡± Edon had his pillow over his head, and was muttering furiously.


    Ediann was already asleep next to Edon, blissfully unaware.


    ¡°He can¡¯t help it,¡±  said Finne, rocking Ethain in vain. ¡°I¡¯m sorry,  Edon,  he¡¯ll quiet down in a bit.¡±


    ¡°He doesn¡¯t have colic does he?¡± said Aleci with dread.


    ¡°No?¡± said Finne, ¡°What is colic?¡±


    ¡°Well if you don¡¯t know then he probably doesn¡¯t have it.¡± said Aleci. ¡°Crying, all the time, for no reason,¡± he shrugged, ¡°I would say that¡¯s just how babies are but apparently there is a word for it.¡±


    To their relief Ethain eventually quieted down and Finne laid him in a makeshift crib next to his brothers. He pulled the screen to hide the children from view and made his way to Aleci. Maybe Kaeso¡¯s tent was welcoming after all, thought Aleci, uncomfortably, but made space for Finne to sit down next to him.


    ¡°I know you don¡¯t want payment,¡± said Finne, staring at the ground. ¡°But is there nothing you want from me?¡± his hands were twisting reflexively on the cot, ¡°You can still have me, if you want, I can make myself pretty-¡±


    ¡°Finne, no,¡± said Aleci, ¡°It¡¯s¡­ I would not do it. You do not want me and I won¡¯t force you.¡±


    The confused look Finne gave him would have been endearing in any other circumstance.


    ¡°I have to give you something,¡± Finne insisted. ¡°What kind of thing would be a fair exchange?¡±


    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t know,¡± said Aleci with forceful cheer. ¡°You¡¯re the first traveler I¡¯ve picked up,¡± he grinned at Finne¡¯s open mouth bafflement, ¡°My father helped many travelers and I¡¯ve never seen him ask for gold or-¡± he paused, ¡°look, Finne, we are both going to the same place, it¡¯s no more effort for me to take you and your children there.¡±


    ¡°You didn¡¯t have to help Ediann,¡± said Finne, ¡°Or Ethain. You-¡±


    ¡°A great coincidence!¡± said Aleci with a shrug, ¡°Think of it this way, you¡¯ve found someone that can help you, at no cost to you or them. Haven¡¯t that happened before-¡±


    ¡°No,¡± said Finne, looking away from Aleci.


    ¡°Oh.¡±


    The silence between them was broken by Finne whose gaze had been everywhere except on Aleci''s face. ¡°You have a  fiddle?¡±  he said, incredulously, pointing at the item in Aleci''s opened trunk, ¡°You can play?¡±


    ¡°No,¡± Aleci admitted, he knew what the instrument was but his curious attempts at playing it sounded worse than yowling cats. ¡°I thought my friend would appreciate it. He collects oddities.¡±


    ¡°I can play for you,¡± said Finne, hesitantly, ¡°I could teach you-¡±


    Aleci chuckled, ¡°No, I¡¯m afraid no one can. I¡¯m told I am severely cursed.¡±


    ¡°Really?¡± said Finne, blinking, ¡°How?¡±


    ¡°I fail at all artistic endeavors. Drawing, music¡­¡± Aleci waved a disinterested hand, ¡°I¡¯ve long accepted this. But if you would like to play for me,¡± he stood up to walk over to the chest. He handed Finne the  fiddle  and  bow. ¡°I think this is a fair exchange.¡±

 Libri I.VII Imruk

    Like the night before Finne once again asked Aleci if he could go to bed. Perhaps it was a custom, thought Aleci and nodded, bidding him a good night. He wasn¡¯t sleeping anytime soon. On nights like this Aleci liked to take out Ilos¡¯s map and look at it. It had an impossible puzzle depicted there, Aleci knew by now, and it was Ilos¡¯s way of saying that they could never be together. But that didn¡¯t stop Aleci from trying to solve it all the same. If he closed his eyes he could see Ilos¡¯s hands drawing the map, coloring in the lines, painting the flowers that adorned its borders. Before he¡¯d raged and cursed at the map, but now¡­ it was comforting, soothing to run his fingers over the lines and think the puzzle over.


    The quiet of the tent was punctured by soft whimpers. Aleci glanced over to the screen and when there was no movement from Finne, decided perhaps he¡¯d better let the man sleep. He made his way over behind the screen and peered down at the fussing baby.


    ¡°You can¡¯t sleep either?¡± said Aleci, gently running his finger up and down the baby¡¯s cheek.


    All babies looked the same to him. His mother had admonished him for that statement, saying that if he didn¡¯t have anything good to say then he should just say it was a lovely child. Younger Aleci had scoffed, saying that lovely implies beauty and there was nothing beautiful about babies. She¡¯d pinched his ear for that, saying sometimes a soft lie is better than any brash truth from his mouth. Then he¡¯d gotten older and the thought of having a family had appealed more to him, the only problem was that the men he was interested in either had no interest in raising a family and were physically incapable of doing so. They would have dalliances with Aleci then gone on to marry or die. Sometimes both. Sometimes... no, he didn''t want to think of Ilos. Then someone, one of his men, Mercus or Domerc or maybe both of them had suggested he marry a carrier. They said it to him like they thought he hadn''t considered the idea, like it was the first time he''d heard of the existence of such people. Aleci wasn''t blind, he''d seen carriers when they rode in perfumed palanquins around the Capital. At his Praefect ceremony he¡¯d seen them fanning the young Caesar and feeding him sweetmeats.


    ''A prized trophy, they are, and not for the likes of us,'' Galer had said, when he saw Aleci¡¯s interest. ''You wouldn¡¯t like them, they¡¯re more women than men.''


    His father was wrong. What little he saw of Finne showed that he didn¡¯t have the curves of one. Whether or not he behaved like one... that was a different matter. Aleci knew there were some that swear carriers walked differently, a sway to their steps with their hips that men didn¡¯t do, and they sound different too, the gossipers claimed. On what basis, thought Aleci, women don¡¯t sway their hips either, at least not the way it was described. He¡¯d also heard women with deeper voices as well. He shuddered, Lady Maxill was not a woman you should cross.


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    Perhaps, thought Aleci, gently picking up Ethain when he opened his mouth to start wailing, it was like the chicken or egg question. Which came first, the expectation or the behavior?


    ¡°Do you know?¡± said Aleci, grinning at the startled Ethain, ¡°Which came first, the chicken or the egg?¡±


    Ethain¡¯s response was to smack Aleci in the face with a chubby fist.


    ¡°I suppose I deserve that,¡± said Aleci. ¡°Thrusting you into the world of philosophers. But you¡¯re going to be one yourself for a short time, don¡¯t you know?¡± he nodded solemnly at the baby, ¡°Every child asks questions that takes a grown philosopher ten days and several pipes to think over.¡± he grinned at Ethain, gently flicking his nose and was rewarded with a startled laugh.


    ¡°Oh so you can laugh,¡± said Aleci. ¡°And here I thought all you did was cry.¡±


    Ethain wrinkled his nose, opening his mouth as if to challenge Aleci¡¯s remark.


    ¡°Ah! Don¡¯t wake your siblings,¡± said Aleci, rocking Ethain like he¡¯d seen Finne do. ¡°Shh! You want your  mama¨ª to be awake to handle your fits of temper tomorrow don¡¯t you?¡± Ethain looked unconvinced, and Aleci smiled, ¡°Do you want to be bribed? By a horrible singer? I¡¯m told I can scare away all ghosts and beasties.¡±


    The song came easily enough to him, prompted by the map and the faded memory of Ilos.


    By the pretty banks and over the Kade bridge


    Where the sun shines bright on Leucia


    Where you and I must bid farewells


    and never shall we meet again


    on the pretty pretty banks of Leucia


    will you take the left path


    as I take the right


    and I¡¯ll be home by nightfall


    for you and I must bid farewells


    and never shall we meet again


    on the pretty pretty banks of Leucia.


    He had been too numb to cry then, perhaps it was for the better. At least Ilos didn¡¯t remember him red eyed and teary. Kaeso had been the one to see his tears.


    ¡°You said you couldn¡¯t sing.¡±


    ¡°Hm?¡± said Aleci, shaken from his thoughts.


    Finne stared owlishly back from where he¡¯d sat up on the bed. He glanced at the sleeping Ethain in Aleci¡¯s arms, bit his lip and said, ¡°You needn¡¯t do that. It¡¯s my-¡±


    ¡°You were asleep,¡± said Aleci. ¡°I¡¯m told sleeping¡¯s important.¡±


    They were Kaeso¡¯s words from the man who admitted to drugging a sleepless Aleci on multiple occasions.


    ¡°Your voice isn¡¯t bad,¡± said Finne, hesitantly reaching out for Ethain. ¡°Not¡­ bard material. It¡¯s ho-¡±


    ¡°Hopeless?¡± offered Aleci, handing Ethain back to Finne.


    ¡°No,¡± said Finne, letting out a breath. ¡°Homely. Like what you¡¯d hear as a child.¡±


    ¡°Ah,¡± said Aleci, ¡°But wouldn¡¯t I frighten all the inhabitants?¡±


    Finne smiled, "I think it depends on how loud you sing."

 Libri I.VIII Imruk

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    ¡°You couldn¡¯t sleep?¡± said Finne, ¡°Did he wake you up?¡±


    ¡°No,¡± said Aleci, making his way back to the map, he looked back at Finne, ¡°if you want to join me, feel free.¡±


    He thought Finne would refuse the offer, but Finne followed him, hesitantly sitting on the far side of the cot, rocking Ethain gently in his arms.


    ¡°Your soldiers have a bet on you,¡± said Finne, a half smile on his face, ¡°Did you know?¡±


    ¡°I let them have their fun,¡± Aleci shrugged, ¡°None of their bets ever bore fruit.¡±


    ¡°Hm,¡± said Finne, ¡°Do you think I can stay with the Imrukian women?¡±


    ¡°I think so," said Aleci, ¡°I don¡¯t see why they¡¯d refuse you.¡±


    Finne let out a breath, ¡°That¡¯s¡­ good," he said. ¡°You are right. I don¡¯t really think things through. I wouldn¡¯t have known where to go or stay after I¡­ if I arrived at the Capital.¡±


    ¡°I find it hard to think when I¡¯m sleep deprived and I don''t have to care for three children.¡± offered Aleci, deciding not to say that there were undoubtedly many unscrupulous people that would love to offer their help to Finne and his children.


    ¡°Thank you for teaching my son,¡± said Finne suddenly. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t have thought¡­ he¡¯s always trying to tell me things but I can¡¯t really-¡±


    Aleci could handle a baby¡¯s endless wails, but not tearful gratitude.


    ¡°I said it¡¯s within my ability,¡± said Aleci, shifting himself uncomfortably on the cot, ¡°I don¡¯t see why Ediann¡¯s life has to be more difficult than it is.¡±


    ¡°They cautioned me against marrying him,¡± said Finne suddenly. ¡°You call them priestesses here. They were driven out, but the ones that practiced in secret, they all said it was a bad idea,¡± he sighed deeply, rocking Ethain. ¡°I was stupidly starry eyed and believed him.¡±


    ¡°Your husband?¡± said Aleci.


    Finne laughed harshly, ¡°Half brother. He said it was destiny or such. Blood was stronger than the old women¡¯s superstitions,¡± he turned his head away from Aleci. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, if you don¡¯t want to hear, I¡¯ll excuse myself-¡± he made to stand up.


    ¡°No,¡± said Aleci, ¡°You can talk,¡± he waved a hand, ¡°it¡¯s not like our history is as esteemed either. The last-¡± he lowered his voice, ¡°the last Caesar had relations with his sister. He didn¡¯t claim noble blood, he said he was the descendant of Gharsius. The scion of the Gods. He could¡¯ve just announced that he was beyond human law and can do as he wished. I¡¯d believe that more.¡±


    He watched as Finne¡¯s mouth opened in shock.


    ¡°You don¡¯t?¡± said Finne, faintly, adding, ¡°Praefect.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to call me Praefect,¡± said Aleci. ¡°You¡¯re my guest. I¡¯m Aleci. And yes, I do have my doubts. If he really was the scion of a God then wouldn¡¯t Gharsius have saved him from being fatally stabbed?¡±


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    From what he overheard, listening in to his parents about the whole sorry affair, the Caesar''s death had led to many promotions, one of which was given to Galer. It was Galer that loved the promotion, but it was his father that confessed to his mother that he didn''t feel that their family would be safe in the Capital. ''You are so paranoid, dear,'' his mother had said, patting his father''s hand. After Galer rode off she had then set about commissioning little nooks and crannies inside their Capital villa, big enough to hide three people.


    ¡°I don¡¯t understand your customs,¡± said Finne.


    ¡°You needn¡¯t understand,¡± said Aleci. ¡°You can spend your entire life documenting all the Gods and Goddesses the Empire has and you¡¯ll still be baffled. I¡¯ll give you advice for when you get there, Mytea¡¯s a good choice as any for someone new to the Capital.¡±


    ¡°Your God,¡± said Finne, amused.


    ¡°Yes,¡± said Aleci, nodding. ¡°Mytea¡¯s also fickle but it¡¯s true that you get rewarded for helping strangers. Human kindness and all that, people feel an obligation to pass on the favor or return the favor.¡±


    ¡°I see,¡± said Finne, sounding unconvinced. ¡°Can you teach me the signs? What you were-¡± he took Ethain into one arm to free his right hand, ¡°doing? I noticed you did this-¡± he gestured, ¡°for a question.¡±


    ¡°Of course,¡± said Aleci. ¡°I¡¯ll teach you.¡± Then he smiled at the memory of Ediann, ¡°It was cheeky of him. Is he always so amusing?¡± Aleci mused, ¡°I¡¯ll see when he speaks in complete sentences.¡±


    ¡°Isn¡¯t that too much?¡± said Finne, ¡°To sign? You are doing each letter?¡±


    ¡°No,¡± said Aleci. ¡°He will either drop all the vowels, like me, or hm I don¡¯t know how Domerc does it. I taught Domerc to sign everything but he¡¯s a horrendous speller.`` The thought of trying to understand Ediann after a day with Domerc was now frightening, ¡°Ah well, let¡¯s just say, it¡¯s an accent. You know, like how a faraway village has folks that don¡¯t pronounce their t¡¯s.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± said Finne, ¡°I don¡¯t follow you.¡±


    ¡°Signing is a way of communicating,¡± said Aleci. ¡°If you give people time, there''ll be differences that spring up. I prefer to sign without using vowels. I think it¡¯s faster. Domerc, the soldier that found you, he can¡¯t spell.¡± an understatement, ¡°I assume he¡¯s developed some abbreviations. Like-¡± Aleci held out four fingers and moved them jerkily, ¡°this is how Domerc spells out horses. Don¡¯t ask me why, I don¡¯t see the logic in it. Children are clever, he-¡± Aleci nodded towards where Ediann was sleeping, ¡°he¡¯ll figure out that he needs to sign properly with me.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s only you and Domerc that knows this?¡± said Finne, ¡°There isn¡¯t a¡­ community of people that would know this in the Capital?¡±


    ¡°The men that have been with me the longest knows,¡± said Aleci. ¡°We were on a-¡± he paused, searching for the right explanation, ¡°campaign, and the walls were thin. We were told that there are ears everywhere. So signing came about.¡± said Aleci.


    ¡°Ah,¡± said Finne, looking disappointed, ¡°I¡¯d hoped that maybe he¡¯d be able to¡­ well¡­¡±


    ¡°Worry about that later,¡± said Aleci, deciding he didn¡¯t like the frown on Finne¡¯s face as he contemplated Ediann¡¯s uncertain future/ ¡°The important thing is, he knows he can talk to you about more complicated things than just pointing to pictures. And you can understand him better. That¡¯s important, understanding.¡±


    ¡°You sound like you speak from experience,¡± Finne said, then flinched. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I shouldn¡¯t-¡±


    ¡°Well, it is rather presumptuous of me to give parenting advice when I¡¯ve got no children,¡± said Aleci, ¡°Don¡¯t apologize.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re not married?¡± Finne began, hesitantly.


    ¡°The many prayers of my father and mother were met with silence,¡± said Aleci, solemnly. ¡°I am¡­ away quite often with my duties. I wouldn¡¯t feel right having a wife and leaving him behind so often.¡±


    ¡°Him?¡± said Finne.


    Aleci was very grateful that the light was dim and Finne couldn¡¯t see his blush, ¡°I don¡¯t suppose you¡¯ve heard the very loud gossip that I seem to not take interest in women? I thought about marrying but-¡± he coughed, ¡°you see, it¡¯s not like in Imruk, there¡¯s not many carriers in the Capital and those that are, well, they¡¯re not marrying common men." That was one way to put it, but he wasn¡¯t about to tell Finne what the status of carriers were in the Capital.


    ¡°Oh,¡± said Finne. ¡°But you do want a wife?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± Aleci confessed. ¡°It¡¯s what everyone says would-¡± make him feel better, ¡°to do." he quickly corrected himself, "If I had interest in women I would¡¯ve married without a care. But I don¡¯t and that gave me many years to think the whole thing over. And even thinking it over I still don¡¯t know.¡± he rubbed at his temples, ¡°I should have sworn celibacy but why would I do that to myself when there¡¯s so many handsome men in the world?¡±


    ¡°I see,¡± said Finne, lips twitching. ¡°So many handsome men.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t you think it¡¯s true?¡± said Aleci, before he could stop himself.


    That made Finne pause, ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± he confessed. ¡°I haven¡¯t been with¡­ many men.¡±


    Of course Finne would say that, thought Aleci, wishing he didn¡¯t blurt out questions like some fool.


    ¡°Why don¡¯t I teach you? The signs? We could start with the alphabet or the drawings you made on the tablet.¡±


    Finne was slow to spell out words, but he was surprisingly adept at remembering the signs as Aleci spelled them out one by one.


    "I can see Ediann''s got your wits," said Aleci, grinning, "I- Is something wrong?"


    "No," Finne said, his voice shaky as he looked away from Aleci again. "I... No one had complimented him for being like me."


    "Oh," said Aleci, rubbing his neck, uncomfortably. "Who else would have taught him until now?"


    He saw Finne take in a long breath and let it out again, "Are you always like this, Pra- Aleci, asking questions and making people think?"


    "Do you want me to stop?" said Aleci.


    "No," said Finne, shaking his head, "I like your questions."

 Libri I.IX Imruk

    Ethain woke up while he was teaching Finne how to briefly spell out a sentence.


    ¡°Here,¡± said Aleci, pulling his cloak away from his body and offering it to Finne, ¡°You can cover yourself with this, you needn¡¯t jostle him.¡±


    ¡°Won¡¯t you be cold?¡± said Finne, not reaching for the cloak.


    Normally that would have elicited a flirtatious remark from Aleci but he decided against it, ¡°I¡¯ll manage.¡±


    ¡°Thank you,¡± said Finne.


    He struggled to wrap the cloak around himself and Aleci stood up to give him a hand. Aleci looked away politely until Finne said, in quiet tones, that he could sit back down now.


    ¡°I don¡¯t have both my hands to sign,¡± said Finne, looking embarrassed, ¡°I forgot-¡±


    ¡°You can do it one handed,¡± said Aleci. ¡°There¡¯s more¡­ hm, emotion when you sign. I didn¡¯t make those exaggerated faces for fun-¡± he saw Finne hid a smile, ¡°he understood me, didn¡¯t he? That¡¯s all that matters.¡± he watched Finne adjust Ethain under the cloak, ¡°Sorry. Should I look away until he¡¯s done?¡±


    ¡°No,¡± said Finne ¡°Normally I would leave. Maybe if the wagon¡¯s right outside I can-¡±


    ¡°Is it tradition?¡± said Aleci, ¡°It must be a new one, none of the Imrukian women did it when I visited them.¡±


    They wore their babies on slings like Finne did, but none of them excused themselves when their babies cried.


    ¡°I¡­¡± Finne blinked, ¡°I was told no one likes seeing it.¡±


    ¡°Why?¡± said Aleci.


    Finne glanced at the tent floor then at Aleci, ¡°I¡­ don¡¯t know. You don¡¯t?¡±


    ¡°No? Should I?¡± said Aleci.


    He saw Finne take in several breaths.


    ¡°Is that so?¡± said Finne.


    ¡°You don¡¯t believe me,¡± Aleci stated.


    ¡°Everyone wants something from me,¡± Finne said quietly. ¡°Please excuse me if I don¡¯t believe you.¡± he held his body tight like a rabbit caught in a trap.


    Aleci backed away, ¡°I understand. I¡¯m sorry for asking. I have been known to be rude and forward¡­¡± he fidgeted nervously on the cot, ¡° Why don¡¯t you ask me a question, hm? As I¡¯ve been rude¡­ it would only be fair.¡±


    Finne looked taken aback, his mouth opening in surprise. ¡°What¡­ what should I even ask?¡±


    ¡°Anything you want,¡± said Aleci. ¡°I¡¯m sure you can use it as currency among my men. There¡¯s nothing they liked more than gossiping about my personal life.¡±


    ¡°Why do you tolerate it?¡± said Finne.


    ¡°Is that your question?¡± said Aleci, and when Finne nodded, he said, ¡°It keeps them entertained. Besides, their talks of my life are much more creative than what it usually is.¡±


    ¡°But what about your reputation?¡± said Finne. ¡°Aren¡¯t you¡­ Praefect? Don¡¯t you want to be a Magister?¡±


    ¡°No,¡± said Aleci, flatly, curious as to the extent of Finne¡¯s education that he knew the term, ¡°I told you I hate playing the scheming and plotting game. That¡¯s all they do all day, Magisters, toppling this man, elevating that man-¡± He stopped himself before he could say more.


    There was a long silence from Finne. He adjusted Ethain in his arms, then pulled Aleci¡¯s cloak off of him with one hand and handed it back to Aleci, ¡°Your song from before.¡± said Finne, ¡°Do you mind signing it for me?¡±


    ¡°Of course,¡± said Aleci.


    He found himself humming the song under his breath as he signed each individual word to Finne.


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    ¡°I didn¡¯t realize he was deaf at first,¡± said Finne quietly, when he was able to replicate Aleci¡¯s movements. ¡°Then when he was older there were all these performances I sat through with him on my lap. He didn¡¯t know why everyone was so enraptured.¡±


    ¡°Do you feel gui-¡± Aleci began then stopped himself. ¡°There are things parents can¡¯t share with children. Maybe he wouldn¡¯t have liked it anyway even if he could hear.¡±


    ¡°Do you think he¡¯d like this?¡± said Finne, ¡°The song signed to him?¡±


    ¡°Maybe,¡± said Aleci. ¡°I can¡¯t say. I think¡­ I¡¯m sure he would love the chance to talk to you.¡±


    ¡°I hope so,¡± said Finne. ¡°I wished.¡± he shook his head, ¡°Thank you, Aleci.¡±


    When Finne excused himself to sleep for the second time that night, Aleci half opened his mouth to say there was no need for him to do so. He stopped himself in time. Small steps, he thought to himself, one can¡¯t move a mountain in a day.


    The next morning, as before, Kaeso pulled the wagon up to their tent and set about helping dismantle the tent. When Finne and his children were in the wagon Aleci let out a breath and mounted his own horse. Aleci had seen Kaeso looking smug before, many times in fact, and they usually all had to do with his friend being right about something.


    ¡°What is so funny?¡± he said flatly, patting his horse when she neighed in protest at his sudden jerk on the reins.


    It was a bright, warm morning, thankfully there was no frost on the ground. His men were chattering among themselves about something, a lake or a forest nearby, and Aleci suspected they would somehow stumble upon it before continuing along their way.


    ¡°Oh, I don¡¯t know, can¡¯t I smile on a bright day?¡± said Kaeso cheerfully, exchanging a glance with Domerc who had ridden up next to the two.


    ¡°Stop your scheming,¡± Aleci ordered.


    ¡°The only scheming I have,'''' said Domerc, ¡°is if you¡¯d like to rest for two or three days? There¡¯s a nice lake nearby, we found it last night.¡±


    ¡°The winter¡¯s coming,¡± said Aleci.


    ¡°Finne didn¡¯t say it was,¡± said Domerc/ ¡°I asked him,¡± he nodded, ¡°we could fish there, and hunt as well. And I suppose¡­ it is easily defended.¡±


    ¡°Someone was following us?¡± said Aleci, raising an eyebrow.


    ¡°Maybe,¡± said Domerc. ¡°I can¡¯t be sure. But you said maybe someone¡¯s looking for them?¡±


    ¡°Good idea,¡± said Kaeso, ¡°I personally want a swim.¡±


    ¡°In the freezing water?¡± Aleci demanded, ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m told it has its health benefits,¡± said Kaeso airily, ¡°now that your navigational skills aren¡¯t that needed, why don¡¯t you take a break? Let Ediann ride with you, he looked so very sad when you left to saddle your horse.¡±


    Ediann did look very upset that morning when Aleci left them in the wagon, but Finne had pulled him sternly aside before he¡¯d started crying.


    ¡°I thought,¡± Aleci said, voice sweet, ¡°you were supposed to teach them? Kaeso? Domerc?¡± the two men refused to meet his eyes, and Aleci scowled, ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°Kaeso told me that it¡¯s better you teach him properly first,¡± recited Domerc, ¡°he reminded me my spelling was horrible, and undoubtedly a bad influence on a child.¡±


    ¡°Kaeso¡­¡± said Aleci warningly.


    ¡°They¡¯re Mytea¡¯s guests to you not us,¡± said Kaeso, grinning, ¡°shouldn¡¯t you be of service to them?¡±


    Aleci scowled harder, but he couldn¡¯t refute Kaeso¡¯s words, ¡°Finne wouldn¡¯t let him ride with me, he keeps all of his children close.¡±


    ¡°Have you asked?¡± said Kaeso, and laughed when Aleci shook his head no, ¡°Go on and ask then, it¡¯s no easy task keeping a child entertained in a wagon.¡±


    Aleci sighed, ¡°Come along then,¡± he muttered under his breath to his horse, ¡°let¡¯s see if you like children.¡±


    There was no need to worry, Sage was the epitome of patience. Aleci was not one for horsemanship, and he¡¯d picked her simply because she tolerated his mistakes the most out of all his family¡¯s mounts. When he came to the wagon Mercus was driving he signaled for Mercus to slow down. Edon, riding next to the wagon as he did, scowled when he saw Aleci but kept silent. Aleci gave him a friendly wave and that only made him scowl harder. Stubborn boy, thought Aleci, but shrugged, he was stubborn at that age as well.


    The wagon was a decently made one, similarly built to the ones merchants would use, and it had a door that Aleci knocked politely before opening it. Iachos was seated on one of the benches, fiddling what Aleci assumed to be the wooden braces. Finne had been the one to open the door, Ethain swaddled on the makeshift sling he wore.


    ¡°Is something the matter?¡± said Finne, sounding concerned.


    Ediann was sitting on the floor rolling a cloth ball around in his hands. He¡¯d wrapped Aleci¡¯s cloak around himself, like a flowing cape. The boy didn¡¯t look up when Aleci entered.


    ¡°Have Ediann ever ridden?¡± said Aleci, ¡°I could teach him words, if you want?¡±


    Finne hesitated, ¡°No, if he couldn¡¯t hear the horses, how could he know-¡±


    A soft gust of wind blew through the slightly open door and Ediann looked up.


    ¡°Pafect,¡± he said, brightly, walking over, ¡°Pafect,¡± his hands spelled out each individual letter, ¡°P.R.A.E.F.E.C.T.¡±


    ¡°Ah,¡± said Aleci, to Finne he said, ¡°but I told you, you needn¡¯t call me Praefect,¡± he walked over to where Ediann stood, ¡°A.L.E.C.I.¡± he spelled out, ¡°A.L.E.C.I.¡±


    Ediann glanced at Finne, eyes wide, he shook his head.


    ¡°His name,¡± said Finne, slowly, ¡°your name is Ediann.¡± Finne began spelling out the letters.


    Ediann shook his head impatiently, turning to Aleci he spelled out, ¡°A.L.E.C.I?¡± The question was very apparent.


    ¡°It¡¯s my name,¡± said Aleci, motioning to himself and signing Aleci.


    ¡°Praefect,¡± signed Ediann, ¡°Praefect?¡±


    ¡°I have many names,¡± said Aleci, signing. ¡°Praefect, Aleci.¡± and shrugging, then he pointed at Ediann, holding out both hands, palm up, ¡°What would you like to call me?¡± he had to commit to signing in proper sentences, even if he wasn''t sure Ediann understood.


    ¡°Praefect,¡± Ediann signed.


    ¡°Would you like to ride with me?¡± Aleci signed, opening the door and pointing to his horse, who, bless her, was smart enough to trot next to the wagon. He made sure to point to the saddle.


    ¡°Yes,¡± Ediann signed, then pulling at Finne¡¯s clothes, ¡°Yes?¡±


    It was remarkable how fast Ediann picked up on his cues, thought Aleci. He watched the conflicted emotions on Finne¡¯s face, saw him glance at Iachos who nodded encouragingly.


    ¡°Yes,¡± said Finne, then caught himself and signed, ¡°you. Ride. With. Aleci.¡±


    His signs were clumsy and stilted but Ediann nodded enthusiastically, hugging Finne before he walked towards Aleci, cloak trailing behind him.


    ¡°Here, let me help,¡± he signed, adding a question, ¡°help?¡± he mimed pinning his own cloak around himself.


    It would give many a senate member heart attacks no doubt, to see a Praefect¡¯s pin being used on a child, and a crippled one at that! So it gave Aleci some amusement as he pulled a spare from his pouch and carefully dressed Ediann so that the oversized cloak didn¡¯t catch on the reins or saddle.


    ¡°Come, I¡¯ll put you on the saddle,¡± he signed, repeating the word, ¡°saddle,¡± as he tapped the saddle.


    Ediann held out his hands, allowing Aleci to put him on the saddle. Aleci swung up next to him.


    ¡°Saddle,¡± Ediann signed, turning around to smile brightly at Aleci, then frowning he signed, ¡°what is this?¡± he pointed at Sage.


    ¡°Horse,¡± signed Aleci, wondering if it was Kaeso that taught him that sentence.


    Ediann shook his head, ¡°What is this?¡± he repeated pointing at Sage.


    After several rounds of guessing, and many of his men, chuckling, passed them by, Aleci understood that Ediann wanted to know how to spell mane.


    ¡°You¡¯re not supposed to be riding,¡± said Edon irritably when Aleci urged Sage into a trot to catch up, ¡°he can¡¯t ride!¡±  Edon insisted.


    ¡°He can sit on the saddle, can¡¯t he?  ¡± said Aleci, ¡°That¡¯s the first step.¡±


    Edon¡¯s mouth opened in shock, he closed it and scowled, ¡°But he can¡¯t!¡±


    ¡°Your mama¨ª said he could,¡±  said Aleci, nodding towards the wagon, ¡°Go ask him.¡±


    Several emotions flickered through Edon¡¯s face, ¡°Fine,¡±  he spat out.


    ¡°Would you like to ride with me in the front?¡±  offered Aleci, ¡°The view¡¯s better.¡±


    ¡°No.¡±  said Edon, ¡°I¡¯m not riding with you.¡±


    It was his loss, thought Aleci. Kaeso and Domerc found it extremely funny that their Praefect spent the entire day playing an elaborate guessing game with Ediann. He was a very clever boy, Aleci observed wryly, his choices for the words he wanted to know becoming increasingly more elaborate when Kaeso introduced the concepts of points and winning to him.

 Libri I.X Imruk

    Aleci had thought that Ediann would squirm or fidget, as young children usually did, but once they found a position that Aleci could sign to him one handed, and Ediann could see the signs, Ediann kept himself still, occasionally reaching out a hand to grip the saddle when they rode over a bump. Aleci wasn¡¯t the only one to notice it, Kaeso commented as well. Domerc looked contemplative throughout the ride, which was unusual of him. When he turned his horse to return Ediann to Finne for the evening, Domerc opened his mouth as if to say something then shook his head when Aleci gave him a questioning look.


    ¡°It¡¯s nothing, Praefect,¡± said Domerc. ¡°I¡¯ll tell you later.¡±


    Perhaps it was about the whistle that Domerc wanted to give to Ediann. All in all it was a successful day, Aleci and Kaeso had tried to teach the boy verbs, some of them being easier to point out than others. It was probably better to draw out the verb than show it while one was riding, Aleci thought.


    ¡°Did you like riding with me?¡± Aleci signed to Ediann.


    ¡°Yes,¡± Ediann signed, nodding. ¡°Ediann like riding with Praefect.¡±


    ¡°I,¡± Aleci corrected, signing. ¡°I like riding with you.¡±


    ¡°Ediann,¡± Ediann signed, gesturing at himself, ¡°no I.¡±


    Aleci chuckled softly, ¡°Ediann then,¡± he said, and signed, ¡°what do you like to eat?¡±


    ¡°Praefect have sweets?¡± Ediann signed, pointing to Aleci¡¯s pouch, ¡°Praefect have sweets?¡±


    ¡°No,¡± Aleci signed, and at Ediann¡¯s crestfallen look, grinned and signed, ¡°they are in the wagon, in my chest.¡±


    ¡°Give to Ediann?¡± Ediann signed. ¡°Give sweets?¡± a pause as he scrunched up his face, ¡°Please?¡±


    He was an adorable extortionist, thought Aleci, ¡°After dinner,¡± he signed.


    ¡°After,¡± Ediann repeated, signing. ¡°Ediann like no dinner.¡±


    ¡°Sweets is not dinner,¡± Aleci signed, chuckling, ¡°it is after dinner.¡±


    He was so busy signing to Ediann that he nearly missed the sounds of a heated conversation in the wagon.


    ¡°I want to go home,¡±  it was Edon¡¯s voice, ¡°You found him a  fysician. Can¡¯t we go home? Please?¡±


    Ethain began to wail and Finne tried to calm him.


    ¡°Iachos  can¡¯t come with us. It would take some time for the treatment-¡± said Finne.


    ¡°Then send  Ethain  with him!¡±


    ¡°Edon!¡±


    ¡°It is always about THEM! They want this, they need that! I want to go home! I¡¯m leaving!¡±


    ¡°Edon-¡±


    The door of the wagon swung open and Edon stormed out, a pack on his shoulder, he gave Ediann an icy glare, before rushing off.


    ¡°Ah,¡± said Aleci, looking at the conflicted emotions on Finne¡¯s face as he struggled down from the wagon, trying to sooth the still wailing Ethain in his arms. ¡°Here, take Ediann, I¡¯ll go fetch Edon?¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t need to-¡± said Finne.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll find him,¡± said Aleci, ¡°tell Ediann he can have sweets when I get back?¡±


    ¡°Pafect,¡± said Ediann, tugging on Aleci¡¯s cloak, ¡°Pafect!¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll be back,¡± said Aleci, then signed, ¡°I¡¯ll be back, I¡¯ll give you sweets when I get back. I promise,¡± he held a hand solemnly to his heart.


    ¡°Promise?¡± Ediann signed.


    ¡°Promise,¡± Aleci nodded, repeating the sign. He patted Ediann¡¯s head, ¡°Go eat dinner,¡± he signed before standing up and looking over the crowd that was a legion settling down for the night.


    Where was Edon? The boy wasn¡¯t with his black horse. Mercus was brushing down the mare, and shook his head when Aleci asked him if he¡¯d seen Edon.


    ¡°Should I go look for him?¡± said Mercus. ¡°I don¡¯t think he would have gone far.¡±


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    ¡°Keep an eye out for him,¡± Aleci said, tersely, deciding to ask Domerc.


    As luck would have it, Domerc didn''t know either.


    "You''re not planning to return them are you?" said Domerc, "Finne and the children I mean," he added.


    "No," said Aleci.


    He watched as relief washed over Domerc''s face, "That''s good," said Domerc, "there''s obedience and there''s... obedience."


    "Hm?" said Aleci, raising an eyebrow, "What?"


    "Finne may have hidden Ediann''s deafness from his father," said Domerc, "but I doubt he hasn''t seen the child," Domerc shrugged. "There''s a certain sort of man that raises children who both fears and wishes to please him."


    "Ediann''s not afraid of me is he?" Aleci blurted out, a dread settling at the bottom of his stomach.


    "I don''t think so, Praefect, but he is very obedient and happy to please," a pause, "begging your pardon, but I don''t think you should encourage that. Not when he doesn''t know how to say no."


    Aleci swallowed, "I''ll take that into account. Thank you, Domerc."


    "Go look for Edon," said Domerc, nodding, "I''ll go look for him myself as well, but I don''t care to have my knees being kicked again."


    Aleci saw no sight of Edon, but he nearly tripped on Caesarion as he turned a corner. The cat hissed irritably, and trotted towards the trees.


    "Come on," said Aleci following the cat, "don''t wander off-" his voice tapered off when he saw the figure hidden in the trees.


    "Meow," Caesarion gave Aleci a smug look, wandering over to sit himself next to Edon.


    ¡°What do you want?¡± said Edon irritably, not looking at Aleci but he didn''t push the cat away.


    ¡°If you want to run away wouldn¡¯t you take your horse?¡±


    Edon sneered, ¡°Your stupid soldier had her.¡±  he crossed his arms, ¡°I was waiting for him to go to sleep.¡±


    ¡°Why do you want to go home?¡± said Aleci.


    He could very well guess why but it was always better to hear an explanation from, as they say, the horse''s mouth.


    ¡°Stop eavesdropping!¡± Edon snapped.


    ¡°Why?¡± said Aleci, innocently.


    ¡°Because I want to! Because it¡¯s my birthday! I was supposed to have a party! Everything is about them! That¡¯s all mama¨ª cares about! It¡¯s  Ediann  this and  Ediann  that and the one thing I wanted, the only thing I ever asked him he promised I would have it and now I won¡¯t even have this because of Ethain!¡± he rubbed furiously at his eyes, pulling Caesarion into his lap and hugging the cat.


    Aleci suspected strongly this was what Kaeso felt when listening to Aleci¡¯s incoherent ramblings. Poor Kaeso, he thought but waved the thought away, at least it took several drinks to get Aleci rambling, and by then Kaeso would undoubtedly be drunk as well.


    ¡°Why can¡¯t you have the party here?"  Aleci suggested,  "We¡¯ll be nearing a village soon enough, and the  Capital  after that, I¡¯m sure-¡±


    ¡°Because it¡¯s my party! Athair would be there and he said¡­¡±  Edon trailed off, ¡°  He said I would be old enough to start training and I¡¯ve¡­ I want it. Why can¡¯t I have the one thing I wanted?¡±


    ¡°Athair. Your father,¡±  said Aleci, ¡°did he promise you this?¡±


    There is a type of man that raises children who both fears and wishes to please him, Domerc had said. Domerc, as obtuse as he was on manners and grammar, knew how people worked. No, Aleci thought, no one would convince him that he should return Finne or his children to whoever that came looking.


    ¡°Yes!¡±


    ¡°Can I ask you something? You¡¯re smart right?"  a classic appeal that usually worked, "Why  don¡¯t you think about this for a moment, hm?¡±


    ¡°What?¡± said Edon, crossing his arms.


    ¡°Do you think he would keep his promise, your father?¡±


    ¡°Yes!¡±  said Edon, then seeing Aleci¡¯s face, ¡°Yes..?¡±


    ¡°Does he always keep his promises?¡± said Aleci.


    ¡°Yes!¡± Edon said, but there was a noticeable hesitancy in his voice.


    ¡°What makes you think that he would be there?¡± said Aleci.


    ¡°Because he said he would!¡± Edon insisted, red faced. ¡°He said¡­¡±


    ¡°If he usually doesn¡¯t keep his promises to you,  Edon,  I don¡¯t think he will this time,¡± said Aleci.


    ¡°You¡¯re lying!¡± Edon accused, but there was none of the venom.


    A part of Aleci reveled in asking questions that annoyed people, like the irritating buzzing of bees, his father had remarked. But Galer never told him off for asking questions, just told him that waiting to ask questions at the right time made all the difference. Like an inexperienced boy spinning a blade compared to a master swordsman, his father had said, one is showing off, the other knows when to draw his sword.


    ¡°Between the two of them, your mama¨ª and your athair, which one keeps their promises?¡± said Aleci.


    ¡°How is he supposed to hold a party? It¡¯s not for him to hold it¡¯s for-¡± Edon ignored him.


    ¡°For?¡± Aleci prompted.


    ¡°Men.¡± Edon insisted.


    ¡°Is he not a man?¡±  said Aleci and watched as Edon¡¯s face contorted in confusion.


    ¡°Yes! But-¡±


    ¡°Your mama¨ª¡­ hasn¡¯t been paying attention, has he? Have you ever heard of a ¡­  trigonum Edon?  When you are a medic or a commander you have to decide, which person you should save first, which one you would order to retreat. You tend to the one most needing your help first, and you order the troops most likely to be defeated to retreat first. You are the eldest and the strongest of your siblings. He trusts that you would be patient, that you would wait. I don¡¯t think he¡¯s forgotten you.¡±


    ¡°Why would I believe you?¡± said Edon.


    ¡°If he didn¡¯t love you he would have left you behind,¡±  said Aleci quietly, "Would you have wanted that? Your athair would have given you attention, for one day, your birthday, your party as you said, and then what? Do you think one day makes a difference?¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± said Edon, even as his voice faltered.


    ¡°How about you wait? There are  Imrukians  in the  Capital,  maybe you can have your party there. With your brothers and your mama¨ª. I¡¯m very certain he would host a very good party for you.¡±


    ¡°I want a party¡­¡±  Edon whispered miserably under his breath, cradling Caesarion, ¡°  Why can¡¯t I go home?¡±


    ¡°Why did you leave with your mama¨ª?¡± said Aleci, marveling at the cat''s patience.


    ¡°Because I can¡¯t just let him ride off with  Ediann  and  Ethain, what can they do, cry?¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t think  Ediann  can do much do you?¡± said Aleci.


    ¡°Mama¨ª doesn¡¯t let him do much,¡±  said Edon, ¡°  he said  Ediann  was deaf and there are things he can¡¯t do because of it,¡±  Edon kicked the ground irritably, "I used to train with him before, with real swords! Then when he came along it¡¯s all, oh we can¡¯t do it because of  Ediann,  we can¡¯t do that because Ediann.¡±


    Finne trained, now that was interesting. Aleci decided to ask him later that night.


    ¡°He was riding today with me,¡±  said Aleci, ¡°  Did you think he could do that before?¡±


    ¡°No,¡±  Edon muttered, ¡°He can¡¯t hear any horses coming, so how¡¯s he going to get out of the way when one runs towards him?¡±


    ¡°Why don¡¯t you help him? He¡¯s your brother,¡±  said Aleci, ¡°  and you know, it can be very interesting, having your own tongue, a secret tongue.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± said Edon.


    There was an interested glint in his eyes that was very much different from the anger before.


    ¡°I am teaching him to spell things out, like this,¡±  said Aleci demonstrating. ¡°But there¡¯s nothing stopping you from teaching him, hm? Like a code. You can signal to each other, like my scouts do.¡±


    It was inevitable that Ediann and Edon would butcher grammar and spelling, but Ediann would undoubtedly enjoy talking to his brother.


    ¡°I can do that?¡±  said Edon, blinking in surprise.


    ¡°Yes.¡±  said Aleci, ¡°I can ask  Domerc  to show you.¡±


    ¡°Domerc,¡± said Edon, sniffing disdainfully, ¡°is he the head of your scouts? He can¡¯t shoot.¡±


    ¡°Can you do better?¡± said Aleci, amused.


    ¡°Yes,¡±  Edon nodded, ¡°but I left my bow at home. I don¡¯t have¡­¡± he signed deeply.


    ¡°Why don¡¯t we go back now hm? It''s getting late.¡±  said Aleci, ¡°I can try to find a bow for you. My men don''t carry bows, but I suppose we will be nearing a border town soon enough, I''ll get you one.¡±


    ¡°You would?¡±  said Edon, eyes widening.


    ¡°I promise,¡± said Aleci, nodding.


    ¡°Why?¡± said Edon.


    ¡°I think everyone deserves a nice party,¡±  said Aleci, ¡°and considering yours maybe delayed, I don¡¯t see why you shouldn¡¯t have a present.¡±


    There was a hesitant look on Edon¡¯s face before he threw his arms around Aleci, ¡°Thank you,¡±  he whispered. ¡°Praefect,¡± a pause, and a stubborn tilt of his head, ¡°I wasn¡¯t crying before.¡±


    ¡°No,¡±  agreed Aleci cheerfully, ¡°your face was caught in the rain.¡±

 Libri I.XI Imruk

    <div>


    The tent had already been set up when Edon walked back with Aleci. The cat had long abandoned them, probably harassing the men at the campfire to share their food, no doubt.


    ¡°You should apologize,¡± said Aleci, holding out a hand to stop Edon.


    They were far enough that Finne wouldn¡¯t hear their conversation.


    "Why?" said Edon, crossing his arms, ¡°I don¡¯t see why.¡±


    ¡°What did you say to him, before you ran out?¡±


    Edon sniffed and refused to look at Aleci.


    ¡°If you¡¯re so sure that you didn¡¯t say anything wrong, you would have told me now, wouldn¡¯t you?¡± said Aleci.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t!¡±  Edon exclaimed, ¡°I said the truth! It¡¯s all about them¡­¡±  he paused, taking in several deep breaths. ¡°Fine, you are right about the  tri-  thing but¡­¡±


    ¡°But you want his time as well?¡±  offered Aleci, ¡°I understand.¡±


    ¡°How?¡± said Edon.


    ¡°My father was away quite often when I was a child. I didn¡¯t have brothers to compete for his attention. I think,  Edon,  if you apologize, it would surprise him, a nice surprise,¡±  he nodded confidently. ¡°Wouldn¡¯t you like that?¡±


    Edon kicked at the dirt, ¡°What do I say? Sorry? I don¡¯t want to¡­ it¡¯s the truth!¡±


    ¡°You can say you¡¯re sorry for shouting,¡±  said Aleci patiently. ¡°You¡¯re sorry that you¡¯re upset and you said mean things. But you would like him to spend time with you. Just you and him.¡±


    ¡°Why?¡± said Edon.


    Aleci supposed one never really enjoyed a new sibling, particularly if they were prone to crying and would be crying more if the description of Iachos¡¯ treatment were as he described it.


    ¡°Because, it tells him why you¡¯re upset and tells him what you want. Maybe you don¡¯t mean it, your apology, I know babies aren¡¯t very enjoyable, but he cares for your brother, hm? He cares for Ethain.¡±


    ¡°So?¡±


    ¡°If you love someone, you would care for what they love,¡±  said Aleci. ¡°Like your horse, don¡¯t you love her? Why did your mama¨ª let you take her when you could¡¯ve ridden on another one?¡±


    ¡°Stygian  does things,  Ethain  doesn''t, ¡± Edon insisted.


    ¡°Ethain  will do things too, you¡¯ll just have to wait,¡±  said Aleci, deciding it was best not to laugh at the statement. ¡°But how about it? Say sorry, and mean it, and I¡¯m sure he will understand.¡±


    ¡°What is he supposed to do with me?¡±  Edon demanded, ¡°I told you before! It¡¯s all about them!¡±


    ¡°Have you ever told him?¡±


    ¡°No,¡± said Edon, blinking.


    ¡°So tell him. Tell him you want to spend time with him. Just the two of you. I¡¯ll have my,¡±  Aleci chuckled, ¡°stupid soldier watch  Ediann  and Ethain.¡±


    ¡°Mama¨ª never lets anyone watch them,¡± said Edon.


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    Probably because any nursemaid would undoubtedly gossip about Ediann¡¯s deafness and Ethain¡¯s feet. The latter gave Aleci some pause, weren¡¯t most nobles attended to by several attendants? They would notice Ethain¡¯s feet. Mytea then, Aleci decided, Finne must have had Mytea¡¯s blessing.


    ¡°Maybe he¡¯ll change his mind,¡±  said Aleci, ¡°because you were honest.¡±


    "Hmph,¡±  said Edon, biting his lip, ¡°I¡¯ll try.¡±


    Aleci patted Edon¡¯s shoulder, ¡°Good.¡±


    Ediann was the first to greet them when Aleci pulled open the tent flap. He bounded towards Aleci, ¡°Praefect, praefect,¡± he signed, ¡°sweets? Please? Now?¡±


    There was a makeshift cradle in the corner, and Ethain was probably asleep in it. Aleci smiled down at Ediann, ¡°Did you eat dinner?¡± he signed.


    Ediann nodded enthusiastically, ¡°Yes,¡± he signed, for emphasis.


    Finne looked relieved, ¡°You found him,¡± he said to Aleci, ¡°Thank you.¡± he looked at Edon, and before he could say anything, Edon took Finne¡¯s hand.


    "¡¯m sorry.¡±  said Edon in a rush, not looking at Finne, "''m just mad! You promised¡­¡±


    ¡°He wants you to spend time with him,¡± said Aleci, deciding to step in.


    ¡°Oh,¡± said Finne, softly, looking crestfallen, as he pulled Edon into a hug. ¡°I¡¯m sorry Edon.¡±


    Edon gave Aleci an astonished look over Finne¡¯s shoulder. Aleci winked, then gestured for Ediann to follow him to Aleci¡¯s trunk. Ediann¡¯s eyes widened when Aleci pulled out the small wooden box with the dried fruit. He gestured for Ediann to take his pick. At Ediann¡¯s hesitation Aleci took a small piece and popped it into his mouth. Emboldened, Ediann reached in, and picked the biggest slice of dried fruit, and he clumsily snapped it in two before walking hesitantly towards Edon.


    ¡°Edon  want?¡±  said Ediann, holding out the fruit to Edon, clutched in his tiny fist, ¡°Edon  want?¡±


    Edon blinked, ¡°Thank you,¡±  he said, taking the offering.


    Aleci caught Edon¡¯s eye and signed the words. Edon¡¯s imitation was clumsy and rushed, but Ediann smiled and clapped his hands in delight.


    ¡°There¡¯s some food for you,¡±  said Finne, ¡°it¡¯s cold but-¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s fine, mama¨ª,¡±  said Edon, ¡°it tastes the same anyway, cold or hot.¡±


    The apricot went horribly down his throat as Aleci choked back a laugh. Ethain woke up later that night, and as Aleci expected, Finne was up and soothing him, humming softly under his breath.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t wake you up did I?¡± said Finne hesitantly, coming from behind the screen.


    ¡°No,¡± said Aleci, looking up from a map of Imruk, Domerc was right, there was a lake nearby. He moved to one side of the bed and gestured for Finne to sit down, ¡°would you like to sit with me?¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to¡­¡± Finne began, smiled softly, then came to sit down next to Aleci. ¡°How did you convince Edon to apologize? He¡¯s never-¡±


    ¡°Apologize?¡± Aleci blurted out, shocked, ¡°Why?¡±


    There were dark circles under Finne¡¯s eyes, his mouth perpetually set into a resigned frown. Finne bit his lip, looking uncomfortable as he gently rocked Ethain, ¡°His father never did it, and I suppose¡­¡±


    ¡°Ah,¡± said Aleci, ¡°so he is that type of man hm?¡± he tapped the map on the table. ¡°It won¡¯t do Edon any favors acting such, the only ones that get away with it in the Empire are the Caesar and his Magisters, and even then only some Magisters,¡± he glanced at Ethain, who had fallen asleep again.


    They were horrible selfish men, and Aleci would attend every one of their funerals with relish. Or more likely, from a safe distance, no one wants to be there for the bloodbath when a man crowns himself Caesar.... but enough of his treasonous thoughts. Aleci gave Ethain a curious glance. Finne hadn¡¯t swaddled him tonight, and Aleci could see that Iachos had begun binding and bracing Ethain¡¯s feet.


    ¡°Did he not like that?¡± said Aleci, indicating to the bandages.


    ¡°No,¡± said Finne, ¡°but Iachos was quick. He said it had to be gradual, so it¡¯s not too bad today,¡± he gently touch Ethain¡¯s right foot, ¡°I¡¯m very grate-¡±


    ¡°You needn¡¯t thank me so much,¡± said Aleci, ¡°I¡¯m not those priests at their fancy temples.¡±


    ¡°Oh?¡± said Finne, raising an eyebrow.


    There was a hint of a smile on Finne¡¯s face and Aleci thought softly, that he¡¯d like Finne to genuinely smile again.


    ¡°The priests are paid in coins and supplication,¡± said Aleci smirking, ¡°what am I to do with coin and fawning praise?¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t want either?¡± said Finne, his head tilted to one side.


    Ah, now that was definitely amusement, ¡°No,¡± said Aleci, ¡°if one gets enough coin then one goes around questioning the motives of everyone around them,¡± the Magisters, thought Aleci, ¡°does their wife really love them or the coin? Would their guards slip a knife through their ribs later so as to rob their corpse? Would their children attempt to haste them to the grave so as to claim their inheritance-¡±


    Here Finne laughed, and quickly stopped himself before he jostled Ethain, ¡°You have thought so deeply about this.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s my observations,¡± said Aleci.


    Normally, he¡¯d add a wink, but he doubted Finne would appreciate flirtation.


    ¡°Edon said you trained with him before? Would you like to do it again? We¡¯re taking a quick stop at the lake,¡± Aleci gestured to the map, ¡°here, and I¡¯m sure Iachos wouldn¡¯t mind keeping an eye on Ethain for a morning. I¡¯m sure I¡¯ll find something for Ediann to do.¡±


    Finne opened his mouth, took in a breath and said, ¡°I don¡¯t¡­¡±


    ¡°Was Edon lying?¡± said Aleci, raising an eyebrow, ¡°He didn¡¯t sound like he was lying. And he said he wanted to spend time with you.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m¡­ out of practice,¡± said Finne evasively.


    ¡°Really?¡± said Aleci, and unable to stop himself, ¡°Do you want to spar with me when we get to the lake?¡±


    Finne looked stunned at the offer, ¡°What?¡± he said, sounding baffled, ¡°What?¡± he repeated.


    ¡°I have no archery skills,¡± said Aleci, then remembering what Maera told him. ¡°I¡¯m told the women carried swords in Imruk, or knives, is that what you¡¯re good at?¡± he tried to keep the excitement from his voice, Maera had been less than enthusiastic when he asked her to show him her knife skills and none of the women had taken his offer seriously, ¡°Please? I¡¯d like to see.¡±


    ¡°You first wanted me to play the  fiddle for you and now you want to spar with me?¡± said Finne, a note of disbelief in his voice, ¡°Pick one.¡±


    Aleci blinked, ¡°I¡¯m-¡± he began apologizing before he saw Finne¡¯s grin.


    ¡°Why do you want to see my subpar skills?¡± Finne insisted, ¡°It¡¯s not very good¡­¡±


    Sometimes it was best to repeat Kaeso¡¯s explanation, ¡°I have a curiosity,¡± said Aleci, in a less than perfect mimic of Kaeso¡¯s dulcet voice, ¡°I¡¯ve asked the Imrukian women to see their swordplay and they refused me, and now I have the opportunity to see such a thing.¡±


    ¡°Your flattery leaves much to be desired,¡± Finne said, straight face. ¡°Did anyone tell you that, Praefect?¡± a pause, and a sly smile, ¡°Aleci?¡±


    Whoever Finne''s husband was, he was a fool to not appreciate Finne''s charm, thought Aleci.


    ¡°I suppose the bards can sing of your modesty as well, Finne,¡± said Aleci.


    Finne¡¯s eyes widened at that, he glanced at the sleeping Ethain in his lap before saying quietly, "A modest wife adds grace upon grace, and there is no scale that can weigh the full value of her-"


    "So it would be," Aleci interrupted, "but you''ve left your husband. Is that a thing a modest wife would do?"


    Finne looked away from him, his finger tracing the curve of Ethain''s cheek. "No," he admitted quietly, "no it isn''t."

 Libri I.XII Imruk

    "Would you like to ask me a question?" Aleci said, when the silence stretched between them.


    Finne''s eyes met his, he pursed his lips, thinking then said, "Why do you want to stop at the lake?"


    "Because it boosts morale," Aleci replied, "and we still have some time before the winter pass closes. I don''t see why I should. Do you not like the lake?"


    "I was¡­ camping there once," said Finne, a melancholy note in his voice. "A very long time ago."


    "Have you told Edon about it?" Aleci suggested, "He seems the type to enjoy-"


    Finne''s eyes narrowed, "No, I don''t like to think about it."


    There was an unwanted memory there, that much was clear from Finne''s tone. Well, Aleci could sympathize, he would never willingly return to Leucia again.


    He saw Finne let out a breath, his eyes flickering to the screen before he said, with forced cheer, "When you return home, what would you like to do?"


    "Wine," said Aleci, with no hesitation, then he scratched his head, "though that depends on the year, sometimes there''s a good year and the wine''s sweet but we''ve had years where you might as well be drinking vinegar. I suppose I''d like a hot bath as well, do you know the bathhouses we have in the Capital?"


    "With taps?" Finne said, eagerly, "I read- heard there were taps with hot and cold water."


    "You know I don''t mind what you read," said Aleci, "you needn''t say you heard if you''ve read it somewhere. And yes, there''s hot and cold water," Finne''s eyes widened at that and Aleci grinned, "we don''t have to wait until the Capital, there''s a small border city that has a bathhouse. Would you like me to plan a stop there?"


    Thysdria dwarfed Llandy, Imruk''s capital city was positively quaint compared to the bustle and cacophony that was Thysdria.


    "Do you not need to return on schedule?" said Finne.


    "Yes and no," said Aleci, "I haven''t received any letter telling me to make haste, so as it is, I don''t see why we couldn''t stop." He gave Finne a smile, "Besides, I did promise Edon a present-" he held out his hand to stop Finne, "I know very well how it feels to be promised something, my father used to do it often enough to me. He was always late or forgetful, and you know, as a child, time doesn''t flow the same. Besides, it''s Thysdria, I doubt Edon can find anything plated in gold there. You needn''t worry about the cost of it."


    "You needn''t get him anything," said Finne. "I..." he paused, "if the cabin''s still there¡­ there''s a hidden sword somewhere under the floorboards," he gave a sad smile, "it was a present when I was his age."


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    "What was it?" said Aleci, curious.


    "You still insist on sparring with me?" said Finne, "It''s a sword. But don''t tell him, I don''t know if it''s still there. I wouldn''t want to disappoint him."


    "I won''t," said Aleci, "I promise."


    "Please don''t buy him anything," Finne insisted firmly, "you''re not obliged, Aleci."


    "It is not obligation," said Aleci, reaching forward to touch Finne''s hand. "I made a promise to your son and I intend to keep it," he laughed softly, "besides, what kind of a man would I be to break a promise to a child?"


    "A normal one," said Finne, firmly, but he didn''t pull away, "if he''d asked for the moon would you have gone to fetch it?"


    "I would have gone and brought him a moon cake," said Aleci, and seeing Finne''s open mouth shock, explained, "do you know them? They''re round and filled with cheese. The whole experience would have taught him to be more precise in his requests. And if not," Aleci shrugged, "he''ll either enjoy eating said cake or I''ll enjoy eating it."


    "I don''t believe your imagined scenario would end well," Finne insisted.


    "Is Edon the type to throw a fit? Don''t worry, I''m used to that, I''ve seen plenty of tantrums thrown by grown men," said Aleci, remembering the one infamous memory where he and the entire senate was held hostage. "There''s a convoluted logic to a child''s anger."


    "There''s none in men?" Finne said, raising an eyebrow.


    "You can''t cure entitlement," said Aleci.


    Well, Aleci thought, one can, but that usually involved a sword or a knife to the gut, but the last time the senate had done that the Empire had plunged headlong into civil war. But dwelling on those things meant he would be tempted to blurt them out and Finne wasn''t Kaeso.


    "What would you like then?" he asked, careful to rephrase Finne''s question. "When we get to Thysdria? I don''t think it has much in the way of wares, but I''m sure you can find something."


    Finne blinked owlishly at him, "What I want? I... don''t know, besides, why does it matter? I wouldn''t have the coin for anything," he shook his head. "Don''t offer, Aleci, you didn''t make birthday promises to me."


    "I would never," Aleci insisted. "I was going to suggest you play the fiddle. You could earn decent coin depending on the competition. It''s too cold for troupers, so I think you might earn enough to pay for a room in the Capital," he paused, "wait, don''t do that, I forgot you''re not one of my men," he gave Finne an apologetic look, "it would be hard to find room and board as a carrier, but I think the Imrukian women will help you there."


    "I see," said Finne shortly.


    "It is nothing on you," said Aleci, "it is just... carriers in the Capital hide their status or well, they work in the lupanars. I haven''t met the former, and I suppose that''s the whole point, they hide themselves, but I''ve met many of the latter," unable to stop himself he continued, "the best paid ones work for the Magisters but I don''t know how you define best, I wouldn''t sell anything to a Magister."


    He saw several emotions flicker over Finne''s face, "So I can''t find work," Finne said quietly.


    "You could join the women-" Aleci began.


    "No," Finne shook his head violently, "they would tell me to marry again. That''s what they usually advise." His voice became slightly higher, an imitation, "your husband will provide security and protection!" his motions jostled Ethain who flinched and Finne immediately began trying to sooth him, "I have had enough of marriage. I found no joy in it and I refuse to try again,¡° he gave Aleci a look as if he expected a challenge.


    It wasn''t the challenge Finne expected, thought Aleci, he wouldn''t say that Finne''s statement was wrong, just that it clashed wildly with Finne''s earlier offer to give Aleci a child. He stared at the tent floor hoping it would give some answer, and when it didn''t Aleci decided it was best to be honest, "I never said you were wrong," said Aleci, "I''m not married, how should I know what it''s like? But if you don''t like the possibility of the Imrukian women advising you to marry then you should think on your plans. There''s plenty that would take advantage of you, and your children as well." He tapped his fingers on the bed, "the Capital is beautiful when you stand at the very top, but not if you''re in its slums."


    "I see," said Finne, standing up, and with stiff formality continued, "thank you for staying up with me but please excuse me, Aleci, I would like to go to bed now."


    He said something wrong again, Aleci thought, though he didn''t have the faintest idea what it was. The next morning, upon hearing Aleci''s recount of night''s conversation, Kaeso immediately cuffed Aleci on the head.


    "What is your damage? Attacking your superior?" Aleci demanded, wincing as he rubbed the spot that would no doubt bruise.


    "You bumbling idiot," said Kaeso, "you''ve gone and burn your chances, Incendiarius!"


    "Incendiarius?" Aleci repeated, incredulous at the reminder of his academy nickname, "Do I look like the forceful arsonist type? I don''t do-"


    "You simpleton," groaned Kaeso, "you can''t even court properly!"

 Libri I.XIII Imruk

    "I am not courting him!" Aleci insisted, wide eyed.


    "Begging your pardon, Praefect," said Domerc, who had silently snuck up between the two of them and was now listening in with interest. "What else would you be doing?"


    "Not courting!" Aleci snapped, "Why would I, the last times were-"


    "Disastrous?" offered Domerc.


    "Horribly embarrassing?" Kaeso suggested.


    "I told Galer I''m not interested in women! How is it my fault that he found ones that were clearly desperate to marry?" he clicked his tongue at his horse, and she obediently stood still as he mounted her.


    The women were all lovely, if Aleci had the eye for women that is. So he had shook his head firmly and told them that their marriage with him would be very cold and disappointing, that he was the type to go hawking. Most of them understood what he meant, and they then had to spend the hour talking about the weather, but one was particularly oblivious. Which was how Galer walked into him shouting, ''I don''t fuck women!''. Aleci refused to apologize to his father, and the woman had been too mortified, rushing out the door before either of them could say anything.


    "I heard your horrible yowling," said Kaeso cheerfully, following Aleci to his own mount, "you never sing unless-"


    "Stop eavesdropping then," Aleci replied irritably. "Pitch your tent far away from me, why won''t you?"


    "I don''t see why you shouldn''t, Praefect," said Domerc, also mounting his horse. "It is rare, but there are Praefects who take their families with them. It might be difficult with the younger ones, Ediann, specifically, but I think if you find a good station, it''s possible they won''t see any-"


    "He''s not interested," Aleci interrupted, jabbing his finger in Kaeso''s direction. "You missed me telling Kaeso that. I said I would take him to the Capital, without price, and now you two want me to put a value on it?"


    "Ediann liked you well enough," said Domerc, seemingly ignoring Aleci. "I suppose you said something yesterday to get that little prick to come back without your ankles being bruised¡­ If the children like you Finne''ll come around, no doubt."


    "First of all," said Aleci, slowly to Domerc. "I am not interested in marriage. Secondly, he''s not interested in marrying again, and you yourself noted that the childrens'' father isn''t the best, so please make your own thoughts on how he would be as a husband. I don''t need to say more, do I?"


    "First of all," Kaeso echoed, "you like to lie to yourself. I know you want brats of your own ever since you tolerated my siblings tackling you. You don''t even have to wait nine months, or more mathematically correctly, if you''re so inclined, one hundred and forty seven months, you''ve already got three of them at varying stages for you to play father to. Secondly, perhaps you can change his mind. Domerc''s right, children will wear anyone down," he smirked, "if they think you''re their father what''s Finne going to do about it? Disappoint them?"


    "I do not play mind games," snapped Aleci, "and I do not, as you put it, play father to anyone. It''s cruel to exile a child from the world and I solved the problem, how is that playing father?"


    "You could have just left it at that," said Kaeso, and the stubborn bastard kept talking, "given Finne the alphabet and just left them to it."


    "You let Ediann ride with you," Domerc chimed in, looking all too amused.


    "Insubordination," said Aleci, pointing a warning finger at Domerc.


    Domerc shrugged, stretching his arms and neck carelessly, "You like having companionship. If it''s cruel to exile a child from the world, then is it also cruel to exile yourself from others?"


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    "You took the wrong lesson from the gardens," said Aleci irritably, even as he hated that Domerc made sense. "Didn''t the philosophers tell you not to question your betters?"


    "Then you told me otherwise, and I disregarded their advice for yours," said Domerc, grinning.


    Aleci scowled, "Kaeso, I told you, he''s not interested and I refused to-"


    "He''s not Ilos is he?" said Kaeso, "I bet no one can match Ilos''s stubbornness. It is not wheedling or forcefulness or whatever word you''re going to use," he urged his horse to trot to Aleci''s and placed a hand on Aleci''s shoulder, "you two would end up in the same place anyway, so why not make your lives happier?"


    "Why don''t," said Aleci, narrowing his eyes, "you take your own advice?"


    "You''re only asking me questions because you can''t argue," there was a calm, calculated look on Kaeso''s face as he leaned in and whispered, in that desert tongue they learnt long ago, "prove me wrong and send them to Iachos''s tent tonight."


    Aleci opened his mouth, closed it, and scowled, as he could only watch Kaeso wear the pleased look of one who knew he''d won as they rode onwards. If he wasn''t on a horse, Aleci would have tackled him and smacked the grin off his face. Kaeso was wrong.


    It was a stranger on the road needing his help, and he had done what any acolyte of Mytea would do, offer them a safe passage. But you didn''t find Finne, did you, it was Domerc, whispered the voice inside his head. It usually appeared whenever he had to think about Mytea or Galer. He scowled, it didn''t matter, he was the head of the legion, and as such he would be the one to take directives from Mytea, no matter how convoluted the God wanted to make things. If it''s convoluted, continued the voice, then perhaps this is what Galer said, that you would find a wife in Imruk and that-


    "Praefect!"


    Mercus ran up to them, his curly hair astray, "Please can we stop for an hour or two? The wheel came loose-" he paused, hands on his knees as he bent over, panting.


    "Is anyone hurt?" said Aleci.


    "No," said Mercus, "but it might take some time to-"


    Domerc must have relayed to the men they would be taking a few days by the lake, and there were groans all around at the possible delay.


    "Why don''t you take half of them ahead?" Aleci said to Kaeso, "I''ll stay with half and join you as soon as the wagon''s fixed," to his men he said, "decide among yourselves which one of you goes with Kaeso."


    There was always a trick to solving discord, and that was to give people a choice in what they did. He left the men arguing amongst themselves for who should enjoy the lake and its surrounding forests first, gently spurring Sage towards Iachos''s wagon. Kaeso shot him a speculative look but Aleci deliberately ignored his scheming friend.


    Finne was sitting near the wagon, under the shade of a tree and drawing something on a tablet while Ediann looked on. To Aleci''s surprise, Edon had gotten off his black mare and was holding Iachos''s tools for him while he fixed the wheel. He dismounted as he approached and Finne looked up, momentarily pausing his drawing. The pause was enough to catch Ediann''s attention. The boy smiled, picking up a parchment next to him and running over to Aleci before Finne could reach out a hand to stop him.


    "A present," Ediann signed, one handed, the other waving the picture at Aleci, "a present Praefect."


    The parchment was what Iachos used to wrap his herbs; it smelled faintly of chamomile as Aleci took it from Ediann.


    "For me?" Aleci signed, grinning and indicating to himself. "Thank you."


    Aleci was apparently the same size as Sage, and Sage comprised more legs than horse. But there was a similarity there, Aleci had to admit, Ediann did draw him with a frown and a cloak. Perhaps Ediann would have colored the drawing, if he had the paints and chalk to do so.


    "Is this my horse?" Aleci signed, gesturing towards Sage.


    "Praefect horse," Ediann replied, nodding and pointing to Sage''s depiction. "Ediann ride with Praefect?" he added a wide eyed look as he signed the question.


    Finne must have had a hard time denying him, thought Aleci and Kaeso''s words about Finne disappointing his children came back. He shooed them away, irritating flies they were, Kaeso loved nothing more than to torment Aleci with his snide suggestions.


    "Yes," Aleci signed and watched as Ediann clapped his hands in delight, he met Finne''s eyes. "He''s very talented."


    "Iachos would have to lock up his spare parchment," said Finne. "Please don''t encourage him."


    "How is Ethain?" said Aleci, moving closer to see what it was Finne was drawing.


    He hadn''t seen the baby from a distance, but now that he was closer he could see that Finne had him swaddled in his lap.


    "He''s fine, he didn''t take too kindly to Iachos today but it''s to be expected."


    "What are you drawing?" said Aleci, gesturing toward the tablet in Finne''s lap.


    In answer Finne handed him the tablet and Aleci decided to sit down next to him.


    "He wanted to know where we were going," said Finne, nodding his head towards Ediann.


    The trees around the cabin were drawn in hasty strokes, but the cabin itself looked welcoming. Finne had taken up the remaining space to draw what was in the cabin, a bed, fireplace, bearskin rug and one table and a set of chairs.


    "It''s very furnished for a cabin in the woods," Aleci remarked.


    "It is¡­ ah, how do you say it, a  hunting lodge."  Finne said.


    "For the  nobles?" said Aleci, raising an eyebrow.


    "Yes," said Finne, his mouth set in a thin line.


    "Is there anything you''d like to eat when we get there?" Aleci thought it was best to change the topic, "I have doubts on Kaeso''s hunting skills but I''m sure the others are successful."


    "I''m not picky," Finne replied shortly.


    He really should shut his mouth, Aleci thought, no doubt whatever he''s blathered on and on about last night had insulted Finne on some level, "I''ll leave you alone then," said Aleci, "I did promise Ediann a ride, if you don''t mind him going with me."


    Ediann had run off to join Edon where he stood next to the wagon, and was examining a nail from the looks of it. To his surprise, Finne chuckled, "How many drawings will you accept from him?"


    "As many as he wants to give," Aleci replied.


    He made to stand up but Finne shook his head, "You don''t have to leave," Finne said, "I didn''t take offense last night, if that''s what you''re thinking."


    "Who told you that?" said Aleci, raising an eyebrow.


    There was a twinkle of amusement in Finne''s eyes when he said, "Your men love gossiping more than any woman I''ve kept company with."


    "Ah," said Aleci, sitting down again, "how handsome and interesting did they say my life was?"


    Finne held out a hand for the tablet and Aleci gave it back to him. When it was returned with fresh drawings this time, he saw a hastily drawn rendition of himself, in his cloak and helm, being pecked by a dozen hens.

 Libri I.XIV Imruk

    When the wagon''s wheel was fixed, Finne made to get in but Mercus stopped him.


    "Kaeso left his horse," said Mercus, gesturing to Kaeso''s gelding. "Do you want to ride?"


    Aleci hoped Kaeso enjoyed the chilliest of baths.


    "If you want to, Finne, join me," he said, seeing Finne''s hesitancy.


    Edon''s eyes widened when he saw Finne riding with Aleci. He shot Finne a disbelieving look, before Ediann''s guessing game with Aleci caught his attention.


    "Why would you guess something if it''s going to go by you in a moment? Your game doesn''t make sense," he said, frowning.


    "Why not?" Aleci replied.


    It amused him, watching Edon''s eyes go wide with confusion. Perhaps it was what Finne looked like when he was younger, Edon had Finne''s eyes. "Have you not done this with him?" he asked Finne, over Edon''s head.


    Finne shook his head, shoulders shaking in silent laughter, "Not with such sincerity and innocence."


    "What are you talking about?" Edon frowned, looking between Finne and Aleci, "What''s so funny?"


    "If you want to know," said Aleci, "then why don''t you learn the tongue?"


    "I''m not staying here long, why would I?" Edon insisted.


    But he was intrigued anyway, and at least joined in guessing when Ediann started to haltingly spell bird. It made the ride more tolerable thought Aleci, remembering his own trips with his mother and sister. Ediann fell asleep half way through their travels, and it was very dark when they reached the lake. Domerc was waiting for them, offering to carry Ediann to the cabin.


    "It''s yours," he said to Finne, gesturing at the tents around the lake and the small fires already lit. "Everyone''s made themselves comfortable."


    Finne opened his mouth and closed it, and nodded his thanks. The cabin was as Finne had drawn it, even the rug was there as well. Someone, Aleci supposed Kaeso, had given the room a quick clean. He had also set up a second bed. Aleci signed deeply, but smiled when Finne gave him a questioning look.


    "I would fetch the food?" Aleci offered.


    He was stopped by Edon, who hesitantly looked Aleci up and down before saying, "If there''s fish, can I have some?"


    "Of course," Aleci nodded. "I will ask."


    His first questions wouldn''t be about fish. Aleci scanned the tents, looking for the one that was Kaeso''s. When he found Kaeso''s tent, painted with a circle at the door, he found Kaeso sitting with Mercus and Domerc around a campfire, roasting a moderately sized fish.


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    "Good evening, Aleci," said Kaeso, grinning broadly at whatever ire he saw on Aleci''s face.


    "Hen pecked," Aleci stated, his eyes flickering from one unapologetic face to the next. "Is that what you think I am, hen pecked?"


    "I never said it," Domerc pointed out.


    "I suppose it''s an unfair observation," Kaeso began.


    "And?" Aleci snarled, "Why is that so?"


    "I think," Mercus said, "Praefect, they''ve only ever seen you after you''ve had your ah.... Meetings. With you know, Maera and the priestess-"


    "-and your mother," Kaeso added, pouring Aleci a wine-skin from a cask nest to him, no doubt it was taken from the cabin. "So it''s rather biased. They think you''re driven by the things women tell you to do, and that somehow ruined your ah, tastes."


    "Rubbish," Aleci snapped but took a drink anyway, "I never did fancy women in the first place."


    "It is a rather hard thing to understand," offered Domerc. "Is it unsurprising that they filled in the missing pieces, Praefect? Do you want to tell them to stop?"


    "Ah, what does it matter?" said Aleci, downing the wine and wrinkling his nose at its taste. "They all want to serve under Aleci, he who, what was it last time?"


    "Stood strong and brave against a horde of barbarians," said Domerc, nodding.


    Aleci nearly spat out the wine, "Are they still going on about that? They should know, I couldn''t just run home to Galer on a failure now could I?"


    "But you stayed," said Kaeso, "when others didn''t. Isn''t that something?"


    "I''ll leave you lot to gossip," Aleci groused, Finne''s words coming to him, and muttered angrily. "I''ll be glad when there''s actual women for the men to spend their coin and time on."


    He ignored Kaeso''s triumphant smile as well, the bastard better watch his back, Aleci was perfectly capable of giving Kaeso an unwanted wake up call.


    "Praefect wait," Domerc said, standing up and holding out something in his hand. It was red chalk, the kind that Domerc used to mark directions for his scouts. "Here, I think Ediann might enjoy using more than one color."


    Ediann was very taken by the red chalk Aleci handed to him. He took it in his chubby fist, beaming. His curls were slightly damp, like Edon, who was busy fumbling with something in the bags, and he smelled of goat tallow soap. When Aleci offered the smoked fish to him, he shook his head, but nodded and reached out a hand towards the dried meat Aleci had in his bowl. Edon begrudgingly said his thanks when Aleci handed him his portion.


    "Where is your mama¨ª?  " Aleci asked, and to Ediann he signed, "Where is  mama¨ª ?"


    Finne had told him Ediann had always called Finne  mama¨ª, and it would be strange to convert it to Finne in sign. The Imrukians used a different alphabet altogether, so Aleci had settled for a rocking motion with his hand. Quick and easy, he had explained, telling him how his name was shortened when his men talked with him as well, and Finne nodded. In response, Ediann pointed to the screen that Aleci''s men had placed there.


    "Is something the matter?" Finne asked, coming from behind the screen.


    He too, looked as if he''d washed, and he was patting Ethain''s back, gently soothing him. Then Ethain coughed and let out a torrent of fluid. Edon exclaimed in disgust, wrinkling his nose.


    "Do you want to change?" offered Aleci, half impressed at how much liquid was dripping down Finne''s shirt.


    Finne gave a resigned sigh, "The spares are all drying in Iachos¡¯s wagon."


    The distant hysterical laughter he heard in his head was undoubtedly Kaeso congratulating himself on being right. Well, thought Aleci, Kaeso was wrong, it wasn''t a courtship unless both parties agreed to it.


    "You can borrow one of mine," he went to his trunk and handed Finne a clean tunic. It was courtesy of Mercus, he did have a way of getting stains out of anything. "Would you like me to hold him?"


    Ethain did not take kindly to being handed over. He squirmed in Aleci''s arms, his mouth opened to let out an ear piercing scream that had Edon clapping his hands over his ears.


    "Shh!" said Aleci, bouncing him. "Are you trying to work yourself up to empty your stomach again? It was impressive the first time, but I don''t think a second go''s appreciated." He grinned, sticking out his tongue, "Do you know? I can scream louder than you." He heard a choked laugh from Finne and his smile widened. "But I don''t think that would be appreciated, would it?"


    Perhaps Finne never talked to Ethain while he was crying, Aleci observed, because the baby reacted with wide eyed bafflement at Aleci''s chatter. That novelty wouldn''t last, babies were more fickle than cats.


    "Why do you talk to him?"  said Edon, frowning, "He doesn''t understand."


    "What makes you think so?" Aleci queried.


    "Because he''s a baby!"  Edon exclaimed loudly before hesitantly lowering his hands from his ears, "He''s a baby and he doesn''t understand anything!"


    "How do you know?" said Aleci, calmly.


    Edon blinked, "But he just¡­ lies there and cries and-"  he glanced at Finne and scowled, "I don''t know."


    A novel idea came to Aleci, and he asked, "Would you ride Stygian when she was a foal?"


    "No, but she came to me as a horse!"


    "Ethain  didn''t just come to you as a boy your age, you''ll just have to wait."


    "Seven years!"  Edon shook his head in disbelief.


    "Hm, I would say five, maybe four.  Ediann''s  age."


    "Ediann," Edon began, glancing at Ediann who was drawing and oblivious to the flurry of activity. "I guess  Ediann  does some things,"  he approached Aleci hesitantly, eyeing Ethain with suspicion, "Are you certain it would take only four years?"


    "Very much so,"  Aleci nodded, struggling not to laugh. "Only four."

 Libri I.XV Imruk

    Ediann wanted to show Aleci every picture he drew. The red chalk was now a sad shadow of its former self, having been used to scribble out what looked like a sunset or a sunrise.


    "Your home?" Aleci signed, and Ediann shook his head, pointing to the picture again.


    "He means the sea," said Edon, coming over and kneeling down next to them. He pointed at the black waving lines, "That''s waves. He likes drawing them."


    "Ah," Aleci nodded his head solemnly, with Edon''s explanation the crooked half circle in red and the jagged lines underneath it made sense. "The sea," he signed to Ediann.


    He wasn''t sure if Ediann understood, but the boy repeated the sign. He clumsily placed them on the table, standing on tip toes to reach. The two boys piled onto the bed, and after some coaxing from Finne which involved a story drawn to Ediann and told to Edon, both were asleep. Finne extracted himself from both of them, carefully checking on Ethain slept on the floor in the makeshift cradle.


    "You should try signing the story," Aleci suggested, looking at the drawings Ediann had made from his seat on his camp bed, moved a distance away from the other one. "If it''s a story he knows, he wouldn''t need pictures."


    Ediann had presented him with several pictures, most of them require an interpretation, thought Aleci. He wasn''t certain what a circling black cloud meant, and the lines that were drawn next to it. One picture caught his eye. It was of a man with red hair, mouth opened and showing too many teeth. His oversized hands grabbed at a similarly sized figure. Finne, thought Aleci, and winced at the red chalk that Ediann had used to color in Finne''s lips.


    "He''s very imaginative," Finne said quickly, taking the drawing away from Aleci.


    "He was very accurate with drawing me," said Aleci quietly.


    "He is very imaginative," Finne repeated.


    It was one of those times where, if Aleci was in the presence of his mother, she would have no doubt pinched him to keep him from blurting out his ''uncouth thoughts''. But she wasn''t there now, was she?


    "You needn''t lie to yourself," Aleci said, "or to me. Does Edon know?"


    "No," Finne replied, not meeting Aleci''s eyes.


    So that explained Edon''s short temperedness, Aleci observed. But he was a child and children were impatient creatures anyway. The anger towards Finne when he didn''t get his way though, that might have been learned.


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    "Would you like to play for me?" Aleci said, gesturing towards his open chest and the  fiddle  that lay within it. "I''d like to hear you play."


    "It''ll wake him up," Finne insisted, glancing at Ethain in the makeshift cradle.


    "I can hold him," Aleci said, nodding, "I would like to hear you play. Please."


    There had been a  fiddle  when he visited Maera and the other Imrukian women, but none of them knew how to play it. Or if they did, they didn''t want to tell him. Maera had insisted that it was a man''s instrument, that it was unladylike to crane one''s neck like a bird.


    "Are you certain?" Finne gave Aleci another uncertain look.


    "Yes," Aleci grinned. "Very certain, I want to know what it sounds like."


    That was a lie, Aleci could barely tell the difference between any stringed instruments, nor singers'' voices, nor drum beats of a marching army. He would never admit it, but that was one reason why he didn''t retreat in Jochu. The Magister in charge had his drummers send out a drumbeat for retreat, and Aleci, in his deafness to song, had mistaken the notes. It was why he thought of signing, even if he knew nothing of music, he still had his eyes to see.


    The other reason¡­ Aleci swallowed, the other reason was fear of disappointing his father.


    "What song would you like to hear?"


    "Hm?" said Aleci, startling him out of his thoughts. "What song? I¡­ don''t know. Whatever song you like. Maybe not a loud one?" he glanced at the sleeping children.


    "A loud song," Finne repeated, then huffed, amused. "That''s a funny way to describe it."


    It sounded like nothing Aleci had ever heard before, the  fiddle.  Finne''s fingers moved on the strings, his hand guiding the  bow  back and forth to coax out soft notes. Like a lullaby, thought Aleci, maybe it was the very same one Finne hummed to Ethain. Finne''s brow was furrowed in concentration, his eyes on the neck of the instrument, on his hands as they pressed down on the strings.


    Finne is very handsome, Aleci observed, and immediately heard Kaeso''s triumphant laughter. Fine, fine, he conceded, half upset, half amused, perhaps Finne would want a courtship. They needn''t¡­ have sex. The realization was a pit in his stomach, he didn''t like the thought of consorting with others if he''d promised to be faithful to one. That was what he would have settled on, if he''d married a woman with certain tastes as well, the two of them would reach an agreement with each other where they would both have dalliances. But those women were far and few in between, they were too clever to settle for just a Praefect. And why would they shackle themselves to a man when they can simply promise themselves to a Goddess and seclude themselves away with other women? He wanted a family, a happy one, better than his own with his absentee father, but-


    "Did you like it?" Finne asked, sounding hopeful, a half smile on his face. "It was your song to Ethain earlier. I think I missed a few notes."


    "It was?" Aleci said, open mouthed. "It was? I didn''t realize."


    Finne let out a laugh, "You didn''t?" He raised an eyebrow, "Really?"


    "No?" Aleci shook his head, bemused, "I had no idea."


    "You want me to play for you but you have no¡­ ear for songs?"


    "Well it was a rather spontaneous suggestion on my part," Aleci shrugged. "I was curious, I wanted to know what it sounded like, the  fiddle.  Now that I have, I like it. Do you have to be a swordsman to know if someone''s got a terrible form? Similarly, do you have to be a cook to know if something tastes good?"


    "Are you very fond of asking questions?" Finne smiled again, the light of the fireplace dancing in his green eyes.


    Like a nymph, thought Aleci, mesmerized. He quickly shut that thought down as well, "Perhaps. Why shouldn''t a man ask questions?"


    Finne surprised him by sitting down next to Aleci on the bed, "A man likes to keep his secrets."


    "I suppose so," agreed Aleci. "But a man also likes solving riddles and opening chests. They often require asking questions."


    "Of the one who''s holding the secret, not the one wanting to pry," Finne pointed out.


    "I have not met a sphinx," Aleci agreed, "but I am sure, if I am to meet them, they would either devour me out of spite or let me in out of curiosity." He mirrored Finne''s smile, "As I am such a charming man, you see."


    "How would it be certain that eating you won''t give it indigestion?" said Finne, and clapped his hands to his mouth.


    Aleci chuckled, "Perhaps it could ask me if I tasted good."


    This had Finne blushing, turning his head away from Aleci. His skills weren''t bad after all, thought Aleci, impressed that after all these years he could garner such a reaction.

 Libri I.XVI Imruk

    They sat in silence for awhile before Finne said, "Would you like to help me lift the floorboards? I haven''t the chance to check if it''s still there."


    Aleci nodded, and Finne motioned for Aleci to follow him. He crouched under the table and slowly tested the wood, before finding a loose board and motioning for Aleci to life the other end. It was a wooden box, Aleci observed, with a peculiar sheen to it, unique to Imruk. They were masters at woodworking after all, and he''d seen plenty of their skill while sipping tea in Maera''s sitting room. Finne let out a breath.


    "It''s still here," he said, sounding disbelieving as he lifted the box and placed it upon the table and sitting down on the chair next to it with a thud.


    It was reverently opened, and Aleci let out a low whistle of appreciation at the sword he saw. It would be a bit too big for Edon, but in Finne''s hands it was a short sword. The pommel was shaped like a cat''s head, with gleaming amber stones set for its eyes. One could even say it looked like Caesarion, Aleci thought. There was no rust on the sword, for all the years it lied underneath the wood.


    "That''s a peculiar place to hide a sword," Aleci observed.


    "It was a stupid idea," Finne said quietly, running one finger up and down its hilt. "I was ten and convinced that it would bring my mother back," he closed his eyes, "She told me a story of how a girl with no possessions of her own buried four pots of ash under her bed and the next day found herself with things to go to the high chief''s celebration. I thought it would work in reverse as well." He laughed harshly, "The gap under the bed was too small for me to crawl under so I decided the table would do. Maybe that''s why it didn''t work, it was under the wrong object!"


    Aleci glanced away, a pit in his stomach. There had been many times when he''d stormed out of his childhood home, angry at whatever chastisement his mother had given him. But she had always been there to welcome him back. He frowned, a noise by the door catching his attention. There was a scratching at the door, Finne hadn''t noticed, so Aleci stood up, cautiously making his way over. It couldn''t be anything too dangerous, Domerc kept a strict watch. His left hand wavered on the door knob, before reaching hesitantly for his sword. The door was barely opened before a furry blur darted in. Caesarion shook his massive body, spraying droplets of water on the wooden floor before padding over to Finne and shoving his ugly head into Finne''s arms. Finne looked up, startled.


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    "You¡­ you said his name was Caesarion?" Finne said shakily, his hands stroking the cat.


    The little bastard was purring, amber eyes looking luminously at Aleci from under Finne''s arms.


    "He doesn''t answer to anything," Aleci offered, "I thought Caesarion suited him."


    Finne pulled the cat into his lap, his mouth in a thin line before he took a breath and said, "Your men spoke of camp wives."


    Mercus, Aleci thought, internally groaning. "Oh?" Aleci replied, his tones light.


    "Were you looking for one?"


    "No," Aleci said shortly, "I don''t keep company just for the road." That was what the Magisters did, the last one Aleci served under ran off with his two wagons full of women, leaving Aleci to face the Jochu riders. "I offered to take you to the Capital and I will do that. There''s no need to change our agreement."


    But you wish to, muttered the rebellious voice in his head, you wish to because you are selfish. Then it laughed in Kaeso''s voice.


    "They pointed out it wasn''t... all sexual," Finne said quietly, "a companionship for the road. Didn''t you request it from me when you asked me to play for you?"


    If Mercus took his skills in driving horses and wagons into Aleci''s life, and placed it into anything martial, no doubt the man could rival Aleci himself. Aleci opened his mouth, closed it, then stuttered, "I said it was spontaneous! I wasn''t thinking of anything of the sort!"


    "You weren''t," Finne sounded disbelieving.


    "No!" Aleci exclaimed.


    Finne blinked, "No?" he repeated.


    "No," Aleci insisted, running a hand through his hair and trying to find his words, "it is not honor or Mytea what have you. I won''t do it because I am not an extortionist."


    "I don''t understand," Finne shook his head. "What does extortion have anything to do with this?"


    "I have seen," Aleci''s hands twisted on his tunic, "men who claim it is honor or the command of a God that keeps them from submitting to their baser nature. Things such as extorting the favors of a luckless man or woman, or-" He struggled to find the words, "beating the daylights out of someone. If their honor can be closed off at a whim and their deeply, held beliefs as well, then they do not deserve the comforts of civilization."


    "What would you do then, with such men?" Finne said softly.


    "I can''t touch the worst of them," most of them sat high in their white marbled villas, Aleci grinned wolfishly, "I told you, if they don''t behave like men, like people, without the falling into excuses then I am more than willing to cast them out. Do they not do the same in Imruk?"


    "They," Finne began, then shook his head, "perhaps they once did. Not anymore."


    It was a rhetorical question, Aleci knew very well why Maera and her friends came to the Capital and Finne''s response only confirmed it.


    "Shouldn''t it be the community that casts them out and not the chiefs?" his traitorous tongue said before he could stop it.


    "You are a strange man," Finne observed, wide eyed, "it is not done."


    Now that was a line he hadn''t heard in months. Aleci grinned at the memory of Maera''s dumbstruck face, leaning back on the bed. "Would you play for me again?"


    There was a pause as Finne took in his words, "Yes," he nodded his head, "I would."


    The only one who didn''t agree was Caesarion, who was placed on the ground as Finne went to fetch the instrument. The cat held his tail high in the air, padding over to where the children slept. If only cats could pout, thought Aleci, smirking at the look of indignation the beast sent his way.

 Libri I.XVII Imruk

    He awoke to the sounds of whispering. Excited whispering, thought Aleci, groggily. There was barely any light coming in from the one window they had, which meant it was very early morning.


    "It''s mine? Just for me?"


    "Yes."


    "Can we train now?"


    "It''s early-"


    "Please, please, please-"


    Finne let out a resigned huff, "If you don''t wake up Ediann.  Be very quiet."


    "I am the quietest."


    "I will hold  Ethain,  can you carry his cradle out? Put your sword in there-"


    "It''s a box, not a cradle."


    "You know what I mean."


    The bed creaked as Finne got out of it. He stretched, then met Aleci''s eyes. Aleci waved for him to get out the door with Edon. Finne gave him a half smile and nodded, motioning for Edon to follow him. The door quietly opened and closed after them. Aleci rubbed at his eyes, glanced at the barely there light and shook his head, pulling the blanket and cloak over himself. No, he refused to get up unless there was an absolute emergency.


    The emergency came soon enough, seemingly only moments later with the sound of a wordless shriek that had Aleci falling out of bed, his right hand reaching for his nonexistent sword. Then he blinked groggily, taking in Ediann''s furious jumps to reach for the metal latch on the door.


    "Ediann," Aleci muttered, tossing the cloak and blankets aside to stride over.


    Upon seeing Aleci, Ediann stalked away, throwing himself face first on the bearskin. Aleci sighed, then crouched down and gently turned Ediann to face him.


    "Why?" Aleci signed, shrugging his shoulders and holding out both hands. "Why?"


    "Ediann!" Ediann pointed to himself, furiously signing his name while wiping his eyes. "Ediann!"


    "Ediann what?" Aleci signed. It was horrible to laugh at a crying child, his half asleep mind had somehow joined Ediann''s head with the bear''s head and Aleci had never seen a crying bear. "Do you want your  mama¨ª?"


    Ediann shook his head, opening his mouth to let out a wail. He threw himself to the ground and refused to sign further. What a pleasant morning, Aleci thought to himself. He went to his wooden chest, opened in and fumbled for his deck of cards.


    "I will play a game with you," he signed, tapping Ediann''s shoulder, kneeling down next to him. "Just the two of us, not Edon, a game. Would you like that?" He pointed to the paper he held in his hand, "A game." He was above teaching a child to gamble, but this one was a childhood favorite of his. Ediann shook his head, furiously wiping at his eyes. "I''ll play and you watch," Aleci signed, making certain to indicate himself as I and Ediann as you. "You see this?"


    He sorted the deck so that there were only two pairs of cards and placed the rest on a pile next to him. He would start out with four pairs, he decided, and after shuffling them, placed them in two lines of four next to Ediann.


    "You flip two," he signed, and flipped two over as an example, two pairs he knew matched and two that he knew didn''t. "If they match, you keep them. If they don''t you put them back. One turn per person. If you win," he smiled, "I will have a surprise for you." He wasn''t sure if Ediann understood his gestures, surprise was quite a hard word to sign, he''d abbreviated as he did with  mama¨ª , holding his hands up to his face and then flicking them to the size.


    "Surprise!" Ediann repeated, sitting up.


    Sometimes he wished he was so easily cheered by simply winning a memory game. These days he could only look enviously at couples in happy matrimony. Which was rare, if he had to admit to himself, so perhaps he wasn''t that jealous all the time. Ediann proved to be adept at memorizing. It took him some time to understand what exactly the point of the game was, but he soon smiled widely when he realized he was winning more pairs than Aleci. How sweet, thought Aleci, watching Ediann giggle and compare his pile of cards to Aleci''s meager two pairs. The game kept Ediann so occupied he didn''t even notice Finne returning with Edon and Ethain.


    "Can we train again?"  Edon said excitedly, pulling at Finne''s hand. The sword was nowhere to be seen, Aleci could only guess that Finne had told Edon it was best to keep it away from Ediann for the time being.


    "Is he alright?" Finne walked over and kneeled down next to Ediann. "Good morning." he signed.


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    Ediann refused to look at him, holding the cards protectively to his chest, then relenting and putting the cards in his lap. "Ediann game. Ediann game with Praefect. No  mama¨ª, no Edon."


    "No Edon," Finne said out loud, raising an eyebrow. "Do you like the game?" He signed to Ediann.


    "No," this was signed with glee.


    Finne chuckled, "Alright then." He ruffled Ediann''s hair, pressing a kiss to his forehead. "You didn''t teach him to gamble did you?" he said to Aleci.


    "No. I have standards," Aleci nodded primly. "Such as waking up at perfectly acceptable hours."


    Finne laughed softly, and that startled Edon enough to turn and look at Finne with wide eyes.


    "I want you to teach me the tongue now,"  Edon exclaimed, to Aleci he scowled and said, "Stop making jokes about me!"


    The cabin didn''t exactly have a window, so it didn''t take long for the faint smells of cooking to saturate the air, signaling that the legion was waking up. Iachos had come earlier to check Ethain and the man had suggested they might as well enjoy the fresh air outside. Aleci was more than happy to oblige, the lake was quite splendid to look at. He pulled a chair out for Finne to sit on as they sat a distance away from the lake. A safe distance away, Finne had told him, nodding at Edon. They watched as the more adventurous of his men had taken to swimming in its cold depths and their excited shouts as they egged each other on to jump in. No doubt Kaeso was among them, thought Aleci, though it was too far away to make out Kaeso. The entire affair was watched on in envy by Edon.


    "You can''t swim in the lake," Finne said firmly, shaking his head at the pleading look Edon gave him, "promise me."


    "Can I ride around it?"


    Finne sighed, and nodded.


    When they accompanied Edon to his mare, however, Edon forgot the idea entirely.


    "What are you doing?" Edon demanded, watching as Mercus braided his own mount''s mane.


    Mercus shrugged, "Don''t you braid," he pointed to the braid, "your horse''s tail?"


    "She''s not a pretty horse!" Edon insisted. "She''s a riding horse!"


    "Why can''t she be both?"


    This made Edon frown, then he looked at Mercus''s horse and at his own black mare. "Show me," he demanded, before seeing Finne''s frown and amending it with a please and a smile.


    "I''ll occupy him," Mercus mouthed to Aleci.


    "Stay with him," Finne told Edon firmly, and was given a distracted nod. "Come, Ediann." Finne reached for Ediann''s hand.


    It was quite a difficult task, Ediann had both of his hands full of the cards. He was shuffling them clumsily, fingers tracing the figures of the soldiers they depicted. He was particularly excited with the cards that showed archers. No surprises there, thought Aleci. Mercus was unusually helpful today. Aleci began to suspect that his men had concocted a plan of their own when the next man they ran into was Domerc.


    "What do you have there?" Domerc signed, putting the basket he held in one arm down on the ground before crouching down to get Ediann''s attention. At least, Aleci thought he signed such, Domerc was a notorious speller and a lover of abbreviations, so it came out something along the lines of, "Wat u halv?"


    "Ediann game." Edon signed back, after giving Finne a baffled look. "Mine."


    So Ediann would sign mine but not I, Aleci thought, amused.


    "Shau?" Domerc signed, gesturing for Ediann to sit down next to him.


    "Show," Aleci corrected and Domerc ignored him.


    "Went scouting last night and found another cabin," Domerc said to Finne. "I thought you might like this, you can put him in it instead of the box. I''m sure you can hang it in the wagon as well." Then he smiled at Aleci, all teeth, and said, "He''s quite a good swordsman. Perhaps you''re out of practice."


    Finne looked baffled at the exchanged, his eyes going from Aleci to Domerc with confusion. He relaxed though, when he saw Ediann ''shauing'' Domerc the game. Domerc, to his credit, lost spectacularly.


    "Would you like to show me then?" said Aleci, raising an eyebrow. "Show me what you can do with a sword."


    Finne glanced at Ediann, then at Edon farther away and said, "I don''t want a big audience."


    "You won''t. The cabin has a cleared space behind it." Domerc interjected.


    "Is that so?" Finne said, before tapping Ediann''s shoulder and motioning that he would be behind the cabin, with his right fist to represent the cabin and his other hand behind it.


    Ediann nodded, returning the gesture before gleefully pulling at Domerc''s sleeve to play another round.  Aleci made certain to scowl at Domerc before leaving with Finne, the gesture was also ignored.


    "I haven''t done this in a long time," Finne muttered.


    He had placed Ethain in the basket near the cabin wall, and he stood facing Aleci, an uncertain look on his face. The area behind the cabin was clumsily paved with stones, perhaps the original owner wanted to expand the current resident. Now it made for a makeshift arena.


    "You could start by trying," Aleci offered and yelped in surprise when Finne decided to attack first.


    Finne was fast and swift on his feet, even as he didn''t quite match Aleci''s blows, he was quick to counter Aleci''s strikes. What Aleci had in raw strength and practice, Finne matched in agility and cleverness. There was a still healing injury on his stomach, concealed by his tunic, but a twinge of pain from his face and Finne immediately took notice.


    "You are ruthless," Aleci panted, as Finne spared him no blows.


    "I am?" Finne said with a grin.


    There was nothing Aleci hated more than the cloying words of poets. No one had emerald green eyes or teeth like pearls but¡­ he would be blind to ignore that Finne''s smile made him feel something. A craving to see it again, he thought. Well, where was the harm in that?


    They exchanged some friendly blows before Finne signaled that he wanted to stop.


    "I should¡­ feed him," he muttered, a flush of embarrassment on his face as he glanced down at the blotches on his chest. "It won''t be too hard of a stain to get out, don''t worry-"


    "Don''t apologize," said Aleci, rubbing at his neck, "it''s a tunic, they get... things on them."


    Finne gave him an incredulous look, then shook his head. "If you say so. Praefect." he handed Aleci the sword before walking over and picking up the basket that contained Ethain.


    "I said-" Aleci began and stopped when he saw Finne''s shoulders shaking with laughter.


    "He likes you," Finne said, quietly, a faint blush on his cheeks. Ethain had woken up when the basket jostled as Finne took it into his hand and Finne reached down to coo reassuringly to him. "Or at least, he likes hearing your voice," Finne looked thoughtful. "I suppose it never worked with Ediann so I''ve never tried talking..." He glanced at at Aleci through his lashes, "Thank you for holding him last night."


    "You are restricted by two arms," Aleci said, urging his stupid mouth to say something brilliant, "it would be stupid of me to just stand there."


    "And how many arms should a person have?"


    Up close, without the confusion of the lights from lantern in the dark, Finne was remarkably handsome. Especially when he smiled and asked his impish questions. Aleci would like nothing more than to press a kiss to Finne''s throat, to watch him shiver and laugh in delight as they-


    "Depends on how many children," Aleci replied, swatting the thoughts away like unwanted flies, "though if you ask me, I would rather have more eyes. Not that only having two stopped my mother from scolding me." Thinking of his mother always banished the intrusive thoughts. Though, if they were on the topic, she was indeed remarkable at telling him off before he''d gone and done a mischief. If she didn''t catch on, then she''ll give him an exasperated sigh when he told her he only thought of the mischief because it was her that told him not to do it in the first place.


    "You must be quite the terror."


    "Depends on who you ask. I am my mother''s favorite son, of course, being her only son I have no competition."


    That made Finne laugh, a genuine one that crinkled the corners of his eyes and a light to his face that always seemed to be set in a half-sigh of exhaustion. Finne''s cheer did not go unnoticed by Kaeso, who intercepted Aleci as he walked away from the cabin.


    "So you''re not a complete disaster," Kaeso crowed, clapping Aleci on the back. "Domerc and Mercus didn''t suffer in vain after all."


    Aleci turned up his nose at the damp plant-and-fish smell that clung to Kaeso and carefully took his hand away.


    "And you foisted the task upon them," Aleci sneered, "you coward."


    "Aleci," Kaeso scoffed, "I know I will chase after brats of yours one day, and knowing you as a child, I am a wise man to delay this inevitability."

 Libri I.XVIII Imruk

    Kaeso persuaded him to sit down and have breakfast, a grilled fish served with stew from dried roots and bread. They were joined by Domerc, who had apparently handed Ediann back to Finne.


    "He''s very clever," Domerc remarked, sitting down next to them. "I stopped pretending to lose and he still won some." He chuckled, "But he won''t let it go now that he saw I could win. He wanted to play until he''s won at least three rounds."


    "A dangerous precedent," Kaeso muttered.


    "I think I saw smoke last night," Domerc said. "I told them men to be on guard, but it''s better coming from you."


    "Someone following us?" Aleci frowned. "How big do you think the party was?"


    "Not very big," Domerc nodded confidently. "You''ve Finne in the cabin? Everyone''s surrounding it, it''ll be difficult to sneak past us."


    Sometimes he wished he had Domerc''s unbridled optimism.


    "Tell them to double their shifts," Aleci massaged his temples. "If they can take turns jumping into the lake then they can take turns keeping watch."


    Domerc''s shouted orders were met with audible groans. But the afternoon air and the abundant game and fish that the men found in the lake and the nearby woods was enough to cool any hot tempers. At the end of the day, even Aleci had to admit their little break was a balm after the endless marching. When he came back to the cabin that night, he found Ediann in a heated debate with Finne over whether or not he should have a bath.Someone, Aleci strongly suspected Domerc, had taught Ediann how to make mud pies. In any case, whoever it was, Ediann was covered in muck by evening, and refused to cooperate when Finne strong-armed him into the tub. Edon watched with amusement from where he sat on the bed, busy braiding what looked like a rope halter for his horse.


    "At least it wasn''t your nice tunic," Finne muttered, pulling the makeshift tunic off a struggling Ediann. He tossed it to the floor, nose wrinkling in disgust. The tunic was one of the guards'' and had been clumsily cut for size, and hastily sewn together to fit Ediann.


    Aleci was left holding Ethain, who looked bewildered at being handed off. He opened his mouth to wail his displeasure until Aleci, acting on impulse, reached out and tickled Ethain''s belly. The startled giggles had Edon turning his head from where he sat braiding.


    "He can do that?"


    "Why couldn''t he?" Aleci replied and smiled at Ethain, who grabbed at his face with one chubby fist.


    Edon walked towards him, staring down at Ethain with a disinterested look, "I told you he can''t do much."


    "Have you tried playing with him? He''s-"  Aleci glanced to where Finne was behind the screen with Ediann, and called out, "how old is he?"


    "About three  months,  your calendar." said Finne.


    Iachos had bound the baby''s feet to a makeshift splint that ran to his ankles and wrapped it securely with bandages. Aleci could see the outline of wood, shaped like the sole of a shoe underneath Ethain''s feet. It looked as if he was wearing heavy winter boots.


    "Why don''t you try it?"  he said to Edon. "Try tickling him, gently, like this-"


    Edon shook his head, "He will throw up. He always does that."


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    "Ah well," said Aleci, turning his attention back to Ethain. "Seems like your brother isn''t interested, are you all out of laughs today?" He flicked a finger gently under Ethain''s chin, smiling when that elicited another chortle.


    "It''s not nice to talk behind someone''s back!"  Edon demanded, crossing his arms. "What were you saying about me?"


    "Just asking  Ethain  if he''d like to laugh again."


    "He doesn''t understand you!"


    "Are you sure?" Aleci glanced down at Ethain, who reached out a hand towards him.


    "I''ll just wait."  Edon decided stubbornly. Then he glanced at the floor and then met Aleci''s eyes, "I want to learn this¡­ tongue. Talk to me."


    "Like Ethain?" Aleci offered, and Edon looked offended. He shifted Ethain to one arm while he signed with the other, talking all the while, "How about this, I tell a story,  a story,  and you guess,  tell me,  what it''s about? A game."


    It was always funny to see something suddenly make sense, the gears clicking into place, one may say, thought Aleci, watching Edon''s face.


    "I''m better than Ediann!" Edon proclaimed.


    Ediann chose that moment to run out from behind the screen, wrapped in Aleci''s cloak. He''d thrown the hood over his head, and with the size difference, it covered his entire face.


    "Ediann!" Finne shouted, exasperated.


    There were splashes of water on his tunic when he strode over, attempting to pick up the struggling Ediann. He pulled the hood off, wagging a warning finger in front of Ediann''s face.


    "No," he signed. "No."


    Ediann closed both eyes, blindly signing in front of Finne''s face, "Ediann can''t see  mama¨ª!"


    It was too much for Aleci, who doubled up laughing hysterically. Ethain, puzzled by the sudden outburst, cooed, waving his fists in front of Aleci''s face.


    "What''s so funny?"  Edon demanded. "He does it all the time!"


    Aleci shook his head, unable to find the words to describe why. He did, however, attempt a rendition of one of the founders of Imruk. The signs were barely legible, and Finne had to step in several times with pictures to show what Aleci meant.


    "Ships," Edon repeated, seemingly picking up words he had interest in. "You have ships?"


    "Depends on where you are living," said Aleci, and quickly translated.


    "I want a ship," Edon declared.


    "You can''t have a horse on it," Aleci said patiently.


    "A big ship," said Edon, holding out both arms to demonstrate.


    The novelty of having Aleci tell a story, and the time it took for Finne to translate and to ask questions was enough to tire both of them out.


    "My sister was so much easier," Aleci muttered, when the two of them were asleep.


    Finne, feeding Ethain from behind the screen, chuckled and said, "How so?"


    "She had dolls and I told a story with the dolls and she was happy to hear them. They always go something like, a merchant has her adventures and she meets many men and she finally picks one. I change the men every other night and she liked the story well enough."


    "A merchant?"


    "It''s one way a woman travels," said Aleci.


    "Ah," Ethain made fussing noises and Finne murmured gently to him, "you only have the one sister?"


    "Yes, and you?"


    "My father had wives," Finne said quietly, "so I suppose, I had plenty of siblings. I didn''t know much about them. We all lived separately." There was a pause and Finne continued, "My mother only had me, so it was a quiet house... until she died. I thought I''d like a big family as well but..." he sighed deeply.


    "It wasn''t your choice?"


    "You do know how to ask questions don''t you?"


    "It is a talent of mine," Aleci confessed, staring at Finne''s shadow from behind the screen and wondering what exactly his expression was. "My mother wanted a big family, but she has two sisters that didn''t." He shrugged his shoulders, "She exchanged plenty of letters with them on how to limit their families."


    "You read her letters?"


    "She wasn''t interested in becoming a grandmother too soon," Aleci scratched his head, "I suppose she has the opposite problem now."


    "There are¡­ ways?"


    Aleci nearly fell out of his seat by the bed, "You¡­ don''t know?"


    "No," Finne sounded defensive, "I didn''t have anyone to teach me, did I?"


    "I didn''t mean anything by it!" Aleci exclaimed, "I just¡­ was surprised, is all. We can get the herbs if you want, I''m sure Thysdria would have it¡­ but it might be a bit of an annoyance. I don''t know what woman to ask there." He frowned, he doubted that the tavern keeper would just give tips to a Praefect. He had been friendly to Catia when he''d stayed there with his men before leaving for Imruk, but friendliness didn''t translate to ''giving out feminine secrets''.


    "I didn''t realize there was a way to¡­ do it," there was a tremble to Finne''s voice. "I didn''t know."


    It sounded like defeat, Aleci thought.


    "But you''ll know now," Aleci offered. "I''m sure Iachos would tell you if-"


    "I can''t just ask Iachos!"


    "I''ll tell you. But I''m not the best source, you should ask the Imrukian women for that."


    Finne let out a miserable sigh, "I can''t just tell Iachos. It feels...I love my children. I don''t mean-"


    "I know," Aleci said, reassuringly. "You wanted a choice."


    "Yes."


    "Don''t we all," Aleci said wryly. Certainly his choices on his career was not a thing he''d willingly made. "Tell you what, I will see what Catia says about the herbs. She''s the tavern keeper in Thysdria. I suppose¡­ she''ll be more amenable if she thinks you don''t want another one so quickly."


    There was a clatter as Finne stood up. His eyes were very wide when he peered out at Aleci from behind the screen.


    "What do you mean?"


    "You are traveling with me, people are bound to make assumptions. Would it be easier to give a long explanation every time some busybody asks or give a boring answer?"


    "But your-"


    "I have been known for my peculiar tastes and hobbies, don''t worry about it," Aleci nodded his head earnestly. "I will see what I can do."


    His heart gave a leap in his chest when Finne gave a half smile at that.


    "We will see," Finne said, "we will see."

 Libri I.XIX Imruk

    It was dark, and the raspy voice of the Provisor was in his ear, whispering a command to ''keep quiet or you''ll wake the others!''. ''No,'' Aleci shook his head, ''no, no, no!''. He broke away from the clammy hands of the man and ran, but no matter how fast he forced his legs to run, or how many turns he thought he took, the man was still there, smiling and showing several broken teeth. The Provisor could do no wrong, Aleci thought hysterically, everyone loved him at the Academy. Then came the drip-drip sound of water, from where he hid, shaking, underneath the covers. ''Where are you, little bird? Where are-''


    "Praefect?"


    Someone was shaking him awake, and Aleci let out a shuddering gasp, wiping frantically at the weight on his chest.


    "Ediann, no," Finne said, lifting Ediann off of Aleci. "Are you alright?"


    Ediann ignored Finne, squirming out of Finne''s grip, "Praefect¡­. sad?" he signed. He still wrapped himself in Aleci''s cloak, and the hood was half pulled over his head. With one hand he pulled it off, and offered it to Aleci. "Praefect want?"


    "Ah, no, Ediann, that''s yours," Aleci said, before signing, "no thank you."


    Ediann''s brows furrowed, he glanced towards the table where he had placed his drawings alongside the charcoal and red chalk, and nodded resolutely, jumping off the bed and running over to it.


    It had been years since he dreamed about his academy days, thought Aleci, swallowing bile, and the Provisor.


    "Water?" Finne offered, holding out a waterskin to Aleci.


    Aleci took it, nodding his thanks. It didn''t wash away the terror he felt, and he gave a startled jump when Finne gently rubbed his back.


    "Sorry," Finne said quickly, "do you want me to stop?"


    "No," Aleci shook his head, "I just¡­ wasn''t expecting that¡­ thank you."


    He never told or confessed to anyone, but the reason for his single tent occupancy wasn''t because he wanted to flaunt his station as Praefect. It was¡­ humiliating, if he had to pinpoint the feeling. Humiliating because he could do nothing about the nightmares, even when the man himself was long dead. Everyone suspected he''d taken a drunken tumble off the baluster but Aleci knew better. Aleci and¡­ Kaeso, who''d kept watch. The old man had died as he lived, full of denial and deceit. But he''d blubbered frightened tears when he''d hung from his fingertips. He had begged for mercy, and for one moment Aleci thought to give it to him. Then as Aleci reached out a hand he''d grinned and said, ''well, wasn''t that so difficult?''. That sealed his fate, and Aleci was more than willing to let the man plummet. Long live Julus, Aleci had thought then, how nice it must be to be related to the Caesar. Sometimes one must take justice into their own hands when justice herself decides to skip town.


    This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    "It was a nightmare?" Finne asked. "You don''t have to tell me."


    "I didn''t wake you up did I?"


    "I''m a very light sleeper these days," Finne said wryly. "One can never sleep properly with children at these ages. Ah, Ediann, please go back to bed." He gestured for Ediann to go to the bed and lie down, holding his hands to his forehead and miming going to sleep.


    Ediann shook his head, holding out the picture to Aleci. "Night bad?" he signed.


    It was the scribbled out drawings, the one with the giant black clouds. Ediann had added a figure in red.


    "A nightmare," Aleci agreed, signing the word.


    "Night bad," Ediann agreed, but not copying the sign. He held out Aleci''s cloak with one hand, signing with the other, "Praefect want?"


    There was such an earnest look to Ediann''s face that Aleci couldn''t bring himself to say no.


    "It is yours," he signed, even as Ediann clumsily draped it over Aleci''s shoulders.


    "Go to sleep," Finne signed firmly.


    "Mama¨ª," Ediann signed, then made a series of incomprehensible gestures, ending with hugging himself with both hands.


    "Of course," Finne said, nodding his head and reaching out to stroke Ediann''s cheek. "Go to bed," he signed firmly.


    Ediann cast one final look at Aleci before climbing back to the bed with Edon. Finne sat down next to Aleci with a sigh, looking at the drawing in Aleci''s hand.


    "I thought he was asleep."


    "Don''t blame yourself," Aleci said, "it''s not-"


    "He came to fetch me," Finne said quietly, fumbling with the fabric of his tunic nervously. "I thought they were all asleep. Then I started brewing the tea just in case."


    The red figure in the drawing had no face, Aleci observed.


    "It happened at night too," Aleci said before he could stop himself. "It was¡­ no one would have believed me anyway." He closed his eyes, running his hands through his hair to distract himself. "My father thinks that''s why I like men. But it''s not true! He was the Provisor- the teacher- and I was... " he swallowed, "a child!" His vision became blurry, and Aleci wiped his eyes, angrily. "He is dead but why won''t he stay dead?"


    "Did you kill him?" Finne said quietly, head tilted in curiosity.


    "What?"


    Finne reached out to take Aleci''s hands, gently running his own in soothing circles. "Did you kill him?" he repeated.


    "Yes," Aleci confessed shakily. "Yes I did."


    "His spirit is angry because he was a cruel and selfish man in life, and is so in death," said Finne. "I don''t think he''ll stop haunting you. But he would be furious to see that his attempts have failed."


    The Imrukians were odd in their ways and beliefs, Aleci knew, from his own conversations with Maera.


    "I suppose he would be," Aleci said quietly. "But he had a grand funeral and his tomb rises over all the other filth, as he would say."


    "Ah," Finne nodded wisely, "perhaps you should destroy it."


    Of course the Imrukians didn''t build tombs to their dead. The thought of desecrating the man''s grave did hold appeal, but no doubt it would result in a bigger statue being commissioned and a nice long sentence for property destruction. He doubted anyone had been trialed for smashing a tomb, though perhaps he could be trialed for grave robbery. Aleci huffed, darkly amused, truly Julus had been the epitome specimen of honor and valour.


    "I''m not fond of jailhouse food, thank you very much," said Aleci, "and what would it do to my complexion?" His smile was forced.


    He saw several conflicting emotions flicker across Finne''s face before Finne said in the same quiet tones as before, "I wanted to kill him. But it''s not worth it..." his hands closed in a fist and he moved them to his lap, "Edon loves him. And what am I to tell him then?" Finne rocked back and forth, "They would have taken them from me."


    "Then you made the right choice," said Aleci, placing a hand on Finne''s shoulder.


    "You don''t think you did?"


    "Oh no, I stand by my actions," the smile was genuine this time, "I regret nothing."


    Well, perhaps he did feel a twinge of sympathy for whoever had to clean the stones afterwards. It was the first time he''d heard Mytea''s voice as well, as he stood there, conflicted feelings of numbness and triumphance warring in his chest. ''Congratulations,'' whispered Mytea, and Aleci swore he felt a ghostly hand on his shoulder, ''Incendiarius, my steadfast armatus.''

 Libri I.XX Imruk

    Edon did keep his word after his proclamation that he wanted to learn. So Aleci introduced him to a simple game, Lantrunculi, normally played on a wooden board with carved stone pieces. They didn''t have a board or the pieces, so he''d settled for pebbles Edon found along the lake, and a hastily drawn board in chalk on the cabin floor. As he suspected, Edon was the same as Ediann in his insistence on winning.


    "You don''t learn by winning," Aleci told Edon who scoffed and took a victory point.


    Sometimes he wondered if Edon deliberately misunderstood him. That was the case with Ediann, now that the young boy had learned some signs, he had taken to pretending to ignore Aleci when his shoulder was tapped or when he word was signed right in front of his eyes. His spelling was hit-and-miss nowadays as well, Aleci laid the blame squarely at Domerc''s feet. But it made Ediann giggle and laugh at Aleci''s and Finne''s attempts to understand what it was he was saying, so perhaps it was tolerable for the time being. Then when Kaeso had no problem understanding Ediann, Aleci had accused him of sabotage. ''Would I do such a thing?'' Kaeso had said sweetly, ''I am just so familiar with Domerc''s creative approach to spelling, what with you forcing me to read his missives and all.'' If Finne hadn''t been there, Aleci would have no doubt thrown his friend over his shoulder and carried him straight into the lake. He wouldn''t do it, though, on second thought, Kaeso had been nothing but kind to the children and Finne. Which was saying something, Kaeso was never fond of children, and made that clear to Aleci many times.


    So they passed three days in relative peace and tranquility before Domerc, like he did before when he found Finne and the children, came running to fetch Aleci. It was early morning, and Iachos had paid them an early visit to check on Ethain.


    "It''s a very small party," Domerc said, "Praefect."


    "You''ve detained them?" Aleci asked.


    "In a fancy tent," said Domerc, nodding with a pleased grin.


    Finne looked concerned.


    "You can leave the children with me," offered Iachos.


    Iachos didn''t take into account Ediann and Edon''s stubborness, as Edon was now capable of understanding basic words, he refused to stay and Ediann followed his lead.


    "Come then," Finne said to Edon and Ediann, defeated."Behave!" The last words was signed and Finne waited for them to nod their understanding before taking Ediann''s hand.


    Domerc lead them to the tent, which was, as expected surrounded by soldiers. There were four horses outside, and the pattern on their saddles were the same as Stygian''s. Imrukians then, thought Aleci, half wondering why a bigger party wasn''t sent. Domerc gestured them to come inside, Aleci had to stop himself from praising Kaeso''s brilliance. There was a table with a glass of wine on it and an elaborate cushioned chair. Kaeso stood next to it, and as Aleci took his seat, winked from the corner of his eye. Kaeso gestured for Finne to stand next to him, facing the four Imrukian men. One of them was very old, his beard a grey-white. Out of the four, the one that elicited a reaction from Ediann was the youngest, with braided hair. Red hair, observed Aleci, almost like Edon''s but more red.


    The man''s smile upon seeing Finne was not returned, and he didn''t wait for Aleci to sit himself before blurting out, "You have stolen my brother''s bride!"


    "Oh?" said Aleci, well, that made things so much easier, "Then why had he sent you? Why did he not come,  hm  ?"


    "Our chief Ethach sent us on his behalf!"


    Very defensive, thought Aleci, curious at what the spool would reveal in the red-haired man''s head if he pulled at the thread. Next to him Kaeso let out an audible sigh.


    "Quiet Arbech!" the older man glanced at Finne and Aleci, his face inscrutable, "He sent us on his behalf."


    From within his cloak he produced a sealed letter, which he handed to Aleci. He thanked the man, out of habit, reaching for his knife to open the letter. Over the course of his life Aleci had read many letters. The first ones he''d read had been correspondence between his mother and her sisters. They contained regular everyday chatter, about their children and families and what recipes they''d tried. In the academy the letters were slightly more formal, but there was always an undercurrent of childlike wonder, and occasional confessions of mischief. Then it had been the senate letters and decrees. Those were a delight, truly there was nothing Aleci liked more than the cat fights and back stabbings of ambitious senators. This one on the other hand¡­ Perhaps it was all three.


    This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.


    The letter started out normally enough, with Ethach''s entire title, and his friendly salutations, asking how Finne and his children were. His, Aleci noted, not ours. Then the tone shifted, and Aleci swallowed his distaste. ''I do not care for whores, and their bastards'', Ethach had written, ''do with them as you will. However I want the horse he stole from me-''. Aleci''s lips twitched. For a man who claimed to be Imrukian, Ethach would have fitted in quite cozily with the senators. Taunting a child, how original and cruel.


    He looked up from the letter and whatever expression on his face caused Kaeso to shake his head, hand on his forehead.


    "Aleci, no¡ª" Kaeso began, and Aleci interrupted him.


    "You follow this man?" Aleci said, unable to stop himself.


    The older man, the one with the white in his beard, looked disappointed. His younger companion, though, bristled at the insult.


    "Read it then,"  said Aleci.  "Read it aloud and see what your Chief brother has written. He has quite a way with words."


    To Finne he said, quietly, "You should leave, there''s nothing there worth hearing."


    Finne nodded tersely, taking Ediann''s hand, and reaching for Edon''s "Come Edon."


    "No!" Edon shook his head. "What did  athair say?"


    "I don''t think you would like hearing it," Aleci said honestly, even as he knew from the stubborn tilt of Edon''s chin that nothing would dissuade the boy. "Go," he signed to Finne, "I''ll bring Edon later." He handed the letter to Finne''s brother, and the young man began reading it aloud.


    His eyes widened when he reached the very same part Aleci had read, and he hastily skipped over the passage, casting Edon a brief glance of pity. But he didn''t expect Ethach''s demand of the return of Stygian, and when that was read aloud, Edon''s lips trembled.


    "Wait¡ª" Aleci said, reaching out a hand to him. The boy shrugged it off, running past the men.


    "I''ll go after him," Domerc called out.


    "Aleci¡ª" Kaeso began again as Aleci made to stand up.


    "Your chief sent you on a ¡­ chase for a goose,"  Aleci said, barely concealing his grin. "A horse, in this case, a black horse. Are you going to take it?"


    "I¡ª" Arbech began.


    "No,"  Aleci shook his head, standing up from where he sat. "Stygian  is  Edon''s  horse. If your chief wants a present back then he''ll have to talk to the son that he gave it to, won''t he?" He glanced at the two men. The older one looked torn between pity and disgust, the younger barely concealed his anger. Perfect. "Why do you serve him?"


    "I¡ª" Arbech began again.


    "Is it not the duty of his chief to care for those under him?"  Aleci questioned, interrupting him. "There is a popular saying in Imruk, something about a man and his bow? For even as Eosvenn loves the flight of arrows, he also loves the stable bow that sends it to flight?"  he recited, watching as their eyes widened, "What would Eosvenn say of a useless archer?"


    "You¡ª"


    "Your brother has cast aside his wife and children as if they are nothing. Does he look towards his sisters now, for a new one?" Aleci smiled, soft and deadly, letting his gaze travel between the four men. "Does he look upon your daughters and carrier-sons for a new bride?"


    It had the intended effect, the three men stormed off, nearly collapsing the tent as they flung the flap open. Only the older man remained.


    "You have talked with Maera."


    "Yes." Aleci said, voice steady.


    The old man let out a soft laugh, "So she did go to the Empire. If you see her again, please tell her Laisre wishes her well." He looked away, then met Aleci''s eyes, "Please take care of Finne and his children." His accent was immaculate. "He would have made a great chief, but..." Laisre looked at Aleci, "perhaps you two can find happiness. I wish you well, Praefect."


    Then he was gone with the others.


    "Mytea!" Kaeso exclaimed, as they watched the four men ride away, "do you fucking realize what you just did?"


    "Oh, I know," Aleci smirked, "I know."


    "You hate cats, but here you are, acting like one of them," Kaeso sniffed, miming climbing. "Here I stand, Aleci, on this wooden table, let me just push this cup of wine over, to see if it makes a nice clanging sound."


    "It''s not like you haven''t done it either," Aleci said cheerfully. Then in a more serious tone he said, "I should see Edon. That wasn''t a fun piece to have read aloud."


    "Of course," Kaeso agreed, nodding solemnly, "it isn''t."


    As it was, Edon didn''t go far. One of Domerc''s men pointed to where Domerc had run after Edon, and Aleci found Domerc standing a safe distance away from where Edon sat making mud pies.


    "You''ve given away my horse," Edon muttered, wiping at his eyes, "his horse."


    Aleci opened his mouth to say that he didn''t, but decided perhaps it would be a pleasant surprise when Edon found Stygian later. Besides, that wasn''t the problem at hand. "Edon," said Aleci, and when Edon refused to look at him, reached out to cup his chin, "Edon,  look at me. You don''t need to please your athair,"  Ethach had made it clear he wanted nothing to do with Edon. "I know he¡­ gave  Stygian  to you as a present, and I''m very sorry you learned this of him. It''s not easy to know that, is it? But you know, if you don''t have to please him anymore, what''s stopping you from making your own way? You don''t have to care what he thinks anymore. You''re a free man."


    Edon''s chin trembled, he wiped at the tears running down his face with a muddy hand, " He wants the horse! He wants the horse and not me or¡ª or anyone! Why?"


    "Because."


    "Because what?" Edon shouted, throwing his hands up in the air.


    "Because he''s the type of person that doesn''t..."  Aleci hesitated, picking his words carefully. "  You played  Lantrunculi  with me, remember the little pieces? That''s what he sees people as, his little pieces to move around. You didn''t move how he likes and that''s why he wrote it."


    "I''m NOT a pebble!"


    "But he doesn''t think so."


    "Why?"


    "Because he''s just like that," said Aleci softly.


    "But why? He said he..."  Edon swallowed, "he was lying ?"


    At Aleci''s nod, Edon let out a scream of grief-and-fury. He made to throw himself to the ground, like Ediann did days earlier, but Aleci thought it best to intervene.


    "Your mama¨ª loves you,"  Aleci whispered, rubbing Edon''s back gently. "I don''t think he''s lying."


    It took a long time for Edon''s wails to temper into sniffs, and he pushed himself away from Aleci.


    "Everyone would know I cried, " he muttered miserably.


    "If you covered yourself in mud, you can claim you''ve fallen in," Aleci suggested, struggling to keep his voice even.


    "That''s even worse!"  Edon shouted, but Aleci saw the smile before it quickly disappeared. "What did uncle  Arbech  read? He stopped himself, what did he read before he said ath¡ª"  Edon swallowed, "  athair wanted my horse?"


    "Nothing good about your mama¨ª," Aleci said softly.


    Edon signed deeply, "He''s¡­ never said anything nice about him."

 Libri I.XXI Imruk

    It was very quiet that night. Ediann, usually very excitable, had picked up on Edon and Finne''s subdued moods.


    "We''ll leave tomorrow," Aleci announced, and Finne nodded.


    The children had gone to bed, Edon quietly motioning for Ediann to join him. For the first time that night Finne didn''t hold Ethain, he sat on the bed next to the basket-cradle, his head in his hands.


    "He said he wanted another child," Finne whispered miserably. "He said¡­ what did he write in that letter?"


    "He implied the children aren''t his," Aleci said, deciding it was best to censor the letter''s contents. Perhaps it was a boon that Ethach didn''t know about Ediann''s deafness and Ethain''s clubbed feet, no doubt the letter''s contents would have been more colorful.


    "Right..." Finne shook his head. "Then why would I have gone through all that suffering, to¡ª He¡ª" He took in a shaky breath, "I named them after him! After the things we did together! His promises¡ª" Finne took a breath, "I had a ceremony hosted and-" he clenched his hands, "it was humiliating, prostrating and bowing before him. I should have ran away." He stared at Ethain''s sleeping face. "I should have¡ª"


    Tread carefully now, Maera''s voice whispered, the distant memory coming back to him. Maera had always been welcoming whenever Aleci came to ask her about any questions he''d wanted, but her domus was a busy and bustling place and occasionally she''d been called away. One such occasion she was called to tend to a young woman in hysterics, as Maera had put it. When Aleci had inquired as to why, the older woman had simply shook her head, adjusting her graying red hair back from where the strands had fallen from its tight braid. ''It''s taboo to admit it'', Maera had said, ''but you have seen enough unwanted infants being abandoned. A father can walk away from his children, and forget about them entirely. A mother can as well, but there is so much more judgement''. ''Is this the case with the woman?'' Aleci had asked. ''One can never tell unless one speaks to them,'' Maera had said, ''this one didn''t know of her pregnancy until it was too late for any of us to help her and in such cases it is difficult to form a bond. You don''t believe in spirits, but it is my belief that she thinks so strongly of what others think of her that she''s attracted the attention of the wrong sorts.''


    Aleci had inquired what the solution was and Maera shrugged. ''I can''t say, it depends on the situation. I would like the mother and child to stay together, but it would seem in this case that this one doesn''t want the child, so I will find a wet nurse for it... I would say... you have to listen.'' Then she''d let out one of her rare laughs, ''It is quite good that I am blessed with the patience to listen.''


    The patience to listen, Aleci thought.


    "You can tell me," he said, nodding encouragingly.


    The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.


    "I would have felt better if he''d wanted the children back," Finne said in a rush. "He pressed and pressed me to have them. And now he doesn''t want them so why did I even¡ª" he let out a sob and shook his head.


    "Have them?" Aleci suggested and Finne''s eyes widened.


    He''d met the young woman himself, the next time he went to see Maera. The older woman wasn''t there, and when he''d inquired of one of her students rushing pass him they''d simply shrugged their shoulders. That left Aleci standing awkwardly, shifting from one foot to another as he waited for Maera. It was rude to stare, he knew, and tried to keep his eyes from straying to the young woman. She wasn''t in a screaming fit as she had been before, and was rocking the child, humming to it under her breath. After some time in silence, she''d met his eyes and asked, in a very far off voice, what he thought she should name the baby. ''Whatever you like,'' Aleci had said, uncomfortable at the glassy look in her gray-green eyes. ''Are you a kind man?'' she''d demanded, and at his mumbled answer that yes, he thought he was a kind man, she''d asked for his name. Even with Aleci''s insistence that she not name her child after him, she''d settled for Alla. ''A girl'', the young woman had said, to no one in particular, nodding all the while, ''and no one wanted nothin'' to do with her.''


    Little Alla was now at Maera''s house, her mother had taken up Maera''s offer after all. Which was why Aleci suggested it in the first place to Finne, but he knew that Maera''s resources were few, and the women under her wouldn''t be able to sign to Ediann. Besides, her house was strictly for women, and Finne''s presence would only attract the wrong sort of attention.


    A new name, Aleci thought to himself, as the idea struck him, perhaps Finne might want to give his children new names, to forget Ethach''s shadow on them. Out of the three names, Ethain seemed to be most linked to Ethach, an attempt by Finne to win his affections no doubt. It now stood as a barrier to the two of them bonding.


    "Maybe you''d like to call him something else?" Aleci said, sitting down next to him. "If you needn''t please Ethach anymore, then you needn''t name Ethain after him. Perhaps you can name him after you?" Some diminutives he remembered came to his mind, "Finni? Finan? Finvi?"


    "I can''t name him after myself!" Finne closed his eyes, taking in a breath. "Edon was upset wasn''t he? He didn''t want to talk about it."


    "He''s not very good with his feelings," said Aleci, "but I''m sure he''ll be happier tomorrow. He''s convinced I gave away Stygian." Seeing the confusion on Finne''s face he continued, "Ethach wrote that he wanted the horse back."


    "He what?" Finne exclaimed.


    Out of all the insults, that had Finne raging, and seeing it forced a laugh out of Aleci.


    "He did," Aleci nodded, "and I asked the men, your half brother, Abrech, why he''d serve under such a man. Then I quoted that poem with Eosvenn and they all left in a huff."


    The omission of his goading words made him sound more noble than he did. Aleci suspected the Imrukians had their own opinions on their wives and daughters. No doubt they didn''t want their kin to be sullied and tossed away, a stain on the family name. Which was darkly funny because wasn''t it the fathers that shook hands on such marriages? ''They abolished our order,'' Maera had told him, ''we''ve always made certain that both parties agreed.'' Well, Finne did point out the flaw in her plan, Maera was very convinced that every woman was better off married, despite... leaving her own and swearing off men entirely since. How Aleci factored into her convoluted thinking, he had no idea, but he half suspected it was because he had no interest in her students. But everyone had their own little hypocrisies, didn''t they? At least Maera''s flaws were better than whatever incestuous relations the noble Imrukians practiced these days. To be fair, thought Aleci, the Empire did it as well. It was disgusting when a pauper father or uncle had relations with their daughter or niece but if you claim you did it for a title then everyone turns a blind eye.


    "Let me think about it," Finne said. He looked indecisive for a moment, glancing at the hand''s breadth distance between them before reaching out and enveloping Aleci in a hug.


    Finne had very strong arms, thought Aleci, dazed. He smelled like the road, like the soap they used to wash, and underneath there was something that Aleci couldn''t place.


    "Thank you," Finne whispered.


    All Aleci could summon up was some sort of guttural uhm and at Finne''s bemused look he wanted nothing more than the ground to swallow him up. That night he wasn''t plagued by nightmares but the memories of every embarrassing, body shuddering, shameful flirtation he''d attempted. It was¡­ an improvement.

 Libri I.XXII Imruk

    The next morning was a blur of activity. There was no need to stay now that Ethach had sent his best and brightest. Presumably the other man thought Abrech was brash enough to engage Aleci in one of those trials by combat or whatever the Imrukians do these days. But Ethach could have very well wait for Aleci''s death and then swoop in, and Aleci was not keen on being a sitting duck. Finne was quick to pack up that morning, though Ediann was more hesitant to leave the cabin. Edon left the cabin carrying the bags as if marching to his own death sentence. He should reassure the boy, thought Aleci, but no doubt Edon would discover Stygian soon enough, and he needed to attend to his other duties.


    Iachos was quick to get his attention, and to inform him that they did have a new injury, "A twisted ankle, he slipped and fell," the physician said, and from the wry twist of his lips it was clear as to how, "I''ve noted it down."


    "Did you tell him I don''t cover injuries due to stupidity?" Aleci jested, shaking his head. "Bundle him in the wagon. At least it''s not hypothermia."


    There was no news to report from the other men, except that they didn''t need to stop for more food, the hunting and fishing had been excellent. So Aleci made his way back to Finne''s wagon, deciding he''d ask if Finne wanted to ride with him. He turned the numbers in his head as he went, he''d been away for nearly two years now, surely Catia would have made enough money back from his investment-


    "Oof!" Aleci wheezed, as his body collided with Edon''s.


    "You didn''t give her away?"  Edon shouted, wrapping his arms around Aleci.


    "No?"  said Aleci, momentarily distracted by the display of affection, " She''s your horse why would I-"


    "Thank you! Thank you!"


    "You''re... welcome."  said Aleci, watching as Edon ran off to saddle his horse, nearly tripping on his own feet as he did so.


    Finne gave him a tired smile when Aleci looked into the wagon. "How many of your men will talk of your generosity now?"


    "They all know," Aleci nodded solemnly, "I am exceedingly generous." He grinned at Ediann who had wrapped himself in the bear skin rug and was making the head talk. "Do you want to ride with me?" he signed, after waving his hand to get Ediann''s attention.


    "No," Ediann shook his head, signing, "Ediann wants Praefect Baawe to talk." He moved the bear''s head and made growling noises at the back of his throat waving the bear''s paw with his other hand.


    "Praefect Bear," Aleci repeated, bemused as Ediann carried on what looked like a very one sided conversation, "alright. If you insist." He turned to address Finne, "Do you want to ride with me?"


    "Maybe later," Finne pointed at the downcast sky, "it looks like it will rain. Tell me when we cross the border. I''d like..." he took in a breath, "I''d like to say goodbye."


    "Of course," Aleci nodding. He made to squeeze Finne''s shoulder but decided against it, "I will tell you."


    He made to find his own horse, and on the way to her, he heard Edon chatting to Mercus as the other man helped him lift the saddle up onto Stygian''s back.


    "I called her  Stygian ''cause she''s going to be a great horse and  Stygian  was  Aless-an-dri-mus''s horse.  "


    "You mean the  Stygian  ridden by Alexandrius?"


    "Ale-ssan-drius," Edon imitated, struggling to wrap his tongue around the words.


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    "Like the  Praefect Aleci.  He''s named after  Alexandrius."


    Aleci sighed deeply and wondered if Mercus loved his life as dearly as he loved talking.


    "Why is the name so long?"


    "I don''t know. When you''re very high up you can have as long as a name you want. I think it''s because they like people to wait as they announce their titles."


    "Alexandrius." Edon repeated, a thoughtful note in his voice.


    Aleci decided he didn''t want to ponder what Edon was thinking, and made his way to his own mare. Domerc had saddled her for him, and she whickered happily when he patted her neck. She looked well rested, and seemed all too willing to head home, if horses thought about such things. A peaceful ride then, Aleci decided. As much as he liked Ediann riding with him it was quite exhausting to keep up. But as things would have it, his decision to have a peaceful ride was interrupted by Kaeso.


    "I have been thinking," Kaeso announced, riding up next to Aleci.


    "A dangerous pursuit," Aleci muttered.


    "If you''ve gone and sent Abrech to fight his brother and he so happens to lose, wouldn''t Edon have a claim?"


    "Finne''s father has more than one son."


    "Yes, but Laisre said something, didn''t he?" Kaeso leaned in, now switching to signing, "We both heard him, the old man said Finne would have made a great  chief. Your father would-"


    "Did I ever tell you how much I-"


    "Yes, I have heard, but-" Kaeso cast a glance at the wagon, and let go of the reins to sign in earnest, "Ediann''s in a very precarious situation. Your father may soften to him if you-" Aleci opened his mouth and Kaeso shook his head, signing, "Claiming Mytea won''t help, Aleci. Distract your father with a fatter fish and he''ll overlook the less stellar catch. Not that Ediann''s a fish, mind you, but you get my meaning." He punctuated each sentence with a confident nod.


    "I don''t take advice from fools," Aleci signed.


    "A fool?" Kaeso said, in mock mournfulness, then he laughed, clapping Aleci on the shoulder. "Think on it, will you," he signed, tapping his head.


    Kaeso should know that Aleci kept a running list of things he hated to think about, and the top of the list was anything related to Galer. Considering how everything in his life was Galer related, it was quite a difficult endeavor.


    They were nearing the border when Kaeso suggested Finne ride with Aleci the rest of the way.


    "I thought you hated children," Aleci remarked when Kaeso told him he''ll keep Ediann company.


    "I can make exceptions," Kaeso said, "he''s not a bane on my ears. I actually like how he tells you what he wants."


    "To you," Aleci muttered, and Kaeso chuckled.


    "I''ll leave you two lovebirds alone now, wouldn''t want Finne thinking I''m stealing you off," he put a hand to his forehead, spurring his horse to Finne''s wagon, "woe be me, Kaeso, who so loves a decent play and songs. Aleci could never-"


    "Get out of my sight," Aleci declared, lips twitching, "if you hate me so much, join a troupe."


    Kaeso didn''t deem it worthy of a reply, so Aleci considered it a small victory. He slowed Sage to a trot, waiting for Finne to join him. He didn''t wait long, Finne rode up to Aleci a few moments later. He wasn''t wearing Ethain on a sling around him this time, and at Aleci''s questioning look he shrugged and said Ethain was sleeping, there was no need to disturb him. Which was a wise decision, Aleci agreed, nodding.


    "Something on your mind?" Aleci asked, after watching Finne''s hands twitch on his own reins several times.


    "Laisre spoke to you?"


    "He did," Aleci nodded, uncertain if he should tell Finne what Laisre said to him.


    "He taught me," Finne said, face unreadable, "he is my mother''s  kin . I think she was named after him. Laina. Laisre." Finne shook his head, "Did he sound regretful?"


    "He said you would''ve made a great  chief, " Aleci said honestly and Finne let out a disbelieving laugh.


    Laisre had also wanted to wish Maera well, but Finne didn''t seem to recognize the woman. Perhaps Maera''s reputation was not quite as notorious as she claimed.


    "He told me it was a good idea then," Finne scoffed, "and now he''s having his regrets?  He can go boil his head, I trusted him and look where it got me." The last sentences were spoken in an angry rush, in that other tongue Finne had spoken with Edon before.


    Now that he thought about it, he did hear bits and pieces of it at Maera''s domnus, but back then he''d simply thought he didn''t understand the Imrukian. This was definitely not Imrukian.


    "Have you thought of my suggestion?" Aleci suggested, deciding whatever curse Finne had laid upon the man was enough. "What would you like to call him?" perhaps he should tell Finne of his suspicions as well, "Edon seems intent on a change as well."


    "He did?" Finne blinked, mouth opening in shock, "Just now?"


    "I am not well versed in how a child''s mind works, but yes, I would think so. He wants to match himself after Stygian."


    "Alexandrius? He told me to talk about the horse when I was telling him the story." Aleci could see the sudden realization dawning on Finne''s face. "Don''t tell me, your father named you after The Alexandrius?"


    "The Alexandrius," Aleci nodded, "the beginning of my father''s many hypocrisies. Everyone named their son some form of Alexandrius that year. It is such a shame that none of the oracles foresaw doom and destruction for boys named after the man, I would have been spared a life of perpetual disappointment."


    Usually he avoided the topic of his father altogether, but today he laid the blame solely at Kaeso''s feet. He looked away, certain if he met Finne''s gaze now the years'' worth of bitterness would come pouring out.


    "Ah but," said Finne, reaching to tap Aleci''s shoulder. "If that was the case, then the world would be deprived of a severely cursed, charming, non-extortionist, wise, and exceedingly generous acolyte of Mytea?"


    Domerc, walking a few paces behind them coughed loudly.


    Usually he would frown upon eavesdropping but Domerc controlled himself admirably enough. Aleci took Finne''s hand, giving it a light squeeze before saying with a half smile, "You have an excellent memory."


    It must be inherited, he thought, the idea coming to him, Ediann had a good memory as well. This is the stellar catch he thought, there was no need to hide Ediann away like a sour vintage.


    "It''s not everyday I meet a man so confident in his talents," said Finne, and he didn''t hide his blush.


    "I have many talents," Aleci declared before he could stop himself and immediately regretted it as Domerc began guffawing. "What is so funny?" he asked, sweetly, turning to look at Domerc.


    Between hysterical fits of laughter Domerc said, unfazed, "They say the talented all die young." A pause, and more laughter, "Please don''t ask the Praefect to sing or recite poetry, Finne, I would surely die first upon hearing it."

 Libri I.XXIII Imruk

    <div>


    There were many things Aleci was not fond of in Imruk. He would know, he kept a list. The giant cats, they were first on the list, massive beasts that prowled through the streets, possibly capable of eating the tiny lapdogs the ladies kept with them in the Capital. The second was the disagreeable winter, desperate on chilling anyone foolish enough to step outdoors. The third was the food, Imruk wasn''t known for their spices, and the chief Aleci stayed with, Icanne, seemed confused at the idea of flavor.


    The beauty of the Imrukian mountains, though, that Aleci couldn''t deny. He''d spent days in Llandy pondering the difficulty of building a road up to one of its peak, just to see if they could conquer the heights. Kaeso had shook his head at Aleci''s ideas asking if Aleci would also like to jump down as well, just to see if his body echoed upon impact. ''No one lives up there'', Kaeso had said firmly, ''who would you be helping?''. ''Engineering science, as they are so hesitant to take on real challenges,'' Aleci had declared. That had earned him a firm slap from Kaeso, who''d stormed away, wrapping his cloak around himself.


    They all look the same to him, mountains, but the Imrukians had stories for everyone of them. He''d never asked what the stories were for the one they were approaching, he could hear Edon excitedly telling Domerc about it.


    "What is it called?" Aleci said, pointing to the mountain range in front of them.


    "The mountains of Llanfairf," Finne said, more to himself than Aleci.


    "Llanfairf?" Aleci repeated, struggling with the words, "Llanfair?"


    "It''s very beautiful in the spring," Finne said, "it''s not as dead looking. I don''t know, were you here in the spring?"


    "I had other things on my mind," Aleci admitted.


    "Ah," Finne said, turning away from the view, "we can go now."


    There was a finality to Finne''s statement, like closing a door. Aleci glanced at the ground, uncertain as to what he ought to say. If there''d been a statue of Mytea, which there usually was at the border crossings, he would have distracted himself by giving an offering. But Imruk wouldn''t be a part of the Empire, he doubted it would even adopt the Empire''s Gods and Goddesses, the most Imruk had done was temporarily surrendered as a vassal state. A state led by an aging ruler, thought Aleci, recalling how white Icanne''s hair was and how his pockmarked hands trembled. The old man''s mind was as sharp as ever, and Aleci could only hope that he''d set up his inheritance properly. Icanne''s rivals had been caught unaware and driven off, and Icanne had signed a deal with the '' barbarians''  as he''d put it, to do so.


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    Aleci wasn''t sure if the price was worth it, but who was he to tell the men in their high towers what to do?


    He hadn''t been exactly welcomed in Imruk, but he managed the tongue well enough to receive a lukewarm welcome when he wasn''t in his Praefect garb. He''d even grown a beard, which, now that he thought of it, he ought to shave off. The last thing he needed when he came to collect his earnings for his two years'' time was to look slovenly.


    "If you wish," said Aleci, noticing that Finne kept casting glances back even as he told Aleci he was done looking. "Would you like to visit?" he asked suddenly, "Not Llandy, I came to Glangarth''s  house  and he''s quite some distance away from Llandy. That''s where I bought the  fiddle . I think I was swindled but I''m no expert, how would I know how it plays? Would you-"


    "You presume that I would like to stay with you," Finne said tersely.


    "No, no!" Aleci shook his head, "I was just.... Thinking out loud you know. I do that. I just thought it was¡­ different is all, I''ve never thought fondly about returning to a place. I didn''t-"


    He saw a half smile flicker on Finne''s face, "You ramble when you''re nervous." Finne observed. "I don''t want to disappoint you, Aleci. I don''t want-" Finne looked away, "I don''t want to give you false hope of anything-"


    It was in Aleci''s nature, and his mother would swear to this, to interrupt a speaker at the worst possible moment.


    "Don''t worry," Aleci nodded earnestly, "you won''t give me false hope about my musical skills, you''ve seen how Domerc laughed, I doubt you can teach me anything."


    That earned him a startled laugh from Finne. He shook his head disbelievingly at Aleci, "I cannot work a¡­ what do you call it,  miracle ."


    "I would like to continue our arrangement," Aleci said in a rush. "I like your company and I would hope that you like mine. You''re free to leave anytime you like-" he reflexively tightened his grips on the reins and Sage pawed the ground irritably.


    The last time someone had looked at him with that combination of hope and distrust was when he''d tried to coax Myia, then a flea bitten puppy with a torn ear, from the trash heap. His mother had wrinkled her nose in disgust at the sight of the hound, but conceded, after they both cleaned her up, that Myia did have a pretty set of eyes. Green eyes, Aleci thought, flustered. He did have, as his men would put it, a particular affinity for that color. Of course, that had resulted in them trying to send green eyed maidens his way as well in Imruk. Aleci now suspected Domerc had won the steadily growing betting pool.


    "You drive a hard bargain," Finne said finally. "Can I break our¡­ agreement at any time?"


    "Yes," Aleci nodded his head, privately relieved. "Yes, of course."


    Finne looked taken aback by his declaration, "If you say so."


    "I do," said Aleci, "and I would hope to prove it to you, by the time we''ve reached the Capital."


    "You are not an honest man?" said Finne, raising an eyebrow.


    "I don''t trust anyone who claims to be honest outright," Aleci said.


    "Honesty isn''t a talent?"


    "No, it''s a trait."


    Finne gave him a bemused look, not the first one, Aleci observed. "There''s a difference?"


    It was quite sad, thought Aleci, that Finne looked bewildered at his statement. "There is," Aleci said firmly, reaching out to take Finne''s hands, "and I would hope that you see it in me."


    Sage took that particular moment to jostle him, whinnying angrily. Finne''s surprise laughter, though, when Aleci finally righted himself, cursing his luck, was worth it.

 Libri II.I Thysdria

    That night they officially crossed the border, and the men immediately declared an impromptu celebration. They''ve placed the wagons in a circle, and a fire pit was lit in the middle. Mercus had took out his lute and was began strumming a song. It was one of those songs, thought Aleci, observing from a safe distance as some of the men join in, the songs about returning home to a wife or a sweetheart. When Mercus''s song ended, Kaeso stepped in to demand that he play a happier song, a reel. As the notes of the song began, Kaeso held out a hand to Finne.


    "Come, you must know how to dance this," he said, grinning widely, "I liked this dance they do in Imruk."


    Of course he would, thought Aleci, Kaeso liked all the dances and songs.


    "Ah," Finne began, glancing uncertainly at where Iachos was entertaining Ediann with Aleci''s deck of cards, to Ethain sleeping in the basket and finally at Edon excitedly talking to Domerc about his horse.


    "Go on," Aleci nodded encouragingly, "dance."


    The reel, as Icanne had put it, looked deceptively simple. There were two rows of dancers that faced each other, they would then pair up. All the dancers had to do was seemingly hold both hands up in the air, jump, join hands and step, kicking their feet occasionally. There were other steps as well, and Aleci could only guess that it was to some mystical beat that he could not decipher. Kaeso grasped it quickly enough, and joined in, much to the amusement of their host. In private, Aleci attempted it, and Kaeso had laughed himself silly at Aleci''s red face. The steps he was doing with Finne now didn''t involve much jumping, but the pace of the steps were definitely not for the faint of heart and Kaeso''s hands were on Finne''s waist as he and Finne twirled in a circle. Aleci felt a pit of something settle in his throat, and decided to reach for the drink Domerc offered him.


    His other men had joined in as well, some of them had taken interest in the Imrukian''s traditions, so it wasn''t just Kaeso Finne was dancing with. Aleci took another drink, watching as one of them whispered something to Finne as they passed each other and Finne smiled. The song ended, and the pairs gave a half bow. He returned to where Aleci was sitting, offering a hand to him.


    "You''re a very good dancer," Aleci said, and immediately cursed his stupidity.


    "I am?" Finne sounded amused, "Is this another area I can''t teach you? It''s like dueling, a step here," he made a step forward as Aleci stepped backwards, "a step there," he stepped backwards and pulled Aleci towards him.


    As if on cue, Mercus took that moment to start playing again, a slower song this time.


    "It is to music," Aleci protested, allowing Finne to lead him into another step, "I don''t care for it. I mean, I don''t care to match my steps to whatever tune is playing, I am sure the music is lovely-"


    "You know, that is the opposite of what Kaeso told me," said Finne, with a bright smile. "Are you two so¡­ opposite?"


    "You mean different?" offered Aleci, "Kaeso just wants to be contrary. I''m sure he does it on purpose."


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    "Oh?" said Finne, pulling Aleci closer, putting his hand on Aleci''s hip.


    It was the most forward thing he''d done so far, and Aleci returned the gesture. "He''s fond of tricks. Well, not too mischievous mind, I think he does draw a line. Perhaps he thinks my life is too boring. No doubt if you ask him he''ll say I need spice in my life or some nonsense."


    "Spice?"


    Oh not Finne as well, thought Aleci. "Like¡­ the things you put in food, you know, sage, lavender, lemon thyme, catnip?" Finne continued to look bewildered as his list went on, even as Aleci only listed the less exotic of the spices he knew.


    "Catnip? You mean  cat-s¨¬th? You put that in food?"


    "Yes?"


    "Why?"


    "I don''t particularly care for it but it tastes good to some people," said Aleci.


    Finne made a face and shook his head, "Why would you put that in food?"


    "Well, what do you put in food?"


    "Salt¡­. Garlic and parsley. Not  cat-s¨¬th!"


    The very pale looking soup that was served to him in Icanne''s halls came to mind, and Aleci shuddered. He had been very polite, groomed to perfection under his mother''s stern eye to ever cough or spit out food served by a host but his stomach did not forgive that particular transgression. "You know what, we will walk around the marketplace and I''ll let you taste whatever takes your fancy."


    He was looking forward to eating the spiced skewered meats that was sold by street vendors, though meat wasn''t Thysdria''s specialty. Fish would do, thought Aleci, already salivating at the thought.


    Finne frowned at his suggestion, "I can''t just walk around with Ediann. If Thysdria is as big as you say it is, what happens I lose him in a crowd?"


    Aleci thought Finne should be more concerned about Edon''s unbridled enthusiasm, but it was a fair point. Ediann couldn''t write or speak the tongue, and he wasn''t sure if the boy even knew his letters enough to explain his problem. Not to mention the inhabitants of Thysdria couldn''t all be counted to be literate.


    "I''m sure we can think of something," Aleci said, "if not, I feel Kaeso owes me many favors. I''m sure he can distract Ediann for one afternoon. What are you interested in eating?"


    Finne''s brows furrowed, "What I like to eat," he repeated, as if puzzled he was even asked the question, "What I like to eat," he said again, "I¡­ haven''t thought about it."


    The one time Aleci had approached Aulius, his other friend from the academy, about food had resulted in him being involuntarily committed to try half a dozen new dishes over four days. He''d never dared ask again, and now suddenly found himself wishing he had Aulius''s council on food and dining. No doubt Aulius would be horrified at the concept of not having a written and updated list of what one likes to eat, and how one likes such and such to be prepared. But Aulius was on the seat on the senate now, and was above being sent on diplomatic missions like Aleci. Though, Aleci supposed, Aulius did host his summer festivals, perhaps Finne would like to go.


    "Well¡­ how would you like it prepared?" Aleci suggested, nodding his head to where the deer was being cooked over the fireplace, "Fried? Roasted? Wrapped in-"


    "Oi, Aleci, if you aren''t dancing get out of the circle!" Kaeso roughly elbowed Aleci aside, taking Finne''s hand into his own, "Did he bore you stupid? Don''t worry, I''ll save you from his clumsy feet."


    Finne shook his head, "No, he was just asking what I''d like to eat-"


    "Ah,  they don''t have those pickled vegetables in  Thysdria,  they do fish, have you tried that?"


    "I have!"  Finne nodded, and the smile on his face turned Aleci''s stomach, "How do they do them?"


    Aleci stepped out of the circle, watching Finne and Kaeso dance one of the  jigs  he''d seen the young men do around Icanne''s fire. He reflexively crossed his arms, shifting from one foot to another as he watched the pair.


    "You know jealousy''s a rare look on you, Praefect," Domerc observed, placing a hand on Aleci''s shoulder as he jumped in surprise. "He''s not really flirting with Finne."


    "And how do you know?"


    "We''ll be returning to your domnus won''t we?" Domerc said, matter of factly, "Shouldn''t we familiarize ourselves with our new domna?"