by Lady Bast
The god arrived the next morning. He looked remarkably like Duo.
Trowa hadn't expected such a meeting. In fact, he was occupied with keeping a straight face. Every servant in the palace seemed to acquire a look of disappointment when he and Tetiun walked past. Trowa supposed they had been hoping for another performance, but he was the very model of a lord and Tetiun that of the dutiful servant. Trowa wondered if any of them felt as light and fulfilled he did. Somehow, he doubted it.
As he passed the great hall on the way to the showers, a commotion at the doors drew his attention. When a general consensus was reached, the guards drew the doors wide open and Duo walked in with a swagger and a smile.
The way he moved, he looked about seven feet tall and glimmered from head to foot in a light sheath of sand. It matted his hair with sweat and blood, the ribbons of his braid heavy and limp with its weight. Parts of his flesh looked scoured and raw and others were clotted with a rusty clay. Sweat had caused his make-up to run and where it had not been rubbed off entirely, it pooled his eyes in ghastly shadow. His kilt was in tatters. His sandals had been lost. And Duo seemed to notice none of it. He strode into the hall with a rolling gate that was almost animal and a terrible smile of self-satisfaction.
"SEB!" he bellowed good-naturedly, holding out the box Tetiun had offered him the night before. He waited briefly for the body servant to show before repeating his summons. This time, not a moment was lost. Seb skidded to a halt before him and accepted the parcel. "Take this to my chamber and go back to your duties. I'll replenish it later. Not that one," said Duo with a serpent grin, holding a woven bag out of the servant's reach. "I'll take care of that one. Go!"
Though he'd always liked the priest, Trowa considered the merit of slipping away quickly before Duo could turn his burning gaze upon them. He should have debated more quickly.
"Oy! Trowa! Tetiun!" Discarding his dignity, Duo ran after them, throwing a grit-caked arm around each of their shoulders. By rights this should have been quite difficult for Trowa stood nearly a head above both priest and servant, but he couldn't help feeling an irresistible urge to bend down so that Duo could manage. His aura was friendly, but overpowering. Trowa felt like a child in the presence of a mad uncle about whom no one would speak.
"Good morning, Duo. Did things go well last night?"
"Beautifully, Trowa...just like magic! Actually, it was magic. If you two are on your way to the showers, I'll tell you there. I need a wash. I smell like carrion."
Trowa was hesitant to agree with him and so allowed himself to be steered through the gardens where servants and peasants, recruited especially for the occasion, worked hard to shift the sand that had accumulated in the pond and against the walls. Here and there, gardeners straightened plants and tried to preserve blooms that had been ravaged by the storm.
"Looks bad, doesn't it?" said Duo cheerfully. "Don't worry. It will all come back. It happens every time. Those workers are some of the best. I sent them as soon as the storm let up. Even so, this is pretty bad. They'll be earning their bread and onions today. Clever though. They emptied the drains for the showers first."
It took the shower attendants no time to assault Duo with water and lime. Trowa was not ignored, but he had Tetiun to care for him, and with the assistance of one other attendant, this was often enough. Duo required the help of no less than seven servants, some of whom had no doubt been called in for his benefit. Three boys carefully unwound and cleaned his long braid, taking special care not to knot or damage it, two attendants scrubbed the sand and sweat and blood from his body, and two men carefully directed water for rinsing.
Unsure of what else to say, Trowa began with the obvious. "That looks like quite an operation."
Duo laughed. "Oh, it is! Normally I simply keep it bound tight and only have it fully washed two or three times a week [33]. Being out in a storm like last night's though...it needed a little extra care."
Trowa was silent as water sluiced him clean, then slicked his hair out of his face as Tetiun began to dry him. "Yes. The storm. What were you doing out there? I know that the Prince didn't want you to go."
The weird light in Duo's eyes intensified. "I didn't think I'd make it, you know. First of all, I was out hunting and had to get all the way back to the city...and then my Prince didn't want me to leave. I was afraid I'd never mark the houses, but I made it."
"Mark the houses?" This was not a practice with which Trowa was familiar.
"The Prince doesn't understand, not really," continued Duo as though Trowa had no spoken. The palace can withstand most storms; it's safe enough without me. No, it's the poorer section - the ones who can't afford to pay for charms or build in stone that need me. Careful, Antef, you're pulling."
One of the boys who had been trying to comb the priest's hair, lowered his head in shame, his face a brilliant red of embarrassment. Disgraced, he moved to pass the comb to someone else, but Duo motioned for him to continue, and patted his head. It should have been condescending - the servant was barely younger than the priest himself - but the touch left the boy enraptured. It was more than relief at being forgiven, it was the look of one who had been touched by something far greater than himself. Trowa was about to repeat his question about the houses if only to draw Duo's attention away from his attendants, but a quick glance in Tetiun's direction changed his mind. The body servant looked concerned. Evidently this was not the first time such a humour had invaded his former master, but Trowa sensed that it was not a common event either. For that reason, he decided to let Duo ramble on. Perhaps he would learn something useful.
Duo revelled in the flow of one last bucket of water, exasperating the boys who tried diligently to comb the snarls out of his waist-length hair, then held still as he was dried, brushed, and bandaged where the sand had rubbed him raw. "My mother was peasant stock," said Duo conversationally. "It's easier to do well in the temple when you're the son or daughter of a priest, but it isn't necessary. She was a dancer. People tell me she wasn't one of the best, but that she was clever enough to make you think otherwise. I don't remember much of her, but I remember her dancing. I always thought she was beautiful. I was raised in the temple precinct even before I became a ward there and my best friend, Solo, was from the poor district as well. Very good with numbers, Solo. I think he's apprenticed in the delta now. Ow! That wound is deep, Kama'at. If you're going to bind it, bring me my bag first."
The man named Kama'at apologized and quickly fetched the woven bag, careful to keep it out of the water. Trowa watched as Duo rummaged through it, somewhat absently. "The poor districts are important," said the priest as he pulled out a bundle wrapped in oiled cloth. His hands had begun to tremble. "Important," he repeated dreamily, "because they do all the real work. Nobles forget that. They forget who does the work. How hard it is to do the work. Kama'at! Fresh water, please."
Trowa was becoming alarmed. The fervent light hadn't left Duo's eyes. If anything, it intensified the feeling that the priest was part of another world. "Do you need help?" said Trowa cautiously. He didn't want to startle the priest, there was no telling how he would react.
"Help? No. Thank you. No one helps." Duo signalled for Kama'at to hold his cup of water while he opened his bundle. It appeared to be a stale piece of bread. The priest broke off a piece, softened it with water and put it in his mouth. Once it was swallowed, he spoke again, punctuating his narrative with lumps of spongy bread. "No one helps so I do what I can. The houses in the poorer district aren't very strong and can't survive bad weather. When the sandstorms come, I go down and look at them. I tell them what needs to be protected and watched and what places people should stay away from. We strengthen them with wooden poles and I write spells of protection on them. This time I was late and only had time for the spells. I looked at a few places, but mostly I only had time for the spells. I marked every wall I could so the gods would know they were under my protection."
The bread seemed to reenergize him for Duo grinned brightly as he pushed the last piece into his mouth. "Thank you, Kama'at," he said through the sticky wad, waving at Trowa to wait a moment as he fought to chew and swallow. "First thing they teach you is to feel no pain," he said to no one in particular. "No fear, no remorse, no pai...OW! Kama'at! A moment, please!"
Antef and the other two hair dressers were just finishing with Duo's braid, It was free of ribbon at the moment, glistening and wet like a thick water serpent. Duo thanked them by name as they left and the self-satisfied smile returned to his face as something began to take effect. "Alright, Kama'at, I think the medicine is working. You can poke and bind all you like. Where was I?"
"The houses were under your protection," said Trowa, directing an anxious Tetiun to dress him and paint his face. "I assume you meant it as a counter-effect."
"Yes! As Sekhmet's priests protect against disease, I protect against sandstorms, among other things," said Duo, looking pleased. "And I rode my chariot like a madman, but I reached every corner before the worst of it and marked every house correctly, double-blessing the bad sections. It was perfect! They paid me too. They didn't need to, but they did. I have dried fish and fresh cucumbers and even a few pomegranates. Thank you, Kama'at. Leave the pomegranates and take the rest of the food to share with the others. I don't need it." He let the servant dress him, but refused make-up. "Seb will take care of me later. I'm not yet sure if I'll change before going out. Would you two like a pomegranate?" he said, turning to Trowa and Tetiun as Kama'at removed the rest of the food and left the building.
For the first time in several minutes, Trowa got a clear look at Duo's eyes. The weird light was still there, but it was different somehow. It was duller, more desperate. Duo's grin, too, while undiminished, was waxen as though his face were a mask that the priest was trying very hard to keep. Trowa said nothing at first, taking the fruit as it was split and passing one piece along to Tetiun.
"What else happened," he said.
Despite the fact that Trowa was taller, he had the distinct impression that Duo was smiling down at him in a most patronizing way. Silly child, he seemed to say from behind his waxy smile. Silly mortal child. You don't know what you're doing. But his eyes were flat and dead. "Nothing happened that has not happened before," said Duo, plucking at pomegranate seeds.
"That isn't any kind of answer." Trowa paused to evaluate the priest's reaction. There was none. "Aside from trying to kill me the first day I arrived, I've found you to be very helpful and friendly. I like to think of you as my friend. Don't lie to me, Duo."
The priest's temper flared in a way that Trowa had never seen before. "I don't lie!" he snapped. "I haven't said one word that isn't true!"
"You've said nothing at all," replied Trowa calmly. "What has happened before that has happened today? Some people would call an omission a lie."
"I omit nothing." Duo's hostility remained, but was little more than a burning ember, fading fast. "I omit nothing. I...simply haven't finished yet."
Duo sank down to the floor, sitting cross-legged as he picked at the seeds of his pomegranate. Most of them tumbled to the ground, but he didn't seem to notice.
Trowa turned to Tetiun, speaking softly. "I want a moment alone, leave us." The body servant opened his mouth to protest, but Trowa stilled him with a wave of his hand. "You must know what will be useful. Have it prepared. I trust you in this." Tetiun bowed and withdrew. Trowa turned back to Duo.
He no longer seemed seven feet tall, nor did his eyes glow with otherworldly light. The strangeness had left him and now he sat, oddly despondent, plucking absently at a piece of fruit. Trowa first crouched beside him and then, after a moment's thought, sat himself on the floor, thigh touching thigh. If he had hoped that the contact would focus the priest's attention, he was rewarded. Duo looked up at him, curious. "What happened," said Trowa, projecting all the calm and security that he could muster. "Finish and leave nothing out."
"I didn't think I'd have time to mark all the houses," said Duo dully, "but I did. I could not do an inspection, but where I was told the houses might be weak, I marked and blessed them. The last one I visited belonged to a grass weaver named Tamose. He and his wife both are weavers. Every week she takes their baskets and sandals to the market to trade for fresh foods. She brings her three children with her. If you had been to the market, I might have asked if you had seen her, but you haven't. I don't suppose it matters."
Trowa nodded thoughtfully and allowed the priest his moment of silence, but he refused to allow let the story rest for long. "You marked their house last?"
Duo sighed. "Yes. I thought I spotted some cracking in the west wall so I marked and blessed it too. The children were inside, but the eldest could hear me and must have gathered her siblings on the other side of the room, knowing the wall was weak. Only..."
"Only?"
"Tamose didn't tell me that the East wall had been badly damaged after the last flood-time with little more than a quick resurfacing. It looked alright, but..." Duo's voice faded away as he fixed his sightless eyes on a point in the distance. "I think Sheriti, that was the eldest, tried to pull them away because she was in the middle of the room and had only hurt her head. It was a bad injury, but it will heal. We had her and her mother brought to the neighbour's and waited for the storm to pass."
"And the other children?" Trowa waited a handful of minutes, asking again when he received no reply. "What about the other children?"
A look of cold anger crossed Duo's face. "I went back with Tamose and dug them out. What do you think? Then I drove them to the House of the Dead and pounded on the door until the embalmers came out to wrap them in linen shrouds - the poor get no proper burials either. Tamose and I buried them in the desert. He cried like a child. He was the father, it was his right. And I...I was perfect. No regret. No tears. No emotion of any kind."
With unaccustomed violence, Duo threw the last of his pomegranate at the wall with a cry of rage. It cracked and splintered, scattering seeds across the floor of the showers. Trowa said nothing. It was the right choice. "If I am perfect," said Duo dully, "why does it hurt so much?"
"You have a heart," replied Trowa.
"A heart is a cruel joke for someone like me. I'm damned, Trowa...all of my kind are." Duo sighed. "I accepted this a long time ago, but it's a terrible waste of a heart. If I could trade my own for the lump of granite that passes for the heart of our Prince, I would be more than happy to do so and it would be better for us all."
"Don't say that," said Trowa. The comment was only partly comforting. He knew the walls had ears. "If you had no heart, would you offer your protection to the poor?"
Duo pressed a hand to his mouth. His eyes glistened. "No," he whispered from between his fingers. "But my Prince would send me and I would go. It's my duty. My Prince would send me and I would go and wouldn't...wouldn't have to feel..." A shuddering sob escaped him as the first tear trickled down his cheek. "Trowa...one of them was no older than Bakara." And, drained of the will to fight, he began to cry.
Trowa was momentarily at a loss. Then, tentatively, he reached out to run a hand over Duo's back, offering what comfort he could in a touch before the spirit overtook him and he did away with his personal fears, wrapping his arm fully around the priest's shoulders, drawing him into an embrace. He stroked Duo's hair and face like a child's.
And still the tears were a long time in stopping.
"Are you sure you'll be alright?"
"I am assured that my mother was a fine woman, but I don't need a replacement, thank you."
"Duo..."
The priest offered his companion a quirky smile. If not for the redness of his eyes, there would have been no way of telling that he had spent part of the morning in tears. "Join me inside?" he offered, putting his hand against the door of his chamber.
Trowa hesitated. He thought of Duo as a friend - about this he had not lied - but he also knew what it was that Duo did when he was not out marking buildings in a storm. Were the chambers of an assassin the safest place to be? "Selket-em-paf will be looking for me soon," he said - something else which was not a lie.
Duo snorted. "He'll send Wufei to find you. Wufei is good at that. The least I owe you is a glass of decent beer and I would have thought you'd jump at the chance to be rid of them for a while."
Trowa looked down the corridor at the two guards who had followed them from the garden and been cowed into staying at the end of the corridor by an off-hand remark Duo had made about their being close enough to steal their seven souls. He smiled. "You owe me nothing, but you're right at that. A little more breathing space is appreciated."
The front room gave the illusion of cool breezes as water scenes of duck hunters and fishermen wound their way over the walls. Here and there among the scenes, a splash of red mud intruded. They were, in every case, hieroglyphs. Trowa turned his eyes away, not daring to read them.
The furnishings were spartan and this surprised him. Something about Duo seemed to demand a plush and comfortable atmosphere, but the room contained only low tables and chairs as well as the requisite chests for entertaining. A set of shelves near the back was covered in pots and boxes, easily the most cluttered item in the room. This drew Trowa's eye to the door way leading into the back chamber which had been left unobstructed. There he could see a makeshift counter covered with tools, herbs hanging from the ceiling, and a shelf of bowls, flasks, and mysterious jars. There was also a strange box he did not recognize, but he had no time to analyze it as Duo casually walked by the doorway and unhitched a curtain of beads that obscured it from view. Then he turned to the third occupant of the room.
"Thank you," said Duo holding his arms out to Tetiun, who accepted the hug.
Trowa nodded in satisfaction. He had known that his body servant would know what to do. One of the tables was covered in a selection of fresh fruits and honeyed sweets with a jar of beer at the ready. Comforting foods and enough to share. Duo was not the kind who liked to be alone.
"Nice gesture, but you've got a few too many cups out, Tet," grinned Duo, releasing the body servant and clapping him lightly on the back. "Getting to like your drink a little too well?"
"No, Pure One, I assure you." Tetiun blushed as he glanced at the stack of cups by the table. "I was only in a hurry and did not bother to count them."
"An honest enough mistake. Pour some out while I go into the back, will you?" Duo turned to Trowa and gestured toward the table. "Help yourself to the food. I'll only be a moment."
Bending to pluck a honeyed date from the table, Trowa watched as Duo slipped into the back with a brief clattering of beads. His shadowy form paused before the mysterious cabinet and there was the distinctive click of wooden doors being opened. As it was not his place to pry, Trowa sat in one of the chairs and placed the sticky sweet in his mouth and accepted a cup from Tetiun. He chewed thoughtfully, allowing enough time for the singsong murmur of words and the spicy smell of incense to reach him before swallowing. "What's he doing?"
"Praying," said Tetiun, pouring beer into cups. "He uses a portable shrine because he has no temple to serve here."
Trowa only nodded and helped himself to another sweet. A few moments later, he heard a second click and Duo slipped back into the room. "I heard a voice in the storm," said Trowa simply as the priest sat and accepted a cup of beer.
Duo seemed unconcerned. "Ah. What sort of voice?"
"It said there was no love in the palace and no children. It said that Nekheb was dying and that when it was gone, the city would be claimed by the sand," said Trowa. He studied Duo for a long time, but the priest did not seem inclined to respond. "Do you find this odd?" he prompted.
"No," said Duo. "I hear it all the time, the voice. It's right you know...you must have noticed that there aren't any children here."
"There is Bakkara."
"Bakkara is from the capital, she doesn't belong to Nekheb," replied Duo. His voice was strained and Trowa felt momentarily guilty about having brought memories of last night to the surface, but Duo continued. "It takes love to make a child and there is no love in the palace. There might have been once, but... Do you know what my Prince would likely say if I told him about last night?" Trowa shook his head and waited for the answer. "He would say that weavers were plentiful and it was lucky that his stone masons were spared. This is why there is no love in Nekheb."
Trowa worried that Duo would sink further into depression and was surprised when he was offered a smile. "But there is always hope, right?" said the priest. "You are here and your honour guard as well. And Heero's family, of course. Do you know how long is has been since a full family has lived in the palace?"
It was a question that would receive no answer. A knock on the door startled the trio into silence. With a nod from Duo, Tetiun rose to answer it.
"Chief Steward to the Prince, Wufei," announced Inuiu as he stepped inside the chamber and stepped aside. With a flourish, he produced a sealed slip of papyrus. "And a missive for Prince Terewa of the Teresh. From Prince Katrah-en himself."
"Ah...yes. Um. Thank you," Mumbled Trowa, flustered by the herald's knowing looks. If there was so much to know, then why wasn't he being made a part of it?
The note was in cursive form, much easier to read than hieroglyphs, but only if one could understand the writing. Trowa could read the intent of the message, but decided that there were advantages to playing the fool. "I'm sorry, I can't quite make this out."
Duo's rank allowed him to grab the flimsy sheet before Inuiu or Wufei could bow and offer their assistance. "It merely says that the Prince will see you alone for the evening meal tonight and that it will be held an hour later than usual. Presumably to take advantage of the evening rites in Nekhebet's temple."
"Your servant will need to remain behind this time," said Wufei. "He will not be allowed in the temple precinct."
Tetiun bowed in Trowa's direction. "If you have no need of me, Master, perhaps I could stay with the Pure One. If nothing else he will need help replenishing his stock and I have done this before."
Trowa nodded his permission and turned to back to Wufei. "Will you be there?"
"Yes, prince. I have special permissions to assist you and my Master. But the true reason I have accompanied Inuiu is to ask if you will be visiting the markets today. Last night you...hadn't made your decision and I thought it only courteous to be sure you would not be left behind."
Trowa smiled. "That is very generous, but I think I will stay near the palace today and speak with Selket-em-paf. Do you know where he can be found?"
"I will do better. I will show you," replied Wufei with a bow. Everything about the steward was crisp and clean; every line and every fold was perfect.
If I am perfect, why does it hurt so much?
"Thank you, I would appreciate it," said Trowa. "Inuiu, may I send you to the Prince with a message of acceptance?"
The herald bowed. "I would be honoured to serve you for the benefit of My Prince."
"Thank you. Please pass on my acceptance and tell the Prince that the ignorant foreigner humbly requires his guidance. If there is any particular clothing or charm that I must wear, I would be grateful to be informed before the meal."
"As you wish, so will it be done, Prince Trowa," said Inuiu.
Before the herald could turn to leave, there was a second knock at the door. Startled, Duo moved forward to see who the visitor might be, but was stopped by Wufei's raised hand. The steward nodded in Inuiu's direction and the herald bowed his head quickly before opening the door a crack. Determining that the newcomers were no threat, he opened the door wide and escorted them inside. "The Lady Relena and her daughter Bakara," he announced needlessly as the Achaen noblewoman stepped inside, followed by her attendants.
Seeing the look of surprise on Duo's face, Relena grew uncertain. "We were invited, were we not?"
Trowa cast a quick glance in Tetiun's direction and the body servant's composure confirmed his suspicion. Of course Tetiun had issued the invitation. There was no better cure for death than life. "Yes, Lady, you were invited. Please forgive Master Duo. He is prone to forgetfulness when he has worked through the night. Is this not true, Pure One?"
"Y-yes," stammered Duo, for once at a loss for words. "Yes, you have been invited. Er...Heero...?"
"I'm afraid my Lord Heero could not join us," replied Relena with a trace of sadness. Trowa suspected that 'could not' was really 'would not'.
"That is...that is a pity," said Duo, recovering from his surprise. "He doesn't mind that you are here alone?"
Relena stiffened with an air of pride. "My Lord Heero said the decision was mine and I have made it. If he does not approve, he should not have given me the option."
For the first time that morning, Duo's smile was genuine. "Well said, my Lady. But, please...join me," he said with a slight bow. "The chairs, please, Miusheri...Her-di. I won't allow women to sit on my floors when there are enough chairs for all, servants or no. I'm simply seeing Prince Trowa off, I won't be a moment. Please, just don't let Bakara put anything that is not on the table into her mouth." Leaving Tetiun to serve drinks, Duo ushered the others out the door. "Thank you...both of you," he said to Trowa.
"Thank Tetiun, this was his idea after all." Trowa placed a hand on Duo's shoulder. "Still, I might make my peace with Heero before he decides he doesn't like the time you're spending with his wife."
"It isn't Lady Relena who has anything to fear," replied the priest and Trowa smiled to see Duo's face redden slightly. "Even so, you are right about Heero. I had thought of it myself, but haven't found the right opportunity to approach him though it should be done soon. You should find Selket-em-paf before he starts to wonder what's happened to you and although you might try to deny it, you've done a great thing for me today. More than many would care to offer."
"Then I am glad to be of service. If ever you tired of being alone here, remember that Tetiun and I are never far away."
"A prince who mingles with his inferiors. Will wonders never cease?" said Duo half-jokingly. He was about to speak again, but seemed to decide that he had already said more than enough. "But go before half the palace is sent to find you. I'll be fine."
"I will speak with you later then. Take care," said Trowa as the priest turned away to rejoin his guests.
Wufei was waiting patiently a few steps down the corridor. "Inuiu has already left to deliver your message," he said, giving no indication that he had heard any of the exchange. "Come. I will bring you to Selket-em-paf's office, Prince Trowa."
"Just 'Trowa', please."
"No. I am steward to the Prince of the city himself," replied Wufei as Trowa's guards fell into step behind them. "I represent the Prince Katrah-en in his absence - may he live long, be healthy, and prosper. To offer anything less than proper respect, even by request, is a lack of courtesy on his part and a dishonour to his name."
Trowa shook his head, amused. "I am a prince to my people and even I cannot remember protocol or keep it nearly as well as yourself, Wufei. How do you manage?"
Wufei remained impassive. "A steward's loyalty and devotion should ever be beyond question."
"I believe it as I see it with my own eyes. But may I ask other questions?"
"If you like, though I may not have the authority to give you answers."
Trowa considered this and nodded. "Fair enough. A comment was made to me once which put me to thinking. Why are there no women in the palace?"
The steward stiffened slightly, but never missed a step. "There are many women working in the palace."
"Of course, I have seen them myself," said Trowa. "But these are the basest servants. Does Katrah-en not keep wives? Are none of the guards married? The body servants? You?"
"I suppose My Prince is not yet ready to marry," said Wufei coolly. "His decisions in the matter are not of my concern unless he wishes to confide in me and then it would not be my place to say. Most of the body servants have been here since they were children, I do not think any of them are married. Some of the palace guards have wives, yes."
"I have seen none of them. I suppose they live in the city?"
"They do not live in the Palace, no."
The answer intrigued Trowa for the simple reason that it told him nothing, merely parroting back his own observation. "What about yourself, Wufei? Are you married or have you, like the body servants, been kept from social activities?"
The steward's expression did not change, but seemed to harden. "My apologies, Prince Trowa, I find your question very personal. But because I am no lord, I will answer. Yes, I have been here since I was a child, but I also have a wife."
"You don't need to answer questions that make you uncomfortable, Wufei," said Trowa, feeling slightly ashamed for having pressed the issue. "I am only asking because the Lady Relena seems lonely here with only her attendants and I wondered why there were no other women here with whom she might share activities in the palace."
Wufei's stony expression softened into something like melancholy. "I must answer all questions that are not the sole concern of our Prince and would not compromise our safety," said Wufei. "To do anything less would seem deceitful. If there were women in the palace, only the Prince's wives would have standing enough to associate with the Lady Relena, but there are none." He raised his hand as Trowa opened his mouth to speak. "Please do not ask where they are if they are not here. If you do, I...I will be forced to answer."
It would be so easy to ask the question. And though Wufei would no doubt give empty answers for as long as he could, Trowa knew that a little information could be drawn from each until the matter was stripped bare and laid open before him. It would be easy, yes, but Trowa could see the strain in Wufei's face. A pain like Duo's, but so deep and familiar that only the faintest traces of it managed to distort the lines of his impassive expression. Taking pity, Trowa shook his head. "I simply wondered if there were any other companions for her. So far she has spent more time than Duo than with her own husband and I'm not sure how much longer Lord Heero will allow it."
Wufei relaxed visibly. "The merchants and officials live in town. Their wives would no doubt be happy to have visitors."
"But the Lady Relena is from across the Great Green. I do not think she has become accustomed to the freedom she has here. She may be afraid to leave the Palace grounds until she has made friends."
Wufei nodded, fully at ease now that the conversation had shifted and he had been returned to his element. "This is a very good point, Prince Trowa. I know that My Prince has tried to make her feel at home, but I fear he may have overlooked this fact. I will mention it to him. Perhaps he will allow a smaller social event for the officials and their wives so that proper introductions can be made. Thank you for bringing this to my attention."
"My pleasure," said Trowa. He did not apologize for his earlier questions. To do so would only reopen the wound. "I feel badly for her. I know what it is like to be a stranger, but I am a man and have always been allowed more liberties than she."
"Yes, many of the Achaen ways are a mystery to me," said Wufei. The thought of a new project seemed to have lifted his spirits. "I cannot understand how a country of men who think themselves intelligent and wise can show their own women so little respect."
As they turned a corner, Trowa was surprised to find himself in a large, airy office. Runners came and went through the great double-doorways that opened onto the corridors beyond. Across from them, great cedar doors were propped open to reveal a small, private garden. Into the fourth wall of the room were inset two narrow doors that opened and closed periodically as servants came and went, bearing rolls of papyrus. At this end was a large table covered in scrolls and behind it sat Selket-em-paf, scanning various documents, making notes, signing letters, and dividing the work into piles. These piles were brought to various smaller tables that flanked the garden entrance. Here sat other men in official dress who further examined and separated the documents, commanding runners and servants of their own. Two scribes were being employed to draft letters. Three more sat patiently, waiting to be of assistance. Wufei walked right up to the large desk and Trowa followed quietly, vaguely afraid that he might be interrupting something of vast importance. If so, the Chief Administrator did not seem concerned for he rose immediately and smiled before honouring them with a bow.
"Prince Trowa, I am pleased that you've decided to join me. Thank you for leading him here, Wufei."
"It was my pleasure to do so and it is the pleasure of the Prince that his guest be schooled in our methods of trade."
"It will be seen to. You are dismissed."
Trowa waited as Wufei offered a quick bow of his own and left the room. "What is this place," he asked his host as he watched the runners come and go.
"This is the main office for correspondence and administration," smiled Selket-em-paf. "Unless otherwise ordered, all official documents come here first. We receive all the tallies, general correspondence, and official documents for the palace. We separate, file, redirect, and copy them as needed. But you'll hear about some of this when we speak of lands, deeds, and tithe. Not here, of course," he said as Trowa assessed the room with uncertainty. "It's far too noisy here. We will go to my private rooms." He gestured to one of the house scribes who rose and followed obediently. "Come, Meribast."
Trowa took his first good look at the scribe who had been assigned to assist him. "Meribast can write in several languages if you have difficulties reading our own. I do not think he is familiar with the tongue of the Teresh, but I believe it is similar to the Keftian [34] dialect?"
"Yes. Yes, I can read that just fine," said Trowa.
"Then follow me, Prince Trowa," said Selket-em-paf, "and we will see what can be done to further relations between our people."
[33] About ten days.
[34] The Keftiu - also known as the Minoans - live on the island of Crete. Archeological study at the city of Knossos reveals and art style that is influenced by Egypt and the likely foundation for the masterpieces created in Greece. There is also an echo of their art style in early Etruscan art (Trowa's culture). In addition, the Minon and Etruscan civilizations both favoured shaped clothing rather than the draped clothing that was the Mediterranean norm.
"The Prince of Nekheb" copyright A.C.Smith (aka Lady Bast), 2002. Send comments to asmith@ican.net Please do not repost or print (other than for personal use) without permission. The Gundam boys and all their paraphenelia belong to whomever currently holds the rights...I'm just borrowing them for a while. No infringement is intended, really. Really really. Please don't sue me, I have no money. If, however, you have a burning desire to hire me and PAY me money to write this kinda stuff, feel free to track me down.