Realizing she’d dropped her journal in the chaos, she retraced her steps and retrieved the now dusty tome.
Trailing Kalid, Janus hastily sketched the final piece of the gates: the great sundial Yesharu clutched in his left hand. Snapping her book closed, she ran to catch up, taking one last glance at her home.
As they weaved back through the crowds, Kalid placed a firm hand on her arm, only releasing her once the caravan was mounted and prepared to leave. Her guards fanned out, forming a protective circlearound Janus, but the new member of their company rode alongside Janus atop a sleek, dark stallion.
Sizing him up, Janus rehearsed a few approaches in her head before finding the courage to speak. “So, you’re a guide?”
Talon chuckled. “Not for a living. I’m a merchant. My travels take me to Altanbern several times a year, so I know it like the back of my hand.”
“A Sigillite merchant? How did Kalid find you?”
“Chance encounter, a few years back.” Changing the subject, he leaned forward on his saddle. “I’ve heard a bit about you. The prodigious star of Valeria.”
“Ahah.” Janus brushed her bangs behind her ear. “I made high marks, but I wouldn’t say-”
“And I hear you’re not much of a socialite.” Talon tilted his head. “Luckily for you, I am. If you have any questions about Altanese customs, you only have to ask.”
Questions? Janus had a million questions and no idea how to act around so many important people. Evander had continuously encouraged her to ‘be herself’ and ‘behave.’ Useless advice.
Herself was. . . How had Gemellus put it? ‘An aura of destruction.’
“What about the other nations?” Janus asked. “Nobles from across the alliance will be there.”
“I haven’t been to Dragos much,” He grimaced. “But I hear they aren’t particularly friendly. Just don’t talk to them.”
“Easy enough.”
“The rest? I could recite every dance from their history.”
“Great,” Janus said a bit too forcefully. “I’m expected to go in there alone, and. . . and when I’m in a crowded room it’s like my throat closes up.”
Taken aback by her frank answer, Talon chuckled. “You’re young. Most people will be trying to court you or hoping to make you court their children. The rest will engage in idle gossip. Know any good rumors?”
“Um. . .”
“Alright, that’s a no. Can you dance?”
“Not particularly well.”
“Oh dear.” He hid an amused smile. “Well, we have a couple of weeks ahead of us on the road. Time enough to learn.” He leaned hishead on his closed fist. “Gossiping is easy enough. Why don’t we start now?”
“Do we chat about our sex lives or someone else’s?” Janus asked.
“Oh, nothing so trite as that.” Talon tutted. His face darkened, and his voice dropped to a whisper. “Royal Chief Heras has been acting strangely, don’t you think?”
“She has?”
“Everyone knows it. She’s been holding private meetings with unknown guests and didn’t attend the last Thruinc Council meeting.” Talon continued. “What do you think she’s up to?”
It took a moment, but Janus realized Talon wasn’t asking her. “Oh, you want me to make up a theory?”
“Or retort with something of your own.”
“I don’t really know much about the Royal Chief.”
“Alright, how about this?” He drummed his fingers on his knee. “Don’t Thuatians all hate each other?”
“No. We easterners are superior to westerners, because they all smell like coal. But they say we smell of fish, and the northerners claim none of us understand culture.” Janus paused. “Which, I guess, I agree with. Northern architecture is much more interesting.”
