“And what of the river?” she asked.
Her question was greeted with silence.
“Menk, you were obviously down at the riverbank this morning, speaking to the fisherman. Tell me: What of the river?”
Menk scratched behind one of his enormous ears and spoke. “The Iteru appears to have returned to normal after yesterday’s…phenomenon. Though none were yet brave enough to enter its waters—at least not while I was there. I’m sure that will have changed by now. Even one day without the river is too much.”
Rae toyed with the golden swivel ring she’d gotten from the Jackal, spinning the rectangular bead that had a different symbol on each face. Snake. Feather. Eye. Scarab. Snake. Feather. Eye. Scarab. She’d gone down to the riverbank the day before, as soon as news of its transformation reached her. It was an extraordinary sight—the entire river had turned the color of blood.
Most people were too superstitious to get close to the water, but Rae was curious. She’d bent to dip her fingers and found the water oddly thick and foul-smelling, but it lacked the copper tang of blood. Still, after several people were sickened by drinking river water that morning, a wave of panic had engulfed the city.Just what we need, Rae had thought bitterly. But hearing the water had returned to normal, she hoped the crisis—thatcrisis at least—had passed.
She stopped spinning the golden bead, leaving the Eye of Ra facing up.
What did it mean, the river turning red? What are the gods trying to tell us?
Perhaps the answer could be found in Thonis.
“We should get on with our preparations,” Omari said, brushing breadcrumbs from his hands and pushing back his chair.
“Yes, yes, much to do,” Mamet Mut agreed.
After some final words, the inner circle dispersed, leaving Rae alone with the unappetizing bowl of lentils. Sighing, she stuffed a couple of spoonfuls in her mouth, drained the rest of her water, and went to have a conversation with the eavesdropper.
***
“Why were you spying on us, Tam?”
Rae found Tamerit in the storage room, stooping to take inventory of the food supplies, fishing equipment, and weapons that they’d set aside for the journey to Thonis.
Tam stilled, then straightened. Instead of her usual formfitting kalasiris dress, she wore a coarse, belted tunic, and her tightly curled black hair had been pulled into a messy bun at the nape of her neck. After a long pause, she resumed her work, not sparing a single glance in Rae’s direction.
“I wouldn’t have to spy on you if you’d invited me to the meeting,” she said.
Rae sighed and rubbed her temple with one hand. “You’re a member of the Horizon now. You and the other weavers. Isn’t that enough? We have to keep the inner circle small, so—”
Tam whirled to face her. “Leave the potter’s son. Takemeto Thonis.”
Rae stared at her in disbelief. “Absolutely not,” she blurted.
Two circles of color appeared on Tam’s cheeks. Like a raging bull, she marched over to glare up at Rae, unfazed that Rae was a head taller.
“Why? Because I’m not a ‘good fighter’? You don’t know what you’ll find when you get to the capital. How do you know Iwouldn’t be a vital part of the plan? Because I’m not a man? Even after everything that’s happened, you’re still as bad as they are!”
“No!” Rae exclaimed, her own anger rising. “That’s not why! I don’t want you to come because…” She faltered.
“Well?” Tam’s gaze was searching. Then her expression softened. “Oh. Oh, I see. You’re afraid.”
“Of course I’m afraid!” Rae exclaimed, a little too loudly. She glanced over her shoulder, but no one else seemed to be around. She lowered her voice and tenderly cupped the back of Tam’s neck with one hand. “I can’t lose you too.”
Tam covered Rae’s large hand with her smaller one. “This is war, Raetawy. You know that I’m no safer here in Sakesh than I would be in Thonis. If you let me join you, at least we’d be together.”
Rae pursed her lips. She knew the mantle of leadership would be heavy, but she hadn’t realized how difficult it would be to separate her emotions from what was good for the collective. Tam was right—the weaver did bring a different set of skills to the group. Unlike Omari, who was as intimidating as an ox, and practical Kay, Tam was clever, persuasive, and had the ability to insinuate herself into any group of people.
Like a spy, Rae thought.A spywouldbe useful in Thonis…
She hated placing Tam in danger, but the weaver made a good point. Staying in Sakesh wasn’t safe either. Rae growled in frustration. “Fine,” she said helplessly. “The gods forgive me. The potter’s son is out. You’re in.”
Tam’s face lit up. “Thanks be to Ra!” she cried, then threw her arms around Rae’s neck and kissed her.
