"Mortal Utterings:Chapters 7-9 (update: 02/21/02)" by Karen Jean Baker

Chapter Seven: The Choosing

      The next afternoon, following luncheon, everyone had again gathered in the Hall to experience a Weaving. The focus of their attention, a woman dressed in solemn night-blues with a tastefully arranged scarf, gazed, unseeing, into their midst. Veshara was focusing inward, pulling the Tale out of her belly this time, not looking to the people to call it forth. As Veshara found the Tale she smiled a soft, knowing smile, making her appear both ancient and wise. She then turned her attention to the people. Her eyes swept over them and stopped to rest briefly on the form of a young boy with her journeying packs lying near him, a small, intimate smile gracing his face as he gazed at her, trusting her even though his insides had already turned to water.
      Veshara deliberately pitched her voice, the sound soft and mellow while still reaching every corner of the large room. "Gather around, good people of RushingGap, and hear the Tale of the choosing of a king..."
      
      Long ago, in a land far from here, there was a king who had no son. This did not distress him, for it was tradition for the ruler to choose his successor, not by blood, but by ability. One night, in a dream, this king was instructed to go to a lord of lands by the name of Jesse and choose among his sons for an heir. So the next day he and one of his trusted vassals went to the home of Jesse. Upon finding the ruler of their country unannounced on their doorstep, Jesse and his wife were very much afraid. The king strove to calm them and said he wished to meet their sons. The man and woman immediately left to call them forth. The father returned first, with three sons in tow. A few heartbeats later the wife arrived, also with three young men in her wake. The father stepped forward with his first son, extoling his virtues.
      When the minister and king drew away to discuss him, the minister, who had done as much research into the family as he could on such short notice, said, "Your Majesty, surely this man is the one you are come for! Look how handsome he is. He would impress anyone he faced. They say maidens would kill for a smile from him and men, both young and old, look up to him and try to curry his favor."
      The king, however, looked deep into the young man and replied, "This is not the one. He is too proud. He does not know how to treat the women and men his looks bring. I will not have one such as he upon the throne."
      Next the wife came forward to show off one of her favorites.
      The counselor exclaimed, "Oh, Highness, surely this then is the one! He is learned and has been taught by the wisest scholars money can buy. Many teachers come from far and wide to instruct him. He does naught but learn! He would impress everyone with his knowledge."
      The king looked deep into the young man and replied, "This is not the one. Knowledge without wisdom is wasted. This boy dwells in his own world and knows nothing of ours. He needs a keeper! He would not be a good king, for he would not understand his people."
      Jesse brought forth another of his sons.
      The vassal said, "Splendor, surely this is the one! He is known throughout your realm for his brave and courageous acts. All his foes would tremble while he was king."
      The king looked deep into the young man and replied, "This is not the one. Verily, he is known through out the land--known for his foolhardiness. This lad’s brash foolishness would lead the kingdom straight to disaster."
      The wife next paraded another son before the guests.
      The servant cried, "Ah, Your Greatness, surely this is the one! Look at the way he moves. He is so graceful! He is an accomplished dancer. He would charm everyone with his skill."
      The king looked deep into the young man and replied, "This is not the one. He is filled with vanity. And he has distanced himself in his arrogance. He would be a very bad king."
      Next Jesse brought forth another of his favored sons.
      The servant said, "Your Grandness, surely this is the one! See how strong he is? They say he is stronger than two bulls! No one would dare stand up to him."
      The king looked deep into the young man and replied, "This is not the one. Yes, he is strong like a bull--and dumb like an ox. This man is not to be king. To be king requires a balance between physical and mental prowess."
      Finally, the wife brought the last young man arrayed before them.
      The servant took one look and was charmed. He said, "Oh, Excellency, surely this is the one! I have heard nothing but glowing reports about him! See how he stands and looks at us--he is ideal. He is the perfect mixture. Everything about him is polished and lovely. No one would want to be his enemy; upon meeting him they would all love him!"
      The king looked deep into the young man and replied, "This is not the one. Get a hold of yourself. Can’t you see how he manipulates even you? He is a very slick, charismatic, devious man. Extremely selfish, he sees people only as tools to get what he wants. He will not succeed me."
      The king frowned as he thought, "None of these men are fit to be my heir. Why was I directed here?" The king turned to Jesse and asked quietly but firmly, "Do you have any other sons?"
      Jesse and his wife both frowned. He replied hesitantly, "Well, there is David, but..."
      The king interrupted him and said, "Bring him here."
      Jesse’s wife cried, "But, Your Majesty, he is out in the fields working! He would be sweaty and smelly. Surely you can’t want him--he is the youngest and has not the shining qualities these do!"
      Allowing a tinge of authority to harshen his voice, the king replied, "I said, bring him here."
      The woman shrunk back, her eyes still holding some rebellion but far more fear. Jesse hastened to send one of his servants into the fields and bring David to the main house at once. They waited in a strained, grim silence. In a few moments a young man appeared, followed by the servant sent to get him. The slave must have informed him of the urgency, for the man had plainly been running and was a bit out of breath.
      The counselor's lip curled as he said, "I can certainly see why Jesse failed to produce this boy at the summons. Your Magnificence, this pup is filthy and unremarkable. Why, he is even short of wind. What could you want with him?"
      The king did not reply at once, for he was looking at the young man with an expression of growing intensity. David simply stood at near attention with an attitude of humility and dignity, returning the look of his soverign, with none of the defiance or feelings of smug worthiness his brothers had.
      "Ahh, but you are wrong. Look into those eyes. They are alert and balanced. He has been working in his family’s fields, thus he is strong and healthy--not a stranger to labor. He will understand his people and sympathize with them. He is wise and humble, yet has the bearing of a young prince. He is comely, but not overpoweringly so. His strength is not displayed for all to see, but is a quiet one. His knowledge is not of books, but of the world around him--of which he misses little. He is quick on his feet and in his mind... all in all the perfect heir."
      The king left off speaking to his vassal and slowly walked nearer to Jesse and his family. In the sight of them all he walked past father, mother, and the other six sons to stand before David. David looked up and met his eyes unflinchingly, but with a watchful deference beyond his age. The king slowly raised his hands and rested them heavily upon the lad’s square, unflinching shoulders.
      "I choose you, David," were the king’s only words. David bowed his head in acknowledgement, acceptance, and respect. As the king then turned to go, David left his family and home without a second glance to follow his destiny...
     
      When Master TaleWeaver Veshara came out of the tranced state, she carefully got up and walked over to where Rahdat stood. He heard the soft footsteps and, feeling her beside him, opened his eyes and looked into hers; there was almost no trace of uncertainty or fear left, the Tale's significance having not been wasted on him. No words were spoken as she reached out and took him by the hand. With the packs slung over his shoulder, she led him up onto the performance platform in the middle of the Hall. There she placed her hands on his shoulders, in a conscious mimicry of the Tale, looked into his eyes, and waited for the others to come out of the afterglow.
     When they had come to themselves, they all took to gazing at the figures on the platform as if they weren't sure if they had truly come out of the Tale. Veshara--in a voice that reached every nook and cranny of the Hall, and yet still manages to feel intimate and meant only for her apprentice--said, "I choose you, Rahdat."
     For two heartbeats nothing happened, then the Hall exploded with the noise of buzzing voices all striving to be heard by their nearest neighbors, and only by their nearest neighbors. Slowly it died to a stunned silence, and Veshara shared a secret, fortifying smile with Rahdat before turning to face the section of the Hall where Master and Mistress Hutching sat.
      Then, she began speaking in a voice again designed to carry loudly to everyone in the entire wing of the Holding, but to ring with tones of authority and firmness she had not before used in this Holding. "Master Hutching, I would like you to witness, joined by your entire Holding, the choosing of an apprentice. It is a great honor that a TaleWeaver has decided to take an apprentice from your Holding. That honor rests doubly on your shoulders; not only are you Rahdat's Holding Master, but as he is an orphan, he is legally your fosterling. Officially, that makes him your son. Congratulations, Master Hutching, on having a member of your family--albiet abranch only by law--exalted so." Veshara watched the Holdings's reaction to this announcement with eyes that missed nothing, searching each face. Her eyes rested longest on Master Hutching, his wife, and their eldest daughter, notcing how they grew pale, red, and then pale again in turns as they digested this turn in events. Her eyes gleamed silently at what she considered as good as a signed and Gifted-witnessed confession.
     Mentally she hissed, So this is the father. That would be why he never stepped forward, no matter the cost to his offspring. His damned position and pride kept him from it. The coward!
     Outwardly, Veshara showed no sign of her thoughts, but made a mental note of the information, squirreling it away against future need. Again, there were the two heartbeats of silence and then the subsequent eruption of noise.
     Veshara smiled kindly down at Rahdat. She said quietly, this time truly for his ears only, "My lad, would you like to strike out for Headquarters now?"
      Rahdat nodded, relieved. "Oh, yes, please, Master! I don’t wanna stay here a moment longer than I have to."
      Veshara nodded, and the two bowed as one and turned to slip out the front doors to the Hall. Master and Mistress Hutching saw their intention almost immediately, but weren’t able fight their way through the stunned crowd fast enough to stop the pair, though how they would do so wasn't clear. Rahdat, showing off just a little, led Veshara through back ways to escape any pursuit, though none was truly expected. They then set off to the Waymeet, one of the traveler's havens that had been set up and were maintained by the Crown, not only for use by the passersby and merchant trains, but also for the Guard. Veshara marked their route on her worn yet clear, detailed map, showing it to Rahdat. She used the time to teach him the fundamentals of reading maps.

Chapter Eight: Arrival

      
      After they met up with the patrol of twelve, their days fell into a pattern. Up at daybreak, they broke their fast on cold travel rations, broke their bit of the camp and began riding--Rahdat behind Veshara, as the patrol only had one spare horse. This was just as well, as Rahdat had very little experience with horses, and none of it had been riding on them. They would have a very sketchy noon meal while still on the move. At night they would find a suitable place to make camp or a Waymeet if they were lucky, and have a proper dinner, the Guard's rations being supplimented with whatever game or other pottage the outriders had gathered on the way. Being early spring, the going was not so hard as it could have been. Rahdat, unused to traveling, did not quite appreciate this however. Things were rather uneventful and, as the Guard treated them with uniform courtesy but no familiarity, Veshara and Rahdat got quite easy with each other's company in the weeks they were on the road. It was a very freeing experience for Rahdat, and he overcame much of his earlier shyness and reluctance with his mentor and Master. He developed a strong attachment to her, and an almost fierce possessiveness and protectiveness. The bond that had been birthed inside the Holding’s walls flourished and grew stronger outside of them. When they reached Headquarters, they were a tightly knit pair.
    Headquarters of the TaleWeavers Guild was located just outside of the town of GreyHaven that had sprung up because of the Guild, and as they arrived early in the afternoon there was a crowd at the gate awaiting them. Though Veshara was pleasantly surprised--she had been sharing their progress with a contact inside but hadn't thought to have more than a small reception--Rahdat was petrified. An ice-gray thought slipped into his mind.
     Things were wonderful with just Veshara--but here? How can I relate to these people? They are all Gifted TaleWeavers! They have spent all their lives learning and are so far above me. And--so many of them! Look at that crowd! They will expect me to be just as Gifted and talented as they and--and I'm not! How will I ever measure up? Will I disappoint Veshara? Cause her to lose face? What if she... decides she doesn't want me anymore?
     He had no time to think these thoughts all the way through because suddenly the crowd was surrounding them, greeting them and clapping him heartily on the shoulder. To Rahdat it was all a blur--so many people all coming at him so fast. He could not remember many of the introductions at all--except one boy about his age who shoved his way through the crowd to promise Rahdat with a mischievous look that they were soon to spend a great deal of time together and get into plenty of trouble. He had given his Name as Gamut.
     It seemed, in this place, that everyone freely gave everyone his or her Name. This was an odd concept to Rahdat; in his Holding a Name was a very personal thing--only given to those whom you trusted a great deal. Everyday affairs were conducted using the family Name. In his case, Rahdat hadn’t been able to give anyone his unrecognized Name until Veshara came along.
     All of this, all happening at once was so overwhelming for Rahdat that he began to feel dizzy and withdrew gratefully to their quarters the moment he was shown them.
      He went into the inner room and began unpacking Veshara's things. Of his own, he had very littlee--two sets of clothing, all hand-me-downs and much patched together. He was spread out on the sleeping mat, trying to digest everything, when Veshara entered. She had come back from the storerooms with clothing, and other niceties such as he had never thought to own. She assured him that every apprentice was outfitted thus, and showed him the things that now belonged to him. She told him she was going to go reacquaint herself with the compound and asked if he wished to go with her. He declined, saying he was tired. After she had left he simply lay there and tried rather unsuccessfully to get his mind in a more organized state.

Chapter Nine: Tamari

       Veshara was sitting in the outer room of their quarters, musing over their welcome, when she heard a knock on the door. She opened it to find a young lad with fiery red hair and bright green eyes, looking alarmed and a tad panicked.
      He gulped and stammered, "Uhm... Master TaleWeaver Veshara... you please permit me a few moments with new apprentice yours?"
      Veshara had to duck her head to hide the amusement that was dancing in her eyes. "Of course, Tamari. Make yourself at home while I let him know he has a visitor."
      Tamari muttered something formal and stilted under his breath while he steadily avoided her gaze and looked thoroughly uncomfortable. Veshara walked into the inner room, closed the door behind her, and burst out laughing, trying her best to make it as silent as possible so Tamari could not hear her. Rahdat looked up, startled.
      "Veshara? What is it?" Rahdat asked, thoroughly confused.
      Gasping for breath and shaking her head, Veshara replied. "A long story. You have a visitor."
      Rahdat’s face fell. "Is it... Gamut?"
      Veshara shook her head. "No, his Name is Tamari."
      Rahdat frowned, "And what is so funny about him?"
      Veshara sobered a bit and then said, "It is a long story, but I will try to tell it quickly. A bit of history is needful: a while ago, a TaleWeaver by the Name of Thasnir went journeying outside our lands. Most people know nothing of what occurred, only that he brought Tamari back as his apprentice and that... he did not come back whole." Here Veshara’s voice faltered, as it had a bit at the first mention of Thasnir. However she regained herself in short order and continued, "Somehow he had sustained a wound to his throat, rendering his once lovely, versatile voice a shadow of what it had been."
      As she paused, Rahdat asked, "How come no one knows what happened?"
      Veshara answered, "He is not a... social man. He will rarely be seen at all--much less speak of what occurred. Tamari came here knowing absolutely nothing of our culture. It seems in his country the males serve the females, and as Thasnir and I were together much of the time, I was the only woman Tamari had much contact with."
      Veshara stopped for a moment as if to conquer a sudden lump that had risen in her throat. "He would always try to serve me, not knowing the custom that only a TaleWeaver’s apprentice may serve the TaleWeaver, excepting meals. When I would politely refuse to allow it, this would baffle him and cause him to redouble his efforts. Finally, someone informed him about the custom. Poor Tamari was so embarrassed at having inadvertently insulted me that to this day he cannot behave normally around me. He avoids me at all costs and when he cannot avoid me is always painfully formal and uncomfortable. It means a lot that he would risk coming here to see you. I suggest you go out and speak with him."
      Rahdat tried to not grimace, "I really don't feel up to company, but if he has done so much, I suppose I must. But--Veshara--Why did Thasnir go out so far?"
      Veshara closed her eyes briefly and pressed her lips together as if battling something. When she did open her eyes they were surprisingly bright. "I... do not honestly know. He says he was... led, which of course makes no sense.." Veshara broke off and uncharacteristically looked away. She choked out, "Please go."
      Rahdat looked slightly alarmed, but obeyed her; as he shut the door he thought he heard a muffled choking sob come from the inner room.
      He took a deep breath and turned from the door to face into the outer room, trying to clear his head of what he had just learned so he could better face this stranger. A tall young man was standing in the midst of the room looking at him. Tamari had a head full of unruly blazing red curls that had been allowed to grow a little past his shoulders. He was paler than anyone Rahdat had ever seen, and had a pair of quite large, startlingly bright green eyes; Rahdat wondered if even TaleWeaving would be able to dim those eyes.
      Tamari smiled at Rahdat in a friendly, unobtrusive way. "Heyla. I am called Tamari. Let us walk outside. Yes? It is a lovely day."
      Rahdat found himself grinning back despite his declaration to only do this because the lad had gone to such trouble. Something in those eyes required no less, even allowing him to temporarily put Veshara's odd behavior from his mind. "Actually, I'd like that."
      In companionable silence Tamari led Rahdat through the neutral, carefully manicured, grassy grounds into a small, partially enclosed glade. There were a few scattered trees and bushes in this area, but mainly it contained grasses and flowering weeds that had been allowed to grow to about knee height in some places. It reminded Rahdat a little of the Kuron Plains he and Veshara had crossed in order to get here. He smiled, and stretched out under one of the trees, enjoying the feeling of being away from everyone and in his own world.
     A rustling noise brought him back with a start and he saw that Tamari was lying next to him without his ever noticed.
      Rahdat said slowly in a questioning way, "I never noticed you lying down."
      Tamari smiled in a careful manner and replied, "I stretched out not long after you did. This place is very relaxing. You feel alone in a place yours. As for the never noticing... I am learning some from my Master besides TaleWeaving. You will find, Master Thasnir is Master of many things--like being almost invisible when he chooses and moving as silently as a breeze. Useful skill I think and decided to learn it. I have far to go, but I am able to be unoticed when I so choose."
      Rahdat said, "Yeah, I can see where that could come in handy. Your Master interests me."
     Rahdat’s thoughts were a soft yellow, tinged with curious light green, Master Thasnir... Veshara acted so… strange about him. His apprentice seems like a really good person though. Just now Tamari hinted there was more to Thasnir than met the eye… I wonder…
      Tamari’s open, transparent eyes suddenly closed as though a shutter had just been dropped. "Yes, he interests many people. He is an interesting man," came Tamari’s guarded reply. His eyes begged Rahdat to stop there and not push any further.
      How odd, all of the sudden he… shut down. A strong craving for someone who would understand engulfed Rahdat, and the green and pink thought turned into a grayish blue one. I wonder what I can say to make him feel comfortable again. I really do want to have a friend here. And he seems so nice…
      Rahdat hesitantly nodded to the unspoken plea and cleared his throat uncertainly. "Uhm--Well--what was it you came to see me about again?"
      Tamari, relieved, said, "You just arrived here and I think are uncomfortable. I think you maybe share what was bothering you."
      Rahdat was quiet, wondering what he should do.
     Let it out! All these poison thoughts have been eating at you since you arrived. Here is someone who not only wants to know, but might have gone through it before. Maybe he could help! Veshara is a wonderful, caring person and I love her, but these things involve her deeply. Would she only comfort me just to calm me down? How do I know what she would say is the straight truth? Tamari is impartial--and he is safe. Right?
     But another part of him screamed at him not to. You don’t know him from a rift in the road! And he doesn’t know you. Why would he—a stranger--care more for you than your own blood—whoever they might be! They didn’t care enough to step forward and help you ever in your life. Why should he? Regardless, do you really want anyone—no matter how remote—to hear these thoughts? They are not becoming, and you have to try to build a good reputation here. Think for once!
     Confused, he looked up into Tamari’s caring, honest eyes and found himself blurting out all the doubts that had been plaguing him since they had arrived.
      "Oh, Tamari! I’m just not sure of anything anymore. We get here, and so many people greet us! People like I had never dreamed of meeting--they are so talented and... and just so important. Next to them I look like a wilted weed! What if she has second thoughts about my being her apprentice? What if she decides she got a rotten deal after all? Things seemed so solid on the plains... but now, I just don't know anymore!"
      Tamari didn’t say anything for a long moment. During this time, Rahdat got himself under control.
     I wonder why he is so quiet. He's just sitting there. Does he think I am a fool? Oh, have I made a mistake? What is he thinking?
      Finally, Tamari began to speak, "In your old place, did you hold a high position?"
      Startled, Rahdat exclaimed, "What?"
      Tamari continued, "Were you in a position where you were easily seen?"
      Rahdat almost laughed. "No! Quite the opposite."
      Tamari nodded, as thought he had thought as much. "Then what was there about you that put you in a better way than you are? If she wasn’t seeing you too much that it changed her thinking of you--then why did she choose you?"
      Rahdat thought slowly and reasonably in brown, gray, and light blue patterns about what Tamari said.
     My ‘position’ as kitchen help kept me out of any guest’s eyes. Especially kept me away from such an important guest as Veshara! She said she noticed me before she spoke to me. So, it wasn’t that I was standing near her. Why did she choose me?
      A strident yet reasonable dark golden yellow thought answered, Because you had the potential to be a TaleWeaver. More than potential, obviously, or she would have turned you down after she had met and spoken with you. And she liked you. You must be special enough to have won her heart as you did.
     At Rahdat’s silence, Tamari continued, unknowingly echoing Rahdat’s thoughts. "Must because you were what she looked for. You must have been the fitting one. Yes? So why is that now changed?"
      Tamari let this sink in amidst confident silence. The way he spoke, the words he spoke, and the atmosphere in which they were spoken and received all came together and got through to Rahdat. Finally, he had a sensible answer to quell his fears!
      Rahdat smiled and turned to Tamari. "Thank you," he said sincerely. "I don't know what I would have done without you to anchor me and help me meet these fears logically."
      Tamari replied, "Oh, you would be fine. This maybe saved you a lot of troubled times, but you would work it out your one self. This just speeded it up."
      Rahdat smiled, feeling his spirit rise with relief and satisfaction. "Please... call me Rahdat. It is my Name."
     I can’t believe it. A little bit of a talk with him and I am feeling more secure than I have ever since I got here! Oh, I hope we will become friends. I not only like him a lot, but I owe him a lot.
      Rahdat stood and stretched. He turned to Tamari and said in a light-hearted, jesting manner. "So, O Grand Tour Master, what’s next on the agenda?"
      Tamari laughed and joined Rahdat. "Hungry, rascal Rahdat you?"
      Rahdat thought for a moment and said, "Actually, yes! I didn’t think I would be, but I am."
      "Goodness! I know just where to go. Follow," Tamari said and led a pace from the secluded area that showed his obvious hunger.
      Rahdat scrambled after Tamari’s long-legged stride with eagerness.
      After walking for what seemed a long time, they arrived at a side of the large complex. Tamari winked at Rahdat and motioned toward the unshuttered window. "One of the kitchen workers places cooling baked things hers here. Also good way inside without being seen."
      So saying, Tamari launched himself through the large, low window and motioned for Rahdat to do the same. Dubiously, the lad climbed in after Tamari.
      Rahdat whispered to Tamari, "So, where are those goodies you promised?"
      Tamari looked around. "No need to whisper, friend mine, and have patience. Look for some."
      Rahdat smiled and as he turned to do so he inadvertently startled a young, sweet-faced girl who had just rounded the corner carrying a tray laden with steaming pies, rolls, and sweet breads. Tamari stepped in and steadied her, taking her tray before she dropped it.
      "Mercy! What are you two skulking about here for?" the girl demanded. She glared at the grinning Tamari and said in an amused yet scathing tone "This must have been your idea, you scamp!" Then the pretty female turned her back on Tamari to look at Rahdat. "Ahh! and I’ll bet you're the new one. Be careful of this one here--he has a nose for trouble!"
      Tamari took a gentle, but firm, hold of her shoulder and turned her around to face him. "Come, Lara, I can’t be as bad as that!" he exclaimed as he—despite her protests--relieved her of the tray and began to set the goods on the deep window ledge.
      "Hurumph!" was all she had to say to him. She pointedly turned back to Rahdat. "My Name is Lara. What is yours?"
      Rahdat was uncomfortably silent a moment, embarrassed.
      Tamari immediately understood and said, "Lara, shame! You have been born and raised here in HQ, he wasn’t. In the mainland is rude to ask Names so easy casual--Yes?"
      Rahdat nodded gratefully.
      "Well, friend mine, you will find many things are here different. Serving TaleWeavers custom you already know, and here is a new one--very informal about Names. Important, yes, though a different way. Here in HQ we all know Names. Like a large family--very close," Tamari explained.
      Rahdat nodded, digesting it all.
      "I'm sorry, I just wasn’t thinking," said a truly contrite Lara.
      "I realize that you didn’t mean to make me uncomfortable. It just startled me, is all. My Name is Rahdat."
      Lara smiled pleasantly, though Tamari wondered at the flash of something he had seen behind Rahdat’s eyes as he had given his Name. The same had been true when he had earlier given his Name to Tamari.
      "I am delighted to meet you," replied Lara.
      Tamari turned to Lara and looked at her with huge, puppy eyes. "Lara, dear sisling mine, don’t you have anything to spare for two starving, growing ones?"
      Lara mimed a blow at Tamari with a mock scowl on her face. "Growing waistlines, you mean! You eat plenty enough at the meal tables! Where does it all go?"
      Rahdat looked very mournful and said slowly, "Oh, but what about a stranger--not used to such grand surroundings--having just finished traveling such a long trek to arrive..." he trailed off plaintively.
      Lara looked from one pleading face to the other. "Oh! You two--"
      A distant bellow was heard, "Lara! What’s keeping you, girl?"
      Lara frowned. "Oh, look! Now you are going to get me in trouble with Cook Elyn. I have to go." As she was leaving she threw over her shoulder, "One pie and a couple sweetbreads won’t be missed if you hurry and take it out of sight."
      The two young lads grinned and lowly called their thanks as they grabbed the goods and hopped out the window. They hightailed it out to the secluded garden again and sat down to make short work of the piping hot sweets. They had snagged one medium-sized berry pie, a sausage filled roll, and two twisted pieces of bread smothered in a sugary fruit glaze. Blowing on their fingers and food to cool it, they split the bounty evenly and scarfed it down happily.
      Licking his lips and grinning, Rahdat said, "So how did you meet Lara? She seems a quite nice girl."
      "Ayeh, she is great, but I am forever having to keep ones off her. She is very pretty and is sweet, but she refuses to believe they aren’t honorable all. She treats them all as good-hearted boys. Sometimes some new fool or arrogant high-born sees her serving at meals and thinks she offers other afterwards. Fortunately, Cook Elyn has seen and given aid in some such cases and so tries to keep her out of the public view, but when a lot of guests need every spare hand at serving. I try to watch on her and I know Cook does too."
      "It’s wonderful that she has such as you to keep an eye on her. Like an elder brother," said Rahdat.
      "Yes, we even call each other such," Tamari replied.
      "But how did you meet her--a quite handy friendship to have," Rahdat said patting his stomach.
      Tamari laughed, "Oh, I have lot of interesting friends around here. Most of them start like with you. Someone is hurting where I could be of service and--" Tamari paused, as though searching for an appropriate phrase, something he didn't normally do, his particular style of talking being to just plunge in and language mistakes be damned. "--I am called."
      Now I wonder what that means. "Called"…What interesting way to say it. Does it have anything to do with his Master? Maybe Thasnir…? Didn't Veshara say something about...
     Rahdat frowned slightly at the wording. "’Called’-- What do you mean?"
      Tamari was silent a moment and looked Rahdat full in the face as though considering and weighing him. Then he spoke, "I do not often tell this, but I feel led to now. There is God. He is friend mine. He asks me to do things--things He aids me to do and I like doing. He often leads me to someone who needs me--needs Him, but through me.
      "With Lara," Tamari continued. "I know she wouldn’t mind telling you this--I met her soon after I arrived. Oh! almost half of a year gone. This scoundrel tried to get too close. She refused, he tried to get her with sweet words; when she refused still he tried to force her with threats and insults. I followed, I found her curled up in a little, wet ball like a sad kitten in different little-used garden. In short the Lord helped through me and then she friend mine."
      Rahdat felt as though the breath had been knocked out of him.
     He…he…he knows Him? He said ‘Lord’…Could it be the same? It must be, how could there be more than one? That’s simply absurd. But this… this is unreal! I wonder what he knows about Him. Maybe he would tell me about Him. I know so very little…
      Rahdat looked at Tamari with wide, dark eyes. After a long moment he suddenly asked, "You just said ‘the Lord’--why?"
      Tamari looked surprised at the question, but dutifully replied, "I call Him quite a few things. One is Lord."
      Rahdat’s thoughts swirled around and around, the colors were fluid and alternating so fast that Rahdat could not even tell what they were.
     What does he know? Would he mind telling me? What if it’s personal? I never told anyone about my relationship with Him. Should I have? I wonder if he has ever seen Him! Oh wow… what must He look like?
      Rahdat’s gaze turned inward and in a rush he asked, "What does He look like?"
      Tamari appeared to be more used to this question. "I have not seen Him. He is like a comforting whiteness in my mind and heart."
      All right, so he hasn’t ever seen Him. Just like me. But He's white--also like with me! I wonder what else is the same. The Lord never sent me on tasks like this. Maybe that’s because I can’t hear Him or something.
      Rahdat swallowed and his face was unreadable. "Does He talk to you in words?"
      Tamari thought for a moment and replied, "That is hard to say. It is not a heard voice, more like feelings. He does use words at times; but not really a voice--more like a still, quiet thought in my mind. At first I didn’t even know coming from Him."
      Rahdat opened his mouth, but was silent for a long time. His eyes had not lost their wide, startled, and faraway look.
      Would he believe me if I told him about the Lord? Of course! He has to—right? What if they aren’t the same? I would look like such a fool! What if he thinks I am only trying to be like him? Like some convoluted, perverted form of childish hero worship. Oh, I hope not….but I really must mention it. I might never have such an opportunity again.
      Tamari grew rather concerned. "Rahdat, what is it? You look--oddly."
      Rahdat took a deep breath and said, with difficulty, "It’s just that... I might know Him. I think. I mean--oh! I don’t know what I mean!"
      Tamari nodded understandingly and lay down to wait in soft silence for the words.
      After a bit, Rahdat also lay down on the grassy ground to sort through his thoughts.
      Finally, he began to speak, "When my moth--something traumatic happened--when I was very young, I--reached out to something. I can’t explain it. But something offered itself and I reached out to it. And at times of intense emotion, I have taken to talking to it--Him. I know so little, out of self-defense I just began calling it 'Lord' like a Lord of the Land." Rahdat fell silent.
      Tamari smiled reassuringly at Rahdat and nodded quietly. "Makes sense. Maybe that is why I felt able to share it with you."
      Rahdat smiled back.
     He does believe me! He even said it made sense, and he agreed with me. So they are one in the same. Tamari’s relationship with Him seems so much closer. Maybe one day, when I feel more comfortable, I shall ask him how to cultivate such a bond. I really would like it…
     Rahdat stood up and stretched. "I guess I should be getting back to see if Master Veshara needs me for anything."
      Tamari nodded gravely and then grinned. "Ayeh, me also. Good that Master Thasnir is used to odd disappearances."
      Rahdat chuckled, "I suppose he’d have to be by now, eh?"
      Tamari laughed, and the pair rose together. "Yes," replied Tamari, "that’s so."
      Contentedly the new--yet firm--friends walked together on their way to their respective quarters.