but life itself is difficult because of its simplicity
They leave Sarsos as planned the following morning--not quite so early as anticipated originally, but there's still a good day's travel ahead of them. Martel's typical antisocial habits are kicked up a few notches, garnering him at the very least a quiet ride, and he chooses not to wonder too much about how Maryani's faring in the carriage now. He ( Read more... )
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"It is customary among our people for one to put childhood away before entering adulthood," Engessa tells them, solemn. "Atana Mirtai will participate in the Rite of Passage soon, and she has asked us to be with her as she sets the past aside. This child is not like other Atan children. For most, the childhood that is put away is simple and much like that of all others of our race. Atana Mirtai, however, returns from slavery. She has survived that and has returned to us. Her childhood has been longer than most and has contained things not usual--painful things. We will listen with love--even though we do not always understand. It might be well to begin with the place where you were born, my daughter."
That last is to Mirtai, who agrees, politely.
And then she begins to speak of her childhood, and the place where she was born, and her parents.
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Martel clasps his hands, loose, and sits straight-backed and attentive for reasons beyond just good manners while Mirtai speaks. His focus narrows to a fine point when she reaches the subject of the Arjuni slavers, and it's not without some approval he observes Danae climb carefully into the Atana's lap when she bows her head, tears coming for the deaths of her parents.
Kring lets out a savage, hoarse yes at the recounting of the death of the first Arjuni to come for Mirtai, weeping openly and unashamed.
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Others have their input, their moments of sympathy so overwhelming that they have to give their support, and Mirtai handles all of it so perfectly. Maryani doesn't look at anyone or anything else, and when Mirtai brings up the man Pelaser, their eyes lock only briefly. It's Alean, though, that approves of the death of the man who kept Mirtai captive as a child, with surprising ferocity.
The fact that her second employer had preferred the company of men to women seems to shock Sir Bevier, but he overcomes the moment of prejudice in favor of staying by Mirtai's side.
Maryani really approves of Mirtai's extraordinarily creative methods of killing people.
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Danae, having been sent to fetch water mainly as a pretext to keep her from hearing things a girl her age has no need of hearing, returns in time for Mirtai to begin drawing the tale of her life up to what they already know to a close (partially in deference to the late hour). She elaborates on the details of how she came to be owned by Platime--and the vast inconvenience it proved to be for him until, as she describes it slightly euphemistically, 'the situation' came up in the palace and she was handed over with some amount of relief to Ehlana.
She frowns, then, looking at Engessa. "That was the first time I'd ever been given away instead of sold, Father-Atan. Did Platime insult me? Should I go back to Cimmura and kill him?"
Engessa considers it. "I don't think so, my daughter. It was a special case. You might even look upon it as a compliment."
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