When we reach the palace, they’re dismissed to get much-needed rest.
I am delighted to discover Inarsis and Mother in an early-morning conference over hot bread and cool hibiscus juice in Mother’s private garden. As I approach, Safarenwe toddles over to me with arms outstretched and a smile on her face, tipping toward a fall just as I catch her and swing her into my arms. Her chortling laughter brightens the world. Wenru is seated on a mat where he is reading in the most unbabylike way imaginable. He glances up, sees me, sighs as if he hoped to see someone better, and goes back to his book.
I pause at a polite distance, not wanting to interrupt them without permission, but Mother waves me forward. She wears a sling at her side in which Maraya and Polodos’s adorable tiny newborn child sleeps, her first grandchild, the next link in the chain that pulls us ever onward down the river of life.
“How surprising to find you here, Honored Protector,” I say, settling Safarenwe comfortably on my hip. “This couldn’t have anything to do with where I spent last night, could it?”
They look at each other, sharing a thought, and I wonder how I could ever have thought there was anything romantic between them. Their bond reminds me of the one I have with my sisters, with Mis, with other adversaries: the solidarity of people with the same obstacles to face down.
I don’t attempt to hide my anger. “You both knew where he was, and you didn’t tell me.”
Safarenwe frowns, lower lip trembling.
“Don’t frighten your sister.” Mother offers me a cup of juice and a place beside her on her couch. As I sit, shifting Safarenwe to my lap, Mother goes on. “Kalliarkos turned his back on things most people would not have the courage, strength, or will to let go of. For one thing, we weren’t sure he could manage it. For another, he had to make a place under the same conditions everyone else did, so we respected his request that he be left to manage it alone.”
“Except for Mis and Dusty. Did you arrange with them to join the scouts so they could keep an eye on him?”
“No, but it worked out well to have them there,” says Inarsis. “By the way, I have a proposition for you, Spider.”
“It wouldn’t have anything to do with this new stable being set up, would it? Run by Thynos?”
“It’s nothing to do with me, of course,” says Inarsis, and Mother snorts indelicately. He smiles wryly. “With all the palace and clan stables dissolved, people will be forming up new consortiums. Thynos intends to be among the most competitive and lucrative.”
“My thanks, Honored Protector. But I already have a stable I call home.”
After I’ve eaten I change into my Fives gear and walk back across town, to the Warrens. The path to Scorpion Fountain is so familiar that my feet walk themselves there as I daydream about Kal. The moment I come in the gate Anise spots me.
“There you are, Spider. I thought you might be late after too much celebrating last night. You missed the morning menageries. Don’t do it again.”
“Yes, Honored Lady. I won’t.” Not for the next six months, anyway.
“As it happens, after yesterday’s trials we have a flock of new fledglings eager to test their wings. Since you need to warm up anyway, you can lead them in their first menageries. Afterward I’ll push you through some strengthening exercises. Your Trees was awful yesterday. You only won because the competition wasn’t up to standard.”
“Yes, Honored Lady.” But I feel good. Anise is gentle only with the ones she doesn’t think will amount to much.
I saunter out onto the exercise yard and place myself in front of the fledglings, none of whom can stand at attention, much less in proper columns and rows. There are a few young people of Saroese ancestry including, to my amazement, a girl, since before now Saroese women have never been allowed by their families to compete. She’s fidgeting with anxious expectation beside a bored-looking youth, who I’m guessing is a brother she strong-armed into accompanying her.
“You’re Spider,” says a brawny young Efean woman at the front, trying not to grin with excitement. “They say you’re going to become an Illustrious.”
“That’s right. I am.”
Their eyes open wide.
“One of you might too. If you want it, if you work hard enough. There’s no secret to winning. Act boldly when you need to, and be cautious when you must.”
I gesture toward the Fives court, which is the land of Efea, the temple of the Mother of All. Yet it is also simply a Fives court, a creation grown from the circumstances in which we have lived. With a smile I turn back to them, who are all squirming with enthusiasm for this new endeavor they’ve undertaken, not knowing where it will lead or how it will end. I flash them the kiss-off sign, and they practically jump out of their skins with eagerness to go, to try, to succeed.
“Above all else, do not fear to climb the victory tower.”