Arrows of Time - Kim Falconer [18]
‘Cane toads?’
‘Come on, Kali. This place is vast, productive, and more important, it’s been protected. You can’t tell me you don’t want to make a temple of it. It’ll breathe new life into Earth.’
‘I have no argument, save for the Lupins.’
He grizzled.
‘Rowan, you know that’s why I’ve considered asking Zero to master here. He’s not opposed to the Lupins. He welcomes them in his ranks, open to their ways.’
‘I’m open.’
‘Since when?’
‘Since I decided I was.’
She laughed. ‘Rowan, the Lupins belong here. They were bred here, after all, and…’
‘Save your speech, Kali. I know it by heart, and yes, the Lupins have a right to be here. Of course. You’ll get no argument from me.’
‘Really? I thought that was all I got.’ She stared at him for a moment and went back to her notes, then scanned the night sky for Jupiter. It was in the sign of Virgo now, halfway between Regulus and Spica, a little north. She spotted the bright planet and checked it with the sextant. Wonderful. Just where he should be. Her calculations were accurate. ‘You’re like a child, Rowan,’ she said.
He didn’t respond for some time. Finally he came out with, ‘Don’t you want me to stay now?’
Was he trying to antagonise her? ‘It’s not about what I want, Rowan. It’s about what needs to happen for people to survive on this planet. It’s not about us. Not a personal thing. Never has been.’
‘I see.’
She lowered the sextant. ‘I didn’t mean it that way,’ she said.
‘How then, if not personal?’
She smoothed her dress. ‘It’s not completely impersonal.’
‘That must be refreshing for you,’ he whispered, though she heard him loud and clear. He was looking towards the stables rooftop. His long legs were stretched out in front of him, a stack of swords polished and oiled by his side.
‘Rowan,’ she said, unsure how to finish.
He got up, brushing dust from his leggings. ‘I’m going to check the horses,’ he said, shaking his head to forestall anything she might say. He scooped up the swords and carried them to the stairwell.
‘Rowan, wait.’
She stopped him with her voice, closing the distance between them. He kept his back to her, though he waited. She stepped near, rising up on tiptoe to speak softly in his ear. ‘Stay.’
He turned, brushing his lips across her cheek. ‘Are you certain?’
‘I think it’s a great idea.’
‘And my students?’
‘Bring your core group from the Bay, and any apprentices from Treeon that want the experience. They’d be invaluable with the horsemanship.’
‘They’d want to be.’
‘Rowan, most on Earth had never seen a picture of an equestrian team, let alone a live horse, until we brought these over. You can’t expect them to have any horse sense yet.’
‘We’d need to introduce school horses to start with—smaller and thinner-skinned to cope with the heat.’
‘I’ve struck a deal with some Gaelean breeders from Corsanon. It’s nearly the same climate in their deserts and those animals are superb.’
‘Desertwinds? They’re a little light for my taste but brilliant on endurance. Elegant too.’ He shifted his grip on the swords. ‘Good choice, as long as we begin with placid ones.’
‘It’s done. I’ll have more horses for you as soon as the paddocks are ready and the water system’s set up.’
His eyebrows creased. ‘How’d you manage those negotiations? Corsanons don’t part easily with their steeds.’
‘You know me, Rowan.’ She laughed. ‘I dance life’s dance. I get what I want.’
He nodded. ‘I’ve noticed.’
She pressed her body closer. He didn’t resist. ‘I want you to stay,’ she said.
‘Because?’
‘You’re the master who can unite everyone, the most skilled swordsman and equestrian. Your teaching abilities are genius and…’
‘Anything else?’
She gave his neck a kiss. ‘If you’re willing to work with the Lupins, it’ll…’
He cut her off. ‘I said I was. Not that they needed much tuition last time I checked.’
He turned his back and left.
‘Rowan?’
Her only answer was the sound of his boots clipping down the stairs. She returned to her work. He wasn’t embracing the Lupins with much enthusiasm yet, but it was progress, and that was exactly what she wanted—progress