On Fire's Wings - Christie Golden [36]
A cry of pain went up, and Jashemi, as always, shrank from the sound momentarily. Liahs sounded like a woman screaming when they were in pain, and although Jashemi had brought down his share of the creatures, he never got used to that cry.
His father, too, had taken aim and shot. A second scream went up. Jashemi shot again, but the arrow missed its target, landing in the sand. Halid was bringing up the rear, also shooting.
Jashemi lost track of how often he aimed and let an arrow fly. His sa’abah easily kept pace with the herd, maneuvering closely enough so that Jashemi could see the golden coats with the pale horizontal stripes, the rolling eyes, the long, black horns. He smelled dust and the musky stench of fear.
Finally, Tahmu cried, “Hold, hold!”
Six liahs, four males and two females, lay dead on the sand. Two more struggled to rise, blood streaming from their flanks. Tahmu quickly turned his mount around. He held out his bow to Halid, who rode alongside him, and exchanged the bow for a long spear. Tahmu kicked the sa’abah and it lunged forward.
As he came up alongside the dying creatures, Tahmu lifted the spear and plunged it deeply into the flailing liahs. It was a mercy killing, and Jashemi knew it. He hated to see the lovely things suffer and was glad his father always made sure they were slain as quickly and as painlessly as possible. Naram liked to leave the wounded ones to die on their own, killing them only when it was time for the hunting party to depart. Such cruelty ruined the meat, but Naram thought it fit to give to the servants. Jashemi had watched the wounded liahs linger for hours, bloody froth at their mouths, their eyes rolling….
My father is not like Naram, Jashemi thought fiercely. No matter what he has done, what mistakes he has made, Tahmu-kha-Rakyn is a good man and a wise leader.
Even so, Jashemi would not tell Tahmu what he planned when they returned to the House of Four Waters.
Chapter Eight
When Sahlik summoned her one afternoon while Yeshi napped, shortly after the khashimu had returned, Kevla was curious but not concerned. She stood in the kitchens, waiting for Sahlik to acknowledge her.
Sahlik turned and took her in from head to toe. “I have a new task for you. Since Jashemi has returned, Yeshi has taken much more of an interest in the functioning of the House. She will have less need of her women.”
Kevla gnawed her lower lip. If Yeshi had less need of her women, would not Ranna and Tiah quickly step in to command what time their mistress deigned to give them? And if Kevla was set another task, would not Yeshi forget about her?
But Sahlik had continued speaking and Kevla quickly returned her attention to the older woman.
“…healer,” Sahlik was saying. “You will study with him several times a week. Such skills will be useful.”
A lump welled up in Kevla’s throat. She was going to be sent away. They had decided she was not worthy to serve Yeshi, and had come up with a way to get her out of the great House.
“As Sahlik wishes,” she said thickly, bowing. She felt a gentle hand on her shoulder and looked up.
“You’re not being punished, Kevla,” Sahlik said. “I promise. I’ll keep an eye on Ranna and Tiah for you.” And she winked.
Relieved, Kevla grinned, and ran to the healer’s small house. When she reached the brightly painted red door of Maluuk’s hut, she yanked it open and said breathlessly, “Maluuk, I’m here to—”
The words died in her throat as the occupants of the hut looked up at her. Asha and Maluuk she expected, but not the third person. Seated on a small stool was Jashemi-kha-Tahmu.
She dropped to her knees. “Forgive me, I did not know—”
“Kevla, rise.” Jashemi’s voice was patient. Kevla scrambled to her feet, looking at the healer with a mute inquiry.
“Jashemi is also to be taught knowledge of healing,” Maluuk said mildly. “For this time together, you are equal as my students. There is no master here.” He stood up straighter and his eyes twinkled. “Except for me.”
Kevla wondered if this was a trick of some sort and her gaze darted