Strange Attractors - Kim Falconer [19]
‘More than what, Hotha?’
‘More than what I’ve heard from Dumarka.’
Grayson tucked his notebook under the bench. ‘Is it Rosette? She’s having trouble settling in?’
Hotha shrugged. ‘You don’t know more then?’
Grayson shook his head. ‘What’s happened?’
‘I’m not certain.’ Hotha’s eyes wandered as he took in the rows of coloured bottles on the shelves. He picked one up, turning it around in his hand. It was a brilliant pansy violet.
Grayson took the bottle out of his hand and returned it to the shelf. ‘Has something happened to Rosette?’ he asked.
Hotha hesitated.
‘Just tell me what you do know, please.’
‘Maka’ra was meant to be there, at the cottage in Dumarka with Rosette and Teg.’
‘Teg is with her?’
Hotha smiled. ‘She’s teaching him star lore and Earth literature and he’s…well, he’s babysitting, though I don’t imagine he’d complain. Rosette’s…’
‘Babysitting?’
‘Well, that’s not how I’d put it to them, of course, and it’s not completely descriptive. They are advancing in their craft and looking after each other.’
The furrow between Grayson’s brows deepened. ‘I don’t follow.’
‘Teg was my apprentice originally and I’ve wanted to keep a close watch on him, with Kreshkali gone. Teg’s looking after Rosette and Maka’ra’s checking up on them both.’
‘I don’t see the problem or, quite frankly, the need. She can look after herself.’
‘Of course, but it seemed a sensible precaution, if a bit overprotective. The thing is, we got word from Maka’ra. Nobody’s there.’
Grayson stood up, his chair scraping the tiles as it slid back. He began straightening his instrument shelf. ‘What do you mean? Annadusa delivered her last week. She told me…’
‘She did escort them there, but the cottage is empty now. I sent a scout from Los Loma Prieta and they confirmed it. No sign of them, not even a note.’
‘Horses?’
‘Grazing in the paddocks.’
‘They could have been out gathering herbs or…’ Grayson rubbed the back of his neck.
‘My scout waited three days.’
‘That would be a long excursion. What’s your guess?’
‘I think Rosette and Teg took off to find An’ Lawrence.’
Grayson nodded. ‘There’s your answer then, and it makes sense. I never worked out why she didn’t go in the first place. I can’t imagine her stepping aside like that, with the Sword Master missing.’
Hotha shook his head. ‘She knows she’s in no condition to travel the corridors, otherwise she would have gone with Kali, certainly.’
Grayson was about to question him further when Fynn jumped up, barking. There was a knock on the door. A message runner stuck her head in.
‘Maluka,’ Hotha and Grayson said as one. Fynn wagged his tail.
‘What’s got you all so jumpy?’ she asked. ‘I’ve only come to announce lunch.’ She spoke smoothly but her face was red, beaming. ‘We’re serving on the veranda.’
‘I won’t be long.’ Grayson thanked her and turned back to Hotha. ‘What were you saying?’
‘I was hoping Rosette had let you in on her plans,’ Hotha said, standing up, and touching the tops of the ink bottles as if they were delicate flowers.
Grayson walked him to the door. ‘We didn’t talk much about…her plans.’
Hotha looked surprised. ‘I’ll let you know if I hear anything.’
They shook hands and Hotha turned to go. Grayson felt a strange sensation in the pit of his stomach. ‘Wait.’ He pulled him back. ‘What did you mean when you said she was in no condition to travel the corridors? Is she not recovered completely from cryo?’
‘Oh, she’s well recovered.’ Hotha stood in the doorway, his head tilting. ‘You don’t know about the restriction on corridor travel?’
‘If I did I wouldn’t be asking.’
Hotha grinned. ‘The pregnancy, of course. It’s a bit of a wild card, hopping about in the corridors while gestating. Didn’t she mention?’
Grayson willed his knees not to fold. He shook his head.
‘I’m surprised.’
‘It’s dangerous for her?’ He didn’t know how he was still standing.
‘Apparently it can be. She’s travelled the corridors so much this year, there’s no knowing when she conceived, or when the little girl’s due.’
‘The little girl,’ Grayson whispered.