Strange Attractors - Kim Falconer [85]
‘We’ve come from the north, from my family’s farm near the Dumar Gorge,’ she said waving her arm in the general direction of the Oldosia Mountain Range. ‘I promised my sister we’d visit before the baby was due but I’d forgotten how long the road was to Corsanon.’
‘Your sister lives in Corsanon?’
‘Aye, she does.’
‘My Rosette was determined to come, though,’ Teg said.
The man eyed Drayco. ‘A visit from a Dumarkian temple witch and her familiar, even by chance, is always appreciated.’
‘Thank you,’ Rosette said.
‘You’re welcome to rest here, the lot of you,’ the woman said. ‘We have plenty of guest rooms.’
‘Delighted.’ Teg offered a stunning smile.
‘And there’d be supper enough for you in the kitchens, though it’s past serving time in the hall,’ the man said. ‘Tell them Lars sent you and they’ll look after you well.’
‘You are very kind,’ Rosette said.
The guards stepped aside, opening the gate. ‘Ask for Mavis at the reception hearth. I dare say she’ll find you the best bed for the night. You can take the carriage to the city in the morning.’
‘Wonderful,’ Rosette answered. ‘We will do just that. Thank you.’
Teg stared at the bed; the temple cat was stretched along the length of it, the rhythmic rise and fall of his breath hypnotic. Rosette was in the bath, the scent of orange blossoms and papaya wafting in from the adjoining washroom.
‘You’re going to love this, Teg. The water is divine. I’m thrilled with the cordial relationship between Corsanon and Dumarka. Aren’t you?’
He didn’t answer. They’d been given a small room, warm food and a hot bath. It was generous of the temple and he was grateful. But because they were travelling companions—introduced as a couple—they clearly felt one bed would be enough.
‘I can sense you’re fretting out there,’ Rosette said. ‘What’s the problem?’
He turned his back on the bed. ‘Nothing.’
‘Are you puzzling over one of your crosswords?’
‘Not exactly.’
Water splashed and she waddled into the room wrapped in a huge purple towel. ‘Concerned about our sleeping arrangements then?’
‘Of course not. I’m easy. I’ll sleep…’
‘In the bed with me and Drayco, of course. Don’t even consider anything else.’ She wiggled her toes on the tile floor. ‘It’s not yet spring and the temperature drops all night in Corsanon before it bakes through the day. I know that much from the last visit and I plan to be kept warm tonight.’ She shivered, wrapping the towel tight around her body. ‘And you and Drayco are my hot-water bottles.’
‘At your service, of course.’
‘Teg, are you blushing?’
He turned away. ‘Not at all.’ He unbuttoned his shirt. ‘If you’re finished with the bath I might have a quick wash.’
She smiled, stepping aside to let him pass. ‘You’re not betraying her, you know, no matter what. She doesn’t go by the Lupin customs.’ Rosette chuckled. ‘She doesn’t go by any customs at all, as far as I can tell.’
He blushed deeper. ‘I don’t know what you’re talking about.’ Teg held his hand over the steaming tub, his finger breaking the surface of the water to touch a single orange blossom. The moonlight shone in from the high window, the beams falling onto his face.
‘My mistake,’ Rosette said. ‘I thought…’
‘You thought?’
‘Never mind. Take your time in the bath. It’s wonderful.’
He undressed and submerged in the dark water, the steam enveloping him like a night fog.
‘Did you bring any of your word puzzles, Teg?’
He opened his eyes. I thought we were going to discuss a strategy. Compare notes?
They had each made contacts after dinner. Rosette had seen the healer and Teg had gone to the late meditation. He didn’t have much to add to their building hypothesis but he was certain this Corsanon had never seen any temple wars. At least not yet. He was curious to hear what Rosette had discovered
Best we play the part of a travelling couple, Teg. Someone’s listening. I can feel it.
‘I brought a new one, just for you,’ he answered. ‘It’s in my pack. Side pouch.’
He heard rummaging.
‘This is cryptic,’ she called out.
‘I picked it up from Treeon. Been saving