[Bêthberry]

"No, my lord, I do not chide you so much as merely express a concern over this Emissary's mission. You could well have been right in choosing his company all day, if you learned from him what his manner of address and purpose is, or that of his lord. And it will be well if someone watches over the Emissary closely at the banquet, to see what his habits and tastes are."

Faroz stopped short and looked at the woman who was his wife. Here, again, she was pointing out, as she often did, that there are always many possibilities and choices rather than simple ones. But before he could say anything, she reminded him that she was without headress and her final state accessories, and asked if he would wait for her to complete her dressing.

"I shall wait for you in my private courtyard." She bowed as he withdrew, relieved at how she had been able not to show surprise at his unexpected appearance. She was indeed "Mayiam, Lady of Cool Water." But his sudden appearance in her private quarters, after absenting himself for so long, had brought the sensation of burning hot air to her lungs. She gasped for cool air and wondered again at his actions.

~~~~~

He sat hidden in a corner of the courtyard, bored for the time being while he waited for the banquet. He heard movement and, hidden behind shrubs in full leaf and bloom, watched her appear from the far door. She moved with aplomb and dignity, not the graceful, quick and lithesome movement of a young woman, but with the calm demeanour of a self-possessed woman. She moved first to a statue at which she knelt, her head looking up at its top and her hands held up, palms facing the statue itself. He peered towards her more intently as he sought to understand her actions. Almost unconsciously, his hand sought out his inner pocket and caressed his ring, willing it help him gain a sense of what was in her mind and being, what thoughts she was conveying to the air. Yet he did not put it one, not yet. He held his eyes more sharply on her. It was a deliberate, knowing, shrewd gaze which sought to lay bear her inner thoughts and desires. He followed every movement of her hands, her arms, her shoulders, the curve of the purple silks over her hips and thighs, her feet lost to his sight under the amethyst pantaloons which billowed out from under her gown. He saw her sit back upon her legs, dropping her hands almost in a sense of tiredness and leaning her chin upon her chest. Then, he watched as she leaned slightly and slowly rose to move to the seat under the cedar tree. In the dark of early evening the jasmine flowers she wore around her waist and as part of her headress glowed with an eerie sheen. Darkness clung to him and he sat back, a shadow among shadows, but his keen eyes followed her every movement.

She was not sure when she became aware of a chill feeling in the air around her. She felt the hair on her arms rise as she fought against a shiver. She was in her own garden. What made her feel this way? She looked around but saw nothing. In the busy manner of preparations for the banquet, all hands were in the kitchens and hall; even the guards had been called away. Strange, she had become inured to their presence as she had to that of her servants. Was it their absence which made her feel so strange? A cold sweat trickled down her back and between her breasts and she felt sickish, as if she wanted to bathe again and wash this cold air off her body. She rose suddenly and went to seek the King in his garden, now strangely anxious to see him.

The Emissary allowed himself a knowing, shrewd smile. So this was Faroz's queen. A fortuitous occurence. He had not realised he had stumbled into her private garden. This place was a maze of gardens and courtyards. Such a fond silliness these people showed towards the natural world. So she was so little protected? He rose, pleased with his discovery but unsatisfied that he learnt no more. Then he sought out the courtyard Faroz had sent him off to in the first place, where he could mingle and feign ignorance of events here. And he would have to remember to control his face carefully when he saw her again at the banquet.