Avisha dressed as quietly as possible so as not to wake the other women and children. The house had been built on three levels, to accommodate both their living situation and the vagaries of the ground. A walkway wrapped the greater structure, with the main house one step up, and the inner house another two steps farther up, its raised floor constructed around a courtyard with a cistern, an area for a small garden, and foundations dug out where a tower would be built. The kitchen and work area lay on the western edge of the house, and she slipped on sandals and crossed the walkway down into the kitchen yard. A fire burned on the outdoor hearth: Sheyshi was already up, brewing tea.

Avisha fetched a tray and a pair of cups from the pantry. “I’ll take that in.”

“I will do it,” said Sheyshi. “You will go marry and leave. I will stay here.”

Stupid girl!

Aui! She could take in a basin of washing water. She filled a pot from the cistern and heated it on the hearth. By the time she had a pitcher, basin, and cloths ready, Sheyshi was gone and the kitchen women were bustling. Lads were sent to haul water from the spring; rice was washed and readied for cooking. Fish again! But there were fresh spices, shipped in three days ago, to flavor the stew. In town, hammering started up, men getting to work while it was still cool. Although the heavy tray made her arms ache, she paused on the walkway where the view opened over the east. The sun was rising, a blush spread along the watery horizon.

“Need help with that?”

She turned to face Jagi.

“I can carry that in for you.”

“My thanks.” She handed him the tray, which he handled smoothly, the weight nothing to him.

“We’re riding formation today,” he said as she held aside the entry curtain to allow him into the formal room where Mai, looking pale, sat on pillows while Sheyshi offered her tea. “I told Jerad he could help me saddle up and get my armor on. If you’ll allow it.”

“That’s very kind of you. Of course he can go. You’re like a brother to him, truly.”

He flicked a considering glance at her as he set the tray on the table, barely stirring the water. Then he retreated. Face flushed, Avisha waited by the table, wondering if anyone in the room would remark on the comment, on Jagi’s kindness, on anything, indeed, but Mai sipped listlessly. She hadn’t even noticed Avisha come in. Priya swept out from the sleeping chamber.

“Avisha has brought wash water, Mistress,” Priya said, a bit tartly.

Mai glanced up. “Thank you, Vish.”

“Are you well, Mai?” Avisha asked.

“Bring a wet cloth!” snapped Sheyshi. “Why be so slow?”

“No use me sitting here feeling sorry for myself.” Mai got up awkwardly. The fine silk robes she had brought with her from the south no longer fit her, and she had taken to wearing a taloos, which could be wrapped to accommodate any stage of pregnancy. Dark circles hollowed her fine eyes, and after she had finished wiping her face and hands, she stood with the wet cloth dangling unregarded from a hand and stared out the opened curtain toward the sea.