71 - Shashi visits Mother

Mother sat outside her private cocoon, right on the edge of the open wall over the drop to the river, enjoying the view. Clouds were piling up behind the city, and since her windows faced south the white fingers of water vapour painted the edges of the blue sky on either side and gave the afternoon sunlight a rich greenish golden hue.

The water was high and everywhere in the city there was the sound of fountains. The Basin was full to the brim and plants cascade down the stone walls from every window. When the deep dry came there would be banners instead but for now it was living green.

The air was full of the scent of earth and the sweetness of flowers. The hives were empty and the plants were full of bees so the whole city buzzed with them. The dark green vines trailing down into the opening were full of pink flowers and the busily humming black and gold insects.

“It is the time of sweetness,” Mother said quietly to Shashi. “A good time for weddings and births.”

“Mariush might give birth early. It is her first,” Dukir’s daughter answered, just as quietly as she massaged Mother’s feet. The wind, promising another rainstorm, teased the women’s silks and face veils and strands of hair pulled loose from elaborate braids.

Mother had black and white spotted moa down feathers woven softly around her wrinkled old face, and her eyelids were painted shining silver, giving her the blank, ‘royal’ look when she closed her eyes to think, though no one but the Emperor would dare use gold.

“She and the baby are healthy.”

“The Emperor has her surrounded by his bees. She is as protected as if she were the Empress rather than a disgraced zardukar carrying a bastard.”

“Our Emperor is most generous to forgive her, her indiscretion.” Shashi’s voice was dry.

“It is interesting that she is as protected so well. Has the court noticed the bees?”

“Not really, because he is keeping her close, though pretending to disdain her. It is difficult to see his protections as separate from hers.”

Mother stretched. “That’s good, child. Thank you, enough. Have some tea yourself. How is your father doing?”

“His health is better,” Shashi smiled at Mother as she said this, both women knowing very well that Dukir’s supposed ‘ill health’, made it perfectly plausible for him to be away from the court for extended periods. “He wrote me about how his garden is doing.”

“I hope it is doing well.”

“Yes, indeed. He has a particularly promising young tree flourishing and he is going to spend some time cultivating it.”

“Indeed. A Raghnal, I presume.” Everyone cherished the water trees that could filter the dirtiest water and allow tapping.  It grew a sweet, hard-shelled nut as well.  It was a tough little tree that made do with little light, extending long, wild tendril roots over the cold, dark rock to reach the water.

“Yes, Mother.”

“Excellent. Is he still researching the family line?”

“Yes, Mother. He feels confident that he has found a long-lost scion of the household and hopes to bring that line to the world’s attention very soon.”

“Really? How very interesting. Thank you for telling me, my dear.” Both women knew very well that the household referred to was the Emperor’s.

“There is someone dabbling in untrained mandery and direct assassination, Mother. They have attacked my husband and the Emperor both.”

“Oh? Not that someone attacking your husband troubles me greatly, sweetheart…” Shashi grimaced and shrugged it off. Mother didn’t have to tell her how childish her husband was, very needy for a grown man. “And Mariush cannot trace it down because all her strength must go to the child.” She sighed and tapped her jewelled nail against her teacup.

“No, Mother, I first thought it could be my brother-in-law, but I can discern no signs of it.”

She rose and brought a platter of candied purple blossoms to set between them. “Shashi,” Mother said, floating a sweetly sinking flower in her tea, “You need to write your father and let him know about all of this, if you already haven’t. I will release two of my graduates to be your husband and his brother’s zardukar and we will have more eyes and ears in your household.”

“I have and will write him, Mother.” She smiled faintly. “The men will both be tremendously flattered to be chosen for the honour of having new zardukar. Have the new children settled in well?”

“I’m sure.” Mother said dryly, watching the purple flower dissolve its colour into her tea. “I am also thinking of you, my dear. I know it isn’t easy and you should have a sister in the house,” she didn’t respond to the question.

"Mother,” Shashi gave her the minor salaam. “I love you.”

“I love you too, dear.”