Naesre, Maehoui Roshate, Faraghir i'Karghae
919 SR (Other chapters: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9)
Pahalar yo Szaebalata & Aeragh ieo Ghohaeraena
The Third Voice & The Lady's Ratarghane
A ship, small and nondescript, stood alone against a grey horizon, sailing into port on one of the few days of the year when the sun did not shine brightly on Naesre. This is not, perhaps, Pahalar mused, the most auspicious of days for her arrival, but then again, there was not much auspicious about her arrival. Pahal could count on the fingers of both his hands the number of people who knew of her existence and still have digits to spare, and he had been sent alone to Naesres harbor to receive her. Altogether a very quiet arrival devoid of ceremony, not, to Pahals mind, befitting her first steps on Athis, the land of Aelome, Ghenthiere, and Aerie. Some went so far as to say it was Aitahs own land. In that sense then, these may not in fact be her first steps here, because she has always been here. As the ship neared the docks, Pahals anticipation grew; not only was he to meet her, to set eyes on her for the first time, an honor he never could have imagined himself receiving, but he also had to face Saerhun and Aelie, his friends, his closest comrades, whom he had abandoned in Yevel on his fathers orders. Pahal pondered whether they would even speak to him outside of formalities, but before he could allow the possibility to consume him he felt a heavy weight crash into his back, immediately followed by long arms wrapping around his chest.
Aer rested his chin on Pahals head. I thought theyd have arrived by now.
Pahal sighed. He was supposed to be the only one waiting at the docks, so as to minimize any possible attention she might draw upon her arrival. Alas, Aer was here now, latched onto him, and Pahal found it rather easy to resign himself to that fact. He motioned with his head towards the small ship, as his arms were bound by Aers. Thats them, right there.
Doesnt look like a Chorus ship to me.
Its not at least its not supposed to look like one. You know youre one of less than ten people in this world that knows who she is, right?
Of course; I heard you the first ten-thousand times.
As much as Pahal wanted to snark back to Aer, he was too comfortable bounded by Aers arms and with Aers chin atop his scalp. Suddenly, he felt Aers hands wander lower, down to his waist and then inwards, even as he felt the chin move down to his shoulder. Aers right hand clutched him while his left squeezed his hips.
Once this is all over, Pah, I think weve got some business to attend to. Youve been overworking yourself lately.
As he shuddered, Pahal could not deny that he had not been able to spend much time with Aer as of late. Trouble brewing in the Kern, big trouble, had led the leaders of the Chorus to make a drastic decision; the Chorus must pull back the majority of its force from Yevel, for Athis was at risk of turning into a battlefield. Coordination of this grand evacuation had fallen partly on Pahals shoulders, and this kind of desk work had somewhat helped to distract him from the horrors he still experienced on occasional nights. Aer had been working with his father, helping him to aid some jabralah or another who was investing in land in the Peko. All of this work had meant that they were not seeing each other as much as they would have liked.
I might have to meet with Saer and Aelie for a time, but I think we might be able to make time today.
Aers right hand began stroking up and down, with a practiced rhythm. Good. Id like to be able to bestow you with the mask of the Prince of Seed.
Pahal smiled. I think I might be ready to bear the white mask of Zalkephis again, if only for you.
The two had become so engrossed in their crude parody of Daho tradition that they hadnt noticed that the ship was already at the pier, the dockworkers moving hastily to moor the boat. They both spotted Saers blond head, and they both spotted the grin Saer bore as he looked at the two lovers in their embrace. Aer abruptly moved his right hand into a less compromising position, much to the Third Voices chagrin, and placed his chin again atop Pahals head. Pahal wasnt sure about how he felt about greeting her while engulfed in Aer, but he certainly wasnt about to make a scene in front of her either. As the gangplank dropped Saer was the first off the ship, rushing to embrace Pahal, who took this opportunity to work his way out of Aers arms without hesitation.
Saer spoke first, warm and without any of the judgment which Pahal had feared. Its been too long, Pah. I was worried about you I mean, when you left Yevel you were just
Im better now, Saer. Its good just to have you back here.
Saer took a step back and smiled, and over his shoulder Pahal could see Aelies elegant form disembarking. Immediately however he found his eyes drawn to a small hooded figure, who only came up to around Aelies waist. It was her. Pahal wasnt sure if this was how he imagined his first encounter with her would transpire, but he didnt have much time to think about it as Aelies long strides and the girls quick shuffling quickly closed the distance between him and them.
Well met, Pahalar. Aelie and Pahal grabbed each others arms and shared a quick peck on the lips. Aelie then turned her eyes to stare down Aer. I suppose that I shouldnt have expected you to come alone however; Im sure you two have hardly been out of contact, let alone out of sight of one another for the past few months. Pahal felt his face turn hot, and hearing Aer giggling only worsened the situation. Saer and Aelie both smiled as well, though the girl seemed more pensive.
His first meeting with her and he was already in a hurry to end it. Well, I guess we should just-we should get going. Its uh
its dangerous to stick around here too long. He turned to start walking away when he slammed into Aers arm, which wrapped around his chest and turned him so he again felt Aer leaning against his back.
It would be rude to just take her away without introducing yourself to her, wouldnt it? Im sure shed like to stand still for a moment and get her land-legs back. Pahal hated it when Aer was able to tease him and still be right, but he was also mortified that he might have disrespected her.
As he looked her in her eyes, he couldnt help but feel that he saw the whole of the Lovi swimming in their blue depths. Their intensity did nothing to calm his nerves. Right. Greetings, um, Ai-
The girl mercifully interrupted him. I am Etresha, Pahalar yo Szaebalata. Saerhun has told me much of you. And you- Pahal saw her look right above his head, -must be Aeragh ieo Ghohaeraena. It is good to finally meet the both of you. Aer, I have never met a Seshweay before; I hope to learn more about your people.
Aer unwrapped his arms from around Pahal, and Pahal turned to see him scratching his head. Well my friends always say that Im pretty Siran for a Seshie, but Ill try. Ive never met an Aitah either before though, so I think we both have a lot to learn.
This is true. I myself have much still to learn about Aitah. I agree with Pahalar however; I have had enough of the sea for quite some time. So, mistress Aelie, may we be on our way?
Aelie smiled down at Etresha with a mothers warmth. Of course, Tresha. Turning to Pahal her smile faded, replaced by a decidedly more grim countenance. We have much to discuss. Preparations for the evacuation are beginning as planned, but we still have to decide how much of a garrison to leave in Seabreak. I also want to talk with the other of the Ten Voices, so we should head straight for the Auditorium.
The prospect of more meetings made Pahal sigh. Very well, Aelie, lets be off. He looked regretfully at Aer. I wont be long. Promise.
Aer shrugged. You do what you have to. A look appeared in his eyes that Pahal knew meant he was about to lean in to whisper something that would be at best distracting for the rest of the day, when mercifully Etresha piped up.
Master Aeragh, Id like to go with you.
Silence reigned for an instant as everybody seemed to freeze at this unexpected request. Aer was the first to regain his faculties. You-of course you can, Ait-Etresha. Of course if Aelie says s-well of course youre you so you can do what you want. But, umm, Aelie?
Aelie seemed to be at no less of a loss for words. Well, if you want to Tresha. If youre sure, of course you can.
Thank you, mistress Aelie. Come on, Aeragh, let us go! Aitah skipped up to Aer and grabbed his hand before dragging him down the length of the pier. This was certainly not the way Pahal had imagined it.
***
Aer had struggled to keep up with Etresha, who moved quickly for her short legs, while simultaneously answering all of her questions about Seshweay culture, half of which he was unable to properly answer. On the steps up to Pahals apartment however one question she asked stopped him in his tracks.
So, you love Pahal?
It wasnt that he didnt, but the concept that there was one word that encapsulated everything was still rather hard to grasp. One word that said Hes my best friend and He makes me feel good and He makes me feel free and the ten-thousand other ways he felt about Pahal. One word did not seem enough, and between them there never seemed any point in saying it, and every time they did say it to each other at this point it seemed to be the most basic statement of fact, more obvious than the sky is blue or the desert is dry. Aer thought of the weeks of struggle when Pahal had returned from Yevel, when Pahal could barely speak. He thought of the night terrors Pahal had even now. He thought of how Pahal had told him You can leave if you want and how he had only been able to say I dont want to. I cant and I dont want to. Just answering with a simple yes to this girl seemed to be withholding the truth. There must be something he could say, something to fully flesh out his feelings.
I do. I
I like-I like the way he grumbles when he first wakes up. I love hearing that every morning.
That is
thank you Aer. Tresha was beaming as if she had just found the solution to some impossible mystery.
Aer couldnt help but smile back. Im glad I could help, Tresha.
They walked through the threshold to the apartment. Tresha looked around in wonderment, and Aer realized that there was more wealth in this one room than she had probably seen in her entire life. She twirled around, apparently trying to take in every inch of the place, before stopping and turning to Aer.
It is very nice here.
It is. Pahal being Third Voice certainly has its perks.
Im glad to be here, in Sira. She told me it was time to get off of Yevel, so I did.
She? Aelie?
No, not Aelie. But Aelie said that it was Aitah, or an Aitah, that told me to leave. That was the first time I had met Aelie. The Aitah told me to leave, and that to leave I would have to tell Aelie that I was an Aitah and that I was talking to another Aitah, even though Saerhun didnt want me to talk to Aelie because he was afraid Aelie would force me out of Seabreak.
Well it looks like your plan worked.
Yes, it did. I went to talk to Aelie, and once I told her the book, the Whispers, was talking to me, she believed me and told me we had to leave Yevel as soon as possible.
Well Im glad youre here, Ai-Tresha.
Etresha giggled and turned to a table in a corner of the apartment, whipping her flaming red hair, now free from its hood, behind her. Is that kalis?
Ghels? Yeah, it is. Im not very good, but Pahal is. Hes tried to teach me but I dont think Ill ever be that skilled at it.
Do you think he would teach me?
Aer smiled at the thought. I think hed love to. Before he knew it Tresha had barreled into his leg and was clinging onto it.
Aer, I want to stay here. With you, and Pahal.
Aer knelt down and returned the embrace. I would love that. We should ask Pahal, but I think hed love it too.
+++
After he had shown her around the rest of the apartment, the two of them sat down to share a bowl of Siran olives, and now Aer was engaged in an animated conversation with Tresha on the trials of sea travel.
Youre saying that you felt bad, but you never got sick once? Thats better than most for their first trip, Tresh-
Tresha was looking past him however, seeming distracted by something behind him. They are back, Aer.
Aer turned to see a rather tired-looking Pahal enter the room, with Aelie and Saerhun in tow. Before he could get up to greet them Tresha was already buzzing over to Aelie to give the First Voice a hug on her leg.
Mistress Aelie! I-well Aer has something to ask you!
This was not how he had planned it. There wouldnt even be a chance now to pull Pahal aside and discuss it with him; Tresha seemed about to burst and if Aer didnt ask in the next five seconds she would. He had to be decisive.
Yes well, uh- He quickly gave a look to Pahal, which he hoped Pahal would understand to be saying Im sorry but she gave me no choice. -you see, Tresha here wants to and we-well I want to-
Hed used up all his time. Aer would like to know if you will let me live with him and Pahalar?
Pahals resigned but unsurprised sigh let Aer know that his look had served its purpose, but Aelie clearly had been blindsided by this request. You want to live with
them?
Yes, I would love that very much, and she said it was a good idea as well. She thinks that they will be good fathers for me, and I think so too.
That seemed enough to impress Aelie. She said it, huh? Well then
of course you can; Im sure Pahal will be happy to take you in. Wont you, Third Voice?
Pahal didnt seem to have the strength to challenge the chain of command, and softly conceded Of course, First Voice.
At those words Tresha ran from Aelie to Pahal and jumped into his arms, forcing him to make a quick catch that strained what reflexes he was able to muster. Thank you so much Pahalar! She kissed his cheek. Aer said you could teach me how to play Ghels. She loves that game, and she thinks I will too! Will you teach it to me, Pahal?
A smile crossed Pahals face, and his tired eyes brightened. Of course, Etresha. Ill show you how the game is played.