"high walls," Cehmai said. "And a red lacquer door to the back room. I
remember the place. They always undercooked the rice."
"I ie did," Nlaati said. "I'd forgotten that. 'T'here was a standing
game of tiles there. I remember once a boy came to play and didn't know
any of the rules. Not even what season led, or when two winds made a
trump. lie bet everything he had at the first tile. He knew he was in
over his head, so he risked it all at once. lie thought if he kept
playing, then the men at the table who knew better than he did would
strip him of every length of copper he had. If he put everything on one
handwell, someone had to win, and it might he him as well as anyone
else. I understand now how he felt."
"l)id he win?"
"No," \laati said. "But 1 respected the strategy."
A trumpet blared out above them-Otah sending some signal among his men.
Answering horns came from around the city. MIaati could no more tell
where they originated than guess how many snowflakes were in the wide
air. Cehmai's surprised breath caught his attention like a hook pulling
at a fish. lie turned to the man, and then followed his gaze to the
stairway leading down to the tunnels. Eiah stood there, her ribs pumping
hard, as if she'd run to reach them. Her hair was pulled hack in a messy
knot at the back. I Ier robes were bright green shot with gold.
"1?iah-cha," Cehmai said, stepping toward her. "What are you doing here?"
The girl looked up at Cehmai, stepping away from him as if she might
run. Her gaze darted to Nlaati. lie smiled and took a pose that was
welcome and inquiry both. 1- iah's hands fluttered between half a dozen
poses, settling on none of them.
""They need physicians," she said. "People are going to get hurt. I
don't want to be useless. And ... and I want to he here when you stop
them. I helped with the binding as much as Cehmai did."
't'hat was a gross untruth, but the girl delivered it with such
conviction that Nlaati felt himself half-believing. He smiled.
"You were supposed to go with Nayiit-cha and your brother," Maati said.
I ter mouth went small, her face pale.
"I know," she said. \laati waved her closer, and she came to him,
skirting around Cehmai as if she feared he would grab her and haul her
away to where she was supposed to be. Maati sat on the cold stone floor
and she sat with him.
"It isn't safe here," he said.
"It's safe enough that you can be here. And Papa-kya. And you're the two
most important men in the world."
"I don't know that-"
"He's the Emperor. Even the Khai Cetani says so. And you're going to
kill all the Galts. There can't be any place safer than with both of
you. Besides, what if something happens and you need a physician?"
"I'll find one of the armsmen or a servant they can spare," Cehmai said.
"We can at least have her safely-"
"No," Maati said. "Let her stay. She reminds me why we're doing this."
Eiah's grin was the image of relief and joy. Of all the terrors and
dangers arrayed before them, hers had been that she might he sent away.