afraid they came too late."
The woman who stepped out from the fog had seen no more than twenty
summers. Her robes were white snowfox, eerie in the combination of pale
mourning colors and the luxury of the fur. Her hair shone black with
cords of silver woven in the braids. She was beautiful, and likely would
be for another five summers. Liat could already see the presentiment of
jowls at the borders of her jaw.
"Ceinat Radaani," Liat said, taking a pose of gratitude. "I am pleased
to meet you in person at last. This is my son, Nayiit."
The Radaani girl adopted a welcoming pose that included them both.
Nayiit returned it, and Liat couldn't help noticing the way his eyes
lingered on her and hers on him. Liat coughed, bringing their attention
back to the moment. The girl took a pose of apology, and turned to lead
them into the chambers and corridors of the compound.
In Saraykcht, the architecture tended to he open, encouraging the
breezes to flow and cool. Northern buildings were more like great kilns,
built to hold heat in their thick stone walls. The ceilings were low and
fire grates burned in every room. The Radaani girl led them through a
wide entrance chamber and hack through a narrow corridor, speaking as
she walked.
"My father is in Council with the Khai, but sends his regards and
intends to join us as soon as he can return from the city proper. He
would very much regret missing the opportunity to meet with the head of
our trading partner in the South."
It was bald flattery. Radaani was among the richest houses in the winter
cities, and had agreements with dozens of houses, all through the cities
of the Khaiem.'I'he whole of House Kyaan would hardly have made up one
of the Radaani compounds, and there were four such compounds that Liat
knew of. Liat accepted it, though, as if it were true, as if the
hospitality extended to her were more than etiquette.
"I look forward to speaking with him," Liat said. "I am most interested
in hearing news of the winter cities."
"Oh, there'll be quite a bit to say, I'm sure," the girl laughed. "There
always is once winter's ended. I think people save up all the gossip of
the winter to haul out in spring."
She opened a pair of wide wooden doors and led them into small, cozy
apartments. A fire popped and murmured in the grate, bowls of mulled
wine waited steaming on a low wooden table, and archways to either side
showed rooms with real beds waiting for them. Liat's body seemed drawn
to the bed like a stone rolling downhill. She had not realized how much
she loathed shipboard hammocks.
She took a pose of thanks that the girl responded to neatly as the
servant boy put the crate down gently by the fire.
"I will let you rest," the girl said. "If you have need of me, any of
the servants can find me for you. And I will, of course, send word when
my father returns."
"You're very kind," Nayiit said, smiling his disarming smile. "Forgive
me, but is there a bathhouse near? I don't think shipboard life has left
me entirely prepared for good company."