and the river starts running faster, it could go past that, but this
time of year, that's rare."
Vanjit shifted past them, brushing against Maati as she stepped onto the
plank. The andat was curled against her, its head resting on her
shoulder like a tired child might.
"Thank you," Maati said.
They made camp a dozen yards inland, where the ground was dry. It was
habit now. Routine. Eiah dug the fire pit, Small Kae gathered wood.
Large Kae put the sleeping tents in place. Irit would have started
cooking, but Maati knew well enough how to take her part. A few bowlfuls
of river water, crushed lentils that had been soaking since morning,
slivers of salted pork, an onion they'd hauled almost from the school.
It made for a better soup than Maati had first expected, though the gods
all knew he was tired of it now. It would keep them alive until morning.
Vanjit stepped out of the shadows just as Maati filled a bowl for the
boatman, the andat on one hip, a satchel on the other. Everyone was
aware that she hadn't helped to make camp. No one complained. In the
firelight, she looked younger even than she was. Her eyes flashed, and
she smiled.
Vanjit sat at Maati's side, accepting the next full bowl. The andat
rested at her feet, shifting its weight as if to crawl away but then
shifting back. The boatman and his second went back to their boat, bowls
steaming in their hands. It was, Maati supposed, all well for passengers
to sleep on the shore, but someone needed to stay with the boat. Better
for them as well. It would have been awkward, explaining why the baby's
breath didn't fog.
When they had gone, Eiah rose to her feet. The darkness under her eyes
was dispelled by her smile. The others looked up at her.
"I would like to announce a small celebration," she said. "I've been
reworking the binding for Wounded, and as of today, the latest version
is complete."
Small Kae smiled and applauded. Large Kae grinned. Eiah made a show of
pulling a wineskin from her bags. They all applauded now. Even Vanjit.
But Eiah's gaze faltered when her eyes met Maati's, and his belly soured.
Something in her wine to deepen her sleep. She mustn't see the blow coming.
"Yes," Maati said, trying to hide his fear. "Yes, I think celebration is
in order."
"You've seen the new draft?" Vanjit asked as Eiah poured the wine into
bowls. "Is it ready?"
"I haven't been through it all as yet," he said. "There are some changes
that make me optimistic. By Udun, I'll have a better-informed opinion."
The two Kaes were toasting each other, the fire. Eiah came to Maati and
Vanjit. She pressed bowls into their hands, and went back to pour one
for herself. Maati drank quickly, grateful for something to do that
would occupy his hands and his mind. If only for a moment.
Vanjit swirled her wine bowl, looking down at it with what might have
been serenity.
"Maati-kvo," Vanjit said. "Do you remember when I first came to you?
Gods, it seems like it was a different life, doesn't it? You were