"I'll offer you this," she said. "If you can talk the girl into giving
Galt back its eyes-and Eiah and Ashti Beg. Everyone. If you can do that
and also have her release her andat, I won't be the one who kills her."
"Would Otah let her live?" Maati asked.
"Ask him and he might," Idaan said. "Experience suggests he and I have
somewhat different ideas of mercy."
At midday, they returned to their camp. The boat was tied up at an old
quay slick with mold. The scent of the river was rich and not entirely
pleasant. Two of the other scouting parties had returned before them;
Danat and one of the armsmen were still in the city but expected back
shortly. Otah, in a robe of woven silk under a thicker woolen outer
robe, sat at a field table on the quayside, sketching maps of the city
from memory. Idaan made her report, Maati silent at her side. He tried
to imagine asking Otah for clemency on Vanjit's behalf. If Maati could
persuade her to restore sight to everyone she'd injured and release the
andat, would Otah honor Idaan's contract? Or, phrased differently, if
Maati couldn't save the world, could he at least do something to redeem
this one girl?
He didn't ask it, and Idaan didn't raise the issue.
After Danat and the armsmen returned, they all ate a simple meal of
bread and dried apples. Danat, Otah, and the captain of the guard
consulted with one another over Otah's sketched maps, planning the
afternoon's search. Idaan tended to Ana; their laughter seemed
incongruous in the grim air of their camp. Eiah sat by herself at the
water's edge, her face turned up toward the sun. Maati went to her side.
"Did you drink your tea this morning?" she asked.
"Yes," he lied petulantly.
"You need to," she said. Maati shrugged and tossed the last round of
dried apple into the water. It floated for a moment, the pale flesh
looking nearly white on the dark water. A turtle rose from beneath and
bit at it. Eiah held out her hand, palm up, fingers beckoning. Maati was
vaguely ashamed of the relief he felt taking her hand in his own.
"You were right," Maati confessed. "I still want to save Vanjit. I know
better. I do, but the impulse keeps coming back."
"I know it does," Eiah said. "You have a way of seeing things the way
you'd prefer them to be rather than the way they are. It's your only vice."
"Only?"
"Well, that and lying to your physician," Eiah said, lightly.
"I drink too much sometimes."
"When was the last time?"
Maati shrugged, a smile tugging at his mouth.
"I used to drink too much when I was younger," he said. "I still would,
but I've been busy."
"You see?" Eiah said. "You had more vices when you were young. You've
grown old and wise."
"I don't think so. I don't think you can mention me and wisdom in the
same breath."
"You aren't dead. There's time yet." She paused, then asked, "Will they
find her?"