Staying Power (Darshian Tales #3) Read online

  “Ouch. Poor Arman.” His uncle wasn’t very fond of children, and Karik wondered how he was dealing with it.

  “Oh, he doesn’t seem to mind. He’s very good with her, even looks after her in his office from time to time.”

  “Arman does?”

  “Yes, he does. Funny, isn’t it? Kei’s still besotted of course, but I wasn’t expecting Arman to be at all interested. People are strange, don’t you think?”

  “Well, we knew that.”

  They chatted a little longer, then Seiki said she was needed, so closed the link. Karik would see them soon enough. It sounded as if Mila and Seiki wanted their second child as soon as Karik was able to help. He wondered if they would want to attempt it while he was in Darshek this time, or wait until he got back. Of course, they might find another willing assistant, but somehow Karik thought this was unlikely. Dealing with a fourth set of grandparents would be too much to think about.

  Oh well, he would find out everything soon. After being immersed in study and research for six months, and spending much of the previous two years before that in solitary collecting, he was looking forward to some time just being a son, a nephew, and a friend.

  Soza had restored the cabin to order, Karik was glad to see. “My friend the mind-speaker has just been in contact. I’m to tell you that rooms have been prepared for you at the Rulers’ House.”

  “The Rulers’ House? My word, such an honour!”

  That wasn’t the reaction Karik had been expecting, but since Soza was inclined to see it that way, and not as the insult it might otherwise appear, Karik didn’t explain it was simply because there wasn’t enough room for him at Kei’s house. “The apartments are very comfortable there, and it’s just across the square from the Academy, quite convenient.”

  “Yes, indeed, and when Lord Arman wishes to consult with me about the mission, I shall be right there,” he said with a satisfied smile. “Another example of his excellent planning.”

  “Er, yes, it is.” It had probably been Kei’s idea, but he decided not to mention that. “I’m not sure when he’s going to hold the interviews. He might want to let the soldiers have a day or two to rest. You might like that too,” he suggested diffidently. Soza looked pale and haggard—travelling on a ship wouldn’t make anyone look at their best.

  “There’s no time to be slack, young Karik. We must ensure the soldiers are properly trained in collecting techniques. We must be able to trust their samples.”

  As it had only taken Karik two days to be trained in collecting methods, he doubted it would take the soldiers much longer—they didn’t have to analyse the material, just be meticulous in recording where they found a specimen, and take the correct parts of the plant. But there was other training to be carried out as well, in which Karik would also participate—surveying techniques, map-making and meteorological observations all had to be learned by the entire team before they set out. Karik was looking forward to it, although not as much he might do if the dreaded lieutenant Romi had not been there.

  Still, they had allowed three weeks for preparation, more than enough time, and Karik felt they could afford a couple of days to let people recover from the journey. He was certain once Soza got on shore, he would appreciate the importance of a little rest time too. The man was a hard worker, spending long hours at his papers, and several times since Karik had met him, had worked right through the night without even realising it. But that wasn’t quite the same as working in the field, and Soza wouldn’t be able to force people to work at that pace.

  But surely Soza, an intelligent and usually reasonable man, would understand all this. It was Karik’s job to gently guide him with the benefit of his own experience, and complement his mentor’s skills. The trick would be to do that without causing offence. Or letting an arse like Lieutenant Romi cause it for him. Now that would be the real challenge.

  Staying Power: 5

  Romi waited impatiently on deck as the ship came in to its berth. The journey had definitely been one of the least pleasant of his experience, and he would be glad to be on solid ground again, a sentiment his companions shared. There was already much slavering in anticipation of the first beer to be had in barracks, although Romi’s own personal ambition was to have a long, thorough bath. He felt seedy and grimy, and relished the thought of clean clothes on clean skin. Roughing it had its place, and so did being neat and orderly. He was also looking forward to a workout—there just had been no way to exercise properly on board, and he missed it.

  By the time the boat was secured in the dock, his companions were all assembled on deck. Karik and Soza had finally come out to join them—Karik was avoiding his eyes, as well he might, Romi thought. No doubt he was thinking of the reunion with his other lover and what lies to feed her. Romi ground his teeth a little in anger, thinking of the misery that little shit was about to cause some innocent woman. It wasn’t as if Soza was worth it.

  He forced himself to attend to his men. He could see an army captain waiting for them below, and a little way off a jesig-drawn calash bore a Ruler and another man—there to meet Karik and Soza, he assumed. Yes, there was the proof—Karik was waving to the calash passengers, one of whom had to be the notorious Prijian Ruler, Lord Arman. The other passenger, a Darshianese, waved back enthusiastically. Now Karik and Soza were leaving the ship, Romi ordered the men to follow suit, since no one had bothered to tell them what to do.

  As soon as he was off the gangplank, the captain came over to them. Romi saluted. “Lieutenant Romi, Temshek barracks. Here on the Andonese mission.”

  The captain returned his salute. “Welcome, I’m Tiko. You all look like you need a beer, a bath and a bed, am I right?”

  Romi grinned. Already he liked this man. “Yes, you could well be.”

  “Then come this way—you know the barracks, Romi?”

  “Yes, been there a couple of times on my way in and out of Andon.” He glanced over at the calash—a reunion was taking place. He refused to give them the satisfaction of seeing his curiosity, and turned his attention back to Tiko. “How many of your people are coming on this, do you know?”

  “Not sure—it’s this way, if you recall—that’s up to his lordship and Kei to decide. We weren’t expecting seven of you—three or four were all we were hoping for. If you all pass muster, that leaves me more of my fellows here where it’s nice and warm. I really don’t envy you going up there at this time of year, you’ll freeze your pissing balls off.”

  “Ah, see, we’re made of sterner stuff in the south. We carry spare ones made out of jombeker hide.” Tiko just grinned at the joke. “When do we get assessed?”

  “Oh, a day or two. Arman...er, Lord Arman thought you might like to get your legs back under you. He understands what it’s like on that route. Did you have bad weather?”

  “Yes, and Netu,” he said, indicating the medic who was taking up the rear, “had some sort of infection. That fellow, Karik, helped look after him.”

  To his surprise, Tiko’s weathered face crinkled up in a fond smile. “He’s a good lad, young Karik. A good man to have at your side, just like his uncle and his Pa.”

  Romi wondered if Tiko knew about Karik’s double life, but it wasn’t his job to enlighten him. “Anyway, Netu’s been very ill, so a day or so to recover would be useful.”

  “I’ll let his lordship know—he won’t have a problem with that. Now, come along, gentlemen, we brew a fine beer in the barracks, let me tell you.”

  ~~~~~~~~

  Pa just about crushed the life out of him, and then it was Arman’s turn, although his uncle was a little more dignified than his father. “Where’s Ma?” Karik finally asked when he was released.

  “Can’t you guess?” Arman said dryly.

  “Jes?”

  “Of course.” Arman cleared his throat. “And this would be Soza?”

  Karik flushed. “Gods, sorry. Soza, let me introduce my father, Reji, and my uncle, Lord Arman.”

  Soza bowed low. “I am
deeply honoured, your lordship.”

  Pa’s eyebrows rose, and Arman cleared his throat again. “Ah, well, thank you. Has Karik explained about the accommodation?”

  “Yes, indeed, and thank you for this kindness. It’s unnecessary for someone as lowly as me.”

  Karik thought his father’s eyebrows would reach his hairline at that remark. “Um, Pa, what about our supplies? We need to stow them.”

  “That’s why I’m here, son. If you come with me, we’ll speak to Temu. Soza can go to the House while we handle all that.”

  “I’ll take Soza over there and come back for the two of you,” Arman said.

  “We could hitch a lift, uncle Arman,” Karik said, not wanting to use a Ruler’s calash like a cart for hire.

  “Afraid not, nephew,” Arman said with a smile. “I’ve been personally charged with getting you back to the house by Kei and your mother, and you know that it’s worth more than my life to ignore their orders.”

  “Let him do as he wants, son,” his Pa said, clapping him on the shoulder. “Thanks, Arman, we won’t be long. An hour should see it all squared away.”

  “Yes, that’s what I thought. Soza? If you would?”

  Soza still seemed a little overwhelmed at the personal attendance of a Ruler, but he hastily gathered his packs and got into the calash. “I shall see you tomorrow, Karik?” he said as Arman climbed into the vehicle after him.

  “I’ll be at the academy—I’ll come to the House first and collect you.”

  Soza gave him a smile for that, and then Arman ordered the calash to drive off.

  “So, how was the trip?” Pa asked as they walked back over to the ship.

  “I’ve had better—all the soldiers were sick, so was Soza. It was his first sea journey—not a great introduction.”

  “No, doesn’t sound it. You’re looking well, son. Looks like Urshek agreed with you.”

  “It was great, Pa. Darshek’s a nice city and there’s everyone here, but Master Jezinke is such a clever man, you can’t imagine. I learned so much.”

  “I’m glad, son. I wished you were coming home for a few months, but this expedition is too good an opportunity to miss. Er...this Soza—sound, is he?”

  Pa wasn’t giving much away in his expression. “He’s very knowledgeable—very well-respected.”

  “Good, good, glad to hear it. What about the soldiers you brought with you? Good people?”

  “They seem so,” Karik said, keeping his tone as neutral as he could. “We didn’t have a lot to do with them since Soza was so sick.”

  That got him a sharp glance from Pa. “Doesn’t sound much like you—not to find out what they’re like.”

  “Well, they’re soldiers. They don’t really have much interest in the things I care about.”

  “Hmmm.” Pa was unconvinced, but Karik really hoped he would drop it, because he wanted Arman and Kei to assess the soldiers on their own merits and not his prejudices. “Oy, Temu! You old rascal!”

  The captain waved to them from the deck. Pa bounded up the gangplank like a man half his age, and the two men embraced as the long-time friends they were. Karik followed more sedately and found the two of them already deep in conversation about the expedition stores. “Right, then I think we’re fine to take things to the barracks as we planned. Can you spare someone, Temu, or shall I ask Tiko to order some soldiers to help?”

  “Oh, I think I can ask a few of the men. You don’t need to supervise, Reji. I’m sure you want to get back to Jena with your son.”

  “I can spare you a few minutes. Besides, I want to make sure you don’t skip out on the bet.”

  “You wound me, Reji. As if I would. Come on down to the hold. Karik, you can tell us what needs moving in what order.”

  Between the three men and Temu’s competent crew, the supplies were efficiently extracted and sent on their way to the barracks for Tiko to take charge of. As they had a little time to spare before Arman returned, Temu invited them to sample a little Prijian wine from his private store before they went.

  Temu wasn’t going on shore like the rest of his crew were—he lived on the ship, and Pa had told Karik that he preferred its accommodation to the inns. He was a widower with a grown son and daughter who lived in south Darshian, so he had no ties and no need to please anyone but himself. He poured them small glasses of the dark wine, and handed one each to Karik and his father. “There you go. I was sorry we never had dinner together, Karik. You had a bad journey this time, I’m sorry.”

  “Not your fault. I was very grateful for your help.”

  “Not at all, my boy. You took charge of that sick soldier very efficiently. It was just a shame that your friend couldn’t have been a little more understanding.”

  Karik flushed and hid his face in the glass. “He was sick too.” His Pa was intensely curious about Temu’s remarks and he wished the captain hadn’t mentioned it.

  “Yes, I suppose so. I’m so used to my boat, I forget what it must be like for someone who’s never been on one. I wasn’t expecting to be taken to task over the quality of my cabin though. I’ve just had it refitted by the finest ship’s carpenter in Urshek.”

  “It’s very fine. I’m sorry about the misunderstanding.” Shut up, Temu, he begged silently.

  It seemed someone heard his pleas, because Pa lifted his glass and looked at the liquid in it. “Gods, Temu, who did you have to kill to get this? I swear even the Rulers don’t have wine this good in their cellars.”

  “And you would know, I’m sure. It’s lovely, isn’t it? I bought a stock in Urshek, a wine merchant selling up to retire to the country. I could let you have a bottle or two, if you like.”

  His Pa held up his hand. “No, don’t let me deprive you. Besides, it would spoil me for the beer. What do you think?”

  Karik sipped it again. He disliked wine usually, since it was on the sharp side, but this one rolled nicely on his tongue. “Smooth. Tastes...old.”

  Temu slapped his thigh. “Now that’s extraordinary, Reji. I was just about to tell you that this wine is a good twenty years old and your son works it out from the taste.”

  “Hmmm, I have to wonder what you’ve been learning in Urshek, Karik. Not been sneaking off and becoming a wine expert instead of learning about your plants, have you?”

  Karik pulled a face at his father’s teasing. “I’m just saying what it tastes like. It’s nice, Temu. Thank you.”

  Temu acknowledged the thanks with a nod. He stood and went to his locker and extracted a small cask of beer. “There you go, you mangy old bastard. I’ve been carrying that for months waiting to give it to you. That’s the best Urshek has to offer.”

  “Thanks, Temu, I’ll think of you when I drink it. Kei says you have to come to dinner while Jena and I are up here.”

  “That’s kind of him, thank you. Now, I suspect his lordship is probably back by now. Shall we go?”

  Karik hastily finished off the lovely wine, and then followed the other two out on deck. Sure enough, Arman was waiting patiently for them.

  “I’ll come down to fetch you for supper,” Reji said, hoisting the cask onto his shoulder.

  “I look forward to it. Karik, it was good having you on board—I’ll see you again, I hope.”

  Karik shook the man’s hand and then they were waved off down the gangplank. His Pa’s need to ask about Temu’s remarks was almost palpable. “Pa,” he whispered, “don’t mention any of that to Arman, please.”

  “Are you sure, Karik? If Soza is that unreasonable—”

  “He’s not, not normally. He had a really bad start, but he’s very nice, honest. I don’t want Arman to judge him unfairly. Give him a chance, please.”

  “As you wish, son, but I can’t say I was happy to hear that.”

  “I know, but we need Soza’s knowledge on this trip and there’s plenty of us who can make up for any deficiencies of experience. I don’t want any trouble.”

  “You can’t expect me not to worry. The man’s supposed t
o be the mission leader.”

  “Only the scientific leader.” They were nearly on the ground. “But maybe...he shouldn’t be more than that.” There, he’d said it, though he felt like a traitor. “Arman should make the decision—why don’t you leave it to him?”

  His Pa frowned. “Very well. I’m not officially involved, you know that. But I’ll speak up if I think things aren’t being well-handled. I’d be a poor father and a poor friend if I didn’t.”

  “I know. It’ll be all right.”

  “It had better be, son of mine, because if you don’t come back alive from Andon, I kick your arse when I catch up with you in the next life.”

  Karik had to grin at that—if anyone could do it, he bet his Pa could.

  Arman was looking a little disgruntled as they got to the calash. “Sorry we’re late, uncle Arman.”

  Arman dismissed his apology with a wave of his hand. “I’ve not been here long. Is your friend always that long-winded or is he just nervous?”

  Karik risked a quick look at his Pa who had his ‘don’t ask me’ expression on his face. “I think he’s nervous, that’s all. And tired—it was a rough trip.”

  Arman grunted. “Very well, I suppose we need to make allowances. Driver, let’s go. My house this time.”

  The calash set off again. It was getting dark, but there was still enough light—just—to see their way as the calash clipped along. “The reports I had on the soldiers were very promising. What’s your impression of them, Karik?”

  “I was telling Pa that I didn’t really get a chance to form one.” Just as Pa had, Arman looked surprised. “I was helping Soza most of the trip—he had the worst seasickness—and then one of the soldiers had an infection so I was busy with him. By the time that was all settled, the journey was over.”

  “Hmmm. I’d been looking forward to your assessment. Never mind, we have three weeks to see them working with you and Tiko’s people. We need this to be a very tightly knit team. There will be no place for loose cannons or inflated egos, or incompetence. I won’t risk your life or theirs by sending the wrong people on this expedition. Better not to run it at all than to do that.”