Ten Crescent Moons (Moonquest) (2 page)

She knew
those precious gems were awarded as merit for numbers of enemy slain. She
dropped her eyes momentarily, to hide a flash of hatred.

Those slain
were her own people. Innocent people, murdered by these cruel conquerors.

The captain
shifted impatiently in his saddle. "The courtesies have been observed. You
may look directly at me to state your business. But please make haste. I look
forward to the solace of my new abode. And a bath. As you might have noticed, I
need one."

His frank
talk left Adalginza speechless momentarily, but he paid her no further
attention. The captain peered over his shoulder, back down the street.

"Where
are the wagons, Luzicos?" He addressed the soldier with the expression as
hard and cold as the jewels he wore.

"I
hear them coming, sir. They were right behind us."

Sure
enough, two lumbering wagons rounded a building that blocked part of the view
of Sola Re's main street. They looked like toy wooden replicas, growing slowly
larger under the power of two teams of four sturmons straining with the heavy
load of supplies and passengers.

"Ah.
Well. They are far behind. So we must wait anyway, it seems." Resignedly,
the young captain threw one leg over the saddle and slid nimbly from his mount
to land directly in front of her. "You have my full attention, lady. For
the moment, anyway. Your name, please?"

"Adalginza."

"I
said you can look directly at me. So do it. I find it impossible to converse
without an honest look at someone's face."

"If — you
say so, sir. But it is unseemly."

"Unseemly,
or no. It is what I prefer. I thought custom would not be so rigid here in the
frontier. But then it is you who probably could teach me about the frontier.
How long have you lived here?"

"In
Sola Re? For almost three seasons. But I was born in the frontier, sir."

"Really?"
His eyes rested briefly on the ceremonial sash covering her bosom. "And
you are from the House of the Fifth Crescent? I'm aware that your founding clan
is on the Ibornian sector of the Prime Continent. Very impressive place. Though
cold out on those plains. I attended some classes at the War Academy there with
a few of your cousins. Distant ones, of course. I'm sure you've never met them."

"Very
unlikely, sir. I myself have never even been to the Prime Continent."

"Not
surprising at all. The Houses are scattering like the winds. Probably for the
best. The in-breeding creates some frightful monstrosities. A small percentage
of children of the House of the First Crescent have extra toes on their right
feet, and no wonder. But what am I saying? Your House prohibits education for
daughters. You don't even know what genetics are."

Adalginza
knew perfectly well, but hid that fact by raising her eyebrows in puzzlement.

The captain
shifted the weight of the heavy helmet under his arm, and peered down the
street at the slow progression of the wagons. He turned back to give her an
authentic smile so disarming that it temporarily interrupted her heart's
anxious thudding.

"My
name is Kalos."

A long,
awkward pause followed.

The nudge
Bruna gave her was too subtle for Kalos to notice, thanks be to the gods.
Adalginza fought panic, trying to think of what to say beyond the carefully
rehearsed script she had formulated.

She had been
so sure the ritualistic first greeting of the knights would guide her through
this meeting. She hadn't expected the new captain to be so — unsettling.

Still, she
had to say something, no matter how insipid.

"So,
you are a scholar? As well as a soldier?"

"Indeed.
Unusual, I know. I joined the crusade as a soldier to satisfy my need for
adventure, and as a scholar to satisfy my need to know. Does this make sense to
you, Lady Adalginza?" He didn't wait for an answer. "No, of course
not. It doesn't even make sense to my own family."

At that
moment, a loud female voice sliced the air like a sword thrown through gel. "Kalos!
Who is that woman?"

The voice
originated from the first wagon.

Adalginza stared
at it long enough to identify the erect figure of an elder, dressed in a
traditional grass green robe of the Ninth House. She boldly sat next to the
wagon driver, who looked so miserable that Adalginza guessed he wished his
passenger had chosen to ride in the comfort of the shaded seats in back.

"I
will introduce you, Mother! And Zartos as well! Have patience!" Kalos
grinned at Adalginza. "Prepare yourself. Mother thinks all available
ladies of knights are out to snare me as a prize husband. I'm very wealthy, you
know. Not to mention handsome. And charming."

"Oh?"
Adalginza felt her cheeks burning. She thought she heard smothered laughter
from Bruna's direction.

"I am
making a joke. Surely you recognize that. Ah, but where are my manners? You had
business with me. I should give you a chance to speak. Quickly, please. For I
must soon be on my way."

"I
wish to invite you — "

The noise
of the two wagons rumbling like a rock fall cut off what Adalginza was about to
say. As the first rolled to a halt, the lady aboard the wagon held out her hand
to the driver in a clear gesture that drove him hastily from his seat.

He ran to
her side of the wagon to assist her in a step down to the running board. She
gathered up the folds of her flowing robe and marched over to her son. The
glance she gave Adalginza was dismissive.

"You
are from the House of the Fifth Crescent? Poor dear. Such a repressive place."

"Mother,
your manners are lacking." Kalos smiled tolerantly.

"Are
they? Yes, I suppose they are."

She turned
back to Adalginza and extended her left hand. Ceremoniously, Adalginza touched
the tips of the long, slender fingers with her own right hand, then made a
small curtsy.

"I am
Adalginza, third lady of the House of the Fifth Crescent." Her designation
identified her as young, from the third generation of those still living.

"And I
am Redolo, first lady of the House of the Ninth Crescent. Rebels that we are."

This was
not accepted ritual script. Not at all. And once again, Adalginza had no idea
how to respond.

At least she
now better understood where Kalos had acquired his outrageous behavior.

She admired
the intricate braids of Redolo's gray hair, and the finely sculpted face of a
woman she judged to be near the age of sixty full seasons. The scrutiny she
received in return was bold, making her fidget inwardly with discomfort.

"Indeed,
you have the eyes of the elite among the Crescent Houses." Redolo made the
observation in a tone of grudging approval. "Indigo. Such a striking
color. You don't need all that goo painted around them, my dear."

"I…don't?"

"No.
They are lovely of themselves. A woman lucky enough to inherit indigo eyes is
coveted among all the Houses. Silly, is it not? Because then the eye color will
be bred into oblivion. But, of course you don't understand genetics. Why are
you not taken?"

"Mother!"
Kalos interrupted with a good-natured laugh. "That's personal. People of
the Fifth House do not discuss personal matters with strangers."

"I
have never met anyone with indigo eyes who had skin and hair so dark,"
Redolo said speculatively. "The indigo trait is always linked to the
golden coloring. Always. And the braid of her hair falls on the right, not the
left. Not the way of the Fifth House at all. This is most unusual."

"She
is not a subject for your experiments. Leave her be."

"Do
not address your mother in such a tone."

As they
exchanged glares, they missed the alarmed look that passed swiftly between
Adalginza and Bruna.

Bruna dared
to whisper under her breath: "You must distract her. By the gods, hurry.
She is already too close to the truth."

Distraction
was fortunately provided for Adalginza, in the form of a young boy who hurtled
out the back of the second wagon before it even rolled completely to a halt. 
He eagerly ran to the side of Kalos.

"Are
we at our abode? Do I now get my own sturmon, as you promised? Can I ride it
now, uncle?"

Both Kalos
and Redolo regarded the young boy with open fondness.

"Back
in the wagon with you," Kalos said. "We are not there yet. Soon,
though."

The boy
turned to gape at Adalginza.

Since she no
longer knew the ceremonial rules with these people, she brought the fan back
toward her face as a precaution.

Kalos
intercepted the gesture, grabbing her wrist lightly. "No, no. Not
necessary. He is but a boy, only ten seasons of age. I would think even in your
House that you would not need to do this, even for a male child."

"You
are right, sir. But — I no longer know what is proper."

Kalos threw
back his head in a hearty laugh. "I can see you have never met anyone from
the House of the Ninth Crescent Moon before."

"That
is true."

"We
are the house furthest removed from the First House. We have our own ways."

"So I
have heard."

"You
have heard of us at least. Good. We are much talked about, and take great pride
in such."

"You
are talked about," Adalginza agreed cautiously. "But until this
meeting, I did not realize. I mean, I did not know you were so…"

Her voice
trailed away, and Kalos laughed again.

He grabbed
the shoulders of the boy and pushed him forward, in front of him. "Allow
me to introduce the youngest of our small family. Zartos, fourth gentleman of
the House of the Ninth Crescent."

"This —
is all your clan?" Adalginza asked.

"All of
us who are left living," Kalos replied, with unusual somberness. "Savages
murdered most of our immediate bloodline in the colonial revolt of South Port.
Both of my younger sisters were massacred. Along with my father. And this boy's
parents. It happened just last season. We are still in mourning."

"I'm…sorry,"
Adalginza said hesitantly.

Zartos
looked over his shoulder at his uncle, with a brave expression betrayed by
large, light blue eyes pooled with tears. Kalos brought his arms around the
boy, and gave him a brief hug. His look was dangerous.

"We
will have our revenge," he assured her. "That is why I asked to be
sent here. There is talk of another revolt. Here. In Sola Re. Yes, my lady. Do
not look so pale. If such be the case, my sword will be red with the blood of savages."

Adalginza
risked a quick glance at Bruna, whose eyes remained carefully downcast.

So the captain
already knew of the planned revolt? This was terrible news indeed.

Adalginza
paused, before forcing out the response she knew was required of her. "Then
let their blood and their bones make fertile the soil."

Manners now
dictated that Adalginza introduce herself to the boy, which she did with
exaggerated formality that helped mask her fears.

She
stuttered slightly during the presentation, but Zartos seemed pleased at the
attention from a pretty lady. He grinned, then gave a brief though slightly
self-conscious bow in response.

"It is
my pleasure to encounter a gracious lady from a distinguished house." He
recited the proper words perfectly. Then, he deviated from the script with his
own version of a formal response. "If ever you are in need of defense from
a Crescent sword, this knight will ride forth to your call."

Both Zartos
and Redolo responded with affectionate laughter.

"It is
premature to make such pledges," Kalos said. "You are too young for
the Crescent sword, my boy. And it was the wish of my father's brother that you
be spared the path of the soldier. These words were uttered even as your father
died. They must be honored."

"You
are to be a scholar," Redolo said flatly, giving Kalos a scathing look. "And
only
a scholar. Unlike some people in this family, who refused the path
written for them."

Zartos
merely shrugged, and turned his attention back to Adalginza.

"And
what of you?" he asked. "How many of your clan live here with you?
Would there be any of my age? Do any have sturmons of their own?"

"I am
the only one left living of my clan," Adalginza answered simply.

Her words
left a stunned, silent reaction. And to leave these people wordless was an
accomplishment indeed.

Of course,
her statement was a lie. From here on, it would be a dance of danger to guard
that lie.

"Oh,"
Redolo said finally, and a little faintly. "Then you are a lady of knights
who lives alone in your abode?"

"Yes."

"Did
the savages murder your clan, too?" Hatred laced the question, making the
boy Zartos sound indecently older.