"While you sit on yourbackside and supervise?"
"But of course."
She sat back down beside him."It does not surprise me. Heathen laziness."
"Exactly."
They tended the fire allnight, most of the time sitting in comfortable silence. It was near dawn whenshe said haltingly, "I have something to say."
"I thought youwould."
"Even though /Ian isdead, I can never—" She stopped and then said, "I cannot feel for youas I did."
"I know."
"Everything is different.Changed."
"Everything alwayschanges. Seasons pass, children are born, men die." He nodded to thekettle. "Those masks are no more. Another change."
"I mean I cannot—"
"Hush." He met hergaze. "I know what you are trying to say. I always know." He reacheddown and stirred the fire. "I believe we need more wood, apprentice."
"That big crate goes downto the ship, Tamar," Jane said as she briskly walked down the palacecorridor. She pointed to a large alabaster vase in the corner of the foyer bythe front door. "And pack that too. It's always been a particular favoriteof—"
"You are goingsomewhere?" Li Sung stood in the doorway, his gaze wandering over thethree servants trailing behind Jane, carrying boxes and articles of furniture.
"Of course not,"Jane said. "Margaret is taking Ian back to Glenclaren for burial. She'ssailing two days from now and I thought she'd like to have a few pieces offurniture to brighten up that huge barn of a castle."
"They will not besuitable," Li Sung said. "Glenclaren is not Cinnidar."
"Beauty is alwayssuitable." She gestured toward the servants to go ahead and led Li Sungout to the terrace. "How is the work on the docks coming?"
"Not too bad. There wasmuch damage to the warehouses and Medford is going to have to replace fivemiles of his track. We were lucky that Abdar was in too big a hurry to get toRuel to do equal damage to the canyon tracks."
"Very lucky," sheagreed. "I judge once we've finished with the repairs here it should takeus only another month to complete the line."
He shook his head. "Twomonths."
She frowned. "Why? Idon't perceive any problems."
"You have a very greatproblem. You're going to lack my remarkable self at the helm as second incommand."
"What?"
"I'm going away. Ruel canwait for his railroad."
"Away? Where are yougoing?"
"Dilam says this is asplendid time for me to visit the High Council."
"Why would you want to dothat?"
He grinned. "I believeit's time this matriarchal society was forced to admit a few maleleaders."
"Can't it wait?"
He shook his head. "Thebattle against Abdar gave me much respect. I must strike while the iron ishot." He added, "Besides, I must meet Dilam's children. It istime."
