Page 10 of Dark Destiny: The Turning Of The Loom

The Odu's expression looked as artificial as ever, with that same fake smile painted on his artificially weathered face, but the words had rung true and sincere.

"Thank you, Ogidu. I shall remember these words whenever things become too overwhelming, and I feel like giving up."

The fake smile morphed into something that looked real. "You never give up, Master. It is not in your nature."

Khiann wanted to chuckle at that, but then he remembered that the Odu had known him from before, and the words gave him a boost of confidence that lasted long enough for him to park the chair beside the bed.

By then the room was starting to tilt.

Ogidu lifted him onto the mattress and arranged his legs, then pulled the blanket over him and tucked it around his shoulders, even though there was no need for that because the room was not cold.

Khiann did not object.

The pillows were heavenly, cradling his head as if they were made of a fluffy cloud. The blanket was light and warm, and the house was quiet.

"Rest, Master," Ogidu said from the door. "I will wake you before Master Esag arrives."

Khiann closed his eyes and fell asleep before Ogidu closed the door behind him.

5

ESAG

Esag rang the bell with one hand and balanced a pot of Tuh'u with the other. It was heavy, hot, and smelled of beets, mutton, and beer.

"A whiff of this and his memory will come rushing back," Tula had said.

He'd always hated how the dish smelled, but Khiann used to love it, so maybe Tula was right.

Ogidu opened the door. "Master Esag." He looked at the pot. "Tuh'u?"

"Yes. Tula made it for Khiann. He used to love this dish, so maybe it will help restore his memories."

"Interesting idea." Ogidu took the pot from him. "The Clan Mother is in the living room, and Master Khiann will be there in a moment."

"Thank you." Esag followed the butler inside.

"What is that smell?" Annani asked when he walked in.

"Tuh'u. Tula made it."

Annani pursed her lips. "I remember. It was a peasant dish. I am surprised that Tula knows the recipe."

"She got it from Tamira, who seems to have an excellent memory for things no one else remembers."

"I have not smelled that in five thousand years," Annani said. "I am going to call Tula and ask for the recipe."

Esag kept his face straight as he nodded. Annani had never cooked anything in her life. She'd had the Odus, and the idea of her standing over a pot of mutton fat was ludicrous. She should tell Ogidu to call Tula for the recipe instead.

Nevertheless, Tula would love the Clan Mother calling her, so he wasn't going to say anything.

The sound of an electric motor preceded Khiann's arrival, and the first thing he did was to sniff the air. "What smells good?"

"A dish you used to like, compliments of my mate." Esag sat down on the couch and waited for Khiann to park his chair. "She says that one taste will get your memories back."

"I doubt that." Khiann maneuvered the chair to a spot across from the coffee table and stopped. "But thank her for me."

"I will."