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“Never mind.” She spat into the iron plate that caught the wax from his bedcandle. He lit his candle from the flame. “Some great lord would probably give you employ just to do that,” he mused.
“I’ve had an idea about the estate.”
“Let’s hear it, then.”
If she had the right muscles for it, she would be smiling. She tried pulling her griff as high as she could, and felt the corners of her mouth go up. “Sell Mossbell to me! I’d let you live here until the end of your days, without asking for anything. My way of repaying the debt I owe you for saving me.”
Rainfall’s face fell. “Ah. An excellent idea, but it wouldn’t work, I’m afraid.”
“Why not?”
“Wouldn’t be legal. There are actually two objections. You must be a Hypatian Citizen to own Hypatian land. The estate also controls the bridge and road, and only a titled Hypatian may own that.”
“So to own the estate entire, I must be a Hypatian citizen and titled. No other objection?”
“No. I’d once hoped Lada would marry well, but she’s been dishonored beyond any man with a title taking her.”
“Why can’t I become a Hypatian citizen, and titled, then?”
At that Rainfall’s hand gripped the bedrail so hard, his knuckles went bloodless. “By the Guide Divine, you’re right! Why not? Rah-ya, Tala. Rah-ya! I know just how to do it. Rah-yah! What a joke! To my library, I’m sure there’s a precedent of use.”
Chapter 17
ainfall sat in his reception hall with the tablets on his lap. “It’s a sacrifice, but one I’m prepared to make for our sake. Look on the words with me one last time, Wistala.”
The words may have been illustrious, but the reception hall wasn’t much. According to Rainfall, there’d once been a grand set of chairs and trophies in the form of helms, scabbards, and weapons belonging to his grandfather—all long since sold. Only his azure battle sash remained, draped behind the very ordinary chair that sat against the wall opposite the arched door, bereft of the gilding that had once adorned it.
But good light came in through the narrow windows. Yari-Tab protested as she was removed from the sunny ledge in preparation.
“Perhaps you should step into the attendant room, Wistala, until the dwarves have gone. I don’t want to startle our guests.”
Wistala hooked her sii claw in a wall knothole and pulled open the paneled door with a squeak. She closed it again, and found she could see much of the room admirably through the knothole.
“You may show them in now, Yeo Lessup,” Rainfall said.
The lanky boy, in a new suit of clothes and his first pair of attending slippers, raised his eyebrows in surprise at the use of his household title. He gave a little bow as he turned.
“Forstrel,” Rainfall said. “When at court, always finish your bow and then go about your business.”
“Sorry,” he said.
“No need for apologies. Please go about it properly, Yeo Lessup.”
This time the youth bowed and came fully upright before leaving.
Within moments, two dwarves entered the room. They wore riding apparel with long scarves woven into diamond patterns. Their faces were masked behind stiffened leather, with gauze covering their beards. They removed their hats and bowed. The foremost was a little taller and heavier than the one behind, and had golden coins set into his belt.
“Ah, couriers of Chartered Company,” Rainfall said from the humble chair. “I trust the funds sent were adequate for your appearance?”
“Yes, sir,” the foremost answered in easy Parl.
“Well here’s a Hypatian Silver for each of you anyway for being so prompt. Whom do I have the honor of addressing?”
The masks turned toward each other.
“The signs of the Diadem are not enough?” the foremost said. “We’ll show you our seals, if you like.”
“No need. It’s simply that I wish to be social.”
