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“Water.”
As Lenore went to the small kitchenette area for a glass of water, she heard him mutter that she was nicer to look at, too, and she didn’t mind.
Once she was satisfied that Baris had consumed enough calories and was properly hydrated, she administered a dose of sleeping tonic. Baris initially refused, as he did not wish to sleep. After catching a whiff of the musty, sweat-soaked bed sheets, she couldn’t blame him. Fresh linens would be nice, but it could wait.
“Come on. Lie down.” Lenore patted the spot next to her on the sofa. “You need to sleep, and nothing’s better than napping on the sofa.”
He sat stiffly next to her, hands in his lap.
“Put your head here.” She patted her lap. He gave her a look of pure skepticism. “Traditional Earth remedy.”
He stretched out and settled his head on her lap. Lenore tugged the throw blanket down, arranging it over him. The sleeping tonic would kick in soon, but until then, she wanted to keep his mind off the pain.
“I’m curious about the karu,” she said, brushing back the hair from his forehead. The fever made his skin clammy. Hopefully, it would break soon. “There’s a lot I’ve picked up from context, but there’s a lot more that I don’t understand. There are gaps that no one talks about because everyone already knows. Does that make sense?”
“You are trying to distract me,” he grumbled.
“Yes, I am,” she said matter-of-factly, “and I’ll keep asking questions, so don’t even think that a little temper tantrum is gonna put me off.”
Baris mumbled a reply.
“What was that?” she asked.
“Nothing about me is little.”
She shouldn’t have laughed. It wasn’t professional, but his delivery was so dry, so confident, that she couldn’t help herself.
“It is gratifying that my suffering amuses you,” he said. “What do you want to know about the karu?”
“Do you want to talk about the karu? It’s okay if you don’t. I’m also curious about Arcosian classical theater because the play last night went right over my head.”
He took a long moment for a thoughtful reply. She liked that. “I would rather discuss karu than that play,” he said.
“First question, how come I only see karu with the aristocrats? It’s all Lord Notorious or Lady Important.”
“Are those real human names?”
“No, I’m being sarcastic to make a point. I never see a karu on the shoulder of an ordinary Joe. Joe is a name, but an ordinary Joe is just a regular person,” she explained, even though Baris probably understood enough to catch her meaning. He relaxed as she spoke, which encouraged her to keep rambling. “Granted, I’m usually in the palace, but when I’m at the academy, I don’t see karu with the staff or patients.” Moving on instinct, she combed her fingers through his hair. “It could be selection bias. Like I said, I’m in the palace or the academy most days. I haven’t had a chance to really explore the city. Maybe the karu of the ordinary person is out there.”
“There is a simple explanation,” he said, eyes fluttering closed as if he enjoyed the touch. “Karu are sacred. It is an honor to be the companion of such beings. Many try. Few are chosen. If you are one of the few chosen for a bond, you are elevated to nobility.”
“What? An instant title, just like that?”
“It is an ancient tradition. There are those among the oldest houses that dislike having their ranks sullied with someone from humble origins.”
“Isn’t that how they became nobles?”
“Often. Sometimes, the monarch rewards a notable service to the crown with a title.”
“Valiant deeds?”
“The Frostwings loaned a large sum of money to the crown two centuries ago. That is how they rose in rank.”
Lenore recognized the name. Lydia’s boss was a Frostwing. “Well, that happened in Earth's history, too.”
“War is expensive.” His breathing slowed as the sleeping pill finally kicked in.
“Truer words. Okay, second question. Why don’t the karu have names? The only one I know with a name is Pitch.”
