Toads and Diamonds (20 page)

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Mincing out of her stall, Jasmine saw her friend and made straight for her. She dragged the groom along with her.

"Courtyard's this way, you cow," he said, but the mare didn't stop until she reached Tana's side. Atbeg puffed out a frustrated breath. "Sorry, sir. I'll bring her outside."

"This will do." While the overseer ran his hands over the mare, Jasmine lipped Tana's head scarf.

Exultation sang in Tana's heart. If Kalyan's horse had arrived recently, he couldn't be far. Thank the twelve, she must have picked the right estate. Unless he'd been injured, or worse. But Jasmine looked healthy; perhaps her master had been well treated also. Tana patted the mare's silky neck for comfort. Unobtrusively, she thought, but when the overseer finished, he spoke directly to her.

"Good with horses, are you?"

Tana cast her eyes down as if she were too shy to speak.

The barrel-chested man grunted again. "Show me you can lead the mare out and tie her up and I'll add a copper to your wages."

"But, sir..." the groom began.

Tana didn't give Atbeg a chance to finish his sentence. She rested her shovel against a wall and twitched the lead out of the boy's hand. Tugging on the strap, she walked toward the courtyard. Calm as milk, Jasmine followed. Tana tied the mare to one of the posts and left her with a final pat.

Inside the barn, the overseer was examining another mare while Atbeg stood by. "The black's still favoring her left foreleg," the older man said. "I want you to add the new white one to the courier rotation. And you"--to Tana--"do what the groom here tells you."

Once the overseer was satisfied that Tana could follow Atbeg's

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directions, he went off to inspect the other barns. Tana's fellow sweepers shoveled out the empty stalls without looking at her, as if worried that, like putrid fever, her extra responsibility might be catching.

For Tana, the day passed quickly. She hadn't worked with horses before, just visited Trader Nikhat's. But they didn't frighten her. By watching the white-coat boy, she learned that confidence was more important than strength in getting the mares to do what she wanted. For a chance to find out what had happened to Jasmine's rider, Tana would have volunteered to tend Prince Zahid's hunting cheetahs. Fortunately, Atbeg didn't expect her to ride the mares. She had only to guide them from stall to garden courtyard, and back to a clean box. The animals humored her. Sister Naghali might have turned her face away, but others of the twelve smiled. Tana breathed a silent prayer of thanks to Father Ghodan, the horse god, for his kindness.

The overseer returned late in the afternoon, as the other sweepers were putting away their shovels. Heads bowed, the women eased down the aisle, ready to collect their wages from the gate clerk and go home. The overseer snapped his fingers at Tana. "You, girl. Stay."

She folded her hands and lowered her gaze against a spurt of glee. If the white-coat had a task for her inside the walls, she could see more of the compound, maybe spot some trace of the kidnapped villagers. Where, oh, where had Jasmine's rider been taken?

The burly man waited for the sweepers to leave. He tugged at his coat collar, as if the white fabric itched. "So, Atbeg?" he demanded.

"Sir, they did finish cleaning this barn." Atbeg sounded apprehensive. "If the men are on their feet tomorrow, we'll make better time with the others."

"Don't count on it," the overseer said flatly. Sweat gleamed on

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his forehead. He wiped it with his sleeve. "The fever's vicious. It's spread to the kitchen and house servants, too. Out flat, most of 'em."

Tana made the lotus sign behind her back.

"Almighty God protect us," the groom muttered.

"One man's burden is another's blessing." The overseer laughed without humor. "You're promoted, Atbeg, to acting head groom in charge of the mares. You'll be responsible for this barn, including any courier mounts that arrive, and the foaling barn, too."

"Yes, sir!"

"Don't go back to your quarters until the other men are better. This barn's stocked with bags of dried peas, wheat, and salt. Good enough for my lord's beasts, and you, too. You'll find cooking pots and blankets in with the travel gear in the storeroom. Eat here, wash here, and sleep in the foaling barn. Understand?"

"Yes, sir." Atbeg sounded subdued.

"You, too, sweeper girl. Eat here, sleep here. Obey Atbeg."

Tana nodded.

"Don't talk much, do you?" The overseer pulled at his collar. "Makes a refreshing change."

"But, sir!" Atbeg exclaimed. "She's a filthy dirt-eater. And a girl. They can't be
grooms."

"Word of God." The overseer frowned at Atbeg. "She's healthy enough to lift a shovel and a bucket. Unless you want to care for all the mares by yourself?"

"No, sir."

"It's just for a few days." The overseer fumbled in his coat, then tossed a copper coin in Tana's direction and another at Atbeg. From the groom's delighted expression, his was silver. "No trouble with the girl, eh, Atbeg?" The overseer wiped his face again. "My

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lady's a stickler about the local women, our kind or dirt-eaters, doesn't matter. Leave 'em alone."

"Of course, sir."

Atbeg didn't need to sound quite so...
repulsed,
Tana thought. Then she remembered she had spent days shoveling muck and sleeping in a nest of leaves. She couldn't smell herself, but others might not be so lucky.

"Good." The overseer put his fist to his mouth and left abruptly. Tana wouldn't be surprised to learn that he was headed for his own bed. Via the latrine pits.

Atbeg polished the coin on his sleeve. He stopped when he noticed Tana watching. "I'll show you the grain bins so you can make us porridge. I have to see to the brood mares."

Tana nodded.

"Wait till my father hears. Acting head groom." The boy flipped his coin and then tucked it into his belt.

She wished him joy on his promotion. Tana was sorry for the sick people, of course, but if illness had so disrupted the household that lowly day laborers were trusted with valuable livestock, who knew what else she might manage? As the overseer had said, a burden for one might mean a blessing for another.

That night, Jasmine received a thorough brushing and an extra measure of grain.

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***

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE Diribani

SHE
found Zahid on the rooftop terrace, deep in discussion with Ghiyas the steward and a tall man Diribani didn't recognize. The stranger's occupation became clear from the snatches of conversation that reached Diribani's ears as she and Nissa strolled at the far end of the terrace, waiting for a chance to approach the prince. A builder, it appeared; the men were talking about where to put a new palace, adjacent to this one and connected by gardens.

Diribani wondered why the prince was considering it, when this one was so large and so lovely. Her thoughts skittered like squirrels. Other grand houses ringed the fort grounds. The nobles' wives and daughters spent time in the ladies' court, but slept under their own roofs. Did Zahid want a place for his family, when he married? Had he chosen a bride? That news would set the palace abuzz, but Nissa hadn't mentioned it. And a palace would take time to build. No immediate plans, then. Diribani wiped damp palms on her skirts. She had business with the prince; best keep her mind on that.

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The steward's narrow face was familiar, though it was most unusual to see a man other than Ruqayya's brother inside the ladies' court. On the other hand, this terrace did have the best view of the fort grounds, and the guard at the bottom of the stairs had warned them about the prince's guests. Like the other women guards, Zeen didn't veil, but Nissa had put on her head scarf. Diribani rearranged her dress wrap in the agreed-upon style.

The coldest part of the year was passing at a tortoise's imperceptible pace. Today, instead of frost, thick dew beaded the terrace's potted palms and roses. Servants hadn't yet brought out carpets and cushions, and the broad expanse was empty but for their two small groups. So as not to stare at the prince, Diribani leaned on the railing and looked in the other direction, where the land dropped sharply. "Can we see the mines from here, Nissa?"

An orchid fluttered over the railing. Zeen cleared her throat.

Diribani's maid joined her. "It's still a bit misty. This time of year, you get a better view later in the day. But it's that direction." She pointed to one of the narrow valleys, where the fog was lifting in white wisps from the trees.

This time, Diribani turned her head before she spoke, to let Naghali-ji's gifts drop to the terrace. Zeen could collect the jewels later. "Where the fireworks were coming from last night?"

"Exactly."

"Good morning, ladies."

Nissa bowed and backed away. Diribani schooled her expression to serenity before she turned. Ridiculous, the effect one person's voice could have on someone. "Good morning, Your Highness."

The steward and builder had gone. The breeze played with Zahid's dark hair. It fluttered Diribani's dress wrap around her face and stirred

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daffodil petals at her feet. The prince picked up the bright-yellow blossoms and set them on the railing. "Did you enjoy the fireworks?"

"Yes, very much." Diribani shot a sly glance at Nissa. "Though I understand they're better in Moonbird Month."

"Moonbird?" The prince sounded puzzled. Then he laughed. "Oh,
those
fireworks. I must admit, they're my favorite part of the day's events also."

"Why is that?" Diribani asked.

The prince smiled at her. "Because then I know it's almost over."

Diribani kept her voice light. "Is it such hard work, celebrating your birthday?" An emerald and a ruby plinked onto the terrace.

"Long," the prince said. "And some of the customs are more entertaining than others."

The humor in his voice encouraged her to ask, "Like what?"

"The weighing, for one." Zahid sighed so mournfully that Diribani burst out laughing.

"Why, do they weigh you against your brothers and sisters, to see who is more valuable?"

The prince's expression set her off again. "That's a fine idea," he said. "I'll suggest it to Ruqayya. Usually, I sit by myself in a scale pan. Guests put gifts in the other pan, and when the scales balance, the offerings are distributed to the poor. I can't get up and join the feast until that happens."

"I'm sure it doesn't take long," Diribani said, scattering peony blossoms and little lumps of turquoise.

"That depends on how my sister has rigged the scales." Zahid's voice was dry. "She likes to make me wait, so I have to ask Ghiyas to bring a couple of bolts of fabric or sacks of grain to add when the gifts are drying up."

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Diribani was touched that he would admit his counterstrategy to her. It sounded like something Indu would do. "We won't let you miss the feast," she promised.

The prince put his hand over his heart and bowed. "Thank you"

"I do have a favor to ask," Diribani said, before he could go.

"Name it."

Diribani fancied she heard a note of reserve. What favor might he be reluctant to grant her? She chose her words carefully. "I'm glad that Naghali-ji's jewels are returned to Tenth Province, but I would like to keep some out." She gestured at the stones lying at her feet.

"You have before, without asking my leave," he said.

Zahid didn't look at Nissa, but Diribani was aware of her maid holding her breath. She spoke slowly, feeling her way. "Princess Ruqayya said I could make a direct gift if I chose."

"Yes," he said.

Behind Diribani, Nissa breathed again.

"But I don't want to give these away. I want to sell them."

Zahid's expression lost all its humor. "Why?"

A prince's voice, not a friend's, had asked the question. She mustn't forget. To her, the jewels were a miracle. To him, they represented something else. Diribani had the sense she was pushing a big rock uphill, but she forged on, spraying bloodstones and diamonds between them. "I want to build a stepwell for the miners. So they have a place to wash, at the end of the day. So their wives and daughters don't have to climb up and down to the river. Tenth Province has plenty of wells; Governor Alwar shouldn't feel cheated."

"You want to build a well near the mine?" the prince repeated. His face gave her no hint of his opinion.

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What was the matter? Did he believe her idea ill-advised? Was he insulted that a newcomer would suggest the imperial mine wasn't run properly? Except that the merchants were responsible for the workers' villages, Nissa had said. So Diribani hadn't insulted his oversight of the mines. Had she? She was committed now; she had to continue.

"If the ground's too hard for digging, perhaps one of those valleys could be dammed?" Diribani went on in a rush. Gemstones pattered onto the terrace. Flowers landed with softer thumps. "Those water jars looked so heavy, and the path is so steep, and the girls are working so hard...."

"I think it's an inspired idea."

His face was still stern, but Zahid sounded so positive that Diribani blushed. "You do?"

"Yes." He clasped his hands behind his back and began to pace.

Like his sister, Diribani thought. She hurried to keep up. "So you'll help me value the stones and trade them to pay for the materials and workers?"

"Of course. In fact, the crown will match your gift."

"Oh!" Diribani smelled narcissus and violets. "Will it be that expensive?"

"Costly enough," Zahid said. "But the project will benefit our subjects. Also, His Excellency Governor Alwar will complain less if we don't completely halt the flow of jewels to Gurath."

"It won't affect your building plans?" When the prince glanced at her, Diribani confessed, "I overheard you and the other men talking."

He shook his head. "The well should be started first, to capture next season's rains. The other project's not as"--he seemed to be searching for the right word--"pressing," he concluded, with an