“I was afraid to become this. I guess I was more afraid of running away on my own.”
He couldn’t tell if her tone held an accusation. “I had nothing—”
“Of course,” she said too quickly, brushing his unfinished excuse away.
“I don’t know this place. Is there somewhere… I would like to talk.”
“Of course,” she said again. She began to reach for his hand, to hold it, and to lead him. She stopped herself, paused, and said, “Follow me.”
Tau followed. They didn’t go far. There was a circle just a couple of paths away from the drinking house. At the circle’s center was a small fountain that was so dry it looked like it had never seen water. Along the periphery, near the adobe buildings that formed the circle’s walls, were stone benches. Other than an old Proven sleeping on the bench with the most shade, the circle was empty.
Zuri led him to the bench farthest from the man. She sat and he joined her.
“It doesn’t feel real,” she said.
“It doesn’t,” Tau told her. “Zuri”—it was good to say her name—“how long have you been in Citadel City?”
“Two moon cycles. They took me… I left not long after you did.” She looked at his sword and clothes. He was wearing the slate-gray uniform the isikolo provided for all initiates. “You’re an Ihashe?”
“I’m an initiate,” Tau said, unable to ignore the question in her voice. “As an Ihashe, I can duel Kellan Okar.”
“Kellan Okar?” she asked, before realization came. “One of the men who—”
“He’s a third-cycle Indlovu initiate. I can duel him within the law. Then, when I graduate and become a military man, I can demand a blood-duel of Abasi Odili.”
Zuri’s eyes widened. “The guardian councillor? He’ll have a Body, an Ingonyama. Did you know that?”
Her question made his plan seem mad, impossible. He refused to let her see his doubt. “I do.”
“Tau…” Zuri shook her head, and her eyes slipped to his scar again. It was too close to pity.
“They murdered my father!”
“And will your death, to the same man’s blade, bring him back?”
“I have to do this.”
“I see,” she said, and Tau knew she didn’t.
“How are you?” he asked, changing the topic. “How are you, here?”
She offered him a tight smile. “I’m well. It’s both better and worse than I expected.”
Tau tried to lift her spirits. “You outrank Umbusi Onai.”
Her smile grew. “I am looking forward to seeing her again and asking her to wash my underthings, for once.”
Tau laughed. It was forced, but the tension between them eased.
“Did you hear about Jabari?” she asked.
Tau didn’t think the name would affect him as much as it did. “Jabari? What happened? Is he well?”
“Yes, sorry. I didn’t mean to startle you. He tested in the North. He passed.”
“He’s in the city?”
“Somewhere.”
Two of the most important people in his life had, somehow, found their way to this strange city of domes, gifts, and violence. “Have you seen him?” Tau asked.
“No. Not yet.”
“If you do, will you tell him…” Tau had no idea what he could possibly say to Jabari. “Never mind.” Zuri’s eyes softened and she gave him a little smile. More pity he didn’t want. “Do they have you doing witchcraft already?” he asked, hoping to lift some of the dark around them.
Zuri guffawed and covered her mouth, eyes gleaming. “You heathen! Not witchcraft. Gifts!”
“Ah yes, gifts. Of course.”
Her smile was large and real. “And yes, they do. I’m still learning, but I’m doing well. Very well.” Her chin lifted with pride. “I’m one of the strongest in my cycle. Can you believe it? Me?”
“I believe it,” Tau told her.
The compliment made her look away, pleased and shy in her pleasure. “I’ve hoped for this day,” she said.
Tau hadn’t dared hope, but he nodded. Zuri reached for his hand. He met her halfway and their fingers touched. She looked up at him, a new question on her face. He tried to read it but heard footsteps and laughter. Zuri snatched her hand away as three Indlovu, first cycles by the look of them, came into the circle. They were drunk. Tau tensed.
The first Indlovu, two heads taller than Tau and half again as heavy, noticed them first. Zuri’s black robes stood out, identifying her as Gifted. The Noble thumped a fist into his chest, saluting her. That was when he got a good look at Tau.
“Lady Gifted,” he said, “you are well?”
“Thank you, Initiate, I am.”
There was an uncomfortable silence. The Indlovu wanted to do more, say more, but wasn’t certain enough of protocol to push the issue. He tried another tact. “May we escort you home, my lady? Are we worthy?”
“Ever worthy, as are all men of the Indlovu Citadel. However, I am not on my way home, but I thank you again. Good evening and may the Goddess smile upon you.”
The other Indlovu were watching Tau, their hands close to their swords. Tau fought the instinct to reach for his weapon.
“And may She smile on you as well,” the lead Indlovu said, turning his attention to Tau. “The sun is setting, little Lesser. Time to run home.”
Tau’s hands itched. He pictured drawing his bronze and attacking but knew he’d die before bleeding the first one. He held himself as still as he could and nodded his assent. It wasn’t enough, and the man waited, his huge hand sliding along his belt toward his sword.
There was nothing else for it. Tau stood. “It is late, nkosi. Thank you.” He bowed to Zuri. “Lady Gifted, your advice and time have been more than I deserve.”
Zuri was tense too, but she had a part to play if violence was to be avoided. “It is our duty to serve in what ways we can.”
Tau bowed again and walked away from her. He heard the Indlovu walking closer, believed they planned to attack him as soon as he was out of Zuri’s sight, but they stopped and Tau heard the Indlovu talking about the pleasant coolness of the evening. The man meant to stay with her, to be sure Tau wouldn’t come back.
Tau had few reasonable choices, and so he returned to the drinking house, grinding his teeth hard enough to make his jaw ache. He saw the others as they were leaving.
“Tau!” Yaw called.
Hadith smiled when he saw Tau and threw something across the distance. Tau snatched it out of the air. It was his purse, empty.
“Two circles!” Hadith said. “Had enough for two circles.”
“On us, next time,” Uduak said.
Themba wobbled into view. “I’m drunk.”
“A nice long march will sort that out,” Hadith told him, making Themba grimace.
“Tau? You well?” Yaw asked, while Oyibo blinked at him, his eyes bleary and round as a spice mortar.
Tau wasn’t. He nodded anyway. “Fine.” He moved alongside the men and they left the city, heading for the meeting place.
Halfway through the march, Hadith drew apace with Tau. He’d been waiting for a moment alone. Tau didn’t want to hear what he had to say.