Exile's Children Read Online Free PDF Page B

Where is Hadduth? Do they intend to insult the Commacht with their absence?
    He grunted his relief as the two Tachyn appeared, for all they seemed in no wise happy to be there. Chakthi offered only the curtest of formal greeting to his hosts, and even terser to the bridal couple; Nemeth and Zeil he ignored.
    Racharran climbed to his feet—smiling, Morrhyn thought, less in genuine welcome than relief similar to his own. “I bid you welcome, brother.” Racharran gestured that Chakthi and Hadduth take their places. “And you, wakanisha. You favor us with your presence.”
    Chakthi ducked his head as if receiving no more than his rightful due; Hadduth’s thin lips stretched in parody of a smile. They sat in silence, accepting the tiswin Racharran himself poured.
    â€œThis is an auspicious day,” he said, raising his cup in toast. “My son weds a Tachyn maiden, and at Matakwa. Do we put by those things that have stood between us and celebrate this wedding in friendship? Do we drink to future amity?”
    It was an unfeigned offering of peace. Juh beamed and nodded his silvered head in commendation; Tahdase murmured encouragingly. Even Yazte hid his dislike and showed the Tachyn his teeth in approximation of friendship.
    Chakthi stared awhile at Racharran, then slowly raised his own cup. “To the future,” he said.
    â€œA toast.” Juh’s voice filled a moment of awkward silence. “I drink to Rannach and Arrhyna. May their joining join their clans.”
    Again Chakthi’s cup was raised an instant slower than the others, but still he drank. And still, Morrhyn thought, it is like inviting a vicious dog to share the feast, all the time wondering if he’ll eat or turn on the guests.
    Tahdase intoned a toast: “To Rannach and Arrhyna. May their union bless this Matakwa.”
    Chakthi drank again, but again a moment late, as if he used the tiswin to wash away the words.
    Now Yazte spoke. “I drink to Rannach and Arrhyna. And to peace at this Matakwa.”
    Morrhyn sighed gratefully as he raised his cup. Likely Kahteney had reinforced Racharran’s admonishment that the Lakanti not offend Chakthi. But then Yazte spoke again: “And your toast, brother?”
    His round face beamed amiably at the Tachyn akaman, and surely there was no overt hostility in his question save, Morrhyn thought, it is a kind of challenge.
    Chakthi smiled then and raised his cup. “I drink,” he said, “to Rannach and Arrhyna. May they receive all they deserve.”
    It was no clear indication, but neither was it possible to find offense in the words. They were ambiguous, perhaps, but not insulting. Those present drank, and for the first time Chakthi’s smile seemed genuine.

3 Ill Omens
    The feast lasted long into the night, thankfully with out incident for all Chakthi and Hadduth seemed less to celebrate than brood. They spoke little, and then only when addressed directly, and their smiles seemed to Morrhyn furtive and empty of humor, save they shared some private jest. As soon was meet, Rannach and his bride made their excuses and departed for their lodge and, once they were gone, Chakthi and Hadduth offered unsmiling farewells and quit the Commacht camp. None were sorry to see them go, and the feast grew more lively for their absence: tiswin flowed in renewed abundance and, as if the cloud were blown away to reveal the sun, the camp rang loud with laughter and bawdy songs.
    Morrhyn drank his fill, but not so much that his senses were fuddled, and he saw that all those of the inner circle—save Yazte, who sat cheerfully swaying, his attention alternating between a cup of tiswin and a rib of buffalo—shared his caution. He listened alertly as Juh beckoned Racharran closer.
    â€œThis was well done,” the old akaman declared. “That Chakthi attended is a good sign, I think.”
    Racharran hesitated before replying, and from his expression, Morrhyn