Irona 700 Read Online Free PDF

much too short, and delivered her to a twilit terrace, where her hostess-tutor was waiting. As soon as Irona took the other chair, slaves began bringing out tables laden with food. Food! It was only then that Irona realized that she had not eaten all day. Slaves offered dishes and she said “Yes!” every time, until her plate was heaped like the Mountain.
    Trodelat watched with amusement, taking little for herself. After dismissing the servants, she chuckled. “I am sorry, my dear! I was very thoughtless not to guess that you must be starving. Eat until you burst. I won’t even talk. We’ll have some music instead.”
    She turned to a set of chimes beside her and jingled three notes. That was a signal, for in a moment a group of slaves appeared with musical instruments and began to play. Irona did not recognize the music, or even like it much, but she was fully occupied with the food, and that she enjoyed very much. She had never tasted things so varied and delicious. She began to understand what Zard and Trodelat had meant about rewards, but she kept thinking that her mother would be mourning a lost child. And missing her principal helper.
    The Midsummer moon hung huge over the bay by the time Irona had finished, when two male slaves carried away the tables and the musicians departed.
    â€œThat was wonderful, ma’am! I do believe that it was the best meal I ever ate.”
    â€œI could believe it was the biggest. And you don’t call me ‘ma’am.’ Normally you do offer that respect to Chosen at least ten years older than yourself. And others who are not Chosen will call you ‘ma’am.’ However, because I’m your tutor, you will call me Trodelat, or 680. Just ‘Eighty’ would be too informal. Members of the Seven you may address as ‘Your Honor’ and of course the First is ‘Your Reverence.’”
    Irona nodded. But then her eyes wandered to the view, and it seemed that all the world was spread out before her. The island was shaped like the rim of a jar being used to ladle up water. Its eastern rim was submerged, although a few rocks and arid islets supported beacons to mark the best channels.
    â€œOh! I had no idea it was so big, ma’am-I-mean-Trodelat.”
    â€œBig? Big? Benign is tiny, child! Wait until you start your lessons and they show you maps. This is one of the tiniest islands, and yet it rules all the others, and much of the mainland as well, from the borders of the Three Kingdoms in the south to the Dread Lands of the far north. Not that you will have to worry about them until you have gained much seniority in the Seventy.”
    Why? How? Those questions would have to wait. Irona had never wondered about such things before, but perhaps in the future she would have to. Now her eyelids weighed more than two dead whales. She must not yawn. Yawning, she was sure, would be bad manners in Benign, because it was frowned upon even in Brackish.
    â€œI should let you retire,” her hostess said. “You have had a killing day.” Her manner had softened since they met in the temple. Did she feel more in command now, here in her own palace, with dozens of slaves to wait on her? Or had she decided that her pupil was not going to cause her any trouble? “But let me explain two more things, if you can stay awake a little longer. But no! First, I must ask what else you want to ask me.”
    â€œOh, nothing. … Well, I did wonder what happens after this tutelage thing?”
    â€œTutelage is a time of learning and a probation. After that, we’ll find you things to do, ways to serve, and you will receive an income. A generous income! The harder and better you work for the city and the goddess, the better your reward. The Seventy pay me very handsomely to act as your tutor, and they cover your expenses. You get food and board, and I can supply any spending money you are likely to require, for clothes and