[Bêthberry]

The sky, as it always did in Pashtia, brightened quickly once the sun sought the horizon. A clear strong blue all the way to the mountains, over which Bekah could see the usual tumbling mass of clouds. The white light of the sun caught roof tops and towers, directing a hard edge to every building in the city and then turning the very sands of the desert into a shimmering mirror which trapped all sight, blinding even from this distance. Bekah had always hated the directness of the sun, its forceful rays harshly cutting into eyes and blinding personal perception, crushing any chance for enlightenment by insisting upon its own being. Sun and lightening, she had always thought, were cruel agents of power.

[i]What has brought those thoughts to my mind now?[/i} she wondered. It had been a long, long night with all chance of sleep fled with the soft wind which brought continual whispers to her ears. Twice in one day Faroz had come to her chambers. Twice! And when had she last seen him here? Years it had been. Had she met him correctly? Had she done what was right? What was he seeking? Bekah had nearly followed him out, or held him back, to ask him what thoughts were prompting his actions. She had even toyed with the idea of seeking him out in his quarters, something unheard of. Would he have allowed it? What would have happened? She shuttered, once again fearful.

Yet something was unfraying the carefully wrought tapestry of their life and realm. All the strands seemed to be slipping out of place and wanting attention, needing mending.. That chll she felt last night, here in her very room, so like the chill in her courtyard and momentarily at the banquet. What was it? Not even her shawl could save her from it.

A knock at her bedroom door brought her out of her thoughts and Homay entering, calling her to her bath. This was her bath, for her day, not the ceremonial preparation for the formal audience with the King. She slipped into the waters and allowed Homay to scent the bath and pour more water over her. It was cooling and calming and she stretched her tired muscles through the water, feeling each pore awake to the soft sensation of the water.

It was then Bekah decided that she must not allow the Emissary to make an enemy of her. He must not come between the King and his country or between the King and his Queen. Yet she feard damage almost insurmountable had already been done, in a mere day.

Homay dried her hair and dressed her, simply in a robe of turquoise and called the other servants in with breakfast. She ate quietly with the old servant, enjoying the cool yogurt with its flavouring more intense than last night and the fruits. The bread she tore into little pieces, more to fidget with it than to eat it.

"You are quiet this morning, my Lady."

"There is much to consider."

"The new stranger has brought strange decisions and discord." It was a statement, not a question.

"Yes, Homay, he has. Or perhaps he arrives merely at the time when we have much to consider and he adds something unknown to the questions. I of all people should beware of making unfair assumptions about strangers."

"Yet you have, even knowing what you know. Perhaps you are not wrong."

"Perhaps. Still, Homay, I must guard against pushing him away before I understand him. Or rather, before I understand what he means to the King."

'I have news from your brother."

"You have? How fairs he?"

"He is well and his lady. He sends you his regards and a message."

"Written?"

"No, lady. He says he speaks to his sister with courtesy and kindness and hopes she is well. He thanks her for her gifts for his latest child and bids her know that he has chosen from the Alanzian court the child's oath-guardians."

Bekah thought quietly about the news. "So he chose not to accept me or Faroz. He is either leary of peace or unwilling to pursue it."

"I know not, Lady."

Off in the distance they could both catch the voices of the choir at the temple singing the morning' s praises. "I wish both my half-brother and my husband could listen to song. I wonder if the Emissary does," mused Bekah allowed

Homay made no reply, but had the sevants clear the breakfast away. Bekah returned to her balcony, where she watched the slow rise of the heat of the day as the noises of the markets now could be heard. She wondered what Faroz was doing and wished she could see him, privately, when they could talk, without formalities. Her thoughts were broken by a voice not unwelcome, however.

"Hello Mother"

"Siamak! Good morning to you!" Bekah greeted her son with a light caress of each side of his head and a kiss upon his forehead. "Have you slept well? Do you need refreshments?"

"No Mother, I just ate. And it was easy to sleep after a long banquet."

"It was? Ah, yes, the sleep of youth comes easily. I fear we should begin our talk with your sister. Come, see some of the tapestries we have and give ourselves over to pleasant thoughts while we wait for her."