Chapter Twenty-Four: Ursula
In which Ian learns more about the disarming Saya Ursula and makes a promise he’s not sure he can fulfill.
Ursula returned to the small room several moments later with a tray of flatbread, shredded fowl in a saffron sauce, olives, grapes, and cheese. She set the tray on the floor and stepped aside to pour water for them. “I fear our options for drink are limited to water and kaafa,” she said. “If you prefer drink from the vine, you’ll have to wait until tomorrow.”
“Water is perfect,” Ian said. She set down the goblets, and Ian caught the earthy, aromatic scent of soil and plants. He glanced at her hands. “You’ve been working in the soil today, saya?”
She straightened and inclined her head. “I am the keeper of the gardens here at the sayada. I was just finished for the day when you came through the gates.”
“Why don’t you go take a tour of the gardens, Ethan?” Melik said. “The boy and I will save you some food.”
“No, I—”
But Ursula’s eyes had brightened. “You garden, my lord?”
Ian’s words stuck in his throat. “I am—that is to say, I know just—” He stopped and let out a long breath. “I know only enough to kill plants with style.”
She laughed. “Come. I’ll give you a lesson.” She turned to the door.
Ian gave one quick glance at Melik and Seamus. Seamus didn’t even notice. He’d already wrapped chicken in the bread and stuffed his cheeks; a yellow dribble of sauce ran down his chin. Melik gestured Ian away and turned to the food as well. Ian followed Ursula out the door and into the corridor.
Ursula smiled at Ian. She gestured toward the central part of the building. “This way, my lord.”
“Call me Ethan. I’m no lord—just a merchant.”
She shot him a glance. “Ethan. That’s an Eiryan name, yes?”
“It is. I’m a wool merchant.”
She nodded and stared ahead, hands folded in demure relaxation before her. “A wool merchant who gardens just enough to kill plants. An interesting pastime for a man who travels as much as you must travel.”
Ian grimaced, glad she couldn’t see his mouth. “Well, I did say I’m not very good at gardening.”
She laughed.
“Where are you from? Not Espara.”
“No. I come from Friqqur.”
Ian whistled. The tiny kingdom of Friqqur was so far away from most of the known world that some didn’t even believe it existed. The people were insular and quiet, shunning foreigners and trade alike. “You seem . . .” He paused, unsure what to say.
She laughed again and gestured around the sayada. “This was the only way I could convince my father to let me leave—to promise to serve Alshada and take the vows of Sai Atena.” She stopped walking. “Perhaps that’s difficult to understand for a man of the world—a merchant.”
He stepped closer to her and grinned. He thought of his sister. Igraine would understand. “Not so hard. My sister feels much the same way. She longs for adventure and freedom, but she’s bound to the Citadel in Eirya.”
Her eyes widened, and her mouth tilted into a grin. She pulled him into an alcove. “I knew you were no merchant,” she said, and then lowered her voice. “You are noble, aren’t you?”
Ian closed his eyes and cursed himself. How many men have ruined themselves with a slip of the tongue around a pretty girl? He sighed, opened his eyes, and stared down into the expectant brown eyes. “I am.”
Her grin widened. She stepped so close to him that he could smell the bathing salts in her hair. “Can you get me away from here?”
He blinked, stunned. “What?”
“Can you help me away from here? To somewhere else?”
His mouth went dry, and his lips tried to form words. “Ursula—”
“Don’t misunderstand. I’m not mistreated, and I do like it here. It’s just that I wish to see more.” She paused. “I’ve been here for three years now. I’ve seen as much of Espara as I care to see, and the sayas have refused to send me elsewhere. But if a nobleman might request my presence?” She shrugged. “The sayana would not turn down an opportunity to take our order to Eirya.”
“Why do the sayas refuse to send you elsewhere?”
“Because of my father.” She bit her lip in hesitation. “He’s the king of Friqqur.”
A dozen thoughts raced through Ian’s head at once, and he couldn’t put them in any satisfactory order. She’s a princess—and she’s as much like Igraine as a woman could be without being related. She only wants freedom and adventure. But gods—where would I take her? Around the world with me? She wouldn’t mind, but Graeme would— He shuddered at the thought of trying to convince Graeme to let him bring a woman onboard the Emerald Wind.
He met Ursula’s eyes again. “Do you know Lord d’Tarjian?”
“A bit. Is this about your friend?”
Ian nodded. “His name is Xian Ji’ing Akmun. He’s the Tal’Amuni ambassador to Eirya—or was—and I think he’s fallen in with very bad people. I need to know what kind of trouble he’s in before I see d’Tarjian.”
She nodded. “And if I help you help your friend, you’ll take me to Eirya?”
He hesitated. What can I promise this girl? What on earth could I do for her? Transport her to Eirya—that’s it. She’s already sworn vows, and she’s a king’s daughter.
His knees went weak at the pleading look in her eyes. He broke off the words, swallowed hard, and nodded. “Yes. Help me help Xian, and I’ll take you to Eirya.”