The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms - By N. K. Jemisin Page 0,28

I ordered breakfast and a copy of the latest financial reports on my assigned nations.

As I studied the reports over raw fish and poached fruitI did not dislike Amn food, but they never seemed to know what to cook and what to leave aloneViraine dropped by. To see how I was doing, he said, but I had not forgotten my earlier sense that he wanted something of me. I felt that more strongly than ever as he paced about my room.

Interesting to see you taking such an active interest in governance, he said, as I set aside a sheaf of papers. Most Arameri dont bother even with basic economics.

I ruleruleda poor nation, I said, draping a cloth over the remains of my breakfast. Ive never had that luxury.

Ah, yes. But youve taken steps to remedy that poverty, havent you? I heard Dekarta commenting on it this morning. You ordered your assigned kingdoms to resume trade with Darr.

I paused in the midst of drinking my tea. Hes watching what I do?

He watches all his heirs, Lady Yeine. Very little else entertains him these days.

I thought of the magic orb Id been given, through which I had contacted my nations the night before. I wondered how difficult it would be to create an orb that would not alert the person being observed.

Have you secrets to hide already? Viraine raised his eyebrows at my silence, amused. Visitors in the night, secret trysts, conspiracies afoot?

I have never possessed the innate talent for lying. Fortunately, when my mother realized this, she taught me alternative tactics. That would seem to be the order of business here, I said. Though I havent tried to kill anyone yet. I havent turned the future of our civilization into a contest for my amusement.

If those small things trouble you, Lady, you wont last long here, Viraine said. He moved to sit in a chair across from me, steepling his fingers. Would you like some advice? From someone who was once a newcomer here himself?

I welcome your counsel, Scrivener Viraine.

Dont get involved with the Enefadeh.

I considered whether to stare at him or feign ignorance and ask what he meant. I chose to stare.

Sieh seems to have taken a liking to you, he said. He does that sometimes, like a child. And like a child, hes affectionate; he amuses and exasperates; hes very easy to love. Dont.

Im aware that hes not truly a child.

Are you aware that hes killed as many people over the years as Nahadoth?

I could not help flinching. Viraine smiled.

He is a child, mind younot in age, but in nature. He acts on impulse. He has a childs creativity a childs cruelty. And he is Nahadoths, blood and soul. Just think about that, Lady. The Nightlord, living embodiment of all that we who serve the Bright fear and despise. Sieh is his firstborn son.

I did think about it. But strangely, the image that came most clearly to mind was Siehs utter contentment when Id put an arm around him that first night. Later I would understand that I had already begun to love Sieh, possibly in that very moment. Some part of me agreed with Viraine: to love such a creature was beyond foolish, edging into suicidal. Yet I did.

Viraine saw me shudder. With perfect solicitousness he came over and touched my shoulder. You arent entirely surrounded by enemies, he said gently, and so discomfited was I that for a moment I actually took comfort from his words. Tvril seems to like you, toothough that isnt surprising, given his history. And you have me, Yeine. I was your mothers friend before she left Sky; I can be yours as well.

If he had not spoken those last words, I might have indeed considered him a friend.

Thank you, Scrivener Viraine, I said. For once, thank the gods, my Darre nature did not assert itself. I tried to sound sincere. Tried not to show my instant dislike and suspicion. Judging by his pleased look, I succeeded.

He left, and I sat silent in his wake for a long time, thinking.

* * *

It would occur to me shortly thereafter that Viraine had warned me off only Sieh, not Nahadoth.

* * *

I needed to know more about my mother.

Viraine had said he was her friend. Everything I knew of my mother said this was a lie. Viraines strange mix of solicitousness and nonchalance, his callous help and false comfortno. My mother had always valued people who were straightforward in their dealings with others. I could