The Wraiths of Will and Pleasure - By Storm Constantine Page 0,103

the har who had swept into his life and taken over his household. He couldn’t deny the benefits of Flick’s presence, but he had a prejudice against Sarocks that was difficult to dispel. Ulaume had come to care for Mima, and Flick was wrong in assuming that Ulaume hadn’t thought long and deeply about what should be done for Terez. Ulaume had simply come to the conclusion that he could do nothing alone and that Flick couldn’t, either. Neither could Mima or Lileem assist.

Ulaume knew there was only one thing they could try. He wasn’t sure it would work in the way that everyone would want or that a perfect har would arise from the husk of Terez afterwards. He wasn’t sure if his idea wasn’t dangerous. But at night, he had to listen to Mima weeping softly in the room next to his own, or hear her pacing the creaking floorboards, and he knew that eventually he would have to do something. It would mean thawing with Flick and that was the second thing that prevented him acting, because Ulaume took a long time to forgive or to drop a grudge. Flick reminded him of what he considered to be the worst aspects of Pell. They didn’t look that similar, but there was a certain manner and attitude, presumably deriving from Saltrock inception itself, that they shared. Capable, industrious, considerate and disciplined. Perhaps the opposite of everything Ulaume thought himself to be. But in this instance, the combination of personalities, however at odds, might work in Terez’s favour. No doubt, if Terez could be healed, he would be another fawning devotee of the accomplished Flick, which would be extremely annoying, but if it brought harmony back to the house, then it would be worth it.

Once the decision was made, Ulaume brooded over it for several days, chewing each detail in his mind to try and divine possible outcomes. Lileem knew he was considering something important, because she kept casting him knowing glances, but he’d reveal nothing to her. He and Flick must do this alone. It was their territory.

One evening, while Mima and Lileem addressed the unpleasant task of feeding and cleaning Terez, Ulaume went into the kitchen and found Flick there, cleaning Ghost’s saddle and bridle by lamplight. The mere sight of this industry initiated a spasm of annoyance in Ulaume’s heart, but he gritted his teeth and went to sit opposite Flick at the table. Flick glanced up, smiled tightly. Ulaume could feel discomfort pouring off his skin. Flick hated to be alone with him.

‘This Terez business has gone on for over a month now,’ Ulaume said. ‘The meal of blood did not work, and neither have your other experiments.’

Flick shrugged awkwardly. ‘There is a gradual improvement. His skin is clearing and he’s put on a bit of weight.’

‘Don’t kid yourself,’ Ulaume said. He paused, then added, ‘There is something else we could do.’

Flick’s hands fell idle. ‘Has it anything to do with pillows, poison or blades?’

Ulaume smiled. ‘No, not at all. It might work, it might not. I don’t think we could guarantee what would come out of it, but we could try.’

‘What do you mean?’

‘Grissecon,’ Ulaume said. ‘Ritual aruna to create a healing elixir.’

Flick began cleaning the bridle again, perhaps with too much concentration for such a mundane task. ‘I’ve seen that done, but it takes hara of high caste to do it. I’ve never done anything like that.’

‘I have. Not for healing exactly, but I’m familiar with the process.’

Flick’s brow was furrowed and his face was flushed. Ulaume had never seen a har so riddled with discomfort. ‘We are not friends, I know,’ he said, ‘and this won’t come easy. But you were the one so keen to do something about Terez, and this is a possible solution. Are you no longer prepared to try anything?’

‘I don’t think you mean it,’ Flick said suddenly, throwing down the bridle in a clatter of harness buckles. ‘I think this is just another way to make life difficult for me here. Maybe a Kakkahaar can take aruna with somehar they despise, and maybe you know I can’t. I’m not stupid.’

‘I didn’t realise you despised me. Thanks for being so honest.’ Ulaume couldn’t help laughing.

‘I don’t…’ Flick shook his head. ‘I didn’t expect this. Not from you. I can’t help but suspect your motives.’

‘The motive is to help Mima. Not sure about Terez, because I’m still not convinced he isn’t beyond help. But if there is a chance,