Back at our palace, my siblings and I were riding out with some of the scholars, on our way to the lands of the jah’Itan. Once a year, the moon passed through the constellation of the Archer. And once a year, on the following day, the jah'Itan opened their month-long bazaar, inviting all of the people of Ajri to buy, sell and barter during the day, and to dance and feast at night. It might finally be the chance for us to meet with the Pembina on neutral ground, or if not, at least we could try to enlist the jah’Itan as agents to arrange for a meeting. It was an easy two-days' ride, through some of the most beautiful hills and fields on Ajri. Ajiana rode with Jaffaran on his loyal white stallion, Astanal, whom she adored with all of her heart and who pranced and nickered and tossed his mane whenever she approached him.
She was untouched by the concerns that weighed the rest of us down, and for her this was a great adventure -- her first time seeing the lands away from the palace, and her first time to the bazaar. Whenever we stopped to water the horses, or to gather rare plants and herbs we happened across, she was off and running with all of the energy of her youth, laughing when my brother caught her and swung her around, and laughing when she played with Astanal and the other horses. It was infectious, and for everyone on the trip, the two days were a brief interlude of the kind of simple happiness that had once filled all of our days, and that we hoped would return again soon.
The bazaar was as crowded as always, no matter what might be happening on the Peninsula. We found a spot for our carts and horses, and then set off for the main plaza. Jaffaran was holding tight to Ajiana now, not about to let her run off into the market until he had a better idea of who was here, and what they were doing.
She was, of course, enthralled with everything she saw. There were pastries and fruits and treats of all kinds, and everyone, it seemed, wanted to offer her one. There were bright silks, intricate carpets, gilded baubles, jewelry and crystal, pots and tools, toys and games and books and scrolls -- everything for everyone, and all in one place. As we walked through the stalls, Savna and Jaffaran were watching for any familiar faces, and listening for news. As the morning turned to afternoon and we still hadn't seen anyone from her family, Savna was doing her best to hide her disappointment and worry, and to rein in her enthusiastic daughter.
"You can't have everything you see, Ajiana."
"But Aunt Nella is trying shoes, and I need shoes."
"You have shoes already."
"So does Aunt Nella!"
Jaffaran was browsing books next door, and I could hear him laughing. "Nella doesn't need them either," he called over. "Come here, little one, and stop bothering your mother. She may want to look for something of her own instead of listening to your voracious cupidity."
Ajiana darted off, but the reprieve lasted only a moment. "What's four aces upidity?" her tiny voice asked, mangling the big words. And then she came up with an example a mere second later, much to my brother's amusement: "OH! Look at this! I need one!"
Savna turned with a tolerant smile at the exclamation, to see what it was that had caught the girl's eye this time. "You may want it, but you don't 'need' it, Ajiana. You must try to be more..."
"SAVNA!"
She was interrupted by a shout, and there was her brother, running across the plaza with a wave and a wide smile. "Sanni, over here!"
She ran forward, throwing out her arms to meet him with a hug, and clinging to his strong frame for a long moment as she pressed her cheek against his. "Torin! I've missed you! Where is everyone? I’ve been looking for you and Stellan, or mother, or father… or anyone, really."
"They didn’t come," her brother replied, talking hold of her shoulders to view her at arm's length. "None of them would come. But look at you! You're in a dress! What did they do, douse you with a potion and turn you into a proper girl?"
"No! No... Torin they're not like that at all. They've been nothing but kind to me. They've treated me so well, and--"
"Sanni, I'm teasing you," Torin said, kindly and affectionately. "I'm glad to see you're safe and well."
"Her name's not Sanni," Ajiana piped up, finally ducking out from behind my brother's legs where she'd been watching the scene. "It's Lady Savna."
"Oh is it?" Torin asked with mock surprise. "And who might you be?" He turned a look of astonishment toward Savna, who smiled proudly back.
"This is my daughter," she said, beckoning the girl forward. "Ajiana say hello to your Uncle Torin."
Ajiana walked up with wide and curious eyes, then made a deep bow. "It is my very great honor to meet you, Uncle," she said with practiced formality.
Torin played along for a moment, bowing back and answering just as formally. Then he scooped her off the ground and over his head as she squealed with laughter. "So little Sanni has a daughter, and I'm an old uncle."
Jaffaran stepped closer, putting a protective hand on Savna's back and watching the exchange as Ajiana giggled and protested again. "Her name's not Sanni!"
"No," said Torin. "And yours isn't Janni, but I may just call you that." He put her back down on the ground as he saw my brother, and patted her on the head to send her back to her parents. "Jaffaran," he said with nod of greeting. It was stiff and formal, but it was the friendliest exchange we'd had with any of the Pembina since Savna had come to live with us.
"Torin," my brother said warily back.
They eyed each other for a long moment, both trying to decide what to say. It was Savna who broke the impasse. "Come,” she said taking both men’s arms with no chance for them to object. “We have much to discuss."
The four of them headed off to one of the covered pavilions that provided shade from the sun, and exchanged stories, starting with what had happened since Savna's departure and ending with this trip to the market to try to find help with Lord Radal.
"I don't know," Torin finally said, taking a piece of the fruit they'd ordered. "Savna, you need to understand how much he's changed. Even more than when you were still home. I know you're telling me it's all got to do with this thing you say is in the ruins, but honestly I don't know that it matters. Whatever is causing it, he's just so angry now, and so bitter -- I can't see him agreeing to meet with you."
"But you will talk to him. Won’t you?"
Torin leaned forward, preparing to stand. “I will,” he said. “Of course, I will. And I hope he’ll listen. I hope there’s something we can do to fix all of this. We do miss you, Sanni. I do, anyway.”
Savna stepped forward to take her brother's hands. "I'm so sorry, Torin. I'll never apologize for leaving to marry Jaffaran, but I am so sorry for abandoning you to deal with everything that is happening at home. And I so very much want to help. And I want mother and father to know that they have a granddaughter."
Torin smiled sadly, but pulled his sister closer for a hug. "I’ll do my best," he said. "Whatever comes of it, I'm happy I got to see you."
"Please be careful," Savna pleaded, as she held her brother in a tight embrace. "And we'll see each other again soon. I just know it."
