It was after Mairookh had helped make Ratheef’s bed and was heading out the door that he ran into another najah, just about to knock on Ratheef’s door.
“He’s just headed out,” Mairookh informed him. “What is it? I’ll pass along—”
“There’s some girl at the gates for Ratheef. Pretty, dressed in fancy furs, too, but nobody recognizes her. Let Ratheef know before the girl freezes to death— she’s been out there all morning.”
“Does this girl have a name?” Mairookh asked mildly.
“Nirzouli.” The najah shook his head. “She’s been bothering everyone going in and out of the palace, using Brother Ratheef’s name all around. Do something about her before unseemly rumors begin to spread.”
As the guard turned away, Mairookh couldn’t help but lunge forward and catch his arm, eyes intense. “What was her name again?”
As Mairookh headed down the halls, moon cystals lining the arched pathways, he couldn’t help but reach for her.
Zouli. Zouli. Nirzouli.
At length, he stopped, panic creeping up his spine. Come to think of it, where was Nirzouli? Where was her chiding voice in his head, where were the dark voids of her eyes? She was one of the few creatures in this world who appeared at his beck and call, there anytime he needed her, and more-than-eager to provide him her council. Cool air shored up against his form, making Mairookh shiver.
The breeze propelled him into motion again, and he clamped down his panic. She was just… resting. Nirzouli had done that once before, hadn’t she?
As Mairookh approached the black spires of the palace gates, he spotted the tell-tale green of Gnogosh’s fur. The kahmer turned to him at the sound of his footsteps and Mairookh raised a hand in greeting.
And then he saw her.
Just over the guard’s shoulder.
Nirzouli, standing there under the early moonlight, as clear as day.
The sigh Mairookh let out was one of immense relief, a smile touching his lips briefly as he slowed on his side of the gates.
“Good. You’re here.” Gnogosh greeted him. Then, jerking his chin over his shoulder, “This one won’t give us a last name, which family she’s from, or where she lives. Yet she wants to meet with Brother Ratheef.”
“Oh?” Mairookh scanned the area as he crossed his arms, his eyes going blankly over the nobles passing in and out of the palace gates. “I heard. Saluk passed me the message. Where is she?”
“What do you mean?” Gnogosh groused. “This lady here.”
Mairookh’s gaze landed at where the guard quite clearly indicated the space Nirzouli currently occupied. He looked behind her. He looked around her. T looked at the guard, feeling as if he was missing the point of this joke.
next!
chocolate