A Song of Snow and Ashes

tonight?"

  "We're meeting at the coffee house across the street from the conservatory."

  "Are you buying dinner?" she asked Ofira.

  "You were the one who forgot about me."

  "Please?"

  "Alright. I did just sell some of my pottery last week. Some of the actual art pieces."

  "That's great," she exclaimed.

  "Basir was asking about you yesterday."

  "Really?" Eliora replied excitedly. "What did he say? When did you run into him?"

  "During the ceremony, of course. We were both at the one on the west side. We just happened to run into each other."

  "Come on, come on, what did he say?"

  Ofira smiled smugly. "He wanted to know where and when we were getting together."

  She looked disappointed. "But you said he asked about me."

  "Well, he wanted to know if you'd be there too."

  Eliora cheered up immediately.

  "But don't you two just talk about work."

  "Work is interesting. I learn so much about politics and trade."

  "Yes, I know you think it's interesting." Ofira gave her a sly look. "Zeki will be jealous."

  She shrugged. "That's hardly my fault, is it?" she replied coyly.

  "You're terrible. You just string these men along."

  "I do no such thing! Zeki's my friend. Anyway, if he were serious, he would have spoken to my father by now."

  "You do have a point there," Ofira conceded. "But maybe he hasn't done that because he figures you'll reject his courtship offer anyway."

  "Well, it wouldn't hurt him to be a little bit bolder."

  "You're terrible."

  "I see you with a lot of interested young men and no husband either, Ofira."

  "This isn't about me," she replied laughingly.

  "It is now."

  The pair walked out of the business district to the western quarter of the city. Their breath crystallized in the cold night air. After about forty five minutes, they reached one of the artisan sections. Fifteen minutes later, they reached one of the art conservatories, crossed the street and entered a coffee shop. Two young men and two young women were already seated at a large, round table. The pair greeted them warmly and joined the group.

  "Coffee, please," said Ofira immediately. "Gods, it's cold out there."

  "Eliora, why were you late?" asked one young man immediately. His long hair was back in ponytail, and he had the characteristic short, neatly kept beard and mustache.

  "Sorry, everyone. Sorry, Zeki. I had to catch up on some paperwork. You know how it is."

  There was a round of sympathetic nods.

  At that point, a good-looking young man entered the coffee house. He immediately joined the group. There was a moment of shuffling as the group adjusted themselves and their bags to make room for another chair.

  "Hello, everyone." He sat down next to Eliora. "I was hoping I'd see you here."

  "Hello, Basir," she returned, not the least bit shy. "Why were you looking for me?"

  "I have to go see my cousin next week. I'll be away for five days. I was wondering if you could cover some of my assignments."

  She hid her disappointment well. "I'll talk to Izak about it."

  "You're the best, Eliora. Thanks."

  "I'm always glad to help."

  "I'll make it up to you. Say, take you out to dinner when I get back?"

  "I say that sounds fine," she replied with a broad smile.

  The evening passed as the group talked about their various jobs and played card games and board games.

  "Eliora, can I walk you home?" asked Zeki when the group started to break up.

  "Sure."

  It was late and cold, so most of the streets were deserted. They walked down the main roads when they could, but avoided the bazaar. It never closed, but it catered to very different customers late at night.

  "So, why did you agree to help Basir?" Zeki asked casually.

  "He's a fellow scribe. It's nice to help out."

  "And agree to dinner?"

  "You aren't jealous, are you?" she asked.

  "What? No, no," he answered hastily. "Just concerned. I don't want him taking advantage of your kindness."

  "I appreciate the thought."

  There was a moment of awkward silence.

  "I've forgotten something again," she sighed.

  "Again? Did you pick up that lamp oil your mother's been asking about all week?" he asked, exasperated.

  "That's what it was I forgot. I was supposed to stop by the bazaar after work, but it's too late now."

  He smiled slightly. "I thought you might have forgotten again." He opened up his bag and pulled out a bottle. "I picked up an extra bottle when I went to the bazaar yesterday."

  She took it gratefully and tucked it into her own bag. "Thank you. I don't know what I'd do without your help."

  "Get in trouble again. You know, you should really write these things down. You are a scribe, after all."

  "I know, but I forget to write things down. Besides, paper is very valuable and I don't want to waste it." She paused. "I think there's something else I forgot to do."

  "Was there anything else you needed to pick up?" he asked.

  "Maybe." She shook her head. "Mother will scold me tonight if it was important. At least I've got the oil. You really are too nice."

  Zeki smiled wanly. "I really am."

  "I didn't see you at the ceremony last night."

  "I didn't go."

  "You didn't go?" she repeated, surprised. "You went last year."

  "I know. But my family decided to go to the ceremony on the south side, and I really didn't feel like braving the crowds by myself."

  "Why did they do that?"

  "It was rumored the Matriarch might speak."

  "Really? I certainly didn't hear that."

  He shrugged. "Mother probably overheard it at the bazaar. You know what a rumor mill that place is."

  Eliora nodded in agreement. "You should still come to the ceremonies. It's your duty."

  He shrugged again. "You know how I feel about the church."

  "That's how Mother feels. I don't really understand it."

  "Not everyone is as nice as you are."

  She smiled. "Flattery will get you no where."

  They talked amiably, but in low voices, until they reached her house.

  "Thanks again," she whispered. She kissed him on the cheek. "I don't know what I'd do without you."

  "Eliora, maybe you should think about that."

  She paused. "What? You suddenly sound so serious."

  "Well, it's time I got married."

  She blinked, looking confused. "And?"

  "If I get married, I can't help you out so much. I can't keep you out of trouble anymore. I'll have a wife and a new family and new responsibilities. I won't be able to spend long evenings playing games."

  "Do your parents have someone in mind?" she asked.

  "A couple of women, actually. I'd prefer to marry someone I already know, especially if her family is in good standing. But I can't wait too much longer. My parents really want grandchildren soon."

  She sighed. "I'm sorry, Zeki. I didn't realize that."

  "Well, now you know. I've been instructed to at least get engaged by the equinox."

  "Less than three months?" she replied, startled. "That's so soon."

  He nodded. "I thought I'd let you know."

  "But you're my best friend. We've known each other since primary school."

  "And you were just as scatter-brained then, too."

  "That's not nice. I can be very focused."

  "When you chose to be."

  "Alright, you've got me there," she conceded. "Damn adult responsibilities. I don't want to lose a friend. You will at least introduce me to your future wife, when you find her?"

  "Sure. Sure, I'll do that."

  She loo
ked relieved. "Good. I'll pay you back for the oil."

  "I know you will," he replied, looking a little upset, but his face was mostly hidden in the darkness. "Goodnight, Eliora."

  "Goodnight."

  She quietly unlocked the door and entered the house. Only one lamp was on, and her mother was reading underneath.

  "I got the oil, Mother," she said immediately, and pulled it out.

  "Thank goodness." Adiva took the bottle and quickly filled up the lamps. "Did you get the messages?"

  "Oh, damn. I knew I forgot something. I'll go first thing in the morning."

  "You also forgot to go to temple too, didn't you?"

  "So that was the other thing."

  "Eliora, daughter of mine, you have got to stop being so flighty."

  "I'm sorry, Mother. I was working late to make up for my mistake yesterday, and Ofira came to find me, and it completely slipped my mind."

  "But you remembered to go the bazaar? I guess that's something."

  She looked a little guilty. "I forgot about the dream. That's why I forgot to go to temple. Don't worry, I'll do tomorrow."

  "Just remember to pick up the messages," Adiva sighed. "Honestly. You are so much like your Aunt Akilah. As intelligent as they come, but would forget your own heads if they weren't attached."

  "Yes, Mother," she replied meekly.

  "But I love you anyway. I'll lock up. You go up to bed."

  "Yes, Mother. Goodnight."

  "Dammit, Alain, wake up or we'll be late!" Donnan snapped irritably, shaking his brother.

  "What? Where am I?" he mumbled, barely coherent.

  "You're home. Now get up. I've made breakfast. I don't want to get fired because you had too much to drink last night."

  Alain sat up groggily and shook his head a few times. He emerged from the bedroom looking more awake. "Damn, what's with you this mornin'? I'd think you had the hangover."

  He sighed. "Sorry. I just had a really bad dream last night, and I haven't shaken it off yet."

  He yawned. "You shouldn't let these things get to you. It was just a dream."

  "It didn't feel like just a dream. It was really weird."

  "You worry too much," the larger man replied