A Song of Snow and Ashes

priests are the reason he went to find you instead of me. He wouldn't have the courage to go into the shady part of town. I didn't do anythin' wrong. She dropped her papers, they blew toward me, and I picked them up. That son of a..."

  "Donnan," Alain interrupted sharply. "I know. I know you didn't do anythin' wrong. He was drunk, and lookin' for a fight. If it hadn't been me, it would've been someone else."

  "But this is goin' to make it harder for you to become a guard. You know that the commander isn't goin' to believe you didn't start the fight. You know Reese's friends are goin' to say you threw the first punch. It's not fair. Just because he was born high class doesn't mean he do whatever he wants and get away with it."

  "I agree."

  "Then how come I'm the one who's angry?" he snapped.

  "You didn't get to hit him."

  Donnan smiled in spite of himself. "How can you get over this so quick?"

  He shrugged. "Because I've been in a lot of fights. I know how I get when I'm drunk and upset. Maybe he just had a bad night or somethin'. Besides, I was winnin'."

  "It's still not fair," he replied, finishing up bandaging his brother.

  "Yeah, I know. It's not fair. It's life. You've got to forgive and forget, and then move on."

  "But, Alain, if you were really winnin', do you think Reese is going to forget?"

  "I don't know. But no use worryin' about it now."

  "But..."

  "Donnan, we should get to bed. We have work in the mornin'."

  "Yes. You're right." He put away the few healing supplies, and both brothers crawled into bed. Donnan leaned over the bunk bed. "You're not going to give me another lecture about hangin' out with bad company?"

  Alain shrugged. "I figured it could wait until breakfast."

  "You sure you didn't have too much to drink?" he asked, teasing gently.

  He smiled. "Goodnight, little brother," he replied, rolling over.

  "Goodnight."

  It was now exactly one month since the solstice in Nahaar. Eliora had completely forgotten about the odd daydream and had never actually gone to temple about it. She kept up her standard for work, still trying to make up for her mistake on the solstice. She left work on time that day and made her way out to an artisan section to meet her friends at a coffeehouse. She took a seat next to Ofira.

  "Everyone, everyone," she said with enthusiasm, "listen up. I've got wonderful news."

  They paused expectantly.

  "Apparently Izak has been pleased with my performance lately, and he's put in a recommendation for a promotion," she exclaimed.

  There was a round of congratulations from the group.

  "When is your performance review going to be?" asked Zeki.

  She shook her head. "I don't know. It's supposed to be a surprise. Izak will send in someone to observe me while I do my job. Someone will also go through my files, again, I don't know when, to check for the quality and organization. So I could know by next week, or in the next two months."

  "Quality and organization? Well, so much for that," Ofira teased.

  "I'll have you know I'm highly organized," she returned indignantly, but she was smiling.

  "Did you remember to check the message office this morning?" asked Zeki.

  "Oh, no, I forgot," she answered sheepishly.

  The group laughed.

  "Fine. I'll amend my statement. I'm highly organized at work, and that's all that really matters to my superiors."

  "What does your family think?" asked Ofira.

  "Mother and Father are very proud of me."

  Another round of coffee was brought to the table, and the conversation drifted elsewhere. After many spirited debates about art and life in general, the group broke up.

  "Eliora, can I walk you home?" asked Zeki.

  She nodded, and they headed out into the cold night.

  "Are you happy you might get promoted?" he asked.

  "Of course I am. You know that the family needs the extra money."

  "Yes, I know that. But I was talking about the kind of pressure this will put on you."

  "Why do you bring these things up and put a damper on my good mood?" she asked.

  "Because I'm your friend, and I can tell when things are bothering you. Did you parents bring up marriage?"

  "Yes. Yes, they did."

  "Do they have prospects?" he pressed.

  "Not as such. There are a few families they're going to get in touch with, though. A promotion is a sign of success, and as Mother said, 'a successful woman makes a good wife.'"

  "Why do you resist marriage so much? It's not the end of the world."

  "It's not that. I'm not sure why I'm so repulsed by the idea. Mother and Father seem very happy together. And they were matched by their families."

  "I don't understand. If you don't object to an arranged marriage, what's the problem?"

  "I don't exactly approve of arranged marriages either. They can work, and have for generations. It's tradition, although thankfully we're moving away from that. I guess I'm a little scared."

  "Scared?" he repeated, surprised.

  "Sure. Aren't you?"

  "Of what?"

  "Of getting yourself permanently attached to someone else that you barely know."

  "Well, then, that's simple enough to overcome," he replied. "Just try to talk your parents into arranging the marriage with someone you do know."

  "I've thought of that, but marriage still scares me. I'll have new responsibilities. I won't have as much freedom. And once I'm married, I know there's going to be pressure for me to have children. And then what becomes of my successful career? Someone has to take care of the children. And what happens when the children grow up and move out? What am I supposed to do? I can't go back to the career I abandoned before their birth. I have to give up everything to get married. My career, my friends, a lot of my freedom, and even my family in a way. How can that not scare me?"

  "Eliora, I'm surprised."

  "Why?"

  "I've known you for a long time, and I've never known you to be scared of anything."

  "Surely I've been scared before."

  "Well, probably so. But I've never known you to be afraid of anything, or even have doubts about anything."

  "Do you think it's because I'm so scatter-brained and flighty I don't think about unpleasant things?"

  "Honestly?" he asked a bit sheepishly.

  She sighed. "I knew that's what you were thinking. I'm not flighty, not really. I just don't worry about things unless they're really important."

  "Yes, I know. It's one of the things I like about you. You don't worry about little things, not what other people think of you, not even about small mistakes at work. You do worry about big ones, like almost getting written up. It makes you more fun to be around since you always seem so cheerful."

  "Thanks, Zeki," she replied, smiling. "But I have to grow up sometime. So Mother and Father reminded me last night."

  "Have you told your parents how you feel?"

  She shook her head. "No. I have to come to terms with this on my own. Besides, I feel foolish for being afraid. Everyone has to get married sooner or later. I guess I was just hoping it would be later." She straightened up. "But it seems I don't get to wait until later, so I'd better just get used to the idea now, and start to consider my prospects."

  He smiled. "That's another thing I like about you. How when you decide to do something, you stop worrying about the outcome and just do what needs to be done."

  "Really, I just put on a brave front. I figure things will work out as they are meant to."

  "I wish I had that kind of faith in the order of the world."

  "It's not really faith," she corrected with a smile. "Some would call it wishful thinking. But it works for me." She paused. "Are you seeing any prospects?"

  "What? Are you jealous?" he asked with a smile.

  "Of course not,"
she replied, feeling a blush rise. "But I remember you saying your parents wanted you engaged by the equinox. I was just wondering if you had starting courting anyone. And if so, why I haven't met her yet?"

  "I've been procrastinating, much to the annoyance of my family. But it helps having my own place, so I'm not getting nagged every minute of every day."

  "You can't hide from them forever," she replied, teasing gently. "Mothers especially know these things. It's uncanny, really."

  He laughed. "No kidding." His smile faded. "But seriously, I haven't gone to court yet."

  "Do you have anyone in mind?"

  He blushed. "Maybe. But I'm not sure how to broach the subject."

  "You'd better do something, or else she's going to end up being courted by someone else."

  "That's probably true. But you know me. I tend to over-analyze everything."

  "I know. You've always been like that. You've got to stop worrying so much. Cheer up. Life is good." She switched the conversation to lighter topics, and by the time they reached her house, Zeki was stifling laughter so as not to wake anyone up.

  "Thanks for cheering me up," he said.

  "Thanks for walking me home."

  He shrugged. "It's the only time I really get to talk to you lately. The increasing number of caravans coming through has really increased my accounting workload. You've been working extra hard for this promotion, and of course we're always with everyone else."

  "Sounds like we've already turned into full adults."

  "How very depressing," he remarked.

  She laughed. "It's life. See you later."

  "Remember to go to the message office in the morning."

  "Yes, thank you," she replied, and entered the house. Her parents were in the living room talking in low voices when she entered.

  "Hello, my daughter," greeted Lior.

  "Hello, Father, Mother. Have you