The Call of Crows

Chapter 36: East and West

Bjorn wasn't even trying to look relaxed at this point. As both parties sat themselves on separate sides of the terrace of a house Senator Florentius had given the other group to stay in, tension never left the room. Members from either side were always keeping an eye on someone from the other.

Each party appeared to have a Nikan member, and someone each watched them especially closely.

Well, all except Taya. Predictably, she was confident in her ability to handle whatever the other party threw at her.

Cecile and the well-dressed Qahtanad woman from the other side came out onto the terrace with separate pots of tea, one for each group.

"So..." Taya took the first cup of tea poured by Cecile. "Seang, was it? Why don't we go around and...break the ice a little."

Many of the members of the other party frowned in confusion.

"Say our names, where we're from, why we're here. And trying to conceal anything will not help diffuse this situation." Taya said.

"Fine by me." the Jambudvipi nun nodded.

"My name's Taya Sergeyev." Taya went first, "I'm from Sklava. I'm here to save the world."

The Easterners shared a few indiscernible glances between themselves, but nothing more.

"I am Seang Kanleakhana. As I said before, I'm Jambudvipi. I'm here on a promise. I have a power and a responsibility to use it for the good of the world."

Taya looked at Bjorn. He looked at all the scrutinizing eyes on him as he cleared his throat. "My name is Bjorn Stormtamer, Son of Olaf. I'm Ascomanni. Or you may simply know us as the Ash men. I'm here to help liberate my homeland from frost giants." Saying the words felt hollow. Was he really still here just to help the people who had shunned him? Did he seriously lack that much respect?

"My name is Shahla al-Samara, Bedouin Princess of Qahtan. I am also here to liberate my nation." The Qahtanad woman said.

Bjorn thought it was odd that they made a princess serve them tea.

"Ruhak of Hikuptah. I'm here...I'm here to help Taya save the world."

Bjorn knew his words of motivation were even emptier than his own. Ruhak didn't actually have a reason for being here, aside from just letting them drag him along. Taya was right about him having no direction in life.

"Najeem Al-Iqbal." the Qahtanad man wrapped in black said, "Asasiyun and bound by duty to Princess Shahla."

"I'm Cecile Millet of Sarfait. I'm here to make sure these idiots don't kill themselves and to study Shedim mastery as a science."

"My name is Shakti and I'm from Jambudvipa. I'm here because the Nikan threatens everything I wish to do with my life."

So far, so good. They seemed like good people. But, of course, they could always be lying.

"I'm Wang Peng." Peng said, "I'm a Nikan engineer, but I've defected. Now I want to fight the Empire that kept me suppressed in fear."

Bjorn frowned. How is this the first time he's ever heard Peng's family name?

"Vai. Just Vai." The well-fed Aotearoan man had a charismatic grin. "Sailor of the world's seas and hailing from the island of Tai'akkolu. I'm here because I'm the only one with a boat."

"Gustave Delacroix, former captain of the Duskbreakers. I am Sarfan and am here to help Taya in her quest." the cataphract announced. Bjorn was convinced Gustave never actually realized how loud he was, though it would be a rather brilliant joke to do it on purpose just to mess with people.