Heir of Iron

Chapter 10

It wasn't hard to find the names on Sadja's letter. The first was the wife of a majakhadir named Parthani, who held an estate within Majasravi. Mandhi mentioned Sadja's name to the servant at the door, and a moment later she received an invitation to see Parthani in her private chamber in the estate.

Parthani's chamber was a cool room with a curtained porch looking over the city and blue faience tiles underfoot. Mandhi sat on an overstuffed cushion across a table from Parthani, and waited for a servant to arrange them a platter of mangoes and mint tea. As soon as the servant had gone, she presented Parthani with Sadja's letter.

The woman read the letter from Sadja with lips pursed and face expressionless, then gently rolled the page and handed it back to Mandhi. "An interesting request," she said.

"All I ask for is information, Parthani-kha," Mandhi said.

"Which might be more than I can afford to give." Parthani took a slice of mango from the tray and raised it to her lips without removing her eyes from Mandhi. "Since the death of Jandurma-daridarya, who we remember with fear and trembling, it's become more and more difficult to know what I can afford to do here in this city. For example, should I continue to invoke the late emperor's memory? Or does this offend Ruyam?" She gave Mandhi a sly smile.

"With the death of the emperor, surely your own alliance with Sadja-dar has become more valuable, my lady."

"Perhaps it has. Perhaps this also offends Ruyam."

"Ruyam knows nothing about our meeting," Mandhi said. She hoped this were actually true. "My interest in Ruyam's prisoner is private, and will have no impact on you once I've left the city."

"But Ruyam has an interest in his prisoner, presumably, or he wouldn't have taken him. And Sadja-dar has an interest as well. Or an interest in you."

The woman was angling for something, but Mandhi had nothing to offer. There was no wealth she could offer that would tempt a lady of Majasravi many times wealthier than Veshta, and no favor she could provide so far from Virnas. "Sadja-dar has an interest," she began, "but not something I can discuss without his leave."

"Oh, I'm sure I can imagine the sort of interest Sadja-dar would have in a young, unmarried merchant's daughter. And I'm not sure that I'm willing to risk the fire for that."

Mandhi sipped her tea and gave Parthani a chilly glare. "Our engagement is not of that sort, I assure you."

"And how am I to believe you? I could call an old midwife to assay your purity---"

Mandhi's cheeks grew hot and her pulse galloped. "I resent the insult, Parthani-kha," she said. Never mind the fact that if the woman were to make such an assessment, somehow, Mandhi would have to come up with some explanation.

Parthani smiled wickedly at Mandhi's discomfort. "Very well, maintain your modesty or your secret. Instead, maybe I should go see Sadja-dar myself to determine his motives."

"That would be the same as refusing to help. By the time you went to Davrakhanda and returned, it may be too late for the man I'm interested in."

"Who says I would return? Majasravi has become too dangerous lately for my tastes." Parthani looked wistfully out the window, as if imagining that Ruyam were a spot of bad weather that might blow away.

Mandhi thought furiously for something, anything with which to negotiate. "Sadja-dar would be very reluctant to take in a guest who had been inhospitable to me," after a pause that was a hair too long.

Parthani folded her hands and leaned back. "You're very sure of that."

No, Mandhi thought silently, but outwardly she merely grinned. "Let me suggest something else to you. You could stay for a few days longer, and determine the location of this prisoner for me. I'll write a letter to Sadja-dar mentioning your help, and asking for him to receive you with favor in Davrakhanda. Especially since your stay there could be a long one."