Varina ci’Pallo
VARINA STOOD ALONGSIDE Karl in the Archigos’ plush
reception room, but—as was nearly always the case when Ana was in
the same room—she seemed invisible to him. All his attention was on
the Archigos. Varina wanted to lean over to Karl and slap him.
“Can’t you see what’s in front of your face?
Are you that oblivious?”
It seemed he was. He
always was, and he always would be where Ana was concerned. Over
the years, Varina had come to that conclusion. It would perhaps
have been different if Varina didn’t like and admire the Archigos
herself, if she didn’t consider the woman a friend. Still . .
.
“You’re sure of
this?” Karl asked Ana. He was glancing at a parchment that Ana had
handed him, a forefinger tapping the words written there. “He’s
dead?” There was no trace of sadness in his voice at all; he was,
in fact, smiling as he handed the paper back to her.
Ana frowned. If Karl
found the news pleasant, it was obvious to Varina that Ana’s own
feelings were more conflicted. “Hïrzg Jan’s dying,” Ana said. “And
likely dead by this point, I suspect, if this information is
accurate. The téni who sent this message has the healing touch; he
should know if the man’s beyond saving.”
“About time the old
buzzard passed on,” Karl said. He glanced around the room
thoughtfully, but not at Varina. “Have you talked to Allesandra?
Will she contest Fynn’s claim to the throne?”
“I don’t know.” Ana
seemed to sigh. Ana had never been beautiful; at best, as a young
woman, she’d been plain. Even she would have admitted that. Now,
approaching her middle years, she’d settled into a matronly figure,
but there was something striking and solid and compelling about
her. Varina could understand Karl’s attraction and devotion to the
woman, even as part of her resented it. Ana’s reputation had only
grown over the years. Kraljiki Justi had been mocked behind his
back, and his son Audric seemed to be faring no better, and there
were those in the Faith who felt Ana’s tolerance and openness were
heretical, but the common people of Nessantico and the Holdings
seemed to adore their Archigos and had taken her to their hearts.
Varina had seen the crowds around the temple whenever Ana was to
give an Admonition, and she’d heard the cheers when the Archigos’
carriage passed by on the Avi a’Parete.
“If Allesandra were
on the throne of Firenzcia, I’d feel better about everything,” Ana
continued. “I’d feel there was some hope that the Holdings could be
restored. If Allesandra were Hïrzgin . . .” Another sigh. She
looked over her shoulder at the huge, ornamental cracked globe that
dominated the far corner of the room: gilded and bejeweled, with
carvings of the Moitidi—the demigods who were the sons and
daughters of Cénzi—writhing in agony around its base. Her voice was
a half-whisper, as if she were afraid someone might overhear her.
“Then I might consider opening negotiations with Semini
ca’Cellibrecca, to see if the Faith could also be
reunited.”
Varina sucked in her
breath and Ana glanced at her sympathetically. “I know, Varina,”
she said. “I assure you that the safety of the Numetodo would be a
nonnegotiable point, even if I were willing to step aside as
Archigos for Semini. I wouldn’t tolerate a repeat of the
persecutions.”
“You couldn’t trust
ca’Cellibrecca to keep those promises,” Varina told her. “He’s his
marriage-vatarh’s son, all the way through.”
“Ca’Cellibrecca would
be bound to keep a public pledge, as well as his vows to
Cénzi.”
“You have more more
faith in him than I do,” Varina answered. That caused Ana to
smile.
“Strange to hear a
Numetodo speak of faith,” she said, her hand reaching out to touch
Varina’s shoulder through her tashta. She laughed pleasantly. “But
I understand your concern and your skepticism. I ask you to trust
me—if it came to that, I will make certain you, Karl, and all your
people are protected.”
“Will it come to that?” Karl interjected. He’d
watched Ana’s hand as if wishing she were touching him. “You think
there’s a chance, Ana?”
She looked at the
paper in her hand as if searching for an answer there, then turned
to drop the scroll on a nearby table. It made little sound—a
strange thing, Varina thought, for something so heavy with import.
“I don’t know,” Ana said. “There’s no love lost between Allesandra
and her brother—given how long Allesandra was here with me while
both of them were growing up, they’re more strangers than siblings,
and the way Hïrzg Jan treated Allesandra when he did ransom her . . .” Ana shook her head. “But I
don’t know what Allesandra wants anymore, or what her desires and
aspirations might be. I thought I knew
once, but . . .”
“You were a matarh to
her,” Karl said, and Ana laughed again.
“No, I wasn’t that.
Maybe an older sister or a tantzia. I tried to be someone she could
be safe with, because the poor child was all alone here for far too
long. I can’t imagine how much that hurt her.”
“You were wonderful
to her,” Karl persisted. Varina watched Karl’s hand reach out to
take Ana’s. It hurt to watch the gesture. “You were.”
“Thank you, but I
always wonder if I could have done more, or better,” Ana said. She
moved her hands slowly away from his. “I did what I could. That’s
all Cénzi can ask, I suppose.” She smiled. “We’ll see what happens,
won’t we? I’ll keep you informed if I hear any more
news.”
“You’re still
available for dinner tomorrow?” Karl asked her.
Ana’s gaze slid from
Karl to Varina and back. “Yes,” she said. “After Third Call. Would
you like to join us, Varina?”
She could feel Karl
staring at her. “No,” Varina said hurriedly. “I can’t, Archigos. I
have a meeting with Mika, and a class to teach . . .” Too many
excuses, but Karl was nodding. His satisfaction at her answer was
like the cut of a small blade.
“Tomorrow night,
then,” he said. “I’m looking forward to it. We should probably go,
Varina. I’m sure the Archigos has other business. . . .” He
inclined his head toward Ana and started toward the door. Varina
turned to follow him, but Ana’s voice called out behind
them.
“Varina, a moment?
Karl, I’ll send her along directly, I promise.” Karl glanced back,
puzzled, but he bowed again and went to the doors. The two massive
panels were carved with bas-reliefs of the Moitidi in battle, with
swords clashing and overlapping at the join. Karl pulled and the
combatants separated. Varina waited until the polished, dark wood
had closed behind him and the Moitidi were once again at
war.
“Archigos?”
“I wanted a moment
with you, Varina, because I’m worried,” Ana said. “You look so
tired and so drawn. Thin. I know how caught up you’ve become in
your . . . research. Are you remembering to eat?”
Varina touched her
face. She knew what Ana was saying. She’d seen her face in the
small mirror she kept on her dressing table. Her fingertips traced
the new lines that had emerged in the past several months, felt the
coarseness of the gray hairs at her temple. She was afraid to look
in the mirror most mornings—the face that looked back at her was an
older stranger she barely recognized. “I’m fine,” she said
reflexively.
“Are you?” Ana asked
again. “These ‘experiments’ Karl says you’re doing, attempting to
recreate what Mahri could do . . .” She shook her head. “I worry
about you, Varina. So does Karl.”
“So does Karl . . .” She wished she could believe
those words. “I’m fine,” she repeated.
“I could use the
Ilmodo if you’d like—it might help. If you’re in
pain.”
“You’d disobey the
Divolonté and heal me? An unbeliever? Archigos!” Varina smiled at
Ana, who laughed in return.
“I can trust you to
keep my secrets,” Ana said. “And the offer stands, if you ever feel
the need.”
“Thank you, Archigos.
I’ll keep that in mind.” She nodded her head toward the silent,
battling Moitidi. “I should catch up with Karl.”
“Yes, you should.”
Ana started to give the sign of Cénzi to Varina, then stopped
herself. “I could tell him,” she said.
“Archigos?”
“I have eyes. When I
see you with him . . .”
Varina laughed.
“You’re the only one he sees, Archigos.”
“And I’m bound to
Cénzi,” Ana said. “No one else. I’m not destined for that kind of
relationship in this life. I’ve told him that. I treasure his
friendship and all he’s done for me and Nessantico. I love Karl
dearly, more than I ever loved anyone else. But what he wants . .
.” Her head moved slowly from side to side as her lips pressed
together. “You should tell him how you
feel.”
“If I need to tell
him, then it’s obvious that the feeling isn’t shared,” Varina
answered. She managed to force her lips into an upward curve. “And
I’m bound to my work, as you’re bound to Cénzi.”
Ana stepped forward
and gave Varina a quick hug. “Then Karl’s a fool, for not seeing
how alike we are.”