started to walk again. "But I'll tell you this: if these dreams are a sign from a god, then the god will give you an answer whether you want it or not."
"I know," he sighed. "So how did you find me last night?"
"You were late, so I was sent out to find you. I know the route you normally take, so I was back-tracking. I noticed some of the denizens were talking about a fight with the guards, and walkin' rather quickly away from a particular alley. I decided to investigate. Call it morbid curiosity. I didn't think it was you, of course, even though the thought crossed my mind."
"What did you say to them? I couldn't understand it."
"An invocation for revenge in the Dark language. Rather appropriate, given the circumstances."
Donnan nodded. "Yeah, I guess so," he replied ruefully. "I can't tell Alain. Well, I could tell him Reese and his lackeys hassled me, and maybe even tell him I was in a fight, but I don't think I can tell him they almost killed me. He would go after Reese, and then he'd get thrown out of the guard. I can't let that happen."
"Good man."
"But gods, I wish I could get back at him. He's a right bastard, and no one's goin' to touch him. He can do whatever he wants. There's no justice."
"We'll see. I was dead serious about the invocation for revenge," Blake replied.
"You're a scary man."
"Thanks."
"I'm not sure I was givin' you a compliment."
"I know." Blake then changed the subject to plans for the evening. He dropped Donnan off at the tavern, on time, then went about his business.
Eliora was on tenterhooks waiting for word regarding her promotion. The immediate threat of failure overshadowed the disturbing implications of the answer to her prayer. Within a few days, she had forgotten about it completely as she increased her focus on her work. Two long weeks passed, and she was getting nervous. She was packing to go home for the day when there came a knock at her door. She jumped.
"Come in," she called.
Izak walked in.
She tried to judge if the news was good or bad from his face, but his expression was wooden. "Well?"
"We've finished our deliberations." He paused.
She was practically humming with anticipation. "Come on, come on, tell me."
He now looked amused. "Congratulations. You've been promoted to 3rd Rank Scribe."
"Really? You mean it?" she squealed excitedly.
"Of course."
"This is great! My family is going to be so proud of me."
"Well, remember, this means you'll have new responsibilities. You'll be doing more recording and less transcribing. I'll also be sending you to more important meetings."
"I know. I'm looking forward to it."
"Good. Now go home. Tell your family before you explode from excitement," he said with a smile.
"Thanks, Izak. Thank you so much."
"Don't thank me. You've earned it. When you focus, you really are one of the best scribes I have."
"Now you've really made my day," she replied, grinning. "I'll see you tomorrow." She got jostled a bit more than usual in her haste to escape the bazaar, but she managed to make it to her house in one piece and a little earlier than usual. "Mother," she called, entering.
"What is it, my daughter?" Adiva then smiled. "You got the promotion."
"Yes, I did. Isn't that great?"
"Congratulations. I assume you want to tell us all over dinner, and then run out to tell your friends?" she asked with a smile.
"Does that mean I have permission to go?"
She nodded. "I'm not sure I could hold you back. But you must help me finish up dinner."
"Yes, Mother," she replied. Soon dinner was finished, the rest of her family home, and she excitedly shared the news. She received many congratulations and there was an animated discussion on how it would benefit the family. When dinner was over, she gave Adiva a questioning look.
"Go. Find your friends. Don't worry about cleaning up."
"Thank you, Mother," she replied, and dashed out of the door. She had already walked several blocks before she stopped to think about where she was going. Realizing she was on her way to the coffeehouse, and kept walking. She found some of her friends there, but not Basir, Zeki, or Ofira. After a lengthy conversation, she set out to Basir's house.
She checked to see if any lights were on and knocked.
After a moment, he opened the door. "Hello, Eliora. To what do I owe this honor?"
She smiled. "I got the promotion," she exclaimed.
"That's great news," he agreed. "Come in, come in," he offered.
"I shouldn't stay too long," she replied, entering. "Most of the usual crowd was at the coffeehouse, but I also didn't find Zeki or Ofira." She paused. "Then again, maybe I don't want to find them right now."
A slight frown crossed his face. "Have a seat."
His house was much like the others: small, two stories, and jammed against the adjacent houses. The cushions were old, but of good quality, and it was kept fairly clean.
"Would you like some coffee?" he asked.
"Please."
He went into the kitchen and brewed some coffee. He cleared out a space in the center of the room, brought out a tray, and sat across from her. "May I be blunt?"
"Go ahead."
"This will please my family."
"And?"
"They will probably ask me when I plan to move to the next phase of courtship. I'd like to tell them I already have."
She thought about this for a moment. "May I be blunt?
"Please."
If I hadn't gotten the promotion, would you still be asking?" she asked.
He paused. "That is blunt. And insulting."
"I'm sorry. But we both know how common it is for a man to abruptly cease courtship if the woman fails to prove herself worthy of his attention. Failing to achieve promotion could easily be taken as being unworthy of a husband."
He gave this some thought. "Eliora, I like you very much. If you didn't receive promotion, I would be angry. Not because you failed to prove your worth, but because your superiors failed to recognize it. You work very hard, and you do good work." He smiled a little. "And I think you're brilliant."
She blushed. "Really? I think I just have a good memory. And that's all that's required for my job."
"You absorb almost everything you record. I've never met anyone who assimilated as much information as you do. I honestly think you could go into politics because of the understanding you demonstrate of the political system."
Her blush deepened.
"So, promotion or not, I would not cease courtship. I have no doubt that you would overcome such a setback."
"Thank you."
"I'm just being honest. I do like you very much. You're intelligent, you're cheerful, and I can talk to about my work. Most people find it boring."
She smiled. "I never have. I like learning how the merchants conduct their business."
He reached over and took her hand in his. "I'm glad you came to tell me the good news first."
"Well, right after my family, and the people at the coffeehouse, but that's because I was hoping I'd find you there," she stuttered, a little surprised at the gesture of affection.
He gave a small laugh. "I'm glad you tried to come tell me first, after your family."
"You are the one courting me."
"I know that. But it doesn't mean I'd be the first one you'd turn to with news, good or bad."
She stared down at her cup. "Have you been talking to Zeki or Ofira?"
"No. But I have been paying attention. You've been friends with Zeki for a long time. I've known you for about six months now. That's nothing compared to the years you two have shared. I must confess, I wondering if there was something between you two."
She sighed. "Are you asking me to tell you what was going on?"
He took a thoughtful sip. "You tell me o
nly what you want to tell me."
She looked up at him with a grateful smile. "You are such a good man."
"Not really. I'm only noble so that I can make you smile."
She drained her cup. "Zeki and I share feelings for each other," she said finally.
"But you allowed me to court you, and he's courting Ofira."
"Yes. I do genuinely like you. He genuinely likes Ofira."
He waited patiently.
"We did talk a couple of weeks ago, and I think we said what we needed to say, hopefully without ruining our friendship or jeopardizing our courtships. I think the situation has been dealt with."
"Good. I wouldn't want you to lose him as a friend. Or Ofira. Or me."
She smiled.
"You look so beautiful when you do that."
She blushed again.
"Are you done?"
She nodded, and he took the tray away. When he returned to the living room, he sat down next to her.
"Can we move to the next phase of courtship?" he asked.
"I think I would like that," she replied.
He leaned over and kissed her. They held it for a moment, then pulled back.
"That was nice," she commented, with a giggle in her voice.
"Yes, I think so," he replied, and kissed her again.
After a few minutes, she pulled back again. "I'd better get home," she said.
He nodded. "Yes, probably so. No doubt my mother will hear you visited me, and if you stay too long, there may be uncomfortable questions."
"I know," she replied, looking disappointed. "But times are changing."
"Too slowly," he muttered.
She smiled and stood up. "I'll see you tomorrow, and let you know what days will be good for my parents to host a dinner party for yours."
He opened the door for her. "Goodnight, Eliora," he said, kissing the back of her hand.
"Goodnight, Basir," she returned, and kissed him on the cheek. She did not go straight home.