Tanith Lee - Claidi Journals 01 by Law of the Wolf Tower Page A

aggravating.

    ==========
Tonight there was a Hulta council.
    We all gathered about the huge central fire, from which the cook-pots had been removed, though some vegetables and loaves went on baking in the hot ashes.
    Argul strode out of his tent. He looked… astonishing.
    I mean, he did look the way a leader should. A young king. Polished black hair and eyes, tall and lean and tawny. He was covered in gold fringes and coins, and silver rings and things. Barbaric, I’m sure the House would have said. A “barbarian.” Nemian was smiling a little. But then, one of the prettiest bandit girls was sitting next to Nemian, as she always seems to be now.
    The council was because we were all going to Peshamba. The bandits hadn’t been there before, or not for generations, although they knew of the city. (At first I’d been confused and thought Peshamba was Nemian’s city, but it isn’t. I’d thought all cities had crumbled or been blown over. Wrong, obviously.
    The House told so many lies to us. Or else the House was extremely ignorant. Both?) Anyway, the route to Peshamba is long and passes through this dust desert, or there’s another way, across something called the Rain Gardens. The council was to decide, by vote, which way we would go.
     
    I’m impressed, but skeptical. If Argul is leader, doesn’t he ever lead? What’s the point of having a leader if everyone has a hand in every decision?
    (Blurn said they’d voted on rescuing me. I assumed they all must have been in favor, but apparently only half had. Now when I talk to them, I wonder which ones didn’t think I was worth the trouble. I don’t blame them. But yuk. In the end only five bandits went after the Featherers.) I didn’t have the nerve to ask Blurn, Why did Argul bother? Afraid of what the answer will be. Oh, were going to sell you as a mule acrobat in Peshamba or something.
    They talked about the Rain Gardens. It was vague. None of them are sure quite what happens there, although travelers tend to avoid the place. It does rain.
    Personally, anything rather than this dust bowl.
    But I didn’t get a vote, nor Nemian.
    He didn’t seem put out. Princes are above such things? I’m only a pretend princess, aren’t I? Or was it less interesting than the bandit girl combing his hair? Hmm.
    The vote was for the Gardens.
    Afterward, the bandits sat on, drinking. Some of them talked and played with their dogs. Several had stolen female dogs from the Featherer village. I was really glad, because already these dogs are being cared for and looking healthier and more calm.
    This in mind, I went to see my mule. Also so as not to have to look at Nemian as the girl plaited blue beads into his golden lions mane. Come on, Nemian. That’s what the Sheepers did with the sheep.
    The mule, of course, wasn’t pleased to see me.
    I stood over it, rubbing its nose—it does have a nice nose— and offering it some mule food.
    “It’s Claidi,” I said firmly. “Dear Claidi that you know and love. Giving you a delicious snack you don’t deserve.”
    “You expect too much of it,” said someone. “With a horse, you’d have a better chance.” It wasn’t Blurn, whom I halfway trust—must remember I mustn’t—so I turned.
    There stood Argul the Bandit Leader, gleaming from the distant fire and lamps at his back, as if rimmed in gold.
    What should I do? Grovel because I owe him my life? Or be rude because I know I’m being used?
    You’ll have guessed.
    “Well, since I don’t have a horse, that’s such a help, isn’t it?”
    “I’m surprised you haven’t taken one,” said Argul. “Just bite someone’s nose off and steal his mount.
    Why not?”
    “You’re the practiced bandits, not me.”
    “You could learn.”
     
    I thought, I’m Princess Claidissa Star. My mother was called Twilight Star. I raised my head.
    “Why did you save my life?”
    “Why did I?”
    Inside my raised head I thought, Yes, and I spent my days as a slave .
    I looked down.
    Argul