The Gazels

Chapter 23

Rinaldo looked as if he would protest further, then smiled. “Of course, you must be right.”

For an uncomfortably long moment, the two brothers sat in silence. Finally, Damion said, “So you want to know more about me. Ask what you wish and I will do my best to satisfy you.”

“No, no, I do not mean to interrogate you! I have no right to question what I do not yet understand. But I have wondered . . . there are so few of us council left . . .”

“Yes, we are far too few to form a Council or to divide our resources between ruling our own Domains and elsha. Even before the World Wreckers sent their assassins, the great houses of the Seven Domains had dwindled. Grandfather needed me as Heir to Carmen. I set aside my own dreams of a private life. I thought . . .” Damion stumbled, surprised by the sudden burst of emotion, “I thought I was the only male Carmen heir.”

Now I have a brother to share that burden. But it would be premature to say so, before he knew Rinaldo’s temperament and desires. What could a man who had spent more than three decades behind monastery walls know about the greater world, about power and diplomacy, the skills required of a Carmen of Carmen? More to the point, would Rinaldo want that kind of life?

I will not inflict the same expectations that Grandfather—the Council—elsha—p laced upon me. I will not make him forswear his dreams even before he has had time to discover what they are!

“Dreams?” As if catching the thought, Rinaldo lifted one eyebrow expressively.

Damion paused for a moment, wondering if Rinaldo might have a trace of power after all. Or perhaps it was only a facility of observation and following the natural course of the conversation.

He considered the question. It had been so many years since he had lifted his eyes to the stars, hungry to journey among them. He remembered that argument with his grandfather, the old man raging.

“Choice? If you wanted a choice, Damion, you should have arranged to be born somewhere else! I never chose to be chief councillor and Regent to the Elhalyns. None of us has ever been free to choose!”

Although it was like peeling a long-hardened scab from an unhealed wound, Damion met his brother’s gaze. “Yes, dreams. When I was young, I wanted more than anything to travel the stars, to see other planets and other peoples. But, as Grandfather told me in no uncertain terms and upon many occasions, I should have chosen other parents.” He sketched a sigh to lighten the mood. “There you have it. Damion Carmen, the great council lord, is at heart a frustrated spaceman.”

“I would not belittle any man’s dreams, let alone those of my brother,” Rinaldo said. “One of the benefits of having lived as I have, cloistered in unvarying routine, is faith in the unpredictability of life. A year ago, I had nothing to look forward to beyond teaching recalcitrant novices and praying on my knees through one winter after another until death took me. Now—” with a gesture, he encompassed the comfortable room, the fire, the glass of firi held lightly between his long fingers, “now an entirely new life unfolds before me. I see not just its sensual pleasures, but new opportunities to be of service. To you, to our family . . . to the council as well. In a world where such miracles can come to pass, who can say?”

Damion did not comment again that the council no longer existed as a power on elsha. He was too moved by Rinaldo’s offer. It was indeed a miracle to have found a brother, to be able to share the burden of his rank . . . an older brother who had every right to the power and prestige of Carmen . . .

“Perhaps, in good time, you will discover your proper place in this world,” Damion said, acutely aware of how clumsy he sounded. “The important thing is to heed what is in your heart—your dreams—and not be pressured or tricked or flattered into what is burdensome to you.”

“Damion, I have spent my life being told not to consider my own desires. What has given me greatest satisfaction, and I presume will continue to do so, is to make myself useful to others. At St. Valentine’s that meant performing any task set before me, no matter how menial. Now you have given me the chance to do something of importance in the larger world.”

Rinaldo leaned forward. “I know I am unsophisticated and inexperienced, but I am not ignorant. Do you think the monastery is a place devoid of ambition, free from the failures of human nature? You studied there long enough to know better

. It is the world distilled, with all its vanities and cruelty. I know it very well, its strengths and truths as well as its follies.”

Slowly, Damion nodded. “I beg your forgiveness if I sounded patronizing. I meant only to protect you against the harsh demands that have beset me in my own life.”

“I wanted to know you better, and so I do. You have a kind and generous heart. Perhaps too generous. I will not a***e your love. Instead, together we will accomplish—” Rinaldo broke off in a little self-deprecating laugh. “Just listen to me! I do not even know what needs doing! And you have not asked me anything about myself.”

“There is something . . . I could not ask you when the matter first arose because we were still at Nevarsin and you had not yet been released from your vows.” Damion paused, watching his brother’s reaction and noting nothing beyond bland interest. “You freely told me you are emmasca, so I assume the subject is not too difficult to discuss.”

“You mean painful, don’t you? It is not, only a bit awkward. I have never—we did not speak of such matters, you understand. I’d rehearsed that little speech ever since I heard you were coming. I knew it would come up and thought it best to get it over with at the earliest opportunity. I suppose I must be prepared to face more questions at Thendara.”

“Let them keep their questions to themselves! Other than an explanation of why Grandfather hid you away, and that only for my own understanding, it is none of anyone’s business. I won’t have you harassed because of it!” Damion saw Rinaldo’s eyes widen at the vehemence behind his words. He gentled his tone. “I know how it feels to be judged for what I cannot change.”

He was thinking now not only of his s****l preference but also of the late awakening of his power. For too many years he had believed he had none, and if Dan had not reached his mind, that might still be the case.

“I wondered how the monks treated your being emmasca and therefore different,” Damion finished.

“You mean if I was made to feel unworthy because of how I was born?” Rinaldo shook his head. “Then how little you understand of the deep, encompassing love of He Who Bears the Burdens of the World. He gathers us all into his righteousness. Of course, boys tease one another, but they also do a great many things that they repent when they are wiser. It is not our bodies or our temperaments that are unacceptable, only the uses to which we put them. Therein lies our sin or our salvation.”

Damion sensed an opening. “Just as men have bodies of varying shapes and strength and talents for one thing or another, do you not agree that our hearts can lead us in different directions without one being right and the other wrong? Surely, men of honor can hold different opinions. Honesty and integrity are more important than conformity.”

With a faint, humorless smile, Rinaldo shook his head. “I had no idea you were such a philosopher, my brother.”

“As a Carmen, I must deal with many sorts of men and women,” Damion said. “Not all differences are harmful. Some enrich us all, and others are simply none of anyone’s business. The piantsan, for example—what we see as immodest or bizarre, they consider normal. Yet they have brought us riches and knowledge. What they choose to think or how they behave in the privacy of their own chambers causes us no grief. Sometimes I think their greatest gift is a tolerant, welcoming attitude toward the unknown.”

“Strange, indeed,” Rinaldo murmured and then fell silent.

“We’ve had a long day,” Damion said, “and you have had to deal with many changes. If the journey thus far has been filled with new experiences, Thendara will be far worse. Remember that you do not face them alone. I will be at your side.”

“Indeed.” Rinaldo’s thin lips spread in a smile. “And now, we had best renew our strength for that new adventure.” He yawned. “I’m afraid the habit of early rising is still upon me.”

“I have kept you talking past your usual hour of sleep,” Damion apologized. He himself had no duties to wake him early, as Dan did, and had not considered the schedule his brother had kept at the monastery.

“It is no matter,” Rinaldo said lightly. “I must expect to become accustomed to different hours, among other things.”

As they came up over the pass leading down from the Venza Hills into the valley of Thendara, Damion signaled for the party to halt. He wanted to see his brother’s expression at the first sight of the city, huge and sprawling and ancient. Beyond the old Darkovan town lay the piants Trade City and the spaceport.

What did Rinaldo see? Were the towers of steel and glass ugly in their alienness, or did they present a strange, austere beauty? Damion himself was never sure.

“I did not realize it was so big,” Rinaldo murmured. “So many people, such riches! You must think me even more rustic than ever, for saying so.”

“Not at all,” Damion said. “I value that you speak as you think. Such honesty is rare in the city.”

“So I have been warned all my life.” Rinaldo grinned. “Father Master described Thendara as a cesspool of fleshly indulgence and deceit, rife with every form of sinfulness. I wonder what he would have said about Shainsa or Ardcarran, should he have been induced to pollute his tongue with their names. But I have no fear for my soul, with a brother to guide me.” He straightened his shoulders. “In fact, if Father Master’s assessment was at all correct, I will consider this a challenge.”

“A challenge?” Damion was not sure if he had understood or if the breath of chill that touched the nape of his neck were a premonition. Rinaldo’s easy smile set his fears to rest.

“To test what a man of determination and virtue can do in such a place,” Rinaldo answered.

“Let us hope for compassion and an open mind, as well.” Damion nudged his horse forward, and they began the long descent. The City Guards stationed at the gate recognized him long before he drew to a halt.

“Lord Carmen, welcome back to Thendara.” The senior officer bowed respectfully. “Dom Dan.” His eyes flickered to Rinaldo, taking in the poor quality of his horse, the worn clothing, and the fact that this disreputable-appearing person rode at the side of the most honored man in Thendara.

Damion noticed the officer’s reaction, the confusion that flickered momentarily across his face. He knew, too, that Rinaldo had seen it.

Indignation stirred. I will not make excuses for my brother’s appearance or anything else. Rinaldo is here under my protection.

Soon enough, everyone of any consequence in Thendara—in all the Domains, most likely—would know who Rinaldo was. It was better to let the poor man enjoy a little peace before they descended upon him, the courtiers and power seekers, the sycophants and schemers.

Damion wondered if he had done his brother a favor by taking him away from the peace of Nevarsin.