Irenya laughed. ‘You definitely have the wrong person. I’ve never been to Tire. And I wasn’t in Dar Orien four summers ago.’
His thick black eyebrows puckered together, elongating a thin nose. He eyed her like a puzzled bird.
‘Mister Kolyani. You are… Oh, wait a minute. It seems a woman who looks like me, even has a similar name, was in Tire four summers ago.’ She smiled at him, a tentative curl of her lips. ‘You are not the first to be confused.’
Kolyani murmured an apology then drew his head back a little. ‘Oh, dear Meia, but you are such a faithful copy of her.’ He studied her face until Irenya wanted to turn away. ‘The manner of your speaking. You must surely be twins. And your brother,’ he glanced around the gathering, ‘he is not with you? Mei… kee is his name.’
Irenya was silent.
