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.“They must be cleaning up for dinner,” I said.“As should we.” He tugged me toward the steps leading upstairs.With a parting kiss, Daniel and I slipped into our respective rooms.Inside the walls of my quarters, I walked over to the full washbasin on the small table in front of the polished obsidian.I freshened up and met Daniel back in the hallway.When we arrived on the patio, Citlali turned away from Tizoc and spread her arms out to Daniel and me.She embraced us both and waved a hand to the table where the rest of her family was gathered.“More introductions are necessary.” Yaoti rose from his place at the head of the table.He turned to Xochitl who was seated beside a bulky looking Sunal male.A simple vest of dark purple fabric covered his upper body, which was all I could see of his attire.He smiled, revealing a set of gleaming white teeth and a jovial expression.“This is Acalon,” Xochitl said, resting her hand on her mate’s shoulder.Acalon tilted his head toward Daniel and me.“Xochitl has told me about you both.You are enjoying our city, yes?”His coal black eyes searched our faces, waiting for our reply.“We saw quite a bit of it today,” Daniel began as he approached the table, “and it is impressive.”Acalon smiled again, wider this time, pleased with our appreciation for Ezenoch.“My brothers,” he announced, indicating the other Sunal males sitting next to Tizoc’s sisters.“Chimalli, Itzli, and Matlal.”Each of the men were dressed similarly to Acalon but in colors matching their mates.Blue for Chimalli and Teiuc.Red for Itzli and Eréndira.Green for Matlal and Yaretzi.Yaoti and Citlali also corresponded in pure white.Daniel and I did not match, and I felt as if I were back at one of Lady Elizabeth’s fancy dinners where I did not belong.Looking around, I noticed that no one matched Tizoc’s attire either, gold tonight.Shaking my head at my own disorganized emotions, I dragged Daniel over to two of the four empty seats.After we got settled and Xochitl had poured drinks, Captain Finley appeared on the patio.“Good evening.” He took the seat next to Daniel.“I have come from the accommodations you have given to the rest of my crew that arrived today.Yaoti, your kindness is without limits.My men are comfortable and in awe of your fantastic city.”Yaoti held up his glass in acknowledgement.“They came with only daggers as you did, Captain.Your men trust you deeply.”“Most of them have been with me on the Rose for many years.All good men and loyal to a fault.Know how to follow orders.” Captain Finley patted his nephew on the shoulder.The only open seat left was next to me.As Daniel and the captain discussed matters of the crew, Tizoc stood next to his mother.His eyes, of course, were on me, looking more golden because of the garments he wore tonight.As he studied me, I lowered my eyes to the seat next to me then looked back at him.He lithely crossed the distance between us and sat.Daniel didn’t grumble about it, and I raised an eyebrow in wonder.What did he say to you today? I thought, looking at Tizoc.Lots of things, came the reply, a hint of amusement in the thoughts and on his lips.He’s been jealous of you.Now, all of a sudden, he seems less so.We came to an agreement.What does that mean?Anything you want it to.You’re not being helpful.You could find out exactly what he said to me if you wanted to.The fact that you haven’t searched my mind deeply means you don’t want to know.Maybe he was right.Whatever had passed between them today was a good thing.It would make life easier for me if they weren’t against each other.Fine.I’ll drop it, I thought.Tizoc took the bowl of potatoes Citlali passed to him.Filling his plate, he plopped a scoop down on mine and handed me the bowl to pass on.I took a moment to examine the intricate carvings along the rim of the wooden bowl.“My mother’s work,” Tizoc said.“She is gifted.” I had not expected such artistry in simple things like bowls, but as I looked around the table, I realized beauty was all around me.From the bright fabrics of the Sunal clothing to the gold and silver jewelry to the very people that had gathered for this meal, Ezenoch held many masterpieces.As the bowls made their rounds, my plate became covered, a mix of delectable scents wafting up to my nose.Once everyone had been served, Yaoti stood and spoke to Captain Finley.“It is with great pleasure that my family shares this meal and our home with your family.” He nodded at Daniel and me.“May the gods continue to bless us, Sunal and English alike, in Ezenoch.”Captain Finley raised his drink.“Thank you, Yaoti, Citlali.We have only been here a short time, and yet I feel as if I’ve fallen in love with your culture.Other places I will sail to next will pale in comparison to what I’ve seen here.”“Eat,” Citlali said.“Enjoy.”And that’s exactly what I did.I dove into the food, not realizing what a hunger I had worked up exploring Ezenoch with Tizoc’s sisters.Everything tasted like heaven, as it had at the feast the night before.I took some pride in knowing I had a hand in preparing this meal.“So,” Captain Finley began, around the scanty remains of food on his plate, “I saw Timmy and Jonah Leaven this afternoon.They were asking about you, Charlie.Told them you’ve changed a bit since they last saw you.They’re curious.”“We’ll find them tomorrow.” Daniel added his own grin, thinking of the trick we’d be playing.“They’d like that.” Captain Finley turned to Yaoti.“I’ve told my men we’d have a furlough here for two weeks if that is agreeable to you.”“Stay as long as you wish, Captain.Your men have made no moves against us,” Yaoti said.“Two weeks is plenty of time to study, rest, and enjoy,” the captain said.“Uncle,” Daniel began in a firm voice, one that sounded commanding like Captain Finley’s.“Charlotte and I have decided we’d like to stay in Ezenoch a bit longer, with your permission and Yaoti’s, of course.”Captain Finley’s mouth opened and closed several times.Finally he managed to say, “You sure, Daniel? I mean, Charlotte is welcome on the Rose.I would not deny her passage… or work [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]