1629, Fire Season, Death Week, Godsday
Context
Kolyey’s life was saved by Maalira, and she is conscious of it. Session S5-O-6.
Events
The next morning, after breakfast but before the caravan gets moving, Kolyey approaches Maalira.
Maalira is sitting on her packed bedroll, doing something complicated with a comb that is not helping the hair situation in the slightest.
“Good morning, Healer. I wanted to talk to you. Is this a bad time?” Kolyey keeps her hair short.
Maalira drops the comb with a laugh. “Not at all, I am not getting anywhere without an actual bath. What did you want to talk about?”
“You saved my life. I don’t carry my ransom with me, but I can probably get the regiment to pay you if we make it back to Boldhome.”
Maalira shakes her head vigorously, sending her curls into mayhem. “No, no! Healing is holy, and it’s what I do. You owe me nothing.”
Kolyey is turning red. “Are you certain, Healer? Perhaps half my ransom?”
Maalira rises and puts a hand on Kolyey’s shoulder. “I am certain. If you wish to repay me in any way, continue to guard me while I have need of it. But there is no debt owed.”
Kolyey looks down at the ground. “I will try to do a better job of fighting your enemies.”
“Enemies get the better of all of us sometimes,” Maalira says, squeezing Kolyey’s shoulder. “Even Berra,” she adds, as somewhat of a non-sequitur.
Kolyey looks over at Maalira. She seems less upset. “I didn’t hold my shield right. I’m normally cavalry. If you hold your shield right, you’ll have some hope of surviving a charge. A pike works better.”
“I’m sure Berra or one of the others would be happy to give you some extra training,” Maalira suggests.
Nodding, Kolyey replies, “That’s a wonderful idea. Thanks. Want me to try to work on your hair?”
Berra is right now in some kind of quiet argument with Ornkarth. Either he woke up early, or he meditated all night. He looks serene and calm and amused and superior. Berra looks like she wants to invite him to walk to a polite distance and get a kicking.
“Oh goodness yes please,” Maalira says, stooping to pick up the comb and handing it to Kolyey. “It’s stupid hair.”
She takes the comb, after giving Ornkarth a momentary glare. Kolyey’s good at currying horses, but horses don’t complain much.
Ornkarth seems merrily oblivious to the glaring. Being threatened by a Humakti young enough to be his daughter seems to delight him. Berra is obliging by looking threateningly at him.
Maalira is watching Berra glare.
Kolyey tries not to hurt Maalira. This means that she picks out some of the snarls with her fingers. This keeps her busy, which might be a good thing.
Berra finally stands. She walks away from Ornkarth, and her path brings her towards Kolyey and Maalira. They get a milder version of the glare, which fades after a moment.
Maalira gives a little wave
Kolyey stops working on Maalira’s hair long enough to salute Berra.
“Hey.” Berra nods to Kolyey. “As you were. How’re you both?”
“In need of a bath,” Maalira says, wrinkling her nose.
“Much better for the sleep, thank you,” Kolyey says as she resumes work on Maalira’s hair. By now the hair is much better.
“We’ve got newtlings who can keep you safe if you want to dip in the river,” Berra suggests. “And that’ll hold for anyone, I suppose.”
Maalira considers it then shakes her head a tiny bit, conscious of the comb. “No, it’ll take hot water and soap to make a difference at this point. I’ll wait for a bathhouse.”
“You know how to do a scrub-wash? Like, you can rub most of it away?” Berra might just be checking that.
“Tempting thought,” says Kolyey. “If circumstances were different…”
“My hair is the problem, it doesn’t like anything other than proper washing,” Maalira says, tugging at a curl that has escaped the combing efforts.
“But anyway, how are you?” Maalira asks Berra.
“Well, I cut mine off for about that reason,” Berra says, and then the question catches up with her. All sorts of expressions pass over her features, in short order, and she ends up looking thoughtful. “Got a lot to decide about. What to do about the crocodile egg, what to do about whatever’s going South. That stuff.” And maybe more, given how her face is twisted in honest puzzlement.
“I don’t envy you the task.” Kolyey looks about ready to give up on Maalira’s hair.
“Have you tried an undercut, taking the bottom hair off?” Berra asks.
Maalira looks horrified and claps her hands over her hair. “Not happening.”
“Just underneath where you can’t see it!”
“Just as well. My dagger is not really sharp enough to cut hair,” Kolyey says. “This is the best I can do, Healer.” She offers Maalira the comb.
Maalira takes the comb with a smile. “Thank you. I am so grateful.”
“You’re very welcome.”
“It’s Fire Season alongside a river,” Berra says. “It’s going to be a big cloud of frizz for a while yet. Do you ever just plait it and leave it in?”
Berra even mimes pulling her own hair back into a queue.
“That might be a good idea,” Maalira says.
“I know how to sew them in.” Berra smiles. “Maybe some time. Meanwhile, you make sure you’ve eaten and get ready to go, and stuff. We gotta make some southerly.” She moves on to looking at Kolyey. “You get the river flank today.”
Kolyey nods. “Anything in particular to look for?”
“Keep the newtlings aware you’re watching them as they pole upstream, and look for the grazelander riders. Report anything that isn’t people working fields.” Berra stretches out on tiptoes, shoulders back. “I’m feelin’ wary today.”
“I will do that. I don’t blame you.” Kolyey pauses. If Berra doesn’t speak, Kolyey will get to horse.
Berra goes to make sure that the other guards are ready and know what they are doing.
Kolyey gets to her post.
