Wayfarer (Wanderlust 2)

Chapter Thirty-Two

The next few days passed by pleasantly. Tanden's arm continued to feel better, and although he was frustrated with Soren for being so careful with him, he also appreciated it. Some days, Jale took them out to see places in Till she thought they would like. A temple, the emperor's palace, a library. Other days, they helped her with tasks. In the evenings, the four of them sat on the mattress or couches near the fire, drinking, talking, and trying to teach each other card games. With both Tanden and Jale translating, conversations ran more smoothly.

With every passing day, Ara looked healthier and seemed happier. He fixed his hair, adding a few braids exactly like he had worn it when Tanden and Soren had first met him. He borrowed a belt from Jale to cinch Soren's large tunic more snugly around his waist. Jale let him look through some of the jewellery she had been gifted but never wore, and he picked out a few bracelets and a sparkling sapphire and gold earring for his left ear.

The only thing missing from his appearance was the temporary tattoo and black makeup he used to wear around his eyes. That was remedied when Soren found and bought a new makeup box for him. That evening, Ara joyfully painted a beautiful flower design, made up of swirls and dots, from his left hand all the way up to his elbow.

The other three watched him. Tanden was sprawled on the couch with his feet on Soren's lap, while Jale had the second couch completely to herself. She held a tall, clear glass of kalay. Tanden was on his third glass, and Soren was slowly working through his first.

"He's really good at that," Jale said in Teltish. "I've never been able to make a henna design look nice."

"It's more a Morcean tradition than a Tallenese one, isn't it?" Tanden asked.

"Yes, but when you live in Till you're going to try it out," Jale said. "You're going to have to buy quite a bit of it for him to keep on your ship."

"I suppose so." Tanden finished the last of his kalay and held his glass towards Soren. Soren eyed him, then took the glass and leaned over to pick up the bottle that was sitting by his feet.

"Last one," he said firmly as he handed the glass back.

"Aye, sir." Tanden pushed himself up with his good arm, and shifted to sit with his legs crossed, facing Soren. It was warm enough that Soren's sleeves were rolled up, and Tanden walked his fingers along one of the lines on Soren's right forearm. "What happens when the Wanderlust is back and the crew see you ordering me around? Jale is used to your insubordination, but the men..." he trailed off when his fingers reached Soren's hand. Gently, he flipped Soren's hand so he could see Soren's palm.

The slices had mostly healed cleanly, except for a few lines on each palm. Tanden still wasn't used to them. On Soren's right hand, a particularly bad cut had turned into a raised line across the muscle of his thumb. Tanden ran his finger across the scar.

Soren held his hand still and let Tanden fiddle with it as he spoke to Jale. "So, what are you planning on doing with your money once we pay you? Will you marry Raserani?"

Jale sipped some kalay and then twirled the glass slowly, watching the way the firelight caught the liquid. "Actually, I was thinking of maybe taking a trip of my own."

"Really? Where?" Tanden looked up, intrigued. He was still tracing Soren's scar with his finger lightly.

"Well... I've heard some stories about an exploring ship and a somewhat eccentric captain." Jale shot them a look. "I thought maybe I could book passage and see a bit more of the world before I formally ask Sera to marry me."

Tanden laughed. "Just work for me. Then you'll earn a salary and come back even richer. That'll impress Raserani's father."

"You'd hire me? I don't know anything about ships," Jale said.