5, Settling things

Tenac made sure they took it slow at first, giving Ayya and Estrela time to get to know each other. Ayya was awestricken by the sensation of riding Estrela.

“Are you ready to up the tempo?” Tenac asked as they had left the city behind and were riding along the river.

“Sure, let’s find a place to eat. I brought some leftovers from yesterday,” she nodded.

“I like that plan,” he grinned.

They started trotting and Ayya enjoyed being out riding with Tenac on her new horse. They came to a place where a couple of trees was knocked over. The view of the river and the grassland with the city in the distance was breath-taking.

They dismounted, and Ayya unpacked the food. She was a little nervous to let Estrela wander around, but Tenac assured her that the horse wouldn’t stray but keep close to Addon.

“Addon seems to look out for her,” Ayya pointed out a while later as they were sitting and eating.

“I noticed it as well,” Tenac nodded.

Addon was never hostile to other horses like he could be to humans. But he usually pretended they didn’t exist, or that they irritated him by their presence. But he seemed to like Estrela and made sure she didn’t wander too far away from Tenac and Ayya in her search for grass.

Tenac and Ayya talked about Tenac’s upcoming mission. He would go south to Archam. There would be a large gathering of leaders from different native people that lived in Salmisara. Ayya knew that the Lady and Ayya’s father would travel down for a week later on.

“The food tasted just as good today,” Tenac smiled happily.

“I’m happy to hear that. I feel a little guilty because I left all the cleaning up for my parents,” Ayya said.

“They would have asked you if they needed your help,” Tenac said.

“I know,” she agreed.

“Ready to head back?” he asked.

“Yeah,” she nodded.

They rode back, and Ayya spent almost as much time grooming Estrela again. She made sure she gave her treats, and that she had food before heading back home.

During her time off, Ayya visited the stables every day. She groomed Estrela. Sometimes she would take her out for a ride, sometimes they exercised in the pen. Her father joined her sometimes. Kopa was amazed by Estrela.

Even if he insisted, he didn’t need his own horse as he usually sat on the coach box of the Lady’s carriage. He still loved horses.

“One day when I retire, I would love to move into the countryside and have a farm with horses that have been retired from the riders,” he told her one day as he helped her groom Estrela.

“You would move away from the city?” Ayya asked. She was surprised.

“Yes. Your mother could have a proper garden, and we could just relax and enjoy life. We have both lived our entire life in the city. It would be nice to try something different,” he nodded.

“I never knew that. And mom thinks it’s a good idea?”

“She does. You didn’t think I would plan something like that without asking her, did you?” he laughed.

“Yeah, that would be dangerous,” Ayya agreed with a smile.

“We would leave the house in the city to you. Even if you have an apartment in the sanctum, it’s nice to have someplace to get away. If you don’t want to live there, you can always rent it out or sell it and buy someplace you like more,” he told her.

“What? But don’t you need to sell it to buy the farm?” Ayya asked.

“No, little one. Both your mother and I make good money and we don’t spend that much. I thought our expenses would go up when you moved in, but you hardly spend any money. I think your mother and I spend more money on you than you do on yourself,” he chuckled.

“I don’t know what to say,” Ayya said.

“You don’t have to say anything. It’s hopefully a long time in the future,” he told her.

“Yeah, but still. Just that you thought about it makes me feel really grateful,” she said.

“Of course we thought about it, Ayya. We want what is best for you and we know you don’t want to live with us forever. Regardless of how you choose to live your life, at some point you want your independence. And in the end, all of it will be yours anyway,” he smiled.

“I don’t like that idea, but I appreciate the thought,” Ayya told him. He chuckled and placed a hand on her shoulder.

“Come on, little one. Your mother will have dinner ready soon,” he said.

About a week after Ayya’s initiation into the aari, it was time for the dinner with the council. Tariana would be hosting it in the sanctum and Ayya would be the guest of honour. Kopa was also invited, as he had promised to be on his best behaviour and not threaten any council members.

Ayya was almost as nervous as she had been for her final test as she was getting ready. Her mother was helping her and noticed how nervous she was.

“Don’t worry, Ayya. You will do fine. Your father may have sworn not to do any harm to the council members, but Tariana made no such promise. And you should know by now that it’s the women you should be afraid of,” her mother smiled.

“Thanks, mom,” Ayya said and smiled back.

Ayya and her father took a boat over to the sanctum and went into one of the formal dining rooms that was located in the sanctum.

“Ayya, welcome” Tariana smiled and hugged Ayya.

“Thank you, my Lady. And thank you for arranging this dinner,” Ayya told her.

“I’m happy to do it. It gives me a chance to make sure they all stay in line,” Tariana said.

It was a more relaxed dinner than Ayya had expected. She had envisioned some sort of cross-examination from the council members. But most of them were just happy to talk to her and their questions weren’t hard or hostile. She relaxed and enjoyed herself.

Her father stood out, not only because of his size, but as he was the only one wearing grey and not white at the dinner. But Ayya could clearly see the amount of respect the council members had for him.

Aari Gregic was friendly and entertained Ayya with tales of Kopa’s younger escapades.

“I don’t think Ayya needs to know this,” her father told aari Gregic.

“Nonsense, my friend, these are important things for a daughter to know about her father,” aari Gregic objected.

Ayya laughed and memorised them to check with her mother if she had heard them.

As the evening was over and the council members had said goodbye, Tariana, Ayya, and Kopa sat down with a cup of tea to discuss the dinner.

“I think it went really well,” Tariana said, sounding pleased.

“I agree,” Kopa nodded. “They were clearly impressed with Ayya,” he added.

“Oh, come on, dad. That is a huge exaggeration. They were friendly and civil to me. Let’s not blow that out of proportion,” Ayya huffed.

“No, your father is right, dear,” Tariana smiled.

“If they had doubts about your competence, or felt they needed to know more about you, they would have pressed harder and wouldn’t have been so nice,” her father explained.

“That’s right. The fact that they were so nice is proof that they see you as a serious contender.” Tariana nodded.

“Really?” Ayya asked.

“Really,” Tariana confirmed.

Ayya didn’t know how to feel about that. Until now, she could pretend that because she was new, the council wouldn’t even consider her as a contender for the spot as the Lady’s apprentice. But now, now it could be a possibility, and Ayya found herself needing to decide if that was what she wanted.

“I have asked for the grate not to be lowered until you two go home,” Tariana said, referring to the small metal grate that was lowered in front of the opening into the sanctum at night.

“Thank you, Tariana. We appreciate it,” Kopa smiled.

“No sense of keeping you here overnight,” Tariana said.

They said their goodbyes, and Ayya and Kopa rowed back to the river field.

“What are you thinking about, little one? I can see the cogs moving,” Kopa said as he helped her out of the boat.

“Do you think I could be a good Lady if I was chosen?” Ayya asked her father.

“Ah, you are considering if you will accept an offer to be a contender if they offer it to you,” he said.

“Yes,” she nodded.

“To answer your first question. I think you have the potential in you to be a great Lady. But you are still young,” he told her.

“So, if they ask, I should turn it down?” Ayya asked.

“Did I say that? No. What I said was that you need more life experience, little one. Tariana is in no hurry to retire. The council is pushing for her to train a successor because they are afraid that something will happen and we will be left without a Lady or someone at least somewhat trained,” he told her.

“Okay,” Ayya nodded.

“Ayya, there is no reason for you to turn down such an offer if they make it. You will have time to grow and Tariana obviously believes in you. She wouldn’t have given you all the opportunities she has given you to succeed with the council if she didn’t believe in you,” her father told her and put a hand on her shoulder.

“Yeah, you are right,” she admitted.

“The question isn’t if you could be a good Lady. The question is if you want that life?” he then said.

“But that is a much harder question,” Ayya complained. Kopa chuckled.

“It is,” he nodded. “Take your time. They won’t ask anyone officially until the end of the year. You still have six months to figure it out,” he added.

“Thanks dad,” she said and gave him a peck on the cheek.

“Any time, little one,” he told her.

Before Ayya knew it, it was time for her to report to aari Megath and get settled into her new life. As she took a boat over to the sanctum, she was a little nervous.

“Ayya, thank you for coming,” Megath smiled at her. He was an older aari with dark hair, neatly cut with a well-trimmed beard. There was a dust of silver at his temples and fine lines framed his eyes.

“Welcome to the diplomatic part of the aari,” he said as she sat down on the chair he had showed her.

“Thank you. I’m so excited and honoured to be here. I will do my best,” Ayya said.

“I’m sure you will. I have heard great things about you from your teachers. I’m just going to take a minute or two to go through how we work here, then I’m going to take you and show you your office and your apartment,” he smiled.

“Sounds good,” Ayya nodded.

The minute or two turned in to closer to three hours. But Ayya didn’t mind. It was fascinating and exciting to listen to what she would be doing.

The diplomatic area handled all communication and relationships with anyone outside the aari community. That meant they had a huge organisation with a wide arrangement of duties. One day, you could read through letters with a request for help or advice. The next you could help organise travels or planning to go on your own trip.

Smaller decisions were made by a group of seasoned aari. More impactful decisions were handled by the council. There were always new missions, travels, and events to be planned.

Everything about it fascinated Ayya. That they could ask the help from any part of the aari organisation and would often get what they asked for, had her amazed.

“It all comes down to that our part of the organisation is driving in us fulfilling our base duties; to help others,” Megath told her.

“I can understand that. Everyone wants to be a part of that.” Ayya nodded.

“They do. But don’t expect everything to be fun and noble. Most of the requests we handle are from people needing help to bless a crop, or a chief asking us to come out to mediate a neighbour dispute, and things like that,” he smiled. Ayya nodded again.

“Well, that brings us to your first mission,” he told her.