Zari

"I feel badly to have interrupted your day with my carelessness," Astra said. "And I am truly embarrassed. You won't make any of this public, will you, sir?"

The satrap leaned forward in his chair, and shook his head. "There is no need for me to do that. Zari, my chambermaid, should be able to get you some decent if simple clothing, and Asib, my groom, will provision your horse. You should be on your way shortly after noon."

"I thank you. If you can show me the way back to the main road, Gorbeh does not have to bother on my account. I feel perfectly safe once I make it to the main road."

Gorbeh answered, "It is no problem at all, khanomam. I have to make the rounds to the border with Corona anyway, so you can just accompany me. I would just ask that you not talk much, so that I concentrate on observing the roadside and the travellers to see if something is amiss."

"Speaking of something being amiss, has the post arrived from Corona yet?" asked the satrap.

"I have not seen anyone yet."

"It is just as well. The accounts from the city lately are pretty much gossip and rubbish about the set that has clung to our new Governour. I suppose that it is harmless, though. I have enough on my hands without worrying about his affairs. Still, be on the watch for the post from Corona."

"I will, sir."

Astra walked gingerly out of the court, as her feet were still bruised and blistered, and followed Gorbeh to another part of the hacienda. A lively, chubby little woman was bent over a washboard.

"Hello, Zari," said Gorbeh.

"Well, hello, Gorbeh. What brings you here? And how is Sara?"

"Sara is much better, thank you. We were worried for a while. Safid Ali has charged me with making sure that this woman is decently clothed and to escort her back to Corona."

Zari looked into Astra's eyes and then smiled at Gorbeh. "There has to quite a story here."

"I will trust that you will use your discretion. She was robbed down by the lake. I am sure that Safid Ali will have someone investigate, but in the meantime, she needs fresh clothes, so that she can go back to Corona."

"If you can leave us be for about an hour, I will have our guest well-clothed. What is your name?"

"Astra," Astra answered.

"I will be just outside the door. It is my duty to guard her."

"Yes, yes. I think that she will be quite safe with me."

"Do not take too long, Zari. I cannot see why you can not finish in five minutes."

"Gorbeh, there are somethings that man is not meant to know. Go away," she bantered playfully.

Gorbeh walked out, and then Zari guided Astra to a wardrobe.

Now, Zari was a woman who had three qualities that were normally harmless, but were now potentially dangerous to Astra.

She was good-natured.
She wanted to know everything about everyone she met.
She was extremely persistent.

Zari, in looking at Astra after she discarded Gorbeh's cloak, knew that her guest was not from Hespan. "She looks like she might be one of the 'actresses' that gives 'private performances' for the mighty in Corona. She is tall, and with that figure, she could make a good living just being seen with someone. Or she could be running away from her husband or lover after a quarrel. I don't know that I will have anything that will fit her. I might have to get creative with the needle to get her shoes and a proper dress."

1. Zari finds something that fits Astra.
2. Zari is going to have to get creative.

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