An Awkward Moment

Jegar had problems with Astra's story, but he was a man who went with his gut and experience. He had known men with something to hide, and they were evasive, defensive, or nervous. The was not the way Astra was at all. She behaved more like a witness to a terrible event than an actor in it.

Jegar noticed that Astra's companion, Hesht, was listening to her intently. Jegar thought that Hesht had not been informed of Astra's time in Corona.

Sabok then interjected, "Are you quite sure that they were dead? Perhaps they went into shock, but survived the next day. It happens, especially in fights were both men have had some strong drink."

One of the other guests said, "Come now, Sabok. Surely the guards would not be drinking on duty?"

"I am just saying that in Corona, that would not be totally out of the question."

Astra replied, "I could not tell. Maybe one of them survived. I went up to another one to check, and he did not seem to have a pulse. I grabbed the man's sword and boots, and got out of there as fast as I could."

"Astra!" interjected Hesht.

"It was not as if he was going to use them, and I had to have some means of defending myself. And I had had enough of Gilder and Corona. If I had stayed around, what chance would I have had? It would have been my word, as an alien from a land that many here dislike, against Gilder's." Astra then became quiet, and stared at Jegar.

Hesht said, "I b-believe you."

Unexpectedly, Sabok also said, cooly, "I believe you as well. In hindsight, you should have left the bodies alone - the loss of the sword would point to another man or woman in the quarrel. I would find it difficult to believe that you could kill two men. But I had not heard anything on the road about such a sensational case. Perhaps they have understood what really happened, and there may be no cause for alarm."

Jegar kept silence on this point. To bring it up would break up what had been a good gathering, and he would further lose face. Jegar said, "Astra, I am sorry that you have not been welcomed across the Kingdom. We Hespaniards believe in providing comfort and cheer to the traveller, even if he or she is an alien. Let us hear no more of Corona and Gilder tonight. It might be a little crowded, but we will make sure that you and Hesht get a good night's sleep, at least. Hesht, perhaps you could tell us a little about the latest goings on in Golabi?"

Hesht was not a good story teller, but filled in the room on the latest goings on of Nanva, Granny, Bakhtar, as well as Doazda and the Tenge. Now it was Astra's turn to be surprised. Apparently the alchemical trade was much more lively than she had thought, with talk of things like thunderstone, starter, resins, flowers, salts, bases, gums, essenses, and distillation. There was a lot of political gossip, which changes remarkably little except for the names. It seemed that there were various groups and factions within the alchemist's world, with Hesht doing a lot of work for a Ghermiz, as well as Doazda. Hesht could have never carried on the conversation alone, but Astra soon found that Jegar had some sort of interest in the doings of the alchemists as well. In fact, he seemed to be in some ways better informed than Hesht. Sabok, on the other hand, knew even less about the alchemists than she did, and she could tell he was listening intently, as if he were memorizing the information. This made sense. Sabok was an entertainer, and one thing that was always in demand was gossip and news. As long as she was safely across the border, she really did not care whether she was part of that gossip or not.

Astra would sometimes add to Hesht's brief accounts. The story of using the big pine tree to cross the big canyon was very popular, and a toast was drunk to both of them for their exploit. Astra was happy that her rather tart review of the amuzgar's homily was taken sympathetically. Apparently many of the guests had been subjected to his dull lectures. The awkward moment appeared to have been smoothed over nicely.

Bedding of blankets on the floor had been prepared, and just about everyone was asleep. However, Jegar was awake. He took one person aside, and went out of the house.

1. He said, "Sabok, you said that you thought that Astra was innocent. I know you as a shrewd judge of men and women. Do you really think that she had nothing to do with those murders?"
2. He said, "Astra, there is something that I did not tell you that you need to know."
3. He said, "Hesht, we have known each other for a number of years...."

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