Page 74 of The King's Menagerie

"Nothing," Ramsay said, voice level, neither polite nor impolite—but definitely not inviting questions. It was true enough, as far as it went. He did his little carvings to trade for necessities. He fixed up his house. He kept up his training, because he loathed the idea of getting soft and weak. Occasionally he tried himself against others in the fight rings in the city on his infrequent trips.

Mostly, he just did whatever he could to avoid thinking. Probably he avoided living too. He had never much cared.

"That is a pity," Nadir said lightly. "As I said, my brother and I dabble in poetry. Berkant, as I'm sure you saw, is a fighter trained. He and Jankin have been working on a knife dance performance for the past couple of months. Though, so far as knives go, Mazin is the best. I'm certain I need not tell you what Jankin does."

Ramsay almost smiled. "No, you need not tell me. I am fascinated you caught him, when so many have tried and failed."

Nadir smiled faintly, and his voice was barely audible when he replied, "Oh, I think there was always one piece of him we never caught."

What was that supposed to mean? Ramsay frowned and turned away, dismissing the subject. He didn't understand what Nadir was implying, and he didn't want to understand. He just wanted to be left alone.

He wished the words didn't sound suddenly so hollow. He wished he knew what waswrongwith him. "Unless you need to stop, I suggest we push on toward the first rest stop."

"I agree," Mazin said coolly, glaring at Nadir, who only stared blandly back. "The sooner we retrieve His Highness, the better."

Nadir nodded. "I agree, but there is no harm in conversation while conversation is possible. It is not often we encounter so fascinating a person."

Mazin made a face. "You are quite hopeless, and the only one more hopeless is your brother."

"You are welcome to your opinion," Nadir said lightly, but Ramsay could see the words grated.

He wished he knew how to ease the tension, but his role had always been the silent one. Still, he struggled for something to say, but in the end, he could only come up with, "I don't understand how… uh—" He fumbled and gave up, not certain how to ask or even if he should. It had been a stupid attempt at getting them to stop arguing.

But Nadir only chuckled and smiled at him. "How we come to be in the harem?"

Ramsay nodded. "It is not something I've seen practiced anywhere else in the world, and I traveled extensively with His Highness for five years. People talk and talk about the strange royal customs of Tavamara. Stranger still to actually, finally see."

Nadir laughed. "Yes, I guess it would be, but you are kind for not thinking less of us for it. Many do, you know."

"Why?" Ramsay asked, surprised. "I admit it is unusual, and no doubt complicated, but why think less of you for managing it?"

"Most would say it is wrong to love so many? Love is one on one," Nadir said thoughtfully. "Not to mention the immorality of certain other acts performed with more than two. Foreigners always have plenty to say on the matter, except for those from Rittu, who amusingly find us slightly too prudish."

Ramsay very carefully did not think about immoral acts. Especially when he had so many grossly inappropriate questions about Nadir and Ender. "People love in multiples all the time. I loved my parents, my brother, all at once. I do not see why love must be limited, depending on its nature."

Nadir smiled at him, and Ramsay had the sudden, absurd impression he had just passed some test. He shook offthe strange thought and was quietly relieved when they finally reached the edge of the city.

"Finally," Mazin said, and spurred his horse forward, taking off ahead of them, racing off down the path.

"We had best not let him out of our sight too long," Nadir said, and there was a grimness to his tone that drew Ramsay up short. He looked at Nadir, who returned the stare blandly.

Nodding, Ramsay signaled his own horse and raced off after Mazin, into the growing dark.

*~*~*

Ramsay had never been so happy to see his humble little cabin. Soon all would be well again, and he could go back to his normal life. Even if felt more and more like simply existing.

He turned away from those thoughts, because they were a waste of time and would get him nowhere. Reaching his yard, he dismounted and told Feather to stay. Then he strode to the house and unlocked the door with the key around his neck.

The inside smelled like tea and honey, and as though the house had not been properly cleaned for several days. Of a person, there was no immediately obvious sign. Smiling, he called out, "Kaj! You can come out, it's only me."

Immediately the hidden door to his cellar—which he had been careful to show Kaj before he left—sprang up from the floor beneath the table. Kaj scrambled out and bolted straight to him. "Ramsay!"

Ramsay scooped him up and hugged him close, kissing his cheek before finally setting him down on his feet again. "Were you good while I was gone? Did you stay hidden? Did anyone come by?"

"Only a peddler, and I did not answer the door or say anything or even move," Kajan said proudly. "I was good."

"I knew you would be, and so brave," Ramsay said with a smile and tousled his hair. Then he nodded toward the door, where Nadir stood. "Look who has come to see you home."

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