Page 51 of Beyond the Ruby River
Mahu approached, taking the heavy bag from his back and rolling his shoulders. “Hello, Niyarai. It’s good to see you again. Thank you for coming on such short notice.”
She gave him a quick one-armed hug. “My pleasure. Thank you for the invitation.”
Daka spread the blanket he carried evenly over the sandy ground.
Mahu handed him the second one, then unpacked the jug of beer and set it in the shade. He turned back to Niya. “My friends will be joining us soon and their kids along with them. Daka and I were wondering if you knew any jokes?”
Niya’s expression told him she did, indeed, know some jokes, and just like Daka had said, they wouldn’t be fit for the ears of children. “Let me think on that some, hmm?” She offered him the bottle she’d been carrying.
“Thank you,” said Mahu, taking the sweet wine. “How is your mother? We’re sorry she couldn’t make it.”
“She doesn’t like to leave Rhakotis, but she sends her regards. I’ll be sure to tell her you said hello.”
“Please do.” Mahu gestured to the blankets Daka had laid out, and they sat. “Tell us, how was your journey?”
Daka sat next to him and leaned into his side. His pleasant weight had become such a comfort, especially since he hadn’t been feeling well.
“Oh, easy! I took a ferry this time, with large sails that made floating upriver faster than renting a donkey would have been. And Naukratis has this wonderfully thriving pleasure tavern called the Golden Jackal. Do you know it?”
Mahu did know it. Daka had told him stories. You couldn’t live in Naukratis and not know of its existence, whether you frequented the place or not. “Ah, yes, though I’ve never been inside.”
Her face fell comically. “That’s a pity. Daka, you should—”
Daka tensed. “I most absolutely should not. Demon’s tongue, Niyarai, we’re happy just the two of us. How many times will I have to say it?”
Niya’s expression made it obvious she had no clue how a partnership of only two could be fulfilling. Her chestnut eyebrows arched to peaks.
Youthful feminine giggles drifted on the breeze, alerting them to the arrival of the others.
“Remember they’re all human, Niya,” warned Daka. “Be careful what you say.”
“Of course, dear brother. I shall be on my best behavior.”
Mahu rather hoped that her best behavior meant no more talk of brothels before lunchtime.
“Mahu!” Imi’s voice rang loud and clear as a crow’s call. She barreled toward them as quick as her skinny legs would take her.
“Careful, Imi,” called Herit from some ways back.
Dropping her little basket before tackling Mahu in a small girl’s version of a big bear hug, Imi landed squarely on his lap.
Mahu caught her in a hug, having braced for the impact in the nick of time. The force of her landing knocked the wind from his chest. He coughed while patting her back.
“Really, Imi,” Mahu huffed out. “It’s as if you don’t see me nearly every week.”
“That’s at the diner when I’m working.” Imi’s gaze scanned the garden. “This is much more fun.”
Mahu chuckled. “Agreed.”
Imi’s golden brown eyes landed on Daka. “Hello, Dakarai.”
“Hello, Imi, it’s nice to see you again. Would you like to meet my sister?”
“Yes.” They both turned to look at Niya, who offered a pretty smile.
“This is Niyarai. Niya, this is Imi and along comes her older sister Kita, and her mother, Herit.”
“Hi, Imi. You can call me Niya.”
