She watched them all go by, numb. I knew that this might happen , she told herself. That he might die . Yet she had gone ahead with her plan, dragging Chaison reluctantly into it. It had been necessary if they were to save Slipstream; she knew that. But the decision still felt like a betrayal.
"It's so electric , said Eilen now, having a new face in our world! Quite drunk, she balanced on one foot near Venera, waving excitedly at people she had seen every day of her life. Of those people, a few had approached and introduced themselves, halting and stammering; most stayed back, muttering together and eyeing Venera. Foreigner. Strange beast. New darling of the botanist.
And yes, the botanist was here, too. She glided through the celebrants as though on rails, nodding here and there, speaking strategic words on the outskirts of discussions, the same mysterious smile as always hovering just behind her lips. Eventually she made her way over to Venera. She hove to just this side of Eilen. Eilen herself moved away, suddenly quiet.
"I've always said that it pays to know your customers, the botanist said. I judged your potential rightly."
Venera eyed her. Is that what you feel you do? Judge people's potential? Like the buds of flowers that might bloom or whither?"
"How apt. Yes, that's exactly right, said the botanist. Some are to be encouraged, others cut from the branch. You nod as though you understand."
"I've done a certain amount of pruning in my day, said Venera. So I've achieved a great victory for your tiny nation. Now what?"
"Now, said the botanist in a breathless sort of sisterly way, we talk about what to do next. You see, you've vindicated my methods. I believe Liris needs to be more open to the outside worldthat we need to send our delegates farther, even outside Spyre itself."
The fog of Venera's sorrow lifted just a bit. Leave Spyre? What do you mean?"
"I would like to send a trade mission to one of the principalities, said the botanist. You, of course, would lead it."
"I'd be honored, said Venera with a straight face. But isn't it Odess's job to arrange such things?"
"Odess? The botanist waved her hand dismissively. Prattling whiner. Take him if you'd like, but I can't see what good he'll do you. No, I picture you, perhaps Eilen, and one or two loyal soldiers. And a consignment of our treasure to tempt potential customers."
"That sounds reasonable. Venera couldn't believe what she was hearing. Did the woman seriously believe she would come back if she got out of this place? But then, everyone in Spyre seemed dangerously naive.
"Good. Say nothing of this to the others, instructed the botanist severely. It won't do to let old wounds fester."
What did that mean? Venera thought about it as the botanist strolled away, but then Eilen returned and spilled her drink on Venera's shoes. The evening went downhill from there, and so she didn't really ponder the botanist's unlikely offer until she got back to her closet, near dawn.
She had just closed the ill-fitting door and was about to climb under the covers when there was a polite knock on the jamb. Venera cracked the door an inch.
Moss leaned like a decapitated tree outside her door. Citizen F-f-fanning, he said. I j-just wanted to give you th-th-these."
In the faint lamplight of the hallway, she could just make out a tiny bouquet of posies in his hand.
The juxtaposition of his chiseled features with the emptiness of his eyes made her skin crawl. Venera slipped her hand out to snatch the little bundle of flowers from his nerveless fingers. Thanks. You're not in love with me, are you?"
"I'm s-s-sorry you're so's-sad, he murmured. T-t-try not to be so's-s-sad."
Venera gaped at him. His words had been so quiet, but they seemed to echo on and on in the silent corridor. Sad? Why do you think I'm sad?"
Nobody else had noticednot even Eilen, who had been watching Venera like a mother hawk all evening. Venera narrowed her eyes. I didn't see you at the party. Where were you?"
"I w-w-was there. In the c-corner."
Present yet absent. That seemed to sum Moss up. Well. Venera looked down at Moss's present. Somehow she had clenched her fist and had crushed the little white blossoms.
"Thank you, she
said. Moss turned away with a muted clattering noise. Moss, she said quickly. He looked back.
"I don't want you to be sad, either, said Venera.
He shambled away and Venera closed the door softly. Once alone, she let loose one long shuddering sigh and tumbled face-first onto the bed.
If she had to live like this for more than a couple of days, Venera knew she would snap. So, at ten o'clock, she said, Can't we at least play cards?"
One of the soldiers glanced over, then shook his head mournfully. Odess always wins."
"But I'm here now, said Venera. What if I were to win?"
Slowly, they roused into a state resembling the attentive. With much cajoling and browbeating, Venera got them to reveal the location of the cards, and once she had these she energetically pulled a table and some chairs into the center of the room. Sit, she commanded, and learn."