The normalcy of the scene only made Iolanthe feel more out of place. For these boys, this was their life. She was only passing through, pretending.
Fairfax.
Kashkari. She inhaled: Kashkari made her nervous. He seemed to be the rare person who asked a question and actually paid attention to the answer.
Where are you going? Kashkari asked as he crossed the street and came to stand next to her.
Reacquainting myself with the lay of the land.
I dont think that much has changed since you were here last. Ah, I see old Joby is back with his hapenny sherbet drinks. Fancy one?
Iolanthe shook her head. The weathers a bit cool for it.
But she followed Kashkari to a gaunt-looking hawker. Kashkari bought a handful of toasted walnuts and held out his palm to her.
Look, its Turban Boy and Bumboy together.
Iolanthe whipped around. Trumper and Hogg.
Bumboy, is Turban Boy your coolie now? sniggered Trumper.
Her reputation obviously had not preceded her here. Few schoolchildren in any mage realm deliberately chose to provoke elemental mages, as by the time latter were old enough to attend school, they would have had years of conditioning, directing their anger into physical, rather than magical, responses. And also because an elemental mage was almost never considered at fault, as long as the school hadnt burned down at the end of a fight.
Kashkari must have seen the belligerence in her face. Ignore them. They feel more accomplished when you rise to the bait.
I hate to pass on good fisticuffs. She took a few toasted walnuts from him. But after you.
The walnuts were sweet and crunchy. They walked on. Trumper and Hogg shouted insults
and slurs for another minute before giving up.
I was surprised you came back, said Kashkari. Word went around that you might return with your parents to Bechuanaland.
There were a number of Atlanteans in the Domain, especially in the bigger cities. But as far as Iolanthe knew, all of them, even the lowest clerks and guards, sent their children home for schooling. She had to assume the British werent that different.
My parents might go back. But they want me to finish my education here.
Kashkari nodded. So her answer was acceptable. She let out a breath.
Do you miss Bechuanaland?
What had she learned about the Kalahari Realm at school? It was the seat of a great civilization, its music, art, and literature much admired. Its legal system had been copied in many a mage realm around the world. And it was famous for the beauty of its gentlemen magesthis last, obviously, gleaned from somewhere other than geography lessons.
She popped a piece of walnut into her mouth to buy herself some time. I do miss the weather when it gets too drizzly here. And of course the big-game hunting.
Are the natives friendly?
She was beginning to perspire. She had to believe that if her nonexistent parents would return there, the situation could not be too dire. No more hostile than they are elsewhere, I suppose.
In India the population isnt always happy about the British presence. In my fathers youth, there was a great mutiny.
How had he drawn her into a discussion about the political situation of the nonmage world, of which she had only the sketchiest of ideas? What she did know was that the mage realms of the subcontinent had also risen up against Atlantis, twice in the past forty years.
An occupier should always consider itself despised, she said. Is there ever a population that is happy to be subjugated?
Kashkari stopped midstride. She tensed. What had she said?
You have very enlightened views, he mused, especially for someone who grew up in the colonies.
Unsure whether shed put her foot in her mouth, she decided to brazen it out. Thats what I think.
You two! Ive been looking for you.
Iolanthe looked up, surprised to find herself only fifteen feet from Mrs. Dawlishs front door.
Wintervale leaned out of his open window. Change quickly. Ive already rounded up the other lads. Time to play cricket.
There was a book in Iolanthes room that gave the rules of popular games. The night before, shed skimmed through the section on cricket. But shed been so tired and distracted, nothing had made any sense.
Come on, said Kashkari.
She was doomed. It was one thing to nod and pretend to be engrossed as Wintervale pontificated on the game, quite another to pass herself off as an experienced cricketer. The moment she stepped on the pitchthat was what a playing ground was called, wasnt it?it would be obvious she had no idea what to do.
All too soon, she arrived upstairs. Wintervale was in the corridor, dressed in a light-colored shirt of sturdy material and similarly light-colored trousers.
Hurry, he said.
The prince was nowhere in sight. Kashkari was already shrugging out of his coat and waistcoat. Iolanthe had no choice but to also start unbuttoning, although she kept all her clothes firmly on until she was behind closed doors.
In her wardrobe she found garments similar to those worn by Wintervale. They fit her well, as did a pair of rugged brogues. When had the prince altered them? Never mind, she had more pressing concerns.