Its like he has no idea where money comes from, Soli grumbled, too low for Kasaad to hear. He didnt stop weaving.
Or the food on his table. Manvah rolled her eyes. She sighed. Best do as he says.
If I am Sharum now, I can do what I want. Who is he to tell me I cannot weave palm, if that gives me peace? As Soli spoke, his hands moved even faster, fingers a blur as he wove the fronds. He was close to the end of a basket, and he meant to finish it. Inevera looked on in wonder. Soli could weave almost as fast as Manvah.
He is your father, Manvah said, and if you dont do as he says, well all regret it.
She turned to Kasaad, her voice sweetening. You and Soli need only stay till the dama call the gloaming, husband.
Kasaads face soured, and he threw back another cup. How did I so offend Everam, that I, the great Kasaad asu Kasaad amDamaj amKaji, who has sent alagai beyond count to the abyss, should be lowered to guarding a pile of baskets? He swept a hand towards the stacks of their work with a look of disgust. I should be mustering for alagaisharak and the nights glory!
Drinking with the other Sharum, he means, Soli murmured to Inevera. The units that muster early go to the centre of the Maze, where the fighting is fierce. The longer he lounges, the less his chance of actually having to face an alagai while hes drunk as camel piss on couzi.
Couzi. Inevera hated the drink. Fermented grain flavoured with cinnamon, it was sold in tiny clay bottles and sipped from even tinier cups. Just sniffing an emptied bottle burned Ineveras nostrils and left her dizzy. There was no hint of cinnamon in the scent. It was said the taste only became clear after three cups, but after three cups of couzi, whose word could be trusted? It was known to lend itself to exaggeration and delusions of grandeur.
Soli! Kasaad snapped. Leave the work to the women and come drink with me! We will toast the deaths of the four alagai you slew last night!
You would think I did the whole units work myself, Soli grumbled. His fingers moved even faster. I do not drink couzi, Father, he called. The Evejah forbids it.
Kasaad snorted, tipping back another cup. Manvah! Prepare your sharik son some tea, then! He tipped the couzi bottle to his cup again, but this time only a few drops fell. And bring me another couzi.
Everam give me patience, Manvah muttered. That was the last bottle, husband, she called.
Then go and buy more, Kasaad snapped.
Inevera could hear her mothers teeth grind. Half the tents in the bazaar are already closed, husband, and we must finish these baskets before Cashiv arrives.
Kasaad waved a hand in disgust. Who cares if that worthless pushting has to wait?
Soli drew a sharp breath, and Inevera saw a smear of blood on his hand, cut from the sharp edge of a palm frond. He gritted his teeth and wove on.
Forgive me, honoured husband, but Dama Badens factor will not wait, Manvah said, continuing her own weave. If Cashiv arrives and the order isnt ready, he will go down the lane and buy his baskets from Krisha again. Without this order, we wont have money to pay our war tax, much less buy more couzi.
What?! Kasaad shouted. What have you been doing with my money? I bring home a hundred draki a week!
Half of which goes right back to the dama in war tax, Manvah said, and you always take twenty more for your pockets. The rest goes to keep you in couzi and couscous, and it isnt enough by far, especially when you bring home half a dozen thirsty Sharum every Sabbath. Couzi is expensive, husband. The dama cut the thumbs from khaffit caught selling it, and they add the risk to the price.
Kasaad spat. Khaffit would sell the sun if they could pull it from the sky. Now run and buy some to help ease my wait for that half-man.
Soli finished his basket, rising and slamming it down atop his pile. Ill go, Mother. Chabin will have some, and he never closes before gloaming is sung.
Manvahs eyes tightened, but she did not take them from her weaving. She, too, had begun weaving faster, and now her hands were a blur. I dont like you leaving when we have a months work sitting out in the open.
No one will rob us with Father right there, Soli said, but as he looked to his father, trying to lick a last drop from the couzi bottle, he sighed. I will be so swift you wont even know Ive gone.
Back to work, Inevera, Manvah snapped as Soli ran off. Inevera looked down, realizing only then that she had stopped weaving as she watched the events unfold. Quickly she resumed.
Inevera would not dare look right at him, but she could not help watching her father out of the corner of her eye. He was eyeing Manvah as she turned the basket with her nimble feet. Her black robes had risen as she worked, exposing her bare ankles and calves.
Kasaad put one hand to his crotch, rubbing. Come here, wife, I would
I. Am. Working! Manvah took a palm branch from the pile, breaking fronds from it with sharp snaps.
Kasaad seemed genuinely confused at her reaction. Why would you refuse your husband, barely an hour before he goes into the night?