Flux

there was a bitter edge to all that sweetness. He knew Ennek loved him. But how could such a man—a powerful wizard and the son of a chief, smart and brave and a natural at interacting with other people—how could such a man maintain an interest in someone like Miner? Ordinary Miner who could barely read and who had no special talents, who had always been quiet and shy even around those who spoke his language. Miner whose greatest accomplishment of late was getting over a ridiculous fear of water so that he could take a bath without being overcome with panic. Surely someday Ennek would grow tired of him or find someone more suited to his station in life. Assuming, of course, they survived that long.
    Yuening walked quietly to the edge of the courtyard, where Miner was now leaning against the stone wall. She smiled at him, handed him a little cup of rice wine, and leaned next to him, her arms crossed comfortably across her chest. He sipped at his drink, more out of politeness than anything else. He’d never been much for strong drinks, much to the amusement of his fellow Guards. He knew that many people became more relaxed as they drank, more comfortable around others, but he generally became more anxious, more worried about whether he was doing or saying anything that was too unusual or inappropriate.
    They both laughed softly as Ennek wobbled and pitched, perhaps in an exaggerated mimicry of a sailor too long at sea and unused to walking on dry land. Yuening pointed at Ennek and said something that Miner, naturally, didn’t understand. He shook his head slightly and wished he’d managed to pick up at least a few words of her tongue. But she didn’t seem to mind his ignorance. Instead, she pointed at Miner, clasped her fist against her chest, right over her heart, and then pointed at Ennek.
    Oh. Miner sighed and nodded.
    She nodded too, as if in approval. Then she repeated her gestures, only this time in reverse order. Again, Miner nodded and so did she. She gave him a long, searching look, patted his shoulder a bit, and then walked away.

Chapter Sixteen
    h

    W hatever it was that Ennek meant to tell Miner, he didn’t get to it that night. They crawled between their blankets quite late, Ennek giggling tipsily as Miner snuggled up against him and then snoring almost at once. Miner kissed Ennek’s ear. He supposed the conversation could wait for the next day.
    They had intended to depart for Jiangbei at dawn. But when Miner blinked his eyes open and then tried to gently poke Ennek awake, Ennek moaned piteously.
    “Are you all right?” Miner asked with concern, propping himself up on one elbow. He tried to pull the blankets away from Ennek so he could better inspect him.
    But Ennek clutched the blankets and whimpered. “My head’s exploding. Too much wine.”
    “Do you want me to get you something to eat? Some plain rice maybe, or some broth?”
    “No. Can’t even think about eating right now.” Ennek curled into a protective ball.
    Miner stared at him a few minutes while he thought. Then he said, “Do you want to rest today? We can leave tomorrow instead.”
    “Gods, yes. Please.”
    Miner planted a kiss on Ennek’s stubbly cheek. “I’ll bring you some tea in a while,” he said. Then he stood and bent to make sure Ennek was tucked in. Ennek mumbled something unintelligible without opening his eyes.
    The sky was just beginning to turn from black to blue and the birds were singing to greet the morning. Two roosters crowed hoarsely at one another. A black bird appeared from somewhere and hopped around on the ground, peeping interrogatively at him. “Not today,” he said to the Bhujanga. “He’s feeling ill.”
    The bird croaked at him, seemingly expressing its opinion of men who overindulged in wine.
    “He’s had a hard time of it and you’re still several days away. You can wait a bit longer. It’s only by good fortune that he’s alive at all to return to you.”
    The bird tilted its head at him, squawked again, and then flapped away to perch on the courtyard wall.
    There was a wooden privy at the rear of the house, accessible through a narrow gate between the house and the wall. Miner used the privy and then washed his hands and face with water from the small covered pitcher that was kept nearby. He wondered whether he might be able to take another bath in that stone pool in the woods. That had been nice. Perhaps Ennek would feel up to it by the afternoon.
    Miner walked back around to