The Desert Spear

circumstances, could attest to their sharpness.
    He was quick to pivot out of the way. Remembering the last time she had struck him, he blocked and dodged with minimal contact as Inevera pressed her attack. Her long legs, clad only in thin, diaphanous silk, kicked high and fast as her fingers stabbed at him, seeking the weak points where a man’s muscles and nerves joined. If she managed to connect, his limbs would cease to obey him.
    It was the first real display of
dama’ting sharusahk
Jardir had ever seen, and he studied the precise, deadly moves with fascination, knowing Inevera could likely kill a
Damaji
before he knew she had even struck.
    But Jardir was Shar’Dama Ka. He was the greatest living
sharusahk
master, and his body was stronger and faster than it had ever been thanks to the magic of the Spear of Kaji. Now that he respected her ability as a warrior and kept his guard, even Inevera was no match for him. Eventually he caught her wrist and flipped her onto the pile of pillows.
    “Attack me again,” he said, “and
dama’ting
or no, I will kill you.”
    “The heathen harlot has bewitched your mind,” Inevera spat.
    Jardir laughed. “Perhaps. Or perhaps she has begun to set it free.”

    Damaji Ichach sneered at them as he left the Palace of Mirrors with his wives and children.
    “If eyes could core you, his would,” Rojer said.
    “You’d think he hadn’t stolen that manse from some Rizonan royal,” Leesha replied.
    “Who knows with these people?” Rojer asked. “He might have taken it as an honor if we had done him the courtesy of killing him and his family first.”
    “That isn’t funny, Rojer,” Leesha said.
    “I don’t know that I was joking,” Rojer said.
    Abban came out of the manse soon after, bowing deeply. “Your palace awaits, mistress. My wives will be preparing the lower floors for your entourage, but your private chambers, the entire top floor, are ready to receive you.”
    Leesha looked up at the giant manse. There were dozens of windows on the top floor alone. That whole floor was for her personal use? It was easily ten times the size of the entire cottage she shared with Wonda.
    “She gets the whole floor?” Rojer asked, gawking along with her.
    “Of course your chambers shall be richly appointed as well, son of Jessum,” Abban said, bowing, “but tradition dictates a virgin bride be kept alone on the top floor with her chaperones below, to ensure that she don her wedding veil with her honor intact.”
    “I have not agreed to Ahmann’s proposal,” Leesha pointed out.
    Abban bowed. “That is so, but neither have you refused, and so you remain my master’s intended until you make your decision. The rules of tradition are unbending here, I am afraid.”
    He leaned in close, shielding his lips by pretending to stroke his beard. “And I strongly advise, mistress, that unless your answer is yes, you make no final decision while in Everam’s Bounty.” Leesha nodded, having already come to the same conclusion.
    They entered the manse, seeing black-clad women everywhere as they polished and straightened. The main entry hall was lined on either side with mirrors, reflecting the walls into infinity. The carpet running along the center of the polished stone floor was rich and thick, with bright dyes in the weave, and the banister of the wide stairwell leading up was painted in gold and ivory. Portraits, presumably of the previous owners, lined the wall, watching them ruefully as they ascended the steps. Leesha wondered what had become of them when the Krasians came.
    “If you would be so kind as to wait up here with your entourage, mistress,” Abban said, “I will return shortly to escort them each to their own chambers.”
    Leesha nodded, and Abban bowed and left them in a massive sitting room whose windows overlooked all of Rizon proper.
    “Step outside and guard the door, Gared,” Leesha said as Abban left. When the portal was closed, Leesha whirled on her mother.
    “You told them I was a virgin?” she demanded.
    Elona shrugged. “They assumed it. I just let them keep the assumption.”
    “And if I do marry him and he learns I am not?” Leesha asked.
    Elona snorted. “You wouldn’t be the first bride to go to her marriage bed a woman. Ent no man going to turn away a woman he covets over that.” She glanced at Erny, who was studying his own shoes as if they were covered in writing.
    Leesha scowled, but she shook her head. “It doesn’t matter.