Page 27

I clear the space beside the challenge stone. “Put the road reports here first from now on.”

Reivaka lays the remaining notice flat. “The hearing is fifteen days from today. The grove representatives are here for their weekly meeting. Two caravan factors are staying in the southern clearing. Invite them to dinner. They can ask us about the road themselves.”

“Will they come?”

“They’ve been asking to speak to you since yesterday.”

“Ask them.”

“And Vai?”

I look toward the courtyard. She was crossing it with her coat over one arm when the guards brought in the stone. I had meant to finish these reports before finding her.

“She should hear the invitation from me.”

“They’ll ask her about the marriage.”

“I’ll tell her that before she decides.”

Reivaka draws a sheet from the records she brought. Neimura’s signature is at the bottom.

“He’s copied the old diversion dates. Do you want him there to answer questions?”

“Only to answer those questions. He can supply the old dates and admit what he did. He doesn’t speak for the court anymore.”

“I’ll make that clear.”

She takes the papers to arrange the dinner.

I find Vai in the courtyard, sitting on a low wall with her coat beside her. She has turned her face toward a patch of sun.

There is room for me on the wall. After the frost-covered stone, I stop a few paces from her and consider spending the rest of the morning there.

Then she sees me.

“Something’s happened.”

“Surevai has filed his challenge for control of the road.”

She draws her coat into her lap, making space on the low wooden wall. I sit, and the wood beneath us thickens to take my weight.

“Is he likely to win?”

“He has grounds for a complaint about the route notices. Taking the tolls would give him money the outer groves need for food and winter stores. I’ll answer the complaint. I won’t agree to the transfer.”

“And the marriage?”

“They may ask you about Neimura tonight.”

She rubs a loose thread along the edge of her coat.

“Neimura must be wishing he’d bought you something smaller.”

“A book would have been welcome.”

“A book might still have told you to answer your petitions.”

“Reivaka already does that.”