More Decisions
Next day the sun was already high in the sky as Zalen knocked on the door leading to the main harem area.
After a moment a woman opened the door. Zalen recognized her as one of the three who had spoken with him earlier.
"Sumi informed us you needed to speak with all of us. We are all here."
The woman's tone had a hint of a reproach, probably it was against custom for him to come here before the seven days was up but her gestures seemed friendly anyway. And Zalen was fairly sure the other approach would have been even worse.
As Zalen entered the room, he noted the seven women sitting inside. On the other side of the room sat two short redheaded women who looked like twins, their eyes studying the newcomer curiously.
Next to them sat a taller, long-haired brunette with a book in her lap who quickly looked away as her eyes briefly met Zalen's. She was the one who had been lounging in the room during the Sheikh's audience.
On the opposite side stood two women he also remembered from before. Both of their bodies were well-toned enough to befit an adventurer but otherwise they looked very different. One of them had dark skin, not quite the dark brown of the south islands but she probably did have some of that blood in her. She looked at Zalen with an easy-going smile, but her eyes were clearly appraising him, probably well enough to tell his weight. And she seemed to have quite the hips and thighs.
The other woman was a lot shorter, with a very short blond hair that clearly told she wasn't one of the locals either. Her eyes would have probably been cute had they not been scowling at Zalen.
Sumi was also lounging on top of some pillows and she flashed a smile at him while the woman who had let Zalen in also found a place to sit.
"I'm sorry to disturb your mourning period but there are two things you need to know now.
The first one Sumi already told you about."
Some of the women nodded.
"Part of why I wanted you to know about it now is because what I'm about to say next."
Zalen sighed, taking a look at the highly-ornamental walls.
"As you well know, I'm not from around here. I don't know if I even could belong here.
When four nights have passed, I will continue my journey and our next target will be to track down the thieves who took the Rose Cube and the person who had the Sheikh killed.
But after that... I don't think I could ever call this place my home. And if I didn't live here?"
Zalen sat down, placing himself at the same level as the women around him.
"I do not wish to hurt anyone so I have tried to find the answers that would cause the least pain.
So I have made these arrangements with the Master of Keys:
One. This mansion and the lands that it stands on. As the Sheikh had no relatives and there are few worthy owners for it around here, I will donate it to the Sisterhood of Veils. They may have their faults but everyone seems to agree that they are trying to help people.
Two. Everyone working here. The Master of Keys will continue in his service for me but everyone else will be generously rewarded for their loyal services and can search for a new employer.
Three. The horses. You can each choose one whether you choose to stay here or go but the others will be sold.
And as for you... You are more than welcome to travel with me, either as wives or as travelling companions but if we ever want to catch the thieves, we cannot bring a big retinue with us. So there will be no servants, no maids, no other guards than me and my companions and not much room for extra clothes and things. We will do our best to keep you safe but as I don't even know who we're up against, I'm sure there will be danger.
I once more apologize for telling you this in the middle of your mourning time but I wanted to give you a little more time to think before deciding."
Zalen stood up. "But like I said, we will be heading out on the morning of the fourth night. Those of you who want to leave with us then will need to pack your belongings after the mourning period has ended. Otherwise you can stay here until the Sisterhood arrives to claim this place and I'll leave you with enough gold to help you start your new life."
After that Zalen left, closing the room behind him. He could hear the silence behind him give way to a hubbub of conversation. Hardly a surprise, given the news he had just delivered. He felt like a rat, despite the fact that even the Master of Keys had agreed with his plan. Then again, how would he know if the old man had actually meant it as well or had just agreed because he was his new employer?
*
Later that day Zalen was in the library trying to find more information about the area around As'arain as he heard footsteps. He raised his head and saw Sumi standing there. She hopped to sit on the table in front of him.
"You really surprised everyone, that's for sure!"
"Yes, I can believe that. Now that you know the whole situation, did you change your mind? Do you want to leave for a safer life?"
