Student of Kyme Read Online Free Page A

‘You’ll have a different kind of beauty then,
and because you won’t be young anymore, hara won’t think they can
take liberties or make assumptions. I’ve noticed myself how hara
can be with second generation. It’s like we’re some kind of
delicious treat. They’d never dare treat their peers that
way.’
    ‘ Did it get better for you?’ I asked.
    He
laughed. ‘I’m not in your league, but yes, it did.’ He paused.
‘Soume is strong in the young. It makes us seem like young women,
and a lot of first generation, who of course all used to be men,
don’t realise that appeals to them so much. They have a tendency to
treat us in a similar way to how men used to treat
women.’
    I’d never
heard such an astounding idea, mainly because I’d never thought
about it. ‘What do you mean? How did men treat women?’
    Again, he
laughed. ‘Like hara treat you! Sweetmeats for the bedroom…
sometimes. Women had to fight to get political power. I study
anthropology – that’s the study of humans - whenever I can, because
I used to feel a bit like you do now.’
    ‘ Was that why you wanted to be in Kyme, to study?’
    He
shrugged. ‘Partly. It’s difficult to get work in the houses of the
Codexiae, and Huriel has been good to me.’
    ‘ But you clean his home!’ I exclaimed. ‘Why aren’t you
studying with him like me?’
    ‘ My parents don’t have much to barter with, and certainly no
coin,’ Rayzie said.
    ‘ Oh.’ I didn’t tell him that my education was free, simply to
get me away from Jesith and the tarnished reputation of the
esteemed Ysobi. ‘Do you mind cleaning the house?’
    ‘ No,’ Rayzie said. ‘It’s very relaxing and I can think while
I’m doing it. Nohar bothers me.’
    ‘ I like it here too,’ I said. ‘In some ways, it seems
enchanted, like I’ve left life behind and have come to live in a
dream.’
    Rayzie
nodded. ‘Huriel is a good har. He treats us all like family, but
that’s because he has none, I suppose.’
    ‘ He doesn’t have a chesnari,’ I said. ‘Has he ever had anyhar
special?’
    ‘ I’ve been here for three years, and the answer is no, not in
my time. Ystayne and I know he has liaisons, but he’s always
discreet about them. He’s a strange one. Comes from being a
scholarly type, I expect. In human times, they were often
anti-social creatures. Hara can’t be that different. Huriel loves
words more than hara.’
    ‘ You seem to know a lot about humans,’ I said.
    ‘ We should all know,’ Rayzie replied. ‘Otherwise, we could end
up the same way.’
    ‘ Does Huriel know about your thoughts?’ I couldn’t resist
asking.
    Rayzie
twisted his mouth to the side. ‘He knows I like
studying.’
    ‘ Maybe you should talk to him. I don’t think income is his
first priority when it comes to education. You should be doing
something other than cleaning houses, Rayzie.’
     
    Rayzie
shook his head, but he was grinning. My comment had pleased him.
‘Perhaps. Like you, I enjoy life here. I’m not eager for
change.’
    I sensed
he wanted me to drop the subject, so I did, but it made me
think.
     
    Aruhanisday, Ardourmoon 6
     
    Today was
an interesting day, in the sense of interesting being somewhat
grotesque and unexpected. At breakfast, Huriel announced he wished
for me to help the High Codexia that morning. He did this without
looking at me, which should have perhaps told me
something.
    ‘ What?’ I exclaimed. ‘Why?’
    ‘ He needs somehar to take notes for him, for a report he’s
sending to Immanion. You’re quick at writing things down. I think
it’d be good for you.’
    ‘ I’d rather not,’ I said. ‘I’ll do anything else. Ask Rayzie
to do it. I’m sure he’d like to.’
    ‘ Rayzie?’ Huriel raised his brows, smothered a smile. ‘I don’t
think so, Gesaril. This is part of your job.’
    ‘ The High Codexia intimidates me.’
    ‘ All the more reason to do what I ask. You shouldn’t be
intimidated. He doesn’t judge you as much as