Maia

"Maia," said Bayub-Otal-and now, or so it seemed to the disconcerted Maia, everyone was listening-"U-Sarget wishes you to dance for us."

Maia, a clutch in her stomach, stared at him speechlessly.

"I've told Fordil," added Bayub-Otal, smiling; in earnest or in mockery? she wondered, "that you'd probably like to dance the senguela. I assure you that you'll find him an accompanist of very different quality from that man at "The Green Grove'; and the floor's all that even my mother could have wished. They're sweeping it now, as you can see."

Maia, looking round her in a daze, saw that Sarget himself was personally directing two slaves with brooms.

"My lord, I can't, really I can't-oh, my lord, you must tell him-you must tell U-Sarget, please-"

"Maia," replied Bayub-Otal, scarcely moving his lips, "Elvair-ka-Virrion brought you here at my request. U-Sarget and I wish you to dance."

His manner, following upon his courteous, friendly behavior during dinner, filled Maia with sudden rage. If ever Occula's dreams were to come true, and the two of them became shearnas with all Bekla at their feet, then first and foremost she would settle accounts with this bloodless, high-handed bastard of an Urtan baron. Meanwhile she could only set her teeth and do her best to show him he couldn't put her out of countenance-for that could only be what he was trying to do. Without another word she stood up, raised her palm to her forehead with a gesture as ironic as she could make it; then turned and walked- steadily, she hoped-across to the musicians.

"I have no money, U-Fordil," she said, pulling up the hem of the cherry-colored skirt and dropping to her knees beside him on the floor. "I'm only a slave-girl as yet. But do your best for me and I promise I won't forget you."

Old Fordil, smiling, inclined his gray head towards her with a fatherly look.

"We don't need to be asked for our best, my lass. We are the best. Lean on us as hard as you like-the rope won't break. You're going to dance the senguela?"

"Yes…"

"Selpe and reppa? The whole thing?"

She nodded.

Fordil smiled again. "Sure you can manage it? If it's just on account of orders and you feel it's too much, I can probably get you out of it. Only it's generally better, you know, to stick to something you're sure of."

"I'm going to dance the whole thing," answered Maia firmly.

"Then Lespa be with you, little saiyett," replied Fordil. "I shall be, anyway."

Maia, leaning over, gave his bristly cheek a kiss. "Thank you, U-Fordil. No one's ever called me 'saiyett' before. I'll remember that."

One of the drummers looked up from tightening the cords round his zhua. "That dress-think it'll fall quick enough?"

Maia nodded again. "It'll fall." Thereupon she rose to her feet, walked a few steps into the middle of the empty floor, turned towards Sarget and stood waiting for the frissoor.

It was customary in Bekla for a dancer or singer to await from her host, initially, a signal of invitation, known as the frissoor. Once this had been received the performer, even if a slave, had the complete right to order everything as she wished-the space about her, the lamps, the music- even, if she insisted, the dismissal of anyone unwelcome to her. Thus, the leader of the Thlela had sought the frissoor from Durakkon at the Rains banquet, and Occula from Elvair-ka-Virrion before her now almost legendary act as the doomed huntress. As soon as Sarget, smiling reassuringly, had extended his left hand and then lowered it to his side, Maia, with the best air of authority she could muster, beckoned to two slaves and, having told them what she wanted, stood impassively while they moved or extinguished sufficient lamps to make one side of the central floor bright and the other shadowy and dim.

The hall seemed to have filled again. Word, it appeared, had got round that she was about to dance, and men and girls had come back, some to their former places, others merely to stand wherever it might suit them-a few near the doors, ready to slip out again if she should prove a disappointment. With a quick smile she gestured to Shend-Lador and a girl with him to move back from the edge of the floor, and felt delighted surprise when they did so at

once. Whoever would have thought it? It worked for her, just as for anyone else who had received the frissoor.

Suddenly she knew that Lespa was with her. Kind, merciful Lespa was looking down from the stars at her servant about to honor her-Lespa of the heart's secrets, Lespa, sender of dreams! A few moments more she stood in silence, offering herself to the goddess. Then she spread her hands; and at once the zhuas began the low, throbbing opening of the selpe.