No one else in the saishan moved like SceltoThe...
No one else in the saishan moved like SceltoThe castrates were notoriously prone to lassitude and to eating too much, the obvious substitutions for pleasureSlim as he'd been when she met him, he still sought out those errands the other castrates strove to avoid: trips up into the steep streets of the old town, or even farther north into the hills or partway up Sangarios itself in search of healing herbs or leaves or simply meadow flowers for her room
He seemed ageless, but he hadn't been young when Vencel assigned him to Dianora and she guessed that he must be sixty nowIf Vencel ever died, a hard thing to imagine, in fact, Scelto was certainly next in line to succeed him as head of the saishan
They had never spoken about it, but Dianora knew, as surely as she knew anything, that he would refuse the position if it were offered to him, in chanel quilted bags order to remain bound to herShe also knew, and this was the thing that touched her, that this would be true even if Brandin stopped sending for her entirely and she became merely another aging ignored item of history in the saishan wing
And this was the second thing she'd never expected to find when hate had carried her through autumn seas to Chiara on the Tribute Ship: kindness and caring and a friend behind the high walls and ornate screens of the place where women waited among men who had lost their manhood
Scelto's tread, rapid even after the long climb up the Great Staircase and then another flight up to the saishan, clicked across the mosaics of the balcony floor behind herShe heard him murmur kindly to the boy and dismiss him
He took another step forward and coughed once, to announce himself
"Is it terribly hideous?" she asked without kelly handbag turning around
"It will do," Scelto said, coming to stand beside herShe looked over, smiling to see his close-cropped grey hair, the thin, precise mouth, and the terribly broken hook of his noseAges ago, he'd said when she'd askedA fight over a woman back in YgrathHe'd killed the other man, who happened to be a nobleWhich unfortunate fact had cost Scelto his sex and his liberty and brought him hereDianora had been more disturbed by the story than he seemed to beOn the other hand, she remembered thinking, it had been new to her, while for him it was only the familiar coinage of his life, from a long time past
He held up the dark red gown they'd had made in the old townFrom his smile which matched her own Dianora knew it had been worth cajoling Vencel for the funds to have this doneThe head of the saishan would want a favor later, he always did, miu miu clutch but through such exchanges was the saishan run, and Dianora, looking at the gown, had no regrets
"What is Solores wearing?" she asked
"Hala wouldn't tell me," Scelto murmured regretfully
Dianora laughed aloud at the straight face he managed to maintain"I'm quite sure he wouldn't," she said"What is she wearing?"
"Green," he said promptly"High waisted, high neckTwo shades in pleats below the waistA great deal of gold everywhere elseHer hair will be up, of course
Dianora laughed againScelto allowed himself a tiny smile of satisfaction"I took the liberty," he added, "of purchasing something else while I was in town
He reached into a fold of his tunic and handed her a small boxShe opened it and wordlessly held up the gem insideIn the bright morning light of the balcony it dazzled and shone like a third red moon to join Vidomni and blue chanel bags collection Ilarion
Scelto said, "I thought it would be better with the gown than anything Vencel would offer you from the saishan jewels
She shook her head wonderingly"It is beautiful, SceltoCan we afford this? Will I have to go without chocolate for all of the spring and summer?"
"Not a bad idea," he said, ignoring her first question"You ate two pieces this morning while I was gone
"Scelto!" she exclaimed"Stop that! Go spy on Solores and see what she's spending her chiaros onI have my habits and my pleasures, and none of them, so far as I can see, are particularly evilDo I look fat to you?"
Almost reluctantly he shook his head"I have no idea why not," he murmured ruefully
"Well you keep thinking about it till you figure it out," she said with a toss of her head"In the meantime, that reminds me, the boy this morning was fine, except that the khav was very fake fendi spy bag weak