Free The Go-Between (The Nilaruna Cycles Book 1) by Andrea Ring Page B

knew this, but I’d hoped my
uncle didn’t. Mingling with untouchables is not something my uncle has ever
done. At least not since I’ve known him.
    My father, though born of noble
blood, actually chose to become a fisherman. Something about the sea and the
wind and the salt air…who cares why he did it, the point is that he denied me
my nobility. I had every right to beautiful clothes and powerful connections,
and instead he doomed my sister and me to the untouchable’s lot in Dabani. I
have less than no respect for the man.
    Still, he plans to see this plot
through. He gave me the opportunity to come here, to Bhutan, to my noble roots.
Too bad he was the reason I wasn’t here from birth.
    And I’m not convinced this will
work. Yes, I mean to try, no matter what I tell my uncle. I’m simply managing
his expectations. My overconfidence has gotten me into trouble more than a few
times with him, and I’ve learned.   Let him mull over the possibility of failure. Let him put additional
measures in place to ensure success. Let him blame my father if this all goes
to hell.
    Because if it does, it will not
be through any fault of my own. I was born to this. This is my purpose. Princess Saphala . I will be known
throughout the kingdom for my fashion sense and quiet dignity. I will be
beloved by all.
    I will it so.
    “You say he has proper clothes
waiting, yes? Because I will crawl out of that boat stinking of fish.”
    “All is prepared and every
contingency has been planned for, girl,” my uncle says. “The only thing left
for you to do is to pack your meager bag. No clothes, only what can be
concealed beneath your dress. Haady will come for you within the hour.”
    He searches my face for signs of
cooperation. I give him a curt nod.
    “Good. Then I wish you farewell.
Do not disappoint me.”

X. NILARUNA
    An orange sunrise has begun to light my way as the trees around me
thin. I pick my way along the path until I come to the edge of a field at the
outskirts of the Dabani. Yellow daffodils are sprinkled among the grass, even
though winter is close. I’ve never seen so many flowers this late in the
season.
    I smile, and the scar tissue
around my mouth pulls tight, but I ignore it. For the first time, it doesn’t
bother me. I’m scarred, but I’m still worthy. Somebody loves me.
    I smile uncomfortably wide, and
run to the nearest group of flowers. I pluck half a dozen and race to the next
bunch.
    By the time I hit the main road
into town, I’ve got an armful of daffodils.
    Which will look odd when I arrive
home, but maybe that’s good. Maybe it’s good that my parents see how happy I
am.
    I admit, I wasn’t very careful in
the field. I saw the flowers and forgot about my safety. But I vow not to make
that mistake again.
    Dawn arrives as I walk along the
road. I pick up my pace, sure that people are already awake and will soon begin
to emerge from their homes. When I reach the town square, I stop to take a deep
breath. I can smell bread baking, the slight mustiness of the central water
well…even the dust from the roads has a smell. It’s never meant much to me
before, but then again, I’ve never left the village before my excursion to
Maja’s cave. But now? I breathe the smells in, and they leave me shaking. This
is home.
    Can I be at home in the
mountains? In a sparse cave?
    Yes. If it means Maja is there
with me.
    I look down the road to the east.
Past the candlemaker, past the perfumer, and a league further at the top of the
hill sits the Temple. It is the grandest building in the village, all black
granite and polished white marble. The rising sun is directly behind it from my
view, backlighting the Temple brilliantly. It seems to glow from within.
    Sanji and Larraj are probably tucked
snuggly in their beds there. But Sanji said he will be visiting my home today.
I will see them soon enough.
    I walk around the well and travel
north to my parents’ home.
    I hope they are happy that