Free Toads and Diamonds by Heather Tomlinson Page B

the upended silver pitcher a wide berth. The melon vendor saluted Tana and took up his pushcart. Slowly, the street resumed its usual bustle, eddying around the two women and the trapped snake.
    "Mina Tana."
    The whisper distracted Tana from thinking about how much she would miss her sister. Indu squatted beside her, his eyes round with excitement. "I saw, from the wall. A snake came out of your mouth! I brought my naga basket and stick to take him out to the jungle, if you want. But, first, could you say a ratter for me? Our old one died, and we've got mice in the pantry."
    Before Tana could answer, the boy's grandmother hurried up to them. "Don't pester Mina Tana," she said.
    "But, Nama-ji"--Indu turned soulful brown eyes in her direction--"you said you'd had enough of picking little black turds out of the lentils!"
    Tana couldn't help it. She snorted with laughter. Even her mother coughed behind her hand. At least with Indu, Tana didn't have to worry about what creature might accompany her words. He'd befriend any animal that slid, crawled, hopped, or flew. She spread her empty hands wide. "It's not my choice, Indu. Pray to Sister Naghali, not to me."
    Heavy and cool, a tan-and-gold snake dropped into her outstretched hands. The way she'd been taught as a child, Tana closed her fingers behind the ratter's head and supported its muscular length with her other hand. The goddess must have a sense of humor. Or a mortal woman's weakness for Indu's charm.
    "A champion naga!" Indu thumped his forked stick on the
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    ground. "Thanks, Mina Tana. Oh-Naghali-ji-we-are-ever-grateful-for-your-blessings," he added when his grandmother poked him in the ribs.
    "Why don't you hand me that ratter?" the older woman suggested. "Hiral-ji and I will get him settled with a clean new home and some fresh water. And perhaps a cup of tea for these dusty throats, eh? If Mina Tana agrees, you may help with her other snake."
    Ma Hiral frowned. "You'd let the child handle a grass viper?"
    "His father made sure Indu got some training from the priests at the temple grove." Their white-haired neighbor took the house naga from Tana. "He'll be careful, and keep a safe distance. Won't you, grandson?"
    "Oh, yes," Indu said.
    "If you're sure." Still shaking her head, Tana's mother left with Indu's grandmother.
    Tana watched closely as the boy readied his forked stick. In a series of practiced motions, he lifted the silver pitcher, trapped the snake's triangular head between the stick's two arms, and manipulated the hissing creature into his basket. "There." He tied the basket's lid with a string and hoisted it on the stick. "He'll be happier out of the street, I'll bet."
    Tana smiled her thanks. Then she picked up the empty mud-rimmed pitcher and walked after Indu, toward Lotus Gate. Once again, they needed drinking water, and she was the only one left to fetch it from the well.
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    ***
    CHAPTER NINE Diribani
    A stout door and walls muffled the discussion taking place outside the carpet storeroom, but Diribani heard enough to know they were talking about her. The deeper voice sounded familiar. Hastily, she set a final stitch, knotted the pink thread, and tucked the needle back into the basket where shed found it. She stood and shook out the creases in the long strip of fabric. Pleating the dress wrap around her waist, she threw the free end over her shoulder so it fell properly over her blouse. The thread's color wasn't a perfect match, but it was the best she'd found in the basket of sewing tools. And she'd rather wear a mended dress wrap than one that split along the ripped place and fell off her body.
    She felt insignificant enough already, after spending a long night alone in the small room. Did her imprisonment show what the prince's promises were worth? As the hours wore on, she couldn't help wondering whether she had misplaced her trust.
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    With so much else to consider, sleep had eluded her. She had thought about making a pouch to carry the jewels.