Book 9 : 763-764

27 November 671 / 763

Riini has a little brother, born yesterday.

Aari has not wanted me to write about her pregnancy, because there have been so many that have ended much too soon. Four in three years, she says.

I was at work when Aari’s contractions started. Priila sent Hemrom to the office to fetch me, and I came immediately. By the time I arrived Oberon was already born. He was three weeks early, we think, but he seems fine.

He has his name already. It was my father’s name, and it works well in Laana, too. We had already settled on it if he was a boy. I am under strict instructions not to write down what the name would have been if we’d had another girl. That would apparently be Bad Luck.

I am now full time in the railway office, and Aari is at home. She says she’ll take over my little school soon, but for the present she’s a full-time Maama.

Riini takes her new responsibilities very seriously. And sticks her tongue out at me for writing that.

Hemrom has gone to tell Roemi that she is another great aunt. He is a credit to his mother.

Priila is a widow too. Her husband was a fisherman, lost at sea. Unless he ran away to be a pirate, she jokes. She jokes. Perhaps that’s the best way to cope really. We all have our sad stories, and we all cope somehow.

Yes, Aari says.

Yes, Riini says.

Oberon says nothing.

Priila makes a bare living growing vegetables and soft fruit on the hill behind her house and selling them to our neighbour Baahon who has a stall on the market. Hemrom contributed in spring by collecting birds’ eggs on the cliffs on the headland. He had a rope tied at the top of the cliff and it was a bit a scary watching him clambering about holding onto it with one hand half the time.

Aari says we should have thought of it before. Hemrom could collect seaweed and shellfish for Behmi.

I did think of it before. Priila told me that Hemrom is afraid of the sea. Understandable, given that his father drowned, but quite a contrast with his fearlessness on the cliffs.

Aari nods.

Riini nods too.

Oberon is asleep, I think.

5 January 672 / 763

Roemi comes round nearly every day, and takes Riini out for a walk. This does give Aari a bit of a break, which is much appreciated, but Riini is getting a bit unmanageable sometimes and we do wonder whether this is something to do with Roemi’s influence. The other possibility is that she’s jealous of Oberon getting so much of Aari’s attention.

We don’t know what to do about it, or whether there’s anything we can do about it.

8 January

Priila has noticed the change in Riini’s behaviour too. She wonders whether there’s any possibility of me taking a week or two off work, and the four of us going on a trip. She thinks a change like that might be just what Riini needs.

She’s big enough to hold Oberon sometimes, too, Priila says, as long as you or Aari is watching and ready to take control if necessary. It might improve her feelings towards her little brother.

The office is fearfully busy, but I can ask about taking a break. I don’t know whether Imbaal has back-up cover for absences. I used to. He ought to, but I don’t interfere with how he runs the office. It works, and the staff generally seem happy, despite it being so busy.

We have railway papers, and can travel free as long as there are still unreserved seats twenty-four hours before departure. We would have to reserve one paid-for seat for the return journey though, if we go to Briggi or Mehyroha, to make sure I’m back in time for my return to work. I’m allowed to ride on the engine with the driver as long as there’s no-one else already there, but Aari and the children can’t.

No, but we could follow later if the worst came to the worst, Aari says. Which is true enough, but I might need the reserved seat myself if the engine’s full.

We’ll see what Imbaal says tomorrow.

9 January

Imbaal has a waiting list of people wanting work in the office, and several people working part-time who would like more hours. I have two weeks’ leave on full pay, two further weeks on half pay if I want them, and as much unpaid leave as I like.

Imbaal suggested that I might like to work three or four days a week in future, if we can manage on the reduced income. Give your little girl some attention, he says.

Why was I worrying? I knew Imbaal was a good manager when he was my deputy, why would I think he’d have changed?

Because you’re on the other end of the seesaw now, Gom, says Aari. Riini nods knowingly, and Aari and I laugh and we have a family hug.

Contented sucking noises emanate from under Aari’s coat, regardless of the hug.

16 January

We are in Briggi, in a lovely warm upstairs room – one of very few upstairs rooms here, apparently. We’re directly above the kitchen, and the chimney goes right up the middle of our room. It’s really cheap, just a coin a night for the room, and a coin each for dinner or breakfast. No charge at all for Riini’s food.

It’s winter, the landlord says. I charge twice that most of the year, and three times in the last six weeks of summer. No-one ever wants to stay in Briggi in winter.

In the snow Briggi is very pretty. But cold!

But lovely warm fur coats and trousers aren’t very expensive. Riini says Oberon is a rabbit! How many rabbits does it take to make a suit for Oberon? About twenty, says the shopkeeper. And that’s how many rabbits a family like yours will eat in a couple of months, if you like rabbit pie. Do you like rabbit pie?

I don’t know, says Riini. I haven’t tried it yet.

You’re staying at Moehram’s place? Tell him you’d like to try rabbit pie! You’ll like it. Moehram does a really good one, I’ve been told.

We will, says Aari, and Riini grins from ear to fur-encased ear.

19 January

Moehram’s rabbit pie really is excellent. Riini recommends it.

She has also seen rabbits’ footprints in the snow, and wonders how rabbits manage to find food when the snow’s deeper than the inch or two there is here at the moment. She wants to see the rabbits themselves now, live, and not just the skinned and headless carcasses on the market stall.

You’ve seen them on the headland back home, haven’t you? asks Aari. Yes, says Riini, but only from a distance, not up close.

They make quite picture, Riini slouching in Moehram’s big chair in her fur coat, cuddling Oberon in his.

The snow has nearly all gone now. Not melted, just vanished into thin air. Literally.

22 January

Riini has decided that rabbits are Magic. She has seen what they eat: rabbit poo. How can they possibly survive, never mind grow, by eating their own poo, or perhaps other rabbits’ poo?

I haven’t the heart to tell her that it isn’t the only thing they eat. She’ll see for herself before long I expect. I have a small suspicion she knows really, without having seen – or possibly with, devious little demon that she is.

You love her really.

Of course, goes without saying, obvious anyway, isn’t it?

Yes.

Big grin from Riini. I thought – we both thought – she was asleep. Perhaps she is, and dreaming. More big grins. Who knows?

25 January

We’re on the train, on our way back to Laanoha. Riini says she’s had a lovely time in Briggi and when can we go again?

From Briggi to Tambuk the coaches were both full. Aari and Oberon were squeezed in with the approval of the passengers in one coach, but Riini and I rode in the driver’s cab on the engine. Who said Riini can’t ride in the cab? asked Paahram. I’m the boss on this train, and I say she can!

One very happy Riini.

South of Briggi, the line climbs into the hills – not as high as it does in the mountains at the other end of the line, but quite high. It’s much closer to the ice as well, so it’s colder. The snow’s all gone in Briggi, but there’s still quite a lot of snow at the top.

Paahram had built up the fire well, and got up as much steam as he could. It’s uphill, but it’s not steep like in the mountains down south, and in this weather we go as fast as we can up here, even though it uses a lot more wood. You’ll see why, he said. We don’t want to get stuck!

Every time the engine was about to hit a drift he told us to hang on tight, and then there’d be a terrific jolt as we hit the drift. They don’t feel that in the coaches, right at the back of the train, he said. Not with all those wagons in between, and spring buffers on every wagon.

Then a great shower of snow from the drift would flash past on both sides, and some would find its way into the cab, and onto the wood in the bunker behind us.

Riini thought it was great fun.

Six passengers got out at Tambuk, and only two got on, so we’re in the coach now. Riini was a bit disappointed at first, but she has a job to do: she’s holding Oberon, and giving her Maama a rest. She takes this responsibility seriously. She is talking to him, lecturing him positively. He seems very attentive, too. Not bad, for eight and a half weeks old.

It started snowing again just after we left Tambuk, but it’s turned to rain now. We’re a lot lower down again here. It’s probably still snowing on the top.

26 January

We spent last night in the inn at Belgaam, along with all the other passengers. We spent the night here on the way to Briggi as well, and that time the other train was here too, so the inn was very full. But the other train is in Laanoha at the moment, and we will coincide with it at Veglid tonight.

The inn at Belgaam is right by the railway, just a very short walk, but the inn at Veglid is a half mile walk from the station, or there are gigs waiting for the train if you want to ride. Passengers generally have plenty of money, so the gigs get plenty of trade, despite charging two coins for the ride.

We’re very happy to walk and save our coins. It also means we get to the inn first, and get the best seats by the fire. Even with a five-year-old, we can walk half a mile quicker than the gigs can do nearly four miles. They have to go right round to the head of the valley, whereas the path just heads straight for the village and descends into the valley down a steep staircase.

What do you mean, even with a five-year-old, Baaba? I’m the quickest! Apart from that rickety staircase. That’s a bit scary! But fun. Specially in the dark.

There’ll be no moon tonight, Riini. I hope there’s a lantern for us. We might have to take a gig if there isn’t.

28 January

We got back home late last night. I’ll start work tomorrow, three days a week for the moment and we’ll see how we’re doing.

At Veglid the day before yesterday, Aari and Oberon shared a gig with two of the other passengers, but Riini and I walked. She insisted. There’s lots of starlight, she said, and she was right: it was enough. I was a bit worried what the stairs would be like by starlight, but it was okay. We just came down very, very carefully.

We all walked yesterday morning, in the beginning of the dawn light. Apart from Oberon, Riini points out.

Roemi and Priila have become firm friends while we’ve been away. They’ve been talking about seaweed and shellfish, and timidly pottering about on the rocks at low tide. Hemrom has been watching them nervously, and staying with his two sisters safely above the high tide mark.

They haven’t actually collected anything yet, but they want me to show them what to collect, and how to choose good ones – both for their own consumption, and hopefully to sell to Behmi. She would certainly appreciate that, and as long as they’re careful about the tides and the weather, it’s really quite safe.

I hope they don’t scare Hemrom, Aari says. He’ll get used to it, and he’ll be the one to make sure they are careful about the tides and the weather. I’ll talk to him about it.

5 April 672 / 764

Kazhiir! The port office sent him round to the railway office, and Imbaal got Riitam to bring him here. Good to see you, old friend!

6 April

Kazhiir has gone now. We considered taking another holiday and sailing to Zhaam in Senghori, but that would be foolhardy in a tiny little boat like her. She’s not good for long trip really. He’ll find a fisherman on the other side of town who’ll take him for a few coins.

Aibram and Greyr are well, but the passage through the Maze gets more difficult every year, and they’ve been looking for alternative routes further east. Like everywhere else in the Maze, there are wild people in canoes, but there’s no sign of any vessels with more than a few inches draught. Aibram daren’t go at any speed, and takes soundings at frequent intervals. And the wild people seem less friendly further east – maybe just because they never see any bigger boats like Vinhaassa, and feel threatened by her.

There are fewer and fewer big – big? Vinhaassa wouldn’t be considered big anywhere but in the Maze – vessels anywhere on their old route. Fewer people needing a return passage because they’ve run through in the easy direction and then daren’t try to go back in their own boat.

Kazhiir says Aibram is thinking perhaps he’ll retire, and probably settle in Ramhampong. He sent two thousand coins with Kazhiir, which he said we could have for a hundred and fifty thousand nrega if we’d still got that many. We’d actually still got nearly four hundred thousand, and we gave them all to Kazhiir. They’re no use to us any more, if Aibram can use them, that’s good. If he can send us some more coins and wants to do that, that would be nice, but we told Kazhiir to tell him not to worry about it.

We’ve kept a handful of nrega pieces – a one hundred, a five, and a couple of ones – just as souvenirs. To go with the few eksyus I got out of Senghor’s trunk.

Kazhiir says he thinks that if Aibram retires, he may give Vinhaassa to him and Peyrham and Greyr. Although she’s specially designed for the Maze, she’s not a bad little boat for tramping up and down the coast between Meyroha and Bhoemar, or even all the way to Vantun. Who knows?

Aari looks at me. You’re actually a little bit jealous, aren’t you?

Yes, but I can’t sail a bigger boat than Senghori now, can I? And Vinhaassa is no place to raise Riini and Oberon, is it. And anyway, that ship’s sailed. Kazhiir has gone.

You’ve given him nearly enough nrega to pay for her, and as captain you wouldn’t have to do anything strenuous. Aibram didn’t. And who’s to say Vinhaassa would be such a bad place to raise the children? But as you say, that ship’s sailed. Unless Kazhiir calls here again on his way back. He’ll call at the port office anyway, to get a passage.

You’re really considering it, aren’t you?

Yes, really. We have a good enough life here, but...it’s tempting.

Riini is not asleep. That grin is too understanding. And now her eyes are wide open.

Aari. I’m not a captain. I was a purser, on a much bigger ship than Vinhaassa, but I’m not a captain. Not even of a small ship. I’m not the boss man in the railway office. I’m not a boss man by nature.

Aari sticks her tongue out at me. Riini sticks her tongue out at me.

Then Aari gives me a big hug, and so does Riini. Oberon is firmly latched onto Aari’s breast, but that doesn’t stop them.

Riini has the solution: you can be the purser, Baaba, and Maama can be the captain.

That almost sounds sensible.

Actually, it sounds completely sensible. Remember Viiniha?

Yes, I do remember Viiniha. She comes into the port office sometimes. Never when I’ve been there, but I’ve heard her mentioned.

But there is a problem. The only languages we know that are any use this side of the Maze are Laana, which is only any use in three big ports and a few little ones at this end, and English which is only any use in we don’t know how many ports thousands of miles away at the Vantun end. Greyr and Kazhiir probably know Bhoemari, which is useful most of the way to Bhoemar, but it’s not really ideal if the crew can talk in the ports and the captain and purser can’t.

And we haven’t really given enough nrega to pay for Vinhaassa, and Aibram will probably give her to his crew anyway.

I wouldn’t be so sure about that. Kazhiir might just be saying that, we’ve not heard Aibram say it. But you’re right about the language issue. Dream over. We could learn Bhoemari, but not quickly enough.

Riini looks sad, and I give her a big cuddle.

Those two will struggle without Aibram, though. I don’t think either of them can read and write, and I doubt their arithmetic is up to much either.

Not our problem, Aari. Unless they ask for our help, and I doubt they’ll do that. I’m not sure it would be wise to let them make it our problem anyway.

Riini looks sad again. She likes sailing, and understands that much about what we’re talking about.

Of course she does, says Aari, and Riini nods vigorously. And a whole lot more, Baaba, says Riini.

That’s me told.

Nods.

9 April

A good job I was not at work today.

Hemrom’s rope parted while he was auking, and he fell a long way down the cliff. Baashi was watching him, as she does, and came running for help, and I carried him home. He’s lucky to be alive, but he has broken ribs and a broken leg. The doctor has plastered him up and says he should be back to normal in four weeks, but he’ll call round every day or two to check on him.

Carrying Hemrom was the most strenuous thing I’ve done since the firewood incident, but I’m fine. Good, says Aari, but take care! Don’t take it as proof you’re as tough as you used to be. I won’t, but I wasn’t going to leave Hemrom to the birds, was I?

We lent Priila the hundred and twenty coins the doctor wanted. Better it’s paid now, than let the doctor charge who knows how much interest on a loan. No, we don’t want any interest, and there’s no pressure to pay quickly.

At least Priila is earning a bit better now she and Roemi are supplying Behmi with seaweed and shellfish. We offered them the use of Senghori to collect kelp, but Hemrom vetoed that. They wouldn’t have known how to handle her anyway, says Aari.

Aari can sail Senghori single-handed, just as well as I can, and Riini will be able to before long.

29 April

We didn’t miss it this year. I am thirty-eight years old, and Aari is twenty-seven – maybe sometime in the last few weeks, maybe sometime in the next few, who knows?

Today, By Definition, Aari says.

That’s you told, Baaba, says Riini.

I stick my tongue out at her, and she looks stunned.

No I don’t, she says.

I can see how you look, sweetheart. You can’t.

Don’t be mean, Baaba.

Cuddle time.

And I’m five and a half, Riini says, without looking up.

True.

6 May 672 / 764

The doctor has pronounced Hemrom fully fit. He’s had the plasters off for a week, but under strict instructions to take it easy – no running, jumping, climbing or carrying – but he’s as good as new now, the doctor says.

Can I climb the cliffs in a week’s time, and collect birds’ eggs again, and nestlings?

Okay, but don’t fall off again. Make sure you check your rope for any chafing!

I’ll buy him a new rope anyway. But still check it every day, young man!

26 May

Oberon is six months old. He’ll sit for a little while, and then roll over by accident and laugh. Riini sits him back up, and he laughs, and then rolls over on purpose, and laughs again. Over and over. Riini pretends to tell him off, and then they both laugh. And then she lies next to him on the floor and gives him a cuddle, and they both laugh.

Priila says she remembers when hers were that age, and what fun they were. Then she goes all sad, and we know she’s thinking about their father. Hemrom knows too, and he gets up and comes over to his maama and puts his arm round her shoulders and she looks at him with tears in her eyes and smiles.

Riini comes and sits the other side of her and puts her arms round her waist.

6 June 672 / 764

I’ve started working full-time again while a couple of chaps are unwell. Home life is much more settled now. Riini takes turns carrying Oberon when Aari takes them for a walk.

Sometimes they go along the foreshore at the foot of the cliffs, and then Riini holds Oberon while Aari collects seaweed or shellfish – but just for our own dinner. Roemi and Priila supply Behmi now, and we don’t compete. Sometimes they go up onto the top of the headland, just to enjoy the view; sometimes they go into town, and do a bit of shopping in the market, or visit Behmi just for a chat if she doesn’t seem busy.

If Riini was jealous of Oberon at first, it’s quite resolved now; and she walks with Aari mostly, rarely with Roemi, who spends most of her time with Priila. Riini is back to being her delightful little self. She’s not here to hear me translate that to Aari, she’s out with Baashi and Kaahmi, keeping a watchful eye on Hemrom on the cliffs.

And coming home with her arms full of bladderwrack. And it’s good stuff, fresh, not the half dried up, gritty stuff from the tideline. Well done, Riini! But you are soaked, poppet. I hope you were careful not to fall in!

Baashi’s big enough to fish me out, Baaba! But yes, of course I’m careful. No big waves today to snatch me away.

Hemrom managed to catch four adult birds, the first time he’s got even one. He’s very proud of himself, and rightly so. He’s given us two of them. The other two are enough for my family, he says. I could have got more, but I couldn’t sell them at this time of day.

10 June

Earthquake! Nearly four years since the last one – the last one we felt in Laanoha, anyway. Apparently they’ve had a few small ones further north. Like the last one, just a bit of a rattle here in Laanoha, but everyone’s waiting nervously to hear from friends and relatives in the north.

15 June

Briggi is cut off by rail. They think it will take a week to ten days to reopen the line north of Tambuk. A rock cutting collapsed. Luckily the trains were one in Laanoha and the other at Belgaam. They are running a normal service as far as Tambuk, and there are gigs on the road between Tambuk and Briggi.

18 June

Liimiha is being abandoned. The glacier leapt down the valley again, and is within yards of the north side of the town. It’s lucky it didn’t engulf the town – there’d have been hundreds killed. As it was, at least six people died when buildings collapsed. Maybe more. Things are still pretty chaotic there, apparently.

5 September 672 / 764

Hemrom has started work as an engine cleaner in the railway workshops. He hopes to become a service engineer, and he’s bright enough and dedicated enough that I’m sure he’ll succeed.

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