Oren

Oren found me.

Now there is a lot in that sentence unsaid but understood. Oren would not have found me if she had not been looking for me in the first place and that idea carried an importance that I knew well.

I listened.

Oren would not be looking for me if she did not have a good reason and something to say. Oren has seen and experienced too much to waste energy working her jaws around worthless words.

"I want you to speak to Mezoo."

"Is something wrong? Has something happened?"

"I want you to speak to Mezoo about the Haruspex." Oren chewed on the corner of her mouth for a moment and my gaze narrowed in focus on her before she spoke again. "Aunt has been to see her."

The anger that rose in me was tangible .. electrified ... it bent the grass away from where the two of us stood. Her old eyes snapped at me and she poked my chest. "I am not afraid of you .. Fonce of the Tuchuk."

"I am not angry with you .. Oren."

"Try to pay attention Fonce .. I do not have a lot of time left and you are wasting a good portion of it by having a temper about someone who is not even here. You can get a bur under your saddle later after I am done with you."

I had to smirk. But my temper was such I could not just put it away .. I simply nodded for her to continue. She gazed at me for a moment before she decided to continue .. I suppose realizing I was not going to calm down but at least I would not interrupt.

"She has been chosen."

"What does Mezoo think about that?"

"That is why I want you to speak to her."

"Why me?"

She just looked at me.

"All right .. all right." I nodded. "I will speak to her."

"I want you to speak to Tao.."

I interrupted her. "His name is Salukaii."

"He wishes to be called Tao."

"He is a named man .. he was given his father's name. It is an honor. He should not dishonor it by this idea that he can choose his name."

"Perhaps he does not consider it an honor."

The muscle of my jaw worked itself into a knot. "What do you want me to speak to him about?"

"He is having some trouble finding his place."

"Perhaps because he refuses to honor his father .. choosing his own name and his own Clan."

"Perhaps .. or perhaps those are only symptoms. He still needs a strong hand. He does not have the steadiness of Pei. But if he can direct the energy he does have .. he will go farther than Pei."

"Or fall farther."

"That is why I wish you to speak to him."

"Why me?" I knew the answer before the inflection of the question left my tone. A slow inhale and a slower exhale. "I am no longer a commander."

"I have never equated your influence with a position .. Fonce."

"You realize he will not take my words easily .. you realize this may be a harsh conversation?"

"I do not interfere in the ways of men."

huh

I gave Oren a very dry glance.

"All right .. all right." I nodded. "I will speak to him."