Station Of Seers : 09

It took Orietta a little less than two hours to complete a circuit of the plateau and confirm what Hirrilow had told her. There was no easy way out of the lands of Kalonia. Yet the ride had been good for her as Hirrilow had known it would be. Even keeping more than half an eye out for an alegoyle, she had been able to let Cassia have her head and the feel of the wind on her face gave her permission to cry for Asanka again in a private catharsis impossible inside the dome. The steady rhythm and easy working of the muscles of the strong mare beneath her were a reassuringly familiar balm and the bright spring air of the downs acted like a healing draught. Now as a good Rider she thought of escape back to her people but it was plainly not going to be simple. She also admitted to the beginnings of curiosity. The dome was an enigma and there was so much more she wanted to know about it. She seemed in no danger. Hirrilow had been kind to her so perhaps she should go along with the old man for a bit longer until a proper opportunity came to flee.
As the station of seers loomed into view again she came to a stretch of cultivated ground where a stand of fruit trees were lined up in a small orchard and beyond that as Cassia picked her way through them, a plot of dark earth. A voice hailed her.
"You must be Orietta and I am pleased to see your mare has enjoyed her ride! What is her name? She is a fine one! I have been looking after both of your horses whilst you were recovering your strength."
Orietta dismounted and walked over to an old man in a green gown with a hoe who was working in the vegetable patch.
"Her name is Cassia," she said, "and I thank you for taking care of her and the stallion, Paramal, who was life bonded to my husband."
She could not help shedding a small tear again at the reference to Asanka, though she had thought herself all cried out, but the old man tactfully ignored it, reaching in his pocket for a sweet treat which he gave to Cassia.
"My name is Malorye," he said, "and I am the gardener for this Enclave. Now that you will be staying with us in Kalonia, I hope that you will visit me sometimes and perhaps even help me if it would please you? I have many kinds of plants here and there is much that might interest you. Can I tell you about some of my projects?"
Orietta found the old man strangely charming and even funny sometimes. They spent a pleasant hour walking through walled gardens, past greenhouses and fish ponds and plots filled with a great variety of plants as Malorye discussed their merits and their problems without demanding any reply from her, yet content to listen when she chose to offer one. She hardly realised that she had been skilfully and graciously dismissed until she was once more at the entrance to the dome. Hirrilow met her there and though he was as polite as ever, he now seemed a little stern and formal by comparison with the easy manners of the gardener. Perhaps Malorye would be a real friend.