Kurt went to her and drew her up into his arms, smoothing her disordered hair, and she turned her face against him and wept. Her dress was torn open, buttons ripped to the waist, the pelan soiled with mud from the streets and with blood.
“You’d better do something,” Kurt said, looking across at Djan. “Because if I meet any of them after this I’ll kill them.”
“If you doubt I’ll do what I said, you’re mistaken.”
“What kind of place is this when this can happen to her? What do I owe your law when this can happen and they can get away with it?”
“H’Elas,” said Djan, ignoring him, “have you remembered who did this to you?”
“Please,” said Mim, “do not shame my husband.”
“Your husband has eyes to see what happened to you. He is threatening to take matters into his own hands, which will be unfortunate for El as if he does, and for him too. So you had better find it convenient to remember, h’Elas.”
“Methi, I…only remember what I told you. They kept me wrapped in… in someone’s cloak, I think, and I could hardly breathe. I saw no faces… and I remember… I remember being moved, and I tried to escape, but they… hit me. They-”
“Let be,” Kurt said, holding her. “Let be, Djan.”
“How long have you lived in Nephane, h’Elas?”
“F-four years, Methi.”
“And never heard those voices, never saw a face you knew, even at the beginning?”
“No, Methi. Perhaps… perhaps they were from the country.”
“Where were you held?”
“I do not know, Methi. I cannot remember clearly. It was dark… a building, dark… and I could not see. I do not know.”
“They were t’Tefur’s men,” said Kurt. “Let her alone.”
“There are more radical men than Shan t’Tefur, those who aim at creating complete havoc here, and you just gave them all the ammunition they need, killing two of them, defiling the temple.”
“Let them come out into the open and accuse me. I don’t think they’re the kind. Or if they try me again-”
“I’ve warned you, Kurt, in as plain words as I can use. Do nothing.”
“I’ll do what’s necessary to protect my wife.”
“Don’t try me. Don’t think your life or hers means more to me than this city.”
“Next time,” said Kurt, holding Mim tightly to his side, “I’m going to be armed. If you don’t intend to afford me the protection of the law, then I’ll take care of the matter, public or private, fair or foul.”
“My lord,” pleaded Mim, “please, please, do not quarrel with her.”
“You’d better listen to her,” said Djan..”Women have survived the like for thousands of years. She will. Honor’s cold comfort for being dead, as the practicalities of the Tamur surely taught-”
“She understands!” Kurt cried, hugging Mim to him, and Djan silenced herself quickly. Mim trembled. Her hands were cold in his.
“You have leave to go, h’Elas,” said Djan.
“I’ll see her home,” said Kurt.
“You’re going nowhere tonight,” Djan said, and shouted for the guard, who appeared almost instantly, expecting orders.
“I’ll take her home,” Kurt repeated, “and I’ll come back if you insist on it.”
“No,” said Djan. “I made a mistake ever putting you in Bias, and I warned you. As of this moment you’re staying in the Afen, and it’s going to take more than Kta’s persuasions to change my mind on that. You’ve created a division in this city that words won’t settle, and my patience is over, Kurt. T’Udein, see h’Elas home.”
“You’ll have to use more than an order to keep me here,” said Kurt.
Mim put her hand on his arm and looked up at him. “Please, no, no, I will go home. I am so very tired. I hurt, my lord. Please let me go home, and do not quarrel with the Methi for my sake. She is right: it is not safe for you or for Elas. It will never be safe for you. I do not want you to have any grief for my sake.”
Kurt bent and touched his lips to her brow. “I’m coming home tonight, Mim. She only thinks otherwise. Go with t’Udein, then, and tell your father to keep that door locked.”