Bennet asks if they can start doing the Tai Chi again, which naturally provokes questions. Ursula examines Larna's injured ankle before following Hanida down to the lower floor to assess how much the water level had risen.

The Voyage of the Visund

A tale of Anmar by Penny Lane

108 - Talk and Exercise

Disclaimer: The original characters and plot of this story are the property of the author. No infringement of pre-existing copyright is intended. This story is copyright (c) 2026 Penny Lane. All rights reserved.

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Bennet rose from her bed and stood, twisting and stretching to try and make her body and limbs a little more flexible. In the gloom of early morning Ursula watched her, waiting until the Guardswoman had finished to allow room for her to climb out of her own bed.

"This is not good, Mistress," Bennet remarked with a groan. "We have not done the Tai Chi for some days now and my body is beginning to feel the need for it. If we may attempt to do it some mornings? I am sure your own body will also appreciate the movements."

"As you say, Bennet." Having now finished her stretches, Bennet moved aside so that Ursula could stand. "It is interesting to hear you suggest medical advice to me but I do not disagree with your assessment. Yes, we should begin again, possibly starting this morning? It is unfortunate that there are only two of us -"

"Mistress, then we will be able to do it as we may without disturbing anyone else... Ah! Kaldar now knows the Tai Chi, I deem. If we three do it in the Operating Theater after you have given him his potions then we would not disturb anyone else."

"That's a good idea, Bennet, but I have just had a different thought. Her Highness also knows the Tai Chi. I wonder if we could use that to help her recover?"

"Mistress, you are wise. If there is one thing I know that Tai Chi can do apart from make my body ready for the day it is to also clear my mind. I find that I can think much better once I have done it."

"Agreed... First, then, I'll need to give Kaldar his potions and then we'll all go and try to get Her Highness to join us." Ursula wrinkled her nose as she thought through the process. "We'd have to do it in the Common Room then, there is little point coming back up here just for that."

"As you say, Mistress. By your leave, I have a pressing need."

"Of course. Go on, I'll be right behind you."

After attending to the usual bodily functions, dressing and giving Kaldar his medication the three walked down the ramp and went to the entrance to Eriana's cubicle, but she was not there. Dibenar joined them.

"Ah, good morning, ladies, and young master. If you seek Her Highness, I believe that she has gone to the toilet and bathroom with her two maids." He paused, uncertain. "Those are her maids, Mistress?"

Ursula replied, "I think that in time they will become her maids but they are relatively untrained as yet, Master Dibenar. Good morning to you. As I mentioned yesterday, they are both from rural villages deep in the countryside and have probably never even seen any kind of noble until they met Her Highness, so they will have had no idea what to do or how to behave. But they will stay close to her and she will keep them safe while introducing them to the delights of civilization."

Dibenar's mouth twitched. "Aye, it seems a shame to tarnish the minds of such innocents, I deem, but did you also not say that they had suffered under rogue soldiery?"

Ursula grimaced. "I did, Master, and they have, and one day I will tell you what happened, but not while your wife is in hearing of us, the story is too evil for most women to hear."

"Do you tell me? Then I will await the telling with some trepidation, I deem."

Hanida bustled in from the kitchen and joined the group.

"Ah! Good morning, all." She noticed where they were standing. "If you seek Her Highness, she is presently in the bathroom with her attendants. I wonder if I may have some help preparing our breakfasts."

Ursula replied for them, "Good morning, Hanida. Of course we will come and help. It is early, about how long will it be before breakfast will be ready this morning? I do not remember you making any dough last night."

"I did not, Ursula. Our numbers are such that we would have used all the flour within two weeks if we made bread every day, so I decided that we would not have bread today but porridge. After all, it is good practice to vary what we eat from time to time, do you not agree?"

"I do, it is a good thought."

Hanida's eyes narrowed. "You asked for a time until we may eat, is there some particular reason?"

"Yes, those of us who came on the ship have a special exercise we do every morning, circumstances permitting, of course. It is gentle and helps prepare our bodies and our minds for the day ahead."

"Ah? I see now why you sought Her Highness. Does this... exercise take very long?"

"Not really. It does take a week or two to learn and all may do it from young to old but not, of course, those who are stuck in bed with injuries. I had hoped we could do ours before breakfast, but if Her Highness is not available, then perhaps today we can do it afterwards."

"Intriguing! Something else that is new for me to discover."

"Yes... we are probably going to be here long enough for you to learn to do it yourself, though I do not think it will be possible for you learn enough to teach it to any future patients." Ursula had a thought. "I believe that, before we left, some of those at His Grace's mansion would have been taught the moves. You might find that others in Joth already know how to do the Tai Chi."

"Ah? Then I will ask, next time that my duties take me that way... but that will not be for two months or more."

"True. These Rains have a larger effect on what people in the Great Valley do than I realized."

Dibenar observed, "Mistress, it is all we know. We are accustomed to the Rains, we are used to what happens and act appropriately."

"As you say. Hanida? If you want help we had better go to the kitchen. You must have left porridge on the stove?"

"As you say! Come, come!"

There was a little bread left over from the previous day but breakfast would be mainly porridge accompanied by the usual sliced meats, fruits and cheeses. Ursula, Hanida and Kaldar carried the extras in while Bennet brought the tureen of porridge to the table. Dibenar and Mordon followed with plates, bowls, mugs and cutlery. When they arrived they found Eriana, Larna and Beresan already in their chairs and waiting. Eriana eyed the tureen with distaste.

"I have tasted the porridge of Palarand and did not care for it. This does not seem to be better but looks even less appealing."

Hanida briefly dipped. "Highness, there is no milk for anyone while the Rains descend upon us. In this weather the narakh cannot feed normally and must needs be kept inside and fed on forage. Even if it should be possible to milk them, no-one could venture outside to supply anyone with it. Thus, our porridge must needs be made with water, but to improve it I have added certain spices. You may also slice fruit into it to add to the flavor."

Eriana's face wrinkled. "As you say. Unless you command me I would prefer to break my fast with bread, meats and cheese."

"As you wish, Highness." Hanida added, "You should know that, as time passes, our choice of foodstuffs will become smaller and we will be obliged to eat whatever remains of our stocks until fresh can be supplied."

"I will note your warning, Mistress. In the lands of my birth, we suffer a similar circumstance in the winter-time. Even my father the King cannot command certain foods if none should be available."

"Indeed, Highness."

Ursula had noticed the sacks of dried pel herbs on the upper floor but now wondered if they would last the deluge or if they would be reduced to drinking water at some point.

At least we wouldn't become short of water. It will only be necessary to place buckets at the outside edge of the rear walkway and we'd have fresh water within minutes!

I wonder if I will still be here towards the end of the Rains? Being in the Clinic is good and allows me to practise my profession - one of them, at least - but it is a very restricted location and I would like to socialize a little more. I'd like to be able to join Tyra in Foti Lane at some point, meet her family again and find out what the rest of the crew are doing.

No chance in this downpour, though.

Breakfast was consumed in near silence, Ursula noticing that Eriana seemed a little more alert that morning. Bennet and Kaldar helped Hanida remove the table debris back to the kitchen and then returned, waiting. Ursula took the hint and turned to the Princess.

"Highness, it is now necessary that we begin to do the Tai Chi once more. Because of our activities these last few days I do not think anyone has done it and we are beginning to notice the effects."

"Hmm? You desire me to do this exercise?"

"I do, Highness. It is something else that will help you to recover more quickly."

Eriana groaned and grimaced in disgust. "If I must. Where shall it be done? We cannot go outside, I deem."

Ursula pointed. "We'll go over there, I think, behind those empty chairs. If we move them we should have enough room for the four of us."

"Four?" Eriana looked surprised and then glanced at all the other occupants, apparently noticing Bennet and Kaldar for the first time. "Ah, as you say. I did not realize... it is not just myself who requires such exercise, I deem."

The four made space at the side of the Common Room, Ursula realizing that she had, without consciously thinking about it, deliberately placed them so that the other occupants would have a clear view of the proceedings. Those occupants had puzzled expressions as the four positioned themselves in suitable spaces.

"Mistress?" Beresan asked. "If I may ask, what is it you do now?"

"This is a special exercise that the people of Palarand do each morning," she replied. "Anyone may do it, from young to old, and it helps prepare the body and mind for the day ahead. Normally we would do this before breakfast but Her Highness had... some more urgent needs today. It may be of particular use to you, once you can walk again, to help you overcome your co-ordination problems. I can explain in more detail once we have finished."

Beresan gestured towards Ketko, who sat on another chair and looked just as puzzled as the patients did. "What of your other traveler? Should he not also do these exercises?"

"One day, perhaps," Ursula answered. "He has not been traveling with us long enough to learn them and he is also recovering from a serious illness. Bennet? I suggest you lead us today."

"Of course, Mistress."

Bennet would have been taught, Ursula knew, back at Palarand's palace and probably by Princess Garia, since Tai Chi had obviously been introduced from Earth. It was possible that Eriana was as familiar with it as Bennet was but Ursula did not want to trust the Princess's flaky memory. Both Ursula and Kaldar had learned during the voyage and neither was completely familiar with the succession of moves the discipline required.

Their audience watched as Bennet led them through the various evolutions and then, afterwards, corrected Ursula on two minor differences she had noticed towards the end. Kaldar, of course, was centimeter perfect with his placement and only had to adjust his timing slightly.

At the end Eriana turned to Ursula with a smile. "That was enjoyable, Ursula. I had forgotten how much it helped when we did it every morning in the palace."

"That was the intention, Highness." Ursula hesitated, wondering if further conversation ought to be carried out in private, but then asked, "How are you feeling this morning? Has the Tai Chi made your thoughts any clearer?"

"Indeed it has, Ursula." She frowned. "My mind... I seem to have spent the last several days in some kind of bad dream. I did not know where I was nor whom anyone I spoke to was. Do you think I am recovered now?"

"That is difficult to say, Highness. Yes, you are certainly getting better but there might be occasional relapses." Ursula waved a hand at the rain outside. "In any event no-one can go anywhere so there will be several days yet during which we can make sure that you have completely recovered."

Assuming that you can completely recover.

Eriana nodded. "As you say. I remember that I had many tasks before me, many, many tasks, and I feel a certain relief that I may put them aside for a day or two. However I am by nature an impatient person and wonder what I may do while the rain still falls."

By this time Hanida had returned from the kitchen and said, "Highness, if you do not mind helping around the Clinic I can always find things for you to do, things you might not consider to be beneath someone of your status. For this morning, however, I would ask you to relax and mayhap enjoy some conversation with the others here. You are, after all, still a patient of ours."

"As you say, Mistress..? Ah, I forget your name."

Hanida curtseyed. "Healer Hanida, Highness, at your service."

"Hanida, aye, of course. Do not concern yourself about my status, it is purely an accident of birth. Aboard any ship it is necessary for everyone to do whatever must needs be done, so I have pulled oars, heaved ropes and even managed the steering oar on occasion. If you should ask me to do something to help, I will attempt to do it."

"Thank you, Highness. But it is not needful today. Your exercise today looked gentle enough but I would not want to strain you before you have recovered completely. As I mentioned, you are still our patient."

"As you wish, Hanida."

Beresan looked up at Ursula. "Mistress, you said you would explain what you have just done, it looked interesting."

Ursula sat down, leaving an empty seat between herself and Beresan. "I did and it is, My Lord. It is actually, so I was told, part of an ancient system of unarmed combat from a region a long way away from where I was born. What it does is -"

Ursula explained what she knew or had deduced about Tai Chi, considering she had never personally encountered it before she had joined the company in Joth. She told him as much, indicating that Eriana might be able to tell him more.

Eriana took the empty seat and leaned back, relaxing. Unfortunately her first words blew a hole through Ursula's careful explanation.

"Princess Garia brought the Tai Chi with her when she arrived from the mother world," she told Beresan. "She used it herself to help regain her fitness after her arrival and then began to teach it to the Palace Guard, which is why Bennet knows how to do it. Soon, most of those in the palace, even the King and Queen, began to join in and discovered the benefits."

Beresan frowned. "The mother world? What is that?"

"A distant world named Earth, My Lord. It is where the sagas of my own people tell us we came from a thousand years ago, and where the Chivans came from a thousand years before that."

"I intend you no insult, Highness, but the Great Convocation showed that such other worlds cannot exist!"

"That is not so, My Lord. The Great Convocation requires proof of such matters and I have been shown sufficient proof that Earth is real." Eriana abruptly realized that she was mentioning confidential matters. "If you desire to learn more, My Lord, you must needs travel to Palarand and apply to King Robanar."

"Highness, I might just do that once I am fit again." Beresan turned towards Ursula, who had understood Eriana's unfortunate statement. "Mistress, you said that the exercise was from a place a long way from where you were born. Are you then also of this mother world?"

She thought quickly. "I said that it came from a region a long way away from where I was born, My Lord, that is all. I now know that region to be Palarand, a land I have not yet visited. I learned the Tai Chi here in Joth from Her Highness's crew, not on some other world."

He seemed unsatisfied with the answer but let the question drop.

Near call! Almost everything I said was true but I didn't say everything I might have.

Hmm. If he joins us he'll probably learn the truth but that needs to be at a time of our own choosing. Unfortunately Eriana still is not in control of herself and may let other matters slip. Nothing I can do about that but it does mean I'll have to be careful around her.

Hanida spoke up. "Ursula, you said that you would help this morning when I remove Mistress Larna's cast. Are you still willing?"

Ursula stood up. "Of course, Hanida." At least that gets me out of this room and any other awkward questions. "Can we have some help getting Mistress Larna into the consulting room?"

Dibenar and Bennet helped Larna into the Consulting Room and onto the couch before both remained standing against the wall. They stayed with her while the two healers fetched their kits from where they had previously been left. Hanida pulled some fearsome looking tools out of her basket, raising an eyebrow at Ursula when she did so.

"I do not know how your people do this, Ursula. If there might be something to be learned if you did this? I would not be insulted."

Ursula waved a hand. "Remember that I am also learning the local methods, Hanida. I would rather find out how such procedures are done here than do something which may be different and cause you problems later on."

"Ah, as you say. You will help, of course?"

"Yes, just tell me what you need."

Hanida patted her lower arm with her other hand. "If this were a straight cast on an arm or leg I would do something a little different, but as this is the ankle I have to take the plaster off in small pieces. Do you see these loops poking out of the cast?"

Ursula nodded. "Yes, I wondered if they were deliberate or just some custom or artistic flourish."

"They are deliberate! We use them to guide our cuts and to avoid injuring the patient. First, I will make a groove along the outside of the cast from end to end. Mistress Larna, if I may ask you to turn on your left side so that I can reach the back of the plaster cast. Ah, Bennet, if you would come and attend the Mistress's skirt to ensure modesty."

With Ursula holding the cast firmly Hanida used a saw blade to carefully score a groove all the way down the back and around the heel to the sole of the foot. Dibenar was asked to use a brush and small leather bucket to sweep up the dust and any debris from the cut. Once that was finished Hanida began sawing from one loop to another but at a sharp angle, so that triangular sections could be isolated and snapped off in sequence. These joined the debris in the bucket.

"If I may ask," Hanida asked as she sawed, "how would you do this, Ursula?"

Careful, now. "As a rule we try to take the cast off in two pieces, Hanida. It is difficult to explain but we have a tool which vibrates and cuts the cast that way without injuring the patient. I doubt I could use that here."

"I see. And you would take even an ankle cast off that way?"

"Nearly every cast, yes. There are certain parts of the body where it would not be a good idea but generally we can work around those. Your way means more work but is simpler to do and safe enough for the patient." Given that you have no access to power tools, and I'm not going to explain that!

Eventually the last two pieces were able to be snapped apart and Ursula was left holding a bandaged ankle with the bandage covered in dust and fragments. Dibenar handed her the brush and she briefly cleaned the debris off before looking at Hanida.

"Do you want to take the bandage off, Ursula? I assume that you want to use your own methods to examine the ankle."

"If that is acceptable to you and to Mistress Larna."

With nods from both Ursula undid the knot securing the bandage and began to unroll it before pausing.

"Mistress Larna, I ask your pardon, I should have asked if you are in any pain now."

"There is a dull pain, as I expected, but nothing as bad as it was when I fell, Mistress Ursula. What will you do?"

"I want to feel around the ankle and try to detect any breaks or other problems in the many bones that are down there. To do that I would like to continue without any numbing salves or potions since I'll need you to tell me where and when it hurts. Do you think you can manage that? I will be as gentle as I can."

Dibenar asked, "Mistress? Breaks I may understand but what might other problems be?"

"Bones may have become dislocated, Master Dibenar. Between each bone and another is thin cushion of cartilage which may have moved or broken. There may have been bleeding. I should be able to detect if anything like that has happened."

He nodded. "I understand, Mistress. I admit, my only thought had been that a bone had been broken."

"That is understandable, Master Dibenar. The ankle joint is complicated and there are a number of things that can go wrong without bones being broken, all of which can be painful."

She finished taking the bandage off and handed it to Hanida for disposal. Looking at the color of the skin she asked Hanida, "I assume that you had put some salve on the joint first?"

"Aye, Ursula, to help with the pain."

"Then we'd better give this foot and ankle a wash."

Bennet offered, "If I may go and fetch some warm water, Mistress."

Ursula looked at Hanida who replied, "Yes, please do, Bennet. If you look at the shelves beneath the kitchen sink you should find a suitable bowl. I have cloths to hand here so there is no need to find others."

"As you say, Mistress." Bennet departed.

Hanida commented to Ursula, "Those bowls are mealtime items, really, but trying to explain to Bennet where the medical equivalent is would be more complicated than I desire at the present." She shrugged. "The bowls are much the same anyway."

Bennet returned with a bowl of lukewarm water, Hanida handed over a cloth and Ursula went to work. Once clean the ankle showed discoloring from bruises but otherwise looked more or less normal. She began to carefully examine the joint with the tips of her fingers, causing the occasional gasp from Larna but no more. Finally she sat back.

"I think that you have been very lucky, Mistress. If anything had been broken or moved out of place then you would certainly have let me know. I think that it is just a bad sprain, complicated by the fact that the ankle probably bounced off the steps on the way down."

"Mistress, it does still hurt," Larna admitted, "but the pain is not as bad as it was when the accident happened. Will it heal completely?"

"I think so but of course every injury heals in different ways for different patients so there might be a slight twinge once you can walk again." Ursula gave her a reassuring smile. "I doubt that you will even have a limp."

"Oh, thank you, Mistress!"

Hanida asked Ursula, "What do you suggest now? More plaster?"

"The joint seems to be recovering well so I think it just needs some support while it heals, Hanida. Maybe a tight bandage? The plaster held everything in place but a bandage will be less limiting for the Mistress."

"I agree. If I may do it?"

Ursula stood and moved back with a gesture. "Of course."

Some more salve was spread all over the ankle. There were as yet no stretch bandages available on Anmar so Hanida had to make a elaborate construction around the complex shape of the joint to bind it closely. Ursula watched with approval, thinking that she could not have done as well with the materials to hand. When she had finished Dibenar was able to help his wife out of the room on his own and back to the Common Room.

Hanida stood up, dusting her hands. "If we may wash up and then make some pel. I think we need it."

"Agreed. Do you intend to look at Lord Beresan's leg this morning?"

"I think it will be better if we leave it to heal without disturbing it, Ursula. Unless it is customary to examine such wounds more often where you come from?"

"No, Hanida. Normally he would be stitched and bandaged and then sent home with instructions to keep off the leg and to return in three or four days to have the stitches examined and possibly removed. Most minor wounds heal themselves without our interference."

Hanida's eyebrows raised. "You call that a minor wound?"

"Yes, considering what else I was used to dealing with. We didn't walk around with swords or crossbows but there were much worse dangers, many of them to do with speeding vehicles."

I don't think I should tell her about gang warfare or some of the associated problems like addicts.

"Speeding... vehicles? You mean like a carriage?"

"Yes. Imagine a carriage or wagon which is self-propelled by means of something like a steam engine which can travel at... I don't know, maybe eighty to a hundred marks in every bell."

Hanida stared at Ursula. "You do not exaggerate?"

"Not at all. I may have trouble translating our speeds into the local measures, that is all. Now those carriages or wagons are all made of metal which makes them much heavier than what you have here. Imagine what might happen if one of them hits a pedestrian, another carriage or wagon or a building, bridge support or something like that. The injuries can be much more complicated to deal with, assuming that they are not fatal."

Hanida blew out a breath. "Maker! The land of your birth sounds a dangerous place."

Ursula shrugged. "Probably no more dangerous than where we are now, Hanida. We grow up familiar with the conditions and adjust, so we know to keep out of the way of such dangers. Of course, things can always go wrong, which is why accidents happen in the first place."

"As you say." Hanida looked nervous. "I am not sure that I desire to learn more about where you came from, Ursula."

Another shrug. "As I said, it is what you grow up with. But while I am content to tell you more about medical matters, Hanida, there is much else in my past which should remain private. I have spoken of such matters to His Grace and he has told me that some of what I know could become dangerous to myself or others if I should speak more widely of it, and I agree."

Hanida nodded. "His Grace is wise, I deem." They had reached the kitchen. "Here, empty that bucket into the bigger one over there, if you would. While the Rains fall there is no way to dispose of our waste so it must needs be collected until afterwards."

"Oh. Is this going to be a big problem?"

"That depends. We have a number of women residing here and Kalikan does not cease to call while the Rains fall. Fortunately this time we are not likely to have much medical waste, though some of that we could burn."

I am often amazed by how practical these people are. I suppose that most pre-industrial societies on Earth were like that. Nothing would be wasted if at all possible.

"That makes sense." Ursula's train of thought wandered into fuel for the stove and boiler and then to where most of the firewood was stored. "Thinking of firewood, is the lower level going to be flooded yet? How fast does the water rise around here?"

"I could not say, Ursula. This is the first time that I have been this close to the dock area when the Rains come. My guess is that there will be some water down there but not much, not yet. It is usually a week or two before the levels begin to rise, since first of all the waters must need fill up that empty river and then spill over. For now, if there is water there, it will be because it cannot drain down to the river fast enough."

Ursula nodded. "Of course. Presumably you live somewhere else in the city?"

"Aye, near the Western Gate. Though it may not be apparent to the eye the city is not flat but slopes very slightly down towards the Sirrel. All is eventually flooded, of course, but I expect that in this area it will be a little deeper than I am accustomed to at home."

"Oh. Are we in any danger here?"

"Not at all, Ursula! If it were not so then buildings this side would have been wrought differently. It is why the lower level is as high as it is, so that all above, which would normally be looms and other weaving gear, may be kept safely dry while the Rains fall."

"Ah, I did wonder."

Hanida considered. "Having said that we should be safe, it would not be any trouble to keep an eye on the conditions down below from time to time in case there might be concern. As I mentioned, these premises are usually left unoccupied during the Rains. Mayhap we can have a look after we have had our pel."

"Yes, that could be interesting."

The pel was made and Ursula carried a trayful of mugs back to the Common Room while Hanida brought another with some remaining nibbles on it. Ursula was encouraged to see that Eriana and Beresan were having a conversation together, both apparently enjoying the exchange. She left them to their talk and sat down next to Kaldar and Ketko.

"I apologize, there is very little for either of you to do while the weather is like this."

Kaldar replied, "As you noticed, Mistress, I have found several ways I may make myself useful." He looked anxious. "Do you tell me I should not do that?"

"No, Kaldar, definitely not! Mistress Hanida did not expect to be stuck in here with all of us and if we can make her own time here more comfortable then carry on. I am sure she appreciates your help."

"There may be more that I can do... but much of it is woman's work."

"What do you mean?"

"Cooking, cleaning, washing, what my mother and the female servants were made to do."

Ursula looked sidelong at Kaldar. "I think you may have to adjust your ideas a little, young man," she told him. "Almost all that women customarily do around here can also be done by men. You already know that most of those tasks are done by men on the ship, for example. Who does the cooking aboard the ship?"

His eyes were downcast. "Uh, Adin, Mistress."

"Exactly. And who washes their clothes? Who repairs them when they are torn?"

"Uh, the men do, Mistress. But -" Kaldar paused, unable to articulate his thoughts.

"But customs build up and build up until everybody forgets why the custom existed in the first place. It is easier for men to go out and hunt the larger animals, it is easier for them to build houses and make tools and furniture so that's what they began doing. Then everybody begins to think that is what only men should do. Women can do all of that but it takes us a little longer, that's all. And while the men are away the women do all the other jobs like washing, cleaning and cooking. But it is only a custom. Men can and will do all of that if they need to."

"As you say, Mistress."

She gave him a smile. "So if some vegetables or fruit need peeling or slicing, you would be ready to help?"

"Yes, Mistress."

"Don't worry, I'm sure there will be more time to do all the other things that men usually do once we can go back and join them."

"As you say, Mistress."

Ketko remarked, "Mistress, I am fascinated by the water which comes down outside. I do not remember anything like this happening in the Great Plain. Do you understand what is happening, why it does this? Does it happen very often?"

"I do, I was taught the basic features of how weather works, but where I come from we did not experience this either. However, I do know of places where something similar happens so it is not entirely strange to me." I have to be careful what I say here. "I can and will tell you but it will require some careful thought for me to work out what to say, so I regret the explanation will have to wait."

"Thank you, Mistress. I await your explanation with interest."

He's calling me Mistress now. Does that mean he is responding to what everybody else is saying? We've both been dumped into a strange new world but mine is disturbingly more similar to Anmar than his seems to be.

"As for what these people call 'The Rains', they occur around about this time every year," she added. "I have been told they can last from six to ten weeks but those would be the extremes, I imagine. For reasons you know this is the first time I have ever experienced anything like this. Of course all that water has to go somewhere and around here it is into the river Sirrel. That can only take so much so the water comes over the banks and covers the land - and any buildings that happen to be nearby.

"The people who live in the Great Valley are used to this and have adapted the way they live to cope with what happens. Where I came from what these people call Harvest Festival would be held a month and a half to two months later in each year, but they cannot do that here. They have to gather in as much as possible before the Rains begin to have enough to last them until afterwards.

"Fortunately the flooding which the river brings leaves behind very fertile soil which means that food grows quicker here. I have been told that they can have two harvests each year and often, for certain crops, even three before it gets too cold in the winter." She gestured at the sacks stacked each end of the Common Room. "That is why we have all this here, it is to provide us until the Rains end and the waters subside enough to be able to plant the next crop."

Ketko nodded. "Thank you, Mistress. It explains to me why the cities and towns, and even the ports we have visited, look so strange to my eyes. Does this happen all over this world, do you know?"

"Probably not," she replied with a warning glance. "Even where I came from these weather processes are limited to certain areas. Until we can begin building larger ships which can go out and explore we are not going to know, are we?"

"As you say, Mistress."

Kaldar put up a hand. "Mistress! Did you hear that?"

"What?"

"I think it is another leak! If I may go and look?"

Hanida turned from where she sat beside Larna and nodded. Ursula replied, "Yes, go on, we don't want any of our stores ruined."

The boy stood and ran off, heading for the ramp upwards.

Bennet stood. "I will go and keep an eye open on him, Mistress."

"As you wish, Bennet, and thank you."

* * *

There were two leaks, which required all the able-bodied, excepting Eriana, to go above and shift the Clinic's stocks of mattresses, linen and blankets to safer places before they were damaged. With re-arrangements completed and buckets in position most returned to the Common Room and settled down around the patients. Hanida and Ursula pulled on their waterproof boots, lit lanterns and ventured down the lower ramp. Down below the rain sounded louder and they had to raise their voices to communicate.

"There is water down here!"

"Aye. I did not know how soon it would come, Ursula. It does not look very high yet, I will venture a boot onto the floor."

The water almost covered Hanida's ankle.

"That's good enough, I deem. Now look here, Ursula. There are two ropes, this one will pull the line of boxes of firewood towards the ramp, this other one with the knot should pull a small skate to the ramp. Depending how high the water rises the skate may be our only means of departing the building, should something bad happen to it."

"A skate? Oh, yes, you mean a flat kind of boat with floats built into it."

"Aye. Have you seen them? Some folk use punts but they will fill up with water very quickly with the rain this powerful so skates are more useful though harder to build."

"Yes. There were too many men and too much cargo on our ship so Her Highness contracted a skate to bring a man and some cargo as far as Joth, but that was a fairly large craft with a mast and sail. I assume that you mean something smaller here?"

"A mast and sail? Of course we would have no need of such aid in the streets of Joth! No, all our small water craft are moved by poles, since the waters have never been high enough that the bottom could not be reached."

"Ah, of course." Ursula remembered something. "Do those folk who have boats, like the fishermen, use those at this time?"

"No, Ursula, since they would also fill with water straight away. They can only use such craft towards the very end of the Rains, when there are bells or even part days when the rain does not fall, or falls lightly. Then the fishermen may venture out with their nets and catch fish in the streets of Joth."

"Of course, I was forgetting. Having this amount of water fill your city every year must mean that everything has to be thought out very carefully."

"Aye, and we have had centuries to do so, Ursula. So, we have seen all there is to see and there is nothing here I would consider a problem for the future. Let us return above, then. There are plates and cutlery to wash and then I must needs began thinking about our evening meal. I wonder if Bennet will agree to make some more of that delicious bread today?"