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On another dark street of Khambawe, Jass Kebessa and Tamair walked side-by-side. Before the Uloans’ invasion, Kebessa would never have associated so closely with someone of Tamair’s lower social status. Now, he actively sought her companionship, even though most of his own family had managed to survive the terrible night of slaughter.
Even under the changed circumstances of the Renewal, as the Emperor Gebrem’s reign was beginning to style itself, Kebessa continued to hide his true feelings from himself, convincing himself that he regarded Tamair only as a friend from whom he sought counsel.
“Do you think Sehaye is mad?” he asked as they walked along a street that was relatively free from rubble.
The street was closer to the main part of the city, which had by now been almost completely rebuilt. Other people were abroad this night, and the Moon Stars’ light outlined their faces as they passed. If anyone recognized either Tamair or Kebessa, they gave no indication.
“Mad?” Tamair repeated. “Well, his idea certainly is.”
After a short pause, she continued.
“In fact, I’ve never heard of anything more insane in my life – even in these times of lunacy.”
Kebessa chuckled.
“That’s why it just might work,” he said.
This time, it was Tamair’s turn to laugh.
“I never thought I’d hear something like that from him,” she said. “He was always so sensible before.”
“In a way, he’s being sensible now.”
That comment caused Tamair to stop walking and give Kebessa a quizzical glance.
“How’s that?” she asked.
Kebessa stopped as well, and he returned her gaze directly, without pretense of ulterior motive.
“His scheme brings no direct risk to us,” he said. “If it fails, no one will ever know that we were involved.”
“That’s only if Sehaye doesn’t talk.”
“I have a feeling he won’t.”
“Are you willing to gamble our lives on a ‘feeling?’” Tamair demanded. “Hah! That’s the way is has always been with you Jassi.”
As Kebessa looked at her, a distance became evident in his eyes; a reminder of times past, and the way he would have regarded a woman like Tamair back then. Tamair could sense that distance as well.
“What we do will be for all of us to decide,” Kebessa said stiffly.
Little else was said as they began to walk again. When they reached one of the principal streets of Khambawe, on which the light from night-torches overwhelmed the Moon-Stars’ glow, they silently went their separate ways.