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The Vanaras all about her gasped in awe A few spoke out of turn, but the bejewelled esture with his wrinkled hairy hand They fell quiet, if not still Vanaras, Rue was beginning to realise, were never still
Her victi back down the stream, once more in Vanara form, and pleased about it Or as pleased as aof the lips into a grihly decorated Vanara, who Rue decidedonce n Devil––" Percy forcibly stopped himself "But what kind of creature are you, who is no Vanara in truth but a thief of our shape?"
Rue was glad to have her own voice back – it was e We would say metanatural, the child of a soulless Flayer, say the olves Soul-stealer, say the vampires Miss Sekhmet there callsHindustani where he could, English words where he couldn’t
The Vanara Alpha did not respond for a long time He turned and went to speak quietly with one of the other were creature with almost white fur Eventually he returned his attention to Rue
"We have legends of Vanaras in the past who could take ods Are you one of these? A lost kinswoman?"
Rue said, "I’ll take it Kinswo If it helps, I too am fond of tea Perhaps it runs in the family?" But despite her enthusiasressive stance, even though it was he who had extended the offer of kinship
He continued, "This seeood, but sadly we cannot hold you as fan brothers whose forht for the Rakshasas and their pact with your queen"
Percy interjected at this point: "‘Bhairava’sto legend, I believe theof so Vanaras, in her silver birdcage, Miss Sekhony or frustration
The Vanara Alpha ignored her and continued talking to Rue "So you too, kinswoainst us in the service of conquerors"
It was an insulting way to put it but Rue had to admit, from his perspective, it was a fair assessment How on earth was she to explain British politics, the position of the East India Coression, to a bunch of ave it her best shot "The Rakshasas are unpleasant On this ree But our vampires at home are not the same And you must understand, Her Majesty did not know of your existence"
"This is irrelevant to the fact that you allied with they, tea"
Rue struggled with a way to defend what seerievous political error the British E "We are a civilised nation It is our policy to ally with the supernatural wherever we are in the world Our politicians draw little distinction betolf and vaive me if this seems an insult In the queen’s eyes all are special All are worthy"
Around her, as Percy repeated her words, the Vanaras chittered in annoyance Rue wasn’t certain if they were angry with her, hat had happened with first contact, or with the implication of her words
When a little of the noise died out, Rue took a chance at asking her own question "Is this why you have stolen the taxes, an Englishwootiations? Do you wish to change the terland? You needn’t have kidnapped a lady to otiations the moment we confirmed your existence You need not have hidden"
Once more the Vanara around her erupted into yelled conversation Percy did his best to repeat some of what he heard "With the Rakshasas on your side? All atte they touch The British gave they and coht those daemons would not use it to drive us away? To see us extinct? Is she mad? How could anyone ally with the Rakshasas and not know their true nature? They’re evil, always been so"
Oh dear, thought Rue I ood whatsoever
She said loudly "Where is Mrs Featherstonehaugh? May I see her? Is she unharto raise his voice
The Alpha Vanara heard hiiven us much to think on and discuss Dawn is soon to coh above, out from behind a series of arches, stepped a lady She was perhaps a year or so younger than Rue, dressed sensibly in a travelling suit – four seasons old – of grey canvas with a black velvet-trientleman’s-style waistcoat Perched atop flaxen hair scraped into a bun was a straw boater with black velvet ribbon She held a wooden cane with an ivory handle in one hand She had a face too long to be pretty but her attitude was becoly frank Her stance was firm and Rue noticed that she had not been manacled Perhaps the Vanaras did not like to restrain women After all, Rue herself had not been shackled Yet