I listen to his commentary regarding the bride price with a content smile, for I feel his words are true. Even for myself, despite being raised to know that I would not be my husband's only wife, it had seemed a daunting concept to know that he would put me aside, even for a moment, to cherish another woman as he did me. And I know it is hyperbole even as my mind thinks the words, for I know that Rigel has done his best to assure me it is not putting aside as much as it is embracing both, but my old habits are slow to die.

He responds to my commentary about the potential of meeting his Soul Sewn and I can tell from his tone that he does not wholly believe me. In truth, I care little for what gods would be responsible in this instance, for I cannot bring myself to accept that he might be forced to live without finding his other half some day. These new land, as much as it was filled with terrible things like frigid winters and uncouth barbarians, was also delightedly full of hope. The gods would not be so cruel as to bless us with all of this, and not give Rigel his Soul Sewn.

My eagerness is quickly quenched as he speaks more on behalf of Atair and I grieve for the stallion that could have been. The one whose gentleness had not been scolded in favor of his fierceness, who might have learned a way to balance all parts of himself without sacrificing those that did not serve a purpose to his father. I hear of Rigel's own private heartbreak, and while he does not dress up his experience with fancy words or go into depth, I can read the loneliness in him. To have spent years in a role that did not allow for any courting would have been hard enough, especially if the only people you were allowed to consort with largely considered you a barbarian. I knew my people could be cruel, although I had not known how true this was until he shared his story of the desert mare.

The thought of anyone, myself included, strangling the kindness in my son, or making him meek when he might be wild, was harrowing and I resolved to do my best to teach him without sacrificing any part of him.

At last he responds to my query for more information and a wry smile twists at the edges of my lips. In truth, I suspect that Rigel might be trying to spare me hours of dull memorization for he is surely aware that my attention is a free spirit, not easily kept by rites and rituals. As he mentions the concession that Antares and I had reached for the priest and priestesses of Min and Qetesh my gaze flicks off to the side to see his reaction. It is subtle, but I believe I can see his apprehension. Of all the brothers, it is Rigel that I fear will be the most resistant to change, if only because he has spent so long teaching such things.

His last statement spins my head around, and even for him it seems like a lot of words, even for him and I eventually surmise that he simply means to say that he only wishes to tell me what I need to know. He is not wrong when he points out that I will have doubted the words coming from him and I chuckle at the truth therein. For Rigel to avoid the chance to pontificate on his beliefs and gods and histories was so rare as to be remarkable. Still he does not deny me outright and I nod in acquiescence, accepting that our lesson, if we have one tonight, will be abridged.

Rigel continues on, relaying to me of Antares' discomfiture with the title of King and I frown thoughtfully. I am not opposed to him changing it, not truly, but the hierarchy of our families had been something that was so ingrained in my life that it was strange to consider discarding such honorifics. Then again, I thought in consideration, we were not royalty by anything but our own sayso here. We did not hold our own land without consent of the Dune's Cetvel, and a simple word could strip us of all the privileges we now took advantage of. It was something that I had begun to give more thought to as the nebulous idea of a child had begun to solidify as my body settled into its role. What was I really leaving to my son? Was there anything besides stories and traditions that I could leave to him?

Such was a conversation for another day and I set these thoughts to the side to delve into later. "It is fitting in this land, where much is and will continue to be. Sheik of Sadim he shall be. What title will you take, my brother? And the others?"

I pace along at his side, my gaze flicking back to him in curiosity. There were many different titles they had accrued in Mira, and I know that some of the brothers had continued to use them here. In fact, I stifle a mischievous grin as I thought of Corona and Atair, I had used some of them to embarrass my stoic brother on behalf of the pretty mare I'd brought home.