imager - droppdf1.droppdf.com/files/cumgr/imager-l-e-modesitt.pdf · the corean chronicles legacies...
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Imager
TorBooksbyL.E.Modesitt,Jr.
TheImagerPortfolio
Imager
Imager’sChallenge(forthcoming)
TheCoreanChronicles
Legacies
Darknesses
Scepters
Alector’sChoice
Cadmian’sChoice
Soarer’sChoice
TheLordProtector’sDaughter
TheSagaofRecluce
TheMagicofRecluce
TheTowersoftheSunset
TheMagicEngineer
TheOrderWar
TheDeathofChaos
ScionofCyador
FallofAngels
TheChaosBalance
TheWhiteOrder
ColorsofChaos
Magi’iofCyador
WellspringofChaos
Ordermaster
NaturalOrdermage
Mage-GuardofHamor
TheSpellsongCycle
TheSopranoSorceress
TheSpellsongWar
DarksongRising
TheShadowSorceress
Shadowsinger
TheEcolitanMatter
Empire&Ecolitan(comprisingTheEcolitanOperationandTheEcologieSecession)
EcolitanPrime(comprisingTheEcologicEnvoyandTheEcolitanEnigma)
TheForeverHero(comprisingDawnfora
DistantEarth,TheSilentWarrior,andInEndlessTwilight)
Timegod’sWorld(comprisingTimediver’sDawnandTheTimegod)
TheGhostBooks
OfTangibleGhosts
TheGhostoftheRevelator
GhostoftheWhiteNights
GhostofColumbia(comprisingOfTangibleGhostsandTheGhostoftheRevelator)
TheHammerofDarkness
TheGreenProgression
TheParafaithWar
Adiamante
GravityDreams
OctagonalRaven
Archform:Beauty
TheEthosEffect
Flash
TheEternityArtifact
TheElysiumCommission
ViewpointsCritical
Haze(forthcoming)
TheFirstBookofthe
ImagerPortfolio
L.E.MODESITT,JR.
ATOMDOHERTYASSOCIATESBOOK
NEWYORK
Thisisaworkoffiction.Allofthecharacters,organizations,and
eventsportrayedinthisnovelareeitherproductsoftheauthor’s
imaginationorareusedfictitiously.
IMAGER:THEFIRSTBOOKOFTHEIMAGERPORTFOLIO
Copyright©2009byL.E.Modesitt,Jr.
Allrightsreserved.
ATorBook
PublishedbyTomDohertyAssociates,LLC
175FifthAvenue
NewYork,NY10010
www.tor-forge.com
Tor®isaregisteredtrademarkofTom
DohertyAssociates,LLC.
LibraryofCongressCataloging-in-PublicationData
Modesitt,L.E.
Imager:thefirstbookoftheimagerportfolio/L.E.Modesitt,Jr..—1sted.
p.cm.—(Imagerportfolio;1)
“ATomDohertyAssociatesbook.”
ISBN-13:978-0-7653-2034-6
ISBN-10:0-7653-2034-7
I.Title
PS3563.O264I432009
813'.54—dc22
2008046496
FirstEdition:March2009
PrintedintheUnitedStatesofAmerica
0987654321
ForSteveandMarge
Bennion,
inrecognitionofquietcourage
TableofContentsAcknowledments
Apprentice&Journeyman
Chapter1
Chapter2
Chapter3
Chapter4
Chapter5
Chapter6
Chapter7
Chapter8
Chapter9
Chapter10
Chapter11
Chapter12
Chapter13
Chapter14
CollegiumImago
Chapter15
Chapter16
Chapter17
Chapter18
Chapter19
Chapter20
Chapter21
Chapter22
Chapter23
Chapter24
Chapter25
Chapter26
Chapter27
Chapter28
Chapter29
Chapter30
Tertius
Chapter31
Chapter32
Chapter33
Chapter34
Chapter35
Chapter36
Chapter37
Chapter38
Chapter39
Chapter40
Chapter41
Chapter42
Chapter43
Chapter44
Chapter45
Chapter46
Messenger/Guard
Chapter47
Chapter48
Chapter49
Chapter50
Chapter51
Chapter52
Chapter53
Chapter54
Chapter55
Chapter56
Chapter57
Chapter58
Chapter59
Chapter60
Chapter61
Chapter62
Chapter63
Chapter64
Chapter65
Chapter66
Chapter67
Chapter68
Chapter69
Chapter70
Chapter71
Chapter72
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
AfterworkingwithDavidHartwellandTomDohertyformorethantwenty-fiveyears,duringwhichtimeTorhaspublishedallofmybooks,nowtotalingmorethanfifty,it’slongpasttimetoacknowledgeinprintthedebtIowetothembothfor
believinginwhatIwriteandinsupportingitbypublishingthebookswithcareandconsideration.
Apprentice&Journeyman
743A.L.
Commerceweighsvalue,yetsuchweightisbutanimage,and,as
such,isanillusion.
Thebellannouncingdinnerrangtwice,justtwice,andnomore,foritneverdid.Rouselleaptupfromhistabledeskinthesittingroomthatadjoinedourbedchambers,disarrayingthestackofpapersthatrepresentedacompositiondoubtlessdueinthemorning.“I’mstarved.”
“You’renot.You’remerelyhungry,”Ipointedout,carefullyplacinga
paperweightovertheworkonmytabledesk.“‘Starved’meansgreatphysicaldeprivationandlackofnourishment.Wedon’tsuffereither.”
“Ifeelstarved.Stopbeingsuchapedant,Rhenn.”Theheelsofhisshoesclatteredonthebackstairsleadingdowntothepantryoffthediningchamber.
Twoweeksago,Rouselcouldn’tevenhavepronounced“pedant,”buthe’dheardMasterSesiphususeit,andnowheappliedittomeasoftenashecould.Youngerbrotherswereworsethanvermin,becauseonecouldsquashverminandthenbathe,somethingonecouldnotdowithyoungerbrothers.Withsomefortune,sinceFatherwouldreallyhave
preferredthatIfollowhimasafactorbuthadacknowledgedthatIhadlittleinterest,I’dbeoutofthehousebeforeCulthynwasoldenoughtoleavethenurseryandeatwithus.AsforKhethila,shewasalmostoldenough,butshewasquietandthoughtful.ShelikeditwhenIreadtoher,eventhingslikemyhistoryassignmentsaboutpeoplelikeRexRegisorRex
Defou.Rouselhadneverlikedmyreadingtohim,butthen,he’dnevermuchcaredforanythingIdid.
BythetimeIreachedthediningchamber,Fatherwaswalkingthroughthearchwayfromtheparlorwherehealwayshadasinglegobletofredwine—usuallyDhuensa—beforedinner.Motherwasstandingbehindthechairattheotherendoftheoval
table.Islippedbehindmychair,onFather’sright.Rouselgrinnedatme,thenclearedhisface.
“Promptness!That’swhatIlike.Atimeandaplaceforeverything,andeverythinginitstimeandplace.”Fatherclearedhisthroat,thensethisnear-emptygobletonthetableandplacedhishandsonthebackofthearmedchairthatwashis.
“Forthegraceandwarmthfromabove,forthebountyoftheearthbelow,forallthegraceoftheworldandbeyond,foryourjustice,andforyourmanifoldandgreatmercies,weofferourthanksandgratitude,bothnowandevermore,inthespiritofthatwhichcannotbenamedorimaged.”
“Inpeaceandharmony,”weallchorused,althoughI
hadmydoubtsaboutthepresenceandviabilityofeither,eveninL’Excelsis,crowncityandcapitalofSolidar.
Fathersettledintohischairattheendofthetablewithacontentedsigh,andaglanceatMother.“Thankyou,dear.Roastlamb,oneofmyfavorites,andyouhadRieselafixitjustthewayIpreferit.”
IfMotherhadtoldthecooktofixlambanyotherway,weallwouldhavebeentreatedtoalonglectureonthegloriesofcrispedroastlambandtheinadequaciesofotherpreparations.
AfterpouringaheavierredwineintohisgobletandthenintoMother’s,Fatherplacedthecarafebeforeme.Itookaboutathirdofagoblet,becausethatwaswhathe’d
declaredasappropriateforme,andpouredaquarterforRousel.
WhenFatherfinishedcarvingandserving,Motherpassedthericecasseroleandthepickledbeets.ItookaslittleasIcouldofthebeets.
“Howwasyourday,dear?”askedMother.
“Oh...thesameasanyother,Isuppose.The
Phlanyshwoolissofterthanlastyear,andthatmeansthatWuryswillcomplain.Lastyearhesaiditwastoostringyandtough,andthathe’dhavetointerweavewiththeNorinygan...andthefinishedExtelangrayistoolight...Butthenhe’shalfPharsi,andtheyquibbleabouteverything.”
Mothernodded.“They’redifferent.Theyworkhard.
Youcan’tcomplainaboutthat,butthey’renotourtype.”
“No,they’renot,buthedoespayingold,andthatmeansIhavetolisten.”
ImanagedtochokedownthebeetswhileFatherofferedanotherdiscourseonwoolandthepatternedweavinglooms,andtheshortcomingsofthosefromaPharsi
background.Iwasn’tabouttomentionthattheprettiestandbrightestgirlatthegrammairewasRemaya,andshewasPharsi.
Abruptly,helookedatme.“Youdon’tseemterriblyinterestedinwhatfeedsyou,Rhennthyl.”
“Sir...Iwaslisteningclosely.Youwerepointingoutthat,whilethepattern
blocksusedbythenewweavingmachineryproducedatighterthreadweave,thewomenloomtendershavegottenmorecarelessandthatmeansthatspoilageisup,whichincreasescosts—”
“Enough.Iknowyoulisten,butIhavegreatdoubtsthatyoucare,orevenappreciatewhatbringsinthegoldsforthishousehold.Attimes,Iwonderifyoudon’t
listentothesecretwhispersoftheNamer.”
“Chenkyr...”cautionedMother.
Fathersighedasonlyhecouldsigh.“Enoughofthat.Whatdidyoulearnofinterestatgrammairetoday?”
Itwasn’tsomuchwhatI’dlearnedaswhatI’dbeenthinkingabout.“Father...leadisheavierthancopperor
silver.It’sevenheavierthangold,butit’scheaper.Ithoughtyousaidthatweusedcopper,silver,andgoldforcoinsbecausetheywereheavierandharderforevilimagerstocounterfeit.”
“That’swhatImean,Rhennthyl.”Hesighedevenmoreloudly.“Youaskaquestionlikethat,butwhenIaskyoutohelpinthecountinghouse,youcan’tbe
botheredtoworkoutthecostofanextratariffofacopper...orworkoutthecostsforguardsonasummerconsignmentofboltsofAcomanprimewooltoNacliano.Itisn’tasthoughyouhadnoheadforfigures,butyoudonotcaretobeaccurateifsomethingdoesn’tinterestyou.WhatmetalstheCouncilusesforcoinsmatterslittleifonehasno
coinstocount.Nomatterhowmuchamanlikeshiswork,therewillbepartsofitthatarelesspleasing—orevendispleasing.Youseemtothinkthateverythingshouldbepleasingorinteresting.Lifedoesn’tobligeusinthatfashion.”
“Don’tbethathardontheboy,Chenkyr.”Mother’svoicewaspatient.“Noteveryoneismeanttobea
factor.”
“Hiswillfulnessmakesanoblookflexible,Maelyna.”
“Eventheobdurateshavetheirplace.”
Icouldn’thelpthinkingI’dratherbeanobduratethanamal.Mostpeopleweremalleablesofonesortoranother,changingtheirviewsoropinionswheneversomeoneroaredatthem,like
Father.
“Exactly!”exclaimedFather.“Asservantstoimagersandlittleelse.Idon’twantoneofmysonsalackeybecausehewon’tthinkaboutanythingexceptwhatinterestsorpleaseshim.Theworldisn’takindplaceforinflexiblestubbornnessandunthinkingquestioning.”
“Howcanaquestionbe
unthinking?”Iwantedtoknow.“Youhavetothinkeventoaskone.”
Myfather’ssighwasmorelikearoar.Thenheglaredatme.“Whenyouaskaquestiontowhichyouwouldalreadyknowtheanswerifyoustoppedtothink,orwhenyouaskaquestiontowhichnooneknowstheanswer.Inbothcases,you’rewastingyourtimeandsomeone
else’s.”
“ButhowdoIknowwhennooneknowstheanswerifIdon’taskthequestion?”
“Rhennthyl!Thereyougoagain.Doyouwanttoeatcoldriceinthekitchen?”
“No,sir.”
“Rousel,”saidFather,pointedlyavoidinglookinginmydirection,“howareyou
comingwithyourcalculationsandfigures?”
“MasterSesiphussaysthatIhaveagoodheadforfigures.Mylasttwoexaminationshavebeenperfect.”
Ofcoursetheyhadbeen.Whatwassohardaboutaddingupcolumnsofnumbersthatneverchanged?Ordividingthem,or
multiplyingthem?Rouselwasmorethanalittlecarelessaboutnumbersandanythingelsewhennoonewaslookingorcheckingonhim.
Icutseveralmorethinmorselsofthelamb.Itwasgood,especiallytheedgeofthemeatwherethefatandseasoningswereallcrispedtogether.Thewinewasn’tbad,either,butitwashardtositthereandlistentoFather
drawoutRousel.
745A.L.
Authorityalwaystrumpsreason,unlessreasonisthe
authority.
TheCouncilofSolidar
openedtheChateauoftheCounciltothepublicexactlytwiceayear,atthelastdayofsummer,thethirty-fifthofJuyn,andatthedepthofwinter,thethirty-fifthofIanus.FatherinsistedthatIcomewithhimbecauseI’djustturnedfourteenandfinishedthegrammaire.InanothermonthI’dbeginmyapprenticeshipwithMasterCaliostrus,oneofthemore
successfulportraituristsinL’Excelsis.
“Sinceyoucannotandwillnotbeafactor,Rhenn,youneedtoseewhatgreatartreallyis.”MyfathermusthavesaidthatatleastthreetimeswhilewerodeinthecarriagealongtheBoulevardD’EsteandacrossPontD’NordandthenanothermillealongtheBoulevardD’Ouest.Oncewereached
thebaseofCouncilHill,wehadtoleavethecarriageandwaitinalongqueueunderawhitesunthatblistereddownthroughthepalebluesummersky.Thegatehouseaheadofuswasbuiltofalabaster,aswastheChateauabove,butthesurfaceofthestonesofbothhadbeenstrengthenedbyimagerscenturiesandcenturiesbefore,supposedlybythoseofRexRegisafter
hehadtakenL’ExcelsisfromtheBovariansandmadeitthecapitalofthelandhehadunifiedandrenamedSolidar.Thewallsshimmeredwhiteandinviolate,aspristineasthedaytheywerelaid,sortoflikeaneternalvirgin,Ithought,tryingnottosniggeratthethought.
“Rhenn,youarenottoexhibitamusementatthemisfortunesofothers.”
Father’seyesdartedtowardacrafterwhowaslookingdownataspreadingdarkbrownstainacrosshistrousers.Hestillheldthehandleoftheclayjugthathehadswunguptodrink.Fragmentsofpotteryandadarksplotchonthewallsuggestedhe’dbeenlessthancarefulinliftinghisjug.
“Sir,IwasthinkingofaterriblejokethatJacquyltold
yesterday.Seeingthegatehouseremindedmeofit.”
“Likelystory.”Thegood-naturedgruffnessofhisresponsesuggestedthathebelievedme,oratleastthatheknewIwasnotlaughingatthepoorcrafter,amason’sapprenticeorjuniorjourneyman,Iwouldhavejudgedbythestonedustonhissleeves.
Agoodglasspassedbeforewereachedtheheadofthequeueshortoftheburnishedbronzegatesandthegatehouse.TheCouncilguardtherestoodintheshadowofthetinyportico,butsweathaddampenedthepalebluelinenofhisuniformtunicintoadarkershade.
“Thenexttenofyou,”theguardannounced.
Fatherstrodeahead.Healwayswalkedquickly,asifhemightmisssomethingifheweren’tthefirstone.Thepavedwalkswerewhitegranite,flankedbyboxwoodhedgesinstonebeds.“Seethosehedges,Rhenn.That’swhatahedgeshouldlooklike,notwithtwigsandleavesstickingouthaphazardly.”
“Yes,sir.”Rouselwas
supposedtohavetrimmedthelittlebranchesonourhedge,afterIcutthelargerones,buthe’dgoneofftoplay.There’dbeenlittlepointinsayingso,becauseFatherwouldjusthavesaidthatitwasmyresponsibility.ButifI’ddraggedRouselback,hewouldhavecomplained,andthenFatherwouldhavepunishedmeforbeingtoostrict.
Afterwewalkedupthewidewhitestonesteps,Fatherclearedhisthroat.“Therearethreearches—amainarchflankedbytwosmallerarches.AllthreeleadintotheGrandFoyer.”
Ididn’tsayanything.We’dstudiedtheChateauingrammaire,andIknewthat.
Fathertookthecenterarchwayandhurriedinside,
outoftheblazingsun.Itwasn’tthatmuchcooler,butbeingoutofthesunwasarelief.Iglancedupatthefauxdomeofthefoyer.
Fatherfollowedmyeyesandgesturedupward.“Youseethestoneworkthere?”
“Itlookswelldone.”Itwasn’tstoneworkatall,butflatpaintingdesignedtotricktheeyeintobelievingitwas
stonework.
“Youthinkyoucoulddobetter?”
“No,sir.”Fatherwasalwaysdoingthat—comparingmetoanexperiencedartisanorfactororcrafter.OfcourseIwasn’tthatgood.Thatdidn’tmeanIcouldn’tbeintime.
Justinfrontofuswasanolderandalltoobulbousman
inathreadbareandonce-whitelinenovershirt.Hehadplantedhimselfbeforethefirstportraitonthewallontheright-handouterwallofthefoyer,cockinghisheadonewayandthenanother.Istartedtomovearoundhim,butFatherreachedoutandgraspedmyarm.
“Takeyourtime.Studyeachonecarefully,especiallytheportraits.You’retheone
who’sgoingtobeaportraiturist.Youwon’thaveanotherchancetoseetheseforatime.”
Aftertheoldermanfinallymoved,Fatherpointedtotheimageofatrimblack-hairedmanwithsweepingmustachesinablackdressuniformwithsilver-bandedcuffs.“That’saportraitofSeleandyr.HewastheonewholedtheCouncilinthe
tradewaragainstCaenenandStakanar...”
I’dseenFactorCouncilorSeleandyrbefore,ifonlyfromthebalconywhenFatherhadhostedtheclothfactors’fallreception,andhe’dneverbeenthatslender.Hsmustacheshaddrooped,ashadhisbelly,andhisthinhairhadkeptfallingdownoveralowforehead.
“...managedtokeepmattersfromgettingoutofhandandmadesurethatthetaxestosupportthewarwereonlytemporary.HisdeathlastFevierwasagreatloss...”
I’dheardtherumorsthathisdeathhadn’tbeenfromage,butfromsweetmeatstransformedintopitricine,afterhe’deatenthem,byanimagerwhoseniecehe’dprocuredforhisson.Seleus
hadswornitwastrue.
Thenextartisticobjectwasabust,andagainwehadtowaitforthegyrationsofthebulbousfellowbeforeFatherledmeforward.“Charyn.HewasthelastrexofSolidar,andtheonewhofoundedthefirstCouncil...”
Iknewalltoowellthosedetailsofhistory,butallIcoulddowaslisten.
Wemadehalfacircuitofthefoyerandreachedthepointwhereitopened,throughthreearchesthatmirroredthoseoftheouterentry,ontothelandingatthebaseofthegrandalabasterstaircaseleadinguptotheCouncilchambers.Fathermarchedrightuptowheretheguardswereposted.Onthepedestalsthatformedthebaseoftherosemarblebalustrade
ofeachsidewereapairofsculptedstatues—awingedmanandawingedwoman.
“Angelias—they’retheworkofthegreatPierryl,PierryltheYounger,thatis.Whatdoyouthinkofthem?”Fatherturnedtome.
“Theworkmanshipisexcellent,sir.”
“They’regreatart,Rhenn,”murmuredmyfather.“Can’t
youseethat?”
“Father...thecarvingisoutstanding,butthey’reridiculous.Thosetinywingswouldn’tliftabuzzard,letaloneachild,andcertainlynotamanorwoman.”Ididn’tmentionthateachwingfeatherhadbeensculptedtoalengthofninedigits,notquitethetenofafullfoot,andthatwingsthatsmallwouldnothavehadindividualfeathers
thatlarge.
Fatherbegantogetredintheface.“Wewillhaveatalklater,youngman.”
“Aseaeaglehaswingsalmostthatbroad,andthelargestweighbuthalfastone.”
“Anangeliaisnotaneagle,”snappedmyfather.
“No,sir.They’remuch
larger,andtheywouldneedfarlargerwingstosupportthemselvesiftheyweretrulytofly.”
“Rhenn!Enough.”
I’dsaidtoomuch,butFather’sopinionsonartwerelimitedbyhisownshortcomingsandlackofunderstanding.Imanagedtoplacatehimwithpleasantinanitiesandagreementsfor
therestofourvisit,consolingmyselfthat,bythenexttimetheChateauwasopentothepeopleofL’Excelsis,IwouldbeapprenticedandstudyingunderMasterCaliostrus.
750A.L.
Inartandinlife,whatisnotportrayedcanbeasavitalaswhatis.
AtbreakfastthatfirstMardi
inJuynIsatneartheendofthelongtable—asusual,becausetheonlyonejuniortomewasStanus,who’djustbecomeanapprentice.Hesatontheothersideandoneplacefarthertowardtheend.Shiennawastomyright,andMarcylwasacrossfromme,withOlavyatohisleftandOstriusonhisfather’sright.
“I’llneedsomegoldsfromthestrongboxafter
breakfast,”CaliostrussaidtohiswifeAlmaya,seatedtohisleft.“Icangetsomeimagers’greenfromRhenius.”
“I’mcertainit’slessdearthanfromApalant.”Hervoicecutlikeaknife.
“You’retheonewhoinsistsonthestrongboxandkeepingallthegoldshere.”
“AfterwhathappenedtomyfatherwhentheBanque
D’Rivagesfailed,andthePharsilenderscametocollect...”
“Iknow.Iknow.”Caliostruslookeddownthelongtable.“Tomorrow,CraftmasterWeidynwillbehereattheeighthglassofthemorning.Hewillbeherefortwoglasses.”
WhatCaliostruswasalsosayingwasthathedidn’t
wantthesittingdisturbed,butwhywouldheaskthatforacraftmaster,ratherthanaHighHolderorafactorius?I’dheardWeidyn’snameatmyparents’table,butcouldn’trecallhisguild.
“Whyisheacraftmaster,Father?”Marcyl’sbigblackeyesfixedonCaliostrus.
“Becausehe’soneofthebestcabinetmakersinallof
L’Excelsis.That’swhy.”
“Itmightbenicetohavesomethingofhis,”suggestedAlmaya.
“Itwouldindeed,butit’slessthanlikely,”repliedMasterCaliostrus.“Asinglesideboardofhis,andthat’dbeoneoftheplainerones,wouldfetchatleastahundredgolds.That’sifitevercameupforsale,buthiswork
neverdoes.Peoplecommissionhimayearinadvance.”
“Theycommissionyouinadvance,dear,”offeredAlmaya.
Despiteherwords,MasterCaliostruswasfortunate,Iknew,ifapatroncommissionedaportraitaseasoninadvance—andpaiduponcompletionanddelivery
oftheframedwork.ThatwasonereasonwhyIwastheonlyjourneymaninthehousehold,besidesOstrius,whowouldsoondoubtlessbecomeajuniormaster,andwhowouldintimeinherithisfather’sstudio.
“Butnotsofarinadvance.Peoplefeelthatcabinetsandsideboardslastlongerthanportraits.Theydonot.Oneonlyhastolookatthe
artworkintheChateauoftheCounciltoseethat.ThechestsandsideboardscommissionedwhenRiodeuxpaintedRexCharynhavelongsincebeenturnedtokindlingandburned,butpeoplestillmarvelattheportrait.”
“Andthebust,”Iadded.
“ThebustisbyPierryltheElderandisfarinferiortothe
portrait,”declaredCaliostrus.“Pierrylandhisson—PierryltheYounger—werediligenthackscomparedtoRiodeux.Sculptorshavebuttoremovestonefromstone.Itistedious,butitismoreacraftthananart.”
I’dheardMasterCaliostrusdeclaimonthatbefore.Tocreatetheimpressionoflifeandlightontheflatsurfaceofacanvasdidtakenotonly
craftsmanshipbutanartisticsense.Nooneeverexpectedabustorastatuetolookalive,butmerelytopresentanaccuraterepresentation,buteveryoneexpectedthebestportraitstobegoodenoughthatthesubjectlookedasthoughhecouldstepoutofthecanvasandresumewhathehadbeendoing.
“Whydotheygetmoregoldsthanyou,Father?”
Marcylpersisted.
“Becausewhatpeoplewillpayforoftenhasnorelationtoitstruevalue.”Caliostrusliftedalargemugoftea,slurpingslightlyashedrank,notthathedidn’tslurpwheneverhedrank.Thenheturnedtome.“Asforyou,Rhennthyl,youalsohaveacommission,farmoremodest,butonemustbeginsomewhere.”
“Sir?”Iinclinedmyhead,asmuchtoconcealmysurpriseasanything.Atlast,afterallthestudies,allthecriticismfromMasterCaliostrus,andalltheglassesspentgrindingandstirringandwatchingsimmeringpotsofoilsandwaxesandsolventsandpigments,IwouldhaveachancetoshowwhatIhadlearnedandcoulddoonacanvasforareal
patron.IthoughtOstriusmightalsohavebeensurprised,sincemostjuniorcommissionswenttohim.
“CraftmasterWeidyn’syoungestdaughterhasneverhadaportrait.She’sbuteight,andIsuggestedyoucoulddocrediblework.”
“WhenwillIstart,sir?”
“Tomorrowaswell.”Caliostrussmiled.“Youwill
havetoworkinherfavoritedollandhercat.”
Thedollcertainlywouldn’tbeaproblem,but,forsomereason,fewcatscaredforme,andthatcouldposeaproblem.“Thecat...?”
“Isuggestedthatthecatbeaddedlater,afteryouhaddesignedthecomposition,butIwantedyoutoknowthatyouwouldhavetoworkin
thecreature.”
“Yes,sir.”
“Iwantseveralpossibleroughdesignsreadyformebytheendoftheday.Oh...sheisaredhead,I’mtold.”
Thatmadeeverythingworse.Aredhead?Theircolorandcomplexionweredifficulttocaptureoncanvaswithoutmakingthemappearwanandpale.Oncemore,
Caliostrushadpresentedmewithsomethinginalightthatseemedfarmorecharitablethanitwasinfact.Aredhead—thatwasjustthesortofportraitwhereanexcellenteffortwouldlookmerelyadequate,andagoodeffortwouldcomeacrossaspoor.ThatwasanotherreasonwhyI’dgottenthecommission,insteadofOstrius.“Iwillmostcertainlyhavemywork
cutoutforme,sir.”
“Nonsense,Rhennthyl.Aportraitisaportrait,andeachcommissionisanopportunity.”
“Yes,sir.”IwouldjusthavetodealwithanotheroneofMasterCaliostrus’snear-insurmountableopportunities,thatandOstrius’sconcealedsmirkfromacrossthetable.Stanusjustlooked
bewildered.
Evenasarecentapprentice,Stanusshouldhaveknowntheproblemsofportrayingredheads.I’dheardthatthosewereevenlessthanthedifficultiesinvolvedinlivingwiththem,butI’dbeenunfortunateenoughindealingwithyoungwomenthatIhadnoexperiencebywhichtojudgesuchastatement.
“Thedesignsbeforedinner,Rhennthyl,remember!”
“Yes,sir.”HowcouldIpossiblyforget?
750A.L.
Themostcriticalarenotthesuccessful,northecomplete
failures,but
thosewhomighthaveachievedsomethingofworth,
saveforsmallbut
crucialfaultswithinthemselves,fortheycan
seldombearthethought
ofhowclosetheycametogreatness.
MistressAeylanaD’Weidyntwitched,thenshiftedherweightinthehigh-backedchair.AfterAeylana’sfirst
sitting,I’daccompaniedAeylanaandherauntbacktotheirhome—ifasmallchateauthreetimesthesizeofmyparents’dwellingandgroundscouldbetermed“home.”WhileattheChateauWeidyn,Ihadnotonlymadeasketchoftheactualchairthatwouldbeintheportrait,butalsomadetheacquaintanceofCharbon—aratheroversizedfelinewith
sleepyyelloweyesandadeepblackcoat—anddoneseveralquicksketchesofhimaswell,onewithAeylanaholdinghim.
AeylanaWeidynwasanythingbutanidealsubject.Evenatageeight,shewaslanky,withbigbonesandhands,frecklesandafairskin,andfineorange-redhairthat,despitethedarkgreenhairband,hadatendencyto
flyinalldirections.Hereyeswereawarmbrownthatsomehowclashedwitheverything,andhereyebrowsweresolightandfinethatshelookedtohavenoneatall.
“Ifyouwouldpleaselookinthedirectionoftheeasel,MistressAeylana?”
“Oh,I’msorry.IwasthinkingaboutCharbon.Hewillbeintheportrait,willhe
not?”
“Yes,hewill.”Infact,IactuallyhadpaintedmuchofCharbon,asifhehadbeensittingerectandregalupontheedgeoftheseatofthechairbesideAeylana.“Heismosthandsome.”
“He’smycat.”
Ihadsomedoubtsaboutanycatbeingapossession,butdidnothavetimetosay
anythingbecause,atthatverymoment,Ostriusopenedthestudiodoorandmarchedovertomyeasel.
HedidnotevenlookinthedirectionofAeylanaWeidyn—orheraunt,whowasaccompanyinghertothesittings.“Rhenn...didyoufinishcompoundingthedeepbrown?”
“No.Therewasn’ttime
beforethesitting.”
“Whenwillyoulearntofinishthings?”hesnapped.
“Iworkedonitallmorning,”Isaidquietly.
“Youdidn’tfinish,andwedon’thaveenoughofthedeepbrown.”
Hedidn’t.Thatwaswhathemeant.“Yourfatherexpectsmetodoasitting
whenthepatronishere.I’llgetbacktoitoncesheleaves.”
“You’dbetter.”Withoutanotherword,hestalkedoff.
Theauntsaidnothing,buthereyesexpressedmorethananywordsshemighthavespokenasshewatchedOstriusclosethestudiodoorwithafirmnessjustshortofslammingit.
“Idon’t—”beganAeylana.
“Thatwillbeall,Aeylana,”theauntsaidfirmly.
“Ifyouwouldpleaselookattheeasel,mistress,”Irepeated.
“Icandothat.”
Shecould.Shejustcouldn’tkeepdoingitforlong.
Ilookedattheleftsideof
herhead,justforwardandabovetheear.Herhairhadbeenaproblem,becauseitwastoobrighttobecapturedfairlybyanyoftheearthenreds,andthemadderredwouldfade,whilevermilionwoulddarkenattheedgeswhereittouchedtheskintones.Calizarinreddidn’tblendwellwiththenaranjeorange,unlessmixedwithatleastalittleofoneofthe
ochres,butI’dworkedinatinymixtureofyellowanddullredochreasabinderbetweenthecalizarinandthenaranje.EvenMasterCaliostrushadnoddedapprovalatthat.
HadOstriusbeenangrynotjustbecauseIdidn’thavethedeepbrownformulatedwhenhewantedit,butbecauseherealizedIcoulddosomethingwiththepigmentsthathe
couldn’t?
Ipushedthatthoughtaway.IfIdidn’tdowellontheoneportraitassignmentIhad,Iwouldn’tgetanotheranytimesoon.IconcentratedonseeingAeylanaasshewas,andonworkingonthehairlinearoundherrightear.
Bythetimetheglasschimedoutfromthenearestanomentower,IthoughtI
hadthatsectionright,andIsmiled,bothatAeylanaandherchaperone.“Twomoresittingsatmost.”
“Good.It’shardtositstillthatlong.”
“Aeylana...”
“Iapologize,sir.”
“IcanrememberwhenIwasyourage,”Isaidwithasmile.
Thatgotmeagiggleinreturn.
Inmoments,thetwohadgatheredthemselvestogetheranddepartedforthecarriagewaitingbelow.Inscarcelylongerthanthat,MasterCaliostrushadenteredthestudio,hisbrowknitinafrown.
“Ostriussaidthatyouhadnotfinishedthedeepbrown
formulationandthatyouwerelessthandeferential...”
“Sir,Iwasmostdeferential.Istarteddirectlyafterbreakfast,MasterCaliostrus,andItooknobreaks,untiljustbeforeMistressAeylanaD’Weidynwasduetoarrive.Youtoldmenevertobelateindealingwithapatron,andIcouldnothavebegunthecompounding
yesterday,sir,becausetherawearthdidnotarriveuntiljustbeforedinnerlastnight.”
“Ah...yes...”Caliostruspaused.“Youwillgettoitrightaway?”
“AssoonasIcleanupbrushesandtrays,sir.”
“Good.”Almostasanafterthought,heglancedatthepartialportrait,hiseyesgoingtowhatIhadpaintedof
thecat.“Youdefinitelyhaveatalentforthecat.Intime,ifyouworkonthat,alongwithotherskills,itmightprove...remunerative.SomeofthewealthierolderwomeninL’Excelsisdodoteon...suchcompanions.”
Hestoppedatthedoorandlookedback.“Don’tbetoolong.Ostriusdoesneedthebrown.”
“Yes,sir.”
IfOstriusneededthebrownsomuch,whywasn’thedownintheshedworkingontheformulation?Or,ifhedidn’twanttogetdirty,hecouldhavetaughtStanushowtodoit.Butthen,thatwasstilldirtyworkandrequiredpatience,bothofwhichOstriusavoidedwheneverpossible.
753A.L.
Mistakinganameforitssubstanceisoneoftherootsofevil;holdingtosubstanceovernamesisasourceof
joy.
Ineverunderstoodwhysomanypeoplemadeafussaboutweddings.IcertainlywonderedthatonceagainasIstoodthereinthegardencourtyardofRemaya’sparents’dwellingbesideRouselaswewaitedforRemayatoappear.
Weddingsaremerelyanaffirmationofwhathas
alreadyhappened.They’renecessaryformostpeople,asaretheringsthatsymbolizethem,becausepublicaffirmationsstrengthenprivatecommitments,butbythetimeoftheceremonythey’reusuallyforegoneconclusions.Ifthey’renot,thereshouldn’tbeaceremony.Aftereightyearsofcourtingandunblemishedaffection,forRouseland
Remayaboththeceremonyandtheringsweremoreforeveryoneelsethanforthem,butthatiscertainlythecaseforalltoomanyceremonies.
Ceremoniescanalsoprovideadifferentkindofclosure.Ihopedthisonewould,becauseIhadbeentheonetofindRemaya,andfrommeshehadfoundRousel.Likewise,afteralltheyearsofdistrustofthoseofaPharsi
background,myparentshadbeenforcedtoacceptRemaya.Howcouldtheyhavenot?ShewasbeautifulandintelligentandlovedRousel,andherparents,whileonlytradespeople,werefarfromimpoverished.Itdidn’thurtthatRouselwasfollowinginFather’sfootstepsasawoolfactor,either.
“Youhavethering?”Like
allbridegrooms,Rouselworeaformalgreenwaistcoat,trimmedindeepbrown,withamatchinggreenneckscarf.
“Righthere.”Ikeptmyvoicelow.
Westoodinfrontoftheleftsideofthearchedcanopyofflowers.Behindit,wearinggreenvestments,wasChoristerOsyrahm.Behindusstoodourfamily,Father
andMotherontheright,thenCulthynandKhethila.Evenwiththem,buttotheright,wereRemaya’sparents,andheroldersisterandtwoyoungerbrothers.
Apairofviolsbegantoplay,indicatingthatRemayahadleftthehouseandwasapproaching,butneitherRouselnorIlookedbackbecausewewerenotsupposedtoseeheruntilshe
stoodbesidehim.Ididhearafewwhisperedcommentsfromthesmallgroupoffamilyandfriendsbehindus,andallwereabouthowbeautifulshelooked,butIknewthatwithoutlooking.I’dknownitfarlongerthanRousel,andwithfarlesseffect.
Beforelong,RemayasteppedupbesideRousel,andtheyexchangedglancesand
smiles.Sheworeawhitegown,alongwiththebride’ssleevelessgreenvest,alsotrimmedinthesamerichbrownasRousel’s.
ChoristerOsyrahmsmiledbeatificallyatbothofthem,thenbegantospeak.“Wearegatheredheretodayincelebrationofthedecisionofamanandawomantojointheirlivesasone.Thenameofaunionbetweenamanand
awomanisnotimportant,norshouldanyoneclaimsuch,forthenameshouldneverovershadowtheunionitself.RouselandRemayahavechoseneachotheraspartnersinlifeandinlove,andweareheretowitnesstheaffirmationofthatchoice.”
Henoddedforthemtostepforwardunderthecanopy,thenwaiteduntiltheystoodunderthearchofflowers.
“Insomuchastheonlytrueandmeaningfulcommitmentsinlifearemadewithoutdeceptionandwithoutreservation,andwithoutarelianceonemptynamesandforms,doyou,Rousel,affirminfullhonestythatyoucommityourbody,yourspirit,andyourfreewilltothiswoman,andthatyouwillputnootherbeforeher,solongasyoubothshall
live?”
“Ido.”
ChoristerOsyrahmthenturnedtoRemayaandrepeatedthesamechargeandvows.
“Ido.”Hervoicewaswarmandhusky.
“Therings,ifyouwill.”
IhandedtheringtoRousel.
Aftertakingthesimplegoldbands,onefromRouselandonefromRemaya,Osyrahmheldthemupsothatallcouldseethembeforeloweringthemandaddressingthecouple.“Theseringsareasymboloflove,forgoldcannotbechanged,norimagedintowhatitisnot.Inexchangingandacceptingtheserings,youhavepledgedthatyourlovewillbeas
unchangingasthegoldofwhichtheyaremade,thatnotyrannyofnamessubstitutingforsubstanceshallevercleaveyouapart,andthatyourloveforeachotherwillendureintimesgoodandevil,throughsicknessandhealth,andindarknessandinlight,solongasyourspiritsendure.”Thenhereturnedtheringstothem.
Remaya,inthePharsi
tradition,wasthefirsttoplaceherring,easingitontoRousel’sfinger.Thenheslippedhisringuponhers.
“Fromtwohavecomeone,andyetthatunityshallenableeachofyoutolivemorejoyfully,morefully,andmoreinharmonywiththatwhichwas,is,andevershallbe.”
Thechoristersteppedback,
andRouselandRemayakissedunderthecanopyoflate-springflowers.
Thentheyturnedandfacedfamilyandfriends.Remaya’ssisterSemahlasteppedforwardandhandedthesmallgreenwickerbasketofflowerpetalstoRousel.Hehelditwhileshescoopedoutahandfulandcastthemforwardandskyward.Thenshetookthebasket,andhe
scatteredhishandful.
Afterthat,theywalkedbacktowardtheroofedsectionofthecourtyard,andSemahlaandIfollowed.
WehadbarelysteppedintotheshadowswhenRemayaturnedbacktome.
“Thankyousomuch,Rhenn.”Remaya’ssmilewasdazzling,butitalwayshadbeen,evenwhenI’dfirstseen
heratthegirls’grammairewhenshe’dbeentwelve.“Withoutyou,IwouldneverhavemetRousel,andneverknownthishappiness,foretoldasitwas.”
Foretold.She’dsaidthatwhenshehadfirstlaideyesonRousel.ThosewiththePharsibloodhavealwaysbeensaidtobeabletoseewhatwillbebeforeitcomestotheireyes.“I’msoglad
everythingworkedoutforyoutwo.”WhatelsecouldIsay?ImanagedawidegrinasIlookedatRousel.“Youheardthat,brother.”
Hegrinnedback.“HowcouldIforget?”
Iloosenedmyownneckscarf,becausethelate-springafternoonwaswarm,evenintheshade,especiallyintheformalwaistcoatand
matchingtrousers.TheywerethefinestI’deverowned,andagiftfromRousel.
He’dbeenkind,andverymatter-of-factaboutit.Whenhe’dgivenittome,made-to-measure,he’dsaid,“I’mtheonewhowantsyoubesideme.You’reanartist,andIcan’taskyoutopurchaseaweddingsuit.Besides,youcankeepitforgoodoccasions.”
I’djustleaveitstoredwithmyparents.Icertainlywouldn’tneedanythingthatfineforanythinginvolvingMasterCaliostrus.
Atthatmoment,everyonesurgedaroundRouselandRemaya,andSemahlaandIsteppedback.I’donlymetSemahlaahandfuloftimes,andshewascertainlybrightandpleasant,ifmoreangularthanheryoungersister.
“Thepastfewdaysmusthavebeencrowded,”Iobserved.
Shelaughed.“Hectic,butfun.EveryonelikesRemaya.She’salwaysbeenthekindone.”
“I’msureyouare,aswell.”
“Itcomesnaturallytoher.Ihavetotry.”
IsupposedIcouldhave
saidthesameaboutRousel,exceptitwouldhavebeenaboutcharm.Hecouldcharmanyone,justbylookingatthem.
Servinggirlsappeared,carryingtrayswithgobletsofsparklinggrisio.IpickedtwogobletsoffatrayandofferedonetoSemahla.
“Thankyou.”Sheinclinedherhead,thentookasip.
SodidI.Thecoolnesshelpedadrythroat.
“Rouselsaidyouareafineartist.”
“Iamanartist.SomedaysIthinkImightsomedaybecomeamasterwithastudio.”
“TheportraityoudidofRemayaislovely.Everyonesaysso.MotherlooksatitandwishesthatRemaya
wouldleaveitwithher.”
“Thankyou.”I’ddonethebestIcould.Ithadbeenmyweddinggifttothem.WhatelsecouldIhavegiven?
“Oh...Remayaneedsme.”Withthat,Semahlaslippedaway.
Thatwasforthebest.I’daboutrunoutofpleasantries,notthatRemaya’sfamilyweren’tgoodpeople.Her
fatherwasaspicebroker,whichplacedhimbetweenafactorandashopkeeper,butmeanthewasstillatradespersonofsorts.Still,fromthehouse,theycertainlyweren’tpoor.
Rouseleasedovertome.“Howareyoudoing?”
“Fine.Howaboutyou?”
Hegrinnedsheepishly.“Ijustwishthedinnerandthe
toastswereallover.”
Icouldunderstandthat.“Youonlyhavetodothisonce.”
“Twice.Onceforme,andonceforyou.Maybethreetimes.Culthynmightwantus.”
“You’reanoptimist.”
“Nowthatyou’vemadejourneyman,youneedtolook
aroundforsomeone,”Rouselsaid.
“I’mnotreadyforthat.Ionlygetmyowncommissionsnowandagain.”Ididn’tpointoutthatIwasn’tasuccessfulfactor’sassistant,becausebothFatherandRouselwouldhavenotedthatithadbeenmychoicenottogointotrade.Butthen,Iwouldhavemadeabotchoftrade.“Besides,itwillbe
almostanotherfiveyearsbeforeIcanevenbeconsideredasamasterportraiturist.Itmightbeyearsbeyondthat.Themastersdon’teasilyapproveothermasters.”
“Youcanstilllook.”
Ihadlooked,andshe’dmarriedRousel.Ijustsmiled.“We’llsee.”
“Rousel!”Thatwas
Remaya.
“Youbettergo.”
“Don’tbetoohardonmewhenyougiveyourtoast.”
“Iwon’t.”AndIwouldn’t.Wedon’tchoosewhereourheartsleadus.
754A.L.
Anartistmustappealtoperception,notaccuracy.
Contrarytopoetryandpopulisms,Avrylisfarfrom
thecruelestmonthoftheten.RatherFeuillytis,foritisinthemonthafterharvestwheneveryonecomestounderstandthatthebountyofnatureandmancouldhavebeenfargreaterthanitwas,nomatterhowmuchbetterthegatheringofgrainandgoldshappenedtobethaninpreviousyears.SoitwasnosurprisetomewhenMasterCaliostrusappearedonthe
twentiethofthatFeuillyt,tostandbehindmyshoulderandpeerattheuncompletedlikenessuponmyeasel.ThetwentiethofeverymonthisaVendrei,ofcourse,whethertheyearis754,asitwas,oranyotheryear.
“That’snotanacceptableportrait,Rhennthyl.”
WithoutFactorMasgaylbeingpresent,I’dbeen
workingonthedetailingofhiscrimsonandgoldbrocadevest,avestthat,forallitsrichness,hadseenbetterdays,notthattheportraitwouldshowthat.“Sir?”
“Youcan’tdothatwiththeeyes.”
“Butthat’sthewaythefactoriuslooks,exactlythewayheappears.”Incautiousasthatstatementwas,coming
asitdidfromajourneymanportraitureartisttohismaster,webothknewthattheportraitwasfarmoreflatteringthantherealityofMasgaylFactorius,oneofthemorejunior,yetleastself-effacing,factorsinthecity.
“Itisnotthewayhelooks,”repliedMasterCaliostrus,“nottohimselfandnottothosewhopatronizehisestablishment,
andnottohisfamily.”
Theproblemwasnotwithmyeyes,butwiththoseofMasterCaliostrus,forhishadbecomeaslavetohisdesiresforinfluentialpatrons,ratherthanlensesofartisticimpartiality.
“Youdonotpaintamanwithdeep-setbeadyeyes,evenifhiseyesareashardandastinyasthoseofa
shrewt,”Caliostruswenton.“Thatis,ifyouwishtoremainaportraitureartistinL’Excelsis.Withoutsatisfiedpatrons,evenifyoubecomeamaster,youwillnotremainlonganartist.Youwillnotbecomeamaster,becauseIcertainlycannotsupportorlendmynametoaportraituristwhoisinsensibletotheself-imagesofhispotentialpatrons.”
“Then,MasterCaliostrus,”Ireplied,gentlysettingmybrushontheedgeoftheoilstray,“howamItocomplywiththedictatesoftheguild?Whatofthegoalofartisticprecision?”
“Artisticprecision,mydearRennthyl,isthegoalofobtainingthepreciseimagethatwillpleasethepatron.YoumostcertainlydidsoinpleasingCraftmasterWeidyn
andyoungMistressWeidyn.Sofar,youalsoseemtobepleasingMistressThelyaD’Scheorzylandherparents.”
IhadbeenabletopleaseMasterWeidynbecausethetruevisageofhisdaughterhadbeenpleasantenoughandbecausehecouldnothavecaredlesshowtruetheportraithadbeensolongashiswifeanddaughterwere
content.ThesamelookedpossiblewithThelya,althoughIhadbarelybegunthatportrait.IcertainlyhadnoproblemwithCaliostrus’slogic,norwithhisdesirestoincreasethegirthofhiswallet.Mydifficultylayelsewhere.“Asartists,dowenothaveaduty,insomefashion,topresentanaccurateandpreciseviewofwhatliesbeforeus?”
Caliostruslaughed,asIknewhewould.“TheonlypeopleinallofSolidarwhoreckontheneedforaprecisionthatgratesuponallsensibilitiesaretheImagersofL’Excelsis.Infact,theymightbetheonlyonesinallofTerahnar.Thatisbecausepowerallowsimpartiality.”
“Soyou’resaying,master,thatifIwanttobeimpartial,Ishouldnotbeaportraiturist,
butanimager?”
“Youdon’tevenwanttotrytobeanimager,Rhennthyl.Renegadeimagers,iftheydomorethanminorimaging,risktheirlives,eveniftheimagersdonotcatchthem.Intheoutlyingdistricts,imagersareconsidereddisciplesoftheNamer,andpeoplebelievetheycreatehiddennamesofruinanddespairwitheach
imagethattheymakereal.Mostofthosewhotrytobecometrueimagersdieyoung,enteringImagislebytheBridgeofHopesanddepartinginacartovertheBridgeofStones.Mostwhodosurvivespendtherestoftheirlivesslavingfortheirmasters,tryingtocreateimagesanddevicesthatneverwereandnevercouldbe—ordyingslowlyastheyfabricate
partsofmachinesforthearmagersoftheCouncil.”
HowwasthatsodifferentfromwhatIdid,handlingtheportraitsforthoseoflesseraffluenceforMasterCaliostrus,mixingpigments,andcombiningoils,powderingcharcoal,andathousandothermundaneandmind-numbingtasks?
“Allyouyoungartiststhink
thatyou,too,couldbegreat....”Caliostruslethiswordsdieawayintosilencebeforepunctuatingthesilencewithasnort.“Greatnessisn’twhatyouthinkitis,Rhennthyl.Becontenttobeaportraiturist.Andfixthoseeyes.”Heturnedawaywithoutanotherutterance.
Mycornerofthelargestudiowastheoneinthesouthwest—wherethelight
washarshestandbrightestandwashedouteverything.Butitdidhaveasinglewindow,onethatwasopenbecausethefallairwascool,butnotcold,and,whileI’dalwayslovedtheuseofoilstocreate,I’dnevermuchcaredfortheodorsofthepaint.Mostartistsdidn’tseemtomind,Isupposed,becausetheyonlycreatedavisualimage,notonethat
embodiedtouchandtasteandscent,althoughtheverybestpaintingscouldevokeasenseofthat.
Fromthefarcorner,Ostriussaid,“He’sright,youknow,Rhenn.Intheend,allthatmattersisreputationandgolds.”Standingbyhiseasel,heheldapaletteknifehehadjustwipedclean.“Thetestofareputationiswhethertheartist’sgoldslastaslongas
helives.”
Thatwaseasyenoughforhimtosay,since,ashisfather’seldest,he’dinheritthestudioandthereputation,notthatthestockyOstriuswasnotacapableportraiturist,forhewas,andhe’djustmademaster,iftacitlyundertheunderstandingthathewouldremainwithinhisfather’sstudioforthenearfuture.He
wasalsoanythingbutartisticallyadventurous.
“Thatobservationisdiscouraging,trueasitmaybe,”Ipointedout.
“Itdoesn’tmakeitlessaccurate.”
ThinkingaboutwhatMasterCaliostrusandhissonhadsaid,beforeIliftedthebrushtogetbacktodetailingthevestofMasgaylFactorius,
Iglancedoutthesecond-levelwindow.Aswithmostartists,MasterCaliostrushadplacedhisworkroomsandstudiosonthesecondlevel,withthegalleryandstoreroomsbelow,andthefamilyquartersabove.FromtheheightsofMartradon,onecouldseeImagisleagoodthreemillestothewest,agraniteshippointedupstreamintheRiverAluse,itsmasts
thetwintowersoftheCollegiumImago.Fromthatdistancethethreebridgeslookedasslenderashawsersmooringthatshiptothecitythatsurroundedit.
754A.L.
Theworldanditspartsareastheyare;accuracyisatermmanappliestohissmall
creations.
AtpreciselyoneglassbeforenoononLundi,MasgaylFactoriusarrivedatthesecond-floordoortoMasterCaliostrus’sstudio.Ihadbarelygottentheremyself,afterwashingup,becauseI’dbeenworkingongrindingpigmentstockintheshedintherearcourtyard,andtheBelishanpurplehadbeenmorethandifficulttogetoffmyfingersandfromunder
mynails.Ihadtogrindandmixthepigments—orthoserequiringgreatercare—notonlyformyselfandMasterCaliostrus,butalsoforOstrius,whocertainlycouldn’tbebotheredwithsuch,andStanus,whoseemedunwillingtolearnanythingofanygreatdifficulty.
Myfingerswerenumb,ofcourse,becauseMaster
Caliostrusdidn’tbelieveinspendingcoppersoncoalforheatingwashwaterforapprenticesorjourneymen,atleastnotuntiltheturnofwinter.Yetathoroughwashingwasnecessary,becausethepurplecouldpervadeanythingelseItouched,andIdidn’twanttospoiltheportraitoroneofthesmallerstudiesIwasworkingontoenterintheannual
journeyman’sfestivalinIanus,barelymorethanamonthaway.
“Goodmorning,honoredfactorius.”Iheldthestudiodoorforhimasheeasedhisbulkpastme.
“Goodday,suchasitis.”Heforcedasmile.“Beforewestart,letmeseewhatyouhavethere,youngRhenn.”
Iclosedtheheavyoakdoor
andfollowedtheheavysetfactoriustotheeaselinmycornerofthestudio.Hestoodbeforetheeasel,thenbrushedbackhisthickandoilygrayhairandnodded.Ihadwidenedtheeyespacingjustatouch,aswellaslightenedtheskinbeneaththeeyesashadeorso.Thatwouldreducetheirapparentbeadiness.
“Notsoflatteringasone
mightwish,butaccurate,andadequate.Youdohaveanexcellenttouchonthevest,aswellasthefabricofthechair—evenifIdidbringyouasample.”Heturnedandmovedtowardthefarplainerchairinwhichhesatforme,takingoffhissilver-trimmedtravelingcloaktorevealthevestandjacketmatchingthoseintheportrait.“ButmydaughterinsistedthatIbe
depictedinachairidentifiableasmine.Daughtersareaman’sjoyandtrouble.Sonsaremerelytrouble.”
“Wedoourbesttobemorethanadequate,sir.”
Masgayllaughed,asoundcomprisedofacertainemptinessaswellasamusementandrue.“You’remorethanadequate,young
Rhenn,andadequateismorethansufficient.NowthatIamafactorius,itwillnotdothatmyfoyeriswithoutaportrait,butonebyaproclaimedmasterwouldonlydeclaremyarrogance.No...modestysuitsmefarbetter,andIwillgetagoodworkfromyouatalowercostthanfromyourmaster,andyouwillgaininreputationasothersseeyourwork.”He
settledintothechair.
Iadjustedtheeasel.“Youdonotfearthattheywillsayyouhavenointerestingreatart,sir?”
“Whattheysayandhowtheywillactarenotthesame.Theywillactonthepricesofmygoods,notuponmyappreciationofart.Besides,artisnomorethanacraft,onethattakestalent,thereis
littlepointindenyingthat,butacraftnonetheless...”
AsIworkedtogetthesquintinhiseyesbetter,andcatchthelittlecreasethatranabovethemainonethanextendedfromhislefteyeupwardforjustafractionofaspan,Ifoundmyselfthinkingaboutthefactorius’spointthatartwasbutacraft.Couldeverythingbereducedtolittlemorethanacraft,asetof
skillsthatthosewithtalentanddeterminationcouldmaster?Mybrushalmostwavered,andIpushedawaythethoughts.Forthemoment,theportraitcamefirst.
IhadbutworkedlessthanhalfaglasswhenthestudiodooropenedandMasterCaliostrusentered,carefullycarryingacanvas.Achillbreezesweptintothestudio,andwiththewindcame
Stanus,luggingthemaster’stravelingcasewithitspaints,oils,solvents,andbrushes.CaliostrusletStanuspass,thensetthecanvasonthenearestemptyeaselbeforeclosingthedoor.Heturnedandinclinedhisheadtotheropefactor.“Greetings,factorius.Ihadheardthatyounowhaveanewdevicefortwistingandbraidingcablefordeep-seavessels.”
“I’vehaditfortwoyears.ThedemandissogreatIhavejustcompletedinstallingasecond.”
“ThatmusthavebeenwhatIheard.Peoplearetalking.”
Masgaylsnorted.“Theyalwaystalk.Onlyimagersnevertalk.Theydon’tneedto.Andartistsandportraituristsshouldn’tsaymuch,butlettheirwork
speakforthem.”
“Wedotry,honoredfactorius.Whenyouarefinishedwithtoday’ssitting,wouldyouliketoseetheworkIamdoingforthedaughterofImagerHeisbyl?”
“Iamcertainitshowsanexcellentlyattractivewoman.Whetherornotitresemblestheladymightwellbeanotherquestion.”
Ialmostmissedabrushstrokeatthosewords.
“AllmyworkresemblesthosewhomIportray,mosthonoredMasgayl.”
“Oh...I’mquiteassuredthatitdoes,perhapsontheirbestdaysinthebestpossiblelight.”Thefactoriusofferedanironiclaugh.“Yourjourneymandoesyoucredit,Caliostrus.”
AfterwhatMasgaylhadjustsaid,Iwasn’tcertainthatIwantedthatcredit,butIsaidnothingandswitchedmyconcentrationtothedrapeandtheplayofthelightontherightlowersleeveofthefactor’sbastognan-brownjacket.Therewassomethingthere.Icouldseeit...
Then,itwasthereonthecanvas,justasIhadvisualizedit,butIwasn’t
awarethatI’dactuallypaintedit.Still,thebrushstrokeswerethere,ifatouchmoreprecisethanusual,morethewayIwishedtheywerethantheysometimeswere.
“Hehastalentandpromise,honoredfactorius,and,ifhecontinuestolisten,”Caliostrusaddedwithatouchofasperity,“hemightevenhavemorecommissionssuch
asyours.”
Thatwasanot-so-veiledreferencetoMasgayl’sbeadyeyes,andIattemptedtoworkonthesmallerleftsectionofthesleeve,tryingtogetthefallofthelightandthecreasesjustright.
“Hemightindeed,”agreedthefactoriuspolitely.“Isthattheportraityoumentioned,theoneyouputontheeasel?”
“Itisindeed.Itisasofthemomentmostincomplete,”CaliostrussaidbeforeliftingthecanvasandcarryingtowhereMasgaylcouldseeit.
“Ah,yes,”noddedtheropefactor,“amostflatteringimage,butonecertainlyrecognizableastheyoungerMistressHeisbyl.”
“I’mgladthatyoufinditso.”Caliostrus’swordswere
strained.
“Don’tmindme,masterportraiturist.I’mcynicalaboutfartoomuchinlife.I’drathermakecablesforships,butIalsoprovideropeforthegaolersinatthePoignardPrison.Weallhaveaspectsofwhatwedothatwecoulddowithout.”
MasterCaliostrusretreatedwiththeportrait.Oncehehad
placeditonhisworkingeasel,hemotionedforStanustoleaveandthenfollowed,inclininghisheadtothefactorjustbeforeheopenedthestudiodoor.“Untillater,honoredfactorius.”
“Untillater.”
Oncethedoorclosed,Iwentbacktoworkingontheareaaroundthefactor’seyes.Caliostrushadbeenright
aboutonething—theeyeswerecentraltoshowingatruelikeness.
WhenMasgaylfinallyroseattheendoftheglass,hestretched,thenbegantodonhiscloak,whichevenhemightneedagainstawindthatwasmoreindicativeofthewintergustsofIanusthanreminiscentofthepleasantharvestbreezesofErntyn.
“YoungRhenn,youaremostunusualforaportraiturist,evenforajourneyman.”Masgaylsmiledcourteously,butforthefirsttime,Icouldsenseaferocitybehindthesmile.“Theadvantageofcommerceisthatonecanbeaccurateandprosper.Doingsoisfarmore...difficult...whenone’scraftdependsonpleasingtheperceptionsofthosewhopay.
Beforelong,youwilldoubtlesshavetochoosebetweenaccuracyandperception...ifyouhavenotalreadydoneso.”
“Sir.”Ijustinclinedmyheadpolitely.TherewaslittleIcouldorshouldhavesaid,notgivenmyposition.
Hesmiledagain,asifhehadmadeajest,thenturnedandleftthestudio.Fora
moment,Ijuststoodwiththechillwindofthecomingwintergustingpastme.
755A.L.
Thosewhowouldjudgeaworkofartrevealmoreofthemselvesthanoftheartistundertheirscrutinyorofhis
work.
Forsomereason,SamedimorningsinIanusseemedcolderthanotherwintermornings.Theceramicstoveinthecenterofthestudiodidradiatewarmth,butthewindowpanessuckedthatheatoutoftheroom.Thecornerwindowsandthoseattheotherendofthestudiowerecoveredwiththick
hangings,butnottheothers,becauseIneededasmuchlightasIcouldgetinordertopaintthegirlseatedonthechair.
“MistressThelya...ifyouwouldpleasekeeplookingtowardthevaseonthattable...that’sit.”
Hergovernessrefrainedfromutteringaword.
“Yes,MasterRhennthyl.”
Ididn’tcorrectherthistime.Therewasn’tanypointtoit.MistressThelyaD’Scheorzylwasallofnineyearsold.Shewassweetandhadthemannersofamucholdergirl,thankfully,andtheattentionspanofagnat,not-so-thankfully.Shestrokedthecatinherarmsgently.Thecathadyellow-greeneyesandalongsilkywhitecoatwithtortoiseshellaccents.
GiventhatThelya’smotherhadinsistedthatherdaughterbepaintedinasilver-graydress,I’dhadtofindablue-gray-shadedpillowonwhichthecatcouldrestinordertogetenoughcontrastbetweenthecat’scoat,Thelya’spalecomplexion,andthedress.Evenso,I’dhadtochangetheshadeofthepillowintheportraittogetthosecolorsandcontrastssothatthey
enhancedherprettinessratherthanclashedwithit.Istillworriedabouttheeyes...therewassomethingthereIdidn’thavequitethewayitshouldbe.
“You’llmakeRemsilookgood,won’tyou?”
“YouandRemsiwilllookgoodtogether,”Ireplied,workingonThelya’sjawline.
Insomeways,depicting
hercat,theratherlanguorousRemsi,wastheeasiestpartofthecommission,becauseRemsiwasalmosttotallywhitewiththeexceptionoftortoiseshellpaws,tail,andears.
Thejawlinestillwasn’tquitethewayIwantedit.IlookedtoThelya,fixingthesideofherfaceinmymind,thenatthecanvas,andthebrushstrokes.Theoilsonthe
canvasshimmered,thenshifted,eversoslightly.Thebrushstrokeswerestillmine,butthejawlinewascleaner—andright.I’donlybeenabletodothatrecently,butIknewwhatIwasdoingborderedonimaging.Yetitwasonlywithoils,anditwascleanerandfasterthanscrapingandrepaintingandcertainlybetterthanoverpainting.Forallthat,Iwasn’tabouttotryit
often,onlywhenIhadaveryclearimageinmymind—anddefinitelynotwhenMasterCaliostruswasaround.
Iworkedtogettherestoftheleftsideofherfacefinishedbeforethetenbellsofnoonchimed—andmanagedtodosoaswellasfinishthecat’sfaceaswell,settingdownthebrushjustasthefirstbellrang.
“CanIsee?”askedThelya,scamperingoffthechair,butstillholdingthecat.
“Westillneedtwomoresittings,”Isaidtothegoverness.
“Then...nextMardiafternoon,atthethirdglassoftheafternoon,andnextSamedi,attheninthglassofmorning.”Shenoddedbrusquely.
Thelyascurriedpastmetolookatthecanvas.“That’sRemsi!Itlooksjustlikeher.”
Iforboretomentionthatwasthepointofaportraitandjustsmiled.
OnceIsawthemoff,Iputinanotherglassofworkondetailsfortheportraitthatdidnotrequiretheirpresence.IusedwhatlittleoftheoilsIhadleftonasmallwork,a
stilllife,whichIcouldnotdoforhireorsale,butonlyforopenexhibitattheannualfestival—theonlyvenuewhereanartistcouldexhibitorselloutofhisdiscipline—althoughitwouldbenextyear’sfestival,sincethefinaljudgingonthisyear’ssubmissionswouldbelaterintheevening.
Notmorethanaquarterofaglasshadpassed,justafter
I’dfinishedcleaningthefine-tippedbrushthatwasmyown,whenMasterCaliostrusenteredthestudio.“Don’tforgettobankthestovebeforeyouleave.I’llnotbeusingthestudiothisafternoon.NorwillOstrius.”
Ofcourse,themosthonoredheirandjuniormasterwouldn’tbeworkingonaSamediafternoon.“I’lltakecareofit,sir.”
“WhenwillyoufinishtheMistressScheorzylportrait,Rhennthyl?”
“Twomoresittingsandthenafewdaysoffineworkafterthat,MasterCaliostrus.She’llbehereonMardiandnextSamedi.”
“Isupposethedelaycan’tbehelped.”
“Herparentshavelimitedthesittingstoonceaweek,
andnomorethanaglassatime.”
Heextendedathinclothbag.“FactorMasgaylfinallypaidfortheportrait,andhere’syourshare,Rhennthyl.Gooutandcelebrate.”
Ieasedthecoinsfromthebag—eightsilvers.IjustlookedatCaliostrus.
“Halfofthefeegoestothemasteroutright.Youknow
that.Thentherearethecostsfortheframingandcanvas,nottomentionthepigmentsandoils.Therewasthatonebrushyouforgottoclean,andreplacingitwastwosilvers.”
“Yes,sir.Thankyou,sir.”AllIcoulddowasnodandagree.MasgaylFactoriushadpaidfivegoldsfortheportraitI’ddone,andoutofthatI’dgotteneightsilvers.Notonlythat,butIknewhe’dpaid
CaliostrusonLundi,andCaliostrushadwaitedalmostaweektopayme.Chargingmeforthebrushwasmostlyfair.Mostly.I’dmislaiditwhenCaliostrushaddraggedmeawayfromcleaningforsomechorehe’dthoughtimportantandIcouldn’tevenrecall.Andithadbeenanoldbrush.Itseemedtomethatafterpaintingportraitsforclosetothreeyears,while
stilldoingalmostallthechoresforthestudio,Ioughttobereceivingmorethanonepartinfiveofthecommission,especiallysinceIreceivednothingelseexceptroom,board,andtraining.
BothFactorMasgaylandFactorScheorzylhadcomeseekingmywork,notthatofMasterCaliostrus.Yet...eventhoughIdidmybesttosavemycoins,Icertainlydid
nothaveenoughtoopenmyownstudio—andthatdidnotincludethetengoldsnecessaryforthebondtobepostedwiththeArtists’Guild,nottomentionMasterCaliostrus’srecommendationandtheconcurrenceofthePortraitureGuild.
“Don’tforgetthestove,Rhennthyl,”Caliostrusaddedbeforeheleft,climbingthestepsuptothefamily
quarters.
Afterfinishingmycleanupandwashingup,lateronSamediafternoonImademywaydowntowardtheFestivalHall,walkingoutBrayerLanetoNorthMiddleandthensouthwestontheMidroad.
IstoppedatLapinina.Ididdeserveabitofatreat.Itwaslittlemorethanatinybistro,
tuckedbetweenacoppersmith’sononesideandacooper’sontheother,onthesoutheastsideofGuildSquare,betweenMidroadandSudroad,justalittleplacewiththreewindowsandahalfscoreoftinytables.Buttheyknewme.
Atraceofrimeiceclungtotheouterdoorframe,butwhenIopenedthedoorandsteppedinside,carefulto
closeitquickly,thewarmthandsmellsofcooking—garlic,bakedbread,roastedfowl—enfoldedme.Allthetablesweretaken.Theyusuallywere.
“Rhenn!Overhere!”Atthesmallestofthetables,squeezedinbesidethebrickcasementseparatingtwowindows,satRogaris.Nooneelsehadsuchanelegantblackspadebeard,especiallynot
anotherjourneymanartist,butIsupposedthatcamefromworkinginthestudioofJacquerl,oneofthemostesteemedofportraituristsinL’Excelsis.
ThetablewhereRogarissatwassosmallthatonthesideacrossfromhimwasonlyastool.Itwasempty,andIeasedontoit.“Thankyou.”
“You’vedonethesamefor
memorethanafewtimes.”Hegrinned,thenraisedhismug.Icouldseethefaintsteamofthehotspicedwine.
“Whatwillyouhave,Rhenn?”askedStaela,thewifeofRuscol,whoownedLapinina.
“Thespecialfriedhamcroissantandthebetterspicedhotwine.”
“That’llbehalfasilver.”
Iextractedthefivecoppersfrommywalletandhandedthemover—andshewasgone.
“Whatareyoudoinghere?”Iasked.
“Gettingwarm.Iwasoverattheexhibit.Isawyourstudy.Youdidn’tenteraportrait?”
Ishookmyhead.“Iwantedtotrysomethingelse.”Isaw
nopointinpaintingaportraitforwhichIwouldlikelynotgetpaid.Itwasbettertotrysomethingelseandstretchmyabilities.
Staelareappearedandsetthehotwineonthetableinpassing.Icuppedmyhandsaroundthemug,lettingtheheatwarmchillfingers,beforeItookafirstsip.ThenIhelditatchinlevelandletthewarmthcomingfromthe
mugcaressmyface.
“Coldoutthere,evenformid-Ianus,”observedRogaris.
“Coldenough,”Iadmitted.“AreyougoingbackovertotheFestivalHall?”
Rogarisshookhishead.“MasterJacquerlsaidtherewasn’tmuchpointinmyenteringanystudiesthisyear.”Hesmiled.“Besides,
Aemalyehasthenightoff,andthegoverness’squarterstoherself.”Hestoodalastswallowfromhismug,thensetitonthetable.
“Thatsoundspromising.”
“Mostpromising.We’resavingforthebondtoopenmyownstudio,andwe’llwedonceImakemaster,ayearfromthiscomingAgostos.”Rogarisstood.
“Untillater,Rhenn,andbestoffortunethisevening.”
“Thankyou.”Islippedaroundthetableandtookthenarrowchair,justbeforeStaelareturnedwiththechippedbrowncrockeryplatteronwhichwasmycroissant,alongwiththreefatrice-friesdrizzledwithbalsamicvinegar.
“Eathearty,”offeredStaela
asshehurriedaway.
Itookasmallbite.Iwasn’tinanyhurry.Thejudgingresultswouldn’tbeannounceduntilthesixthglass,andthebellsofthefifthglasshadn’tyetrung.Icouldn’thelpbutthinkaboutRogaris.HewaslessthanthreeyearsolderthanIwas.Icouldn’tconceiveofbeingmarriedsoon,notaftergrowingupwithRousel,and
thenKhethilaandCulthyn.
Isavoredthegolden-brownfriedhamcroissant,alternatingwithbitesfromthecrunchyfriedstickyrice.ThenIsatatthetinytableandsippedthewarmwinterwine,enjoyingthemeldedtasteofwineandspices—cinnamon,cloves,andshaeric.
Eventually,Ifinally
finishedthelastofthewinterwine,asmuchbecauseStaelakeptglaringatmeasbecauseIwasinanyhaste,androse,leavingacopperforherandmakingmywaybackoutintothecoldandacrossthetightlysetpavingstonesoftheavenuetothesquareitself.FestivalHalldominatedtheGuildSquare.Properlyspeaking,theyweretheArtisans’FestivalHalland
theArtisans’GuildSquare.Eachofthefourmainartisans’guildshadawingofthebuilding,andinthecenterwastheFestivalHallproper.Thenorthwingwastheprovinceofthemasons’,stonemasons’,andsculptors’guilds;thewestwingwasthatofthecabinetmakers’andwoodcrafters’guilds;thesouthwingbelongedtothevariousrepresentativeartists’
guilds,includingtheportraiturists’guild;andtheeastwingwasthatoftheglassblowers’andvariousmetalcrafters’guilds.
Theguildwingswereclosedandlocked,andIenteredthehallthroughthedoorbetweentheeastandthesouthwing,noddingattheguardingrayjustinside.Thefourhugeceramicstoves—oneforeachwing,soto
speak—keptmybreathfromsteaming,butthecavernousspacewascoldenoughthatIwasn’tabouttoloosenmyjacket.
Thedisplayworkswerehungbyguild,andIwalkedtowhereminehadbeenplaced,onthefarleftendofthosesubmitted,oneofthree—outofnineteen—thatdidn’thaveaportraitcomponent.Mypainting—a
study,really—depictedachessboardseenfromanangle.Inadditiontothepiecesstillinplay,onecouldseetwogobletsofwine,oneoneachendoftheboard.Thegobletattheendwiththefewestpiecestakenofftheboardwasmorethanhalffullandheldadarkredwine,aclaretalmostasblackasthepiecesbesideit.Onthewhiteendoftheboard,thegoblet
heldbutatraceofwhitewine,agrisio,inmymind.Thewhiteimagerhadbeenlaidonitsside,signifyingresignation,becauseinthreemoves,blackwouldhavewonbycheckmate.
AsIsteppedback,someonecoughed,politely,andIturned.
Atallfigure,wearingasoliddarkgreenwoolencoat
andscuffedbutsturdybrownboots,lookedatme.Hisfacewasthin,accentuatedbyawispywhitegoateeandhighcheekbones.Hiseyeslookedtobewaterygrayinthefadinglightthatsiftedthroughthehighclerestorywindows.Onlyhalfthebrasswalllanternshadbeenlit,butthelamplighterwasmakinghiswayaroundtheouterwallsofthehall.“Ah...
you’dbeRhennthyl,youngCaliostrus’sjourneyman.”
“I’mRhenn.”YoungCaliostrus?Hewasolderthanmyownfather,ifnotbymuch.
“Goodworkthere.Itwon’twin,though.”
“Whydoyousaythat?”Ihadmyownideas,butIwantedtohearwhattheoldartisanmightoffer—ifhewas
anartisanatall.
“It’sunderstated.Symbolic,too,andthesymbolistheonethatnoonewantstoface.”
“Defeat?Asetback?ThefavoroftheNamer?”Likeitornot,weallfacedsetbacks,soonerorlater.
“No...beingforcedtoresigninthefaceofsuperiorability.Don’tyouknowthat’s
thegreatestfearofanyartist?It’snotthefearofdeath,butthefearofbeingforcedtoadmitsomeoneelseisbetter.ThemarkoftheNamerisnothingcomparedtothat.”Theoldartisanlaughed.“You’llsee,youngfellow.Thatyouwill.”Thenheturnedandwalkedaway.
Icouldn’tsaythatIdisagreedwithhiswords,butwhyhadheevenbotheredto
speaktome?Andwhowashe?
Arotundmanwalkedtowardme,andittookamomenttorecognizeMasterEstafen.I’dbeenintroducedtohimoncebefore,andI’dseenhimfromadistanceuponseveraloccasions.Ididn’tknowanyofhisjourneymenorapprentices,buthehadseveralofeach,andperhapsthemost
successfulportraitstudioinL’Excelsis,withthepossibleexceptionofJacquerl.Althoughthejudgeswereneverrevealed,Iwonderedifhemightbeoneofthem.
Iinclinedmyheadinrespect.“MasterEstafen.”
“JourneymanRhennthyl.IsawoldGrisariustalkingtoyou.”
“Wasthatwhoitwas?”
“Oh...Grisariusisjustthenameeveryonecallshim.Once,hewasEmanusD’Arte,andconsideredoneofthebestportraituristsinL’Excelsis.ButhedidaseascapeofabeachnearErlescue.Nothingwrongwiththat,solongashedidn’tsellit.Henotonlysoldit,buthesoldittooneofthemasterimagers,aMaitreD’Esprit,noless,andthentold
everyone.”MasterEstafenshrugged.“Afterthat,theguildhadnochoice.Hewasexpelled.Hehadenoughputby,Iguess,tokeepsomeroomsofftheBoulevardD’Imagers.Hecomeseveryyeartolookattheworksenteredbythejourneymen.”
“Ithoughthemightbeanartisanofsomesort,but...”
“Hewasoneofthe
greatest,but,likemanywhoaregreatorclosetogreatness,hethoughthewasabovetherulesthatgovernaguild.Oracity.”Hepaused,thenadded,“Oraland.”
“Rulesarenecessary,”Iadmitted.
“Isawyourwork,Rhennthyl.Itisgood.Youcouldbeanoutstandingportraiturist.Donotmakelife
harderforyourselfthanithastobe.Agoodartisthasenoughdifficultybecomingbothgreatandsecureinhisposition.”
“Yes,sir.”Inoddedmostpolitely.
Withawarmsmilewhosedepthwasmorethanalittlesuspecttome,MasterEstafennoddedandmovedaway.
Inturn,Inoddedtosome
oftheotherjourneymenwalkingaround.Be-liuswasalandscapeartist,buthisstudiesweretoogray.Morgadhadapiecethatwasn’tbad,butitwasaportraitofanoldermanthatsuggestedbothcorpulenceandgreed,andaccurateasitwas,Idoubteditwouldbeconsideredforanaward.Aurelean,asalways,struttedaroundandavoidedmingling
withanyonewhotoiledforoneofthe“lesser”masters,suchasCaliostrus,eventhoughhismaster,Kocteault,wasn’talwaysconsideredamongthe“greater.”
Ontheotherhand,Elphens,whowasbyfarthebest-dressedandmoststylishofallthejourneymen,smiledbroadlyandinsincerelyandevenspoke.“It’sgoodtoseeyou,Rhenn.Ienjoyedyour
studypiece.Itwasmostthought-provoking.”
“Thankyou.Yourgardensweremostintriguing.”ThatwasthebestIcoulddo.
Beforelong,Arasmes,thescrivenerforthePortraitureGuild,steppedupbeforethemiddleofthedisplayedworks.Hedidn’tshoutoryell.Hejustwaiteduntilthehandfulofjourneymen
standingaroundstoppedtalkingandlookedinhisdirection.Iremainedwellintheback,intheshadows,doubtingmyworkwouldbeconsidered,buthopingnonetheless.
“Thejudgeshavedecidedontheprizesforthisyear’sjourneymancompetition.”Arasmestookalongpause,thenannounced,“Secondrecognition—andtheprizeof
twogolds—goestoAureleanD’KocteaultforhisportraitofMistressKarlanaD’Kocteault.Thejudgeswouldnotethatthisstudyisafineexampleofatraditionalportrait.”
Ihadtoagree.Itwasindeedanexampleoftradition.Therewasn’tasingleitemoforiginalityortrueartistryanywhere,andIhadn’tseenanoriginal
brushstrokeintheentirepainting.Itdidn’thurtthatMasterKocteaultwasthepreviousguildmasterofthePortraitureGuildandthattheportraithadbeenaflatteringimageofKocteault’selderdaughter,whodidnotlookanywherenearsofairasAureleanhaddepictedher.
“FirstrecognitiongoestoElphensD’Rhenius,alongwiththeprizeoffivegolds.
ThejudgeswouldliketocommendjourneymanElphensforhiscreativeuseoflightinhisstudyofthelowergardensonCouncilHill.”
Imanagednottosnort.Creativeuseoflightwasappropriate—sincetheindirectlighthe’ddepictedinhisviewofthegardensthroughafallmistwouldhaverequiredthesuntobein
threeplaces—orthattherebethreesunsinthesky.ButElphenswasthejourneymanforMasterRheniusD’Arte,consideredbysomeasanequalofEstafenorJacquerl.
ForallthatIhadexpectedsomethinglikethat,thewalkbacktoMasterCaliostrus’sinthechillandthedarkwaslessthanpleasant.Thewindhadpickedup,andtinyflakesoficepeltedmyexposedface,
head,andneck.Manyofthelanternsoutsidedoorshadblownout,andwiththestormabove,theraysofneithermoonpenetratedthecloudstoofferlight.
WhenIfinallyreachedmysmallroom,myfeetwereclosetonumb,andIcouldnotfeelthetipofmynose.Evenasajourneyman,myquarterswereonthestreetlevel,betweenthestorerooms
andthegallery,wherethenoises,theodors,andthecoldwerealwaysthegreatest.Ittookmetwotriestoslidethedoorboltintoplace.MyfingersweresocoldthatIhadtofumblewiththestrikerforseveralmomentsbeforeIfinallylitthesmalllamponthechest.
Ipulledoffshoesthatwerebothcoldanddamp,undresseddowntomy
drawersquickly,hungmyshirtandtrousersonthepegsbesidethetallandnarrowchest,thenwickeddownthelampandblewoutthelastflickerofflamebeforeclamberingintobed.Fortunately,whenI’dlefthometoapprenticetoMasterCaliostrus,Fatherhadsentmeoffwithheavyblanketsandevenanoldbutserviceablecomforter.
Occasionally,whenIvisited,Motherslippedmesilvers,remindingmethattheycamefromFather,butthathewastooproudtohandthemtomepersonally.Ihadthefeelingshewastellingthetruthaboutthat.
AsIlaythereinthecoldinmynarrowbed,slowlywarmingup,Itriednottothinktoohardaboutthepatentunfairnessofthe
FestivalHalljudging.I’dknownitwouldn’tbeanydifferentfromwhathadhappened,becauseithadbeenthatwayforthepreviousyears,eversinceI’dfirstbeenanapprentice.Eveninthechillofmychamber,beforelongIwasmorethanwarmenough,eveninthedepthsofacoldIanus,andeventually,Idriftedofftosleep.
Iwokesomewhereinthedarkness,soblackthatIcouldseenothing.Hadthefreezingflakesofthenightbeforepiledupsohighthattheyhadcoveredandblockedalllightfrommysinglenarrowwindow?Ifeltaround,butmyblanketsandcomforterweregone,notthatIfeltcold,andIsatup,onlytodiscoverthatI’dbeenlyingonabenchofsomesort.
Howcouldthathavebeen?WherewasI?Whywasitsodark?IknewI’dgonetosleepinmyownbed.Ineededlight.Ineededalamp,onethatwaslit!
Suddenly,therewaslight,andIwasbackundermyblankets,peeringatthebrightglowofthelamponthechestacrossfromthebed.Ijustlookedatitforalongmoment,thentothedoor,but
theboltwasstillinplace.Thewindowhangingswerealsoshut.
IknewI’dblownoutthelamp.I’devencheckedit,andI’dneverturnedthewickupthathighbecauseitburnedoiltooquickly.WasIdreaming?
Gingerly,Ieasedoutfromunderthenow-warmblanketsandcomforter.Thechill,especiallyfromtheancient
coldtilesonmybarefeet,assuredmethatIwasawakeasIcrossedtheshortdistancetothechest.Thetopmostpartofthelampmantlewasnotthatwarm,butthelamphadbeenwickedup.
HadIlititinmysleep?
Thechillofthefloortilescertainlywouldhaveawakenedme.I’dbeendreamingaboutneedinglight,
needingalamp,butjustdreamingaboutlightdidn’tlightlamps.ImadesureIwickeddownthelampbeforeblowingitoutandhurryingbackundermyblankets.ThenIwatchedthelamp,butitdidnotlightitself.
Again,Islept.
755A.L.
Realityisanillusionbasedontheunderstandingofthe
perceiver.
Thewalktomyparents’
dwellingfeltevenfartherthantotheGuildSquare,althoughthedistancewasaboutthesame,exceptIhadtowalkeast,ratherthansouth,butthatmighthavebeenbecauseSolayiwasevencolderthanSamedihadbeen,withawindthathowledandsuckedeverybitofheatoutthepavingstonesandbuildingsalongtheMidroad.Theangledpalewhitelightof
thesun,eveninmidafternoon,seemedtoradiatechillratherthanwarmth.Ifinallythumpedthebronzeknockeronthedoor,andNellica,thenewservant,openedthedoor.AsIhandedhermycoatandscarf,Iwasmorethanhappytobeoutofthecold.
Motherscurriedintothefoyer.“You’relookingwell,Rhenn,ifabitchilled.”She
wrappedherarmsaroundmeforamoment.“Comeinandwarmyourselfbytheparlorstove.”
Ididn’tneedasecondinvitationandfollowedherthroughtheleftarchwayandintothefamilyparlor,nottheformalparlor.
Khethilawascurleduponthecornerofthesetteeclosesttothelargeceramicstove,a
thinbookinherhand.Shelookedupandsmiled.“Rhenn!”
“Khethila.”Ieasedaroundtoputmybacktothestove.“Whatareyoureading?”
“MadameD’Shendael’sPoeticDiscourse.”
I’dheardofher.ShehadgatheredagroupofHighHolders’wivesandevensomeassistantstotheCouncil
tohereveningsalon,whereallmanneroftopicswerediscussed,manyofwhichreputedlysuggestedacertainlackofprudenceindealingwiththeCouncil.“She’srathercontroversial,isn’tshe?”
“Shedoesaskquestions.Lotsofthem.”
“Suchas?”
Khethilaboundedtoher
feet,thebookstillinhand.“Listentothis.”Sheclearedherthroatandbegantoreadinahuskyvoicethatremindedmethatshewasnolongerachild.
“Athearth,inbed,withfeetnearbare,
agreewith
smiledemureandfair,
ourposition’shome;isthatwhere
ourspirits,ourrole,andplacedeclare?”
Justatthatpoint,Father
steppedintotheparlorthroughthedoorwayfromthelowerstudy.“You’renotreadingthattrashagain,areyou,Khethila?”Hiseyesflashed,andIcouldsensehewasevenmoreangrythanhe’dbeenwhenI’dtoldhimI’dneverbeafactor.
“She’sonlytellingRhennwhat’sinthebook,dear.”MothershotawarningglancetoKhethila,beforestepping
forwardandtakingFather’shands.“Besides,wedon’tgetRhennherethatoftenanymore,andwe’dalllikeapleasantdinner.”
FatherglaredatKhethila,andsheloweredhereyes,butherjawwasfirm.
“LetmehaveNellicabringyouyourwine,”Mothercontinued.“WouldyoulikesomeoftheDhuensa,Rhenn?
Orhotspicedwinterwine?”
“Thespiced,please.Itwasacoldwalkhere.”
“RouselalwayshiresacarriagewhenheandRemayavisit.”ThatwasfromCulthyn,whohadslippeddownthefrontmainstaircasefromtheupstairssittingroom.
“He’safactor,”Ipointedout.“I’manartist.”
“MasterCaliostrushasacarriage,”Culthynpointedout.“Whydon’tyou?”
CulthynclearlytookafterRousel,butIonlysaid,“BecauseI’mnotamasteryet,anddon’thavemyownstudio.Ittakeslongerwhenyou’reanartist.”
“Fathercouldhelpwiththestudio.”
“Hecan’t,”Ipointedout.
“Youcan’topenastudiounlessyou’reajuniormasterartist,andthattakesatleastfiveyearsasajourneyman,andyouhavetobeapprovedbyyourmasterandbytheguildboard.”Thatapprovalrequiredeithergreattalent,oracertainamountofquiet“gifting,”butthefive-yearrequirementwasabsolute.
“That’sawfulwhenyou’reasgoodasyouare,”Culthyn
declared.
“That’sthewayitis,andIcan’tchangeit.”
Nellicareappearedwithatrayholdingagobletandtwomugs,offeringthetraytoFatherfirst.Hetookthegoblet.Itooktheoneofthemugs,andMothertheother.
“We’rehavingstuffedandsaucedfowl,”shesaid.“Withallthewindandchill,it
seemedagoodheartymeal.”
“Itsoundswonderful.”EspeciallysincemyboardatMasterCaliostrus’sdidn’tincludedinneroneitherSamediorSolayinights,althoughIcouldhavebreadandcheesefromthekitchen.Itookasipofthespicedwine,farbetterthanthatatLapinina,notsurprisingly,sinceFatheralwayshadagoodcellarandMothercould
makethebestuseofit.
“Ievenhaveahotwinterpuddingfordesert,”Motheradded.
“WhichallofushavehadtokeepCulthynoutof,”saidKhethila.
“Therewasmorethanenough,”mutteredmyyoungestbrother.
“Therewouldn’thave
been,”notedKhethila.
Beforelongwehadgatheredinthediningchamber,whereFatherdidallowmethegraceofsittingathisrightandmotioningmetooffertheblessing.
“Forthegraceandwarmthfromabove,forthebountyoftheearthbelow,forallbeautyandartistryintheworld,foryourjustice,andforyour
manifoldandgreatmercies,weofferourthanksandgratitude,bothnowandevermore,inthespiritofthatwhichcannotbenamedorimaged...”
“Inpeaceandharmony.”
“That’stheartists’blessing,isn’tit?”saidKhethila.“Ilikeit.”
“Ablessing’sablessing,”Fathersaiddryly,gesturing
foreveryonetositdown.“SolongaswerespecttheNameless,thewordscanchangeabit.”
Personally,Ipreferredtheartists’version,butthen,Ihadn’theardthecrafters’version,orthatoftheimagers,assumingthattheyhadaversion.
Aftercarvingandservingthefowl,thensettlingintohis
chair,Fatherpolitelyaskedme,“Howistheportraiturebusinesscoming?”Healwaysreferredtoportraitureas“business.”
“I’vehadthreecommissionsinthelastmonthorso,thatis,commissionswherethepatronaskedformetodothework.TheoneIjustfinishedwasofMasgaylFactorius.”
“Ah,yes,theropefactor.Doescablesandhawsersaswell.Turnsashinysilverortwoontheheavycabling.”
“Youandheseemanythingsinthesameway.”Thatwasfairenough,althoughIhadthesensethatMasgaylFactoriuswasfarmoreruthlessthanFather.
“Didhepaywell?”
“Aftercosts,mysharewas
agold.”Ididn’thavetomentionthechargefortheruinedbrush.“MasterCaliostrusgetshalfthefee,beforecosts.”
“You’d...”HestoppedattheglancefromMother.“Doyouhaveothercommissions?”
“I’mdoingaportraitofMistressThelyaD’Scheorzyl.Thatonewillbedonein
abouttwoweeks,becauseshecanonlysitforoneglass,onceaweek.”
“Scheorzyl...Scheorzyl...Oh...he’stheprincipaladvocate-advisortotheCouncil.”
Ihadn’tknownthat,onlythatyoungThelya’sparentswerewellconnectedandwelloff,sinceshehadagovernessandaspecialfeline.
“Hermotherwasabeauty,”addedMother.“Isupposeshestillis,butsheusuallystaysattheirestateinTiens.SomethingabouttheairinL’Excelsis.Whataboutthedaughter?”
“She’sbutnine,andverypolite.She’sprettyenoughnowandlookstobethekindwhowillturnheadsinafewyears.Shemightbetoosweet,though.”
“That’salwaysaproblem,”suggestedKhethila.
“Andexactlywhymightthatbeadifficulty,daughter?”askedFather.
Khethilaignoredtheglareandsmiledpolitely.“Youwouldn’tbehalfsowellofforhalfsohappy,Father,ifMotherdidn’toccasionallysuggestthatmattersmightbebetterhandledinanother
fashion.Girlswhoaretoosweetoftenmerelyagree.”
“Idoubtthatwilleverbeadifficultyforyou.”Fatherdidmanagearuefulsmilebeforeturningtome.“WhatdoyouthinkaboutthethreatsthattheCaenenanenvoymadelastweek?”
“Ihadn’theardaboutthem,”Ihadtoadmitafterswallowingamouthfulofthe
juicyfowl.“Whatdidhesay?”
“Youhadn’theard?”askedCulthyn.“Howcouldyounothaveheard?”
“Iwasworking,unlikesomeyoungpeople,”Ireplied.
“HeutteredsomenonsenseaboutourbeliefintheNamelessbeingblasphemyandthenwentontosaythat,
ifanyofourpeopleinCaenentriedtoblasphemeagainsttheirDuodeusgod/goddess,they’dbeburnedalive.”
“WhatdidtheCouncildo?”Inspiteofmyself,Iwasabitinterested.
“Asusual,theydithered.Weshiphundredsoftonnesofthefinewoodsfromthere—mahogany,ebony,
rosewood,nottomentioncottonand...”
“Andelveweed,”addedKhethila.
“That’snotasubjectfordinner,”Fathersaidfirmly.
“Whynot?”shedemanded.“Whenthecarriagetakesmetogrammaire,Icanseesomeofthesansespoirssmokingorchewingit.Someofthemjustliethere—”
“Where?”askedMother.
“OnthestoopsofthetaudisbelowSouthMiddle.Thewall’slowenoughtoseeoverit.”
“I’llhaveCharlsyntakeyoualongerwayfromnowon,”Motherannouncedinahardtonethatbrookednoargument.
“They’llstillbesmokingit,anditcomesfromCaenen.
Thecivicpatrollersdon’tdoanything,either.Theyjustignoreit.”
“Khethila...IcannotdoanythingaboutthedegeneratesofL’Excelsis,butIcandosomethingaboutwhatyousee.Youarenotbeingraisedlikeataudischild...ora...”
“APharsi?”Khethilasuggested.
Fatherclearedhisthroat,loudly.
“WhydoestheCouncilletthemsellelveweedhere?”askedCulthyn,abruptly.
“Theydon’t,”repliedFather.“It’sprohibited.”
“Thenwhydothesansespoirshaveittosmoke?”
“That’sbecausesailorsand
smugglerssneakitin.Theycangetgoldsforsmallamounts,”Ipointedout.
“Haveyoueversmokedany,Rhenn?”askedCulthyn.
“No.Iwouldn’twantto.”Whyspendgoldsonpleasurethatwasgonebeforeyouevenknewit?Besides,I’dseenwhattheaddictslookedlike,andIneverwantedtoenduplikethat.
“Don’tsomeartists?”
“Someoftheabstractionistsdo,butthey’renotpartoftheguilds,andnoonebuystheirworks.”Noonerespectable,anyway.
“Ithinkwe’vediscussedthis...filthy...subjectenough,”Motherinterjected.
Afteramomentofsilence,IturnedtoFather.“Howisthewoolbusiness?”
“We’redoingwell.YouknowRouselisdoingwellwiththebranchfactorageinKherseilles.ThatmakesiteasiertoshiptheheavierwoolenstothenorthofJariolaandtotheAbiertoIsles.He’salreadyincreasedourshipmentsbyathird.”
ThatsoundedlikeRousel.Hecouldtalkanyoneintoanything—anyonebutme,atleast.“He’sdoingwell,then.”
“Enoughthatourprofitsareupbyaquarter.”
“AndheandRemayaareexpecting,”Motherinterjected,“inearlyJuyn,theythink.”
“I’mhappyforthem,”Ireplied,“andit’sgoodthatRouselisdoingsowell.”Fornow,Ithought,hopingthatRouselwasnotsprintingtheedgeoftheprecipice.Iwas
sparedhavingtosaymorebecauseNellicaclearedawaythedinnerplatters,andthenreturnedtosetthewinterpuddinganddessertplatesbeforeMother.
Thepuddingwasasgoodasshehadpromised,andIdidtakeseconds,butthen,sodidCulthyn.Afterhefinishedhissecondhelping,hestaredattheremainingpudding.
“Secondsareacceptableattimes,Culthyn,”Motherstated.“Thirdsaremerelygreed.Don’tactlikeaPharsi.”
Culthyncounterfeitedadisconsolateexpression,thensaid.“Remaya’snotgreedy.”
Khethilahidasmile.
“She’sdifferent,”Mothersaid,turningtome.“DidyouknowthatArmynd
D’SholdchildhasofferedaproposaltoKhethila?Forwhenshe’solder,ofcourse.”Shesmiledbroadly.
“Mother!”exclaimedKhethila.
“Armyndhas?”We’dbeenatthegrammairetogether,buthe’dgoneontotheuniversity.Hisfatherheldthousandsofhectaresofgrainlandsandvineyardsout
inthewestlands.“He’sevenolderthanIam.”
“Anolderhusbandisalwaysbetter.He’smoreestablished.Andyou’renotgettinganyyounger,Rhenn.Itwouldn’thurtforyoutokeepaneyeoutforalikelywife.”
“Asanartist?”murmuredFather.
“Wealthywomenhave
beenknowntopreferartists,dear.LookatMadameD’Shendael.She’saHighHolderinherownright.”
“Butshehadtomarryanothertokeepherrights,”Khethilainterjected.
“DoIhavetohearhernameallthetime?”askedFather.
“Youasked.”
“Herhusbandisalandscapearchitect,notanartist,andhedesignsgrandgardens.”
“He’sstillanartist,”Motheraffirmed,“andRhennisgoingtobeagreatartist.”
“He’dbetterhurry,then,”Fatherrepliedwithalaugh,pushingbackhischair.
AsFatherrose,Motherlookedtome.“Willyougoto
serviceswithus?”Hervoicewasnotquitepleading.
SolayinightwaswhenmostfamiliesinL’Excelsiswenttoservices,thosewhorespectedtheNameless,thatis.IsupposedIdid,inmyownway.Ihadnothingbettertodo,andMotherhadneveraskedthatmuchunreasonableofme,unlikeFather.“Yes,butI’llhavetoleaverightafterward.MasterCaliostrus.
..”Ishruggedwithoutcompletingtheexplanation.
“Weunderstand.”Motherbeamed.
Onceeveryonewasbundledintotheircoats,westeppedoutthesidedoorwhereCharlsynhadpulledup,andIsqueezedintothecoachontherear-facingseatwithKhethilaandCulthyn.Atleast,oncetheservicewas
over,anditwasneverthatlong,I’dbemuchclosertoMasterCaliostrus’sdwelling.
“Isn’tthisalmostlikeoldtimes?Now,ifRouselwerejusthere,”Mothersaid.
“IfRouselwerehere,noneofuswouldbeabletomove,”Culthynobserved.
EvenFathersmiledatCulthyn’swrytone.
Wearrivedattheanomenearlyenough,agoodquarterbeforethesixthglass,sothatwedidn’thavetohurry,butthatalsomeantwehadtostandinthecolduntiltheservicebeganwiththesmallchoirsingingthechoralinvocation—“PaeantotheNameless,”Ithought.
ChoristerAknotynhadbeenattheAnomenD’EstesinceIcouldremember.His
hightenorpiercedthegloomasitalwayshadinthewordlessululatinginvocation.Thenhespoke.
“WearegatheredheretogetherthiseveninginthespiritoftheNamelessandinaffirmationofthequestforgoodnessandmercyinallthatwedo.”
Theopeninghymnwas“PrideLeadethtoaFall.”I
merelymouthedthewords,mainlybecauseIwasinfactproudandunwillingtohaveothershearjusthowbadlyIdidsing.
AfterthatwastheConfession.
“WedonotnameYou,fornamingisapresumption,andwewouldnotpresumeuponthecreatorofallthatwas,is,andwillbe.Wedonotpray
toYou,noraskfavorsorrecognitionfromYou,forrequestingsuchasksYoutofavorusoverotherswhoarealsoYourcreations.Ratherweconfessthatwealwaysriskthesinsofprideandpresumptionandthattheverynameswebearsymbolizethosesins,forwetoooftenstrivetoarrogateournamesandourselvesaboveothers,toinsistthatourpettyplansand
aridachievementshavemeaningbeyondthosewhomweloveoroverwhomwehaveinfluenceandpower.LetusneverforgetthatwearelessthannothingagainstYournamelessmagnificenceandthatallthatweareisagifttobecherishedandtreasured,andthatwemustalsorespectandcherishthegiftsofothers,incelebrationofYouwhocannotbenamed
orknown,onlyrespectedandworshipped.”
“Inpeaceandharmony,”weallchorused.
Thencametheoffertorybaskets,followedbyChoristerAknotyn’sascensiontothepulpitforthehomily.“Goodevening.”
“Goodevening,”camethereply.
“Anditisagoodevening,forundertheNamelessalleveningsaregood,eventhosethatseemlessthanmarvelous...andweallknowthattherearemanyofthose...”
Aknotyn’sdryasidebroughtlowmurmursoflaughtertothecongregation.
“TheotherdayayoungsteraskedmewhywedonotnametheNameless,andI
almostrepeatedtheConfessiontohim,butIrealizedthathewasaskingwhatreallywasbehindtheConfession.Whileourmeetingplace,theanomen,meansplaceofnoname,infactwenameeverything,andsooftenwhenwenameit,weassumethatweknowit.Thenamebecomestheidentity,anditisalwaysalimitedidentity.Lookatitinthis
fashion.Youhaveafriend.Let’scallhimFieryn,andwe’llsaythathehasredhairandacertainlackofpatience.EachtimethatyouencounterFierynortalktohimorwatchhim,youbuildamorecompletepictureinyourmind,andwhenFierynisnotaround,ineffect,toyou,thatpictureisFieryn.ButisthepicturereallyFieryn?Doesitincludethetimehespends
withhiscrippledcousin,whomyoudonotknow?Doesitincludetheglasseshehasspenttellingstoriestohisfailingauntwhocannotleaveherbed?Orthetimehedranktoomuchandkickedapoorsimpleton?Yet,bycallinguphisname,wethinkweknowFieryn.Butdowe?
“Usingnamestoexcessandthinkingthatthenameistheindividualisoftencalled
themarkoftheNamer,becauseoneofthegreatsinsinlifeistoacceptthatanameisallthatthereisofreality...
“Now,ifthereissomuchwedonotknowaboutthosewecallfamilyorfriends,howmuchmoreisthereabouttheNameless,whocreatedallthatthereis,thatwecannotknowandwillneverknow?...”
ChoristerAknotynwentontodescribethemagnificenceoftheNamelessandtheunmitigatedpresumptionofmeremortalstoofferanameandthinkthattheymightknowevenafractionofwhattheNamelessmightknoworunderstand.I’dheardsimilarhomiliesbefore,andIcouldn’tsaythatIdisagreed.TheonlythingImighthaveadded,ifonlyinmymind,
wasthequestionofwhethertheNameless,withallthatmagnificence,wouldevenhavecaredwhatIthoughtordid.
WhilethewalkfromtheAnomenD’EstetoBrayerLaneandMasterCaliostrus’sestablishment,evenbythewindingBakers’Lane,wasonlyhalfthedistanceI’dwalkedtogettoFather’s,Ididn’tevenhavetodothat.
MotherhadCharlsyngothatway—andsheslippedmetwosilversaswell,whenFatherwasn’tlooking,justbeforeIgotoutofthecoach.SoIwasn’tallthatchilledbythetimeIreachedmyroom.
755A.L.
Agoodportraitrevealswhatisseen;agreatonealsorevealswhatisnot.
Iwashalfwayintothelast
sittingwithThelyaonafarwarmerandmorepleasantSamedimorning—andthesecondoneinFevier—whenIfoundmyselflookingathereyesagain.I’dbeenworriedaboutthem—nottheshapeortheshadows,butthecoloroftheirises—forthelastseveralsittings.Theproblemwassimple.Hereyesweregreen,butIwaslimitedtozincblue-greenandverdigris,andthe
zincgreenwasn’tintenseenough,andtheverdigriswasfartoofugitivetobeusedforThelya’seyes,evenifIusedatouchofaclearvarnish-glaze.
WhatIreallyneededwasimagers’green,butonlyMasterCaliostrushadthat,alongwiththelapisblue,andtheyweresocostlythatI’dneverseethem,notasajourneyman,andcertainlynot
solongasIworkedinhisstudio.ThemostI’deverseenweretinydollopshereandthere.Still...Iwouldn’tneedallthatmuch.Iglancedtowardtheconvertedancientarmoirethatheldhispigments,thenshookmyhead.
IfIcouldjusthaveusedthetiniestbitofthatbrilliantgreen,andthenshadedtheeyesfromyellow-flecked
zincgreentothebrighterimagers’greenonthesidesofthepupils—rightthere...
Iswallowed.I’ddoneitagain.WhatI’dvisualized,seensoclearlyinmymind,hadappearedonthecanvasbeforeme.Thatwasaformofimaging.Therewasnodoubtaboutit,butexactlywhatusewasimagingthatcouldonlymakesmallchangesinoilpaintsona
canvas?
Icouldn’thelpsmilingasIstudiedthefaceonthecanvas.Thatlittlechangehadmadeallthedifference,bringinghereyesalive,andcreatingasubtlebutclearlinkagebetweenalltheelementsoftheportrait.
Ifinishedjustbeforenoon,afterrefiningjustthehintofanerrantcurlaboveherleft
ear.ThenIsetdownthefine-tippedbrushandsteppedawayfromtheeasel.
“Thankyou,Thelya.We’refinishedfornow,andtodaywasthelastsitting.Theportraitshouldbereadyinafewdays.”
“Itisn’tdonenow?”Shebouncedoffthechair,holdingRemsisotightlythatthecatgaveameowofprotest.
Thegovernessraisedaneyebrow.Sheneverspokewhenagesturewoulddo.
“Someofthebackgroundisn’tfinished,butIdon’tneedyoutositforthat.”
“CanIsee?”
“Youcan...ifyoureallywantto.”
Shestoppedwellshortoftheeasel.“You’resayingthat
Ishouldn’t.”
Thatstoppedme.Forapamperednine-year-oldtocatchthatsuggestedmoreperceptionthanI’dthoughtshehad.Afteramoment,Isaid,“Youcertainlycan,MistressThelya,butI’dratherthatyoubesurprisedwhenyouseethefullycompletedportrait.”
“LikepresentsatYear-
Turn?”
“Somethinglikethat.”
Shenodded.“Icanwait.”Herwordsweremoreaboutherthanabouttheportrait,and,forsomereason,IthoughtaboutChoristerAknotyn’shomilytheweekbefore,aboutthinkingweunderstoodpeoplebecauseweknewtheirnamesandhadseenthemoftenenoughto
believethatwhatwehadseenwasallthattheywere.
“I’msureyoucan.”Ismiled.“Itwon’tbelong.Thankyouforbeingsogoodatthesittings.”Iturnedtothegoverness.“Thankyou.”
“Thequietwasmostrestful.”Herlipsdidnotquitesmile.
OnceThelya,hergoverness,andRemsileft,I
spentabitmoretimejustlookingatthecanvas.Ihadafewthingstofinishalongtheedges,butitwasafineportrait,probablythebestIhaddone.
Atthatmoment,Ostriussteppedintothestudio,bringingwithhimagustofcoldairthatsuggestedthepastseveraldaysofcomparativelymildweatherwereabouttoend.Almostas
iftosaythathedidn’thavetofollowhisfather’srulesaboutkeepingthedoorclosedinwinter,hestoodjustinsidethestudio,holdingthedooropen.“Weneedalittlefresherairinhere.”
“Suityourself,”Ireplied.“Mysitting’sover.”
Heclosedthedoorandwalkedtowardmyeasel,wherehestoppedandglanced
attheportrait.Afteramoment,hesaid,“Notbad.Youalmostgottheskinperfect.”
Muchthatheknew.IhadgottenThelya’spaleskinperfect.Hewouldhaveaddedthefaintesttouchofearthbrownandyellowtoflatterher,butthatwouldhaveleftanyonewithanydiscriminationwhosawtheportraitvaguelyunsatisfied
withoutknowingwhy.“That’sthewayIsawit.”
“Youneedtoseethemthewaytheyseethemselves,Rhenn.That’swhatmakesaportraituristamaster.”
AfteralltheyearswithMasterCaliostrus,IwasgettingtohatethewayOstriustriedtosoundlikehisfather.MasterCaliostrusmightbedemandingorpicky,
butmostofthetimehewaslookingtoimprovewhatIdid—oratleastmakeitmoreattractivetoapatron.Ostriuswasjustusinghisfather’smannerismstoasserthimself,andthattraithadworsenedsincehe’dbeenconfirmedasamaster,ifajuniormaster.“It’scertainlywhatbringsmanyofthemgolds.”
“Goldslast,Rhenn,ifyouhaveenoughofthem.
Reputationisfickle,andskillsvanishwithage.”
Hewasdoubtlessright,butthewayhesaidthewordswasannoying.Iforcedalaugh.“You’resuggestingthatweneedtouseourskillstoamassgoldsbeforethoseskillsfade.”
“Whatelse?”Hewalkedtohispigmentchest,unlockingitandputtingseveralnew
brushesinside.Thenhelockedthechestagain.“Don’tforgettobankthecoalsinthestove.”
“I’lltakecareofit.”
“I’msureyouwill.”Ostriusflashedaninsinceresmileasheleftthestudio.
Itwasn’tthatlongbeforeMasterCaliostrusappeared,whileIwasfinishingthelasttouchesontherust-brown
hangingsattheleftedgeoftheportrait.
“Wheredidyougetthatgreen?”MasterCaliostruspointedtoThelya’seyes.
IknewIshouldn’thavelefttheeyesthatway,buttheywereperfect.“Sir?”
“That’simagers’green.Wereyouinmypaints,Rhennthyl?”
“No,sir.Ithoughtaboutit,butthatwouldhavebeenwrong.”Igavehimanembarrassedsmile.WhatelsecouldIsay?“WhenIwascleaningthestudiolastMeredi...therewasalittledollopofitontheedgeofthesidetable,anditwashard,butIworkedatitwithoilsoverthepastfewdays,andImanagedtoworkinjustalittlebit...Ithought...
well,forhereyes,itseemedperfect.”
“Hmmmph.”Caliostruswalkedtotheoldconvertedarmoirethatheldhispigments.
Thatdidn’tbotherme—ifhewerehonest—becauseIhadn’ttouchedhispigments.Iwouldn’thavedared.Icouldhearhimmumbling.“Nothere...there...
hmmmm.”
Afteratime,hereturnedandscannedtheportraitofThelyaD’Scheorzylminutely,thennodded.“Itisquitegood.Iwouldhavesoftenedherskinatouch,butyouchosetorenderwhatyousaw.Thatmightbebestforachild.”Hesmiled.“Thatway,ifyoudoonelater,youcansoftenit.”Hepaused.“You’llpardonmyconcernaboutthe
eyes,butimagers’greenisalmostasvaluableasliquidsilver.Youmusthaveworkedveryhardtostretchthatsmalldollop.”
“Idid,sir.ItwouldhavebeenbetterifIcouldhaveusedatouchinthecornerofthecat’spupils,but...”Ishruggedhelplessly.“Iwouldn’thavetriedsohard,butIkeptlookingathereyes,andtheyneededtobemore
intense,andthezincgreen,evenwithaglaze...”
“Youdidwhatyoucould,Rhennthyl,andI’mcertainMadameScheorzylwillbepleasedwiththeportrait.”Caliostruspaused.“I’mgladthatyoudidn’ttrytouseverdigris.Theeffectwouldhavefadedinafewyears,evenwithaglaze.”
“I’dthoughtso,sir.”
“Evenwithoutthatlittlebitofimagers’green,youcouldhaveheightenedtheeffectwithalittleyellowochrethere...andthere.”Hisstubbyforefingerpointed.
“Istillcould...andshould,then,sir.”
Henodded.
“Thankyou.”
“Istillhaveafewskills
youhaven’tpickedupyet,Rhennthyl.”
“Morethanafew,sir.”
“You’llbefinishedbyMeredi,readyforframing?”
“Yes,sir.”
Hiseyesdidlingerontheportraitforatimebeforeheturned.“You’llbankthecoals?”
“OnceI’mdone,yes,sir.”
“Good.”
Ididtakehissuggestionsabouttheochreyellow,andittookalmostaglasstogetitright.BythenIwasreadytoleave.IdidhaveenoughcopperstogotoLapinina,andwhoknew,theremightevenbeaprettyfacethere.
755A.L.
Happinesscannotbepursuedthroughart,norartthroughhappiness.
Theyoungerunmarried
craftersandartisansgottogetherintheGuildHallthenexttothelastSamediofeverymonth,thetwenty-eighthofthemonth.Itwasn’tanythingorganizedbytheguilds,exactly,buttheydidletususeacornerofthehallwithoutacharge,evenforthetwoguards.Thereweremusicians,andwe’dpassahatforthem,andeveryoneusuallyhadagoodtime—or
atleastatimeawayfromtheworriesoftheweek.
ThatFevierSamedi,Iwasstandingbytheouterwallofthehall,talkingwithRogarisandDolemis,whilewesharedabottleofFystian,awhitevintageperhapsahalfstepaboveplonk.Rogarisheldthebottle,asalways,nomatterwhohadboughtit—me,inthiscase.
“...youthinkthisCaenenanthingwillleadtowar?”DolemiskeptlookingpastusatYvette,assheswirledpastinthearmsofsomeoneIdidn’tknow.Yvettehadbeenhisgirlforyears—untilshe’dsuggestedformalizingthearrangement.
“WhatCaenenanthing?”askedRogaris,takingaswigoftheFystian.
“TheCaenenanenvoythreatenedthatthey’dkillanyofourpeoplewhoblasphemedtheirgodorgoddessordualityorwhatever,”Isaid.“Thatwasweeksago.”
“No...theydid,”Dolemisexplained.“Itwasinthenewsheetsthisafternoon.SomeclerkintheembassyinCaenaburstoutlaughingatoneoftheirreligious
processions,andtheirarmitesloppedoffhisheadonthespot.TheCouncilisdebatingthematter.”
“Cutoffhisheadforlaughing?”askedRogaris.“Youcan’tbeserious.”
“Whatdoyouexpectfrompeoplewhoarearrogantenoughtonametheirgod?”Ihadmorethanalittlescornforpeoplewhothoughtagod
caredwhethertheyatecertainfoodsoncertaindaysorwhobelievedthatpeoplewouldbeblessedorcursedorliveforeverorbetorturedforeternityiftheydidn’tfollowasetofruleslaiddownbysomedeadprophetoranother.Iftherehappenedtobeanall-powerfulandalmightydeity—andIhadmydoubts—heorsheoritorwhateverwasn’tabouttocare
aboutwhofollowedwhatdogma.
“Everyone’snotlikeus,”Rogarissaid.“Mostofthemarestupider,andthat’snotgivingusSolidaransmuchcredit.”
“YouthinktheCouncilwillsendimagers?”askedDolemis.
HowwouldIknowthat?Ididn’tevenknowwhatan
imagercouldreallydoinawar,exceptIknewnoonemuchwantedastrongoneagainstthem—buttherehadn’teverbeenthatmanywarimagers,notfromwhatI’dreadinthehistories,notsinceRexRegis,whenhisunknownimagerhaddonestrangethingswithwalls.IhadnoideaiftherewereanyattheCollegiumImagonow.Isupposedthatwasn’t
somethinganyonewouldwanttoreveal.
“Rhenn!Comedancewithme!”calledSeliora.Shehadjet-blackhairandeyestomatch,andsheworeablackjacketwithcrimsontrimaboveacrimsonskirtandblackdancingboots.I’dheardthatsheworkedasanupholstererandembroidererforoneofthefurniturecraftersintheartisans’area
offNordroadnorthoftheBoulevardD’Este,butshe’dneversaid,andIhadn’tasked.“You’vetalkedlongenough.”
“Ifyouwouldexcuseme,”Isaid,“I’mbeingsummonedbyaprettywoman,andthatdoesn’thappenthatoften.”
“Itwouldifyou’dletit,”quippedRogaris.
“Youneversaidwhatyou
thoughtwouldhappeninCaenen,”protestedDolemis.
“We’llsendshipsandtroops,andpeoplewillfightanddie,andthey’llstilllopoffheads,andthenwe’lleitherkillenoughofthemthatthey’llstopdoingit,ortheywon’t,andthenwe’lllosemoretroopsuntilwequitanddeclarevictory.”IcalledthelastwordsovermyshoulderasIhurriedtoward
Seliora.
“Declarevictoryaboutwhat?”SelioraaskedasIslippedmyarmaroundherwaistandbegantodancewithher,ignoringthefactthatthewaltzseemedabitfasttome.
“TheCaenenans...politics,again.”Ireallydidn’twanttotalkaboutit.IsupposedIcouldbeconscriptediftheCouncil
declaredwar,buttheyusuallydidn’tconscriptjourneymenartisansorcrafters.Apprenticeswereoftenconscripted,aswerejourneymenwithoutmasters.
“Dolemisalwaystalkspolitics.Yvettesaidheevenmumbledabouttheminhissleep.”
“Sheactuallylistened?”
“Ithinkthatwasthe
trouble.”
“Well,hecan’tdoanythingaboutit,notunlessheworksandbecomesacraftmaster,becausetheCounciliselectedfromtheguilds,thefactors’associations,andtheHighHolders,andyouhavetobeacraftmastertobeeligible,andheneverwillbebecausehespendstoomuchtimetalkingaboutpoliticsratherthancraftingcabinetsforSasol,”I
addedwithalaugh.
Foratime,Ididnotspeak,justenjoyeddancingandholdingSeliora.Shewasn’tslender,butcertainlynotheavy,rathermuscular.Ienjoyedseeinghersmile.Overthepastyear,wehadtalkedanddancedoccasionally,andIknewshewasinterestedinme...atleastalittlebit.
Whenthemusiciansstopped,sodidwe,butshedidn’tmoveaway,andneitherdidI.
Shelookedupatme.“Everyonesaysyouthinkyou’retoogoodtohaveagirlwhomighthaveactuallylivedwithinafewstreetsofthetaudisorthePharsis.”
Ihadtolaugh.“ThefirstgirlthatIfellinlovewith
wasaPharsi.”
“Howoldwereyou?Five?”Selioraquippedback.
“Morelikethirteen.”
“AndIsupposeyouthrewheroverforsomefactor’stwit?”
“No.Shethrewmeoverforsomefactor’stwit,ratherquickly.Shemarriedmyyoungerbrotheralmosttwo
yearsago.Shesaidthatwhenshesawhim,ithadtobe.”
Selioralookedhardatme.“Isthatajoke?”
“No.They’reexpectingtheirfirstchildthissummer.TheyliveinKherseillesnow.”
Themusiciansbeganagain,thistimeafastvariana,andSelioratookmyhand.“Anotherdance.”Herwords
weren’tarequest,butIwashappytocomply,andshesaidnothingmoreaswemovedtothebeatofthemusic.
Whenthemusiciansstopped,Iwasbreathingalittlefasterthanusual.
“Youshouldn’tletthatspoilthings,”shesaid.“You’regood-looking.Rogarissaysyourworkis
goodenoughthatbeforeallthatlongyou’llbeamasterartistwithyourownstudio.”
“Atleastthreemoreyears,andhe’sbeingkind.”
“Rogaris?”Selioralaughed.
Shehadapoint,butIshookmyhead.“It’snotjustthat.I’mjustbeginningtogetcommissions,andthey’restillnotallthatfrequent.How
couldIsupportawifeorafamily?”
“Somewomendomakemorethanafewcoinsinhonestwork.”Shesmiledwarmly.
“I’mmostcertainyoudo.”
“Andbeingmarrieddoesn’tmeanyouhavetohaveafamilyrightaway.”
“That’strue.”Igrinnedat
her.“Areyouaskingmetoproposetoyou?”
Selioraactuallyloweredhereyes,ifonlyforamoment.“IampartPharsi,ifthathelps.Mygrandmotherwasone.ShecametoL’Excelsisasaservant.”
“Ifyoutakeafterher,Idoubtshestayedoneverylong.”
“No,shedidn’t.Shewas
theonewhostartedthebusiness.”
“You...yourfamily...?”Ihadn’trealizedthat.
“PapaandAuntAeginaarethemastercrafters.Theymakethechairsandthesettees.MamaandIchoosethefabricsanddotheadditionalembroiderydesigns.”
Ihadwonderedaboutthe
factthatSeliorawasusuallybetterdressedthantheotheryoungwomen,butI’dlearnedthatsomewomenspenteverylastcopperonclothes.
Iinclinedmyhead.“I’m—”
“Pleasedon’ttellanyone,especiallyDolemis.He’saterriblegossip.”
Themusicresumed,anotherwaltz,aslowerone,
andIturnedtoher.“Istillwouldhaveaskedforanotherdance.”
Shesmiled.“Iknow.IdoforetellmorethanIsay.”
Wespentmostoftheeveningdancing,andIdidwalkherandtwoofherfriendshome,evenifitmeantanevenlongerandcolderwalkbackouttheBoulevardD’EstetoMasterCaliostrus’s
establishment.Theentireway,Iwonderedwhatshehadforetoldthatshehadn’tsaid.
755A.L.
Flatteryisalmostalwaysperceivedaseitheraccurate
orjustified.
OnJeudiafternoon,Iwasin
theworkshedpowderingredochre,usingtheancientmortarandpestlethatlookedasthoughtheyhadbeeninMasterCaliostrus’sfamilyforgenerations.Despitethesunlightoutside,achillbreezeseepedthroughthebareplankwalls.Powderinghardredochrewassweatywork.Thechillmadeitevenlesspleasant,especiallyifIcrusheditandtwistedthe
pestletoohard,becausethensomeofthepowderseepedintotheairandthenstucktomysweat.Later,itgotcoldanditchy,andscratchingjustmadeitworse.
IconsoledmyselfthatthesituationwasonlytemporarybecauseStanushadfinallyrunoff,afterthrowingabucketofhotivory-blackscrapsatOstrius.ThescrapshadburnedholesinOstrius’s
shirtandgivenhimseveralweltsonhisneck,butitwouldhavebeenworsehadnotOstriusbeenwearingaleatherworkingvest.IfthecivicpatrollerscaughtpoorStanus,he’dspendatleastayearinthemines,but,intheinterim,assumingthatMasterCaliostruscouldfindandacceptanotherapprentice,everyoneexpectedmetodoalltheapprenticechoresas
wellasmyown,nottomentionpaintingwhatevercommissionsmightcomemyway,notthatIhadanyatthemoment.
Still...theScheorzylportraithadturnedoutwell,andI’devengottenahalf-goldbonus.IhadtowonderhowmuchextratheScheorzylshadpaidCaliostrus.Butmynamewasgettingaround—atleastto
familieswithdaughterswholikedcats.
Everyoneinthehouseholdwasedgythatmorning.AsI’dleftthetableafterbreakfast,MadameCaliostrushadmurmuredsomethingtoherhusbandthathadsoundedlike“yourworthlessbrotherskulkingaroundhereagain.”I’dknownCaliostrushadabrother,andI’devenseenhimafewtimesoverthe
years—andsmelledhim,reekingofplonksocheapthatnoteventhepoorestapprenticewouldhavedrunkit.Thatmorning,Caliostrushadsnappedback,butIhadn’theardwhathe’dsaid.I’djustwantedtogetawaybeforeOstriusmadeanothercommentaboutmylackofforesight,especiallysinceitwasreallyhisshortsightedness,notthat
he’deveradmitit.
Icheckedthepowder.Stilltoocoarse,butgettingclosertowhatwasnecessarytomixwiththeoilandwaxthatweremeltingoverthesmallironmixingstoveinthecorner.Iwentbacktogrinding,wishingthatStanuswerestillaround,orthatCaliostruswouldgetanotherapprenticesothatIdidn’thavetodoeverything.
Thesheddooropened,andagustofwindswirledochrepowderuparoundme,andIbegantosneeze.
Ostriusstoodthere,gloweringatme.“Howlongwillitbebeforeyoucanmixupthepigment?”
AfterIcouldstopsneezing,Ijustlookedathim,noticingthathe’dreplacedthedressingcoveringtheburnon
hisneck.
“Answerme.Whenwillwehaveredochrepigment?”
“Notuntiltomorrow.Iwon’thaveenoughpowderuntillatertoday,andthenitwillhavetobeblendedandcooled...”
“Youshouldhavegottentothisearlier.”Heglaredatme.“We’rebothwaitingforthepigment.”
“Noonetoldmeuntilthismorning.”Ididn’tpointoutthattalkingtohimslowedmedown—orthathe’dbeentheonetousealltheredochrepigmentforhisportraitofHighChoristerThalytandthathehadn’tbotheredtotellanyonethattherehadn’tbeenmorethanapaletteknife’sworthofitremaining.
“Youshouldhaveknown.”
WhatcouldIsaythatwouldn’tmakehimevenangrier?EspeciallysinceOstriushadneverbeenthetypetolistentoreasonorconsiderhimselfthecauseofanything.He’dbeenthecauseoftheproblemwithhisattitudeandhismistreatmentofStanus,notthathe’deverbeenpleasanttome,either,butIhadtheadvantageofhavingparentswhohadsome
position,unlikepoorStanus,whosefatherwasdeadandwhosemotherwasaseamstress.
Withalastglareatme,hestalkedoff,leavingtheworksheddooropen.Ofcourse,thewindgustedagainandblewsomeofthefinerpowderI’djustgroundrightoutofthepestleanduparoundme.Ibegantosneezemore,andbythetimeIgot
thedoorclosed,I’dprobablylosthalfacup’sworthofgroundochrepowder.Atthatmoment,IwouldhavelikedtostrapOstriustoaworktableandthenslowlypourfineochrepowderdownhisthroatandnostrilsuntilhechokedtodeath.
Irecoveredsomeofthepowderfromthebenchtopbesidethemortar,andthenwentbacktowork.ButIkept
havingtostopandsneeze.Therewasnohelpforit.Ineededtobrushthefinegritandpowderoffmeandwashmyhandsandface,orI’dnevergetmuchdone.
Aftercarefullyandquicklyopeningandclosingthesheddoorbehindme,Iwalkedtowardtheservicepumphouseinthecorner,pastthelowwallthatseparatedthegardenfromthemore
mundaneandlessattractiveworkingareasofMasterCaliostrus’sestablishment.
Despitethechillandthewind,Shiennawaspruningthebare-branchedgrapevines—eventheleaveswereused,mainlyforthedolmadeshermothermadeandwhichoneenjoyedthefirstseveraltimestheywereserved,butwhichbecamelessthanentrancingbytheonsetofspring.Some
ofthelessperfectleaveswereusedwithcopperplatesformakingverdigris,butthatgreenpigmentwasusedonlyforquicktreatments,becauseitwassofugitiveifexposedforlongtobrightlight.
Shiennawasasweetgirl,unlikeherelderbrother,buttosaythatshewasplainwouldhavebeenanexaggerationthatnotevenanimagercouldhave
transformedintotruth.
Still,shewassweet,andIdidsmile.“MistressShienna,howlovelyyourcheekstoday,likethepalenessofafreshwhitepeach...”
“They’rewind-chappedandred,butyou’realwayssodear,Rhenn.Idon’tbelieveaword,butthekindnessisappreciated.”
“Andyourhairshimmers
withalustrebeyondthatofthegreatermooninthefullnessofharvest.”Ihaveneverheldmyselftobeboundbythedictatesoffoolishconsistency,particularlywhendealingwithyoungwomen—except,strangely,forSeliora—sincemostsooftenprofessedwhattheyesteemedinaman,andthenbeddedhisexactopposite,whilerefusingthe
manwhoembodiedwhattheysaidtheyprofessed.
InconsistencyIdidnotcondemn,norevenfoolishness,butthehypocrisyofprofessinganideal,whateveritmightbe,anddefendingitverballyandvociferously,whilesecretlybetrayingitbybehavior,Igenerallyfounddisgusting.Unlesssuchbetrayalwasaccomplishedwithsuchwit
andgracethatitmightbetermedadmirable,andthenitwaswhatonemightcallpolishedevil.
“Rhenn!”Ostriuscalledfromoneofthestudiowindowsoverlookingtherearcourtyard.“Youarenotgrindingorpowderingwhenyouarejawing!”
Ilookedupandsmiledpolitely.“Ican’tpowder
whenI’msneezingbecausesomeoneopenedthedoorandblewpowderalloverme.”
Caliostrusappearedinthewindowbesidehisson.“Noexcuses,now,Rennthyl!”
“Yes,sir.”Imanagednottogrimaceorgritmyteeth,butIwouldhavelikedtosubmergebothoftheminpoweredochre.
“Don’tmindFather,”
Shiennamurmured.“Helikestoshoutbecauseitproveshecan.”
“Heisthemasterportraiturist,”Ireplied.
“Well,justdon’tstandthere!”Caliostrusshouteddown.
Ikeptmylipstogetherandresumedmyprogresstowardtheservicepumphouse,imaginingbothCaliostrusand
hisworthlesseldersonbeingconsumedbyanexplosionofparaffinfromacontainerheatedtoohotonthestudiostovebecauseOstriuswastoolazytocheckit...flamingwaxeverywhere,andfirewashingoverthem...
Whhoosshh!
IturnedtoseeflamesexplodingthroughtheopenwindowwhereCaliostrushad
beenamomentbefore.
Foramoment,Ijuststoodthere,frozen.
Crumpp!Somesortofexplosion,asmallone,shooktheupperlevel.Asfragmentsofglassandsometilefragmentspatteredonthepavement,mymouthdroppedopen.Theentiresecondfloorofthebuilding—thestudiolevel—hadbecomeamassof
flame,andtheflameswererisinghigher.
“Mother!Marcyl!”screamedShienna.
Irantowardtheoutsidestepsandsprintedupthem,tryingtoignoretheheatradiatingpastmeasIscrambledupwardpastthesecondleveluptothefamilyquarters.
Olavyastumbledoutofthe
upperdoorway.“Father!”
“Where’syourmother?”Idemanded.
“Inside...Marcyl’ssick.”
IonlytooktwostepsintothekitchenareabeforeIalmostranintoAlmaya,whowashalf-pulling,half-draggingMarcyl.Ijustgrabbedhimfromherandstaggeredbackoutsideanddownthesteps.Icouldfeel
andsmellmyhairbeingcrispedasIhurrieddownpastthesecondlevel.Icouldalsosmellanothersickeninglysweetsmell,andIcouldbarelykeepfromretchingasIcarriedMarcylintothefarcornerofthecourtyard,whereIsethimdown.
SomewhereinthedistanceIcouldhearthefirebellsringing.Iknewthatnothingwouldstoptheconflagration
alreadyragingthroughthebuilding.Then...Ididretch.
755A.L.
Imagescreatetheirownmemories.
Thefirebrigadearrived,butallthattheyandwecoulddo
wastopumpwaterovertherestofthecourtyardtokeepthefirefromspreading.Thefireconsumedeverythingsoquicklythat,wellbeforesunset,onlytheblackenedstonewallsstood,thebareremnantsofwhathadoncebeenMasterCaliostrus’sstudio,dwelling,gallery,andapprenticeandjourneymanquarters.MadameCaliostrushadlostherhusbandand
eldestson,allthepaintings,andpossiblyallthecoinsinthestrongbox.Comparedtothem,I’dlostnearlynothing—myclothing,whatbrushesandpaintsweremine,andclosetotwogoldsincoin.
I’dthoughtaboutparaffinexplodingalloverOstriusandconsuminghiminfire...but...howcouldIhaveimagedthat?AllI’deverdoneinthewayofimaging
weretinythingslikechangingthepositionofafewbrushstrokesofoilonacanvas.Itdidn’tseempossiblethatI’ddonethat.HowcouldIhavedoneit?Paraffinandwaxcouldexplodeintofireifnotwatchedclosely—andOstriuswasseldomascarefulasheshouldhavebeen.Yet...therehadbeenthelampI’dfoundburningonthedressing
chest.Butwhataboutthatsecondexplosion?Whathadbeenupinthestudiothatcouldhaveexplodedsoquickly?
Inthetwilight,colderthanusualforearlyMaris,thewateronthecourtyardstoneswasbeginningtofreezeincornersthathadbeenshaded,andIhadtostepcarefullyasIapproachedMadameCaliostrus.Herfacewasmore
linedthanIrecalled,andhereyeswerefocusedsomewhereelse.
“I’msosorry.”
Sheshookherself.“Youdidwhatyoucould.Idon’tknowifIcouldhavegottenMarcyloutwithoutyourhelp.”Shepaused.“Whatwillyoudo?There’snothing...nothinghere.”
“Icanlivewithmyparents
foralittlewhile.PerhapsIcanfindanotherportraituremaster.Or...”Ididn’tknowwhatelseImightdo,becauseI’dhavetostartoverasajourneymanwithsomeoneelse—ifthey’devenhaveme.ButIdidn’treallywanttogointothewooltrade.I’dendupworkingforRousel,becausehewasbetteratit.Thatjustwouldhavebeentoomuch.“Whataboutyou?”I
hadtoask.
“Mysister...shecanhelp.Theyhavespace.”Tearsbegantowellinthecornersofhereyes.“Caliostrus...Ostrius...howcouldithavehappened?Caliostruswassocareful.”
Ididn’twanttopointoutthatOstriuswasn’t,notbecausehersonhadbeencareful,becauseheseldom
was,butbecause...haditreallybeenhisdoing?Ihadahardtimebelievingthatawishful,ifhateful,mentalimageofminehadcreatedafireandthenanexplosion,butIalsohadanequallydifficulttimethinkingparaffincouldexplodesoviolentlyandquicklywithoutMasterCaliostrusnoticingsomethingbeforeithappened.
“Idon’tknow.Iwasdownintheshedgrindingochre,andIhadbeenalmostallday.”
Intheend,Isaidgood-byeandslippedaway,walkingthroughthecoldtwilight,shiveringasIdid,becausemywarmcoathadalsogoneupinsmoke.Spotsonthebackofmyneckofferedhotandpainfultwinges.
MyearsandfingersandnosewerenumbbythetimeIusedtheknockeratmyparents’house.Eventheburnsonmyneckwerenumb.
Nellicaopenedthedoor.“Youngsir.”Shelookedaskanceatme.“Ah...wereyou...thereisadinner.”
“JusttellmyparentsthatI’mherebecauseof
unexpectedcircumstances...veryunexpected.”Ididn’tasktocomein.Iwastoocoldtoask.Ijuststeppedintothefrontfoyer.
“Yes,sir.”Sheeasedbacktowardthediningchamber,whereIcouldhearlaughter.
Almostimmediately,Fatherbustledout,andIcouldsensehisglareevenbeforeIcouldseeit.Mother
trailedhim,herbrowsknitinworry.
“Rhennthyl!Whatareyoudoinghere?”demandedFather.“DidMasterCaliostrusthrowyouout?Itoldyou—”
“Chenkyr...lethimspeak.He’sshivering,andhe’snotevenwearingajacket.Andhisclothesarecoveredinsoot.”
Ihadn’tevenreallynoticedthat.“Therewasafire.Iwasinthecourtyardgrindingandpowderingpigments.Therewasanexplosionandtheentiresecondlevel—thatwasthestudiolevel—explodedinflames.MasterCaliostrusandOstriusdiedinthefireortheexplosion.Thewholebuildingwasdestroyed,thestudio,thequarters,thefamilyspaces.Ihelpedthe
familyescapetheflames,andtriedtoassistthefirebrigade.”Ishrugged.“Ihavewhatyousee.”
Father,foronce,wastakenabackenoughthathewassilentforamoment.“Isee.”
“Ifyouwouldnotmindmysleepingsomewherehere...”
“Culthynhasyouroldroom.Youknewthat,”Mothersaidquickly,“butthe
chamberswhereRouselandRemayastayedareavailable.They’reabitmusty...becauseweweren’texpectingthemuntilthefirstweekinAvryl.Rouseldoesn’twanttoleaveheralonewhilesheisexpecting,andhehastocomebacktoworkouttherestoftheyear’sshipments.”
“Mustyisfine,”Isaid.Anythingwasfineatthemoment.
SheturnedtoFather.“Youtakecareoftheguests.I’llbewithyoushortly.”
“Ah...yes.”Henoddedtome.“I’mgladtoseeyou’reallright.We’lltalklater.”
Motherwaitedamoment,untilFatherhadclosedthedooroffthehallwayintothediningchamber.“Areyouallright?”Shelookedintentlyatme.
“AsrightasIcanbe.”ConsideringthatImighthaveimagedtheexplosionthatkilledmymasterandhisson,consideringI’dlosteverythingIhadpersonally—exceptfortheclothesonmybackandaweddingsuit—andconsideringthatIhadnoideawhetherIcouldfindaplacewithanothermasterartist...orwhatImightdo,giventhefactthat,ifIhad
imagedtheexplosion,whatIhaddonewaseffectivelymurder,aswellasanoffenseagainsttheCollegiumImago.
“You’refreezing.I’llhaveNellicagetyouaplateandsomehotfood,andsomespicedwine.Youcaneatinthefamilyparlor,rightinfrontofthestove.It’sstillwarm,andI’llhaveherfindyousomedryandwarmclothes.We’llseeyouafter
ourguestsleave.They’remostimportantforyourfather.He’sinterestedinalargecontractfortheNavy.”
“You’dbetterseetothem.”
“AfterImakesureyougetfedandwarm.”
BeforelongIwaswrappedinaheavywoolrobeinfrontoftheparlorstovewithaplatterofchickennaranjeandbasamaticricewithorange
sauce.Iateslowly,tryingtothinkmattersthrough.
EvenifIhadimagedthefireintobeing,IhadnotreallymeanttokillMasterCaliostrus,butIcouldnotsaythatofOstrius.Yetintendedornot,thedeedhadbeendone,andIneededtodiscoverwhatelseImightimage,forIwasnotabouttotraveltheBridgeofHopesandmakemycasetothe
imagersthatIshouldbeconsideredfortheirCollegiumonthebasisofanimagethathadkilledtwomen.
“Hereissomemoreofthehotspicedwine,sir...”offeredNellica,pouringsomeintothemugonthesidetable.
“Oh...thankyou.”
“Wasitaterriblefire,sir?”
“I’mafraiditwas,Nellica.MasterCaliostrusandhissonOstriusdied.Iwasworkingdowninthegrindingshedwhenithappened,orImighthavebeenburnedorinjured.”
“Sir...there’saburnortwo,littleones,itlookslike,onthebackofyourneck.AfterIservethedessert,Icangetsomeointment...andsomewarmwater.”
“Thankyou.Thatwouldbegood.”
Whensheleft,Itookanothersipofthehotspicedwine.
Myparentswouldhousemeforafewweeks,butcertainlynotlonger,notunlessIhadsomethingfirminmind,andnotwithoutmorethanafewquestions,andmorethanalittlepressure
toreturntothefold,sotospeak.
Itriedtowaitforthem,buttheirdinnerwentonandon.SoIdecidedgobacktothemain-floorguestchamber.Nellicahadsetoutwaterandtowels,andthewaterwasstillwarm.Iwashedupandthensatdownintheonearmchair.IthoughtImighttrytoseeifIcouldimagesomething,butIwassotiredthatmyeyes
keptclosing,andIfinallyjuststumbledovertothebedandclimbedunderthecoversandwenttosleep.
BeforeIknewit,NellicawasknockingonthechamberdooronVendreimorning.
“Yourparentswouldliketoknowifyouwouldcaretojointhemforbreakfast.”
Thatwasasclosetoasummonsaspossible,andI
struggledawake,finallymumbling,“Ifyou’dtellthemthatI’llbethereinjustafewmoments.”
“ThatIwill,sir.”
Ijustpulledontheheavyrobeandsomeslippersthathadbeenleftandpaddeddownthebackhallway.Theywerebothinthebreakfastroom.
Mothersetdownhertea.
“Areyoufeelingbetterthismorning,dear?”
“I’mstilltiredandsleepy,”Iadmitted,settlingintothechairatthesideoftheovaltable.
Nellicaimmediatelysetalargemugofsteamingteainfrontofme,toohoteventosip.
“Icancertainlyunderstand,dear,seeingafirelikethat
andhelpingfightit,andthenwalkingallthewayhereinthecold.”Mothersniffed,butsympathetically.
Fatherfinishedchewingamouthfulofwhatlookedsuspiciouslyliketroutandeggsoufflé,tookaswallowoftea,andclearedhisthroat.
Iputmyhands,stillcold,aroundthemugofteaandwaitedfortheonslaught.
“It’scleartheportraiturebusinesswasn’tforyou,”Fathersaidbriskly.“Thesesortsofthings,tragicastheymaybe,aren’ttobeignoredasportents.Ialsoheardyouhadthebestpaintinginthejourneyman’scompetition,butthatitwasn’tpickedbecauseitwastoo...unconventional.”
Thereferencetomypaintingofthechessboard
surprisedme.Ihadn’tmentionedittohimortoMotherorRousel.“Whotoldyouthat?”
“Idohavemysources,Rhenn.Merelybeinggoodatfiguresandtradeisn’tsufficienttosucceed,especiallynotinL’Excelsis.”
“Itakeitthatyourdinnerwassuccessfullastnight?”
“That’slikely,butonly
timewilltell.”Hefixedbothofhisslightlybulbouseyesonme.“Letusnotchangethesubject.Whatdoyouplantodo?”
“IcouldsaythatIhadn’tthoughtaboutit,”Iadmitted,“butthatwouldn’tbetrue.Ihavethoughtaboutit,butIhaven’tcometoadecision.”
“What’stodecide?”Hesnorted.“Youdon’thavetwo
silverstorubtogether,letalonethefivegoldsnecessarytopayforanotherjourneyman’spositionwithamaster,andthat’sifyoucouldfindonewillingtotakeyouon.”
“I’magoodportraiturist,”Ipointedout.
“No,son...you’rebetterthangood.IsawtheoneyoudidofMasgaylFactorius.He
boastedofwhatagreatportraititwasandhowlittleitcosthim.Yourabilityisyourproblem.You’rebetterthanmanywhoaremasters.Whywouldtheywanttoraiseupsomeonewhocouldcompeteagainstthemforpatronsassoonasyoubecameamaster?You’regoodenoughthattheguildcouldn’tpossiblyturnyoudown,evennow.Thatmeans
thatnoonewilltakeyouasajourneyman.Thosewhomightwillfearretaliationfromtheothers,andIcouldn’taffordthegiftsrequiredtogetyouaccepted.Itwascostlyenoughwhenyouwerejustatalentedstudentcomingoutofgrammaire.Now...”Heshookhishead.
“Iwasn’tasking.”
“Iknowyouweren’t.Thatwasn’tmypoint.WhatIwastryingtogetacrosswasthatifIcan’taffordthat...youcouldn’t,either.”Hetookadeepbreath.“Butyou’lllikelynotlistentome,notyet.I’dsuggestthatyoumaketheroundsofsomeoftheothermastersandseewhatreactionyouget.Then,we’lltalk.”Hepushedbackhischair.“Takeyourtime.
You’llneedtobesure,andIneedyoutounderstandhowmattersstand.”Thenhestoodandsmiled,anditwasn’tacruelsmile,butonethatwasalmostsad.
Howmattersstood?Evenwithhissources,hehadn’thalftheideaofwherematterstrulystood.Yet...whatifhewerewrong?Iwasagoodartist.Whatifsomeonewouldtakemeon?HowwouldI
knowifIdidn’tatleastask?
“Allofus,allofus,Rhenn,wedowhatwecan.You’llfindthat’strueforyouaswell.”
Ijustwatchedasheturnedandleft.
“He’sjusttryingtobehelpful,Rhenn.”
“Iknow.”AndIdid,butIwasn’tfindinghisattitudeas
helpfulashethoughtitwas.WhatwasIsupposedtodo?ComecrawlingbacktothefactoringbusinessandworkformyyoungerbrotheratsomethingforwhichIhadlittletalentandevenlessinclination?OrthrowmyselfonthemercyoftheimagersofImagisle?Whoknewiftheyevenhadmercy?
Afterfinishingbreakfast,silently,Iwashedup,and
changedintosomeolderclothesthathadbeensomeone’s,possiblymyfather’sormylateuncle’s.I’dhavetogetanotherrazor,andmorethanafewotheritems,assumingIcouldbegorborrowthecoinsfrommyparents.
ThenIsatdowninthechairandtriedtoimageasmallbox.Nothinghappened.
Iwalkedovertothedressingtableandpickedupapolishedbonehaircomb—probablyoneofapairofRemaya’sthatshe’dleftononeoftheirvisitsbecauseshe’dbrokenorlostthemate.Isetitdownandstudiedit,thenconcentrated,tryingtoimageitsmate,lyingonthepolishedwoodofthedressingtablebesidethefirst.Ididn’tseeanythinghappen,but
then,asifithadbeenthereallalong,apairofcombsrestedonthewood.
I’dleavethem,ofcourse,ifonlytoconfoundRouselandRemaya,exceptthatthey’dprobablyjustassumethatsomeonehadfoundorrepairedthebrokencomb.
ThatprovedtomethatIcouldimagesomethingbeyondoilsoncanvas.Italso
reinforcedthelikelihoodthatI’dbeenguiltyofkillingtwomen,evenifithadbeenunintentional.
IfIwantedtokeeppainting,Istillneededtotalktosomeoftheotherportraituristmasters.
755A.L.
Intruthliesfalsity,infalsitytruth.
Chasys’sstudiowastheclosestofanyofthe
portraituristmasters’studiostomyparents,butitwasstillalongwalktoDaravinWay,Thankfully,themorningwassunny,andtheblusterywindofthedaybeforehaddieddown.Evenso,myfeetwerecoldbythetimeIstoppedoutsidethesmalltwo-storydwellingthatheldquartersandstudio.
Iusedthebronzeknockerontheoutsidestudiodoor,
expectingSagaryntobetheonetogreetme,butChasyshimselfappeared.Hewasathinfigure,slightlytallerthanIwas,butnoonewouldhavethoughtso,becausehewasalwaysstoopedover.Hisgrayingbrownhairwasfrizzyallover,buttrimmedshort.Heworealeatherapron.
“Rhennthyl,isit?”Hesteppedbackandheldthedooropen.“Mightaswell
comeinandgetwarmedup.”
“Thankyou.”
Chasysclosedthedoor.Beyondhimwasthestudio,aspacelessthanaquarterthesizeIhadworkedinwithMasterCaliostrus.Ontheeaselwasaportrait,scarcelybegun,butIcouldtellthatitwasofayoungmatron,notthatIwouldhaverecognizedmanywiththegoldsto
commissionsuchawork.
“AfterIheardwhathappenedtooldCaliostrus...”Heshookhishead.“Alwaysknewhewasspoilingthatboy...man,Iguesshewas.”Thenhelookedsquarelyatme.“Sagarynthoughtyoumightbeaskingaround.Ilikedthatstudyyouenteredinthecompetition,thatIdid.”
IhadthefeelingIknewwhatwascoming,butIjustsaid,“Thankyou,MasterChasys.”
“It’snotthatIcouldn’tuseanotherjourneyman,especiallyonewithyourskills,but...we’vebarelygotenoughworkthesedaysforSagarynandme.Ihaven’tseensolittleworkinmaybeten-twelveyears,andit’snotjustme.JacquerlandTeibyn
weresayingthesame.”
Thatdidn’tsurpriseme,becauseSagarynhadmentionedthattimesweresometimestight,butIhadtostartsomewhere.“Isthereamasteryoumightsuggest?”
Chasyscockedhishead,thenfrowned.“Idon’tknowaboutEstafenorKocteault.”
“I’veseenKocteault’splace,butnotMaster
Estafen’s...”
“Estafen...youwalkedwithinfiftyyardsofhisplacecominghere.He’sonBeidalt—theshortplacejustbeyondtheendofBakers’Lane.”
SinceEstafenwasnearer,thatwaswhereIwentnext,afarshorterwalk.
Anapprenticeopenedthesidedoortothestudio,paintedwhiteandtrimmed
withthethinnestlineofgreen—zincgreen,butgreen,nonetheless.MostdoorsinL’Excelsiswereeitherstainedandoiledorpaintedonecolor.“MightIsaywho’sseekingthemaster?”
“Rhennthyl,fromMasterCaliostrus.”
“Ifyouwouldwaitinthefoyer...sir.”
“Thankyou.”Istepped
insideandlookedaroundwhiletheapprenticescurriedthroughanotherdoor.Estafen’sstudiohadafoyer,bare,exceptforasingleportraithungthereonthewallfacingthedoor.Itwasamostflatteringimageofaredheadedyoungwoman,asubtlebutdirectindicationthathecouldindeedportrayredheadswithskill.Still,Ididn’tthinkitwasthatmuch
betterthantheonesI’ddone.
“Yes,Rhennthyl,youdoportrayredheadswell.It’soneofyourmanytalents.”MasterEstafenhadslippedintothefoyersosilentlythatIhadnotevennoticedhim,farmorequietlythanIwouldhaveexpectedfromsucharotundfigure.
“IfImightask,sir,howdidyouknow?”
“IwasprivilegedtoseetheoneyoudidlastyearofMistressD’Whaelyn.HighFactorWhelatyn,thebrotherofthegirl’sfather,askedmyopinion.Itoldhimthathecouldnothavedonebetter,exceptifhehadcommissionedonefromamaster.”
Ismiledpolitely.Theportraithadbeenbetterthansomeofthemasters’works
withredheads,althoughIhadtoadmitthattheoneEstafenhadhungwasquitegood.“Thankyou,sir.IimagineyouknowwhyI’mhere.”
“Icouldpretendtobedenseandquitesolicitous...butIwon’t.”Estafen’ssmilewaspleasantandcool.“IunderstandMasterCaliostrusperishedinafire.Whynoonesuspectsyouofanypartinitis,first,youwere
nowherenearwherethefirestartedforhalfadayand,second,youhavesomuchtolose,andnothingtogain.You,ofcourse,couldbemygain,but,alas,Ialreadyhavetwojourneymenandtwoapprentices.Noneofthemarequitesogoodasyou,butthey’remostcompetent,andevenIdonothaveenoughworkforthem...andyouaswell.”Hissmileturned
apologetic.“Timesaredifficult,andwithapossiblewarloomingandtradeandcommerceprofitsbeingthreatened,fewerofthosewithcoinsarelikelytospendthemonportraits.”Heshrugged.“IwishIcouldofferyoumoreencouragement,Rhennthyl,butthatishowitmustbe.Itrustyouunderstand.”
“Iunderstandyour
situation,sir,andIrespectandappreciateyourkinddirectness.YoumustunderstandthatImustattempttofindaposition.Doyouhaveanysuggestions,sir?”
“WouldthatIcouldsuggestamaster,Rhennthyl,butIcannot,andIfearthatwhatyouseekmayprovemostdifficult.Becauseofyourtalentandaspirations,I
wouldhopeotherwise.”
“AswouldI,sir.”Iinclinedmyhead.“Ithankyouforyourtime,sir.”
“Thebestoffortunetoyou,andIwouldbethefirsttohopethatyoufindthepropermasterforyourabilities.”
Ibowedagainandtookmyleave.
AsIwalkedbackalongthe
BoulevardD’Este,towardJacquerl’sstudio,IthoughtoverMasterEstafen’swords.Theyboreanominoussimilaritytowhatmyfatherhadsaid.Estafenhadasmuchassaidthathewasn’tabouttohavesomeoneasgoodasIwasasajourneyman.
Itwasearlyafternoon,andmyfeetweregettingsore,whenIreachedJacquerl’sestablishmentonSloedyr
Way.IwishedI’dhadthecoinsforahack,orthewealthformyowncarriage,butifI’dhadthat,Iwouldn’thavebeentrudgingfrommasterportraituristtomasterportraiturist.
Rogarismetmeoutside,evenbeforeIcouldknockatthedoor.“Youcantalktohimifyouwantto...”Heraisedhiseyebrows.
“Buthe’llsayno.”
Rogarisnodded.
“I’lltalktohim.I’dliketohearhowheturnsmedown.”
“Ithoughtso.”Rogarisshookhishead,thenopenedthedoor—paintedadarkbrown—andsteppedinside,waitingformeandclosingitbehindme.Thewoodenfloorscouldhavegracedthefoyerofmanydwellings,far
finertheywerethanmoststudiosinwhichIhadbeen.
Jacquerlsteppedawayfromtheeasel,settingdownabrush,andwalkedtowardme.Hewasshortanddapper,andevenhisleatherapronwasalmostspotless.“Rhennthyl.”Hesmiledpolitely.“Rogarissaidyouwouldwishtospeaktome.IwassosorrytohearaboutpoorCaliostrus.Hewasagoodman,andwe’llall
misshim.”Hepaused.“Iassumeyouareheretoseeifthereisanypossibilityofbecomingoneofmyjourneymen.”
“Thatwasmythought,sir.”
“Directlysaid,asmightyourfatherhaveputit,adirectman,asfactorsmustoftenbe.”
“Hecanbeverydirect,sir,moresothanI.”
“Thatwellmaybe,Rhennthyl,butyouneverdidstrikemeasayoungmanamenabletothesubtle.ThatcanbebothastrengthandaweaknessinSolidar.That’sparticularlytruehereinL’Excelsis,where,attimes,onemustbesubtleandperceptiveenoughtoseewhatisandwhynoonewillmentionit,andyetstrongenoughtopursuewhatis
necessarywithoutseemingtodoso.”Jacquerlpaused.“Then,thereareothertimes,suchasthese.MuchasIwouldliketosupportanartistofyourability,Icannot.Thecommissionswouldnotbethere,andwewouldallsuffer.Youwillpardonme,Itrust,ifafteralltheyearsIhavebeenamaster,Iwouldprefernottosuffer.”
“Icanappreciatethat,sir.”
Thedapperportraituristsmiled,ifsadly.“Iwishitwereotherwise,butweartistsdonotmakethetimes.Weonlyliveinthemandportrayotherswhodo.”Afterapause,headded,“Mybesttoyou.”
Rogarisfollowedmeoutontothefrontstoop.“Itoldyou...”
“Whotoldthemnottotake
meon?”
“What?”
“I’mnotstupid,Rogaris.Imaynotbesubtle,andI’mcertainlynotverygoodatbeingindirect,butyourmasterasmuchassaidhewastoldhe’dnevergetanothercommission,ornotmany,ifhetookmeonasajourneyman.”
Rogarisshrugged.“Idon’t
know.Hedidn’tevensayasmuchtomeashejustsaidtoyou.Ithinkit’sameasureofrespecttoyouthathesaidasmuchashedid.”
ThatkindofrespectIcoulddowithout,especiallyifitkeptmefrombeingaportraiturist.“Iknowyoudidn’thaveanythingtodowithit.”
“You’restillgoingtotry
others?”
“Therearen’tthatmanymoreleft,butIwill.”
Rogarisnodded.“Ithoughtyoumight.Bestoffortune.”
HewatchedasIwalkedoffdowntowardthecornerandthewindinglanethatwouldtakemebackouttotheboulevard.Ithoughtaboutstoppingattheconfectioner’sonthecorner,untilIrealized
Ihadbutasinglesilverandthreecoppersinmywallet—andnowaytogetmore,exceptthroughthecharityofmyparents.Thatgratedonmysensibilities,andIcouldfeelmorethanalittleangerchurninginsideme.CoulditbethatIwasgoingtobeforcedtochoosebetweenbeinganineffectivewoolfactororchancingtheunknownworldofImagisle?
Ahalfglasslater,IsteppeduptoMasterKocteault’sstudiodoor.
Aureleanopenedit.“Ah...dearRhennthyl.AfterIheardthenewsaboutMasterCaliostrus,I’dthoughtyoumightmakeanappearanceatMasterKocteault’sstudiodoor.Alas,hesimplyhasnopositionforajourneymanandisunlikelytohaveoneforatleasttwoyears.”
“Oh?Twoyears?That’sratherprecise,isn’tit,Aurelean?”
“Hisverywordswerethatonejourneymanwasmorethanenoughdifficultyandobligation,andsinceyou—hewasreferringtome,ofcourse—havetwoyearsbeforeI’llrecommendyouformaster,there’snopointintalkingtothepoorfellow.”
“Ishein?”
“Alas,heisnot.HeisdoingasittingatHighFactorZatoryn’s—hiswife.Sheisstriking,quitebeautiful,youknow?”
“Whenwillhebeback?”
“Icouldn’tsay,dearRhennthyl,andIdoubtthathewouldbeabletotellyouanymorethanIhave.Hemightsayitmore
diplomatically,butthemessagewouldbethesame.”Hissmilewasoily,supercilious,andsimpering.“Weallwishyoutheverybest.”
HeclosedthedoorasIstoodthere.
TherewerestillsomeofthelessermastersIcouldtalkto,butIwasgettingaverystrongfeelingthatmyfather
hadbeenalltooaccurateinhisassessmentofmyprospects.
Still...therewasnopointinleavinganystoneunturned.
ItookadeepbreathandbegantowalkthethreeblockstotheBoulevardD’Este.IhadseveralmillestogoalongtheNordroadandthentheSudroadtowardtheAvenueofArtisansinorder
toreachtheotherclusterofmasterportraiturists.
CollegiumImago
Thelongestjourneysarethe
oneswhereonefearsthedestination.
BynoononSamedi,IhadvisitedeveryportraituristmasterinL’Excelsis,andnotasingleonehadanopeningforajourneyman,oratleastnotforme.ThenIdidsome
inquiriesaboutthepossibilitiesintheRepresentationalists’Guild,andtheindicationstherewereevenlessencouraging,becausetheguildrulesrequiredafullapprenticeshipunderoneoftheirmasters.
OnSolayi,Ikeptmostlytomyself,exceptforashorttimewhenKhethilaslippedintotheguestchamber.Shewasconcerned,butIhadthe
feelingherconcernswerenottotallyaboutme,andIwonderedifshewerehavingsecondthoughtsabouttheproposalfromArmynd,butshedidn’tsay,and,thewayIfelt,Ididn’task.
Aftersheleft,Itriedimagingmoresmallthings,suchasthecomb,andencounteredmorethanafewdifficulties.Anythingmetalwasdifficult,ifsmall,and
impossible,forme,iflarge.Familiaritemsweretheeasiest,butonlythosenottoofamiliar,perhapsbecausereallyfamiliarobjectsIhadtakentoomuchforgrantedandnotreallystudied.IdidconvincemyselfthatIhadsomesmallimagingtalent,butIstillwasn’tcertainhowIcouldhaveimagedafireandexplosionwhenIhadsuchtroubleinimagingsmall
householdobjects.
Butthen...whetherIhadornotwasn’tthequestion.ThequestionwaswhatIwoulddo.
OnLundimorning,wellbeforebreakfast,IgatheredtogetherthefewbelongingsIhadandslippedoutthesidedoorofthehousewhennoonewaslooking.Icouldn’tpretendthatIwantedtobea
woolfactor,oranyotherkindoffactor,andattwenty-four,IwasalreadytoooldtoentertheMilitaryInstituteorMarineAcademy,evenifIhadwantedtobeanArmyorNavyofficer—whichImostcertainlydidn’t.ThecraftatwhichIwasbestwaspainting,andthatdidn’tseemtooffermuchfuture,atleastinL’Excelsis.WhileImightbeabletofindapositionin
anothercity,Ididn’thavethecoinstotravelanywhere,andIdoubtedIcouldgetthereferencesIneeded,notafterwhathadjusthappened.EvenifIcould,Iwaslookingatanotherfiveyearsasajourneyman,assumingIcouldfindsomeonewillingtotakemeonincitiesIdidn’tevenknow,andmostothercitiescouldn’tsupportnearlysomanyportraituristsfrom
whatI’dheard.Ontopofthat,I’ddoubtlessneedFather’ssupport,again,andIdidn’twanttoaskmore.Ialsodoubtedthathe’dgiveit,notthewayhe’dbeentalkingovertheendoftheweek.
Yet...didIreallywanttogotoImagisle?DidIhaveachoice,really?
Theairwaschill,butthesunroseandwarmedmy
backbeforeI’dgonemorethanhalfamille.Thankfully,theairwassostillthatitfeltwarmerthanitreallywas.ThestretchfromthehousetothePlazaD’Estewasn’tbad,norwasthewalkdowntheMidroadtotheGuildHall,butmyfeetandlegsweregettingsorebythetimeIwasontheBoulevardD’ImagersheadingtowardtheBridgeofHopes,andIsatdownona
stonebenchahalfmilleshortofthebridgeandlookedatthegraygranitetowersoftheCollegiumImagorisingabovethebarelimbsoftheoaksthatlinedtheriversideparkontheeastsideoftheRiverAluse.Inanothermonth,theymightbeshowingtracesofgreen.
I’dalwayswonderedwhytheCollegiumhadusedgraygraniteforbuildings,while
thebuildingsontheCouncilHillwerehardenedwhitealabaster.Theimagershadbeenresponsibleforbuildingboth.AsIsatattheedgeoftheparkwaythatborderedtheboulevard,thewindbegantorise,andthemarginalwarmthprovidedbythewhitelightofthewintersundisappeared.
Istood,stretched,andresumedmyprogresstowardtheBridgeofHopesalongthe
widestonewalkwayparallelingtheBoulevardD’Imagers.Justbeforetheboulevardreachedtheriverandthebridge,itintersectedEastRiverRoad,andallthewagonsandcarriagesandthehandfulofriderstookEastRiverRoadnorthorsouth.
IdartedacrosstheroadandstoodonthecausewayapproachingtheBridgeofHopes,agranitespanover
theeasternchanneloftheRiverAluseonlyslightlywiderthannecessarytoaccommodatealargewagonorastatelycarriage.Therewerenostonemarkersannouncingitsname,noranyguardhouses.Theroadbed,pavedwithsmoothgranitestones,archedslightlyupward,sothatthemiddleofthebridge,somefifteenyardsout,wasaboutayardhigher
thanthecausewayateachend.Ateachsideofthespanwasawallagoodyardhigh.Therewerenosidewalks,andtheroadbedranflatfromwalltowall.
NoonecrossedanyofthethreenarrowbridgestoImagisleunlesstheywantedtogototheCollegium,andnotthatmanydid.BoththeNordBridgeandtheSudBridge,socalledbecauseone
wasnorthofImagisleandonesouth,werethemaincitythoroughfaresforthosewhowishedtocrosstheAluse.
Istoppedoncemore,justshortofthebridgeproper.DidIreallywanttotrytobecomeanimager?Iswallowed,forcingmyselftothinkabouthowlittleIwantedtohearaboutwhatgreatworkRouselwasdoinginKherseilles.
Itookadeepbreathandbegantowalkslowlyandsteadilyacrossthebridge.OnceIhadcrossed,Iwasfacedwithachoice.Thecausewaydebouchedintothreestonelanes.Onewentnorth,onesouth,andonedirectlytowardasingle-storiedgranitebuildingwithagrayslatetileroof.Ifollowedthelanetothebuilding.
OutsidethebuildingI
pausedbeforeastonearchwayofthestylecalledGlacian,supposedlybecauseitwassospareandcold,justliketheMontsD’GlacethatseparatedthefertileandprosperoussouthlandsofSolidarfromthenorthernwastelands.Underthearchwasasingledoorofgray-stainedoakboundinshimmeringbrass.Itookadeepbreathandstepped
forward,pressingthedoorleverdown,thenopeningthedoor.
Insidewasafoyer,squareandfiveyardsbyfive.Thewallsweresmoothsheetsofbaregraygranite,withoutaseaminthestone.Thefloorwasofthesameseamlessgranite,andtherewasnosignofajoinorofanymortaringofanysortwherethefloorandwallsmet.Theceiling
wasoffeaturelesswhiteplaster.Twosquarearchesledfromthefoyerintoshorthallways—onetotherightandonetotheleft.Directlyoppositetheentrywasatable,alsoentirelyofgranite,exceptthetopsurfacewaspolishedsosmooththatitshimmered.Behindthetablesatayoungman,wearingalightgraycollaredshirt,withawaistcoatofadarkergray
thatseemedtomatchhistrousers,fromwhatIcouldsee.Hisbootswereblack.Hisbrownhairwascutshort,likethatofasoldierorsailor.Iwalkedtothetableandstopped.
“MightIhelpyou?”heasked.
“IthinkIneedtoseeifI’msuitedtobeanimager.”
“Whatmakesyouthink
youmightbeanimager?You’re...ratherolder...thanmostwhocomeacrossthebridge.”HelookedyoungerthanIdid.
Imanagedashrug.“BecauseIcanimagesmallthings.”
“Oh?Wouldyoumindshowingme?”
Ithoughtforamoment,thendecidedthatareplicaof
thecombIhaddonethefirsttimewouldn’tbetoodifficult.Iconcentrated,creatingthementalimageofRemaya’scomb.Itappearedontheflatsurface,justshortofhishand.
Forsomereason,heseemedsurprised,especiallyafterhepickeditup.“That’sarathergoodcomb.”Hepaused.“Ifyouwouldn’tmindwaitinghereforjustamoment,IthinkGherard
Secondusmightwishtospeakwithyou.”
Takingthecomb,hestoodandslippedawayfromthetable,walkingquicklyacrossthefoyerandthroughthearchwaytomyleft.Afterashorttime,hereturned.“Ifyouwouldcomethisway...”
Ifollowedhimlessthantenyardsalongthecorridor—
walledandflooredinthesameseamlessgranite—beforewecametoanopendoor.Hestoodbackandgesturedformetoenter.
Idid.
GherardSecondusstoodbesidetheendofalongconferencetableinachamberthatheldnothingbesidesthetableandthetenchairsthatflankedit,fouroneachside
andoneateachend.Hestoodbesidethechairatoneend,andhewasattiredinthesamegraygarbasthefirstimager,insofarasIcouldtell,buthedidlooksomewhatolder,perhapsalmostasoldasIwas,andhisshort-cuthairwaslimpandblond.
Hegesturedtothechairclosesttotheonebehindwhichhestood.“Ifyouwouldliketositdown...”
Iwasmorethanhappytoseatmyself.Myfeetweresore.
“Petrynshowedmethecombyouimaged.It’sfinework.Whathaveyoubeendoing?”
“Doing,sir?”
“You’retoooldtostillbeinthegrammaire,andyoudon’tlooklikeanInstituteoruniversitystudent.”
“Oh...I’vebeenajourneymanportraiturist,withMasterCaliostrus.”
Hestiffened,justslightly.“RhennthylD’Caliostrus?Isthatyou?”
“Notanymore.I’mjustRhennthyl.”IcertainlywastoooldtoclaimmyselfasRhennthylD’Chenkyr.“MasterCaliostrusdiedinafirelastJeudi.”
Henodded.“Actually,youneedtoseeMasterDichartyn.I’llberightback.”Heroseandleftmesittingthere.
Acoldshiverwentdownmyspine.Gherardhadn’tknownme,buthehadknownmyname,andhehadbeengivensomeinstructions.Yet...Ihadn’ttoldanyoneofmyintentionstoseekouttheimagers.
Gherarddidnotreturn.Insteadanothermancame.Hewas,notunsurprisingly,attiredinexactlythesamefashionastheothertwoimagers.Unlikethem,however,hewasolder,graying,andradiatedacertainsenseofpower.Healsodidnotsitdown.“I’mMasterDichartyn.You’reRhennthyl,formerlyRhennthylD’Caliostrus?”
“Yes,sir.”Istoodquickly.
“Gherardsaidthatyouimagedacomb.I’dappreciateitifyouwouldattempttoimagethis.”Hesetasmalltoplessboxontheflattable,almostsmallenoughtorestonmypalm.
“MightIexamineit,sir?”
“Pleasedo.”
Ipickeditup.Itwascastor
formedfromsomesortofmetal,butnonethatIknew,foralthoughitwassilveryincolor,itwasfarlighterthaneitherironorsilveroreventin,Ithought.AllIcoulddowasholdit,trytofeelit,beforesettingitonthetableandthenconcentratingonitsshapeandsizeandthefeelingoflightness.Visualizingtheboxwassomehowbotheasy...anddifficult.Evenso,
anotherboxappearedonthetablebesidethefirst.Tome,theylookedthesame,butIwassolight-headedthatIhadtoputoutahandtothebackofthenearestchairandsteadymyself.I’dneverfeltweakbeforewhenI’dimagedthings.
MasterDichartynlookedatbothboxes,thenpickeduptheoneIhadimaged,thentheother,weighingtheminhis
hands.Afteramoment,heshookhishead.
IwonderedwhatI’ddonewrong.
“You’reanimager,andyoucouldbeaverygoodone.Givenyourbackground,Rhennthyl,Ican’tsaythatyou’lllikeit,butyoudon’thavemuchchoice.”
Ialreadyknewthat.
Acceptingwhatisnotisthe
hardestaspectofimaging,
indeed,ofanyprofessionrequiringgreatskill.
Forthenextfewglasses,IfeltlikeallIdidwaswalkfromonegraybuildingtoanother,orfromonepartofabuilding
toanother,guidedbyGherard,ratherthanPetrynorMasterDichartyn.Intheprocess,Igatheredthreesetsofgraygarments,fivesetsofpalergrayundergarments,blackboots,imagedtofitmyfeetbyagrayingimager,aswellasastackoffiveboundbooks.Ialsogotaheavygraywoolcloakforcoldweatherandapairofgloves.OnesetofgarmentsIdonned
immediately,andtheothersetsandthebooksweredepositedinthenarrowarmoireinthestarkgrayroomonthesecondfloorofthebuildingthathousedimagersoftheprimusandseconduslevels.
“Fornow,”Gherardtoldme,asheguidedmebacktowardthefirstbuilding,whichI’dlearnedwastheadministrativebuilding,
“you’reaprimus,butonceyouknowthebasicsabouttheCollegium,they’llprobablymakeyouasecondus.”
“Youdon’thavetoserveamandatoryapprenticeship?”
Heshookhishead.“It’sallbyability.Therearesomeimagersprimuswhoareoversixty.It’sallthey’lleverbe.”Hefrowned.“Therearesomemastersintheirlatetwenties,
butnoone’severattainedarankaboveMaitreD’Structurebeforearoundforty,andthereareonlytwoMaitresD’Esprit.”
Imusthavelookedblank.
“Therearethreelevelsofregularimagers—primus,secondus,andtertius—andfourmasterlevels:MaitreD’Aspect,MaitreD’Structure,MaitreD’Esprit,
andMaitreD’Image.MostimagersintheCollegiumareeitherimagerssecondusortertius.Rightnow,IthinkthereareperhapsfifteenMaitresD’Aspect,buttheremightbemore.”
Thenumberdidn’tsurpriseme.TherewereonlyaboutthatmanymasterportraituristsinL’Excelsis.Butwithsofew,Ihadtowonderwhyhedidn’tknow
theexactnumber.
“Ihopeyoureadwellandquickly,becauseyou’restartinglate,andyouhavealottolearn.You’llhavetolearnbasicchemistry,somethingaboutmetals,andhowlivingthings—treesandpeople,mostly—work,andallsortsofthingsaboutcombustion,butthat’smostlyforself-protection.MasterDichartynwillexplain
everythinginmoredetail,includingyourduties.”
Hedidn’tsaymuchmoreafterthat,butjustescortedmebacktothesameroomwhereI’dbegunandleftmethere,whereIsatforatimebeforeMasterDicharytnappeared.
Iimmediatelyrose.“Sir.”
HewavedmebacktotheseatIhadtaken.“Youhave
garments,quarters,andbooksnow,Itakeit?”
“Yes,sir.”
“Doyouhaveanythingpersonalthatyouwouldliketobring?Youcanhavepersonalitemslikequilts,pillows,bedclothing,paintingsorwallhangings,smallrugs.Noclothing,exceptnightwear,andnopersonaljewelry.”
“No,sir.Mostofmypersonalthingsweredestroyed.”AndIcertainlywasn’tabouttoaskmyparentsforanything.
MasterDichartynnodded.“Now...letmegooversomeverybasicrules.First,untilyouaretoldotherwise,andonlybyamaster,youarenottoleaveImagisle.Usually,thisrestrictionlastsanywherefromonetothree
months,dependingonhowfastyoulearnanumberofthings.Second,afterwefinishtoday,youaretotakethemapIwillgiveyou,andyouwillspendtherestofthedaylearningwhereeverychamberandbuildingontheisleis.Donotenteranyroomwherethedoorisclosed....
“Thedininghallservesbreakfastfromthesixthglassofthemorning,amidday
mealbetweennoonandthefirstglassoftheafternoon,anddinneratthesixthglassoftheafternoon.Seatingisroughlybyposition.Thereisatableforimagersprimus,oneforimagerssecondusandtertius,andathirdformaitres...”
IlistenedasintentlyasIcouldwhileheoutlinedtheregimenofImagisle.Itcertainlydidn’tseemany
worsethanbeinganapprentice.
“Asforyourduties...they’reverysimple.Fornow,you’retodowhatItellyoutodo.I’vegivenyouyourinstructionsfortoday.Tomorrow,attheseventhglassofthemorningyouaretoappearandwaitoutsidemystudy—it’stwodoorsdownontheleft—untilIsummonyou.Isuggestyoubringthe
volumeonthestructureoftheCollegiumandtheresponsibilitiesofanimagerandreadit,incaseyouhavetowait.Forthenextseveralweeks,yourdutieswillcenteronlearningeverythinginthebooksyouweregiven.”MasterDichartynsmiledwryly.“Idohaveasimplequestionforyou.Didyoutellanyoneyouwerecominghere?”
“Why,sir?”Thequestionmademewary.
“Becauseabouthalfofthewould-beimagersdon’ttellanyone,andthenthecivicpatrollerscontactustoseeifyou’rehere.It’smuchsimplerifyoujustwriteanoteortwotothosewhomightworry,onewayoranother.Inyourcase,I’dpresume,toyourparents,sinceyounolongerservea
masterportraiturist.Thereshouldbesomeblankstationeryinthearmoireinyourchamber,aswellasapenandink.Ifyou’llbringthenotesbacktomethisafternoon,I’llhavethemdispatchedimmediately,andyourparentswon’thavetoworrytoolong.Oh...andyoudogetastipend.It’snotmuch,onlyasilveraweek,butwedofeedandclothe
you.OnceyoulearnthebasicsoftheCollegiumandpassaproficiencytest,ortheequivalent,mostofwhichyou’vealreadydemonstratedtheabilitytodo,you’llbecomeabeginningimagersecondus,andthat’sworthtwosilversaweek.Stipendsgoupinaccordancewithyourpositionandhowlongyou’vebeenwiththeCollegium.Sodoesthe
amountofspaceallocatedtoyou.”
Asilveraweekwasn’tgrand,butitwasn’tabsolutepoverty,either,andthepositionalreadysoundedbetterthanattemptingtobeawoolfactorundermyfatherandRousel.
“Thereareseveralotherbasics.First,weexpectdailybathingandfrequent
launderingofyourgarments.Thisisforbothsafetyandsanitaryreasons,therationaleforwhichwillbecomeclearbeforelong,Itrust.Thebathingisyourresponsibility;thelaunderingwehavearranged,solongasyouplaceyourdirtygarmentsintheproperplace.Therearetwobarbersinthebuildingwiththedininghall,andweexpectshorthair,asyoumay
havenoticed...”
Whenhefinallyfinishedwhatseemedathoroughoverviewofwhatwasexpectedofme,hestopped.Thesmilevanished.
Iwaited,worriedaboutwhatmightcomenext.
“Awordofcaution,Rhennthyl.Imaginggoesfarbeyondmerelycreatingobjects,anditcanbe
dangerous,”MasterDichartynsaid.“ThatiswhyImustaskyounottoattemptanymoreimagingexceptundersupervisionofamasterorathisorherdirection.Mostpeoplehavenoconceptofwhatwedo,andwetrynottoletthemknow.ThatisonereasonwhysomeimagersprimusleavebytheBridgeofStones.”
Allguildshadsecrets,orat
leasttheirpractitionersdid.MasterCaliostrushadwaysofcombiningwaxes,oils,andpigmentsthathehadswornothersdidnotknow,andrevealingsuchsecretscouldcostanapprenticeorajourneymanhisposition,nottomentionastiffflogging.But...death?Itriednottoswallow.Ifailed.
MasterDichartynofferedacrookedsmile.“One
advantageofdealingwithsomeoneolderisthatyouunderstandfullytheimplicationsofwhatI’mtellingyou.Letmeexplain.Wearenotcruel,andcontrarytowhatpeoplemaysay,wedonotarbitrarilyorotherwisekillyoungimagers.Veryfewimagersfacedisciplinaryhearings.MostwholeavebytheBridgeofStonesdosobecausethey
madeamistakeinimaging.Youhavebeenajourneymanportraiturist.Whatwillhappenifyoumixparaffin,oils,andwaxesoveraveryhotflame—withoutcare?”
“You’llgetafire.”Iwasn’tabouttomentionpossibleexplosions.
“Orworse.”Henodded.“Now...whatwouldhappenifanimagerattemptedto
imageallthreerightonastoveorinafire?”
Iwinced.
“Exactly.”Hepaused.“Now,that’sreallynotagoodexample,butitshouldgiveyouanideaofwhatcanhappen.Therearemanysubstancesthatshouldnotbecombinedinimaging,andthatiswhyyouneedtostudythebooksyoureceivedand
followinstructionsmostcarefully—especiallyasyoubecomemoreexperienced.”
Icouldn’thelpbutfrowninpuzzlementathislastwords.
“Inimaging,”heexplained,“themoreyoulearntodo,thecloseryouaretogreatdanger,frommanysources.Youmaynotunderstandthisnow,butforyourownsafety,pleasebelievemeuntilyou
understandwhyitisso.”
Therewasnomistakingtheearnestnessorthedirectconcerninhiswords,butIdidwishthathehadnotusedtheparaffinexample,becauseitsuggestedthathehadatleastasuspicionthatmyimaginghadledtoMasterCaliostrus’sdeath.Yet...ifhebelievedthat,whywouldtheyacceptmeevenasabeginningimager?
Abruptly,hestood.“Thatisallfornow.”Heextendedafoldedpaper,themap,Ipresumed.“Beforeyouexplore,pleasewritethosenotesandbringthemback.Knockonmydoor,once,thenwait.”
“Yes,sir.”
Henodded,thenturnedandleftmeholdingthemap.
Iwalkedslowlybacktomy
newquarters,andImanageditwithoutlookingatthemap.ThereIsettleddownatthetabledesk.
Writingthelettertomyparentswashard,butbetterthanhavingtotelltheminpersonwhatIplannedbeforeIknewwhethertheCollegiumwouldacceptme.IfI’dbeenrejected,whatcouldIhavesaid?Besides,thenFatherwouldhavecome
upwithanotherofhissermonsonwhatwasforeordainedandhowitwasclearIwasnotmeanttobeapainteroranimagerandhowIshouldn’thavetriedtoescapemycallingasawoolfactor.StillIspentsomuchtimetryingtogetthewordsjustrightthattherewaslessthanahalfglassleftbeforenoonbythetimeIhandedthelettertoMasterDichartyn.
“Youspentsometimeonit.Good.I’llhaveitdeliveredthisafternoon.Oh...youalsohavealetterboxintherearcorridoroutsidethedininghall,nexttotheboxesthatholdthenewsheets.Youdon’thavetopayforthem,butyouareexpectedtoreadthem—regularly.Bythisevening,yourletterboxshouldhaveyourinitialsonit—IP-RH.That’syour
positionfollowedbythefirsttwoinitialsofyourname.Ifsomeoneelsehasthoseinitials,youmighthavethreeorfourlettersfollowingyourposition.”
“Thankyou,sir.”
MasterDichartynjustnodded.“Tomorrowmorning.Here.”Thenheturnedandclosedthedoortohisstudy.
Withthemapinhand,I
begantonavigatemywaytothedininghall.IhadgottenupearlyandeatennothingexceptsomebreadI’dpilferedfromthekitchenonthewayout.ThedininghallwaswithinalargerbuildingatthewestsideofthequadranglebehindtheadministrationbuildingwhereI’dfirstenteredtheCollegium.ItwasnotnearlysolargeasIhadimagined,
anditheldbutthreetables,asmalltablesetcrosswiseacrossthehall,andtwolongertablesparalleltoeachotherandperpendiculartothesmallertable.TherewasnooneattheshorttablewhenIenteredthehalljustbeforethebellsstrucknoon,butanumberofyoungerimagersstoodaroundthetableontheright.
Ieasedtowardaredheaded
youngman.“Isthisthetablefortheimagersprimus?”
“Foruslowlyprimes,itis.You’renew,aren’tyou?”
“Aboutasnewasonecanbe,”Iadmitted.“Icrossedthebridgethismorning.”
“I’mEtyen.”
“Rhenn,orformally,Rhennthyl.”AsIstoodthere,Irealizedthatseveralofthe
figureswereyoungwomen.Ialsosawtwoolderwomencomingthroughthearcheddoorway,oneofthemgray-haired,andwalkingtowardtheadjoiningtable,andathird,alsogray,movingtowardthemasters’tablewithawhite-hairedman.ImusthavestaredbecauseEtyenspokeagain.
“Therearen’tthatmanywomenimagers,butMaitre
DyanaisaMaitreD’Structure.She’sold,though.”
“Howold?”
“Shemustbeforty-some...orevenolder.”
Somehow,Ididn’tthinkofsomeonemymother’sageasold,butEtyencouldn’thavebeenmuchmorethatfifteen,andhemusthavecometoImagislerightoutofa
grammaire.
“Wheredidyoucomefrom?”Iasked.
“FromAsseroiles.”
Asseroileswasmorethanthreehundredmillestothenorthwest.“ArealltheimagersinSolidarhereattheCollegium?”
“Oh,no,butmostofthemare.Therearethreeother
Collegia.There’sMontD’Imagetothenorth...well,it’sactuallynorthwestofAsseroiles,somewhereofftheNordPassthroughtheGlaces,andWestisleoutsidetheharborofLiantiago,andEstislenearNacliano.”
Thatdidnotseemlikemanyimagers,notforalandthesizeofSolidar,stretchingclosetothreethousandmillesfromcoasttocoast.Howhad
theCouncilkeptitalltogetherbeforethesteamenginesoftheironwayhadmadelandtransportationfasterthanhorseandwagons?
“Rhennhereisnew,”Etyenannounced.
Severaloftheprimeslookedatme.Mostdidn’t,andpeoplesatdownastheycameinwithoutanyblessing.Ithoughtthatodd.
“Whatroomareyouin?”askedEtyen.
“Fourteen,secondlevel,southwing.”
Someonenodded.
“...Corsarius’sroom...”
Severalprimeslookedhardatthefresh-facedyouthwhohadmurmuredthewords.
“Whathappenedtohim?”Iasked.
“BridgeofStones,”repliedEtyeninalowvoice,addingevenmorequietly,“Wedon’ttalkaboutit.”
Nottalkaboutit?Whensomeonedied?
“Youdidn’tcomeherestraightfromthegrammaire?”askedtheprimeacrossthetablefromme.“Oh,I’mLieryns.”
“No.I’vebeenan
apprenticeandajourneymanportraiturist.Ididn’trealizeIcouldimageuntilalittlewhileago.”
“Sometimes,it’slikethat.”Etyennodded.“ButIalwaysknew.”
“Youalwaysknoweverything,”murmuredsomeone.
Therewerelowlaughsfrommorethanafewprimes,
andasIlookeddownthetable,IwasrelievedtoseethattherewereafewwholookedasoldasIwas,ifnotolder.
“Youwereajourneyman.Youactuallypaintedrealportraits,then,”observedLieryns.
“Some,”Ireplied,lookingatthelargebowlofricebeingpasseddownthetable.
Behinditfollowedsomesortofdishinsauce.“Mostlyofgirlsandcats.”
“Cats?”
“MymastersaidIhadatalentforpaintingcats,andIdon’tthinkhelikeddealingwithgirlsandcats.Ididdooneportraitofafactorius.”
Atthatpoint,thericearrived,andIservedmyselfasolidhelping,aswellasof
thetomato-saucedfowlchunksthatfollowed.Ifthelunchfarewasanyindication,IwasgoingtobebetterfedthanIhadbeenbyMadameCaliostrus.
Sometimelater,afterseveralmouthfulsoffood,andsomeswallowsofafairredplonk,Itookanotherlookaroundthetablebeforespeaking.“Ihaven’thadachancetoreadanything.
Whatdowedo,besidesstudy?”
“Whateverwecan,”repliedLieryns.“I’mhelpingMasterSchorzatinthechemistrylaboratory,butmostlyIimagelittlethingsoutofglassforhisexperiments.”
“Ithoughttherewasacounselor-advocatetotheCouncilnamedsomethinglikethat.”
“That’shisbrother,”someonesaid.“Scheorzyl.MasterSchorzatsaidhisfatherwantedeveryonetoknowthetwowerebrothers.”
MyeyeswenttoEtyen.“Andyou?”
“I’mstillworkingonmakingshapeswithmetals.They’reharder.”
Icouldn’tsaythatIlearnedallthatmuchatlunch,but
everyonewascertainlyfriendly.Afterward,Ileftthedininghalland,maponcemoreinhand,begantoexploreandtrytomemorizewhereeverythingwas.NooneseemedintheslightestinterestedasIwanderedalloverImagisleandthebuildingsoftheCollegiumthatLundiafternoon.Istillworriedaboutwhynoonetalkedaboutitwhensomeone
died.
Imagingisbasedonwhatis,
but,withoutgreatcare,
whatanimagerfeelscanchangewhatis.
AsMasterDichartynhadintimated,IhadtowaittoseehimonMardimorning.Isatonabenchoutsidehisstudy
readingthethinvolumeontheCollegium.I’dmadeitthroughfifteenboringpageswhenheopenedthestudydoorandanolderimagerwalkedout,somewhatstiffly.
“Youmaycomein,Rhenn.”
Hisstudywassmall,notmorethanthreeyardsbyfour,withalongnarrowwindow,openjustslightly.
Thespaceheldtwoenormousbookcases,asmallwritingdesk,twofilingboxesstackedontopofeachother,andtwochairs,onewithacushionandarmsandonestraight-backedandnottoocomfortable.Isatinthestraight-backedchair.
“Beforewestart,I’dlikeyoutoknowthatoneofourmessengersdeliveredyourlettertoyourparents
yesterday,lateintheafternoon.Theywererelievedtoknowthatyouweresafe.”
“Thankyou,sir.”Motherwasrelievedatmysafety;FatherwasmorelikelyrelievedIhadn’tembarrassedhimorgottenintosomedifficultythatmighthavecosthiminsomefashion.
“Now...whenwasthefirsttimeyourealizedyou
mighthaveimagingabilities?”
“Notuntilaroundthefirstoftheyear.”Itwasactuallyjustabitearlier,butnotmuch.“Iwasworkingonaportrait,andIcouldn’tgettheareaaroundtheeyesright.Icouldalmostseehowitshouldbe—andthenitwasright,evenwithmybrushstrokes,asifI’dpainteditjustasI’dvisualizedit.I
stillwasn’tsurethatitwasimaging.IthoughtmaybeI’dpainteditandthenimaginedthatI’dimagedit.”
“And...?”
“Maybeamonthlater,Iwasworkingonanotherportrait,andithappenedagain.”
“Andyoudidn’tcometousthen?”
“No,sir.I’dheardabouthowimagershadturnedthealabasterwallsoftheCouncilChateauintostoneharderthangranite,andhowtheycouldimagepartsofmachinesintobeing.AllIcoulddowasimagejusttheslightestbitofoilpaint.”
“All?”Dichartynlaughed.“Therearesomesecondsthatcan’tdothatandneverwill.”
“Ididn’tknowthat,sir.Itseemedveryinsignificanttome,andIwasbeginningtogetcommissions—thekindwherepatronsaskedformepersonally.”
Henodded.“Whatdidyourmastersay?”
“Inevertoldhimabouttheimaging.Whenhetalkedabouttheimagers,hewasquiteclearthatIshouldnever
wanttobeone,thatmostdiedyoung,andmostoftherestneveramountedtoanything.”
“Hesaidthat?”
“Yes,sir.”
“Icanseewherethatmightgiveyoupause,Rhenn.”Heleanedbackinhischairandfingeredhisclean-shavenchin.
Alltheimagerswereclean-
shaven,Irealized,unlikeartists,mostofwhomhadbeardsormustaches,ifnotboth.Inthatway,atleast,Ididfitin.I’dneverlikedbeards.
“Sowhydidyoufinallyseekusout?”
“MasterCaliostrusdiedinthefire.Nooneelsewouldtakemeon.Myfatherwantedmetobecomeawoolfactor.I
thoughtthatmysmalltalentsforimagingmightgainmeaplacehere.”
“Atleastyouhavenograndiosedelusionsaboutyourability.”MasterDichartynlaughedagain,nottotallyunkindly,Ithought.“It’sverygoodthatyoudid.Beforelong,youwouldfindyourselfimaginginwaysthatcouldbemostdestructive.Perhapsyoualreadyhaveand
donotevenknowit.Soonerorlater,thatimagingwouldhavebeennoticedbyothers.”
“Notknowit,sir?”Ihadanideaofwhathemeant,butIwasn’tabouttosayso.
Hesmiled,knowingly.“Youknowmorethanyoureveal,Rhenn,butIwillexplain,becauseyoudon’tknowasmuchasyouthink.”
Iacceptedtherebuke
silently.
“Allpeoplehavedaydreams,ordreamsornightmares,orwishes.Wewishthatthingswouldappearordisappear,butwhathappensifthepersonwhowishesthatisanimager?”
Thelitlamp!Iswallowed.
“Didthatrecallsomething,Rhenn?”
“Ah,yes,sir.SometimeafterthefirsttimeIimagedtheoils,Ihadadream,andIdreamedthatitwassodarkthatIcouldseenothing,andIwantedlight.Thelamponthechestwokeme,becauseitwaslit,andIthoughtI’dwickeditoff.IneverbelievedthatI’dimagedthelight.I’djustthoughtI’dbeensotired...”
“Youareveryfortunate
youcameherebeforeanyoftheimagingyoudidcametolight.”MasterDichartyn’svoicewasstern.“Youhavequarterstoyourself.Doyouknowwhy?”
“No,sir.”
“EverysetofquartersintheCollegiumisnotonlystone-walledbuthasalayerofverythinleadplatebetweenthetwocoursesof
stoneandunderthefloortiles.Thewindowsareallglazedwithleadedglass,andthosewindowswhichopenaredesignedwithlouverssothatthereisnodirectpassageofair—orthought—inandout.DoyouthinkthattheCollegiumwenttothatexpensemerelyforyourcomfort?”
“No,sir.”Ihadaveryuncomfortablefeelingabout
wherehiswordswereleading.
“Noimagereversleepswithanotherperson,evenhiswife,andImeansleep,notlovemaking.TheCollegiumisherenotonlytoeducateandimproveimagers,buttoprotectothersfromthoseverysameimagers.Yes,wehaveprivileges,andthosewhobecomemasterscanlivequitecomfortably,andthosewho
domarrycanliveinpleasantdwellingsonthenorthendoftheisle,butneverthinkthatwedonotpayahighpriceforthoseabilitiesandservicesthatweprovide.Imagerswhomusttravelareaccompaniedbyobdurates,and,iftheycannotsleepwithinironorlead,musttakestrongdrugsofthetypethatdonotpermitdreamingwhentheysleep.ThosewhoserveintheNavy
havelead-linedcabins,verysmallcabins,becauseleadisheavy,andweightiscriticalonmanyvessels.Thosewhomarryandliveherehavespecialseparatesleepingchambersintheirdwellings,andmustindeedlivehereunlesstheyhavethewealthtobuildsimilarquarterselsewhereinL’Excelsis.Youcanneverspendanentirenightwithawomanyoulove,
oranylover,forthatmatter,notunlessyouremaintotallyawake,andwhenyouaretired,eventhatcouldpresentadangertoher,especiallyifshehasmalleabletendencies.”
MasterDichartynpaused,lettingmetakeinhiswords.
“OneofthereasonsfortheinitialrestrictiontoImagisleissothatyoucometo
understandwhatdamageeventheleastableofimagerscaninflictuponothers.Asecondreasonisthatyouneedtounderstandthatwearesofewthatwecouldbewipedouttothelastperson.Yes,someofusdohavetheabilitytokillorchangeothers,andyouareoneofthosewhoalreadypossessthatability,whetheryouknowitornot.Butwhileweareindividuallypowerful,
forthemostpart,nooneofuscouldfaceevenamoderatelylargegroupofarmedmenandsurvive.WethereforedoourbesttoshowtheCouncilourgoodwill,ourself-discipline,andourindispensabilitytoSolidar.Noimagercanbeallowedtojeopardizetheothers.Isthatclear?”
“Yes,sir.”Itwasmorethanclear;itwasfrightening.Iwantedtoaskaboutthe
imagerwhohadlivedinmyquartersbeforeme,butdecideditwouldbebesttowaitonthat.
“Good.”Thesmilereturned.“I’mgoingovertothelaboratoriesthismorning.I’dlikeyoutoaccompanyme.Then,thisafternoon,Iwillgiveyouashorttalkontheintroductoryaspectsofchemistry,andyouwillbegintoreadthatvolume.Tonight,
afterdinner,youaretoreadthefirstsectionofthebookonthegovernmentandhistoryofSolidar.Youwillfinditisnotlikeanyhistorybookyouhavereadbefore,andIwillbeaskingyouquestionsaboutwhatyouhavereadinbothvolumeswhenwemeettomorrowmorning.”Heboundedoutofhischair.“Now...letusgotothelaboratories....”
Already,IwasbeginningtowonderaboutthetwosidestoMasterDichartyn’sbeing—thesternandthecheerful.Heseemedtoswitchfromonetotheotherbothquicklyandcomfortably,butthechangewasmorethanalittledisconcertingtome.
Learningrequires
unlearning.
OnMeredimorning,rightafterbreakfast,Ipickedupanewsheetandcheckedmyletterbox,notexpectingtoseeanything,andfoundanenvelopethere.Irecognizedmymother’shandwriting.I
openeditquicklyandbegantoread.
DearRhennthyl,
YourfatherandIweremostrelievedtoknowthatyouaresafeatImagisle.Whileyourfatherhadhopedthatyouwouldseeyourwaytofollowinghisexampleinthewooltrade,heacceptsthe
factthatyoumustfollowyourowndestiny.Webothwishyouthebestinbecominganaccomplishedimager.InthenotethatMasterDichartynsentaccompanyingyourletter,hesaidthatyouhadgreatpromise.HealsosaiditcouldbeseveralmonthsbeforeyourinitialtrainingwouldallowyoutoleaveImagisle,butthat,beginninginAvryl,youcouldhave
visitorsonSolayi.Ilookforwardtothat.
IswallowedasIfinishedthenote.ThewayIreadit,Motherwasrelievedforme,and,sinceIwouldn’tbeawoolfactor,Fatherwasgladtogetmeoutofhishair.
AtthethoughtthatMasterDichartynhadsenthisown
note,Igatheredthethreebooks—NaturalScience,HistoryandPoliticsofSolidar,andImagers’Manual—undermyarmandhurrieddownthewalkofthequadrangletowardMasterDichartyn’sstudythroughablusterywind,barelyarrivingbeforetheseventhglassbegantoringoutfromthetoweroftheAnomenD’Imagisle,locatedatthe
southendofImagisle.
AsonMardimorning,Ihadtowait,butIimmediatelybegantoreadmoreintheManual,thepartdealingwiththeresponsibilitiesofanindividualimager.I’donlyreadanotherpagewhenMasterDichartynopenedthedoorandmotionedmeintohisstudyandintothechairacrossfromhiswritingdesk.Heremainedstanding.
“You’vereadthesecondsectionoftheManual,haven’tyou?”
“Ihaven’tquitefinishedit,sir.”
Thatgotaslightnod,butwhetheritwasofacknowledgmentordisapprovalIcouldn’ttell.“Whatisthefirstresponsibilityofanimager?”
“TofollowtheImagers’
Codeunderallcircumstances.”
“Whatdoesitmeanby‘all,’Rhennthyl?”
Themanualhadn’tgottenintodefinitions.“Atalltimesandplaces,sir?”
“Whatifyoucan’t?”
“It’saresponsibility,sir.”
“Youaren’tansweringthequestion.”Hisvoice
remainedpatient.
“I’monlyguessing,sir,becausetheManualdoesn’tsay,butIwouldthinkthatitmeanswheneverandwhereveritisphysicallyandmentallypossible.”
“Adefinitionsuchasyoursstandsattheedgeofaverydeepprecipice.”
“Yes,sir.Peopleliketosaythattheycan’tdosomething
becausethey’retootiredorthattheycan’tthinkclearly.Idon’tthinktheCodeacceptsthosekindsofexcuses.Iwasthinkingmoreaboutbrokenbonesormortalinjuries.”
“Youthinkcorrectlyonthat.TheCodeisnotforconvenience.ItisdesignedforthesurvivalofboththeindividualimagerandtheCollegium.Whatismeantbytheprohibitiononcreating
anyformofduressonanyindividualwhoisnotanimager?”
Thathadseemedobvioustome,especiallyafterwhathe’dsaidthedaybefore.“Onedoesn’tthreatenanyone,orsayanythingtogivethemcauseforfear,andonedoesn’ttakeactionswhichcreatefearofeithertheimagerortheCollegium.”
“Verygood.Why?”HisquestionsfromtheManualwentonforagoodhalfglass.Then,abruptly,heswitchedsubjects.“ThatboxIgaveyoutoimage?Doyouknowwhatitwasmadeof?”
“No,sir.Itwasmetal,butnotametalI’veeverseen.”
“Youdidn’tthinktolookinyoursciencebookandseewhatitmightbe?”
“No,sir.”Iknewwhatwascomingnext.
“Tomorrow,Iwantyoutotellmewhatitis,andwhyweuseitforimagingtests.Now...”Heextendedtwoobjectsandplacedthemontheedgeofhiswritingdesk.Onewasasimplecarvedhollowcylinder,nomorethanathumb’slengthindiameterandaboutthesameinlength.Thesecondwasalsoa
cylinder,butsolidandlessthanaquarterthesizeofthefirst.Bothlookedtobemadeoutofboneorivory,andneitherhadanymarkingsonthem.“Ihaveanexerciseforyou.”Heturnedthelargercylindersideways,thenplacedarulerononesideandabookontheothersothatitwouldn’troll.Hehandedmethesmallercylinder.“Trytoimageacylinderjustlikethis
exactlyinthemiddleofthelargercylinder.”
“Won’titfall?”
“Itshould,unlessyouknowawaytostopgravity.”Hesmiled.“That’snotthepoint.You’vealreadyshownthatyoucanimagesmallthingsonaflatsurface.Oneofthenextstepsistoimagesomethingintoaplacethat’snotsoeasy.”
Itookthecylinderandheldit,lettingmyfingersrunoverit.ThenIconcentratedonimagingonejustlikeitintheairinthemiddleofthelargercylinder.Nothinghappened.
MasterDichartyndidn’tseemsurprised.“Takebothcylinderswithyouandkeeptrying.Itmaytakeawhile,butyoushouldbeabletofigureitout.”
Islippedbothintothelargerinsidepocketofmygraywaistcoat.
“Thismorning,youcanaccompanymeononeofthesmallriverboats.Someoftheprimesaregoingtotryimagingontheriver.Youmightaswellseeifyoucandoit.”
“Yes,sir.”Ididn’taskwhyimagingwasharderonaboat,
notafterfailingattheexercisehe’djustgivenme.Ijustfollowedhimoutofthebuilding.
MasterDichartynwalkedbrisklyalongtheeastsideofthequadrangle,rightintothefangsofthewind,awindthathadgottenevenstrongerandcolder.Wecrossedtheopenspaceatthenortheastcornerofthequadrangleandtookthestonelaneanotherhalf
millenorthpastthewalledherbandvegetablegardens,nowmostlyfallow,untilwecametoasetofthreepiers.
Fiveprimesstoodonthesouthernmostpier,clearlywaitingforMasterDichartyn.Theriverboatdidn’tseemallthatsmalltome—notatalmostfifteenyardslong.Ithadonlyonedeckandthesteamenginewasintherear,justforwardofthe
paddlewheel,inaraisedandcoveredenginehouse.Thewheelhousewasroughlyinthemiddleoftheboat.
Ilookedoutattheriver,runningasroughasI’dseenit,withwhitecapsonthewaves.
MasterDichartyngesturedforustocrossthenarrowplanktotheboat,thenfollowedafterme,becauseI
trailedtheotherfive.Abeardedsailorvaultedoffthebowanduntiedthelinefastenedaroundanironcleat,thenjumpedbackaboardbeforetheboatswungdownstreamwiththecurrent.Thepaddlewheelbegantochurnastheboatheadedoutintotheriver.Onceitclearedthecalmerwateraroundthepier,itbegantoroll,thenpitchasthepilotturned
upstreamintothecurrent.Spraysleetedoverthebow,andsomesplattereddownlikefatraindropswhereIstoodwiththeothers,justforwardofthewheelhouse.
Oneoftheprimes,achubbyfellowwholookedbarelyoutofgrammaire,wasturningpalebeforetheboatwaseventenyardsawayfromthepier,andanotherjuststoodfrozen,hisright
handclutchingtherailingsotightlythathisfingerslookedlikeaclaw.Ihadtospreadmyfeetabittokeepmybalanceastheboatcontinuedbothtorollandpitch.
“Thefirstexerciseistoimageacubelikethis,”beganMasterDichartyn,holdingupablackwoodencubeperhapsthreedigitsonaside,“andtoimageitonthecenterofthethirddeckplankinboard.This
one.”Hepointedwiththetipofhisboot.“Youfirst,Geoffryn.”
“Yes,sir.”Thechubbyprimeclosedhiseyesandseemedtotenseallover.
Amistyshapeappearedontheplank,thensolidifiedintoamuddyblackoblongbox.
“Acube,Geoffryn.”Dichartyn’svoicewaslouder,risingoverthewindandthe
engine,buthedidnotsoundangry.“Doyourecalltheshapeofacube?”
“Yes,sir.”
“Jakhob,youtry.”
“Yes,sir.”Thethinprimewhohadbeenclutchingtherailjustlookedatthedeckplank.Hisimagedcreationwasalmostacube,ifslightlyangledandmuddyblack,anditappearedabovethenext
plankinboard,possiblybecausetheriverboatwasrolling.
Thenextthreeprimesmanagedtoimagecubes,generallyclosetothecenterofthedesignatedplank.
“Rhenn?”
Ididn’tlikedoingimaginginpublic,butthosewatchingcouldn’thavebeenanymorecriticalthanMasterCaliostrus
hadbeenwhenI’dbegunasanapprentice.First,Ivisualizedthecube,shimmeringandblack,andthenIaddedthepositioning.
Thecubeappeared,almostmirror-like,rightonthemiddleoftheplank.Asitdid,Irealizedthatitwasashadetoolarge.Abruptly,itshimmered,thenreappearedasthecorrectsize.Ididfeelatracelight-headed,andhadto
putmyhandout,steadyingmyselfontherailing.
“Youusedtoomucheffort,”observedMasterDichartyn.“Youshouldhavepaidmoreattentiontothesizethefirsttime.”
“Yes,sir.”Still,Iwaspleased,evenifhedidn’thappentobe.Mycubelookedbetter,andhadbeenimagedinexactlytheright
position—eventhefirsttime.
“Now...you’regoingtotrythesamething—exceptIwantyoutobalanceyourcubeontherailingonthefarsideoftheboat.”
Threeoftheotherprimescouldn’timageanythingthatfaraway,andonecouldonlycreateablob.Thelastonemanagedadecentcubeontherailing,asdidI,buttheyboth
slidoffintotheriverwhentheboatrolledasthesteersmanmadeaturn.
“Takeusback!”MasterDichartynfinallyordered.
Thatafternoon,Gherardtookmeonaquicktourofthevariousshopsandlaboratories,aswellasshowingmeworkshopsinthelargegraybuildingnorthofthequadrangle.ThenIwent
backtomyquartersandbeganreading.
AlreadyitwasclearthatMasterDichartyn’sassignmentsvariedwidely.
IhadtostayuplaterthanIshouldhaveonMeredinight,butIdiddiscoverthattheboxwasmadeoutofametalcalledaluminum.Thesciencebookdescribeditasalightwhitishblueductileand
malleablemetallicelementalmostneverfoundinpureforminnature,butcommoninnaturalchemicalcompounds.Itwasextremelydifficulttorefine,requiringspecialtechniquesinvolvingpotassium,andthepricewassomethinglikeahundredandfiftygoldcrownsapound.ThelittleboxI’dimaged,ifI’ddoneitcorrectly,mighthavebeenworthtencrowns
orso.NowonderMasterDichartynhadpocketedit—exceptIknewthathewouldn’thavemadeoffwithit,eveniftheCollegiumruleshadn’tprohibitedusingimagingforpersonalgain.
Thesciencebookwasdifferent,almoststrange,becauseitmixedthingsI’dlearnedyearsbeforewiththingsI’dneverheardorthoughtabout.Onesection
hadadetailedsetofplansforasteamengineofthetypeusedontheironway,butthenextdiagramwasofaminingwaterpump,andbeyondthatwastheaxleassemblyforacarriageorcoach.Buttherewerealsoanatomicaldrawingsofhumanbeings,verydetailed,andclearlytakenfromdissectionsofcadavers.
Thebookonhistoryand
governingwasthethickestofall,andtome,thehardestreading,evenjustleafingthroughit.ThebookledoffwiththeFiveRightsofCitizens:
Allcitizens,whethertheybemenorwomen,areofequalstaturebeforethelawandassuchmayholdanddisposeof
property;unlessanauthorityhasreasonandevidencetothecontrarythatissufficientforindictmentinacourtofjustice,theyarepresumedinnocent.
ThelawsoftheCounciltakeprecedenceoveranyandalllocaloradministrativeregionallaws,ordinances,orrestrictions,butnolawenactedatanylevelmayidentifyasacriminaloffense
anyactionalreadytaken,norencumberpersonsorseizetheirpropertywithoutjustcompensation,savetaxesleviedonallandapprovedbytheCouncil.
Noindividual,whetheracitizenoranalien,maybeimprisonedwithoutformalchargesbeingpostedandwithoutbeinginformedofthosecharges.
Allcitizens,unlessunderindictmentforacrimeorimprisonedforsuch,havetherighttotravelunfetteredthroughoutallregionsandterritories.
AllcitizenshavetherighttopetitiontheCouncilforredressofanyharmfulactiontakenbyanylevelofgovernment,includingtheCouncilitself,andallsuchpetitionswillbemadepublic.
Afterthat,thereweresectionsoneverything,butasIriffledthroughthepages,justtryingtogetasenseofwhatwasthere,someparagraphsstoodout.
AminimumofthreeCouncilmembersmustbefromareas
withinfiftymillesofeithereastorwestcoasts...andnomorethanthreeCouncilmemberscanbefromwithin200millesofL’Excelsis,withtheexceptionofthesolerepresentativeoftheCollegium...misrepresentationofdomicilemandatesimmediateremovalfromtheCouncil,lossofamaster’sposition,andafineof1,000golds.Inthecaseof
aHighHolder,suchaviolationwillalsoincludeforfeitureofone-fifthofalllandsandassets...
WithfifteenCouncilmembersinall,thosenon-imagersfromL’ExcelsiscouldnevercomprisemorethantwentypercentoftheCouncil—somethingthatI
rememberedvaguely—butthepenaltiesIdidn’trecalleverseeing.
Norefuseorwaste,includinganyliquids,fromafactorageormanufacturingfacility,norfromanyagriculturalorcommercialactivity,norfromanywatercraft,shallbeallowedtofloworbeplaced
intoanywaterway,norshallanyhumanrefusebesoallowed...whetheritbefromanindividual,atown,oracity...
Accordingtothat,ifIreaditright,evenacowcouldn’tpissinastream,notwithoutbringingafinedownupontheowner.
Ratesforfreightonanyironwaymustbeleviedonthebasisofweightandcubicdisplacement.ThoseratesmustbeapprovedbythetransportationsubcouncilandbytheCouncilbeforetakingeffectandmustbepostedforonemonthbeforebeingimposed.Changesmaynotbesubmittedmorethanoncea
year...FreightorcargoaccompaniedbyaCouncilrepresentativeorarepresentativeoftheCollegiumImagohaspriorityoverallotherfreight...
Thatwassuggestiveinmorewaysthanone,butofwhatIwasn’tsure.
Imagingisasmuchanartinarrangingperceptionasinchangingreality.
IwokeearlyonthefollowingMardimorning,andafterIbathedinthecommunalshowerroom—withwaterthatIhadthefeelingwas
neverlessthanchill—andshavedanddressed,Isatatthewritingtableinmyroom,lookingatthetwocylinders.
Morethanaweekhadgonebyquickly,eachdayfollowingasimilarpattern.Breakfast,examinationandinstructionbyMasterDichartyn,whichcouldbeoverinhalfaglassordragonforasmanyastwo,followedbysomesortofimaging
exercises,lunch,someotheractivityinvolvingobservationorinstruction,rangingfromwatchingexperimentsinthechemistrylaboratoriestowatchingorlearninghowtohandlemachineryineitherthewoodworkingshop,themetalworkingshop,orthemodelshop.Then,whenIwaswornout,Ihadtoreadandstudy.
OnLundi,thedaybefore,
I’dhadtoadmittoMasterDichartynthatIstillhadn’tfiguredouttheskillofplacingasmallcylinderintheemptyspaceinthemiddleofthelargercylinder.Itshouldn’thavebeenthathard,becausesomeoftheyoungerprimeshadbeendoingsomethinglikeit,ifunintentionally,duringtheimagingexercisesontheboat.
MasterDichartynhadjustlookedatmeasifIweretrulystupidandthengoneontoaskquestionsaboutwhatI’dread,andwhatIhadn’t,intheNaturalSciencebook.He’dstartedbyaskingmehowmuchairweighed.I’dneverthoughtaboutairweighingsomething,butsinceabarometerworkedbymeasuringthechangeintheweightoftheair,IsupposeI
shouldhave.
Airweighingsomething...hadhisquestionbeenasrandomasithadseemed?Butifairweighedsomething,thenIreallywasn’ttryingtoimagesomethingintowhatI’dthoughtofasanemptyspace.Whywasiteasytoimagesomethingonatable?Becausetheaircouldbemoreeasilymoved?OrbecauseIdidn’thavetoworktoholdit
upasitwasbeingimaged?
Ikeptthinkingaboutit,allthewaytobreakfast,wherewehadoatporridge,alongwithraisinsandbread,andtwothinstripsofbacon.
Iconcentratedontheideaofimagingaraisinintothemiddleofaspoonfuloftheoatporridge.Asmallgoutofporridgespoutedup.
“Don’tletthemasterscatch
youplayingwithyourfood,”murmuredThenard.
Someoneelsesnickered.
Iforcedmyselftoeatthemouthfulofporridge.Theraisintastedfine,butshouldIhaveswallowedit?Ilookedatthehandfulofraisinssprinkledontopoftheporridge.Whycouldn’tIimageoneofthemintomyspoon?Wouldn’titbeeasier
thantryingtocreatearaisin?
Carefully,Itookanotherspoonful,onewithoutraisins,andthenconcentratedontheraisinonthetopoftheporridgefarthestfromme,visualizingitdisappearingandthenreappearingontopoftheporridgeinmyspoon.Theoneraisinvanished,thenreappearedonthespoon’sporridge.Icouldfeelmyforeheadbeginningtosweat,
but...I’ddoneit.
Thatraisedanotherquestion.Icouldfeeltheenergyittooktodoimaging,butwhyhadn’tIwhenI’dfirstbeguntoimage?OrwasitthatwhatI’ddonewassoslightthanitjusthadn’ttakenthatmuchimaging?Butthen,therewasthefire...Orhadn’tInoticedtheeffortthenbecauseI’dbeensoangryandthensoinvolvedin
tryingtohelpthechildrenoutofthehouse?
Later,asIwalkedacrossthequadranglethroughthemistingraintowardMasterDichartyn’sstudy,Icouldn’thelpthinkingaboutwhatI’ddone...andwhatitsuggested.Byusingimagingtomovesomething,I’dalsoprovedthatitwaspossibletoremovethings,atleasttosomedegree.Ifoneremoved
thecartridgefromapistolaimedatone,orifoneremoved...Iwinced.Iwasn’tcertainIwantedtoexplorethosepossibilities,notimmediately.ButIwasbeginningtounderstandexactlywhytheCollegiuminsistedonsuchstrictrulesandsuchsecrecy.
Aswasusual,MasterDichartyn’sdoorwasclosed,andIsatdownonthewooden
benchandbegantoreadthesixthsectionoftheNaturalSciencebook,whichdealtwithmetalsandvariousalloys.Icouldn’thelpbutwonderhoweffectiveimagingmightbeincreatingsomeofthem,atleastinsmallquantities.
Beforelong,thestudydooropened,andoneoftheolderimagers,asecondusorevenatertius,departed.
“Rhennthyl?”
Iimmediatelyclosedthebook,stood,andhurriedintohisstudyandtookmyplaceonthestill-warmseatusedbythepreviousimager.
MasterDichartyncamerighttothepoint,asusual.“Onlyafewofyouwilleverworkinthelaboratories.SowhydoestheCollegiuminsistthatyoustudyscience
andworkandpracticeinthelaboratories?”
IgavethebestanswerIcouldcomeupwith.“Sothatwe’llbebetterimagers?”
“That’strueasfarasitgoes.”
Ididn’tknowwhattosaytothat.
“Yourbrainknowsmorethanyourecallatanyone
point,”hewenton.“Ifyouhaveafriend,whenyoumeethim,youdon’tthinkabouteverythingyouknowabouthimatthatmoment,doyou?”
“No,sir.”
“Butallyouractionsandallyourwordstakeintoaccounteverythingyouknow,evenifyoudon’ttrytorememberitall.Whatallthisstudyaboutmetalsand
scienceisdesignedtodoistoprovidethesamekindofknowledgeinordertoimproveyourimagingskills.”
Thatmadesense.IcouldseethatIwasalreadydoingthat.
“Doyouhavethetwocylinders?”
“Yes,sir.”
“Let’sseewhatyoucan
do.”
Ihadthetwocylinders,butIhadn’teventhoughtaboutthem.Still,wasairanydifferentfromporridge,exceptthinner?ItookoutthelargercylinderandproppeditinplacesidewaysonMasterDichartyn’swritingdeskwithtwobooksthathadbeenonthefarcorner,thenheldthesmallercylinder.CouldIjustmoveit?Idecidedtotry.
Thesmallcylindervanishedfrommyhandandappearedinthemiddleofthelargerone,hangingthereforjustaninstantbeforeclunkingdownontothebottomsideofthelargercylinder.
MasterDichartyn’seyesflickedfrommyhandtothecylinderandthenbacktomyhand.Henoddedslowly.“Iwonderedwhenyou’dmake
thatconnection.Someneverdo.They’retheoneswhoremainseconds.”
“Seconds?”Iblurted.
“Rightnow,youhavetherawtalentofatertius,butyoudon’thavetheunderstandingnecessaryforasecondusofyourability.We’regoingtohavetoworkonthat.”
“Yes,sir.”WhileIdidn’tmindthework,Ididn’tmuch
careforthewayinwhichhe’dexpressedthewords.
“Whyisthereanabsoluteprohibitiononanimagerusinghisabilityforanysignificantfinancialadvantageforhimselfpersonallyorforanyotherindividual?”
I’dreadthatsection.SoIansweredquickly.“Thatwouldgivehimorheran
unfairadvantageoverothers,andthatwouldcreateangeragainsttheCollegium.”
“That’sverytrue,Rhenn.It’salsoveryincomplete.Canyouthinkofotherreasons?”
“ItmightcreateconflictwithintheCollegium.”
“That’salsotrue.I’dlikeyoutothinkaboutthatforawhile.Let’slookatitfromanotherperspective.You
mentionedthatyou’dusedimaginginpaintingyourownwork,butwhatifyouusedyourtalenttocopyanentirepaintingofamaster?”
“Itwouldn’twork,sir.There’stoomuchdetail.”
Dichartynsighedandgaveawearysmile.“That’sabadexample,then.Let’stakesomethingsimpler,agoldcrown.Youcouldprobably
imageonenow.Doingsowouldleaveyouweakanddizzy,ifnotinfarworseshape,and,evenifIsaidyoucould,youshouldn’ttryit,butintimeyouwouldbeabletoimageahandfulorsoofthem,atleastintherightplace.They’dberealgold,notcounterfeit,andnoonewouldbethewiser.Whywouldthatbewrong?”
“Besidesthefactthatthe
rulesoftheCollegiumforbidit?”Ihadtothinkaboutthat.“Idon’tknowthatIcananswerthat,becausethatsortofimagingiswork,andifIimagedrealgoldpieces,what’sthedifferencebetweenpaintingaportraitandreceivinggoldsandcreatingthegolds.Imean...someoneminestheore,andsomeonesmeltsit,andsomeonecoinsit,andtheyall
getpaid.Sowhereisthatanydifferentfrommyimagingagoldcrown?”
ThistimeIgotacoldlook.Ijustwaited.Ireallydidwanttoknow.
“Didyougetanumberofextraassignmentsinthegrammaire,Rhennthyl?”
“Yes,sir.”
“Icanseewhy.Letmesee
ifIcanmakethisclearwithadifferentexample.”Hefrowned.“You’veheardoftheCyellaRuby,haven’tyou?”
“TheonethatsitsonthescepterofthePriest-AutarchofCaenen?Yes,sir.”
“He’stheHighPriest.WhatabouttheStoraciEmerald?”
“Yes,sir.”
“Whatifyouimagedanexact,anabsolutelyperfectduplicate?”
“Sir?HowwouldIevergetcloseenoughtoseetheoriginals?”
Hegavemeanevencolderlook.
“There’dbetwo,”Isaidslowly,tryingtothinkwhathewanted.
“Yes,therewouldbe.”Hepaused,thenasked,“Whatmakesthemsovaluable?Whatwouldhappenifyouimagedtwo...orthree?”
“Oh!Theywouldn’tbesovaluablebecausetheywouldn’tbesorare.”
“That’sonething.Howwouldtheownersfeelaboutbeingrobbedofthatvalue?Andifthevaluableobjecthas
somereligiouscontextorvalue...doestheduplicate?Whocouldtellwhichonehappenedtobetheonewiththatvalue?WhatmighttheCaenenansdo?”
“Theycoulddo...anything.”Ofthat,Iknewenoughtobesure.
“YouneedtothinkaboutwhattheimagersoftheCollegiumimage—you’ve
seensomeofwhatwedo—andwhywe’resocarefulaboutwhatweallowtobeimaged.Also,notallthingsimagedturnouttobetrueduplicates.Itrustyoucanseewhatdifficultythatmightcreate.”
“Yes,sir.”Ipaused.“Whatlawswouldpunishsomeonewhocouldimagewhogotcaughtbymakingabadcopy?”
“Ifthatpersonhappenedtobeanadult,olderthaneighteen,andthecrimewasamajoroffense,heorshewouldbeexecuted.Committinganymajorcrimethroughthemeansofimagingisacapitaloffense.Youngerthanthatandthey’dbesenttousfortraining.Someofthemdon’tsurvivetraining,butimagersarerareenoughthatit’sworththeeffort.Someof
theyoungonesdon’tknowit’sacrime,andsomedon’tseethattheyhaveanychoice.”
Ifeltcoldinside.Iwasolderthaneighteen,andIhadbeenwhenthefireandexplosionhadkilledMasterCaliostrus.
“Thatshouldgiveyouenoughtothinkaboutfornow.Today,I’mgoingto
takeyouovertothemachineshopforsomeinstruction.Thenyoucanhelpwithcleaningduties.”
ThatsoundedlikeanassignmentI’dratherdowithout,notthatIhadanychoice,especiallyafterwhatI’djustlearned.
Deathalwayscreateseither
guiltorfear,whethereitherisacknowledgedor
accepted.
I’dbeenattheCollegiumthreeweeksandthreedays,andonthatMeredimorning,Mariseighteenth,Iwasshivering,evenundermy
covers.Iforcedmyselffrombedandpeeredthroughthewindow.Outside,fatflakesofsnowweredriftingdownfromadarkgraysky,althoughnotmorethantwoorthreedigits’worthofsnowhadpileduponthequadrangle.Springwassupposedtoarriveinaweekorso,butitfeltlikewinter.Ipulledontherobethathadcomewiththeroomand
trudgedoutanddowntotheshowersandbathingrooms.Ididlikebeingcleanandclean-shaven.Ijustdidn’tcaremuchfortheprocess,andnotinwinter-coldweather.
Onthewaybackfromtheshower,asIclimbedthestepsfromthelowerlevel,Iheardheavyfootsteps.WhenIsteppedawayfromthelanding,Isawtwoobdurate
guardsintheirblackuniformscarryingastretcher.Theyheadeddownthehallwaytoanopendoortwodoorsbeforemine.BeforeIreachedthatdoorwaytheyhadenteredandthencomeout,carryingafigurecoveredwithablanket.Oneofthemclosedthedoorone-handed,bracingthestretcheronhiskneeforamoment,andthentheystrodetowardme.I
flattenedmyselfagainstthestonewallofthecorridor,notthatIreallyneededto.Neitherlookedatme,butmostobduratesignoredthoseofuswhowerestilllearning.
Standinginthecorridorbetweenthenow-closeddoorandmineweretwoimagers.AlthoughtheylookedtobeseveralyearsyoungerthanIwas,theywerebothseconds,andhadsaidlittletome.
FromwhatIcouldsee,theywerebothupsetandtryingnottoshowit.Thetallerone’scheeksweredamp,asifhe’dwipedawaytears.
“Whowasthat?Whathappened?”Iasked.
Thetwosecondslookedateachother,thenatme,beforeonereplied,“Mhykal.OnhiswaytotheBridgeofStones.”
AllIknewaboutMhykal
wasthathewasanimagersecondus,thathewasofaverageheight,afewdigitsshorterthanme,andthathehadn’tbotheredtospeaktomewhenwepassedinthecorridororonpathsofthequadrangle.Peoplethatyoungjustdidn’tdieintheirbeds.Whentheydidn’tanswer,Iaskedagain,“Whathappened?”
“Whoknows?Ithappens.
Notoften.We’renotallowedtosay.Askyourpreceptor.”
Askmypreceptor?BeforeIcouldsaymore,onehadretreatedtohisroom,andtheotherwasheadedforthestairs.
Ireturnedtomyroomanddresseddeliberately,tryingtomakesenseoutofwhatIhadseen.Animagersecondwasdead,andhisbodywascarted
off.Nooneactedasifitwerestrange.Sad,butnotstrange.I’dheardthatmorethanafewwould-beimagersdied,buthearingthat,andseeingitthewayIjusthad—thatwasanotherthing.
Afterfinishingdressing,IstuffedmybooksinthecanvasbagI’dbeenissuedandthenmademywaydownstairsandthroughthesnowtothedininghall.I
managedtofindEtyenandsatacrossfromhim.
“Therewereobsinthequartersthismorning,and—”
“Iheardthat.Mhykal,theysaid.Icouldhaveguessedhe’dbeone.Hewasalwaystalkingaboutwhathecoulddo.”
“Likeyou?”quippedLieryns.
“No.Morelikeyou.”
“Me?”Lieryns’svoicealmostsqueaked.“Iwouldn’tbethatstupid.”
“WhywouldMhykalbeone?”Ipressed.
“Youcangetinrealtroubleimagingbyyourself...leastuntilyou’reathirdoramaster.Therearelotsofthingsthatcanhappen.BebestifyouaskedMaster
Dichartyntoexplain.”
Lierynsandanotherprimenodded.
Iateslowly,butgoodasthefriedham,hotbiscuits,andwhitegravywere,IhadtroublefinishingwhatI’dservedmyself.Afterbreakfast,IhadtowaitalmostafullglassforMasterDichartyn.IreadthenewsheetI’dpickedup,
glancingoverthetopstorythatmentionedtherecalloftheSolidaranambassadortoCaenen,andthentookoutthehistorytextandstartedrereadingthepagesI’dalreadyreadthreetimes.
“Youlookworried,Rhennthyl.Troublewiththeassignment?”
“No,sir.”Istraightened.“Sir...beforewestart...
mightIaskaquestion?”
“Briefly.”
“Sir...Iwascomingbacktomyroomaftermyshower,andtwoobdurateguardshadastretchercomingoutofaroom...andtherewasabodyundertheblanket.Thetwosecondstherewouldn’ttellmewhathappened.Theysaidthattheycouldn’tandthatIshouldaskyou.”
“That’ssomethingyou’llprobablyseeagain...unfortunately.”MasterDichartynlookedacrossthedeskatme.“Aboutathirdoftheimagerswhoarrivehereasprimesdiebeforetheycompletetheirsecondustraining.Closetofortypercentofthemoretalentedonesdie.”
Fortypercent,andhe’dalreadytoldmeIwas
talented?
“Wouldyouliketoguesswhy?”
ThatwasthelastthingIwantedtodo.
“There’sasayingaboutimagers.Thereareboldimagers,andthereareoldimagers.Therearenooldboldimagers.Whileit’snottotallytrue,it’scloseenough.Tellmewhy.”
Whenheputitthatway,Ididhaveanidea.“Imagerswhoareboldtrythingsthataredifferent,orindifferentways,andtoomanythingscangowrong?”
“Wealloccasionallyhavetotrytoaccomplishdifferentthings.It’samatterofapproach.TheCollegiumbelievesagraduatedandcautiousapproachisthebestone.Wetrytobuildonwhat
youalreadyknoworhavebeentaught.Someyoungimagersthinktheyknowbetter.Sometimestheydo,butmostofthetimetheydon’t.Iftheykeeptryingthingswithoutenoughknowledgeandsupervision,soonerorlatersomethingwillgowrong,oftenverybadly,inoneoftwoways.Theyeitherkillthemselvesdoingwhatthey’vebeentoldnotto
do,ortheygetkilledwhentheygooutinL’Excelsisandstartboastingorcarryingon.”
“Can’tyoudosomething?”
“Whatelsewouldyousuggest?Wecautionyou.Wetrytoshowyouhowtodothingsintheproperways.Areyousayingweshouldhaveatertiusoramasterspendeverymomentofeverydaywiththoseofyouwho
aretalented?OraccompanyyoueverytimeyouleaveImagisle?Wedon’thaveenoughmastersorthirdsforthat.Besides,anyonewhoreallywantstodosomethingboldlystupidwillfindaway,and,frankly,wecan’taffordtohaveimagerswhoarestupidorpubliclyarrogant.There’stoomuchatstake.”
MasterDichartynfeltthatwayabouttheCollegium,but
thatwasn’tmuchhelptomepersonally.
“Now...tellmehowthefoundingoftheCollegiumchangedthehistoryofSolidar.”
Ipushedawaymyangerathisnear-indifferenceandtriedtothink.Accordingtothehistorybook,becauseimagerscouldcreatecertainchemicalcompoundsand
metals,theCollegiumgainedgreaterandgreaterpowerbysupportingtheemergingmerchantclass,untilthelastabsoluterulerandrexofSolidar,Charyn,cededpowertotheCouncilonceherealizedthattheimagersnolongersupportedhimandwerepreparedtobackaviolentchangeingovernment,ifnecessary.So,beingwiserthanmostrulers,
CharynrequestedapositionasheadoftheCouncilforlife,asa“transition,”andeveryoneheavedasighofrelief.Now,thebookdidn’tputitquitelikethat,andIhadthefeelingithadbeennowherenearthatneatandsanitary.“TheCollegiumallowedagrowthofcollectivepoweroftheimagers...”
IjusthopedthatMaster
Dichartynwouldn’tbetoocritical,butIwasstillworriedaboutwhathappenedtoMhykal.I’dlitalampthroughimaginginmysleepandkilledtwomenwhilenotreallytryingtodoso.CouldIdosomethingstupidenoughtokillmyself...andnotevenknowit?
Loveisbothanameandan
act;toooftenthenametriumphs.
OnSolayi,thetwenty-ninth,Istruggledtogetoutofbedintimeforbreakfast.Therewasnorequirementtogotobreakfast—oranyothermeal,forthatmatter.Butforme,
thereweren’tanyalternatives.EvenifIhadbeenpermittedtoleaveImagisle,I’dearnedsomethinglikefoursilverssinceI’dbeenattheCollegium.Thatmighthavepaidfortwocheapmealsofftheisle—andneitherwouldhavebeenasgoodaswhatIwasgettingfed.Atthenoonandeveningmeals,weevenhadwine,agradethatwasagoodplonk.
Atbreakfastanddinner,evenduringtheweek,Iseldomsawmorethanafewmasters,andtheywerethosewhohadvariousdutiesonthatparticularday,norweretherethatmanyoftheolderthirdsorseconds.Onweekendstherewereevenfewer,butthatmadesense,becauseeventhejuniorimagerscouldleaveImagisle—exceptforprimesinmy
position.
Iwasoneoftheolderimagersthere,exceptforMaitreDichartyn.Hewasseatedatthemasters’tablewithMaitreChassendri,andshewasthemaitreoftheday.Isatdownattheprimes’table,lessthanhalffull,andarathersleepy-eyedandgroggyLierynsstaggeredinandsatacrossfromme.
“Tooearly,”hemumbled.
“Butit’salongtimetolunchonanemptystomach.”
“Wouldn’tbehereotherwise.”
Iglancedaroundthedininghall.Therewereonlytwentyorsoatthesecondsandthirds’table,andperhapsfifteenattheprimes’table.“Youdon’tgoanywhereonweekends?”
“Nowheretogo.MypeopleliveoutnearRivages.Ironwayonlygoespartway,andit’snearlyadaytripeachway.Besides,they’reallforesters.”
“Youdon’thavemuchtotalktothemabout?”Iasked,beforepouringteaintomymug.
“Neverdid.Lessnow,andeveryoneelseintown,they
alllooktheotherwayiftheyseemecoming.Oh,they’lltalkifyougreet’em,andthey’renicertomethantheyeverwerewhenIwasjustLeam’syoungest,buttheyalllooksouncomfortable.”
“Theyrespectyou,then.”
“Morelikefear.You’llsee.”Lierynslookeddownintohismugoftea,inhalingslightlyandlettingthewarm
vaporcaresshisface.
“Howdidyoudiscoveryouwereanimager?”
“Mydahadtoomanypitchersofplonkonenight,andhecamestormingin,triedtobeatupCallia,andheranintoadoorthatwasn’tthere.Ourcotneverhaddoors,justcurtains.Didn’ttakehimlongtofigureitout,seeingasonlyCalliaandI
werethere.MaandtheotherswereatAuntNuela’s—she’djusthadherthird.Anyway,drunkashewas,thatstoppedhim.”
“Itdid?”
“Oh,hewantedtoflogmeintoribbons,butthemastersdon’tlikeit,andthere’safinders’feeforlettingtheCollegiumknowaboutimagers.It’sagoldmost
places,maybemoreifwe’renotbeaten.MasterGhaendsaidthatitwascheaperthanholdinghearingsortrialsforpeoplewhokilledyoungimagers.Mydawasmorethanhappytoclaimit,andIusuallybringthemasilverortwowhenIvisit.”Lierynsshrugged.“It’seasierthatway.Besides,I’vegotafeelingthatLlysirajustmighthavethetalent.She’snine
now.”Hetookamouthfuloftherubber-likeomeletandchewedslowly.“Anyoneelseinyourfamilyshowupasanimager?”
Ishookmyhead.“NotthatIknow,andthewaymymother’sfamilykeepstrackofthebloodlines,Ithinkthey’dknow.”
“Maybetheydoknow.Maybetheydon’tsay.Some
folksdon’twantitknown.Theysayit’samarkoftheNamer.”
WasLierynsright?HowcouldIknowifpeoplenevertalkedandI’dneverknownenoughtoask?“You’recheerfulthismorning.”
Heyawned,thenshookhishead.“Youeverhaveagirlfriend?”
“Onceortwice.Thefirst
married...someone.Theother...Idon’tknow.”Thatwasn’ttotallytrue.I’denjoyedthecompanyofafewovertheyears,and,forsomereason,theonlytwoI’dthoughtofinresponsetohisquestionwereRemayaand,surprisingly,Seliora,yetI’donlydancedwithSelioraontwoorthreeoftheSamediget-togethers.“Whataboutyou?”
Lierynsshookhishead.“ThefirsttimeIwenthome,hermothermetmeatthedoorandsaidthatshewas...indisposed.She’sbeenindisposedeversince.Forme,anyway.You’llbefortunateifyourformergirlfriendwillevenlookatyou.”
Thathadn’tbeenoneofmygreaterconcerns.Evenso,IhadtowonderifI’dhavethat
problem...orifI’devenhaveanotherwomanfriend.ThatwassomethingelseI’dfindout.
Afterbreakfast,Idonnedtheheavygraycloakandbegantowalkalongthewestsideoftheisle,onthegraystonewalkjustabovethegraystoneriverwalls.CouncilHillwastwoandahalfmillesaway,butthedaywasgrayandhazyenough
thatIcouldbarelymakeoutthewhitewallsoftheCouncilChateau,andtheylookedtobealightershadeofgrayinthedistance.Thegrayeverywherewasgettingtome.IwonderedhowdifferentithadlookedinthedaysbeforeCharyn,whenL’ExcelsisandSolidarhadbeenruledbyarex.Hadanyoftheearlyrulersbeenimagers?Noneofthehistory
booksI’dreadhadsaid,onlythattheearlyimagers,especiallythoseservingRexRegis,hadbeenanecessaryadjuncttothepoweroftherex.Butthen,noneofthebooksmentionedtheNamer,either,orRholantheUnnamer,oreventhemarkoftheNamer.
Iamblednorthpasttheworkrooms,thearmory,andanareaofdwellings,both
largeandsmall,seeminglyplacedwithcareinapark-likesetting.Northofthehouseswasasmallparkthatcoveredthenortherntipoftheisle.Althoughithadbenchesandasmallhedgemaze,Isawonlythreepeople—ayoungwomanwithtwosmallchildren,barelymorethantoddlers.Ikeptfollowingthestonewalkbackdowntheeastsideoftheisle.
JustbeforeIreachedtheBridgeofHopes,Isawanimager,withbroadshouldersandlightbrownhair,walkingacrossthebridge.Onthefarside,waitingforhim,wasamagnificentblackcoach,trimmedinsilver,withamatchedpairofblacks.Standingbesidetheopendoorofthecoachwasayoungwoman,withlongwhite-blondhairflowingout
fromasilverandblackscarf.Evenatthatdistance,Icouldtellthatshewasyoungandbeautiful.Ijuststoodandwatchedastheimagerneared.
Sheleanedforwardandkissedhimonthecheek,butbriefly,andwithacertainstiffness.Thenhehelpedherintothecoachandfollowed.Icouldn’thelpbutwondernotonlywhotheimagerwas,buthowhe’dmanagedtohavea
ladyfriendsoclearlywealthy.PerhapstherewasmoreappealtobeinganimagerthanI’drealized.
Thosewhodonotunderstand
imagingassumethatanyruleoftheworldcanbecircumventedorchangedwithenoughskill;thatissoerroneousthatitcannotevenbetermedwrong.
OnJeudi,thethirty-thirdofMaris,attheendofbreakfast,
whenI’dbeenattheCollegiumforoverthreeweeks,MasterPoincarytstoodandannounced,“AllmembersoftheCollegium,exceptthosewithspecificexceptionsfromme,willassembleinthegalleryofthehearingroomoftheJusticeBuildingattheeighthglassthismorning.”Thenhesatdown.
“That’stroublefor
someone,”murmuredEtyen.
“Morethantrouble,”addedThenard.
AccordingtotheManual,hearingsweremandatedonlyforseriousoffensesagainsttheCouncilortheCollegium,buttherewasnothingwrittenthatindicatedthatthehearingswerepublicandthatallimagerswererequiredtoattend.
“Doyouknowwhoitisorwhattheydid?”Iasked.
“No,”saidsomeonedownthetable.“Weonlyfindoutatthehearing.”
IfyoudidsomethingagainsttheCollegium,couldsomeonejustappearwithguardsorwhateverandwhiskyouofftoacellandahearing?Couldtheydothattome,forimagingthe
explosionthatkilledMasterCaliostrusandOstrius?Itriednottoshiver,andinsteadlookeddownattheremnantsoftheegg-friedtoastonmyplatter.
Islowlyfinishedthem,aswellasmytea,thenmademywaytoMasterDichartyn’sstudy,whereIsatonthebenchinthehallandbegantoleafthroughthemanual.
“Rhennthyl?”Gherardstoodinthemiddleofthecorridor.“MasterDichartynispreparingforthehearing.HeaskedmetotellyoutoreadtheeighthsectionofNaturalScienceandthefirstsectionofPracticalPhilosophy.Hewillseeyoutomorrowmorning.”
Iwentbacktomyroomandstruggledthroughfivepagesofthephilosophybook
beforemakingmywayoutintothemistyfogthatcoveredthequadrangleandthentotheJusticeBuilding.Thegalleryconsistedofwoodenhigh-backedbenchessetontiersthatrosebehindalowwallthatseparatedthehearingareafromthegallery.Thebenchesflankedacentralsetofsteps,comingdownfromtheupperentryonthesecondlevelofthebuilding.
Thelowerlevelwasverysimple.Attheeastendwasadaisayardhigh,andfromthemiddleroseasolidblackdeskwithahigh-backedchairbehindit.Thefloorwasofseamlessstone,butawalkwayofblackstone,seeminglywithnojoinsseparatingitfromthegraystonearoundit,ranfromthearchwayatthewestendofthechambertothefootofthe
dais.Attheendofthedais,abovewheretheblackstoneended,wasablackrailingtwoyardslong,supportedateachendbyblackposts.
Bythetimealltheimagershadfiledin,thegallerywasclosetofilled.Frommybestcount,therewereclosetotwohundredimagersthere,rangingfromprimesjustoutofgrammairetograyingmasters.
“IsthismostoftheCollegium?”IlookedtowardThenard,seatedonmyright.
Heshrugged.“ThisisonlythethirdhearingI’vebeento.That’sintwoyears.Therehavebeenaboutthesamenumberateachhearing.”
Outside,thebellsbegantoringtheglass.
“Allrise.”Thewordscamefromadark-hairedmaster
standingbythewest-endarchwayfacingthedais.
Aswestood,thejustice—orhearingofficer—walkedinandthensettledhimselfbehindthedeskonthehighdais.Heworealonggrayrobe,liketheCounciljustices,excepthiswastrimmedinbothblackandred,insteadofjustblack.
“Youmaybeseated,”
announcedthebailiff.“Floryn,ImagerTertius,stepforwardtothebar.”
Floryndidn’thavemuchchoiceaboutsteppingforward.Hishandsweremanacledbehindhim,andathickblackblindfoldcoveredhiseyes.Twolargeobduratesinblackescortedhimforwarduntilhestoodbeforetheblackrailing.Iwonderedabouttheblindfold,butonly
foramoment.Itwouldbehardtoimageanythingifyoucouldn’tsee,andthepositionofthemanaclespreventedhimfromliftinghishandstoremovetheblindfold.
“Whostandstodefendtheaccused?”askedthejustice.
“Ido.”MasterDichartynsteppedforwardandstoodbesidethesmalltableontheright,facingthedais.
“WhopresentsthecasefortheCollegiumagainsttheaccused?”
“Ido.”ThethinblondmanwhosteppeduptothetableontheleftwasamanI’dseenatmeals,seatedatthemasters’table,butwhomIdidnotknow.
“Statethechargesagainsttheaccused.”
“Theaccusedfacesthree
charges.ThefirstchargeisthatofcounterfeitingthecoinofSolidar,towit,byimagingagoldcrownthatwasnotpuregoldandbyattemptingtousesuchtopurchasegoods.Thesecondchargeisthatofemployingimagingtoobstructacivicpatrollerinthecourseofhisduties.Thethirdchargeisthatofattemptedmurderintheuseofimagingagainstamaster
oftheCollegium.”
Afterthereadingofthethirdcharge,Icouldhearseveralindrawnbreaths,particularlyfromarowofthirdsseatedbelowus.
“Howdoestheaccusedplead?Guilty,NotGuilty,NoPlea,orForMercy?”
“ForMercy,YourHonor,”offeredMasterDichartyn.
ThejusticelookeddirectlyatFloryn.“Floryn,yourdefenderhasofferedapleaofForMercy.Doyouacceptthatplea?”
“Yes,sir.”
EvenIcouldsensethedefeatandresignationbehindthosetwowords.
“Seattheaccused.”
ThetwoguardsledFloryn
tothetableontherightofthechamber,behindwhichweretwochairs.Aftertheyseatedhimintheoneawayfromtheblackstonewalkway,theytookpositionbehindhim,whileMasterDichartynseatedhimselfintheotherchair.
“Proceed,AdvocatefortheCollegium,”statedthejustice.
Theblondmasternodded
tothebailiff,whoannounced,“Sandyal,ImagerTertius,tothebar.”
Alankyandsandy-hairedimagerwholookedtobeclosetomyagewalkedfromthewestarchwayforwardtothebar.
“Sandyal,”beganthejustice,“doyouunderstandthatyouarerequiredtotellthewholetruth,andthatyour
wordsmustnotdeceive,eitherbyelaborationoromission?”
“Yes,sir.”
“Proceed.”
“Sandyal,”begantheCollegiumadvocate,“youhadaconversationwithFlorynonSolayi,thetwenty-ninthofMaris.WouldyoupleaserecountwhatFlorynsaidhewasgoingtodo?”
“Yes,sir.Wehadtheafternoonoff.Wehadtobebackforchapel,buttheafternoonwasours,andFlorynsaidthathewantedtohavesomespicedwineandpastriesatNaranje.ItoldhimthatIdidn’thaveenoughcoin,andhesaidthathe’dtakecareofwhateverwebought....”
Sandyalmusthaverecountedeverydetailofthe
afternoon,andittookmorethanhalfaglass,butthegistwasthatFloryndidn’thaveanycoinandthatheimagedagold.Theservinggirlthoughtitfeltwrongandputitinawater-tester.Itcameupfalse.Shetoldtheownerofthepatisserie,andhesummonedthepatrollers.Becauseshehadalsosaidthatitcamefromayoungimager,theysummonedthedutymaster.
Thesummonsdidn’treachthemasterbeforeapatrollerarrived.Florynrealizedsomethingwaswrongandranoutofthepatisserie.Thepatrollerfollowed,andFlorynimagedsomethingthattrippedthepatroller.”
“Didyouseewhathappenedafterthat?”
“No,sir,exceptthatFlorynranacrosstheboulevard—the
BoulevardD’Imagers,sir—anddownanalleyway.Ijustwaitedthereinthepatisserie.Ididn’thaveanycoins,and...IthoughtFlorynwasgoingtopay.Hesaidhewould.”
“Ihavenofurtherquestions.”TheadvocatelookedtoMasterDichartyn.
“Ihavenoquestions.”
“Youmayleavethechamberfortheanteroom,
ImagerSandyal.”
Sandyalinclinedhishead,thenturned.
“WhatwillhappentoSandyal?”Iwhisperedashewalkedbackdowntheblackstone.
“He’srestrictedtoImagisleforthenextyear,andthenthey’llreviewit.”
Ididn’thearwhosaidthat,
butitwasn’tThenard.
“MasterFerlyntothebar.”
Theangularmasterwhostrodedownthecentralblackstonewaydidn’tlookallthatmucholderthanIwas.Hehaddarkmahoganyhairandasharpnose.
“MasterFerlyn,”askedthejustice,“doyouunderstandthatyouarerequiredtotellthewholetruth,andthatyour
wordsmustnotdeceive,eitherbyelaborationoromission?”
“Yes,YourHonor.”
Ferlyn’sanswerstotheadvocate’squestionsparalleledwhatSandyalhadsaid.
“Didyouseewhathappenedtothecivicpatroller?”
“Yes,sir.Florynimagedatimberrightbeforehisknees.Thepatrollerwasn’tthreateningFloryn.HewastryingtokeephiminsightuntilIarrived...”
Thatalsomadesensetome.
“...whenIcaughtsightofhiminMilliners’Lane,Floryntriedtouseimagerytoblockmyvisionofwhatwas
happeningaswellasmakingapersonalattackonme.Thedetailsareinthedocumentationpresentedtothecourt.Irequestthatthosedetailsnotbestatedinopencourt.”
ThejusticelookedtoMasterDichartyn,butMasterDichartyndidnotobjecttothatrequest.Foraninstant,Iwonderedwhy,butthenrealizedthattherewasa
greaterdisadvantagetoFloryninhavingthedetailsmadepublic.
AfterMasterFerlyn’stestimony,statementswerereadfromtheservinggirlandfromthepatroller,andthepatisserieowner.
Thenthebailiffcalledout,“Vanjhant,ImagerSecondus.”
Inmoments,thechubby
andblondyoungimagerwasstandingbeforethebar,havingbeenexhortedtotellthetruth.
“Vanjhant,youlistenedtosomethingthatFlorynsaidseveralweeksago.Iwouldlikeyoutorecountwhatyouheard.”
“Yes,sir.”Vanjhantlickedhislips.Thenheswallowed.“Wewereleavingthedining
hall,anditwasn’tthatgoodthatday.Leastwedidn’tthinkso.Morrysetwaswishingthathecouldhavearealpastry,andFlorynsaidthatwasnoproblem,thatallyouhadtodowasimageafewsilversoragold,wheneveryouwantedto,andgooutacrossthebridgeandbuyone....Chastynsaiditwasn’tthateasy.Florynsaidthatsolongasthegoldwas
ontheoutsideanditwasheavyenough,anyonewouldtakeit...”
Theadvocateaskedseveralmorequestions,thendismissedVanjhant.Afterthat,threemorejuniorimagerswerecalled,andallconfirmedthatFlorynhadmadesimilarstatements.
“Arethereanyadditionalwitnesses?”askedthejustice.
“No,YourHonor.”Thewordsfrombothmasterswerenearlysimultaneous.
“Yourstatement,masterdefender.”
MasterDichartynstood.“Icannotcontestthefactsinthiscase.Floryndidinfactimageagoldthatdidnotcontainthepropergoldcontent.Hadthecoinbeenoftheproperweight,atmosthewouldface
adisciplinaryhearing,assumingthathisduplicationofacoinwouldeverhavebeennoticed.Hislifeisatstakebecausehisabilitieswerenotequaltohisself-confidence.Aswithmanyyoungpeoplewhorealizethattheyhavemadeaterriblemistake,hepanicked.Heattemptedtostopapatrollerfromfollowinghim,buthedidnotuseimagingina
fashionintendedtodoanypermanentharmtothepatroller.ThesameistrueofhisuseofimagingagainstMasterFerlyn.Becausehisactionswerebasedonpoorjudgment,andbecausehisactionsshowedclearlyhisdesirenottocreatepermanentharmorinjurytoanyone,Irequestthathereceivemercy,andthathebesentencedtofiveyearsintheduplication
sectionofthemachineworks,andthatheberestrictedtoImagislefortenyears,andthatanyviolationofeitherconditionresultinimmediateexecutionofthesentencethatwouldotherwisebeimposed.”
ThewayMasterDichartynputit,therequestformercyseemedfairenough.CertainlyFlorynwouldnotbegettingofflightly,butitwasclear
thatthealternativewashisdeath.
“Yourstatement,AdvocatefortheCollegium.”
Theblondmasterstood.“Mycolleaguehaspresentedaneloquentargument,andonethat,inothercircumstances,Iwouldinfactendorseandsupport.WereFlorynanImagerPrimusorSecondus,withperhapsa
yearorsoattheCollegium,Iwouldnothesitatetodoso.Hadhebeenhereeventwo,orperhapsthreeyears,IwouldprobablysupportapleaofForMercy.ButFlorynhasbeenattheCollegiumforoverfiveyears,andhisactions,asshownbythestatementshemadetoalllevelsofyoungimagers,embodyathoughtlessnessandarecklessnessthat,in
time,couldthreatentheveryCollegiumitself.Thiswasnottheimpetuousandisolatedactofayoungimager,excitedovernewabilitiesandunawareoftheconsequences.Theseactswerethoseofanarrogantandself-centeredmanwhocouldonlyconsiderhisownpleasure,andwhocreateddisruptionandbroughtdiscreditupontheCollegium—allforafew
mugsofspicedwineandtwopastries.Forthosereasons,ImustaskthatthepleaofForMercyberejected,thatFlorynbefoundguiltyofthechargesleviedagainsthim,andthattheappropriatesentencebecarriedout.”TheCollegiumadvocateinclinedhishead,firsttoMasterDichartyn,thentothejustice.
“Floryn,ImagerTertius,tothebar.”
Thetwoguardshalf-urged,half-liftedFlorynfromhischairandescortedhimbacktothebar,facingthejustice.Thentheyretreatedseveralpacesandwaited.
Thejusticestood.
“Allrise!”orderedthebailiff.
Istood,feelingqueasyasIdidso.
“Floryn,ImagerTertius,thiscourtfindsasfollows.First,thefactsandtestimonyconfirmthatyoudidinfactcommittheoffenseswithwhichyouhavebeencharged.Second,givenyourlengthofstudyattheCollegium,acceptanceofapleaofForMercyisnotwarranted.Third,thepenaltyforconvictiononeachofthethreechargesisdeath.”
Florynwinced,asifstruck.
Silencefilledthespace,fromthecourtareaallthewayupthroughthegallery.
Florynshuddered,thencollapsedontheblackstonefloorbeforethedais.Hetwitchedseveraltimes.Thenhewasstill.Thetwoburlyguardssteppedforwardandpickedupthebody,liftingiteasilyupandontotheir
shoulders,andthencarrieditout.
Therobedmasterlookeddownfromthedais.“ThesentenceoftheCollegiumhasbeenenforced.Justicehasbeendone.Sobeit.”Afteramoment,heturnedandwalkedoutthroughthesmallerarchwayattherearofthedais.Then,allofthosebelowturnedanddeparted.
Ijuststoodthereforalongmoment,evenastheimagersaroundmebegantoleave.
Guiltprovidesfarmore
effectivemotivationthangreed,forgreedcanattimes
besatiated.
OnJeudinight,aftertoomanyglassesstudyingandworrying,Iwasparticularlygladformyprivatequarters,becauseIdidnotsleepwell,
notwithdreamsoffacingahearingforthedeathofMasterCaliostrusrunningthroughmynightmares.NotwiththevisionoftheCollegiumadvocaterecitinghowIhadimagedmyportraituristmastertodeathbecauseIhatedhisson.Ialsohadvisionsofsomemasterimagingpoisonorsomethinglikeitintomybody,andbeingunabletodoanything
atallagainstsuchanattack.
WhenIwokeonVendrei,farearlierthannormal,withtheearly-springlightbarelyseepingfromcloud-coveredskiesthroughleaded-glasswindows,morequestionsrushedthroughmybrain.HadinfactthejusticeimagedpoisonintoFlorynashehadstoodbeforethebar?Wasthattechniqueanotherreasonforalltheanatomydrawings
intheNaturalSciencevolume?
Ishookmyhead.Thattechniquecouldbeappliedtoeverything,ifanimagerhappenedtobecomestrongandtalentedenough.Butthen,ifthatwereso,ofwhatusewereobdurates?
Breakfastattheprimetablewasasquietlyboisterousasusual.Thatbotheredmeas
well,butIsaidnothinganddidmybesttoenjoythehamrashersthatwentwiththeomeletcasserole.Therewerenolettersinmybox,notthatIexpectedany,andItrudgedthroughthemistingdrizzlethatsifteddownonthequadrangleasImademywaytoMasterDichartyn’sstudy.
Thedoorwasopen,andhewaswaitingforme.“DidGherarddeliveryour
assignments?”
ThatwasapleasantwayofaskingwhetherI’dreadthem.
“Yes,sir.Thephilosophyishard.”
“Ifitweren’thard,itwouldn’tbephilosophy.”Heclosedthestudydoorbehindme.“Youlooktired.Areyouallright?”
Ratherthananswerthat,
becauseIwasn’tcertainhowIwasanddidn’twanttosay,Isaid,“MightIaskyouaboutthehearing,sir?”
“Youmayask.Imaychoosenottoreply.”
“WhydidFlorynnotspeakforhimself?Isthatforbidden?”
MasterDichartynshookhishead.“Itisnot,andmostaccuseddospeakfor
themselves.Florynhadagreaterchanceformercyifhedidnotspeak.Itwasnotagreatchance,butitwastheonlyhopethathehad.”
“MightIaskwhy?”
“Iwoulddenythattomostjuniorimagers,Rhennthyl,butIwillansweryouontwoconditions.First,youarenevertorepeatmyanswertoanyone,andafterthis
meeting,noteventome.Second,youwillmakeanhonestattempttoexplaintomewhyIamallowingyouthisliberty.”Helookedatme.“Doyouacceptthoseconditions?”
TherewasmoretherethanIknew,butIalsoneededtoknow.“Yes,sir.”
“Floryn’slifewasatstake,butwhathedidnot
understandisthathisandeveryimager’slifeisatstakeeverymomentofeveryday.Now...itisnotarroganttobelieveinone’struecapabilities,butitisarrogantforanimagertodeclarethosecapabilitiespublicly,anditisunacceptablyarroganttooverstateone’scapabilities,particularlywhenweexistonthesufferanceofthepeople.Florynwasincapableof
speakingwithoutrevealinghisarrogance,andarrogancefromjuniorimagersdoesnotsetwellwithmasters,particularlynotwithMasterJhulian,whowasservingasjustice.ItriedtocoachFlorynastohowheshouldspeak,buthisangerwassogreatthatanythinghesaidwouldhaveensuredhisdeath.”
“Washeatalentedimager,sir?”
“Almostastalentedasyoumaybecome,ifyouworkhardatit.”Hepaused.“WhyhaveIletyouaskthis?”
Theanswerwasobvious.Itwasalsopainful.“BecauseIcouldbecomearrogant,asFlorynwas.”
“Notquite.Youwouldneverbeasblatantly,flagrantlystupid,andyouarenotthetypetoboast.You
couldbethetypetoboasttoyourselfandtoactinanger,butinsubtleandcoolarrogance,whenyoufeelyourselfwrongedordisregarded.Howdidyoufeelwhenyoudidnotwinthejourneyman’scompetitionlastIanus?”
“Wronged,”Iadmitted,evenasIwonderedhowheknewthat,becauseI’dnevermentionedittoanyoneatthe
Collegium.“Myworkwasbetterthanthosethatwon,andseveralmastersadmittedasmuchindirectly.”
“Thenwhydidyounotwin?”
Iwantedtoblurtoutthattheyhadplayedfavorites,buttherewasmorebehindit,andMasterDichartynwouldnothaveaskedthequestioniftherehadnotbeen.“Iwould
guessthatpartofthecompetitionwastodeterminewhowouldfollowthetraditionsandtheunspokenrulesoftheirguild.”
“Ifthatwereso,thendidyoudeservetowin?”
“Ideservedtowinonartisticmerit,sir,butnotiftheprizesweretobegivenonblindcompliancewithunspokenrules.”
MasterDichartynnodded.“Youdon’tliketoadmitthat,doyou?”
“No,sir.”
“Whathappenedtoyouthereisthesameeverywhereelse.Allgroups,whethertheguilds,theCouncil,theHighHolders,ortheCollegium,havebothformalrules—andthesecanbespokenorwrittenorboth—and
unspokenrules.Theunspokenrulesmustbeobservedanddeducedbyeachmemberofthegroup,andinlargepart,acceptanceandsuccessdependonrecognitionofandmasteryofthoseunspokenrules.Youngpeopleusuallyunderstandthatsuchrulesexistwithintheirowngroups,butmanyhaveahardertimeacceptingthatothergroupshavesuch
rulesandthatatleastsomeofthoserulesmaydiffergreatlyfromtherulestheyhavealreadylearned.Oftentheygetmostangrywhentherulesofthoseolderandmorepowerfuldonotfollowtheirpreconceptions.”
“Floryndidn’tlikeit?”
“Hecamefromapart-taudisbackgroundwhereonehastoboastandoverstateto
berespected.Hecouldneverovercomethatearlytraining.”
“WhatearlytrainingdoIneedtoovercome?”
MasterDichartynlaughed,somewhatsadly.“Icannotsaywithcertainty.Iwouldjudgethatyouneedmoretoovercomeyourrebellionagainstearlytraining.Youmayhavebecomeanartistbecauseyoudislikedthe
constantcountinganduseofcoinsasameasureofsuccess.Yetthatisthemeasureofsuccessincommerce,andyoumustacceptthefactthatsuchisthecasewithmostpeople.TaxesandtariffsoncommercesupportallofSolidar,aswellastheCollegium.Mostpeoplecanreckononlywithnumbers,andtheymeasuretheirworthbycomparingtheir
possessionsandcoinsagainstthoseofothers.”
Iwouldhavetothinkaboutthat.
“Rhennthyl...Ihaveanotherquestion.Alltechniquesandquestionsaboutimaging,beyondtheverybasicexercisesthatyou’vealreadyhad,arehandledinprivatediscussionsandexerciseswithamaster.
Whydoyouthinkthisisso?”
“Youwanttoseewhatwecandowhennooneelseisaround.ThatwouldkeepothersfromgettinghurtifIdidsomethingreallywrong.”
“Youcouldhurtme.”
“No,sir.Idon’tthinkso.Youwouldn’tgiveustheinstructionandtoolsifyoudidn’thavesomewayofprotectingyourself.”I
paused.“Idon’tknowifIunderstandaboutobdurates,notafter...yesterday.Imean...howcanthey...protectagainst...”
Hejustsmiled.“Therearetwokindsofimaging.Theprocessisthesame,buttheeffectsarenot.Ifyoutrytochangethewaysomeonelooksortheirphysicalbeingthroughimaging,itwillnotaffectanobdurate,andif
you’restrongenough,theslightestsuggestionwillchangeamalleable.Mostpeoplewon’tbeaffected,andtheeffectusuallywon’tlastunlesstheimagerisamaster,generallyahigher-levelmaster.Thatisnotthesameasifoneusesimagingasaweapon,ifyouwill,buttodothat,onemustbeabletosee...”
Iunderstood.Theobdurate
guardsmighthavebeencloseenoughtobeaffectedbypersonalshapingimaging,iftheywerenotobdurates,andtheblindfoldprovidedtherestoftheprotection.“Areimagersobduratestosomedegree?”
“Almostalways,butthereareafewwhoarenot.Youaredefinitelynotoneofthose.”Heclearedhisthroat.“Now...ifwemightreturn
tomyquestion.Arethereanyotherreasonswhyweinstructyoualonewithoutotherspresent?”
“Youwanttokeepcontrolofthesituation?”
“Whatdoyoumean?”
“Itcouldbethatwithmoreimagersaround...”
Thistime,heshookhishead.“No,oneofthereasons
fortheisolationisforyourprotection.Icanprotectmyself.Youcan’tyet.Whatifanotherjuniorimagermadeamistake?”
“Oh...Ishouldhavethoughtofthat,sir.”
“Afteryouthoughtofmybeinghurt,youshouldhave.Oneoftheproblemsthatyoungmenhaveisthatwhiletheycanthinkofwhatmay
happentoothers,theydon’tthinkhowtheiractionsorthoseoftheirpeersmayresultingreatinjurytothemselves.Thinkofitthisway.Afterthehearing,didn’tyouworrythatsomedaysomemastermightchargeyouwithsomeoffense?”
“Ah...yes,sir.”
“Didyouthinkaboutthefactthatifyouavoideddoing
unwiseorprohibitedactsyouwouldn’thavethatworry?”
Ihadn’t,notreally.
“Yousee?”Heraisedbotheyebrows.
“But,sir...mostofushavedonethingsweregretorworryabout,sometimesbeforeweknewbetter...”Iwasn’tquitesurewhatIwassuggestingwaswise,butIhadtoknow.
Henoddedslowly.“Thatistrueformanyofyou,generallyforthemostgifted,suchasyou.Youarereferringtotheunfortunatedeathofyourpreviousmaster,areyounot?”
Ijustsatthere,stone-cold.Ishouldn’thavesaidanything,andyet...
“You’resurprised?Ireceivecopiesofallthe
patrollerreportsinL’Excelsis.Welookatthemcarefullywheredeathsandstrangeoccurrencesareinvolved,particularlywhenayoungerpersonisinvolved.Itisoftensuggestive.Veryfewofthemosttalentedimagersdonothaveadeathoraninjurytoanotherthathascomefromtheirdiscoveryordevelopmentoftheirability.Theonlyquestioniswhether
theyworryaboutitorsufferforit.Thosewhodonotsuffer,orunderstandthattheyshould,areusefulonlyfortheArmyortheNavy,orforthemachineworks,fortheyhavenorestraints.I’mgladyoubroughtthematterup,andevengladderthatyoudidindirectly,atleastindirectlyforonewhoisnotexperiencedinindirection.”
“Youknewandletme
becomeanimager?”
“Hadyounotcometous,Rhenn,”MasterDichartynsaidquietly,“withinthemonth,youwouldhavebeenfounddeadonthestreet.Youhadthewisdomtounderstandwhatyouhadbecome,andthestrength,evenwiththeworryyoucarried,tocrosstheBridgeofHopes.Whydoyouthinkitiscalledthat?”Hissmilewaswry.“Hopeis
alwaysanexpectationbeyondanticipatedreality,isitnot?”
Putinthatlight,Ihadtoagreewithhim.Inodded.
“Youhavelearnedwhatsomeneverdo.Whatyouhavenotlearned,butwill,isthatyouwillalwaysbearthecostsofwhatledyoutobecomeanimager,onewayoranother.”
Ihadthefeelingthathe
mightberight.
“NextVendrei,atthenoonmeal,MasterPoincarytwillincludeyournameamongthoseimagersbeingpromotedfromprimustosecondus.”Hesmiled,butthesmilevanishedalmostimmediately.“Nowthatwehavetakencareofthoseissues...defineaphilosophicalpropositionforme,byitsstructure.”
IhadtothinkaboutwhatIhadread,butsomeofthedreadIhadcarriedforweekshadlifted.Someofit.
Thosewhobelieveconsider
themselvesblessed;thatistheirconsolationandtheir
burden.
ThefirstSolayiinAvryl,thefirstofthemonthandthelastdayIwasactuallyrestrictedtoImagisle,Mothercametovisitme.Theafternoonwas
partlycloudy,butthemorninghadbeensunny,andtheairwaspleasant.HercoachcrossedtheBridgeofHopesrightatthefirstbellofthesecondglassoftheafternoon.Iwaswaitingjustoffthebridgeontheisleside,becausethatwaswheretheManualstatedvisitorsshouldbemet.
Charlsyneasedthecoachintothewaitingarea,buthe
avoidedlookingdirectlyatmeasIsteppedforwardandopenedthedoor.
Mothersteppedout,andIofferedherahand,becausetherewasnomountingblock,althoughthegraygranitecurbingwassomewhatraisedabovethepavingstones.Sheworealongblackskirtandboots,withashortmaroonjacketoveracreamblouse,withapalegreenscarfand
maroonberet-stylehat.Inherownway,shemadeitalllookgoodtogether.
“You’relookingwell,Rhenn.”Hersmilewaspracticedassheinspectedme,andwideraftershesawnoobviousfaultsinmydressanddeportment.“Thegraydoessuityou,althoughitisabitsevere.Theclothofthewaistcoatandtrouserslookstobechoicewool.”
“Ihadn’tnoticed,notexactly.”
“Well...yourfatherwillbepleasedtoknowthat.It’sagoodgradeforimagers,veryfine,butnotostentatious.”
“MasterDichartynwillbepleasedtohearthat.”AssoonasIspoke,IwishedIhadn’tsaiditthatway,andIquicklyadded,“Hefeelsimagersshouldneverbearrogantor
ostentatious.”
“Youshouldlistentohim.Nooneshouldbe.”Shesmiled,andatwinkleappearedinhereyes.“I’veevensuggestedthattoyourfatheronceortwice,butdon’ttellhimthatItoldyouso.”
“Iwouldn’tthinkofit.”Icouldn’thelpbutenjoythethoughtofhersuggestingthat
hewasarrogant.
Westrolleddownthewalkwaytooneofthestonebenches.Motherproducedasmalltowelfromsomewhereanddusteditoff.“Itneverhurtstobeprepared.”
“You’repreparedforeverything,”Isaidwithasmile.
“Onecanneverprepareforeverything,butwhenone
preparesforwhatonecan,it’smucheasiertodealwiththeunexpected.”
“There’ssometruthinthat,”Iconceded.
“Soniceofyoutoadmitthat,dear.”
Iwinced.“I’msorry.”
Shestraightenedherselfonthebench.“RouselandRemayawillbearrivingon
Jeudi.WillyoubeabletocomefordinneronSamedi,orwilltheyneedtocometoseeyouhere?”
“I’llbeabletocomeonSamedi.ThisismylastweekendtoberestrictedtoImagisle.”
“Good.I’llsendCharlsynwiththecoach.Whattimewouldbegood?”
Ididn’twanttospendtoo
longwithRouselandRemaya—orFather—butIdidn’twanttoseemungrateful.“I’vealwaysbeenfreebythethirdglassoftheafternoon.”
“Shouldhemeetyouhere?”
“Icouldmeethimontheothersideofthebridge.Thatwayhewouldn’thavetocrossandturnthecoach.”
“That’ssettled,then.Itwill
besogoodtohaveeveryonehome.YouknowthatRemaya’sexpectinginlateJuyn?”
“Iknewitwassometimethissummer.”
“Sheisalovelyperson.”
ThatmeantthatRemayawasfarsuperiortoherPharsibackground.“Iknewthatfromthebeginning.”
“Thatmaybe,dear,butshe’sfarbettersuitedtoRousel.Sheenjoystalkingabouttradeandwool,andshelikesitasmuchashedoes.”
Motherdidhaveapointthere.
“Oh...Iforgottotellyou.Ishouldhavewrittenyou.Wehaveyourpainting—theoneyouenteredintheartcompetition.MasterReayalt
haditsenttous.Wouldyoulikeit?”
TheguildmasterofthePortraitureGuildhadsentmystudyofthechessgame?Butwhoelsewouldhave?“Ifyoudon’tmind...couldyoukeepituntilI’mabitmore...settled.”
“We’dloveto.IknowjustwhereI’llhangituntilyou’rereadyforit.”
“I’dappreciatethat.”
“Tellmeaboutbeinganimager...whatyoucan,thatis.Iknowthattheremustbemattersyoucannotdiscuss.Whatdoyoudo?”
“Studyandpractice,mostly.IsuspectI’mgettingclosetoauniversityeducationinscience,chemistry,andphilosophy.”
“Don’tmentionthe
philosophytoyourfather.He’llliketherest.Whatelsedoyoudo?”
“Thereareexercisesinimaging,andI’mexaminedalmosteveryday,exceptSolayi,bymypreceptor.That’sMasterDichartyn.Intheafternoon,Imightpracticesomethinginthelaboratoriesorworkrooms,orstudy.I’mjustbeenadvancedtoimagersecondus,and
startingtomorrow,I’llhavetolearnmoreofwhatimagersdo,butIhaven’tbeenassignedyet.”
“Whatdoesbeinganimagersecondusmean?”
“Igetalittlelargerstipend,andIcancrossthebridgestothecitywheneverIhavethetime,solongasIdon’tmissanyinstructionorduties.”
Shenodded.“That’sgood.
Areyougettingenoughsleep?Whatareyourquarterslike?Doyouhavetosleepinabunkroomlikethesoldiers?”
Ishookmyhead.“Weeachhaveourownrooms.They’renotlarge,butthey’recomfortable,andthefoodisgood.Notsogoodasathome,butfarbetterthanatMasterCaliostrus’s.”Wasmyparents’dwellingreallyhome
anymore?Haditeverbeen,really,afterI’dleftthegrammaire?
“I’mgladtohearthat.”Therewasalongpause.“Dear...thismaybepresumptuous,butcanimagersmarry?”
Icouldn’thelpsmiling.“Theycan,butgenerallytheyhavequartersonImagisleoramongotherimagers,unless
they’reverywealthy.”
“Idon’tseewhy...”
“It’scompulsory,butI’mtoldthatthequartersforthosewhoaremarriedarequitecomfortable.Thosewhoareolderandhavefamiliesliveinhousesonthenorthendoftheisle.”Ididn’tfeelrightaboutexplainingthereasonsbeyondwhatI’dsaid.
“Oh...I’veseenthem.
They’rewellkept,andstylish,butatracesmall,Iwouldthink.”
AllIcoulddoinresponsewasshrugandsay,“SinceI’mnotmarried,Iwouldn’tknow.”
“Doimagersusuallymarryotherimagers?”Afteramoment,sheadded,“Thatcan’tbe.Therearen’tanywomenimagers,ornotvery
many,arethere?”
“Therearesome.I’veseenthreemasterswhoarewomen,andperhapstenorfifteenwhoareprimes,seconds,orthirds.”
“Thenwhenyoucan,youshouldgetoutandmeetsomeeligiblewomen,someoftheproperbackground.”Shepaused.“YourealizethatRouselwasextraordinarily
fortunate,don’tyou?”
WhatshemeantwasthatmostPharsigirlswouldnotmeetherstandardsorfitinherworld,butIonlysaid,“I’mveryawareofthat.Icanonlyhopetobethatfortunate.”
“Agoodbackgroundmakesitfareasier,asI’mcertainyouknow.”
Inodded,andafterthat,we
talkedoffriends,andfamilyandhowmyauntIlena—Mother’ssister—refusedtotraveltoL’Excelsis,evenontheironway.
Then,abruptly,shestood,andIfollowedherexample.
“Imustbegoing,dear.Ithasbeenlovelytoseeyou,andtoknowthatyouaredoingsowell.Ihadmydoubts,butIdothinkthis
imagerbusinessisforthebest.Yourfatherwillbehappytoknowthat.”Sheleanedforwardandkissedmycheek.“WewillseeyounextSamedi.”
IwalkedherbacktothecoachandwatchedasCharlsyneasedtheteamandcoacharoundthenarrowroundaboutandbackoverthebridge.ThenIwalkedbacktomyroomandread—ortried
toread—anothersectionofPracticalPhilosophy.Manyoftheargumentsthereseemedanythingbutpractical,suchasthesectionthatread:
Theultimatephilosophicalprincipleistheadvancefromdisjunctiontoconjunction,creatinganentirelynewentityotherthantheentitiespreviouslyexistingindisjunction...
Afterstrugglingthroughthat,Iclosedthebookandmademywaytothedininghall,whereIdidappreciatethecomparativereliefoftheeveningmealonSolayi.Then,IandalloftheimagersattheCollegiumwenttowhatthemasterscalledchapel,butitmeanttheservicesheldatAnomenD’Imagisle.TheywereaglasslaterthanthoseatAnomenD’Este,tofitthe
Collegiumschedule,Isupposed.Asatallservices,westoodthroughout—exceptforahandfulofgrayingimagersemeritus,whohadtwospecialbenchesontheleftbelowandforwardofthepulpit.Asmallchoirofimagersofferedthechoralinvocation,andtheysangwell.
ChoristerIsolawastheonlywomanchoristerofthe
NamelessthatI’deverseen,althoughI’dheardthattherewereothers,becauseonecouldnotknoworpresumewhethertheNamelesswasmaleorfemale,orindeedbothatonce.Hervoicedidcarry,andhersopranoinvocationfollowingthechoralone,wordlessasitwas,wasfarmorepleasantthanthatofanyotherchoristerIhadeverheard.
Thensheopenedthemainpartoftheservice.
“WearegatheredheretogetherthiseveninginthespiritoftheNamelessandinaffirmationofthequestforgoodnessandmercyinallthatwedo.”
Theopeninghymnwasunfamiliar—“SaveUsfromNaming”—butthatdidn’tmatterbecauseIbarelysang,
withjustenoughsoundsothatIwasnotmerelymouthingthewords.
Aftertheconfessionandoffertory,ChoristerIsolasteppedtothepulpitforthehomily.“Goodevening.”
“Goodevening,”camethereply.
“Anditisagoodevening,forundertheNameless,alleveningsaregood.”She
pausedforjustamomentbeforegoingon.“Weallknow,andyouallhavebeentaughtsincechildhood,thesinofpridethatcanaccompanynaming,andwehaveallheardthestoriesaboutachievementsandthepurityofRholantheUnnamer.WhoamongushasnotshiedawayfromthepossibledisgraceofbearingthemarkoftheNamer,but
howmanyofyouhavethoughtdeeplyaboutthegreatnessandmajestyofthoseaspectsoflifethatarewithoutaname?Wecomeintotheworld,bornofwomanandmanthroughtheagonyofawoman,oftensopainfulthatnowordscandescribethatbirthing.Likewise,therearenowordstodescribedeath,forthosewhopassthroughitcannot
speakofittous.Foreachofus,thesearethebeginningandtheend,asweknowthemhereonTerahnar,andtherearenowordsthatwilldojusticetoeither.
“Wordscannotdescribethemostmagnificentofsunrisesorsunsets,oreventhegreatestpaintingofthegreatestrepresentationalistorthemostbeautifulofstatues,orthemoststirringand
harmoniousofmelodies.Wordsareallthatwehavetoconveytoeachotherwhatweseeandwhatwefeel,butnevershouldweacceptabeliefthatwordstrulyorfullydescribetheworldcreatedbytheNameless.Evenlesssothanwordsdonamesdescribewhatis...”
ChoristerIsolawentonfromthere.Ithoughtitwasoneofherbetterhomilies,
andonethatmademethink.
Onthewaybackfromchapel,ImatchedstepswithSannifyr,anothersecond,notnecessarybecauseI’ddislikedtheyoungerprimes,butassoonasI’dmadesecondus,theyshiedawayfromme.Sannifyrdidn’tsayanything,andIdidn’treallyknowwhattosaytohim,either.Thewalkbacktoquarterswasfairlylong,
becausetheanomenwasatthepointonthesouthernendofImagisle,butthenightwasn’tthatcold,especiallycomparedtothosewhenI’dfirstcometotheCollegium.
Deductionislimitedby
knowledge,andknowledgeislimitedbypreconceptions.
OnLundimorning,whenImademywaytoMasterDichartyn’sstudy,thedoorwasopen.
“Youcancomein,Rhenn.”
Ieasedinsideandclosedthedoor,takingmyseatoppositehim.
Heleanedbackandfingeredhischin.“HowmanypeoplearethereinSolidar?”
Therehadtobemillions,butIdidn’trecalltheexactfigure.“Fortymillion?”
“Thelastenumerationshowedaroundfiftymillion.Howmanyarein
L’Excelsis?”
“Therewereovertwomillionin750A.L.”
“HowmanyimagersdoyouthinktherearehereattheCollegiumandinL’Excelsis?”
“IfI’vecountedcorrectly,therearesomewhereovertwohundredandforty,sir.”
“Addanotherfiftyorso,
andthat’scloseenough.Itdoesn’tincludethosewhocanimagejustatinybitandhaven’tbeendiscovered,orthosewhohaveneverdiscoveredtheirtalent,butmostpeoplewiththeabilitygetfoundoutsoonerorlater.Laterisseldombetter,andveryfewsurvive.LetusjustsaythattherearefivehundredimagersinallofSolidar.Whatisthatratio?”
“Onehundredthousandtoone,sir.”
“Now...doesthattellyouwhycautionisnecessaryineveryimageraction?”
“Yes,sir.”ItalsotoldmethatFloryn’sgreatestfailingwastellinganyoneanything.
“Whatelseshouldittellyou?”
Whatelsecouldtherebe?
“Therecan’tbeverymanyintherestoftheworld,either.”
“Whynot?”
I’dhadamomenttothink.“Iftherewere,we’dknowaboutit.TheCollegiumseeksoutimagers.IfyoucanonlyfindfivehundredinSolidar,andwehavemorepeoplethanothercountries...”
“You’remakingseveralassumptions.Whatarethey,
andaretheycorrect?”
“Itwouldbehardtohideimagersinotherlands,butifyoucouldfindoutsomuchaboutme,howcouldtheyhideimagersfromyou?”
“Thatassumeswewouldbeallowedtolook.WhileplacesliketheAbiertoIslesareopenenough,andsoisStakanar,FerrumandJarioladon’tlikesnoopyoutsiders
andhaveratherunpleasanthabitsofmakingthemdisappear.TheTiempransbanimagingandimagers,andthesameistrueofCaenen.You’realsomakingassumptionsaboutpeople.Whatarethey?”
“Oh...thatpeoplearethesameeverywhere.”
“Arethey?Iftheyare,whatmakesthemthatway?”
“Sir...IknowIhaven’ttraveledfar,butIhaveseenpeoplewhohavecomefrommanyplaces,andtheyallseemtoloveorhate,orwanttobebetter...andIthinkwe’reallbornwithsimilargeneralabilitiesandwants.”
“Isimagingsomethingpeoplearebornwith,orsomethinglearned?”
Iwasdefinitelyunsure
whatMasterDichartynsought...orwhy.“Idon’tknow,sir,butIwouldsayit’ssomethingpeopleareeitherbornwithornot,butthattheyhavetolearnwhethertheyhaveitandhowtousethatability.”Ipaused.“Doesithaveanythingtodowith...Imeanthereseemtobemoremenwhoareimagers.”
“That’strue,andwomenimagersalmostalwayscome
fromfamilieswhereanolderbrotherhasthetalent.Whythat’sso,wedon’tknow,buttherearetraitsthatworkthatway.Veryfewwomenarebald,comparedtomen.But...backtothequestionathand.Iftheimagingskillcanariseinanypeople,whyaretheremorepracticingimagersinSolidarthanintherestoftheworld?Ifyoucantellmethat,itwillprovidetherestof
theanswertothefirstquestionIaskedandthatyoudidnotanswercompletely.”
Ihadtothinkforseveralmoments.ExactlywhathadIfailedtoanswer?
“I’llgiveyouahint.WhyaremostbullsgeldedandwhyistheCyellaRubyvaluable?”
Afteramoment,Ianswered.“Imagersare
scarcebutmoreplentifulinSolidarbecauseweprovidevaluableandrareservicesandpeoplearemorewillingtohaveimagersaroundsolongastherearen’ttoomanyofus?”
MasterDichartynnodded.“Wehavecreatedaninstitutionthatnotonlyfulfillsneeds,butalsohasestablishedareputationforbeingtrustworthyincarrying
outthosedutiesforSolidarandfortheCouncil.Withoutuniqueservices,wehavenovalue,andwithouttrust,ourvaluecannotbereliedupon.Andifthereweretoomanyofus,thennoonewouldtrustus.BecausetheOligarchofJariolacantrustnoone,whatwedoiseithernotdonethere,ordoneinamorecostlyfashion,andanyimageriseitherexecutedorexiled.In
Ferrum,theyusemachinesandexileimagersbecausetheycannotquantifyhowtovaluetrust.”
Abruptly,helookedup.“Wehavenotgoneoveryourphilosophyreadings,butIneedtomeetwiththeothermasters.”Hepaused.“ThePuryonbelieversofTiemprehavefaithinanomnipotent,beneficent,andjustgod.Writemealogicalproofof
whythisiseithersoorwhyitcannotbeso.Haveitreadyformeinthemorning.Thatshouldprovidesomepracticalapplicationofwhatyou’vebeenstudying.”
“Yes,sir.”HowwasIgoingtoprovethatlogically?Andwhywasaphilosophicalproofapracticalapplication?
“We’llmeetoutsidethedininghallafterlunchtoday,
andI’lltakeyoutoyourworkassignmentfromthere.”Hestood.
SodidI,scoopinguptheunopenedbooksandhurryingoutofhisstudybeforehim.
Ihadalmosttwoandahalfglassesbeforelunch,but,asIcrossedthequadrangleunderthefirsttrulywarmsunlightindays,IhadnoideahowIwasgoingtoproveor
disprovethestatementMasterDichartynhadgivenme.
“Whereareyougoingsoearly?”calledJohanyrfromthestonewalkintersectingtheonewhereIwalked.Hewasalsoasecondus,aboutmyage,Ithought,withshort-cutcurlybrownhairandmassivelybroadshoulders,asifhewerebettersuitedtobeastonemasonorthelike.We’dtalkedbrieflyovermeals,and
IhadthefeelingI’dseenhimsomewherebefore,butIcouldn’trecallwhere.
“MasterDichartynhadameetingwiththeothermasters,buthegavemealogicalprooftofigureout,andIhavetohaveitallwrittenoutbytomorrow.”
“Someofthesecondsareaskingifyou’retryingtomakethirdbeforesummer
andmasterinayear.”Helaughed,butthesoundwashard.“Youdon’tspendmuchtimewiththeothers,exceptatmeals.”
Whathewassayingwasawarning...ofsomesort.“I’msorry.Idon’tmeantobestandoffish.”Igesturedtowardabenchsomefiveyardsaway.“Doyouhaveamoment?”
“Morethanthat.Ididn’tevengettoseeMasterGhaendthismorning.They’reallupsetaboutsomething.”Hetiltedhishead,lookingatmespeculatively.“MasterDichartynistheonlyotherMaitreD’EspritbesidesMasterPoincaryt.Didhesayanythingtoyou...anythingatall?”
“Heneverdoes,”I
answeredaswewalkedslowlytowardthegraygranitebench.“Hejustasksquestionafterquestion.Thismorning,hestoppedinthemiddleofaquestionandsaidhehadameetingwiththeothermasters,thentoldmemyassignmentandjustaboutthrewmeout.”Thatwasn’tquitetrue,butIdoubtedanyonecouldhavemistakenhisabruptness.
“Sohewasworried?”
“Ithinkso.He’sneverbeenquitethatabruptbefore.”Istoppedbythebench,gesturing.“Wemightaswellsitdown.”
“Mightaswell.Youweresaying...?”
“Idon’ttalkaboutitmuch,butIwasajourneymanportraiturist.Iwasevengettingmyowncommissions,
andIwasthinkingitwouldn’tbetoolongbeforeIcouldbecomeamaster,ajuniormaster,andopenmyownstudio.ThenIimagedalittlepartofaportrait,justalittlepart,exceptitwasgreen,andonethingledtoanother...andthegirlIwasinterestedinmarriedmybrother,and,allofasudden,Ican’tbeanythingbutanimager.”
“Green?Whygreen?”
“Greenpigment,truegreen,isalmostasexpensiveasliquidsilver.Theydon’tletjourneymenuseitoften,andonlywhenamasteriswatching,andIwasn’tamasteryet.”
“Youwereclosetobeingamasterportraiturist?”Johanyr’sfacesoftenedslightly,butstillboreatraceofincredulity.
“SeveralmasterssaidIwasgoodenough.I’dspentfiveyearsasanapprentice,andthreeasajourneyman.”Ishrugged.“Idon’tmeantobestandoffish,butthechangehastakensomegettingusedto.WhenIstartedasaprime,Iwasfiveorsixyearsolderthanmostoftheothers.Wedidn’ttalkaboutthesamethings.”
“Icanseethat.”He
nodded.
“I’mjusttryingashardasIcanjusttocatchup.There’ssomuchIstilldon’tknow.”
“Sarcovytsaysthatyou’regoodatimagingthings.”
Imanagedalaugh.“HowwouldIknow?IknowI’mgoodenoughtobeasecond,butsinceImadesecond,I’veneverseenanyoneelseimageanything.Beforethat,Inever
sawanyonebutaprimeeventry.MasterDichartynsaysthat’sformyownprotection.”
“Itsoundslikehe’stryingtogetyoucaughtupwithwheretherestofusare.”
WhatJohanyrsaidmadesense.“That’swhatI’mguessing.Ireallydon’tmeantobeunfriendly...it’sjustbeenhard.”Thatmuchwas
certainlytrue.
“Noneofusknew,”hepointedout.
Itriedtolookembarrassed.“It’snotsomething...”Ishrugged.“It’smyfault,but...”
Thatgotasympatheticnod...ofsorts.“Weusuallygettogetherforawhileintheevening,ahalfglassbeforetheeighthglass,downinthe
commonroom.Youmighttryit.”
“Ididn’tevenknow...Imean,I’veseenthecommonroom,butonlyintheday...”
Hislaughatmyconfusionwasgenuine,andwhenweparted,IfeltthatI’dmanagedtoavoid,forthemoment,anotherpitfall.ButIwasgoingtohavetobeverycarefuluntilIcouldfigureout
howtodevelopprotectionsofthesortthatMasterDichartynhadmentioned.
IstillalsohadtofigureoutandthenwriteuptheproofforMasterDichartyn.
WhenIgotbacktomyroom,ittookmemorethanaglass,andseveraldraftstowritewhatIdid.AtlunchImadeapointofsittingacrossfromJohanyrandDiaztand
makingaspecialefforttobefriendly.Ifeltthattheywerewarmer,butIdidn’tknow,notforcertain.
AfterIleftthetable,MasterDichartynwasalreadyinthehallwayoutsidethedininghall.
“We’reheadedtothematerialssectionoftheworkshops.You’vealreadyfiguredoutsomeaspectsof
substitution.Nowyou’llgetachancetolearnanotherandputittowork.”Heturnedandstrodequicklydownthecorridorandoutthroughthedoors,movingasquicklyasI’deverseenhim.
Aswewalked,hesaid,“ThematerialsfortheworkshopscomeovertheBridgeofStones.That’swherethenamecomesfrom.Alltheworkshopshave
outsideandinsideentrances,andeachworkroomislead-lined.Thatissothatnoimagercanaffecttheworkofanother.Thatisparticularlyimportantforsome...efforts.”
Iwasbeginningtosweatbythetimewereachedthelargegraystructureahundredyardsnorthofthequadrangle.Thebuildingheldthevariousworkshops,notthatI’dbeen
inmorethanahandfulofthem.Thedoorwhereweenteredwasonthemainlevelonthewestsideofthebuilding,besidearaisedloadingdock,behindwhichwasasetofslidingwarehousedoors.Theywereclosed.
Aswesteppedintotheworkshop,aspacenotmuchlargerthantenyardsbyfifteen,Icouldseethatthe
lengthoftheroomwasfilledwithbarrels,fourlinesofthem,stackedontopofeachotherthreedeep.Foursmalltoplesswoodencratesweresetonaworkbenchayardorsofromthenearestlineofbarrels.Thatwasit—exceptfortheolderimagerinsomewhatdingygraywhohurriedthroughthedoorattheothersideoftheworkshop.
“Grandisyn,thisisRhennthyl.He’sthenewimagersecondItoldyouabout.”MasterDichartynturnedtome.“ThisisGrandisyn.He’saseniorimagertertius.Heknowsmoreaboutimagingmaterialsthanmostmasters.Iwillleaveyouinhishands.”Withthat,hehurriedaway.
“You’refortunatetohavehimasapreceptor,”
Grandisynsaid.“Fortunate,buthe’llmakeyouworkandthinkandthensome.”
“Ihavenoticedthat,sir.”
“JustGrandisyn,Rhennthyl.”
“Rhenn,please.Whenpeopleusemyfullname,IalwayswonderjustwhatIdidwrong.”
Helaughed.“Icanseethat.
Mypapadidthesame.”Afteramoment,hebegantoexplain.“Yourtaskwillnotbeeasyatfirst,butitissimple.Allyouhavetodoisimagesomeofthesealuminumbars.”Grandisynliftedabarofasilverymetaloutofthewoodencrateontherightend,whichhadthreeofthesmallingotsinit,theonlycratethatdid,thenpointedtothebarrelslinedup
alongthewall.“Itshouldbeeasierifyouconcentrateonimagingfromthebarrels.They’refilledwithhigh-gradebauxite.MasterDichartynsaidyoumighthavetoworkatfiguringitout,butthatyoucoulddoit.Takeyourtime.”Hegavemeasmile,thenhastenedoff.
Iwasstillholdingthesmallaluminumbar,possiblyworthseveralhundredgoldcrowns,
andIwassupposedtoimagemoreofthem?Inaway,fromwhatI’dread,itmadesense.Refiningitwascostly,andthatmadeitveryvaluable,butwhyweren’twerefininggold?Orplatinum?
Iwasn’tquitesurewhatIwasdoing,butIconcentratedontheimageofthebar,theshininglightmetal,rightontheworkbench,andtriedtovisualizeavaguelink
betweenthebarrelsandthebarIwasattemptingtoimageintoexistence.
Aseriesofdullclanksfollowed.
NotonlydidIhaveabar,somewhatlargerthantheoneI’dbeenshown,buttherewasalineofaluminumfragmentsonthestonefloorrunningspiderweb-fashiontowardthebarrels.
Obviously,myvaguelinkneededtobefarlessdirect.
Ikepttrying,andbytheendofthefourthglass,Iwasexhausted,andmyheadwaspounding.Buttherewasawoodenboxfilledwiththemetalingots,someofwhichhadbeenrefashionedfromalltheloosefragmentsI’dcreatedbeforeI’dfiguredouthowtoimagewithoutcreatingpatternsofaluminum
runningfromthebarrels.Yet,intheend,refashioningfromthefragmentshadbeenfareasier.
Ifinallyjustsatdownonthestoolthathadbeentuckedawayunderthebench.Iwasjusttootiredtodomore.WhenI’dfirstimagedthatsmallpartoftheFactoriusMasgayl’sportrait,Ihadhadnoideahowexhaustingimagingwouldturnouttobe.
Beforelong,Grandisynwalkedinandcrossedthefloortothewoodencrate.Helookedatthecrate,andthenatme.“Hmmmm.Wemayhavetofindotherthingsforyou.I’llbetalkingtoMasterDichartyn.Youlookdonein.Gogetsomerest.”
Ididn’tneedanymoreencouragement.
Backinmyroom,Islept
formorethanaglassandthenhadtohurrytothedininghallfordinner,whereIendedupatthebottomofthetableamongseveralthirdsIdidn’tknow,butIdidmybesttobecheerful.
AfterdinnerIwentbacktomyroomandreadsomemore,butIwascarefultomakemywaydowntothecommonroomaboutahalfglassbeforeeight.The
commonroomwasinthelowerlevelonthenorthendofthebuilding,littlemorethananarrowspacesomefifteenyardslongandsevenwidewithtablesandbenchesspacedirregularly.Thewalllampswereinfrequentandwickeddowntominimallight,sothattheimpressionwasofgloom.IfoundJohanyrandseveralothersinacorner,withchairspulled
aroundanewishlookingtableofadesigncenturiesold.Itshouldhavebeenbattered,butwasn’t.Ittookmeseveralmomentstorealizewhy.
“Rhenn...pullupachair.”ThatwasDiazt.“Weweretalkingaboutwhat’sgotthemastersallstirredup.”
IliftedachairandsetitbetweenJohanyrandShannyr,thensatdown.My
feethurt,andIstillhadatraceofaheadache.
“Onlyhalfthemasterswereatdinner,andneitherMasterDichartynnorMasterPoincarytwasthere,”saidashortmuscularsecondus.
“Theyusuallyaren’t,”Shannyrsaid.Noonelookedinhisdirection.
“ThenewsheetssaidaCaenenanshorebatteryfired
ononeofourmerchanters.”
“Whywouldtheydothat?”askedShannyr.“Merchantersdon’tcarrycannon.”
“WhatwouldthathavetodowiththeCollegium?”Iinquired.
Diaztlaughed.“TheCollegiumhassomethingtodowitheverythinginSolidar.”
“MasterDichartyn’syourpreceptor,isn’the?”askedJohanyr.
“Yes,buthedidn’tsayanything,excepthecutmysessionshortthismorning,andthenletGrandisyntellmewhattodointheworkrooms.Heleftinahurry.”
“Theywerealllikethattoday.”
“Didheletanythingslip,
evenindirectly?”pressedJohanyr.
“TheonlythinghesaidwasthatbothFerrumandJariolahadnastyhabitsinmakingsnoopystrangersdisappear.”
“Itoldyouitcouldn’tbejustCaenen!”declaredShannyr.
“DoestheCouncilhaveanyproblemswiththe
Oligarchthere?”Iasked.
“There’snotacountryintheworldthatdoesn’thaveproblemswiththeOligarch,”someoneelsesaid.Icouldn’ttellwhowiththequietnessofthewordsandthedimness.
“There’snotacountryinallofTerahnarthatdoesn’thaveproblemswithSolidar,”repliedJohanyr.
“Becauseofimaging?”I
suggested.“Wedon’thavethatmanyimagers.”
“Nooneelsehasanywherenearasmany.”
“Youcan’thavemanyimagersifyoukillmostofthemaschildren,”addedShannyr.
Diaztclearedhisthroat.“Westilldon’treallyknowwhathasthemworried.Ithastobesomethingimportantto
haveallthemastersmeetingtwiceinoneday.”
“Itcan’tbejustfiringonamerchanter,”saidDiazt.
Intheend,nooneaddedanything,andIhadtowonderwhoknewwhat,ifanything.Still,I’dbeenthere,andIhadthefeelingthatI’dbetterdropinatleastafewtimesaweek.
Toeveryman,hiscauseisthe
onemostjust.
OnMardimorning,IspentaglassoutsideMasterDichartyn’sstudyreadingPracticalPhilosophybecauseitwassoboringthatitseemedbettertoreaditwhenIcouldn’tdomuchelse.At
thosetimeswhenmyeyesthreatenedtocross,Ispentafewmomentswiththenewsheet—Tableta—buttherewasnothingofgreatinterest,exceptforthemassiveavalanchenearMontD’ImageandthespeculationthatsomehowtheimagerCollegiumtherehadbeeninvolved.Also,accordingtothecaptainoftheAegis,aCaenenangunboathadfired
onhisship,butmissed.
Whenanotherimagerleft—IrecognizedthetertiusasEngmyr,whomI’dmetatthediningtable—MasterDichartynbeckonedmetoenter.Helookedlesstensethanhehadthedaybefore,andhewassmilingasIclosedthedoorandtookmyseat.
“Grandisyntellsmethat
youimagedaweek’sworthofaluminumingotsintwoglasses.Howdoyoufeel?”
“Iendedupwithaterribleheadache,andIalmostfellasleepinthecommonroom.”
“Taketimeinbetweenimagingthisafternoon,andseeifyoucanfindabetterway.Tryseveralways.Evenifyoucan’t,takingtimebetweeneacheffortwillleave
youlessexhausted.”
“Sir...besidestestingimagers,whatisaluminumusedfor?”
“Itsrarity,exceptthatit’snotrare,exceptinpureform.It’sjustthat,exceptforimaging,it’ssodifficulttorefineandprocessthatitisvaluable.SotheCollegiumprovidesacertainamounttotheCouncil,andtheysellit
discreetlytoenhancerevenues.”
“But...aluminum?”
“It’sunique,Rhennthyl.Ifyouevertrytoimagegold,you’llunderstand.Imagingactuallyrequiresenergyfromyouandfromeverythingaroundyou.It’saprocessofcombiningenergyandmaterial.Apowerfulimagerhastheabilitytodrainthelife
fromeverythingnearby,includingyou,unlessyouhaveshields.”
ItriedtoconcealthechillIfelt.“Sir...Iwantedtoaskaboutthat.”
“Inamoment,I’lltellyouhowtobeginthinkingalongthoselines,andwhyyouarenevertomentionittoanyonebutamaster.Anyone.Butfirst,aboutgoldand
platinum.Tobeginwith,they’rerare.Second,they’reveryheavy.Theheavieranythingis,theharderitistoimage,particularlyametal.Ittakesgreatskillandenergy,andthefewergoldfragmentsororethatthereisnearby,theharderitis.Somewould-beimagershavekilledthemselvestryingtoimagetheimpossible.”
“Liketryingtoimagegold
intheirchambers?”
“Exactly,butimagingcertainmetals—eveninthemidstofrawore—canleadtodeath,andthatdeathislingeringandexcruciatinglypainful.Ittakesseveralweeks,andtheimager’shairfallsout,andhebecomeslikealeperallover.”
“Sir...ifImightask,whydidn’tyoutellmethis
earlier?”
“Youweretoldwhattoimageandwhere.Youweregivenquietcautions.Ifayoungimagerwon’tlisten,wekeephimhereonImagisleandsoonerorlater,he’lldestroyhimself.”
Icouldn’thelpswallowing.
“Now...aboutshields...it’ssimplyanotherformofimaging.Youimagean
invisibleshield...butonethatonlystopsimaging.”
“If...if...someonepointedapistolatme...”
“Youcould—andshould—imageaharderinvisibleshieldbetweenyou.Holdingtheshieldmightforceyouseveralstepsbackwardwhenthebullethitit,butthat’sbetterthangettingwounded.Bythesametoken,thatsort
ofshieldwon’tdomuchagainstacannonshell.”
Icouldunderstandthat.
“Don’tholdahardshieldlong,notnow.Itwillexhaustyou.Animagingshield...withalittlepractice,you’llbeabletoholdthatinyoursleep.”
“HowwillIknowwhetherIhaveitright?”
“I’llstarttestingyou.Beginningtomorrow.”
Beforehecouldaskmore,Isaid,“Sir?DoestheCollegiumhavespecialenemies?”
Hesnorted.“Doyouneedtoask?”
“Ithoughtthatwemust,butI’veneverseenanythinginthenewsheets,andnooneIknowhasevertalkedaboutit,
andyouhaven’t,either.”
Hesighedsoftly.“Youdeducetoomuchwithoutknowingenoughtounderstandtheimplications.Thinkaboutthis.WhileatImagisleorthefewotherimagerenclavesacrossSolidarandwhileinL’Excelsis,weallweartheuniformoftheCollegium.Withoutthoseuniforms,whatwoulddistinguishusfrom
anyoneelse?Wedon’tlookdifferent;wedon’thaveawayofspeakingthatwoulddistinguishusfromothersofSolidar.”
“So...someofusarespies?FortheCollegiumortheCouncil?”
Hestiffened.“Wheredidyoucomeupwiththat?”
“I’vebeenthinking,sir.Amastercankillsomeoneina
waythatdoesn’tlooktobetiedtoanyone.IfFlorynhadbeenwalkingdownthestreetwhowouldhaveknownhowhedied?YousaidthatIwouldhavebeenfounddeadonthestreethadInotcomehere.YousaidIcoulddevelopshieldsagainstabullet,butnotagainstcannon.Thosesuggestthatanimagercandothingsotherscan’t,butnotthingsthatwouldhelp
muchinanysortofbattle.YoualsosaidthatimagersprovidedvaluetotheCouncil,andithastobemorethanaluminumingots.”
Awrysmileappearedonhisface.“Iknewyouweregoingtobedifficult.”
Icouldfeelachill,andIwastheonetofreeze.
“Oh...youdon’thavetoworry,notyet.Thatwill
comelater,afteryoufinishyourtraining,andthatwilltakeawhile.”
ThatIwouldfinishmytrainingwasarelief...inaway.
“Idothinkthatyouneedtoworkonyourshields,startingnow.Tryimagingsomethinglikeaninvisiblefogbetweenyouandme.”
Itried,andIfeltanunseen
pressureonmychest.
“That’snotworking.Tryacurtain,ablackcurtainthatstopsalllight,exceptthatthecurtainisonethatyoucan’tsee...”
Wehadtoworkuptoanactualvisualwall,andthenworkbackdowntoaninvisiblemuslinscreenbeforeImanagedtofigureitout.Bythattime,almostaglasslater,
Iwassweatingallover.MasterDichartyncouldhavepointedoutthatimagingwassometimesfarmoreworkthananyonethought.Hedidn’thaveto.Theeffortspokemoreeloquentlythanhecouldhave.
Hedidraisehiseyebrows.“Now...let’sseeyourlogicalproof,Rhennthyl.Iassumeyoudidtheassignment.”
Ihandedhimthesinglesheetwiththefewcarefullywrittenlinesonit.
“Notverylongforaproof.”Hisvoicewasnoncommittal.
WhatIhadwrittenwassimple,butIhadn’tbeenabletothinkofanythingbetter.
Ifthereisanall-powerfulgod,nothingisbeyondthatgod’spower.Ifthatgodis
beneficent,thentherewillbenoevilintheworld.Ifthatgodisjust,thegodwillnotallowinjusticetobefallthegoodandtheinnocent.Yetthereisgreatevilintheworld,andmuchofitfallsuponthejustandtheinnocent.Ajustgodwouldprohibitorlimitinjustice,atleastagainsttheinnocent,butinjusticecontinues,sothatifsuchagodisomnipotent,that
godcannotbejust.Therefore,ifthereisagod,thatgodcannotbeomnipotent,beneficent,andjust.
MasterDichartynlookedupfromthepaper.“Thiscouldbewordedbetter.”
“Yes,sir.”
“Doyoubelievewhatyou
wrote?”
Ihadn’tlikedwritingtheproof,andI’dlikedtheconclusionless,butIhadtobelievethattherewassometruthinthematter.“Mostly...sir.”
“Mostly?”
“Well...ifpeoplearen’tmarionettes,pulledbystringsheldbytheNameless,theyhavetobeabletomakesome
decisions.Thatincludesbaddecisions.Baddecisionscancauseevil.”
“Thenyou’rearguingthatyourproofisincorrectbecauseagoodandbeneficentgodhastoallowfreewill.”
Ididn’tlikethatanybetter.“Idon’tliketheideathatsomanypeoplecanbehurtbythosebaddecisionsandthat
sometimesbadpeoplearerewardedfortheircrueltyandevil.”
“Whatdoyourfeelingstellyouaboutyourlogicalproof?”
“Itisn’tlogical?ThatImadeamistake?”
Helaughed.“No.Yourreactionwasthatyouweren’tlogicalorthatyoumadeamistakeinlogic.Behindyour
reactionisafeelingthatwhateveris‘true’mustbeabletobeexpressedlogically.Men,inparticular,haveatendencytoconfusecorrectlogicwithanaccurateassessmentofasituation.Becarefulofanysituationthatyouhavetoreasonthroughlogically,becauseifyouhavetoworktoreasonitout,you’reprobablymissingsomething.”
Again...Ihadtothinkaboutthatforamoment.
“Anotherproblemisthatwewanttheworldtobelogicalandunderstandable,andwewantpeopletoactinawaythatfeelsrightandmakessensetous.That’strueofmostpeopleinmostcountries.Therearedifficultiesinthat,though.Canyoutellmewhattheyare?”
“Whatmakessensetousdoesn’tmakesensetothem?”
“Precisely.Wehavedifferentbeliefsaboutwhatwefeelisrightandmakessense.Wetakeforgrantedcertainbeliefsortruths.Otherculturestakeforgrantedothertruths.Accordingtoourtruths,theirbehaviorisnotright,andaccordingtotheirtruths,ourbehaviorisnotright.”
Thatcertainlymadesense.
“Sowhichisright?”heasked.“Intheabsolutesense,thatis?”
“Ican’tsay,sir.Idon’tknowtheirtruths.”
“That’sthelogicalanswer,Rhennthyl.It’salsoanansweryouwillneedtokeeptoyourself.Why?”
“Becauseeveryonearound
mebelievesourtruthsareright?”
Henodded.“Peopledonotliketheirbeliefschallenged.Theywantcertainty,andtheywanteveryonetofollowtheirway,becausetheyareconvincedthattheirwayistheonlyrightway.Oh,thereareafewopen-mindedpeopleabout,butfarfewerthanclaimtheyare.”
Icouldseethataswell,perhapsbecauseIcouldrecallalltoowellmyfather’sbeliefinthesuperiorityofalifespentasafactor.
“Letmeaskyouanotherquestion.Wearealwayscautionednottoattachtoomuchweightorsignificancetoaname.Butisn’tcallingtheonewhocannotbenamed‘theNameless’justaconvenientwayofsaying
we’refollowingtheruleofnotemphasizingnameswhiledoingjustthat?”
“Sir?”
“Isn’t‘theNameless’asmuchanameas‘Dichartyn’or‘Rhennthyl’?”
Onceagain,Ihadtothinkaboutthat.Hewascertainlyrightandyet...
“Rhenn?”
“Sir...howcanwetalkaboutanythingwithoutnames?Wenamemetals,thecolorsoftherainbow,theobjectsineverydaylife.”
“Whyarethosedifferentfromtheonewhocannotbenamed?Orfromyou...orme?”
Ifinallygraspedatananswer.“They’renotalive.”
“Whataboutanimals?We
oftennamethem.They’realive.Whatdoesbeingalivehavetodowithnames?”
Icouldfeelthattherewasadifference,butIcouldn’tfindanywordstoexpresswhatIfelt,andIfinallyshrugged,helplessly.
“Metals,objects,minerals...theycannotchangewhattheyare.Allfundamentalsubstancescanonlyexistin
threeforms,likewater,whichwecanseeassteam,avapororgas,orasaliquid,orasasolid,asice.Thenatureofmostobjectsislimited,whereasweexistassolids,exceptwebreatheair,whichisacombinationofgases,andbloodandotherliquidsrunthroughus.Wearelessfixedthanthehardphysicalworldinwhichwelive,andyetnamingsuggestsafixity
whichisnottrue...”
Butwasituntrue?Idoubtedsomepeoplecouldeverchange.
“...Namesareanecessaryconvenience,buttheyrepresentonlyasmallproportionofwhatanyoneis,andthemorealive,themorepowerful,themoretalentedanyonemaybe,regardlessofwhethertheyaregoodorevil,
thelesstheirnametellsofthem.”
IunderstoodeverythingMasterDichartynhadsaid,butthemorequestionsheasked,themoreIwonderedwhyhecontinuedtopressmeonsomanymatters.
“Tomorrow,we’llgooverthenextsectioninthesciencebookandsectionsnineandtenintheHistoryandPolitics
ofSolidar.”
Inoddedpolitely.
“We’realmostdonehere,butthere’sonelastthing.”MasterDichartynstood.
“Yes,sir?”Ialsorose,wonderingwhatelsehecouldsay.
“YoucantelltheothersecondsthattherewasastrangefireattheCollegium
atWestisle.That’stheCollegiumoutsidetheharborofLiantiago.Thatwaswhatweweremeetingabout.We’vedecidedonacourseofaction,butthatisallyouaretoknoworshouldknowatthispoint.”Hesmiled.“Goodday,Rhenn,andpaceyourselfattheworkshop.”
“Goodday,sir.Yes,sir.”
Ihadthoughtaboutsitting
outsideandreadingsomeofthehistoryandpolitics,butitwasmistyandcold,notthatitwasactuallyraining,andsoItookeverythingbacktomyroomandstartedinonsectionnine—theonedealingwiththeadministrativedistrictsofSolidar.
Thatreadingwasdull,sodullthatIwasoneofthefirstatthedininghallforlunch,butJohanyr,Shannyr,and
Diaztwererightbehindme,andwesattogetheratthelongsecondtable.
“DidMasterDichartynsayanythingtoyou?”askedJohanyr.
“HesaidthatIcouldtellyouthemastersweremeetingoverastrangefireattheCollegiumatWestisle,andthatthey’vedecidedwhattodo,andthatwasallIneeded
toknow.”
“Hesaidthat?”askedDiazt.
“Closetowordforword.”
“Whatdidyouaskhim?”inquiredJohanyr.
Ishookmyhead.“Ineverhadachancetosayanything.Hewasn’thappywithmyworkintheworkrooms,andhewasn’thappywithmy
logicalproofs,andhedidn’tlikethewayIhandledsomeoftheimagingexercises.Iwasn’tabouttoaskhimanything.”
DiaztandJohanyrexchangedglances.
“Notgood,”saidDiazt.
“Thatheknewwhatweweretalkingabout?”Iasked.
Therewasapause,enough
toshowthatmyconcernwasn’tallofwhatbotheredthem.
“Theymusthavelisteningtubesinthecommonroom,orsomeonetoldhim,”Diaztsaid.
“Orboth,”addedShannyr.
“Hewasdeliveringamessage,”Isuggestedblandly,tryingtogetmoreofareaction.“Butwhywould
hecarewhatwetalkabout?Wecan’thavebeentheonlyoneswhonoticedthatthemasterswereworriedandmeeting.”
“It’snotthat,”saidJohanyrinalowervoice.
“What,then?Warningustokeepourspeculationstoourselves.”
Theotherthreeallnodded.
Ididn’tthinkthatwasall,butIonlysaid,“Therearen’tenoughofthemtolistenallthetime.”
Johanyrshookhisheadsadly,asiftosuggestIdidn’tknowwhatIwastalkingabout.
Ishruggedhelplessly.
Diaztdidgrin,butonlybriefly.
Preparationisalwaysanact
offaith.
OnMerediandJeudi,inadditiontomystudiesandhalf-improvingmyabilitytoimagethealuminumbarswithoutexhaustingmyself,Iworkedontryingtodevelopstrongerbutinvisibleshields
againstimaging.Ididn’tmeetwithMasterDichartynatall,butGherardgavemereadingassignments.AllhesaidwasthatMasterDichartynwasaway.Thecommonroomwasdesertedbothnights,andIdidn’tseeJohanyrandtheothersanywhere.Eventhougheveryonewaspleasantandcheerfulatmeals,thatworriedme,becauseitsuggestedthattheythought
I’dbeentheonetoreportwhatthey’dsaid.Attheveryleast,itdidn’tshowmuchtrust.
OnVendrei,IwaitedhalfaglassbeforeMasterDichartynsummonedmeintohisstudy.
“Whatisthedifferencebetweenaquafortisandaquaregia?”
“Aquaregiaisthestronger,anditcandissolveevengold.
Aquafortiswilldissolvesilver,butnotgold...”FromthereImanagedtorecallmostofwhatwasinthesciencetext.
Afterthat,hehadquestionafterquestion,allaboutaspectsofscience.
Abruptly,hestopped.“Youknowwhat’sinthebooks.Afterwefinishhere,goovertothelaboratoriesandfind
MaitreChassendrioroneofherassistants.Tellherorthemthatyouneedtobeshownandtolearnthepreparationofbothaquaregiaandaquafortis.”
“Yes,sir.”
“WhyistherebutoneimagerontheCouncil?”askedMasterDichartyn.
“Isn’titpartofthereasonwhynomorethanthree
councilorscanbefromL’Excelsis?”
“Yesandno.HerepresentsalltheimagersinSolidar.Also,foradministrativepurposes,ImagisleisnotpartofL’Excelsis.It’sinthebook,butevenifyoudidn’tcatchthat,youshouldhaveknownbetter,Rhennthyl.”
Reprimandedtwiceinonesentence.Ihatedfeeling
stupid.“Oh...becausetherearenopatrollersontheisle,andbecausetheCollegiumhasitsownjusticingsystem?”
MasterDichartynnoddedandaskedagain,“Whyonlyoneimager?”
“Idon’tknow,sir.Idon’trecallanythinginthebookaboutthat.”
“Thereisn’tanythinginthe
book.I’maskingyoutothinkaboutit.Isthatsoveryhard,Rhennthyl?”
IwasdefinitelynotimpressingMasterDichartyn.SoIgambledandsaidwhatIthought.
“That’sallthatisnecessary.NoonecanmaketheCollegiumdowhatitwillnot.”
“Yougiveustoomuch
credit.”Buthesmiled.“It’smoreaccuratetosaythattheCouncilhasgreatrespectfortheCollegiumandwouldprefertoworkwiththeCollegium.IftheCouncil’simageropposessomething,theCouncilreconsidersthematter.”
“WhoistheimagerontheCouncilnow,sir?”
“MasterRholyn.He’svery
goodwithwordsandthinkswellonhisfeet.”
AfteramomentIrecalledRholynhadbeentheadvocatefortheCollegiumatFloryn’shearing.
“I’dliketotestyourshields.Areyoumaintainingimagingshields?”
“Ithinkso.”
AbruptlyIcouldfeel
myselfpressedbackinthechair.
MasterDichartynshookhishead.“Youcandetectsomeone,butyouneedasecondlevelbehindthem.”
“HowdoIdothat?”Iwasn’tcertainwhathemeant.
“Youneedtotrainyourmind,justasyoutrainedyourhandsandfingersasanartist,toreacttosituations.The
momentyourshieldsfeelanyimagingpressure,thosesecond-levelshieldsneedtospringforward.”
Ididn’tevenhavethefaintestideaofwheretobegin.
“I’llpressatyourshieldsgently,andyouerectastrongerset...”
Oncemore,Iwassweatingandexhaustedwhenhe
finallysaid,“Enough.Youneedtoworkonthemmore.Nowthatyou’reasecondusandfreetotraveloffImagisle,youneedtheabilitytoprotectyourself.”
“Sir,Idon’twanttosoundpresumptuousorlikeatroublemaker,butwhathappensif...well...ifI’minapositionwhereshieldsaren’tenough?”
“I’dsaythatyou’dprobablyactedunwisely.”Dichartynlaughedgenially,butthelaughdiedawayquickly.“Still...therearetimeswhenruffianswillattackasingleimager,particularlyayoungerone.Wedolosesomewhoarenotcareful.Therulesfordefensearesimple.Youmusthaveexhaustedeverypracticalwaytoavoidattacking,andit’s
preferablethatyouleavenotracesofwhatyouhavedone.”
“HowcanIavoid...”Ipaused.“ShouldIpracticeimagingrainorshadowsorfogormist?”
“I’dtryitatnightinsecludedcornersofImagisle.You’llgetasplittingheadacheifyoutryrain,fog,ormistinyourroom,andyou
won’tseetheshadowsrightinside.Forthoseefforts,youhavemypermission,butonlywhennooneisnearby.”
“Thankyou,sir.”
“You’llfaceothertrials,aswell,Rhenn.Ican’tsaywhattheyareorwherethey’llcomefrom,andit’sbestthatIdon’ttrytoguess,becausethosetrialsaredifferentforeveryimagerandifIgive
youdetails,then...it’slikenaming—you’llfixateonthose.Icanonlysaythatifyourlifeistrulythreatened,nomatterwhereyouare,youhavetherighttouseanyimagingabilitytodefendyourself.Obviously,it’sbetternottokillattackersunlessabsolutelynecessary,andeverysituationfacingyouhasaweaknessthatcanbeexploited—ifyouthink
quicklyenough.”
TheimplicationwasthatIwellmightbeinjuredordeadifIdidnotthinkswiftly.
“Now...offtothelaboratories.”Hegesturedtowardthedoor.
Ipickedupmybagandbooksandslippedout,closingthedoorbehindme.Iwasn’tsure,butIthoughtIheardhimmutterunderhis
breath.Itmighthavebeen“...Namelesssaveme...”
Inreflection,asIwalkeddownthecorridortowardthedoorontothequadrangle,IponderedonephraseMasterDichartynhadsaid.Whyhadhesaid“nomatterwhereyouare”?Didhemeanthatabsolutely?
Howcouldyoudisablesomeoneeffectivelyand
reliably—usingimaging?Youwouldneedsomethingsopainfulandyetsosmallthatitwouldbeeasytoimage.Anditwouldneedtobecomprisedofsubstancescommoneverywhere.Onthewayacrossthequadrangletowardthebuildingthatheldthelaboratories,itcametome.Commonlye—imagedintosomeone’seyes.Theycertainlywouldn’tbeableto
seeoreasilymove,anditwasmadeofrelativelycommonsubstances.
Withthatrevelation,I’dhopedtovisitthekitchenandscullerybeforelunch,butMaitreChassendriwasinthelaboratory,and,forsomereason,shedecidedtopersonallyinstructme.IfI’dthoughtthatMasterDichartynhadbeenpicky,hisstrictnesswaslenientcomparedtohers.
“No!Donoteverplacethebeakerinanypositionwherethefumescanrisetotouchyouoryourskin...”
“Theglassmustbeabsolutelydry!”
Iwouldn’thavesaidthatIwasshakingbythetimeIescapedfromMaitreChassendri’stenderinstruction,butIfeltthatwaywhenIwalkedintothedining
hallforlunch.
Johanyrwaved,andIwalkedoverandtooktheseatacrossfromhimandDiazt.
Iusuallydranksomethingcoolatlunch,butIwasmorethanreadyfortea,asmuchtosettlemystomachastowarmme.Thebeefragouthelpedaswell.
“Whatwasyourmorninglike?”DiaztaskedJohanyr.
“MasterGhaendwaspoundingawayatthestructuraldifferencesofmaterials.”
Imanagedtokeepfromsayinganything,butmerelynodded.MasterDichartynhadmovedmepastthat,andJohanyrhadbeenattheCollegiumfarlongerthanhadI.
“OldSchorzatwasn’teven
around,”offeredDiazt,“butheleftwordthatIstilldidn’tunderstandsectionfiveofthesciencebookwellenough.I’llhavetogobackoverthat.”
“WhatsortofquestionsdoesMasterDichartynaskyou?”Johanyr’stonewasidle,buthewatchedclosely.
“ThismorninghewasaskingabouttheCouncilandwhyitwasstructuredtheway
itwas.Hewasn’thappythatIhadn’tmemorizedtheactualstructure.”
AfaintsmilecrossedDiazt’sface.
“Whataboutscience?”
“Hesentmetothelaboratoriestolearnsomebasics.Igotsomeverydirectinstructionandtoomanywarningsabouthandlingbeakersandhowtoclean
equipment.”Ishookmyhead.“Whataboutyou?”
“Ididn’thavetogotothelaboratories.”Johanyrlaughed.“That’salwaysgood.Sometimesthestenchesthereturnmyguts.”
“HasMasterDichartynsaidanythingmoreaboutwhathappenedinWestisle?”askedDiazt.
“Hewasgonefortwodays,
buthehasn’tsaidanything.”
“Youaskhim?”
“I’vealreadylearnedthat,whenhesayshedoesn’twanttotalkaboutsomething,hegetsunpleasantifyoubringitupagain.Idon’tthinkIcanaffordtomakehimangry.”
“No...Iwouldn’tthinkso,”saidJohanyrinamusingtone.“Therearemorethanafewyoudon’twanttoanger,
andit’ssometimeshardtotellwho’sreallyimportanttoyourgettingalongandstayingattheCollegium.”
“I’mworkingatunderstandingthat.”
“We’recertainyouare.”Johanyrsmiled,thenstood.“Ineedtogettotheworkshops.”
“Me,too,”addedDiazt.
I’ddefinitelygottentheirmessage,andIreallywouldhavelikedtovisitthesculleryafterlunch,buttherewasn’ttime.IhadtogettotheworkroomtoseeifIcouldworkoutanevenlessexhaustingwaytoimagethosealuminumbars.
Theworkroomwasempty,exceptforthebarrels,butitlookedtomethatmostofthemhadbeenreplacedwith
otherbarrels.SoIsatdownonthestoolandthoughtaboutimaging,andbegantotryyetanotherwayofdoingit.Ahalfglassorsolater,Grandisynbarelylookedin,thenjustnoddedandduckedout.
RightaftertheCollegiumbellsstruckthefourthglass,Iheadedforthesculleryonthelevelbelowthemaindininghall.Thestepsleadingdown
werethesamegraygranite,andjustascleanasanyotherstaircaseorcorridorI’dseenonImagisle.I’dtakennomorethantenstepsdownthelowerhallwaywhenanolderwoman,anobduratefromhermutedblackshirtandtrousers,appeared.
“Sir,youcan’tbelookingforanyonedownhere.Nobodyherebutusobsculls.”
“Then,you’retheonesI’mlookingfor.Mymastergavemeaproject,andIneedalittlecommoncaustic.”
Shejustlookedatme.
“Lye,thesodayoucleanwith.Ionlyneedalittle,ahalfcup?”
Afteramoment,shenodded.“Wecouldsparethatlittle,butbestyoubecareful.Itburnsfearfulwhenit’swet.
Youjustwaithere,sir.”
Istoodintheundergroundhallway,half-wonderingifshe’dreturnwithamaster.
Whenshereturned,alone,shehandedmeabatteredandchippedcrockerymugalittlemorethanhalffilledwithoff-whitelumpycaustic.“Hereyouare,sir.”
“Thankyou.”Iinclinedmyhead.“Wherewouldyoulike
metoreturnthecup?”
“Youcankeepit.Thereareenoughthatgetbrokeorchippedthatwegotplenty.”
“Iappreciateit.”Withanod,Iturnedandheadedbackupstairs,andthenoutside.
Whiletryingnottolookovermyshoulder,becauseIworriedthatsomeonemightfollowme,Iwalkedtothewestriverwall,andthen
southacrossthecausewayleadingtotheBridgeofStones,andtothepark-likegroveofancientoaksbetweenthecausewayandthegroundsoftheAnomenD’Imagisle.Theoakswereshowingtracesofgreenandhadnotleafedout,butthetrunksweremassiveenoughthatIfeltlargelyconcealed,atleastfromcasualobservers.
ThenIgottowork.
Imagingthecausticwasn’tallthatdifficult.Imagingitinsmallquantitieswasharder,andimage-projectingsomeofwhatwasinthecupwasevenharder.Image-projectingithead-highontheoaktrunkswasyetmoredifficult.ButIpersevered...becauseIknewIhadnorealchoices.
ItwasclosetosixbeforeIwasconfidentthatIhadmasteredwhatIcouldwith
thecaustic,butthatwasonlyhalfofwhatwasnecessary.Ineededtoworkonshieldsmore.Iwouldn’tbeinmuchshapetoimagelyeintosomeone’seyesafterI’dbeenhitwithabulletorbashedwithacudgelorrunthroughwithastiletto.AccordingtoMasterDichartyn’srules,effectivelyIhadtobeabletowithstandanattackinordertoproveself-defense.After
whatI’dseenwithFloryn,Idefinitelywantedtobesureitwasself-defense.Thatmeantfarbettershields.
Atthesametime,IwasexhaustedbythetimeItooktherestofthecupoflyetomyroom.Thatleftjustenoughtimetowashupandhurrybacktothehallfordinner.WhenIwalkedin,IcouldseeDiaztandJohanyr.Ididn’treallywanttositnear
them,butIdidn’twanttocreatetheimpressionIwasavoidingthem.TherewasaseatemptytotheleftofShannyrsothathewouldbebetweenmeandJohanyr.SinceDiaztwasseatedtoJohanyr’sright,neithercouldpressmeatthetable,andIwouldn’tbeobviouslyavoidingthem.
TherewasamomentarylookofsurpriseonShannyr’s
faceasIstoodbehindthechairnexttohim,waitingforthemastersattheheadtabletoseatthemselves.
Oncewewereseated,Iaskedhim,“Howwasyourday?”
“Likeanyother.Iwenttoworkatthearmorymachineshop,hadlunch,andwentbacktowork.”
Ithadn’toccurredtome
thatmanyoftheseconds,perhapsmostofthem,hadfinishedalltheirinstructionandwereworkingfortheCollegium.Itshouldhave,butithadn’t.“Isupposethey’llassignmesomewhereonceIgetcaughtuponwhatIhavetolearn.”
“Couldbeworsethanthearmory.Theyhadmeintheengineroomofoneoftheriverboats.Wetandcoldmost
ofthetime.”
Ishudderedatthethoughtofbeingcrampedintoariverboatengineroom.“Whatdoyoudointhearmory?CanIask?Imean...”
Shannyrlaughed.“Youcanask.Icaneventellyou.Iimagethespecialpowderforthepercussioncapsthatthefour-digitnavalgunsuse.”
“Youimageitrightintothe
cap?”
“That’sright.There’snometaltouchingmetal,nochanceofaspark,andnoexplosions.”
AnotheroneofthosespecialservicesprovidedtotheCouncilbytheCollegium,Irealized.Howmanywerethere?
“Whataboutyou?”heasked.“Whenyou’renot
underinstruction?”
“Makingmetalbars.”
Hewinced.“That’swork.”
“Icanonlydosomany,andIhavetorestalot.”Ipaused.“YouknowI’mnewhere...Iwasthinkingaboutgirlfriends.Iusedtohaveone,andsomeimagersaremarried...”
“They’retheluckyones.”
Shannyrshookhishead.“Lotsofwomenwillgiveyouafling,evenmarriedones,butnotmanywanttomarryanimager.”
“Whyisthat?”
“Wescare’emabit.Thatinterests’em,buttheywon’tmarrysomeonewhoscaresthem.”
Icouldseethat,butIhadtowonderifthathappenedtobe
truewithallimagers,orifthathadjustbeenShannyr’sownexperience.
“Youwanttohavefunwiththewomen,whenyou’refree,don’tstayaroundImagisle.TakeahackouttoMartradonorouttosomeofthebistrosonNordroadorSudroad...”
Ilistenedpolitely,althoughIcouldseethatIknewfarmoreaboutwherethewomen
wereinL’Excelsisthanhedid.
Thatnight,afterdinner,Ihadanotheridea.Iwentoutsideandimagedrubber,athinlayerofit,alongtheinsideofasmallclothbag.ThenIpouredsomeofthecausticIhadleftintothebag,whichItiedshut.Forawhile,anyway,untilIwasmoreconfidentinmyabilities,Icouldcarrythatwithme.
ThenItriedtopracticeshields—andshadows—untilIwastrulyexhausted.Theshadowsweren’tverygood,andIwasmorethanreadytoclimbthestairsandcollapseintomybed.
Thoseinafamilymaywell
sharethesamedwelling,butnotthesamehome.
BothVendreiandSamedimorningswerehardbecauseMasterDichartynkeptpressingmeonmyshields.NomatterhowmuchIimproved,hekeptinsisting
thatmyeffortswerenotadequate.Thenheofferedanonslaughtofquestions,notonlyonwhatIread,butonhowitallrelatedtotheCollegiumanditsroleinSolidar.IkeptthosequestionstomyselfandtoldJohanyrandhisgroupofsecondsonlyafewoftheeasierandmorepurelyacademicortechnicalones.
OnSamediafternoon,I
waswaitingontheeastsideoftheBridgeofHopesagoodhalfglassbeforethree.Thedaywassunny,withthefaintesthaze,buttherewasahintofchill,andIworemycloak.OntheroughlytriangularspacewheretheboulevardintersectedtheEastRiverRoadstoodaflowersellerwithaweatheredface,butapleasantexpression.
“Flowers,sirimager?
Flowersforalady,afriend,orfamily?”
Foramoment,Icouldn’thelpsmiling.“No,thankyou.”
Thetemptingaromaoffowlroastingovercharcoalonacartacrosstheboulevardwaftedaroundme.Forallthat,itmightaswellhavebeengrayandgloomy,giventhewayIfelt.Ishouldn’t
have.Iwashealthyandhadaprofession,ifnotwhatI’dexpected,thatearneddecentcoins.MotherandRouselcertainlywantedtoseeme,andprobablyRemayadid.EvenFatherdid,Isuspected,evenifhe’dneveradmitit.
Twowomen,oneinbrightgreenandtheotherinscarlet,eyedmespeculativelyastheyneared,butIwasn’tinthemoodforeitheroftheir
favors,evenifIcouldhaveaffordedthem.Aftertheypassed,amotherinawornbrowncoatdraggedtwochildrentowardthewallseparatingthesidewalkfromthenarrowboulevardgardensinordertoputasmuchspacebetweenthethreeofthemandmeaspossible.Wassheamalleable,ordidshejustfearimagers?
Asthetimenearedthree,
thecoach,withitsglisteningbrownbodyandpolishedbrasswork,appearedontheBoulevardD’Imagers.Beforelong,Charlsynpulledupnexttothecurb,butwellshortoftheflowerseller,easilyreininginthetwomatchedchestnuts.
“Goodafternoon,Charlsyn.”
“Goodafternoon,sir.”
Iclimbedinandclosedthecoachdoor.BecauseofallthecoachesandridersontheBoulevardD’Imagers,Isurmised,CharlsyntookMarchandAvenuebacktoSudroad,andthentotheMidroad.Itwasclosetohalfpasttheglassbeforethecarriagepulledupatthesideporticoofthehouse,whereMother,Rousel,andRemayawerewaitingasIsteppedup
undertheportico.
“Goodwoolinthatcloakandwaistcoat,”observedRousel,ifwithagrin.
“Motheralreadynoticedthat.Didshetellyou?”
“Shetoldmetolook,”headmitted.
“Youlookdashinginthatgray,”addedRemayawithasmile.Shehadbecome
rotund,andevenchubbyintheface,buthereyessparkled,especiallywhenshelookedupatRousel.
“Muchmorebusinesslikethanwhenhewasanartist,”addedFatherfromthedoorwaywherehestood.“Comeoninside,allofyou,especiallyyou,youngwoman,”headdedtoRemaya.“Thebreezeisn’tgoodformygrandson.”
“Shemightbeagranddaughter,”saidKhethilafrombehindFather.
“Grandson!”yelledCulthynfrominsidethefamilyparlor.
Rouseljustlaughed.“Heorshewillbewhatheorsheis.”
Inmoments,everyonewasintheparlor,andNellicawaspassingatraywithspicedwine,orchilledwhiteorred.
Afterslippingoutofmycloak,Itookthewhite.
Fatherhadsettledintohisfavoritechair.Hedidn’twaitforanyoneelsetositdownbeforeheasked,“Whatcanyoutellusaboutthisimagerbusiness?”Asalways,everythingwasbusiness.BeforeIcouldanswer,headded,“YouknowthatlastweekendayounggraycoatwaskilledneartheNord
Bridge.”Heshookhishead.“Shouldn’thavebeenthere.”
Ihadn’tseenthatineitherTabletaorVeritum.“Iwouldn’tgoanywherelikethat.”
“Iwouldhopenot.”
“TheCollegiumatImagisleislikeaguildforimagers.”Isettledintothestraight-backedchairacrossfromhisupholsteredneedlepoint
armchair.“WhenIstarted,Iwasanimagerprimus.NowI’masecondus.Mostimagersaretertius,Isupposejustlikemostcraftersarejourneymen.Therearefourclassesofmasters.”
“Names...names...whatdoyoudo?”
“Chenkyr...”murmuredMother.
“Itisn’twhatyou’recalled
thatmatters,”herepliedamiably.“It’swhatyoudoandwhatyouearn.”
“I’mstilllearning,”Ireplied,“inthemornings,anyway.Ihavetolearnmoreaboutscienceandaboutgovernmentandhistory.Intheafternoons,Iwork.”
“Whatdoyoudo?”Ahintofexasperationcoloredhiswords.
“Imagerthings.Ican’ttellyou.”
“Can’torwon’t?”
“Chenkyr...”Mother’svoicewasfirmerandlouder.
“Icould,butI’mnotallowedto.SinceIdon’twanttospendtherestofmylifedoingimagingdrudgeryintheworkshops,Iwon’t.IgetfedbetterthanatMasterCaliostrus’sandhavea
chanceatearningacomfortableliving.”Ismiledpolitely.“Howisthewoolbusiness?”
“Verywell,”interjectedRouselcheerfully.“We’vemorethantripledsalesandshipmentsoutofKherseillesthisyear.Thatwon’tlast,butwiththeshippingembargoleviedonCaenenbytheCouncilandbyFerrumandJariola,we’redoingwell.”
“IfshipmentstoCaenenareembargoed...?”Iasked.
“WejustshiptofactorsintheAbiertoIsles.TheyselltoCaenenanfactors.Wehadtoadvancethemalittlecredit,buttheCaenenanssendtheirownbottomsthere.”
“Whywon’titlast?”
Rouselshrugged.“Ihadafeelingthingswouldgettensewiththedualgodders.SoI
openeduptradewithsomeclothfactorsintheisles.Theyusuallydon’tdealthatmuchinwool,andIhadtogivethem...someconsiderations...lastyear,butnooneelseshippingoutofKherseilleshadanyarrangementsinplace.They’reallhurryingandscrambling,butfornow,we’redoingnicely.Morethannicely,andI’vegotanarrangementforsomehigh-
qualityCaenenancottoncomingbacktheotherway.Wedidn’thavethatevenbeforetheembargo.”
“TheCouncilwon’tobject?”Iasked.
“Howcanthey?”Rouselgrinned.“We’renotsellingtoCaenenans.We’resellingtoAbiertans.Wecan’tcontrolwhotheysellto.”
“Youcan’tstoptradewith
laws,”addedFather.“Evenembargoesandwarshipsaren’teffective.Peoplewanttobuywhattheywanttobuy,andtheywanttopayaslittleaspossible.”
“Unlessit’srare,andthentheybiduptheprice.”Ipaused.“Isthereadifferenceinthetariffratebetweenwhatyou’dpayifwoolwentdirectlytoCaenenandwhatitcostsgoingthroughAbierto?”
“You’restillsharpenoughtobeafactor,”saidRousel.“There’sonlyaonepercenttariffbetweenSolidarandtheisles,andwehaveareciprocalagreement.”
“Andthedifferenceinshippingcosts?”
“Thelandedpriceperhundredweightisalmostthesame.”
Ihadtowonderwhythe
Councilbotheredwiththeembargo.
“Canwetalkaboutsomethingelse?”askedMother.“Haveyoumetanyoneweknow?”
“NotthatIknowof.Therearen’tallthatmanyimagersinallofSolidar.”
“Whatdoesthathavetodowithanything?”demandedCulthyn.
“It’smathematics,stupid,”repliedKhethila.“Iftherearen’tmanyimagers,thennotmanyareborn—”
“That’senough...Iunderstand,andI’mnotstupid.”
IlookedtoRouselandRemaya,sittingonthesettee.“Seewhatawaitsyou?”
“We’llmanage,”hereplied.
“Arethereanywomenimagers?”askedRemaya.
“Onlyafew.”Forestallingtheinevitable,Iquicklyadded,“Ihaven’tmetanymyage,buttheremightbeoneortwo.”
“Ihopeyoudo.”
Behindhersmileandthekindnessofherwords,Icouldsensethepity.I’dneverwantedherpity,andIquickly
asked,“HowareyoufindingKherseilles?”
“It’scharming,”sheanswered.“Itisnottoolarge,andwehavealovelysmallvillaonthehillsoverlookingtheharbor,withapleasantbreeze...”
Aftermorechatter,mostlyaboutKherseilles,Motherrose.“Dinnerisready.”
Aspeoplebegantomove
towardthediningchamber,Mothereasedupbesideme.“We’regoingtohaveadinnerhereonthethirty-fifthofAvryl.Ithinkyou’dlikethepeople.”
“Whoisshe?”Icouldn’thelpgrinning.
Motherdidhavethegracetoblush.“She’snice,andquitepretty,butveryshy.Youactuallyhavemether
youngercousin.”
“Ihave?”
“Quiteanumberoftimes.”Herfacehadamischievousexpression.“AeylanaD’Weidynishercousin.Youpaintedherportrait.Herfatheristherenownedcabinetmaker,andhisbrotherTomazisthelargestproducefactorinL’Excelsis.Tomazisalsoafriendofyourfather,
andwe’veinvitedthemfordinner.”
“Andtheshyyounglady?What’shername?”
“HernameisZerlenya.”
Icouldn’tsaythatI’dmetorrememberedanyonenamedZerlenya,andthatwasprobablygood,becausefewofthegirlsorwomenI’dmetovertheyearshadimpressedme.Onlyahandfulhad—
Remaya,Kalyssa,Larguera,andSeliora—andIhadn’theardanythingaboutKalyssainyears,andLarguerahadmarriedsomeheirtoabreweryfortuneorsomethinglikethat.
“I’llbehere,andI’llbeascharmingasIcan.”
“Morecharmingthanthat,please,dear.”Hersmilewasaffectionate.“Now...enjoy
thedinner.It’soneofyourfavorites—theapple-stuffedporkcrownroast.”
Itwasoneofmyfavorites,andIdidenjoyit.Theconversationatdinnerwaspleasant.EvenFatherstoppedbeingthebusinessmanandtoldstories,includingoneI’dneverheardaboutthetimewhenhe’dfirstbeenbuyingwoolanddidn’tknowthatsangorawasconeyhair.
WhenIleftandCharlsyndrovemebacktotheCollegium—ortheeastsideoftheBridgeofHopes—itwasclosetotheeighthglassoftheevening.IdidrealizeonethingwhenIsteppedoutofthecarriagejustshortoftheBridgeofHopesthatnight.Forsomepeople,homeisalwaysthere.Forothers,whilethestructureandthefamilymaystillbethere,and
theymayallstillcareforyou,it’snolongerhome.Iwasoneofthose.WasitthatIwasanimager?OrhaditbeenthatwayfromthetimeI’dwantedtobeanartist?
Iwalkedacrossthebridgequickly,alertforwhateverorwhoevermightbearound,butIsawnoone,exceptafewfiguresingrayfromadistance.AlthoughArtiemawasfull,thefainthazedulled
herluminouslight.TothewestthequarterdiscofErionseemedredderthanusual,asifthelesserhunterweresomehowlyinginwaitforthegreaterhuntress.WasthatbecauseIfeltthatsomeone,ormorethanasingleperson,waswatching?YetnooneappearedasInearedthequartersbuilding.
Ihadtimetoworkonmyshields,andthatIcoulddo
safelyinmychamber.I’dalreadydonethereadingassignedbyMasterDichartyn.
Thegreatestcurseisto
inheritwealthorpositionwithoutability.
TherewasnothingtokeepmefromleavingImagisleonSolayi,exceptnooneIwantedtoseeandnodesiretospendmyfewsilversinL’Excelsismerelyforthe
sakeofspendingthem.Besides,Iwasstillworriedaboutmyimagingshields,especiallyafterhavinghadthefeelingofbeingwatchedthenightbefore.So,afterbreakfast,whichIatenearseveralthirdsatatablewithlessthantenpeoplescatteredalongalengththatcouldholdclosetoahundred,Iwalkedbacktomychamberandreadmyassignments,tryingto
thinkofthekindofquestionsMasterDichartynmightask.Aftereveryfewpages,Istoppedandworkedonmyshields.
Bylatemorningtheovercasthadlifted,andIdecidedtotakeabreakfromtheindoorstudyingandtrytoworkonfogandshadows.Afterleavingmyroom,Imademywaydownthestepstothemainlevelandthen
acrossthequadrangleandsouthwardtothegrovenorthofthechapel.Oncemore,notonlywassomeonewatchingmetheentireway,Ifelt,butheortheykeptwatchingwhileIstruggledwithconcealmentprojections.Fogprovedtobeeasiertocreate,butittendednottolastlong,vanishingshortlyafterthesunstruckit.Itdidlingerintheshadows,butIhadtrouble
makingitthickenoughtocloakme.WhatIcreatedmightworkatnight...maybe.
Shadowsweresomethingelse.Afterperhapsaquarterglass,Ifiguredouthowtocreateshadows—animagingshieldthatblockedsunlightwithoutbeingvisible—butthatdidn’thelpmuch,becauseinanylightbrightenoughtocreateshadows,I’d
stillbevisible,andthatmeantIneededanotherapproach.Evenafteralongglassofexperimentation,Icouldn’tthinkofone.
WhenIwalkedbacknorthtothedininghallfromthegrove,justbeforethetenbellsofnoonbegantostrike,IsawDiaztandJohanyrtalkingsometenyardsoutsidethemainentrance.Johanyr’svoicewaslowand
intent,buthestoppedforamomentandglaredatme,thensnorted,beforereturninghisattentiontoDiazt.
WhathadIdonetomakehimangry,excepttrytoavoidhim?Orhadtheybeentheonesobservingme?Iftheywere,therewasn’tmuchIcoulddoaboutit.SoIwentinsideandsatnexttoShannyr,who,unlikeDiaztandJohanyr,gavemea
friendlysmile.
“Johanyr’snotinaverygoodmood,”Isaidquietly.
Shannyrshookhishead.“He’snot.Hasn’tbeensinceVendrei.Stewinginhisownsweat.MasterGhaendtoldhimthathe’dnevermaketertiusifhedidn’tstudy.Alsosaidthatifhedidn’tlearnmore,he’dhavetogotoworkwiththesecondslikeme.”
Shannyr’stonewastotallywithoutrancororbitterness.
“MasterGhaendsaidthat?”
“No.MasterGhaendtoldhimhecouldn’tplayatbeingastudent,andthathe’dhavetolearnorgotowork.IheardJohanyrtellingDiaztthat.Hewassoangrythatanyoneintenyardscouldhaveheard.”
“Whydoesn’thejuststudy?”Ihadanideawhy,
butIwantedtohearwhatShannyrsaid.
“HewasbornJohanyrD’Ryel.Mighthavesomethingtodowithit.”
“HecomesfromtheHighHolders,andhe’sanimager?”
“Doesn’tmatterwhereyoucomefrom.”Helaughedsoftly.“Me,I’moneofthefortunateones.TillIcame
here,neverknewwhenI’deatnext.MawashappytoknowI’dgetfedandhappiertogetthegold.”
“Youdon’tmindworkinginthearmory?”
“Why’dImind?I’dbeslavingforsomefactor,luggingbarrelsandthelike,orI’dalreadyhavebeenpress-gangedintotheNavyorconscripted.”Hesmiled.
“Muchbettertoworkasacommonimager.Diaztdoesn’tseethat.Hethinkshe’ssomuchsmarterthanFloryn.He’sjustthesame,butnotassmart.”
“DidDiaztcomefromthetaudis?”
“Thehellhole.”
ThatwastheworstsluminL’Excelsis,exceptthat—unlikethetaudisbelowSouth
Middle—itwasn’tactuallyinthecity,butoffthehighwaythatSudroadturnedintosomefivemillessouthoftheAvenueD’Artisans.“He’sbetteroffhere.”
“Hedoesn’tthinkso.Heranaganglet—kidsdoingstufffortheelversandstealingfromthesansespoirs.”
“Hewasincontrol,andhe
doesn’tlikeitwhenotherpeopleare.”Ipaused,thenadded,“ItsoundslikeJohanyrdoesn’tmuchlikeit,either.”
“Nomatterwhoyouare,”Shannyrsaid,“there’salwayssomeoneelsetougher.Sawthatgrowingup.”
“Orbrighterorbetter-connected...orwhatever.”
“Youmisspainting?”he
asked.
“Sometimes,”Iadmitted.“But,inaway,imaging’slikethat.Idon’tknowthatI’dhaveeverdiscoveredIcouldimageifIhadn’tbeenaportraiturist.Didyouever...”Iwasn’tquitesurehowtoaskwhetherhe’dworkedatanything.“...wanttodoanythingbesidesbeanimager?”
“Fieldworkorthemines—thosewerethechoicesoutinTacqueville.Didn’tcaremuchforeither,butIwasworkingaditchcrewwhenIimagedalousycopperforMa.SobadthatsheknewI’dmadeit.Hadn’tseenthatmany.”Shannyrlaughed.“Armory’sbetteranyday.”
Diaztwasthetypewho’dratherrunaganginthehellholesofSolidarthan
answertoanyoneintwicethecomfort.Butweren’tmorethanafewpeoplelikethat?
WhenIleftthetableandShannyr,DiaztandJohanyrwerestandingbeyondthearchway.NeitherlookedatmeasIpassed,andIevenofferedapolitesmile.Behindme,though,Icouldhearafewmutteredwords.
“Stuff’stooeasyforhim..
.”
“Rodie...gottobearodie...”
Me?Arodent,asnoop,reportingbacktotheseniorimagers?Thatdidn’tmakesense.WhywouldIgiveupbeingaportraituristtobecomeanimager,andthenaninformerforMasterDichartynoranyothermaster?Ialmostturnedand
snappedbackthattheywereimbecilesandmasterimagersdidn’tneedtoadies,butmygutstoldmethatwouldonlymakemattersworse.
Besides,ifIdidn’treact,theycouldn’tbesureifI’doverheardthem.
Arrogancemakesaman
stupid,
andstupiditycanmakehimevenmorearrogant.
OnSolayieveningandatbreakfastonLundi,JohanyrandDiaztstoodoutsidetheentrancetothedininghall
andlookedhardatme.Ijustsmiledback.Theydidn’treturnthesmile,nordidtheychoosetositanywherenearme.IsatwithShannyr.Hewasgoodcompany.
Afterbreakfast,whenIwasfinallyadmittedtoMasterDichartyn’sstudy,hedidn’ttestmyshieldsatall.Instead,heconcentratedonaskingmequestionsabouttheCouncilandgoverning.Oncehe’d
determinedthatI’dreadthepageshe’dassigned,hesmiled.
“InJariola,theOligarchrulesabsolutely,buttheoligarchyvoteseveryfiveyearswhethertoreplacehimornot,andhecanbereplacedatanytimeifforty-sixofthefiftymembersofthecouncilvotetoremovehim.Forty-fivemembersofthecouncilarethewealthiestHigh
HoldersinthelandandtheotherfivearethehighprophetofKhanahlandfourothersappointedbytherulingoligarch.TheAbiertoIslesaregovernedbyanassembly,andthemembersareelectedbyavoteofallpropertyholders,whetherthoseholdersaremenorwomen,regardlessofwheretheyliveorwereborn,andtheassemblyelectsaspeaker
whomakesday-to-daydecisions.InCaenen,thehighpriestoftheirDualityistherulerofthecountry.Youknowhowwearegoverned.Whichmeansdoyouthinkismoreeffective,andwhy?”
Myimmediatereactionwastopreferoursystem,buttosaysowouldjustinvitemorequestions.“I’dsaythattheCaenenansystemistheworst,becausetheyaregovernedby
oneman,andthereisnoeffectivewaytoremovehim—”
“Killinghimwouldremovehimeffectively,butIdon’tthinkthat’swhatyoumeant.Bemorecarefulinyourchoiceofwords.”
“Therearenoacceptedrulesforremovinghimintheeventthatheprovesabadruler.”
“Thatistrue,butwhatisabadruler?”askedMasterDichartyn.“Iftaxesarehighuponthecraftersandlowuponthelandholders,isitnotlikelythatthelandholderswillpraisehimandthecrafterswilldeclarehimabadruler?”
“Yes,sir.”
“Goon.”
“I’dsaythattheJariolan
systemisthenextleastdesirable,becausepowerisheldinthehandsofsofewmen,andthatisnotgood—”
“Foralltherhetoricandcommontalk,governmentisnotaboutgoodandbad,Rhennthyl.NorwasthatwhatIasked.Whatisitabout?”
“Creatingthelawsandrulesunderwhichpeoplelive.”
“Whyisgovernmentnecessary?”
“Thingsdon’tworkwellamongpeoplewithoutsomeformofgovernment.”
“That’strue.Whynot?”
“Peoplewouldtrytodowhatevertheycouldgetawaywith.Unlessyouhadgoldsandpower,youcouldn’ttrustanyone.Eventhen...”
MasterDichartynnoddedslowly.“Effectivegovernmentssetrulesandlimitsonhowpowerisusedinacountry.Now...thatmeanssomewhohavegreaterpowermustacceptlimitsontheirpower.Whywouldtheydoso?”
“Because,otherwise,thosewithlesspowerwillbandtogetherandrestrainoreliminatethem?”
“That’sonepossibility.Canyouthinkofanother?”
Atthatmoment,Icouldn’t.
“IfyouwereHighHolderAlmeida,wouldyouwanttospendtensofthousandsofgoldsonmaintainingaprivatearmytodefendyourlandsorwouldyouratherpayafewthousandgoldsintaxestoagovernmentthatgenerallyprotectedthem?”
“Ifthegovernmentrulesweren’ttooburdensome,I’dpreferthetaxes.”
“SodomostHighHoldersofSolidar.Whatdoesthattellyouaboutgovernment?”
“Itprovidesabalanceofpoweratalowercostforthewealthyandgreaterorderandfreedomforthosewithlittlepower.”
“Aneffectivegovernment
does.Ifmostpeoplewanteffectivegovernment,whydogovernmentsvarysomuchfromlandtoland?”
“Theyhavedifferentideasaboutwhatiseffectiveandhowtomakethingswork?”
“DoyouthinkthatachoristeroftheNamelessandapriestoftheDualitywouldthinkofpowerinthesameway...”
MasterDichartyn’squestionsseemedendless.Iwasalltoohappytoleavewhenhefinallydismissedme,despitehisassignmentoftheadditionalreading.
Again,atlunch,Johanyrhadpositionedhimselfwherehecouldwatchme,althoughIdidn’tseeDiazt.Iwalkedovertohimandasked,“Howareyoudoing?Ihaven’tseenyouaround,exceptoutside
thedininghall.”
Hedidn’tsayanythingforamoment,clearlytakenabackbymyaddressinghim.Thenhereplied,“I’mfine.Therearesomethingsthathavetobesettled.”
Ididn’tfeellikesayinganythingtorespondtotheimpliedthreat.“I’msurethingswillsettleoutifyougivethemtime.”
“I’mnotverypatient,Rhenn.”
“Mostofusaren’t.I’mnot,either,butI’velearnedthatsometimesrushingthingscreatesmoreproblemsthanitsolves.”
“Don’tthreatenme.”
“I’mnotthreateninganyone,”Isaid,managingtosmile.“It’snotwise,andit’snotpolite.Ihopeyoufeel
betterlater.”Inoddedcourteouslyandturnedtowardthedininghall.
Icouldstillfeelhiseyesonmyback,andIstilldidn’tunderstandwhyhewassoangry.Wasitjustthathewasangryandneededatarget?Icertainlyhadn’ttoldanyoneaboutwhathethoughtorhisnastinesstome,excepttellingShannyroncethatJohanyrdidn’tseemhappy.
ItookachairbetweenGherardandWhaltarandacrossfromShannyr.
WhaltarwasspeakingtoGherard.“...gotNaquinSamedinight...warnedhimabouttheNordquarter,buthesaidthatwaswherethegirlswere...”
“Didsomeonegethurt?”Iasked.
“Naquin.Hewasathird.
Theyfoundhisbodyonthestreetyesterdaymorning.”Whaltarshookhishead.“Havetobetwiceascarefulifyou’reagraycoat.”
Ididn’tquiteknowwhattoadd.Ihadn’tknownNaquin.
“HowisMasterDichartyntreatingyou?”askedGherard,clearlywantingtochangethesubject.“Someofthoseassignmentslookeddifficult.”
“Thereadingisn’ttoobad,”Iadmitted,“butthequestionsheasksaboutwhatI’vereadmakethereadingseemeasy.”
“Mostofthethirdshaven’tmadeitasfarasyouhave,”Gherardsaid.
“I’msurethatthey’redoingbetterelsewhere.”Idecidedontea,filledmymug,andtookalongsip.“That’swhy
they’rethirds.”ThelongerI’dbeenattheCollegium,themoreIwonderedwhyGherardwasstillasecondus.“Ifyoudon’tmind...”
Gherardlaughed.“Idon’t.You’vewaitedlongerthanmosttoask.Ihavetroublereading.Thelettersdon’tmakesensetome,andI’llneverbeagreatimager.Icanrememberanythinganyonetellsmewordforword,and
MasterDichartyntellsmethatIhaveagoodfeelforincomingimagers.”
Putthatway,hispositionmadesense.“IsPetrynstillhelpingthere?”
“No.He’sasecondnow,andanotherjuniorprimetookhisplace—Beleart.Youknow...youscaredtheNameroutofPetryn.”
“Idid?Iwastheonewho
feltscared.”
Allthreeofthemlaughed,andShannyrjustshookhishead.
TheyallthoughtitwasfunnythatI’dfeltscared?DidIreallyprojectthatmuchconfidence?Ididn’tthinkso.Icertainlyhadn’tknownthatmuchaboutimagingwhenI’darrivedattheCollegium.
Afterlunch,whenIwentto
theworkshops,Grandisynescortedmetoanotherworkroom,onealsowithbarrels,andshowedmeasmallbarofmetalnobiggeraroundthanthebodyofapenandnomorethanadigitinlength.
“Ifyou’rereallygood,yououghttobeabletodofourofthese,butifyougetreallytiredaftertwo,stop.Wearenotcertainofthe
concentrationintheore.”Hepaused.“Doyouunderstand?”
Iunderstood.IrememberedwhathadhappenedtoMhykal.
Afterheleft,Ifingeredthesilverymetal,whichseemedasheavyasgold.Platinum?
Intheend,Imanagedthreesmallbars,anddecidedagainsttryingforafourth.
Thattooklessthanaglass,andGrandisynsaidIwasfreetogo.WhenIreturnedtomyroom,Itookashortnap—andI’dnevertakennapssinceI’dbeensmall,notuntilIcametotheCollegium.
Atdinner,JohanyrandDiaztsatattheendofthetable,withtwoothersecondsI’dbarelymet.Johanyrneverlookedinmydirection,butDiaztdid,anddidsomore
thanafewtimes.
“WhatdidyoudotoDiazt?”askedClenard,oneoftheoldersecondswhowasafriendofShannyr.
“IaskedJohanyrhowhewasdoing.Hewasn’thappythatIspoketohim.”Mywordscameoutashadeironic.
“That’sbecausehelikestoaskthequestions,”Shannyr
addeddryly.
“Whatdoyouworkat?”IaskedClenard.
“Ihelpthemachinists.It’seasiertoimageblanksthantocastthem,andthentheymachinethemdown.Don’thavetohaveafurnace,either,butitworksbestforsmallparts....”
EverytimeIthoughtI’dlearnedmostofwhat
happenedattheCollegium,Ifoundoutsomethingmore.ButatleastIhadagoodconversationatdinner.
Afterward,ItalkedabitwithShannyr,thenwalkedthroughthedeepeningtwilightacrossthequadranglebacktothequartersbuilding—oneoftwo,I’dalsolearned.Again,Ihadthefeelingofbeingwatched,butIdidn’tseeanyone.Iwasn’t
imaginingthings,andthatsuggestedthatwhoeverwaswatchingandfollowingwasaverygoodimager.
WhenIgotinside,Ihurriedupthestairs.NomorehadIsteppedoffthelandingonthesecondlevelandintothecorridorleadingtomyroomthanIheardheavystepscomingupthestairsbehindme.Imovedawayfromthestaircase,butlookedback.
“Ifitisn’tthepainterboy.”Diaztsteppedoutofthestaircaselandingandstopped.Hecarriedametalbar.
WalkingdownthehallwayintheotherdirectionwasJohanyr.Heheldsomesortofblade,asabreperhaps.Hedidn’tsayanything.Imovedtowardhim,becauseIdidn’twanttobethatclosetoDiazt.Myfingersbrushedmytrousers.Istillhadthebagof
caustic,butIcouldn’tverywellattackfirst.MasterDichartynhadmadethatveryclear.Werethetwoofthemtryingtoprovokemeintoattacking?Thatway,I’dbetotallyatfault—ifIevensurvivedwhateverdefensesandretaliationtheyhadinmind.
Icouldhearseverallowsounds—doorboltssnickingclosed.DidJohanyrandDiazt
haveallthesecondscowed?Atthatpoint,Irealizedthatmostofthewalllampsinthecorridorhadbeenwickedoff—orimagedout.
“Howareyoudoingthisfineevening?”Johanyr’svoicewassarcastic.“It’sdarkoutnow,andthat’sthebesttimeforrodents.”
“I’mnorodent.You’rejustlookingforexcuses.”
“Allrodiessaythatthey’reinnocent.”
“Sodoallinnocents.”ImovedslowlytowardJohanyrinordertoavoidthemetalbarDiaztcarried,althoughIcouldn’tmovetoofarbeforeI’dbeinrangeofthesabre.
“You’renoinnocent.Wedidn’thaveanytroublebeforeyoushowedup.”
“Youmeanthatnoone
complained,”Isuggested.
Hestiffened.
ThenIstaggeredbackassomethingslammedintomyshields.BeforeIcouldrecovermybalanceanotherblaststruckmefrombehind,andIstaggeredintheotherdirection.
Icouldn’tseewhatthey’dimagedatme—butitwassomethingthatwasdesigned
nottoleaveanytraces,becausenothinghaddroppedtothestonefloor.Iwouldhaveheardit,evenifIcouldn’tseeitinthelowlight.
“Rodie’sgotshields...howsweet.”ThatwasDiazt.“Thatwilljustmakeitsomucheasier.”
Ididn’tknowwhathemeantuntiltheironbar
slammedagainstmyshields,andIricochetedoffthewall.Bybeatingonmyshields,theycouldwearmedownandstillpunishme,andleavefewifanybruises.
Johanyrstruckwiththeflatedgeofthesabre.Thatrockedme,butnotenoughtounbalanceme.
“You’dbetterstop,”Isaid.
“We’dbetterstop?You
haveastrangeviewofthings,rodie.”
Theironbarhitmyshieldsagain,andIhadtotakeseveralstepstowardJohanyrtokeepmybalance.Hestruckwiththesabre,andIwasforcedbacktowardDiazt.Theyweren’tgoingtostop.Thatwasalltooclear.
Imanagedtosquaremyfeetandlookstraightat
Johanyr.Iconcentratedonimagingcaustic,justlikethatinthebag,behindhisshields,rightinhiseyes.
Therewasamomentofresistance—thatwaswhatitfeltlike—andthenheblinked.“Killhim!Diazt!Ohh...”Hecollapsedonthecorridorfloor.
Theironbarstruckthebackofmyshieldswithsuch
forcethatIstumbledandhadtotakethreeorfourstepsandcouldbarelystandbeforeIwhirledtofaceDiazt—imagingevenmorecausticintohiseyes.
Thebarflewtowardme,andIducked,andthenDiaztwasscreaming,butonlyforamomentbeforehewentlimp.
MasterDichartynandMasterGhaendbothappeared
fromsomewhere.
GhaendlookedtoDichartynandnodded.Twoobduratesinblackhurrieddownthehallwaytowardus.
“Whathappened?Whatdidyoudo?”demandedMasterDichartyn.“Sparemeanynicetiesaboutaccidentsandthelike.”
“Theycorneredme,andeveryoneonthefloorlocked
theirdoors.Icouldheartheboltssnickshut.ThentheyclaimedthatIwassomesortofspyandthattheCollegiumhadnouseforrodentslikeme.Theybegantoimagethingsatme—”
“Whatdidyoudo?”MasterDichartyn’squestionwashardandurgent.
“Iimagedlye—caustic—intotheireyes.”
“Throughtheirshields?”
“Yes,sir.”
“Ghaend!Getthemtotheinfirmaryandstartwashingtheireyesoutwithclearwater.Havethestaffkeepdoingitforatleasthalfaglass.Getsomewaterandalittleofthebasicelixirinthem.”
“Yes,sir.”
Eachofthehulkingobdurateshoistedoneofthetwofallenimagers,andbeforeIcouldsayanything,MasterDichartynandIstoodaloneinthecorridor.
“Youcomewithme,Rhennthyl.”
“Yes,sir.”
Ifollowedhimbacktohisstudy,hopingthathiscoolnessdidn’tpresageeven
moretrouble,butfearingthatitdid.Ididn’tunderstandwhyJohanyrandDiazthadcollapsed.Icouldunderstandburningorpainintheireyes,butthey’dbarelyutteredanythingbeforetheyfell.
MasterDichartynsaidnothinguntilhehadclosedthedoortohisstudybehindusandoffhandedlyimagedthewalllampintoburningbrightly.“Goaheadandsit
down.Youprobablyneedtogetoffyourfeet.”
Isat.Mylegswereshaking.Ididn’twanthimtostartinwithmorequestions.SoIspokeonwhathadbeenbotheringmeonthewalkfromthequarters.“Idon’tunderstandwhytheycollapsed.Iwasonlytryingtoblindthemsothattheycouldn’tattack.”
“Thinkaboutit,Rhenn.Wherewereyou?”
“Inthecorridor.”
“Yousaidallthedoorswereshut.What’sbehind—”
“Oh,shit...”
“Exactly.Wheredoyouthinkthatcausticcamefrom?Youpulledsomeofitoutoftheirownbodies.Ifthey’relucky,they’lllive,butthey’ll
neverseewellenoughtoimageagain.”
“Whatwillhappentothem?”
“TheybesenttoMontD’Image.It’sapleasantplace,ifisolated,andiftheyrecover,theycantakedutiesthere.Ifnot,theycanliveonastipendinthevillageadjoiningtheCollegium.MasterGhaendandIboth
thoughtthatthiswouldhappen.Neitherofthosetwohasbeenexactlyamodelimager,andyouthreatenedthemboth.”
“Ithreatenedthem,sir?”
“Whetheryouknowitornot,andyou’dbetterlearntoacceptandtrainit,notonlydoyouimage,butyouhaveatalentforprojectingwhateveryoufeel—orwanttofeel.
Thattalentmeansthat,giventime,youcanbeveryeffectiveinmanagingpeople.Letmeaskyouthis.Whenyouwanttobealone,doesanyoneeverbotheryou?Whenyoufeelfriendly,doesanyonenotrespond?”
Ihadn’tthoughtaboutthat,butIwasstillthinkingaboutJohanyrandDiazt.WhyhadMasterDichartynletthemgosofar?Ialmostblurtedthat
question.Almost.Instead,Iasked,“Wasitatestofsorts?OrwillIfaceahearing?”
“Self-defenseisalwaysallowed,andyoudidattemptnottokillthem.Therewillbenohearing.YouwillberestrictedtoImagisleforthenextfewweeks,notaspunishment,butasprotection,ofasort,andyouwillspendoneglasseveryeveningpracticingwithshieldsand
imagingagainstonemasteroranother.That’sanotherformofprotection,bothforyouandforothers.”Hesmiledsadly.“Youneedtolearnafewlesslethalwaystouseyourabilities.”
Whyhadn’thetaughtmethosebefore?
“Because,unlessyoucouldprotectyourselfinsomewayoranother,ortalkyourway
outofit,doingsowouldhavebeenawasteofeveryone’stime,becauseyou’dhavebeencrippledordiedinthefirstconfrontation.Tonight,wewouldhavesteppedin,ifyou’dmanagedtoholdthemoff,orevenifyou’dreactedwell,butnothadtheskill.Youmovedsoquicklythatallwecoulddowashelpthem.”
“Youknewtheywereplanningsomething?”
“Itwasobvious.Youknew,didn’tyou?”
“Yes,sir.Ididn’tknowwhen,butIhadthefeelingthatitwouldn’tbelong.”
“Wehaveashademoreexperience,Rhenn.Now,gatherallyourgear.You’removingovertothewingwiththeotherthirds.”
“Theotherthirds?”
“Whatdoyouthinkdistinguishesasecondfromathird?Oronefactor,anyway.”
“Theabilitytouseshields?”
“Let’smakeitmoregeneral.Secondsdon’tbecomethirdsatyourageunlesstheyhaveveryusefulskills.Somesecondswillneverdeveloptheirskills
beyondacertainpoint,buttheywilloftenbecomethirdslateronwhentheyhavemorelifeexperience.”
“SecondslikeShannyrorthirdslikeGrandisyn?”
MasterDichartynnodded.“Andothers.ExperienceintheCollegiumisalsovalued,andsometimesitismorevaluablethanimagingskillsalone.”Hesmiled,briefly.
“AnothermatterwhichI’msureyou’llappreciateisanincreaseinyourweeklystipendtoahalfgold.”
Fivesilversaweek?Thatwasmorethanallbutthebestmasterportaituristsmade,andcertainlymorethanjourneymenmade.
“Youwillmorethanearnit.”Herose,andhiswordswereapromiseclosetoa
threat.
Igotupmoreslowlythanhehad.
Tertius
Themoreexaltedthe
position,theheavierandyetless
obvioustheburdenofresponsibilityandthegreatertheexpectationsofothers.
OnethingInoticedimmediatelyaboutmynewquarters.Theywerelarger
andactuallyconsistedoftworooms—onethatwasbothparlorandstudyandasecondsmallersleepingchamberthatheldamuchlargerarmoireaswellasaseparatechestofdrawers.TheotherthingwasthatIwastotallyexhausted.IcouldbarelyputawayclothingandbooksbeforeIcollapsedontotheunmadebedbesidethecleanlinensIwastootiredtouse.
ThenextmorningIwasupearly,arrangingmynewquarters.Theywerenotonlymuchmorespacious,butthebedalsohadalargerheadboardofgoldenoakwithsimplecarving.Inthesittingroomwereanarmchairforreadingandadeskchairinfrontofawritingdesk.
OnceIwashed,shaved,anddressed,Isteppedoutintothecorridorandstartedtoward
thestairsdowntothemainlevel.
Anolderthirdcameoutofthenextdoorwayandsmiled.“You’reRhenn,aren’tyou?”
“Ah,yes.”Iwassurprisedbythefriendlinessinhisvoice,becauseeveryoneintheotherquarterssectionhadbeenfarcooler.
“Claustyn.IheardthatyoutookcareofJohanyrand
Diazt.”
“Iwasjusttryingtodisablethem.Ididn’tdoaverygoodjobofit.”
Claustynlaughedheartily.“ThewayIheard,youdidaverygoodjobofit,andthemastersweremostrelieved.”
“BecauseJohanyrwasdisabledwhenhewasattemptingtoinjuresomeonebadly?”
“Andbecauseyou’rethesonofanotedfactorius.”
Unhappily,thatmadesense.Inthepast,Isuspected,mostofJohanyr’svictimshadparentsoflittlestatus,andJohanyrhadassumedthatmyinabilitytoremainasaportraituristhadmeantthatmyfamilyhadeffectivelyabandonedme.Thatassumptionhaddoubtlessbeenstrengthenedbythefact
thatIhadnothingofvaluewithme,nogolds,nopillowsorbeddingoranythingthatIcouldhavebrought.IhadnodoubtthatasthesonofHighHolderRyel,hehadbroughteverythingpermitted.Becausehisassumptionwasincorrect,themasterscouldsimplyreporttohisfatherthathissonhadbrokentherulesoftheCollegiumandattackedanotherimager,one
whowasthesonofanotedfactor,andhadbeeninjuredbymyattemptstodefendmyselfagainstanunprovokedattack.
Ialsorealizedsomethingelse.MasterDichartynhadknownexactlywhatwaslikelytohappen,andheandMasterGhaendhadwaitedjustlongenoughtomakesurethatneitherJohanyrnorDiaztwouldbeabletoimageagain.
“Hashebeenaproblemforawhile?”
Claustynshrugged.“Forlongenough.HighHolderRyelisnotontheCouncil,butanumberofthoseontheCouncilarebeholdentohim.ThefactorsontheCouncilarenot.”
Thatwouldmakemypersonalsituationmoredifficultinthefuture,
althoughIcouldnothaveexplainedwhy.SoIjustreplied,“Theyattackedme,andIreallydidn’thavemuchchoice.”
“That’sallthebetter.”
ClaustynandIwalkedtothedininghalltogetherandsatwithseveralotherthirds—Reynol,Menyard,andKahlasa.
Kahlasawasplumpwith
brightlightbrowneyesandcurlysandy-blondhair,andshewasthefirsttospeakafterwesatdownnearthefootofthetableandClaustynintroducedme.“Youreallywereaportraiturist?”
“Ajourneyman,notamaster.”
“Couldyoupaintmyportrait?”Herlipsandfaceconveyedanexpressionthat
washalfgrin,halfsmile.
“Icould...ifIhadpaints,brushes,supplies,canvas,andthelike,butIcouldn’ttakecoinsforit.IfIdid,theguildswouldbringitbeforetheCouncil,andIdoubtthat’ssomethingtheCollegiumwouldlookfavorablyupon.”
Reynollaughed.“TheCouncildoesn’tlookfavorablyuponmuch.”
“Theyfavormoregoldsinthetreasury,”suggestedMeynard.
“Butnotthosetakenintaxesfromtheirguildsorpeers...”
Allinall,itwasoneofthemoreenjoyablemealsI’dhadattheCollegium.Aftereating,ImademywaytoMasterDichartyn’sstudy,wherethedoorwasopen.
“Comeonin,Rhenn.Howareyoufeeling?”
“Fine,mostly.IwassotiredIcollapsedlastnight.”Iclosedthedoorandslippedintothechairacrossthedeskfromhim.
“That’snotsurprising.Holdingshieldsandimagingbehindleadcanbeverytiring.Asyourtechniqueimprovesitwillgeteasier,
butworkinginarestrictedareaisalwaysmoredifficult.”
“AreJohanyrandDiaztallright?”Ididn’twanttoask,butfeltthatIshould.
MasterDichartynshookhisheadslowly.“Johanyrwilllive.He’slikelytoremainwithsuchpoorsightthathecanbarelymakeoutshapesandlightanddark,andhewon’tregainallhisstrength,
buthecanhaveaproductivelifeinMontD’Image,ifhechooses.Diaztdiedshortlyafterhewastakentotheinfirmary.”
Iswallowed.“Ididn’tintend—”
“Thatwasmostobvious,Rhenn.Youallowedthemtopummelyourshieldsviciously,andyoutriedtotellthemthattheyhadno
groundsfortheirattack.Whenyoudidattack,itwasonlyaftergreatprovocation,andyourintentwasonlytodisable.Hadtheyattackedyououtside,theybothwouldhavelived.Inthatsense,theychosetheirownfate.”
IhadastrongsensethatJohanyrhadlivedandDiazthaddiedbecauseofwhotheirparentswereandwerenot.Ialsohadanothersuspicion
thatIwantedtovoice.“Shannyrkeptyouinformed,didn’the?”
“Didhe?”MasterDichartynraisedhiseyebrows.“Doesitmatternow?”
ThatwasasmuchofanacknowledgmentasIwaslikelytoget.“No,sir.”
“Yourealizethatyourdutieswillchange?You
won’tbegoingtotheworkshopsanymore.Instead,you’llbeworkingwithClovylforthenextfewweeks.He’saseniorimagertertius,andhewillteachyoutheuseofvariousweapons,butmostimportant,howtodefendyourselfwithoutimagingandwithoutweapons.You’llmeethimintheexerciseroomatthefirstbelloftheafternoon,every
dayexceptSolayiandSamedi,andyouwillspendtwosolidglasseswithhim,ifnotmore.Beforeyoudo,youwillobtainsomeexerciseclothingfromthetailoringshop.Youwillneedit.Thenattheseventhglassyouwillreturnhere.EitherIoranothermasterwillbehereeverynightfromLunditoVendrei,andwe’llbeworkingharderondeveloping
differentkindsofshieldsandotherimagingtechniques.You’llalsoneedthose.”
BeforeIcouldthinkmuchabouttheimplicationsofhiswords,hewenton,asifnothingsignificanthadoccurred.“Now...whatistheprimarypurposeoftaxationandtariffs?”
“Toraisefundstosupportgovernmentservices.”
“Isalltaxationusedforsuchpurposes?”
“No,sir.”
“Whynot?”
Again,thetexthadn’tmentionedmuchaboutotherusesoftaxation,butMasterDichartynexpectedananswerbeyondthat.“Becausegovernmentsarecomprisedofmen,andmendonotalwaysdowhattheysaythey
willorwhatmaybebestforthosetheygovern.”
“Thatwilldo,butonlyfornow.Forwhatotherpurposesmighttaxationbeused?”
“Somerulersandothersingovernmentshaveusedtaxestoincreasetheirownpersonalwealth.Othershaveusedtariffstoprotectthecommerceandtradeoftheirpeople.”
“Howdoesincreasingthecostofagoodthroughtariffsprotectcommerce?”
“Itoftendoesn’t.Itbenefitssomepeopleandhurtsothers.”
“Canyouprovideanexample?”
Atthatmoment,IwasgladIhadlistenedtoFatherandRousel.“Caenenimposesatariffonourtextiles,andthat
increasesthecosttotheirpeople....”
MasterDichartynkeptthequestionscomingforclosetoaglassbeforehestoppedandlookedatme.“That’senoughfornow.Readtheappendixtothehistory,theonethatoutlinesthedevelopmentofCouncilprecedentandprocedures.You’llneedtogotothetailoringshopbeforelunch.Wearoneofthe
exercisesuitsyougettherewhenyoumeetwithClovyl.Also,inadditiontotheexercisesuits,you’llneedspecialblackandgraygarbidentifyingyouasamessenger.”Hesmiled.“OneofthedutiesofimagerthirdsistoserveassilentguardsintheCouncilchambers.”Hesmiled.“Youmightcarryoneortwomessagesinthecourseofaday,buttheuniform
allowsyoutowalkanywhereintheChateau.Youwon’tbeassignedthereforanothermonth,dependingonyourtraining,butyouruniformswillbereadywhenyouare.”
“Whatexactlyarethedutiesofsilentguards?”
“Youuseallyourskillsinwaystoprotectthecouncilorsandtheirassistants,inafashionthatnoonewilleven
knowexactlyhowtheyarebeingprotected.”
“Peoplefaint,ortrip,orslip...thingslikethat?”
“Aswellasafewothersthatareevenlessobvious.”MasterDichartynfrownedmomentarily.“You’llalsohavetolearntheproceduresbywhichtheCounciloperates,becauseanyoneintentondisruptingCouncil
businesswillalsoknowthoseandtimetheiractsbasedonwhatishappeninginthechambers.Thatiswhyyouneedtostudytheappendix,butthatonlyprovidesthebarestoutline.”
“Doesthathappenoften?”
“Disruptionsseldomoccur.Attemptsarequitefrequentbecauseourdefensesaresoinvisiblethatalltoomany
whoopposeSolidarthinkthattherearenone.”
Thatseemedstrangetome.Itwasalmostlikeencouragingattempts.
“Icanseethatpuzzlesyou.IwouldlikeyoutothinkaboutthatandprovidemeanessaytomorrowexplainingwhytheCollegium’ssecrecyinthisiseitherwiseorunwise.”Hestood.“Now...
offtothetailor’sshop.I’veleftwordthatyou’retobefitted.”
Irosequickly.“Yes,sir.”
AsIwalkedawayfromMasterDichartyn’sstudy,IsawGherardcomingtheotherway.“Goodmorning.”
“Goodmorning,sir.”Hisvoicewaspleasant,andheinclinedhisheadslightlyashepassedmeandheaded
towardthestudyI’djustleft.
Sir?I’dbeenRhennthelasttimewe’dspoken.Whywashebeingsodeferential?Dideveryoneknowwhathadhappened?Orwasitmyadvancementtotertius?
IwasstillponderingthosequestionswhenIreachedthetailoringshop,butIwasn’tgivenmuchtimeformusing.
“Ah,yes,youmustbe
Rhennthyl,thenewthird,”beganthegraying,thin,andstoopedimagerwhogreetedme.“Mustsayyoulookinnocentenough.Alwaysanadvantageinwhatyou’llbedoing.Offwiththatwaistcoat.Weneedtomeasureyou,yeswedo....”
BeforeIcouldsaymorethanafewwords—atleastthatwasthewayIfelt—Iwasheadedbacktomynew
quarterswithanarmfulofexerciseclothesandthepromisethatmyothergarmentswouldbereadyforafittingonthefollowingMeredi.
Backinmyrooms,Iinspectedmorecloselytheexerciseclothes.Theyweregrayandconsistedofloose-fittingtrousersandathickcollarlesstunicmadeoutofsoftbutheavycotton.Ialso
endedupwithlace-uphighankleboots.
Atlunch,Ididn’tseeClaustyn,butIsatwithReynolandKahlasa.ImostlylistenedwhileReynoltalkedabouthispositionasoneoftheassistantbookkeepersfortheCollegium.
“...andbeforeIleaveondetachedassignments,Imakesureeveryentryintheledgers
isuptodateanddocumented.Jezryk’safinefellow,andtheheartwoodofanytree,butyoushouldseetheentrieshe’sleftformetomakewhenIreturn.Now,sharingapositionisfine,androtatingcollateraldutiesisanevilwealllivewith,butfairisfair...”
Ihadthefeelingthatonedidn’tinquireaboutdetachedduties,butsincehewas
talkingaboutbookkeeping,aftertakingamouthfulofafowlragout,Iasked,“Isitbecausehe’suncertainabouthowtomakethoseentries?”
Reynollaughedagain.“No...it’sbecausethosearetheonesthatrequiresupplementarydocumentationinthemasters’reviewledgers,andthattakescareinwriting.”
“He’sgoodatwhatelsehedoes,”Kahlasasaid.
“Whenareyouleavingagain?”Reynolaskedher.
“Notuntilthetwenty-seventhofMayas.Thereweresomedifficulties.”
“Whenyou’redealingwiththeCaenenans,therealwaysare.”Reynolturnedtome.“Doyouknowwhatyournewassignmentwillbeyet?”
Ishookmyhead.“MasterDichartynjustsaidIhadsometrainingaheadofme.”
“There’salwaystraining.”Reynolnodded.“HaveyouheardaboutthenewbistroonBeakers’LaneofftheEastRiverRoad?It’scalledFelters.Youbothmightlikeit.”
“Beakers’Lane?”askedKahlasa.
Iknewthat,evenifIdidn’tknowthebistro.“That’sthesecondlanesouthfromBoulevardD’Este.”
“Thankyou.Istilldon’tknowallIshouldaboutL’Excelsis.”
“Whereareyoufrom?”
“Shastoilya.Noonehaseverheardofit....”
“Howlonghaveyoubeen
here?”Iasked.
“Notquitefouryears.IttookmeawhiletogetadjustedtotheCollegium.”
“ShewasaNamelesschoristerintraining,”Reynolinterjected.
“Doyouhavetotelleveryone?”Kahlasa’svoicecarriedatoneofmockirritation.
“Doallthewomenimagershavetheirownquarters?”
“Wehavethenorthendofthelowerlevelofthetertiusquartersbuilding,andthat’sallthewomenwhoaren’tmaitres.Whenwe’rehere,ofcourse.”
Fromwhatthetwoofthemsaidinpassingduringlunch,IhadthedefinitefeelingthatimagersdidfarmorethanI’d
realized—andinmanymoredifferentlocales.
Aftereating,Ihurriedbacktomyquartersandchangedintotheexerciseclothes,thenhurriedbacktotheexerciserooms.Ihadtolookatacopyofthemap,becauseIdidn’trememberwheretheywere.Istillmadeittothefoyeroutsidetheroomsbeforethefirstafternoonbellrang.
Amuscularfigureinthesamesortofexerciseclothesappeared.Helookedclosertomyfather’sage,althoughhewasfartrimmer,buthisblackhairwasstreakedwithgray.
“You’rethelatestsavioroftheseconds?”
“I’mRhennthyl,sir.AreyouClovyl,sir?”
“Mostpolite.IcanseewhyJohanyroverstepped
himself.”Henodded.“Haveyoueverbeenphysicallytrained?”
“No,sir,exceptforgrammaire.”
“You’regoingtohaveadifficultfewmonthsahead.Thereasonforthisissimple,butIwon’tmakeyouguess.ThedutiesMasterDichartynhasplannedforyouwilltakeagreatamountofphysical
strengthandconditioning.Youunderstandthatimagingiswork,don’tyou?”
“Yes,sir.”
“Thenlet’sgetstarted.”Heturnedabruptlyandwentthroughthemiddledoor.
Ihurriedafterhim,closingthedoorbehindme.
Hegesturedtotheexercisemat.“You’llseemoreofthat
thanyou’dlike.Afterthefirsttwoweeksorso,you’lljointheotherthirdsintheirworkouts,butrightnow,allyou’dendupdoingishurtingyourselfandgettingfrustrated.I’mgoingtoshowyouaseriesofexercises,andyou’retodothemexactlyasIshowyouthem.Exactly.”
“Yes,sir.”
“Thefirstsetislimbering
andstretching.That’ssothatthelateronesdon’thurtyou...”
WhenClovylsaidexactly,hemeantexactly.Attheendofthefirsthalfglass,Iwassoakedinsweat,andhe’dcorrectedmeascoreoftimes.
“Yourlegsstaystraight!”
“Keepyourheelsonthefloor!”
IwastryingtodothebestIcould,butI’dneverevenseenanyoftheexercisesheshowedmeandthenorderedmetodo.
“Youneedabreak.”Hisexpressionwasclosetodisgust.“Followme.”
IwouldhavelikedtosaythatIscrambledofftheexercisemat,butmymovementsweremorelikea
staggertomyfeetasIwalkedafterhimandthroughadoorwayintotheadjoiningexerciseroom.
Whatlookedtobeacloth-coveredmannequinhungfromaropeattachedtoanironceilingbracket.Certainareasweremarkedinred,andseveralinmaroon.Clovylwalkedovertothedummyandpointed.“Theredmarkstheplaceswhere,ifyoustrike
amanhardenough,youwilldisableorkillhim.WhenIamfinishedtrainingyou,youshouldbeabletoknowexactlyhowandwheretostrikewithoutlookingandwithouthavingtothinkaboutit—eitherthroughimagingorwithhandsoranythingelse.Youwillalsohavethestrengthtodoso,evenifyouhavejustrunamilleatfullspeed.”Hepaused.“Whydo
youthinkthisisnecessary?”
“BecauseI’llbeassignedtoplaceswhereImaynotbeabletoimageorwhereitwillnotbewisetodoso,andIwon’thaveanyweaponsathand?OrevenifIcanimage,Iwon’thavetimetothinkaboutwhere.”
Clovylnoddedsolemnly.Thenhesaid,“That’senoughofabreak.”
Thefirstsetofexerciseshadonlybeenwarm-upscomparedtowhatfollowed,andItotteredbacktothequartersbuildingslightlybeforethefourthglass.Myexerciseclothesweresoaked,andsowasI.WithachillspringbreezeblowingacrossthequadrangleIwasshivering,evenbeforeItookatoo-coldshowertocleanup.AfterIdressed,Itriedtoread
theappendixtothehistory,buttheproceduresweresodullthatIfellasleep.
Iwokeatthefifthbellandmanagedtoreadsomemore...andIthoughtImightremembersomeofwhatIread.
Atdinner,Kahlasaintroducedmetotwootherthirds—DierkylandSonalya.Theyaskedmeabout
portraiture,andIaskedthemaboutexercises.Theylaughed.
Attheseventhglass,IwasoncemoreoutsideMasterDichartyn’sstudy.
Hearrivedshortlyandopenedthedoor.
“Clovylsaysthatyourcoordinationandskillaren’tbad,butthatyourconditioningneedswork.For
him,that’salmostacompliment.Howdoyoufeel?”
“I’mtired.”
“You’dbettergetusedtoit.OrasMaitreDeloitynsaidtomewhenIwasaboutyourage,‘Welcometotherealworld,whereyouneverhaveenoughtime,energy,orgolds.’”Hepaused.“You’retootiredtodealwithshields
tonight.Sowe’llworkonprecisionimagery.”Heliftedawoodenringaboutfifteendigitsacross,andthensetfoursmallwoodencylindersonhisdesk.“I’mgoingtoholdthisringup,andIwantyoutoimageoneofthecylindersintotheopencenterofthering.”
“Yes,sir.”ThatIcoulddo,butIhadafeelingthatworsewascoming.
Heheldupthering.
Iconcentratedandimagedacylinder.Onevanishedfromthedeskandappearedinmidairinthemiddleofthering.MasterDichartynreachedoutandcaughtitwithhisfreehand.“NowI’mgoingtomovetheringbackandforthslowly.Youstillhavetoputitinthemiddleofthering.”
Itwasgoingtobealongglass—thatIknew.
Thedifferencebetweenan
explanationandanexcuse
lieswiththeonereceivingit.
I’dhadtowritetheessayonthereasonfortheCollegium’ssecrecyinprotectingcouncilorsafterworkingwithMaster
DichartynonimagingskillsonMardinight.Thatwasmorethanalittledifficult,because,first,IwassotiredthatIcouldhardlythinkand,second,IknewnothingabouthowtheCollegiumactuallyhandledprotection.BecauseIcouldnotkeepmyeyesopenanylongerafterwritingtheessay,Iwenttobed.Then,I’dhadtogetupearlyonMereditoreadtheappendix
onCouncilproceduresandprecedents.Ihadtoreadittwice,andIdoubtedthatIunderstoodafractionofwhatIread,becauseitseemedsoarcane.WhileIwaitedoutsideMasterDichartyn’sstudy,Ievenreadthefirsttenpagesoftheproceduralappendixagain,butIstillwasn’tsureIunderstooditanybetter.
Oncehesummonedme
intohisstudy,MasterDichartyndidn’twasteanytime.“Letmeseeyourpaperonimagersecrecy.”
Ihandeditoverandsatinthechairoppositehimwhilehereadit.
Finally,helookedup.Hedidnotlookpleased.“Thisisnotagoodessay,Rhennthyl.Therearemistakesingrammarandinlogic,and
yourscriveningissloppy.”
“Yes,sir.Iknow,sir.”
“Ifyouknow,whydidyouturninsomethingsobad?”
“Ididn’thaveenoughtimetodoitbetterlastnight,andIwassotiredthatIcouldn’tthinkstraight,sir.”
“Youwillredothisandhandinamoreacceptableefforttomorrow—amuch
moreacceptableeffort.Now...ontoyourreadingassignment.WhatistheostensiblepurposeofacallforquorumintheCouncilandwhatistherealpurpose?”
ThefirstpartIrecalled.“AcallforquorumismadetoassurethatamajorityoftheCouncilispresentsothatimportantbusinessmaybebroughtbeforetheCouncil.”
“Thatisindeedtheproceduralpurpose.Whatistherealpurpose?”
Ihadnottheslightestidea.“Idon’tknow,sir.”
“Don’tyouthinkthatmostmembersoftheCouncilwouldbepresentiftrulyimportantmattersweretobediscussed?”
“Iwouldthinkso,sir.”
“Thenwhywouldanyoneneedtorequireacallforquorum?”
“Tokeepsomeonefrombringingupsomethingelse?”
“Thatispartlycorrect.It’smostgenerallyused,however,todelayproceedingssothatmemberscanpersuadeothersorreconsiderstrategy,orsothattheentireCouncilcanavoid
makingadecision.”
Avoidmakingadecision?Couldn’ttheyjustnotvoteordecide?“Wouldthatbetoavoidevenbringingupsomethingthattheywerenotreadytodecideupon?”
“IthinkIjustsaidthat.”MasterDichartyn’svoicewassharp.
“I’msorry,sir.WhatIwastryingtosaywasthatthey
mightuseiteventoavoidtheappearanceofavoidingmakingadecision.”
“That’smoreaccurate,farmoreaccurate.”Thesharpnessfadedfromhisvoice.“Now...isapointoforderaproceduralstallingtacticoravalidobjection?”
“Ah...both?”
“Rhenn...youdon’tseemallthatcertainaboutwhat
youread.Whynot?”
“Ireadthatsectiontwice,sir,andpartofitathirdtime.”
“Surely,withthatmuchperusalyoucouldrememberwithmorecertainty.”
Whatdidhewant?IwasdoingthebestIcoulddo.
MasterDichartyn’sfaceturnedevenmorestern.
“Rhennthyl...youmayhavetalent,butyoudefinitelydonotunderstandonebasicthingabouttheCollegiumandtheworld.Noonecareswhetheryouaretired,whetheryouhadahardday,orwhetheryouhavetroublethinkingstraight.Infact,ifyouletanyoneknowwhenyoufeelthatway,itmaywellresultineitheryourdeathoryourimmediateretirementto
MontD’ImagewithyourfriendJohanyr.”
Ididhideaswallowatthat.
“Beingafully-trainedimagerisoneofthemostdifficultprofessionstomaster,andfailuretomasteritwillmeaneitherthatyouwillendupinthemachineworksorthearmoryorsomelesserpositionorthatyouwillbeinjuredordie.”He
pausedforamoment.“Ihavethefeelingthatyoudonotwishtospendyourlifedoingsomethingbeneathyourpotential.AmIwrong?”
“No,sir.”
“Thenyouwillneedtouseyourtimemoreeffectively.Ifyoucannotthinkafteralongdayofeffort,youneedtoriseearlieranddoyourreadingandassignmentsthen.Short
napsalsohelp.Longnapsareworsethannonaps,becausetheydisruptyoursleep,andyouendupmoretiredthanever.”
“Yes,sir.”
Afterthat,hewasslightlylesssharp,buthisquestionswereasprobingasever,andIfeltlikeIknewalmostnothing.
Finally,hestopped
examiningmeontheproceduresappendixandsaid,“Readtheappendixagain,andthinkmoreaboutit.Ialsowantyoutoreadthenextsectioninthesciencetext,theoneaboutanatomy.”Hepaused.“MasterDraffydoverheardsomethingaboutyourwantingtopaintportraits.”
“No,sir.Notexactly.SomeofthethirdsaskedifIcould
painttheirportraits.IsaidthatIcouldn’tdothatforcoins...butIsupposeIcouldletthemgivemesuppliesandbrushes.WouldtherebeanywhereIcouldsetupasmallstudio?”
“Youwanttodomore?Youjusttoldmeyouwerehavingtroubledoingwhathasbeenassignedtoyou.”
“Ididn’tmeanrightnow.It
wouldtakeweekseventoobtaineverything,andIwouldn’teventhinkoftryingitunlessIwasdoingwellenoughthatyouapproved.ButIwantedtoknowifitmightbepossible.Ifitisnot,Iunderstand,andIwillnotbringupthematteragain.”
MasterDichartynfrownedforamoment,thensuddenlysmiled,andnodded.“Ihadn’tthoughtofthat,butitmight
bewellforyoutokeepthatskill.Itcouldbemostuseful,andsomeofthemastersherehavenoteverhadportraits...”
Thatwasthebestpartoftheday.
Ihadtogobacktomyquartersandrewritemyessayonsecrecyandthenporeovertheproceduralappendixyetagain.Lunchwasoneofthe
fewmealsIcouldbarelyeat—astrongliverandonionragoutwhosesmellnearlyturnedmygutsinsideout.Eventhebreadtastedlikeonionsandlivertome.Ihurriedtogetintomyexerciseclothing.Clovylworkedmehardforaglasswithexercises,andthentookmeonarun—twiceallthewayaroundImagisle,closetofourmilles.Hewasbarely
breathinghard,andIwaspantingandgaspingandsweat-soakedwhenItotteredtoahaltoutsidetheexerciserooms.
Thencamemyfirstinstructioninhand-to-handfighting,whereClovyldemonstratedamove,andIhadtomimicitexactly.Exactly.
Afterhisinstruction,which
lastedwellpastthefourthglass,andleftmealmostassweat-soakedastherunhad,Ishoweredagain,andtookashortnapandthenreadthenextsectionofthesciencetext,theoneonhumananatomy.Dinnerwasbetter,ariceandcheesedishwithsomesortoffowl.
ThenIhadtoreturntoMasterDichartyn’sstudybytheseventhglassandworkon
imagingwithandpassingitemsthroughmovingobjects.Atthatpoint,mymusclesweregettingsore,verysore,andItriednottothinkaboutthefactthatIhadamonthofthissortoftrainingaheadofme...ifnotmore.
IdidforcemyselftohangupmyclothesandputeverythinginmyquarterswhereitshouldbebeforeI
climbedundermyblankets.
Thosewhospeakof“good
people”withgreatconvictionaretobefeared.
Thenexttwoandahalfweeksfollowedthesamepatternofthatfirstfulldayasanimagertertiusintraining,adaythatcouldwellhavebeencalledaDayoftheNamer—
exceptthateachdayexceptSolayiswasmoredifficultthanthedaybefore,anditwouldhavebeenrepetitioustoattributethetrialsofeachtotheNamer.Alongtheway,Imanagedavisittothebarber,promptedbyMasterDichartyn.BythetimethemorningofVendreithetwenty-seventhofAvrylhadarrived,IhadtoadmitthatIwasdevelopingmusclesI
hadn’trealizedIhad,andIcouldcertainlyrunfartherandfaster,andIwassotiredeverynightthatIhadlittletroublefallingasleep.Themuscularsorenesshadalsoabated,andClovylhadgrudginglyadmittedtheafternoonbeforethatmyskillsindefendingmyselfhadimproved.
“Youmightbeabletotakedownmostcommonfootpads
now,butyourknifeworkneedswork.”Clovylhadshrugged.“You’regettingthere,butdon’tgogettinganyideas.”
MosteveningsIworkedwithMasterDichartynonshieldsandspecializedimaging,includingthedifferencesinhandlingpowdersandliquids,andevenairitself.
Aftermuchmorereadingandrereading,andmorethanafewpointedquestionsfromMasterDichartyn,IdidunderstandtherulesandproceduresoftheCouncil,finally.“Betterthansomeofthecouncilors,”headmitted.
Still,thatmorning,heaskedmeanotherquestionthatI’dneverheard,justanotherinaseeminglyendlessseriesofsuch.“Do
youknowthe‘goodpeople’fallacy?”
“Thatwasn’tinanythingI’veeverread,”Isaid,addingquickly,“Idon’tthink.”
“Thatwasn’tabadrecovery,”herepliedwithasmile,“butI’dsuggestsayingsomethinglike,‘Thereareanumberoffallaciesinvolvinggoodpeople.Whichonedidyouhaveinmind?’Of
course,tosaythat,you’dbesthaveafewinmind.”
Ididn’thaveanyinmind,andheknewit.
“Thefallacyisthatsomeonewhoisgoodcannotdoevil.Igetrathersuspiciouswhensomeonetalksaboutanotherasbeingagoodperson.Amanmaydogoodineverysmallwayoneveryday,andyetbeapartofgreat
evil.Evenalandcannotbeaccuratelyjudgedbythenumberofgoodorbadpeoplewithinit.Alllandshavegoodandbadindividuals.Thegoodnessorevilofalandisdeterminedbywhatthatlanddoesasawhole.Ahandfulofevilleaderscanpursuehatredanddestruction,whilethemajorityofso-calledgood-heartedsoulsdonothing.Lessfrequently,butstill
occurring,aretheinstanceswheregood-heartedleadersleadapopulacewhoseindividualsarepredominantlyselfishandcruel,andtheactsofsuchalandundersuchleadersarepraiseworthy.Alltoooften,theterm‘goodpeople’isusedasanexcuse,asinthephrase‘buttheyweregoodpeople.’”
Icouldseethat,andI’devenheardwordslikethat
frommyparents.
“HowwouldyoujudgeSolidar,Rhenn?Isitagoodlandorlessthangood?”
“Comparedtowhat,sir?IknowonlywhatIhavereadaboutotherlands,andIhaven’tevenmetthatmanydifferentkindsofpeopleinL’Excelsis.I’veneverreallymetaHighHolderormanyfromthetaudisorother
countries.”
“That’safairanswer.Nothelpful,buthonest.Shallwesay...comparedtowhatyouthinkitcouldbe.”
Iwasn’tatallcertainwhyMasterDichartynpressedsuchquestions,althoughIcouldunderstandhiseffortstogetmetothinkandtopointouterrorsinmyfactsorthinking.“Ideally,any
countrycouldbebetterthanitis,ifpeopleactedaswellastheycould,buttheyoftendonot.Solidarislikethat,butIdon’tseethekindsofcrueltiesthatIreadaboutinplaceslikeCaenen.”
“Howdoyouknowwhatyoureadisaccurate?”
“Idon’t,notforcertain.Butthereportersaren’tlockedupforwhattheywrite,
notoften,anyway,andthatwouldindicatetherehastobesometruthinwhattheywrite.”
“Thereissometruthinwhatyousay,butyourlogicisweak.WhatifthereportersknowwhatisacceptabletotheCouncilandwhatisnot?Thenwhat?”
“I’dsaythatwhatisacceptablecouldnotbe
totallyinaccurate,because,ifitwere,thenwordwouldgetaround.It’shardtohidesomethingthat’swrong.”
“Thefirstpartofwhatyousaidisabsolutelycorrect.Thesecondpartishalftrue.Canyoutellmewhyitisonlyhalftrue?Basedonyourownlifeandexperience?”
Foramoment,Ihadnoideawhathemeant.ThenI
did—MasterCaliostrusandOstrius.Imanagednottoshowanyreaction.“Somethings,perhapsisolatedeventsthatfewcareabout,canbehidden,butlargeandrepeatedpatternsofevilcannotbekeptsecretforever?”
“That’safairapproximation,althoughIwouldbeleeryofusingtheterm‘patternsofevil.’Evil
canbeintheeyeofthebeholder.SomeofwhatiseviltousisnottotheCaenenans,andtheotherwayaround.Patternscontrarytothesensibilitiesofapeoplecannotberepeatedwithoutbeingnoticed.”
ThatwasawayofexpressingitthatIwouldn’thavethoughtof.
“Howmuch,then,doyou
thinkthattheCouncilcontrolswhatappearsinthenewsheets?”
“Idon’tknow,sir,butIwouldguessthatthereisverylittledirectinterference.”
Henodded.“I’dlikeyoutothinkaboutthatandwriteapaperonit.You’llhavesometimebecauseI’llbeawayforthenextfewweeks,beginningthisafternoon.”He
reachedtothesideofhisdeskandliftedablack-boundbook,whichhethenhandedtome.“ReadthefirsttwosectionsbeforeLundi.”
Iopenedtheheavytometothetitlepage—Jurisprudence.NowIwasgoingtohavetolearntheactuallegalcodeofSolidar?
“WhileI’mgone,youwillworkonlearningmoreabout
thelawsandhowtheyworkwithMasterJhulian,butathalfpastseventhglassinthemorning,startingonLundi.Hisstudyisattheendofthehallontheright.YouwillmeetwithMaitreDyananextMardieveningandonwhateverothereveningsshesets.Sheaskedthatyouwaitoutsidethedininghallforher.”
“Yes,sir.AmIstill
restrictedtoImagisle?”
“No,butIwouldsuggestyouavoidthemoredangerousareasofL’Excelsis.Clovylsaysyoushouldbeabletohandlecommondangers,butnotlargegroups,ormorethanapairofhiredbravos.Whatdidyouhaveinmind,ifImightask?”
“IthoughtImightcallon
myfamily,andperhapseatamealinabistro,thingslikethat.”
“ThoseIwouldrecommend.YouneedtoseeL’Excelsisagain.”
Ididn’trealizehowstrangethosewordswereuntilafterIlefthimtogostudy.
Toooftenfriendsfallaway
whenonerises.
ForthefirsttimesinceI’dleftmyparentsafterthefire,Ihadmorethanafewcoins,andthatmeantIcouldtakeahackouttovisitmyparentsonSamedi.SinceMasterDichartynwasgone,Icould
alsoleaveImagisleearlierthanonmostSamedis.Evenso,becauseIenjoyedtakingmytime,itwaspasttheninthglasswhenIwalkedacrosstheBridgeofHopes.Thesunwarmedtheair,heraldinglatespring,andtherewasjustenoughofabreezeforcomfort,andnotenoughtoblowawaythefragrancesfromthespringflowersbloominginthenarrow
gardensflankingtheBoulevardD’Imagers.Thereweren’tmanycoachesforhire,butIfoundoneandarrivedatmyparents’housejustbeforenoon.Icouldonlyhopethatsomeonehappenedtobethere,becauseIhadn’tknownI’dbeabletocomeintimetodispatchanoteandreceiveareply.
Nellica’seyeswidenedwhensheopenedthedoor
andbeheldmeinallmysubduedimagerglory.
“Isanyonehere,Nellica?”
“YoursisterandMadameChenkyr,sir.”Hereyesavoidedmine.
“Ifyou’dtellthemI’mhere.”
“Yes,sir.Ifyou’dcomein,sir.”Nellicausheredmeintothefoyerandhurriedoff.
InmomentsKhethilaappeared,wearingaseveregreenthatmadeherfacelookfartoopale.“Rhenn!Youdon’thavetowaitinthefoyer.You’restillfamily.Comeintotheparlor.”
“AreyoustillreadingMadameD’Shendael?”IofferedteasinglyasIfollowedher.
“Fatherdisapproves,”she
saidstrongly,beforeglancingaroundandloweringhervoice.“IhavehertreatiseonCivicVirtue.”
“Iwasn’tawarethattherewassuchathing.”Itriedtokeeptheironyoutofmyvoice.
“Neitherisshe.Sheclaimsthosewhoprofessacivicvirtuearecloakingtheirself-interestinmorality.”
“Shedoesn’tbelieveinvirtue?”Ikeptmyvoicepleasantlycurious.
“Sheespousesvirtueasanindividualvalue.”
“Soweabandonvirtuewheneverwe’rewithothers?”
“Rhenn!”Definiteexasperationcoloredhervoice.“That’snotitatall.Virtueormoralitycannotbepracticedbyagroup,butonly
byanindividual.Eachindividualisdifferentfromeveryotherindividual,butagrouppressureseachindividualtobethesame.Otherwise,thereisnogroup.Thesameistrueofasociety.Thevaluesofthestrongestormostpersuasivebecomethevaluesofthegroup.Thelargerthegroup,thefewerthevaluesthoseinthegroupshare.Intime,groupsbecome
mobs.”
“Ithinkyourlogicislackingthere.”
“ShesaysitbetterthanIdo.”
Ihadn’treadMadameD’Shendael,butKhethila’sinterpretationsuggestedthatMasterDichartynandMadameD’Shendaelhadconsideredthesamequestionsandpossiblyshared
someofthesameviews.Logically,thatshouldn’thavesurprisedme...butitdid.
Atthatmoment,Motherbustledoutofthekitchen.“Rhenn!Whatapleasantsurprise.Wewereabouttohaveasmalllunchinthebreakfastroom.Youwilljoinus,won’tyou?”
“Ihopedso.”Iofferedagrin.
Motherstudiedme.“You’velostweight.”
“Alittle.”Ihadn’t,notreally,butClovyl’sexercisesandrunninghadturnedanysoftnessI’doncehadintomuscle.
“Aren’ttheyfeedingyouenough?”
“They’refeedingmeverywell,Mother.”Istartedinthedirectionofthebreakfast
room,hopingtoforestallanymoredetailedinterrogation.
“Helooksstronger,”suggestedKhethila.
“Laborersneedtobestrong,notimagers.”
“Imagingdoesrequirestrength,morethanonemightthink.”Isteppedfromthebackhallwayintothebreakfastroom,whereNellicahadaddedanother
placetothetable.Evenwiththetwowalllampslit,thebreakfastroomwasgloomy,becausethewindowswereontheeastwallandallowednosunlightpastlatemorning.Lunchhadbeenclearlyinformal,withtheplatessetongreenplacemats,ratherthanononeofthelinentableclothsusedforguests—orfamilywhenoneormoremenwerepresent.“Where’s
Culthyn?”
“He’swithFather,”Kethiliareplied.“Fathersaysheneedstolearnthebusiness.”
“That’swhywe’rehavingleftoverfowlinpastry,”Motheraddedfrombehindme.“NeitheryourFathernorCulthyncaresmuchforit.”
SinceI’dalwayslikedfowlincrustandsauce,Ihadno
objections.Then,asIturned,Isawmychessstudy,mountedinafarmoreornateframe,onthealways-shadedsouthwall.Foramoment,Ijustlooked.ItwaseverybitasgoodasIremembered,ifnotbetter.
“Itgoeswellthere,”Mothersaid.
WhatIrealizedaswell,andwhatshehadnotsaid,was
thatitwasplacedsothatshecouldseeitfromhercustomaryplaceatthetable.Itwasbehindwheremyfathersat.
“Itdoes,”Ifinallysaid.“Thankyouforreframingit.”
Motherlookedpuzzled.“Thatwasthewayitarrived.”
“Oh.”Whohadhadreframedit,andwhy?Ithadbeeninasimpleblackframe
forthecompetition,aswasrequired,sothatnopaintinghadanadvantage.“Imusthaveforgotten.”
Khethilagavemeasidewaysglance,asiftosuggestthatwasn’tsomethingI’dforget.Shewasright,butwhatelsecouldIhavesaid?
Onceshewasseated,Motherlookedatme.“Youcouldhavesentanote,saying
youwouldbecoming.”
“Ihonestlydidn’tknowthatIwouldhavethisafternoonfreeuntilitwastoolate.”
Motherjustraisedhereyebrows.
“Iwasgivenmoretraining,andwhileitwasgoingon,Icouldn’tleaveImagisle.IfinisheditmorequicklythanI’dbeentolditwouldtake.
ThisisthefirsttimeI’velefttheCollegiumsinceIhaddinnerwithyouthelasttime.”
“Evenifyoudidn’tletusknow,itwasgoodofyoutocomeherefirst.You’llstayfordinner,won’tyou?”askedMother.
“Nottonight.”Icouldhave,butitwasthefourthSamediofthemonth.Ihadn’tseen
anyofmyfriendssinceI’dbecomeanimager,anditwasacertaintythatsomeofthemwouldeitherbeatLapininaorattheGuildHalllaterintheafternoon.“I’llbemorefreefromnowon,sinceIwon’tbespendingquitesomuchtimeintraining.”
“Yourfatherwillbedisappointed.”
“Icanstayforawhileafter
weeat.”
“Hesaidhe’dbelatertoday.”
“Doestheextratimeoffmeanthatyougotadvancedagain?”askedKhethila.
Ismiled.“Ididgetnicerquarters—tworoomstomyself,asittingroomorstudy,andasleepingchamber.”
“Perhapseverythingisturningoutforthebest,”saidMotherbrightly.“Butyourfatherwillbesorrytohavemissedyou.”
“Ithinkyou’vementionedthatbefore,”Isaiddryly.
“Rhenn...Iknowyoutwodonotseetheworldinthesameway,butthatdoesnotmeanthathedoesn’tcareforyou.”
“Iknow.”Istillhadthefeelinghe’dcareformemorehadIchosentobecomeawoolfactor,butIwasn’tabouttosaythat.IturnedtoKhethila.“Whatareyougoingtodonow?”
“I’mlearningtobeanassistantclerkforFather,theonewhomakesallthedailyledgerentries.”
Therewasahintofafrown
fromMother.“Untilshefindsaproperyoungman,anyway.”
“WhathappenedtoArmynd?”
Khethilalaughed.“HediscoveredIwasreadingMadameD’Shendael.Hedidn’tputitquitethatway,butwhenhesaidthatitwasclearwehadintereststoodifferentforharmony,that
waswhathemeant.”
Motherfrowned,ifbriefly,andIknewshe’dhopedforthematch,asmuchforKhethila’scomfortasanything.
Imanagedapleasantsmile,althoughwhathadalreadyhappenedconfirmedthatanyoneKhethilafeltinterestedinwouldnotbesomeoneforwhommy
parentswouldcaremuch.“Doyoufindworkingatthefactorageinteresting?”
“Youjusthavetobecarefulandthorough,”mysisterreplied.“What’sinterestingisthewayinwhichcertainnumberpatternsshowupintheaccounts.I’mstudyingAstrarth’sTheoryofNumbersonmyown,andseeingifanyofwhathepostulatesshows
up.”
“Hasit?”
“Notyet,butI’veonlybeenworkingontheledgersforthelasttwoweeks.Rouselthinksit’sagoodideathatIknowmoreaboutbusiness.”
“SodoesyourFather,”addedMother.
“HowarethingsgoingwithRousel?”Iaskedquickly.
“HeandRemayaaredoingwell.”Mothersmiledbriefly.“Hewritesoccasionally.”
Khethilashiftedherweightinherchair,eversoslightly.
“AndhowisthewoolfactoringgoinginKherseilles?”IlookedtoKhethila.
“Icouldn’tsay,becausesofarI’monlydoingtheledgersforthefactoragehere,andnot
themasterledgerthatmergesbothaccounts.”
MotherlookedsharplyatKhethila,whosmiledpleasantly.
Inshort,mattersweren’tgoingquitesowellinKherseilles,butKhethilawasn’tabouttosayorwasguessingfromwhatshe’dseensofar,andMotherwasn’tabouttosayanything
negativeaboutRousel...orallowanyoneelseto.
“Doyouknowwhatyou’llbedoingasanimager?”Motherasked.“Canyoutellus?”
“TheysayImayhavesomedutiesworkingfortheCouncil,butveryminoronesatfirst.Noone’sgivenmeanydetails,butIhavehadtolearnalltheCouncil
procedures.”
“YourfatherwouldbeverypleasedifyoubecameaCounciladvisor.”
“That’snotgoingtohappenanytimesoon,”Irepliedwithalaugh.“HowisAuntIlena?”
“Asstubbornasever.I’mthinkingofvisitingherinJuyn,onthewaytoKherseilles...”
Fromthatpointon,Ijustaskedquestionsandlistened.AlthoughIstayedalmosttothefourthglassoftheafternoon,neitherFathernorCulthynappeared,andItookmyleave.Thelateafternoonremainedpleasant,andwhileitwasmorethantwomilles,IwalkedtheentiredistancetotheGuildSquare,takingmytime.
BecauseIdidn’tsee
anyoneIknewaroundthesquare,ImademywaytoLapinina.WhenIsteppedintothebistro,thecoupleatthetablenearestthedoorlookedaway.RogarisandSagarynsatataroundtableforfour,andIsteppedtowardit.
“Howareyoutwocoming?”
Sagaryn’seyeswidenedas
theytookinthegraywaistcoat,shirt,andtrousers.“Isthatyou,Rhenn?”
“Thesame.”
“You’re...animager?”
Inodded.“MightIjoinyou?”
“Oh...yes...”Rogarissaidhastily.
Sagarynnodded,atracereluctantly,butIeasedinto
theseatacrossfromthem.
Staelaappeared.“Whatwouldyoulike,sir?”
Ilookedupather.“I’mstillRhenn,Staela.”
Herexpressiondidn’tchangeatall.“Yes,sir.”
“JustaglassoftheCambrisiowhite,ifyouhaveit.”
“Yes,sir.”
“Wedon’tseeimagersuphereveryoften,”Rogarisoffered.
“You’rethefirst,”addedSagaryn,takingaswallowofdarkbeer.
“I’mprobablytheonlyportraituristwho’sendedupanimager.”
“Thatwellcouldbe.”
“Howareyoutwodoing?”
RogarisglancedatSagaryn,whoremainedstone-faced.“Thesameasalways.”
“HaveyouheardanythingaboutMadameCaliostrus?”
“She’sallright.Hehadsomesortofassuranceannuityorsomething...somepatronpaidforit,andthemasons’guildisrebuildingtheplace.”
“Luckyatthat,”addedSagaryn.“Youknowanythingaboutit?”
“No.”Ishookmyhead.“Henevertalkedcoinswithme—excepttoexplainwhyhe’ddockedmypay”
Staelareappearedwithaglassofamber-whitewine,whichsheplacedbeforemewithfargreatercarethansheeverhadwhenI’dbeena
journeyman.“YourCambrisio,sir.It’sfour.”
AlmostassoonasI’dputasilveronthetableshescoopeditupandhadsixcoppersbackbeforeme.Thenshewasgone.Itookasipofthewine.Itwascool,andnotthatbad,butIrealizedthatwhatI’dbeendrinkingatdinneratthedininghallwasjustasgood.
“HowisMasterJacquerltreatingyou?”IaskedRogaris.
“Nothing’schanged.”Hesippedthedarkredwine.
“Andyou?”IturnedtoSagaryn.
“Thesameasalways.”
Neitherspokeforatime.NordidI.ThenIlookedtoRogaris.“HowisAemalye?”
“She’sfine.”
“AreyoustillplanningtogetmarriedayearfromthisAgostos?”
“Somethinglikethat.”
Afterafewmorequestions,Ismiledandstood,leavingmostoftheCambrisio.“Itwasgoodtoseeyouboth.Takecareofyourselves.”
“You,too,”replied
Rogaris.
Sagarynonlynodded.
ItwasjustpastthefifthglassasIsteppedoutofLapinina,wonderingwhyIhadcomeatall,whenavoicecalledfrombehindme.
“Rhenn!”
Iturned.
TherestoodSeliora,besideataller,red-hairedwoman.
ThistimeSeliorawaswearingarichgreenskirtwithablackblouseandamatchinggreenjacket.Shesmiledatme.
“Seliora.”Icouldn’thelpbutsmileback,especiallyafterthecoolnessofSagarynandRogaris.
Shetookanothersteptowardme,andanother,stoppingalmostcloseenough
thatIcouldhavereachedouttoembraceher.Ithoughtaboutit,butdidn’t.
“I’mgladtoseeyou,”shebegan,herwordswarm.“Youjustdisappeared,andnooneheardanything.Iheardthatyoucouldn’tfindaposition.Iworriedaboutyou.”
Iwasgladsomeoneworried,butIdidn’twanttosaythat.“Icouldn’tleave
Imagisleforquitesometime,”Iexplained,adding,“Youknowthat’swhereIwent?”
“Icanseethat.Thegraylooksgoodonyou.Ithought...”
“Youthoughtwhat?”Ilookedather.“Foretelling?”
Sheflushed,butkepthereyesonme.“Isawyouingrayalongtimeago.Ididn’t
knowwhatitmeant.Sometimes...it’slikethat.”
Ididn’twanttopressher,andmysmileturnedwry.“Itwaseitherbecomeawoolmerchantortrytobecomeanimager.”
Shetiltedherhead,andhereyessparkled,almostimpishly.“Icouldn’tseeyouasawoolmerchant.Ithinkyouweren’tmeanttobeone.
Areyouanimageryet?”
“Iftheyacceptyou,you’reanimagerrightaway.You’rejustaverylowimagerwho’srestrictedtotheisleuntilyoulearnmore.”
“Idon’timagineyou’llstaylowlythatlong.”
“I’vebeenadvancedsinceI’vebeenthere.”Icouldsaythatmuchwithoutbeingboastful.
“I’mnotsurprised.”Shesmiled,tentatively.“Willyoucometothedancewithme?”
“I’dbepleasedto...ifyoudon’tmindbeingescortedbyanimager.”
“Rhenn...”Sheshookherhead.
“I’msorry.IwentintoLapininatotalktoRogarisandSagaryn,andtheybarelysaidadozenwords.Staela
keptcallingme‘sir,’asifI’dneverbeeninherbistro,andI’vebeencomingthereforalmostfiveyears.”
“I’mnotthem.”Shesmiledoncemore.
“I’mveryglad.”
“Oh...Rhenn...”Sheturnedandgesturedtothetallredhead.“ThisismybigcousinOdelia.”
“I’mpleasedtomeetyou.”IinclinedmyheadtoOdelia.Shewasdefinitelytall,withinafewdigitsofme,notheavy,butmuscular.WaseveryoneinSeliora’sfamilymuscular?
Odeliasmiledbackpolitely.“I’venevermetanimager.”
“Threemonthsago,”Ireplied,“neitherhadI.”
Selioralookedatme,andI
offeredhermyarm.“Shallweproceed?”
“Yousoundsoformal.”
“Itcomeswiththegray.”
Shegiggled—asoundsototallyfalsethatIknewshewasjesting—andIlaughed.
“That’smuchbetter.”
Odeliasteppeduponmyleft.Iwouldhaveofferedmyotherarm,butthatdidn’tfeel
right,andshedidn’tseemtomindaswemadeourwayacrossthepavementtotheGuildHall.InthewestArtiemawasabouttoset.Iwonderedifwerejustcoincidence,orifthesilveredmoonhappenedtobeapatronessofSelioraorOdelia.Butthattoowassilly.
Theguardwhostoodinsidethehalllookedatmygrays,andthenatSelioraand
Odelia,thenresolutelyturnedhishead.
“Yousee,”Imurmured.
“Itdoesn’tmatter.You’rewithus,andwe’restillguildmembers.”
“Ipaidmyfeesforthefirsthalfoftheyear,”Iaddedwithasmile.“Doesn’tthatstillmakemeaguildmember?”Ididn’tthinkGuildmasterReayaltwouldagree,buthe
wasn’tanywherearound,and,besides,Seliorawasquitecorrect.Shecouldbringanyoneshepleased,althoughtherewereusuallyfewoutsiders.
Themusiciansweregettingreadytoplay,andOdelianoddedtoSelioraandslippedaway.
“Kolasynisovertherewithhisfriends,”Seliorasaid,“but
hewon’tbelong.”
“Odeliagetsherway?”
“Wealldo.”Sheofferedthatcharmingbutmischievoussmile.“You’llsee.”
By“all”Iassumedshemeantallthewomeninherfamily,butthatwasn’tsomethingIwasgoingtoask.MaybemeetingheragainunderArtiemawasn’texactly
acoincidence,althoughthatwasjustasuperstition.
Themusicstarted,andIplacedmyrighthandgentlyonthesmallofherbackandtookherrighthandinmyleft.Webegantodance.SeliorawasafarbetterdancerthanIwas,eventhoughFatherhadinsistedthatIlearnthebasics—evenprovidingadancingmaitre,MadameD’Reingel—mylastyearingrammaire.
Whenthemusicianspaused,sodidwe.
“Youdancebetternow,”sheobserved.
“Idon’tknowwhy.Ihaven’tdancedsincethelasttimewewerehere.”
“Didyouthinkofme?”
“Yes.Morethanafewtimes.”Thatwascertainlytrue.
Sheofferedafalsepout.“Youtellallthegirlsthat.”
“Onlyyou,”Ireplied,immediatelywishingIhadn’tphraseditquitethatway.
“Youonlylietome?”Sheflashedthemischievoussmile.
“No.You’rejusttheonlyoneIthoughtof—exceptwomenI’mrelatedto,likeMotherandKhethila.”
“Idon’tknowasI’dliketobeconsideredasister.”
Ijustgroaned.“Ican’tsayanythingright,canI?”
“Atleastyourecognizethat.”Thistimeshelaughed,softly,butnotcruelly.
Themusicstartedupagain,andIdecidedthatsilencewasthebetterpartofvalor.Weswirledoutintothedoublehandfulofcouplesdancing.
“You’restronger,too,”shesaid,afterItwirledandliftedher,thensetherbackonthefloor.
“That’spartofthetraining,”Iadmitted.
“Itsuitsyou.”
“Whathaveyoubeendoing,besidesdesigningandembroideringandneedlepointingchairfabricdesigns?”
“Wedon’tdotheneedlepointbyhand.Wehaveseverallooms,includingasmalljacquardloom,butIhavetopunchoutthecardsonceIworkoutthedesign.I’malsotheonewhokeepsitrunning.Fatherisn’tallthatmechanicallyinclined.”
“Howtightcanyougettheweave?”
Shelookedupatwith
anothersmile.“Howtightdoyouwantit?”
Ialmostflushedatherwords.“IguessIrecallmoreofwoolthanIthought,orenoughforyoutopullitrightovermyeyes.”
Shesqueezedmyfingers,justslightly.
Wedancedandtalkeduntilthemusiciansstoppedplayingfortheevening.Then,Iletgo
ofherhand,reluctantly,Irealized.
“DoyouthinkIcouldpersuadeyoutocomenextmonth?”shemurmured.
“Youcould.IhaveSamediafternoonsandnightsandSolayiafternoonsoff.”IrealizedIdidn’twanttowaitamonthtoseeheragain.“I’veheardthere’sanewbistrocalledFelters...”
“It’squitegood,Kaelynsaid.Ihaven’tbeenthere.”
“NextSamedi?”AfterIasked,IrealizedIwassupposedtogotomyparents’fortheirdinner,butIknewI’dfarratherspendtheeveningwithSeliora.
“I’dloveto,butFatheristakingustoseehissister.”
“Theseventh,then?”
“I’dlikethatverymuch....”
“Atfifthglassatyourplace?”
“Thatwouldbegood.”Atwinkleinhereyesaccompaniedthenextwords.“Myparentswillexpecttomeetyou.”
“I’dbepleased.”Iwonderediftheywouldbe,though.Ididn’tknowifall
PharsifamilieswereasacceptingasRemaya’sfamilyhadbeenofRousel.
Ididendupspendingsilvers—onahacktodriveherandOdeliabacktothelargebuildingonthecornerofHagahlLaneandNordroadthatwasclearlyhomeandbusinesstoherandherfamily,andthentotakemebacktotheeastsideoftheBridgeofHopes.
IwasstillsmilingwhenIwalkedintomyquarters.
Lawisnecessarybecause,
withoutit,noonewillinglyreinsinself-interest.
ThroughoutthedayonSolayi,asIstruggledthroughthepagesofJurisprudence,mythoughtskeptdriftingbacktoSamedi.WhyhadSagarynandRogarisbeenso
distant?We’dbeenfriendlyforyears,andIcertainlyhadn’tchangedthatmuch.Yetthey’dbeenedgyanduncomfortable,asiftheyweresuddenlyafraid.WastheirreactiononeofthereasonswhyMasterDichartynhadsaidthatIneededtoseeL’Excelsisagain?But...MasterDichartynhadsaidthatIprojectedwhatIfelt,andI’d
onlyfeltfriendlytothem.Didthatmeanthattheyweresoafraidthatitdidn’tmatterthatIwasfriendly?YetSeliorahadseemedhappyforme,andOdeliahadbeenmorethanpleasant.
Thedininghallwasnearlydesertedatthenoonmeal,butIdidseeReynol,andweatetogetherandtalkedpleasantlybeforeIheadedbacktomyroomandtheheavypagesof
Jurisprudence.
BythetimeIrubbedmyeyesandcollapsedintobedonSolayinight,IthoughtIunderstoodmostofwhatI’dread,butIwasn’tsocertainwhenIwokeafteranightfilledwithdreamsofadvocatesandjuristsutteringphrasesthathadnomeaningatalltome.
OnLundi,afterbreakfast,
andafterhalfaglassspentreviewingtheassignmentsinJurisprudence,Ileftmyquartersandheadedacrossthequadrangle,wonderingwhatMasterJhulianwouldbelikeinperson.
Twoseconds—WhaltarandoneIdidn’tknow—werewalkingtowardme.
“Goodmorning,”Ioffered.
“Goodmorning,sir,”
returnedWhaltar.Theothersecondusmurmuredthesame.
Icouldhearafewlowwordsaftertheypassed.
“He’stheone...tookDiaztdown...”
“...wasalwaysfriendlytome,”saidWhaltar.“Neverpushedhiswayaround.”
“...goodtoknow...
helpstohavefriendslikethat...”
Friendslikewhat?
IonlywaitedsomethinglessthanaquintofaglassbeforeMasterJhulianopenedhisstudydoorandbeckonedformetoenter.HisstudywasalmostidenticaltothatofMasterDichartyn,savethathehadtwochairssetbeforehisdesk.Itooktheonecloser
tothewindow.
MasterJhulianwasmoreslenderthanIhadthought,andhishairwasalmostwhite-blond,butIhadonlyseenhimfromadistance,eitherinthedininghalloratthehearingforFloryn.
“Rhennthyl,”hebeganafterclosingthestudydoor,walkingtothewindow,gazingout,andthensettling
himselfbehindhisdeskonachaircoveredbyawideandworngraycushion,“MasterDichartynhastoldmeaboutyou.Hestatesthatyouarerelativelydirectandgenerallyhonest.Iwillattempttobebothwithyou.”Heclearedhisthroatbeforecontinuing.“Iwouldpreferthatyouaskmeaboutthosethingsyoudonotunderstand.Otherwise,youwillwastemytimeand
yoursbecauseIwillassumethat,ifyouhavenoquestions,youwillknowthematerial.”Hesmiledpolitely,waitingformetoreply.
“Yes,sir.Iwilltrytoasksuchquestions,butsomeofwhatisinthetextissocomplexthat...well...eventhoughI’vereadallofitseveraltimes,I’mnotsurethatIunderstandenoughtoaskaquestion.”
“Thatisafairstatement,Rhennthyl,andif...ifyoutellmewhereyouhadtrouble,evenifyoucannotarticulateexactlywhatyoudonotunderstand,thatisacceptable.PleasebeginbyexplainingwhatjurisprudenceisandwhyitisofparticularimporttoSolidarandtheCollegium.”
“Jurisprudenceisthestudyofthelawitself,intermsof
bothitsprecedentsincaselawandintermsofthephilosophicalbasisbehindbothlawsenactedbytheCouncilandthosederivedthroughtheexampleofcaselaw.”
“Closeenough.Whatrootsoftraditionaljurisprudence,indeedoflawitself,didtheestablishmentoftheJuristicCourtsofSolidardeny?”
Iactuallyknewthat.“ManyscholarsoutsideofSolidarclaimedthatthelawhistoricallyhadfourbasicroots—eternal,natural,human,anddivine.BecausetheNamelessdoesnotdistinguishbyappellation”—thosewordswerenotmine,butfromthetext—“butbyfunction,thefirstjudgesoftheJuristicCourtsdividedalllegalprecedentsandexisting
codesintotwobasiccategories,thoseofhumanandnatural...”Iwentonexplaining.
“Whatistheproblemwiththeideathatlawsaretopromotegoodandrestrainevil?”
Ididn’tseeaproblemwiththatidea,andyetMasterJhulianwassuggestingthattherewas.Ihadtothink.
“Theideaisn’tbad,sir,butitseemstomethatonecouldhaveproblemsindefiningwhatisgood.”
“Oh?”
“Eachperson...well,mostpeople...wouldtendtoseegoodaswhatbenefitsthemandevilaswhatdoesnot.WhatbenefitstheHighHoldersmostmightnotbenefitthecommonfolk
nearlysomuch,andwhatbenefitsthefactors—”
“Allofthatistrue,withoutadoubt...but...whatisthespecificproblemthatthisconflictengenderswiththeformalfundamentalsoflawitself?”
Theterm“formalfundamentalsoflaw”joggedmymemory.“Oh...oneoftheformalrequirementsof
lawisthatthelawsofthelandmustbeimpartialandapplyequallytoall,andiflawsdefinegoodtobenefitonegroupattheexpenseofanother,theycan’tbeimpartial.”
“Jurisprudencedoesn’tdiscussthis,takingitasagiven,butwhymustlawsbeimpartial?”
Itookachancewithmy
answer.“Theydon’thavetobe,sir.That’stheideal,butthereareothercountriesthathavelastedwithoutimpartiallaws.”
MasterJhuliannoddedandgavemeawrysmile.“MasterDichartynsaidthatyoumightoffersome...insights.Letmerephrasethequestion.WhymustthelawsinSolidarbeasimpartialaswecanmakethem?”
“Becausepeoplearehappierwhenthelawsarefairandwillobeythemmorereadily?”
Hejustlaughed.“Peopleareprobablylesshappywithimpartiallaws,buttheywillobeythembecausetheyseethatothersdonotgainwhattheyknowareunfairadvantages.Rememberthateachmanperceivesanadvantagetohimselfasfair
anddeservedandanyadvantagetoanotherasunfairandundeserved.”Hesmiled.
Ididn’tliketheexpressionbecauseIsuspectedadifficultquestionwasabouttofollow.
“Withalltheemphasisonfairness,whydidtheCouncilallowtheHighHolderstoretaintherighttolowjusticeontheirholdingsoutsideanycityorlargetown?”
I’dreadaboutlowjustice,whichbasicallyreferredtotheprocessofdealingwithpettytheft,assaultwithoutweapons,criminaltrespasswhennootheroffensewasinvolved—crimeslikethat—andI’dwonderedwhytheHighHoldershadretainedthoserightsandtheabilitytoconfineoffendersforlessthanhalfayearortoapplycorporalpunishmentwithin
limits.UntilI’dreadthetext,Ihadn’tevenrealizedthatsuchrightsexisted.“Idon’tknow,sir.”
“Thenguess.”
“Ah...becausewhoelsecouldenforcethatonlargeholdings?”
“That’spartlytrue,butthereisanotherreason.OnwhosesideweretheHighHoldersinthetransitionfrom
rulebyrextotherulebytheCouncil?”
“Theysupportedtheguildsandfactors,didn’tthey?”Ipaused.“Wasthattheirprice?”
“Whetheritwastheirprice,orwhethertheguildsandfactorsfeltthatthattheycouldonlypushsofar,ithadtobesomethingalongthoselines.Also,theguildsandthe
factorshavealwaysbeenmoreconcernedaboutwhathappensinthecitiesandlargertowns.”
Thatalsomadesense.
“Backtotheessentialquestionsoffairness,sincewedooperatelargelyinthecities.Thereisanotherreasonwhyweasimagershaveagreatinterestinassuringthatthelawsarefairand
impartial.Inpointoffact,thepenaltiesforimagerswhobreakeitherthelawsofSolidarortherulesoftheCollegiumarefarstricterthananyreceivedbyothers.Whyisthisunfairnesstoouradvantage?Orlesstoourdisadvantage?”
Ihadnoidea.
“Whentimesarebadandthingsaregoingbadly,people
donotseekthecauses.Theyseeksomeonetoblame.Whodotheyblame?Thefirsttargetisalmostalwaysthegroupthatappearstobefavored,thathasmorethantheydo,andwhosenumbersaresmall.Onlyifthoseinthatgrouparepowerfuldotheyseekanothergrouptoblame,butevensotheirresentmentandangerremain.”Helookedtome.
“Bysubjectingourselvestostricterrulesandbynotdisplayingovertlyourprosperityandpower,weattempttoavoidbeingatarget?”
“Asyouwilldiscover,anyonewhoattacksanimagerisanenemyoftheCollegium,andyet,asyouwilldiscover,whilemeasuresaretakentoassurethatsuchattackersorthosewhohired
themdonotsurvive,theCollegiumseldomactsinawaysoastocreateanimpressionofmightasaninstitution.Evenso,whileweoccasionallyarenotsuccessfulinfindingtheattackers,weseldomfailindiscoveringthosewhohiredthem,althoughitmayoccasionallytakeyears.Consequently,mostattacksarenotplannedbythosein
L’Excelsis.Buttherearesome.”Hepaused.“WhatdoesthismeaninthecontextofthequestionIaskedyou?”
BythetimeIleftMasterJhulian,thereweresomanythoughtsflyingthroughmyheadthatnothingseemedquiteasithadbeen.Equallydisturbingwerethetwoshortpapershe’dassigned,alongwiththereading.HowwasIgoingtoproveordisprove
thatnaturallawwasacontradictioninterms?Orthatthesecondformalrequirementoflaw—thatlawsmustbeknowableandunderstandabletoallwhoarecapableofunderstandingthem—wasinconflictwiththefirstrequirement?
AndwhydidIneedtoknowallthat?JusttobeasilentguardfortheCouncil?Thatdidn’tseemlikely,butit
alsodidn’tseemlikelythatIwasbeinggroomedtobeajuristoradvocatefortheCollegiumeither.
Atrueimagerseesbeyondthe
eyesandhearsbeyondthewords.
OnMardinightatdinner,IwassittingwithKahlasaandMenyard,exhaustedinbothbodyandmind,becauseClovylhadcontinuedtoincreasetheseverityand
intensityofmyphysicaltraining,bothintermsofexerciseandrunningandinlearninggreaterphysicalself-defenseskills.Inordertogainweaponlesscombatskills,Iwasnowsparringwithseveralotherthirds,allofthemolderandmoreexperienced.NotonlywasIexhaustedandbruised,butthathadcomeontopofanotherlongmorningwith
MasterJhulian.
“Youlookalittledazed,Rhenn,”Kahlasasaid.“Youhaven’tsaidmuchthisevening.”
“I’msorry.It’sbeenalongday.IhadmyfirstsessionwithMasterJhulianyesterday,andhegavemetwoessaysandmorethanfiftypagesofreadingintheJurisprudencebook.Today,
hecriticizedthoseessaysandtoldmetorewritethem,andaddedanotherlongerone,andfortypagesmore.”Iwantedtotakealongswallowofwine,butIonlysipped.IhadtoworkwithMaitreDyanalater,andIdidn’twantmysensesorabilitieswine-dimmed.
Menyardlookedasblankasmymindfelt,butKahlasanoddedknowingly.
“AndClovylhasmedoingahalfglassofexercisesandrunningsixmillesbeforeweevengetintoeverythinghe’stryingtoteachme.”
ThatsurprisedKahlasa.“They’repushingyouhard.That’snotgood.”
“You’retellingmeitdoesn’tfeelgood?Ihurtmostofthetime.”Ifinishedmylastbiteofthecrumb
pudding.
Sheshookherhead.“You’renottheonlyone.They’resteppinguptrainingonseverallevels,andthey’recuttingshortreturnleavesforfieldimagers.Thatsuggeststroublesahead.”
“ThenewsheetsreportedthatemissariesfromtheHighPriestofCaenenandfromtheOligarchofJariolawere
meetinginCaenalastweek,”Menyardinterjected.“TheAbiertanshavebeenrefittingsomeoftheirmerchanterswithheavyweapons,andboughtseveraloldcruisersfromFerrumthatthey’realsorefitting.”
“TiempreandStakanarhavesignedapactformutualdefense,”addedKahlasa.
“Doanyofthemreally
thinkthey’llendupgaininganything?”I’dreadaboutallthepactsandthearmingandrearming.TiempreandStakanarborderedCaenen,andbothworriedabouttheHighPriestandhiseffortstospreadthegospelofDuality.Mythoughtwasthatthegospelwasmerelyafronttogethispeopletosupportawarofexpansion,butmaybeI’dbeentoosteepedinthe
morepracticalreligiousapproachoftheNameless.ThentheOtelyrnanLeague,composedofthesmallernationsonthecontinentofOtelyrn,hadagreedtoallowtheTiempranforcesrightsofpassageonmajorhighwaysandwaterways.ThathadincensedtheHighPriestofCaenen,andonethingwasleadingtoanother.ButIstilldidn’tunderstandwhy;wars
almostalwayscostthewinnermorethanthewinnergained,andtheloser—anditsleaders—couldloseeverything,includingtheirlives.Butmostleadersclearlydidn’tbelievethey’dbethelosers.
“TheHighPriestwantstosavetheworldfromthedamnationoftheNamelessandanyotherfaithinconflictwithDuodeus,andmakeaprofitwhiledoingso,”
suggestedKahlasa.
“AndFerrumwantstomakeahigherprofitbysellingarmstobothsides,andtheedgyneutrals,”saidMenyard.
“Andourfactorswanttoselltoeveryone,Isuppose?”Iadded.
“Ofcourse,butthesethingscangetoutofhand,”repliedKahlasa.“That’swhythe
Collegiumispreparing.”
“Forwhat?”
Shejustsmiled.“Forwhatevermaybenecessary.Rightnow,Idon’tknow,butMasterDichartynwilltellyou,andMasterSchorzatwilltellme.”
“Andneitherofyouwillbepleased,”addedMenyard.“I’mjustgladIdon’thavetodowhatyoutwodo.”
“Whatdoyoudo,”Isaid,“ifImightask?”
“I’manequipmentdesignerandimager.Veryspecialequipment.Atsomepoint,MasterDichartynmaysendyoutome.I’veworkedwithmostofhisimagers.”
“DoyoutwoknowwhatI’mbeingtrainedfor?”
“No,”repliedKahlasa.“Exceptingeneral.You’re
beingtrainedbyMasterDichartyn.He’sinchargeofCollegiumandCouncilsecurity,buthenevertellsimagersintrainingwhattheirfinalassignmentswillbeuntilthey’rethroughtraining,oruntilhe’ssurethattheywillgetthroughtraining.He’sinchargeoftheCouncilguardforce,theCollegiumsecuritysection,thecovert/overtsection,andimager
reception.”
Icouldn’thelpbutfrownatthelast.“Reception?”
“WhatbetterwaytofindoutwhatwedothansendanimagerspyintotheCollegium?”
Putthatway,itmadesense.Idecidedagainstaskingaboutthecovert/overtsection,notbecauseIdidn’twishtoknow,butbecauseI
knewIwouldn’tlearnanymore.
AsIleftdinner,IthoughtaboutatermKahlasahadused—“fieldimagers.”ThefactthatshecameandwentfromtheCollegiumsuggestedthatshewasoneofthem.ThehandbookontheCollegiumdidn’tmentionspecifics.Itjustsaidthatimagershadawiderangeofduties,bothatthefourCollegiaand
elsewhere.ButKahlasadidn’treporttoMasterDichartyn,andthatmeantfieldimagersweren’tdirectlyconnectedtoMasterDichartyn.
Ialmoststartedoutthedininghalldoorstomyquarters,outofforceofhabit,thenstopped.Itwasstillbeforeseven,andIwassupposedtowaitforMaitreDyana.
Everyonehadleftthecorridor,andthefirstbellwasstrikingwhenIsawherstepthroughthereardoorandwalktowardme.Ijustwatched,politely,assheapproached,takinginheriron-grayhairandbrightblueeyes.Sheworeimagergrays,butinaddition,shehaddrapedherselfwithabrilliantbluescarfthatmatchedhereyes.Theskinonherface
waspaleandsmooth,youngerthanherhairwouldhavesuggested,andsheofferedapleasantsmile.
“Rhennthyl...you’reDichartyn’sprotégé.”Shenodded.“Icanseewhy.Youlooklikeawell-manneredyoungfellow,couldbeajuniorsonofaHighHolderoramerchantheiror,withabeard,astrugglingartist.That’snotsosurprising,since
you’vealreadybeentwoofthose.”
ExceptI’dneverhadabeard.I’dtried,once,butitcameincurlyanditchy,eventhoughmyhaironlyhadaslightwaveinit.
“There’sasmallconferenceroomofftheentrance.Thatwilldo.”
Sheturned,andIfollowedher.Shewalkedbriskly,for
allthegrayhairandheralmostfragileframe.WhenIenteredtheroomwiththeovaltableandsixchairs,shewasstandingbythewindow,lookingoutintothetwilight.Shesaidnothing.
Iclosedthedoorandmovedclosertotheconferencetable.Finally,shelookedatme.Thoseblueeyeswereascoldaslapis,yetseeminglywithoutjudgment.
Iwaited.
“Good.Idetestunnecessarychatter.Conversationisusefulonlyincertainsettings,andforcertainpurposes.MasterDichartynhasrequestedthatIattempttoteachyouhowtoimproveyourshields.Idonotknowhowyoudevelopedyourshields.So...Iwillmakeseveralbriefattacks,andwewillproceedfrom
there.”
“Yes,maitre.”Iinclinedmyheadslightly.
Thefirstattackwasmorelikeajab,solightthatmyheaviersecondaryshieldsdidnotspringintoplay.Thesecondwasharder,buteasyenoughtorepulse.ThethirdwasstrongenoughthatIwasforcedbackwardastep.Thefourthandlastwasaimed
moreatmyshields,butwaspowerfulenough—eventhoughoff-center—thatIhadtomovebackoncemore.
MaitreDyanalookedatmesadly,asthoughIwereatruantgrammairestudent.“Finesse,dearboy...finesse.You’llexhaustyourselfinafractionofaglassdefendingyourselflikethat.Thelastattackwasatanangle.Youusedyourentire
shieldtostopit.Almostallattackscomefromanangle,ifasmallone.Whenyoucan,letyourshieldscollapsealittle.Lettheattacksslideoff.Theobjectistoprotectyourselfwiththeleasteffortpossible.Imagersaretoofewinnumberasitis.Wedon’tneedtolosemorebecauseyouspenttoomuchenergydefendingyourselfunnecessarilyvigorously.”
Shewaitedforaresponse.
“Yes,maitre.”
“We’llstartoveragain.ThistimeI’llstandoverhereandimageforceatyou.Itwillbedirect.Pleasemakeanefforttoslideitpastyou...”
Iwouldn’thavesaidmyeffortswereatotalfailure,butmysuccesseswerefewandfarfromcomplete.
Astheoutsidebellsstruckeight,MaitreDyanaraisedherhand.“Thatwillbeallforthisevening.NowthatI’vegottenyourattentionandyouunderstandyourdeficiencies,dearboy,tomorroweveningIwillexpectabetterperformancefromyou.”
Sheofferedabriefandperfunctorysmile,thennoddedandwalkedpastme,leavingmestandinginthe
conferenceroom,sweatingandexhaustedoncemore.SofarasIcouldtell,theseeminglyfrailmaitrehadnotevenraisedadropofperspirationwhilewearingmeout.
Thebesttradersweightheir
wordsascarefullyastheirgoods.
Theweekendedasitbegan.NomatterhowhardIworkedforMasterJhulian,Clovyl,andMaitreDyana,andnomatterhowmuchIimprovedorlearned,therewasalways
moretolearnanddo.BySamedi,IwasmorethanreadytoleaveImagisle,evenforadinneratmyparentswithafactorIhadn’tseeninyearsandhisdaughter,ayoungwomanI’dnevermet.
Ididn’tleaveatninthglassorevennoon.Instead,asthetenbellsofmiddaystruck,IwasseatedinmystudyporingoverJurisprudence,thesectiondealingwithtort
claims.Accordingtothetext,theCouncilitselfwasimmunetojuristicclaimsofdamages,asweretheJuristicCourts,andallbranchesofgovernment.Individualcouncilors,oranyoneinanybranchofgovernment,couldbesubjecttoasuitundertortlaw.Atthatpoint,Iclosedmyeyesandrubbedmyforehead.
Afterseveralmoments,I
openedmyeyesandlookeddownatthelistingofactsforwhichanofficialwasnotliable,followedonthenextpagebyalistingofthosewherehemightbe.Islippedaleatherbookmarkinplaceandclosedthebook.
IstillhadanotheressaytowriteforMasterJhulian,thisoneonthetheoreticalandpracticallimitsofsovereignimmunityasexercisedbythe
Councilandthegovernmentoverwhichitpresided,andIhadtoexplainwhythefirstCouncilhadcreatedthemalfeasanceandmisfeasancesectionsoftheJuristicCode.
I’daskedMasterJhulianwhyimagersneededtoreadaboutlaw,andhisanswerhadbeendirectandtroubling.“Allimagersneedtoknowsomeofthis.AnyonewhoworkswithMasterDichartyn
needstoknowmorethanIcanteach.Ihavetoprepareyoutokeeplearning.”Thenhe’dsmiled.“AfterI’msatisfied,MasterDichartynwillexplainwhywhatyouarelearningisapplicable.That’sbecause,unlessyoudolearnit,youwon’tkeepworkingwithhim,andyouwon’tneedtoknowwhy.”
FromthetimeI’dfirstcometoImagisle,I’dknown
thattherewasadarkersidetotheCollegium,butwitheverydaythatpassed,IwasgettingthefeelingthatIwasgettingclosertoit.Finally,IbegantorereadthepagesinJurisprudence.Istayedatmydesk,moreorless,untiljustbeforethefourthglass,whenIhurriedoutofmyquarters.
Evenso,Iwasatmyparents’doorathalfpastfour,whereNellicaushered
mein.
“Sir...everyonewillbemeetingintheformalparloratfive.”
“Isanyonethere?”
“No,sir.”
“ThenI’llslipintothefamilyparlorandwaitthere.”
Shewasn’ttotallypleased,butshedidn’thavetobe.Isettledintooneofthe
armchairs—notmyfather’s—butIdidn’thavetowaitlongbeforeCulthynappeared,aslightlysullenexpressiononhisface.
“What’sthematter?”Iasked.
“FathersaysI’mnotinvitedtodinner.Khethilaisn’teither.”
“Whereisshe?”
“ShewenttoBrennai’sfortheevening.Brennai’sherbestfriend.Thisweek,anyway.”
“You’recynical.”
“That’swhatMothersays.”Helookedatme.“Whatdoyoureallydoasanimager?”
“Atthemoment,I’mstudyingthelawsofSolidarandL’Excelis.”
“You’regoingtobeanimageradvocate?That’sfreezing!”
“Weallhavetostudylaw...andscience,andhistory,andphilosophy.”
“Oh...Canyoudoimaging?Canyoushowme?”
“Notyet.Icandoit,butthemastersdon’tletusdoitoffImagisleuntilwe’remoreexperienced.”
“Comeon,Rhenn.Noonewouldknow.”
Iofferedasmile.“Iwould,andsoonerorlater,sowouldMasterDichartyn.He’smypreceptor.He’sveryperceptive.”
“Whatgoodisbeinganimageriftheydon’tletyouimage?”
“Culthyn,”Isaidslowly,“imagingismoredangerous
thanIeverknewordreamed.That’swhyalmostathirdofallimagersdieintraining.”
Thatstoppedhim,butonlyforamoment.“Youhaven’tdied.”
“That’sbecauseI’vepaidattentiontothosewhoknowbetterthanIdo.”
“That’salessonyoustillneedtolearn,Culthyn,”announcedMotherasshe
enteredthefamilyparlor.“Offtothekitchen.Yourdinnerisonthetableinthebreakfastroom.Don’tbotherNellicaorKiesela.Whenyou’redone,uptoyourrooms.”
“Yes,Mother.”Helookedtome.“Someday,willyoushowme?”
“Iwill.Itmightbeawhile.”
Afterheleftthroughthearchwayintotherearhall,Motherasked,“Showhimwhat?”
“Imaging.Rightnow,I’mnotsupposedtoimageoffImagisle.”
“Icanseethat.”Shenodded.“Zerlenyaandherparentsaremostanxioustomeetyou.”
“Rhenn!”Myfather’s
voiceboomedacrosstheparlor.“You’reevenearly!”Helookedatme.“YoulookmorelikeaguardofficereverytimeIseeyou.”
“Helooksjustfine,Chenkyr.”
“That’swhatImeant.Hestandstaller.”
Shortly,therewasanotherknockonthefrontdoor,andthethreeofusmovedtothe
formalparlorwhileNellicausheredtheguestsintothehouse.
Inmoments,Tomazwassteppingtowardme.Hewasashortandstockymanwithanengagingsmile.“You’reRhenn,Itakeit,andanimagertoboot.Wageryourfatherneverplannedonthat.”
“No,sir,hedidn’t,buthe’sfortunatetohaveRouseland
Culthyntocarryon.”AfterI’dsaidthat,IrealizedIshouldhavementionedKhethila.
“Oh!”Tomazturnedandgestured.“ThisismydaughterZerlenya.”Hebeckonedagain.“Zerlenya,comeandmeetRhennthyl.It’snoteverydayyougettomeetanimagerthatyouknowpersonally—orhisfather,anyway.”
Zerlenyasteppedforward,offeringatentativesmile.Shewasthin,almostpainfullyso,butshehadwidecheekbones,andaclearpalecomplexion,withtight-curledjet-blackhairthatwouldhavedroppedtomidshoulderhaditnotbeensweptupandcurledintoaswirlatthebackofherlongneck.Hereyeswerepalegray,andintheoff-whitegownandshoulderscarf,she
gavetheimpressionofabeautifulswan,ifonereadytotakewingattheslightestdanger.
“I’mpleasedtomeetyou.”Iofferedasmilewithmywords.
“Fatherhasspokenofyou.I’venevermetanimager.”
“Youhavenow.I’maveryrecentimager,though.”
“Whatcanyouimage?”
“SofarI’vemanagedacopyofmybrother’swife’scomb,abox,andallsortsofsmallobjectsintraining,includingametalbarortwo.”
“Thatdoesn’tsoundterriblydangerous.”Hervoicewasthinandbright,thekindthatcouldbeheardacrossaroom.
“Ihopenot.Timewilltell.”
“Italwaysdoes.”
Ijustnoddedtothat.
“Doyoulikebeinganimager?”
Ihadn’treallythoughtaboutthat,unlikebeingaportraiturist.I’dwantedtopaint,butsinceI’dneverconsideredbeinganimageruntilIdiscoveredIhadthetalent,ithadn’tbeenaquestionofliking,butof
doingthebestIcould.“Ihadn’tthoughtaboutit.It’snotanoccupationyoudreamaboutasachild.”
“Butdoyoulikeit?Father’salwayssayingthatyoucannotbegoodatsomethingunlessyoulikedoingit.”
“Doyoubelievethat?”
“Ido.That’swhyUncleWeidynissogooda
cabinetmaker.”
“Ihaven’tmethim.I’veonlymetAeylana.”
“Oh...yes.Youdidtheportrait,didn’tyou?It’sverypleasant.”
Icouldn’thelpbutbristleinside.Whensomeonereferstoaworkofart,evenonethatisnotsuperb,as“nice”or“pleasant,”itmeansthattheydon’tknowartorthatthey
thinkit’sterrible.“Sheseemedtolikeit.”
“I’msureshedid.”
“Shewasverygoodatthesittings.”
“She’sverygood,andverywellmannered.”
Beforelong,Nellicarangthedinnerchimes,andwerepairedtothediningchamber,wherewestood
behindourchairs.Thedinnersettingswerenotstrictlyformal,becauseFatherwasflankedbyMadameTomazandZerlenya,whileMotherwasflankedbyTomazandme,butwithjustsixitreallydidn’tmatter.Anyonecouldconversewithanyoneelse.
Fatherrestedhishandsonthebackofhischairandofferedtheblessing.
“Inpeaceandharmony,”weallmurmuredwhenhefinished,thenseatedourselves.
Fathercarvedthesideofbeefwithhisusualdispatchandefficiency,andbeforelong,platesandgobletswerefull.
“Howistheproducebusinessthesedays?”
“Slow...soslow,
Chenkyr.We’realmostthroughourstoredstocksofrootvegetablesandthelike.ThespringvegetablesandfruitsfromtheSouthwon’tbeinforanothermonth,threeweeksifwe’refortunate.Youcansellclothatanytime.”
“Ah...myfriend...Icansellatanytime,butIhavetobuythewoolandarrangetheweavingalmostayearinadvance,andpaymuchin
advance,andifIjudgewrong...”Fathershruggedexpressively.Healwaysshowedmoreemotionwhenhetalkedaboutbusiness.
“Youcanalwayssellwool;itdoesnotspoil.”
“Theprice.Itisalwaysthepriceatwhichonebuys,notthepriceatwhichonesells.”
IlookedatZerlenyaandofferedahelplessshrug.
Aghostofasmilewasherreply.
“Fatherismostathometalkingbusiness,”Iadded,“whereverheis.”
“Businessiswhatsupportsthehome,”saidTomazenthusiastically.“Whyshouldn’twetalkaboutit?We’renotHighHolderswhotalkaboutmusicnoonecanunderstandorbooksnoone
hasread.”
Khethilawouldhavedisputedthat,butIdoubtedthatTomazhadeverseenacopyofMadameD’Schendael’sbook.IlookedtoZerlenya.“Doyoufollowtheproducebusiness?”
“Itwouldbedifficultnotto.Fatherinsistsweknoweverything.”
“Andwhynot?”replied
Tomaz.“Ifanythinghappenedtome,theNamelessforbid,ifyoudidn’tknowthebusiness,howwouldyouallgetby?Evenyou,Zerlenya,knowmorethanIdidatyourage,andagoodthingitis,too.”
“Areallofyourchildrenfollowinginthebusiness?”askedMother.
“AllbutThurlyn,”
answeredMadameTomaz.“He’sanensignintheNavy.He’sstationedontheRexCharyn.He’salwayslovedthewater...”
Fromtheretheconversationremainedfirmlyfixedintheareasofthemundane,andnoonesaidanythingaboutimagersandImagisle.
Oncetheguestshadleft,
nearlytwoglasseslater,Motherclosedthefrontdoorandturnedtome.“WhatdidyouthinkofZerlenya?”
“She’sverynice.”
“Youdidn’tlikeher,then.”
“Sheispretty,inanetherealway.Idon’tthinkshe’dbehappywithme.”
“That’snotthequestion,”interjectedFather.“Could
youbehappywithher?”
“Itisthequestion,Father.Imagerscannotmarrythosewhoarenothappywiththem.”
“Marriageisn’tjustaboutlust.”
“No,it’snot,”Iagreed.“Ididn’tsaythat.It’sjustthatit’sveryimportantthatanimagerandhisorherspousegetalongwell.More
importantthanwithothercouples.”
Theremusthavebeensomethinginmyvoice.Theyexchangedglances.
Afteramoment,Mothersaid,“Youknowbest.”
HertonesuggestedthatIknewanythingbut.“It’ssomethingthatalltheseniorimagershavestressed,Mother.Imightnotknow,
butIhavetotrustthattheydo.”
“Isee.”Thistime,therewasresignationinhervoice.“Ihopeyoufindsomeone.”
SodidI,IreflectedasIleft.
AtleasttheyprovidedCharlsynandthecoachfortheridebacktotheBridgeofHopes.Forbetterorworse,ArtiemahadsetandErion—
thegrayishredlesserhunter—stoodalmostatitszenith,rulingthenightsky.
Onecannotlovetrulywithout
lovingtrulythewordsofone’slover.
ThesecondweekwithMaitreDyanawasevenmorerigorousthanthefirst,butIfeltthatIwaslearningagreatdeal,especiallyinhowtofocusimageryandtousethe
leastamountnecessary.Butshestillkeptdemandingmoreandmorefinesse.
“Dearboy,youarebutoneimager,andattimes,youcouldfacefarmorethanaruffianortwo.Withoutprecisionandfinesse,youwillbelost.”
Precisionandfinesse!HowoftenIheardthosewords,butIcouldtakeconsolationinthe
results,evenifmyperformancewasseldomtothelevelshedemanded.ThesamewastrueofmyworkwithClovyl.Icouldfeelmyskillsimproving,steadily,ifnotdramatically.
WithMasterJhulian,Ihadnosuchconsolation.AssoonasIlearnedoneaspectofthelaw,wepressedontothenext.Theassignmentthathadconcernedmethemosthad
beenonmurder,asdefinedintheJuristicCode.MasterJhulianhadexaminedmeingreatdetailonthat.WhenIhadaskedwhy,hisresponsehadbeendirect.
“Contrarytoyourunstatedbelief,Iamnottryingtomakeanomologistoutofyou.Iamtryingtoinstilltheknowledgeyoumayneedtosurvive.Becauseanyunexplaineddeathinthese
timestendstobelaidatthefeetoftheimagers,itisimportantforeveryimagertounderstandwhatmurderis,inbothrealandlegalterms,andtomakesurethatheorsheisneverinvolvedinsomethingthatcouldbetermedmurder,eitherbythenewsheetsorthecivicpatrollers.”
BecauseIfelteverywordmeantsomething,Icommittedthephraseto
memoryandwroteitdownassoonasIreturnedtomyroomthatVendrei.“Neverinvolvedinsomethingthatcouldbetermedmurder”wasaphrasethatcouldcoveramyriadofmeanings—andsins.
BythetimeIreturnedfromthedininghallafterlunchonSamedi,IwasmorethanreadytoleaveImagisle.I’dbeenlookingforwardtothat
afternoonandevening,particularlyafterthelongeveningtheweekbeforeatmyparents’house.Ihadwrittenthemashortnotethankingthemfortheirthoughtfulnessandkindness,andthewonderfulfood—whichithadbeen.Idoubtedthatwouldmuchappeasemymother,whodefinitelywantedhereldestsonmarriedtosomeonefromthe“right”
background,certainlynotanotherPharsigirl,andbeforeallthatlong...andnevermindtheimagerbusiness.
ReadyasIwastodepartImagislerightafterlunch...Ididn’t.Instead,IsatdownandattemptedtoorganizemythoughtsonmyfinalessayforMasterJhulian—ananalysisoftheapplicabilityoftheJuristicCodeto
imagers.TwoglasseslaterIhadthreepagesofnotesandanoutline—aswellasaprofounddesiretoleaveImagisleassoonaspossible.SinceIhadthefeelingthatImightbemeetingSeliora’sparents,Ididwearmybestuniformandmakesurethatmybootswerewellblackedandshining.IhadalsosqueezedinanotherhaircutonJeudi.
Outside,thedaywaspleasant,ifovercast,withaslightbreezeoutofthenorthwest.Ididhavetowaitalmostaquarterofaglassbeforeahackerstoppedtopickmeup.
“NordroadandHagahlLane,ontheeastside.”
Henodded,andIsteppedupintothecab.Theinsidewasclean,butthreadbare.
WhenIdescendedontothepavementclosetoahalfglasslater,IfoundthatthebuildingthatservedSelioraandherfamilyasfactory,factorage,anddwellingwasfarlargerandmoreimpressiveinthedaylightthaninthelamplitgloomoflateevening.Thewallsrosethreestories,andtheyellowbrickwastrimmedwithgraygranitecornerstones.Eventhewood
oftheloadingdocksatthesouthendwasstainedwithabrownoilandwellkept,andtheloadingyarditselfwasstone-paved.Theentranceonthesidestreettothenorthwastheprivatefamilyentrance,andithadasquareandpillaredcoveredporchthatshieldedastonearchway.
Thehackerlookedatme,andmygrays,thenatthestoneentryway,buthesaid
nothing.Igavehimtwocoppersextra,thenmademywayupthesteps.Inthemiddleofthewideeight-paneldoorwasanancientandornatebrassknocker.Boththeknockerandtheplatehadseenmuchwear,butbothwerebrightlypolished.Igavetheknockeroneheftyblow,thenpreparedtowait,butthedooropenedimmediately.
Odeliastoodthereinthe
modestfoyer,dressedinapalegreendressanddarkergreenshawlthatsetoffhercoloringwell.“Docomein,MasterRhennthyl.”Shegrinnedatme.
“Thankyou,Odelia,butIwon’tbeamasterforsometime.”
TheonlyexittothefoyerwasthepolishedoakstaircasebehindOdelia,andsheturned
andgesturedtowardit.“Everyone’swaitingupstairs.”
“ThenI’llletyouleadme.”Iadded,“Who’severyone?”
“BesidesSeliora?UncleShelimandAuntBetara,ofcourse,andthere’sHanahraandHestya—they’rethetwins,mysisters—andMethyr,Seliora’syoungerbrother.Bhenyt’soff
somewhere.Then,there’smymother.You’llrecognizeher.”
“She’sAegina?”
Odelianodded,adding,“Andthere’sShomyr.He’sSeliora’solderbrother,andheverymuchwantstomeetyou.”
IfoundmyselfsquaringmyshouldersasIfollowedOdeliaupthesteps.
Thestaircase,ampleasitwas,withitscarvedbalustradesandshimmeringbrassfixtures,openedatthetopintoalargefoyerorentryhall,aspaceagoodeightyardswideandtendeep.Thewallswerepaneledinlightgoldenoak,andthefloorwasanintricateparquet,mostlycoveredwithalushcarpetofdeepmaroon,withaborderofintertwinedgoldenchains
andbrilliantgreenleafyvines.Setaroundthefoyerwerevariouschairsandsetteesofdarkwood,upholsteredinvariousfabricdesigns.Atthefarendwasapianoforte.
Thegroupstandinginaroughcircleattheedgeofthecarpet,besidealongsettee,allturnedasOdeliaannounced,“RhennthylD’Imagisle.”
IhadbarelypickedoutSeliora,inacrimsondresswithablackjacket,whenabroad-shouldered,black-beardedyoungmanahalfheadshorterthanIwassteppedforward.“I’mShomyr.I’mSeliora’sbrother,andshe’ssaidsolittleaboutyouthatIwantedtomeetyou.”
Saidsolittle?
“Now,now,Shomyr,you’llhaveconfusedhimtotally.”Adark-hairedandwirywomaningreensilktrousersandamatchingjacket,whocouldeasilyhavebeenSeliora’soldersister,movedtowardus.“Thelessmydaughtersaystous,generallythemoreshe’sinterested,andthelessweknow.”HersmilewasidenticaltoSeliora’s.
Iinclinedmyhead.“I’m
verypleasedtomeetyou,MadameD’Shelim.”
“Betara,please.Please.We’renotthatformalhere.”
Theycouldhavefooledme,giventhefurnishingsinthatgrandupperentrancehall.
Selioraeasedforwardandaroundtheothers.Shetookmyarmgently,asiftosuggestacertainrestrained
possessiveness.“Rhennisverytalented.He’sanoutstandingportraituristaswellasanimager,andhisfamilyownsAlusineWool.”
“Ah...you’reChenkyr’sboy,then?”askedShelim.
“He’smyfather.MybrotherRouselrunsthefactorageinKherseilles.”EvenasIexplained,IwonderedhowSeliorahad
known.I’dneversaidmorethanmyfatherwasawoolfactor,andthereweremorethanafewinL’Excelsis,andevenmorethroughoutSolidar.
“Howdidyougettobeanimager?”Thequestioncamefromthesingleboyinthegroup,standingbesidethered-hairedtwins,wholookedtobetwoorthreeyearsyoungerthanKhethila.
“Methyr,”someonemurmured.
“WhenIdiscoveredIcouldimage,IwalkedacrosstheBridgeofHopesandtoldtheimagers.TheytestedmeanddecidedIwasanimager.”
“Itcouldn’thavebeenthatsimple,”suggestedShomyr.
Imanagedashortlaugh.“Itwasjustthatsimple.Everythingthatcameafter
thatwasn’tatallthateasy.Theydidn’tletmeleaveImagisleforoveramonth.”
“Arethereareanygirls?”askedoneofthetwins.
“Some.OneofthemaitresI’vebeenstudyingwithisawoman,andthereareothers.”
“Canimagersmarry?”ThatwasOdelia,andthequestionwasdeliveredwithagrin.
IcouldfeelSeliorastiffenjustslightly,andIhadadefinitesensethatthequestionhadn’tpleasedher.“Theycan.That’sifanyonewantstomarrythem.”
Thatbroughtsmilestoseveralfaces,includingtothefaceoftheolderandtallerredheadedwomanwhohadtobeOdelia’smother.
“Generally,theyusually
liveonImagisleafterthey’remarried,”Iadded.
“Whatexactlydoimagersdo?”pressedShomyr.
“Whateverourdutiesare.”Ipausedforamoment.“I’veworkedatcertainthings,butrightnowI’mbeingtrainedforapositionattheCouncilChateau.”
“WiththeCouncil?”askedShelim.
“Ihaven’tbeengivenallthedetails,butyoungasIam,Isuspectit’sfarmorelikeworkingforthem.”Itriedtokeepmytonewry.
“Doimagersmakelotsofcoins?”askedMethyr.
“Morethanjourneymen,andagreatdeallessthanyourfathermakes.”
Atthat,Betaranoddedslightly,andtherewasa
quicksetofglancesbetweenSeliora’sparents.Beforeanyoneelsecouldaskanotherquestion,Betaraspokeup.“RhenncameheretotakeSelioratodinner,nottoseeallofus.Ithinkwe’dbestletthemgo.”
SelioragavehermotheraquickglancethatIwasn’tabouttotrytodecipher,thenturned.Sinceshewasstillholdingmyarm,weturned
andmovedtowardthesteps,andthendownthem.
Moresurprising,therewasahackwaitingoutside,andayoungsterstandingonthesteps.HegrinnedatSeliora.
“Thankyou,Bhenyt,”shesaid.
“Mypleasure,”hereplied,noddingtousboth.
“Felters,sir?”askedthe
hacker.
“Ifyouwould,”Ireplied,lookingatSeliora.
“BhenytisOdelia’syoungerbrother,”shereplied,takingmyhandasshesteppedupintothecoach.“Ijustthoughtitmightbenicenottowaitforacoach.Youwereverygallant,”sheadded.
“Thankyou.”HadIhad
anyrealchoice?
OnceweweresettledinthecoachandmovingsouthonNordroad,Iturnedtoher.Icouldn’thelpbutnoticethat,despitethesimilarityincolorstowhatshehadwornthenightwehadtrulydancedforthefirsttime,thedressandthejacketlookedfresh—andhadprobablyjustbeentailoredanddelivered.“Howdidyouknowwhomyfather
was?”
Shelaughed.“Ididn’t.Mamawastheonewhowantedtoknowaboutyourfamily.ShehadyouinvestigatedassoonasOdeliaadmittedI’dspentalloflastSamediwithyou.”
“IsOdeliayourguardian?”
“We’reclose,butshelikesyou.”
“YouknowI’mnotlikelytoaskformoneyoranythingelsefrommyparents.Sowhydotheymatter?”
“Themoneydoesn’tmatter,eventoMama.Shewasimpressedthatyoumadejourneymanandthenbecameanimager.Shesaysthatyoucomefromsolidstock.”Seliorasqueezedmyhand.“Icouldtellthat.”
“Howcouldyouknowthatfromameetingajourneymanartistafewtimes?”
“Youwerealwaysneat,clean,andwithshorthairandnobeard,andafterIsawthestudyyoupainted,Icouldtellyouhadtalenttogowiththatambition.Iworriedthatyouhadtoomuchambitionforaportraiturist.”
“Toomuchambition?”
“Ididn’tsaythatright.”Shetiltedherheadslightly.“Toomuchhonestyforaportraituristwiththatmuchambition.”
Afaintscentofflowersemanatedfromher,nottoomuch,alightscent.
Beforethatlong,thecoachstopped,westeppedout,andIpaidandtippedthehacker.
Felterswasensconcedin
whathadbeenagraystonerowhouseonthesouthsideofthelanethatangledoffEastRiverRoad.Theoversizedlampsthatflankedthedoorwerealreadylit,althoughthesunhadnotquiteset.
Theharried-lookingserverwhogreeteduslookedatSeliora,thenatme.
Ididmybesttomentally
pressfriendlinessuponher.“Fortwo,please.”
“Ah...thisway.”
Weendedupatasmallwindowtable,crowdedbetweentwomuchlargertables,oneoccupiedbythreeoldermeninsuitsofacutIdidnotrecognize,andoneempty,butthesmallertablewasfinewithme.
“Whatwouldyouliketo
drink?”askedtheserver.
IinclinedmyheadtoSeliora.
“DoyouhaveawhiteSanellio?”
Theservernodded.
“Cambrisio,white,”Iadded.
Theserverleftaslateonwhichthethreespecialtiesoftheeveninghadbeenwritten
insmallscript—ChickenAsseroiles,PorkSamedi,andFlankSteakEspecial.
“Areanyofthesefavoritesofyours?”Iasked.
“IthinkI’dlikethechicken.You?”
“Thesteak.I’mpartialtobothmushroomsandparsley.”
Whenthetwogobletsof
winecame,rightaftertwocouplesweresettledinatthetablebehindme,Iorderedforus,addingacrabbisqueasanappetizerandchoosingthewalnutandshavedappleandcheesesalad.Theywereprobablywinter-keptapples,butitwasworthatry.
Aftertheserverleft,Selioralookedatme.“Youdon’thavetoimpressme.”
“Ijustwantedtohaveagoodmealwithyouandenjoyit.That’snotsomethingIgettodooften.”
“Ifyoudoitoften,youwon’tbeabletoaffordanythingelse.”Butherwordsweresaidwarmly.
Iliftedmywinegoblet.“Toyouandtoadelightfulevening.”
Sheliftedhers.“I’llreturn
that.Toyou...andtheevening.”
TheCambrisiowasgood,butlookingatSeliorawasbetter.
“Whydidyouaskmetodance,thatfirsttime?”Iasked.
“Iwantedto.RogaristoldOdeliathatyouweretooseriousforme.”
“Hedidn’tknowyouwell,then.”
“Doyou?”Ahintofmischiefcoloredherwords.
“No,butIknowthatthere’smoretoyouthanmeetstheeye...andI’minterestedinlearningmoreaboutyou.”
Forjustamoment,hereyesflickeredpastme,lookingoutside.
“Whatisit?”
“Nothing.Someonegoingpast,buthewaslookingthisway.”
“Doyouknowhim?”
Sheshookherhead.“FromwhatIsaw,he’snotsomeoneI’dwishtoknow.”
Theserverarrivedwiththesalads.Itookabite,gingerly.“Thesaladisgood,especially
thecheese.”
AfaintsmilecrossedSeliora’slips,butshenodded,beforesaying,“Itis.”
“Whydidyousmile?”
“Notthatmanymenwouldworryaboutthesalad.They’deithereatitorignoreit.”
Ishrugged.Iwasn’tabouttosayI’dwantedittobegoodforher.“Ienjoyagood
meal.”
“Youcouldn’thaveeatenthatwellatMasterCaliostrus’shouse.”
Ihadn’t.“Whydoyousaythat?”
“Lastsummer,IwaswithOdelia,andOstriuswastalkingtoherescort—theonebeforeKolasyn—abouthowheskippedasmanymealsashecould.”
“Hecouldaffordto.Icouldn’t.Itwasn’tthatbad.”
“Ilikethataboutyou.”
“What?”
“You’renotthecomplainingtype.Youdowhat’snecessaryuntilyoucanmakethingsbetter.That’swhyyou’lldowellasanimager.”
“Complainingdoesn’tdo
anygood,”Ipointedout.“Ifthepersonyoucomplaintoisthekindwhowouldlisten,they’vealreadydonewhattheycan,andanyoneelseeitherwon’tlisten,doesn’tcare,orcan’tdoanything.”
“Mostpeoplearen’tthatpractical.”
I’dneverthoughtofmyselfasthatpractical.Howpracticalwastryingtobea
portraituristwhenyoucamefromafamilyofwoolfactors?
Theserverreappeared,tooktheemptysaladplates,andplacedtheentreesinfrontofus.Icutintotheflanksteak,andthenateseveralbites,enjoyingthecombinationofmushrooms,butteredparsley,andseasonedtenderbeef.“Howisyourchicken?”
“Verytender,andtasty.ItremindsmeofAuntAegina’s.”
“Odelia’smother?”
“Yes.She’sagoodcook,betterthanMother.Thatmightbebecausesheenjoysit.”
“Yourmothereatsbecauseshehasto.”
“Younoticed.”
“Shehasacertain...determination,likesomeoneelse,Isuspect.”
Selioraflushed,justatouch.Thenshestiffenedandlookedupandoutthewindow.“Thatman...outthere,inthedarkbrowncloakandasquarebeard.He’swalkedpasttwice,andhe’slookedatyou.”
“Atyou,I’mmostcertain.
You’retheoneworthlookingat.”
“You’rekind,buthewasn’tlookingatme.”
IfSeliorasaidthemanwasn’t,thenhewasn’t,butwhywouldanyonebelookingatme?FromwhatI’dseensofarsinceI’dbecomeanimager,noonegaveimagersmorethanapassingglance—andthatmoreto
avoidusthananythingelse.“There’snotmuchIcandoaboutitnow.”
“Isupposenot.”
“Enjoyyourchicken.”Ialmostaddedthatsheshouldenjoymylookingather,butthatwouldhavebeentooforward.
“Andwhatelse?Youwereabouttoaddsomething.”
“Thecompany,ifyoucan.”
“I’menjoyingthatverymuch.”
“I’mglad.”
Afterseveralmorebitesandanotherswallowofwine,Iasked,“Doyoulikedesigningthepatternsfortheupholstery?”
“ThedesigningIlikeverymuch.”Seliora’ssmileturned
wry.“Workingwithsomeclientsissometimeslessenjoyable.”
Ikeptaskingherquestionsthroughtheremainderofdinnerandthroughdessert—anapplecreamcustard—andtheteathatfollowed.
Finally,asmuchasI’denjoyedthedinner,boththefoodandthecompany,therewerepeoplewaitingoutside,
andtheserverkeptlookingatus.
“Isupposewehadbettergo.Iwouldn’twanttobeaccusedofkeepingyououttoolate.”
“Youwouldhavebeenanyway,evenifwe’dleftaglassago,”shereplied.
Allinall,thedinnercostfoursilvers,countingwhatIleftfortheserver.
Westeppedoutofthebistroandwerewalkingtowardthepairofhackswaitingforfares,whenSeliorastiffenedagain,glancedtomyright,andthentuggedmyarm.
“Overthere,”shewhispered.“It’sthesameman.”
Iturnedmyheadandsawtheglintinthebeardedman’s
hand,andthenwhatlookedtobeasparkorflash.Iwastooslowintryingtothrowupshields,andsomethingsmashedintomyshoulder.Despitethepain,Iwasfurious.Iconcentratedonimagingcausticintohiseyesandinsidehischest,aroundhisheart,orwhereIthoughthisheartwas.
Therewasasingleshriek,andhepitchedforwardonto
thepavementofthesidewalk.
Istoodtheredumblyforamoment.
Selioralookedatme.“You’rebleeding.”
BeforeIcouldspeak,she’dstartedtoopenmywaistcoatandshirtandhadjammedsomethingintothewound.
“You!”Hervoicepenetratedthenightasshe
pointedtowardtheleadhackerofthosewaitingoutsideFelters.“We’reheadedtotheBridgeofHopes.Now.”
“But...that’s...”
“Someone’sshotanimager.Doyouwanttheimagersafteryou?”
Gettingintothecoachwasn’ttoohard.Ididn’tevenneedSeliora’shelp.
Oncewesatdownonthehardseatofthecoach,sheresumedpressingthehandkerchiefagainstandintothewound.“You’restillbleedingtoomuch.Ican’tstopitall.”Sheturnedherheadandyelled,“Faster!”
Itriedtoimagesomethinglikeashieldaroundthewound.
“Whateveryou’redoing,
Rhenn,keepdoingit.Thebleeding’salmoststopped.”Shedidn’tlessenthepressureonmyshoulder,though.Tokeepthepressureonthewound,shehadtobeveryclosetome,andifithadn’thavebeenforthepain—andthefear—Iwouldhaveenjoyedthatclosenessagreatdealmore.
Theridetowardthebridgeseemedtotakealongtime,
andnotimeatall,inastrangeway,butbeforethatlongthehackercalleddown,“I’mnotsupposedtocrossthebridge,Mistress!”
“Crossit!”
“But...”
Asmallpistolappearedinherglovedhand,andsheleanedouttheopencoachwindow,pointingthepistol.“Crossit.”
Theclatterofhoofsonstonewasalmostreassuring.
“Whereshouldhego?”askedSeliora
Iwashavingtroublethinking,andmaintainingtheshieldoverthewound,butithadtobetheinfirmary.Someonewasalwaysthere.“Theright...laneafterwecrossthebridge.Thesecondbuilding,andthefirstdoor,
theone...staffandagreenleafonthedoor.”
Seliorashoutedthedirectionstothedriver,thenturnedbacktome.“Holdon.Keepdoingthat.”
Then,thehackerbroughtthecoachtoastop.
“Holdthisinplace,Rhenn.”Shepressedmyhandagainstthewaddedhandkerchiefandthewarm
dampness,thenpushedopenthecoachdooranddartedout,snappingsomethingatthehacker.
Ikepttryingtostayawakeandalert,tryingtopushbacktheencroachingdarkness,asIhearddoorsopeningandvoices,butthen...darknesswasalltherewas.
...exceptadarkenedtwilightthatIwascarried
through...
TheroomwhereIwoke,ifbecomingvaguelyawareofone’ssurroundingsmeantawakening,wassmallandgray,andIlayonahardandnarrowbedorpallet.Ihadavaguerecollectionofbeingcarriedsomewhere,andthensomeonestandingoverme,andpainsshootingthroughmyshoulder.
Seliorawasstandingtherebesidethebed.Sowassomeoneelse,butshewascloser.
“You’rehere...”Myvoicewasbarelyawhisper.
“I’mhere.WhereelsewouldIbe?”Shereachedoutandsqueezedmyfingers—theonesonthehandofmyuninjuredside.
“Thankyou.”Ihadto
squinttoseethefigurebehindher.“Master...?”
“Draffyd,”hesupplied.“Itookcareofthewound,butyou’llhavetoliestillforatime.Youwon’thaveachoice.You’restrappedtothebed,butthat’ssothatyoudon’tdoanythingtoripopenthestitchesandreopenthewound.Pleasedon’ttrytomoveagainsttherestraints.Later,we’llremovethem,but
forthenextfewglasses,you’llneedtobestill.”
Ididn’tlikethatatall,buttherewerebothdullandsharppainsinmyshoulderandchest,andbothfeltlikeI’dbeenrunoverbyadrafthorsewithspikedshoes.
MasterDraffydturnedtoSeliora.“Youcannotstayherefortheevening.”
Shejustlookedathimasif
toaskwhynot.
“InRhennthyl’scase,itwouldn’tbesafeforeitherofyou.Thereareimagerreasonswhythisisso.”
Sheturnedherheadbacktome.
IhadtothinkforamomentbeforeIrealizedwhy.WhoknewwhatI’ddoinmysleep?Orinadelirium.“He’sright...wishyoucouldstay
...but...”
“We’llsendyoubackhomeinaCollegiumcarriage.You’llbequitesafe,”addedMasterDraffyd.“We’reverythankfulyouwerethere,andboththeCollegiumandRhennoweyouagreatdeal.”
“WhataboutRhenn?”
“He’llrecover.Yougothimherewhilehestillhadenoughblood.Ifhewere
goingtodie,he’dalreadybedead.He’llbeveryweakforafewdays,buthe’llrecover.YoustaywithhimwhileIsendforthecarriage.”MasterDraffydnoddedtoSeliora,thenslippedoutoftheroom.
Shemovedcloser.“ThatmanoutsideFelters...Iknewhewasafteryou.”
“I...won’tdisputeyou...again.”
“Youkilledhim,didn’tyou?”
Istartedtonod,buteventhathurt.“Yes.Ithinkso...anyway...triedtodisablehim...Hurttoomuch...”
Shebentoverandbrushedmyforeheadwithherlips.ShewassocloseIcouldseetherednessinhereyes.Shestilllookedlovely.
“...beallright...”
“Iexpectit.Now...youbequiet.Youdon’tneedtotalk.Saveyourstrength.”Shesqueezedmyfingersagainasshestraightened,butshedidnotletgoofthem,notuntilMasterDraffydreturned.
“Thecarriagewillbeoutsideinafewmoments.”
“Sosoon?”sheasked.
“There’salwaysoneready,atanyglass.”
Ihadn’tknownthat,notthatitwouldhavemadeanydifference.ThehackerhadgottenustoImagisleasfastasanyonecouldhave.“Thehacker...?”
“Ihadhimpaid,”saidMasterDraffyd.“TheCollegiumpaid,actually.Wealsogavehimagoodwilltoken.It’sworthagoldwhenherenewshismedallion.”Hepaused.“Ihearthecarriage
outside.It’sratherlate,MistressD’Shelim,andI’mcertainyourfamilyhasbeenworried.”
“Theywillunderstand.”Seliorabentoverandkissedme,gently,butonthelips.“Takegoodcareofyourself.”Thenshesteppedaway.
Aftershelefttheroom,MasterDraffydsteppedcloser.Heheldasmallvial.
“I’mgoingtogiveyousomethingtodeepenyoursleepalittle.You’llhavetoopenyourmouth.”
Idid,andhepouredclosetoacupfulintome.Despiteamint-likescentthatwasn’tunpleasant,theliquiditselftastedlikeacidicpeppermintlacedwithcheapplonk,andIcouldn’thelpbutgrimace.
“Ittastesterrible.I
remember.Youdon’tforget.“Hestopperedthevialandslippeditintoapocketofhiswaistcoat,thenlookedbackatme.“Youwouldn’tbealivewithouttheyoungwoman,youknow?”
“Nor...withoutyou,either.”
“That’strue,butshehadthepresenceofmindtogetyouhere.Howdidshe
know?”
“Igaveherdirections.”IrealizedthatIwasalittlestronger.Notmuch,butatrace.
Hefrowned.“Youwereawake?”
“Untilafterwecrossedthebridgeandgottotheinfirmarydoor.Iwasholdingashieldtightagainstthewound...untiltheendwhen
Igottoolight-headedtoconcentrate.”
“Inthatcase,itdidtakebothofyou.Shesaidso,but...it’sstillamazing.”
Thatirritatedme,weakasIwas.“IfSeliorasaidso...it’strue.”
“No.I’mcertainshetoldthetruth.Imeantyourholdingashieldagainstawoundlikethat.Most
wouldn’tthinkofthat.”
Iwouldn’thavethoughtofitwithoutSeliora’ssuggestion,butIwasn’tgoingtotellMasterDraffydthat.“Youimagedthebulletout,didn’tyou,andthenimagedsomesortofdressingorpatchinthere.”
“It’smorecomplicatedthanthat,butsomethinglikethat.”Hepaused.“What
aboutthemanwhoshotyou?”
“He’sdead,Ithink.Iimagedcausticintohiseyesandchest...insidehischest,neartheheart.Thatwashard.Hescreamedanddroppedover.”Icouldfeelmyeyestryingtoclose.
“Youneedtorest.Don’tworry.Someonewillbewatching.”
Iwasworried,butthatdidn’tstopmyeyesfromclosing.
Noonesurvivesintheworld
withoutwounds;theluckyandthedeterminedare
unfortunateenoughtosurvivemoreofthem.
WhenIwokeonSolayi,barelyafterdawn,withgraylightseepingintothegrayroom,Iachedallover,and
myheadwaspounding.I’dbarelyopenedmyeyeswhenanobdurateinaplainblackuniformappeared,holdingatallglassfilledwithclearliquid.
“MasterDraffydsaidyouaretodrinkallofthis.”Heheldittomylips.
Idrank.SofarasIcouldtellortaste,theliquidwasjustwater,butwaterwithno
tastewhatsoever.Waterornot,inlessthanaquarterglass,theworstofthepoundinginmyheadhadsubsidedtoadullache.Thatwasamixedblessing,becauseIwasstillstrappedinplace,andmostuncomfortable,aswellasabletothinkaboutit.
Beforeallthatlong,thankfully,MasterDraffydappeared.“I’mgoingto
removeyourrestraints,butpleasedon’tmoveuntilItellyouto.”
“Yes,sir.”Iwouldhaveagreedtoanythingtogetclearofthestraps.
Iforcedmyselftolookdownashechangedthedressing.Thereweretwowounds,lessthanfourdigitsapart.Theareaaroundeachwasbruised.Bothwere
suturedwithwidestitches.
“Sofar,sogood.You’llhavesomeinterestingscarsthere,Rhennthyl.”
Whateverheusedtocleantheareastung.Thenhisfacetightenedinconcentration,andIcouldfeelstinginginmychest,thenstabbingpainthatslowlysubsided.
“Youwerecarryingsomeshields,weren’tyou?”
“Justoneswithtriggersagainstimaging.Itriedtoraisefullshields,butIwastooslow.”
Henodded.“Theshieldsyoudidhavesavedyourlife.Thosebulletswouldhavegonerightthroughyou,andtheexitwoundswouldhavebledevenmore.”
“Iwouldn’tbealiveifwehadn’tcomehere.”
“No,butpleasedon’ttestyourluckagain.”
Ihadnointentionofthat—exceptIhadn’tbeentestinganything.
“Obernwillbehereandhelpyoucleanupandgetintoasetofdrysleepwearandgetyousomecleanbedding.Justlieherequietlyforatleastaglass.Afterthat,youcanmove,butonlyslowlyand
carefullyandnotoften.Anddon’tusethearmonyourwoundedside.Notatall.You’llgetsomethingtoeatinawhile.”
“Yes,sir.WhenIcanreturntomyquarters?”
“Thatwon’tbeforseveraldays,possiblyaweek.”
AfterMasterDraffydleft,Obern—theverysameobduratewhohadgivenme
thewaterearlier—reappearedwithlinens,sleepwear,andbedding,andbeforetoolongIwascleaneranddrier.Itriedtorest,buttoomanythoughtskeptrunningthroughmyhead.Whocouldpossiblyhavewantedmedead?ThemostlikelypossibilitiesweretheHighHolderRyelorsomeformerfriendsofDiazt,buthowwouldtheyhaveknownwhereIwas?Thatleft
someonetowhomSeliorahadtalked...orsomeonethatOdeliahadtalkedto...or...someonetheyhadtalkedtowhohadtalkedtosomeoneelse...Thatwaspointless.GossipinL’Excelsiswenteverywhere.
Anotherthoughtstruckme.IfI’dreallywantedtogetclearoftherestraints,couldn’tIjusthaveimagedthemelsewhere?Thatthought
alonetoldmethatIstillwasn’tthinkingasclearlyasIthoughtIwas.IalsorealizedthatIwouldhavebeensaferagainstanimager,becauseI’dhavegottenfullshieldswithoutthinking.Ineededmoreworkonshields,sothatIbarelyhadtothinktogetthem.
WhywasitthatIcouldfigureoutthingsafterward,whenitwouldhavebeenso
muchbetterbeforehand?Ididn’thaveananswertothatquestioneither,butthenOberncamebackwithbreakfastonatray,actualegg-friedtoastwithasyrupandtea.Iateallofit.
Iwasfeelingbetter—untilIsawMasterJhulianwalkintomyinfirmaryroom.
“Goodmorning,Rhennthyl.”
“Goodmorning,sir.”
“Youhadquiteanevening,Ihear.I’veheardquiteabitfromeveryoneelse,butitmightbebestifyoutoldmeexactlywhathappened.Talkslowly,please,andtakeyourtime.Stopwheneveryouwant.I’veaskedOberntobringyoumoretea.Thatwillhelprelaxyou,anditwillalsohelpthehealing.”Hepulledupthesinglechair
besidethenarrowbed.“Wheneveryou’reready.”
“Ihadtakenafriend—Seliora—todinneratFelters...”Iwentthroughtheentirestory,includingSeliora’snoticeofthemaninthebrowncloak,andendedwhenIlostconsciousnessoutsidetheinfirmary.
“Didyoueverseethemanclosely?”
“No,sir.Well...justforamoment.Hedidn’tlookfamiliar.”
“Didtheyoungwomanknowhim?Shesawhimmoreclearly,didn’tshe?”
“Shedidn’tknowhim.Iteasedherabouthimlookingather,notme,butshesaidshedidn’tknowhim.”
“Rhennthyl,keepthisinmind.Nomatterhowpretty
thewomanatyourside,ifamanlooksinyourdirection,theoddsarethathe’slookingatyouorforyou.Don’teverforgetthat.”
Hisvoicewasfirm,almostcold.
“No,sir.Iwon’t.”
“Didyousayanythingtotheman?”
“No,sir.Seliorasawhim
andwhisperedthathewasthere,andIturnedandsawhimraisethepistol.ThatwaswhenItriedtoincreasemyownshields.ButIneversaidanything.”
“Someoneinthebistrosawit,andtheysummonedthecivicpatrollers.Theyhadclosetothesamestory.”Hefrowned.“Yousaidyouimagedcausticathim.Hediedingreatagony.Hemight
havebeenblinded,butthatdoesn’tusuallykillsomeone.Whatexactlydidyoudo?”
Istartedtoanswer,thencoughed,andalmostdoubledoverevenmoreinpainbeforeIcouldreply.“IguessIwasn’tclear,sir.Iimagedcausticintohiseyesandsomewhereintohischest.Atleast,thatwaswhatIwastryingtodo.”
“Youdiditwellenoughtokillhim.”MasterJhulianheldupalong-fingeredhand.“There’snoquestionthatitwasself-defense,andthemanyoukilledwasalreadybeingsoughtfortwoothermurders,andisthoughttohavecommittedanumberofothers.Thecivicpatrollerswerehappynottohavetokeeplookingforhim.SoistheCollegium.”
“Hekilledanotherimager?”
“Averyjunioroneoverayearago.Thatiswhatweknow.Therehavebeentwootherkillingsofjuniorimagersoverthepastthreemonths,andhisactagainstyoumightraiseseveralotherquestions,exceptforonething.Hewasdefinitelylookingforyou.Doyouknowwhy?”
“TheonlythingIcanthinkofisthebusinesswithHighHolderRyel—youknow,withhissonJohanyr?”
“Oh...that?”MasterJhulianfrowned.“Thatispossible,butmostunlikely.TheHighHolderwouldnotwishtheretobeanytracestohim,andthatparticularassassinwasone...notsuitableforsomeonelikeRyel.NorwouldRyelactso
quickly.”
“Atthemoment,sir,Ireallycan’tthinkofanyone...well,exceptDiaztcamefromthetaudis,Ithink,andIsupposeitcouldhavebeensomerelativeorfriendofhis.”Icouldn’tthinkofanyotherpossibilities,butthatmighthavebeenbecauseIwasstillmostuncomfortableatbest,andinsomeconsiderablepainatother
times.
“Thatismorelikely,butstillunlikely.”Hestoodandclosedthesmallblackbookinwhichhehadbeenwriting.“Onceyoucanwrite,youwillowemethatfinalpaper.”Hesetabookonthechair.ItwasacopyofJurisprudence.“Itookthelibertyofretrievingthisfromyourdesk.Youroutlinesaretuckedinside.Iwouldsuggestthatyou
considerthattherearetwomeaningsof’presumption.’Thelegaldefinitionisnotthesameaspersonalpresumption,andyournotesdonotreflectthat.”
“I’ll...keepthatinmind,sir.”
“Afteryougetsomerest.”Henoddedandslippedoutoftheroom.
Obernenteredimmediately
withalargemugofsteamingtea.“Themastersaid...”
“Iknow.Ineedtodrinkit.”IfeltlikethereweresomanythingsIneededtodo...butIwasn’tfeelinguptodoinganyofthem.
Attemptingtoteach
forethoughtisathanklesstask.
MasterDichartyndidnotappearuntilLundimorning,sincehe’dbeenaway.HeshowedupinmyinfirmaryroomafterMasterDraffyd’sministrationsandmy
breakfast.
“Goodmorning,Rhennthyl.”Hesettledontothechair.
“Goodmorning,sir.”
“Ihavealetterforyou.”Hesettheenvelopeonthebed,ashiseyestookintheJurisprudencebookI’dlaidasidewhenhehadcomein,althoughI’donlyrereadafewpagesaftereating.“Hard
atwork,Isee.”
IhopedtheletterwasfromSeliora,butIcouldn’ttellfromthewriting.I’dneverseenherhand,butthescriptlookedfeminine,anditwasn’tKhethila’s,orMother’s.Iwantedtopickitup,butIdidn’t.“MasterJhulianremindedmethatIstillhaveanessayduetohim.I’mnotsupposedtodoanythinglikewritingfor
anotherdayorso,butIcanreadandthink.”
“Thinkingisalwaysuseful,especiallyifyoudoitbeforeyougetintodifficulties.”Hefingeredhischin.“I’vetalkedtobothMasterJhulianandMasterDraffyd.”
Iwincedslightly,evenifhiswordshadbeendeliveredgently.
“Rhenn,becauseimagers
workalone,ofnecessity,greatnecessity,weneedtopayattentiontowhatotherssay,whattheysee,andwhattheyhear.Evensomeonewhoistryingtodeceiveyouwillrevealmuchthathedoesnotintend.Thosewhofavoruswilldofarmore.”
“IshouldhavelistenedtoSelioramoreclosely.”
“Youshouldhave,andthat
isalessonyouwillnotforget.”
Iknew.ThelessonsIrememberedbestweretheonesthathurt,inonewayoranother.
“Ihavesomeotherquestionsforyou.”
Afternoddingtohim,Iwaited.
“Youwerewounded,and
inagreatdealofpain,weren’tyou?Yetyoustoodagainsttwobulletsandthenimagedcausticintotheattacker’seyesandheart.MightIaskhow?”
“Ididn’twanthimtohurtSeliora,andIwasn’tbytheNamelessgoingtoletthebastardescape,andIcouldn’thaverestrainedhimintheconditionIwasin.”
“Quitealottothinkaboutinafewmoments,I’dsay.Didyou,really?”
“Notthatlogically,sir,”Iadmitted,“butIknewallthatevenasIwasimagingathim.”
MasterDichartynnodded.“Admirable...andeffective.Howdidyouknowthatcausticwouldcausehishearttoswellandstop?”
“Ididn’tknow.Ijustthoughtitwould,orthatifitdidn’t,he’dbeblindandinsomuchpainhewouldn’tbegoinganywhere.”Besides,Ihadn’tknownanyotherquickwaytoreact,becauseIhadn’tpracticedanykindsofimagerattacks—justdefenses.“Willthiskeepmefrombeingafieldimager?”
“Ifyou’dbeentrainedforthat,no...butthat’snot
whatyourpositionislikelytobe.Thisincidentwillhelpyouunderstandjusthowimportantwhatyou’llbedoingis,anditwillalsogiveyouafeelforthedangersandconsequencesthatnoamountoftrainingwill.Foryou,sinceyou’vesurvivedit,that’sprobablyforthebest,butwecertainlydidn’tintendforanythinglikethistohappen.”Hefrowned.
“There’sbeenabittoomuchofthissortofthingrecently,butasMasterJhulianandIdiscussed,thisassassinwasafteryouandnooneelse.”
Assoreasmyshoulderwas,IwasstillirritatedthatMasterDichartynhadn’tsaidwhatIwasbeingtrainedfor.“SowhatwillIbe?AnimagerwhotracksdownthoseinL’ExcelsiswhomightharmtheCounciland
theCollegium?Onewhokillsasnecessary?”
“Onlyiforderedto—orinself-defense,”heagreed.“Weworkaswhatyoumightcallcounterspies,althoughourgrouphasnonameanddoesnotofficiallyexistintherecordsoftheCollegium.We’realltechnicallyassignedaspartofCouncilsecurity.Thereareonlyaroundtenofuswhoworkascounterspies.
There’snolimitonthenumber,butimagerswhomeettherequirementsareextremelyhardtofind.Theyshowuponlyeveryfewyears,andweloseclosetoathirdofthembeforetheybecomemasters.”
“Whatmadeyoudecideonme?”
“Anumberofthings.”Hesmiled.“Iwilltellyou.ThatI
promiseyou,butnotnow.Sinceit’syourleftshoulder,andyou’reright-handed,youcanwritewhileyou’rerecovering.Writemeanessayexplainingwhatqualitiesyouthinkanimagercounterspyshouldhave.”
“Yes,sir.”
“Takeyourtime.Notforever,butsay,aweek.”Hepaused.“Oh...bytheway..
.allthepaintsandoilsandcanvasesarrivedthismorning...aswellasalltheotherthingsyou’llneed.Oncewehaveastudiosetupintheworkshopareaandyou’reuptoit,I’llhaveMasterPoincarytsitforyou.Ifanyonedeservesaportrait,hedoes.”
“Isitalsothatit’ssafertohaveanimagerdoit?”
“Thatcertainlyissomethingthatmakesiteasier,butthere’sneverbeenanimagertrainedasaportraiturist,andwe’revainenoughthatwe’dlikeanaccurateresemblance.”
Thatwasacomplimentofsorts.“Icanseethat.”
“KeepfollowingMasterDraffyd’sinstructions.Hesaysthatifallgoeswell,by
JeudiorVendrei,youcanreturntoyourownquarters.You’llstillhavetoseehimeverymorning,butItrustyou’drathernotbehere.”
“That’strue,sir.”
Hesmiled,thenturnedtogo.Afterheleft,Irealizedthathehadn’tevenaskedmeifbeingacounterspywaswhatIwantedtodo.Ialsorealizedthathehadn’tneeded
to.
OnlythendidIpickupthecream-coloredenvelopeandlookatitclosely.Onthefrontwasmyname—RhennthylD’Imager—andbelowit,simplyImagisle.Iturneditover.EventhoughIknewfromwhomithadcome,Icouldn’thelpbutsmileasIsawthename—M.SelioraD’Shelim,NordEsteDesign,Nordroad.
Iopeneditcarefully,butthewaxsealstillbrokeandsprayedwaxacrosstheblanket.Ireadslowly,takingineachword.
MydearRhenn,
Itrustthatyouarerecovering.Ihopethatyouwillbewellbeforelong.Canyouhavevisitors?Ifyoucan,
andifyoucanletmeknow,Iwouldliketoseeyou.
Untilthelastmoments,Ienjoyeddinnersomuch.Ihaveneverhadadinnersoexciting.YouwillunderstandifIsaythatIhopenevertohaveanother.Thenexttime,youmustcometoourhouseandhaveoneofMother’s
specialdinners.
Ilookforwardtohearingfromyou.
Thesignaturewasasimple“Seliora.”
Icouldn’thelpbutsmile.TheletterwassolikeSeliora
—directandwarm.Icertainlycouldhavevisitors,ifonlyafterIcouldleavetheinfirmary.AssoonasIcould,IwouldwritehertosuggestSolayiafternoon.
MyeyesdroppedtotheJurisprudencebook.Iwouldhavemorethanalittleotherwritingaswell,andthatwouldnotbenearlysoenjoyable.
Somemenchangetheir
principlesasfrequentlyastheirlinens,andothersnever
do;bothareinerror.
Thenextseveraldayswereslow,long,andtedious.MasterDichartyncheckedonmebrieflyeachmorning,asdidMasterDraffyd.Besides
that,allIdidwassomewalking,withObernaccompanyingandwatchingme,somereading,someeating,andmorethanalittledozingandsleeping.OnJeudimorningMasterDraffydandMasterDichartynbotharrivedatthesametime.Thatcouldnothavebeencoincidence.
First,MasterDraffydexaminedmeandchanged
thedressingonmyupperchestandshoulder.“It’salreadyhealingwell.Youcanleavehere,butstayonImagisleandkeepthedressingdry.Nostrenuousexercise,onlywalking,andnoexercisewiththatarmexceptforlightthings.Don’tpickupanythingheavy...”
Thewaymyshoulderfelt,Iwasn’tabouttoliftanythingmorethanapen.Certainly
notanythingasheavyastheJurisprudencetext.
“...Ifthere’sanysuddenpainorsoreness,orrednessorswelling,comebackhereimmediately.IfI’mnothere,Obernoroneoftheotherswillfindme.Isthatclear?”
“Yes,sir.”
MasterDichartynwaiteduntilMasterDraffydleft.
“You’reveryfortunate.Ineedtomakeonethingveryclear.Untilyou’refullyhealed,andIdomeanfully,youarenottoleaveImagisle.Doyouunderstandwhy?”
“Anyonewithenoughcoinanddesiretohiresomeonetokillmewon’tlikelystopatlosingonebravo.”
MasterDichartynnodded.“We—you,actually—willput
astoptoit,butsinceyouwillnotbeableuntilyou’rewell,andthatislikelytobeatleastamonth,accordingtoMasterDraffyd.”
“Amonth?”
“Theoutwardwoundsandtheworstofthedamagewillhealinanotherweek,twoweeksattheoutside.Thenyou’llhavetoregainstrengthinthatarmandshoulder,and
you’llworkwithClovylonthat—heknowswhathappened.He’llbetheoneworkingwithyoutorebuildyourstrengthandconditioning.MaitreDyanaandIwillteachyouafewmoretechniqueswhenthetimecomes.Fornow,youarenottodoanyimaging—exceptinemergencies,andIdohopeyoucanseeyourwaytoavoidingthose.I’llsee
youtomorrowateighthglass.Iwon’tneedyouressay,butIwantyoutoreviewtheanatomysectionofyoursciencetext,especiallythesectiononthehumanchestandheart.”
Ididforcemyselftowalkbacktomyownquartersslowly,andIcarriedtheJurisprudencebookinmyrightarm.Icouldn’thelpbutworryoverhiswordsabout
mybeingtheonetoputastoptomatters.
Whenthetimeapproachedtenthglassandlunch,Imademywaytothedininghallslowlyanddeliberately.Evenso,IsawthatClaustynhadgottenthereearlier.Hewavedformetojoinhimatoneendofthelongtable.WhenIreachedhim,sohadMenyardandReynol.
Iwasmorethanhappytositdown.
“Wehaven’tseenyouforalmostaweek,”saidClaustyn.“Wordisthatsomeassassinattackedtwoimagers,andkilledone.Wasthatwhywehaven’tseenyou?”
Twoimagers?“Idon’tknowaboutanyoneelse.Ididgetshot—rightoutside
Felters.Doyouknowwhotheotherimagerwas?”
“SomearesayingitwasJacques,”Reynolreplied.“Noone’sseenhim,either,butyouneverknowforawhilewhenthesethingshappen.TheCollegiumdoesn’tliketoacknowledgepubliclythatanyimagerwasattacked—orkilled,especially.”
“Didhegetaway?”askedMenyard.
WhatcouldIsaytothat?Afteramoment,Ilaughed,gently.“Imanagedtodisablehim,orthatwaswhatItried.Hedied,though.”
“IfImightask,”venturedReynol,“howbadly...?”
“Twoshots.Hereandhere.”Ipointedwithmygoodhand.
ClaustynandMenyardlookedateachother.
“Youimagedhimafteryouwerehit?”askedClaustyn.
“Ididn’tknowhewasshootingatmeuntilIgothit.”Thatwasn’tquitetrue,butcloseenough.
ClaustynnoddedandsaidtoMenyard,“That’swhy.”
“Whywhat?”Iasked.
“WhyMasterDichartynisyourpreceptor.Heonlytakesimagerswhohavethatkindofreaction.Noneofuscanfigureouthowheknowsthat,butheseemstosenseitwheneveranewimagerwhohasthatabilityarrives.Doyouhaveadutyassignment?”
“Iknowwhatitwillbe,onceIrecoverandfinishmytraining.”
“DidyoulikethedinneratFelters—beforewhathappened?”Claustynasked.“Wasitasgoodaspeoplesay?”
Obviously,somequestionswerepursuedonlysofar—anotheroftheunspokenrules.“Ihadamarinatedflanksteakstuffedwithbutteredparsleyandmushrooms.Itwasexcellent,andtheyhadaCambrisiothatwasvery
good.”
“Wasitthatexpensive?”
“Itwasn’tbad...foursilvers,Ithink,butwehadsalads,anddessertandwine.”
“That’snottoodear,”reflectedReynol,“ifyoudon’tdoittoooften.”Hegrinned.“Wassheworthit?”
“Howwouldheknow?”askedMenyard.“Hegotshot
beforehecouldfindout.”
Ismiled.“Shewasveryworthit.Shewastheonewhogotmetotheinfirmaryintime.”
“That’sveryworthit,”saidClaustyn,“ifnotexactlywhatReynolhadinmind.”Helaughed.
Sodidweall.
“Where’sKahlasa?”I
askedafterseveralbitesofafowlcasserole.
“Shegotcalledbacktofielddutyearly,”saidReynol.“Shedidn’tsaywhy,butaCaenenancruisersankoneofourmerchantersonthehighseas—morethanfiftymillesofftheCaenenancoast.TheCouncilorderedablockadeofCaena,andtheFourthandFifthFleetsaresteamingsouthnow.That’swhatthey
say,anyway.”
“WhataretheJariolansgoingtodo?”
“TheCouncilsentastrongmessagesuggestingthattheykeepoutofit,”Menyardadded.“ButtheirOligarch—KhasisIII,Ithink,ishisname—issupposedlymassingforcesontheirborderwithFerrum.That’sbecauseFerrumhasbeen
armingCaenen,andhasbeenreceivingfavoredtrade.”
“Sowe’relookingatwarinCloiseraandinOtelyrn?”Iasked.
Claustynshrugged.“It’spossible.Wecontroltheseas,butwedon’thaveanarmybigenoughtofightinbothplaces.”
“Couldn’twehelpFerrumandjustblockadeCaena?”
“That’suptotheCouncil,but...”Reynoldrewoutthewords:“Ferrumdoesn’tlikeSolidar,andparticularlytheCollegium,muchmorethanJarioladoes,andifweblockadeCaena,theHighPriestislikelytoturnonTiempretogetsomeoftheresourcesheneedsbecauseheknowswedon’twanttoinvadeCaenen...oranycountryinOtelyrn.”
WhyTiempre?Ialmostasked,butthenrealizedwhy.Tiemprehadbannedimagersalmostacenturyearlier.Thathadendedupdrivingoutmanyofthewealthierandmorecreativetypes.MorethanafewhadcometoSolidar.IdoubtedthatTiemprecouldstanduptoCaenenandtheHighPriest’sreligioushordes,andIcouldn’tseetheCouncil
sendingtroopstoOtelyrn.
“So...ifweblockadeCaena...we’llstartawarbetweenTiempreandCaenen,andifwedon’t,theCaenenanswillfeelfreetokeepfiringonourmerchantships?”
“I’dventuretosaythataboutsumsitallup,”saidClaustyncheerfully.“UnlesstheHighPriestchangeshis
mind.”
“Thatdoesn’tseemlikely,”Ipointedout.
“No,”Menyardsaid.“Truebelievers—orthosewhodepictthemselvesassuch—seldomchangetheirminds.They’dratherdiefirst,and,iftheydochangetheirminds,someoneelseinthehierarchyislikelytoseethattheydie.”
“Didyougetthatfrom
MasterDichartyn?”
“MasterJhulian.Forallhislegalknowledge,he’salmostascynicalasDichartyn.”
Intheend,ourdiscussionledtonothingmore,andafterwardIreturnedtomyquartersandwroteanotetoSeliorathankingherandaskingifshecouldvisitonSolayiafternoon...andtellingherwheretomeetme
ifshecould.Afterthat,Iwroteashorternotetomyparents,tellingthemI’dbeeninjuredandthat,whileIwashealingwell,Iwouldn’tbeleavingImagislesoon.
Then,aftertakingthembothtotheadministrationbuildingtobesent,Iwalkedslowlybacktomyroom,oncemore,andstretchedout—gingerly—onmybedtorest.Jurisprudenceandthe
twoessayswouldhavetowait.
Achievingtrueexcellence
risksallthatholdshappiness.
WellbeforethirdglassonSolayiafternoon,Iwassittingwaitingonthesecondgraystonebench—theoneshadedbytheoakthatwasfinallyleafingout—nearthe
ImagislesideoftheBridgeofHopes.I’dbroughtthesciencetext,becauseMasterDichartynhadnotbeenpleasedwithmylackofvisualizationofanatomywhenwehadmetonVendrei.WhilehehadbeenslightlyhappierwithmyperformanceonSamedimorning,he’daskedmorequestions,andthenpointedlysuggestedthatIfinishmyessayforMaster
JhulianinordertohavemymindcleartofinishtheessayIowedhim.
OnSolayimorning,IhadfinishedadraftoftheessayontheJuristicCode’sapplicabilitytoimagers.BecausetheCoderecognizedthediscretiongrantedtocivicpatrollers,anyoneactuallychargedwaspresumedguilty.Sincepatrollerstendedtodefertoimagers,theCode
providedforareviewhearingonanymatterinvolvinganimager—providedtheCouncilapproved.ThatalsoexplainedwhyMasterJhulianandMasterDichartynhademphasizedthatimagersshouldneverbeevenremotelyassociatedwiththeappearanceofviolenceandmurders.SuchapetitiontotheCouncil,evenifrejected,mightwellraiseissuesbetter
leftunexamined.
AsIcouldfeelthetimenearingthirdglass,Ifinallyclosedthesciencetext,becauseIwasnotreadingit.Myeyesweremerelyskippingoverthepageinfrontofmeandthenglancingtowardthenearerendofthebridge.Justmomentsafterthethirdbellrang,twofigurescameintoview,walkingcasually,butnotdawdling,
alongthesouthsideofthebridge,Selioraandatallerfigure—Odelia.Selioraworealongflowingdress,apalegreen,withacreamsilkjacket.Odeliawasinabrightergreen.
Istoodandsteppedtowardthem.
Odeliasmiledbutdroppedbacktolethercousinmovetowardmealone.Seliora
steppedforwardandtookmyhands.Shesmiled,anexpressionofbothconcernandwarmth.“YoulookbetterthanthelasttimeIsawyou.”
“Ifeelmuchbetter.”
SheinclinedherheadtowardtheshadedbenchIhadjustleft.“You’restillpale,andyouneedtositdown.”
Ididn’targue,andwesat
downintheshade.Odeliatooktheotherbench,closeenoughtowatch,butfarenoughnottohear,althoughIdoubtedshewouldhavepassedonanything.
“I’mgladyoucame.”Icouldn’thelpsmilingather.
“Shouldyoubeup?”
“MasterDraffydsaidthatgentlemovementwouldhelp,butI’mnotsupposedtolift
anythingheavywithmyleftarmorhand.”
“ItoldMotherwhereyouwereshot,”Seliorasaidslowly.“Shesaidmostpeoplewouldhavediedrightthere.”
“Ialmostdid.Ifyouhadn’tgottenmetotheinfirmarythatquickly,Iwouldhave.”
Shelookeddirectlyatme.“You’refatednottodieyoung.ThatiswhatMama
said.”Thenshesmiled.“Shetoldmetotellyouthat’sfromthePharsiside.”
Ifrowned.“Ithoughtthatwasyourfather’sside.”
Selioraflushed.“Actually...there’sfullPharsionbothsides.”
Ilaughed.“Thatdoesn’tsurpriseme.Canyoutellfortunesaswell?”IwishedIhadn’taskedthequestion,
because,belatedly,Irememberedthatshe’dalreadytoldmethatshe’dseenavisionofmeingraybeforeI’dbecomeanimager.
“IdobetterwithpeopleIdon’tknow.”
“Peopleyoudon’tknoworpeopleyou’renot...closeto?”Ihesitatedoverthewords.
“ThoseIdon’tcareabout.
Whenyoucare,it’sdifficulttoseparatewhatyouwanttoseefromwhatyoudosee.”
Iwantedtoputmyarmsaroundher.Ididn’t.“Yourparentsweren’tupset?”
“Whywouldtheybeupset?”
“Becauseyouwerewithsomeonewhogotshot.Thatcouldbeupsetting.”
“Papasaidhewashappyyouweregoingtobewellandthat...”Sheshookherhead.
“What?”IspokebeforeIrealizedshehadthatglintinhereye.
“Hedidn’twanthisdaughtertobeinterestedinamanwhowasn’tworthshooting.SomeoneshothimwhenhewascourtingMama.
Itwasonlyinthearm,anditdidn’tevenbreakabone.”
“Didheeversaywhathappenedtotheman?”
Seliorashookherhead.“Hedidsaythatthefellowwouldn’tbotheranyoneagain.”
“Ithoughtitmighthavebeensomethinglikethat.Idon’tthinkI’llcrossyourfather.”
“Benicetome,andhewon’tsayaword.”Shegrinned.“ButIthinkGrandmamahadmoretodowithit.Shedidn’tlikeanyoneinterferingwithherfamily.Shestilldoesn’t.”
“Didyougetthepistolfromher?”
Thatbroughtasheepishlooktoherface.“IboughtitwhenIwasfifteen.
GrandmamaknewbeforeItookthreestepsintothehouse.Shespenteverydayforamonthteachingmetouseit.Shetoldmethatyouneverboughtanythingyoucouldn’tuseordidn’tlearntouse.”
“Ididn’tmeether,”Isaid.
“Shehasabadleg.Shealsotoldmethatshedidn’twanttomeetanyoneI
thoughtmuchofinacrowd,andthefamilywasdefinitelyacrowd.”Therewasthefaintestpause.“Sheknowsaboutyou,though.”
“Oh?”Iwasn’tcertainIlikedthat.
“I’vetoldher.Shesaidthatifyouweretalentedandhonest,you’dneveramounttoanythingasaportraiturist.”
EvenasIwinced,Ihadto
admitthatthegrandmotherI’dnevermetwasright.“Doesthatapplytofurnitureanddesigns?”
“Absolutely!We’retalented,butwe’renottotallyhonest.Wecheatanyonewhotriestocheatus...andwe’rebetteratit.”
Thatalsosurprisedmenotintheleast.
“Willyoubeabletocome
todinnerbeforelong?”
“Iwantto,verymuch,butMasterDichartynhasconfinedmetoImagisleuntilI’mtotallywellandbetterabletotakecareofmyself.Thatcouldbealmostamonth.”Ismiled,iffaintly.“HealsosaidthatI’mtolistentoyou.”
Thelastwordsdidbringthefaintesthintofthat
mischievoussmileIlikedsomuch.
“I’mgladtheythinkI’mofworthtoyou.”
“MasterDraffydsaidIowemylifetoyou,butIalreadyknewthat.”Ipaused,thenadded,“Ican’tthinkofanyoneI’dratheroweitto.”
“Rhenn...Iknowwhatyou’redoingmustbedangerous.Pleasedon’ttake
risksyoudon’thavetotake.”
“That’swhatthey’retryingtoteachme.”Amongotherthings.
“Thenlistentothem.”
Ismiledbroadlyather.“ShallItellMasterDichartynyouorderedmetolistentohim.”
“Ifitpleasesyou.”Thewordswerenotquitecoy,but
therewasahintofchill.
“I’msorry.Iwasteasing.Ididn’tmeantooffendyou.”
“Teasingisfair,”shereplied.“Condescensionisnot.”
IalmostsaidIhadn’tbeencondescending,thenthoughtbetter.“That’sfair,butIprobablydon’trecognizeitallthetimewhenI’mbeingcondescending.If
condescensionisn’tfair,thenyouhavetoacceptmyapologiesforinadvertentcondescension.”Iofferedamournfulface.
Eithertheexpressionorthewordsbroughtalaugh,andIlaughedwithher,ifverygently.Toomanythingshurttoomuchforenthusiasticlaughter.
“HaveyouseenRogarisor
anyoftheothers?”
“No.There’snoreasonto,andwe’vebeenbusy.IhadtocomeupwithanentirenewdesignforHighHolderEsquivyl.Hedecidedthattherenditionofthefamilycrestthatheapprovedtwoweeksagowasn’twhathewantedafterall.Orhisnewchildbridedecidedthat.”
“Didyoumeether?”
“Shesimpersandbatshereyelashes,butshehasmorebrainsinthelittlefingershebeckonstohimwiththanhehasinhisskull.”
“HaveyouevermetHighHolderRyel?”
Seliorafrowned,thinking.“No,butyouneverknow.Why?”
“Justdon’tmentionmyname.That’sall.Hisson
attackedme.”
“Whatdidyoudo?”
“Idefendedmyself.Actually,thereweretwoofthem.Theywerebothimagerswhowereseniortome.IpartlyblindedJohanyr—he’sRyel’sson,andhewastransferredtoMontD’Imagetorecover.Hewon’tbeallowedtoreturntoL’Excelsis.ButIcan’t
imagineHighHolderRyelwouldlookuponanyoneconnectedtomeinanywayfavorably.”
“Didtheseniorimagerstrytostopthem?”
“Theydid,butIdidn’tknowthattheyweretryingtoprotectme.Ididn’tknowtheywereevenaround,andwhenitlookedlikeJohanyrreallymeanttoharmme,I
triedtodisablehim.Idisabledhimabittoomuch.That’sanotherreasonwhyIcan’tleaveImagisleforawhile.IneedtolearnbettercontrolofwhatIdo.”
“Itisn’tjustthat,isit?”
I’dknownthatSeliorawasperceptive,butherperceptioncouldmakeithardforme.“No.Themastersthinkthatsomeoneishiringassassinsto
killme,andtheydon’twantmetoleaveuntilI’mfullyrecoveredandI’velearnedsomemoretechniques.”
“HighHolderRyel?”
“Theydon’tknow,andonedoesn’tchargeHighHolderswithoutagreatdealofproof.”
Selioranodded.“Iwon’ttellPapaandMama.I’lljusttellthemthatallimagersrun
theriskofbeingtargetsattimes...especiallythegoodones.”
“I’mjustajuniorimagerthird.”
“That’slikeajourneymanimager,isn’tit?”
Isupposeditwas.Inodded.
“Thatmakesyougood.Howmanyimagersbecome
journeymeninlessthanhalfayear?”
ThingshadhappenedsofastIhadn’tconsideredthat.“Idon’tknow,butyou’reprobablyright.Ijustdidn’tthinkofitthatway.”
“Youhaven’ttoldyourparents,either,haveyou?”
“No.Iwon’tsayathingunlessIbecomeamaster.”
“You’reasproudasanyPharsi,Rhenn.”Hersmilewaswarm,sympathetic,andsad,allatonce.“Theremustbesomeofthatbloodsomewhereinyourbackground.”
Icouldonlyshrug...slightly,andIstillhadtohideawince.
Shetookmyhandsagain.“Ican’tstaylong.Nottoday.
We’rehavingabirthdaydinnerforGrandmama.”Anothersmilefollowed.“CouldwehaveapicnicherenextSamedi?”
“Areyousureyouwanttogotothattrouble?”
“Iwouldn’thaveaskedifIdidn’t.Youwouldn’tmindifOdeliabroughtKolasyn,wouldyou?”
“Ican’tseethatasa
problem.IamallowedvisitorswhenI’mfree,andthere’snorestriction,exceptcommonsense,Isuppose.”
“Halfpastfourthbell?”
“I’llbehere.”
“SowillI.”Sheleanedforwardandbrushedmycheekwithherlips,squeezingmyhands.
Afteramoment,westood.
ThenwewalkedtowardOdelia,whorose.
Whentheyheadedtowardthebridge,IjustsatdownonthebenchandwatchedthetwoofthemwalkbackacrossthebridgetoL’Excelsis,areminderofsortsthatthecityI’dgrownupinwasnowaforeignland,atleastinsomeways.
Seekingfamecanbeas
deadlyaspoison.
OnLundi,IhandedintheessayforMasterJhulian.Hereadit,thennodded.“Itisacceptable,andthatisallIcouldexpectfromanimagerwhoisnotalegalscholar.”
Iknewtheessaywasn’toutstanding,butjustacceptable?
OnMardi,IhandedintheessayonthequalitiesofacounterspytoMasterDichartyn.Hetookhistimereadingthroughthefourpages.Thenhesetitdownonthewritingdesk.
“Youhavenotedinsomedetailtheobviouspoints,that
animagercounterspyshouldbeaccomplishedintechnique,beinexcellentphysicalcondition,andbeabletoanticipatewhatmayhappen.”ThecoolnessofhiswordssuggestedthatMasterDichartynwaslessthanpleased.“Tellme,Rhennthyl.Besidesyourneedtorecover,whyareyoubeingconfinedtoImagisle?”
“Youhadindicated,sir,
thatwastoprotectmeuntilIlearnedenoughtodefendmyselfanduntiltheCollegiumandIcoulddealwiththeperpetratoroftheattack.”
“Thatistrue.Whyistheperpetratoroftheattackseekingyou?”
“BecauseIdidsomethingthatoffendedorupsethim,orher.”
“Thatisalsomostprobablytrue.Inconnectionwithyourassignment,whatconclusionshouldyoudraw?”
“Neverletanyoneknowwhatyouaredoing,havedone,ormightdo?”
“Thatisalsotrue,butthatisabehaviorpattern,notaquality,ifyouwill.Iwillgiveyouahint.HowdidyourfirstmeetinggowithMaitre
Dyana?”
Ithoughtback.Herinitialappraisalofmehadbeenstrange,becauseshe’dsaidshecouldseewhyIwasMasterDichartyn’sprotégé.“ShesaidIcouldbeanynumberofthings.”
“Rhennthyl!Think...”
“Oh...thequalityofbeinganythingexceptanimageragent?”
“Precisely.”Heshookhishead.“Thelastthingyouwantistobenoticed—ornoticedforwhatyoureallyare.Anytimeanyonenoticesyouasexcessivelycapableandbright,youendangeryourself,andsometimestheCollegium.”
Thatmadesense.Iwasn’tcertainIlikedtheideaofbeinginvisible,butIcouldn’targue.
“Doyouwanttobemarriedsomeday—totheyoungladywhosavedyourlifeorsomeonelikeher?”
“I’dhopeso,sir.”
“Doyouwanttohavechildrenandliveforyearswithher?HowcouldthathappenifeveryoneinL’Excelsisknewthatyouwereafearedcounterspy?Nomatterhowgoodyoubecame
asanimager,wouldyouwanttocarryheavyshieldsallthetime,neverknowingwhomightbelookingforyoueverytimeyousetfootoutside,oreveneverytimeyouawoke?Orworrywhetheryouwouldwakeup?”
Acoldjoltrandownmyspine.Inaway,Ihadbeenthinkingofmyselfasbecomingafearedand
respectedcounterspy.
“Doyoueveragainwanttoseesomeonefiringapistolatyouamomenttoolateforyoutoshieldyourself?”pressedMasterDichartyn.
“No,sir.”Mywordstherewerefirmandheartfelt.
“Then...you’dbetterthinkabouthownottostandout.”Hesmiledwanly.“It’snotaboutslinkingand
slouching,either.That’sanevenbiggersignofsomeoneuptonogood.Themostfearedcounterspiesaretheonesnooneknows,becausetheycouldbeanyoneinanyplace.Youwanttoappearsoperfectlyinplacethatnothoughtofoffenseoccurs.Callitfirstamongseconds.Likethelessermoon.”
Thatmadenosensetome.
“Erionwasafearedhunter,atleastmythologically,butwhowritespoemstothelesserhunter?Exceptinadeprecatingfashion?YetnooneeverwishedtooffendErioninperson.”MasterDichartynsmiled.“SayyouhavethreeHighHoldersinaroom,andthreeassistants.Youwanttobetheassistantwho’sbothperfectandmostdeferentiallyconfident,so
muchsothatnoneoftheotherassistantswouldthinkaboutoffendingyou,andnoneoftheHighHolderswouldeither,becauseyou’redeferentialandanassistant.”
Ididn’tliketheideaofbeingthebestsecond...atanything.
“Ittakesaveryconfidentandsuperiormantobeanimagercounterspy,because
youhavetobebetterthananyoneelse,exceptthefewothersinyourgroup,andyoucanneverletanyoneknowhowgoodyouareorshowit.Youhavetobeabletotakeprideinternally,withoutneedingtherecognitionofothers.Mostmencan’tlivewithoutovertpraiseandrecognition.Lackofpraiseandrecognitioncanturnthemintotwistedangrysouls,
convertsoftheNamer,ifyouwill,wantinganameandfamebeyondanything.”
Ihadtothinkaboutthat,andMasterDichartynletmehavetimetoconsiderhiswords.
“WhatifIsaidthatIcouldn’tdothat?”Ifinallyasked.
“I’dturnyouovertoMasterSchorzatforfield
training.You’dmakeagoodfieldimager.Peoplesuspectwhofieldimagersmightbe,buttheycan’tevertracehowtheydowhattheydo.”Heshrugged.“Theydogetmorerecognition,butmoreofthemgetkilled.”
“YouthinkIcouldbegoodasacounterspy?”
“Ifyouworkatit,youcouldbeverygood.”He
paused.“There’sanadvantageandadrawback.”
“Besidebeing...under-known?”
Helaughed.“That’sagoodwayofputtingit.Under-known.”Thesmilevanished.“Becausewhatwedotrainsimagercapabilitiesmoredeeplyandwidely,imagercounterspiesgetadvancedmorequickly,andthat
includesfieldpay...butyourpublicgradeisleftlower,atleastinmostcases,untillater.Ifyouwork,youcouldbecomeaMaitreD’Aspectfairlysoon,butwhileyouwouldgetthepay,yourrankwouldn’tbeknownbeyondthemaitresoftheCollegium.You’dstillbeviewedasathird.WhenyoumasterMaitreD’Structure,youwillbelistedasaMaitre
D’Aspect.Afterthat,youcanbelistedatwhateverlevelofmasteryyouwish.MosthaveremainedpubliclyasMaitresD’Aspectuntiltheyhaveleftday-to-daycounteringduties.”
Icouldseethat.
“Whatdoyouwanttodo?”
“Continuewithyou,sir,ifthat’sacceptable.”
“I’dhopedyouwould...butitisamatterofchoice.”Hefingeredhischin.“Becauseofyourinjuries,andbecausewe’reshorthanded,I’mgoingtochangeyourtrainingschedule.Startingnextweek,you’llspendaglasswithClovyl,rightatfirstafternoonbell,andhe’llgiveyoujusttherightamountofexercisetohelpyouheal.Afterthat,
you’llreporttoMaitreDyana.ShewillteachyouhowHighHoldersbehaveandsomeoftheirparticularcustomsandmannerisms,andwhattheysignify.”
“ShewasraisedaHighHolder,wasn’tshe?”
“Younoticed.Good.”Heliftedalongrolledtube—ratherlargepapersrolledtoformatubeayardlong—and
handedittome.“ThesearetheplansfortheCouncilChateau.Bytheendofnextweek,Iexpectyoutobeabletodraweveryfloorfrommemory.Keepthemoutofsightinyourroom,anddon’ttakethemoutofituntilyoubringthembackaweekfromJeudi.”Thenhestood.“IwillseeyouthisJeudimorning.Wewillworkonsomeimagingskillsthatwillnot
takemuchstrength.They’reamatteroftechniqueandknowledge.”
Afterleavinghisstudy,IcarriedtheChateauplansbacktomyquartersandbegantostudythem.Inlessthanaquarterglass,Iunderstoodwhyhe’dgivenmeaweek.Therewereroomsandpassagesthatnoonecouldeverhaveguessedwereeventhere.
Itookmytimegettingtothedininghall,butMenyardandReynolweretheonlyonesIcouldseeofthegroupwithwhomIusuallyate.
“You’relookinghealthier,Rhenn,”saidReynol.
“I’mfeelingbetter.”
“Where’sClaustyn?”
Menyardshrugged“Onassignment.Fieldimagers
don’tsaywhere,andwedon’task.Heleftsometimeyesterday.”
“You’llsaylessthanthat,”observedReynol.
“EvenifIwantedto,”Ireplied,“I’llhavefarlesstosay.Howcanonesayanythingaboutwhatneverhappens?Thatwouldbelikewritingahistoryofaplacethatneverexisted.”
Bothofthemlaughed.
Atthatmoment,oneofthesecondssittinganemptyspaceawayfromReynolhandedoveraplatterofchops,andIcouldseeadishofstewedandspicedapplesfollowing.“Ihaven’tpickeduponeofthenewsheets.What’shappeninginCaenenorCloisera?”
Reynolshookhishead.
“Weprobablywon’thearuntilsomeoneactuallyinvades,andthenewswillbeagoodweeklate,ifnottwo.”
“Who’sstronger,FerrumorJariola?”
Reynolfrowned.“That’shardtosay.Ferrumhasmoreheavyequipment,andthey’veevengotsomethingcalledalandcruiser—anarmoredthingpoweredbysteamthat
cantraveloverlandwithoutrails.TheOligarchhasmoretrainedtroops...”
AsReynolwenton,Igotthefeelingthatawarbetweenthetwowouldbelongandbloodyandinnoone’sinterest,butwasn’tthattrueofmostwars?
Thereisahiddenadvantage
toimagingwhatappearstobenothing.
Jeudimorningwasdamp,raw,anddrizzling.IwasbackinMasterDichartyn’sstudy,morethanalittlecuriousabouttheimagertechniquesIwouldbelearning.Insteadof
sayinganythingimmediately,helookedatmeandfingeredhischin,asignthatalecture,aquestion,orsomethingelsetomakemethinkwasabouttobedelivered.
“Rhennthyl...haveyoueverconsideredthegovernmentaluniquenessofSolidar?”
“Comparedtoothergovernments?”
“AgainstwhatelsedidyouhaveinmindincomparingSolidarangovernment?”
Iwinced.Ihatedaskingstupidquestions.“Solidaroffersthegreatestrepresentationofcraftersinitsgovernment.”
“Withonlythreeguildrepresentatives?”
“Sir,youknowfarmorethanIdo,butnowherein
anythingIhavereaddoesitmentionthatotherlandsallowanycraftparticipation.”
“Notascrafters.Butinmostlands,thosewhopossessacertainamountofwealthdohaveavoiceingovernment,andsomeofthosearethemoresuccessfulcrafters.”
“There’sadifference.Thewealthyindividualrepresents
hiscoins,whilethecraftersrepresenttheinterestsofthosetowhomtheymustanswer—othercrafters.Also,thereisanimagerontheCouncil,andthecouncilorshavetorepresentdifferentpartsofSolidar.”
“Whatdoesthatmean,Rhenn?”
“TheCouncilhastorepresentmorethanthosein
powerinL’Excelsis.”
“DoesthatmatterwhentheCouncilhaspowerinandofitself?”
Iforcedmyselftostopandthinkbeforereplying.“ACouncilmemberhaspowerbecauseheisamemberoftheCouncilthatgovernsSolidar.Asarepresentativeofaguildorasanimager,suchamembermaynothavehad
powertoinfluencegovernmentbeforebeingselectedassucharepresentativeandmaynothavesuchpowerafterheceasesbeingaCouncilmember.Thosewithwealthcanalmostalwayspurchaseinfluenceinonefashionoranother.”
“WhatdoesthatmeanfortheaveragepersoninSolidar?”
“IwouldjudgethattheaveragepersoninSolidarhaslesstofearfromgovernmentthaninotherlands,andmoreofthemhaveachancetovoicetheirconcernswithoutfearofretribution.”
“Mostcarefullyworded,Rhenn,andgenerallyaccurate.Now...whatgovernmentstructureintheworldhaschangedtheleastoverthepastfourcenturies?”
“Ours.You’resuggestingourpowerandstabilityrestonwiderrepresentationofpower?”
“I’mtryingtogetyoutomaketheconnection.Whywouldthisbeso?”
“Becausewehavetospendfewercoinsinthingslikeputtingdownrevoltsandinhavingmorepatrollersinthecities?”
“Orincollectingtariffsandtaxes,”addedMasterDichartyn.“Thiscreatesalong-standingandrealproblemfortheCouncil.SomebothwithinSolidarandinotherlandsdonotliketheexamplethatSolidarpresentstotheworld.Thoseherefeelthattheirownpowerislimitedbysuchdiversity.Theoutsidersunderstandthatourpowerrestsonthediversity
ofourpoliticalstructurebecauseitallowsustotaxourpeoplelessanddevotemoreofthosetaxestomaintainingandexpandingourpower.TheyhavespentcenturiestryingtoundowhatthefirstCouncilbegan,bothbyexternalthreats,suchasattacksonourshippingandmerchants,andbyinternalattacks,suchasattemptedassassinationsofcouncilors
andothersinSolidar.
“IfnoorganizationinSolidardidwhatwedo,Solidarwouldlongsincehavereturnedtodespotismormercantileoligarchycenturiesago—orwewouldhavebeenforcedtospendtensofthousandsmoreingoldseveryyearonnon-imagercounterspiesandsecretpatrollersandmore,andthatwouldhavedestroyedwhat
Solidaris.IfanygroupundertheCouncil’scontrol—oranywhereinthegovernment—didwhatwedo,theywouldeventuallycontrolSolidar,withclosetothesameresult.Thatiswhythestandardssetforimagersaresohigh.Thatisanotherreasonwhyyouneedtoknowthelawsaswell,ifnotbetter,thananycityjusticeorcivicpatroller.Now...canyou
explainwhywecandothiswithoutbeingcorruptedbypower—asaninstitution?”
Thatseemeddirectenough.“BecausetheCollegiumhasastructuretominimizethedangersofcorruption.”
MasterDichartynnodded.“Thatispartoftheanswer.Thesecondpartisequallysimple.Wealsocanneverholdpowerbecausethe
peoplewouldnotstandforrulebyimagers,andweweedoutanyimagerswhodonotunderstandthat.Aboveall,youneedtorememberthat.Sometimes...letusjustsaythatonceortwiceinthepast,certainmastersfailedtorealizethatbasictruth,anddisasterforboththeCollegiumandSolidarwasnarrowlyaverted.”
Convictionranthrough
everywordMasterDichartynhadspoken.Evenso,Iwasn’tcertainIwouldhavebeenconvincedhaditnotbeenfortheeventsthathadbefallenmeoverthepastmonths—fromthetotalchangeinattitudebyRogarisandSagarynandevenStaelatobeingshotbysomeoneIdidn’tknowforreasonsIalsodidnotknow.
“Now...youneedtowork
onaparticularimagingtechnique.”Ashespoke,MasterDichartynplacedabowlofwateronthedeskandthenliftedashortglasstubefromsomewhere.Hesubmergedthetube,coveredtheendswithhisfingers,andthenheldupthewater-filledtube.“Youseethetube.Iwantyoutoimageair,justalittleoftheairaroundyou,intothemiddleofthetube.
Notenoughtofilltheentiretube—thatwellmightbreakit—butenoughtocreateabubbleaboutonedigitwideinthecenter.”
Imageairintowater?I’dhadtoimagethingsintothemiddleoftheair,unsupported,buttheotherwayaround?Iwonderedwhy,butI’dlearnedthatIseldomgottheexplanationsuntilafterImastereda
technique.
Ittookmealmostaglasstomanageitconsistently.
“That’senoughfornow.We’llworkondoingittoamovingtubetomorrow.”Atthatpoint,MasterDichartynsetdownthetube.“Now...besidesstudyingtheplansoftheCouncilChateau,youneedtosetupyourportraiturestudio.Grandisynhascleared
outasmallworkroomwithnorthernlightandmovedalltheequipmentandsuppliesinthere,butyouneedtoarrangeitsothatitsuitsyou.Ifyouneedotheritems,justtellhim.”
Ialmostlaughed.I’dworkedfornotquitetenyears,tryingtogettothepointwhereIcouldbecomeamasterportraituristandhavemyownstudio,andnowthat
Iwasanimager,IwasbeinggivenastudiowithalltheequipmentandpigmentsIwouldhavehaddifficultyaffording—almostasanasideandacover.
Theexcellenceofthecuisine
isbuthalfthemeal.
Inbetweensomerestingandmeals,ittookmetherestofJeudiandallofVendrei,besidesthetimewithMasterDichartyn,toorganizeastudiointheworkroomsetasideforme.Itwasagood
thingnooneexpectedmetobeginpaintingimmediately,becauseanumberofitemsweremissing,includingagrinder,amortarandpestle,certainoilsandwaxes,andaburnerandoldpots,nottomentionachairforwhoeverwouldbesittingforme.Still,GrandisynassuredmethemissingitemswouldbetherebyLundi.Thatwasfinewithme.
Samedimorning,afteranothersessionwithMasterDichartyn,IspentporingovertheplansoftheChateauandthentryingtodraweachfloorfrommemory.Ihadlunch,butwithsomethirdsIknewonlyslightly,beforereturningtomystudy.Itriedtotakeanap,butallIdidwasliethere.SoIalternatedstudyinganatomyandtheCouncilChateau.Bythetimethefour
bellsrang,Icouldn’tconcentrateonplansortextsanylonger.Iwashedupandwalkeddowntothemainlevel,andthenoutandacrossthequadrangle.
Twoofthesecondsheadedtowardmeeasedontoanadjoiningpath.Irecognizedthesecondbehindthem,whodidnotavoidme.“Shannyr,howarematterswithyou?”
“Well,thankyou.I’mgettingmarriedintwomonths.MasterDichartynhasapprovedquartersforusonthenorthend.They’resmall,butfarbetterthaneitherofuseverhoped.”
“That’swonderful!”Iwastrulyhappyforhim—andthem.I’dalwaysfeltthatShannyrwasagoodandsolidperson.“WouldIknowthelady?”
“Idon’tthinkso.HernameisCiermya.Sheworksasadrafterforanavalarchitect.”
“You’reafortunateman.”
“Iamthat.”Hepaused.“Sir,someofthesecondsaskedmetoconveytheirthanksifIsawyou.”
“DiaztandJohanyrwerethathardonthem?”
“Wordis...someofthem
hadsisters...andJohanyr...he’dthreatenthesisters...saythathecouldn’tberesponsibleforwhathappenedtotheirbrothers.”
“Themastersdidn’tknowthis?”
“No,sir.Ididn’tknowit,nottilllastweek.JohanyrandDiaztthreatenedtohurtthesistersiftheirbrotherssaidanything.”
Ihadn’trealizedjusthowmuchofabastardJohanyrhadbeen...andhowclever,becausehisschemeshadallrestedonthreats,andtheimplicationofforce,andprobablyminimaluseofimaging.IalsorealizedhowcalculatingMasterDichartynhadbeen.He’dmadesureJohanyrcouldn’timage,butwouldlive,andthewayeventshadtranspired
deprivedHighHolderRyelofanyofficialrecourse.Thatjustmadeitmorelikely,despitewhatMasterDichartynhadsaid,thatthedeadassassinhadbeensentaftermebyRyel...ormoreunfortunately,thatIhadsomethingworsetolookforwardto.“I’mgladIwasabletodosomethingaboutit,butIdidn’tknowthatwashappening.Ijustdidn’ttrust
them.”Ipaused.“Ihopenooneistryingtotaketheirplace.”
“NotthatIknow.”Hesmiled.“ButIwon’tbeworryingaboutsuchmuchlonger.”
“That’strue,andyoushouldn’thaveto.”Ithoughtforamoment.“PoorGherard.”
Shannyrlookedsurprised.
“Whoelseisthererightnow?”ShannyrhadkeptascloseawatchashecouldonthoseimagerswhowouldbesecondsformostoftheirtimeandlifeattheCollegium.MasterDichartynhadrewardedhim,andprobablythesamewouldbetrueofGherard.
“Thereisthat,I’dguess,sir.”
“Youhavemythanks,Shannyr,andgivemybesttoCiermya.”
“ThatIwill.”Hegavemeabroadsmileandcontinuedon.
Iturnedeastwardandmademywaytothebenchesonthewestsideoftheriver,whereIsatdownononeshadedbythelate-afternoonsuntowaitforSeliora,Odelia,andKolasyn.
Beforethatlong,threefiguresappearedonthebridge.Eachcarriedawickerbasket.Seliorawasattiredinamaroonskirt,acreamblouse,andashimmeringgrayvest.Assheneared,Irealizedthatshewasactuallywearingsplitskirts,farmorepracticalforapicnic.
Iboundedtomyfeet,surprisedthatIhad...andthatnothinghurt.
Seliorahurriedtomeetme,settingdownthebasketshehadcarried.Shegavemeagentlebutbriefembraceandadazzlingsmile.“You’relookingmuchbetter.”
“That’sbecauseyou’rehere.”
Sheblushedeversoslightly.
“Itoldyouhewasgallant,”OdeliamurmuredtoKolasyn.
“Oh...”Seliorahalf-turned.“You’venevermetKolasyn,haveyou?”
“No,Ihavenot.I’mpleasedtohavetheopportunity.”Iinclinedmyheadtohim.“BothOdeliaandSeliorahavespokenwellofyou.”
“Youhavetheadvantage,then.”Kolasynlaughed.“Theyrefusedtosayanything
aboutyou.”HewasclearlyolderthanIwas,butIdoubtedhewasquitesooldasOdelia,whoIsuspectedwasagoodfivetosixyearsolderthanSeliora.LikeOdelia,hewasrangyandredheaded,slightlytallerthanshewas,andhehadashortandneatlytrimmedbeard.Hiseyesweredarkbrown,andhissmilewaspleasant.Icouldn’thelplikinghim.
Seliorapickedashadedspot,butonethathadbeensun-warmedearlierintheday,sothat,whilethegrasswascool,itwasnotdamp,giventherainearlierintheweek.Then,fromherbasketcameablanketandanoilcloth,alongwithfourheavyglassesandtwobottlesofwine—awhitegrisioandaredCambrisio.FromOdelia’sbasketcameanarrayof
coveredwoodenbowlsandbaskets,morethanIbelievedcouldeverhavefitintoit.ThenSelioratookthebasketthatKolasynheldandlaidoutcutleryandutensils,andfourenormousnapkins.
Wheneverythingwassetonthecloth,Selioralookedatmeandsmiled.“Itishereforustoeat,youknow?”
Kolasynwasdeftwitha
corkscrew,andIhadaglassoftheCambrisio,asdidOdelia,whileheandSeliorahadgrisio.Therewasmorethanenoughfood,fromcrispyricefriesandalmond-stuffedpepperstoahoney-sourcrispybakedchickenandappleandcheesestrips,andawarmpeachandberrycobbler.
“Thisisexcellent.”IturnedtoSeliora,sittingnotquite
besideme.“Thankyou.”
“You’rewelcome,butMotherfixedmostofit.Ididthechicken,andOdeliadidthericefries.Motherdideverythingelse.”
“IthankyouandOdelia,andifyouwouldconveymythankstoyourmother?”
“Wecandothat.”
Everythingwasgood,but
thechickenandthecobblerweremyfavorites,andIdidhaveasmallsecondhelpingofthecobbler,butonlyaftereveryoneelsehadeatensome.
“Whatareyoustudyingnow?”Selioraasked.
“MoreabouttheCouncilandaboutimaging.Whataboutyou?”
Sheshookherhead.
“Nothingchanges.Thepeopledo,andthedetailsdo,buttheworkdoesn’t.IjustfinishedadesignfortheupholsteryonasetofdiningchairsforaHighHoldernearMontD’Artewelle.It’srather...bright.”
Odelialaughed.Thedesignandcolorshadtobemorethanjustbright.
“Whatareyouworkingon,
Kolasyn?”
“Ornamentalbronzefire-screencastings,andthefiretoolstogowiththemforahuntinglodge,aswellasanumberofgardenbronzes.”
Wetalkedforawhile,orratherIaskedabouttheirprojects,andthenlistened.AsIdid,itstruckmethatallofthemwereinvolvedincreatingthings—asIonce
hadbeen—andnowIwasbeingtrained,inaway,tokeepSolidarandothersfrombeinguncreated.
Odeliastood.“IsitallrightifKolasynandIwalkovertotheriver?”
“Onthisside,nearthebridge,”Ireplied.They’dbesafeanywhere,butIdidn’tliketheideaoftheirbeingtoofaraway,althoughIcouldn’t
havesaidwhy.IturnedtoSelioraandliftedmyglass,whichheldbutasmallremnantofwine.“Ican’ttellyouhowmuchIappreciatethis.”
“Ienjoyedputtingittogether.”
“I’mlookingforwardtothetimeIcanleaveImagisle,”Ibegan,“butthatislikelytobeagoodthreeweeks.”Itwas
hardtobelievethatspringhaddepartedandthatitwouldbefullsummerbytheseventhofJuyn.
Selioranodded,butIcouldsensethattherewasmore.
“Whatisit?”
“FatherandAuntAeginaaresendingShomyrandmewithGrandmamaonatriptoKherseilles,Asseroiles,andthenforamonthatthebeach
nearPointeNeimon.TheheatofthesummershereishardonGrandmama.Mamathinksthatwecanalsovisitanumberofthetextilemillsweorderfrom.They’rewithinaneasytripontheironwayfromPointeNeimon.”
“Aneasytrip?”EvenIknewthatwasn’tso.“Comparedtowhat?”
“ThetriptoAsseroilesand
Kherseilles.”Hersmilewashalfwry,halfmischievous.
“Whenareyouleaving?”
Shesmiledfaintly.“WedepartnextJeudi.FatherwasabletoarrangeacompartmentontheExpress.”
SomehowIhadthefeelingthattherewasmoretoitthanthat.“I’mnotPharsi,butIhaveafeelingaboutthis
trip.”
“SodoesGrandmama.Shesaysthatitwillbebetterthisway.”
Betterforwhom?
“Shealsosaysthatyou’remorePharsithanyouthink.”
“Soareyou,”Ireplieddryly.
Forthebriefestofinstants,Selioralookedstunned.Not
hurt,buttrulysurprised.“Whydidyousaythat?”
“Becauseyouare.Youseethings.HowmanyPharsiswouldhavesensedenoughtolookoutthewindowatFelters?Youdidn’tseetheassassin.Youfelthimfirst.Isn’tthatright?”
ForamomentSelioradidn’tsayanything.“Whendidyounotice?”
Ismiled,althoughIdidn’tfeelmuchlikeit.“Inaway,Isawitthen,butIdidn’trealizeorunderstandwhatI’dseen.”
“They’renottryingtoseparateus,Rhenn.Mamahadplannedtohaveyoufordinnerthisweek.Shedidmostofthis.”Selioragesturedatallthedishesandbowlsontheoilcloth.“That’sbecauseshelikesyou.As
soonaswereturn,andyoucanleaveImagisle,Mamawantsyoutocomefordinner.Shesaidarealdinner.”
IcouldtellthatSeliorameanteveryword,butstill...“Whatdothey—oryou—see?”
“I’drathernotsay.”
“Isitthatbad?”
Sheshookherhead.“I’m
tryingtokeepitfrombeingbad.Youhavetounderstand,Rhenn.There’sa...it’sacurseofsortsthatcomeswiththesight.Toooften,we’vefound,ifthingsarebad,butnottoobad,andwewarnsomeone,especiallysomeonewecareabout,intheireffortstoavoidwhatwesawmighthappen,theymakeitworse.”
Ididn’tlikewhatshesaid,especiallyaboutthingsbeing
bad,butIcouldseehowthatcouldhappen.IfI’dbeenwarnedaboutJohanyr,Imightwellhavetriedtobelessharsh,andImighthavebeentheoneheadedtoMontD’Glace.“Youdidn’tknowabouttheassassin?”
“It’sharderwithyou.Itoldyouwhy.Mamajusttoldmetobeverycareful.”Shepaused.“Youhavetounderstand.Iwouldn’tbe
tellingyouthisnowifyouweren’tanimager.”
“BecausepeoplethinkofPharsisandimagersinthesameway?”
Shenodded.“Peopledon’tlikethosewhodothingstheycan’tunderstand.”
I’dalreadyseenthat.“Doeshavingthesighthelpinyourbusiness?”
“Sometimes.Attimes,Icanseesomeonewho’spleasedandevengetaglimpseofthedesign.MotherandGrandmamaarebetteratsensingwhatpeoplelike.”
“Betweenallthreeofyou,thatgivesyouagreatadvantage.”
“OnlybecausePapaandShomyrarefinecrafters.Thecraftofthefurnitureandthe
designtogether...”
“AreallthemostsightedPharsiswomen?”
Seliorasmiledandtiltedherhead.“Mostly,butthat’sbecauseyouhavetotrustyourfeelings.Mostmenthinktoomuch.”
Itookherhandinmine.
“That’stheoneareawheretheydon’tthinkenough.”But
shewassmiling,andherwordsweresoftandwarm.
“Andwomendo?”Igrinnedather.
“Whenwefindwhatweknowandfeelisright,wedon’tkeeplooking.Anywomanwhodoeshasn’tfoundwhat’sright.”Herlipsquirked.“There’salwaystheproblemthattherightmanwon’trecognizethatshe’sthe
rightwoman.”
Herwordsshiveredthroughme,becausetheymademethinkofRemaya,whohadseenRouselandneverletgo.WhatifRouselhadn’tseen?WasSelioratherightwomanforme?OrwasImerelytherightmanforher?Thetwoweren’tnecessarilythesamething.I’dcertainlywantedtobewithher,but...howwouldI
know?Reallyknow?AndwasIthinkingtoomuch?
“Yes.Youarethinkingtoomuch.”Shelaughed.
“Doyoureadthoughtsaswell?”
“Onlywhenthey’rewrittenonyourface.”
Ilaughed.Wemightbeclosetothesameage,butinonearea,atleast,shewasfar
olderandwiser.SoIsaidjustthat.
“It’sagoodthingyouknowyourweaknesses,Rhenn,”shereplied.“Youdon’thavemany,andthatcanmakeyoumostvulnerable.Toomanymenwithfewweaknessesdeludethemselvesintobelievingtheyhavenone.”
“Oh...Ihaveweaknesses,
andyou’redefinitelyoneofthem.”
Wetalkedforalongtime,notsayingallthatmuch,butenjoyingthebanterandtheearlyevening,anditwaswellpasttheseventhbellwhenIfinishedhelpingSelioraandOdeliapackeverythingbackintotheirwickerbasketsandthenwalkedtothebridgewiththem.
There,ontheedgeofthebridge,Selioraturnedtomeandslippedherarmsaroundme,thenliftedherheadandlips.Wedidkiss,anditwasanythingbutbrief.
Whenwefinallyreleasedeachother,shelookedup.“Youwillcometodinnerwhenwecomeback.”Herwordswereanythingbutaquestion.
“Ipromise.”
Istoodonthebridgeandwatcheduntilthethreeofthemcaughtahack,andIwasgladthatOdeliaandKolasynwerewithSeliora,competentasshewas.
Awinkisnotasgoodasa
well-chosenphrase;inintrigue,it’sbetter.
Thenextweekandahalfgraduallygotharderandharder,bothintermsofmylessonswithMasterDichartynandtheinterrogationsthatresulted
fromthosestudies;theexercisesrequiredbyClovyl,whichweredesignedtoincreasemystrengthandstaminawithoutstrainingundulymyrecoveringinjuries;andthesessionswithMaitreDyana.
IthoughtaboutSeliora,morethanalittle,butgenerallyduringtheday,becauseIwassotiredatnightthatIfellasleepquickly.
MaitreDyanahadmereadandmemorizeasetofhandwrittennotesandobservationsonHighHolders,andthenshewouldquizme.OnthefirstJeudiinJuyn,shetookthenotesback.“Bynow,youshouldunderstandthatconversationismorethanmerewords.Itisacombinationofinflections,innuendos,gestures,anddrywit.Fewnotbornintothat
cultureevermastertheintricacyofconversingwellinthatstyle,butsomeonesuchasyoucouldcertainlylearnenoughtointerpretwhatliesbeyondthewords.”
“Especiallyasamerchant-bornyoungmanneverexpectedtobemorethananaide?”
Sheignoredmyquestion,clearlydeemingitrhetorical
andunworthyofareply.“ThedifficultyfacedbytheHighHoldersisthatmanyofthemequateintricacyandcomplexitywithintelligence.Thedifficultyfacedbythosewhodonotunderstandintricacyandnonverbalcomplexityisthattheyoftencannotdistinguishbetweenmerecomplexityforthesakeofcomplexityandcomplexitythatmasksmotivesand
intelligenceoftenfargreaterthanisusuallyencountered.”
Ithoughtforamoment.“ThemorepowerfulHighHolderswouldnotremainsowithoutbothwealthandintelligence,butthewebofcomplexitythatveilsallHighHolderscanshieldtheactionsofthemoreintelligentanddeadly,oftenuntilitistoolatetodiscernthepatternandresults.”
“Dichartynbelievesyoucanseebeyondthecomplexity.”MaitreDyanaraisedherrighteyebrow,agesturefarmoreeffectivethanwordscouldhavebeen.
“Youhavegreatdoubts,butyou’rewillingtomaketheattempt.”Ismiledpolitely.“Ican’tdoagesturelikethat,butevenifIcould,wouldn’titbeoutofcharacterforaman?”
“Foranymanthoughttobeinterestedinwomen.”
IhaddoubtsthatI’dbeterriblyconvincingasanyothertypeofman.
“Maintainthatpleasant,close-to-but-not-quite-supercilioussmilethrougheverything,youngRhennthyl,anditwillsaveyoumanywordsandmuchdifficulty.Donoteverforgetthaton
theiractualholding,HighHoldersretaintherightsoflowjustice,andthatcanbequitepainful.”Herfacechangedslightly,inamannerIcouldnothavedescribed,butcouldcertainlyhavepainted,andtherewaspleasantinterest,behindwhichwasahintofcoldpredation.
“Isthattheexpressiononereceivesjustafterswallowing
poisonorgettingaknifeintheback?”
“No.”Hervoicewassweetlypleasant.“Thatistheexpressionusedwhensomeonehasjustreceivedwordthattheyhaveruinedyou.It’sanexpressionoftriumphoversomeonewhousedtobeanequal.TheHighHoldersseldomkilleachother...orthosewhohavedonethemgreatwrong.That
isfartookind.”
WhatwasleftunsaidwasthataHighHolderwhodidnotdisposeofanunderlingwhoneededitwasconsideredweak,aswasonewhoactuallyhadtoattempttokillanequal,ratherthanruininghimandhisfamily.ButitalsosuggestedthatHighHolderRyelmightwellhaveworseinmindformethanassassination...andovera
longtime.
Herfacechangedagain.Now,behindthesmilelaycontemptuouspity.
“That’sdisposalofinferiors?”
“Good.”
ThatwasmyintroductiontotheconversationalpatternsoftheHighHolders,butMaitreDyanawasjust
beginning.Attheendofoursession,shehandedmeabook.“Thisisanovel.Readit.Partofitisaccurate.Partisnot.WewilldiscussitonMardi.”
ThatwasontopofMasterDichartyn’slatestassignment—todescribewithasupportingprooftheeasiestwaystoentertheCouncilChateauandreachtheprivatestudiesofthecouncilors
withoutbeingdetected.Ihadthefeelingthattheweekendwouldbelong,bothbecauseoftheworkIhadtodo...andbecauseIwouldnotbeseeingSeliora.
Messenger/Guard
Silenceisnotgolden;itis
onlyatoollikeanyother.
Attheendofthefollowingweek,MasterDraffydexaminedmeandsaidthatIcouldgobacktoastrongerconditioningregime,andwhateverimagingMasterDichartynhadinmind.Ihad
notreceivedaletterfromSeliora,butIcouldn’tsayIwastotallysurprised,notwhensheandShomyrwerestilltraveling.Ididreceivealetterfrommymother,expressingconcernandwantingtoknowifandwhenshecouldvisit.Iwrotebackthatbecauseofthenatureofmytrainingitwouldbeseveralweeksyet.Ijustdidn’twanttohaveto
explain.SomeofwhathadhappenedIknewshouldn’tleavetheCollegium,andMotherdidn’trespondwelltomyrefusingtosaymuch.Ialsodidn’twanttomentionSeliora,notyet.Notuntilaftershereturnedfromhertrip.IthadtakenMotheryearstoacceptRemaya,andIwasn’tabouttoraisethatissueuntilIwasabsolutelycertainthatSelioraandI
belongedtogether.
ThenextLundi—Juynsixteenth—IhadbarelysettledintothechairinMasterDichartyn’sstudywhenhesaid,“Yourmessengeruniformsarrived,didtheynot?”
“Yes,sir.Theyfitcomfortably.”
“Theyshould.It’stimeforyoutogotowork.You’llbe
goingtotheChateaueverymorningforthenextthreeweeks.Intheafternoons,Clovylwillstillworkwithyou,andI’lloccasionallygiveyouinstructionandexercises.WhentheCouncilresumesmeetingofficiallyonthesecondofAgostos,you’llbethereallday,everyday,andsomeevenings.”Hepaused.“Butyouwillbeexpectedtocontinuethe
physicalconditioning.Afteryoubeginfull-timeattheChateau,you’llbejoiningthegroupthatexercisesatfifthbelleverymorningbutSolayi.”
WhatcouldIsaytothatbut“Yes,sir.”ThenIasked,“WitheverythinggoingonbetweenCaenenandFerrumandTiempre,theCouncil’snotmeeting?”
“TheExecutiveCouncilisstillthere.Effectively,theycontrolthegovernment.Thefullsessionsdealmorewithlawsandproblems.”Heclearedhisthroat.“AttheChateau,Baratynwillbriefyouonyourduties.He’sinchargeofthemessengers,boththeimagersandthenon-imagerswhohandlemostofthemessages.Alloftheimagersarelistedaspart-time
messengersandsecurityaides.Theregularmessengersaren’tsupposedtoknowthatyou’reimagers,buttheyallknowyou’vebeentrainedtodealwithweaponsandattackers.NowforBaratyn—he’saMaitreD’Aspect,buthe’slistedontheofficialpublicCollegiumrecordsasatertius.”
“Yes,sir.AmIsupposedtoknowwhotheotherimagers
are?”
“Youare,andthey’resupposedtoknowyou.Baratynwillintroduceyou.YouwearthemessengeruniformhereattheCollegiumonlywhenyou’reonyourwaytoandfromtheChateau.Allofyoutravelusingadutycoachthat’sgenerallyindistinguishablefromahack.Ifnecessary,youcantakeahackback,butonly
sofarasWestRiverRoad.TheCouncilmembersknowthatsomeofthemessengersareimagers,and,soonenough,mostofthesharperoneswillbeabletopickyouout,buttheydon’tsayanythingbecausetheirsafetyrestsonyou.”
“WhatabouttheHighHolders?”IknewthattherewerefiveHighHoldersontheCouncil,andIwasglad
thatRyelwasnotoneofthem.Hehadbeen,yearsearlier,butcouncilorswerelimitedtotwoconsecutivefive-yearterms.Iftheywishedandtheirappointingbodyagreed,theycouldreturnafterstandingdownforafullterm.
“EvenifRyelwereacouncilor,you’dbequitesafefornow,andalwaysintheChateau.Yoursituationisn’t
thefirsttimethatsortofthinghasoccurred.HighHoldersneveractprecipitously.Oftentheywaitmonthsorevenyears.”
Thatdidn’treassureme.
“There’soneothermatter.Usuallysomenewmessenger,oroccasionallyarelativeofoneofthecouncilors,generallyayoungwoman,willaskifyou’rean
imagerorinsistthatyoumustbe.YouaretosayyouareassignedtoservetheCouncil.Iftheygetveryinsistent,youmaysaythattheycanbelievewhattheywish,butthetruthisthatyouareassignedtotheCouncil.Thatiswhatyouaretosay,andallyouaretosay.Isthatclear?”
“Yes,sir.”
MasterDichartynstood.
“Goputonyourmessengeruniform.I’llmeetyouatthewestduty-coachstationbehindthedininghallinhalfaglass.”
Iwalkedquicklybacktomyquartersandchanged.Themessengeruniformwasmadeofafinelightweightblackwool,trimmedwithagraypipingsofaintincolorthatitwasalmostwhite.Fineasthewoolwas,andthinasthepale
grayshirtthatwentundertheshort-waistedjacketwas,IdidhopethatIdidn’thavetospendmuchtimeinthesun,notinthesummer.
MychangingwasswiftenoughthatIwaswalkinguptothedutycoachatalmostthesamemomentasMasterDichartyn.Hesaidnothing,butgesturedformetoenterthecoach.
Becausehehadnotspoken,IwaiteduntilthecoachbegantomovebeforeIasked,“DoyouknowwhatishappeningwithourfleetsandtheCaenenans,sir?”
“Nomorethanisinthenewsheets,Rhennthyl.”
ThatwaslittlehelpbecauseneitherVeritumnorTabletacontainedanythingbutvaguespeculation.“Whatdoyou
thinkwillhappen?”
“TheCaenenansandtheirHighPriestwilldosomethingfoolishoutofpride,and,hopefully,wewilldosomethinglessfoolishtokeepopenwarfarefromflaringup.”Hefingeredhischin,thenloweredhishand.
Iwaited.Sometimessilencewasabetterwaytogetaresponse.
“Lifeisalwaysaboutpower.Whenmenornationstalkabouthonor,whattheymeanishowothersperceivetheirpower.Whenamanclaimshishonorhasbeenaffronted,whatheissayingisthatanother’sactions,ifunchallenged,maydiminishhispowerintheeyesofothers.Thesameistrueofnations.TheCollegiumdoesnotcareaboutthepopular
perceptionsofpower,unlessthoseperceptionsactuallydiminishSolidar’spower.Oftenourdutiesrequireredressingthebalanceofpowerwithoutanyovertuseofmilitaryoreconomicforce.ThatisallIwillsayfornow,butItrustyouwillconsidermywordscarefullyasyouwatchtheCouncilandthosewhomovearoundit,pratingofhonorwhentheyarein
realitymerelyseekingtohavetheCouncilincreasetheirpowerordiminishthatofanother.”
Ialreadyunderstoodthat.Awoolimporterbenefitedwhenimporttariffswerelowered,andIhadheardmyfatherrailonaboutthelackofhonorintheCouncilinnottariffingcertainfinishedfabrics,butthatwasbecausethosefabricswenttoother
factors.
MyeyesstrayedoutsideasthecoachcarriedusovertheBridgeofDesires,nottheotherbridgeonthewestsideofImagisle,whichwastheBridgeofStones,becausethatwasusedalmostentirelyforheavywagonsandthelike.WerodewestpastthemodestspiresofCouncilAnomen,sonamedbecauseitwastheanomenclosesttothe
CouncilChateau,notbecausethecouncilorsnecessarilyattendedservicesthere,andthendowntheBoulevardD’CouncilagoodmilleandahalftoCouncilHill,ringedbyawideavenue,withtheSquareofJusticeontheplazatothesouth.Eightavenuesorboulevardsradiatedfromtheringroad,butnoneofthemwereallthatheavilytraveled,notthewaythoseeastofthe
riverwere.ThecoachturnedsouthonCouncilCircle,thencametoastopontheeastside,justoppositeasmallposterngateinthewhitealabasterwall.IgotoutandwaitedforMasterDichartyn.
Hewalkeduptotheblackirongate.Ifollowedhim.Theguardstandingbehindthechest-highgrillworkworeablackuniformsimilartomine,exceptforathinblack
cottonwaistcoatratherthanafullcoat.Healsohadalargepistolinabeltholsterandatruncheon.
Henodded.“Anothermessenger,MasterDichartyn?”
“Yes.ThisisRhennthyl.Hestartstoday.”
Theguardstudiedme,thennodded.Irealizedthathewasanobdurate,butthatmade
sense.Heopenedtheirongate.
Behindthewallandgatewasanarrowstonewalk—alsowhite,butwhitegranite—thatledtoanequallynarrowsetofstepsleadingupthesideofthelowhillonwhichtheChateausat.Evenso,thereweremorethanahundredstepsbeforewereachedastoneterracesurroundedbyawaist-high
alabasterwall.BythenIwassweating,butIwasn’tbreathinghard,andthatIowedtoClovyl.NeitherwasMasterDichartyn,either,andhe’dsetaquickpaceupthesteps.Theterracehadbuttwoexits—thestepsandadoorinthewalloftheChateau.
“Thisisthewayyoualwaysenter—unlessyouhavespecificinstructionsotherwise.”MasterDichartyn
openedthedoor,andwesteppedoutoftheglareoftheblazingsunintowhatseemedcoolgloom,althoughIknewthatwasonlybycomparison.
Insidewasanotherarmedobdurateguard.MasterDichartynnoddedinmydirection.“ThisisRhennthyl.He’sthenewestmessenger.”
“Yes,sir.”
Beyondtheguardwasa
circularfoyerwithnarrowcorridorsleadingoutofitbothtotheleftandright.MasterDichartyntooktherightcorridor.Thewallswereplainwhitestone,oldbutspotless,eachblockpreciselycut,withbutthethinnestlineofmortaratthejoins.Thefloortileswereofpolishedgrayslate.Despitetheimmaculateappearance,therewasasenseofage,perhaps
becausetherewerenoembellishmentsordecorations.
Theshortcorridorendedatawiderone,themaincorridorrunningnorthandsouthontheeastsideofthegroundleveloftheChateau.There,MasterDichartynturnedleft,stoppingatthefirstdoor,whichwasopen.
“Baratyn...I’vebrought
youyournewmessenger.”
Thestudywassmallandwithoutwindows,althoughtherewasaventilationgratehighontheeastwall,andheldamodestdeskwithdrawersandawoodenfilecaseononewall.Twochairsstoodbeforethedeskandone,witharms,behindit.
“MasterDichartyn.”Baratynsteppedforwardand
beckonedforustoenter.HewasafewdigitsshorterthanIwas,withshort-cutbrownhair,asquarishchin,andeyesthatseemedtochangecolors,frombrowntohazeltolightgreen,evenasIlookedathim.Likeme,heworethegray-trimmedblackuniform,exceptontheshortstiffjacketcollarsweretwosmallpewtertriangles—oneoneachcollar.“You’dbeRhennthyl.”
“Yes,sir.”Iinclinedmyhead.
Henodded,thenturnedtowardMasterDichartyn.
“That’sall.RhennthylwillbeheremorningsuntiltheCouncilreconvenesofficially”
“Thatshouldbelongenoughtogethimsquaredaway.”
EvenbeforeBaratynfinishedspeaking,theseniorimagerwasgone.
Baratynlookedtome.“Basylwillbehereinamoment.He’soneoftheseniorregularmessengers.He’llshowyouaround.Ifheaskswhereyou’refrom,tellhimwhereyourfamilylives.”
Iwassparedhavingtoanswerbecauseatthat
momentwewerejoinedbyBasyl,athin,almostfrailman,agoodtenyearsolderthanmebyhislooks,withwidegrayeyesunderbrownhairsodarkitwasnotquiteblackandanarrowchin.“Yousentforme,sir?”
“Idid.Rhennthylhereisthenewsecuritysupportmessenger.”
“I’mpleasedtomeetyou,”
Ioffered.
Henoddedpolitely.“Thesame.”
“I’dappreciateitifyou’dgiveRhennthylatouroftheChateau,particularlytheroutesandplaceshe’llneedtoknowasamessengeroncetheCouncilreconvenes.”
“Yes,sir.”Henoddedsomberly.“Areyouready?”
“Yes.”
AssoonaswesteppedoutofBaratyn’sstudy,Basylgestureddownthelongcorridor.“Onthislevelarethestudiesfortheadvisorstothecouncilors.Theyhavethebiggerstudies,theoneswiththewindows.Thesmallerstudiesareforthestaff,likeBaratynandPelagryn.”
“Pelagryn?”
“He’sinchargeofthemaintainers.Ofcourse,Chasylmarhasthenortheastcornerstudyonthislevel.”
“Ihaven’tmetChasylmar.”
“He’stheChateausteward,andhisstudyisthebigoneinthenortheastcorner.Thecornerstudiesarethebest,becausethey’vegotwindowsontwowallsandyoucangetabreezethere.Uponthe
CouncillevelthethreeExecutiveCouncilmembershavethreeofthefourcornerstudies,andthemostseniorguildrepresentativehastheother—that’sCouncilorRamon.”
Basylledmeallthewayaroundthemaincorridoronthegroundlevel,pointingouteverything,fromwhosestudywaswhere,thewaitingroomformessengers,andwhere
thestaffjakeswereandthetwocircularstaircases.Wetooktheoneinthenortheastcornerdowntothelowerlevel,whichheldthekitchen—andadumbwaiterthatrandirectlyuptotheupperpantryofftheCouncildiningchamber.Thentherewerestoreroomsforeverything,variousworkrooms,andotherspacesforthemaintainersandtheirequipment.From
therewetookthenorthweststaircaseuptothethirdandtopmostlevel,whichheldthemainCouncilchamber,thesmallerExecutiveCouncilchamber,thecouncilors’lounge,theirdiningchamber,andallthestudies.
Basylstoppedatthetopofthegrandstaircasethatleddowntothefoyerholdingalltheartwork,whichhehadnotshownme,butwhichI
recalled.“Howdidyouenduphere?”
“Iwasajourneymanportriaturist.Itdidn’tworkout.Aftermymaster’sdeath,noneofthemastersintheguildwantedtotakeonanotherjourneyman,especiallyonesoold.”
“You’renotthatold.”
“I’llbetwenty-fiveshortly,andthat’soldtobeginwith
anothermasterinportraiture.”
“Yourfamily...theymusthave...mustknowpeople.”
“Myfatherisawoolfactor.HewishesIhadthattalent.Whataboutyourfamily?”
“He’satinkerofsorts.Hehasasmallshop.Peoplebringthingstohimtobefixedorsharpened.I’mnotthatgoodwithmyhands,but
I’mquick,andIneverforgetanythinganyonetellsme.That’susefulforamessenger.”Basylnoddedslowly,thenturnedandledthewaydownthegrandmainstaircase—theoneIhadlastbeheldmorethantenyearsearlier.We’dbarelyreachedthebottomwhenBaratynappearedholdinganenvelope.
“Basyl...Ineedthisrun
toChasylmar.He’snotinhisstudy,andIdon’thavetimetotrackhimdown.”
Theseniormessengernoddedandtooktheenvelope.“Yes,sir.”
“Youcomewithme,Rhennthyl.”
Baratyndidn’tsayanythinguntilwewereinsidehisstudy.“Ifyou’dclosethedoor...”
Idid,thensatdownafterhe’dseatedhimselfbehindthedesk.
“YouansweredBasyl’squestionsaccuratelyandyetwithoutrevealinganything.”
Howhadheknownthat?“Wasthatatest?Aretherelisteningtubeseverywhere?”
“Ofsorts.Onlyinthecorridors.That’soneoftheotherthingswemonitor.You
will,too,intime.Withwhatwedoandyouwillbedoing,everythingisatest.Butthen,mostoflifeis.Mostpeoplejustdon’trealizeit—ordon’twanttothinkaboutit.Atthemoment,evenwithyou,we’reshorthanded.”Helaughed.“We’realwaysshorthanded.Therearethreeofyouasmessengersandsilentguards...andme.Inanemergencywecancallon
oneortwoothers,butthatincludesMasterDichartyn,andhe’snotalwaysavailable.Theothertwosecuritymessengersshouldbehereanymoment.Whilewe’rewaiting,doyouhaveanyquestions?”
“Howmanyregularmessengers?”
“Justfour.That’senoughtoallowoneortwotobesent
offCouncilHill,ifnecessary.”
Attheknockonthedoor,Baratyncalledout,“Comeonin.”
Istood.Ididn’tlikebeingseatedwhenmeetingotherpeople,particularlywhentheywerestanding.Thedooropened,andtwomensteppedinside.Thesecondoneclosedthedoor.Bothofthemwere
aboutmysize,andatleastseveralyearsolder.Theylookedalmostpolitelynondescript,yetIcouldsensethatbehindthatfacade,theywereformidable.WasthatthekindofimpressionthatMasterDichartynwasseeking—someonewhocouldblendintoanygroup,yetwho,ifyoulookedclosely,youreallydidn’twanttoencounterindarkcorners?
“Rhennthyl,meetMartylandDartazn.Martylistheblondone.”
Martylsmiledpolitely.“Begoodtohavesomehelphere.”
“Especiallythewaythingslooktobegoing,”addedthedark-hairedanddark-eyedDartazn,whowasjustashadetallerthanMartyl.
“IhadBasylgivehimthe
generaltour,”saidBaratyn.“Youtwocanshowhimalltheplaceshereallyneedstoknow.He’llonlybeheremorningsforthenextfewweeks.They’rerushinghistrainingsothathe’llbeasreadyaspossiblewhentheCouncilgoesbackinsession.”
Dartaznlookedatme,hisbrowsfurrowed.“YouusuallysitwithKahlasaand
theotherfieldoperatives,don’tyou?AttheCollegium,Imean?”
“Ido.ThatwasbecauseIgottoknowClaustynwhenIbecameathird.”
“You’retheonewhotookabulletneartheheartandmanagedtoimage-shieldituntilMasterDraffydcouldtakecareofit.”
Ihadn’trealizedthebullet
wasthatclose.“Twobullets,actually,butIdidn’tknowitatthetime.AndIpassedoutalittlebitbeforeIgottoMasterDraffyd.”
“Claustynhopedyou’dgofield,”addedMartyl.
“Thatwouldhavebeenmysecondchoice,”Iadmitted.
“Youthreecantalklater,”Baratynsaid,“attheCollegium,nothere.”
“Yes,sir,”repliedMartylgenially.“Allthewallsbutthoseherehaveears.Wehearandunderstand.”
“Go!”ButBaratynwassmiling.
Weleft.
BythetimeIclimbedintothedutycoachattenbells,withMartylandDartazn,myheadwasswimmingwiththeeffortoftryingtoremember
allthehiddennooksandpassages.
“WegetlunchattheCollegiumwhentheCouncil’snotinfullsession,”Martylexplained.“That’sbecausetheyclosedownthekitchenstogivethestafftheirsummerbreak.TheChateau’spracticallydesertednow.”
Thatwasfinewithme.I’dneedallthreeweekstoreally
learnwhereeverythingwas—andthatwasinspiteofmystudyoftheChateau’splans.
Implyingguiltinwritingis
likeeatingfoodheldtoolong,providingneithersatisfactionnorsavor.
OnMardi,twoletterswerewaitinginmyboxwhenIcheckedafterlunch,butIwasrunningsolatethatallIdidwastoseethatonewasfrom
Seliora.Ididn’topenit,becauseIwantedtoenjoyreadingit,andIdidn’thavetimeforthat.TheotherwasfromMother.Ihadimmediatelyrecognizedherhandwriting.Ididn’topenit,either,ifforverydifferentreasons,beforeIhurriedbacktomyquartersandchangedintoexerciseclothesandheavyboots.
Clovylwaswaitingoutside
theexercisehall,withhisusualpatientsmile,asmilethat—Iwasconvinced—concealedahiddengleeinatthethoughtofhowhardhe’dmakemework.
“Goodafternoon,Rhenn.Youstillhavealotmorecatchinguptodo.”
Ifollowedhimtothechamber,whereIbeganontheloosening-upexercises,
althoughmyeyesdidstraytothecornerthatheldthefreeweights.Itwasn’tthattheyweresoheavy,butmymusclesburnedafterIwentthroughthatroutine—andIstillhadtolookforwardtoanothertwoglassesofspecialtreatment.
Oncehehadworkedmeoverthoroughlyforslightlymorethantwoglasses,ClovyltoldmetostopbyMaster
Dichartyn’sstudyafterIcleanedup.
Theoneadvantageofanafternoonshowerwasthatthewaterwasmerelycool,ratherthanice-cold,andbeforelongIwassittingonthebenchoutsideMasterDichartyn’sstudy.IfI’dknownthatI’dbesittingthereforclosetohalfaglassIwouldhavebroughtMother’sletter,butI’dbeenhurryingsomuchthatI
hadn’tthoughtaboutthat.
Thestudydooropened,andasecondussteppedout.Istood,andhiseyesflashedtomeandthenaway.
“Goodday,sir.”Hefledasmuchaswalkedaway.
Iknocked.
“Comein,Rhenn.”
Onceinside,Ishutthedoorandsatdown,waitingtosee
whatelseMasterDichartynhadscheduledforme.
“Clovylsaysthatyou’redoingwell,andthat,ifyoukeepatit,you’llbeclosetowhereyoushouldbebythetimetheCouncilreconvenes...whereyoushouldbeintermsofphysicaltrainingandconditioning.You’restilllackinginfinesseinyourimagery,butweneedtogetyousomeexperience.On
Jeudimorning,you’retomeetmehereinthemorningathalfbeforefifthbell.We’llbegoingtotheprisonforanexecution.”
“Practice,sir?”
“Twokindsofpractice.Subtletyandeffectiveness.Thatnight,you’llhavetoworkwithMasterDraffyd.Mostly,you’lljustbewatchinghimdoadissection.
Toomuchofyourknowledgeistextknowledge.That’snotyourfault,butit’ssomethingweneedtoremedy.”Hestood.“Youhavetoexcuseme,butmattersarepressing.”
“CaenenandJariola,sir?”
“Partly.That’smostlyMasterSchorzat’sheadache.Itdoesn’thelpmuchthatimagingisbannedinTiempre,andthatitspractice,
ifdiscovered,ispunishedbyexecution.Ferrumdoesn’tbanit,butknownimagersfacegreatdifficulties.Thatmakesworkingineitherlandevenmoredifficult,theNamelessknows,althoughneitherFerrumnorJariolaisaplacewe’dnormallywanttobe.You’dthinkthatwewerethedisciplesofBilbryn.”Heshookhishead.
Bilbryn?Ittookmea
momenttorecallthename.WhenSolidarhadbeenwarringstatesusingbronzeweapons,he’dbeentheimagerchampionofRexCaldor,andhisenemiescalledhimthegreatdiscipleoftheNamer,declaringhimevilincarnate.
“I’llseeyouonJeudi,”MasterDichartynsaid.
Ourmeetinghadbeenshort
enoughthatIhadagoodglassleftbeforedinner,andIhurriedbacktomyquarters.Oncethere,Irecoveredtheletters,openingMother’sfirst,knowingfullwellwhatawaitedme.Iforcedmyselftoreadthewordscarefully.
DearRhennthyl,
Ihadhopedthatwewouldbe
abletohostabirthdaydinnerforyouthisSamediandperhapsinviteZerlenyaoranothersuitableyounglady,ifyoudidnotfindZerlenyatoyourliking.Idohopethatyouarefeelingbetter,butIcannothelpbutworry,sincewehavenotheardfromyousinceyourlastletter.Idohopethatwehavenotdoneanythingtooffendyou.IhadonlyinvitedZerlenyabecause
sheisabeautifulandintelligentyoungwoman,andyouhadmentionedthattherewerefewwomenatallonImagisle...
Ipausedinreading,thenshookmyhead.
...andyouarenowreachingtheagewhereitwillbecomemoreandmoredifficulttofindsomeonesuitable,asthemostattractiveonesfromasuitablebackgroundwillalreadyhavebeenspokenfor....
Asuitablebackgroundwasapolitewayofsaying
someonewhowasatleastfromthefactoringorfullmerchantclassandmostpreferablynotPharsi.
...Thatis,ofcourse,amatterwithwhichyoumustdeal,butwewereonlytryingtobehelpful.
Thatwasdoubtlesstrue,butIdidn’tneedtoberemindedofit.
Wewouldstillverymuchliketohaveabelatedcelebrationofyourtwenty-fifthbirthday.IdohopethatthisfindsyouingoodhealthandthatyouwillletusknowwhenwemayexpectyouorwhenImay
visityou.
ThelastthingIwantedtodowaswriteareply,butdoingsoquicklywouldreducetheamountofguiltMotherwouldattempttolayatmyfeet.Isetasidethestill-unopenedletterfromSelioraandwroteaquickreplytoMother,basedonthetruth,
statingthatwhileIhadrecoveredphysically,IwasstillrestrictedtoImagisleuntilcertainaspectsofmytrainingwerecompleted,butthat,ifshewishedtovisit,shewasnowmorethanwelcomeoneitherSamediorSolayiafternoons,andshoulddropmeanotetoletmeknowwhentoexpecther,andthatIlookedforwardtoseeingher.
ThenIfinallysatbackinmystudychairandopenedtheletterfromSeliora.
DearRhenn,
Atlast,wehavearrivedinPointeNeimon.ThetripwashardforGrandmama,butsheisingoodspirits.Shesendsherbesttoyou.SodoesShomyr.
Wehavealreadytouredfourtextilemanufactories,andwehaveimprovedarrangementswithtwo.Theirfabricisexcellent.Oneotherissatisfactory.Theotherwewillnotuse,butitisgoodtoseewhateachcando.
ItrustthatyouarewellandwillbefullyrecoveredandabletoleaveImagislebythetimewereturn.WehaveticketsontheExpressforthefourthofAgostos.Grandmamasaysthatweshouldinviteyoutodinneronthefourteenth.Ifyouknowthatyoucancomethenandletmeknow,IcanwriteMotherandtellhertoplanforit.Ifyoudonotknow,
thenwecanworkoutatimeoncewereturntoL’Excelsis.
YouwouldfindPointeNeimonrefreshingandbeautiful.Idowishyoucouldbehere,butyoumustdowhatyoumust.Ionlyaskthatyoutakecareinyourduties,greatcare.
AtthebottomwasanaddressinPointeNeimon,and,again,thesignaturewasjusthername,butthelasttwowordsbeforehersignature,andthekisswhenwehadlastparted,suggestedfarmorethanfriendship.
Ismiled.Ididhavetimetowritearesponse.
Deathalwaysleavessome
storiesincomplete;andsomearebetterleftso.
GettingupwellbeforedawnonJeudiwasnotexactlytomyliking,especiallywithwhatlayahead,asmuchasIknewthenecessity.IstruggledtoMaster
Dichartyn’sstudy,earlyenoughthatIsatslumpedonthebenchforatimebeforeheappeared.
“Buckup,Rhennthyl.You’renottheonebeingexecuted.”
Ijumpedtomyfeet.“It’searly,sir.”
“Everymorning’searly.”Hisvoicewasdry.
Iwalkedquietlybesidehimaswemadeourwaytothedutycoach,whichhaddrawnupoutsidetheadministrationbuilding.Hesaidnothingtotheblack-cladobduratedriver.
MistrosefromtheriveraswecrossedtheBridgeofStones,thehoofsofthetwohorsesclatteringonthepavement.Theroutetotheprisonwasfairlydirect—
southontheWestRiverRoadtotheintersectionwiththeAvenueD’ArtisansjustafteritcrossedtheSudBridge,andthenmorethanamilleontheavenueandacrossthebridgeovertheironwaytracks,afterwhichthecoachturnedontoashortstreetthatendedatagatehouse.BehindthegatehouserosethegrayflintwallsofthePoignardPrison.
Thedutycoachhaltedby
thegatehouse.Nosoonerhadwesteppedoutontotheancientcobblestones,dampfromthelightrainoftheeveningbefore,thantwomeninblueandblackuniformsemerged.Theonewiththefour-pointedstaronhiscollarsbowedtoMasterDichartyn.
“MaitreD’Esprit.”
“Warden...”
Thewarden’seyesflickedtome,justforamoment,beforeheandtheguardescortedusthroughthegateandalongawindowlessstone-walledcorridoruntilwereachedanirondoor,whereanotherguardturnedablackwheeltounlockit.Westeppedintoasmallcourtyard.Iglancedup.Theskywasbeginningtolighten,justslightly,butIcouldstill
seeclearlythereddishcrescentthatwasErion.Atthefarsideofthecourtyardwasascaffold.Therewerethreenoosesriggedfromanoverheadbeam.
Thewardensteppedaway,andtheguardremained,apacetooneside.
MasterDichartynleanedtowardmeandspokesoftly.“Themantobeexecutedwill
beledontotheplatformontooneofthetrapswherethereisanoose.Hewillbehoodedandblindfolded.Theexecutionerwillputthenooseoverhisheadandadjustitproperly.Thentheexecutionerwillstepback.Hisnextmovewillbetopullthelevertoreleasethattrap.Assoonashestepsbackandputshishandonthelever,youaretoact.Ifyouimage
properly,themanwilldieandstarttoslump,andtheexecutionerwillpullthelever.Theguiltymanwillbedeadordyingbeforethenoosebreakshisneck.
“Therewillbethreeexecutedthismorning.Ifyouaresuccessfulwiththefirst,tryanothertechniquewiththesecond,andanotherwiththethird.”
LeftunsaidwasthatIhadpracticednoneofthetechniquesonlivingpeople—forobviousreasons.
Thefirsttechniquewassimplytoimageamoderateamountofairintotheconvictedman’sheart,venacava,andaorta.MasterDichartynhadpointedoutthat,giventhepressureoftheheartpumpingliquid,Iwouldhavetoimagesomeofthe
bloodelsewherefortheeffecttobenear-instant.
Thefirstprisonerwasaheavysetman.Notonlywasheblindfolded,buthishandsweretiedbehindhisback,andhisfeetweremanacledsothathecouldonlytakeshortsteps.Twoguardshadtoholdhim,andathirdwrappedastraparoundhislegsbeforetheexecutionercouldputthenooseinplace.Assoonasthe
executionersteppedback,Iconcentrated.
Theprisonergaveasuddenjerk,asifburnedallover,thenstartedtoslump.Theexecutionerpulledthelever.Theprisonerwasshudderingandtwitchingforthatlongmomentbeforehereachedtheendoftheropeandthenoosesnappedhisneck.
“Notenoughairinthe
aorta,”observedMasterDichartyn.“Hewouldhavedied,butnotquickly.Trythatagain.”
Thesecondprisonerwasthinnerandshorter,andprobablyolder.Hedidn’tstruggle,justwalkedlistlesslytothenoose.ThistimeItriedtofollowtheproceduremorecarefully.
Theconvictedmanonly
jerkedonce,thenslumped.
“Good.Hefeltonejoltingpain,andthatwasit.Trysomethingelsenow.”
Iwasn’treadyforthenextprisoner.Shewasawoman,tallandwithashapelyfigure,evenhoodedandintheprisondrab.
MasterDichartynsensedmyreaction.“Ifshe’supthere,whatevershedidmust
havebeenhorrible.Otherwise,she’dbedruggedandusedasacomfortwomanbytheNavy.”
Thatdidn’thelp,becauseI’dneverheardofdruggedcomfortwomen.Iswallowedandtriedtoconcentrate.Fortunately,theconvictedwoman,whohadtakenherfirststepsalmostdemurely,literallyjumpedwithbothmanacledfeet,tryingeven
whilehoodedandblindfoldedaformofsnap-kickatthelegofoneoftheguards.Shestruckhardenoughthathewentdown,butsodidshe,andanotherguarddashedforwardandwrappedaleatherstraparoundherankles.Thethreewerenotgentleastheyforcedthenooseoverherheadandaroundherneck.
“Concentrate.”Master
Dichartyn’svoicewaslowandhard.
Ifixedmyeyesandconcentrationonthatpartofherskull—orthespotbeneathit—wherethepitricinehadtogo.Contrarytothatlong-agorumorpromulgatedbySeleus,itwasn’tswiftifimagedtotheheartorstomach—andmostphysicianscoulddetectthatkindofpoisoning.
Justbeforetheexecutionertouchedthelever,Iimaged.
Shefoldedandslumped,buttheexecutionerwasready,somuchsothatIdoubtifanyonewhodidnotknowwhathadhappenedwouldhaveguessedthatshewasalreadydead.
“Thatwaswelldone.”MasterDichartyn’svoicewasagainlow.“Especiallyunder
thecircumstances.”
Theexecutionersteppedforward.“Evilastheymayhavebeen,theyhadlivesandhopes,andwecommendthemtotheNameless.Lettheirexampleremindusallthatkindnessandhonestytoothersaretherootsofharmony.”
Foramoment,allwassilent.Thenthewarden
crossedthecourtyardtous,andwithoutspeakingledusbackthewaywehadcome.
Whenwereachedthecoach,MasterDichartynnoddedtotheguardandthewarden.“Wethankyou.”
Bothbowedslightly,andthewardenreplied,“Asalways,weappreciatewhatImagisledoesforus,andwewishyoubothwell.”There
wasaslight,butdistinctemphasisontheword“both.”
“Asdoweyou,”Ireplied,asI’dbeencoached.
OncewewereinthedutycoachandonourwaybacktoImagisle,MasterDichartynclearedhisthroat,thensaid,“I’dlikeyoutothinkofanotherwaytoaccomplishwhatyoudidthismorning,onethatisequally
undetectable—ifdoneproperly.”
Imanagedapolitesmile,evenafterthelastthreewords,whichwereareminderthatIhadnothandledthefirstprisoneraswellasIshouldhave.“Yes,sir.”
“Youarenot,obviously,towritethisdown,butyouaretothinkitoutthoroughly.”
Hepaused.“WhyamIaskingthis?”
“Iwouldjudge,sir,thatifeveryoneImuststopfromdoingharmseemstosuffereitheraheartstoppageorabrainseizure,theremightbemorequestionsthanIortheCollegiumwouldliketoanswer.”
Henodded.“OnLundinight,we’llworkonslowing
anddisruptingstratagems.Mosttimes,thosearetobepreferred,butthey’reeasierandquickertolearn,andyourinjurieshavenecessitatedtrainingyouinadifferentordertoreadyyouintimetoassumeyourduties.”
Iwasgettinganever-strongerfeelingthatMasterDichartynwasanticipatinggreattroublesbeforelong.“Whowillstrikefirst?”
Helaughed,andtherewasabitternessIhadnotheardbefore.“Whowillnot?”
Ihadtothinkforamoment.“TheAbiertans?OrtheFerrans?”
“TheAbiertansareafraidthatwewillannexthemtokeepthetraderoutesopen.Anycouncilorwhosuggestssuchwillbeatarget,andseveralalreadyhavesurvived
attacks,notthattheyknowit.EspeciallyCouncilorReyner.TheFerransaresotouchyandarrogantthattheybelievetheirmachineswillallowthemtofightboththeOligarchandSolidar.Wedon’twantanyofthosewars,andifcouncilorsareattacked,wounded,orkilled,therewilllikelybewar.Animportantpartofyourjob—andthatofBaratynandallofyou
workingwithhim—isnottogiveanyoneontheCounciltheexcuseforfightingawar.”
Beforeallthatlong,wewerebackattheCollegium,butIwasstilllateforbreakfast,andMartylandDartazn,evenReynolandMenyard,werealreadyfinished.Allthroughmyhurriedmeal,Ihadtowonderwhatthewomanhaddone
thatwassohorriblethatshehadbeensentencedtodie.ThenIhadtorushtothedutycoachthattookthethreeofustotheCouncilChateau.
“Youwerelateforbreakfast,”MartylsaidasIclimbedintothecoach.
“IwaswithMasterDichartyn.Wefinishedlate—notlatelastnight,butlatewithwhatweweredoingthis
morning.”
ThecoachpulledawayfromtheCollegium.Outside,itwasstillmisty,butgettingbrighter,andthatsuggestedahotandstickydaytocome.
“Prisonstuff?”askedDartazn.
Ijustnodded.Istillworriedaboutthewoman,thenIwonderedwhyIwasmoreconcernedaboutherthan
aboutthemen.Therewasnoreasonwhyawomancouldn’thavekilledsomeone...orworse.“Ihadtodragmyselfovertomeethimbeforeweleft.Helookedasifhe’dbeenawakeforglasses.”
“Hedoesn’teversleepmuch,theysay,”repliedMartyl.
“IfIhadtodealwithwhat’sonhismind,”added
Dartazn,“Iwouldn’tsleepmuch,either.He’sgottothinkofhisworkandsuperviseMasterSchorzataswell.”
Ihadn’tfullyrealizedthatMasterDichartynwasoverMasterSchorzat,althoughIshouldhave,becauseMasterDichartynwasinchargeofallCollegiumsecurity.
AfterreachingtheChateau,
wemetwithBaratynjustbeforeeighthglass,ashadbeenthepractice,althoughthatwouldchangetohalfpastseventhglassoncetheCouncilreconvened.
“ThissessionoftheCouncil,wewillbemakingsomechanges,”Baratynsaid.“ThefirstoneisthatwhentheCouncilisinsession,oneofyouwillalwaysbenearthedoorwayfromthecouncilors’
loungetotheprivatepassagewaythatleadstothechamber.Asalways,youwillsaynothingunlessyouaredeliveringamessageorifyouareaddressedpersonally.”
“EvenifyouwanttomakeCouncilorRamsaeltripandcrackhisskull,”addedMartyl,almostunderhisbreath.
“Especiallyifyouwant
that,”Baratynriposted.“We’renotheretolikethem.We’reheretopreservethemsothatwedon’tendupwithsomethingworse.”
IknewRamsaelwasaHighHolderfromKephria,butI’dneverseenhim.Ihadthefeelingthatoneofthehardestthingswasgoingtobematchingcouncilors’nameswiththeirfaces.
“Inaddition...atleastoneofyouwillbeavailabletoescortandact,ifnecessary,againstanyoneheretoseeacouncilor.”
Icouldseethat.AlthougheveryvisitorallowedintotheChateauhadtobeonalistcompiledfromnamesprovidedbythecouncilors—ortheiraides—therewasnoassurancethatthepersonwhoshowedupatthegatewasthe
personactuallyexpected.AnyonecouldclaimhewasRaphaelD’FactoriusorJorgesD’Artisan.Thatdidn’tmeanthattheywere.
AfterBaratyn’sbriefing,Dartazntookmeonatouroftheoutergrounds,pointingoutalltheplaceswhereassassinsandintrudershadtriedtoclimbthewallsorhide.Needlesstosay,assoonaswehadgoneoutside,the
sunbrokethroughthemist,andIbegantosweat.
Halfwayalongthewestside,hepointedouttheheavierfoundationwall.“Theycallthisthewalloflifeanddeath.ThenamedatesbacktoRexRegis.”
“Why?”
Dartaznshrugged.“Becauseitmeantlifeforsomeanddeathforothers.”
BythetimeDartaznhadfinishedtakingmethroughtheupperandlowergardensandtheinnerwalksborderingthewalls,wewerebothperspiringevenmoreheavily.Wewerequitethoroughinstudyingandinspectingthefountaincourt,withthecoolcreatedtherebythevariousspraysofwater.ThenwereturnedtoBaratyn’sstudy.
“Rhennthyl...you’reto
spendthenextglassstudyingalistoftheregularvisitorssothatatleastyouknowtheirnames.Afterthat,youcanjoinDartaznandMartylinfinishingtheinventoryofsecurityequipment.”
NeithertryingtolearnnamesofpeopleIhadneverseennorcomparingequipmentincases,racks,andboxestoalistingwasterriblyinteresting,andall
threeofusweremorethanhappywhenitwastimetoreturntoImagisleforlunch.
Afterlunch,IfoundaletterfromMotherinmyletterbox.IreaditquicklyonmywaybacktomychambertochangeintoexerciseclothesformyafternoontorturesessionwithClovyl.
DearRhennthyl,
YourfatherandIarebothgladtohearthatyouarerecovering,butsorrythatyouarebeinglimitedtoImagisleforthenearfuture.WehadhopedthatyouwouldbeabletoaccompanyustoKherseilles.WeareleavingonJeuditoseeRousel’sandRemaya’sson.TheyhavedecidedtonamehimRheityr,afteryourgreat-grandfather.
Icouldn’thelpbutshakemyheadatherassumptionthat,ifIhadn’tbeeninjured,ofcourse,I’dbeabletoleaveImagisleformorethanaweek.
Wewillnotbebackformorethanaweek,sinceyourfather
needstogooverthefactoringinKherseilleswithRousel,butaswarmasithasbeenhereinL’Excelsis,itisboundtobemorepleasantthere,anditwillbegoodtoseeourgrandson.Khethilawillbeatthehouse,andshewillbespendingeachdayatthefactorageinyourfather’sabsence,butwewilltakeCulthynwithus.
Ismiledatthat.NeitherofthemwantedtoadmithowcompetentKhethilawasgettingtobe.Sofarasthehandlingofcoinswent,I’dprefertohaveherincharge,ratherthanRousel.Rouselcouldsellanything,butcoinshadalwayshadawayofdroppingoutofhiswallet.
Iwillwriteoncewehavereturned,andwewillseeaboutthatdinner.Bythetimewearebackandyouarefree,itmaybewellintoharvest,butthen,itwillbecooler,andyoumightevenhavethenameofamarriageableyoungwomanthatwecouldinvite,inasmuchasyoudidnotseemtofindZerlenyatoyourtaste.
Iwincedatthat,butjustlaidtheletteronmydeskasIenteredmyquarters.Ihadtochangequicklyandthenhurrybacktotheexercisechambers.
Afterthewarm-upsandtheweightsandtheconditioningrun,Clovylresumedthetrainingwithknives,thenfollowedthatwithasession
withtruncheons—oranyrelativelyshortlengthofwoodorpipeorthelike.
Afteraquickdinner,atseventhbell,ImetMasterDraffydintheanteroomoftheinfirmary.
Hisfacewasgrave.“Thisisnotlikelytobeterriblypleasantforyou,Rhennthyl.Itwill,wetrust,makeyouabetterimager.I’mgoingto
dissectoneofthebodiesfromthismorning’sexecution,inordertoshowyoutheexactplacementofcertainorgans.Iwillalsoaskyoutoattemptcertainpreciseimagingfromtimetotimeduringtheprocess.SomeofitwillimproveyourabilitiestoprotecttheCouncil.Someofitwillhelpyouprotectyourself.”
“Yes,sir.”Hiswords
suggestedsomewouldimprovemyabilitytokill,andsometoheal,oratleastlimitbleedingortrauma,althoughhehadnotsaidthosewords.
Heturned,andIfollowedhimintotheinfirmaryanddownthecorridortoasmallroomwithatable.Ononewallwasarackofshimmeringinstruments.Onthetablewasafigurehalf
coveredwithathingrayblanket.
Thebodythatlayfaceuponthetablewasthatofawomanwithlongflamingredhair,nakedanduncoveredfromthewaistup.Shehadbeenbeautiful.Evenindeath,therewassomeattractiveness,butherfacestillboreatraceofpainoragony.Then,thatmighthavebeenmyimagination.
“Thisisthewomanexecutedthismorning.Fromherexpression,youreffortwasrelativelygood.”
Relativelygood?
Hepointedtothetopbackofthewoman’sshoulders.“Youcanseeheretheedgeoffaintwhitescars,andsomenewerwelts.She’sbeenbeaten.Ireportedthattothechiefofpatrollersandthe
justice,butthelastbeatingtookplacebeforeshewasapprehended.Theweltsalmosthadhealedduringthetimeshewasheldforherhearing.”Heshookhishead.“Idon’talwaystrustallthepatrollers,butthedegreeofhealingsupportsthechief’sstory.Isupposewe’llneverknowwhathappened.”Hepointedtoherneck.“We’reusingherbodybecauseit
requiresmoreprecision.I’dlikeyoutoimageasmallplugofwaxintohercarotidartery.”Hegesturedtoawhiteoblongofwaxonthenarrowshelfbeneaththeinstrumentrack.
Theinitialimagingwasn’ttoobad,norweretheonesthatfollowed,exceptIhadtopushawaythequestionsabouttheweltsonherback.
Thedissectionwasanothermatter.IttookeverybitofwillpowertokeepmygutsfromturninginsideoutonceMasterDraffydliftedbackthescalpelandbegantopeelawayvariousareasofskin,muscle,andbonetoshowmemostclearlywhathehadinmind,illustratingwhereIcoulduseimagingforwhat,andhowitcouldbeeffectivelyusedandwhere..
.andwhereitwasuseless,andwhy.
Healsocheckedtheaccuracyofmyimagingatalmosteverystepofthedissection.I’dbeenaccuratewiththewaxintheneckartery,andfarlessaccuratewithsomeoftheotherplacements,particularlythosedeeperinthebodyorinthespinalcolumn.
ItwasclosetomidnightwhenImademywayfromtheinfirmary.Evenathoroughwashingdidn’thelptoomuchwithmythoughts.
AfterIreachedmyownstudy,Ifirstlitthelamp—withastrikerandnotbyimaging—andthenjuststoodthere.Finally,IsatdownatthewritingdeskandtookoutthelettersfromSeliora.Ineededsomethingtotakemy
mindoffwhathadhappenedduringthecourseofaverylongday,especiallythebeginningandtheend.
Allaskwheretherivergoes,
butfewstudyhowitflows.
Therestoftheweekwentsomewhatbetter,althoughIhadtodeclinegoingoutwithMartylandDartaznonSamedibecauseIwasstillrestrictedtoImagisle.That
nightandagainonSolayi,Ispentthetimewithmythoughtsandtheanatomysectionofthesciencetext,tryingtocomeupwithanothersilentanddeadlytechniqueforstoppinganattacker.Thatwasdifficultbecause,attimes,IcouldstillseeinmythoughtsthewomanI’dexecuted.
InmidafternoononSolayi,Iwalkedtothenorthendof
Imagisle,pasttheworkshopsandthepark,andthenpastthecottagesanddwellings.Thereweremorethanafewdwellingsthatlookedtobespaciousandgracious.Isupposedthosewereforthemasterswithfamilies.Isatonashadedbenchoverlookingtheriverforatime.Eveninlatesummerunderaclearsky,thewaterwasgray.
Thatnight,ofcourse,I
wenttoservices,andonesectionofChoristerIsola’shomilyonSolayididremainwithme,whenshewasspeakingofluckandfortune.
“...Goodfortunecanfallupontheevil,andeviluponthegood.Chanceandtimebefallusall.Donotrailagainstsuch,forsuchvainprotestscanonlymakemattersworseandyoulessable.DonotgranttheNamer
morepoweroveryoubygivingnamestoyourmisfortunesordeclaringyourfortuneasifitwereanamedqualitythatisanintegralpartofyou...”
HerwordsmademethinkaboutRousel.HadInamedluckandcharmaspartofwhohewas?Butwerethosereallypartofhim,ormyappellations,offeredoutofenvy?
Then,whenIlefttheservice,asIsawthewivesandchildrenoftheoldermarriedimagersalsodepartingwiththeirhusbands,IwasremindedthattheCollegiumwasindeedacitywithinacity,andIactuallysawMasterDichartynwithanangularbrunetteandtwodaughters.Icouldn’thelpwonderingaboutwhathesawinheruntil
Isawhersmileathim,andhissmileinreturn.Iwasgladhedidn’tseemestudyingthem.
Lundiwaslikealltheweekdays,beginningwithahurriedbreakfastandarushtothedutycarriage.Themorningwaslong,becauseIhadbeentaskedwithwritingafaircopyoftheinventorywehaddonetheweekbefore.Thegoodpartwasthatlunch
wasagoodragoutwithdarkbread,andthethreeofushadachancetotalkbeforetheyreturnedtotheCouncilChateau.
OncemoreIhadtohurrytogetreadyforClovyl,althoughIhadcometoenjoythoseafternoonsessionsandlearningskillsthatwerelargelyphysicalinnatureandtechnique.Icouldn’thelpbutthinkthat,hadIknownwhat
hehadtaughtmewhenI’dbeenatgrammaire,myyearstherewouldhavebeenfarlesspainful.
LundieveningImetwithMasterDichartyn,andheactuallyagreedwithmy“new”technique—imagingaleyanintothebackoftheeye—buthepointedoutthatitwasnotnew,andthatpitricinewouldworkaswell,althoughaleyanwasharderto
detect.Afterthat,itwasactuallyenjoyabletolearnaboutvariousdelayingordisablingtricks,manyofwhichweresoobviousafterbeingtold,butnotsomethingthatIwouldnecessarilyhavethoughtofwithoutprompting,thingslikeimagingoilandwaxontoasteporpavementunderabootorshoe,ortar,foraslowingeffectonsomeonerunning.I
particularlylikedthepowderedchilisinthenose.
Whenwehadfinishedwiththat,hefingeredhischin,andIknewsomethingwascoming.
“Nowthatyouareabouttobecomeatrueworkingimager,Ineedtorepeatsomethings.Thereareotherunwrittenbutveryrealrulesforimagercounterspies.Iam
certainthatMasterJhulianhasintimatedwhattheyare,butIwilllaythemoutdirectly.First,exceptincasesofpubliclywitnessedself-defense,anyoneyoukillorotherwisedisposeofmustappeartohavediedthroughanaccidentorinsomefashionthatcannotbesaidtobemurder.Second,suchremovalsmustalwaystakeplacewhenyouare
unobservedandsomeoneelseispresenttohonestlytestifythatnooneelsewaspresent.Third,youwillreporteverysuchincident,andfailuretodosocouldresultinsevereconsequences.Fourth,youtellnoonebutmeortheheadmaitreoftheCollegiumwhatyouhavedoneinaccomplishingthoseduties,andsuchreportsaretobeonlyverbal.Youareneverto
writedownanywheretheactionsyouhavetakenorthechargesthatyouhavebeengiven.Doyouunderstandthat?”
“Yes,sir.”
“Ihavesomereadingmaterialforyou.”Hesmiledwryly.“It’snottext.Ithastodowithoneofyourassignments.”
“Don’tIalreadyhavemy
assignment,sir?”
“Youdo,butweallhavemultipleassignments.TheCouncilgenerallyonlymeetssometenglassesaweek,usuallyfromninthglassuntilsecondorthirdglassoftheafternoon.Inthelaterafternoon,notallofyouarerequired.Everyonehassomeadditionalassignments,andattimeswhentheCouncilgoesoutofsessionearly,Baratyn
willdecidewhowillremainattheChateauandwhowillbereleasedtoworkontheassignmentsI’vegiven.”Hehandedmeseveralsheetsofpaper.
Iglancedatthem,thenlookedagain.ThefirstwasthecivicpatrollerreportonthedeathofMasterCaliostrus,anditcontainedthenamesandaddressesofallofCaliostrus’srelativesin
L’Excelsis.ThesecondwasasheetlistinginformationonJohanyr,andthethirddealtwithDiazt.
“Someonewashiredtokillyou.Yourassignmentistoseeifyoucandiscoverwhohiredthatassassin.Onceyouhaveevidenceofthat,youwillreporttomebeforeactingagainstthatperson.Ifyouencounterotherassassins,youcandisposeof
them,providedyoudosoeitherquietlyorinawell-witnessedinstanceofself-defense.ThemostlikelysuspectsarerelativesofthelateMasterCaliostrus,butDiaztalsohadfriendsfromthehellholewhoengageinsuchmattersasremovingenemies.Iwouldsuggestnotvisitingthere,becausetherewouldeitherbeagreatnumberofdeadtaudismenor
we’dhavetofindandtrainanotherimagertoreplaceyou.”
Ihadn’tthoughtofvisitingthehellhole,oranyofthetaudis.“DoesthismeanI’mnolongerrestrictedtoImagisle?”
“Asoftomorrow,you’renot.Youcertainlyhavetheskillstodefendyourself,butwhatyoustilllackisan
awarenessofeverythingaroundyou.Thatissomethingyouwillneedtopracticeallthetimeuntilitbecomesasnaturaltoyouasbreathing,untilyouknowallthatmayimpactyouwithouteverhavingtothinkaboutit.Onlytimeandpracticewillgrantyouthat.”Hesmiledsadly.“Pleasebecautious.AsItoldyoumonthsago,therearenoboldoldimagers.”
NowthatIwasfinallyfreetoleave...noneofthepeopleIreallywantedtosee,exceptKhethila,werepresentlyinL’Excelsis,anditdidn’tmakesensetoseeheruntiltheweekend,becausetherereallywasn’tenoughtimetotakeahackoutandbackduringtheweek.
“Andoneotherthing—onSamedimorning,attheeighthglass,MaitrePoincarytwill
beatyournewstudiosothatyoucanstarthisportrait.”MasterDichartynsmiled.“Thisisanexampleofbeingcarefulinwhatyouaskfor,Rhennthyl.Ifyougetit,youhavetodealwiththeconsequences.”
Thatmeantmoreworktosqueezeinsomewhere,becausethestudiowasn’tsetupformetoactuallystartpainting.Still...Ididlook
forwardtoit.“Itwillbeagoodportrait,sir,butitmaytakealittlelongerwiththepressofcarryingoutotherassignments.”
“MasterPoincarytunderstandsthatalltoowell.”MasterDichartynstood.“Gogetsomesleep.You’llneedit.”
“Yes,sir.”Inodded.WouldIfindsleepthateasily
afterallthathadhappened,andtheadditionalassignmentthatI’djustbeengiven?
Whenyouseek,donotseek
onlythatwhichyoucanacceptorbelieve.
BythetimeIwalkedacrossthequadrangletodinneronVendreievening,Iwastired,butnotoverlyso.Iwasjustgladthemajorityofmyintensivetraininghadcome
toanend.I’dreceivedabriefletterfromMotheronMardi,andanotheronefromSeliorajustthatafternoon.MotherinformedmethatthethreeofthemwouldbearrivingbackinL’ExcelsisonLundi,thesecondofAgostos,andhopedthatIcouldcomeonthefollowingSamedifordinner—asmallfamilybirthdaydinner,sinceIhadmadeitmorethanapparentthather
choicesoffemalecompanionsdidnotappealtome.
Seliora’sletterwascheerful.ShehopedIwaswellandapologizedthatdinnerwouldhavetobeonthefourteenthbecausehermotherhadalreadyplannedabirthdaycelebrationforAuntAeginaontheseventh.ShealsowrotethattheyallfeltthatI’dprobablybetiedup
withmyfamilyontheseventh.Wasthatagoodjudgment...orPharsiforesight?Eitherway,itworkedoutbetterforeveryone,andIwroteherbackimmediately,sayingthatIunderstood,buthopingthatIcouldatleastcallonheronSolayiafternoon—theeighth.
AlthoughMasterDichartynhadn’tsaidanythingsincehe’dgivenmethe
informationsheetsdealingwiththebackgroundonmyshooting,IknewIhadtostartworkingonthatassignmentaswell,butIhadtostartonMasterPoincaryt’sportraitfirst.Thatwaswhy,onSamedimorning,Iwasupbeforebreakfastandoveratmy“studio,”makingarrangementsandcheckingthelight.Afterhurryingovertothedininghallandeating,I
returnedtothestudioandsetuptheeaselandthechair.
Asthefirstoftheeightbellsstruck,MasterPoincarytsteppedthroughtheopendoorofthesmallconvertedworkshop.HeworeexactlythesamegraygarbasIdid,withtheadditionofasmallsilverfour-pointedstarcircledinsilverandwornhighontheleftbreastofhiswaistcoat.Thesilvercircle
onlytouchedthestaratthepoints,andthespacesbetweenitandthestarwereopen,showingthegraywoolofthewaistcoat.Hiseyestookineverythinginsinglesweepandcametorestonme.Despitethelinescarvedintohisface,hishairwasjetblack,asweretheheavyeyebrows.Thesquarishshapeofhisfacewasoffsetbyachinthatwasalmostelfinand
aglintinhiseyesashemovedtowardme.“Rhennthyl.”
“MasterPoincaryt.”
“Youknowthatyou’rethefirstimagerthat’sbeenapainter?Thatseemsstrangetome,becauseimagingisavisualskill,asispainting.”
“Iwouldn’tbesurprised,sir,iftherewerepainterswithsmallimagingabilitieswho
havekeptthoseabilitiestothemselves.”
Heofferedalopsidedsmile.“Betweenus,neitherwouldI.Didn’tyou,foratime?”
“Yes,sir.”IdecidedagainstexplainingthatitwasbecauseI’dthoughtmyabilitiessomodest.Igesturedtowardthechair.“Ifyouwouldn’tmindsittingthere,
sir?”Ismiled.“Youwon’tbeportrayedassittinginanythingquitethatsevere.”
“I’dappreciateitifyoudidn’tshowmeinoneofthoseupholsteredthrones.”Hesettledintothechair,thenlookedatme.“Itfeelsstrangetobesittinghere.”
“Sir...Iwouldthinkthatyoudeserveaportrait.”
“Idon’t,buttheheadofthe
Collegiumdoes.”Hesmiled.“That’swhatDichartynclaims.HesaysthathavingportraitsoftheheadsoftheCollegiumwillreinforcetradition.”
Thatgavemeanidea.“Sir,isthereanythingthatmightsuggesttheCollegium?”
“Onlythestar,andthatdoesn’treallysuggesttheCollegiumbyitself.”
Thefour-pointedstarofSolidarwassymbolic,withthepointsrepresentingtheHighHolders,thefactors,theartisans,andtheCollegium.I’dworkoutsomething.Ialwaysdid.
ThefirstthingIdidwassketchMasterPoincaryt’sface.Rather,IdidaseriesofquickroughsketchesinpenciluntilIhadthesenseofwhatwouldbebothaccurate
andflattering.
Thosetookalmosttheentireglass,andtherewasn’tmuchpointinaskinghimtostaylonger,becauseI’dneedtothinkabouttheentireportraitandsetupthedesignbeforehispresencewouldbenecessaryagain.“That’sallI’llneedfromyounow,sir.”
“CouldIlookatthesketches,Rhennthyl,soI
won’tbetooshocked?”Hisvoicewasgentlyhumorous.
“Certainly,sir.Iwouldaskthatyourememberthattheseareverypreliminary.They’reasmuchtoenablemetosetupadesignthat’sappropriate.”Ibroughtoverthesketchesandbegantogothroughthem.“Yourprofilefromtheleft...theright...fullfacehere...”
Afterhe’dlookedatthethemall,hestood.“TheCollegiumisfortunatetohaveyou.”Hesmiled.“Ifwearetohaveportraits,theyshouldbeaccurate.Myfamilymaynotagree,however.”Hepaused.“NextSamediatthistime?”
“Yes,sir,ifthatisconvenient.”
Afterheleft,Iputawaythe
sketchesandthepencils,closedtheworkroom,andwalkedbacktomyquarters.ThenIheadedoutonwhatwouldprobablybealongSamedi,walkingacrossthequadrangleandthentowardtheBridgeofHopes.
I’dthoughtatfirstthattheeasiestpartoflookingintowhohadtargetedmewouldbetalkingtothoseIknewintheguild,butafterthe
receptionI’dgottenfromRogarisandSagaryn,Ididn’twanttostartwiththem.ButwherecouldIstart?IrackedmybrainbeforeIrememberedtheoldmanwhohadlikedmystudy—theformerportraituremaster.Ifinallyrecalledhisname—ornames—andwhatMasterEstafenhadsaid.EveryonecalledhimGrisarius,buthewasreallyEmanusandhe
hadsomeroomsofftheBoulevardD’Imagers.
Surely,itwouldn’tbethathardtofindhim.Peopledidnoticeoddcharacters,andGrisariuswasanythingbutusualinappearance.IalsocouldtalktoMadameD’CaliostrusorShienna.
AsIcrossedEastRiverRoad,atjustafterhalfpastnine,Iwasgladtherewasa
fainthazeandaslightbreeze.Evenso,thedaywouldbehot,andthensome,bymidafternoon.Iwasn’tquitecertainwhethertowalkuptheBoulevardD’ImagersortakeahacktoseeMadameCaliostrus.Inoticedamantalkingtotheflowerseller,thesameweatheredwomanwhoseemedtobetheremosteverySamediI’dcrossedthebridge.Ididn’tlookintheir
direction,exceptforthatfirstglance,butIdidlisten.
“...don’tsomeoftheimagersbuyyourblooms?”
“Notmany.Mostofthosewhocrosshereareyoung,andtheydon’thavethatmanycoins.Theydon’tunderstandthepowerofflowers.”
“Herecomesone,”saidthemaninalowvoice.
“Youngsir...whataboutabouquetoraflower?Justafewcoppers...justafew...”
Icouldn’thelpthinkingthatI’dbeperverseandbuysome.Icertainlyhadenoughcoppersforafewflowers,anditmightbefuntotakesometoKhethila.Evenifshewasn’thome,Nellicawouldbe,andcouldarrangethem—andthey’dbeapleasant
surprise.Istoppedandsteppedintotheshadeofthegreenandyellow,butslightlyfaded,umbrellathatcoveredtheflowerseller’ssmallcart.“Ijustmight.Howmuchforthetulips—theredandyellowones?”
“Threecoppersabunch,sir.Justthree.”
“I’lltakethem.”
AsIhandedherthecoins,
shedidn’tconcealthesurpriseonherface—notsomuchthatIhadboughtthem,Ithought,butthatIhadn’thaggledovertheprice.
Themanwhohadbeentalkingtohereasedaway,butnotbeforeIcaughtabetterglimpse.Heworeawash-blueworkingman’sshirtandyellow-tanleathervest.Hisfeatureswereregular,andhisbrownhairwaswelltrimmed.
Hisbeardwasalsoneatlytrimmed,buthiseyebrowswerebushy.Theonlydistinguishingfeaturewasthefactthatthebottomofoneearwasslightlyshorterthantheother,asifthelobeofhislefthadbeenremoved.
“Thankyou.”Iinclinedmyheadslightlytoher.
Buyingtheflowersmadeadecisionforme.I’dneedto
takethemtoKhethilafirst.SoIhailedahack.“WestlaneoffofthecircleatPlazaD’Este.”
Thehacker,oneofthefewwomendriversI’dseen,lookedatthetulips,butsaidnothingbeyond,“PlazaD’Este,westlaneitis.”
WhenIfinallyreachedmyparentsandknockedonthedoor,Nellicaopenedit.“Oh.
..MasterRhenn...there’snooneherebutMistressKhethila,andshewasn’texpectinganyone.”
Ieasedmywayin,closingthedoorbehindmesothattheheatofthedaydidn’tfloodintothefoyer.“JusttellherthatI’mhere.Ican’tstaylong,butIwantedtoseeher.”
BeforeNellicacouldeventurn,IheardKhethila.
“Nellica?Issomeonehere?”ShecaughtsightofmeandrushedpastNellica.“Rhenn!Howareyou?Howbadlywereyouhurt?Didsomeonestabyouorsomething?”
Iextendedthesmallbouquet.“Ibroughttheseforyou.”
“Forme?Youshouldn’thave.”
“You’retheonewho’sworkingwhileeveryoneelseisholidayinginKherseilles.”
Khethilatookthetulips,thenimmediatelyhandedthemtoNellica“Ifyou’darrangethem...inthemiddlepalegreenvase?”
“Yes,mistress.”Nellicasmiledandheadedforthekitchen.
“Tellmewhathappened.”
Khethilamotionedtowardtheparlor.“It’scoolerinside,rightnow.”Shewaswearingaseverestraightdarkbluedresswithlongsleeves.
“Iseeyou’redressedforbookkeeping.”
“Ijustgothome.”ShedroppedintoFather’sarmchair.“Tellmewhathappened.”
“Actually,Igotshot.I’m
finenow.Themastersdidn’twantmeleavingImagisleuntilIwascompletelywell.ThisisthefirstweekendI’vebeenofftheisleinalmosttwomonths.”
“Motherthinksyou’remadatus,ather,really,becauseyoudidn’tlikethatZerlenyabitch.”
Icouldn’thelplaughing.Shelaughed,too.
“Ididn’tknowshewasabitch,”Ifinallysaid.“Ijustwasn’tinterested.AfterIgotshot,well,Iwasn’tinshapetogoanywhereforquiteawhile.”
“Sheis.Atthegrammaire,shewastheHighHolderofallholders,butshe’dplaysweetforanyboyshewasinterestedin,andwhenanyparentsoradultswerearound.Noneofuscouldunderstand
whytheboysdidn’tseethroughher.”
“She’sattractiveenough,”Isaid.
“Thesweetest-scentedroseshavethesharpestthorns.”
SinceKhethilaandIagreedaboutZerlenya,andtherewaslittlemoretobesaidthere,Iasked,“Howareyoulikingkeepingtheledgers?”
“It’smuchbetterthandealingwiththepeoplewhowanttobuythewool.Theyallwantitforlessthanitcostandcan’tunderstandwhyitcostswhatitdoes.Thefiguresintheledger,ifthey’reenteredproperly,remainthefiguresintheledger.Ilikemakingsureeverythingbalances.”Foraninstant,herexpressionchanged.
“You’refarbetteratthatthanI’dbe,orthanRouselwilleverbe.”
Thistimeshefrowned,ifbriefly.
“IsRouselhavingtroublewithhisbookkeeping?”Thatwasaguess,butnotawildone.
“Ithinkso.”Sheshookherhead.“IhatedtellingFather,butsomeoftheaccounts
didn’tworkout.Theycouldn’t.That’sonereasonwhyhewentwithMother.Hehadn’tplannedto.”
“It’salsowhyhecouldleave.Heknowsyou’llkeeptheaccountsherestraight.”
“OldChelinkdidfine,butwhenhedied...”
“Hedied?Whendidthathappen?”
“InlateMaris...”
WetalkedforaglassorsobeforeIstoodandexcusedmyself,tellingherthatIhadsomeimagertaskstodo.ImanagedtocatchahacktwoblocksshortofthePlazaD’EsteandhadhimdropmeoffatthecornerofNorthMiddleandBakers’Lane,abouttwoblocksfromMasterCaliostrus’splace.Thereweresomepeoplealongthe
lane,aboutwhatI’dhaveexpectedonasummerafternoon.Severallookedatme,thenlookedaway.Mostdidn’tpaymuchattention.
EvenbeforeIreachedthegatetotheplacewhereI’dspentnearlytenyears,Icouldheartheclinkofstoneworkandchisels,andthemurmursofworkmen.
“Mortar!Uponthetop
course...”
Thegatehadbeenremoved.Insidethewalls,alargerversionofMasterCaliostrus’sdwellinghadmostlyrisenonthefoundationsoftheold,andthisonewasentirelyofstone.Theshedagainsttherearwallhadbeendemolished,andtherewasnosignofthegarden.
Ieasedtowardthegray-beardedmaninchargeofthemasons.“Pardonme.”
Heturned,hismouthopen,asiftoupbraidme—untilhetookinthegray.“Imager...whatcanIdoforyou?”
“IwaslookingforMadameD’Caliostrus...”Ioffered.“Iknewherhusbandhaddied.”
“Youwon’tfindherhere.ShesoldtheplacetoMaster
Elphens...”
Elphenshadmademaster?Evenasarepresentationalartist?Iwantedtoshudderandscreamatthesametime.Mystudyhadbeenfarsuperiortohismist-coveredgardenswithallthewronglighting,andhewasnowamaster—andIhadn’tbeenabletogetajourneyman’sposition.Andwherehadhegottenthecointopurchase
theplace,letalonerebuildsuchadwelling?
“...Evenwithallthedamage,Ihear,shedidn’tdobadly.PlotthislargeishardtocomebyhereintheMartradondistrict.”
“Doyouknowwhereshewent?”
“Wordisthatshewentbacktowhereherparentscamefrom.”Hefrowned.
“LittleplacenearRivages,don’trecallthename.ShegotsomemoneyfromanannuityorsomethingfromapatronofCaliostrus.Shesaidtherewasnoreasontostayhereandplentytoleave.”
“Youwouldn’tknowanyonewhomightbeabletotellmewheresheisnow?”
“MightbesomeoneatthePortraitureGuild.Idon’t
knowanyone.”
“Isee.Thankyou.”Inoddedanddeparted.
Becauseitwasmorethanalittlewarm,Iusedmoreofmycointotakeanotherhack,thisonedowntotheGuildSquare.FromthereIcouldwalkdowntheBoulevardD’Imagersandmakemyinquiries.Ihadthehackerdropmeontheeastsideof
thesquare.Asalwaysinlatesummer,thesidewalkswerelesscrowdedthanearlierorlaterintheyear,partlybecauseoftheheat,andpartlybecausethosewhocouldleftL’Excelsisinthehottestweeksoftheyear.
Afterlessthantwentyyards,myforeheadandshirtweredamp,andIhadthefeelingthatsomeonewaslookingatme.Iturnedasif
tostudythedisplayitemsinthesilversmith’swindow,sothatIcouldlookatthosearoundme,butIcouldn’tseeanyoneclearlylookingatme,oranyonethatIknew.Thatdidn’tmeansomeonewasn’tlookingatme,onlythatIwasn’tskilledenoughtopickthemout.
Icontinuedon,walkingslowlytowardLapinina,comingabreastofthe
coppersmith’s,exceptthathisshutterswereclosed.Hewasonholiday.AsIpassedthebistro,Iglancedinthroughanopenwindow.Therewerepeopleatonlytwotables,andIdidn’tknowanyofthem.Thecooper’splacewasopen,buttherewasnooneinIcouldseethere.
IcrossedSudroadandwalkedbacktowardtheboulevard,slowly,looking
downthetwolanesIpassedtoseeiftherewereanyhiddenboardinghousesorthelike.Ikeptgettingthefeelingthatsomeonewasstaringatme,butwheneverIglancedaround,Icouldn’tdetectwhoitmightbe—orwhetheritwasjustmyimagination.
TherewasanotherbistroablockwestofthesquareontheBoulevardD’Imagers.Iknewsomeoftheolderartists
wentthere,althoughIneverhad.ThenameonthesignboardwasAxotol.Ihadnoideawhatthatmeant,butIsteppedinunderthelightgreenawningtowardaservinggirl.
Shelookedatme,hereyeswide.Icouldalmostfeelthefear.Ithadtobetheimageruniform,becauseI’dneverseenherbefore.“Yes...ah...sir?”
“I’mlookingforanartist,white-haired,withagoatee.He’susuallycalledGrisarius.”
Thegirljuststaredatmeblankly,asiffrozen.
Anolderwomanhurriedover.“MightIhelpyou,sir?”
“AnartistnamedGrisarius,orEmanus...white-hairedwithagoatee.I’mlookingforhim.Hehasn’tdoneanything
wrong,buthemightknowsomething.”
“He’ssometimeshere.Notnow.YoumighttryReynardyl,threeblockstowardtheriver.”
“Doyouknowwherehelives?It’ssupposedlycloseby.”
“Icouldn’tsay.Hedoesn’ttalkmuch.”
“Thankyou.”Iofferedasmile.
AsIsteppedbackoutintotheheat,Icouldheartheolderwomantalkingtotheyounger.
“...won’tdoanythingtoyouhere.Besttoanswertheirquestionsandgetthemout.Theystay,andpeoplewon’tcomein.That’llgetRastafyrinablackmoodfaster’nany
imager...”
Reynardylwasalongandhotthree-blockwalkfromAxotol,andIalmostmissedit,becauseitreallywasn’tontheboulevardbutdownanunmarkedlaneoffthemainwalk,withasignboardsofadedthatIcouldn’treadituntilIwasalmostunderit.AlthoughtheplacewastwicethesizeofLapinina,therewasnooneinsideexcepta
gray-hairedserver.
“Anywhereyouwant.”Hersmilewastired.
“I’mlookingforsomeone,anolderartistnamedGrisarius.Hehasawhitegoatee—”
“Hehasn’tbeenintoday...probablywon’tbe.It’stheendofthemonth.”
“Doyouhaveanyidea
wherehemightbe?”
“Youmightfindhiminthepublicgarden,youknow,theonesouthoftheGuildSquare...lotofoldertypesthere.”
Ihadmydoubts,butitwasworthatry.“Thankyou.”Ipaused.“IfIdon’t,Iunderstandhehasroomsnearhere.Doyouknowwheretheymightbe?”
Sheshookherhead.
Iwaitedamoment,stilllookingather.
“Well...sir,Ican’tsayasIknow,buthedidmentiongoingtoMamaLazara’sonce.”
“Isthataboardinghouse?”
“Yes,sir.”
“Doyouknowwhereitis?”
“Notthestreet,butit’s
somewheresouthofMarchandnottoofarwestofSudroad.That’swhatMakostoldme.”
“Thankyou.”Igaveherapairofcoppersandheadedoutthedoor.SinceIknewwherethepublicgardenwas,andIdidn’tknowexactlywhereMamaLazara’sboardinghousewas,Iheadedbackuptheboulevardtowardthesquare.
Itwastooshortadistancetotakeahack,andtherewerefewaround,andtoolongforthewalktobecomfortableunderthenow-swelteringafternoonsun.IwishedI’dstoppedforsomethingtodrink,butImarchedonward.WhenIreachedthepublicgardens,Istrolledalongeverypathway,checkingallthebenches.Therewereperhapsfiftypeoplethere,
andoutsideoftwowomenwithinfantstalkingtoeachother,Idon’tthinkthatanyoneelseinthegardenswasunderthirty,andnotaoneboretheslightestresemblancetoGrisarius.AsIreachedthenorthgates,whereIhadbegun,Iagainhadthefeelingofbeingwatched.
SinceGrisariuswasn’tinthepublicgarden,andsinceI
felttheobserverwasontheboulevardsomewhere,Iturnedandwalkedbackthroughthegardenstothesouthgate.Fromthere,IwalkedthreeblockssouthtoMarchand,crossedit,andcametothenextstreet,muchnarrowerandmeaner.ThefadedlettersonthecornerwallreadLEZENBLY.Therewasnoboardinghouseorpensionanywhereamongthe
olderandmoderatelywell-keptstonedwellingssituatedonthetwoblocksthatlednorthtoSudroad.SoIretracedmystepsandheadedbacksouthwardonLezenbly.AttheendofthefirstblockonLezenblysouthofwhereI’dstarted,Isawawhite-hairedfiguresittingonashadedsideporch.SoIopenedthegateandwalkedaroundtotheside.
“Grisarius?OrshouldIcallyouEmanus?”
Theoldermanjerkedinthechair.Ihadn’trealizedthathehadn’tbeenreading,butdozing,stillholdingthebook.HejustwatchedasItookthestonestepsandthenpulledupastraight-backedchairacrossfromhim.Myfeetached,andIwasmorethanalittlehot.
Theoldmansquintedat
me.“Imager.Oughttoknowyou,shouldn’tI?”
“Rhennthyl.IwasajourneymanforCaliostrusbeforeIbecameanimager.IdidastudyinthejourneymancompetitioninIanusthatyouliked.Achessboard.”
Hefrowned,thennoddedslowly.“You’retheone.”
Thatsuggestedsomething.“Hassomeonebeenasking
aboutme?”
“Notassuch.Staela—thebitchatLapinina—shewassayingthatsomeimagerhadstoppedbyamonthorsoago,saidhe’dbeenanartist,buthescaredoffabunchofpeople.”
“Thatwasme.”
Grisariusnoddedagain.
“IwenttoseeMadame
D’Caliostrus.She’dsoldtheplaceandleft.Therewassomethingaboutanannuity.ThemasonworkingonthewallssaidElphenshadboughtit.”
“Ah,yes...youngElphens...”
“Howcouldheaffordtopurchaseit?Howdidhemakemastersoquickly?”
Acrookedsmileappeared
abovethewispygoatee.“Mighthavetodowithhisfather.”
“Whoishisfather?”
“AHighHolderfromTilbora...Tillakorsomesuch.”
“Asononthebacksideoftheblanket?”
“Somethinglikethat.”
Ishookmyhead.That
figured.“Thatmusthavebroughttheguildafewgolds.”
“Themasterswhovotedonhim,anyway.”Emanussnorted.
“IneverknewCaliostrushadapatronwhowouldhavepurchasedanannuityonhislife.”
“Heprobablydidn’t.That’salwayswhattheysaywhen
someonemakesasettlement.”
“Butwho...why?”
“Rumorwasthatthefirewasn’tnatural-like.”Theoldartisanshrugged.“Itcouldbeanyone.Foranyreason.Thatsonofhiswastroubleallthewayround.CouldbethatthefirewasmeantforOstrius,andthesettlementwasbecauseCaliostrusgotcaught
accidentally.Oritcouldbethatitwasjusteasiertosendthewidowpackingsothatquestionsdidn’tgetasked.You’reyoung,foranimager.You’llsee.”
“You’veseenagreatdeal,haven’tyou?”Ihopedhe’dsaymore.
“There’smuchtobeseen,ifyouonlylook.Mostpeopledon’tseethingsthatareright
beforethembecauseitgoesagainstwhattheybelieveorwhattheywanttobelieve.”
“YouknowthatIcouldneverfindamastertotakemeonasajourneyman.”
“Thatdoesn’tsurpriseme.”Emanusofferedatwistedsmile.“Idon’tthinkithappenedthatway,butitwouldn’thavesurprisedmeifsomeonewentafter
Caliostrusbecauseyou’dhavemademasterifhe’dlived,andhalftheportraituremastersinL’Excelsisdon’thaveyourtalent.”
“Wereyouforcedoutoftheguild?”
“Let’sjustsaythatitwasbetterthatIletithappen.Didn’thavemuchchoice,butIgottowatchthemessEstafenandReayaltmade
whentheytookover.”
“Youweretheguildmaster?”
Henodded.“Ipridedmyselfonbeingfair.Mostpeopledon’tlikethat,andwhentheyfoundoutafewthings...LikeIsaid,itwasbetterthatIletthemtrumpupascandalthanwhatmighthavehappened.”Therewasawrysmile.“Whatmighthave
happenedremainsmybusiness,andIcanatleasttakeconsolationthatIwasn’tthecauseofanyonegettinghurt.”
“Exceptyourself,sir.”
“That’sachoicewesometimeshavetomake.”Heshookhishead.“Thatwasalongtimeago,andthere’snothingthatanyonecandonow.”
ItmighthavebeenmythinkingaboutJohanyrandthetacticshe’dused,butIcouldn’thelpasking,“Wasitsomeoneinyourfamilyyouhadtoprotect?”
“Whywouldyouaskthat,youngRhennthyl?”
“IwatchedaHighHolder’ssondosomethinglikethatnottoolongago.”
“Whatdidyoudo?”
“Blindedhimenoughsothathe’llneverimageagain.”
“Andyou’restillalive?”
“Sofar.I’vebeenshotonce.”
Emanuslookedatme,thenleanedbackinthechair.“Whydidyouseekme?”
“Ithoughtyoumightbeabletotellmeifsomeonewashiringbravostogoafter
me,orifIneededtolookelsewhere.”
“YouseemtothinkIknowmorethanIdo.”
“You’veseenagreatdeal,andfarmorethanIhave.”
“Youflattermewithmyownwords.”Emanuslaughed.“Estafen,Reayalt,andJacquerlwouldn’tgoafteryou,notonceyoubecameanimager.
Caliostrus’sandOstrius’sdeathsbenefitedthem,andthey’dnotwishtohaveanyclouddrawntothem.”
Ifrowned,butwaited.
“Caliostrushadabrother.Thelal.Hewasatilesetter,journeyman.Likedtheplonktoomuch.Caliostrusgavehimsilvers.MadameCaliostrusdidn’tlikeit.IfIhadtowager,I’dsayThelal
wasinvolved.EitherhimorthatHighHolder.”Hefrowned.“HighHolder’snotlikely.MostHighHolderswouldmakeyousufferforyears.”
“DoyouknowwhereImightfindThelal?”
“FromwhatI’veheard,IdoubtThelalknowswherehe’llfindhimselftonight.”
Afterthat,whileEmanus
waspleasantenough,Ididn’tlearnmuchmore,andIbegantohavethefeelingthatsomeonewaswatchingus.So,finally,Istood.“Thankyou.Iappreciateyourtalkingtome.”
“Bestoffortune.”Hisfacequirkedintoastrangesmile.“Youmightrememberthattruthhaslittletodowiththeactsanddecisionsofmostfolks.”
Ratherthanleavebythefrontgate,Iwentdowntheporchstepsandthenhurriedtothealleywaybehindthepension,makingmywayeastward.IwasbackonMarchand,almosttoSudroad,whenIcaughtsightofamanalmostablockbehindme.Icouldn’tmakehimoutclearly,becausehewasontheshadowedsideofthestreet.Iturnednorthwardon
SudroadtowardtheGuildSquare,andkeptchecking.Hewasstillfollowing,holdingtotheshadows,butIcouldmakeoutthatheworealight-coloredvest.Istoppedtolookatacrystaldecanterintheglassblower’swindow.Hehaltedtotalktoamansellingkerchiefsandstrawhats.
Therehadtobesomewaytoseparatehimfromthe
SamedicrowdsaroundtheGuildSquare.Ipassedonealleyway,butitwasadeadend.Thesecondoneranclearthrough,ifatanangle,toCarolis,andtheentirealleywaywascloakedinshadow.Iduckedintothealleyway,thenhurrieddownthenorthside.Ididn’thidebehindthefirstpileofbrokencrates,becausethatwasobvious,butinsteadslipped
intoanichewheretherearwallsoftwobuildingsjoined.Oncethere,Icreatedabrownishshadowshieldthatmatchedthepaintedplasterwalls.
ThenIwaitedintheshadowsbehindtheshieldthatIhadimaged,asthemanpeeredthiswayandthat.Ialsoraisedshieldsagainstabulletorablade,butsincethebravo—orpossibleassassin
—hadn’tdoneanythingbutfollowme,Ireallycouldn’tdomuchmore.Notyet.Hekeptmovingandpeering,butbeforelongwalkedpastme.Ashepassed,Igotagoodlookathim.Hewasthesamemanintheyellowishtanvestandwash-blueshirtwhohadbeentalkingtotheflowerseller,makingsmalltalkwhilehe’dbeenwaitingformetoleaveImagisle.He
finallyvanishedintotheorangishlate-afternoonsunlightattheendofthealley.
Recallingtheconversationthathaddrawnmetotheflowerseller,Ididnotfollowhim,butretracedmysteps,stillholdingshields.IdecidedagainststayingoreatinginL’ExcelsissinceIhadnoideawhohadbeenfollowingme,orwhy,andnotwhenIreally
didn’tknowwhattodonext.IwantedtotalktoMasterReayaltandMasterEstafen,butnotuntilItalkedtoMasterDichartyn.
OnthewaybacktoImagisle,Ilookedfortheflowerseller,thinkingshemightbeabletotellmemoreaboutthemanwhohadbeentrackingme,butthecart,thegreenandyellowumbrella,andtheflowersellerhadall
left.BythetimeIreachedmyquarters,Iwastired,andmyfeetweresore...andIwasn’tsurethatIknewthatmuchmorethanwhenI’dleftthatmorning.
Whatisseencantellone
whatisnot.
Predictably,onSamedinight,IhadanightmareaboutsomeoneIcouldn’tseeclearlyfollowingmeeverywhere.Afterbreakfastthenextmorning,IcrossedtheBridgeofHopes,looking
fortheflowersellerwiththeyellowandgreencartandumbrella.Icoveredafairarea,bothontheBoulevardD’ImagersandalongtheEastRiverRoad,butIsawnosignofher,orofanyotherflowerseller.Ieventriedlater,inmidafternoon,withnobetterluck.Apparently,flowersellersdidn’tfindmuchtradeonSolayi.Ialsodidn’tseethemanwiththeyellowvest,
butintheafternoonIdidseeanumberoffamiliespicnickinginthegardensofftheboulevard.
EspeciallyafterwhatEmanushadrevealed,Ididn’twanttoapproachanyoneelseinthePortraitureGuild,notuntilI’dtalkedtoMasterDichartyn,buthewasn’taroundonSolayi,andIwasn’tabouttotrackhimtohisdwelling.
OnLundi,IgotupearlierbecausethedutycoachtotheCouncilChateauleftatafifthpastseventhglass.Iclimbedoutofbed,washed,dressed,andmanagedtogulpdownbreakfastandstopbyMasterDichartyn’sstudy.Hewasn’tthere.Evenso,Iwasthefirstonetothedutycoach,butBaratynwasbutafewstepsbehindme,andthenDartaznandMartylfollowed.
Oncewewereallinthecoach,Iasked,“WhatwillhappentodaywiththeCouncil?”
“Almostnothing,”repliedMartyl.
“Thatdoesn’tmeanwewon’tbebusy,”addedDartazn.“Allsortsshowupinsistingthattheyneedtoseeoneofthecouncilors,andsomeofthemdo.”
“Othersarejuniorguildmembersormerchantswhoclaimthattheyhavetherighttovisittheirrepresentatives.”
“It’salongdaybecausetheywanttoseethosepeoplebeforeanythinghappens?”Iasked.
Iknewthattheyhadtherighttorequestameeting,thattheregularmessengersconveyedthoserequeststo
thecouncilor,andthat,ifthecounciloragreedtoseethem,oneofthethreeofushadtoescortthemandlistentothewholeconversation,atleastuntilweweredismissedbythecouncilor.Butwestillhadtowaitoutsideinthecorridortoescortthemout.
“That’sright,”saidBaratyn.“Thatway,thecouncilorscanclaimtheylistenedbeforetheydidwhat
theyweregoingtodoanyway.”
OncethecoachpulledupoutsidetheChateau,Baratynledthewaythroughthesidegateandupthenarrowsteps.Harvestseasonitmightwellbe,butearlyasitwas,themorningairwasashotandcloseanddampasonanysummermorning.IblottedmyforeheadwiththebackofmyhandonceIsteppedinto
thecomparativecoolofthestonestructure.
“Martyl...gogetthevisitors’requestsheet.Dartazn,ifyou’dgetthenightguards’reports.”Baratynturnedtome.“Rhenn,forthemoment,justwaitinthemessengers’study.”
“Yes,sir.”Themessengers’studywasa
spareroomwithtwobenchesandtwowritingdesksandchairsadjoiningBaratyn’sstudy.Ihadn’tspentahalfglassthereinthepastthreeweeks.
“Don’tworry.You’llbemorethanalittlebusy.There’salreadyaqueueoutside,allwithpassesorclaims.”Withanodhehurriedoff.
Martylgrinnedatme,andDartaznraisedhiseyebrowsbeforetheybothleft.
Iwalkedtothemessengers’study.BoulyanandCelista—shewastheonlyfemaleregularmessenger—werealreadythere,sittingononeofthebenches.
“...can’tbelievethecrowdoutthere,andonlysixofthecouncilorsareeven
hereyet.CouncilorEtyennprobablywon’tshowuntilMeredi...”
“OrJeudi.That’swhenthefirstfullCouncilmeetingis.”
Bothlookedupatme.ThenBoulyanspoke.“Palyarsaysthepetitionersouttherearealreadycomplaining.We’vecarriedrequeststoeveryonewho’shere.”
“They’remostlytraders,
I’dwager,worriedaboutwhatallthetariffsandembargoesandblockadesaredoingtotheirbusiness.”FromwhatI’dseenathomeandfromwhatI’dheardandlearnedattheCollegiumandtheChateau,thatwasasgoodaguessasany.“Andthey’refromnearby.”Thatwasn’taguess.Mosttraderswouldn’ttakealongironwayjourneyonthechanceofseeinga
councilor,andthosethatcouldwouldalreadyhavearrangedappointments.
Celistagrinned.“Youhavethatright.Thenexttwodaysarewhentheylistentoallthecomplaintssothattheycantelltheirguildsorthefactors’associationsthatthey’veheardfromscoresofgoodhonestcitizens.CouncilorHaestyristheworst.He’saHighHolder,buthelikesto
thinkhe’safriendtomerchantsandcrafters,andheseesscoresofthem.”
“Allofwhomwanttofilltheirstrongboxeswithoutacareabouttheircompetitors,orhowmanysailorswilldieinkeepingtradeopen.”
“Verytrue.”Baratyn’svoicecamefromtheopendoor.“Butweallplayourpartintheprocess.”He
lookedtome,extendingapasteboardsquare.“Yougetthesecondlot.TheywanttoseeReyner.MartylisalreadyescortingsomefactorstoseeCouncilorGlendyl.”
GlendylwasthefactoriusontheExecutiveCouncil,andhisbusinessproducedmostofthesteamenginesfortheironwayandtheNavy.
Itookthepasteboardand
lookedattheneatscript—TuolonD’SpiceandKarmerynD’Essence.UnderthemwasthenameandsealofCouncilorReyner.
“Whenyou’vefinished,returnhereimmediately,”Baratynsaid.“You’lllikelyberunningallday.There’salonglineoutthere.”
“Yes,sir.”
Iheadedoutalongtheeast
corridorandthroughthegrandfoyer,outthemainentrancepasttheguardsstationedthere,downthetwosetsofsteps,andthenalongthemainsidestonewalkway.Themixedmutteringsofthepetitionerscarriedoverthewall,suggestingalongqueue.WhenIreachedthevisitors’gatehouse,throughthegrillworkoftheheavyirongateIcouldseealine
stretchingagoodhundredyards.IconcealedthefrownIfeltbeneathapleasantsmile.Withonlythreeofusactingasescorts,evenifeachmeetingtooklessthanaquarterglass,we’donlybeabletoescorthalf—orless—ofthosewaiting.GiventhedeliberationI’dseenfromMasterDichartynandhisexperience,hehadtohaveknownthat.
WhileIcouldseetwoguardsstationedoutsidethegates,therewerethreejustinside,andanotherfourintheshadedalcovebehindthegatehouse.Basylwasleavingwithawhitepasteboardinhand,presumablyanotherrequesttomeetwithacouncilor.Henodded.
Oncehepassedme,Isteppedforwardandhandedthepasteboardwiththetwo
namesandCouncilorReyner’snameandsealonittothereceivingguard.
Hetookit,studiedit,andturnedtowardthegate,callingout,“TuolonD’SpiceandKarmerynD’Essence,toseeCouncilorReyner.”
Twomensteppeduptothegate.Thetallerandblack-beardedonebrandishedaletterorsheetofsomething.
“Hereweare.It’sabouttime.”
Theguardsopenedthegateandletthemstepthrough,aseachwrotehisnameontheentryledger.Istudiedthepair,watchingtheledgeraswell.ThetalleronesignedasTuolonD’Spice,theshorterandyoungerasKarmerynD’Essence.
“Themessengerwillescort
youthereandback.”Theguard’svoicewasevenandfirm,butcarriedanoteofboredom,asifhe’dmadethesamestatementtimeaftertime.
“Thisway,honoredtraders,”Ioffered,gesturingtothesidewalkway.
“Abouttime,”mutteredTuolon.
BecauseIhadtoleadthem,
Icarriedbacktriggershields,onesthatwouldspringfullifeithermovedtooclosetome.Baratynhadassuredmethattherewasminimaldangertomeonthewalktothecouncilor’sstudy,becauseallunescortedstrangersweresuspectanddetained.OncewewereinsidetheChateauandoutofthealreadyuncomfortablywarmsunlight,Iledthemthrough
thefoyerandupthegrandstaircasepastthetwowingedangeliasofPierryltheYounger.Istillthoughttheirproportionswereridiculous,especiallyafterseveralmonthsofanatomystudies.Whenwereachedthetopofthestaircase,Ipausedtocheckoverthetwotraders.
Theyoungeronehadcomeupthestepsquietly,andthatbotheredme.Sodidthefact
thatneitherwasbreathinganyfaster.Iedgedtooneside,andgestured.“Totheright,traders.”
“Goon!”snappedToulon.“We’renotheretoadmireemptystonewalls.”
IraisedfullshieldsbeforeIledthemdowntheeastcorridortothefourthdoorway,whereIstoppedandsteppedaside.Irappedon
CouncilorReyner’sstudydoor.“MessengerRhennthylannouncingTuolonD’SpiceandTraderKarmerynD’EssencetoseeCouncilorReyner.”
“Youmayescortthemin,messenger.”
“Youcangonow,fellow,”saidtheheavysetanddark-beardedfactor.
“I’mtostaywithyouuntil
youleave.”Ismiledpolitely.
“Mygoldspayforwhateveryoumake,fellow,andIsaythat—”
Atthatmoment,Iturnedslightlyanddidmybesttoimage-projectabsolutestrength.
Theothertrader’selbowwentintothebiggerman’sribs,andhesaidquietly.“They’reguards,Tuolon.To
protectthecouncilors.”
“Mybusinessiswiththecouncilor,notforeveryonetohear.”
“Thatisforthecouncilortodecide,honoredtrader,”Ireplied.
BecauseIdidn’tlikeTuolon,IwaspreparedwithtwopossibleimagingsasIopenedthestudydoor.Astaught,Isteppedhalfinside,
buttooneside,myeyesonthetwotraders.
“I’dappreciateitifyouwouldremain,messenger.”Reyner’slightbrownhairwasshotwithgray,andheworethepalebluestole-vestofacounciloroverathinbutfinecottonshortjacket.Hiseyesneverlookedinmydirection,butatthetallspicetrader.
Tuolonbowed,andhishandswenttohiswaist.
Iimagedaninvisibleshieldbetweenthetwoandthecouncilor.Evenangledasitwas,alessonfromMaitreDyana,Iwasjerkedoffbalancebytheimpactofthebulletontheshield.
ThesmallermanhadnotevenlookedatReynerbutwaslungingatmewitha
knife.Iwasn’tquitefastenough,andthebladehitmyshields.Thatstoppedhimshort,andthehesitationwasenoughformetoimagecausticintohiseyesandthelowerpartofhisheart.Hedoubledoverinagony.
Tuolonhadturnedthepistolinmydirection,butIimagedironintothebarrel,andmyshieldschanneledthemetaloftheexplosionacross
hischest.Hetoppledforward.
“GuardstoCouncilorReyner’schamber!Guards!”
Ididn’tmovetowardthetallerfigureortheshorterone,whowasstillwrithingonthefloor,butjustheldmyshieldstoseparatethemfrommeandthecouncilor.
Reynertookoutaclothandblottedhisforehead.Heinclinedhishead.“Thank
you.”
Theshorterfigurestoppedtwitching,buthewasstillbreathing.
“ThetalleronelookslikeTuolon.HeevenactedasobnoxiousasTuolondid.”
Twohugeblack-cladobdurateguardsburstthroughthedoor,followedbyBaratyn.Heglancedatthecouncilor,thenatme,thenat
thepaironthefloor.“Takethembelow.”
Ininstants,bothfiguresweretrussedandcartedaway.
Thecouncilorblottedhisforeheadagain.“I’dheard...butnever...”Heshookhishead.
“Byyourleave,Councilor.”
“Youhavemyleave.”
Baratynsaidnothinguntilwewereoutinthehall.“Yousensedsomething,didn’tyou?”
“Yes,sir...buttheydidn’tdoanythinguntilthedoorwasopen.”
Henodded.“Professionals.We’llbeseeingmoreofthem.”Hestudiedme.“Whatyoudidtakesstrength,andI’dwageryoudidn’teat
enoughbreakfast.Godowntothekitchenandgetsomethingtoeat.Otherwiseyou’llbeshakingalloverinaglass.”
Ididn’targue.Ialreadyfeltunsteady.
“Whenyoufeelstronger,comefindme.”
“Yes,sir.”Iheadeddowntothekitchen,bythenortheastcircularstaircase.
AsIentered,oneoftheserverslookedatme.“Sir...youcansitoverthere.I’llgetsomethingforyourightaway.”
Icouldhearherasshesaidtoanotherserver.“Mustbetroubleupstairs...comedownherethatpale...hastobethenewsecurity...”
“...timeswhentheCouncilcomesback,
somethinghappens...don’tsayanything...”
Inmoments,therewasaplatterbeforeme,withasliceofbeef,anendcutalreadycookedenoughtoeat,withbreadandcheese,andamugofale.“Sorrythere’snotmorehot,sir.”
“Iunderstand,andIthankyou.”
Aftersheleft,Ibeganto
eat,andwithinafewmouthfulstheshakinessvanished.Evenso,Iateeverythingontheplatterandfinishedtheale.Bythen,Ifeltnormal,andImademywaybackupthestairstothemainlevel.IknockedonBaratyn’sdoor,buthedidn’treply.SoIwenttothemessengers’study.Itwasempty,andIwasgladforthat,sinceIdidn’twantto
explainwhathadhappened.
Basylwasthefirsttoreturn,andhesatdownontheotherbenchandnodded.“Busyoutthere...andhot.”
Inoddedback.“WarmerthanI’dlike,especiallyoutside.”
Icouldn’thavebeensittingtheremorethanatenthofaglasswhenBaratynpeeredin.“Rhenn...good.”He
gestured.
Ifollowedhimtohisstudy,whereheclosedthedoorandturnedtome.“Don’tworryaboutit.There’sanattemptlikethatabouteveryothertimetheCouncilreturnsfromrecess.”
“Idon’tknowthatIhandleditthatwell.IthoughtIwasready.”
“Youwerereadyenough.
Youkeptthecouncilorfrombeinghurt,andnooneknowswhatreallyhappened.Ifanyoneasks,thestoryissimple.Youknockedoneassassinintotheotherandwhenhefired,hispistolexploded.”
Thatwastrueenough,sofarasitwent.“Whatabouttheonewhowasalive?”
“He’sstillalive,buthewas
justahiredblade.He’salreadyadmittedthathe’dbeenpaidtokilltheassassinifitlookedlikethey’dbecaptured.Hisfeewenttohiswife.Heclaimsshe’scrippled,andhewon’tsaywherehe’sfrom.Sofar.”Baratynstudiedme.“Youready?”
“Yes,sir.”
Hehandedmea
pasteboard.Itookit.ThenameonitwasKhatyn,MasterD’Artisan,andthenameandsealbeneathwerethoseofCouncilorSebatyon,alumberfactorfromMantes.
Iwalkedbackouttothegatehouse,atadeliberatepace,butnotrushing.
MasterKhatynwasagray-hairedmanwhoonlycametomyshoulder,buthewaswiry
andmovedwithaspringinhisstep.BeforeallthatlongIwasstandingattheseconddoorontheupperlevelinthewestcorridorannouncingMasterKhatyn.DespitemyfeelingsthatKhatynwasnotadanger,IwasmorethanreadyasIopenedthedoorandescortedhimin.
“Honoredcouncilor.”Khatyninclinedhishead,althoughhiseyesflicked
towardme.
“Themessengerstays.Iprefernottohearanythingthatcannotbesaidbeforehim,”addedSebatyon.“Whatisyourconcern?”
“Myfamilyhasmadefinefurnitureforgenerations,butthosewhowishthefinestalsowishthefinestinwoods,andmanyofthosewoodsdonotgrowinSolidar.”
“That’strue,”repliedthecouncilor.
“Honoredcouncilor,thereisanembargoagainstanywoodsfromCaenen.”Khatynshruggedhelplessly,asifhispointweremorethanclear.
“Thisisalsotrue.WeprefernottorewardCaenenwhentheCaenenansfireuponourships.They’vesunktwomerchanters.”
“Honoredcouncilor,thewooditselfcostsbutafractionofwhatwemake,andevenofthetaxeswepay.Iwouldnotwishourmerchanterstobeendangered,butwhatharmisthereifIbuywoodfromanAbiertantrader,orfromaSolidaranwhoboughtitelsewhere?Thetimberisthere.Itisalreadycut.Itwillbesoldsomewhere.No
additionalgoldsgotoCaena.”
“Canyounotmakefinefurniturewithotherwoods?”
“Icanmakefinefurnitureoutofmanywoods,honoredcouncilor,butwithoutthefinestofwoods,Icannotexpectittosell,nomatterhowgoodthecrafting.”
“Youareaskingmetoseekanexceptiontothe
embargo?”
“Onlyfortherarefinewoods,sir.Withoutthose,muchofourworkwillnotsell,andwewillnotbeabletopurchasethefinewoodsfromhereinSolidarthatgowithimportedwoods.”
“Youaretellingmethatthereisnoway...”
Khatynshookhishead.“Therearesmugglers,butthe
tariffagentsofSolidarknowthatanyrosewoodorebonycomesfromCaenen,andthosefinesandtheyearsinprisonwoulddestroyme.”
“Iunderstandyourconcerns,MasterKhatyn,butifIsupportanexemptionforyou,howcouldInotsupportoneforthespicemerchants,ortheessencetraders,orsatinropemakers?Beforelong,therewouldbeno
embargo,andCaenenwouldsuffernothing.”
“Honoredcouncilor,”repliedKhatyn,“theysufferlittleornothingnow.Thosegoodsarestillsold,andwemustmakedowithless.Wearetheoneswhosuffer.”
“IcanonlypromisethatIwillmakesureyourpointsaboutthesufferingofthecraftersofSolidardocome
beforetheCouncil.ThatisallthatIcanoffernow.”
“ThatisallthatIwillask,then.”Khatyn’ssmilewasironic.“Ithankyouforhearingmeout,honoredcouncilor.”
AfterIescortedKhatynbacktothemaingate,ItookanessenceimportertoReyner.Thecouncilordidnotevenacknowledgeme,except
bytitle.ThesecondvisitwasfarmorelikethatofKhatyntoSebatyon,withawrittenpetition,thistimeagainsttheembargooftropicaloils.
Thatwashowtheremainderofthedayproceeded,escortingmastercrafters,traders,andfactorstovariouscouncilors.Alongtheway,Igotaquicklunch,andduringabriefrespiteinmidafternoon,Celistatoldme
thatapetitionerheadedtoseeCouncilorGlendylhadslippedoutsidethecouncilor’sstudyandcrackedhisskullonthestones.IwishedI’dbeenthatquick-thinking,andwonderedwhetherDartaznorMartylhadmanagedthat.
Whenfourthglassrang,theChateauwasclosedtopetitionersandalloutsiders,butitwasagoodhalfglass
laterbeforetheyhadallbeenescortedfromtheChateau,andclosetofifthglassbeforeMartyl,Dartazn,andItooktheunmarkeddutycoachbacktoImagisle.
“Alittlemoreactiontoday,”saidMartyl,“atleastforyoutwo.”
“Complainingorrelieved?”askedDartazn.
“Relieved.There’salways
thechancethatmatterswon’tgoastheyshould.”
Theycertainlyhadn’twithme,butIjustnodded.“ThiswillgoonuntilJeudi?”
“Tomorrowwillbeaboutthesame,”repliedDartazn,“butMerediwillbeslower.”
“That’sifit’slikethelastfewyears,”addedMartyl.
AssoonasIgotbacktothe
Collegium,latethatafternoon,IhurriedtoMasterDichartyn’sstudyandrappedonthedoor.Therewasnoresponse.Whilethatdidn’tsurpriseme,Ididwanttotalktohim.SoIheadedbacktothereceptionfoyer.
Ayoungimagerwasatthedesk,andhelookedupasIneared.“Sir?”
“AreyouBeleart?”
“Yes,sir.”
“I’mRhennthyl,andIwaslookingforMasterDichartyn.Ineededtoconveysomeinformationtohim.”
“Yes,sir.Hedidn’tsaywhenhe’dbeback.”
“Ifyou’dtellhim.I’llkeeptrying.”
“Yes,sir.”
I’dbarelywalkedintomy
chambersandseatedmyselfatthewritingdeskwhentherewasaraponthedoor.IdecidedonfullshieldsbeforeIopenedit.Averyfrightened,veryyoungfellowinimagergraylookedupatme.“Sir...ifyou’dnot...mind...MasterDichartynisinhisstudyandwillbeforashorttime...”
“I’llberightthere.”
Theyoungprimetrailedmeallthewayback,thenslippedawaywhenMasterDichartynopenedhisstudydoor.
“Comein,Rhenn.”
StacksofpapersfilledMasterDichartyn’sdesktop.Icouldn’thelplooking.I’dneverseenmorethanapaperortwo.
“Yes?”Hisvoicewascurt,ashesettledbackbehindthe
desk.Henoddedtowardthedoor.“Youhadsomethingurgent?”
Ileanedbackandclosedthedoor.
“Puzzling,sir,andyou’vealwaysstressedcaution.Iwasworkingonmyotherassignmentovertheweekend,sir...”IexplainedwhatI’ddoneandwhatI’ddiscovered,anddescribedthemanwho
trailedme.“...andyou’dsaidthatIshouldeliminatesuspectsasIcould.I’dthoughtifIcouldmeetthisThelal...”
“I’mgladyoutalkedtome.Wedohaveanarrangementwiththepatrollersforcertainkindsofinformation.TheymaybeabletolocateThelalmorequicklythanyoucan,especiallyifheindeeddoeshaveaweaknessforthe
plonk.I’llhavethemseewhattheycantellus.”Hepaused,andjotteddownafewwordsonasheetofpaper.“Tellmewhatyou’velearnedbytryingtotrackdownwhoshotyou.”
WhathadIlearned?“It’snoteasy,andittakestime.Andonethingleadstoanother.”
“Whydoyouthinkyou’ve
beenassignedtolookintoyourownshooting?”
“BecauseI’llhaveagreaterinterestinit?”
“Partly.Alsobecauseifyoudon’t,thatindicatesacertainweaknessindealingwiththeunpleasant.Whenit’syourlifethat’sinvolved,you’remorelikelytolearnasmuchasyoucan.Ifyoudon’t,thenyou’renotmeant
tobeamaster.Evenifyouare,youdon’tknowenoughyet.That’snotyourfault.Nooneofyouragedoes.”
AftertheexperienceattheCouncilChateau,IwasbeginningtofeelthatIdidn’tknowenoughaboutanything.
Thenhenodded.“Youweren’twiththemorningexercisegroup,Clovyltoldme.”
Iswallowed.I’dtotallyforgottenaboutthatadditiontomyschedule.
“Don’tforgetittomorrow.”MasterDichartynsmiledfaintly.“It’smoreforyourprotectionthananyoneelse’s.Muchmore.”
“Yes,sir.”
“Onemorething,Rhennthyl.Youknowthattheworlddoesn’tstopwhenyou
leavetheCouncilChateau?TherearestillpeopleinL’Excelsis,ifyouneedtotalktothem.”Heheldupahand.“NotuntilIgetwordfromthecivicpatrollers.Ijustdon’twantyoutogetintothehabitofthinkingthatSamediistheonlytimeyouhavetodealwithotherassignments.”
“Yes,sir.”
Howlongwoulditbe
beforeIfullyunderstoodwhatIneededtoknow,whatwasnecessary,andhowtodoit?
Bewaremeninpowerwho
praiseprinciples;they’reeitherwithoutthemorlackinginperception.
MardiandMerediweremuchthesameasLundi...withtheexceptionofgettingupeachmorningaglassandahalfearliertojoinMartyl,
Dartazn,Baratyn,andfourotherimagersI’dneverseenbefore—aswellasMasterDichartyn—foravigoroustwo-thirdsofaglassworthofexercisesandsparringledbyClovyl.Hefollowedthatbysendingusonathree-millerun.Ididn’tfinishlastintherun,butIwasn’tanywhereclosetobeingfirst.Dartaznleftusallwellbehind.
Jeudistartedthesameway,
butonceIgottotheChateau,therewasaconsiderabledifference.Foronething,therewereonlyahandfulofpetitionerswaiting,andallofthemactuallyhadlettersfromcouncilorsgrantingthemappointmentsatspecifictimes.Theyallwerealsofarbetterdressedandgroomed,whichconfirmedmorethanafewofmysuspicions.
I’dnosoonerarrivedthan
Baratynhandedmeapasteboard.“FactorAlhazyrhasanappointmentateighthglasswithCouncilorCaartyl.”
Inoddedandheadedforthevisitors’gatehouse.Ihadtowonderwhatafactorwantedindealingwiththerepresentativeofthemasonryguilds,butitcouldhavebeenthatCaartylwastheonlyoneoftheexecutivecouncilors
whowouldgrantAlhazyranappointment.
Alhazyrwaswaiting,smilingpleasantly.Hesteppedforwardandthroughthegatewhenhisnamewascalled.Heworeathinsilveryvest—openandwithoutbuttons—overapalegreenlinenshirtandcarriedathinleatherfolder,tuckedunderhisleftarm.
“Thisway,sir,”Ioffered.
Henoddedinreplyandfollowedme.Wehadclimbedtheouterstepsandwerecrossingthegrandfoyerbeforehesaidanotherword.“You’renew.”Hisstatementwasnotaquestion.
“Yes,sir.”
“There’snotmuchchangeinthestaff,Iunderstand.”
“No,sir.”Ikeptaquickpace,butmanagedtoleadthefactorbysolittlethatwewereclosetoabreast.Shieldsornoshields,themoreIcouldsee,thebetterIfelt.
“Thatcanbeverygood,orverybad.”
Sincehehadn’taskedanythingclosetoresemblingaquestion,andweweren’tsupposedtovolunteer
information,Ijustsaid,“Yes,sir.”ThenIgesturedforhimtowalkbetweentheguards—andtheangelicas—atthefootofthegrandstaircase.
Helaughedsoftly.
Asoneofthethreeexecutivecouncilors,CouncilorCaartylhadhisstudyinthenorthwestcorner.Whenwereachedthedoor,IrappedandannouncedFactor
Alhazyr.
“Escorthimin,messenger.”
Iopenedthedoor,watchingAlhazyrtheentiretime.Heheldanamusedsmileonhisface,asiftoindicateheknewIwasmorethanameremessenger.OnceAlhazyrwasinside,Iclosedthedoorandtookapositionbesideit,readytodepartif
thecouncilorwantedthat.Ihadn’tbroughtanypetitionerstoseeCaartylbefore,andwhileIknewhisface,Ihadn’tbeenallthatclosetohim.Iwassurprisedtoseethathehadstoodwhenthedooropenedandthathewasagoodtenyearsyoungerthanmyfatherandwiry,withjet-blackhairandahawknose.Hegavemeaquickglancebeforehiseyessettledon
Alhazyr.
“Honoredcouncilor.”Thefactorinclinedhisheadrespectfully,butkepthishandsinplainview,theleftonestillholdingthethinleatherfolder.“IhavebroughttheproposalIhadmentionedearlier.Itrustitwillsatisfytheconcernswhichyouraised.”Hesteppedforwardandcarefullylaidtheleatherfolderonthe
edgeofthedesk,thensteppedback.
Caartylsmiledfaintly.“Theywerenotmyconcerns,FactorAlhazyr,butonesraisedonbehalfofthosewhomIrepresent.”
“Thatspeakswellofyou.Notallinpowerwouldputtheconcernsofothersabovetheirown.”
“MostinpowerinSolidar
mustdosoiftheywishtoretainpower.”
“Thatistrue,butitdoesnotmakeyourpositionlessadmirable,”repliedAlhazyr.
“Noryours,whenmostfactorsthinkonlyofthisyear’sgolds.”Caartylpaused,thenasked,“HowdomostfactorsfeelabouttheembargoonCaenenangoods?”
“Thosewhoareaffectedcomplain.Fewbelieveitisagoodideaoreffective.ItonlyraisesthecostsofgoodsinSolidarwithouthurtingCaenen.”
“AndmakestheAbiertanmerchantswealthy?”
“That,too.”
Caartylnoddedatthefolderhehadnottouched.“Iwillstudythat.”
“Thatisallwecouldask.”Alhazyrbowedagain.“Byyourleave,honoredcouncilor.”
Alhazyrsaidnothingtheentiretripbacktothegatehouse.There,heturnedtome.“Thankyou.”Thenheleft.
Ihandedthepasteboardbacktothereceivingguardandhurriedbacktothe
messengers’study.IhadbarelyseatedmyselfononeofthebencheswhenBaratynpeeredin.
“Rhenn...hasFactorAlhazyrdeparted?”
“Yes,sir.”Baratynhadn’taskedthatallweek.WhowasAlhazyr?Whathadbeenintheleatherfolder?Itcouldhavecontainedanythingfromlettersofcredittowhoknew
what.
“Good.Youtakethepostintheeastcorridoroffthecouncilors’lounge.Thatway,allofthemwillgetfamiliarwithyourface.Martylisalreadyatthepostinthewestcorridor.Whenthecouncilorsbreakformiddaymeal,sodoyoutwo,butafterward,switchplaces.Remember,ifacounciloroffersyouamessage,yousayyou’lltake
careofit,butyoucan’tbeoutofsightofyourpost.Ifit’sfartherthanthat,usethespeakingtubetosummonmeoroneoftheregularmessengers.Mostofthecouncilorswon’taskyoubecausetheyknowthat,butsometimesthey’reinahurry,andtheyknowwe’llgetthemessageorpackagedelivered.Youonlytakemessagesfromthecouncilors
themselves.Theiraideshavetobringlettersorpackagestotheclerknexttothemessengers’study.”
I’dbarelyreachedthecorridordoorwaytothecouncilors’loungeandturnedsothatIcouldwatchthecorridorinbothdirectionswhenCouncilorReynerhurrieduppastandenteredthelounge.Hedidn’tevenlookatme.
Ashorttimeafterthat,oneofthecouncilors’aidesappeared—theyallworepalebluewaistcoatswithasilvertriangleembroideredovertheleftbreast.Hehurriedintothelounge,andperhapsahalfglasslaterleftcarryingashortstackofpapers.Twootheraidescameandwentinthesameperiod.ThenDartaznescortedafactorpastmetoCouncilorHaestyr’s
study.
Fortherestofthemorning,thatwasthepattern—anoccasionalcouncilorcomingorgoing,andaidescarryingpapersandfoldersinandout,andascatteredpetitionerortwo.Ididn’tseeCaartyl,butsincehisstudywasontheothersideoftheChateau,hedoubtlessenteredthechamberbythewestentrance.
Duringthelunchbreak,MartylandIgulpeddownariceandlambdish,andsomelager,andthenhurriedbackuptotheCouncillevel,whereImovedtothewestcorridor.Duringtherestoftheafternoon,Isawafewmorecouncilorsandafewlessaides.Aboutafifthofaglassbeforefour,theCounciladjournedfortheday,andthecouncilorsreturnedtotheir
studiesorlefttheChateau.Forthenextglasswestoodbytoescortanyvisitors.Therewereonlytwo,andDartazntookboth.TheneachofusaccompaniedapairofobdurateguardsastheyinspectedandcloseddownallthepublicroomsandtheoutsidegardensoftheChateau.Afterthat,Martyl,Dartazn,andIcaughtthedutycoachbacktothe
Collegium.
Oncewewereheadedback,Iasked,“DoyouknowwhattheCouncilwasdoingtoday?”
“No,”repliedDartazn.“Weseldomknowuntillater,notunlesssomethingspecialisscheduled,andwehaveextraduties.”
“Theheadclerk’sofficeprintsadigestattheendof
eachweek.ItlistsanylawsorrulesthataffectSolidarorotherlands.Therewillbecopiesinthemessengers’studyonLundi.Copiesgotothenewsheets,too,”addedMartyl.
“Mostofit’sprettydull,andeventheexcitingstuffsoundsdullthewaytheyreportit,”saidDartazn.
Whenwesteppedoutof
thecoachattheCollegium,anotherprimewaswaiting.“TertiusRhennthyl?”Hisvoicequaveredslightly.
“Yes?”
“MasterDichartynwouldliketoseeyouimmediately,beforeyougotodinner.”
“Luckyyou,”murmuredDartazn.Buthedidgrin.
Iwalkedquicklyacrossthe
quadrangle,ignoringthelooksfromseveralprimesandseconds,andmademywaytoMasterDichartyn’sstudy.Thedoorwasclosed,butwhenIknocked,heopeneditimmediatelyandusheredmein.
Ididsitdown.I’dbeenonmyfeetmostoftheday.
MasterDichartyndidnot.Hestoodbytheopenwindow
inthelightbreezethatdidn’tseemtocoolthelate-afternoonairatall.“Rhennthyl,wehaveseveralmatterstodiscuss.First,howoftendidthecouncilorshaveyouleavewhenyouescortedapetitionertotheirstudy?”
Ihadtothinkforamoment.“There’sonlybeenonetimesofar.”
“Whatdoesthattellyou?”
Hiswordswereslightlysardonic.
“Theirmindsarealreadymadeup,andanyconsiderationstheymightentertainhavealreadybeendeterminedorwillbesomewherebesidestheChateau.”
“Didanypetitionerstateanythingyouthoughtwouldhavebeenofvalueto
Solidar?”
“OnefurnituremakerpointedoutthattheembargoonraretimbersfromCaenendidnotmakemuchsensebecausethevalueofthelogswaslowandthevalueaddedinfurniture-makinghereinSolidarwasmuchhigher.”
“That’sprobablytrue,butembargoesarenotjustaboutvalue.They’realsotoolsto
allowourshipstoboardorevenattacksuspectmerchanters...amongotherthings.Werethereanyconversationsthatpuzzledyou?”
“Therewasonetoday.AfactornamedAlhazyrvisitedCaartylandleftaproposal.Bothtalkedingeneralities....”Iwentontoexplain,endingwith,“...suddenly,theytalkedaboutthe
worthlessnessofthetradeembargoagainstCaenen,andthenCaartyldismissedAlhazyr.”
“Hmmm...Iwouldhavethoughthe’dhavegonetoseeHaestyr.We’llhavetokeepwatchonthat.I’llhavetotalktoBaratynaboutit.”
“Aboutwhat,ifImightask,sir?”
“Whenpoliticiansand
factorscongratulateeachotherontheirprinciples,almostanythingbutprinciplesareinvolved.Justkeepyoureyesopen,andyou’llseeintime.”
Thatdidn’tanswermyquestion,butthatwasMasterDichartyn’swayofindicatingthathewouldn’t.
“Moreinterestingly,yourinquirieslastSamedistirred
upsomething.”
“Sir?”
“ThecivicpatrollerslocatedThelal.TherewasabrawlatAntipodesonLundinight.Someoneknifedhim.Hewasdeadwhenthepatrollersgotthere.EvenmoreintriguingisthefactthatEmanusdiedinhissleepthesamenightofthedayyouvisitedhim.”
“Thatcouldn’tbenatural.”
“Itcouldbe,”repliedMasterDichartyn,“butit’sratherunlikely.”
“Couldithavebeenanotherimagerfromsomewhereelse?”
“It’sverypossible.Ifso,hemustbeveryaccomplished,andinthepayof,andprobablyattachedto,someforeignembassy.”
Ididn’tfollowthatlogicatfirst,untilIthoughtaboutit.
“WhatwillyoubedoingonSamedi?”askedtheheadofsecurity.
“Iwasgoingtohavedinnerwithmyfamily—abelatedbirthdaydinner.”
“Whattimewereyouplanningonleaving?”
“Notuntilaboutfourth
glass.”
MasterDichartynnodded.“I’dlikeyoutodepartearlier,sayaboutthirdglass.You’llwalkacrosstheBridgeofHopesanduptheBoulevardD’Imagersonthesouthside.Youwillbeholdingfullshields.Someonewillbefollowingwhoever’sfollowingyou.”
“Whatifsomeoneisn’t?”
“Countyourselffortunate,buttherewillbe.Therecouldn’tbetwodeathsandsomeonefollowingyoulastweekwithoutsomeonebeingtherethisweek.”
WhileIhadmyownideasaboutwhatwashappening,IwantedtoseewhatMasterDichartynmightsay.“Doyouhaveanyideawhyallthisishappening?”
“Ihaveseveral.ItcouldbethatsomeonehappeneduponsomethingandwantstolinkCaliostrus’sdeathtotheCollegium.Oritcouldbethatyouweresimplyoneoftheimagerstargetedbywhoeveristryingtokillimagers,andit’samatterofpride....”Heshrugged.
“WhataboutHighHolderRyel?”
“Wecan’trulehimout,butHighHoldersareusuallymoresubtleandmorevicious.”
Icouldhardlywait.Peoplehadtriedtokillmealready,andotherswerefollowingme,andtheonlymanI’dtalkedtowho’dgivenmeanyusefulinformationwasdead—andtheHighHolderwasn’teveninvolvedyet?
“Iassumeyoudon’twantmetotalktoanyoneelseuntilafterSamedi.”
“Thatwouldbebest.”Hegesturedtowardthedoor.“Youneedtochangebeforedinner.”
AsIhurriedbacktomyquarterstochangeintoimagergrays,questionsswarmedthroughmymind,andatthemoment,Ihad
answersfornoneofthem.
Violenceiseverywhere,but
mostwillseeonlythatwhichtheymust.
VendreiwasslowerthanJeudi,withonlyahandfulofvisitorsandpetitionersforthecouncilors.Whoeverwasnotoncorridorpatrolhandledthosefew.Evenso,Ifound
timedraggedwhenthecorridorswereemptymoreoftenthannot.WewereallpleasedwhenwereturnedtotheCollegiumlateonVendreiafternoon.
ThebrightestspotofthedaywasashortnotefromSeliorathatwaswaitinginmyletterboxwhenIcheckedjustbeforedinner.Sheapologizedforbeingsolateinreplying,butexplainedthat
hergrandmamahadinsistedtheyleavePointeNeimonearlyinordertostopbyanothertextilemanufactory,thisoneinKephria,andSeliorahadfoundnoplacetopostaletteruntilshehadreturnedtoL’Excelsis.ShealsowrotethatshelookedforwardtoseeingmeonSolayiandthatshehopedIcouldcomeatthefirstglassoftheafternoon.
Icouldn’thelpsmilingatthat.
WhenIfinallyclimbedintomybedonVendreinight,Iwasstillsmiling,thinkingofSolayi.ThatwasbeforeIrealizedIstillhadtogetupearlythenextmorningforClovyl’sexercisesession,andthenbeatmystudiotoworkonMasterPoincaryt’sportrait.
IdidmanagetomakeittotheexerciseareaonSamedimorning—andnotbethelast.Dartaznwas.Onegoodthingwasthatitwasfarcoolerthatearly.Itriednottothinkaboutwhatthatmightmeaninwinter.Ofcourse,Dartaznoutranusallagain.
Aftershoweringanddressinginmygrays,Ihadbreakfastandhurriedouttotheworkroomstudio,whereI
setupthecanvasandmaterials.ThenIbegantosketchdesigns.Ishouldhavedonethatearlier,butthereneverseemedtobeenoughtime.Thesecondoneseemedtofit,withthechairangledslightly,andMasterPoincarytlookingnotquiteforward.I’ddecidedtomakethebackgroundindistinct,bothforpracticalandsymbolicreasons.Justbeforethebells
begantoring,hewalkedintothestudioandsatdown.IcouldseeimmediatelyI’dneedtoshifttheangles,andIchangedthefaintoutlinesonthecanvas.
Foralmostaquarterglass,neitherofusspoke,asIworkedonthegeneralshapeofhisface,concentratingonthebroadcheekbonesandwideforehead.
“Rhennthyl,whatdoyouthinkoftheChateau?Isitclosetowhatyouhadexpected?”
“Itis,anditisn’t,sir.Iwastaughtsomuch...”HowcouldIsaywhatImeantwithoutseemingstupid?Ididn’twanttoseemungrateful,butIdidn’twanttolie,either.
“Butwhatyou’vebeen
taughtalmostseemsmeaninglessorirrelevant?Isthatit?”
HowcouldIanswerthat?Finally,Ishrugged.“Iknowit’snot,butsometimes...”
“Watchingcorridorsandescortingpetitionersseemsmostuneventful,evenboring.”
“Attimes,sir,”Iadmitted.
“Thatsuggeststhatyouarenotobservantenough,andthatyouarelettingyourmindliefallow.Becauseyouareanartist,Iimaginethatyoucoulddrawafairlikenessoftheotherimagerswithwhomyouwork,couldyounot?”
“Yes,sir.”Mywordswerecautious.
“Couldyoudescribeexactlyhoweachofthem
walks,orcarriestheirhands,orwhatgesturesaresohabitualtothemthattheydonotevennoticethemselvesmakingsuchgestures?Orhowtheyweartheirgarments,asmuchaswhattheywear?Or,moreimportant,howtheyusewordsandargumentsandevenbodyposturestoinformordominateothers?”
“No,sir.”
“Youshouldpracticethatskillwitheverypersonyoumeet,untilitbecomessecondnature.Ifyoudoso,youwillfindthattherearetimeswhenithassavedyourlife.Ifyoudonot,yourlifemaywellbethatmuchshorter.”
Icouldn’thelpfrowning.
“Rhennthyl...thinkofitthisway.Whatdistinguishesthosewhoaresuccessful
fromthosewhoarenotiswhattheyknowandhowtheyapplythatknowledge.Becausetheworldisgovernedbymen,shouldyounotendeavortolearnasmuchaspossibleaboutmen?IfyoustudymenwiththesamediligenceasyouhavestudiedartandthetextswithwhichMasterDichartynhaspliedyouandexaminedyou,youwillgaingreatknowledge
abouthowbesttoapplyallyouknow.”Hesmiled.“Thatismyhomilyfortheday,butIwouldaskyoutoconsiderit.”
MasterPoincarytwastruetohiswordanddidnotofferasingleotherpieceofadvice,onlythankingmeformydiligencejustbeforehedepartedandconfirmedthathewouldbepresentthefollowingSamediatthesame
time.
AsIcleanedupthestudio,IrealizedsomethingaboutMasterPoincarytandhisadvice.He’donlygivenmeonesuggestion.Becausehehadofferednothingelse,Iwaslikelytorememberthatsuggestionfarmorethanifithadbeenburiedamongawealthofideas.Whathesaidcertainlymadesense,andIcouldcertainlypractice
duringtheslowtimesattheChateau.
Aftercleaningupthestudio,Iwanderedbacktomyquartersbeforemakingmywaytothedininghallforlunch.Oncethere,IspiedReynol.
“CouldIjoinyou?”
Helookedtobothsides—wherebothchairswereempty—thenraisedhiseyebrows
dramaticallyandgrinned.
“Ithinkyoumadeyourpoint.”Isettledintothechaironhisleft.“HaveyouseenMenyardlately?”
“He’soutvisitingsomecousintoday.That’sbecausehe’sinterestedinherbestfriend.Whateverhappenedtotheladywhosavedyourlife?”
“She’sbeenawayandjust
gotback.I’llseehertomorrow.”
“ItmustbenicetoleaveL’Excelsisinthesummer.”
“Itwasamixedblessing.Shewasaccompanyinghergrandmotherandherbrother.”
“Thatcouldbeaverymixedblessing.”Reynolpassedaplatterofcoolfowlslices,andthenoneofrice
fries.
Ipouredsomeoftheredwine.“Wouldyoulikesome?”
“Please.”
“WhatdoyouthinkaboutwhatmighthappeninCaenen?”Iasked.
“Haven’tyouseenthenewsheets?”
“Nottoday.”
“TheHighPriestwasleadingsomeritualmeeting.HedeclaredthatwewerewhatevertheCaenenanequivalentoftheNamerwas,whenhedroppeddead.Apparently,hisheartstopped.”
“Oh...Isee.”Ihadagoodideahowthathappened.“What’slikelytohappennext?”
“WeorTiemprewillbeblamed.”Reynolshrugged,thenadded,“Onewouldhopehissuccessorwouldseetheerrorofhispredecessor’sways.Sometimestheydo,sometimesnot.”
“HasanyoneheardfromKahlasaorClaustyn?”
“Wewouldhaveheardifsomethingwentwrong,unlessithappenedinthelast
fewdays.”
“Oh?”
“Theirnameswouldgoupontheplaquesofthoselostinthelineofduty.Thosearethetabletsonthewalltotherightofthemainentrance.”
I’dseentheplaques,andthenames,butIhadthoughtofthemmoreasmemorialstomucholderimagers.Untilthatmoment,ithadn’treally
struckmethatthenamesofthoseIknewnearmyownagemightappearonthethem.Afteramoment,Iasked,“WhataboutJariola?”
Reynollaughed.“ThedeathoftheHighPriestofCaenenwon’tmattertotheOligarch.He’sthekindthatthinksnothingcouldpossiblyhappentohim.Besides,itwon’t.Whentheirentiregovernmentiscomposedofa
smallnumberofpeoplewhothinkexactlythesamewaywiththesameinterestsandprejudices,whatdifferencedoesitmaketoSolidarwho’snominallyincharge?TheOligarchdies,andthenextoneactsjustthesame.”
Again,Ihadn’tthoughtofitinquitethatway.
Intheend,wecametonorealconclusionsaboutwhat
mighthappen.Afterward,Ipickedupcopiesofbothnewsheetsandsatonashadedbenchinthequadrangleandreadthem.Ididn’tlearnmuch.Afterthat,IwatchedtheyoungerimagerswalkingbackandforthandtriedtopracticewhatMasterPoincarythadsuggested.Itwasfarharderthanithadsounded.
Atslightlybeforethird
glass,IcrossedtheBridgeofHopesunderaskythatheldahighsilveryhazethatmighthavekeptthedaycooler,exceptthattherewasnobreezeatall,andtheairwasstillandsodden.FollowingMasterDichartyn’sinstructions,IwasholdingfullshieldsandhopingthatIcoulddosoforaslongasnecessary.Despitethewarmthoftheafternoon,the
streetswerecrowded,andsowerethesidewalks.IhadtowaitseveralmomentsbeforeIcouldcrossEastRiverRoad,weavingmywaythroughcarriagesandwagons,andtheoccasionalrider.
TheflowerladywiththegreenandyellowumbrellawasonthesouthsideoftheBoulevardD’Imagers,ifahalfblockfarthereast,near
theeastentrancetotheboulevardgardens.Isawnosignofthemanwhohadbeenintheyellowvest—buttherewerescoresofpeoplemovingalongthebroadwalkborderingthegardens.
“Freshflowers...thebestforyou,sir.”Sheturnedtowardme.
“Howmucharethedaisiesthere?”
“Foryou,sir,amerethreecoppers.”
Ididn’tfeellikehaggling,butIdidwanttoknowafewthings,andItriedtoconcentrateonobservingtheflowerseller.“Lastweekyouweretalkingtoamaninapaleblueshirtandayellowvest...”
“Italktothosewhobuyorthosewhomight.That’dbe
scoreseveryday.”Shesmiled,buthereyesremainedtenseandworried,andhershouldersstiffened.“Lastweek?I’dfindithardtorememberwhoIsawthismorning.”
Ihandedoverthethreecoppers.“Ijustwonderedbecausehe’sabravo.Hecouldevenbeanassassin.”
Therewasthefaintest
twitchatmywords.
“Iseeyoudoknowhim.”
“No,sir.Notbyname.EveryoneknowshimastheFerran.Hetalksjustlikeyouandme.He’sbeenonthestreetsherelonger’nme,andthat’slonger’nI’dliketocount.”
“Afterallthoseyears,nooneknowsmorethanthat?”
Sheshookherhead.“Eventhestreetwalkersavoidhim.Theysayoneof’emlearnedsomethingabouthim,andshewashedupagainstthebargepiersdownrivertwodayslater.”
“ThenIwon’tpressyou.”Itookthedaisies.“Agooddaytoyou.”
AsIturnedawayfromher,steppingoutfromunderthe
umbrellaandintothedirectsunlight,thefaintcrackandthesharpimpactagainstmyshieldswerenearlyinstantaneous.Iwaspushedaround,backtowardthecart.Asecondcrackfollowed.
Theflowersellersprawledbesidehercart,thedarkrednessofbloodwellingacrossthethinblouse.Sheshudderedseveraltimes,andwasstill.Imanagedtoturn,
butIsawabsolutelynothingoutoftheordinary—exceptahandfulofpeoplestaringinmydirection.
Then,frombehindthewall,MasterDichartynandacivicpatrollerappearedandhurriedtowardme.
“Areyouallright,Rhennthyl?”
“I’mfine.”Iglanceddownatthedeadflowerseller,then
backatMasterDichartynandthepatroller.Hewasolder,graying,andthatdefinitelybotheredme.“Didyouseehim?Whoevershother?”
MasterDichartynshookhishead.“Heshotfromthegardenontheotherside.Hewaitedforanopeninginthetraffic.”
“Youweretalkingtoher.Didshetellyouanything?”
Thatwasthepatroller.
BeforeIsaidaword,IlookedtoMasterDichartyn.Henodded.
“Notmuch.Iaskedaboutthemanintheyellowvest.Sheonlyknewhisstreetname,andshedidn’twanttoknowmore.Peoplewhodiscoveredanythingabouthimendedupdead.TheycalledhimtheFerran.She
didn’tknowwhybecausehetalkedlikeeveryoneelse.”
ThepatrollerlookedtoMasterDichartyn.“Yourmanherehasenemieswithexpensivetastesandwalletstomatch.”Heglancedaroundthestoneofthewidesidewalk,asifsearchingforsomething,thenhurriedwestwardwherehepickedupsomething.Ihadthefeelingitwasthebulletthathadhitmy
shields.
“You’regoingtogetagreatdealofexperiencewithshields,Rhennthyl.”MasterDichartynkepthisvoicelow.
Whathedidn’tsaywasthat,ifIdidn’twheneverIleftImagisle,I’dsoonbedead.“Doyouthinkthiswas...linkedtoJohanyr?”Myvoicewasequallylow.
“No.Thisissomething
else.Idon’tknowwhat.”
Fromhislackofexpression,Icouldtellhedidn’tlikenotknowing.
Theseniorpatrollerreturned.Helookedatme,thenatDichartynbeforeholdingupthebullet.Theendwassquashedatanangle.
Ididn’tsayanything.NeitherdidMasterDichartyn.
“Nastybusiness,”thepatrollerfinallysaid,addingconversationally,“Idon’tthinkanyoneinheadquarterswouldlookintomattersmuchifthisFerranwerefounddead.”
“Possiblynot,”repliedMasterDichartyn,“butifhediednow,whoeverhiredhimwouldjusthiresomeoneelse.”
Aswestoodthere,aCollegiumdutycoachpulledup.MasterDichartyngestured.“It’stotakeyoutoyourparents’house.There’snothingmoreyoucandohere.”
Ididn’targue.
Inthecoachonthewaytomyparents’,Ithoughtaboutwhathadjusthappened.WhywasMasterDichartynso
convincedthattheFerranhadnotbeenhiredbyHighHolderRyel?BasedonwhatI’dlearnedfromMaitreDyana,thelikelyanswerwasthattheHighHolderregardedmeremurderastookind,buttherehadtobeotherreasons.Ijustdidn’tknowwhattheywere.
WhenthedrivertooktheSouthMiddleRoad,ratherthanstayingontheMidroad,
Istartedtoworry,untilhetookSangloire,andthenthebacklanes,waystothehousethatI’donlyseenCharlsynuse.Thatfamiliarityraisedotherquestions,buttherewasnoonetoask.Thedriverdidwaitafterhepulledupoutsidethehouse,watchingasIwalkedupontotheportico.
KhethilaopenedthedoorbeforeIevenknocked.She
rushedoutandthrewherarmsaroundme.“Rhenn!”
Atthatmoment,IrealizedI’dlefttheflowersbehind,butImanagedtogrinasIdisentangledmyself.“IdidseeyoulastSamedi,youknow?”
“It’sbeenalongweek,averylongweek.Comein!”
Iglancedbackandsawthecoachpullingaway.
Khethilafollowedmyglance.“That’snohack.”
“No.IwasfortunatetogetarideinaCollegiumcoach.”
“IthinkI’veseenonelikethatbefore,”musedKhethila,“butIdon’trememberwhere.”
“That’spossible.”IclosedthedoorbehindusandmanagednottosighasIreleasedfullshields,leaving
onlytheanti-imagertriggershieldsinplace.
“Therearcourtyardporchiscooler,andFatherandCulthynarealreadyoutthere.”
Sinceitwasshelteredandwalled,thatwasfinewithme,andIfollowedherthroughthehouse.Fatherwassittinginthemostshadedcorner,lookingoverwhatappeared
tobealedger.
Culthynwassittingatthesmalltablewithadeckofplaques,playingatsolitaire.Helookedupafteramoment.
“HowdidyoulikeKherseilles?”IaskedCulthyn,takingtheothercornerchair.
“Itwaslikeanyotherplace.”Histoneconveyedboredom.
“Didyoudoanythinginteresting?”
“Notmuch.”
IpausedasNellicaappearedandplacedacoolglassofsomesortofwhitewineonthesidetablebesidemychair.
Fatherclearedhisthroat,loudlyenoughtocatchCulthyn’sattention.
“Well,Rouseldidarrangeformetodosailingacoupleoftimes.Itwascooleronthewater,andoncewesawaseasprite.”
“Theydon’tusuallygetclosetopeople.”
“Wewereprettyfaraway.”
“Notmanypeopleseethem,”addedKhethila.“Youwerefortunate.”
“Fortunateindeed,”snortedFather.“Youthreatenthem,andthey’reworsethananecrimager.”
“Therehaven’tbeenanynecrimagerssincethebadoldtimes,”Culthynasserted.
“Notanyknownones,”Isaid.
Khethilaglancedatme,surprised.“Youaren’tsayingtherearesomeatthe
Collegium?”
“Ofcoursenot.”NotthatIknew,anyway.“WhatImeantwasthatjustbecausesomeonehasn’tseensomethingdoesn’tmeanitdoesn’texist,especiallywhenyou’retalkingaboutsomethinglikeimaginglifeforceintoadeadordyingperson.Youcan’tdothat,anyway,butIsupposeotherthings...arepossible.”I
realizedthatI’dalmostrevealedsomethingIshouldn’thave,andIkepttalkingtochangethesubject.“Peopleseethingsthattheydon’tunderstand,andtheyclaimit’scausedbysomething,usuallywhattheywanttobelieve.Therearecaseswherepeoplehavefallenintosuchadeeptranceeveryonethoughttheyweredead.Thentheywakeup.I
suspectalltheoldlegendsaboutnecrimagingarebasedonmisunderstandingslikethat.”
Khethilaraisedhereyebrows,butdidnotquestionme.
“Youmakeitsoundsodull.”Culthyngatheredtogetherthedeckofplaqueslaidoutonthetableandshuffledthem,thenbeganto
dealthemoutintothesixpilesforsolitaireoncemore.
“Mostthingsare,”Fatheroffereddryly,“untilyouunderstandthemevenmorefully.”Heclosedtheledgerwithathump.“Toanobservantman,thefiguresinanybusinessledgercantellaninterestingstory.”
Iwouldn’thavegonethatfar,buthedidhaveapoint.I
alsohadaglimmerofanideawhyKhethilahadsaidithadbeenalongweek.LikeFather,shecouldreadbehindthefigures,butunlikeFather,shehadnorealauthorityinthefactorage.
Motherappearedattheporchdoor.“Dinnerisready.”
“I’mfamished!”Leavingtheplaqueshalfdealtonthe
table,Culthynboundedupandintothehouse,pastMother,whohadsteppedbackasiftoavoidacharginggoat.
“Famished?”IlookedtoKhethila.
“HeheardaboutwhatyousaidtoRouselyearsagowhenhesaidhewasstarved.”
“Famishedisjustasbad.”ButIcouldn’tstopsmilingas
weroseandfollowed,farmoresedately.
Onceinthediningroom,wewaitedforFather,whofinallyenteredandplacedhishandsonthebackofhisarmedchair.Helookedtome,standingtotheright.“Sinceitisincelebrationofyourbirthday,belatedasitmaybe,youshouldoffertheblessing.”
Inodded.“Forthegraceandwarmthfromabove,forthebountyoftheearthbelow....”
“Inpeaceandharmony,”camethereply.
“Youstilloffertheartists’blessing?”askedCulthyn.“You’renotanartistanymore.”
“Actually,I’mstillpainting.Besides,thereisn’t
animagers’blessing.”IpouredFather’swine,thenMother’s,thenmyown,beforesittingandthenhandingthecarafetoKhethila.
“Youcan’tpaint,canyou?”Culthynlookedsurprised.
“Icanpaint.Ijustcan’tgetpaidforit.I’mactuallydoingaportraitofoneofthesenior
imagers.That’swhenIhavetime.”
Kieselacarriedinaplatterwiththreefowluponit.Eachwashalved,andthescentoforangeandspicesfilledtheair.
“Naranjeduck,”Motherannounced.“Rhenn’sfavorite,withcumin-creamrice.”
Ismiled.
“Worthasmallfortunenow,cuminis,”Fatherannounced.
“Why?”askedCulthyn.
“ItcomesfromCaenen,mostly,”FatherexplainedasheservedhalfaducktoMotherandthentohimself.“Theystillsmuggleitin,butitcostsmore,andallthespicemerchantsraisethepriceevenwhentheyhavelarge
stocks.”
“Couldn’tyougetitfromRemaya’sfather?”
MotherglaredatCulthyn.“Onedoesnottakeadvantageofrelatives,noraskforspecialfavorsthatwillcostthem.It’sunfairtoimpose.Besides,it’sill-mannered.”
Culthynsquirmedinhischair.
Itookabiteoftheduck.Itwasexcellent,theorangeandthebittersandtheapplereductionallturningthemeatsucculent.Thecrispyskinwasgood,too.
“Thiswouldbeperfect,”Motheroffered,“ifRouselandRemayawerehere,and...”Shedeliberatelylefthersentenceunfinished.
“ButIdon’t,”Isaid,
managingasmile,“andIwon’tforawhile,it’slikely.”Iwasn’tabouttomentionSeliora,notyet,althoughIsuspecteditwouldn’tbelong.
“He’sstillyoung,yet,Maelyna.”
“Notforthatlong.”SheglancedtowardKhethila,butsaidnothing.
Khethilaflushed.
“So...whatdidtheCouncildothisweek?”askedFather.
Icouldn’thelplaughing.
“It’sthatamusing?”
“No,sir.It’sjustthatmydutieskeepmefromknowing,inmostcases,whattheCouncilisdoing.WhatIfindamusingisthatIspendmostofthedaywithintwentyyardsoftheCouncilchamber,
andIdon’tknowmuchmorethanwhenIspenttheentiredayattheCollegium.”I’dalsolaughedatFather’svaliant,buttransparent,efforttogetthesubjectawayfromwhomKhethilaandImightmarryandwhen.ButIdidappreciatetheattempt.
“Justwhatisitthatyoudo,dear?”askedMotherquickly.“Idon’tbelieveyou’veeversaidorwrittenanythingabout
it.”
“Weescortpetitionerstoseecouncilors.Wehelpmakesurepeopledon’tintrudeuponthecouncilors.Sometimeswecarrymessagesfromthecouncilorstoothercouncilorsortotheiraides,andwedootherthingsthatIcan’tmention.”
“Arethosescaryanddangerous?”askedCulthyn.
Ilaughed.“Usuallythey’reboring.Onceortwicetheycouldhavebeendangerous.”
“Doyouseefactorspetitioningthecouncilors?”askedFather.“AnyoneImightknow?”
“It’spossible.Idon’tknoweveryoneyouknow.CouncilorEtyennisaclothfactor.Ididn’tencounterhim,butsomeoftheregular
messengerswerejestingaboutthefactthathespendsaslittletimeaspossibleinL’Excelsis.”
“Thatdoesn’tsurpriseme,”Fatherreplied.“HehasthelargestclothwarehousesinSolidar.It’sawonderthathehasanytimetodevotetotheCouncil.”
“Doyouknowhim?”
“We’vemetafewtimes,
andwe’veprovidedsomespecialwoolstohimonafewoccasions.Hewasneverearlywithpayment,butneverlate,either.”
“Whatishelikepersonally?”
“Heseemedpleasantenough,ifabitpreoccupied.Whoelsehaveyouseen?”
“Morethanafewspiceandessencefactorsandtraders,
andafactornamedAlhazyr...”
“Oh,him.He’stheonewhowantstochangetheCouncilandputmoretradersonit—andeventwopubliccouncilors.Next,he’llbeadvocatingwomencouncilors.”Fathersnorted.
“Thatmightnotbeabadidea,”suggestedKhethila.“Theycouldn’tmanage
thingsanyworse.”
“Solidarhasn’tdonebadlyundertheCouncil,”Fatherreplied.“WouldyouwanttoliveinJariolaorCaenen?Womenareserfsinoneandslavesintheother.”
“Father...”Khethilapaused,thenspokeslowlyanddeliberately.“IagreewithyouthatSolidarisafarbetterplacetolivethan
almostanywhereelse.ItwasabetterplacetolivethanCaenenwasevenwhenwewereruledbyarex,butit’sbetternowwithaCouncil,andamorewidelyrepresentativeCouncilwouldbeevenbetterthanthat.”
“Morewidelyrepresentative?Isupposeyou’dwantthatMadameD’Shendaelmakinglaws,then?”Father’stonewas
morethanmerelyironic.
“Whynot?She’sintelligentandaHighHolder.Shehasbeenknowntothink,unlikemostofthem.Butthen,Isupposethat’saflawforawoman.Notthinking,butlettingitbeknownthatwecanthink,likethatpoorMadameD’Saillyt.HerHighHolderhusbandbeatherandconfinedherforcontradictinghiminpublic,anddidwho
knowswhatelsetoher,butwhensheshotthebeast,shewascondemnedandexecuted.”
“Likelystory,”Fathersnorted.“Youdon’tthinkshecouldn’thavegonetothepatrol?”
“No,”shecouldn’t,”Iinterjected.“Notifithappenedonhislands.TheHighHoldersretaintheright
ofabsolutelowjusticeontheirownlands.Hecouldbeatherandconfineheronthegroundsthatsheassaultedhim.Shecouldonlyhaveavoidedthatifshehadmanagedtofleehislands,andthatmighthavebeendifficultifhekeptconfiningher.Evenso,she’dprobablyhavelosteverything,becausehecouldciteherfordesertion.”
“Nohonorablemanwoulddothat,”Fatherhuffed.
“Chenkyr,dear,”Mothersaidsweetly,“fewmenareashonorableasyouare.”
ImanagedtokeepfrombreakingoutinlaughteratthewayMotherhadcorneredFather.
Inthatmoment,shestood.“Whowouldlikethefreshpeachcobblerandwhowould
likethealmondcake?”
“I’dlikethecobbler,butwithasmallsliceofthecake.”Iofferedthewordswithagrin.
“IwillfollowRhenn’sexample,withaslightmodification,dear,”saidFather.“Iwouldpreferasmallsliceofeach.”
“Me,too,”saidCulthyn,“exceptcouldminebe
bigger?”
Khethilashookherhead.“Justasmallsliceofthecake.”
Afterthat,Ilistened,sayingaslittleaspossibleasMotherrhapsodizedabouttheirvisitwithRemayaandRouselandhowbeautifulyoungRheityrwasandalreadyhowbrightheseemed.
Alittleaftereighthglass,I
excusedmyself.
MotherhadarrangedforCharlsyntotakemebacktotheBridgeofHopes.Ididtaketheprecautionofraisingfullshieldsonthewalkfromthecoachtothequadrangle.AsIwalked,Icouldn’thelpbutthinkaboutMadameD’Saillyt.HadshebeentheoneI’dexecuted?Orhadthewomanwhohaddiedatmyimagingbeenanotherwoman
condemnedforsomethingsimilar?Thesecondpossibility,Irealized,wasworsethanthefirst.
Loveneverpresentsatrue
image.
AfterbreakfastonSolayi,Ididtakesometimetowriteathank-younotetomyparentsforthedinnerandtheirthoughtfulness.Itwaslong,atleastforme,andItriedtomakeitwarm.Isetitonthe
writingtablesothatI’dremembertopostitonLundi.ThenItookmytimeingettingreadytocallonSeliora.
ItwasstillbeforeonewhenthehackpulledupoutsidetheprivateentrancetotheNordEsteDesignbuilding.Ididn’twanttostandinthehotsunlightholdingfullshields,waitinguntilone,althoughIwaswearingthelighter-
weightsummerimager’swaistcoatandathingraycottonshirt.SoIsteppeduptothedoorandliftedanddroppedthatancientandwell-polishedbronzeknocker,shapedmuchlikeastylizedupholsterer’shammer,Irealizedforthefirsttime.
YoungBhenytopenedthedoor.“MasterRhennthyl,sir.Pleasecomein.”
“Bhenyt...didSeliorasendyoudowntoactasgreeter?Oryoursister?”Iwascuriousandcouldn’thelpwondering.
Hegrinnedatme.“Odeliaorderedmeto,butSeliorapaidme.”Then,abruptly,hegulped.“Iwasn’tsupposedtotellanyone.”
“Iwon’tletanyoneknow.”Iconcealedmyownswallow,
wonderingifhewereslightlymal.“Leadon.”Isteppedinsideandlethimclosethedoor,thenfollowedhimupthestairstothesecondlevel.
Fortunately,Seliorastoodaloneintheupstairsentryfoyer,wearingflowingblacktrousersandacreamblousewithashortbutfilmyredvest.Herentirefacelitupasshesawme.Mineprobablydidaswell.Itookherhands,
andthenfoundmyarmsgoingaroundher.
Herswerearoundme,butonlyforamoment,asshewhisperedinmyear,halflaughingly,“Thesewallshavebotheyesandears.”
Ididletgoofher,ifafterabriefkiss.Shewasstillsmiling.“Ihavesomuchtotellyou,butit’swarmhere,and...”Hereyesflickedto
oneside,thentheother.
“Isee.”Ididn’tseeanyonepeeringintothefoyer,butthatdidn’tmeananything.
“There’sabitofabreezeonthethird-leveleastterrace...andit’smoreprivate.Everyoneelseisonthenorthterrace.”Shesmiled.“Iwillhavetotakeyoutherebeforeweslipaway.”
Isighed,moreforeffect
thanbecauseIhadexpectedanythingdifferent.
“Itwon’tbethatbad.Everyonewillbegladtoseeyou.”Sheledmetothesideofthefoyerandthroughthearchwaythatledtoanarrowstaircase.
Fromthelandingatthetopofthestairs,weemergedfromanotherarchwayintoanarrowerhallorfoyer.
“Everyone’ssleepingandpersonalchambersareuphere,”Selioraexplainedassheturnedandledmethoughanopensetofdoubledoorsontotheterrace,atile-flooredandcoveredexpansethatrantheentirewidthofthebuilding,closetotwenty-fiveyards,andextendednorthwardfromthedoorsagoodtenyards.Heavyirongrillwork,waist-high,
enclosedtheterrace,whoseroofwassupportedbysquaremasonrypillars.Exposedasitwastotheaironthreesides,theterracewasfarcoolerthantheinteriorfoyerorthestreetsbelow.
Ataglance,Icouldseetheextendedfamilyhadgatheredingroups—Seliora’sparentsandauntaroundatableneartheironrailingontheeast;theyoungadultsinwooden
chairsaroundatableholdingarrangementsofplaquesthatsuggestedagameofRegianinprogress,andtheyoungerchildrenlisteningtoastorybeingtoldbyagrayingwomantoooldtobeanauntorcousin,andtooyoungtobeSeliora’sgrandmother.“Idon’tseeyourgrandmama.”
Seliorafrowned.“Shewashere.Shemightbetakinganap.Shedidwanttomeet
you.”Sheshookherhead.“Grandmamaalwaysdoesthingsherway.”Therewasamixtureofruefulnessandrespectinhertone,asshegentlyguidedmetothetablewhereherparentssat.
“Madame,”Ibegan,incliningmyheadtohermother.
“Betara,please.Youmakemefeellikemymother.”
Iofferedasmile.“MyownmotherwouldgivemeaverylonglectureonbeingtooinformalandnotshowingrespectifsheeverfoundoutthatIusedyourgivenname.”
Betarasmiledinreturn.“Thenwewillmakecertainsheneverfindsout.”
“Sheisquitecapableofthat,”Shelimadded,withafondlookathiswife.
“Iunderstandallthewomeninthisfamilyaremostformidable.”
BothBetaraandAeginalaughed.Shelimofferedawrygrin,buthiseyescrinkledinamusement.
“IunderstandyouarelearningyourwayaroundtheCouncilChateau,”offeredShelim.
“Aroundisaverygood
description.There’sagreatdealtolearn.”
Betarahadbeenstudyingme.Thenshenodded.Shewasn’tagreeingwithherhusband,andIwouldhavelikedtoknowexactlywhatI’dsomehowconfirmedforher.
“Hiseyesareolder,”shesaidabruptly,lookingtoAegina.
“Hehasseenwhatmostneverwill.”
Ihadn’tthoughtofitquitethatway,butitwastrue.Notmanymenofanyagehavelookedintothebarrelofagunthatwillalmostkillthem,andthatwasonlypartofwhathadhappenedsincetheyhadlastseenme.
“Youunderstand,Isee,”observedBetara.
Iinclinedmyhead.“Isuspectso,madame.”Icouldnotmakethestatementwithoutthehonoroftheformality.
Afaintsmilecrossedherlips,butnotanunpleasantone.Ithoughttheremighthavebeenahintofsadnessbehindit.
“We’llbeontheeastterrace,”Seliorasaid.
“I’llbringyousomethingtodrinkinawhile.”Betaralookedtome,thesombernessgoneasifithadneverbeen.“Whatwouldyoulike?WehavesomecoolSanietra,mostwines,orAlusangoldlager,orsomenaranjejuice.”
“TheSanietrasoundsverygood.”
“I’dlikethat,too,”saidSeliora,“butIcouldgetit..
.”
“Nonsense.Youyoungpeoplehaveasummertocatchupon.”
“You’remostkind.”Iunderstoodtheunstatedbutinformalchaperoninginvolved.“Thankyou.”
Selioraturned,andImovedwithher.
Aswepassedthegame
table,Odelialookedupfromtheplaquesofthegameandgrinned.“Enjoyyourselves.”
“Concentrateonthegame,”returnedSeliora,“orShomyrwilltakeeverycoinyouhave.”
Onceweleftthenorthterrace,Selioratookmyarm,muchmorepossessively,andguidedmealongthewidehallwayuntilwecametoa
doorwaythatlookedlikealltheothers.Shepressedthedoorlever,pushedthedoorback,thenusedabrasscatchtoholditopen.Averyshorthall—lessthanfouryards—endedinanotherdoor,whichshealsoopened.Theeastterracewasmuchsmaller,nomorethanfiveyardsbyfour,almostasifithadoncebeenaroomandsomeonehadreplacedtheouterwallwith
theironrailingandgrillwork.
Seliorabentandmovedastoneponytopropthedoorbetweentheshorthallwayandtheterraceopen,thensteppedtoonesideofthedoor.“Itgetstoohotandstillhereifwedon’tleavethedooropen.”Icouldseethat,becausetherewasnootherwayfortheairtoflow.
Then,shewasinmyarms,
andtherewasnohesitationwiththeembraceandthekiss.
Afteralongtime,shelookedupatme.“Imissedyou.Iworried.”
Ikissedheragain,gently.“Imissedyou...andI’mhere.”
AfteratimelongerthanIhadhopedandshorterthanIwished,sheeasedoutofmy
arms,andwesettledinoneachsideofthecirculartableontherightsideoftheterrace,sincetheterracehadnosetteesthatmightaccommodatetwo.Lookingeastward,Icouldseetheincline,filledwithbuildingsandhouses,thatformedthesouthwestpartofMartradon.IthoughtIcouldpickoutwhereMasterCaliostrus’sstudiohadbeen.
“You’vehadalongsummer,haven’tyou,Rhenn?”
“Sohaveyou,”Irepliedlightly.“HowwasPointeNeimon?”
“Quiet...pleasantinadullway.Itwasmuchcoolerthanhere.Onewholeweekitrainedalmostalldayeveryday.WeplayedplaquesuntilIdidn’twanttolookat
anotherplaqueagain.”
“Whataboutallthetextilemanufactories?”
Selioratiltedherheadslightly.“Grandmamawasright.Wedidneedtovisitthem.”Shelaughed,softly,throatily.“Ateveryone,sheentereddressedlikethewealthiestoffactorians.”
“Isn’tshe?”Iaccompaniedthegentlequestionwitha
smile.
Seliorapaused.“Wedon’tthinkofitquitethatwaybecausewe’veavoidedthefactoringassociations.We’vekeptourselvesaspartofthewoodcrafters’andcabinetmakers’guild.”
“Thisbuilding,withalltheshopsandquartersandeverything—it’slargerthanmostfactors’warehouses.”
Also,remainingascraftersavoidedtheprejudiceagainstPharsiswhotriedtojointhefactoringassociations.
“It’sallfamily.Almost,anyway.”
“Thatmaybetrue,butthenumberofpeoplewhoworkhere,fromwhatIcantell,islargerthanthoseemployedbymostfactors.”Igrinned.“Whenshewalkedintothose
manufactories,Iimagineyourgrandmamaputthemallintheirplacewithoutsayingaword.”
Selioranodded.“Theyallknowher.Shedidn’tsayso,butpartofthetripwastogetthemtoknowwhoShomyrandIare.Shesaidwe’ddoanothertripinthelatefall,ifshefeltuptoit.”
“Wheredidyoustay?”
“Atnotverygoodhotels,exceptatPointeNeimon.There,Grandmamahasfriends—oracquaintances.Theyhaveacottageonthewestsideofthepoint.Itoverlooksthewater.It’sveryrocky,andthewater’srough,eveninsummer.Itisbeautiful,though,andverypleasant.There’sonlyonesmallcovewhereit’ssafetoswim,andthewaterisn’tthat
warm.Wecouldwalktoamarket.Therearen’tmanyhacks,butyoucanrentacarriageifyouneedone...”
Ilistenedandofferedquestions,justenjoyingbeingwithherandlookingather.
Thentherewerefootstepsonthehardwoodfloorofthehallwayfromthemaincorridor.
“Seliora...?”
Betara’swordswereasmuchawarningasanannouncement.
“We’rehere,”Seliorasaid.“We’vejustbeentalking.”
Betarasteppedontotheterracecarryingasmalltray.Onitweretwoglassesofsparklingcrystal-clearSanietra,oneofmysummerwinesofchoice,althoughIhadn’thadanyforawhile,
andasmallplatterholdingthinslicesofappleandpeach,alongwithtwonapkins.
“Ithoughtyoumightlikealittlelightrefreshment.”
“Thankyou,”Ioffered.
“Oh...Grandmamasendsherapologies.Shesaysthat,inthisheat,she’snotfeelingherbest,butshepromisesshe’llmeetRhennnextweek.”Betaralookedtome.
“Youarecoming?”
“Iwouldn’tmissitforanything.”
Shelaughed.“Withallthathashappenedtoyou,letushopethatitdoesn’tcometothat.”Inmoments,shewasgone.
ItookasipoftheSanietra.Itwasascoolanddryasitlookedandslippeddownmythroateasily,leavingafaint
hintofsweetlimeandlilacbehind.“Thisisgood.”
“Itis.”Afteramoment,shesaid,“Youhaven’tsaidwhatyou’vebeendoing.”
“Untilalittlemorethanaweekago,allIdidwasworkonlearningeverythingtheCollegiumthoughtIneededtoknowformydutiesattheChateau.”Ismiled.“ThenIwenttoworkanddiscovered
thatmostofitwasveryroutine,escortingpetitionerstoseecouncilors,standingcorridorwatches,takingamessageortwo...”
Sheraisedhereyebrows.“Whatelse?”
Ididn’twanttoanswerthatdirectly.“Yousaidthatyourfamilyhadwaysoffindingoutthings.Canyouoryourmotherorgrandmamafind
outaboutabravocalledtheFerran?”
“Washetheonewhoshotyou?”
“No...andyes.”
Shefrowned,thenasked,“Theyhiredsomeoneelsetogoafteryou?Youdidn’ttellme?”
“Icouldn’thavewrittenyou,and...well...Ididn’t
wanttocomehereandannouncethatpeoplewerestillshootingatme.Atleast,itseemsthatway.Lastweekhe—that’stheFerran—followedmewhenIwastryingtofindoutwhohiredthefirstkiller.Iavoidedhim,butI’dfoundoutthatMasterCaliostrus’sbrothermighthavebeeninvolved.So,Isuspect,didhe,becauseThelal—thatwasthebrother
—endedupknifeddeadinatavernbrawltwodayslater.”
“MasterCaliostrus?Whatdidhehavetodowiththis?He’sbeendeadformonths.”
“SomepeoplethinkthattheexplosionthatkilledMasterCaliostruswasn’tanaccident.I’veheardguessesthatitwasintendedforOstrius,oratMasterCaliostrusbecauseMadameCaliostruswas
tryingtostopCaliostrusfromgivingcoinstoThelal.ShesoldtheruinedhouseandthelandtoElphens.Didyouknowthathemademaster?”
“Ididn’t.I’mnotsurprised.Healwayshadmorecoinsthanajourneymanshould.”
“HisfatherisaHighHolder,Iwastold.”
“Sinceheisnotone,Elphensmustbethesonofa
mistress...orless.”
“Amistress,Iwouldguess,becauseHighHolderTillakwouldn’tshelloutsomanygoldsforabastardsonunlesshefeltsomethingspecialabouthimorhismother.”
Selioranodded.“Whatelse?Youstillhaven’ttoldmewhypeopleareshootingatyou.Whendidallthishappen?”
“Idon’tknowwhy.Nooneelseseemstoknow,either.Yesterday,whenIwasonmywaytomyparentsforthatbelatedbirthdaydinner—”
“Youdidn’ttellmeitwasyourbirthday.”
“Ithappenedwhileyouweregone.Itwouldhavesoundedwrong...towriteandmentionmybirthday,especiallyafteryou’vebeen
sogoodtome.”Ismiledapologetically.
“Oh...Rhenn.Youdon’t...”Herheadshakeconveyedamixtureofaffectionandexasperation.“Goon.”
“I’djustcrossedthebridgeandwasgettingsomeflowerstotaketomysister.IhadjustaskedtheflowersellerabouttheFerran,becausehe’dsaidafewwordstohertheweek
before.Thatwaswhenhewastalkingtohersothathecouldfollowme—butIdidn’tknowthatuntillater.Yesterday,shetoldmethathewastheFerran,andrightafterthatheshotatusboth.Hekilledher.Therewasacivicpatrollernottenyardsaway,andhecouldn’tevenseetheshooter.NeitherdidI,butithadtobehim.”
“Areyousure?”
Ishrugged.“It’seitherhim,orI’minevenbiggertroublethanIthought.”
“DoIunderstandthataweekagothisperson—theFerran—wasfollowingyouandyesterdayyouthinkheshotatyouandkilledtheflowerwoman?”
“Hewastryingtokillusboth.MebecauseI’mthetargetandherbecauseshe
toldmeabouthim.”
“Whywouldanyonewanttokillyou?”
Ihadtoshrug.“Idon’tknow.NooneattheCollegiumdoes,either,butitmustbetiedtoEmanus—”
“RhennthylD’Imager.”Hervoicewasstern.“You’reonlytellingmebitsandpieces.Tellthewholestoryfromthebeginning.”
SoIdid,leavingoutwhatmightrevealtoomuchabouttheCollegiumandmyrealduties.
Afterward,shelookedatmeandshookherhead.“IthastohavesomethingtodowithHighHolderRyel.AconnectionwithEmanusdoesn’tmakesense.Youonlytalkedtohimtwice,andthefirstassassintriedtokillyoubeforeanyonecouldhave
knownyouweregoingtotalktohimthesecondtime.”
“Ijustdon’tknow.MasterDichartynisconvincedthat’snotthewayHighHoldersdothings.That’swhyIwantedtoknowifyoucouldfindoutabouttheFerran.”
“IcanaskMama.Idon’thavethosecontacts,butGrandmamais...involvedinmanythings.”
I’dalreadygatheredthat.
Then,Iheardthefourbellsringing.“Ineedtogo.”Istood.
SodidSeliora,glidingaroundthesmalltableandputtingherarmsaroundme.Ididn’tneedanymoreencouragement.
Itwasabitbeforewesteppedapart.
“You’recomingnextSamediathalfpastfour.”Herwordsweren’taquestion.
“IsaidIwouldn’tmissit.”
“Ifit’stoohot,we’lleatuponthenorthterrace.Weofteneatthereinthesummerandearlyharvest.”
“AndImightmeetyourgrandmama?”
“Shesaidshewouldmeet
youwhenthetimewasright.Ithoughtshemeanttoday.”
Wewalkedslowlydowntothesecondlevelandthendowntothemainentryfoyer.SeliorastoodatthetopofthestepsasImademywaydownthelastsetofsteps.SomeonehadsentBhenytdownandoutintothestreet,because,bythetimeIsteppedoutofthedoorandwalkeddownthesteps,ahackwaswaiting,and
Bhenytwasstandingbesidethestoop.
“Thankyou,Bhenyt.”
“Mypleasure,MasterRhennthyl.”
TheridebacktotheBridgeofHopeswasuneventful,butIdidholdfullshieldswhenIleftthecoachandwalkedacrossthebridge.
Dinnerwasalsowithout
incident,andDartaznandIsatwithMenyardandReynol,andweallspeculatedaboutwhatmighthappenwithCaenenandJariola,notthattherewasanythingnewinthescandalsheets.And,ofcourse,wewenttoservices,where,aswasoftenso,ChoristerIsolahadsomeinterestingthingstosayinherhomily.
“...oneofthedeadlysins
isthatofNaming.WealltalkaboutthesnareoftheNamerandpraisethelifeandworksofRholantheUnnamer,buthowoftendoweconsiderwhyNamingisindeedadeadlyvice?Therearetwokindsofhungerinlife.Oneisphysical.Thatisbasedontheneedforbodilynourishment,andeatingtoomuchbecomesthesinofgluttony.Theotherhungerinlifeisforself-
worth.Allmenandallwomenneedtofeelthattheyandwhattheydoareofvalue.Butjustaseatingtostophungercanbecomegluttonywhencarriedtoexcess,sotheseekingofwaystoshowself-worthcanquicklyturnintoNaming.Aproudfactorbuildsmoreandmorefactor-agestoprovehisworth,andthenheengagesinpracticestoundermineotherfactors
anddrivethemoutofbusiness.WillbeingthewealthiestfactorinSolis,orWestisle,orevenL’Excelsisprovetobeenough?AHighHolder,alreadywealthyandrespected,stillschemestobringdownandevenruinotherHighHolderstoproveheisamongthemorepowerfulHighHolders.Anation,suchasCaenen,orJariola,orinthepast,even
Solidar,wantstoproveitspower—andthatisanextensionofself-worth—andusesthatpowertohumiliateordefeatotherlands.AlltheseareexamplesofNaming,seekingtoexaltone’snameandreputationaboveothers,notthroughhonesteffort,butbytryingtoundermine,ruin,ordefeatanddestroyothers...andthisiswhyNamingisthe
greatestsinofall,becausetheunbridledhungerforgreateresteemcanneverbesatisfied...”
Icouldn’tsaythatIreallybelievedintheNameless,butsomuchofwhatsurroundedandinfusedtheservicesmadesense.CouldIbelieveinthedoctrinewithoutbelievinginthedeity?
Seeminglyunrelatedtiny
piecescompriseimages;whoeverseesthosepiecesasawholeearliest
comprehendsfirst.
Lundi,likeVendrei,wasaslower-pacedday,atleastafterthemorningexerciseandrun,andIdidhavetime
toslipmylettertomyparentsintotheoutgoingpostinbetweenmydutiesattheCouncilChateau.BesidesescortingtwoverycondescendingfactorsfromEstisletoseeCouncilorDiogaynandcarryingsealedmessagesfromCouncilorReynertoCouncilorGlendyl,allIdidwaswatchthecorridorsandtrytosharpenmyobservationskillsonthe
fewwhodidcomemyway.CouncilorGlendylhadaticinhisrighteyewhenhespoke,butnotwhenhelistened.CouncilorAlucionstillhadmassivecallusesonhispalmsandwalkedwiththeswayinggaitofamanwhomusthavecarriedgreatweightswhenhewasyounger—ashemighthave,sincehewastherepresentativeoftheStonecutters’Guild.
CouncilorHaestyrwasyoungerthanI’drealizedandwascheerfultoeveryone,butIthoughthisgreeneyeswerecold.
BecauseLundiwassuchaslowday,wewerereleasedbeforefourthglass.I’dalreadydecidedthatIneededtotalktomorepeopleinthePortraitureGuild,ifonlytoseeifsomeonehadbeentalkingtothemaboutme...
andbecauseIhadnoideawhereelsetocontinueintryingtotrackdownwhowasafterme.Seliora’sfamilywouldprobablyfindoutmorethanIeverwould,butIhadtotry.Rogarismighttellmesomething,iffornootherreasonthantogetmetoleave,becausehehadbeenclearlyuncomfortablethelasttimeI’dseenhim.Couldthathavebeenbecauseheand
Sagarynknewsomething?
WhenwereachedtheCollegium,Ididn’tevenhaveachancetogettomychamberstochange,becauseafresh-facedprimewaswaitingforthedutycoach.“ImagerRhennthyl,sir?MasterDichartynwouldliketoseeyouimmediately,sir.”
BothDartaznandMartylshooktheirheadsasthey
slippedaway.I’dhavewageredtheywerejustgladtheyhadn’tbeensummoned.IfollowedthedutifulyoungstertoMasterDichartyn’sstudy,wherethedoorwasopen.
“Comeonin,Rhenn,”hecalled.
Ienteredandclosedthedoor,thentooktheseatacrossthedeskfromhim.
“Rhennthyl,therearesomeotheritemswhichtheCivicPatrolneglectedtomentiontome.”AlthoughMasterDichartyn’svoicewaspleasant,hiseyeswerecold.
“Yes,sir?”
“Isthereanythingyoucanaddtowhatyou’vetoldme—anythingatall.”
“Sir,IthoughtItoldyouwhatIknew,buttheremay
bemorethatIthoughtItoldyouanddidnot.”Thatwasthesafestanswer.
Henodded.“PleaseletmeknowifyourecallmoreafterItellyouwhatelseIhavediscovered.TheroomsinthepensionwhereEmanuslivedweremodest,buthissavingswerenotenoughtopayforthemandfood.Ihadsomeinvestigationsmade.Hewasreceivingamonthlystipend
fromtheBanqueD’Excelsis,butthefundscameblindfromthelocalbranchoftheBanqueD’Abierto,andwehavenowayofdeterminingthesender.”Helookedatme.
“IcannotsayI’msurprised,sir.Ididaskhimifhehadallowedhimselftoberemovedasguildmaster—”
“Hewasaguildmaster?”
“Didn’tItellyouthat,sir?”
“Itcouldbe.Mattershavebeenlessthanserene.Goon.”
“Hesaidhehadbeen,andthathehadallowedascandaltobetrumpedupbecauseitwasbetterthatway,andnooneelsegothurt.Iaskedifhe’dallowedittoprotectsomeoneinhisfamily.Hedidn’tanswerexceptbyaskingwhyI’daskthat.Ithinkhewasprotectingsomeone.”
“Thatmightwellbe.Theotherthingthatthepatrolfound,hiddeninsidealeathercasemadetolooklikeabook,wasaminiatureportraitofayoungwoman.SinceEmanushadnootherknownfamily,theyletmehaveitforthemoment.”Hehelduptheportraitofadark-hairedyoungwoman,setinasimpleovalebonyframe,nomorethanfivedigitsfromthetop
oftheovaltothebottom,thenextendedit.“Doyouknowher...orrecognizetheartist?”
Istudiedtheunfamiliarimageofadark-hairedgirlperhapstheageofKhethila,alsolookingcloselyatthesurfacetexture.“I’dguessit’sclosetotwentyyearsold,sir,butIdon’trecognizeher.Thetechniqueisoutstanding.I’djudgethatEmanuspaintedit
himself,becauseIdon’trecognizethetechnique,becauseit’sbetterthananyonepaintinginL’Excelsistoday,andbecauseit’sunsigned.Allworksthataresoldhavetobesigned.Thiswasnevermeantforsale,notwiththatframe.”Ipaused.“I’dsaythatheknewthegirlverywell.Thiswasn’tdonejustforgolds.Thedetailistoogood,almostloving.”
“Almostloving...ofcourse!”Heheldouthishandfortheportrait.“Weneedtokeepthissafe.”
“MightIask?”Ihandedbacktheminiature.
“Youmay,butI’drathernotsayrightnow.IfI’mwrong,itcouldberather...embarrassingfortheCollegium.”
“Oh...thathastobehis
daughter,”Iblurted.“That’swhy.”
ThatbroughtMasterDichartynupshort.“Whydoyousaythat?”
“Theportraitistwentyyearsold.Atleast,Ithinkitis.Grisarius—Emanus—hadtobemorethansixty.Igotthefeeling,fromalltheservinggirlsItalkedto,andfromwhenItalkedtohim,
thathehadneverpursuedanyofthem.Yethewasfriendlytothem,andtherewerenorumorsaboutmalelovers.Thatmeanseitherawife,amistressorlover,oradaughter.Yousaidhehadnofamily,andnoonehasevermentionedafamily.Sincehewouldhavebeenoverfortywhenthiswaspainted,adaughterfitsbetterthanalover,especiallywhenhe
talkedaboutnotwantingtoseeanyonehurt.Usuallypeopletalkaboutchildrenmorethatwaythanaboutlovers.”
AwrysmilecrossedMasterDichartyn’sface.“That’saratherinterestingspeculation.Whatelsemightyouthinkaboutthisdaughter?”
“She’sprobablymarried,
andprobably,fromtheclothes,eitherfromaverywealthymerchant...no...thecloth...thathastobe,I’mjustguessing,fromaHighHolderhousehold.”
“Youthinkthatwaswhyhewaskilled?”
“No,sir.Ifthepaintingisofadaughter,andshewasclosetoeighteenwhenitwaspaintedtwentyyearsago,it
couldn’tbeahusband’svengeanceoranotherlover’srevenge.Hewastoovisibletohaveavoidedakillerforsolong.Ithadtobesomethingmorerecent.”
“Sowhydoyouthinkhewaskilled?”
“Ihavenoidea,butithastotieintomyvisit.Otherwise,whywouldithappenthen,andinthatway?
Arenegadeimagerdoesn’tcomecheap,andthatsuggestsaHighHolderorsomeonewithgreatwealthandconnections.”
“Itmay,”repliedMasterDichartyn,“butthere’snotashredofproof.”
“Youknowwhosheis,don’tyou,sir?”
MasterDichartynsighed.“Everyonceinawhile,
Rhennthyl,Icanseewhyothersmighthaveareasontomurderyou.”Hepaused.“Ihavenottoldyouwhosheis.ThatshouldtellyouthatIhaveareasonfornottellingyou.Suchareasoniseitherformysafetyoryours,orbecauseitmightendangersomeoneelse.Whensuchanoccasionoccurs,keepthespeculationtoyourself.Andsparemetheoldcanardabout
noquestionbeingstupid.Someare.”
“Yes,sir.”Thatspieltoldmehewasworried—morethanworried—andthatIshouldbeevenmoreconcerned,becauseitindicatedthatmorepeoplewantedtogetridofmethanIevenknew.“YourmessengerreachedmejustbeforeIwasgoingouttotalktoacquaintancesinthe
PortraitureGuild.WhatwouldyourecommendIdo,givenwhatyouknowthatIdon’t?”
“That’smuchbetter.IwouldsuggestthatyoutalktomorethanafewpeopleaboutEmanus’sdeath—ifonlytoprotectthem.”
Ididunderstandthat.IfItalkedtooneperson,thatpersonwasatrisk.Morethan
ahandful,anditwouldbedifficult...Ialmostsmiled,becauseIhadaverynastyidea.
“CanItellpeopleI’mfollowinguponsomethingfortheCollegium?”
“Whatwouldyoutellthem?”
I’dalreadythoughtthatout.“Wasn’ttheresomespeculationthatthefirst
bravo,theonethatshotme,hadshotsomeotherjuniorimagers?”
“AndyouwanttotellthemthatyouthoughtEmanusmighthaveknownsomething?”
Inodded.
“Sincehe’sdead,hecan’tverywellcontradictyou.Butyou’llhavetousefullshields,andyou’llbeonyourown
thistime.Idon’thavetotellyoutobecareful.”
“Iwillbe,sir.”
“Oh...takethedutycoachforyourfirststop.Thatway,ifanyone’swatchingthebridgetheywon’tseeyoucrossit.I’llhaveBeleartletthemknow.”Hiseyesflickedtowardthedoor.
Istoodimmediately.“Thankyou,sir.”
“Bestoffortune.”
AsIwalkedbacktomyquarterstochangeintoimagergrays,IwonderedwhyMasterDichartynwassuddenlysointerestedinpeoplewhoweretryingtokillme...andwhothewomanwas.Shecouldn’tjustbeanyone,oritwouldn’thavematteredifIknew.Shealsowasstillalive,forthesamereasons.
Afterchangingquickly,Ihurriedbacktotheduty-coachstandandfoundtwocoachesthere.
“ImagerRhennthyl?”askedthewiryobduratedriverofthefirstcoach.“I’mtotakeyouwhereveryouwanttogo,alleveningifnecessary.MasterDichartyndecideditwouldbequickerandsaferthatway.”
Nottomentiongivingmegreaterauthority,butIforborementioningthat.“Iappreciateit.”
“It’snotaproblem,sir.”Thedriversmiled.“Whereto?”
“DaravinWay,offDuoesteLanetotheeastofPlazaD’Nord.It’saboutthethirddwellingfromthecorner,headingeast.”
“Yes,sir.”
I’dalreadythoughtthatI’dbeginwithSagaryn,sinceChasys’sstudiowasthefarthestfromtheCollegium,andthenworkbackasIcould.Iclimbedintothecoach.ThedrivertooktheBridgeofDesires,thentheWestRiverRoadnorthtotheNordBridgebeforecrossingtheriverandheadingeast.Thatroutemadesense,
becausetherewerefarfewercoachesandwagonsonitthanontheBoulevardD’Imagers.Italsomightthrowoffanyonelookingforme.
Evenso,itwasclosetoaquintbeforefifthglasswhenthedriverstoppedthecoachinfrontofthesmalltwo-storydwelling.Thistime,whenIusedthebronzeknockerontheoutsidestudiodoor,
Sagarynwastheonewhogreetedme,ifasurprisedlookandanopenmouthamountedtoagreeting.Finally,hestammered,“Rhenn...Ididn’t...you’rethelastperson...”
“Itisn’tapersonalvisit,Sagaryn.I’mhereonimagerbusiness.”
“Chasysisn’there.”
“That’sfine.You’rethe
oneIcametosee,atthebehestoftheCollegium.”Ithoughtthatwasacorrect,ifindirect,wayofputtingit.
“Ah...comein.”
“Thankyou.”IstillheldmyshieldsasIsteppedinsideandheclosedthedoor.
Inthestudiobeyond,Icouldseeaportraitontheeasel,barelyoutlined.“Newportrait,Isee?”
“Yes.I’msureyoudidn’tcomeaboutthat.Notonimagerbusiness.”
“No.I’llmakeitasquickasIcan.YoumightrecallEmanus...theoldartistwhosometimescametothehall.TheyusuallycalledhimGrisarius.”
“Isawhim.Ineverspoketohim.”Sagaryn’seyebrowsknitinconfusionor
puzzlement.
“He’sdead.It’sverylikelybecauseofwhatheknew.Idon’tknowifyou’dheard,buttherehavebeenseveralshootingsofjuniorimagersoverthelastfewmonths.Iwasoneofthoseshot,andwhereIwasshotwasknowntoonlyafewpeople,mostofthemconnectedtotheguild.Wedon’tthinkanyoneintheguildhadanythingtodowith
theshootings,butwedothinkthatwhoeverdidmusthavetalkedtoseveralpeopleintheguild.”Ismiled.“SoI’mheretoseewhooutsidetheguildaskedyouaboutme.”
Therewastheslightestmovementatthecornersofhismouth,andforamoment,hiseyesflickeredawayfromme.Ijustwaited.
“Ah...it’sbeenawhile,
maybeasfarbackasaroundthebeginningofMayas—itcouldhavebeentheendofAvryl.RogarisandDolemisandIwereatLapinina.IthinkitwasaJeudinight,andweweretalkingabouthowSelioraandhercousintookyoutotheSamedigathering,andhowtheguard’seyesnearpoppedoutwhenyouwalkedinwiththem.Therewasthisfellow,andhe’djust
satdownatthenexttable,withanotherfellow.Hesaidsomethinglike,‘Wasthattheimagerwhousedtobeaportraituristjourneyman?’Rogarisaskedhimwhatbusinessitwasofhis,andthefellowsmiledandsaidthathe’dsuppliedthingstoCaliostrus,andthathe’drememberedthatyou’dbecomeanimagerbecausethereweren’tmanywho’d
beenartists.”Sagarynshrugged.“Thatwasprettymuchit,exceptIdidheartheotherfellowmentionsomethingaboutNordEsteDesign—thefurniturepeople—andhowitwaswhereSelioraworked.Theystayedabitandthenleft.”
“Whatdidtheylooklike?”
“Thatwastwomonthsago,Rhenn.Bothofthem,they
justlookedlikeanyoneelse.”
“Dideitheroneofthemwearayellowvest?”
“No.Onefellowhadasquare-cutbeard,old-style,youknow,thewaythesomeoftheoldrepresentationalistsdid.”
Asquare-cutbeard.Notmanymenhadsquare-cutbeardsanymore,andthemanwhohadshotmehadone.
Thatcouldbeacoincidence.Oritmightnotbe.“Doyourememberanythingelse?”
Sagarynshookhishead.Ikeptasking,buthecouldn’taddanymore.
Beforethatmuchlonger,Ileft,andthedrivermadehiswaythroughsomebacklanesevenIdidn’tknowtogetustoSloedyrWay,whereRogarisopenedthebrown-
painteddoortoJacquerl’sstudio.
“Rhenn...whatareyoudoinghere?”
Igesturedbackatthegraycoachwaitingforme.“Imagerbusiness.MightIcomein?Itshouldn’ttaketoolong.”
“Ihopenot.MadameJacquerlisservingquailtonightincelebrationofa
newapprentice.”
“Isee,”Isaiddryly.“Thewealthysonofwhom?”
Hedidflinch,ifslightly.“Agrainfactor.He’stheyoungestson.Jacquerldiddriveahardbargain.”Rogarissteppedbackandgesturedformetoenter.
Idid,evenasIdoubtedthatJacquerl,forallhispoliteness,wouldtakeany
otherkindofbargain.
“Whatisthisabout?”askedRogaris.
“YouknowGrisarius...orEmanus...theoldartist...”IgavehimthesameexplanationI’dgivenSagarynandthesameopeningquestion.
“Idon’trecallanyone...”Heshookhishead.
“Sagaryndid,andhesaidyouandDolemiswerewithhim,twomonthsagoatLapinina.”
Rogarisfrowned,tiltedhishead,thenlookeddown.Finally,hespoke.“Oh...that,buttheydidn’treallyaskanyquestions.Well...we’dbeentalkingaboutgirls,andAemalye,andSagarynsaidthatyouwereluckytohaveSeliorainterestedinyou
becausealotofimagershadtroublewithwomen.Oneofthefellowsatthenexttablemadeacommentaboutyoubeingoneofthefewartiststobecomeanimager,butitwasn’taquestion.Itwaslikehealreadyknew.”
“Didheaskanythingelse?”
“Hemadesomecommentaboutimagersnothavingmuchtimeforwomen,and
SagarynsaidthatyouwerethetypenottoletonelikeSeliorapassby.Thatwasit.”
“Doyourememberwhattheylookedlike?”
Rogarisshookhishead,thenstopped.“Justonething...theonewhotalkedhadanold-stylebeard.”
“Whatabouttheotherone?”
“Heneversaidanythingtous.”Therewasapause.“Iremember...hehadsortofthickbushyeyebrows,becauseIwasthinkingyoucouldalmostdefinehiminaportraitbythem.”
AndthatwasaboutallIgotfromRogaris.
AsthedriverheadedthecarriagetowardBeidaltPlace,justbeyondBakers’Lane,I
thoughtoverwhattheyhadtoldme.Thesquare-beardedmanmighthavebeenthefirstassassin,andthebushy-browedfellowcouldhavebeentheFerran,buttherewascertainlymorethanonemaninL’Excelsiswithanold-fashionedsquarebeard—andmorethanafewwithbushybrows.
Thesameapprenticewhohadopenedthezinc-green-
trimmedwhitedoortoMasterEstafen’sstudiothelasttimedidsoagain.Helookedattheimagergraysandturnedpale.
“I’mheretotalktoMasterEstafenonimagerbusiness.”
Hiseyesflickedpastmetotakeinthegraycoach,drawnbythepairofmatchedgrays.Ifanything,heturnedevenmorepale.“Yes,sir.Ifyou’dcomein...”
Idid,andinlessthanafewmoments,therotundmasterportraituristappeared.Helookedatme,thennodded.“Imighthaveguessed.Whatsortofimagerbusinessisthis?”
“I’mpartofagrouptryingtotrackdownassassinswhohavekilledseveraljuniorimagers,MasterEstafen.Iwasfortunateenoughtosurvivetheattackonme,and
theCollegiumthoughtImightbeofuseinlookingintothis,especiallysincetheguildappearstobeinvolved,atleastindirectly.”
“Theguild?Involved?Howcouldthatbe?Ifitis,shouldn’tyoubetalkingtoMasterReayalt?”
“Theguildmasterisnext,butyouwerecloser.ThereasonIcameisthatlast
weekendItalkedtoEmanusbecauseithadbeenbroughttomyattentionthathemighthaveknowledgethatmightbehelpful.Thenextdayhewasdead,buthedidprovidesomeinterestinginsights.”
“Interestingdoesnotmeanaccurate,ImagerRhennthyl.Nonetheless,howmightIhelptheCollegium?”Hiswordsweresmoothandassured.
“HasanyoneaskedyouaboutmesinceIbecameanimager?”
“Whywouldthey?”
Iofferedasmile.“That’swhatwe’retryingtodiscover.Severalmembersoftheguildwereapproachedandobservedbyonemanwhofitthedescriptionofoneoftheassassins.It’spossiblethatotherswereapproached,and
sinceIdohavesomeknowledgeoftheguildIwasaskedtofollowuponit.”
Estafennodded,andIhadthesensehewasnotquitesotense.“Icanassureyouthatnoone,exceptMasterReayalt,hasevensomuchasmentionedyournametome.”
“Doyouhaveanyideawhysomeonewhohasbeenassassinatingjuniorimagers
wouldbeinterestedinEmanus?”
“Ihavenoidea.Emanusmadeafewenemies,butthoseIknowofarelongdead,andevenweretheyalive,theywouldnothaveassociated,evenindirectly,withcommonkillers.”
Iaskedquestionsforalmostaquarterglass...andlearnednothingmore.Again,
Itookmyleave,feelingIhadlearnedlittle,andreturnedtotheCollegiumcoach.
BythetimeIleftthecoachatGuildmasterReayalt’sdwelling,onthesouthendoftheMartradonarea,threeblockssouthoftheMidroad,thesunwasjustabovetherooftopsandcastingalongreddishlightacrossL’Excelsis.
Reayalthimselfopenedthedoor,buthewasclearlysurprisedtoseeme.“Oh...ImagerRhennthyl,itisImager,isn’tit?IwasexpectingMasterSchorzat.”
“I’mcertainhe’llbehereshortly.I’mhereonadifferentmatter,anditshouldn’ttakeverylong.”Ipaused.“Bytheway,Ididn’tthankyouforsendingthestudyIdidtomyparents.
Thatwasamostkindandthoughtfulthingtodo,andboththeyandIappreciatedit.”
“FromwhatIknowofimagertraining,itwasnotlikelythatyouwouldhavebeenabletorecoverthepainting,anditisquitegood.Oh...pleasecomein.Ifyouwouldn’tmind,wecouldjusttalkinthefoyerhere.”
“Thatwouldbefine.”Withoutmuchpreamble,Ilaunchedintomyexplanationofmytask,butnotmentioningEmanus,endingwiththesamequestionI’dusedbefore.“Hasanyonemadeanyinquiriesaboutme?”
“No.Thatis,nooneoutsidetheguild.Elphensdidaskaboutyouafewdaysago,becausehethoughtthe
workmenbuildinghisnewdwellingandstudiohadseenyouthere.Therehadbeenanimagerthere,hesaid.”
“Iwasthere.Ihadn’trealizedthatMadameCaliostrushadleftL’Excelsis,andIwantedtoaskhermuchthesamequestionasIjustaskedyou.”
“Ah...thatexplainsmuch.”
“There’sanotheraspecttothisthatmayinvolvetheguild,ifindirectly.”
Hestiffenedeversoslightly.
“Emanus...orGrisarius...”Iwentontooffermyincompletestoryabouttheoldartist.
“Ihadnotheardthat,”offeredReayalt.“Itisregrettable,butperhaps
understandable.”
“Whymightthatbe?”
“Emanusalwaysdidtaketoogreataninterestinmatterspolitical,andevensomedealingwithintrigue,butIthoughthehadlearnedhislesson.”
“I’dheardthattherewasmoretohisremovalasguildmasterthanjustsellingarepresentationalpainting.”
“Mostdefinitely.Thatwasjustaconvenient,iftrue,reasontocoverupanindiscretionsothattheguildwouldnotbetarnishedbyuntowardgossip.”
“Doyouthinkhisdeathmightberelatedtothose...indiscretions?”
MasterReayaltshookhishead.“Icannotsaythatitisnotpossible,butitwouldbe
highlyunlikely.Mostofthoseinvolvedarenowdead.”
“TheHighHolder...?”
Helookedatmesharply.“Itmightnolongermatter,butIstillseenoreasontogointothat.”
“Youdon’tthinkitcouldinvolvehisdaughter,then?”
“Mostcertainlynot.Shemaynot...beallthather
peerswouldlike,butsheiswellaboveanyreproachorscandal,unlikehermother.How...”Heshookhishead.
“Ifthatisso,itpuzzlesmeastohowEmanusmightknowaboutassassins,andwhyanyonenowmightwishtokillhim,”Ioffered.
“Itdoesn’tpuzzleme,”repliedtheguildmaster.“Emanuswastrulybrilliant,
aswellasthefinestportraituristofhistime.Hewatchedeverything,andcoulddeducewhatpeoplemightbedoingorhavedonefromthesmallestofintimations.Yetforallthatbrilliance,henevertrulyunderstoodhowdangerousthatknowledgewastohimself,andtotheguild.”
“Thatwaswhyhewasremoved?”
“Essentially.”
Iaskedafewmorequestions,therepliestowhichofferednothingnew,andinclinedmyhead.“Thankyou.You’vebeenmostkind.IfyouorothersdohearofthekindofinquiriesI’vementioned,Iwouldappreciateknowingofthem.TheCollegiumdoesnotliketoloseyoungimagers,especiallywhenmosthave
stillbeenintraining.”
“Icanseethat,ImagerRhennthyl.”
Hisglancetowardthedoorremindedmethathewasexpectingcompany,andfurtherinquirieswouldintrudeondinner.SoItookmyleaveandmademywaybacktothecoach,askingthedrivertoreturntotheCollegium,butbythelower
partoftheBoulevardD’Imagers.
Sittinginthecoach,IconsideredwhatI’dlearned.SomeonehadbeenlookingformewellbeforeI’dbeenshot.ItwaslikelythattheFerranhadhiredthefirstassassinandbothwereworkingforsomeoneelse.BasedonwhatMasterReayalthadletslip,IwasconvincedthatEmanus’s
daughter’smotherhadindeedbeenaHighHolder,andthatthescandalhadbeenhushedup.WhatthathadtodowiththekillingsofjuniorimagersIhadnoidea.Ihadn’ttalkedtoDolemisorAurelean,butI’dneverspentthatmuchtimewiththem,andAureleanwassowrappedupinAureleanthathewouldn’thavebeenabletotellanyoneverymuchaboutanyoneelse,
andhewouldn’thaverememberedwhathe’dsaid—unlessitboreonhisfuture.
IstudiedthesidewalksasthecoachnearedtheBridgeofHopes,butIdidn’tseeanyonelookingevenvaguelyliketheFerran.Butthen,ifhewerethere,hewouldn’tbelookingasI’dseenhim.MasterDichartynwasn’tinhisstudy,andIhurriedtothedininghall,arrivingverylate,
whenmostwerelingeringoverdessert.ButIdidsitwithDartaznandMenyard,andwediscussedthestateoftheworld,aboutwhichwe’dheardnothingnew.Sincewehadn’t,Isupposedthatwarhadnotyetbrokenout.
Afterward,Iagainstoppedbytheadministrationbuilding,butnoonewasthere.
Numberscanmislead,
butlesssoifoneunderstandswhatliesbehindthem.
OnMardimorning,itwasastruggletogetupintimetostaggerofftoClovyl’sexercisegroup,butIreachedtheexerciseroomsjustafterthesun’sfirstraysangled
overtheeastsideofthequadrangleandjustbeforeMasterDichartyn.
“Rhenn!”hecalledfrombehindme.
“Yes,sir?”Istoppedandwaited.
“MeetmeinmystudybeforeyoutakethecoachtotheChateau.”
“Yes,sir.”
Thatchangeinschedulerequiredmorerushing,andaveryhurriedshowerandbreakfastsothatIcouldgettoMasterDichartynandstillhavetimetomakethedutycoach.Howhemanagedit,Ididn’tknow,becausehewaswaitingbehindhiswritingdesk,lookingcalmandunrushed,neitherofwhichIfelt.
“Whatdidyoudiscover,if
anything,lastnight?”
“SomeonewaslookingtofindmeasearlyasaroundtheendofAvryl.Thereweretwomen.TheymatchedthegeneraldescriptionoftheFerranandthemanwhoshotme...”ItoldhimwhatI’ddiscovered,andmysuspicionsaboutMasterEstafenandGrisarius.“Oh...IalsotalkedtoGuildmasterReayalt.Hesaidnoonehad
askedaboutme...buthewasexpectingMasterSchorzatfordinner.”
“That’snotsurprising.They’recousins.”
“Idon’tmeantobeforward,sir,butReayaltbecameguildmasterandhadsomethingtodowithEmanusbeingforcedtostepdown—”
“MasterSchorzatisawareofthatandhasconfirmed
certaincircumstanceswithhiscousin.Forthemoment,thatisallyouneedtoknow.”
“Yes,sir.”IwasalreadygettingalittlemorethantiredwithMasterDichartyn’ssecrecy.Sofar,ithadn’tdoneallthatmuchtoprotectme,andIcertainlyhadn’tdoneanythingtojeopardizetheCollegium.“ShouldImakemoreinquiriesorwaitafewdays?”
“Doyouthinkthatyou’lllearnthatmuchmorefromtheothersyoucouldeasilytalkto?”
“Idon’tthinkso,sir.”
“ThenI’dsuggestyouwait.We’vetracedMadameCaliostrustoCleville—that’sasmalltownnearRivages.We’rewaitingonareport.”Hepaused,thensaid,“You’dbettercatchthedutycoach.”
“Yes,sir.”Irose,inclinedmyhead,andhurriedoffinmymessenger/guarduniform.
TheonlyinterestingeventofthemorningwaswhenapurportedstonecutteronhiswaytoseeCouncilorAlucion“tripped”androlleddownthegrandstaircase.ThedutycoachcartedhimbacktotheCollegiumtorecover.Ididn’tgettoaskaboutthatuntillunch,whenBaratynsent
Martylandmedowntothekitchen,wherewesatinthesmallalcoveandwithplattersofcreamedriceandfowl.
“Howdidyouknowhewasn’tastonecutter?”Itookamouthfulofthericeandfowl,bland,butprobablyfilling,tryingtoignorehowhotthekitchenareawas.
“Thelittlethings.Hetriednottosaymuch,buthewas
toowellspoken.Hishandsweretoopaleandtoosoft,andheworesoft-leatherbootsthatwerealmostnew.”
“Hetriedsomethingbeforeyouevenreachedthecouncilor?”
“Hehadapistolhiddeninhisjacket.Iwaiteduntilwewereonthestairsandsuggestedthatheshouldn’ttakeitintoseethecouncilor.
Hetriedtouseitonmeandlosthisbalance.”
Ididn’tpressonthat.“Whodoyouthinkhewas?”
“Jariolan,ifIhadtoguess.TheFerransusuallydon’tattackcouncilorsintheChateau,andtheCaenenansareusuallydarker.Besides,theirnewHighPriestissendinganenvoytoworkoutatradeagreement.That’s
whatIoverheardHighCouncilorSuyrientellingGlendyl.”
“TheirmerchantersareallbottledupinCaena,andthey’velosttheirHighPriest,andwe’retalkingaboutatradeagreement?”
Martyllaughed.“It’sbetterthancallingitasurrenderagreement,isn’tit?They’llprobablyhavetolowertariffs
onourgoodsandpaydamages.TheCouncilcaresmoreaboutgoldsandresults,notwhatthey’recalled.”
Mymouthwasfull,andInodded,thentookasipofthegrisiothathadcomewiththemeal.Thewinewasthebestpart.
“DidyouhearaboutSelastyr?”askedMartyl.
“Ishethetallblondthird
whoworkswithMenyard?”
“Worked.HehadagirlwholivedwithheroldersisterandherhusbandneartheSudBridge.Hewenttoseeherlastnight.Whenhegotoutofthehack,someoneshothim.Hediedrightthere.”
“Noshields...then.”
Martylshookhishead.“Mostoftheimagerswhodo
equipmentworkanddesigncandodetailimaging,buttheydon’tmanageshieldswell.And...Reynol,hemaybeanexpertwithledgers,buthewouldn’tknowashieldifheranintoit.”
“Arefieldimagersandsecurityimagerstheonlyoneswhocanhandleshields?”
“We’renottheonlyones,
butwe’remostoftheoneswhocan.”
AlthoughI’dsuspectedtheanswerbeforeI’daskedthequestion,Iwasgladfortheconfirmation.“Itseemstomethatwe’velostalotofjuniorimagersthisyear.”
Martylnodded,thenswallowed,andtookasipofwinebeforereplying.“That’swhatBaratynsaid.Usually,
mostoftheoneswhodiegetkilledbytheirownmistakes,andthat’smaybethreeorfourinawholeyear.”
IfI’dcountedright,fourhadbeenshotsinceI’dbeenattheCollegium,fiveifIcountedtheattemptsonme.Butthen,Iwonderedaboutthosekilledby“mistakes.”I’dseenthreeofthoseinhalfayear,andthoseweretheonesIknewabout.Themore
Isaw,themoreIrealizedwhatIwasn’tseeing.“We’vehadsomethingliketwoorthreeattemptedattackshereeveryweek.Isthatusual?”
“That’saboutright.”
Twoorthreeaweek—andtheCouncilwasinsession,onandoff,forthirtyweeksoutoffiftyThatwasbetweensixtyandninetyattemptedassassinationsofcouncilorsa
year.WasSolidarthathated?
“You’dthinkthatthey’dlearn,butitkeepshappening.”Martylshookhishead.“Someofthemarelocal,too.TheythinktherearetoomanyHighHoldersontheCouncilortoofewguildrepresentatives,orlikethatMadameD’Shendael,theythinkthatthereoughttobecouncilorselecteddirectlybythepeople.Canyou
imaginewherethatwouldlead?”
Icould.
WhenwefinishedeatingwehadtohurrybackuptothemainleveltorelieveBaratynandDartazn.
Donotconcentrateonsums
whennothingaddsup.
Fortherestoftheweek,littleornothingbeyondtheroutineoccurredattheCouncilChateau.Thatdidgivemeachancetopracticemoreinthewayofobservationskills.IdidnotethatBaratynflicked
hiseyesupforjustamomentbeforehegavedirections.
NordidIhearanythingfromMasterDichartyn.Infact,atthemorningexercisesessions,hescarcelyevenlookedinmydirection.Intherunning,hewasjustslightlyslowerthanIwas,butoverthreemilles,itgenerallymeantIfinishedagoodfiftyyardsaheadofhim.
Then,justbeforeIlefttheChateauonVendrei,lookingforwardtoapleasantweekend,especiallyonSamedi,Baratynhandedmeamessage.
“It’sfromMasterDichartyn.”
Iopenedtheenvelopeandreadtheshortmessage.
Inmystudyatfifthglass.
Underthesinglelinewasaspare“D.”
IhadjustenoughtimetogetbacktotheCollegiumandchangeintomygraysandgetacrossthequadrangletotheadministrationbuildingbeforethebellsintheanomentowertothesouthbeganto
strike.
MasterDichartynwasstandingbytheopenwindowofhisstudyandmotionedformetoenter.Ididclosethedoor,butIdidn’tsitdownbecausehedidn’t.
“WefinallyhavethatreportonMadameCaliostrus.”MasterDichartynlookedbothsternandwearyatthesametime.“Sheand
hersonMarcylwerekilledbackinearlyAvryl.Shewasstayingwithhersister.ThesisterandCaliostrus’sdaughtershadgonetomarket,andthehusbandwasatworkontheriver.Theboyandhismotherhadtheirthroatscut.Therewasn’tmuchofastruggle.”
“Thelal?”
MasterDichartyn’ssmile
couldhavebeenashrug.“Mostofthegoldsweremissingfromthestrongbox.”
“Shedidn’tbelieveinbanks.ThatwasasorepointbetweenherandMasterCaliostrus.”
“TheotherthingisthatItalkedtotheCivicPatrolagain.”Heshookhishead.“Someofthewallstonesaroundoneofthewindowsin
Caliostrus’sstudiowereblownout.”
“Paraffinandwaxeswon’tdothat.”
“No,andthatsuggestssomesortofexplosivewasinvolved.Thelalwasanironwaylaborerforatime.Hewasdismissedforsmallthefts.”
Allthatmadeasortofsense.IfThelalhadplanted—
orevenjusthidden—theexplosivesinthestudio,waitingfortherighttime,I’dinadvertentlycommittedhismurderforhim.“But...whywouldhehideexplosivesinthestudio?”
“Whereelsecouldheputthem?Mostnights,hedidn’tknowwherehe’dbesleeping.”
“ThenyouthinkthatThelal
doesn’thaveanythingtodowithmyshooting?”
MasterDichartynfrowned.“Thepatrollersdon’tthinkso,butIdon’tlikecoincidences.Everymaleinthathouseholdiseitherdead,ornearlyso,inyourcase.Thesurvivingdaughtersaremorethanahundredmillesaway.Areyoucertainthatyoudidn’tseesomething?”
“Onceortwice,IoverheardMadameCaliostrusmentionthingslike‘yourworthlessbrother.’Shedidn’tlikehimaroundatall,butIonlysawhimonceortwiceayear,I’dguess.”
“Heknewyouwerethere,then.”
“Hehadto.Iwastheremorethantenyears.”
“Pleasethinkaboutit,if
youwill...andtrytobemoreobservant.Ifyouhadbeenwhenyouwereaportraiturist...”Heshookhishead.
Icouldn’tchangethepast.“Isthereanythingelse,sir?”
“Shouldtherebe?”
Ifeltthatthereshouldbe,butwhat,Icouldn’thavesaid.“NotthatIknow,sir.”
“Rhennthyl...nevermind.Youcango.”Hepaused.“I’llbegoneforafewdays.”
Ileft.MasterDichartynwasclearlyworriedaboutmorethanwhohadbeenshootingatme,becausethecirclesunderhiseyesweredeepanddark,buthedidn’twanttosay.Ordidn’tdare.
WasthatpartofwhatIhadtolookforwardtoasa
counterspyimager?Icouldn’tsayIwasacounterspyyet.IwasjustahiddensecurityguardfortheCouncil,but,ifIeverwantedtobemore,wouldIhavetokeepmoreandmoresecrets?
IdecidedtogolookforDartaznorReynol.MartylwasgoingoffImagisleforadinnerwithrelatives,andMenyardhadmentionedatbreakfastthathewasleaving
fortheweekend.Hedidn’thavetodealwithClovyl’sexercisesandrunsonSamedimorning.
Whenyoufinally’thinkyou
understandthingsismostlikelywhenyoudon’t.
OnSamedimorning,Clovyl’sexercisegroupwasmarkedlysmaller.Outofthetenorsowhoappearedregularly,theonlyonesIknewpersonally—orevenbyname—were
Martyl,Dartazn,Baratyn,andMasterDichartyn.Theothersixrangedinagefromtheirlatetwentiestotwentyyearsbeyondthat,butallwerewell-muscledandtrim,andseveraloftheoldermenranfasterthanIdid,althoughnoonecameclosetoDartazn.Thatmorning,whileIknewMasterDichartynwouldnotbethere,neitherwasBaratyn,norweretwoothers.Given
theirabsences,andthecirclesunderMasterDichartyn’seyes,asIstruggledtokeepupclosetoDartaznintherunthatendedthemorningworkout,Icouldn’thelpbutwonderwhattheymightbedoing.
Afterrecoveringfromtherunonmywalkbacktothequarters,Itookacoolbutthoroughshowerandshaved.ThenIdressedandheaded
acrossthequadrangletothedininghall,whereImetMartyl.Dartaznjoinedusaswesatdownatthelongtable.Ipouredafullmugofteaandwaitedfortheplattersofsausageandfriedflatcakestoreachus.
“MasterDichartynandalltheseniorsweregone.Didhesayanythingtoyouyesterday?”askedMartyl.
Dartaznlaughed.“Henevertellsanyoneanythingtheydon’thavetoknow.Notme,notyou,notRhenn.”
“Heonlytoldmehe’dbegoneforafewdays,afterpointedlyremindingmethatIshouldhavebeenmoreobservantbackwhenIwasaportraituristanddidn’tknowIneededtoremembereveryconversationwithintenyards.”Mywordscameout
edgedwithvinegar.
Theybothlaughed.
“It’sonethingtotellmethataboutwhatIdonow...”Istoppedandjustshookmyhead.
“He’sdonethattoallofus,”Martylsaid.
“Something’safoot.”Dartaznpausedtotakeahealthyhelpingofsausages.
Noneofusspokeforatime,perhapsbecauseweenjoyedthesweetberrysyrupontheflatcakesandbecausewewerehungryafterhavingbeenupandactiveforseveralglasses.
“Whatdoyouthinkishappening?”Ifinallyasked.“YoutwohavebeenimagerslongerthanIhave.”
“Mostotherlandsknow
thatstartingawarwithSolidarisn’tthebestidea,”saidDartaznslowly,“buttheirrulersoftenfacepressurestodosomething.Thatcanleadtoattemptsatassassinations,sabotage,thatsortofthing.”
“ThatsoundslikeMasterDichartynhasgottenwindofsomething.”
“Itcouldbe...oritcould
bethatthey’realloffmeetingtogooverwhatmighthappen.”
Wetalkedforatime,speculatingtonorealresult,andbeforelong,Martylrose.“I’mtomeetmyuncleattheironwaystation,andI’dbetterbethere.He’sneverbeentoL’Excelsis.”
Weallwalkedoutofthedininghalltogether,butthen
IhadtohurryouttomystudiotoworkontheportraitofMasterPoincaryt—excepthedidn’tcome.Instead,Beleartarrivedjustaftereighthglasshadchimed.
“MasterPoincarytwon’tbeabletomakethesittingtoday,sir.HewillbeherenextSamedi.”
AfterBeleartdeparted,Iheadedbacktomyown
quarters,Oncethere,Isatdownatmydeskandthoughtaboutthedayahead.AlthoughIwouldbehavingdinnerwithSelioraandherfamily,Ineededtotalktoafewmorepeople—perhapsevenElphensandAurelean.Itcouldn’thurttoseeifFatherorKhethilahadanyideasorsuggestions,orifeitherhadseenanything.
Idecidedtostartwith
FatheratthefactorageandwalkedfrommyquartersovertheBridgeofDesirestoWestRiverRoad.Thatwasactuallyclosertomyquarters,buthadIbeentakingahackdirectlytomyparents’house,itwouldhavebeenmorecostly,notthatIlackedcoins.Infact,IhadmorefundsthanI’dhadinyears,andI’dactuallyusedthetinyone-roombranchoftheBanque
D’Excelsisinanookoffthedininghall—justanunmarkeddoorbehindwhichwasasingletellercage—toopenanaccount.EvenwithwhatI’dspentonhacksandfoodoverthesummerandearlyharvest,Ihadslightlymorethanfivegoldsputby.UnlikepoorMadameCaliostrus,Ifeltbetternothavingtoworryaboutastrongbox.Ialsohadno
doubtsabouttheBanque;itwasn’tabouttoshorttheCollegium.
AsIsteppedontothebridge,Iwasholdingfullshields.Thatmadeawarmmorningevenwarmer,butIcouldseecloudstothenorthandwest.Thatcouldheraldacoolerafternoon,oronejustashot—andsteamy.JustoffWestRiverRoad,Ihailedahack.
“AlusineWool—southonWestRiver,ahalfmillepasttheSudBridge,onthewestside.”
“Yes,sir.Wecandothat.”
WhenIleftthehackinfrontofthefactorage,Itookamomenttostudyit.Thebuildingwasstillthesameoldyellow-brickstructurethatstretchedagoodseventyyardsalongWestRiverRoad.
Theloadingdockswereoutofsightintherear,andthecoveredentrywascenteredonthemiddleofthebuilding.AsIclimbedthethreestepstothedoubleoakdoors,Inotedthattheyhadbeensandedcleanandthenrevarnished,andthedarkgreencasementtrimrepainted.
Inside,itwasdarker,andcooler,andItookseveral
stepsfartherintotheopenareabeforetheracksthatheldtheswathesofvariouswools.Toonesidewasanothersetofrackswiththelighterfabrics—muslin,cotton,linen.Despitethenameofthefactorage,Fatherhadalwayscarriedawiderangeoffabrics,colors,andpatterns.
“MasterRhennthyl...we’dnotexpectyouhere.”Thebaldingmanwhostepped
forwardwasEilthyr,whowasnowinchargeoftheday-to-dayworkonthefloor.
“IthoughtI’ddropby.”Myeyesflickedtotheraisedplatformattheback,fromwhereFathercouldsitathisdeskandsurveyeverything,notthathesattheremuchiftherewerepotentialcustomers.
Khethilawasatthedesk—
lookingatme.Ihadaveryunsettledfeelingaboutthat.
“Yes,sir...yourfather...”
“MistressKhethilacanhelpme,I’mmostcertain.But...thankyou.”
“Yes,sir.”
AsIskirtedthesampleracks,Icouldheartheexchangebetweenthe
warehouseman,whohadappearedfromsomewhere,andEilthyr.
“Theimager...?”
“That’sthefactor’seldest...usedtobeanartist.”
“...looksmorelikeacommando...wouldn’twanttocrosshim...”
“...takesaftertheoldman,thatway...”
Ihadtosmileatthethoughtofmytakingaftermyfather.
KhethilawasstandingbythetimeIwalkedupthelowstepstothedesk.“Rhenn...Ididn’texpecttoseeyouhere.”
“I’dactuallywantedtoaskbothyouandFatheraboutsomethings,butIhavethefeelinghe’snotanywhere
around.”
“NeitherMothernorFatherare.MothertooktheironwaytoseeAuntIlena,andFatherwentbacktoKherseilles.”
“Rouselmadeamessoftheaccounting,didn’the?”
Khethilalookedatme,hereyestoobright.“It’sawful.Heborrowedagainsthisinventory,andwhentheshipmentsfromtheAbierto
Islestooklongertoarrive,theinterestwashigher,andheborrowedmore...”
“Fatherwon’tloseeverything,willhe?”Thatwasmygreatestfear.
Sheshookherhead.“No,butitcouldcostclosetotwohundredgoldcrowns.”
“Twohundred?”
“That’sifeverythinggoes
wrong.FatherandIworkedoutawaytoamortizethedebtagainstthebuildingtherethatwilllowertheinterestonwhatRouselowes.”
“You’rerunningthingshere,aren’tyou?”
“Mostly.”Shegrinned.“Father’ssurprised.IdohavetobeverycarefulandalwayssaythatI’vecheckedwith
him,andIdowhenhe’shere.”Afterapause,sheasked,“Whatdidyouwanttoknow?”
“I’dappreciateitifyoudidn’ttellanyoneoutsidethefamily,butpeoplehavebeenshootingatme,andIhadtowonderifyou’venoticedanyonelurkingaroundthehouseorcominginhereandaskingaboutme.”
“Youtoldmeyou’dbeenshot.Ididn’ttellMother,youknow?”Shepaused.“Yousaidshooting.Hassomeoneelse...?”
“Someonehasbeenfollowingme,andtheydidshootatmeagain,”Iadmitted.“I’mfine.Theydidn’tcomeclosetohittingme.”Inaway,thatwasdeceptive,butIdidn’tfeelIcouldexplain.“Master
DichartynthoughtIshouldaskeveryoneIknew,andmyfamily,ifthey’dseenanythingstrange.”
Khethilashookherhead.“Ihaven’tseenanythinglikethat,butIwillkeepaneyeout,justincase.”Sheglancedpastme,towardanoldermanwhohadenteredandwaswalkingtowardEilthyr.“You’resureyou’reallright?”
“I’mfine.”Iglanceddownatthebookonthecornerofthedesk.Itdidn’tlookfamiliar.“What’sthat?”
Sheflushed.“It’smyguide...sortof.MadameD’ShendaelwroteavolumeonthebasicsofcommerceandfinanceforthewivesofHighHoldersandfactors.Shesaiditwasatreatiseforwomenwholosttheirhusbandsthroughillnessand
accident,tohelpthemunderstandmatterssothattheywerenothelpless.”
“It’smuchmorethanthat,isn’tit?”
Thatbroughtagrin.
“Howdidyoufindit?”
“IfinishedherPoeticDiscourseandherCivicVirtue,andIwenttothebookshopnearthesquare.
TheonlybookofhersIcouldfindwasthisone.”Shehelditup.ThenameonthespinewasAWidow’sGuide.“Ialmostputitdown,butsincetherewasn’tanythingelsethere,Istartedtoread.Ialmostburstoutlaughing,rightinthebookshop,bythethirdpage.TherearethingsintherethatFathernevereventhoughtof,butIdidn’ttellhimwhereIgotthem.”
“Howmanybookshasshewritten?”
“Notthatmany.There’soneotherone,andIorderedit,butIdon’trememberthetitle.It’sabouttheroleofwomeninfosteringculture,Ithink.”
“She’squitethewriter.”
“Sheis,andshewriteswell.”
“Iknow.You’vequotedheratmeafewtimes.”
“She’sworthquoting.”
Ijustsmiled.“Howlongwillyoubeinchargehere?”
“Fatherhopestobebackbynextweekend.IgavehimasetofguidelinesforRousel.Itoldhimtotellourdearbrotherthattheycamefromanoldtreatiseoncommerce.”
“Buttheycamefromthat?”IgesturedtowardAWidow’sGuide.
Shenodded.“Canyoujoinmefordinner?”
Ishookmyhead.“Ihaveanengagement.”
“Whoisshe?”
“Someone...”Igrinned.
“Rhenn!”
“Ifitturnsintosomethingreallyserious,you’llbethefirsttoknow.Cometothinkofit,youarethefirsttoknowthatthereisasomeone.”
“She’spartPharsianddark-haired,isn’tshe?”
“Whydoyousaythat?”
“You’veneverlookedatanyotherkind.”
“Yes...andthat’sallI’ll
say.”
Shegrinnedoncemore.“Andshe’saspooras...asabookkeepingclerk?”
“Iansweryourquestions,andyou’llfigureitout.Besides,Ihavetotalktoafewotherpeople,hopefullybeforetheystartshootingatmeagain.”
Hergrinvanished.“Youwillbecareful?Promise?”
“Iwill.”
Shegavemeanembrace,andIheadedforthedoor.
Outside,Ionlyhadtowaitabittohailahack,andbeforelongwewereheadednorthontheWestRiverRoad,thenovertheNordBridgeandeastontheBoulevardD’Este.
WhenIfinallyreachedMasterKocteault’sstudioand
knockedonthedoor,Aureleanwastheonetoopenit.Hiseyeswidened.“Rhenn?You’reanimager?Ihadheardsomethingofthat.Idosupposethatisnaturalforonewithartisticpretensions...Imeanabilities.”
“That’strue.Youalwayshavebeenoutstandingatdeterminingpretensions...Imeanabilities,Aurelean.Butenoughofthetrivial.I’mhere
onimagerbusiness.MightIcomein?”
“Oh,ofcourse.Imagerbusiness,howdroll.”Hesteppedbackandletmeenterandclosethedoor.“WhatcanIdoforyou?MasterKocteaultisnothere.”
Washeeverthere?“You’retheoneIcametosee,andit’srathersimple.Hasanyoneaskedyouaboutme,orwhere
Imightbefound?Orforthatmatter,haveanystrangersshowedupatthehallwhohaveaskedquestions...anytimethatyoucanrecallsincelastspring?”
“Thatsoundsmorepersonalthanimager.”
“It’snot.Severalimagershavebeenshotat.I’monlyoneofthem,andotherimagersaretrackingdown
theothers,buttheCollegiumthoughtImightknowbestwhomtotalktoamongtheartists.”
“Shootingatimagers,”musedAurelean,thesuperciliousnessgoneforamoment,“that’snotgood.”Hefrowned.“Idon’trememberwhenitwas,exceptitwasacoldSamediinspring,Ithink.Ididseetwopeopletalkingtooneof
theapprentices—itmighthavebeentheonewhodrownedlastmonth,nowthatIthinkofit.Iremembereditbecauseoneofthemhadthesquare-cutbeardthatalltheposeurswhothinktheymightbeartistsusedtoaffect.”
“Thatwastheonlytimeyousawanythinglikethat?”
“Nameless,no.I’msuretherewereotherstrange
things.Therearealwaysstrangeoccurrencesifoneonlylooks,butthatisthesoleoccasionthatIcanrecall.”
Inodded.“Thankyou.Ifyoudoseeanything,orrecallanything,youcoulddropmeanoteattheCollegium.”
“Icould,Isuppose.”
Ismiled.“Bytheway,evenifyoudidittoflatterMasterKocteault,itwasaverygood
portraitofhisdaughter.”
Heactuallyflushed.“Why,thankyou.”
AfterIleftAurelean,IfoundanotherhackandhadhimdropmeoffatElphens’snewdwellingandstudio.Noonewasthere,althoughitwasclearhehadmovedin.IwishedthatI’dhadthehackwait,becauseIhadtowalktotheendofBakers’Laneand
waitmorethanaquarterglasstofindanothertotakemedowntothesquare.Bythenitwaswellpastnoon,andIwasmorethanalittlewarm.
IslippedintoLapinina,butIdidn’tseenanyoneIknew,notsurprisingly,becausemostartistswouldnothavebeentherethatearly.Itookthesmallerofthetwovacanttables.
Staelaapproached.“Sir?”
Ilookedupather.“WhetherI’manimagerornot,Staela,I’mstillRhenn.Whatdoyouhavethat’scooltodrinkandlighttoeat?”
Shewassilentforjustamoment.“There’saKienynwhitewebroughtupfromthecellar,andthechoppedfowlsaladisgood.”
“I’llhaveboth.”
“Yes,sir.”SheslippedawaybeforeIcouldsayanything...orevensigh.
Withinmomentsshereturnedwithatallflutedglassofaslightlybubblyamberishwine.“TheKienyn.That’sthree.”
Iputasilveronthetable.“Forthewineandthesalad.”
Shescoopedthecoinupandlefttwocoppersbefore
nearlyfleeing.
IsippedtheKienynandlistened.Noonewastalking.Theonlysoundforthatmomentwasthebuzzofaflythatcircledsomewhereabovemyhead.Icontinuedtosipandwait.Still,noonesaidanything.
OnlywhenStaelareappearedwiththegreensandchoppedfowlandIbegan
toeatdidafewwordsbegantoflowaroundthesmallbistro.
“...behotlikethisforanothertwoweeks...”
“Morelikethree...”
“...thinkthisishot...oughtbeinCaena...”
“...theirHighPriest...changedhismindoncetheNavyblockadedhisports..
.”
“...differentHighPriest...”
‘They’reallthesame...”
“...knowtheimager?”
“...mightbetheonewhowasanartist...”
“...tootall...toomuchmuscleforanartist...”
AsStaelatriedtoslipby,I
motioned.“TheKienynisgood.Haveyoualwayshadit?”
“No...justthissummer.Wouldyoulikeanother?”
“Inamoment.”Igesturedtothechair.“Pleasesitdown.Idohaveafewquestionstoaskyou,andthey’reonbehalfoftheCollegium.Imagerbusiness.Nothingsecret.”
Shedidseatherself,ifwithanairofresignation.
“Idon’tknowifyou’veheardthis,butsomeonehasbeenshootingatimagers,oftenyoungones,orthoseintraining.Iwasoneofthem.WhattheCollegiumwouldliketoknowiswhetheryouevernoticedanyonewhoseemedtobefollowingme,orwhoaskedaboutme,ortalkedaboutimagers.”
“Sir...Itrynottopayattentiontowhatpeoplesay.Idon’tknowasIrecallanythinglikethat.”
Inodded.“Icanseethat.Doyourememberamaninasquarebeard—youknow,thekindthatyouseeinalltheoldpaintingsofartists,butthekindnoartisthastoday?”
Therewasonlyamomentaryfrownbefore
Staelareplied.“Therewasonefellow.Someofthejourneymenpointedhimoutwhenheleft.Theylaughedandsaidhewasawould-beartist.That’swhyIremember.HeusedtocomehereonVendreinightsandSamediafternoons,maybeforamonththisspring.Hedidn’tsaymuch.Hejustlistenedtotheothers.Hewashereforawhile,thennevershowedup
again.”
“Didanyoneevercomewithhim?”
“Therewasanotherfellowonceinawhile.Heworeayellowvestonetime.Ionlynoticedbecausehepaidfortheotherone’swinewithgolds.Hedidn’tseemtohaveasilvertohisname.Justgolds.”Shelookedatmedirectlyforthefirsttime.
“That’sall.Honest.That’sallIremember.”
“Thankyou.IwouldlikeanotherKienyn.”
“Comingup.”
Staelawasn’tquitesostiffafterthat,butIcouldtellthatshestillwantedmetoleave.WhileIdidn’tgulpdownthesecondglass,Ialsodidn’tlingerovereverylastdrop,butIdidleaveherahalf
silvertip.
TheonlyotherplaceI’devervisitedevenhalfwayfrequentlywasRozini’s,onthefarsideofthesquare.Iwanderedoverthere,andaskedseveraloftheservers,butnoonerememberedmeoranyoneaskingaboutme.Afterthat,Istillhadtimetokill,andIdidn’treallyfeellikegoingbacktotheCollegium.SowhenIsawthe
bookstoresign,Iwanderedinside.
Asoft-lookingyoungmanwiththickspectaclesappearedalmostimmediately,emergingfrombehindacarrelofbooks.“MightIhelpyou?”
“Iwasjustlooking.”
“Wedon’tseemanyimagershere,sir.”
Ismiled.“I’msureyoudon’t,butI’dwageryouseemysistereverysooften.”
“Yoursister?”Whilepolite,histonesuggestedtheimpossibilityofanimagerhavingsisters.
“KhethilaD’Chenkyr.Tallishyoungwoman,huskyvoice,likesbooksbyMadameD’Shendael.”
“She’sverywellread.”
Again,thetonewascondescending,suggestingthat,whetherwewererelatedornot,noimagercouldpossiblybewellread.
“Sheisindeed,andI’mcertainshegotthehabitfromallthatIreadherwhenshewasyounger.”Ismiledpolitelyandturnedaway.
Beforelong,IdidfindtheshelfthatcarriedMadame
D’Shendael.TherewerecopiesofbothPoeticDiscourseandCivicVirtue,butneitherAWidow’sGuide,northeotherbookwereontheshelves.BecauseI’dheardenoughofKhethila’squotesfromtheDiscourse,IpickedupCivicVirtue.Rightbehindthefrontispiecewasanetchingofawoman,andthescriptedtypefacebelowreadMadameJuniae
D’Shendael.Therewassomethingabouttheetching,andIstudiedit,wonderingwhetherithadbeendonebyEstafen,butthesignatureinthecornerwasthatofTeibyn,whowasknowntobebetteratetchingportraitsthanatpaintingthem.
Iflippedthepageandcameacrossthededication:
Tomymother,forreasonsmorethanenough.
Iwouldhavebeendisappointed,somehow,ifithadbeentoherfatheroranyman,perhapsbecauseofallthatKhethilahadsaid.
ThenIleafedbacktothe
portraitetching.Atthatmoment,Irecognizedher.Theetchingshowedherasamaturewoman,butshewasthesamewomanasthegirlintheminiature...andthatrealizationleftmemoreconfusedthanever.HowcouldshebeEmanus’sdaughter?HighHolderstatusalwaysranthroughthemaleline—unlesstherewerenomaleheirs—andthenthe
eldestdaughter,butonlyifshemarriedwithinaHighHolderfamilyandherhusbandtookthefamilyname.Inaddition,HighHolderswereanythingbutforgiving.OrwasthethreateneddisclosureofJuniae’sparentagewhyEmanushadlethimselfberemoved?Butwhywouldhehavebeenkilledyearslateroverthat?
Itwasstillonlyjustpastsecondglass.SoItookahackbacktotheBridgeofDesires,walkedacrossitinthehotafternoonsun,backtomyquarters.Intheend,Ididtakeanothershower,becauseIwassohotandsweaty,andchangedoncemore.
MytimingwasmoreprecisethanduringmycallonSelioratheSolayibefore,andIsteppedoutofthehack
justbeforethesinglebellproclaiminghalfpastfourstruck.Unsurprisingly,Bhenytwastheretoopenthedoorandescortmeuptothemainlivinglevel.
Seliorawaswaiting,aslovelyaseverinadresscomposedofaflowingfilmydarkgreenskirtandablackshort-sleevedtop,notterriblylow-cut,butcertainlynotexcessivelymodest,either.
Shesmiled,thentookmyhands.
Wedidembraceandkiss,ifrelativelychastelyandquickly.
“Wedecidedwe’llneedtoeatontheterrace.It’sjusttoohotdownhereinthemaindiningroom.Wecangoupnow.”
Ifollowedherupthestepsandthenoutontotheterrace.
Shewasright.Itwasdefinitelycoolerthere.Iglancedtothenorthwest.ThosesamecloudsI’dseenthatmorningstilllurkedinthesky,buttheydidn’tseemtohavemovedatall.
“Wehaveachoiceofdrinks.”Selioranoddedtowardasmallcabinet-liketablesetjustforwardofthenorthwall,westofthedoubledoors.Aservingmanina
whiteshirtandadarkgreenwaistcoatstoodbehindit.
“Shallwesee?”Ismiledather,enjoyingbeingwithher.
WewalkedtotheportablesideboardwhereweagreedonwhiteCambrisio.
“Thetableontheeastthereisstillintheshade,”Seliorapointedout.
Notonlywasthetable
shaded,butatthatcornerIcouldfeelalightbutcoolingbreeze.Aswesat,Irealizedweweretheonlyonesontheterrace,exceptfortheservingman.
“Theotherswillbehereshortly.Itoldthemallfive.”
“You’readeviouswoman.”
Shelaughed,musically“You’llfindI’mfarmore
practicalandlessromanticthanyouthink.Onceeveryonearrives,wewon’thaveamomenttoourselves.”Sheloweredhervoice.“Ilikebeingwithyou,andIseethemalleveryday.”
“Howdidyourweekgo?”
“Aboutthesameasmostothers,exceptthatHighHolderUnsaeltfinallydecidedthathewantedanew
diningsetforhishuntinglodgeoutnearTacqueville.Hehastokeepthesamecrest,buthewantedtoknowifwecouldmakeitabitlesstiredandmorevital...”
Foratime,Ijustlistened.
Abruptly,shelookedatme.“You’reveryquiet.Issomethingbotheringyou?HaveIupsetyou?”
“No.”Ididn’thavetoforce
thesmilebecausemythoughtscertainlyweren’therfault.“I’vetalkedtoanumberofpeopletoday,andwhatIfoundoutwasn’texactlyencouraging.First,Istoppedbythefactorage.Father’sgonebacktoKherseilles,andKhethila’stheoneholdingthingsdown.Rousel’smadesomeverybaddecisions...”Iwentonandexplainedthat,andthenwhat
I’dfoundoutfromAureleanandStaela.“...SomeonewasaftermeinAvryl,butevenafterthat,itsoundsliketheykilledanapprenticetokeepitquiet.”
“Ithadtobesomeonebesidesthefirstassassin,”shepointedout.“Hewasdeadwhenthedrowninghappened.Couldithavebeenanaccident?”
“Itcouldhavebeen,butthatmakesmorecoincidentalaccidentsthanI’mcomfortablewith.Didyourmotherfindoutanything?”
“Shewantstotellyouherself.”
Iwantedtoknow,butIcouldunderstandthat.IheardstepsandsawShomyrwalkingtowardthesideboard.“Haveyouever
readanythingbyMadameD’Shendael?”
Seliorashookherhead.“I’mnotthatmuchofareader,exceptbooksonloomsandengines.They’reworktoread,though.MadameD’Shendael...she’stheonewhohasthesalon,andshehadallthosehardtimes.”
“Whathardtimes?”
“Shemiscarried,lostachild,andhermotherwasexecutedforkillingherfatherwhenshewasnineteen.”
Ialmostfrozeatthat.“Wheredidyouhearthat?”
“Oh,youhearthingswhenyoudealwithHighHolders,especiallyifyoupretendyou’renotlistening.”Shesmiled.“It’samazingwhatpeoplewillsaywhenthey
thinkyou’rewellbeneaththemandsayalotofsimpering‘sir’sand‘madame’s.”
MoreofSeliora’sfamilybegantoappear—Odelia,andthenAegina,followedbyBetara,andShelim...andthenbyamucholderwomanwithsteel-grayhair,whohadtobeGrandmama.
BetaraandShelimwalked
tothetablewhereweweresitting.EachcarriedagobletofeitherredCambrisioorperhapsDhuensa.
“Youdon’tmindifwejoinyou?”askedBetara.“GrandmamaDiestrawillbehereinamoment.”
SelioraandIjustsmiled,andBetaraandShelimsettledintothechairsacrossthecircularpolishedwhiteoak
tablefromus.“Itismuchcoolerherethaninthediningchamber.Thedinnermightbeabitcooleraswell,sinceithastotraveltwoflightsofstepstogethere.”
ShelimstoodagainandpulledupanotherchairforDiestrabeforeIcould.
Noonespokeforseveralmoments.
“YouaskedSelioraifwe
couldfindoutanythingaboutpeopletryingtoshootyou,”Betarasaidcasually.“Wethoughtitmightbebettertodispensewiththatunpleasantnessbeforedinner.”Shepausedtosipherwine,Dhuensa,Irealized.“GrandmamaDiestratalkedtoafew...acquaintances.”Awrytoneenteredhervoiceasshewenton.“Youmusthaveoffendedsomeonea
greatdeal.Latelastspringacontractpricewasputoutonarecentlypromotedimagertertius.Theywouldn’tgiveaname,buttheymightaswellhave.Tengolds—that’sthepriceforataudischef.RumorhasitthatthemorteprixwasguaranteedbyArtazt—hewasataudischefinthehellhole—becausehisbrotherwaskilledbytheimager...”Shepausedandlookedatme.
“Diaztwasfromthehellhole.Hewastheonewhodiedwhentheytriedtokillme.”
“Itgetsinterestingafterthat,”Betarasaidwithasmile.
Ididn’tlikethewayshesaid“interesting.”
“Thefirstassassinshottheimager,butwaskilledbyhim.Thatsuggeststhatwe’re
talkingaboutyou,Rhenn.”
“Icouldn’thaveguessed.”
“Artaztwasn’thappy,andhewenttotheassassin’sfamilytodemandbackthegoldshe’dadvanced,butwhenheleftwiththegolds,hedisappeared.Hisbodywasfoundgarrotedinanearbyalley,andasilvercordwasknottedaroundtheropestilltwistedabouthisneck.Oh..
.andthegoldswerestillinhiswallet.”
I’dheardaboutthesilverknot.ItwasthetraditionalindicationthataHighHolderwasdispleased,andthat,unhappily,stronglysuggestedthatHighHolderRyelhadsomethingfarworseinmindformethanasimpleexecution.
“Youdoseemtomake
powerfulenemies,boy.”ThatwasGrandmamaDiestra.
“It’shardnottowhenpeoplearetryingtokillyou,”Ireplied.
“Ifyouweren’tanimager,you’dlongsincehavecrossedtheBridgeofStones,”offeredShelim.
“Weallknowthat,Father,”murmuredSeliora.
“WhatabouttheFerran?”Iasked.
Betarashrugged.“He’slocal,buthe’snot.Thatis,he’sbeeninL’Excelsisforyearsandyears,buthewasn’tbornhere,andhehasnorelativeshere.He’sanassassin,butnoonehaseverseenhimwhenhe’skilledsomeone,andnooneknowswhohireshim.Butit’snotsomeonethatanyonein
L’Excelsisseemstoknow.”
Allthatseemedtosaythatthreedifferentpeoplehadwantedmedead—orworse,inthecaseofHighHolderRyel—fordifferingreasons.Thegoodnewswasthatonewasdead,andthemannerofhisdeathmeantthathisfriendswerelikelytoforgetcomingafterme.Thebadnewswasthattwoothers,whowereclearlymore
dangerous,werestillafterme.
“ThatwouldsaythattheFerranworksforspies...orisheone?”
“Evenspiesneedtools,”Betarasaid.“TheFerranisatool.”
Whosetool?Theotherquestionwasequallyconcerning.JustwhatwasIgettingintowithSeliora?
Anyonewhohadafamilywithcontactsliketheirs...Iwantedtoshakemyhead,butIjustnodded.
“That’swhatwe’vebeenabletofindout,”Betarasaid.
“Thebestmeasureofamanishisenemies,”offeredGrandmamaDiestra.“You’relookingfairlytallforayoungman.”
Iofferedalaugh.“Solong
asI’mverticalandtall.”
Thethreeolderfamilymemberslaughed.Selioraonlysmiled,andIwasgladforthat.
“You’reanimagerwhoworksattheCouncilChateau,”saidShelim.“DoyouknowwhattheCouncilisgoingtodoaboutthiscomingwarbetweenFerrumandJariola?”
“No,sir.”
“Ifyouhavetocallmeanything,Rhenn,justcallmeShelim.”
“I’lltry...”Ipaused.“There’snothingthatwe’vebeentold,butIthoughtthattheOligarchwastheonewhowaspressingFerrum.”
Shelimshookhishead.“TheFerransneedJariolancoalfortheirironworks,and
theywantitmorecheaplythantheOligarchswanttosellit.They’vegotamodernstandingarmy,andthey’retryingtogetKhasisIIIandhiscouncilangryenoughtodeclarewar.Thatway,Ferrumcaninvadeandclaimself-defenseandtakethecoalmines.They’recloseenoughtotheborderthatFerrumcouldjustannexthatpartofJariola....”
Fromtherethediscussionprogressedontothesorrystateoftheworld.
“Iseveryonereadyfordinner?”ThatwasShomyr,whonowstoodinthespacebehindandbetweenhismotherandfather.Hegrinned.“Cookisthreateningtoturnthetenderloinsintojerky”
“You’rejusthungry”
repliedShelim,“butwecancontinuethediscussionattable.”Herose.
Weallmovedtothelongtablesetinthemiddleoftheterrace.Thesunwasclosetosetting,lowenoughinthewestthatsomeofitslightwasalreadydimmed,andthebreezewasatracestronger.IwasseatedacrossfromSeliora,ifoneplacetowardthedoors.Icouldstilllookat
herandeasilyhearwhatshesaid.
Thefirstcoursewasacoolduckandleekbroth,somethingI’dneverhadbefore,butwiththespices,itwasrefreshingandnottooheavy.Afterthatcamefreshthingourdstrips,steamed,inpastawithacreamsauce,but,again,alightone.Thentherewerethevenisontenderloins,marinatedinsomeliquor
dilutedwithwhatIthoughtmightbeSanietra,andbraised,servedwithboiledandfrieddarkricewithannaranjesauce.
DessertwasaNacliananflan,withthinslicesoffreshpeachesontheside.
Thewholetime,everyoneatthetablediscussedwhatwashappeningintheworld—nottrade,notfurniture
making.
SometimeaftereighthglasshadrungandArtiemahaddroppedbehindthebuildingsflankingtheriver,whileIhadenjoyedtheconversationandlearnedmorethanafewthings,itwasalsomorethanclearthatSelioraandIwerenotgoingtogetanyrealtimealone,andIwasgettingtired.Ithadbeenalongday.“Ishouldbegoingbeforelong,”
ImurmuredtoSeliora.
“Beforeyougo,Grandmamawouldliketoseeusalone—justoverthereatthesmalltableontheeastside,wherewesatearlier.”
Ihadn’tevennoticedthathergrandmotherhadleftthemaintable.
Wewalkedover.
“Justsitthere,youngman.
You,too,Seliora.”Hervoicewasfirm,withouttheslightesttraceoftheageinherfaceandframe.Evenifshehadn’tbeenSeliora’sgrandmother,Iwouldhaveobeyed.
Shelookedatme,exceptthatitwasmoreasthoughshelookedintome,throughme,andbeyondme—allandthesametime.So,ifwithlessintensity,didSeliora.
Abruptly,theolderwomanshuddered,thentookalongdeepbreath.
IlookedtoSeliora.Shewaspale.
Diestralookedtohergranddaughter.
Selioranodded.
“Whatisit?”Ifinallyasked.
“Itisbetterthatwedonot
saymuch,”Diestraspokequietly,butfirmly“HasSelioraexplainedwhy?”
“Yes.IfIunderstandcorrectly,Ifacedanger,ordangers,andifyoutrytoexplain,theoddsaremuchhigherthatIwillfaceevengreaterdangers.”
“Thatisso.TheCollegiumisnotyourenemy,butneitherisityourfriend.”
“IthinkIalreadyunderstandthat.TheCollegiumactsonbehalfofSolidarandofallimagers,notnecessarilyonmybehalf.”
Thetwonoddedagain.
“Makenoenemiesthatyoudonothavetomake,butmakeenemiesratherthanshowweakness.”Diestrasmiledsadly.“Thatisthe
finestoflinestodrawandthenarrowestofpathstowalk.”
Iunderstoodthataswell.
“Mostimportant,alwaystakecareforyoursafety,nomatterwhoorwhatpressesyoutowardhaste.”
Whatthatmeant,Ithought,wastoholdshieldsanywhereoutsideafamiliardwellingortheCollegium.
Therewasn’tmuchtosayafterthat,sinceneitherSelioranorhergrandmamawouldhavesaidmore.So,afterIofferedmythankstoherparents,SelioraandIwalkeddownthesidestaircasealone.
Atthebottom,beforesteppingoutintothemainlevelfoyer,sheturnedandthrewherarmsaroundme,holdingmefirmlyand
murmuring,“Idoloveyou.Don’teverforgetit.Nomatterwhatthetemptations.”Then,beforeIcouldquestionorprotest,herlipsfoundmine.
HowlongweclungtoeachotherIwasn’tcertain,butIfinallyasked,“NextSamedi...fordinner?Withoutfamily?”
Thatbroughtasadsmile.
“ItmightbebestifweaskedOdeliaandKolasyntocomewithus.Wecouldcomebackherelaterandtalkontheeastterrace.”
“That’snotabadidea.”Notideal,butbetterthannotseeingher.
“Odeliawouldlikeit,andGrandmamawouldapprove.”
Afteranotherlongkiss,weleftthelandingandcrossed
thefoyertothefrontdoor.
“Goodnight.”Ipaused.“FifthglassonSamedi.”
“Fifthglass.”Shewalkeddowntothestreetleveldoorwithme,thenunboltedit.
“Youstayhere.”
Shesmiledandbrushedmylipswithhers,thensteppedbackandopenedthedoor.
Ofcourse,therewasno
hacknearby,andittookmealmostaquarterglass,withSeliorawatching,formetohailone.
Justashepulledup,almostatthesamemomentasIheardasinglecrack,ablowstruckmyshields,spinningmearoundandalmostknockingmeoffmyfeet.AsIstraightenedasecondstruckmyshields,butbracedasIwas,Ibarelyflinched.
Iturnedquickly,regainingmybalanceandglancingaround.IthoughtIhearddistanthurriedstepsfadingaway.InthedarknessbeyondthecirclesoflightcastbytheoillampsofNordEsteDesign,Icouldseenosignofanyone.Neithermoonwasout,sinceArtiemahadsetearlier,andErionhadnotrisen.Inthatdimness,Ididn’texpecttodiscoverthe
shooter,butfeltIshouldlook.IglancedbackupthestepstowhereSeliorastillheldthedoorajar.
“I’mallright,”Icalled.
ThenIwalkedtothehack.“Iwasabitclumsythere.TheBridgeofHopes,ifyouwill.”
Thedriver’smouthopened,thenshut.Finally,hesaid,“TheBridgeofHopes.Yes,sir.”
Atthat,Iclimbedintothehack,stillholdingmyshieldsandmakingcertainthatSeliorahadclosedthedoor.
Whyhadtheassassinwaitedtoshoot?Andwhathadheused?
TheonlyexplanationIcouldcomeupwithwasthathewantedawitnessofsomesort.Eitherthatorhe’dhadtroublewithhisweapon,and
thatdidn’tseemallthatlikely.
Ididn’tletdownmyshieldsuntilIwasbackinmyquarterswiththelockandboltsecured.IhopedI’dbeabletosleep.
Acknowledgingneedsdoes
notrequiredisavowingthem.
IwokeupearlyonSolayiandimmediatelywroteaquicknotetoSeliora,reassuringherthatIwasunharmedandfine.ThenIwrotealetterofthankstoherparents,even
thoughI’dbeabletopostneitheruntilLundi.Almostnoneofthesecondsandthirdswereatbreakfast,andIatequicklyandalone,thenmademywaytothelibrary—inthebuildingadjacenttothedininghall.I’dbeenthereonlyahandfuloftimes,basicallytofindoutthingsformyessaysforeitherMasterJhulianorMasterDichartyn.
Thefrontfoyerwasdark,
unlit,butthedoorwasunlocked.Thatbotheredmeforamoment.ThenIlaughed.Therewasn’tanypointinlockingit,notinthemiddleoftheCollegium.Itwouldbedifficultforanoutsidertostealthevolumes,andanyinsiderwhodidriskedsomuchthateventhedensestyoungimagerwouldthinktwice.
Inthedimness,ittookme
closetohalfaglasstofindtheD’Shendaelbook—OnArtandSociety.Icouldhavelitthelamps,butsinceIdidn’tknowwheretolook,andthelibrarywasn’tthatdark,Iwouldhavespentevenmoretimelightingthanlooking,andthenI’dhavehadtosnuffthemall.Iglancedatthetitlepageandthededication.Itwasmerelyto“Thenamelessartistwho
hasmadeuswhoweare.”
HighHolderornot,Ifeltsorryforher.
Itookthebookwithme,butIrememberedtowriteitdownonthecheck-outlistbeforeIcarrieditbacktomyquartersandbegantoread.Ileafedthroughthepages,skippingoverthem.Still,Ifoundmyselfcaughtbyanoccasionalsentenceor
phrase.
Notonlydoesthevalueofarttoasocietyindicatethatsociety’stypeanddegreeofcivilization,butsoalsodotheusesofartwhicharevaluedandthosewhicharenot,andtheplacementofeachinthedailyfunctionsofthatsociety...
Thefinestoflinesseparatesthemostinspiringandbeautifulofartfromthatwhichisself-indulgentanddecadent...
Allartispolitical.Thus,anartistmaysupportasociety,opposeit,orstandoutsideit.
Thosewhosupportarenaïveorsycophantic;thosewhoopposearefools;andthosewhostandoutsidearehatedbyall...
AfterspendingmoretimethanIprobablyshouldhavereadingthebook,Iwenttolunch,thinkingthatatleastIcouldtellKhethilathatI’d
readaworkofMadameD’Shendael.
Thedininghallwasevenmoredesertedatlunch.Idoubtedthatthereweremorethanascoreofimagers,andIthoughtIwastheonlythird.Aftereating,Idecidedtoriskmatters.Ireturnedtomyquarters,slippedthelettersintotheinsidepocketofmysummerwaistcoat,andsetout.RememberingSeliora’s
cautions,especiallyafterthenightbefore,IraisedfullshieldsasIleftthequadrangle.Thedaywasfarcoolerwithscatteredclouds,someofthemadarkgraythatsuggestedarealpossibilityofrainlaterintheafternoon.WithinlessthanaquarterglassIhadwalkedovertheBridgeofDesires,hailedahack,andwasonmywaytoNordEsteDesign,hopefully
toseeSeliora.
NooneshotatmewhenIgotoutofthehackandwalkedupthesteps...andliftedanddroppedtheknocker—twice.Iheardmuffledfootsteps,and,afterseveralmoments,Bhenytandthetwinsopenedthedoor.
“MasterRhennthyl,pleasecomein,”offeredBhenytformally.
Ididn’twanttocorrecthim.Ijustsaid,“Thankyou.”
“He’shere,AuntSeliora!”calledHanahra,ormaybeitwasHestya.Theywerebothsmiling,asonlygirlswhoarealmostwomencansmileaknowingsmilethattheyfeelbutdonottrulyyetunderstand.
SeliorastoodontheedgeofthemaroonJoharancarpet
inthesecond-levelentryfoyer—aloneexceptforBhenytandthetwins.Shewasdressedlessformally,inwhitelinentrousersandablouse,withanavybluelinenvest.Shestilllookedlovely.
Isteppedforward,stoppingshortofsweepingherintomyarms.
“Ithoughtyoumightcome...afterlastnight.Iwas
certainyouwerehitbythebullets.Ifeltyouweren’twounded,butIstillworried.”
Iextractedthenotefromtheinsidepocketofthesummerwaistcoat.“Iwroteanote,butIdecidedthatdeliveringitpersonallywasbetter.Evenifyouweren’there,someonewouldbeabletoletyouknowIwaswell.”
Sheleanedforwardand
kissedmycheek.
Someoneutteredasoundhalfbetweenagiggleandacough.
“Oh...sinceI’mhere,wouldyougivethistoyourparents.”Ihandedhertheotherletter.
Shetookitandturnedtotheentourage.“You’veallseenthathe’shere.Nowyoumaygo.”Eventhoughshe
smiled,therewascoldironbehindthewords.
“Yes,AuntSeliora,”thetwinssaid,incliningtheirheadsandnotquiteskippingtowardthefarendoftheentryfoyer.Bhenytfollowed,thenduckedintoadoorwayontheleft.
“Thetwinscalledyou‘aunt.’IthoughttheywereOdelia’ssisters.”
“Theyare,buttheyalwayssawmeasanaunt,andnowit’sahabit,evenforBhenyt.Methyrthinksit’sfunny.”Herfacetwistedintoawrysmile.“He’slikeallyoungerbrothers...difficult.”
“I’veneverseenorheard...Aegina’shusband.”Iwasn’tquitecertainhowtophrasethat.
“Hewasmurderedfive
yearsago.”
IhadtowonderhowGrandmamaDiestratooktohavingoneofherdaughters’husbandskilled.
“Grandmamawasnotpleased.Neitherwereafewothers,whenshewasfinished.”
“Ah...whathappened?”
“Theirdwellingscaught
fire.Theydied,buttheywereheroesbecausetheydiedsavingmostoftheirfamilies...exceptoneolderboywhowasinthefamily...enterprises.Hewasalsoahero.Grandmamapaidfortheirfunerals.”Shegesturedtowardthearchwaythatledtothestaircase.“Weshouldgouptotheeastterrace.Itwillbeempty,andsinceyou’vecomesofar,I’msure
you’dliketorest.”Shegrinned.“I’dwagerthatitwon’tbeaquarterglassbeforeeitherAuntAegina,Odelia,orMotherarriveswithsomerefreshments.”
“Yourchaperonesarealwayssokindandthoughtful.”IlaughedasIaccompaniedhertothestairs.
Wedidenjoyalongerembraceonthelanding
halfwayup.
Theeastterracedoorwasalreadyproppedopen,andIhadthesensethatsomeonehadleftnottoolongbefore,areminderthatSeliorabelongedtoafamilywheretherewerefewsecretsamongthem,butwherelittlewentbeyondthefamily.Thatrealizationconcernedme,becauseIwasbeingmadealmostpartofthefamily.
Iturnedtoher.“IsKolasynaswarmlytreatedbythefamily?”
“He’saveryniceperson,kindandgood,”repliedSeliora.
Thatwasananswer.“Whyme?”
“Because.”Thatmischievoussmileappearedforamoment.
Iwaited.
“We’relinked...somehow...andwehavetofindouthow.”
“Pharsifar-seeing?”
“Grandmama,Mother,andIallsenseit.”
Thatwasanotheranswer,andachillingone,inaway.
“Andthere’sthis.”Shewrappedherarmsaroundme
andkissedme.
Ihadnotroubleresponding.Shehadaverydefinitepointthere,anditwentbeyondthatphysicalintensity.NotthatIdidn’tverymuchenjoythephysical.
Oncewewereseatedinthetwochairsflankingthesmallcirculartable,Selioraturnedtofaceme.“IhadBhenytseeifhecouldfindthebullets
thismorning,assoonasitwaslight.”
“Didhe?”
Shehandedmeasmallfeltbagacrossthetable.“Grandmamasaysthatthey’refromasniper’srifle,butthatthebulletsarelongerandheavier.”
“Isthereanythingshedoesn’tknow?”ThebagfeltheavierthanIwouldhave
thought,andIuntieditandeasedthebulletsout.Bothwereflattened,atanangle,andtheywerefarlongerandheavierthanthosethathadbeenfiredwhenI’dbeenattackedwiththeflowerseller.Afteramoment,Ireplacedtheminthebagandslippeditintomyinsidewaistcoatpocket.
“Grandmamabelievesthatyoudiewhenyoustop
learning.Shehasnowishtomeetdeathanysoonerthannecessary.”
“Doyoufollowherexample?”
“Iwouldn’tdarenotto.”Thatmischievoussmilereappearedmomentarily.
“DoyouknowanythingmoreaboutMadameD’Shendael?”
Seliorashookherhead.“Why?”
“Ihavethefeelingthatsomehow,she’sinvolvedinwhypeoplearetargetingme,butIcan’tseemtodiscoveranyreasonwhy.”IwentontoexplainwhatI’ddeduced.MasterDichartynmightnotcareformyrevealingthattoher,butIhadthefeelingthatSelioraandherfamilyweremorethancapableofholding
secrets—andIneededallthehelpIcouldget,becauseIdidn’tseemuchofitcomingfromtheCollegiumatthemoment.
“GrandmamacouldfindoutaboutherparentsthroughAilphens.”
“Ailphens?”
“He’stheadvocateforNordEste.Sincethemotherwasexecutedtherewillbea
recordsomewhere.”
Hermatter-of-factresponseunderscoredhowlittleIknewaboutcertainpracticalaspectsoflife.
“Rhenn...”Hervoicewasgentle.
“What?”
“Weallhavedifferenttalents.Inevercouldhavefiguredoutthatshewas
Grisarius’sdaughter.Ourtalentscomplementeachother.”
“You’realsokindanddiplomatic.”
“Nottoherfamily.”Betarastoodinthedoorwaytotheterrace.“Ifshewants,shecanpeelvarnishofffinishedwood—andhide—withouteverraisinghervoice.”Shemovedforwardwiththesmall
traythatshecarried,noiselessly.
“Mother...”Seliorawassmiling.
“IdidtakethelibertyofassumingyouwouldstilllikeSanietra,alongwiththesummeralmondbiscuitsandtheappleslices.”Thesmallplatterwiththedaintiesandfruitwentinthemiddleofthefrontedgeofthetable,anda
glassofSanietra,withanapkin,besideeachofus.
“Thatwasaverygoodassumption,”Irepliedwithasmile.
“Grandmamawasverypleasedtomeetyou.”Betarasmiled,andIcouldseefromwhereSeliorahadgottenthemischievousexpression.“I’llletSeliorafillyouin.Enjoyyourselves.Itisabeautiful
afternoon.”Withanod,sheslippedaway.
Iliftedthetallnarrowgoblet.“Toyouandabeautifulafternoon.”
Sheblushed,eversoslightly,assheliftedherowngoblet.“Toyou.”
Ihadn’trealizedhowdrymythroatwasuntiltheSanietracooledandmoistenedit.“Verygood...
andtimely.Youandyourmotherdohaveasensethatway.”Aswellasinotherways.
“I’mstilllearning.”
“Yourmotherwasofferingareminder.”
“Mothercanbeverydirect.”
“Andyou’dprefertobealittlelessso.”
Selioranodded.“Butthere’snohelpforit.It’sasmuchaboutthefamilyasaboutyou.Grandmamafeelseveryoneshouldeithercontributetothefamily—orstrikeoutontheirown.”
“Shedoesn’tliketheideaofthefamilysupportingthosewhodon’tcontributeatleasttheirshare.”
“Orasmuchastheycan,
oncethey’regrown.”Ihadnoideawhereherwordswereleading.
“Contributionisn’tjusthowonecanaddtothegolds.We’renotbadlyoffthatway.”
Igesturedtothebuildingthatsurroundedus.“Icansee.Butyoudon’twantmentoknowthat.Wasn’tthatwhyyoumetmeatthehall...
andwhyOdeliadoesaswell?”
Shenodded.“Also,flauntingwealthisaformofNaming.”
Icoulddefinitelyseethat.
“YoumusthaveguessedthatGrandmamacameoutofthetaudis.She’salwayssaidthatshe’sdonewhatshehadto,butthatshedidn’thavetolikeit...onlydoitwell.To
thisday,shewon’tletanyoneelsetalktoheroldest...acquaintances.”
“That’sallyouhavetosay,Ithink.”
Selioraraisedhereyebrows.“Icanfinishit,butI’dbeinterestedinhowcloseyouare.”
“I’lltrytoputitin...generalterms.”ItookanotherswallowofSanietra.“Your
grandmotherwantsthebestforherfamily,and,frankly,Ithinkyou’reherfavorite.Shealsoknowsthatit’sverydifficulttoretaingoldswithoutvariousformsofpower.Oneformisbeingabletoprovideagoodoraservicethatishighlyvalued,andthatissomethingthatsheandyourmotherandfatherhaveestablishedwithNordEsteDesign.I’dwager
thatyourfatheristhebestfurniturecrafterinL’Excelsis,andpossiblywastheverybestwithoutaguildpatronormaster.Byemphasizingfurniturewithspecializedtextileupholstery,andwithhertaudiscontacts,theycreatedsomethingunique.”
Selioranoddedagain.“Isthatall?”
“Doyouwantmetogoon?”
“No,butit’snecessary.JustrememberwhatIsaidtoyoulastnight...andthatIaskedyoutodancebeforeyoubecameanimager.”
Lastnight?IalmostnoddedsomberlyasIrecalledherwords.
“Inaverygeneralsense,powercancomefromtwo
sources.Oneistheabilitytoapplyforcewithoutusingtheestablishedresourcesofasociety.Theotheristheabilitytouseforcesanctionedbysociety.Yourgrandmotherretainsthefirstability.She’skeptherchildrenfromthatsource,atleastpartly.Butshe’snolongeryoung.”IlookedtoSeliora,wonderingifI’dsaidenoughortoomuch.
Herfacewasapleasantmask.
“Grandmamahasbeenconcernedforsometimewhatwillhappentothefamily,andherhopeisthatyou—andwhoeveryouchoose—willsaveit.”Ilaughed,ruefully.“That’squiteaburdentoputonyou...orOdelia.”
“Youdidn’tmention
Shomyr.”
“He’stookind,Iwouldjudge,andMehtyr’stooyoung,andL’Excelsisstillrespectsmeninpower,atleastinofficiallysanctionedpositions.There’sonlyonehighwomanmaitreintheCollegium,andlookattheattacksMadameD’Shendaelhasundergone.”
“Youknewthis?”Her
voicewassteady,butIcouldsense...something...behindit.
“Notuntilyousaidwhatyoudidaboutyourgrandmama.Then,allthepiecesfit.IthinkIwasfeelingsomeofit,butIhadn’tthoughtaboutitinthatwaybefore.Iwasjustinterestedinyou,evenfromthatnightlastFevierwhenyouaskedmetodance...”
IlookedtoSeliora,seeingthebrightnessofunshedtears.“Tofallinlove,andthentofindthateveryonelookstoyou...you’rebraverthanImightbe.”Istoodandeasedaroundthetable,drawinghertoherfeetandputtingmyarmsaroundher.
Foralongmoment,shewasasstiffasifshehadbeencarvedfromancientoak.
Thensheclungtome,shudderingsilently.Finally,sheliftedherheadandmurmuredsoftly,“Ididn’twantthat.Iwantedyou.Iwantyou.”
“Youandyourgrandmamaarealikeinoneway,”Isaidquietly,stillholdingher.
Shelookedupatme,questioningly,still,holdingme.
“You’rebothhonest.Shecouldhavesaidnothing,justencouragedyou,madethingseasy.Youcouldhavesaidnothing.Neitherofyoudid.Forthat,Irespectyouboth.”IkissedSelioragently.
WhatIdidn’tsaywasthathergrandmamaknewhowtousehonestytothegreatesteffect...orthatImightneedSelioraandherfamilyeverybitasmuchastheyneeded
me.Butthen,IdoubtedthatIneededtosayit.Selioraalreadyunderstoodthat,whethersheconsciouslyknewitornot.
“Youdon’tmind?”
“No.Notintheslightest.”Perhapsstrangely,Ididn’t.I’dalreadylearnedthathavingneedsdidn’tmakeapersonless—ormore.
Thekissandembracethat
followedmywordsmadeanywordssuperfluous.
WehadbarelyreseatedourselvesandgainedameasureofcomposurewhenIheardfootstepsonthewoodenflooroftheshorthallwayfromthemainupperhall.
Selioragavemeawrysmileassheblottedhereyes.Ionlyhadtoswallowseveral
times.
GrandmamaDiestrasteppedoutontotheporch,favoringoneleg.ShelookedatSeliora,thenatme.“Iseeyoutoldhim,girl.”
“No,Grandmama.Iofferedhimafewwords,andhetoldme.”
Shelookedatme.“Isthatright?”
“Yes,madame.”
Shenodded.“Youtwoarerightforeachother.Thatdoesn’tmeanitwillworkout.Workingitoutmeansworkingitout.You’rerightforthisfamily,Rhennthyl,andthisfamilyisrightforyou.Willthatworkout?Idon’tknow.WhatIdoknowisthatinsideafamily,orbetweenahusbandandawife,secretsdestroytrust.So
doesafailuretotalkhonestlyanddirectly,butnothurtfully.Marriagesandfamiliesarebuiltontrust.”
WhatcouldIsaytothat?
“Whatdoyouhavetosayaboutthat,Rhennthyl?”
“Seeingwhatyouwanttoseeisanotherformofdishonesty.Areyouseeingwhatyouwantorwhatreallyis?”
Diestralaughed.“That’sagoodquestion.Self-deceptionwoulddestroyeverythingI’vebuilt,andI’mtoooldtobotherwithit.You’veseenthedangersofself-deceptioninothers.Whataboutinyourself?”
“I’mtooyoungtobeexpertinit,butitwouldbeeasyenoughtofallintothathabit.”
“Fairlyput.”Shenodded.
“Whateveryoutwodecide,decideithonestly.”Withthat,sheturnedandleft.
Foramoment,SelioraandIjustlookedateachother.
“Isshealwaysthatdirect?”
“Whennoonebutfamilyispresent...always.Withoutsiders,sometimes.Shewastalkingtoyouasfamily.”
Itookalongslowbreath.
“I’vebeenavoidingit,but...youneedtomeetmyfamily.It’snotyou;it’sme.Motherhasbeenaftermeto‘findtherightgirl’foryears.Butpartofmeworriesthatnoonewillberightsofarasshe’sconcernedbecauseshe’ssointoformandformality.SinceI’mtryingtobehonest,therearetwopartstothat.ThefirstpartisthatIdon’twanttofacedisapproval.The
secondpartisthatIdon’twanttoputyouthroughanexaminationandsilentinquisition.”
Selioralaughed.
“Ididn’tthinkitwasfunny.”
Thelaughturnedintoagentlesmile.“It’snot.Iworriedhorriblywhenyouhadtomeetthefamily.Iwaslaughingaboutyourcallingit
the‘silentinquisition.’Thatiswhatmothersoftendo.Sodosistersandcousins.I’vedoneittoOdelia.Mostmendon’tnotice,ortheypretendnotto.”
“Herpreviousescort?”
“Hewasn’tsuitable.”
“AfterwhatGrandmamaDiestrajustsaid,I’dhatetothinkwhatshe’dhavesaid...”Ishookmyhead.“She
wouldn’thavesaidanything,wouldshe?Ijustwouldn’thaveeverbeenabletogetintouchwithyou,exceptbyliterallykidnappingyou,wouldI?Andthatwouldhavebeenanythingbutwise.”
“Youunderstandmorethanyouwanttoadmit.”Afterapause,Selioraadded,“Whendoyouthinktheexaminationoverdinnerwilltakeplace?”
“I’dguessthatMotherwillwantitonthetwenty-eighth.SamedisareabouttheonlytrulyfreenightIhaverightnow,andI’dbesurprisedifFatherwillbebackbythiscomingweekend.MotherisinSolisvisitingAuntIlena.I’llhavetowriteheraboutit,andshewon’tgetaletterbeforeMardi,anditmightnotbeuntillaterintheweek...”
Selioranodded.“You’llletmeknow.”
“Iwillindeed.”ThelettertomyparentswasoneletterIwasn’tlookingforwardtowritingintheslightest.
Selioraturnedandfacedme,lookingsolemn.Thenhergrinappeared.“Sincewe’vebeenorderedtobehonest,tellmewhatyoulikebestaboutme.”
Thatwasscarcelyatrial.“Iwasstunnedandbedazzledbythefactthatyouaskedmetodance...andIstillam.Andwhatdoyoulikeaboutme?”
“Thatyoucouldtakethedisappointmentofleavingtheguildandrebuildyourlifewithoutself-pity...”
Wespentmorethanaglassinthatfashion,growingmore
seriousaswetalked,beforeIrealizedthatIneededtogo,arevelationhastenedbyseveralrollsofthunderfromtheapproachingstorm.Ourpartingwasbrief,ifamorous,andIdidmanagetohailahackandclimbinsidebeforeraindropsbegantosplatteronthestonepavementofNordroad.
Igavethehackerathreecoppersextra,thenhurried
fromthehacktowardthebridge,withtherainpeltingdownaroundme.Alongtheway,Ilearnedthatevenstrongshieldsdidn’tstoprain...ornotmuch,andIwonderedwhy.I’dhavetoexperimentwiththat—butnotdressedasIwas.
Plaquesheldtooclosetothe
waistcoatcanbesocloseasnottobeabletobeplayed.
OnceIreturnedfromservicesattheImagisleanomenonSolayi,Idraftedandthenre-draftedalettertoMother.ThenIwroteitoncemoreandsetitaside.OnLundi
morning,afterexercisesandarunwhereIfinishedsomewhatclosertoDartazn,Istruggledbacktomyquarters,showered,shaved,anddressed.ThenIreadtheletteralasttime.
DearMother,
Forsometimenow,youhavebeensuggestingthatIneeded
tofindayoungladywhowasintelligent,congenial,andsuitable.Inviewofyourwisdominthismatter,IhavequietlybeenpursuingthatobjectiveandbelieveIhavediscoveredsuchayoungwoman.Inasmuchasyouhavesuggestedthatyouwouldliketohavemeandasuitableyoungladyofmychoosingfordinner,Iwouldliketoaskifthatinvitation
remainsopenformeandMistressSelioraD’Shelim.
Ratherthanwritetoomuchabouther,Iwillonlysaythatshecomesfromawell-offandcommerciallysuccessfulfamilyandisquiteintelligent.Shehasasolidknowledgeofthetextilefieldandnumerousmanufacturers,andIbelieve
youwillfindhermostcharming.
Isigned,sealed,andaddressedit,thentuckeditintomyuniform—wewereallowedtoweartheCounciluniformstobreakfast—andheadedtothedininghall.Onthewayintoeat,Ipickeduponeofthenewsheets
—Veritum—andscannedtheleadstoryonthediplomaticcommuniquésentfromtheHighPriestofCaenentotheCouncil—andclearlyleakedtothenewsheet.Partofthequotedtextread,“...westriveforavisionofDualitythatistruetoourfaithbutavisionthatalsoencompassespeaceandprosperityforallTerahnar...”ThestoryalsonotedthattheCaenenan
forcesneartheborderwithTiemprehad“completedtheirtrainingmaneuvers”andwerereturningtotheirregularbases.
Anotherstorynearthebottomofthefrontsideofthesheetreportedonaseriesofexplosionsinnear-abandoneddwellingsintaudisinNaclianonearEstisle,LiantiagonearWestisle,andaparticularlylargeexplosion
inthe“areaknownasthehellhole”nearL’Excelsis.Civicpatrollersfoundanumberofbodies,aswellasmaterialsandweaponslinkedtoa“certainforeigngovernment.”Theexactcausesoftheexplosionswereunknown,butthoughttobethe“accidental”detonationofunstableexplosives.
Atthatmoment,Dartazngestured,andIjoinedhim,
Martyl,andNansyar,athirdIknewonlybynameandface.
“Iseeyouwerereadingaboutthestrangeandwondrouseventsintheworld.”
InoddedasIpouredsometea.“TheeventsinCaenawerestrangeandwondrous,butnotunexpected.I’dhopethatthecostwasn’tanothernameonaplaque.”
“AsdoI,”addedMartyl,“butthat’ssomethingwe’lljusthavetowaitout.”
“Whatdoyouthinkaboutthetaudisexplosions?”
“Purehappenstance.”Dartazn’swordswereedgedwithironyoverlaidwithgentlesarcasm.“Whatdoyouthink?”
“Aboutthesame.”
NansyarglancedfromDartazntome,andthentoMartyl.“Ihateitwhenyoucoverttypesdothat.”
“Weallhaveourlittlesecrets,”saidMartyl,withalaugh.“Youdon’ttelluswhatgoesoninthearmorylaboratories.”
Afterthat,wetalkedabouthowthecommuniquémightaffectthesituationbetween
FerrumandJariola.AboutallweagreeduponwasthatthecoolingdowninOtelyrnwouldallowtheNavytomovemostofitswarshipstothewatersoffJariolaandFerrum.ThenwetookthedutycoachtotheCouncilChateau,whereIdidposttheletter,butwherenothingunusualorofimportoccurredonLundi...orMardi.
OnMeredimorning,
though,rightafterwearrived,Baratyngatheredustogether.Hesmiled,notunkindly,asheglancedatthethreeofus.“WeareapproachingtheendofAgostos,andIimaginesomeofyouknowwhatthatmeans.”
Dartaznnoddedsolemnly.Martylshowednoexpression,andIjuststoodthere,nothavinganyideawhatBaratynmeant.
“OnthelastFridayofAgostos,Vendrei,thethirty-fourth,istheannualHarvestBalloftheCouncil.Youwillbepresent,andinadditiontokeepingyoureyesopenandyourabilitiesready,youwillbeexpectedtodance,whennecessaryandifasked,orifyouseealadyinanembarrassingsituationandclearlyneedingapartner.Thistakesprecedenceover
allotherpersonalandprofessionalengagements,unlessdirectlymandatedotherwisebyMasterDichartyn.Isthatclear?Good.Nowfortoday.TheCouncilwillbedebatingthecommuniquéfromCaenen,andtheExecutiveCouncilhasdecreedthatnovisitorsorpetitionerswillbereceived.”
AfterBaratyndismissedustoourassignments,Iturned
toDartazn.“WhyisthisballonaVendrei?”
“I’mgladIwasn’ttheonlyonetoaskthat.Idid,twoyearsago.MasterDichartynwasnotkind.”Hesmiled.“ItwasoriginallyafunctiononlyforHighHolders,andhavingitonVendreimadethepointthatthecommonworkingandtradetypescouldnothaveattendedeveniftheysowished.”
“EvenwhentheCouncilsthenhadguildandfactorcouncilors?”
Henodded.“TheExecutiveCouncilwascomposedofHighHoldersforthefirstcentury.Itwasalsoawayofemphasizingtheir...superiority.”
I’dforgottentheearlymakeupoftheExecutiveCouncil.“Thankyou.”
Rightafteraveryshortbreakforabitetoeatjustafternoon,BaratynwalkedovertowhereIwaswatchingtheupperwestcorridor.
“MasterDichartynsentamessage.You’retoreporttohisstudyassoonasyoureturntotheCollegiumthisafternoon.”
“Yes,sir.Didhesaywhy?”
Baratynofferedawry
smile.“Heneverdoes.”
Ihadn’tseenMasterDichartynsincethepreviousVendrei,butthatwasnosurprise.
OnceIgotbacktotheCollegium,Ididn’tgostraighttotheadministrationbuilding,butmadeaveryslightdetourthroughmyquarterstopickupthefeltbagSeliorahadgivenme.
ThenIcontinuedontohisstudy.
Thedoorwasclosed,andIknocked.
“Comein,Rhennthyl,andclosethedoor.”
Idid,andthentooktheseatbeforehisdesk.
“Whathaveyoubeenupto?”MasterDichartynstilllookedtired.“Whathaveyou
discovered?”
“WerealltheexplosionsmentionedinVeritumwhatyouusedtodealwithspies?”Iaskedinreturn.
“Rhennthyl...”
Iignoredthesterntoneanddroppedthebagwiththebulletsinitonthewritingdesk.Eventhroughthecloth,theymadeasatisfactoryclunk.“Thesewerefiredat
meonSamedinight.”
“I’dappreciateitifyouwouldprovideasomewhatlongerexplanation,Rhenn.”
Idid,withoutdetailsaboutexactlywhereIhadbeenorwithwhom,justthatI’dbeenhailingahackonNordroadatthetimeI’dbeenfiredupon.
WhenIhadfinished,hetookthebag,easedthebulletsoutofit,andexaminedthem.
Thenhelookedatmeagain.“Whatflattenedthem?”
“Myshields.Whatelse?TheFerran,ifthat’swhoitwas,isaverygoodshot.”
MasterDichartyngavealowwhistle.“IfI’mnotmistaken,thosearefromaFerransniper’srifle—butamidrangeweapon,withamoremassivebullet.It’sdesignedtopenetratemore
thanflesh—unarmoredcarriages,forexample.Itisagoodthingyou’vebeenworkingonyourshields.”
Atthatpoint,Iwantedtostranglehim.Iforcedasmile.“Iunderstandyourposition,sir,andtheideathattherearethingsIshouldnotknowbecauseIhavenoneedtoknow.Iamveryjuniorinyourorganization.Thereisn’tanyoneanymorejunior.But.
..ifyouwillpardonme,Iamgettingverytiredofbeingatargetandnotknowingwhy.”IwantedtopointoutthatIdoubtedmanyimagerscouldhavesurvivedthosebullets,andthatitmightnotbeabadideatogivememoreinformationifhewantedtokeepthattalentaroundtheCollegium.Ididn’t.Iwantedtoseewhathe’dsay.Besides,itwasclearthatwithholding
informationworkedtwoways,andnottellinghimthatIknewwhathewasn’tsayingmightworktomyadvantage.Thewaythingsweregoing,silencecouldn’tworkanymoretomydisadvantagethanofferingmorethanheaskedfor.ForthesakeoftheNameless,andwithaquicksilentprayernottoletmefallpreytotheNamer,Ihopedso.
“Rhennthyl...”Thatsinglewordcarriedgreatexasperation.
Iignoreditandrepliedpolitely,“Yes,sir?”
Helookedatme,attemptingintimidation.
Ireturnedthelook,notbotheringtolookaway.Ididn’tfeelantagonistic;Ijustdidn’tfeellikebeingsubservient.Ialsoheldfull
shields,ifveryclosetome.
Afteramoment,henodded,thenspoke.“Youknowhowfewimagerswehave,andevenfewerhavethecapabilitiesyouandthoselikeyoupossess.Howcanwequestioneveryoneabouteverything?Evenifwehadenoughimagers,orcoulduseallthecivicpatrollers,doyouthinkthatthecitizensofL’Excelsiswouldputupwith
itforlong?”
“No,sir.They’rewaryofusasitis.”
“Everyactionhasalinktosomething,andifwecanmakeourenemiesact,thenthatprovestheirdangerandalsoprovidesthatlink.Oneofourduties—mineandyours—issimplytobetargets,toofferourenemiessomeoneandsomethingat
whichtostrike,sothatwecandiscoverthemanddestroythem.WhydoyouthinkMaitreDyanaandIhavespentsomuchtimeandeffortonbuildingyourshieldsandyourtechniqueswiththem?”
“SothatIcanbeatargetandsurvive,clearly.”
“Andsothatotherscanaswell,”hesaidgently.“Every
singletimeyou,Martyl,Dartazn,orBaratyn,ortheothers,removesomeonewhoisadanger,youreinforcetheCollegium,andSolidar.Everytimeyousurviveanassassinationattemptyoudothesame.”
“Sir...won’tpeoplelearningthatmakethemevenmoreafraidofus?”
“Thinkaboutit,Rhenn.
Howmanypeopledoesanassassindaretell?Andwhatdidthathackdriversee?Hesawyoufallorgetknockeddown.Yougotupandtookthehack.That’sdangerous?Theonlyonewho’slikelytofeelfearistheassassin.”
Hedidhaveapointthere.
“Isthatallyou’vediscovered?”
“I’vealsolearnedafew
otherthings,sir.Diazt’sbrother—hewasataudischefinthehellhole—tookoutacontractonme...fortengolds.AfterIkilledthefirstassassin,hetriedtorecoverthegoldsandwasgarroted.Thegarroteropeheldasilverknot,buttherehavebeentwoattemptsonmesincethen,presumablynotfromDiazt’sfamilyorthesourceofthesilverknot.”
“Wheredidyoufindthisout?”
“IpromisedIwouldn’ttellanyone,sir.Itwashardenoughtofinditoutasitwas,andI’dliketobeabletoaskagain,ifIneedto.”
“Ifthat’sthewayitis,that’sthewayitis.”Hepaused.“Youdidn’tpromiseanythingthatmightcompromise—”
“No,sir.There’snocrimeorwrongdoinginvolved.”
“Howdidyou...”Heshookhishead.“AllIcansay,Rhennthyl,isthatyouhadbestkeepimprovingyourimagingabilities.”Hepaused.“Unlessyouhearfromme,you’retomeetwithMaitreDyanatomorroweveningatseventhglassinthecorridoroutsidethedininghall.Youneedtolearnaboutpoisons.
Agreatdeal,beforeit’stoolate.”Hestood,stiflingayawn.
“Oh...oneotherthing,sir.Ididdiscoverthenameofthewomanintheminiature.Alateretchingisinoneofherbooks.”
“Youdon’tgiveup,doyou?”
“Wouldyou,sir?”
Hegavemeawrysmile.“I’dappreciateitifyou’dkeepthattoyourself.Thefewerwhodiscoverweknowthat,thebetterthechancewehavetousethatknowledgetofindoutwho’sshootingatyou,andthoseotherjuniorimagerswhohavenotbeenfortunateenoughtohaveyourskills.”Hestifledanotheryawn.“Goodevening,Rhennthyl.”
Therewasn’tmuchelseIcaredtosay.Inodded.“Goodevening,sir.”
ThenIwentbacktomyquartersandchangedintomyimagergraysbeforegoingtodinner.WhenIgottothedininghall,IfoundMartylwithMenyardandReynol,andwesatneartheheadofthetable.IwasmorethanalittlesurprisedtoseeMasterDichartynatthemasters’
table,becausehealmostneverwastherefordinner,notthatI’dexpectedit,sincehehadawifeandchildren.WithhimwasanothermanI’dneverseen,perhapstenyearsolderthanIwas.
“Who’sthemasterwithDichartyn?”IaskedMartyl.
“Hehastobeanothermaster,butI’veneverseenhim.Hemightbefrom
EstisleoroneoftheotherCollegia.”
“Oraregional,”addedReynol.
“Regional?”I’dneverheardoftheterm.
“Couldbe,”musedMartyl.“TheyreportperiodicallytoMasterDichartyn.”
“What’saregional?”Ifinallyasked.
“AregionalrepresentativeoftheCollegium.Allthecitiesthatdon’thaveCollegiahavethem,andsomeofthelargertownsdo.They’re...well...let’ssaythattheyoperatesortoflikefieldtypesdo,exceptinsideSolidar.”
Foramoment,Ijustsatthere,holdingmywineglass.ThenItookasip.TherewasnothinginanyofwhatIhadreadaboutregionals,butthen
therewasnothingaboutsilentguardsorcovertimagers,either.ThemoreIlearned,themoreIrealizedhowlittleI’dknown...andperhapsstilldid.
Well-chosenwordscreate
painthatlastslonger
thanthatfromaflogging.
WhenIreturnedfromtheCouncilChateauonJeudi,Ifoundaletterawaitingmeinmyletterbox.ItwasaddressedtomeinMother’s
perfectscript,andshemusthavedispatcheditbyspecialmessenger,ratherthanbyregularpost.Afterlookingatitseveraltimes,Ibrokethesealrightthereinthecorridor,openedit,andbegantoread.
DearRhennthyl,
Iwasdelightedtoreceive
yourletter,whicharrivedatthehouseinmyabsence,andIammostcertainthatyourfatherwillbeequallypleased,especiallyifyouhavefoundayoungwomanofsuitablebackgroundandintelligence.Knowingthatyouhavefoundsomeonesuitableinbackgroundanddemeanorwouldbringgreathappinesstobothofus.
Ofcourse,wewouldbemorethandelightedtomeetheroverdinnerhereatthehouse,and,ifyouhavenoobjections,wewouldsuggestnextSamedi,thetwenty-eighth,atfifthglass.
Khethilawaspleasedthatyou
stoppedbythefactorage,asamI.Itneverhurtstohaveamalerelativeofsuchimportappear.Uponreadingyourletter,whichIdidsharewithher,shementionedthatyouhaddeclinedaninvitationtodinewithher,andthatthereasonsforthatdemurralwereobviousinlightofyourletter.Likeyourfatherandme,shelooksforwardtomeetingMistressSeliora
D’Shelim.
Theimplicationswereclearenough.WhileIknewSeliorawascertainlyuptothenot-so-silentinquisition,Iwasn’tcertainthatIwouldbe.
TheonlyothernotableaspectofJeudiwasmymeetingwithMaitreDyana.Shewasascomposed,as
direct,andascontemptuousoffoolishnessandthoughtlessquestionsasever,aswhenIofferedaquestionastowhytherewassuchsuddenurgencyinmylearningaboutpoisons.
“Whyindeed?Dearboy,pleasethink.Youhaveshieldsasstrongasanyimager,andstrongerthanmost.Theycouldbefarmoreeffectiveifyouwould
practicefinesseaswell,butyouareyoung,andfinesseisseldomappreciatedbytheyoungandstrong,notuntiltheyhavebeendefeatedbyoldageandtreachery,bothofwhicharefarmoreeffectivethanthoughtlessyouthandstrength.”
She’dasmuchasadmittedthat,wereIcareful,myshieldswouldprotectmeagainstdirectattacks.“That
suggeststhatIwillbeplacedinsituationswhereIwillbevulnerabletosuchtreachery.”
“Brilliant.Positivelybrilliant.Now...mightwecontinue?”Withoutwaitingforaresponse,shepointedtothegobletslinedupontheconferencetableofthechamberwhereshehadinstructedmebefore.“Whatyouneedtodoisimagethetiniestbitofthewineor
whateveryoususpectontoatestpaperstripandwatch.Thepaperstripsaretreated.Ifit’sacyanoticpoison...thestripwillturngreen,ifjoraban,amaroon...”
Icouldseeaproblemthere.
“Yes?”
“Ifthere’sjorabainredwine...”
“Youdon’tneedtoworry
aboutthat.Youcanonlyputjorabainclearliquids.Itsnatureissuchthatittendstochangethecolorsofanything.But...”Sheshrugged.“...thatdoesmeanyouneedtobeawareofthepropercolorsofvariouswines.ThatisonereasonwhyHighHoldersaresuchexpertsonvintages.Thosewhoarenotoftensufferstrangeandfatalmaladies...”
IhadnodoubtthatthecomingsessionswithMaitreDyanawouldbeevenmorepainful.
Rain,shadows,andsunlight
allconcealandreveal,
justindifferentfashions.
Vendreiwaswithoutincident,exceptingforanotherlongeveningsessionwithMaitreDyana.SowasearlySamedimorning,exceptthatwehad
torunthroughaheavyrain,andmyexerciseclothesweresoddenbythetimeIreturnedtomyquarters.Evenso,Imanagedtogettobreakfast,eat,andarriveatmymakeshiftstudiowithenoughtimetogetmypaintssetupandevengetinalittleworkonthebackgroundoftheportraitbeforeMasterPoincarytarrivedpunctuallyatthefirstbellofeighth
glass.
Recallinghis“homily”aboutobservation,Iwatchedasheenteredthestudio,notinghow,withoutseemingto,hesurveyedmeandtheentirespaceoftheconvertedworkroombeforetakinghisseat.Icouldseethatmightalsobeagoodhabittoform.
Ashesatdown,hesmiled.“Yes...Ido.Mostcovert
imagerslearnthatearly,iftheysurvive.”
“I’mstillworkingonwhatyousuggested,sir.”
“You’restillyoungenoughthatsuchintensitycanbetakenforinterest.Asyougetolder,youwillhavetolearnobservationwithcircumspection,butbythen,youshouldbeabletopickuponwhatyouseeandsense
almostwithoutthinkingaboutit.”Helaughed.“AmongtheHighHolders,observationisplayedasagame,ifonewithveryhighstakes.Theonewhocanlearnthemostwhilerevealingtheleastisusuallythewinner.”
Inthatsense,I’djustlost...butI’dlearnedindoingso.“Ifyouwouldturnyourheadtotheleft,justatouch,sir?”
Ipaintedforasolidglass,alittletentativelyatfirst,becauseIhadn’tbeenworkingwiththebrushesallthatmuch,butIcouldfeelthetouchcomebackbeforelong.Imanagedtogetmostoftheareaaroundhisforeheadandeyes,aswellasfinishthenose,andgettheshapeofthejawsetwiththeunderlyingbase.
Asthefirstoftheninebells
rang,MasterPoincarytrose.“Ihopeyouwillpardonme,Rhennthyl,butIdohaveameetingwithHighCouncilorSuyrienandCouncilorRholyn.”
“Yes,sir.Itrustitwillgowell.”
“Oneneverhasameetingwithoutknowingexactlyhowitwillgoandhowtoassurethatitdoes.”Hesmiled
warmly.“Otherwise,whatisthepoint?”
Afterheleft,Ithoughtabouthispartingwords.He’dasmuchassaidthathewouldbecontrollingthemeetingbetweenRholyn,thecouncilorwhorepresentedtheCollegiumontheCouncil,andHighCouncilorSuyrien,theHighHolderwhochairedtheexecutivecommitteeoftheCouncil,andwho,in
effect,spokefortheCouncilandallofSolidar.Thatalsosuggestedthatsuchameetingwasnecessary,andthat,attheleast,therewasnottotalagreementbetweenSuyrienandtheCollegium.Ihadnodoubtstherewouldbeagreementwhenthemeetingended.
Ispentalmostanotherfullglassworkingontheportrait,becauseIfeltIneededtodo
so,butasIcleanedup,IrealizedanotheraspectoftheCollegium.MasterPoincarythadcomefromthecovertbranchnowheadedbyMasterDichartyn,andthatsuggestedtomethatMasterDichartynmightwellbebeingpreparedtobecomeMasterPoincaryt’ssuccessor.
TheCollegiumwasalmostcompletelydesertedbynoon,andIatewithReynol,who
complainedabouthavingtodealwith“greatcomplexities”intheCollegiumaccounts,makingthingsbalancesothateverythingappearedinitsproperplacewhentheaccountswerepresentedtotheCouncil.
“TotheCouncil?”Itookamouthfulofsaoras,thinstripsofgoosefriedinspiceoil,thencoveredwithcheeseand
bakedinapuffpastry.
“Absolutely.WeprovideservicestotheCouncil,forwhichwearepaid.ThearmoryhascontractswiththeNavy,thatsortofthing.Eventhe...well...letusjustsaythatalmosteverypartoftheCollegiumprovidesgoodsorservicestosomeone,andwereceiveanannualpaymentfromtheCouncilforresolution.”
“Doesthatmeanresolutionoftheimagerproblem,bytrainingthem,andkeepingthemfrombeingaproblem,sotospeak?”
“It’snotspelledoutanywhere,anditdatesbackcenturies.That’sallIknow.Somethingsaccountclerksdon’taskabout.”Reynoldidsmile.
Isippedthewine,aslightly
bitterwhiteplonkIcouldn’tidentify.“Whydoyouthinkotherlandsdon’thavesomethingliketheCollegium?”
“Whywouldtheywantthem?Halfofthemdon’twantimagersbecausetheirreligionorfaithorwhathaveyousayswe’reevilandunnatural.Theotherseithertoleratethemwithrestrictionsorquietlyforcethemoutor
killthembecausetheydon’tfit.”
Ihadtothinkaboutthat.“Youmeanbecauseabsoluterule,likeinCaenen,canbeturnedupsidedownwithimagerswhocankilltyrantswithouteverbeingdetected?”
“Right.Butevenoutsideinfluenceworriesthoseinpower.InJariola,therearereallyonlyforty-five
membersoftheoligarchy.That’shereditary.Whatifanimagerwentaroundkilling,overtime,thosememberswithagivenview?Thatcouldchangethings,andtheydon’twantchange.InFerrum,theybelieveinusingmachinesandforeigncontractworkerstokeepwagesandcostslow.Thatreducesthepoweroftheguilds—theyreallydon’thavethemthe
waywedo—andincreasesthepowerofthefactors.Theydon’tevenhaveanythinglikeHighHolders,onlythewealthiestofmerchants.ACollegiuminFerrumwouldcertainlyreducethepowerofthemerchanters.”
“So,fordifferentreasons,neitherFerrumnorJariolacaresforimagers.WhataboutTiempre?”
“They’recrazy.TheyhavethisideathatanytalentthatonlyafewpeoplehaveisthemarkofBius,theblackdemon,becausePuryon,theiroh-so-justgod,bestowsthepotentialforeverytruebelievertohavethesameabilitiesasanyother,ifindifferinglevels,iftheyonlybelieve.Soallimagersaredemons.”
“Howcantheybelieve
that?Peoplearedifferent.”
Reynoljustlaughed.Ihadtoaswell.
Afterlunch,IfoundashadedbenchontheeasternsideofImagisleonthenorthendwheretherewasaslightbreezeoffthewaterandsatdowntotrytothink.
WhathadIdiscoveredaboutthosetryingtokillme,andhowhadIdiscovered
whatIhad?Inthesimplestsense,Ihadobservedandtalkedtopeople.TheproblemnowwasthatIhadfewenoughpeopleleftwithwhomIcouldtalkthatIhadnotalreadycontacted.ButitcouldbethatI’dbeenlookingattheprobleminthewrongway.Anumberofjuniorimagershadbeenkilledoverthepasthalfyear,andnoneofthemhadangeredHigh
HolderRyelortaudischefArtazt.SomehadbeenkilledevenbeforeI’denteredtheCollegium,andtherewerekillingsstillhappening,ifintermittently.Why?Justbecausesomeonedidn’tlikeimagers?
Foratime,Ijustsatthere,lookingattheriver,butIdidn’tcomeupwithanysortofanswer.Yet...therewassomething.Ijustcouldn’tsee
whatitwas.
BecauseIhadaverystrongfeelingthattryingtorundownElphensorotherportraituristswasn’tgoingtotellmeanymore,Ifinallyreturnedtomyquartersandread,mostlyfromOnArtandSociety.Ididn’tknowthatIagreedwithmuchofwhatIread.JuniaeD’Shendael’scommentarydidsparkspeculation,particularlyher
assertionthatthereasontherewerevirtuallynowomenartistswasbecause,historically,noonewantedtoinvestintrainingawomanwhenshehadafiftypercentchanceofdyinginchildbirth,andbeingsurroundedbymales,shewouldlikelyhaveahundredpercentchanceofbecomingpregnant.Afterhavingachild,she’dbeabletodevotelesstimetoartand
wouldrequiremorefood,especiallyifnursing.
I’dhavetocautionKhethilaaboutnotquotingtooliberallyfromthatvolume.
Athalfpastfour,IwasinahackheadedforNordroadandHagahlLane.Ihadslippedasetofpoisontestingstripsinsidemywaistcoat,notthatIexpectedtobe
poisoned,butforpractice.Averylightdrizzlehadbeguntofall,andIwishedthatIhadanumbrella,notforme,butforSeliora.
Iarrivedalmostaquarterglassearly,but,seeminglyasalways,Bhenytopenedthedoor.
“MasterRhennthyl,pleasecomein.”
“Areyouthepermanent
doorman?”Iaskedjokingly.
“Iliketoseewho’scoming,and,besides,Mothersaysit’sawaytomeetpeople.”Hesmiled.“AuntSelioragivesmethings,too.”
Bhenytcarefullyslidthelockandtheboltinplace,andthenwewalkedupthesteps,wherehetookhisleave.
Iwaitedforatimeinthemain-levelentryhall,taking
inthepaintingssetatintervals,aswellasthehangings.Ihadthefeelingaboutoneofthem,anelaborategeometricdesignofsilveranddarkgrayonarichgreen.Itwasfarnewerthantheothers.Ididn’trecognizeanyofthepaintings,allofthemlandscapesorcityscenes,althoughIthoughtoneofthesceneslookedlikeitmighthavebeenpaintedby
Elphensorhisformermaster—exceptitwassignedbysomeonecalledArhenyt,whofromthestylemighthavebeenRhenius’sfather.
AlthoughIheardnosteps,IsensedsomeoneandturnedtoseeSelioraenteringthemainhallfromthearchwayleadingtothestairs.Sheworeablackdresswithabrilliantfilmygreenvest,trimmedinsilver,withasilveryscarf.
“Doyouallmovesoquietly?”Igrinned.
“No.ShomyrandFathershakethestairsandthefloor.”Selioragavemeawarmembraceandagentlebutquickkissbeforesteppingback.“Haveyourparentsreturned?”
“IreceivedareplyfromMotherlateonJeudi,andalettertoyouwouldn’thave
gottenheremuchbeforeIdid.”
Selioraraisedhereyebrows.“And?”
“Becausewe’rebeinghonest,youcanreadherresponse.”Ihandedhertheenvelope.
Sheextractedtheletter,slowlyreadingit.Thenshelookedupandsmiled,enigmatically.
Iwasn’tabouttoaskwhatlaybehindtheexpression.Iknew.IalsoknewthatMotherwasinforsomethingshehadneverencountered,notevenwithRemaya,whowasahousecatcomparedtoSeliora’smountaincougar.
“You’resmiling,”Seliorasaid.
“IthinkI’llenjoyobservingnextweekend.”
“Youcanbeevil,Rhenn.I’llbeascharmingasIknowhow.”
“AndyousayI’mevil?”
Thatgotmeanotherenigmaticsidelongglance.“Wheremightwebegoingtodine?”
“I’dthoughtthatthePromenademightbegood.”
“CouldwetryTerraza?”
“It’sbetter,Itakeit?”I’dneverheardofit.
“Itis.Youalsodon’tpayforwhatyoudon’tget.”
“OdeliaandKolasyn?”
“Ithoughtwecouldmeetthemthere.”
Ijustofferedashrugandagrin.
Asweheadeddownthestepstothedoor,Seliora
gestured.“Intheclosetatthebottomofthestairs,thereareseveralumbrellas.”
Afterfindingthecloset,ItookalargenavyblueumbrellaandthenhelditoverSelioraassheusedabrasskeytolockthedoorbehindus.Wehadtowaitabittohailahack,andforthatIwasgladfortheumbrella,notsomuchformeasforSeliora.
Ifithadnothavebeenforthemistingrain—andtheexposure—Terrazawouldhavebeenalmostcloseenoughtowalk,onlyaboutamille,justaroundthecorneronanarrowlaneofftheBoulevardD’Este,notallthatfarfromMasterKocteault’s,Irealized,whenwegotoutofthecoach-for-hire.
Notonlythat,butOdeliaandKolasynalreadyhada
table,acircularoneinthefarcorner,perhapsthebestintherestaurant.Thewomanwhoguidedusthereonlyglancedatmeperfunctorily,afteradmiring,ifmostcovertly,whatSeliorawore.
TerrazaitselfwasagoodthreetimesthesizeofLapinina,butonlyhalfthatofFelters.Thewallswereasimpleandcleanwhiteplaster,withbrickpillars
showing,andthefloorwasacleandarkgraytile.Allthetableshadwhitecloths,andthewalllampswereofantiquebrass,frequentenoughsothatitwasn’tgloomy,butwarminfeeling.
OdeliasmiledasIseatedSeliora,thenmurmuredjustloudenoughforustohear.“Thatwasquiteanentrance.Everyonekeptlookingatyoutwo.”
“TheywerelookingatSeliora,”Ipointedout,“notme.”
“Anytimeabeautifulwomanappears,escortedbyatall,muscular,andimpressive-lookingimager,peoplewilllook,”Kolasynreplied.
“That’snoreason,”Isaidwithalaugh.
“Forsomepeople,itis,”
repliedOdelia.
Aservinggirlappearedwithtwobottlesofwine,oneredandonewhite.
“Iorderedtheirhousewines,”Odeliaexplained.“They’regood.”
Imanagednottolaugh.OdeliaandSelioraweredefinitelybetteroffnotbeingHighHolders,notfromwhatI’dheardaboutthewayHigh
Holderstreatedtheirwivesanddaughters.
Idecidedontheredwine,althoughIcouldn’thavesaidwhy.Itwaslight,likeaDhuensa,buthadastrongerandfruitiertaste,yetIlikedit.IliftedtheglasstoOdelia.“Youwereright.Thisisgood.”
Shesmiled,andhereyesflickedtoSeliora.
Thistime,IdidlaughasIturnedtomypartner.“Youtoldherwhattoorder?”
“Ijustsuggested.”Hervoicewaslowanddemure,andIcouldseethemischievousgrinstrugglingtoappear.
“Haveyouorderedeveryone’sdinneraswell?”MytonewaslightbecauseIwasactuallyenjoyingthe
banter,andIcouldbarelykeepfromlaughingagain.
“You’reright,”interjectedOdelia.“Hedoeshaveasenseofhumor.”
Theservinggirlappeared.“Thespecialtonightislambtournedos,withmintyogurt,blueglacianpotatoes,andspice-steamedsummerbeans....”ShewentontolistmoreentreesthanIcould
rememberfully,whichwasfine,becauseIwantedthelamb.
Onceshewasfinished,InoddedtoSeliora.
“ThegreensandfowlwiththeCambrisanreduction.”
“Theroastmushroomsandtheduckconfit,”addedOdelia.
“Thesameforme,”said
Kolasyn.
“Greensandthelambspecial...pink,notred,”Isaid.
Aftersheleft,therewasamomentofsilence.IlookedtoKolasyn,perhapsbecausehehadsaidsolittleandIsomuch.“Youweretalkingaboutreasonswhypeopledothings.Dopeoplereallyhavereasons?”AsItalked,I
slippedoutoneofthetestingstrips,holdingitwellbelowtheedgeofthetable,andconcentratedonimagingthetiniestdropofwinefromSeliora’snarrowgoblet.
Hesmiled,thenshrugged.“Ithinkso.Withpeople,there’sareasonforeverything.Thetrickistofigureoutthereason.Sometimes,theydon’tevenknowitthemselves,butif
youcandiscoverit,thenyouhaveanadvantage.”
“Areyousurethateveryonehasareason?”askedSeliora,hervoicecarryinggenuineinterest.“Besidesjusthavingtoact?”
Iimagedanotherdropofwine,thistimefrommygoblet.
“Iftheydidn’thavesomereason,”Kolasynreplied,“no
onewoulddoanything.Maybethey’rehungry,ortired...orjustdon’twanttoleaveadecisiontotheirwife...”
Ididgrinatthat.
Ialsogotaverygentleelbowintheribs.
ThetestingstripshowednothingabnormalineitherSeliora’swineormine.
Atthatpointthefirstcoursearrived.
Betweenthefoodandtheconversation,lightasitwas,everyoneseemedtoenjoythedinner.IalsotestedthewineandthesparklingwaterthatOdeliahadaskedfor.
Then,justastheserversetthelemontartthatwasmydessertbeforeme,Selioraglancedtowardthefrosted-
glassdoorofTerraza.Thatwasthesecondtimeshe’ddonethat,Irealized.Ileanedtowardherandaskedinamurmur,“Someoneoutthere?”
“Rhenn...”
“IfIknowwhat’sthere,”Irepliedinalowvoice,“I’llbefine.Idon’twantanyoneelsearound.”Islippedfrommychair.“Ifyouallwillexcuse
meforamoment...Ineedtostretch.Someoftheexercisesandrunningmaybecatchingupwithme.Ishouldonlybeamoment.”
Seliora’sglanceallbutscreamed“Takecare!”
IwasholdingfullshieldsasIsteppedoutintothecontinuinglightdrizzle,andIhadthemangled,inawaythatevenMaitreDyanamight
haveactuallyapproved.
Thefirstbulletbarelyshookme.Iturned,lookingthroughthemistyevening,thensawthemuzzleflashfrombesidethetrunkofatreelessthantwentyyardstomyleft,acrossthenarrowlane.Thejoltstaggeredme,butonlyforaninstant.
Iimagedoilacrossthestonesofthesidewalkbehind
thetree,sinceIcouldn’tmakeoutanyfigures.RatherItried,becausetheoiljustformedamomentarytentinmidairbeforeslippingtothegroundastwomensprintedfromthetreeandupanalley.Oneofthemhadusedanimager’sshield.Animager’sshield?
Istartedafterthem,thenslowedasIheardhoofsonpavement,butIwentfar
enoughtoseedownthealleyandmakesurethattheyhadindeedleftandthatthealleywasempty.ThenIwalkedbacktotherestaurant,realizingthattheshieldIhadencounteredhadn’treallybeensomuchstrongasdifferent,andthatifI’dhadamomentlonger,Imighthavegottenthroughit.Hadthatbeenwhythetwohadfled?
Onehadtobeanimager,
theotherprobablytheFerran.WhatchilledmeasmuchasthepresenceofanunknownimagerwasthefactthatsomeoneknewwhereI’dbeandwhen.Theimager’spresencealsoconfirmedthatEmanus’sdeathwasnotaccidentalandhadapartinmatters,evenifinadvertent,butitstillmadenosensetome,exceptthatitdidsuggestthatEmanushadknown
somethingthattheimagerbelievedInowknew.Butwhatcouldthatbe?
Beforereenteringtherestaurant,Iglancedaroundagain,butthestreetwasempty,notsurprisingly,giventherain.
“Doyoufeelbetter?”askedSelioraasIreturned,afterwendingmywayaroundseveraltables.
“Thecoolerairhelped.”Ismiled,thensatdownagain,murmuringtoher,“Everything’sfine.They’vegone.”
Odeliaraisedaneyebrow,butIjustsmiled,beforetakingabiteofthelemontart.Itwaseverybitasgoodastherestofthemealhadbeen.Seliorahadathinsliceofalmondcake,drizzledwithchocolate.
Surprisingly,atleasttome,thetotalforallfourofuswasonlyabitoversixsilvers,ahealthysum,butnotwhatitcouldhavebeen.
WhenweleftTerraza,OdeliagaveKolasynahugandakiss,andthenjoinedusforthehackridebacktoNordEsteDesign.IthoughtKolasynlookedabitdejectedashestartedtowalkdowntheBoulevardD’Este.
OncewewerebackatSeliora’s,Odeliavanished,andSelioraandImadeourwayuptotheeastterrace.Throughthemistandtherain,wecouldbarelyseethreeblocks,andcertainlynotevenafractionofthedistancetoMartradon.Inthedarkness,theterracewascool,butnotuncomfortable,especiallynotafterthelongembracethatSeliorabestoweduponmeas
soonaswewereclearlyalone.Wedidmovethechairssothatwesatsidebyside,withnotablebetweenus.
“IwasworriedwhenyouwentoutsideatTerraza.Whathappened?”
“Thereweretwoofthem.Onefired.Itriedtoimageoilsothatthey’dslip,butIcouldn’tseethem,andit
didn’tquitework.TheyhadacoachortraporsomethingaroundthecornerandweregonebeforeIcouldgetclose.”
“Someonewithgolds,then.”
“Someonewhoknowsimagers,too.Theyneverletmegetamoment’slookatthem.”ThatwasasmuchasIwantedtosayaboutthat,at
leastuntilItalkedtoMasterDichartyn.
“They’rewatchingyou,aren’tthey?Whatcanyoudo?”
“Becareful,andtrytolearnmore.Idon’tknowwhatelseIcando.Doyou?”
Herfingerstightenedaroundmine.“No.IwishIdid.”
“HasyoursolicitorfoundoutanythingaboutMadameD’Shendael?Istillthinkthere’saconnection.”
“IhadtogothroughGrandmamaonthat.Yesterday,shesaiditwastakinglongerthanAilphensthought,buttheremightbesomething.”
“Didshesaywhat?”
Seliorashookherhead.
“Sincewecan’tsolveanyofthoseproblems,notnowanyway,”Isaid,“tellmewhatyourbestmemoryisofwhenyouwerelittle.”
“Littleorreallylittle?”
“Let’sstartwithreallylittle.”
“ThatwasthetimethatGrandmamaandMothertookmetoExtelaonewinter.Idon’trememberwhythey
went,buttheytookme,andIgottoplayinthesnow,realsnow,andtherewasthisfuzzyblackpuppy...”
Wetalkedformorethanaglass,beforeIthoughtIheardsteps,quietones.IturnedinthedimnesstolookdirectlyatSeliora.
Shesmiled,andnodded,andwegotup.
Afteratime,westepped
apart.
“I’dliketoseeyoutomorrow...”
“I’dliketoseeyou,butitisthetwins’birthday,anditshouldbetheirspecialday.Also,perhapsyoushouldseeyourparents.Itmightnothurt.”
Shewasrightaboutthat,muchasIhatedtoadmitit.
InthehackonthewaybacktotheBridgeofHopes,somethingKolasynsaidcamebacktome.“Withpeople,there’sareasonforeverything...thetrickistofigureoutthereason.”
Whatwerethesimplestreasonstokilljuniorimagers?Becauseitwashardertokillseniorimagers?Becauseifsomeonekilledjuniorimagers...
Iswallowed.Coulditbethatsimple?Thatcold?Andifso,whyhadn’tMasterDichartynmentionedit?OrwasIsupposedtotellhim—again?
Tothosewhofailto
understand,themostfantastic
inliferemainsdisappointing.
ForalltheexcitementofSamedi,Ididsleepsoundlythatnight,wellenoughthatIdidnotwakeuntilwellafterbreakfast,possiblybecause
thedaywassodarkandgray,althoughtherainhadstopped.SinceMasterDichartyndidn’thavetheduty,hewasn’taround,andIhadnowaytoreachhimeasily.Besides,whatcouldhehavedonetotrackdownanunknownimageronaSolayi?I’dcertainlylethimknowonLundi.SoIjusttookmytime,stillponderingoverthestrangeshieldusedbythe
Ferran’saccomplice,andthinkingabouthowImightovercomeitshouldIagaincomeintocontactwithitswielder.
MenyardwastheonlythirdIknewwellatlunch,andIjoinedhimandseveralothers,butmostly,Ijustlistenedandate.Afterlunch,IcrossedtheBridgeofHopes,holdingfullshields,somethingthatwasnolongermuchofaneffort,
andtookahackouttomyparents’dwelling.
Motheractuallywastheonetoopenthedoor.“Rhenn!Whatapleasantsurprise.”Hersmilewascertainlywelcoming.“Yourfatherwillbesopleased.”
Ifollowedherintothefamilyparlor,closingthedoorbehindme.KethilawaslounginginFather’schair,
readingsomething,butitwasn’toneoftheD’Shendaelbooks.
“Dohaveaseat,dear.I’lltellyourfatherthatyou’rehere.”
Khethilaclosedthebookandmovedtothesettee.“Iwanttohearallabouther.”
“Inamoment,”Ireplied,notthatIwasabouttotellanyoneanythingmorethan
theabsoluteminimum.“HaveyouyetreadOnArtandSociety?”
“Thebookshophasn’tfoundacopyyet.”
“I’vereadseveralchapters...”Igrinned.
“Youhaveit?”
“TheCollegiumlibrarydoes.Iwasabletoborrowit.”Iglancedtowardthebackhall
leadingtoFather’sprivatestudy.“Don’tletFatherseeit.I’dsuggestnotquotingfromit.”
“I’lllikeit,then?”
“Itmightmakeevenyouthinkdifferently.”
“How?”
“Shesaysthatfinancialpressuresandchildbirtharewhytherehavebeenalmost
nowomenartists.Alsothatartcaneasilybecomeamalepretension.”
“Shereallywrotethat?”Khethilafrowned.
“You’llhavetoreadityourself.”Ilookeddownthehall.“Father’sonhisway.”
Shegavemeamockglare,whichvanishedasCulthynhurriedinandploppedhimselfonthesetteenextto
her.
OnceFatherarrivedinthefamilyparlorandseatedhimself,Mothersettleddowninherchairandlookedatme.Iignoredthelookandsatinthestraight-backedchairthatwasatanangletoboththesetteeandFather.
“Tellussomethingabouther,Rhenn,”Motherpressed.
“WhereshouldIstart?”I
smiled.“Letmesee.Hereyesarestarsonamoonlessnight,herhairdarkerthanjetebony,herlipsredderthanflame,herskinfairerthanArtiemafullatharvest...”
“That’spoetrystuff,”complainedCulthyn.“Youmeanshe’sgotrealblackhairandredlips?Shecan’thavewhiteeyeslikethestars.”
WhenCulthyntalkedthat
way,heremindedmeofRouselatthatage,anditwasn’tapleasantmemory.
“Youcouldbealittlelesspoetic,dear,”suggestedMother.
“Shehasblackhair,notquiteshoulderlengthwhenit’sdown.Hereyesareblack,theirises,thatis,andshe’saboutaheadshorterthanIam.”
“Thatstillmakeshertallforawoman,”Fathersaid.
“Notcomparedtohercousin.OdeliaisalmostastallasIam.”
“Whatelse?”promptedMother.“Whataboutherfamily?”
“They’rewelloff.That,Icanassureyou.ShehasabrotherabityoungerthanCulthyn,andanotherbrother
who’sabitolderthanIam,Ithink.”
“Youdon’tknow?”askedKhethila.
“Ididn’task.I’minterestedinher,notthem.”
Culthyngrinned.
“She’sinvolvedinthefamilybusiness,andtheymakecustomandquitecostlyfurniture,usuallyforHigh
Holders.”
“Exactlywhatdoesshedo?”pressedFather.
“Believeitornot,it’srathertechnical,andshecanexplainitfarbetterthanIcan,andI’mcertainshewillbemorethanhappytodosonextweek.Oh,she’salsoaverygooddancer,farbetterthanIam,andshehasagoodsenseofhumor,andanice
smile.”
“Isshefat?”askedCulthyn.“Youdidn’tsayshewaspretty.”
BothMotherandKhethilaglaredathim.Underthepressureoftwosetsofeyes,heshrankbackintothesofa.
“No,she’snotfat.You’llsee.”
“Yourdescriptionabout
hersuitabilityleavesagreatdealofroom,Rhenn,”Mothersaid.
“I’vediscoveredthatsometimesit’sbestnottosaytoomuch.Selioraisveryopen,andI’msureyoucandeterminewhatyouthinknextweekaftermeetingher.”
“Seliora...thatsoundslike...”
“She’sPharsi...but
they’velivedinL’Excelsisforatleastthreegenerations.”
“Remayaisalovelygirl,”Motheroffered.
Thatwasaconcessionithadtakenhertenyearstomake,althoughIwasn’tabouttocomplain,sinceIhopeditwouldmakematterseasierforSeliora...andme.
“Remaya’sawomanwithachild,notagirl,”Fathersaid
withagrufflaugh.
Afteramomentwherenoonespoke,Culthynlookedatme.“Rhenn,youpromisedyou’dshowmewhatimagersdo.Youpromised.”
Ithoughtaboutthatforamoment.Itmightkeepthesubjectchanged,andIwasnolongerforbiddentouseimaging,butIhadtouseitappropriately,ofcourse.“All
right.”Iglancedtothebookshelf,thensmiled.Atoneendofalineofbookswasabookend,amarbleLshapewithacrystalglobeanchoredtobothsidesofthegreenmarble.Therewasonlyonebecause,yearsbefore,Rouselhadknockedtheotheroffwhenhe’dthrownaschoolbookatme,andithadfallenandshattered.Istoodandwalkedtothebookshelf,
lookingatthebookend.Therehadtobeenoughstoneandsandnearbyoutsidethehousesothatimagingwouldn’tbethathard.Iconcentrated,visualizingasecondbookend,identicaltothefirst.
Then,therewasone,sittingintheopenspaceoftheshelfbesidethefirst.
IturnedtoMother.“Abitlate,but...”
Hermouthhadopened,justalittle.Ihadthefeelingthatshe’dneverbeenquitesurewhetherIwasreallyanimager.Father’seyeshadwidened.
“Isthatall?”DisappointmentcoloredCulthyn’svoice.
“Canyoudothat?”Icountered.
“No.”Theresponsewas
sullen.
“Imagingislikeanythingelse.It’swork,andithastobepractical.”
“Youtakeallthefunoutofthings.”
“Culthyn.”Mother’svoicewaslikeiceinmidwinter.“Apologize.”
“I’msorry,Rhenn.”
“Ifyoudon’twanttogoto
yoursleepingchamber,youwillbeciviltoyourbrother,”Fatheradded.“FromwhatI’veheard,therearen’tmanywhocandowhathejustdid.”
“Yes,sir.”
Beforeanyoneelsecouldspeak,Idid.“Father,I’dbeinterestedinlearningwhatyou’veheardabouttradeandshipping,especiallybetweenSolidarandFerrumor
Jariola.”Ididwanttoknow,andIdidn’twanttheconversationheadedbacktomorequestionsaboutSeliora.
“Well...”Herubbedhisthumbsagainstthesidesofhisforefingers,thewayhesometimesdidwhenhewasthinking.“IheardfromPeliagrynthattherewasaskirmishorsomethingbetweensomeFerranshipsandoursinthenorthocean,
andmostoftheirvesselsgotsunk.Afterthat,thefactorsintheislessentwordtoRouselthattradersinFerrialarerefusingtoacceptSolidaranwools.They’reafraidofconfiscationifmattersgetanyworse...thingsaren’tquitesobadwithJariola.Atthesametime,IreallyhavetroublewiththeOligarch.Thosetypesdon’treallyunderstandcommerceatall..
.”
Ilistenedcarefully,andnotjustoutofpoliteness.
Later,wehadteaandcakesbeforeIleft,andMotherdidn’tpressmeagainonSeliora,butshedidmentionthreetimeshowmuchshewaslookingforwardtomeetingher.
Thateveningatservices,ChoristerIsolaoffereda
phraseinherhomilythat,oncemore,stuckwithmeasIwalkedbacktomyquarters,perhapsbecauseofwhatCulthynhadsaidaboutmyimagingnotseemingtobesomuch.
“...Exaltingone’snameisavanityofvanities,foranameismerelyanephemerallabelthatwillvanishandbeforgottensoonafterwehaveturnedtoashesanddust.
Eventhosewhosenamesarerememberedareforgotten,becauseallthatisrememberedisalabel.Toseektodogreatdeedsforethicalorpracticalreasonsisamarkofcourageorambition,ifnotboth;todosotomakeone’snamefamousisavanityoftheNamer.”
Icouldseethatwasanotherexampleofthenarrowestofpaths,asGrandmamaDiestra
hadputit.ButIhadthefeelingthatallthepathsbeforemewerenarrow.
Perfectioncanleadtogreat
imperfection.
WhileItriedtorundownMasterDichartynonLundi,hedidn’tshowupattheCollegiumbeforeIhadtoleavefortheCouncilChateau.Then,asitoftenseemedatthebeginningof
theweek,littlehappened,andwewerebackattheCollegiumwellbeforefifthglass.IactuallyfoundMasterDichartyninhisstudyandabletoseeme.
“Whatdoyouhavetoreport?”
“OnSamedinight,someonefollowedmeandtookanothersetofshots...”Iexplainedthedetailsofwhat
hadhappened,aswellasmyfailureswiththeoilandthestrangeshield.
“Theoilwasagoodidea,”hesaidwithanod,“butthewayyoutriedtoapplyitshowsalackofexperience.Thinkofitthisway.Ashieldwilldeflectthingsthrownatit,butwhataboutthosethingsalreadythereorplacedbeforeit?”
Icouldhavehitmyheadwithmypalm.Soobvious!AllI’dhadtodowouldhavebeentoimagetheoilonthestonesbeyondtheshieldsothatitwasinplacewhenheranoverit.
“That’showyoulearn.Bymakingandsurvivingmistakes.”
“Whatabouttheotherimager’sshield?”
“Thatjustconfirmsthathe’saforeignimager.He’smorethanlikelytheonewhohiredtheFerran.That’salmostacertainty.”
“Butwhyaretheystillafterme?”
“Theythinkyouknowsomething.Doyou?”Thecornersofhismouthturnedup,buthiseyesweren’tsmiling.
“Idon’tthinkso,butIthoughtofsomethingelse.You’veprobablyalreadyfiguredthisout.Thisyearthenumberofyoungorjuniorimagerswho’vebeenkilledismuchhigherthanever,andalmostallhavebeenshot.Butwhywouldanyonekillyoungimagers?TheonlyanswerIcouldcomeupwithwasbecausetheycan’tkillolderones,butthatmeanssomeone
hasdecidedtokeepkillingtheyoungeronessothatintimetherewon’tbeanyolderones.”
“You’reright.That’sthemostlikelyconclusion.Wedon’thaveanyproof,butthesamethingwashappeningtoyoungimagersinLiantigoandNacliano.Unlikehere,theretheydidkillseveralassassinsandthekillingshavestoppedfornow.One
assassinwascaught,andheconfessedthathe’dbeenpaidfivegoldsforeverykilling,buthecouldn’tidentifywhopaidhim.
“IthastobesomeonefromsomeplacelikeCaenenorJariolaorFerrum,ormaybeevenTiempre,”Isaid.
“Possibly,butthosearen’ttheonlylandsthatdon’tlikeimagers,andassassinations,
evenfivegolds—orten—aheadarefarcheaperthanwar.”
WhatsurprisedmewasthatMasterDichartyndidn’tseemallthatupset.WasthatbecausesuchattackshadbeenmorecommonovertheyearsthanIknew?Andwhyhadn’ttheycaughttheassassinsinL’ExcelsiswhentheyhadinWestisleandEstisle?
“Itseemsodd—”
“Thatwestillhaveassassinsatlarge?”Heshookhishead.“Youkilledone.I’vekilledone.Sohasanotherimager.ThreewerekilledinWestisleandtwoinEstisle,andtherehavebeennomorekillingsthereforovertwomonths.Whatthatprovesisthatwhoeverisinchargeoftheoperationishere,andthatthereis
probablyonlyonepersonfromwhateverlandisinvolved,certainlynomorethantwo.Isthereanythingelse?”
Notaboutthat,becausehewasn’tabouttosay.“TheranksoftheCollegiumdon’tshowaMaitreD’Image,sir.Havetherebeenmany?”
“TheCollegium—andSolidar—isfortunatetohave
oneeveryfewgenerations.Moreoftenwouldnotnecessarilybegoodforeither.AfterthegreatimagerofRexRegisrazedthewallsofL’ExcelsisanddestroyedathirdoftheBovarianpopulation,andthencreated,orre-created,theCouncilChateau,therewasacertainamountoffearofimagers.Supposedly,thatwaswhythefirstHallofImagerswas
created,asmuchtoidentifywhereimagerswereasanything.Thathallwasactuallyrightaboutwherewearenow...”
I’dknownthatthefirstHallhadbeenthestartoftheCollegium,butitwasstrange,inaway,tobesittingwhereithadbeen.
“...thefeardieddownovertime,butneverabated,
althoughitwashelpedwhenCyrandestroyedRexDefouandputhissononthethrone.Knowingtherearesofewgreatimagers—thosewhomwewouldtermMaitresD’Imagetoday—theCouncilwilldefertoone,knowingthattheyareinfrequent,notthattheyhavemuchchoice,butitisanotherformofbalance.Otherlandsknowthatonecouldrise,andthey
donotwishtoprovokeSolidar.IntimeswhentheCollegiumdoesnothaveone,Solidarwillnotpressotherlandstoohard.NorwilltheCouncilevenwhenonedoesheadtheCollegiumattheheightofhispowers,becausetodosowouldinviteretaliationafterhisdeath...”
“IsthatwhytherearefourCollegia?”
“Weusethetermasiftherewerefour.Thereisreallyonlyone,splitintofourdifferentlocations,butsuchaseparationrenderstheCollegiumlessvulnerable,especiallyintimeswhenitspowersareless,orlessapparent.”
“Whatabouttheregionals?DotheyreporttoyouortoMasterPoincaryt?”
“YouareassumingthatIhavesomesortofposition,Rhennthyl.”
“No,sir.Fromobservation,Iknowyouhavesomesortofposition,eventhoughitappearsnowhere.IalsosuspectthatMasterPoincarytwasyourpredecessorinthatposition.”
Hechuckled.“Andyou,Rhennthylwithyour
brashness,willeitherbedeadintenyears,ormysuccessor.Theodds,unfortunately,heavilyfavortheformerunlessyoucanlearngreaterskillsinforbearanceanddissembling.”Hepaused,thenadded,“Dissemblingisnotinherentlydishonest.Itistheskillofdisguisingwhatyoufeelandknowuntilyoucanactwiththehighestchanceofsuccess.Live
dissemblersarefarmoreusefulthandeadheroes.HowareyourlateststudieswithMaitreDyanagoing?”
“Asyouwouldexpect,sir.I’mlearning,butnotsowellorwithasmuchfinesseasshewouldprefer.”
Hedidlaughatthat,heartily.Thenhesaid,“YoumustrealizethatMaitreDyanacomesfroma
backgroundwheretheslightestmisstepcancausegreatpain,ifnotdeath.Demandforperfectionofskillsinallareascomesnaturallytoher.”
“Sir...you’vesuggestedthatmanyHighHoldersarenotamongthebrightest...”
“Thatdoesnotmeantheyarenothighlyskilled,andtheharnessingofawiderangeof
finelyhonedskillstoalackofintelligencecanbedeadlytothosenearby.”
Ihadn’tthoughtofitinthatway.
“Youdohavecertainstrengths,Rhenn.Idon’tmeanasanimager,butbeyondthat.I’dlikeyoutothinkaboutwhattheyare,andwhattheyimplyforthewayyoushouldact.Unless
somethingcomesupthatisurgent,IwillmeetyouhereafteryouleavetheChateauonJeudi,andwewilldiscusswhatyouthinkthosestrengthsmightbe.”Hestood.
SodidI.“Yes,sir.”
Withhalfaglassremainingbeforedinner,andrainoncemorethreatening,Ihurriedbacktomyquartersand
thoughtaboutwhatMasterDichartynhadsaid.Besidesstrongshields,andtheabilitytopaint,whatweremystrengths?Intheend,Icouldcomeupwithonlyone,andthatwasmyabilitytocombinewhatIknewwithwhatIfelttocometoaconclusionthatwasusuallyright—oftenlongbeforeIcouldhaveprovedthecorrectnessofthat
conclusion.
TheotherthingIrealized,again,wasthatIwasbeingusedasatargetandalureforwhoeverwastryingtoattacktheCollegium.Iwasnotbeinggivenanyadvancedtraininginattacking,orwaystoattack,butonlyindefense,andafteratime,ifonecannotattack,oneusuallyloses.
Afterdinner,andthenafter
myexerciseswithMaitreDyana,Ifelttotallyexhausted.Shewasinstructingmeintheuseofimagingtodetectpoisonsinfood,andthatreinforcedmysenseofbeingtrainedasalure.TiredasIfelt,IstillforcedmyselftowritealettertoSeliorathankingherforawonderfulSamediandtellingherthatmyvisitwithmyparentshadgoneasexpected
andthattheylookedforwardverymuchtomeetingher.
Theonlyproblemwasthat,onceIdroppedintosleep,IhadnightmaresabouthavingdinnerswithHighHoldersandtryingtodeterminewhatwaspoisonedandhow,especiallyafterIdiscoveredatinysilverknotsetbymycutleryataformaldinnerinanornatedininghallIdidnotrecognize.
Observinganobserveris
oftenboring,butvital.
OnMardi,theonlythingthathappenedofnotewasthatapetitionertriedtogettoCouncilorSuyrien.Dartaznhadtokillhim,andBaratynandthecivicpatrollersdiscoveredthattheassassin
hadkilledthefactorwhohadtheappointmentandtakenhisplace.
Thatevening,MaitreDyana,inthemidstofattemptingtoinstillmorefinesseinmypoisondiagnostics,suggestedthathalfofdiagnosticswasobservationbeforethefact,andthatIstilltendedtorushbeforeIhadalltheinformation.
“Patience,dearboy.Observationindetailwithpatience.”
Ifshewerestillalivetwentyyearsfromnow,Ithought,she’dstillbecallingme“dearboy,”whichIsuspectedwasamorepleasantwayofsaying,“Thinkbeforeyouact,idiot.”
OnMeredi,IreceivedfromtheCollegiumtailoraformal
whiteandgrayuniformjackettobeworntotheCouncil’sHarvestBallthefollowingweek.Itriediton,and,unsurprisingly,itfitperfectly.Ihadtoadmitthatitlookedfarbetterthanthestandardgraywaistcoat.
Ofcourse,rightafterarrivingbackattheCollegiumonJeudiafternoon,ImarchedmyselftoMasterDichartyn’sstudio.
AssoonasIsatdown,heasked,“WhydoyouthinkanassassintriedtokillCouncilorSuyrien?”
Thatcertainlywasn’tthefirstquestionIexpected.“Becausehe’stheheadoftheexecutivecommittee,andeffectivelyrunstheCouncil.”
“Thatisastatementoffactthatismeaningless.Whathashedonetocausesomeoneto
wanttokillhim?”
“Idon’tknow,sir.FromwhatIhaveheard,heisopposedtochanginganything.”
“Thatistrue.Whatdoesthattellyouabouttheassassin—orwhoeverpaidhim,ifitturnsouthewashired?”
“Hefeelshehasbeenhurtbythepresentsystemor
stronglywantschangeorboth.”
“Manypeoplefeelthatway.Theydon’ttrytokillacouncilor.”
“Eitherbloodorgoldsorbothareinvolved.”
“Better.Thinkaboutthis.You’vereadthenewsheets,haveyounot,withthestoriesaboutmorehostilitiesbetweenFerrumandJariola
—andtheskirmishbetweenoneofourflotillasthatwaspositionedtokeepFerranwarshipsfromattackingJariolanmerchanters?”
“Yes,sir.”
“ThereisthepossibilityofwarbetweenFerrumandJariola.WhichlandislesspopularinSolidar?”
“Jariola,I’dsay.TheOligarchmakespeoplethink
ofanoverbearingrex.”
“Whataboutamongthefactorsandmerchanters?”
Ithoughtaboutmyfather’sreactions.“They’reprobablyevenmoreinfavorofFerrum,andthey’renothappythattheCouncil’sattemptatevenhandednessiscostingthem.”
“Now,whileithasnotbeenmadethatpublic,”Master
Dichartynwenton,“CouncilorSuyrienhassuggestedthatSolidarmayhavetosupportJariola,giventhebelligerentstanceofFerrum.Hehasalsostatedthathefearsthedangersofanationwhosepolicyisruledonlybyprofits.Canyouseeapossiblelinktotheassassin,atleastintermsofviews?”
“Yes,sir.”
“Now...haveyouconsideredwhatIaskedofyouonLundi?”
“Yes,sir.”
“Thensummarizeyourconclusions.”Hesatbackandwaited.
“Well,sir...I’vethoughtaboutthisforalongtime,buttheonlysignificantstrengthsIseemtohaveareverystrongshieldsforsomeoneofmy
levelandtheabilitytocombinewhatIknowwithwhatIfeeltocometoaconclusionthatusuallyseemstoberight—oftenlongbeforeIcouldhaveactuallyprovedthecorrectnessofthatconclusion.TheimplicationbehindthatisprobablywhatMaitreDyanakeepssaying,andthat’sthatIneedtobemorepatient.Atleast,inmostcases.”Icouldn’thelp
adding,“Idon’tthinkI’mthesingle-handedherotypewhocanchargeintothetaudisandcapturescores.”
“Whataboutyourportraitureability?”
“That’sastrength,anditprobablyaddedtomyimagingability,but,outsideofprovidingportraitsfortheCollegium...”
Henodded.“Those
probablyareamongyourstrongestpoints,andtheimplicationsarecorrectsofarasyouhavecarriedthem.Wealsodon’ttrain,asyouputit,single-handedheroes.Weoftenactalone,butit’sfarmoreeffective,andfarsafer,toactfromtheshadows...orindirectsunlightwitheveryonewatchinginafashionwherenoonerealizeswhatyou’vedone,andeven
whentheydo,wherenooneconnectsittoyouortheCollegium.”Hesmiled.“Nextweek,attheCouncil’sHarvestBall,aboveall,observe.Observeandtrytocorrelatewhatyouseewithwhatyouknowandwhatyoufeel.Itmaysurpriseyou.”
“Yes,sir.”
“Whatareyoudoingthisweekend?”
“Takingtheyoungladywhosavedmylifetomeetmyparents.”
Hefingeredhischin,thennodded.“Forallofoursakes,useyourshieldsandbecareful...andobservant.”
AfterIleft,Ihad,morethanever,thefeelingthatIwasthelureforamuchlargerpredatorthanI’dfirstimagined.
Professionalinterrogators
shouldstudymothers.
Fortunately,Samedimorningwasclear,cool,andwithalightbreezethatmadethelongrunthatfollowedClovyl’sexercisesandthesessioninphysicalself-defenseseemalmostpleasant.
IfinishedsomewhatclosertoDartazn,butnotmuch.Ihurriedthroughcleaningupandeating,sothatIcouldgettothestudioandgetsomeworkdoneonsomeofthedetailsoftheportraitthatdidn’trequireMasterPoincarytbeforehearrived.
Hewasaspunctualasalways,settlingintothechair.“Goodday,Rhennthyl.”Hesettledintothechair.“I
apologizeformyabsencelastweek.Thereweresomematterstodealwith.”
“Beyondtheinfiltratorsinthetaudis,sir?”
Asmilecrossedhisface.“Youknow,Rhennthyl,Ifindthesesessionsmostuseful.TheyprovideatimewhenIamawake,relativelyrested,andwithoutpeopleanddetailsclamoringforactions
andsolutions.”Heturnedhishead.“Thisway?”
“Atouchawayfromme,justalittle.”Ipaused.“Good.”
Ihadtoadmirethewayhe’dhandledmyquestion.Justasmile,andwarmwordsonanothersubject,hintingthathewasn’tabouttodealwithmyquery.BeforeIliftedmybrush,Ijuststudiedhim
again,lookingfromthecanvasandbacktohim.ThenIcaughtit.ThewayI’dpaintedhislefttemplewasasthoughinadifferentlightsettingthanthecheekbonebelow.Iconcentrated,tryingtovisualizeitjustso...andthenitwasjustthatwayonthecanvas.Ihadtosmile.Inaway,itwasironic.
Iworkedsteadilyforagoodquarterglassbeforehe
spokeagain.
“MasterDichartynhasbriefedmeonthesituationinwhichyoufindyourself.Howwouldyoudescribeit?Honestly,butasdispassionatelyaspossible.”
“TheCollegiumhasbeengoodtome,sir.ThatIcannotdeny,andI’velearnedagreatdeal.Atthemoment,though,Idofeelmorelikethelurefor
alargeandunknownpredatorlurkingsomewhereoutbeyondtheCollegium.”
“That’safairdescriptionofthesituation.Iwouldpointout,however,asIamcertainMasterDichartynhasalreadytoldyou,thatallimagersareinasenselures.OurdutyandresponsibilityistodrawsuchpredatorsinorderthattheydonotpreyonSolidaritself.”
“Hehassaidthat,sir.”
“Good.Ifeltsurehehad.You’llbeattheCouncil’sHarvestBallnextVendrei,Itrust?”
“Yes,sir.Won’tyou?”
“No.Onsuchsocialoccasions,mypresencewouldhave,shallwesay,adampeningeffectontheatmosphere.ThechiefmaitreoftheCollegiummusttake
carenevertoputhimselfinapositionwherehemightbeseentochallengeordimtheauthorityoftheCouncil.”
IrealizedI’dalreadyunderstoodthatwithoutactuallyhavingthoughtitthrough.Ijusthadn’tappliedittotheBall.
“TheBallisoneofthoseoccasionswhenyouhaveachancetoobserveandlearn
withoutbeingobservedthatmuchyourself.Ifsomeoneisobservingyou,ofcourse,itissignificant,andsomethingtoconsider.”Hepaused.“HowlongbeforeImightseetheportrait?”
“Youcanlookatitanytime,sir.Ihaveyourfacemostlydone,andthegarments.”
“Afterwe’redonetoday.I
dislikesurprises,especiallythoseIcanprevent.”
Hesaidnothingmorefortherestofthesession,clearlylostinhisownthoughtsandconcerns.Whenthefirstbellofninthglassstruck,helookedtome.
“Yes,sir.Ihavemorethanenoughtoworkonbeforethenextsession.”
MasterPoincarytstood,
stretched,andthenwalkedtowardtheeasel,circlingitandthenstudyingtheunfinishedwork.Afteramoment,henodded.“Theywereright.You’reasgoodasmanyofthemasterportraiturists.”Awrysmilefollowed.“It’saccurate,andlifelike,butyou’reanimager,andit’snotasflatteringasthoseofMasterEstafen.Moreaccurate,butnotso
flattering.”
“MasterDichartynhasalwaysstressedaccuracy,sir.”
Thechiefmaitrelaughed.“MasterDichartynalsoinformedmethatyouhaveacertain...shallwesay...wayofreducingegos.IwouldsuggestyounotemployitattheBall.”Hesteppedbackfromthe
unfinishedportrait,lookedatitoncemore,thenturned.“Nextweek?”
“Yes,sir.”
Hewasalmostatthedoorbeforehestoppedandhalf-turned.“Rhennthyl?”
“Yes,sir?”
“Beingaluredoesnotmeanoneisdefenseless.Nordoesitprecludeaction.Just
makecertainthatsuchactionisinyourbestinterestsandthoseoftheCollegium.”Withthat,hesmiledandleftthestudio.
Iendeduppaintingforalmostanotherglass,leavingjustenoughtimetocleanupandwalktothedininghall.Withgoodfortune,I’dbeabletofinishtheportraitinoneor,atthemost,twomoresessions.Itwasagoodwork
—perhapsnotmyverybest,butbetterthanthatofmanymasters.
AfterlunchwithMenyard,Isteppedoutintothefoyerandwalkedtothemainentrance.Iglancedupattheplaques...andfroze.Anothernamehadbeenadded:Claustyn,MaitreD’Aspect,727–755A.L.
Hadhebeentheoneto
removetheoldHighPriestofCaenen...orhadhejustbeenkilledaspartoftheoperation?
Menyardstopped.“Youdidn’tknow?”
“No.Idon’tusuallycomethisway,andI’mneverhereforlunch,exceptonSamediandSolayi.”
Wejuststoodthereforamoment.Icouldn’tsaythat
Claustynhadbeenaclosefriend,buthe’dbeenwarmandwelcomingwhenI’dfirstbecomeathirdandchangedquarters,aftertheconfrontationwithJohanyr.He’dintroducedmetootherthirdswithgraceatatimewhenI’dneededandappreciatedthatkindness.Itmademethink.HadIbeenthatway?No...buttherehadn’tbeenanynewthirdsin
thelastfewmonths,notnearmyquarters.
Still...thatwassomethingIneededtoremember.
MenyardandIleftthedininghallsilently,andIwalkedalongthewestsideofthequadranglebacktomyquarters.
Foratime,Ijustthought.ThenIdecidedtogotothelibrarytoseewhatthere
mightbeonHighHolderRyel.Lurescouldlearn,Isupposed.
OnceIreachedthelibraryandbegantosearchthestacks,Ibegantorealizehowlittlewritteninformationtherewas.Oh,therewasalistingofalltheHighHolderhouses,butitwasacenturyoutofdate.TherewasalsoabookonthelimitsofHighHolderlowjustice,butafter
skimmingthat,IrealizedthatitwasjustasimplificationofwhatMasterJhulianhadpoundedintome—orforcedmeintopoundingintomyself.Intheend,IspentalmosttwoglasseslearningthatIwasn’tgoingtofindthatinformationinabook.
Afterthat,Ireturnedtomyquarters,readabitmoreofOnArtandSociety,thenwasheduponcemore,and
headedouttopickupSelioraforoursilentinquisition.
ItooktheBridgeofDesiresandhailedahackthere—itcouldn’thurttovarywhichbridgesIused.Then,afterwereachedNordEsteDesign,IpaidhimtowaitwhileIwentinsidetogetSeliora.Isupposedthathecouldhaveleft,butIhadthefeelingthatnohackerreallywantedtostiffanimager.
Thetwinsweretheoneswhoopenedthedoor,andthistimeitwasHestyawhoyelledupthestairs.“He’shere,AuntSeliora!”
Hanahrajustgrinned.
“Howwasyourbirthday?”
“Good.”Theybothsmiledshyly,lookingaway,thenfollowedmeupthestairs.
Ionlywaitedamoment,
afterthetwinshurriedaway,beforeSeliorasteppedthroughthearchwayfromthestaircase,wearinganotherdressIhadneverseen,thisonewithablackskirtemphasizedbynarrowpanelsofabrilliantbutdarkgreensilk.Thebodicewasalsoblack,butthesleeveswereofafilmysilkthatmatchedthepanelsintheskirt,andherscarfwassilver,trimmedin
thesamegreen.Shealsoworeajadeitependantonasilverropenecklacewithmatchingearrings.
“Youlookstunning!”Andshedid,morethanstunning,infact.
“IthoughtIhadbetter.”Shesmiled.“Pharsigirlstryharder.”
Iwincedattheout-of-contextquote.
Shebentforwardandbrushedmycheekwithherlips.“I’msorry.Iknowyoudon’tfeelthatway,but...let’sjustsaythatitwasadifficultweek.”
“SomeHighHoldertryingtobetoofamiliar?”
“Hisson...”
“DoIknowthename?”
“Idon’tknow.”She
smiled,mischievously,andsomehowsadly,allatonce.“AlhyralD’Haestyr.”
“HisfatherisontheCouncil.”
“YoungAlhyralmadethatpoint...severaltimes.Ifinallytoldhimthathischoicewasbetweenhisfatherhavingnofurnitureandhimnothavingmeorhisfatherhavingfurnitureandhimnot
havingme.ThenheaskedhowIcouldpossiblyturndowntheheirofaHighHolder,especiallyonesosupportiveofmerchants,crafters,andfactors.Isaidthatwastheonlyoption,becauseIwasnotraisedtodealwithHighHolders,andhewasnotraisedtodealwithPharsiwomen.Hepersisted,untilIpointedoutthatPharsiwomendon’tbelieveinsex
withoutabindingcommitmenttomarry,andthatwealsodon’tbelieveindivorce,andthattherearenounhappyPharsihusbands.Somedeadhusbandsandunfaithfulfiancés,butnounhappyones.”
Iwhistledsoftly.“Andthatwasthepoliteversion.”
“Ididn’thavetousethepistol.”Shelaughed,softly,
warmly,thenwrappedherarmsaroundme.“I’msogladyou’rehere.”
Ikissedher,andshereturnedthefavorwithardor—butonlyforafewmoments.“Idon’tthinkI’dbetterbetoodisheveledwhenImeetyourfamily.”
Shehadaverygoodpoint,andIescortedherouttothewaitinghack.
Thedriversmiled,asiftosaythatnowheunderstoodwhyI’dpaidhimtowait.
Oncewewereinthecoach,Iasked,“HaveyouheardaboutMadameD’Shendael?”
“GrandmamasaidthatshehadonelastsourcetogowithwhatshegotfromAilphensyesterday.”
Ididn’tpressonthat,because,ifSeliorahadknown
more,shewouldhavetoldme.
Wearrivedjustbeforefifthglass,andKhethilawastheonetoopenthedoor.Hereyeswidened,butshedidn’tgape.
“Khethila,thisisSeliora.Seliora,mysisterKhethila.”
“I’msopleasedtomeettoyou,”Khethilasaid.
“AndI,you,”repliedSeliorawarmly.
“Pleasedocomein.Theformalparloristotheright.”Khethilasteppedbacktotheleft.
IletSeliorastepthroughtheopendoorfirst,thenfollowed.
“She’sgorgeous,Rhenn,”KhethilaleanedforwardandmurmuredinmyearasI
turnedtoescortSelioraintotheformalparlor.“I’lltellMotherandFatherthatyou’rehere,”sheaddedinaloudervoice.
SelioraandIbarelystoodintheparlorlongenoughforhertoglancearoundtheroombeforeMotherandFatherarrived,trailedbyKhethila.
“Seliora,thesearemyparents.Father,Mother,this
isSeliora.”
Seliorainclinedherheaddemurely.“I’mhonoredtomeetyouboth.Rhennhassaidsomuchaboutyou.”
“Nottoomuch,Itrust,”repliedFather.
“Enoughtoknowthatyou’rebothexceptional.Anyonewhohastheunderstandingtolettheirsonpursueartshowsgreat
perception.”Herwordscouldhavebeenartificialorglib,butSelioraofferedtheminfullhonestyanddirectness,inawaythatcouldnotbedenied.
“Please,dositdown,”Mothersaid,hereyesbarelyleavingSelioraforamoment.“WouldyoulikeDhuensa,orredorwhiteCambrisio?”
IglancedtoSeliora.
“TheDhuensa,ifyouplease.”
“Forme,too,”Iadded.
“I’dlikethewhiteCambrisio,andyourfatherwouldliketheDhuensa.”MotherlookedtoKhethila,andIunderstoodthatunspokencommand.Motherwasn’tabouttomissanything.
“I’llberightback,”
Khethilasaid.“Don’tsayanythingtooexciting.”
Iunderstoodthataswell,butIdidn’tsayaworduntilSelioraandIwereseatedontheformalloveseat.“Where’sCulthyn?”
“Oh,he’soveratafriend’sfortheevening,”Motherreplied.“Wedidn’twanttoinflicthimonSelioraforherfirstdinnerhere.”
Thatwordingwaseitheracceptingorencouraging.Thelatter,Ihoped.
“Hehasn’tgottenintotoomuchtroublethisweek,hashe?”
“Nomorethannormal.”Father’swordsweredry.“Heislearninghowtohandleaccountsandseemstolikeit.”
“That’sbecauseKhethila’s
theoneteachinghim,dear.”Mothersmiled.“Seliora.That’sabeautifulname.Isitafamilyname?”
“Iwasnamedaftermygrandmother’sgrandmother.I’mtoldthatwasbecauseshehadblackhairandblackeyes,also.Itmeans‘daughterofthemoon’inoldPharsi.”
“Doyouhaveanybrothersorsisters?”
“Twobrothers,oneolder,oneyounger.”
Atthatmoment,Khethilareturnedwithatray,quicklyofferingthegobletstoeachofus,andthentakingthecornerstraight-backedchair.
“Rhennhasn’tsaidmuchaboutyourfamilyorwhattheydo,”Fatherinjected.
Selioraglancedatme.“Rhenncanbevery
protective,I’vealreadydiscovered.It’sanendearingquality.There’snosecretaboutwhatwedo.Mygrandmotherwastheonewhocreatedthefamilybusiness,andwe’reallinvolvedinitinsomewayoranother.It’sNordEsteDesign.”
Forthemostfleetingofmoments,therewasadeepsilence.
“TheNordEsteDesign,onNordroad?”Fatherasked.
Selioranodded.
“Dear...I’mafraidIdon’tknowasmuchaboutthisasthemen.Whatisitexactlythatyoudo?”Motherventured.
Selioratiltedherhead,asifatalosstodescribeherwork.“I’mtheonewhopicksthefabricsforalltheupholstered
pieces,andIsometimesnegotiatewiththemills.Forcustomfabrics,wehaveseveralpoweredlooms,andI’mtheonewhooverseesthem.Ialsomaintainandrepairthem.AndIdothecustomembroideryandfabricdesigns,andworkthemoutandpunchthejacquardcards.”
“Youdon’tactuallyembroider?”askedKhethila.
“No.Wehandletoomanypiecestodoitbyhand.Well...therearesomeindividualpieceswemighthavetohaverepairedbyhand,whenitwouldn’tmakesensetosetuptheloomsforsuchasmallsectionoffabric.ThenI’dhirethatouttooneoftheseamstresseswecantrust.”
Khethilawasworkinghardtoconcealabroadsmile.
“Howdidyoucometomeet?”
Selioraflashedasmile.“Wehaveindividualguildmemberships,becauseofthewaywe’resetup.ImetRhennatoneoftheSamedidances,andonethingledtoanother.Therewereinterruptions.Hecouldn’tleaveImagisleforatime,andIwasgoneforamonththispastsummer.Wehadtovisit
anumberoftextilemanufactories.”
“Youmusttellusalittleaboutyourfamily....”
“Itisaratherlargefamily....”Selioracontinued,gently,sometimeshumorously,beginningwithGrandmamaDiestraandcontinuingdowntowardtheyoungest.“...andthetwins,they’reOdelia’syoungersisters.BecauseI
seemedsomucholder,theydecidedthatIhadtobetheiraunt,nottheircousin...”
Thebellsignifyingdinnerwasreadyrang.
“Thisismostinteresting,butweshouldrepairtotable.”Motherrose,movingtomakesureshewastheoneguidingSelioratothediningchamber,throughthedirectdoorfromtheformalparlor,
theonethatwassoseldomused.“Thisway,dear.”
Fatherfollowed,andKhethilalagged.SodidI,knowingshehadsomethingtosay.
Shedid,althoughherwordswerebarelyawhisper.“Pharsi...andfromaverywealthyfamily.Fatherwon’tbeabletosayaword.Howdidyoueverfindher?”
“Ididn’t.Shefoundme.Pharsiforesight,thesamewayRemayafoundRousel.”
Foramoment,thatstoppedher.“Shereallyhasit?”
Inodded,addinginalowervoice,“FarmorethanRemayaoranyoneI’veheardof.”
AssoonaswehadgatheredaroundthetablewithSelioraatFather’sleftandmeathis
right,andMotheronSeliora’sright,Motherspokeup.
“Wouldyouliketooffertheblessing,Seliora,orwouldyouprefertohaveRhenndoit?”
“Ifyouwouldn’tmindonefrommyfamily.”
“Thatwouldbelovely.”
Weallbowedourheads.
“Forthegracethatweall
oweeachother,forthebountyoftheearthofwhichweareabouttopartake,forgoodfaithamongall,andmerciesgreatandsmall.Foralltheseweofferthanksandgratitude,bothnowandevermore,inthespiritofthatwhichcannotbenamedorimaged...”
“Inpeaceandharmony,”wereplied.
“Thatwaslovely.Thankyou,”Mothersaid.“Ithoughtacoolsoupmightbebestforharvest,althoughitisratherlateinharvest.”
Thecoolsoupwaslimedvichyssoise,andservedasabackdropwhileSeliorafinishedtheShelimfamilyhistory,althoughinthePharsitradition,Iknew,itreallyshouldhavebeencalledtheMamaDiestrafamilyhistory.
Afterthevichyssoise,Nellicaappearedwithservingdishes...andmoreservingdishes,aswellastwobreadtrays,butthemaincoursewasavealregis,wherethevealfiletsweresplit,filledwiththinspicyhamandapungentcheese,thenquick-fried,slow-heated,andcoveredwithanaranjecreamsauce.Richasitwas,IknewIcouldn’teatthatmuchofit.
Seliorahadsmallhelpingsofeverything.Itookonlywhatappealedtome.
“Rhenn,youdidn’ttrytheglazedricefritters...orthetwice-bakedyellowsquash.”
“That’sbecauseIdon’thaveaninteriorlargeenoughforeverythinghere,”Iprotested.
MotherturnedtoSeliora.“Whatdoyouthinkofthe
veal?”
“It’sexcellent.It’syourrecipe?”
“Mymother’s,actually...”
Ilistened,mostly.
Afterwehadfinishedeatingthemaincourse,KhethilarosefromthetableandnoddedtoSeliora.“MightIaskyourassistance,
Seliora?”
Seliorasmiledandeasedfromherchair.“I’dbepleased.”
Oncethetwohadleft,Motherlookedtome.“Sheisbeautiful,Rhenn,trulybeautifulinthatwaythatonlyPharsiwomencanbe.”
“Sheis.”Ialmostrepliedthatshehadsavedmylife,butdecidedthatwas
informationbetterleftforlater.“She’salsoverymodest,andverycareful.Iknewherformonthsbeforesheeverrevealedwhoshewas.”
“Howdidshemanagethat?”Fatherdemanded.
“Verysimply.BecauseofthenatureofwhatNordEsteDesigndoes,asshepointedout,theyhavetohaveguild
members.SelioraisamemberoftheWoodworkers’Guild,althoughsheisactuallyatextileengineeranddesigner.Officially,ontheguildrolls,sheisanupholsterer.ShecametotheGuildHallonSamedis,alwayswithheroldercousin.Odeliaismostformidable.”Ilaughed.“Insixmonths,I’vehadonedinnerwithheralone,andthatwasina
publicplace.Otherwise,there’salwaysbeenamemberofherfamilywithintenyards...”
“Asthereshouldhavebeen,”Motherreplied.“Idoapproveofthat,andofparentswhocaresoforsuchabeautifuldaughter.”Shepaused,asiftoaskaquestion,thensmiled.“Youarefortunate.”
“Thatsheandherfamilywouldacceptanimagercallingonher?Iam.”Iwasn’tabouttoexplainthereasons.Itwasfarbettertoletherthinkwhatshedid.
Shortly,SelioraandKhethilareturned,anddessertarrived.
Smalltalkdominateddessert,appletartlets,withalemonglaze,followedbytea.
Afterwefinished,andasilencepersistedforjustafewmoments,thekindofsilencethateveryoneshouldrecognizeasasignalforfarewells,andthattoomanydonot,Motherclearedherthroat,gently.
“YoumustletCharlsyntakeyoutwobacktoNordEste...or...”Motherstopped.
“EverythingisatNordEste,”Seliorareplied.“Themanufactoryisonthestreetandlowerlevel,andourfamilyquartersareonthesecondandthirdlevels.”
“We’dbepleasedtoacceptthatoffer.”Iwouldhavebeenstupidnotto,formanyreasons,includingthefactthatMotherandFatherhadtohavepaidCharlsynextratostaytotakeus,andnotdoing
sowouldhavemerelywastedtheircoinandcostme.
OncewewereinthefamilycoachonthewaybacktoNordEste,IturnedtoSeliora.“Youweremagnificent.”
Shesmiledruefully.“I’mgladyouthinkso.Withallthatfood,Iwon’tbeabletofitintoanythingIown.Howdidyoumanagegrowingup?”
“Yousaw.Ijustdidn’teateverything.ButIdidmissitwhenIwaswithMasterCaliostrus.”Ididn’tsaymore,thinkingofbothofthem...dead,evenifitnowappearedasthoughmuchofitwasn’ttotallymyfault.Instead,Iasked,“WhatdidKhethilawanttoknow?”
“Girlthings.”Seliorasmiled,mischievously.“Shewantedtoknowifyouwere
goodtome.Shealsosaidthatshe’dneverseenyousoprotectiveofanyone.”
Iletitdropatthat.SeliorawouldhavesaidmoreifI’dneededtoknow,andIdidn’twanttowastemyfewmomentsalonewithher.
Theembraceswereinthecoach...becauseevenIrealizedthatdiscretionwasthebetterpartofvalor—at
leastsolongasIwasbeingforcedtoactasalureforwhoknewwhat.ButIdidwalkhertothedoor,andIextendedmyfullshieldstocoverusboth.IalsoobtainedherpermissiontocallonheronSolayi.
Afterthat,IhadCharlsyntakemetoImagislethelongway,totheBridgeofDesires.Ididn’tseeanyonestrange,andnooneshotatme,but
whenIreachedmyquarters,Iwasn’tsurewhethernotbeingshotatorhavingweatheredthefamilyinquisitionwasthegreaterrelief.
Thefashionofspeechtellsits
truth,spellsitsfalsehoods.
TheonlythingthatmatteredmuchtomeonSolayiwasseeingSeliora,butIwasagainmostcarefulwithmyshieldsandaneyeonwhoandwhatmightbearound.
Theonlythingatalloddwasacoveredwagon,similartoatinker’swagon,drawnuptoahitchingpostablockofftheBridgeofDesires.Ididn’tseeanyonearounditasthehackI’dhailedcarriedmepast,buttheycouldn’thavebeenfar,becausetheoldgeldinghitchedtothewagonwasn’tthatheavilytied.Thewagondidn’tfollowme,though,andtherewasnoonenearby
whenIleftthehackinfrontofSeliora’s.
Sheansweredthedoor,wearingtrousersandasimplecreamshirt.Shestilllookedbeautiful,andItoldherso.
“Youjustseewhatyouwanttosee.”
“Notso.MasterPoincaryttoldmethatIwasthemostaccurateandunflatteringlyhonestportraituristhe’dever
encounteredandthatIhadthenastyhabitofdeflatingegos.”
“They’renotwomen.”
Iwasn’tgoingtowinthatargument.“They’renotyou.”Iputmyarmsaroundher.
Foramoment,shereciprocated.“IalreadyhavesomeSanietraandfruitandbiscuitssetbyontheeastterrace.”
Soweclimbedthesteps.Whenwereachedtheterrace,Iwashappytoseethatthechairsandtablehadbeenarrangedsothatwesatsidebyside,withsmallersidetablesflankingus.ThereweretwoglassesofSanietraandthinbreadswithfruitslicesonasmallplatter.
IalsogotafarwarmerwelcomethanIhadinthemainhall.
Afterthat,whenwewereproperlyseated,Iasked,“Thedayafter,whatdidyouthinkoflastnight?”
“Yourparentsaresweet.Theydon’tunderstandyou,andtheyworryaboutyou.”
“Theyworryaboutthewrongthings,”Ipointedout,“andthey’dworrythemselvestodeathiftheyknewhalfofwhat’shappenedtome.”Not
tomentionwhathadn’thappenedandmightyet.
Shesmiled.“I’mgladyoudon’tprotectmethatway.”
Thatbroughtmeupshort.Whydidn’tI?BecauseIknewSeliorawasstronger?“Itrustyoutounderstand.Also...yourfamily...yourbackground...youalldounderstandtheundercurrents.Myfatherknowsthey’re
there,andhedoeshisbesttoavoidthem,withoutovertlyevenacknowledgingtheirexistence.”
ShepouredSanietraforus,thensaid,“GrandmamafoundoutsomeofwhatyouaskedaboutMadameD’Shendael.”
Iwaited.
“ShewastheonlychildofHighHolderShendaelandhiswifeHelenia.Accordingto
Ailphens,everyonewassurprisedthattherewasevenonechild,givenallofShendael’syoungmalefriends...”
Ikeptmynodtomyself.
“...theestatewasreallyHelenia’s,butofcourseshehadtomarrytokeepherstatus.Rightafterthedaughter—that’sMadameD’Shendael—reached
eighteen,Shendaelwasshot.Heleniawaschargedwiththemurder.Ailphenssaidthatsectionsofthepublicrecordsaremissing,exceptforthosedealingdirectlywithHelenia’sexecution.”Selioralookedtome.
“WhatdidGrandmamaadd?”
Sheshookherheadruefully.“Shendael’sonly
malerelativediedonahuntingtripwhenhisrifleexploded.Thatwasactuallyrightafterthetrial.”
“HowdoyouthinkEmanusmanagedit?”Iasked.
“DoyouthinkhehadanythingtodowiththeseniorShendael’smurder?”
“No,butI’dwagerthathehadthatmalerelativekilledsothatnoonecouldcontest
hisdaughter’sholding.”I’dalsohavewageredthatHeleniahadn’tbeentheonetofiretheshotthatkilledherhusband,butthatshe’dacceptedtheblametosaveherdaughter,notthatI’deverfindanyproofofanyofthat.
“Thatdoesn’texplainwhyEmanuswaskilled,”Seliorapointedout.“IfMadameD’Shendaelwereworriedaboutherfather...”
“Hegaveupeverythingtoprotecther.Itcan’tbethat.”
“Ithastobeconnectedtoherinsomeway.”
Wetalkedabitmore,agreeingonthat,butwecouldn’tthinkofhow,atleastnotbasedonwhatweknew.Finally,Selioraliftedherglassandsipped,thenasked,“Whatareyoudoingnextweek?”
“DidItellyouthatIhavetostandduty,sotospeak,attheCouncil’sHarvestBall?”
“Whenisthat?”
“Vendreinight.I’malsosupposedtowatchcloselyfortroubleandbereadytodancewithanywomanindistressorwhoappearstohavebeendesertedonthedancefloor,sotospeak.”
“Whatwomen?”
Ishrugged.“Idon’tknow.I’veneverbeentoanythinglikeit.I’vebeentoldit’sforcouncilorsandtheirguests,andthatagreatmanywhoattendareHighHolders.”
“You’dbetterbeevenmorecarefulaboutanyyoungHighHolderwomen.”
“Evenmore?”
“Rhenn...isn’titobvious?Whatkindofmanis
theonlykindthatawomanwhowantstoescapethatgildedprisoncouldmarry?Especiallyayoungerdaughterofmanyinanimportantfamily,oronefromadecliningfamily.”
Ihadn’teventhoughtofthat.Myfacemusthaveshowedit.
Sheofferedhersoftandwarmlaugh.“You’re
handsome,intelligent,andmuscular,andtobeattheBall,evenasasortofguard,meansthatyou’reamorepromisingimager.Also,you’reoneofthefewthattheycanmeet.”
“But...noonehaseversaidthatwe’reimagers,andwe’renotallowedtoadmitit.”
Shelaughed.“Don’tthe
councilorsknow?Andyouthinkthatsomeofthemwouldn’ttelltheirfamilies?”
Oncemore,shehadapoint.“Idon’tevenknowiftherewillbeanywomenofthatageandinclination.”
“Ifthere’safancyballandmen...therewillbe.Notthetypeyou’dprefer,butyoumaywellbethetypethattheyprefer.Don’tletthem.”The
lastwordswereaswarmasthosethatprecededthem,butIcouldsenseclawswithinthem.
“Yes,mistress.”
Shemock-slappedme,herhandstoppingjustshortofmycheek,thentappingitlightly.
“BeyondtheBall,nothingishappening,exceptyou.I’dhopedwecoulddosomething
nextSamedi.”
“Wouldyoumindattendingaweddingwithme—onSamedi?”
“Awedding?Issomeoneinthefamilygettingmarried?”Ihopedshewasn’taskingme.MuchasIliked,evenlovedSeliora,Iwasn’tcertainIwasreadytobemarried.
“No,I’mnotevenhinting.Youaren’tready.”Shekissed
mycheek.“It’sFather’snieceYaena.Ifyoucouldmeetushereatalittlebeforenoon?”
“Icandothat,butIdon’thaveweddinggarb.”Idid,fromRousel’swedding,butasanimager,Icouldn’twearit,andIwasn’tcertainitevenfitanylonger.
“Yourgraysaresuitableanywhere.”Igotanotherkiss.
Intheend,wedidn’ttalk
somuchasjustsitintheafternoonandbewitheachother.
Everyonehasrules;butyours
arealwayswrong.
OnLundievening,MaitreDyanadismissedmeafterlessonssayingthatshe’dtaughtmewhatIcouldlearnaboutpoisonsandimagingatthestageoflifeexperienceIhad,aninterestingwayof
puttingit,Ithought.OnMardi,MasterDichartynsaidthathe’dbetoooccupiedtoseeme,exceptinadireemergency,foratleastaweek.IalsoreceivedashortletterfromMother.
DearRhenn,
Weallenjoyedmeetingyouryoungladyeversomuch.She
ischarming,cultured,intelligent,andbeautiful.Icanunderstandyourcaution,but,asCulthynsaid,“Rhennshouldbeashamedofhimselfformakingeveryoneworrysomuch.”
IstronglydoubtedCulthynsaidanysuchthing,butitwasaconvenientfictionthrough
whichMothercouldchidemeformakingherworryaboutmynotfindingasuitableyounglady.
Weallhopeitwillnotbetoolongbeforeweseebothofyouagain.WeareconsideringhavingalargerdinnerforsomeofourfriendsneartheendofErntyn,and
trustyouwillbeabletojoinusthen.Iwillsendyoutheformalinvitationwhenwereceivethemnextweek...
NowthatIhadfoundasuitableyounglady,Mothercouldn’twaittodisplayhertoeveryone.ButIsupposethatwasminorcomparedtowhatelsewashappeninginthe
world.
Accordingtothenewsheets,particularlyVeritum,thesituationbetweenJariolaandFerrumwascontinuingtoworsen.OnMeredimorning,theleadstoryfeaturedastatementbytheFerranministerofstatethatdescribedJariolaas“alandgovernedbyreactionarylandholderswhounderstandnothingofcommerceandless
ofgovernment.”HewentontoclaimthatoligarchslikeKhasisIIIandcertainHighHoldersinotherlandsweremereparasitesonacountry’sproductivecapability,aswereworkerdroneswhowantedemployerstopayforeverythingwhileworkinglessandless.Fromthatalone,evenhadInotbeenforcedtostudyFerruminmoredepthbyMasterDichartyn,I
wouldn’thavehadmuchtroubleindeterminingthatFerrumwaswhatIwouldhavecalledamercantileempire.
Otherthanthoseevents,notmuchofinterestoccurredduringtheweek,and,whileIwasinterestedinseeingwhathappenedattheCouncil’sHarvestBall,andlearningwhatIcouldfromobserving,Iwasfarmoreinterestedin
seeingSelioraonSamedi,evenifithappenedtobeafamilywedding.
OnVendreimorning,assoonaswearrivedattheCouncilChateau,BaratyngaveusafinalbriefingontheCouncil’sHarvestBall.
“AsItoldyou,noteveryonewillbeacouncilororafamilymember.Eachcouncilorhasfiveinvitations,
andeachinvitationisgoodfortwopeople,usuallyacouple,butitcouldbefordaughtersorsons.Inaddition,thereareinvitationstothejusticesoftheHighCourtofSolidarandanumberofotherfunctionaries,includingthemoreimportantenvoysfromotherlands.YouwilldoubtlessseeotherfacesyouhaveseenattheCollegium.
Donotspeaktothemunlesstheyaddressyou.Yourfunctionistwofold,towatchforanythinguntowardandtostopitwithoutanyonenoticing”—hiseyesflickedtome,momentarily—“andtoserveasdancepartnersforladiesinneed,withdiscretion,orifasked.Youwill,ofcourse,weartheformalwhiteandgrayjackets.Youallhaveone,do
younot?”
Afterdismissingus,hebeckonedtomeanddrewmeaside.“Oneotherthing,Rhenn...forpurposesoftheBall,whenguestsareannounced,inthecaseofunmarriedwomenyoumayhearsomethinglikeMistressMearjynD’Something-Alte.Thesuffix‘Alte’isaddedsothatallknowsheisthedaughterofaHighHolder.
Youshouldnotethatwheneverpossible.”
“Yes,sir.”
“It’snotjustaformality.Ithasbeenknownthatsomeofsuchdaughtershaveaskedthosewhohaveservedasyouareservingtodance,anditiswellthatyouknowtheirstatus.Oh...thesuffixisalsousedforunmarriedsonsaswell,butthatshouldn’t
proveaproblem.Theywon’tbeaskingyoutodance.”
Inshort,treatthemwithgreatrespectandcharm,Itranslated,unlessyouwanttobeonthebadsideoftheirsire,whichissomethingthattheCollegiumwouldprefernottooccur.Butthen,howcouldIbeonmuchworsefootingwithHighHoldersthanIwas?Icaughtmyselfonthat.Beingonthebadside
oftwoHighHolderswouldbefarworsethanhavingonlyonewantingtodoworsetomethankillingme.
WelefttheCollegiumearlythatafternoon,becausetheCouncilhadadjournedatnoonsothattheycouldprepareanddressproperly.Fromthedutycoach,ontheothersideoftheringavenuecirclingCouncilHill,Inoticedthesamehigh-sided
androofedwagonIhadseenonSolayievening.Itwasthekindthathadseveralsmallportholewindows.Thesinglehorsewasthesameoldgelding,andtheteamsterwasapparentlytryingtoadjustsomethingwiththetraces,althoughIcouldn’tbesure,butIcaughtmyselfwonderingwhatthatsortofwagonwasdoingthere,especiallytwiceinaweek.If
ithappenedtobetherewhenwereturned,I’dletBaratynknow.
Thedifferencebetweenan
imagerandacounciloristhatthefirstunderstandsthelimitsoftheworld,whilethesecondonlyunderstandsthe
limitsofgovernment.
ThedutycoachbroughtusbacktotheCouncilChateaujustbeforeseventhglass,and
Ididn’tseeanysignoftheoldwagonorofanythingelseoutoftheordinary.
TheCouncil’sHarvestBallbeganofficiallyathalfpastseventhglass,butaswehadbeenwarnedbyBaratyn,nooneevenbegantoarriveuntilaquarterbeforeeight.Momentsafterthefirstcarriagearrived,otherspulledupinthedrivebelowthemainentrysteps,adrivethat
wasnormallyrestrictedtocouncilorsalone.Thenpeoplebegantowalkuptheoutsidestonestepsandinthroughthegrandfoyerpasttheceremonialguardsandfinallyupthegrandstaircase.Theytooktheirtimeonthegrandstaircase.
“CouncilorHemwytD’ArtisanandMadameD’Hemwyt!”Thedeepvoiceannouncingthefirstarrival
boomedfromasmallbaldingmanstandingattheleftsideofthecenterarchwayintothegreatreceivinghall.
WhilepeopleenteredandweregreetedbythethreecouncilorsontheExecutiveCouncil,BaratynandIstoodagainstthewestwalljustinsidetheHall,whichwasonthesouthendoftheChateauandeffectivelyoccupiedthespaceabovethegrandfoyer.
DartaznandMartylwerestationedalongtheeastwall.
“CouncilorEtyennD’FactoriusandMadameD’Etyenn!”
“TheHonorableSymmalD’JurisandMadameD’Symmal!”
InlessthanaquintglassIhadbeguntolosetrackofallthenames,andinanotherquint,IwassureIhadnoidea
ofallthosewhowereattheBall.
“Inafewmoments,whenmostofthecouncilorsandtheirguestsarehere,”Baratynsaidquietly,afteredgingtowardme,“Iwantyoutomoveuntilyou’realongthewallaboutevenwiththemiddleofthedancefloor.”
“Yes,sir.”Inodded,then
almostfrozeatthenamesIheardbeingannounced.
“DulykD’Ryel-AlteandMistressIryelaD’Ryel-Alte...”
ThenamessoundedliketheywereJohanyr’sbrotherandsister,somethingIdidn’tcareforatall,andImovedslightlytothelefttogetabetterlookatthecoupleastheysteppedthroughthe
centralarchwayintothehall.Shewasblond,almostwhite-blond,andpetite,ifshapely,andworeagownofsilverandshimmeringblue,withaglitteringsilverscarf,trimmedinblack.HerbrotherwasayoungerandleanerversionofJohanyr.Althoughhewasofslightlylargerthanaverageheightandmovedgracefully,therewasalsoasenseofsmallnessand
pettinesssurroundinghim,althoughIcouldnothaveexplainedwhyIfeltthat.
Theyvanishedintooneofthegroupsofyoungerpeopleontheeastsideofthehall,nearthesideboardsthatheldvariousvintages,withuniformedserversbehindeach.
“ShendaelD’AlteandMadameD’Shendael.”
Thatnamecaughtmyattentionaswell.MadameJuniaeD’Shendaelcouldnothavebeensaidtobeundulyattractive,butratherhandsome,withastrongchinandnose,andmahoganyhaircutasshortasanywomanI’dseeninL’Excelsis.Herhusbandwaswiry,shorter,andblond.
“TheHonorableKlauzvolVhillar,envoyofFerrum,and
MistressCyanaD’Guerdyn-Alte.”
TheFerranenvoycomingrightbehindMadameD’Shendael?Wasthatjustcoincidence?AndescortingaHighHolder’sdaughter,whensupposedlytheFerransweren’texactlyfondoftheHighHoldersasaclass?
“TheHonorableDhariosHarnen,envoyoftheAbierto
Isles,andMistressDhenicaHarnen.”
He’dbroughthisdaughter,wholookedyoungerthanKhethilaandslightlyillatease.
“TheHonorableHerrysCharkovy,envoyofJariola,andMadameCharkovy...”
Apparently,theenvoyshadarrivedatthesametime,justafterMadameD’Shendael.
GivenhercriticismsoftheCouncil,Iwonderedwhohadinvitedher,andIlookedtowardBaratyn.“MadameD’Shendael?”
Hegrinned.“CouncilorCaartylalwaysinvitesher.ItirritatesCouncilorSuyriennoend.”
Caartyl...therewassomethingthere,butIcouldn’tgraspitfora
moment.Thenithitme.CaartylwastheguildmemberontheExecutiveCouncil,andhewastheonethatthestrangefactorAlhazyrhadvisited—avisitthathaddisturbedMasterDichartyn.
Inthebackground,theorchestra,setonatemporarydaisatthesouthendofthehall,oppositetheentryarchways,begantoplay.Baratynnoddedtome,andI
begantoedgetowardmydesignatedstation.
AgoodhalfglasspassedasIwatchedthedancers,andthosemovingtoandfromthesideboards,orstandingandtalking,holdingwineglasses.DartazndancedpastseveraltimeswithanolderwomanIdidnotrecognize,perhapsarelationofsomesort.
Astheorchestrapaused
betweendances,Icouldn’thelpbutnoticeaslenderwomaninblueandsilverwalkinginmydirection,casuallyhalf-twirlingtheendofalongblackandsilverscarf.Asshedrewcloser,IrealizedthatshewasIryelaD’Ryel.IalsohadthefeelingthatIhadseenhersometimebefore,butIcouldn’tplacewhereitmighthavebeen.HowcouldIhaveseenher?I
keptapleasantsmileonmyfaceandwaitedforhertopass.
Shedidn’t.Instead,shestoppedandlookedatme,closely.“You’reRhennthyl,aren’tyou?”
“Yes,mistress.”
“Please...”Sheofferedasmilethatwashalfwryandhalftired.“I’mIryela,andyou’reanimagertertius,at
least.”Hervoicewaspleasantenough,ifslightlyhigherthanIwouldhavepreferred.“You’realsotheonewhoputmybrotherinhisplace.”
Ieasedfullshieldsintoplay,ifsoclosetomyskinthatnoonecouldhavedetectedthem,withoutpunchingorslappingme.“Ibegyourpardon?”Ialsoscannedtheareaaroundme,butnooneseemedtobe
payingmuchattentiontous.Thatdidn’tmeansomeonewasn’t—orwouldn’t.
“Johanyr...youmustrememberhim?”Atingeofamusementcoloredhersopranovoice.
“Yes,Iencounteredhimseveraltimes.”Thatadmittednothing.
“Encountered—afairwayofputtingit,perhapsbetter
thanhedeserved.”Shesmiled.“Wouldyoudancewithme?”
Icouldn’tsayno.“Iwouldbehonored.”
Afaint,delicate,andpervasivefloralfragrancecamewithherassheslippedintomyarmswhentheorchestrabegantoplayandweeasedoutamongtheotherdancers.Hereyeswerea
gray-bluethathergownandscarfintensified.
“You’reingreatdanger,youknow?”Hervoicewaslower,conversational,andasmatter-of-factasifshe’dtoldmethatitwouldrainonthemorrow.
“Ihavethefeeling,MistressIryela,thatImayalwaysbeingreatdanger.Pleasantasitis,dancingwith
youcouldalsopresentadanger.”
“Oh,Idoubtthat.Certainlynomoredangerthanalreadyexists.Iwon’taskyoutokissme,nortomarryme.Atleast,notforatime,andpleasecallmeIryela.”
“I’mnotofHighHolderbackground,”Isaidwithalaugh.“NordoIhavethedancingexperiencetogowith
it.”Shewouldn’taskforakiss,ormore,foratime?DidthatsuggestMaitreDyanawascorrect,thatherfatherwouldtakehistimeindealingwithme?Orwasitjustapartofamoreelaborateplanorcharade?
“You’remorethanadequate,andbetterthanmostofyourpeers,andfarmorehandsome.”
“Andyouarefarmorebeautifulthanyours,asyoumustknow,andpossiblymoredeadly.”Butshewasn’tnearlythedancerthatSeliorawas.
“That’sacomplimentIhavenotheardbefore.Myfatherwouldbepleased,butitwouldbeapitytotellhim.Ialmostmight,exceptthatwouldpleaseJohanyrandDulyk,andthatwouldnot
pleaseme.”
IryelawasplayingadeepergamethanIcoulddiscern,butitwasclearthatshehadapurpose,onethatIwasn’tevencertainIwantedtoconsider.“Brothersoftenviewmattersinadifferentlight.”
“Doyouhaveasister?”
“Ihaveone.I’mquitefondofher,asI’mcertainyou
know.”
Shesmiled.“Youdomemuchcredit.”
“IsuspectIgiveyoulessthanyourdue,sinceyouweresoeasilyabletofindme.”
“YouassumethatIwaslookingforyou.Isthatnotratherpresumptuous?”
“Ithinknot,notifIassumethatitwasnotformy
appearanceormystationormynonexistentwealth.”
“Moreandmoreinteresting.”
Moreandmoredangerous.“No...youaretheoneofinterest,forsoseldomdoesoneofgreatbeauty,position,andcharmeverappearinmyworld.”
“Moreflatteryyet.”Shelaughed.
“Flattery,yettruth,asyouwellknow.”
“Iseenootherscomingtotakemefromyou,Rhennthyl.”
“Thatonlysaysthatnonedarecrossyourwill.”
“Werethatitwereso.”Therewasjustthetiniestedgebehindthelaughingwords.
Whentheorchestrapaused,Ireleasedherandinclinedmyhead.
Shereturnedthegesture.“Ifyouwouldnotmindescortingmebacktomyyoungerbrother.”
“Mypleasure,mistress.”
“Iryela.”
“Mypleasure,Iryela.”
Herbrotherwasinasmall
groupwithanotheryoungermanandawomanslightlyyoungerthanKhethila.“Iryela...wearehonoredatyourreturn.”
“AspleasedandhonoredasIam,dearestDulyk.”Shesmiled,sweetly,theninclinedherheadtome.“Thankyouforthedance,Rhennthyl.Ididenjoyit.”
“Mypleasure,Iryela.”I
tookastepback,inclinedmyheadtoher,andeasedaway,butslowlyenoughtotrytooverhearwhatmightbesaid.
“...mostpolitelydone,dearsister,ifratherdirect...”
“...dobelieveincourtesy,Dulyk...andalwayswill...”
“Youaresorefreshing,sisterdearest...”
IconcealedawinceasImovedbacktowardmystation.IryelalivedinafamilythatmadeevenCaliostrus’sménageseemwarmandwelcoming.
Inlessthanhalfaglass,theorchestrawouldstop,andCouncilorSuyrienwouldofferatoasttoalltheguestsoftheCouncil,butbeforethat,Ineededtoreturntomypost.
“Doyouknowwhoaskedyoutodance?”askedafigureinformalblack—MasterDichartyn.He’dcaughtmebysurprise,becauseI’dstillexpectedhimtobeingrayorgrayandwhite.
“MistressIryelaD’Ryel-Alte,andsheusedmeassomesortofinsulttoheryoungerbrother,whoisherescorttonight—andpossiblyeventoherfather.”
MasterDichartynnodded.“ThereisalwaysinfightingforsurvivalinHighHolderfamilies.”
“You’resuggestingImightusethat?”
“Iwouldsuggestnothingatthemoment.AnyconflictbetweenyouandHighHolderRyelhasnotyetbegun,andthelongerbeforeheannounceshisintent,the
betterforyou.”
“Inwhatfashionwillheannounceit?”
“Letusjustsaythatyouwillknowwithoutanydoubt.”
Anotherofhisinfuriatinglyvaguestatements!Ihopedhewouldsaymore,butwhenhedidnot,IknewIwouldgetnothingfurther,andIasked,“Doyouhaveany
instructions?”
“No.Youcanmovearoundmore.Justobservewhatyoucan.”HeslippedawaybeforeIcouldreply.
Ahead,Isawagirl—tallenoughtobeawoman,buttooyoung—watchingthedancers.Shewasalone.Well...thatwasoneofmyduties,andperhapsifwestayedtotheoutsideoftheswirlof
dancersImightseeorlearnsomething.
“Mistress,mightIhavethehonorofadance?”
Hereyeswidenedjustslightlyassheturnedtome,butsherecoveredquickly.“Youmight.”Hersmilewaspracticed,butwithastiffnessthatwasslightlyawkwardandcharming.
Itookherintomyarmsand
outintothedancers.Youngshemighthavebeen,butshewasafarbetterdancerthanI.
“Youdanceexceedinglywell,mistress.”
“Alynkya,AlynkyaD’Ramsael.”
Ilikedthefactthatshedidn’taddthe“Alte”tohername.“YourfatheristhecouncilorfromKephria,then.”
“Heis.Mymotherwasindisposed,andsheaskedhimtobringme.”
Shewasevenyoungerthanshelooked,perhapsbecauseshewassotall,butIshouldhaveguessedbecausethecouncilorwasthetallestmemberoftheCouncil,byagoodhalfhead,ifnotmore.
“HowdoyouliketheBall?”
“Idon’tknowmanypeoplehere.”
“DoyoulivehereinL’ExcelsisorinKephria?”
“Kephria,mostofthetime.”
IdancedwithAlynkyafortwodances,andthenherfatherarrivedanddancedwithher.Heonlysmiledatme,patronizingly.I’dhavetorememberthat,notasa
grudge,butasafact.I’dalsohavetorememberAlynkyaandwishsheretainedsomeofthatyouthfulcharmanddirectness.Probablynot,givenherfather,butonecouldhope.
Nearoneofthesideboards,IcaughtsightofMadameD’Shendael.Shewastalkingtosomeone—theFerranenvoy.
Ieasedcloserasthetwotalked,thentookapositionwhereIcouldostensiblywatchthedancefloor,butfromwhereIcouldoverhearmostoftheirconversation,orglanceintheirdirection.
“YouhaveoftensuggestedthatSolidarhaslittlemusic,Klauzvol.Whatyoudothinknow?”
“Thisisanicelittle
orchestra,madame,butitisapitythattherearenototherslikeit.Forthecapitalofagreatnation...”
“Onecannothaveeverything,asyouhavesaidbefore.Ourartistsaresuperb...”
“Ah...thatisindeedtrue,butsoarethoseofFerrum,particularlyinFerrial...”
Iwantedtheopportunityto
speaktoMadameD’Shendael,aswellastogetacloserlookattheenvoy,butIcertainlycouldn’tspeakdirectlytoher,orstare.SoIlookedatherforamoment,thenlookedaway.SeveralmomentslaterIdidthesame,whiletryingtoprojectacluelesscuriosity.
Afterthreeofmyattempts,sheturnedandglidedtowardme,trailedbytheHonorable
KlauzvolVhillar.
“Youngman?”
“Yes,madame?”Ididturntoher,smilingpleasantly.“MightIbeofsomeassistance?”
“Youseemed,shallwesay,lessthanfullyinterestedinyourduties,whatevertheymightbe.”
“Madame,thatisdoubtless
true.Iwasattemptingtosee,withoutbeingtooobvious,ifyoulookedliketheetchedportraitinthefrontofOnArtandSociety.Mysisterhasallofyourbooks.Idon’tknowwhethershe’sfinishedthatone,becauseshejustgotit.Eventhoughshe’sneverbeenmarried,shefoundAWidow’sGuideinvaluable...Ibegyourpardon.”
Shelaughed,asound
somehowharshlymelodic,butnotmocking.“SoIstillhavereaders.”
“Yes,madame.”IneededtogetVhillarcloser.“Youhaven’tchangedthatmuchsinceEmanuspaintedthatminiature...”
Icouldsenseherstiffen...eversoslightly.
“That’slessthancommonknowledge.Howwoulda
youngmansuchasyourselfknowsuchadistinguishedportraiturist?”
Vhillarkeptapleasantsmileonhisface,butedgedcloser.
“IwasajourneymanportraituristbeforeIcamehere.EmanuslikedachessstudyIdid,andofferedseveralcommentsaboutit.Wetalkedseveraltimes.”At
thatpoint,Iextendedthefaintestimage-probe,andimmediatelysensedashieldreaction—ofthesamesortofshieldthatIhadsensedoutsideTerraza.Therecouldn’tbeanotherforeignshieldlikethat—notunlesstherewerefarmoreimageragentsinL’ExcelsisthanMasterDichartynknew,andthatwasdoubtful,butstilladisturbingpossibility.
Hiseyeswidened,ifonlyfractionally,andIcouldsenseastrengtheningofhisshields,butIconcealedmysurprise,bothathisshieldsandhisreaction,althoughIhadhalf-expectedtofindhimanimager,forreasonsIcouldnothaveexplained.
“Youareratheryoungforthiskindofapproach,areyounot?”offeredVhillarwithoutanyhesitation.“Andsuch
familiaritywithaladyyoudonotknowmightnotbeconsidered...seemly...byyoursuperiors.”Hissmilewaspleasantandpolished,aswashisvoice.
“Iconfessbrashness,madame...andsir,butonlybecauseofmyadmirationandthatofmysisterforMadameD’Shendaelforherwritingsandallshehasendured...tobringthosewordstolifeso
thatotherscanreadthem.Admirationandthewishtohearthewordsofonesodistinguishediscertainlynotunduefamiliarity.”
“Suchartistryinflattery,”Vhillaroffered.“Suchcharmbeyondyouryearsandexperience.”
Ionlysmiled,lookingatJuniaeD’Shendaelandincliningmyheadpolitely.
“Mythanksforyourwords,madame.”
“Hemeanswell,Ibelieve,Klauzvol,”repliedMadameD’Shendael.“Presumptuously,butwithhonestbrashness.Shallwedance?”
“Myhonor,madame.”Vhillarglancedatmequicklyasheswirledherontothedancefloor,butthelookwas
onethatcommittedmyfacetomemory.
I’dhavetobemorethancareful.I’drevealedtoVhillarthatIknewwhathewas,andIdoubtedhewantedanyonetoknowthat,buthowelsecouldIhavediscoveredit?Then,itcouldbethatMasterDichartynalreadyknew,andthatwasareasonwhyhewashere.
Iscannedthegreatreceivinghall,slowly,tryingtodosocasually,butIdidn’tseeMasterDichartynorBaratyn.Besides,Baratynwouldn’tunderstand,norwasIgoingtohavethetimetoexplainthecomplexityofthesituation.Ifhe’dbeentheonewiththeFerranoutsideTerraza—andIwasalmostcertainhewas—he’dalreadykilled,orarrangedthekilling
ofclosetotenimagers,nottomentionatleastfourattemptsonme.Inaddition,hewasfriendlywithaninfluentialHighHolderwithtiestothoseontheCouncil—andthatHighHolder’sfatherhadmostlikelybeenkilledbecauseofhisconversationwithme.Andfromthatlastlookatme,itwasclearthatVhillarknewexactlywhoIhappenedtobe—andthatI
knewwhoandwhathewas.
Istillcouldn’tseeMasterDichartyn,butIdidn’twanttochasehimdown,notatthemoment,withtheformaltoastabouttooccur.SinceVhillarwasanimager,thatwouldbeaperfectopportunitytocreatehavoc.Hemightnot,but...Iwassupposedtopreventthatsortofthing—ifIcould.
Imovedtowardthetable
wheretheformaltoastwouldtakeplace,tryingtousethedeftbutpurposefulmovesofanassistantwhoneededtobesomewherebutdidnotwishtooffend.Ialsotriedtoprojectthatfeeling,andsomemusthavepickeduponitbecausepeoplemovedasidejustslightly.BeforelongIhadstationedmyselfbehindandtotheleftofthesmalltablebehindwhichCouncilor
Suyrienwouldmakethetoast.Withmybacktothewall,Ilookedoutatthedancers.
AmongthosecloserwhowerewaitingtowatchthetoastwastheHonorableKlauzvolVhillar,withMistressCyanaD’Guerdyn-Altenowathisside.Hedidnotlookinmydirection,andtheywerepositionedsothattheequivalentoftwolinesof
peoplewerebetweenthemandtheopenspaceseparatingthosegatheringtowatchfromthesmalltoastingtable.Ididn’tseeMadameD’Shendael.
Asthelastbellsofninthglassdiedaway,CouncilorSuyrienemergedfromagroupofHighHoldersandtheirwivesordaughtersormistressesandsteppedtowardthetable.Thesounds
oftheorchestrafadedaway,followedbyadrumrollandthenaquicktrumpetcallIdidnotrecognize.
Auniformedserverbroughtthreebottlestothetable,stillcorkedandsealed.Thecouncilorsaidsomething,andtheserverquicklyremovedthefoilandcorkfromoneofthebottles,thensetagobletdownandpouredthesparklingwhite
intoit.
Iwatchedthegoblet,hopingI’dguessedcorrectly.
Thewinesettled—thentrembled—andIknew,notthatI’deverbeabletoproveit.
Iconcentrated,tryingtoimagewhatwasinthetoastinggobletaway,andreplacingitwithwinefromthesecondunopenedbottle.
Thistimethetremblingwasmorepronounced,butnooneseemedtonotice.Certainly,SuyrienD’Altedidnotashepickedupthegoblet,raisedit,anddeclaimed,“ForSolidar,fortheCouncil,andinthanksforafruitfulharvest!”
Thenheloweredthegobletandputittohislips.Atthatmoment,Iextendedashieldononesideoftheglass—the
sidebetweenVhillarandthecouncilor.
Something,atinysomething,hittheinvisibleshieldandrebounded,unseenbymost,exceptfortheolderwomaninfront,overwhoseshoulderafinemistsprayed.Shemerelyfrowned,thenusedherscarftobrushawaythemistydrops.
“ForSolidar,forthe
Council,andinthanksforafruitfulharvest!”camealowechofromthebystanders.
Notterriblyenthusiastic,Ithought,butIhadthefeelingthatHighHolderswerenotgiventomuchinthewayofpublicenthusiasms.
Icouldfeeleyesonme,butIcontinuedtosurveythecrowd.AsmyeyespassedthoseofVhillar,Icouldsee
hiseyesnarrow.Abruptly,helookedaway,thenguidedMistressD’Guerdyn-Alteoutontothedancefloorastheorchestraresumedplaying.
CouncilorSuyrienhadleftthetoastingtable,asifgladtobedonewiththattask,andresumedhisconversation.Tooneside,perhapsfiveyards,IcouldseeCouncilorHaestyrmurmursomethingtoCouncilorCaartyl.They
talkedforamomentortwo,thennoddedtoeachotherandreturnedtothosetheyhadescorted.
Ibegantomoveawayfromthetoastingtable,tryingtoconveythesensethatI’dfinishedanothertaskandstilltryingtolocateMasterDichartyn,whenavoicecalledtome.“Youngman.”
Iturned.Thesummons
camefromMadameD’Shendael.Whatexactlydidshewant?Ismiledandmovedtoher.“Yes,madame.MightIbeofassistance?”
“Youmay.IfindIneedapartner.”
Shewasagooddancer,betterthanIryela,butstillnotquitesogoodasSeliora,andshesaidnothinguntilwehadgonehalfwayaroundthe
floor.
“Waswhatyousaidaboutyoursistertotalnonsenseortruthusedtoapurpose?”
Obviously,shedidn’tbelieveinHighHoldercircumlocution.“Itwasquitetruthful,madame.Mysisterfoundanumberofthefinancialadvisementsofgreatuseinthefamilybusiness.Shewasalsofirstcaptivated
byyourPoeticDiscourseandlaterbyCivicVirtue.”
“Idon’tbelieveyouansweredmyquestion.”
“IbelieveIanswereditaswellasIcan,madame.”
Shesmiled.“Thatisananswer,ofanotherkind.Whatisyourname?”
“Rhennthyl.”
“RhennthylD’Imager,I
wouldimagine.No...Iknowyoucannotcomment.Arathersillyfiction,ifyouaskme.WhataboutEmanus?Wasthattrueaswell?”
“Yes,madame.”
“Itisrumoredthathewaskilledbyanimager,andthatyouvisitedhimshortlybeforehedied.”
Rumored?Mostlikely,Vhillarhadtoldheritwasa
rumor,possiblyasawaytodiscredittheCollegium.“Ihadheardsomethingtothateffect,buthewaswellwhenIlefthim,and,frankly,madame,Iwaslookingforwardtotalkingtohimagain.Iwasshockedtolearnofhisdeath,andIdidnotknowofituntilseveraldayslater.”
Thatsurprisedher,andhersurpriseandherchoiceof
wordsconfirmedwhatIalreadyknew,evenifIcouldnotproveit.
“Iamtrulysorryforyou,madame.”Thatwasarisk,butsomeoneshouldhaveexpressedsomesympathyforherfather’sdeath,especiallyafterallhehadsufferedforher.
Herlipstightened,asifshewereabouttoretort.Thenshe
nodded.“Itissadwhenagreatartistdiesandisnotabletoberecognized.”
“Ihavestudiedtheworksofallthecurrentmasters,andnoneexhibitshisexcellence.IsupposethatwasonereasonwhyIwassopleasedwhenhepraisedmychessstudy.”Thatwasn’tquitetrue,becauseIhadn’trealizedhowgreatanartisthewasuntillater,whenI’dseenthe
miniature,butthespiritofmywordswastrue.
Shewassilentforatimeaswecircledthefloor.Aswemadeoneturn,IcaughtsightofMartyldancingwithAlynkya,andtheyoungwomanlookedhappy.Icouldn’thelpbutcontrasthertobothIryelaandMadameD’Shendael,bothsurroundedbyintrigueandplotting.
Thenthemusicended.
“Thankyou,madame.”
Shesmiled.Ithinktherewaspainbehindthesmile,butIdon’tknowthatanyoneelsewouldhaveseenit,exceptSeliora,hadshebeenthere.“Thankyou,MasterRhennthyl.Takecare.”Therewastheslightestemphasisonthelasttwowords.Iescortedherbacktoherhusband,who
didnoteventurnassherejoinedwhateverconversationwasinprogress.
Afterthat,Imovedaroundthedancefloor,alwayswatching,butnooneelseseemedtoneedrescuing,andnooneelseaskedmetodance.MasterDichartynwasstillnowheretobeseen,andalthoughIglimpsedBaratynacrossthedancefloor,hewasheadedtowardthegrand
staircase.ShouldIfollowhim?
Itwasnearingtenthglass,midnight,whentheBallwouldend.
Suddenly,ajoltofsomethingshiveredmyshields,andmyentirebodybegantotremble,untilImanagedtoerectasecondsetwithinthefirst.Stillshakinginside,Iturnedslowly.
Fromagoodtenyardsaway,theHonorableKlauzvolVhillargavethefaintestofnods,andaknowingsmile,beforeturningaway,HighHolderGuerdyn’sdaughteronhisarm.
Iunderstoodwhatwasbehindthat.Vhillarclearlywantedtoluremeintotrouble,orsomethingtoprecipitateascandal.Or
worse,hewouldjustleavesothathecouldstrikelater,andhewaslettingmeknowthat.Icouldn’tlethimdothat.Yet,whatcouldIdo?MasterDichartynwasnowheretobeseen,andIwasgettingtiredofbeingatargetandalure.Alure?WhathadMasterPoincarytsaid?Aluredidn’thavetobedefenseless,andIcouldactinthebestinterestsoftheCollegium.The
Collegiumcertainlydidn’tneedahostileandrenegadeimagerlooseinL’Excelsis—envoyornot—andifIwaitedtodiscusssuchmatterswithMasterDichartynIwouldn’thavethechancetostopbeingalureandatarget.
NomatterwhatbothMaitrePoincarytandMaitreDichartynsaidaboutmyvaluetotheCollegiumasalure...theyweren’ttheone
beingattackedtimeaftertime.Islippedawaywiththepurposefulstrideofamanheadedforthejakes,exceptonceInearedthere,Iturnedtothesteps.
“Sir?”askedtheobdurateguard.
“IneedtogetsomethingforBaratyn.”Itriedtoprojecturgency.
“Ah...”
“Iwon’tbelong.”Iwaspasthimandheadeddownthesteps,quickly,butnotatarun.Onceonthelowerlevel,Itookthewest-sideservicedoorandeasedalongthenarrowmaintenancewalknexttothefootofthewall,usingacloakofshadows.Someonemightwellseesomeoneintheshadows,butnotmorethanadimfigureatbest.Ifoundtheornamental
topiarythatIrecalled,theoneofferingthemostconcealmentclosetotheoutsidestonesteps,andsatdownbehindit,whereIcouldviewallthestepsdowntothedrivewherethecoachesandcarriageswerebeginningtoqueueup.
Iwaitedagoodhalfglassoutthere,watchingasguestsdepartedandworryingaboutwhetherBaratynorMaster
Dichartynwouldcomelookingforme.ThatwasthelastthingIwanted.IwasNameless-tiredofbeingthetarget,andnooneseemedthatinterestedinsolvingtheproblem,onlyinusingmetoflushouttheguilty.Well,I’dflushedhimout,andI’dfiguredawaytodealwithhimaswell—ifitworked,Iremindedmyself.
Vhillarwasamongthelater
gueststoleave,andhemovedcasually,yetdeliberately,hiseyesscanningtheareaoneachsideoftheoutsidestonesteps.Washeexpectingmetoact?Ihadthefeelinghewasconcerned.Heshouldbe.
Hepausedafterdescendingseveralsteps,thenspokeafewwordstoMistressD’Guerdyn-Alte.Afteramoment,heescortedherdownanotherfewsteps,
beforestoppingtoexchangeafewwordswithanothercouple.Heglancedtowardtheouteropencarriagegate,andthenbacktowardtheeastsideoftheChateau.Thatworriedme.Whatbesidesmewasheseeking?Orwassomethingelseplanned?
Ishookmyhead.Forthemoment,IneededtoconcentrateonVhillar—beforehewastoofaraway
formyimagingtoreachhim.
First,Iimagedcolorlessoilacrossthesteps,threedeep,directlybelowhim,andwellbeyondhisshields,andusedapartialshield—somethingMaitreDyanahadtaughtme—toblockanyreflectionsfromthelampsflankingthestonesteps.
Vhillartookonestepdown,thenanother,thenathird,
beforehisbootsslipped,one,thentheother.HisarmsflailedasheletgoofMistressD’Guerdyn-Alte.Shejuststared,becauseI’dbeenaccurateenoughthatshehadn’tsteppedintheoil.
InthatmomentwhenVhillarlosthisconcentration,andhisshieldsfalteredforamoment,Idrovethroughthemandimagedair,lotsofit,intothemajorvesselsin
hisbrain,thenimagedablastofairatthebackofhishead—enoughtodrivehimheadfirstintothestonefartherdownthesteps,angledsothathistemplewouldhitfirst.
MistressD’Guerdyn-Altehadfrozen,watchingashefell,butthenshescreamed.
Iimagedalltheoilaway.
Atthatpoint,Iwasmorethanalittledizzy,andallI
coulddowassitintheshadowsastwoguardscamerunningdownthesteps.Othersbegantogather.
Afterseveralmoments,whenthedizzinesspassed,Islowlyeasedbackalongthewallandwelloutofsight.
Iwasalmosttothewest-sidedoorwhenIsawafigureintheshadowsoutsidetheChateau’slowerwall,moving
tothewest.IdecidedtokeepmovingaroundtheChateaupastthewestservicedoorandtowardtheeast-sidedoorweusedasimagermessengers.WhyIwasn’tcertain,butitfeltasthoughIshould.Islippedthroughthenorthgardensandthenstruggledoverthewall,oncemoreusingaslightshadowshieldinadditiontofullshields,butIstilllostsightofwhoeverit
waswhohadbeenintheshadows.
Atthatmoment,acrosstheringroadfromtheChateau,IsawthesameancientwagonI’dseentwicebefore,withthesameoldgelding,andthesameportholewindows.Thewagonwastiedupalmostdirectlyacrossfromwherethedutycoachhadstoppedandstoodwaiting,butataslightangletothedutycoach.
ItwasalsolocatedinthedirectioninwhichVhillarhadbeenlooking.Mystomachtightened.
Ikeptmovingalongthewall,towardwherethedutycoachwaited,wishingthatI’dmadeagreaterefforttofindMasterDichartyn,buttherewasnohelpforthatnow.Finally,Istopped,agoodtwentyyardsaway,andbegantostudythewagon.There
wassomethingaboutitandthewaythesaggingwagonbodywasangledslightlytowardthedutycoach.Saggingwagonbody?Whatwasinthatwagon?
Atthatmoment,ashadowyfigureappeared,ifindistinctly,intheshadowsatthenearendofthewagon.WasitthesamemanwhomIhadfollowedaroundtheChateau?Whatwasitabout
him?CoulditbetheFerran?
Hehadwhatlookedtobealargetripod,onwhichwasmountedsomethinglongandthick,farlargerthanarifle,andhemovedclosertotheendoftheweapon,sothatitsshapeandhismerged.
Behindmeandtomyright,therewasaclickandaglowoflightastheeastmainleveldoorfromtheChateau
opened.
Asthreefiguresemergedintothenightair,Iheardvoices.
“WhereintheNamelessishe?”
“...guardssaidhewentdowntheinsidestairs...inahurry...”
“Hurryornot...Dichartyn’sgoingtohang
himout...”
ThelastandloudestvoicewasBaratyn’s.
Myeyesflickedbacktotheoldwagon,andtheentirewagonrockedeversoslightly.Oneoftheportholewindowsopenedinward,andtheshadowfigureleanedslightlyforward.
IknewIhadtoact.Iimagedfireandflameintothe
wagon,andwhatevertheweaponbesideitmightbe,prayingtotheNamelessthatIdidn’tbelieveinthatIwouldbeintimebeforesomethingworsehappened.
Itriedtostrengthenmyshields,but...everythingexploded.
Shieldsandall,Ifeltmyselfbeingliftedandflung....
Ifdeductionsrequireabsolute
proof,thentheyarerenderedworthless.
WhenIwoke,Iwaslookingupatagrayceiling.Iwasbackintheinfirmary,andMasterDichartynandMasterDraffydwerebothstandingoverme.Myheadached,and
variouspainswereshootingthroughmychestandback.
“Howbadisit?”Imanagedtoask.
“Forwhatyou’vebeenthrough,”repliedMasterDraffyd,“notallthatbad.You’lllive,althoughitmaynotfeellikeitwhenyoutrytomoveorbreathedeeply.Youmighthaveacrackedrib,andyou’rebruisedall
over.Infact,you’llbeonyourfeet—verycarefully—onceweputyouinaribcorset.”
Hewasright.AsheandMasterDichartyngentlymaneuveredmeintothegrayishcorset,Ifeltlikemyentirechestandribcagewerepressinginonmylungs.ItwasfarmorepainfulthanthegunshotwoundsI’dtakenfromtheassassin,butthe
veryworstofitsubsidedonceMasterDraffydhadlacedthecorsetuptightly.Itwasmorelikeacrossbetweenaflexiblebraceandacorset.
“How’sthat?”askedMasterDraffyd.
“It’sbetter...painful,butnotnearlysobad.”
“You’llstayheretonight,justtomakesure,butI’llletyougointhemorning.”
“I’msupposedtoattendaweddingtomorrow,”Ioffered.
“Notyourown,Ihope.”
“No,sir.”
“Ifyoutakeacoachanddon’twalktoomuch—andstayoutofanyexplosions—youshouldbeallright.Butdon’ttakeoffthewoundcorsetwithouthelp.You’llhavetocomeheretowash
up.”
“Yes,sir.”
“Notawordaboutthis,Draffyd.”MasterDichartynsaid.“I’dappreciateawordortwowithhimalone.”
Theyoungermasternoddedandlefttheroom,closingthedoorbehindhim.IknewthatMasterDichartynhadmorethanawordortwoinmind.
MasterDichartynlookedatmeandshookhishead.“Youdidwrapupeverythinginaneatwaythatdidn’timplicatetheCollegium,albeitwithrathermessyconsequences.Fromtheevidenceremaining,it’sfairlycertainthattheexplosionyoutriggeredtookoutthreeassassins,andtheonebodywholeenoughtoberecoveredfromthatexplosionwasthatoftheFerran.But
whydidyoukillVhillar?”
“Besidesthefactthathewastheonehiringtheassassins,youmean?”Iwantedtoshakemyhead.“Youdidn’tknow,sir?”
“HewasanagentofFerrumandaspy.Alltheirenvoysare,butthat’stobeexpected.Evenhiringassassinsistobeexpected.That’snotareasonforkilling
him.Forexpellinghim,yes,butkillingenvoysleadstorepercussions.TheCouncilmayhavetorecallourenvoytoFerrialbeforesomethingsimilarhappenstohim.MaitrePoincarytwillwantanexplanation,andsodoI.Agoodexplanation.”
Ijustlookedathimforalongmomentbeforeasking,“Whowasthebody?”ThenIrealizedhe’dalreadytoldme,
butI’dalmostforgottenthatinthesurpriseoflearninghedidn’tknowthatVhillarwasanimager.
“ThebodywasthatoftheFerran.Theotherswereshredded.”
Iwinced.“Whataboutthedutycoachdriver?”
Dichartynshookhishead.“Thathappens.ButwhyVhillar?”
“Hewastheimager.”
Forthefirsttime,hismouthopened.“Vhillar,animager?”
“Mostcertainly,”Ireplied.
“Oh...andhowdidyouknowthat?”
“Itestedhisshields,andhetriedanimageattackonmeduringtheBall.HewastheonewhohiredtheFerran,and
hetriedtopoisonSuyrienduringthetoast.Iimagedthepoisonedwineoutofhisglassandreplaceditwithsomefromaclosedbottle.There’sprobablyavacuumthere,andtheywon’tbeabletouncorkit.”
“So...thatwaswhyConstanzaD’Amerlenhadthatburnonhershoulder.”
“Ah...notexactly.That
wasVhillar’ssecondattempt,andithitaninvisibleshieldintheair.Thesprayflewback.”
Hisfacehardened.“Rhennthyl...whydidn’tyouexplainthisorfindme?”
“Inevercouldfindyou,andtherewasn’ttimetoexplainthatthewinewaspoisoned.Yousee,thewinewasintheglassand
unmovingexceptforthetinybubbles.Thegobletwasonthetable,andthenthewinetrembled,butnotthegobletorthetable.AndafterIblockedbothattempts,Vhillarlookedatme,buthedidn’tdoanythinguntiljustbeforeheleftwhenhetriedtokillme.Itriedtofindyou,butIdidn’twanttoleavethehallbecauseIwouldn’thavebeenabletowatchVhillar..
.”Itriedtoexplain,butsomuchofitrestedonwhatI’dfeltabouthowthingswenttogether.“...andtherewasalsosomelinkbetweenJuniaeD’ShendaelandVhillar.Notanaffair,butsomethingelse.I’dwagerit’slinkedsomehowtoEmanus,andthat’swhyhewaskilled,butthat’sonlyaguess.”
“Your‘guesses’havebeenratheraccurateinthepast.I
havethefeelingthisonemaybeaswell.”Histonewasdrylyironic.Hefingeredhischinbeforespeakingagain.“IfVhillarhadsucceededinpoisoningSuyrien,theblamewouldfallontheCollegium,eitherfordoingitorfailingtopreventit,andFerrum’sgreatestopponentontheCouncilwouldbedead,probablytobereplacedbyCouncilorHaestyr,whoisfar
morefavorablyinclinedtowardthem.”
“CouncilorHaestyrsaidsomethingtoCouncilorCaartylafterthetoast.Caartyllookedmostunhappyforamoment.”
MasterDichartynwastheonetolookdispleasedatthat.“YourealizethatthereisabsolutelynoprooflinkingtheassassinstoVhillar,
nothingexceptwhatyousawandfelt.”
Ihurt,andIwasgettingtiredofthecross-examination.“ThentalktoMadameD’Shendael,andaskherwhotoldherthatanimagerkilledherfather...pardonme,whotoldherabouttherumorthatanimagerkilledherfather.”
“Howdidyouknowthat?”
“Sheaskedmetodance...”IbacktrackedandtoldhimaboutbothencounterswithJuniaeD’Shendael.“...andhowelsewouldshehaveknown?”
“Youarenotmakingmattersmucheasier,Rhennthyl.”
“MaitrePoincaryttoldmethatluresdon’thavetobedefenseless,andtoomany
juniorimagershavealreadydied.”
“Hesaidthattoyou?”
“Yes,sir—aboutthelures,thatis.”
“Evenso,you’reaskingmetotakeagreatdealonfaith.”
Ijustlookedathim,again,foralongmoment,beforereplying,“IfImightsayso,sir,far,farlessthanyouhave
askedmetotakeonfaithandwithoutfullknowledge.IfIhadknownmore,Imighthavebeenabletoactina...lessmessyfashion.Besides,EnvoyVhillartrippedonthestepsandsplithisskull.Mostregrettable,butaccidentsdohappen,andtherewasnopoisoninvolved...”IwassotiredIwantedtoyawn,butIwasafraidofjusthowmuchthatmighthurt.
“ThenwhatwouldyousuggesttheCouncildowithregardtoFerrumtoexplainthedeathoftheirenvoy?”
“Sendaverypolitesealedcommuniquétotheheadoftheirgovernment”—IwassodizzyIcouldn’tremembertheofficialtitle—“tellingthemthattheCouncildeeplyregretstheaccident,andthatforthesakeofeveryoneinvolved,itshouldremain
thatway,unless,ofcourse,Ferrumwouldlikeitknownthattheirenvoywasanimager,whichwouldraisethequestionofhowmanyothersmightbe.”
“Youhaveaverynastymind.Theycouldstilldenyit.”
“SendaletterfromMasterPoincarytsayingthatoneofthefunctionsofthe
CollegiumistokeeprenegadeimagersoutofSolidar,andthatwhoelsewouldbetterknowwhowasanimager.Besides,eventhechargewouldcreateproblemsforthem.Peoplehalf-expectitfromSolidar,I’msure.Soanycounterchargeshouldn’taffectusmuch.”Ilookedathim.“Youshouldhavethoughtofallthat.Ordidyou?”
“Idid,mostly,butIwantedtoseeifyouwerereallyasdeviousasMasterPoincarytthinks.”
“AmI?”Thatbotheredme.
“No.You’reworse,becauseyouhavetheabilitytoincorporatemoreofthetruthinwhatyoudo.”
Iclosedmyeyes,thenopenedthem.
“Rhennthyl...afterthis,youcan’tstayattheChateau.”
“Whynot?”Iwastired,bone-tired,butIwasirritated.I’ddonemyjob,betterthanMasterDichartynhaddonehis,andhewastellingmethatIcouldn’tkeepdoingsomethingI’ddonewell?MaybeI’dbeenmessy,butI’dgottenitdone.
“Thefirstreasonisbecauseyouaren’treadytosupervisepeople,butyouhavemoreimagingskillsthanBaratyn,possiblymorethanhewilleverhave.Youalsojumptoconclusions.Mostofthetime,sofar,you’vebeenright,butthehigheryougetintheCollegiumthemoreconvolutedandcomplexmattersyouwillhavetodealwithcanget,andthatwill
increasethepossibilitythatyou’llbewrong.Masterscan’taffordtobewrongoften,especiallyindealingwiththeCouncilandHighHolders.Thesecondreasonisthatyoustillhavetroubledistinguishingwhentobepatientandwhennottobe.”
“Soyou’regoingtosendmeofftothearmoryorsomething?”Ialmostdidn’tcare—exceptIdid.
“No.Ihaveanidea,butI’llhavetotalktoMaitrePoincarytaboutit.I’llhavetobriefhimtonightanywayafterthemessyoumade.Heshouldn’tfinditoutfromanyoneelse.”
Ialmostsnappedbackthat,ifhe’dtoldmemore,wewouldn’thavehadsuchamess.IfI’dknownaboutVhillar...
Thenagain,thatwashindsight.Besides,expressingmyangerathimwouldn’thelpmeany,andhealreadywarnedmeaboutimpatienceonce.
“Now...getsomerest.I’lltalktoyouinthemorning.”
Afterheleft,Ididclosemyeyes,then.
Trustdoesnotdemand
details.
WhenIwokethenextmorning,everymuscleinmybody,orsoitseemed,feltstiffandsore.Gettingoutofbedwastorture,butIstaggeredtothejakesandbacktotheroom,whereIsat
onthesinglestraight-backedchair.Ididn’tevenwanttothinkaboutclimbingupintothebed.Oneoftheobduratesbroughtmetea,andthenMasterDichartynarrived,stillinhisexerciseclothes.
“You’ddoanythingtoavoidexercises,wouldn’tyou?”Buthedidgrin.“Howdofeel?”
“Achy-sore,dullpain
everywhere,exceptwhenImove,andthenit’snotsodull.”
“You’reyoung.You’llrecover.”
Sincehestillhadn’ttoldmewhatlayaheadofme,andhewasn’tvolunteering,Ihadtospeak,beforeheleft.“LastnightyousaidIcouldn’treturntotheChateauandthatyou’dhavetoconsider
somethingelse.”
“Oh,that.”
Hewasbaitingme,butImanagedtosay,“Yes,that.Atmyage,knowingone’sfuturedoesmattersomewhat.”
“Notsomuchasyouthink,”heansweredwryly.“Mattersseldomturnoutasplanned,asyoushouldknow.Still...IdidtalktoMaster
Poincaryt,andheagreed.It’sanassignmentthathasbeennecessarynowandagain.You’llbeassignedtothecivicpatrollersasCollegiumliaison.ThatwillallowyoutobecomeaMaitreD’Aspect,butyoualreadyhavethoseskills.Sothatwon’tbeaproblem.You’llalsobeinavisibleposition,whichmayworktoyouradvantageinothermatters.Thenagain,it
maynot.Thatwilldependonyouinlargepart.”
Ididn’tcarefortheimplicationsofhiswordsaboutvisibility.TheyreferredtowhateverattackHighHolderRyelwascertaintoinitiateagainstme,andIcouldonlyhopethatIwouldbeprepared,becauseIhadastrongfeelingthatwhateverRyeldidwouldbypasstheCollegium.I’dalreadyseen
enoughofHighHolderstounderstandthat.Buttherewasnopointinsayingso.Ionlyasked,“Isthisahiddenrank,orcanItellpeople?”
“Youcantellanyoneyouwantto—eventheyounglady—becauseweandtheCivicPatrolwantitknownthattheirliaisonisamasterimager.”
“WhyaliaisontotheCivic
Patrol?Oristhatawayofshuttlingmeaside?Whycouldn’tIjustbeafieldoperative?”
Heshookhishead.“Thatwouldbeawasteofyourtalents.Besides,theliaisonpositionisafarbetterchoiceforyou.”
Ihatedhavingtodragthingsoutofhim,buthewasalsodemonstratingthatI
neededtobepatient,Isupposed.“Beggingyourpardon,sir,butcouldyouexplainthat?”
“That’swhyI’mhere.First,youhavethebasicandevenmorethanbasicimagingskillstohandleit,anditwillgiveyouachancetoobserveasideoflifethatwillgiveyouthenecessaryexperience.”
Thistime,whenhepaused,Ijustwaited.
“You’llbeappointed,effectiveLundimorning,butyouwon’treportforatleastanothertwoweeks.Thatwillgiveyoutimetohealsome.Also,thepatrolcommandercanmakesurethateveryoneknowswhatyoudidoutsidetheChateau.Patrollersareimpressedbyimagerswhorisktheirlivestosavetheir
comrades.They’llbegladtohavesomeonelikeyou.Theotheraspectofthepositionisthat,whiletheycanonlyrequestofyou,thesameistrueofyou.Youcannotgivepatrollersorders.Doyouseewhythisisidealforyou?”
Iwasn’tsurethatIdid.GoingfromworkingintheCouncilChateautoeffectivelybeinganassistanttothepatrollers—thatwas
ideal?Itriedtogathermythoughtstogether,andMasterDichartynsmiledfaintly,butletme.
Finally,Ireplied.“I’llbeabletouseimagingtohelpthem,andperhapsprotectapatrollernowandthen.I’llhavetofigureoutthingsbeforeIcansayanythingbecauseIcan’torderanyonetodoanything.ThatmeansI’llhavetobelogicaland
preciseenoughthatthey’lldowhatIsuggest.”
Henodded.“It’snotademotionofanysort.It’sadifferentpath,anditisfranklyaharderone,buttherearesomeconsolations.AsImentionedbefore,thefirstisrank.Tobealiaison,youhavetobeatleastaMaitreD’Aspect.That’sbecause,withoutmasterstatus,nooneabovethestreet
patrollerswillpaymuchattention.Thesecondisthatyou’lllearnagreatdealmoreaboutL’Excelsisandthewaythingstrulyoperate.”
“I’mreadytobeaMaitreD’Aspect?”Attractiveastheideawas,Ididn’twantarankthatIcouldn’tcarryout.
“Youhavealltheimagingtalentsalready,andthebasicknowledgeoftheCounciland
theCollegium,aswellasgreatknowledgeofthefactoringandtradeandartisanclasses.Whatyoulackistheknowledgeofawiderrangeofhumanexperience.Withoutthat,thecombinationofyourinstinctiveabilitiesandyourimagingcapabilitieswillgetyouintogreaterandgreaterdifficulties.Iwon’tglossthisover.Ifyouarenotcareful,youcouldstillget
intogreatdangerinthisposition,butMasterPoincarytandIbothfeelthatthisisbyfarthemostpracticalwaytogetyoutheexperienceyouneed.”
Istillwasn’ttotallyconvincedofthat,butIwasfullyconvincedthatitwastheonlytrueopportunityopentomeafterthenightbefore—andexperienceornot,Istilldidn’tseewhatelseIcould
havedone.
“Whatdoyouthinkyoushouldtelltheothersaboutlastnight?”heasked.
Again,Ihadtothinkamoment.“Ishouldtellthemthatyoudiscoveredsomething,andIwasworkingwithyou.I’djustfinishedwhenIsawthewagon,andIrealizedthattheyweregoingtoopenfireontheothers,and
IjustdidwhatIcould.”
“Youdon’tthinkyoushouldsayanythingaboutVhillar?”
“No.Itshouldremainanunfortunateaccident,andpeoplewilllayitatyourfeetorBaratyn’s,buttheywon’tknowforcertain,andthat’showitshouldbe.”
“Whatwillyoutellthemwewereworkingon?”
“Theassassins,iftheyask.”
MasterDichartynnodded.“Yourealizethatitmustalwaysbethatway?Inothereventsaswell?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Becausethelessanyoneknows,themoreprotectionofferedtoimagersandthe
Collegium.There’snoreasontohidetheexplosion.Thatwastooopen,andthat’swhyitshouldbemyfault.”
“Yourfault?”Thequestionwasbland,andthatconcealedandrevealedatthesametime.
“Yes,sir.IfI’dbeenmoreobservantandmorecareful,Iwouldn’thavehadtousefiretoblowupthewagon,and
thatwouldn’thaveinjuredmeandkilledthedriver.”
“That’snottrue,youknow?”
“Yes,sir,butit’sbettersaidthatway,becauseitimpliesthatseniorimagerscouldhavehandleditbetter.Italsosendsamessagethatjuniorimagers,whenattacked,canoverreact.”
MasterDichartynlaughed.
“Ihadn’tthoughtofthelastpoint.Exceptforyou,andperhapsMartyl,it’sprobablynotveryaccurate,butitwillhelpinthesetimes.”Hepaused.“Iheardsomethingaboutawedding?”
“Yes,sir.”
“Whattimewillyoubeleaving?”
“Halfbeforenoon,I’dthought.”
“I’llhaveoneofthesparecoachesstandbytotakeyou.”
“Won’tthedriversbeupset...becauseofwhatIdid?”
“I’vealreadyspreadthewordthatyouputyourselfinfrontofeverythingwhenyoudidn’thaveto.Ialsotoldthemthatyou’dsurvivedfiveassassinationattempts,andthatyouweretheonewho
killedfourofthefiveassassinshereinL’Excelsis.Thedriversunderstandthatanimagercanonlydosomuch.”
Ihopedso.
“That’sallfornow.I’llseeyouinmystudyatseventhglassonLundi.”
“WhatabouttheChateau?They’llbeshorthanded...”
“They’llmanage.Theydidforayearbeforeyouarrived.”Heofferedapartingsmile.
AfterMasterDichartynleft,MasterDraffydcameinandexaminedme,thensaidIcouldgo.Icarriedthesoiledwhiteandgrayformalcoatbacktomyquarters,thendressedforbreakfast.I’dwashup,asIcould,later.
Thesummergraywaistcoatwasatightfitovermyshirtandtheribcorset,butImanagedit,evenifittookmeawhiletobuttonit.
ThenIwent—orwalkedveryslowlyandstiffly—tobreakfast.
IbarelygotintothedininghallwhenMartylhurriedovertome.“Wewereallworried.Areyouallright?”
“Mostly.Ijustgotoutoftheinfirmary,andI’llhavetowearabraceforawhiletoprotectmyribs.”
“Comeoverandsitwithus.Thewordisthatyouwon’tbeatthesecondsandthirdstableforlong.Isittrue?”
“I’dreallyliketositdownwithyouall.”AndIdid.Iwashungry,andtheflatcakesandsyrupandsausagelooked
andsmelledwonderful.
AsIate,thereweremorethanafewquestions.
“DidJohanyr’ssisterreallyaskyoutodance?”
“WasthatMadameD’Shendaelyoudancedwith?”
“WhowastheotherHighHolder’sdaughter?”
“Whathappenedoutthere
withthewagon?”
IansweredasmanyasIcouldtruthfully,andtheothersalongthelinesMasterDichartynandIhaddiscussed.
“Youwon’tbecomingbacktotheChateau?”askedDartazn.
Ishookmyheadgingerly.“MasterDichartynthinksIneedtodosomething
different.I’mgoingtobetheCollegiumliaisontothecivicpatrollers.”
“You’regoinguptoMasterD’Aspect,aren’tyou?Iknewit!”saidMartyl.“You’regoingtobeoneoftheyoungestmastersever.”
“That’sbecausetheydon’tknowwhatelsetodowithme.”Myvoicecameoutwry.
“It’salsobecausethey
can’tmakeanyonealiaison,”Dartaznsaid,“whodoesn’thaveshieldsthatwilltakebullets.Otherwise,they’dbedeadinamonth.”
MasterDichartynhadn’tmentionedthat,butitdidn’tsurpriseme,althoughitdidsendachilldownmyback.
Afterbreakfast,Imademywaybacktomyquarters.Ittookmeagoodglasstowash
upandshave,becauseliftingmyarmseventoshoulderlevelwaspainful,andthenIhadtodressagain.Whatwithonethingandanother,Ididmakeittotheduty-coachstopbeforehalfpastnine.Thereweretwocoacheswaiting.
Thedriverofthefirstraisedanarmandbeckoned.“MasterRhennthyl?”
“Forbetterorworse,that’s
me.”
“Thankyoufortryingtheothernight,sir.”Hesmiled.“Whereto?”
“NordEsteDesign.”Gettingintothecoachwasmorethanalittlepainful.Myfaceprobablyshowedit,becausewhenwegottoNordEste,thedrivervaulteddowntotiethehorsestothebronzehitchingpost,then
camebacktogivemeahand.
“Thankyou.”
“Shouldyoubehere,sir?”
“IpromisedIwouldbe.”
Henoddedknowingly.
Imanagedtogetupthestepswithoutwincingtoomuch.Shomyrwastheonewhoopenedthedoor.“Rhenn...we’regladyoucouldbehere.”Hepaused.“Areyou
allright?”
“I’dhavetosaythatI’mwalkingwounded,butI’llrecover.”Theinsidestepswereworsethanthoseoutside,oritcouldhavebeenthatclimbinganothersetwasharder.
WhenIsteppedintothesecond-levelentryfoyer,IcouldseeSelioraarrangingwhatlookedtobegiftsona
sidetable.ShouldIhavebroughtone?Ihadn’teventhoughtaboutit,andIdidn’tknowthebrideorthegroom.
Suddenly,asifshehadsensedme,Selioraturned,thenhurriedtowardme.“Rhenn!I’msogladtoseeyou.”Assheneared,herfacefilledwithconcern.“Whathappenedtoyou?”
“Doyouwanttohear
what’sgoodornotsogood?”
“Sinceyou’rehere,I’dratheryoustartedwiththebad.Butfirst...”Sheleanedforwardandkissedmegently.
Ididenjoythatforanall-too-briefmomentbeforeshesteppedback.
“I’mbruisedallover,andImighthaveacrackedrib.”
“You’dbettersitdown.
Thenyoucantellmewhathappened.”
Itookoneofthestraight-backedchairsnexttoasetteefartherbackalongthewestsideofthatoverlargeentryhall.“Whataboutthewedding?”
“It’shere,uponthenorthterrace.Wehavetime.Nowtellmewhathappened.”Seliorasatattheedgeofthe
settee,lookingatme,waiting.
“ItoldyouabouttheCouncil’sHarvestBalllastnight,remember?”
“Youdidn’tgetbruisesandacrackedribfromaladyholder.”
“No.IgotthemfromanexplosionthatIsetofftokeepallofusmorejuniorimagersfromgettingkilled.TheFerranhadsetupa
wagon...”Iwentthroughthe“official”explanationquickly,mentioningonlymyconcernsaboutVhillarandthathe’dhadafatalaccidentjustbeforeIdealtwiththeexplosion.“...andIwokeupintheinfirmary.Threeassassinsaredead,andonewastheFerran.”
Shelookedintomyeyes.“There’smore.”
“Thereis,”Isaid,“butIhavetoleaveitatthat.It’sbetterthatway,especiallyforyouandme.AndyoucantelleveryonethatIdidgettheFerran.”
Shereachedoutandsqueezedmyrighthand,gentlybutfirmly“I’mgladyoutrustmeenoughnottolie.”Sheheldupahand.“Iknowyoucan’ttellmeeverything,and,mosttimes,
youshouldn’t,butpleasedon’tlietome.Justtellmethatthere’smore,thewayyoujustdid,butwe’llhavetoletitgo.”
“Icandothat.”AsIsaidit,Irealizedsomethingelse.Unlikemyparents,orMasterDichartyn,oranyoneelse,exceptmaybeKhethila,Selioratrustedme,trustedmeimplicitly.Foramoment,myeyesburned.Ihadtoswallow
beforeIcouldsaymore.“Thankyou.”
Hersmilewarmedmeallthewaydown.
Wesatthere,withSelioraleaningforwardslightly,holdinghands,justholdinghands.
Afteratime,shesaid,“GrandmamasaidthatyouwouldgettheFerran.Iwasafraidyou’dbehurteven
worse.Isawanexplosionsweepingoveryou.”
“That’sagoodwayofdescribingit.”
“Yousaidthatyouhadsomegoodnews?”
“I’mbeingadvancedtomasterimager—themostjuniormaster.MaitreD’Aspect—andI’llhaveanewposition.”
“Withthecivicpatrollers?”
“Howdidyouknow?”
“Ididn’t,butIdidhaveavisionofyouinthemiddleofagroupofpatrollers,andIcouldn’tfigureoutwhythatwouldbe.”Shepaused.“That’snotanormalposition,isit?”
“No.It’susedtoseasontalentedanddifficultjuniormasterimagers.Master
DichartynhopesitwillgivemeenoughexperiencesothatIcanmakebetterdecisionsbasedonthatexperience.”
Selioranodded.“Grandmamawillbesopleased—amasterimager.”
“Andyourparents?”
“Theywerepleasedfromthemomenttheymetyou,butOdeliahelpedwiththat.Shereallywouldliketomarry
Kolasyn.”
Iunderstoodthataswell.
“Whataboutthewedding?Theonewithyourcousin,Imean.”IflushedasIrealizedthedoubleimplicationofmylastwords.
Selioralaughed,warmlyandkindly.“Wehavetime.”
Andsowedid.