Imager - DropPDF1.droppdf.com/files/CUmGR/imager-l-e-modesitt.pdf · The Corean Chronicles Legacies...

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.”