Imager

TorBooksbyL.E.Modesitt,Jr.

TheImagerPortfolio

Imager

Imager’sChallenge(forthcoming)

TheCoreanChronicles

Legacies

Darknesses

Scepters

Alector’sChoice

Cadmian’sChoice

Soarer’sChoice

TheLordProtector’sDaughter

TheSagaofRecluce

TheMagicofRecluce

TheTowersoftheSunset

TheMagicEngineer

TheOrderWar

TheDeathofChaos

ScionofCyador

FallofAngels

TheChaosBalance

TheWhiteOrder

ColorsofChaos

Magi’iofCyador

WellspringofChaos

Ordermaster

NaturalOrdermage

Mage-GuardofHamor

TheSpellsongCycle

TheSopranoSorceress

TheSpellsongWar

DarksongRising

TheShadowSorceress

Shadowsinger

TheEcolitanMatter

Empire&Ecolitan(comprisingTheEcolitanOperationandTheEcologieSecession)

EcolitanPrime(comprisingTheEcologicEnvoyandTheEcolitanEnigma)

TheForeverHero(comprisingDawnfora

DistantEarth,TheSilentWarrior,andInEndlessTwilight)

Timegod’sWorld(comprisingTimediver’sDawnandTheTimegod)

TheGhostBooks

OfTangibleGhosts

TheGhostoftheRevelator

GhostoftheWhiteNights

GhostofColumbia(comprisingOfTangibleGhostsandTheGhostoftheRevelator)

TheHammerofDarkness

TheGreenProgression

TheParafaithWar

Adiamante

GravityDreams

OctagonalRaven

Archform:Beauty

TheEthosEffect

Flash

TheEternityArtifact

TheElysiumCommission

ViewpointsCritical

Haze(forthcoming)

TheFirstBookofthe

ImagerPortfolio

L.E.MODESITT,JR.

ATOMDOHERTYASSOCIATESBOOK

NEWYORK

Thisisaworkoffiction.Allofthecharacters,organizations,and

eventsportrayedinthisnovelareeitherproductsoftheauthor’s

imaginationorareusedfictitiously.

IMAGER:THEFIRSTBOOKOFTHEIMAGERPORTFOLIO

Copyright©2009byL.E.Modesitt,Jr.

Allrightsreserved.

ATorBook

PublishedbyTomDohertyAssociates,LLC

175FifthAvenue

NewYork,NY10010

www.tor-forge.com

Tor®isaregisteredtrademarkofTom

DohertyAssociates,LLC.

LibraryofCongressCataloging-in-PublicationData

Modesitt,L.E.

Imager:thefirstbookoftheimagerportfolio/L.E.Modesitt,Jr..—1sted.

p.cm.—(Imagerportfolio;1)

“ATomDohertyAssociatesbook.”

ISBN-13:978-0-7653-2034-6

ISBN-10:0-7653-2034-7

I.Title

PS3563.O264I432009

813'.54—dc22

2008046496

FirstEdition:March2009

PrintedintheUnitedStatesofAmerica

0987654321

ForSteveandMarge

Bennion,

inrecognitionofquietcourage

TableofContentsAcknowledments

Apprentice&Journeyman

Chapter1

Chapter2

Chapter3

Chapter4

Chapter5

Chapter6

Chapter7

Chapter8

Chapter9

Chapter10

Chapter11

Chapter12

Chapter13

Chapter14

CollegiumImago

Chapter15

Chapter16

Chapter17

Chapter18

Chapter19

Chapter20

Chapter21

Chapter22

Chapter23

Chapter24

Chapter25

Chapter26

Chapter27

Chapter28

Chapter29

Chapter30

Tertius

Chapter31

Chapter32

Chapter33

Chapter34

Chapter35

Chapter36

Chapter37

Chapter38

Chapter39

Chapter40

Chapter41

Chapter42

Chapter43

Chapter44

Chapter45

Chapter46

Messenger/Guard

Chapter47

Chapter48

Chapter49

Chapter50

Chapter51

Chapter52

Chapter53

Chapter54

Chapter55

Chapter56

Chapter57

Chapter58

Chapter59

Chapter60

Chapter61

Chapter62

Chapter63

Chapter64

Chapter65

Chapter66

Chapter67

Chapter68

Chapter69

Chapter70

Chapter71

Chapter72

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

AfterworkingwithDavidHartwellandTomDohertyformorethantwenty-fiveyears,duringwhichtimeTorhaspublishedallofmybooks,nowtotalingmorethanfifty,it’slongpasttimetoacknowledgeinprintthedebtIowetothembothfor

believinginwhatIwriteandinsupportingitbypublishingthebookswithcareandconsideration.

Apprentice&Journeyman

743A.L.

Commerceweighsvalue,yetsuchweightisbutanimage,and,as

such,isanillusion.

Thebellannouncingdinnerrangtwice,justtwice,andnomore,foritneverdid.Rouselleaptupfromhistabledeskinthesittingroomthatadjoinedourbedchambers,disarrayingthestackofpapersthatrepresentedacompositiondoubtlessdueinthemorning.“I’mstarved.”

“You’renot.You’remerelyhungry,”Ipointedout,carefullyplacinga

paperweightovertheworkonmytabledesk.“‘Starved’meansgreatphysicaldeprivationandlackofnourishment.Wedon’tsuffereither.”

“Ifeelstarved.Stopbeingsuchapedant,Rhenn.”Theheelsofhisshoesclatteredonthebackstairsleadingdowntothepantryoffthediningchamber.

Twoweeksago,Rouselcouldn’tevenhavepronounced“pedant,”buthe’dheardMasterSesiphususeit,andnowheappliedittomeasoftenashecould.Youngerbrotherswereworsethanvermin,becauseonecouldsquashverminandthenbathe,somethingonecouldnotdowithyoungerbrothers.Withsomefortune,sinceFatherwouldreallyhave

preferredthatIfollowhimasafactorbuthadacknowledgedthatIhadlittleinterest,I’dbeoutofthehousebeforeCulthynwasoldenoughtoleavethenurseryandeatwithus.AsforKhethila,shewasalmostoldenough,butshewasquietandthoughtful.ShelikeditwhenIreadtoher,eventhingslikemyhistoryassignmentsaboutpeoplelikeRexRegisorRex

Defou.Rouselhadneverlikedmyreadingtohim,butthen,he’dnevermuchcaredforanythingIdid.

BythetimeIreachedthediningchamber,Fatherwaswalkingthroughthearchwayfromtheparlorwherehealwayshadasinglegobletofredwine—usuallyDhuensa—beforedinner.Motherwasstandingbehindthechairattheotherendoftheoval

table.Islippedbehindmychair,onFather’sright.Rouselgrinnedatme,thenclearedhisface.

“Promptness!That’swhatIlike.Atimeandaplaceforeverything,andeverythinginitstimeandplace.”Fatherclearedhisthroat,thensethisnear-emptygobletonthetableandplacedhishandsonthebackofthearmedchairthatwashis.

“Forthegraceandwarmthfromabove,forthebountyoftheearthbelow,forallthegraceoftheworldandbeyond,foryourjustice,andforyourmanifoldandgreatmercies,weofferourthanksandgratitude,bothnowandevermore,inthespiritofthatwhichcannotbenamedorimaged.”

“Inpeaceandharmony,”weallchorused,althoughI

hadmydoubtsaboutthepresenceandviabilityofeither,eveninL’Excelsis,crowncityandcapitalofSolidar.

Fathersettledintohischairattheendofthetablewithacontentedsigh,andaglanceatMother.“Thankyou,dear.Roastlamb,oneofmyfavorites,andyouhadRieselafixitjustthewayIpreferit.”

IfMotherhadtoldthecooktofixlambanyotherway,weallwouldhavebeentreatedtoalonglectureonthegloriesofcrispedroastlambandtheinadequaciesofotherpreparations.

AfterpouringaheavierredwineintohisgobletandthenintoMother’s,Fatherplacedthecarafebeforeme.Itookaboutathirdofagoblet,becausethatwaswhathe’d

declaredasappropriateforme,andpouredaquarterforRousel.

WhenFatherfinishedcarvingandserving,Motherpassedthericecasseroleandthepickledbeets.ItookaslittleasIcouldofthebeets.

“Howwasyourday,dear?”askedMother.

“Oh...thesameasanyother,Isuppose.The

Phlanyshwoolissofterthanlastyear,andthatmeansthatWuryswillcomplain.Lastyearhesaiditwastoostringyandtough,andthathe’dhavetointerweavewiththeNorinygan...andthefinishedExtelangrayistoolight...Butthenhe’shalfPharsi,andtheyquibbleabouteverything.”

Mothernodded.“They’redifferent.Theyworkhard.

Youcan’tcomplainaboutthat,butthey’renotourtype.”

“No,they’renot,buthedoespayingold,andthatmeansIhavetolisten.”

ImanagedtochokedownthebeetswhileFatherofferedanotherdiscourseonwoolandthepatternedweavinglooms,andtheshortcomingsofthosefromaPharsi

background.Iwasn’tabouttomentionthattheprettiestandbrightestgirlatthegrammairewasRemaya,andshewasPharsi.

Abruptly,helookedatme.“Youdon’tseemterriblyinterestedinwhatfeedsyou,Rhennthyl.”

“Sir...Iwaslisteningclosely.Youwerepointingoutthat,whilethepattern

blocksusedbythenewweavingmachineryproducedatighterthreadweave,thewomenloomtendershavegottenmorecarelessandthatmeansthatspoilageisup,whichincreasescosts—”

“Enough.Iknowyoulisten,butIhavegreatdoubtsthatyoucare,orevenappreciatewhatbringsinthegoldsforthishousehold.Attimes,Iwonderifyoudon’t

listentothesecretwhispersoftheNamer.”

“Chenkyr...”cautionedMother.

Fathersighedasonlyhecouldsigh.“Enoughofthat.Whatdidyoulearnofinterestatgrammairetoday?”

Itwasn’tsomuchwhatI’dlearnedaswhatI’dbeenthinkingabout.“Father...leadisheavierthancopperor

silver.It’sevenheavierthangold,butit’scheaper.Ithoughtyousaidthatweusedcopper,silver,andgoldforcoinsbecausetheywereheavierandharderforevilimagerstocounterfeit.”

“That’swhatImean,Rhennthyl.”Hesighedevenmoreloudly.“Youaskaquestionlikethat,butwhenIaskyoutohelpinthecountinghouse,youcan’tbe

botheredtoworkoutthecostofanextratariffofacopper...orworkoutthecostsforguardsonasummerconsignmentofboltsofAcomanprimewooltoNacliano.Itisn’tasthoughyouhadnoheadforfigures,butyoudonotcaretobeaccurateifsomethingdoesn’tinterestyou.WhatmetalstheCouncilusesforcoinsmatterslittleifonehasno

coinstocount.Nomatterhowmuchamanlikeshiswork,therewillbepartsofitthatarelesspleasing—orevendispleasing.Youseemtothinkthateverythingshouldbepleasingorinteresting.Lifedoesn’tobligeusinthatfashion.”

“Don’tbethathardontheboy,Chenkyr.”Mother’svoicewaspatient.“Noteveryoneismeanttobea

factor.”

“Hiswillfulnessmakesanoblookflexible,Maelyna.”

“Eventheobdurateshavetheirplace.”

Icouldn’thelpthinkingI’dratherbeanobduratethanamal.Mostpeopleweremalleablesofonesortoranother,changingtheirviewsoropinionswheneversomeoneroaredatthem,like

Father.

“Exactly!”exclaimedFather.“Asservantstoimagersandlittleelse.Idon’twantoneofmysonsalackeybecausehewon’tthinkaboutanythingexceptwhatinterestsorpleaseshim.Theworldisn’takindplaceforinflexiblestubbornnessandunthinkingquestioning.”

“Howcanaquestionbe

unthinking?”Iwantedtoknow.“Youhavetothinkeventoaskone.”

Myfather’ssighwasmorelikearoar.Thenheglaredatme.“Whenyouaskaquestiontowhichyouwouldalreadyknowtheanswerifyoustoppedtothink,orwhenyouaskaquestiontowhichnooneknowstheanswer.Inbothcases,you’rewastingyourtimeandsomeone

else’s.”

“ButhowdoIknowwhennooneknowstheanswerifIdon’taskthequestion?”

“Rhennthyl!Thereyougoagain.Doyouwanttoeatcoldriceinthekitchen?”

“No,sir.”

“Rousel,”saidFather,pointedlyavoidinglookinginmydirection,“howareyou

comingwithyourcalculationsandfigures?”

“MasterSesiphussaysthatIhaveagoodheadforfigures.Mylasttwoexaminationshavebeenperfect.”

Ofcoursetheyhadbeen.Whatwassohardaboutaddingupcolumnsofnumbersthatneverchanged?Ordividingthem,or

multiplyingthem?Rouselwasmorethanalittlecarelessaboutnumbersandanythingelsewhennoonewaslookingorcheckingonhim.

Icutseveralmorethinmorselsofthelamb.Itwasgood,especiallytheedgeofthemeatwherethefatandseasoningswereallcrispedtogether.Thewinewasn’tbad,either,butitwashardtositthereandlistentoFather

drawoutRousel.

745A.L.

Authorityalwaystrumpsreason,unlessreasonisthe

authority.

TheCouncilofSolidar

openedtheChateauoftheCounciltothepublicexactlytwiceayear,atthelastdayofsummer,thethirty-fifthofJuyn,andatthedepthofwinter,thethirty-fifthofIanus.FatherinsistedthatIcomewithhimbecauseI’djustturnedfourteenandfinishedthegrammaire.InanothermonthI’dbeginmyapprenticeshipwithMasterCaliostrus,oneofthemore

successfulportraituristsinL’Excelsis.

“Sinceyoucannotandwillnotbeafactor,Rhenn,youneedtoseewhatgreatartreallyis.”MyfathermusthavesaidthatatleastthreetimeswhilewerodeinthecarriagealongtheBoulevardD’EsteandacrossPontD’NordandthenanothermillealongtheBoulevardD’Ouest.Oncewereached

thebaseofCouncilHill,wehadtoleavethecarriageandwaitinalongqueueunderawhitesunthatblistereddownthroughthepalebluesummersky.Thegatehouseaheadofuswasbuiltofalabaster,aswastheChateauabove,butthesurfaceofthestonesofbothhadbeenstrengthenedbyimagerscenturiesandcenturiesbefore,supposedlybythoseofRexRegisafter

hehadtakenL’ExcelsisfromtheBovariansandmadeitthecapitalofthelandhehadunifiedandrenamedSolidar.Thewallsshimmeredwhiteandinviolate,aspristineasthedaytheywerelaid,sortoflikeaneternalvirgin,Ithought,tryingnottosniggeratthethought.

“Rhenn,youarenottoexhibitamusementatthemisfortunesofothers.”

Father’seyesdartedtowardacrafterwhowaslookingdownataspreadingdarkbrownstainacrosshistrousers.Hestillheldthehandleoftheclayjugthathehadswunguptodrink.Fragmentsofpotteryandadarksplotchonthewallsuggestedhe’dbeenlessthancarefulinliftinghisjug.

“Sir,IwasthinkingofaterriblejokethatJacquyltold

yesterday.Seeingthegatehouseremindedmeofit.”

“Likelystory.”Thegood-naturedgruffnessofhisresponsesuggestedthathebelievedme,oratleastthatheknewIwasnotlaughingatthepoorcrafter,amason’sapprenticeorjuniorjourneyman,Iwouldhavejudgedbythestonedustonhissleeves.

Agoodglasspassedbeforewereachedtheheadofthequeueshortoftheburnishedbronzegatesandthegatehouse.TheCouncilguardtherestoodintheshadowofthetinyportico,butsweathaddampenedthepalebluelinenofhisuniformtunicintoadarkershade.

“Thenexttenofyou,”theguardannounced.

Fatherstrodeahead.Healwayswalkedquickly,asifhemightmisssomethingifheweren’tthefirstone.Thepavedwalkswerewhitegranite,flankedbyboxwoodhedgesinstonebeds.“Seethosehedges,Rhenn.That’swhatahedgeshouldlooklike,notwithtwigsandleavesstickingouthaphazardly.”

“Yes,sir.”Rouselwas

supposedtohavetrimmedthelittlebranchesonourhedge,afterIcutthelargerones,buthe’dgoneofftoplay.There’dbeenlittlepointinsayingso,becauseFatherwouldjusthavesaidthatitwasmyresponsibility.ButifI’ddraggedRouselback,hewouldhavecomplained,andthenFatherwouldhavepunishedmeforbeingtoostrict.

Afterwewalkedupthewidewhitestonesteps,Fatherclearedhisthroat.“Therearethreearches—amainarchflankedbytwosmallerarches.AllthreeleadintotheGrandFoyer.”

Ididn’tsayanything.We’dstudiedtheChateauingrammaire,andIknewthat.

Fathertookthecenterarchwayandhurriedinside,

outoftheblazingsun.Itwasn’tthatmuchcooler,butbeingoutofthesunwasarelief.Iglancedupatthefauxdomeofthefoyer.

Fatherfollowedmyeyesandgesturedupward.“Youseethestoneworkthere?”

“Itlookswelldone.”Itwasn’tstoneworkatall,butflatpaintingdesignedtotricktheeyeintobelievingitwas

stonework.

“Youthinkyoucoulddobetter?”

“No,sir.”Fatherwasalwaysdoingthat—comparingmetoanexperiencedartisanorfactororcrafter.OfcourseIwasn’tthatgood.Thatdidn’tmeanIcouldn’tbeintime.

Justinfrontofuswasanolderandalltoobulbousman

inathreadbareandonce-whitelinenovershirt.Hehadplantedhimselfbeforethefirstportraitonthewallontheright-handouterwallofthefoyer,cockinghisheadonewayandthenanother.Istartedtomovearoundhim,butFatherreachedoutandgraspedmyarm.

“Takeyourtime.Studyeachonecarefully,especiallytheportraits.You’retheone

who’sgoingtobeaportraiturist.Youwon’thaveanotherchancetoseetheseforatime.”

Aftertheoldermanfinallymoved,Fatherpointedtotheimageofatrimblack-hairedmanwithsweepingmustachesinablackdressuniformwithsilver-bandedcuffs.“That’saportraitofSeleandyr.HewastheonewholedtheCouncilinthe

tradewaragainstCaenenandStakanar...”

I’dseenFactorCouncilorSeleandyrbefore,ifonlyfromthebalconywhenFatherhadhostedtheclothfactors’fallreception,andhe’dneverbeenthatslender.Hsmustacheshaddrooped,ashadhisbelly,andhisthinhairhadkeptfallingdownoveralowforehead.

“...managedtokeepmattersfromgettingoutofhandandmadesurethatthetaxestosupportthewarwereonlytemporary.HisdeathlastFevierwasagreatloss...”

I’dheardtherumorsthathisdeathhadn’tbeenfromage,butfromsweetmeatstransformedintopitricine,afterhe’deatenthem,byanimagerwhoseniecehe’dprocuredforhisson.Seleus

hadswornitwastrue.

Thenextartisticobjectwasabust,andagainwehadtowaitforthegyrationsofthebulbousfellowbeforeFatherledmeforward.“Charyn.HewasthelastrexofSolidar,andtheonewhofoundedthefirstCouncil...”

Iknewalltoowellthosedetailsofhistory,butallIcoulddowaslisten.

Wemadehalfacircuitofthefoyerandreachedthepointwhereitopened,throughthreearchesthatmirroredthoseoftheouterentry,ontothelandingatthebaseofthegrandalabasterstaircaseleadinguptotheCouncilchambers.Fathermarchedrightuptowheretheguardswereposted.Onthepedestalsthatformedthebaseoftherosemarblebalustrade

ofeachsidewereapairofsculptedstatues—awingedmanandawingedwoman.

“Angelias—they’retheworkofthegreatPierryl,PierryltheYounger,thatis.Whatdoyouthinkofthem?”Fatherturnedtome.

“Theworkmanshipisexcellent,sir.”

“They’regreatart,Rhenn,”murmuredmyfather.“Can’t

youseethat?”

“Father...thecarvingisoutstanding,butthey’reridiculous.Thosetinywingswouldn’tliftabuzzard,letaloneachild,andcertainlynotamanorwoman.”Ididn’tmentionthateachwingfeatherhadbeensculptedtoalengthofninedigits,notquitethetenofafullfoot,andthatwingsthatsmallwouldnothavehadindividualfeathers

thatlarge.

Fatherbegantogetredintheface.“Wewillhaveatalklater,youngman.”

“Aseaeaglehaswingsalmostthatbroad,andthelargestweighbuthalfastone.”

“Anangeliaisnotaneagle,”snappedmyfather.

“No,sir.They’remuch

larger,andtheywouldneedfarlargerwingstosupportthemselvesiftheyweretrulytofly.”

“Rhenn!Enough.”

I’dsaidtoomuch,butFather’sopinionsonartwerelimitedbyhisownshortcomingsandlackofunderstanding.Imanagedtoplacatehimwithpleasantinanitiesandagreementsfor

therestofourvisit,consolingmyselfthat,bythenexttimetheChateauwasopentothepeopleofL’Excelsis,IwouldbeapprenticedandstudyingunderMasterCaliostrus.

750A.L.

Inartandinlife,whatisnotportrayedcanbeasavitalaswhatis.

AtbreakfastthatfirstMardi

inJuynIsatneartheendofthelongtable—asusual,becausetheonlyonejuniortomewasStanus,who’djustbecomeanapprentice.Hesatontheothersideandoneplacefarthertowardtheend.Shiennawastomyright,andMarcylwasacrossfromme,withOlavyatohisleftandOstriusonhisfather’sright.

“I’llneedsomegoldsfromthestrongboxafter

breakfast,”CaliostrussaidtohiswifeAlmaya,seatedtohisleft.“Icangetsomeimagers’greenfromRhenius.”

“I’mcertainit’slessdearthanfromApalant.”Hervoicecutlikeaknife.

“You’retheonewhoinsistsonthestrongboxandkeepingallthegoldshere.”

“AfterwhathappenedtomyfatherwhentheBanque

D’Rivagesfailed,andthePharsilenderscametocollect...”

“Iknow.Iknow.”Caliostruslookeddownthelongtable.“Tomorrow,CraftmasterWeidynwillbehereattheeighthglassofthemorning.Hewillbeherefortwoglasses.”

WhatCaliostruswasalsosayingwasthathedidn’t

wantthesittingdisturbed,butwhywouldheaskthatforacraftmaster,ratherthanaHighHolderorafactorius?I’dheardWeidyn’snameatmyparents’table,butcouldn’trecallhisguild.

“Whyisheacraftmaster,Father?”Marcyl’sbigblackeyesfixedonCaliostrus.

“Becausehe’soneofthebestcabinetmakersinallof

L’Excelsis.That’swhy.”

“Itmightbenicetohavesomethingofhis,”suggestedAlmaya.

“Itwouldindeed,butit’slessthanlikely,”repliedMasterCaliostrus.“Asinglesideboardofhis,andthat’dbeoneoftheplainerones,wouldfetchatleastahundredgolds.That’sifitevercameupforsale,buthiswork

neverdoes.Peoplecommissionhimayearinadvance.”

“Theycommissionyouinadvance,dear,”offeredAlmaya.

Despiteherwords,MasterCaliostruswasfortunate,Iknew,ifapatroncommissionedaportraitaseasoninadvance—andpaiduponcompletionanddelivery

oftheframedwork.ThatwasonereasonwhyIwastheonlyjourneymaninthehousehold,besidesOstrius,whowouldsoondoubtlessbecomeajuniormaster,andwhowouldintimeinherithisfather’sstudio.

“Butnotsofarinadvance.Peoplefeelthatcabinetsandsideboardslastlongerthanportraits.Theydonot.Oneonlyhastolookatthe

artworkintheChateauoftheCounciltoseethat.ThechestsandsideboardscommissionedwhenRiodeuxpaintedRexCharynhavelongsincebeenturnedtokindlingandburned,butpeoplestillmarvelattheportrait.”

“Andthebust,”Iadded.

“ThebustisbyPierryltheElderandisfarinferiortothe

portrait,”declaredCaliostrus.“Pierrylandhisson—PierryltheYounger—werediligenthackscomparedtoRiodeux.Sculptorshavebuttoremovestonefromstone.Itistedious,butitismoreacraftthananart.”

I’dheardMasterCaliostrusdeclaimonthatbefore.Tocreatetheimpressionoflifeandlightontheflatsurfaceofacanvasdidtakenotonly

craftsmanshipbutanartisticsense.Nooneeverexpectedabustorastatuetolookalive,butmerelytopresentanaccuraterepresentation,buteveryoneexpectedthebestportraitstobegoodenoughthatthesubjectlookedasthoughhecouldstepoutofthecanvasandresumewhathehadbeendoing.

“Whydotheygetmoregoldsthanyou,Father?”

Marcylpersisted.

“Becausewhatpeoplewillpayforoftenhasnorelationtoitstruevalue.”Caliostrusliftedalargemugoftea,slurpingslightlyashedrank,notthathedidn’tslurpwheneverhedrank.Thenheturnedtome.“Asforyou,Rhennthyl,youalsohaveacommission,farmoremodest,butonemustbeginsomewhere.”

“Sir?”Iinclinedmyhead,asmuchtoconcealmysurpriseasanything.Atlast,afterallthestudies,allthecriticismfromMasterCaliostrus,andalltheglassesspentgrindingandstirringandwatchingsimmeringpotsofoilsandwaxesandsolventsandpigments,IwouldhaveachancetoshowwhatIhadlearnedandcoulddoonacanvasforareal

patron.IthoughtOstriusmightalsohavebeensurprised,sincemostjuniorcommissionswenttohim.

“CraftmasterWeidyn’syoungestdaughterhasneverhadaportrait.She’sbuteight,andIsuggestedyoucoulddocrediblework.”

“WhenwillIstart,sir?”

“Tomorrowaswell.”Caliostrussmiled.“Youwill

havetoworkinherfavoritedollandhercat.”

Thedollcertainlywouldn’tbeaproblem,but,forsomereason,fewcatscaredforme,andthatcouldposeaproblem.“Thecat...?”

“Isuggestedthatthecatbeaddedlater,afteryouhaddesignedthecomposition,butIwantedyoutoknowthatyouwouldhavetoworkin

thecreature.”

“Yes,sir.”

“Iwantseveralpossibleroughdesignsreadyformebytheendoftheday.Oh...sheisaredhead,I’mtold.”

Thatmadeeverythingworse.Aredhead?Theircolorandcomplexionweredifficulttocaptureoncanvaswithoutmakingthemappearwanandpale.Oncemore,

Caliostrushadpresentedmewithsomethinginalightthatseemedfarmorecharitablethanitwasinfact.Aredhead—thatwasjustthesortofportraitwhereanexcellenteffortwouldlookmerelyadequate,andagoodeffortwouldcomeacrossaspoor.ThatwasanotherreasonwhyI’dgottenthecommission,insteadofOstrius.“Iwillmostcertainlyhavemywork

cutoutforme,sir.”

“Nonsense,Rhennthyl.Aportraitisaportrait,andeachcommissionisanopportunity.”

“Yes,sir.”IwouldjusthavetodealwithanotheroneofMasterCaliostrus’snear-insurmountableopportunities,thatandOstrius’sconcealedsmirkfromacrossthetable.Stanusjustlooked

bewildered.

Evenasarecentapprentice,Stanusshouldhaveknowntheproblemsofportrayingredheads.I’dheardthatthosewereevenlessthanthedifficultiesinvolvedinlivingwiththem,butI’dbeenunfortunateenoughindealingwithyoungwomenthatIhadnoexperiencebywhichtojudgesuchastatement.

“Thedesignsbeforedinner,Rhennthyl,remember!”

“Yes,sir.”HowcouldIpossiblyforget?

750A.L.

Themostcriticalarenotthesuccessful,northecomplete

failures,but

thosewhomighthaveachievedsomethingofworth,

saveforsmallbut

crucialfaultswithinthemselves,fortheycan

seldombearthethought

ofhowclosetheycametogreatness.

MistressAeylanaD’Weidyntwitched,thenshiftedherweightinthehigh-backedchair.AfterAeylana’sfirst

sitting,I’daccompaniedAeylanaandherauntbacktotheirhome—ifasmallchateauthreetimesthesizeofmyparents’dwellingandgroundscouldbetermed“home.”WhileattheChateauWeidyn,Ihadnotonlymadeasketchoftheactualchairthatwouldbeintheportrait,butalsomadetheacquaintanceofCharbon—aratheroversizedfelinewith

sleepyyelloweyesandadeepblackcoat—anddoneseveralquicksketchesofhimaswell,onewithAeylanaholdinghim.

AeylanaWeidynwasanythingbutanidealsubject.Evenatageeight,shewaslanky,withbigbonesandhands,frecklesandafairskin,andfineorange-redhairthat,despitethedarkgreenhairband,hadatendencyto

flyinalldirections.Hereyeswereawarmbrownthatsomehowclashedwitheverything,andhereyebrowsweresolightandfinethatshelookedtohavenoneatall.

“Ifyouwouldpleaselookinthedirectionoftheeasel,MistressAeylana?”

“Oh,I’msorry.IwasthinkingaboutCharbon.Hewillbeintheportrait,willhe

not?”

“Yes,hewill.”Infact,IactuallyhadpaintedmuchofCharbon,asifhehadbeensittingerectandregalupontheedgeoftheseatofthechairbesideAeylana.“Heismosthandsome.”

“He’smycat.”

Ihadsomedoubtsaboutanycatbeingapossession,butdidnothavetimetosay

anythingbecause,atthatverymoment,Ostriusopenedthestudiodoorandmarchedovertomyeasel.

HedidnotevenlookinthedirectionofAeylanaWeidyn—orheraunt,whowasaccompanyinghertothesittings.“Rhenn...didyoufinishcompoundingthedeepbrown?”

“No.Therewasn’ttime

beforethesitting.”

“Whenwillyoulearntofinishthings?”hesnapped.

“Iworkedonitallmorning,”Isaidquietly.

“Youdidn’tfinish,andwedon’thaveenoughofthedeepbrown.”

Hedidn’t.Thatwaswhathemeant.“Yourfatherexpectsmetodoasitting

whenthepatronishere.I’llgetbacktoitoncesheleaves.”

“You’dbetter.”Withoutanotherword,hestalkedoff.

Theauntsaidnothing,buthereyesexpressedmorethananywordsshemighthavespokenasshewatchedOstriusclosethestudiodoorwithafirmnessjustshortofslammingit.

“Idon’t—”beganAeylana.

“Thatwillbeall,Aeylana,”theauntsaidfirmly.

“Ifyouwouldpleaselookattheeasel,mistress,”Irepeated.

“Icandothat.”

Shecould.Shejustcouldn’tkeepdoingitforlong.

Ilookedattheleftsideof

herhead,justforwardandabovetheear.Herhairhadbeenaproblem,becauseitwastoobrighttobecapturedfairlybyanyoftheearthenreds,andthemadderredwouldfade,whilevermilionwoulddarkenattheedgeswhereittouchedtheskintones.Calizarinreddidn’tblendwellwiththenaranjeorange,unlessmixedwithatleastalittleofoneofthe

ochres,butI’dworkedinatinymixtureofyellowanddullredochreasabinderbetweenthecalizarinandthenaranje.EvenMasterCaliostrushadnoddedapprovalatthat.

HadOstriusbeenangrynotjustbecauseIdidn’thavethedeepbrownformulatedwhenhewantedit,butbecauseherealizedIcoulddosomethingwiththepigmentsthathe

couldn’t?

Ipushedthatthoughtaway.IfIdidn’tdowellontheoneportraitassignmentIhad,Iwouldn’tgetanotheranytimesoon.IconcentratedonseeingAeylanaasshewas,andonworkingonthehairlinearoundherrightear.

Bythetimetheglasschimedoutfromthenearestanomentower,IthoughtI

hadthatsectionright,andIsmiled,bothatAeylanaandherchaperone.“Twomoresittingsatmost.”

“Good.It’shardtositstillthatlong.”

“Aeylana...”

“Iapologize,sir.”

“IcanrememberwhenIwasyourage,”Isaidwithasmile.

Thatgotmeagiggleinreturn.

Inmoments,thetwohadgatheredthemselvestogetheranddepartedforthecarriagewaitingbelow.Inscarcelylongerthanthat,MasterCaliostrushadenteredthestudio,hisbrowknitinafrown.

“Ostriussaidthatyouhadnotfinishedthedeepbrown

formulationandthatyouwerelessthandeferential...”

“Sir,Iwasmostdeferential.Istarteddirectlyafterbreakfast,MasterCaliostrus,andItooknobreaks,untiljustbeforeMistressAeylanaD’Weidynwasduetoarrive.Youtoldmenevertobelateindealingwithapatron,andIcouldnothavebegunthecompounding

yesterday,sir,becausetherawearthdidnotarriveuntiljustbeforedinnerlastnight.”

“Ah...yes...”Caliostruspaused.“Youwillgettoitrightaway?”

“AssoonasIcleanupbrushesandtrays,sir.”

“Good.”Almostasanafterthought,heglancedatthepartialportrait,hiseyesgoingtowhatIhadpaintedof

thecat.“Youdefinitelyhaveatalentforthecat.Intime,ifyouworkonthat,alongwithotherskills,itmightprove...remunerative.SomeofthewealthierolderwomeninL’Excelsisdodoteon...suchcompanions.”

Hestoppedatthedoorandlookedback.“Don’tbetoolong.Ostriusdoesneedthebrown.”

“Yes,sir.”

IfOstriusneededthebrownsomuch,whywasn’thedownintheshedworkingontheformulation?Or,ifhedidn’twanttogetdirty,hecouldhavetaughtStanushowtodoit.Butthen,thatwasstilldirtyworkandrequiredpatience,bothofwhichOstriusavoidedwheneverpossible.

753A.L.

Mistakinganameforitssubstanceisoneoftherootsofevil;holdingtosubstanceovernamesisasourceof

joy.

Ineverunderstoodwhysomanypeoplemadeafussaboutweddings.IcertainlywonderedthatonceagainasIstoodthereinthegardencourtyardofRemaya’sparents’dwellingbesideRouselaswewaitedforRemayatoappear.

Weddingsaremerelyanaffirmationofwhathas

alreadyhappened.They’renecessaryformostpeople,asaretheringsthatsymbolizethem,becausepublicaffirmationsstrengthenprivatecommitments,butbythetimeoftheceremonythey’reusuallyforegoneconclusions.Ifthey’renot,thereshouldn’tbeaceremony.Aftereightyearsofcourtingandunblemishedaffection,forRouseland

Remayaboththeceremonyandtheringsweremoreforeveryoneelsethanforthem,butthatiscertainlythecaseforalltoomanyceremonies.

Ceremoniescanalsoprovideadifferentkindofclosure.Ihopedthisonewould,becauseIhadbeentheonetofindRemaya,andfrommeshehadfoundRousel.Likewise,afteralltheyearsofdistrustofthoseofaPharsi

background,myparentshadbeenforcedtoacceptRemaya.Howcouldtheyhavenot?ShewasbeautifulandintelligentandlovedRousel,andherparents,whileonlytradespeople,werefarfromimpoverished.Itdidn’thurtthatRouselwasfollowinginFather’sfootstepsasawoolfactor,either.

“Youhavethering?”Like

allbridegrooms,Rouselworeaformalgreenwaistcoat,trimmedindeepbrown,withamatchinggreenneckscarf.

“Righthere.”Ikeptmyvoicelow.

Westoodinfrontoftheleftsideofthearchedcanopyofflowers.Behindit,wearinggreenvestments,wasChoristerOsyrahm.Behindusstoodourfamily,Father

andMotherontheright,thenCulthynandKhethila.Evenwiththem,buttotheright,wereRemaya’sparents,andheroldersisterandtwoyoungerbrothers.

Apairofviolsbegantoplay,indicatingthatRemayahadleftthehouseandwasapproaching,butneitherRouselnorIlookedbackbecausewewerenotsupposedtoseeheruntilshe

stoodbesidehim.Ididhearafewwhisperedcommentsfromthesmallgroupoffamilyandfriendsbehindus,andallwereabouthowbeautifulshelooked,butIknewthatwithoutlooking.I’dknownitfarlongerthanRousel,andwithfarlesseffect.

Beforelong,RemayasteppedupbesideRousel,andtheyexchangedglancesand

smiles.Sheworeawhitegown,alongwiththebride’ssleevelessgreenvest,alsotrimmedinthesamerichbrownasRousel’s.

ChoristerOsyrahmsmiledbeatificallyatbothofthem,thenbegantospeak.“Wearegatheredheretodayincelebrationofthedecisionofamanandawomantojointheirlivesasone.Thenameofaunionbetweenamanand

awomanisnotimportant,norshouldanyoneclaimsuch,forthenameshouldneverovershadowtheunionitself.RouselandRemayahavechoseneachotheraspartnersinlifeandinlove,andweareheretowitnesstheaffirmationofthatchoice.”

Henoddedforthemtostepforwardunderthecanopy,thenwaiteduntiltheystoodunderthearchofflowers.

“Insomuchastheonlytrueandmeaningfulcommitmentsinlifearemadewithoutdeceptionandwithoutreservation,andwithoutarelianceonemptynamesandforms,doyou,Rousel,affirminfullhonestythatyoucommityourbody,yourspirit,andyourfreewilltothiswoman,andthatyouwillputnootherbeforeher,solongasyoubothshall

live?”

“Ido.”

ChoristerOsyrahmthenturnedtoRemayaandrepeatedthesamechargeandvows.

“Ido.”Hervoicewaswarmandhusky.

“Therings,ifyouwill.”

IhandedtheringtoRousel.

Aftertakingthesimplegoldbands,onefromRouselandonefromRemaya,Osyrahmheldthemupsothatallcouldseethembeforeloweringthemandaddressingthecouple.“Theseringsareasymboloflove,forgoldcannotbechanged,norimagedintowhatitisnot.Inexchangingandacceptingtheserings,youhavepledgedthatyourlovewillbeas

unchangingasthegoldofwhichtheyaremade,thatnotyrannyofnamessubstitutingforsubstanceshallevercleaveyouapart,andthatyourloveforeachotherwillendureintimesgoodandevil,throughsicknessandhealth,andindarknessandinlight,solongasyourspiritsendure.”Thenhereturnedtheringstothem.

Remaya,inthePharsi

tradition,wasthefirsttoplaceherring,easingitontoRousel’sfinger.Thenheslippedhisringuponhers.

“Fromtwohavecomeone,andyetthatunityshallenableeachofyoutolivemorejoyfully,morefully,andmoreinharmonywiththatwhichwas,is,andevershallbe.”

Thechoristersteppedback,

andRouselandRemayakissedunderthecanopyoflate-springflowers.

Thentheyturnedandfacedfamilyandfriends.Remaya’ssisterSemahlasteppedforwardandhandedthesmallgreenwickerbasketofflowerpetalstoRousel.Hehelditwhileshescoopedoutahandfulandcastthemforwardandskyward.Thenshetookthebasket,andhe

scatteredhishandful.

Afterthat,theywalkedbacktowardtheroofedsectionofthecourtyard,andSemahlaandIfollowed.

WehadbarelysteppedintotheshadowswhenRemayaturnedbacktome.

“Thankyousomuch,Rhenn.”Remaya’ssmilewasdazzling,butitalwayshadbeen,evenwhenI’dfirstseen

heratthegirls’grammairewhenshe’dbeentwelve.“Withoutyou,IwouldneverhavemetRousel,andneverknownthishappiness,foretoldasitwas.”

Foretold.She’dsaidthatwhenshehadfirstlaideyesonRousel.ThosewiththePharsibloodhavealwaysbeensaidtobeabletoseewhatwillbebeforeitcomestotheireyes.“I’msoglad

everythingworkedoutforyoutwo.”WhatelsecouldIsay?ImanagedawidegrinasIlookedatRousel.“Youheardthat,brother.”

Hegrinnedback.“HowcouldIforget?”

Iloosenedmyownneckscarf,becausethelate-springafternoonwaswarm,evenintheshade,especiallyintheformalwaistcoatand

matchingtrousers.TheywerethefinestI’deverowned,andagiftfromRousel.

He’dbeenkind,andverymatter-of-factaboutit.Whenhe’dgivenittome,made-to-measure,he’dsaid,“I’mtheonewhowantsyoubesideme.You’reanartist,andIcan’taskyoutopurchaseaweddingsuit.Besides,youcankeepitforgoodoccasions.”

I’djustleaveitstoredwithmyparents.Icertainlywouldn’tneedanythingthatfineforanythinginvolvingMasterCaliostrus.

Atthatmoment,everyonesurgedaroundRouselandRemaya,andSemahlaandIsteppedback.I’donlymetSemahlaahandfuloftimes,andshewascertainlybrightandpleasant,ifmoreangularthanheryoungersister.

“Thepastfewdaysmusthavebeencrowded,”Iobserved.

Shelaughed.“Hectic,butfun.EveryonelikesRemaya.She’salwaysbeenthekindone.”

“I’msureyouare,aswell.”

“Itcomesnaturallytoher.Ihavetotry.”

IsupposedIcouldhave

saidthesameaboutRousel,exceptitwouldhavebeenaboutcharm.Hecouldcharmanyone,justbylookingatthem.

Servinggirlsappeared,carryingtrayswithgobletsofsparklinggrisio.IpickedtwogobletsoffatrayandofferedonetoSemahla.

“Thankyou.”Sheinclinedherhead,thentookasip.

SodidI.Thecoolnesshelpedadrythroat.

“Rouselsaidyouareafineartist.”

“Iamanartist.SomedaysIthinkImightsomedaybecomeamasterwithastudio.”

“TheportraityoudidofRemayaislovely.Everyonesaysso.MotherlooksatitandwishesthatRemaya

wouldleaveitwithher.”

“Thankyou.”I’ddonethebestIcould.Ithadbeenmyweddinggifttothem.WhatelsecouldIhavegiven?

“Oh...Remayaneedsme.”Withthat,Semahlaslippedaway.

Thatwasforthebest.I’daboutrunoutofpleasantries,notthatRemaya’sfamilyweren’tgoodpeople.Her

fatherwasaspicebroker,whichplacedhimbetweenafactorandashopkeeper,butmeanthewasstillatradespersonofsorts.Still,fromthehouse,theycertainlyweren’tpoor.

Rouseleasedovertome.“Howareyoudoing?”

“Fine.Howaboutyou?”

Hegrinnedsheepishly.“Ijustwishthedinnerandthe

toastswereallover.”

Icouldunderstandthat.“Youonlyhavetodothisonce.”

“Twice.Onceforme,andonceforyou.Maybethreetimes.Culthynmightwantus.”

“You’reanoptimist.”

“Nowthatyou’vemadejourneyman,youneedtolook

aroundforsomeone,”Rouselsaid.

“I’mnotreadyforthat.Ionlygetmyowncommissionsnowandagain.”Ididn’tpointoutthatIwasn’tasuccessfulfactor’sassistant,becausebothFatherandRouselwouldhavenotedthatithadbeenmychoicenottogointotrade.Butthen,Iwouldhavemadeabotchoftrade.“Besides,itwillbe

almostanotherfiveyearsbeforeIcanevenbeconsideredasamasterportraiturist.Itmightbeyearsbeyondthat.Themastersdon’teasilyapproveothermasters.”

“Youcanstilllook.”

Ihadlooked,andshe’dmarriedRousel.Ijustsmiled.“We’llsee.”

“Rousel!”Thatwas

Remaya.

“Youbettergo.”

“Don’tbetoohardonmewhenyougiveyourtoast.”

“Iwon’t.”AndIwouldn’t.Wedon’tchoosewhereourheartsleadus.

754A.L.

Anartistmustappealtoperception,notaccuracy.

Contrarytopoetryandpopulisms,Avrylisfarfrom

thecruelestmonthoftheten.RatherFeuillytis,foritisinthemonthafterharvestwheneveryonecomestounderstandthatthebountyofnatureandmancouldhavebeenfargreaterthanitwas,nomatterhowmuchbetterthegatheringofgrainandgoldshappenedtobethaninpreviousyears.SoitwasnosurprisetomewhenMasterCaliostrusappearedonthe

twentiethofthatFeuillyt,tostandbehindmyshoulderandpeerattheuncompletedlikenessuponmyeasel.ThetwentiethofeverymonthisaVendrei,ofcourse,whethertheyearis754,asitwas,oranyotheryear.

“That’snotanacceptableportrait,Rhennthyl.”

WithoutFactorMasgaylbeingpresent,I’dbeen

workingonthedetailingofhiscrimsonandgoldbrocadevest,avestthat,forallitsrichness,hadseenbetterdays,notthattheportraitwouldshowthat.“Sir?”

“Youcan’tdothatwiththeeyes.”

“Butthat’sthewaythefactoriuslooks,exactlythewayheappears.”Incautiousasthatstatementwas,coming

asitdidfromajourneymanportraitureartisttohismaster,webothknewthattheportraitwasfarmoreflatteringthantherealityofMasgaylFactorius,oneofthemorejunior,yetleastself-effacing,factorsinthecity.

“Itisnotthewayhelooks,”repliedMasterCaliostrus,“nottohimselfandnottothosewhopatronizehisestablishment,

andnottohisfamily.”

Theproblemwasnotwithmyeyes,butwiththoseofMasterCaliostrus,forhishadbecomeaslavetohisdesiresforinfluentialpatrons,ratherthanlensesofartisticimpartiality.

“Youdonotpaintamanwithdeep-setbeadyeyes,evenifhiseyesareashardandastinyasthoseofa

shrewt,”Caliostruswenton.“Thatis,ifyouwishtoremainaportraitureartistinL’Excelsis.Withoutsatisfiedpatrons,evenifyoubecomeamaster,youwillnotremainlonganartist.Youwillnotbecomeamaster,becauseIcertainlycannotsupportorlendmynametoaportraituristwhoisinsensibletotheself-imagesofhispotentialpatrons.”

“Then,MasterCaliostrus,”Ireplied,gentlysettingmybrushontheedgeoftheoilstray,“howamItocomplywiththedictatesoftheguild?Whatofthegoalofartisticprecision?”

“Artisticprecision,mydearRennthyl,isthegoalofobtainingthepreciseimagethatwillpleasethepatron.YoumostcertainlydidsoinpleasingCraftmasterWeidyn

andyoungMistressWeidyn.Sofar,youalsoseemtobepleasingMistressThelyaD’Scheorzylandherparents.”

IhadbeenabletopleaseMasterWeidynbecausethetruevisageofhisdaughterhadbeenpleasantenoughandbecausehecouldnothavecaredlesshowtruetheportraithadbeensolongashiswifeanddaughterwere

content.ThesamelookedpossiblewithThelya,althoughIhadbarelybegunthatportrait.IcertainlyhadnoproblemwithCaliostrus’slogic,norwithhisdesirestoincreasethegirthofhiswallet.Mydifficultylayelsewhere.“Asartists,dowenothaveaduty,insomefashion,topresentanaccurateandpreciseviewofwhatliesbeforeus?”

Caliostruslaughed,asIknewhewould.“TheonlypeopleinallofSolidarwhoreckontheneedforaprecisionthatgratesuponallsensibilitiesaretheImagersofL’Excelsis.Infact,theymightbetheonlyonesinallofTerahnar.Thatisbecausepowerallowsimpartiality.”

“Soyou’resaying,master,thatifIwanttobeimpartial,Ishouldnotbeaportraiturist,

butanimager?”

“Youdon’tevenwanttotrytobeanimager,Rhennthyl.Renegadeimagers,iftheydomorethanminorimaging,risktheirlives,eveniftheimagersdonotcatchthem.Intheoutlyingdistricts,imagersareconsidereddisciplesoftheNamer,andpeoplebelievetheycreatehiddennamesofruinanddespairwitheach

imagethattheymakereal.Mostofthosewhotrytobecometrueimagersdieyoung,enteringImagislebytheBridgeofHopesanddepartinginacartovertheBridgeofStones.Mostwhodosurvivespendtherestoftheirlivesslavingfortheirmasters,tryingtocreateimagesanddevicesthatneverwereandnevercouldbe—ordyingslowlyastheyfabricate

partsofmachinesforthearmagersoftheCouncil.”

HowwasthatsodifferentfromwhatIdid,handlingtheportraitsforthoseoflesseraffluenceforMasterCaliostrus,mixingpigments,andcombiningoils,powderingcharcoal,andathousandothermundaneandmind-numbingtasks?

“Allyouyoungartiststhink

thatyou,too,couldbegreat....”Caliostruslethiswordsdieawayintosilencebeforepunctuatingthesilencewithasnort.“Greatnessisn’twhatyouthinkitis,Rhennthyl.Becontenttobeaportraiturist.Andfixthoseeyes.”Heturnedawaywithoutanotherutterance.

Mycornerofthelargestudiowastheoneinthesouthwest—wherethelight

washarshestandbrightestandwashedouteverything.Butitdidhaveasinglewindow,onethatwasopenbecausethefallairwascool,butnotcold,and,whileI’dalwayslovedtheuseofoilstocreate,I’dnevermuchcaredfortheodorsofthepaint.Mostartistsdidn’tseemtomind,Isupposed,becausetheyonlycreatedavisualimage,notonethat

embodiedtouchandtasteandscent,althoughtheverybestpaintingscouldevokeasenseofthat.

Fromthefarcorner,Ostriussaid,“He’sright,youknow,Rhenn.Intheend,allthatmattersisreputationandgolds.”Standingbyhiseasel,heheldapaletteknifehehadjustwipedclean.“Thetestofareputationiswhethertheartist’sgoldslastaslongas

helives.”

Thatwaseasyenoughforhimtosay,since,ashisfather’seldest,he’dinheritthestudioandthereputation,notthatthestockyOstriuswasnotacapableportraiturist,forhewas,andhe’djustmademaster,iftacitlyundertheunderstandingthathewouldremainwithinhisfather’sstudioforthenearfuture.He

wasalsoanythingbutartisticallyadventurous.

“Thatobservationisdiscouraging,trueasitmaybe,”Ipointedout.

“Itdoesn’tmakeitlessaccurate.”

ThinkingaboutwhatMasterCaliostrusandhissonhadsaid,beforeIliftedthebrushtogetbacktodetailingthevestofMasgaylFactorius,

Iglancedoutthesecond-levelwindow.Aswithmostartists,MasterCaliostrushadplacedhisworkroomsandstudiosonthesecondlevel,withthegalleryandstoreroomsbelow,andthefamilyquartersabove.FromtheheightsofMartradon,onecouldseeImagisleagoodthreemillestothewest,agraniteshippointedupstreamintheRiverAluse,itsmasts

thetwintowersoftheCollegiumImago.Fromthatdistancethethreebridgeslookedasslenderashawsersmooringthatshiptothecitythatsurroundedit.

754A.L.

Theworldanditspartsareastheyare;accuracyisatermmanappliestohissmall

creations.

AtpreciselyoneglassbeforenoononLundi,MasgaylFactoriusarrivedatthesecond-floordoortoMasterCaliostrus’sstudio.Ihadbarelygottentheremyself,afterwashingup,becauseI’dbeenworkingongrindingpigmentstockintheshedintherearcourtyard,andtheBelishanpurplehadbeenmorethandifficulttogetoffmyfingersandfromunder

mynails.Ihadtogrindandmixthepigments—orthoserequiringgreatercare—notonlyformyselfandMasterCaliostrus,butalsoforOstrius,whocertainlycouldn’tbebotheredwithsuch,andStanus,whoseemedunwillingtolearnanythingofanygreatdifficulty.

Myfingerswerenumb,ofcourse,becauseMaster

Caliostrusdidn’tbelieveinspendingcoppersoncoalforheatingwashwaterforapprenticesorjourneymen,atleastnotuntiltheturnofwinter.Yetathoroughwashingwasnecessary,becausethepurplecouldpervadeanythingelseItouched,andIdidn’twanttospoiltheportraitoroneofthesmallerstudiesIwasworkingontoenterintheannual

journeyman’sfestivalinIanus,barelymorethanamonthaway.

“Goodmorning,honoredfactorius.”Iheldthestudiodoorforhimasheeasedhisbulkpastme.

“Goodday,suchasitis.”Heforcedasmile.“Beforewestart,letmeseewhatyouhavethere,youngRhenn.”

Iclosedtheheavyoakdoor

andfollowedtheheavysetfactoriustotheeaselinmycornerofthestudio.Hestoodbeforetheeasel,thenbrushedbackhisthickandoilygrayhairandnodded.Ihadwidenedtheeyespacingjustatouch,aswellaslightenedtheskinbeneaththeeyesashadeorso.Thatwouldreducetheirapparentbeadiness.

“Notsoflatteringasone

mightwish,butaccurate,andadequate.Youdohaveanexcellenttouchonthevest,aswellasthefabricofthechair—evenifIdidbringyouasample.”Heturnedandmovedtowardthefarplainerchairinwhichhesatforme,takingoffhissilver-trimmedtravelingcloaktorevealthevestandjacketmatchingthoseintheportrait.“ButmydaughterinsistedthatIbe

depictedinachairidentifiableasmine.Daughtersareaman’sjoyandtrouble.Sonsaremerelytrouble.”

“Wedoourbesttobemorethanadequate,sir.”

Masgayllaughed,asoundcomprisedofacertainemptinessaswellasamusementandrue.“You’remorethanadequate,young

Rhenn,andadequateismorethansufficient.NowthatIamafactorius,itwillnotdothatmyfoyeriswithoutaportrait,butonebyaproclaimedmasterwouldonlydeclaremyarrogance.No...modestysuitsmefarbetter,andIwillgetagoodworkfromyouatalowercostthanfromyourmaster,andyouwillgaininreputationasothersseeyourwork.”He

settledintothechair.

Iadjustedtheeasel.“Youdonotfearthattheywillsayyouhavenointerestingreatart,sir?”

“Whattheysayandhowtheywillactarenotthesame.Theywillactonthepricesofmygoods,notuponmyappreciationofart.Besides,artisnomorethanacraft,onethattakestalent,thereis

littlepointindenyingthat,butacraftnonetheless...”

AsIworkedtogetthesquintinhiseyesbetter,andcatchthelittlecreasethatranabovethemainonethanextendedfromhislefteyeupwardforjustafractionofaspan,Ifoundmyselfthinkingaboutthefactorius’spointthatartwasbutacraft.Couldeverythingbereducedtolittlemorethanacraft,asetof

skillsthatthosewithtalentanddeterminationcouldmaster?Mybrushalmostwavered,andIpushedawaythethoughts.Forthemoment,theportraitcamefirst.

IhadbutworkedlessthanhalfaglasswhenthestudiodooropenedandMasterCaliostrusentered,carefullycarryingacanvas.Achillbreezesweptintothestudio,andwiththewindcame

Stanus,luggingthemaster’stravelingcasewithitspaints,oils,solvents,andbrushes.CaliostrusletStanuspass,thensetthecanvasonthenearestemptyeaselbeforeclosingthedoor.Heturnedandinclinedhisheadtotheropefactor.“Greetings,factorius.Ihadheardthatyounowhaveanewdevicefortwistingandbraidingcablefordeep-seavessels.”

“I’vehaditfortwoyears.ThedemandissogreatIhavejustcompletedinstallingasecond.”

“ThatmusthavebeenwhatIheard.Peoplearetalking.”

Masgaylsnorted.“Theyalwaystalk.Onlyimagersnevertalk.Theydon’tneedto.Andartistsandportraituristsshouldn’tsaymuch,butlettheirwork

speakforthem.”

“Wedotry,honoredfactorius.Whenyouarefinishedwithtoday’ssitting,wouldyouliketoseetheworkIamdoingforthedaughterofImagerHeisbyl?”

“Iamcertainitshowsanexcellentlyattractivewoman.Whetherornotitresemblestheladymightwellbeanotherquestion.”

Ialmostmissedabrushstrokeatthosewords.

“AllmyworkresemblesthosewhomIportray,mosthonoredMasgayl.”

“Oh...I’mquiteassuredthatitdoes,perhapsontheirbestdaysinthebestpossiblelight.”Thefactoriusofferedanironiclaugh.“Yourjourneymandoesyoucredit,Caliostrus.”

AfterwhatMasgaylhadjustsaid,Iwasn’tcertainthatIwantedthatcredit,butIsaidnothingandswitchedmyconcentrationtothedrapeandtheplayofthelightontherightlowersleeveofthefactor’sbastognan-brownjacket.Therewassomethingthere.Icouldseeit...

Then,itwasthereonthecanvas,justasIhadvisualizedit,butIwasn’t

awarethatI’dactuallypaintedit.Still,thebrushstrokeswerethere,ifatouchmoreprecisethanusual,morethewayIwishedtheywerethantheysometimeswere.

“Hehastalentandpromise,honoredfactorius,and,ifhecontinuestolisten,”Caliostrusaddedwithatouchofasperity,“hemightevenhavemorecommissionssuch

asyours.”

Thatwasanot-so-veiledreferencetoMasgayl’sbeadyeyes,andIattemptedtoworkonthesmallerleftsectionofthesleeve,tryingtogetthefallofthelightandthecreasesjustright.

“Hemightindeed,”agreedthefactoriuspolitely.“Isthattheportraityoumentioned,theoneyouputontheeasel?”

“Itisindeed.Itisasofthemomentmostincomplete,”CaliostrussaidbeforeliftingthecanvasandcarryingtowhereMasgaylcouldseeit.

“Ah,yes,”noddedtheropefactor,“amostflatteringimage,butonecertainlyrecognizableastheyoungerMistressHeisbyl.”

“I’mgladthatyoufinditso.”Caliostrus’swordswere

strained.

“Don’tmindme,masterportraiturist.I’mcynicalaboutfartoomuchinlife.I’drathermakecablesforships,butIalsoprovideropeforthegaolersinatthePoignardPrison.Weallhaveaspectsofwhatwedothatwecoulddowithout.”

MasterCaliostrusretreatedwiththeportrait.Oncehehad

placeditonhisworkingeasel,hemotionedforStanustoleaveandthenfollowed,inclininghisheadtothefactorjustbeforeheopenedthestudiodoor.“Untillater,honoredfactorius.”

“Untillater.”

Oncethedoorclosed,Iwentbacktoworkingontheareaaroundthefactor’seyes.Caliostrushadbeenright

aboutonething—theeyeswerecentraltoshowingatruelikeness.

WhenMasgaylfinallyroseattheendoftheglass,hestretched,thenbegantodonhiscloak,whichevenhemightneedagainstawindthatwasmoreindicativeofthewintergustsofIanusthanreminiscentofthepleasantharvestbreezesofErntyn.

“YoungRhenn,youaremostunusualforaportraiturist,evenforajourneyman.”Masgaylsmiledcourteously,butforthefirsttime,Icouldsenseaferocitybehindthesmile.“Theadvantageofcommerceisthatonecanbeaccurateandprosper.Doingsoisfarmore...difficult...whenone’scraftdependsonpleasingtheperceptionsofthosewhopay.

Beforelong,youwilldoubtlesshavetochoosebetweenaccuracyandperception...ifyouhavenotalreadydoneso.”

“Sir.”Ijustinclinedmyheadpolitely.TherewaslittleIcouldorshouldhavesaid,notgivenmyposition.

Hesmiledagain,asifhehadmadeajest,thenturnedandleftthestudio.Fora

moment,Ijuststoodwiththechillwindofthecomingwintergustingpastme.

755A.L.

Thosewhowouldjudgeaworkofartrevealmoreofthemselvesthanoftheartistundertheirscrutinyorofhis

work.

Forsomereason,SamedimorningsinIanusseemedcolderthanotherwintermornings.Theceramicstoveinthecenterofthestudiodidradiatewarmth,butthewindowpanessuckedthatheatoutoftheroom.Thecornerwindowsandthoseattheotherendofthestudiowerecoveredwiththick

hangings,butnottheothers,becauseIneededasmuchlightasIcouldgetinordertopaintthegirlseatedonthechair.

“MistressThelya...ifyouwouldpleasekeeplookingtowardthevaseonthattable...that’sit.”

Hergovernessrefrainedfromutteringaword.

“Yes,MasterRhennthyl.”

Ididn’tcorrectherthistime.Therewasn’tanypointtoit.MistressThelyaD’Scheorzylwasallofnineyearsold.Shewassweetandhadthemannersofamucholdergirl,thankfully,andtheattentionspanofagnat,not-so-thankfully.Shestrokedthecatinherarmsgently.Thecathadyellow-greeneyesandalongsilkywhitecoatwithtortoiseshellaccents.

GiventhatThelya’smotherhadinsistedthatherdaughterbepaintedinasilver-graydress,I’dhadtofindablue-gray-shadedpillowonwhichthecatcouldrestinordertogetenoughcontrastbetweenthecat’scoat,Thelya’spalecomplexion,andthedress.Evenso,I’dhadtochangetheshadeofthepillowintheportraittogetthosecolorsandcontrastssothatthey

enhancedherprettinessratherthanclashedwithit.Istillworriedabouttheeyes...therewassomethingthereIdidn’thavequitethewayitshouldbe.

“You’llmakeRemsilookgood,won’tyou?”

“YouandRemsiwilllookgoodtogether,”Ireplied,workingonThelya’sjawline.

Insomeways,depicting

hercat,theratherlanguorousRemsi,wastheeasiestpartofthecommission,becauseRemsiwasalmosttotallywhitewiththeexceptionoftortoiseshellpaws,tail,andears.

Thejawlinestillwasn’tquitethewayIwantedit.IlookedtoThelya,fixingthesideofherfaceinmymind,thenatthecanvas,andthebrushstrokes.Theoilsonthe

canvasshimmered,thenshifted,eversoslightly.Thebrushstrokeswerestillmine,butthejawlinewascleaner—andright.I’donlybeenabletodothatrecently,butIknewwhatIwasdoingborderedonimaging.Yetitwasonlywithoils,anditwascleanerandfasterthanscrapingandrepaintingandcertainlybetterthanoverpainting.Forallthat,Iwasn’tabouttotryit

often,onlywhenIhadaveryclearimageinmymind—anddefinitelynotwhenMasterCaliostruswasaround.

Iworkedtogettherestoftheleftsideofherfacefinishedbeforethetenbellsofnoonchimed—andmanagedtodosoaswellasfinishthecat’sfaceaswell,settingdownthebrushjustasthefirstbellrang.

“CanIsee?”askedThelya,scamperingoffthechair,butstillholdingthecat.

“Westillneedtwomoresittings,”Isaidtothegoverness.

“Then...nextMardiafternoon,atthethirdglassoftheafternoon,andnextSamedi,attheninthglassofmorning.”Shenoddedbrusquely.

Thelyascurriedpastmetolookatthecanvas.“That’sRemsi!Itlooksjustlikeher.”

Iforboretomentionthatwasthepointofaportraitandjustsmiled.

OnceIsawthemoff,Iputinanotherglassofworkondetailsfortheportraitthatdidnotrequiretheirpresence.IusedwhatlittleoftheoilsIhadleftonasmallwork,a

stilllife,whichIcouldnotdoforhireorsale,butonlyforopenexhibitattheannualfestival—theonlyvenuewhereanartistcouldexhibitorselloutofhisdiscipline—althoughitwouldbenextyear’sfestival,sincethefinaljudgingonthisyear’ssubmissionswouldbelaterintheevening.

Notmorethanaquarterofaglasshadpassed,justafter

I’dfinishedcleaningthefine-tippedbrushthatwasmyown,whenMasterCaliostrusenteredthestudio.“Don’tforgettobankthestovebeforeyouleave.I’llnotbeusingthestudiothisafternoon.NorwillOstrius.”

Ofcourse,themosthonoredheirandjuniormasterwouldn’tbeworkingonaSamediafternoon.“I’lltakecareofit,sir.”

“WhenwillyoufinishtheMistressScheorzylportrait,Rhennthyl?”

“Twomoresittingsandthenafewdaysoffineworkafterthat,MasterCaliostrus.She’llbehereonMardiandnextSamedi.”

“Isupposethedelaycan’tbehelped.”

“Herparentshavelimitedthesittingstoonceaweek,

andnomorethanaglassatime.”

Heextendedathinclothbag.“FactorMasgaylfinallypaidfortheportrait,andhere’syourshare,Rhennthyl.Gooutandcelebrate.”

Ieasedthecoinsfromthebag—eightsilvers.IjustlookedatCaliostrus.

“Halfofthefeegoestothemasteroutright.Youknow

that.Thentherearethecostsfortheframingandcanvas,nottomentionthepigmentsandoils.Therewasthatonebrushyouforgottoclean,andreplacingitwastwosilvers.”

“Yes,sir.Thankyou,sir.”AllIcoulddowasnodandagree.MasgaylFactoriushadpaidfivegoldsfortheportraitI’ddone,andoutofthatI’dgotteneightsilvers.Notonlythat,butIknewhe’dpaid

CaliostrusonLundi,andCaliostrushadwaitedalmostaweektopayme.Chargingmeforthebrushwasmostlyfair.Mostly.I’dmislaiditwhenCaliostrushaddraggedmeawayfromcleaningforsomechorehe’dthoughtimportantandIcouldn’tevenrecall.Andithadbeenanoldbrush.Itseemedtomethatafterpaintingportraitsforclosetothreeyears,while

stilldoingalmostallthechoresforthestudio,Ioughttobereceivingmorethanonepartinfiveofthecommission,especiallysinceIreceivednothingelseexceptroom,board,andtraining.

BothFactorMasgaylandFactorScheorzylhadcomeseekingmywork,notthatofMasterCaliostrus.Yet...eventhoughIdidmybesttosavemycoins,Icertainlydid

nothaveenoughtoopenmyownstudio—andthatdidnotincludethetengoldsnecessaryforthebondtobepostedwiththeArtists’Guild,nottomentionMasterCaliostrus’srecommendationandtheconcurrenceofthePortraitureGuild.

“Don’tforgetthestove,Rhennthyl,”Caliostrusaddedbeforeheleft,climbingthestepsuptothefamily

quarters.

Afterfinishingmycleanupandwashingup,lateronSamediafternoonImademywaydowntowardtheFestivalHall,walkingoutBrayerLanetoNorthMiddleandthensouthwestontheMidroad.

IstoppedatLapinina.Ididdeserveabitofatreat.Itwaslittlemorethanatinybistro,

tuckedbetweenacoppersmith’sononesideandacooper’sontheother,onthesoutheastsideofGuildSquare,betweenMidroadandSudroad,justalittleplacewiththreewindowsandahalfscoreoftinytables.Buttheyknewme.

Atraceofrimeiceclungtotheouterdoorframe,butwhenIopenedthedoorandsteppedinside,carefulto

closeitquickly,thewarmthandsmellsofcooking—garlic,bakedbread,roastedfowl—enfoldedme.Allthetablesweretaken.Theyusuallywere.

“Rhenn!Overhere!”Atthesmallestofthetables,squeezedinbesidethebrickcasementseparatingtwowindows,satRogaris.Nooneelsehadsuchanelegantblackspadebeard,especiallynot

anotherjourneymanartist,butIsupposedthatcamefromworkinginthestudioofJacquerl,oneofthemostesteemedofportraituristsinL’Excelsis.

ThetablewhereRogarissatwassosmallthatonthesideacrossfromhimwasonlyastool.Itwasempty,andIeasedontoit.“Thankyou.”

“You’vedonethesamefor

memorethanafewtimes.”Hegrinned,thenraisedhismug.Icouldseethefaintsteamofthehotspicedwine.

“Whatwillyouhave,Rhenn?”askedStaela,thewifeofRuscol,whoownedLapinina.

“Thespecialfriedhamcroissantandthebetterspicedhotwine.”

“That’llbehalfasilver.”

Iextractedthefivecoppersfrommywalletandhandedthemover—andshewasgone.

“Whatareyoudoinghere?”Iasked.

“Gettingwarm.Iwasoverattheexhibit.Isawyourstudy.Youdidn’tenteraportrait?”

Ishookmyhead.“Iwantedtotrysomethingelse.”Isaw

nopointinpaintingaportraitforwhichIwouldlikelynotgetpaid.Itwasbettertotrysomethingelseandstretchmyabilities.

Staelareappearedandsetthehotwineonthetableinpassing.Icuppedmyhandsaroundthemug,lettingtheheatwarmchillfingers,beforeItookafirstsip.ThenIhelditatchinlevelandletthewarmthcomingfromthe

mugcaressmyface.

“Coldoutthere,evenformid-Ianus,”observedRogaris.

“Coldenough,”Iadmitted.“AreyougoingbackovertotheFestivalHall?”

Rogarisshookhishead.“MasterJacquerlsaidtherewasn’tmuchpointinmyenteringanystudiesthisyear.”Hesmiled.“Besides,

Aemalyehasthenightoff,andthegoverness’squarterstoherself.”Hestoodalastswallowfromhismug,thensetitonthetable.

“Thatsoundspromising.”

“Mostpromising.We’resavingforthebondtoopenmyownstudio,andwe’llwedonceImakemaster,ayearfromthiscomingAgostos.”Rogarisstood.

“Untillater,Rhenn,andbestoffortunethisevening.”

“Thankyou.”Islippedaroundthetableandtookthenarrowchair,justbeforeStaelareturnedwiththechippedbrowncrockeryplatteronwhichwasmycroissant,alongwiththreefatrice-friesdrizzledwithbalsamicvinegar.

“Eathearty,”offeredStaela

asshehurriedaway.

Itookasmallbite.Iwasn’tinanyhurry.Thejudgingresultswouldn’tbeannounceduntilthesixthglass,andthebellsofthefifthglasshadn’tyetrung.Icouldn’thelpbutthinkaboutRogaris.HewaslessthanthreeyearsolderthanIwas.Icouldn’tconceiveofbeingmarriedsoon,notaftergrowingupwithRousel,and

thenKhethilaandCulthyn.

Isavoredthegolden-brownfriedhamcroissant,alternatingwithbitesfromthecrunchyfriedstickyrice.ThenIsatatthetinytableandsippedthewarmwinterwine,enjoyingthemeldedtasteofwineandspices—cinnamon,cloves,andshaeric.

Eventually,Ifinally

finishedthelastofthewinterwine,asmuchbecauseStaelakeptglaringatmeasbecauseIwasinanyhaste,androse,leavingacopperforherandmakingmywaybackoutintothecoldandacrossthetightlysetpavingstonesoftheavenuetothesquareitself.FestivalHalldominatedtheGuildSquare.Properlyspeaking,theyweretheArtisans’FestivalHalland

theArtisans’GuildSquare.Eachofthefourmainartisans’guildshadawingofthebuilding,andinthecenterwastheFestivalHallproper.Thenorthwingwastheprovinceofthemasons’,stonemasons’,andsculptors’guilds;thewestwingwasthatofthecabinetmakers’andwoodcrafters’guilds;thesouthwingbelongedtothevariousrepresentativeartists’

guilds,includingtheportraiturists’guild;andtheeastwingwasthatoftheglassblowers’andvariousmetalcrafters’guilds.

Theguildwingswereclosedandlocked,andIenteredthehallthroughthedoorbetweentheeastandthesouthwing,noddingattheguardingrayjustinside.Thefourhugeceramicstoves—oneforeachwing,soto

speak—keptmybreathfromsteaming,butthecavernousspacewascoldenoughthatIwasn’tabouttoloosenmyjacket.

Thedisplayworkswerehungbyguild,andIwalkedtowhereminehadbeenplaced,onthefarleftendofthosesubmitted,oneofthree—outofnineteen—thatdidn’thaveaportraitcomponent.Mypainting—a

study,really—depictedachessboardseenfromanangle.Inadditiontothepiecesstillinplay,onecouldseetwogobletsofwine,oneoneachendoftheboard.Thegobletattheendwiththefewestpiecestakenofftheboardwasmorethanhalffullandheldadarkredwine,aclaretalmostasblackasthepiecesbesideit.Onthewhiteendoftheboard,thegoblet

heldbutatraceofwhitewine,agrisio,inmymind.Thewhiteimagerhadbeenlaidonitsside,signifyingresignation,becauseinthreemoves,blackwouldhavewonbycheckmate.

AsIsteppedback,someonecoughed,politely,andIturned.

Atallfigure,wearingasoliddarkgreenwoolencoat

andscuffedbutsturdybrownboots,lookedatme.Hisfacewasthin,accentuatedbyawispywhitegoateeandhighcheekbones.Hiseyeslookedtobewaterygrayinthefadinglightthatsiftedthroughthehighclerestorywindows.Onlyhalfthebrasswalllanternshadbeenlit,butthelamplighterwasmakinghiswayaroundtheouterwallsofthehall.“Ah...

you’dbeRhennthyl,youngCaliostrus’sjourneyman.”

“I’mRhenn.”YoungCaliostrus?Hewasolderthanmyownfather,ifnotbymuch.

“Goodworkthere.Itwon’twin,though.”

“Whydoyousaythat?”Ihadmyownideas,butIwantedtohearwhattheoldartisanmightoffer—ifhewas

anartisanatall.

“It’sunderstated.Symbolic,too,andthesymbolistheonethatnoonewantstoface.”

“Defeat?Asetback?ThefavoroftheNamer?”Likeitornot,weallfacedsetbacks,soonerorlater.

“No...beingforcedtoresigninthefaceofsuperiorability.Don’tyouknowthat’s

thegreatestfearofanyartist?It’snotthefearofdeath,butthefearofbeingforcedtoadmitsomeoneelseisbetter.ThemarkoftheNamerisnothingcomparedtothat.”Theoldartisanlaughed.“You’llsee,youngfellow.Thatyouwill.”Thenheturnedandwalkedaway.

Icouldn’tsaythatIdisagreedwithhiswords,butwhyhadheevenbotheredto

speaktome?Andwhowashe?

Arotundmanwalkedtowardme,andittookamomenttorecognizeMasterEstafen.I’dbeenintroducedtohimoncebefore,andI’dseenhimfromadistanceuponseveraloccasions.Ididn’tknowanyofhisjourneymenorapprentices,buthehadseveralofeach,andperhapsthemost

successfulportraitstudioinL’Excelsis,withthepossibleexceptionofJacquerl.Althoughthejudgeswereneverrevealed,Iwonderedifhemightbeoneofthem.

Iinclinedmyheadinrespect.“MasterEstafen.”

“JourneymanRhennthyl.IsawoldGrisariustalkingtoyou.”

“Wasthatwhoitwas?”

“Oh...Grisariusisjustthenameeveryonecallshim.Once,hewasEmanusD’Arte,andconsideredoneofthebestportraituristsinL’Excelsis.ButhedidaseascapeofabeachnearErlescue.Nothingwrongwiththat,solongashedidn’tsellit.Henotonlysoldit,buthesoldittooneofthemasterimagers,aMaitreD’Esprit,noless,andthentold

everyone.”MasterEstafenshrugged.“Afterthat,theguildhadnochoice.Hewasexpelled.Hehadenoughputby,Iguess,tokeepsomeroomsofftheBoulevardD’Imagers.Hecomeseveryyeartolookattheworksenteredbythejourneymen.”

“Ithoughthemightbeanartisanofsomesort,but...”

“Hewasoneofthe

greatest,but,likemanywhoaregreatorclosetogreatness,hethoughthewasabovetherulesthatgovernaguild.Oracity.”Hepaused,thenadded,“Oraland.”

“Rulesarenecessary,”Iadmitted.

“Isawyourwork,Rhennthyl.Itisgood.Youcouldbeanoutstandingportraiturist.Donotmakelife

harderforyourselfthanithastobe.Agoodartisthasenoughdifficultybecomingbothgreatandsecureinhisposition.”

“Yes,sir.”Inoddedmostpolitely.

Withawarmsmilewhosedepthwasmorethanalittlesuspecttome,MasterEstafennoddedandmovedaway.

Inturn,Inoddedtosome

oftheotherjourneymenwalkingaround.Be-liuswasalandscapeartist,buthisstudiesweretoogray.Morgadhadapiecethatwasn’tbad,butitwasaportraitofanoldermanthatsuggestedbothcorpulenceandgreed,andaccurateasitwas,Idoubteditwouldbeconsideredforanaward.Aurelean,asalways,struttedaroundandavoidedmingling

withanyonewhotoiledforoneofthe“lesser”masters,suchasCaliostrus,eventhoughhismaster,Kocteault,wasn’talwaysconsideredamongthe“greater.”

Ontheotherhand,Elphens,whowasbyfarthebest-dressedandmoststylishofallthejourneymen,smiledbroadlyandinsincerelyandevenspoke.“It’sgoodtoseeyou,Rhenn.Ienjoyedyour

studypiece.Itwasmostthought-provoking.”

“Thankyou.Yourgardensweremostintriguing.”ThatwasthebestIcoulddo.

Beforelong,Arasmes,thescrivenerforthePortraitureGuild,steppedupbeforethemiddleofthedisplayedworks.Hedidn’tshoutoryell.Hejustwaiteduntilthehandfulofjourneymen

standingaroundstoppedtalkingandlookedinhisdirection.Iremainedwellintheback,intheshadows,doubtingmyworkwouldbeconsidered,buthopingnonetheless.

“Thejudgeshavedecidedontheprizesforthisyear’sjourneymancompetition.”Arasmestookalongpause,thenannounced,“Secondrecognition—andtheprizeof

twogolds—goestoAureleanD’KocteaultforhisportraitofMistressKarlanaD’Kocteault.Thejudgeswouldnotethatthisstudyisafineexampleofatraditionalportrait.”

Ihadtoagree.Itwasindeedanexampleoftradition.Therewasn’tasingleitemoforiginalityortrueartistryanywhere,andIhadn’tseenanoriginal

brushstrokeintheentirepainting.Itdidn’thurtthatMasterKocteaultwasthepreviousguildmasterofthePortraitureGuildandthattheportraithadbeenaflatteringimageofKocteault’selderdaughter,whodidnotlookanywherenearsofairasAureleanhaddepictedher.

“FirstrecognitiongoestoElphensD’Rhenius,alongwiththeprizeoffivegolds.

ThejudgeswouldliketocommendjourneymanElphensforhiscreativeuseoflightinhisstudyofthelowergardensonCouncilHill.”

Imanagednottosnort.Creativeuseoflightwasappropriate—sincetheindirectlighthe’ddepictedinhisviewofthegardensthroughafallmistwouldhaverequiredthesuntobein

threeplaces—orthattherebethreesunsinthesky.ButElphenswasthejourneymanforMasterRheniusD’Arte,consideredbysomeasanequalofEstafenorJacquerl.

ForallthatIhadexpectedsomethinglikethat,thewalkbacktoMasterCaliostrus’sinthechillandthedarkwaslessthanpleasant.Thewindhadpickedup,andtinyflakesoficepeltedmyexposedface,

head,andneck.Manyofthelanternsoutsidedoorshadblownout,andwiththestormabove,theraysofneithermoonpenetratedthecloudstoofferlight.

WhenIfinallyreachedmysmallroom,myfeetwereclosetonumb,andIcouldnotfeelthetipofmynose.Evenasajourneyman,myquarterswereonthestreetlevel,betweenthestorerooms

andthegallery,wherethenoises,theodors,andthecoldwerealwaysthegreatest.Ittookmetwotriestoslidethedoorboltintoplace.MyfingersweresocoldthatIhadtofumblewiththestrikerforseveralmomentsbeforeIfinallylitthesmalllamponthechest.

Ipulledoffshoesthatwerebothcoldanddamp,undresseddowntomy

drawersquickly,hungmyshirtandtrousersonthepegsbesidethetallandnarrowchest,thenwickeddownthelampandblewoutthelastflickerofflamebeforeclamberingintobed.Fortunately,whenI’dlefthometoapprenticetoMasterCaliostrus,Fatherhadsentmeoffwithheavyblanketsandevenanoldbutserviceablecomforter.

Occasionally,whenIvisited,Motherslippedmesilvers,remindingmethattheycamefromFather,butthathewastooproudtohandthemtomepersonally.Ihadthefeelingshewastellingthetruthaboutthat.

AsIlaythereinthecoldinmynarrowbed,slowlywarmingup,Itriednottothinktoohardaboutthepatentunfairnessofthe

FestivalHalljudging.I’dknownitwouldn’tbeanydifferentfromwhathadhappened,becauseithadbeenthatwayforthepreviousyears,eversinceI’dfirstbeenanapprentice.Eveninthechillofmychamber,beforelongIwasmorethanwarmenough,eveninthedepthsofacoldIanus,andeventually,Idriftedofftosleep.

Iwokesomewhereinthedarkness,soblackthatIcouldseenothing.Hadthefreezingflakesofthenightbeforepiledupsohighthattheyhadcoveredandblockedalllightfrommysinglenarrowwindow?Ifeltaround,butmyblanketsandcomforterweregone,notthatIfeltcold,andIsatup,onlytodiscoverthatI’dbeenlyingonabenchofsomesort.

Howcouldthathavebeen?WherewasI?Whywasitsodark?IknewI’dgonetosleepinmyownbed.Ineededlight.Ineededalamp,onethatwaslit!

Suddenly,therewaslight,andIwasbackundermyblankets,peeringatthebrightglowofthelamponthechestacrossfromthebed.Ijustlookedatitforalongmoment,thentothedoor,but

theboltwasstillinplace.Thewindowhangingswerealsoshut.

IknewI’dblownoutthelamp.I’devencheckedit,andI’dneverturnedthewickupthathighbecauseitburnedoiltooquickly.WasIdreaming?

Gingerly,Ieasedoutfromunderthenow-warmblanketsandcomforter.Thechill,especiallyfromtheancient

coldtilesonmybarefeet,assuredmethatIwasawakeasIcrossedtheshortdistancetothechest.Thetopmostpartofthelampmantlewasnotthatwarm,butthelamphadbeenwickedup.

HadIlititinmysleep?

Thechillofthefloortilescertainlywouldhaveawakenedme.I’dbeendreamingaboutneedinglight,

needingalamp,butjustdreamingaboutlightdidn’tlightlamps.ImadesureIwickeddownthelampbeforeblowingitoutandhurryingbackundermyblankets.ThenIwatchedthelamp,butitdidnotlightitself.

Again,Islept.

755A.L.

Realityisanillusionbasedontheunderstandingofthe

perceiver.

Thewalktomyparents’

dwellingfeltevenfartherthantotheGuildSquare,althoughthedistancewasaboutthesame,exceptIhadtowalkeast,ratherthansouth,butthatmighthavebeenbecauseSolayiwasevencolderthanSamedihadbeen,withawindthathowledandsuckedeverybitofheatoutthepavingstonesandbuildingsalongtheMidroad.Theangledpalewhitelightof

thesun,eveninmidafternoon,seemedtoradiatechillratherthanwarmth.Ifinallythumpedthebronzeknockeronthedoor,andNellica,thenewservant,openedthedoor.AsIhandedhermycoatandscarf,Iwasmorethanhappytobeoutofthecold.

Motherscurriedintothefoyer.“You’relookingwell,Rhenn,ifabitchilled.”She

wrappedherarmsaroundmeforamoment.“Comeinandwarmyourselfbytheparlorstove.”

Ididn’tneedasecondinvitationandfollowedherthroughtheleftarchwayandintothefamilyparlor,nottheformalparlor.

Khethilawascurleduponthecornerofthesetteeclosesttothelargeceramicstove,a

thinbookinherhand.Shelookedupandsmiled.“Rhenn!”

“Khethila.”Ieasedaroundtoputmybacktothestove.“Whatareyoureading?”

“MadameD’Shendael’sPoeticDiscourse.”

I’dheardofher.ShehadgatheredagroupofHighHolders’wivesandevensomeassistantstotheCouncil

tohereveningsalon,whereallmanneroftopicswerediscussed,manyofwhichreputedlysuggestedacertainlackofprudenceindealingwiththeCouncil.“She’srathercontroversial,isn’tshe?”

“Shedoesaskquestions.Lotsofthem.”

“Suchas?”

Khethilaboundedtoher

feet,thebookstillinhand.“Listentothis.”Sheclearedherthroatandbegantoreadinahuskyvoicethatremindedmethatshewasnolongerachild.

“Athearth,inbed,withfeetnearbare,

agreewith

smiledemureandfair,

ourposition’shome;isthatwhere

ourspirits,ourrole,andplacedeclare?”

Justatthatpoint,Father

steppedintotheparlorthroughthedoorwayfromthelowerstudy.“You’renotreadingthattrashagain,areyou,Khethila?”Hiseyesflashed,andIcouldsensehewasevenmoreangrythanhe’dbeenwhenI’dtoldhimI’dneverbeafactor.

“She’sonlytellingRhennwhat’sinthebook,dear.”MothershotawarningglancetoKhethila,beforestepping

forwardandtakingFather’shands.“Besides,wedon’tgetRhennherethatoftenanymore,andwe’dalllikeapleasantdinner.”

FatherglaredatKhethila,andsheloweredhereyes,butherjawwasfirm.

“LetmehaveNellicabringyouyourwine,”Mothercontinued.“WouldyoulikesomeoftheDhuensa,Rhenn?

Orhotspicedwinterwine?”

“Thespiced,please.Itwasacoldwalkhere.”

“RouselalwayshiresacarriagewhenheandRemayavisit.”ThatwasfromCulthyn,whohadslippeddownthefrontmainstaircasefromtheupstairssittingroom.

“He’safactor,”Ipointedout.“I’manartist.”

“MasterCaliostrushasacarriage,”Culthynpointedout.“Whydon’tyou?”

CulthynclearlytookafterRousel,butIonlysaid,“BecauseI’mnotamasteryet,anddon’thavemyownstudio.Ittakeslongerwhenyou’reanartist.”

“Fathercouldhelpwiththestudio.”

“Hecan’t,”Ipointedout.

“Youcan’topenastudiounlessyou’reajuniormasterartist,andthattakesatleastfiveyearsasajourneyman,andyouhavetobeapprovedbyyourmasterandbytheguildboard.”Thatapprovalrequiredeithergreattalent,oracertainamountofquiet“gifting,”butthefive-yearrequirementwasabsolute.

“That’sawfulwhenyou’reasgoodasyouare,”Culthyn

declared.

“That’sthewayitis,andIcan’tchangeit.”

Nellicareappearedwithatrayholdingagobletandtwomugs,offeringthetraytoFatherfirst.Hetookthegoblet.Itooktheoneofthemugs,andMothertheother.

“We’rehavingstuffedandsaucedfowl,”shesaid.“Withallthewindandchill,it

seemedagoodheartymeal.”

“Itsoundswonderful.”EspeciallysincemyboardatMasterCaliostrus’sdidn’tincludedinneroneitherSamediorSolayinights,althoughIcouldhavebreadandcheesefromthekitchen.Itookasipofthespicedwine,farbetterthanthatatLapinina,notsurprisingly,sinceFatheralwayshadagoodcellarandMothercould

makethebestuseofit.

“Ievenhaveahotwinterpuddingfordesert,”Motheradded.

“WhichallofushavehadtokeepCulthynoutof,”saidKhethila.

“Therewasmorethanenough,”mutteredmyyoungestbrother.

“Therewouldn’thave

been,”notedKhethila.

Beforelongwehadgatheredinthediningchamber,whereFatherdidallowmethegraceofsittingathisrightandmotioningmetooffertheblessing.

“Forthegraceandwarmthfromabove,forthebountyoftheearthbelow,forallbeautyandartistryintheworld,foryourjustice,andforyour

manifoldandgreatmercies,weofferourthanksandgratitude,bothnowandevermore,inthespiritofthatwhichcannotbenamedorimaged...”

“Inpeaceandharmony.”

“That’stheartists’blessing,isn’tit?”saidKhethila.“Ilikeit.”

“Ablessing’sablessing,”Fathersaiddryly,gesturing

foreveryonetositdown.“SolongaswerespecttheNameless,thewordscanchangeabit.”

Personally,Ipreferredtheartists’version,butthen,Ihadn’theardthecrafters’version,orthatoftheimagers,assumingthattheyhadaversion.

Aftercarvingandservingthefowl,thensettlingintohis

chair,Fatherpolitelyaskedme,“Howistheportraiturebusinesscoming?”Healwaysreferredtoportraitureas“business.”

“I’vehadthreecommissionsinthelastmonthorso,thatis,commissionswherethepatronaskedformetodothework.TheoneIjustfinishedwasofMasgaylFactorius.”

“Ah,yes,theropefactor.Doescablesandhawsersaswell.Turnsashinysilverortwoontheheavycabling.”

“Youandheseemanythingsinthesameway.”Thatwasfairenough,althoughIhadthesensethatMasgaylFactoriuswasfarmoreruthlessthanFather.

“Didhepaywell?”

“Aftercosts,mysharewas

agold.”Ididn’thavetomentionthechargefortheruinedbrush.“MasterCaliostrusgetshalfthefee,beforecosts.”

“You’d...”HestoppedattheglancefromMother.“Doyouhaveothercommissions?”

“I’mdoingaportraitofMistressThelyaD’Scheorzyl.Thatonewillbedonein

abouttwoweeks,becauseshecanonlysitforoneglass,onceaweek.”

“Scheorzyl...Scheorzyl...Oh...he’stheprincipaladvocate-advisortotheCouncil.”

Ihadn’tknownthat,onlythatyoungThelya’sparentswerewellconnectedandwelloff,sinceshehadagovernessandaspecialfeline.

“Hermotherwasabeauty,”addedMother.“Isupposeshestillis,butsheusuallystaysattheirestateinTiens.SomethingabouttheairinL’Excelsis.Whataboutthedaughter?”

“She’sbutnine,andverypolite.She’sprettyenoughnowandlookstobethekindwhowillturnheadsinafewyears.Shemightbetoosweet,though.”

“That’salwaysaproblem,”suggestedKhethila.

“Andexactlywhymightthatbeadifficulty,daughter?”askedFather.

Khethilaignoredtheglareandsmiledpolitely.“Youwouldn’tbehalfsowellofforhalfsohappy,Father,ifMotherdidn’toccasionallysuggestthatmattersmightbebetterhandledinanother

fashion.Girlswhoaretoosweetoftenmerelyagree.”

“Idoubtthatwilleverbeadifficultyforyou.”Fatherdidmanagearuefulsmilebeforeturningtome.“WhatdoyouthinkaboutthethreatsthattheCaenenanenvoymadelastweek?”

“Ihadn’theardaboutthem,”Ihadtoadmitafterswallowingamouthfulofthe

juicyfowl.“Whatdidhesay?”

“Youhadn’theard?”askedCulthyn.“Howcouldyounothaveheard?”

“Iwasworking,unlikesomeyoungpeople,”Ireplied.

“HeutteredsomenonsenseaboutourbeliefintheNamelessbeingblasphemyandthenwentontosaythat,

ifanyofourpeopleinCaenentriedtoblasphemeagainsttheirDuodeusgod/goddess,they’dbeburnedalive.”

“WhatdidtheCouncildo?”Inspiteofmyself,Iwasabitinterested.

“Asusual,theydithered.Weshiphundredsoftonnesofthefinewoodsfromthere—mahogany,ebony,

rosewood,nottomentioncottonand...”

“Andelveweed,”addedKhethila.

“That’snotasubjectfordinner,”Fathersaidfirmly.

“Whynot?”shedemanded.“Whenthecarriagetakesmetogrammaire,Icanseesomeofthesansespoirssmokingorchewingit.Someofthemjustliethere—”

“Where?”askedMother.

“OnthestoopsofthetaudisbelowSouthMiddle.Thewall’slowenoughtoseeoverit.”

“I’llhaveCharlsyntakeyoualongerwayfromnowon,”Motherannouncedinahardtonethatbrookednoargument.

“They’llstillbesmokingit,anditcomesfromCaenen.

Thecivicpatrollersdon’tdoanything,either.Theyjustignoreit.”

“Khethila...IcannotdoanythingaboutthedegeneratesofL’Excelsis,butIcandosomethingaboutwhatyousee.Youarenotbeingraisedlikeataudischild...ora...”

“APharsi?”Khethilasuggested.

Fatherclearedhisthroat,loudly.

“WhydoestheCouncilletthemsellelveweedhere?”askedCulthyn,abruptly.

“Theydon’t,”repliedFather.“It’sprohibited.”

“Thenwhydothesansespoirshaveittosmoke?”

“That’sbecausesailorsand

smugglerssneakitin.Theycangetgoldsforsmallamounts,”Ipointedout.

“Haveyoueversmokedany,Rhenn?”askedCulthyn.

“No.Iwouldn’twantto.”Whyspendgoldsonpleasurethatwasgonebeforeyouevenknewit?Besides,I’dseenwhattheaddictslookedlike,andIneverwantedtoenduplikethat.

“Don’tsomeartists?”

“Someoftheabstractionistsdo,butthey’renotpartoftheguilds,andnoonebuystheirworks.”Noonerespectable,anyway.

“Ithinkwe’vediscussedthis...filthy...subjectenough,”Motherinterjected.

Afteramomentofsilence,IturnedtoFather.“Howisthewoolbusiness?”

“We’redoingwell.YouknowRouselisdoingwellwiththebranchfactorageinKherseilles.ThatmakesiteasiertoshiptheheavierwoolenstothenorthofJariolaandtotheAbiertoIsles.He’salreadyincreasedourshipmentsbyathird.”

ThatsoundedlikeRousel.Hecouldtalkanyoneintoanything—anyonebutme,atleast.“He’sdoingwell,then.”

“Enoughthatourprofitsareupbyaquarter.”

“AndheandRemayaareexpecting,”Motherinterjected,“inearlyJuyn,theythink.”

“I’mhappyforthem,”Ireplied,“andit’sgoodthatRouselisdoingsowell.”Fornow,Ithought,hopingthatRouselwasnotsprintingtheedgeoftheprecipice.Iwas

sparedhavingtosaymorebecauseNellicaclearedawaythedinnerplatters,andthenreturnedtosetthewinterpuddinganddessertplatesbeforeMother.

Thepuddingwasasgoodasshehadpromised,andIdidtakeseconds,butthen,sodidCulthyn.Afterhefinishedhissecondhelping,hestaredattheremainingpudding.

“Secondsareacceptableattimes,Culthyn,”Motherstated.“Thirdsaremerelygreed.Don’tactlikeaPharsi.”

Culthyncounterfeitedadisconsolateexpression,thensaid.“Remaya’snotgreedy.”

Khethilahidasmile.

“She’sdifferent,”Mothersaid,turningtome.“DidyouknowthatArmynd

D’SholdchildhasofferedaproposaltoKhethila?Forwhenshe’solder,ofcourse.”Shesmiledbroadly.

“Mother!”exclaimedKhethila.

“Armyndhas?”We’dbeenatthegrammairetogether,buthe’dgoneontotheuniversity.Hisfatherheldthousandsofhectaresofgrainlandsandvineyardsout

inthewestlands.“He’sevenolderthanIam.”

“Anolderhusbandisalwaysbetter.He’smoreestablished.Andyou’renotgettinganyyounger,Rhenn.Itwouldn’thurtforyoutokeepaneyeoutforalikelywife.”

“Asanartist?”murmuredFather.

“Wealthywomenhave

beenknowntopreferartists,dear.LookatMadameD’Shendael.She’saHighHolderinherownright.”

“Butshehadtomarryanothertokeepherrights,”Khethilainterjected.

“DoIhavetohearhernameallthetime?”askedFather.

“Youasked.”

“Herhusbandisalandscapearchitect,notanartist,andhedesignsgrandgardens.”

“He’sstillanartist,”Motheraffirmed,“andRhennisgoingtobeagreatartist.”

“He’dbetterhurry,then,”Fatherrepliedwithalaugh,pushingbackhischair.

AsFatherrose,Motherlookedtome.“Willyougoto

serviceswithus?”Hervoicewasnotquitepleading.

SolayinightwaswhenmostfamiliesinL’Excelsiswenttoservices,thosewhorespectedtheNameless,thatis.IsupposedIdid,inmyownway.Ihadnothingbettertodo,andMotherhadneveraskedthatmuchunreasonableofme,unlikeFather.“Yes,butI’llhavetoleaverightafterward.MasterCaliostrus.

..”Ishruggedwithoutcompletingtheexplanation.

“Weunderstand.”Motherbeamed.

Onceeveryonewasbundledintotheircoats,westeppedoutthesidedoorwhereCharlsynhadpulledup,andIsqueezedintothecoachontherear-facingseatwithKhethilaandCulthyn.Atleast,oncetheservicewas

over,anditwasneverthatlong,I’dbemuchclosertoMasterCaliostrus’sdwelling.

“Isn’tthisalmostlikeoldtimes?Now,ifRouselwerejusthere,”Mothersaid.

“IfRouselwerehere,noneofuswouldbeabletomove,”Culthynobserved.

EvenFathersmiledatCulthyn’swrytone.

Wearrivedattheanomenearlyenough,agoodquarterbeforethesixthglass,sothatwedidn’thavetohurry,butthatalsomeantwehadtostandinthecolduntiltheservicebeganwiththesmallchoirsingingthechoralinvocation—“PaeantotheNameless,”Ithought.

ChoristerAknotynhadbeenattheAnomenD’EstesinceIcouldremember.His

hightenorpiercedthegloomasitalwayshadinthewordlessululatinginvocation.Thenhespoke.

“WearegatheredheretogetherthiseveninginthespiritoftheNamelessandinaffirmationofthequestforgoodnessandmercyinallthatwedo.”

Theopeninghymnwas“PrideLeadethtoaFall.”I

merelymouthedthewords,mainlybecauseIwasinfactproudandunwillingtohaveothershearjusthowbadlyIdidsing.

AfterthatwastheConfession.

“WedonotnameYou,fornamingisapresumption,andwewouldnotpresumeuponthecreatorofallthatwas,is,andwillbe.Wedonotpray

toYou,noraskfavorsorrecognitionfromYou,forrequestingsuchasksYoutofavorusoverotherswhoarealsoYourcreations.Ratherweconfessthatwealwaysriskthesinsofprideandpresumptionandthattheverynameswebearsymbolizethosesins,forwetoooftenstrivetoarrogateournamesandourselvesaboveothers,toinsistthatourpettyplansand

aridachievementshavemeaningbeyondthosewhomweloveoroverwhomwehaveinfluenceandpower.LetusneverforgetthatwearelessthannothingagainstYournamelessmagnificenceandthatallthatweareisagifttobecherishedandtreasured,andthatwemustalsorespectandcherishthegiftsofothers,incelebrationofYouwhocannotbenamed

orknown,onlyrespectedandworshipped.”

“Inpeaceandharmony,”weallchorused.

Thencametheoffertorybaskets,followedbyChoristerAknotyn’sascensiontothepulpitforthehomily.“Goodevening.”

“Goodevening,”camethereply.

“Anditisagoodevening,forundertheNamelessalleveningsaregood,eventhosethatseemlessthanmarvelous...andweallknowthattherearemanyofthose...”

Aknotyn’sdryasidebroughtlowmurmursoflaughtertothecongregation.

“TheotherdayayoungsteraskedmewhywedonotnametheNameless,andI

almostrepeatedtheConfessiontohim,butIrealizedthathewasaskingwhatreallywasbehindtheConfession.Whileourmeetingplace,theanomen,meansplaceofnoname,infactwenameeverything,andsooftenwhenwenameit,weassumethatweknowit.Thenamebecomestheidentity,anditisalwaysalimitedidentity.Lookatitinthis

fashion.Youhaveafriend.Let’scallhimFieryn,andwe’llsaythathehasredhairandacertainlackofpatience.EachtimethatyouencounterFierynortalktohimorwatchhim,youbuildamorecompletepictureinyourmind,andwhenFierynisnotaround,ineffect,toyou,thatpictureisFieryn.ButisthepicturereallyFieryn?Doesitincludethetimehespends

withhiscrippledcousin,whomyoudonotknow?Doesitincludetheglasseshehasspenttellingstoriestohisfailingauntwhocannotleaveherbed?Orthetimehedranktoomuchandkickedapoorsimpleton?Yet,bycallinguphisname,wethinkweknowFieryn.Butdowe?

“Usingnamestoexcessandthinkingthatthenameistheindividualisoftencalled

themarkoftheNamer,becauseoneofthegreatsinsinlifeistoacceptthatanameisallthatthereisofreality...

“Now,ifthereissomuchwedonotknowaboutthosewecallfamilyorfriends,howmuchmoreisthereabouttheNameless,whocreatedallthatthereis,thatwecannotknowandwillneverknow?...”

ChoristerAknotynwentontodescribethemagnificenceoftheNamelessandtheunmitigatedpresumptionofmeremortalstoofferanameandthinkthattheymightknowevenafractionofwhattheNamelessmightknoworunderstand.I’dheardsimilarhomiliesbefore,andIcouldn’tsaythatIdisagreed.TheonlythingImighthaveadded,ifonlyinmymind,

wasthequestionofwhethertheNameless,withallthatmagnificence,wouldevenhavecaredwhatIthoughtordid.

WhilethewalkfromtheAnomenD’EstetoBrayerLaneandMasterCaliostrus’sestablishment,evenbythewindingBakers’Lane,wasonlyhalfthedistanceI’dwalkedtogettoFather’s,Ididn’tevenhavetodothat.

MotherhadCharlsyngothatway—andsheslippedmetwosilversaswell,whenFatherwasn’tlooking,justbeforeIgotoutofthecoach.SoIwasn’tallthatchilledbythetimeIreachedmyroom.

755A.L.

Agoodportraitrevealswhatisseen;agreatonealsorevealswhatisnot.

Iwashalfwayintothelast

sittingwithThelyaonafarwarmerandmorepleasantSamedimorning—andthesecondoneinFevier—whenIfoundmyselflookingathereyesagain.I’dbeenworriedaboutthem—nottheshapeortheshadows,butthecoloroftheirises—forthelastseveralsittings.Theproblemwassimple.Hereyesweregreen,butIwaslimitedtozincblue-greenandverdigris,andthe

zincgreenwasn’tintenseenough,andtheverdigriswasfartoofugitivetobeusedforThelya’seyes,evenifIusedatouchofaclearvarnish-glaze.

WhatIreallyneededwasimagers’green,butonlyMasterCaliostrushadthat,alongwiththelapisblue,andtheyweresocostlythatI’dneverseethem,notasajourneyman,andcertainlynot

solongasIworkedinhisstudio.ThemostI’deverseenweretinydollopshereandthere.Still...Iwouldn’tneedallthatmuch.Iglancedtowardtheconvertedancientarmoirethatheldhispigments,thenshookmyhead.

IfIcouldjusthaveusedthetiniestbitofthatbrilliantgreen,andthenshadedtheeyesfromyellow-flecked

zincgreentothebrighterimagers’greenonthesidesofthepupils—rightthere...

Iswallowed.I’ddoneitagain.WhatI’dvisualized,seensoclearlyinmymind,hadappearedonthecanvasbeforeme.Thatwasaformofimaging.Therewasnodoubtaboutit,butexactlywhatusewasimagingthatcouldonlymakesmallchangesinoilpaintsona

canvas?

Icouldn’thelpsmilingasIstudiedthefaceonthecanvas.Thatlittlechangehadmadeallthedifference,bringinghereyesalive,andcreatingasubtlebutclearlinkagebetweenalltheelementsoftheportrait.

Ifinishedjustbeforenoon,afterrefiningjustthehintofanerrantcurlaboveherleft

ear.ThenIsetdownthefine-tippedbrushandsteppedawayfromtheeasel.

“Thankyou,Thelya.We’refinishedfornow,andtodaywasthelastsitting.Theportraitshouldbereadyinafewdays.”

“Itisn’tdonenow?”Shebouncedoffthechair,holdingRemsisotightlythatthecatgaveameowofprotest.

Thegovernessraisedaneyebrow.Sheneverspokewhenagesturewoulddo.

“Someofthebackgroundisn’tfinished,butIdon’tneedyoutositforthat.”

“CanIsee?”

“Youcan...ifyoureallywantto.”

Shestoppedwellshortoftheeasel.“You’resayingthat

Ishouldn’t.”

Thatstoppedme.Forapamperednine-year-oldtocatchthatsuggestedmoreperceptionthanI’dthoughtshehad.Afteramoment,Isaid,“Youcertainlycan,MistressThelya,butI’dratherthatyoubesurprisedwhenyouseethefullycompletedportrait.”

“LikepresentsatYear-

Turn?”

“Somethinglikethat.”

Shenodded.“Icanwait.”Herwordsweremoreaboutherthanabouttheportrait,and,forsomereason,IthoughtaboutChoristerAknotyn’shomilytheweekbefore,aboutthinkingweunderstoodpeoplebecauseweknewtheirnamesandhadseenthemoftenenoughto

believethatwhatwehadseenwasallthattheywere.

“I’msureyoucan.”Ismiled.“Itwon’tbelong.Thankyouforbeingsogoodatthesittings.”Iturnedtothegoverness.“Thankyou.”

“Thequietwasmostrestful.”Herlipsdidnotquitesmile.

OnceThelya,hergoverness,andRemsileft,I

spentabitmoretimejustlookingatthecanvas.Ihadafewthingstofinishalongtheedges,butitwasafineportrait,probablythebestIhaddone.

Atthatmoment,Ostriussteppedintothestudio,bringingwithhimagustofcoldairthatsuggestedthepastseveraldaysofcomparativelymildweatherwereabouttoend.Almostas

iftosaythathedidn’thavetofollowhisfather’srulesaboutkeepingthedoorclosedinwinter,hestoodjustinsidethestudio,holdingthedooropen.“Weneedalittlefresherairinhere.”

“Suityourself,”Ireplied.“Mysitting’sover.”

Heclosedthedoorandwalkedtowardmyeasel,wherehestoppedandglanced

attheportrait.Afteramoment,hesaid,“Notbad.Youalmostgottheskinperfect.”

Muchthatheknew.IhadgottenThelya’spaleskinperfect.Hewouldhaveaddedthefaintesttouchofearthbrownandyellowtoflatterher,butthatwouldhaveleftanyonewithanydiscriminationwhosawtheportraitvaguelyunsatisfied

withoutknowingwhy.“That’sthewayIsawit.”

“Youneedtoseethemthewaytheyseethemselves,Rhenn.That’swhatmakesaportraituristamaster.”

AfteralltheyearswithMasterCaliostrus,IwasgettingtohatethewayOstriustriedtosoundlikehisfather.MasterCaliostrusmightbedemandingorpicky,

butmostofthetimehewaslookingtoimprovewhatIdid—oratleastmakeitmoreattractivetoapatron.Ostriuswasjustusinghisfather’smannerismstoasserthimself,andthattraithadworsenedsincehe’dbeenconfirmedasamaster,ifajuniormaster.“It’scertainlywhatbringsmanyofthemgolds.”

“Goldslast,Rhenn,ifyouhaveenoughofthem.

Reputationisfickle,andskillsvanishwithage.”

Hewasdoubtlessright,butthewayhesaidthewordswasannoying.Iforcedalaugh.“You’resuggestingthatweneedtouseourskillstoamassgoldsbeforethoseskillsfade.”

“Whatelse?”Hewalkedtohispigmentchest,unlockingitandputtingseveralnew

brushesinside.Thenhelockedthechestagain.“Don’tforgettobankthecoalsinthestove.”

“I’lltakecareofit.”

“I’msureyouwill.”Ostriusflashedaninsinceresmileasheleftthestudio.

Itwasn’tthatlongbeforeMasterCaliostrusappeared,whileIwasfinishingthelasttouchesontherust-brown

hangingsattheleftedgeoftheportrait.

“Wheredidyougetthatgreen?”MasterCaliostruspointedtoThelya’seyes.

IknewIshouldn’thavelefttheeyesthatway,buttheywereperfect.“Sir?”

“That’simagers’green.Wereyouinmypaints,Rhennthyl?”

“No,sir.Ithoughtaboutit,butthatwouldhavebeenwrong.”Igavehimanembarrassedsmile.WhatelsecouldIsay?“WhenIwascleaningthestudiolastMeredi...therewasalittledollopofitontheedgeofthesidetable,anditwashard,butIworkedatitwithoilsoverthepastfewdays,andImanagedtoworkinjustalittlebit...Ithought...

well,forhereyes,itseemedperfect.”

“Hmmmph.”Caliostruswalkedtotheoldconvertedarmoirethatheldhispigments.

Thatdidn’tbotherme—ifhewerehonest—becauseIhadn’ttouchedhispigments.Iwouldn’thavedared.Icouldhearhimmumbling.“Nothere...there...

hmmmm.”

Afteratime,hereturnedandscannedtheportraitofThelyaD’Scheorzylminutely,thennodded.“Itisquitegood.Iwouldhavesoftenedherskinatouch,butyouchosetorenderwhatyousaw.Thatmightbebestforachild.”Hesmiled.“Thatway,ifyoudoonelater,youcansoftenit.”Hepaused.“You’llpardonmyconcernaboutthe

eyes,butimagers’greenisalmostasvaluableasliquidsilver.Youmusthaveworkedveryhardtostretchthatsmalldollop.”

“Idid,sir.ItwouldhavebeenbetterifIcouldhaveusedatouchinthecornerofthecat’spupils,but...”Ishruggedhelplessly.“Iwouldn’thavetriedsohard,butIkeptlookingathereyes,andtheyneededtobemore

intense,andthezincgreen,evenwithaglaze...”

“Youdidwhatyoucould,Rhennthyl,andI’mcertainMadameScheorzylwillbepleasedwiththeportrait.”Caliostruspaused.“I’mgladthatyoudidn’ttrytouseverdigris.Theeffectwouldhavefadedinafewyears,evenwithaglaze.”

“I’dthoughtso,sir.”

“Evenwithoutthatlittlebitofimagers’green,youcouldhaveheightenedtheeffectwithalittleyellowochrethere...andthere.”Hisstubbyforefingerpointed.

“Istillcould...andshould,then,sir.”

Henodded.

“Thankyou.”

“Istillhaveafewskills

youhaven’tpickedupyet,Rhennthyl.”

“Morethanafew,sir.”

“You’llbefinishedbyMeredi,readyforframing?”

“Yes,sir.”

Hiseyesdidlingerontheportraitforatimebeforeheturned.“You’llbankthecoals?”

“OnceI’mdone,yes,sir.”

“Good.”

Ididtakehissuggestionsabouttheochreyellow,andittookalmostaglasstogetitright.BythenIwasreadytoleave.IdidhaveenoughcopperstogotoLapinina,andwhoknew,theremightevenbeaprettyfacethere.

755A.L.

Happinesscannotbepursuedthroughart,norartthroughhappiness.

Theyoungerunmarried

craftersandartisansgottogetherintheGuildHallthenexttothelastSamediofeverymonth,thetwenty-eighthofthemonth.Itwasn’tanythingorganizedbytheguilds,exactly,buttheydidletususeacornerofthehallwithoutacharge,evenforthetwoguards.Thereweremusicians,andwe’dpassahatforthem,andeveryoneusuallyhadagoodtime—or

atleastatimeawayfromtheworriesoftheweek.

ThatFevierSamedi,Iwasstandingbytheouterwallofthehall,talkingwithRogarisandDolemis,whilewesharedabottleofFystian,awhitevintageperhapsahalfstepaboveplonk.Rogarisheldthebottle,asalways,nomatterwhohadboughtit—me,inthiscase.

“...youthinkthisCaenenanthingwillleadtowar?”DolemiskeptlookingpastusatYvette,assheswirledpastinthearmsofsomeoneIdidn’tknow.Yvettehadbeenhisgirlforyears—untilshe’dsuggestedformalizingthearrangement.

“WhatCaenenanthing?”askedRogaris,takingaswigoftheFystian.

“TheCaenenanenvoythreatenedthatthey’dkillanyofourpeoplewhoblasphemedtheirgodorgoddessordualityorwhatever,”Isaid.“Thatwasweeksago.”

“No...theydid,”Dolemisexplained.“Itwasinthenewsheetsthisafternoon.SomeclerkintheembassyinCaenaburstoutlaughingatoneoftheirreligious

processions,andtheirarmitesloppedoffhisheadonthespot.TheCouncilisdebatingthematter.”

“Cutoffhisheadforlaughing?”askedRogaris.“Youcan’tbeserious.”

“Whatdoyouexpectfrompeoplewhoarearrogantenoughtonametheirgod?”Ihadmorethanalittlescornforpeoplewhothoughtagod

caredwhethertheyatecertainfoodsoncertaindaysorwhobelievedthatpeoplewouldbeblessedorcursedorliveforeverorbetorturedforeternityiftheydidn’tfollowasetofruleslaiddownbysomedeadprophetoranother.Iftherehappenedtobeanall-powerfulandalmightydeity—andIhadmydoubts—heorsheoritorwhateverwasn’tabouttocare

aboutwhofollowedwhatdogma.

“Everyone’snotlikeus,”Rogarissaid.“Mostofthemarestupider,andthat’snotgivingusSolidaransmuchcredit.”

“YouthinktheCouncilwillsendimagers?”askedDolemis.

HowwouldIknowthat?Ididn’tevenknowwhatan

imagercouldreallydoinawar,exceptIknewnoonemuchwantedastrongoneagainstthem—buttherehadn’teverbeenthatmanywarimagers,notfromwhatI’dreadinthehistories,notsinceRexRegis,whenhisunknownimagerhaddonestrangethingswithwalls.IhadnoideaiftherewereanyattheCollegiumImagonow.Isupposedthatwasn’t

somethinganyonewouldwanttoreveal.

“Rhenn!Comedancewithme!”calledSeliora.Shehadjet-blackhairandeyestomatch,andsheworeablackjacketwithcrimsontrimaboveacrimsonskirtandblackdancingboots.I’dheardthatsheworkedasanupholstererandembroidererforoneofthefurniturecraftersintheartisans’area

offNordroadnorthoftheBoulevardD’Este,butshe’dneversaid,andIhadn’tasked.“You’vetalkedlongenough.”

“Ifyouwouldexcuseme,”Isaid,“I’mbeingsummonedbyaprettywoman,andthatdoesn’thappenthatoften.”

“Itwouldifyou’dletit,”quippedRogaris.

“Youneversaidwhatyou

thoughtwouldhappeninCaenen,”protestedDolemis.

“We’llsendshipsandtroops,andpeoplewillfightanddie,andthey’llstilllopoffheads,andthenwe’lleitherkillenoughofthemthatthey’llstopdoingit,ortheywon’t,andthenwe’lllosemoretroopsuntilwequitanddeclarevictory.”IcalledthelastwordsovermyshoulderasIhurriedtoward

Seliora.

“Declarevictoryaboutwhat?”SelioraaskedasIslippedmyarmaroundherwaistandbegantodancewithher,ignoringthefactthatthewaltzseemedabitfasttome.

“TheCaenenans...politics,again.”Ireallydidn’twanttotalkaboutit.IsupposedIcouldbeconscriptediftheCouncil

declaredwar,buttheyusuallydidn’tconscriptjourneymenartisansorcrafters.Apprenticeswereoftenconscripted,aswerejourneymenwithoutmasters.

“Dolemisalwaystalkspolitics.Yvettesaidheevenmumbledabouttheminhissleep.”

“Sheactuallylistened?”

“Ithinkthatwasthe

trouble.”

“Well,hecan’tdoanythingaboutit,notunlessheworksandbecomesacraftmaster,becausetheCounciliselectedfromtheguilds,thefactors’associations,andtheHighHolders,andyouhavetobeacraftmastertobeeligible,andheneverwillbebecausehespendstoomuchtimetalkingaboutpoliticsratherthancraftingcabinetsforSasol,”I

addedwithalaugh.

Foratime,Ididnotspeak,justenjoyeddancingandholdingSeliora.Shewasn’tslender,butcertainlynotheavy,rathermuscular.Ienjoyedseeinghersmile.Overthepastyear,wehadtalkedanddancedoccasionally,andIknewshewasinterestedinme...atleastalittlebit.

Whenthemusiciansstopped,sodidwe,butshedidn’tmoveaway,andneitherdidI.

Shelookedupatme.“Everyonesaysyouthinkyou’retoogoodtohaveagirlwhomighthaveactuallylivedwithinafewstreetsofthetaudisorthePharsis.”

Ihadtolaugh.“ThefirstgirlthatIfellinlovewith

wasaPharsi.”

“Howoldwereyou?Five?”Selioraquippedback.

“Morelikethirteen.”

“AndIsupposeyouthrewheroverforsomefactor’stwit?”

“No.Shethrewmeoverforsomefactor’stwit,ratherquickly.Shemarriedmyyoungerbrotheralmosttwo

yearsago.Shesaidthatwhenshesawhim,ithadtobe.”

Selioralookedhardatme.“Isthatajoke?”

“No.They’reexpectingtheirfirstchildthissummer.TheyliveinKherseillesnow.”

Themusiciansbeganagain,thistimeafastvariana,andSelioratookmyhand.“Anotherdance.”Herwords

weren’tarequest,butIwashappytocomply,andshesaidnothingmoreaswemovedtothebeatofthemusic.

Whenthemusiciansstopped,Iwasbreathingalittlefasterthanusual.

“Youshouldn’tletthatspoilthings,”shesaid.“You’regood-looking.Rogarissaysyourworkis

goodenoughthatbeforeallthatlongyou’llbeamasterartistwithyourownstudio.”

“Atleastthreemoreyears,andhe’sbeingkind.”

“Rogaris?”Selioralaughed.

Shehadapoint,butIshookmyhead.“It’snotjustthat.I’mjustbeginningtogetcommissions,andthey’restillnotallthatfrequent.How

couldIsupportawifeorafamily?”

“Somewomendomakemorethanafewcoinsinhonestwork.”Shesmiledwarmly.

“I’mmostcertainyoudo.”

“Andbeingmarrieddoesn’tmeanyouhavetohaveafamilyrightaway.”

“That’strue.”Igrinnedat

her.“Areyouaskingmetoproposetoyou?”

Selioraactuallyloweredhereyes,ifonlyforamoment.“IampartPharsi,ifthathelps.Mygrandmotherwasone.ShecametoL’Excelsisasaservant.”

“Ifyoutakeafterher,Idoubtshestayedoneverylong.”

“No,shedidn’t.Shewas

theonewhostartedthebusiness.”

“You...yourfamily...?”Ihadn’trealizedthat.

“PapaandAuntAeginaarethemastercrafters.Theymakethechairsandthesettees.MamaandIchoosethefabricsanddotheadditionalembroiderydesigns.”

Ihadwonderedaboutthe

factthatSeliorawasusuallybetterdressedthantheotheryoungwomen,butI’dlearnedthatsomewomenspenteverylastcopperonclothes.

Iinclinedmyhead.“I’m—”

“Pleasedon’ttellanyone,especiallyDolemis.He’saterriblegossip.”

Themusicresumed,anotherwaltz,aslowerone,

andIturnedtoher.“Istillwouldhaveaskedforanotherdance.”

Shesmiled.“Iknow.IdoforetellmorethanIsay.”

Wespentmostoftheeveningdancing,andIdidwalkherandtwoofherfriendshome,evenifitmeantanevenlongerandcolderwalkbackouttheBoulevardD’EstetoMasterCaliostrus’s

establishment.Theentireway,Iwonderedwhatshehadforetoldthatshehadn’tsaid.

755A.L.

Flatteryisalmostalwaysperceivedaseitheraccurate

orjustified.

OnJeudiafternoon,Iwasin

theworkshedpowderingredochre,usingtheancientmortarandpestlethatlookedasthoughtheyhadbeeninMasterCaliostrus’sfamilyforgenerations.Despitethesunlightoutside,achillbreezeseepedthroughthebareplankwalls.Powderinghardredochrewassweatywork.Thechillmadeitevenlesspleasant,especiallyifIcrusheditandtwistedthe

pestletoohard,becausethensomeofthepowderseepedintotheairandthenstucktomysweat.Later,itgotcoldanditchy,andscratchingjustmadeitworse.

IconsoledmyselfthatthesituationwasonlytemporarybecauseStanushadfinallyrunoff,afterthrowingabucketofhotivory-blackscrapsatOstrius.ThescrapshadburnedholesinOstrius’s

shirtandgivenhimseveralweltsonhisneck,butitwouldhavebeenworsehadnotOstriusbeenwearingaleatherworkingvest.IfthecivicpatrollerscaughtpoorStanus,he’dspendatleastayearinthemines,but,intheinterim,assumingthatMasterCaliostruscouldfindandacceptanotherapprentice,everyoneexpectedmetodoalltheapprenticechoresas

wellasmyown,nottomentionpaintingwhatevercommissionsmightcomemyway,notthatIhadanyatthemoment.

Still...theScheorzylportraithadturnedoutwell,andI’devengottenahalf-goldbonus.IhadtowonderhowmuchextratheScheorzylshadpaidCaliostrus.Butmynamewasgettingaround—atleastto

familieswithdaughterswholikedcats.

Everyoneinthehouseholdwasedgythatmorning.AsI’dleftthetableafterbreakfast,MadameCaliostrushadmurmuredsomethingtoherhusbandthathadsoundedlike“yourworthlessbrotherskulkingaroundhereagain.”I’dknownCaliostrushadabrother,andI’devenseenhimafewtimesoverthe

years—andsmelledhim,reekingofplonksocheapthatnoteventhepoorestapprenticewouldhavedrunkit.Thatmorning,Caliostrushadsnappedback,butIhadn’theardwhathe’dsaid.I’djustwantedtogetawaybeforeOstriusmadeanothercommentaboutmylackofforesight,especiallysinceitwasreallyhisshortsightedness,notthat

he’deveradmitit.

Icheckedthepowder.Stilltoocoarse,butgettingclosertowhatwasnecessarytomixwiththeoilandwaxthatweremeltingoverthesmallironmixingstoveinthecorner.Iwentbacktogrinding,wishingthatStanuswerestillaround,orthatCaliostruswouldgetanotherapprenticesothatIdidn’thavetodoeverything.

Thesheddooropened,andagustofwindswirledochrepowderuparoundme,andIbegantosneeze.

Ostriusstoodthere,gloweringatme.“Howlongwillitbebeforeyoucanmixupthepigment?”

AfterIcouldstopsneezing,Ijustlookedathim,noticingthathe’dreplacedthedressingcoveringtheburnon

hisneck.

“Answerme.Whenwillwehaveredochrepigment?”

“Notuntiltomorrow.Iwon’thaveenoughpowderuntillatertoday,andthenitwillhavetobeblendedandcooled...”

“Youshouldhavegottentothisearlier.”Heglaredatme.“We’rebothwaitingforthepigment.”

“Noonetoldmeuntilthismorning.”Ididn’tpointoutthattalkingtohimslowedmedown—orthathe’dbeentheonetousealltheredochrepigmentforhisportraitofHighChoristerThalytandthathehadn’tbotheredtotellanyonethattherehadn’tbeenmorethanapaletteknife’sworthofitremaining.

“Youshouldhaveknown.”

WhatcouldIsaythatwouldn’tmakehimevenangrier?EspeciallysinceOstriushadneverbeenthetypetolistentoreasonorconsiderhimselfthecauseofanything.He’dbeenthecauseoftheproblemwithhisattitudeandhismistreatmentofStanus,notthathe’deverbeenpleasanttome,either,butIhadtheadvantageofhavingparentswhohadsome

position,unlikepoorStanus,whosefatherwasdeadandwhosemotherwasaseamstress.

Withalastglareatme,hestalkedoff,leavingtheworksheddooropen.Ofcourse,thewindgustedagainandblewsomeofthefinerpowderI’djustgroundrightoutofthepestleanduparoundme.Ibegantosneezemore,andbythetimeIgot

thedoorclosed,I’dprobablylosthalfacup’sworthofgroundochrepowder.Atthatmoment,IwouldhavelikedtostrapOstriustoaworktableandthenslowlypourfineochrepowderdownhisthroatandnostrilsuntilhechokedtodeath.

Irecoveredsomeofthepowderfromthebenchtopbesidethemortar,andthenwentbacktowork.ButIkept

havingtostopandsneeze.Therewasnohelpforit.Ineededtobrushthefinegritandpowderoffmeandwashmyhandsandface,orI’dnevergetmuchdone.

Aftercarefullyandquicklyopeningandclosingthesheddoorbehindme,Iwalkedtowardtheservicepumphouseinthecorner,pastthelowwallthatseparatedthegardenfromthemore

mundaneandlessattractiveworkingareasofMasterCaliostrus’sestablishment.

Despitethechillandthewind,Shiennawaspruningthebare-branchedgrapevines—eventheleaveswereused,mainlyforthedolmadeshermothermadeandwhichoneenjoyedthefirstseveraltimestheywereserved,butwhichbecamelessthanentrancingbytheonsetofspring.Some

ofthelessperfectleaveswereusedwithcopperplatesformakingverdigris,butthatgreenpigmentwasusedonlyforquicktreatments,becauseitwassofugitiveifexposedforlongtobrightlight.

Shiennawasasweetgirl,unlikeherelderbrother,buttosaythatshewasplainwouldhavebeenanexaggerationthatnotevenanimagercouldhave

transformedintotruth.

Still,shewassweet,andIdidsmile.“MistressShienna,howlovelyyourcheekstoday,likethepalenessofafreshwhitepeach...”

“They’rewind-chappedandred,butyou’realwayssodear,Rhenn.Idon’tbelieveaword,butthekindnessisappreciated.”

“Andyourhairshimmers

withalustrebeyondthatofthegreatermooninthefullnessofharvest.”Ihaveneverheldmyselftobeboundbythedictatesoffoolishconsistency,particularlywhendealingwithyoungwomen—except,strangely,forSeliora—sincemostsooftenprofessedwhattheyesteemedinaman,andthenbeddedhisexactopposite,whilerefusingthe

manwhoembodiedwhattheysaidtheyprofessed.

InconsistencyIdidnotcondemn,norevenfoolishness,butthehypocrisyofprofessinganideal,whateveritmightbe,anddefendingitverballyandvociferously,whilesecretlybetrayingitbybehavior,Igenerallyfounddisgusting.Unlesssuchbetrayalwasaccomplishedwithsuchwit

andgracethatitmightbetermedadmirable,andthenitwaswhatonemightcallpolishedevil.

“Rhenn!”Ostriuscalledfromoneofthestudiowindowsoverlookingtherearcourtyard.“Youarenotgrindingorpowderingwhenyouarejawing!”

Ilookedupandsmiledpolitely.“Ican’tpowder

whenI’msneezingbecausesomeoneopenedthedoorandblewpowderalloverme.”

Caliostrusappearedinthewindowbesidehisson.“Noexcuses,now,Rennthyl!”

“Yes,sir.”Imanagednottogrimaceorgritmyteeth,butIwouldhavelikedtosubmergebothoftheminpoweredochre.

“Don’tmindFather,”

Shiennamurmured.“Helikestoshoutbecauseitproveshecan.”

“Heisthemasterportraiturist,”Ireplied.

“Well,justdon’tstandthere!”Caliostrusshouteddown.

Ikeptmylipstogetherandresumedmyprogresstowardtheservicepumphouse,imaginingbothCaliostrusand

hisworthlesseldersonbeingconsumedbyanexplosionofparaffinfromacontainerheatedtoohotonthestudiostovebecauseOstriuswastoolazytocheckit...flamingwaxeverywhere,andfirewashingoverthem...

Whhoosshh!

IturnedtoseeflamesexplodingthroughtheopenwindowwhereCaliostrushad

beenamomentbefore.

Foramoment,Ijuststoodthere,frozen.

Crumpp!Somesortofexplosion,asmallone,shooktheupperlevel.Asfragmentsofglassandsometilefragmentspatteredonthepavement,mymouthdroppedopen.Theentiresecondfloorofthebuilding—thestudiolevel—hadbecomeamassof

flame,andtheflameswererisinghigher.

“Mother!Marcyl!”screamedShienna.

Irantowardtheoutsidestepsandsprintedupthem,tryingtoignoretheheatradiatingpastmeasIscrambledupwardpastthesecondleveluptothefamilyquarters.

Olavyastumbledoutofthe

upperdoorway.“Father!”

“Where’syourmother?”Idemanded.

“Inside...Marcyl’ssick.”

IonlytooktwostepsintothekitchenareabeforeIalmostranintoAlmaya,whowashalf-pulling,half-draggingMarcyl.Ijustgrabbedhimfromherandstaggeredbackoutsideanddownthesteps.Icouldfeel

andsmellmyhairbeingcrispedasIhurrieddownpastthesecondlevel.Icouldalsosmellanothersickeninglysweetsmell,andIcouldbarelykeepfromretchingasIcarriedMarcylintothefarcornerofthecourtyard,whereIsethimdown.

SomewhereinthedistanceIcouldhearthefirebellsringing.Iknewthatnothingwouldstoptheconflagration

alreadyragingthroughthebuilding.Then...Ididretch.

755A.L.

Imagescreatetheirownmemories.

Thefirebrigadearrived,butallthattheyandwecoulddo

wastopumpwaterovertherestofthecourtyardtokeepthefirefromspreading.Thefireconsumedeverythingsoquicklythat,wellbeforesunset,onlytheblackenedstonewallsstood,thebareremnantsofwhathadoncebeenMasterCaliostrus’sstudio,dwelling,gallery,andapprenticeandjourneymanquarters.MadameCaliostrushadlostherhusbandand

eldestson,allthepaintings,andpossiblyallthecoinsinthestrongbox.Comparedtothem,I’dlostnearlynothing—myclothing,whatbrushesandpaintsweremine,andclosetotwogoldsincoin.

I’dthoughtaboutparaffinexplodingalloverOstriusandconsuminghiminfire...but...howcouldIhaveimagedthat?AllI’deverdoneinthewayofimaging

weretinythingslikechangingthepositionofafewbrushstrokesofoilonacanvas.Itdidn’tseempossiblethatI’ddonethat.HowcouldIhavedoneit?Paraffinandwaxcouldexplodeintofireifnotwatchedclosely—andOstriuswasseldomascarefulasheshouldhavebeen.Yet...therehadbeenthelampI’dfoundburningonthedressing

chest.Butwhataboutthatsecondexplosion?Whathadbeenupinthestudiothatcouldhaveexplodedsoquickly?

Inthetwilight,colderthanusualforearlyMaris,thewateronthecourtyardstoneswasbeginningtofreezeincornersthathadbeenshaded,andIhadtostepcarefullyasIapproachedMadameCaliostrus.Herfacewasmore

linedthanIrecalled,andhereyeswerefocusedsomewhereelse.

“I’msosorry.”

Sheshookherself.“Youdidwhatyoucould.Idon’tknowifIcouldhavegottenMarcyloutwithoutyourhelp.”Shepaused.“Whatwillyoudo?There’snothing...nothinghere.”

“Icanlivewithmyparents

foralittlewhile.PerhapsIcanfindanotherportraituremaster.Or...”Ididn’tknowwhatelseImightdo,becauseI’dhavetostartoverasajourneymanwithsomeoneelse—ifthey’devenhaveme.ButIdidn’treallywanttogointothewooltrade.I’dendupworkingforRousel,becausehewasbetteratit.Thatjustwouldhavebeentoomuch.“Whataboutyou?”I

hadtoask.

“Mysister...shecanhelp.Theyhavespace.”Tearsbegantowellinthecornersofhereyes.“Caliostrus...Ostrius...howcouldithavehappened?Caliostruswassocareful.”

Ididn’twanttopointoutthatOstriuswasn’t,notbecausehersonhadbeencareful,becauseheseldom

was,butbecause...haditreallybeenhisdoing?Ihadahardtimebelievingthatawishful,ifhateful,mentalimageofminehadcreatedafireandthenanexplosion,butIalsohadanequallydifficulttimethinkingparaffincouldexplodesoviolentlyandquicklywithoutMasterCaliostrusnoticingsomethingbeforeithappened.

“Idon’tknow.Iwasdownintheshedgrindingochre,andIhadbeenalmostallday.”

Intheend,Isaidgood-byeandslippedaway,walkingthroughthecoldtwilight,shiveringasIdid,becausemywarmcoathadalsogoneupinsmoke.Spotsonthebackofmyneckofferedhotandpainfultwinges.

MyearsandfingersandnosewerenumbbythetimeIusedtheknockeratmyparents’house.Eventheburnsonmyneckwerenumb.

Nellicaopenedthedoor.“Youngsir.”Shelookedaskanceatme.“Ah...wereyou...thereisadinner.”

“JusttellmyparentsthatI’mherebecauseof

unexpectedcircumstances...veryunexpected.”Ididn’tasktocomein.Iwastoocoldtoask.Ijuststeppedintothefrontfoyer.

“Yes,sir.”Sheeasedbacktowardthediningchamber,whereIcouldhearlaughter.

Almostimmediately,Fatherbustledout,andIcouldsensehisglareevenbeforeIcouldseeit.Mother

trailedhim,herbrowsknitinworry.

“Rhennthyl!Whatareyoudoinghere?”demandedFather.“DidMasterCaliostrusthrowyouout?Itoldyou—”

“Chenkyr...lethimspeak.He’sshivering,andhe’snotevenwearingajacket.Andhisclothesarecoveredinsoot.”

Ihadn’tevenreallynoticedthat.“Therewasafire.Iwasinthecourtyardgrindingandpowderingpigments.Therewasanexplosionandtheentiresecondlevel—thatwasthestudiolevel—explodedinflames.MasterCaliostrusandOstriusdiedinthefireortheexplosion.Thewholebuildingwasdestroyed,thestudio,thequarters,thefamilyspaces.Ihelpedthe

familyescapetheflames,andtriedtoassistthefirebrigade.”Ishrugged.“Ihavewhatyousee.”

Father,foronce,wastakenabackenoughthathewassilentforamoment.“Isee.”

“Ifyouwouldnotmindmysleepingsomewherehere...”

“Culthynhasyouroldroom.Youknewthat,”Mothersaidquickly,“butthe

chamberswhereRouselandRemayastayedareavailable.They’reabitmusty...becauseweweren’texpectingthemuntilthefirstweekinAvryl.Rouseldoesn’twanttoleaveheralonewhilesheisexpecting,andhehastocomebacktoworkouttherestoftheyear’sshipments.”

“Mustyisfine,”Isaid.Anythingwasfineatthemoment.

SheturnedtoFather.“Youtakecareoftheguests.I’llbewithyoushortly.”

“Ah...yes.”Henoddedtome.“I’mgladtoseeyou’reallright.We’lltalklater.”

Motherwaitedamoment,untilFatherhadclosedthedooroffthehallwayintothediningchamber.“Areyouallright?”Shelookedintentlyatme.

“AsrightasIcanbe.”ConsideringthatImighthaveimagedtheexplosionthatkilledmymasterandhisson,consideringI’dlosteverythingIhadpersonally—exceptfortheclothesonmybackandaweddingsuit—andconsideringthatIhadnoideawhetherIcouldfindaplacewithanothermasterartist...orwhatImightdo,giventhefactthat,ifIhad

imagedtheexplosion,whatIhaddonewaseffectivelymurder,aswellasanoffenseagainsttheCollegiumImago.

“You’refreezing.I’llhaveNellicagetyouaplateandsomehotfood,andsomespicedwine.Youcaneatinthefamilyparlor,rightinfrontofthestove.It’sstillwarm,andI’llhaveherfindyousomedryandwarmclothes.We’llseeyouafter

ourguestsleave.They’remostimportantforyourfather.He’sinterestedinalargecontractfortheNavy.”

“You’dbetterseetothem.”

“AfterImakesureyougetfedandwarm.”

BeforelongIwaswrappedinaheavywoolrobeinfrontoftheparlorstovewithaplatterofchickennaranjeandbasamaticricewithorange

sauce.Iateslowly,tryingtothinkmattersthrough.

EvenifIhadimagedthefireintobeing,IhadnotreallymeanttokillMasterCaliostrus,butIcouldnotsaythatofOstrius.Yetintendedornot,thedeedhadbeendone,andIneededtodiscoverwhatelseImightimage,forIwasnotabouttotraveltheBridgeofHopesandmakemycasetothe

imagersthatIshouldbeconsideredfortheirCollegiumonthebasisofanimagethathadkilledtwomen.

“Hereissomemoreofthehotspicedwine,sir...”offeredNellica,pouringsomeintothemugonthesidetable.

“Oh...thankyou.”

“Wasitaterriblefire,sir?”

“I’mafraiditwas,Nellica.MasterCaliostrusandhissonOstriusdied.Iwasworkingdowninthegrindingshedwhenithappened,orImighthavebeenburnedorinjured.”

“Sir...there’saburnortwo,littleones,itlookslike,onthebackofyourneck.AfterIservethedessert,Icangetsomeointment...andsomewarmwater.”

“Thankyou.Thatwouldbegood.”

Whensheleft,Itookanothersipofthehotspicedwine.

Myparentswouldhousemeforafewweeks,butcertainlynotlonger,notunlessIhadsomethingfirminmind,andnotwithoutmorethanafewquestions,andmorethanalittlepressure

toreturntothefold,sotospeak.

Itriedtowaitforthem,buttheirdinnerwentonandon.SoIdecidedgobacktothemain-floorguestchamber.Nellicahadsetoutwaterandtowels,andthewaterwasstillwarm.Iwashedupandthensatdownintheonearmchair.IthoughtImighttrytoseeifIcouldimagesomething,butIwassotiredthatmyeyes

keptclosing,andIfinallyjuststumbledovertothebedandclimbedunderthecoversandwenttosleep.

BeforeIknewit,NellicawasknockingonthechamberdooronVendreimorning.

“Yourparentswouldliketoknowifyouwouldcaretojointhemforbreakfast.”

Thatwasasclosetoasummonsaspossible,andI

struggledawake,finallymumbling,“Ifyou’dtellthemthatI’llbethereinjustafewmoments.”

“ThatIwill,sir.”

Ijustpulledontheheavyrobeandsomeslippersthathadbeenleftandpaddeddownthebackhallway.Theywerebothinthebreakfastroom.

Mothersetdownhertea.

“Areyoufeelingbetterthismorning,dear?”

“I’mstilltiredandsleepy,”Iadmitted,settlingintothechairatthesideoftheovaltable.

Nellicaimmediatelysetalargemugofsteamingteainfrontofme,toohoteventosip.

“Icancertainlyunderstand,dear,seeingafirelikethat

andhelpingfightit,andthenwalkingallthewayhereinthecold.”Mothersniffed,butsympathetically.

Fatherfinishedchewingamouthfulofwhatlookedsuspiciouslyliketroutandeggsoufflé,tookaswallowoftea,andclearedhisthroat.

Iputmyhands,stillcold,aroundthemugofteaandwaitedfortheonslaught.

“It’scleartheportraiturebusinesswasn’tforyou,”Fathersaidbriskly.“Thesesortsofthings,tragicastheymaybe,aren’ttobeignoredasportents.Ialsoheardyouhadthebestpaintinginthejourneyman’scompetition,butthatitwasn’tpickedbecauseitwastoo...unconventional.”

Thereferencetomypaintingofthechessboard

surprisedme.Ihadn’tmentionedittohimortoMotherorRousel.“Whotoldyouthat?”

“Idohavemysources,Rhenn.Merelybeinggoodatfiguresandtradeisn’tsufficienttosucceed,especiallynotinL’Excelsis.”

“Itakeitthatyourdinnerwassuccessfullastnight?”

“That’slikely,butonly

timewilltell.”Hefixedbothofhisslightlybulbouseyesonme.“Letusnotchangethesubject.Whatdoyouplantodo?”

“IcouldsaythatIhadn’tthoughtaboutit,”Iadmitted,“butthatwouldn’tbetrue.Ihavethoughtaboutit,butIhaven’tcometoadecision.”

“What’stodecide?”Hesnorted.“Youdon’thavetwo

silverstorubtogether,letalonethefivegoldsnecessarytopayforanotherjourneyman’spositionwithamaster,andthat’sifyoucouldfindonewillingtotakeyouon.”

“I’magoodportraiturist,”Ipointedout.

“No,son...you’rebetterthangood.IsawtheoneyoudidofMasgaylFactorius.He

boastedofwhatagreatportraititwasandhowlittleitcosthim.Yourabilityisyourproblem.You’rebetterthanmanywhoaremasters.Whywouldtheywanttoraiseupsomeonewhocouldcompeteagainstthemforpatronsassoonasyoubecameamaster?You’regoodenoughthattheguildcouldn’tpossiblyturnyoudown,evennow.Thatmeans

thatnoonewilltakeyouasajourneyman.Thosewhomightwillfearretaliationfromtheothers,andIcouldn’taffordthegiftsrequiredtogetyouaccepted.Itwascostlyenoughwhenyouwerejustatalentedstudentcomingoutofgrammaire.Now...”Heshookhishead.

“Iwasn’tasking.”

“Iknowyouweren’t.Thatwasn’tmypoint.WhatIwastryingtogetacrosswasthatifIcan’taffordthat...youcouldn’t,either.”Hetookadeepbreath.“Butyou’lllikelynotlistentome,notyet.I’dsuggestthatyoumaketheroundsofsomeoftheothermastersandseewhatreactionyouget.Then,we’lltalk.”Hepushedbackhischair.“Takeyourtime.

You’llneedtobesure,andIneedyoutounderstandhowmattersstand.”Thenhestoodandsmiled,anditwasn’tacruelsmile,butonethatwasalmostsad.

Howmattersstood?Evenwithhissources,hehadn’thalftheideaofwherematterstrulystood.Yet...whatifhewerewrong?Iwasagoodartist.Whatifsomeonewouldtakemeon?HowwouldI

knowifIdidn’tatleastask?

“Allofus,allofus,Rhenn,wedowhatwecan.You’llfindthat’strueforyouaswell.”

Ijustwatchedasheturnedandleft.

“He’sjusttryingtobehelpful,Rhenn.”

“Iknow.”AndIdid,butIwasn’tfindinghisattitudeas

helpfulashethoughtitwas.WhatwasIsupposedtodo?ComecrawlingbacktothefactoringbusinessandworkformyyoungerbrotheratsomethingforwhichIhadlittletalentandevenlessinclination?OrthrowmyselfonthemercyoftheimagersofImagisle?Whoknewiftheyevenhadmercy?

Afterfinishingbreakfast,silently,Iwashedup,and

changedintosomeolderclothesthathadbeensomeone’s,possiblymyfather’sormylateuncle’s.I’dhavetogetanotherrazor,andmorethanafewotheritems,assumingIcouldbegorborrowthecoinsfrommyparents.

ThenIsatdowninthechairandtriedtoimageasmallbox.Nothinghappened.

Iwalkedovertothedressingtableandpickedupapolishedbonehaircomb—probablyoneofapairofRemaya’sthatshe’dleftononeoftheirvisitsbecauseshe’dbrokenorlostthemate.Isetitdownandstudiedit,thenconcentrated,tryingtoimageitsmate,lyingonthepolishedwoodofthedressingtablebesidethefirst.Ididn’tseeanythinghappen,but

then,asifithadbeenthereallalong,apairofcombsrestedonthewood.

I’dleavethem,ofcourse,ifonlytoconfoundRouselandRemaya,exceptthatthey’dprobablyjustassumethatsomeonehadfoundorrepairedthebrokencomb.

ThatprovedtomethatIcouldimagesomethingbeyondoilsoncanvas.Italso

reinforcedthelikelihoodthatI’dbeenguiltyofkillingtwomen,evenifithadbeenunintentional.

IfIwantedtokeeppainting,Istillneededtotalktosomeoftheotherportraituristmasters.

755A.L.

Intruthliesfalsity,infalsitytruth.

Chasys’sstudiowastheclosestofanyofthe

portraituristmasters’studiostomyparents,butitwasstillalongwalktoDaravinWay,Thankfully,themorningwassunny,andtheblusterywindofthedaybeforehaddieddown.Evenso,myfeetwerecoldbythetimeIstoppedoutsidethesmalltwo-storydwellingthatheldquartersandstudio.

Iusedthebronzeknockerontheoutsidestudiodoor,

expectingSagaryntobetheonetogreetme,butChasyshimselfappeared.Hewasathinfigure,slightlytallerthanIwas,butnoonewouldhavethoughtso,becausehewasalwaysstoopedover.Hisgrayingbrownhairwasfrizzyallover,buttrimmedshort.Heworealeatherapron.

“Rhennthyl,isit?”Hesteppedbackandheldthedooropen.“Mightaswell

comeinandgetwarmedup.”

“Thankyou.”

Chasysclosedthedoor.Beyondhimwasthestudio,aspacelessthanaquarterthesizeIhadworkedinwithMasterCaliostrus.Ontheeaselwasaportrait,scarcelybegun,butIcouldtellthatitwasofayoungmatron,notthatIwouldhaverecognizedmanywiththegoldsto

commissionsuchawork.

“AfterIheardwhathappenedtooldCaliostrus...”Heshookhishead.“Alwaysknewhewasspoilingthatboy...man,Iguesshewas.”Thenhelookedsquarelyatme.“Sagarynthoughtyoumightbeaskingaround.Ilikedthatstudyyouenteredinthecompetition,thatIdid.”

IhadthefeelingIknewwhatwascoming,butIjustsaid,“Thankyou,MasterChasys.”

“It’snotthatIcouldn’tuseanotherjourneyman,especiallyonewithyourskills,but...we’vebarelygotenoughworkthesedaysforSagarynandme.Ihaven’tseensolittleworkinmaybeten-twelveyears,andit’snotjustme.JacquerlandTeibyn

weresayingthesame.”

Thatdidn’tsurpriseme,becauseSagarynhadmentionedthattimesweresometimestight,butIhadtostartsomewhere.“Isthereamasteryoumightsuggest?”

Chasyscockedhishead,thenfrowned.“Idon’tknowaboutEstafenorKocteault.”

“I’veseenKocteault’splace,butnotMaster

Estafen’s...”

“Estafen...youwalkedwithinfiftyyardsofhisplacecominghere.He’sonBeidalt—theshortplacejustbeyondtheendofBakers’Lane.”

SinceEstafenwasnearer,thatwaswhereIwentnext,afarshorterwalk.

Anapprenticeopenedthesidedoortothestudio,paintedwhiteandtrimmed

withthethinnestlineofgreen—zincgreen,butgreen,nonetheless.MostdoorsinL’Excelsiswereeitherstainedandoiledorpaintedonecolor.“MightIsaywho’sseekingthemaster?”

“Rhennthyl,fromMasterCaliostrus.”

“Ifyouwouldwaitinthefoyer...sir.”

“Thankyou.”Istepped

insideandlookedaroundwhiletheapprenticescurriedthroughanotherdoor.Estafen’sstudiohadafoyer,bare,exceptforasingleportraithungthereonthewallfacingthedoor.Itwasamostflatteringimageofaredheadedyoungwoman,asubtlebutdirectindicationthathecouldindeedportrayredheadswithskill.Still,Ididn’tthinkitwasthatmuch

betterthantheonesI’ddone.

“Yes,Rhennthyl,youdoportrayredheadswell.It’soneofyourmanytalents.”MasterEstafenhadslippedintothefoyersosilentlythatIhadnotevennoticedhim,farmorequietlythanIwouldhaveexpectedfromsucharotundfigure.

“IfImightask,sir,howdidyouknow?”

“IwasprivilegedtoseetheoneyoudidlastyearofMistressD’Whaelyn.HighFactorWhelatyn,thebrotherofthegirl’sfather,askedmyopinion.Itoldhimthathecouldnothavedonebetter,exceptifhehadcommissionedonefromamaster.”

Ismiledpolitely.Theportraithadbeenbetterthansomeofthemasters’works

withredheads,althoughIhadtoadmitthattheoneEstafenhadhungwasquitegood.“Thankyou,sir.IimagineyouknowwhyI’mhere.”

“Icouldpretendtobedenseandquitesolicitous...butIwon’t.”Estafen’ssmilewaspleasantandcool.“IunderstandMasterCaliostrusperishedinafire.Whynoonesuspectsyouofanypartinitis,first,youwere

nowherenearwherethefirestartedforhalfadayand,second,youhavesomuchtolose,andnothingtogain.You,ofcourse,couldbemygain,but,alas,Ialreadyhavetwojourneymenandtwoapprentices.Noneofthemarequitesogoodasyou,butthey’remostcompetent,andevenIdonothaveenoughworkforthem...andyouaswell.”Hissmileturned

apologetic.“Timesaredifficult,andwithapossiblewarloomingandtradeandcommerceprofitsbeingthreatened,fewerofthosewithcoinsarelikelytospendthemonportraits.”Heshrugged.“IwishIcouldofferyoumoreencouragement,Rhennthyl,butthatishowitmustbe.Itrustyouunderstand.”

“Iunderstandyour

situation,sir,andIrespectandappreciateyourkinddirectness.YoumustunderstandthatImustattempttofindaposition.Doyouhaveanysuggestions,sir?”

“WouldthatIcouldsuggestamaster,Rhennthyl,butIcannot,andIfearthatwhatyouseekmayprovemostdifficult.Becauseofyourtalentandaspirations,I

wouldhopeotherwise.”

“AswouldI,sir.”Iinclinedmyhead.“Ithankyouforyourtime,sir.”

“Thebestoffortunetoyou,andIwouldbethefirsttohopethatyoufindthepropermasterforyourabilities.”

Ibowedagainandtookmyleave.

AsIwalkedbackalongthe

BoulevardD’Este,towardJacquerl’sstudio,IthoughtoverMasterEstafen’swords.Theyboreanominoussimilaritytowhatmyfatherhadsaid.Estafenhadasmuchassaidthathewasn’tabouttohavesomeoneasgoodasIwasasajourneyman.

Itwasearlyafternoon,andmyfeetweregettingsore,whenIreachedJacquerl’sestablishmentonSloedyr

Way.IwishedI’dhadthecoinsforahack,orthewealthformyowncarriage,butifI’dhadthat,Iwouldn’thavebeentrudgingfrommasterportraituristtomasterportraiturist.

Rogarismetmeoutside,evenbeforeIcouldknockatthedoor.“Youcantalktohimifyouwantto...”Heraisedhiseyebrows.

“Buthe’llsayno.”

Rogarisnodded.

“I’lltalktohim.I’dliketohearhowheturnsmedown.”

“Ithoughtso.”Rogarisshookhishead,thenopenedthedoor—paintedadarkbrown—andsteppedinside,waitingformeandclosingitbehindme.Thewoodenfloorscouldhavegracedthefoyerofmanydwellings,far

finertheywerethanmoststudiosinwhichIhadbeen.

Jacquerlsteppedawayfromtheeasel,settingdownabrush,andwalkedtowardme.Hewasshortanddapper,andevenhisleatherapronwasalmostspotless.“Rhennthyl.”Hesmiledpolitely.“Rogarissaidyouwouldwishtospeaktome.IwassosorrytohearaboutpoorCaliostrus.Hewasagoodman,andwe’llall

misshim.”Hepaused.“Iassumeyouareheretoseeifthereisanypossibilityofbecomingoneofmyjourneymen.”

“Thatwasmythought,sir.”

“Directlysaid,asmightyourfatherhaveputit,adirectman,asfactorsmustoftenbe.”

“Hecanbeverydirect,sir,moresothanI.”

“Thatwellmaybe,Rhennthyl,butyouneverdidstrikemeasayoungmanamenabletothesubtle.ThatcanbebothastrengthandaweaknessinSolidar.That’sparticularlytruehereinL’Excelsis,where,attimes,onemustbesubtleandperceptiveenoughtoseewhatisandwhynoonewillmentionit,andyetstrongenoughtopursuewhatis

necessarywithoutseemingtodoso.”Jacquerlpaused.“Then,thereareothertimes,suchasthese.MuchasIwouldliketosupportanartistofyourability,Icannot.Thecommissionswouldnotbethere,andwewouldallsuffer.Youwillpardonme,Itrust,ifafteralltheyearsIhavebeenamaster,Iwouldprefernottosuffer.”

“Icanappreciatethat,sir.”

Thedapperportraituristsmiled,ifsadly.“Iwishitwereotherwise,butweartistsdonotmakethetimes.Weonlyliveinthemandportrayotherswhodo.”Afterapause,headded,“Mybesttoyou.”

Rogarisfollowedmeoutontothefrontstoop.“Itoldyou...”

“Whotoldthemnottotake

meon?”

“What?”

“I’mnotstupid,Rogaris.Imaynotbesubtle,andI’mcertainlynotverygoodatbeingindirect,butyourmasterasmuchassaidhewastoldhe’dnevergetanothercommission,ornotmany,ifhetookmeonasajourneyman.”

Rogarisshrugged.“Idon’t

know.Hedidn’tevensayasmuchtomeashejustsaidtoyou.Ithinkit’sameasureofrespecttoyouthathesaidasmuchashedid.”

ThatkindofrespectIcoulddowithout,especiallyifitkeptmefrombeingaportraiturist.“Iknowyoudidn’thaveanythingtodowithit.”

“You’restillgoingtotry

others?”

“Therearen’tthatmanymoreleft,butIwill.”

Rogarisnodded.“Ithoughtyoumight.Bestoffortune.”

HewatchedasIwalkedoffdowntowardthecornerandthewindinglanethatwouldtakemebackouttotheboulevard.Ithoughtaboutstoppingattheconfectioner’sonthecorner,untilIrealized

Ihadbutasinglesilverandthreecoppersinmywallet—andnowaytogetmore,exceptthroughthecharityofmyparents.Thatgratedonmysensibilities,andIcouldfeelmorethanalittleangerchurninginsideme.CoulditbethatIwasgoingtobeforcedtochoosebetweenbeinganineffectivewoolfactororchancingtheunknownworldofImagisle?

Ahalfglasslater,IsteppeduptoMasterKocteault’sstudiodoor.

Aureleanopenedit.“Ah...dearRhennthyl.AfterIheardthenewsaboutMasterCaliostrus,I’dthoughtyoumightmakeanappearanceatMasterKocteault’sstudiodoor.Alas,hesimplyhasnopositionforajourneymanandisunlikelytohaveoneforatleasttwoyears.”

“Oh?Twoyears?That’sratherprecise,isn’tit,Aurelean?”

“Hisverywordswerethatonejourneymanwasmorethanenoughdifficultyandobligation,andsinceyou—hewasreferringtome,ofcourse—havetwoyearsbeforeI’llrecommendyouformaster,there’snopointintalkingtothepoorfellow.”

“Ishein?”

“Alas,heisnot.HeisdoingasittingatHighFactorZatoryn’s—hiswife.Sheisstriking,quitebeautiful,youknow?”

“Whenwillhebeback?”

“Icouldn’tsay,dearRhennthyl,andIdoubtthathewouldbeabletotellyouanymorethanIhave.Hemightsayitmore

diplomatically,butthemessagewouldbethesame.”Hissmilewasoily,supercilious,andsimpering.“Weallwishyoutheverybest.”

HeclosedthedoorasIstoodthere.

TherewerestillsomeofthelessermastersIcouldtalkto,butIwasgettingaverystrongfeelingthatmyfather

hadbeenalltooaccurateinhisassessmentofmyprospects.

Still...therewasnopointinleavinganystoneunturned.

ItookadeepbreathandbegantowalkthethreeblockstotheBoulevardD’Este.IhadseveralmillestogoalongtheNordroadandthentheSudroadtowardtheAvenueofArtisansinorder

toreachtheotherclusterofmasterportraiturists.

CollegiumImago

Thelongestjourneysarethe

oneswhereonefearsthedestination.

BynoononSamedi,IhadvisitedeveryportraituristmasterinL’Excelsis,andnotasingleonehadanopeningforajourneyman,oratleastnotforme.ThenIdidsome

inquiriesaboutthepossibilitiesintheRepresentationalists’Guild,andtheindicationstherewereevenlessencouraging,becausetheguildrulesrequiredafullapprenticeshipunderoneoftheirmasters.

OnSolayi,Ikeptmostlytomyself,exceptforashorttimewhenKhethilaslippedintotheguestchamber.Shewasconcerned,butIhadthe

feelingherconcernswerenottotallyaboutme,andIwonderedifshewerehavingsecondthoughtsabouttheproposalfromArmynd,butshedidn’tsay,and,thewayIfelt,Ididn’task.

Aftersheleft,Itriedimagingmoresmallthings,suchasthecomb,andencounteredmorethanafewdifficulties.Anythingmetalwasdifficult,ifsmall,and

impossible,forme,iflarge.Familiaritemsweretheeasiest,butonlythosenottoofamiliar,perhapsbecausereallyfamiliarobjectsIhadtakentoomuchforgrantedandnotreallystudied.IdidconvincemyselfthatIhadsomesmallimagingtalent,butIstillwasn’tcertainhowIcouldhaveimagedafireandexplosionwhenIhadsuchtroubleinimagingsmall

householdobjects.

Butthen...whetherIhadornotwasn’tthequestion.ThequestionwaswhatIwoulddo.

OnLundimorning,wellbeforebreakfast,IgatheredtogetherthefewbelongingsIhadandslippedoutthesidedoorofthehousewhennoonewaslooking.Icouldn’tpretendthatIwantedtobea

woolfactor,oranyotherkindoffactor,andattwenty-four,IwasalreadytoooldtoentertheMilitaryInstituteorMarineAcademy,evenifIhadwantedtobeanArmyorNavyofficer—whichImostcertainlydidn’t.ThecraftatwhichIwasbestwaspainting,andthatdidn’tseemtooffermuchfuture,atleastinL’Excelsis.WhileImightbeabletofindapositionin

anothercity,Ididn’thavethecoinstotravelanywhere,andIdoubtedIcouldgetthereferencesIneeded,notafterwhathadjusthappened.EvenifIcould,Iwaslookingatanotherfiveyearsasajourneyman,assumingIcouldfindsomeonewillingtotakemeonincitiesIdidn’tevenknow,andmostothercitiescouldn’tsupportnearlysomanyportraituristsfrom

whatI’dheard.Ontopofthat,I’ddoubtlessneedFather’ssupport,again,andIdidn’twanttoaskmore.Ialsodoubtedthathe’dgiveit,notthewayhe’dbeentalkingovertheendoftheweek.

Yet...didIreallywanttogotoImagisle?DidIhaveachoice,really?

Theairwaschill,butthesunroseandwarmedmy

backbeforeI’dgonemorethanhalfamille.Thankfully,theairwassostillthatitfeltwarmerthanitreallywas.ThestretchfromthehousetothePlazaD’Estewasn’tbad,norwasthewalkdowntheMidroadtotheGuildHall,butmyfeetandlegsweregettingsorebythetimeIwasontheBoulevardD’ImagersheadingtowardtheBridgeofHopes,andIsatdownona

stonebenchahalfmilleshortofthebridgeandlookedatthegraygranitetowersoftheCollegiumImagorisingabovethebarelimbsoftheoaksthatlinedtheriversideparkontheeastsideoftheRiverAluse.Inanothermonth,theymightbeshowingtracesofgreen.

I’dalwayswonderedwhytheCollegiumhadusedgraygraniteforbuildings,while

thebuildingsontheCouncilHillwerehardenedwhitealabaster.Theimagershadbeenresponsibleforbuildingboth.AsIsatattheedgeoftheparkwaythatborderedtheboulevard,thewindbegantorise,andthemarginalwarmthprovidedbythewhitelightofthewintersundisappeared.

Istood,stretched,andresumedmyprogresstowardtheBridgeofHopesalongthe

widestonewalkwayparallelingtheBoulevardD’Imagers.Justbeforetheboulevardreachedtheriverandthebridge,itintersectedEastRiverRoad,andallthewagonsandcarriagesandthehandfulofriderstookEastRiverRoadnorthorsouth.

IdartedacrosstheroadandstoodonthecausewayapproachingtheBridgeofHopes,agranitespanover

theeasternchanneloftheRiverAluseonlyslightlywiderthannecessarytoaccommodatealargewagonorastatelycarriage.Therewerenostonemarkersannouncingitsname,noranyguardhouses.Theroadbed,pavedwithsmoothgranitestones,archedslightlyupward,sothatthemiddleofthebridge,somefifteenyardsout,wasaboutayardhigher

thanthecausewayateachend.Ateachsideofthespanwasawallagoodyardhigh.Therewerenosidewalks,andtheroadbedranflatfromwalltowall.

NoonecrossedanyofthethreenarrowbridgestoImagisleunlesstheywantedtogototheCollegium,andnotthatmanydid.BoththeNordBridgeandtheSudBridge,socalledbecauseone

wasnorthofImagisleandonesouth,werethemaincitythoroughfaresforthosewhowishedtocrosstheAluse.

Istoppedoncemore,justshortofthebridgeproper.DidIreallywanttotrytobecomeanimager?Iswallowed,forcingmyselftothinkabouthowlittleIwantedtohearaboutwhatgreatworkRouselwasdoinginKherseilles.

Itookadeepbreathandbegantowalkslowlyandsteadilyacrossthebridge.OnceIhadcrossed,Iwasfacedwithachoice.Thecausewaydebouchedintothreestonelanes.Onewentnorth,onesouth,andonedirectlytowardasingle-storiedgranitebuildingwithagrayslatetileroof.Ifollowedthelanetothebuilding.

OutsidethebuildingI

pausedbeforeastonearchwayofthestylecalledGlacian,supposedlybecauseitwassospareandcold,justliketheMontsD’GlacethatseparatedthefertileandprosperoussouthlandsofSolidarfromthenorthernwastelands.Underthearchwasasingledoorofgray-stainedoakboundinshimmeringbrass.Itookadeepbreathandstepped

forward,pressingthedoorleverdown,thenopeningthedoor.

Insidewasafoyer,squareandfiveyardsbyfive.Thewallsweresmoothsheetsofbaregraygranite,withoutaseaminthestone.Thefloorwasofthesameseamlessgranite,andtherewasnosignofajoinorofanymortaringofanysortwherethefloorandwallsmet.Theceiling

wasoffeaturelesswhiteplaster.Twosquarearchesledfromthefoyerintoshorthallways—onetotherightandonetotheleft.Directlyoppositetheentrywasatable,alsoentirelyofgranite,exceptthetopsurfacewaspolishedsosmooththatitshimmered.Behindthetablesatayoungman,wearingalightgraycollaredshirt,withawaistcoatofadarkergray

thatseemedtomatchhistrousers,fromwhatIcouldsee.Hisbootswereblack.Hisbrownhairwascutshort,likethatofasoldierorsailor.Iwalkedtothetableandstopped.

“MightIhelpyou?”heasked.

“IthinkIneedtoseeifI’msuitedtobeanimager.”

“Whatmakesyouthink

youmightbeanimager?You’re...ratherolder...thanmostwhocomeacrossthebridge.”HelookedyoungerthanIdid.

Imanagedashrug.“BecauseIcanimagesmallthings.”

“Oh?Wouldyoumindshowingme?”

Ithoughtforamoment,thendecidedthatareplicaof

thecombIhaddonethefirsttimewouldn’tbetoodifficult.Iconcentrated,creatingthementalimageofRemaya’scomb.Itappearedontheflatsurface,justshortofhishand.

Forsomereason,heseemedsurprised,especiallyafterhepickeditup.“That’sarathergoodcomb.”Hepaused.“Ifyouwouldn’tmindwaitinghereforjustamoment,IthinkGherard

Secondusmightwishtospeakwithyou.”

Takingthecomb,hestoodandslippedawayfromthetable,walkingquicklyacrossthefoyerandthroughthearchwaytomyleft.Afterashorttime,hereturned.“Ifyouwouldcomethisway...”

Ifollowedhimlessthantenyardsalongthecorridor—

walledandflooredinthesameseamlessgranite—beforewecametoanopendoor.Hestoodbackandgesturedformetoenter.

Idid.

GherardSecondusstoodbesidetheendofalongconferencetableinachamberthatheldnothingbesidesthetableandthetenchairsthatflankedit,fouroneachside

andoneateachend.Hestoodbesidethechairatoneend,andhewasattiredinthesamegraygarbasthefirstimager,insofarasIcouldtell,buthedidlooksomewhatolder,perhapsalmostasoldasIwas,andhisshort-cuthairwaslimpandblond.

Hegesturedtothechairclosesttotheonebehindwhichhestood.“Ifyouwouldliketositdown...”

Iwasmorethanhappytoseatmyself.Myfeetweresore.

“Petrynshowedmethecombyouimaged.It’sfinework.Whathaveyoubeendoing?”

“Doing,sir?”

“You’retoooldtostillbeinthegrammaire,andyoudon’tlooklikeanInstituteoruniversitystudent.”

“Oh...I’vebeenajourneymanportraiturist,withMasterCaliostrus.”

Hestiffened,justslightly.“RhennthylD’Caliostrus?Isthatyou?”

“Notanymore.I’mjustRhennthyl.”IcertainlywastoooldtoclaimmyselfasRhennthylD’Chenkyr.“MasterCaliostrusdiedinafirelastJeudi.”

Henodded.“Actually,youneedtoseeMasterDichartyn.I’llberightback.”Heroseandleftmesittingthere.

Acoldshiverwentdownmyspine.Gherardhadn’tknownme,buthehadknownmyname,andhehadbeengivensomeinstructions.Yet...Ihadn’ttoldanyoneofmyintentionstoseekouttheimagers.

Gherarddidnotreturn.Insteadanothermancame.Hewas,notunsurprisingly,attiredinexactlythesamefashionastheothertwoimagers.Unlikethem,however,hewasolder,graying,andradiatedacertainsenseofpower.Healsodidnotsitdown.“I’mMasterDichartyn.You’reRhennthyl,formerlyRhennthylD’Caliostrus?”

“Yes,sir.”Istoodquickly.

“Gherardsaidthatyouimagedacomb.I’dappreciateitifyouwouldattempttoimagethis.”Hesetasmalltoplessboxontheflattable,almostsmallenoughtorestonmypalm.

“MightIexamineit,sir?”

“Pleasedo.”

Ipickeditup.Itwascastor

formedfromsomesortofmetal,butnonethatIknew,foralthoughitwassilveryincolor,itwasfarlighterthaneitherironorsilveroreventin,Ithought.AllIcoulddowasholdit,trytofeelit,beforesettingitonthetableandthenconcentratingonitsshapeandsizeandthefeelingoflightness.Visualizingtheboxwassomehowbotheasy...anddifficult.Evenso,

anotherboxappearedonthetablebesidethefirst.Tome,theylookedthesame,butIwassolight-headedthatIhadtoputoutahandtothebackofthenearestchairandsteadymyself.I’dneverfeltweakbeforewhenI’dimagedthings.

MasterDichartynlookedatbothboxes,thenpickeduptheoneIhadimaged,thentheother,weighingtheminhis

hands.Afteramoment,heshookhishead.

IwonderedwhatI’ddonewrong.

“You’reanimager,andyoucouldbeaverygoodone.Givenyourbackground,Rhennthyl,Ican’tsaythatyou’lllikeit,butyoudon’thavemuchchoice.”

Ialreadyknewthat.

Acceptingwhatisnotisthe

hardestaspectofimaging,

indeed,ofanyprofessionrequiringgreatskill.

Forthenextfewglasses,IfeltlikeallIdidwaswalkfromonegraybuildingtoanother,orfromonepartofabuilding

toanother,guidedbyGherard,ratherthanPetrynorMasterDichartyn.Intheprocess,Igatheredthreesetsofgraygarments,fivesetsofpalergrayundergarments,blackboots,imagedtofitmyfeetbyagrayingimager,aswellasastackoffiveboundbooks.Ialsogotaheavygraywoolcloakforcoldweatherandapairofgloves.OnesetofgarmentsIdonned

immediately,andtheothersetsandthebooksweredepositedinthenarrowarmoireinthestarkgrayroomonthesecondfloorofthebuildingthathousedimagersoftheprimusandseconduslevels.

“Fornow,”Gherardtoldme,asheguidedmebacktowardthefirstbuilding,whichI’dlearnedwastheadministrativebuilding,

“you’reaprimus,butonceyouknowthebasicsabouttheCollegium,they’llprobablymakeyouasecondus.”

“Youdon’thavetoserveamandatoryapprenticeship?”

Heshookhishead.“It’sallbyability.Therearesomeimagersprimuswhoareoversixty.It’sallthey’lleverbe.”Hefrowned.“Therearesomemastersintheirlatetwenties,

butnoone’severattainedarankaboveMaitreD’Structurebeforearoundforty,andthereareonlytwoMaitresD’Esprit.”

Imusthavelookedblank.

“Therearethreelevelsofregularimagers—primus,secondus,andtertius—andfourmasterlevels:MaitreD’Aspect,MaitreD’Structure,MaitreD’Esprit,

andMaitreD’Image.MostimagersintheCollegiumareeitherimagerssecondusortertius.Rightnow,IthinkthereareperhapsfifteenMaitresD’Aspect,buttheremightbemore.”

Thenumberdidn’tsurpriseme.TherewereonlyaboutthatmanymasterportraituristsinL’Excelsis.Butwithsofew,Ihadtowonderwhyhedidn’tknow

theexactnumber.

“Ihopeyoureadwellandquickly,becauseyou’restartinglate,andyouhavealottolearn.You’llhavetolearnbasicchemistry,somethingaboutmetals,andhowlivingthings—treesandpeople,mostly—work,andallsortsofthingsaboutcombustion,butthat’smostlyforself-protection.MasterDichartynwillexplain

everythinginmoredetail,includingyourduties.”

Hedidn’tsaymuchmoreafterthat,butjustescortedmebacktothesameroomwhereI’dbegunandleftmethere,whereIsatforatimebeforeMasterDicharytnappeared.

Iimmediatelyrose.“Sir.”

HewavedmebacktotheseatIhadtaken.“Youhave

garments,quarters,andbooksnow,Itakeit?”

“Yes,sir.”

“Doyouhaveanythingpersonalthatyouwouldliketobring?Youcanhavepersonalitemslikequilts,pillows,bedclothing,paintingsorwallhangings,smallrugs.Noclothing,exceptnightwear,andnopersonaljewelry.”

“No,sir.Mostofmypersonalthingsweredestroyed.”AndIcertainlywasn’tabouttoaskmyparentsforanything.

MasterDichartynnodded.“Now...letmegooversomeverybasicrules.First,untilyouaretoldotherwise,andonlybyamaster,youarenottoleaveImagisle.Usually,thisrestrictionlastsanywherefromonetothree

months,dependingonhowfastyoulearnanumberofthings.Second,afterwefinishtoday,youaretotakethemapIwillgiveyou,andyouwillspendtherestofthedaylearningwhereeverychamberandbuildingontheisleis.Donotenteranyroomwherethedoorisclosed....

“Thedininghallservesbreakfastfromthesixthglassofthemorning,amidday

mealbetweennoonandthefirstglassoftheafternoon,anddinneratthesixthglassoftheafternoon.Seatingisroughlybyposition.Thereisatableforimagersprimus,oneforimagerssecondusandtertius,andathirdformaitres...”

IlistenedasintentlyasIcouldwhileheoutlinedtheregimenofImagisle.Itcertainlydidn’tseemany

worsethanbeinganapprentice.

“Asforyourduties...they’reverysimple.Fornow,you’retodowhatItellyoutodo.I’vegivenyouyourinstructionsfortoday.Tomorrow,attheseventhglassofthemorningyouaretoappearandwaitoutsidemystudy—it’stwodoorsdownontheleft—untilIsummonyou.Isuggestyoubringthe

volumeonthestructureoftheCollegiumandtheresponsibilitiesofanimagerandreadit,incaseyouhavetowait.Forthenextseveralweeks,yourdutieswillcenteronlearningeverythinginthebooksyouweregiven.”MasterDichartynsmiledwryly.“Idohaveasimplequestionforyou.Didyoutellanyoneyouwerecominghere?”

“Why,sir?”Thequestionmademewary.

“Becauseabouthalfofthewould-beimagersdon’ttellanyone,andthenthecivicpatrollerscontactustoseeifyou’rehere.It’smuchsimplerifyoujustwriteanoteortwotothosewhomightworry,onewayoranother.Inyourcase,I’dpresume,toyourparents,sinceyounolongerservea

masterportraiturist.Thereshouldbesomeblankstationeryinthearmoireinyourchamber,aswellasapenandink.Ifyou’llbringthenotesbacktomethisafternoon,I’llhavethemdispatchedimmediately,andyourparentswon’thavetoworrytoolong.Oh...andyoudogetastipend.It’snotmuch,onlyasilveraweek,butwedofeedandclothe

you.OnceyoulearnthebasicsoftheCollegiumandpassaproficiencytest,ortheequivalent,mostofwhichyou’vealreadydemonstratedtheabilitytodo,you’llbecomeabeginningimagersecondus,andthat’sworthtwosilversaweek.Stipendsgoupinaccordancewithyourpositionandhowlongyou’vebeenwiththeCollegium.Sodoesthe

amountofspaceallocatedtoyou.”

Asilveraweekwasn’tgrand,butitwasn’tabsolutepoverty,either,andthepositionalreadysoundedbetterthanattemptingtobeawoolfactorundermyfatherandRousel.

“Thereareseveralotherbasics.First,weexpectdailybathingandfrequent

launderingofyourgarments.Thisisforbothsafetyandsanitaryreasons,therationaleforwhichwillbecomeclearbeforelong,Itrust.Thebathingisyourresponsibility;thelaunderingwehavearranged,solongasyouplaceyourdirtygarmentsintheproperplace.Therearetwobarbersinthebuildingwiththedininghall,andweexpectshorthair,asyoumay

havenoticed...”

Whenhefinallyfinishedwhatseemedathoroughoverviewofwhatwasexpectedofme,hestopped.Thesmilevanished.

Iwaited,worriedaboutwhatmightcomenext.

“Awordofcaution,Rhennthyl.Imaginggoesfarbeyondmerelycreatingobjects,anditcanbe

dangerous,”MasterDichartynsaid.“ThatiswhyImustaskyounottoattemptanymoreimagingexceptundersupervisionofamasterorathisorherdirection.Mostpeoplehavenoconceptofwhatwedo,andwetrynottoletthemknow.ThatisonereasonwhysomeimagersprimusleavebytheBridgeofStones.”

Allguildshadsecrets,orat

leasttheirpractitionersdid.MasterCaliostrushadwaysofcombiningwaxes,oils,andpigmentsthathehadswornothersdidnotknow,andrevealingsuchsecretscouldcostanapprenticeorajourneymanhisposition,nottomentionastiffflogging.But...death?Itriednottoswallow.Ifailed.

MasterDichartynofferedacrookedsmile.“One

advantageofdealingwithsomeoneolderisthatyouunderstandfullytheimplicationsofwhatI’mtellingyou.Letmeexplain.Wearenotcruel,andcontrarytowhatpeoplemaysay,wedonotarbitrarilyorotherwisekillyoungimagers.Veryfewimagersfacedisciplinaryhearings.MostwholeavebytheBridgeofStonesdosobecausethey

madeamistakeinimaging.Youhavebeenajourneymanportraiturist.Whatwillhappenifyoumixparaffin,oils,andwaxesoveraveryhotflame—withoutcare?”

“You’llgetafire.”Iwasn’tabouttomentionpossibleexplosions.

“Orworse.”Henodded.“Now...whatwouldhappenifanimagerattemptedto

imageallthreerightonastoveorinafire?”

Iwinced.

“Exactly.”Hepaused.“Now,that’sreallynotagoodexample,butitshouldgiveyouanideaofwhatcanhappen.Therearemanysubstancesthatshouldnotbecombinedinimaging,andthatiswhyyouneedtostudythebooksyoureceivedand

followinstructionsmostcarefully—especiallyasyoubecomemoreexperienced.”

Icouldn’thelpbutfrowninpuzzlementathislastwords.

“Inimaging,”heexplained,“themoreyoulearntodo,thecloseryouaretogreatdanger,frommanysources.Youmaynotunderstandthisnow,butforyourownsafety,pleasebelievemeuntilyou

understandwhyitisso.”

Therewasnomistakingtheearnestnessorthedirectconcerninhiswords,butIdidwishthathehadnotusedtheparaffinexample,becauseitsuggestedthathehadatleastasuspicionthatmyimaginghadledtoMasterCaliostrus’sdeath.Yet...ifhebelievedthat,whywouldtheyacceptmeevenasabeginningimager?

Abruptly,hestood.“Thatisallfornow.”Heextendedafoldedpaper,themap,Ipresumed.“Beforeyouexplore,pleasewritethosenotesandbringthemback.Knockonmydoor,once,thenwait.”

“Yes,sir.”

Henodded,thenturnedandleftmeholdingthemap.

Iwalkedslowlybacktomy

newquarters,andImanageditwithoutlookingatthemap.ThereIsettleddownatthetabledesk.

Writingthelettertomyparentswashard,butbetterthanhavingtotelltheminpersonwhatIplannedbeforeIknewwhethertheCollegiumwouldacceptme.IfI’dbeenrejected,whatcouldIhavesaid?Besides,thenFatherwouldhavecome

upwithanotherofhissermonsonwhatwasforeordainedandhowitwasclearIwasnotmeanttobeapainteroranimagerandhowIshouldn’thavetriedtoescapemycallingasawoolfactor.StillIspentsomuchtimetryingtogetthewordsjustrightthattherewaslessthanahalfglassleftbeforenoonbythetimeIhandedthelettertoMasterDichartyn.

“Youspentsometimeonit.Good.I’llhaveitdeliveredthisafternoon.Oh...youalsohavealetterboxintherearcorridoroutsidethedininghall,nexttotheboxesthatholdthenewsheets.Youdon’thavetopayforthem,butyouareexpectedtoreadthem—regularly.Bythisevening,yourletterboxshouldhaveyourinitialsonit—IP-RH.That’syour

positionfollowedbythefirsttwoinitialsofyourname.Ifsomeoneelsehasthoseinitials,youmighthavethreeorfourlettersfollowingyourposition.”

“Thankyou,sir.”

MasterDichartynjustnodded.“Tomorrowmorning.Here.”Thenheturnedandclosedthedoortohisstudy.

Withthemapinhand,I

begantonavigatemywaytothedininghall.IhadgottenupearlyandeatennothingexceptsomebreadI’dpilferedfromthekitchenonthewayout.ThedininghallwaswithinalargerbuildingatthewestsideofthequadranglebehindtheadministrationbuildingwhereI’dfirstenteredtheCollegium.ItwasnotnearlysolargeasIhadimagined,

anditheldbutthreetables,asmalltablesetcrosswiseacrossthehall,andtwolongertablesparalleltoeachotherandperpendiculartothesmallertable.TherewasnooneattheshorttablewhenIenteredthehalljustbeforethebellsstrucknoon,butanumberofyoungerimagersstoodaroundthetableontheright.

Ieasedtowardaredheaded

youngman.“Isthisthetablefortheimagersprimus?”

“Foruslowlyprimes,itis.You’renew,aren’tyou?”

“Aboutasnewasonecanbe,”Iadmitted.“Icrossedthebridgethismorning.”

“I’mEtyen.”

“Rhenn,orformally,Rhennthyl.”AsIstoodthere,Irealizedthatseveralofthe

figureswereyoungwomen.Ialsosawtwoolderwomencomingthroughthearcheddoorway,oneofthemgray-haired,andwalkingtowardtheadjoiningtable,andathird,alsogray,movingtowardthemasters’tablewithawhite-hairedman.ImusthavestaredbecauseEtyenspokeagain.

“Therearen’tthatmanywomenimagers,butMaitre

DyanaisaMaitreD’Structure.She’sold,though.”

“Howold?”

“Shemustbeforty-some...orevenolder.”

Somehow,Ididn’tthinkofsomeonemymother’sageasold,butEtyencouldn’thavebeenmuchmorethatfifteen,andhemusthavecometoImagislerightoutofa

grammaire.

“Wheredidyoucomefrom?”Iasked.

“FromAsseroiles.”

Asseroileswasmorethanthreehundredmillestothenorthwest.“ArealltheimagersinSolidarhereattheCollegium?”

“Oh,no,butmostofthemare.Therearethreeother

Collegia.There’sMontD’Imagetothenorth...well,it’sactuallynorthwestofAsseroiles,somewhereofftheNordPassthroughtheGlaces,andWestisleoutsidetheharborofLiantiago,andEstislenearNacliano.”

Thatdidnotseemlikemanyimagers,notforalandthesizeofSolidar,stretchingclosetothreethousandmillesfromcoasttocoast.Howhad

theCouncilkeptitalltogetherbeforethesteamenginesoftheironwayhadmadelandtransportationfasterthanhorseandwagons?

“Rhennhereisnew,”Etyenannounced.

Severaloftheprimeslookedatme.Mostdidn’t,andpeoplesatdownastheycameinwithoutanyblessing.Ithoughtthatodd.

“Whatroomareyouin?”askedEtyen.

“Fourteen,secondlevel,southwing.”

Someonenodded.

“...Corsarius’sroom...”

Severalprimeslookedhardatthefresh-facedyouthwhohadmurmuredthewords.

“Whathappenedtohim?”Iasked.

“BridgeofStones,”repliedEtyeninalowvoice,addingevenmorequietly,“Wedon’ttalkaboutit.”

Nottalkaboutit?Whensomeonedied?

“Youdidn’tcomeherestraightfromthegrammaire?”askedtheprimeacrossthetablefromme.“Oh,I’mLieryns.”

“No.I’vebeenan

apprenticeandajourneymanportraiturist.Ididn’trealizeIcouldimageuntilalittlewhileago.”

“Sometimes,it’slikethat.”Etyennodded.“ButIalwaysknew.”

“Youalwaysknoweverything,”murmuredsomeone.

Therewerelowlaughsfrommorethanafewprimes,

andasIlookeddownthetable,IwasrelievedtoseethattherewereafewwholookedasoldasIwas,ifnotolder.

“Youwereajourneyman.Youactuallypaintedrealportraits,then,”observedLieryns.

“Some,”Ireplied,lookingatthelargebowlofricebeingpasseddownthetable.

Behinditfollowedsomesortofdishinsauce.“Mostlyofgirlsandcats.”

“Cats?”

“MymastersaidIhadatalentforpaintingcats,andIdon’tthinkhelikeddealingwithgirlsandcats.Ididdooneportraitofafactorius.”

Atthatpoint,thericearrived,andIservedmyselfasolidhelping,aswellasof

thetomato-saucedfowlchunksthatfollowed.Ifthelunchfarewasanyindication,IwasgoingtobebetterfedthanIhadbeenbyMadameCaliostrus.

Sometimelater,afterseveralmouthfulsoffood,andsomeswallowsofafairredplonk,Itookanotherlookaroundthetablebeforespeaking.“Ihaven’thadachancetoreadanything.

Whatdowedo,besidesstudy?”

“Whateverwecan,”repliedLieryns.“I’mhelpingMasterSchorzatinthechemistrylaboratory,butmostlyIimagelittlethingsoutofglassforhisexperiments.”

“Ithoughttherewasacounselor-advocatetotheCouncilnamedsomethinglikethat.”

“That’shisbrother,”someonesaid.“Scheorzyl.MasterSchorzatsaidhisfatherwantedeveryonetoknowthetwowerebrothers.”

MyeyeswenttoEtyen.“Andyou?”

“I’mstillworkingonmakingshapeswithmetals.They’reharder.”

Icouldn’tsaythatIlearnedallthatmuchatlunch,but

everyonewascertainlyfriendly.Afterward,Ileftthedininghalland,maponcemoreinhand,begantoexploreandtrytomemorizewhereeverythingwas.NooneseemedintheslightestinterestedasIwanderedalloverImagisleandthebuildingsoftheCollegiumthatLundiafternoon.Istillworriedaboutwhynoonetalkedaboutitwhensomeone

died.

Imagingisbasedonwhatis,

but,withoutgreatcare,

whatanimagerfeelscanchangewhatis.

AsMasterDichartynhadintimated,IhadtowaittoseehimonMardimorning.Isatonabenchoutsidehisstudy

readingthethinvolumeontheCollegium.I’dmadeitthroughfifteenboringpageswhenheopenedthestudydoorandanolderimagerwalkedout,somewhatstiffly.

“Youmaycomein,Rhenn.”

Hisstudywassmall,notmorethanthreeyardsbyfour,withalongnarrowwindow,openjustslightly.

Thespaceheldtwoenormousbookcases,asmallwritingdesk,twofilingboxesstackedontopofeachother,andtwochairs,onewithacushionandarmsandonestraight-backedandnottoocomfortable.Isatinthestraight-backedchair.

“Beforewestart,I’dlikeyoutoknowthatoneofourmessengersdeliveredyourlettertoyourparents

yesterday,lateintheafternoon.Theywererelievedtoknowthatyouweresafe.”

“Thankyou,sir.”Motherwasrelievedatmysafety;FatherwasmorelikelyrelievedIhadn’tembarrassedhimorgottenintosomedifficultythatmighthavecosthiminsomefashion.

“Now...whenwasthefirsttimeyourealizedyou

mighthaveimagingabilities?”

“Notuntilaroundthefirstoftheyear.”Itwasactuallyjustabitearlier,butnotmuch.“Iwasworkingonaportrait,andIcouldn’tgettheareaaroundtheeyesright.Icouldalmostseehowitshouldbe—andthenitwasright,evenwithmybrushstrokes,asifI’dpainteditjustasI’dvisualizedit.I

stillwasn’tsurethatitwasimaging.IthoughtmaybeI’dpainteditandthenimaginedthatI’dimagedit.”

“And...?”

“Maybeamonthlater,Iwasworkingonanotherportrait,andithappenedagain.”

“Andyoudidn’tcometousthen?”

“No,sir.I’dheardabouthowimagershadturnedthealabasterwallsoftheCouncilChateauintostoneharderthangranite,andhowtheycouldimagepartsofmachinesintobeing.AllIcoulddowasimagejusttheslightestbitofoilpaint.”

“All?”Dichartynlaughed.“Therearesomesecondsthatcan’tdothatandneverwill.”

“Ididn’tknowthat,sir.Itseemedveryinsignificanttome,andIwasbeginningtogetcommissions—thekindwherepatronsaskedformepersonally.”

Henodded.“Whatdidyourmastersay?”

“Inevertoldhimabouttheimaging.Whenhetalkedabouttheimagers,hewasquiteclearthatIshouldnever

wanttobeone,thatmostdiedyoung,andmostoftherestneveramountedtoanything.”

“Hesaidthat?”

“Yes,sir.”

“Icanseewherethatmightgiveyoupause,Rhenn.”Heleanedbackinhischairandfingeredhisclean-shavenchin.

Alltheimagerswereclean-

shaven,Irealized,unlikeartists,mostofwhomhadbeardsormustaches,ifnotboth.Inthatway,atleast,Ididfitin.I’dneverlikedbeards.

“Sowhydidyoufinallyseekusout?”

“MasterCaliostrusdiedinthefire.Nooneelsewouldtakemeon.Myfatherwantedmetobecomeawoolfactor.I

thoughtthatmysmalltalentsforimagingmightgainmeaplacehere.”

“Atleastyouhavenograndiosedelusionsaboutyourability.”MasterDichartynlaughedagain,nottotallyunkindly,Ithought.“It’sverygoodthatyoudid.Beforelong,youwouldfindyourselfimaginginwaysthatcouldbemostdestructive.Perhapsyoualreadyhaveand

donotevenknowit.Soonerorlater,thatimagingwouldhavebeennoticedbyothers.”

“Notknowit,sir?”Ihadanideaofwhathemeant,butIwasn’tabouttosayso.

Hesmiled,knowingly.“Youknowmorethanyoureveal,Rhenn,butIwillexplain,becauseyoudon’tknowasmuchasyouthink.”

Iacceptedtherebuke

silently.

“Allpeoplehavedaydreams,ordreamsornightmares,orwishes.Wewishthatthingswouldappearordisappear,butwhathappensifthepersonwhowishesthatisanimager?”

Thelitlamp!Iswallowed.

“Didthatrecallsomething,Rhenn?”

“Ah,yes,sir.SometimeafterthefirsttimeIimagedtheoils,Ihadadream,andIdreamedthatitwassodarkthatIcouldseenothing,andIwantedlight.Thelamponthechestwokeme,becauseitwaslit,andIthoughtI’dwickeditoff.IneverbelievedthatI’dimagedthelight.I’djustthoughtI’dbeensotired...”

“Youareveryfortunate

youcameherebeforeanyoftheimagingyoudidcametolight.”MasterDichartyn’svoicewasstern.“Youhavequarterstoyourself.Doyouknowwhy?”

“No,sir.”

“EverysetofquartersintheCollegiumisnotonlystone-walledbuthasalayerofverythinleadplatebetweenthetwocoursesof

stoneandunderthefloortiles.Thewindowsareallglazedwithleadedglass,andthosewindowswhichopenaredesignedwithlouverssothatthereisnodirectpassageofair—orthought—inandout.DoyouthinkthattheCollegiumwenttothatexpensemerelyforyourcomfort?”

“No,sir.”Ihadaveryuncomfortablefeelingabout

wherehiswordswereleading.

“Noimagereversleepswithanotherperson,evenhiswife,andImeansleep,notlovemaking.TheCollegiumisherenotonlytoeducateandimproveimagers,buttoprotectothersfromthoseverysameimagers.Yes,wehaveprivileges,andthosewhobecomemasterscanlivequitecomfortably,andthosewho

domarrycanliveinpleasantdwellingsonthenorthendoftheisle,butneverthinkthatwedonotpayahighpriceforthoseabilitiesandservicesthatweprovide.Imagerswhomusttravelareaccompaniedbyobdurates,and,iftheycannotsleepwithinironorlead,musttakestrongdrugsofthetypethatdonotpermitdreamingwhentheysleep.ThosewhoserveintheNavy

havelead-linedcabins,verysmallcabins,becauseleadisheavy,andweightiscriticalonmanyvessels.Thosewhomarryandliveherehavespecialseparatesleepingchambersintheirdwellings,andmustindeedlivehereunlesstheyhavethewealthtobuildsimilarquarterselsewhereinL’Excelsis.Youcanneverspendanentirenightwithawomanyoulove,

oranylover,forthatmatter,notunlessyouremaintotallyawake,andwhenyouaretired,eventhatcouldpresentadangertoher,especiallyifshehasmalleabletendencies.”

MasterDichartynpaused,lettingmetakeinhiswords.

“OneofthereasonsfortheinitialrestrictiontoImagisleissothatyoucometo

understandwhatdamageeventheleastableofimagerscaninflictuponothers.Asecondreasonisthatyouneedtounderstandthatwearesofewthatwecouldbewipedouttothelastperson.Yes,someofusdohavetheabilitytokillorchangeothers,andyouareoneofthosewhoalreadypossessthatability,whetheryouknowitornot.Butwhileweareindividuallypowerful,

forthemostpart,nooneofuscouldfaceevenamoderatelylargegroupofarmedmenandsurvive.WethereforedoourbesttoshowtheCouncilourgoodwill,ourself-discipline,andourindispensabilitytoSolidar.Noimagercanbeallowedtojeopardizetheothers.Isthatclear?”

“Yes,sir.”Itwasmorethanclear;itwasfrightening.Iwantedtoaskaboutthe

imagerwhohadlivedinmyquartersbeforeme,butdecideditwouldbebesttowaitonthat.

“Good.”Thesmilereturned.“I’mgoingovertothelaboratoriesthismorning.I’dlikeyoutoaccompanyme.Then,thisafternoon,Iwillgiveyouashorttalkontheintroductoryaspectsofchemistry,andyouwillbegintoreadthatvolume.Tonight,

afterdinner,youaretoreadthefirstsectionofthebookonthegovernmentandhistoryofSolidar.Youwillfinditisnotlikeanyhistorybookyouhavereadbefore,andIwillbeaskingyouquestionsaboutwhatyouhavereadinbothvolumeswhenwemeettomorrowmorning.”Heboundedoutofhischair.“Now...letusgotothelaboratories....”

Already,IwasbeginningtowonderaboutthetwosidestoMasterDichartyn’sbeing—thesternandthecheerful.Heseemedtoswitchfromonetotheotherbothquicklyandcomfortably,butthechangewasmorethanalittledisconcertingtome.

Learningrequires

unlearning.

OnMeredimorning,rightafterbreakfast,Ipickedupanewsheetandcheckedmyletterbox,notexpectingtoseeanything,andfoundanenvelopethere.Irecognizedmymother’shandwriting.I

openeditquicklyandbegantoread.

DearRhennthyl,

YourfatherandIweremostrelievedtoknowthatyouaresafeatImagisle.Whileyourfatherhadhopedthatyouwouldseeyourwaytofollowinghisexampleinthewooltrade,heacceptsthe

factthatyoumustfollowyourowndestiny.Webothwishyouthebestinbecominganaccomplishedimager.InthenotethatMasterDichartynsentaccompanyingyourletter,hesaidthatyouhadgreatpromise.HealsosaiditcouldbeseveralmonthsbeforeyourinitialtrainingwouldallowyoutoleaveImagisle,butthat,beginninginAvryl,youcouldhave

visitorsonSolayi.Ilookforwardtothat.

IswallowedasIfinishedthenote.ThewayIreadit,Motherwasrelievedforme,and,sinceIwouldn’tbeawoolfactor,Fatherwasgladtogetmeoutofhishair.

AtthethoughtthatMasterDichartynhadsenthisown

note,Igatheredthethreebooks—NaturalScience,HistoryandPoliticsofSolidar,andImagers’Manual—undermyarmandhurrieddownthewalkofthequadrangletowardMasterDichartyn’sstudythroughablusterywind,barelyarrivingbeforetheseventhglassbegantoringoutfromthetoweroftheAnomenD’Imagisle,locatedatthe

southendofImagisle.

AsonMardimorning,Ihadtowait,butIimmediatelybegantoreadmoreintheManual,thepartdealingwiththeresponsibilitiesofanindividualimager.I’donlyreadanotherpagewhenMasterDichartynopenedthedoorandmotionedmeintohisstudyandintothechairacrossfromhiswritingdesk.Heremainedstanding.

“You’vereadthesecondsectionoftheManual,haven’tyou?”

“Ihaven’tquitefinishedit,sir.”

Thatgotaslightnod,butwhetheritwasofacknowledgmentordisapprovalIcouldn’ttell.“Whatisthefirstresponsibilityofanimager?”

“TofollowtheImagers’

Codeunderallcircumstances.”

“Whatdoesitmeanby‘all,’Rhennthyl?”

Themanualhadn’tgottenintodefinitions.“Atalltimesandplaces,sir?”

“Whatifyoucan’t?”

“It’saresponsibility,sir.”

“Youaren’tansweringthequestion.”Hisvoice

remainedpatient.

“I’monlyguessing,sir,becausetheManualdoesn’tsay,butIwouldthinkthatitmeanswheneverandwhereveritisphysicallyandmentallypossible.”

“Adefinitionsuchasyoursstandsattheedgeofaverydeepprecipice.”

“Yes,sir.Peopleliketosaythattheycan’tdosomething

becausethey’retootiredorthattheycan’tthinkclearly.Idon’tthinktheCodeacceptsthosekindsofexcuses.Iwasthinkingmoreaboutbrokenbonesormortalinjuries.”

“Youthinkcorrectlyonthat.TheCodeisnotforconvenience.ItisdesignedforthesurvivalofboththeindividualimagerandtheCollegium.Whatismeantbytheprohibitiononcreating

anyformofduressonanyindividualwhoisnotanimager?”

Thathadseemedobvioustome,especiallyafterwhathe’dsaidthedaybefore.“Onedoesn’tthreatenanyone,orsayanythingtogivethemcauseforfear,andonedoesn’ttakeactionswhichcreatefearofeithertheimagerortheCollegium.”

“Verygood.Why?”HisquestionsfromtheManualwentonforagoodhalfglass.Then,abruptly,heswitchedsubjects.“ThatboxIgaveyoutoimage?Doyouknowwhatitwasmadeof?”

“No,sir.Itwasmetal,butnotametalI’veeverseen.”

“Youdidn’tthinktolookinyoursciencebookandseewhatitmightbe?”

“No,sir.”Iknewwhatwascomingnext.

“Tomorrow,Iwantyoutotellmewhatitis,andwhyweuseitforimagingtests.Now...”Heextendedtwoobjectsandplacedthemontheedgeofhiswritingdesk.Onewasasimplecarvedhollowcylinder,nomorethanathumb’slengthindiameterandaboutthesameinlength.Thesecondwasalsoa

cylinder,butsolidandlessthanaquarterthesizeofthefirst.Bothlookedtobemadeoutofboneorivory,andneitherhadanymarkingsonthem.“Ihaveanexerciseforyou.”Heturnedthelargercylindersideways,thenplacedarulerononesideandabookontheothersothatitwouldn’troll.Hehandedmethesmallercylinder.“Trytoimageacylinderjustlikethis

exactlyinthemiddleofthelargercylinder.”

“Won’titfall?”

“Itshould,unlessyouknowawaytostopgravity.”Hesmiled.“That’snotthepoint.You’vealreadyshownthatyoucanimagesmallthingsonaflatsurface.Oneofthenextstepsistoimagesomethingintoaplacethat’snotsoeasy.”

Itookthecylinderandheldit,lettingmyfingersrunoverit.ThenIconcentratedonimagingonejustlikeitintheairinthemiddleofthelargercylinder.Nothinghappened.

MasterDichartyndidn’tseemsurprised.“Takebothcylinderswithyouandkeeptrying.Itmaytakeawhile,butyoushouldbeabletofigureitout.”

Islippedbothintothelargerinsidepocketofmygraywaistcoat.

“Thismorning,youcanaccompanymeononeofthesmallriverboats.Someoftheprimesaregoingtotryimagingontheriver.Youmightaswellseeifyoucandoit.”

“Yes,sir.”Ididn’taskwhyimagingwasharderonaboat,

notafterfailingattheexercisehe’djustgivenme.Ijustfollowedhimoutofthebuilding.

MasterDichartynwalkedbrisklyalongtheeastsideofthequadrangle,rightintothefangsofthewind,awindthathadgottenevenstrongerandcolder.Wecrossedtheopenspaceatthenortheastcornerofthequadrangleandtookthestonelaneanotherhalf

millenorthpastthewalledherbandvegetablegardens,nowmostlyfallow,untilwecametoasetofthreepiers.

Fiveprimesstoodonthesouthernmostpier,clearlywaitingforMasterDichartyn.Theriverboatdidn’tseemallthatsmalltome—notatalmostfifteenyardslong.Ithadonlyonedeckandthesteamenginewasintherear,justforwardofthe

paddlewheel,inaraisedandcoveredenginehouse.Thewheelhousewasroughlyinthemiddleoftheboat.

Ilookedoutattheriver,runningasroughasI’dseenit,withwhitecapsonthewaves.

MasterDichartyngesturedforustocrossthenarrowplanktotheboat,thenfollowedafterme,becauseI

trailedtheotherfive.Abeardedsailorvaultedoffthebowanduntiedthelinefastenedaroundanironcleat,thenjumpedbackaboardbeforetheboatswungdownstreamwiththecurrent.Thepaddlewheelbegantochurnastheboatheadedoutintotheriver.Onceitclearedthecalmerwateraroundthepier,itbegantoroll,thenpitchasthepilotturned

upstreamintothecurrent.Spraysleetedoverthebow,andsomesplattereddownlikefatraindropswhereIstoodwiththeothers,justforwardofthewheelhouse.

Oneoftheprimes,achubbyfellowwholookedbarelyoutofgrammaire,wasturningpalebeforetheboatwaseventenyardsawayfromthepier,andanotherjuststoodfrozen,hisright

handclutchingtherailingsotightlythathisfingerslookedlikeaclaw.Ihadtospreadmyfeetabittokeepmybalanceastheboatcontinuedbothtorollandpitch.

“Thefirstexerciseistoimageacubelikethis,”beganMasterDichartyn,holdingupablackwoodencubeperhapsthreedigitsonaside,“andtoimageitonthecenterofthethirddeckplankinboard.This

one.”Hepointedwiththetipofhisboot.“Youfirst,Geoffryn.”

“Yes,sir.”Thechubbyprimeclosedhiseyesandseemedtotenseallover.

Amistyshapeappearedontheplank,thensolidifiedintoamuddyblackoblongbox.

“Acube,Geoffryn.”Dichartyn’svoicewaslouder,risingoverthewindandthe

engine,buthedidnotsoundangry.“Doyourecalltheshapeofacube?”

“Yes,sir.”

“Jakhob,youtry.”

“Yes,sir.”Thethinprimewhohadbeenclutchingtherailjustlookedatthedeckplank.Hisimagedcreationwasalmostacube,ifslightlyangledandmuddyblack,anditappearedabovethenext

plankinboard,possiblybecausetheriverboatwasrolling.

Thenextthreeprimesmanagedtoimagecubes,generallyclosetothecenterofthedesignatedplank.

“Rhenn?”

Ididn’tlikedoingimaginginpublic,butthosewatchingcouldn’thavebeenanymorecriticalthanMasterCaliostrus

hadbeenwhenI’dbegunasanapprentice.First,Ivisualizedthecube,shimmeringandblack,andthenIaddedthepositioning.

Thecubeappeared,almostmirror-like,rightonthemiddleoftheplank.Asitdid,Irealizedthatitwasashadetoolarge.Abruptly,itshimmered,thenreappearedasthecorrectsize.Ididfeelatracelight-headed,andhadto

putmyhandout,steadyingmyselfontherailing.

“Youusedtoomucheffort,”observedMasterDichartyn.“Youshouldhavepaidmoreattentiontothesizethefirsttime.”

“Yes,sir.”Still,Iwaspleased,evenifhedidn’thappentobe.Mycubelookedbetter,andhadbeenimagedinexactlytheright

position—eventhefirsttime.

“Now...you’regoingtotrythesamething—exceptIwantyoutobalanceyourcubeontherailingonthefarsideoftheboat.”

Threeoftheotherprimescouldn’timageanythingthatfaraway,andonecouldonlycreateablob.Thelastonemanagedadecentcubeontherailing,asdidI,buttheyboth

slidoffintotheriverwhentheboatrolledasthesteersmanmadeaturn.

“Takeusback!”MasterDichartynfinallyordered.

Thatafternoon,Gherardtookmeonaquicktourofthevariousshopsandlaboratories,aswellasshowingmeworkshopsinthelargegraybuildingnorthofthequadrangle.ThenIwent

backtomyquartersandbeganreading.

AlreadyitwasclearthatMasterDichartyn’sassignmentsvariedwidely.

IhadtostayuplaterthanIshouldhaveonMeredinight,butIdiddiscoverthattheboxwasmadeoutofametalcalledaluminum.Thesciencebookdescribeditasalightwhitishblueductileand

malleablemetallicelementalmostneverfoundinpureforminnature,butcommoninnaturalchemicalcompounds.Itwasextremelydifficulttorefine,requiringspecialtechniquesinvolvingpotassium,andthepricewassomethinglikeahundredandfiftygoldcrownsapound.ThelittleboxI’dimaged,ifI’ddoneitcorrectly,mighthavebeenworthtencrowns

orso.NowonderMasterDichartynhadpocketedit—exceptIknewthathewouldn’thavemadeoffwithit,eveniftheCollegiumruleshadn’tprohibitedusingimagingforpersonalgain.

Thesciencebookwasdifferent,almoststrange,becauseitmixedthingsI’dlearnedyearsbeforewiththingsI’dneverheardorthoughtabout.Onesection

hadadetailedsetofplansforasteamengineofthetypeusedontheironway,butthenextdiagramwasofaminingwaterpump,andbeyondthatwastheaxleassemblyforacarriageorcoach.Buttherewerealsoanatomicaldrawingsofhumanbeings,verydetailed,andclearlytakenfromdissectionsofcadavers.

Thebookonhistoryand

governingwasthethickestofall,andtome,thehardestreading,evenjustleafingthroughit.ThebookledoffwiththeFiveRightsofCitizens:

Allcitizens,whethertheybemenorwomen,areofequalstaturebeforethelawandassuchmayholdanddisposeof

property;unlessanauthorityhasreasonandevidencetothecontrarythatissufficientforindictmentinacourtofjustice,theyarepresumedinnocent.

ThelawsoftheCounciltakeprecedenceoveranyandalllocaloradministrativeregionallaws,ordinances,orrestrictions,butnolawenactedatanylevelmayidentifyasacriminaloffense

anyactionalreadytaken,norencumberpersonsorseizetheirpropertywithoutjustcompensation,savetaxesleviedonallandapprovedbytheCouncil.

Noindividual,whetheracitizenoranalien,maybeimprisonedwithoutformalchargesbeingpostedandwithoutbeinginformedofthosecharges.

Allcitizens,unlessunderindictmentforacrimeorimprisonedforsuch,havetherighttotravelunfetteredthroughoutallregionsandterritories.

AllcitizenshavetherighttopetitiontheCouncilforredressofanyharmfulactiontakenbyanylevelofgovernment,includingtheCouncilitself,andallsuchpetitionswillbemadepublic.

Afterthat,thereweresectionsoneverything,butasIriffledthroughthepages,justtryingtogetasenseofwhatwasthere,someparagraphsstoodout.

AminimumofthreeCouncilmembersmustbefromareas

withinfiftymillesofeithereastorwestcoasts...andnomorethanthreeCouncilmemberscanbefromwithin200millesofL’Excelsis,withtheexceptionofthesolerepresentativeoftheCollegium...misrepresentationofdomicilemandatesimmediateremovalfromtheCouncil,lossofamaster’sposition,andafineof1,000golds.Inthecaseof

aHighHolder,suchaviolationwillalsoincludeforfeitureofone-fifthofalllandsandassets...

WithfifteenCouncilmembersinall,thosenon-imagersfromL’ExcelsiscouldnevercomprisemorethantwentypercentoftheCouncil—somethingthatI

rememberedvaguely—butthepenaltiesIdidn’trecalleverseeing.

Norefuseorwaste,includinganyliquids,fromafactorageormanufacturingfacility,norfromanyagriculturalorcommercialactivity,norfromanywatercraft,shallbeallowedtofloworbeplaced

intoanywaterway,norshallanyhumanrefusebesoallowed...whetheritbefromanindividual,atown,oracity...

Accordingtothat,ifIreaditright,evenacowcouldn’tpissinastream,notwithoutbringingafinedownupontheowner.

Ratesforfreightonanyironwaymustbeleviedonthebasisofweightandcubicdisplacement.ThoseratesmustbeapprovedbythetransportationsubcouncilandbytheCouncilbeforetakingeffectandmustbepostedforonemonthbeforebeingimposed.Changesmaynotbesubmittedmorethanoncea

year...FreightorcargoaccompaniedbyaCouncilrepresentativeorarepresentativeoftheCollegiumImagohaspriorityoverallotherfreight...

Thatwassuggestiveinmorewaysthanone,butofwhatIwasn’tsure.

Imagingisasmuchanartinarrangingperceptionasinchangingreality.

IwokeearlyonthefollowingMardimorning,andafterIbathedinthecommunalshowerroom—withwaterthatIhadthefeelingwas

neverlessthanchill—andshavedanddressed,Isatatthewritingtableinmyroom,lookingatthetwocylinders.

Morethanaweekhadgonebyquickly,eachdayfollowingasimilarpattern.Breakfast,examinationandinstructionbyMasterDichartyn,whichcouldbeoverinhalfaglassordragonforasmanyastwo,followedbysomesortofimaging

exercises,lunch,someotheractivityinvolvingobservationorinstruction,rangingfromwatchingexperimentsinthechemistrylaboratoriestowatchingorlearninghowtohandlemachineryineitherthewoodworkingshop,themetalworkingshop,orthemodelshop.Then,whenIwaswornout,Ihadtoreadandstudy.

OnLundi,thedaybefore,

I’dhadtoadmittoMasterDichartynthatIstillhadn’tfiguredouttheskillofplacingasmallcylinderintheemptyspaceinthemiddleofthelargercylinder.Itshouldn’thavebeenthathard,becausesomeoftheyoungerprimeshadbeendoingsomethinglikeit,ifunintentionally,duringtheimagingexercisesontheboat.

MasterDichartynhadjustlookedatmeasifIweretrulystupidandthengoneontoaskquestionsaboutwhatI’dread,andwhatIhadn’t,intheNaturalSciencebook.He’dstartedbyaskingmehowmuchairweighed.I’dneverthoughtaboutairweighingsomething,butsinceabarometerworkedbymeasuringthechangeintheweightoftheair,IsupposeI

shouldhave.

Airweighingsomething...hadhisquestionbeenasrandomasithadseemed?Butifairweighedsomething,thenIreallywasn’ttryingtoimagesomethingintowhatI’dthoughtofasanemptyspace.Whywasiteasytoimagesomethingonatable?Becausetheaircouldbemoreeasilymoved?OrbecauseIdidn’thavetoworktoholdit

upasitwasbeingimaged?

Ikeptthinkingaboutit,allthewaytobreakfast,wherewehadoatporridge,alongwithraisinsandbread,andtwothinstripsofbacon.

Iconcentratedontheideaofimagingaraisinintothemiddleofaspoonfuloftheoatporridge.Asmallgoutofporridgespoutedup.

“Don’tletthemasterscatch

youplayingwithyourfood,”murmuredThenard.

Someoneelsesnickered.

Iforcedmyselftoeatthemouthfulofporridge.Theraisintastedfine,butshouldIhaveswallowedit?Ilookedatthehandfulofraisinssprinkledontopoftheporridge.Whycouldn’tIimageoneofthemintomyspoon?Wouldn’titbeeasier

thantryingtocreatearaisin?

Carefully,Itookanotherspoonful,onewithoutraisins,andthenconcentratedontheraisinonthetopoftheporridgefarthestfromme,visualizingitdisappearingandthenreappearingontopoftheporridgeinmyspoon.Theoneraisinvanished,thenreappearedonthespoon’sporridge.Icouldfeelmyforeheadbeginningtosweat,

but...I’ddoneit.

Thatraisedanotherquestion.Icouldfeeltheenergyittooktodoimaging,butwhyhadn’tIwhenI’dfirstbeguntoimage?OrwasitthatwhatI’ddonewassoslightthanitjusthadn’ttakenthatmuchimaging?Butthen,therewasthefire...Orhadn’tInoticedtheeffortthenbecauseI’dbeensoangryandthensoinvolvedin

tryingtohelpthechildrenoutofthehouse?

Later,asIwalkedacrossthequadranglethroughthemistingraintowardMasterDichartyn’sstudy,Icouldn’thelpthinkingaboutwhatI’ddone...andwhatitsuggested.Byusingimagingtomovesomething,I’dalsoprovedthatitwaspossibletoremovethings,atleasttosomedegree.Ifoneremoved

thecartridgefromapistolaimedatone,orifoneremoved...Iwinced.Iwasn’tcertainIwantedtoexplorethosepossibilities,notimmediately.ButIwasbeginningtounderstandexactlywhytheCollegiuminsistedonsuchstrictrulesandsuchsecrecy.

Aswasusual,MasterDichartyn’sdoorwasclosed,andIsatdownonthewooden

benchandbegantoreadthesixthsectionoftheNaturalSciencebook,whichdealtwithmetalsandvariousalloys.Icouldn’thelpbutwonderhoweffectiveimagingmightbeincreatingsomeofthem,atleastinsmallquantities.

Beforelong,thestudydooropened,andoneoftheolderimagers,asecondusorevenatertius,departed.

“Rhennthyl?”

Iimmediatelyclosedthebook,stood,andhurriedintohisstudyandtookmyplaceonthestill-warmseatusedbythepreviousimager.

MasterDichartyncamerighttothepoint,asusual.“Onlyafewofyouwilleverworkinthelaboratories.SowhydoestheCollegiuminsistthatyoustudyscience

andworkandpracticeinthelaboratories?”

IgavethebestanswerIcouldcomeupwith.“Sothatwe’llbebetterimagers?”

“That’strueasfarasitgoes.”

Ididn’tknowwhattosaytothat.

“Yourbrainknowsmorethanyourecallatanyone

point,”hewenton.“Ifyouhaveafriend,whenyoumeethim,youdon’tthinkabouteverythingyouknowabouthimatthatmoment,doyou?”

“No,sir.”

“Butallyouractionsandallyourwordstakeintoaccounteverythingyouknow,evenifyoudon’ttrytorememberitall.Whatallthisstudyaboutmetalsand

scienceisdesignedtodoistoprovidethesamekindofknowledgeinordertoimproveyourimagingskills.”

Thatmadesense.IcouldseethatIwasalreadydoingthat.

“Doyouhavethetwocylinders?”

“Yes,sir.”

“Let’sseewhatyoucan

do.”

Ihadthetwocylinders,butIhadn’teventhoughtaboutthem.Still,wasairanydifferentfromporridge,exceptthinner?ItookoutthelargercylinderandproppeditinplacesidewaysonMasterDichartyn’swritingdeskwithtwobooksthathadbeenonthefarcorner,thenheldthesmallercylinder.CouldIjustmoveit?Idecidedtotry.

Thesmallcylindervanishedfrommyhandandappearedinthemiddleofthelargerone,hangingthereforjustaninstantbeforeclunkingdownontothebottomsideofthelargercylinder.

MasterDichartyn’seyesflickedfrommyhandtothecylinderandthenbacktomyhand.Henoddedslowly.“Iwonderedwhenyou’dmake

thatconnection.Someneverdo.They’retheoneswhoremainseconds.”

“Seconds?”Iblurted.

“Rightnow,youhavetherawtalentofatertius,butyoudon’thavetheunderstandingnecessaryforasecondusofyourability.We’regoingtohavetoworkonthat.”

“Yes,sir.”WhileIdidn’tmindthework,Ididn’tmuch

careforthewayinwhichhe’dexpressedthewords.

“Whyisthereanabsoluteprohibitiononanimagerusinghisabilityforanysignificantfinancialadvantageforhimselfpersonallyorforanyotherindividual?”

I’dreadthatsection.SoIansweredquickly.“Thatwouldgivehimorheran

unfairadvantageoverothers,andthatwouldcreateangeragainsttheCollegium.”

“That’sverytrue,Rhenn.It’salsoveryincomplete.Canyouthinkofotherreasons?”

“ItmightcreateconflictwithintheCollegium.”

“That’salsotrue.I’dlikeyoutothinkaboutthatforawhile.Let’slookatitfromanotherperspective.You

mentionedthatyou’dusedimaginginpaintingyourownwork,butwhatifyouusedyourtalenttocopyanentirepaintingofamaster?”

“Itwouldn’twork,sir.There’stoomuchdetail.”

Dichartynsighedandgaveawearysmile.“That’sabadexample,then.Let’stakesomethingsimpler,agoldcrown.Youcouldprobably

imageonenow.Doingsowouldleaveyouweakanddizzy,ifnotinfarworseshape,and,evenifIsaidyoucould,youshouldn’ttryit,butintimeyouwouldbeabletoimageahandfulorsoofthem,atleastintherightplace.They’dberealgold,notcounterfeit,andnoonewouldbethewiser.Whywouldthatbewrong?”

“Besidesthefactthatthe

rulesoftheCollegiumforbidit?”Ihadtothinkaboutthat.“Idon’tknowthatIcananswerthat,becausethatsortofimagingiswork,andifIimagedrealgoldpieces,what’sthedifferencebetweenpaintingaportraitandreceivinggoldsandcreatingthegolds.Imean...someoneminestheore,andsomeonesmeltsit,andsomeonecoinsit,andtheyall

getpaid.Sowhereisthatanydifferentfrommyimagingagoldcrown?”

ThistimeIgotacoldlook.Ijustwaited.Ireallydidwanttoknow.

“Didyougetanumberofextraassignmentsinthegrammaire,Rhennthyl?”

“Yes,sir.”

“Icanseewhy.Letmesee

ifIcanmakethisclearwithadifferentexample.”Hefrowned.“You’veheardoftheCyellaRuby,haven’tyou?”

“TheonethatsitsonthescepterofthePriest-AutarchofCaenen?Yes,sir.”

“He’stheHighPriest.WhatabouttheStoraciEmerald?”

“Yes,sir.”

“Whatifyouimagedanexact,anabsolutelyperfectduplicate?”

“Sir?HowwouldIevergetcloseenoughtoseetheoriginals?”

Hegavemeanevencolderlook.

“There’dbetwo,”Isaidslowly,tryingtothinkwhathewanted.

“Yes,therewouldbe.”Hepaused,thenasked,“Whatmakesthemsovaluable?Whatwouldhappenifyouimagedtwo...orthree?”

“Oh!Theywouldn’tbesovaluablebecausetheywouldn’tbesorare.”

“That’sonething.Howwouldtheownersfeelaboutbeingrobbedofthatvalue?Andifthevaluableobjecthas

somereligiouscontextorvalue...doestheduplicate?Whocouldtellwhichonehappenedtobetheonewiththatvalue?WhatmighttheCaenenansdo?”

“Theycoulddo...anything.”Ofthat,Iknewenoughtobesure.

“YouneedtothinkaboutwhattheimagersoftheCollegiumimage—you’ve

seensomeofwhatwedo—andwhywe’resocarefulaboutwhatweallowtobeimaged.Also,notallthingsimagedturnouttobetrueduplicates.Itrustyoucanseewhatdifficultythatmightcreate.”

“Yes,sir.”Ipaused.“Whatlawswouldpunishsomeonewhocouldimagewhogotcaughtbymakingabadcopy?”

“Ifthatpersonhappenedtobeanadult,olderthaneighteen,andthecrimewasamajoroffense,heorshewouldbeexecuted.Committinganymajorcrimethroughthemeansofimagingisacapitaloffense.Youngerthanthatandthey’dbesenttousfortraining.Someofthemdon’tsurvivetraining,butimagersarerareenoughthatit’sworththeeffort.Someof

theyoungonesdon’tknowit’sacrime,andsomedon’tseethattheyhaveanychoice.”

Ifeltcoldinside.Iwasolderthaneighteen,andIhadbeenwhenthefireandexplosionhadkilledMasterCaliostrus.

“Thatshouldgiveyouenoughtothinkaboutfornow.Today,I’mgoingto

takeyouovertothemachineshopforsomeinstruction.Thenyoucanhelpwithcleaningduties.”

ThatsoundedlikeanassignmentI’dratherdowithout,notthatIhadanychoice,especiallyafterwhatI’djustlearned.

Deathalwayscreateseither

guiltorfear,whethereitherisacknowledgedor

accepted.

I’dbeenattheCollegiumthreeweeksandthreedays,andonthatMeredimorning,Mariseighteenth,Iwasshivering,evenundermy

covers.Iforcedmyselffrombedandpeeredthroughthewindow.Outside,fatflakesofsnowweredriftingdownfromadarkgraysky,althoughnotmorethantwoorthreedigits’worthofsnowhadpileduponthequadrangle.Springwassupposedtoarriveinaweekorso,butitfeltlikewinter.Ipulledontherobethathadcomewiththeroomand

trudgedoutanddowntotheshowersandbathingrooms.Ididlikebeingcleanandclean-shaven.Ijustdidn’tcaremuchfortheprocess,andnotinwinter-coldweather.

Onthewaybackfromtheshower,asIclimbedthestepsfromthelowerlevel,Iheardheavyfootsteps.WhenIsteppedawayfromthelanding,Isawtwoobdurate

guardsintheirblackuniformscarryingastretcher.Theyheadeddownthehallwaytoanopendoortwodoorsbeforemine.BeforeIreachedthatdoorwaytheyhadenteredandthencomeout,carryingafigurecoveredwithablanket.Oneofthemclosedthedoorone-handed,bracingthestretcheronhiskneeforamoment,andthentheystrodetowardme.I

flattenedmyselfagainstthestonewallofthecorridor,notthatIreallyneededto.Neitherlookedatme,butmostobduratesignoredthoseofuswhowerestilllearning.

Standinginthecorridorbetweenthenow-closeddoorandmineweretwoimagers.AlthoughtheylookedtobeseveralyearsyoungerthanIwas,theywerebothseconds,andhadsaidlittletome.

FromwhatIcouldsee,theywerebothupsetandtryingnottoshowit.Thetallerone’scheeksweredamp,asifhe’dwipedawaytears.

“Whowasthat?Whathappened?”Iasked.

Thetwosecondslookedateachother,thenatme,beforeonereplied,“Mhykal.OnhiswaytotheBridgeofStones.”

AllIknewaboutMhykal

wasthathewasanimagersecondus,thathewasofaverageheight,afewdigitsshorterthanme,andthathehadn’tbotheredtospeaktomewhenwepassedinthecorridororonpathsofthequadrangle.Peoplethatyoungjustdidn’tdieintheirbeds.Whentheydidn’tanswer,Iaskedagain,“Whathappened?”

“Whoknows?Ithappens.

Notoften.We’renotallowedtosay.Askyourpreceptor.”

Askmypreceptor?BeforeIcouldsaymore,onehadretreatedtohisroom,andtheotherwasheadedforthestairs.

Ireturnedtomyroomanddresseddeliberately,tryingtomakesenseoutofwhatIhadseen.Animagersecondwasdead,andhisbodywascarted

off.Nooneactedasifitwerestrange.Sad,butnotstrange.I’dheardthatmorethanafewwould-beimagersdied,buthearingthat,andseeingitthewayIjusthad—thatwasanotherthing.

Afterfinishingdressing,IstuffedmybooksinthecanvasbagI’dbeenissuedandthenmademywaydownstairsandthroughthesnowtothedininghall.I

managedtofindEtyenandsatacrossfromhim.

“Therewereobsinthequartersthismorning,and—”

“Iheardthat.Mhykal,theysaid.Icouldhaveguessedhe’dbeone.Hewasalwaystalkingaboutwhathecoulddo.”

“Likeyou?”quippedLieryns.

“No.Morelikeyou.”

“Me?”Lieryns’svoicealmostsqueaked.“Iwouldn’tbethatstupid.”

“WhywouldMhykalbeone?”Ipressed.

“Youcangetinrealtroubleimagingbyyourself...leastuntilyou’reathirdoramaster.Therearelotsofthingsthatcanhappen.BebestifyouaskedMaster

Dichartyntoexplain.”

Lierynsandanotherprimenodded.

Iateslowly,butgoodasthefriedham,hotbiscuits,andwhitegravywere,IhadtroublefinishingwhatI’dservedmyself.Afterbreakfast,IhadtowaitalmostafullglassforMasterDichartyn.IreadthenewsheetI’dpickedup,

glancingoverthetopstorythatmentionedtherecalloftheSolidaranambassadortoCaenen,andthentookoutthehistorytextandstartedrereadingthepagesI’dalreadyreadthreetimes.

“Youlookworried,Rhennthyl.Troublewiththeassignment?”

“No,sir.”Istraightened.“Sir...beforewestart...

mightIaskaquestion?”

“Briefly.”

“Sir...Iwascomingbacktomyroomaftermyshower,andtwoobdurateguardshadastretchercomingoutofaroom...andtherewasabodyundertheblanket.Thetwosecondstherewouldn’ttellmewhathappened.Theysaidthattheycouldn’tandthatIshouldaskyou.”

“That’ssomethingyou’llprobablyseeagain...unfortunately.”MasterDichartynlookedacrossthedeskatme.“Aboutathirdoftheimagerswhoarrivehereasprimesdiebeforetheycompletetheirsecondustraining.Closetofortypercentofthemoretalentedonesdie.”

Fortypercent,andhe’dalreadytoldmeIwas

talented?

“Wouldyouliketoguesswhy?”

ThatwasthelastthingIwantedtodo.

“There’sasayingaboutimagers.Thereareboldimagers,andthereareoldimagers.Therearenooldboldimagers.Whileit’snottotallytrue,it’scloseenough.Tellmewhy.”

Whenheputitthatway,Ididhaveanidea.“Imagerswhoareboldtrythingsthataredifferent,orindifferentways,andtoomanythingscangowrong?”

“Wealloccasionallyhavetotrytoaccomplishdifferentthings.It’samatterofapproach.TheCollegiumbelievesagraduatedandcautiousapproachisthebestone.Wetrytobuildonwhat

youalreadyknoworhavebeentaught.Someyoungimagersthinktheyknowbetter.Sometimestheydo,butmostofthetimetheydon’t.Iftheykeeptryingthingswithoutenoughknowledgeandsupervision,soonerorlatersomethingwillgowrong,oftenverybadly,inoneoftwoways.Theyeitherkillthemselvesdoingwhatthey’vebeentoldnotto

do,ortheygetkilledwhentheygooutinL’Excelsisandstartboastingorcarryingon.”

“Can’tyoudosomething?”

“Whatelsewouldyousuggest?Wecautionyou.Wetrytoshowyouhowtodothingsintheproperways.Areyousayingweshouldhaveatertiusoramasterspendeverymomentofeverydaywiththoseofyouwho

aretalented?OraccompanyyoueverytimeyouleaveImagisle?Wedon’thaveenoughmastersorthirdsforthat.Besides,anyonewhoreallywantstodosomethingboldlystupidwillfindaway,and,frankly,wecan’taffordtohaveimagerswhoarestupidorpubliclyarrogant.There’stoomuchatstake.”

MasterDichartynfeltthatwayabouttheCollegium,but

thatwasn’tmuchhelptomepersonally.

“Now...tellmehowthefoundingoftheCollegiumchangedthehistoryofSolidar.”

Ipushedawaymyangerathisnear-indifferenceandtriedtothink.Accordingtothehistorybook,becauseimagerscouldcreatecertainchemicalcompoundsand

metals,theCollegiumgainedgreaterandgreaterpowerbysupportingtheemergingmerchantclass,untilthelastabsoluterulerandrexofSolidar,Charyn,cededpowertotheCouncilonceherealizedthattheimagersnolongersupportedhimandwerepreparedtobackaviolentchangeingovernment,ifnecessary.So,beingwiserthanmostrulers,

CharynrequestedapositionasheadoftheCouncilforlife,asa“transition,”andeveryoneheavedasighofrelief.Now,thebookdidn’tputitquitelikethat,andIhadthefeelingithadbeennowherenearthatneatandsanitary.“TheCollegiumallowedagrowthofcollectivepoweroftheimagers...”

IjusthopedthatMaster

Dichartynwouldn’tbetoocritical,butIwasstillworriedaboutwhathappenedtoMhykal.I’dlitalampthroughimaginginmysleepandkilledtwomenwhilenotreallytryingtodoso.CouldIdosomethingstupidenoughtokillmyself...andnotevenknowit?

Loveisbothanameandan

act;toooftenthenametriumphs.

OnSolayi,thetwenty-ninth,Istruggledtogetoutofbedintimeforbreakfast.Therewasnorequirementtogotobreakfast—oranyothermeal,forthatmatter.Butforme,

thereweren’tanyalternatives.EvenifIhadbeenpermittedtoleaveImagisle,I’dearnedsomethinglikefoursilverssinceI’dbeenattheCollegium.Thatmighthavepaidfortwocheapmealsofftheisle—andneitherwouldhavebeenasgoodaswhatIwasgettingfed.Atthenoonandeveningmeals,weevenhadwine,agradethatwasagoodplonk.

Atbreakfastanddinner,evenduringtheweek,Iseldomsawmorethanafewmasters,andtheywerethosewhohadvariousdutiesonthatparticularday,norweretherethatmanyoftheolderthirdsorseconds.Onweekendstherewereevenfewer,butthatmadesense,becauseeventhejuniorimagerscouldleaveImagisle—exceptforprimesinmy

position.

Iwasoneoftheolderimagersthere,exceptforMaitreDichartyn.Hewasseatedatthemasters’tablewithMaitreChassendri,andshewasthemaitreoftheday.Isatdownattheprimes’table,lessthanhalffull,andarathersleepy-eyedandgroggyLierynsstaggeredinandsatacrossfromme.

“Tooearly,”hemumbled.

“Butit’salongtimetolunchonanemptystomach.”

“Wouldn’tbehereotherwise.”

Iglancedaroundthedininghall.Therewereonlytwentyorsoatthesecondsandthirds’table,andperhapsfifteenattheprimes’table.“Youdon’tgoanywhereonweekends?”

“Nowheretogo.MypeopleliveoutnearRivages.Ironwayonlygoespartway,andit’snearlyadaytripeachway.Besides,they’reallforesters.”

“Youdon’thavemuchtotalktothemabout?”Iasked,beforepouringteaintomymug.

“Neverdid.Lessnow,andeveryoneelseintown,they

alllooktheotherwayiftheyseemecoming.Oh,they’lltalkifyougreet’em,andthey’renicertomethantheyeverwerewhenIwasjustLeam’syoungest,buttheyalllooksouncomfortable.”

“Theyrespectyou,then.”

“Morelikefear.You’llsee.”Lierynslookeddownintohismugoftea,inhalingslightlyandlettingthewarm

vaporcaresshisface.

“Howdidyoudiscoveryouwereanimager?”

“Mydahadtoomanypitchersofplonkonenight,andhecamestormingin,triedtobeatupCallia,andheranintoadoorthatwasn’tthere.Ourcotneverhaddoors,justcurtains.Didn’ttakehimlongtofigureitout,seeingasonlyCalliaandI

werethere.MaandtheotherswereatAuntNuela’s—she’djusthadherthird.Anyway,drunkashewas,thatstoppedhim.”

“Itdid?”

“Oh,hewantedtoflogmeintoribbons,butthemastersdon’tlikeit,andthere’safinders’feeforlettingtheCollegiumknowaboutimagers.It’sagoldmost

places,maybemoreifwe’renotbeaten.MasterGhaendsaidthatitwascheaperthanholdinghearingsortrialsforpeoplewhokilledyoungimagers.Mydawasmorethanhappytoclaimit,andIusuallybringthemasilverortwowhenIvisit.”Lierynsshrugged.“It’seasierthatway.Besides,I’vegotafeelingthatLlysirajustmighthavethetalent.She’snine

now.”Hetookamouthfuloftherubber-likeomeletandchewedslowly.“Anyoneelseinyourfamilyshowupasanimager?”

Ishookmyhead.“NotthatIknow,andthewaymymother’sfamilykeepstrackofthebloodlines,Ithinkthey’dknow.”

“Maybetheydoknow.Maybetheydon’tsay.Some

folksdon’twantitknown.Theysayit’samarkoftheNamer.”

WasLierynsright?HowcouldIknowifpeoplenevertalkedandI’dneverknownenoughtoask?“You’recheerfulthismorning.”

Heyawned,thenshookhishead.“Youeverhaveagirlfriend?”

“Onceortwice.Thefirst

married...someone.Theother...Idon’tknow.”Thatwasn’ttotallytrue.I’denjoyedthecompanyofafewovertheyears,and,forsomereason,theonlytwoI’dthoughtofinresponsetohisquestionwereRemayaand,surprisingly,Seliora,yetI’donlydancedwithSelioraontwoorthreeoftheSamediget-togethers.“Whataboutyou?”

Lierynsshookhishead.“ThefirsttimeIwenthome,hermothermetmeatthedoorandsaidthatshewas...indisposed.She’sbeenindisposedeversince.Forme,anyway.You’llbefortunateifyourformergirlfriendwillevenlookatyou.”

Thathadn’tbeenoneofmygreaterconcerns.Evenso,IhadtowonderifI’dhavethat

problem...orifI’devenhaveanotherwomanfriend.ThatwassomethingelseI’dfindout.

Afterbreakfast,Idonnedtheheavygraycloakandbegantowalkalongthewestsideoftheisle,onthegraystonewalkjustabovethegraystoneriverwalls.CouncilHillwastwoandahalfmillesaway,butthedaywasgrayandhazyenough

thatIcouldbarelymakeoutthewhitewallsoftheCouncilChateau,andtheylookedtobealightershadeofgrayinthedistance.Thegrayeverywherewasgettingtome.IwonderedhowdifferentithadlookedinthedaysbeforeCharyn,whenL’ExcelsisandSolidarhadbeenruledbyarex.Hadanyoftheearlyrulersbeenimagers?Noneofthehistory

booksI’dreadhadsaid,onlythattheearlyimagers,especiallythoseservingRexRegis,hadbeenanecessaryadjuncttothepoweroftherex.Butthen,noneofthebooksmentionedtheNamer,either,orRholantheUnnamer,oreventhemarkoftheNamer.

Iamblednorthpasttheworkrooms,thearmory,andanareaofdwellings,both

largeandsmall,seeminglyplacedwithcareinapark-likesetting.Northofthehouseswasasmallparkthatcoveredthenortherntipoftheisle.Althoughithadbenchesandasmallhedgemaze,Isawonlythreepeople—ayoungwomanwithtwosmallchildren,barelymorethantoddlers.Ikeptfollowingthestonewalkbackdowntheeastsideoftheisle.

JustbeforeIreachedtheBridgeofHopes,Isawanimager,withbroadshouldersandlightbrownhair,walkingacrossthebridge.Onthefarside,waitingforhim,wasamagnificentblackcoach,trimmedinsilver,withamatchedpairofblacks.Standingbesidetheopendoorofthecoachwasayoungwoman,withlongwhite-blondhairflowingout

fromasilverandblackscarf.Evenatthatdistance,Icouldtellthatshewasyoungandbeautiful.Ijuststoodandwatchedastheimagerneared.

Sheleanedforwardandkissedhimonthecheek,butbriefly,andwithacertainstiffness.Thenhehelpedherintothecoachandfollowed.Icouldn’thelpbutwondernotonlywhotheimagerwas,buthowhe’dmanagedtohavea

ladyfriendsoclearlywealthy.PerhapstherewasmoreappealtobeinganimagerthanI’drealized.

Thosewhodonotunderstand

imagingassumethatanyruleoftheworldcanbecircumventedorchangedwithenoughskill;thatissoerroneousthatitcannotevenbetermedwrong.

OnJeudi,thethirty-thirdofMaris,attheendofbreakfast,

whenI’dbeenattheCollegiumforoverthreeweeks,MasterPoincarytstoodandannounced,“AllmembersoftheCollegium,exceptthosewithspecificexceptionsfromme,willassembleinthegalleryofthehearingroomoftheJusticeBuildingattheeighthglassthismorning.”Thenhesatdown.

“That’stroublefor

someone,”murmuredEtyen.

“Morethantrouble,”addedThenard.

AccordingtotheManual,hearingsweremandatedonlyforseriousoffensesagainsttheCouncilortheCollegium,buttherewasnothingwrittenthatindicatedthatthehearingswerepublicandthatallimagerswererequiredtoattend.

“Doyouknowwhoitisorwhattheydid?”Iasked.

“No,”saidsomeonedownthetable.“Weonlyfindoutatthehearing.”

IfyoudidsomethingagainsttheCollegium,couldsomeonejustappearwithguardsorwhateverandwhiskyouofftoacellandahearing?Couldtheydothattome,forimagingthe

explosionthatkilledMasterCaliostrusandOstrius?Itriednottoshiver,andinsteadlookeddownattheremnantsoftheegg-friedtoastonmyplatter.

Islowlyfinishedthem,aswellasmytea,thenmademywaytoMasterDichartyn’sstudy,whereIsatonthebenchinthehallandbegantoleafthroughthemanual.

“Rhennthyl?”Gherardstoodinthemiddleofthecorridor.“MasterDichartynispreparingforthehearing.HeaskedmetotellyoutoreadtheeighthsectionofNaturalScienceandthefirstsectionofPracticalPhilosophy.Hewillseeyoutomorrowmorning.”

Iwentbacktomyroomandstruggledthroughfivepagesofthephilosophybook

beforemakingmywayoutintothemistyfogthatcoveredthequadrangleandthentotheJusticeBuilding.Thegalleryconsistedofwoodenhigh-backedbenchessetontiersthatrosebehindalowwallthatseparatedthehearingareafromthegallery.Thebenchesflankedacentralsetofsteps,comingdownfromtheupperentryonthesecondlevelofthebuilding.

Thelowerlevelwasverysimple.Attheeastendwasadaisayardhigh,andfromthemiddleroseasolidblackdeskwithahigh-backedchairbehindit.Thefloorwasofseamlessstone,butawalkwayofblackstone,seeminglywithnojoinsseparatingitfromthegraystonearoundit,ranfromthearchwayatthewestendofthechambertothefootofthe

dais.Attheendofthedais,abovewheretheblackstoneended,wasablackrailingtwoyardslong,supportedateachendbyblackposts.

Bythetimealltheimagershadfiledin,thegallerywasclosetofilled.Frommybestcount,therewereclosetotwohundredimagersthere,rangingfromprimesjustoutofgrammairetograyingmasters.

“IsthismostoftheCollegium?”IlookedtowardThenard,seatedonmyright.

Heshrugged.“ThisisonlythethirdhearingI’vebeento.That’sintwoyears.Therehavebeenaboutthesamenumberateachhearing.”

Outside,thebellsbegantoringtheglass.

“Allrise.”Thewordscamefromadark-hairedmaster

standingbythewest-endarchwayfacingthedais.

Aswestood,thejustice—orhearingofficer—walkedinandthensettledhimselfbehindthedeskonthehighdais.Heworealonggrayrobe,liketheCounciljustices,excepthiswastrimmedinbothblackandred,insteadofjustblack.

“Youmaybeseated,”

announcedthebailiff.“Floryn,ImagerTertius,stepforwardtothebar.”

Floryndidn’thavemuchchoiceaboutsteppingforward.Hishandsweremanacledbehindhim,andathickblackblindfoldcoveredhiseyes.Twolargeobduratesinblackescortedhimforwarduntilhestoodbeforetheblackrailing.Iwonderedabouttheblindfold,butonly

foramoment.Itwouldbehardtoimageanythingifyoucouldn’tsee,andthepositionofthemanaclespreventedhimfromliftinghishandstoremovetheblindfold.

“Whostandstodefendtheaccused?”askedthejustice.

“Ido.”MasterDichartynsteppedforwardandstoodbesidethesmalltableontheright,facingthedais.

“WhopresentsthecasefortheCollegiumagainsttheaccused?”

“Ido.”ThethinblondmanwhosteppeduptothetableontheleftwasamanI’dseenatmeals,seatedatthemasters’table,butwhomIdidnotknow.

“Statethechargesagainsttheaccused.”

“Theaccusedfacesthree

charges.ThefirstchargeisthatofcounterfeitingthecoinofSolidar,towit,byimagingagoldcrownthatwasnotpuregoldandbyattemptingtousesuchtopurchasegoods.Thesecondchargeisthatofemployingimagingtoobstructacivicpatrollerinthecourseofhisduties.Thethirdchargeisthatofattemptedmurderintheuseofimagingagainstamaster

oftheCollegium.”

Afterthereadingofthethirdcharge,Icouldhearseveralindrawnbreaths,particularlyfromarowofthirdsseatedbelowus.

“Howdoestheaccusedplead?Guilty,NotGuilty,NoPlea,orForMercy?”

“ForMercy,YourHonor,”offeredMasterDichartyn.

ThejusticelookeddirectlyatFloryn.“Floryn,yourdefenderhasofferedapleaofForMercy.Doyouacceptthatplea?”

“Yes,sir.”

EvenIcouldsensethedefeatandresignationbehindthosetwowords.

“Seattheaccused.”

ThetwoguardsledFloryn

tothetableontherightofthechamber,behindwhichweretwochairs.Aftertheyseatedhimintheoneawayfromtheblackstonewalkway,theytookpositionbehindhim,whileMasterDichartynseatedhimselfintheotherchair.

“Proceed,AdvocatefortheCollegium,”statedthejustice.

Theblondmasternodded

tothebailiff,whoannounced,“Sandyal,ImagerTertius,tothebar.”

Alankyandsandy-hairedimagerwholookedtobeclosetomyagewalkedfromthewestarchwayforwardtothebar.

“Sandyal,”beganthejustice,“doyouunderstandthatyouarerequiredtotellthewholetruth,andthatyour

wordsmustnotdeceive,eitherbyelaborationoromission?”

“Yes,sir.”

“Proceed.”

“Sandyal,”begantheCollegiumadvocate,“youhadaconversationwithFlorynonSolayi,thetwenty-ninthofMaris.WouldyoupleaserecountwhatFlorynsaidhewasgoingtodo?”

“Yes,sir.Wehadtheafternoonoff.Wehadtobebackforchapel,buttheafternoonwasours,andFlorynsaidthathewantedtohavesomespicedwineandpastriesatNaranje.ItoldhimthatIdidn’thaveenoughcoin,andhesaidthathe’dtakecareofwhateverwebought....”

Sandyalmusthaverecountedeverydetailofthe

afternoon,andittookmorethanhalfaglass,butthegistwasthatFloryndidn’thaveanycoinandthatheimagedagold.Theservinggirlthoughtitfeltwrongandputitinawater-tester.Itcameupfalse.Shetoldtheownerofthepatisserie,andhesummonedthepatrollers.Becauseshehadalsosaidthatitcamefromayoungimager,theysummonedthedutymaster.

Thesummonsdidn’treachthemasterbeforeapatrollerarrived.Florynrealizedsomethingwaswrongandranoutofthepatisserie.Thepatrollerfollowed,andFlorynimagedsomethingthattrippedthepatroller.”

“Didyouseewhathappenedafterthat?”

“No,sir,exceptthatFlorynranacrosstheboulevard—the

BoulevardD’Imagers,sir—anddownanalleyway.Ijustwaitedthereinthepatisserie.Ididn’thaveanycoins,and...IthoughtFlorynwasgoingtopay.Hesaidhewould.”

“Ihavenofurtherquestions.”TheadvocatelookedtoMasterDichartyn.

“Ihavenoquestions.”

“Youmayleavethechamberfortheanteroom,

ImagerSandyal.”

Sandyalinclinedhishead,thenturned.

“WhatwillhappentoSandyal?”Iwhisperedashewalkedbackdowntheblackstone.

“He’srestrictedtoImagisleforthenextyear,andthenthey’llreviewit.”

Ididn’thearwhosaidthat,

butitwasn’tThenard.

“MasterFerlyntothebar.”

Theangularmasterwhostrodedownthecentralblackstonewaydidn’tlookallthatmucholderthanIwas.Hehaddarkmahoganyhairandasharpnose.

“MasterFerlyn,”askedthejustice,“doyouunderstandthatyouarerequiredtotellthewholetruth,andthatyour

wordsmustnotdeceive,eitherbyelaborationoromission?”

“Yes,YourHonor.”

Ferlyn’sanswerstotheadvocate’squestionsparalleledwhatSandyalhadsaid.

“Didyouseewhathappenedtothecivicpatroller?”

“Yes,sir.Florynimagedatimberrightbeforehisknees.Thepatrollerwasn’tthreateningFloryn.HewastryingtokeephiminsightuntilIarrived...”

Thatalsomadesensetome.

“...whenIcaughtsightofhiminMilliners’Lane,Floryntriedtouseimagerytoblockmyvisionofwhatwas

happeningaswellasmakingapersonalattackonme.Thedetailsareinthedocumentationpresentedtothecourt.Irequestthatthosedetailsnotbestatedinopencourt.”

ThejusticelookedtoMasterDichartyn,butMasterDichartyndidnotobjecttothatrequest.Foraninstant,Iwonderedwhy,butthenrealizedthattherewasa

greaterdisadvantagetoFloryninhavingthedetailsmadepublic.

AfterMasterFerlyn’stestimony,statementswerereadfromtheservinggirlandfromthepatroller,andthepatisserieowner.

Thenthebailiffcalledout,“Vanjhant,ImagerSecondus.”

Inmoments,thechubby

andblondyoungimagerwasstandingbeforethebar,havingbeenexhortedtotellthetruth.

“Vanjhant,youlistenedtosomethingthatFlorynsaidseveralweeksago.Iwouldlikeyoutorecountwhatyouheard.”

“Yes,sir.”Vanjhantlickedhislips.Thenheswallowed.“Wewereleavingthedining

hall,anditwasn’tthatgoodthatday.Leastwedidn’tthinkso.Morrysetwaswishingthathecouldhavearealpastry,andFlorynsaidthatwasnoproblem,thatallyouhadtodowasimageafewsilversoragold,wheneveryouwantedto,andgooutacrossthebridgeandbuyone....Chastynsaiditwasn’tthateasy.Florynsaidthatsolongasthegoldwas

ontheoutsideanditwasheavyenough,anyonewouldtakeit...”

Theadvocateaskedseveralmorequestions,thendismissedVanjhant.Afterthat,threemorejuniorimagerswerecalled,andallconfirmedthatFlorynhadmadesimilarstatements.

“Arethereanyadditionalwitnesses?”askedthejustice.

“No,YourHonor.”Thewordsfrombothmasterswerenearlysimultaneous.

“Yourstatement,masterdefender.”

MasterDichartynstood.“Icannotcontestthefactsinthiscase.Floryndidinfactimageagoldthatdidnotcontainthepropergoldcontent.Hadthecoinbeenoftheproperweight,atmosthewouldface

adisciplinaryhearing,assumingthathisduplicationofacoinwouldeverhavebeennoticed.Hislifeisatstakebecausehisabilitieswerenotequaltohisself-confidence.Aswithmanyyoungpeoplewhorealizethattheyhavemadeaterriblemistake,hepanicked.Heattemptedtostopapatrollerfromfollowinghim,buthedidnotuseimagingina

fashionintendedtodoanypermanentharmtothepatroller.ThesameistrueofhisuseofimagingagainstMasterFerlyn.Becausehisactionswerebasedonpoorjudgment,andbecausehisactionsshowedclearlyhisdesirenottocreatepermanentharmorinjurytoanyone,Irequestthathereceivemercy,andthathebesentencedtofiveyearsintheduplication

sectionofthemachineworks,andthatheberestrictedtoImagislefortenyears,andthatanyviolationofeitherconditionresultinimmediateexecutionofthesentencethatwouldotherwisebeimposed.”

ThewayMasterDichartynputit,therequestformercyseemedfairenough.CertainlyFlorynwouldnotbegettingofflightly,butitwasclear

thatthealternativewashisdeath.

“Yourstatement,AdvocatefortheCollegium.”

Theblondmasterstood.“Mycolleaguehaspresentedaneloquentargument,andonethat,inothercircumstances,Iwouldinfactendorseandsupport.WereFlorynanImagerPrimusorSecondus,withperhapsa

yearorsoattheCollegium,Iwouldnothesitatetodoso.Hadhebeenhereeventwo,orperhapsthreeyears,IwouldprobablysupportapleaofForMercy.ButFlorynhasbeenattheCollegiumforoverfiveyears,andhisactions,asshownbythestatementshemadetoalllevelsofyoungimagers,embodyathoughtlessnessandarecklessnessthat,in

time,couldthreatentheveryCollegiumitself.Thiswasnottheimpetuousandisolatedactofayoungimager,excitedovernewabilitiesandunawareoftheconsequences.Theseactswerethoseofanarrogantandself-centeredmanwhocouldonlyconsiderhisownpleasure,andwhocreateddisruptionandbroughtdiscreditupontheCollegium—allforafew

mugsofspicedwineandtwopastries.Forthosereasons,ImustaskthatthepleaofForMercyberejected,thatFlorynbefoundguiltyofthechargesleviedagainsthim,andthattheappropriatesentencebecarriedout.”TheCollegiumadvocateinclinedhishead,firsttoMasterDichartyn,thentothejustice.

“Floryn,ImagerTertius,tothebar.”

Thetwoguardshalf-urged,half-liftedFlorynfromhischairandescortedhimbacktothebar,facingthejustice.Thentheyretreatedseveralpacesandwaited.

Thejusticestood.

“Allrise!”orderedthebailiff.

Istood,feelingqueasyasIdidso.

“Floryn,ImagerTertius,thiscourtfindsasfollows.First,thefactsandtestimonyconfirmthatyoudidinfactcommittheoffenseswithwhichyouhavebeencharged.Second,givenyourlengthofstudyattheCollegium,acceptanceofapleaofForMercyisnotwarranted.Third,thepenaltyforconvictiononeachofthethreechargesisdeath.”

Florynwinced,asifstruck.

Silencefilledthespace,fromthecourtareaallthewayupthroughthegallery.

Florynshuddered,thencollapsedontheblackstonefloorbeforethedais.Hetwitchedseveraltimes.Thenhewasstill.Thetwoburlyguardssteppedforwardandpickedupthebody,liftingiteasilyupandontotheir

shoulders,andthencarrieditout.

Therobedmasterlookeddownfromthedais.“ThesentenceoftheCollegiumhasbeenenforced.Justicehasbeendone.Sobeit.”Afteramoment,heturnedandwalkedoutthroughthesmallerarchwayattherearofthedais.Then,allofthosebelowturnedanddeparted.

Ijuststoodthereforalongmoment,evenastheimagersaroundmebegantoleave.

Guiltprovidesfarmore

effectivemotivationthangreed,forgreedcanattimes

besatiated.

OnJeudinight,aftertoomanyglassesstudyingandworrying,Iwasparticularlygladformyprivatequarters,becauseIdidnotsleepwell,

notwithdreamsoffacingahearingforthedeathofMasterCaliostrusrunningthroughmynightmares.NotwiththevisionoftheCollegiumadvocaterecitinghowIhadimagedmyportraituristmastertodeathbecauseIhatedhisson.Ialsohadvisionsofsomemasterimagingpoisonorsomethinglikeitintomybody,andbeingunabletodoanything

atallagainstsuchanattack.

WhenIwokeonVendrei,farearlierthannormal,withtheearly-springlightbarelyseepingfromcloud-coveredskiesthroughleaded-glasswindows,morequestionsrushedthroughmybrain.HadinfactthejusticeimagedpoisonintoFlorynashehadstoodbeforethebar?Wasthattechniqueanotherreasonforalltheanatomydrawings

intheNaturalSciencevolume?

Ishookmyhead.Thattechniquecouldbeappliedtoeverything,ifanimagerhappenedtobecomestrongandtalentedenough.Butthen,ifthatwereso,ofwhatusewereobdurates?

Breakfastattheprimetablewasasquietlyboisterousasusual.Thatbotheredmeas

well,butIsaidnothinganddidmybesttoenjoythehamrashersthatwentwiththeomeletcasserole.Therewerenolettersinmybox,notthatIexpectedany,andItrudgedthroughthemistingdrizzlethatsifteddownonthequadrangleasImademywaytoMasterDichartyn’sstudy.

Thedoorwasopen,andhewaswaitingforme.“DidGherarddeliveryour

assignments?”

ThatwasapleasantwayofaskingwhetherI’dreadthem.

“Yes,sir.Thephilosophyishard.”

“Ifitweren’thard,itwouldn’tbephilosophy.”Heclosedthestudydoorbehindme.“Youlooktired.Areyouallright?”

Ratherthananswerthat,

becauseIwasn’tcertainhowIwasanddidn’twanttosay,Isaid,“MightIaskyouaboutthehearing,sir?”

“Youmayask.Imaychoosenottoreply.”

“WhydidFlorynnotspeakforhimself?Isthatforbidden?”

MasterDichartynshookhishead.“Itisnot,andmostaccuseddospeakfor

themselves.Florynhadagreaterchanceformercyifhedidnotspeak.Itwasnotagreatchance,butitwastheonlyhopethathehad.”

“MightIaskwhy?”

“Iwoulddenythattomostjuniorimagers,Rhennthyl,butIwillansweryouontwoconditions.First,youarenevertorepeatmyanswertoanyone,andafterthis

meeting,noteventome.Second,youwillmakeanhonestattempttoexplaintomewhyIamallowingyouthisliberty.”Helookedatme.“Doyouacceptthoseconditions?”

TherewasmoretherethanIknew,butIalsoneededtoknow.“Yes,sir.”

“Floryn’slifewasatstake,butwhathedidnot

understandisthathisandeveryimager’slifeisatstakeeverymomentofeveryday.Now...itisnotarroganttobelieveinone’struecapabilities,butitisarrogantforanimagertodeclarethosecapabilitiespublicly,anditisunacceptablyarroganttooverstateone’scapabilities,particularlywhenweexistonthesufferanceofthepeople.Florynwasincapableof

speakingwithoutrevealinghisarrogance,andarrogancefromjuniorimagersdoesnotsetwellwithmasters,particularlynotwithMasterJhulian,whowasservingasjustice.ItriedtocoachFlorynastohowheshouldspeak,buthisangerwassogreatthatanythinghesaidwouldhaveensuredhisdeath.”

“Washeatalentedimager,sir?”

“Almostastalentedasyoumaybecome,ifyouworkhardatit.”Hepaused.“WhyhaveIletyouaskthis?”

Theanswerwasobvious.Itwasalsopainful.“BecauseIcouldbecomearrogant,asFlorynwas.”

“Notquite.Youwouldneverbeasblatantly,flagrantlystupid,andyouarenotthetypetoboast.You

couldbethetypetoboasttoyourselfandtoactinanger,butinsubtleandcoolarrogance,whenyoufeelyourselfwrongedordisregarded.Howdidyoufeelwhenyoudidnotwinthejourneyman’scompetitionlastIanus?”

“Wronged,”Iadmitted,evenasIwonderedhowheknewthat,becauseI’dnevermentionedittoanyoneatthe

Collegium.“Myworkwasbetterthanthosethatwon,andseveralmastersadmittedasmuchindirectly.”

“Thenwhydidyounotwin?”

Iwantedtoblurtoutthattheyhadplayedfavorites,buttherewasmorebehindit,andMasterDichartynwouldnothaveaskedthequestioniftherehadnotbeen.“Iwould

guessthatpartofthecompetitionwastodeterminewhowouldfollowthetraditionsandtheunspokenrulesoftheirguild.”

“Ifthatwereso,thendidyoudeservetowin?”

“Ideservedtowinonartisticmerit,sir,butnotiftheprizesweretobegivenonblindcompliancewithunspokenrules.”

MasterDichartynnodded.“Youdon’tliketoadmitthat,doyou?”

“No,sir.”

“Whathappenedtoyouthereisthesameeverywhereelse.Allgroups,whethertheguilds,theCouncil,theHighHolders,ortheCollegium,havebothformalrules—andthesecanbespokenorwrittenorboth—and

unspokenrules.Theunspokenrulesmustbeobservedanddeducedbyeachmemberofthegroup,andinlargepart,acceptanceandsuccessdependonrecognitionofandmasteryofthoseunspokenrules.Youngpeopleusuallyunderstandthatsuchrulesexistwithintheirowngroups,butmanyhaveahardertimeacceptingthatothergroupshavesuch

rulesandthatatleastsomeofthoserulesmaydiffergreatlyfromtherulestheyhavealreadylearned.Oftentheygetmostangrywhentherulesofthoseolderandmorepowerfuldonotfollowtheirpreconceptions.”

“Floryndidn’tlikeit?”

“Hecamefromapart-taudisbackgroundwhereonehastoboastandoverstateto

berespected.Hecouldneverovercomethatearlytraining.”

“WhatearlytrainingdoIneedtoovercome?”

MasterDichartynlaughed,somewhatsadly.“Icannotsaywithcertainty.Iwouldjudgethatyouneedmoretoovercomeyourrebellionagainstearlytraining.Youmayhavebecomeanartistbecauseyoudislikedthe

constantcountinganduseofcoinsasameasureofsuccess.Yetthatisthemeasureofsuccessincommerce,andyoumustacceptthefactthatsuchisthecasewithmostpeople.TaxesandtariffsoncommercesupportallofSolidar,aswellastheCollegium.Mostpeoplecanreckononlywithnumbers,andtheymeasuretheirworthbycomparingtheir

possessionsandcoinsagainstthoseofothers.”

Iwouldhavetothinkaboutthat.

“Rhennthyl...Ihaveanotherquestion.Alltechniquesandquestionsaboutimaging,beyondtheverybasicexercisesthatyou’vealreadyhad,arehandledinprivatediscussionsandexerciseswithamaster.

Whydoyouthinkthisisso?”

“Youwanttoseewhatwecandowhennooneelseisaround.ThatwouldkeepothersfromgettinghurtifIdidsomethingreallywrong.”

“Youcouldhurtme.”

“No,sir.Idon’tthinkso.Youwouldn’tgiveustheinstructionandtoolsifyoudidn’thavesomewayofprotectingyourself.”I

paused.“Idon’tknowifIunderstandaboutobdurates,notafter...yesterday.Imean...howcanthey...protectagainst...”

Hejustsmiled.“Therearetwokindsofimaging.Theprocessisthesame,buttheeffectsarenot.Ifyoutrytochangethewaysomeonelooksortheirphysicalbeingthroughimaging,itwillnotaffectanobdurate,andif

you’restrongenough,theslightestsuggestionwillchangeamalleable.Mostpeoplewon’tbeaffected,andtheeffectusuallywon’tlastunlesstheimagerisamaster,generallyahigher-levelmaster.Thatisnotthesameasifoneusesimagingasaweapon,ifyouwill,buttodothat,onemustbeabletosee...”

Iunderstood.Theobdurate

guardsmighthavebeencloseenoughtobeaffectedbypersonalshapingimaging,iftheywerenotobdurates,andtheblindfoldprovidedtherestoftheprotection.“Areimagersobduratestosomedegree?”

“Almostalways,butthereareafewwhoarenot.Youaredefinitelynotoneofthose.”Heclearedhisthroat.“Now...ifwemightreturn

tomyquestion.Arethereanyotherreasonswhyweinstructyoualonewithoutotherspresent?”

“Youwanttokeepcontrolofthesituation?”

“Whatdoyoumean?”

“Itcouldbethatwithmoreimagersaround...”

Thistime,heshookhishead.“No,oneofthereasons

fortheisolationisforyourprotection.Icanprotectmyself.Youcan’tyet.Whatifanotherjuniorimagermadeamistake?”

“Oh...Ishouldhavethoughtofthat,sir.”

“Afteryouthoughtofmybeinghurt,youshouldhave.Oneoftheproblemsthatyoungmenhaveisthatwhiletheycanthinkofwhatmay

happentoothers,theydon’tthinkhowtheiractionsorthoseoftheirpeersmayresultingreatinjurytothemselves.Thinkofitthisway.Afterthehearing,didn’tyouworrythatsomedaysomemastermightchargeyouwithsomeoffense?”

“Ah...yes,sir.”

“Didyouthinkaboutthefactthatifyouavoideddoing

unwiseorprohibitedactsyouwouldn’thavethatworry?”

Ihadn’t,notreally.

“Yousee?”Heraisedbotheyebrows.

“But,sir...mostofushavedonethingsweregretorworryabout,sometimesbeforeweknewbetter...”Iwasn’tquitesurewhatIwassuggestingwaswise,butIhadtoknow.

Henoddedslowly.“Thatistrueformanyofyou,generallyforthemostgifted,suchasyou.Youarereferringtotheunfortunatedeathofyourpreviousmaster,areyounot?”

Ijustsatthere,stone-cold.Ishouldn’thavesaidanything,andyet...

“You’resurprised?Ireceivecopiesofallthe

patrollerreportsinL’Excelsis.Welookatthemcarefullywheredeathsandstrangeoccurrencesareinvolved,particularlywhenayoungerpersonisinvolved.Itisoftensuggestive.Veryfewofthemosttalentedimagersdonothaveadeathoraninjurytoanotherthathascomefromtheirdiscoveryordevelopmentoftheirability.Theonlyquestioniswhether

theyworryaboutitorsufferforit.Thosewhodonotsuffer,orunderstandthattheyshould,areusefulonlyfortheArmyortheNavy,orforthemachineworks,fortheyhavenorestraints.I’mgladyoubroughtthematterup,andevengladderthatyoudidindirectly,atleastindirectlyforonewhoisnotexperiencedinindirection.”

“Youknewandletme

becomeanimager?”

“Hadyounotcometous,Rhenn,”MasterDichartynsaidquietly,“withinthemonth,youwouldhavebeenfounddeadonthestreet.Youhadthewisdomtounderstandwhatyouhadbecome,andthestrength,evenwiththeworryyoucarried,tocrosstheBridgeofHopes.Whydoyouthinkitiscalledthat?”Hissmilewaswry.“Hopeis

alwaysanexpectationbeyondanticipatedreality,isitnot?”

Putinthatlight,Ihadtoagreewithhim.Inodded.

“Youhavelearnedwhatsomeneverdo.Whatyouhavenotlearned,butwill,isthatyouwillalwaysbearthecostsofwhatledyoutobecomeanimager,onewayoranother.”

Ihadthefeelingthathe

mightberight.

“NextVendrei,atthenoonmeal,MasterPoincarytwillincludeyournameamongthoseimagersbeingpromotedfromprimustosecondus.”Hesmiled,butthesmilevanishedalmostimmediately.“Nowthatwehavetakencareofthoseissues...defineaphilosophicalpropositionforme,byitsstructure.”

IhadtothinkaboutwhatIhadread,butsomeofthedreadIhadcarriedforweekshadlifted.Someofit.

Thosewhobelieveconsider

themselvesblessed;thatistheirconsolationandtheir

burden.

ThefirstSolayiinAvryl,thefirstofthemonthandthelastdayIwasactuallyrestrictedtoImagisle,Mothercametovisitme.Theafternoonwas

partlycloudy,butthemorninghadbeensunny,andtheairwaspleasant.HercoachcrossedtheBridgeofHopesrightatthefirstbellofthesecondglassoftheafternoon.Iwaswaitingjustoffthebridgeontheisleside,becausethatwaswheretheManualstatedvisitorsshouldbemet.

Charlsyneasedthecoachintothewaitingarea,buthe

avoidedlookingdirectlyatmeasIsteppedforwardandopenedthedoor.

Mothersteppedout,andIofferedherahand,becausetherewasnomountingblock,althoughthegraygranitecurbingwassomewhatraisedabovethepavingstones.Sheworealongblackskirtandboots,withashortmaroonjacketoveracreamblouse,withapalegreenscarfand

maroonberet-stylehat.Inherownway,shemadeitalllookgoodtogether.

“You’relookingwell,Rhenn.”Hersmilewaspracticedassheinspectedme,andwideraftershesawnoobviousfaultsinmydressanddeportment.“Thegraydoessuityou,althoughitisabitsevere.Theclothofthewaistcoatandtrouserslookstobechoicewool.”

“Ihadn’tnoticed,notexactly.”

“Well...yourfatherwillbepleasedtoknowthat.It’sagoodgradeforimagers,veryfine,butnotostentatious.”

“MasterDichartynwillbepleasedtohearthat.”AssoonasIspoke,IwishedIhadn’tsaiditthatway,andIquicklyadded,“Hefeelsimagersshouldneverbearrogantor

ostentatious.”

“Youshouldlistentohim.Nooneshouldbe.”Shesmiled,andatwinkleappearedinhereyes.“I’veevensuggestedthattoyourfatheronceortwice,butdon’ttellhimthatItoldyouso.”

“Iwouldn’tthinkofit.”Icouldn’thelpbutenjoythethoughtofhersuggestingthat

hewasarrogant.

Westrolleddownthewalkwaytooneofthestonebenches.Motherproducedasmalltowelfromsomewhereanddusteditoff.“Itneverhurtstobeprepared.”

“You’repreparedforeverything,”Isaidwithasmile.

“Onecanneverprepareforeverything,butwhenone

preparesforwhatonecan,it’smucheasiertodealwiththeunexpected.”

“There’ssometruthinthat,”Iconceded.

“Soniceofyoutoadmitthat,dear.”

Iwinced.“I’msorry.”

Shestraightenedherselfonthebench.“RouselandRemayawillbearrivingon

Jeudi.WillyoubeabletocomefordinneronSamedi,orwilltheyneedtocometoseeyouhere?”

“I’llbeabletocomeonSamedi.ThisismylastweekendtoberestrictedtoImagisle.”

“Good.I’llsendCharlsynwiththecoach.Whattimewouldbegood?”

Ididn’twanttospendtoo

longwithRouselandRemaya—orFather—butIdidn’twanttoseemungrateful.“I’vealwaysbeenfreebythethirdglassoftheafternoon.”

“Shouldhemeetyouhere?”

“Icouldmeethimontheothersideofthebridge.Thatwayhewouldn’thavetocrossandturnthecoach.”

“That’ssettled,then.Itwill

besogoodtohaveeveryonehome.YouknowthatRemaya’sexpectinginlateJuyn?”

“Iknewitwassometimethissummer.”

“Sheisalovelyperson.”

ThatmeantthatRemayawasfarsuperiortoherPharsibackground.“Iknewthatfromthebeginning.”

“Thatmaybe,dear,butshe’sfarbettersuitedtoRousel.Sheenjoystalkingabouttradeandwool,andshelikesitasmuchashedoes.”

Motherdidhaveapointthere.

“Oh...Iforgottotellyou.Ishouldhavewrittenyou.Wehaveyourpainting—theoneyouenteredintheartcompetition.MasterReayalt

haditsenttous.Wouldyoulikeit?”

TheguildmasterofthePortraitureGuildhadsentmystudyofthechessgame?Butwhoelsewouldhave?“Ifyoudon’tmind...couldyoukeepituntilI’mabitmore...settled.”

“We’dloveto.IknowjustwhereI’llhangituntilyou’rereadyforit.”

“I’dappreciatethat.”

“Tellmeaboutbeinganimager...whatyoucan,thatis.Iknowthattheremustbemattersyoucannotdiscuss.Whatdoyoudo?”

“Studyandpractice,mostly.IsuspectI’mgettingclosetoauniversityeducationinscience,chemistry,andphilosophy.”

“Don’tmentionthe

philosophytoyourfather.He’llliketherest.Whatelsedoyoudo?”

“Thereareexercisesinimaging,andI’mexaminedalmosteveryday,exceptSolayi,bymypreceptor.That’sMasterDichartyn.Intheafternoon,Imightpracticesomethinginthelaboratoriesorworkrooms,orstudy.I’mjustbeenadvancedtoimagersecondus,and

startingtomorrow,I’llhavetolearnmoreofwhatimagersdo,butIhaven’tbeenassignedyet.”

“Whatdoesbeinganimagersecondusmean?”

“Igetalittlelargerstipend,andIcancrossthebridgestothecitywheneverIhavethetime,solongasIdon’tmissanyinstructionorduties.”

Shenodded.“That’sgood.

Areyougettingenoughsleep?Whatareyourquarterslike?Doyouhavetosleepinabunkroomlikethesoldiers?”

Ishookmyhead.“Weeachhaveourownrooms.They’renotlarge,butthey’recomfortable,andthefoodisgood.Notsogoodasathome,butfarbetterthanatMasterCaliostrus’s.”Wasmyparents’dwellingreallyhome

anymore?Haditeverbeen,really,afterI’dleftthegrammaire?

“I’mgladtohearthat.”Therewasalongpause.“Dear...thismaybepresumptuous,butcanimagersmarry?”

Icouldn’thelpsmiling.“Theycan,butgenerallytheyhavequartersonImagisleoramongotherimagers,unless

they’reverywealthy.”

“Idon’tseewhy...”

“It’scompulsory,butI’mtoldthatthequartersforthosewhoaremarriedarequitecomfortable.Thosewhoareolderandhavefamiliesliveinhousesonthenorthendoftheisle.”Ididn’tfeelrightaboutexplainingthereasonsbeyondwhatI’dsaid.

“Oh...I’veseenthem.

They’rewellkept,andstylish,butatracesmall,Iwouldthink.”

AllIcoulddoinresponsewasshrugandsay,“SinceI’mnotmarried,Iwouldn’tknow.”

“Doimagersusuallymarryotherimagers?”Afteramoment,sheadded,“Thatcan’tbe.Therearen’tanywomenimagers,ornotvery

many,arethere?”

“Therearesome.I’veseenthreemasterswhoarewomen,andperhapstenorfifteenwhoareprimes,seconds,orthirds.”

“Thenwhenyoucan,youshouldgetoutandmeetsomeeligiblewomen,someoftheproperbackground.”Shepaused.“YourealizethatRouselwasextraordinarily

fortunate,don’tyou?”

WhatshemeantwasthatmostPharsigirlswouldnotmeetherstandardsorfitinherworld,butIonlysaid,“I’mveryawareofthat.Icanonlyhopetobethatfortunate.”

“Agoodbackgroundmakesitfareasier,asI’mcertainyouknow.”

Inodded,andafterthat,we

talkedoffriends,andfamilyandhowmyauntIlena—Mother’ssister—refusedtotraveltoL’Excelsis,evenontheironway.

Then,abruptly,shestood,andIfollowedherexample.

“Imustbegoing,dear.Ithasbeenlovelytoseeyou,andtoknowthatyouaredoingsowell.Ihadmydoubts,butIdothinkthis

imagerbusinessisforthebest.Yourfatherwillbehappytoknowthat.”Sheleanedforwardandkissedmycheek.“WewillseeyounextSamedi.”

IwalkedherbacktothecoachandwatchedasCharlsyneasedtheteamandcoacharoundthenarrowroundaboutandbackoverthebridge.ThenIwalkedbacktomyroomandread—ortried

toread—anothersectionofPracticalPhilosophy.Manyoftheargumentsthereseemedanythingbutpractical,suchasthesectionthatread:

Theultimatephilosophicalprincipleistheadvancefromdisjunctiontoconjunction,creatinganentirelynewentityotherthantheentitiespreviouslyexistingindisjunction...

Afterstrugglingthroughthat,Iclosedthebookandmademywaytothedininghall,whereIdidappreciatethecomparativereliefoftheeveningmealonSolayi.Then,IandalloftheimagersattheCollegiumwenttowhatthemasterscalledchapel,butitmeanttheservicesheldatAnomenD’Imagisle.TheywereaglasslaterthanthoseatAnomenD’Este,tofitthe

Collegiumschedule,Isupposed.Asatallservices,westoodthroughout—exceptforahandfulofgrayingimagersemeritus,whohadtwospecialbenchesontheleftbelowandforwardofthepulpit.Asmallchoirofimagersofferedthechoralinvocation,andtheysangwell.

ChoristerIsolawastheonlywomanchoristerofthe

NamelessthatI’deverseen,althoughI’dheardthattherewereothers,becauseonecouldnotknoworpresumewhethertheNamelesswasmaleorfemale,orindeedbothatonce.Hervoicedidcarry,andhersopranoinvocationfollowingthechoralone,wordlessasitwas,wasfarmorepleasantthanthatofanyotherchoristerIhadeverheard.

Thensheopenedthemainpartoftheservice.

“WearegatheredheretogetherthiseveninginthespiritoftheNamelessandinaffirmationofthequestforgoodnessandmercyinallthatwedo.”

Theopeninghymnwasunfamiliar—“SaveUsfromNaming”—butthatdidn’tmatterbecauseIbarelysang,

withjustenoughsoundsothatIwasnotmerelymouthingthewords.

Aftertheconfessionandoffertory,ChoristerIsolasteppedtothepulpitforthehomily.“Goodevening.”

“Goodevening,”camethereply.

“Anditisagoodevening,forundertheNameless,alleveningsaregood.”She

pausedforjustamomentbeforegoingon.“Weallknow,andyouallhavebeentaughtsincechildhood,thesinofpridethatcanaccompanynaming,andwehaveallheardthestoriesaboutachievementsandthepurityofRholantheUnnamer.WhoamongushasnotshiedawayfromthepossibledisgraceofbearingthemarkoftheNamer,but

howmanyofyouhavethoughtdeeplyaboutthegreatnessandmajestyofthoseaspectsoflifethatarewithoutaname?Wecomeintotheworld,bornofwomanandmanthroughtheagonyofawoman,oftensopainfulthatnowordscandescribethatbirthing.Likewise,therearenowordstodescribedeath,forthosewhopassthroughitcannot

speakofittous.Foreachofus,thesearethebeginningandtheend,asweknowthemhereonTerahnar,andtherearenowordsthatwilldojusticetoeither.

“Wordscannotdescribethemostmagnificentofsunrisesorsunsets,oreventhegreatestpaintingofthegreatestrepresentationalistorthemostbeautifulofstatues,orthemoststirringand

harmoniousofmelodies.Wordsareallthatwehavetoconveytoeachotherwhatweseeandwhatwefeel,butnevershouldweacceptabeliefthatwordstrulyorfullydescribetheworldcreatedbytheNameless.Evenlesssothanwordsdonamesdescribewhatis...”

ChoristerIsolawentonfromthere.Ithoughtitwasoneofherbetterhomilies,

andonethatmademethink.

Onthewaybackfromchapel,ImatchedstepswithSannifyr,anothersecond,notnecessarybecauseI’ddislikedtheyoungerprimes,butassoonasI’dmadesecondus,theyshiedawayfromme.Sannifyrdidn’tsayanything,andIdidn’treallyknowwhattosaytohim,either.Thewalkbacktoquarterswasfairlylong,

becausetheanomenwasatthepointonthesouthernendofImagisle,butthenightwasn’tthatcold,especiallycomparedtothosewhenI’dfirstcometotheCollegium.

Deductionislimitedby

knowledge,andknowledgeislimitedbypreconceptions.

OnLundimorning,whenImademywaytoMasterDichartyn’sstudy,thedoorwasopen.

“Youcancomein,Rhenn.”

Ieasedinsideandclosedthedoor,takingmyseatoppositehim.

Heleanedbackandfingeredhischin.“HowmanypeoplearethereinSolidar?”

Therehadtobemillions,butIdidn’trecalltheexactfigure.“Fortymillion?”

“Thelastenumerationshowedaroundfiftymillion.Howmanyarein

L’Excelsis?”

“Therewereovertwomillionin750A.L.”

“HowmanyimagersdoyouthinktherearehereattheCollegiumandinL’Excelsis?”

“IfI’vecountedcorrectly,therearesomewhereovertwohundredandforty,sir.”

“Addanotherfiftyorso,

andthat’scloseenough.Itdoesn’tincludethosewhocanimagejustatinybitandhaven’tbeendiscovered,orthosewhohaveneverdiscoveredtheirtalent,butmostpeoplewiththeabilitygetfoundoutsoonerorlater.Laterisseldombetter,andveryfewsurvive.LetusjustsaythattherearefivehundredimagersinallofSolidar.Whatisthatratio?”

“Onehundredthousandtoone,sir.”

“Now...doesthattellyouwhycautionisnecessaryineveryimageraction?”

“Yes,sir.”ItalsotoldmethatFloryn’sgreatestfailingwastellinganyoneanything.

“Whatelseshouldittellyou?”

Whatelsecouldtherebe?

“Therecan’tbeverymanyintherestoftheworld,either.”

“Whynot?”

I’dhadamomenttothink.“Iftherewere,we’dknowaboutit.TheCollegiumseeksoutimagers.IfyoucanonlyfindfivehundredinSolidar,andwehavemorepeoplethanothercountries...”

“You’remakingseveralassumptions.Whatarethey,

andaretheycorrect?”

“Itwouldbehardtohideimagersinotherlands,butifyoucouldfindoutsomuchaboutme,howcouldtheyhideimagersfromyou?”

“Thatassumeswewouldbeallowedtolook.WhileplacesliketheAbiertoIslesareopenenough,andsoisStakanar,FerrumandJarioladon’tlikesnoopyoutsiders

andhaveratherunpleasanthabitsofmakingthemdisappear.TheTiempransbanimagingandimagers,andthesameistrueofCaenen.You’realsomakingassumptionsaboutpeople.Whatarethey?”

“Oh...thatpeoplearethesameeverywhere.”

“Arethey?Iftheyare,whatmakesthemthatway?”

“Sir...IknowIhaven’ttraveledfar,butIhaveseenpeoplewhohavecomefrommanyplaces,andtheyallseemtoloveorhate,orwanttobebetter...andIthinkwe’reallbornwithsimilargeneralabilitiesandwants.”

“Isimagingsomethingpeoplearebornwith,orsomethinglearned?”

Iwasdefinitelyunsure

whatMasterDichartynsought...orwhy.“Idon’tknow,sir,butIwouldsayit’ssomethingpeopleareeitherbornwithornot,butthattheyhavetolearnwhethertheyhaveitandhowtousethatability.”Ipaused.“Doesithaveanythingtodowith...Imeanthereseemtobemoremenwhoareimagers.”

“That’strue,andwomenimagersalmostalwayscome

fromfamilieswhereanolderbrotherhasthetalent.Whythat’sso,wedon’tknow,buttherearetraitsthatworkthatway.Veryfewwomenarebald,comparedtomen.But...backtothequestionathand.Iftheimagingskillcanariseinanypeople,whyaretheremorepracticingimagersinSolidarthanintherestoftheworld?Ifyoucantellmethat,itwillprovidetherestof

theanswertothefirstquestionIaskedandthatyoudidnotanswercompletely.”

Ihadtothinkforseveralmoments.ExactlywhathadIfailedtoanswer?

“I’llgiveyouahint.WhyaremostbullsgeldedandwhyistheCyellaRubyvaluable?”

Afteramoment,Ianswered.“Imagersare

scarcebutmoreplentifulinSolidarbecauseweprovidevaluableandrareservicesandpeoplearemorewillingtohaveimagersaroundsolongastherearen’ttoomanyofus?”

MasterDichartynnodded.“Wehavecreatedaninstitutionthatnotonlyfulfillsneeds,butalsohasestablishedareputationforbeingtrustworthyincarrying

outthosedutiesforSolidarandfortheCouncil.Withoutuniqueservices,wehavenovalue,andwithouttrust,ourvaluecannotbereliedupon.Andifthereweretoomanyofus,thennoonewouldtrustus.BecausetheOligarchofJariolacantrustnoone,whatwedoiseithernotdonethere,ordoneinamorecostlyfashion,andanyimageriseitherexecutedorexiled.In

Ferrum,theyusemachinesandexileimagersbecausetheycannotquantifyhowtovaluetrust.”

Abruptly,helookedup.“Wehavenotgoneoveryourphilosophyreadings,butIneedtomeetwiththeothermasters.”Hepaused.“ThePuryonbelieversofTiemprehavefaithinanomnipotent,beneficent,andjustgod.Writemealogicalproofof

whythisiseithersoorwhyitcannotbeso.Haveitreadyformeinthemorning.Thatshouldprovidesomepracticalapplicationofwhatyou’vebeenstudying.”

“Yes,sir.”HowwasIgoingtoprovethatlogically?Andwhywasaphilosophicalproofapracticalapplication?

“We’llmeetoutsidethedininghallafterlunchtoday,

andI’lltakeyoutoyourworkassignmentfromthere.”Hestood.

SodidI,scoopinguptheunopenedbooksandhurryingoutofhisstudybeforehim.

Ihadalmosttwoandahalfglassesbeforelunch,but,asIcrossedthequadrangleunderthefirsttrulywarmsunlightindays,IhadnoideahowIwasgoingtoproveor

disprovethestatementMasterDichartynhadgivenme.

“Whereareyougoingsoearly?”calledJohanyrfromthestonewalkintersectingtheonewhereIwalked.Hewasalsoasecondus,aboutmyage,Ithought,withshort-cutcurlybrownhairandmassivelybroadshoulders,asifhewerebettersuitedtobeastonemasonorthelike.We’dtalkedbrieflyovermeals,and

IhadthefeelingI’dseenhimsomewherebefore,butIcouldn’trecallwhere.

“MasterDichartynhadameetingwiththeothermasters,buthegavemealogicalprooftofigureout,andIhavetohaveitallwrittenoutbytomorrow.”

“Someofthesecondsareaskingifyou’retryingtomakethirdbeforesummer

andmasterinayear.”Helaughed,butthesoundwashard.“Youdon’tspendmuchtimewiththeothers,exceptatmeals.”

Whathewassayingwasawarning...ofsomesort.“I’msorry.Idon’tmeantobestandoffish.”Igesturedtowardabenchsomefiveyardsaway.“Doyouhaveamoment?”

“Morethanthat.Ididn’tevengettoseeMasterGhaendthismorning.They’reallupsetaboutsomething.”Hetiltedhishead,lookingatmespeculatively.“MasterDichartynistheonlyotherMaitreD’EspritbesidesMasterPoincaryt.Didhesayanythingtoyou...anythingatall?”

“Heneverdoes,”I

answeredaswewalkedslowlytowardthegraygranitebench.“Hejustasksquestionafterquestion.Thismorning,hestoppedinthemiddleofaquestionandsaidhehadameetingwiththeothermasters,thentoldmemyassignmentandjustaboutthrewmeout.”Thatwasn’tquitetrue,butIdoubtedanyonecouldhavemistakenhisabruptness.

“Sohewasworried?”

“Ithinkso.He’sneverbeenquitethatabruptbefore.”Istoppedbythebench,gesturing.“Wemightaswellsitdown.”

“Mightaswell.Youweresaying...?”

“Idon’ttalkaboutitmuch,butIwasajourneymanportraiturist.Iwasevengettingmyowncommissions,

andIwasthinkingitwouldn’tbetoolongbeforeIcouldbecomeamaster,ajuniormaster,andopenmyownstudio.ThenIimagedalittlepartofaportrait,justalittlepart,exceptitwasgreen,andonethingledtoanother...andthegirlIwasinterestedinmarriedmybrother,and,allofasudden,Ican’tbeanythingbutanimager.”

“Green?Whygreen?”

“Greenpigment,truegreen,isalmostasexpensiveasliquidsilver.Theydon’tletjourneymenuseitoften,andonlywhenamasteriswatching,andIwasn’tamasteryet.”

“Youwereclosetobeingamasterportraiturist?”Johanyr’sfacesoftenedslightly,butstillboreatraceofincredulity.

“SeveralmasterssaidIwasgoodenough.I’dspentfiveyearsasanapprentice,andthreeasajourneyman.”Ishrugged.“Idon’tmeantobestandoffish,butthechangehastakensomegettingusedto.WhenIstartedasaprime,Iwasfiveorsixyearsolderthanmostoftheothers.Wedidn’ttalkaboutthesamethings.”

“Icanseethat.”He

nodded.

“I’mjusttryingashardasIcanjusttocatchup.There’ssomuchIstilldon’tknow.”

“Sarcovytsaysthatyou’regoodatimagingthings.”

Imanagedalaugh.“HowwouldIknow?IknowI’mgoodenoughtobeasecond,butsinceImadesecond,I’veneverseenanyoneelseimageanything.Beforethat,Inever

sawanyonebutaprimeeventry.MasterDichartynsaysthat’sformyownprotection.”

“Itsoundslikehe’stryingtogetyoucaughtupwithwheretherestofusare.”

WhatJohanyrsaidmadesense.“That’swhatI’mguessing.Ireallydon’tmeantobeunfriendly...it’sjustbeenhard.”Thatmuchwas

certainlytrue.

“Noneofusknew,”hepointedout.

Itriedtolookembarrassed.“It’snotsomething...”Ishrugged.“It’smyfault,but...”

Thatgotasympatheticnod...ofsorts.“Weusuallygettogetherforawhileintheevening,ahalfglassbeforetheeighthglass,downinthe

commonroom.Youmighttryit.”

“Ididn’tevenknow...Imean,I’veseenthecommonroom,butonlyintheday...”

Hislaughatmyconfusionwasgenuine,andwhenweparted,IfeltthatI’dmanagedtoavoid,forthemoment,anotherpitfall.ButIwasgoingtohavetobeverycarefuluntilIcouldfigureout

howtodevelopprotectionsofthesortthatMasterDichartynhadmentioned.

IstillalsohadtofigureoutandthenwriteuptheproofforMasterDichartyn.

WhenIgotbacktomyroom,ittookmemorethanaglass,andseveraldraftstowritewhatIdid.AtlunchImadeapointofsittingacrossfromJohanyrandDiaztand

makingaspecialefforttobefriendly.Ifeltthattheywerewarmer,butIdidn’tknow,notforcertain.

AfterIleftthetable,MasterDichartynwasalreadyinthehallwayoutsidethedininghall.

“We’reheadedtothematerialssectionoftheworkshops.You’vealreadyfiguredoutsomeaspectsof

substitution.Nowyou’llgetachancetolearnanotherandputittowork.”Heturnedandstrodequicklydownthecorridorandoutthroughthedoors,movingasquicklyasI’deverseenhim.

Aswewalked,hesaid,“ThematerialsfortheworkshopscomeovertheBridgeofStones.That’swherethenamecomesfrom.Alltheworkshopshave

outsideandinsideentrances,andeachworkroomislead-lined.Thatissothatnoimagercanaffecttheworkofanother.Thatisparticularlyimportantforsome...efforts.”

Iwasbeginningtosweatbythetimewereachedthelargegraystructureahundredyardsnorthofthequadrangle.Thebuildingheldthevariousworkshops,notthatI’dbeen

inmorethanahandfulofthem.Thedoorwhereweenteredwasonthemainlevelonthewestsideofthebuilding,besidearaisedloadingdock,behindwhichwasasetofslidingwarehousedoors.Theywereclosed.

Aswesteppedintotheworkshop,aspacenotmuchlargerthantenyardsbyfifteen,Icouldseethatthe

lengthoftheroomwasfilledwithbarrels,fourlinesofthem,stackedontopofeachotherthreedeep.Foursmalltoplesswoodencratesweresetonaworkbenchayardorsofromthenearestlineofbarrels.Thatwasit—exceptfortheolderimagerinsomewhatdingygraywhohurriedthroughthedoorattheothersideoftheworkshop.

“Grandisyn,thisisRhennthyl.He’sthenewimagersecondItoldyouabout.”MasterDichartynturnedtome.“ThisisGrandisyn.He’saseniorimagertertius.Heknowsmoreaboutimagingmaterialsthanmostmasters.Iwillleaveyouinhishands.”Withthat,hehurriedaway.

“You’refortunatetohavehimasapreceptor,”

Grandisynsaid.“Fortunate,buthe’llmakeyouworkandthinkandthensome.”

“Ihavenoticedthat,sir.”

“JustGrandisyn,Rhennthyl.”

“Rhenn,please.Whenpeopleusemyfullname,IalwayswonderjustwhatIdidwrong.”

Helaughed.“Icanseethat.

Mypapadidthesame.”Afteramoment,hebegantoexplain.“Yourtaskwillnotbeeasyatfirst,butitissimple.Allyouhavetodoisimagesomeofthesealuminumbars.”Grandisynliftedabarofasilverymetaloutofthewoodencrateontherightend,whichhadthreeofthesmallingotsinit,theonlycratethatdid,thenpointedtothebarrelslinedup

alongthewall.“Itshouldbeeasierifyouconcentrateonimagingfromthebarrels.They’refilledwithhigh-gradebauxite.MasterDichartynsaidyoumighthavetoworkatfiguringitout,butthatyoucoulddoit.Takeyourtime.”Hegavemeasmile,thenhastenedoff.

Iwasstillholdingthesmallaluminumbar,possiblyworthseveralhundredgoldcrowns,

andIwassupposedtoimagemoreofthem?Inaway,fromwhatI’dread,itmadesense.Refiningitwascostly,andthatmadeitveryvaluable,butwhyweren’twerefininggold?Orplatinum?

Iwasn’tquitesurewhatIwasdoing,butIconcentratedontheimageofthebar,theshininglightmetal,rightontheworkbench,andtriedtovisualizeavaguelink

betweenthebarrelsandthebarIwasattemptingtoimageintoexistence.

Aseriesofdullclanksfollowed.

NotonlydidIhaveabar,somewhatlargerthantheoneI’dbeenshown,buttherewasalineofaluminumfragmentsonthestonefloorrunningspiderweb-fashiontowardthebarrels.

Obviously,myvaguelinkneededtobefarlessdirect.

Ikepttrying,andbytheendofthefourthglass,Iwasexhausted,andmyheadwaspounding.Buttherewasawoodenboxfilledwiththemetalingots,someofwhichhadbeenrefashionedfromalltheloosefragmentsI’dcreatedbeforeI’dfiguredouthowtoimagewithoutcreatingpatternsofaluminum

runningfromthebarrels.Yet,intheend,refashioningfromthefragmentshadbeenfareasier.

Ifinallyjustsatdownonthestoolthathadbeentuckedawayunderthebench.Iwasjusttootiredtodomore.WhenI’dfirstimagedthatsmallpartoftheFactoriusMasgayl’sportrait,Ihadhadnoideahowexhaustingimagingwouldturnouttobe.

Beforelong,Grandisynwalkedinandcrossedthefloortothewoodencrate.Helookedatthecrate,andthenatme.“Hmmmm.Wemayhavetofindotherthingsforyou.I’llbetalkingtoMasterDichartyn.Youlookdonein.Gogetsomerest.”

Ididn’tneedanymoreencouragement.

Backinmyroom,Islept

formorethanaglassandthenhadtohurrytothedininghallfordinner,whereIendedupatthebottomofthetableamongseveralthirdsIdidn’tknow,butIdidmybesttobecheerful.

AfterdinnerIwentbacktomyroomandreadsomemore,butIwascarefultomakemywaydowntothecommonroomaboutahalfglassbeforeeight.The

commonroomwasinthelowerlevelonthenorthendofthebuilding,littlemorethananarrowspacesomefifteenyardslongandsevenwidewithtablesandbenchesspacedirregularly.Thewalllampswereinfrequentandwickeddowntominimallight,sothattheimpressionwasofgloom.IfoundJohanyrandseveralothersinacorner,withchairspulled

aroundanewishlookingtableofadesigncenturiesold.Itshouldhavebeenbattered,butwasn’t.Ittookmeseveralmomentstorealizewhy.

“Rhenn...pullupachair.”ThatwasDiazt.“Weweretalkingaboutwhat’sgotthemastersallstirredup.”

IliftedachairandsetitbetweenJohanyrandShannyr,thensatdown.My

feethurt,andIstillhadatraceofaheadache.

“Onlyhalfthemasterswereatdinner,andneitherMasterDichartynnorMasterPoincarytwasthere,”saidashortmuscularsecondus.

“Theyusuallyaren’t,”Shannyrsaid.Noonelookedinhisdirection.

“ThenewsheetssaidaCaenenanshorebatteryfired

ononeofourmerchanters.”

“Whywouldtheydothat?”askedShannyr.“Merchantersdon’tcarrycannon.”

“WhatwouldthathavetodowiththeCollegium?”Iinquired.

Diaztlaughed.“TheCollegiumhassomethingtodowitheverythinginSolidar.”

“MasterDichartyn’syourpreceptor,isn’the?”askedJohanyr.

“Yes,buthedidn’tsayanything,excepthecutmysessionshortthismorning,andthenletGrandisyntellmewhattodointheworkrooms.Heleftinahurry.”

“Theywerealllikethattoday.”

“Didheletanythingslip,

evenindirectly?”pressedJohanyr.

“TheonlythinghesaidwasthatbothFerrumandJariolahadnastyhabitsinmakingsnoopystrangersdisappear.”

“Itoldyouitcouldn’tbejustCaenen!”declaredShannyr.

“DoestheCouncilhaveanyproblemswiththe

Oligarchthere?”Iasked.

“There’snotacountryintheworldthatdoesn’thaveproblemswiththeOligarch,”someoneelsesaid.Icouldn’ttellwhowiththequietnessofthewordsandthedimness.

“There’snotacountryinallofTerahnarthatdoesn’thaveproblemswithSolidar,”repliedJohanyr.

“Becauseofimaging?”I

suggested.“Wedon’thavethatmanyimagers.”

“Nooneelsehasanywherenearasmany.”

“Youcan’thavemanyimagersifyoukillmostofthemaschildren,”addedShannyr.

Diaztclearedhisthroat.“Westilldon’treallyknowwhathasthemworried.Ithastobesomethingimportantto

haveallthemastersmeetingtwiceinoneday.”

“Itcan’tbejustfiringonamerchanter,”saidDiazt.

Intheend,nooneaddedanything,andIhadtowonderwhoknewwhat,ifanything.Still,I’dbeenthere,andIhadthefeelingthatI’dbetterdropinatleastafewtimesaweek.

Toeveryman,hiscauseisthe

onemostjust.

OnMardimorning,IspentaglassoutsideMasterDichartyn’sstudyreadingPracticalPhilosophybecauseitwassoboringthatitseemedbettertoreaditwhenIcouldn’tdomuchelse.At

thosetimeswhenmyeyesthreatenedtocross,Ispentafewmomentswiththenewsheet—Tableta—buttherewasnothingofgreatinterest,exceptforthemassiveavalanchenearMontD’ImageandthespeculationthatsomehowtheimagerCollegiumtherehadbeeninvolved.Also,accordingtothecaptainoftheAegis,aCaenenangunboathadfired

onhisship,butmissed.

Whenanotherimagerleft—IrecognizedthetertiusasEngmyr,whomI’dmetatthediningtable—MasterDichartynbeckonedmetoenter.Helookedlesstensethanhehadthedaybefore,andhewassmilingasIclosedthedoorandtookmyseat.

“Grandisyntellsmethat

youimagedaweek’sworthofaluminumingotsintwoglasses.Howdoyoufeel?”

“Iendedupwithaterribleheadache,andIalmostfellasleepinthecommonroom.”

“Taketimeinbetweenimagingthisafternoon,andseeifyoucanfindabetterway.Tryseveralways.Evenifyoucan’t,takingtimebetweeneacheffortwillleave

youlessexhausted.”

“Sir...besidestestingimagers,whatisaluminumusedfor?”

“Itsrarity,exceptthatit’snotrare,exceptinpureform.It’sjustthat,exceptforimaging,it’ssodifficulttorefineandprocessthatitisvaluable.SotheCollegiumprovidesacertainamounttotheCouncil,andtheysellit

discreetlytoenhancerevenues.”

“But...aluminum?”

“It’sunique,Rhennthyl.Ifyouevertrytoimagegold,you’llunderstand.Imagingactuallyrequiresenergyfromyouandfromeverythingaroundyou.It’saprocessofcombiningenergyandmaterial.Apowerfulimagerhastheabilitytodrainthelife

fromeverythingnearby,includingyou,unlessyouhaveshields.”

ItriedtoconcealthechillIfelt.“Sir...Iwantedtoaskaboutthat.”

“Inamoment,I’lltellyouhowtobeginthinkingalongthoselines,andwhyyouarenevertomentionittoanyonebutamaster.Anyone.Butfirst,aboutgoldand

platinum.Tobeginwith,they’rerare.Second,they’reveryheavy.Theheavieranythingis,theharderitistoimage,particularlyametal.Ittakesgreatskillandenergy,andthefewergoldfragmentsororethatthereisnearby,theharderitis.Somewould-beimagershavekilledthemselvestryingtoimagetheimpossible.”

“Liketryingtoimagegold

intheirchambers?”

“Exactly,butimagingcertainmetals—eveninthemidstofrawore—canleadtodeath,andthatdeathislingeringandexcruciatinglypainful.Ittakesseveralweeks,andtheimager’shairfallsout,andhebecomeslikealeperallover.”

“Sir...ifImightask,whydidn’tyoutellmethis

earlier?”

“Youweretoldwhattoimageandwhere.Youweregivenquietcautions.Ifayoungimagerwon’tlisten,wekeephimhereonImagisleandsoonerorlater,he’lldestroyhimself.”

Icouldn’thelpswallowing.

“Now...aboutshields...it’ssimplyanotherformofimaging.Youimagean

invisibleshield...butonethatonlystopsimaging.”

“If...if...someonepointedapistolatme...”

“Youcould—andshould—imageaharderinvisibleshieldbetweenyou.Holdingtheshieldmightforceyouseveralstepsbackwardwhenthebullethitit,butthat’sbetterthangettingwounded.Bythesametoken,thatsort

ofshieldwon’tdomuchagainstacannonshell.”

Icouldunderstandthat.

“Don’tholdahardshieldlong,notnow.Itwillexhaustyou.Animagingshield...withalittlepractice,you’llbeabletoholdthatinyoursleep.”

“HowwillIknowwhetherIhaveitright?”

“I’llstarttestingyou.Beginningtomorrow.”

Beforehecouldaskmore,Isaid,“Sir?DoestheCollegiumhavespecialenemies?”

Hesnorted.“Doyouneedtoask?”

“Ithoughtthatwemust,butI’veneverseenanythinginthenewsheets,andnooneIknowhasevertalkedaboutit,

andyouhaven’t,either.”

Hesighedsoftly.“Youdeducetoomuchwithoutknowingenoughtounderstandtheimplications.Thinkaboutthis.WhileatImagisleorthefewotherimagerenclavesacrossSolidarandwhileinL’Excelsis,weallweartheuniformoftheCollegium.Withoutthoseuniforms,whatwoulddistinguishusfrom

anyoneelse?Wedon’tlookdifferent;wedon’thaveawayofspeakingthatwoulddistinguishusfromothersofSolidar.”

“So...someofusarespies?FortheCollegiumortheCouncil?”

Hestiffened.“Wheredidyoucomeupwiththat?”

“I’vebeenthinking,sir.Amastercankillsomeoneina

waythatdoesn’tlooktobetiedtoanyone.IfFlorynhadbeenwalkingdownthestreetwhowouldhaveknownhowhedied?YousaidthatIwouldhavebeenfounddeadonthestreethadInotcomehere.YousaidIcoulddevelopshieldsagainstabullet,butnotagainstcannon.Thosesuggestthatanimagercandothingsotherscan’t,butnotthingsthatwouldhelp

muchinanysortofbattle.YoualsosaidthatimagersprovidedvaluetotheCouncil,andithastobemorethanaluminumingots.”

Awrysmileappearedonhisface.“Iknewyouweregoingtobedifficult.”

Icouldfeelachill,andIwastheonetofreeze.

“Oh...youdon’thavetoworry,notyet.Thatwill

comelater,afteryoufinishyourtraining,andthatwilltakeawhile.”

ThatIwouldfinishmytrainingwasarelief...inaway.

“Idothinkthatyouneedtoworkonyourshields,startingnow.Tryimagingsomethinglikeaninvisiblefogbetweenyouandme.”

Itried,andIfeltanunseen

pressureonmychest.

“That’snotworking.Tryacurtain,ablackcurtainthatstopsalllight,exceptthatthecurtainisonethatyoucan’tsee...”

Wehadtoworkuptoanactualvisualwall,andthenworkbackdowntoaninvisiblemuslinscreenbeforeImanagedtofigureitout.Bythattime,almostaglasslater,

Iwassweatingallover.MasterDichartyncouldhavepointedoutthatimagingwassometimesfarmoreworkthananyonethought.Hedidn’thaveto.Theeffortspokemoreeloquentlythanhecouldhave.

Hedidraisehiseyebrows.“Now...let’sseeyourlogicalproof,Rhennthyl.Iassumeyoudidtheassignment.”

Ihandedhimthesinglesheetwiththefewcarefullywrittenlinesonit.

“Notverylongforaproof.”Hisvoicewasnoncommittal.

WhatIhadwrittenwassimple,butIhadn’tbeenabletothinkofanythingbetter.

Ifthereisanall-powerfulgod,nothingisbeyondthatgod’spower.Ifthatgodis

beneficent,thentherewillbenoevilintheworld.Ifthatgodisjust,thegodwillnotallowinjusticetobefallthegoodandtheinnocent.Yetthereisgreatevilintheworld,andmuchofitfallsuponthejustandtheinnocent.Ajustgodwouldprohibitorlimitinjustice,atleastagainsttheinnocent,butinjusticecontinues,sothatifsuchagodisomnipotent,that

godcannotbejust.Therefore,ifthereisagod,thatgodcannotbeomnipotent,beneficent,andjust.

MasterDichartynlookedupfromthepaper.“Thiscouldbewordedbetter.”

“Yes,sir.”

“Doyoubelievewhatyou

wrote?”

Ihadn’tlikedwritingtheproof,andI’dlikedtheconclusionless,butIhadtobelievethattherewassometruthinthematter.“Mostly...sir.”

“Mostly?”

“Well...ifpeoplearen’tmarionettes,pulledbystringsheldbytheNameless,theyhavetobeabletomakesome

decisions.Thatincludesbaddecisions.Baddecisionscancauseevil.”

“Thenyou’rearguingthatyourproofisincorrectbecauseagoodandbeneficentgodhastoallowfreewill.”

Ididn’tlikethatanybetter.“Idon’tliketheideathatsomanypeoplecanbehurtbythosebaddecisionsandthat

sometimesbadpeoplearerewardedfortheircrueltyandevil.”

“Whatdoyourfeelingstellyouaboutyourlogicalproof?”

“Itisn’tlogical?ThatImadeamistake?”

Helaughed.“No.Yourreactionwasthatyouweren’tlogicalorthatyoumadeamistakeinlogic.Behindyour

reactionisafeelingthatwhateveris‘true’mustbeabletobeexpressedlogically.Men,inparticular,haveatendencytoconfusecorrectlogicwithanaccurateassessmentofasituation.Becarefulofanysituationthatyouhavetoreasonthroughlogically,becauseifyouhavetoworktoreasonitout,you’reprobablymissingsomething.”

Again...Ihadtothinkaboutthatforamoment.

“Anotherproblemisthatwewanttheworldtobelogicalandunderstandable,andwewantpeopletoactinawaythatfeelsrightandmakessensetous.That’strueofmostpeopleinmostcountries.Therearedifficultiesinthat,though.Canyoutellmewhattheyare?”

“Whatmakessensetousdoesn’tmakesensetothem?”

“Precisely.Wehavedifferentbeliefsaboutwhatwefeelisrightandmakessense.Wetakeforgrantedcertainbeliefsortruths.Otherculturestakeforgrantedothertruths.Accordingtoourtruths,theirbehaviorisnotright,andaccordingtotheirtruths,ourbehaviorisnotright.”

Thatcertainlymadesense.

“Sowhichisright?”heasked.“Intheabsolutesense,thatis?”

“Ican’tsay,sir.Idon’tknowtheirtruths.”

“That’sthelogicalanswer,Rhennthyl.It’salsoanansweryouwillneedtokeeptoyourself.Why?”

“Becauseeveryonearound

mebelievesourtruthsareright?”

Henodded.“Peopledonotliketheirbeliefschallenged.Theywantcertainty,andtheywanteveryonetofollowtheirway,becausetheyareconvincedthattheirwayistheonlyrightway.Oh,thereareafewopen-mindedpeopleabout,butfarfewerthanclaimtheyare.”

Icouldseethataswell,perhapsbecauseIcouldrecallalltoowellmyfather’sbeliefinthesuperiorityofalifespentasafactor.

“Letmeaskyouanotherquestion.Wearealwayscautionednottoattachtoomuchweightorsignificancetoaname.Butisn’tcallingtheonewhocannotbenamed‘theNameless’justaconvenientwayofsaying

we’refollowingtheruleofnotemphasizingnameswhiledoingjustthat?”

“Sir?”

“Isn’t‘theNameless’asmuchanameas‘Dichartyn’or‘Rhennthyl’?”

Onceagain,Ihadtothinkaboutthat.Hewascertainlyrightandyet...

“Rhenn?”

“Sir...howcanwetalkaboutanythingwithoutnames?Wenamemetals,thecolorsoftherainbow,theobjectsineverydaylife.”

“Whyarethosedifferentfromtheonewhocannotbenamed?Orfromyou...orme?”

Ifinallygraspedatananswer.“They’renotalive.”

“Whataboutanimals?We

oftennamethem.They’realive.Whatdoesbeingalivehavetodowithnames?”

Icouldfeelthattherewasadifference,butIcouldn’tfindanywordstoexpresswhatIfelt,andIfinallyshrugged,helplessly.

“Metals,objects,minerals...theycannotchangewhattheyare.Allfundamentalsubstancescanonlyexistin

threeforms,likewater,whichwecanseeassteam,avapororgas,orasaliquid,orasasolid,asice.Thenatureofmostobjectsislimited,whereasweexistassolids,exceptwebreatheair,whichisacombinationofgases,andbloodandotherliquidsrunthroughus.Wearelessfixedthanthehardphysicalworldinwhichwelive,andyetnamingsuggestsafixity

whichisnottrue...”

Butwasituntrue?Idoubtedsomepeoplecouldeverchange.

“...Namesareanecessaryconvenience,buttheyrepresentonlyasmallproportionofwhatanyoneis,andthemorealive,themorepowerful,themoretalentedanyonemaybe,regardlessofwhethertheyaregoodorevil,

thelesstheirnametellsofthem.”

IunderstoodeverythingMasterDichartynhadsaid,butthemorequestionsheasked,themoreIwonderedwhyhecontinuedtopressmeonsomanymatters.

“Tomorrow,we’llgooverthenextsectioninthesciencebookandsectionsnineandtenintheHistoryandPolitics

ofSolidar.”

Inoddedpolitely.

“We’realmostdonehere,butthere’sonelastthing.”MasterDichartynstood.

“Yes,sir?”Ialsorose,wonderingwhatelsehecouldsay.

“YoucantelltheothersecondsthattherewasastrangefireattheCollegium

atWestisle.That’stheCollegiumoutsidetheharborofLiantiago.Thatwaswhatweweremeetingabout.We’vedecidedonacourseofaction,butthatisallyouaretoknoworshouldknowatthispoint.”Hesmiled.“Goodday,Rhenn,andpaceyourselfattheworkshop.”

“Goodday,sir.Yes,sir.”

Ihadthoughtaboutsitting

outsideandreadingsomeofthehistoryandpolitics,butitwasmistyandcold,notthatitwasactuallyraining,andsoItookeverythingbacktomyroomandstartedinonsectionnine—theonedealingwiththeadministrativedistrictsofSolidar.

Thatreadingwasdull,sodullthatIwasoneofthefirstatthedininghallforlunch,butJohanyr,Shannyr,and

Diaztwererightbehindme,andwesattogetheratthelongsecondtable.

“DidMasterDichartynsayanythingtoyou?”askedJohanyr.

“HesaidthatIcouldtellyouthemastersweremeetingoverastrangefireattheCollegiumatWestisle,andthatthey’vedecidedwhattodo,andthatwasallIneeded

toknow.”

“Hesaidthat?”askedDiazt.

“Closetowordforword.”

“Whatdidyouaskhim?”inquiredJohanyr.

Ishookmyhead.“Ineverhadachancetosayanything.Hewasn’thappywithmyworkintheworkrooms,andhewasn’thappywithmy

logicalproofs,andhedidn’tlikethewayIhandledsomeoftheimagingexercises.Iwasn’tabouttoaskhimanything.”

DiaztandJohanyrexchangedglances.

“Notgood,”saidDiazt.

“Thatheknewwhatweweretalkingabout?”Iasked.

Therewasapause,enough

toshowthatmyconcernwasn’tallofwhatbotheredthem.

“Theymusthavelisteningtubesinthecommonroom,orsomeonetoldhim,”Diaztsaid.

“Orboth,”addedShannyr.

“Hewasdeliveringamessage,”Isuggestedblandly,tryingtogetmoreofareaction.“Butwhywould

hecarewhatwetalkabout?Wecan’thavebeentheonlyoneswhonoticedthatthemasterswereworriedandmeeting.”

“It’snotthat,”saidJohanyrinalowervoice.

“What,then?Warningustokeepourspeculationstoourselves.”

Theotherthreeallnodded.

Ididn’tthinkthatwasall,butIonlysaid,“Therearen’tenoughofthemtolistenallthetime.”

Johanyrshookhisheadsadly,asiftosuggestIdidn’tknowwhatIwastalkingabout.

Ishruggedhelplessly.

Diaztdidgrin,butonlybriefly.

Preparationisalwaysanact

offaith.

OnMerediandJeudi,inadditiontomystudiesandhalf-improvingmyabilitytoimagethealuminumbarswithoutexhaustingmyself,Iworkedontryingtodevelopstrongerbutinvisibleshields

againstimaging.Ididn’tmeetwithMasterDichartynatall,butGherardgavemereadingassignments.AllhesaidwasthatMasterDichartynwasaway.Thecommonroomwasdesertedbothnights,andIdidn’tseeJohanyrandtheothersanywhere.Eventhougheveryonewaspleasantandcheerfulatmeals,thatworriedme,becauseitsuggestedthattheythought

I’dbeentheonetoreportwhatthey’dsaid.Attheveryleast,itdidn’tshowmuchtrust.

OnVendrei,IwaitedhalfaglassbeforeMasterDichartynsummonedmeintohisstudy.

“Whatisthedifferencebetweenaquafortisandaquaregia?”

“Aquaregiaisthestronger,anditcandissolveevengold.

Aquafortiswilldissolvesilver,butnotgold...”FromthereImanagedtorecallmostofwhatwasinthesciencetext.

Afterthat,hehadquestionafterquestion,allaboutaspectsofscience.

Abruptly,hestopped.“Youknowwhat’sinthebooks.Afterwefinishhere,goovertothelaboratoriesandfind

MaitreChassendrioroneofherassistants.Tellherorthemthatyouneedtobeshownandtolearnthepreparationofbothaquaregiaandaquafortis.”

“Yes,sir.”

“WhyistherebutoneimagerontheCouncil?”askedMasterDichartyn.

“Isn’titpartofthereasonwhynomorethanthree

councilorscanbefromL’Excelsis?”

“Yesandno.HerepresentsalltheimagersinSolidar.Also,foradministrativepurposes,ImagisleisnotpartofL’Excelsis.It’sinthebook,butevenifyoudidn’tcatchthat,youshouldhaveknownbetter,Rhennthyl.”

Reprimandedtwiceinonesentence.Ihatedfeeling

stupid.“Oh...becausetherearenopatrollersontheisle,andbecausetheCollegiumhasitsownjusticingsystem?”

MasterDichartynnoddedandaskedagain,“Whyonlyoneimager?”

“Idon’tknow,sir.Idon’trecallanythinginthebookaboutthat.”

“Thereisn’tanythinginthe

book.I’maskingyoutothinkaboutit.Isthatsoveryhard,Rhennthyl?”

IwasdefinitelynotimpressingMasterDichartyn.SoIgambledandsaidwhatIthought.

“That’sallthatisnecessary.NoonecanmaketheCollegiumdowhatitwillnot.”

“Yougiveustoomuch

credit.”Buthesmiled.“It’smoreaccuratetosaythattheCouncilhasgreatrespectfortheCollegiumandwouldprefertoworkwiththeCollegium.IftheCouncil’simageropposessomething,theCouncilreconsidersthematter.”

“WhoistheimagerontheCouncilnow,sir?”

“MasterRholyn.He’svery

goodwithwordsandthinkswellonhisfeet.”

AfteramomentIrecalledRholynhadbeentheadvocatefortheCollegiumatFloryn’shearing.

“I’dliketotestyourshields.Areyoumaintainingimagingshields?”

“Ithinkso.”

AbruptlyIcouldfeel

myselfpressedbackinthechair.

MasterDichartynshookhishead.“Youcandetectsomeone,butyouneedasecondlevelbehindthem.”

“HowdoIdothat?”Iwasn’tcertainwhathemeant.

“Youneedtotrainyourmind,justasyoutrainedyourhandsandfingersasanartist,toreacttosituations.The

momentyourshieldsfeelanyimagingpressure,thosesecond-levelshieldsneedtospringforward.”

Ididn’tevenhavethefaintestideaofwheretobegin.

“I’llpressatyourshieldsgently,andyouerectastrongerset...”

Oncemore,Iwassweatingandexhaustedwhenhe

finallysaid,“Enough.Youneedtoworkonthemmore.Nowthatyou’reasecondusandfreetotraveloffImagisle,youneedtheabilitytoprotectyourself.”

“Sir,Idon’twanttosoundpresumptuousorlikeatroublemaker,butwhathappensif...well...ifI’minapositionwhereshieldsaren’tenough?”

“I’dsaythatyou’dprobablyactedunwisely.”Dichartynlaughedgenially,butthelaughdiedawayquickly.“Still...therearetimeswhenruffianswillattackasingleimager,particularlyayoungerone.Wedolosesomewhoarenotcareful.Therulesfordefensearesimple.Youmusthaveexhaustedeverypracticalwaytoavoidattacking,andit’s

preferablethatyouleavenotracesofwhatyouhavedone.”

“HowcanIavoid...”Ipaused.“ShouldIpracticeimagingrainorshadowsorfogormist?”

“I’dtryitatnightinsecludedcornersofImagisle.You’llgetasplittingheadacheifyoutryrain,fog,ormistinyourroom,andyou

won’tseetheshadowsrightinside.Forthoseefforts,youhavemypermission,butonlywhennooneisnearby.”

“Thankyou,sir.”

“You’llfaceothertrials,aswell,Rhenn.Ican’tsaywhattheyareorwherethey’llcomefrom,andit’sbestthatIdon’ttrytoguess,becausethosetrialsaredifferentforeveryimagerandifIgive

youdetails,then...it’slikenaming—you’llfixateonthose.Icanonlysaythatifyourlifeistrulythreatened,nomatterwhereyouare,youhavetherighttouseanyimagingabilitytodefendyourself.Obviously,it’sbetternottokillattackersunlessabsolutelynecessary,andeverysituationfacingyouhasaweaknessthatcanbeexploited—ifyouthink

quicklyenough.”

TheimplicationwasthatIwellmightbeinjuredordeadifIdidnotthinkswiftly.

“Now...offtothelaboratories.”Hegesturedtowardthedoor.

Ipickedupmybagandbooksandslippedout,closingthedoorbehindme.Iwasn’tsure,butIthoughtIheardhimmutterunderhis

breath.Itmighthavebeen“...Namelesssaveme...”

Inreflection,asIwalkeddownthecorridortowardthedoorontothequadrangle,IponderedonephraseMasterDichartynhadsaid.Whyhadhesaid“nomatterwhereyouare”?Didhemeanthatabsolutely?

Howcouldyoudisablesomeoneeffectivelyand

reliably—usingimaging?Youwouldneedsomethingsopainfulandyetsosmallthatitwouldbeeasytoimage.Anditwouldneedtobecomprisedofsubstancescommoneverywhere.Onthewayacrossthequadrangletowardthebuildingthatheldthelaboratories,itcametome.Commonlye—imagedintosomeone’seyes.Theycertainlywouldn’tbeableto

seeoreasilymove,anditwasmadeofrelativelycommonsubstances.

Withthatrevelation,I’dhopedtovisitthekitchenandscullerybeforelunch,butMaitreChassendriwasinthelaboratory,and,forsomereason,shedecidedtopersonallyinstructme.IfI’dthoughtthatMasterDichartynhadbeenpicky,hisstrictnesswaslenientcomparedtohers.

“No!Donoteverplacethebeakerinanypositionwherethefumescanrisetotouchyouoryourskin...”

“Theglassmustbeabsolutelydry!”

Iwouldn’thavesaidthatIwasshakingbythetimeIescapedfromMaitreChassendri’stenderinstruction,butIfeltthatwaywhenIwalkedintothedining

hallforlunch.

Johanyrwaved,andIwalkedoverandtooktheseatacrossfromhimandDiazt.

Iusuallydranksomethingcoolatlunch,butIwasmorethanreadyfortea,asmuchtosettlemystomachastowarmme.Thebeefragouthelpedaswell.

“Whatwasyourmorninglike?”DiaztaskedJohanyr.

“MasterGhaendwaspoundingawayatthestructuraldifferencesofmaterials.”

Imanagedtokeepfromsayinganything,butmerelynodded.MasterDichartynhadmovedmepastthat,andJohanyrhadbeenattheCollegiumfarlongerthanhadI.

“OldSchorzatwasn’teven

around,”offeredDiazt,“butheleftwordthatIstilldidn’tunderstandsectionfiveofthesciencebookwellenough.I’llhavetogobackoverthat.”

“WhatsortofquestionsdoesMasterDichartynaskyou?”Johanyr’stonewasidle,buthewatchedclosely.

“ThismorninghewasaskingabouttheCouncilandwhyitwasstructuredtheway

itwas.Hewasn’thappythatIhadn’tmemorizedtheactualstructure.”

AfaintsmilecrossedDiazt’sface.

“Whataboutscience?”

“Hesentmetothelaboratoriestolearnsomebasics.Igotsomeverydirectinstructionandtoomanywarningsabouthandlingbeakersandhowtoclean

equipment.”Ishookmyhead.“Whataboutyou?”

“Ididn’thavetogotothelaboratories.”Johanyrlaughed.“That’salwaysgood.Sometimesthestenchesthereturnmyguts.”

“HasMasterDichartynsaidanythingmoreaboutwhathappenedinWestisle?”askedDiazt.

“Hewasgonefortwodays,

buthehasn’tsaidanything.”

“Youaskhim?”

“I’vealreadylearnedthat,whenhesayshedoesn’twanttotalkaboutsomething,hegetsunpleasantifyoubringitupagain.Idon’tthinkIcanaffordtomakehimangry.”

“No...Iwouldn’tthinkso,”saidJohanyrinamusingtone.“Therearemorethanafewyoudon’twanttoanger,

andit’ssometimeshardtotellwho’sreallyimportanttoyourgettingalongandstayingattheCollegium.”

“I’mworkingatunderstandingthat.”

“We’recertainyouare.”Johanyrsmiled,thenstood.“Ineedtogettotheworkshops.”

“Me,too,”addedDiazt.

I’ddefinitelygottentheirmessage,andIreallywouldhavelikedtovisitthesculleryafterlunch,buttherewasn’ttime.IhadtogettotheworkroomtoseeifIcouldworkoutanevenlessexhaustingwaytoimagethosealuminumbars.

Theworkroomwasempty,exceptforthebarrels,butitlookedtomethatmostofthemhadbeenreplacedwith

otherbarrels.SoIsatdownonthestoolandthoughtaboutimaging,andbegantotryyetanotherwayofdoingit.Ahalfglassorsolater,Grandisynbarelylookedin,thenjustnoddedandduckedout.

RightaftertheCollegiumbellsstruckthefourthglass,Iheadedforthesculleryonthelevelbelowthemaindininghall.Thestepsleadingdown

werethesamegraygranite,andjustascleanasanyotherstaircaseorcorridorI’dseenonImagisle.I’dtakennomorethantenstepsdownthelowerhallwaywhenanolderwoman,anobduratefromhermutedblackshirtandtrousers,appeared.

“Sir,youcan’tbelookingforanyonedownhere.Nobodyherebutusobsculls.”

“Then,you’retheonesI’mlookingfor.Mymastergavemeaproject,andIneedalittlecommoncaustic.”

Shejustlookedatme.

“Lye,thesodayoucleanwith.Ionlyneedalittle,ahalfcup?”

Afteramoment,shenodded.“Wecouldsparethatlittle,butbestyoubecareful.Itburnsfearfulwhenit’swet.

Youjustwaithere,sir.”

Istoodintheundergroundhallway,half-wonderingifshe’dreturnwithamaster.

Whenshereturned,alone,shehandedmeabatteredandchippedcrockerymugalittlemorethanhalffilledwithoff-whitelumpycaustic.“Hereyouare,sir.”

“Thankyou.”Iinclinedmyhead.“Wherewouldyoulike

metoreturnthecup?”

“Youcankeepit.Thereareenoughthatgetbrokeorchippedthatwegotplenty.”

“Iappreciateit.”Withanod,Iturnedandheadedbackupstairs,andthenoutside.

Whiletryingnottolookovermyshoulder,becauseIworriedthatsomeonemightfollowme,Iwalkedtothewestriverwall,andthen

southacrossthecausewayleadingtotheBridgeofStones,andtothepark-likegroveofancientoaksbetweenthecausewayandthegroundsoftheAnomenD’Imagisle.Theoakswereshowingtracesofgreenandhadnotleafedout,butthetrunksweremassiveenoughthatIfeltlargelyconcealed,atleastfromcasualobservers.

ThenIgottowork.

Imagingthecausticwasn’tallthatdifficult.Imagingitinsmallquantitieswasharder,andimage-projectingsomeofwhatwasinthecupwasevenharder.Image-projectingithead-highontheoaktrunkswasyetmoredifficult.ButIpersevered...becauseIknewIhadnorealchoices.

ItwasclosetosixbeforeIwasconfidentthatIhadmasteredwhatIcouldwith

thecaustic,butthatwasonlyhalfofwhatwasnecessary.Ineededtoworkonshieldsmore.Iwouldn’tbeinmuchshapetoimagelyeintosomeone’seyesafterI’dbeenhitwithabulletorbashedwithacudgelorrunthroughwithastiletto.AccordingtoMasterDichartyn’srules,effectivelyIhadtobeabletowithstandanattackinordertoproveself-defense.After

whatI’dseenwithFloryn,Idefinitelywantedtobesureitwasself-defense.Thatmeantfarbettershields.

Atthesametime,IwasexhaustedbythetimeItooktherestofthecupoflyetomyroom.Thatleftjustenoughtimetowashupandhurrybacktothehallfordinner.WhenIwalkedin,IcouldseeDiaztandJohanyr.Ididn’treallywanttositnear

them,butIdidn’twanttocreatetheimpressionIwasavoidingthem.TherewasaseatemptytotheleftofShannyrsothathewouldbebetweenmeandJohanyr.SinceDiaztwasseatedtoJohanyr’sright,neithercouldpressmeatthetable,andIwouldn’tbeobviouslyavoidingthem.

TherewasamomentarylookofsurpriseonShannyr’s

faceasIstoodbehindthechairnexttohim,waitingforthemastersattheheadtabletoseatthemselves.

Oncewewereseated,Iaskedhim,“Howwasyourday?”

“Likeanyother.Iwenttoworkatthearmorymachineshop,hadlunch,andwentbacktowork.”

Ithadn’toccurredtome

thatmanyoftheseconds,perhapsmostofthem,hadfinishedalltheirinstructionandwereworkingfortheCollegium.Itshouldhave,butithadn’t.“Isupposethey’llassignmesomewhereonceIgetcaughtuponwhatIhavetolearn.”

“Couldbeworsethanthearmory.Theyhadmeintheengineroomofoneoftheriverboats.Wetandcoldmost

ofthetime.”

Ishudderedatthethoughtofbeingcrampedintoariverboatengineroom.“Whatdoyoudointhearmory?CanIask?Imean...”

Shannyrlaughed.“Youcanask.Icaneventellyou.Iimagethespecialpowderforthepercussioncapsthatthefour-digitnavalgunsuse.”

“Youimageitrightintothe

cap?”

“That’sright.There’snometaltouchingmetal,nochanceofaspark,andnoexplosions.”

AnotheroneofthosespecialservicesprovidedtotheCouncilbytheCollegium,Irealized.Howmanywerethere?

“Whataboutyou?”heasked.“Whenyou’renot

underinstruction?”

“Makingmetalbars.”

Hewinced.“That’swork.”

“Icanonlydosomany,andIhavetorestalot.”Ipaused.“YouknowI’mnewhere...Iwasthinkingaboutgirlfriends.Iusedtohaveone,andsomeimagersaremarried...”

“They’retheluckyones.”

Shannyrshookhishead.“Lotsofwomenwillgiveyouafling,evenmarriedones,butnotmanywanttomarryanimager.”

“Whyisthat?”

“Wescare’emabit.Thatinterests’em,buttheywon’tmarrysomeonewhoscaresthem.”

Icouldseethat,butIhadtowonderifthathappenedtobe

truewithallimagers,orifthathadjustbeenShannyr’sownexperience.

“Youwanttohavefunwiththewomen,whenyou’refree,don’tstayaroundImagisle.TakeahackouttoMartradonorouttosomeofthebistrosonNordroadorSudroad...”

Ilistenedpolitely,althoughIcouldseethatIknewfarmoreaboutwherethewomen

wereinL’Excelsisthanhedid.

Thatnight,afterdinner,Ihadanotheridea.Iwentoutsideandimagedrubber,athinlayerofit,alongtheinsideofasmallclothbag.ThenIpouredsomeofthecausticIhadleftintothebag,whichItiedshut.Forawhile,anyway,untilIwasmoreconfidentinmyabilities,Icouldcarrythatwithme.

ThenItriedtopracticeshields—andshadows—untilIwastrulyexhausted.Theshadowsweren’tverygood,andIwasmorethanreadytoclimbthestairsandcollapseintomybed.

Thoseinafamilymaywell

sharethesamedwelling,butnotthesamehome.

BothVendreiandSamedimorningswerehardbecauseMasterDichartynkeptpressingmeonmyshields.NomatterhowmuchIimproved,hekeptinsisting

thatmyeffortswerenotadequate.Thenheofferedanonslaughtofquestions,notonlyonwhatIread,butonhowitallrelatedtotheCollegiumanditsroleinSolidar.IkeptthosequestionstomyselfandtoldJohanyrandhisgroupofsecondsonlyafewoftheeasierandmorepurelyacademicortechnicalones.

OnSamediafternoon,I

waswaitingontheeastsideoftheBridgeofHopesagoodhalfglassbeforethree.Thedaywassunny,withthefaintesthaze,buttherewasahintofchill,andIworemycloak.OntheroughlytriangularspacewheretheboulevardintersectedtheEastRiverRoadstoodaflowersellerwithaweatheredface,butapleasantexpression.

“Flowers,sirimager?

Flowersforalady,afriend,orfamily?”

Foramoment,Icouldn’thelpsmiling.“No,thankyou.”

Thetemptingaromaoffowlroastingovercharcoalonacartacrosstheboulevardwaftedaroundme.Forallthat,itmightaswellhavebeengrayandgloomy,giventhewayIfelt.Ishouldn’t

have.Iwashealthyandhadaprofession,ifnotwhatI’dexpected,thatearneddecentcoins.MotherandRouselcertainlywantedtoseeme,andprobablyRemayadid.EvenFatherdid,Isuspected,evenifhe’dneveradmitit.

Twowomen,oneinbrightgreenandtheotherinscarlet,eyedmespeculativelyastheyneared,butIwasn’tinthemoodforeitheroftheir

favors,evenifIcouldhaveaffordedthem.Aftertheypassed,amotherinawornbrowncoatdraggedtwochildrentowardthewallseparatingthesidewalkfromthenarrowboulevardgardensinordertoputasmuchspacebetweenthethreeofthemandmeaspossible.Wassheamalleable,ordidshejustfearimagers?

Asthetimenearedthree,

thecoach,withitsglisteningbrownbodyandpolishedbrasswork,appearedontheBoulevardD’Imagers.Beforelong,Charlsynpulledupnexttothecurb,butwellshortoftheflowerseller,easilyreininginthetwomatchedchestnuts.

“Goodafternoon,Charlsyn.”

“Goodafternoon,sir.”

Iclimbedinandclosedthecoachdoor.BecauseofallthecoachesandridersontheBoulevardD’Imagers,Isurmised,CharlsyntookMarchandAvenuebacktoSudroad,andthentotheMidroad.Itwasclosetohalfpasttheglassbeforethecarriagepulledupatthesideporticoofthehouse,whereMother,Rousel,andRemayawerewaitingasIsteppedup

undertheportico.

“Goodwoolinthatcloakandwaistcoat,”observedRousel,ifwithagrin.

“Motheralreadynoticedthat.Didshetellyou?”

“Shetoldmetolook,”headmitted.

“Youlookdashinginthatgray,”addedRemayawithasmile.Shehadbecome

rotund,andevenchubbyintheface,buthereyessparkled,especiallywhenshelookedupatRousel.

“Muchmorebusinesslikethanwhenhewasanartist,”addedFatherfromthedoorwaywherehestood.“Comeoninside,allofyou,especiallyyou,youngwoman,”headdedtoRemaya.“Thebreezeisn’tgoodformygrandson.”

“Shemightbeagranddaughter,”saidKhethilafrombehindFather.

“Grandson!”yelledCulthynfrominsidethefamilyparlor.

Rouseljustlaughed.“Heorshewillbewhatheorsheis.”

Inmoments,everyonewasintheparlor,andNellicawaspassingatraywithspicedwine,orchilledwhiteorred.

Afterslippingoutofmycloak,Itookthewhite.

Fatherhadsettledintohisfavoritechair.Hedidn’twaitforanyoneelsetositdownbeforeheasked,“Whatcanyoutellusaboutthisimagerbusiness?”Asalways,everythingwasbusiness.BeforeIcouldanswer,headded,“YouknowthatlastweekendayounggraycoatwaskilledneartheNord

Bridge.”Heshookhishead.“Shouldn’thavebeenthere.”

Ihadn’tseenthatineitherTabletaorVeritum.“Iwouldn’tgoanywherelikethat.”

“Iwouldhopenot.”

“TheCollegiumatImagisleislikeaguildforimagers.”Isettledintothestraight-backedchairacrossfromhisupholsteredneedlepoint

armchair.“WhenIstarted,Iwasanimagerprimus.NowI’masecondus.Mostimagersaretertius,Isupposejustlikemostcraftersarejourneymen.Therearefourclassesofmasters.”

“Names...names...whatdoyoudo?”

“Chenkyr...”murmuredMother.

“Itisn’twhatyou’recalled

thatmatters,”herepliedamiably.“It’swhatyoudoandwhatyouearn.”

“I’mstilllearning,”Ireplied,“inthemornings,anyway.Ihavetolearnmoreaboutscienceandaboutgovernmentandhistory.Intheafternoons,Iwork.”

“Whatdoyoudo?”Ahintofexasperationcoloredhiswords.

“Imagerthings.Ican’ttellyou.”

“Can’torwon’t?”

“Chenkyr...”Mother’svoicewasfirmerandlouder.

“Icould,butI’mnotallowedto.SinceIdon’twanttospendtherestofmylifedoingimagingdrudgeryintheworkshops,Iwon’t.IgetfedbetterthanatMasterCaliostrus’sandhavea

chanceatearningacomfortableliving.”Ismiledpolitely.“Howisthewoolbusiness?”

“Verywell,”interjectedRouselcheerfully.“We’vemorethantripledsalesandshipmentsoutofKherseillesthisyear.Thatwon’tlast,butwiththeshippingembargoleviedonCaenenbytheCouncilandbyFerrumandJariola,we’redoingwell.”

“IfshipmentstoCaenenareembargoed...?”Iasked.

“WejustshiptofactorsintheAbiertoIsles.TheyselltoCaenenanfactors.Wehadtoadvancethemalittlecredit,buttheCaenenanssendtheirownbottomsthere.”

“Whywon’titlast?”

Rouselshrugged.“Ihadafeelingthingswouldgettensewiththedualgodders.SoI

openeduptradewithsomeclothfactorsintheisles.Theyusuallydon’tdealthatmuchinwool,andIhadtogivethem...someconsiderations...lastyear,butnooneelseshippingoutofKherseilleshadanyarrangementsinplace.They’reallhurryingandscrambling,butfornow,we’redoingnicely.Morethannicely,andI’vegotanarrangementforsomehigh-

qualityCaenenancottoncomingbacktheotherway.Wedidn’thavethatevenbeforetheembargo.”

“TheCouncilwon’tobject?”Iasked.

“Howcanthey?”Rouselgrinned.“We’renotsellingtoCaenenans.We’resellingtoAbiertans.Wecan’tcontrolwhotheysellto.”

“Youcan’tstoptradewith

laws,”addedFather.“Evenembargoesandwarshipsaren’teffective.Peoplewanttobuywhattheywanttobuy,andtheywanttopayaslittleaspossible.”

“Unlessit’srare,andthentheybiduptheprice.”Ipaused.“Isthereadifferenceinthetariffratebetweenwhatyou’dpayifwoolwentdirectlytoCaenenandwhatitcostsgoingthroughAbierto?”

“You’restillsharpenoughtobeafactor,”saidRousel.“There’sonlyaonepercenttariffbetweenSolidarandtheisles,andwehaveareciprocalagreement.”

“Andthedifferenceinshippingcosts?”

“Thelandedpriceperhundredweightisalmostthesame.”

Ihadtowonderwhythe

Councilbotheredwiththeembargo.

“Canwetalkaboutsomethingelse?”askedMother.“Haveyoumetanyoneweknow?”

“NotthatIknowof.Therearen’tallthatmanyimagersinallofSolidar.”

“Whatdoesthathavetodowithanything?”demandedCulthyn.

“It’smathematics,stupid,”repliedKhethila.“Iftherearen’tmanyimagers,thennotmanyareborn—”

“That’senough...Iunderstand,andI’mnotstupid.”

IlookedtoRouselandRemaya,sittingonthesettee.“Seewhatawaitsyou?”

“We’llmanage,”hereplied.

“Arethereanywomenimagers?”askedRemaya.

“Onlyafew.”Forestallingtheinevitable,Iquicklyadded,“Ihaven’tmetanymyage,buttheremightbeoneortwo.”

“Ihopeyoudo.”

Behindhersmileandthekindnessofherwords,Icouldsensethepity.I’dneverwantedherpity,andIquickly

asked,“HowareyoufindingKherseilles?”

“It’scharming,”sheanswered.“Itisnottoolarge,andwehavealovelysmallvillaonthehillsoverlookingtheharbor,withapleasantbreeze...”

Aftermorechatter,mostlyaboutKherseilles,Motherrose.“Dinnerisready.”

Aspeoplebegantomove

towardthediningchamber,Mothereasedupbesideme.“We’regoingtohaveadinnerhereonthethirty-fifthofAvryl.Ithinkyou’dlikethepeople.”

“Whoisshe?”Icouldn’thelpgrinning.

Motherdidhavethegracetoblush.“She’snice,andquitepretty,butveryshy.Youactuallyhavemether

youngercousin.”

“Ihave?”

“Quiteanumberoftimes.”Herfacehadamischievousexpression.“AeylanaD’Weidynishercousin.Youpaintedherportrait.Herfatheristherenownedcabinetmaker,andhisbrotherTomazisthelargestproducefactorinL’Excelsis.Tomazisalsoafriendofyourfather,

andwe’veinvitedthemfordinner.”

“Andtheshyyounglady?What’shername?”

“HernameisZerlenya.”

Icouldn’tsaythatI’dmetorrememberedanyonenamedZerlenya,andthatwasprobablygood,becausefewofthegirlsorwomenI’dmetovertheyearshadimpressedme.Onlyahandfulhad—

Remaya,Kalyssa,Larguera,andSeliora—andIhadn’theardanythingaboutKalyssainyears,andLarguerahadmarriedsomeheirtoabreweryfortuneorsomethinglikethat.

“I’llbehere,andI’llbeascharmingasIcan.”

“Morecharmingthanthat,please,dear.”Hersmilewasaffectionate.“Now...enjoy

thedinner.It’soneofyourfavorites—theapple-stuffedporkcrownroast.”

Itwasoneofmyfavorites,andIdidenjoyit.Theconversationatdinnerwaspleasant.EvenFatherstoppedbeingthebusinessmanandtoldstories,includingoneI’dneverheardaboutthetimewhenhe’dfirstbeenbuyingwoolanddidn’tknowthatsangorawasconeyhair.

WhenIleftandCharlsyndrovemebacktotheCollegium—ortheeastsideoftheBridgeofHopes—itwasclosetotheeighthglassoftheevening.IdidrealizeonethingwhenIsteppedoutofthecarriagejustshortoftheBridgeofHopesthatnight.Forsomepeople,homeisalwaysthere.Forothers,whilethestructureandthefamilymaystillbethere,and

theymayallstillcareforyou,it’snolongerhome.Iwasoneofthose.WasitthatIwasanimager?OrhaditbeenthatwayfromthetimeI’dwantedtobeanartist?

Iwalkedacrossthebridgequickly,alertforwhateverorwhoevermightbearound,butIsawnoone,exceptafewfiguresingrayfromadistance.AlthoughArtiemawasfull,thefainthazedulled

herluminouslight.TothewestthequarterdiscofErionseemedredderthanusual,asifthelesserhunterweresomehowlyinginwaitforthegreaterhuntress.WasthatbecauseIfeltthatsomeone,ormorethanasingleperson,waswatching?YetnooneappearedasInearedthequartersbuilding.

Ihadtimetoworkonmyshields,andthatIcoulddo

safelyinmychamber.I’dalreadydonethereadingassignedbyMasterDichartyn.

Thegreatestcurseisto

inheritwealthorpositionwithoutability.

TherewasnothingtokeepmefromleavingImagisleonSolayi,exceptnooneIwantedtoseeandnodesiretospendmyfewsilversinL’Excelsismerelyforthe

sakeofspendingthem.Besides,Iwasstillworriedaboutmyimagingshields,especiallyafterhavinghadthefeelingofbeingwatchedthenightbefore.So,afterbreakfast,whichIatenearseveralthirdsatatablewithlessthantenpeoplescatteredalongalengththatcouldholdclosetoahundred,Iwalkedbacktomychamberandreadmyassignments,tryingto

thinkofthekindofquestionsMasterDichartynmightask.Aftereveryfewpages,Istoppedandworkedonmyshields.

Bylatemorningtheovercasthadlifted,andIdecidedtotakeabreakfromtheindoorstudyingandtrytoworkonfogandshadows.Afterleavingmyroom,Imademywaydownthestepstothemainlevelandthen

acrossthequadrangleandsouthwardtothegrovenorthofthechapel.Oncemore,notonlywassomeonewatchingmetheentireway,Ifelt,butheortheykeptwatchingwhileIstruggledwithconcealmentprojections.Fogprovedtobeeasiertocreate,butittendednottolastlong,vanishingshortlyafterthesunstruckit.Itdidlingerintheshadows,butIhadtrouble

makingitthickenoughtocloakme.WhatIcreatedmightworkatnight...maybe.

Shadowsweresomethingelse.Afterperhapsaquarterglass,Ifiguredouthowtocreateshadows—animagingshieldthatblockedsunlightwithoutbeingvisible—butthatdidn’thelpmuch,becauseinanylightbrightenoughtocreateshadows,I’d

stillbevisible,andthatmeantIneededanotherapproach.Evenafteralongglassofexperimentation,Icouldn’tthinkofone.

WhenIwalkedbacknorthtothedininghallfromthegrove,justbeforethetenbellsofnoonbegantostrike,IsawDiaztandJohanyrtalkingsometenyardsoutsidethemainentrance.Johanyr’svoicewaslowand

intent,buthestoppedforamomentandglaredatme,thensnorted,beforereturninghisattentiontoDiazt.

WhathadIdonetomakehimangry,excepttrytoavoidhim?Orhadtheybeentheonesobservingme?Iftheywere,therewasn’tmuchIcoulddoaboutit.SoIwentinsideandsatnexttoShannyr,who,unlikeDiaztandJohanyr,gavemea

friendlysmile.

“Johanyr’snotinaverygoodmood,”Isaidquietly.

Shannyrshookhishead.“He’snot.Hasn’tbeensinceVendrei.Stewinginhisownsweat.MasterGhaendtoldhimthathe’dnevermaketertiusifhedidn’tstudy.Alsosaidthatifhedidn’tlearnmore,he’dhavetogotoworkwiththesecondslikeme.”

Shannyr’stonewastotallywithoutrancororbitterness.

“MasterGhaendsaidthat?”

“No.MasterGhaendtoldhimhecouldn’tplayatbeingastudent,andthathe’dhavetolearnorgotowork.IheardJohanyrtellingDiaztthat.Hewassoangrythatanyoneintenyardscouldhaveheard.”

“Whydoesn’thejuststudy?”Ihadanideawhy,

butIwantedtohearwhatShannyrsaid.

“HewasbornJohanyrD’Ryel.Mighthavesomethingtodowithit.”

“HecomesfromtheHighHolders,andhe’sanimager?”

“Doesn’tmatterwhereyoucomefrom.”Helaughedsoftly.“Me,I’moneofthefortunateones.TillIcame

here,neverknewwhenI’deatnext.MawashappytoknowI’dgetfedandhappiertogetthegold.”

“Youdon’tmindworkinginthearmory?”

“Why’dImind?I’dbeslavingforsomefactor,luggingbarrelsandthelike,orI’dalreadyhavebeenpress-gangedintotheNavyorconscripted.”Hesmiled.

“Muchbettertoworkasacommonimager.Diaztdoesn’tseethat.Hethinkshe’ssomuchsmarterthanFloryn.He’sjustthesame,butnotassmart.”

“DidDiaztcomefromthetaudis?”

“Thehellhole.”

ThatwastheworstsluminL’Excelsis,exceptthat—unlikethetaudisbelowSouth

Middle—itwasn’tactuallyinthecity,butoffthehighwaythatSudroadturnedintosomefivemillessouthoftheAvenueD’Artisans.“He’sbetteroffhere.”

“Hedoesn’tthinkso.Heranaganglet—kidsdoingstufffortheelversandstealingfromthesansespoirs.”

“Hewasincontrol,andhe

doesn’tlikeitwhenotherpeopleare.”Ipaused,thenadded,“ItsoundslikeJohanyrdoesn’tmuchlikeit,either.”

“Nomatterwhoyouare,”Shannyrsaid,“there’salwayssomeoneelsetougher.Sawthatgrowingup.”

“Orbrighterorbetter-connected...orwhatever.”

“Youmisspainting?”he

asked.

“Sometimes,”Iadmitted.“But,inaway,imaging’slikethat.Idon’tknowthatI’dhaveeverdiscoveredIcouldimageifIhadn’tbeenaportraiturist.Didyouever...”Iwasn’tquitesurehowtoaskwhetherhe’dworkedatanything.“...wanttodoanythingbesidesbeanimager?”

“Fieldworkorthemines—thosewerethechoicesoutinTacqueville.Didn’tcaremuchforeither,butIwasworkingaditchcrewwhenIimagedalousycopperforMa.SobadthatsheknewI’dmadeit.Hadn’tseenthatmany.”Shannyrlaughed.“Armory’sbetteranyday.”

Diaztwasthetypewho’dratherrunaganginthehellholesofSolidarthan

answertoanyoneintwicethecomfort.Butweren’tmorethanafewpeoplelikethat?

WhenIleftthetableandShannyr,DiaztandJohanyrwerestandingbeyondthearchway.NeitherlookedatmeasIpassed,andIevenofferedapolitesmile.Behindme,though,Icouldhearafewmutteredwords.

“Stuff’stooeasyforhim..

.”

“Rodie...gottobearodie...”

Me?Arodent,asnoop,reportingbacktotheseniorimagers?Thatdidn’tmakesense.WhywouldIgiveupbeingaportraituristtobecomeanimager,andthenaninformerforMasterDichartynoranyothermaster?Ialmostturnedand

snappedbackthattheywereimbecilesandmasterimagersdidn’tneedtoadies,butmygutstoldmethatwouldonlymakemattersworse.

Besides,ifIdidn’treact,theycouldn’tbesureifI’doverheardthem.

Arrogancemakesaman

stupid,

andstupiditycanmakehimevenmorearrogant.

OnSolayieveningandatbreakfastonLundi,JohanyrandDiaztstoodoutsidetheentrancetothedininghall

andlookedhardatme.Ijustsmiledback.Theydidn’treturnthesmile,nordidtheychoosetositanywherenearme.IsatwithShannyr.Hewasgoodcompany.

Afterbreakfast,whenIwasfinallyadmittedtoMasterDichartyn’sstudy,hedidn’ttestmyshieldsatall.Instead,heconcentratedonaskingmequestionsabouttheCouncilandgoverning.Oncehe’d

determinedthatI’dreadthepageshe’dassigned,hesmiled.

“InJariola,theOligarchrulesabsolutely,buttheoligarchyvoteseveryfiveyearswhethertoreplacehimornot,andhecanbereplacedatanytimeifforty-sixofthefiftymembersofthecouncilvotetoremovehim.Forty-fivemembersofthecouncilarethewealthiestHigh

HoldersinthelandandtheotherfivearethehighprophetofKhanahlandfourothersappointedbytherulingoligarch.TheAbiertoIslesaregovernedbyanassembly,andthemembersareelectedbyavoteofallpropertyholders,whetherthoseholdersaremenorwomen,regardlessofwheretheyliveorwereborn,andtheassemblyelectsaspeaker

whomakesday-to-daydecisions.InCaenen,thehighpriestoftheirDualityistherulerofthecountry.Youknowhowwearegoverned.Whichmeansdoyouthinkismoreeffective,andwhy?”

Myimmediatereactionwastopreferoursystem,buttosaysowouldjustinvitemorequestions.“I’dsaythattheCaenenansystemistheworst,becausetheyaregovernedby

oneman,andthereisnoeffectivewaytoremovehim—”

“Killinghimwouldremovehimeffectively,butIdon’tthinkthat’swhatyoumeant.Bemorecarefulinyourchoiceofwords.”

“Therearenoacceptedrulesforremovinghimintheeventthatheprovesabadruler.”

“Thatistrue,butwhatisabadruler?”askedMasterDichartyn.“Iftaxesarehighuponthecraftersandlowuponthelandholders,isitnotlikelythatthelandholderswillpraisehimandthecrafterswilldeclarehimabadruler?”

“Yes,sir.”

“Goon.”

“I’dsaythattheJariolan

systemisthenextleastdesirable,becausepowerisheldinthehandsofsofewmen,andthatisnotgood—”

“Foralltherhetoricandcommontalk,governmentisnotaboutgoodandbad,Rhennthyl.NorwasthatwhatIasked.Whatisitabout?”

“Creatingthelawsandrulesunderwhichpeoplelive.”

“Whyisgovernmentnecessary?”

“Thingsdon’tworkwellamongpeoplewithoutsomeformofgovernment.”

“That’strue.Whynot?”

“Peoplewouldtrytodowhatevertheycouldgetawaywith.Unlessyouhadgoldsandpower,youcouldn’ttrustanyone.Eventhen...”

MasterDichartynnoddedslowly.“Effectivegovernmentssetrulesandlimitsonhowpowerisusedinacountry.Now...thatmeanssomewhohavegreaterpowermustacceptlimitsontheirpower.Whywouldtheydoso?”

“Because,otherwise,thosewithlesspowerwillbandtogetherandrestrainoreliminatethem?”

“That’sonepossibility.Canyouthinkofanother?”

Atthatmoment,Icouldn’t.

“IfyouwereHighHolderAlmeida,wouldyouwanttospendtensofthousandsofgoldsonmaintainingaprivatearmytodefendyourlandsorwouldyouratherpayafewthousandgoldsintaxestoagovernmentthatgenerallyprotectedthem?”

“Ifthegovernmentrulesweren’ttooburdensome,I’dpreferthetaxes.”

“SodomostHighHoldersofSolidar.Whatdoesthattellyouaboutgovernment?”

“Itprovidesabalanceofpoweratalowercostforthewealthyandgreaterorderandfreedomforthosewithlittlepower.”

“Aneffectivegovernment

does.Ifmostpeoplewanteffectivegovernment,whydogovernmentsvarysomuchfromlandtoland?”

“Theyhavedifferentideasaboutwhatiseffectiveandhowtomakethingswork?”

“DoyouthinkthatachoristeroftheNamelessandapriestoftheDualitywouldthinkofpowerinthesameway...”

MasterDichartyn’squestionsseemedendless.Iwasalltoohappytoleavewhenhefinallydismissedme,despitehisassignmentoftheadditionalreading.

Again,atlunch,Johanyrhadpositionedhimselfwherehecouldwatchme,althoughIdidn’tseeDiazt.Iwalkedovertohimandasked,“Howareyoudoing?Ihaven’tseenyouaround,exceptoutside

thedininghall.”

Hedidn’tsayanythingforamoment,clearlytakenabackbymyaddressinghim.Thenhereplied,“I’mfine.Therearesomethingsthathavetobesettled.”

Ididn’tfeellikesayinganythingtorespondtotheimpliedthreat.“I’msurethingswillsettleoutifyougivethemtime.”

“I’mnotverypatient,Rhenn.”

“Mostofusaren’t.I’mnot,either,butI’velearnedthatsometimesrushingthingscreatesmoreproblemsthanitsolves.”

“Don’tthreatenme.”

“I’mnotthreateninganyone,”Isaid,managingtosmile.“It’snotwise,andit’snotpolite.Ihopeyoufeel

betterlater.”Inoddedcourteouslyandturnedtowardthedininghall.

Icouldstillfeelhiseyesonmyback,andIstilldidn’tunderstandwhyhewassoangry.Wasitjustthathewasangryandneededatarget?Icertainlyhadn’ttoldanyoneaboutwhathethoughtorhisnastinesstome,excepttellingShannyroncethatJohanyrdidn’tseemhappy.

ItookachairbetweenGherardandWhaltarandacrossfromShannyr.

WhaltarwasspeakingtoGherard.“...gotNaquinSamedinight...warnedhimabouttheNordquarter,buthesaidthatwaswherethegirlswere...”

“Didsomeonegethurt?”Iasked.

“Naquin.Hewasathird.

Theyfoundhisbodyonthestreetyesterdaymorning.”Whaltarshookhishead.“Havetobetwiceascarefulifyou’reagraycoat.”

Ididn’tquiteknowwhattoadd.Ihadn’tknownNaquin.

“HowisMasterDichartyntreatingyou?”askedGherard,clearlywantingtochangethesubject.“Someofthoseassignmentslookeddifficult.”

“Thereadingisn’ttoobad,”Iadmitted,“butthequestionsheasksaboutwhatI’vereadmakethereadingseemeasy.”

“Mostofthethirdshaven’tmadeitasfarasyouhave,”Gherardsaid.

“I’msurethatthey’redoingbetterelsewhere.”Idecidedontea,filledmymug,andtookalongsip.“That’swhy

they’rethirds.”ThelongerI’dbeenattheCollegium,themoreIwonderedwhyGherardwasstillasecondus.“Ifyoudon’tmind...”

Gherardlaughed.“Idon’t.You’vewaitedlongerthanmosttoask.Ihavetroublereading.Thelettersdon’tmakesensetome,andI’llneverbeagreatimager.Icanrememberanythinganyonetellsmewordforword,and

MasterDichartyntellsmethatIhaveagoodfeelforincomingimagers.”

Putthatway,hispositionmadesense.“IsPetrynstillhelpingthere?”

“No.He’sasecondnow,andanotherjuniorprimetookhisplace—Beleart.Youknow...youscaredtheNameroutofPetryn.”

“Idid?Iwastheonewho

feltscared.”

Allthreeofthemlaughed,andShannyrjustshookhishead.

TheyallthoughtitwasfunnythatI’dfeltscared?DidIreallyprojectthatmuchconfidence?Ididn’tthinkso.Icertainlyhadn’tknownthatmuchaboutimagingwhenI’darrivedattheCollegium.

Afterlunch,whenIwentto

theworkshops,Grandisynescortedmetoanotherworkroom,onealsowithbarrels,andshowedmeasmallbarofmetalnobiggeraroundthanthebodyofapenandnomorethanadigitinlength.

“Ifyou’rereallygood,yououghttobeabletodofourofthese,butifyougetreallytiredaftertwo,stop.Wearenotcertainofthe

concentrationintheore.”Hepaused.“Doyouunderstand?”

Iunderstood.IrememberedwhathadhappenedtoMhykal.

Afterheleft,Ifingeredthesilverymetal,whichseemedasheavyasgold.Platinum?

Intheend,Imanagedthreesmallbars,anddecidedagainsttryingforafourth.

Thattooklessthanaglass,andGrandisynsaidIwasfreetogo.WhenIreturnedtomyroom,Itookashortnap—andI’dnevertakennapssinceI’dbeensmall,notuntilIcametotheCollegium.

Atdinner,JohanyrandDiaztsatattheendofthetable,withtwoothersecondsI’dbarelymet.Johanyrneverlookedinmydirection,butDiaztdid,anddidsomore

thanafewtimes.

“WhatdidyoudotoDiazt?”askedClenard,oneoftheoldersecondswhowasafriendofShannyr.

“IaskedJohanyrhowhewasdoing.Hewasn’thappythatIspoketohim.”Mywordscameoutashadeironic.

“That’sbecausehelikestoaskthequestions,”Shannyr

addeddryly.

“Whatdoyouworkat?”IaskedClenard.

“Ihelpthemachinists.It’seasiertoimageblanksthantocastthem,andthentheymachinethemdown.Don’thavetohaveafurnace,either,butitworksbestforsmallparts....”

EverytimeIthoughtI’dlearnedmostofwhat

happenedattheCollegium,Ifoundoutsomethingmore.ButatleastIhadagoodconversationatdinner.

Afterward,ItalkedabitwithShannyr,thenwalkedthroughthedeepeningtwilightacrossthequadranglebacktothequartersbuilding—oneoftwo,I’dalsolearned.Again,Ihadthefeelingofbeingwatched,butIdidn’tseeanyone.Iwasn’t

imaginingthings,andthatsuggestedthatwhoeverwaswatchingandfollowingwasaverygoodimager.

WhenIgotinside,Ihurriedupthestairs.NomorehadIsteppedoffthelandingonthesecondlevelandintothecorridorleadingtomyroomthanIheardheavystepscomingupthestairsbehindme.Imovedawayfromthestaircase,butlookedback.

“Ifitisn’tthepainterboy.”Diaztsteppedoutofthestaircaselandingandstopped.Hecarriedametalbar.

WalkingdownthehallwayintheotherdirectionwasJohanyr.Heheldsomesortofblade,asabreperhaps.Hedidn’tsayanything.Imovedtowardhim,becauseIdidn’twanttobethatclosetoDiazt.Myfingersbrushedmytrousers.Istillhadthebagof

caustic,butIcouldn’tverywellattackfirst.MasterDichartynhadmadethatveryclear.Werethetwoofthemtryingtoprovokemeintoattacking?Thatway,I’dbetotallyatfault—ifIevensurvivedwhateverdefensesandretaliationtheyhadinmind.

Icouldhearseverallowsounds—doorboltssnickingclosed.DidJohanyrandDiazt

haveallthesecondscowed?Atthatpoint,Irealizedthatmostofthewalllampsinthecorridorhadbeenwickedoff—orimagedout.

“Howareyoudoingthisfineevening?”Johanyr’svoicewassarcastic.“It’sdarkoutnow,andthat’sthebesttimeforrodents.”

“I’mnorodent.You’rejustlookingforexcuses.”

“Allrodiessaythatthey’reinnocent.”

“Sodoallinnocents.”ImovedslowlytowardJohanyrinordertoavoidthemetalbarDiaztcarried,althoughIcouldn’tmovetoofarbeforeI’dbeinrangeofthesabre.

“You’renoinnocent.Wedidn’thaveanytroublebeforeyoushowedup.”

“Youmeanthatnoone

complained,”Isuggested.

Hestiffened.

ThenIstaggeredbackassomethingslammedintomyshields.BeforeIcouldrecovermybalanceanotherblaststruckmefrombehind,andIstaggeredintheotherdirection.

Icouldn’tseewhatthey’dimagedatme—butitwassomethingthatwasdesigned

nottoleaveanytraces,becausenothinghaddroppedtothestonefloor.Iwouldhaveheardit,evenifIcouldn’tseeitinthelowlight.

“Rodie’sgotshields...howsweet.”ThatwasDiazt.“Thatwilljustmakeitsomucheasier.”

Ididn’tknowwhathemeantuntiltheironbar

slammedagainstmyshields,andIricochetedoffthewall.Bybeatingonmyshields,theycouldwearmedownandstillpunishme,andleavefewifanybruises.

Johanyrstruckwiththeflatedgeofthesabre.Thatrockedme,butnotenoughtounbalanceme.

“You’dbetterstop,”Isaid.

“We’dbetterstop?You

haveastrangeviewofthings,rodie.”

Theironbarhitmyshieldsagain,andIhadtotakeseveralstepstowardJohanyrtokeepmybalance.Hestruckwiththesabre,andIwasforcedbacktowardDiazt.Theyweren’tgoingtostop.Thatwasalltooclear.

Imanagedtosquaremyfeetandlookstraightat

Johanyr.Iconcentratedonimagingcaustic,justlikethatinthebag,behindhisshields,rightinhiseyes.

Therewasamomentofresistance—thatwaswhatitfeltlike—andthenheblinked.“Killhim!Diazt!Ohh...”Hecollapsedonthecorridorfloor.

Theironbarstruckthebackofmyshieldswithsuch

forcethatIstumbledandhadtotakethreeorfourstepsandcouldbarelystandbeforeIwhirledtofaceDiazt—imagingevenmorecausticintohiseyes.

Thebarflewtowardme,andIducked,andthenDiaztwasscreaming,butonlyforamomentbeforehewentlimp.

MasterDichartynandMasterGhaendbothappeared

fromsomewhere.

GhaendlookedtoDichartynandnodded.Twoobduratesinblackhurrieddownthehallwaytowardus.

“Whathappened?Whatdidyoudo?”demandedMasterDichartyn.“Sparemeanynicetiesaboutaccidentsandthelike.”

“Theycorneredme,andeveryoneonthefloorlocked

theirdoors.Icouldheartheboltssnickshut.ThentheyclaimedthatIwassomesortofspyandthattheCollegiumhadnouseforrodentslikeme.Theybegantoimagethingsatme—”

“Whatdidyoudo?”MasterDichartyn’squestionwashardandurgent.

“Iimagedlye—caustic—intotheireyes.”

“Throughtheirshields?”

“Yes,sir.”

“Ghaend!Getthemtotheinfirmaryandstartwashingtheireyesoutwithclearwater.Havethestaffkeepdoingitforatleasthalfaglass.Getsomewaterandalittleofthebasicelixirinthem.”

“Yes,sir.”

Eachofthehulkingobdurateshoistedoneofthetwofallenimagers,andbeforeIcouldsayanything,MasterDichartynandIstoodaloneinthecorridor.

“Youcomewithme,Rhennthyl.”

“Yes,sir.”

Ifollowedhimbacktohisstudy,hopingthathiscoolnessdidn’tpresageeven

moretrouble,butfearingthatitdid.Ididn’tunderstandwhyJohanyrandDiazthadcollapsed.Icouldunderstandburningorpainintheireyes,butthey’dbarelyutteredanythingbeforetheyfell.

MasterDichartynsaidnothinguntilhehadclosedthedoortohisstudybehindusandoffhandedlyimagedthewalllampintoburningbrightly.“Goaheadandsit

down.Youprobablyneedtogetoffyourfeet.”

Isat.Mylegswereshaking.Ididn’twanthimtostartinwithmorequestions.SoIspokeonwhathadbeenbotheringmeonthewalkfromthequarters.“Idon’tunderstandwhytheycollapsed.Iwasonlytryingtoblindthemsothattheycouldn’tattack.”

“Thinkaboutit,Rhenn.Wherewereyou?”

“Inthecorridor.”

“Yousaidallthedoorswereshut.What’sbehind—”

“Oh,shit...”

“Exactly.Wheredoyouthinkthatcausticcamefrom?Youpulledsomeofitoutoftheirownbodies.Ifthey’relucky,they’lllive,butthey’ll

neverseewellenoughtoimageagain.”

“Whatwillhappentothem?”

“TheybesenttoMontD’Image.It’sapleasantplace,ifisolated,andiftheyrecover,theycantakedutiesthere.Ifnot,theycanliveonastipendinthevillageadjoiningtheCollegium.MasterGhaendandIboth

thoughtthatthiswouldhappen.Neitherofthosetwohasbeenexactlyamodelimager,andyouthreatenedthemboth.”

“Ithreatenedthem,sir?”

“Whetheryouknowitornot,andyou’dbetterlearntoacceptandtrainit,notonlydoyouimage,butyouhaveatalentforprojectingwhateveryoufeel—orwanttofeel.

Thattalentmeansthat,giventime,youcanbeveryeffectiveinmanagingpeople.Letmeaskyouthis.Whenyouwanttobealone,doesanyoneeverbotheryou?Whenyoufeelfriendly,doesanyonenotrespond?”

Ihadn’tthoughtaboutthat,butIwasstillthinkingaboutJohanyrandDiazt.WhyhadMasterDichartynletthemgosofar?Ialmostblurtedthat

question.Almost.Instead,Iasked,“Wasitatestofsorts?OrwillIfaceahearing?”

“Self-defenseisalwaysallowed,andyoudidattemptnottokillthem.Therewillbenohearing.YouwillberestrictedtoImagisleforthenextfewweeks,notaspunishment,butasprotection,ofasort,andyouwillspendoneglasseveryeveningpracticingwithshieldsand

imagingagainstonemasteroranother.That’sanotherformofprotection,bothforyouandforothers.”Hesmiledsadly.“Youneedtolearnafewlesslethalwaystouseyourabilities.”

Whyhadn’thetaughtmethosebefore?

“Because,unlessyoucouldprotectyourselfinsomewayoranother,ortalkyourway

outofit,doingsowouldhavebeenawasteofeveryone’stime,becauseyou’dhavebeencrippledordiedinthefirstconfrontation.Tonight,wewouldhavesteppedin,ifyou’dmanagedtoholdthemoff,orevenifyou’dreactedwell,butnothadtheskill.Youmovedsoquicklythatallwecoulddowashelpthem.”

“Youknewtheywereplanningsomething?”

“Itwasobvious.Youknew,didn’tyou?”

“Yes,sir.Ididn’tknowwhen,butIhadthefeelingthatitwouldn’tbelong.”

“Wehaveashademoreexperience,Rhenn.Now,gatherallyourgear.You’removingovertothewingwiththeotherthirds.”

“Theotherthirds?”

“Whatdoyouthinkdistinguishesasecondfromathird?Oronefactor,anyway.”

“Theabilitytouseshields?”

“Let’smakeitmoregeneral.Secondsdon’tbecomethirdsatyourageunlesstheyhaveveryusefulskills.Somesecondswillneverdeveloptheirskills

beyondacertainpoint,buttheywilloftenbecomethirdslateronwhentheyhavemorelifeexperience.”

“SecondslikeShannyrorthirdslikeGrandisyn?”

MasterDichartynnodded.“Andothers.ExperienceintheCollegiumisalsovalued,andsometimesitismorevaluablethanimagingskillsalone.”Hesmiled,briefly.

“AnothermatterwhichI’msureyou’llappreciateisanincreaseinyourweeklystipendtoahalfgold.”

Fivesilversaweek?Thatwasmorethanallbutthebestmasterportaituristsmade,andcertainlymorethanjourneymenmade.

“Youwillmorethanearnit.”Herose,andhiswordswereapromiseclosetoa

threat.

Igotupmoreslowlythanhehad.

Tertius

Themoreexaltedthe

position,theheavierandyetless

obvioustheburdenofresponsibilityandthegreatertheexpectationsofothers.

OnethingInoticedimmediatelyaboutmynewquarters.Theywerelarger

andactuallyconsistedoftworooms—onethatwasbothparlorandstudyandasecondsmallersleepingchamberthatheldamuchlargerarmoireaswellasaseparatechestofdrawers.TheotherthingwasthatIwastotallyexhausted.IcouldbarelyputawayclothingandbooksbeforeIcollapsedontotheunmadebedbesidethecleanlinensIwastootiredtouse.

ThenextmorningIwasupearly,arrangingmynewquarters.Theywerenotonlymuchmorespacious,butthebedalsohadalargerheadboardofgoldenoakwithsimplecarving.Inthesittingroomwereanarmchairforreadingandadeskchairinfrontofawritingdesk.

OnceIwashed,shaved,anddressed,Isteppedoutintothecorridorandstartedtoward

thestairsdowntothemainlevel.

Anolderthirdcameoutofthenextdoorwayandsmiled.“You’reRhenn,aren’tyou?”

“Ah,yes.”Iwassurprisedbythefriendlinessinhisvoice,becauseeveryoneintheotherquarterssectionhadbeenfarcooler.

“Claustyn.IheardthatyoutookcareofJohanyrand

Diazt.”

“Iwasjusttryingtodisablethem.Ididn’tdoaverygoodjobofit.”

Claustynlaughedheartily.“ThewayIheard,youdidaverygoodjobofit,andthemastersweremostrelieved.”

“BecauseJohanyrwasdisabledwhenhewasattemptingtoinjuresomeonebadly?”

“Andbecauseyou’rethesonofanotedfactorius.”

Unhappily,thatmadesense.Inthepast,Isuspected,mostofJohanyr’svictimshadparentsoflittlestatus,andJohanyrhadassumedthatmyinabilitytoremainasaportraituristhadmeantthatmyfamilyhadeffectivelyabandonedme.Thatassumptionhaddoubtlessbeenstrengthenedbythefact

thatIhadnothingofvaluewithme,nogolds,nopillowsorbeddingoranythingthatIcouldhavebrought.IhadnodoubtthatasthesonofHighHolderRyel,hehadbroughteverythingpermitted.Becausehisassumptionwasincorrect,themasterscouldsimplyreporttohisfatherthathissonhadbrokentherulesoftheCollegiumandattackedanotherimager,one

whowasthesonofanotedfactor,andhadbeeninjuredbymyattemptstodefendmyselfagainstanunprovokedattack.

Ialsorealizedsomethingelse.MasterDichartynhadknownexactlywhatwaslikelytohappen,andheandMasterGhaendhadwaitedjustlongenoughtomakesurethatneitherJohanyrnorDiaztwouldbeabletoimageagain.

“Hashebeenaproblemforawhile?”

Claustynshrugged.“Forlongenough.HighHolderRyelisnotontheCouncil,butanumberofthoseontheCouncilarebeholdentohim.ThefactorsontheCouncilarenot.”

Thatwouldmakemypersonalsituationmoredifficultinthefuture,

althoughIcouldnothaveexplainedwhy.SoIjustreplied,“Theyattackedme,andIreallydidn’thavemuchchoice.”

“That’sallthebetter.”

ClaustynandIwalkedtothedininghalltogetherandsatwithseveralotherthirds—Reynol,Menyard,andKahlasa.

Kahlasawasplumpwith

brightlightbrowneyesandcurlysandy-blondhair,andshewasthefirsttospeakafterwesatdownnearthefootofthetableandClaustynintroducedme.“Youreallywereaportraiturist?”

“Ajourneyman,notamaster.”

“Couldyoupaintmyportrait?”Herlipsandfaceconveyedanexpressionthat

washalfgrin,halfsmile.

“Icould...ifIhadpaints,brushes,supplies,canvas,andthelike,butIcouldn’ttakecoinsforit.IfIdid,theguildswouldbringitbeforetheCouncil,andIdoubtthat’ssomethingtheCollegiumwouldlookfavorablyupon.”

Reynollaughed.“TheCouncildoesn’tlookfavorablyuponmuch.”

“Theyfavormoregoldsinthetreasury,”suggestedMeynard.

“Butnotthosetakenintaxesfromtheirguildsorpeers...”

Allinall,itwasoneofthemoreenjoyablemealsI’dhadattheCollegium.Aftereating,ImademywaytoMasterDichartyn’sstudy,wherethedoorwasopen.

“Comeonin,Rhenn.Howareyoufeeling?”

“Fine,mostly.IwassotiredIcollapsedlastnight.”Iclosedthedoorandslippedintothechairacrossthedeskfromhim.

“That’snotsurprising.Holdingshieldsandimagingbehindleadcanbeverytiring.Asyourtechniqueimprovesitwillgeteasier,

butworkinginarestrictedareaisalwaysmoredifficult.”

“AreJohanyrandDiaztallright?”Ididn’twanttoask,butfeltthatIshould.

MasterDichartynshookhisheadslowly.“Johanyrwilllive.He’slikelytoremainwithsuchpoorsightthathecanbarelymakeoutshapesandlightanddark,andhewon’tregainallhisstrength,

buthecanhaveaproductivelifeinMontD’Image,ifhechooses.Diaztdiedshortlyafterhewastakentotheinfirmary.”

Iswallowed.“Ididn’tintend—”

“Thatwasmostobvious,Rhenn.Youallowedthemtopummelyourshieldsviciously,andyoutriedtotellthemthattheyhadno

groundsfortheirattack.Whenyoudidattack,itwasonlyaftergreatprovocation,andyourintentwasonlytodisable.Hadtheyattackedyououtside,theybothwouldhavelived.Inthatsense,theychosetheirownfate.”

IhadastrongsensethatJohanyrhadlivedandDiazthaddiedbecauseofwhotheirparentswereandwerenot.Ialsohadanothersuspicion

thatIwantedtovoice.“Shannyrkeptyouinformed,didn’the?”

“Didhe?”MasterDichartynraisedhiseyebrows.“Doesitmatternow?”

ThatwasasmuchofanacknowledgmentasIwaslikelytoget.“No,sir.”

“Yourealizethatyourdutieswillchange?You

won’tbegoingtotheworkshopsanymore.Instead,you’llbeworkingwithClovylforthenextfewweeks.He’saseniorimagertertius,andhewillteachyoutheuseofvariousweapons,butmostimportant,howtodefendyourselfwithoutimagingandwithoutweapons.You’llmeethimintheexerciseroomatthefirstbelloftheafternoon,every

dayexceptSolayiandSamedi,andyouwillspendtwosolidglasseswithhim,ifnotmore.Beforeyoudo,youwillobtainsomeexerciseclothingfromthetailoringshop.Youwillneedit.Thenattheseventhglassyouwillreturnhere.EitherIoranothermasterwillbehereeverynightfromLunditoVendrei,andwe’llbeworkingharderondeveloping

differentkindsofshieldsandotherimagingtechniques.You’llalsoneedthose.”

BeforeIcouldthinkmuchabouttheimplicationsofhiswords,hewenton,asifnothingsignificanthadoccurred.“Now...whatistheprimarypurposeoftaxationandtariffs?”

“Toraisefundstosupportgovernmentservices.”

“Isalltaxationusedforsuchpurposes?”

“No,sir.”

“Whynot?”

Again,thetexthadn’tmentionedmuchaboutotherusesoftaxation,butMasterDichartynexpectedananswerbeyondthat.“Becausegovernmentsarecomprisedofmen,andmendonotalwaysdowhattheysaythey

willorwhatmaybebestforthosetheygovern.”

“Thatwilldo,butonlyfornow.Forwhatotherpurposesmighttaxationbeused?”

“Somerulersandothersingovernmentshaveusedtaxestoincreasetheirownpersonalwealth.Othershaveusedtariffstoprotectthecommerceandtradeoftheirpeople.”

“Howdoesincreasingthecostofagoodthroughtariffsprotectcommerce?”

“Itoftendoesn’t.Itbenefitssomepeopleandhurtsothers.”

“Canyouprovideanexample?”

Atthatmoment,IwasgladIhadlistenedtoFatherandRousel.“Caenenimposesatariffonourtextiles,andthat

increasesthecosttotheirpeople....”

MasterDichartynkeptthequestionscomingforclosetoaglassbeforehestoppedandlookedatme.“That’senoughfornow.Readtheappendixtothehistory,theonethatoutlinesthedevelopmentofCouncilprecedentandprocedures.You’llneedtogotothetailoringshopbeforelunch.Wearoneofthe

exercisesuitsyougettherewhenyoumeetwithClovyl.Also,inadditiontotheexercisesuits,you’llneedspecialblackandgraygarbidentifyingyouasamessenger.”Hesmiled.“OneofthedutiesofimagerthirdsistoserveassilentguardsintheCouncilchambers.”Hesmiled.“Youmightcarryoneortwomessagesinthecourseofaday,buttheuniform

allowsyoutowalkanywhereintheChateau.Youwon’tbeassignedthereforanothermonth,dependingonyourtraining,butyouruniformswillbereadywhenyouare.”

“Whatexactlyarethedutiesofsilentguards?”

“Youuseallyourskillsinwaystoprotectthecouncilorsandtheirassistants,inafashionthatnoonewilleven

knowexactlyhowtheyarebeingprotected.”

“Peoplefaint,ortrip,orslip...thingslikethat?”

“Aswellasafewothersthatareevenlessobvious.”MasterDichartynfrownedmomentarily.“You’llalsohavetolearntheproceduresbywhichtheCounciloperates,becauseanyoneintentondisruptingCouncil

businesswillalsoknowthoseandtimetheiractsbasedonwhatishappeninginthechambers.Thatiswhyyouneedtostudytheappendix,butthatonlyprovidesthebarestoutline.”

“Doesthathappenoften?”

“Disruptionsseldomoccur.Attemptsarequitefrequentbecauseourdefensesaresoinvisiblethatalltoomany

whoopposeSolidarthinkthattherearenone.”

Thatseemedstrangetome.Itwasalmostlikeencouragingattempts.

“Icanseethatpuzzlesyou.IwouldlikeyoutothinkaboutthatandprovidemeanessaytomorrowexplainingwhytheCollegium’ssecrecyinthisiseitherwiseorunwise.”Hestood.“Now...

offtothetailor’sshop.I’veleftwordthatyou’retobefitted.”

Irosequickly.“Yes,sir.”

AsIwalkedawayfromMasterDichartyn’sstudy,IsawGherardcomingtheotherway.“Goodmorning.”

“Goodmorning,sir.”Hisvoicewaspleasant,andheinclinedhisheadslightlyashepassedmeandheaded

towardthestudyI’djustleft.

Sir?I’dbeenRhennthelasttimewe’dspoken.Whywashebeingsodeferential?Dideveryoneknowwhathadhappened?Orwasitmyadvancementtotertius?

IwasstillponderingthosequestionswhenIreachedthetailoringshop,butIwasn’tgivenmuchtimeformusing.

“Ah,yes,youmustbe

Rhennthyl,thenewthird,”beganthegraying,thin,andstoopedimagerwhogreetedme.“Mustsayyoulookinnocentenough.Alwaysanadvantageinwhatyou’llbedoing.Offwiththatwaistcoat.Weneedtomeasureyou,yeswedo....”

BeforeIcouldsaymorethanafewwords—atleastthatwasthewayIfelt—Iwasheadedbacktomynew

quarterswithanarmfulofexerciseclothesandthepromisethatmyothergarmentswouldbereadyforafittingonthefollowingMeredi.

Backinmyrooms,Iinspectedmorecloselytheexerciseclothes.Theyweregrayandconsistedofloose-fittingtrousersandathickcollarlesstunicmadeoutofsoftbutheavycotton.Ialso

endedupwithlace-uphighankleboots.

Atlunch,Ididn’tseeClaustyn,butIsatwithReynolandKahlasa.ImostlylistenedwhileReynoltalkedabouthispositionasoneoftheassistantbookkeepersfortheCollegium.

“...andbeforeIleaveondetachedassignments,Imakesureeveryentryintheledgers

isuptodateanddocumented.Jezryk’safinefellow,andtheheartwoodofanytree,butyoushouldseetheentrieshe’sleftformetomakewhenIreturn.Now,sharingapositionisfine,androtatingcollateraldutiesisanevilwealllivewith,butfairisfair...”

Ihadthefeelingthatonedidn’tinquireaboutdetachedduties,butsincehewas

talkingaboutbookkeeping,aftertakingamouthfulofafowlragout,Iasked,“Isitbecausehe’suncertainabouthowtomakethoseentries?”

Reynollaughedagain.“No...it’sbecausethosearetheonesthatrequiresupplementarydocumentationinthemasters’reviewledgers,andthattakescareinwriting.”

“He’sgoodatwhatelsehedoes,”Kahlasasaid.

“Whenareyouleavingagain?”Reynolaskedher.

“Notuntilthetwenty-seventhofMayas.Thereweresomedifficulties.”

“Whenyou’redealingwiththeCaenenans,therealwaysare.”Reynolturnedtome.“Doyouknowwhatyournewassignmentwillbeyet?”

Ishookmyhead.“MasterDichartynjustsaidIhadsometrainingaheadofme.”

“There’salwaystraining.”Reynolnodded.“HaveyouheardaboutthenewbistroonBeakers’LaneofftheEastRiverRoad?It’scalledFelters.Youbothmightlikeit.”

“Beakers’Lane?”askedKahlasa.

Iknewthat,evenifIdidn’tknowthebistro.“That’sthesecondlanesouthfromBoulevardD’Este.”

“Thankyou.Istilldon’tknowallIshouldaboutL’Excelsis.”

“Whereareyoufrom?”

“Shastoilya.Noonehaseverheardofit....”

“Howlonghaveyoubeen

here?”Iasked.

“Notquitefouryears.IttookmeawhiletogetadjustedtotheCollegium.”

“ShewasaNamelesschoristerintraining,”Reynolinterjected.

“Doyouhavetotelleveryone?”Kahlasa’svoicecarriedatoneofmockirritation.

“Doallthewomenimagershavetheirownquarters?”

“Wehavethenorthendofthelowerlevelofthetertiusquartersbuilding,andthat’sallthewomenwhoaren’tmaitres.Whenwe’rehere,ofcourse.”

Fromwhatthetwoofthemsaidinpassingduringlunch,IhadthedefinitefeelingthatimagersdidfarmorethanI’d

realized—andinmanymoredifferentlocales.

Aftereating,Ihurriedbacktomyquartersandchangedintotheexerciseclothes,thenhurriedbacktotheexerciserooms.Ihadtolookatacopyofthemap,becauseIdidn’trememberwheretheywere.Istillmadeittothefoyeroutsidetheroomsbeforethefirstafternoonbellrang.

Amuscularfigureinthesamesortofexerciseclothesappeared.Helookedclosertomyfather’sage,althoughhewasfartrimmer,buthisblackhairwasstreakedwithgray.

“You’rethelatestsavioroftheseconds?”

“I’mRhennthyl,sir.AreyouClovyl,sir?”

“Mostpolite.IcanseewhyJohanyroverstepped

himself.”Henodded.“Haveyoueverbeenphysicallytrained?”

“No,sir,exceptforgrammaire.”

“You’regoingtohaveadifficultfewmonthsahead.Thereasonforthisissimple,butIwon’tmakeyouguess.ThedutiesMasterDichartynhasplannedforyouwilltakeagreatamountofphysical

strengthandconditioning.Youunderstandthatimagingiswork,don’tyou?”

“Yes,sir.”

“Thenlet’sgetstarted.”Heturnedabruptlyandwentthroughthemiddledoor.

Ihurriedafterhim,closingthedoorbehindme.

Hegesturedtotheexercisemat.“You’llseemoreofthat

thanyou’dlike.Afterthefirsttwoweeksorso,you’lljointheotherthirdsintheirworkouts,butrightnow,allyou’dendupdoingishurtingyourselfandgettingfrustrated.I’mgoingtoshowyouaseriesofexercises,andyou’retodothemexactlyasIshowyouthem.Exactly.”

“Yes,sir.”

“Thefirstsetislimbering

andstretching.That’ssothatthelateronesdon’thurtyou...”

WhenClovylsaidexactly,hemeantexactly.Attheendofthefirsthalfglass,Iwassoakedinsweat,andhe’dcorrectedmeascoreoftimes.

“Yourlegsstaystraight!”

“Keepyourheelsonthefloor!”

IwastryingtodothebestIcould,butI’dneverevenseenanyoftheexercisesheshowedmeandthenorderedmetodo.

“Youneedabreak.”Hisexpressionwasclosetodisgust.“Followme.”

IwouldhavelikedtosaythatIscrambledofftheexercisemat,butmymovementsweremorelikea

staggertomyfeetasIwalkedafterhimandthroughadoorwayintotheadjoiningexerciseroom.

Whatlookedtobeacloth-coveredmannequinhungfromaropeattachedtoanironceilingbracket.Certainareasweremarkedinred,andseveralinmaroon.Clovylwalkedovertothedummyandpointed.“Theredmarkstheplaceswhere,ifyoustrike

amanhardenough,youwilldisableorkillhim.WhenIamfinishedtrainingyou,youshouldbeabletoknowexactlyhowandwheretostrikewithoutlookingandwithouthavingtothinkaboutit—eitherthroughimagingorwithhandsoranythingelse.Youwillalsohavethestrengthtodoso,evenifyouhavejustrunamilleatfullspeed.”Hepaused.“Whydo

youthinkthisisnecessary?”

“BecauseI’llbeassignedtoplaceswhereImaynotbeabletoimageorwhereitwillnotbewisetodoso,andIwon’thaveanyweaponsathand?OrevenifIcanimage,Iwon’thavetimetothinkaboutwhere.”

Clovylnoddedsolemnly.Thenhesaid,“That’senoughofabreak.”

Thefirstsetofexerciseshadonlybeenwarm-upscomparedtowhatfollowed,andItotteredbacktothequartersbuildingslightlybeforethefourthglass.Myexerciseclothesweresoaked,andsowasI.WithachillspringbreezeblowingacrossthequadrangleIwasshivering,evenbeforeItookatoo-coldshowertocleanup.AfterIdressed,Itriedtoread

theappendixtothehistory,buttheproceduresweresodullthatIfellasleep.

Iwokeatthefifthbellandmanagedtoreadsomemore...andIthoughtImightremembersomeofwhatIread.

Atdinner,Kahlasaintroducedmetotwootherthirds—DierkylandSonalya.Theyaskedmeabout

portraiture,andIaskedthemaboutexercises.Theylaughed.

Attheseventhglass,IwasoncemoreoutsideMasterDichartyn’sstudy.

Hearrivedshortlyandopenedthedoor.

“Clovylsaysthatyourcoordinationandskillaren’tbad,butthatyourconditioningneedswork.For

him,that’salmostacompliment.Howdoyoufeel?”

“I’mtired.”

“You’dbettergetusedtoit.OrasMaitreDeloitynsaidtomewhenIwasaboutyourage,‘Welcometotherealworld,whereyouneverhaveenoughtime,energy,orgolds.’”Hepaused.“You’retootiredtodealwithshields

tonight.Sowe’llworkonprecisionimagery.”Heliftedawoodenringaboutfifteendigitsacross,andthensetfoursmallwoodencylindersonhisdesk.“I’mgoingtoholdthisringup,andIwantyoutoimageoneofthecylindersintotheopencenterofthering.”

“Yes,sir.”ThatIcoulddo,butIhadafeelingthatworsewascoming.

Heheldupthering.

Iconcentratedandimagedacylinder.Onevanishedfromthedeskandappearedinmidairinthemiddleofthering.MasterDichartynreachedoutandcaughtitwithhisfreehand.“NowI’mgoingtomovetheringbackandforthslowly.Youstillhavetoputitinthemiddleofthering.”

Itwasgoingtobealongglass—thatIknew.

Thedifferencebetweenan

explanationandanexcuse

lieswiththeonereceivingit.

I’dhadtowritetheessayonthereasonfortheCollegium’ssecrecyinprotectingcouncilorsafterworkingwithMaster

DichartynonimagingskillsonMardinight.Thatwasmorethanalittledifficult,because,first,IwassotiredthatIcouldhardlythinkand,second,IknewnothingabouthowtheCollegiumactuallyhandledprotection.BecauseIcouldnotkeepmyeyesopenanylongerafterwritingtheessay,Iwenttobed.Then,I’dhadtogetupearlyonMereditoreadtheappendix

onCouncilproceduresandprecedents.Ihadtoreadittwice,andIdoubtedthatIunderstoodafractionofwhatIread,becauseitseemedsoarcane.WhileIwaitedoutsideMasterDichartyn’sstudy,Ievenreadthefirsttenpagesoftheproceduralappendixagain,butIstillwasn’tsureIunderstooditanybetter.

Oncehesummonedme

intohisstudy,MasterDichartyndidn’twasteanytime.“Letmeseeyourpaperonimagersecrecy.”

Ihandeditoverandsatinthechairoppositehimwhilehereadit.

Finally,helookedup.Hedidnotlookpleased.“Thisisnotagoodessay,Rhennthyl.Therearemistakesingrammarandinlogic,and

yourscriveningissloppy.”

“Yes,sir.Iknow,sir.”

“Ifyouknow,whydidyouturninsomethingsobad?”

“Ididn’thaveenoughtimetodoitbetterlastnight,andIwassotiredthatIcouldn’tthinkstraight,sir.”

“Youwillredothisandhandinamoreacceptableefforttomorrow—amuch

moreacceptableeffort.Now...ontoyourreadingassignment.WhatistheostensiblepurposeofacallforquorumintheCouncilandwhatistherealpurpose?”

ThefirstpartIrecalled.“AcallforquorumismadetoassurethatamajorityoftheCouncilispresentsothatimportantbusinessmaybebroughtbeforetheCouncil.”

“Thatisindeedtheproceduralpurpose.Whatistherealpurpose?”

Ihadnottheslightestidea.“Idon’tknow,sir.”

“Don’tyouthinkthatmostmembersoftheCouncilwouldbepresentiftrulyimportantmattersweretobediscussed?”

“Iwouldthinkso,sir.”

“Thenwhywouldanyoneneedtorequireacallforquorum?”

“Tokeepsomeonefrombringingupsomethingelse?”

“Thatispartlycorrect.It’smostgenerallyused,however,todelayproceedingssothatmemberscanpersuadeothersorreconsiderstrategy,orsothattheentireCouncilcanavoid

makingadecision.”

Avoidmakingadecision?Couldn’ttheyjustnotvoteordecide?“Wouldthatbetoavoidevenbringingupsomethingthattheywerenotreadytodecideupon?”

“IthinkIjustsaidthat.”MasterDichartyn’svoicewassharp.

“I’msorry,sir.WhatIwastryingtosaywasthatthey

mightuseiteventoavoidtheappearanceofavoidingmakingadecision.”

“That’smoreaccurate,farmoreaccurate.”Thesharpnessfadedfromhisvoice.“Now...isapointoforderaproceduralstallingtacticoravalidobjection?”

“Ah...both?”

“Rhenn...youdon’tseemallthatcertainaboutwhat

youread.Whynot?”

“Ireadthatsectiontwice,sir,andpartofitathirdtime.”

“Surely,withthatmuchperusalyoucouldrememberwithmorecertainty.”

Whatdidhewant?IwasdoingthebestIcoulddo.

MasterDichartyn’sfaceturnedevenmorestern.

“Rhennthyl...youmayhavetalent,butyoudefinitelydonotunderstandonebasicthingabouttheCollegiumandtheworld.Noonecareswhetheryouaretired,whetheryouhadahardday,orwhetheryouhavetroublethinkingstraight.Infact,ifyouletanyoneknowwhenyoufeelthatway,itmaywellresultineitheryourdeathoryourimmediateretirementto

MontD’ImagewithyourfriendJohanyr.”

Ididhideaswallowatthat.

“Beingafully-trainedimagerisoneofthemostdifficultprofessionstomaster,andfailuretomasteritwillmeaneitherthatyouwillendupinthemachineworksorthearmoryorsomelesserpositionorthatyouwillbeinjuredordie.”He

pausedforamoment.“Ihavethefeelingthatyoudonotwishtospendyourlifedoingsomethingbeneathyourpotential.AmIwrong?”

“No,sir.”

“Thenyouwillneedtouseyourtimemoreeffectively.Ifyoucannotthinkafteralongdayofeffort,youneedtoriseearlieranddoyourreadingandassignmentsthen.Short

napsalsohelp.Longnapsareworsethannonaps,becausetheydisruptyoursleep,andyouendupmoretiredthanever.”

“Yes,sir.”

Afterthat,hewasslightlylesssharp,buthisquestionswereasprobingasever,andIfeltlikeIknewalmostnothing.

Finally,hestopped

examiningmeontheproceduresappendixandsaid,“Readtheappendixagain,andthinkmoreaboutit.Ialsowantyoutoreadthenextsectioninthesciencetext,theoneaboutanatomy.”Hepaused.“MasterDraffydoverheardsomethingaboutyourwantingtopaintportraits.”

“No,sir.Notexactly.SomeofthethirdsaskedifIcould

painttheirportraits.IsaidthatIcouldn’tdothatforcoins...butIsupposeIcouldletthemgivemesuppliesandbrushes.WouldtherebeanywhereIcouldsetupasmallstudio?”

“Youwanttodomore?Youjusttoldmeyouwerehavingtroubledoingwhathasbeenassignedtoyou.”

“Ididn’tmeanrightnow.It

wouldtakeweekseventoobtaineverything,andIwouldn’teventhinkoftryingitunlessIwasdoingwellenoughthatyouapproved.ButIwantedtoknowifitmightbepossible.Ifitisnot,Iunderstand,andIwillnotbringupthematteragain.”

MasterDichartynfrownedforamoment,thensuddenlysmiled,andnodded.“Ihadn’tthoughtofthat,butitmight

bewellforyoutokeepthatskill.Itcouldbemostuseful,andsomeofthemastersherehavenoteverhadportraits...”

Thatwasthebestpartoftheday.

Ihadtogobacktomyquartersandrewritemyessayonsecrecyandthenporeovertheproceduralappendixyetagain.Lunchwasoneofthe

fewmealsIcouldbarelyeat—astrongliverandonionragoutwhosesmellnearlyturnedmygutsinsideout.Eventhebreadtastedlikeonionsandlivertome.Ihurriedtogetintomyexerciseclothing.Clovylworkedmehardforaglasswithexercises,andthentookmeonarun—twiceallthewayaroundImagisle,closetofourmilles.Hewasbarely

breathinghard,andIwaspantingandgaspingandsweat-soakedwhenItotteredtoahaltoutsidetheexerciserooms.

Thencamemyfirstinstructioninhand-to-handfighting,whereClovyldemonstratedamove,andIhadtomimicitexactly.Exactly.

Afterhisinstruction,which

lastedwellpastthefourthglass,andleftmealmostassweat-soakedastherunhad,Ishoweredagain,andtookashortnapandthenreadthenextsectionofthesciencetext,theoneonhumananatomy.Dinnerwasbetter,ariceandcheesedishwithsomesortoffowl.

ThenIhadtoreturntoMasterDichartyn’sstudybytheseventhglassandworkon

imagingwithandpassingitemsthroughmovingobjects.Atthatpoint,mymusclesweregettingsore,verysore,andItriednottothinkaboutthefactthatIhadamonthofthissortoftrainingaheadofme...ifnotmore.

IdidforcemyselftohangupmyclothesandputeverythinginmyquarterswhereitshouldbebeforeI

climbedundermyblankets.

Thosewhospeakof“good

people”withgreatconvictionaretobefeared.

Thenexttwoandahalfweeksfollowedthesamepatternofthatfirstfulldayasanimagertertiusintraining,adaythatcouldwellhavebeencalledaDayoftheNamer—

exceptthateachdayexceptSolayiswasmoredifficultthanthedaybefore,anditwouldhavebeenrepetitioustoattributethetrialsofeachtotheNamer.Alongtheway,Imanagedavisittothebarber,promptedbyMasterDichartyn.BythetimethemorningofVendreithetwenty-seventhofAvrylhadarrived,IhadtoadmitthatIwasdevelopingmusclesI

hadn’trealizedIhad,andIcouldcertainlyrunfartherandfaster,andIwassotiredeverynightthatIhadlittletroublefallingasleep.Themuscularsorenesshadalsoabated,andClovylhadgrudginglyadmittedtheafternoonbeforethatmyskillsindefendingmyselfhadimproved.

“Youmightbeabletotakedownmostcommonfootpads

now,butyourknifeworkneedswork.”Clovylhadshrugged.“You’regettingthere,butdon’tgogettinganyideas.”

MosteveningsIworkedwithMasterDichartynonshieldsandspecializedimaging,includingthedifferencesinhandlingpowdersandliquids,andevenairitself.

Aftermuchmorereadingandrereading,andmorethanafewpointedquestionsfromMasterDichartyn,IdidunderstandtherulesandproceduresoftheCouncil,finally.“Betterthansomeofthecouncilors,”headmitted.

Still,thatmorning,heaskedmeanotherquestionthatI’dneverheard,justanotherinaseeminglyendlessseriesofsuch.“Do

youknowthe‘goodpeople’fallacy?”

“Thatwasn’tinanythingI’veeverread,”Isaid,addingquickly,“Idon’tthink.”

“Thatwasn’tabadrecovery,”herepliedwithasmile,“butI’dsuggestsayingsomethinglike,‘Thereareanumberoffallaciesinvolvinggoodpeople.Whichonedidyouhaveinmind?’Of

course,tosaythat,you’dbesthaveafewinmind.”

Ididn’thaveanyinmind,andheknewit.

“Thefallacyisthatsomeonewhoisgoodcannotdoevil.Igetrathersuspiciouswhensomeonetalksaboutanotherasbeingagoodperson.Amanmaydogoodineverysmallwayoneveryday,andyetbeapartofgreat

evil.Evenalandcannotbeaccuratelyjudgedbythenumberofgoodorbadpeoplewithinit.Alllandshavegoodandbadindividuals.Thegoodnessorevilofalandisdeterminedbywhatthatlanddoesasawhole.Ahandfulofevilleaderscanpursuehatredanddestruction,whilethemajorityofso-calledgood-heartedsoulsdonothing.Lessfrequently,butstill

occurring,aretheinstanceswheregood-heartedleadersleadapopulacewhoseindividualsarepredominantlyselfishandcruel,andtheactsofsuchalandundersuchleadersarepraiseworthy.Alltoooften,theterm‘goodpeople’isusedasanexcuse,asinthephrase‘buttheyweregoodpeople.’”

Icouldseethat,andI’devenheardwordslikethat

frommyparents.

“HowwouldyoujudgeSolidar,Rhenn?Isitagoodlandorlessthangood?”

“Comparedtowhat,sir?IknowonlywhatIhavereadaboutotherlands,andIhaven’tevenmetthatmanydifferentkindsofpeopleinL’Excelsis.I’veneverreallymetaHighHolderormanyfromthetaudisorother

countries.”

“That’safairanswer.Nothelpful,buthonest.Shallwesay...comparedtowhatyouthinkitcouldbe.”

Iwasn’tatallcertainwhyMasterDichartynpressedsuchquestions,althoughIcouldunderstandhiseffortstogetmetothinkandtopointouterrorsinmyfactsorthinking.“Ideally,any

countrycouldbebetterthanitis,ifpeopleactedaswellastheycould,buttheyoftendonot.Solidarislikethat,butIdon’tseethekindsofcrueltiesthatIreadaboutinplaceslikeCaenen.”

“Howdoyouknowwhatyoureadisaccurate?”

“Idon’t,notforcertain.Butthereportersaren’tlockedupforwhattheywrite,

notoften,anyway,andthatwouldindicatetherehastobesometruthinwhattheywrite.”

“Thereissometruthinwhatyousay,butyourlogicisweak.WhatifthereportersknowwhatisacceptabletotheCouncilandwhatisnot?Thenwhat?”

“I’dsaythatwhatisacceptablecouldnotbe

totallyinaccurate,because,ifitwere,thenwordwouldgetaround.It’shardtohidesomethingthat’swrong.”

“Thefirstpartofwhatyousaidisabsolutelycorrect.Thesecondpartishalftrue.Canyoutellmewhyitisonlyhalftrue?Basedonyourownlifeandexperience?”

Foramoment,Ihadnoideawhathemeant.ThenI

did—MasterCaliostrusandOstrius.Imanagednottoshowanyreaction.“Somethings,perhapsisolatedeventsthatfewcareabout,canbehidden,butlargeandrepeatedpatternsofevilcannotbekeptsecretforever?”

“That’safairapproximation,althoughIwouldbeleeryofusingtheterm‘patternsofevil.’Evil

canbeintheeyeofthebeholder.SomeofwhatiseviltousisnottotheCaenenans,andtheotherwayaround.Patternscontrarytothesensibilitiesofapeoplecannotberepeatedwithoutbeingnoticed.”

ThatwasawayofexpressingitthatIwouldn’thavethoughtof.

“Howmuch,then,doyou

thinkthattheCouncilcontrolswhatappearsinthenewsheets?”

“Idon’tknow,sir,butIwouldguessthatthereisverylittledirectinterference.”

Henodded.“I’dlikeyoutothinkaboutthatandwriteapaperonit.You’llhavesometimebecauseI’llbeawayforthenextfewweeks,beginningthisafternoon.”He

reachedtothesideofhisdeskandliftedablack-boundbook,whichhethenhandedtome.“ReadthefirsttwosectionsbeforeLundi.”

Iopenedtheheavytometothetitlepage—Jurisprudence.NowIwasgoingtohavetolearntheactuallegalcodeofSolidar?

“WhileI’mgone,youwillworkonlearningmoreabout

thelawsandhowtheyworkwithMasterJhulian,butathalfpastseventhglassinthemorning,startingonLundi.Hisstudyisattheendofthehallontheright.YouwillmeetwithMaitreDyananextMardieveningandonwhateverothereveningsshesets.Sheaskedthatyouwaitoutsidethedininghallforher.”

“Yes,sir.AmIstill

restrictedtoImagisle?”

“No,butIwouldsuggestyouavoidthemoredangerousareasofL’Excelsis.Clovylsaysyoushouldbeabletohandlecommondangers,butnotlargegroups,ormorethanapairofhiredbravos.Whatdidyouhaveinmind,ifImightask?”

“IthoughtImightcallon

myfamily,andperhapseatamealinabistro,thingslikethat.”

“ThoseIwouldrecommend.YouneedtoseeL’Excelsisagain.”

Ididn’trealizehowstrangethosewordswereuntilafterIlefthimtogostudy.

Toooftenfriendsfallaway

whenonerises.

ForthefirsttimesinceI’dleftmyparentsafterthefire,Ihadmorethanafewcoins,andthatmeantIcouldtakeahackouttovisitmyparentsonSamedi.SinceMasterDichartynwasgone,Icould

alsoleaveImagisleearlierthanonmostSamedis.Evenso,becauseIenjoyedtakingmytime,itwaspasttheninthglasswhenIwalkedacrosstheBridgeofHopes.Thesunwarmedtheair,heraldinglatespring,andtherewasjustenoughofabreezeforcomfort,andnotenoughtoblowawaythefragrancesfromthespringflowersbloominginthenarrow

gardensflankingtheBoulevardD’Imagers.Thereweren’tmanycoachesforhire,butIfoundoneandarrivedatmyparents’housejustbeforenoon.Icouldonlyhopethatsomeonehappenedtobethere,becauseIhadn’tknownI’dbeabletocomeintimetodispatchanoteandreceiveareply.

Nellica’seyeswidenedwhensheopenedthedoor

andbeheldmeinallmysubduedimagerglory.

“Isanyonehere,Nellica?”

“YoursisterandMadameChenkyr,sir.”Hereyesavoidedmine.

“Ifyou’dtellthemI’mhere.”

“Yes,sir.Ifyou’dcomein,sir.”Nellicausheredmeintothefoyerandhurriedoff.

InmomentsKhethilaappeared,wearingaseveregreenthatmadeherfacelookfartoopale.“Rhenn!Youdon’thavetowaitinthefoyer.You’restillfamily.Comeintotheparlor.”

“AreyoustillreadingMadameD’Shendael?”IofferedteasinglyasIfollowedher.

“Fatherdisapproves,”she

saidstrongly,beforeglancingaroundandloweringhervoice.“IhavehertreatiseonCivicVirtue.”

“Iwasn’tawarethattherewassuchathing.”Itriedtokeeptheironyoutofmyvoice.

“Neitherisshe.Sheclaimsthosewhoprofessacivicvirtuearecloakingtheirself-interestinmorality.”

“Shedoesn’tbelieveinvirtue?”Ikeptmyvoicepleasantlycurious.

“Sheespousesvirtueasanindividualvalue.”

“Soweabandonvirtuewheneverwe’rewithothers?”

“Rhenn!”Definiteexasperationcoloredhervoice.“That’snotitatall.Virtueormoralitycannotbepracticedbyagroup,butonly

byanindividual.Eachindividualisdifferentfromeveryotherindividual,butagrouppressureseachindividualtobethesame.Otherwise,thereisnogroup.Thesameistrueofasociety.Thevaluesofthestrongestormostpersuasivebecomethevaluesofthegroup.Thelargerthegroup,thefewerthevaluesthoseinthegroupshare.Intime,groupsbecome

mobs.”

“Ithinkyourlogicislackingthere.”

“ShesaysitbetterthanIdo.”

Ihadn’treadMadameD’Shendael,butKhethila’sinterpretationsuggestedthatMasterDichartynandMadameD’Shendaelhadconsideredthesamequestionsandpossiblyshared

someofthesameviews.Logically,thatshouldn’thavesurprisedme...butitdid.

Atthatmoment,Motherbustledoutofthekitchen.“Rhenn!Whatapleasantsurprise.Wewereabouttohaveasmalllunchinthebreakfastroom.Youwilljoinus,won’tyou?”

“Ihopedso.”Iofferedagrin.

Motherstudiedme.“You’velostweight.”

“Alittle.”Ihadn’t,notreally,butClovyl’sexercisesandrunninghadturnedanysoftnessI’doncehadintomuscle.

“Aren’ttheyfeedingyouenough?”

“They’refeedingmeverywell,Mother.”Istartedinthedirectionofthebreakfast

room,hopingtoforestallanymoredetailedinterrogation.

“Helooksstronger,”suggestedKhethila.

“Laborersneedtobestrong,notimagers.”

“Imagingdoesrequirestrength,morethanonemightthink.”Isteppedfromthebackhallwayintothebreakfastroom,whereNellicahadaddedanother

placetothetable.Evenwiththetwowalllampslit,thebreakfastroomwasgloomy,becausethewindowswereontheeastwallandallowednosunlightpastlatemorning.Lunchhadbeenclearlyinformal,withtheplatessetongreenplacemats,ratherthanononeofthelinentableclothsusedforguests—orfamilywhenoneormoremenwerepresent.“Where’s

Culthyn?”

“He’swithFather,”Kethiliareplied.“Fathersaysheneedstolearnthebusiness.”

“That’swhywe’rehavingleftoverfowlinpastry,”Motheraddedfrombehindme.“NeitheryourFathernorCulthyncaresmuchforit.”

SinceI’dalwayslikedfowlincrustandsauce,Ihadno

objections.Then,asIturned,Isawmychessstudy,mountedinafarmoreornateframe,onthealways-shadedsouthwall.Foramoment,Ijustlooked.ItwaseverybitasgoodasIremembered,ifnotbetter.

“Itgoeswellthere,”Mothersaid.

WhatIrealizedaswell,andwhatshehadnotsaid,was

thatitwasplacedsothatshecouldseeitfromhercustomaryplaceatthetable.Itwasbehindwheremyfathersat.

“Itdoes,”Ifinallysaid.“Thankyouforreframingit.”

Motherlookedpuzzled.“Thatwasthewayitarrived.”

“Oh.”Whohadhadreframedit,andwhy?Ithadbeeninasimpleblackframe

forthecompetition,aswasrequired,sothatnopaintinghadanadvantage.“Imusthaveforgotten.”

Khethilagavemeasidewaysglance,asiftosuggestthatwasn’tsomethingI’dforget.Shewasright,butwhatelsecouldIhavesaid?

Onceshewasseated,Motherlookedatme.“Youcouldhavesentanote,saying

youwouldbecoming.”

“Ihonestlydidn’tknowthatIwouldhavethisafternoonfreeuntilitwastoolate.”

Motherjustraisedhereyebrows.

“Iwasgivenmoretraining,andwhileitwasgoingon,Icouldn’tleaveImagisle.IfinisheditmorequicklythanI’dbeentolditwouldtake.

ThisisthefirsttimeI’velefttheCollegiumsinceIhaddinnerwithyouthelasttime.”

“Evenifyoudidn’tletusknow,itwasgoodofyoutocomeherefirst.You’llstayfordinner,won’tyou?”askedMother.

“Nottonight.”Icouldhave,butitwasthefourthSamediofthemonth.Ihadn’tseen

anyofmyfriendssinceI’dbecomeanimager,anditwasacertaintythatsomeofthemwouldeitherbeatLapininaorattheGuildHalllaterintheafternoon.“I’llbemorefreefromnowon,sinceIwon’tbespendingquitesomuchtimeintraining.”

“Yourfatherwillbedisappointed.”

“Icanstayforawhileafter

weeat.”

“Hesaidhe’dbelatertoday.”

“Doestheextratimeoffmeanthatyougotadvancedagain?”askedKhethila.

Ismiled.“Ididgetnicerquarters—tworoomstomyself,asittingroomorstudy,andasleepingchamber.”

“Perhapseverythingisturningoutforthebest,”saidMotherbrightly.“Butyourfatherwillbesorrytohavemissedyou.”

“Ithinkyou’vementionedthatbefore,”Isaiddryly.

“Rhenn...Iknowyoutwodonotseetheworldinthesameway,butthatdoesnotmeanthathedoesn’tcareforyou.”

“Iknow.”Istillhadthefeelinghe’dcareformemorehadIchosentobecomeawoolfactor,butIwasn’tabouttosaythat.IturnedtoKhethila.“Whatareyougoingtodonow?”

“I’mlearningtobeanassistantclerkforFather,theonewhomakesallthedailyledgerentries.”

Therewasahintofafrown

fromMother.“Untilshefindsaproperyoungman,anyway.”

“WhathappenedtoArmynd?”

Khethilalaughed.“HediscoveredIwasreadingMadameD’Shendael.Hedidn’tputitquitethatway,butwhenhesaidthatitwasclearwehadintereststoodifferentforharmony,that

waswhathemeant.”

Motherfrowned,ifbriefly,andIknewshe’dhopedforthematch,asmuchforKhethila’scomfortasanything.

Imanagedapleasantsmile,althoughwhathadalreadyhappenedconfirmedthatanyoneKhethilafeltinterestedinwouldnotbesomeoneforwhommy

parentswouldcaremuch.“Doyoufindworkingatthefactorageinteresting?”

“Youjusthavetobecarefulandthorough,”mysisterreplied.“What’sinterestingisthewayinwhichcertainnumberpatternsshowupintheaccounts.I’mstudyingAstrarth’sTheoryofNumbersonmyown,andseeingifanyofwhathepostulatesshows

up.”

“Hasit?”

“Notyet,butI’veonlybeenworkingontheledgersforthelasttwoweeks.Rouselthinksit’sagoodideathatIknowmoreaboutbusiness.”

“SodoesyourFather,”addedMother.

“HowarethingsgoingwithRousel?”Iaskedquickly.

“HeandRemayaaredoingwell.”Mothersmiledbriefly.“Hewritesoccasionally.”

Khethilashiftedherweightinherchair,eversoslightly.

“AndhowisthewoolfactoringgoinginKherseilles?”IlookedtoKhethila.

“Icouldn’tsay,becausesofarI’monlydoingtheledgersforthefactoragehere,andnot

themasterledgerthatmergesbothaccounts.”

MotherlookedsharplyatKhethila,whosmiledpleasantly.

Inshort,mattersweren’tgoingquitesowellinKherseilles,butKhethilawasn’tabouttosayorwasguessingfromwhatshe’dseensofar,andMotherwasn’tabouttosayanything

negativeaboutRousel...orallowanyoneelseto.

“Doyouknowwhatyou’llbedoingasanimager?”Motherasked.“Canyoutellus?”

“TheysayImayhavesomedutiesworkingfortheCouncil,butveryminoronesatfirst.Noone’sgivenmeanydetails,butIhavehadtolearnalltheCouncil

procedures.”

“YourfatherwouldbeverypleasedifyoubecameaCounciladvisor.”

“That’snotgoingtohappenanytimesoon,”Irepliedwithalaugh.“HowisAuntIlena?”

“Asstubbornasever.I’mthinkingofvisitingherinJuyn,onthewaytoKherseilles...”

Fromthatpointon,Ijustaskedquestionsandlistened.AlthoughIstayedalmosttothefourthglassoftheafternoon,neitherFathernorCulthynappeared,andItookmyleave.Thelateafternoonremainedpleasant,andwhileitwasmorethantwomilles,IwalkedtheentiredistancetotheGuildSquare,takingmytime.

BecauseIdidn’tsee

anyoneIknewaroundthesquare,ImademywaytoLapinina.WhenIsteppedintothebistro,thecoupleatthetablenearestthedoorlookedaway.RogarisandSagarynsatataroundtableforfour,andIsteppedtowardit.

“Howareyoutwocoming?”

Sagaryn’seyeswidenedas

theytookinthegraywaistcoat,shirt,andtrousers.“Isthatyou,Rhenn?”

“Thesame.”

“You’re...animager?”

Inodded.“MightIjoinyou?”

“Oh...yes...”Rogarissaidhastily.

Sagarynnodded,atracereluctantly,butIeasedinto

theseatacrossfromthem.

Staelaappeared.“Whatwouldyoulike,sir?”

Ilookedupather.“I’mstillRhenn,Staela.”

Herexpressiondidn’tchangeatall.“Yes,sir.”

“JustaglassoftheCambrisiowhite,ifyouhaveit.”

“Yes,sir.”

“Wedon’tseeimagersuphereveryoften,”Rogarisoffered.

“You’rethefirst,”addedSagaryn,takingaswallowofdarkbeer.

“I’mprobablytheonlyportraituristwho’sendedupanimager.”

“Thatwellcouldbe.”

“Howareyoutwodoing?”

RogarisglancedatSagaryn,whoremainedstone-faced.“Thesameasalways.”

“HaveyouheardanythingaboutMadameCaliostrus?”

“She’sallright.Hehadsomesortofassuranceannuityorsomething...somepatronpaidforit,andthemasons’guildisrebuildingtheplace.”

“Luckyatthat,”addedSagaryn.“Youknowanythingaboutit?”

“No.”Ishookmyhead.“Henevertalkedcoinswithme—excepttoexplainwhyhe’ddockedmypay”

Staelareappearedwithaglassofamber-whitewine,whichsheplacedbeforemewithfargreatercarethansheeverhadwhenI’dbeena

journeyman.“YourCambrisio,sir.It’sfour.”

AlmostassoonasI’dputasilveronthetableshescoopeditupandhadsixcoppersbackbeforeme.Thenshewasgone.Itookasipofthewine.Itwascool,andnotthatbad,butIrealizedthatwhatI’dbeendrinkingatdinneratthedininghallwasjustasgood.

“HowisMasterJacquerltreatingyou?”IaskedRogaris.

“Nothing’schanged.”Hesippedthedarkredwine.

“Andyou?”IturnedtoSagaryn.

“Thesameasalways.”

Neitherspokeforatime.NordidI.ThenIlookedtoRogaris.“HowisAemalye?”

“She’sfine.”

“AreyoustillplanningtogetmarriedayearfromthisAgostos?”

“Somethinglikethat.”

Afterafewmorequestions,Ismiledandstood,leavingmostoftheCambrisio.“Itwasgoodtoseeyouboth.Takecareofyourselves.”

“You,too,”replied

Rogaris.

Sagarynonlynodded.

ItwasjustpastthefifthglassasIsteppedoutofLapinina,wonderingwhyIhadcomeatall,whenavoicecalledfrombehindme.

“Rhenn!”

Iturned.

TherestoodSeliora,besideataller,red-hairedwoman.

ThistimeSeliorawaswearingarichgreenskirtwithablackblouseandamatchinggreenjacket.Shesmiledatme.

“Seliora.”Icouldn’thelpbutsmileback,especiallyafterthecoolnessofSagarynandRogaris.

Shetookanothersteptowardme,andanother,stoppingalmostcloseenough

thatIcouldhavereachedouttoembraceher.Ithoughtaboutit,butdidn’t.

“I’mgladtoseeyou,”shebegan,herwordswarm.“Youjustdisappeared,andnooneheardanything.Iheardthatyoucouldn’tfindaposition.Iworriedaboutyou.”

Iwasgladsomeoneworried,butIdidn’twanttosaythat.“Icouldn’tleave

Imagisleforquitesometime,”Iexplained,adding,“Youknowthat’swhereIwent?”

“Icanseethat.Thegraylooksgoodonyou.Ithought...”

“Youthoughtwhat?”Ilookedather.“Foretelling?”

Sheflushed,butkepthereyesonme.“Isawyouingrayalongtimeago.Ididn’t

knowwhatitmeant.Sometimes...it’slikethat.”

Ididn’twanttopressher,andmysmileturnedwry.“Itwaseitherbecomeawoolmerchantortrytobecomeanimager.”

Shetiltedherhead,andhereyessparkled,almostimpishly.“Icouldn’tseeyouasawoolmerchant.Ithinkyouweren’tmeanttobeone.

Areyouanimageryet?”

“Iftheyacceptyou,you’reanimagerrightaway.You’rejustaverylowimagerwho’srestrictedtotheisleuntilyoulearnmore.”

“Idon’timagineyou’llstaylowlythatlong.”

“I’vebeenadvancedsinceI’vebeenthere.”Icouldsaythatmuchwithoutbeingboastful.

“I’mnotsurprised.”Shesmiled,tentatively.“Willyoucometothedancewithme?”

“I’dbepleasedto...ifyoudon’tmindbeingescortedbyanimager.”

“Rhenn...”Sheshookherhead.

“I’msorry.IwentintoLapininatotalktoRogarisandSagaryn,andtheybarelysaidadozenwords.Staela

keptcallingme‘sir,’asifI’dneverbeeninherbistro,andI’vebeencomingthereforalmostfiveyears.”

“I’mnotthem.”Shesmiledoncemore.

“I’mveryglad.”

“Oh...Rhenn...”Sheturnedandgesturedtothetallredhead.“ThisismybigcousinOdelia.”

“I’mpleasedtomeetyou.”IinclinedmyheadtoOdelia.Shewasdefinitelytall,withinafewdigitsofme,notheavy,butmuscular.WaseveryoneinSeliora’sfamilymuscular?

Odeliasmiledbackpolitely.“I’venevermetanimager.”

“Threemonthsago,”Ireplied,“neitherhadI.”

Selioralookedatme,andI

offeredhermyarm.“Shallweproceed?”

“Yousoundsoformal.”

“Itcomeswiththegray.”

Shegiggled—asoundsototallyfalsethatIknewshewasjesting—andIlaughed.

“That’smuchbetter.”

Odeliasteppeduponmyleft.Iwouldhaveofferedmyotherarm,butthatdidn’tfeel

right,andshedidn’tseemtomindaswemadeourwayacrossthepavementtotheGuildHall.InthewestArtiemawasabouttoset.Iwonderedifwerejustcoincidence,orifthesilveredmoonhappenedtobeapatronessofSelioraorOdelia.Butthattoowassilly.

Theguardwhostoodinsidethehalllookedatmygrays,andthenatSelioraand

Odelia,thenresolutelyturnedhishead.

“Yousee,”Imurmured.

“Itdoesn’tmatter.You’rewithus,andwe’restillguildmembers.”

“Ipaidmyfeesforthefirsthalfoftheyear,”Iaddedwithasmile.“Doesn’tthatstillmakemeaguildmember?”Ididn’tthinkGuildmasterReayaltwouldagree,buthe

wasn’tanywherearound,and,besides,Seliorawasquitecorrect.Shecouldbringanyoneshepleased,althoughtherewereusuallyfewoutsiders.

Themusiciansweregettingreadytoplay,andOdelianoddedtoSelioraandslippedaway.

“Kolasynisovertherewithhisfriends,”Seliorasaid,“but

hewon’tbelong.”

“Odeliagetsherway?”

“Wealldo.”Sheofferedthatcharmingbutmischievoussmile.“You’llsee.”

By“all”Iassumedshemeantallthewomeninherfamily,butthatwasn’tsomethingIwasgoingtoask.MaybemeetingheragainunderArtiemawasn’texactly

acoincidence,althoughthatwasjustasuperstition.

Themusicstarted,andIplacedmyrighthandgentlyonthesmallofherbackandtookherrighthandinmyleft.Webegantodance.SeliorawasafarbetterdancerthanIwas,eventhoughFatherhadinsistedthatIlearnthebasics—evenprovidingadancingmaitre,MadameD’Reingel—mylastyearingrammaire.

Whenthemusicianspaused,sodidwe.

“Youdancebetternow,”sheobserved.

“Idon’tknowwhy.Ihaven’tdancedsincethelasttimewewerehere.”

“Didyouthinkofme?”

“Yes.Morethanafewtimes.”Thatwascertainlytrue.

Sheofferedafalsepout.“Youtellallthegirlsthat.”

“Onlyyou,”Ireplied,immediatelywishingIhadn’tphraseditquitethatway.

“Youonlylietome?”Sheflashedthemischievoussmile.

“No.You’rejusttheonlyoneIthoughtof—exceptwomenI’mrelatedto,likeMotherandKhethila.”

“Idon’tknowasI’dliketobeconsideredasister.”

Ijustgroaned.“Ican’tsayanythingright,canI?”

“Atleastyourecognizethat.”Thistimeshelaughed,softly,butnotcruelly.

Themusicstartedupagain,andIdecidedthatsilencewasthebetterpartofvalor.Weswirledoutintothedoublehandfulofcouplesdancing.

“You’restronger,too,”shesaid,afterItwirledandliftedher,thensetherbackonthefloor.

“That’spartofthetraining,”Iadmitted.

“Itsuitsyou.”

“Whathaveyoubeendoing,besidesdesigningandembroideringandneedlepointingchairfabricdesigns?”

“Wedon’tdotheneedlepointbyhand.Wehaveseverallooms,includingasmalljacquardloom,butIhavetopunchoutthecardsonceIworkoutthedesign.I’malsotheonewhokeepsitrunning.Fatherisn’tallthatmechanicallyinclined.”

“Howtightcanyougettheweave?”

Shelookedupatwith

anothersmile.“Howtightdoyouwantit?”

Ialmostflushedatherwords.“IguessIrecallmoreofwoolthanIthought,orenoughforyoutopullitrightovermyeyes.”

Shesqueezedmyfingers,justslightly.

Wedancedandtalkeduntilthemusiciansstoppedplayingfortheevening.Then,Iletgo

ofherhand,reluctantly,Irealized.

“DoyouthinkIcouldpersuadeyoutocomenextmonth?”shemurmured.

“Youcould.IhaveSamediafternoonsandnightsandSolayiafternoonsoff.”IrealizedIdidn’twanttowaitamonthtoseeheragain.“I’veheardthere’sanewbistrocalledFelters...”

“It’squitegood,Kaelynsaid.Ihaven’tbeenthere.”

“NextSamedi?”AfterIasked,IrealizedIwassupposedtogotomyparents’fortheirdinner,butIknewI’dfarratherspendtheeveningwithSeliora.

“I’dloveto,butFatheristakingustoseehissister.”

“Theseventh,then?”

“I’dlikethatverymuch....”

“Atfifthglassatyourplace?”

“Thatwouldbegood.”Atwinkleinhereyesaccompaniedthenextwords.“Myparentswillexpecttomeetyou.”

“I’dbepleased.”Iwonderediftheywouldbe,though.Ididn’tknowifall

PharsifamilieswereasacceptingasRemaya’sfamilyhadbeenofRousel.

Ididendupspendingsilvers—onahacktodriveherandOdeliabacktothelargebuildingonthecornerofHagahlLaneandNordroadthatwasclearlyhomeandbusinesstoherandherfamily,andthentotakemebacktotheeastsideoftheBridgeofHopes.

IwasstillsmilingwhenIwalkedintomyquarters.

Lawisnecessarybecause,

withoutit,noonewillinglyreinsinself-interest.

ThroughoutthedayonSolayi,asIstruggledthroughthepagesofJurisprudence,mythoughtskeptdriftingbacktoSamedi.WhyhadSagarynandRogarisbeenso

distant?We’dbeenfriendlyforyears,andIcertainlyhadn’tchangedthatmuch.Yetthey’dbeenedgyanduncomfortable,asiftheyweresuddenlyafraid.WastheirreactiononeofthereasonswhyMasterDichartynhadsaidthatIneededtoseeL’Excelsisagain?But...MasterDichartynhadsaidthatIprojectedwhatIfelt,andI’d

onlyfeltfriendlytothem.Didthatmeanthattheyweresoafraidthatitdidn’tmatterthatIwasfriendly?YetSeliorahadseemedhappyforme,andOdeliahadbeenmorethanpleasant.

Thedininghallwasnearlydesertedatthenoonmeal,butIdidseeReynol,andweatetogetherandtalkedpleasantlybeforeIheadedbacktomyroomandtheheavypagesof

Jurisprudence.

BythetimeIrubbedmyeyesandcollapsedintobedonSolayinight,IthoughtIunderstoodmostofwhatI’dread,butIwasn’tsocertainwhenIwokeafteranightfilledwithdreamsofadvocatesandjuristsutteringphrasesthathadnomeaningatalltome.

OnLundi,afterbreakfast,

andafterhalfaglassspentreviewingtheassignmentsinJurisprudence,Ileftmyquartersandheadedacrossthequadrangle,wonderingwhatMasterJhulianwouldbelikeinperson.

Twoseconds—WhaltarandoneIdidn’tknow—werewalkingtowardme.

“Goodmorning,”Ioffered.

“Goodmorning,sir,”

returnedWhaltar.Theothersecondusmurmuredthesame.

Icouldhearafewlowwordsaftertheypassed.

“He’stheone...tookDiaztdown...”

“...wasalwaysfriendlytome,”saidWhaltar.“Neverpushedhiswayaround.”

“...goodtoknow...

helpstohavefriendslikethat...”

Friendslikewhat?

IonlywaitedsomethinglessthanaquintofaglassbeforeMasterJhulianopenedhisstudydoorandbeckonedformetoenter.HisstudywasalmostidenticaltothatofMasterDichartyn,savethathehadtwochairssetbeforehisdesk.Itooktheonecloser

tothewindow.

MasterJhulianwasmoreslenderthanIhadthought,andhishairwasalmostwhite-blond,butIhadonlyseenhimfromadistance,eitherinthedininghalloratthehearingforFloryn.

“Rhennthyl,”hebeganafterclosingthestudydoor,walkingtothewindow,gazingout,andthensettling

himselfbehindhisdeskonachaircoveredbyawideandworngraycushion,“MasterDichartynhastoldmeaboutyou.Hestatesthatyouarerelativelydirectandgenerallyhonest.Iwillattempttobebothwithyou.”Heclearedhisthroatbeforecontinuing.“Iwouldpreferthatyouaskmeaboutthosethingsyoudonotunderstand.Otherwise,youwillwastemytimeand

yoursbecauseIwillassumethat,ifyouhavenoquestions,youwillknowthematerial.”Hesmiledpolitely,waitingformetoreply.

“Yes,sir.Iwilltrytoasksuchquestions,butsomeofwhatisinthetextissocomplexthat...well...eventhoughI’vereadallofitseveraltimes,I’mnotsurethatIunderstandenoughtoaskaquestion.”

“Thatisafairstatement,Rhennthyl,andif...ifyoutellmewhereyouhadtrouble,evenifyoucannotarticulateexactlywhatyoudonotunderstand,thatisacceptable.PleasebeginbyexplainingwhatjurisprudenceisandwhyitisofparticularimporttoSolidarandtheCollegium.”

“Jurisprudenceisthestudyofthelawitself,intermsof

bothitsprecedentsincaselawandintermsofthephilosophicalbasisbehindbothlawsenactedbytheCouncilandthosederivedthroughtheexampleofcaselaw.”

“Closeenough.Whatrootsoftraditionaljurisprudence,indeedoflawitself,didtheestablishmentoftheJuristicCourtsofSolidardeny?”

Iactuallyknewthat.“ManyscholarsoutsideofSolidarclaimedthatthelawhistoricallyhadfourbasicroots—eternal,natural,human,anddivine.BecausetheNamelessdoesnotdistinguishbyappellation”—thosewordswerenotmine,butfromthetext—“butbyfunction,thefirstjudgesoftheJuristicCourtsdividedalllegalprecedentsandexisting

codesintotwobasiccategories,thoseofhumanandnatural...”Iwentonexplaining.

“Whatistheproblemwiththeideathatlawsaretopromotegoodandrestrainevil?”

Ididn’tseeaproblemwiththatidea,andyetMasterJhulianwassuggestingthattherewas.Ihadtothink.

“Theideaisn’tbad,sir,butitseemstomethatonecouldhaveproblemsindefiningwhatisgood.”

“Oh?”

“Eachperson...well,mostpeople...wouldtendtoseegoodaswhatbenefitsthemandevilaswhatdoesnot.WhatbenefitstheHighHoldersmostmightnotbenefitthecommonfolk

nearlysomuch,andwhatbenefitsthefactors—”

“Allofthatistrue,withoutadoubt...but...whatisthespecificproblemthatthisconflictengenderswiththeformalfundamentalsoflawitself?”

Theterm“formalfundamentalsoflaw”joggedmymemory.“Oh...oneoftheformalrequirementsof

lawisthatthelawsofthelandmustbeimpartialandapplyequallytoall,andiflawsdefinegoodtobenefitonegroupattheexpenseofanother,theycan’tbeimpartial.”

“Jurisprudencedoesn’tdiscussthis,takingitasagiven,butwhymustlawsbeimpartial?”

Itookachancewithmy

answer.“Theydon’thavetobe,sir.That’stheideal,butthereareothercountriesthathavelastedwithoutimpartiallaws.”

MasterJhuliannoddedandgavemeawrysmile.“MasterDichartynsaidthatyoumightoffersome...insights.Letmerephrasethequestion.WhymustthelawsinSolidarbeasimpartialaswecanmakethem?”

“Becausepeoplearehappierwhenthelawsarefairandwillobeythemmorereadily?”

Hejustlaughed.“Peopleareprobablylesshappywithimpartiallaws,buttheywillobeythembecausetheyseethatothersdonotgainwhattheyknowareunfairadvantages.Rememberthateachmanperceivesanadvantagetohimselfasfair

anddeservedandanyadvantagetoanotherasunfairandundeserved.”Hesmiled.

Ididn’tliketheexpressionbecauseIsuspectedadifficultquestionwasabouttofollow.

“Withalltheemphasisonfairness,whydidtheCouncilallowtheHighHolderstoretaintherighttolowjusticeontheirholdingsoutsideanycityorlargetown?”

I’dreadaboutlowjustice,whichbasicallyreferredtotheprocessofdealingwithpettytheft,assaultwithoutweapons,criminaltrespasswhennootheroffensewasinvolved—crimeslikethat—andI’dwonderedwhytheHighHoldershadretainedthoserightsandtheabilitytoconfineoffendersforlessthanhalfayearortoapplycorporalpunishmentwithin

limits.UntilI’dreadthetext,Ihadn’tevenrealizedthatsuchrightsexisted.“Idon’tknow,sir.”

“Thenguess.”

“Ah...becausewhoelsecouldenforcethatonlargeholdings?”

“That’spartlytrue,butthereisanotherreason.OnwhosesideweretheHighHoldersinthetransitionfrom

rulebyrextotherulebytheCouncil?”

“Theysupportedtheguildsandfactors,didn’tthey?”Ipaused.“Wasthattheirprice?”

“Whetheritwastheirprice,orwhethertheguildsandfactorsfeltthatthattheycouldonlypushsofar,ithadtobesomethingalongthoselines.Also,theguildsandthe

factorshavealwaysbeenmoreconcernedaboutwhathappensinthecitiesandlargertowns.”

Thatalsomadesense.

“Backtotheessentialquestionsoffairness,sincewedooperatelargelyinthecities.Thereisanotherreasonwhyweasimagershaveagreatinterestinassuringthatthelawsarefairand

impartial.Inpointoffact,thepenaltiesforimagerswhobreakeitherthelawsofSolidarortherulesoftheCollegiumarefarstricterthananyreceivedbyothers.Whyisthisunfairnesstoouradvantage?Orlesstoourdisadvantage?”

Ihadnoidea.

“Whentimesarebadandthingsaregoingbadly,people

donotseekthecauses.Theyseeksomeonetoblame.Whodotheyblame?Thefirsttargetisalmostalwaysthegroupthatappearstobefavored,thathasmorethantheydo,andwhosenumbersaresmall.Onlyifthoseinthatgrouparepowerfuldotheyseekanothergrouptoblame,butevensotheirresentmentandangerremain.”Helookedtome.

“Bysubjectingourselvestostricterrulesandbynotdisplayingovertlyourprosperityandpower,weattempttoavoidbeingatarget?”

“Asyouwilldiscover,anyonewhoattacksanimagerisanenemyoftheCollegium,andyet,asyouwilldiscover,whilemeasuresaretakentoassurethatsuchattackersorthosewhohired

themdonotsurvive,theCollegiumseldomactsinawaysoastocreateanimpressionofmightasaninstitution.Evenso,whileweoccasionallyarenotsuccessfulinfindingtheattackers,weseldomfailindiscoveringthosewhohiredthem,althoughitmayoccasionallytakeyears.Consequently,mostattacksarenotplannedbythosein

L’Excelsis.Buttherearesome.”Hepaused.“WhatdoesthismeaninthecontextofthequestionIaskedyou?”

BythetimeIleftMasterJhulian,thereweresomanythoughtsflyingthroughmyheadthatnothingseemedquiteasithadbeen.Equallydisturbingwerethetwoshortpapershe’dassigned,alongwiththereading.HowwasIgoingtoproveordisprove

thatnaturallawwasacontradictioninterms?Orthatthesecondformalrequirementoflaw—thatlawsmustbeknowableandunderstandabletoallwhoarecapableofunderstandingthem—wasinconflictwiththefirstrequirement?

AndwhydidIneedtoknowallthat?JusttobeasilentguardfortheCouncil?Thatdidn’tseemlikely,butit

alsodidn’tseemlikelythatIwasbeinggroomedtobeajuristoradvocatefortheCollegiumeither.

Atrueimagerseesbeyondthe

eyesandhearsbeyondthewords.

OnMardinightatdinner,IwassittingwithKahlasaandMenyard,exhaustedinbothbodyandmind,becauseClovylhadcontinuedtoincreasetheseverityand

intensityofmyphysicaltraining,bothintermsofexerciseandrunningandinlearninggreaterphysicalself-defenseskills.Inordertogainweaponlesscombatskills,Iwasnowsparringwithseveralotherthirds,allofthemolderandmoreexperienced.NotonlywasIexhaustedandbruised,butthathadcomeontopofanotherlongmorningwith

MasterJhulian.

“Youlookalittledazed,Rhenn,”Kahlasasaid.“Youhaven’tsaidmuchthisevening.”

“I’msorry.It’sbeenalongday.IhadmyfirstsessionwithMasterJhulianyesterday,andhegavemetwoessaysandmorethanfiftypagesofreadingintheJurisprudencebook.Today,

hecriticizedthoseessaysandtoldmetorewritethem,andaddedanotherlongerone,andfortypagesmore.”Iwantedtotakealongswallowofwine,butIonlysipped.IhadtoworkwithMaitreDyanalater,andIdidn’twantmysensesorabilitieswine-dimmed.

Menyardlookedasblankasmymindfelt,butKahlasanoddedknowingly.

“AndClovylhasmedoingahalfglassofexercisesandrunningsixmillesbeforeweevengetintoeverythinghe’stryingtoteachme.”

ThatsurprisedKahlasa.“They’repushingyouhard.That’snotgood.”

“You’retellingmeitdoesn’tfeelgood?Ihurtmostofthetime.”Ifinishedmylastbiteofthecrumb

pudding.

Sheshookherhead.“You’renottheonlyone.They’resteppinguptrainingonseverallevels,andthey’recuttingshortreturnleavesforfieldimagers.Thatsuggeststroublesahead.”

“ThenewsheetsreportedthatemissariesfromtheHighPriestofCaenenandfromtheOligarchofJariolawere

meetinginCaenalastweek,”Menyardinterjected.“TheAbiertanshavebeenrefittingsomeoftheirmerchanterswithheavyweapons,andboughtseveraloldcruisersfromFerrumthatthey’realsorefitting.”

“TiempreandStakanarhavesignedapactformutualdefense,”addedKahlasa.

“Doanyofthemreally

thinkthey’llendupgaininganything?”I’dreadaboutallthepactsandthearmingandrearming.TiempreandStakanarborderedCaenen,andbothworriedabouttheHighPriestandhiseffortstospreadthegospelofDuality.Mythoughtwasthatthegospelwasmerelyafronttogethispeopletosupportawarofexpansion,butmaybeI’dbeentoosteepedinthe

morepracticalreligiousapproachoftheNameless.ThentheOtelyrnanLeague,composedofthesmallernationsonthecontinentofOtelyrn,hadagreedtoallowtheTiempranforcesrightsofpassageonmajorhighwaysandwaterways.ThathadincensedtheHighPriestofCaenen,andonethingwasleadingtoanother.ButIstilldidn’tunderstandwhy;wars

almostalwayscostthewinnermorethanthewinnergained,andtheloser—anditsleaders—couldloseeverything,includingtheirlives.Butmostleadersclearlydidn’tbelievethey’dbethelosers.

“TheHighPriestwantstosavetheworldfromthedamnationoftheNamelessandanyotherfaithinconflictwithDuodeus,andmakeaprofitwhiledoingso,”

suggestedKahlasa.

“AndFerrumwantstomakeahigherprofitbysellingarmstobothsides,andtheedgyneutrals,”saidMenyard.

“Andourfactorswanttoselltoeveryone,Isuppose?”Iadded.

“Ofcourse,butthesethingscangetoutofhand,”repliedKahlasa.“That’swhythe

Collegiumispreparing.”

“Forwhat?”

Shejustsmiled.“Forwhatevermaybenecessary.Rightnow,Idon’tknow,butMasterDichartynwilltellyou,andMasterSchorzatwilltellme.”

“Andneitherofyouwillbepleased,”addedMenyard.“I’mjustgladIdon’thavetodowhatyoutwodo.”

“Whatdoyoudo,”Isaid,“ifImightask?”

“I’manequipmentdesignerandimager.Veryspecialequipment.Atsomepoint,MasterDichartynmaysendyoutome.I’veworkedwithmostofhisimagers.”

“DoyoutwoknowwhatI’mbeingtrainedfor?”

“No,”repliedKahlasa.“Exceptingeneral.You’re

beingtrainedbyMasterDichartyn.He’sinchargeofCollegiumandCouncilsecurity,buthenevertellsimagersintrainingwhattheirfinalassignmentswillbeuntilthey’rethroughtraining,oruntilhe’ssurethattheywillgetthroughtraining.He’sinchargeoftheCouncilguardforce,theCollegiumsecuritysection,thecovert/overtsection,andimager

reception.”

Icouldn’thelpbutfrownatthelast.“Reception?”

“WhatbetterwaytofindoutwhatwedothansendanimagerspyintotheCollegium?”

Putthatway,itmadesense.Idecidedagainstaskingaboutthecovert/overtsection,notbecauseIdidn’twishtoknow,butbecauseI

knewIwouldn’tlearnanymore.

AsIleftdinner,IthoughtaboutatermKahlasahadused—“fieldimagers.”ThefactthatshecameandwentfromtheCollegiumsuggestedthatshewasoneofthem.ThehandbookontheCollegiumdidn’tmentionspecifics.Itjustsaidthatimagershadawiderangeofduties,bothatthefourCollegiaand

elsewhere.ButKahlasadidn’treporttoMasterDichartyn,andthatmeantfieldimagersweren’tdirectlyconnectedtoMasterDichartyn.

Ialmoststartedoutthedininghalldoorstomyquarters,outofforceofhabit,thenstopped.Itwasstillbeforeseven,andIwassupposedtowaitforMaitreDyana.

Everyonehadleftthecorridor,andthefirstbellwasstrikingwhenIsawherstepthroughthereardoorandwalktowardme.Ijustwatched,politely,assheapproached,takinginheriron-grayhairandbrightblueeyes.Sheworeimagergrays,butinaddition,shehaddrapedherselfwithabrilliantbluescarfthatmatchedhereyes.Theskinonherface

waspaleandsmooth,youngerthanherhairwouldhavesuggested,andsheofferedapleasantsmile.

“Rhennthyl...you’reDichartyn’sprotégé.”Shenodded.“Icanseewhy.Youlooklikeawell-manneredyoungfellow,couldbeajuniorsonofaHighHolderoramerchantheiror,withabeard,astrugglingartist.That’snotsosurprising,since

you’vealreadybeentwoofthose.”

ExceptI’dneverhadabeard.I’dtried,once,butitcameincurlyanditchy,eventhoughmyhaironlyhadaslightwaveinit.

“There’sasmallconferenceroomofftheentrance.Thatwilldo.”

Sheturned,andIfollowedher.Shewalkedbriskly,for

allthegrayhairandheralmostfragileframe.WhenIenteredtheroomwiththeovaltableandsixchairs,shewasstandingbythewindow,lookingoutintothetwilight.Shesaidnothing.

Iclosedthedoorandmovedclosertotheconferencetable.Finally,shelookedatme.Thoseblueeyeswereascoldaslapis,yetseeminglywithoutjudgment.

Iwaited.

“Good.Idetestunnecessarychatter.Conversationisusefulonlyincertainsettings,andforcertainpurposes.MasterDichartynhasrequestedthatIattempttoteachyouhowtoimproveyourshields.Idonotknowhowyoudevelopedyourshields.So...Iwillmakeseveralbriefattacks,andwewillproceedfrom

there.”

“Yes,maitre.”Iinclinedmyheadslightly.

Thefirstattackwasmorelikeajab,solightthatmyheaviersecondaryshieldsdidnotspringintoplay.Thesecondwasharder,buteasyenoughtorepulse.ThethirdwasstrongenoughthatIwasforcedbackwardastep.Thefourthandlastwasaimed

moreatmyshields,butwaspowerfulenough—eventhoughoff-center—thatIhadtomovebackoncemore.

MaitreDyanalookedatmesadly,asthoughIwereatruantgrammairestudent.“Finesse,dearboy...finesse.You’llexhaustyourselfinafractionofaglassdefendingyourselflikethat.Thelastattackwasatanangle.Youusedyourentire

shieldtostopit.Almostallattackscomefromanangle,ifasmallone.Whenyoucan,letyourshieldscollapsealittle.Lettheattacksslideoff.Theobjectistoprotectyourselfwiththeleasteffortpossible.Imagersaretoofewinnumberasitis.Wedon’tneedtolosemorebecauseyouspenttoomuchenergydefendingyourselfunnecessarilyvigorously.”

Shewaitedforaresponse.

“Yes,maitre.”

“We’llstartoveragain.ThistimeI’llstandoverhereandimageforceatyou.Itwillbedirect.Pleasemakeanefforttoslideitpastyou...”

Iwouldn’thavesaidmyeffortswereatotalfailure,butmysuccesseswerefewandfarfromcomplete.

Astheoutsidebellsstruckeight,MaitreDyanaraisedherhand.“Thatwillbeallforthisevening.NowthatI’vegottenyourattentionandyouunderstandyourdeficiencies,dearboy,tomorroweveningIwillexpectabetterperformancefromyou.”

Sheofferedabriefandperfunctorysmile,thennoddedandwalkedpastme,leavingmestandinginthe

conferenceroom,sweatingandexhaustedoncemore.SofarasIcouldtell,theseeminglyfrailmaitrehadnotevenraisedadropofperspirationwhilewearingmeout.

Thebesttradersweightheir

wordsascarefullyastheirgoods.

Theweekendedasitbegan.NomatterhowhardIworkedforMasterJhulian,Clovyl,andMaitreDyana,andnomatterhowmuchIimprovedorlearned,therewasalways

moretolearnanddo.BySamedi,IwasmorethanreadytoleaveImagisle,evenforadinneratmyparentswithafactorIhadn’tseeninyearsandhisdaughter,ayoungwomanI’dnevermet.

Ididn’tleaveatninthglassorevennoon.Instead,asthetenbellsofmiddaystruck,IwasseatedinmystudyporingoverJurisprudence,thesectiondealingwithtort

claims.Accordingtothetext,theCouncilitselfwasimmunetojuristicclaimsofdamages,asweretheJuristicCourts,andallbranchesofgovernment.Individualcouncilors,oranyoneinanybranchofgovernment,couldbesubjecttoasuitundertortlaw.Atthatpoint,Iclosedmyeyesandrubbedmyforehead.

Afterseveralmoments,I

openedmyeyesandlookeddownatthelistingofactsforwhichanofficialwasnotliable,followedonthenextpagebyalistingofthosewherehemightbe.Islippedaleatherbookmarkinplaceandclosedthebook.

IstillhadanotheressaytowriteforMasterJhulian,thisoneonthetheoreticalandpracticallimitsofsovereignimmunityasexercisedbythe

Councilandthegovernmentoverwhichitpresided,andIhadtoexplainwhythefirstCouncilhadcreatedthemalfeasanceandmisfeasancesectionsoftheJuristicCode.

I’daskedMasterJhulianwhyimagersneededtoreadaboutlaw,andhisanswerhadbeendirectandtroubling.“Allimagersneedtoknowsomeofthis.AnyonewhoworkswithMasterDichartyn

needstoknowmorethanIcanteach.Ihavetoprepareyoutokeeplearning.”Thenhe’dsmiled.“AfterI’msatisfied,MasterDichartynwillexplainwhywhatyouarelearningisapplicable.That’sbecause,unlessyoudolearnit,youwon’tkeepworkingwithhim,andyouwon’tneedtoknowwhy.”

FromthetimeI’dfirstcometoImagisle,I’dknown

thattherewasadarkersidetotheCollegium,butwitheverydaythatpassed,IwasgettingthefeelingthatIwasgettingclosertoit.Finally,IbegantorereadthepagesinJurisprudence.Istayedatmydesk,moreorless,untiljustbeforethefourthglass,whenIhurriedoutofmyquarters.

Evenso,Iwasatmyparents’doorathalfpastfour,whereNellicaushered

mein.

“Sir...everyonewillbemeetingintheformalparloratfive.”

“Isanyonethere?”

“No,sir.”

“ThenI’llslipintothefamilyparlorandwaitthere.”

Shewasn’ttotallypleased,butshedidn’thavetobe.Isettledintooneofthe

armchairs—notmyfather’s—butIdidn’thavetowaitlongbeforeCulthynappeared,aslightlysullenexpressiononhisface.

“What’sthematter?”Iasked.

“FathersaysI’mnotinvitedtodinner.Khethilaisn’teither.”

“Whereisshe?”

“ShewenttoBrennai’sfortheevening.Brennai’sherbestfriend.Thisweek,anyway.”

“You’recynical.”

“That’swhatMothersays.”Helookedatme.“Whatdoyoureallydoasanimager?”

“Atthemoment,I’mstudyingthelawsofSolidarandL’Excelis.”

“You’regoingtobeanimageradvocate?That’sfreezing!”

“Weallhavetostudylaw...andscience,andhistory,andphilosophy.”

“Oh...Canyoudoimaging?Canyoushowme?”

“Notyet.Icandoit,butthemastersdon’tletusdoitoffImagisleuntilwe’remoreexperienced.”

“Comeon,Rhenn.Noonewouldknow.”

Iofferedasmile.“Iwould,andsoonerorlater,sowouldMasterDichartyn.He’smypreceptor.He’sveryperceptive.”

“Whatgoodisbeinganimageriftheydon’tletyouimage?”

“Culthyn,”Isaidslowly,“imagingismoredangerous

thanIeverknewordreamed.That’swhyalmostathirdofallimagersdieintraining.”

Thatstoppedhim,butonlyforamoment.“Youhaven’tdied.”

“That’sbecauseI’vepaidattentiontothosewhoknowbetterthanIdo.”

“That’salessonyoustillneedtolearn,Culthyn,”announcedMotherasshe

enteredthefamilyparlor.“Offtothekitchen.Yourdinnerisonthetableinthebreakfastroom.Don’tbotherNellicaorKiesela.Whenyou’redone,uptoyourrooms.”

“Yes,Mother.”Helookedtome.“Someday,willyoushowme?”

“Iwill.Itmightbeawhile.”

Afterheleftthroughthearchwayintotherearhall,Motherasked,“Showhimwhat?”

“Imaging.Rightnow,I’mnotsupposedtoimageoffImagisle.”

“Icanseethat.”Shenodded.“Zerlenyaandherparentsaremostanxioustomeetyou.”

“Rhenn!”Myfather’s

voiceboomedacrosstheparlor.“You’reevenearly!”Helookedatme.“YoulookmorelikeaguardofficereverytimeIseeyou.”

“Helooksjustfine,Chenkyr.”

“That’swhatImeant.Hestandstaller.”

Shortly,therewasanotherknockonthefrontdoor,andthethreeofusmovedtothe

formalparlorwhileNellicausheredtheguestsintothehouse.

Inmoments,Tomazwassteppingtowardme.Hewasashortandstockymanwithanengagingsmile.“You’reRhenn,Itakeit,andanimagertoboot.Wageryourfatherneverplannedonthat.”

“No,sir,hedidn’t,buthe’sfortunatetohaveRouseland

Culthyntocarryon.”AfterI’dsaidthat,IrealizedIshouldhavementionedKhethila.

“Oh!”Tomazturnedandgestured.“ThisismydaughterZerlenya.”Hebeckonedagain.“Zerlenya,comeandmeetRhennthyl.It’snoteverydayyougettomeetanimagerthatyouknowpersonally—orhisfather,anyway.”

Zerlenyasteppedforward,offeringatentativesmile.Shewasthin,almostpainfullyso,butshehadwidecheekbones,andaclearpalecomplexion,withtight-curledjet-blackhairthatwouldhavedroppedtomidshoulderhaditnotbeensweptupandcurledintoaswirlatthebackofherlongneck.Hereyeswerepalegray,andintheoff-whitegownandshoulderscarf,she

gavetheimpressionofabeautifulswan,ifonereadytotakewingattheslightestdanger.

“I’mpleasedtomeetyou.”Iofferedasmilewithmywords.

“Fatherhasspokenofyou.I’venevermetanimager.”

“Youhavenow.I’maveryrecentimager,though.”

“Whatcanyouimage?”

“SofarI’vemanagedacopyofmybrother’swife’scomb,abox,andallsortsofsmallobjectsintraining,includingametalbarortwo.”

“Thatdoesn’tsoundterriblydangerous.”Hervoicewasthinandbright,thekindthatcouldbeheardacrossaroom.

“Ihopenot.Timewilltell.”

“Italwaysdoes.”

Ijustnoddedtothat.

“Doyoulikebeinganimager?”

Ihadn’treallythoughtaboutthat,unlikebeingaportraiturist.I’dwantedtopaint,butsinceI’dneverconsideredbeinganimageruntilIdiscoveredIhadthetalent,ithadn’tbeenaquestionofliking,butof

doingthebestIcould.“Ihadn’tthoughtaboutit.It’snotanoccupationyoudreamaboutasachild.”

“Butdoyoulikeit?Father’salwayssayingthatyoucannotbegoodatsomethingunlessyoulikedoingit.”

“Doyoubelievethat?”

“Ido.That’swhyUncleWeidynissogooda

cabinetmaker.”

“Ihaven’tmethim.I’veonlymetAeylana.”

“Oh...yes.Youdidtheportrait,didn’tyou?It’sverypleasant.”

Icouldn’thelpbutbristleinside.Whensomeonereferstoaworkofart,evenonethatisnotsuperb,as“nice”or“pleasant,”itmeansthattheydon’tknowartorthatthey

thinkit’sterrible.“Sheseemedtolikeit.”

“I’msureshedid.”

“Shewasverygoodatthesittings.”

“She’sverygood,andverywellmannered.”

Beforelong,Nellicarangthedinnerchimes,andwerepairedtothediningchamber,wherewestood

behindourchairs.Thedinnersettingswerenotstrictlyformal,becauseFatherwasflankedbyMadameTomazandZerlenya,whileMotherwasflankedbyTomazandme,butwithjustsixitreallydidn’tmatter.Anyonecouldconversewithanyoneelse.

Fatherrestedhishandsonthebackofhischairandofferedtheblessing.

“Inpeaceandharmony,”weallmurmuredwhenhefinished,thenseatedourselves.

Fathercarvedthesideofbeefwithhisusualdispatchandefficiency,andbeforelong,platesandgobletswerefull.

“Howistheproducebusinessthesedays?”

“Slow...soslow,

Chenkyr.We’realmostthroughourstoredstocksofrootvegetablesandthelike.ThespringvegetablesandfruitsfromtheSouthwon’tbeinforanothermonth,threeweeksifwe’refortunate.Youcansellclothatanytime.”

“Ah...myfriend...Icansellatanytime,butIhavetobuythewoolandarrangetheweavingalmostayearinadvance,andpaymuchin

advance,andifIjudgewrong...”Fathershruggedexpressively.Healwaysshowedmoreemotionwhenhetalkedaboutbusiness.

“Youcanalwayssellwool;itdoesnotspoil.”

“Theprice.Itisalwaysthepriceatwhichonebuys,notthepriceatwhichonesells.”

IlookedatZerlenyaandofferedahelplessshrug.

Aghostofasmilewasherreply.

“Fatherismostathometalkingbusiness,”Iadded,“whereverheis.”

“Businessiswhatsupportsthehome,”saidTomazenthusiastically.“Whyshouldn’twetalkaboutit?We’renotHighHolderswhotalkaboutmusicnoonecanunderstandorbooksnoone

hasread.”

Khethilawouldhavedisputedthat,butIdoubtedthatTomazhadeverseenacopyofMadameD’Schendael’sbook.IlookedtoZerlenya.“Doyoufollowtheproducebusiness?”

“Itwouldbedifficultnotto.Fatherinsistsweknoweverything.”

“Andwhynot?”replied

Tomaz.“Ifanythinghappenedtome,theNamelessforbid,ifyoudidn’tknowthebusiness,howwouldyouallgetby?Evenyou,Zerlenya,knowmorethanIdidatyourage,andagoodthingitis,too.”

“Areallofyourchildrenfollowinginthebusiness?”askedMother.

“AllbutThurlyn,”

answeredMadameTomaz.“He’sanensignintheNavy.He’sstationedontheRexCharyn.He’salwayslovedthewater...”

Fromtheretheconversationremainedfirmlyfixedintheareasofthemundane,andnoonesaidanythingaboutimagersandImagisle.

Oncetheguestshadleft,

nearlytwoglasseslater,Motherclosedthefrontdoorandturnedtome.“WhatdidyouthinkofZerlenya?”

“She’sverynice.”

“Youdidn’tlikeher,then.”

“Sheispretty,inanetherealway.Idon’tthinkshe’dbehappywithme.”

“That’snotthequestion,”interjectedFather.“Could

youbehappywithher?”

“Itisthequestion,Father.Imagerscannotmarrythosewhoarenothappywiththem.”

“Marriageisn’tjustaboutlust.”

“No,it’snot,”Iagreed.“Ididn’tsaythat.It’sjustthatit’sveryimportantthatanimagerandhisorherspousegetalongwell.More

importantthanwithothercouples.”

Theremusthavebeensomethinginmyvoice.Theyexchangedglances.

Afteramoment,Mothersaid,“Youknowbest.”

HertonesuggestedthatIknewanythingbut.“It’ssomethingthatalltheseniorimagershavestressed,Mother.Imightnotknow,

butIhavetotrustthattheydo.”

“Isee.”Thistime,therewasresignationinhervoice.“Ihopeyoufindsomeone.”

SodidI,IreflectedasIleft.

AtleasttheyprovidedCharlsynandthecoachfortheridebacktotheBridgeofHopes.Forbetterorworse,ArtiemahadsetandErion—

thegrayishredlesserhunter—stoodalmostatitszenith,rulingthenightsky.

Onecannotlovetrulywithout

lovingtrulythewordsofone’slover.

ThesecondweekwithMaitreDyanawasevenmorerigorousthanthefirst,butIfeltthatIwaslearningagreatdeal,especiallyinhowtofocusimageryandtousethe

leastamountnecessary.Butshestillkeptdemandingmoreandmorefinesse.

“Dearboy,youarebutoneimager,andattimes,youcouldfacefarmorethanaruffianortwo.Withoutprecisionandfinesse,youwillbelost.”

Precisionandfinesse!HowoftenIheardthosewords,butIcouldtakeconsolationinthe

results,evenifmyperformancewasseldomtothelevelshedemanded.ThesamewastrueofmyworkwithClovyl.Icouldfeelmyskillsimproving,steadily,ifnotdramatically.

WithMasterJhulian,Ihadnosuchconsolation.AssoonasIlearnedoneaspectofthelaw,wepressedontothenext.Theassignmentthathadconcernedmethemosthad

beenonmurder,asdefinedintheJuristicCode.MasterJhulianhadexaminedmeingreatdetailonthat.WhenIhadaskedwhy,hisresponsehadbeendirect.

“Contrarytoyourunstatedbelief,Iamnottryingtomakeanomologistoutofyou.Iamtryingtoinstilltheknowledgeyoumayneedtosurvive.Becauseanyunexplaineddeathinthese

timestendstobelaidatthefeetoftheimagers,itisimportantforeveryimagertounderstandwhatmurderis,inbothrealandlegalterms,andtomakesurethatheorsheisneverinvolvedinsomethingthatcouldbetermedmurder,eitherbythenewsheetsorthecivicpatrollers.”

BecauseIfelteverywordmeantsomething,Icommittedthephraseto

memoryandwroteitdownassoonasIreturnedtomyroomthatVendrei.“Neverinvolvedinsomethingthatcouldbetermedmurder”wasaphrasethatcouldcoveramyriadofmeanings—andsins.

BythetimeIreturnedfromthedininghallafterlunchonSamedi,IwasmorethanreadytoleaveImagisle.I’dbeenlookingforwardtothat

afternoonandevening,particularlyafterthelongeveningtheweekbeforeatmyparents’house.Ihadwrittenthemashortnotethankingthemfortheirthoughtfulnessandkindness,andthewonderfulfood—whichithadbeen.Idoubtedthatwouldmuchappeasemymother,whodefinitelywantedhereldestsonmarriedtosomeonefromthe“right”

background,certainlynotanotherPharsigirl,andbeforeallthatlong...andnevermindtheimagerbusiness.

ReadyasIwastodepartImagislerightafterlunch...Ididn’t.Instead,IsatdownandattemptedtoorganizemythoughtsonmyfinalessayforMasterJhulian—ananalysisoftheapplicabilityoftheJuristicCodeto

imagers.TwoglasseslaterIhadthreepagesofnotesandanoutline—aswellasaprofounddesiretoleaveImagisleassoonaspossible.SinceIhadthefeelingthatImightbemeetingSeliora’sparents,Ididwearmybestuniformandmakesurethatmybootswerewellblackedandshining.IhadalsosqueezedinanotherhaircutonJeudi.

Outside,thedaywaspleasant,ifovercast,withaslightbreezeoutofthenorthwest.Ididhavetowaitalmostaquarterofaglassbeforeahackerstoppedtopickmeup.

“NordroadandHagahlLane,ontheeastside.”

Henodded,andIsteppedupintothecab.Theinsidewasclean,butthreadbare.

WhenIdescendedontothepavementclosetoahalfglasslater,IfoundthatthebuildingthatservedSelioraandherfamilyasfactory,factorage,anddwellingwasfarlargerandmoreimpressiveinthedaylightthaninthelamplitgloomoflateevening.Thewallsrosethreestories,andtheyellowbrickwastrimmedwithgraygranitecornerstones.Eventhewood

oftheloadingdocksatthesouthendwasstainedwithabrownoilandwellkept,andtheloadingyarditselfwasstone-paved.Theentranceonthesidestreettothenorthwastheprivatefamilyentrance,andithadasquareandpillaredcoveredporchthatshieldedastonearchway.

Thehackerlookedatme,andmygrays,thenatthestoneentryway,buthesaid

nothing.Igavehimtwocoppersextra,thenmademywayupthesteps.Inthemiddleofthewideeight-paneldoorwasanancientandornatebrassknocker.Boththeknockerandtheplatehadseenmuchwear,butbothwerebrightlypolished.Igavetheknockeroneheftyblow,thenpreparedtowait,butthedooropenedimmediately.

Odeliastoodthereinthe

modestfoyer,dressedinapalegreendressanddarkergreenshawlthatsetoffhercoloringwell.“Docomein,MasterRhennthyl.”Shegrinnedatme.

“Thankyou,Odelia,butIwon’tbeamasterforsometime.”

TheonlyexittothefoyerwasthepolishedoakstaircasebehindOdelia,andsheturned

andgesturedtowardit.“Everyone’swaitingupstairs.”

“ThenI’llletyouleadme.”Iadded,“Who’severyone?”

“BesidesSeliora?UncleShelimandAuntBetara,ofcourse,andthere’sHanahraandHestya—they’rethetwins,mysisters—andMethyr,Seliora’syoungerbrother.Bhenyt’soff

somewhere.Then,there’smymother.You’llrecognizeher.”

“She’sAegina?”

Odelianodded,adding,“Andthere’sShomyr.He’sSeliora’solderbrother,andheverymuchwantstomeetyou.”

IfoundmyselfsquaringmyshouldersasIfollowedOdeliaupthesteps.

Thestaircase,ampleasitwas,withitscarvedbalustradesandshimmeringbrassfixtures,openedatthetopintoalargefoyerorentryhall,aspaceagoodeightyardswideandtendeep.Thewallswerepaneledinlightgoldenoak,andthefloorwasanintricateparquet,mostlycoveredwithalushcarpetofdeepmaroon,withaborderofintertwinedgoldenchains

andbrilliantgreenleafyvines.Setaroundthefoyerwerevariouschairsandsetteesofdarkwood,upholsteredinvariousfabricdesigns.Atthefarendwasapianoforte.

Thegroupstandinginaroughcircleattheedgeofthecarpet,besidealongsettee,allturnedasOdeliaannounced,“RhennthylD’Imagisle.”

IhadbarelypickedoutSeliora,inacrimsondresswithablackjacket,whenabroad-shouldered,black-beardedyoungmanahalfheadshorterthanIwassteppedforward.“I’mShomyr.I’mSeliora’sbrother,andshe’ssaidsolittleaboutyouthatIwantedtomeetyou.”

Saidsolittle?

“Now,now,Shomyr,you’llhaveconfusedhimtotally.”Adark-hairedandwirywomaningreensilktrousersandamatchingjacket,whocouldeasilyhavebeenSeliora’soldersister,movedtowardus.“Thelessmydaughtersaystous,generallythemoreshe’sinterested,andthelessweknow.”HersmilewasidenticaltoSeliora’s.

Iinclinedmyhead.“I’m

verypleasedtomeetyou,MadameD’Shelim.”

“Betara,please.Please.We’renotthatformalhere.”

Theycouldhavefooledme,giventhefurnishingsinthatgrandupperentrancehall.

Selioraeasedforwardandaroundtheothers.Shetookmyarmgently,asiftosuggestacertainrestrained

possessiveness.“Rhennisverytalented.He’sanoutstandingportraituristaswellasanimager,andhisfamilyownsAlusineWool.”

“Ah...you’reChenkyr’sboy,then?”askedShelim.

“He’smyfather.MybrotherRouselrunsthefactorageinKherseilles.”EvenasIexplained,IwonderedhowSeliorahad

known.I’dneversaidmorethanmyfatherwasawoolfactor,andthereweremorethanafewinL’Excelsis,andevenmorethroughoutSolidar.

“Howdidyougettobeanimager?”Thequestioncamefromthesingleboyinthegroup,standingbesidethered-hairedtwins,wholookedtobetwoorthreeyearsyoungerthanKhethila.

“Methyr,”someonemurmured.

“WhenIdiscoveredIcouldimage,IwalkedacrosstheBridgeofHopesandtoldtheimagers.TheytestedmeanddecidedIwasanimager.”

“Itcouldn’thavebeenthatsimple,”suggestedShomyr.

Imanagedashortlaugh.“Itwasjustthatsimple.Everythingthatcameafter

thatwasn’tatallthateasy.Theydidn’tletmeleaveImagisleforoveramonth.”

“Arethereareanygirls?”askedoneofthetwins.

“Some.OneofthemaitresI’vebeenstudyingwithisawoman,andthereareothers.”

“Canimagersmarry?”ThatwasOdelia,andthequestionwasdeliveredwithagrin.

IcouldfeelSeliorastiffenjustslightly,andIhadadefinitesensethatthequestionhadn’tpleasedher.“Theycan.That’sifanyonewantstomarrythem.”

Thatbroughtsmilestoseveralfaces,includingtothefaceoftheolderandtallerredheadedwomanwhohadtobeOdelia’smother.

“Generally,theyusually

liveonImagisleafterthey’remarried,”Iadded.

“Whatexactlydoimagersdo?”pressedShomyr.

“Whateverourdutiesare.”Ipausedforamoment.“I’veworkedatcertainthings,butrightnowI’mbeingtrainedforapositionattheCouncilChateau.”

“WiththeCouncil?”askedShelim.

“Ihaven’tbeengivenallthedetails,butyoungasIam,Isuspectit’sfarmorelikeworkingforthem.”Itriedtokeepmytonewry.

“Doimagersmakelotsofcoins?”askedMethyr.

“Morethanjourneymen,andagreatdeallessthanyourfathermakes.”

Atthat,Betaranoddedslightly,andtherewasa

quicksetofglancesbetweenSeliora’sparents.Beforeanyoneelsecouldaskanotherquestion,Betaraspokeup.“RhenncameheretotakeSelioratodinner,nottoseeallofus.Ithinkwe’dbestletthemgo.”

SelioragavehermotheraquickglancethatIwasn’tabouttotrytodecipher,thenturned.Sinceshewasstillholdingmyarm,weturned

andmovedtowardthesteps,andthendownthem.

Moresurprising,therewasahackwaitingoutside,andayoungsterstandingonthesteps.HegrinnedatSeliora.

“Thankyou,Bhenyt,”shesaid.

“Mypleasure,”hereplied,noddingtousboth.

“Felters,sir?”askedthe

hacker.

“Ifyouwould,”Ireplied,lookingatSeliora.

“BhenytisOdelia’syoungerbrother,”shereplied,takingmyhandasshesteppedupintothecoach.“Ijustthoughtitmightbenicenottowaitforacoach.Youwereverygallant,”sheadded.

“Thankyou.”HadIhad

anyrealchoice?

OnceweweresettledinthecoachandmovingsouthonNordroad,Iturnedtoher.Icouldn’thelpbutnoticethat,despitethesimilarityincolorstowhatshehadwornthenightwehadtrulydancedforthefirsttime,thedressandthejacketlookedfresh—andhadprobablyjustbeentailoredanddelivered.“Howdidyouknowwhomyfather

was?”

Shelaughed.“Ididn’t.Mamawastheonewhowantedtoknowaboutyourfamily.ShehadyouinvestigatedassoonasOdeliaadmittedI’dspentalloflastSamediwithyou.”

“IsOdeliayourguardian?”

“We’reclose,butshelikesyou.”

“YouknowI’mnotlikelytoaskformoneyoranythingelsefrommyparents.Sowhydotheymatter?”

“Themoneydoesn’tmatter,eventoMama.Shewasimpressedthatyoumadejourneymanandthenbecameanimager.Shesaysthatyoucomefromsolidstock.”Seliorasqueezedmyhand.“Icouldtellthat.”

“Howcouldyouknowthatfromameetingajourneymanartistafewtimes?”

“Youwerealwaysneat,clean,andwithshorthairandnobeard,andafterIsawthestudyyoupainted,Icouldtellyouhadtalenttogowiththatambition.Iworriedthatyouhadtoomuchambitionforaportraiturist.”

“Toomuchambition?”

“Ididn’tsaythatright.”Shetiltedherheadslightly.“Toomuchhonestyforaportraituristwiththatmuchambition.”

Afaintscentofflowersemanatedfromher,nottoomuch,alightscent.

Beforethatlong,thecoachstopped,westeppedout,andIpaidandtippedthehacker.

Felterswasensconcedin

whathadbeenagraystonerowhouseonthesouthsideofthelanethatangledoffEastRiverRoad.Theoversizedlampsthatflankedthedoorwerealreadylit,althoughthesunhadnotquiteset.

Theharried-lookingserverwhogreeteduslookedatSeliora,thenatme.

Ididmybesttomentally

pressfriendlinessuponher.“Fortwo,please.”

“Ah...thisway.”

Weendedupatasmallwindowtable,crowdedbetweentwomuchlargertables,oneoccupiedbythreeoldermeninsuitsofacutIdidnotrecognize,andoneempty,butthesmallertablewasfinewithme.

“Whatwouldyouliketo

drink?”askedtheserver.

IinclinedmyheadtoSeliora.

“DoyouhaveawhiteSanellio?”

Theservernodded.

“Cambrisio,white,”Iadded.

Theserverleftaslateonwhichthethreespecialtiesoftheeveninghadbeenwritten

insmallscript—ChickenAsseroiles,PorkSamedi,andFlankSteakEspecial.

“Areanyofthesefavoritesofyours?”Iasked.

“IthinkI’dlikethechicken.You?”

“Thesteak.I’mpartialtobothmushroomsandparsley.”

Whenthetwogobletsof

winecame,rightaftertwocouplesweresettledinatthetablebehindme,Iorderedforus,addingacrabbisqueasanappetizerandchoosingthewalnutandshavedappleandcheesesalad.Theywereprobablywinter-keptapples,butitwasworthatry.

Aftertheserverleft,Selioralookedatme.“Youdon’thavetoimpressme.”

“Ijustwantedtohaveagoodmealwithyouandenjoyit.That’snotsomethingIgettodooften.”

“Ifyoudoitoften,youwon’tbeabletoaffordanythingelse.”Butherwordsweresaidwarmly.

Iliftedmywinegoblet.“Toyouandtoadelightfulevening.”

Sheliftedhers.“I’llreturn

that.Toyou...andtheevening.”

TheCambrisiowasgood,butlookingatSeliorawasbetter.

“Whydidyouaskmetodance,thatfirsttime?”Iasked.

“Iwantedto.RogaristoldOdeliathatyouweretooseriousforme.”

“Hedidn’tknowyouwell,then.”

“Doyou?”Ahintofmischiefcoloredherwords.

“No,butIknowthatthere’smoretoyouthanmeetstheeye...andI’minterestedinlearningmoreaboutyou.”

Forjustamoment,hereyesflickeredpastme,lookingoutside.

“Whatisit?”

“Nothing.Someonegoingpast,buthewaslookingthisway.”

“Doyouknowhim?”

Sheshookherhead.“FromwhatIsaw,he’snotsomeoneI’dwishtoknow.”

Theserverarrivedwiththesalads.Itookabite,gingerly.“Thesaladisgood,especially

thecheese.”

AfaintsmilecrossedSeliora’slips,butshenodded,beforesaying,“Itis.”

“Whydidyousmile?”

“Notthatmanymenwouldworryaboutthesalad.They’deithereatitorignoreit.”

Ishrugged.Iwasn’tabouttosayI’dwantedittobegoodforher.“Ienjoyagood

meal.”

“Youcouldn’thaveeatenthatwellatMasterCaliostrus’shouse.”

Ihadn’t.“Whydoyousaythat?”

“Lastsummer,IwaswithOdelia,andOstriuswastalkingtoherescort—theonebeforeKolasyn—abouthowheskippedasmanymealsashecould.”

“Hecouldaffordto.Icouldn’t.Itwasn’tthatbad.”

“Ilikethataboutyou.”

“What?”

“You’renotthecomplainingtype.Youdowhat’snecessaryuntilyoucanmakethingsbetter.That’swhyyou’lldowellasanimager.”

“Complainingdoesn’tdo

anygood,”Ipointedout.“Ifthepersonyoucomplaintoisthekindwhowouldlisten,they’vealreadydonewhattheycan,andanyoneelseeitherwon’tlisten,doesn’tcare,orcan’tdoanything.”

“Mostpeoplearen’tthatpractical.”

I’dneverthoughtofmyselfasthatpractical.Howpracticalwastryingtobea

portraituristwhenyoucamefromafamilyofwoolfactors?

Theserverreappeared,tooktheemptysaladplates,andplacedtheentreesinfrontofus.Icutintotheflanksteak,andthenateseveralbites,enjoyingthecombinationofmushrooms,butteredparsley,andseasonedtenderbeef.“Howisyourchicken?”

“Verytender,andtasty.ItremindsmeofAuntAegina’s.”

“Odelia’smother?”

“Yes.She’sagoodcook,betterthanMother.Thatmightbebecausesheenjoysit.”

“Yourmothereatsbecauseshehasto.”

“Younoticed.”

“Shehasacertain...determination,likesomeoneelse,Isuspect.”

Selioraflushed,justatouch.Thenshestiffenedandlookedupandoutthewindow.“Thatman...outthere,inthedarkbrowncloakandasquarebeard.He’swalkedpasttwice,andhe’slookedatyou.”

“Atyou,I’mmostcertain.

You’retheoneworthlookingat.”

“You’rekind,buthewasn’tlookingatme.”

IfSeliorasaidthemanwasn’t,thenhewasn’t,butwhywouldanyonebelookingatme?FromwhatI’dseensofarsinceI’dbecomeanimager,noonegaveimagersmorethanapassingglance—andthatmoreto

avoidusthananythingelse.“There’snotmuchIcandoaboutitnow.”

“Isupposenot.”

“Enjoyyourchicken.”Ialmostaddedthatsheshouldenjoymylookingather,butthatwouldhavebeentooforward.

“Andwhatelse?Youwereabouttoaddsomething.”

“Thecompany,ifyoucan.”

“I’menjoyingthatverymuch.”

“I’mglad.”

Afterseveralmorebitesandanotherswallowofwine,Iasked,“Doyoulikedesigningthepatternsfortheupholstery?”

“ThedesigningIlikeverymuch.”Seliora’ssmileturned

wry.“Workingwithsomeclientsissometimeslessenjoyable.”

Ikeptaskingherquestionsthroughtheremainderofdinnerandthroughdessert—anapplecreamcustard—andtheteathatfollowed.

Finally,asmuchasI’denjoyedthedinner,boththefoodandthecompany,therewerepeoplewaitingoutside,

andtheserverkeptlookingatus.

“Isupposewehadbettergo.Iwouldn’twanttobeaccusedofkeepingyououttoolate.”

“Youwouldhavebeenanyway,evenifwe’dleftaglassago,”shereplied.

Allinall,thedinnercostfoursilvers,countingwhatIleftfortheserver.

Westeppedoutofthebistroandwerewalkingtowardthepairofhackswaitingforfares,whenSeliorastiffenedagain,glancedtomyright,andthentuggedmyarm.

“Overthere,”shewhispered.“It’sthesameman.”

Iturnedmyheadandsawtheglintinthebeardedman’s

hand,andthenwhatlookedtobeasparkorflash.Iwastooslowintryingtothrowupshields,andsomethingsmashedintomyshoulder.Despitethepain,Iwasfurious.Iconcentratedonimagingcausticintohiseyesandinsidehischest,aroundhisheart,orwhereIthoughthisheartwas.

Therewasasingleshriek,andhepitchedforwardonto

thepavementofthesidewalk.

Istoodtheredumblyforamoment.

Selioralookedatme.“You’rebleeding.”

BeforeIcouldspeak,she’dstartedtoopenmywaistcoatandshirtandhadjammedsomethingintothewound.

“You!”Hervoicepenetratedthenightasshe

pointedtowardtheleadhackerofthosewaitingoutsideFelters.“We’reheadedtotheBridgeofHopes.Now.”

“But...that’s...”

“Someone’sshotanimager.Doyouwanttheimagersafteryou?”

Gettingintothecoachwasn’ttoohard.Ididn’tevenneedSeliora’shelp.

Oncewesatdownonthehardseatofthecoach,sheresumedpressingthehandkerchiefagainstandintothewound.“You’restillbleedingtoomuch.Ican’tstopitall.”Sheturnedherheadandyelled,“Faster!”

Itriedtoimagesomethinglikeashieldaroundthewound.

“Whateveryou’redoing,

Rhenn,keepdoingit.Thebleeding’salmoststopped.”Shedidn’tlessenthepressureonmyshoulder,though.Tokeepthepressureonthewound,shehadtobeveryclosetome,andifithadn’thavebeenforthepain—andthefear—Iwouldhaveenjoyedthatclosenessagreatdealmore.

Theridetowardthebridgeseemedtotakealongtime,

andnotimeatall,inastrangeway,butbeforethatlongthehackercalleddown,“I’mnotsupposedtocrossthebridge,Mistress!”

“Crossit!”

“But...”

Asmallpistolappearedinherglovedhand,andsheleanedouttheopencoachwindow,pointingthepistol.“Crossit.”

Theclatterofhoofsonstonewasalmostreassuring.

“Whereshouldhego?”askedSeliora

Iwashavingtroublethinking,andmaintainingtheshieldoverthewound,butithadtobetheinfirmary.Someonewasalwaysthere.“Theright...laneafterwecrossthebridge.Thesecondbuilding,andthefirstdoor,

theone...staffandagreenleafonthedoor.”

Seliorashoutedthedirectionstothedriver,thenturnedbacktome.“Holdon.Keepdoingthat.”

Then,thehackerbroughtthecoachtoastop.

“Holdthisinplace,Rhenn.”Shepressedmyhandagainstthewaddedhandkerchiefandthewarm

dampness,thenpushedopenthecoachdooranddartedout,snappingsomethingatthehacker.

Ikepttryingtostayawakeandalert,tryingtopushbacktheencroachingdarkness,asIhearddoorsopeningandvoices,butthen...darknesswasalltherewas.

...exceptadarkenedtwilightthatIwascarried

through...

TheroomwhereIwoke,ifbecomingvaguelyawareofone’ssurroundingsmeantawakening,wassmallandgray,andIlayonahardandnarrowbedorpallet.Ihadavaguerecollectionofbeingcarriedsomewhere,andthensomeonestandingoverme,andpainsshootingthroughmyshoulder.

Seliorawasstandingtherebesidethebed.Sowassomeoneelse,butshewascloser.

“You’rehere...”Myvoicewasbarelyawhisper.

“I’mhere.WhereelsewouldIbe?”Shereachedoutandsqueezedmyfingers—theonesonthehandofmyuninjuredside.

“Thankyou.”Ihadto

squinttoseethefigurebehindher.“Master...?”

“Draffyd,”hesupplied.“Itookcareofthewound,butyou’llhavetoliestillforatime.Youwon’thaveachoice.You’restrappedtothebed,butthat’ssothatyoudon’tdoanythingtoripopenthestitchesandreopenthewound.Pleasedon’ttrytomoveagainsttherestraints.Later,we’llremovethem,but

forthenextfewglasses,you’llneedtobestill.”

Ididn’tlikethatatall,buttherewerebothdullandsharppainsinmyshoulderandchest,andbothfeltlikeI’dbeenrunoverbyadrafthorsewithspikedshoes.

MasterDraffydturnedtoSeliora.“Youcannotstayherefortheevening.”

Shejustlookedathimasif

toaskwhynot.

“InRhennthyl’scase,itwouldn’tbesafeforeitherofyou.Thereareimagerreasonswhythisisso.”

Sheturnedherheadbacktome.

IhadtothinkforamomentbeforeIrealizedwhy.WhoknewwhatI’ddoinmysleep?Orinadelirium.“He’sright...wishyoucouldstay

...but...”

“We’llsendyoubackhomeinaCollegiumcarriage.You’llbequitesafe,”addedMasterDraffyd.“We’reverythankfulyouwerethere,andboththeCollegiumandRhennoweyouagreatdeal.”

“WhataboutRhenn?”

“He’llrecover.Yougothimherewhilehestillhadenoughblood.Ifhewere

goingtodie,he’dalreadybedead.He’llbeveryweakforafewdays,buthe’llrecover.YoustaywithhimwhileIsendforthecarriage.”MasterDraffydnoddedtoSeliora,thenslippedoutoftheroom.

Shemovedcloser.“ThatmanoutsideFelters...Iknewhewasafteryou.”

“I...won’tdisputeyou...again.”

“Youkilledhim,didn’tyou?”

Istartedtonod,buteventhathurt.“Yes.Ithinkso...anyway...triedtodisablehim...Hurttoomuch...”

Shebentoverandbrushedmyforeheadwithherlips.ShewassocloseIcouldseetherednessinhereyes.Shestilllookedlovely.

“...beallright...”

“Iexpectit.Now...youbequiet.Youdon’tneedtotalk.Saveyourstrength.”Shesqueezedmyfingersagainasshestraightened,butshedidnotletgoofthem,notuntilMasterDraffydreturned.

“Thecarriagewillbeoutsideinafewmoments.”

“Sosoon?”sheasked.

“There’salwaysoneready,atanyglass.”

Ihadn’tknownthat,notthatitwouldhavemadeanydifference.ThehackerhadgottenustoImagisleasfastasanyonecouldhave.“Thehacker...?”

“Ihadhimpaid,”saidMasterDraffyd.“TheCollegiumpaid,actually.Wealsogavehimagoodwilltoken.It’sworthagoldwhenherenewshismedallion.”Hepaused.“Ihearthecarriage

outside.It’sratherlate,MistressD’Shelim,andI’mcertainyourfamilyhasbeenworried.”

“Theywillunderstand.”Seliorabentoverandkissedme,gently,butonthelips.“Takegoodcareofyourself.”Thenshesteppedaway.

Aftershelefttheroom,MasterDraffydsteppedcloser.Heheldasmallvial.

“I’mgoingtogiveyousomethingtodeepenyoursleepalittle.You’llhavetoopenyourmouth.”

Idid,andhepouredclosetoacupfulintome.Despiteamint-likescentthatwasn’tunpleasant,theliquiditselftastedlikeacidicpeppermintlacedwithcheapplonk,andIcouldn’thelpbutgrimace.

“Ittastesterrible.I

remember.Youdon’tforget.“Hestopperedthevialandslippeditintoapocketofhiswaistcoat,thenlookedbackatme.“Youwouldn’tbealivewithouttheyoungwoman,youknow?”

“Nor...withoutyou,either.”

“That’strue,butshehadthepresenceofmindtogetyouhere.Howdidshe

know?”

“Igaveherdirections.”IrealizedthatIwasalittlestronger.Notmuch,butatrace.

Hefrowned.“Youwereawake?”

“Untilafterwecrossedthebridgeandgottotheinfirmarydoor.Iwasholdingashieldtightagainstthewound...untiltheendwhen

Igottoolight-headedtoconcentrate.”

“Inthatcase,itdidtakebothofyou.Shesaidso,but...it’sstillamazing.”

Thatirritatedme,weakasIwas.“IfSeliorasaidso...it’strue.”

“No.I’mcertainshetoldthetruth.Imeantyourholdingashieldagainstawoundlikethat.Most

wouldn’tthinkofthat.”

Iwouldn’thavethoughtofitwithoutSeliora’ssuggestion,butIwasn’tgoingtotellMasterDraffydthat.“Youimagedthebulletout,didn’tyou,andthenimagedsomesortofdressingorpatchinthere.”

“It’smorecomplicatedthanthat,butsomethinglikethat.”Hepaused.“What

aboutthemanwhoshotyou?”

“He’sdead,Ithink.Iimagedcausticintohiseyesandchest...insidehischest,neartheheart.Thatwashard.Hescreamedanddroppedover.”Icouldfeelmyeyestryingtoclose.

“Youneedtorest.Don’tworry.Someonewillbewatching.”

Iwasworried,butthatdidn’tstopmyeyesfromclosing.

Noonesurvivesintheworld

withoutwounds;theluckyandthedeterminedare

unfortunateenoughtosurvivemoreofthem.

WhenIwokeonSolayi,barelyafterdawn,withgraylightseepingintothegrayroom,Iachedallover,and

myheadwaspounding.I’dbarelyopenedmyeyeswhenanobdurateinaplainblackuniformappeared,holdingatallglassfilledwithclearliquid.

“MasterDraffydsaidyouaretodrinkallofthis.”Heheldittomylips.

Idrank.SofarasIcouldtellortaste,theliquidwasjustwater,butwaterwithno

tastewhatsoever.Waterornot,inlessthanaquarterglass,theworstofthepoundinginmyheadhadsubsidedtoadullache.Thatwasamixedblessing,becauseIwasstillstrappedinplace,andmostuncomfortable,aswellasabletothinkaboutit.

Beforeallthatlong,thankfully,MasterDraffydappeared.“I’mgoingto

removeyourrestraints,butpleasedon’tmoveuntilItellyouto.”

“Yes,sir.”Iwouldhaveagreedtoanythingtogetclearofthestraps.

Iforcedmyselftolookdownashechangedthedressing.Thereweretwowounds,lessthanfourdigitsapart.Theareaaroundeachwasbruised.Bothwere

suturedwithwidestitches.

“Sofar,sogood.You’llhavesomeinterestingscarsthere,Rhennthyl.”

Whateverheusedtocleantheareastung.Thenhisfacetightenedinconcentration,andIcouldfeelstinginginmychest,thenstabbingpainthatslowlysubsided.

“Youwerecarryingsomeshields,weren’tyou?”

“Justoneswithtriggersagainstimaging.Itriedtoraisefullshields,butIwastooslow.”

Henodded.“Theshieldsyoudidhavesavedyourlife.Thosebulletswouldhavegonerightthroughyou,andtheexitwoundswouldhavebledevenmore.”

“Iwouldn’tbealiveifwehadn’tcomehere.”

“No,butpleasedon’ttestyourluckagain.”

Ihadnointentionofthat—exceptIhadn’tbeentestinganything.

“Obernwillbehereandhelpyoucleanupandgetintoasetofdrysleepwearandgetyousomecleanbedding.Justlieherequietlyforatleastaglass.Afterthat,youcanmove,butonlyslowlyand

carefullyandnotoften.Anddon’tusethearmonyourwoundedside.Notatall.You’llgetsomethingtoeatinawhile.”

“Yes,sir.WhenIcanreturntomyquarters?”

“Thatwon’tbeforseveraldays,possiblyaweek.”

AfterMasterDraffydleft,Obern—theverysameobduratewhohadgivenme

thewaterearlier—reappearedwithlinens,sleepwear,andbedding,andbeforetoolongIwascleaneranddrier.Itriedtorest,buttoomanythoughtskeptrunningthroughmyhead.Whocouldpossiblyhavewantedmedead?ThemostlikelypossibilitiesweretheHighHolderRyelorsomeformerfriendsofDiazt,buthowwouldtheyhaveknownwhereIwas?Thatleft

someonetowhomSeliorahadtalked...orsomeonethatOdeliahadtalkedto...or...someonetheyhadtalkedtowhohadtalkedtosomeoneelse...Thatwaspointless.GossipinL’Excelsiswenteverywhere.

Anotherthoughtstruckme.IfI’dreallywantedtogetclearoftherestraints,couldn’tIjusthaveimagedthemelsewhere?Thatthought

alonetoldmethatIstillwasn’tthinkingasclearlyasIthoughtIwas.IalsorealizedthatIwouldhavebeensaferagainstanimager,becauseI’dhavegottenfullshieldswithoutthinking.Ineededmoreworkonshields,sothatIbarelyhadtothinktogetthem.

WhywasitthatIcouldfigureoutthingsafterward,whenitwouldhavebeenso

muchbetterbeforehand?Ididn’thaveananswertothatquestioneither,butthenOberncamebackwithbreakfastonatray,actualegg-friedtoastwithasyrupandtea.Iateallofit.

Iwasfeelingbetter—untilIsawMasterJhulianwalkintomyinfirmaryroom.

“Goodmorning,Rhennthyl.”

“Goodmorning,sir.”

“Youhadquiteanevening,Ihear.I’veheardquiteabitfromeveryoneelse,butitmightbebestifyoutoldmeexactlywhathappened.Talkslowly,please,andtakeyourtime.Stopwheneveryouwant.I’veaskedOberntobringyoumoretea.Thatwillhelprelaxyou,anditwillalsohelpthehealing.”Hepulledupthesinglechair

besidethenarrowbed.“Wheneveryou’reready.”

“Ihadtakenafriend—Seliora—todinneratFelters...”Iwentthroughtheentirestory,includingSeliora’snoticeofthemaninthebrowncloak,andendedwhenIlostconsciousnessoutsidetheinfirmary.

“Didyoueverseethemanclosely?”

“No,sir.Well...justforamoment.Hedidn’tlookfamiliar.”

“Didtheyoungwomanknowhim?Shesawhimmoreclearly,didn’tshe?”

“Shedidn’tknowhim.Iteasedherabouthimlookingather,notme,butshesaidshedidn’tknowhim.”

“Rhennthyl,keepthisinmind.Nomatterhowpretty

thewomanatyourside,ifamanlooksinyourdirection,theoddsarethathe’slookingatyouorforyou.Don’teverforgetthat.”

Hisvoicewasfirm,almostcold.

“No,sir.Iwon’t.”

“Didyousayanythingtotheman?”

“No,sir.Seliorasawhim

andwhisperedthathewasthere,andIturnedandsawhimraisethepistol.ThatwaswhenItriedtoincreasemyownshields.ButIneversaidanything.”

“Someoneinthebistrosawit,andtheysummonedthecivicpatrollers.Theyhadclosetothesamestory.”Hefrowned.“Yousaidyouimagedcausticathim.Hediedingreatagony.Hemight

havebeenblinded,butthatdoesn’tusuallykillsomeone.Whatexactlydidyoudo?”

Istartedtoanswer,thencoughed,andalmostdoubledoverevenmoreinpainbeforeIcouldreply.“IguessIwasn’tclear,sir.Iimagedcausticintohiseyesandsomewhereintohischest.Atleast,thatwaswhatIwastryingtodo.”

“Youdiditwellenoughtokillhim.”MasterJhulianheldupalong-fingeredhand.“There’snoquestionthatitwasself-defense,andthemanyoukilledwasalreadybeingsoughtfortwoothermurders,andisthoughttohavecommittedanumberofothers.Thecivicpatrollerswerehappynottohavetokeeplookingforhim.SoistheCollegium.”

“Hekilledanotherimager?”

“Averyjunioroneoverayearago.Thatiswhatweknow.Therehavebeentwootherkillingsofjuniorimagersoverthepastthreemonths,andhisactagainstyoumightraiseseveralotherquestions,exceptforonething.Hewasdefinitelylookingforyou.Doyouknowwhy?”

“TheonlythingIcanthinkofisthebusinesswithHighHolderRyel—youknow,withhissonJohanyr?”

“Oh...that?”MasterJhulianfrowned.“Thatispossible,butmostunlikely.TheHighHolderwouldnotwishtheretobeanytracestohim,andthatparticularassassinwasone...notsuitableforsomeonelikeRyel.NorwouldRyelactso

quickly.”

“Atthemoment,sir,Ireallycan’tthinkofanyone...well,exceptDiaztcamefromthetaudis,Ithink,andIsupposeitcouldhavebeensomerelativeorfriendofhis.”Icouldn’tthinkofanyotherpossibilities,butthatmighthavebeenbecauseIwasstillmostuncomfortableatbest,andinsomeconsiderablepainatother

times.

“Thatismorelikely,butstillunlikely.”Hestoodandclosedthesmallblackbookinwhichhehadbeenwriting.“Onceyoucanwrite,youwillowemethatfinalpaper.”Hesetabookonthechair.ItwasacopyofJurisprudence.“Itookthelibertyofretrievingthisfromyourdesk.Youroutlinesaretuckedinside.Iwouldsuggestthatyou

considerthattherearetwomeaningsof’presumption.’Thelegaldefinitionisnotthesameaspersonalpresumption,andyournotesdonotreflectthat.”

“I’ll...keepthatinmind,sir.”

“Afteryougetsomerest.”Henoddedandslippedoutoftheroom.

Obernenteredimmediately

withalargemugofsteamingtea.“Themastersaid...”

“Iknow.Ineedtodrinkit.”IfeltlikethereweresomanythingsIneededtodo...butIwasn’tfeelinguptodoinganyofthem.

Attemptingtoteach

forethoughtisathanklesstask.

MasterDichartyndidnotappearuntilLundimorning,sincehe’dbeenaway.HeshowedupinmyinfirmaryroomafterMasterDraffyd’sministrationsandmy

breakfast.

“Goodmorning,Rhennthyl.”Hesettledontothechair.

“Goodmorning,sir.”

“Ihavealetterforyou.”Hesettheenvelopeonthebed,ashiseyestookintheJurisprudencebookI’dlaidasidewhenhehadcomein,althoughI’donlyrereadafewpagesaftereating.“Hard

atwork,Isee.”

IhopedtheletterwasfromSeliora,butIcouldn’ttellfromthewriting.I’dneverseenherhand,butthescriptlookedfeminine,anditwasn’tKhethila’s,orMother’s.Iwantedtopickitup,butIdidn’t.“MasterJhulianremindedmethatIstillhaveanessayduetohim.I’mnotsupposedtodoanythinglikewritingfor

anotherdayorso,butIcanreadandthink.”

“Thinkingisalwaysuseful,especiallyifyoudoitbeforeyougetintodifficulties.”Hefingeredhischin.“I’vetalkedtobothMasterJhulianandMasterDraffyd.”

Iwincedslightly,evenifhiswordshadbeendeliveredgently.

“Rhenn,becauseimagers

workalone,ofnecessity,greatnecessity,weneedtopayattentiontowhatotherssay,whattheysee,andwhattheyhear.Evensomeonewhoistryingtodeceiveyouwillrevealmuchthathedoesnotintend.Thosewhofavoruswilldofarmore.”

“IshouldhavelistenedtoSelioramoreclosely.”

“Youshouldhave,andthat

isalessonyouwillnotforget.”

Iknew.ThelessonsIrememberedbestweretheonesthathurt,inonewayoranother.

“Ihavesomeotherquestionsforyou.”

Afternoddingtohim,Iwaited.

“Youwerewounded,and

inagreatdealofpain,weren’tyou?Yetyoustoodagainsttwobulletsandthenimagedcausticintotheattacker’seyesandheart.MightIaskhow?”

“Ididn’twanthimtohurtSeliora,andIwasn’tbytheNamelessgoingtoletthebastardescape,andIcouldn’thaverestrainedhimintheconditionIwasin.”

“Quitealottothinkaboutinafewmoments,I’dsay.Didyou,really?”

“Notthatlogically,sir,”Iadmitted,“butIknewallthatevenasIwasimagingathim.”

MasterDichartynnodded.“Admirable...andeffective.Howdidyouknowthatcausticwouldcausehishearttoswellandstop?”

“Ididn’tknow.Ijustthoughtitwould,orthatifitdidn’t,he’dbeblindandinsomuchpainhewouldn’tbegoinganywhere.”Besides,Ihadn’tknownanyotherquickwaytoreact,becauseIhadn’tpracticedanykindsofimagerattacks—justdefenses.“Willthiskeepmefrombeingafieldimager?”

“Ifyou’dbeentrainedforthat,no...butthat’snot

whatyourpositionislikelytobe.Thisincidentwillhelpyouunderstandjusthowimportantwhatyou’llbedoingis,anditwillalsogiveyouafeelforthedangersandconsequencesthatnoamountoftrainingwill.Foryou,sinceyou’vesurvivedit,that’sprobablyforthebest,butwecertainlydidn’tintendforanythinglikethistohappen.”Hefrowned.

“There’sbeenabittoomuchofthissortofthingrecently,butasMasterJhulianandIdiscussed,thisassassinwasafteryouandnooneelse.”

Assoreasmyshoulderwas,IwasstillirritatedthatMasterDichartynhadn’tsaidwhatIwasbeingtrainedfor.“SowhatwillIbe?AnimagerwhotracksdownthoseinL’ExcelsiswhomightharmtheCounciland

theCollegium?Onewhokillsasnecessary?”

“Onlyiforderedto—orinself-defense,”heagreed.“Weworkaswhatyoumightcallcounterspies,althoughourgrouphasnonameanddoesnotofficiallyexistintherecordsoftheCollegium.We’realltechnicallyassignedaspartofCouncilsecurity.Thereareonlyaroundtenofuswhoworkascounterspies.

There’snolimitonthenumber,butimagerswhomeettherequirementsareextremelyhardtofind.Theyshowuponlyeveryfewyears,andweloseclosetoathirdofthembeforetheybecomemasters.”

“Whatmadeyoudecideonme?”

“Anumberofthings.”Hesmiled.“Iwilltellyou.ThatI

promiseyou,butnotnow.Sinceit’syourleftshoulder,andyou’reright-handed,youcanwritewhileyou’rerecovering.Writemeanessayexplainingwhatqualitiesyouthinkanimagercounterspyshouldhave.”

“Yes,sir.”

“Takeyourtime.Notforever,butsay,aweek.”Hepaused.“Oh...bytheway..

.allthepaintsandoilsandcanvasesarrivedthismorning...aswellasalltheotherthingsyou’llneed.Oncewehaveastudiosetupintheworkshopareaandyou’reuptoit,I’llhaveMasterPoincarytsitforyou.Ifanyonedeservesaportrait,hedoes.”

“Isitalsothatit’ssafertohaveanimagerdoit?”

“Thatcertainlyissomethingthatmakesiteasier,butthere’sneverbeenanimagertrainedasaportraiturist,andwe’revainenoughthatwe’dlikeanaccurateresemblance.”

Thatwasacomplimentofsorts.“Icanseethat.”

“KeepfollowingMasterDraffyd’sinstructions.Hesaysthatifallgoeswell,by

JeudiorVendrei,youcanreturntoyourownquarters.You’llstillhavetoseehimeverymorning,butItrustyou’drathernotbehere.”

“That’strue,sir.”

Hesmiled,thenturnedtogo.Afterheleft,Irealizedthathehadn’tevenaskedmeifbeingacounterspywaswhatIwantedtodo.Ialsorealizedthathehadn’tneeded

to.

OnlythendidIpickupthecream-coloredenvelopeandlookatitclosely.Onthefrontwasmyname—RhennthylD’Imager—andbelowit,simplyImagisle.Iturneditover.EventhoughIknewfromwhomithadcome,Icouldn’thelpbutsmileasIsawthename—M.SelioraD’Shelim,NordEsteDesign,Nordroad.

Iopeneditcarefully,butthewaxsealstillbrokeandsprayedwaxacrosstheblanket.Ireadslowly,takingineachword.

MydearRhenn,

Itrustthatyouarerecovering.Ihopethatyouwillbewellbeforelong.Canyouhavevisitors?Ifyoucan,

andifyoucanletmeknow,Iwouldliketoseeyou.

Untilthelastmoments,Ienjoyeddinnersomuch.Ihaveneverhadadinnersoexciting.YouwillunderstandifIsaythatIhopenevertohaveanother.Thenexttime,youmustcometoourhouseandhaveoneofMother’s

specialdinners.

Ilookforwardtohearingfromyou.

Thesignaturewasasimple“Seliora.”

Icouldn’thelpbutsmile.TheletterwassolikeSeliora

—directandwarm.Icertainlycouldhavevisitors,ifonlyafterIcouldleavetheinfirmary.AssoonasIcould,IwouldwritehertosuggestSolayiafternoon.

MyeyesdroppedtotheJurisprudencebook.Iwouldhavemorethanalittleotherwritingaswell,andthatwouldnotbenearlysoenjoyable.

Somemenchangetheir

principlesasfrequentlyastheirlinens,andothersnever

do;bothareinerror.

Thenextseveraldayswereslow,long,andtedious.MasterDichartyncheckedonmebrieflyeachmorning,asdidMasterDraffyd.Besides

that,allIdidwassomewalking,withObernaccompanyingandwatchingme,somereading,someeating,andmorethanalittledozingandsleeping.OnJeudimorningMasterDraffydandMasterDichartynbotharrivedatthesametime.Thatcouldnothavebeencoincidence.

First,MasterDraffydexaminedmeandchanged

thedressingonmyupperchestandshoulder.“It’salreadyhealingwell.Youcanleavehere,butstayonImagisleandkeepthedressingdry.Nostrenuousexercise,onlywalking,andnoexercisewiththatarmexceptforlightthings.Don’tpickupanythingheavy...”

Thewaymyshoulderfelt,Iwasn’tabouttoliftanythingmorethanapen.Certainly

notanythingasheavyastheJurisprudencetext.

“...Ifthere’sanysuddenpainorsoreness,orrednessorswelling,comebackhereimmediately.IfI’mnothere,Obernoroneoftheotherswillfindme.Isthatclear?”

“Yes,sir.”

MasterDichartynwaiteduntilMasterDraffydleft.

“You’reveryfortunate.Ineedtomakeonethingveryclear.Untilyou’refullyhealed,andIdomeanfully,youarenottoleaveImagisle.Doyouunderstandwhy?”

“Anyonewithenoughcoinanddesiretohiresomeonetokillmewon’tlikelystopatlosingonebravo.”

MasterDichartynnodded.“We—you,actually—willput

astoptoit,butsinceyouwillnotbeableuntilyou’rewell,andthatislikelytobeatleastamonth,accordingtoMasterDraffyd.”

“Amonth?”

“Theoutwardwoundsandtheworstofthedamagewillhealinanotherweek,twoweeksattheoutside.Thenyou’llhavetoregainstrengthinthatarmandshoulder,and

you’llworkwithClovylonthat—heknowswhathappened.He’llbetheoneworkingwithyoutorebuildyourstrengthandconditioning.MaitreDyanaandIwillteachyouafewmoretechniqueswhenthetimecomes.Fornow,youarenottodoanyimaging—exceptinemergencies,andIdohopeyoucanseeyourwaytoavoidingthose.I’llsee

youtomorrowateighthglass.Iwon’tneedyouressay,butIwantyoutoreviewtheanatomysectionofyoursciencetext,especiallythesectiononthehumanchestandheart.”

Ididforcemyselftowalkbacktomyownquartersslowly,andIcarriedtheJurisprudencebookinmyrightarm.Icouldn’thelpbutworryoverhiswordsabout

mybeingtheonetoputastoptomatters.

Whenthetimeapproachedtenthglassandlunch,Imademywaytothedininghallslowlyanddeliberately.Evenso,IsawthatClaustynhadgottenthereearlier.Hewavedformetojoinhimatoneendofthelongtable.WhenIreachedhim,sohadMenyardandReynol.

Iwasmorethanhappytositdown.

“Wehaven’tseenyouforalmostaweek,”saidClaustyn.“Wordisthatsomeassassinattackedtwoimagers,andkilledone.Wasthatwhywehaven’tseenyou?”

Twoimagers?“Idon’tknowaboutanyoneelse.Ididgetshot—rightoutside

Felters.Doyouknowwhotheotherimagerwas?”

“SomearesayingitwasJacques,”Reynolreplied.“Noone’sseenhim,either,butyouneverknowforawhilewhenthesethingshappen.TheCollegiumdoesn’tliketoacknowledgepubliclythatanyimagerwasattacked—orkilled,especially.”

“Didhegetaway?”askedMenyard.

WhatcouldIsaytothat?Afteramoment,Ilaughed,gently.“Imanagedtodisablehim,orthatwaswhatItried.Hedied,though.”

“IfImightask,”venturedReynol,“howbadly...?”

“Twoshots.Hereandhere.”Ipointedwithmygoodhand.

ClaustynandMenyardlookedateachother.

“Youimagedhimafteryouwerehit?”askedClaustyn.

“Ididn’tknowhewasshootingatmeuntilIgothit.”Thatwasn’tquitetrue,butcloseenough.

ClaustynnoddedandsaidtoMenyard,“That’swhy.”

“Whywhat?”Iasked.

“WhyMasterDichartynisyourpreceptor.Heonlytakesimagerswhohavethatkindofreaction.Noneofuscanfigureouthowheknowsthat,butheseemstosenseitwheneveranewimagerwhohasthatabilityarrives.Doyouhaveadutyassignment?”

“Iknowwhatitwillbe,onceIrecoverandfinishmytraining.”

“DidyoulikethedinneratFelters—beforewhathappened?”Claustynasked.“Wasitasgoodaspeoplesay?”

Obviously,somequestionswerepursuedonlysofar—anotheroftheunspokenrules.“Ihadamarinatedflanksteakstuffedwithbutteredparsleyandmushrooms.Itwasexcellent,andtheyhadaCambrisiothatwasvery

good.”

“Wasitthatexpensive?”

“Itwasn’tbad...foursilvers,Ithink,butwehadsalads,anddessertandwine.”

“That’snottoodear,”reflectedReynol,“ifyoudon’tdoittoooften.”Hegrinned.“Wassheworthit?”

“Howwouldheknow?”askedMenyard.“Hegotshot

beforehecouldfindout.”

Ismiled.“Shewasveryworthit.Shewastheonewhogotmetotheinfirmaryintime.”

“That’sveryworthit,”saidClaustyn,“ifnotexactlywhatReynolhadinmind.”Helaughed.

Sodidweall.

“Where’sKahlasa?”I

askedafterseveralbitesofafowlcasserole.

“Shegotcalledbacktofielddutyearly,”saidReynol.“Shedidn’tsaywhy,butaCaenenancruisersankoneofourmerchantersonthehighseas—morethanfiftymillesofftheCaenenancoast.TheCouncilorderedablockadeofCaena,andtheFourthandFifthFleetsaresteamingsouthnow.That’swhatthey

say,anyway.”

“WhataretheJariolansgoingtodo?”

“TheCouncilsentastrongmessagesuggestingthattheykeepoutofit,”Menyardadded.“ButtheirOligarch—KhasisIII,Ithink,ishisname—issupposedlymassingforcesontheirborderwithFerrum.That’sbecauseFerrumhasbeen

armingCaenen,andhasbeenreceivingfavoredtrade.”

“Sowe’relookingatwarinCloiseraandinOtelyrn?”Iasked.

Claustynshrugged.“It’spossible.Wecontroltheseas,butwedon’thaveanarmybigenoughtofightinbothplaces.”

“Couldn’twehelpFerrumandjustblockadeCaena?”

“That’suptotheCouncil,but...”Reynoldrewoutthewords:“Ferrumdoesn’tlikeSolidar,andparticularlytheCollegium,muchmorethanJarioladoes,andifweblockadeCaena,theHighPriestislikelytoturnonTiempretogetsomeoftheresourcesheneedsbecauseheknowswedon’twanttoinvadeCaenen...oranycountryinOtelyrn.”

WhyTiempre?Ialmostasked,butthenrealizedwhy.Tiemprehadbannedimagersalmostacenturyearlier.Thathadendedupdrivingoutmanyofthewealthierandmorecreativetypes.MorethanafewhadcometoSolidar.IdoubtedthatTiemprecouldstanduptoCaenenandtheHighPriest’sreligioushordes,andIcouldn’tseetheCouncil

sendingtroopstoOtelyrn.

“So...ifweblockadeCaena...we’llstartawarbetweenTiempreandCaenen,andifwedon’t,theCaenenanswillfeelfreetokeepfiringonourmerchantships?”

“I’dventuretosaythataboutsumsitallup,”saidClaustyncheerfully.“UnlesstheHighPriestchangeshis

mind.”

“Thatdoesn’tseemlikely,”Ipointedout.

“No,”Menyardsaid.“Truebelievers—orthosewhodepictthemselvesassuch—seldomchangetheirminds.They’dratherdiefirst,and,iftheydochangetheirminds,someoneelseinthehierarchyislikelytoseethattheydie.”

“Didyougetthatfrom

MasterDichartyn?”

“MasterJhulian.Forallhislegalknowledge,he’salmostascynicalasDichartyn.”

Intheend,ourdiscussionledtonothingmore,andafterwardIreturnedtomyquartersandwroteanotetoSeliorathankingherandaskingifshecouldvisitonSolayiafternoon...andtellingherwheretomeetme

ifshecould.Afterthat,Iwroteashorternotetomyparents,tellingthemI’dbeeninjuredandthat,whileIwashealingwell,Iwouldn’tbeleavingImagislesoon.

Then,aftertakingthembothtotheadministrationbuildingtobesent,Iwalkedslowlybacktomyroom,oncemore,andstretchedout—gingerly—onmybedtorest.Jurisprudenceandthe

twoessayswouldhavetowait.

Achievingtrueexcellence

risksallthatholdshappiness.

WellbeforethirdglassonSolayiafternoon,Iwassittingwaitingonthesecondgraystonebench—theoneshadedbytheoakthatwasfinallyleafingout—nearthe

ImagislesideoftheBridgeofHopes.I’dbroughtthesciencetext,becauseMasterDichartynhadnotbeenpleasedwithmylackofvisualizationofanatomywhenwehadmetonVendrei.WhilehehadbeenslightlyhappierwithmyperformanceonSamedimorning,he’daskedmorequestions,andthenpointedlysuggestedthatIfinishmyessayforMaster

JhulianinordertohavemymindcleartofinishtheessayIowedhim.

OnSolayimorning,IhadfinishedadraftoftheessayontheJuristicCode’sapplicabilitytoimagers.BecausetheCoderecognizedthediscretiongrantedtocivicpatrollers,anyoneactuallychargedwaspresumedguilty.Sincepatrollerstendedtodefertoimagers,theCode

providedforareviewhearingonanymatterinvolvinganimager—providedtheCouncilapproved.ThatalsoexplainedwhyMasterJhulianandMasterDichartynhademphasizedthatimagersshouldneverbeevenremotelyassociatedwiththeappearanceofviolenceandmurders.SuchapetitiontotheCouncil,evenifrejected,mightwellraiseissuesbetter

leftunexamined.

AsIcouldfeelthetimenearingthirdglass,Ifinallyclosedthesciencetext,becauseIwasnotreadingit.Myeyesweremerelyskippingoverthepageinfrontofmeandthenglancingtowardthenearerendofthebridge.Justmomentsafterthethirdbellrang,twofigurescameintoview,walkingcasually,butnotdawdling,

alongthesouthsideofthebridge,Selioraandatallerfigure—Odelia.Selioraworealongflowingdress,apalegreen,withacreamsilkjacket.Odeliawasinabrightergreen.

Istoodandsteppedtowardthem.

Odeliasmiledbutdroppedbacktolethercousinmovetowardmealone.Seliora

steppedforwardandtookmyhands.Shesmiled,anexpressionofbothconcernandwarmth.“YoulookbetterthanthelasttimeIsawyou.”

“Ifeelmuchbetter.”

SheinclinedherheadtowardtheshadedbenchIhadjustleft.“You’restillpale,andyouneedtositdown.”

Ididn’targue,andwesat

downintheshade.Odeliatooktheotherbench,closeenoughtowatch,butfarenoughnottohear,althoughIdoubtedshewouldhavepassedonanything.

“I’mgladyoucame.”Icouldn’thelpsmilingather.

“Shouldyoubeup?”

“MasterDraffydsaidthatgentlemovementwouldhelp,butI’mnotsupposedtolift

anythingheavywithmyleftarmorhand.”

“ItoldMotherwhereyouwereshot,”Seliorasaidslowly.“Shesaidmostpeoplewouldhavediedrightthere.”

“Ialmostdid.Ifyouhadn’tgottenmetotheinfirmarythatquickly,Iwouldhave.”

Shelookeddirectlyatme.“You’refatednottodieyoung.ThatiswhatMama

said.”Thenshesmiled.“Shetoldmetotellyouthat’sfromthePharsiside.”

Ifrowned.“Ithoughtthatwasyourfather’sside.”

Selioraflushed.“Actually...there’sfullPharsionbothsides.”

Ilaughed.“Thatdoesn’tsurpriseme.Canyoutellfortunesaswell?”IwishedIhadn’taskedthequestion,

because,belatedly,Irememberedthatshe’dalreadytoldmethatshe’dseenavisionofmeingraybeforeI’dbecomeanimager.

“IdobetterwithpeopleIdon’tknow.”

“Peopleyoudon’tknoworpeopleyou’renot...closeto?”Ihesitatedoverthewords.

“ThoseIdon’tcareabout.

Whenyoucare,it’sdifficulttoseparatewhatyouwanttoseefromwhatyoudosee.”

Iwantedtoputmyarmsaroundher.Ididn’t.“Yourparentsweren’tupset?”

“Whywouldtheybeupset?”

“Becauseyouwerewithsomeonewhogotshot.Thatcouldbeupsetting.”

“Papasaidhewashappyyouweregoingtobewellandthat...”Sheshookherhead.

“What?”IspokebeforeIrealizedshehadthatglintinhereye.

“Hedidn’twanthisdaughtertobeinterestedinamanwhowasn’tworthshooting.SomeoneshothimwhenhewascourtingMama.

Itwasonlyinthearm,anditdidn’tevenbreakabone.”

“Didheeversaywhathappenedtotheman?”

Seliorashookherhead.“Hedidsaythatthefellowwouldn’tbotheranyoneagain.”

“Ithoughtitmighthavebeensomethinglikethat.Idon’tthinkI’llcrossyourfather.”

“Benicetome,andhewon’tsayaword.”Shegrinned.“ButIthinkGrandmamahadmoretodowithit.Shedidn’tlikeanyoneinterferingwithherfamily.Shestilldoesn’t.”

“Didyougetthepistolfromher?”

Thatbroughtasheepishlooktoherface.“IboughtitwhenIwasfifteen.

GrandmamaknewbeforeItookthreestepsintothehouse.Shespenteverydayforamonthteachingmetouseit.Shetoldmethatyouneverboughtanythingyoucouldn’tuseordidn’tlearntouse.”

“Ididn’tmeether,”Isaid.

“Shehasabadleg.Shealsotoldmethatshedidn’twanttomeetanyoneI

thoughtmuchofinacrowd,andthefamilywasdefinitelyacrowd.”Therewasthefaintestpause.“Sheknowsaboutyou,though.”

“Oh?”Iwasn’tcertainIlikedthat.

“I’vetoldher.Shesaidthatifyouweretalentedandhonest,you’dneveramounttoanythingasaportraiturist.”

EvenasIwinced,Ihadto

admitthatthegrandmotherI’dnevermetwasright.“Doesthatapplytofurnitureanddesigns?”

“Absolutely!We’retalented,butwe’renottotallyhonest.Wecheatanyonewhotriestocheatus...andwe’rebetteratit.”

Thatalsosurprisedmenotintheleast.

“Willyoubeabletocome

todinnerbeforelong?”

“Iwantto,verymuch,butMasterDichartynhasconfinedmetoImagisleuntilI’mtotallywellandbetterabletotakecareofmyself.Thatcouldbealmostamonth.”Ismiled,iffaintly.“HealsosaidthatI’mtolistentoyou.”

Thelastwordsdidbringthefaintesthintofthat

mischievoussmileIlikedsomuch.

“I’mgladtheythinkI’mofworthtoyou.”

“MasterDraffydsaidIowemylifetoyou,butIalreadyknewthat.”Ipaused,thenadded,“Ican’tthinkofanyoneI’dratheroweitto.”

“Rhenn...Iknowwhatyou’redoingmustbedangerous.Pleasedon’ttake

risksyoudon’thavetotake.”

“That’swhatthey’retryingtoteachme.”Amongotherthings.

“Thenlistentothem.”

Ismiledbroadlyather.“ShallItellMasterDichartynyouorderedmetolistentohim.”

“Ifitpleasesyou.”Thewordswerenotquitecoy,but

therewasahintofchill.

“I’msorry.Iwasteasing.Ididn’tmeantooffendyou.”

“Teasingisfair,”shereplied.“Condescensionisnot.”

IalmostsaidIhadn’tbeencondescending,thenthoughtbetter.“That’sfair,butIprobablydon’trecognizeitallthetimewhenI’mbeingcondescending.If

condescensionisn’tfair,thenyouhavetoacceptmyapologiesforinadvertentcondescension.”Iofferedamournfulface.

Eithertheexpressionorthewordsbroughtalaugh,andIlaughedwithher,ifverygently.Toomanythingshurttoomuchforenthusiasticlaughter.

“HaveyouseenRogarisor

anyoftheothers?”

“No.There’snoreasonto,andwe’vebeenbusy.IhadtocomeupwithanentirenewdesignforHighHolderEsquivyl.Hedecidedthattherenditionofthefamilycrestthatheapprovedtwoweeksagowasn’twhathewantedafterall.Orhisnewchildbridedecidedthat.”

“Didyoumeether?”

“Shesimpersandbatshereyelashes,butshehasmorebrainsinthelittlefingershebeckonstohimwiththanhehasinhisskull.”

“HaveyouevermetHighHolderRyel?”

Seliorafrowned,thinking.“No,butyouneverknow.Why?”

“Justdon’tmentionmyname.That’sall.Hisson

attackedme.”

“Whatdidyoudo?”

“Idefendedmyself.Actually,thereweretwoofthem.Theywerebothimagerswhowereseniortome.IpartlyblindedJohanyr—he’sRyel’sson,andhewastransferredtoMontD’Imagetorecover.Hewon’tbeallowedtoreturntoL’Excelsis.ButIcan’t

imagineHighHolderRyelwouldlookuponanyoneconnectedtomeinanywayfavorably.”

“Didtheseniorimagerstrytostopthem?”

“Theydid,butIdidn’tknowthattheyweretryingtoprotectme.Ididn’tknowtheywereevenaround,andwhenitlookedlikeJohanyrreallymeanttoharmme,I

triedtodisablehim.Idisabledhimabittoomuch.That’sanotherreasonwhyIcan’tleaveImagisleforawhile.IneedtolearnbettercontrolofwhatIdo.”

“Itisn’tjustthat,isit?”

I’dknownthatSeliorawasperceptive,butherperceptioncouldmakeithardforme.“No.Themastersthinkthatsomeoneishiringassassinsto

killme,andtheydon’twantmetoleaveuntilI’mfullyrecoveredandI’velearnedsomemoretechniques.”

“HighHolderRyel?”

“Theydon’tknow,andonedoesn’tchargeHighHolderswithoutagreatdealofproof.”

Selioranodded.“Iwon’ttellPapaandMama.I’lljusttellthemthatallimagersrun

theriskofbeingtargetsattimes...especiallythegoodones.”

“I’mjustajuniorimagerthird.”

“That’slikeajourneymanimager,isn’tit?”

Isupposeditwas.Inodded.

“Thatmakesyougood.Howmanyimagersbecome

journeymeninlessthanhalfayear?”

ThingshadhappenedsofastIhadn’tconsideredthat.“Idon’tknow,butyou’reprobablyright.Ijustdidn’tthinkofitthatway.”

“Youhaven’ttoldyourparents,either,haveyou?”

“No.Iwon’tsayathingunlessIbecomeamaster.”

“You’reasproudasanyPharsi,Rhenn.”Hersmilewaswarm,sympathetic,andsad,allatonce.“Theremustbesomeofthatbloodsomewhereinyourbackground.”

Icouldonlyshrug...slightly,andIstillhadtohideawince.

Shetookmyhandsagain.“Ican’tstaylong.Nottoday.

We’rehavingabirthdaydinnerforGrandmama.”Anothersmilefollowed.“CouldwehaveapicnicherenextSamedi?”

“Areyousureyouwanttogotothattrouble?”

“Iwouldn’thaveaskedifIdidn’t.Youwouldn’tmindifOdeliabroughtKolasyn,wouldyou?”

“Ican’tseethatasa

problem.IamallowedvisitorswhenI’mfree,andthere’snorestriction,exceptcommonsense,Isuppose.”

“Halfpastfourthbell?”

“I’llbehere.”

“SowillI.”Sheleanedforwardandbrushedmycheekwithherlips,squeezingmyhands.

Afteramoment,westood.

ThenwewalkedtowardOdelia,whorose.

Whentheyheadedtowardthebridge,IjustsatdownonthebenchandwatchedthetwoofthemwalkbackacrossthebridgetoL’Excelsis,areminderofsortsthatthecityI’dgrownupinwasnowaforeignland,atleastinsomeways.

Seekingfamecanbeas

deadlyaspoison.

OnLundi,IhandedintheessayforMasterJhulian.Hereadit,thennodded.“Itisacceptable,andthatisallIcouldexpectfromanimagerwhoisnotalegalscholar.”

Iknewtheessaywasn’toutstanding,butjustacceptable?

OnMardi,IhandedintheessayonthequalitiesofacounterspytoMasterDichartyn.Hetookhistimereadingthroughthefourpages.Thenhesetitdownonthewritingdesk.

“Youhavenotedinsomedetailtheobviouspoints,that

animagercounterspyshouldbeaccomplishedintechnique,beinexcellentphysicalcondition,andbeabletoanticipatewhatmayhappen.”ThecoolnessofhiswordssuggestedthatMasterDichartynwaslessthanpleased.“Tellme,Rhennthyl.Besidesyourneedtorecover,whyareyoubeingconfinedtoImagisle?”

“Youhadindicated,sir,

thatwastoprotectmeuntilIlearnedenoughtodefendmyselfanduntiltheCollegiumandIcoulddealwiththeperpetratoroftheattack.”

“Thatistrue.Whyistheperpetratoroftheattackseekingyou?”

“BecauseIdidsomethingthatoffendedorupsethim,orher.”

“Thatisalsomostprobablytrue.Inconnectionwithyourassignment,whatconclusionshouldyoudraw?”

“Neverletanyoneknowwhatyouaredoing,havedone,ormightdo?”

“Thatisalsotrue,butthatisabehaviorpattern,notaquality,ifyouwill.Iwillgiveyouahint.HowdidyourfirstmeetinggowithMaitre

Dyana?”

Ithoughtback.Herinitialappraisalofmehadbeenstrange,becauseshe’dsaidshecouldseewhyIwasMasterDichartyn’sprotégé.“ShesaidIcouldbeanynumberofthings.”

“Rhennthyl!Think...”

“Oh...thequalityofbeinganythingexceptanimageragent?”

“Precisely.”Heshookhishead.“Thelastthingyouwantistobenoticed—ornoticedforwhatyoureallyare.Anytimeanyonenoticesyouasexcessivelycapableandbright,youendangeryourself,andsometimestheCollegium.”

Thatmadesense.Iwasn’tcertainIlikedtheideaofbeinginvisible,butIcouldn’targue.

“Doyouwanttobemarriedsomeday—totheyoungladywhosavedyourlifeorsomeonelikeher?”

“I’dhopeso,sir.”

“Doyouwanttohavechildrenandliveforyearswithher?HowcouldthathappenifeveryoneinL’Excelsisknewthatyouwereafearedcounterspy?Nomatterhowgoodyoubecame

asanimager,wouldyouwanttocarryheavyshieldsallthetime,neverknowingwhomightbelookingforyoueverytimeyousetfootoutside,oreveneverytimeyouawoke?Orworrywhetheryouwouldwakeup?”

Acoldjoltrandownmyspine.Inaway,Ihadbeenthinkingofmyselfasbecomingafearedand

respectedcounterspy.

“Doyoueveragainwanttoseesomeonefiringapistolatyouamomenttoolateforyoutoshieldyourself?”pressedMasterDichartyn.

“No,sir.”Mywordstherewerefirmandheartfelt.

“Then...you’dbetterthinkabouthownottostandout.”Hesmiledwanly.“It’snotaboutslinkingand

slouching,either.That’sanevenbiggersignofsomeoneuptonogood.Themostfearedcounterspiesaretheonesnooneknows,becausetheycouldbeanyoneinanyplace.Youwanttoappearsoperfectlyinplacethatnothoughtofoffenseoccurs.Callitfirstamongseconds.Likethelessermoon.”

Thatmadenosensetome.

“Erionwasafearedhunter,atleastmythologically,butwhowritespoemstothelesserhunter?Exceptinadeprecatingfashion?YetnooneeverwishedtooffendErioninperson.”MasterDichartynsmiled.“SayyouhavethreeHighHoldersinaroom,andthreeassistants.Youwanttobetheassistantwho’sbothperfectandmostdeferentiallyconfident,so

muchsothatnoneoftheotherassistantswouldthinkaboutoffendingyou,andnoneoftheHighHolderswouldeither,becauseyou’redeferentialandanassistant.”

Ididn’tliketheideaofbeingthebestsecond...atanything.

“Ittakesaveryconfidentandsuperiormantobeanimagercounterspy,because

youhavetobebetterthananyoneelse,exceptthefewothersinyourgroup,andyoucanneverletanyoneknowhowgoodyouareorshowit.Youhavetobeabletotakeprideinternally,withoutneedingtherecognitionofothers.Mostmencan’tlivewithoutovertpraiseandrecognition.Lackofpraiseandrecognitioncanturnthemintotwistedangrysouls,

convertsoftheNamer,ifyouwill,wantinganameandfamebeyondanything.”

Ihadtothinkaboutthat,andMasterDichartynletmehavetimetoconsiderhiswords.

“WhatifIsaidthatIcouldn’tdothat?”Ifinallyasked.

“I’dturnyouovertoMasterSchorzatforfield

training.You’dmakeagoodfieldimager.Peoplesuspectwhofieldimagersmightbe,buttheycan’tevertracehowtheydowhattheydo.”Heshrugged.“Theydogetmorerecognition,butmoreofthemgetkilled.”

“YouthinkIcouldbegoodasacounterspy?”

“Ifyouworkatit,youcouldbeverygood.”He

paused.“There’sanadvantageandadrawback.”

“Besidebeing...under-known?”

Helaughed.“That’sagoodwayofputtingit.Under-known.”Thesmilevanished.“Becausewhatwedotrainsimagercapabilitiesmoredeeplyandwidely,imagercounterspiesgetadvancedmorequickly,andthat

includesfieldpay...butyourpublicgradeisleftlower,atleastinmostcases,untillater.Ifyouwork,youcouldbecomeaMaitreD’Aspectfairlysoon,butwhileyouwouldgetthepay,yourrankwouldn’tbeknownbeyondthemaitresoftheCollegium.You’dstillbeviewedasathird.WhenyoumasterMaitreD’Structure,youwillbelistedasaMaitre

D’Aspect.Afterthat,youcanbelistedatwhateverlevelofmasteryyouwish.MosthaveremainedpubliclyasMaitresD’Aspectuntiltheyhaveleftday-to-daycounteringduties.”

Icouldseethat.

“Whatdoyouwanttodo?”

“Continuewithyou,sir,ifthat’sacceptable.”

“I’dhopedyouwould...butitisamatterofchoice.”Hefingeredhischin.“Becauseofyourinjuries,andbecausewe’reshorthanded,I’mgoingtochangeyourtrainingschedule.Startingnextweek,you’llspendaglasswithClovyl,rightatfirstafternoonbell,andhe’llgiveyoujusttherightamountofexercisetohelpyouheal.Afterthat,

you’llreporttoMaitreDyana.ShewillteachyouhowHighHoldersbehaveandsomeoftheirparticularcustomsandmannerisms,andwhattheysignify.”

“ShewasraisedaHighHolder,wasn’tshe?”

“Younoticed.Good.”Heliftedalongrolledtube—ratherlargepapersrolledtoformatubeayardlong—and

handedittome.“ThesearetheplansfortheCouncilChateau.Bytheendofnextweek,Iexpectyoutobeabletodraweveryfloorfrommemory.Keepthemoutofsightinyourroom,anddon’ttakethemoutofituntilyoubringthembackaweekfromJeudi.”Thenhestood.“IwillseeyouthisJeudimorning.Wewillworkonsomeimagingskillsthatwillnot

takemuchstrength.They’reamatteroftechniqueandknowledge.”

Afterleavinghisstudy,IcarriedtheChateauplansbacktomyquartersandbegantostudythem.Inlessthanaquarterglass,Iunderstoodwhyhe’dgivenmeaweek.Therewereroomsandpassagesthatnoonecouldeverhaveguessedwereeventhere.

Itookmytimegettingtothedininghall,butMenyardandReynolweretheonlyonesIcouldseeofthegroupwithwhomIusuallyate.

“You’relookinghealthier,Rhenn,”saidReynol.

“I’mfeelingbetter.”

“Where’sClaustyn?”

Menyardshrugged“Onassignment.Fieldimagers

don’tsaywhere,andwedon’task.Heleftsometimeyesterday.”

“You’llsaylessthanthat,”observedReynol.

“EvenifIwantedto,”Ireplied,“I’llhavefarlesstosay.Howcanonesayanythingaboutwhatneverhappens?Thatwouldbelikewritingahistoryofaplacethatneverexisted.”

Bothofthemlaughed.

Atthatmoment,oneofthesecondssittinganemptyspaceawayfromReynolhandedoveraplatterofchops,andIcouldseeadishofstewedandspicedapplesfollowing.“Ihaven’tpickeduponeofthenewsheets.What’shappeninginCaenenorCloisera?”

Reynolshookhishead.

“Weprobablywon’thearuntilsomeoneactuallyinvades,andthenewswillbeagoodweeklate,ifnottwo.”

“Who’sstronger,FerrumorJariola?”

Reynolfrowned.“That’shardtosay.Ferrumhasmoreheavyequipment,andthey’veevengotsomethingcalledalandcruiser—anarmoredthingpoweredbysteamthat

cantraveloverlandwithoutrails.TheOligarchhasmoretrainedtroops...”

AsReynolwenton,Igotthefeelingthatawarbetweenthetwowouldbelongandbloodyandinnoone’sinterest,butwasn’tthattrueofmostwars?

Thereisahiddenadvantage

toimagingwhatappearstobenothing.

Jeudimorningwasdamp,raw,anddrizzling.IwasbackinMasterDichartyn’sstudy,morethanalittlecuriousabouttheimagertechniquesIwouldbelearning.Insteadof

sayinganythingimmediately,helookedatmeandfingeredhischin,asignthatalecture,aquestion,orsomethingelsetomakemethinkwasabouttobedelivered.

“Rhennthyl...haveyoueverconsideredthegovernmentaluniquenessofSolidar?”

“Comparedtoothergovernments?”

“AgainstwhatelsedidyouhaveinmindincomparingSolidarangovernment?”

Iwinced.Ihatedaskingstupidquestions.“Solidaroffersthegreatestrepresentationofcraftersinitsgovernment.”

“Withonlythreeguildrepresentatives?”

“Sir,youknowfarmorethanIdo,butnowherein

anythingIhavereaddoesitmentionthatotherlandsallowanycraftparticipation.”

“Notascrafters.Butinmostlands,thosewhopossessacertainamountofwealthdohaveavoiceingovernment,andsomeofthosearethemoresuccessfulcrafters.”

“There’sadifference.Thewealthyindividualrepresents

hiscoins,whilethecraftersrepresenttheinterestsofthosetowhomtheymustanswer—othercrafters.Also,thereisanimagerontheCouncil,andthecouncilorshavetorepresentdifferentpartsofSolidar.”

“Whatdoesthatmean,Rhenn?”

“TheCouncilhastorepresentmorethanthosein

powerinL’Excelsis.”

“DoesthatmatterwhentheCouncilhaspowerinandofitself?”

Iforcedmyselftostopandthinkbeforereplying.“ACouncilmemberhaspowerbecauseheisamemberoftheCouncilthatgovernsSolidar.Asarepresentativeofaguildorasanimager,suchamembermaynothavehad

powertoinfluencegovernmentbeforebeingselectedassucharepresentativeandmaynothavesuchpowerafterheceasesbeingaCouncilmember.Thosewithwealthcanalmostalwayspurchaseinfluenceinonefashionoranother.”

“WhatdoesthatmeanfortheaveragepersoninSolidar?”

“IwouldjudgethattheaveragepersoninSolidarhaslesstofearfromgovernmentthaninotherlands,andmoreofthemhaveachancetovoicetheirconcernswithoutfearofretribution.”

“Mostcarefullyworded,Rhenn,andgenerallyaccurate.Now...whatgovernmentstructureintheworldhaschangedtheleastoverthepastfourcenturies?”

“Ours.You’resuggestingourpowerandstabilityrestonwiderrepresentationofpower?”

“I’mtryingtogetyoutomaketheconnection.Whywouldthisbeso?”

“Becausewehavetospendfewercoinsinthingslikeputtingdownrevoltsandinhavingmorepatrollersinthecities?”

“Orincollectingtariffsandtaxes,”addedMasterDichartyn.“Thiscreatesalong-standingandrealproblemfortheCouncil.SomebothwithinSolidarandinotherlandsdonotliketheexamplethatSolidarpresentstotheworld.Thoseherefeelthattheirownpowerislimitedbysuchdiversity.Theoutsidersunderstandthatourpowerrestsonthediversity

ofourpoliticalstructurebecauseitallowsustotaxourpeoplelessanddevotemoreofthosetaxestomaintainingandexpandingourpower.TheyhavespentcenturiestryingtoundowhatthefirstCouncilbegan,bothbyexternalthreats,suchasattacksonourshippingandmerchants,andbyinternalattacks,suchasattemptedassassinationsofcouncilors

andothersinSolidar.

“IfnoorganizationinSolidardidwhatwedo,Solidarwouldlongsincehavereturnedtodespotismormercantileoligarchycenturiesago—orwewouldhavebeenforcedtospendtensofthousandsmoreingoldseveryyearonnon-imagercounterspiesandsecretpatrollersandmore,andthatwouldhavedestroyedwhat

Solidaris.IfanygroupundertheCouncil’scontrol—oranywhereinthegovernment—didwhatwedo,theywouldeventuallycontrolSolidar,withclosetothesameresult.Thatiswhythestandardssetforimagersaresohigh.Thatisanotherreasonwhyyouneedtoknowthelawsaswell,ifnotbetter,thananycityjusticeorcivicpatroller.Now...canyou

explainwhywecandothiswithoutbeingcorruptedbypower—asaninstitution?”

Thatseemeddirectenough.“BecausetheCollegiumhasastructuretominimizethedangersofcorruption.”

MasterDichartynnodded.“Thatispartoftheanswer.Thesecondpartisequallysimple.Wealsocanneverholdpowerbecausethe

peoplewouldnotstandforrulebyimagers,andweweedoutanyimagerswhodonotunderstandthat.Aboveall,youneedtorememberthat.Sometimes...letusjustsaythatonceortwiceinthepast,certainmastersfailedtorealizethatbasictruth,anddisasterforboththeCollegiumandSolidarwasnarrowlyaverted.”

Convictionranthrough

everywordMasterDichartynhadspoken.Evenso,Iwasn’tcertainIwouldhavebeenconvincedhaditnotbeenfortheeventsthathadbefallenmeoverthepastmonths—fromthetotalchangeinattitudebyRogarisandSagarynandevenStaelatobeingshotbysomeoneIdidn’tknowforreasonsIalsodidnotknow.

“Now...youneedtowork

onaparticularimagingtechnique.”Ashespoke,MasterDichartynplacedabowlofwateronthedeskandthenliftedashortglasstubefromsomewhere.Hesubmergedthetube,coveredtheendswithhisfingers,andthenheldupthewater-filledtube.“Youseethetube.Iwantyoutoimageair,justalittleoftheairaroundyou,intothemiddleofthetube.

Notenoughtofilltheentiretube—thatwellmightbreakit—butenoughtocreateabubbleaboutonedigitwideinthecenter.”

Imageairintowater?I’dhadtoimagethingsintothemiddleoftheair,unsupported,buttheotherwayaround?Iwonderedwhy,butI’dlearnedthatIseldomgottheexplanationsuntilafterImastereda

technique.

Ittookmealmostaglasstomanageitconsistently.

“That’senoughfornow.We’llworkondoingittoamovingtubetomorrow.”Atthatpoint,MasterDichartynsetdownthetube.“Now...besidesstudyingtheplansoftheCouncilChateau,youneedtosetupyourportraiturestudio.Grandisynhascleared

outasmallworkroomwithnorthernlightandmovedalltheequipmentandsuppliesinthere,butyouneedtoarrangeitsothatitsuitsyou.Ifyouneedotheritems,justtellhim.”

Ialmostlaughed.I’dworkedfornotquitetenyears,tryingtogettothepointwhereIcouldbecomeamasterportraituristandhavemyownstudio,andnowthat

Iwasanimager,IwasbeinggivenastudiowithalltheequipmentandpigmentsIwouldhavehaddifficultyaffording—almostasanasideandacover.

Theexcellenceofthecuisine

isbuthalfthemeal.

Inbetweensomerestingandmeals,ittookmetherestofJeudiandallofVendrei,besidesthetimewithMasterDichartyn,toorganizeastudiointheworkroomsetasideforme.Itwasagood

thingnooneexpectedmetobeginpaintingimmediately,becauseanumberofitemsweremissing,includingagrinder,amortarandpestle,certainoilsandwaxes,andaburnerandoldpots,nottomentionachairforwhoeverwouldbesittingforme.Still,GrandisynassuredmethemissingitemswouldbetherebyLundi.Thatwasfinewithme.

Samedimorning,afteranothersessionwithMasterDichartyn,IspentporingovertheplansoftheChateauandthentryingtodraweachfloorfrommemory.Ihadlunch,butwithsomethirdsIknewonlyslightly,beforereturningtomystudy.Itriedtotakeanap,butallIdidwasliethere.SoIalternatedstudyinganatomyandtheCouncilChateau.Bythetimethefour

bellsrang,Icouldn’tconcentrateonplansortextsanylonger.Iwashedupandwalkeddowntothemainlevel,andthenoutandacrossthequadrangle.

Twoofthesecondsheadedtowardmeeasedontoanadjoiningpath.Irecognizedthesecondbehindthem,whodidnotavoidme.“Shannyr,howarematterswithyou?”

“Well,thankyou.I’mgettingmarriedintwomonths.MasterDichartynhasapprovedquartersforusonthenorthend.They’resmall,butfarbetterthaneitherofuseverhoped.”

“That’swonderful!”Iwastrulyhappyforhim—andthem.I’dalwaysfeltthatShannyrwasagoodandsolidperson.“WouldIknowthelady?”

“Idon’tthinkso.HernameisCiermya.Sheworksasadrafterforanavalarchitect.”

“You’reafortunateman.”

“Iamthat.”Hepaused.“Sir,someofthesecondsaskedmetoconveytheirthanksifIsawyou.”

“DiaztandJohanyrwerethathardonthem?”

“Wordis...someofthem

hadsisters...andJohanyr...he’dthreatenthesisters...saythathecouldn’tberesponsibleforwhathappenedtotheirbrothers.”

“Themastersdidn’tknowthis?”

“No,sir.Ididn’tknowit,nottilllastweek.JohanyrandDiaztthreatenedtohurtthesistersiftheirbrotherssaidanything.”

Ihadn’trealizedjusthowmuchofabastardJohanyrhadbeen...andhowclever,becausehisschemeshadallrestedonthreats,andtheimplicationofforce,andprobablyminimaluseofimaging.IalsorealizedhowcalculatingMasterDichartynhadbeen.He’dmadesureJohanyrcouldn’timage,butwouldlive,andthewayeventshadtranspired

deprivedHighHolderRyelofanyofficialrecourse.Thatjustmadeitmorelikely,despitewhatMasterDichartynhadsaid,thatthedeadassassinhadbeensentaftermebyRyel...ormoreunfortunately,thatIhadsomethingworsetolookforwardto.“I’mgladIwasabletodosomethingaboutit,butIdidn’tknowthatwashappening.Ijustdidn’ttrust

them.”Ipaused.“Ihopenooneistryingtotaketheirplace.”

“NotthatIknow.”Hesmiled.“ButIwon’tbeworryingaboutsuchmuchlonger.”

“That’strue,andyoushouldn’thaveto.”Ithoughtforamoment.“PoorGherard.”

Shannyrlookedsurprised.

“Whoelseisthererightnow?”ShannyrhadkeptascloseawatchashecouldonthoseimagerswhowouldbesecondsformostoftheirtimeandlifeattheCollegium.MasterDichartynhadrewardedhim,andprobablythesamewouldbetrueofGherard.

“Thereisthat,I’dguess,sir.”

“Youhavemythanks,Shannyr,andgivemybesttoCiermya.”

“ThatIwill.”Hegavemeabroadsmileandcontinuedon.

Iturnedeastwardandmademywaytothebenchesonthewestsideoftheriver,whereIsatdownononeshadedbythelate-afternoonsuntowaitforSeliora,Odelia,andKolasyn.

Beforethatlong,threefiguresappearedonthebridge.Eachcarriedawickerbasket.Seliorawasattiredinamaroonskirt,acreamblouse,andashimmeringgrayvest.Assheneared,Irealizedthatshewasactuallywearingsplitskirts,farmorepracticalforapicnic.

Iboundedtomyfeet,surprisedthatIhad...andthatnothinghurt.

Seliorahurriedtomeetme,settingdownthebasketshehadcarried.Shegavemeagentlebutbriefembraceandadazzlingsmile.“You’relookingmuchbetter.”

“That’sbecauseyou’rehere.”

Sheblushedeversoslightly.

“Itoldyouhewasgallant,”OdeliamurmuredtoKolasyn.

“Oh...”Seliorahalf-turned.“You’venevermetKolasyn,haveyou?”

“No,Ihavenot.I’mpleasedtohavetheopportunity.”Iinclinedmyheadtohim.“BothOdeliaandSeliorahavespokenwellofyou.”

“Youhavetheadvantage,then.”Kolasynlaughed.“Theyrefusedtosayanything

aboutyou.”HewasclearlyolderthanIwas,butIdoubtedhewasquitesooldasOdelia,whoIsuspectedwasagoodfivetosixyearsolderthanSeliora.LikeOdelia,hewasrangyandredheaded,slightlytallerthanshewas,andhehadashortandneatlytrimmedbeard.Hiseyesweredarkbrown,andhissmilewaspleasant.Icouldn’thelplikinghim.

Seliorapickedashadedspot,butonethathadbeensun-warmedearlierintheday,sothat,whilethegrasswascool,itwasnotdamp,giventherainearlierintheweek.Then,fromherbasketcameablanketandanoilcloth,alongwithfourheavyglassesandtwobottlesofwine—awhitegrisioandaredCambrisio.FromOdelia’sbasketcameanarrayof

coveredwoodenbowlsandbaskets,morethanIbelievedcouldeverhavefitintoit.ThenSelioratookthebasketthatKolasynheldandlaidoutcutleryandutensils,andfourenormousnapkins.

Wheneverythingwassetonthecloth,Selioralookedatmeandsmiled.“Itishereforustoeat,youknow?”

Kolasynwasdeftwitha

corkscrew,andIhadaglassoftheCambrisio,asdidOdelia,whileheandSeliorahadgrisio.Therewasmorethanenoughfood,fromcrispyricefriesandalmond-stuffedpepperstoahoney-sourcrispybakedchickenandappleandcheesestrips,andawarmpeachandberrycobbler.

“Thisisexcellent.”IturnedtoSeliora,sittingnotquite

besideme.“Thankyou.”

“You’rewelcome,butMotherfixedmostofit.Ididthechicken,andOdeliadidthericefries.Motherdideverythingelse.”

“IthankyouandOdelia,andifyouwouldconveymythankstoyourmother?”

“Wecandothat.”

Everythingwasgood,but

thechickenandthecobblerweremyfavorites,andIdidhaveasmallsecondhelpingofthecobbler,butonlyaftereveryoneelsehadeatensome.

“Whatareyoustudyingnow?”Selioraasked.

“MoreabouttheCouncilandaboutimaging.Whataboutyou?”

Sheshookherhead.

“Nothingchanges.Thepeopledo,andthedetailsdo,buttheworkdoesn’t.IjustfinishedadesignfortheupholsteryonasetofdiningchairsforaHighHoldernearMontD’Artewelle.It’srather...bright.”

Odelialaughed.Thedesignandcolorshadtobemorethanjustbright.

“Whatareyouworkingon,

Kolasyn?”

“Ornamentalbronzefire-screencastings,andthefiretoolstogowiththemforahuntinglodge,aswellasanumberofgardenbronzes.”

Wetalkedforawhile,orratherIaskedabouttheirprojects,andthenlistened.AsIdid,itstruckmethatallofthemwereinvolvedincreatingthings—asIonce

hadbeen—andnowIwasbeingtrained,inaway,tokeepSolidarandothersfrombeinguncreated.

Odeliastood.“IsitallrightifKolasynandIwalkovertotheriver?”

“Onthisside,nearthebridge,”Ireplied.They’dbesafeanywhere,butIdidn’tliketheideaoftheirbeingtoofaraway,althoughIcouldn’t

havesaidwhy.IturnedtoSelioraandliftedmyglass,whichheldbutasmallremnantofwine.“Ican’ttellyouhowmuchIappreciatethis.”

“Ienjoyedputtingittogether.”

“I’mlookingforwardtothetimeIcanleaveImagisle,”Ibegan,“butthatislikelytobeagoodthreeweeks.”Itwas

hardtobelievethatspringhaddepartedandthatitwouldbefullsummerbytheseventhofJuyn.

Selioranodded,butIcouldsensethattherewasmore.

“Whatisit?”

“FatherandAuntAeginaaresendingShomyrandmewithGrandmamaonatriptoKherseilles,Asseroiles,andthenforamonthatthebeach

nearPointeNeimon.TheheatofthesummershereishardonGrandmama.Mamathinksthatwecanalsovisitanumberofthetextilemillsweorderfrom.They’rewithinaneasytripontheironwayfromPointeNeimon.”

“Aneasytrip?”EvenIknewthatwasn’tso.“Comparedtowhat?”

“ThetriptoAsseroilesand

Kherseilles.”Hersmilewashalfwry,halfmischievous.

“Whenareyouleaving?”

Shesmiledfaintly.“WedepartnextJeudi.FatherwasabletoarrangeacompartmentontheExpress.”

SomehowIhadthefeelingthattherewasmoretoitthanthat.“I’mnotPharsi,butIhaveafeelingaboutthis

trip.”

“SodoesGrandmama.Shesaysthatitwillbebetterthisway.”

Betterforwhom?

“Shealsosaysthatyou’remorePharsithanyouthink.”

“Soareyou,”Ireplieddryly.

Forthebriefestofinstants,Selioralookedstunned.Not

hurt,buttrulysurprised.“Whydidyousaythat?”

“Becauseyouare.Youseethings.HowmanyPharsiswouldhavesensedenoughtolookoutthewindowatFelters?Youdidn’tseetheassassin.Youfelthimfirst.Isn’tthatright?”

ForamomentSelioradidn’tsayanything.“Whendidyounotice?”

Ismiled,althoughIdidn’tfeelmuchlikeit.“Inaway,Isawitthen,butIdidn’trealizeorunderstandwhatI’dseen.”

“They’renottryingtoseparateus,Rhenn.Mamahadplannedtohaveyoufordinnerthisweek.Shedidmostofthis.”Selioragesturedatallthedishesandbowlsontheoilcloth.“That’sbecauseshelikesyou.As

soonaswereturn,andyoucanleaveImagisle,Mamawantsyoutocomefordinner.Shesaidarealdinner.”

IcouldtellthatSeliorameanteveryword,butstill...“Whatdothey—oryou—see?”

“I’drathernotsay.”

“Isitthatbad?”

Sheshookherhead.“I’m

tryingtokeepitfrombeingbad.Youhavetounderstand,Rhenn.There’sa...it’sacurseofsortsthatcomeswiththesight.Toooften,we’vefound,ifthingsarebad,butnottoobad,andwewarnsomeone,especiallysomeonewecareabout,intheireffortstoavoidwhatwesawmighthappen,theymakeitworse.”

Ididn’tlikewhatshesaid,especiallyaboutthingsbeing

bad,butIcouldseehowthatcouldhappen.IfI’dbeenwarnedaboutJohanyr,Imightwellhavetriedtobelessharsh,andImighthavebeentheoneheadedtoMontD’Glace.“Youdidn’tknowabouttheassassin?”

“It’sharderwithyou.Itoldyouwhy.Mamajusttoldmetobeverycareful.”Shepaused.“Youhavetounderstand.Iwouldn’tbe

tellingyouthisnowifyouweren’tanimager.”

“BecausepeoplethinkofPharsisandimagersinthesameway?”

Shenodded.“Peopledon’tlikethosewhodothingstheycan’tunderstand.”

I’dalreadyseenthat.“Doeshavingthesighthelpinyourbusiness?”

“Sometimes.Attimes,Icanseesomeonewho’spleasedandevengetaglimpseofthedesign.MotherandGrandmamaarebetteratsensingwhatpeoplelike.”

“Betweenallthreeofyou,thatgivesyouagreatadvantage.”

“OnlybecausePapaandShomyrarefinecrafters.Thecraftofthefurnitureandthe

designtogether...”

“AreallthemostsightedPharsiswomen?”

Seliorasmiledandtiltedherhead.“Mostly,butthat’sbecauseyouhavetotrustyourfeelings.Mostmenthinktoomuch.”

Itookherhandinmine.

“That’stheoneareawheretheydon’tthinkenough.”But

shewassmiling,andherwordsweresoftandwarm.

“Andwomendo?”Igrinnedather.

“Whenwefindwhatweknowandfeelisright,wedon’tkeeplooking.Anywomanwhodoeshasn’tfoundwhat’sright.”Herlipsquirked.“There’salwaystheproblemthattherightmanwon’trecognizethatshe’sthe

rightwoman.”

Herwordsshiveredthroughme,becausetheymademethinkofRemaya,whohadseenRouselandneverletgo.WhatifRouselhadn’tseen?WasSelioratherightwomanforme?OrwasImerelytherightmanforher?Thetwoweren’tnecessarilythesamething.I’dcertainlywantedtobewithher,but...howwouldI

know?Reallyknow?AndwasIthinkingtoomuch?

“Yes.Youarethinkingtoomuch.”Shelaughed.

“Doyoureadthoughtsaswell?”

“Onlywhenthey’rewrittenonyourface.”

Ilaughed.Wemightbeclosetothesameage,butinonearea,atleast,shewasfar

olderandwiser.SoIsaidjustthat.

“It’sagoodthingyouknowyourweaknesses,Rhenn,”shereplied.“Youdon’thavemany,andthatcanmakeyoumostvulnerable.Toomanymenwithfewweaknessesdeludethemselvesintobelievingtheyhavenone.”

“Oh...Ihaveweaknesses,

andyou’redefinitelyoneofthem.”

Wetalkedforalongtime,notsayingallthatmuch,butenjoyingthebanterandtheearlyevening,anditwaswellpasttheseventhbellwhenIfinishedhelpingSelioraandOdeliapackeverythingbackintotheirwickerbasketsandthenwalkedtothebridgewiththem.

There,ontheedgeofthebridge,Selioraturnedtomeandslippedherarmsaroundme,thenliftedherheadandlips.Wedidkiss,anditwasanythingbutbrief.

Whenwefinallyreleasedeachother,shelookedup.“Youwillcometodinnerwhenwecomeback.”Herwordswereanythingbutaquestion.

“Ipromise.”

Istoodonthebridgeandwatcheduntilthethreeofthemcaughtahack,andIwasgladthatOdeliaandKolasynwerewithSeliora,competentasshewas.

Awinkisnotasgoodasa

well-chosenphrase;inintrigue,it’sbetter.

Thenextweekandahalfgraduallygotharderandharder,bothintermsofmylessonswithMasterDichartynandtheinterrogationsthatresulted

fromthosestudies;theexercisesrequiredbyClovyl,whichweredesignedtoincreasemystrengthandstaminawithoutstrainingundulymyrecoveringinjuries;andthesessionswithMaitreDyana.

IthoughtaboutSeliora,morethanalittle,butgenerallyduringtheday,becauseIwassotiredatnightthatIfellasleepquickly.

MaitreDyanahadmereadandmemorizeasetofhandwrittennotesandobservationsonHighHolders,andthenshewouldquizme.OnthefirstJeudiinJuyn,shetookthenotesback.“Bynow,youshouldunderstandthatconversationismorethanmerewords.Itisacombinationofinflections,innuendos,gestures,anddrywit.Fewnotbornintothat

cultureevermastertheintricacyofconversingwellinthatstyle,butsomeonesuchasyoucouldcertainlylearnenoughtointerpretwhatliesbeyondthewords.”

“Especiallyasamerchant-bornyoungmanneverexpectedtobemorethananaide?”

Sheignoredmyquestion,clearlydeemingitrhetorical

andunworthyofareply.“ThedifficultyfacedbytheHighHoldersisthatmanyofthemequateintricacyandcomplexitywithintelligence.Thedifficultyfacedbythosewhodonotunderstandintricacyandnonverbalcomplexityisthattheyoftencannotdistinguishbetweenmerecomplexityforthesakeofcomplexityandcomplexitythatmasksmotivesand

intelligenceoftenfargreaterthanisusuallyencountered.”

Ithoughtforamoment.“ThemorepowerfulHighHolderswouldnotremainsowithoutbothwealthandintelligence,butthewebofcomplexitythatveilsallHighHolderscanshieldtheactionsofthemoreintelligentanddeadly,oftenuntilitistoolatetodiscernthepatternandresults.”

“Dichartynbelievesyoucanseebeyondthecomplexity.”MaitreDyanaraisedherrighteyebrow,agesturefarmoreeffectivethanwordscouldhavebeen.

“Youhavegreatdoubts,butyou’rewillingtomaketheattempt.”Ismiledpolitely.“Ican’tdoagesturelikethat,butevenifIcould,wouldn’titbeoutofcharacterforaman?”

“Foranymanthoughttobeinterestedinwomen.”

IhaddoubtsthatI’dbeterriblyconvincingasanyothertypeofman.

“Maintainthatpleasant,close-to-but-not-quite-supercilioussmilethrougheverything,youngRhennthyl,anditwillsaveyoumanywordsandmuchdifficulty.Donoteverforgetthaton

theiractualholding,HighHoldersretaintherightsoflowjustice,andthatcanbequitepainful.”Herfacechangedslightly,inamannerIcouldnothavedescribed,butcouldcertainlyhavepainted,andtherewaspleasantinterest,behindwhichwasahintofcoldpredation.

“Isthattheexpressiononereceivesjustafterswallowing

poisonorgettingaknifeintheback?”

“No.”Hervoicewassweetlypleasant.“Thatistheexpressionusedwhensomeonehasjustreceivedwordthattheyhaveruinedyou.It’sanexpressionoftriumphoversomeonewhousedtobeanequal.TheHighHoldersseldomkilleachother...orthosewhohavedonethemgreatwrong.That

isfartookind.”

WhatwasleftunsaidwasthataHighHolderwhodidnotdisposeofanunderlingwhoneededitwasconsideredweak,aswasonewhoactuallyhadtoattempttokillanequal,ratherthanruininghimandhisfamily.ButitalsosuggestedthatHighHolderRyelmightwellhaveworseinmindformethanassassination...andovera

longtime.

Herfacechangedagain.Now,behindthesmilelaycontemptuouspity.

“That’sdisposalofinferiors?”

“Good.”

ThatwasmyintroductiontotheconversationalpatternsoftheHighHolders,butMaitreDyanawasjust

beginning.Attheendofoursession,shehandedmeabook.“Thisisanovel.Readit.Partofitisaccurate.Partisnot.WewilldiscussitonMardi.”

ThatwasontopofMasterDichartyn’slatestassignment—todescribewithasupportingprooftheeasiestwaystoentertheCouncilChateauandreachtheprivatestudiesofthecouncilors

withoutbeingdetected.Ihadthefeelingthattheweekendwouldbelong,bothbecauseoftheworkIhadtodo...andbecauseIwouldnotbeseeingSeliora.

Messenger/Guard

Silenceisnotgolden;itis

onlyatoollikeanyother.

Attheendofthefollowingweek,MasterDraffydexaminedmeandsaidthatIcouldgobacktoastrongerconditioningregime,andwhateverimagingMasterDichartynhadinmind.Ihad

notreceivedaletterfromSeliora,butIcouldn’tsayIwastotallysurprised,notwhensheandShomyrwerestilltraveling.Ididreceivealetterfrommymother,expressingconcernandwantingtoknowifandwhenshecouldvisit.Iwrotebackthatbecauseofthenatureofmytrainingitwouldbeseveralweeksyet.Ijustdidn’twanttohaveto

explain.SomeofwhathadhappenedIknewshouldn’tleavetheCollegium,andMotherdidn’trespondwelltomyrefusingtosaymuch.Ialsodidn’twanttomentionSeliora,notyet.Notuntilaftershereturnedfromhertrip.IthadtakenMotheryearstoacceptRemaya,andIwasn’tabouttoraisethatissueuntilIwasabsolutelycertainthatSelioraandI

belongedtogether.

ThenextLundi—Juynsixteenth—IhadbarelysettledintothechairinMasterDichartyn’sstudywhenhesaid,“Yourmessengeruniformsarrived,didtheynot?”

“Yes,sir.Theyfitcomfortably.”

“Theyshould.It’stimeforyoutogotowork.You’llbe

goingtotheChateaueverymorningforthenextthreeweeks.Intheafternoons,Clovylwillstillworkwithyou,andI’lloccasionallygiveyouinstructionandexercises.WhentheCouncilresumesmeetingofficiallyonthesecondofAgostos,you’llbethereallday,everyday,andsomeevenings.”Hepaused.“Butyouwillbeexpectedtocontinuethe

physicalconditioning.Afteryoubeginfull-timeattheChateau,you’llbejoiningthegroupthatexercisesatfifthbelleverymorningbutSolayi.”

WhatcouldIsaytothatbut“Yes,sir.”ThenIasked,“WitheverythinggoingonbetweenCaenenandFerrumandTiempre,theCouncil’snotmeeting?”

“TheExecutiveCouncilisstillthere.Effectively,theycontrolthegovernment.Thefullsessionsdealmorewithlawsandproblems.”Heclearedhisthroat.“AttheChateau,Baratynwillbriefyouonyourduties.He’sinchargeofthemessengers,boththeimagersandthenon-imagerswhohandlemostofthemessages.Alloftheimagersarelistedaspart-time

messengersandsecurityaides.Theregularmessengersaren’tsupposedtoknowthatyou’reimagers,buttheyallknowyou’vebeentrainedtodealwithweaponsandattackers.NowforBaratyn—he’saMaitreD’Aspect,buthe’slistedontheofficialpublicCollegiumrecordsasatertius.”

“Yes,sir.AmIsupposedtoknowwhotheotherimagers

are?”

“Youare,andthey’resupposedtoknowyou.Baratynwillintroduceyou.YouwearthemessengeruniformhereattheCollegiumonlywhenyou’reonyourwaytoandfromtheChateau.Allofyoutravelusingadutycoachthat’sgenerallyindistinguishablefromahack.Ifnecessary,youcantakeahackback,butonly

sofarasWestRiverRoad.TheCouncilmembersknowthatsomeofthemessengersareimagers,and,soonenough,mostofthesharperoneswillbeabletopickyouout,buttheydon’tsayanythingbecausetheirsafetyrestsonyou.”

“WhatabouttheHighHolders?”IknewthattherewerefiveHighHoldersontheCouncil,andIwasglad

thatRyelwasnotoneofthem.Hehadbeen,yearsearlier,butcouncilorswerelimitedtotwoconsecutivefive-yearterms.Iftheywishedandtheirappointingbodyagreed,theycouldreturnafterstandingdownforafullterm.

“EvenifRyelwereacouncilor,you’dbequitesafefornow,andalwaysintheChateau.Yoursituationisn’t

thefirsttimethatsortofthinghasoccurred.HighHoldersneveractprecipitously.Oftentheywaitmonthsorevenyears.”

Thatdidn’treassureme.

“There’soneothermatter.Usuallysomenewmessenger,oroccasionallyarelativeofoneofthecouncilors,generallyayoungwoman,willaskifyou’rean

imagerorinsistthatyoumustbe.YouaretosayyouareassignedtoservetheCouncil.Iftheygetveryinsistent,youmaysaythattheycanbelievewhattheywish,butthetruthisthatyouareassignedtotheCouncil.Thatiswhatyouaretosay,andallyouaretosay.Isthatclear?”

“Yes,sir.”

MasterDichartynstood.

“Goputonyourmessengeruniform.I’llmeetyouatthewestduty-coachstationbehindthedininghallinhalfaglass.”

Iwalkedquicklybacktomyquartersandchanged.Themessengeruniformwasmadeofafinelightweightblackwool,trimmedwithagraypipingsofaintincolorthatitwasalmostwhite.Fineasthewoolwas,andthinasthepale

grayshirtthatwentundertheshort-waistedjacketwas,IdidhopethatIdidn’thavetospendmuchtimeinthesun,notinthesummer.

MychangingwasswiftenoughthatIwaswalkinguptothedutycoachatalmostthesamemomentasMasterDichartyn.Hesaidnothing,butgesturedformetoenterthecoach.

Becausehehadnotspoken,IwaiteduntilthecoachbegantomovebeforeIasked,“DoyouknowwhatishappeningwithourfleetsandtheCaenenans,sir?”

“Nomorethanisinthenewsheets,Rhennthyl.”

ThatwaslittlehelpbecauseneitherVeritumnorTabletacontainedanythingbutvaguespeculation.“Whatdoyou

thinkwillhappen?”

“TheCaenenansandtheirHighPriestwilldosomethingfoolishoutofpride,and,hopefully,wewilldosomethinglessfoolishtokeepopenwarfarefromflaringup.”Hefingeredhischin,thenloweredhishand.

Iwaited.Sometimessilencewasabetterwaytogetaresponse.

“Lifeisalwaysaboutpower.Whenmenornationstalkabouthonor,whattheymeanishowothersperceivetheirpower.Whenamanclaimshishonorhasbeenaffronted,whatheissayingisthatanother’sactions,ifunchallenged,maydiminishhispowerintheeyesofothers.Thesameistrueofnations.TheCollegiumdoesnotcareaboutthepopular

perceptionsofpower,unlessthoseperceptionsactuallydiminishSolidar’spower.Oftenourdutiesrequireredressingthebalanceofpowerwithoutanyovertuseofmilitaryoreconomicforce.ThatisallIwillsayfornow,butItrustyouwillconsidermywordscarefullyasyouwatchtheCouncilandthosewhomovearoundit,pratingofhonorwhentheyarein

realitymerelyseekingtohavetheCouncilincreasetheirpowerordiminishthatofanother.”

Ialreadyunderstoodthat.Awoolimporterbenefitedwhenimporttariffswerelowered,andIhadheardmyfatherrailonaboutthelackofhonorintheCouncilinnottariffingcertainfinishedfabrics,butthatwasbecausethosefabricswenttoother

factors.

MyeyesstrayedoutsideasthecoachcarriedusovertheBridgeofDesires,nottheotherbridgeonthewestsideofImagisle,whichwastheBridgeofStones,becausethatwasusedalmostentirelyforheavywagonsandthelike.WerodewestpastthemodestspiresofCouncilAnomen,sonamedbecauseitwastheanomenclosesttothe

CouncilChateau,notbecausethecouncilorsnecessarilyattendedservicesthere,andthendowntheBoulevardD’CouncilagoodmilleandahalftoCouncilHill,ringedbyawideavenue,withtheSquareofJusticeontheplazatothesouth.Eightavenuesorboulevardsradiatedfromtheringroad,butnoneofthemwereallthatheavilytraveled,notthewaythoseeastofthe

riverwere.ThecoachturnedsouthonCouncilCircle,thencametoastopontheeastside,justoppositeasmallposterngateinthewhitealabasterwall.IgotoutandwaitedforMasterDichartyn.

Hewalkeduptotheblackirongate.Ifollowedhim.Theguardstandingbehindthechest-highgrillworkworeablackuniformsimilartomine,exceptforathinblack

cottonwaistcoatratherthanafullcoat.Healsohadalargepistolinabeltholsterandatruncheon.

Henodded.“Anothermessenger,MasterDichartyn?”

“Yes.ThisisRhennthyl.Hestartstoday.”

Theguardstudiedme,thennodded.Irealizedthathewasanobdurate,butthatmade

sense.Heopenedtheirongate.

Behindthewallandgatewasanarrowstonewalk—alsowhite,butwhitegranite—thatledtoanequallynarrowsetofstepsleadingupthesideofthelowhillonwhichtheChateausat.Evenso,thereweremorethanahundredstepsbeforewereachedastoneterracesurroundedbyawaist-high

alabasterwall.BythenIwassweating,butIwasn’tbreathinghard,andthatIowedtoClovyl.NeitherwasMasterDichartyn,either,andhe’dsetaquickpaceupthesteps.Theterracehadbuttwoexits—thestepsandadoorinthewalloftheChateau.

“Thisisthewayyoualwaysenter—unlessyouhavespecificinstructionsotherwise.”MasterDichartyn

openedthedoor,andwesteppedoutoftheglareoftheblazingsunintowhatseemedcoolgloom,althoughIknewthatwasonlybycomparison.

Insidewasanotherarmedobdurateguard.MasterDichartynnoddedinmydirection.“ThisisRhennthyl.He’sthenewestmessenger.”

“Yes,sir.”

Beyondtheguardwasa

circularfoyerwithnarrowcorridorsleadingoutofitbothtotheleftandright.MasterDichartyntooktherightcorridor.Thewallswereplainwhitestone,oldbutspotless,eachblockpreciselycut,withbutthethinnestlineofmortaratthejoins.Thefloortileswereofpolishedgrayslate.Despitetheimmaculateappearance,therewasasenseofage,perhaps

becausetherewerenoembellishmentsordecorations.

Theshortcorridorendedatawiderone,themaincorridorrunningnorthandsouthontheeastsideofthegroundleveloftheChateau.There,MasterDichartynturnedleft,stoppingatthefirstdoor,whichwasopen.

“Baratyn...I’vebrought

youyournewmessenger.”

Thestudywassmallandwithoutwindows,althoughtherewasaventilationgratehighontheeastwall,andheldamodestdeskwithdrawersandawoodenfilecaseononewall.Twochairsstoodbeforethedeskandone,witharms,behindit.

“MasterDichartyn.”Baratynsteppedforwardand

beckonedforustoenter.HewasafewdigitsshorterthanIwas,withshort-cutbrownhair,asquarishchin,andeyesthatseemedtochangecolors,frombrowntohazeltolightgreen,evenasIlookedathim.Likeme,heworethegray-trimmedblackuniform,exceptontheshortstiffjacketcollarsweretwosmallpewtertriangles—oneoneachcollar.“You’dbeRhennthyl.”

“Yes,sir.”Iinclinedmyhead.

Henodded,thenturnedtowardMasterDichartyn.

“That’sall.RhennthylwillbeheremorningsuntiltheCouncilreconvenesofficially”

“Thatshouldbelongenoughtogethimsquaredaway.”

EvenbeforeBaratynfinishedspeaking,theseniorimagerwasgone.

Baratynlookedtome.“Basylwillbehereinamoment.He’soneoftheseniorregularmessengers.He’llshowyouaround.Ifheaskswhereyou’refrom,tellhimwhereyourfamilylives.”

Iwassparedhavingtoanswerbecauseatthat

momentwewerejoinedbyBasyl,athin,almostfrailman,agoodtenyearsolderthanmebyhislooks,withwidegrayeyesunderbrownhairsodarkitwasnotquiteblackandanarrowchin.“Yousentforme,sir?”

“Idid.Rhennthylhereisthenewsecuritysupportmessenger.”

“I’mpleasedtomeetyou,”

Ioffered.

Henoddedpolitely.“Thesame.”

“I’dappreciateitifyou’dgiveRhennthylatouroftheChateau,particularlytheroutesandplaceshe’llneedtoknowasamessengeroncetheCouncilreconvenes.”

“Yes,sir.”Henoddedsomberly.“Areyouready?”

“Yes.”

AssoonaswesteppedoutofBaratyn’sstudy,Basylgestureddownthelongcorridor.“Onthislevelarethestudiesfortheadvisorstothecouncilors.Theyhavethebiggerstudies,theoneswiththewindows.Thesmallerstudiesareforthestaff,likeBaratynandPelagryn.”

“Pelagryn?”

“He’sinchargeofthemaintainers.Ofcourse,Chasylmarhasthenortheastcornerstudyonthislevel.”

“Ihaven’tmetChasylmar.”

“He’stheChateausteward,andhisstudyisthebigoneinthenortheastcorner.Thecornerstudiesarethebest,becausethey’vegotwindowsontwowallsandyoucangetabreezethere.Uponthe

CouncillevelthethreeExecutiveCouncilmembershavethreeofthefourcornerstudies,andthemostseniorguildrepresentativehastheother—that’sCouncilorRamon.”

Basylledmeallthewayaroundthemaincorridoronthegroundlevel,pointingouteverything,fromwhosestudywaswhere,thewaitingroomformessengers,andwhere

thestaffjakeswereandthetwocircularstaircases.Wetooktheoneinthenortheastcornerdowntothelowerlevel,whichheldthekitchen—andadumbwaiterthatrandirectlyuptotheupperpantryofftheCouncildiningchamber.Thentherewerestoreroomsforeverything,variousworkrooms,andotherspacesforthemaintainersandtheirequipment.From

therewetookthenorthweststaircaseuptothethirdandtopmostlevel,whichheldthemainCouncilchamber,thesmallerExecutiveCouncilchamber,thecouncilors’lounge,theirdiningchamber,andallthestudies.

Basylstoppedatthetopofthegrandstaircasethatleddowntothefoyerholdingalltheartwork,whichhehadnotshownme,butwhichI

recalled.“Howdidyouenduphere?”

“Iwasajourneymanportriaturist.Itdidn’tworkout.Aftermymaster’sdeath,noneofthemastersintheguildwantedtotakeonanotherjourneyman,especiallyonesoold.”

“You’renotthatold.”

“I’llbetwenty-fiveshortly,andthat’soldtobeginwith

anothermasterinportraiture.”

“Yourfamily...theymusthave...mustknowpeople.”

“Myfatherisawoolfactor.HewishesIhadthattalent.Whataboutyourfamily?”

“He’satinkerofsorts.Hehasasmallshop.Peoplebringthingstohimtobefixedorsharpened.I’mnotthatgoodwithmyhands,but

I’mquick,andIneverforgetanythinganyonetellsme.That’susefulforamessenger.”Basylnoddedslowly,thenturnedandledthewaydownthegrandmainstaircase—theoneIhadlastbeheldmorethantenyearsearlier.We’dbarelyreachedthebottomwhenBaratynappearedholdinganenvelope.

“Basyl...Ineedthisrun

toChasylmar.He’snotinhisstudy,andIdon’thavetimetotrackhimdown.”

Theseniormessengernoddedandtooktheenvelope.“Yes,sir.”

“Youcomewithme,Rhennthyl.”

Baratyndidn’tsayanythinguntilwewereinsidehisstudy.“Ifyou’dclosethedoor...”

Idid,thensatdownafterhe’dseatedhimselfbehindthedesk.

“YouansweredBasyl’squestionsaccuratelyandyetwithoutrevealinganything.”

Howhadheknownthat?“Wasthatatest?Aretherelisteningtubeseverywhere?”

“Ofsorts.Onlyinthecorridors.That’soneoftheotherthingswemonitor.You

will,too,intime.Withwhatwedoandyouwillbedoing,everythingisatest.Butthen,mostoflifeis.Mostpeoplejustdon’trealizeit—ordon’twanttothinkaboutit.Atthemoment,evenwithyou,we’reshorthanded.”Helaughed.“We’realwaysshorthanded.Therearethreeofyouasmessengersandsilentguards...andme.Inanemergencywecancallon

oneortwoothers,butthatincludesMasterDichartyn,andhe’snotalwaysavailable.Theothertwosecuritymessengersshouldbehereanymoment.Whilewe’rewaiting,doyouhaveanyquestions?”

“Howmanyregularmessengers?”

“Justfour.That’senoughtoallowoneortwotobesent

offCouncilHill,ifnecessary.”

Attheknockonthedoor,Baratyncalledout,“Comeonin.”

Istood.Ididn’tlikebeingseatedwhenmeetingotherpeople,particularlywhentheywerestanding.Thedooropened,andtwomensteppedinside.Thesecondoneclosedthedoor.Bothofthemwere

aboutmysize,andatleastseveralyearsolder.Theylookedalmostpolitelynondescript,yetIcouldsensethatbehindthatfacade,theywereformidable.WasthatthekindofimpressionthatMasterDichartynwasseeking—someonewhocouldblendintoanygroup,yetwho,ifyoulookedclosely,youreallydidn’twanttoencounterindarkcorners?

“Rhennthyl,meetMartylandDartazn.Martylistheblondone.”

Martylsmiledpolitely.“Begoodtohavesomehelphere.”

“Especiallythewaythingslooktobegoing,”addedthedark-hairedanddark-eyedDartazn,whowasjustashadetallerthanMartyl.

“IhadBasylgivehimthe

generaltour,”saidBaratyn.“Youtwocanshowhimalltheplaceshereallyneedstoknow.He’llonlybeheremorningsforthenextfewweeks.They’rerushinghistrainingsothathe’llbeasreadyaspossiblewhentheCouncilgoesbackinsession.”

Dartaznlookedatme,hisbrowsfurrowed.“YouusuallysitwithKahlasaand

theotherfieldoperatives,don’tyou?AttheCollegium,Imean?”

“Ido.ThatwasbecauseIgottoknowClaustynwhenIbecameathird.”

“You’retheonewhotookabulletneartheheartandmanagedtoimage-shieldituntilMasterDraffydcouldtakecareofit.”

Ihadn’trealizedthebullet

wasthatclose.“Twobullets,actually,butIdidn’tknowitatthetime.AndIpassedoutalittlebitbeforeIgottoMasterDraffyd.”

“Claustynhopedyou’dgofield,”addedMartyl.

“Thatwouldhavebeenmysecondchoice,”Iadmitted.

“Youthreecantalklater,”Baratynsaid,“attheCollegium,nothere.”

“Yes,sir,”repliedMartylgenially.“Allthewallsbutthoseherehaveears.Wehearandunderstand.”

“Go!”ButBaratynwassmiling.

Weleft.

BythetimeIclimbedintothedutycoachattenbells,withMartylandDartazn,myheadwasswimmingwiththeeffortoftryingtoremember

allthehiddennooksandpassages.

“WegetlunchattheCollegiumwhentheCouncil’snotinfullsession,”Martylexplained.“That’sbecausetheyclosedownthekitchenstogivethestafftheirsummerbreak.TheChateau’spracticallydesertednow.”

Thatwasfinewithme.I’dneedallthreeweekstoreally

learnwhereeverythingwas—andthatwasinspiteofmystudyoftheChateau’splans.

Implyingguiltinwritingis

likeeatingfoodheldtoolong,providingneithersatisfactionnorsavor.

OnMardi,twoletterswerewaitinginmyboxwhenIcheckedafterlunch,butIwasrunningsolatethatallIdidwastoseethatonewasfrom

Seliora.Ididn’topenit,becauseIwantedtoenjoyreadingit,andIdidn’thavetimeforthat.TheotherwasfromMother.Ihadimmediatelyrecognizedherhandwriting.Ididn’topenit,either,ifforverydifferentreasons,beforeIhurriedbacktomyquartersandchangedintoexerciseclothesandheavyboots.

Clovylwaswaitingoutside

theexercisehall,withhisusualpatientsmile,asmilethat—Iwasconvinced—concealedahiddengleeinatthethoughtofhowhardhe’dmakemework.

“Goodafternoon,Rhenn.Youstillhavealotmorecatchinguptodo.”

Ifollowedhimtothechamber,whereIbeganontheloosening-upexercises,

althoughmyeyesdidstraytothecornerthatheldthefreeweights.Itwasn’tthattheyweresoheavy,butmymusclesburnedafterIwentthroughthatroutine—andIstillhadtolookforwardtoanothertwoglassesofspecialtreatment.

Oncehehadworkedmeoverthoroughlyforslightlymorethantwoglasses,ClovyltoldmetostopbyMaster

Dichartyn’sstudyafterIcleanedup.

Theoneadvantageofanafternoonshowerwasthatthewaterwasmerelycool,ratherthanice-cold,andbeforelongIwassittingonthebenchoutsideMasterDichartyn’sstudy.IfI’dknownthatI’dbesittingthereforclosetohalfaglassIwouldhavebroughtMother’sletter,butI’dbeenhurryingsomuchthatI

hadn’tthoughtaboutthat.

Thestudydooropened,andasecondussteppedout.Istood,andhiseyesflashedtomeandthenaway.

“Goodday,sir.”Hefledasmuchaswalkedaway.

Iknocked.

“Comein,Rhenn.”

Onceinside,Ishutthedoorandsatdown,waitingtosee

whatelseMasterDichartynhadscheduledforme.

“Clovylsaysthatyou’redoingwell,andthat,ifyoukeepatit,you’llbeclosetowhereyoushouldbebythetimetheCouncilreconvenes...whereyoushouldbeintermsofphysicaltrainingandconditioning.You’restilllackinginfinesseinyourimagery,butweneedtogetyousomeexperience.On

Jeudimorning,you’retomeetmehereinthemorningathalfbeforefifthbell.We’llbegoingtotheprisonforanexecution.”

“Practice,sir?”

“Twokindsofpractice.Subtletyandeffectiveness.Thatnight,you’llhavetoworkwithMasterDraffyd.Mostly,you’lljustbewatchinghimdoadissection.

Toomuchofyourknowledgeistextknowledge.That’snotyourfault,butit’ssomethingweneedtoremedy.”Hestood.“Youhavetoexcuseme,butmattersarepressing.”

“CaenenandJariola,sir?”

“Partly.That’smostlyMasterSchorzat’sheadache.Itdoesn’thelpmuchthatimagingisbannedinTiempre,andthatitspractice,

ifdiscovered,ispunishedbyexecution.Ferrumdoesn’tbanit,butknownimagersfacegreatdifficulties.Thatmakesworkingineitherlandevenmoredifficult,theNamelessknows,althoughneitherFerrumnorJariolaisaplacewe’dnormallywanttobe.You’dthinkthatwewerethedisciplesofBilbryn.”Heshookhishead.

Bilbryn?Ittookmea

momenttorecallthename.WhenSolidarhadbeenwarringstatesusingbronzeweapons,he’dbeentheimagerchampionofRexCaldor,andhisenemiescalledhimthegreatdiscipleoftheNamer,declaringhimevilincarnate.

“I’llseeyouonJeudi,”MasterDichartynsaid.

Ourmeetinghadbeenshort

enoughthatIhadagoodglassleftbeforedinner,andIhurriedbacktomyquarters.Oncethere,Irecoveredtheletters,openingMother’sfirst,knowingfullwellwhatawaitedme.Iforcedmyselftoreadthewordscarefully.

DearRhennthyl,

Ihadhopedthatwewouldbe

abletohostabirthdaydinnerforyouthisSamediandperhapsinviteZerlenyaoranothersuitableyounglady,ifyoudidnotfindZerlenyatoyourliking.Idohopethatyouarefeelingbetter,butIcannothelpbutworry,sincewehavenotheardfromyousinceyourlastletter.Idohopethatwehavenotdoneanythingtooffendyou.IhadonlyinvitedZerlenyabecause

sheisabeautifulandintelligentyoungwoman,andyouhadmentionedthattherewerefewwomenatallonImagisle...

Ipausedinreading,thenshookmyhead.

...andyouarenowreachingtheagewhereitwillbecomemoreandmoredifficulttofindsomeonesuitable,asthemostattractiveonesfromasuitablebackgroundwillalreadyhavebeenspokenfor....

Asuitablebackgroundwasapolitewayofsaying

someonewhowasatleastfromthefactoringorfullmerchantclassandmostpreferablynotPharsi.

...Thatis,ofcourse,amatterwithwhichyoumustdeal,butwewereonlytryingtobehelpful.

Thatwasdoubtlesstrue,butIdidn’tneedtoberemindedofit.

Wewouldstillverymuchliketohaveabelatedcelebrationofyourtwenty-fifthbirthday.IdohopethatthisfindsyouingoodhealthandthatyouwillletusknowwhenwemayexpectyouorwhenImay

visityou.

ThelastthingIwantedtodowaswriteareply,butdoingsoquicklywouldreducetheamountofguiltMotherwouldattempttolayatmyfeet.Isetasidethestill-unopenedletterfromSelioraandwroteaquickreplytoMother,basedonthetruth,

statingthatwhileIhadrecoveredphysically,IwasstillrestrictedtoImagisleuntilcertainaspectsofmytrainingwerecompleted,butthat,ifshewishedtovisit,shewasnowmorethanwelcomeoneitherSamediorSolayiafternoons,andshoulddropmeanotetoletmeknowwhentoexpecther,andthatIlookedforwardtoseeingher.

ThenIfinallysatbackinmystudychairandopenedtheletterfromSeliora.

DearRhenn,

Atlast,wehavearrivedinPointeNeimon.ThetripwashardforGrandmama,butsheisingoodspirits.Shesendsherbesttoyou.SodoesShomyr.

Wehavealreadytouredfourtextilemanufactories,andwehaveimprovedarrangementswithtwo.Theirfabricisexcellent.Oneotherissatisfactory.Theotherwewillnotuse,butitisgoodtoseewhateachcando.

ItrustthatyouarewellandwillbefullyrecoveredandabletoleaveImagislebythetimewereturn.WehaveticketsontheExpressforthefourthofAgostos.Grandmamasaysthatweshouldinviteyoutodinneronthefourteenth.Ifyouknowthatyoucancomethenandletmeknow,IcanwriteMotherandtellhertoplanforit.Ifyoudonotknow,

thenwecanworkoutatimeoncewereturntoL’Excelsis.

YouwouldfindPointeNeimonrefreshingandbeautiful.Idowishyoucouldbehere,butyoumustdowhatyoumust.Ionlyaskthatyoutakecareinyourduties,greatcare.

AtthebottomwasanaddressinPointeNeimon,and,again,thesignaturewasjusthername,butthelasttwowordsbeforehersignature,andthekisswhenwehadlastparted,suggestedfarmorethanfriendship.

Ismiled.Ididhavetimetowritearesponse.

Deathalwaysleavessome

storiesincomplete;andsomearebetterleftso.

GettingupwellbeforedawnonJeudiwasnotexactlytomyliking,especiallywithwhatlayahead,asmuchasIknewthenecessity.IstruggledtoMaster

Dichartyn’sstudy,earlyenoughthatIsatslumpedonthebenchforatimebeforeheappeared.

“Buckup,Rhennthyl.You’renottheonebeingexecuted.”

Ijumpedtomyfeet.“It’searly,sir.”

“Everymorning’searly.”Hisvoicewasdry.

Iwalkedquietlybesidehimaswemadeourwaytothedutycoach,whichhaddrawnupoutsidetheadministrationbuilding.Hesaidnothingtotheblack-cladobduratedriver.

MistrosefromtheriveraswecrossedtheBridgeofStones,thehoofsofthetwohorsesclatteringonthepavement.Theroutetotheprisonwasfairlydirect—

southontheWestRiverRoadtotheintersectionwiththeAvenueD’ArtisansjustafteritcrossedtheSudBridge,andthenmorethanamilleontheavenueandacrossthebridgeovertheironwaytracks,afterwhichthecoachturnedontoashortstreetthatendedatagatehouse.BehindthegatehouserosethegrayflintwallsofthePoignardPrison.

Thedutycoachhaltedby

thegatehouse.Nosoonerhadwesteppedoutontotheancientcobblestones,dampfromthelightrainoftheeveningbefore,thantwomeninblueandblackuniformsemerged.Theonewiththefour-pointedstaronhiscollarsbowedtoMasterDichartyn.

“MaitreD’Esprit.”

“Warden...”

Thewarden’seyesflickedtome,justforamoment,beforeheandtheguardescortedusthroughthegateandalongawindowlessstone-walledcorridoruntilwereachedanirondoor,whereanotherguardturnedablackwheeltounlockit.Westeppedintoasmallcourtyard.Iglancedup.Theskywasbeginningtolighten,justslightly,butIcouldstill

seeclearlythereddishcrescentthatwasErion.Atthefarsideofthecourtyardwasascaffold.Therewerethreenoosesriggedfromanoverheadbeam.

Thewardensteppedaway,andtheguardremained,apacetooneside.

MasterDichartynleanedtowardmeandspokesoftly.“Themantobeexecutedwill

beledontotheplatformontooneofthetrapswherethereisanoose.Hewillbehoodedandblindfolded.Theexecutionerwillputthenooseoverhisheadandadjustitproperly.Thentheexecutionerwillstepback.Hisnextmovewillbetopullthelevertoreleasethattrap.Assoonashestepsbackandputshishandonthelever,youaretoact.Ifyouimage

properly,themanwilldieandstarttoslump,andtheexecutionerwillpullthelever.Theguiltymanwillbedeadordyingbeforethenoosebreakshisneck.

“Therewillbethreeexecutedthismorning.Ifyouaresuccessfulwiththefirst,tryanothertechniquewiththesecond,andanotherwiththethird.”

LeftunsaidwasthatIhadpracticednoneofthetechniquesonlivingpeople—forobviousreasons.

Thefirsttechniquewassimplytoimageamoderateamountofairintotheconvictedman’sheart,venacava,andaorta.MasterDichartynhadpointedoutthat,giventhepressureoftheheartpumpingliquid,Iwouldhavetoimagesomeofthe

bloodelsewherefortheeffecttobenear-instant.

Thefirstprisonerwasaheavysetman.Notonlywasheblindfolded,buthishandsweretiedbehindhisback,andhisfeetweremanacledsothathecouldonlytakeshortsteps.Twoguardshadtoholdhim,andathirdwrappedastraparoundhislegsbeforetheexecutionercouldputthenooseinplace.Assoonasthe

executionersteppedback,Iconcentrated.

Theprisonergaveasuddenjerk,asifburnedallover,thenstartedtoslump.Theexecutionerpulledthelever.Theprisonerwasshudderingandtwitchingforthatlongmomentbeforehereachedtheendoftheropeandthenoosesnappedhisneck.

“Notenoughairinthe

aorta,”observedMasterDichartyn.“Hewouldhavedied,butnotquickly.Trythatagain.”

Thesecondprisonerwasthinnerandshorter,andprobablyolder.Hedidn’tstruggle,justwalkedlistlesslytothenoose.ThistimeItriedtofollowtheproceduremorecarefully.

Theconvictedmanonly

jerkedonce,thenslumped.

“Good.Hefeltonejoltingpain,andthatwasit.Trysomethingelsenow.”

Iwasn’treadyforthenextprisoner.Shewasawoman,tallandwithashapelyfigure,evenhoodedandintheprisondrab.

MasterDichartynsensedmyreaction.“Ifshe’supthere,whatevershedidmust

havebeenhorrible.Otherwise,she’dbedruggedandusedasacomfortwomanbytheNavy.”

Thatdidn’thelp,becauseI’dneverheardofdruggedcomfortwomen.Iswallowedandtriedtoconcentrate.Fortunately,theconvictedwoman,whohadtakenherfirststepsalmostdemurely,literallyjumpedwithbothmanacledfeet,tryingeven

whilehoodedandblindfoldedaformofsnap-kickatthelegofoneoftheguards.Shestruckhardenoughthathewentdown,butsodidshe,andanotherguarddashedforwardandwrappedaleatherstraparoundherankles.Thethreewerenotgentleastheyforcedthenooseoverherheadandaroundherneck.

“Concentrate.”Master

Dichartyn’svoicewaslowandhard.

Ifixedmyeyesandconcentrationonthatpartofherskull—orthespotbeneathit—wherethepitricinehadtogo.Contrarytothatlong-agorumorpromulgatedbySeleus,itwasn’tswiftifimagedtotheheartorstomach—andmostphysicianscoulddetectthatkindofpoisoning.

Justbeforetheexecutionertouchedthelever,Iimaged.

Shefoldedandslumped,buttheexecutionerwasready,somuchsothatIdoubtifanyonewhodidnotknowwhathadhappenedwouldhaveguessedthatshewasalreadydead.

“Thatwaswelldone.”MasterDichartyn’svoicewasagainlow.“Especiallyunder

thecircumstances.”

Theexecutionersteppedforward.“Evilastheymayhavebeen,theyhadlivesandhopes,andwecommendthemtotheNameless.Lettheirexampleremindusallthatkindnessandhonestytoothersaretherootsofharmony.”

Foramoment,allwassilent.Thenthewarden

crossedthecourtyardtous,andwithoutspeakingledusbackthewaywehadcome.

Whenwereachedthecoach,MasterDichartynnoddedtotheguardandthewarden.“Wethankyou.”

Bothbowedslightly,andthewardenreplied,“Asalways,weappreciatewhatImagisledoesforus,andwewishyoubothwell.”There

wasaslight,butdistinctemphasisontheword“both.”

“Asdoweyou,”Ireplied,asI’dbeencoached.

OncewewereinthedutycoachandonourwaybacktoImagisle,MasterDichartynclearedhisthroat,thensaid,“I’dlikeyoutothinkofanotherwaytoaccomplishwhatyoudidthismorning,onethatisequally

undetectable—ifdoneproperly.”

Imanagedapolitesmile,evenafterthelastthreewords,whichwereareminderthatIhadnothandledthefirstprisoneraswellasIshouldhave.“Yes,sir.”

“Youarenot,obviously,towritethisdown,butyouaretothinkitoutthoroughly.”

Hepaused.“WhyamIaskingthis?”

“Iwouldjudge,sir,thatifeveryoneImuststopfromdoingharmseemstosuffereitheraheartstoppageorabrainseizure,theremightbemorequestionsthanIortheCollegiumwouldliketoanswer.”

Henodded.“OnLundinight,we’llworkonslowing

anddisruptingstratagems.Mosttimes,thosearetobepreferred,butthey’reeasierandquickertolearn,andyourinjurieshavenecessitatedtrainingyouinadifferentordertoreadyyouintimetoassumeyourduties.”

Iwasgettinganever-strongerfeelingthatMasterDichartynwasanticipatinggreattroublesbeforelong.“Whowillstrikefirst?”

Helaughed,andtherewasabitternessIhadnotheardbefore.“Whowillnot?”

Ihadtothinkforamoment.“TheAbiertans?OrtheFerrans?”

“TheAbiertansareafraidthatwewillannexthemtokeepthetraderoutesopen.Anycouncilorwhosuggestssuchwillbeatarget,andseveralalreadyhavesurvived

attacks,notthattheyknowit.EspeciallyCouncilorReyner.TheFerransaresotouchyandarrogantthattheybelievetheirmachineswillallowthemtofightboththeOligarchandSolidar.Wedon’twantanyofthosewars,andifcouncilorsareattacked,wounded,orkilled,therewilllikelybewar.Animportantpartofyourjob—andthatofBaratynandallofyou

workingwithhim—isnottogiveanyoneontheCounciltheexcuseforfightingawar.”

Beforeallthatlong,wewerebackattheCollegium,butIwasstilllateforbreakfast,andMartylandDartazn,evenReynolandMenyard,werealreadyfinished.Allthroughmyhurriedmeal,Ihadtowonderwhatthewomanhaddone

thatwassohorriblethatshehadbeensentencedtodie.ThenIhadtorushtothedutycoachthattookthethreeofustotheCouncilChateau.

“Youwerelateforbreakfast,”MartylsaidasIclimbedintothecoach.

“IwaswithMasterDichartyn.Wefinishedlate—notlatelastnight,butlatewithwhatweweredoingthis

morning.”

ThecoachpulledawayfromtheCollegium.Outside,itwasstillmisty,butgettingbrighter,andthatsuggestedahotandstickydaytocome.

“Prisonstuff?”askedDartazn.

Ijustnodded.Istillworriedaboutthewoman,thenIwonderedwhyIwasmoreconcernedaboutherthan

aboutthemen.Therewasnoreasonwhyawomancouldn’thavekilledsomeone...orworse.“Ihadtodragmyselfovertomeethimbeforeweleft.Helookedasifhe’dbeenawakeforglasses.”

“Hedoesn’teversleepmuch,theysay,”repliedMartyl.

“IfIhadtodealwithwhat’sonhismind,”added

Dartazn,“Iwouldn’tsleepmuch,either.He’sgottothinkofhisworkandsuperviseMasterSchorzataswell.”

Ihadn’tfullyrealizedthatMasterDichartynwasoverMasterSchorzat,althoughIshouldhave,becauseMasterDichartynwasinchargeofallCollegiumsecurity.

AfterreachingtheChateau,

wemetwithBaratynjustbeforeeighthglass,ashadbeenthepractice,althoughthatwouldchangetohalfpastseventhglassoncetheCouncilreconvened.

“ThissessionoftheCouncil,wewillbemakingsomechanges,”Baratynsaid.“ThefirstoneisthatwhentheCouncilisinsession,oneofyouwillalwaysbenearthedoorwayfromthecouncilors’

loungetotheprivatepassagewaythatleadstothechamber.Asalways,youwillsaynothingunlessyouaredeliveringamessageorifyouareaddressedpersonally.”

“EvenifyouwanttomakeCouncilorRamsaeltripandcrackhisskull,”addedMartyl,almostunderhisbreath.

“Especiallyifyouwant

that,”Baratynriposted.“We’renotheretolikethem.We’reheretopreservethemsothatwedon’tendupwithsomethingworse.”

IknewRamsaelwasaHighHolderfromKephria,butI’dneverseenhim.Ihadthefeelingthatoneofthehardestthingswasgoingtobematchingcouncilors’nameswiththeirfaces.

“Inaddition...atleastoneofyouwillbeavailabletoescortandact,ifnecessary,againstanyoneheretoseeacouncilor.”

Icouldseethat.AlthougheveryvisitorallowedintotheChateauhadtobeonalistcompiledfromnamesprovidedbythecouncilors—ortheiraides—therewasnoassurancethatthepersonwhoshowedupatthegatewasthe

personactuallyexpected.AnyonecouldclaimhewasRaphaelD’FactoriusorJorgesD’Artisan.Thatdidn’tmeanthattheywere.

AfterBaratyn’sbriefing,Dartazntookmeonatouroftheoutergrounds,pointingoutalltheplaceswhereassassinsandintrudershadtriedtoclimbthewallsorhide.Needlesstosay,assoonaswehadgoneoutside,the

sunbrokethroughthemist,andIbegantosweat.

Halfwayalongthewestside,hepointedouttheheavierfoundationwall.“Theycallthisthewalloflifeanddeath.ThenamedatesbacktoRexRegis.”

“Why?”

Dartaznshrugged.“Becauseitmeantlifeforsomeanddeathforothers.”

BythetimeDartaznhadfinishedtakingmethroughtheupperandlowergardensandtheinnerwalksborderingthewalls,wewerebothperspiringevenmoreheavily.Wewerequitethoroughinstudyingandinspectingthefountaincourt,withthecoolcreatedtherebythevariousspraysofwater.ThenwereturnedtoBaratyn’sstudy.

“Rhennthyl...you’reto

spendthenextglassstudyingalistoftheregularvisitorssothatatleastyouknowtheirnames.Afterthat,youcanjoinDartaznandMartylinfinishingtheinventoryofsecurityequipment.”

NeithertryingtolearnnamesofpeopleIhadneverseennorcomparingequipmentincases,racks,andboxestoalistingwasterriblyinteresting,andall

threeofusweremorethanhappywhenitwastimetoreturntoImagisleforlunch.

Afterlunch,IfoundaletterfromMotherinmyletterbox.IreaditquicklyonmywaybacktomychambertochangeintoexerciseclothesformyafternoontorturesessionwithClovyl.

DearRhennthyl,

YourfatherandIarebothgladtohearthatyouarerecovering,butsorrythatyouarebeinglimitedtoImagisleforthenearfuture.WehadhopedthatyouwouldbeabletoaccompanyustoKherseilles.WeareleavingonJeuditoseeRousel’sandRemaya’sson.TheyhavedecidedtonamehimRheityr,afteryourgreat-grandfather.

Icouldn’thelpbutshakemyheadatherassumptionthat,ifIhadn’tbeeninjured,ofcourse,I’dbeabletoleaveImagisleformorethanaweek.

Wewillnotbebackformorethanaweek,sinceyourfather

needstogooverthefactoringinKherseilleswithRousel,butaswarmasithasbeenhereinL’Excelsis,itisboundtobemorepleasantthere,anditwillbegoodtoseeourgrandson.Khethilawillbeatthehouse,andshewillbespendingeachdayatthefactorageinyourfather’sabsence,butwewilltakeCulthynwithus.

Ismiledatthat.NeitherofthemwantedtoadmithowcompetentKhethilawasgettingtobe.Sofarasthehandlingofcoinswent,I’dprefertohaveherincharge,ratherthanRousel.Rouselcouldsellanything,butcoinshadalwayshadawayofdroppingoutofhiswallet.

Iwillwriteoncewehavereturned,andwewillseeaboutthatdinner.Bythetimewearebackandyouarefree,itmaybewellintoharvest,butthen,itwillbecooler,andyoumightevenhavethenameofamarriageableyoungwomanthatwecouldinvite,inasmuchasyoudidnotseemtofindZerlenyatoyourtaste.

Iwincedatthat,butjustlaidtheletteronmydeskasIenteredmyquarters.Ihadtochangequicklyandthenhurrybacktotheexercisechambers.

Afterthewarm-upsandtheweightsandtheconditioningrun,Clovylresumedthetrainingwithknives,thenfollowedthatwithasession

withtruncheons—oranyrelativelyshortlengthofwoodorpipeorthelike.

Afteraquickdinner,atseventhbell,ImetMasterDraffydintheanteroomoftheinfirmary.

Hisfacewasgrave.“Thisisnotlikelytobeterriblypleasantforyou,Rhennthyl.Itwill,wetrust,makeyouabetterimager.I’mgoingto

dissectoneofthebodiesfromthismorning’sexecution,inordertoshowyoutheexactplacementofcertainorgans.Iwillalsoaskyoutoattemptcertainpreciseimagingfromtimetotimeduringtheprocess.SomeofitwillimproveyourabilitiestoprotecttheCouncil.Someofitwillhelpyouprotectyourself.”

“Yes,sir.”Hiswords

suggestedsomewouldimprovemyabilitytokill,andsometoheal,oratleastlimitbleedingortrauma,althoughhehadnotsaidthosewords.

Heturned,andIfollowedhimintotheinfirmaryanddownthecorridortoasmallroomwithatable.Ononewallwasarackofshimmeringinstruments.Onthetablewasafigurehalf

coveredwithathingrayblanket.

Thebodythatlayfaceuponthetablewasthatofawomanwithlongflamingredhair,nakedanduncoveredfromthewaistup.Shehadbeenbeautiful.Evenindeath,therewassomeattractiveness,butherfacestillboreatraceofpainoragony.Then,thatmighthavebeenmyimagination.

“Thisisthewomanexecutedthismorning.Fromherexpression,youreffortwasrelativelygood.”

Relativelygood?

Hepointedtothetopbackofthewoman’sshoulders.“Youcanseeheretheedgeoffaintwhitescars,andsomenewerwelts.She’sbeenbeaten.Ireportedthattothechiefofpatrollersandthe

justice,butthelastbeatingtookplacebeforeshewasapprehended.Theweltsalmosthadhealedduringthetimeshewasheldforherhearing.”Heshookhishead.“Idon’talwaystrustallthepatrollers,butthedegreeofhealingsupportsthechief’sstory.Isupposewe’llneverknowwhathappened.”Hepointedtoherneck.“We’reusingherbodybecauseit

requiresmoreprecision.I’dlikeyoutoimageasmallplugofwaxintohercarotidartery.”Hegesturedtoawhiteoblongofwaxonthenarrowshelfbeneaththeinstrumentrack.

Theinitialimagingwasn’ttoobad,norweretheonesthatfollowed,exceptIhadtopushawaythequestionsabouttheweltsonherback.

Thedissectionwasanothermatter.IttookeverybitofwillpowertokeepmygutsfromturninginsideoutonceMasterDraffydliftedbackthescalpelandbegantopeelawayvariousareasofskin,muscle,andbonetoshowmemostclearlywhathehadinmind,illustratingwhereIcoulduseimagingforwhat,andhowitcouldbeeffectivelyusedandwhere..

.andwhereitwasuseless,andwhy.

Healsocheckedtheaccuracyofmyimagingatalmosteverystepofthedissection.I’dbeenaccuratewiththewaxintheneckartery,andfarlessaccuratewithsomeoftheotherplacements,particularlythosedeeperinthebodyorinthespinalcolumn.

ItwasclosetomidnightwhenImademywayfromtheinfirmary.Evenathoroughwashingdidn’thelptoomuchwithmythoughts.

AfterIreachedmyownstudy,Ifirstlitthelamp—withastrikerandnotbyimaging—andthenjuststoodthere.Finally,IsatdownatthewritingdeskandtookoutthelettersfromSeliora.Ineededsomethingtotakemy

mindoffwhathadhappenedduringthecourseofaverylongday,especiallythebeginningandtheend.

Allaskwheretherivergoes,

butfewstudyhowitflows.

Therestoftheweekwentsomewhatbetter,althoughIhadtodeclinegoingoutwithMartylandDartaznonSamedibecauseIwasstillrestrictedtoImagisle.That

nightandagainonSolayi,Ispentthetimewithmythoughtsandtheanatomysectionofthesciencetext,tryingtocomeupwithanothersilentanddeadlytechniqueforstoppinganattacker.Thatwasdifficultbecause,attimes,IcouldstillseeinmythoughtsthewomanI’dexecuted.

InmidafternoononSolayi,Iwalkedtothenorthendof

Imagisle,pasttheworkshopsandthepark,andthenpastthecottagesanddwellings.Thereweremorethanafewdwellingsthatlookedtobespaciousandgracious.Isupposedthosewereforthemasterswithfamilies.Isatonashadedbenchoverlookingtheriverforatime.Eveninlatesummerunderaclearsky,thewaterwasgray.

Thatnight,ofcourse,I

wenttoservices,andonesectionofChoristerIsola’shomilyonSolayididremainwithme,whenshewasspeakingofluckandfortune.

“...Goodfortunecanfallupontheevil,andeviluponthegood.Chanceandtimebefallusall.Donotrailagainstsuch,forsuchvainprotestscanonlymakemattersworseandyoulessable.DonotgranttheNamer

morepoweroveryoubygivingnamestoyourmisfortunesordeclaringyourfortuneasifitwereanamedqualitythatisanintegralpartofyou...”

HerwordsmademethinkaboutRousel.HadInamedluckandcharmaspartofwhohewas?Butwerethosereallypartofhim,ormyappellations,offeredoutofenvy?

Then,whenIlefttheservice,asIsawthewivesandchildrenoftheoldermarriedimagersalsodepartingwiththeirhusbands,IwasremindedthattheCollegiumwasindeedacitywithinacity,andIactuallysawMasterDichartynwithanangularbrunetteandtwodaughters.Icouldn’thelpwonderingaboutwhathesawinheruntil

Isawhersmileathim,andhissmileinreturn.Iwasgladhedidn’tseemestudyingthem.

Lundiwaslikealltheweekdays,beginningwithahurriedbreakfastandarushtothedutycarriage.Themorningwaslong,becauseIhadbeentaskedwithwritingafaircopyoftheinventorywehaddonetheweekbefore.Thegoodpartwasthatlunch

wasagoodragoutwithdarkbread,andthethreeofushadachancetotalkbeforetheyreturnedtotheCouncilChateau.

OncemoreIhadtohurrytogetreadyforClovyl,althoughIhadcometoenjoythoseafternoonsessionsandlearningskillsthatwerelargelyphysicalinnatureandtechnique.Icouldn’thelpbutthinkthat,hadIknownwhat

hehadtaughtmewhenI’dbeenatgrammaire,myyearstherewouldhavebeenfarlesspainful.

LundieveningImetwithMasterDichartyn,andheactuallyagreedwithmy“new”technique—imagingaleyanintothebackoftheeye—buthepointedoutthatitwasnotnew,andthatpitricinewouldworkaswell,althoughaleyanwasharderto

detect.Afterthat,itwasactuallyenjoyabletolearnaboutvariousdelayingordisablingtricks,manyofwhichweresoobviousafterbeingtold,butnotsomethingthatIwouldnecessarilyhavethoughtofwithoutprompting,thingslikeimagingoilandwaxontoasteporpavementunderabootorshoe,ortar,foraslowingeffectonsomeonerunning.I

particularlylikedthepowderedchilisinthenose.

Whenwehadfinishedwiththat,hefingeredhischin,andIknewsomethingwascoming.

“Nowthatyouareabouttobecomeatrueworkingimager,Ineedtorepeatsomethings.Thereareotherunwrittenbutveryrealrulesforimagercounterspies.Iam

certainthatMasterJhulianhasintimatedwhattheyare,butIwilllaythemoutdirectly.First,exceptincasesofpubliclywitnessedself-defense,anyoneyoukillorotherwisedisposeofmustappeartohavediedthroughanaccidentorinsomefashionthatcannotbesaidtobemurder.Second,suchremovalsmustalwaystakeplacewhenyouare

unobservedandsomeoneelseispresenttohonestlytestifythatnooneelsewaspresent.Third,youwillreporteverysuchincident,andfailuretodosocouldresultinsevereconsequences.Fourth,youtellnoonebutmeortheheadmaitreoftheCollegiumwhatyouhavedoneinaccomplishingthoseduties,andsuchreportsaretobeonlyverbal.Youareneverto

writedownanywheretheactionsyouhavetakenorthechargesthatyouhavebeengiven.Doyouunderstandthat?”

“Yes,sir.”

“Ihavesomereadingmaterialforyou.”Hesmiledwryly.“It’snottext.Ithastodowithoneofyourassignments.”

“Don’tIalreadyhavemy

assignment,sir?”

“Youdo,butweallhavemultipleassignments.TheCouncilgenerallyonlymeetssometenglassesaweek,usuallyfromninthglassuntilsecondorthirdglassoftheafternoon.Inthelaterafternoon,notallofyouarerequired.Everyonehassomeadditionalassignments,andattimeswhentheCouncilgoesoutofsessionearly,Baratyn

willdecidewhowillremainattheChateauandwhowillbereleasedtoworkontheassignmentsI’vegiven.”Hehandedmeseveralsheetsofpaper.

Iglancedatthem,thenlookedagain.ThefirstwasthecivicpatrollerreportonthedeathofMasterCaliostrus,anditcontainedthenamesandaddressesofallofCaliostrus’srelativesin

L’Excelsis.ThesecondwasasheetlistinginformationonJohanyr,andthethirddealtwithDiazt.

“Someonewashiredtokillyou.Yourassignmentistoseeifyoucandiscoverwhohiredthatassassin.Onceyouhaveevidenceofthat,youwillreporttomebeforeactingagainstthatperson.Ifyouencounterotherassassins,youcandisposeof

them,providedyoudosoeitherquietlyorinawell-witnessedinstanceofself-defense.ThemostlikelysuspectsarerelativesofthelateMasterCaliostrus,butDiaztalsohadfriendsfromthehellholewhoengageinsuchmattersasremovingenemies.Iwouldsuggestnotvisitingthere,becausetherewouldeitherbeagreatnumberofdeadtaudismenor

we’dhavetofindandtrainanotherimagertoreplaceyou.”

Ihadn’tthoughtofvisitingthehellhole,oranyofthetaudis.“DoesthismeanI’mnolongerrestrictedtoImagisle?”

“Asoftomorrow,you’renot.Youcertainlyhavetheskillstodefendyourself,butwhatyoustilllackisan

awarenessofeverythingaroundyou.Thatissomethingyouwillneedtopracticeallthetimeuntilitbecomesasnaturaltoyouasbreathing,untilyouknowallthatmayimpactyouwithouteverhavingtothinkaboutit.Onlytimeandpracticewillgrantyouthat.”Hesmiledsadly.“Pleasebecautious.AsItoldyoumonthsago,therearenoboldoldimagers.”

NowthatIwasfinallyfreetoleave...noneofthepeopleIreallywantedtosee,exceptKhethila,werepresentlyinL’Excelsis,anditdidn’tmakesensetoseeheruntiltheweekend,becausetherereallywasn’tenoughtimetotakeahackoutandbackduringtheweek.

“Andoneotherthing—onSamedimorning,attheeighthglass,MaitrePoincarytwill

beatyournewstudiosothatyoucanstarthisportrait.”MasterDichartynsmiled.“Thisisanexampleofbeingcarefulinwhatyouaskfor,Rhennthyl.Ifyougetit,youhavetodealwiththeconsequences.”

Thatmeantmoreworktosqueezeinsomewhere,becausethestudiowasn’tsetupformetoactuallystartpainting.Still...Ididlook

forwardtoit.“Itwillbeagoodportrait,sir,butitmaytakealittlelongerwiththepressofcarryingoutotherassignments.”

“MasterPoincarytunderstandsthatalltoowell.”MasterDichartynstood.“Gogetsomesleep.You’llneedit.”

“Yes,sir.”Inodded.WouldIfindsleepthateasily

afterallthathadhappened,andtheadditionalassignmentthatI’djustbeengiven?

Whenyouseek,donotseek

onlythatwhichyoucanacceptorbelieve.

BythetimeIwalkedacrossthequadrangletodinneronVendreievening,Iwastired,butnotoverlyso.Iwasjustgladthemajorityofmyintensivetraininghadcome

toanend.I’dreceivedabriefletterfromMotheronMardi,andanotheronefromSeliorajustthatafternoon.MotherinformedmethatthethreeofthemwouldbearrivingbackinL’ExcelsisonLundi,thesecondofAgostos,andhopedthatIcouldcomeonthefollowingSamedifordinner—asmallfamilybirthdaydinner,sinceIhadmadeitmorethanapparentthather

choicesoffemalecompanionsdidnotappealtome.

Seliora’sletterwascheerful.ShehopedIwaswellandapologizedthatdinnerwouldhavetobeonthefourteenthbecausehermotherhadalreadyplannedabirthdaycelebrationforAuntAeginaontheseventh.ShealsowrotethattheyallfeltthatI’dprobablybetiedup

withmyfamilyontheseventh.Wasthatagoodjudgment...orPharsiforesight?Eitherway,itworkedoutbetterforeveryone,andIwroteherbackimmediately,sayingthatIunderstood,buthopingthatIcouldatleastcallonheronSolayiafternoon—theeighth.

AlthoughMasterDichartynhadn’tsaidanythingsincehe’dgivenmethe

informationsheetsdealingwiththebackgroundonmyshooting,IknewIhadtostartworkingonthatassignmentaswell,butIhadtostartonMasterPoincaryt’sportraitfirst.Thatwaswhy,onSamedimorning,Iwasupbeforebreakfastandoveratmy“studio,”makingarrangementsandcheckingthelight.Afterhurryingovertothedininghallandeating,I

returnedtothestudioandsetuptheeaselandthechair.

Asthefirstoftheeightbellsstruck,MasterPoincarytsteppedthroughtheopendoorofthesmallconvertedworkshop.HeworeexactlythesamegraygarbasIdid,withtheadditionofasmallsilverfour-pointedstarcircledinsilverandwornhighontheleftbreastofhiswaistcoat.Thesilvercircle

onlytouchedthestaratthepoints,andthespacesbetweenitandthestarwereopen,showingthegraywoolofthewaistcoat.Hiseyestookineverythinginsinglesweepandcametorestonme.Despitethelinescarvedintohisface,hishairwasjetblack,asweretheheavyeyebrows.Thesquarishshapeofhisfacewasoffsetbyachinthatwasalmostelfinand

aglintinhiseyesashemovedtowardme.“Rhennthyl.”

“MasterPoincaryt.”

“Youknowthatyou’rethefirstimagerthat’sbeenapainter?Thatseemsstrangetome,becauseimagingisavisualskill,asispainting.”

“Iwouldn’tbesurprised,sir,iftherewerepainterswithsmallimagingabilitieswho

havekeptthoseabilitiestothemselves.”

Heofferedalopsidedsmile.“Betweenus,neitherwouldI.Didn’tyou,foratime?”

“Yes,sir.”IdecidedagainstexplainingthatitwasbecauseI’dthoughtmyabilitiessomodest.Igesturedtowardthechair.“Ifyouwouldn’tmindsittingthere,

sir?”Ismiled.“Youwon’tbeportrayedassittinginanythingquitethatsevere.”

“I’dappreciateitifyoudidn’tshowmeinoneofthoseupholsteredthrones.”Hesettledintothechair,thenlookedatme.“Itfeelsstrangetobesittinghere.”

“Sir...Iwouldthinkthatyoudeserveaportrait.”

“Idon’t,buttheheadofthe

Collegiumdoes.”Hesmiled.“That’swhatDichartynclaims.HesaysthathavingportraitsoftheheadsoftheCollegiumwillreinforcetradition.”

Thatgavemeanidea.“Sir,isthereanythingthatmightsuggesttheCollegium?”

“Onlythestar,andthatdoesn’treallysuggesttheCollegiumbyitself.”

Thefour-pointedstarofSolidarwassymbolic,withthepointsrepresentingtheHighHolders,thefactors,theartisans,andtheCollegium.I’dworkoutsomething.Ialwaysdid.

ThefirstthingIdidwassketchMasterPoincaryt’sface.Rather,IdidaseriesofquickroughsketchesinpenciluntilIhadthesenseofwhatwouldbebothaccurate

andflattering.

Thosetookalmosttheentireglass,andtherewasn’tmuchpointinaskinghimtostaylonger,becauseI’dneedtothinkabouttheentireportraitandsetupthedesignbeforehispresencewouldbenecessaryagain.“That’sallI’llneedfromyounow,sir.”

“CouldIlookatthesketches,Rhennthyl,soI

won’tbetooshocked?”Hisvoicewasgentlyhumorous.

“Certainly,sir.Iwouldaskthatyourememberthattheseareverypreliminary.They’reasmuchtoenablemetosetupadesignthat’sappropriate.”Ibroughtoverthesketchesandbegantogothroughthem.“Yourprofilefromtheleft...theright...fullfacehere...”

Afterhe’dlookedatthethemall,hestood.“TheCollegiumisfortunatetohaveyou.”Hesmiled.“Ifwearetohaveportraits,theyshouldbeaccurate.Myfamilymaynotagree,however.”Hepaused.“NextSamediatthistime?”

“Yes,sir,ifthatisconvenient.”

Afterheleft,Iputawaythe

sketchesandthepencils,closedtheworkroom,andwalkedbacktomyquarters.ThenIheadedoutonwhatwouldprobablybealongSamedi,walkingacrossthequadrangleandthentowardtheBridgeofHopes.

I’dthoughtatfirstthattheeasiestpartoflookingintowhohadtargetedmewouldbetalkingtothoseIknewintheguild,butafterthe

receptionI’dgottenfromRogarisandSagaryn,Ididn’twanttostartwiththem.ButwherecouldIstart?IrackedmybrainbeforeIrememberedtheoldmanwhohadlikedmystudy—theformerportraituremaster.Ifinallyrecalledhisname—ornames—andwhatMasterEstafenhadsaid.EveryonecalledhimGrisarius,buthewasreallyEmanusandhe

hadsomeroomsofftheBoulevardD’Imagers.

Surely,itwouldn’tbethathardtofindhim.Peopledidnoticeoddcharacters,andGrisariuswasanythingbutusualinappearance.IalsocouldtalktoMadameD’CaliostrusorShienna.

AsIcrossedEastRiverRoad,atjustafterhalfpastnine,Iwasgladtherewasa

fainthazeandaslightbreeze.Evenso,thedaywouldbehot,andthensome,bymidafternoon.Iwasn’tquitecertainwhethertowalkuptheBoulevardD’ImagersortakeahacktoseeMadameCaliostrus.Inoticedamantalkingtotheflowerseller,thesameweatheredwomanwhoseemedtobetheremosteverySamediI’dcrossedthebridge.Ididn’tlookintheir

direction,exceptforthatfirstglance,butIdidlisten.

“...don’tsomeoftheimagersbuyyourblooms?”

“Notmany.Mostofthosewhocrosshereareyoung,andtheydon’thavethatmanycoins.Theydon’tunderstandthepowerofflowers.”

“Herecomesone,”saidthemaninalowvoice.

“Youngsir...whataboutabouquetoraflower?Justafewcoppers...justafew...”

Icouldn’thelpthinkingthatI’dbeperverseandbuysome.Icertainlyhadenoughcoppersforafewflowers,anditmightbefuntotakesometoKhethila.Evenifshewasn’thome,Nellicawouldbe,andcouldarrangethem—andthey’dbeapleasant

surprise.Istoppedandsteppedintotheshadeofthegreenandyellow,butslightlyfaded,umbrellathatcoveredtheflowerseller’ssmallcart.“Ijustmight.Howmuchforthetulips—theredandyellowones?”

“Threecoppersabunch,sir.Justthree.”

“I’lltakethem.”

AsIhandedherthecoins,

shedidn’tconcealthesurpriseonherface—notsomuchthatIhadboughtthem,Ithought,butthatIhadn’thaggledovertheprice.

Themanwhohadbeentalkingtohereasedaway,butnotbeforeIcaughtabetterglimpse.Heworeawash-blueworkingman’sshirtandyellow-tanleathervest.Hisfeatureswereregular,andhisbrownhairwaswelltrimmed.

Hisbeardwasalsoneatlytrimmed,buthiseyebrowswerebushy.Theonlydistinguishingfeaturewasthefactthatthebottomofoneearwasslightlyshorterthantheother,asifthelobeofhislefthadbeenremoved.

“Thankyou.”Iinclinedmyheadslightlytoher.

Buyingtheflowersmadeadecisionforme.I’dneedto

takethemtoKhethilafirst.SoIhailedahack.“WestlaneoffofthecircleatPlazaD’Este.”

Thehacker,oneofthefewwomendriversI’dseen,lookedatthetulips,butsaidnothingbeyond,“PlazaD’Este,westlaneitis.”

WhenIfinallyreachedmyparentsandknockedonthedoor,Nellicaopenedit.“Oh.

..MasterRhenn...there’snooneherebutMistressKhethila,andshewasn’texpectinganyone.”

Ieasedmywayin,closingthedoorbehindmesothattheheatofthedaydidn’tfloodintothefoyer.“JusttellherthatI’mhere.Ican’tstaylong,butIwantedtoseeher.”

BeforeNellicacouldeventurn,IheardKhethila.

“Nellica?Issomeonehere?”ShecaughtsightofmeandrushedpastNellica.“Rhenn!Howareyou?Howbadlywereyouhurt?Didsomeonestabyouorsomething?”

Iextendedthesmallbouquet.“Ibroughttheseforyou.”

“Forme?Youshouldn’thave.”

“You’retheonewho’sworkingwhileeveryoneelseisholidayinginKherseilles.”

Khethilatookthetulips,thenimmediatelyhandedthemtoNellica“Ifyou’darrangethem...inthemiddlepalegreenvase?”

“Yes,mistress.”Nellicasmiledandheadedforthekitchen.

“Tellmewhathappened.”

Khethilamotionedtowardtheparlor.“It’scoolerinside,rightnow.”Shewaswearingaseverestraightdarkbluedresswithlongsleeves.

“Iseeyou’redressedforbookkeeping.”

“Ijustgothome.”ShedroppedintoFather’sarmchair.“Tellmewhathappened.”

“Actually,Igotshot.I’m

finenow.Themastersdidn’twantmeleavingImagisleuntilIwascompletelywell.ThisisthefirstweekendI’vebeenofftheisleinalmosttwomonths.”

“Motherthinksyou’remadatus,ather,really,becauseyoudidn’tlikethatZerlenyabitch.”

Icouldn’thelplaughing.Shelaughed,too.

“Ididn’tknowshewasabitch,”Ifinallysaid.“Ijustwasn’tinterested.AfterIgotshot,well,Iwasn’tinshapetogoanywhereforquiteawhile.”

“Sheis.Atthegrammaire,shewastheHighHolderofallholders,butshe’dplaysweetforanyboyshewasinterestedin,andwhenanyparentsoradultswerearound.Noneofuscouldunderstand

whytheboysdidn’tseethroughher.”

“She’sattractiveenough,”Isaid.

“Thesweetest-scentedroseshavethesharpestthorns.”

SinceKhethilaandIagreedaboutZerlenya,andtherewaslittlemoretobesaidthere,Iasked,“Howareyoulikingkeepingtheledgers?”

“It’smuchbetterthandealingwiththepeoplewhowanttobuythewool.Theyallwantitforlessthanitcostandcan’tunderstandwhyitcostswhatitdoes.Thefiguresintheledger,ifthey’reenteredproperly,remainthefiguresintheledger.Ilikemakingsureeverythingbalances.”Foraninstant,herexpressionchanged.

“You’refarbetteratthatthanI’dbe,orthanRouselwilleverbe.”

Thistimeshefrowned,ifbriefly.

“IsRouselhavingtroublewithhisbookkeeping?”Thatwasaguess,butnotawildone.

“Ithinkso.”Sheshookherhead.“IhatedtellingFather,butsomeoftheaccounts

didn’tworkout.Theycouldn’t.That’sonereasonwhyhewentwithMother.Hehadn’tplannedto.”

“It’salsowhyhecouldleave.Heknowsyou’llkeeptheaccountsherestraight.”

“OldChelinkdidfine,butwhenhedied...”

“Hedied?Whendidthathappen?”

“InlateMaris...”

WetalkedforaglassorsobeforeIstoodandexcusedmyself,tellingherthatIhadsomeimagertaskstodo.ImanagedtocatchahacktwoblocksshortofthePlazaD’EsteandhadhimdropmeoffatthecornerofNorthMiddleandBakers’Lane,abouttwoblocksfromMasterCaliostrus’splace.Thereweresomepeoplealongthe

lane,aboutwhatI’dhaveexpectedonasummerafternoon.Severallookedatme,thenlookedaway.Mostdidn’tpaymuchattention.

EvenbeforeIreachedthegatetotheplacewhereI’dspentnearlytenyears,Icouldheartheclinkofstoneworkandchisels,andthemurmursofworkmen.

“Mortar!Uponthetop

course...”

Thegatehadbeenremoved.Insidethewalls,alargerversionofMasterCaliostrus’sdwellinghadmostlyrisenonthefoundationsoftheold,andthisonewasentirelyofstone.Theshedagainsttherearwallhadbeendemolished,andtherewasnosignofthegarden.

Ieasedtowardthegray-beardedmaninchargeofthemasons.“Pardonme.”

Heturned,hismouthopen,asiftoupbraidme—untilhetookinthegray.“Imager...whatcanIdoforyou?”

“IwaslookingforMadameD’Caliostrus...”Ioffered.“Iknewherhusbandhaddied.”

“Youwon’tfindherhere.ShesoldtheplacetoMaster

Elphens...”

Elphenshadmademaster?Evenasarepresentationalartist?Iwantedtoshudderandscreamatthesametime.Mystudyhadbeenfarsuperiortohismist-coveredgardenswithallthewronglighting,andhewasnowamaster—andIhadn’tbeenabletogetajourneyman’sposition.Andwherehadhegottenthecointopurchase

theplace,letalonerebuildsuchadwelling?

“...Evenwithallthedamage,Ihear,shedidn’tdobadly.PlotthislargeishardtocomebyhereintheMartradondistrict.”

“Doyouknowwhereshewent?”

“Wordisthatshewentbacktowhereherparentscamefrom.”Hefrowned.

“LittleplacenearRivages,don’trecallthename.ShegotsomemoneyfromanannuityorsomethingfromapatronofCaliostrus.Shesaidtherewasnoreasontostayhereandplentytoleave.”

“Youwouldn’tknowanyonewhomightbeabletotellmewheresheisnow?”

“MightbesomeoneatthePortraitureGuild.Idon’t

knowanyone.”

“Isee.Thankyou.”Inoddedanddeparted.

Becauseitwasmorethanalittlewarm,Iusedmoreofmycointotakeanotherhack,thisonedowntotheGuildSquare.FromthereIcouldwalkdowntheBoulevardD’Imagersandmakemyinquiries.Ihadthehackerdropmeontheeastsideof

thesquare.Asalwaysinlatesummer,thesidewalkswerelesscrowdedthanearlierorlaterintheyear,partlybecauseoftheheat,andpartlybecausethosewhocouldleftL’Excelsisinthehottestweeksoftheyear.

Afterlessthantwentyyards,myforeheadandshirtweredamp,andIhadthefeelingthatsomeonewaslookingatme.Iturnedasif

tostudythedisplayitemsinthesilversmith’swindow,sothatIcouldlookatthosearoundme,butIcouldn’tseeanyoneclearlylookingatme,oranyonethatIknew.Thatdidn’tmeansomeonewasn’tlookingatme,onlythatIwasn’tskilledenoughtopickthemout.

Icontinuedon,walkingslowlytowardLapinina,comingabreastofthe

coppersmith’s,exceptthathisshutterswereclosed.Hewasonholiday.AsIpassedthebistro,Iglancedinthroughanopenwindow.Therewerepeopleatonlytwotables,andIdidn’tknowanyofthem.Thecooper’splacewasopen,buttherewasnooneinIcouldseethere.

IcrossedSudroadandwalkedbacktowardtheboulevard,slowly,looking

downthetwolanesIpassedtoseeiftherewereanyhiddenboardinghousesorthelike.Ikeptgettingthefeelingthatsomeonewasstaringatme,butwheneverIglancedaround,Icouldn’tdetectwhoitmightbe—orwhetheritwasjustmyimagination.

TherewasanotherbistroablockwestofthesquareontheBoulevardD’Imagers.Iknewsomeoftheolderartists

wentthere,althoughIneverhad.ThenameonthesignboardwasAxotol.Ihadnoideawhatthatmeant,butIsteppedinunderthelightgreenawningtowardaservinggirl.

Shelookedatme,hereyeswide.Icouldalmostfeelthefear.Ithadtobetheimageruniform,becauseI’dneverseenherbefore.“Yes...ah...sir?”

“I’mlookingforanartist,white-haired,withagoatee.He’susuallycalledGrisarius.”

Thegirljuststaredatmeblankly,asiffrozen.

Anolderwomanhurriedover.“MightIhelpyou,sir?”

“AnartistnamedGrisarius,orEmanus...white-hairedwithagoatee.I’mlookingforhim.Hehasn’tdoneanything

wrong,buthemightknowsomething.”

“He’ssometimeshere.Notnow.YoumighttryReynardyl,threeblockstowardtheriver.”

“Doyouknowwherehelives?It’ssupposedlycloseby.”

“Icouldn’tsay.Hedoesn’ttalkmuch.”

“Thankyou.”Iofferedasmile.

AsIsteppedbackoutintotheheat,Icouldheartheolderwomantalkingtotheyounger.

“...won’tdoanythingtoyouhere.Besttoanswertheirquestionsandgetthemout.Theystay,andpeoplewon’tcomein.That’llgetRastafyrinablackmoodfaster’nany

imager...”

Reynardylwasalongandhotthree-blockwalkfromAxotol,andIalmostmissedit,becauseitreallywasn’tontheboulevardbutdownanunmarkedlaneoffthemainwalk,withasignboardsofadedthatIcouldn’treadituntilIwasalmostunderit.AlthoughtheplacewastwicethesizeofLapinina,therewasnooneinsideexcepta

gray-hairedserver.

“Anywhereyouwant.”Hersmilewastired.

“I’mlookingforsomeone,anolderartistnamedGrisarius.Hehasawhitegoatee—”

“Hehasn’tbeenintoday...probablywon’tbe.It’stheendofthemonth.”

“Doyouhaveanyidea

wherehemightbe?”

“Youmightfindhiminthepublicgarden,youknow,theonesouthoftheGuildSquare...lotofoldertypesthere.”

Ihadmydoubts,butitwasworthatry.“Thankyou.”Ipaused.“IfIdon’t,Iunderstandhehasroomsnearhere.Doyouknowwheretheymightbe?”

Sheshookherhead.

Iwaitedamoment,stilllookingather.

“Well...sir,Ican’tsayasIknow,buthedidmentiongoingtoMamaLazara’sonce.”

“Isthataboardinghouse?”

“Yes,sir.”

“Doyouknowwhereitis?”

“Notthestreet,butit’s

somewheresouthofMarchandnottoofarwestofSudroad.That’swhatMakostoldme.”

“Thankyou.”Igaveherapairofcoppersandheadedoutthedoor.SinceIknewwherethepublicgardenwas,andIdidn’tknowexactlywhereMamaLazara’sboardinghousewas,Iheadedbackuptheboulevardtowardthesquare.

Itwastooshortadistancetotakeahack,andtherewerefewaround,andtoolongforthewalktobecomfortableunderthenow-swelteringafternoonsun.IwishedI’dstoppedforsomethingtodrink,butImarchedonward.WhenIreachedthepublicgardens,Istrolledalongeverypathway,checkingallthebenches.Therewereperhapsfiftypeoplethere,

andoutsideoftwowomenwithinfantstalkingtoeachother,Idon’tthinkthatanyoneelseinthegardenswasunderthirty,andnotaoneboretheslightestresemblancetoGrisarius.AsIreachedthenorthgates,whereIhadbegun,Iagainhadthefeelingofbeingwatched.

SinceGrisariuswasn’tinthepublicgarden,andsinceI

felttheobserverwasontheboulevardsomewhere,Iturnedandwalkedbackthroughthegardenstothesouthgate.Fromthere,IwalkedthreeblockssouthtoMarchand,crossedit,andcametothenextstreet,muchnarrowerandmeaner.ThefadedlettersonthecornerwallreadLEZENBLY.Therewasnoboardinghouseorpensionanywhereamongthe

olderandmoderatelywell-keptstonedwellingssituatedonthetwoblocksthatlednorthtoSudroad.SoIretracedmystepsandheadedbacksouthwardonLezenbly.AttheendofthefirstblockonLezenblysouthofwhereI’dstarted,Isawawhite-hairedfiguresittingonashadedsideporch.SoIopenedthegateandwalkedaroundtotheside.

“Grisarius?OrshouldIcallyouEmanus?”

Theoldermanjerkedinthechair.Ihadn’trealizedthathehadn’tbeenreading,butdozing,stillholdingthebook.HejustwatchedasItookthestonestepsandthenpulledupastraight-backedchairacrossfromhim.Myfeetached,andIwasmorethanalittlehot.

Theoldmansquintedat

me.“Imager.Oughttoknowyou,shouldn’tI?”

“Rhennthyl.IwasajourneymanforCaliostrusbeforeIbecameanimager.IdidastudyinthejourneymancompetitioninIanusthatyouliked.Achessboard.”

Hefrowned,thennoddedslowly.“You’retheone.”

Thatsuggestedsomething.“Hassomeonebeenasking

aboutme?”

“Notassuch.Staela—thebitchatLapinina—shewassayingthatsomeimagerhadstoppedbyamonthorsoago,saidhe’dbeenanartist,buthescaredoffabunchofpeople.”

“Thatwasme.”

Grisariusnoddedagain.

“IwenttoseeMadame

D’Caliostrus.She’dsoldtheplaceandleft.Therewassomethingaboutanannuity.ThemasonworkingonthewallssaidElphenshadboughtit.”

“Ah,yes...youngElphens...”

“Howcouldheaffordtopurchaseit?Howdidhemakemastersoquickly?”

Acrookedsmileappeared

abovethewispygoatee.“Mighthavetodowithhisfather.”

“Whoishisfather?”

“AHighHolderfromTilbora...Tillakorsomesuch.”

“Asononthebacksideoftheblanket?”

“Somethinglikethat.”

Ishookmyhead.That

figured.“Thatmusthavebroughttheguildafewgolds.”

“Themasterswhovotedonhim,anyway.”Emanussnorted.

“IneverknewCaliostrushadapatronwhowouldhavepurchasedanannuityonhislife.”

“Heprobablydidn’t.That’salwayswhattheysaywhen

someonemakesasettlement.”

“Butwho...why?”

“Rumorwasthatthefirewasn’tnatural-like.”Theoldartisanshrugged.“Itcouldbeanyone.Foranyreason.Thatsonofhiswastroubleallthewayround.CouldbethatthefirewasmeantforOstrius,andthesettlementwasbecauseCaliostrusgotcaught

accidentally.Oritcouldbethatitwasjusteasiertosendthewidowpackingsothatquestionsdidn’tgetasked.You’reyoung,foranimager.You’llsee.”

“You’veseenagreatdeal,haven’tyou?”Ihopedhe’dsaymore.

“There’smuchtobeseen,ifyouonlylook.Mostpeopledon’tseethingsthatareright

beforethembecauseitgoesagainstwhattheybelieveorwhattheywanttobelieve.”

“YouknowthatIcouldneverfindamastertotakemeonasajourneyman.”

“Thatdoesn’tsurpriseme.”Emanusofferedatwistedsmile.“Idon’tthinkithappenedthatway,butitwouldn’thavesurprisedmeifsomeonewentafter

Caliostrusbecauseyou’dhavemademasterifhe’dlived,andhalftheportraituremastersinL’Excelsisdon’thaveyourtalent.”

“Wereyouforcedoutoftheguild?”

“Let’sjustsaythatitwasbetterthatIletithappen.Didn’thavemuchchoice,butIgottowatchthemessEstafenandReayaltmade

whentheytookover.”

“Youweretheguildmaster?”

Henodded.“Ipridedmyselfonbeingfair.Mostpeopledon’tlikethat,andwhentheyfoundoutafewthings...LikeIsaid,itwasbetterthatIletthemtrumpupascandalthanwhatmighthavehappened.”Therewasawrysmile.“Whatmighthave

happenedremainsmybusiness,andIcanatleasttakeconsolationthatIwasn’tthecauseofanyonegettinghurt.”

“Exceptyourself,sir.”

“That’sachoicewesometimeshavetomake.”Heshookhishead.“Thatwasalongtimeago,andthere’snothingthatanyonecandonow.”

ItmighthavebeenmythinkingaboutJohanyrandthetacticshe’dused,butIcouldn’thelpasking,“Wasitsomeoneinyourfamilyyouhadtoprotect?”

“Whywouldyouaskthat,youngRhennthyl?”

“IwatchedaHighHolder’ssondosomethinglikethatnottoolongago.”

“Whatdidyoudo?”

“Blindedhimenoughsothathe’llneverimageagain.”

“Andyou’restillalive?”

“Sofar.I’vebeenshotonce.”

Emanuslookedatme,thenleanedbackinthechair.“Whydidyouseekme?”

“Ithoughtyoumightbeabletotellmeifsomeonewashiringbravostogoafter

me,orifIneededtolookelsewhere.”

“YouseemtothinkIknowmorethanIdo.”

“You’veseenagreatdeal,andfarmorethanIhave.”

“Youflattermewithmyownwords.”Emanuslaughed.“Estafen,Reayalt,andJacquerlwouldn’tgoafteryou,notonceyoubecameanimager.

Caliostrus’sandOstrius’sdeathsbenefitedthem,andthey’dnotwishtohaveanyclouddrawntothem.”

Ifrowned,butwaited.

“Caliostrushadabrother.Thelal.Hewasatilesetter,journeyman.Likedtheplonktoomuch.Caliostrusgavehimsilvers.MadameCaliostrusdidn’tlikeit.IfIhadtowager,I’dsayThelal

wasinvolved.EitherhimorthatHighHolder.”Hefrowned.“HighHolder’snotlikely.MostHighHolderswouldmakeyousufferforyears.”

“DoyouknowwhereImightfindThelal?”

“FromwhatI’veheard,IdoubtThelalknowswherehe’llfindhimselftonight.”

Afterthat,whileEmanus

waspleasantenough,Ididn’tlearnmuchmore,andIbegantohavethefeelingthatsomeonewaswatchingus.So,finally,Istood.“Thankyou.Iappreciateyourtalkingtome.”

“Bestoffortune.”Hisfacequirkedintoastrangesmile.“Youmightrememberthattruthhaslittletodowiththeactsanddecisionsofmostfolks.”

Ratherthanleavebythefrontgate,Iwentdowntheporchstepsandthenhurriedtothealleywaybehindthepension,makingmywayeastward.IwasbackonMarchand,almosttoSudroad,whenIcaughtsightofamanalmostablockbehindme.Icouldn’tmakehimoutclearly,becausehewasontheshadowedsideofthestreet.Iturnednorthwardon

SudroadtowardtheGuildSquare,andkeptchecking.Hewasstillfollowing,holdingtotheshadows,butIcouldmakeoutthatheworealight-coloredvest.Istoppedtolookatacrystaldecanterintheglassblower’swindow.Hehaltedtotalktoamansellingkerchiefsandstrawhats.

Therehadtobesomewaytoseparatehimfromthe

SamedicrowdsaroundtheGuildSquare.Ipassedonealleyway,butitwasadeadend.Thesecondoneranclearthrough,ifatanangle,toCarolis,andtheentirealleywaywascloakedinshadow.Iduckedintothealleyway,thenhurrieddownthenorthside.Ididn’thidebehindthefirstpileofbrokencrates,becausethatwasobvious,butinsteadslipped

intoanichewheretherearwallsoftwobuildingsjoined.Oncethere,Icreatedabrownishshadowshieldthatmatchedthepaintedplasterwalls.

ThenIwaitedintheshadowsbehindtheshieldthatIhadimaged,asthemanpeeredthiswayandthat.Ialsoraisedshieldsagainstabulletorablade,butsincethebravo—orpossibleassassin

—hadn’tdoneanythingbutfollowme,Ireallycouldn’tdomuchmore.Notyet.Hekeptmovingandpeering,butbeforelongwalkedpastme.Ashepassed,Igotagoodlookathim.Hewasthesamemanintheyellowishtanvestandwash-blueshirtwhohadbeentalkingtotheflowerseller,makingsmalltalkwhilehe’dbeenwaitingformetoleaveImagisle.He

finallyvanishedintotheorangishlate-afternoonsunlightattheendofthealley.

Recallingtheconversationthathaddrawnmetotheflowerseller,Ididnotfollowhim,butretracedmysteps,stillholdingshields.IdecidedagainststayingoreatinginL’ExcelsissinceIhadnoideawhohadbeenfollowingme,orwhy,andnotwhenIreally

didn’tknowwhattodonext.IwantedtotalktoMasterReayaltandMasterEstafen,butnotuntilItalkedtoMasterDichartyn.

OnthewaybacktoImagisle,Ilookedfortheflowerseller,thinkingshemightbeabletotellmemoreaboutthemanwhohadbeentrackingme,butthecart,thegreenandyellowumbrella,andtheflowersellerhadall

left.BythetimeIreachedmyquarters,Iwastired,andmyfeetweresore...andIwasn’tsurethatIknewthatmuchmorethanwhenI’dleftthatmorning.

Whatisseencantellone

whatisnot.

Predictably,onSamedinight,IhadanightmareaboutsomeoneIcouldn’tseeclearlyfollowingmeeverywhere.Afterbreakfastthenextmorning,IcrossedtheBridgeofHopes,looking

fortheflowersellerwiththeyellowandgreencartandumbrella.Icoveredafairarea,bothontheBoulevardD’ImagersandalongtheEastRiverRoad,butIsawnosignofher,orofanyotherflowerseller.Ieventriedlater,inmidafternoon,withnobetterluck.Apparently,flowersellersdidn’tfindmuchtradeonSolayi.Ialsodidn’tseethemanwiththeyellowvest,

butintheafternoonIdidseeanumberoffamiliespicnickinginthegardensofftheboulevard.

EspeciallyafterwhatEmanushadrevealed,Ididn’twanttoapproachanyoneelseinthePortraitureGuild,notuntilI’dtalkedtoMasterDichartyn,buthewasn’taroundonSolayi,andIwasn’tabouttotrackhimtohisdwelling.

OnLundi,IgotupearlierbecausethedutycoachtotheCouncilChateauleftatafifthpastseventhglass.Iclimbedoutofbed,washed,dressed,andmanagedtogulpdownbreakfastandstopbyMasterDichartyn’sstudy.Hewasn’tthere.Evenso,Iwasthefirstonetothedutycoach,butBaratynwasbutafewstepsbehindme,andthenDartaznandMartylfollowed.

Oncewewereallinthecoach,Iasked,“WhatwillhappentodaywiththeCouncil?”

“Almostnothing,”repliedMartyl.

“Thatdoesn’tmeanwewon’tbebusy,”addedDartazn.“Allsortsshowupinsistingthattheyneedtoseeoneofthecouncilors,andsomeofthemdo.”

“Othersarejuniorguildmembersormerchantswhoclaimthattheyhavetherighttovisittheirrepresentatives.”

“It’salongdaybecausetheywanttoseethosepeoplebeforeanythinghappens?”Iasked.

Iknewthattheyhadtherighttorequestameeting,thattheregularmessengersconveyedthoserequeststo

thecouncilor,andthat,ifthecounciloragreedtoseethem,oneofthethreeofushadtoescortthemandlistentothewholeconversation,atleastuntilweweredismissedbythecouncilor.Butwestillhadtowaitoutsideinthecorridortoescortthemout.

“That’sright,”saidBaratyn.“Thatway,thecouncilorscanclaimtheylistenedbeforetheydidwhat

theyweregoingtodoanyway.”

OncethecoachpulledupoutsidetheChateau,Baratynledthewaythroughthesidegateandupthenarrowsteps.Harvestseasonitmightwellbe,butearlyasitwas,themorningairwasashotandcloseanddampasonanysummermorning.IblottedmyforeheadwiththebackofmyhandonceIsteppedinto

thecomparativecoolofthestonestructure.

“Martyl...gogetthevisitors’requestsheet.Dartazn,ifyou’dgetthenightguards’reports.”Baratynturnedtome.“Rhenn,forthemoment,justwaitinthemessengers’study.”

“Yes,sir.”Themessengers’studywasa

spareroomwithtwobenchesandtwowritingdesksandchairsadjoiningBaratyn’sstudy.Ihadn’tspentahalfglassthereinthepastthreeweeks.

“Don’tworry.You’llbemorethanalittlebusy.There’salreadyaqueueoutside,allwithpassesorclaims.”Withanodhehurriedoff.

Martylgrinnedatme,andDartaznraisedhiseyebrowsbeforetheybothleft.

Iwalkedtothemessengers’study.BoulyanandCelista—shewastheonlyfemaleregularmessenger—werealreadythere,sittingononeofthebenches.

“...can’tbelievethecrowdoutthere,andonlysixofthecouncilorsareeven

hereyet.CouncilorEtyennprobablywon’tshowuntilMeredi...”

“OrJeudi.That’swhenthefirstfullCouncilmeetingis.”

Bothlookedupatme.ThenBoulyanspoke.“Palyarsaysthepetitionersouttherearealreadycomplaining.We’vecarriedrequeststoeveryonewho’shere.”

“They’remostlytraders,

I’dwager,worriedaboutwhatallthetariffsandembargoesandblockadesaredoingtotheirbusiness.”FromwhatI’dseenathomeandfromwhatI’dheardandlearnedattheCollegiumandtheChateau,thatwasasgoodaguessasany.“Andthey’refromnearby.”Thatwasn’taguess.Mosttraderswouldn’ttakealongironwayjourneyonthechanceofseeinga

councilor,andthosethatcouldwouldalreadyhavearrangedappointments.

Celistagrinned.“Youhavethatright.Thenexttwodaysarewhentheylistentoallthecomplaintssothattheycantelltheirguildsorthefactors’associationsthatthey’veheardfromscoresofgoodhonestcitizens.CouncilorHaestyristheworst.He’saHighHolder,buthelikesto

thinkhe’safriendtomerchantsandcrafters,andheseesscoresofthem.”

“Allofwhomwanttofilltheirstrongboxeswithoutacareabouttheircompetitors,orhowmanysailorswilldieinkeepingtradeopen.”

“Verytrue.”Baratyn’svoicecamefromtheopendoor.“Butweallplayourpartintheprocess.”He

lookedtome,extendingapasteboardsquare.“Yougetthesecondlot.TheywanttoseeReyner.MartylisalreadyescortingsomefactorstoseeCouncilorGlendyl.”

GlendylwasthefactoriusontheExecutiveCouncil,andhisbusinessproducedmostofthesteamenginesfortheironwayandtheNavy.

Itookthepasteboardand

lookedattheneatscript—TuolonD’SpiceandKarmerynD’Essence.UnderthemwasthenameandsealofCouncilorReyner.

“Whenyou’vefinished,returnhereimmediately,”Baratynsaid.“You’lllikelyberunningallday.There’salonglineoutthere.”

“Yes,sir.”

Iheadedoutalongtheeast

corridorandthroughthegrandfoyer,outthemainentrancepasttheguardsstationedthere,downthetwosetsofsteps,andthenalongthemainsidestonewalkway.Themixedmutteringsofthepetitionerscarriedoverthewall,suggestingalongqueue.WhenIreachedthevisitors’gatehouse,throughthegrillworkoftheheavyirongateIcouldseealine

stretchingagoodhundredyards.IconcealedthefrownIfeltbeneathapleasantsmile.Withonlythreeofusactingasescorts,evenifeachmeetingtooklessthanaquarterglass,we’donlybeabletoescorthalf—orless—ofthosewaiting.GiventhedeliberationI’dseenfromMasterDichartynandhisexperience,hehadtohaveknownthat.

WhileIcouldseetwoguardsstationedoutsidethegates,therewerethreejustinside,andanotherfourintheshadedalcovebehindthegatehouse.Basylwasleavingwithawhitepasteboardinhand,presumablyanotherrequesttomeetwithacouncilor.Henodded.

Oncehepassedme,Isteppedforwardandhandedthepasteboardwiththetwo

namesandCouncilorReyner’snameandsealonittothereceivingguard.

Hetookit,studiedit,andturnedtowardthegate,callingout,“TuolonD’SpiceandKarmerynD’Essence,toseeCouncilorReyner.”

Twomensteppeduptothegate.Thetallerandblack-beardedonebrandishedaletterorsheetofsomething.

“Hereweare.It’sabouttime.”

Theguardsopenedthegateandletthemstepthrough,aseachwrotehisnameontheentryledger.Istudiedthepair,watchingtheledgeraswell.ThetalleronesignedasTuolonD’Spice,theshorterandyoungerasKarmerynD’Essence.

“Themessengerwillescort

youthereandback.”Theguard’svoicewasevenandfirm,butcarriedanoteofboredom,asifhe’dmadethesamestatementtimeaftertime.

“Thisway,honoredtraders,”Ioffered,gesturingtothesidewalkway.

“Abouttime,”mutteredTuolon.

BecauseIhadtoleadthem,

Icarriedbacktriggershields,onesthatwouldspringfullifeithermovedtooclosetome.Baratynhadassuredmethattherewasminimaldangertomeonthewalktothecouncilor’sstudy,becauseallunescortedstrangersweresuspectanddetained.OncewewereinsidetheChateauandoutofthealreadyuncomfortablywarmsunlight,Iledthemthrough

thefoyerandupthegrandstaircasepastthetwowingedangeliasofPierryltheYounger.Istillthoughttheirproportionswereridiculous,especiallyafterseveralmonthsofanatomystudies.Whenwereachedthetopofthestaircase,Ipausedtocheckoverthetwotraders.

Theyoungeronehadcomeupthestepsquietly,andthatbotheredme.Sodidthefact

thatneitherwasbreathinganyfaster.Iedgedtooneside,andgestured.“Totheright,traders.”

“Goon!”snappedToulon.“We’renotheretoadmireemptystonewalls.”

IraisedfullshieldsbeforeIledthemdowntheeastcorridortothefourthdoorway,whereIstoppedandsteppedaside.Irappedon

CouncilorReyner’sstudydoor.“MessengerRhennthylannouncingTuolonD’SpiceandTraderKarmerynD’EssencetoseeCouncilorReyner.”

“Youmayescortthemin,messenger.”

“Youcangonow,fellow,”saidtheheavysetanddark-beardedfactor.

“I’mtostaywithyouuntil

youleave.”Ismiledpolitely.

“Mygoldspayforwhateveryoumake,fellow,andIsaythat—”

Atthatmoment,Iturnedslightlyanddidmybesttoimage-projectabsolutestrength.

Theothertrader’selbowwentintothebiggerman’sribs,andhesaidquietly.“They’reguards,Tuolon.To

protectthecouncilors.”

“Mybusinessiswiththecouncilor,notforeveryonetohear.”

“Thatisforthecouncilortodecide,honoredtrader,”Ireplied.

BecauseIdidn’tlikeTuolon,IwaspreparedwithtwopossibleimagingsasIopenedthestudydoor.Astaught,Isteppedhalfinside,

buttooneside,myeyesonthetwotraders.

“I’dappreciateitifyouwouldremain,messenger.”Reyner’slightbrownhairwasshotwithgray,andheworethepalebluestole-vestofacounciloroverathinbutfinecottonshortjacket.Hiseyesneverlookedinmydirection,butatthetallspicetrader.

Tuolonbowed,andhishandswenttohiswaist.

Iimagedaninvisibleshieldbetweenthetwoandthecouncilor.Evenangledasitwas,alessonfromMaitreDyana,Iwasjerkedoffbalancebytheimpactofthebulletontheshield.

ThesmallermanhadnotevenlookedatReynerbutwaslungingatmewitha

knife.Iwasn’tquitefastenough,andthebladehitmyshields.Thatstoppedhimshort,andthehesitationwasenoughformetoimagecausticintohiseyesandthelowerpartofhisheart.Hedoubledoverinagony.

Tuolonhadturnedthepistolinmydirection,butIimagedironintothebarrel,andmyshieldschanneledthemetaloftheexplosionacross

hischest.Hetoppledforward.

“GuardstoCouncilorReyner’schamber!Guards!”

Ididn’tmovetowardthetallerfigureortheshorterone,whowasstillwrithingonthefloor,butjustheldmyshieldstoseparatethemfrommeandthecouncilor.

Reynertookoutaclothandblottedhisforehead.Heinclinedhishead.“Thank

you.”

Theshorterfigurestoppedtwitching,buthewasstillbreathing.

“ThetalleronelookslikeTuolon.HeevenactedasobnoxiousasTuolondid.”

Twohugeblack-cladobdurateguardsburstthroughthedoor,followedbyBaratyn.Heglancedatthecouncilor,thenatme,thenat

thepaironthefloor.“Takethembelow.”

Ininstants,bothfiguresweretrussedandcartedaway.

Thecouncilorblottedhisforeheadagain.“I’dheard...butnever...”Heshookhishead.

“Byyourleave,Councilor.”

“Youhavemyleave.”

Baratynsaidnothinguntilwewereoutinthehall.“Yousensedsomething,didn’tyou?”

“Yes,sir...buttheydidn’tdoanythinguntilthedoorwasopen.”

Henodded.“Professionals.We’llbeseeingmoreofthem.”Hestudiedme.“Whatyoudidtakesstrength,andI’dwageryoudidn’teat

enoughbreakfast.Godowntothekitchenandgetsomethingtoeat.Otherwiseyou’llbeshakingalloverinaglass.”

Ididn’targue.Ialreadyfeltunsteady.

“Whenyoufeelstronger,comefindme.”

“Yes,sir.”Iheadeddowntothekitchen,bythenortheastcircularstaircase.

AsIentered,oneoftheserverslookedatme.“Sir...youcansitoverthere.I’llgetsomethingforyourightaway.”

Icouldhearherasshesaidtoanotherserver.“Mustbetroubleupstairs...comedownherethatpale...hastobethenewsecurity...”

“...timeswhentheCouncilcomesback,

somethinghappens...don’tsayanything...”

Inmoments,therewasaplatterbeforeme,withasliceofbeef,anendcutalreadycookedenoughtoeat,withbreadandcheese,andamugofale.“Sorrythere’snotmorehot,sir.”

“Iunderstand,andIthankyou.”

Aftersheleft,Ibeganto

eat,andwithinafewmouthfulstheshakinessvanished.Evenso,Iateeverythingontheplatterandfinishedtheale.Bythen,Ifeltnormal,andImademywaybackupthestairstothemainlevel.IknockedonBaratyn’sdoor,buthedidn’treply.SoIwenttothemessengers’study.Itwasempty,andIwasgladforthat,sinceIdidn’twantto

explainwhathadhappened.

Basylwasthefirsttoreturn,andhesatdownontheotherbenchandnodded.“Busyoutthere...andhot.”

Inoddedback.“WarmerthanI’dlike,especiallyoutside.”

Icouldn’thavebeensittingtheremorethanatenthofaglasswhenBaratynpeeredin.“Rhenn...good.”He

gestured.

Ifollowedhimtohisstudy,whereheclosedthedoorandturnedtome.“Don’tworryaboutit.There’sanattemptlikethatabouteveryothertimetheCouncilreturnsfromrecess.”

“Idon’tknowthatIhandleditthatwell.IthoughtIwasready.”

“Youwerereadyenough.

Youkeptthecouncilorfrombeinghurt,andnooneknowswhatreallyhappened.Ifanyoneasks,thestoryissimple.Youknockedoneassassinintotheotherandwhenhefired,hispistolexploded.”

Thatwastrueenough,sofarasitwent.“Whatabouttheonewhowasalive?”

“He’sstillalive,buthewas

justahiredblade.He’salreadyadmittedthathe’dbeenpaidtokilltheassassinifitlookedlikethey’dbecaptured.Hisfeewenttohiswife.Heclaimsshe’scrippled,andhewon’tsaywherehe’sfrom.Sofar.”Baratynstudiedme.“Youready?”

“Yes,sir.”

Hehandedmea

pasteboard.Itookit.ThenameonitwasKhatyn,MasterD’Artisan,andthenameandsealbeneathwerethoseofCouncilorSebatyon,alumberfactorfromMantes.

Iwalkedbackouttothegatehouse,atadeliberatepace,butnotrushing.

MasterKhatynwasagray-hairedmanwhoonlycametomyshoulder,buthewaswiry

andmovedwithaspringinhisstep.BeforeallthatlongIwasstandingattheseconddoorontheupperlevelinthewestcorridorannouncingMasterKhatyn.DespitemyfeelingsthatKhatynwasnotadanger,IwasmorethanreadyasIopenedthedoorandescortedhimin.

“Honoredcouncilor.”Khatyninclinedhishead,althoughhiseyesflicked

towardme.

“Themessengerstays.Iprefernottohearanythingthatcannotbesaidbeforehim,”addedSebatyon.“Whatisyourconcern?”

“Myfamilyhasmadefinefurnitureforgenerations,butthosewhowishthefinestalsowishthefinestinwoods,andmanyofthosewoodsdonotgrowinSolidar.”

“That’strue,”repliedthecouncilor.

“Honoredcouncilor,thereisanembargoagainstanywoodsfromCaenen.”Khatynshruggedhelplessly,asifhispointweremorethanclear.

“Thisisalsotrue.WeprefernottorewardCaenenwhentheCaenenansfireuponourships.They’vesunktwomerchanters.”

“Honoredcouncilor,thewooditselfcostsbutafractionofwhatwemake,andevenofthetaxeswepay.Iwouldnotwishourmerchanterstobeendangered,butwhatharmisthereifIbuywoodfromanAbiertantrader,orfromaSolidaranwhoboughtitelsewhere?Thetimberisthere.Itisalreadycut.Itwillbesoldsomewhere.No

additionalgoldsgotoCaena.”

“Canyounotmakefinefurniturewithotherwoods?”

“Icanmakefinefurnitureoutofmanywoods,honoredcouncilor,butwithoutthefinestofwoods,Icannotexpectittosell,nomatterhowgoodthecrafting.”

“Youareaskingmetoseekanexceptiontothe

embargo?”

“Onlyfortherarefinewoods,sir.Withoutthose,muchofourworkwillnotsell,andwewillnotbeabletopurchasethefinewoodsfromhereinSolidarthatgowithimportedwoods.”

“Youaretellingmethatthereisnoway...”

Khatynshookhishead.“Therearesmugglers,butthe

tariffagentsofSolidarknowthatanyrosewoodorebonycomesfromCaenen,andthosefinesandtheyearsinprisonwoulddestroyme.”

“Iunderstandyourconcerns,MasterKhatyn,butifIsupportanexemptionforyou,howcouldInotsupportoneforthespicemerchants,ortheessencetraders,orsatinropemakers?Beforelong,therewouldbeno

embargo,andCaenenwouldsuffernothing.”

“Honoredcouncilor,”repliedKhatyn,“theysufferlittleornothingnow.Thosegoodsarestillsold,andwemustmakedowithless.Wearetheoneswhosuffer.”

“IcanonlypromisethatIwillmakesureyourpointsaboutthesufferingofthecraftersofSolidardocome

beforetheCouncil.ThatisallthatIcanoffernow.”

“ThatisallthatIwillask,then.”Khatyn’ssmilewasironic.“Ithankyouforhearingmeout,honoredcouncilor.”

AfterIescortedKhatynbacktothemaingate,ItookanessenceimportertoReyner.Thecouncilordidnotevenacknowledgeme,except

bytitle.ThesecondvisitwasfarmorelikethatofKhatyntoSebatyon,withawrittenpetition,thistimeagainsttheembargooftropicaloils.

Thatwashowtheremainderofthedayproceeded,escortingmastercrafters,traders,andfactorstovariouscouncilors.Alongtheway,Igotaquicklunch,andduringabriefrespiteinmidafternoon,Celistatoldme

thatapetitionerheadedtoseeCouncilorGlendylhadslippedoutsidethecouncilor’sstudyandcrackedhisskullonthestones.IwishedI’dbeenthatquick-thinking,andwonderedwhetherDartaznorMartylhadmanagedthat.

Whenfourthglassrang,theChateauwasclosedtopetitionersandalloutsiders,butitwasagoodhalfglass

laterbeforetheyhadallbeenescortedfromtheChateau,andclosetofifthglassbeforeMartyl,Dartazn,andItooktheunmarkeddutycoachbacktoImagisle.

“Alittlemoreactiontoday,”saidMartyl,“atleastforyoutwo.”

“Complainingorrelieved?”askedDartazn.

“Relieved.There’salways

thechancethatmatterswon’tgoastheyshould.”

Theycertainlyhadn’twithme,butIjustnodded.“ThiswillgoonuntilJeudi?”

“Tomorrowwillbeaboutthesame,”repliedDartazn,“butMerediwillbeslower.”

“That’sifit’slikethelastfewyears,”addedMartyl.

AssoonasIgotbacktothe

Collegium,latethatafternoon,IhurriedtoMasterDichartyn’sstudyandrappedonthedoor.Therewasnoresponse.Whilethatdidn’tsurpriseme,Ididwanttotalktohim.SoIheadedbacktothereceptionfoyer.

Ayoungimagerwasatthedesk,andhelookedupasIneared.“Sir?”

“AreyouBeleart?”

“Yes,sir.”

“I’mRhennthyl,andIwaslookingforMasterDichartyn.Ineededtoconveysomeinformationtohim.”

“Yes,sir.Hedidn’tsaywhenhe’dbeback.”

“Ifyou’dtellhim.I’llkeeptrying.”

“Yes,sir.”

I’dbarelywalkedintomy

chambersandseatedmyselfatthewritingdeskwhentherewasaraponthedoor.IdecidedonfullshieldsbeforeIopenedit.Averyfrightened,veryyoungfellowinimagergraylookedupatme.“Sir...ifyou’dnot...mind...MasterDichartynisinhisstudyandwillbeforashorttime...”

“I’llberightthere.”

Theyoungprimetrailedmeallthewayback,thenslippedawaywhenMasterDichartynopenedhisstudydoor.

“Comein,Rhenn.”

StacksofpapersfilledMasterDichartyn’sdesktop.Icouldn’thelplooking.I’dneverseenmorethanapaperortwo.

“Yes?”Hisvoicewascurt,ashesettledbackbehindthe

desk.Henoddedtowardthedoor.“Youhadsomethingurgent?”

Ileanedbackandclosedthedoor.

“Puzzling,sir,andyou’vealwaysstressedcaution.Iwasworkingonmyotherassignmentovertheweekend,sir...”IexplainedwhatI’ddoneandwhatI’ddiscovered,anddescribedthemanwho

trailedme.“...andyou’dsaidthatIshouldeliminatesuspectsasIcould.I’dthoughtifIcouldmeetthisThelal...”

“I’mgladyoutalkedtome.Wedohaveanarrangementwiththepatrollersforcertainkindsofinformation.TheymaybeabletolocateThelalmorequicklythanyoucan,especiallyifheindeeddoeshaveaweaknessforthe

plonk.I’llhavethemseewhattheycantellus.”Hepaused,andjotteddownafewwordsonasheetofpaper.“Tellmewhatyou’velearnedbytryingtotrackdownwhoshotyou.”

WhathadIlearned?“It’snoteasy,andittakestime.Andonethingleadstoanother.”

“Whydoyouthinkyou’ve

beenassignedtolookintoyourownshooting?”

“BecauseI’llhaveagreaterinterestinit?”

“Partly.Alsobecauseifyoudon’t,thatindicatesacertainweaknessindealingwiththeunpleasant.Whenit’syourlifethat’sinvolved,you’remorelikelytolearnasmuchasyoucan.Ifyoudon’t,thenyou’renotmeant

tobeamaster.Evenifyouare,youdon’tknowenoughyet.That’snotyourfault.Nooneofyouragedoes.”

AftertheexperienceattheCouncilChateau,IwasbeginningtofeelthatIdidn’tknowenoughaboutanything.

Thenhenodded.“Youweren’twiththemorningexercisegroup,Clovyltoldme.”

Iswallowed.I’dtotallyforgottenaboutthatadditiontomyschedule.

“Don’tforgetittomorrow.”MasterDichartynsmiledfaintly.“It’smoreforyourprotectionthananyoneelse’s.Muchmore.”

“Yes,sir.”

“Onemorething,Rhennthyl.Youknowthattheworlddoesn’tstopwhenyou

leavetheCouncilChateau?TherearestillpeopleinL’Excelsis,ifyouneedtotalktothem.”Heheldupahand.“NotuntilIgetwordfromthecivicpatrollers.Ijustdon’twantyoutogetintothehabitofthinkingthatSamediistheonlytimeyouhavetodealwithotherassignments.”

“Yes,sir.”

Howlongwoulditbe

beforeIfullyunderstoodwhatIneededtoknow,whatwasnecessary,andhowtodoit?

Bewaremeninpowerwho

praiseprinciples;they’reeitherwithoutthemorlackinginperception.

MardiandMerediweremuchthesameasLundi...withtheexceptionofgettingupeachmorningaglassandahalfearliertojoinMartyl,

Dartazn,Baratyn,andfourotherimagersI’dneverseenbefore—aswellasMasterDichartyn—foravigoroustwo-thirdsofaglassworthofexercisesandsparringledbyClovyl.Hefollowedthatbysendingusonathree-millerun.Ididn’tfinishlastintherun,butIwasn’tanywhereclosetobeingfirst.Dartaznleftusallwellbehind.

Jeudistartedthesameway,

butonceIgottotheChateau,therewasaconsiderabledifference.Foronething,therewereonlyahandfulofpetitionerswaiting,andallofthemactuallyhadlettersfromcouncilorsgrantingthemappointmentsatspecifictimes.Theyallwerealsofarbetterdressedandgroomed,whichconfirmedmorethanafewofmysuspicions.

I’dnosoonerarrivedthan

Baratynhandedmeapasteboard.“FactorAlhazyrhasanappointmentateighthglasswithCouncilorCaartyl.”

Inoddedandheadedforthevisitors’gatehouse.Ihadtowonderwhatafactorwantedindealingwiththerepresentativeofthemasonryguilds,butitcouldhavebeenthatCaartylwastheonlyoneoftheexecutivecouncilors

whowouldgrantAlhazyranappointment.

Alhazyrwaswaiting,smilingpleasantly.Hesteppedforwardandthroughthegatewhenhisnamewascalled.Heworeathinsilveryvest—openandwithoutbuttons—overapalegreenlinenshirtandcarriedathinleatherfolder,tuckedunderhisleftarm.

“Thisway,sir,”Ioffered.

Henoddedinreplyandfollowedme.Wehadclimbedtheouterstepsandwerecrossingthegrandfoyerbeforehesaidanotherword.“You’renew.”Hisstatementwasnotaquestion.

“Yes,sir.”

“There’snotmuchchangeinthestaff,Iunderstand.”

“No,sir.”Ikeptaquickpace,butmanagedtoleadthefactorbysolittlethatwewereclosetoabreast.Shieldsornoshields,themoreIcouldsee,thebetterIfelt.

“Thatcanbeverygood,orverybad.”

Sincehehadn’taskedanythingclosetoresemblingaquestion,andweweren’tsupposedtovolunteer

information,Ijustsaid,“Yes,sir.”ThenIgesturedforhimtowalkbetweentheguards—andtheangelicas—atthefootofthegrandstaircase.

Helaughedsoftly.

Asoneofthethreeexecutivecouncilors,CouncilorCaartylhadhisstudyinthenorthwestcorner.Whenwereachedthedoor,IrappedandannouncedFactor

Alhazyr.

“Escorthimin,messenger.”

Iopenedthedoor,watchingAlhazyrtheentiretime.Heheldanamusedsmileonhisface,asiftoindicateheknewIwasmorethanameremessenger.OnceAlhazyrwasinside,Iclosedthedoorandtookapositionbesideit,readytodepartif

thecouncilorwantedthat.Ihadn’tbroughtanypetitionerstoseeCaartylbefore,andwhileIknewhisface,Ihadn’tbeenallthatclosetohim.Iwassurprisedtoseethathehadstoodwhenthedooropenedandthathewasagoodtenyearsyoungerthanmyfatherandwiry,withjet-blackhairandahawknose.Hegavemeaquickglancebeforehiseyessettledon

Alhazyr.

“Honoredcouncilor.”Thefactorinclinedhisheadrespectfully,butkepthishandsinplainview,theleftonestillholdingthethinleatherfolder.“IhavebroughttheproposalIhadmentionedearlier.Itrustitwillsatisfytheconcernswhichyouraised.”Hesteppedforwardandcarefullylaidtheleatherfolderonthe

edgeofthedesk,thensteppedback.

Caartylsmiledfaintly.“Theywerenotmyconcerns,FactorAlhazyr,butonesraisedonbehalfofthosewhomIrepresent.”

“Thatspeakswellofyou.Notallinpowerwouldputtheconcernsofothersabovetheirown.”

“MostinpowerinSolidar

mustdosoiftheywishtoretainpower.”

“Thatistrue,butitdoesnotmakeyourpositionlessadmirable,”repliedAlhazyr.

“Noryours,whenmostfactorsthinkonlyofthisyear’sgolds.”Caartylpaused,thenasked,“HowdomostfactorsfeelabouttheembargoonCaenenangoods?”

“Thosewhoareaffectedcomplain.Fewbelieveitisagoodideaoreffective.ItonlyraisesthecostsofgoodsinSolidarwithouthurtingCaenen.”

“AndmakestheAbiertanmerchantswealthy?”

“That,too.”

Caartylnoddedatthefolderhehadnottouched.“Iwillstudythat.”

“Thatisallwecouldask.”Alhazyrbowedagain.“Byyourleave,honoredcouncilor.”

Alhazyrsaidnothingtheentiretripbacktothegatehouse.There,heturnedtome.“Thankyou.”Thenheleft.

Ihandedthepasteboardbacktothereceivingguardandhurriedbacktothe

messengers’study.IhadbarelyseatedmyselfononeofthebencheswhenBaratynpeeredin.

“Rhenn...hasFactorAlhazyrdeparted?”

“Yes,sir.”Baratynhadn’taskedthatallweek.WhowasAlhazyr?Whathadbeenintheleatherfolder?Itcouldhavecontainedanythingfromlettersofcredittowhoknew

what.

“Good.Youtakethepostintheeastcorridoroffthecouncilors’lounge.Thatway,allofthemwillgetfamiliarwithyourface.Martylisalreadyatthepostinthewestcorridor.Whenthecouncilorsbreakformiddaymeal,sodoyoutwo,butafterward,switchplaces.Remember,ifacounciloroffersyouamessage,yousayyou’lltake

careofit,butyoucan’tbeoutofsightofyourpost.Ifit’sfartherthanthat,usethespeakingtubetosummonmeoroneoftheregularmessengers.Mostofthecouncilorswon’taskyoubecausetheyknowthat,butsometimesthey’reinahurry,andtheyknowwe’llgetthemessageorpackagedelivered.Youonlytakemessagesfromthecouncilors

themselves.Theiraideshavetobringlettersorpackagestotheclerknexttothemessengers’study.”

I’dbarelyreachedthecorridordoorwaytothecouncilors’loungeandturnedsothatIcouldwatchthecorridorinbothdirectionswhenCouncilorReynerhurrieduppastandenteredthelounge.Hedidn’tevenlookatme.

Ashorttimeafterthat,oneofthecouncilors’aidesappeared—theyallworepalebluewaistcoatswithasilvertriangleembroideredovertheleftbreast.Hehurriedintothelounge,andperhapsahalfglasslaterleftcarryingashortstackofpapers.Twootheraidescameandwentinthesameperiod.ThenDartaznescortedafactorpastmetoCouncilorHaestyr’s

study.

Fortherestofthemorning,thatwasthepattern—anoccasionalcouncilorcomingorgoing,andaidescarryingpapersandfoldersinandout,andascatteredpetitionerortwo.Ididn’tseeCaartyl,butsincehisstudywasontheothersideoftheChateau,hedoubtlessenteredthechamberbythewestentrance.

Duringthelunchbreak,MartylandIgulpeddownariceandlambdish,andsomelager,andthenhurriedbackuptotheCouncillevel,whereImovedtothewestcorridor.Duringtherestoftheafternoon,Isawafewmorecouncilorsandafewlessaides.Aboutafifthofaglassbeforefour,theCounciladjournedfortheday,andthecouncilorsreturnedtotheir

studiesorlefttheChateau.Forthenextglasswestoodbytoescortanyvisitors.Therewereonlytwo,andDartazntookboth.TheneachofusaccompaniedapairofobdurateguardsastheyinspectedandcloseddownallthepublicroomsandtheoutsidegardensoftheChateau.Afterthat,Martyl,Dartazn,andIcaughtthedutycoachbacktothe

Collegium.

Oncewewereheadedback,Iasked,“DoyouknowwhattheCouncilwasdoingtoday?”

“No,”repliedDartazn.“Weseldomknowuntillater,notunlesssomethingspecialisscheduled,andwehaveextraduties.”

“Theheadclerk’sofficeprintsadigestattheendof

eachweek.ItlistsanylawsorrulesthataffectSolidarorotherlands.Therewillbecopiesinthemessengers’studyonLundi.Copiesgotothenewsheets,too,”addedMartyl.

“Mostofit’sprettydull,andeventheexcitingstuffsoundsdullthewaytheyreportit,”saidDartazn.

Whenwesteppedoutof

thecoachattheCollegium,anotherprimewaswaiting.“TertiusRhennthyl?”Hisvoicequaveredslightly.

“Yes?”

“MasterDichartynwouldliketoseeyouimmediately,beforeyougotodinner.”

“Luckyyou,”murmuredDartazn.Buthedidgrin.

Iwalkedquicklyacrossthe

quadrangle,ignoringthelooksfromseveralprimesandseconds,andmademywaytoMasterDichartyn’sstudy.Thedoorwasclosed,butwhenIknocked,heopeneditimmediatelyandusheredmein.

Ididsitdown.I’dbeenonmyfeetmostoftheday.

MasterDichartyndidnot.Hestoodbytheopenwindow

inthelightbreezethatdidn’tseemtocoolthelate-afternoonairatall.“Rhennthyl,wehaveseveralmatterstodiscuss.First,howoftendidthecouncilorshaveyouleavewhenyouescortedapetitionertotheirstudy?”

Ihadtothinkforamoment.“There’sonlybeenonetimesofar.”

“Whatdoesthattellyou?”

Hiswordswereslightlysardonic.

“Theirmindsarealreadymadeup,andanyconsiderationstheymightentertainhavealreadybeendeterminedorwillbesomewherebesidestheChateau.”

“Didanypetitionerstateanythingyouthoughtwouldhavebeenofvalueto

Solidar?”

“OnefurnituremakerpointedoutthattheembargoonraretimbersfromCaenendidnotmakemuchsensebecausethevalueofthelogswaslowandthevalueaddedinfurniture-makinghereinSolidarwasmuchhigher.”

“That’sprobablytrue,butembargoesarenotjustaboutvalue.They’realsotoolsto

allowourshipstoboardorevenattacksuspectmerchanters...amongotherthings.Werethereanyconversationsthatpuzzledyou?”

“Therewasonetoday.AfactornamedAlhazyrvisitedCaartylandleftaproposal.Bothtalkedingeneralities....”Iwentontoexplain,endingwith,“...suddenly,theytalkedaboutthe

worthlessnessofthetradeembargoagainstCaenen,andthenCaartyldismissedAlhazyr.”

“Hmmm...Iwouldhavethoughthe’dhavegonetoseeHaestyr.We’llhavetokeepwatchonthat.I’llhavetotalktoBaratynaboutit.”

“Aboutwhat,ifImightask,sir?”

“Whenpoliticiansand

factorscongratulateeachotherontheirprinciples,almostanythingbutprinciplesareinvolved.Justkeepyoureyesopen,andyou’llseeintime.”

Thatdidn’tanswermyquestion,butthatwasMasterDichartyn’swayofindicatingthathewouldn’t.

“Moreinterestingly,yourinquirieslastSamedistirred

upsomething.”

“Sir?”

“ThecivicpatrollerslocatedThelal.TherewasabrawlatAntipodesonLundinight.Someoneknifedhim.Hewasdeadwhenthepatrollersgotthere.EvenmoreintriguingisthefactthatEmanusdiedinhissleepthesamenightofthedayyouvisitedhim.”

“Thatcouldn’tbenatural.”

“Itcouldbe,”repliedMasterDichartyn,“butit’sratherunlikely.”

“Couldithavebeenanotherimagerfromsomewhereelse?”

“It’sverypossible.Ifso,hemustbeveryaccomplished,andinthepayof,andprobablyattachedto,someforeignembassy.”

Ididn’tfollowthatlogicatfirst,untilIthoughtaboutit.

“WhatwillyoubedoingonSamedi?”askedtheheadofsecurity.

“Iwasgoingtohavedinnerwithmyfamily—abelatedbirthdaydinner.”

“Whattimewereyouplanningonleaving?”

“Notuntilaboutfourth

glass.”

MasterDichartynnodded.“I’dlikeyoutodepartearlier,sayaboutthirdglass.You’llwalkacrosstheBridgeofHopesanduptheBoulevardD’Imagersonthesouthside.Youwillbeholdingfullshields.Someonewillbefollowingwhoever’sfollowingyou.”

“Whatifsomeoneisn’t?”

“Countyourselffortunate,buttherewillbe.Therecouldn’tbetwodeathsandsomeonefollowingyoulastweekwithoutsomeonebeingtherethisweek.”

WhileIhadmyownideasaboutwhatwashappening,IwantedtoseewhatMasterDichartynmightsay.“Doyouhaveanyideawhyallthisishappening?”

“Ihaveseveral.ItcouldbethatsomeonehappeneduponsomethingandwantstolinkCaliostrus’sdeathtotheCollegium.Oritcouldbethatyouweresimplyoneoftheimagerstargetedbywhoeveristryingtokillimagers,andit’samatterofpride....”Heshrugged.

“WhataboutHighHolderRyel?”

“Wecan’trulehimout,butHighHoldersareusuallymoresubtleandmorevicious.”

Icouldhardlywait.Peoplehadtriedtokillmealready,andotherswerefollowingme,andtheonlymanI’dtalkedtowho’dgivenmeanyusefulinformationwasdead—andtheHighHolderwasn’teveninvolvedyet?

“Iassumeyoudon’twantmetotalktoanyoneelseuntilafterSamedi.”

“Thatwouldbebest.”Hegesturedtowardthedoor.“Youneedtochangebeforedinner.”

AsIhurriedbacktomyquarterstochangeintoimagergrays,questionsswarmedthroughmymind,andatthemoment,Ihad

answersfornoneofthem.

Violenceiseverywhere,but

mostwillseeonlythatwhichtheymust.

VendreiwasslowerthanJeudi,withonlyahandfulofvisitorsandpetitionersforthecouncilors.Whoeverwasnotoncorridorpatrolhandledthosefew.Evenso,Ifound

timedraggedwhenthecorridorswereemptymoreoftenthannot.WewereallpleasedwhenwereturnedtotheCollegiumlateonVendreiafternoon.

ThebrightestspotofthedaywasashortnotefromSeliorathatwaswaitinginmyletterboxwhenIcheckedjustbeforedinner.Sheapologizedforbeingsolateinreplying,butexplainedthat

hergrandmamahadinsistedtheyleavePointeNeimonearlyinordertostopbyanothertextilemanufactory,thisoneinKephria,andSeliorahadfoundnoplacetopostaletteruntilshehadreturnedtoL’Excelsis.ShealsowrotethatshelookedforwardtoseeingmeonSolayiandthatshehopedIcouldcomeatthefirstglassoftheafternoon.

Icouldn’thelpsmilingatthat.

WhenIfinallyclimbedintomybedonVendreinight,Iwasstillsmiling,thinkingofSolayi.ThatwasbeforeIrealizedIstillhadtogetupearlythenextmorningforClovyl’sexercisesession,andthenbeatmystudiotoworkonMasterPoincaryt’sportrait.

IdidmanagetomakeittotheexerciseareaonSamedimorning—andnotbethelast.Dartaznwas.Onegoodthingwasthatitwasfarcoolerthatearly.Itriednottothinkaboutwhatthatmightmeaninwinter.Ofcourse,Dartaznoutranusallagain.

Aftershoweringanddressinginmygrays,Ihadbreakfastandhurriedouttotheworkroomstudio,whereI

setupthecanvasandmaterials.ThenIbegantosketchdesigns.Ishouldhavedonethatearlier,butthereneverseemedtobeenoughtime.Thesecondoneseemedtofit,withthechairangledslightly,andMasterPoincarytlookingnotquiteforward.I’ddecidedtomakethebackgroundindistinct,bothforpracticalandsymbolicreasons.Justbeforethebells

begantoring,hewalkedintothestudioandsatdown.IcouldseeimmediatelyI’dneedtoshifttheangles,andIchangedthefaintoutlinesonthecanvas.

Foralmostaquarterglass,neitherofusspoke,asIworkedonthegeneralshapeofhisface,concentratingonthebroadcheekbonesandwideforehead.

“Rhennthyl,whatdoyouthinkoftheChateau?Isitclosetowhatyouhadexpected?”

“Itis,anditisn’t,sir.Iwastaughtsomuch...”HowcouldIsaywhatImeantwithoutseemingstupid?Ididn’twanttoseemungrateful,butIdidn’twanttolie,either.

“Butwhatyou’vebeen

taughtalmostseemsmeaninglessorirrelevant?Isthatit?”

HowcouldIanswerthat?Finally,Ishrugged.“Iknowit’snot,butsometimes...”

“Watchingcorridorsandescortingpetitionersseemsmostuneventful,evenboring.”

“Attimes,sir,”Iadmitted.

“Thatsuggeststhatyouarenotobservantenough,andthatyouarelettingyourmindliefallow.Becauseyouareanartist,Iimaginethatyoucoulddrawafairlikenessoftheotherimagerswithwhomyouwork,couldyounot?”

“Yes,sir.”Mywordswerecautious.

“Couldyoudescribeexactlyhoweachofthem

walks,orcarriestheirhands,orwhatgesturesaresohabitualtothemthattheydonotevennoticethemselvesmakingsuchgestures?Orhowtheyweartheirgarments,asmuchaswhattheywear?Or,moreimportant,howtheyusewordsandargumentsandevenbodyposturestoinformordominateothers?”

“No,sir.”

“Youshouldpracticethatskillwitheverypersonyoumeet,untilitbecomessecondnature.Ifyoudoso,youwillfindthattherearetimeswhenithassavedyourlife.Ifyoudonot,yourlifemaywellbethatmuchshorter.”

Icouldn’thelpfrowning.

“Rhennthyl...thinkofitthisway.Whatdistinguishesthosewhoaresuccessful

fromthosewhoarenotiswhattheyknowandhowtheyapplythatknowledge.Becausetheworldisgovernedbymen,shouldyounotendeavortolearnasmuchaspossibleaboutmen?IfyoustudymenwiththesamediligenceasyouhavestudiedartandthetextswithwhichMasterDichartynhaspliedyouandexaminedyou,youwillgaingreatknowledge

abouthowbesttoapplyallyouknow.”Hesmiled.“Thatismyhomilyfortheday,butIwouldaskyoutoconsiderit.”

MasterPoincarytwastruetohiswordanddidnotofferasingleotherpieceofadvice,onlythankingmeformydiligencejustbeforehedepartedandconfirmedthathewouldbepresentthefollowingSamediatthesame

time.

AsIcleanedupthestudio,IrealizedsomethingaboutMasterPoincarytandhisadvice.He’donlygivenmeonesuggestion.Becausehehadofferednothingelse,Iwaslikelytorememberthatsuggestionfarmorethanifithadbeenburiedamongawealthofideas.Whathesaidcertainlymadesense,andIcouldcertainlypractice

duringtheslowtimesattheChateau.

Aftercleaningupthestudio,Iwanderedbacktomyquartersbeforemakingmywaytothedininghallforlunch.Oncethere,IspiedReynol.

“CouldIjoinyou?”

Helookedtobothsides—wherebothchairswereempty—thenraisedhiseyebrows

dramaticallyandgrinned.

“Ithinkyoumadeyourpoint.”Isettledintothechaironhisleft.“HaveyouseenMenyardlately?”

“He’soutvisitingsomecousintoday.That’sbecausehe’sinterestedinherbestfriend.Whateverhappenedtotheladywhosavedyourlife?”

“She’sbeenawayandjust

gotback.I’llseehertomorrow.”

“ItmustbenicetoleaveL’Excelsisinthesummer.”

“Itwasamixedblessing.Shewasaccompanyinghergrandmotherandherbrother.”

“Thatcouldbeaverymixedblessing.”Reynolpassedaplatterofcoolfowlslices,andthenoneofrice

fries.

Ipouredsomeoftheredwine.“Wouldyoulikesome?”

“Please.”

“WhatdoyouthinkaboutwhatmighthappeninCaenen?”Iasked.

“Haven’tyouseenthenewsheets?”

“Nottoday.”

“TheHighPriestwasleadingsomeritualmeeting.HedeclaredthatwewerewhatevertheCaenenanequivalentoftheNamerwas,whenhedroppeddead.Apparently,hisheartstopped.”

“Oh...Isee.”Ihadagoodideahowthathappened.“What’slikelytohappennext?”

“WeorTiemprewillbeblamed.”Reynolshrugged,thenadded,“Onewouldhopehissuccessorwouldseetheerrorofhispredecessor’sways.Sometimestheydo,sometimesnot.”

“HasanyoneheardfromKahlasaorClaustyn?”

“Wewouldhaveheardifsomethingwentwrong,unlessithappenedinthelast

fewdays.”

“Oh?”

“Theirnameswouldgoupontheplaquesofthoselostinthelineofduty.Thosearethetabletsonthewalltotherightofthemainentrance.”

I’dseentheplaques,andthenames,butIhadthoughtofthemmoreasmemorialstomucholderimagers.Untilthatmoment,ithadn’treally

struckmethatthenamesofthoseIknewnearmyownagemightappearonthethem.Afteramoment,Iasked,“WhataboutJariola?”

Reynollaughed.“ThedeathoftheHighPriestofCaenenwon’tmattertotheOligarch.He’sthekindthatthinksnothingcouldpossiblyhappentohim.Besides,itwon’t.Whentheirentiregovernmentiscomposedofa

smallnumberofpeoplewhothinkexactlythesamewaywiththesameinterestsandprejudices,whatdifferencedoesitmaketoSolidarwho’snominallyincharge?TheOligarchdies,andthenextoneactsjustthesame.”

Again,Ihadn’tthoughtofitinquitethatway.

Intheend,wecametonorealconclusionsaboutwhat

mighthappen.Afterward,Ipickedupcopiesofbothnewsheetsandsatonashadedbenchinthequadrangleandreadthem.Ididn’tlearnmuch.Afterthat,IwatchedtheyoungerimagerswalkingbackandforthandtriedtopracticewhatMasterPoincarythadsuggested.Itwasfarharderthanithadsounded.

Atslightlybeforethird

glass,IcrossedtheBridgeofHopesunderaskythatheldahighsilveryhazethatmighthavekeptthedaycooler,exceptthattherewasnobreezeatall,andtheairwasstillandsodden.FollowingMasterDichartyn’sinstructions,IwasholdingfullshieldsandhopingthatIcoulddosoforaslongasnecessary.Despitethewarmthoftheafternoon,the

streetswerecrowded,andsowerethesidewalks.IhadtowaitseveralmomentsbeforeIcouldcrossEastRiverRoad,weavingmywaythroughcarriagesandwagons,andtheoccasionalrider.

TheflowerladywiththegreenandyellowumbrellawasonthesouthsideoftheBoulevardD’Imagers,ifahalfblockfarthereast,near

theeastentrancetotheboulevardgardens.Isawnosignofthemanwhohadbeenintheyellowvest—buttherewerescoresofpeoplemovingalongthebroadwalkborderingthegardens.

“Freshflowers...thebestforyou,sir.”Sheturnedtowardme.

“Howmucharethedaisiesthere?”

“Foryou,sir,amerethreecoppers.”

Ididn’tfeellikehaggling,butIdidwanttoknowafewthings,andItriedtoconcentrateonobservingtheflowerseller.“Lastweekyouweretalkingtoamaninapaleblueshirtandayellowvest...”

“Italktothosewhobuyorthosewhomight.That’dbe

scoreseveryday.”Shesmiled,buthereyesremainedtenseandworried,andhershouldersstiffened.“Lastweek?I’dfindithardtorememberwhoIsawthismorning.”

Ihandedoverthethreecoppers.“Ijustwonderedbecausehe’sabravo.Hecouldevenbeanassassin.”

Therewasthefaintest

twitchatmywords.

“Iseeyoudoknowhim.”

“No,sir.Notbyname.EveryoneknowshimastheFerran.Hetalksjustlikeyouandme.He’sbeenonthestreetsherelonger’nme,andthat’slonger’nI’dliketocount.”

“Afterallthoseyears,nooneknowsmorethanthat?”

Sheshookherhead.“Eventhestreetwalkersavoidhim.Theysayoneof’emlearnedsomethingabouthim,andshewashedupagainstthebargepiersdownrivertwodayslater.”

“ThenIwon’tpressyou.”Itookthedaisies.“Agooddaytoyou.”

AsIturnedawayfromher,steppingoutfromunderthe

umbrellaandintothedirectsunlight,thefaintcrackandthesharpimpactagainstmyshieldswerenearlyinstantaneous.Iwaspushedaround,backtowardthecart.Asecondcrackfollowed.

Theflowersellersprawledbesidehercart,thedarkrednessofbloodwellingacrossthethinblouse.Sheshudderedseveraltimes,andwasstill.Imanagedtoturn,

butIsawabsolutelynothingoutoftheordinary—exceptahandfulofpeoplestaringinmydirection.

Then,frombehindthewall,MasterDichartynandacivicpatrollerappearedandhurriedtowardme.

“Areyouallright,Rhennthyl?”

“I’mfine.”Iglanceddownatthedeadflowerseller,then

backatMasterDichartynandthepatroller.Hewasolder,graying,andthatdefinitelybotheredme.“Didyouseehim?Whoevershother?”

MasterDichartynshookhishead.“Heshotfromthegardenontheotherside.Hewaitedforanopeninginthetraffic.”

“Youweretalkingtoher.Didshetellyouanything?”

Thatwasthepatroller.

BeforeIsaidaword,IlookedtoMasterDichartyn.Henodded.

“Notmuch.Iaskedaboutthemanintheyellowvest.Sheonlyknewhisstreetname,andshedidn’twanttoknowmore.Peoplewhodiscoveredanythingabouthimendedupdead.TheycalledhimtheFerran.She

didn’tknowwhybecausehetalkedlikeeveryoneelse.”

ThepatrollerlookedtoMasterDichartyn.“Yourmanherehasenemieswithexpensivetastesandwalletstomatch.”Heglancedaroundthestoneofthewidesidewalk,asifsearchingforsomething,thenhurriedwestwardwherehepickedupsomething.Ihadthefeelingitwasthebulletthathadhitmy

shields.

“You’regoingtogetagreatdealofexperiencewithshields,Rhennthyl.”MasterDichartynkepthisvoicelow.

Whathedidn’tsaywasthat,ifIdidn’twheneverIleftImagisle,I’dsoonbedead.“Doyouthinkthiswas...linkedtoJohanyr?”Myvoicewasequallylow.

“No.Thisissomething

else.Idon’tknowwhat.”

Fromhislackofexpression,Icouldtellhedidn’tlikenotknowing.

Theseniorpatrollerreturned.Helookedatme,thenatDichartynbeforeholdingupthebullet.Theendwassquashedatanangle.

Ididn’tsayanything.NeitherdidMasterDichartyn.

“Nastybusiness,”thepatrollerfinallysaid,addingconversationally,“Idon’tthinkanyoneinheadquarterswouldlookintomattersmuchifthisFerranwerefounddead.”

“Possiblynot,”repliedMasterDichartyn,“butifhediednow,whoeverhiredhimwouldjusthiresomeoneelse.”

Aswestoodthere,aCollegiumdutycoachpulledup.MasterDichartyngestured.“It’stotakeyoutoyourparents’house.There’snothingmoreyoucandohere.”

Ididn’targue.

Inthecoachonthewaytomyparents’,Ithoughtaboutwhathadjusthappened.WhywasMasterDichartynso

convincedthattheFerranhadnotbeenhiredbyHighHolderRyel?BasedonwhatI’dlearnedfromMaitreDyana,thelikelyanswerwasthattheHighHolderregardedmeremurderastookind,buttherehadtobeotherreasons.Ijustdidn’tknowwhattheywere.

WhenthedrivertooktheSouthMiddleRoad,ratherthanstayingontheMidroad,

Istartedtoworry,untilhetookSangloire,andthenthebacklanes,waystothehousethatI’donlyseenCharlsynuse.Thatfamiliarityraisedotherquestions,buttherewasnoonetoask.Thedriverdidwaitafterhepulledupoutsidethehouse,watchingasIwalkedupontotheportico.

KhethilaopenedthedoorbeforeIevenknocked.She

rushedoutandthrewherarmsaroundme.“Rhenn!”

Atthatmoment,IrealizedI’dlefttheflowersbehind,butImanagedtogrinasIdisentangledmyself.“IdidseeyoulastSamedi,youknow?”

“It’sbeenalongweek,averylongweek.Comein!”

Iglancedbackandsawthecoachpullingaway.

Khethilafollowedmyglance.“That’snohack.”

“No.IwasfortunatetogetarideinaCollegiumcoach.”

“IthinkI’veseenonelikethatbefore,”musedKhethila,“butIdon’trememberwhere.”

“That’spossible.”IclosedthedoorbehindusandmanagednottosighasIreleasedfullshields,leaving

onlytheanti-imagertriggershieldsinplace.

“Therearcourtyardporchiscooler,andFatherandCulthynarealreadyoutthere.”

Sinceitwasshelteredandwalled,thatwasfinewithme,andIfollowedherthroughthehouse.Fatherwassittinginthemostshadedcorner,lookingoverwhatappeared

tobealedger.

Culthynwassittingatthesmalltablewithadeckofplaques,playingatsolitaire.Helookedupafteramoment.

“HowdidyoulikeKherseilles?”IaskedCulthyn,takingtheothercornerchair.

“Itwaslikeanyotherplace.”Histoneconveyedboredom.

“Didyoudoanythinginteresting?”

“Notmuch.”

IpausedasNellicaappearedandplacedacoolglassofsomesortofwhitewineonthesidetablebesidemychair.

Fatherclearedhisthroat,loudlyenoughtocatchCulthyn’sattention.

“Well,Rouseldidarrangeformetodosailingacoupleoftimes.Itwascooleronthewater,andoncewesawaseasprite.”

“Theydon’tusuallygetclosetopeople.”

“Wewereprettyfaraway.”

“Notmanypeopleseethem,”addedKhethila.“Youwerefortunate.”

“Fortunateindeed,”snortedFather.“Youthreatenthem,andthey’reworsethananecrimager.”

“Therehaven’tbeenanynecrimagerssincethebadoldtimes,”Culthynasserted.

“Notanyknownones,”Isaid.

Khethilaglancedatme,surprised.“Youaren’tsayingtherearesomeatthe

Collegium?”

“Ofcoursenot.”NotthatIknew,anyway.“WhatImeantwasthatjustbecausesomeonehasn’tseensomethingdoesn’tmeanitdoesn’texist,especiallywhenyou’retalkingaboutsomethinglikeimaginglifeforceintoadeadordyingperson.Youcan’tdothat,anyway,butIsupposeotherthings...arepossible.”I

realizedthatI’dalmostrevealedsomethingIshouldn’thave,andIkepttalkingtochangethesubject.“Peopleseethingsthattheydon’tunderstand,andtheyclaimit’scausedbysomething,usuallywhattheywanttobelieve.Therearecaseswherepeoplehavefallenintosuchadeeptranceeveryonethoughttheyweredead.Thentheywakeup.I

suspectalltheoldlegendsaboutnecrimagingarebasedonmisunderstandingslikethat.”

Khethilaraisedhereyebrows,butdidnotquestionme.

“Youmakeitsoundsodull.”Culthyngatheredtogetherthedeckofplaqueslaidoutonthetableandshuffledthem,thenbeganto

dealthemoutintothesixpilesforsolitaireoncemore.

“Mostthingsare,”Fatheroffereddryly,“untilyouunderstandthemevenmorefully.”Heclosedtheledgerwithathump.“Toanobservantman,thefiguresinanybusinessledgercantellaninterestingstory.”

Iwouldn’thavegonethatfar,buthedidhaveapoint.I

alsohadaglimmerofanideawhyKhethilahadsaidithadbeenalongweek.LikeFather,shecouldreadbehindthefigures,butunlikeFather,shehadnorealauthorityinthefactorage.

Motherappearedattheporchdoor.“Dinnerisready.”

“I’mfamished!”Leavingtheplaqueshalfdealtonthe

table,Culthynboundedupandintothehouse,pastMother,whohadsteppedbackasiftoavoidacharginggoat.

“Famished?”IlookedtoKhethila.

“HeheardaboutwhatyousaidtoRouselyearsagowhenhesaidhewasstarved.”

“Famishedisjustasbad.”ButIcouldn’tstopsmilingas

weroseandfollowed,farmoresedately.

Onceinthediningroom,wewaitedforFather,whofinallyenteredandplacedhishandsonthebackofhisarmedchair.Helookedtome,standingtotheright.“Sinceitisincelebrationofyourbirthday,belatedasitmaybe,youshouldoffertheblessing.”

Inodded.“Forthegraceandwarmthfromabove,forthebountyoftheearthbelow....”

“Inpeaceandharmony,”camethereply.

“Youstilloffertheartists’blessing?”askedCulthyn.“You’renotanartistanymore.”

“Actually,I’mstillpainting.Besides,thereisn’t

animagers’blessing.”IpouredFather’swine,thenMother’s,thenmyown,beforesittingandthenhandingthecarafetoKhethila.

“Youcan’tpaint,canyou?”Culthynlookedsurprised.

“Icanpaint.Ijustcan’tgetpaidforit.I’mactuallydoingaportraitofoneofthesenior

imagers.That’swhenIhavetime.”

Kieselacarriedinaplatterwiththreefowluponit.Eachwashalved,andthescentoforangeandspicesfilledtheair.

“Naranjeduck,”Motherannounced.“Rhenn’sfavorite,withcumin-creamrice.”

Ismiled.

“Worthasmallfortunenow,cuminis,”Fatherannounced.

“Why?”askedCulthyn.

“ItcomesfromCaenen,mostly,”FatherexplainedasheservedhalfaducktoMotherandthentohimself.“Theystillsmuggleitin,butitcostsmore,andallthespicemerchantsraisethepriceevenwhentheyhavelarge

stocks.”

“Couldn’tyougetitfromRemaya’sfather?”

MotherglaredatCulthyn.“Onedoesnottakeadvantageofrelatives,noraskforspecialfavorsthatwillcostthem.It’sunfairtoimpose.Besides,it’sill-mannered.”

Culthynsquirmedinhischair.

Itookabiteoftheduck.Itwasexcellent,theorangeandthebittersandtheapplereductionallturningthemeatsucculent.Thecrispyskinwasgood,too.

“Thiswouldbeperfect,”Motheroffered,“ifRouselandRemayawerehere,and...”Shedeliberatelylefthersentenceunfinished.

“ButIdon’t,”Isaid,

managingasmile,“andIwon’tforawhile,it’slikely.”Iwasn’tabouttomentionSeliora,notyet,althoughIsuspecteditwouldn’tbelong.

“He’sstillyoung,yet,Maelyna.”

“Notforthatlong.”SheglancedtowardKhethila,butsaidnothing.

Khethilaflushed.

“So...whatdidtheCouncildothisweek?”askedFather.

Icouldn’thelplaughing.

“It’sthatamusing?”

“No,sir.It’sjustthatmydutieskeepmefromknowing,inmostcases,whattheCouncilisdoing.WhatIfindamusingisthatIspendmostofthedaywithintwentyyardsoftheCouncilchamber,

andIdon’tknowmuchmorethanwhenIspenttheentiredayattheCollegium.”I’dalsolaughedatFather’svaliant,buttransparent,efforttogetthesubjectawayfromwhomKhethilaandImightmarryandwhen.ButIdidappreciatetheattempt.

“Justwhatisitthatyoudo,dear?”askedMotherquickly.“Idon’tbelieveyou’veeversaidorwrittenanythingabout

it.”

“Weescortpetitionerstoseecouncilors.Wehelpmakesurepeopledon’tintrudeuponthecouncilors.Sometimeswecarrymessagesfromthecouncilorstoothercouncilorsortotheiraides,andwedootherthingsthatIcan’tmention.”

“Arethosescaryanddangerous?”askedCulthyn.

Ilaughed.“Usuallythey’reboring.Onceortwicetheycouldhavebeendangerous.”

“Doyouseefactorspetitioningthecouncilors?”askedFather.“AnyoneImightknow?”

“It’spossible.Idon’tknoweveryoneyouknow.CouncilorEtyennisaclothfactor.Ididn’tencounterhim,butsomeoftheregular

messengerswerejestingaboutthefactthathespendsaslittletimeaspossibleinL’Excelsis.”

“Thatdoesn’tsurpriseme,”Fatherreplied.“HehasthelargestclothwarehousesinSolidar.It’sawonderthathehasanytimetodevotetotheCouncil.”

“Doyouknowhim?”

“We’vemetafewtimes,

andwe’veprovidedsomespecialwoolstohimonafewoccasions.Hewasneverearlywithpayment,butneverlate,either.”

“Whatishelikepersonally?”

“Heseemedpleasantenough,ifabitpreoccupied.Whoelsehaveyouseen?”

“Morethanafewspiceandessencefactorsandtraders,

andafactornamedAlhazyr...”

“Oh,him.He’stheonewhowantstochangetheCouncilandputmoretradersonit—andeventwopubliccouncilors.Next,he’llbeadvocatingwomencouncilors.”Fathersnorted.

“Thatmightnotbeabadidea,”suggestedKhethila.“Theycouldn’tmanage

thingsanyworse.”

“Solidarhasn’tdonebadlyundertheCouncil,”Fatherreplied.“WouldyouwanttoliveinJariolaorCaenen?Womenareserfsinoneandslavesintheother.”

“Father...”Khethilapaused,thenspokeslowlyanddeliberately.“IagreewithyouthatSolidarisafarbetterplacetolivethan

almostanywhereelse.ItwasabetterplacetolivethanCaenenwasevenwhenwewereruledbyarex,butit’sbetternowwithaCouncil,andamorewidelyrepresentativeCouncilwouldbeevenbetterthanthat.”

“Morewidelyrepresentative?Isupposeyou’dwantthatMadameD’Shendaelmakinglaws,then?”Father’stonewas

morethanmerelyironic.

“Whynot?She’sintelligentandaHighHolder.Shehasbeenknowntothink,unlikemostofthem.Butthen,Isupposethat’saflawforawoman.Notthinking,butlettingitbeknownthatwecanthink,likethatpoorMadameD’Saillyt.HerHighHolderhusbandbeatherandconfinedherforcontradictinghiminpublic,anddidwho

knowswhatelsetoher,butwhensheshotthebeast,shewascondemnedandexecuted.”

“Likelystory,”Fathersnorted.“Youdon’tthinkshecouldn’thavegonetothepatrol?”

“No,”shecouldn’t,”Iinterjected.“Notifithappenedonhislands.TheHighHoldersretaintheright

ofabsolutelowjusticeontheirownlands.Hecouldbeatherandconfineheronthegroundsthatsheassaultedhim.Shecouldonlyhaveavoidedthatifshehadmanagedtofleehislands,andthatmighthavebeendifficultifhekeptconfiningher.Evenso,she’dprobablyhavelosteverything,becausehecouldciteherfordesertion.”

“Nohonorablemanwoulddothat,”Fatherhuffed.

“Chenkyr,dear,”Mothersaidsweetly,“fewmenareashonorableasyouare.”

ImanagedtokeepfrombreakingoutinlaughteratthewayMotherhadcorneredFather.

Inthatmoment,shestood.“Whowouldlikethefreshpeachcobblerandwhowould

likethealmondcake?”

“I’dlikethecobbler,butwithasmallsliceofthecake.”Iofferedthewordswithagrin.

“IwillfollowRhenn’sexample,withaslightmodification,dear,”saidFather.“Iwouldpreferasmallsliceofeach.”

“Me,too,”saidCulthyn,“exceptcouldminebe

bigger?”

Khethilashookherhead.“Justasmallsliceofthecake.”

Afterthat,Ilistened,sayingaslittleaspossibleasMotherrhapsodizedabouttheirvisitwithRemayaandRouselandhowbeautifulyoungRheityrwasandalreadyhowbrightheseemed.

Alittleaftereighthglass,I

excusedmyself.

MotherhadarrangedforCharlsyntotakemebacktotheBridgeofHopes.Ididtaketheprecautionofraisingfullshieldsonthewalkfromthecoachtothequadrangle.AsIwalked,Icouldn’thelpbutthinkaboutMadameD’Saillyt.HadshebeentheoneI’dexecuted?Orhadthewomanwhohaddiedatmyimagingbeenanotherwoman

condemnedforsomethingsimilar?Thesecondpossibility,Irealized,wasworsethanthefirst.

Loveneverpresentsatrue

image.

AfterbreakfastonSolayi,Ididtakesometimetowriteathank-younotetomyparentsforthedinnerandtheirthoughtfulness.Itwaslong,atleastforme,andItriedtomakeitwarm.Isetitonthe

writingtablesothatI’dremembertopostitonLundi.ThenItookmytimeingettingreadytocallonSeliora.

ItwasstillbeforeonewhenthehackpulledupoutsidetheprivateentrancetotheNordEsteDesignbuilding.Ididn’twanttostandinthehotsunlightholdingfullshields,waitinguntilone,althoughIwaswearingthelighter-

weightsummerimager’swaistcoatandathingraycottonshirt.SoIsteppeduptothedoorandliftedanddroppedthatancientandwell-polishedbronzeknocker,shapedmuchlikeastylizedupholsterer’shammer,Irealizedforthefirsttime.

YoungBhenytopenedthedoor.“MasterRhennthyl,sir.Pleasecomein.”

“Bhenyt...didSeliorasendyoudowntoactasgreeter?Oryoursister?”Iwascuriousandcouldn’thelpwondering.

Hegrinnedatme.“Odeliaorderedmeto,butSeliorapaidme.”Then,abruptly,hegulped.“Iwasn’tsupposedtotellanyone.”

“Iwon’tletanyoneknow.”Iconcealedmyownswallow,

wonderingifhewereslightlymal.“Leadon.”Isteppedinsideandlethimclosethedoor,thenfollowedhimupthestairstothesecondlevel.

Fortunately,Seliorastoodaloneintheupstairsentryfoyer,wearingflowingblacktrousersandacreamblousewithashortbutfilmyredvest.Herentirefacelitupasshesawme.Mineprobablydidaswell.Itookherhands,

andthenfoundmyarmsgoingaroundher.

Herswerearoundme,butonlyforamoment,asshewhisperedinmyear,halflaughingly,“Thesewallshavebotheyesandears.”

Ididletgoofher,ifafterabriefkiss.Shewasstillsmiling.“Ihavesomuchtotellyou,butit’swarmhere,and...”Hereyesflickedto

oneside,thentheother.

“Isee.”Ididn’tseeanyonepeeringintothefoyer,butthatdidn’tmeananything.

“There’sabitofabreezeonthethird-leveleastterrace...andit’smoreprivate.Everyoneelseisonthenorthterrace.”Shesmiled.“Iwillhavetotakeyoutherebeforeweslipaway.”

Isighed,moreforeffect

thanbecauseIhadexpectedanythingdifferent.

“Itwon’tbethatbad.Everyonewillbegladtoseeyou.”Sheledmetothesideofthefoyerandthroughthearchwaythatledtoanarrowstaircase.

Fromthelandingatthetopofthestairs,weemergedfromanotherarchwayintoanarrowerhallorfoyer.

“Everyone’ssleepingandpersonalchambersareuphere,”Selioraexplainedassheturnedandledmethoughanopensetofdoubledoorsontotheterrace,atile-flooredandcoveredexpansethatrantheentirewidthofthebuilding,closetotwenty-fiveyards,andextendednorthwardfromthedoorsagoodtenyards.Heavyirongrillwork,waist-high,

enclosedtheterrace,whoseroofwassupportedbysquaremasonrypillars.Exposedasitwastotheaironthreesides,theterracewasfarcoolerthantheinteriorfoyerorthestreetsbelow.

Ataglance,Icouldseetheextendedfamilyhadgatheredingroups—Seliora’sparentsandauntaroundatableneartheironrailingontheeast;theyoungadultsinwooden

chairsaroundatableholdingarrangementsofplaquesthatsuggestedagameofRegianinprogress,andtheyoungerchildrenlisteningtoastorybeingtoldbyagrayingwomantoooldtobeanauntorcousin,andtooyoungtobeSeliora’sgrandmother.“Idon’tseeyourgrandmama.”

Seliorafrowned.“Shewashere.Shemightbetakinganap.Shedidwanttomeet

you.”Sheshookherhead.“Grandmamaalwaysdoesthingsherway.”Therewasamixtureofruefulnessandrespectinhertone,asshegentlyguidedmetothetablewhereherparentssat.

“Madame,”Ibegan,incliningmyheadtohermother.

“Betara,please.Youmakemefeellikemymother.”

Iofferedasmile.“MyownmotherwouldgivemeaverylonglectureonbeingtooinformalandnotshowingrespectifsheeverfoundoutthatIusedyourgivenname.”

Betarasmiledinreturn.“Thenwewillmakecertainsheneverfindsout.”

“Sheisquitecapableofthat,”Shelimadded,withafondlookathiswife.

“Iunderstandallthewomeninthisfamilyaremostformidable.”

BothBetaraandAeginalaughed.Shelimofferedawrygrin,buthiseyescrinkledinamusement.

“IunderstandyouarelearningyourwayaroundtheCouncilChateau,”offeredShelim.

“Aroundisaverygood

description.There’sagreatdealtolearn.”

Betarahadbeenstudyingme.Thenshenodded.Shewasn’tagreeingwithherhusband,andIwouldhavelikedtoknowexactlywhatI’dsomehowconfirmedforher.

“Hiseyesareolder,”shesaidabruptly,lookingtoAegina.

“Hehasseenwhatmostneverwill.”

Ihadn’tthoughtofitquitethatway,butitwastrue.Notmanymenofanyagehavelookedintothebarrelofagunthatwillalmostkillthem,andthatwasonlypartofwhathadhappenedsincetheyhadlastseenme.

“Youunderstand,Isee,”observedBetara.

Iinclinedmyhead.“Isuspectso,madame.”Icouldnotmakethestatementwithoutthehonoroftheformality.

Afaintsmilecrossedherlips,butnotanunpleasantone.Ithoughttheremighthavebeenahintofsadnessbehindit.

“We’llbeontheeastterrace,”Seliorasaid.

“I’llbringyousomethingtodrinkinawhile.”Betaralookedtome,thesombernessgoneasifithadneverbeen.“Whatwouldyoulike?WehavesomecoolSanietra,mostwines,orAlusangoldlager,orsomenaranjejuice.”

“TheSanietrasoundsverygood.”

“I’dlikethat,too,”saidSeliora,“butIcouldgetit..

.”

“Nonsense.Youyoungpeoplehaveasummertocatchupon.”

“You’remostkind.”Iunderstoodtheunstatedbutinformalchaperoninginvolved.“Thankyou.”

Selioraturned,andImovedwithher.

Aswepassedthegame

table,Odelialookedupfromtheplaquesofthegameandgrinned.“Enjoyyourselves.”

“Concentrateonthegame,”returnedSeliora,“orShomyrwilltakeeverycoinyouhave.”

Onceweleftthenorthterrace,Selioratookmyarm,muchmorepossessively,andguidedmealongthewidehallwayuntilwecametoa

doorwaythatlookedlikealltheothers.Shepressedthedoorlever,pushedthedoorback,thenusedabrasscatchtoholditopen.Averyshorthall—lessthanfouryards—endedinanotherdoor,whichshealsoopened.Theeastterracewasmuchsmaller,nomorethanfiveyardsbyfour,almostasifithadoncebeenaroomandsomeonehadreplacedtheouterwallwith

theironrailingandgrillwork.

Seliorabentandmovedastoneponytopropthedoorbetweentheshorthallwayandtheterraceopen,thensteppedtoonesideofthedoor.“Itgetstoohotandstillhereifwedon’tleavethedooropen.”Icouldseethat,becausetherewasnootherwayfortheairtoflow.

Then,shewasinmyarms,

andtherewasnohesitationwiththeembraceandthekiss.

Afteralongtime,shelookedupatme.“Imissedyou.Iworried.”

Ikissedheragain,gently.“Imissedyou...andI’mhere.”

AfteratimelongerthanIhadhopedandshorterthanIwished,sheeasedoutofmy

arms,andwesettledinoneachsideofthecirculartableontherightsideoftheterrace,sincetheterracehadnosetteesthatmightaccommodatetwo.Lookingeastward,Icouldseetheincline,filledwithbuildingsandhouses,thatformedthesouthwestpartofMartradon.IthoughtIcouldpickoutwhereMasterCaliostrus’sstudiohadbeen.

“You’vehadalongsummer,haven’tyou,Rhenn?”

“Sohaveyou,”Irepliedlightly.“HowwasPointeNeimon?”

“Quiet...pleasantinadullway.Itwasmuchcoolerthanhere.Onewholeweekitrainedalmostalldayeveryday.WeplayedplaquesuntilIdidn’twanttolookat

anotherplaqueagain.”

“Whataboutallthetextilemanufactories?”

Selioratiltedherheadslightly.“Grandmamawasright.Wedidneedtovisitthem.”Shelaughed,softly,throatily.“Ateveryone,sheentereddressedlikethewealthiestoffactorians.”

“Isn’tshe?”Iaccompaniedthegentlequestionwitha

smile.

Seliorapaused.“Wedon’tthinkofitquitethatwaybecausewe’veavoidedthefactoringassociations.We’vekeptourselvesaspartofthewoodcrafters’andcabinetmakers’guild.”

“Thisbuilding,withalltheshopsandquartersandeverything—it’slargerthanmostfactors’warehouses.”

Also,remainingascraftersavoidedtheprejudiceagainstPharsiswhotriedtojointhefactoringassociations.

“It’sallfamily.Almost,anyway.”

“Thatmaybetrue,butthenumberofpeoplewhoworkhere,fromwhatIcantell,islargerthanthoseemployedbymostfactors.”Igrinned.“Whenshewalkedintothose

manufactories,Iimagineyourgrandmamaputthemallintheirplacewithoutsayingaword.”

Selioranodded.“Theyallknowher.Shedidn’tsayso,butpartofthetripwastogetthemtoknowwhoShomyrandIare.Shesaidwe’ddoanothertripinthelatefall,ifshefeltuptoit.”

“Wheredidyoustay?”

“Atnotverygoodhotels,exceptatPointeNeimon.There,Grandmamahasfriends—oracquaintances.Theyhaveacottageonthewestsideofthepoint.Itoverlooksthewater.It’sveryrocky,andthewater’srough,eveninsummer.Itisbeautiful,though,andverypleasant.There’sonlyonesmallcovewhereit’ssafetoswim,andthewaterisn’tthat

warm.Wecouldwalktoamarket.Therearen’tmanyhacks,butyoucanrentacarriageifyouneedone...”

Ilistenedandofferedquestions,justenjoyingbeingwithherandlookingather.

Thentherewerefootstepsonthehardwoodfloorofthehallwayfromthemaincorridor.

“Seliora...?”

Betara’swordswereasmuchawarningasanannouncement.

“We’rehere,”Seliorasaid.“We’vejustbeentalking.”

Betarasteppedontotheterracecarryingasmalltray.Onitweretwoglassesofsparklingcrystal-clearSanietra,oneofmysummerwinesofchoice,althoughIhadn’thadanyforawhile,

andasmallplatterholdingthinslicesofappleandpeach,alongwithtwonapkins.

“Ithoughtyoumightlikealittlelightrefreshment.”

“Thankyou,”Ioffered.

“Oh...Grandmamasendsherapologies.Shesaysthat,inthisheat,she’snotfeelingherbest,butshepromisesshe’llmeetRhennnextweek.”Betaralookedtome.

“Youarecoming?”

“Iwouldn’tmissitforanything.”

Shelaughed.“Withallthathashappenedtoyou,letushopethatitdoesn’tcometothat.”Inmoments,shewasgone.

ItookasipoftheSanietra.Itwasascoolanddryasitlookedandslippeddownmythroateasily,leavingafaint

hintofsweetlimeandlilacbehind.“Thisisgood.”

“Itis.”Afteramoment,shesaid,“Youhaven’tsaidwhatyou’vebeendoing.”

“Untilalittlemorethanaweekago,allIdidwasworkonlearningeverythingtheCollegiumthoughtIneededtoknowformydutiesattheChateau.”Ismiled.“ThenIwenttoworkanddiscovered

thatmostofitwasveryroutine,escortingpetitionerstoseecouncilors,standingcorridorwatches,takingamessageortwo...”

Sheraisedhereyebrows.“Whatelse?”

Ididn’twanttoanswerthatdirectly.“Yousaidthatyourfamilyhadwaysoffindingoutthings.Canyouoryourmotherorgrandmamafind

outaboutabravocalledtheFerran?”

“Washetheonewhoshotyou?”

“No...andyes.”

Shefrowned,thenasked,“Theyhiredsomeoneelsetogoafteryou?Youdidn’ttellme?”

“Icouldn’thavewrittenyou,and...well...Ididn’t

wanttocomehereandannouncethatpeoplewerestillshootingatme.Atleast,itseemsthatway.Lastweekhe—that’stheFerran—followedmewhenIwastryingtofindoutwhohiredthefirstkiller.Iavoidedhim,butI’dfoundoutthatMasterCaliostrus’sbrothermighthavebeeninvolved.So,Isuspect,didhe,becauseThelal—thatwasthebrother

—endedupknifeddeadinatavernbrawltwodayslater.”

“MasterCaliostrus?Whatdidhehavetodowiththis?He’sbeendeadformonths.”

“SomepeoplethinkthattheexplosionthatkilledMasterCaliostruswasn’tanaccident.I’veheardguessesthatitwasintendedforOstrius,oratMasterCaliostrusbecauseMadameCaliostruswas

tryingtostopCaliostrusfromgivingcoinstoThelal.ShesoldtheruinedhouseandthelandtoElphens.Didyouknowthathemademaster?”

“Ididn’t.I’mnotsurprised.Healwayshadmorecoinsthanajourneymanshould.”

“HisfatherisaHighHolder,Iwastold.”

“Sinceheisnotone,Elphensmustbethesonofa

mistress...orless.”

“Amistress,Iwouldguess,becauseHighHolderTillakwouldn’tshelloutsomanygoldsforabastardsonunlesshefeltsomethingspecialabouthimorhismother.”

Selioranodded.“Whatelse?Youstillhaven’ttoldmewhypeopleareshootingatyou.Whendidallthishappen?”

“Idon’tknowwhy.Nooneelseseemstoknow,either.Yesterday,whenIwasonmywaytomyparentsforthatbelatedbirthdaydinner—”

“Youdidn’ttellmeitwasyourbirthday.”

“Ithappenedwhileyouweregone.Itwouldhavesoundedwrong...towriteandmentionmybirthday,especiallyafteryou’vebeen

sogoodtome.”Ismiledapologetically.

“Oh...Rhenn.Youdon’t...”Herheadshakeconveyedamixtureofaffectionandexasperation.“Goon.”

“I’djustcrossedthebridgeandwasgettingsomeflowerstotaketomysister.IhadjustaskedtheflowersellerabouttheFerran,becausehe’dsaidafewwordstohertheweek

before.Thatwaswhenhewastalkingtohersothathecouldfollowme—butIdidn’tknowthatuntillater.Yesterday,shetoldmethathewastheFerran,andrightafterthatheshotatusboth.Hekilledher.Therewasacivicpatrollernottenyardsaway,andhecouldn’tevenseetheshooter.NeitherdidI,butithadtobehim.”

“Areyousure?”

Ishrugged.“It’seitherhim,orI’minevenbiggertroublethanIthought.”

“DoIunderstandthataweekagothisperson—theFerran—wasfollowingyouandyesterdayyouthinkheshotatyouandkilledtheflowerwoman?”

“Hewastryingtokillusboth.MebecauseI’mthetargetandherbecauseshe

toldmeabouthim.”

“Whywouldanyonewanttokillyou?”

Ihadtoshrug.“Idon’tknow.NooneattheCollegiumdoes,either,butitmustbetiedtoEmanus—”

“RhennthylD’Imager.”Hervoicewasstern.“You’reonlytellingmebitsandpieces.Tellthewholestoryfromthebeginning.”

SoIdid,leavingoutwhatmightrevealtoomuchabouttheCollegiumandmyrealduties.

Afterward,shelookedatmeandshookherhead.“IthastohavesomethingtodowithHighHolderRyel.AconnectionwithEmanusdoesn’tmakesense.Youonlytalkedtohimtwice,andthefirstassassintriedtokillyoubeforeanyonecouldhave

knownyouweregoingtotalktohimthesecondtime.”

“Ijustdon’tknow.MasterDichartynisconvincedthat’snotthewayHighHoldersdothings.That’swhyIwantedtoknowifyoucouldfindoutabouttheFerran.”

“IcanaskMama.Idon’thavethosecontacts,butGrandmamais...involvedinmanythings.”

I’dalreadygatheredthat.

Then,Iheardthefourbellsringing.“Ineedtogo.”Istood.

SodidSeliora,glidingaroundthesmalltableandputtingherarmsaroundme.Ididn’tneedanymoreencouragement.

Itwasabitbeforewesteppedapart.

“You’recomingnextSamediathalfpastfour.”Herwordsweren’taquestion.

“IsaidIwouldn’tmissit.”

“Ifit’stoohot,we’lleatuponthenorthterrace.Weofteneatthereinthesummerandearlyharvest.”

“AndImightmeetyourgrandmama?”

“Shesaidshewouldmeet

youwhenthetimewasright.Ithoughtshemeanttoday.”

Wewalkedslowlydowntothesecondlevelandthendowntothemainentryfoyer.SeliorastoodatthetopofthestepsasImademywaydownthelastsetofsteps.SomeonehadsentBhenytdownandoutintothestreet,because,bythetimeIsteppedoutofthedoorandwalkeddownthesteps,ahackwaswaiting,and

Bhenytwasstandingbesidethestoop.

“Thankyou,Bhenyt.”

“Mypleasure,MasterRhennthyl.”

TheridebacktotheBridgeofHopeswasuneventful,butIdidholdfullshieldswhenIleftthecoachandwalkedacrossthebridge.

Dinnerwasalsowithout

incident,andDartaznandIsatwithMenyardandReynol,andweallspeculatedaboutwhatmighthappenwithCaenenandJariola,notthattherewasanythingnewinthescandalsheets.And,ofcourse,wewenttoservices,where,aswasoftenso,ChoristerIsolahadsomeinterestingthingstosayinherhomily.

“...oneofthedeadlysins

isthatofNaming.WealltalkaboutthesnareoftheNamerandpraisethelifeandworksofRholantheUnnamer,buthowoftendoweconsiderwhyNamingisindeedadeadlyvice?Therearetwokindsofhungerinlife.Oneisphysical.Thatisbasedontheneedforbodilynourishment,andeatingtoomuchbecomesthesinofgluttony.Theotherhungerinlifeisforself-

worth.Allmenandallwomenneedtofeelthattheyandwhattheydoareofvalue.Butjustaseatingtostophungercanbecomegluttonywhencarriedtoexcess,sotheseekingofwaystoshowself-worthcanquicklyturnintoNaming.Aproudfactorbuildsmoreandmorefactor-agestoprovehisworth,andthenheengagesinpracticestoundermineotherfactors

anddrivethemoutofbusiness.WillbeingthewealthiestfactorinSolis,orWestisle,orevenL’Excelsisprovetobeenough?AHighHolder,alreadywealthyandrespected,stillschemestobringdownandevenruinotherHighHolderstoproveheisamongthemorepowerfulHighHolders.Anation,suchasCaenen,orJariola,orinthepast,even

Solidar,wantstoproveitspower—andthatisanextensionofself-worth—andusesthatpowertohumiliateordefeatotherlands.AlltheseareexamplesofNaming,seekingtoexaltone’snameandreputationaboveothers,notthroughhonesteffort,butbytryingtoundermine,ruin,ordefeatanddestroyothers...andthisiswhyNamingisthe

greatestsinofall,becausetheunbridledhungerforgreateresteemcanneverbesatisfied...”

Icouldn’tsaythatIreallybelievedintheNameless,butsomuchofwhatsurroundedandinfusedtheservicesmadesense.CouldIbelieveinthedoctrinewithoutbelievinginthedeity?

Seeminglyunrelatedtiny

piecescompriseimages;whoeverseesthosepiecesasawholeearliest

comprehendsfirst.

Lundi,likeVendrei,wasaslower-pacedday,atleastafterthemorningexerciseandrun,andIdidhavetime

toslipmylettertomyparentsintotheoutgoingpostinbetweenmydutiesattheCouncilChateau.BesidesescortingtwoverycondescendingfactorsfromEstisletoseeCouncilorDiogaynandcarryingsealedmessagesfromCouncilorReynertoCouncilorGlendyl,allIdidwaswatchthecorridorsandtrytosharpenmyobservationskillsonthe

fewwhodidcomemyway.CouncilorGlendylhadaticinhisrighteyewhenhespoke,butnotwhenhelistened.CouncilorAlucionstillhadmassivecallusesonhispalmsandwalkedwiththeswayinggaitofamanwhomusthavecarriedgreatweightswhenhewasyounger—ashemighthave,sincehewastherepresentativeoftheStonecutters’Guild.

CouncilorHaestyrwasyoungerthanI’drealizedandwascheerfultoeveryone,butIthoughthisgreeneyeswerecold.

BecauseLundiwassuchaslowday,wewerereleasedbeforefourthglass.I’dalreadydecidedthatIneededtotalktomorepeopleinthePortraitureGuild,ifonlytoseeifsomeonehadbeentalkingtothemaboutme...

andbecauseIhadnoideawhereelsetocontinueintryingtotrackdownwhowasafterme.Seliora’sfamilywouldprobablyfindoutmorethanIeverwould,butIhadtotry.Rogarismighttellmesomething,iffornootherreasonthantogetmetoleave,becausehehadbeenclearlyuncomfortablethelasttimeI’dseenhim.Couldthathavebeenbecauseheand

Sagarynknewsomething?

WhenwereachedtheCollegium,Ididn’tevenhaveachancetogettomychamberstochange,becauseafresh-facedprimewaswaitingforthedutycoach.“ImagerRhennthyl,sir?MasterDichartynwouldliketoseeyouimmediately,sir.”

BothDartaznandMartylshooktheirheadsasthey

slippedaway.I’dhavewageredtheywerejustgladtheyhadn’tbeensummoned.IfollowedthedutifulyoungstertoMasterDichartyn’sstudy,wherethedoorwasopen.

“Comeonin,Rhenn,”hecalled.

Ienteredandclosedthedoor,thentooktheseatacrossthedeskfromhim.

“Rhennthyl,therearesomeotheritemswhichtheCivicPatrolneglectedtomentiontome.”AlthoughMasterDichartyn’svoicewaspleasant,hiseyeswerecold.

“Yes,sir?”

“Isthereanythingyoucanaddtowhatyou’vetoldme—anythingatall.”

“Sir,IthoughtItoldyouwhatIknew,buttheremay

bemorethatIthoughtItoldyouanddidnot.”Thatwasthesafestanswer.

Henodded.“PleaseletmeknowifyourecallmoreafterItellyouwhatelseIhavediscovered.TheroomsinthepensionwhereEmanuslivedweremodest,buthissavingswerenotenoughtopayforthemandfood.Ihadsomeinvestigationsmade.Hewasreceivingamonthlystipend

fromtheBanqueD’Excelsis,butthefundscameblindfromthelocalbranchoftheBanqueD’Abierto,andwehavenowayofdeterminingthesender.”Helookedatme.

“IcannotsayI’msurprised,sir.Ididaskhimifhehadallowedhimselftoberemovedasguildmaster—”

“Hewasaguildmaster?”

“Didn’tItellyouthat,sir?”

“Itcouldbe.Mattershavebeenlessthanserene.Goon.”

“Hesaidhehadbeen,andthathehadallowedascandaltobetrumpedupbecauseitwasbetterthatway,andnooneelsegothurt.Iaskedifhe’dallowedittoprotectsomeoneinhisfamily.Hedidn’tanswerexceptbyaskingwhyI’daskthat.Ithinkhewasprotectingsomeone.”

“Thatmightwellbe.Theotherthingthatthepatrolfound,hiddeninsidealeathercasemadetolooklikeabook,wasaminiatureportraitofayoungwoman.SinceEmanushadnootherknownfamily,theyletmehaveitforthemoment.”Hehelduptheportraitofadark-hairedyoungwoman,setinasimpleovalebonyframe,nomorethanfivedigitsfromthetop

oftheovaltothebottom,thenextendedit.“Doyouknowher...orrecognizetheartist?”

Istudiedtheunfamiliarimageofadark-hairedgirlperhapstheageofKhethila,alsolookingcloselyatthesurfacetexture.“I’dguessit’sclosetotwentyyearsold,sir,butIdon’trecognizeher.Thetechniqueisoutstanding.I’djudgethatEmanuspaintedit

himself,becauseIdon’trecognizethetechnique,becauseit’sbetterthananyonepaintinginL’Excelsistoday,andbecauseit’sunsigned.Allworksthataresoldhavetobesigned.Thiswasnevermeantforsale,notwiththatframe.”Ipaused.“I’dsaythatheknewthegirlverywell.Thiswasn’tdonejustforgolds.Thedetailistoogood,almostloving.”

“Almostloving...ofcourse!”Heheldouthishandfortheportrait.“Weneedtokeepthissafe.”

“MightIask?”Ihandedbacktheminiature.

“Youmay,butI’drathernotsayrightnow.IfI’mwrong,itcouldberather...embarrassingfortheCollegium.”

“Oh...thathastobehis

daughter,”Iblurted.“That’swhy.”

ThatbroughtMasterDichartynupshort.“Whydoyousaythat?”

“Theportraitistwentyyearsold.Atleast,Ithinkitis.Grisarius—Emanus—hadtobemorethansixty.Igotthefeeling,fromalltheservinggirlsItalkedto,andfromwhenItalkedtohim,

thathehadneverpursuedanyofthem.Yethewasfriendlytothem,andtherewerenorumorsaboutmalelovers.Thatmeanseitherawife,amistressorlover,oradaughter.Yousaidhehadnofamily,andnoonehasevermentionedafamily.Sincehewouldhavebeenoverfortywhenthiswaspainted,adaughterfitsbetterthanalover,especiallywhenhe

talkedaboutnotwantingtoseeanyonehurt.Usuallypeopletalkaboutchildrenmorethatwaythanaboutlovers.”

AwrysmilecrossedMasterDichartyn’sface.“That’saratherinterestingspeculation.Whatelsemightyouthinkaboutthisdaughter?”

“She’sprobablymarried,

andprobably,fromtheclothes,eitherfromaverywealthymerchant...no...thecloth...thathastobe,I’mjustguessing,fromaHighHolderhousehold.”

“Youthinkthatwaswhyhewaskilled?”

“No,sir.Ifthepaintingisofadaughter,andshewasclosetoeighteenwhenitwaspaintedtwentyyearsago,it

couldn’tbeahusband’svengeanceoranotherlover’srevenge.Hewastoovisibletohaveavoidedakillerforsolong.Ithadtobesomethingmorerecent.”

“Sowhydoyouthinkhewaskilled?”

“Ihavenoidea,butithastotieintomyvisit.Otherwise,whywouldithappenthen,andinthatway?

Arenegadeimagerdoesn’tcomecheap,andthatsuggestsaHighHolderorsomeonewithgreatwealthandconnections.”

“Itmay,”repliedMasterDichartyn,“butthere’snotashredofproof.”

“Youknowwhosheis,don’tyou,sir?”

MasterDichartynsighed.“Everyonceinawhile,

Rhennthyl,Icanseewhyothersmighthaveareasontomurderyou.”Hepaused.“Ihavenottoldyouwhosheis.ThatshouldtellyouthatIhaveareasonfornottellingyou.Suchareasoniseitherformysafetyoryours,orbecauseitmightendangersomeoneelse.Whensuchanoccasionoccurs,keepthespeculationtoyourself.Andsparemetheoldcanardabout

noquestionbeingstupid.Someare.”

“Yes,sir.”Thatspieltoldmehewasworried—morethanworried—andthatIshouldbeevenmoreconcerned,becauseitindicatedthatmorepeoplewantedtogetridofmethanIevenknew.“YourmessengerreachedmejustbeforeIwasgoingouttotalktoacquaintancesinthe

PortraitureGuild.WhatwouldyourecommendIdo,givenwhatyouknowthatIdon’t?”

“That’smuchbetter.IwouldsuggestthatyoutalktomorethanafewpeopleaboutEmanus’sdeath—ifonlytoprotectthem.”

Ididunderstandthat.IfItalkedtooneperson,thatpersonwasatrisk.Morethan

ahandful,anditwouldbedifficult...Ialmostsmiled,becauseIhadaverynastyidea.

“CanItellpeopleI’mfollowinguponsomethingfortheCollegium?”

“Whatwouldyoutellthem?”

I’dalreadythoughtthatout.“Wasn’ttheresomespeculationthatthefirst

bravo,theonethatshotme,hadshotsomeotherjuniorimagers?”

“AndyouwanttotellthemthatyouthoughtEmanusmighthaveknownsomething?”

Inodded.

“Sincehe’sdead,hecan’tverywellcontradictyou.Butyou’llhavetousefullshields,andyou’llbeonyourown

thistime.Idon’thavetotellyoutobecareful.”

“Iwillbe,sir.”

“Oh...takethedutycoachforyourfirststop.Thatway,ifanyone’swatchingthebridgetheywon’tseeyoucrossit.I’llhaveBeleartletthemknow.”Hiseyesflickedtowardthedoor.

Istoodimmediately.“Thankyou,sir.”

“Bestoffortune.”

AsIwalkedbacktomyquarterstochangeintoimagergrays,IwonderedwhyMasterDichartynwassuddenlysointerestedinpeoplewhoweretryingtokillme...andwhothewomanwas.Shecouldn’tjustbeanyone,oritwouldn’thavematteredifIknew.Shealsowasstillalive,forthesamereasons.

Afterchangingquickly,Ihurriedbacktotheduty-coachstandandfoundtwocoachesthere.

“ImagerRhennthyl?”askedthewiryobduratedriverofthefirstcoach.“I’mtotakeyouwhereveryouwanttogo,alleveningifnecessary.MasterDichartyndecideditwouldbequickerandsaferthatway.”

Nottomentiongivingmegreaterauthority,butIforborementioningthat.“Iappreciateit.”

“It’snotaproblem,sir.”Thedriversmiled.“Whereto?”

“DaravinWay,offDuoesteLanetotheeastofPlazaD’Nord.It’saboutthethirddwellingfromthecorner,headingeast.”

“Yes,sir.”

I’dalreadythoughtthatI’dbeginwithSagaryn,sinceChasys’sstudiowasthefarthestfromtheCollegium,andthenworkbackasIcould.Iclimbedintothecoach.ThedrivertooktheBridgeofDesires,thentheWestRiverRoadnorthtotheNordBridgebeforecrossingtheriverandheadingeast.Thatroutemadesense,

becausetherewerefarfewercoachesandwagonsonitthanontheBoulevardD’Imagers.Italsomightthrowoffanyonelookingforme.

Evenso,itwasclosetoaquintbeforefifthglasswhenthedriverstoppedthecoachinfrontofthesmalltwo-storydwelling.Thistime,whenIusedthebronzeknockerontheoutsidestudiodoor,

Sagarynwastheonewhogreetedme,ifasurprisedlookandanopenmouthamountedtoagreeting.Finally,hestammered,“Rhenn...Ididn’t...you’rethelastperson...”

“Itisn’tapersonalvisit,Sagaryn.I’mhereonimagerbusiness.”

“Chasysisn’there.”

“That’sfine.You’rethe

oneIcametosee,atthebehestoftheCollegium.”Ithoughtthatwasacorrect,ifindirect,wayofputtingit.

“Ah...comein.”

“Thankyou.”IstillheldmyshieldsasIsteppedinsideandheclosedthedoor.

Inthestudiobeyond,Icouldseeaportraitontheeasel,barelyoutlined.“Newportrait,Isee?”

“Yes.I’msureyoudidn’tcomeaboutthat.Notonimagerbusiness.”

“No.I’llmakeitasquickasIcan.YoumightrecallEmanus...theoldartistwhosometimescametothehall.TheyusuallycalledhimGrisarius.”

“Isawhim.Ineverspoketohim.”Sagaryn’seyebrowsknitinconfusionor

puzzlement.

“He’sdead.It’sverylikelybecauseofwhatheknew.Idon’tknowifyou’dheard,buttherehavebeenseveralshootingsofjuniorimagersoverthelastfewmonths.Iwasoneofthoseshot,andwhereIwasshotwasknowntoonlyafewpeople,mostofthemconnectedtotheguild.Wedon’tthinkanyoneintheguildhadanythingtodowith

theshootings,butwedothinkthatwhoeverdidmusthavetalkedtoseveralpeopleintheguild.”Ismiled.“SoI’mheretoseewhooutsidetheguildaskedyouaboutme.”

Therewastheslightestmovementatthecornersofhismouth,andforamoment,hiseyesflickeredawayfromme.Ijustwaited.

“Ah...it’sbeenawhile,

maybeasfarbackasaroundthebeginningofMayas—itcouldhavebeentheendofAvryl.RogarisandDolemisandIwereatLapinina.IthinkitwasaJeudinight,andweweretalkingabouthowSelioraandhercousintookyoutotheSamedigathering,andhowtheguard’seyesnearpoppedoutwhenyouwalkedinwiththem.Therewasthisfellow,andhe’djust

satdownatthenexttable,withanotherfellow.Hesaidsomethinglike,‘Wasthattheimagerwhousedtobeaportraituristjourneyman?’Rogarisaskedhimwhatbusinessitwasofhis,andthefellowsmiledandsaidthathe’dsuppliedthingstoCaliostrus,andthathe’drememberedthatyou’dbecomeanimagerbecausethereweren’tmanywho’d

beenartists.”Sagarynshrugged.“Thatwasprettymuchit,exceptIdidheartheotherfellowmentionsomethingaboutNordEsteDesign—thefurniturepeople—andhowitwaswhereSelioraworked.Theystayedabitandthenleft.”

“Whatdidtheylooklike?”

“Thatwastwomonthsago,Rhenn.Bothofthem,they

justlookedlikeanyoneelse.”

“Dideitheroneofthemwearayellowvest?”

“No.Onefellowhadasquare-cutbeard,old-style,youknow,thewaythesomeoftheoldrepresentationalistsdid.”

Asquare-cutbeard.Notmanymenhadsquare-cutbeardsanymore,andthemanwhohadshotmehadone.

Thatcouldbeacoincidence.Oritmightnotbe.“Doyourememberanythingelse?”

Sagarynshookhishead.Ikeptasking,buthecouldn’taddanymore.

Beforethatmuchlonger,Ileft,andthedrivermadehiswaythroughsomebacklanesevenIdidn’tknowtogetustoSloedyrWay,whereRogarisopenedthebrown-

painteddoortoJacquerl’sstudio.

“Rhenn...whatareyoudoinghere?”

Igesturedbackatthegraycoachwaitingforme.“Imagerbusiness.MightIcomein?Itshouldn’ttaketoolong.”

“Ihopenot.MadameJacquerlisservingquailtonightincelebrationofa

newapprentice.”

“Isee,”Isaiddryly.“Thewealthysonofwhom?”

Hedidflinch,ifslightly.“Agrainfactor.He’stheyoungestson.Jacquerldiddriveahardbargain.”Rogarissteppedbackandgesturedformetoenter.

Idid,evenasIdoubtedthatJacquerl,forallhispoliteness,wouldtakeany

otherkindofbargain.

“Whatisthisabout?”askedRogaris.

“YouknowGrisarius...orEmanus...theoldartist...”IgavehimthesameexplanationI’dgivenSagarynandthesameopeningquestion.

“Idon’trecallanyone...”Heshookhishead.

“Sagaryndid,andhesaidyouandDolemiswerewithhim,twomonthsagoatLapinina.”

Rogarisfrowned,tiltedhishead,thenlookeddown.Finally,hespoke.“Oh...that,buttheydidn’treallyaskanyquestions.Well...we’dbeentalkingaboutgirls,andAemalye,andSagarynsaidthatyouwereluckytohaveSeliorainterestedinyou

becausealotofimagershadtroublewithwomen.Oneofthefellowsatthenexttablemadeacommentaboutyoubeingoneofthefewartiststobecomeanimager,butitwasn’taquestion.Itwaslikehealreadyknew.”

“Didheaskanythingelse?”

“Hemadesomecommentaboutimagersnothavingmuchtimeforwomen,and

SagarynsaidthatyouwerethetypenottoletonelikeSeliorapassby.Thatwasit.”

“Doyourememberwhattheylookedlike?”

Rogarisshookhishead,thenstopped.“Justonething...theonewhotalkedhadanold-stylebeard.”

“Whatabouttheotherone?”

“Heneversaidanythingtous.”Therewasapause.“Iremember...hehadsortofthickbushyeyebrows,becauseIwasthinkingyoucouldalmostdefinehiminaportraitbythem.”

AndthatwasaboutallIgotfromRogaris.

AsthedriverheadedthecarriagetowardBeidaltPlace,justbeyondBakers’Lane,I

thoughtoverwhattheyhadtoldme.Thesquare-beardedmanmighthavebeenthefirstassassin,andthebushy-browedfellowcouldhavebeentheFerran,buttherewascertainlymorethanonemaninL’Excelsiswithanold-fashionedsquarebeard—andmorethanafewwithbushybrows.

Thesameapprenticewhohadopenedthezinc-green-

trimmedwhitedoortoMasterEstafen’sstudiothelasttimedidsoagain.Helookedattheimagergraysandturnedpale.

“I’mheretotalktoMasterEstafenonimagerbusiness.”

Hiseyesflickedpastmetotakeinthegraycoach,drawnbythepairofmatchedgrays.Ifanything,heturnedevenmorepale.“Yes,sir.Ifyou’dcomein...”

Idid,andinlessthanafewmoments,therotundmasterportraituristappeared.Helookedatme,thennodded.“Imighthaveguessed.Whatsortofimagerbusinessisthis?”

“I’mpartofagrouptryingtotrackdownassassinswhohavekilledseveraljuniorimagers,MasterEstafen.Iwasfortunateenoughtosurvivetheattackonme,and

theCollegiumthoughtImightbeofuseinlookingintothis,especiallysincetheguildappearstobeinvolved,atleastindirectly.”

“Theguild?Involved?Howcouldthatbe?Ifitis,shouldn’tyoubetalkingtoMasterReayalt?”

“Theguildmasterisnext,butyouwerecloser.ThereasonIcameisthatlast

weekendItalkedtoEmanusbecauseithadbeenbroughttomyattentionthathemighthaveknowledgethatmightbehelpful.Thenextdayhewasdead,buthedidprovidesomeinterestinginsights.”

“Interestingdoesnotmeanaccurate,ImagerRhennthyl.Nonetheless,howmightIhelptheCollegium?”Hiswordsweresmoothandassured.

“HasanyoneaskedyouaboutmesinceIbecameanimager?”

“Whywouldthey?”

Iofferedasmile.“That’swhatwe’retryingtodiscover.Severalmembersoftheguildwereapproachedandobservedbyonemanwhofitthedescriptionofoneoftheassassins.It’spossiblethatotherswereapproached,and

sinceIdohavesomeknowledgeoftheguildIwasaskedtofollowuponit.”

Estafennodded,andIhadthesensehewasnotquitesotense.“Icanassureyouthatnoone,exceptMasterReayalt,hasevensomuchasmentionedyournametome.”

“Doyouhaveanyideawhysomeonewhohasbeenassassinatingjuniorimagers

wouldbeinterestedinEmanus?”

“Ihavenoidea.Emanusmadeafewenemies,butthoseIknowofarelongdead,andevenweretheyalive,theywouldnothaveassociated,evenindirectly,withcommonkillers.”

Iaskedquestionsforalmostaquarterglass...andlearnednothingmore.Again,

Itookmyleave,feelingIhadlearnedlittle,andreturnedtotheCollegiumcoach.

BythetimeIleftthecoachatGuildmasterReayalt’sdwelling,onthesouthendoftheMartradonarea,threeblockssouthoftheMidroad,thesunwasjustabovetherooftopsandcastingalongreddishlightacrossL’Excelsis.

Reayalthimselfopenedthedoor,buthewasclearlysurprisedtoseeme.“Oh...ImagerRhennthyl,itisImager,isn’tit?IwasexpectingMasterSchorzat.”

“I’mcertainhe’llbehereshortly.I’mhereonadifferentmatter,anditshouldn’ttakeverylong.”Ipaused.“Bytheway,Ididn’tthankyouforsendingthestudyIdidtomyparents.

Thatwasamostkindandthoughtfulthingtodo,andboththeyandIappreciatedit.”

“FromwhatIknowofimagertraining,itwasnotlikelythatyouwouldhavebeenabletorecoverthepainting,anditisquitegood.Oh...pleasecomein.Ifyouwouldn’tmind,wecouldjusttalkinthefoyerhere.”

“Thatwouldbefine.”Withoutmuchpreamble,Ilaunchedintomyexplanationofmytask,butnotmentioningEmanus,endingwiththesamequestionI’dusedbefore.“Hasanyonemadeanyinquiriesaboutme?”

“No.Thatis,nooneoutsidetheguild.Elphensdidaskaboutyouafewdaysago,becausehethoughtthe

workmenbuildinghisnewdwellingandstudiohadseenyouthere.Therehadbeenanimagerthere,hesaid.”

“Iwasthere.Ihadn’trealizedthatMadameCaliostrushadleftL’Excelsis,andIwantedtoaskhermuchthesamequestionasIjustaskedyou.”

“Ah...thatexplainsmuch.”

“There’sanotheraspecttothisthatmayinvolvetheguild,ifindirectly.”

Hestiffenedeversoslightly.

“Emanus...orGrisarius...”Iwentontooffermyincompletestoryabouttheoldartist.

“Ihadnotheardthat,”offeredReayalt.“Itisregrettable,butperhaps

understandable.”

“Whymightthatbe?”

“Emanusalwaysdidtaketoogreataninterestinmatterspolitical,andevensomedealingwithintrigue,butIthoughthehadlearnedhislesson.”

“I’dheardthattherewasmoretohisremovalasguildmasterthanjustsellingarepresentationalpainting.”

“Mostdefinitely.Thatwasjustaconvenient,iftrue,reasontocoverupanindiscretionsothattheguildwouldnotbetarnishedbyuntowardgossip.”

“Doyouthinkhisdeathmightberelatedtothose...indiscretions?”

MasterReayaltshookhishead.“Icannotsaythatitisnotpossible,butitwouldbe

highlyunlikely.Mostofthoseinvolvedarenowdead.”

“TheHighHolder...?”

Helookedatmesharply.“Itmightnolongermatter,butIstillseenoreasontogointothat.”

“Youdon’tthinkitcouldinvolvehisdaughter,then?”

“Mostcertainlynot.Shemaynot...beallthather

peerswouldlike,butsheiswellaboveanyreproachorscandal,unlikehermother.How...”Heshookhishead.

“Ifthatisso,itpuzzlesmeastohowEmanusmightknowaboutassassins,andwhyanyonenowmightwishtokillhim,”Ioffered.

“Itdoesn’tpuzzleme,”repliedtheguildmaster.“Emanuswastrulybrilliant,

aswellasthefinestportraituristofhistime.Hewatchedeverything,andcoulddeducewhatpeoplemightbedoingorhavedonefromthesmallestofintimations.Yetforallthatbrilliance,henevertrulyunderstoodhowdangerousthatknowledgewastohimself,andtotheguild.”

“Thatwaswhyhewasremoved?”

“Essentially.”

Iaskedafewmorequestions,therepliestowhichofferednothingnew,andinclinedmyhead.“Thankyou.You’vebeenmostkind.IfyouorothersdohearofthekindofinquiriesI’vementioned,Iwouldappreciateknowingofthem.TheCollegiumdoesnotliketoloseyoungimagers,especiallywhenmosthave

stillbeenintraining.”

“Icanseethat,ImagerRhennthyl.”

Hisglancetowardthedoorremindedmethathewasexpectingcompany,andfurtherinquirieswouldintrudeondinner.SoItookmyleaveandmademywaybacktothecoach,askingthedrivertoreturntotheCollegium,butbythelower

partoftheBoulevardD’Imagers.

Sittinginthecoach,IconsideredwhatI’dlearned.SomeonehadbeenlookingformewellbeforeI’dbeenshot.ItwaslikelythattheFerranhadhiredthefirstassassinandbothwereworkingforsomeoneelse.BasedonwhatMasterReayalthadletslip,IwasconvincedthatEmanus’s

daughter’smotherhadindeedbeenaHighHolder,andthatthescandalhadbeenhushedup.WhatthathadtodowiththekillingsofjuniorimagersIhadnoidea.Ihadn’ttalkedtoDolemisorAurelean,butI’dneverspentthatmuchtimewiththem,andAureleanwassowrappedupinAureleanthathewouldn’thavebeenabletotellanyoneverymuchaboutanyoneelse,

andhewouldn’thaverememberedwhathe’dsaid—unlessitboreonhisfuture.

IstudiedthesidewalksasthecoachnearedtheBridgeofHopes,butIdidn’tseeanyonelookingevenvaguelyliketheFerran.Butthen,ifhewerethere,hewouldn’tbelookingasI’dseenhim.MasterDichartynwasn’tinhisstudy,andIhurriedtothedininghall,arrivingverylate,

whenmostwerelingeringoverdessert.ButIdidsitwithDartaznandMenyard,andwediscussedthestateoftheworld,aboutwhichwe’dheardnothingnew.Sincewehadn’t,Isupposedthatwarhadnotyetbrokenout.

Afterward,Iagainstoppedbytheadministrationbuilding,butnoonewasthere.

Numberscanmislead,

butlesssoifoneunderstandswhatliesbehindthem.

OnMardimorning,itwasastruggletogetupintimetostaggerofftoClovyl’sexercisegroup,butIreachedtheexerciseroomsjustafterthesun’sfirstraysangled

overtheeastsideofthequadrangleandjustbeforeMasterDichartyn.

“Rhenn!”hecalledfrombehindme.

“Yes,sir?”Istoppedandwaited.

“MeetmeinmystudybeforeyoutakethecoachtotheChateau.”

“Yes,sir.”

Thatchangeinschedulerequiredmorerushing,andaveryhurriedshowerandbreakfastsothatIcouldgettoMasterDichartynandstillhavetimetomakethedutycoach.Howhemanagedit,Ididn’tknow,becausehewaswaitingbehindhiswritingdesk,lookingcalmandunrushed,neitherofwhichIfelt.

“Whatdidyoudiscover,if

anything,lastnight?”

“SomeonewaslookingtofindmeasearlyasaroundtheendofAvryl.Thereweretwomen.TheymatchedthegeneraldescriptionoftheFerranandthemanwhoshotme...”ItoldhimwhatI’ddiscovered,andmysuspicionsaboutMasterEstafenandGrisarius.“Oh...IalsotalkedtoGuildmasterReayalt.Hesaidnoonehad

askedaboutme...buthewasexpectingMasterSchorzatfordinner.”

“That’snotsurprising.They’recousins.”

“Idon’tmeantobeforward,sir,butReayaltbecameguildmasterandhadsomethingtodowithEmanusbeingforcedtostepdown—”

“MasterSchorzatisawareofthatandhasconfirmed

certaincircumstanceswithhiscousin.Forthemoment,thatisallyouneedtoknow.”

“Yes,sir.”IwasalreadygettingalittlemorethantiredwithMasterDichartyn’ssecrecy.Sofar,ithadn’tdoneallthatmuchtoprotectme,andIcertainlyhadn’tdoneanythingtojeopardizetheCollegium.“ShouldImakemoreinquiriesorwaitafewdays?”

“Doyouthinkthatyou’lllearnthatmuchmorefromtheothersyoucouldeasilytalkto?”

“Idon’tthinkso,sir.”

“ThenI’dsuggestyouwait.We’vetracedMadameCaliostrustoCleville—that’sasmalltownnearRivages.We’rewaitingonareport.”Hepaused,thensaid,“You’dbettercatchthedutycoach.”

“Yes,sir.”Irose,inclinedmyhead,andhurriedoffinmymessenger/guarduniform.

TheonlyinterestingeventofthemorningwaswhenapurportedstonecutteronhiswaytoseeCouncilorAlucion“tripped”androlleddownthegrandstaircase.ThedutycoachcartedhimbacktotheCollegiumtorecover.Ididn’tgettoaskaboutthatuntillunch,whenBaratynsent

Martylandmedowntothekitchen,wherewesatinthesmallalcoveandwithplattersofcreamedriceandfowl.

“Howdidyouknowhewasn’tastonecutter?”Itookamouthfulofthericeandfowl,bland,butprobablyfilling,tryingtoignorehowhotthekitchenareawas.

“Thelittlethings.Hetriednottosaymuch,buthewas

toowellspoken.Hishandsweretoopaleandtoosoft,andheworesoft-leatherbootsthatwerealmostnew.”

“Hetriedsomethingbeforeyouevenreachedthecouncilor?”

“Hehadapistolhiddeninhisjacket.Iwaiteduntilwewereonthestairsandsuggestedthatheshouldn’ttakeitintoseethecouncilor.

Hetriedtouseitonmeandlosthisbalance.”

Ididn’tpressonthat.“Whodoyouthinkhewas?”

“Jariolan,ifIhadtoguess.TheFerransusuallydon’tattackcouncilorsintheChateau,andtheCaenenansareusuallydarker.Besides,theirnewHighPriestissendinganenvoytoworkoutatradeagreement.That’s

whatIoverheardHighCouncilorSuyrientellingGlendyl.”

“TheirmerchantersareallbottledupinCaena,andthey’velosttheirHighPriest,andwe’retalkingaboutatradeagreement?”

Martyllaughed.“It’sbetterthancallingitasurrenderagreement,isn’tit?They’llprobablyhavetolowertariffs

onourgoodsandpaydamages.TheCouncilcaresmoreaboutgoldsandresults,notwhatthey’recalled.”

Mymouthwasfull,andInodded,thentookasipofthegrisiothathadcomewiththemeal.Thewinewasthebestpart.

“DidyouhearaboutSelastyr?”askedMartyl.

“Ishethetallblondthird

whoworkswithMenyard?”

“Worked.HehadagirlwholivedwithheroldersisterandherhusbandneartheSudBridge.Hewenttoseeherlastnight.Whenhegotoutofthehack,someoneshothim.Hediedrightthere.”

“Noshields...then.”

Martylshookhishead.“Mostoftheimagerswhodo

equipmentworkanddesigncandodetailimaging,buttheydon’tmanageshieldswell.And...Reynol,hemaybeanexpertwithledgers,buthewouldn’tknowashieldifheranintoit.”

“Arefieldimagersandsecurityimagerstheonlyoneswhocanhandleshields?”

“We’renottheonlyones,

butwe’remostoftheoneswhocan.”

AlthoughI’dsuspectedtheanswerbeforeI’daskedthequestion,Iwasgladfortheconfirmation.“Itseemstomethatwe’velostalotofjuniorimagersthisyear.”

Martylnodded,thenswallowed,andtookasipofwinebeforereplying.“That’swhatBaratynsaid.Usually,

mostoftheoneswhodiegetkilledbytheirownmistakes,andthat’smaybethreeorfourinawholeyear.”

IfI’dcountedright,fourhadbeenshotsinceI’dbeenattheCollegium,fiveifIcountedtheattemptsonme.Butthen,Iwonderedaboutthosekilledby“mistakes.”I’dseenthreeofthoseinhalfayear,andthoseweretheonesIknewabout.Themore

Isaw,themoreIrealizedwhatIwasn’tseeing.“We’vehadsomethingliketwoorthreeattemptedattackshereeveryweek.Isthatusual?”

“That’saboutright.”

Twoorthreeaweek—andtheCouncilwasinsession,onandoff,forthirtyweeksoutoffiftyThatwasbetweensixtyandninetyattemptedassassinationsofcouncilorsa

year.WasSolidarthathated?

“You’dthinkthatthey’dlearn,butitkeepshappening.”Martylshookhishead.“Someofthemarelocal,too.TheythinktherearetoomanyHighHoldersontheCouncilortoofewguildrepresentatives,orlikethatMadameD’Shendael,theythinkthatthereoughttobecouncilorselecteddirectlybythepeople.Canyou

imaginewherethatwouldlead?”

Icould.

WhenwefinishedeatingwehadtohurrybackuptothemainleveltorelieveBaratynandDartazn.

Donotconcentrateonsums

whennothingaddsup.

Fortherestoftheweek,littleornothingbeyondtheroutineoccurredattheCouncilChateau.Thatdidgivemeachancetopracticemoreinthewayofobservationskills.IdidnotethatBaratynflicked

hiseyesupforjustamomentbeforehegavedirections.

NordidIhearanythingfromMasterDichartyn.Infact,atthemorningexercisesessions,hescarcelyevenlookedinmydirection.Intherunning,hewasjustslightlyslowerthanIwas,butoverthreemilles,itgenerallymeantIfinishedagoodfiftyyardsaheadofhim.

Then,justbeforeIlefttheChateauonVendrei,lookingforwardtoapleasantweekend,especiallyonSamedi,Baratynhandedmeamessage.

“It’sfromMasterDichartyn.”

Iopenedtheenvelopeandreadtheshortmessage.

Inmystudyatfifthglass.

Underthesinglelinewasaspare“D.”

IhadjustenoughtimetogetbacktotheCollegiumandchangeintomygraysandgetacrossthequadrangletotheadministrationbuildingbeforethebellsintheanomentowertothesouthbeganto

strike.

MasterDichartynwasstandingbytheopenwindowofhisstudyandmotionedformetoenter.Ididclosethedoor,butIdidn’tsitdownbecausehedidn’t.

“WefinallyhavethatreportonMadameCaliostrus.”MasterDichartynlookedbothsternandwearyatthesametime.“Sheand

hersonMarcylwerekilledbackinearlyAvryl.Shewasstayingwithhersister.ThesisterandCaliostrus’sdaughtershadgonetomarket,andthehusbandwasatworkontheriver.Theboyandhismotherhadtheirthroatscut.Therewasn’tmuchofastruggle.”

“Thelal?”

MasterDichartyn’ssmile

couldhavebeenashrug.“Mostofthegoldsweremissingfromthestrongbox.”

“Shedidn’tbelieveinbanks.ThatwasasorepointbetweenherandMasterCaliostrus.”

“TheotherthingisthatItalkedtotheCivicPatrolagain.”Heshookhishead.“Someofthewallstonesaroundoneofthewindowsin

Caliostrus’sstudiowereblownout.”

“Paraffinandwaxeswon’tdothat.”

“No,andthatsuggestssomesortofexplosivewasinvolved.Thelalwasanironwaylaborerforatime.Hewasdismissedforsmallthefts.”

Allthatmadeasortofsense.IfThelalhadplanted—

orevenjusthidden—theexplosivesinthestudio,waitingfortherighttime,I’dinadvertentlycommittedhismurderforhim.“But...whywouldhehideexplosivesinthestudio?”

“Whereelsecouldheputthem?Mostnights,hedidn’tknowwherehe’dbesleeping.”

“ThenyouthinkthatThelal

doesn’thaveanythingtodowithmyshooting?”

MasterDichartynfrowned.“Thepatrollersdon’tthinkso,butIdon’tlikecoincidences.Everymaleinthathouseholdiseitherdead,ornearlyso,inyourcase.Thesurvivingdaughtersaremorethanahundredmillesaway.Areyoucertainthatyoudidn’tseesomething?”

“Onceortwice,IoverheardMadameCaliostrusmentionthingslike‘yourworthlessbrother.’Shedidn’tlikehimaroundatall,butIonlysawhimonceortwiceayear,I’dguess.”

“Heknewyouwerethere,then.”

“Hehadto.Iwastheremorethantenyears.”

“Pleasethinkaboutit,if

youwill...andtrytobemoreobservant.Ifyouhadbeenwhenyouwereaportraiturist...”Heshookhishead.

Icouldn’tchangethepast.“Isthereanythingelse,sir?”

“Shouldtherebe?”

Ifeltthatthereshouldbe,butwhat,Icouldn’thavesaid.“NotthatIknow,sir.”

“Rhennthyl...nevermind.Youcango.”Hepaused.“I’llbegoneforafewdays.”

Ileft.MasterDichartynwasclearlyworriedaboutmorethanwhohadbeenshootingatme,becausethecirclesunderhiseyesweredeepanddark,buthedidn’twanttosay.Ordidn’tdare.

WasthatpartofwhatIhadtolookforwardtoasa

counterspyimager?Icouldn’tsayIwasacounterspyyet.IwasjustahiddensecurityguardfortheCouncil,but,ifIeverwantedtobemore,wouldIhavetokeepmoreandmoresecrets?

IdecidedtogolookforDartaznorReynol.MartylwasgoingoffImagisleforadinnerwithrelatives,andMenyardhadmentionedatbreakfastthathewasleaving

fortheweekend.Hedidn’thavetodealwithClovyl’sexercisesandrunsonSamedimorning.

Whenyoufinally’thinkyou

understandthingsismostlikelywhenyoudon’t.

OnSamedimorning,Clovyl’sexercisegroupwasmarkedlysmaller.Outofthetenorsowhoappearedregularly,theonlyonesIknewpersonally—orevenbyname—were

Martyl,Dartazn,Baratyn,andMasterDichartyn.Theothersixrangedinagefromtheirlatetwentiestotwentyyearsbeyondthat,butallwerewell-muscledandtrim,andseveraloftheoldermenranfasterthanIdid,althoughnoonecameclosetoDartazn.Thatmorning,whileIknewMasterDichartynwouldnotbethere,neitherwasBaratyn,norweretwoothers.Given

theirabsences,andthecirclesunderMasterDichartyn’seyes,asIstruggledtokeepupclosetoDartaznintherunthatendedthemorningworkout,Icouldn’thelpbutwonderwhattheymightbedoing.

Afterrecoveringfromtherunonmywalkbacktothequarters,Itookacoolbutthoroughshowerandshaved.ThenIdressedandheaded

acrossthequadrangletothedininghall,whereImetMartyl.Dartaznjoinedusaswesatdownatthelongtable.Ipouredafullmugofteaandwaitedfortheplattersofsausageandfriedflatcakestoreachus.

“MasterDichartynandalltheseniorsweregone.Didhesayanythingtoyouyesterday?”askedMartyl.

Dartaznlaughed.“Henevertellsanyoneanythingtheydon’thavetoknow.Notme,notyou,notRhenn.”

“Heonlytoldmehe’dbegoneforafewdays,afterpointedlyremindingmethatIshouldhavebeenmoreobservantbackwhenIwasaportraituristanddidn’tknowIneededtoremembereveryconversationwithintenyards.”Mywordscameout

edgedwithvinegar.

Theybothlaughed.

“It’sonethingtotellmethataboutwhatIdonow...”Istoppedandjustshookmyhead.

“He’sdonethattoallofus,”Martylsaid.

“Something’safoot.”Dartaznpausedtotakeahealthyhelpingofsausages.

Noneofusspokeforatime,perhapsbecauseweenjoyedthesweetberrysyrupontheflatcakesandbecausewewerehungryafterhavingbeenupandactiveforseveralglasses.

“Whatdoyouthinkishappening?”Ifinallyasked.“YoutwohavebeenimagerslongerthanIhave.”

“Mostotherlandsknow

thatstartingawarwithSolidarisn’tthebestidea,”saidDartaznslowly,“buttheirrulersoftenfacepressurestodosomething.Thatcanleadtoattemptsatassassinations,sabotage,thatsortofthing.”

“ThatsoundslikeMasterDichartynhasgottenwindofsomething.”

“Itcouldbe...oritcould

bethatthey’realloffmeetingtogooverwhatmighthappen.”

Wetalkedforatime,speculatingtonorealresult,andbeforelong,Martylrose.“I’mtomeetmyuncleattheironwaystation,andI’dbetterbethere.He’sneverbeentoL’Excelsis.”

Weallwalkedoutofthedininghalltogether,butthen

IhadtohurryouttomystudiotoworkontheportraitofMasterPoincaryt—excepthedidn’tcome.Instead,Beleartarrivedjustaftereighthglasshadchimed.

“MasterPoincarytwon’tbeabletomakethesittingtoday,sir.HewillbeherenextSamedi.”

AfterBeleartdeparted,Iheadedbacktomyown

quarters,Oncethere,Isatdownatmydeskandthoughtaboutthedayahead.AlthoughIwouldbehavingdinnerwithSelioraandherfamily,Ineededtotalktoafewmorepeople—perhapsevenElphensandAurelean.Itcouldn’thurttoseeifFatherorKhethilahadanyideasorsuggestions,orifeitherhadseenanything.

Idecidedtostartwith

FatheratthefactorageandwalkedfrommyquartersovertheBridgeofDesirestoWestRiverRoad.Thatwasactuallyclosertomyquarters,buthadIbeentakingahackdirectlytomyparents’house,itwouldhavebeenmorecostly,notthatIlackedcoins.Infact,IhadmorefundsthanI’dhadinyears,andI’dactuallyusedthetinyone-roombranchoftheBanque

D’Excelsisinanookoffthedininghall—justanunmarkeddoorbehindwhichwasasingletellercage—toopenanaccount.EvenwithwhatI’dspentonhacksandfoodoverthesummerandearlyharvest,Ihadslightlymorethanfivegoldsputby.UnlikepoorMadameCaliostrus,Ifeltbetternothavingtoworryaboutastrongbox.Ialsohadno

doubtsabouttheBanque;itwasn’tabouttoshorttheCollegium.

AsIsteppedontothebridge,Iwasholdingfullshields.Thatmadeawarmmorningevenwarmer,butIcouldseecloudstothenorthandwest.Thatcouldheraldacoolerafternoon,oronejustashot—andsteamy.JustoffWestRiverRoad,Ihailedahack.

“AlusineWool—southonWestRiver,ahalfmillepasttheSudBridge,onthewestside.”

“Yes,sir.Wecandothat.”

WhenIleftthehackinfrontofthefactorage,Itookamomenttostudyit.Thebuildingwasstillthesameoldyellow-brickstructurethatstretchedagoodseventyyardsalongWestRiverRoad.

Theloadingdockswereoutofsightintherear,andthecoveredentrywascenteredonthemiddleofthebuilding.AsIclimbedthethreestepstothedoubleoakdoors,Inotedthattheyhadbeensandedcleanandthenrevarnished,andthedarkgreencasementtrimrepainted.

Inside,itwasdarker,andcooler,andItookseveral

stepsfartherintotheopenareabeforetheracksthatheldtheswathesofvariouswools.Toonesidewasanothersetofrackswiththelighterfabrics—muslin,cotton,linen.Despitethenameofthefactorage,Fatherhadalwayscarriedawiderangeoffabrics,colors,andpatterns.

“MasterRhennthyl...we’dnotexpectyouhere.”Thebaldingmanwhostepped

forwardwasEilthyr,whowasnowinchargeoftheday-to-dayworkonthefloor.

“IthoughtI’ddropby.”Myeyesflickedtotheraisedplatformattheback,fromwhereFathercouldsitathisdeskandsurveyeverything,notthathesattheremuchiftherewerepotentialcustomers.

Khethilawasatthedesk—

lookingatme.Ihadaveryunsettledfeelingaboutthat.

“Yes,sir...yourfather...”

“MistressKhethilacanhelpme,I’mmostcertain.But...thankyou.”

“Yes,sir.”

AsIskirtedthesampleracks,Icouldheartheexchangebetweenthe

warehouseman,whohadappearedfromsomewhere,andEilthyr.

“Theimager...?”

“That’sthefactor’seldest...usedtobeanartist.”

“...looksmorelikeacommando...wouldn’twanttocrosshim...”

“...takesaftertheoldman,thatway...”

Ihadtosmileatthethoughtofmytakingaftermyfather.

KhethilawasstandingbythetimeIwalkedupthelowstepstothedesk.“Rhenn...Ididn’texpecttoseeyouhere.”

“I’dactuallywantedtoaskbothyouandFatheraboutsomethings,butIhavethefeelinghe’snotanywhere

around.”

“NeitherMothernorFatherare.MothertooktheironwaytoseeAuntIlena,andFatherwentbacktoKherseilles.”

“Rouselmadeamessoftheaccounting,didn’the?”

Khethilalookedatme,hereyestoobright.“It’sawful.Heborrowedagainsthisinventory,andwhentheshipmentsfromtheAbierto

Islestooklongertoarrive,theinterestwashigher,andheborrowedmore...”

“Fatherwon’tloseeverything,willhe?”Thatwasmygreatestfear.

Sheshookherhead.“No,butitcouldcostclosetotwohundredgoldcrowns.”

“Twohundred?”

“That’sifeverythinggoes

wrong.FatherandIworkedoutawaytoamortizethedebtagainstthebuildingtherethatwilllowertheinterestonwhatRouselowes.”

“You’rerunningthingshere,aren’tyou?”

“Mostly.”Shegrinned.“Father’ssurprised.IdohavetobeverycarefulandalwayssaythatI’vecheckedwith

him,andIdowhenhe’shere.”Afterapause,sheasked,“Whatdidyouwanttoknow?”

“I’dappreciateitifyoudidn’ttellanyoneoutsidethefamily,butpeoplehavebeenshootingatme,andIhadtowonderifyou’venoticedanyonelurkingaroundthehouseorcominginhereandaskingaboutme.”

“Youtoldmeyou’dbeenshot.Ididn’ttellMother,youknow?”Shepaused.“Yousaidshooting.Hassomeoneelse...?”

“Someonehasbeenfollowingme,andtheydidshootatmeagain,”Iadmitted.“I’mfine.Theydidn’tcomeclosetohittingme.”Inaway,thatwasdeceptive,butIdidn’tfeelIcouldexplain.“Master

DichartynthoughtIshouldaskeveryoneIknew,andmyfamily,ifthey’dseenanythingstrange.”

Khethilashookherhead.“Ihaven’tseenanythinglikethat,butIwillkeepaneyeout,justincase.”Sheglancedpastme,towardanoldermanwhohadenteredandwaswalkingtowardEilthyr.“You’resureyou’reallright?”

“I’mfine.”Iglanceddownatthebookonthecornerofthedesk.Itdidn’tlookfamiliar.“What’sthat?”

Sheflushed.“It’smyguide...sortof.MadameD’ShendaelwroteavolumeonthebasicsofcommerceandfinanceforthewivesofHighHoldersandfactors.Shesaiditwasatreatiseforwomenwholosttheirhusbandsthroughillnessand

accident,tohelpthemunderstandmatterssothattheywerenothelpless.”

“It’smuchmorethanthat,isn’tit?”

Thatbroughtagrin.

“Howdidyoufindit?”

“IfinishedherPoeticDiscourseandherCivicVirtue,andIwenttothebookshopnearthesquare.

TheonlybookofhersIcouldfindwasthisone.”Shehelditup.ThenameonthespinewasAWidow’sGuide.“Ialmostputitdown,butsincetherewasn’tanythingelsethere,Istartedtoread.Ialmostburstoutlaughing,rightinthebookshop,bythethirdpage.TherearethingsintherethatFathernevereventhoughtof,butIdidn’ttellhimwhereIgotthem.”

“Howmanybookshasshewritten?”

“Notthatmany.There’soneotherone,andIorderedit,butIdon’trememberthetitle.It’sabouttheroleofwomeninfosteringculture,Ithink.”

“She’squitethewriter.”

“Sheis,andshewriteswell.”

“Iknow.You’vequotedheratmeafewtimes.”

“She’sworthquoting.”

Ijustsmiled.“Howlongwillyoubeinchargehere?”

“Fatherhopestobebackbynextweekend.IgavehimasetofguidelinesforRousel.Itoldhimtotellourdearbrotherthattheycamefromanoldtreatiseoncommerce.”

“Buttheycamefromthat?”IgesturedtowardAWidow’sGuide.

Shenodded.“Canyoujoinmefordinner?”

Ishookmyhead.“Ihaveanengagement.”

“Whoisshe?”

“Someone...”Igrinned.

“Rhenn!”

“Ifitturnsintosomethingreallyserious,you’llbethefirsttoknow.Cometothinkofit,youarethefirsttoknowthatthereisasomeone.”

“She’spartPharsianddark-haired,isn’tshe?”

“Whydoyousaythat?”

“You’veneverlookedatanyotherkind.”

“Yes...andthat’sallI’ll

say.”

Shegrinnedoncemore.“Andshe’saspooras...asabookkeepingclerk?”

“Iansweryourquestions,andyou’llfigureitout.Besides,Ihavetotalktoafewotherpeople,hopefullybeforetheystartshootingatmeagain.”

Hergrinvanished.“Youwillbecareful?Promise?”

“Iwill.”

Shegavemeanembrace,andIheadedforthedoor.

Outside,Ionlyhadtowaitabittohailahack,andbeforelongwewereheadednorthontheWestRiverRoad,thenovertheNordBridgeandeastontheBoulevardD’Este.

WhenIfinallyreachedMasterKocteault’sstudioand

knockedonthedoor,Aureleanwastheonetoopenit.Hiseyeswidened.“Rhenn?You’reanimager?Ihadheardsomethingofthat.Idosupposethatisnaturalforonewithartisticpretensions...Imeanabilities.”

“That’strue.Youalwayshavebeenoutstandingatdeterminingpretensions...Imeanabilities,Aurelean.Butenoughofthetrivial.I’mhere

onimagerbusiness.MightIcomein?”

“Oh,ofcourse.Imagerbusiness,howdroll.”Hesteppedbackandletmeenterandclosethedoor.“WhatcanIdoforyou?MasterKocteaultisnothere.”

Washeeverthere?“You’retheoneIcametosee,andit’srathersimple.Hasanyoneaskedyouaboutme,orwhere

Imightbefound?Orforthatmatter,haveanystrangersshowedupatthehallwhohaveaskedquestions...anytimethatyoucanrecallsincelastspring?”

“Thatsoundsmorepersonalthanimager.”

“It’snot.Severalimagershavebeenshotat.I’monlyoneofthem,andotherimagersaretrackingdown

theothers,buttheCollegiumthoughtImightknowbestwhomtotalktoamongtheartists.”

“Shootingatimagers,”musedAurelean,thesuperciliousnessgoneforamoment,“that’snotgood.”Hefrowned.“Idon’trememberwhenitwas,exceptitwasacoldSamediinspring,Ithink.Ididseetwopeopletalkingtooneof

theapprentices—itmighthavebeentheonewhodrownedlastmonth,nowthatIthinkofit.Iremembereditbecauseoneofthemhadthesquare-cutbeardthatalltheposeurswhothinktheymightbeartistsusedtoaffect.”

“Thatwastheonlytimeyousawanythinglikethat?”

“Nameless,no.I’msuretherewereotherstrange

things.Therearealwaysstrangeoccurrencesifoneonlylooks,butthatisthesoleoccasionthatIcanrecall.”

Inodded.“Thankyou.Ifyoudoseeanything,orrecallanything,youcoulddropmeanoteattheCollegium.”

“Icould,Isuppose.”

Ismiled.“Bytheway,evenifyoudidittoflatterMasterKocteault,itwasaverygood

portraitofhisdaughter.”

Heactuallyflushed.“Why,thankyou.”

AfterIleftAurelean,IfoundanotherhackandhadhimdropmeoffatElphens’snewdwellingandstudio.Noonewasthere,althoughitwasclearhehadmovedin.IwishedthatI’dhadthehackwait,becauseIhadtowalktotheendofBakers’Laneand

waitmorethanaquarterglasstofindanothertotakemedowntothesquare.Bythenitwaswellpastnoon,andIwasmorethanalittlewarm.

IslippedintoLapinina,butIdidn’tseenanyoneIknew,notsurprisingly,becausemostartistswouldnothavebeentherethatearly.Itookthesmallerofthetwovacanttables.

Staelaapproached.“Sir?”

Ilookedupather.“WhetherI’manimagerornot,Staela,I’mstillRhenn.Whatdoyouhavethat’scooltodrinkandlighttoeat?”

Shewassilentforjustamoment.“There’saKienynwhitewebroughtupfromthecellar,andthechoppedfowlsaladisgood.”

“I’llhaveboth.”

“Yes,sir.”SheslippedawaybeforeIcouldsayanything...orevensigh.

Withinmomentsshereturnedwithatallflutedglassofaslightlybubblyamberishwine.“TheKienyn.That’sthree.”

Iputasilveronthetable.“Forthewineandthesalad.”

Shescoopedthecoinupandlefttwocoppersbefore

nearlyfleeing.

IsippedtheKienynandlistened.Noonewastalking.Theonlysoundforthatmomentwasthebuzzofaflythatcircledsomewhereabovemyhead.Icontinuedtosipandwait.Still,noonesaidanything.

OnlywhenStaelareappearedwiththegreensandchoppedfowlandIbegan

toeatdidafewwordsbegantoflowaroundthesmallbistro.

“...behotlikethisforanothertwoweeks...”

“Morelikethree...”

“...thinkthisishot...oughtbeinCaena...”

“...theirHighPriest...changedhismindoncetheNavyblockadedhisports..

.”

“...differentHighPriest...”

‘They’reallthesame...”

“...knowtheimager?”

“...mightbetheonewhowasanartist...”

“...tootall...toomuchmuscleforanartist...”

AsStaelatriedtoslipby,I

motioned.“TheKienynisgood.Haveyoualwayshadit?”

“No...justthissummer.Wouldyoulikeanother?”

“Inamoment.”Igesturedtothechair.“Pleasesitdown.Idohaveafewquestionstoaskyou,andthey’reonbehalfoftheCollegium.Imagerbusiness.Nothingsecret.”

Shedidseatherself,ifwithanairofresignation.

“Idon’tknowifyou’veheardthis,butsomeonehasbeenshootingatimagers,oftenyoungones,orthoseintraining.Iwasoneofthem.WhattheCollegiumwouldliketoknowiswhetheryouevernoticedanyonewhoseemedtobefollowingme,orwhoaskedaboutme,ortalkedaboutimagers.”

“Sir...Itrynottopayattentiontowhatpeoplesay.Idon’tknowasIrecallanythinglikethat.”

Inodded.“Icanseethat.Doyourememberamaninasquarebeard—youknow,thekindthatyouseeinalltheoldpaintingsofartists,butthekindnoartisthastoday?”

Therewasonlyamomentaryfrownbefore

Staelareplied.“Therewasonefellow.Someofthejourneymenpointedhimoutwhenheleft.Theylaughedandsaidhewasawould-beartist.That’swhyIremember.HeusedtocomehereonVendreinightsandSamediafternoons,maybeforamonththisspring.Hedidn’tsaymuch.Hejustlistenedtotheothers.Hewashereforawhile,thennevershowedup

again.”

“Didanyoneevercomewithhim?”

“Therewasanotherfellowonceinawhile.Heworeayellowvestonetime.Ionlynoticedbecausehepaidfortheotherone’swinewithgolds.Hedidn’tseemtohaveasilvertohisname.Justgolds.”Shelookedatmedirectlyforthefirsttime.

“That’sall.Honest.That’sallIremember.”

“Thankyou.IwouldlikeanotherKienyn.”

“Comingup.”

Staelawasn’tquitesostiffafterthat,butIcouldtellthatshestillwantedmetoleave.WhileIdidn’tgulpdownthesecondglass,Ialsodidn’tlingerovereverylastdrop,butIdidleaveherahalf

silvertip.

TheonlyotherplaceI’devervisitedevenhalfwayfrequentlywasRozini’s,onthefarsideofthesquare.Iwanderedoverthere,andaskedseveraloftheservers,butnoonerememberedmeoranyoneaskingaboutme.Afterthat,Istillhadtimetokill,andIdidn’treallyfeellikegoingbacktotheCollegium.SowhenIsawthe

bookstoresign,Iwanderedinside.

Asoft-lookingyoungmanwiththickspectaclesappearedalmostimmediately,emergingfrombehindacarrelofbooks.“MightIhelpyou?”

“Iwasjustlooking.”

“Wedon’tseemanyimagershere,sir.”

Ismiled.“I’msureyoudon’t,butI’dwageryouseemysistereverysooften.”

“Yoursister?”Whilepolite,histonesuggestedtheimpossibilityofanimagerhavingsisters.

“KhethilaD’Chenkyr.Tallishyoungwoman,huskyvoice,likesbooksbyMadameD’Shendael.”

“She’sverywellread.”

Again,thetonewascondescending,suggestingthat,whetherwewererelatedornot,noimagercouldpossiblybewellread.

“Sheisindeed,andI’mcertainshegotthehabitfromallthatIreadherwhenshewasyounger.”Ismiledpolitelyandturnedaway.

Beforelong,IdidfindtheshelfthatcarriedMadame

D’Shendael.TherewerecopiesofbothPoeticDiscourseandCivicVirtue,butneitherAWidow’sGuide,northeotherbookwereontheshelves.BecauseI’dheardenoughofKhethila’squotesfromtheDiscourse,IpickedupCivicVirtue.Rightbehindthefrontispiecewasanetchingofawoman,andthescriptedtypefacebelowreadMadameJuniae

D’Shendael.Therewassomethingabouttheetching,andIstudiedit,wonderingwhetherithadbeendonebyEstafen,butthesignatureinthecornerwasthatofTeibyn,whowasknowntobebetteratetchingportraitsthanatpaintingthem.

Iflippedthepageandcameacrossthededication:

Tomymother,forreasonsmorethanenough.

Iwouldhavebeendisappointed,somehow,ifithadbeentoherfatheroranyman,perhapsbecauseofallthatKhethilahadsaid.

ThenIleafedbacktothe

portraitetching.Atthatmoment,Irecognizedher.Theetchingshowedherasamaturewoman,butshewasthesamewomanasthegirlintheminiature...andthatrealizationleftmemoreconfusedthanever.HowcouldshebeEmanus’sdaughter?HighHolderstatusalwaysranthroughthemaleline—unlesstherewerenomaleheirs—andthenthe

eldestdaughter,butonlyifshemarriedwithinaHighHolderfamilyandherhusbandtookthefamilyname.Inaddition,HighHolderswereanythingbutforgiving.OrwasthethreateneddisclosureofJuniae’sparentagewhyEmanushadlethimselfberemoved?Butwhywouldhehavebeenkilledyearslateroverthat?

Itwasstillonlyjustpastsecondglass.SoItookahackbacktotheBridgeofDesires,walkedacrossitinthehotafternoonsun,backtomyquarters.Intheend,Ididtakeanothershower,becauseIwassohotandsweaty,andchangedoncemore.

MytimingwasmoreprecisethanduringmycallonSelioratheSolayibefore,andIsteppedoutofthehack

justbeforethesinglebellproclaiminghalfpastfourstruck.Unsurprisingly,Bhenytwastheretoopenthedoorandescortmeuptothemainlivinglevel.

Seliorawaswaiting,aslovelyaseverinadresscomposedofaflowingfilmydarkgreenskirtandablackshort-sleevedtop,notterriblylow-cut,butcertainlynotexcessivelymodest,either.

Shesmiled,thentookmyhands.

Wedidembraceandkiss,ifrelativelychastelyandquickly.

“Wedecidedwe’llneedtoeatontheterrace.It’sjusttoohotdownhereinthemaindiningroom.Wecangoupnow.”

Ifollowedherupthestepsandthenoutontotheterrace.

Shewasright.Itwasdefinitelycoolerthere.Iglancedtothenorthwest.ThosesamecloudsI’dseenthatmorningstilllurkedinthesky,buttheydidn’tseemtohavemovedatall.

“Wehaveachoiceofdrinks.”Selioranoddedtowardasmallcabinet-liketablesetjustforwardofthenorthwall,westofthedoubledoors.Aservingmanina

whiteshirtandadarkgreenwaistcoatstoodbehindit.

“Shallwesee?”Ismiledather,enjoyingbeingwithher.

WewalkedtotheportablesideboardwhereweagreedonwhiteCambrisio.

“Thetableontheeastthereisstillintheshade,”Seliorapointedout.

Notonlywasthetable

shaded,butatthatcornerIcouldfeelalightbutcoolingbreeze.Aswesat,Irealizedweweretheonlyonesontheterrace,exceptfortheservingman.

“Theotherswillbehereshortly.Itoldthemallfive.”

“You’readeviouswoman.”

Shelaughed,musically“You’llfindI’mfarmore

practicalandlessromanticthanyouthink.Onceeveryonearrives,wewon’thaveamomenttoourselves.”Sheloweredhervoice.“Ilikebeingwithyou,andIseethemalleveryday.”

“Howdidyourweekgo?”

“Aboutthesameasmostothers,exceptthatHighHolderUnsaeltfinallydecidedthathewantedanew

diningsetforhishuntinglodgeoutnearTacqueville.Hehastokeepthesamecrest,buthewantedtoknowifwecouldmakeitabitlesstiredandmorevital...”

Foratime,Ijustlistened.

Abruptly,shelookedatme.“You’reveryquiet.Issomethingbotheringyou?HaveIupsetyou?”

“No.”Ididn’thavetoforce

thesmilebecausemythoughtscertainlyweren’therfault.“I’vetalkedtoanumberofpeopletoday,andwhatIfoundoutwasn’texactlyencouraging.First,Istoppedbythefactorage.Father’sgonebacktoKherseilles,andKhethila’stheoneholdingthingsdown.Rousel’smadesomeverybaddecisions...”Iwentonandexplainedthat,andthenwhat

I’dfoundoutfromAureleanandStaela.“...SomeonewasaftermeinAvryl,butevenafterthat,itsoundsliketheykilledanapprenticetokeepitquiet.”

“Ithadtobesomeonebesidesthefirstassassin,”shepointedout.“Hewasdeadwhenthedrowninghappened.Couldithavebeenanaccident?”

“Itcouldhavebeen,butthatmakesmorecoincidentalaccidentsthanI’mcomfortablewith.Didyourmotherfindoutanything?”

“Shewantstotellyouherself.”

Iwantedtoknow,butIcouldunderstandthat.IheardstepsandsawShomyrwalkingtowardthesideboard.“Haveyouever

readanythingbyMadameD’Shendael?”

Seliorashookherhead.“I’mnotthatmuchofareader,exceptbooksonloomsandengines.They’reworktoread,though.MadameD’Shendael...she’stheonewhohasthesalon,andshehadallthosehardtimes.”

“Whathardtimes?”

“Shemiscarried,lostachild,andhermotherwasexecutedforkillingherfatherwhenshewasnineteen.”

Ialmostfrozeatthat.“Wheredidyouhearthat?”

“Oh,youhearthingswhenyoudealwithHighHolders,especiallyifyoupretendyou’renotlistening.”Shesmiled.“It’samazingwhatpeoplewillsaywhenthey

thinkyou’rewellbeneaththemandsayalotofsimpering‘sir’sand‘madame’s.”

MoreofSeliora’sfamilybegantoappear—Odelia,andthenAegina,followedbyBetara,andShelim...andthenbyamucholderwomanwithsteel-grayhair,whohadtobeGrandmama.

BetaraandShelimwalked

tothetablewhereweweresitting.EachcarriedagobletofeitherredCambrisioorperhapsDhuensa.

“Youdon’tmindifwejoinyou?”askedBetara.“GrandmamaDiestrawillbehereinamoment.”

SelioraandIjustsmiled,andBetaraandShelimsettledintothechairsacrossthecircularpolishedwhiteoak

tablefromus.“Itismuchcoolerherethaninthediningchamber.Thedinnermightbeabitcooleraswell,sinceithastotraveltwoflightsofstepstogethere.”

ShelimstoodagainandpulledupanotherchairforDiestrabeforeIcould.

Noonespokeforseveralmoments.

“YouaskedSelioraifwe

couldfindoutanythingaboutpeopletryingtoshootyou,”Betarasaidcasually.“Wethoughtitmightbebettertodispensewiththatunpleasantnessbeforedinner.”Shepausedtosipherwine,Dhuensa,Irealized.“GrandmamaDiestratalkedtoafew...acquaintances.”Awrytoneenteredhervoiceasshewenton.“Youmusthaveoffendedsomeonea

greatdeal.Latelastspringacontractpricewasputoutonarecentlypromotedimagertertius.Theywouldn’tgiveaname,buttheymightaswellhave.Tengolds—that’sthepriceforataudischef.RumorhasitthatthemorteprixwasguaranteedbyArtazt—hewasataudischefinthehellhole—becausehisbrotherwaskilledbytheimager...”Shepausedandlookedatme.

“Diaztwasfromthehellhole.Hewastheonewhodiedwhentheytriedtokillme.”

“Itgetsinterestingafterthat,”Betarasaidwithasmile.

Ididn’tlikethewayshesaid“interesting.”

“Thefirstassassinshottheimager,butwaskilledbyhim.Thatsuggeststhatwe’re

talkingaboutyou,Rhenn.”

“Icouldn’thaveguessed.”

“Artaztwasn’thappy,andhewenttotheassassin’sfamilytodemandbackthegoldshe’dadvanced,butwhenheleftwiththegolds,hedisappeared.Hisbodywasfoundgarrotedinanearbyalley,andasilvercordwasknottedaroundtheropestilltwistedabouthisneck.Oh..

.andthegoldswerestillinhiswallet.”

I’dheardaboutthesilverknot.ItwasthetraditionalindicationthataHighHolderwasdispleased,andthat,unhappily,stronglysuggestedthatHighHolderRyelhadsomethingfarworseinmindformethanasimpleexecution.

“Youdoseemtomake

powerfulenemies,boy.”ThatwasGrandmamaDiestra.

“It’shardnottowhenpeoplearetryingtokillyou,”Ireplied.

“Ifyouweren’tanimager,you’dlongsincehavecrossedtheBridgeofStones,”offeredShelim.

“Weallknowthat,Father,”murmuredSeliora.

“WhatabouttheFerran?”Iasked.

Betarashrugged.“He’slocal,buthe’snot.Thatis,he’sbeeninL’Excelsisforyearsandyears,buthewasn’tbornhere,andhehasnorelativeshere.He’sanassassin,butnoonehaseverseenhimwhenhe’skilledsomeone,andnooneknowswhohireshim.Butit’snotsomeonethatanyonein

L’Excelsisseemstoknow.”

Allthatseemedtosaythatthreedifferentpeoplehadwantedmedead—orworse,inthecaseofHighHolderRyel—fordifferingreasons.Thegoodnewswasthatonewasdead,andthemannerofhisdeathmeantthathisfriendswerelikelytoforgetcomingafterme.Thebadnewswasthattwoothers,whowereclearlymore

dangerous,werestillafterme.

“ThatwouldsaythattheFerranworksforspies...orisheone?”

“Evenspiesneedtools,”Betarasaid.“TheFerranisatool.”

Whosetool?Theotherquestionwasequallyconcerning.JustwhatwasIgettingintowithSeliora?

Anyonewhohadafamilywithcontactsliketheirs...Iwantedtoshakemyhead,butIjustnodded.

“That’swhatwe’vebeenabletofindout,”Betarasaid.

“Thebestmeasureofamanishisenemies,”offeredGrandmamaDiestra.“You’relookingfairlytallforayoungman.”

Iofferedalaugh.“Solong

asI’mverticalandtall.”

Thethreeolderfamilymemberslaughed.Selioraonlysmiled,andIwasgladforthat.

“You’reanimagerwhoworksattheCouncilChateau,”saidShelim.“DoyouknowwhattheCouncilisgoingtodoaboutthiscomingwarbetweenFerrumandJariola?”

“No,sir.”

“Ifyouhavetocallmeanything,Rhenn,justcallmeShelim.”

“I’lltry...”Ipaused.“There’snothingthatwe’vebeentold,butIthoughtthattheOligarchwastheonewhowaspressingFerrum.”

Shelimshookhishead.“TheFerransneedJariolancoalfortheirironworks,and

theywantitmorecheaplythantheOligarchswanttosellit.They’vegotamodernstandingarmy,andthey’retryingtogetKhasisIIIandhiscouncilangryenoughtodeclarewar.Thatway,Ferrumcaninvadeandclaimself-defenseandtakethecoalmines.They’recloseenoughtotheborderthatFerrumcouldjustannexthatpartofJariola....”

Fromtherethediscussionprogressedontothesorrystateoftheworld.

“Iseveryonereadyfordinner?”ThatwasShomyr,whonowstoodinthespacebehindandbetweenhismotherandfather.Hegrinned.“Cookisthreateningtoturnthetenderloinsintojerky”

“You’rejusthungry”

repliedShelim,“butwecancontinuethediscussionattable.”Herose.

Weallmovedtothelongtablesetinthemiddleoftheterrace.Thesunwasclosetosetting,lowenoughinthewestthatsomeofitslightwasalreadydimmed,andthebreezewasatracestronger.IwasseatedacrossfromSeliora,ifoneplacetowardthedoors.Icouldstilllookat

herandeasilyhearwhatshesaid.

Thefirstcoursewasacoolduckandleekbroth,somethingI’dneverhadbefore,butwiththespices,itwasrefreshingandnottooheavy.Afterthatcamefreshthingourdstrips,steamed,inpastawithacreamsauce,but,again,alightone.Thentherewerethevenisontenderloins,marinatedinsomeliquor

dilutedwithwhatIthoughtmightbeSanietra,andbraised,servedwithboiledandfrieddarkricewithannaranjesauce.

DessertwasaNacliananflan,withthinslicesoffreshpeachesontheside.

Thewholetime,everyoneatthetablediscussedwhatwashappeningintheworld—nottrade,notfurniture

making.

SometimeaftereighthglasshadrungandArtiemahaddroppedbehindthebuildingsflankingtheriver,whileIhadenjoyedtheconversationandlearnedmorethanafewthings,itwasalsomorethanclearthatSelioraandIwerenotgoingtogetanyrealtimealone,andIwasgettingtired.Ithadbeenalongday.“Ishouldbegoingbeforelong,”

ImurmuredtoSeliora.

“Beforeyougo,Grandmamawouldliketoseeusalone—justoverthereatthesmalltableontheeastside,wherewesatearlier.”

Ihadn’tevennoticedthathergrandmotherhadleftthemaintable.

Wewalkedover.

“Justsitthere,youngman.

You,too,Seliora.”Hervoicewasfirm,withouttheslightesttraceoftheageinherfaceandframe.Evenifshehadn’tbeenSeliora’sgrandmother,Iwouldhaveobeyed.

Shelookedatme,exceptthatitwasmoreasthoughshelookedintome,throughme,andbeyondme—allandthesametime.So,ifwithlessintensity,didSeliora.

Abruptly,theolderwomanshuddered,thentookalongdeepbreath.

IlookedtoSeliora.Shewaspale.

Diestralookedtohergranddaughter.

Selioranodded.

“Whatisit?”Ifinallyasked.

“Itisbetterthatwedonot

saymuch,”Diestraspokequietly,butfirmly“HasSelioraexplainedwhy?”

“Yes.IfIunderstandcorrectly,Ifacedanger,ordangers,andifyoutrytoexplain,theoddsaremuchhigherthatIwillfaceevengreaterdangers.”

“Thatisso.TheCollegiumisnotyourenemy,butneitherisityourfriend.”

“IthinkIalreadyunderstandthat.TheCollegiumactsonbehalfofSolidarandofallimagers,notnecessarilyonmybehalf.”

Thetwonoddedagain.

“Makenoenemiesthatyoudonothavetomake,butmakeenemiesratherthanshowweakness.”Diestrasmiledsadly.“Thatisthe

finestoflinestodrawandthenarrowestofpathstowalk.”

Iunderstoodthataswell.

“Mostimportant,alwaystakecareforyoursafety,nomatterwhoorwhatpressesyoutowardhaste.”

Whatthatmeant,Ithought,wastoholdshieldsanywhereoutsideafamiliardwellingortheCollegium.

Therewasn’tmuchtosayafterthat,sinceneitherSelioranorhergrandmamawouldhavesaidmore.So,afterIofferedmythankstoherparents,SelioraandIwalkeddownthesidestaircasealone.

Atthebottom,beforesteppingoutintothemainlevelfoyer,sheturnedandthrewherarmsaroundme,holdingmefirmlyand

murmuring,“Idoloveyou.Don’teverforgetit.Nomatterwhatthetemptations.”Then,beforeIcouldquestionorprotest,herlipsfoundmine.

HowlongweclungtoeachotherIwasn’tcertain,butIfinallyasked,“NextSamedi...fordinner?Withoutfamily?”

Thatbroughtasadsmile.

“ItmightbebestifweaskedOdeliaandKolasyntocomewithus.Wecouldcomebackherelaterandtalkontheeastterrace.”

“That’snotabadidea.”Notideal,butbetterthannotseeingher.

“Odeliawouldlikeit,andGrandmamawouldapprove.”

Afteranotherlongkiss,weleftthelandingandcrossed

thefoyertothefrontdoor.

“Goodnight.”Ipaused.“FifthglassonSamedi.”

“Fifthglass.”Shewalkeddowntothestreetleveldoorwithme,thenunboltedit.

“Youstayhere.”

Shesmiledandbrushedmylipswithhers,thensteppedbackandopenedthedoor.

Ofcourse,therewasno

hacknearby,andittookmealmostaquarterglass,withSeliorawatching,formetohailone.

Justashepulledup,almostatthesamemomentasIheardasinglecrack,ablowstruckmyshields,spinningmearoundandalmostknockingmeoffmyfeet.AsIstraightenedasecondstruckmyshields,butbracedasIwas,Ibarelyflinched.

Iturnedquickly,regainingmybalanceandglancingaround.IthoughtIhearddistanthurriedstepsfadingaway.InthedarknessbeyondthecirclesoflightcastbytheoillampsofNordEsteDesign,Icouldseenosignofanyone.Neithermoonwasout,sinceArtiemahadsetearlier,andErionhadnotrisen.Inthatdimness,Ididn’texpecttodiscoverthe

shooter,butfeltIshouldlook.IglancedbackupthestepstowhereSeliorastillheldthedoorajar.

“I’mallright,”Icalled.

ThenIwalkedtothehack.“Iwasabitclumsythere.TheBridgeofHopes,ifyouwill.”

Thedriver’smouthopened,thenshut.Finally,hesaid,“TheBridgeofHopes.Yes,sir.”

Atthat,Iclimbedintothehack,stillholdingmyshieldsandmakingcertainthatSeliorahadclosedthedoor.

Whyhadtheassassinwaitedtoshoot?Andwhathadheused?

TheonlyexplanationIcouldcomeupwithwasthathewantedawitnessofsomesort.Eitherthatorhe’dhadtroublewithhisweapon,and

thatdidn’tseemallthatlikely.

Ididn’tletdownmyshieldsuntilIwasbackinmyquarterswiththelockandboltsecured.IhopedI’dbeabletosleep.

Acknowledgingneedsdoes

notrequiredisavowingthem.

IwokeupearlyonSolayiandimmediatelywroteaquicknotetoSeliora,reassuringherthatIwasunharmedandfine.ThenIwrotealetterofthankstoherparents,even

thoughI’dbeabletopostneitheruntilLundi.Almostnoneofthesecondsandthirdswereatbreakfast,andIatequicklyandalone,thenmademywaytothelibrary—inthebuildingadjacenttothedininghall.I’dbeenthereonlyahandfuloftimes,basicallytofindoutthingsformyessaysforeitherMasterJhulianorMasterDichartyn.

Thefrontfoyerwasdark,

unlit,butthedoorwasunlocked.Thatbotheredmeforamoment.ThenIlaughed.Therewasn’tanypointinlockingit,notinthemiddleoftheCollegium.Itwouldbedifficultforanoutsidertostealthevolumes,andanyinsiderwhodidriskedsomuchthateventhedensestyoungimagerwouldthinktwice.

Inthedimness,ittookme

closetohalfaglasstofindtheD’Shendaelbook—OnArtandSociety.Icouldhavelitthelamps,butsinceIdidn’tknowwheretolook,andthelibrarywasn’tthatdark,Iwouldhavespentevenmoretimelightingthanlooking,andthenI’dhavehadtosnuffthemall.Iglancedatthetitlepageandthededication.Itwasmerelyto“Thenamelessartistwho

hasmadeuswhoweare.”

HighHolderornot,Ifeltsorryforher.

Itookthebookwithme,butIrememberedtowriteitdownonthecheck-outlistbeforeIcarrieditbacktomyquartersandbegantoread.Ileafedthroughthepages,skippingoverthem.Still,Ifoundmyselfcaughtbyanoccasionalsentenceor

phrase.

Notonlydoesthevalueofarttoasocietyindicatethatsociety’stypeanddegreeofcivilization,butsoalsodotheusesofartwhicharevaluedandthosewhicharenot,andtheplacementofeachinthedailyfunctionsofthatsociety...

Thefinestoflinesseparatesthemostinspiringandbeautifulofartfromthatwhichisself-indulgentanddecadent...

Allartispolitical.Thus,anartistmaysupportasociety,opposeit,orstandoutsideit.

Thosewhosupportarenaïveorsycophantic;thosewhoopposearefools;andthosewhostandoutsidearehatedbyall...

AfterspendingmoretimethanIprobablyshouldhavereadingthebook,Iwenttolunch,thinkingthatatleastIcouldtellKhethilathatI’d

readaworkofMadameD’Shendael.

Thedininghallwasevenmoredesertedatlunch.Idoubtedthatthereweremorethanascoreofimagers,andIthoughtIwastheonlythird.Aftereating,Idecidedtoriskmatters.Ireturnedtomyquarters,slippedthelettersintotheinsidepocketofmysummerwaistcoat,andsetout.RememberingSeliora’s

cautions,especiallyafterthenightbefore,IraisedfullshieldsasIleftthequadrangle.Thedaywasfarcoolerwithscatteredclouds,someofthemadarkgraythatsuggestedarealpossibilityofrainlaterintheafternoon.WithinlessthanaquarterglassIhadwalkedovertheBridgeofDesires,hailedahack,andwasonmywaytoNordEsteDesign,hopefully

toseeSeliora.

NooneshotatmewhenIgotoutofthehackandwalkedupthesteps...andliftedanddroppedtheknocker—twice.Iheardmuffledfootsteps,and,afterseveralmoments,Bhenytandthetwinsopenedthedoor.

“MasterRhennthyl,pleasecomein,”offeredBhenytformally.

Ididn’twanttocorrecthim.Ijustsaid,“Thankyou.”

“He’shere,AuntSeliora!”calledHanahra,ormaybeitwasHestya.Theywerebothsmiling,asonlygirlswhoarealmostwomencansmileaknowingsmilethattheyfeelbutdonottrulyyetunderstand.

SeliorastoodontheedgeofthemaroonJoharancarpet

inthesecond-levelentryfoyer—aloneexceptforBhenytandthetwins.Shewasdressedlessformally,inwhitelinentrousersandablouse,withanavybluelinenvest.Shestilllookedlovely.

Isteppedforward,stoppingshortofsweepingherintomyarms.

“Ithoughtyoumightcome...afterlastnight.Iwas

certainyouwerehitbythebullets.Ifeltyouweren’twounded,butIstillworried.”

Iextractedthenotefromtheinsidepocketofthesummerwaistcoat.“Iwroteanote,butIdecidedthatdeliveringitpersonallywasbetter.Evenifyouweren’there,someonewouldbeabletoletyouknowIwaswell.”

Sheleanedforwardand

kissedmycheek.

Someoneutteredasoundhalfbetweenagiggleandacough.

“Oh...sinceI’mhere,wouldyougivethistoyourparents.”Ihandedhertheotherletter.

Shetookitandturnedtotheentourage.“You’veallseenthathe’shere.Nowyoumaygo.”Eventhoughshe

smiled,therewascoldironbehindthewords.

“Yes,AuntSeliora,”thetwinssaid,incliningtheirheadsandnotquiteskippingtowardthefarendoftheentryfoyer.Bhenytfollowed,thenduckedintoadoorwayontheleft.

“Thetwinscalledyou‘aunt.’IthoughttheywereOdelia’ssisters.”

“Theyare,buttheyalwayssawmeasanaunt,andnowit’sahabit,evenforBhenyt.Methyrthinksit’sfunny.”Herfacetwistedintoawrysmile.“He’slikeallyoungerbrothers...difficult.”

“I’veneverseenorheard...Aegina’shusband.”Iwasn’tquitecertainhowtophrasethat.

“Hewasmurderedfive

yearsago.”

IhadtowonderhowGrandmamaDiestratooktohavingoneofherdaughters’husbandskilled.

“Grandmamawasnotpleased.Neitherwereafewothers,whenshewasfinished.”

“Ah...whathappened?”

“Theirdwellingscaught

fire.Theydied,buttheywereheroesbecausetheydiedsavingmostoftheirfamilies...exceptoneolderboywhowasinthefamily...enterprises.Hewasalsoahero.Grandmamapaidfortheirfunerals.”Shegesturedtowardthearchwaythatledtothestaircase.“Weshouldgouptotheeastterrace.Itwillbeempty,andsinceyou’vecomesofar,I’msure

you’dliketorest.”Shegrinned.“I’dwagerthatitwon’tbeaquarterglassbeforeeitherAuntAegina,Odelia,orMotherarriveswithsomerefreshments.”

“Yourchaperonesarealwayssokindandthoughtful.”IlaughedasIaccompaniedhertothestairs.

Wedidenjoyalongerembraceonthelanding

halfwayup.

Theeastterracedoorwasalreadyproppedopen,andIhadthesensethatsomeonehadleftnottoolongbefore,areminderthatSeliorabelongedtoafamilywheretherewerefewsecretsamongthem,butwherelittlewentbeyondthefamily.Thatrealizationconcernedme,becauseIwasbeingmadealmostpartofthefamily.

Iturnedtoher.“IsKolasynaswarmlytreatedbythefamily?”

“He’saveryniceperson,kindandgood,”repliedSeliora.

Thatwasananswer.“Whyme?”

“Because.”Thatmischievoussmileappearedforamoment.

Iwaited.

“We’relinked...somehow...andwehavetofindouthow.”

“Pharsifar-seeing?”

“Grandmama,Mother,andIallsenseit.”

Thatwasanotheranswer,andachillingone,inaway.

“Andthere’sthis.”Shewrappedherarmsaroundme

andkissedme.

Ihadnotroubleresponding.Shehadaverydefinitepointthere,anditwentbeyondthatphysicalintensity.NotthatIdidn’tverymuchenjoythephysical.

Oncewewereseatedinthetwochairsflankingthesmallcirculartable,Selioraturnedtofaceme.“IhadBhenytseeifhecouldfindthebullets

thismorning,assoonasitwaslight.”

“Didhe?”

Shehandedmeasmallfeltbagacrossthetable.“Grandmamasaysthatthey’refromasniper’srifle,butthatthebulletsarelongerandheavier.”

“Isthereanythingshedoesn’tknow?”ThebagfeltheavierthanIwouldhave

thought,andIuntieditandeasedthebulletsout.Bothwereflattened,atanangle,andtheywerefarlongerandheavierthanthosethathadbeenfiredwhenI’dbeenattackedwiththeflowerseller.Afteramoment,Ireplacedtheminthebagandslippeditintomyinsidewaistcoatpocket.

“Grandmamabelievesthatyoudiewhenyoustop

learning.Shehasnowishtomeetdeathanysoonerthannecessary.”

“Doyoufollowherexample?”

“Iwouldn’tdarenotto.”Thatmischievoussmilereappearedmomentarily.

“DoyouknowanythingmoreaboutMadameD’Shendael?”

Seliorashookherhead.“Why?”

“Ihavethefeelingthatsomehow,she’sinvolvedinwhypeoplearetargetingme,butIcan’tseemtodiscoveranyreasonwhy.”IwentontoexplainwhatI’ddeduced.MasterDichartynmightnotcareformyrevealingthattoher,butIhadthefeelingthatSelioraandherfamilyweremorethancapableofholding

secrets—andIneededallthehelpIcouldget,becauseIdidn’tseemuchofitcomingfromtheCollegiumatthemoment.

“GrandmamacouldfindoutaboutherparentsthroughAilphens.”

“Ailphens?”

“He’stheadvocateforNordEste.Sincethemotherwasexecutedtherewillbea

recordsomewhere.”

Hermatter-of-factresponseunderscoredhowlittleIknewaboutcertainpracticalaspectsoflife.

“Rhenn...”Hervoicewasgentle.

“What?”

“Weallhavedifferenttalents.Inevercouldhavefiguredoutthatshewas

Grisarius’sdaughter.Ourtalentscomplementeachother.”

“You’realsokindanddiplomatic.”

“Nottoherfamily.”Betarastoodinthedoorwaytotheterrace.“Ifshewants,shecanpeelvarnishofffinishedwood—andhide—withouteverraisinghervoice.”Shemovedforwardwiththesmall

traythatshecarried,noiselessly.

“Mother...”Seliorawassmiling.

“IdidtakethelibertyofassumingyouwouldstilllikeSanietra,alongwiththesummeralmondbiscuitsandtheappleslices.”Thesmallplatterwiththedaintiesandfruitwentinthemiddleofthefrontedgeofthetable,anda

glassofSanietra,withanapkin,besideeachofus.

“Thatwasaverygoodassumption,”Irepliedwithasmile.

“Grandmamawasverypleasedtomeetyou.”Betarasmiled,andIcouldseefromwhereSeliorahadgottenthemischievousexpression.“I’llletSeliorafillyouin.Enjoyyourselves.Itisabeautiful

afternoon.”Withanod,sheslippedaway.

Iliftedthetallnarrowgoblet.“Toyouandabeautifulafternoon.”

Sheblushed,eversoslightly,assheliftedherowngoblet.“Toyou.”

Ihadn’trealizedhowdrymythroatwasuntiltheSanietracooledandmoistenedit.“Verygood...

andtimely.Youandyourmotherdohaveasensethatway.”Aswellasinotherways.

“I’mstilllearning.”

“Yourmotherwasofferingareminder.”

“Mothercanbeverydirect.”

“Andyou’dprefertobealittlelessso.”

Selioranodded.“Butthere’snohelpforit.It’sasmuchaboutthefamilyasaboutyou.Grandmamafeelseveryoneshouldeithercontributetothefamily—orstrikeoutontheirown.”

“Shedoesn’tliketheideaofthefamilysupportingthosewhodon’tcontributeatleasttheirshare.”

“Orasmuchastheycan,

oncethey’regrown.”Ihadnoideawhereherwordswereleading.

“Contributionisn’tjusthowonecanaddtothegolds.We’renotbadlyoffthatway.”

Igesturedtothebuildingthatsurroundedus.“Icansee.Butyoudon’twantmentoknowthat.Wasn’tthatwhyyoumetmeatthehall...

andwhyOdeliadoesaswell?”

Shenodded.“Also,flauntingwealthisaformofNaming.”

Icoulddefinitelyseethat.

“YoumusthaveguessedthatGrandmamacameoutofthetaudis.She’salwayssaidthatshe’sdonewhatshehadto,butthatshedidn’thavetolikeit...onlydoitwell.To

thisday,shewon’tletanyoneelsetalktoheroldest...acquaintances.”

“That’sallyouhavetosay,Ithink.”

Selioraraisedhereyebrows.“Icanfinishit,butI’dbeinterestedinhowcloseyouare.”

“I’lltrytoputitin...generalterms.”ItookanotherswallowofSanietra.“Your

grandmotherwantsthebestforherfamily,and,frankly,Ithinkyou’reherfavorite.Shealsoknowsthatit’sverydifficulttoretaingoldswithoutvariousformsofpower.Oneformisbeingabletoprovideagoodoraservicethatishighlyvalued,andthatissomethingthatsheandyourmotherandfatherhaveestablishedwithNordEsteDesign.I’dwager

thatyourfatheristhebestfurniturecrafterinL’Excelsis,andpossiblywastheverybestwithoutaguildpatronormaster.Byemphasizingfurniturewithspecializedtextileupholstery,andwithhertaudiscontacts,theycreatedsomethingunique.”

Selioranoddedagain.“Isthatall?”

“Doyouwantmetogoon?”

“No,butit’snecessary.JustrememberwhatIsaidtoyoulastnight...andthatIaskedyoutodancebeforeyoubecameanimager.”

Lastnight?IalmostnoddedsomberlyasIrecalledherwords.

“Inaverygeneralsense,powercancomefromtwo

sources.Oneistheabilitytoapplyforcewithoutusingtheestablishedresourcesofasociety.Theotheristheabilitytouseforcesanctionedbysociety.Yourgrandmotherretainsthefirstability.She’skeptherchildrenfromthatsource,atleastpartly.Butshe’snolongeryoung.”IlookedtoSeliora,wonderingifI’dsaidenoughortoomuch.

Herfacewasapleasantmask.

“Grandmamahasbeenconcernedforsometimewhatwillhappentothefamily,andherhopeisthatyou—andwhoeveryouchoose—willsaveit.”Ilaughed,ruefully.“That’squiteaburdentoputonyou...orOdelia.”

“Youdidn’tmention

Shomyr.”

“He’stookind,Iwouldjudge,andMehtyr’stooyoung,andL’Excelsisstillrespectsmeninpower,atleastinofficiallysanctionedpositions.There’sonlyonehighwomanmaitreintheCollegium,andlookattheattacksMadameD’Shendaelhasundergone.”

“Youknewthis?”Her

voicewassteady,butIcouldsense...something...behindit.

“Notuntilyousaidwhatyoudidaboutyourgrandmama.Then,allthepiecesfit.IthinkIwasfeelingsomeofit,butIhadn’tthoughtaboutitinthatwaybefore.Iwasjustinterestedinyou,evenfromthatnightlastFevierwhenyouaskedmetodance...”

IlookedtoSeliora,seeingthebrightnessofunshedtears.“Tofallinlove,andthentofindthateveryonelookstoyou...you’rebraverthanImightbe.”Istoodandeasedaroundthetable,drawinghertoherfeetandputtingmyarmsaroundher.

Foralongmoment,shewasasstiffasifshehadbeencarvedfromancientoak.

Thensheclungtome,shudderingsilently.Finally,sheliftedherheadandmurmuredsoftly,“Ididn’twantthat.Iwantedyou.Iwantyou.”

“Youandyourgrandmamaarealikeinoneway,”Isaidquietly,stillholdingher.

Shelookedupatme,questioningly,still,holdingme.

“You’rebothhonest.Shecouldhavesaidnothing,justencouragedyou,madethingseasy.Youcouldhavesaidnothing.Neitherofyoudid.Forthat,Irespectyouboth.”IkissedSelioragently.

WhatIdidn’tsaywasthathergrandmamaknewhowtousehonestytothegreatesteffect...orthatImightneedSelioraandherfamilyeverybitasmuchastheyneeded

me.Butthen,IdoubtedthatIneededtosayit.Selioraalreadyunderstoodthat,whethersheconsciouslyknewitornot.

“Youdon’tmind?”

“No.Notintheslightest.”Perhapsstrangely,Ididn’t.I’dalreadylearnedthathavingneedsdidn’tmakeapersonless—ormore.

Thekissandembracethat

followedmywordsmadeanywordssuperfluous.

WehadbarelyreseatedourselvesandgainedameasureofcomposurewhenIheardfootstepsonthewoodenflooroftheshorthallwayfromthemainupperhall.

Selioragavemeawrysmileassheblottedhereyes.Ionlyhadtoswallowseveral

times.

GrandmamaDiestrasteppedoutontotheporch,favoringoneleg.ShelookedatSeliora,thenatme.“Iseeyoutoldhim,girl.”

“No,Grandmama.Iofferedhimafewwords,andhetoldme.”

Shelookedatme.“Isthatright?”

“Yes,madame.”

Shenodded.“Youtwoarerightforeachother.Thatdoesn’tmeanitwillworkout.Workingitoutmeansworkingitout.You’rerightforthisfamily,Rhennthyl,andthisfamilyisrightforyou.Willthatworkout?Idon’tknow.WhatIdoknowisthatinsideafamily,orbetweenahusbandandawife,secretsdestroytrust.So

doesafailuretotalkhonestlyanddirectly,butnothurtfully.Marriagesandfamiliesarebuiltontrust.”

WhatcouldIsaytothat?

“Whatdoyouhavetosayaboutthat,Rhennthyl?”

“Seeingwhatyouwanttoseeisanotherformofdishonesty.Areyouseeingwhatyouwantorwhatreallyis?”

Diestralaughed.“That’sagoodquestion.Self-deceptionwoulddestroyeverythingI’vebuilt,andI’mtoooldtobotherwithit.You’veseenthedangersofself-deceptioninothers.Whataboutinyourself?”

“I’mtooyoungtobeexpertinit,butitwouldbeeasyenoughtofallintothathabit.”

“Fairlyput.”Shenodded.

“Whateveryoutwodecide,decideithonestly.”Withthat,sheturnedandleft.

Foramoment,SelioraandIjustlookedateachother.

“Isshealwaysthatdirect?”

“Whennoonebutfamilyispresent...always.Withoutsiders,sometimes.Shewastalkingtoyouasfamily.”

Itookalongslowbreath.

“I’vebeenavoidingit,but...youneedtomeetmyfamily.It’snotyou;it’sme.Motherhasbeenaftermeto‘findtherightgirl’foryears.Butpartofmeworriesthatnoonewillberightsofarasshe’sconcernedbecauseshe’ssointoformandformality.SinceI’mtryingtobehonest,therearetwopartstothat.ThefirstpartisthatIdon’twanttofacedisapproval.The

secondpartisthatIdon’twanttoputyouthroughanexaminationandsilentinquisition.”

Selioralaughed.

“Ididn’tthinkitwasfunny.”

Thelaughturnedintoagentlesmile.“It’snot.Iworriedhorriblywhenyouhadtomeetthefamily.Iwaslaughingaboutyourcallingit

the‘silentinquisition.’Thatiswhatmothersoftendo.Sodosistersandcousins.I’vedoneittoOdelia.Mostmendon’tnotice,ortheypretendnotto.”

“Herpreviousescort?”

“Hewasn’tsuitable.”

“AfterwhatGrandmamaDiestrajustsaid,I’dhatetothinkwhatshe’dhavesaid...”Ishookmyhead.“She

wouldn’thavesaidanything,wouldshe?Ijustwouldn’thaveeverbeenabletogetintouchwithyou,exceptbyliterallykidnappingyou,wouldI?Andthatwouldhavebeenanythingbutwise.”

“Youunderstandmorethanyouwanttoadmit.”Afterapause,Selioraadded,“Whendoyouthinktheexaminationoverdinnerwilltakeplace?”

“I’dguessthatMotherwillwantitonthetwenty-eighth.SamedisareabouttheonlytrulyfreenightIhaverightnow,andI’dbesurprisedifFatherwillbebackbythiscomingweekend.MotherisinSolisvisitingAuntIlena.I’llhavetowriteheraboutit,andshewon’tgetaletterbeforeMardi,anditmightnotbeuntillaterintheweek...”

Selioranodded.“You’llletmeknow.”

“Iwillindeed.”ThelettertomyparentswasoneletterIwasn’tlookingforwardtowritingintheslightest.

Selioraturnedandfacedme,lookingsolemn.Thenhergrinappeared.“Sincewe’vebeenorderedtobehonest,tellmewhatyoulikebestaboutme.”

Thatwasscarcelyatrial.“Iwasstunnedandbedazzledbythefactthatyouaskedmetodance...andIstillam.Andwhatdoyoulikeaboutme?”

“Thatyoucouldtakethedisappointmentofleavingtheguildandrebuildyourlifewithoutself-pity...”

Wespentmorethanaglassinthatfashion,growingmore

seriousaswetalked,beforeIrealizedthatIneededtogo,arevelationhastenedbyseveralrollsofthunderfromtheapproachingstorm.Ourpartingwasbrief,ifamorous,andIdidmanagetohailahackandclimbinsidebeforeraindropsbegantosplatteronthestonepavementofNordroad.

Igavethehackerathreecoppersextra,thenhurried

fromthehacktowardthebridge,withtherainpeltingdownaroundme.Alongtheway,Ilearnedthatevenstrongshieldsdidn’tstoprain...ornotmuch,andIwonderedwhy.I’dhavetoexperimentwiththat—butnotdressedasIwas.

Plaquesheldtooclosetothe

waistcoatcanbesocloseasnottobeabletobeplayed.

OnceIreturnedfromservicesattheImagisleanomenonSolayi,Idraftedandthenre-draftedalettertoMother.ThenIwroteitoncemoreandsetitaside.OnLundi

morning,afterexercisesandarunwhereIfinishedsomewhatclosertoDartazn,Istruggledbacktomyquarters,showered,shaved,anddressed.ThenIreadtheletteralasttime.

DearMother,

Forsometimenow,youhavebeensuggestingthatIneeded

tofindayoungladywhowasintelligent,congenial,andsuitable.Inviewofyourwisdominthismatter,IhavequietlybeenpursuingthatobjectiveandbelieveIhavediscoveredsuchayoungwoman.Inasmuchasyouhavesuggestedthatyouwouldliketohavemeandasuitableyoungladyofmychoosingfordinner,Iwouldliketoaskifthatinvitation

remainsopenformeandMistressSelioraD’Shelim.

Ratherthanwritetoomuchabouther,Iwillonlysaythatshecomesfromawell-offandcommerciallysuccessfulfamilyandisquiteintelligent.Shehasasolidknowledgeofthetextilefieldandnumerousmanufacturers,andIbelieve

youwillfindhermostcharming.

Isigned,sealed,andaddressedit,thentuckeditintomyuniform—wewereallowedtoweartheCounciluniformstobreakfast—andheadedtothedininghall.Onthewayintoeat,Ipickeduponeofthenewsheets

—Veritum—andscannedtheleadstoryonthediplomaticcommuniquésentfromtheHighPriestofCaenentotheCouncil—andclearlyleakedtothenewsheet.Partofthequotedtextread,“...westriveforavisionofDualitythatistruetoourfaithbutavisionthatalsoencompassespeaceandprosperityforallTerahnar...”ThestoryalsonotedthattheCaenenan

forcesneartheborderwithTiemprehad“completedtheirtrainingmaneuvers”andwerereturningtotheirregularbases.

Anotherstorynearthebottomofthefrontsideofthesheetreportedonaseriesofexplosionsinnear-abandoneddwellingsintaudisinNaclianonearEstisle,LiantiagonearWestisle,andaparticularlylargeexplosion

inthe“areaknownasthehellhole”nearL’Excelsis.Civicpatrollersfoundanumberofbodies,aswellasmaterialsandweaponslinkedtoa“certainforeigngovernment.”Theexactcausesoftheexplosionswereunknown,butthoughttobethe“accidental”detonationofunstableexplosives.

Atthatmoment,Dartazngestured,andIjoinedhim,

Martyl,andNansyar,athirdIknewonlybynameandface.

“Iseeyouwerereadingaboutthestrangeandwondrouseventsintheworld.”

InoddedasIpouredsometea.“TheeventsinCaenawerestrangeandwondrous,butnotunexpected.I’dhopethatthecostwasn’tanothernameonaplaque.”

“AsdoI,”addedMartyl,“butthat’ssomethingwe’lljusthavetowaitout.”

“Whatdoyouthinkaboutthetaudisexplosions?”

“Purehappenstance.”Dartazn’swordswereedgedwithironyoverlaidwithgentlesarcasm.“Whatdoyouthink?”

“Aboutthesame.”

NansyarglancedfromDartazntome,andthentoMartyl.“Ihateitwhenyoucoverttypesdothat.”

“Weallhaveourlittlesecrets,”saidMartyl,withalaugh.“Youdon’ttelluswhatgoesoninthearmorylaboratories.”

Afterthat,wetalkedabouthowthecommuniquémightaffectthesituationbetween

FerrumandJariola.AboutallweagreeduponwasthatthecoolingdowninOtelyrnwouldallowtheNavytomovemostofitswarshipstothewatersoffJariolaandFerrum.ThenwetookthedutycoachtotheCouncilChateau,whereIdidposttheletter,butwherenothingunusualorofimportoccurredonLundi...orMardi.

OnMeredimorning,

though,rightafterwearrived,Baratyngatheredustogether.Hesmiled,notunkindly,asheglancedatthethreeofus.“WeareapproachingtheendofAgostos,andIimaginesomeofyouknowwhatthatmeans.”

Dartaznnoddedsolemnly.Martylshowednoexpression,andIjuststoodthere,nothavinganyideawhatBaratynmeant.

“OnthelastFridayofAgostos,Vendrei,thethirty-fourth,istheannualHarvestBalloftheCouncil.Youwillbepresent,andinadditiontokeepingyoureyesopenandyourabilitiesready,youwillbeexpectedtodance,whennecessaryandifasked,orifyouseealadyinanembarrassingsituationandclearlyneedingapartner.Thistakesprecedenceover

allotherpersonalandprofessionalengagements,unlessdirectlymandatedotherwisebyMasterDichartyn.Isthatclear?Good.Nowfortoday.TheCouncilwillbedebatingthecommuniquéfromCaenen,andtheExecutiveCouncilhasdecreedthatnovisitorsorpetitionerswillbereceived.”

AfterBaratyndismissedustoourassignments,Iturned

toDartazn.“WhyisthisballonaVendrei?”

“I’mgladIwasn’ttheonlyonetoaskthat.Idid,twoyearsago.MasterDichartynwasnotkind.”Hesmiled.“ItwasoriginallyafunctiononlyforHighHolders,andhavingitonVendreimadethepointthatthecommonworkingandtradetypescouldnothaveattendedeveniftheysowished.”

“EvenwhentheCouncilsthenhadguildandfactorcouncilors?”

Henodded.“TheExecutiveCouncilwascomposedofHighHoldersforthefirstcentury.Itwasalsoawayofemphasizingtheir...superiority.”

I’dforgottentheearlymakeupoftheExecutiveCouncil.“Thankyou.”

Rightafteraveryshortbreakforabitetoeatjustafternoon,BaratynwalkedovertowhereIwaswatchingtheupperwestcorridor.

“MasterDichartynsentamessage.You’retoreporttohisstudyassoonasyoureturntotheCollegiumthisafternoon.”

“Yes,sir.Didhesaywhy?”

Baratynofferedawry

smile.“Heneverdoes.”

Ihadn’tseenMasterDichartynsincethepreviousVendrei,butthatwasnosurprise.

OnceIgotbacktotheCollegium,Ididn’tgostraighttotheadministrationbuilding,butmadeaveryslightdetourthroughmyquarterstopickupthefeltbagSeliorahadgivenme.

ThenIcontinuedontohisstudy.

Thedoorwasclosed,andIknocked.

“Comein,Rhennthyl,andclosethedoor.”

Idid,andthentooktheseatbeforehisdesk.

“Whathaveyoubeenupto?”MasterDichartynstilllookedtired.“Whathaveyou

discovered?”

“WerealltheexplosionsmentionedinVeritumwhatyouusedtodealwithspies?”Iaskedinreturn.

“Rhennthyl...”

Iignoredthesterntoneanddroppedthebagwiththebulletsinitonthewritingdesk.Eventhroughthecloth,theymadeasatisfactoryclunk.“Thesewerefiredat

meonSamedinight.”

“I’dappreciateitifyouwouldprovideasomewhatlongerexplanation,Rhenn.”

Idid,withoutdetailsaboutexactlywhereIhadbeenorwithwhom,justthatI’dbeenhailingahackonNordroadatthetimeI’dbeenfiredupon.

WhenIhadfinished,hetookthebag,easedthebulletsoutofit,andexaminedthem.

Thenhelookedatmeagain.“Whatflattenedthem?”

“Myshields.Whatelse?TheFerran,ifthat’swhoitwas,isaverygoodshot.”

MasterDichartyngavealowwhistle.“IfI’mnotmistaken,thosearefromaFerransniper’srifle—butamidrangeweapon,withamoremassivebullet.It’sdesignedtopenetratemore

thanflesh—unarmoredcarriages,forexample.Itisagoodthingyou’vebeenworkingonyourshields.”

Atthatpoint,Iwantedtostranglehim.Iforcedasmile.“Iunderstandyourposition,sir,andtheideathattherearethingsIshouldnotknowbecauseIhavenoneedtoknow.Iamveryjuniorinyourorganization.Thereisn’tanyoneanymorejunior.But.

..ifyouwillpardonme,Iamgettingverytiredofbeingatargetandnotknowingwhy.”IwantedtopointoutthatIdoubtedmanyimagerscouldhavesurvivedthosebullets,andthatitmightnotbeabadideatogivememoreinformationifhewantedtokeepthattalentaroundtheCollegium.Ididn’t.Iwantedtoseewhathe’dsay.Besides,itwasclearthatwithholding

informationworkedtwoways,andnottellinghimthatIknewwhathewasn’tsayingmightworktomyadvantage.Thewaythingsweregoing,silencecouldn’tworkanymoretomydisadvantagethanofferingmorethanheaskedfor.ForthesakeoftheNameless,andwithaquicksilentprayernottoletmefallpreytotheNamer,Ihopedso.

“Rhennthyl...”Thatsinglewordcarriedgreatexasperation.

Iignoreditandrepliedpolitely,“Yes,sir?”

Helookedatme,attemptingintimidation.

Ireturnedthelook,notbotheringtolookaway.Ididn’tfeelantagonistic;Ijustdidn’tfeellikebeingsubservient.Ialsoheldfull

shields,ifveryclosetome.

Afteramoment,henodded,thenspoke.“Youknowhowfewimagerswehave,andevenfewerhavethecapabilitiesyouandthoselikeyoupossess.Howcanwequestioneveryoneabouteverything?Evenifwehadenoughimagers,orcoulduseallthecivicpatrollers,doyouthinkthatthecitizensofL’Excelsiswouldputupwith

itforlong?”

“No,sir.They’rewaryofusasitis.”

“Everyactionhasalinktosomething,andifwecanmakeourenemiesact,thenthatprovestheirdangerandalsoprovidesthatlink.Oneofourduties—mineandyours—issimplytobetargets,toofferourenemiessomeoneandsomethingat

whichtostrike,sothatwecandiscoverthemanddestroythem.WhydoyouthinkMaitreDyanaandIhavespentsomuchtimeandeffortonbuildingyourshieldsandyourtechniqueswiththem?”

“SothatIcanbeatargetandsurvive,clearly.”

“Andsothatotherscanaswell,”hesaidgently.“Every

singletimeyou,Martyl,Dartazn,orBaratyn,ortheothers,removesomeonewhoisadanger,youreinforcetheCollegium,andSolidar.Everytimeyousurviveanassassinationattemptyoudothesame.”

“Sir...won’tpeoplelearningthatmakethemevenmoreafraidofus?”

“Thinkaboutit,Rhenn.

Howmanypeopledoesanassassindaretell?Andwhatdidthathackdriversee?Hesawyoufallorgetknockeddown.Yougotupandtookthehack.That’sdangerous?Theonlyonewho’slikelytofeelfearistheassassin.”

Hedidhaveapointthere.

“Isthatallyou’vediscovered?”

“I’vealsolearnedafew

otherthings,sir.Diazt’sbrother—hewasataudischefinthehellhole—tookoutacontractonme...fortengolds.AfterIkilledthefirstassassin,hetriedtorecoverthegoldsandwasgarroted.Thegarroteropeheldasilverknot,buttherehavebeentwoattemptsonmesincethen,presumablynotfromDiazt’sfamilyorthesourceofthesilverknot.”

“Wheredidyoufindthisout?”

“IpromisedIwouldn’ttellanyone,sir.Itwashardenoughtofinditoutasitwas,andI’dliketobeabletoaskagain,ifIneedto.”

“Ifthat’sthewayitis,that’sthewayitis.”Hepaused.“Youdidn’tpromiseanythingthatmightcompromise—”

“No,sir.There’snocrimeorwrongdoinginvolved.”

“Howdidyou...”Heshookhishead.“AllIcansay,Rhennthyl,isthatyouhadbestkeepimprovingyourimagingabilities.”Hepaused.“Unlessyouhearfromme,you’retomeetwithMaitreDyanatomorroweveningatseventhglassinthecorridoroutsidethedininghall.Youneedtolearnaboutpoisons.

Agreatdeal,beforeit’stoolate.”Hestood,stiflingayawn.

“Oh...oneotherthing,sir.Ididdiscoverthenameofthewomanintheminiature.Alateretchingisinoneofherbooks.”

“Youdon’tgiveup,doyou?”

“Wouldyou,sir?”

Hegavemeawrysmile.“I’dappreciateitifyou’dkeepthattoyourself.Thefewerwhodiscoverweknowthat,thebetterthechancewehavetousethatknowledgetofindoutwho’sshootingatyou,andthoseotherjuniorimagerswhohavenotbeenfortunateenoughtohaveyourskills.”Hestifledanotheryawn.“Goodevening,Rhennthyl.”

Therewasn’tmuchelseIcaredtosay.Inodded.“Goodevening,sir.”

ThenIwentbacktomyquartersandchangedintomyimagergraysbeforegoingtodinner.WhenIgottothedininghall,IfoundMartylwithMenyardandReynol,andwesatneartheheadofthetable.IwasmorethanalittlesurprisedtoseeMasterDichartynatthemasters’

table,becausehealmostneverwastherefordinner,notthatI’dexpectedit,sincehehadawifeandchildren.WithhimwasanothermanI’dneverseen,perhapstenyearsolderthanIwas.

“Who’sthemasterwithDichartyn?”IaskedMartyl.

“Hehastobeanothermaster,butI’veneverseenhim.Hemightbefrom

EstisleoroneoftheotherCollegia.”

“Oraregional,”addedReynol.

“Regional?”I’dneverheardoftheterm.

“Couldbe,”musedMartyl.“TheyreportperiodicallytoMasterDichartyn.”

“What’saregional?”Ifinallyasked.

“AregionalrepresentativeoftheCollegium.Allthecitiesthatdon’thaveCollegiahavethem,andsomeofthelargertownsdo.They’re...well...let’ssaythattheyoperatesortoflikefieldtypesdo,exceptinsideSolidar.”

Foramoment,Ijustsatthere,holdingmywineglass.ThenItookasip.TherewasnothinginanyofwhatIhadreadaboutregionals,butthen

therewasnothingaboutsilentguardsorcovertimagers,either.ThemoreIlearned,themoreIrealizedhowlittleI’dknown...andperhapsstilldid.

Well-chosenwordscreate

painthatlastslonger

thanthatfromaflogging.

WhenIreturnedfromtheCouncilChateauonJeudi,Ifoundaletterawaitingmeinmyletterbox.ItwasaddressedtomeinMother’s

perfectscript,andshemusthavedispatcheditbyspecialmessenger,ratherthanbyregularpost.Afterlookingatitseveraltimes,Ibrokethesealrightthereinthecorridor,openedit,andbegantoread.

DearRhennthyl,

Iwasdelightedtoreceive

yourletter,whicharrivedatthehouseinmyabsence,andIammostcertainthatyourfatherwillbeequallypleased,especiallyifyouhavefoundayoungwomanofsuitablebackgroundandintelligence.Knowingthatyouhavefoundsomeonesuitableinbackgroundanddemeanorwouldbringgreathappinesstobothofus.

Ofcourse,wewouldbemorethandelightedtomeetheroverdinnerhereatthehouse,and,ifyouhavenoobjections,wewouldsuggestnextSamedi,thetwenty-eighth,atfifthglass.

Khethilawaspleasedthatyou

stoppedbythefactorage,asamI.Itneverhurtstohaveamalerelativeofsuchimportappear.Uponreadingyourletter,whichIdidsharewithher,shementionedthatyouhaddeclinedaninvitationtodinewithher,andthatthereasonsforthatdemurralwereobviousinlightofyourletter.Likeyourfatherandme,shelooksforwardtomeetingMistressSeliora

D’Shelim.

Theimplicationswereclearenough.WhileIknewSeliorawascertainlyuptothenot-so-silentinquisition,Iwasn’tcertainthatIwouldbe.

TheonlyothernotableaspectofJeudiwasmymeetingwithMaitreDyana.Shewasascomposed,as

direct,andascontemptuousoffoolishnessandthoughtlessquestionsasever,aswhenIofferedaquestionastowhytherewassuchsuddenurgencyinmylearningaboutpoisons.

“Whyindeed?Dearboy,pleasethink.Youhaveshieldsasstrongasanyimager,andstrongerthanmost.Theycouldbefarmoreeffectiveifyouwould

practicefinesseaswell,butyouareyoung,andfinesseisseldomappreciatedbytheyoungandstrong,notuntiltheyhavebeendefeatedbyoldageandtreachery,bothofwhicharefarmoreeffectivethanthoughtlessyouthandstrength.”

She’dasmuchasadmittedthat,wereIcareful,myshieldswouldprotectmeagainstdirectattacks.“That

suggeststhatIwillbeplacedinsituationswhereIwillbevulnerabletosuchtreachery.”

“Brilliant.Positivelybrilliant.Now...mightwecontinue?”Withoutwaitingforaresponse,shepointedtothegobletslinedupontheconferencetableofthechamberwhereshehadinstructedmebefore.“Whatyouneedtodoisimagethetiniestbitofthewineor

whateveryoususpectontoatestpaperstripandwatch.Thepaperstripsaretreated.Ifit’sacyanoticpoison...thestripwillturngreen,ifjoraban,amaroon...”

Icouldseeaproblemthere.

“Yes?”

“Ifthere’sjorabainredwine...”

“Youdon’tneedtoworry

aboutthat.Youcanonlyputjorabainclearliquids.Itsnatureissuchthatittendstochangethecolorsofanything.But...”Sheshrugged.“...thatdoesmeanyouneedtobeawareofthepropercolorsofvariouswines.ThatisonereasonwhyHighHoldersaresuchexpertsonvintages.Thosewhoarenotoftensufferstrangeandfatalmaladies...”

IhadnodoubtthatthecomingsessionswithMaitreDyanawouldbeevenmorepainful.

Rain,shadows,andsunlight

allconcealandreveal,

justindifferentfashions.

Vendreiwaswithoutincident,exceptingforanotherlongeveningsessionwithMaitreDyana.SowasearlySamedimorning,exceptthatwehad

torunthroughaheavyrain,andmyexerciseclothesweresoddenbythetimeIreturnedtomyquarters.Evenso,Imanagedtogettobreakfast,eat,andarriveatmymakeshiftstudiowithenoughtimetogetmypaintssetupandevengetinalittleworkonthebackgroundoftheportraitbeforeMasterPoincarytarrivedpunctuallyatthefirstbellofeighth

glass.

Recallinghis“homily”aboutobservation,Iwatchedasheenteredthestudio,notinghow,withoutseemingto,hesurveyedmeandtheentirespaceoftheconvertedworkroombeforetakinghisseat.Icouldseethatmightalsobeagoodhabittoform.

Ashesatdown,hesmiled.“Yes...Ido.Mostcovert

imagerslearnthatearly,iftheysurvive.”

“I’mstillworkingonwhatyousuggested,sir.”

“You’restillyoungenoughthatsuchintensitycanbetakenforinterest.Asyougetolder,youwillhavetolearnobservationwithcircumspection,butbythen,youshouldbeabletopickuponwhatyouseeandsense

almostwithoutthinkingaboutit.”Helaughed.“AmongtheHighHolders,observationisplayedasagame,ifonewithveryhighstakes.Theonewhocanlearnthemostwhilerevealingtheleastisusuallythewinner.”

Inthatsense,I’djustlost...butI’dlearnedindoingso.“Ifyouwouldturnyourheadtotheleft,justatouch,sir?”

Ipaintedforasolidglass,alittletentativelyatfirst,becauseIhadn’tbeenworkingwiththebrushesallthatmuch,butIcouldfeelthetouchcomebackbeforelong.Imanagedtogetmostoftheareaaroundhisforeheadandeyes,aswellasfinishthenose,andgettheshapeofthejawsetwiththeunderlyingbase.

Asthefirstoftheninebells

rang,MasterPoincarytrose.“Ihopeyouwillpardonme,Rhennthyl,butIdohaveameetingwithHighCouncilorSuyrienandCouncilorRholyn.”

“Yes,sir.Itrustitwillgowell.”

“Oneneverhasameetingwithoutknowingexactlyhowitwillgoandhowtoassurethatitdoes.”Hesmiled

warmly.“Otherwise,whatisthepoint?”

Afterheleft,Ithoughtabouthispartingwords.He’dasmuchassaidthathewouldbecontrollingthemeetingbetweenRholyn,thecouncilorwhorepresentedtheCollegiumontheCouncil,andHighCouncilorSuyrien,theHighHolderwhochairedtheexecutivecommitteeoftheCouncil,andwho,in

effect,spokefortheCouncilandallofSolidar.Thatalsosuggestedthatsuchameetingwasnecessary,andthat,attheleast,therewasnottotalagreementbetweenSuyrienandtheCollegium.Ihadnodoubtstherewouldbeagreementwhenthemeetingended.

Ispentalmostanotherfullglassworkingontheportrait,becauseIfeltIneededtodo

so,butasIcleanedup,IrealizedanotheraspectoftheCollegium.MasterPoincarythadcomefromthecovertbranchnowheadedbyMasterDichartyn,andthatsuggestedtomethatMasterDichartynmightwellbebeingpreparedtobecomeMasterPoincaryt’ssuccessor.

TheCollegiumwasalmostcompletelydesertedbynoon,andIatewithReynol,who

complainedabouthavingtodealwith“greatcomplexities”intheCollegiumaccounts,makingthingsbalancesothateverythingappearedinitsproperplacewhentheaccountswerepresentedtotheCouncil.

“TotheCouncil?”Itookamouthfulofsaoras,thinstripsofgoosefriedinspiceoil,thencoveredwithcheeseand

bakedinapuffpastry.

“Absolutely.WeprovideservicestotheCouncil,forwhichwearepaid.ThearmoryhascontractswiththeNavy,thatsortofthing.Eventhe...well...letusjustsaythatalmosteverypartoftheCollegiumprovidesgoodsorservicestosomeone,andwereceiveanannualpaymentfromtheCouncilforresolution.”

“Doesthatmeanresolutionoftheimagerproblem,bytrainingthem,andkeepingthemfrombeingaproblem,sotospeak?”

“It’snotspelledoutanywhere,anditdatesbackcenturies.That’sallIknow.Somethingsaccountclerksdon’taskabout.”Reynoldidsmile.

Isippedthewine,aslightly

bitterwhiteplonkIcouldn’tidentify.“Whydoyouthinkotherlandsdon’thavesomethingliketheCollegium?”

“Whywouldtheywantthem?Halfofthemdon’twantimagersbecausetheirreligionorfaithorwhathaveyousayswe’reevilandunnatural.Theotherseithertoleratethemwithrestrictionsorquietlyforcethemoutor

killthembecausetheydon’tfit.”

Ihadtothinkaboutthat.“Youmeanbecauseabsoluterule,likeinCaenen,canbeturnedupsidedownwithimagerswhocankilltyrantswithouteverbeingdetected?”

“Right.Butevenoutsideinfluenceworriesthoseinpower.InJariola,therearereallyonlyforty-five

membersoftheoligarchy.That’shereditary.Whatifanimagerwentaroundkilling,overtime,thosememberswithagivenview?Thatcouldchangethings,andtheydon’twantchange.InFerrum,theybelieveinusingmachinesandforeigncontractworkerstokeepwagesandcostslow.Thatreducesthepoweroftheguilds—theyreallydon’thavethemthe

waywedo—andincreasesthepowerofthefactors.Theydon’tevenhaveanythinglikeHighHolders,onlythewealthiestofmerchants.ACollegiuminFerrumwouldcertainlyreducethepowerofthemerchanters.”

“So,fordifferentreasons,neitherFerrumnorJariolacaresforimagers.WhataboutTiempre?”

“They’recrazy.TheyhavethisideathatanytalentthatonlyafewpeoplehaveisthemarkofBius,theblackdemon,becausePuryon,theiroh-so-justgod,bestowsthepotentialforeverytruebelievertohavethesameabilitiesasanyother,ifindifferinglevels,iftheyonlybelieve.Soallimagersaredemons.”

“Howcantheybelieve

that?Peoplearedifferent.”

Reynoljustlaughed.Ihadtoaswell.

Afterlunch,IfoundashadedbenchontheeasternsideofImagisleonthenorthendwheretherewasaslightbreezeoffthewaterandsatdowntotrytothink.

WhathadIdiscoveredaboutthosetryingtokillme,andhowhadIdiscovered

whatIhad?Inthesimplestsense,Ihadobservedandtalkedtopeople.TheproblemnowwasthatIhadfewenoughpeopleleftwithwhomIcouldtalkthatIhadnotalreadycontacted.ButitcouldbethatI’dbeenlookingattheprobleminthewrongway.Anumberofjuniorimagershadbeenkilledoverthepasthalfyear,andnoneofthemhadangeredHigh

HolderRyelortaudischefArtazt.SomehadbeenkilledevenbeforeI’denteredtheCollegium,andtherewerekillingsstillhappening,ifintermittently.Why?Justbecausesomeonedidn’tlikeimagers?

Foratime,Ijustsatthere,lookingattheriver,butIdidn’tcomeupwithanysortofanswer.Yet...therewassomething.Ijustcouldn’tsee

whatitwas.

BecauseIhadaverystrongfeelingthattryingtorundownElphensorotherportraituristswasn’tgoingtotellmeanymore,Ifinallyreturnedtomyquartersandread,mostlyfromOnArtandSociety.Ididn’tknowthatIagreedwithmuchofwhatIread.JuniaeD’Shendael’scommentarydidsparkspeculation,particularlyher

assertionthatthereasontherewerevirtuallynowomenartistswasbecause,historically,noonewantedtoinvestintrainingawomanwhenshehadafiftypercentchanceofdyinginchildbirth,andbeingsurroundedbymales,shewouldlikelyhaveahundredpercentchanceofbecomingpregnant.Afterhavingachild,she’dbeabletodevotelesstimetoartand

wouldrequiremorefood,especiallyifnursing.

I’dhavetocautionKhethilaaboutnotquotingtooliberallyfromthatvolume.

Athalfpastfour,IwasinahackheadedforNordroadandHagahlLane.Ihadslippedasetofpoisontestingstripsinsidemywaistcoat,notthatIexpectedtobe

poisoned,butforpractice.Averylightdrizzlehadbeguntofall,andIwishedthatIhadanumbrella,notforme,butforSeliora.

Iarrivedalmostaquarterglassearly,but,seeminglyasalways,Bhenytopenedthedoor.

“MasterRhennthyl,pleasecomein.”

“Areyouthepermanent

doorman?”Iaskedjokingly.

“Iliketoseewho’scoming,and,besides,Mothersaysit’sawaytomeetpeople.”Hesmiled.“AuntSelioragivesmethings,too.”

Bhenytcarefullyslidthelockandtheboltinplace,andthenwewalkedupthesteps,wherehetookhisleave.

Iwaitedforatimeinthemain-levelentryhall,taking

inthepaintingssetatintervals,aswellasthehangings.Ihadthefeelingaboutoneofthem,anelaborategeometricdesignofsilveranddarkgrayonarichgreen.Itwasfarnewerthantheothers.Ididn’trecognizeanyofthepaintings,allofthemlandscapesorcityscenes,althoughIthoughtoneofthesceneslookedlikeitmighthavebeenpaintedby

Elphensorhisformermaster—exceptitwassignedbysomeonecalledArhenyt,whofromthestylemighthavebeenRhenius’sfather.

AlthoughIheardnosteps,IsensedsomeoneandturnedtoseeSelioraenteringthemainhallfromthearchwayleadingtothestairs.Sheworeablackdresswithabrilliantfilmygreenvest,trimmedinsilver,withasilveryscarf.

“Doyouallmovesoquietly?”Igrinned.

“No.ShomyrandFathershakethestairsandthefloor.”Selioragavemeawarmembraceandagentlebutquickkissbeforesteppingback.“Haveyourparentsreturned?”

“IreceivedareplyfromMotherlateonJeudi,andalettertoyouwouldn’thave

gottenheremuchbeforeIdid.”

Selioraraisedhereyebrows.“And?”

“Becausewe’rebeinghonest,youcanreadherresponse.”Ihandedhertheenvelope.

Sheextractedtheletter,slowlyreadingit.Thenshelookedupandsmiled,enigmatically.

Iwasn’tabouttoaskwhatlaybehindtheexpression.Iknew.IalsoknewthatMotherwasinforsomethingshehadneverencountered,notevenwithRemaya,whowasahousecatcomparedtoSeliora’smountaincougar.

“You’resmiling,”Seliorasaid.

“IthinkI’llenjoyobservingnextweekend.”

“Youcanbeevil,Rhenn.I’llbeascharmingasIknowhow.”

“AndyousayI’mevil?”

Thatgotmeanotherenigmaticsidelongglance.“Wheremightwebegoingtodine?”

“I’dthoughtthatthePromenademightbegood.”

“CouldwetryTerraza?”

“It’sbetter,Itakeit?”I’dneverheardofit.

“Itis.Youalsodon’tpayforwhatyoudon’tget.”

“OdeliaandKolasyn?”

“Ithoughtwecouldmeetthemthere.”

Ijustofferedashrugandagrin.

Asweheadeddownthestepstothedoor,Seliora

gestured.“Intheclosetatthebottomofthestairs,thereareseveralumbrellas.”

Afterfindingthecloset,ItookalargenavyblueumbrellaandthenhelditoverSelioraassheusedabrasskeytolockthedoorbehindus.Wehadtowaitabittohailahack,andforthatIwasgladfortheumbrella,notsomuchformeasforSeliora.

Ifithadnothavebeenforthemistingrain—andtheexposure—Terrazawouldhavebeenalmostcloseenoughtowalk,onlyaboutamille,justaroundthecorneronanarrowlaneofftheBoulevardD’Este,notallthatfarfromMasterKocteault’s,Irealized,whenwegotoutofthecoach-for-hire.

Notonlythat,butOdeliaandKolasynalreadyhada

table,acircularoneinthefarcorner,perhapsthebestintherestaurant.Thewomanwhoguidedusthereonlyglancedatmeperfunctorily,afteradmiring,ifmostcovertly,whatSeliorawore.

TerrazaitselfwasagoodthreetimesthesizeofLapinina,butonlyhalfthatofFelters.Thewallswereasimpleandcleanwhiteplaster,withbrickpillars

showing,andthefloorwasacleandarkgraytile.Allthetableshadwhitecloths,andthewalllampswereofantiquebrass,frequentenoughsothatitwasn’tgloomy,butwarminfeeling.

OdeliasmiledasIseatedSeliora,thenmurmuredjustloudenoughforustohear.“Thatwasquiteanentrance.Everyonekeptlookingatyoutwo.”

“TheywerelookingatSeliora,”Ipointedout,“notme.”

“Anytimeabeautifulwomanappears,escortedbyatall,muscular,andimpressive-lookingimager,peoplewilllook,”Kolasynreplied.

“That’snoreason,”Isaidwithalaugh.

“Forsomepeople,itis,”

repliedOdelia.

Aservinggirlappearedwithtwobottlesofwine,oneredandonewhite.

“Iorderedtheirhousewines,”Odeliaexplained.“They’regood.”

Imanagednottolaugh.OdeliaandSelioraweredefinitelybetteroffnotbeingHighHolders,notfromwhatI’dheardaboutthewayHigh

Holderstreatedtheirwivesanddaughters.

Idecidedontheredwine,althoughIcouldn’thavesaidwhy.Itwaslight,likeaDhuensa,buthadastrongerandfruitiertaste,yetIlikedit.IliftedtheglasstoOdelia.“Youwereright.Thisisgood.”

Shesmiled,andhereyesflickedtoSeliora.

Thistime,IdidlaughasIturnedtomypartner.“Youtoldherwhattoorder?”

“Ijustsuggested.”Hervoicewaslowanddemure,andIcouldseethemischievousgrinstrugglingtoappear.

“Haveyouorderedeveryone’sdinneraswell?”MytonewaslightbecauseIwasactuallyenjoyingthe

banter,andIcouldbarelykeepfromlaughingagain.

“You’reright,”interjectedOdelia.“Hedoeshaveasenseofhumor.”

Theservinggirlappeared.“Thespecialtonightislambtournedos,withmintyogurt,blueglacianpotatoes,andspice-steamedsummerbeans....”ShewentontolistmoreentreesthanIcould

rememberfully,whichwasfine,becauseIwantedthelamb.

Onceshewasfinished,InoddedtoSeliora.

“ThegreensandfowlwiththeCambrisanreduction.”

“Theroastmushroomsandtheduckconfit,”addedOdelia.

“Thesameforme,”said

Kolasyn.

“Greensandthelambspecial...pink,notred,”Isaid.

Aftersheleft,therewasamomentofsilence.IlookedtoKolasyn,perhapsbecausehehadsaidsolittleandIsomuch.“Youweretalkingaboutreasonswhypeopledothings.Dopeoplereallyhavereasons?”AsItalked,I

slippedoutoneofthetestingstrips,holdingitwellbelowtheedgeofthetable,andconcentratedonimagingthetiniestdropofwinefromSeliora’snarrowgoblet.

Hesmiled,thenshrugged.“Ithinkso.Withpeople,there’sareasonforeverything.Thetrickistofigureoutthereason.Sometimes,theydon’tevenknowitthemselves,butif

youcandiscoverit,thenyouhaveanadvantage.”

“Areyousurethateveryonehasareason?”askedSeliora,hervoicecarryinggenuineinterest.“Besidesjusthavingtoact?”

Iimagedanotherdropofwine,thistimefrommygoblet.

“Iftheydidn’thavesomereason,”Kolasynreplied,“no

onewoulddoanything.Maybethey’rehungry,ortired...orjustdon’twanttoleaveadecisiontotheirwife...”

Ididgrinatthat.

Ialsogotaverygentleelbowintheribs.

ThetestingstripshowednothingabnormalineitherSeliora’swineormine.

Atthatpointthefirstcoursearrived.

Betweenthefoodandtheconversation,lightasitwas,everyoneseemedtoenjoythedinner.IalsotestedthewineandthesparklingwaterthatOdeliahadaskedfor.

Then,justastheserversetthelemontartthatwasmydessertbeforeme,Selioraglancedtowardthefrosted-

glassdoorofTerraza.Thatwasthesecondtimeshe’ddonethat,Irealized.Ileanedtowardherandaskedinamurmur,“Someoneoutthere?”

“Rhenn...”

“IfIknowwhat’sthere,”Irepliedinalowvoice,“I’llbefine.Idon’twantanyoneelsearound.”Islippedfrommychair.“Ifyouallwillexcuse

meforamoment...Ineedtostretch.Someoftheexercisesandrunningmaybecatchingupwithme.Ishouldonlybeamoment.”

Seliora’sglanceallbutscreamed“Takecare!”

IwasholdingfullshieldsasIsteppedoutintothecontinuinglightdrizzle,andIhadthemangled,inawaythatevenMaitreDyanamight

haveactuallyapproved.

Thefirstbulletbarelyshookme.Iturned,lookingthroughthemistyevening,thensawthemuzzleflashfrombesidethetrunkofatreelessthantwentyyardstomyleft,acrossthenarrowlane.Thejoltstaggeredme,butonlyforaninstant.

Iimagedoilacrossthestonesofthesidewalkbehind

thetree,sinceIcouldn’tmakeoutanyfigures.RatherItried,becausetheoiljustformedamomentarytentinmidairbeforeslippingtothegroundastwomensprintedfromthetreeandupanalley.Oneofthemhadusedanimager’sshield.Animager’sshield?

Istartedafterthem,thenslowedasIheardhoofsonpavement,butIwentfar

enoughtoseedownthealleyandmakesurethattheyhadindeedleftandthatthealleywasempty.ThenIwalkedbacktotherestaurant,realizingthattheshieldIhadencounteredhadn’treallybeensomuchstrongasdifferent,andthatifI’dhadamomentlonger,Imighthavegottenthroughit.Hadthatbeenwhythetwohadfled?

Onehadtobeanimager,

theotherprobablytheFerran.WhatchilledmeasmuchasthepresenceofanunknownimagerwasthefactthatsomeoneknewwhereI’dbeandwhen.Theimager’spresencealsoconfirmedthatEmanus’sdeathwasnotaccidentalandhadapartinmatters,evenifinadvertent,butitstillmadenosensetome,exceptthatitdidsuggestthatEmanushadknown

somethingthattheimagerbelievedInowknew.Butwhatcouldthatbe?

Beforereenteringtherestaurant,Iglancedaroundagain,butthestreetwasempty,notsurprisingly,giventherain.

“Doyoufeelbetter?”askedSelioraasIreturned,afterwendingmywayaroundseveraltables.

“Thecoolerairhelped.”Ismiled,thensatdownagain,murmuringtoher,“Everything’sfine.They’vegone.”

Odeliaraisedaneyebrow,butIjustsmiled,beforetakingabiteofthelemontart.Itwaseverybitasgoodastherestofthemealhadbeen.Seliorahadathinsliceofalmondcake,drizzledwithchocolate.

Surprisingly,atleasttome,thetotalforallfourofuswasonlyabitoversixsilvers,ahealthysum,butnotwhatitcouldhavebeen.

WhenweleftTerraza,OdeliagaveKolasynahugandakiss,andthenjoinedusforthehackridebacktoNordEsteDesign.IthoughtKolasynlookedabitdejectedashestartedtowalkdowntheBoulevardD’Este.

OncewewerebackatSeliora’s,Odeliavanished,andSelioraandImadeourwayuptotheeastterrace.Throughthemistandtherain,wecouldbarelyseethreeblocks,andcertainlynotevenafractionofthedistancetoMartradon.Inthedarkness,theterracewascool,butnotuncomfortable,especiallynotafterthelongembracethatSeliorabestoweduponmeas

soonaswewereclearlyalone.Wedidmovethechairssothatwesatsidebyside,withnotablebetweenus.

“IwasworriedwhenyouwentoutsideatTerraza.Whathappened?”

“Thereweretwoofthem.Onefired.Itriedtoimageoilsothatthey’dslip,butIcouldn’tseethem,andit

didn’tquitework.TheyhadacoachortraporsomethingaroundthecornerandweregonebeforeIcouldgetclose.”

“Someonewithgolds,then.”

“Someonewhoknowsimagers,too.Theyneverletmegetamoment’slookatthem.”ThatwasasmuchasIwantedtosayaboutthat,at

leastuntilItalkedtoMasterDichartyn.

“They’rewatchingyou,aren’tthey?Whatcanyoudo?”

“Becareful,andtrytolearnmore.Idon’tknowwhatelseIcando.Doyou?”

Herfingerstightenedaroundmine.“No.IwishIdid.”

“HasyoursolicitorfoundoutanythingaboutMadameD’Shendael?Istillthinkthere’saconnection.”

“IhadtogothroughGrandmamaonthat.Yesterday,shesaiditwastakinglongerthanAilphensthought,buttheremightbesomething.”

“Didshesaywhat?”

Seliorashookherhead.

“Sincewecan’tsolveanyofthoseproblems,notnowanyway,”Isaid,“tellmewhatyourbestmemoryisofwhenyouwerelittle.”

“Littleorreallylittle?”

“Let’sstartwithreallylittle.”

“ThatwasthetimethatGrandmamaandMothertookmetoExtelaonewinter.Idon’trememberwhythey

went,buttheytookme,andIgottoplayinthesnow,realsnow,andtherewasthisfuzzyblackpuppy...”

Wetalkedformorethanaglass,beforeIthoughtIheardsteps,quietones.IturnedinthedimnesstolookdirectlyatSeliora.

Shesmiled,andnodded,andwegotup.

Afteratime,westepped

apart.

“I’dliketoseeyoutomorrow...”

“I’dliketoseeyou,butitisthetwins’birthday,anditshouldbetheirspecialday.Also,perhapsyoushouldseeyourparents.Itmightnothurt.”

Shewasrightaboutthat,muchasIhatedtoadmitit.

InthehackonthewaybacktotheBridgeofHopes,somethingKolasynsaidcamebacktome.“Withpeople,there’sareasonforeverything...thetrickistofigureoutthereason.”

Whatwerethesimplestreasonstokilljuniorimagers?Becauseitwashardertokillseniorimagers?Becauseifsomeonekilledjuniorimagers...

Iswallowed.Coulditbethatsimple?Thatcold?Andifso,whyhadn’tMasterDichartynmentionedit?OrwasIsupposedtotellhim—again?

Tothosewhofailto

understand,themostfantastic

inliferemainsdisappointing.

ForalltheexcitementofSamedi,Ididsleepsoundlythatnight,wellenoughthatIdidnotwakeuntilwellafterbreakfast,possiblybecause

thedaywassodarkandgray,althoughtherainhadstopped.SinceMasterDichartyndidn’thavetheduty,hewasn’taround,andIhadnowaytoreachhimeasily.Besides,whatcouldhehavedonetotrackdownanunknownimageronaSolayi?I’dcertainlylethimknowonLundi.SoIjusttookmytime,stillponderingoverthestrangeshieldusedbythe

Ferran’saccomplice,andthinkingabouthowImightovercomeitshouldIagaincomeintocontactwithitswielder.

MenyardwastheonlythirdIknewwellatlunch,andIjoinedhimandseveralothers,butmostly,Ijustlistenedandate.Afterlunch,IcrossedtheBridgeofHopes,holdingfullshields,somethingthatwasnolongermuchofaneffort,

andtookahackouttomyparents’dwelling.

Motheractuallywastheonetoopenthedoor.“Rhenn!Whatapleasantsurprise.”Hersmilewascertainlywelcoming.“Yourfatherwillbesopleased.”

Ifollowedherintothefamilyparlor,closingthedoorbehindme.KethilawaslounginginFather’schair,

readingsomething,butitwasn’toneoftheD’Shendaelbooks.

“Dohaveaseat,dear.I’lltellyourfatherthatyou’rehere.”

Khethilaclosedthebookandmovedtothesettee.“Iwanttohearallabouther.”

“Inamoment,”Ireplied,notthatIwasabouttotellanyoneanythingmorethan

theabsoluteminimum.“HaveyouyetreadOnArtandSociety?”

“Thebookshophasn’tfoundacopyyet.”

“I’vereadseveralchapters...”Igrinned.

“Youhaveit?”

“TheCollegiumlibrarydoes.Iwasabletoborrowit.”Iglancedtowardthebackhall

leadingtoFather’sprivatestudy.“Don’tletFatherseeit.I’dsuggestnotquotingfromit.”

“I’lllikeit,then?”

“Itmightmakeevenyouthinkdifferently.”

“How?”

“Shesaysthatfinancialpressuresandchildbirtharewhytherehavebeenalmost

nowomenartists.Alsothatartcaneasilybecomeamalepretension.”

“Shereallywrotethat?”Khethilafrowned.

“You’llhavetoreadityourself.”Ilookeddownthehall.“Father’sonhisway.”

Shegavemeamockglare,whichvanishedasCulthynhurriedinandploppedhimselfonthesetteenextto

her.

OnceFatherarrivedinthefamilyparlorandseatedhimself,Mothersettleddowninherchairandlookedatme.Iignoredthelookandsatinthestraight-backedchairthatwasatanangletoboththesetteeandFather.

“Tellussomethingabouther,Rhenn,”Motherpressed.

“WhereshouldIstart?”I

smiled.“Letmesee.Hereyesarestarsonamoonlessnight,herhairdarkerthanjetebony,herlipsredderthanflame,herskinfairerthanArtiemafullatharvest...”

“That’spoetrystuff,”complainedCulthyn.“Youmeanshe’sgotrealblackhairandredlips?Shecan’thavewhiteeyeslikethestars.”

WhenCulthyntalkedthat

way,heremindedmeofRouselatthatage,anditwasn’tapleasantmemory.

“Youcouldbealittlelesspoetic,dear,”suggestedMother.

“Shehasblackhair,notquiteshoulderlengthwhenit’sdown.Hereyesareblack,theirises,thatis,andshe’saboutaheadshorterthanIam.”

“Thatstillmakeshertallforawoman,”Fathersaid.

“Notcomparedtohercousin.OdeliaisalmostastallasIam.”

“Whatelse?”promptedMother.“Whataboutherfamily?”

“They’rewelloff.That,Icanassureyou.ShehasabrotherabityoungerthanCulthyn,andanotherbrother

who’sabitolderthanIam,Ithink.”

“Youdon’tknow?”askedKhethila.

“Ididn’task.I’minterestedinher,notthem.”

Culthyngrinned.

“She’sinvolvedinthefamilybusiness,andtheymakecustomandquitecostlyfurniture,usuallyforHigh

Holders.”

“Exactlywhatdoesshedo?”pressedFather.

“Believeitornot,it’srathertechnical,andshecanexplainitfarbetterthanIcan,andI’mcertainshewillbemorethanhappytodosonextweek.Oh,she’salsoaverygooddancer,farbetterthanIam,andshehasagoodsenseofhumor,andanice

smile.”

“Isshefat?”askedCulthyn.“Youdidn’tsayshewaspretty.”

BothMotherandKhethilaglaredathim.Underthepressureoftwosetsofeyes,heshrankbackintothesofa.

“No,she’snotfat.You’llsee.”

“Yourdescriptionabout

hersuitabilityleavesagreatdealofroom,Rhenn,”Mothersaid.

“I’vediscoveredthatsometimesit’sbestnottosaytoomuch.Selioraisveryopen,andI’msureyoucandeterminewhatyouthinknextweekaftermeetingher.”

“Seliora...thatsoundslike...”

“She’sPharsi...but

they’velivedinL’Excelsisforatleastthreegenerations.”

“Remayaisalovelygirl,”Motheroffered.

Thatwasaconcessionithadtakenhertenyearstomake,althoughIwasn’tabouttocomplain,sinceIhopeditwouldmakematterseasierforSeliora...andme.

“Remaya’sawomanwithachild,notagirl,”Fathersaid

withagrufflaugh.

Afteramomentwherenoonespoke,Culthynlookedatme.“Rhenn,youpromisedyou’dshowmewhatimagersdo.Youpromised.”

Ithoughtaboutthatforamoment.Itmightkeepthesubjectchanged,andIwasnolongerforbiddentouseimaging,butIhadtouseitappropriately,ofcourse.“All

right.”Iglancedtothebookshelf,thensmiled.Atoneendofalineofbookswasabookend,amarbleLshapewithacrystalglobeanchoredtobothsidesofthegreenmarble.Therewasonlyonebecause,yearsbefore,Rouselhadknockedtheotheroffwhenhe’dthrownaschoolbookatme,andithadfallenandshattered.Istoodandwalkedtothebookshelf,

lookingatthebookend.Therehadtobeenoughstoneandsandnearbyoutsidethehousesothatimagingwouldn’tbethathard.Iconcentrated,visualizingasecondbookend,identicaltothefirst.

Then,therewasone,sittingintheopenspaceoftheshelfbesidethefirst.

IturnedtoMother.“Abitlate,but...”

Hermouthhadopened,justalittle.Ihadthefeelingthatshe’dneverbeenquitesurewhetherIwasreallyanimager.Father’seyeshadwidened.

“Isthatall?”DisappointmentcoloredCulthyn’svoice.

“Canyoudothat?”Icountered.

“No.”Theresponsewas

sullen.

“Imagingislikeanythingelse.It’swork,andithastobepractical.”

“Youtakeallthefunoutofthings.”

“Culthyn.”Mother’svoicewaslikeiceinmidwinter.“Apologize.”

“I’msorry,Rhenn.”

“Ifyoudon’twanttogoto

yoursleepingchamber,youwillbeciviltoyourbrother,”Fatheradded.“FromwhatI’veheard,therearen’tmanywhocandowhathejustdid.”

“Yes,sir.”

Beforeanyoneelsecouldspeak,Idid.“Father,I’dbeinterestedinlearningwhatyou’veheardabouttradeandshipping,especiallybetweenSolidarandFerrumor

Jariola.”Ididwanttoknow,andIdidn’twanttheconversationheadedbacktomorequestionsaboutSeliora.

“Well...”Herubbedhisthumbsagainstthesidesofhisforefingers,thewayhesometimesdidwhenhewasthinking.“IheardfromPeliagrynthattherewasaskirmishorsomethingbetweensomeFerranshipsandoursinthenorthocean,

andmostoftheirvesselsgotsunk.Afterthat,thefactorsintheislessentwordtoRouselthattradersinFerrialarerefusingtoacceptSolidaranwools.They’reafraidofconfiscationifmattersgetanyworse...thingsaren’tquitesobadwithJariola.Atthesametime,IreallyhavetroublewiththeOligarch.Thosetypesdon’treallyunderstandcommerceatall..

.”

Ilistenedcarefully,andnotjustoutofpoliteness.

Later,wehadteaandcakesbeforeIleft,andMotherdidn’tpressmeagainonSeliora,butshedidmentionthreetimeshowmuchshewaslookingforwardtomeetingher.

Thateveningatservices,ChoristerIsolaoffereda

phraseinherhomilythat,oncemore,stuckwithmeasIwalkedbacktomyquarters,perhapsbecauseofwhatCulthynhadsaidaboutmyimagingnotseemingtobesomuch.

“...Exaltingone’snameisavanityofvanities,foranameismerelyanephemerallabelthatwillvanishandbeforgottensoonafterwehaveturnedtoashesanddust.

Eventhosewhosenamesarerememberedareforgotten,becauseallthatisrememberedisalabel.Toseektodogreatdeedsforethicalorpracticalreasonsisamarkofcourageorambition,ifnotboth;todosotomakeone’snamefamousisavanityoftheNamer.”

Icouldseethatwasanotherexampleofthenarrowestofpaths,asGrandmamaDiestra

hadputit.ButIhadthefeelingthatallthepathsbeforemewerenarrow.

Perfectioncanleadtogreat

imperfection.

WhileItriedtorundownMasterDichartynonLundi,hedidn’tshowupattheCollegiumbeforeIhadtoleavefortheCouncilChateau.Then,asitoftenseemedatthebeginningof

theweek,littlehappened,andwewerebackattheCollegiumwellbeforefifthglass.IactuallyfoundMasterDichartyninhisstudyandabletoseeme.

“Whatdoyouhavetoreport?”

“OnSamedinight,someonefollowedmeandtookanothersetofshots...”Iexplainedthedetailsofwhat

hadhappened,aswellasmyfailureswiththeoilandthestrangeshield.

“Theoilwasagoodidea,”hesaidwithanod,“butthewayyoutriedtoapplyitshowsalackofexperience.Thinkofitthisway.Ashieldwilldeflectthingsthrownatit,butwhataboutthosethingsalreadythereorplacedbeforeit?”

Icouldhavehitmyheadwithmypalm.Soobvious!AllI’dhadtodowouldhavebeentoimagetheoilonthestonesbeyondtheshieldsothatitwasinplacewhenheranoverit.

“That’showyoulearn.Bymakingandsurvivingmistakes.”

“Whatabouttheotherimager’sshield?”

“Thatjustconfirmsthathe’saforeignimager.He’smorethanlikelytheonewhohiredtheFerran.That’salmostacertainty.”

“Butwhyaretheystillafterme?”

“Theythinkyouknowsomething.Doyou?”Thecornersofhismouthturnedup,buthiseyesweren’tsmiling.

“Idon’tthinkso,butIthoughtofsomethingelse.You’veprobablyalreadyfiguredthisout.Thisyearthenumberofyoungorjuniorimagerswho’vebeenkilledismuchhigherthanever,andalmostallhavebeenshot.Butwhywouldanyonekillyoungimagers?TheonlyanswerIcouldcomeupwithwasbecausetheycan’tkillolderones,butthatmeanssomeone

hasdecidedtokeepkillingtheyoungeronessothatintimetherewon’tbeanyolderones.”

“You’reright.That’sthemostlikelyconclusion.Wedon’thaveanyproof,butthesamethingwashappeningtoyoungimagersinLiantigoandNacliano.Unlikehere,theretheydidkillseveralassassinsandthekillingshavestoppedfornow.One

assassinwascaught,andheconfessedthathe’dbeenpaidfivegoldsforeverykilling,buthecouldn’tidentifywhopaidhim.

“IthastobesomeonefromsomeplacelikeCaenenorJariolaorFerrum,ormaybeevenTiempre,”Isaid.

“Possibly,butthosearen’ttheonlylandsthatdon’tlikeimagers,andassassinations,

evenfivegolds—orten—aheadarefarcheaperthanwar.”

WhatsurprisedmewasthatMasterDichartyndidn’tseemallthatupset.WasthatbecausesuchattackshadbeenmorecommonovertheyearsthanIknew?Andwhyhadn’ttheycaughttheassassinsinL’ExcelsiswhentheyhadinWestisleandEstisle?

“Itseemsodd—”

“Thatwestillhaveassassinsatlarge?”Heshookhishead.“Youkilledone.I’vekilledone.Sohasanotherimager.ThreewerekilledinWestisleandtwoinEstisle,andtherehavebeennomorekillingsthereforovertwomonths.Whatthatprovesisthatwhoeverisinchargeoftheoperationishere,andthatthereis

probablyonlyonepersonfromwhateverlandisinvolved,certainlynomorethantwo.Isthereanythingelse?”

Notaboutthat,becausehewasn’tabouttosay.“TheranksoftheCollegiumdon’tshowaMaitreD’Image,sir.Havetherebeenmany?”

“TheCollegium—andSolidar—isfortunatetohave

oneeveryfewgenerations.Moreoftenwouldnotnecessarilybegoodforeither.AfterthegreatimagerofRexRegisrazedthewallsofL’ExcelsisanddestroyedathirdoftheBovarianpopulation,andthencreated,orre-created,theCouncilChateau,therewasacertainamountoffearofimagers.Supposedly,thatwaswhythefirstHallofImagerswas

created,asmuchtoidentifywhereimagerswereasanything.Thathallwasactuallyrightaboutwherewearenow...”

I’dknownthatthefirstHallhadbeenthestartoftheCollegium,butitwasstrange,inaway,tobesittingwhereithadbeen.

“...thefeardieddownovertime,butneverabated,

althoughitwashelpedwhenCyrandestroyedRexDefouandputhissononthethrone.Knowingtherearesofewgreatimagers—thosewhomwewouldtermMaitresD’Imagetoday—theCouncilwilldefertoone,knowingthattheyareinfrequent,notthattheyhavemuchchoice,butitisanotherformofbalance.Otherlandsknowthatonecouldrise,andthey

donotwishtoprovokeSolidar.IntimeswhentheCollegiumdoesnothaveone,Solidarwillnotpressotherlandstoohard.NorwilltheCouncilevenwhenonedoesheadtheCollegiumattheheightofhispowers,becausetodosowouldinviteretaliationafterhisdeath...”

“IsthatwhytherearefourCollegia?”

“Weusethetermasiftherewerefour.Thereisreallyonlyone,splitintofourdifferentlocations,butsuchaseparationrenderstheCollegiumlessvulnerable,especiallyintimeswhenitspowersareless,orlessapparent.”

“Whatabouttheregionals?DotheyreporttoyouortoMasterPoincaryt?”

“YouareassumingthatIhavesomesortofposition,Rhennthyl.”

“No,sir.Fromobservation,Iknowyouhavesomesortofposition,eventhoughitappearsnowhere.IalsosuspectthatMasterPoincarytwasyourpredecessorinthatposition.”

Hechuckled.“Andyou,Rhennthylwithyour

brashness,willeitherbedeadintenyears,ormysuccessor.Theodds,unfortunately,heavilyfavortheformerunlessyoucanlearngreaterskillsinforbearanceanddissembling.”Hepaused,thenadded,“Dissemblingisnotinherentlydishonest.Itistheskillofdisguisingwhatyoufeelandknowuntilyoucanactwiththehighestchanceofsuccess.Live

dissemblersarefarmoreusefulthandeadheroes.HowareyourlateststudieswithMaitreDyanagoing?”

“Asyouwouldexpect,sir.I’mlearning,butnotsowellorwithasmuchfinesseasshewouldprefer.”

Hedidlaughatthat,heartily.Thenhesaid,“YoumustrealizethatMaitreDyanacomesfroma

backgroundwheretheslightestmisstepcancausegreatpain,ifnotdeath.Demandforperfectionofskillsinallareascomesnaturallytoher.”

“Sir...you’vesuggestedthatmanyHighHoldersarenotamongthebrightest...”

“Thatdoesnotmeantheyarenothighlyskilled,andtheharnessingofawiderangeof

finelyhonedskillstoalackofintelligencecanbedeadlytothosenearby.”

Ihadn’tthoughtofitinthatway.

“Youdohavecertainstrengths,Rhenn.Idon’tmeanasanimager,butbeyondthat.I’dlikeyoutothinkaboutwhattheyare,andwhattheyimplyforthewayyoushouldact.Unless

somethingcomesupthatisurgent,IwillmeetyouhereafteryouleavetheChateauonJeudi,andwewilldiscusswhatyouthinkthosestrengthsmightbe.”Hestood.

SodidI.“Yes,sir.”

Withhalfaglassremainingbeforedinner,andrainoncemorethreatening,Ihurriedbacktomyquartersand

thoughtaboutwhatMasterDichartynhadsaid.Besidesstrongshields,andtheabilitytopaint,whatweremystrengths?Intheend,Icouldcomeupwithonlyone,andthatwasmyabilitytocombinewhatIknewwithwhatIfelttocometoaconclusionthatwasusuallyright—oftenlongbeforeIcouldhaveprovedthecorrectnessofthat

conclusion.

TheotherthingIrealized,again,wasthatIwasbeingusedasatargetandalureforwhoeverwastryingtoattacktheCollegium.Iwasnotbeinggivenanyadvancedtraininginattacking,orwaystoattack,butonlyindefense,andafteratime,ifonecannotattack,oneusuallyloses.

Afterdinner,andthenafter

myexerciseswithMaitreDyana,Ifelttotallyexhausted.Shewasinstructingmeintheuseofimagingtodetectpoisonsinfood,andthatreinforcedmysenseofbeingtrainedasalure.TiredasIfelt,IstillforcedmyselftowritealettertoSeliorathankingherforawonderfulSamediandtellingherthatmyvisitwithmyparentshadgoneasexpected

andthattheylookedforwardverymuchtomeetingher.

Theonlyproblemwasthat,onceIdroppedintosleep,IhadnightmaresabouthavingdinnerswithHighHoldersandtryingtodeterminewhatwaspoisonedandhow,especiallyafterIdiscoveredatinysilverknotsetbymycutleryataformaldinnerinanornatedininghallIdidnotrecognize.

Observinganobserveris

oftenboring,butvital.

OnMardi,theonlythingthathappenedofnotewasthatapetitionertriedtogettoCouncilorSuyrien.Dartaznhadtokillhim,andBaratynandthecivicpatrollersdiscoveredthattheassassin

hadkilledthefactorwhohadtheappointmentandtakenhisplace.

Thatevening,MaitreDyana,inthemidstofattemptingtoinstillmorefinesseinmypoisondiagnostics,suggestedthathalfofdiagnosticswasobservationbeforethefact,andthatIstilltendedtorushbeforeIhadalltheinformation.

“Patience,dearboy.Observationindetailwithpatience.”

Ifshewerestillalivetwentyyearsfromnow,Ithought,she’dstillbecallingme“dearboy,”whichIsuspectedwasamorepleasantwayofsaying,“Thinkbeforeyouact,idiot.”

OnMeredi,IreceivedfromtheCollegiumtailoraformal

whiteandgrayuniformjackettobeworntotheCouncil’sHarvestBallthefollowingweek.Itriediton,and,unsurprisingly,itfitperfectly.Ihadtoadmitthatitlookedfarbetterthanthestandardgraywaistcoat.

Ofcourse,rightafterarrivingbackattheCollegiumonJeudiafternoon,ImarchedmyselftoMasterDichartyn’sstudio.

AssoonasIsatdown,heasked,“WhydoyouthinkanassassintriedtokillCouncilorSuyrien?”

Thatcertainlywasn’tthefirstquestionIexpected.“Becausehe’stheheadoftheexecutivecommittee,andeffectivelyrunstheCouncil.”

“Thatisastatementoffactthatismeaningless.Whathashedonetocausesomeoneto

wanttokillhim?”

“Idon’tknow,sir.FromwhatIhaveheard,heisopposedtochanginganything.”

“Thatistrue.Whatdoesthattellyouabouttheassassin—orwhoeverpaidhim,ifitturnsouthewashired?”

“Hefeelshehasbeenhurtbythepresentsystemor

stronglywantschangeorboth.”

“Manypeoplefeelthatway.Theydon’ttrytokillacouncilor.”

“Eitherbloodorgoldsorbothareinvolved.”

“Better.Thinkaboutthis.You’vereadthenewsheets,haveyounot,withthestoriesaboutmorehostilitiesbetweenFerrumandJariola

—andtheskirmishbetweenoneofourflotillasthatwaspositionedtokeepFerranwarshipsfromattackingJariolanmerchanters?”

“Yes,sir.”

“ThereisthepossibilityofwarbetweenFerrumandJariola.WhichlandislesspopularinSolidar?”

“Jariola,I’dsay.TheOligarchmakespeoplethink

ofanoverbearingrex.”

“Whataboutamongthefactorsandmerchanters?”

Ithoughtaboutmyfather’sreactions.“They’reprobablyevenmoreinfavorofFerrum,andthey’renothappythattheCouncil’sattemptatevenhandednessiscostingthem.”

“Now,whileithasnotbeenmadethatpublic,”Master

Dichartynwenton,“CouncilorSuyrienhassuggestedthatSolidarmayhavetosupportJariola,giventhebelligerentstanceofFerrum.Hehasalsostatedthathefearsthedangersofanationwhosepolicyisruledonlybyprofits.Canyouseeapossiblelinktotheassassin,atleastintermsofviews?”

“Yes,sir.”

“Now...haveyouconsideredwhatIaskedofyouonLundi?”

“Yes,sir.”

“Thensummarizeyourconclusions.”Hesatbackandwaited.

“Well,sir...I’vethoughtaboutthisforalongtime,buttheonlysignificantstrengthsIseemtohaveareverystrongshieldsforsomeoneofmy

levelandtheabilitytocombinewhatIknowwithwhatIfeeltocometoaconclusionthatusuallyseemstoberight—oftenlongbeforeIcouldhaveactuallyprovedthecorrectnessofthatconclusion.TheimplicationbehindthatisprobablywhatMaitreDyanakeepssaying,andthat’sthatIneedtobemorepatient.Atleast,inmostcases.”Icouldn’thelp

adding,“Idon’tthinkI’mthesingle-handedherotypewhocanchargeintothetaudisandcapturescores.”

“Whataboutyourportraitureability?”

“That’sastrength,anditprobablyaddedtomyimagingability,but,outsideofprovidingportraitsfortheCollegium...”

Henodded.“Those

probablyareamongyourstrongestpoints,andtheimplicationsarecorrectsofarasyouhavecarriedthem.Wealsodon’ttrain,asyouputit,single-handedheroes.Weoftenactalone,butit’sfarmoreeffective,andfarsafer,toactfromtheshadows...orindirectsunlightwitheveryonewatchinginafashionwherenoonerealizeswhatyou’vedone,andeven

whentheydo,wherenooneconnectsittoyouortheCollegium.”Hesmiled.“Nextweek,attheCouncil’sHarvestBall,aboveall,observe.Observeandtrytocorrelatewhatyouseewithwhatyouknowandwhatyoufeel.Itmaysurpriseyou.”

“Yes,sir.”

“Whatareyoudoingthisweekend?”

“Takingtheyoungladywhosavedmylifetomeetmyparents.”

Hefingeredhischin,thennodded.“Forallofoursakes,useyourshieldsandbecareful...andobservant.”

AfterIleft,Ihad,morethanever,thefeelingthatIwasthelureforamuchlargerpredatorthanI’dfirstimagined.

Professionalinterrogators

shouldstudymothers.

Fortunately,Samedimorningwasclear,cool,andwithalightbreezethatmadethelongrunthatfollowedClovyl’sexercisesandthesessioninphysicalself-defenseseemalmostpleasant.

IfinishedsomewhatclosertoDartazn,butnotmuch.Ihurriedthroughcleaningupandeating,sothatIcouldgettothestudioandgetsomeworkdoneonsomeofthedetailsoftheportraitthatdidn’trequireMasterPoincarytbeforehearrived.

Hewasaspunctualasalways,settlingintothechair.“Goodday,Rhennthyl.”Hesettledintothechair.“I

apologizeformyabsencelastweek.Thereweresomematterstodealwith.”

“Beyondtheinfiltratorsinthetaudis,sir?”

Asmilecrossedhisface.“Youknow,Rhennthyl,Ifindthesesessionsmostuseful.TheyprovideatimewhenIamawake,relativelyrested,andwithoutpeopleanddetailsclamoringforactions

andsolutions.”Heturnedhishead.“Thisway?”

“Atouchawayfromme,justalittle.”Ipaused.“Good.”

Ihadtoadmirethewayhe’dhandledmyquestion.Justasmile,andwarmwordsonanothersubject,hintingthathewasn’tabouttodealwithmyquery.BeforeIliftedmybrush,Ijuststudiedhim

again,lookingfromthecanvasandbacktohim.ThenIcaughtit.ThewayI’dpaintedhislefttemplewasasthoughinadifferentlightsettingthanthecheekbonebelow.Iconcentrated,tryingtovisualizeitjustso...andthenitwasjustthatwayonthecanvas.Ihadtosmile.Inaway,itwasironic.

Iworkedsteadilyforagoodquarterglassbeforehe

spokeagain.

“MasterDichartynhasbriefedmeonthesituationinwhichyoufindyourself.Howwouldyoudescribeit?Honestly,butasdispassionatelyaspossible.”

“TheCollegiumhasbeengoodtome,sir.ThatIcannotdeny,andI’velearnedagreatdeal.Atthemoment,though,Idofeelmorelikethelurefor

alargeandunknownpredatorlurkingsomewhereoutbeyondtheCollegium.”

“That’safairdescriptionofthesituation.Iwouldpointout,however,asIamcertainMasterDichartynhasalreadytoldyou,thatallimagersareinasenselures.OurdutyandresponsibilityistodrawsuchpredatorsinorderthattheydonotpreyonSolidaritself.”

“Hehassaidthat,sir.”

“Good.Ifeltsurehehad.You’llbeattheCouncil’sHarvestBallnextVendrei,Itrust?”

“Yes,sir.Won’tyou?”

“No.Onsuchsocialoccasions,mypresencewouldhave,shallwesay,adampeningeffectontheatmosphere.ThechiefmaitreoftheCollegiummusttake

carenevertoputhimselfinapositionwherehemightbeseentochallengeordimtheauthorityoftheCouncil.”

IrealizedI’dalreadyunderstoodthatwithoutactuallyhavingthoughtitthrough.Ijusthadn’tappliedittotheBall.

“TheBallisoneofthoseoccasionswhenyouhaveachancetoobserveandlearn

withoutbeingobservedthatmuchyourself.Ifsomeoneisobservingyou,ofcourse,itissignificant,andsomethingtoconsider.”Hepaused.“HowlongbeforeImightseetheportrait?”

“Youcanlookatitanytime,sir.Ihaveyourfacemostlydone,andthegarments.”

“Afterwe’redonetoday.I

dislikesurprises,especiallythoseIcanprevent.”

Hesaidnothingmorefortherestofthesession,clearlylostinhisownthoughtsandconcerns.Whenthefirstbellofninthglassstruck,helookedtome.

“Yes,sir.Ihavemorethanenoughtoworkonbeforethenextsession.”

MasterPoincarytstood,

stretched,andthenwalkedtowardtheeasel,circlingitandthenstudyingtheunfinishedwork.Afteramoment,henodded.“Theywereright.You’reasgoodasmanyofthemasterportraiturists.”Awrysmilefollowed.“It’saccurate,andlifelike,butyou’reanimager,andit’snotasflatteringasthoseofMasterEstafen.Moreaccurate,butnotso

flattering.”

“MasterDichartynhasalwaysstressedaccuracy,sir.”

Thechiefmaitrelaughed.“MasterDichartynalsoinformedmethatyouhaveacertain...shallwesay...wayofreducingegos.IwouldsuggestyounotemployitattheBall.”Hesteppedbackfromthe

unfinishedportrait,lookedatitoncemore,thenturned.“Nextweek?”

“Yes,sir.”

Hewasalmostatthedoorbeforehestoppedandhalf-turned.“Rhennthyl?”

“Yes,sir?”

“Beingaluredoesnotmeanoneisdefenseless.Nordoesitprecludeaction.Just

makecertainthatsuchactionisinyourbestinterestsandthoseoftheCollegium.”Withthat,hesmiledandleftthestudio.

Iendeduppaintingforalmostanotherglass,leavingjustenoughtimetocleanupandwalktothedininghall.Withgoodfortune,I’dbeabletofinishtheportraitinoneor,atthemost,twomoresessions.Itwasagoodwork

—perhapsnotmyverybest,butbetterthanthatofmanymasters.

AfterlunchwithMenyard,Isteppedoutintothefoyerandwalkedtothemainentrance.Iglancedupattheplaques...andfroze.Anothernamehadbeenadded:Claustyn,MaitreD’Aspect,727–755A.L.

Hadhebeentheoneto

removetheoldHighPriestofCaenen...orhadhejustbeenkilledaspartoftheoperation?

Menyardstopped.“Youdidn’tknow?”

“No.Idon’tusuallycomethisway,andI’mneverhereforlunch,exceptonSamediandSolayi.”

Wejuststoodthereforamoment.Icouldn’tsaythat

Claustynhadbeenaclosefriend,buthe’dbeenwarmandwelcomingwhenI’dfirstbecomeathirdandchangedquarters,aftertheconfrontationwithJohanyr.He’dintroducedmetootherthirdswithgraceatatimewhenI’dneededandappreciatedthatkindness.Itmademethink.HadIbeenthatway?No...buttherehadn’tbeenanynewthirdsin

thelastfewmonths,notnearmyquarters.

Still...thatwassomethingIneededtoremember.

MenyardandIleftthedininghallsilently,andIwalkedalongthewestsideofthequadranglebacktomyquarters.

Foratime,Ijustthought.ThenIdecidedtogotothelibrarytoseewhatthere

mightbeonHighHolderRyel.Lurescouldlearn,Isupposed.

OnceIreachedthelibraryandbegantosearchthestacks,Ibegantorealizehowlittlewritteninformationtherewas.Oh,therewasalistingofalltheHighHolderhouses,butitwasacenturyoutofdate.TherewasalsoabookonthelimitsofHighHolderlowjustice,butafter

skimmingthat,IrealizedthatitwasjustasimplificationofwhatMasterJhulianhadpoundedintome—orforcedmeintopoundingintomyself.Intheend,IspentalmosttwoglasseslearningthatIwasn’tgoingtofindthatinformationinabook.

Afterthat,Ireturnedtomyquarters,readabitmoreofOnArtandSociety,thenwasheduponcemore,and

headedouttopickupSelioraforoursilentinquisition.

ItooktheBridgeofDesiresandhailedahackthere—itcouldn’thurttovarywhichbridgesIused.Then,afterwereachedNordEsteDesign,IpaidhimtowaitwhileIwentinsidetogetSeliora.Isupposedthathecouldhaveleft,butIhadthefeelingthatnohackerreallywantedtostiffanimager.

Thetwinsweretheoneswhoopenedthedoor,andthistimeitwasHestyawhoyelledupthestairs.“He’shere,AuntSeliora!”

Hanahrajustgrinned.

“Howwasyourbirthday?”

“Good.”Theybothsmiledshyly,lookingaway,thenfollowedmeupthestairs.

Ionlywaitedamoment,

afterthetwinshurriedaway,beforeSeliorasteppedthroughthearchwayfromthestaircase,wearinganotherdressIhadneverseen,thisonewithablackskirtemphasizedbynarrowpanelsofabrilliantbutdarkgreensilk.Thebodicewasalsoblack,butthesleeveswereofafilmysilkthatmatchedthepanelsintheskirt,andherscarfwassilver,trimmedin

thesamegreen.Shealsoworeajadeitependantonasilverropenecklacewithmatchingearrings.

“Youlookstunning!”Andshedid,morethanstunning,infact.

“IthoughtIhadbetter.”Shesmiled.“Pharsigirlstryharder.”

Iwincedattheout-of-contextquote.

Shebentforwardandbrushedmycheekwithherlips.“I’msorry.Iknowyoudon’tfeelthatway,but...let’sjustsaythatitwasadifficultweek.”

“SomeHighHoldertryingtobetoofamiliar?”

“Hisson...”

“DoIknowthename?”

“Idon’tknow.”She

smiled,mischievously,andsomehowsadly,allatonce.“AlhyralD’Haestyr.”

“HisfatherisontheCouncil.”

“YoungAlhyralmadethatpoint...severaltimes.Ifinallytoldhimthathischoicewasbetweenhisfatherhavingnofurnitureandhimnothavingmeorhisfatherhavingfurnitureandhimnot

havingme.ThenheaskedhowIcouldpossiblyturndowntheheirofaHighHolder,especiallyonesosupportiveofmerchants,crafters,andfactors.Isaidthatwastheonlyoption,becauseIwasnotraisedtodealwithHighHolders,andhewasnotraisedtodealwithPharsiwomen.Hepersisted,untilIpointedoutthatPharsiwomendon’tbelieveinsex

withoutabindingcommitmenttomarry,andthatwealsodon’tbelieveindivorce,andthattherearenounhappyPharsihusbands.Somedeadhusbandsandunfaithfulfiancés,butnounhappyones.”

Iwhistledsoftly.“Andthatwasthepoliteversion.”

“Ididn’thavetousethepistol.”Shelaughed,softly,

warmly,thenwrappedherarmsaroundme.“I’msogladyou’rehere.”

Ikissedher,andshereturnedthefavorwithardor—butonlyforafewmoments.“Idon’tthinkI’dbetterbetoodisheveledwhenImeetyourfamily.”

Shehadaverygoodpoint,andIescortedherouttothewaitinghack.

Thedriversmiled,asiftosaythatnowheunderstoodwhyI’dpaidhimtowait.

Oncewewereinthecoach,Iasked,“HaveyouheardaboutMadameD’Shendael?”

“GrandmamasaidthatshehadonelastsourcetogowithwhatshegotfromAilphensyesterday.”

Ididn’tpressonthat,because,ifSeliorahadknown

more,shewouldhavetoldme.

Wearrivedjustbeforefifthglass,andKhethilawastheonetoopenthedoor.Hereyeswidened,butshedidn’tgape.

“Khethila,thisisSeliora.Seliora,mysisterKhethila.”

“I’msopleasedtomeettoyou,”Khethilasaid.

“AndI,you,”repliedSeliorawarmly.

“Pleasedocomein.Theformalparloristotheright.”Khethilasteppedbacktotheleft.

IletSeliorastepthroughtheopendoorfirst,thenfollowed.

“She’sgorgeous,Rhenn,”KhethilaleanedforwardandmurmuredinmyearasI

turnedtoescortSelioraintotheformalparlor.“I’lltellMotherandFatherthatyou’rehere,”sheaddedinaloudervoice.

SelioraandIbarelystoodintheparlorlongenoughforhertoglancearoundtheroombeforeMotherandFatherarrived,trailedbyKhethila.

“Seliora,thesearemyparents.Father,Mother,this

isSeliora.”

Seliorainclinedherheaddemurely.“I’mhonoredtomeetyouboth.Rhennhassaidsomuchaboutyou.”

“Nottoomuch,Itrust,”repliedFather.

“Enoughtoknowthatyou’rebothexceptional.Anyonewhohastheunderstandingtolettheirsonpursueartshowsgreat

perception.”Herwordscouldhavebeenartificialorglib,butSelioraofferedtheminfullhonestyanddirectness,inawaythatcouldnotbedenied.

“Please,dositdown,”Mothersaid,hereyesbarelyleavingSelioraforamoment.“WouldyoulikeDhuensa,orredorwhiteCambrisio?”

IglancedtoSeliora.

“TheDhuensa,ifyouplease.”

“Forme,too,”Iadded.

“I’dlikethewhiteCambrisio,andyourfatherwouldliketheDhuensa.”MotherlookedtoKhethila,andIunderstoodthatunspokencommand.Motherwasn’tabouttomissanything.

“I’llberightback,”

Khethilasaid.“Don’tsayanythingtooexciting.”

Iunderstoodthataswell,butIdidn’tsayaworduntilSelioraandIwereseatedontheformalloveseat.“Where’sCulthyn?”

“Oh,he’soveratafriend’sfortheevening,”Motherreplied.“Wedidn’twanttoinflicthimonSelioraforherfirstdinnerhere.”

Thatwordingwaseitheracceptingorencouraging.Thelatter,Ihoped.

“Hehasn’tgottenintotoomuchtroublethisweek,hashe?”

“Nomorethannormal.”Father’swordsweredry.“Heislearninghowtohandleaccountsandseemstolikeit.”

“That’sbecauseKhethila’s

theoneteachinghim,dear.”Mothersmiled.“Seliora.That’sabeautifulname.Isitafamilyname?”

“Iwasnamedaftermygrandmother’sgrandmother.I’mtoldthatwasbecauseshehadblackhairandblackeyes,also.Itmeans‘daughterofthemoon’inoldPharsi.”

“Doyouhaveanybrothersorsisters?”

“Twobrothers,oneolder,oneyounger.”

Atthatmoment,Khethilareturnedwithatray,quicklyofferingthegobletstoeachofus,andthentakingthecornerstraight-backedchair.

“Rhennhasn’tsaidmuchaboutyourfamilyorwhattheydo,”Fatherinjected.

Selioraglancedatme.“Rhenncanbevery

protective,I’vealreadydiscovered.It’sanendearingquality.There’snosecretaboutwhatwedo.Mygrandmotherwastheonewhocreatedthefamilybusiness,andwe’reallinvolvedinitinsomewayoranother.It’sNordEsteDesign.”

Forthemostfleetingofmoments,therewasadeepsilence.

“TheNordEsteDesign,onNordroad?”Fatherasked.

Selioranodded.

“Dear...I’mafraidIdon’tknowasmuchaboutthisasthemen.Whatisitexactlythatyoudo?”Motherventured.

Selioratiltedherhead,asifatalosstodescribeherwork.“I’mtheonewhopicksthefabricsforalltheupholstered

pieces,andIsometimesnegotiatewiththemills.Forcustomfabrics,wehaveseveralpoweredlooms,andI’mtheonewhooverseesthem.Ialsomaintainandrepairthem.AndIdothecustomembroideryandfabricdesigns,andworkthemoutandpunchthejacquardcards.”

“Youdon’tactuallyembroider?”askedKhethila.

“No.Wehandletoomanypiecestodoitbyhand.Well...therearesomeindividualpieceswemighthavetohaverepairedbyhand,whenitwouldn’tmakesensetosetuptheloomsforsuchasmallsectionoffabric.ThenI’dhirethatouttooneoftheseamstresseswecantrust.”

Khethilawasworkinghardtoconcealabroadsmile.

“Howdidyoucometomeet?”

Selioraflashedasmile.“Wehaveindividualguildmemberships,becauseofthewaywe’resetup.ImetRhennatoneoftheSamedidances,andonethingledtoanother.Therewereinterruptions.Hecouldn’tleaveImagisleforatime,andIwasgoneforamonththispastsummer.Wehadtovisit

anumberoftextilemanufactories.”

“Youmusttellusalittleaboutyourfamily....”

“Itisaratherlargefamily....”Selioracontinued,gently,sometimeshumorously,beginningwithGrandmamaDiestraandcontinuingdowntowardtheyoungest.“...andthetwins,they’reOdelia’syoungersisters.BecauseI

seemedsomucholder,theydecidedthatIhadtobetheiraunt,nottheircousin...”

Thebellsignifyingdinnerwasreadyrang.

“Thisismostinteresting,butweshouldrepairtotable.”Motherrose,movingtomakesureshewastheoneguidingSelioratothediningchamber,throughthedirectdoorfromtheformalparlor,

theonethatwassoseldomused.“Thisway,dear.”

Fatherfollowed,andKhethilalagged.SodidI,knowingshehadsomethingtosay.

Shedid,althoughherwordswerebarelyawhisper.“Pharsi...andfromaverywealthyfamily.Fatherwon’tbeabletosayaword.Howdidyoueverfindher?”

“Ididn’t.Shefoundme.Pharsiforesight,thesamewayRemayafoundRousel.”

Foramoment,thatstoppedher.“Shereallyhasit?”

Inodded,addinginalowervoice,“FarmorethanRemayaoranyoneI’veheardof.”

AssoonaswehadgatheredaroundthetablewithSelioraatFather’sleftandmeathis

right,andMotheronSeliora’sright,Motherspokeup.

“Wouldyouliketooffertheblessing,Seliora,orwouldyouprefertohaveRhenndoit?”

“Ifyouwouldn’tmindonefrommyfamily.”

“Thatwouldbelovely.”

Weallbowedourheads.

“Forthegracethatweall

oweeachother,forthebountyoftheearthofwhichweareabouttopartake,forgoodfaithamongall,andmerciesgreatandsmall.Foralltheseweofferthanksandgratitude,bothnowandevermore,inthespiritofthatwhichcannotbenamedorimaged...”

“Inpeaceandharmony,”wereplied.

“Thatwaslovely.Thankyou,”Mothersaid.“Ithoughtacoolsoupmightbebestforharvest,althoughitisratherlateinharvest.”

Thecoolsoupwaslimedvichyssoise,andservedasabackdropwhileSeliorafinishedtheShelimfamilyhistory,althoughinthePharsitradition,Iknew,itreallyshouldhavebeencalledtheMamaDiestrafamilyhistory.

Afterthevichyssoise,Nellicaappearedwithservingdishes...andmoreservingdishes,aswellastwobreadtrays,butthemaincoursewasavealregis,wherethevealfiletsweresplit,filledwiththinspicyhamandapungentcheese,thenquick-fried,slow-heated,andcoveredwithanaranjecreamsauce.Richasitwas,IknewIcouldn’teatthatmuchofit.

Seliorahadsmallhelpingsofeverything.Itookonlywhatappealedtome.

“Rhenn,youdidn’ttrytheglazedricefritters...orthetwice-bakedyellowsquash.”

“That’sbecauseIdon’thaveaninteriorlargeenoughforeverythinghere,”Iprotested.

MotherturnedtoSeliora.“Whatdoyouthinkofthe

veal?”

“It’sexcellent.It’syourrecipe?”

“Mymother’s,actually...”

Ilistened,mostly.

Afterwehadfinishedeatingthemaincourse,KhethilarosefromthetableandnoddedtoSeliora.“MightIaskyourassistance,

Seliora?”

Seliorasmiledandeasedfromherchair.“I’dbepleased.”

Oncethetwohadleft,Motherlookedtome.“Sheisbeautiful,Rhenn,trulybeautifulinthatwaythatonlyPharsiwomencanbe.”

“Sheis.”Ialmostrepliedthatshehadsavedmylife,butdecidedthatwas

informationbetterleftforlater.“She’salsoverymodest,andverycareful.Iknewherformonthsbeforesheeverrevealedwhoshewas.”

“Howdidshemanagethat?”Fatherdemanded.

“Verysimply.BecauseofthenatureofwhatNordEsteDesigndoes,asshepointedout,theyhavetohaveguild

members.SelioraisamemberoftheWoodworkers’Guild,althoughsheisactuallyatextileengineeranddesigner.Officially,ontheguildrolls,sheisanupholsterer.ShecametotheGuildHallonSamedis,alwayswithheroldercousin.Odeliaismostformidable.”Ilaughed.“Insixmonths,I’vehadonedinnerwithheralone,andthatwasina

publicplace.Otherwise,there’salwaysbeenamemberofherfamilywithintenyards...”

“Asthereshouldhavebeen,”Motherreplied.“Idoapproveofthat,andofparentswhocaresoforsuchabeautifuldaughter.”Shepaused,asiftoaskaquestion,thensmiled.“Youarefortunate.”

“Thatsheandherfamilywouldacceptanimagercallingonher?Iam.”Iwasn’tabouttoexplainthereasons.Itwasfarbettertoletherthinkwhatshedid.

Shortly,SelioraandKhethilareturned,anddessertarrived.

Smalltalkdominateddessert,appletartlets,withalemonglaze,followedbytea.

Afterwefinished,andasilencepersistedforjustafewmoments,thekindofsilencethateveryoneshouldrecognizeasasignalforfarewells,andthattoomanydonot,Motherclearedherthroat,gently.

“YoumustletCharlsyntakeyoutwobacktoNordEste...or...”Motherstopped.

“EverythingisatNordEste,”Seliorareplied.“Themanufactoryisonthestreetandlowerlevel,andourfamilyquartersareonthesecondandthirdlevels.”

“We’dbepleasedtoacceptthatoffer.”Iwouldhavebeenstupidnotto,formanyreasons,includingthefactthatMotherandFatherhadtohavepaidCharlsynextratostaytotakeus,andnotdoing

sowouldhavemerelywastedtheircoinandcostme.

OncewewereinthefamilycoachonthewaybacktoNordEste,IturnedtoSeliora.“Youweremagnificent.”

Shesmiledruefully.“I’mgladyouthinkso.Withallthatfood,Iwon’tbeabletofitintoanythingIown.Howdidyoumanagegrowingup?”

“Yousaw.Ijustdidn’teateverything.ButIdidmissitwhenIwaswithMasterCaliostrus.”Ididn’tsaymore,thinkingofbothofthem...dead,evenifitnowappearedasthoughmuchofitwasn’ttotallymyfault.Instead,Iasked,“WhatdidKhethilawanttoknow?”

“Girlthings.”Seliorasmiled,mischievously.“Shewantedtoknowifyouwere

goodtome.Shealsosaidthatshe’dneverseenyousoprotectiveofanyone.”

Iletitdropatthat.SeliorawouldhavesaidmoreifI’dneededtoknow,andIdidn’twanttowastemyfewmomentsalonewithher.

Theembraceswereinthecoach...becauseevenIrealizedthatdiscretionwasthebetterpartofvalor—at

leastsolongasIwasbeingforcedtoactasalureforwhoknewwhat.ButIdidwalkhertothedoor,andIextendedmyfullshieldstocoverusboth.IalsoobtainedherpermissiontocallonheronSolayi.

Afterthat,IhadCharlsyntakemetoImagislethelongway,totheBridgeofDesires.Ididn’tseeanyonestrange,andnooneshotatme,but

whenIreachedmyquarters,Iwasn’tsurewhethernotbeingshotatorhavingweatheredthefamilyinquisitionwasthegreaterrelief.

Thefashionofspeechtellsits

truth,spellsitsfalsehoods.

TheonlythingthatmatteredmuchtomeonSolayiwasseeingSeliora,butIwasagainmostcarefulwithmyshieldsandaneyeonwhoandwhatmightbearound.

Theonlythingatalloddwasacoveredwagon,similartoatinker’swagon,drawnuptoahitchingpostablockofftheBridgeofDesires.Ididn’tseeanyonearounditasthehackI’dhailedcarriedmepast,buttheycouldn’thavebeenfar,becausetheoldgeldinghitchedtothewagonwasn’tthatheavilytied.Thewagondidn’tfollowme,though,andtherewasnoonenearby

whenIleftthehackinfrontofSeliora’s.

Sheansweredthedoor,wearingtrousersandasimplecreamshirt.Shestilllookedbeautiful,andItoldherso.

“Youjustseewhatyouwanttosee.”

“Notso.MasterPoincaryttoldmethatIwasthemostaccurateandunflatteringlyhonestportraituristhe’dever

encounteredandthatIhadthenastyhabitofdeflatingegos.”

“They’renotwomen.”

Iwasn’tgoingtowinthatargument.“They’renotyou.”Iputmyarmsaroundher.

Foramoment,shereciprocated.“IalreadyhavesomeSanietraandfruitandbiscuitssetbyontheeastterrace.”

Soweclimbedthesteps.Whenwereachedtheterrace,Iwashappytoseethatthechairsandtablehadbeenarrangedsothatwesatsidebyside,withsmallersidetablesflankingus.ThereweretwoglassesofSanietraandthinbreadswithfruitslicesonasmallplatter.

IalsogotafarwarmerwelcomethanIhadinthemainhall.

Afterthat,whenwewereproperlyseated,Iasked,“Thedayafter,whatdidyouthinkoflastnight?”

“Yourparentsaresweet.Theydon’tunderstandyou,andtheyworryaboutyou.”

“Theyworryaboutthewrongthings,”Ipointedout,“andthey’dworrythemselvestodeathiftheyknewhalfofwhat’shappenedtome.”Not

tomentionwhathadn’thappenedandmightyet.

Shesmiled.“I’mgladyoudon’tprotectmethatway.”

Thatbroughtmeupshort.Whydidn’tI?BecauseIknewSeliorawasstronger?“Itrustyoutounderstand.Also...yourfamily...yourbackground...youalldounderstandtheundercurrents.Myfatherknowsthey’re

there,andhedoeshisbesttoavoidthem,withoutovertlyevenacknowledgingtheirexistence.”

ShepouredSanietraforus,thensaid,“GrandmamafoundoutsomeofwhatyouaskedaboutMadameD’Shendael.”

Iwaited.

“ShewastheonlychildofHighHolderShendaelandhiswifeHelenia.Accordingto

Ailphens,everyonewassurprisedthattherewasevenonechild,givenallofShendael’syoungmalefriends...”

Ikeptmynodtomyself.

“...theestatewasreallyHelenia’s,butofcourseshehadtomarrytokeepherstatus.Rightafterthedaughter—that’sMadameD’Shendael—reached

eighteen,Shendaelwasshot.Heleniawaschargedwiththemurder.Ailphenssaidthatsectionsofthepublicrecordsaremissing,exceptforthosedealingdirectlywithHelenia’sexecution.”Selioralookedtome.

“WhatdidGrandmamaadd?”

Sheshookherheadruefully.“Shendael’sonly

malerelativediedonahuntingtripwhenhisrifleexploded.Thatwasactuallyrightafterthetrial.”

“HowdoyouthinkEmanusmanagedit?”Iasked.

“DoyouthinkhehadanythingtodowiththeseniorShendael’smurder?”

“No,butI’dwagerthathehadthatmalerelativekilledsothatnoonecouldcontest

hisdaughter’sholding.”I’dalsohavewageredthatHeleniahadn’tbeentheonetofiretheshotthatkilledherhusband,butthatshe’dacceptedtheblametosaveherdaughter,notthatI’deverfindanyproofofanyofthat.

“Thatdoesn’texplainwhyEmanuswaskilled,”Seliorapointedout.“IfMadameD’Shendaelwereworriedaboutherfather...”

“Hegaveupeverythingtoprotecther.Itcan’tbethat.”

“Ithastobeconnectedtoherinsomeway.”

Wetalkedabitmore,agreeingonthat,butwecouldn’tthinkofhow,atleastnotbasedonwhatweknew.Finally,Selioraliftedherglassandsipped,thenasked,“Whatareyoudoingnextweek?”

“DidItellyouthatIhavetostandduty,sotospeak,attheCouncil’sHarvestBall?”

“Whenisthat?”

“Vendreinight.I’malsosupposedtowatchcloselyfortroubleandbereadytodancewithanywomanindistressorwhoappearstohavebeendesertedonthedancefloor,sotospeak.”

“Whatwomen?”

Ishrugged.“Idon’tknow.I’veneverbeentoanythinglikeit.I’vebeentoldit’sforcouncilorsandtheirguests,andthatagreatmanywhoattendareHighHolders.”

“You’dbetterbeevenmorecarefulaboutanyyoungHighHolderwomen.”

“Evenmore?”

“Rhenn...isn’titobvious?Whatkindofmanis

theonlykindthatawomanwhowantstoescapethatgildedprisoncouldmarry?Especiallyayoungerdaughterofmanyinanimportantfamily,oronefromadecliningfamily.”

Ihadn’teventhoughtofthat.Myfacemusthaveshowedit.

Sheofferedhersoftandwarmlaugh.“You’re

handsome,intelligent,andmuscular,andtobeattheBall,evenasasortofguard,meansthatyou’reamorepromisingimager.Also,you’reoneofthefewthattheycanmeet.”

“But...noonehaseversaidthatwe’reimagers,andwe’renotallowedtoadmitit.”

Shelaughed.“Don’tthe

councilorsknow?Andyouthinkthatsomeofthemwouldn’ttelltheirfamilies?”

Oncemore,shehadapoint.“Idon’tevenknowiftherewillbeanywomenofthatageandinclination.”

“Ifthere’safancyballandmen...therewillbe.Notthetypeyou’dprefer,butyoumaywellbethetypethattheyprefer.Don’tletthem.”The

lastwordswereaswarmasthosethatprecededthem,butIcouldsenseclawswithinthem.

“Yes,mistress.”

Shemock-slappedme,herhandstoppingjustshortofmycheek,thentappingitlightly.

“BeyondtheBall,nothingishappening,exceptyou.I’dhopedwecoulddosomething

nextSamedi.”

“Wouldyoumindattendingaweddingwithme—onSamedi?”

“Awedding?Issomeoneinthefamilygettingmarried?”Ihopedshewasn’taskingme.MuchasIliked,evenlovedSeliora,Iwasn’tcertainIwasreadytobemarried.

“No,I’mnotevenhinting.Youaren’tready.”Shekissed

mycheek.“It’sFather’snieceYaena.Ifyoucouldmeetushereatalittlebeforenoon?”

“Icandothat,butIdon’thaveweddinggarb.”Idid,fromRousel’swedding,butasanimager,Icouldn’twearit,andIwasn’tcertainitevenfitanylonger.

“Yourgraysaresuitableanywhere.”Igotanotherkiss.

Intheend,wedidn’ttalk

somuchasjustsitintheafternoonandbewitheachother.

Everyonehasrules;butyours

arealwayswrong.

OnLundievening,MaitreDyanadismissedmeafterlessonssayingthatshe’dtaughtmewhatIcouldlearnaboutpoisonsandimagingatthestageoflifeexperienceIhad,aninterestingwayof

puttingit,Ithought.OnMardi,MasterDichartynsaidthathe’dbetoooccupiedtoseeme,exceptinadireemergency,foratleastaweek.IalsoreceivedashortletterfromMother.

DearRhenn,

Weallenjoyedmeetingyouryoungladyeversomuch.She

ischarming,cultured,intelligent,andbeautiful.Icanunderstandyourcaution,but,asCulthynsaid,“Rhennshouldbeashamedofhimselfformakingeveryoneworrysomuch.”

IstronglydoubtedCulthynsaidanysuchthing,butitwasaconvenientfictionthrough

whichMothercouldchidemeformakingherworryaboutmynotfindingasuitableyounglady.

Weallhopeitwillnotbetoolongbeforeweseebothofyouagain.WeareconsideringhavingalargerdinnerforsomeofourfriendsneartheendofErntyn,and

trustyouwillbeabletojoinusthen.Iwillsendyoutheformalinvitationwhenwereceivethemnextweek...

NowthatIhadfoundasuitableyounglady,Mothercouldn’twaittodisplayhertoeveryone.ButIsupposethatwasminorcomparedtowhatelsewashappeninginthe

world.

Accordingtothenewsheets,particularlyVeritum,thesituationbetweenJariolaandFerrumwascontinuingtoworsen.OnMeredimorning,theleadstoryfeaturedastatementbytheFerranministerofstatethatdescribedJariolaas“alandgovernedbyreactionarylandholderswhounderstandnothingofcommerceandless

ofgovernment.”HewentontoclaimthatoligarchslikeKhasisIIIandcertainHighHoldersinotherlandsweremereparasitesonacountry’sproductivecapability,aswereworkerdroneswhowantedemployerstopayforeverythingwhileworkinglessandless.Fromthatalone,evenhadInotbeenforcedtostudyFerruminmoredepthbyMasterDichartyn,I

wouldn’thavehadmuchtroubleindeterminingthatFerrumwaswhatIwouldhavecalledamercantileempire.

Otherthanthoseevents,notmuchofinterestoccurredduringtheweek,and,whileIwasinterestedinseeingwhathappenedattheCouncil’sHarvestBall,andlearningwhatIcouldfromobserving,Iwasfarmoreinterestedin

seeingSelioraonSamedi,evenifithappenedtobeafamilywedding.

OnVendreimorning,assoonaswearrivedattheCouncilChateau,BaratyngaveusafinalbriefingontheCouncil’sHarvestBall.

“AsItoldyou,noteveryonewillbeacouncilororafamilymember.Eachcouncilorhasfiveinvitations,

andeachinvitationisgoodfortwopeople,usuallyacouple,butitcouldbefordaughtersorsons.Inaddition,thereareinvitationstothejusticesoftheHighCourtofSolidarandanumberofotherfunctionaries,includingthemoreimportantenvoysfromotherlands.YouwilldoubtlessseeotherfacesyouhaveseenattheCollegium.

Donotspeaktothemunlesstheyaddressyou.Yourfunctionistwofold,towatchforanythinguntowardandtostopitwithoutanyonenoticing”—hiseyesflickedtome,momentarily—“andtoserveasdancepartnersforladiesinneed,withdiscretion,orifasked.Youwill,ofcourse,weartheformalwhiteandgrayjackets.Youallhaveone,do

younot?”

Afterdismissingus,hebeckonedtomeanddrewmeaside.“Oneotherthing,Rhenn...forpurposesoftheBall,whenguestsareannounced,inthecaseofunmarriedwomenyoumayhearsomethinglikeMistressMearjynD’Something-Alte.Thesuffix‘Alte’isaddedsothatallknowsheisthedaughterofaHighHolder.

Youshouldnotethatwheneverpossible.”

“Yes,sir.”

“It’snotjustaformality.Ithasbeenknownthatsomeofsuchdaughtershaveaskedthosewhohaveservedasyouareservingtodance,anditiswellthatyouknowtheirstatus.Oh...thesuffixisalsousedforunmarriedsonsaswell,butthatshouldn’t

proveaproblem.Theywon’tbeaskingyoutodance.”

Inshort,treatthemwithgreatrespectandcharm,Itranslated,unlessyouwanttobeonthebadsideoftheirsire,whichissomethingthattheCollegiumwouldprefernottooccur.Butthen,howcouldIbeonmuchworsefootingwithHighHoldersthanIwas?Icaughtmyselfonthat.Beingonthebadside

oftwoHighHolderswouldbefarworsethanhavingonlyonewantingtodoworsetomethankillingme.

WelefttheCollegiumearlythatafternoon,becausetheCouncilhadadjournedatnoonsothattheycouldprepareanddressproperly.Fromthedutycoach,ontheothersideoftheringavenuecirclingCouncilHill,Inoticedthesamehigh-sided

androofedwagonIhadseenonSolayievening.Itwasthekindthathadseveralsmallportholewindows.Thesinglehorsewasthesameoldgelding,andtheteamsterwasapparentlytryingtoadjustsomethingwiththetraces,althoughIcouldn’tbesure,butIcaughtmyselfwonderingwhatthatsortofwagonwasdoingthere,especiallytwiceinaweek.If

ithappenedtobetherewhenwereturned,I’dletBaratynknow.

Thedifferencebetweenan

imagerandacounciloristhatthefirstunderstandsthelimitsoftheworld,whilethesecondonlyunderstandsthe

limitsofgovernment.

ThedutycoachbroughtusbacktotheCouncilChateaujustbeforeseventhglass,and

Ididn’tseeanysignoftheoldwagonorofanythingelseoutoftheordinary.

TheCouncil’sHarvestBallbeganofficiallyathalfpastseventhglass,butaswehadbeenwarnedbyBaratyn,nooneevenbegantoarriveuntilaquarterbeforeeight.Momentsafterthefirstcarriagearrived,otherspulledupinthedrivebelowthemainentrysteps,adrivethat

wasnormallyrestrictedtocouncilorsalone.Thenpeoplebegantowalkuptheoutsidestonestepsandinthroughthegrandfoyerpasttheceremonialguardsandfinallyupthegrandstaircase.Theytooktheirtimeonthegrandstaircase.

“CouncilorHemwytD’ArtisanandMadameD’Hemwyt!”Thedeepvoiceannouncingthefirstarrival

boomedfromasmallbaldingmanstandingattheleftsideofthecenterarchwayintothegreatreceivinghall.

WhilepeopleenteredandweregreetedbythethreecouncilorsontheExecutiveCouncil,BaratynandIstoodagainstthewestwalljustinsidetheHall,whichwasonthesouthendoftheChateauandeffectivelyoccupiedthespaceabovethegrandfoyer.

DartaznandMartylwerestationedalongtheeastwall.

“CouncilorEtyennD’FactoriusandMadameD’Etyenn!”

“TheHonorableSymmalD’JurisandMadameD’Symmal!”

InlessthanaquintglassIhadbeguntolosetrackofallthenames,andinanotherquint,IwassureIhadnoidea

ofallthosewhowereattheBall.

“Inafewmoments,whenmostofthecouncilorsandtheirguestsarehere,”Baratynsaidquietly,afteredgingtowardme,“Iwantyoutomoveuntilyou’realongthewallaboutevenwiththemiddleofthedancefloor.”

“Yes,sir.”Inodded,then

almostfrozeatthenamesIheardbeingannounced.

“DulykD’Ryel-AlteandMistressIryelaD’Ryel-Alte...”

ThenamessoundedliketheywereJohanyr’sbrotherandsister,somethingIdidn’tcareforatall,andImovedslightlytothelefttogetabetterlookatthecoupleastheysteppedthroughthe

centralarchwayintothehall.Shewasblond,almostwhite-blond,andpetite,ifshapely,andworeagownofsilverandshimmeringblue,withaglitteringsilverscarf,trimmedinblack.HerbrotherwasayoungerandleanerversionofJohanyr.Althoughhewasofslightlylargerthanaverageheightandmovedgracefully,therewasalsoasenseofsmallnessand

pettinesssurroundinghim,althoughIcouldnothaveexplainedwhyIfeltthat.

Theyvanishedintooneofthegroupsofyoungerpeopleontheeastsideofthehall,nearthesideboardsthatheldvariousvintages,withuniformedserversbehindeach.

“ShendaelD’AlteandMadameD’Shendael.”

Thatnamecaughtmyattentionaswell.MadameJuniaeD’Shendaelcouldnothavebeensaidtobeundulyattractive,butratherhandsome,withastrongchinandnose,andmahoganyhaircutasshortasanywomanI’dseeninL’Excelsis.Herhusbandwaswiry,shorter,andblond.

“TheHonorableKlauzvolVhillar,envoyofFerrum,and

MistressCyanaD’Guerdyn-Alte.”

TheFerranenvoycomingrightbehindMadameD’Shendael?Wasthatjustcoincidence?AndescortingaHighHolder’sdaughter,whensupposedlytheFerransweren’texactlyfondoftheHighHoldersasaclass?

“TheHonorableDhariosHarnen,envoyoftheAbierto

Isles,andMistressDhenicaHarnen.”

He’dbroughthisdaughter,wholookedyoungerthanKhethilaandslightlyillatease.

“TheHonorableHerrysCharkovy,envoyofJariola,andMadameCharkovy...”

Apparently,theenvoyshadarrivedatthesametime,justafterMadameD’Shendael.

GivenhercriticismsoftheCouncil,Iwonderedwhohadinvitedher,andIlookedtowardBaratyn.“MadameD’Shendael?”

Hegrinned.“CouncilorCaartylalwaysinvitesher.ItirritatesCouncilorSuyriennoend.”

Caartyl...therewassomethingthere,butIcouldn’tgraspitfora

moment.Thenithitme.CaartylwastheguildmemberontheExecutiveCouncil,andhewastheonethatthestrangefactorAlhazyrhadvisited—avisitthathaddisturbedMasterDichartyn.

Inthebackground,theorchestra,setonatemporarydaisatthesouthendofthehall,oppositetheentryarchways,begantoplay.Baratynnoddedtome,andI

begantoedgetowardmydesignatedstation.

AgoodhalfglasspassedasIwatchedthedancers,andthosemovingtoandfromthesideboards,orstandingandtalking,holdingwineglasses.DartazndancedpastseveraltimeswithanolderwomanIdidnotrecognize,perhapsarelationofsomesort.

Astheorchestrapaused

betweendances,Icouldn’thelpbutnoticeaslenderwomaninblueandsilverwalkinginmydirection,casuallyhalf-twirlingtheendofalongblackandsilverscarf.Asshedrewcloser,IrealizedthatshewasIryelaD’Ryel.IalsohadthefeelingthatIhadseenhersometimebefore,butIcouldn’tplacewhereitmighthavebeen.HowcouldIhaveseenher?I

keptapleasantsmileonmyfaceandwaitedforhertopass.

Shedidn’t.Instead,shestoppedandlookedatme,closely.“You’reRhennthyl,aren’tyou?”

“Yes,mistress.”

“Please...”Sheofferedasmilethatwashalfwryandhalftired.“I’mIryela,andyou’reanimagertertius,at

least.”Hervoicewaspleasantenough,ifslightlyhigherthanIwouldhavepreferred.“You’realsotheonewhoputmybrotherinhisplace.”

Ieasedfullshieldsintoplay,ifsoclosetomyskinthatnoonecouldhavedetectedthem,withoutpunchingorslappingme.“Ibegyourpardon?”Ialsoscannedtheareaaroundme,butnooneseemedtobe

payingmuchattentiontous.Thatdidn’tmeansomeonewasn’t—orwouldn’t.

“Johanyr...youmustrememberhim?”Atingeofamusementcoloredhersopranovoice.

“Yes,Iencounteredhimseveraltimes.”Thatadmittednothing.

“Encountered—afairwayofputtingit,perhapsbetter

thanhedeserved.”Shesmiled.“Wouldyoudancewithme?”

Icouldn’tsayno.“Iwouldbehonored.”

Afaint,delicate,andpervasivefloralfragrancecamewithherassheslippedintomyarmswhentheorchestrabegantoplayandweeasedoutamongtheotherdancers.Hereyeswerea

gray-bluethathergownandscarfintensified.

“You’reingreatdanger,youknow?”Hervoicewaslower,conversational,andasmatter-of-factasifshe’dtoldmethatitwouldrainonthemorrow.

“Ihavethefeeling,MistressIryela,thatImayalwaysbeingreatdanger.Pleasantasitis,dancingwith

youcouldalsopresentadanger.”

“Oh,Idoubtthat.Certainlynomoredangerthanalreadyexists.Iwon’taskyoutokissme,nortomarryme.Atleast,notforatime,andpleasecallmeIryela.”

“I’mnotofHighHolderbackground,”Isaidwithalaugh.“NordoIhavethedancingexperiencetogowith

it.”Shewouldn’taskforakiss,ormore,foratime?DidthatsuggestMaitreDyanawascorrect,thatherfatherwouldtakehistimeindealingwithme?Orwasitjustapartofamoreelaborateplanorcharade?

“You’remorethanadequate,andbetterthanmostofyourpeers,andfarmorehandsome.”

“Andyouarefarmorebeautifulthanyours,asyoumustknow,andpossiblymoredeadly.”Butshewasn’tnearlythedancerthatSeliorawas.

“That’sacomplimentIhavenotheardbefore.Myfatherwouldbepleased,butitwouldbeapitytotellhim.Ialmostmight,exceptthatwouldpleaseJohanyrandDulyk,andthatwouldnot

pleaseme.”

IryelawasplayingadeepergamethanIcoulddiscern,butitwasclearthatshehadapurpose,onethatIwasn’tevencertainIwantedtoconsider.“Brothersoftenviewmattersinadifferentlight.”

“Doyouhaveasister?”

“Ihaveone.I’mquitefondofher,asI’mcertainyou

know.”

Shesmiled.“Youdomemuchcredit.”

“IsuspectIgiveyoulessthanyourdue,sinceyouweresoeasilyabletofindme.”

“YouassumethatIwaslookingforyou.Isthatnotratherpresumptuous?”

“Ithinknot,notifIassumethatitwasnotformy

appearanceormystationormynonexistentwealth.”

“Moreandmoreinteresting.”

Moreandmoredangerous.“No...youaretheoneofinterest,forsoseldomdoesoneofgreatbeauty,position,andcharmeverappearinmyworld.”

“Moreflatteryyet.”Shelaughed.

“Flattery,yettruth,asyouwellknow.”

“Iseenootherscomingtotakemefromyou,Rhennthyl.”

“Thatonlysaysthatnonedarecrossyourwill.”

“Werethatitwereso.”Therewasjustthetiniestedgebehindthelaughingwords.

Whentheorchestrapaused,Ireleasedherandinclinedmyhead.

Shereturnedthegesture.“Ifyouwouldnotmindescortingmebacktomyyoungerbrother.”

“Mypleasure,mistress.”

“Iryela.”

“Mypleasure,Iryela.”

Herbrotherwasinasmall

groupwithanotheryoungermanandawomanslightlyyoungerthanKhethila.“Iryela...wearehonoredatyourreturn.”

“AspleasedandhonoredasIam,dearestDulyk.”Shesmiled,sweetly,theninclinedherheadtome.“Thankyouforthedance,Rhennthyl.Ididenjoyit.”

“Mypleasure,Iryela.”I

tookastepback,inclinedmyheadtoher,andeasedaway,butslowlyenoughtotrytooverhearwhatmightbesaid.

“...mostpolitelydone,dearsister,ifratherdirect...”

“...dobelieveincourtesy,Dulyk...andalwayswill...”

“Youaresorefreshing,sisterdearest...”

IconcealedawinceasImovedbacktowardmystation.IryelalivedinafamilythatmadeevenCaliostrus’sménageseemwarmandwelcoming.

Inlessthanhalfaglass,theorchestrawouldstop,andCouncilorSuyrienwouldofferatoasttoalltheguestsoftheCouncil,butbeforethat,Ineededtoreturntomypost.

“Doyouknowwhoaskedyoutodance?”askedafigureinformalblack—MasterDichartyn.He’dcaughtmebysurprise,becauseI’dstillexpectedhimtobeingrayorgrayandwhite.

“MistressIryelaD’Ryel-Alte,andsheusedmeassomesortofinsulttoheryoungerbrother,whoisherescorttonight—andpossiblyeventoherfather.”

MasterDichartynnodded.“ThereisalwaysinfightingforsurvivalinHighHolderfamilies.”

“You’resuggestingImightusethat?”

“Iwouldsuggestnothingatthemoment.AnyconflictbetweenyouandHighHolderRyelhasnotyetbegun,andthelongerbeforeheannounceshisintent,the

betterforyou.”

“Inwhatfashionwillheannounceit?”

“Letusjustsaythatyouwillknowwithoutanydoubt.”

Anotherofhisinfuriatinglyvaguestatements!Ihopedhewouldsaymore,butwhenhedidnot,IknewIwouldgetnothingfurther,andIasked,“Doyouhaveany

instructions?”

“No.Youcanmovearoundmore.Justobservewhatyoucan.”HeslippedawaybeforeIcouldreply.

Ahead,Isawagirl—tallenoughtobeawoman,buttooyoung—watchingthedancers.Shewasalone.Well...thatwasoneofmyduties,andperhapsifwestayedtotheoutsideoftheswirlof

dancersImightseeorlearnsomething.

“Mistress,mightIhavethehonorofadance?”

Hereyeswidenedjustslightlyassheturnedtome,butsherecoveredquickly.“Youmight.”Hersmilewaspracticed,butwithastiffnessthatwasslightlyawkwardandcharming.

Itookherintomyarmsand

outintothedancers.Youngshemighthavebeen,butshewasafarbetterdancerthanI.

“Youdanceexceedinglywell,mistress.”

“Alynkya,AlynkyaD’Ramsael.”

Ilikedthefactthatshedidn’taddthe“Alte”tohername.“YourfatheristhecouncilorfromKephria,then.”

“Heis.Mymotherwasindisposed,andsheaskedhimtobringme.”

Shewasevenyoungerthanshelooked,perhapsbecauseshewassotall,butIshouldhaveguessedbecausethecouncilorwasthetallestmemberoftheCouncil,byagoodhalfhead,ifnotmore.

“HowdoyouliketheBall?”

“Idon’tknowmanypeoplehere.”

“DoyoulivehereinL’ExcelsisorinKephria?”

“Kephria,mostofthetime.”

IdancedwithAlynkyafortwodances,andthenherfatherarrivedanddancedwithher.Heonlysmiledatme,patronizingly.I’dhavetorememberthat,notasa

grudge,butasafact.I’dalsohavetorememberAlynkyaandwishsheretainedsomeofthatyouthfulcharmanddirectness.Probablynot,givenherfather,butonecouldhope.

Nearoneofthesideboards,IcaughtsightofMadameD’Shendael.Shewastalkingtosomeone—theFerranenvoy.

Ieasedcloserasthetwotalked,thentookapositionwhereIcouldostensiblywatchthedancefloor,butfromwhereIcouldoverhearmostoftheirconversation,orglanceintheirdirection.

“YouhaveoftensuggestedthatSolidarhaslittlemusic,Klauzvol.Whatyoudothinknow?”

“Thisisanicelittle

orchestra,madame,butitisapitythattherearenototherslikeit.Forthecapitalofagreatnation...”

“Onecannothaveeverything,asyouhavesaidbefore.Ourartistsaresuperb...”

“Ah...thatisindeedtrue,butsoarethoseofFerrum,particularlyinFerrial...”

Iwantedtheopportunityto

speaktoMadameD’Shendael,aswellastogetacloserlookattheenvoy,butIcertainlycouldn’tspeakdirectlytoher,orstare.SoIlookedatherforamoment,thenlookedaway.SeveralmomentslaterIdidthesame,whiletryingtoprojectacluelesscuriosity.

Afterthreeofmyattempts,sheturnedandglidedtowardme,trailedbytheHonorable

KlauzvolVhillar.

“Youngman?”

“Yes,madame?”Ididturntoher,smilingpleasantly.“MightIbeofsomeassistance?”

“Youseemed,shallwesay,lessthanfullyinterestedinyourduties,whatevertheymightbe.”

“Madame,thatisdoubtless

true.Iwasattemptingtosee,withoutbeingtooobvious,ifyoulookedliketheetchedportraitinthefrontofOnArtandSociety.Mysisterhasallofyourbooks.Idon’tknowwhethershe’sfinishedthatone,becauseshejustgotit.Eventhoughshe’sneverbeenmarried,shefoundAWidow’sGuideinvaluable...Ibegyourpardon.”

Shelaughed,asound

somehowharshlymelodic,butnotmocking.“SoIstillhavereaders.”

“Yes,madame.”IneededtogetVhillarcloser.“Youhaven’tchangedthatmuchsinceEmanuspaintedthatminiature...”

Icouldsenseherstiffen...eversoslightly.

“That’slessthancommonknowledge.Howwoulda

youngmansuchasyourselfknowsuchadistinguishedportraiturist?”

Vhillarkeptapleasantsmileonhisface,butedgedcloser.

“IwasajourneymanportraituristbeforeIcamehere.EmanuslikedachessstudyIdid,andofferedseveralcommentsaboutit.Wetalkedseveraltimes.”At

thatpoint,Iextendedthefaintestimage-probe,andimmediatelysensedashieldreaction—ofthesamesortofshieldthatIhadsensedoutsideTerraza.Therecouldn’tbeanotherforeignshieldlikethat—notunlesstherewerefarmoreimageragentsinL’ExcelsisthanMasterDichartynknew,andthatwasdoubtful,butstilladisturbingpossibility.

Hiseyeswidened,ifonlyfractionally,andIcouldsenseastrengtheningofhisshields,butIconcealedmysurprise,bothathisshieldsandhisreaction,althoughIhadhalf-expectedtofindhimanimager,forreasonsIcouldnothaveexplained.

“Youareratheryoungforthiskindofapproach,areyounot?”offeredVhillarwithoutanyhesitation.“Andsuch

familiaritywithaladyyoudonotknowmightnotbeconsidered...seemly...byyoursuperiors.”Hissmilewaspleasantandpolished,aswashisvoice.

“Iconfessbrashness,madame...andsir,butonlybecauseofmyadmirationandthatofmysisterforMadameD’Shendaelforherwritingsandallshehasendured...tobringthosewordstolifeso

thatotherscanreadthem.Admirationandthewishtohearthewordsofonesodistinguishediscertainlynotunduefamiliarity.”

“Suchartistryinflattery,”Vhillaroffered.“Suchcharmbeyondyouryearsandexperience.”

Ionlysmiled,lookingatJuniaeD’Shendaelandincliningmyheadpolitely.

“Mythanksforyourwords,madame.”

“Hemeanswell,Ibelieve,Klauzvol,”repliedMadameD’Shendael.“Presumptuously,butwithhonestbrashness.Shallwedance?”

“Myhonor,madame.”Vhillarglancedatmequicklyasheswirledherontothedancefloor,butthelookwas

onethatcommittedmyfacetomemory.

I’dhavetobemorethancareful.I’drevealedtoVhillarthatIknewwhathewas,andIdoubtedhewantedanyonetoknowthat,buthowelsecouldIhavediscoveredit?Then,itcouldbethatMasterDichartynalreadyknew,andthatwasareasonwhyhewashere.

Iscannedthegreatreceivinghall,slowly,tryingtodosocasually,butIdidn’tseeMasterDichartynorBaratyn.Besides,Baratynwouldn’tunderstand,norwasIgoingtohavethetimetoexplainthecomplexityofthesituation.Ifhe’dbeentheonewiththeFerranoutsideTerraza—andIwasalmostcertainhewas—he’dalreadykilled,orarrangedthekilling

ofclosetotenimagers,nottomentionatleastfourattemptsonme.Inaddition,hewasfriendlywithaninfluentialHighHolderwithtiestothoseontheCouncil—andthatHighHolder’sfatherhadmostlikelybeenkilledbecauseofhisconversationwithme.Andfromthatlastlookatme,itwasclearthatVhillarknewexactlywhoIhappenedtobe—andthatI

knewwhoandwhathewas.

Istillcouldn’tseeMasterDichartyn,butIdidn’twanttochasehimdown,notatthemoment,withtheformaltoastabouttooccur.SinceVhillarwasanimager,thatwouldbeaperfectopportunitytocreatehavoc.Hemightnot,but...Iwassupposedtopreventthatsortofthing—ifIcould.

Imovedtowardthetable

wheretheformaltoastwouldtakeplace,tryingtousethedeftbutpurposefulmovesofanassistantwhoneededtobesomewherebutdidnotwishtooffend.Ialsotriedtoprojectthatfeeling,andsomemusthavepickeduponitbecausepeoplemovedasidejustslightly.BeforelongIhadstationedmyselfbehindandtotheleftofthesmalltablebehindwhichCouncilor

Suyrienwouldmakethetoast.Withmybacktothewall,Ilookedoutatthedancers.

AmongthosecloserwhowerewaitingtowatchthetoastwastheHonorableKlauzvolVhillar,withMistressCyanaD’Guerdyn-Altenowathisside.Hedidnotlookinmydirection,andtheywerepositionedsothattheequivalentoftwolinesof

peoplewerebetweenthemandtheopenspaceseparatingthosegatheringtowatchfromthesmalltoastingtable.Ididn’tseeMadameD’Shendael.

Asthelastbellsofninthglassdiedaway,CouncilorSuyrienemergedfromagroupofHighHoldersandtheirwivesordaughtersormistressesandsteppedtowardthetable.Thesounds

oftheorchestrafadedaway,followedbyadrumrollandthenaquicktrumpetcallIdidnotrecognize.

Auniformedserverbroughtthreebottlestothetable,stillcorkedandsealed.Thecouncilorsaidsomething,andtheserverquicklyremovedthefoilandcorkfromoneofthebottles,thensetagobletdownandpouredthesparklingwhite

intoit.

Iwatchedthegoblet,hopingI’dguessedcorrectly.

Thewinesettled—thentrembled—andIknew,notthatI’deverbeabletoproveit.

Iconcentrated,tryingtoimagewhatwasinthetoastinggobletaway,andreplacingitwithwinefromthesecondunopenedbottle.

Thistimethetremblingwasmorepronounced,butnooneseemedtonotice.Certainly,SuyrienD’Altedidnotashepickedupthegoblet,raisedit,anddeclaimed,“ForSolidar,fortheCouncil,andinthanksforafruitfulharvest!”

Thenheloweredthegobletandputittohislips.Atthatmoment,Iextendedashieldononesideoftheglass—the

sidebetweenVhillarandthecouncilor.

Something,atinysomething,hittheinvisibleshieldandrebounded,unseenbymost,exceptfortheolderwomaninfront,overwhoseshoulderafinemistsprayed.Shemerelyfrowned,thenusedherscarftobrushawaythemistydrops.

“ForSolidar,forthe

Council,andinthanksforafruitfulharvest!”camealowechofromthebystanders.

Notterriblyenthusiastic,Ithought,butIhadthefeelingthatHighHolderswerenotgiventomuchinthewayofpublicenthusiasms.

Icouldfeeleyesonme,butIcontinuedtosurveythecrowd.AsmyeyespassedthoseofVhillar,Icouldsee

hiseyesnarrow.Abruptly,helookedaway,thenguidedMistressD’Guerdyn-Alteoutontothedancefloorastheorchestraresumedplaying.

CouncilorSuyrienhadleftthetoastingtable,asifgladtobedonewiththattask,andresumedhisconversation.Tooneside,perhapsfiveyards,IcouldseeCouncilorHaestyrmurmursomethingtoCouncilorCaartyl.They

talkedforamomentortwo,thennoddedtoeachotherandreturnedtothosetheyhadescorted.

Ibegantomoveawayfromthetoastingtable,tryingtoconveythesensethatI’dfinishedanothertaskandstilltryingtolocateMasterDichartyn,whenavoicecalledtome.“Youngman.”

Iturned.Thesummons

camefromMadameD’Shendael.Whatexactlydidshewant?Ismiledandmovedtoher.“Yes,madame.MightIbeofassistance?”

“Youmay.IfindIneedapartner.”

Shewasagooddancer,betterthanIryela,butstillnotquitesogoodasSeliora,andshesaidnothinguntilwehadgonehalfwayaroundthe

floor.

“Waswhatyousaidaboutyoursistertotalnonsenseortruthusedtoapurpose?”

Obviously,shedidn’tbelieveinHighHoldercircumlocution.“Itwasquitetruthful,madame.Mysisterfoundanumberofthefinancialadvisementsofgreatuseinthefamilybusiness.Shewasalsofirstcaptivated

byyourPoeticDiscourseandlaterbyCivicVirtue.”

“Idon’tbelieveyouansweredmyquestion.”

“IbelieveIanswereditaswellasIcan,madame.”

Shesmiled.“Thatisananswer,ofanotherkind.Whatisyourname?”

“Rhennthyl.”

“RhennthylD’Imager,I

wouldimagine.No...Iknowyoucannotcomment.Arathersillyfiction,ifyouaskme.WhataboutEmanus?Wasthattrueaswell?”

“Yes,madame.”

“Itisrumoredthathewaskilledbyanimager,andthatyouvisitedhimshortlybeforehedied.”

Rumored?Mostlikely,Vhillarhadtoldheritwasa

rumor,possiblyasawaytodiscredittheCollegium.“Ihadheardsomethingtothateffect,buthewaswellwhenIlefthim,and,frankly,madame,Iwaslookingforwardtotalkingtohimagain.Iwasshockedtolearnofhisdeath,andIdidnotknowofituntilseveraldayslater.”

Thatsurprisedher,andhersurpriseandherchoiceof

wordsconfirmedwhatIalreadyknew,evenifIcouldnotproveit.

“Iamtrulysorryforyou,madame.”Thatwasarisk,butsomeoneshouldhaveexpressedsomesympathyforherfather’sdeath,especiallyafterallhehadsufferedforher.

Herlipstightened,asifshewereabouttoretort.Thenshe

nodded.“Itissadwhenagreatartistdiesandisnotabletoberecognized.”

“Ihavestudiedtheworksofallthecurrentmasters,andnoneexhibitshisexcellence.IsupposethatwasonereasonwhyIwassopleasedwhenhepraisedmychessstudy.”Thatwasn’tquitetrue,becauseIhadn’trealizedhowgreatanartisthewasuntillater,whenI’dseenthe

miniature,butthespiritofmywordswastrue.

Shewassilentforatimeaswecircledthefloor.Aswemadeoneturn,IcaughtsightofMartyldancingwithAlynkya,andtheyoungwomanlookedhappy.Icouldn’thelpbutcontrasthertobothIryelaandMadameD’Shendael,bothsurroundedbyintrigueandplotting.

Thenthemusicended.

“Thankyou,madame.”

Shesmiled.Ithinktherewaspainbehindthesmile,butIdon’tknowthatanyoneelsewouldhaveseenit,exceptSeliora,hadshebeenthere.“Thankyou,MasterRhennthyl.Takecare.”Therewastheslightestemphasisonthelasttwowords.Iescortedherbacktoherhusband,who

didnoteventurnassherejoinedwhateverconversationwasinprogress.

Afterthat,Imovedaroundthedancefloor,alwayswatching,butnooneelseseemedtoneedrescuing,andnooneelseaskedmetodance.MasterDichartynwasstillnowheretobeseen,andalthoughIglimpsedBaratynacrossthedancefloor,hewasheadedtowardthegrand

staircase.ShouldIfollowhim?

Itwasnearingtenthglass,midnight,whentheBallwouldend.

Suddenly,ajoltofsomethingshiveredmyshields,andmyentirebodybegantotremble,untilImanagedtoerectasecondsetwithinthefirst.Stillshakinginside,Iturnedslowly.

Fromagoodtenyardsaway,theHonorableKlauzvolVhillargavethefaintestofnods,andaknowingsmile,beforeturningaway,HighHolderGuerdyn’sdaughteronhisarm.

Iunderstoodwhatwasbehindthat.Vhillarclearlywantedtoluremeintotrouble,orsomethingtoprecipitateascandal.Or

worse,hewouldjustleavesothathecouldstrikelater,andhewaslettingmeknowthat.Icouldn’tlethimdothat.Yet,whatcouldIdo?MasterDichartynwasnowheretobeseen,andIwasgettingtiredofbeingatargetandalure.Alure?WhathadMasterPoincarytsaid?Aluredidn’thavetobedefenseless,andIcouldactinthebestinterestsoftheCollegium.The

Collegiumcertainlydidn’tneedahostileandrenegadeimagerlooseinL’Excelsis—envoyornot—andifIwaitedtodiscusssuchmatterswithMasterDichartynIwouldn’thavethechancetostopbeingalureandatarget.

NomatterwhatbothMaitrePoincarytandMaitreDichartynsaidaboutmyvaluetotheCollegiumasalure...theyweren’ttheone

beingattackedtimeaftertime.Islippedawaywiththepurposefulstrideofamanheadedforthejakes,exceptonceInearedthere,Iturnedtothesteps.

“Sir?”askedtheobdurateguard.

“IneedtogetsomethingforBaratyn.”Itriedtoprojecturgency.

“Ah...”

“Iwon’tbelong.”Iwaspasthimandheadeddownthesteps,quickly,butnotatarun.Onceonthelowerlevel,Itookthewest-sideservicedoorandeasedalongthenarrowmaintenancewalknexttothefootofthewall,usingacloakofshadows.Someonemightwellseesomeoneintheshadows,butnotmorethanadimfigureatbest.Ifoundtheornamental

topiarythatIrecalled,theoneofferingthemostconcealmentclosetotheoutsidestonesteps,andsatdownbehindit,whereIcouldviewallthestepsdowntothedrivewherethecoachesandcarriageswerebeginningtoqueueup.

Iwaitedagoodhalfglassoutthere,watchingasguestsdepartedandworryingaboutwhetherBaratynorMaster

Dichartynwouldcomelookingforme.ThatwasthelastthingIwanted.IwasNameless-tiredofbeingthetarget,andnooneseemedthatinterestedinsolvingtheproblem,onlyinusingmetoflushouttheguilty.Well,I’dflushedhimout,andI’dfiguredawaytodealwithhimaswell—ifitworked,Iremindedmyself.

Vhillarwasamongthelater

gueststoleave,andhemovedcasually,yetdeliberately,hiseyesscanningtheareaoneachsideoftheoutsidestonesteps.Washeexpectingmetoact?Ihadthefeelinghewasconcerned.Heshouldbe.

Hepausedafterdescendingseveralsteps,thenspokeafewwordstoMistressD’Guerdyn-Alte.Afteramoment,heescortedherdownanotherfewsteps,

beforestoppingtoexchangeafewwordswithanothercouple.Heglancedtowardtheouteropencarriagegate,andthenbacktowardtheeastsideoftheChateau.Thatworriedme.Whatbesidesmewasheseeking?Orwassomethingelseplanned?

Ishookmyhead.Forthemoment,IneededtoconcentrateonVhillar—beforehewastoofaraway

formyimagingtoreachhim.

First,Iimagedcolorlessoilacrossthesteps,threedeep,directlybelowhim,andwellbeyondhisshields,andusedapartialshield—somethingMaitreDyanahadtaughtme—toblockanyreflectionsfromthelampsflankingthestonesteps.

Vhillartookonestepdown,thenanother,thenathird,

beforehisbootsslipped,one,thentheother.HisarmsflailedasheletgoofMistressD’Guerdyn-Alte.Shejuststared,becauseI’dbeenaccurateenoughthatshehadn’tsteppedintheoil.

InthatmomentwhenVhillarlosthisconcentration,andhisshieldsfalteredforamoment,Idrovethroughthemandimagedair,lotsofit,intothemajorvesselsin

hisbrain,thenimagedablastofairatthebackofhishead—enoughtodrivehimheadfirstintothestonefartherdownthesteps,angledsothathistemplewouldhitfirst.

MistressD’Guerdyn-Altehadfrozen,watchingashefell,butthenshescreamed.

Iimagedalltheoilaway.

Atthatpoint,Iwasmorethanalittledizzy,andallI

coulddowassitintheshadowsastwoguardscamerunningdownthesteps.Othersbegantogather.

Afterseveralmoments,whenthedizzinesspassed,Islowlyeasedbackalongthewallandwelloutofsight.

Iwasalmosttothewest-sidedoorwhenIsawafigureintheshadowsoutsidetheChateau’slowerwall,moving

tothewest.IdecidedtokeepmovingaroundtheChateaupastthewestservicedoorandtowardtheeast-sidedoorweusedasimagermessengers.WhyIwasn’tcertain,butitfeltasthoughIshould.Islippedthroughthenorthgardensandthenstruggledoverthewall,oncemoreusingaslightshadowshieldinadditiontofullshields,butIstilllostsightofwhoeverit

waswhohadbeenintheshadows.

Atthatmoment,acrosstheringroadfromtheChateau,IsawthesameancientwagonI’dseentwicebefore,withthesameoldgelding,andthesameportholewindows.Thewagonwastiedupalmostdirectlyacrossfromwherethedutycoachhadstoppedandstoodwaiting,butataslightangletothedutycoach.

ItwasalsolocatedinthedirectioninwhichVhillarhadbeenlooking.Mystomachtightened.

Ikeptmovingalongthewall,towardwherethedutycoachwaited,wishingthatI’dmadeagreaterefforttofindMasterDichartyn,buttherewasnohelpforthatnow.Finally,Istopped,agoodtwentyyardsaway,andbegantostudythewagon.There

wassomethingaboutitandthewaythesaggingwagonbodywasangledslightlytowardthedutycoach.Saggingwagonbody?Whatwasinthatwagon?

Atthatmoment,ashadowyfigureappeared,ifindistinctly,intheshadowsatthenearendofthewagon.WasitthesamemanwhomIhadfollowedaroundtheChateau?Whatwasitabout

him?CoulditbetheFerran?

Hehadwhatlookedtobealargetripod,onwhichwasmountedsomethinglongandthick,farlargerthanarifle,andhemovedclosertotheendoftheweapon,sothatitsshapeandhismerged.

Behindmeandtomyright,therewasaclickandaglowoflightastheeastmainleveldoorfromtheChateau

opened.

Asthreefiguresemergedintothenightair,Iheardvoices.

“WhereintheNamelessishe?”

“...guardssaidhewentdowntheinsidestairs...inahurry...”

“Hurryornot...Dichartyn’sgoingtohang

himout...”

ThelastandloudestvoicewasBaratyn’s.

Myeyesflickedbacktotheoldwagon,andtheentirewagonrockedeversoslightly.Oneoftheportholewindowsopenedinward,andtheshadowfigureleanedslightlyforward.

IknewIhadtoact.Iimagedfireandflameintothe

wagon,andwhatevertheweaponbesideitmightbe,prayingtotheNamelessthatIdidn’tbelieveinthatIwouldbeintimebeforesomethingworsehappened.

Itriedtostrengthenmyshields,but...everythingexploded.

Shieldsandall,Ifeltmyselfbeingliftedandflung....

Ifdeductionsrequireabsolute

proof,thentheyarerenderedworthless.

WhenIwoke,Iwaslookingupatagrayceiling.Iwasbackintheinfirmary,andMasterDichartynandMasterDraffydwerebothstandingoverme.Myheadached,and

variouspainswereshootingthroughmychestandback.

“Howbadisit?”Imanagedtoask.

“Forwhatyou’vebeenthrough,”repliedMasterDraffyd,“notallthatbad.You’lllive,althoughitmaynotfeellikeitwhenyoutrytomoveorbreathedeeply.Youmighthaveacrackedrib,andyou’rebruisedall

over.Infact,you’llbeonyourfeet—verycarefully—onceweputyouinaribcorset.”

Hewasright.AsheandMasterDichartyngentlymaneuveredmeintothegrayishcorset,Ifeltlikemyentirechestandribcagewerepressinginonmylungs.ItwasfarmorepainfulthanthegunshotwoundsI’dtakenfromtheassassin,butthe

veryworstofitsubsidedonceMasterDraffydhadlacedthecorsetuptightly.Itwasmorelikeacrossbetweenaflexiblebraceandacorset.

“How’sthat?”askedMasterDraffyd.

“It’sbetter...painful,butnotnearlysobad.”

“You’llstayheretonight,justtomakesure,butI’llletyougointhemorning.”

“I’msupposedtoattendaweddingtomorrow,”Ioffered.

“Notyourown,Ihope.”

“No,sir.”

“Ifyoutakeacoachanddon’twalktoomuch—andstayoutofanyexplosions—youshouldbeallright.Butdon’ttakeoffthewoundcorsetwithouthelp.You’llhavetocomeheretowash

up.”

“Yes,sir.”

“Notawordaboutthis,Draffyd.”MasterDichartynsaid.“I’dappreciateawordortwowithhimalone.”

Theyoungermasternoddedandlefttheroom,closingthedoorbehindhim.IknewthatMasterDichartynhadmorethanawordortwoinmind.

MasterDichartynlookedatmeandshookhishead.“Youdidwrapupeverythinginaneatwaythatdidn’timplicatetheCollegium,albeitwithrathermessyconsequences.Fromtheevidenceremaining,it’sfairlycertainthattheexplosionyoutriggeredtookoutthreeassassins,andtheonebodywholeenoughtoberecoveredfromthatexplosionwasthatoftheFerran.But

whydidyoukillVhillar?”

“Besidesthefactthathewastheonehiringtheassassins,youmean?”Iwantedtoshakemyhead.“Youdidn’tknow,sir?”

“HewasanagentofFerrumandaspy.Alltheirenvoysare,butthat’stobeexpected.Evenhiringassassinsistobeexpected.That’snotareasonforkilling

him.Forexpellinghim,yes,butkillingenvoysleadstorepercussions.TheCouncilmayhavetorecallourenvoytoFerrialbeforesomethingsimilarhappenstohim.MaitrePoincarytwillwantanexplanation,andsodoI.Agoodexplanation.”

Ijustlookedathimforalongmomentbeforeasking,“Whowasthebody?”ThenIrealizedhe’dalreadytoldme,

butI’dalmostforgottenthatinthesurpriseoflearninghedidn’tknowthatVhillarwasanimager.

“ThebodywasthatoftheFerran.Theotherswereshredded.”

Iwinced.“Whataboutthedutycoachdriver?”

Dichartynshookhishead.“Thathappens.ButwhyVhillar?”

“Hewastheimager.”

Forthefirsttime,hismouthopened.“Vhillar,animager?”

“Mostcertainly,”Ireplied.

“Oh...andhowdidyouknowthat?”

“Itestedhisshields,andhetriedanimageattackonmeduringtheBall.HewastheonewhohiredtheFerran,and

hetriedtopoisonSuyrienduringthetoast.Iimagedthepoisonedwineoutofhisglassandreplaceditwithsomefromaclosedbottle.There’sprobablyavacuumthere,andtheywon’tbeabletouncorkit.”

“So...thatwaswhyConstanzaD’Amerlenhadthatburnonhershoulder.”

“Ah...notexactly.That

wasVhillar’ssecondattempt,andithitaninvisibleshieldintheair.Thesprayflewback.”

Hisfacehardened.“Rhennthyl...whydidn’tyouexplainthisorfindme?”

“Inevercouldfindyou,andtherewasn’ttimetoexplainthatthewinewaspoisoned.Yousee,thewinewasintheglassand

unmovingexceptforthetinybubbles.Thegobletwasonthetable,andthenthewinetrembled,butnotthegobletorthetable.AndafterIblockedbothattempts,Vhillarlookedatme,buthedidn’tdoanythinguntiljustbeforeheleftwhenhetriedtokillme.Itriedtofindyou,butIdidn’twanttoleavethehallbecauseIwouldn’thavebeenabletowatchVhillar..

.”Itriedtoexplain,butsomuchofitrestedonwhatI’dfeltabouthowthingswenttogether.“...andtherewasalsosomelinkbetweenJuniaeD’ShendaelandVhillar.Notanaffair,butsomethingelse.I’dwagerit’slinkedsomehowtoEmanus,andthat’swhyhewaskilled,butthat’sonlyaguess.”

“Your‘guesses’havebeenratheraccurateinthepast.I

havethefeelingthisonemaybeaswell.”Histonewasdrylyironic.Hefingeredhischinbeforespeakingagain.“IfVhillarhadsucceededinpoisoningSuyrien,theblamewouldfallontheCollegium,eitherfordoingitorfailingtopreventit,andFerrum’sgreatestopponentontheCouncilwouldbedead,probablytobereplacedbyCouncilorHaestyr,whoisfar

morefavorablyinclinedtowardthem.”

“CouncilorHaestyrsaidsomethingtoCouncilorCaartylafterthetoast.Caartyllookedmostunhappyforamoment.”

MasterDichartynwastheonetolookdispleasedatthat.“YourealizethatthereisabsolutelynoprooflinkingtheassassinstoVhillar,

nothingexceptwhatyousawandfelt.”

Ihurt,andIwasgettingtiredofthecross-examination.“ThentalktoMadameD’Shendael,andaskherwhotoldherthatanimagerkilledherfather...pardonme,whotoldherabouttherumorthatanimagerkilledherfather.”

“Howdidyouknowthat?”

“Sheaskedmetodance...”IbacktrackedandtoldhimaboutbothencounterswithJuniaeD’Shendael.“...andhowelsewouldshehaveknown?”

“Youarenotmakingmattersmucheasier,Rhennthyl.”

“MaitrePoincaryttoldmethatluresdon’thavetobedefenseless,andtoomany

juniorimagershavealreadydied.”

“Hesaidthattoyou?”

“Yes,sir—aboutthelures,thatis.”

“Evenso,you’reaskingmetotakeagreatdealonfaith.”

Ijustlookedathim,again,foralongmoment,beforereplying,“IfImightsayso,sir,far,farlessthanyouhave

askedmetotakeonfaithandwithoutfullknowledge.IfIhadknownmore,Imighthavebeenabletoactina...lessmessyfashion.Besides,EnvoyVhillartrippedonthestepsandsplithisskull.Mostregrettable,butaccidentsdohappen,andtherewasnopoisoninvolved...”IwassotiredIwantedtoyawn,butIwasafraidofjusthowmuchthatmighthurt.

“ThenwhatwouldyousuggesttheCouncildowithregardtoFerrumtoexplainthedeathoftheirenvoy?”

“Sendaverypolitesealedcommuniquétotheheadoftheirgovernment”—IwassodizzyIcouldn’tremembertheofficialtitle—“tellingthemthattheCouncildeeplyregretstheaccident,andthatforthesakeofeveryoneinvolved,itshouldremain

thatway,unless,ofcourse,Ferrumwouldlikeitknownthattheirenvoywasanimager,whichwouldraisethequestionofhowmanyothersmightbe.”

“Youhaveaverynastymind.Theycouldstilldenyit.”

“SendaletterfromMasterPoincarytsayingthatoneofthefunctionsofthe

CollegiumistokeeprenegadeimagersoutofSolidar,andthatwhoelsewouldbetterknowwhowasanimager.Besides,eventhechargewouldcreateproblemsforthem.Peoplehalf-expectitfromSolidar,I’msure.Soanycounterchargeshouldn’taffectusmuch.”Ilookedathim.“Youshouldhavethoughtofallthat.Ordidyou?”

“Idid,mostly,butIwantedtoseeifyouwerereallyasdeviousasMasterPoincarytthinks.”

“AmI?”Thatbotheredme.

“No.You’reworse,becauseyouhavetheabilitytoincorporatemoreofthetruthinwhatyoudo.”

Iclosedmyeyes,thenopenedthem.

“Rhennthyl...afterthis,youcan’tstayattheChateau.”

“Whynot?”Iwastired,bone-tired,butIwasirritated.I’ddonemyjob,betterthanMasterDichartynhaddonehis,andhewastellingmethatIcouldn’tkeepdoingsomethingI’ddonewell?MaybeI’dbeenmessy,butI’dgottenitdone.

“Thefirstreasonisbecauseyouaren’treadytosupervisepeople,butyouhavemoreimagingskillsthanBaratyn,possiblymorethanhewilleverhave.Youalsojumptoconclusions.Mostofthetime,sofar,you’vebeenright,butthehigheryougetintheCollegiumthemoreconvolutedandcomplexmattersyouwillhavetodealwithcanget,andthatwill

increasethepossibilitythatyou’llbewrong.Masterscan’taffordtobewrongoften,especiallyindealingwiththeCouncilandHighHolders.Thesecondreasonisthatyoustillhavetroubledistinguishingwhentobepatientandwhennottobe.”

“Soyou’regoingtosendmeofftothearmoryorsomething?”Ialmostdidn’tcare—exceptIdid.

“No.Ihaveanidea,butI’llhavetotalktoMaitrePoincarytaboutit.I’llhavetobriefhimtonightanywayafterthemessyoumade.Heshouldn’tfinditoutfromanyoneelse.”

Ialmostsnappedbackthat,ifhe’dtoldmemore,wewouldn’thavehadsuchamess.IfI’dknownaboutVhillar...

Thenagain,thatwashindsight.Besides,expressingmyangerathimwouldn’thelpmeany,andhealreadywarnedmeaboutimpatienceonce.

“Now...getsomerest.I’lltalktoyouinthemorning.”

Afterheleft,Ididclosemyeyes,then.

Trustdoesnotdemand

details.

WhenIwokethenextmorning,everymuscleinmybody,orsoitseemed,feltstiffandsore.Gettingoutofbedwastorture,butIstaggeredtothejakesandbacktotheroom,whereIsat

onthesinglestraight-backedchair.Ididn’tevenwanttothinkaboutclimbingupintothebed.Oneoftheobduratesbroughtmetea,andthenMasterDichartynarrived,stillinhisexerciseclothes.

“You’ddoanythingtoavoidexercises,wouldn’tyou?”Buthedidgrin.“Howdofeel?”

“Achy-sore,dullpain

everywhere,exceptwhenImove,andthenit’snotsodull.”

“You’reyoung.You’llrecover.”

Sincehestillhadn’ttoldmewhatlayaheadofme,andhewasn’tvolunteering,Ihadtospeak,beforeheleft.“LastnightyousaidIcouldn’treturntotheChateauandthatyou’dhavetoconsider

somethingelse.”

“Oh,that.”

Hewasbaitingme,butImanagedtosay,“Yes,that.Atmyage,knowingone’sfuturedoesmattersomewhat.”

“Notsomuchasyouthink,”heansweredwryly.“Mattersseldomturnoutasplanned,asyoushouldknow.Still...IdidtalktoMaster

Poincaryt,andheagreed.It’sanassignmentthathasbeennecessarynowandagain.You’llbeassignedtothecivicpatrollersasCollegiumliaison.ThatwillallowyoutobecomeaMaitreD’Aspect,butyoualreadyhavethoseskills.Sothatwon’tbeaproblem.You’llalsobeinavisibleposition,whichmayworktoyouradvantageinothermatters.Thenagain,it

maynot.Thatwilldependonyouinlargepart.”

Ididn’tcarefortheimplicationsofhiswordsaboutvisibility.TheyreferredtowhateverattackHighHolderRyelwascertaintoinitiateagainstme,andIcouldonlyhopethatIwouldbeprepared,becauseIhadastrongfeelingthatwhateverRyeldidwouldbypasstheCollegium.I’dalreadyseen

enoughofHighHolderstounderstandthat.Buttherewasnopointinsayingso.Ionlyasked,“Isthisahiddenrank,orcanItellpeople?”

“Youcantellanyoneyouwantto—eventheyounglady—becauseweandtheCivicPatrolwantitknownthattheirliaisonisamasterimager.”

“WhyaliaisontotheCivic

Patrol?Oristhatawayofshuttlingmeaside?Whycouldn’tIjustbeafieldoperative?”

Heshookhishead.“Thatwouldbeawasteofyourtalents.Besides,theliaisonpositionisafarbetterchoiceforyou.”

Ihatedhavingtodragthingsoutofhim,buthewasalsodemonstratingthatI

neededtobepatient,Isupposed.“Beggingyourpardon,sir,butcouldyouexplainthat?”

“That’swhyI’mhere.First,youhavethebasicandevenmorethanbasicimagingskillstohandleit,anditwillgiveyouachancetoobserveasideoflifethatwillgiveyouthenecessaryexperience.”

Thistime,whenhepaused,Ijustwaited.

“You’llbeappointed,effectiveLundimorning,butyouwon’treportforatleastanothertwoweeks.Thatwillgiveyoutimetohealsome.Also,thepatrolcommandercanmakesurethateveryoneknowswhatyoudidoutsidetheChateau.Patrollersareimpressedbyimagerswhorisktheirlivestosavetheir

comrades.They’llbegladtohavesomeonelikeyou.Theotheraspectofthepositionisthat,whiletheycanonlyrequestofyou,thesameistrueofyou.Youcannotgivepatrollersorders.Doyouseewhythisisidealforyou?”

Iwasn’tsurethatIdid.GoingfromworkingintheCouncilChateautoeffectivelybeinganassistanttothepatrollers—thatwas

ideal?Itriedtogathermythoughtstogether,andMasterDichartynsmiledfaintly,butletme.

Finally,Ireplied.“I’llbeabletouseimagingtohelpthem,andperhapsprotectapatrollernowandthen.I’llhavetofigureoutthingsbeforeIcansayanythingbecauseIcan’torderanyonetodoanything.ThatmeansI’llhavetobelogicaland

preciseenoughthatthey’lldowhatIsuggest.”

Henodded.“It’snotademotionofanysort.It’sadifferentpath,anditisfranklyaharderone,buttherearesomeconsolations.AsImentionedbefore,thefirstisrank.Tobealiaison,youhavetobeatleastaMaitreD’Aspect.That’sbecause,withoutmasterstatus,nooneabovethestreet

patrollerswillpaymuchattention.Thesecondisthatyou’lllearnagreatdealmoreaboutL’Excelsisandthewaythingstrulyoperate.”

“I’mreadytobeaMaitreD’Aspect?”Attractiveastheideawas,Ididn’twantarankthatIcouldn’tcarryout.

“Youhavealltheimagingtalentsalready,andthebasicknowledgeoftheCounciland

theCollegium,aswellasgreatknowledgeofthefactoringandtradeandartisanclasses.Whatyoulackistheknowledgeofawiderrangeofhumanexperience.Withoutthat,thecombinationofyourinstinctiveabilitiesandyourimagingcapabilitieswillgetyouintogreaterandgreaterdifficulties.Iwon’tglossthisover.Ifyouarenotcareful,youcouldstillget

intogreatdangerinthisposition,butMasterPoincarytandIbothfeelthatthisisbyfarthemostpracticalwaytogetyoutheexperienceyouneed.”

Istillwasn’ttotallyconvincedofthat,butIwasfullyconvincedthatitwastheonlytrueopportunityopentomeafterthenightbefore—andexperienceornot,Istilldidn’tseewhatelseIcould

havedone.

“Whatdoyouthinkyoushouldtelltheothersaboutlastnight?”heasked.

Again,Ihadtothinkamoment.“Ishouldtellthemthatyoudiscoveredsomething,andIwasworkingwithyou.I’djustfinishedwhenIsawthewagon,andIrealizedthattheyweregoingtoopenfireontheothers,and

IjustdidwhatIcould.”

“Youdon’tthinkyoushouldsayanythingaboutVhillar?”

“No.Itshouldremainanunfortunateaccident,andpeoplewilllayitatyourfeetorBaratyn’s,buttheywon’tknowforcertain,andthat’showitshouldbe.”

“Whatwillyoutellthemwewereworkingon?”

“Theassassins,iftheyask.”

MasterDichartynnodded.“Yourealizethatitmustalwaysbethatway?Inothereventsaswell?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“Becausethelessanyoneknows,themoreprotectionofferedtoimagersandthe

Collegium.There’snoreasontohidetheexplosion.Thatwastooopen,andthat’swhyitshouldbemyfault.”

“Yourfault?”Thequestionwasbland,andthatconcealedandrevealedatthesametime.

“Yes,sir.IfI’dbeenmoreobservantandmorecareful,Iwouldn’thavehadtousefiretoblowupthewagon,and

thatwouldn’thaveinjuredmeandkilledthedriver.”

“That’snottrue,youknow?”

“Yes,sir,butit’sbettersaidthatway,becauseitimpliesthatseniorimagerscouldhavehandleditbetter.Italsosendsamessagethatjuniorimagers,whenattacked,canoverreact.”

MasterDichartynlaughed.

“Ihadn’tthoughtofthelastpoint.Exceptforyou,andperhapsMartyl,it’sprobablynotveryaccurate,butitwillhelpinthesetimes.”Hepaused.“Iheardsomethingaboutawedding?”

“Yes,sir.”

“Whattimewillyoubeleaving?”

“Halfbeforenoon,I’dthought.”

“I’llhaveoneofthesparecoachesstandbytotakeyou.”

“Won’tthedriversbeupset...becauseofwhatIdid?”

“I’vealreadyspreadthewordthatyouputyourselfinfrontofeverythingwhenyoudidn’thaveto.Ialsotoldthemthatyou’dsurvivedfiveassassinationattempts,andthatyouweretheonewho

killedfourofthefiveassassinshereinL’Excelsis.Thedriversunderstandthatanimagercanonlydosomuch.”

Ihopedso.

“That’sallfornow.I’llseeyouinmystudyatseventhglassonLundi.”

“WhatabouttheChateau?They’llbeshorthanded...”

“They’llmanage.Theydidforayearbeforeyouarrived.”Heofferedapartingsmile.

AfterMasterDichartynleft,MasterDraffydcameinandexaminedme,thensaidIcouldgo.Icarriedthesoiledwhiteandgrayformalcoatbacktomyquarters,thendressedforbreakfast.I’dwashup,asIcould,later.

Thesummergraywaistcoatwasatightfitovermyshirtandtheribcorset,butImanagedit,evenifittookmeawhiletobuttonit.

ThenIwent—orwalkedveryslowlyandstiffly—tobreakfast.

IbarelygotintothedininghallwhenMartylhurriedovertome.“Wewereallworried.Areyouallright?”

“Mostly.Ijustgotoutoftheinfirmary,andI’llhavetowearabraceforawhiletoprotectmyribs.”

“Comeoverandsitwithus.Thewordisthatyouwon’tbeatthesecondsandthirdstableforlong.Isittrue?”

“I’dreallyliketositdownwithyouall.”AndIdid.Iwashungry,andtheflatcakesandsyrupandsausagelooked

andsmelledwonderful.

AsIate,thereweremorethanafewquestions.

“DidJohanyr’ssisterreallyaskyoutodance?”

“WasthatMadameD’Shendaelyoudancedwith?”

“WhowastheotherHighHolder’sdaughter?”

“Whathappenedoutthere

withthewagon?”

IansweredasmanyasIcouldtruthfully,andtheothersalongthelinesMasterDichartynandIhaddiscussed.

“Youwon’tbecomingbacktotheChateau?”askedDartazn.

Ishookmyheadgingerly.“MasterDichartynthinksIneedtodosomething

different.I’mgoingtobetheCollegiumliaisontothecivicpatrollers.”

“You’regoinguptoMasterD’Aspect,aren’tyou?Iknewit!”saidMartyl.“You’regoingtobeoneoftheyoungestmastersever.”

“That’sbecausetheydon’tknowwhatelsetodowithme.”Myvoicecameoutwry.

“It’salsobecausethey

can’tmakeanyonealiaison,”Dartaznsaid,“whodoesn’thaveshieldsthatwilltakebullets.Otherwise,they’dbedeadinamonth.”

MasterDichartynhadn’tmentionedthat,butitdidn’tsurpriseme,althoughitdidsendachilldownmyback.

Afterbreakfast,Imademywaybacktomyquarters.Ittookmeagoodglasstowash

upandshave,becauseliftingmyarmseventoshoulderlevelwaspainful,andthenIhadtodressagain.Whatwithonethingandanother,Ididmakeittotheduty-coachstopbeforehalfpastnine.Thereweretwocoacheswaiting.

Thedriverofthefirstraisedanarmandbeckoned.“MasterRhennthyl?”

“Forbetterorworse,that’s

me.”

“Thankyoufortryingtheothernight,sir.”Hesmiled.“Whereto?”

“NordEsteDesign.”Gettingintothecoachwasmorethanalittlepainful.Myfaceprobablyshowedit,becausewhenwegottoNordEste,thedrivervaulteddowntotiethehorsestothebronzehitchingpost,then

camebacktogivemeahand.

“Thankyou.”

“Shouldyoubehere,sir?”

“IpromisedIwouldbe.”

Henoddedknowingly.

Imanagedtogetupthestepswithoutwincingtoomuch.Shomyrwastheonewhoopenedthedoor.“Rhenn...we’regladyoucouldbehere.”Hepaused.“Areyou

allright?”

“I’dhavetosaythatI’mwalkingwounded,butI’llrecover.”Theinsidestepswereworsethanthoseoutside,oritcouldhavebeenthatclimbinganothersetwasharder.

WhenIsteppedintothesecond-levelentryfoyer,IcouldseeSelioraarrangingwhatlookedtobegiftsona

sidetable.ShouldIhavebroughtone?Ihadn’teventhoughtaboutit,andIdidn’tknowthebrideorthegroom.

Suddenly,asifshehadsensedme,Selioraturned,thenhurriedtowardme.“Rhenn!I’msogladtoseeyou.”Assheneared,herfacefilledwithconcern.“Whathappenedtoyou?”

“Doyouwanttohear

what’sgoodornotsogood?”

“Sinceyou’rehere,I’dratheryoustartedwiththebad.Butfirst...”Sheleanedforwardandkissedmegently.

Ididenjoythatforanall-too-briefmomentbeforeshesteppedback.

“I’mbruisedallover,andImighthaveacrackedrib.”

“You’dbettersitdown.

Thenyoucantellmewhathappened.”

Itookoneofthestraight-backedchairsnexttoasetteefartherbackalongthewestsideofthatoverlargeentryhall.“Whataboutthewedding?”

“It’shere,uponthenorthterrace.Wehavetime.Nowtellmewhathappened.”Seliorasatattheedgeofthe

settee,lookingatme,waiting.

“ItoldyouabouttheCouncil’sHarvestBalllastnight,remember?”

“Youdidn’tgetbruisesandacrackedribfromaladyholder.”

“No.IgotthemfromanexplosionthatIsetofftokeepallofusmorejuniorimagersfromgettingkilled.TheFerranhadsetupa

wagon...”Iwentthroughthe“official”explanationquickly,mentioningonlymyconcernsaboutVhillarandthathe’dhadafatalaccidentjustbeforeIdealtwiththeexplosion.“...andIwokeupintheinfirmary.Threeassassinsaredead,andonewastheFerran.”

Shelookedintomyeyes.“There’smore.”

“Thereis,”Isaid,“butIhavetoleaveitatthat.It’sbetterthatway,especiallyforyouandme.AndyoucantelleveryonethatIdidgettheFerran.”

Shereachedoutandsqueezedmyrighthand,gentlybutfirmly“I’mgladyoutrustmeenoughnottolie.”Sheheldupahand.“Iknowyoucan’ttellmeeverything,and,mosttimes,

youshouldn’t,butpleasedon’tlietome.Justtellmethatthere’smore,thewayyoujustdid,butwe’llhavetoletitgo.”

“Icandothat.”AsIsaidit,Irealizedsomethingelse.Unlikemyparents,orMasterDichartyn,oranyoneelse,exceptmaybeKhethila,Selioratrustedme,trustedmeimplicitly.Foramoment,myeyesburned.Ihadtoswallow

beforeIcouldsaymore.“Thankyou.”

Hersmilewarmedmeallthewaydown.

Wesatthere,withSelioraleaningforwardslightly,holdinghands,justholdinghands.

Afteratime,shesaid,“GrandmamasaidthatyouwouldgettheFerran.Iwasafraidyou’dbehurteven

worse.Isawanexplosionsweepingoveryou.”

“That’sagoodwayofdescribingit.”

“Yousaidthatyouhadsomegoodnews?”

“I’mbeingadvancedtomasterimager—themostjuniormaster.MaitreD’Aspect—andI’llhaveanewposition.”

“Withthecivicpatrollers?”

“Howdidyouknow?”

“Ididn’t,butIdidhaveavisionofyouinthemiddleofagroupofpatrollers,andIcouldn’tfigureoutwhythatwouldbe.”Shepaused.“That’snotanormalposition,isit?”

“No.It’susedtoseasontalentedanddifficultjuniormasterimagers.Master

DichartynhopesitwillgivemeenoughexperiencesothatIcanmakebetterdecisionsbasedonthatexperience.”

Selioranodded.“Grandmamawillbesopleased—amasterimager.”

“Andyourparents?”

“Theywerepleasedfromthemomenttheymetyou,butOdeliahelpedwiththat.Shereallywouldliketomarry

Kolasyn.”

Iunderstoodthataswell.

“Whataboutthewedding?Theonewithyourcousin,Imean.”IflushedasIrealizedthedoubleimplicationofmylastwords.

Selioralaughed,warmlyandkindly.“Wehavetime.”

Andsowedid.