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As angry as I a Efeanto see if Amaya will look their way They’re not direct like Patron men They wait for you to speak first But A boys who cannot offer her an advantageous e, especially if they are not Patron-born

"You have an audience," I o"

She doesn’t even look atYou oweyou today This will make us even"

"Amaya! We can’t take the risk!"

"You should talk!"

Turning her back on old-sequined cat masks with silver-hiskers and tufted, feathery ears The sky would have to rain fire before A once she has started, so I decide it will be faster to let her get what she wants and then go

What if soround as I would a Fives course to identify paths of escape

On the Fives court, the pace is focused and tight That’s what I’m comfortable with Here in the market people relax; they smile; they pause to take a drink of juice or tea They set down their work and chat for a while with a friend who has cos, artisans carve and weave Most of the vendors and artisans are Coht prosperity for Patrons and Commoners alike

In the next stall over,spots on a cloth-and-wire butterfly mask She considers two spools of thread for her next set of stitches, one a delicate rosebud pink and the other a starker bloodred Glancing up, she looks ht in the eye With a lift of her chin she spits on the ground, never taking her gaze off lance toward Taberta, but the ill-wisher is caught up with Amaya My sister and the cat-inning to attract attention for itsTo show respect to the vendor Airls, Auage, although never in front of Father

"The work is exquisite, and far too dear for the likes of hter I cannot hope for any such fine vanities as these perfect masks Yet I cannot help but admire them They are worth far more than a mere two silver bars I am ashamed even to mention such a price, for I ive the I would, for they will surely ornament your beauty Or, I should say, your beauty would ornament their humble craftsmanship But what can I do? I must pay rent to the Patron lady ns this stall I ed to sell such work for no less than eight silver bars"

While they haggle I risk a glance back at the embroiderer She has chosen the thread the color of blood to decorate the butterfly’s sapphire-blue wings Noonder if I i jumpy?

Amaya drops five silver bars into the vendor’s pay She turns to o yet? I’ve been waiting forever for you, Jes!"

"Where is Coriander?" I ask, ignoring her stupid joke

Her gaze skips pastwoman

"Honored Lady, that e around , and in harift"

The wo charm "My thanks, Doma," she says in a husky voice as she hands over the one with eo," Ito sort out our relationship: Aht fold as Patrons have, and light golden-brown skin, and me with ive away our sisterhood

"Won’t Father love to see this on Mother?" She turns back to the worace that I could not possibly bargain Please do not be insulted if I tell you I have only three silver bars left in ins

"Taberta, we have to go," I say, begging help, but the ill-wisher is looking around for Coriander