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"Jes? Sorry to take so long I hope you weren’t bored"

"Loitering in the market is a splendid luxury better than any sumptuous feast or treasure chest of rich jewelry!"

She laughs, thinking I ah I’ on to see my family Do you want to coo back to the stable afterward"

A you are trusted Her rasp her hand "My thanks, Mis I do want to o see about my mother"

"Of course you do! Next time" She slaps me on the shoulder in a coer see e under my clothes I don’t want any rando where I’o

By now it’s brutally hot so I keep to the shade side of streets as I make my way fro’s Hill, over to the skirts of the Queen’s Hill I’ and thirsty by the time I reach the compound where my family once lived in aates are shut and barred with thick locks Around the back I climb up my usual escape route, creep past the cistern on the roof, and look down into the private courtyard and under the archways into the rooone Even the marble pave up to be sold off elsewhere Nothing stirs except dust under the feet of a little flock of starlings probing for insects They are the only family that lives here now

The sun beats on rief If I just knehere they were I could be easy, I could truly flourish inat e for o

Anise’s stable

The starlings take wing in a rush, circling the roof once and flying away toward the warrens Maybe it is coincidence, but rew up in and walk down off the wide avenues and sprawling compounds of the Patron-born into the close-packed, crowded lanes of the Commoners I have walked this route many times on my way to Scorpion Fountain and Anise’s stable There’s one little boy I see every ti on the steps of a shop that stinks of smoked fish He has a clubfoot, but he’s well cared for, clean and neat and with a polished walking stick that he waves atI wave back He’s not hidden like Maraya

I’ve walked right through the heat of the day and alad for a drink at Scorpion Fountain with its curved spouts By the tis and experienced adversaries is pacing through a wareries on the stone forecourt This Fives court is said to be the oldest in the city, its walls and ra across it The furnishings around the courtyard look strikingly poor to me now compared to the fancy new architecture of Garon Stable No baths, no barracks, no dining shelter, no warehouses for extra equip terrace covered by an awning there is just a dingy set of steps up to the ancient coht Anise can walk all the way around the court

I know a lot of the people I’ve exchanged casual remarks and friendly banter with h to have to tell thee where everyone can see it and, with a jaunty wave, saunter in Anise cuts across the courtyard to meet me She is taller than Mother, fat and powerful in the way of respected Efean woe How old she is I do not know, and it is impossible to tell from her face because she has so ferinkles

"Honored Lady," I greet her "I wanted to know if e forfroate, away from the others "I heard your father now serves Garon Palace"

I a on my toes because I aeneral I’ to be a true adversary"

Her gaze drops to the Garon badge and thenthat I stop bouncing and wipe my forehead instead

"Did you send that boy to me?" Her tone flicks me like a whip’s tip snapped in my face