Daja swallowed hard. A fire. They were talking about another fire. She wanted to ask, but it would take more courage than she had to face the weeping mage. A hand gloved in black lace rested on her arm. “A confectioners’ shop on Hollyskyt Way, last night. Alakut Island,” Heluda clarified, when Daja frowned, not knowing the street name. “Just on the other side of Pozkit Bridge. Lucky for the confectioner that he wasn’t good enough to live on Alakut, just to sell his sweets there.”

Daja frowned. If she remembered correctly, that was near Ladradun House.

“It could have been worse, then,” Frostpine said. He appeared to be absorbed by the view, but it was like him to have heard everything.

“Was Ben Ladradun there?” Daja asked, trying not to seem worried. Frostpine glanced at her with a brief frown, then returned to his survey of the assembled mages.

“No, or things might have gone better,” replied Heluda. “Two of the firefighters breathed in smoke. One won’t ever have healthy lungs again. The other died this morning. And it was stupidly done, stupidly. They didn’t even think to send for Ladradun, where he lives maybe ten minutes’ run away, on the other side of Pozkit Bridge. He only started training them three weeks ago. They should have known they couldn’t manage yet. He would have reminded them of the danger from smoke, at least.”

Daja’s cider was cold, but it wasn’t the cider that made her sad. Ben wouldn’t blame the novice firefighters-he would blame himself for not being there. There was no convincing someone like him that he couldn’t fix everything. It would be worse because the fire had been nearby.

“No one can be everywhere all of the time,” Frostpine said quietly, as if he knew what she thought. “He’s a grown man; he’ll realize that.”

“Yes, but he takes fires so personally,” Daja pointed out. “He’s got this idea in his head… “

Heluda cleared her throat. “I was talking to the Alakut magistrate’s mages before I got here. They believe this fire may have been set. They’re going to work their investigation spells as soon as the site cools-tomorrow, probably.”

Goosebumps rippled along Daja’s flesh. “Ben and I think the Shopgirl District boardinghouse fire was set too, she said. “Maybe they’re connected.”

Heluda raised her brows. “The Shopgirl fire was set. This is the first I’ve heard of it.”

“But Ben reported it,” Daja said. “Or I thought he did.” She couldn’t remember his exact words. Had he said he’d done it, or that he would do it?

“Then chances are the report’s buried on my desk,” Heluda replied with a shrug. “I get copies of reports from all the city districts to review-it’s hard to keep up, particularly with a major investigation of my own underway.” She turned a large, jeweled ring on her finger. “Have you or Ravvot Ladradun any ideas on who set that fire?”

Daja shook her head. “I don’t know why someone would do such a thing in a city that’s mostly wood.”

“Oh, there are dozens of reasons to set fires,” Heluda said. “The worst we had, a man who’d quarreled with his woman blocked the exits to the Weaver’s Guildhall and set it on fire. Two hundred and forty people died so he could tell a journeyman weaver he was angry. I’ll send word to the Lord Magistrate’s office to have someone look at the Shopgirl site as well as the confectioner’s shop. An experienced magistrate’s mage will be able to tell if they were set.”

Daja raised her eyebrows, wondering if Heluda didn’t believe her.

“Just as well to put your own people on it,” Frostpine commented. “Your mages see the whole city, not just individual islands. They’ll know if there have been suspicious fires elsewhere in Kugisko.”

“Hey! Frostpine!” called a tall man below. Over his gray velvet tunic he wore the sapphire-studded chain of the head of the Mages’ Society. “Stop monopolizing all the beautiful women. Bring them down so we get a chance!”

Frostpine grinned. He led Daja and Heluda down the stairs opposite to those where the woman had been crying.

“The thing about Master Northice?” Heluda murmured in Daja’s ear as they descended. “He honestly believes that we’re beautiful. That’s why he gets reelected to head the society every year. He sees the beautiful everywhere.” She smiled ruefully. “I wish I still could.”

In addition to the Society head, Camoc Oakborn met them on the ground floor. He kissed the magistrate’s mage on the cheek. “Heldy, you look grand,” he told her, eyes twinkling.

She actually smiled up at him; Daja had begun to wonder if Heluda could smile. “As you are handsome,” she told Camoc. “Do you know-“

She’d turned to Daja, but Camoc was already offering Daja his hand. “I’ve met Viymese Daja,” he told Heluda. He looked at Frostpine and raised his brows.

Daja performed the introductions. “This is my teacher, Dedicate Initiate Frostpine of Winding Circle temple,” she said formally. “Frostpine, this is Viymese Camoc Oakborn, Nia’s teacher.”

Frostpine took Camoc’s hand briefly. “Of course. I’m glad to meet you.”

“It’s good to have you here, Dedicate Frostpine,” Camoc said. “You honor Kugisko with your visit.”

“It’s been interesting,” Frostpine said casually. “I wanted Daja to get some experience of other smiths’-and other mages’-ways of doing things, if only so she can see mine is best.”