But she had a duty first, to Keth. She remembered how it felt, to believe she was cursed because so many strange things happened when she was prese nt. She remembered how it felt, to get those things under control. Keth had the first claim on her time. She had to guide him before she tried to chase a kind of magic so rare that even Niko did not know who could do it.

As she walked into the courtyard of Jumshidas house, she heard loud, belligerent voices around the side, by the servants entrance. Curious, she went to look. The cook stood in the kitchen door, arms folded over her comfortable bosom, the very picture of an outraged Tharian woman. The person who had drawn the cook s ire was a slender brunette in her twenties, gaudily dressed and even more gaudily made-up. She wore pomade with bits of mica in it so her curls glittered, even under her yellow head veil. A wisp of breeze carried lavender scent to Tris s sensitive nose.

Obviously have the wrong house, Koria Yaskedasu the cook was saying coldly. is a decent residence. I assure you that no one you might be seeking would set foot in here.

A prathmun, collecting night soil from the alley that ran beside the servants entrance, snorted as he emptied a barrel into his cart. Chime climbed out of the sling on Tris s back to look at the man, who gaped when he saw her glittering in the morning sun. The moment he realized that Tris was smiling at him, pleased he had an eye for Chimes beauty, he turned away and busied himself at his work. The cook and the yaskedasu didnt so much as glance at him.

was told he was here,the yaskedasu told the cook, her hands on her hips. m sorry if it offends you, Koria Respectability, but I want to know how he is!

The cook gasped. guard us, you hussies get bolder every day!she cried. She looked beyond the young womans shoulder and saw Tris. Tris, I apologize that we disturbed you. Thi s person was just leaving.

until I know hes all right,the brunette insisted. She turned to look at Tris with large, suspicious brown eyes set over a short nose and full mouth. Tris noted the cheap wool of her kyten and the clumsy embroideries in gaudy thread. The yaskedasu wore brass bells on her wrists and cheap gilt jewellery at her throat and ears. Under the heavy white face paint and bright red lip and cheek colour worn by the entertainers at Khapik, she looked as weary as Tris had felt atop Phakomathen. We heard that the Elya Street arurim dhaskoi,

Nomasdina, took Keth to the arurimat last night, and the desk man at the arurimat says he came here with Dhasku Dawnspeaker.

I told her wed no more have one of those nimble-fingered Khapik sorts in here than wed have a camel in the best bedchamber,snapped the cook.

whispered the brunette, pointing to Triss shoulder. is that? Chime slid her head under Triss chin to peer at the yaskedasu. s glass, and its moving. Ive been up much too long.

Tris absently stroked Chime. said Keth. Kethlun Warder?

The brunette nodded. has lodgings in our house. Hes our friend.

The cook snorted. in theft, I dont doubt. Ive never heard of him.

hes here,Tris said. m sorry, Cook. We brought him back with us late last night, after youd gone home. Hes in the guest room above mine.To the brunette she said, in. I ll see if hes awake.As she walked by the cook she explained, s my new student.

An eye on her,the cook said fiercely as the yaskedasu passed her. how does a student have a student of her own?

s a long story,Tris replied. you got honeycakes? Im famished. And tea would be lovely, if its not too much trouble.

Doesnt go past the dining room!the cook said.

Tris whirled. Shed been quite patient until now,

considerate of the cooks lacerated feelings over being wrong and having a yaskedasu in the house, but enough was enough. She was tired still and might need some lightning to pick up her step; she was hungry and in no mood for an argument. Just as she opened her mouth to let the cook know her true feelings, the yaskedasu stopped her with a hand on her arm.

s all right,the young woman told her. s the way of things in Tharios.

Tris scowled as Chime stretched out, trying to grab one of the yaskedasus, curls. way of things in Tharios is starting to give me a rash,she snapped, leading the way into the dining room. sit,she said. s your name?

The woman replied. She put her head in her hands. is really all right?she asked, her voice muffled. t he to me. Everyone knows the Fifth District arurim have no budget for truthsayers, and the truth spells the dhaskoi have arent much good.

s safe and well and undented,Tris said as the cook came in with a tray of cakes, a teapot, cups and honey. you,Tris said, lifting it out of the older womans hands. appreciate it, with you being so bus y and all.

The cook looked at Yali, sniffed, and returned to her kitchen.

me give you a hint, since youre a shenos, Yali said as she sat up straight. are not in the least respectable. She won t appreciate it that you made her let me in.

Arent they respectable?asked Tris, pouring two cups of tea. just perform, right? Its not like youre prostitutes.

Flaunt our bodies and our skills before anyone who will look,replied Yali, running her lingers along one of Chimes wings. have no chaperones, we keep late hours, we don t work at dull, boring tasks all day, we hold noisy parties, we sing loud songs. We must be half streetwalker and half thief. My goodness, this is a beautiful thing.

s not a thing. Shes a glass dragon that Keth made two days ago,Tris said, blowing on her tea before she sipped it. name is Chime.

Yali looked at her, kohl-lined eyes huge with astonishment. Keths no mage!

wasnt,Tris said. is now. Let me see if hes awake.Leaving Chime and the tea tray, she went upstairs to see if Keth was out of bed.

He was awake, dressed, and shaving when Tris rapped on his door. When he bid her enter, she poked her head inside. s a yaskedasu named Yali in the dining room,she said as he carefully scraped a razor over his whiskers. dont think shell leave till shes counted all your legs and arms.