by S Kaeth
There was a knot in her stomach, and it only tightened as she dressed, picking through her jewelry for just the right pieces. Her ebr was dangerous, there was no doubt about that. It was one of the reasons she’d chosen him. After all, if she could subdue a violent savage, surely the other nobles would respect her further. It should increase her reputation and therefore rank, which meant more power, more freedom. That was how it was supposed to work, anyway. Instead, her superiors pressured her to trade Taunos for a more suitable ebr. And then, when she was home, the ebr rarely missed an opportunity to remind her that he held her responsible for his sister’s death, no matter how they disciplined him.
She slid her feet into a pair of sandals that complemented her outfit and gazed critically at her reflection. Satisfied that her appearance was free of defects, she turned and hurried back to the library. Taunos would not cause trouble, surely. After all, they’d be in public, so it wasn’t like he’d get away with harming her.
But he knew how to damage the family’s reputation.
About a face ago, the Outsider had accompanied her family while they bought crystals to comfort Answer’s ill aunt. When Taunos reached for the bag, her mother realized he was not wearing the proper gloves—he’d failed to change his white gloves for black ones—at the same time as the shopkeeper noticed. While the shopkeeper didn’t take offense, he did let his tongue run freely. The other noble houses had lectured them for days, and they had only recently regained some of the status they’d lost due to the fiasco.
“After all,” Kothet, Answer’s superior in the Scouting Guild, had told her firmly, “if you cannot keep a single ebr in line, how can we depend on you to study the Gifts? Details are important, and precision is key!”
But she had to chance it. She raised her chin. These days, he no longer committed such breaches of etiquette as trying to walk on the inside of the walking ways or speaking when not spoken to. He remained so slow and clumsy that he was more a danger to himself than anyone else. She considered having Ketrik alter the dosage of the herbs he used in Taunos’s food and drink. Then again, it was prudent to err toward caution and be certain the Outsider could make no trouble with his magic.
She couldn’t wait to show the ebr off as a symbol of her status. The savage from the Outside, civilized at last. But her work was not entirely done. Taunos was still infuriatingly slow to speak and spoke in barbaric phrases, and she still hadn’t broken him of the habit of roaming his gaze over the entirety of any and every room he entered. It seemed almost a compulsion for him! Once she could trust him to act respectfully without being constantly watched, she would claim victory, but not until then.
Still, that meant she had to test him now and again to look for improvement.
By the time she strode into the entryway, Taunos stood waiting for her, and she suppressed a smile at the annoyance plain on his face. She wasn’t sure why she enjoyed needling the Outsider, only that it was a satisfying hobby. Her head high, she walked past him with all the dignity a Scout should possess and gestured to him to follow.
The main marketplace sprawled near the center of Codr, between the great stairs to the Outside and the Great Divide, close to the Scout’s Council. Shops surrounded the square, with hanging signs indicating what they sold along with pictures for those unfortunates who could not read. Temporary stands sprang up daily on grids in the square, offering a new variety of goods each day. Inside the god’s building at the center of the market, still more storefronts sold sacred items inside the metal building in the middle. There were no signs there. If a person didn’t know what those stores sold, they had no business being there.
Answer walked along the main path with Taunos shuffling the appropriate distance behind her. She discounted the stalls that sold necessities—they would have nothing worthy of Zhedr. She breezed past the fruits, vegetables, meat-birds, and fish, delivered to the market daily from the large-scale growing facilities on the City’s edge. The merchants selling cloth, twine, and thread were likewise ignored, though she had to give a nod to her tailor when he noticed her. His shop, of course, was not one of those selling dresses and suits in the open—these stalls sold to those too poor to have their clothes made to order.
Once through the central stalls, she lingered at the edge, browsing the shops that sold or repaired the machines that worked by an intricate system of gears and ran on steam power. Nothing was quite right, though she did order a sweeping machine to be delivered to the house. The aromas from the nearby eateries and taverns enticed her and her stomach grumbled, but she didn’t have time to lounge. She sidestepped a boy sweeping the street clean of debris and dodged a grubby-faced family with patched clothes.
“Care to buy some flowers, my lady?”
Answer cultivated a neutral expression. Most of the stalls knew better, but the wandering sellers were a problem. How rude it was to call out to passers-by. At least the ruckus made it easy to avoid the corner where someone was shouting about a fire display. What was the market coming to?
Another grubby girl accosted her about some handmade crafts—as if that would be an appropriate gift! No matter how “unique” it was, it would never be worth anything. Taunos fell behind a few steps, and she turned to find him folded in a crouch, speaking to the girl. How mortifying! If anyone saw—but anger and haste were not the correct responses.
“Taunos, attend me,” she snapped, walking onward. She listened, tense, ready for his disobedience, but his sandals flapped along behind her in his characteristic scuffing step. She pressed her lips together. So uncoordinated. He was always moving, never still, and yet it seemed a miracle he stayed upright sometimes. When she had first seen him, there had been a swagger, but now…
An urchin careened into her, and she snatched him by the arm before he could tear her purse free and flee. “A poor choice, boy. You will not enjoy being locked up with the Scouts.”
Whimpering, the boy struggled, pushing at her with unseemly desperation. She grimaced as he kicked out, spreading filth all over her dress. A steamwagon trundled past, loaded down with merchandise and snorting steam. Its driver hollered for people to make way.
“Answer,” Taunos began, but she cut him off.
“You do not speak to me! Remember your training, ebr.”
He seemed about to speak anyway when the boy twisted free, bolting. He careened off the side of the wagon and picked himself up from the road, quickly losing himself in the chaos of the markets.
Rage shattered the composure she worked so hard for, and she whirled on Taunos. “Do you see what you nearly caused? That boy could have been killed!”
“It did not—”
“Silence!”
He obeyed, thankfully, though his eyes spoke of violence.
Answer turned back to her shopping. A Scout passed by, too late to offer assistance. They were always easy to pick out in their formal uniform of hats, ties, coats, goggles, and boots. Just knowing several Scouts patrolled the market always made her feel better about the chaos, the people of all stations talking, shopping, and occasionally squabbling.
A noble greeted her, and she stopped, forced to exchanged pleasantries. Taunos shifted his weight from foot to foot, looking around with an expression of increasing exasperation, and she smiled, taking slightly more time in conversation than she needed. She led him to another shop, purchasing a trinket even though there was nothing appropriate for Zhedr, and handing the purchase to Taunos to carry. After all, she needed to make up for taking up the merchant’s time. As they left, a lower-class man greeted her, and she nodded, sweeping past. She would not have it said she was rude to any free Kamalti, but a lower-class person didn’t require the time spent chatting that a noble Kamalti did.
A pack of wayward children raced past, nearly tripping her, and she pursed her lips, checking her pockets reflexively. Taunos juggled the packages he was carrying to tap a little boy on the head as he passed, a hint of a smile at the corners of his mouth. It was odd, almost… gentle.
/> But her ebr was a creature of violence.
Another steamwagon trundled past, raising a cloud of dust and steam in its wake. With a huff, Answer pulled Taunos between herself and the vehicle to avoid getting too much dust on her dress. She gave him a look. Clearly, she would have to have Ketrik remind Taunos of his etiquette lessons. He walked next to her with a grim expression, carrying the ever-growing pile of packages as she visited shop after shop. Her frustration grew as time passed and she still hadn’t found the perfect gift. The shopkeepers did a poor job hiding their irritation with her when she asked them if they had anything else not on display, and to make it worse, Taunos’s smile grew with their annoyance.
Finally she found it. They were in an expensive wood shop, and it called to her from the shelves—a beautiful polished wood box, the lid engraved with an image of Temris, goddess of wisdom, and inlaid with gold filament. As with all wood, it was quite expensive, but it was worth it. She carried it to the front delicately, relief bringing a smile to her face. She couldn’t take her eyes off it as she handed over the coin and the shopkeeper wrapped it well in paper before putting it in a cheaper metal box and setting it on top of the pile Taunos carried in his arms. With a roll of his eyes, the ebr held it in place with his chin.
Answer beamed. The gift was perfect. She was ready for the ball. Thanking the shopkeeper, she turned for the door.
Three men burst into the shop, nearly running her over. “Hand over your money!” one shouted, brandishing a knife.
Cold suffused her fingers and she stared at the weapon. By the Ships, all three men had knives! Her muscles locked up and made a statue of her, though she inwardly screamed at herself to move. She braved the Outside, and yet here she was, frozen in place. How dare they rob the store she was in? She’d never been in a fight before, being too well-bred for patrolling. That was reserved for the lowest-born nobles, those who hardly deserved the name Scouts.
And where were the Scouts on patrol? They should be here now! Trembling seized her, chattering her teeth, but she managed to back away. The sharp knives glinted in the light. How much would it hurt if they stabbed her?
Two of the thieves stepped past her, grinning as they did. How dare they? Didn’t they know who she was? They shouldered their way past Taunos, making him stumble. One went to the shopkeeper for the cashbox while another strutted to another customer—a woman frozen in the middle of the store looking as terrified as Answer felt.
The third smiled at Answer, boldly taking her jewelry off her, piece-by-piece with his filthy fingers. She shivered, the rage and terror roiling in her, but couldn’t move, even when he tugged her purse free from her frozen fingers. Her breath came in little gasps, her eyes fixed on the blades.
A gust of relief went through her when he turned to Taunos. The Outsider shrugged with a foolish little half-smile, his arms filled with her purchases. Of all the ebrs to have attending her during such an emergency, it had to be the one she trusted least, the one holding a grudge against her!
The thief ripped the packages out of his graceless hands, and Answer cried out. Turning toward her again, he brandished the knife, and she backed away, covering her mouth with both hands.
He kept pace with her. “Pretty little noble lady. You think you are better than me?”
Her back hit the counter. She was trapped, held at knifepoint by a thief with no respect for his betters. “The Scouts will catch you,” she squeaked, willing herself not to come completely undone.
The thief smiled at her. “Maybe, maybe not. What you should ask yourself is, ‘Will the Scouts come in time to save me?’”
Answer shook her head, warding off the knife with her bare hands. Her fingers shook visibly. If she made it out of this alive, her mother would have words with her about keeping her composure. The thought was so incongruous, it made her laugh, though it came out more like a choking sound.
Ever since she’d brought in the troublesome Outsiders, she had encountered more violence than she was accustomed to. Why wasn’t Ketrik here to protect her? Anyone but Taunos, who would likely laugh if she died at the hands of these impudent thieves. She couldn’t die now, not just days after finally receiving the Gift of the Takanis.
The Gift of the Takanis.
Her skin itched where the needle had pierced her during the ritual, almost as if the supernatural knew she didn’t believe. She’d only gone through with it for the status it conferred, even though the skin piercing was barbaric. But they said the Gift gave a person sacred abilities. Maybe it could save her.
Fire would be excellent. She conjured up an image of the thieves running from flames. Nothing happened. A gust of wind? Still nothing. Simple, inelegant death? The thief smiled. Frustration and despair fought within her. She hadn’t been to Orientation yet—that wasn’t for nine days. She could really, really use a miracle right now.
“Please,” she whispered.
The thief chuckled. “Do you know where ‘please’ has gotten me?”
She shook her head. Her voice creaked, her mouth gone dry. “Take everything. I will not tell the Scouts.”
The thief stepped closer. His blade rested on her arm. She stared at it, unable to look away, her breath ragged. Tears ran down her cheeks. He traced the edge gently on her arm, and she shuddered. A sob broke from her lips. The thief pressed down, and Answer held her breath, mesmerized by horror. Her skin, miraculously, did not break.
And then Taunos moved.
The ebr grabbed the thief’s knife hand and swung him around. The thief almost got away—what did the Outsider think he was doing?—but then, all at once, the ebr ripped the blade from the thief’s hand. He threw it, burying it deep in the chest of another thief. Answer gasped. Taunos’s expression chilled her to her bones. He looked as calm as if he was at a meeting, except he could very likely get them all killed!
Taunos’s fists pounded into the man he had disarmed, landing again and again on his face. Answer whimpered, covering her face. She didn’t want to see, didn’t want to hear. There was so much blood! Would he kill them all? What kind of monster was she standing next to? Or was he saving her life?
She forced her eyes open as the sounds faded and Taunos stepped back. Disgust, fear, and gratitude all fought for dominance. Such a close call, but the thief couldn’t hurt her, not anymore. The third thief fled, and the shopkeeper approached.
“Thank you, my lady! Thank you.”
She struggled to gather her wits. Two thieves lay bleeding on the shop floor, and the ebr stood there, looking surprised. He stooped, retrieving what he could of her things, then held out his hand to her.
She hesitated, still trembling. Her mother would say his victory was her victory. Act like a lady. The ebr had finally done something right. Her family could now claim guardianship of a hero ebr. Which meant she had done something right. All the risk of bringing in an Outsider was paying off.
But Answer searched Taunos’s eyes. Would he turn on her? Surely not in public, not after… this.
Her voice quavered as she straightened, ignoring his hand with every scrap of pride she had left. “Are you making a habit of rescuing me?”
“I will always defend the defenseless.” He clenched his jaw. “But you kill the defenseless, tossing prisoners off cliffs.”
Of course he had to bring that up again. She took a deep breath and lifted her chin. She was above him. She would not stoop to his level. “Do I get a lecture, again, on my evils?”
“Do you want one?”
She turned away, staring in silence at the door until the Scouts finally came to restore order. She controlled her breathing, wrapping nobility around her like armor, stilling her trembling. She would not show her fear. She pushed all feelings aside as if nothing had happened. Her mother would be proud of her composure.
Answer gave her statement, berated the Scouts for not being on hand, then immediately left, her ebr trailing her in silence. She gripped her gloves tightly, wishing she could keep her calm so easily. All she want
ed was to go home and weep. People were too close to her. There were too many eyes. A gentleman accidentally bumped into her, and she yelped before she could stop herself.
Turning a corner, she paused and stared at the cavern’s ceiling. She had to calm herself. The panic waiting for her could not beat her. Again, she focused on her breath, clinging to her control, blocking out the bustle of the marketplace she had just left. Regaining a small amount of composure, she turned back to the street and stopped, struck by surprise. Taunos stood with his back to her, still holding all her packages. She’d have guessed he’d take his chance to run while she had been distracted.
“I am sorry. About your sister.” Her mother would have been furious to hear those words, but they needed to be said.
Taunos grunted. “That will not bring her back.”
Answer stifled a sigh. She should have expected as much.
But then he held out the box with her gift for Zhedr. “You may want to check if your present is intact.”
She took the package, regarding him with curiosity. “Are we melting down our swords?”
“I thought I would try a new way.”
“Well, I rather like it.” She checked the present carefully, happy for the distraction. “Good, it is not damaged.” She sighed, replacing it in its box. “Still, I should get something else. This has been through a near-tragedy.”
“It has a story with it. Nothing else will have that story. And you seemed excited about it,” Taunos said. “My sister—no, no reminders of guilt this time—my sister always carried with her an old cloak of mine. The edges were worn and frayed when I left it behind, and now it’s even more tattered. But she loves it because it reminds her of all the good times. Reminded her.”
Answer gave him a stern look. “I thought you said this was not for placing guilt.”
Taunos spread his hands. “Anyway, I never bothered to give her a new cloak because it wouldn’t have been the same. She would still have favored the old one.”
