by Liam Carrack
“Perhaps if I employ his mother as a washerwoman or something menial he would just be the child of an employee? Do you really think someone took her tongue?”
“Yes, and I doubt this woman would appreciate being hired for drudgework Llanalla. She is undoubtedly a practiced and highly Gifted woman. Besides, she says that she is sought after by those she fears. If she can breach our wards so quietly and carefully, while levitating a basket holding a living baby across a compound and up onto a third floor veranda by herself, all while watching over her shoulder for trouble, I would hate to meet those she fears.”
He was right, but I had to see if I could find her. If for no other reason than to hear this prophesy and give her more aide. I would have to ready myself for an outing. “I didn’t mean I would actually expect her to do drudgework, it would be a cover story, but I suppose you are right. How are we to hide him?
I should at least gather the staff and let them know what’s going on, and ask them not to say anything. They are nearly the only ones allowed in Gellisarn Hall for at least another year anyway. By then we should have a good cover story.” I was chewing my knuckle between sentences and thinking about what our next plan of action would be when I laughed out loud.
“Llanalla?”
“I’m fine. It’s just that yesterday I was coming to you to help me come up with an idea for some altruistic mission for my life, and now I think one has landed in my lap, literally.” Maersyn was quietly staring up at me. My heart was so full I thought it would burst. You and me always little man. I picked him up and rubbed my nose against his, and he giggled. Into the city for me today. A veil! I could go buy a new veil. That is expected and normal behavior, sort of. I could tell Scinna that I needed to see the new fashions. Just remind her of the time Seamstress Mennia convinced me to buy that gown with the low neckline, saying it was all the mode. It was the mode, just not for young women in mourning. Aunt Trefalla had been so appalled at my purchase that she brought the seamstress in question to tears, and made her reimburse me for the full amount. Perhaps I should look up that seamstress in particular. She had only been of Journeyman status at the time. I hope she was doing all right.
“Llanalla, are you coming?”
What? “Where?”
“Well, for goodness sake. If you don’t get your wits about you you’ll be worthless to that child.” He paused looking at me expectantly and then continued in exasperation. “Breakfast? You wanted to address the staff before they had a chance to say anything to anyone? Besides I’m hungry, and I’m sure you are as well.” I was still staring dumbly at him. “Get up. Tie that robe on more closely, and bring the little. Lets Go.”
I did as he suggested. I stood, hitched the robe tighter in an awkward move while clutching Maersyn, and followed along behind him. I heard Scinna’s voice shooing someone into the kitchen from outside as we made it to the bottom of the stairs. Horice stepped aside and pushed the door open for me with a graceless shove. Dalla, Cook, Jesemn, and Yesmena were sitting around the worktable come supper table, while Scinna stood and placed herself to my right. Horice slid in on my left like flanking regiments on a field of battle.
Scinna must have said something already as no one seemed surprised that I held a giggling, squealing baby with peas down his front, in my arms. I twisted him around and held him so that they could all get a good look at his face. I noticed that Yesmena had a pile of quilted cloths that would serve as napkins, so I handed him gingerly, and with regret, to her for diapering.
“This is Maersyn. I don’t know what you have heard about who he is or where he came from, but it doesn’t matter. He will be staying here from now on. Care for him as you did Garvyn and I. He is Gifted and therefore can get himself into more mischief than other babies. You have never scorned to tell me when I was good and right, and you never hesitated to visit just punishment. I trust you all and although I am taking this child into my house,” and my heart, “he is a danger to us. His presence in this house must not become common knowledge. Please, tell no one outside these walls of his existence. My virtue would be called into question, and my status in the Guild could be revoked. If that happens we could lose the Hall and more, much more.”
Llanalla
Dalla and Yesmena were both wholly on my side when it came to taking in Maersyn. Both of them were cooing over him the moment they saw him. Cook was in the same category with Scinna, sitting on the fence, but wary. Did they expect him to sprout a tail or breath fire? Jesemn didn’t care one way or the other, though I think he took kindly to the lad. I wonder if Dalla and Yesmena have quit fighting over who will be looking after him today while I’m off finding a veil. Scinna had looked askance at that declaration. I almost never willingly chose to go out, especially not alone. Perhaps she would take this as a sign that I was taking up those responsibilities she had reminded me of yesterday. Was it only yesterday?
“Ughh!” How could I still be finding crusted peas on my person? I had taken a quick bath, maybe too quick. Oh well. I smoothed down the front of my dress again in front of a mirror, and clipped on my veil. I had checked and rechecked the pile of coins now stashed about my person, that I be able to give something to Maersyn’s mother even if I was robbed along the way. My purse held a considerable sum for the veil, and possibly a new hat or slippers, the rest was for her.
Scinna looked me over as I reached the door to the yard. I must have passed inspection because she nodded and let me go without a word. I waved to Jesemn and was thankful he hadn’t gone to the trouble to hitch anything today. I want to walk and if I need to make good time coming home I can always hire transport at the city center.
I walked toward the heart of the city for quite a ways, and when the few refugees crowding the streets got thicker I weaved among them trying to catch sight of women’s faces as I passed. I always took the street that appeared more crowded hoping that some inner sense would lead me to her. No one accosted me. No one came near me. It was as if I were cursed. They squeezed away from me,pushing closer to walls and alleys to avoid my sight or recognition. My pity was roused, more than roused. Something must be done to help these people. This collecting will only lead to disease and starving people do not leave a good impression. This was a beautiful city once, filled with commerce and happiness.
I couldn’t employ them all. What would I have them do? Simply giving away food or monetary aide would be charitable, but it would also be seen as weakness. How do I strike a balance? I reached a T in the road and took the direction that would lead back toward the Tailors’ and Haberdashers’ shops only to be confronted by a truly horrible sight. There were two small children weeping and holding tight to an obviously dead woman while three other women, each with crying children gripping their skirts, tried to pull the first two away from what must be their late mother. It was the most retched thing I had ever seen. I reached into my bodice and pulled free a small pouch full of copper bits. I walked closer as one of the three struggling women pulled free the smaller of the two children and held it to her crooning a soft lullaby I had never heard. I pressed the small pouch into her hand and walked on as quickly as I could. Whether she was scared or amazed I knew not, but thinking back I realized that the three littles hampering her progress had not been her own. They were too varied of look. Was she taking them on as their families died off? What a noble thing. She had stood sure of herself too. I was convinced of it. Who was she?
Something told me I should not return to find her today. I guess that means another foray into the city tomorrow. I found my way into an area less populated by refugees, and increasingly more affluent shops. I stopped into a haberdasher’s and asked after Seamstress Mennia.
She had a shop just a block or so back the way I had come. So, she hasn’t done as well for herself as I’d hoped, but better than ruination. The shop was clean and tidy and the wares were of the best quality. I could tell at first glance that anything purchased in this shop was a bargain. A bell tinkled as the door closed behind me, a
nd a powerful silken voice called from behind a curtain. Seamstress Mennia immerged from behind it moments later with a large smile that quickly vanished, and was replaced with shock, and then another, less genuine smile replaced the first.
“Seamstress Mennia, I am so glad to see that my late Aunt did not ruin you. I have worried that my folly left you bereft, and it was my folly though my Aunt would hear none of it.” The look of shock flashed once more in her eyes and she stood there immobile for a moment. “As you can see, I am once again in mourning.” I gestured toward my present attire.
“You are a bit old to go about rubbing salt in the wounds of others,” was her only response. She looked angry.
“I assure you, I come only in hopes of rectifying the mess I made. Will you not accept my apology? My Aunt Trefalla has only just passed and I have not been at liberty to make restitutions until now.” Her faced softened into a kind of puzzlement.
“Then, what can I do for you?” She was a bit cold, but then I suppose she has every right to be.
“I was hoping for a new veil.” It occurred to me that I had not lifted it and she could not see the conviction in my face. I unpinned both veil and hat and set them down on one of the two display cases. I smiled at her and she calmed visibly.
“A veil? In black I suppose.” She was pulling a box from under the counter and began laying out piece after piece of hand-tatted lace.
I looked on in awe. “They are magnificent. When do you find the time to do these?” I pulled out three that I liked and began running them through my fingers. “They’re so supple!” Most of my veils are stiff and always itching some place on my head or face. These would be heavenly.
“Time I have plenty of, customers are much harder to come by.” That answer was hard and accusatory. Aunt Trefalla hadn’t done her worst, but she had been bad enough.
“How much are these three?”
“Four silver Rhenddi apiece, so, a gold Darbbyn.” That was matter of fact, so I guessed there was to be no haggling across this counter today, but as I had paid as much for the one veil I was wearing now, it seemed a good bargain anyway.
“Done.” I pulled my purse from my waist and retrieved the agreed upon gold Darbbyn. She took a step back and now stared at me in awe.
“But?” was all that came spilling from her lips. “You people come in from time to time, and get me bustling about the shop, but then leave everything with some jibe about the quality not being up to your standards. You don’t actually buy anything. Besides, that was a totally inflated price, and you didn’t even try to negotiate. What are you up to?” It all came out in a torrent and my shame and guilt grew. What had Aunt Trefalla done?
“The price is a good one. Mistress Vanddig charged my a gold Darbbyn for each of the two veils I bought two years ago and that was after a hard session of bargaining, not to mention these are of far superior quality. I play no games. I swear it by Phorodda and Phirr both.” I was as frank and honest as I could be with her.
Her mouth stood open. Then she recovered some of the charm she had worn before she had seen me. “Vanddig was always a tricky one, but her laces were never the best. Why did you go to her anyway?”
I looked down at the floor. What do I say to that? “My Aunt brought her to me. I couldn’t exactly go wandering through the shops looking for myself. I think it was some sort of backlash. Seamstress Vanddig is nothing if not sensible.” She laughed out loud. I took it as a sign that I had broken through that hardened exterior.
“Your Birthing day is fast approaching is it not?” She cocked her head to one side and was appraising me from head to foot. It was not the most comfortable position to be in, but I could hardly squirm, so I endured it.
“Yes, I will be 28 years of age on the 55th day of Lla, the Forge. How do you know that?”
“Your brother came here to me for gifts every so often. He was my best patron, especially after …” she looked down at the floor for a moment, “I suppose that means I should take you at your word.” She paused again. “He was a generous man. He kept me alive after …”
“So, she did do her worst.”
Her head came up, and she squared her shoulders before her reply. “She couldn’t ruin me totally. I was, am, one of the most gifted seamstresses this city has seen in a great many years. My arrogance left me hungry for a while, but your brother helped me to see that staying alive, and any business at all, is better than giving up, and letting her think she was right.” There was conviction in her voice. “It’s been pretty lean of late, but I get by.”
I began wandering around her shop, fingering piece after piece of her handiwork. A quilted blanket caught my eye. “This is gorgeous.” It was muted tones of dusky pink, grayed off blue, and cream.
“You wouldn’t find something like that in a more affluent shop unless it catered to just blankets and quilts.” She was proud of this piece, as well she should be.
“What price would you lay on it?” I wasn’t going to let this go without some hard bargaining, but it would be mine before I left the store.
“That? Oh, well. A lot of work went into that. I couldn’t let it go for less than eight Darbbyn.” There was a sly glint in her eye. I would have paid twice that, but I was careful not to let it show.
“Six Darrbyn would be a much closer mark I think.” I said with a smile, “but I suppose I could part with Six and a half …”
“What? You won’t find workmanship like this anywhere now that Dynal has fallen. Seven Darbbyn and eight Renddi.”
“Seven Darbynn even.”
“Seven and a half.”
“Done.” I was walking throughout our bargaining, and had alighted on a pair of dancing slippers I adored in a display case. Next to them were some house slippers that I wouldn’t mind having. All were in the dusky muted tones that I preferred though they sat along side others in the garish bright hues that have been popular with the upper classes for far to long. “And these?” I was pointing to the dancing slippers though I was all too aware that they would never see use on my feet.
“What use would you have for dancing slippers?” She looked skeptically at me. “Perhaps a nice pair of house slippers?” She was the true merchant now, in her element and reveling in it. I must be a soft touch. She pulled free several pair and I studied them closely. “Twelve Darrbyn.” Oh ho! She had gotten into the spirit.
“You have recovered your spirit lady. I won’t pay more than eight Darbbyn.” I purchased walking boots at the cobbler’s for twelve Darbbyn a piece, but not house slippers.
“Ten Darbynn and I won’t take a copper less.” She was affronted.
“Nine and a half.” I was adamant. I may have been too soft a touch earlier.
“Fine. Will you need help getting them to your carriage?”
I fumbled. I didn’t have a carriage. Now I had these purchases, how would I get them home?
“You wish them to be delivered?” She guessed well.
“If that is possible. What is the charge for delivery?”
“No charge from me. I have a boy who can run them to your house for a few coppers.” She paused and looked at me critically. “He is Dynaly. Is this… a problem?” Obviously she expected some fight, but she wouldn’t get one from me. That this woman would hire a Dynaly boy only made her the more dear to me.
“No problem at all. Will he accompany me now, or will he come along later?”
“He can accompany you now if you wish?” She was surprised at my suggestion that he accompany me. Why?
“You undoubtedly trust the lad, should I not?” I made reply with good nature.
At this she turned from me, lifted the curtain back a bit and shouted something I couldn’t quite make out while I began counting out the balance of coin I owed her for my purchases. “Twenty-seven Darbbyn total by my count.” I placed twenty-four more Darbbyn beside the one already laid on the counter for the veils and began counting out twenty-four Rhenddi. Her head whipped around to stare at me in shock. Had I miscou
nted? I had not meant to shortchange her, so I recounted my tally. “One for the three veils, seven for the quilt, and nine and a half for each pair of slippers. This is the right tally?” She recovered and looked down at the pile of coin laid out on her counter.
“I wondered why you balked at the price I laid on the slippers. I had thought to make a deal on six Darbbyn a piece, and had expected your half hearted bargaining again.” She put her hand over her mouth as she said it. I think attempting to take back the words.
“One excited utterance for another. If we truly had our heads to trade I would never have revealed what I paid for Seamstress Vanddig’s veils. I made a bargain for nine and a half per pair, and I mean to stick to it. “ I smiled and she stared at me as a Dynaly man stepped through the curtained entrance. He was taller than I, and well dressed. When he looked up at me I saw clear blue eyes the color of well-cut sapphires. His chiseled tanned features were handsome and his arms were well muscled. Was this the “boy” escorting me home with my purchases?
“Aahurn, would you please help Gemswoman Llanalla home with her purchases and return here directly.” She said it so matter-of-factly. Like she was giving instruction to a child, but this was no child, unless… no there was intelligence behind those eyes. Is this how the Dynaly are treated by my people? Surely she can see that this man is capable of more than that statement gave him credit for.
“Yes, seamstress Mennia.” He did not look me in the eye, but stared at some point between us. A sign of respect? I pinned one of the new veils to my hat and set it up as proper. Well, I wouldn’t be able to take another look for Maersyn’s mother today, but then I had already decided I was going out again tomorrow, so it made little difference I suppose. He had everything shouldered and was holding the door for me in an extremely efficient manner.
“Thank you.” I said to Seamstress Mennia with a smile. “I shall be evaluating my wardrobe and may be returning soon. I hope you have a nice collection of fabric for me to choose from. Black, and gray, I’m afraid are all my wardrobe will allow at present,” I turned away from her and brushed against Aahurn momentarily. I nearly stumbled into the street with shock. He’s Gifted. Not as Gifted as Maersyn, but then I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone as Gifted as Maersyn. Where had this ability to sense the Gift in others come from? That is a Seer’s Ability, and I am a Doer. I’ve never heard it said that the Seer must touch another for his Knowledge though, so maybe it is a little talked-about Doers’ Gift. Just because I haven’t been consulted on the subject doesn’t mean it isn’t so. Or, perhaps I am just imagining it all, but I couldn’t be imagining all of it. Horice had confirmed that Maersyn really was Gifted as I had thought.
