Shatterglass

That answers that question, thought Tris. He can hold hot glass.

The globe was a twin to the one hed made at Heskalifos. Miniature lightnings played inside and outside of the glass, growing thicker and longer until they coated it entirely.

Did it!cried Nomasdina. do you see?

Keth said gloomily and sat on a bench with a thump. Tris gently took the blowpipe from him and set it aside.

I look?Nomasdina asked. I can spot something. Dhasku Chandler

The girl interrupted. Tris. Dont touch it unless youve got some kind of fire magic, Dhaskoi Nomasdina. Its hot, still.She held out her hands. Glumly Keth handed the globe to her. It was warm to her touch, but only warm. She could handle molten rock for brief periods.

I could look at it,argued the arurim dhaskoi, see between the lightnings.

Tris turned the globe over in her hands. The l ightnings were still excited. They whipped around the globe so fast that she saw no gaps between them. Reaching for them with her own power, thinking to draw them off, she failed. To her magical senses it felt as if the bolts were locked inside sheaths of glass that turned her power away.

Well! she thought, amused by the lightnings defiance, Im not to tinker with you, is that it? doubt you could see through them, Dhaskoi Nomasdina,Tris replied. you re welcome to look.

Dhasku Chandler,the man said.

is Tris so hard to say?she demanded, still looking at the ball in her hands, running her own power around it, trying to find a path inside the glass. She could no more do that than she could shift the lightnings outside it.

its the dhasku I need,Nomasdina explained. dhasku whos so strong that all the charms I know to break a circle of protection aren t working. And the ones taught to the arurim dhaski are usually effective.

That made Tris look up. Nomasdina stood outside the barrier she had raised, his hands against it. Starbursts of silver light spread around them as he tried to push through her protections. m sorry, Dhaskoi Nomasdina,she said, contrite. must be pretty good if you can stand to touch it,

Though.She went to the door and erased part of her circle with her foot, gathering her power back into herself as the barrier gave way. Little Bear came bouncing in to see if anyone was interested in petting him.

- under the circumstances, you should call me Dema,the Tharian told her. As he walked past her, he lifted the ball from her hand. he cried, juggling the ball from one hand to the other. stings.

Tris took the globe back from him. has that effect. Among others,she added, look ing at Kethlun. you remember how this happened?she asked her student.

he said with a sigh. He idly scratched the dogs ears. wasnt thinking.

Thats it,Dema remarked as he sat on a bench. Chime trotted out of her hiding-place and began to sniff his hands. thinking.

s harder than I thought,Keth admitted. brings you here, anyway?

honest answer? Hope. Im on my way to Elya Street for the start of my watch,replied Dema, wriggling his fingers for Chime. thought I d stop by, on the chance you were here. And I was right. Now we have something to work with.

it clears in time,Tris reminded him. Eyeing her student, she added, youre in no shape to try and draw out your lightning.She passed the globe to him as he slumped on a bench. He d drained off all of his power for the time being; she saw not a flicker of it inside his skin. At least the lightning on the globe bothered him no more than it did her.

Keth replied, stubborn. ll clear it and Ill see what the Ghost looks like. I have to. Hell kill someone else. He began to breathe for meditation, staring at the flashing globe in his hands. Tris and Dema waited patiently.

Finally Keth glared at Tris. is it?he demanded accusingly. magic of mine? I dont feel it. Its a crackly buzz in my head, but I dont hear it. You took it, didnt you?

Tris folded her hands in front of her, stifling her irritation at the question. She knew all too well how it felt to be as exhausted as he was. cant take magic from people,she replied in even tones. Even if I could, you have none to take. Keth, look, its the study and the work of magic that builds up your reserves. You just started to learn today. You dont have reserves. The only thing t hat will bring your power back is food and rest. Youll have power to use tomorrow.

will die,whispered Keth.

not,Dema said briskly. ll take the globe to the arurimat. If it clears before the murder, well go where it leads us. And if we dont, well, you ll have other chances to make this work.

Keth slumped forward, resting his forehead on his globe.

Tris felt sorry for him, but knew he wouldnt thank her for showing pity. your feet, Keth,she said briskly. your octopus done?

As Keth checked the annealing oven and began to clean up, Tris looked at Dema. s been at it since this morning, trying as hard as he could,she said.

know,Dema said with understanding. youve drained yourself, thats it. You have to eat and rest until your strength comes back.

s not just her coddling me?Keth asked, his voice sluggish. His back was to them.

Dont coddle,Tris said sharply.

she isnt,Dema added. mage learns, when youre finished for the day, youre finished. Youll only make yourself ill if you try to do more magic. Look here, I know a good eating-house near the arurimat. Ill pay its the least I can do in trade for this.He pointed to the globe Tris still held. She put it in the basket shed used to carry Chime s food and dishes, and handed it to him:

Dema accepted the basket with a bow of thanks. hope youll come, too, Tris.

She smiled. you, but Im tired. I think Ill go back to Heskalifos. Keth, you are taking Dema up on his offer, yes?

Dema grinned at her, then looked at Keth. A trace of concern crossed his sharp brown features. on, old man,he urged Kethlun. ve got a sauce for lamb cooked on skewers that will make you think you dine with the emperor of Aliput.