Shatterglass

As Xantha drank the water, Tris looked around. The drummer held Ferouze, his muscled arms tight as he kept her from lashing out again. Tris remembered hearing something shatter as she brought Xantha around: the pieces of a basin lay on the flo or at Ferouzes feet. Glaki could step in that mess, she thought, and fetched the broom to sweep up the shards. Finished, she looked for Glaki. The child and Poppy were still missing.

One of the male yaskedasi was also gone. He soon returned, having spread the news throughout the neighbourhood. Others came with him, men and women, old and young, to weep and to curse the killer and the city that didnt care if yaskedasi died. It wasn t long before Triss head ached fiercely. Little Bear and Chime had escaped the room when the first guest arrived.

When Tris gave a final look through the crowded chambers, she saw Poppy had returned. The brunette sat with Ferouze as they shared the contents of a jug with their neighbours. Poppy wept still, without making any sound.

Tris asked one of the men for directions to Yalis room, where she assumed that Poppy had left Glaki.- She guessed that the little girl would cry herself to sleep, but Tris didn t like the idea that Glaki would wake alone.

Tris walked out to the courtyard, glad to be in cooler, less stuffy, air. She let rain fall on her head for a moment, enjoying its comforting feel on her braids. It was over the rain s soft patter that she heard hiccups. Glaki was huddled on the stair to the upper galleries, weeping into Little Bears fur. Chime sat on her shoulder, crooning as she groomed the childs tangled hair with her claws.

For a moment Tris could only stare, appalled. Did Poppy just bring the child out here and leave her to cry alone?

How often had Tris herself done this, crept into a corner to weep, knowing the only ones who cared about her were the animals of the house? She had not lost a mother or an aunt as Glaki had, but time after time she had been passed on to yet another relative. It was overhearing the t alk that decided that she and her many strangenesses would be sent to some other.family member that had always sent Tris to cry in secret. When Cousin Uraelle, who had kept her the longest, died, Tris had wept not for the mean, stingy old woman, but for t he loss of the most permanent home she could remember.

She touched the girl on the shoulder. Glaki flinched against Little Bear, throwing up an arm to protect her face. Gently Tris pressed her arm down. A handprint showed clearly on the girls cheek. Poppy had slapped Glaki to silence her.

s just me, Glaki. You saw me yesterday, remember?Tris kept her voice gentle as she sat on the flagstones of the ground floor gallery. She leaned back against a wooden pillar.

The child mumbled at last. Yali. When do they come home?

Tris drew her knees up to her chest and wrapped her arms around them. She knew she wasnt good with children, though her heart went out to this one. What could she say? What did people say?

She could only know what she would say. She hated people who tried to evade the truth. died, Glaki. Mama and Aunt Yali died. They wont be coming home.

Fresh tears welled in the girls eyes. They spilled over her stained cheeks. Glaki replied, shaking her head.

m sorry,Tris said gently.

Glaki began to sob again, then to wail. Tris bit her lip, trying to decide what was right. In the end it was her knowledge of Sandry, her good-hearted sister, that guided her. Tris sat beside Little Bear and pulled Glaki on to her lap. The little girl fought, straining to get back to the dog. she screamed, her face turning beet red.

s Little Bear. Thats his name,Tris explained, panting as she hauled on the struggling child. s not going anywhere. If you sit with me, he ll be here, and so will Chime. We must talk, Glaki. You have to learn some hard new lessons. I wish I had someone nice to teach them to you, but youre stuck with just me.She finally got the little girl on to her lap. Glaki howled, battered Triss chest with her fists, and drummed her heels on the ground. Tris held on grimly, still talking softly. isnt right, what s happened to your mother and Yali. I hope you grow to be someone incredible, to repay you for all this misery. Why is it, do y ou suppose, the gods are said to be favouring you when they dump awful things into your lap? Is it because the other explanation, that sorrow comes from accidents and there are no gods doing it to help you be a strong person, is just too horrible to think of? Lets stick with the gods. Lets stick with someone being in charge.

As she continued to speak, rattling along about any topic that came to mind, whether Glaki could understand or not, she held the girl close. Tris was so used to the childs struggles that she didnt notice at first when Glaki s screams began to grow softer, her small body relaxing into Triss hold. It was only when Glaki was quietly sucking her thumb, whimpering against Triss chest, that the older girl realized she could loosen her g rip. Her hands and arms stung from being locked in the same position for so long. She smoothed damp, tumbled curls away from the childs face. s very good.She hesitated, then awkwardly kissed Glaki on the forehead. can t let you make yourself sick on top of everything else.

It was some time before Glaki would let Tris get up without hysterics. Each time the childs voice rose, Tris would settle back into place. Finally Glaki herself climbed offTriss lap. she whispered, not meeting Triss eyes.

Tris asked. Glaki nodded. With a groan Tris struggled to her numb feet. dont have a real privy here?Glaki shook her head. Tris said, easing the kinks in her spine. She held out a hand. Show me where,she said.

Glaki took her hand and led her up the stairs. Little Bear, with Chime on his back, followed them.

s go to where you sleep,Tris suggested.

From the neatness of the room and the absence of dust, Tris guessed that this was Yalis room, not Iralimas. As Glaki used the chamberpot, Tris opened the shutters to let some air in. She leaned outside for a moment, calling her favourite breeze to her. It had come all the way from Winding Circle and was Tris s most faithful attendant in the hot south. When she held out her hand, the breeze wound around it. Niko,she instructed it. him Im all right, and that I dont know when Ill be home.It sped off on its way.