Shatterglass

Keth returned from the Farewell for Yali to bid Tris good night. The citys clocks chimed midnight. Some time after that, Tris closed her book. She was unable to grasp another word; what she had read was a jumble of complex ideas that would take time to sort out. With the tides and lightning still moving in her veins, she wasnt sleepy. She needed a walk.

First, she discovered that Chime did not want to be left behind, which meant Tris had to don the sling and settle the glass dragon. Then she went downstairs. As shed hoped, Ferouze was awake. The old woman kept the same hours as the yaskedasi. d like to go for a walk,Tris explained. you watch Glaki until I come back? Shes asleep in Yalis room.

pays no rent for it,Ferouze grumbled through her handful of remaining teeth. Im no childrens maid.

Tris got two copper five-bik pieces out of her purse. of these to watch Glaki, one to pay a weeks rent, and dont tell me Yah paid more than that. Will you do it?

Ll do it.Ferouze reached greedily for the money.

Tris held up a finger in warning, then stroked a thin braid with her free hand. Sparks of lightning jumped on to the copper coins. She loved copper: it held lightning for hours. I come back, Ill take the sparks off these, she said, placing them on Ferouzes table. wouldnt do that,she added as the woman grabbed for the coins.

Ferouze sucked on her stinging fingers. hurt!

know,Tris replied. hope that I remember to take the spell off when I get back. Of course, Ill find you up where Glaki is, wont I?

Dhaski are hard folk,grumbled Ferouze as she followed Tris into the passage. mother would be ashamed.

Ll tell her you said so,Tris promised, turning on to Chamberpot Alley.

Khapik was as fascinating as ever to both Tris and to Chime. Together they went down alleys and through streets designed to tempt the coldest heart, up to rooftop gardens and down to sunken open theatres where dancers, jugglers a nd fire-eaters entertained the public. She passed rough taverns overflowing with drunkards and select wine shops where people sipped and talked about vintage and palate. Her breezes sought her out wherever she went, carrying snippets of conversations, inc luding some that made her blush.

say youll get an education down here.

she confided to Chime. just dont say if youll like what you learn.

Only once did she encounter a problem, on a street off Willow Lane. A man drew a knife when he saw her, showing bad teeth in a nasty grin. the purse, girl. Im doing you a favour here, teaching you about walking dark streets alone. He came so close to her that Tris could smell his breath. She moved back a step before he grabbed her by the arm.

Tris tried to yank away. if I dont want the favour?she asked coldly, trying to decide how she would punish him. She felt Chime clamber on to her shoulder.

s life, Dimples,the robber said, fumbling for Triss purse. He was on the girls far side, in the light. Triss right shoulder, and the dragon, were in shadow.

Chime pulled herself on to Triss braids, leaned forward, and spat a handful of needles into the mans cheek. The robber yelped, released Tris, and backed away, pulling the sharp bits of glass from his face. His fingers bled as the needles cut them.

Id better call for an arurim, Tris remarked, though it seemed to her that Chime had punished the man enough. like you are probably terrible for business.

croaked the robber. He turned and fled into the darkness, still trying to pull bits of glass from his skin.

Dont have dimples!Tris called after him. She sighed and walked down a broader street. was well done,she praised Chime. m impressed by your aim.

The glass dragon butted her head against Triss ear. A breeze circled around them, carrying the voice of someone who yawned and said, m done for the evening, Nerit.

Tris caught herself yawning. like a good idea,she murmured, and returned to Chamberpot Alley.

When they arrived at Touchstone Glass in the morning, Dema was there, waiting for them. Keth halted in the courtyard, fists clenched. Get it over with, he told himself, and asked Dema, and where?

Demas face was covered with sweat. He wiped it on his stole. a courtyard yaske&asi from Swansdown House. He left her on the steps of the Hall of Records on the Keepers Road.

courtyard. . .?Tris asked, not sure what that meant.

One of the entertainment houses. Yaskedasi there are a cut above those who perform on the street,explained Keth. Their customers pay just to get in, plus whatever they give the performer. And the houses have watchmen to make sure the guests dont get rowdy.

means he took her from under the nose of someone who was supposed to stop that sort of thing,Dema added. have good instincts for this, Keth, to remember about the watchmen.

Dont think thats a compliment,Keth said bitterly. was she taken, do you know?

As they talked, Tris set out the breakfast they had purchased on the way to the shop. Glaki took a honeycake to Dema, who smiled wearily at the child. He was ashen-faced with exhaustion. Around midnight, between performances. Last anyone recalls seeing her, she was on her way to the privy at the back of the house.

Heat temper? magic? he didnt know welled up in Keth until he thought he might burst. The courtyard houses were safe, particularly for yaskedasi. There were hazards to performing on the streets, enough that those who could afford to do so and those who had gained some measure of fame thought it worthwhile to pay the monthly fees to those who operated the houses. Does he walk through -walls?he cried, furious. he invisible?

Inside the shop two tall vases shattered. Everyone turned to stare at the pieces on the floor until Tris remarked, as sensibly as ever, problem with bringing your magic under control is that it gets more powerful. If your control isn t perfect. . .She went into the shop and found the broom. ll work on that today.