Emily, Souk, Harvest Season, 6th rot., 6th day, night – East Coast Time

  “We’ll need to make an inventory, Moo,” I watched as Moo sorted her stash from the pirate ships out on the floor while I scratched one of the godown’s cats. We were both sitting on the floor since we had no furniture, but at least we had a roof to keep the rain and snow off and walls to block the wind.

  “At least five of the tunics fit,” Moo pulled out the tunics and tossed them in a pile to the side, “but none of the pants or trews are big enough.”

  “You should fold up and pile what you can use, Moo,” I hinted. The gal was quite messy. “We’ll need to be neat since the space is cramped for you.”

  “Fold?” Moo looked down at me.

  “You know, fold up the tunics, put them in a neat pile, and find a spot for them where we won’t step on them. We can probably make ourselves some shelving if we can cut down some trees tomorrow and split them.”

  “Fold the tunics?” Moo looked lost.

  “You do know how to fold a tunic, yes? Moo?”

  Moo was turning an interesting shade as she blushed in the light of the box stove, making her cheeks turn a mottled orange. “I don’t.”

  Not for the first time, I groaned. I should send Galt an invoice for all the teaching time I was investing in Moo. The Soukans would let Moo stay through the Cold Season in this godown, but we would need to hunt and fish for most of Moo’s food. I would need to scout the hills to forage fruits and vegetables for her. I would also need to give her a crash course in hunting.

  At least I wouldn't need to build a smokehouse to preserve meat. The Soukans had a tall chimney-style one on the slope above the boat landing. It reminded me of the ones I saw in Alaska for smoking salmon. It was big enough that I think Moo could stand inside it. That would come in handy when it came time to hang up our meat for smoking. I had to wonder what the Soukans used for spices.

  “Alright, Moo,” I stood up so I would be able to see. “Grab a tunic and lay it out flat, and I’ll show you how to fold clothes. Just think, Moo, by the time you’re done traveling, you’ll be able to go home and get a job as a housekeeper.”

  Lisaykos, Is’syal, Harvest Season, 6th rot., 6th day, late morning – Foskos Time

  I left Cadrees on the oversized balcony outside the Queen's quarters in the palace. I let myself in after mindcasting Aylem that I abusing her hospitality and her backdoor. I met her in the nursery, where she was busy with little Li'usper and Ni'usper. The naming ceremony for the twins was scheduled for the Coldtide Festival at the Restful Shrine of Surd, but Rakkalbos had already received the dream command revealing their names.

  I could sit and watch Aylem doing happy mommy things all day. She is one of the happiest mothers I have ever seen. She radiates contentment when she’s taking care of her babies, and because of the strength of her magic, that contentment leaks a bit and spreads out, affecting everyone around her. As I basked in Aylem’s maternal glow, I had to remind myself that I had to get back to Aybhas and my tasks at my Shrine.

  I allowed myself a few moments to coo at the twins along with Queen. Then, I forced myself to move.

  “Aylem, dear heart,” I caught the Queen’s eye, “I need to stop by with Lyappis one last time before I head home. But before I do, I want to speak with you in private." I looked at the nursery attendants, who looked at me and took the hint. They promptly vanished.

  Aylem sighed as she watched her staff flee the room where the twins had cribs. “What horrible thing have I done this time that you are about to nag me over? I haven’t had a chance yet to speak with you about yesterday.”

  “What about yesterday?” I asked, wondering what she had in mind.

  “I was rude to you yesterday, and I wanted to apologize for being, well, you know, touchy, overly sensitive, and temperamental,” Aylem looked at me with pleading eyes and uncertainty all over her face.

  “I've already forgotten about it," I told her, knowing how hard this was for her. She was learning things now, in her thirties, about how to get along with others, that most people learn before they become legal adults. The Convocation had failed Aylem badly in our raising of her. "I know that this is difficult for you, and you're doing so well, all things considered. Three years ago, you would have stayed angry and not talked to me for half a year, like you did five years ago.”

  “Oh,” Aylem looked anguished, “I was such an ass back then. “How did you ever put up with me?”

  "I knew you would show back up on my doorstep eventually," I explained. "Besides, Foyuna and I have always traded notes on how you were doing. I was getting steady reports from my cousin whenever you were at the Crystal Shrine. And I am a patient person. I simply had to wait for you to cool off."

  The fish face Aylem made was quite satisfying.

  "However," I took her hand and clasped it in both of mine, "I am concerned about you, Opa, and Senlyosart."

  “Dammit,” Aylem grimaced with her eyes squeezed shut. Then she exhaled forcefully and shook her head. Opening her eyes, she skewered me with her frown. “Lisaykos, can I have your oath that you will not repeat something?”

  I could see a decision on her face, one that told me that she wanted to share something that normally would not be divulged. Aylem did not trust easily; right now, she was willing to trust me.

  “Yes, of course,” I replied.

  "Senlyosart was not here yesterday because of Opa," Aylem said so quietly that I knew only I could hear her. "Opa did start a food fight, and I can't say I'm happy to hear it, but yesterday's little episode with you, me, and Kamagishi was a deliberate act of misdirection. The truth is that something else is going on in Black Falls. This is the second time that Imstay, Senlyosart, and I have had to speak in person regarding the matter. Some of it will be discussed at the next Convocation meeting, but some of it must be buried, perhaps for years, maybe decades. The problem here isn’t you, dear heart. I know you can be trusted. The worry is Kamagishi. Kamagishi needs to believe Senlyosart was here because of Opa."

  "You didn't command Senlyosart to meet you at the palace yesterday?" I asked. I was curious what might be going on, but knew better to inquire. I would need to bury this conversation deep where my sisters in the Convocation would never accidentally read it off of me.

  "She flew up on her own without consulting with us first," Aylem replied. "She didn't want to force me and Imstay to take a second trip to Black Falls in less than a rotation. And to be truthful, Imstay and I would have taken a second trip to Black Falls because we would prefer Senlyosart to stay home and spare her leg the hardships of travel.”

  It was my turn to grimace, “I am sorry that I assumed you forced her to travel, dear Aylem. I—”

  “Stop,” Aylem bopped me on the nose with her finger. “The previous version of me, before my mishap with Emily and Asgotl, would have been selfish enough to have done that to Senlyosart. It was a logical thing for you to assume.”

  “Wait,” I held up a hand, “you just said a second trip in less than a rotation?”

  “That’s right.” Aylem’s voice dropped back down to almost inaudible. “Imstay and I were in Black Falls four days ago consulting with Senlyosart.”

  I tried to imagine what might compel both the King and Queen to secretly travel to Black Falls and then to consider doing it a second time. All I could think of was the Trade Road between Inkalem and Impotu or rebuilding the locks on the canal around the waterfall. Ud had repaired the canal channel where the Impotuans had breached it, but the locks were still under repair. All merchandise headed to Uldlip this year had to be unloaded in Black Falls and transported to the trade fair by wagon on that lousy road south of the waterfall.

  I decided that guessing what was happening was a waste of effort. I would be patient and wait to find out what Aylem, Imstay, and Senlyosart were hiding.

  “Aylem,” I looked her in the eye, “you should tell Kamigishi what you just told me. Kamagishi can be trusted.”

  “But—”

  "She may be a gossip, but the gods do not pick untrustworthy souls as avatars. Kamagishi knows the difference between social chitchat and topics that cannot be discussed. She presides over the secret trials in person as the High Justicar. She is so closemouthed that most people aren't even aware that we hold secret trials. You can trust her.”

  The look Aylem gave me was full of uncertainty.

  "I need to say goodbye to Lyappis," I got up. "Do you want to come with me? I need to get moving. I have been away from Aybhas for more than a day and have too much to do when I return, including my first attempt at the charm of unraveling time. So, dear heart, are you coming? Kami and I set up the Revered Garki to read Emily's treatment records to Lyappis while she's still in restraints, and I know she'll have questions for both of us."

  “Emily’s treatment records?” Aylem blinked. “Oh, Lisaykos,” she grinned at me, “that’s evil.”

  I grinned back, “I know.”

  Senlyosart, Singing Shrine, Harvest Season, 6th rot., 6th day – Foskos Time

  “I understand and approve of your recommendations,” I told Twipdray and the elderly Revered Soskoloep, “but now we need to bring Heir Sertfos into this because we need to mobilize the Garrison. If you will wait a moment, I will contact her."

  “Your will, Holy One,” Soskoloep bowed her head briefly in agreement. The old lady looked like she hadn't slept. Given what she had just told me, she probably hadn't. I would need to request extra healers from the Aybhas, but first, I needed to alert the Heir and the Garrison.

  *Sertfos?* I found her in her father’s office, looking at documents.

  *Senlyosart, what has happened? You don’t mindcast unless something momentous has happened.* Sertfos was immediately concerned.

  *Unfortunately, something has happened, and we need the help of the Garrison. Can you come to the Shrine, to my bedroom? Twipdray has my bum leg confined to bedrest for the rest of today.*

  *You need me now?* Sertfos was already on her feet and heading for the door, snagging her checkered white and yellow ochre mantle as she started to jog to the door out of the Manse.

  *Yes, I'm afraid so. We'll need the Garrison and the services of all of my Voices.*

  *I'll be right there.* Serfos dropped the link as I felt her break into a run. It was all downhill from the Manse to the Shrine. The Heir was young, full of energy, and athletic. She would run all the way here or fly if anyone got in her way.

  “The Heir will be here in a few moments,” I looked up and reported to the two healers. Then I rang my bell to summon my office attendant, Gilloawray. “We’ll need to inform the Healing Shrine,” I said.

  “I’ve already done so,” Soskoloep responded. “Our Mistress was in Is’syal this morning but is expected back before the fifth bell.”

  “Really?” I was surprised, “The Blessed Lisaykos stayed in Is’syal last night?” What was going on in Is’syal that would compel Lisaykos to stay the night, especially the day after her own god had granted her an intercession? This wasn’t like her. I would need to look into that later.

  “Come,” I opened the door with my mind’s hand when Gilloawray knocked.

  “Mistress,” my attendant stepped into my bedroom and bowed his bald head, “what may I do for you?” The poor man had kept my office functioning even when I was working from my bed.

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  “The Blessed Lisaykos sent me a package of charm gems earlier this year. Do you know where it is?” I asked.

  “Yes, I do. Do you wish me to fetch it for you?”

  “Please, immediately.”

  “On it,” he nodded at me. Bowing briefly to the two healers, Gilloawray turned and left the room at a run.

  Through the now-open door, running footsteps echoed in the hallway. They weren't Gilloawray's footfalls because they were coming closer, not getting farther away. When the footsteps were at my door, an out-of-breath Heir Sertfos erupted into my bedroom, then leaned over and gasped for air as her long silver braid whipped around, smacking her in the arm. She wore mostly black flying clothes, which she preferred over kirtles and gowns.

  "Blarg," Sertfos panted, "I've been spending too much time pushing a quill and not enough time pushing myself." She straightened up, grabbed a chair, and plunked it down at the foot of my bed so she could see me and the two healers without turning her head. "What has happened?" She sat down. "Seeing two healers here isn't helping my state of worry."

  “We have a disease outbreak among the city’s Coyn,” Twipdray said. “It's a sudden fever and rash. We haven't had any survivors yet."

  “I don’t like the sounds of this,” Sertfos frowned. “We still have crops to get in. I need my farm hands.”

  “We admitted nine Coyn to the chapel shrine of Mugash yesterday. Every one of them had a high fever," Soskoloep added. "They later developed rashes and jaundice. All nine are now dead. We admitted twenty-seven with the same symptoms before the second bell this morning. We have reports from the ward and block leaders that there are Coyn who died in their beds overnight and never made it to the chapel shrine for Coyn.” She sighed and shook her head, “Our Mistress has been worried that something like this would happen after the Coyn destroyed their embedded charm gems.”

  “I know,” I replied. “She sent me thirty thousand charm gems of health during Planting Season, which will cover about half of the Coyn in the holding. That’s what’s in the package I just sent Gilloawray to fetch.”

  "Can I get a Voice at each city gate and boat landing to help enforce the health charm gem rules?" asked Sertfos. "We can start by compelling the Coyn going in or out of the city to wear the gems. We'll need to set up roadblocks inside the city to enforce gem-wearing. We'll also need to set up locations to isolate sick Coyn so they won't continue to infect others, assuming this is spread by Coyn-to-Coyn proximity, not by something like an insect or tick bite."

  "I can save you the trouble of setting up roadblocks, Sert," I announced. "If my keeper will allow me to visit the Well of Sassoo, I can compel every Coyn within a fifth of a wagon-day of the Shrine to wear or carry a health charm gem."

  “Is your knee still swollen?” Twipdray glared at me.

  “You know the answer to that question already,” I groused just a little for her benefit. “I believe that you are harassing me simply because you can.”

  "I'll get the chair," Twipdray got up and walked over to the door to my store room to fetch the wheeled chair, the second one the Building Shrine made with rubber covering the wheels. Then she wrapped me up in my housecoat, put me in the chair, and wheeled me into the atrium under the central dome. We were treated to young Sidros demonstrating the lithophone inside the Well for his math tutor, Schoolmage Yox.

  I was amused as Sid played the napping kitten lullaby, which would be heard throughout most of the city. Did he not know how far the sound carried? Or was he simply being thoughtless? He was just eleven, after all, despite how maturely he carried himself. I suspected the standards for his public behavior had been set very high when he was very young. He had the same sort of unreadable face and stiffness that Opa displayed at times.

  When Sid finished, Sertfos laughed loudly. “I never imagined that anyone would play that particular ditty on one of the world’s only lithophones. You must be the rumored Sidros Arkalkin, who has been playing duets with the Princess.”

  The boy and the tutor were both on their knees in an instant, hands over their hearts, heads bowed. "May the blessing of the eleven gods be upon this sacred company," they said in unison as if they had known each other for years instead of hours.

  “And also upon you. Please rise and be at your ease. I’m afraid I must evict you from the Well now, Sidros,” I said as Twip bumped me down the one step onto the depressed floor of the Well. “Though, you can stay and watch me cast citywide magic if you like, child. You will find it instructive on how Voice magic can be used during an emergency." I twisted so I could see Twipdray. "Love, I must be close enough to touch the Singing Crystal. And I need you to help me with my next task."

  “How, Holy One?” Twip replied, always exact and proper in public with her manners.

  "I'll show you," I said as I set the handbrake on the chair. I caressed the green-striated and prismatic crystal. "I am about to lift the Singing Crystal. In the hole that’s usually covered by the crystal’s pedestal, you will find several crystals. Find the rectangular crystal with the same pale reddish brown color as Sakeeno wine. Remove it from the recess and hand it to me, please?”

  I wrapped my hand around my crystal pendent and lifted the Singing Crystal and its support upward about three hands and then slowly sideways, exposing the kettle-sized hole underneath. Twipdray was on her knees instantly and gently lifting up one of the treasures of Black Falls, which survived last year's invasion: a crystal of compulsion more than two hands long, strong enough to compel an ordained silverhair to be obedient when confined by the garrisons. This would be the first use of the city’s compulsion crystal since the city had been rebuilt.

  “Oh, is this what I think it is?” Twip was in awe of what she was holding. “It survived?”

  “I put it in the vault before the battle last year despite the time and effort that took," I admitted. "Ud recovered it when she cleared the ruins of the old shrine." I gently lowered the Singing Crystal and its pedestal to rest on the floor to the side of the recess. Twip handed me the compulsion crystal in its damascene grey velvet wrappings.

  “I will time things starting with the fifth bell and will call for the ward and block leaders, as you suggested, Soskoloep,” I cradled the pale-rosey-brown crystal in my cupped palms, feeling the powerful, ancient magic written into the lattice of elements inside it.

  “I am always astounded every time I see the city’s compulsion crystal,” Sertfos bent over to get a better look.

  "The crystal used to imprison the Holy Mieth under the citadel in Salicet was probably similar to this one," Twipdray commented. I did notice that Sidros flinched when I mentioned poor Mieth. "This reminds me of the preamble to the Scripture of the Trial: objects themselves are neither good nor bad. It is the actions of people when using objects that are good or bad."

  “I don’t understand,” Sid asked, looking confused.

  "Come here, Sidros," I invited him over. He stood next to my wheeled chair and studied the big gem in my hands. "Go ahead and touch it, Sidros," I instructed. "It may feel warm, or it may feel like it's vibrating to you."

  He stretched out his hand and lightly put a finder on the gem, “It feels like it’s humming like the soundbox on a thrommer. That’s so strange.”

  "This crystal is over two and a half millennia old," I told him. "There's one other like it at the White Shrine of Landa in Yant. We seldom need to use these, so you will be able to witness some unique and rare magic, Sidros."

  “How does it work? What will you do?” Sidros asked, eyes lighting up with curiosity.

  "I will cast magic in four layers. First, using this crystal, I will craft a compulsion that will affect only those with no magic, which is to say, all our Coyn. Next, I will use Voice magic to impose that compulsion on every Coyn who hears my voice. I will overlay a charm of Sassoo's breath through the Singing Crstyal so my voice will be heard everywhere in the city. I will bolster my voice with a charm of amplification to spread the effect as far as I can and reach outside the walls. That should take care of Black Falls. We’ll need to send guards and post riders to the outskirts of the holding. After that, I will invite Lord Gunndit to use crystal in Gunndit Town, Manse Gunndit, and Kunnsifa. Then, Lord Gunndit will take the crystal to Aybhas. If we can get a quarantine order in place fast enough in these three places, we may be able to keep this fever from spreading beyond the southern part of the kingdom.”

  “Quarantine?” Sidros frowned.

  “There is a deadly fever spreading through the Coyn of the city, Sid,” I explained. “This is the start of an emergency. Be thankful you were not born a Coyn, child, because so far, we have had no survivors yet from this fever. And now,” I lifted his hand from the gem, “I must now concentrate on crafting my charms.”

  I wrapped my fingers around the compulsion crystal and injected my consciousness. I felt the power it gave me to bend lesser beings to my will. I massaged that power, kneaded it, and cajoled it to compel all those without magic, binding it to my Voice. Then I placed my other hand on the Singing Crystal; it lit up with a yellow-green glow and sang a note for me. I pushed the tendrils of the Singing Crystal’s power to spread out and blanket the city. I cast an amplification charm on top of that.

  I closed my eyes and felt my magic’s reach. I realized that Lord Gunndit, the Blessed Lisaykos, the Holy Foyuna, and maybe even the Holy Sutsusum would feel me cast my compulsion on the city’s Coyn. This was avatar-grade magic. Strong clairvoyants would feel it.

  “May the blessings of the Lord of the Winds be upon this city,” I said, hearing the funny echo effect that characterizes using Voice magic. I knew every living being within my range was now aware of me. I took my time because it was good practice. It was good to give the populace a chance to pause before proceeding. "I am Senlyosart, High Priestess of the Singing Shrine. Please put down whatever you are doing, for I have dire news for those living in Black Falls. Everyone needs to hear what I have to say, especially the city’s Coyn. A deadly fever is currently spreading among the Coyn in Black Falls. The city's Coyn must take measures so we can stop the fever and any further loss of life.

  "Starting immediately, all Coyn will stop working. They will return to where they sleep and stay there. This will be hard, but all Coyn must stay away from one another. Stand ten hands or more apart if you must talk or talk through a door. Your ward or block leader will account for all their residents as soon as everyone settles in at their homes.

  “All Surd Halls, Coyn dining halls, and towel windows will close immediately. Bathing pools at the bathhouses will close, but toilets will stay open. Coyn dining hall staff will shut down their kitchens and go home. Coyn bath house staff will also go home.

  “Coyn may not enter or leave the city through the gates, on any wagons, ground mounts, or river boats. The guards at the gates and boat landings will direct and shelter any Coyn stranded by this order.

  “We will make arrangements to distribute food and beverages to the Coyn. We will send guards and shrine personnel throughout the Coyn neighborhoods, so help should be close at hand if you need it.

  “For all the Coyn who did not destroy the charm gems of health you were given last rotation, you will now wear or carry that charm gem with you at all times. Place an upside-down cup outside your door to signal that you have your gem on your person.”

  "For those Coyn who destroyed, lost, or misplaced the gem you were given, place a right-side-up cup outside your door to signal that you need a new one. No one will be punished for destroying their gems. Your ward or block leader will get you a new gem as soon as we can distribute them. Until then, stay where you sleep.”

  “If any Coyn feels feverish, weak, or lightheaded, go to the tent city site, which the Garrison is putting back up. If you feel so ill that you do not have the strength to leave your home, tie a strip of cloth to your door latch, and we will send help to take you to the healers.

  “The fever does not affect Cosm, flying, or ground mounts. Any Cosm who discovers sick Coyn, please bring them to the chapel shrine of Mugash or to the tent city.”

  “All Coyn ward and block leaders will report to the east gate to the Singing Shrine at the fifth bell. Do not walk with a friend. Walk alone when you come to the Shrine. We will greet each of you individually as you approach the shrine gate.

  “I wish to speak with the craftmasters of the bakers, leatherworkers, coopers, carters, and brewers at the Shrine at their earliest convenience. I will update the city on our progress in stopping the fever as news develops. Urgent questions should be brought to the east gate of the Shrine.”

  I exhaled and let the tendrils of power drop. For a moment, I felt a little dizzy, which is my usual reaction when I cast magic at the limits of my powers. Only a handful of women in Foskos could do what I had just done, namely cast a compulsion on an entire city. The requirements were usually a large compulsion gem, raw magic power on a high priestess scale, and the ability to use Voice magic. In the Foskan Convocation, Fassex, Irralray, Kamigishi, Foyuna, Lisaykos, and myself could cast compulsion on a city. The Impotuan Losnana could compel a city if she wanted, and I knew Lord Gunndit could, too. Of course, the Queen could compel a city and didn’t need to use a crystal to do so, as she demonstrated last year. I hoped we didn’t need to appeal to the Queen for aid. It would be good if we could confine the fever to Black Falls.

  "There, I've done my part," I said, sitting up. "Twip, could you place the compulsion crystal on the Throne of Judgment? We will leave the recess open and the Singing Crystal displaced while the compulsion crystal is in use. I'm sorry, Sidros, but you and Opa must avoid the Well for now until the Singing Crystal is restored. The Well is about to be overrun. Sertfos, it's now your show. The Garrison is not going to get a lot of sleep this evening. I will cancel classes so we can put the staff and the older trainees to work. I will dispatch eight of my Voices to the gates and boat landings.”

  “Can you send the younger trainees out to pick bog berries?” Sertfos made a face. “You just grounded my Coyn berry pickers, Holy One, and we still have half the berry harvest to bring in. I’ll take all the labor I can get.”

  "Most of my Coyn kept their health gems, so I expect I can send some of them too," I replied. "Speaking of Coyn, I want to see Otwee as soon as possible. And where’s Gill?” I tranced and looked for Gilloawray, my office attendant. I found him coming up the stairs from the first cellar with a small locked wooden crate. He had found the health charm gems Lisaykos sent a half year ago, right after the Pinisla weddings. He took the first left after the top of the stairs, meaning he was coming to the Well instead of my office.

  After I had used the Voice on the whole city, Gill logically concluded I was in the Well. Like duh.

  "Gill will be here momentarily," I announced. "He has thirty thousand charm gems of health for distribution to any of the Coyn who need one. They are all yours, Sertfos dear. The Garrison is the best equipped to inspect for gems and compel those without gems to wear them. If you need more than the eight Voices to help with compulsions, just sing out. We have more Voices available, especially now that we’re canceling classes. And here’s Gill,” I nodded as my attendant appeared with the crate of charm gems.

  “Mistress," he bowed his head to Senlyosart, "Ladies, Lords." He nodded to the healers, Heir Sertfos, Sidros, and Schoolmage Yox. "This crate contains charm gems of health. Who is it for?"

  “That would be me, Scholar Gilloawray," Sertfos said. "Let me get my staff to take that from you. Holy One, can my people use the eastern concert hall and plaza as places to organize?”

  “I assumed you would, Sertfos. I’ll get workstations set up. Gill, can I delegate details to you? Pull half the staff from the Sorting Hall for extra hands, and take your plaque in case Elessos wants to give you grief over it. The mail can be late for a change. We don’t have time for her snits today. Next, you’ll need to set up the eastern shrine gate for each Coyn ward and block leader to be met by a Cosm. Use the fifth- and sixth-year trainees to sort out the Coyn. We need the ward and block leaders to account for all the Coyn in their assigned areas and find out which ones need charm gems. Set up a small area for Cosm on Cosm consultations because we'll get some owners, too, looking for information. Also, cancel classes. Send the first and second years to eat now and then send them with their floor supervisors to the Manse for assignment to the berry bogs. Pick eight Voices who weren't teaching this morning or on garrison or court duty, and send them to the six gates and the two water gates to compel Coyn to wear or carry charm gems of health. Work with the craftmasters to distribute food and water this afternoon and evening. What am I forgetting, Gill?"

  “I’ll have a list drawn up in about an eighth of a bell, Mistress,” he smiled his reassurance at me. “If the mail can be late, can I steal Carrier Chief Merhermos and her staff for other delivery services?”

  “Yes,” I would let my Shrine’s layperson bureaucracy switch from delivering the mail to delivering food.

  I looked up at Sid, who was still standing next to my chair, watching everything with big eyes. “Do you want to go with the trainees to pick bog berries, Sid? I asked. “Otherwise, you can stay here and work with Schoolmage Yox.”

  “I’ll go with the trainees, Holy One,” Sid squeaked.

  “I’ll go with him,” Yox said cheerfully. “I’ve never been to a berry bog before.” He winked at the panicked Sid. “We can work on counting drills while we pick berries.”

  Sid groaned so deeply that we all laughed.

  “I take it someone is getting tutoring?” Sertfos smiled at Sid with sympathy.

  “Yes, Honored One,” Sid wilted in place.

  - - -