"Iddie, I need a new pair of mitts," said Ellika to her ladies maid.
"You have two dozen already, miss," Iddie murmured in reply as she moved through the dressing room.
"Oh, none of them suit! Haven't you seen the new fashion? Despie Sandopint came back from Ouve with it and has started a rage. I could just pinch her!"
"I'm sure you'll overtake her again, miss," smiled Iddie, holding a dress out for Ellika's approval.
"No, I wore green yesterday. Perhaps the pale gold silk? --I intend to overtake her, Iddie, I always do."
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Lying awake as the first paleness of day showed through the canvas, I learned now what kings have long known: if you do not trust your advisors on a matter, you have no one to consult with when deciding it.
I trusted my mother, but she was not really politically-minded, and it was that kind of mind I needed. Niku didn’t know enough about Yeola-e, my sibs were too young, Artira and Tyeraha were not here, Chinisa would have no opinion.
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The next junction of guide ropes led to a dead end, and a dozen strides took them through a door and into a small room. They reached its far side almost as soon as they entered.
“Sit,” Silencia ordered, pushing Anilitak onto a rope mat. Some cloth gathered beneath her, a sheet, perhaps. “Tell me what happened.”
Allowed to speak, the words tumbled out, but Anilitak had barely mentioned the ghost when Silencia cut her off. “Quiet!” No other command followed, and after almost a minute, Anilitak tried to start again. “I said be quiet!” Silencia hissed.
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"Should we call you a mermaid?" Corrie asked Troy. "I mean, obviously we're going to actually call you Troy, but should we refer to you as a merman, or a Djanaea, or what?" She'd stumbled a little over the word Troy had given for them, but he didn't correct her, so she must have gotten it close to right.
"Um... I guess if you don't mind saying Djanaea, I would prefer that. And you're not going to be talking about me to too many people, are you?" he asked.
"No, of course not. Now." Corrie leaned back in the chair and crossed her arms. "You never answered my question."
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I switched to Arkan. The infirmary had the usual number of people in it, lying in bed or helping those who were lying in bed, every word carried like in any tent, and this, more than anything, was no one else’s business. Or perhaps I just wanted to conceal my shame.
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I switched to Arkan. The infirmary had the usual number of people in it, lying in bed or helping those who were lying in bed, every word carried like in any tent, and this, more than anything, was no one else’s business. Or perhaps I just wanted to conceal my shame.
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"Looks like we got Everest," Vince said, striding into the library and depositing his books on a small table occupied by a short boy wearing glasses.
"That's great!" Will, also known as the short boy wearing glasses, exclaimed. "I thought for sure someone would have beaten us to him.
"When I spoke with the dean he told me we were the third team to make our selection," Vince replied, taking his seat and spreading out the books. "I guess the others are taking their sweet time in picking a subject."
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