“Quite the spectacle, isn’t it?” Longhai said, reappearing at my side. “It’s second only to the capital.” He pointed at the far side of Tangsah Marketplace and added, “The merchants in the silk quarter will try to cheat you when they find out you’re working in the palace. Don’t pay more than half what they’re asking. And don’t act like it’s your first time here.”
I shifted the weight from my foot to my cane. “Is it that obvious?”
“Yes,” Longhai said. He paused. “You have real talent, Keton, but you’re young. If we weren’t in this silly competition, I would take you to be my apprentice.” He shrugged his wide shoulders. “This contest wearies me. We are craftsmen. We should learn from one another, not cut each other’s throats.”
Before I could reply, Norbu slipped between us. “Are you coming to the alehouse with us, young Tamarin? I’ll buy you a drink, if it means learning your embroidery secrets. That shawl was marvelous.”
I fumbled with my cane. “I need to spend the day buying supplies.”
“Such a killjoy.” Yindi sniffed. “We have the day off and three hundred jens each. We should enjoy it.”
“Easy for you to say,” Longhai said. “You won the last two challenges. I’m rather inclined to follow young Tamarin myself.”
But he didn’t. Longhai had a weakness for drink. I had a feeling Yindi and Norbu were using it against him.
“Aren’t you hot wearing all that?” Yindi said, waving at my tunic. I’d been wearing at least three layers to help obscure my chest.
“This is cool weather to me,” I lied, hoping he wouldn’t notice the sweat pooling on the back of my neck.
Yindi crossed his arms, his flat, pudgy nose wrinkling as usual. “You’re an odd one, Tamarin.” He shook his head and disappeared into the drinking house with Norbu.
I stole a peek inside: it was full of men, some gambling at tiles and others drunkenly reciting poetry. In the center was Norbu, hobnobbing with the magistrates and nobles while his servant did his shopping.
“Doesn’t he ever work?” I asked Longhai before he too went inside.
“Don’t underestimate Norbu,” Longhai said. “How do you think he is the richest tailor in A’landi? Certainly not by spending all day at the loom.”
I retreated to the shade of a tangerine farmer’s tent and stared at my map. Then I tightened my money pouch around my neck; Tangsah was infamous for its pickpockets.
Passing several bakers’ shops and tents, I spied sesame cakes and honeycomb cookies. The palace fed me well, but there was nothing like honeycomb cookies fresh off the griddle.
I shook off the craving.Silk, not cookies, I reminded myself.Thread, not cakes.
With renewed determination, I set out to buy my supplies. After a few hours, my basket was heavy. I’d used up almost all the money Lorsa had given us on dyes, new needles, gold foil to make metallic thread, and a smaller frame for more intricate embroidery.
I had two jens and thirty fen left. Just enough to buy myself some lunch. I stopped by the baker whose steamed vegetable buns looked and smelled freshest, and got an apple from the farmer next door with my remaining fen.
There was a tap on my basket, and I jerked back, immediately assuming it was a pickpocket. It was Edan.
“What are you doing here?” I demanded.
“Why do you need any of this when you have those scissors of yours?” he said, frowning at the contents of my basket.
I hurried away from the farmer’s stall. “I’m not going to use them.”
He followed me. “Now that’s a foolish idea if I’ve ever heard one.”
“Lady Sarnai hates magic. I’m not being sent home over a pair of scissors. And I refuse to cheat.” I glared at the Lord Enchanter. He was grinning and munching on a shiny yellow apple.Myapple! “Do you ever take anything seriously?”
“I take everything seriously. Especially magic. If I had enchanted scissors like yours, the trial would be over by now.”
“You couldn’t sew to save your life,” I retorted, reaching for my apple.
“Ah, but I wouldn’t need to.” He closed the snack in his fist, then opened his fingers. My apple had disappeared.
I tried not to dwell on how he had done that; it would give him too much satisfaction. “Shouldn’t you be in the palace? Advising and protecting the emperor, or whatever it is you do?”
“His Majesty doesn’t need my protection—or advice. He’s a grown man.” Edan grinned. “As I’m sure you’ve noticed.”
