Please don’t say south,I silently pleaded.Not to Port Kamalan.
“I don’t know,” Longhai replied. “You look worried, Master Tamarin.”
“For my brother. The only one I have left.”
The older tailor eyed me. “The real Keton?”
“It was he who was badly injured in the war,” I said grimly. “I took his place to come to the trial. I’ve already lost two brothers to the war. I fear if there’s another…” I couldn’t finish my thought. My hands fell to my sides.
“The war took my companion as well,” said Longhai quietly. “He was dearer to me than anyone in the world.”
I looked up at him. I hadn’t known. “Oh, Master Longhai…”
He spoke over me, “Time eases all wounds, even ones to the heart. All I pray now is that my sons will have a kinder fate. And your brother.”
I didn’t dare pray. Who knew whether it would be gods or demons that listened to me? But I nodded.
“You should write to Keton and your father. Even a few words will ease their worry—I speak as a father, and as a friend. I will have the letter sent discreetly.”
“Thank you, Master Longhai,” I said softly. “I don’t know how I can ever repay you. For letting us stay here…and for being so kind to me during the trial. You should consider yourself fortunate you did not win.”
“I heard she asked you to make the dresses of Amana,” Longhai said slowly. “Did you truly succeed?”
Now I hesitated. “I did.”
“What I would give to see them.”
I didn’t tell him I had the remaining two with me in my amulet. That secret I kept even from Ammi.
“They were supposed to bring peace,” I said at last. “But I’m beginning to believe it would have been better if I’d never made them at all. If I’d stayed in Port Kamalan and never come to the palace.”
“With your talent?” Longhai chuckled. Then, seeing how grim I looked, he sobered. “We do not choose to be tailors; the cloth chooses us. There’s a feeling in our fingers, a feeling in our heart. The gods saw fit for you to bring Amana’s dresses back to this earth. You must believe there is a reason for that, young Tamarin. A good reason.”
I responded with a numb nod. Once I would have believedhim.
But it was far too late for me.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Under Madam Su’s care, Ammi made a steady recovery. I wished I could sit by her bedside all day, but I’d promised Longhai I would help with his shop. So, while Ammi rested, I joined his staff in the workroom.
My scissors hummed at my hip while I worked, but I ignored their call. No magic for me today; sewing calmed me, and I needed the distraction. My fingers weren’t as nimble as they’d been a month ago, but the tasks Longhai gave me were simple. I stitched a shirt for a scholar and embroidered butterflies on a pair of slippers for a merchant’s daughter.
No one paid me any heed; there was too much work to be done, and the seamstresses were too busy chatting with one another.
“Ay, I heard Scholar Boudi took on a third concubine last week.”
“Another one? How he’s able to afford his household is beyond me.”
“Yes, yes. And think what will happen if war comes. The price of silk will go high!”
As I sat, listening to their gossip, I thought of the seamstresses I’d left behind in the Hall of Dutiful Mending. I hoped they had survived the shansen’s attack.
At noon, the seamstresses cleared the workroom for lunch. I stayed behind. I hadn’t been hungry in days.
“Aren’t you going to eat, my friend?” asked Longhai, seeing I was still at work. “There’s beef stew with rice noodles for lunch today, a shop favorite.”
I didn’t look up at him. “I’m nearly finished.”
