“All he cares about is his own advancement.”
“He cares about the freedom of magic. He does, Zlata. Otherwise he could just sit back and rake in his money. He cares about the kingdom. And the king.”
Zlata snorted. “I don’t give a damn about the king.”
“You can’t say that.”
“Really? I thought I just did.” She crossed her arms. “I’veseen the faces of the ones who weretakenby the Temple, Mieka. You think I don’t remember? My brother …” She paused, then went on roughly, “You think I want to lose you the same way? You of all people should understand. After what happened to your—”
“Don’t say it,” said Mieka softly. After a moment, she said, “If we don’t push back, they’ll keep taking more.”
“And what then? You raise an army?”
“It’s not about fighting them. It’s about teaching people that they have a choice. The Temple’s power only holds because everyone believes there’s no other way. I’m showing them there is. You and I both know what happens when magic is starved and bound. It rots. It lashes out. The Plague proved that.”
“That’s only one theory. Don’t be a martyr, Mieka. It doesn’t suit you.”
“I just want tomeansomething.”
“You could mean something to me, you know,” Zlata said drily. “Theoretically. That could be enough.”
“Zlata, you know I love you. But if I do nothing, then what’s the point? What kind of world are we making?”
I called a greeting, not wanting to eavesdrop further. I had already listened for far too long.
“Netta!” cried Mieka, with no trace of awkwardness. “How did it go with the Book Man?”
Zlata snorted and went inside. I told Mieka all that had happened since I left her the previous day.
“He told me he gets letters and packages of books from all over Virelith every day,” I said.
“You’re in the right place, then.”
“I think so. As much as I can be.”
I caught the other woman in an impulsive hug. “Thank you for helping me,” I said.
Mieka’s small, wiry body was tense against mine at first, but then she relaxed and hugged me back. “All right, enough of that,” she said, pushing me away.
“And how are you?” I asked, wondering if I should tell her I had overheard her argument.
“As usual, pissing coin away faster than I can earn it. Well, never mind.” Mieka’s face was alive with excitement. “I wanted to tell you—it’s Plaguenight tomorrow. The whole city will be in the streets celebrating. You should come with Zlata and me.”
This took me by surprise. “Oh! Thank you. But … I don’t think I can.”
“Oh, come on. No one works on Plaguenight. There’ll be sweetmeats, and wine, and dancing …”
I had heard of Plaguenight, of course, though Mother and I had never celebrated it. Something stirred in me. I had never been to a festival. I had never danced. The temptation was strong.
“Someone might see me …” I said weakly.
“Netta,” Mieka said patiently, as if speaking to a small child, “everyone will be masked until dark. It’s the only fun the Temple lets us have all year.”
“Masked?”
“And in all the chaos, no one would see you even if you weren’t. Come on!”
“I … I don’t have a mask.”
