Heirs of Power by Kay MacLeod

Author:Kay MacLeod [MacLeod, Kay]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Speculative
Publisher: Unknown
Published: 2016-10-31T00:00:00+00:00

Serena was right. Esterford was pretty insignificant, but seemed to be growing. As Kitty and Asher entered the town they passed a construction site where new houses were being built. Most of the buildings were made of wood and had slanted, slated roofs.

A small shopping area that could hardly be called a market sat in the middle of the settlement, and was made up of a selection of stalls and several shops with only a few dozen customers perusing their wares. Other than that, the town was barely occupied.

“Not much to see,” Asher remarked.

“Good thing, I guess,” Kitty replied.

“Seen any of our friends?”

“I’ve not really seen anyone.”

“Townsfolk must be working out in the forest. There’s a craft shop over there,” Asher pointed. “As good a place to check as any.”

It was one of the largest buildings, tucked away at the edge of the market. A range of furniture and large vases decorated the outside, the price tags causing The Constellations’ eyes to widen.

“If they’re worth this much, then they must be made by someone pretty skilled,” Asher winked and pushed open the door.

Unlike what they had seen of the small town so far, this place was bustling. The room was large and open-plan, with small stations dotted throughout containing pottery wheels, easels and workbenches. There were at least fourteen people working away at various pieces. One girl with paint-splashed overalls was creating an incredible sunset scene on a canvas, and an elderly man was carving grape vines into a table leg. Unfortunately it didn’t look like anyone was using solely their hands to mould anything.

Towards the back of the room, the workshop became a store. Shelves were piled with paper, pencils, paint, clay, tools and everything else a creative person would need. The walls were covered with wares and stacked so high that ladders were propped against some of them.

“Hi there,” A woman in her late twenties greeted them. “I’m Hannah, what are you guys here for? Lessons, supplies, or just want to borrow a station?”

She had short brown hair and smart clothes, her prim black dress showed she meant business, but the flecks of paint and clay sprinkled down her front revealed that she was also a craftsman. The woman was of the right age to be a Constellation, but how could they go about finding out?

“My husband’s an artist,” Kitty told her. “Do you mind if he tests some equipment?”

“Sure thing,” Hannah smiled. “Pencils? Paint? We have testers for most of our range.”

“Whatever you got,” Asher replied. “I’ve mainly worked in sketches before, but I want to expand and I’m not sure of the best way to go about it.”

“Ok, give me one second,” Hannah told them and dashed off through a door behind the shop counter.

“What you thinking?” Asher murmured, inquisitive.

“Subtle questions while you work? We can’t exactly ask her if she’s one of us,” Kitty whispered back. “Also, if you drew the people here, maybe we can show Ellie and she can figure it out from that?”

“Worth a shot.

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