Masquerades (зк-1) by Kate Novak & Jeff Grubb

Author:Kate Novak & Jeff Grubb [Novak, Kate]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: sf_fantasy

Thirteen

Conversations Ashore

"Ooh, that's a pretty one," Jamal exclaimed as a golden marigold blossomed on the horizon. Mintassan har-rumphed politely.

When the first explosions sounded | Jamal had insisted they run up to Mintassan's aerie-a balcony reached frem a window of his attic. The sage's home was far enough up the hill for them to have a clear view of the fireworks blossoming over the bay.

The sage and the actress reclined in heavy iron garden chairs which, after years of exposure to the elements, looked as if they'd been gnawed upon by rust monsters. Kel, newly scrubbed and dressed in some old clothes of the sage's, leaned out over the balcony railing with all the disdain for personal safety a teenaged boy could muster. Fireworks were still so rare an occurrence that the young thief was unable to hide his pleasure beneath his usual veneer of apathy. From his shouts and applause it was obvious he preferred the noisier explosions to the more visually elaborate ones.

Jamal rearranged the faded, mildew-ridden cushion at her back and took another sip of her wine. "Ever think of getting some new furniture out here?" she asked the sage.

"Not much reason to sit out here anymore," Mintassan grumbled. "Since they added that blasted magical light to the harbor tower, the sky's too bright. Can't see the stars I chose to observe for my treatise on astronomy."

Jamal looked up at the sky. "The ones you can still see are lovely enough."

"I suppose," the sage said with a shrug. He was eyeing Kel nervously, certain that the boy would flip over the railing any minute, requiring a magical flying spell for his rescue.

The sage leaned nearer the actress and murmured softly, "He-" Mintassan indicated Kel with a jerk of his head "-was looking over the silver tea set, estimating its resale value. He could calculate a twenty-seven percent cut in his head, but he can't read. He said he doesn't need to learn to read. How can he say that? How can he think that?"

"No one's given him reason enough," Jamal replied. "Although I'm sure a clever man like yourself can find some motivation for him." "Me? Why me?"

"Well, it's not likely he'd want to imitate an old lady with modest thespian skills. Boys need to look up to men."

"Because I'm a man my home has become a shelter for homeless actresses and underage rogues?"

"More likely because you're a powerful mage, remember?" Jamal retorted.

Mintassan shrugged off the comment. "I'm beginning to dread it when Alias goes out after Night Masks. Who knows what shell bring back next?"

"Maybe she'll bring back young Victor Dhostar," Jamal suggested.

Mintassan scowled. "I'm not taking him in. I don't even know why I agreed to take Kel," he complained.

"Because Alias asked you, and she's a clever, pretty woman," Jamal stated.

Mintassan flushed ever so slightly. "I'm simply extending her a courtesy because she's a friend of Grypht's," he argued. "Is that what Victor Dhostar is doing by inviting her to his posh party-simply extending a courtesy?" Jamal asked, peering with concern at a firework that exploded a little too low on the horizon.

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