Before she could think of a reply, Niko entered the Dedicate Superior’s office and closed the door.
The outer door banged; two more guests rushed in. One was a pale, sweating dedicate in the blue habit of the Water temple. Tris knew she was in charge of Pearl Cup, where the wealthy girls lived. Her companion was Tris’s own age. “Sit there, away from the window,” the dedicate told her charge. “I don’t want lightning to hit you until after you’re not my problem anymore—my lady. Gods bless us, that was close!” She thrust her companion onto a bench against the wall, then swept into the office without knocking. “Honored Moonstream, I’ve had enough!” she cried, and slammed the door.
“Did you see that lightning?” The new girl was excited more than scared. “My hair stood on end. I thought she was going to take flight!” If the dedicate’s words had upset her, it didn’t show. “I’ve never been so close to it!”
Tris looked the stranger over. A merchant at heart, like the rest of her family, she knew that the other girl’s outfit—a sleeveless black overdress with tightly fitted bodice and jet buttons, a white lawn undergown with puffy sleeves—was costly. Every inch of the newcomer, from the sheer, black veil over light brown braids, to the gold embroidery on neat kid slippers, proclaimed old blood and old money.
Without a word, Tris turned back to the window. This noble would learn her mistake soon enough. She would be ashamed to remember she had spoken to a merchant girl. “It’s only lightning,” she replied.
The girl came over. “Oh, look, that poor tree got fried.” She leaned through the casement eagerly. The band that secured her veil slipped, making the black silk puff on top of her hair.
Tris smiled wryly.
The stranger turned her head. Sky-blue eyes met her gray ones. Instantly the other girl’s hand went to her veil. “They never stay on straight.” She yanked it off. “And no mirror to fix it with. I hate veils anyway.”
The office door opened. Moonstream walked out, followed by the dedicates who had brought the girls there. “You two are not fitting into the dormitories.” The Honored Dedicate smiled, inviting them to share her amusement. “I am told that, if you were to stay, the other girls will be demoralized. Very well. Today you move to Discipline cottage. It’s by the north gate. I think you’ll both do better there.” She looked at the dedicates. “Pack their things and send them to Discipline. Niko, will you escort Lady Sandrilene and Trisana to their new home?”
The man stepped out of her office. He looked the girls over, smoothing his mustache. “I never thought they would end up at Discipline—I’d thought the school would be enough, once they settled down.” He spoke softly, as if he were thinking aloud.
Moonstream sighed. “Niko …”
“I tried to settle. Honestly, I did.” Sandry’s bright eyes were fixed on Niko. “Would I do better at this other place?”
The dedicate in charge of her dormitory sniffed disdainfully.
“I don’t want to settle in,” muttered Tris.
Niko grinned at the Dedicate Superior. “It’s my pleasure to take them to Discipline,” he said.
4
Niko led them along the spiral road that gave Winding Circle its name, walking its broad loops instead of cutting across them on the many straight paths available. Sandry talked to him, walking backward part of the time so she could watch his face. “How long have you been here? I wish you’d told me you were back. It’s nice to see you.”
Niko smiled. “I’m happy to see you, too. You look well.”
Sandry grinned and nearly tripped on the raised border of the road. Tris caught her, letting go as soon as she regained her balance.
“Thank you!” Sandry told her cheerfully. “Sometimes I get so busy talking I forget—are you all right?”
Tris had stopped in the middle of the road. Red-faced a moment ago, she was now gray-white. “Steady her,” Niko said quietly, grabbing one of Tris’s arms. Sandry obeyed.
Beneath them, like a giant turning in his sleep, the earth rolled and went calm. All three of them staggered.
Niko frowned. “Another tremor! That’s how many since the spring equinox? Five?”
“Six,” growled Tris. Her face went crimson when he looked at her. She yanked away from him and Sandry.
“Do you want to tell me about it?” he asked. “I don’t recall you having spells like this on our way here.”
“No, I don’t want to talk about it,” snapped Tris. “I don’t talk to anyone about anything anymore!” She wiped her sweaty face on the sleeve of her ugly wool gown.
Sandry noticed that Niko, about to say more to Tris, looked at her and seemed to change his mind. “I hope these tremors aren’t a sign of a big quake to come,” he said calmly, and urged them forward.
The girls shivered and drew the gods-circle on their chests for protection.
Leaving the road before they reached the temple’s north entrance, Niko opened a small gate and led them down a path to a stone cottage. Framed by gardens, the house was neat and clean, the roof well-thatched, the shutters and door painted dark green. On either side of the main building, the whitewashed stone supported additions. One was built of solid wood pierced by windows. The other was a wooden frame with sheer cloth screening its open sides.
“Wonderful!” Sandry peered at that addition, curious. The cloth was thin enough for light to enter, but no insects. “I wonder how it’s woven?”