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"That's exactly what it is. Cristof squirmed as Ann lifted the wig from his head, leaving his short hair
standing up in unkempt spikes.  I can't even scratch an itch while I'm wearing it."
"You'll have to suffer for another second or two, Taya said, unsympathetically.  We're almost done."
"Look, I'm an exalted, I am! one of the boys shouted, holding Cristof's mask against his face.
"Put that down right now! Ann cried out, horrified. The child flinched and dropped the mask on the
table. She rushed over to examine it, her hands shaking.  Exalted, forgive him. There's no harm done it;
no damage at all."
"Don't worry. The brat doesn't know how lucky he is that he doesn'thave to wear that thing."
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Taya and Katerin lifted the heavy robes off his shoulders, and Cristof sighed with relief, scratching his
head. He was wearing his usual plain black suit beneath the robes. He'd only put on the outfit at Ann's
insistence that he try out the new wig before packing it.
Taya folded the garments, placing the ivory mask in their center, and handed the bundle to Tomas. He
carried it out to the last crate. A moment later she heard him nailing the lid into place.
"That's it, then. Cristof looked around, a little wistfully.  I'll see you tomorrow, Ann?"
The woman nodded.  I'll bring up the wig, then, and instructions for your servants."
"Good."
For a moment everyone stood in awkward silence, trying to figure out how to say goodbye across caste.
Finally Taya stepped forward and shook the wigmaker's hand.
"Thank you for your help. I'm looking forward to seeing you tomorrow."
"Me, too, Taya. Good luck. Ann smiled at her, relieved, and herded her children out the door.
"Off we go, as well, Taya's father said. Taya hugged him.
"Thanks for helping, Dad."
"A pleasure, sweetness. Exalted, we're honored to see you again. Best of luck to you. Her father
bowed, his palm on his forehead.  You'll be at our table for Ladysday the week next, now?"
"As promised, Cristof agreed, although he looked a little daunted by the prospect. Taya had warned
him about their annual Ladysday dinner, where two-thirds of the neighborhood was invited, half the gifts
that were exchanged were alcoholic, and the singing and dancing continued until midnight. It wasn't the
kind of thing the reticent exalted would normally attend, but she thought the noise and merriment would
be better for him than spending a quiet Ladysday on Primus.
"See you later, then, Katerin said, hugging her sister. She tapped the gold envoy feather that Taya wore
pinned to her fur cloak.  Don't be flying off to any strange countries without telling us."
"They won't let me leave until spring, she replied, cheerfully.  Until then, it's back-to-back lessons.
Katerin grinned as Taya turned to embrace her brother-in-law. With good-humored bows to Cristof, her
family headed outside, pulling up their collars against the ash-colored snow.
At last Cristof locked up the shop. The wagon full of wooden crates was already on its way up to
Primus, but Gregor's hack waited for them by the curb.
"Where to, exalted? Gregor asked. He was bundled against the cold, but his voice was as cheerful as
ever.
"Estate Octavus, Cristof said, as they climbed inside. Gregor saluted and the coach jerked forward.
"Have you already told Viera that we're going to Cabiel, or am I going to have to listen to you two argue
about it all afternoon? Taya asked, nestling comfortably against Cristof's side.
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"I haven't told her yet. He shifted, searching inside a pocket of his greatcoat for something. The coach
rattled and lurched around them.
"Oh, Lady. Taya groaned.  You know she thinks you ought to stay in Primus instead of playing
traveling ambassador. I think that's the only part of the Council's plan she doesn't like."
"Well, she'll have all winter to complain about it, he said, sounding unconcerned.  But not this
afternoon. Ah, here we go. He pulled out a small box and offered it to her.  I didn't let your family pack
this away."
"What is it? Taya took it from him. The box was heavy. She held it to her ear and smiled, hearing
ticking.  Is it for me?"
"The ambassador's envoy deserves her own watch, don't you think?"
"But I like using yours, she protested, even though she eagerly lifted the lid.
Her smile widened as she lifted the watch out of the box. Cristof hadn't tried to make it small and
delicate. Instead, like the timepieces he'd made for himself and his brother, it had a comfortable heft, a
sense of solidity and presence. It was the kind of watch she wouldn't be afraid to slip into a leather flight
suit pocket. As if to emphasize that it was meant to be carried while flying, its red gold case was
engraved with an outswept bird's wing.
"It's beautiful, she said, delighted.
"I would have made the case out of ondium, but I couldn't get my hands on enough, Cristof apologized.
 Red gold isn't as valuable, but..."
"It's much prettier."
"I thought ... the color reminded me of your hair. He sounded nervous. Taya shot him an amused glance
and opened the case.
"Oh."
A narrow ring of red gold ran around the outside of the watch's face, marking the hours. But set inside
that ring was a disk of transparent glass that revealed all of the watch's inner mechanisms: the coiled
mainspring, the tiny gears, the pin holding the watch hands in place, the tiny screws and plates that kept
all of the workings together. And set into one of those plates, directly underneath the hands, was a small,
heart-shaped ruby.
"Oh Cris. She felt a lump in her throat.
"The program's name ... it was an old joke. Alister used to say that's all I had. A clockwork heart.
Nothing but logic and predictability. The nervousness in his voice was even clearer now.  So I thought
I'd give it to you. The heart. You know. But if you hate it I made another watch face, a normal one.
Just give it back and I'll replace it tonight." [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

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