Second Guard (9 page)

The thin clouds hovering over the waves pulled apart like ribbons, and Tali caught sight of Porto Sol, the city of sun. While the Alcazar always seemed masked in dark colors that wafted in a sea
of gray clouds and mist, Porto Sol nearly hurt her eyes with its sun-drenched brilliance. No matter how many times her family’s tradeboat had pulled into this port, the sight still dazzled
her. She glanced over at Zarif and Chey to see their reactions. They were, as she suspected, mesmerized. Chey’s mouth had even dropped open a bit as he leaned upon the railings, admiring the
panoramic view.

Boats of every size, color, and shape bobbed around them on their moorings as the ferry’s strong oarsmen pulled them closer to the dock. Tali looked for her father’s tradeboat among
the many vessels, but soon gave up. There were simply too many. Instead she turned her sights to the city of Porto Sol, which lay upon the mountainside in a riot of color, the great Magda River
cleaving it in two. Several bridges reached across the green ribbon of river, bustling with people, carts, and animals crossing from one side of the city to the other. Tali’s father said the
traffic never stopped, even in the middle of the night.

The wealthiest merchant houses sat closest to the water, but all the buildings, even the humble ones, seemed brushed with gold. Tali knew that it was just a trick of the afternoon sun, but still
she found the effect almost magical. While each building in the city seemed made of the same golden stone, every door was painted a distinctively bright color, with detailed designs of animals and
fish. The most elaborate buildings had painted wooden balconies that jutted out from second- and third-floor rooms. Black scrollwork accentuated arched windows, where multicolored flowers spilled
from hanging baskets.

When the ferry pulled up along the wharf, Zarif rose quickly, eager to set his feet on solid ground. Although Tali had felt pleasantly at home crossing the water, she was eager to see Nel and
did not wish to linger. She tapped Chey on the shoulder to wake him from his reverie, and the three debarked, ready to explore. The ferryman warned them of the last departure time back to the
Alcazar, and they headed off toward the large bell tower in the center of the market.

As they jostled their way through the crowded, noisy streets, Tali sometimes stopped to point out various wares and trinkets displayed in the makeshift booths along the way. Though Zarif had
seen city markets before, he had never been to Porto Sol, which Tali knew boasted far and away the biggest market in the realm, including Fugaza’s. Chey, who had never set foot in a town
bigger than Zipa, seemed entranced, as if trying to swallow everything he saw.

“Fresh catfish here!” a strong-smelling fishmonger shouted in their ears, startling Zarif and Chey, who hadn’t seen him coming. Tali stifled a laugh as she put her palm up and
dropped her eyes, politely declining the offer. The fishmonger nodded and began pitching his morning’s catch to other market shoppers.

And how many shoppers there were! Throngs of people, mostly Sun Guilders, weaved through the tight city streets, dressed to prove their successful season in trade. Tali had not bothered much
with her own appearance beyond bathing, and suddenly she felt plain as an Earth Guilder in her dull pledge uniform. Besides the loud fishmonger, most of the traders all but ignored her and her
friends, saving their vocal enticements for the more richly dressed Moon and Sun Guilders among the crowd. It was the first time Tali had ever felt so invisible, and she wondered if this was how
Earth Guilders felt each time they left their farms and mines.

She looked over at Zarif and Chey to see if they too felt ignored, but their faces betrayed nothing but the pleasure of discovery. Tali followed their eyes and saw them staring in delight not
only at the architecture and bounty of goods for sale, but also at the throngs of people around them. In truth, it was hard
not
to look at the people, she supposed. Her fellow Sun Guilders
liked to be looked at, especially the merchants of Porto Sol, who prided themselves on their sense of style.

The women wore skirts that fell below their knees, flowing with layers of hand-dyed fabrics and embroidered pictures of the goods the family sold. Garlands of beads and chimes adorned their
waists and hems, filling the air with music as they swished by. The men’s attire, while less elaborate, still boasted colorful vests, handwoven scarves, and hats that featured geometric
patterns around the wide brims.

Young children playing rough and tumble games in the city’s green spaces wore patchwork pants and tunics made of bright fabric left over from their parents’ more sophisticated
garments. Braids laced with bells and flowers provided the only clue as to whether a child was boy or girl. In comparison, the few Moon Guilders about seemed like pale-robed spirit people walking
amid the river of colors. The Earth Guilders, even less represented in the market, nearly disappeared in their plain brown clothes.

As they neared the center, the wares became more and more expensive, and the trio slowed their pace, unable to resist a look at the rare and delicate items on display. Rows of Far World perfumes
in crystal bottles, stacks of dainty porcelain plates rimmed with gold, shelves of stoppered bottles of yellow and orange spices, and hundreds of other exotic items lay beautifully arranged in
stall after stall. Even the booths themselves were works of art, constructed of sturdy tree trunks carved in intricate designs and covered with bright woven fabrics to protect their owners from the
elements. These wealthy vendors had no need to call people over to their displays, for the crowds flocked to their exquisite wares like bluejackets to crumbs.

When they finally reached the bell tower, Tali scanned the surrounding plaza and spied her sister tucked under a small shade tree. She fought the urge to run into Nel’s arms. Still, her
pace quickened until she skidded on the loose pebbles around the tower, nearly taking a tumble. Nel had spotted them by then, and she rose to brush the dust off her long yellow skirt. Tali skipped
forward, and Nel, who obviously did not care what anyone else thought, flung her arms around Tali’s neck and pecked her on both cheeks. Tali blushed and smiled in surprise. It was not their
custom to be so open with affection.

“Zarif and Chey, this is my sister, Nel,” Tali said, making sure she mouthed the words so Nel could understand them.

Zarif and Chey both offered their left palms to Tali’s sister, and she placed her palm on top of each in turn. Nel smiled broadly at the boys, then made a series of movements with her
hands to Tali.

Tali began to sign words back to her, then paused to address the confused boys, who stood awkwardly at her side. “I never did tell you, did I…Nel can’t hear. She and I have
been speaking with finger words since we were four.”

Zarif and Chey both turned to look at Nel, as if looking for some visible sign of her deafness. Nel made a hand sign to Tali, and Tali laughed.

“What did she say?” Chey asked.

“She reprimanded me for not warning you. And then she called me a rude word better left unspoken.”

Chey laughed. “I would like to learn the hand sign for such a word.”

Nel grinned at him and repeated the hand motion slowly.

Chey raised his eyebrows and turned to Tali. “How did she know what I said? I thought she couldn’t hear.”

“If I’m not mistaken,” Zarif said, before Tali could answer, “Nel understands the words on people’s mouths. Am I correct?” he asked Nel, clearly enunciating
his words as Tali had.

Nel nodded at Zarif with another smile, but her expression became more serious as she signed words to Tali.

Tali’s own smile faded. “Zarif and Chey, would you mind giving me a moment alone with my sister?”

“Not at all.” Zarif took Chey, whose brow had furrowed at the girls’ sudden change in demeanor, by the arm. “We’ll go buy some sugarbread and lemonsong.”

Chey murmured in agreement, though he seemed reluctant to leave. Tali gave him a reassuring nod, then turned back to Nel as the boys wandered over to a street vendor. Nel beckoned to the corner
on the other side of the street, where Tali saw Paulo leaning in the shade, arms crossed over his broad chest and a frown on his face. He didn’t seem eager to join them, but finally strolled
over at Nel’s insistent summons.

“Paulo, how nice to see you,” Tali greeted him as he approached, wondering why the young man whose family she had helped from the fire had suddenly become standoffish.

Paulo nodded in response but his face remained hard.

Nel bit her lip and turned back to Tali, making a series of hand signs.

Tali turned back to Paulo. “My sister says you wish to tell me something.”

Paulo scowled. “I don’t
wish
to tell you anything. This was her idea, and a bad one.”

Tali saw a flash of hurt cross Nel’s face as she read the words on Paulo’s lips. “What exactly is your problem?” Tali asked, trying to control her anger.

Paulo crossed his arms over his chest and glared at Tali. “The Second Guard is my problem. How can you be so blind as to what they stand for?”

“They stand for peace and protection of the realm.”

“You are seduced by their fancy uniforms. Look closer, Tali. They are rotten inside.”

“Have you any proof? You should not hurl accusations that you cannot defend.”

“Proof? Ask a half dozen homeless families up and down the Magda. They’ll tell you the truth about your precious Guard.”

“Careful, Paulo, your words smack of treason. What are you getting my family involved in?”

Paulo laughed, though there was no mirth in his voice. “You should be asking your superiors that, not me.”

“Do not endanger my family with your careless lies.”

“You are a fool.”

“This discussion is over,” Tali said, trying to keep her temper in check. She did not want to upset Nel further, who looked like she might cry.

Paulo barked out another harsh laugh and turned on his heel. “Not even in the Guard yet and already ordering people around,” he called over his shoulder.

Tali resisted the urge to counter his sarcasm with a few choice words of her own, and turned back to Nel.
What’s wrong with him?
she signed.

He saw you arrive with other pledges. He does not trust the Guard,
Nel answered, then added slowly, with expression in both her hands and face,
I wish you could come home,
sister.

Tali felt an egg rise in her throat and she pulled her sister into a quick embrace. Then she stepped back so Nel could read her lips once more. “My service to the Queen isn’t
optional, Nel. You know that. Besides, I
want
to serve the realm and I
do
trust the Guard, even if some do not,” she replied, throwing an angry look at Paulo, who had
returned to the corner across the street. She couldn’t help it. Whatever his opinions of the Guard were, he had no right to worry her sister with them.

Nel glanced worriedly at Paulo, then began to sign a flurry of words. Tali’s mind raced as she tried to decipher the combination of signs. For the first time she felt like their language
was lacking. Many times she had to stop Nel and ask her to repeat her hand motions. Finally, Tali began to understand: Nel was upset by recent visitors to the tradeboat.

“But what did they want?” Tali mouthed without making a sound.

Nel frowned and signed a series of words.
Mines. Queen. Danger. Guard.

Tali shook her head in frustration. “I don’t understand, Nel. I need more words.”

Nel bit her lip and tried again.
Second Guard. Tradeboat. Salt mines. Queen. Fire. Father. Silence.

“Is Father in danger?” Tali asked worriedly, taking Nel’s hands. “Are you, Nel?”

As Nel withdrew her hands to make another sign, her eyes grew wide at something over Tali’s shoulder.

Tali turned to look. Zarif and Chey walked across the plaza carrying treats in muslin bags, their lips covered with powdery sugar. Despite her worries, Tali’s stomach rumbled, thinking
about the fried sugarbread Porto Sol was known for. Zarif wore a cheerful expression as he deftly balanced four stacked cups of lemonsong, but Chey’s face displayed a scowl. What’s
wrong with him? Tali wondered.

She turned back to Nel just in time to catch sight of her yellow skirt disappearing behind the corner. “Nel!” she called, even knowing her twin would not hear her. Tali whipped her
head around to the spot where Paulo had stood, only to find that he, too, had disappeared. She stood on her toes and peered down the busy street for a glimpse of her twin, but Nel and Paulo had
disappeared in the throng.

“Where did your sister go?” asked Zarif behind her, extending the tower of cups to offer her a lemonsong.

Tali took a deep breath, trying not to panic. “I don’t know. All of a sudden she ran off. Why would she do that?”

“There must be a simple explanation,” Zarif said, setting the cups on a nearby ledge. “Perhaps she had some business to take care of for your father?”

Tali shook her head in frustration. “It’s not like her to leave without saying good-bye.”

“Why don’t we head back to the docks,” said Chey. “Nel will return there eventually, right?”

Tali nodded, grateful for a plan of action, and the three set off down the street. She tried to eat the sugarbread that Zarif handed her, but it felt dry in her throat and she soon threw it
away. As they weaved through stalls and people, Tali constantly scouting in all directions for a glimpse of yellow or Paulo’s tall frame, the boys discussed the upcoming Clash of Warriors
that would be held in Fugaza next season. Occasionally they tried to engage Tali in conversation, but she remained wrapped in a cloak of troubled thoughts.
Second Guard. Tradeboat. Salt mines.
Queen. Fire. Father. Silence.

What had Nel been trying to tell her? And what reasons would Paulo have to distrust the Guard? In the past Tali had always been able to piece together Nel’s string of hand signs, but not
this time. What had happened on the boat since she had left? Had there been another fire? Was Paulo’s father involved in something illegal? By saving his family, had Tali endangered her own?
The questions came one after another, like a volley of arrows through her head. She wished she had never left home. Her family needed her.