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Four streets crossed in the square, with four plots of cultivated ground for a checkerboard pattern Each sprouted a dozen different palardens were more rich than the ones in the market up the way And while there was plenty of foot traffic, people es were co district No tents Fewer perforher quality--andthe perirass to her right Shops of a quaint, rich, and--of course--colorful variety lay across the street to her left Tonk Fah and Parlin lounged between two of these Parlin had thea colorful red vest with his green hat She couldn’t help thinking that the woodsman was even more out of place in T’Telir than she was, but he didn’t see Jewels trailed her soood--Vivenna only rarely caught a glimpse of her, and that was because she’d been told where to look She never saw Denth He was there somewhere, far too stealthy for her to spot As she reached the end of the street and turned around to walk back, she did catch sight of Clod The Lifeless stood as still as one of the D’Denir statues that lined the gardens, inored hiht Lifeless weren’t plentiful, but they also weren’t uncoes for their owners None of these were as muscular or as tall as Clod--Lifeless came in as uarding shops Acting as pack the ay All around her

She continued to walk, and she caught a brief glie to look so relaxed? Vivenna thought Each of the mercenaries looked as calm as if they were at a leisurely picnic

Don’t think about the danger, Vivenna thought, clinching her fists She focused on the gardens The truth was, she was a little jealous of the T’Telirites People lounged, sitting on the grass, lying in the shade of trees, their children playing and laughing D’Denir statues stood in a solemn line, arms upraised, weapons at the ready, as if in defense of the people Trees clie flowerlike bundles

Wide-petaled flowers blooli Austre had placed the flohere he wanted the them back, to use them to adorn a room or house, was ostentation Yet was it ostentatious to plant them in the middle of the city, where all were free to enjoy them?

She turned away Her BioChroma continued to sense the beauty The density of life in one area made a sort of buzz inside her chest

No wonder they like to live so close together, she thought, noticing how a group of flowers scaled in color, fanning toward the inside of their planter And if you’re going to live this co it in

"Help! Fire!"

Vivenna spun, as didTonk Fah and Parlin had been standing next to was burning Vivenna didn’t continue to gawk, but turned and looked toward the center of the gardens Most of the people in the garden itself were stunned, looking toward the s into the air

Distraction one

People ran to help, crossing the street, causing carriages to pull up abruptly At thatwith the crowd--and swung a club at the leg of a horse Vivenna couldn’t hear the leg break, but she did see the beast screa A trunk fell fro to the street

The carriage belonged to one Nanrovah, high priest of the god Still valuables Even if it weren’t, a high priest in danger would draw a lot of attention The trunk hit the street And, in a twist of good fortune, it shattered, spraying out gold coins

Distraction two

Vivenna caught a glie She looked at Vivenna and nodded Tiold or fire, Vivenna walked away Nearby, Denth would be raiding one of the shops with a gang of thieves The thieves got to keep the goods Vivenna just wanted to oods disappeared

Vivenna was joined by Jewels and Parlin on the way out She was surprised to feel how quickly her heart was thuer No threat to herself Just a couple of "accidents"

But, then, that was the idea

HOURS LATER, Denth and Tonk Fah still hadn’t returned to the house Vivenna sat quietly on their new furniture, hands in her lap The furniture was green Apparently, broas not an option in T’Telir

"What time is it?" Vivenna asked quietly

"I don’t know," Jewels snapped, standing beside the , looking out at the street

Patience, Vivenna told herself It’s not her fault she’s so abrasive She had her Breath stolen

"Should they be back yet?" Vivenna asked caled "Maybe Depends on if they decided to go to a safe house to let things cool down first or not"

"I see How long do you think we should wait?"

"As long as we have to," Jewels said "Look, do you think you could just not talk to me? I’d really appreciate it" She turned back to look out the

Vivenna stiffened at the insult Patience! she told herself Understand her place That’s what the Five Visions teach

Vivenna stood up, then walked quietly over to Jewels Tentatively, she laid an arm on the other woman’s shoulder Jewels jumped immediately--obviously, without Breath, it was harder for her to notice when people approached her

"It’s all right," Vivenna said "I understand"

"Understand?" Jewels asked "Understand what?"

"They took your Breath," Vivenna said "They had no right to do so so terrible"