Total pages in book: 142
Estimated words: 134898 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 674(@200wpm)___ 540(@250wpm)___ 450(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 134898 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 674(@200wpm)___ 540(@250wpm)___ 450(@300wpm)
He pats my leg and then gestures that I should stand with him, a few paces back. I don’t mind losing my place in line in the slightest, because it means I’ll be with a friend. I let the men move in front of me and ignore their expressions entirely. They don’t matter anymore.
Kipp flicks a bit of imaginary dust off his shoulder as I stand in line next to him, in front of a pair of sailors.
I clasp my hands, but I can’t stand still. “Are you nervous, Kipp?”
He gives me a look that scoffs at the very idea of nerves.
I wish I could be as confident as him. Even though slitherskins are rather alien to most humans, I suspect most guild members would rather work with him than with a woman. “I’m nervous,” I whisper, trying to keep my voice down so the others around us won’t hear me doubting myself. “I don’t mean to be a bother, but it’s obvious I’m not wanted here.”
The slitherskin reaches out and touches my hand, giving the side of my finger a reassuring squeeze. I could almost cry at that small, sticky touch. He’s confident in me. Why do I doubt myself? I can do this. I might be stout, but I’m strong after years of hauling water for baths and carrying trunks up and down stairs. I’m a hard worker. I might not be as educated as some, but that just means I’ll have to be more persistent. I can do this.
I won’t let them hold me back, because I know what’s waiting for me at Honori Hold: lugging chamber pots for Lord Honori and his new wife, and a lifetime of blending in with the tapestries on the walls, never to be seen or heard. Never to have more than a few sorry coins to rub together.
Fuck all that. I want more than what my mother had.
Straightening, I put my chin up as the queue moves forward again.
It seems to take forever for the line to wind along the plaza and up to the main stairs. A few of the men get irritated and leave, but Kipp seems as calm as ever, and I take my cue from his serenity. By the time we get to the doors, the sun is growing hot overhead, my feet hurt, and my stomach is growling. All that goes away the moment the Taurian manning the doors flicks a hand, indicating we can enter now.
We squeeze inside the crowded hall, my pulse hammering wildly. High above, banners embroidered with the symbols of the masters hang from the rafters. The Great Hall feels more ostentatious than the rest of the building, which is saying something. There’s an arching, vaulted ceiling and massive windows. Stuffed birds fill the nooks and crannies at the top of the airy room. I’m told they’re there as homage to the birds that the guild artificers take as their names, but it strikes me as just vaguely creepy instead of respectful. The floor underneath our feet is a shiny marble that scuffs easily. I know that because I’ve cleaned the damn thing a dozen times while working for Mistress Umala.
Along the center of the room are impressive statues of famous artificers from the past, the most famous being the enormous statue of Sparkanos the Swan outside in the plaza. Every single one of the statues is of a man.
If I was doubting myself before, seeing all those statues of men—and the floors I’ve cleaned—just makes me more determined that I’m not going to end up a maid for the rest of my life. I’m going to succeed, damn it.
Kipp moves closer to me as a pair of men shove their way past us, heading for the doors. We step aside, and the slitherskin gestures that I should lead. “I imagine you can’t see much, but I’m not having a lot of luck myself.” I crane my head, trying to peer over the shoulders of the crowd. I’m not a tall woman, so all I glimpse is a lot of nothing. But then I spot a pair of horns near one of the walls, and I grab Kipp by his sleeve and drag him across the room toward Hawk.
Master Hawk stands near the statue of the legendary Master Owl, Sparkanos’s son. Hawk’s hands are clasped behind his back and his shoulders seem massive, as if he’s taking up all the space between statues. The expression on his roan-colored face is austere, and he gazes at the crowd as if he’s assessing it. No one’s approaching him, though, which I’m hoping is a good sign. Maybe people are staying away from the first Taurian guild master? If so…good. I want a space on his team.
I manage to drag Kipp after me, holding on to his sleeve. I come to a stop in front of Hawk, smooth my repeater sash, and smile at my friend’s husband. “Hi again.”