The Gold in the Dark

Chapter Twenty-Six

By the time they had run the whole routine from the beginning one last time she was trembling with pain.

"Worked us hard this time," Wynna said with a groan as they left the studio.

"Merciless," Tia managed. She was focusing all her attention on not hobbling.

But though their instruction was done for the day, the dancers still weren't afforded an opportunity to rest. Mistress Oerfall was waiting for the Queen's Fair dancers right outside the studio doors, looking a bit more weary than normal. No doubt she was also worried about the Queen's Fair, especially after the lunch-time news.

She addressed the group of ninth- and tenth-years. "I know you're tired, girls, but we need to do a costume fitting. The seamstresses are waiting for you in our usual morning studio. Oh, and Tia! A private word." Mistress Oerfall beckoned her forward.

"Yes?" she asked tentatively, trying not to let her face betray her nerves as she drew closer. Did the dance mistress suspect her injury?

Don't limp! Don't limp!

"No need to look like someone walked over your grave, girl! Once you're done with your fitting, go on down to the foyer. There's someone waiting for you."

Was that all? And who in the world would be waiting for her?

She gasped with the sudden realization.

"Get going, then. I'm sure you wouldn't want to keep your guest waiting longer than necessary," Mistress Oerfall said and gave her a smile—a real, genuine smile! Wynna wouldn't believe her.

Tia hurried from the studio, doing her best to keep her perfect dancer posture in case the dance mistress was watching her go.

~

The second the seamstress was done pinning her costume Tia was out the door. It didn't matter that she was a sweaty mess after her long day of classes. She just wanted to see...

"Natlin!"

There was her sister, looking a bit out-of-place in her homespun brown dress as she perched on a plush love seat beside the foyer's front doors. Natlin turned as Tia's overjoyed cry bounced and echoed around the spacious marble room. Her jaw dropped as she looked her sister up and down, and then her face split into a wide grin.

"Tia!" Natlin rushed to her sister, swooping her into a tight hug. "They said you'd be a few minutes, but I almost couldn't believe you were really dancing here." She spun around. "Look at this place... It's like something out of a fairy story! And you!" She took Tia by the shoulders and held her at arm's-length, looking her over once again. "Tia, I didn't recognize you! You look so tall, and you just sort of float, and those clothes!" She let out a nervous giggle. "I mean, I should have expected dancers in a place like this wear a certain kind of uniform, but you look simply scandalous!" Her voice dropped to a jealous, throaty register.

A lump rose unexpectedly in Tia's throat, and her vision blurred with happy tears. "I'm so happy you're here! I've missed you so much!" They hugged again, and then Tia pulled away. "Where's Da? Setting up the tent?"

Natlin looked away and ran her hands down the front of her dress. "He... he didn't come. This year it's just Pila and Alan and me, so I've been working on my sales pitches—"

"Why didn't Da...?"

Natlin's mouth twisted. "It's complicated, Tia. Right before we left... Things have changed..."

And the foyer fell away as the memory of the crazed man in the square rushed back to her. We both made it out just in time... The gods have forsaken Fenlick... She went cold.