Coldmaker(22)

He relaxed his chest, lowering his voice so that only I could hear it. ‘I know that Gramble takes certain lenience with his slaves, but I assure you that I am not as soft-hearted as he.’

‘Yes, sir,’ I said.

‘What is your given name?’

‘Micah, sir.’

Thoth kept his expression firm. ‘Rules six, seven, and eight for a Street Jadan, Micah.’

I didn’t hesitate. Taskmasters had been asking me to recite the rules since I was a scrawny thing, all knees and elbows. ‘Rule number six: a Jadan will do whatever errand their superiors ask, unless it involves the direct harm of another superior. Number seven: a Jadan will be as unobtrusive as possible. Number eight: all forgotten Noble tokens will be handed over to the Jadanmaster at the end of the shift.’

A long pause hung between us, my eyes begging to go back to the street. Staring into Thoth’s severe expression was nearly as unpleasant as getting pinched by a scorpion while trying to extract its venom.

‘Spout. I understand now. Humorous.’ Thoth reached out a finger and swiped it across my forehead, rubbing the sweat in between his fingers. ‘Does this seem unobtrusive to you?’

‘No, sir.’ I pleaded with my forehead to stop this nonsense. ‘I’m sorry, sir.’

Thoth leaned over, blocking the Sun. I’d have thought this would have been a pleasant distraction from the heat, but Thoth’s eyes were nearly as fiery as the sky itself. ‘Irrelevant. You shouldn’t be sorry. Because it shouldn’t be an issue.’ He scratched something onto his parchment without breaking his gaze. ‘Your water rations will be cut in half for the time being. If you have water to waste in sweat, then obviously you have too much water inside you.’

His pronouncement was worse than a dozen lashings, and I felt light-headed at the thought. I made sure not to show my dismay. ‘Thank you, sir.’

Running his tongue across his lips, he carried on down the street without another word.

I was still shaken by the news that Jadanmaster Geb was gone. I couldn’t help but feel responsible. He must have been fired because the Upright Girl had picked our road to waste that Shiver. And although I couldn’t prove it, I couldn’t shake the feeling that she was trying to reach out to me.

Moussa’s words echoed in my mind, and I could feel my fingers aching to wrench into fists. No full water rations, no sneaking out after curfew, and no more Jadanmaster Geb.

Bad times were ahead indeed.

The High Nobleman wrapped his wife in a passionate kiss, stroking his fingers through her yellow hair. When he backed away, a look of forlorn longing had settled on his face. ‘I’ll miss you, darling.’

She slapped him on the chest playfully, right above the Erridian House symbol, her wrist adorned with bracelets of every precious metal known to the World Cried. ‘You can always come in with me, my sweet pomegranate.’

Brushing the back of his well-manicured hand against her cheek, he said: ‘Music is only music when there are spaces between the notes. Take some time to enjoy your own company. I can attest to its wondrous properties.’

She blushed, her light complexion showing off the rosy colour in her cheeks. Two Wisps dangled on gold chains from her ears, each one delicately painted with a silver Closed Eye. These looked like the kind of earrings that Edom’s Adornments sold. I knew from experience that jewellery from Edom’s cost about a hundred times more Cold than the Wisps themselves.

She flicked her hair back and lowered her voice, bringing her lips sensually close to his ear. From my corner, I couldn’t make out what she was saying, but after she nibbled on his earlobe, a blossom of devious excitement ran through his face.

Bell six had just rung out, and I was trying to survive on half rations of water. I felt so thirsty I had half a mind to find one of the boiling waterways, drop to my knees, and guzzle the water straight. I’d been made to drink water in its natural state before, bubbling over with heat, and although I knew the burning would rub my throat raw, it would still be better than the thirst.

‘What would I do without you?’ the bejewelled woman asked as she drifted away, her fingertips lingering on his.

‘You’ll never have to answer that question,’ he said, with a beatific smile. ‘Now go and find something lovely to wear. But don’t judge the garment for its jealousy, for it will never be able to compete with the one whom it gilds.’

My lips felt as if they might crack in half from the slightest movement. The Sun seemed to be funnelling itself straight onto my head, and even with half its normal water in my veins, my forehead was beginning to bead with sweat. I prayed Jadanmaster Thoth wouldn’t come over, or he might take my water rations away completely. Then the only way off my corner would be in a dead-cart.

The Noblewife waved her partner goodbye, gliding down the street and dashing through the oak door to Solomon Weavers, a broad smile etched onto her entire face.

The Nobleman saw her off with a constant wave, and once she was inside he immediately marched over to my corner. I made sure to drop the focus of my peripherals so he didn’t think I was spying.

‘You,’ he commanded in a harsh voice. If I hadn’t seen him walk over to me, I’d have thought it was a completely different person speaking to me now. ‘Slave boy.’

I didn’t hesitate. ‘Yes, sir.’

‘You look ill.’ His tone was rife with disgust. ‘Are you usable?’