The Continent (The Continent #1)(45)

“No poor? No hungry, or indolent?”

“There is no place for laziness in the Spire,” I say. “If a citizen does not wish to work, he is invited to relocate to the Lonely Islands.”

Noro frowns. “Invited?”

I laugh. “It’s not a thing to fear, it is only a place removed from our own society. Some choose it freely, others are sent by decree. It is quite rare, I assure you. Most people understand that the Spire functions as it does based on the contributions of all.”

“And so it is amongst the Aven’ei,” Noro says, “though we have no islands to bear our indolent, and you’re very like to find a drunkard or two in the taverns of Kojima. Strange place, that. It is where the beggars love to congregate, for the wine is good and the weather fine.”

“But you think the council shall find suitable work for me?”

“Don’t worry,” he says, a hint of a smile on his lips. “They’ll find something to do with you.”





CHAPTER 15





EARLY THE NEXT MORNING—BEFORE I’VE EVEN had time for breakfast—Noro arrives to escort me to the War Room. He has with him a small leather pouch stitched in red, which he gives to me as soon as he steps through the door.

“To get you started,” he says. “Until you have a wage of your own.”

I open the bag to find a handful of coins, roughly shaped, dull silver in color. There are three different sizes; Noro picks one of each out of the little bag.

“This largest,” he says, holding it up for me to see, “is the unzi. Worth quite a bit—it will buy you several weeks’ worth of food, or perhaps a small weapon of your choosing.” The coin, almost oblong, is stamped with a great fir on either side. “The middle coin is an oka. This will not usually get you a weapon, but will do well for food and luxury items, like books, or trinkets you may find appealing.”

I smile at this, and note that the oka bears an imprint of a face—a woman in profile, her features only subtle hints in the crude metal.

“And this last, the small one, this is the tuka. Not good for much—a sweet, a serving of tea—maybe a packet of nuts.”

“Right,” I say, clutching the bag as though it were a very fragile thing. Never in my life have I worried about coin, as I could buy anything I pleased in the Spire and had only to give the shop attendant my address. “Of course.”

“Take Keiji to the market with you while I am away, if it would make you feel more comfortable—he’ll see to it that you aren’t swindled.”

I smile but feel my pulse at my throat. I am to be self-sufficient in a way I had never before considered—I have no parents to fall back on, no vault stuffed with gleaming coins and notes of credit. Here in Hayato I will work for my bread and meat, I will earn these precious coins, I will spend and save—I will provide myself with all I need. The notion would be amusing if I were not so intimidated by the prospect. Still, I feel a glimmer of excitement. Surely I am capable? Surely I can embrace this new life, and find a measure of joy and success?

“You are smiling,” Noro says. “Did I say something out of order?”

I laugh. “I was only thinking of myself at work. I find I rather like the idea.”

He nods. “We have a saying: one must toil to find the value in each day.”

I envision myself hunched over a table, sorting papers, filing things away, organizing trade receipts. Yes. I do like this idea of work.

“I’m sorry,” I say, looking across the table at Teku Ana, a manufactured smile upon my face. “Did you just say manure?”

“Yes,” Teku says. “Manure is vital to the farmers—it provides nutrients which allow us to sow and harvest the same soil from year to year. All deposits made by the cows must be collected daily, lest they go to waste.”

I clear my throat and glance at Noro, who is openly amused. I scowl at him and turn back to Teku. “And I am to collect the…deposits.”

“You will collect the droppings and deliver them to the outbuilding where the manure is stored.” His brows draw together; he appears confused. “Is there a problem with this vocation? You did opt for animal husbandry as opposed to sanitation?”

Sanitation was more clearly defined—tending to the privies throughout town. I had thought I was avoiding any contact with feces when I chose to work with the animals.

“There’s no problem,” I say. “I’m grateful for the work.”

Teku smiles and claps his hands together. “Wonderful! I’ve sent for Shoshi Kaken—he should be here momentarily, and you two can work out the details.”

A chill creeps up my neck. I’m not likely to forget that name, for it was Shoshi Kaken who argued at the council meeting that it would be an unthinkable waste of resources to return me to the Spire.

Noro frowns. “Why should we await Shoshi Kaken?” he says, but his voice trails off, and a look of understanding comes over his face. “Oh.”

As if on cue, the door opens behind me and grim-faced Shoshi steps through, stomping mud from his boots on the stone floor. He raises an eyebrow when he sees me, then proceeds to sit at the far end of the table.

“How can I serve, brother?” he says to Teku Ana. “I came as soon as I received your summons.”