strings hidden under the scarf. And wrinkled, of course. Toopka’s clothes pleated around her in uneven creases. The child had been sleeping in a bag.
With only a bit of time to work and hindered by not being able to study the clothing as she changed it, Kale removed all the color from Toopka’s outfit to leave a sparkling white. She eliminated the wrinkles, took away the extra material of the bulky pantaloons, and lengthened the skirt. And then in a nod to Toopka’s desire for fancy, Kale wove golden threads through the fabric, producing a design of shimmering leaves.
The housekeeper curtsied. “Lady Kale, Sir Bardon, I am Mistress Orcutt. Wizard Namee sends his welcome and will dine with you this evening. I have a bedroom ready. If you’ll come this way…” She explained the particulars of the evening as she led them through the hallways lit with yellow, pink, and gold lightrocks. “Dinner is at eight, the ball begins at nine, a light repast will be served at midnight, and an early breakfast at three.”
Kale took the moment to squeeze Bardon’s hand and send him a message, promising to be exceptionally grateful for such a rare treat.
The housekeeper continued, “There will be a buffet in the main dining hall all morning so that you may partake whenever you arise. The noonmeal will be served at midday, of course.”
“Mistress Orcutt,” Kale spoke as they paused beside the open door to their chambers, “we have a doneel child with us, my ward. Is there someone to look after her while we are occupied?”
Kale reached behind her and took Toopka’s hand to gently pull her into the housekeeper’s view.
The woman’s stern expression relaxed, and a sincere smile lifted her lips. “Oh yes, I have six little ones of my own. The oldest will be in charge, and your girl will be welcome to spend the night. They eat in a nook in the kitchen, then sneak into a hidden balcony to watch the dancing for a while. Eventually, my Gia will take them to our quarters to play games, hear stories, and sleep.
“My husband will retire early. He’s head stableman, and his duties will be done long before mine. So he will be there if Gia needs him.”
“That sounds like fun, doesn’t it, Toopka?” Kale hoped the child would respond appropriately.
Toopka gave a cautious nod, keeping her eyes downcast.
“Fine, then.” The housekeeper stretched out a hand. “Come with me now, and I’ll introduce you to my young ones.”
Reluctantly, Toopka released Kale’s hand and took Mistress Orcutt’s. She marched beside the matronly woman as though she were being led to an execution.
“Have a good time, Toopka,” Kale called after her, then spoke quietly to Bardon, “Why do I feel like I’ve tossed her into a bubbling stew?”
“Because she usually plays with minor dragons.” He put a hand on her elbow and steered her through the open door. “Relax, Kale. Remember, Toopka was once a street urchin. She’ll have the time of her life.”
“She’s changed, Bardon. An odd sort of changed. She came to us as a scrappy alley cat, and she’s become more timid, still curious, but somehow less sure of herself.”
“She’s Toopka.” Bardon put his arm around his wife’s shoulders and guided her toward their chamber. “Toopka is a mystery only Wulder could explain.”
Kale nodded but kept her eyes on the little doneel until she rounded the corner with the housekeeper. “I believe we are going to be astonished when Wulder reveals Toopka’s mystery.”
7
M AKING C ONNECTIONS
Bardon kissed Kale’s cheek. “Rest up a bit, consider your gown, and I’ll be back before you know it. I’ve something to see to before the festivities begin.”
He made a hasty escape down the corridor before his very astute wife could pin him to the wall with questions. His brain felt fuzzy from guarding secrets. He didn’t want her to discover the pleasant surprises of the coming evening. And he
With only a bit of time to work and hindered by not being able to study the clothing as she changed it, Kale removed all the color from Toopka’s outfit to leave a sparkling white. She eliminated the wrinkles, took away the extra material of the bulky pantaloons, and lengthened the skirt. And then in a nod to Toopka’s desire for fancy, Kale wove golden threads through the fabric, producing a design of shimmering leaves.
The housekeeper curtsied. “Lady Kale, Sir Bardon, I am Mistress Orcutt. Wizard Namee sends his welcome and will dine with you this evening. I have a bedroom ready. If you’ll come this way…” She explained the particulars of the evening as she led them through the hallways lit with yellow, pink, and gold lightrocks. “Dinner is at eight, the ball begins at nine, a light repast will be served at midnight, and an early breakfast at three.”
Kale took the moment to squeeze Bardon’s hand and send him a message, promising to be exceptionally grateful for such a rare treat.
The housekeeper continued, “There will be a buffet in the main dining hall all morning so that you may partake whenever you arise. The noonmeal will be served at midday, of course.”
“Mistress Orcutt,” Kale spoke as they paused beside the open door to their chambers, “we have a doneel child with us, my ward. Is there someone to look after her while we are occupied?”
Kale reached behind her and took Toopka’s hand to gently pull her into the housekeeper’s view.
The woman’s stern expression relaxed, and a sincere smile lifted her lips. “Oh yes, I have six little ones of my own. The oldest will be in charge, and your girl will be welcome to spend the night. They eat in a nook in the kitchen, then sneak into a hidden balcony to watch the dancing for a while. Eventually, my Gia will take them to our quarters to play games, hear stories, and sleep.
“My husband will retire early. He’s head stableman, and his duties will be done long before mine. So he will be there if Gia needs him.”
“That sounds like fun, doesn’t it, Toopka?” Kale hoped the child would respond appropriately.
Toopka gave a cautious nod, keeping her eyes downcast.
“Fine, then.” The housekeeper stretched out a hand. “Come with me now, and I’ll introduce you to my young ones.”
Reluctantly, Toopka released Kale’s hand and took Mistress Orcutt’s. She marched beside the matronly woman as though she were being led to an execution.
“Have a good time, Toopka,” Kale called after her, then spoke quietly to Bardon, “Why do I feel like I’ve tossed her into a bubbling stew?”
“Because she usually plays with minor dragons.” He put a hand on her elbow and steered her through the open door. “Relax, Kale. Remember, Toopka was once a street urchin. She’ll have the time of her life.”
“She’s changed, Bardon. An odd sort of changed. She came to us as a scrappy alley cat, and she’s become more timid, still curious, but somehow less sure of herself.”
“She’s Toopka.” Bardon put his arm around his wife’s shoulders and guided her toward their chamber. “Toopka is a mystery only Wulder could explain.”
Kale nodded but kept her eyes on the little doneel until she rounded the corner with the housekeeper. “I believe we are going to be astonished when Wulder reveals Toopka’s mystery.”
7
M AKING C ONNECTIONS
Bardon kissed Kale’s cheek. “Rest up a bit, consider your gown, and I’ll be back before you know it. I’ve something to see to before the festivities begin.”
He made a hasty escape down the corridor before his very astute wife could pin him to the wall with questions. His brain felt fuzzy from guarding secrets. He didn’t want her to discover the pleasant surprises of the coming evening. And he
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