Taerside was a city of red roofs and white walls, warm and welcoming in the last stages of autumn. It was situated on several hills, so that one could stand on top of a slope and see over rooftops close by. The houses clustered close together, tall with occasional touches of decoration, but the streets were wide, saving the city from feeling cramped. The mood in town was festive and cheerful, the citizens content as the seasons turned.

Winter came late this far south, and Kite and Saryth arrived in its vanguard, having hitched a ride for much of the way from Irshand. They had spent a good week before that hiding out in a handy forest, harvesting late berries and a couple of obscure mushrooms, and testing out the various concoctions until one worked. It had been a lot of effort, but now, looking sideways at her companion, Kite was satisfied with the effect. Saryth gawked at the tawny roofs and raised towers, the cobbled streets and balconies, the fruitsellers, the street entertainers and the beggars. But no-one paid the slightest attention to the blonde foreigner and her black-haired friend.

"Did you see something?" she asked after fifteen minutes of his staring around the town.

He turned to her with slight surprise, as though he'd forgotten she was there, and smiled. "Oh - no, I'm just not used to this."

"Does 'this' refer to the city, your hair, or not being stared at like you're a dangerous freak?"

"All of them. But mainly the latter." He looked briefly pensive, but was jolted from his reverie by a child running into him. She brushed herself down, looked up and giggled apologetically before running off. Saryth grinned after her, waving.

"Young man!" called the woman standing across the street with a tray of sweets. "Will you buy a sweetmeat for your girl?"

"My girl?" He looked momentarily nonplussed. "Oh -" and he bent over the tray. Kite watched, amused, as he selected two sweets, paid for them - with money she had given him - and came back over to her, holding one out.

"Enjoy your visit!" the sweet seller called after him.

Kite picked up the sweet - a pastry stuffed with molasses and nuts. "Thanks."

"How does she know we're visitors?"

"My clothes are unusual," Kite said, "and you're gaping like it's your first view of civilisation."

Saryth licked his fingers and looked out over the rooftops stacked up over the hill in front of them.

"Maybe it is."

They wandered down the hill at a leisurely pace, mingling with the crowds. It was nearly midday and the winter sun was surprisingly warm.

“Where are we going?” Saryth asked.

“To an inn. I want to find out what’s going on with the fire gems.”

“Why?”

“The flyers in Irshand and Eskandia are a bit too techological for this world’s current phase,” Kite said. “That kind of anomaly is characteristic of a sun’s influence.” She eyed her companion. How much of that had made sense? “It’s a bit like gravity, only with ideas.”

“Gravity?”

“It’s what makes things fall.”

“I thought things fell because they’re heavy,” Saryth said, as they reached the bottom of the hill and entered a wide square with trees around the edge and four fountains in the middle. Water danced in the cold clear air, splashing on the cobbles. A juggler stood on the far side performing to a small crowd.

“Gravity is what makes things heavy,” Kite said. “The world is so big, it exerts a lot of force on small things like us so we experience it as a downward pull.” This is going to need diagrams. She headed towards one of the trees. “The sun is even bigger, so it pulls the earth towards it.”

“So the earth is falling towards the sun?” Saryth frowned in concentration. Kite knelt down by the tree and drew a circle in the dirt. A small child came to join them, staring at the circle in fascination.

“The sun... the sun is a huge ball of burning gas,” Kite said, putting a dot in the centre of her circle. “The earth we’re standing on goes around the sun. It’s moving fast so it doesn’t fall in, but it can’t escape because of the sun’s gravity.”

“Doesn’t it slow down?”

“No, because there’s nothing to make it slow down.” Kite felt her diagram had stopped being useful. She dug in her belt bag, found the apple she’d bought earlier in the day, and held it up. “If this apple is the earth, then the skin is air.”

“But -”

“We can’t see the curve because it’s too big,” Kite said, anticipating his objection. “The sun is far away, and there’s nothing between it and the earth to slow it down.” Two more children had joined the first one.

“You’re telling me that the world is round and circles the sun?” Saryth asked.

“Yes. One circle is a year.”

“And that it’s pulled in by the sun and we’re pulled in by the earth?”

“Yes.”

“What about the moon?”

“That goes round the earth. It reflects the sun’s light.” Was his lack of understanding typical of the scientific knowledge of his culture, or the result of his lack of education? She eyed the small crowd who had gathered around them. Should I stop? Does it matter, really?

“And the sun doesn’t pull it in?” Saryth persisted.

“Not as much as the earth does. Everything affects everything else. It’s just that with small things it’s not as strong.”

“So what causes day and night? Is the world spinning?”

“Yes!” He did catch on quickly.

“That’s a grand story,” a new voice broke in, and Saryth flinched aside, reflexively hiding behind his hair.

“Um, thanks,” Kite said as the man tossed a coin to her. She fumbled the one tossed by the woman standing just behind him, and as she bent to gather it two or three more arrived, making little puffs in the dirt around the tree roots. She picked them up, bemused, as the small crowd drifted away, laughing and talking.

“Well, this will cover lunch.” Saryth was fiddling with his cloak, still looking nervous, and she couldn’t blame him.

“Come on,” she said. “Let’s keep moving.”

Once they’d got two streets away from the square, he had relaxed enough to resume his questions.

“So what did you mean about ideas? And if the sun’s missing, what happens to the world, and the moon?”

“The mass of the sun isn’t missing. It’s still there.” Not that she knew what that looked like. Access to Harien had been strictly controlled since its sun had vanished. “But a sun is more than a flaming ball of gas - that’s just what it’s made of, a wise man once said. The part that’s missing is the part that shines, that encourages, that inspires. And just like the mass of the sun would affect the physical operation of this world, if it appeared here, so the missing part could interfere with the phase cycle.” She glanced at her companion, who was listening attentively. Do I sound like I know what I’m talking about? That’s... worrying. They reached a fork in the road, and a quick look left and right showed her what she was looking for. “This world has been phase one for the while,” she went on, taking the right hand turn. “The technological innovations may be natural and a sign of change, or they may be caused by the presence of the sun nearby. I don’t know.”

“What’s the phase cycle?”

“That - I will explain, but you’ll have to wait. We’re here.” She stopped underneath the sign she’d seen from the turn, which showed an unfeasibly golden duckling. Now that they were close, the tantalising scent drifting out from the windows confirmed her guess. She pushed open the door, which let straight into the main room, low-ceilinged with exposed beams and containing four long tables with benches. It was warm, the rich food scent filling the air, but it was empty except for them. A bad sign? Or are we just early?

“Welcome,” the innkeep called from the door across the room. “How may I help you?” He was a short, cheerful man with a fringe of hair around his bald head that made him look like a monk.

“We’re looking for information,” Kite said. The innkeep waited, still smiling. Saryth looked at her, uncertain. “And lunch. We’re looking for information and lunch.”

“Please have a seat,” the man said, indicating the tables with a general wave. Kite undid her bag belt, sat down on the nearest bench and pulled her cloak off with relief. Saryth slipped in next to her and folded his cloak beside him. “Will broth and bread suit you?”

“That sounds wonderful.”

“What information are you seeking?”

“I wanted to know about sky mining.” No point in beating about the bush.

“Ah, then Thurron can help you.” The innkeep bustled away, leaving his cryptic comment hanging in the air, but reappeared almost immediately bearing platters with bread and a bowl of steaming broth which he placed in front of them. “Something to drink?”

“Water, please.”

“And you, sir?”

Saryth started, as though he hadn’t expected to be addressed, then smiled.

“Water too, please,” he said.

“You wanted me, uncle?” Kite and Saryth looked round to see a boy of about sixteen standing in the doorway. He came forward gingerly, using crutches to ease an obviously injured leg.

“This is my nephew Thurron,” said the innkeep. “He was flying in Dorcen’s balloon, until he broke his leg. Thurron, these folk have questions about sky mining.” He hustled off through the door Thurron had just come in by. “I’ll just get your water.” Thurron hesitated, then turned to the table and waited, looking at the floor.

“Please sit down,” Kite said, realising he wasn’t about to break the increasingly awkward pause. Thurron hopped over to the other side of the table and manouevred himself onto the bench.

“Thanks.”

“Your uncle said you flew in a balloon?”

“Yup.” He grinned, and the self-consciousness was gone. “The Inga Rare. I was one of the pickers.”

“How did you break your leg?”

“I slipped. Just bad luck and sun blindness. I let go of the rope too early, see.” He nodded to their food. “Go on and eat, please.”

“The rope?” Kite asked. “We really know very little about sky mining.”

“Water for all of you,” the innkeep announced, placing a jug and three cups on the table and immediately bustling off again.

“Ah well, you see,” Thurron said, helping himself to a cup, “you catch the offshore breeze out to the islands. They’re not far off shore, but they’re all cliffs there. Nowhere to land a boat. Then the men go down the ropes and anchor the balloon so she can land safely.” He waved his hands to indicate a slow descent.

“Is that how you broke your leg?”

“Oh no. My job is to go over the cliff on a rope, with a bag.”

“Over the cliff?” Kite was nonplussed, and Saryth’s expression mirrored how she felt. What are we missing?

“Yeah, y’know, that’s where the birds nest,” Thurron said, as though that explained everything. At their persistent lack of comprehension, he went on. “So the pickers gather, um, what they drop on the ledges...” He tailed off, looking embarrassed.

“You gather the guano?”

“I wear gloves! It’s a good job... especially the flying.” He flushed again, but not from embarrassment this time. “And it pays well. It’s real good for the farmers.”

“Yes, I see. Where do fire gems come into it?”

“They catch fire easy, so we take them for fuel. They’re light, and they burn hot and long. Are you interested in them?”

“Yes. We came through Irshand and saw what they used them for.”

“You’ll want to speak with Master Zereel, then.”

“And he is?”

“The merchant who sells the gems. He claims he has a natural process which makes them work. He calls it, um, catalytic.” Kite frowned at the word. “Tight-fisted old skinflint,” Thurron added.

“You don’t like him?” Saryth asked around a mouthful of stew.

“No-one does.”

“Thurron!” A female voice called from the door, and Thurron reached for his crutches.

“I better go. I have to earn my keep ‘til I’m better.” He extricated himself from the bench, balancing precariously until he got the crutches properly arranged. “His shop’s just off the market square,” he said.

“Thank you very much for your help,” Kite said, and he grinned back at her.

“You’re welcome. Good luck!”

“Bird guano,” Kite mumbled as the door shut behind their informant, and coughed into her hand to hide her amusement. Saryth looked at her askance. “Sky mining. Oh well.”

“Is everything to your liking?” The cheerful innkeep bustled back into the room.

“Yes, thank you,” Kite said. “Do you have a room free tonight?”

“Yes, do you want it now or shall I keep it for you? I can hold it until nightfall.”

“We’ll be back by then,” Kite said. “Thank you.”

“It looks a bit dingy,” Saryth said when they eventually tracked down Master Zereel’s shop off the third market square they’d visited. It was indeed surprisingly shabby for a supposedly successful merchant, even a “tight-fisted old skinflint”. Cracks in the woodwork outside indicated a need for repair, and the shop interior was dim, the light filtering through the grubby windows impeded further by the piles of goods in front of them. Shelves bore cheap gems on display, the more valuable gems presumably locked in the drawers underneath.

“Hello?” Kite called from the doorway, and a voice came back from the depths of the shop.

“Can I help you?”

Kite squinted, and a shape rose from the dim jumble, becoming distinct as he came forwards, a short man wearing rich robes and a fancy hat, further at odds with his surroundings.

“I hope so,” Kite said, stepping into the shop. Saryth shadowed her, looking at the shelves with interest. “I heard of your process of altering fire gems. I’ve seen the flyers in Irshand and Eskandia.”

“Ah, and you would like some? I am expecting a delivery from the mine tomorrow. Refining it will take a day, but I can set aside some for you if you pay in advance.”

“Actually, I have a professional interest in the process,” Kite said. “Although I would indeed like to purchase such a stone -”

“I’m sorry.” Master Zereel folded his arms and glared at her. “I do not share the details. You are a competitor, or a spy for a competitor.” He turned his back. “Good day.”

Too astonished to be insulted, Kite stared at the merchant as he seated himself at his crowded desk, then gathered her thoughts and left the shop. A different approach was required.

“Oh well, seems like that avenue’s closed off,” she said, as off-handedly as she could manage.

“What now?” Saryth asked.

“Now... now we get to sight-see, I suppose. Do you have anywhere you’d like to visit?”

“I’d like to see the balloons,” Saryth said with enthusiasm.

“The best time for that will be tomorrow morning when they leave. But I do want to check out the market while we’re here.”

“All right.”

Kite went back to the largest of the three market squares they’d visited while looking for the gem merchant’s shop. The market filled not only the square but several of the surrounding streets, and a hubbub of noise, talking, bartering, laughter and the occasional argument, was audible from half a mile away. Stalls were arranged along the streets and in the main square, decorated with tablecloths and pennants hung from poles tied to the tables. The stalls in the square mostly sold food, from freshly picked fruit and vegetables on view in the farmer’s wagon to intricately decorated cakes and pastries carefully arranged on display, while the stalls that jostled together in the streets around sold toys and trinkets and second-hand garments. She made her way through the crowded aisles between the stalls, mulling over her plans as she went. Saryth followed behind, quiet and watchful.

That evening they ate at the Golden Duckling, now full of people. The innkeep and several helpers hurried back and forth, and the small room was noisy with general good cheer. Most of the clientele seemed to be sky miners, and Thurron risked his uncle’s not-very-serious wrath several times by hanging around and talking with the far table, presumably his crew. Saryth chewed on his stew thoughtfully, pondering the afternoon.

“Kite?”

“Yes?”

“We spent all afternoon in the market.”

“Yes.”

“You haggled for fifteen things in thirteen different shops.”

“Yes.”

“But you only bought a child’s trinket.”

Kite finished a mouthful and picked up the toy in question, a small wooden jointed donkey on a base. She pushed her finger into the base and the donkey collapsed, its strings loosened.

“It amused me.”

“You didn’t intend to buy anything, did you?” Not knowing what was going on made him nervous.

“No.” She put her knife and spoon on her empty plate and stood up. Saryth hurriedly finished the last few spoonfuls and did likewise.

“Don’t worry,” she said as they climbed the stairs to the promised room. “We’ll go and look at the balloons tomorrow.”

“That’s not what I’m worried about!”

Kite just smiled.