Kelton was silent on the way back to the house. He knew Vasco was truthful about running. There was no good refuge he and Yanda could travel to by foot. Safety required a ship. There was still the need for a destination. A Sorinnian port seemed a worthy consideration, though he wondered if the stories were true. There was little doubt that Yanda was used to controlling. Perhaps, landing there would only exchange one master for another. He was sure she would protect him - if she could. A neutral port was a better option. It would take another trip to the library to research alternatives. Someplace where no one owns another.

Yanda smiled when she met Kelton for the evening meal. Strips of beef coated with crumbles of crusty bread. It looked odd, but Kelton found his mouth enjoyed it. House Tarvakian food was something he would miss.

"Beldin help," Yanda said.

"Master gave permission?"

"Zello," Yanda said, nodding. "Glenda talk to him. Tomorrow Beldin help."

"All day?"

"Master gone." Yanda took a bite and chewed for a moment. "Glenda say Zello say you keep busy. Wait for father to come back." She shrugged.

Vasco was correct about Master as well. The house was conspiring to keep Kelton busy and didn't fear that he knew it. Tarvakian was planning something. Whatever it was, he was confident that it would stall Kelton's desire to leave. Hiring more guards, perhaps a threat of sale. Nothing Kelton could think of would change his mind.

"Filgot watch me," Yanda said, her eyes pointing two tables away. Filgot caught Kelton's eye and gave him half a wave. "Everyone know."

"Aye," Kelton agreed. "We'll talk in the room." A mug appeared next to Kelton. He looked over his shoulder at Zello, who had placed it there.

"A taste of wine," Zello said as he placed another mug in front of Yanda. "Father told me you dislike Barrenkee as much as I."

"Aye, Master," Kelton said. He looked at the mug, delivered by the one who should only be delivered to. "House Barrenkee is disheartening."

"You wish help from Beldin?"

"I do, Master."

"I have told him as much. He will come to you in the morn." Zello smiled. "Do not task him too heavy. Father has struggled to slow him down, and Beldin has fought him the whole way."

"I'll task only his memory," Kelton said. "I mean to take him to the skinning building. He claims a process that is of use."

"Then those there will be informed that their help will be required," Zello said. "You and Yanda have the day. Do with it what you will." He turned and walked away. It was Zello's confidence that bothered Kelton. A gift of wine, agreement in the distaste of Barrenkee, and a free hand with Beldin. Nothing was asked of Kelton, yet it all smelled of a plan. Something Kelton wasn't expecting.

"Wine," Yanda said. She lifted the mug to her lips and smiled.

"They bribe us," Kelton said. Yanda nodded and took a sip. The enjoyment of it was displayed on her face.

~~~~~

"There is no good place by foot," Kelton said when he and Yanda were finally alone in their room. "A meager living to the north at best. A ship is the only way."

"No coin," Yanda said, shrugging her shoulders. She didn't have the drive to leave that Kelton would have hoped. "Glenda say we not leave."

"You spoke with Glenda about this?"

"Aye, she not say to anyone," Yanda said with confidence. "Glenda say Master return and you not leave."

"We can not stay," Kelton said. He softened his voice so she would understand. "What they want me to do will hurt others. I will not be a part of it."

"You help," Yanda said. She pointed to the unfinished muzzle on the shelf. "I help you help."

"Aye, we will finish the muzzle," Kelton said with a nod, waving away the subject of the muzzle with his hand. "I think Captain Sol'in De Marque fears my vow. I can retract it for passage."

"Bad man," Yanda said, shaking her head. "He not break flag." She sighed. "He take bow."

"It is his flag I desire," Kelton argued. "A flagged ship can carry us anywhere. There are embellished stories of me about. It would be a simple trade, my released vow for passage."

"You leave bad man, then you trade to bad man." Yanda shook her head again. "Break vows, leave here is break vow."

"Aye." Kelton sighed. "You were not there at House Barrenkee. If demons were real, Barrenkee would be king among them. I can not help feed him profits, or others like him."

Yanda's face softened. She stroked Kelton's face, as she often did when his mood lessened. It was condescending in a way, but Kelton never failed to absorb it willingly. It was proof that care existed in the world. She supplied him hope.

"Muzzle first," Yanda said. Kelton knew she would leave with him if he demanded.

"Muzzle first," Kelton agreed. He smiled leaning into her palm.

"If trade with captain, get bow," Yanda said.

"He might not have it anymore, mayhap sold it," Kelton said.

"He still have," Yanda said, retracting her hand. "Sorinnian bow best. Wood not find here. He not sell. Other bow not good when rain. Sorinnian bow still good. Arrow go far." Her arm arched outward simulating an arrow in flight.

"Can you teach me the bow?"

"Get bow, I teach." Yanda smiled. "I best of family."

That night Kelton held Yanda until they fell asleep. It was unusual. In the past, Yanda preferred to do the holding. The night last, she altered the pattern. Kelton decided Yanda needed to feel protected and did so. Sometimes the strong required strength from others.

~~~~~

Beldin met Kelton and Yanda at the morning meal. If the grin on his face was any indication, He was in a good mood.

"I'll take you to the tannery," Beldin said. "Master says I can be there all day, as needed. I will show you all I know, show you how I made profits for our house."

"A good thing too," Kelton said, his mood rising with Beldin's. "I know nothing about the pillowed skirt you told us about. You sure it can be attached to the cloth?"

"Aye," Beldin said. What followed was a disjointed set of procedures explained with unintelligible hand movements. Some of the words used were not in the King's Truth, though Beldin spoke them with authority. Tannery vernacular of some kind. Yanda tried to ask questions, but only served to make the dissertation more confusing. Kelton decided it would be better to wait for real objects and methods to replace the words and mimed gestures.

"Beldin," a small man said as they entered into the skin building. "It has been a while since your last visit." He was wearing a leather apron well stained with dark splotches.

"Aye, Quinn," Beldin said, "Master has sent me on an important task. I am to help Kelton as I may. Things only I can do." Quinn smiled at Kelton.

"I have heard many words of you," Quinn said to Kelton. "And you...Yanda is it?"

"Aye," Yanda responded.

"I have seen you at meals and thought you bothered enough and remained unknown," Quinn continued, his eyes pointing at Kelton. "A great terror with a sword, I hear."

"If the stories were true, would I be collared?" Kelton asked. Quinn laughed.

"Master has told me to do as you desire, Beldin. What is it you want?" Quinn asked.

"Supple leather, in strips about so long." Beldin held up his hands separated by the length of a forearm. "It must be well oiled and worked over rope."

"Rope?" Quinn asked. "Not the board?"

"Aye," Beldin said. "More oil than normal and soaked two days. Then worked until well suppled."

"An odd request," Quinn said.

"It will make a skirt for a muzzle," Beldin said. Yanda had brought an unfinished one and held it out. Beldin circled his finger around the edge. "It must pillow to seal the edge." Kelton was surprised how lucid Beldin was as he described his needs. The man knew his leather.

"What's it for?" Quinn asked, taking the muzzle for closer examination.

"It go on face," Yanda said, demonstrating with the palm of her hand. Quinn lifted the muzzle to his.

"It is to block dust in the mines," Kelton said. "Kept it away from the nose and mouth."

Quinn's eyes widened. "It will work?"

"It should," Kelton replied. "It needs to seal on the edges that sit on the skin, so air only goes through the cloth. Beldin thought up the skirt."

"Supple you say?" Quinn asked Beldin.

"Aye, more than normal." Beldin and Quinn got into a discussion that Kelton only half followed. Vats, and brain oils, and wrappings, and timing words. Kelton looked at Yanda who smiled and gave him a shrug.

"If this works, it will be a good thing," Quinn said. Kelton and Yanda nodded. Quinn bit his bottom lip and examined the muzzle. "You will need holes to sew."

"Aye," Yanda replied.

"We can make use of our scraps," Quinn said to Beldin, who nodded agreement. "It will take four days if it dries well, mayhap more." He looked at Beldin. "You will need to guide me through it. I've not done anything like this."

"Master says I should see it through," Beldin said. He held up his gnarled hands. "He said I can not touch, only say."

"My hands, your direction," Quinn said with a nod. He turned to Kelton. "Beldin or I will find you when it's done."

"Thank you," Kelton said. Without another word, both Quinn and Beldin walked deeper into the building discussing the nature of the scraps to be used. Kelton felt like he and Yanda had been dismissed. Only the knowledgeable need follow.

"Beldin know," Yanda said with surprise in her voice.

"He does," Kelton agreed. "It is their task now, and we have the day. Mayhap the bathhouse?" That earned him a kiss on the forehead. Yanda took his hand, and they crossed the property toward the bathhouse. They were followed by Taggert, who kept his distance in plain sight. Yanda, and therefore Kelton, were still being watched.

~~~~~

"Master come back," Yanda said when she entered the room. It was well after the evening meal. Kelton was relaxing, flipping one the muzzles in his hand trying to imagine what Beldin's skirt would look like once it was attached.

"It matters not," Kelton said. "We will finish the muzzle and then find our path. Mayhap, I get you home."

"Find other place," Yanda said, shaking her head. For some reason, the idea of going home didn't please Yanda.

"Aye, another place," Kelton said. He placed the muzzle back on the shelf. "Why not home?"

"Not ready," was all Yanda said. The words had a finality to them. Kelton began to wonder why she had left home in the first place. Captain Sebastian had said she was on some kind of right-of-passage, her travels. Yet, Yanda didn't wish to return home. Perhaps she hides other reasons for her voyage. An unflagged ship was an odd choice for sightseeing.

"I will find another place next time I'm at the library," Kelton said. He would have to cross reference maps and foreign laws. Vasco might give him some ideas, though that seemed a gamble. Kelton was sure Vasco was honest with him but was equally sure his loyalties leaned toward House Karvakian.

"Glenda say we not leave," Yanda said. It was the second time Yanda had mentioned that.

"It is not up to her." Kelton watched Yanda, who had decided it was time to clean the shelf. It was busy work. "Are you happy here?"

Yanda stopped cleaning and put her hands on her hips. "You leave, I leave." She turned back to her cleaning. Another statement that demanded no response. It wasn't an answer to the question. She didn't want to go home. Kelton wondered what she did want. He was here because of her. Leaning back on the bed, he watched her work. A knock on the door ended Kelton's thoughts.

"Tea," Yanda said. Her face brightened as Kelton moved to open the door.

"Tea," Beldin said, though there was no pot in his hand. Kelton stepped back to allow him to enter. Then took two more steps back in shock as the pot entered carried by another. "I have help today. Master said I did well in the tannery. House Tarvakian needs me, he said."

"What be?" Yanda asked. Her concern evident as she examined Kelton.

The woman who entered had the remnants of a bruise on her cheek, a greenish shaded purple crescent. She was nervous, her eyes wide as she carried the pot inside. No longer were her curls hidden by a scarf, they were loose and disheveled as if shaped by a hard wind.

"How..." Kelton stammered.

The woman's mouth moved, yet only a whimper emerged. She was fearful of something.

"Who she?" Yanda asked.

"From House Barrenkee, the one he hit," Kelton said, never looking away from the woman. "How...why are you here?"

"Master sent her to help me," Beldin answered as if it were obvious. "He says you will find her new job." Yanda started laughing, which confused the woman more.

"Me?" Kelton said.

"Master know you," Yanda said. "Glenda right. You not leave." She moved toward the woman whose eyes kept traveling between the people in the room. "What you name?"

"Felicity," the woman whispered. She stood still, the pot of tea water anchoring her in place.

"I take," Yanda said, indicating the pot. Felicity handed it over, her now bare arms floundering in the air unable to find comfort in not having a duty.

"You are owned by House Tarvakian?" Kelton asked. He already knew the answer.

"I don't know." Tears began to flow down Felicity's cheeks. "I was sold to a mining house, then traded again on the road. Now it is you who decides. I...I know nothing."

"No cry," Yanda said as she placed the pot on the shelf. She grabbed a soft cloth and brought it to Felicity. "You like sew?"

"What?" Felicity asked. Her shaking slowed as she took the proffered cloth.

"Yanda asked if you knew how to sew. You know, needle and thread," Kelton clarified.

"I've...I've never done it before."

"I teach," Yanda said. "You work with me and see if you like." She shrugged. "If not, find something else."

"I...I am not his?" Felicity asked, pointing at Kelton. Kelton blanched. No wonder she was terrified. She thought she was a gift.

"He mine," Yanda said before Kelton could respond. Kelton nodded. Felicity expression changed, her lips almost curled.

"Your new master wishes something from me," Kelton said. "Your safety is the price."

"Why would you care?" Felicity asked.

"He care much," Yanda replied. "Care me, care you. Master know and use you." Her smile relayed the humor she found in it.

"It is bad, what he demands of you?" Felicity asked.

"Nay." Kelton sighed. "It is not bad in the way you think." He forced a smile for Felicity's sake. "Beldin, what do you think of House Tarvakian?"

"It's the best house," Beldin replied with vigor. "Master is smart and knows I know things. I have made much profit for the house. Master sees this and has me do important things." He looked at Felicity whose concerned look was returning. "I work on a skirt for the muzzle now. No one else can do it. Master knows this. I'm not old and useless like some."

"And he never fails to bring us tea at night," Kelton added.

"Aye," Beldin agreed. "I must go now. Other important things to do."

"We'll see to Felicity," Kelton said. Beldin nodded and mumbled as he left down the hall.

"You are in a good house," Kelton said to Felicity. "If you must be owned, here is where you would desire to be. Master's care of Beldin is proof of that."

"Aye, good house," Yanda agreed. Kelton noticed she was overly happy with the turn of events. She had little desire to leave.

"I'll not warm your bed?"

"Only your own," Kelton said. "What happened in House Barrenkee is not done here."

"And you did this for me?"

"Your new master did this," Kelton said. "I was angry with him. I didn't wish to give your old master coin because of what he did to you." Kelton touched his own cheek where her bruise would lay if it were on his face. "Our master saw this and knew buying you would stifle my anger."

"Come," Yanda said to Felicity. "You meet Glenda. She find room." Felicity looked at Kelton.

"Aye. Glenda will find you a room close to hers," Kelton agreed. "I have to see Master. I am sure he is waiting." Yanda smiled again, then kissed Kelton's forehead before leading Felicity away.

Kelton sat on the bed to gather his thoughts. It was if the world was demanding he stay. What would happen to Felicity if he were to leave? And Yanda wanted to stay. There had to be a way to not help perpetuate houses like Barrenkee. A way to not be part of enriching owners. Tarvakian was craftier than Kelton first thought. He sighed and realized he wasn't in control of anything.

It was a slow walk to the main house. More time to think. Kelton felt as if he had lost some great battle. His Nagada. He had been so sure that everything was so wrong, then Master had to throw a bit of good at him. Felicity was still owned but was she was better off. Kelton wanted to remain angry. He didn't want to wallow in the middle, seeing things as less wrong when he should be seeking only right.

The smoky tiles failed to incite Kelton's mind as he walked down the main hall. He ignored the pleasing decorations, still trying to piece his parts of the world together. Master had tricked him. Of that he was certain. It was his reaction to the trickery that he couldn't resolve. A moment ago, she was only a nameless girl who was hit. Now, she was Felicity. Named and held up as another shackle to tie Kelton to House Tarvakian. He should be angrier. Yet, Master had undone the striking of Felicity in his thoughts.

"Ahh, Kelton," Vasco said as Kelton turned into the meeting room. Kelton had been correct; Master, Zello, and Vasco were sitting having tea and waiting patiently for him to arrive. There were papers strewn across a table in the corner and an empty chair waiting next to Zello. It was Vasco's smile that bothered Kelton the most.

"Master," Kelton said, dipping his head in respect.

"Is Felicity well cared for?" Master asked.

"Aye," Kelton replied. "Yanda and Glenda will see to her night. Yanda intends to take her under her wing and teach her to sew. If it suits her, and there is a place, it may be best."

"Good, Master Laradia will be pleased to hear," Master said, his smile growing. It was one of self-satisfaction.

"Another ruse well done," Zello added.

"Sit, Kelton," Master said, indicating the chair next to Zello. Kelton did as requested, his mind still reeling from Master's tactics. "Tea?"

"Aye, Master," Kelton said. Vasco rose and brought him a cup already prepared. Kelton's actions were well predicted. There was a moment of silence as Kelton took a sip. When he placed the cup down, he decided truth was in order. "I wished to dislike you, Master, as much as I dislike the laws of this kingdom. I was not expecting what you have done, and I can no longer find the anger to blame you for what others do."

"Know that Felicity's place here is set," Master said. "Your future actions will not change that." He watched Kelton as he took a sip of tea. His eyes were fatherly, the look of Gossamer when he had taught Kelton a lesson in the past. It was if he were tightening the restraints with kindness.

"It shackles me to you none the same," Kelton said.