Glasswrights' Test Read Online Free Page A

clasping and unclasping her gown. “I am glad that you could be here today.”
    â€œWe would not have missed the first sale of Morenian silk,” Rani said, trying to warm her voice. She had no reason to dislike the princess, no reason to take exception to the girl at all. Nevertheless, she was uncomfortable around Berylina. The princess’s roaming eye made it difficult to talk to her directly, and Rani could remember too clearly the child who had stammered and blushed, unable to string together three consecutive words without a fit of shyness.
    Of course, three years in Moren had changed that. As had the normal maturation of a young girl. And the attentions of Father Siritalanu.
    The priest was never far from the princess, and Rani glanced up to see that he was now a mere two steps away. He kept his gaze on the princess, steady and calm, like a hound awaiting its master’s bidding. As Rani always did when she saw the pair, she wondered how the priest could divide his loyalties—how he could maintain his pledge to the church and to the crown and to his adoptive princess. The man’s intensity gave no clue to his balance.
    â€œThe first silk,” Berylina said, and her voice was shadowed by surprise, as if she had not realized that the auction was under way. “Yes, that is important.”
    Rani started to shake her head and turn back to the bidding, but Berylina took a step closer. For the first time that Rani could remember, the princess set a hand upon her arm. The girl’s short fingers were stained by charcoal, red chalk, and ink. The palace rumors were true, then. Berylina continued to spell out her devotion to the Thousand Gods, to illustrate the deities as they came to her, as they spoke inside her mind. “I am grateful to you, Ranita Glasswright.”
    â€œGrateful?” Rani repeated the word like one of the players’ talking birds, and she cast a quick glance toward Mair. The Touched girl shrugged minutely, clearly as confused as Rani was.
    â€œFor agreeing to travel with me to Brianta. I recognize the gesture as a sign of respect for my homeland, for all the Thousand Gods.”
    â€œMy lady!” Hal’s voice was falsely hearty, and he startled Rani by seeming to appear from nowhere. Even one who did not know him as well as she did would have understood that he was forcing the smile onto his face, pounding bluff good nature into his tone. He waved jeweled fingers toward the dais, toward the excited clutch of merchants who fought to outbid themselves on a particularly fine lot of undyed silk. “We were honored by your prayer before the auction.”
    â€œAnything that I can do in the service of the Thousand Gods, Your Majesty.” Berylina sank into a curtsey, making a holy sign across her chest. “May Lor look upon this day with endless mercy, my lord.”
    Hal automatically reached out to raise up the princess, and then he looked about him, clearly wanting to hand her off to another. He avoided Rani’s gaze as he maneuvered the girl, avoided the demand she had yet to voice.
    Agreeing to travel to Brianta . … Rani had done no such thing. In fact, she could not travel now—she was sworn to make a dozen screens for the players. She had obligations, to her players troop, to Tovin, to herself. Besides, there was Mair to assist, Mair and little Laranifarso.
    Hal said, “I see that Princess Berylina has managed to speak with you when I could not.”
    â€œMy lord?” Rani froze her voice, and she felt Mair stiffen beside her.
    â€œAye, Rani.” Hal’s eyes snared hers, and she read the message there—he was pleading. Asking her not to protest. Asking her to agree meekly, to concede.
    Berylina spoke, apparently unaware of the silent conversation that passed between them. “The gods have spoken. They are pleased that you will accompany me to Brianta.”
    â€œThey are—” Rani started to say, but