Free City of a Thousand Dolls by Miriam Forster Page B

could be sent to another House or her training would be adjusted to suit her personality and her strengths.
    Before Nisha had come to the City, other girls had tried to run away. In one infamous case, a girl even committed suicide. But no one had run away or killed herself since Nisha had become Matron’s eyes and ears, and Nisha felt good about that, even if she hated how she had to do it.
    Suddenly Atiy’s glassy stare intruded into Nisha’s thoughts. She pushed it away, shuddering. She could not have helped Atiy. Atiy had been isolated from everyone, with no one to know of her unhappiness, apart from Camini and any other trainer working with her. If she really had killed herself, it was their fault.
    “Have you found anyone to endorse you?” Matron’s soft question interrupted Nisha’s thoughts. “The Council meeting is this afternoon.” Matron’s eyes were on the kitchen staff and her words were was casual, but Nisha could hear an undertone of worry in her voice.
    “Not yet,” she murmured back.
    Matron didn’t look at her. “Have I ever told you that there’s a school for older orphan girls in the capital? They teach basic trade skills. All the girls there are destined for a lower caste, but they’re able to earn a living. And you have lots of skills already, Nisha, that would serve you well in the capital.”
    “That’s … interesting,” Nisha said carefully.
    Matron turned away. “I’ll leave that list in your capable hands, Nisha. We’ll talk tomorrow.”
    After Matron left, Nisha sat down to warm herself by the fire. She leaned her head against the stone of the fireplace, taking comfort in the waves of heat that rolled over her. The fire snapped and sparked, the coals glowing like living jewels. Nisha closed her eyes, ignoring the bustle around her. The warm stone hearth was an island, a shelter in the midst of chaos.
    But if she ran and the school didn’t take her, what would she do then? Without a caste mark, she wouldn’t be able to work in any city or town. She would starve, or worse, be captured by slavers. If she was able to join a Wind caste caravan, she might be able to get a mark. But in order to find one, she’d have to go into the forest, and the forest terrified her. Besides, how could she leave the cats, her friends, and Devan?
    Nisha shook herself. Running away was too uncertain. She had to find someone to endorse her.
    There was a commotion, and she looked up just as Tanaya swept in. Her hair had been gathered into an intricate pile of curls on top of her head, and she was wearing a black silk asar with tiny brown owls embroidered on it.
    “Where are the jeera puffs?” she demanded. “The envoy from the High Prince will be here soon, and half the tea isn’t ready!”
    The cook gave Tanaya a hurried bow. “Forgive me, lady. I thought House Mistress Indrani said the tea wasn’t for another quarter hour.”
    Tanaya’s lips tightened. “ I am telling you that the tea needs to be ready at once,” she snapped. “Now do your job.”
    “Of course, lady.” The cook ducked her head, and Nisha felt a stab of pity for her. All the free servants on the estate were Wind caste, forbidden to settle in one place without a work permit. If the woman lost her place, she would have to become a nomad, sleeping in a different inn every night, or camping in the forest until someone hired her again.
    “See that you do,” Tanaya said. Then she turned and stomped out. Concerned, Nisha left her place by the fire and followed.
    “Tanaya, what’s happening?”
    Tanaya whirled around but relaxed when she saw Nisha. “Oh, it’s you.”
    Nisha just stared at her. “Are you all right? I’ve never heard you speak to a servant like that before.”
    Tanaya chewed her bottom lip. “I’m sorry. It’s just … this is so important, and everything has to be perfect. I feel like everyone’s waiting for me to make a mistake—”
    She sighed and patted Nisha on the shoulder. “You’re right, of