Free Toads and Diamonds by Heather Tomlinson

prince glanced at the stone-faced official beside him. "However, His Excellency has identified a problem," he continued. "People live uneasily with wonders in their midst. I'm afraid, dear ladies, that you cannot remain in Gurath."
    Dismayed, Diribani and Tana stared at each other, then protested in unison.
    "But, sire--"
    "Please, Your Highness--"
    A pink peony and two rough diamonds pelted a snake's bright-green head. The grass viper hissed.
    Along with everyone else, Tana held very still, watching the poisonous snake. The grass viper coiled upon itself, tail twitching in warning.
    It had not occurred to Tana that the goddess's gift might include the venomous nagas. She touched her lips, but felt no burning or other sign that this one's poison had touched her. Tana was painfully aware that the crowded street offered too many targets for an agitated viper. A sea of frightened faces surrounded her. Her mother's
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    face held despair; the governor's, loathing; the prince's, a wary alertness. Only Diribani seemed confident that Tana would deal with the danger she had brought into their midst.
    Hardly daring to breathe, Tana reached for the silver pitcher. She lifted it behind her back and turned it upside down, trying not to think about the high price she had paid for the water draining onto the ground. The snake turned slowly as it looked for a way out. When the creature faced away from her, Tana brought the pitcher swiftly down. Her fingers shook as she tamped the silver rim into the dirt, trapping the snake inside.
    "Rather a mixed blessing," Prince Zahid observed.
    Afraid to reply and let loose a cobra or a krait, Tana folded her hands over the trapped viper. She couldn't contain her worry as easily. Where would she and Diribani go if the prince cast them from their home? The breath whistled out of her throat, but to her relief, nothing left her lips but air. She had to utter words, it seemed, in order to bring forth frogs and toads and serpents.
    "An unusual situation, but my duty is clear." The prince studied the kneeling girls. A glint of humor flashed in his eyes, though his voice remained serious. "Our esteemed governor prefers that Mina Diribani not disturb the serenity of Tenth Province, so she shall accompany our party to Eighteenth Province. As a guest of the crown, she may reside at the ladies' court in Fanjandibad in all honor and comfort."
    "Fanjandibad!" Diribani clasped her hands together, her expression brightening.
    Tana, too, dared to relax. She remembered that Ba Javerikh had spoken of the painters' workshop there. If anything could reconcile Diribani to leaving her home, the prospect of studying with
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    master artists would tempt her far more than life in a palace. After the near-riot Tana had witnessed, she had to agree with the prince. In Gurath, Diribani might not be safe from her neighbors, let alone Tenth Province's governor.
    A muscle moved in Governor Alwar's jaw. Because the royal command had prevented him from killing the snake girl, or from keeping the girl who spoke diamonds? When he eyed the bejeweled ground around Diribani, ignoring the snake trapped under the silver pitcher, Tana had her answer. Greed ruled the man. Alwar must be furious that he had made too much of Diribani's power to cause unrest. His hasty reaction had given the prince an excuse to carry off a walking jewel mine. "The emperor's justice is renowned" was all he said aloud.
    The prince's next words confirmed Tana's respect for both his intelligence and his character. "Fanjandibad does not covet Gurath's blessing," he said. "The largest share of Mina Diribani's jewels shall be returned to glorify Tenth Province, under His Excellency's able administration. Minus a sum for the construction of a habitation for her sister, by this sacred well. Some distance from town, is it?" At Tana's nod, he continued. "Mina Tana shall make her abode there, where any poisonous snakes may be released in the wild lands without endangering the