Free Fairs' Point by Melissa Scott Page B

said.
    “ She’s competent,” Estel said shortly. “That was decided long ago.”
    “ And yet you let her go.” Idomey spread her hands. “Abandon her responsibilities.”
    “ That’s not what happened!” Besetje saw LaSier’s frown, and closed her mouth tight, her shoulders pressed against the pillar.
    The woman LaSier had identified as Nelis cleared her throat ge ntly. “Perhaps I might clarify?”
    “ Go ahead,” Estel said. “Best tell who you are, though, there’s people who don’t know you.”
    Nelis nodded. “I’m an astrologer and Rostanha’s kin—her man that was is my brother—and I cast the horoscopes the last time the family met to discuss this matter. The choice made then was the right one, and you can see it from the girl’s success.”
    “ She’s been paying the agreed-upon support,” LaSier said. “There’s not a demming in arrears.”
    She stared at Faar, and the man dipped his head in agre ement. “That’s true, I never said it wasn’t. But I’m in dire straits, and it’s not enough—”
    “ And Besetje won’t come up with the money?” Idomey asked.
    “ I don’t have it!” Besetje said.
    “ Besetje’s a trainer,” LaSier said. “It’s the Dog Moon. Of course she doesn’t have any cash to spare. And before you say it, Idomey, how was she to know the world would run mad? Of course she didn’t have anything extra set aside.”
    “ She knew her father’s condition,” one of the other women said. “She had to think it could happen any day.”
    “ Or never,” LaSier countered. “It’s not that his health has failed, it’s this Dis-damned repudiation.”
    There was a murmur of agreement from the other women in the room, and Rathe thought LaSier had won her point. Idomey thought so, too, from the look of annoyance that flickered across her face.
    “Very well,” she said, “but it doesn’t change the core of the matter. She owes her father support, and she won’t give it.”
    “ I can’t,” Besetje said.
    “ You could come back to the family,” Idomey said. “There’s work here that pays better than training dogs.”
    “ She’s the worst pickpocket we ever had in training,” Estel said. “Her stars are against it, and she hates the work—Rathe can speak to that.”
    “ Well?” Idomey turned to look at him for the first time, and Rathe spread his hands.
    “ It’s true, mistress. She was too easy to spot, and easier to catch.”
    Beside him, Besetje made a soft noise of complaint, like a dog whining, but managed not to speak.
    “Very well,” Idomey said, “but now that she’s grown, there are other jobs—”
    “ Why take her away from something she’s good at?” one of Estel’s supporters asked. “She’s with DeVoss, that’s a damn good place.”
    “ Her father requires support,” Idomey said, stubbornly, and LaSier lifted her head.
    “ Actually, Besetje and I have worked out a bargain, Estel, if you’ll agree.”
    Idomey rolled her eyes at that, and Rathe bit back a smile. An ything LaSier proposed tonight was hardly going to come as a surprise to Estel.
    “ I’ll loan her the money—at interest, of course, but a very decent rate—to get her through the Dog Moon, and then she’ll take over Bertal’s support and pay me back over the summer.”
    “ And what if she loses her shift on the races?” Faar demanded.
    “ How stupid do you think I am?” Besetje demanded.
    “ Don’t talk back.” Faar glared at her across the tavern, and she scowled back, looking more than a bit like one of her own terriers. To Rathe’s surprise, however, she took a breath and turned to face Estel.
    “ I’ve not risked more than I can afford to lose. Even if nothing comes home well, I’ll be able to take care of him before Midsummer. It’s just that all my free cash is tied up in entries and box fees. DeVoss will certify that, if you ask her.”
    There was a silence, almost of surprise, and then a murmur of approval. Idomey bit her lip,