Nuliyaa wanted to pick up the commission from Maltangku as early as possible. The store wouldn’t open for a couple of hours, so Wiispuu wouldn’t be there. the early mornings were for cleaning and all the other monotonous tasks that Wiispuu could never be bothered with. Not that she had ever known him to be bothered with any tasks.

“Got something to do after this?” Kachaark asked from just behind her.

“No.”

“Then maybe we can slow down.”

She had been walking so fast, people were practically diving out of her way. “Oh.” She slowed and Kachaark matched her strides. People were eyeing them like maybe Kachaark was the reason for her haste, so she reached out and wrapped her arm around his.

“Why are you doing this if you aren’t comfortable with this job?”

“We need the work. We’re not in a place to turn anything down.”

His ears flicked.

“Fine. Pride.”

He grinned. “Sounds more like you.”

“I should walk away. It was easy enough for Maltangku. But I have spent years building relationships with these customers and at least someone seems to have recognized it.”

“What happened?”

“Oh. I guess you wouldn’t know.” Nuliyaa told him about the day she had been let go from Maltangku’s shop.

“Well. That wasn’t right.”

“No.” And now she was desperate to show them that she didn’t need them. That they would regret letting her go.

“What does this Wiispuu do? He’s not a jeweler like his father, I gather.”

“Supposedly he managed other businesses. Tsus inherited an apartment building and a warehouse from her family.”

Kachaark snorted. It was more effective as a sound coming from his bull nostrils. “We will impress this customer and everyone will know they never should have let you go.”

She was right. Wiispuu was nowhere to be seen when she and Kachaark arrived at Maltangku’s shop. The silly little daughters huddled in a corner, polishing the pieces on display as they stared at Kachaark. Tsus watched the minotaur as though expecting him to stampede throughout the shop.

Maltangku carefully wrapped the necklace before dropping it in a wooden case. It was a beautiful piece, yellow and orange jewels arranged in a sun shape that obviously honored Latne. Perhaps Yengkima’s wife was a priestess or especially devout.

Nuliyaa had to repeat the address until Tsus was satisfied, then she and Kachaark were finally free.

“Payment?” Kachaark rumbled as they turned in the direction of the peninsula.

“Since I’m insisting on Guild rates, Tsus is insisting on delivering payment to the Guild office.”

“Unpleasant, isn’t she?”

“I’m not showing them proper respect, she’s decided.”

He hummed. Nuliyaa didn’t know him well enough to figure out what that meant.

Kachaark drew some looks as they made their way onto the Peninsula. The minotaurs rarely came so close to the coast, preferring to do their trading either further up the river or at Wumaltsmaas’s border market. Here was one of the oldest human areas of the city, and one of the wealthiest. Houses as large as the building Nuliyaa’s family lived in lined the street, with lanes between the buildings to the gardens beyond. The area felt clean and open, sure signs of the inhabitants’ wealth in a city that was becoming more and more crowded.

“Is that—?” Nuliyaa bit back a groan.

Wiispuu stepped down from a mage-powered cab, straightening his yaasp. The long, loose outer garment was stiff with embroidery and beading, enough to rival the parade wear of someone far above his family’s level of wealth. How had he even managed to sit in that garment for the ride over? Such a waste of money.

“You’ll wait here,” Wiispuu informed the mage. Nuliyaa saw the moment the mage contemplated taking off to spite him. The woman looked like she was nearing retirement. Maybe she would improve Nuliyaa’s day by deciding to abandon her rude customer. But, no, professionalism won out and she settled to wait. Perhaps she had decided she would get more enjoyment out of telling Wiispuu he had to pay for the drive and her time waiting.

Wiispuu’s attention turned to Nuliyaa “Did you walk all this way?” She was confused by his concern until he added, “What if you had been robbed?”

“That is why my employee is here.”

“Employee,” he said flatly, smoothing back his graying hair. “Do you have enough money to pay an employee?”

“That is between my employee and myself.”

What was he even doing there? Was he trying to impress Yengkima?

“Come along.” Wiispuu strode up to the house. The yaasp did have a nice flare to it that kicked out as Wiispuu spun. Maybe a strong breeze would be kind enough to fly him away.

A servant greeted them at the door. “I am Wiispuu Kers, here to see Charchee Yengkima.”

The servant picked up a slate and examined it. “You are not on today’s schedule.”

Wiispuu’s whole head went red. “What do you mean? I am delivering the package from his Charchee Maltangku Kers. This is my father’s last commission, the greatest of his works. I am honored to bring it to Charchee Yengkima myself.”

As Wiispuu continued, Nuliyaa had to fight back a scoff. Maltangku’s last commission, most likely. His best work? Hardly. The necklace wasn’t even as impressive as the first commission for Yengkima.

Either Yengkima was immensely self-important to be dictating precisely how this necklace was delivered, or Wiispuu had greatly annoyed him. The servant ignored Wiispuu’s posturing. “Are you Nuliyaa Etskauu?”

You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

“If you will come with me? Your companion may wait here.” She motioned to an alcove with a bench.

Nuliyaa nodded to Kachaark. Over the years, there had been a few other commissions valuable enough to warrant more protection than charms. Maltangku had hired other guards to accompany Nuliyaa or himself when making those deliveries, and the guard was always left at the door of the location. She started past Wiispuu. He moved with her and the servant put out an arm. “You will need to leave.”

“Absolutely not. This woman works for me.”

“I was hired by your father.” Nuliyaa backed from him.

Another woman, this one armed, came out of the alcove. “Leave now,” she ordered. Wiispuu spun and stalked out the door.

“This way, please.” The servant started down a hall toward the back of he house.

The room Nuliyaa was shown to overlooked the house’s garden through the clearest windows Nuliyaa had ever seen. Not a yard for growing food, doing household chores, and playing children. No, this was a formal garden with more flowers than vegetables. And, because of the way the ground rolled down to the shore, Nuliyaa could see the sea. A ship was leaving the harbor, sails caught in the wind. How long before she would find herself out there, leaving on a job that would lead to the success of their company?

The room was obviously meant for lounging, with its mounds of cushions arranged around a low table. A whole room, just for lounging.

At the sound of their footsteps, the man who was settled across several decadently stuffed pillows looked up from his pillows. He was much darker-skinned than Nuliyaa, with his short, curly black hair covered by a litiichaangs that was made expensive-looking by its weave, not its ornamentation. Too bad Wiispuu wasn’t here—he could learn something about true wealth by looking at this room and its inhabitant.

“Your delivery, Charchee.” The servant bowed, then backed out of the room to take a position right outside the door.

“Welcome, welcome.” Yengkima sat up and laid his papers down beside him.

“Thank you, Charchee Yengkima.” Nuliyaa moved to a few feet in front of him. “Your commission from Maltangku Kers.” She opened the wooden case and presented the necklace.

Yengkima reached forward to take the necklace from the box. “Exquisite, as always.” He ran his thumb over the jewels, turning the necklace this way and that to catch the light. “Exactly what I envisioned.” After settling the necklace back in the case, he reached for a small bell and rang it.

The servant stepped back into the room. “Please bring this to my study.” With another bow, the servant took the case from Nuliyaa and left.

Nuliyaa kept her expression smooth, not letting the frown she wanted to make twist her lips. Why hadn’t he dismissed her with the servant?

“Sit for a moment. You have had a long walk this morning, yes?” He reached for a tray of fruit and selected a grape as Nuliyaa settled on a cushion across the table.

What did he want? This hadn’t happened the last time she’d brought his commission. Then, she had gone to his office, which was nearest Maltangku’s shop.

“Yes,” she finally said when she realized he was waiting for an answer.

“I want to express my appreciation of your taking the time to come here on my request,” he said as he selected another grape. How did the man make his money if he was always spending so much time deciding what to eat?

“I am being well compensated, Charchee.”

“Are you?” He looked slightly surprised.

“Yes. The Guarding Guild has established fair rates for courier services.”

He sat up a little straighter. “Ah, so I have heard truth, then. You now own a guarding company.”

“In partnership with my sister, yes.” Where was he going with this?

“Excellent. You will find owning the company gives you far more benefits than simply being employed by one.”

She was certain it did—when one was able to do more than compete with apprentices for the privilege of running packages across the city. She simply inclined her head.

“I was—disappointed by the choices made by Charchee Kers. I find the state of his shop now distasteful, especially now that he has retired and there is no other jewelsmith available there. I would have been willing to bring my business to whatever shop became your new employer.” His expression turned considering. “But this development will be better, I think.”

Hope bloomed in her chest. Was he considering giving work to their company?

He smiled at her. It was too sharp to be comforting expression. “I am interested in seeing how your company develops, Charchee Etskauu.”

She had to fight to keep her shoulders up as the hope deflated. No work.

“Charchee Kers’s final payment will be arranged with my bank,” he said, reaching for the bell again. At its ring, another servant appeared in the doorway.

Nuliyaa stood and followed the new servant, this one a young non-binary person, back to the front entrance. Kachaark appeared out of the alcove. “He’s still there,” he warned Nuliyaa.

“Who?” Then Nuliyaa’s thoughts pulled out of the strange conversation with Yengkima. He meant Wiispuu. Wiispuu was waiting outside. For what purpose? Why wouldn’t this day end?

He stood just off the walkway to Yengkima’s door, face red. The mage-cab was still there, but the mage must still be tucked in her seat. She was going to make a grand few usengs from Wiispuu.

“What did you do?” Wiispuu demanded. “Did you come here just to take my father’s money?”

She hadn’t wanted to come here at all. “Charchee Yengkima is satisfied with the commission and his bank will be sending the payment directly.” It was the wrong way, but she turned in the opposite direction from Wiispuu. He chased after her. Of course.

“This is my client—,” Wiispuu started, but he froze when Kachaark stepped between him and Nuliyaa.

“Your father’s client,” Nuliyaa corrected. “And I am not the reaso n he will not do business with you. You are.” She kept walking and after a moment, she heard Kachaark’s steps behind her.

Wiispuu didn’t follow, but he did call out, “You’ll stop interfering in my shop. I’ll make sure of it!”

As Kachaark reached her side again, she said, “He is embarrassingly dramatic.”

“Yes,” the minotaur agreed. “But is he someone who can make good on his threat?”

She wasn’t sure. Wiispuu had only come to the shop when it benefitted him, so she didn’t know enough about his connections.

The sun was high overheard when Nuliyaa and Kachaark returned to her family’s home. Miyt was settled on a cushion out by the stewpot, working and watching their supper. “Were you successful?” she asked.

Nuliyaa sank onto the edge of the cushion next to her. Kachaark rumbled something about going to rest before supper and continued on to the stable. “Yes,” she said simply. She didn’t feel like explaining Wiispuu’s accusations and the strange conversation with Yengkima.

Miyt looked up at her and she forced a smile. “The commission was delivered and hopefully the Guild will pass our payment on to Cheeyt before she comes home. Unless she’s already home?” She didn’t think so—if Cheeyt was already home, she would probably be out in the yard with them.

“No.” Miyt frowned slightly. “I would have expected her by now.”

“Perhaps there was a job available today.” Though Nuliyaa wouldn’t have expected anything to take as long as walking to the Peninsula and back.

“Perhaps.”

Miyt’s unease didn’t settle, though. As afternoon stretched into evening, Nuliyaa’s built up, too. “She’s Cheeyt,” Tseetsaa said grumpily after supper was finished and everything had been cleaned up. “She’s fine. She probably went with Nuttulch and Saknuu somewhere.”

Except Nuliyaa didn’t think Nuttulch and Saknuu were in town. It’d been days since they’d come by.

Miyt was folding one of the littiichangs she had been working on. Or, rather, she was crushing it up in her hands, then trying to smooth back out the wrinkles. “It isn’t like her to not send a message if she’s late,” she said.

“I’ll check with Kachaark. Maybe she stopped by his room.” Nuliyaa darted out the apartment.

But the minotaur only shook his head when Nuliyaa found him tossing hay to one of the neighbor’s donkey. “I haven’t seen her since this morning.” His brow furrowed. “I could walk out to the Guild office.”

Then he’d be a target for any drunken fools coming off the docks for the night. “I’ll go with you,” Nuliyaa said, spinning to run back inside for her littiichangs.

And then they didn’t quite run to the Guild office, but they did walk fast enough to make Nuliyaa’s frustrated pace from the morning seem like a leisurely stroll.

“She’s on a job?” she nearly screeched at the older dark-skinned woman manning the desk of the Guild office.

“Yes.” The woman gave Nuliyaa a chiding frown that had all the force of a displeased Miyt. “That is what the log says.”

“She’s on a job,” Nuliyaa grumped at Kachaark, despite his standing beside her and having heard it all himself.

“So it seems.” He motioned toward the door. “You’ll be able to discuss this with her tomorrow. We should sleep.”

She let herself be guided out of the Guild office, imagining everything she was going to say to her sister in the morning.