He recognized the woman instantly. Sonea’s aunt smiled and took the seat on the other side of the table. “Sonea. I was hoping it would be you.”
“Jonna,” Sonea replied, smiling fondly—but tiredly, Rothen noted. “I wanted to come see you, but I’ve been so busy. How is Ranel? How are my cousins?”
Jonna looked down at the baby. “Hania has a terrible fever. I’ve tried everything...”
Sonea placed a hand gently on the baby’s head. She frowned. “Yes. She’s got the beginning of bluespot disease. I can give her a little boost.” She was quiet for a moment. “There. You will have to wait it out, I’m afraid. Give her liquids. A little marin juice mixed in will help, too.” Sonea looked up at her aunt. “Jonna, would you... would you come live with me?”
The woman’s eyes went round. “I’m sorry, Sonea. I just couldn’t.”
Sonea looked down. “I know you don’t feel comfortable being around magicians, but... please consider it. I’d...” She glanced at Rothen. “I guess it’s time you knew too, Rothen.” She looked at Jonna again. “I’d like to have someone familiar and ordinary around.” She nodded at the child. “I’d exchange all the Healers in the Guild just for your practical advice.”
Jonna stared at Sonea, her expression reflecting Rothen’s confusion. Sonea grimaced, then placed a hand on her stomach. Jonna’s eyes widened.
“Oh.”
“Yes.” Sonea nodded. “I’m scared, Jonna. I didn’t plan for this. The Healers will look after me, but they can’t cure my fear. I think maybe you could.”
Jonna frowned. “You told me magicians had their own ways of taking care of things.”
To Rothen’s amazement Sonea blushed a furious scarlet.
“It seems that it’s better if women do... that sort of care-taking. Apparently men aren’t taught the skill unless they request it,” she said. “Girl novices are taken aside as soon as the Healers feel they’re likely to be showing an interest in boys, but I was so unpopular that nobody thought of teaching me. Akkarin,” Sonea paused and swallowed, “must have assumed they had. And I assumed he was taking care of things.”
As understanding dawned, Rothen stared at Sonea. He found himself counting the months since her exile. Three-and-a-half, maybe four. The robes would hide it well...
She looked at him and then grimaced apologetically. “I’m sorry, Rothen. I was going to tell you, at a better moment, but when I saw Jonna I just had to take advantage of—”
They both jumped as Jonna burst into laughter. She was pointing at Rothen. “I haven’t seen that look since I told Ranel I was expecting our first! I think, perhaps, these magicians aren’t as smart as they make themselves out to be.” She grinned at Sonea. “So. You’re to have a baby, then. I can’t imagine the child growing up with his or her head on right surrounded by magicians.”
Sonea smiled crookedly. “Nor I. So, will you reconsider?” Jonna hesitated, then nodded once. “Yes. We’ll stay a while.”
Lord Dannyl’s Guide to Slum Slang
blood money — payment for assassination
boot — refuse/refusal (don’t boot us)
capper — man who frequents brothels
clicked — occurred
client — person who has an obligation or agreement with a Thief
counter — whore
done — murdered
dull — persuade to keep silent
dunghead — fool
dwells — term used to describe slum dwellers
eye — keep watch
fired — angry (got fired about it)
fish — propose/ask/look for (also someone fleeing the Guard)
gauntlet — guard who is bribeable or in the control of a Thief
goldmine — man who prefers boys
good go — a reasonable try
got — caught
grandmother — pimp
gutter — dealer in stolen goods
hai — a call for attention or expression of surprise or inquiry
heavies — important people
kin — a Thief’s closest and most trusted
knife — assassin/hired killer
messenger — thug who delivers or carries out a threat
mind — hide (minds his business, I’ll mind that for you)
mug — mouth (as in vessel for bol)
out for — looking for
pick — recognize, understand
punt — smuggler
right-sided — trustworthy/heart in the right place
rope — freedom
rub — trouble (got into some rub over it)
shine — attraction (got a shine for him)
show — introduce
space — allowances/permission
squimp — someone who double-crosses the Thieves
style — manner of performing business
tag — recognize (also means a spy, usually undercover)
thief — leader of a criminal group
watcher — posted to observe something or someone
wild — difficult
visitor — burglar
Glossary
aga moths — pests that eat clothing
anyi — sea mammals with short spines
Ceryni — small rodent
enka — horned domestic animal, bred for meat
eyoma — sea leeches
faren — general term for arachnids
gorin — large domestic animal used for food and to haul boats and wagons
harrel — small domestic animal bred for meat
inava — insect believed to bestow good luck
limek — wild predatory dog
mullock — wild nocturnal bird
rassook — domestic bird used for meat and feathers
ravi — rodent, larger than Ceryni
reber — domestic animal, bred for wool and meat
sapfly — woodland insect
sevli — poisonous lizard
squimp — squirrel-like creature that steals food
yeel — small domesticated breed of limek used for tracking
zill — small, intelligent mammal sometimes kept as a pet
anivope vines — plant sensitive to mental projection
bol — (also means “river scum”) strong liquor made from tugors
brasi — green leafy vegetable with small buds
chebol sauce — rich meat sauce made from bol
crots — large, purple beans
curem — smooth, nutty spice
curren — coarse grain with robust flavor
dull — long fruit with tart orange, seedy flesh
gan-gan — flowering bush from Lan
iker — stimulating drug, reputed to have aphrodisiac properties
jerras — long yellow beans
kreppa — foul-smelling medicinal herb
marin — red citrus fruit