The hard church beds of Magda's Tower made for poor sleep, and Hannah was up before dawn, before the drone of gulls and groaning ships, before anyone in the tower had even started on breakfast. She washed up in the half-dark, tugging on her good blue dress, the same one she had worn to the Averys when she had thought Kurt available and attainable. How stupid she'd been.

She gently fingered her hair, wondering if there was any hope for her to look less like a village girl and more like a modern lady. She gazed into the washbasin, studying her hair and face. Nope. Not a chance.

Still, the blue dress did look nice, and the fabric was cool, a good choice for late spring. She padded out of the room, gazing down the hall. There were a few murmurings on the lower floors, so at least she wasn't the only one awake. Perhaps she should explore the church a bit. She didn't exactly have much else to do. Certainly no more chores.

She headed downstairs, getting polite nods from passing nuns. There were a few worshippers in the common room, seated and praying, and she made sure to pass silently towards the doors.

Outside, the sun still hadn't shown, and there was a soft gray light over the ground. She headed towards the wild side of the grounds, standing at the edge of land that faced out to sea. The tides pulled in lazily, dull waters frothing on the shore, bringing dirt, stones and seaweed. Further down, she saw two riders trotting on the beach – a man and a woman it looked like. Nobles, lovers.

She turned away, spotting a bench under an oak, an apparently forgotten piece of stone with curly, vine-infested legs. She dusted off the seat, then sat down to wait for the sun. Slowly, gold would settle over the city, glinting off spires and windows. Somewhere in the guards' station, Rio would probably be stirring too, getting ready for the day's training. She wondered what they would do once he came, if he would be taking her anywhere?

There was the echo of a bell from inside, and she stood up in interest. Breakfast? It was a little early, but who cared? To think, no need to cook her own meals for a while.

She headed back inside the tower, surrounded by a hungry, buzzing crowd. She tried to find Sister Vicki, but couldn't see her anywhere. She glanced at the desk in the main hall, but it was empty. Slowly, she inched along with everyone else, ending up in the dining hall. It was a massive room, filled closely with dark benches overseen by low-hanging candelabras. She followed the nuns to the front, where some younger girls were doling out fishy porridge. Not exciting, but it had a good smell. Her Ma always said smell was half the taste.

To eat, Hannah chose the empty end of a far table, facing the windows. Through spindly branches, she could see clouds skimming the tops of giant houses. There was a shift next to her, and a pair of nuns sat down.

"Here you are, Hannah," one of them said, and she was relieved to see it was Sister Vicki. "I was looking for you."

"I was looking for you too."

"Well, at least you came down and got your food quick. Looks like you're settling in just fine."

"I am, thank you."

She spread a hand, gesturing to the other girl. "This is Sister Dana. Dana, you remember Rio? This is his sister, Hannah."

"Oh, yes, I spoke to Rio once," she said, fumbling with a set of papers beside her food. "Nice to meet you."

"You too," Hannah answered.

"You'll have to forgive her," Sister Vicki said. "She still has yet to finish a paper due for class today."

"If only I could get just a little more time," Sister Dana moaned.

"She always says that. Don't make the mistake of thinking this new for her."

"Excuse me."

"You always spend too much time researching, Dana, you know that."

"I choose not to listen to you. It's not productive."

"As you wish," Sister Vicki murmured, while her friend unearthed a pencil and started writing. She shook her head, turning to focus on Hannah. "Did you have a good sleep?"

"Uh, well, I'm still not used to being away from home."

"Oh, that'll pass. I've no doubt it was strange for your brother too while he was here."

"How long was he here?"

"Close to a week. As soon as the tests started, he was able to stay at the guards' station."

"Ah."

"Have you met Shelby yet? I don't suppose you have, have you?"

"Who?"

"She's an initiate. She helped your brother very much during his time here, and they're quite good friends. She's one of the servers for today – see? That small, fair girl in the front?"

Hannah looked, trying to filter through the blur of people all around the food table. "I think I do."

"You should talk to her – as soon as there's no line, of course. I'll be going up for some much-needed sleep after this, so she can help you today in case you need anything."

Shelby. She was an uncommonly pretty girl, even in her dull nun's uniform. Her skin was angel-white, her features sharp and mischievous-looking. Hannah found it strange to think that this complete stranger had somehow become close with her brother.

"You know, I once saw them walking out in the garden," Sister Dana told them in a hush. "Late in the evening. I think it was his last night here."

"What of it?" Sister Vicki asked her, a little pointedly.

"Nothing. It was just … something I remembered."

"Finish your work, Dana." Sister Vicki pushed away her bowl, covering a yawn. "Been up all night, and now I'm starting to feel it. I'm sorry, Hannah, I'm going to have to leave you. Think you'll be all right?"

"I'll be fine."

"Feel free to look around the grounds if you like."

"Or the library," Sister Dana told her. "That's on the fifth floor."

"Just don't go anywhere out of the church. Not to alarm you, but the city's often unkind to those unfamiliar with its streets."

"I'll remember that."

"Look," she said, nodding her head. "There's no more line. Why don't you go over and talk to Shelby?"

"Just – just like that?"

"Of course. She'll be delighted to meet you, trust me."

"Yes, Vicki and I really need to be going," Sister Dana said.

"But it was lovely talking to you," Sister Vicki bade her. "Perhaps I'll run into you tonight."

She nodded, and the two of them left, Sister Vicki rubbing her eyes while Sister Dana fumbled to put her papers together. They soon blended with a stream of nuns making their way out, and Hannah guessed most of them had classes or duties they didn't want to be late to.

She turned around, glancing towards the end of the hall. All the servers were still there, chatting lightly as they cleared up the food table. She eyed Shelby for a while, watching as the girl went back and forth from the kitchen.

At last, Hannah got to her feet, prepared to start up a conversation with this young nun. She approached the table while Shelby was wiping down stains, and the other girls safely off to the side.

"Hello," Hannah greeted, and Shelby tipped her face up. She had lovely eyes, Hannah thought with envy. Dark pixie eyes. "Are you Shelby?"

The other girl nodded, straightening up. "Yes. Have we met?"

"No. That's why I wanted to introduce myself. Sister Vicki said that you know my brother, Rio?"

Shelby's mouth dropped. "You're Hannah?"

"You … know about me?"

"Of course! Rio told me all about his older sister from Chell." She reached out, squeezing Hannah's hand in a fervent shake. "I can't believe you're here. Where's your brother? Is he here as well?"

"No, he's at the station. He brought me here last night before he had to go back. But he did say he was going to try and come by today at lunchtime."

"I'll be on kitchen duty then. Again. But please get him to come and say hello to me for a minute if you could? I haven't seen him since he got accepted. Why didn't he tell me you were coming?"

"It was a … last-minute decision."

"By you?"

"By both of us," she admitted. "I wasn't all that sure about coming at first, but he said he didn't know when we might be able to see each other again, so … "

"You softened?" Shelby guessed, her smile knowing.

"You could say that."

"Well, I think it's wonderful that you're both here," Shelby said, just as the other girls started calling her. "Sorry, Hannah. I'm needed back in the kitchen. I've got washing to help with."

"Alright. Perhaps we'll talk later?"

"Yes, I hope so." She smiled, hurrying off into the back with the others.

By now, the dining hall was empty except for a few outsiders straggling. Hannah strolled out, making her way up to the third floor. This was strange not to have anything not to do. Who knew she could ever miss chores?

Inside her room, she stood by the window, her gaze panning to a sturdy, dark building in the distance. A castle. A real one with towers and everything, flags dancing in the sea-breeze. How could anyone live in something so huge, much less clean it?

She trotted out, approaching the rail and looking up to the fifth floor. That was where the library was, Sister Dana had said. Maybe she should go take a look.

Why not? She drew up her skirts, loping up the stairs for two extra floors. She was breathing slightly quickly at the end of it. She figured the nuns at Magda's Tower must be very fit, with all the climbing they had to do.

She took a step forward, looking round. All the doors were open on this floor, and only one or two nuns were walking around, carrying books or notes. Had to be right then. She went to the nearest door, peering in. Old carpets, drowning in their own dust. A wide central counter, manned by a prim-looking nun. And in the brimming light of the sun – all manner of racks and shelves, packed and spilling with books. What a sight. What asmell.

Tentatively, she went in, throwing a glance at the library-keeper. The old woman didn't so much as look at her though, and she inched ahead, standing in a maze of dust and crackling paper. Every section was marked and labeled, so it didn't take her long to find books on Dalen History.

Her parents had taught her and Rio to read some, and she managed to make out from one of the books that Dalen had once started out as a fishing village. Good luck and location turned it into a seaport town, and then into the stunning island city it was today. In another book, she found a page picturing a list of royal families, their faces yellow and styled. Another had a rough map of the city, but the mad lines and markings baffled her, and she eventually gave up.

Shutting the book, she took a look out the window, squinting against the glare. It seemed to be almost noon; she'd better go and get ready in case Rio was coming. She shelved the book back in place, hurrying down to her room to wash her face and give her hair another comb. She was still checking herself when she heard footsteps just outside her door.

"Hannah?" he called.

"I'm here," she answered, and the knob turned, her brother's light-haired head poking through.

"I hope you're hungry. We're going out to lunch."

"We are?"

"Ever since I came to Dalen, I've not eaten anything other than church or station food. I need the change and you need the scenery."

"Alright, that's fine. Rio?"

"Mmm?"

"I met Shelby this morning."

He gave an obvious jerk. "Shelby?"

"Sister Vicki told me you were good friends. So I went and introduced myself." She turned, blinking at him. "You don't mind, do you?"

"No. No, of course not."

"We didn't have long to talk, since she had to go and finish her work. But she seemed nice."

"She is."

"And she wants to see you. She said she hasn't seen you in quite a while."

"Well, I have been busy with training."

"Why don't we go see her now?"

"No, I'll do it later, after we get back."

Hannah lifted a brow.

"What?" her brother complained. "I'm hungry, and she'll be getting ready for lunch anyway. We might as well go dig up some of our own in the meantime."

"Where are we going?" she asked, as she followed him out into the hall.

"There's this place everyone at the station's been telling me about. It's called The Corona. It's a very popular street for food, and I've been wanting to go there."

She leaned closer, whispering in his ear, "What about money?"

"No need to worry about that."

"No need to worry? It can't be cheap to eat out."

"I've borrowed some for the month, alright? It'll help tide me over until I'm paid." He gave her an excited look. "Did I tell you how much I'll be getting?"

"No, you didn't."

"Three hundred as a start. Three hundred gold. And of course, if I'm promoted – "

"So what are you going to do with it?"

"Sorry?"

"Your money. What will you do with it?" She was getting a picture of him spending it all on food, or ugly shirts.

"I suppose I'll save it. Send some to you if you like."

"Thank you," she mumbled, as he pushed open the church doors. Light summer heat settled on them, smelling of raw garden and city metal. "But you don't need to do that."

Her brother blinked. "Why not?"

"I won't need it."

"I think I should give some to you, Hannah. It's the least I could do."

The least he could do? She didn't see it that way. She hadn't expected anything from him now that he was in Dalen. In her eyes, he was gone and she was alone.

Still, she was glad to be here, spending time with him and seeing the city. This morning, Dalen was proving even wilder and noisier than last night. The roads crawled with people and animals – officials on horseback, merchants and messengers, and ordinary people out for a walk. Inside their windows, shop workers did their trade, from bakers at the kilns to tailors unfurling yards of cloth. The village seemed far away in this great blur of life and noise.

"Excuse me," Rio called to a young boy. "Can you tell us where's the Corona?"

The little creature shrugged, indifferent. But Rio seemed to know what to do. He dug in his pouch, producing a few coins, and the boy took them without shame, cocking his thumb down an alleyway. They squeezed in between the twin rows of houses, under dripping pipes and hanging laundry.

When they came out, it was onto a much better scene – a ringed road of shophouses surrounding a pretty fountain statue overrun with lounging locals. A pair of noblewomen breezed past them, tall, powdered ladies in clicking heels and shimmering colors. Hannah gazed down at her own bland dress and sighed.

"This must be it," Rio declared, looking round. It seemed that every shop here was dedicated to the love of food, and that wasn't even counting the amount of pushcarts offering drinks and snacks.

"So which one?" Hannah asked him.

"I don't know, let's see. Fish. Fish and seafood. Special salmon. More fish …. "

"What did you expect?" Hannah replied. "We're surrounded by sea."

"I'm so sick of fish."

"Good morning, Sir!"

The pair looked up, surprised by the voice. Outside one shop was a young, exotic-looking girl, hair pinned up, with fine wisps hanging about a colored face. She wore a fitting wrap skirt and a low white blouse, which accidentally (or perhaps not) bloomed generously as she bowed.

Rio, naturally, tipped forward for the view, until Hannah pushed him, almost knocking him over.

"Would you like to try Jono's Jolly Joint?" the girl suggested.

Hannah noticed she had only addressed her brother. Curious, her brother stepped closer, checking the crude sign at the door:

'Welcome to Jono's Jolly Joint! We outcook anyone in Dalen. Try our specialty meats, our homemade pies, our seafood platters! You'll love our ales and ravishing servants, and dishes prepared by famous cooks!

So what are you waiting for? Forget the prices. Come in and get stuffed!'

"Get stuffed?" Hannah whispered to her brother. "Even I could do a better job than that."

"Shush."

"May I show you in, Sir?" The girl popped up close to them, giving them a start.

"Oh, um, do you have anything other than fish?"

"We have chicken."

"Now, that's more like it, isn't it, Hannah?" He turned back to the girl before he got any answer. "Lead on."

Hannah hovered for a moment, surprised. She hadn't really expected her brother would want to go in. She had underestimated the convincing power of a pretty face and a well-placed bodice. Reluctantly, she followed, entering a large warehousing space of rafters and wooden walls. The floor under their feet was raw stone, set with gritty cracks. Not anything like a restaurant at all.

Ten out of ten of the customers here were men – scruffy, hard-worn types, probably local workmen mostly. Many of them looked up as Hannah came in, only to turn away again in disappointment.

"Have a seat," the girl told them, and they took their places at a table near the wall. "Do you know what you'd like to have?"

"Anything with chicken."

"And to drink?"

"I'll try your ale."

"And for you?" She turned, looking at Hannah for the the first time.

"The same. But water, please."

"Got it. If you think you need anything else, do call for me now. That's Ginia, by the way." And with a wink to her brother, she took off, passing the order to the kitchen.

"I can't believe you chose to come in here," Hannah hissed to her brother.

"Oh, give it a chance. The food might be good."

"The food? Oh, that's right. That's what brings all these dirty old men in here."

"Dirty old men have to eat too."

"I'm the only girl here."

"Other than the waitresses." He paused, taking a second look at the pretty servers. "They all look young. Maybe my age."

"Why, Rio. Is that the real reason you chose to come to Dalen?"

"What?"

"A wider choice of potential brides?"

He made a tight-lipped face. "I have other things to focus on."

"Well, when the time comes. How long do we have before you have to get back?"

"An hour. Less by now, I suppose."

"And then you'll be taken up for the whole day?"

"Sometimes, we're let off after dinnertime for another hour or so, but sometimes they make us do duties."

"Like at the church."

He nodded. "Mostly cleaning and supply checks."

"What about your training? What do they make you do?"

"Most of the time, we're on the pell."

"The what?"

"It's a stake they place in the ground, one man high. We pretend it's an enemy to practise attacks and stances."

"So you spend your days fighting a stick?"

"Well, of course we can't do anything exciting yet," he answered pointedly. "But the Captain said we can start real sparring with each other after about a month."

"And how do you find the other boys?"

"Men," he couldn't help correcting her. "They're alright. Still don't know most of them very well, but I've made some friends."

"That's good. Are you the youngest among everybody?"

"There are a few others my age."

"From out of Dalen?"

"No … usually the outsiders are older."

"That only makes sense. But you're not one to wait, are you?"

"I don't see why I should wait to learn. Isn't it the earlier, the better?"

She didn't say what she really thought to that, which was he never would have gone had their Ma or Da still been around. They would