Temple of the Winds

"Red moon," Zedd whispered in realization. "The last I'd heard, the Confessors had secured a pledge from the Nangtong that they would no longer sacrifice people. I was never sure if they held to their promise. Just the same, people stayed away.

"The red moon must have frightened them, made them think the spirit world was angry. That's probably why we're to be sacrificed: to placate the angry spirits."

Ann squirmed uncomfortably in the mud beside him. She gave Zedd a murderous look.

"I only pray that Nathan's situation is worse than ours." "What was it you said," Zedd asked absently, "about mucking about with a crazy man?"

CHAPTER 39

What do you think?" Clarissa asked.

She turned a little one way and then the other, trying to mimic a natural stance while feeling anything but natural. She wasn't sure what to do with her hands, so she clasped them behind her back.

Nathan was lounging in a chair as splendid as any she had ever seen, its padded seat and back covered with striped tan and gold fabric. His left leg was draped casually over one of the chair's ornately carved arms as he slouched with his elbow propped on the chair's other arm. His chin rested thoughtfully in the heel of his hand. His sword's finely crafted silver scabbard hung down, so that its point touched the floor in front of the chair.

Nathan smiled that smile he had that said he was sincerely pleased. "My dear, I think you look lovely."

"Really? You're not just saying that? You really like it? I don't look. . silly?" He chuckled. "No, most definitely not silly. Ravishing, perhaps." "But I feel…I don't know. . presumptuous. I've never even seen clothes so fine, much less tried them on." He shrugged. "Then it's about time you did."

The dressmaker, a thin, neat man with only a wisp of long gray hair covering the bald expanse atop his head, returned through the curtained doorway. He gripped each end of the tape measure draped around his neck, seesawing it nervously back and forth.

"Madam finds the dress acceptable?"

Clarissa remembered how Nathan had instructed her to conduct herself. She smoothed the rich blue satin at her hips. "It's not the best fit-"

The dressmaker's tongue darted out to wet his lips. "Well, madam, had I known you were to grace my shop, or if you had sent the measurements on ahead, I would certainly have made the appropriate alterations." He glanced to Nathan. His tongue darted out again. "Be assured, madam, I can make any necessary minor adjustments."

The man bowed to Nathan. "My lord, what think you? I mean, if it were altered to suit you."

Nathan folded his arms as he studied Clarissa the way a sculptor studied a work in progress. He squinted as he considered, rolled his tongue around inside his cheek, and made little sounds in his throat as if unable to decide. The dressmaker twiddled with the end of his tape measure "Like madam says, it fits a little sloppily at the waist."

"Sir, have no fear." The dressmaker whisked around behind her, tugging sharply at the material. "See here? I have but to take a dart or two. Madam is graced with an exquisite figure. I rarely have ladies so fine of form. but I can have the dress altered in a matter of hours. I would be most honored to do the work this very night and have it delivered to you at-at-where would you be staying, my lord?"

Nathan flicked a hand. "I've yet to seek accommodations. Any place you could recommend with confidence?"

The dressmaker bowed again. "The Briar House would be the finest inn in Tanimura, my lord. If you wish. I'd gladly have my assistant run over there and make arrangements for you and. . madam."

Nathan straightened himself in the chair and fingered a gold coin from his pocket. He flipped the coin to the man, followed by a second, and then a third.

"Yes, thank you, that would be very kind of you." Nathan frowned in thought, and then tossed the man another gold coin. "It's late, but I'm sure you could convince them to keep their dining room open until we arrive. We've been on the road all day and could use a decent meal." He shook a finger at the man. "Their best rooms, mind you. I'll not have them sticking me in some cramped little sty."

"I assure you, my lord, the Briar House has no room that could remotely be considered a sty, even by one such as yourself. And how long shall I have my assistant tell them you will be staying at their establishment?"

Nathan stroked the ruffles on the front of his shirt. "Until Emperor Jagang requires me, of course."

"Of course, sir. And would you like the dress, my lord?" Nathan hooked a thumb in the little pocket in the front of his green vest. letting his hand hang. "It will have to do for common wear. What do you have that would be more elegant?"

The dressmaker smiled and bowed. 'Let me bring some others for your approval, and madam can try on the ones you fancy."