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Sereneco Hall


“Catie discovered this in the builder’s notes,” Anthora said. As the pilot who held the route, she was driving the jitney, and at a pace that might have made Hazenthull think twice.

“Ren Zel unsealed it. Catie, Theo, and I toured. Seeing that it would do very well, indeed, Catie and I took it upon ourselves to make the area seemly. There is still more to do, but I think you will agree that it is an extremely nice space.”

He looked at the side of her face.

“Another arcade has been opened? Are we expecting a third wave?”

“One gathers that the waves have done their work. What remains to us now is an influx of experts. This, however, is something else.”

The hall broke into a T, and she swung the jitney to the right with a will, speed unchecked despite the large doors directly ahead of them.

The doors opened, the jitney dashed through, and stopped before—

A garden.

It was three times the size of the garden plot in the Spinward Arcade. A small red bridge arched charmingly over a pool of water. Flowers bloomed along tiny, artful hills over which a stone path meandered.

The birds—his birds—shot forward, danced an aerial jig over the bridge, and dashed over the largest of the hillocks.

Jen Sin sighed.

“I had hoped you would like it,” Anthora said from beside him.

“I like it very much. You have produced art and comfort, Cousin. I feel that it will become a favorite with me.”

“Excellent.”

She swung out of the jitney, and strode toward the garden.

“Come along, Cousin Jen Sin, do not dawdle! If you are to return Clarence to Theo’s tender care this day, we must be light on our feet!”


He paused at the top of the tallest small hill, staring down into a small greensward surrounding—

“A Tree?”

“We brought a seedling in stasis—did Ren Zel not tell you?”

“He did, but he did not tell me that you intended to plant it.”

“And nor did I. Then we discovered that the architect had built a residential court for the station master and such others as he might like to have near him.

“Catie will give you the details, and you will have to come back later to tour the residence. However, allow me to assure you that it is everything that is convenient, including direct high-speed tube access to the central tower.”

“I had no notion,” he murmured.

“And now you do!” Anthora said gaily. “One moment, I beg you—that planting over there looks a bit parched…”

She was gone. Jen Sin sank down onto his heels, crossing his arms over his knees and putting his chin on them.

The green bird fluttered down to land on his shoulder.

“Jen Sin? Are you displeased?” Catie asked.

He stirred.

“Not at all. Somewhat overwhelmed, perhaps. One’s cousin is a force of nature herself. Also, I had been accustomed to thinking that I would not be staying very long.”

“You had told me that you were going to leave.”

“So I had. Would you mind dreadfully, if I did not leave?”

“I would like it if you stayed. But—do you not want to fly? Joyita thought you would wish it, above all else.”

“Not—all else,” he said, gingerly testing the expanded boundaries of himself. “Indeed, I foresee that I may wish to fly—and that I would wish to come home. Here.”

“Will you teach me?”

“Teach you what, I wonder?”

“To fly. Joyita is a pilot.”

“So he is. I am not in principle opposed to teaching you to fly. Though I warn you the math will be very different from what you are accustomed to.”

“I can learn new math,” Catie said haughtily.

He laughed and came to his feet.

“I make no doubt. For now, here comes Anthora. I am about to be swept off to duty again.”

The green bird launched itself from his shoulder, spiraling upward to join the others.

Jen Sin walked down the hill to join his cousin Anthora at the jitney.


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Framed