the city to the other. Tali’s father said the
traffic never stopped, even in the middle of the night.
The wealthiest merchant houses sat closest to the water, but all the buildings, even the humble ones, seemed brushed with gold. Tali knew that it was just a trick of the afternoon sun, but still
she found the effect almost magical. While each building in the city seemed made of the same golden stone, every door was painted a distinctively bright color, with detailed designs of animals and
fish. The most elaborate buildings had painted wooden balconies that jutted out from second- and third-floor rooms. Black scrollwork accentuated arched windows, where multicolored flowers spilled
from hanging baskets.
When the ferry pulled up along the wharf, Zarif rose quickly, eager to set his feet on solid ground. Although Tali had felt pleasantly at home crossing the water, she was eager to see Nel and
did not wish to linger. She tapped Chey on the shoulder to wake him from his reverie, and the three debarked, ready to explore. The ferryman warned them of the last departure time back to the
Alcazar, and they headed off toward the large bell tower in the center of the market.
As they jostled their way through the crowded, noisy streets, Tali sometimes stopped to point out various wares and trinkets displayed in the makeshift booths along the way. Though Zarif had
seen city markets before, he had never been to Porto Sol, which Tali knew boasted far and away the biggest market in the realm, including Fugaza’s. Chey, who had never set foot in a town
bigger than Zipa, seemed entranced, as if trying to swallow everything he saw.
“Fresh catfish here!” a strong-smelling fishmonger shouted in their ears, startling Zarif and Chey, who hadn’t seen him coming. Tali stifled a laugh as she put her palm up and
dropped her eyes, politely declining the offer. The fishmonger nodded and began pitching his morning’s catch to other market shoppers.
And how many shoppers there were! Throngs of people, mostly Sun Guilders, weaved through the tight city streets, dressed to prove their successful season in trade. Tali had not bothered much
with her own appearance beyond bathing, and suddenly she felt plain as an Earth Guilder in her dull pledge uniform. Besides the loud fishmonger, most of the traders all but ignored her and her
friends, saving their vocal enticements for the more richly dressed Moon and Sun Guilders among the crowd. It was the first time Tali had ever felt so invisible, and she wondered if this was how
Earth Guilders felt each time they left their farms and mines.
She looked over at Zarif and Chey to see if they too felt ignored, but their faces betrayed nothing but the pleasure of discovery. Tali followed their eyes and saw them staring in delight not
only at the architecture and bounty of goods for sale, but also at the throngs of people around them. In truth, it was hard
not
to look at the people, she supposed. Her fellow Sun Guilders
liked to be looked at, especially the merchants of Porto Sol, who prided themselves on their sense of style.
The women wore skirts that fell below their knees, flowing with layers of hand-dyed fabrics and embroidered pictures of the goods the family sold. Garlands of beads and chimes adorned their
waists and hems, filling the air with music as they swished by. The men’s attire, while less elaborate, still boasted colorful vests, handwoven scarves, and hats that featured geometric
patterns around the wide brims.
Young children playing rough and tumble games in the city’s green spaces wore patchwork pants and tunics made of bright fabric left over from their parents’ more sophisticated
garments. Braids laced with bells and flowers provided the only clue as to whether a child was boy or girl. In comparison, the few Moon Guilders about seemed like pale-robed spirit people walking
amid the river of colors. The Earth Guilders, even less represented in the market, nearly
traffic never stopped, even in the middle of the night.
The wealthiest merchant houses sat closest to the water, but all the buildings, even the humble ones, seemed brushed with gold. Tali knew that it was just a trick of the afternoon sun, but still
she found the effect almost magical. While each building in the city seemed made of the same golden stone, every door was painted a distinctively bright color, with detailed designs of animals and
fish. The most elaborate buildings had painted wooden balconies that jutted out from second- and third-floor rooms. Black scrollwork accentuated arched windows, where multicolored flowers spilled
from hanging baskets.
When the ferry pulled up along the wharf, Zarif rose quickly, eager to set his feet on solid ground. Although Tali had felt pleasantly at home crossing the water, she was eager to see Nel and
did not wish to linger. She tapped Chey on the shoulder to wake him from his reverie, and the three debarked, ready to explore. The ferryman warned them of the last departure time back to the
Alcazar, and they headed off toward the large bell tower in the center of the market.
As they jostled their way through the crowded, noisy streets, Tali sometimes stopped to point out various wares and trinkets displayed in the makeshift booths along the way. Though Zarif had
seen city markets before, he had never been to Porto Sol, which Tali knew boasted far and away the biggest market in the realm, including Fugaza’s. Chey, who had never set foot in a town
bigger than Zipa, seemed entranced, as if trying to swallow everything he saw.
“Fresh catfish here!” a strong-smelling fishmonger shouted in their ears, startling Zarif and Chey, who hadn’t seen him coming. Tali stifled a laugh as she put her palm up and
dropped her eyes, politely declining the offer. The fishmonger nodded and began pitching his morning’s catch to other market shoppers.
And how many shoppers there were! Throngs of people, mostly Sun Guilders, weaved through the tight city streets, dressed to prove their successful season in trade. Tali had not bothered much
with her own appearance beyond bathing, and suddenly she felt plain as an Earth Guilder in her dull pledge uniform. Besides the loud fishmonger, most of the traders all but ignored her and her
friends, saving their vocal enticements for the more richly dressed Moon and Sun Guilders among the crowd. It was the first time Tali had ever felt so invisible, and she wondered if this was how
Earth Guilders felt each time they left their farms and mines.
She looked over at Zarif and Chey to see if they too felt ignored, but their faces betrayed nothing but the pleasure of discovery. Tali followed their eyes and saw them staring in delight not
only at the architecture and bounty of goods for sale, but also at the throngs of people around them. In truth, it was hard
not
to look at the people, she supposed. Her fellow Sun Guilders
liked to be looked at, especially the merchants of Porto Sol, who prided themselves on their sense of style.
The women wore skirts that fell below their knees, flowing with layers of hand-dyed fabrics and embroidered pictures of the goods the family sold. Garlands of beads and chimes adorned their
waists and hems, filling the air with music as they swished by. The men’s attire, while less elaborate, still boasted colorful vests, handwoven scarves, and hats that featured geometric
patterns around the wide brims.
Young children playing rough and tumble games in the city’s green spaces wore patchwork pants and tunics made of bright fabric left over from their parents’ more sophisticated
garments. Braids laced with bells and flowers provided the only clue as to whether a child was boy or girl. In comparison, the few Moon Guilders about seemed like pale-robed spirit people walking
amid the river of colors. The Earth Guilders, even less represented in the market, nearly
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