Shield's Lady

about the missing prisma cutter and the hired Shield, too.
    But she couldn’t betray the Avylyns’ confidence. They were frantic about getting the cutter back. They were also adamant that no one outside the immediate family know the scandalous truth. The hiring of Gryph Chassyn and the reason why were to remain dark secrets within the household.
    “You don’t know how good it is to see you today, Etion. It’s been the usual madhouse at the Avylyns for the past few days, especially with the annual costume ball coming up soon. I had no idea of the enormity of the event when I agreed to budget for it.”
    “I warned you. Nobody here entertains in a casual fashion. I suppose Lady Avylyn wants to spend three times as much as you have allowed?”
    “At least. Etion, nobody in that family has any concept of economy or financial prudence. It’s a wonder the Clan has survived this long.”
    Etion grinned cheerfully, his handsome face crinkling into fine lines at the corners of his eyes. Rakken was several years older than Sariana. There was a touch of distinguished gray in his red hair. He had been one of the first people from the eastern continent to make the trip across the ocean when contact had been reestablished between the two groups of colonists. He had arrived nearly five years earlier and had stayed.
    Rakken’s prowess in banking and his sophisticated business education had given him a strong edge over the local competition, most of whom had only a primitive concept of economics and finance. There had been no business clans on board The Serendipity. The descendants of those first colonists had been improvising ever since. Rakken was making a lot of money showing the locals how the banking game was played by professionals.
    “Are you going to hold me responsible after all for getting you into that situation?” Etion asked humorously.
    Sariana flashed him a quick, laughing smile. “Are you kidding? I may complain from time to time, but you know perfectly well I’m grateful to you. If I manage to rescue the Avylyns a lot of things could change in my life.”
    The amusement in Etion’s eyes faded and a bitterness that was usually well-concealed briefly took its place. He took a long swallow from his mug. “You still think that if you prove yourself here you’ll be able to go home to Rendezvous and take your place among the rest of your Clan as if nothing had ever happened? You think the folks back home will accept success here in the benighted western provinces as real success? Don’t set yourself up for a fall, Sariana. Don’t feed yourself a lot of false hopes.”
    She poured the tea with a steady hand, refusing to let Etion’s warnings get to her. “I’ve decided to reapply to the academy, Etion.”
    “Nobody gets a second chance at the Academy of Business,” Etion said very softly. “No matter how well he does once he’s left Rendezvous. As far as the academy is concerned, failure to matriculate directly out of the university levels means it’s all over for you. Remember that, Sariana. Accept the fact that you’re here in Serendipity for good and learn to live your life as if this was home. Stop dreaming.”
    “My dreams are all that keep me from going crazy at times, Etion.” Sariana sipped her tea and gazed out across the square. “My dreams and your friendship.” Determined to change the subject, she indicated one small building across the street. “I think I know where the pastry chef got her ideas for decorating these little cakes. Look at that shop over there. Doesn’t the trim on the windows and roof look exactly like the trim on these cakes?”
    Etion hesitated and then gave up the lecture he had tried to deliver. His mouth curved as he followed her glance but his eyes were bleak. “You’re right. The chef probably looked out the window this morning when she was getting ready to decorate the cakes. Any westerner will tell you that artistic inspiration can come from any source.”
    Sariana’s gaze moved consideringly over the other buildings in the square. “I’ll have to admit that the local architecture was somewhat startling at first, but I think I’m almost getting used to it. There is a certain experimental zest to the local buildings and the design of towns. Oh, most of the time it looks overdone,” she added quickly. “Too much ornamentation. Too many flowing staircases, too many overwrought facades, too many grand galleries and gardens. But lately I’ve decided