Sunlight had turned orange and gilded the trees that half-covered the façade of the Barresh Exchange. The heaving mass of Pengali revellers had left for Far Atok and once again, the square lay deserted. For the first time in over three hundred years, no Mirani soldiers stood sentry at the airport.
Jessica sat on a bench under a tree, reluctant to go back to Councillor Semisu’s house, reluctant to mingle with the crowd. She felt sick and dead tired, like she could sleep all day. Recover from all the emotions of the past few days and prepare to start studying for the Union citizenship.
A rustle of cloth sounded next to her.
Without a word, Daya came out from behind a tree and sat down on the bench. He sighed and sat in silence for a while longer. Finally, he said, “You’ve been busy.”
Tha
