Ruby Ruins

a disguise for a husband who’d prefer spending his time in the company of other men. Despite that, the pair had grown a friendship in the wake of Ust’s attack and the death of Miguil’s lover, Pharon.
“Such a tragedy,” Deffona said, tracing the prism before her.
“Dualayn hasn’t left her side,” Ōbhin said as he led the two visitors up the porch to the new set of double doors, replacements for the old destroyed by Ust. They were carved with the seven gems forming a circle. Topaz took the top spot, the only gem bisected by the gaps in the doors. “He sleeps in there. Won’t let anyone inside. He hardly even eats. Most of his meals are left untouched.”
“He does emerge sometimes to eat, though?” Charlis asked as Ōbhin opened the door. Its hinges made hardly a whisper.
“He does.”
They stepped into the cooler interior. The high ceilings helped to diminish the summer’s growing heat along with curtains soaked in water before open windows. Ōbhin’s small room, at the western end of the house, sweltered by day’s end. Their steps echoed on the polished marble floor. The door to the lab was shut firm, a sign hanging out front asking for no disturbances. A tray of food, covered in linen, lay untouched on a small table beside it.
“Perhaps he’ll emerge,” said Charlis. “It is of rather pressing importance I speak with him.”
“What exactly is this bill?” Ōbhin asked, then flushed. “My apologies for prying, your eminence.”
“Oh, no, it’s fine. The king is talking war with Roidan to seize all the gem mines in the Border Fangs. With the growing jewelchine revolution, the value of those mines climbs by the day. King Anglon is blinded by Black greed.”
“It’s behind the increased taxes,” Deffona said. “Or so the refractor says.”
Charlis nodded, his face somber. “Politics is no place for a servant of Elohm, and I am afraid some of His refractors and priests who’ve been appointed to the House of the Clergy are servants of coin. I chastise them, but bribes are flowing.”
“It’s so infuriating,” Deffona huffed. “People are suffering. My order’s hospital is groaning with those wounded in the riots. And there’s sickness, too. The brown waters broke out in the Tethyr District.”
Ōbhin winced at the news of the abdominal disease.
“Our new high refractor preaches peace, but the Greens and Whites swell the city.” Charlis sighed. “And some idiot’s started a rumor about a long-lost Briflon heir who will return and set things right.” The priest rolled his eyes. “As if the three Briflon brothers hadn’t exterminated their family fighting over who’d be king. It’s just the sort of nonsense that scared people believe. They’re ripe for a savior to swoop in and right all the wrongs. Kash is a ruby jewelchine dropped into a kettle. Soon, the steam will be hissing and there’ll be another riot against our ‘impostor’ king.”
“Is there any hope for peace?” Ōbhin asked.
“Some,” Charlis said. “If I can get the support in Parliament. King Anglon and his queen are spending coin like a fool in a whorehouse.”
“Refractor Charlis!” Deffona gasped.
He waved a hand. “I grew up in the Mud Strip, girl. The things I heard would make you blush.” Then the priest took a seat on a chair placed for those waiting on word of their loved ones being cared for inside. “If I’m lucky, Dualayn will emerge, and I can talk with him.”
Deffona glanced at Ōbhin. Her eyes took on a studious look. “I’m not sure I can stand to just do nothing. Would you kindly show me the grounds? I have never been here.”
“Never?”
She shook her head. “Young acolytes are rarely allowed to leave the convent, and once I’d taken my vows, I was put to work in the hospital.” She smiled. “Avena’s visits were always a delight, even if the eldest daughter would scold me later for shirking my duties.”
“Hard woman, her,” muttered Charlis. “She was more like you when she was younger. Bright and cheerful.”
“You knew the eldest when she was my age?” Deffona asked, blinking in some surprise. “And she wasn’t the antithesis of fun?”
“Now, daughter, that’s a bit harsh,” said Charlis. The refractor leaned back in the chair. “She only ever wanted you to excel. I imagine she thinks of you as her real daughter.”
Deffona blanched. “I’d hope my real mother would have treated me better.”
Ōbhin shook his head. “I’m missing a piece or two of information.”
“I was left on the hospital’s doorstep as a babe,” said Deffona. “Eldest Daughter Anglia didn’t even join the hospital until I was nearly three or four. She had me spanked for the first time and had words with the other daughters about being too permissible with me.”
Charlis made a surprised sound. “I knew her when she worked as Refractor Messian’s secretary. He was my predecessor. I took his place, oh, twenty or so years ago when he decided the calling of a simple priest at a village church suited him. I selected my own secretary. Anglia spent some time in contemplation in a rural convent before she found a new away to serve Elohm. She was such a bright and friendly young woman. Messian adored her, you know.” He flashed Deffona a smile. “She brought a certain brightness to the room.”
“Wearing yellow does that,” Deffona said. “We positively reflect light. Why, I imagine, give me a single jewelchine lamp, stick me atop the Gray Pillar, and I would reflect enough brilliance to light up the city.”
“The imagination you have, daughter.”
“And the patience to indulge in it.” Deffona flashed Ōbhin a smile, her eyebrows arching in expectation.
After a moment he groaned, “Right, you’re a Daughter of Patience.”
“Hmm, Avena says you have quicker wit than that.” Deffona glanced at the closed laboratory doors, the excitement in her face vanishing. “Refractor, may I walk the