The Cloud of Darkness (The Ingenairii Series Book 11) by Jeffrey Quyle Page B

stool to begin to examine Kecil with a clinical eye.  Kecil stood nervously as the woman circled her with slow steps, her eyes rising and falling to examine the girl’s figure, face, hair.  Her hands reached out to inspect Kecil and her shapeless woolen robe, lifting and pinching, and tugging, in an inspection that lasted during three slowly-stepped revolutions around Kecil.
    “She’s a beautiful girl; there’s so much we can do for her,” the dressmaker finally said, as she stood in front of Kecil, her chin resting thoughtfully in her hand.
    “We’d like something nice for today; we’re getting married this afternoon,” Alec blurted out, feeling nearly as nervous as Kecil as he watched the relentless evaluation proceed.  He thought Kecil was an attractive girl, and he remembered from his days as a father of young girls that dresses and appearances could be critical elements of life.
    “You’re a bit old for her, aren’t you?” the woman asked, her eyes shifting from Kecil so that she studied Alec’s face.
    “My appearance doesn’t tell my age,” he replied, annoyed once again by the implication that he was a lecherous older man.
    “I think it’s your eyes,” the vendor decided.  “They look like they’ve seen a lot.”
    “But as for the matter at hand, I can’t possibly do this girl justice for an afternoon wedding; could you delay the ceremony for a day or two?” she asked.
    “No,” Alec said.  “Just let us take a look at some of the dresses you already have sewn,” he motioned to the line across the back of the booth, where a dozen dresses hung on display.
    “Those aren’t meant to be worn; they’re just samples of what I can do,” the woman explained sharply.
    “But they’re so beautiful!” Kecil spoke up at last.  “I love the purple one,” she pointed towards a flowery print.
    “That would look good on you,” the vendor said reflectively, looking from the dress to Kecil to the dress.  “You’ve got a good eye,” she commented.  “But for a wedding, you know, it’s not a lucky color.
    “How about this green dress?” she asked, seeming to concede that Kecil would wear one of the display dresses.
    “That’s a lovely dress too,” Kecil agreed.
    “We need to find someplace where you can try it on,” the vendor said.  “I’m sure it will need some alterations.”
    “It would be quickest if she tried it on here,” Alec suggested.
    “And do you want your bride to have no modesty at all, sir?” the woman asked with a mixture of scorn and shock.
    “We have a special trick,” Alec smiled.  He liked the dressmaker; she was willing to do the right thing, and she wanted to do it because it was right.  He didn’t mind sharing a small demonstration of his secrets with her.  He focused on the Light energy, and created a small box of invisible space, suitable for a dressing room, then spoke to Kecil.
    “Dear,” he said, looking at her with a significant glance to make sure she realized he was addressing her, “if you take the green dress, and then step into the corner of the booth over there, no one will see you change,” he directed.
    Kecil needed only a moment to understand what he was implying.  “You mean?” she asked, and when he nodded, she stepped forward and unhooked the dress, then stepped to her right, and disappeared from view.
    “Great God of Lavan!” the woman said loudly, drawing stares from others in the market.
    “I can make a space of invisibility,” Alec explained, stepping close to her, placing a hand on her shoulder to steady her as he spoke in a low voice.  “She’s there right now changing clothes.  We’ll see her step out in just a second,” he explained.  “But we can’t see her, nor can anyone else.”
    “Are you ready yet, Kecil?” he called.
    “I can’t reach the buttons in the back,” she replied.
    “We,” the seamstress hesitantly replied, “we’ll take care of that.  Just come out, if you’re