Page 73 of Fumiko and the Finicky Nestmate
“All comings and goings are strictly controlled.”
“Barriers keep us safe from every direction.”
Juuyu hummed. “Thus far, I have found a reference to three different reavers, and each appears to have fathered a child with Fumiko. How does she meet these men?”
“They send them. It’s in the contract.”
“What contract?”
“We are kept secret and kept safe, and in exchange, Sister gives the reavers children.”
Juuyu tried to hide his anger. “How many?”
“All of them.” Zuzu sidled around to face Juuyu, clearly puzzled by his response. “Sister’s children are always strong. This pleases the reavers.”
“How many times …?” He was too upset to finish his own sentence and hissed.
“The contract is for one child per century.”
“And she accepts this? Do they give her any choice?”
Zuzu giggled. “Our interns are always females. We know when it is time for a child because they send a group of males. Sister chooses a favorite.”
“I see,” he said stiffly.
Zuzu touched the photographs he held, smiling softly. “Look closer, Juuyu. Look at my sister. Once a century, Fumiko is allowed to be happy for a little while. Or longer. Some stayed, and we had nice big families. We’re a dynasty, you know.”
“I was unaware.” Juuyu grappled with a sense of injustice, but calmly replied, “All the more reason to set her house in order.”
“Will you let me help?”
Juuyu warbled softly. “I will be relying on you.”
“I know!” Zuzu vanished. Moments later, she was back and pushing a small sheaf of papers into his hands. “You will need these.”
They were portraits—pencil, charcoal, ink—on aged paper. Each depicted a smiling child of about ten years. There were names, but not in English. Three languages were represented, and he couldn’t fathom the additional notations.
Half Marrow, gold as honey mead
7th of Honeysuckle, low and heavy
Tinder and 18, biting night, stars bright
Fullness of Maiden, auspicious pink
“Do you recall the year each of these were done?”
“Hmm?” Zuzu nodded and shook her head. “The dates are right there. Before the reavers came, we used the moons. A lone wolf taught us. We could not have survived without her protection.”
Details like this enriched a chronicle. Excitement stirred, and Juuyu made up his mind. One drawer per century. He asked, “Who brokered the contract?”
“Linlu Dimityblest, on behalf of Glint Starmark.”
Juuyu blinked. “So there will be a record.”
“We’re a dynasty,” she repeated softly. “Our children were so good.”
“What name was given to the dynasty?”
