Weaving & Woe

By Sara Tiger Ryan

Breck, Sazzy's warrior mage friend, hires Miss Kitty's to draw /no\ ghosts as a way to discover what is really plaguing her aunt and uncle's weaving factory before Clackers' Weavers has to close their doors.
Because nothing is going right, things are disappearing, and even their long-time workers are starting to quit.
Death shrouds are woven with spells against decomposition and odor. Three main funeral parlors put in big orders at once, leaving Clackers Weavers working overtime to get them done.
Or they would be getting them done if their tools weren't going missing and their work wasn't being unraveled after they go home for the night.
Some of the weavers are sure it's a jinx, some assume it's just Gaudy Fates pranksters. Matron Clacker is certain it is a horde of angry ghosts. So she insists her warrior mage niece, Breck, come take care of the problem.
Breck has no talent to see ghosts, besides she doesn't believe there are any. She is sure it is all her aunt's imagination—as usual.
But to appease her aunt, Breck hires Miss Kitty's and coaxes Sazzy to the factory to draw no ghosts and prove her aunt wrong. And to find the real vandals before her aunt and uncle's business is destroyed.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Sara Tiger Ryan
• Release date: May 19, 2022
• ISBN: 9781005682132

Sara Tiger Ryan

Sara Tiger Ryan was born in New Hampshire. She now lives in Florida with her 2 cats. Make that minus one charming boy cat, add in a Mama cat who brought me 5 kittens--all of them adorable! Sara started writing novels in 1973 in high school study hall and hasn't stopped (for long) yet. She started out writing fantasy and added mystery. She also writes metaphysical non-fiction. Ryan was active in the small press in the mid 90's, and had her own 'zine, Star Triad.

Book preview

Weaving

&

Woe

Miss Kitty Mystery 18

Sara Tiger Ryan

All characters herein are entirely fictional.

Author's Note:

Herm is short for hermaprodite.

All the work herein is copyright Sara Tiger Ryan, Tiger Moon Press. Smashwords/ Draft2Digital Ebook Edition, May 2022.

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you're reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to your favorite ebook retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting this author's work.

Table Of Contents

01 Clacking Weaving Ghosts

02 A Nasty Premonition

03 Not Really

04 Missing Person

05 One Penny Wizard Solved

06 See-Me-Not Charms

07 Byo Benjerel

08 Another Fine Story

09 Oh No!

10 Excavations Pending

11 A Midnight Intruder

12 Ghosts & Bones

13 Kline’s Corner Books & Tea

14 Dusty: Angry Doesn’t Cover It

15 A Groggy Day

16 A Scrap of Clue

17 Seeking Death Shrouds

Appendices

About Sara

Other Books by Sara

All My Miss Kitty Mysteries

Next Miss Kitty Mystery 19: Dragons & Danger, chapter 1

Chapter 1

Clacking Weaving Ghosts

Spale Year of 1899

Sidewise Fates Season 1

Sidewise Fates Entire 1

SkittersDelightday

City of Vantage, Conyor Ness

My aunt and uncle are driving me to distraction!" Breck complained, as Sazzy started by the warrior mage’s booth with a wave for her warrior mage friend.

Instead of continuing through Magic Market on her way back to the office, Sazzy leaned on Breck’s counter. As usual, her warrior mage friend wore her long sandy-brown hair in a neat coronet, but there were dark circles under Breck’s eyes that weren’t normally there.

More than usual? Sazzy asked, when Breck didn’t just continue.

Breck rolled her eyes. Now they are imagining a whole horde of ghosts in their shop. The head weaver thinks it’s early Gaudy Fates pranksters. Whatever; the goings on scared one of their workers into quitting.

A red, yellow, and green leaf fluttered down from the nearby petticoat tree and landed in front of her on the counter. Sazzy picked up the leaf and twirled it between her fingers, while Breck continued, It doesn’t help that they have a big order of death shrouds, and it is Dark Motley Moon.

Death shrouds? Sazzy echoed with an inner grimace. I didn’t think anyone used those any more.

The Fains, the Prites, the country towns. The Averios. Undertakers use them for storing bodies.

Storing bodies?

The ones that their people want to bury, but can’t in the winter because the ground is too frozen. They wrap them in a death shroud to keep the body from decomposing too fast—meaning before spring.

Did I want to know this?

Breck laughed. Sorry, I was just there. Your friend Gedrey is now doing the work of three people. He thinks it’s sabotage, but he hasn’t been able to catch anyone at it. Breck paused, looked away and back. I was hoping you or Dusty could take a look. Tonight. She paused again. I’ve called our third level spiritspeaker down on the wild change it is ghosts, but she is up north at Winged Cat Estate clearing some ghosts for them right now, and likely to be there another fortnight or so. Never mind that I’ve called her down a couple times before and she found nothing. If you come by, at least it will look as if I’m doing something.

I’ll ask Dusty when he’s free. Low Town by the old tannery, where Clackers Weavers was located, was no where she wanted to walk alone—especially at night. If she went, she wanted her private spy partner with her. The whole area around where the tannery used to be gave her the heebie-jeebies even hurrying through in the day time with an escort.

I’ll come by your place on my way home, then, Breck said, if you don’t mind. If you two don’t have tonight free, I have tomorrow night, too. The next night I have to teach a class.

I’ll ask Dusty, she repeated. He and Saffie might have plans. She hoped so. Besides, her partner usually did lately, since Saffie expected his handfasted to come home to him each night.

~~

Later, back at Miss Kitty’s Private Spy Agency at Five Whippet Street West, when she asked Dusty, he gazed at her oddly a moment, before saying, We’re having your fateday party tonight. You were supposed to invite Breck on your way back from inviting Cady.

Oh. Right. Oops. Breck had something she had to do tonight. I forgot.

Old age is setting in already? Dusty teased.

She made a face. In her actual time line, she would be what? Twenty-two. But, as a child, she’d spent enough time out of her own time with her Cousins, then in the late 1430’s being Cousin C’s secretary in his private spy business, and a delicious season or two with Kimeriel Magictouch, so she was really Cousin age. Meaning both older and younger and age unknown.

Saffie reserved a dining room at the Sapphire Inn for us and invited everyone, so go put on one of your flashy, fate-changed gowns. You’re going to be competing with the full contingent of Pretty Babes.

Sazzy made another face. The Pretty Babes were the town’s group of cross-dressers...of which she was now an honorary member.

Her life had certainly turned strange since starting the private spy business with Dusty three years ago. Which made her think. We have our business anniversary coming up soon, we ought to celebrate that, too.

I’ll put Saffie on the job, he seems to like organizing things like that.

He seems to like organizing, to me. He’s been trying to whip Tristan and the Cousin Rag operation into shape...with not much luck—and no help from Tris.

Tris just likes to complain. Never mind, let’s wait and have a fifth year anniversary party, it sounds better. He stood. Tell Breck we can go by tomorrow. Does it have to be at night? Go invite her to your party, anyway, so she won’t feel slighted. We can talk about it more then.

Oh, it was in two nights she had something to do. Sazzy checked the water clock in her office. I’d better hurry. I’ll be back. She paused and noted what Dusty wore.

Dusty answered her look with, I’m headed home to dress spiffy and to get Saffie’s carriage out of the rental bay so we can arrive at the inn in style—and dry, since it’s been raining every night lately. I’ll walk with you as far as Sidewise Market.

~~

When Sazzy arrived in Magic Market, Breck was gone and Warrior Mage TalentCatcher tended the warrior mages’ booth. Catcher waved hello and pointed to the other side of the market.

Breck, headed out, had nearly reached the street. Sazzy hurried after her.

Catcher loosed a calling whistle that caused Breck to stop and turn.

Sazzy said as she caught up, I forgot. I really came by earlier to invite you to my fateday party tonight, if you can come. Saffie has it scheduled for the Sapphire Inn just after dusk.

The Sapphire Inn?

We’re paying.

Breck gazed at her uncomfortably a moment, then asked, When is your fateday?

Today.

Oh! Happy fateday. Breck hugged her, then stepped back. I don’t know. It’s awfully fancy for me.

You need to come to see how you want your life to improve, then, Sazzy said lightly.

Breck laughed a little, looked away, and asked, Is your cousin Rory going to be there?.

He’s invited, but he never answered yes or no. Dandy will be. Our friends in town. She paused. The Pretty Babes.

Breck laughed again, a little freer. Oh, I ought to go just to see the Sapphire Inn manager’s face when they sashay in. Which reminds me: how is Yaddy Rose doing?

He’s recovered his magic and is, off and on, letting Kistrief talk him into opening a specialty transport business when Kistrief gets out of school. I think Yaddy is really hoping they won’t have any customers—or Kistrief will find something else to do.

All right. Thank you. I’d love to come. Breck paused. I’ll be there unless some disaster comes up that I have to unhex. Breck added another hug, then continued out of the market. Sazzy returned to Five Whippet West to dress for the night...and decided it was an occasion to wear the magic heart-showing gown Zare Woodrill had made her...since she couldn’t think of any of her friends that, right now, would be upset to have the state of their hearts shown. Certainly Dusty was now happy in his handfasting with Saffie.

~~

Dusty got in his touch to her gown before they left for the inn. The cloth turned from the burnt orange it always settled on for her to a swirly glowing coral and light yellow where Dusty’s finger rested.

Saffie avoided her gown, but offered a hand up into his carriage.

On the way to the inn, Saffie talked about his frustration with Tristan ignoring all his business advice.

Dusty said, Tris just likes to complain.

He’s had it too easy, Saffie answered grumpily. If he’d stop complaining, he’d have it even easier.

What about Daquery? Sazzy interrupted. How are you coming with him? You said he was following your advice.

He waffles a lot. But that makes sense, considering. But all Hosaih’s research indicates the town will welcome Kline’s Corner Book and Tea Shop. Daquery still wants to name it after Book Abbatt, but Hosaih’s research indicates that name would keep people away instead of drawing them in.

They arrived at the Sapphire Inn and disembarked to let the inn’s valet park their carriage.

~~

The Pretty Babes clustered inside the inn’s door and cheered to see her...making her laugh. Beyond them, her favorite brother Dandy stood talking to Breck in the dance room doorway. Breck wore a colorful Rover skirt and blouse. Which might be why the woman had hesitated to agree to come: no decent gown.

Sazzy received three hugs from various Pretty Babes before anyone noticed her gown’s reaction.

Yaddy snatched away. His touch to her magic gown had caused the cloth to swirl undecidedly with a mishmash of conflicting colors.

Exactly, Kissana said. You’re as confused as ever. Kissana touched Sazzy’s sleeve hem and a flash of brilliant scarlet shot up the sleeve.

I’m a flame of fame on the move, Kissana translated his touch with a grin. Shall we dance, Miss Fateday Girl, and blind the crowd?

How uncomfortable. Even so, Sazzy let Kissana lead her into a dance...and found him an unexpectedly decent partner.

At the end of the tune, her brother Dandy cut in, touched her and snatched away. What the—!

You must still be seeing that woman you brought to the Queen’s ball.

Why do you say that?

She explained the propensity of the gown, then added, Black and blue wouldn’t be your usual colors.

It’s too trite, he answered tightly and stepped back a moment, before leading her out into the dance. During the dance, he talked about his latest classes in the Syiin School of Magic and Mummery, and tried not to touch her dress.

Are you going to take classes forever? she teased.

I might. It keeps me away from our dear, meddling sister, and important school work keeps me in Six Hearts where I am safe from her trying to marry me off. He paused, Which is probably why I’m still seeing the woman you don’t like. He paused. What does dark orange mean? It isn’t in the Rhyme of Roses.

But black and blue were. She made no comment on that, just said, Dusty thinks it’s the Youngest Sinister Fates’ color, so change.

Your heart is changeable? That’s not very profound.

How’s your racing going? she asked, to deflect any more questions about heart colors—and have her brother wheedle the actual meaning of the burnt orange out of her: catalyst for change...per the Youngest Sinister Fate.

~~

WizardWalkingday

The next day, at the end of breakfast, Breck came by to make sure Miss Kitty’s would be on the job that evening.

Cady Longwish, who had, as susal joined them for breakfast, said, I can’t imagine what help I’d be.

I can, Sazzy said, thinking of their sometimes-branch-office owner’s talent to lurk in the Space Continuum where he could watch for any misbehaving on the weavers’ parts—or whoever was making the trouble. But she didn’t say so.

If you have a cat or dog around the shop, I can talk to it, their Creature Seeker, Thane, offered. Not tonight, though, Feon has me working late at the museum. Someone got funny with one of the exhibits and we have to put it back the way it was—meaning find all the pieces that whoever misplaced.

I don’t remember any cats or dogs, Breck said. I’ll ask, though. If they’re around, they would likely have seen something—if there is anything to see. Breck turned to her. And if you do a drawing, I can show aunt and uncle there are no ghosts in their factory. Now I have to scoot. Breck headed out.

Sazzy followed as the waiting room door and waited till the door closed behind Breck, to grumble, I don’t want to draw ghosts.

You don’t want to draw? Chay, the Youngest Sinister Fate, said, appearing perched on the arm of the waiting room couch.

I love to draw. Or I loved to draw, now all I get are premonitions and ghosts. It takes the fun away.

Drawing premonitions and ghosts is part of your drawing talent.

Byran added it on.

No. None of us can add talents, we can only spark them up.

I never had the talent to draw ghosts and premonitions before.

You’ve had that talent all your life and you used it all the time when you were little. Why do you think your family reacted so badly to your drawings?

I don’t remember that they did.

Well, they did, so you stopped drawing premonitions and ghosts, so now we are helping unblock your talents, so they are coming back again.

She took a breath but didn’t say she didn’t want all her talents unblocked. Chay had already said they were all tied together. Come to think of it, so had one of the talent healers she’d gone to. No, the talent healer who had attended Conner, the Lyy’s old mint manager, had said something about identifying the root of her talents.

She couldn’t think how such disparate talents could come from one ’root’ though. And what was she doing arguing with one of the Fates? She must be insane. She glanced up. Chay was gone.

Sazzy sat and pulled the folder on her missing heirloom necklace case down. The daughter of the deceased had been supposed to come by with a sketch of the missing necklace two days ago.

She tried drawing the piece from her notes again. Something was missing. She added a dangle in the front, then erased that and sketched in a different clasp and tried a Seek. She received an image of the necklace tangled up in a bunch of other jewelry, along with a ribbon, a bit of cloth, and a wad of dust. She made notes of her Find on the drawing. It had all rested on unfinished wood. If she had to name it anything, she’d call it a rat’s nest. Which the client would probably not appreciate. Sazzy pushed the folder to the top of her desk.

And reluctantly pulled a fresh folder down and labeled it: ’Clackers’. She hoped Breck didn’t expect them to work gratis. In fact she wanted to charge double for even having to even think about drawing ghosts. Not that there were likely really ghosts there. The Clackers had been imagining ghosts in their building for as long as she had known Breck: years.

A long drawn out howl of pain sounded from the Cousin Rag room. Sazzy lifted her head and listened, but didn’t go check. If she went, Tristan would expect her to write twelve copies of the day’s rag, even though she had given that job to Holland Laurel and was paying him to write her copies.

A few minutes later, Tristan’s main writer, Maclen, came down the hall. As he passed her doorway, she called out, What happened?

I’m going for Gedrey. The double rolling press finally attacked back.

She cocked her head to one side.

Maclen explained, Tris hits it with a hammer every time it messes up. I guess it got tired of the abuse. Maclen lifted a hand and kept going.

Sazzy returned to Miss Kitty’s new case by pulling one of the fill-in sheets Dusty had made so they wouldn’t miss anything they needed to know about a new job.

Under: ’Problem as the client sees it’, she wrote: ’The Clackers believe they have ghosts in their weaving factory’, stared at what she had written and laughed. Starting out, she wouldn’t even have bothered with the case, and not only because Breck hadn’t been a friend then, but because she would have believed the Clackers were imagining things. But then the Youngest Sinister Fate sent her a ghost as a client. And Byran Heartlight, the only Mortal Pale Fate, had accidentally given her a talent to draw ghosts. More recently, Byran had made it so Cady could see his younger brother’s ghost.

She still felt guilty about that younger brother’s ghostly status, even though even Chay said it wasn’t her fault that Dair had died.

According to Dusty’s sheet (adapted from the Royal Spymaster’s case intake form), she needed to investigate Breck (even though a friend) and the Clackers—who she didn’t know that much about... other than what Breck had told her previously in passing.

She filled in where and what, but wasn’t sure about any ’when’...or, really, any particular ’what’. The last of the sheet had places to list ’witnesses’ and ’suspects’. She supposed all the factory workers and the Clackers would go under ’witnesses’, with a few headed for the ’suspects’ column.

Someone entered the building whistling. It didn’t sound like Thane, their usual whistler.

Footsteps came down the hall, Gedrey poked his shaggy dust-brown-haired head through her doorway. Hello to the famous private spy.

How’s Intrepid? she asked, naming the cat they had given him.

As darling as ever. He took a step down the hall.

She called after him, If you have time to stop by on your way out from Tris’, would you give me your take on the problem Breck says the Clackers are having?

Will do.

She looked down to finish filling out the form and found it covered by a black and white cat. Sinister Magic blinked up at her cutely. Sazzy obliged with a thorough rubbing and cuddling.

By the time Gedrey came back by, she was trying to finish filling in the form between cat tail swishes.

Gedrey laughed. That looks like a lost cause. Like when Intrepid helps me with my inventions.

What are you working on now?

Gedrey flushed lightly. I’m trying to impress my girl by making a stone with my magic that will take dirt out of clothes.

And do what with it?

Gedrey blinked at her. I think you just solved the problem I’ve been having with it that I didn’t know was there. He came in and lounged into her client chair. What do you need to know about the Clackers’ imaginary ghosts problem?

Are they?

Their first ghost wasn’t a ghost. It looks like pranksters to me.

Meaning?

Vandalism. Petty thefts. Annoying stuff like hiding tools. Some of the weavers are talking ghosts. Some are talking jinx—because they’re weaving material for death shrouds. The looms are breaking more than usual. The weavers came in yesterday to find their threads tangled on one of the small looms. The head weaver’s shuttle cracked. Gedrey tapped his fingers on the chair arm several times. It’s always been one thing after another since I started working there, but this is worse than even at first. And Breck doesn’t believe them, so she doesn’t really look into the issue.

She said she put a request in to the warrior mage’s best spiritspeaker, Sazzy said.

If her request goes anywhere. The spriitspeaker was pretty irritated to be called down for nothing the last time, I wouldn’t be surprised if she just says no this time.

She had never met the warrior mages’ spiritspeaker, but she knew Byran Heartlight, the only Mortal Pale Fate, could hear, see, and talk to spirits. Byo Benjerel, one of the caravan people’s sons and Byran’s many great grandson, had never actually admitted to seeing and hearing spirits, but she expected he could, even so. If Miss Kitty’s got paid, she could hire him to look into the issue.

Gedrey pushed to his feet. "I’m headed there now if you want