The Teller of Small Fortunes by JulieLeong
When Tao, born in Shinara, was eight, her father died. Her mother, Shi-Wen, moved to Eshtera and remarried. Since she foresaw her father’s death, she felt responsible and restricted her talent to small fortunes. Can Tao find her place in the world?
At fifteen, Tao left her unhappy home. She traveled Eshtera in a wagon pulled by her mule, Laohu. “Teller of Small Fortunes was painted in neat black letters.” Along the way, she met (1) Mash, “a grizzled, bearded giant of a man, who wore studded leather armor, a menacing steel mace, and a truly enormous backpack from which various weapon hafts were protruding.” (2) Silt, “Siltarien Silvertongue, the gentleman thief, friend of fortune, villain to the wealthy, pilferer of pearls, who has now given up his felonious ways, and has instead become an honest adventurer.” (3) Kina, “the baker of unsightly pastries.” Later, they are joined by Fidelitus, the cat, and Fortis, the pony.
Tao restricted herself to small fortunes because of her guilt for foreseeing her father’s death and not wanting to attract the Royal Guild of Mages, who would force her to work for them. Because of her Asian appearance, everyone recognizes her as a foreigner, exacerbating her feeling of not belonging.
Mash is searching for his six-year-old daughter Leah, whom he believes was kidnapped.
Silt wants to be a reformed thief, but he can’t define himself by what he is not. He needs to be something.
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