LITMIR.BIZ

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rude, but the tone was so earnest and sincere that Vandien felt himself at a loss. Was this the blunt speech of a young man who had lived isolated for most of his life? Was it familiar teasing between father and son? Brin more ignored than smiled at the remark.

      In the awkward silence that followed, Ki met Vandien’s eyes; he suddenly relaxed. Her look told him all. The boy’s last words had decided her. She wasn’t taking him anywhere. Vandien breathed an inner sigh of relief. Oh, she’d be fractious about having to convert some of the Windsinger’s gold into georns to pay back Trelira’s advance, but that was better than being saddled with that boy. He hadn’t realized how much he’d been dreading the trip until the threat of it was removed. Breaking the news to Brin was Ki’s task. After all, it was her wagon and team; she had the final say on all decisions. Thank the Moon, he added to himself.

      He casually wandered over to the horses and began checking their ears for ticks. Two things he didn’t enjoy about these warmer lands they now travelled: the new bugs they encountered, and the spells of watery eyes and running noses that afflicted them both, even in the hottest weather. He wondered idly if they would still follow the caravan route to Villena, even though they had no passenger. He found he hoped so. There would be interesting traffic on the road, and fascinating towns to pass through. Maybe even other Romni. Ki had heard there were tribes this far south, but they had yet to meet any. Even if they met no other Romni, there’d be new towns to explore. Maybe he’d find a leatherworker competent enough to turn out a new sheath for his rapier. His was all but worn through. He thought idly of the sword he had seen yesterday; a peculiar weapon even more flexible than his rapier, but fitted with barbs along the tip. A slapping, ripping weapon, someone had told him. Between a whip and a blade. He’d yet to see one in use. He’d bet on his rapier against one, though. He could imagine such a weapon entangled in an opponent’s clothing, while his rapier could dart in and out swift as the lick of death.

      ‘Ready to go?’ Ki’s voice was right at his elbow. He turned quickly, hooking her into an impulsive hug, kissing her before she could dodge him. Her skin was dusty against his mouth, but warm. He trapped her against him. ‘Where are we off to?’ he demanded, feeling free as a child.

      She worked her elbow up between them and levered herself free. She glanced over her shoulder to where Brin, scandalized, was studying his feet. He didn’t look as disappointed as Vandien had expected him to, and Ki looked more annoyed. ‘Villena, of course. Goat’s putting his things inside the caravan. Oh, he said he doesn’t mind being called Goat; in fact, he prefers it. And the coins are in my pouch. So stop being an ass and let’s get started. Did you check Sigurd’s hoof?’

      ‘We’re taking the boy?’ Vandien asked in disbelief. His arms dropped away from her.

      ‘Of course. Well, I nearly backed out of it for a moment there; he has an unruly mouth. But when I asked him if he thought he could do things our way, he changed his attitude at once. He apologized and assured me he’d try his best. I think he embarrassed himself. He’s very anxious to go. I think a lot of that tongue was just showing off for his father, letting him know that he’s a young man now and ready to be off on his own. Boys say the most unfortunate things when they are trying to be clever. You know how they are; they show off their worst manners just when their parents are trying to impress a guest with how well behaved they are. I left him alone with his father to say their goodbyes. Vandien, are you all right?’

      ‘I was so sure that you weren’t going to do it.’ The bright plans of a moment ago were no more than dancing dust motes now.

      ‘So was I, for a minute there,’ she conceded, smiling. Her face grew thoughtful. ‘But there’s something about Goat’s face, when you look into it. There’s a man in there, trying to get out. And I suspect he’ll be a pretty good man, once he learns to set childishness aside and deal with people on their own terms.’

      ‘Oh, Ki.’ He gazed at her reproachfully.

      ‘Now don’t you get sulky on me!’ She began checking Sigmund’s harness fussily. She spoke over her shoulder, not meeting his eyes. ‘Our deal is still on; I’ll be as irresponsible as you like, right after we drop Goat off. It’s only a fourteen-day trip; you can put up with him for that long. Besides, I don’t think he’ll be that bad, once he’s used to us. Children imitate those around them. If we treat him like a young man, and expect him to behave as one, he will. Every boy has a bit of growing up to do. Goat’s overdue for his, that’s all.’

      ‘That’s not all he’s overdue for,’ Vandien muttered under his breath. Ki shot him a warning glance.

      ‘Give him a chance,’ she protested. ‘He’s only a boy.’

      Vandien glanced over in time to see Brin clasp his son’s shoulder, then turn and stride hastily away. Goat’s eyes were very wide as he stared after his father, as if Brin’s back were the most amazing thing he had ever seen. Brin lifted a hand to rub quickly at his eyes as he went. A sudden flash of anger ambushed Vandien. ‘When I was his age, if anyone had called me a boy, he would have had to face my blade!’

      ‘Exactly my point.’ Ki picked it up smoothly. ‘But you grew up, and so will he.’

      ‘In two weeks you’re going to convert him into a responsible young man, I suppose,’ Vandien observed bitterly.

      ‘It’s not impossible.’ She blithely refused the quarrel. ‘Look how far I’ve gotten with you, after only a few years. Don’t act so put out; I thought he was the spoiled child,’ Ki added in a more serious tone.

      Vandien just looked at her.

      ‘This trip is only going to be as bad as you make it,’ she observed.

      ‘That’s right,’ he agreed sourly, and bent to pick up Sigmund’s hoof. Ki began checking Sigurd’s harness. The big greys stood quiet and passive in the sun. Vandien let down the hoof and made a conscious effort to shake off his ill humor. It wasn’t only disappointment. The thought of travelling with Goat filled him with dismay. Vandien couldn’t recall that he had ever been that callow and immature. When he had been as old as Goat, he had been making his own way in the world. He flinched as those early memories touched him. Sleeping in stables and ditches, telling stories by inn fires to earn a bit of bread and a rind of cheese. Being waylaid once and losing everything to the robbers, even his clothing. Stealing garments from a woman washing on a river bank, and being chased by her dogs. Travelling with a group of Dene through Brurjan territory, and being abandoned by them when he slapped a mosquito on his arm and took its life. Such lovely memories, he thought wryly. The ideal shaping for a young man’s early years; no boy should be without such experiences. Maybe he was jealous, he reflected. Jealous of a young man still in the grip of childhood’s innocence and frivolity.

      He had been checking the harness straps as he pondered. He paused and leaned against Sigmund’s wide back, watching Ki. She had tied back her long hair, but brown strands of it already dangled around her face. This southern sun had browned her face and arms until her green eyes stood out startlingly. He remembered buying the soft yellow shirt she was wearing tucked into her trousers. The bodice was embroidered with tiny green leaves and pale blue buds. She looked lovely in it. When she wasn’t upset. Lines divided her brows. She took everything so seriously. He cleared his throat and she looked up. He grinned. She stared coolly at him for a moment, then turned her head to hide her answering smile. ‘If you’d told me it made you feel warm and protective, I could have started acting snotty and rude a long time ago,’ he offered, and saw her relax.

      ‘Dung for brains,’ she observed fondly. ‘Let’s get these wheels turning.’

      Ki mounted the high seat at the front of the wagon. Vandien started to follow her up when the door of the cuddy popped open and Gotheris scrambled out onto the seat. He sat down squarely in the middle. ‘I want to drive the team first,’ he announced.

      ‘Perhaps later,’ Ki suggested. ‘After you’ve watched for a while. It’s not as easy as it looks, especially with all the foot traffic there is in a town.’

      ‘You said I’d have to help. And my father promised me I’d be learning

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