In Green's Jungles (48 page)

About midmorning we overtook a woman swathed in furs, riding sidesaddle upon a skittish white mule. Her face was hidden deep in a hood of white fur, but to me-and to Hide, too, I believe-she appeared regal. She asked to ride with us, saying that the road ahead was infested with bandits. Naturally, we consented.

Toward sunset we came to this inn, and the innkeeper ran into the road to speak to us. There were no more accommodations for ten leagues, he said, and dinner ready. "I'd stop, my lady, if I were you. You'll think I want your money, and I do, but it's good advice. We've food a-plenty here, and rooms for you and your servants."

She laughed at him. "These are not my servants, and everything I have is theirs if they want it."

I knew her by her laugh; and when I introduced her to the innkeeper's wife, I called her my daughter, Jahlee.

THE END

1 A NEW BEGINNING

2 STORIES BEFORE DINNER

3 THE MOTHER'S REMINISCENCE: FROM THE GRAVE

4 MY OWN STORY: THE MAN WITH THE BLACK SWORD

5 IN GREEN'S JUNGLE

6 THE GUESSING GAME

7 SECOND STORIES

8 MY SECOND STORY: THE MAN WHO RETURNED

9 FAVA'S SECOND STORY THE GIRL ON GREEN

10 UNTAMED TALENTS

11 IN THE FIELD

12 AN EXCHANGE OF PRISONERS

13 ESCAPE TO GREEN

14 DUKO RIGOGLIO

15 BEFORE THE BATTLE

16 A YOUNG MAN FROM THE SOUTH

17 THE BATTLE OF BLANKO

18 THE END AND AFTERWARD

19 SAY FATHER

20 BACK AT THE BATTLEFIELD

21 THE RED SUN

22 THE BARBICAN AND THE BEAR TOWER

23 WHY ARE THE INHUMI LIKE US?

24 SINEW'S VILLAGE

25 THE GOD OF BLUE