Moons' Dreaming (Children of the Rock) (61 page)

They walked slowly across the inn yard to the wagon.
“
Making any friends?
”

“
Not yet. Iris is a shy one. Not unfriendly, but skittish, if you know what I mean.
”

“
Aye.
”

“
There she is,
”
Herri commented, with a nod.

Jordy turned away from the wagon to look in the direction his friend indicated. The girl was walking briskly up the path from the river, her reddish hair gleaming in the sunlight. She slowed as she became aware of them, and Jordy scowled. She was still so hesitant. Why? Was it suspicion, or fear? He didn
’
t know what had happened to her at Soza or before, and therefore he couldn
’
t be sure how to give her what she needed. If he could give her what she needed.

“
Do you see much of her?
”
he asked Herri.

“
She comes down to the river every day, to learn memories from Canis or one of the other grandparents. They all like her. Say she
’
s pleasant and respectful, and knows her Redmother lore.
”
The innkeeper pushed the tailboard of the wagon back into place, and held it while Jordy fastened the latches.
“
She
’
s not giving your family any trouble, is she?
”

“
No. The girls are very fond of her.
”

“
That
’
s reassuring,
”
Herri agreed.
“
Pepper wouldn
’
t accept her if she was shirking any of her duties, would she?
”

Jordy had to smile.
“
Not Pepper.
”
He raised his voice, and called,
“
Iris!
”

She came across the square, her expression watchful.

Herri said,
“
Well, I
’
ll be getting back to my work. When are you leaving again?
”

“
The day after tomorrow.
”

“
Going south?
”

“
Aye.
”
He belatedly heard the brusqueness of his reply, and gave Herri a wry smile before his friend was swallowed up by the cool shadows within the inn
’
s wide doorway.

Iris came to a stop in front of Stockings.
“
Hello, Jordy.
”

Jordy gave a last tug to the tailgate, then walked toward his horse
’
s head.
“
You
’
ve been working hard.
”
He put his hand up to take Stockings
’
lead rope.
“
I hear you
’
re making yourself known all over Broadford.
”

“
As a Redmother must.
”

“
Good girl. Ride back with me?
”

The hesitation, faint as it was, threatened Jordy
’
s resolution to maintain a pleasant demeanor with the girl. She said,
“
Yes, thank you,
”
at last, just before he could repeat himself more sharply than would have been wise.

He waited until she had settled herself on the driver
’
s seat before clucking his tongue at Stockings. As soon as the horse was moving he swung up beside her.
“
Everything well at home?
”

“
Yes, sir.
”

“
Not too much for you, is it? Gardening, and working with Cyril, on top of hours spent down here?
”

“
No, sir.
”

He leaned against the backrest and rubbed one hand across his s
weat-grimed neck. He was tired.
That, he told himself, was why he felt so exasperated. The brief self-analysis did not stop him from saying,
“
A conversation shouldn
’
t be this one-sided, lassie.
”

“
I
’
m sorry.
”
She shot him a nervous glance out of the corner of her eye.
“
Maybe I
’
m just out of practice.
”

The remark had a ring of normalcy to it. Jordy
’
s hopes rose a fraction.
“
Oh?
”

“
Cyril doesn
’
t ask much, in the way of conversation.
”
Finally she looked fully at him. Ready, he felt sure, to measure his response and prepare her defenses.

“
Pepper and Matti talk, but hardly ever listen, is that it?
”

“
Hardly ever.
”

“
You come into the village every day.
”

A fleeting smile made her face very pretty.
“
Where other people talk, and I listen.
”

“
Then it
’
s no wonder you
’
re forgotten how to have a quiet chat,
”
he agreed.
“
We
’
ll practice now.
”

“
Yes, sir.
”

He sighed.
“
To start with, I
’
ll have no more of that. Respect can be overdone, you know.
”

Her gaze dropped.
“
I
’
m sorry.
”

“
And stop being sorry!
”
His vehemence had the advantage of reattracting her attention. Its disadvantage was that he immediately felt guilty for trying to push the child beyond her limits.
“
Never mind, lass. Enjoy your ride in peace.
”

The wagon creaked under them as Stockings turned onto the east road. Jordy watched her long shadow ripple over the rutted dirt ahead and resigned himself to an uncomfortably silent trip home. Then Iris startled him with a quiet,
“
Did Tob stop at Kessit
’
s this morning?
”

“
Aye.
”
He kept his voice casual.
“
They
’
re fond of him, and he
’
s promised to tell them when we hear anything about Pross.
”

“
Have you?
”

“
The guard has grown too large,
”
he said bitterly.
“
With all the newcomers they
’
ve brought in since spring, no one remembers one woodworker
’
s son. At least no one who
’
ll take a moment to talk to a mere carter.
”

“
But you won
’
t stop trying.
”

He looked down at her.
“
How can I? The boy
’
s place is here, with his family.
”

“
Your place is on the road.
”
She lifted her head, eyes narrowing.
“
It can
’
t be very efficient, your coming back here so often. If you
’
d gone directly from Atade into Dherrica, and then down south
—”

“
Sometimes I do,
”
he interrupted her.
“
But not this year.
”
He handed the reins to her and stepped over the back of the seat without waiting to see if she would protest the sudden responsibility. He trusted Stockings on this particular stretch of road. Nothing would happen, whether the girl knew how to drive or not. He stood behind her, balancing against the sway of the wagon.
“
Is there anything you
’
d like me to bring you next trip home?
”

After a short, thoughtful silence Iris said,
“
Almonds.
”

“
Eh?
”

“
For Fall Festival. There
’
s a bread I
’
d like to make. We used to have it in Edian when I was a girl. I remember almonds.
”
She licked her lips, eyes unfocused, in much the way Herri or Dimin looked when they were recalling a recipe.
“
Also saffron. Honey, of course. I
’
d like to see if I can put together a version for our Festival.
”

She said
“
our,
”
Jordy thought happily.
“
I
’
ll find some almonds and saffron for you. Any spices, or other ingredients Cyril doesn
’
t have?
”

“
No, I don
’
t think so.
”
For once she offered him an unhesitant, friendly smile.
“
This will be fun. I love that bread.
”

“
I
’
m looking forward to it already.
”

They rode on in silence. But for the first time since Jenil had dragged the scruffy girl into his house, the quiet was companionable.

Feather glanced at the king and was rewarded by a conspiratorial wink. She smiled back, then looked away. Chasa was saying something about supplies, but all she could hear was the rapid flutter of her heart.
Stop that,
she chided herself. Sene was going to be her father-in-law someday. This was a King
’
s Council, discussing important business. She ought to have some respect.

Not that the Court of Sitrine was ever formal. Pleased by the distracting thought, Feather examined the familiar, comfortable, dining room. Candles had been lit against the grayness of the afternoon. Their glow reflected off the silver tray in the center of the table which still held a few dark slices of date bread. The pitcher of fruit juice, refilled twice since lunch, occupied its own stand behind Jeyn. The princess, who sat near the middle of the table opposite Feather, was watching her brother.

Chasa tapped the map draped across the end of the table between himself and Ivey, and continued his complaint about shifting channels in the river north of Dundas. Ivey was dividing his time between staring moodily out at the late summer storm and staring moodily at Jeyn. Beyond them, the terrace windows were streaked with salt spray and rain. Every few minutes, a gust of wind rattled the door.

Sene announced,
“
That
’
s decided then.
”
He had contributed little to the discussion of what to do about reports of a band of Abstainers that was raiding coastal villages, an admirable demonstration of patience, considering that his son had finally evolved precisely the plan he
’
d suggested at the start.
“
Stop at all three villages, unless the weather turns against you. You can take Ivey with you.
”

This time, Feather mentally braced herself before looking at Sene. He sat with both elbows on the table, fingers laced together before him. She couldn
’
t help but glance at Chasa and compare the two men. Despite a strong family resemblance, Chasa was, at best, a mere pale imitation of his father. The thought troubled her.

“
Your Majesty, with all due respect, I must refuse.
”
Ivey
’
s stubborn voice drew all eyes, including Feather
’
s, to him. She liked the minstrel. He had a memory for tales, and a knack for telling them that would make a Redmother proud. He was good-natured and kind. Therefore, the dangerous glint in his bright blue eyes was more than a little alarming. His glance lingered on Jeyn, who blushed, then concentrated on Sene.

“
Nothing
’
s decided,
”
he told the king.
“
I want you to know that. Nothing. And I
’
m not going monster hunting again.
”