A Play of Shadow Read Free Page B

Gallie looked up from her packing, absently shifting little Loee to a more comfortable spot on her hip.
    Wen Treff talked to toads. Jenn wasn’t ready to admit she did as well. “I’m not going—” she repeated quickly “—to have you wear yourself out before the trip begins. Please. Let me carry the rest to the wagon.”
    The older woman smiled. “Thank you, Dear Heart. Ancestors Beset and Bewildered, whatever would I do without you?”
    Manage in her usual capable fashion, Jenn was sure, smiling back. “Glad to help.” She lifted her armload and teased, “I take it there are no sausages in Endshere.”
    Gallie glanced ruefully at the table, covered with more coils of sausages as well as well-filled sacks and baskets. “I’m spoiling them, I know, but I can’t visit Allin and Palma in their new home without Beholding gifts.” Her eyes sparkled. “Won’t they be surprised?”
    Surprised would be an understatement, Jenn thought. Gallie and Zehr hadn’t left Marrowdell since arriving with the rest over twenty years ago. “They’ll be thrilled to see you,” she said honestly. “It’s a kind thing you’re doing.”
    “It’s no kindness to the horses, Gallie Emms, having you overload the wagon!” Lorra Treff made her entrance from the other room, Frann Nall close behind. Both were dressed for travel in their best heavy cloaks, scarves, and hats. Though their cheeks were equally flushed and foreheads beaded with sweat, neither would be first to admit they’d been a smidge premature in their bundling. “Leave all that.”
    “Now, Lorra,” Frann protested. “We don’t have as much ourselves this trip. You said it yourself.”
    Gallie brightened. Lorra frowned. Jenn tried to slip out the door over the toad but didn’t make it in time. “We’ve enough. There’s simply no room on the cart for—” Lorra eyed her burden and her frown became a scowl. “—sausages?! Ancestors Misguided and Mad, Gallie Emms, would you have us starve? Let Endshere feed its own.”
    At Gallie’s crestfallen look, Jenn curled her arms around her bundle. “They’ve not tasted any as good as these.”
    Lorra drew herself up, the tallest feather on her hat collecting a cobweb from the rafter, to Loee’s great delight. “And how would you know, Jenn Nalynn?”
    It was true. And cruel.
    The air in the room chilled. Frann stopped fanning her face with a ’kerchief and Gallie shivered. Which wasn’t right and Jenn wished for warmth again too quickly, melting the butter in its flowered dish.
    Loosening her scarf, Lorra dismissed the oddness with a brisk, “You should have my Davi look at your chimney, Gallie. Where was I?” To Frann.
    “On your way to tell your son we’ll be ready,” Gallie informed her, with a frosty glint in her eye. “Not telling me how to pack for a visit with mine.”
    The matriarch of the Treffs drew a breath, ready and willing to argue.
    A cough distracted her. Frann waved her ’kerchief apologetically. “The damp.”
    Jenn hid a smile. Though she’d not stayed abed a day anyone could recall, Frann had what Aunt Sybb called an expressive constitution, her nagging cough sure to arrive once confined indoors with Lorra for the winter.
    “Lorra,” Frann continued, “we must keep the house warmer.”
    “Psht. It’s so hot my clay’s drying.” Lorra peered at her friend. “Ancestors Foolish and Fraught, how many times must I tell you to sleep with a heated brick?”
    “And burn my—?” a second, deeper cough. Above the ’kerchief, Frann’s brown eyes closed briefly, then opened with as determined a light as in either of the other women’s. “We were discussing sausages. As Marrowdell’s appointed trader,” she stated, tucking the ’kerchief away, “the final decision on what goes or returns from Endshere’s fair is mine to make. I see nothing wrong with providing samples,” this with a slow smile, “of wares sure to be in demand next year.”
    “Samples?” Gallie echoed,