Chorus Skating Read Free Page B

Whatever happened to him?”
    â€œâ€™Ere now,” protested the otter, sitting up again. “I ’aven’t changed that much, I ain’t. I’m just sayin’ that a mate an’ a ’ome an’ a pair o’ teenagers can wear anyone down. The more so if they’re otters. You think Buncan wearies you? You ought to try dealin’ with Nocter an’ Squill for a two-month!” He fingered his fishing pole. “Not that it matters. As you say, there’s nothin’ wot needs doin’. We exist in a state o’ contented bliss.”
    â€œOr enervation,” Jon-Tom muttered.
    â€œI don’t know wot that means, but I think there’s a lot o’ it goin’ around.” His expression brightened. “With Weegee an’ Talea off somewhere, we could go into Lynchbany an’ break up a bar, or sometbin’.”
    â€œA bar fight.” Jon-Tom was saddened. “Mudge and Jon-Tom, the great adventurer and famed spellsinger, reduced to contemplating the entertainment value of an ordinary public tiff. We, who have explored much of the known world and a fair portion of the unknown, who have dealt with unimaginable dangers and overcome impossible obstacles, are we come to this? No thanks.”
    â€œSorry. It were the best I could come up with on short notice, mate.” Mudge was a bit taken aback by the emotional intensity of his friend’s reaction. “Actually, I only thought o’ it for you. I ain’t sure ’ow much ’elp I’d be. Me back’s been botherin’ me for a bit now, an’ when an otter’s back is out, ’e’s in serious ’urt, ’e is. See, we’re all back.”
    Jon-Tom looked surprised. “You haven’t said anything about your back before.”
    â€œWould you?”
    â€œNo. No, I suppose not. It’s just that all this quiet is getting to me, what with Talea off with Weegee and the kids away at school. Even business is slow.”
    Mudge fumbled in his fishing kit for his glasses. “Did I ever read you that last letter, mate?”
    Jon-Tom looked resigned. “You mean the one you carry around with you and drag out every chance you get? The one that tells how Nocter and Squill are constantly getting into fights, breaking things, fomenting trouble, and generally raising hell?”
    The otter straightened his glasses. “Oi, that’s the one. Great kids, eh?”
    â€œYes, they are,” Jon-Tom admitted, squeezing out a smile.
    â€œSomething we agree on,” a new voice interjected.
    The two fishers sat up and turned sharply to their right.
    â€œTalea?” Jon-Tom frowned. “I thought you and Weegee were off to shop in Lynchbany.” She looked fantastic, he had to admit. Her figure had ripened eloquently from their first memorable encounter years ago, when she’d been inclined to cut his head off instead of accept compliments. Nothing like years of being on the run to get one in shape for a lifetime.
    â€œWeegee and I are just now off to L’bor, dear, with several of the other ladies of the river. It’s a journey of several days, not just an afternoon.”
    Jon-Tom smacked himself mentally. “That’s right. You told me all about your plans last week. I’d just forgotten. I seem to forget a lot anymore.”
    She advanced to bestow an affectionate kiss on his fore-head. “Don’t be too hard on yourself, dear. You’re a long way from the onset of senility.”
    â€œThanks for the compliment,” he replied dryly.
    She turned to leave. “Please try to look after things, and stay out of the kitchen as much as possible. I’ve heard you verbally disparaging the dishes on more than one occasion, and you know how sensitive they are. Make sure any visitors use the cleaning spell at the door, and don’t forget to put out the rat.”
    â€œI can take care of my own home,” he