Skeen's Return Read Free

about them. His brother the Byglave knew. The Besar Casach knew. I didn’t tell them. How could I? I didn’t know anything about Telka’s maneuvers until the Poet told me. He enjoyed letting me know how Telka was using me to stir the Min up, to make them afraid of the Pallah; he’d laugh like a fool and I’d feel a handspan high. Oh, he liked that, especially when the Byglave was riding him about something he did or didn’t do.” She broke off, shook her head. “Sorry about the rant.” She leaned back, looked up the hill. “They’re breaking up. You’d better go see what Pegwai has committed you to.”
    Skeen sniffed, got to her feet, reached her hand down to help Timka up.
    Timka shook her head. “Better not. They’re touchy about stray Min. Send Chulji over to me. We’ll play last on board.”
    Skeen frowned, glanced at the dark ship. “You sure?” She waited a moment longer in case Timka changed her mind, then walked away. She hesitated again as she came even with the Min Skirrik youth, then put her hand on his top shoulder. “Chul, Ti wants to talk with you.”
    â€œHow come?”
    â€œShe’ll tell you. I think you should go.”
    â€œIt’s those Min, isn’t it. Stinking znaks.”
    â€œTalk to Timka.” She moved on toward the dock. Behind her Hal got to his feet, tall and lanky, the silvery not-hair moving softly about his head. He was excited but controlling it; he was the one responsible for the others; he was the oldest, generally the calmest. He urged the others up and went with them to stand behind Skeen as she met Pegwai near the shore end of the dock.
    â€œHow much?” An edgy tartness in her voice.
    Pegwai flung his hand out in an angry angular gesture. “That misbegotten son of a corpseworm claimed we’d pollute the boat so it’d have to be burned, that he couldn’t let it back in the lake. Either the Patjen and his crew should back out of the deal, or you should be charged the full value of the boat.”
    â€œYeah, I expected something like that. And?”
    â€œDibratev tried soothing him. That didn’t work so he put the squeeze on. The Ykx own a quarter share in the riverboat, and they’re the ones who keep it running. Dibratev mentioned that.” Pegwai grinned. “Dropped it into a moment of silence when Kirkosh was snatching a breath. The silence got a lot louder.” Skeen matched Pegwai’s grin; he chuckled, then turned serious. “The next thing he said was the Sydo Ykx weren’t happy with the Islanders, too much interference and he was looking at Kirkosh when he said it. If that interference kept up, the Ykx might decide to withdraw from the Min-Ykx compact. He wasn’t just throwing that on the scales. He meant it and it showed. The Patjen saw he meant it and turned on Kirkosh so fast it was almost funny. Fare was paid, he said, and if the Ciece wanted to fool with the deal, maybe they’d better call on the Synarc to adjudicate. The Islanders started whispering at Kirkosh and he spent the last half hour worming out of the mess he’d got himself in. Good thing we’re leaving right away, give him a hint of an excuse and we’d be fueling bone fires.”
    Skeen rubbed at the back of her neck. “No extra gold?”
    â€œNone.”
    â€œWhen do we board?”
    â€œSoon as the gear is stowed. Which I’d better see to right now.”
    Skeen watched him walk away, then glanced at the sun. Halfway to noon already. Might be slow, but I’m coming, Tibo. Enjoy yourself, you baster. When I catch you, I’ll skin you slow. Maybe I will. Why’d you do it, you little … little devil? Why did you strand me? Why?

LOOK, LET’S NOT TALK ABOUT THE GLAMOUR OF QUESTING. MOST OF IT SEEMS TO BE KEEPING THE RAIN OUT OF YOUR BLANKETS, FLEAS OR THEIR ANALOGS OFF YOUR PERSON, FOOD IN YOUR BELLY AND THE LOCALS OFF