Memory Hunted (14 page)

Timothy cleared his throat.

Kit stomped to the bench. "I am going to kill your friend,
Timmy. I am going to murder him."

Yuzu laid her plate aside. "I am going to find drinks."
She smiled at Timothy and scurried away.

Kit sat and laid the platter on her lap. "What was that
look for?"

Timothy shrugged. "You are the one who taught her those
things. You tell me. Why are you going to kill Kyle?"

Kit tore into a slab of pork. The red sauce made her
look as if she was eating the meat raw. "This is good. Because he told all the men
to ‘look after me.’ As if I am some princess. It is bad enough you try to do that,
woolhead."

"Considering the situation, it’s a good idea."

"I can handle Daeric."

You haven’t been able to so far.
"Kyle
may not look it, but he knows what he’s about. His tricks and traps work. Remember
his traps when Treblin was hunt—chasing you."

"I recall them being a little helpful." Kit held out
a thick slice of meat. "His sauce is good, at least. Eat some."

Timothy held up a hand. "I had enough of Kyle’s cooking
a long time ago."

Kit thrust the steaming slice at him. "Eat. I need you
strong…as strong as your scrawny self can be. I won’t have you getting sick again."

Timothy took the meat. Hot sauce slathered his fingers.
Kit glared at him until he took a tentative bite. Spicy, but not hot enough to sear
the wool off a sheep.
It’s….good.

"If Kyle’s plan goes half as well as his food," Kit said
around a mouthful, "we might be able to see my home in the next few days."

Yuzu returned with three steaming mugs. She gave one
to Kit and one to Timothy before sitting. "Kyle told me to tell you he’s looking,
but there’s no sight of anyone yet."

"He may not come." Kit had over half her platter ate.

Timothy finished his slice and wiped his hand in the
snow. "I thought you said he would."

Kit shrugged. Timothy shook his head and sipped his cider.

The musicians started a fast, drunken tune. Soldiers
stamped and twirled each other, arm in arm, around the muddy field. Mugs and meat
dangled from hands and mouths. Scattered through the merrymaking were a few groups
of clear-eyed men. They scanned the merrymaking with steady gazes. Seeing them made
Timothy’s nerves calm. Kyle bent to one group. One by one, each man stood and slipped
away.

Pinstriped trousers filled Timothy’s view. Timothy looked
up, and Yuzu squeaked. Kit mumbled something around another squirrel-cheek of pork.

A soldier stood from the right tables approached
them. He slouched and wrung his hands as he glanced around him. He stood out
against the relaxed, celebrating men.

Timothy frowned and straightened.
That can’t be
Daeric. He is too proud to slouch like that. He also wouldn’t draw attention to
himself like that.

As the soldier neared Timothy could see locks of red
hair poking from his blue cap. A young face sweated under the cap.

"Tell? What are you doing here?" Timothy asked.

Tell looked around and bent toward them.  "I saw Daeric
traveling this way. He is dressed like me." He looked down at his too-big
uniform."Why are they throwing a party now of all times?"

"So Daeric knows. We will have to tell Kyle," Timothy
said.

Tell looked at Yuzu. "I—I will get you out if something
happens. I won’t let anything happen to you, Yuzy. Believe me." He blushed.

"Oh, don’t do that," Yuzu said. "Daeric is falling right
into our plan."

Tell blinked. "Plan?"

Kit pulled a piece of cloth from under her empty platter
and wiped her hands on it. She thrust it at Timothy. "Clean your hands. We need
to go play our part in this plan."

"What do you mean?"

Kit stood and twisted, twirling her skirts and cloak
around her. She bent at her waist and offered a hand with a flourish. "Will you
privilege me with this dance, husband?"

Tell watched with wide eyes. He glanced to Yuzu, who
shrugged. "Part of the plan is for Sis to be visible. Dancing is a good idea for
that. I wish I knew someone who would dance with me." Tell jerked upright, and Yuzu
laughed. "Don’t worry. Maybe in five years you will be ready."

Tell frowned. "I wasn’t Accepted, but I’m not a boy."
His voice cracked.

Yuzu patted the bench. "Sit with me."

Tell’s blush deepened. "I—I can’t. I have to—I have to
go."

He moved to walk away, but Yuzu caught his hand and tugged
him to the bench. "No, you are sitting with me."

Timothy frowned.
What happened to Tell being too young
for her?
He saw Kyle studying them, a smile played about his face. He walked
over to the musicians and spoke with them. The jaunty tune ended. Kyle met Timothy’s
gaze and nodded. Men continued to dance and throw each other for several moments
before they realized the music had shifted to a slow dance piece.
The crafty
old ram.

"Please, husband?"

The tone of her voice made Timothy frown. "Please? Now
that is dirty. What happened to fighting clean like distracting me with your feminine
wiles? I thought you were mad at me."

"Weapons used too often become dull, and who said I wasn’t?"

"Normally the man asks for the dance." Timothy wiped
his hands and tossed the cloth on the bench. He bowed his head and took Kit’s offered
hand. "It shall be a pleasure, my lady."
I will play the game.

"A fox is never led. She goes her own way." Kit hoisted
him from the bench.

We shall see who leads this time.

He held Kit’s hand aloft and together they crossed into
the center of the dance space. Men staggered back and cleared the area until only
Kit and Timothy remained. Kyle grinned and nodded at Timothy.
He’s lucky I remember
those dance lessons he forced on me.

"I know you can dance some, shepherd," Kit said. "But
you’d better not make a fool of me in front of all of these men. Show Daeric how
a real man behaves." She took her place ahead of him. "And do not step on my feet."

"Don’t flash your tail, my wife. As much as I want to
see it, I fear it would make me miss my steps," Timothy said.

A smile lit her face. "Since when have you become a smooth
talker?" Kit said.

"You’ve forced me to practice enough."

Kit smiled.

The slow, lilting melody began.

Hand held aloft, Kit curtsied. Timothy offered his best
bow, ignoring the glob of red sauce on her cheek. They twirled around their clasped
hands. Some of the soldiers jeered.

Timothy grinned, making Kit’s eyebrows rise.
So she
wants me to show Daeric how a real man dances, eh?

He tugged her in to him and wrapped his free hand around
her lower back. Kit’s hand pinched his neck. He ignored her annoyed look and started
to lead the steps. Soldiers pounded their hands and mugs on the tables in time with
the rhythm. Kit chewed on her lower lip as she concentrated on the steps.

Now.

He twisted and whirled Kit away. She twirled on her heel
and caught herself just as he tugged her back. She hit his chest hard, muffling
a laugh. She nuzzled and looked up. Her cheek was clean.

"How ladylike," Timothy said.

She stomped his foot.

"Unfair. I can’t do that."

She patted his shoulder. "Just dance, bookworm. I think
Daeric is jealous if he is watching."

Timothy did not think about his feet. He let the music
guide them. He gazed into her eyes and smiled until his cheeks ached. Her eyes smiled
back, a meadow of greens laced with hints of brown speckled like patches of rich
earth peeking through the grass. The wind blew, wrapping her cloak around them both.

Step. Step.

They switched hands, left palms together. Step. Glide.
Back at the start. Right palms together. The snow danced around them, catching the
firelight. Kit tucked her lower lip under her fangs, and she glanced down at her
feet. An idea came to him. He smiled, sending Kit’s eyebrows into her bangs.
Time for a little fun. She deserves a little something after the last few days.
Funny. I wouldn’t have considered doing this to any lady before I met her.

He spun her one last time out and back in. He caught
her and tilted her back until her knees bent. Her hood slipped a little, and her
ears lifted the fabric. He leaned over her, supporting her weight in the crook of
his arm.
Now.
He moved close until her green eyes filled his vision. His
lips drew close to hers. The dance was not done this way, but all was fair in war.
Her eyes widened. He hooked her left hand on his waist, freeing his hand to cup
her cheek.

He felt her warm breath on his lips.

The music lilted to a stop.

Timothy held Kit close, sharing her breathing. She trembled.
He wanted to press his lips to hers. The distance was short.

But that would spoil his spell.

He caressed her cheek and the side of her neck. He leaned
closer still. A hair’s breadth. In a single motion he moved away, pulled her to
her feet, and stepped back. The winter air chilled his face. He stepped to the side
and held Kit’s hand aloft for the cheering men. Benches and tables thumped in applause.
Several whistles cut across the din.

Kit panted. "And you call my weapons unfair."

Timothy smiled.
That should pay her back for a
little while.

Kit glanced at him and looked away only to glance back
again. "Daeric would be less cruel. Any man would be less cruel."

"Good thing I am just a bookworm and a woolhead."

She squeezed his hand. "Don’t forget a muttonhead. You
know that the sword is unsheathed now, right?"

He shrugged. "I knew I fought a losing war soon after
I met you. But men will speak of the battles I have won."

Kit rolled her eyes. "I think we did our part of this
foolish plan." She nestled against his arm. "You are more dangerous than I thought,
my husband."

He led her back to their bench. Kit favored the cheering
soldiers with a smile, and her cheeks glowed. Timothy heard the faint swish of her
tail beneath her skirts. She leaned her head against his arm. Several soldiers rushed
out to try to imitate the dance they’d just witnessed. Their friends shouted unfortunates
and encouragement. The band played a faster version of the same song.

Tell sat straight-backed on the bench. Yuzu rested against
his shoulder. The boy’s face looked like someone had dunked him in Kyle’s sauce.

"I didn’t know you could dance like that," Yuzu said.

Timothy slumped onto bench with Kit. He yawned. Kit continued
to lean against his arm. She wore a thoughtful expression.
I wonder what weapons
she is planning to unleash on me next. She will insist on getting ahead again. Never
mind she is already miles ahead.

"I didn’t either," Timothy said under his breath.

Kit moved away from Timothy and yawned behind her hand.
"Somehow I am quite tired. Perhaps I will let Kyle and his friends handle Daeric."

"I am going to talk to Kyle. He may have found something
by now." Timothy stood. Kit leaned back with her eyes closed. She smiled.

Timothy grinned and enjoyed a rare victory.
It
won’t be long before she evens the scales.

Yuzu settled against Tell. "Stay here with us, Tell.
Why don’t you tell us about…"

Timothy smiled and crossed the field, dodging the dancers.
Kyle was speaking with a soldier who rushed off as soon as Timothy neared. Kyle
smacked Timothy’s back.

"You definitely got everyone’s attention."

"Have you seen or heard anything?"

Kyle shook his head. "It looks like the boys got drunk
for no reason." He grinned. "You should have gone in for the full kiss. I could
see how you held back. It will wind her up for later, but too wound, and she’ll
spring on you like an overstrung bow."

Balwar approached. "I haven’t seen any signs of Captain
Tredere."

"The boys haven’t seen anything suspicious," Kyle said.

Balwar looked at Timothy. "I haven’t see anything," Timothy
said.

Balwar rubbed his crucifix between his forefinger and
thumb. "It looks like we may have to do this my way after all."

"It should have worked," Kyle said.

Timothy yawned. The sound of boots and rattling equipment
disturbed the frozen morning. Kit huddled in her cloak beside Yuzu as they watched
the soldiers march from the camp. Tell stood two paces from Yuzu. More than one
man squinted at the light. Wagons lumbered among the files.

I wonder where Tell went.

"My plan would have worked." Kyle scratched his beard.
"This Daeric must be a coward."

"Why did the Inquisitor order everyone to leave?" Yuzu
asked.

Kyle shook his head. "I argued with him all night to
try to change his mind." Kyle yawned. "But it is as set as it is sudden. It’ll be
him who mucks that stall instead of me."

"Did you find Captain Tredere? Should you really be leaving
without him?" Timothy asked.

"Not a sign. One of the boys admitted to seeing a figure
leaving. Balwar thinks it may have been the captain. That was when Balwar made his
decision." Kyle shrugged.

"But what are we going to do?" Yuzu asked.

"You can come with us."

Kit shook her head. "We can’t."

The last wagon passed. Timothy turned to Kyle. "You tried.
You can’t help how you have to follow orders."

"I hate leaving you here like this." Kyle frowned. "It’s
not right."

"You’ve already done too much for me, Master Kyle." Kit
kissed his cheek.

Kyle touched the spot with a gloved hand. "Timothy, all
I can say is good luck." He pulled Timothy into an embrace. "Don’t you worry. You
will see me again sooner than you think. Much, much sooner. Sure you don’t want
to come?"

"Kit is hard-headed about this."

Kit cuffed Timothy on the back of the head.