The Windsingers (31 page)

'So shall I,' Ki said stubbornly. 'Twice I have gifted you with revenge that left your hands unbloodied.'

'I remember that, also,' Rebeke replied coldly. 'I still refuse what you ask. Go now, Romni teamster, without another word, before I forget that I have said I will hold the winds back until your wagon is clear of them. Trust a Romni to try to barter with a Windsinger. Was there ever such a mulish folk? Take with you, not my favor, but not my ill will either. Go now, knowing that I remember what is between us. But do not speak.'

'We're going!' Vandien interjected, giving Ki a warning glance and a shake of her arm. He could not resist adding, 'Farewell, good fisherfolk. I trust this Temple Ebb you have been entertained, even if I cannot juggle.'

He stooped and seized the hind legs of one of the blissful skeel. With an exasperated sigh, Ki grabbed the front legs and they lugged it out the door to her wagon. Already the winds outside were beginning to toss, and they loaded the skeel hurriedly. As they carried out the last skeel, Sasha spoke.

'Good-bye, Ki!' she called boldly. She looked up into the foreign visage of Rebeke and then back to Ki. 'Even when I am a Windsinger, and strange to your eyes, you will know me by my Romni scarf! I will remember you!'

'By the Moon!' gasped Ki as the child happily flapped the scarf at her in farewell.

'Try not to think of the implications,' Vandien suggested as they loaded the skeel into the wagon.

'Go!' commanded Rebeke from the doorway, and the team started before Ki and Vandien were even seated.

'I am sorry he must keep the scar,' Janie said dreamily as the wagon was obscured by the night. 'He was kind to us.'

Rebeke lifted her hand and the wind rose another notch. Her blue robes swirled around her. The lipless smile she gave Janie rippled her cheeks into folds. 'Perhaps it is a shame.' She looked up the cliff road. Her eyes were indulgent as she turned back to Janie. 'Let him be patient for a year or so,' she suggested. 'Let him be surprised at how well his body heals itself.'

'Thank you,' Janie whispered.

'Come, Dresh,' Rebeke commanded. She seemed not to have heard Janie's thanks. The wizard came on stiff-kneed legs, an unmouthed scream bulging his cheeks. The wind slammed the inn door behind them.

'It's morning,' Ki said, nestling back into the blankets.

'So what?' grumbled Vandien.

'We've not a coin between us, and a wagonload of pregnant skeel.'

'Will any of that change by noon?' Vandien asked.

'No.' Ki surrendered to the comfort of the bed and her own aching muscles. Vandien's body was warm against hers. An idea slowly grew in her mind.

'Your scar,' she began lazily. 'You really wish I couldn't see it?'

'Ki,' Vandien groaned in protest. 'Let it be. I was a fool. Let us pretend to forget it. Can we go on as if we had never been to Temple Ebb?'

'No.' Ki trailed a slow finger down his chest. 'For I know a way to make you forget it. A way I can't see it.'

Vandien sank into a sulky silence at the levity in her tone. A moment later he oofed the air out of his lungs as Ki's body landed squarely atop his. He found himself nose to nose with her. He blinked, but couldn't focus his eyes at such close range. A single green eye appeared to peer down into his.

'When we are like this,' Ki said conversationally, 'I cannot see your scar.'

Wind whispered under her wagon, filling the long silence.

'Scar?' Vandien wondered aloud.

The wind rocked the wagon.