Dragon Blade by Andre Norton & Sasha Miller

Author:Andre Norton & Sasha Miller [Norton, Andre & Miller, Sasha]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fantasy
ISBN: 9780765307477
Publisher: Tor Fantasy
Published: 2005-01-02T00:00:00+00:00

Twelve

The storm kept Ashen's company huddled inside their shelters for two days. She couldn't help but notice that Weyse, content until now as long as they were traveling northward, grew increasingly restless. From time to time she would leave the relative warmth of the shelter Ashen and Zazar shared and eventually return, whimpering, covered with snow and half-frozen. Then the women would rub life back into the strange little creature and tuck her under a coverlet until she got warm again.

"She wants to be on her way to find Finola," Zazar commented.

"We'll be moving as soon as we can," Ashen said, fondling Weyse's round little ears. Fortunately, they were as thickly furred as the rest of her, else they would have been frozen off long ere now. "Little one, I wish you could understand me."

"Oh, she does, more than she lets on," Zazar said. She peered out through one of the curtains the women had rigged to close the ends of their shelter. "I think the snow's going to let up soon, but it'll be even colder for us on the trail than before."

"We might be uncomfortable but the snow-thistle silk will keep us from freezing," Ashen said. She picked up a scarf, designed to be wrapped across her mouth and nose. "Do you remember when you had Rohan creating those lengths of plain silk, to protect the men's faces during the war? He was so annoyed that his broken arm kept him out of the fighting."

"Well, it was good for him. That was his sole magic trick, and I saw no reason for him just to sit on his backside and be lazy when he could be helping even in such a humble way." Zazar rummaged for her own scarf. "These are better, of course, but we didn't have snow-thistles to make fabric from then."

"I hope Gaurin is safe. And warm. And dry."

"Quit worrying, girl. Didn't Cebastian remind you of the wool tents he has with him? Your lord knows what he's about, and he certainly knows enough to get inside in foul weather. Which is more than a lot of men understand," Zazar added.

"You don't especially like men, do you?" Ashen asked.

The old Wysen-wyf sniffed. "Rather, you could say, I don't much like people," she replied. "I like them less the longer I live. A few exceptions, but not many."

"Who?" Ashen inquired, genuinely curious. At best, she could learn more of the woman who had reared her, but who remained very much a mystery in so many ways. At worst, it was a topic with which to help pass the time.

"Well, Gaurin. And Rohan, sometimes. Cebastian, a little. Roy-ance. That master of the Spume Maiden. He had a good head on his shoulders."

"No women?"

"Hah! Precious few. Being around Ysa has nearly soured me on the lot. Rannore's got some substance to her. Anamara might, given a few years. She's done wonders for Rohan."

"Anyone else?"

Unexpectedly, Zazar grinned. "FisTüng for compliments, are you? Well, yes, I admit that I have a certain… liking for you, girl.

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