Horizon by Lois Bujold

Author:Lois Bujold [Bujold, Lois]
Format: epub
Tags: sf_fantasy
Published: 2009-02-03T21:00:00+00:00

14

Over the next few days Fawn was heartened to see Arkady chatting often with Calla, riding beside the wagon or even sitting on the box. Barr helped Indigo with the animals. With each of the half bloods tucked under a suitable Lakewalker wing, Dag rode alone during Fawn's fatigue naps. She watched him curiously over the tailboard, turning that walnut in his hand and brooding over it. He's working up to something.

Swampy Alligator Hat lay over a hundred miles behind them when they first hit rain, and even then they only had to pull the wagon out of mire once and warp it across swollen fords with ropes twice. Coming into the last stretch of farmland south of the Barrens, Ash Tanner led them aside some miles for a planned rest at his uncle's farm, where they were made welcome despite the surprise additions to the party. The animals were set to graze for a day, and the people turned to topping up their supplies for the pull ahead.

That afternoon, Dag and Fawn retreated to their bedroll, which they'd laid in the most private corner of the Tanner barn loft-although, Fawn suspected, not for the reason their comrades thought.

They were left strictly alone anyway, which likely suited Dag's purposes just as well.

Climbing down afterward, Dag led her off to seek out Barr and Arkady. A roof on posts along one side of the barn sheltered a work area free of the misting rain. Barr had their saddles and bridles up on sawhorses, giving them a cleaning. If Arkady was doing anything besides keeping him company, it wasn't apparent to Fawn, but they did break off some chat as she and Dag came around the corner.

Dag set her in front of him, hand on her right shoulder, wooden wrist cuff resting on her left. "I need you two a moment," he said to the Lakewalkers.

Barr set down his brush and rag; Arkady, leaning against a post with his arms crossed, lifted his eyebrows.

"What in the world did you do to Fawn's ground? " asked Barr. "It's all... shiny." He closed his eyes to-Fawn supposed see better didn't quite make sense, and she surely couldn't feel it, but a vague discomfort filled her to be the focus of his uncanny attention. As for Arkady, she didn't even attempt to read the intent stillness of his face.

"Well," said Dag, "that's what I need you to help me test. Barr, try to plant a persuasion in Fawn's ground."

"Er... what kind? "

"Whatever you're best at. It doesn't have to be well shaped."

"That's fortunate," murmured Arkady.

Dag shot him a quelling look. "I'll lift it right out again if you succeed. Just anything."

Hesitantly, Barr approached and started to lay his hand on her breast, glanced at Dag, and prudently moved it up to her collarbone. He frowned at the walnut that lay there, held by a cord plaited of her hair.

The walnut

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