Kingmaker 1 - The Innocent Mage by Karen Miller

Author:Karen Miller [Miller, Karen]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
ISBN: 9780732280796
Published: 2005-08-15T04:55:29+00:00

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

I can’t believe you’re really doing this.’ With a deft flick of his wrist Asher tipped another forkload of manure onto the muck sack. ‘Why not? Ain’t like I never mucked out horse shit before.’

‘You know what I mean,’ said Matt, and kicked the stable door he was leaning over.

Gently pushing Cygnet aside, Asher slid his fork under another pile of manure. In the yard behind him the bustle of afternoon stables half drowned their conversation. Why he’d felt the need to come down here and shovel shit he wasn’t sure. Mayhap ‘cause this was the last chance he’d ever have to do it. The last chance here, any road. In this stable. In this yard, where it had all begun. It was, he supposed, another goodbye that needed to be said. He glanced up at Matt, then kept working.

‘Aye.’

‘Have you seen Dathne since —’

‘No,’ said Asher, disposing of the manure. He didn’t want to, either. Just the thought of what he’d asked her, how she’d answered, could flood him hot with angry embarrassment. Seeing her was impossible. The faster she faded into memory, the happier he’d be.

‘Are you going to?’

There were three more piles of manure to collect. Bloody Cvgnet; the horse was nowt but a pretty silver shit-maker.

‘No.’

Another bang as Matt kicked at the stable door again. Why not? You’re leaving tomorrow. She’ll be hurt if you don’t.’

‘I doubt it.’ ‘Ashed’ Matt’s laughter was baffled. ‘She’s your friend.

How can you not —’

‘Easy!’ he shouted, glaring. ‘Because I don’t bloody want to, all right? Because — because —’ He couldn’t say it. Couldn’t make the words leave his mouth. If he didn’t say it,maybe that meant it didn’t have to be true.

Matt’s expression changed. ‘Oh.’ In his voice, a sudden understanding. ‘Oh, Asher. Why didn’t you say something?’

Savagely he scooped up another pile of manure and dumped it with the rest. ‘Because I didn’t want to. Anyway, it don’t matter.’ ‘Of course it matters. When did you — I mean, how long have you known you …’

Asher sighed and let himself collapse against the stable wall. Moodily he poked at the straw with the tips of the fork tines, and watched the lazy swish of Cygnet’s tail as the horse nibbled hay. ‘I don’t rightly know. Seems it kind of snuck up on me.’ He glanced at Matt, then glanced away, not wanting to see the sympathy in his friend’s face. ‘I asked her to come with me.’

‘Oh,’ Matt said helplessly. ‘Asher, I’m sorry. Damn, I wish you’d said something. I could’ve told you she’d never agree to leave Dorana.’

Oh, could he? ‘It’s all right,’ Asher said curtly. ‘She told me herself.’

‘I had no idea you felt that way. No idea at all.’

‘Why would you?’ said Asher, pushing away from the wall and forking up the remaining manure. He needed to ;et out of here before Matt said something they’d both regret. It looked like he was parting badly from one good friend; he didn’t want an argument with Matt to make it two.

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