Shinn, Sharon - Samaria 02 - Jovah's Angel by Shinn Sharon

Author:Shinn, Sharon [Shinn, Sharon]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2012-04-11T02:45:34+00:00

LadyofSin,byMadelineHunter

The Edori camp, by contrast, was a place of gaiety and ease. True, the closely packed tents and the amazing density of people were rather overwhelming for someone who valued privacy as much as Alleya did, but the overall mood of the camp was so friendly, so open-hearted, that she could not help but succumb to the general bonhomie. Even before she had her first extended conversation with anyone, the sidelong smiles and casual waves made her feel welcome and hopeful. Well, perhaps the world was not such a bad place after all, if there were still Edori in it.

She wandered more or less aimlessly through the tightly clustered tents for about half an hour before she actually attempted to find someone to speak with. She had spent very little time among the Edori, but as always she was impressed by the efficiency that lay behind their general air of insouciance. All the tents were solidly pitched and in good repair; every campfire burned busily away; details of children appeared to be responsible for fetching water and disposing of trash, while older boys guarded the horses. The workers moved purposefully from task to task, while the unemployed played laughing games with such fervor that they could hardly be faulted for indolence. The air was braided with delicious aromas. No voices were raised in anger or supplication. It was enough to make one want to become Edori.

Eventually, she spied the old man Thomas whom she had met in the Edori camp outside of Luminaux. He was sitting on an upturned log outside his open tent. A broad, overhanging flap was stretched out in front to provide him shelter from the constant cold drizzle. He was smoking a pipe, his only apparent occupation, but he seemed to be enjoying it thoroughly. When Alleya walked slowly up to him, a look of inquiry on her face, he smiled at her broadly and waved her over.

"Welcome, angela, welcome! It is good to have you among us once more! Are you looking for someone again? Are you hungry? Are you thirsty? I'm afraid I left all my chairs behind near Luminaux, so there's not much to sit on, but make yourself comfortable if you can."

"Hello, Thomas," she said, perching with some delicacy on another log beside him. "Not hungry. Maybe a little thirsty. Is there water somewhere that I--"

"Martha! We have a guest who would like a drink of something!" he called over his shoulder, and moments later a smiling, dark-skinned woman emerged from the tent. She was carrying a metal cup, which she handed to Alleya.

"There's fruit juice, if you'd rather," she said. "Or wine. Are you hungry? There's plenty to eat."

More of the famed hospitality of the Edori. No questions, no suspicion. No wonder they had been nearly wiped out a century ago by the predatory Jansai. "No--water is all I want, thank you very much," Alleya said. The woman ducked her head and vanished back inside the tent.

"Had a long flight?" Thomas asked with interest.

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