Tempered Steel by Janet McNulty

Author:Janet McNulty [McNulty, Janet]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: young adult teen dystopiann fiction novel
Publisher: Janet McNulty
Published: 2013-01-15T00:00:00+00:00

The horses’ hooves clopped on the ground as the caravan entered the neighboring town of Rowles. They pushed the wagons to the town square. Instantly, people dropped what they were doing and gathered around with excitement. Days that the traders arrived were always days of anticipation.

Malcolm motioned where to park the wagons. His men pulled them into a single line and ripped off the coverings.

Dana watched as people approached with their coins or items they wished to trade. She had never seen such a thing before. Casually, people perused through the items in the wagons, picking what they wanted. Afterward, they walked up to one of the traders and haggled over the price.

“How much?” asked a man holding up the wire Dana had procured.

“Uh,” Dana was unsure of what to say. “Fifty coins.”

“Fifty, that’s more than I’ve got.”

Dana had never negotiated the price of something before. She looked at the wheelbarrow the man had. One item caught her interest. “I’ll take that gun and its belt for the wire.”

The man looked at the six-shooter. It was more of an antique.

“And any ammunition that goes with it.”

“Done.”

Dana took the gun, its holster, and bullets. She handed the coiled wire over to a grateful man who thought he had just outwitted her. Dana let him think he had won. She had never owned a weapon before and wanted one, considering the dangers of her new home.

She turned while fingering her new purchase. A man inspected the refrigerator that she had found earlier. “May I help you?”

“Does this thing work?” asked the man.

“I think so,” replied Dana.

“You think so?”

“I haven’t tested it yet.”

The frown on the man’s face told her that he didn’t approve. “I’ll give you 12 coins for it.”

Dana pursed her lips. It was not a fair offer and the man knew it. “No deal.”

“I’m being more than generous,” said the man.

“No, you’re not. You’re trying to cheat me.”

“I won’t offer more.”

“I won’t sell for less than 100.”

The man kicked at the dirt and stormed away, infuriated that he had failed to con Dana out of such a treasure.

“He’s always looking for a steal,” said a bony woman with an infant on her hip. “I could really use that.”

Dana studied the young mother. Pity filled her. Noticing the binoculars around the woman’s neck, she decided to make an offer. “Nice binoculars.”

“Oh,” the woman touched them with a slight smile, “they were my late husband’s. Don’t know why I carry them around.”

“Sorry,” said Dana. “Uh—”

“You know,” said the woman, taking the binoculars off and handing them to Dana. “I don’t need them. Here, for the fridge.”

Dana took the field glasses. “How will you—”

“I’ll send someone by this evening for it.” The woman left.

By sunset, the crowd faded and the traders packed their wares. Dana eyed the wagons, remarking at the new items within them and how most of the old stuff had disappeared.

“So how did you like you first real market day?” asked Malcolm.

“It was good.” Dana showed him the weapon.

Raising an eyebrow, Malcolm seemed surprised.

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