The Growing Season (The Rememberer's Tales Book 2) by Parker Kip

Author:Parker, Kip [Parker, Kip]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: 9 Pentacle Press
Published: 2015-05-08T04:00:00+00:00

That same night in the village, some of the Heschtas were taking some time to relax as well. The light from the fire glinted off Astaga’s craggy features as she inhaled the smoke from the pipe. She held it in for a moment, passing the pipe on to Tem.

“Thanks for bringing the herbs, Astaga. Is this the last of your trade?” Tem asked. Astaga had received these herbs at the gather ground the previous summer from a member of another tribe. She had been accompanying Wren while she traded salt for curry and other spices. While Wren bargained, Astaga had noticed a very beautiful woman inhaling the smoke from a pipe. The aroma was very sweet, and she approached the woman and asked about it.

Astaga smiled, remembering the long and very enjoyable afternoon she had spent with the woman. She had gained more than herbs in trade on that day. “Yes. This is the last of it. Perhaps I will see her again this summer.” Astaga said as she exhaled. “My turn.” She took the flat bone pieces from Petrov and shook them in her hands. She tossed them down and smiled. “Two Water and a blank. That makes three. That ties you, Devin.” She passed the little stones on to Tem.

Tem took them, grinning. She held the bones, cupped inside her hands, up to her forehead for a moment. Then she tossed them. “There! A cycle! I win!”

The participants groaned. Devin slapped the earth with her palm. Tem had thrown one of each symbol. That was an automatic win. The set consisted of two tiles of each symbols for Earth, Fire, Water, Air, Mother and blank. The blank represented luck and so could be used for anything.

“How does she DO that?” Astaga asked, exasperated. They had been playing this game since they were children. Tem had always been good at it. It seemed to her that Tem was even better at it when they were wagering.

Grinning, Tem gathered up the little pile of things they had bet. “Not bad.” she said. “This is a nice knife sheath, Petrov.”

Petrov, who was just inhaling smoke, nodded. “Well, we do not often play for bets, so I brought something good.”

“Where is Swain?” Astaga asked.

“She had…something else to do before she came here.” Devin grinned. “She has been alone a long time.”

“Oh? Visiting a woman, is she?” Astaga smiled. “Good. She has been too long away from the village.” Leaning forward conspiratorially, she asked, “Who is it?”

“Anna.” Tem said. “They went for a walk up river this afternoon and haven’t come back yet.”

“Anna? Nice.” Devin said appreciatively, inhaling deeply.

Petrov looked puzzled. “Should we go and look for them? Maybe they are lost.”

They all laughed. “No, friend.” Astaga explained. “They are just enjoying their time alone. Swain will be along soon.”

“But what if…oh.” They all saw the idea dawn on Petrov, and laughed harder. The usually quick-witted drummer laughed at herself too. “This herb has me fuzzy. Well—good for Swain!”

“What is good for me?” Swain’s voice came through the doorway of the little hut.

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