The Skeleton's Knife (The Farwalker Trilogy) by Sensel Joni

Author:Sensel, Joni [Sensel, Joni]
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Publisher: Dream Factory Books
Published: 2011-11-25T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 17

When Ariel, Zeke, and Dain emerged from the tunnel, the sun was sinking toward the sea. They hurried to reach Cassalie's house before dusk. On the way, Ariel convinced Zeke not to mention their misadventure to Scarl. They could let him think her staff had just washed from the creek into the sea. Since they'd escaped with no more than bruises, Zeke agreed--if she promised never to mention Elbert Finder again.

Dain sealed Ariel's vow with these words: "Though I'm nothing made of iron, no sword or stone can shake me. But speak the wrong words only once, and just like that, you break me."

Zeke crowed. "You like riddles, too?"

As he challenged Dain with several, Ariel sighed and studied the sun-gilded clouds. She wished she'd made a promise before leaving home by forging a sky pledge with Nace. A kiss blown to the moon every night could have bounced off and fallen to him, binding them over long days apart. She wondered if he might be watching this sunset. Then she hoped he wasn't, that he was safe in the abbey and not outdoors where predators prowled.

Once back at Cassalie's, the three friends clustered gratefully around the hearth. To Ariel's dismay, Dain and Zeke riddled on, silenced only when Scarl posed a hard one.

As night fell, Dain said, "I'd like to sleep in the boathouse with you. You're more fun than Cassalie."

"You don't have to," replied Ariel. "We're sleeping in your house tonight."

"We are?" Zeke said.

Dain turned startled eyes toward Cassalie and Scarl. The two were preparing their supper, and when Scarl bent to retrieve a mussel he'd dropped, Cass tweaked his curls and then smoothed them again. Although Ariel had seen them embrace earlier, even she was amazed by the Finder's good humor about the teasing.

Dain flashed a grin. "Heartthrobs, Cass and Scarl? That's a rich 'un!" Her smile faded. She picked at the dust wedged between flagstones. "I wish I had a heartthrob. There's nobody here who could be it."

Ariel's sympathy rose. "We could use that for our trade! Scarl could find you a heartthrob, I bet--somewhere. And I'll take you there!"

Dain stiffened. "You aren't leaving yet? You said a week."

"No, I mean later. Whenever you want."

Dain shook her head and stared into the fire. "I don't need a heartthrob, anyhow."

Ariel's heart sank. What trade could be better than love?

After they ate, Dain showed her and Zeke where she slept. A gap in the stones let in a tendril of wind that, at Dain's coaxing, would spin their lamp flame in an unearthly dance.

Before long, Scarl drew aside the sail that served as Dain's door. "We've used enough of Cassalie's lamp oil tonight," he said. "But there's a mountain of furs in her pantry for you, Zeke, and your blanket's there, too. You'll be as snug as a mouse in a pocket."

Zeke bid the girls sweet dreams and slipped out as Ariel accepted her own blanket from Scarl. She and Dain snuggled in side by side.

"All set? Then sleep well.

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