Tools of a Thief by D. Hale Rambo

Author:D. Hale Rambo
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Danita Rambo
Published: 2021-02-16T04:37:56+00:00

Chapter 8

Zizy slept in for far too long, glad to have a pillow and bed for a short time. Laysa roused her when she returned from a quick trip to the temple to round up things for the library. Together with Pace, they set out on two carts with four plodding donkeys leading the way toward the edge of town by the east road. Zizy quite enjoyed the ride, curled up in Laysa’s cart and listening to the banter of her companions.

“Do you really think all this fighting is worth half a farm field of land?” Laysa asked. “You can’t even plot corn or grow vines on it, I’ve heard.”

“They say it’s the best way to expand peacefully,” Pace said. “And you know the Brix could make wheat grow in a tundra if we had to.”

Laysa scoffed. “How peaceful is it if you have to fight for Kerryan to get it?”

“You know what I mean.” Pace tightened his grip on the reins and slowed his cart to match Laysa’s.

“If we’re going to expand Shawia, we could continue to do it into the grasslands. All this talk of creating fishing villages seems silly.”

He shrugged. “It’s what the Farmer wanted.”

“But at what cost? We could go east where no one is settled.” Laysa sighed.

“You know as well as I do that Camdene won’t stop coming south. If we can build more firm relations with Kerryan, then we have a fighting chance.”

“Ha,” Laysa said. Zizy was mildly delighted to watch Laysa debate someone else for a change.

“I wouldn’t believe all the rumors you hear about them. How long do you think we can sit in Shawia and remain untouched? Already the southern cities are starting to feel the influence of travelers.” He softened his tone. “Better to fight now on our terms. Better to be a fighter than a sitter. We can’t all people be scholars and thieves.”

“I’ll have you know,” Zizy piped up, “that Laysa is definitely not a thief. She’s terrible at lying.”

Pace laughed and shook his head. “You know good and well I’m talking about you, Zizy.”

“Oh, then carry on.” Zizy winked at Laysa, who was frowning in Pace’s direction.

Laysa sighed deeply, her shoulders sagging, and then looked away over the side of the cart. “When will we get there?”

“I think it’s there in the distance. I can see the pond Rafus mentioned up ahead.” Pace pointed to a large pond bordered with large faded yellow flowers.

Zizy squinted. “I think those are dragon’s feet. Sometimes known as mad bone, but they’re as big as a dragon’s feet, I’ve heard. I’ve never seen so many.”

“Dragon’s feet?” Pace murmured. He jumped from the cart. Zizy noted his interest. Of course the noble one’s interested in dragons.

“What’s it useful for?” Laysa asked, getting down. She walked the slight distance over to the head-sized flowers, bending to grab one.

“Dragon’s feet/they put you to sleep,” Zizy recited. She looked sheepish. “I’ve seen them in books.”

“You read a book?” Laysa teased, running her hands over the flowers.

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