Towers by Terry Schott

Author:Terry Schott [Schott, Terry]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Terry Schott

33

“So? What do you think so far?”

Luna considered the question as she strolled at her father’s side, walking parallel to the village barrier through the tall, unkempt grass. “It feels different, but I’m not certain if that’s real or just because I’m excited at the newness of this all.”

“It’s—” Will began, but Luna held up one hand to stop him from saying more.

“Don’t tell me. Let me try and figure it out.”

They walked in silence for the next few minutes, Will setting a leisurely pace that Luna matched without thinking. Will looked over his shoulder and waved to his wife. Malena smiled and returned the gesture.

“It is different,” Luna finally declared. Long seconds passed without comment from Will. “Isn’t it?” she asked.

“What makes you think so?”

She smiled. Her father often responded to questions with probing queries of his own. That was one of the things that made him a good teacher, she reflected. “The sounds, smells … even the colours and the way things look. They all seem the same, except,”—she shook her head—“a tiny bit off.”

Will chuckled.

“Am I wrong?”

“Nope. You’re exactly right.”

Luna grinned at the praise in her father’s voice.

“Most don’t detect the subtle differences until they’ve crossed back and forth dozens of times. You’re a natural at this stuff, kiddo.”

“At what?” Luna snorted. “Stepping across a silver line?”

“No,” Will shook his head. “That’s the easy part.”

“You know, I feel sort of embarrassed.”

“Why’s that?”

Luna met her father’s gaze. “You’ve been a trader for my entire life, and I know almost nothing about the job.”

A bark of laughter escaped Will’s lips. “That’s more to my credit than your lack of interest. Ever since you’ve been able to talk, deflecting your questions about being a trader has been almost a tougher job than actually being a trader.”

One corner of Luna’s mouth curved upward into a grin. “I have tried to know more.”

Another laugh. “That you have. And now, after all these years, I can finally begin to share the secrets that I’ve had to keep from you.” He nodded. “It will be good to teach you all about this stuff, Dove. Hiding it from you over the years has been one of my greatest struggles.”

“Is that why you offered me the job? To finally share the secrets?”

Will shook his head. “I’d like to say yes, but the truth is, if I didn’t feel you were qualified to do this, I wouldn’t have made the offer. But I’m certainly glad things turned out this way.”

“Me, too.”

Will stopped walking, and Luna did as well. He looked around and then turned so that his back was to the village. “Let’s head this way. It’s time for your first lesson.”

“I thought we were only going for a short walk today.”

“Yes.” He nodded. “And a short lesson. This way.” He began to walk and Luna fell into step beside him.

***

They crested a hill and walked down into a small valley. Luna noted types of trees and plants that she’d never seen inside the village. She stopped at a squat, wide shrub with blue berries scattered through its branches.

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