Fortress of Ice by C. J. Cherryh Page B

happen, not what is happening.”
    â€œOh, aye, an’ I’ll walk in and she’ll curse me for a fool. But if it is a warning-dream, we’re summat ahead of it, ain’t we? But ye’re right. I’ll see to that chimney, then come on back, wi’ no delay.”
    â€œYou’ll get there before the Bryalt holidays start, as is. And if it’s nothing, Paisi, you should just stay the whole holidays with Gran. This isn’t going to be like ours.”
    â€œOh, that ain’t fair, an’ you wi’ nobody to see ye get meals…”
    â€œI can perfectly well see to myself! And you can be there to spend holiday with her, so she’s not alone.”
    â€œI ain’t at all sure.”
    â€œHave a cake at the shrine and think of me. I’ll be perfectly safe, and you can write to me straightway as you get there and let me know how things are.”
    â€œNow ’ow will I get a letter out?”
    â€œWell, they change out the Guard every month, don’t they, even in bad weather. And if it’s a message to somebody in the Guelesfort, they’ll carry it. They will. And coming home, you know they’ll go as fast as they can.” He took comfort in the plan. It was one of his best. “Which is as fast as the king sending somebody, isn’t it? That’s how the merchants send things.”
    â€œStill,” Paisi said.
    â€œIf it turns out I have a place here through spring, you know, you’d only have to go back when the garden goes in. You know Gran can’t do the heavy plow—she’ll put the garden in, but the rest will take the push-plow, won’t it?”
    â€œFarmer Ost’ll bring his oxen over. He’d do it for her. That were the plan, that were what she said, if need be.”
    â€œWell, but then Gran will have your help doing the other things. So you could just stay on a little.”
    â€œYou’re trying to make me stay there the spring, and I said I wouldn’t!”
    â€œI’m not.”
    â€œAre so. You and Aewyn are having a rare good time—as should be, m’lord, don’t mistake me.”
    â€œWe’ll be perfectly well.”
    â€œOnly so you stay friends while I’m gone and don’t get in any trouble. Boys is apt to quarrels.”
    â€œI shan’t, with him, Paisi. He’s my friend, he’s my true friend, besides being my brother.”
    â€œGods hear that ’un, Otter-lad. But I’ll feel better if I know Gran’s set.”
    â€œAnd you come back to me when the chores are done and the planting is in.”
    â€œBut if I go—if I go, how’s you even to draw your bath or get your food in this great place? You don’t know the ways…”
    â€œOnce you’re well away, and they can’t stop you,” Otter said, “then I can tell the king, and he’ll see I have someone.”
    â€œOh, somebody in my place, will he be? I won’t like that!”
    â€œNever in your place, Paisi. You’re my brother.”
    A grunt. “Which I ain’t, an’ that’s the fact an’ ye know it. Nor be so cheeky wi’ ’Is Majesty, neither, wi’ askin’ for help as if ye’re due the sun an’ the moon besides. It’s dangerous to assume about lords at all. They can be generous, but they got their moments, too, an’ they think thoughts we don’t know about, so don’t be cheeky an’ don’t tell ’im too late.”
    â€œHe won’t be angry. He’ll just be glad we saw to matters ourselves, and it’s not as if I’m going to starve here for a day.”
    â€œWell, ye may, if ye ain’t careful. Ye can’t store food here, not on Fast Day. Ye got to clean the place out an’ go without food in the premises, dawn to dark.”
    â€œI’ll find my own way to the kitchens perfectly well, I’ll follow every rule, and I promise, Paisi,