Scarlet and the White Wolf [01] - Scarlet and the White Wolf by Kirby Crow

He still wore his long pedlar's coat, so perhaps the man just wanted news of the road. In a moment more, the soldier asked.
    "Nothing unusual. There's a fever in Zarabek, but that's no news this time of year. Nantua has a new mayor and he's thinking of putting a tax on pedlar's goods, the puffed-up prick. Good luck to him, since the trade in Natua is already so poor that only good-hearted chapmen bother to stop."
    The soldier nodded and grinned, the long scars giving his face a sardonic cast. He was older than Scarlet first estimated. Now that the man was close, Scarlet realized that something about the soldier disturbed his traveler's sense, warning him to beware. His eyes were drawn again to the crimson vine on the soldier's sleeve, and he reminded himself that this one served the Flower Prince and had sworn an oath to uphold justice and rule in Byzantur. Perhaps they were both just having a cross night.
    "And are you a good-hearted chapman?"
    He shrugged. "That depends."
    "On what, son?"
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    Scarlet and the White Wolf--Book One
    by Kirby Crow
    He did not like to be named a boy. He disliked it even more that night and that was no fault of the soldier's, but he glared anyway. "I'm a man grown and not your son, soldier."
    The scarred man laughed, throwing his head back. Scarlet saw that he had one chipped canine tooth and the rest white and strong. His eyes twinkled at Scarlet in false good humor.
    "Fair enough. Your pardon, sir, and may I freshen your cup in apology?"
    Scarlet was simmering but mollified. His pride had taken a thrashing from Liall, and he was short-tempered and sore.
    Mirilee had been the alewife at Rufa's taberna since before Scarlet was born. She came to pour their cups full and the soldier passed her a coin. When she had gone, the soldier looked at Scarlet pensively and pursed his lips in thought. "I hear that a farmer named Kellun is taking a cartload of wool to be washed and dyed over the pass. Perhaps you can travel with him." His white teeth flashed in the lamplight. "Inside the wool."
    The thought of traveling inside a cartload of greasy, unwashed wool was unpleasant. Scarlet grimaced and took a sip, wishing the soldier would leave him alone. Then he remembered Jerivet the potter, Scaja's old friend. Jerivet was planning to go over the pass with goods meant for the Bledlands market, and he loaded his cart with straw to cushion his wares, packing it around the plates and cups to prevent breakage. If he gave the potter a few copper slips to pay toward whatever toll the Kasiri charged, he might agree to help him.
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    Scarlet and the White Wolf--Book One
    by Kirby Crow
    The soldier leaned forward. "You've thought of something,"
    he said genially. "I can see it in your eyes."
    "Perhaps," he answered and shrugged. He was coming to dislike this soldier with a long nose too interested in his business. "Good evening." He rose and left his drink half-finished.
    Scarlet did not see the soldier's eyes follow him as he drew the collar of his red coat tighter and went out into the snowy night, nor did he see the calculating smile that crossed the soldier's face as he picked up the abandoned mug and slowly drank.

    * * * *
    Scaja seemed resigned when he revealed his plan, but did not try to forbid it. He only put on his cap and went to speak to Jerivet. Jerivet said it was the foolishness of youth and seemed to think it was a grand adventure, and was patiently disposed with Scarlet when the next bright, snow-free dawn arrived and the pedlar showed up on his doorstep wearing a sheepish look.
    "I hope this works out the way you want, Scarlet." Jerivet grinned as he covered him with straw, delighted to be part of some mischief at his age. "Your dad says you're a stubborn one."
    Scarlet tried to find a comfortable position in the back of the cart amid the piles of crockery. "Thank you, Jerivet," he told him sincerely, just before the old man dropped another bundle of straw on his head and spread it over him. He