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

sneezed and they struck out for the pass.
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    Scarlet and the White Wolf--Book One
    by Kirby Crow
    He had never realized before how rocky the road to the pass was. Riding in the back of a cart surrounded by pottery and covered in straw was not the most comfortable way to travel, and he hoped there were no insects in the straw. He consoled himself that the wool would have been a worse situation.
    As they drew closer to the pass, Scarlet heard voices being raised: traveler's complaints, Kasiri calling back and forth, and one voice he recognized immediately. He recalled Liall as he stood before the campfire, how the bald enforcer, Peysho, had thrown him at Liall's feet like a gift. The atya had been surprised, but there had also been amusement in his gaze and some other emotion Scarlet could not recognize.
    "Well, well, gran'ther, what have ye here?"
    He recognized that rough voice, too. It was Peysho, who had seemed curiously sympathetic when he pushed him back down the road last time.
    "Load of pottery, meant for market," Jerivet told him happily.
    "Let's have a look at it, then," Peysho said, and there was rustling in the straw not far from his feet.
    Scarlet froze and held his breath.
    "Good wares," said a voice, startlingly near. It was Liall.
    "Not fancywork. Plain, strong, crockery. A silver bit, old man, to see it safely to market."
    "Aye," Jerivet said pleasantly. He heard a clinking sound.
    "I've not a silver bit, but I've five coppers. Will it do?"
    Liall's voice was just as agreeable. "As good as. Or, if you will, a set of plates."
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    Scarlet and the White Wolf--Book One
    by Kirby Crow
    "One only?" Jerivet returned quickly, and the haggling began in earnest.
    He should have known. Jerivet could dicker the skin off a Minh and make him like it. Scarlet sighed inwardly and held very still as Jerivet pulled out saucers and bowls to extol their value. Jerivet's rummaging shifted the straw, and the end of Scarlet's nose began to tickle, then someone else reached in near his face and pulled out a bowl. A shower of very fine dust fell on his cheek.
    He sneezed. There was a moment of silence before an iron hand reached in and clamped around his wrist, and then he was hauled bodily out of the cart, covered in scattered hay.
    His pack followed, tossed at his feet, and he was mortally glad he had left the bottle of blue poppy scent behind.
    Liall truly looked like a robber prince today, with a small sapphire earring dangling over the white fur around his neck, and a fine blue woolen cloak with a polished silver brooch.
    Both his pale eyebrows climbed as he studied the pedlar.
    "Well, old man, it seems pottery is not all you carry," he said smilingly to Jerivet.
    "He didn't know," Scarlet said hastily, afraid they would punish Jerivet.
    Jerivet's expression went briefly startled before smoothing out again.
    "And you are a poor liar," Liall told him. He turned to Jerivet. "Let you and I be done, old man, two of everything and two copper bits, and you are paid for the journey." He laid his hand on Scarlet's shoulder for an instant before 93
    Scarlet and the White Wolf--Book One
    by Kirby Crow
    Scarlet threw it off. "This one we will not charge you for, but he will not cross with you either."
    "This boy is son to an old friend," Jerivet admitted. "I can't leave him here if you mean to harm him." His whiskered jaw tightened. "I'll fight you if I have to."
    "Have I hurt any of your people yet? Do not fear for him, old father. One of everything and one copper bit, and I am paid," he said, dropping his price even lower.
    "Done," Jerivet declared, and promptly began piling glazed crockery into Peysho's arms.
    "You, on the other hand, have not paid at all," Liall murmured aside to Scarlet.
    Scarlet glared, wanting to hit him.
    Jerivet finished with the crockery and dropped the promised copper coin into the bowl on the top of the pile.
    Jerivet gave him a sad, sympathetic look before climbing back onto his cart, and Scarlet was a little