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

sorry for having ruined the old man's adventure.
    "I'll see you when I get back, lad. I will," Jerivet shot a look at Liall, "or there'll be pure hell to pay." Jerivet clicked his tongue and the old dray horse moved forward over the rutted road that led through the pass and down to Khurelen.
    "Well!" Liall slapped his hands together and turned to look down on Scarlet. "The toll has risen for you again, redbird."
    He was smiling broadly.
    Peysho gave them both an arch look and muttered an order to the Kasiri hanging about. They scattered and Peysho trudged toward a round red tent on a raised wooden pavilion, balancing crockery on his arms with little grace. It was the 94
    Scarlet and the White Wolf--Book One
    by Kirby Crow
    largest and richest tent in the camp, and Scarlet suspected it was Liall's own dwelling.
    Though Scarlet had no fondness for Peysho, he was dismayed when the man was gone because it left him alone with Liall.
    "I admire your resourcefulness," Liall said as he plucked a hay straw from Scarlet's hair. "But I fear I cannot reward it."
    He put the end of the straw in his mouth and chewed it thoughtfully as Scarlet stood there embarrassed and uncertain what to do next. "However, since you are so determined, I will offer you another bargain: stay with me tonight and you will have free passage for a full turning of the year."
    "No."
    "You are so swift to refuse," Liall complained. "Am I that ugly?"
    Scarlet clamped his lips shut. No, you're that handsome. It was truth, but it was his truth, not to be forced out of him.
    "Very well." Liall crushed the straw and cast it aside. "If you will not be moved by desire, perhaps I can trust in the natural parsimony of Byzans. Stay the night and I will pay you a hundred sellivar."
    Scarlet's first reaction was to gape at him. Not only had he already been told no twice, but ... one night worth a hundred silver coins? A full year's pay? The man was clearly mad. "You have no sense!"
    "You value yourself too cheaply, pretty one."
    His face went hot. "Scarlet," he announced in defense. "My name is Scarlet."
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    Scarlet and the White Wolf--Book One
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    Liall tilted his head back. "A fair name for a fair lad, and it suits you, if I understand the meaning. Tell me, Scarlet; do you lie awake at night dreaming up these tricks?"
    "If I did, I would succeed better."
    Liall laughed. "You wrong me to think me less clever."
    "I can't take the whole blame for this," he muttered. He was already resigned to being sent back to Lysia. "The soldier did suggest wool, but raw wool has fleas."
    Liall took a step toward him. Before he could step back at this new intrusion, Liall had fitted his hand under Scarlet's chin. The chieftain studied his face intently.
    "A soldier?" he echoed, his nearly colorless eyes glittering.
    "Give me his name."
    "I ... I can't, for he never gave it."
    "And like a true Byzan, you never asked. What does he look like? Perhaps I know him."
    "Lean, with a chipped tooth and scars on both sides of his face," he said without thinking, and winced when Liall's fingers tightened. He did not like the soldier's manners, but he had no reason to wish him ill or bring the atya's wrath down on him. Also, the soldier wore the Flower Prince's badge and so was sworn to uphold the law in Byzantur. "He meant nothing, I'm sure. He was teasing me for my failure."
    "Your failure?" That white brow arched again. "Ah, your stealth in the forest, or lack of it. He sounds an unkind fellow at the very least, taking his pleasure in misfortune."
    "It's an unkind world," he informed, very aware of Liall's hand on him.
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    "Indeed, but not everyone who mocks you means you ill, just as everyone who lays a hand on you is not necessarily your enemy. Tell me more of this soldier."
    "There's nothing to tell."
    "What was his rank?"
    "Captain. He wore the crimson vine on his sleeve." He tried to pull away, but Liall was not letting go. "What