[Shadowed Path 01] - A Woman Worth Ten Coppers by Morgan Howell Page B

he replied. “See that you are,” he said at last. Then he turned and began striding toward the road. “Come and get my pack.”
    Relieved, Yim limped behind him as fast as she could.

 
    THIRTEEN
    H ONUS AND Yim returned to the ruined house. After Yim shouldered the pack, they resumed their journey. Yim was shaken by her experience and in far worse shape than before. Nevertheless, she struggled gamely to keep up. Pleased by her show of effort, Honus slowed his pace until they walked abreast. After a while, he decided to test Yim’s newfound docility. “Tell me,” he said, “what happened between you and Gan’s mother?”
    “I merely tried to humor her.”
    “I think you did more than that,” said Honus, watching Yim carefully.
    “Who can fathom a mind such as hers?” replied Yim. “Perhaps it helped her to think I was her daughter.”
    “What really happened that night?”
    “I tried to steal some ale. That’s all.”
    Honus continued to look Yim in the eye. She met his gaze until he looked away, shaking his head. “I don’t understand you.”
    “There’s nothing to understand,” replied Yim. “I’m only a girl who carries your pack.”
    Honus grunted.
    “You’ve never had a slave before, have you?”
    “No. But already I find it tiresome.”
    “That’s because it’s unnatural to own someone. You should stop trying.”
    “Unnatural or not, I expect you to obey me.”
    “I will, Master,” said Yim with meekness Honus didn’t find entirely each other convincing.
    “We need endure each other for only a short while,” said Honus, as much for his benefit as Yim’s. “Then our ways will part forever.”
     
    For a while, Honus and Yim passed isolated farms that were usually crude hovels surrounded by stony fields. What folk they spied fled at the sight of Honus. After the road climbed to higher ground, they encountered no one. The sole signs of habitation were ancient ones and long abandoned. Honus left the road well before sunset to camp. Yim gathered wood, built a fire, and cooked porridge. Honus had caught no game, so the boiled grain comprised their dinner. Exhausted, Yim cooked and ate in silence, then fell asleep while it was still light.
    When the two resumed their journey, Yim played a willing servant. Although she fell short of being cheerful, her demeanor gave Honus hope that she’d be less grating in the future. She seems to have accepted her lot, he thought.
    Despite Yim’s improved attitude, Honus dreaded the journey ahead. He was familiar with Luvein, for he and Theodus had trekked up and down it. The way was hard, for the roadways were abandoned. There were perils as well. Luvein’s tragic history had left a legacy of evil. The malevolent found refuge in the empty countryside, and there were haunted spots as well, malign places where travelers were prone to misfortune. But it wasn’t hardship or danger that disheartened Honus; as a Sarf, he was used to both. What discouraged him was the prospect of a journey without Theodus.
    Honus’s late master not only had provided companionship, but had given meaning to Honus’s life. Through obeying Theodus, Honus believed he was serving Karm. Since infancy, he had been taught that was the highest good. His role didn’t require him to understand his master’s ends, only to help fulfill them. Sometimes Honus fought for causes that Theodus deemed worthy. Sometimes he merely gathered firewood. Whatever Honus did served a purpose. Without Theodus, the trek through Luvein would be nothing more than a long and arduous hike.
    Moreover, Honus dreaded the journey’s conclusion. He had served only one master, and the idea of getting a new one daunted him. Honus couldn’t imagine anyone taking the place of one he so loved and revered. Yet he was a Sarf, and a Sarf’s function was to serve a Bearer. When he reached the temple, both he and Yim would get new masters. Honus glanced at his slave as she trudged uphill, bent beneath the pack. She