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PART XI

We can see why throughout nature the same general end is gained by an almost infinite diversity of means, for every peculiarity when once acquired is long inherited, and structures already modified in many different ways have to be adapted for the same general purposes.

Charles Darwin,
The Origin of Species

61

Tiny flames flickered in the dry grass, stroked the shreds of bark, grew taller and braver, and reached up for the twigs. Alice blew. The bark began to burn hotter, brighter. She laid a thicker twig across the logs, then another. The fire uttered a crackle like a baby's first cry, and she sat back on her heels to admire her handiwork. There was something very satisfying in building a fire this way, much more satisfying than putting a sixpence in a gas meter. It came with the world. She began building a castle of thin branches. That should keep it going until she returned. Beyond the high and narrow windows, clouds blushed red in a winter sunset.

She stood up to survey her day's work. This chamber was now the refectory, by decree of Eleal Highpriestess, and for the time being would also serve as chapter house. It was a mess, but this morning it had been a disaster. The floor lacked so many of its tiles that not all Alice's hours of sweeping and scrubbing had made it look clean. Half the plaster had fallen off the rough stone walls; what was left resembled mange. The men had brought in four benches and a couple of tables they had found upstairs, badly worm eaten but apparently safe enough to use. Well, it wasn't the Savoy, but it beat camping in the woods. She hoped the chimney was not plugged with birds' nests.

Now for the little ritual she had promised herself. She walked out the door and along the corridor. Here the filth had been swept to the sides, leaving a narrow path in the center, but tomorrow or the next day it would be cleaned out properly. She passed the chapel, hearing a murmur of voices from Eleal and a translator as Br'krirg and some of his people received instruction. Someone—almost certainly Tittrag Mason—was chopping wood in the courtyard beyond, clearing out the firetrap. If the monotonous thumping did not bother Eleal, then it should not bother Alice. She peered morosely at the blisters on her palms. They were taking a long time to turn into calluses.

Arriving at the main door, which was only an archway with nothing to open or close, she was met by the cool evening breeze. The red-tinged clouds to the west were a sailor's warning if she had ever seen one, not that Nextdoor had any sailors to speak of. She did what she had come to do—walked out and stared down the long, overgrown driveway. It was deserted, as she had expected.

"You too?" Pinky Pinkney stood on the steps, resting one foot on a bulky roped bundle of sticks, calmly smoking a cigar. Where the blazes had he acquired that? Trust Pinky! There was an ax at his feet, though, and she could not deny that he had been pulling his weight these last few days, working as hard as any native.

He smiled smugly and blew a stream of smoke. "Watched roads never, urn, get traveled. That isn't a very melodious proverb, is it? I really cannot imagine a road ever boiling, though, can you? Not that one, at any rate."

"This is the first time I've dared look. Three days at the very least, we were told, so I swore I would not start looking until the end of the third day." Alice felt unreasonably irritated at having been caught doing so, and even more annoyed at herself for making excuses.

"But four was described as much more likely, was it not? And six or seven quite possible. Considering the floods. And even that assumes that they did not stay more than an hour or two in Tharg. But where are my manners?" He took his boot off the bundle. "Do sit down, my dear Mrs. Pearson!"

She declined, being quite certain that the sticks would be an intolerably uncomfortable seat. Pinky replaced his foot on it and leaned an elbow on his knee to help support the cigar.

"I am reasonably confident that they will have decided to remain in Tharg. For a day or two. I should allow no less than two. So we may anticipate hearing the news, whatever it may be, from our local friends. Br'krirg has promised to inform us right away if he hears anything. Anything at all. Right away."

"I shan't mind, so long as they don't remain in Tharg permanently, six feet under."

He drew smoke, closing his eyes in rapture. "This is a concern, of course. A real concern. The hazards of the river journey disturb me more than the civil authorities do. Much more. But the other is a factor, definitely. Not under, by the way. Thargians cremate their dead. Almost all vales do."

That information was hardly comforting. "I must get back to work. I was lighting a fire."

He chuckled. "May I offer you some firewood, then? Very reasonable! My rates are competitive."

"I shall have to requisition funds from the temple bursar. Do we have one?"

"I am prepared to serve, if asked. When we have some funds. Ahem! I understand that you plan to return Home, Mrs. Pearson? Ultimately."

She felt her defenses rise like a drawbridge. "Well, that depends on what the news is when it comes." If Edward was now safe from Zath's murderous attentions and if he chose to settle down on Nextdoor and if that kiss had meant anything more than a farewell . . . "Possibly."

"Of course," Pinky said blandly, as if he were not capable of interpreting implications, which he certainly was. "That is understood. There is a portal in Thovale, only a day or so from here, which connects to a provisioned portal in the New Forest. The Goldsmiths were planning to use it. When they went Home on leave, you understand. The Peppers inspected it and confirmed that it is still in operational condition."

"What exactly is a provisioned portal?"

"One not actively tended by Head Office but with clothes and money to hand. Not one where you will drop in unexpectedly on a funeral. Or Divine Service, what? General consternation. Let us give thanks for this sign unto us! You are expected to restore whatever you take, mm? At your convenience. I should be happy to instruct you in the key. And guide you there of course."

"That is most kind of you, Mr. Pinkney." She would not have expected it of Pinky, somehow. She had underestimated him. Or overestimated him, if his interest was in watching her dance around in the nude. "My fire will be pining for attention, so I—Someone's coming!"

A rider had just turned the corner at the far end of the driveway. A rabbit, not a moa, so not military. Only one, but a rabbit was not a herd animal and chose its own pace. There might be others following.

"Bless my soul!" Pinky stood up straight. "Not one of ours, surely? Where could they have acquired a rabbit? They had no money. Cannot be one of ours."

The rabbit was halfway to the temple now, and a second had come into view behind it.

"Red hair!" Alice shouted. "It's Dommi!" She leaped down the steps and raced to meet him.

 

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