Fallon and Caden watched the slight figureleave. Caden dropped into the spot the boy had vacated and pickedup the hand he’d tossed aside.
“I’m surprised he did as well as he did withthese cards. You should have been able to force an end to the gamemuch sooner.”
He handed the cards to Fallon to examine.
“You’re right. He was astonishinglyresourceful. Even you and I would have been hard pressed to give agood showing with a crap hand like this. Keep an eye on him, wouldyou?”
Caden’s interest sharpened. “You thinking ofrecruiting him?”
“Possibly. He’s got a bright mind. He’spatient and bluffs better than most of the clan leaders I deal withon a regular basis. With a little polishing, he might be an assetin our ranks. What do you think?”
Caden considered. “It’s possible. Especiallyif he has the skills Perry said he has. It concerns me that he’s aLowlander, though. Giving someone like that access to sensitiveinformation could constitute a security risk. You’d have to makehim part of the Trateri before even considering it.”
“Hm.” Fallon idly shuffled the cards. “It’llprobably be awhile one way or another. He’s too young for my guardright now. We’ll see what the future brings.”
Fallon set the cards aside. “Now, tell me.How do our forces stand?”
Chapter Twelve
Clark bounced up to Shea with all the energyof a newborn puppy. “How did you like the game? I can’t believe youplayed so long with Fallon. What’s he like? Did you have fun? Itseemed like you had fun. I would have given anything to join.”
“Has anybody ever told you that you’re verychipper?” Shea asked, giving him a sidelong glance.
What had brought on all this enthusiasm? Hewas normally cheerful but not usually to this extent.
“Ah, give the kid a break, Shea,” Eamonsaid.
It seemed like he had forgiven her forwhatever trespasses she’d made yesterday.
“He’s probably not the only one who’s goingto be falling over themselves to ask you questions about your game.It’s not every day they see Fallon take an interest insomeone.”
“Interest? Hardly. All he did was teach methe rules to a game.”
“I don’t know of any other person he’s donethat for,” Buck said, joining them.
Maybe not, but she still didn’t see what allthe fuss was about. They’d barely spoken aside from him explainingthe rules.
He hadn’t recognized her, had he? Maybe he’ddone so without realizing it.
“What do you think? He might be recruitingthe Daisy?” Buck asked Eamon.
Eamon folded his arms. “It would be the firsttime someone from outside the clans has ever been considered.”
“Considered for what?” Shea found herselfasking.
“His personal guard.” Clark practicallyhopped up and down.
“Not necessarily his personal guard,” Eamonclarified. “But something in that vein. Maybe for a position thatreports directly to him.”
“That’s absurd.”
Please let it be absurd. She didn’t know howlong her disguise would hold up under repeated contact or whenshe’d run into people, like Darius or his men, who’d seen her morerecently.
“If you say so.” Buck’s tone of voice made itclear he didn’t entirely believe her. “Anyway, the men discovered anice little pond we can use to bathe. Grab what you need and let’sgo.”
Shea felt the blood drain from her face,leaving her suddenly light headed.
“Yes! Finally,” Clark said. “I’ve got enoughdirt, grime and blood on me for a Lowlander to farm.”
