Lyndal regarded the man, trying to figure out if he was trustworthy. The last thing she wanted was to return to the nobility borough with the animal and have her family laugh at her. ‘My sister is married to a commander, you know. So if no babies arrive within the next few weeks, you can expect him to be waiting here for you the next time your ship docks.’
The man did not so much as blink. ‘If your sister is married to a commander, then how come a lady such as yourself is down here alone at the port?’
That was a very reasonable question. ‘I’m free to go where I please. Every merchant here knows of my connection, as does every defender watching you from atop that wall.’ She gestured over her shoulder as she delivered the lie. Never mind the fact that Harlan had told her repeatedly not to enter the port without an escort.
‘The sow will birth boarlets before my next visit.’ The man straightened and crossed his arms. ‘Now, ten shillings, or she goes to the man waiting behind you.’
Lyndal glanced over her shoulder to a balding man eyeing the boar. She swallowed, then pulled out her coin pouch, handing the ship merchant his money. He nodded his thanks and went to turn away. She grabbed his arm. ‘Wait. How am I supposed to get the crate to the merchant borough?’
The man’s eyebrows lifted. ‘You don’t expect my men to venture into an enclosed borough riddled with defenders, do you?’
Fair point.
‘Perhaps you could leash the animal and I could walk it?’
The merchant chuckled. ‘The sow will more likely walkyou.’
Lyndal chewed her lip as he turned and walked away. Before she could come up with any more terrible ideas, a throat cleared behind her. She turned to find Astin Fletcher standing there rubbing his freshly trimmed beard.
Bodyguard of King Borin.
Harlan’s best friend.
And the only man with the ability to instantly darken her mood.
For the love of…
She turned to him, chin raised. ‘Defender.’
Those cool grey eyes of his looked from her to the sea merchant to the boar. ‘I thought Commander Wright told you not to enter the port without an escort.’
‘Harlan is my brother-in-law, not my guardian.’ Her eyes narrowed. ‘And what are you doing here?’
‘I went to collect you from the shop. Birtle wasn’t entirely forthcoming when I questioned him on your whereabouts, so I figured you were somewhere you shouldn’t be.’ His eyes returned to the animal in the crate. ‘Tell me you’re not considering buying that thing.’
‘The deal is done,’ Lyndal replied. She cleared her throat. ‘Now I just need to get it off the dock.’
Astin assessed her. ‘You do know that’s a boar, not a pig.’
She rolled her eyes back in his direction. ‘It’s a domesticated boar.’
‘Is that what the ship merchant told you?’
She scowled in place of a reply.
‘Let’s hope it’s familiar with the concept of fences.’ He looked in the direction of the ship. ‘We’re going to need some rope.’
Lyndal’s shoulders relaxed. ‘You’ll help me?’
‘I don’t really have a choice.’ He pointed at the ground. ‘Don’t move from this spot.’ Then he walked off in the direction of the ship, returning with a length of rope.
A few expert knots later, he had a harness made for the animal. Carefully, he partially opened the crate and secured it around the boar before opening it all the way. The animal took off, squealing and growling in protest as the harness pulled tightly around her. Astin waited several minutes for her to settle enough to attempt walking with her.
‘You right to carry the crate?’ Astin asked, once the boar had given up fighting him.
Lyndal reached down and took a firm hold of it. It was heavier than she had anticipated, but she did not dare complain as she lifted it off the ground. ‘Yes, fine.’
Astin looked sceptical but said nothing as he headed for the beach.
