I fought a smile.
She was so cheerful, this lady warrior with a sword hanging from her waist. Her face was round, the apples of her cheeks prominent, almost eclipsing her small eyes when she smiled.
“We lot—” She stopped to point to herself and the three others. “We’ll be coming to you for aches and pains first. I myself want some lightleaf for my courses if you’ve any.”
“I’ll sell you some,” I offered. “But just the leaf. I have to keep the oil for emergencies. And you did not get it from me. It’s outlawed in Sheridan. Smoke it where you can be hidden.”
“They don’t want folk getting a little happy and light now and again?”
As I opened my mouth to answer the big Helmsman, trying not to show my intimidation at his size and tattooed face, I was interrupted.
“Wait a Brother-blessed moment,” interjected the lady. “WhywouldReed call you a viper?” She turned to Keir. “What has gotten into him?”
I was surprised at her casual reference to the Tintarian god.
Keir shrugged. “Like I know what goes on between those magic ears.”
“Reed is not as mysterious as he seems,” said the Helmsman, nodding at me. “I like a fine man with a quiet manner, but he hides nothing.”
“You like a fine man withanymanner,” Reed murmured, but the corners of his lips quirked upward.
The Helmsman put his hand over his chest. “I have an open mind.”
“And a hard prick,” added Keir.
The four of them began to laugh together.
Before I could slink away, Keir called out, “I see you travel with all women? Am I correct?”
I hesitated. “Yes. Four others and myself. Though our place on the list is marked as three. Two of my party are considered dead.”
My bitterness was obvious, my words a challenge to them.
“Terrible nonsense. Cruel,” said the lady. She stepped closer to me. “I am called Evangeline. The one with one eye is Reed. The one with the braid is Keir. And the best-looking one is Dermid.”
The Helmsman sniggered.
“Oh please,” said Keir. “I am the best-looking by far. No offense, brothers.”
“None taken,” said Reed. “After all, without your face, what do you have?”
“A hard prick,” said Evangeline, and the four of them laughed again.
I turned to go, but Keir said, “What I asked was do you need the protection of a man? At least the occasional ride by your wagon?”
“Is that the business of a scout?” I asked.
He flicked his shiny, black braid over his shoulder. “It is the business of a man not raised to look down on women but who finds himself among folk who do and sees a party of all women, sees their vulnerability.”
“We’re just fine,” I said lightly, trying to make my shouldersrelax.
“You sound sinister. You’re scaring her,” said Evangeline, her tone scathing, with a glare cast at Keir. She drew herself even closer to me. “I’ll ride by your wagon in the afternoons. Just to see how you fare. I’m as strong as any man and mean you no harm. And I’ll pay anything you ask for the leaf.”
“Keir doesn’t care about their safety,” said Dermid. “He wants to feast his eyes on the slender one always dressed in blue. The quieter woman.”
I flinched, a fierce protection for Jade rising in me.
Keir smiled. “I’m caught. But I do worry for their safety.”
