Page 9 of Suncatcher

“What d’you expect in return?” Pearl asked again.

“Nothing.”

Pearl didn’t believe her. “Folks don’t do things for no reason, and you’d no reason to do that. So what do you want?”

After a long pause, the goyle finally spoke. “What is your name?”

Pearl didn’t think it was dangerous to give away that information. If the goyle was speaking to her, she wasn’t skinning her with those claws. “Pearl.”

“Pearl,” the goyle repeated, the name rolling and rumbling in chorus with the thunder.

Pearl slowly edged sideways, and the shape of the horned head tracked her. The goyle shifted to mirror her, effectively blocking her.

“State your price,” Pearl said. “Lemme go and I’ll do whatever you ask.” It was a terrible promise, but Pearl was desperate.

“My name is Driz.”

Pearl gritted her teeth. The goyle, Driz, spoke slowly and carefully, and it did nothing to help Pearl’s agitation. Cornered, she had to quell the reaction to lash out. She didn’t feel like dying if she could help it. “Alright, Driz. Answer my question so I can leave. What do you want?”

The rain fell harder and she could see even less. She moved sideways again, the other way.

“Time,” Driz finally said, and Pearl stopped.

“What?”

“I want time.”

Pearl scowled into the darkness. “I can’t tell if you’re being serious.”

“Why would I not be?”

“I don’t have time right now. And that’s not something you can bargain for. Just tell me a thing you need. Anything. Like supplies, money. Or what about new clothes? Because whatever that is—” Pearl gestured toward the hazy shape of Driz’s body. “—is just dreadful. No offense.”

The goyle looked down, running those large hands over her torso. “Very well. I would like clothes.”

“Great.” Pearl was still wary. Driz had agreed too easily. “What sort?”

“Like yours.”

“Done. Gimme a few days to get them pulled together.” Pearl took another tentative step, and Driz didn’t attempt to stop her.

“You will bring them to me?”

“Sure.”

“Where?”

Pearl thought quickly. “You know where Salt Bluff is?”

The head tilted again.

“The nearest town. Below the bluffs with the big salt fields?”

“Yes.”

The speed of that answer disconcerted her. “There’s a ravine just south of the bend in the river. I’ll meet you there in three days.”

“At dusk?”