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VAI

Daurek has saved the heel of the bread for me.

I see it beside his plate when I reach the hall, and almost turn around. I’ve spent the afternoon writing that I can come home. He has spent some part of it remembering which piece I like.

Then he looks up, and I’m glad I came.

“Is that mine?” I ask.

“Unless you’d prefer the middle.”

“Don’t let Ziku hear you offer.”

The fox lifts his head at the far end of the table. I take the place beside Daurek. My sleeve catches on the dressing around my wrist. I ease it loose, and Daurek passes the bread without trying to take over.

“Did you finish your letter?”

“Yes. I told Asha the release is in four days.”

There are other things I could tell him. How often I crossed out home. How I eventually wrote Tesseny because the city’s name didn’t require me to explain what I meant by it.

I break the bread instead.

“I said I’d write again when I knew my plans.”

“Good.”

The Karath trading house’s answer arrived this afternoon too. Their last mediator retired to live near his daughter. They handle quarrels over deliveries, damaged goods, and shared storage. The senior factor offers to meet me once I can travel.

I’ve written back that I’d like to meet him. That reply will go with Asha’s in the morning. I’ve put his answer beside Karev’s offer.

Daurek draws the dish of onions closer so I can reach it. His hand stays beside mine while I serve myself. I take rather longer than I need.

“Will you walk with me after dinner?”

He turns toward me. “Yes.”

I can eat after that.

Reivaka joins us with news of the bridge. She talks about a keeper who tried to move the grit cart without checking whether its wheel had been repaired.

“Where is it now?” Daurek asks.

“In the clearing. The wheel is in my workroom.”

He puts down his spoon.

“It will stay there until morning,” she says. “We have another cart.”

He picks up the spoon again. I catch him looking at me and fail to hide my smile.

Later, Ziku brings a folded note to my place.

“From Karev. Reivaka asked me to give it to you.”

Surevai wants to speak to me before the hearing. I read the note, then turn it over. There is nothing on the back. I had expected instructions about where to stand or whom I could bring.

“May I keep it tonight?” I ask.