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"I don't like the look of your face," the leader...
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"I don't like the look of your face," the leader said, staring at BaerdThe man's hair was darker than most of the others, but his eyes were pale and hardThis was the first time in a year they'd had a confrontation so direct with the BarbadiansShe lowered her eyes, willing Baerd to be calm, to say the right things
What she did not know, for no one who had not been there could know, was what Baerd was seeing in that moment
Not six Barbadians on horses by a road in Certando, but as many Ygrathen soldiers in the square before his father's house long agoSo many years, and the memory still sharp as a wound from only yesterdayAll the normal measures of time seemed to fall apart and blow away in moments rolex watch knock off such as this
Baerd forced himself to avert his gaze before the Barbadian's glareHe knew he had made a mistake, knew this was a mistake he would always make if he wasn't carefulHe had been too euphoric though, rushing too fast on a floodtide of emotion, seeing this marching column as dancing to the tune he and Alessan had calledBut it was early yet, far too early, so much lay unknown and uncontrollable in the futureAnd they had to live to see that future or everything would have been wastedYears and lives, the patient conjuring of dream into reality
He said, eyes cast down, voice low, "I am sorry if I have offendedI was only marveling at youWe have not seen so many soldiers on the road in chanel bucket tote bag years
"We moved aside to make way," Sandre added in his deep voice
"You be silent," the Barbadian leader rasped"If I wish to converse with servants I will inform you One of the others sidled his horse toward Sandre, forcing him to step backwardCatriana, behind him, felt her legs grow weakShe reached out and gripped the railing of the cart; her palms were damp with fearShe saw two of the Barbadians staring at her with frank, smirking appraisal, and she was suddenly aware of how her clothing would be clinging to her body after her swim in the pond
"Forgive us," Baerd repeated, in a muffled tone"We meant no harm, no harm at all
"Really? Why were you counting our numbers?"
"Counting? Your numbers? Why chanel cambon ligne bag would I do such a thing?"
"You tell me, merchant
"It is not so," Baerd protested, inwardly cursing himself as an amateur and a foolAfter twelve years, something so clumsy as this! The situation was careening out of control, and the simple fact was that he had indeed been counting the Barbadian numbers"We are only traders," he added
"With a Khardhu warrior for guard? Not so minor, I would say
Baerd blinked, and clutched his hands together deferentiallyHe had made a terrible mistakeThis man was dangerously sharp
"I was afraid for my wife," he said"There have been rumors of outlaws in the south, of great unrestThere were, in fact, more than rumorsTwenty-five Barbadians had been slaughtered in a copy mulberry handbag passHe was fairly certain Alessan had been there
"Your wife or your goods?" one of the other Barbadians sneered"We know which you people value more He looked past Baerd to where Catriana stood, and there was a loose, heavy-lidded look in his faceThe other soldiers laughedBaerd quickly lowered his head again; he didn't want them to see the death that was in his eyesHe remembered that kind of laughter, the resonance of itHad led, in a square in Tigana eighteen years agoHe was silent, eyes downcast, murder in his heart, bound close with memory
"What are you carrying?" the first Barbadian rapped out, his voice blunt as a trowel
"Ale," Baerd said, squeezing his hands together"Only barrels of ale for the chanel bag gold chain nort |
Posted: 10:48 PM, Wednesday, May 5, 2010 |
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