Part 35 (1/2)

Wary now, he shoved his hands in his pockets. What?

Promise me youll not do anything foolish on your own. That for once in your stubborn life youll seek advice from those who care for you before you do something that cant be undone.

Pellen meant well, but he didnt understand. How could he? He werent a mage. He couldnt feel the earth, he only walked on top of it.

Im wasting my breath, arent I? said Pellen, disappointed, falling back against his pillows. Youll do what you think is right, no matter what I or Dathne or anyone else might say.

Im sorry, Pellen.

Dont be. Youre the Innocent Mage. Its not my place to Not your place? he demanded. When its you who got Gar and Matt and Darran out of the City, away from Morg? The only reason we beat the b.a.s.t.a.r.d is cause of you. Breathing hard, he dragged a hand down his face. Not your place? Sink me, Pellen, you dare say that againandIllIll Youll what? said Pellen, smiling. There was an ominous rattle in his chest. Slap the dying man whos trying to save you?

And what could he say to that? Nowt. But even if hed had the words, tears were too close.

Forget I asked it, said Pellen. And promise me this, instead.

With a terrible effort, he made himself smile. Sink me twice. What now?

Leaning over, Pellen tugged open the drawer in his bedside table and pulled out a battered, dog-eared pack of playing cards. Dont summon a horselir to eat me when I thrash you at zephyr.

Pellen, Pellen. You be breakin my b.l.o.o.d.y heart. Fine. I wont summon a horselir, he said, and returned to the chair by the bed. But I aint about to promise I wont make it snow down your nights.h.i.+rtif you beat me. Taking the cards, he began a swift shuffle. Cept you wont. So I reckon you be safe from snowfalls, for now.

Goose.

Amid the hustle and bustle of the expeditions final preparations, now that Barlsman Jaffee had said his prayers over them, Goose was taking a quiet moment, it seemed, to gather his thoughts. Was sat on an upturned bucket outside his horses stable round the back of Justice Hall, where Pintte and Badens collected group of adventurers milled and argued and jostled.

Goose, Rafel said again, when his friend didnt look up. Have you got a spare ticktock?

Theyd spoken once since that afternoon of ale-brewing, when hed told his friend hed travel with him over the mountains. Just once hed seen Goose, to break his promised word.

Goose lifted his head. Rafe.

They stared at each other, silent, as around them Fernel Pintte and Sarle Baden and the other eight as were leaving, four Olken and four Doranen, fetched bridles and saddles, double-checked saddlebags and backpacks. Rafel spared them a glance, and didnt recognise one of them. Then he shoved his hands in his pockets. There were too many folk here, with big ears and flapping lips.

Walk with me a little ways? Have you got time?

Goose shrugged. A minute or so. Cant walk far in a minute.

We can walk far enough, he said, and nodded to the tree-shadowed pathway leading to the lane that ran behind the Hall. If you want to.

Goose looked to where Fernel Pintte was in conversation with Sarle Baden. Not friends, those two, but joined in common cause. No more Doranen in Lur. Meister Mayor!

Pintte turned. When he saw whod come visiting, his face collapsed in a scowl. What?

Need to take a moment, said Goose. I wont go far. Wont be long.

And we wont wait for you if thats not the case, Pintte retorted. Rafel Rafel held up his hands. Aint come to cause trouble, Meister Mayor. Just need a word with Goose, here, before you go.

Fernel Pintte turned his back. So probly that meant he and Goose had their moment.

Goose seemed to think so, cause he pushed himself off the bucket and threaded his way through the chaos towards the pathway. Guts twisting, Rafel followed. Joined him in the dappling shadows, his mouth crowded with words.

Rafe, I aint mad at you, Goose said, patient. Not smiling. Ive told you that once already. So if youre here to say sorry, save your breath. To be honest, I never really thought youd come. I never thought your father would let you.

And that burned. Let me?

Goose rested a hand on his shoulder. Tightened his fingers and shook him, just a bit. Rafe, I swearsometimes youre thicker than a brick wall. He nearly got you killed in Westwailing. Did you truly think hed let you out of his sight so soon after? Trust you to Fernel Pintte and Sarle Baden, when he blames them for what happened there? Dont be daft. Even if he wasnt stone-blind certain the expeditions going to go bad, hed not risk you. And he is certain, isnt he?

Gooses kind forbearance was worse than anger. They were the same ageyet oddly, his friend seemed older, of a sudden. And he felt younger. Like the little brother being left behind.

It doesnt make him right.

Thats not the point, Rafe, said Goose, and let his hand drop. The point is he thinks hes right. And your fathers the most stubborn Olken in history. Did you know he came to see my dad? Tried to browbeat him into making me stay home?

He stared at his friend, horrified. Goose, I didnt know, I swear. I didnt ask him. Ive hardly said a word to him since He chewed at his lip. Goose, Im sorry.

Never mind. It doesnt matter, said Goose, frowning. Rafe, dont you be a fool. Dont you let this come between you and him. Once weve got the way cleared over the mountains, once weve made friends with whoever we find on the other side, therell be other expeditions. You and me can go next time.

He nearly said, If there is a next time. But that would sound mean, like he didnt believe hed see Goose again. And the last thing he wanted was to make his friend think he thought that. Only Maybe so, but this first expeditionll likely be dangerous, Goose. It aint right youre going alone.

Alone? Goose nodded at the increased bustle in Justice Halls rear courtyard. With that lot?

Goose Goose heaved a deep sigh. You know what your trouble is, Rafe? Ill tell you. You think just cause youve got a dash of Doranen magic in you that youre a bit better than everyone else.

That made him blink. What?

And you think I cant look after myself, said Goose, eyebrows lifted, challenging. You think that if youre not around to save me, Im as good as dead already. He smiled, friendly but pointed. Thats a mite insulting, yknow.

What?

Kindly meant, Goose added. But still insulting. You keep saying as how youre not a sprat any more. Well, that makes two of us, Rafe. I dont need a nursemaid and I dont need you to save me. Wanted your company, mind. This expedition wont be the same without you. But like I said. Theres always the next one.

Shaken silent, Rafel stared at him. Had Goose lost his mind? Or had he spent so much time with Fernel Pintte and Sarle Baden that hed got himself infected by their blind arrogance? Was this how Da felt, faced with a whole Council chamber full of men and women like Goose, whod let themselves be hoodwinked and bamboozled by hope and fear?

He swallowed. I dont think Im better than you, Goose. But I do know Im different. And the ways Im different? I know they save lives. Youre my best friend, you sinkin fool. I dont want nowt to happen to you!

It wont, said Goose. Then he pulled a face. Or if it does, theres nowt to say you could stop it. Besides, someones got to go. Lurs a boiling pot with the lid stuck on tight. Weve got to get the lid off. Or therell be brawling and worse between us and the Doranen and when it comes to worse we both know wholl win.

How could he fratch with that? Every word Goose spoke was true. But even so even so Sink me sideways, Goose, he said, and pulled his friend into a rib-cracking embrace. You better come back safe and sound.

I will, said Goose, pounding him between the shoulder blades. Im coming back safe and sound just so I can say I told you so.

In the courtyard behind them, the sounds of horses clopping out of their stables. Meister Martin! shouted Fernel Pintte. If youre coming with us, nows the time! Or stay behind and stuff your belly with regrets.

Goose let go, and stepped back. You talk to your father, Rafe. Youve only got one. And hes only got you. Well, Deenie too, but thats not the same. A mans son is his son.

Aye, he said, unwilling to trust his voice further.

Talk to him, Goose insisted. Or Ill kick your a.r.s.e black and blue when I come back.

Looks like youll be busy then. Saying I told you so. Kicking my a.r.s.e.