The Pillars Of The World

grin widened.
    And may She bless Ari as well. He knew she’d been struggling and didn’t have enough coins to buy meat very often. But he hadn’t realized that she hadn’t made use of what would have been freely given until she
    ’d told him how long it had been since she’d had fresh fish to eat.
    What he’d told her was true. He hadn’t spent much time catching the salmon. He’d simply gone to the stream and quietly stood on the bank. When a few of the water sprites who lived in and around the stream had asked why the young Lord of the Woods was just standing there, he had told them he wanted a salmon for Ari. They disappeared into the stream, and a few minutes later two salmon were being herded toward him. He had thanked the water sprites and taken the salmon. As simple as that.
    He had stopped trying to explain to the Small Folk that he wasn’t a Lord of the Woods. True, his understanding of the woods and the creatures that lived there had always been keen—and might have come from the man who had sired his father. And there was no denying that there were times, when meat was truly needed, when a rabbit or a young buck seemed to offer itself to his bow. But having a Fae grandfather didn’t make him Fae. However, that didn’t stop him from accepting whatever fealty was offered when he needed it.
    The gelding refused to check its speed when they reached Ahern’s yard, causing a couple of men who worked for Ahern to fling themselves out of the way to avoid being knocked over. A few yards away from the old man, the horse sat on its haunches, stopping so fast Neall almost went flying.
    “We’re going to have to talk about this,” Neall muttered. Swinging one leg over Darcy’s neck, he jumped to the ground and held up the wet sack. “I’ve come to barter.”
    The stern disapproval in Ahern’s eyes didn’t change. “You ride in here like a pack of shadow hounds are on your heels just to barter !” He shook his head. “I have nothing to offer the baron—” He looked over Neall’s shoulder.
    Neall turned to see what had caught Ahern’s attention. The gelding was now facing the way they had come, its ears pricked. It took two steps forward.
    “Wait for me,” Neall warned.
    Darcy took one step back and snorted.
    Ahern looked at the gelding, then at the land the animal was aiming for.
    “You haven’t come to barter for the baron’s table,” Ahern said.
    “No, sir.”
    Nodding, Ahern pointed at the sack. “What have you to trade?”

    Neall grinned. “A salmon. A big beauty that’s still so fresh it will slap you with its tail.”
    “In that case, come inside and we’ll talk.”
    “You robbed him,” Ari said, sounding too relaxed to be upset.
    “I bargained well,” Neall corrected. They were sitting on the bench behind the cottage, enjoying a fine summer evening.
    “You cleaned out Ahern’s larder.”
    “Did not. I only took what my saddlebags could hold.” He didn’t want her chewing over that too much, so he said, “Did you have enough to eat?”
    She let out a laughing groan in answer.
    Smiling, Neall took her hand. When she didn’t pull away, he leaned back against the cottage and closed his eyes, content.
    The bargaining had been fierce, and it had taken every ounce of persuasion he’d had to convince Ahern that he could only take so much for one fish without Ari starting to wonder if it was a fair barter or charity. Mentioning charity had made Ahern so angry Neall had thought the old man would strike him.
    But they both knew Ari, they both knew she could be stubborn to the point of being foolish, and they both knew her pride was the only thing that made it possible for her to face the people of Ridgeley. And bruising pride with too much kindness wasn’t kindness at all. So they haggled and argued until Neall had promised to bring another salmon or two in a few days and pick up the rest of the supplies Ahern insisted Ari should have.
    “Will the baron be angry about your ignoring your work?” Ari asked. “Will he wonder where you are?”
    “He doesn’t give a damn where I am. He never has unless he wants something. As for the work, let Royce take care of it. After all, the estate and all the tenant farms will be his one day.”
    He felt her turn to face him. He kept his eyes closed.
    “What will you do when that day comes, Neall?” Ari asked quietly. “Will you work for Royce and take what handouts he chooses to give?”
    Neall hesitated, then thought, Plant