Tamari

"There weren't always dragons in the valley."

"The skylark flies overhead tomorrow." The shutter closed. Latches clicked, and the reinforced wooden door creaked open.

"Gods, mate, some places the phrase and response actually sound like a conversation," Tamari said, stepping through the door. "It'd be less obvious if anyone were to overhear it."

"If anyone were to overhear it, we'd already be dead, Tam. If you make the thing nonsense, then they haven't a chance at guessing it by dumb luck."

"It's certainly nonsense. I'll give you that. As for dumb luck…"

"What?" Shudder looked at her askance.

"Found the kid."

"You wh- you actually found the bugger?!"

"I did. Now I do recall something about a reward I believe."

"Yes. Yes, of course! But-" Shudder peered around Tamari and then looked up at her, "where is it?"

"Safe."

"Safe? Why would you do such a thing as that? We wanted him here, not 'safe'."

"You know how I play it, Shudder. I brought proof it's him, you pay me, I send you his head."

"Why not just bring it with you? It's a wily one; could escape your 'safe'."

"He won't."

"What makes you so sure? Is it dead already? Did you bring us its head?"

"No. He's not old enough yet to walk, let alone untie himself."

"Bah! Not old enough. Hmph. Could've been fooling. Just to get your guard down."

"Shudder, I think I know how my race ages."

"You think so, but how sure are you? If we pay you and don't get its head, we will be very displeased, you know."

"I know. All in due time, my friend. Shall we sit down and have a drink?" As she said this, Tamari unlaced her boots and slipped them off, leaving them and her long brown cloak at the door. They proceeded down the dimly lit hall and entered the third room on the right, which was still dimly lit (only by a low fire in the hearth) but wide open, with an elegant table and chairs occupying the middle of the room. There was a pair of overstuffed armchairs facing the hearth, to which Shudder directed Tamari. He then busied himself at the liquor cabinet and soon returned with their usual; a brandy for her, and something thick, black, and smoking for him.

Tamari tried not to look at her host in the firelight. As the flames flickered, the shadows dancing across his face often gave rise to repulsion and, though part of her longed to know just what he was, the more business-minded part wanted to keep her nose out of it so her purse could keep growing. She'd heard rumours that those who asked too many questions came up on his list.

"So, how can you prove to me you've got the right kid without just handing him over?"

"I mean, I always do."

"Yes, and it never fails to surprise me."

Tamari grinned. If she could keep him guessing, she was even better than she thought, and Tam was not known for her humility. "Simple. I followed the trail you sent me down, came up empty, and figured it out. Then I went knocking at the old dame's door, feigning myself to be a traveller in need of a good meal. She let me in, and I heard the babe wailing. I indicated that I love children and she was ever so eager to bring him out. She handed him right off to me and I saw the freckles you mentioned. Kid was covered head to toe. I knew then that he was the one."

"Okay, so that's how you know, but how do I know?"

"Getting there, Shudder. Patience. She and I talked til lunch was ready and then sat down to quite a feast. Never seen so much food in my life."

"Speaking of food…" Shudder drummed his fingers on the end of the arm of his chair.

Tamari loved stringing him along like this, but also knew that to push it too far could make her his next meal, so she cut to the chase. She grabbed her satchel off the floor and rifled through it for a second, finally pulling out a rumpled white cloth. She passed it to Shudder.

"What's this, then?" he asked, flattening out the cloth and holding it in his lap.

"Look closely," Tam said, a twinkle of mischief in her eye.

"I'm looking but I'm not seeing the significance. Gods help me, if you don't hurry up and get to the bloody point I'll-"

"It's his freckles."

He held the cloth up to his face and tentatively sniffed it. He then slowly, carefully licked the cloth. Tam had to look away to avoid gagging. She focused intently on enjoying her brandy and staring deep into the fire.

"So it is, so it is! My girl, you've done it again." Shudder reached deep into his robe and pulled out a jingling purse, lightly tossing it to Tamari, who caught it easily. "And when can I expect the, uh, rest?"

"Three days hence." Yes, she thought, three days should be plenty of time to pack up and leave.

Tam hadn't meant to grow attached to the kid. She usually hated the things, always making noises and messes and never doing anything useful. But it was one thing to hate someone as a principle, and another to hand them over to Shudder. This had been the first kid he'd ever asked her for. Adults who'd pissed him off had dug their own grave, so to speak, but she couldn't justify taking an infant to his death. He still had so much potential. Taking him from his parents had been necessary to get the payment out of Shudder, and how she'd done it, the lies she'd told them, she couldn't just turn around and take him back. Besides, then he'd be right where Shudder could send someone else after him. No, she'd have to take him with her and go beyond Shudder's realm of influence.

Most of her things (the ones she was bringing with them, anyways) were already packed. She just needed to hitch her horse to the wagon, grab the kid, and go. She'd probably have to change her name. Should she change his too? Would Shudder even bother learning his name, or telling the next hunter if he knew it? Better to be safe, she thought, but what to call you? Her mind rebelliously went back to the image of Shudder licking the cloth. Wart, she decided. Yes, Wart will work nicely.