Page 17 of Scales of Time

Kris walked into the house and headed for the kitchen, smiling at the servants moving around early in the morning. She located a mild tea, some bread, and some slices of meat. Loading a plate, she walked out to the back yard and found a corner with a bench to sit and eat.

Morning was loud if you knew what to listen for. Birds, trees, and those huge beasts in the distance. Animals rubbed against each other. There were calls and cries. Leaves rustled, and even flowers had a muted song as they moved together. Inside the house, she heard the little girls shouting and their parents trying to get them to calm down.

Yorness came out and looked around. Her expression flooded with relief, and she walked over. “Kris! You are well?”

“Yes. I don’t know what happened in that infirmary, but I woke up feeling fine. I stole some food, and now, I am here.”

Yorness stood next to her and stared down at her. “What did Essan do to you?”

“A full workup. I feel fine now, but last night was hellish.”

“How so?”

“Tissue samples were taken from everywhere.” Kris stuffed the last of her food in her mouth and mumbled, “Everywhere.”

Yorness blinked. “Well, are you able to ride?”

“What am I riding?”

“One of those birds over there. Link beasts.”

Kris looked at one of the creatures as it flapped. “How do you stay on?”

Yorness laughed. “Saddles. Flat pads with straps.”

“Oh. Good. My mind was boggling.”

“They will be ready to go within the hour. Havess and her sister Neelis are excited to show you our side of the mountains.”

“Is that it?”

“You will be with the guide, Morienial. He’s my husband’s nephew and a professional guide for our wilds.”

Kris finished her tea and got up with her cup and plate. “When they are ready to leave, I will be ready. By the way, did Theera set out my clothing?”

“No. She was in the house by the time you got back.”

“Well, your ancestor has good taste in clothes.” She smiled.

“They aren’t a set that I chose for you.”

“Yeah, I guessed as much. Essan has that look.”

“What look?”

“He likes things around him to look a certain way.” She smiled. “It’s a guy thing.”

“I have never heard him described that way.”

“Well, Merchant, you know that my ability to describe things is one of my many talents.”

Yorness chuckled and nodded. “It is one of your charms. One of many. You are a talented female.”

“Takes one to know one.”

A servant took the dishes when they got inside, and Yorness took Kris to introduce her to her granddaughters properly. She would be riding with the two eldest and their cousin. Four was a better size for a trail ride.

The teens were excited to act as hosts, and when their cousin arrived, they ran to him with big grins. “Cousin Mori!”

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