Page 56 of Mikoto and the Reaver Village
“Glad to,” Timur promised.
And because this man knew what it meant and how much, Sinderwhispered, “Yellow.”
“Right. And?”
“East.”
“Ah, a contrary wind. Not at all surprised.” Timur’s smile waseasy to trust. “And which of the oils should I have shipped?”
Sinder had never been asked before. In his line of work, youmade do or did without. How strange to be offered such consideration during theworst summer of his life. With a low trill and a long sigh, Sinder asked, “Everheard of spikenard?”
“I know it.” Timur promised, “You’ll have it.”
TWENTY-TWO
Asking the Right Questions
Mikoto was grateful for the distractions, even theconfusing one offered by Tenma. The man kept stealing glances all throughdinner, which was a little unnerving. Mikoto couldn’t help but wonder what he wasseeing.
Reavers weren’t supposed to touch one another’s souls. ButTenma had admitted that he wasn’t exactly a reaver, although he had to besomething similar. Otherwise, how else could he tend at all? Which wasapparently his method for healing the Broken.
A mystery and a miracle worker.
Hisprismaticremark made no sense. And colors? Thatwasn’t how Mikoto saw his connection to the Amaranthine.
But Tenma seemed harmless. He meant well, and he presentedhimself as a modest and unassuming man. Though hard to fathom. All throughdinner, Tenma sat quietly, ate sparingly, and mostly listened to everyoneelse’s conversations.
With traces of chagrin, Mikoto realized he was probablybeing equally inscrutable. Though he ate with better appetite. Uncle was a goodcook, and Zisa fluttered around the table, nudging extra onto everyone’splates. Even Noble, who’d curled up between Fend’s front paws, received the oddmorsel.
Had there ever been such a dinner party? Mikoto doubted theyears had brought such a group to Uncle’s table.
They lingered over the meal, but Ginkgo finally announced itwas time for the young ones to prepare for bed. Their cue to disband.
Making his way to Uncle’s side, Mikoto mumbled his thanksand surrendered his hand, which Waaseyaa held until Zisa wafted over and coziedup. Nothing was said, exactly. Not evengoodbye, since Glint was stillmonopolizing Mikoto’s room and Yulin’s attention.
Tenma migrated over to offer parting courtesies.
“Mikoto will walk you home,” said Zisa. “Unless you wouldlike to sleep here? I have a house.”
“That’s not necessary,” Tenma murmured. “You’ve been toogenerous.”
“I insist!”
Mikoto gently squeezed Zisa’s shoulders. “You are a goodhost. I am certain he will want to return.”
The tree pouted. “That is not why. And I still insist. I willeven go along, to make sure.”
Waaseyaa quietly reminded, “You cannot pass our boundaries,Brother.”
“I know.” Zisa lay his head against Mikoto’s chest andmurmured, “I only want to help them.”
To appease the tree, Mikoto said, “We can walk Tenma to theboundary. That way, he will know the way back to you.”
“Yes!” All brightness, Zisa gave his brother a soft-eyedlook. “This is important.”
“I will be waiting,” Waaseyaa promised.
Tenma followed the conversation with an expression of politeconfusion. Mikoto wasn’t sure what else to do, so he reinforced Zisa’s invitation.“Let us walk you to the boundary. It would be our pleasure.”
