Page 90 of Mikoto and the Reaver Village
Glint’s abrupt self-censoring made Lilya feel a littlebetter about keeping her own secrets.
“Out of contact, for the moment. I can arrange for them tomeet tomorrow.”
“Could we do that here?” Glint bargained. “I want to hearwhat he has to say.”
Yulin clasped his hands together, giving a significant lookto the piles of paperwork. “Are you certain you have the time? Dichotomy Day isnear and nearer.”
“We do not often see new things,” protested Glint.
Inclining his head, Yulin conceded. “Perhaps if you madesignificant headway tonight …?”
Sensing an end to her visit, Lilya raised her hand. “May Ihave the flowers and leaves I collected for Mum?”
Glint straightened and patted his pocket, bringing out the smalljournal. “Nearly forgot,” he muttered. “What would make these safe to travel?”
Yulin jumped in. “Allow me.”
He located a box with delicate slips of paper, thin and veinedwith copper threads. He showed Lilya how to fold them into a protective sleeve.Each of her specimens was carefully preserved, then bundled into an envelope hecreated from a fold of heavy paper.
“If you plan to collect more over the summer, I can show youhow to make a press,” Yulin offered. “Perhaps tomorrow.”
“You’ll be here tomorrow?” she asked.
His laugh rustled pleasantly. “How could I resist? We do notoften see new things.”
Lilya riffled through Glint’s journal, making certain shehadn’t left any of her botanicals behind. Again, the names and charts caughther attention, and she slowed to read.
“Hoping to find a good match?” Yulin asked mildly.
“Not today.” She closed the book and offered it to him. “Areall these charts part of your job, too?”
“No, no.” With a wave to the walls and piles, Yulin said,“This is Glint’s labor of love. My own affections bind me to the headman.”
He must mean Mikoto.
Glint snorted. “You cannot deny an interest, Yulin. You havebeen hovering like the proverbial moth to a flame these past weeks, all becausethe current headman is at that age, and more than half of these piles areoffers for him.”
“We areallinterested in his future. And who willshare it.”
Lilya was curious. “You’re going to arrange his marriage?”
“Not … precisely.” Glint rubbed at the back of his neck. “I dotry to bring strong bloodlines together. Usually indirectly. Our summer courseshave exceptionally high standards. For those wanting a match, there are no poorchoices.”
She walked over to one of the trees on the wall. “Did youmake this match?” she asked, tracing a green thread to another chart fartheralong. “Did you decide they should meet?”
“Yes.” Glint patiently explained, “This young man wished toleave home and see new things. His academic mentors agreed that his aptitudesand interests would make him an excellent addition to the isolated enclave thatthis young lady calls home. When I sent them a progeny projection, they agreedto meet, even though neither can speak the others’ language.”
“Brave souls,” murmured Yulin.
“What if they don’t get along?” asked Lilya.
Glint rubbed his chin. “What if they do?”
She couldn’t help smiling. He reminded her of Ever, whoalways believed the best of everyone and everything.
“Is everyone willing to do whatever you say if it means theirchildren will be strong?”
“Hardly,” Glint retorted. But then he scanned his desk andgruffly corrected himself. “Usually.”
