A Gift of Dragons - Anne McCaffrey [48]
“Someone has to.”
“Oh? Just what offense did he give you? It’s not often . . . Haligon . . . measures his length. Couldn’t you have found a less public spot to deliver your lesson? You’ve ruined his Gather clothes with muck.”
“Actually, I chose the spot deliberately. Let him feel what it’s like to be flattened unexpectedly.”
“Yes, I’m sure. But where did you encounter him?”
“He was using a runner trace, at a gallop, in the middle of the night. . . .”
“Oh,” and he stopped dead in his tracks, an odd, almost guilty look on his face. “When was this?” he asked, all amusement gone.
“Four nights ago, at the hill curve.”
“And?”
“I was knocked into sticklebushes.” With those words, she held out her right leg and pulled her skirt up high enough to expose the red dots of the healing injuries. And again displayed her free hand and its healing rack of punctures.
“They got infected?” He was really concerned now and obviously knew the dangers of the sticklebush.
“I’ve saved the slivers,” she said in a firm tone. “Healer Beveny has them for proof. I wasn’t able to continue working and I’ve been laid up three days.”
“I’m sorry to hear that.” And he sounded sincere, his expression somber. Then he gave his head a little shake and smiled at her, a trifle warily, but there was a look in his eyes that told her he found her attractive. “If you promise not to drop me, may I say that you don’t look at all like most runners I’ve met.” His eyes lingered only briefly on her bodice, and then he hastily cleared his throat. “I’d better get back and see . . . if Haligon’s come to.”
Tenna spared a glance at the little knot of people clustered around her victim and, giving him a gracious nod, continued on her way back to Rosa and Cleve.
They were looking pale and shocked.
“There! Honor is satisfied,” she said, slipping into her seat.
Rosa and Cleve exchanged looks.
“No,” Rosa said, and leaned toward her, one hand on her forearm. “It wasn’t Haligon you knocked down.”
“It wasn’t? But that’s the fellow you pointed out to me. He’s in brown . . .”
“So is Haligon. He’s the one followed you across the dance floor. The one you were talking to, and I don’t think you were giving him any what-for.”
“Oh.” Tenna slumped weakly against the back of her chair. “I hit the wrong man?”
“Uh-huh,” Rosa said as both she and Cleve nodded their heads.
“Oh dear,” and she made a start to get up but Rosa hastily put out a restraining hand.
“I don’t think apologies will help.”
“No? Who did I hit?”
“His twin brother, Horon, who’s bad enough in his own way.”
“Quite likely, with the lewd look he gave me.” Tenna was halfway to convincing herself that she had at least hit someone who needed a put-down.
“Horon’s a bit of a bully and nice girls won’t have anything to do with him. Especially at a Gather.” Then Rosa giggled, covering her mouth with her hand. “He was sure looking you up and down. That’s why we thought you’d hit him.”
Remembering the force of her punch, Tenna rubbed her sore knuckles.
“You may have done someone a favor,” Cleve said, grinning. “That was some punch.”
“My brothers taught me how,” Tenna said absently, watching the group across the Square. She was a trifle relieved when Horon was helped to his feet. And pleased that he staggered and needed assistance. Then, as the group around Horon moved about, she saw Haligon’s figure striding up to the station. “Uh-oh. Why’s he going to the station?”
“I wouldn’t worry about that,” Rosa said, standing up. “Torlo would love to remind him of all the harm he’s been doing runners.”
“Even if they weren’t as pretty as you are,” Cleve said. “Let’s see about your leathers.”
They took their empty glasses back to the refreshment stand. Tenna managed one more look at the station but there was no sign of Haligon or Torlo, though there was a lot of coming and going. There would be, on a Gather day. Would she have to knock Haligon down, too? To satisfy runner honor? It wouldn’t be as easy, for he had been wary enough of her when he had caught up with her on the dance floor.
After a second round of the Gather