Reign of Shadows - Deborah Chester [47]
“There is pine tree with fork in trunk,” the Neika said. “Forty strides from gate. You know this tree?”
Caelan had climbed in it throughout his childhood. “Of course.”
“You leave bundle there before nightfall. We get.”
“Agreed.”
The tribesmen gathered themselves and headed for the gates. Raul let them out.
Caelan stood there in the sun-drenched courtyard, glowing with pride. They had treated him like a man. Now all he had to do was figure out how to sneak into the storerooms of the infirmary and get what was needed without Gunder catching him.
A tug on his sleeve interrupted his thoughts. Lea had returned, and she was staring up at him with open disapproval. “Why do you want that horrible old knife?”
“I need it.” Caelan cleared his throat. “Every man needs a dagger.”
“You are hiding yourself from me again. You trust the Neika, but not me. And now you won’t keep your promise.”
He bent down and gripped her by the shoulders. “Of course I’m going to keep my promise. I need—I want to go to the ice caves with you. We’re going this afternoon.”
Her face lit up. “Really?”
“Yes. You tell Anya that we want to take our lunch with us. We’ll needs lots of food because I’m really hungry.”
“I will. Oh, Caelan, I can’t wait. Why can’t we go now?”
“Because I have to do some things. Run along and get ready.”
He did his best to keep his voice light, but Lea was not easily fooled.
She stopped jumping up and down and gripped his hand with both of hers. “Don’t bring that dagger with you, promise?”
He shook his head. “I’m going to carry it all the time. It’s a part of me now.”
“Don’t say that!” she cried in genuine distress. “It’s bad; I can feel it. Long ago, it killed. The metal is tainted with—”
“Stop it,” he said harshly, pulling free. “You’re making this up.”
“I’m not!” She stamped her foot. “You don’t want to listen because you’re angry at Father. You’ve changed inside. Since the wind spirits hurt you, you’re different.”
He frowned. “I’ve grown up, that’s all.”
She shook her head. “I’m just trying to help you. Throw the knife away.”
“I need it.”
“But it’s bad—”
“Look,” he said impatiently, “whatever it was used for in the past has nothing to do with what I’ll use it for. Remember that pouch Anya made for you to keep your treasure in?”
Reluctantly Lea nodded.
“Remember I told you it needed a leather lacing threaded through the top so you could hang it around your neck?”
Again she nodded.
“So now I can cut one for you. Knives can be used for good purposes.”
Her face cleared for an instant, then clouded again. “But it is going to make you steal, to pay for it. That’s a bad thing, too.”
She could always sting his conscience. Caelan wished she’d never witnessed his trade with the Neika.
“You’re wrong,” he said. “I have some money. I’ll put it in Father’s earnings box to pay for what I take. Fair enough?”
She thought this over. “I guess so. But shouldn’t you ask him?”
“No. And make sure you don’t mention this to anyone.
It’s my secret, my business. You have to keep quiet. Now promise.”
Stubbornness entered her eyes, but finally she nodded. “I promise.”
“Good. Now run along. I have things to do before we can go play.”
She scampered off, her bright cloak swinging around her. Caelan snorted to himself and patted the dagger at his side. Bad luck indeed. He was making good luck for himself with the accomplishment of each small step in his plan.
Stealing the herbs was surprisingly easy. All he had to do was wait until Beva was outside the house, then saunter into the workroom where Gunder was busily inscribing recipes on parchment. He told Gunder that Beva wanted him to come at once.
Blinking and obedient, Gunder hurried away, leaving his pen still wet with ink and his work scattered on the table.
Most of the cabinets were unlocked. Pulling out a leather rucksack from beneath his tunic, Caelan made his selections quickly, pulling out small flasks from the rear of the rows