A Valkyrie's Apprentice: Book Two

Yascalla

The purple robed man neared us in question with a hand gesture and Yanu glanced back to the owner and spoke up. The man looked down at the boy in amusement and then assessed the three horses intently and nodded. I glanced at Yanu who seemed to shake his head and exclaim something louder, pointing at the horses again.

I started to smirk as I realised the kid was actually bartering with the owner.

But the owner said something back more sternly and Yanu shrugged, turning to me and trying to pull me away. The owner suddenly spoke up again and said something more desperately. Yanu turned back to him with a nod and reach out his little hand. They shook.

Kaden and John glanced at me and I shrugged, totally lost.

The owner called something out behind him and a young stable boy and girl rushed to gather the horses from the fountains and draw them back towards the stalls. Then the owner drew a hand into his robes and pulled out a much larger coin pouch than I had expected. He dropped it into Yanu's hands and he almost stumbled under the weight.

He grinned and turned back to me with it held upwards. I raised an eyebrow in disbelief as Kaden came over to his side and the owner disappeared back to the horses.

"Way to go kid!" He boomed a laugh and gave him a light slap on the shoulder making Yanu both fear for his life and hide in my shadow.

I shook my head and opened the pouch. I sucked in a breath and looked at the silver filling the leather bag.

"Are horses valued in this continent?" I stated, flicking a look back to the men who were similarly surprised. Then we all looked down at Yanu who clung to my leg and giggled.

"I like this kid." John announced. "We're keeping him."

I rolled my eyes. "If he does not have a family to call his own and only then."

"I would raise him better than any of–"

"John." I stated. "Let's go find lodging before you try and create a little monster."

He gave me a mock salute and turned to Kaden with an expectant look. "The tree understands me."

Kaden rolled his eyes and shoved him to the side before securing his axe better across his back. "I will teach the child how handle himself. You keep your tricks to yourself, Keavesmith."

John righted himself and gave Kaden the finger making them laugh ahead of us. I took Yanu's small hand and led us back into the shadows of the orange stone buildings. Yascalla. Now it was only a matter of time until my immortal found us.

* * * * *

Later that span we had settled down into a modest lodging with a space for relaxing and a few soft beds pushed near the walls. Yanu had already collapsed into one while Kaden snored heavily and left his arm hanging over the other. John was content to browse the few books left in a small shelf.

I took a space in the far corner with a few cushions and closed my eyes. The light cut through the thin curtains and warmed my face.

She was waiting for me of course. I smiled when I entered her dream that rocked on an empty ship deck. I glanced around the memory she held and grinned when I saw her leaning against the railing watching the water below.

"This seems familiar!" I called.

She turned quickly and smiled knowingly. Then set a hand out leisurely.