Warprize by Elizabeth Vaughan

eyes and smiled at him in delight. He looked at me for a moment and then slowly, a smile crept over his face as well. “Simus is well?” He said softly in his own language.
    My face almost cracked, my smile was so wide. “He is very well. Very good, very well.” I didn’t have the word for fantastic or wonderful, but I was fairly sure that the glee in my voice made up for the lack. I carefully replaced the bandage and the blankets, and tucked him in tight. The big man never stirred. “Has he woken?”
    “Yes. He knew me, but slept most of the time.”
    “Do you have any of that drug I gave you yesterday?” Joden nodded. “Good. Keep giving it to him. I will bring more tonight.” I leaned back, rejoicing quietly. I’d not lose this one. I scrambled to my feet and threw a last smile at Joden. “Do you have everything that you need? Food?”
    Joden sat up, rubbing the sleep off his face. He shrugged. “The food is food.” He got a soft smile on his face. ‘This one will be like a wet raffled bird because there is no kavage.“
    I cocked my head. “I do not understand ‘kavage’.”
    Joden chuckled. “A drink. Very strong.” He gestured at the sleeping man. “He will be…”
    I lost the rest, unable to understand. “He needs the kavage? Like a drug?”
    Joden looked at me, puzzled. It was clear that we weren’t communicating well. I just shrugged and repeated the word, wanting to make sure that I had it right. Joden nodded. I grabbed my satchel and threaded through the tent. I lingered for a moment and smiled at the guard like a lunatic, feeling almost giddy with relief. He blinked at me a few times, then smiled back. I barely noticed the walk back up to the castle, and through the gates. The big man was healing very well, something I had not been sure of when I had first seen the wound. Oh, there was still danger of fever and blood poisons, but I was optimistic. I wound my way through the city to the markets with a light step and lighter heart.
    It was early enough the market was not crowded. Most merchants should have been setting out their wares. But there was an eerie quiet to the place, an unusual stillness. When I reached Remn’s shop, the door was closed, the windows shuttered. I knocked, and he let me in with a worried expression. Shorter than even me, and twice again as round, he greeted me with a smile, but there was a sadness in his eyes.
    “Xylara. What are you doing out this morn?”
    “Good morning and good trade to you, Master Remn.” I slipped through the door, and watched him bolt it behind me.
    “Trade.” He heaved a sigh, and gestured at his shelves. “In war time, no one buys books, Lara. We are free to sit and drink and eat my wife’s tarts in the echoing silence of my shop.” He shook his head in despair.
    I pulled the book from my bag. He smiled when he saw it. “Ah, I remember when you bought this. Your first, yes?” He turned it over and ran his large hand over it. “Does it need a repair?”
    “No. I was wondering how much you would give for it.”
    He looked at me, dark eyes questioning. “Word in the market is that you are buying healing supplies for the prisoners.”
    I shrugged.
    He thinned his lips and thought for a moment, tapping the book with one long finger. “Wait here.”
    Abruptly, he went in the back, and returned with a small pouch. He handed it to me, and it clinked in my hand. “My brother’s son was lost in battle. We have heard no word, but I do this in his name. I pray to the gods that there is one on that side with a heart such as yours.”
    I opened the pouch and looked in. “Remn, this is too much…”
    He held up his hand. “I hold your book as surety, Lady. I know that you will repay me.” He pointed his finger at me. “Mind you don’t take too long about it.”
    I laughed and hugged him. He brushed aside my thanks and urged me to go home. I refused, gently. He scowled at me. “Very well, then. Take one of my apprentices with you.