Page 71 of A Thieving Curse

“But as soon as we’ve traded enough pelts, I’ll get the one the smithy has set aside for me. He doesn’t often make swords, so they’re expensive, but we’re close!” His face practically glowed. “Jasper’s been teaching me. And Alex. Alex is better, but I’m catching up.”

Raelyn looked over at Alex. “Do you use a wooden sword?”

“Don’t worry; I have a real sword, Raelyn.” Something about the self-confident way he said it, his silky voice slightly teasing, made her blush. But his expression darkened. “I don’t have to rely on my claws like an animal.”

Lucas blabbered on about swords, oblivious to the tension in Alexander’s tone. When they reached the cave, Alexander vanished until supper was ready. He barely spoke at the table and left early.

Meredith turned toward Raelyn. “What’s going on? What happened today?”

“Nothing,” Raelyn squeaked. “He’s just grumpy Lucas didn’t invite him tomorrow.”

Lucas’s face fell. “Oh… I suppose I could—”

“No,” Raelyn said, probably too quickly.

Jasper shook his head. “Don’t reward his petulance. He’ll be fine tomorrow, I’m sure.”

Mercifully, Alexander seemed back to his usual self at breakfast. He was at the table laughing with Peter when Raelyn walked in. The moment she sat down, Alexander turned his attention to her.

“Guess what?”

Before she could respond, Lucas proclaimed, “Apples gave birth!”

Alex stuck his tongue out. “Way to steal my announcement.”

“How was it your announcement?” Lucas sounded genuinely confused. “You weren’t up in the middle of the night carrying buckets of water to the goat pen while Dad delivered the kid.”

“Oh, I wish you’d woken me!” Raelyn groaned.

“See?” Lucas threw his hands in the air. “I told you she would want to watch!”

“Lucas says you’d like to name the kid.” Alexander spread jam over toast. “It’s a boy. Any ideas?”

“Roderick,” she said immediately.

Alexander paused, the knife hovering over his toast.

“Like the legendary knight, Sir Roderick?” Lucas asked, perplexed. “Why would you name a goat after a knight?”

“Why not?” Her face flushed.

“I think it’s a good name,” Alexander said quietly. Raelyn sent him a grateful smile as she put food on her plate.

Lucas grinned. “I will dub him Sir Roderick once I get my sword.”

“You’re not a lord, Lucas.” Alexander laughed. “You can’t knight someone.”

“It’s notsomeone,” Lucas said, “it’s a goat. Rules don’t apply. I will have an official ceremony and dub him Sir Roderick the Baaaaaa.” He bleated and everyone broke down laughing, including Alexander. He seemed to have decided not to be jealous of Lucas, much to Raelyn’s relief.

After breakfast, Raelyn and Lucas went straight to the goat pen and watched the tiny kid. He mostly slept in the sunbathed grass, but he was cute, and he reminded her of Gareth. Lucas almost had to drag her away to go to their picnic, but hunger and his excited impatience convinced her to bid good day to the adorable newborn goat. After stopping in the cave for their supplies, they ventured into the forest.

Lucas had picked a lovely spot worth the short trek. He brought her to a meadow where tall grass swayed in the gentle breeze. Purple and yellow blossoms dotted the expanse, hedged in by thin ash trees and sturdy pines. The air smelled sweetly of flowers and pine sap. Lucas spread out a blanket, smashing down the vegetation into lumps, and set down the basket of food. He withdrew two flasks of water, a small loaf of bread, some jam, and cooked fish wrapped in linen.

They had barely sat down when Lucas inquired, “Can you tell me how to talk to girls?”

“Um, what?” She wasn’t sure what to make of the unexpected question.

His shoulders crept toward his ears. “There’s this girl in the village… She’s really pretty. She always sits outside and spins wool and sings and talks to the birds when they sing back to her. And our last couple visits, she waved at me when I walked past.” He blushed.

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