Page 28 of The BoneKeeper's Daughter

He rolls his eyes in response. “Truth. But most wouldn’t think of it. Only Tahrik. Your heart’s too tender for this life, I swear. Only saving grace is your Gods-blessed voice, hmm? You’d never be called to Offering.”

“You’re ridiculous. Youknow you sing just as well.”

Davvy laughs in response. “Iknow. Better even, perhaps. But the ladies love your…instrument.”

I punch him lightly at the innuendo, and we tussle for a minute like children, the lightness of the day infectious, before he pulls away, hearing a faint, “Davv!” in the distance. It must be a lover’s ears, because I can’t tell the difference between his wife’s call and the hundred others who are shouting.

“Ah, the family beckons.” He tries to be exasperated, but fails, the exuberant smile on his face betrays him.

“All is well with Bri, and Isabel then?” Davvy’s wife had borne a child in the Month of the Mother, on the Birthing Day, and as such, his baby Isabel is safe until after her own first-born appears. The thought is a knife in my heart, but I try to ignore it.

Davv is a good friend, though, and lays a comforting hand on my shoulder before looking away and giving me space. “I swear to you, Tahrik, I thought Bri was going to cut the child from her body to get her out before midnight. But yes, both are well.” His happiness is contagious, and chases away dark memories.

“Congratulations, my friend. Truly.”

“Thank you.” Clearing his throat, he looks back at me, raising an expectant eyebrow. “Though Brihasbeen asking when you’re coming by, and the older children miss their Uncle Tahrik…We’d like to see you before we’re storm-shut.” It’s a light rebuke disguised as an invitation, and I nod in reply.

“The harvest is hard this year, but I’ll come down this week. I’d like to see the newest, and have some treats for the other two.”

“You spoil them.”

“Ah now. What are children for if not to spoil?”

He pauses, then says carefully, tone forcibly light, “Bri has a friend–”

“Davvy.” There is a warning in my voice, but he shrugs it off as only close friends are able.

“I promised her I’d try, Rik. And a promise to a wife trumps making a friend uncomfortable with hard truths. You’ve danced with half the girls in this village. Twice or more…” He’s teasing, but sincere. “Rumor is you’ve tasted from enough wells. Have you not found water you like? When are you going to settle down? A hearth and a home for yourself. Little feet running around. It’s a green field in a parched land, friend.”

And I know it. Iknowit.

I wish I could explain. Wish I could tell him. But there are secrets and there aresecrets.

“It is not a bad life here, Rik.” He is serious now, looking around at the shining faces of the children touching the bones, the faint sound of music in the distance, the smell of fresh bread mixing with clean hay and dust. “It’s hard, but it’s not bad. And it’s made a good bit easier when you have someone to love.”

And that is where we divide, earth from water, sky from ground. Because Ihavesomeone I love. And nothing is easier because of it.

A group of women walk by, chatting as they head toward the shops on the main street, and one or two glance at me from under dark lashes. Davvy notices, and nudges me gently.

“Eh? You see? You’re running out of time. It will be a cold storm season for you with no one to warm your bed.”

“Leave off, you washerwoman. I’m not so ancient yet.”

“You’re 25, Rik. Not so young either. Just think on it. I’ve already promised Bri her friend Grace has a place at the table when you come visit. She’s a nice girl. Knows how to keep a hearth warm from what I’m told. Give her a chance.” I’m about to reply when his name is shouted again, and he steps away hurriedly. “Have to go! Too late to say no now! Send word when to expect you.”

“Why you–” The music in the distance grows louder, cutting me off as it turns into a rollicking, joyful harvest tune, a call-and-return, and I can’t help but grin as Davv bursts into song, drowning out my protests.

“Hey and ho and up we go

To the mountains to the mountains to dig for the gold!”

He waves over his shoulder, and I sing out the reply in farewell.

“Hey and ho and down we go

To the valley the valley to thresh fields of gold”

And then together, our voices blending and fading,

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