Page 145 of Dawn Caravan
She saw René in the distance, a flicker of movement in the shadow of the trees. He stepped forward when they approached. “You’re late.”
“No, we’re not.” Ben looked at the moon. “The festival hasn’t started yet. Tell us where the goblets are.”
René wasn’t wearing black; he was wearing an elaborate costume that consisted of leather pants, a brocade vest, and a mustard-yellow cravat. On another man, it would have looked ridiculous. René DuPont was handsome enough to carry it off.
“You’re wearing party clothes,” she said.
“That would be because I am going to a party.” He looked at them. “You look like you’re going to a funeral.”
“We all enjoy different kinds of parties, René.” She walked past him and into the clearing, trying very hard to think about gravity.
Ben slipped his arm around her shoulders and sped up her pace. “Nope. You’re walking like a zombie, not a human. Just act natural.”
Ben had a rhythm to his walk, a moderate swagger that she suspected came from being tall and sexually proficient.
“What kind of zombie did I look like?”
“The old, slow kind.”
“That’s not good.” She leaned into him and followed his gait. “Is he behind us?”
“Yes. You don’t really enjoy going to funerals, do you?”
“It depends on who died.” She spied a group of Poshani watching them, but they were involved in a conversation that captured their attention before they could stare for too long.
René caught up to them. “Tenzin and I will go to Vano’s trailer. Ben, you can go to Kezia’s since you’ve already been there.”
Ben frowned. “But Kezia—”
“No,” Tenzin said. “Ben and I will take Vano’s caravan; you take Kezia’s.”
“I do not agree.” There was tension in René’s voice. “Vano’s trailer—”
“I’m sure has the bigger store of gold,” Tenzin said. “Which we will leave for you. Trust me when I say there will be ample time for you to collect your prize once we have all three goblets.”
René said, “I thought you were only hired to find Radu’s goblet?”
“That was before,” Tenzin said. “If we have all three, then we are in a far better bargaining position.”
“And what are we bargaining for?” René muttered. “If you drag me into your—”
“Don’t worry; it’ll be great.” Tenzin felt like skipping. This was going to be so much fun. “I think it’s time for Vano to retire, don’t you? And we’re going to choose his successor.”
* * *
The camp had completely transformedfor the festival. Music rang through the air, and the scent of food, flowers, and incense was everywhere. Ben saw reproductions of the Sara-la-Kali icon painted on banners and re-created in flower petals. Small statues of the saint decorated each caravan they passed, surrounded by peacock feathers and jars of honey. On each trailer or wagon, a sword hung over the front door, its hilt wrapped in a black scarf.
“So many flowers.” Tenzin, despite the danger of the job, looked delighted.
Ben had to admit it was hard not to get caught up in the festivities.
Flowers were tucked everywhere. Cut and displayed in vases and glasses near the steps of each door. Hanging in baskets from roofs. Woven into crowns the Poshani women wore on their elaborately braided hair.
There were red strings tied on the corners of every caravan, some with small notes attached, some hanging in elaborate knots with paper flowers attached.
The bustling camp had turned into a crowded festival, and as soon as they entered the outer ring of trailers, not a single person took note of them. There were too many activities to distract them.
In the center of the camp, a giant bonfire had been lit and young men were taking turns leaping through the edges of the flames. Every attendee, human and vampire, trained their eyes on the spectacle, and loud encouragement and cheers rose every time another young man attempted a leap.
