Page 25 of Legacy of Thorns
Finley’s eyebrows shot up. “You want to sell something Archer carved? We won’t make much that way.”
“It doesn’t matter how good it is,” Nisha interjected, “since it won’t be used to make yarn.”
“The only other use for a spindle is bringing on unwanted naps,” Daphne said. “Or worse than naps for unfortunates like Archer. No one in Oakden has any need for more naps. Life is slow-paced enough here already, thanks to the Legacy.”
“Ah, but that’s just it.” Nisha leaned forward slightly. “We heard a rumor a couple of seasons back. We all know that here in Oakden if we prick our finger on anything weaving or needlework related, we’d better get comfortable for the coming nap—but outside Oakden, pricking your finger has no effect. But Morrow and I heard that a spindle carved by a recent Sleeping Beauty—made while the Legacy still lingers around them—still works outside Oakden. It’s a powerful sleep aid, so it’s prized by those who have trouble sleeping. And they’ll pay a high price to acquire one since they’re so rare.”
Morrow nodded. “Issue dropping to sleep at night? One prick on your finger, and you’ll be sleeping like a baby.”
“Do babies sleep so well?” Archer muttered. “They seem to cry a lot from what I’ve seen.”
Daphne smothered another laugh, but Finley only frowned.
“I’ve never heard that before.”
Nisha shrugged. “Has it ever been relevant before? This is the first time I’ve known a full Sleeping Beauty myself.”
Finley continued to frown, but Archer clearly didn’t share his mistrust of the story.
“Why not, I say,” he exclaimed. “If the quality of the carving doesn’t matter, I could make a dozen. Two dozen! I’ll start right now.”
“And do what with them?” Finley asked. “We live in Oakden, remember?”
“Ah, see that’s where the situation is working in our favor,” Morrow said. “We not only have a Sleeping Beauty in our midstbut a foreigner as well.” He paused and glanced at Daphne. “Or, well…sort of. Close enough anyway.”
Daphne’s expression didn’t change. She was far too used to the label to react to it.
“If we sent them to your parents, would they sell them in Glandore for us?” Nisha asked. “They would keep a cut of the profit, of course.”
“That’s your plan?” Finley asked. “And what if the rumor is false? What if they don’t work? It’s not like we can test them ourselves before we send them.”
“My parents could test them when they arrive,” Daphne offered, but Finley was already shaking his head.
“Fin!” Archer cried. “Think of all the coin we could make!”
“Think of all the coin we would have to invest to ship them safely to Glandore.” Finley gave him a stern look. “All with the chance they won’t actually work when they get there. And then how long before we get any coin back, even if they do work? No.” Finley shook his head again. “We don’t have enough coin to waste on wild, speculative endeavors.”
Archer looked like he wanted to protest, but he slumped in his seat instead and said nothing, apparently unable to think of a good counter-argument.
Finley stood. “It’s been a long day, so we’ll come up with aproperstrategy in the morning. For now, everyone needs sleep. I’ll keep watch for the night.”
Morrow stood also, his voice soft. “For five hours, lad. Then I’ll take over.”
“Make that three each.” Nisha rose and began collecting bowls. “That should cover the hours of dark.”
“I can take a watch as well,” Daphne offered.
“Of course you can,” Archer agreed. “And I can join you. Together we won’t miss anything.” He fixed a pleading look on Finley.
“No—” she started to protest, but Finley’s “No” sounded even more loudly over her own.
The look he gave his brother allowed for no argument. “Daphne falls asleep just from blinking, so there’s no way we’re trusting her to take a night watch. And you were only just woken from an enchanted sleep this afternoon.”
Daphne’s protest caught in her throat and died. She couldn’t deny that she wasn’t likely to be a reliable night time sentry. Her eyes were already drooping, requiring more and more effort to open each time. If she didn’t go to bed, she was going to end up napping any minute.
She shot to her feet. The sensation of sleepiness was familiar, but it was stronger than she remembered in a long time. She needed to get to bed.
But she couldn’t help lingering alongside Finley when she passed him.
