Page 10 of The Mountain King
“You heard what the dragon said, Ma,” Persia said. “You should take the opportunity for a husband as well. You aren’t getting any younger and someday you’ll piss the wrong man off and find yourself on the wrong end of a shotgun.”
“I don’t think so.” Remembering she needed to put on a good face for Serephone, she amended, “Why would a male want anything to do with me when I have three lovely daughters?” And though she should feel bad—she didn’t. They were old enough, and in the end a husband was no real hardship if he was pretty, a good provider and behaved himself.
She looked down at Cinvarra. Of course, Cinvarra couldn’t wed for at least another two years, but that might be best. She’d have the longest courtship, and perhaps a real chance at lasting love.
“For now, let’s get your sister cleaned up and this room aired out. It smells like sickness. No wonder the poor girl went back to sleep.”
Kailigh went to the mudroom and took a quick inventory of their ammunition, and cursed. Too damn low. Plus, they’d need a donkey to help them carry all of it to the dragon city. No way in hell was she leaving any of her fire power here, unattended. Serephone could booby trap the place, but Kai didn’t want to harm a casual thief who might creep around to steal her vegetables while they were gone—she didn’t begrudge survival thievery.
“I’m going to town,” she told Serephone, who was busy at her desk, a miniature magnifying stop fitted over one eye. Kai eyed the array of insectoid looking metal bits and the sickly green miasma swirling around Sere’s hands and suppressed a shudder. She really didn't want to know. “No, don’t say anything, I’ll be careful. But we need a donkey to carry our weapons and your trinkets, and we’re low on ammo anyway.”
Persia stuck her head in the bedroom. Sere turned her head to look at Persia and the younger twin jumped. “Steam and Stone, that glass eye is creepy. Wear that and I guarantee no one will marry you.”
Serephone snorted, turning back to her work.
“Wear a disguise, Ma. Ruthus will be trolling.”
Kai grimaced. “Your theatrics will get you killed one day. A disguise would just draw attention to me.”
She took Horse because she’d need help with a new donkey anyway—she’d be damned if she’d walk one home. There was always a traveler or two in town willing to part with a burden beast for a bag of coal to buy fresh supplies. Especially if they’d returned empty handed from an illegal mining foray and needed to get out of town quick. A person would rather make a quick sell than abandon an animal because the mining security was hot on his or her tail.
Kai made quick time to town and took the back alleys again to the Gun & ‘Mo shop. She entered the shop and hastily chose the items they needed. The clerk excused himself to check inventory after she’d selected, and Kai waited, impatient.
“I’ll be back in a few minutes,” she called out, not bothering to wait for a muffled reply.
