Page 18 of Spoils of war

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“Are they angry?” I asked.

“No," Einar replied. He sounded certain. It should have comforted me.

“But you are.”

“I’m not angry,” he said with a sigh. “I’m worried.”

I lowered my eyes. “I had it under control.”

“Then why did Aran say you almost drowned?”

I frowned. “Because he’s a tattle.”

Einar stopped walking.

“How many times have I told you to stay away from those boys, Kera? You never listen.”

“I’m sorry," I said. I’d cried enough to feel numb by then. I barely reacted to his harsh words. But he accepted the apology.

“You could have died. The both of you.”

“I know.”

“Why would you jump in?" he asked, his eyes fixed on mine.

“I’m a better swimmer than Licia.”

For a heartbeat, he just stared at me. Then he shook his head slowly, like he couldn’t decide if I was brave or out of my mind.

“Kera…” His voice softened. "You could havedied.”

I kept my eyes on the ground.

“Noneof you should have jumped in,” he said.

“Someone had to,” I muttered.

He let out a slow breath. “Boys don’t learn,” he said. “But I hope you do.”

I looked up at him. ”Will’s going to be fine…right?”

“Yes,” he said. "And he’ll be back ice fishing by morning.”

“He wouldn’t be that dumb?”

Einar gave me a look. “He’s a boy. He’ll be that dumb.”

I frowned. ”How do you know?”

Einar paused, then smirked.

”I am a boy.”

It caught me off guard, and a laugh almost slipped out.

“I just want him to be okay,” I said.

Einar placed a hand on my shoulder.

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