Free Seeker by William Nicholson Page A

and pinched hard.
    Barban let out a shrill shriek of pain.
    "Ow-ow-ow!" he screamed.
    "I think he felt that," said Morning Star, her eyes round with innocence.
    "That was a pinch!" He glared at her, as he rubbed the hurting flesh. "That wasn't a hit; it was a pinch."
    "I think you should apologize, my dear."
    "I'm sorry, Mr. Barban."
    "Only girls pinch," he said bitterly.
    "That's all right, then," she said. "I'm quite sure we won't be attacked on the road by girls."
    The big man buttoned his jacket up again. He turned to Arkaty, no longer smiling.
    "You have the money?"
    "Yes. I have it here."
    He took a money box and tipped its contents out into a small bag. Morning Star realized he was proposing to pay out the full fee there and then.
    "Papa," she said, "I'm sure the usual practice is to pay half the fee now and the other half when the job is done."
    "Is that so?" said her father. "Is that the usual practice?"
    "Usual when there's no trust," said Barban. He threw an angry look at Morning Star. His colors had gone orange-red, the very worst combination.
    "Perhaps you would rather not accept the job," she said.
    "Oh, no! You don't catch me like that! I've come a long way to be here. I'll do my part, and I expect to be paid for it."
    "So you shall," said Arkaty.
    "You don't seem to realize," Barban went on, still crossly rubbing at the pinch mark on his side, "that you are hiring the very best in personal protection." He pulled out the medal that hung round his neck. "See that? That means axer! Yes, sir. I was one of the mighty axers of the empire of Radiance!"
    "I'm afraid I don't know what that is," said Morning Star.
    "Axer!" exclaimed Barban indignantly. "The name that strikes dread into the hearts of all men! Axer! Axer!"
    Morning Star gazed back at him with no visible signs of dread in her heart.
    "Papa," she said, "give Mr. Barban half his fee, and give me the other half. I will pay it when we get to Anacrea."
    The big man gave an angry shrug.
    "Do as you please. It's all one to me."
    "If our friend is happy to accept the arrangement," said the book factor, "it is perfectly usual. The fee is substantial."
    "The best costs more," said Barban sullenly.
    So it was settled. Morning Star watched as her father counted out the money, and was shocked by the amount. Two hundred shillings! Her father earned a shilling a week for his copying. How could this man be worth so much?
    Arkaty put one hundred gold shillings into a little money pouch and gave it to his daughter. The rest he gave to the big man.
    "You'll take good care of her, won't you?"
    "So long as she takes good care of my money."
    "It's a dangerous world."
    Arkaty and the book factor then completed their own business; and so at last the time had come to part. Morning Star fetched her bag, which had been packed and ready for days. The book factor heaved on the broad strap of his load, and went out onto the path, beckoning the big man to follow him. Father and daughter were left for a last moment together.
    "So it seems like you're on your way," said her father.
    "But I'll come back. I'll come back to tell you all about it."
    "As to coming back, let that fall as it may."
    "And maybe I'll bring Mama with me."
    "And again, maybe not."
    He gazed at her with his shrewd and gentle eyes.
    "There's those that think we hill people a little foolish and backward in our ways," he said. "And I'm not saying it isn't so. But don't trouble yourself to tell them they're wrong. There's all sorts of uses to being thought foolish."
    "You're not foolish. You're the wisest person I know."
    "And how many people do you know?"
    "So you must give me some wisdom, to carry with me.
    "So now you're wanting wisdom?"
    He made a show of fashioning great thoughts. Then he spoke with gravity, and slowly, giving his advice.
    "Never miss breakfast. Know more than you say. Leave rooms quietly."
    She kissed him, and he held her close for a moment or two, and both knew that all that needed to be said had