Free Ten Crescent Moons (Moonquest) by Marilyn Haddrill

the
despised creature.
    "By the
saints and all that's holy!" Zartos declared, regarding both his uncle and
Adalginza with the same expression of rapt worship. "You are both great warriors! Uncle, you should give more consideration to this lady from the
Fifth House. Did you see how she fights? And she has the finest sturmons in all
the land. In fact, I think you should wed her!"
    "So
should I wed her because she's a great warrior, or because she has fine
sturmons for you to ride?"
    Kalos posed
the question dryly, as he used one free hand to pick snake entrails from his
shoulder.
    He then
methodically picked some nearby dry grass blades, and began to clean himself
off. Finally, he swiped his gore-covered blade on some nearby tree moss.
    Redolo was
propped against a rock, where she fanned herself with one hand. Otherwise, she
looked as calm as though the only problem she had recently been forced to
endure was the warm weather.
    "You
are a mess, Kalos," she observed. "There was no reason to run your
sword all the way through that snake, and splatter yourself so thoroughly. The
Lady Adalginza had the matter well in hand. You were simply showing off."
    Redolo straightened
then, and gestured toward the boy.
    "Come
with me back to the courtyard. I have an urge for some more of that nectar. We'll
leave these two alone to clean up the clutter they've left here. "
    "You're
not afraid of more snakes?" Adalginza asked.
    "We've
been in the frontier long enough to know that snakes are very territorial,"
Redolo said. "There are never two adults in the same vicinity, unless it
is the mating season. We'll be safe enough."
    "Let me
escort you anyway," Adalginza volunteered.
    She knew,
though, from her own mind probe that Redolo was right. There would be no more
snakes appearing here on this night.
    "I am
perfectly capable of finding my own way. I'm not an imbecile, even if I wasn't
raised in the frontier. Like you."
    "I,
uh…" Adalginza was unsure whether the words from this harsh woman were
meant as a compliment or a criticism. Or both.
    Lady Redolo took
her grandson's arm and started walking, but paused briefly in front of
Adalginza to examine her frankly.
    "I
suppose that when a lady lives here she must learn skills that are fitting for
her survival. On the Prime Continent, those skills would include reciting
poetry or playing a musical instrument."
    "That
seems reasonable," Adalginza agreed cautiously.
    "Had
you been born on the Prime Continent and to a different House, Lady Adalginza,
I suspect you would have learned all that would be needed for your survival
regardless of what those skills might be. You have more facets than I first
suspected. I may have to give you more of my attention."
    Kalos
muttered something under his breath, perhaps an expression of sympathy or
warning to Adalginza. But the words weren't loud enough for hearing.
    "I
would be honored to share what I know of the frontier," Adalginza said.
    "Indeed."
Redolo narrowed her eyes. "I'm sure you have escaped death many times
through the sharpness of your wit. Which reminds me. The bad water that killed
your clansmen on the trail. Did you drink it?"
    "Not directly
from the stale pond, as they did. No."
    "And
why not?"
    Adalginza
noticed that Kalos now was only paying half attention to the cleansing of his
sword. He watched Adalginza carefully, keenly interested in her answer.
    Zartos, on
the other hand, had retrieved the metal pole Adalginza had cast aside, and was
now distracted with poking and prodding the snake's carcass with an expression
of fascination.
    "Because
I knew of these...parasites...you mentioned."
    "So you
are educated?" Redolo's eyes narrowed again.
    "About
such matters. Yes. I tried to warn my clansmen, but they would not listen to
me."
    Adalginza
knew she had to tell as much of the truth as possible. And this was the truth.
    She had barely
become acquainted with the newly arrived kinsmen of her supposed mother, Lady
Donzala, because they had died so soon