Free Jalia in the North (Jalia - World of Jalon) by John Booth

with the north winds having a clear run over the land. When they got back to the house, they were greeted by the heady aroma of spices mingling with cooking venison and the conversation lapsed as they waited for the food to cook.
     
    Later, as they enjoyed herb tea, Teague broached the subject of the children.
    “How would you feel about adding these children to our family, Lonny?”
    Lonny jumped as though she had been bitten, but after a brief period of consideration she nodded. “Maya here can cook, though she won’t have the fancy herbs and I expect Yeta can make herself useful on the farm. I don’t know about Serin though, it’s a lot of work looking after a baby.”
    “They come with a dowry of a youngish carthorse and a fine wagon,” Teague said. “Begging your pardon Daniel for raising such matters, but mistress Jalia here did mention it by the barn.”
    “The children must be well treated,” Daniel cautioned. “We might well return to check.”
    “I can’t say I won’t beat them if they misbehave or fail to work, but I’m not a cruel man,” Teague said and smiled at the two girls, “You wouldn’t be frightened of me as your father would you?” Maya and Yeta shook their heads.
    “Is it a deal then?” Teague asked and Daniel looked over to Jalia who gave him a curt nod. Daniel held out his hand and the men shook on the deal.
    “A celebration is in order.”
    Teague went to a chest and produced a jug of strong liquor. They all drank to the health of the children and to the memory of their departed parents.
     
    Next morning, Daniel and Jalia got ready to leave after saying farewell to Maya and Yeta. They rode slowly down the dust road that Teague told them would lead them to the town of Buran.
    Lonny bustled around the house while Teague waited until Jalia and Daniel were out of sight, and then he cautiously followed them on the carthorse until the road took him to the top of a hill. He left the horse and crept up the hill to watch them travel out across the grassland until they mounted a ridge and passed out of sight. He laughed with satisfaction as he returned to the farm.
    Much later in the day, Teague went back to the hill and checked there was no sign of Jalia and Daniel returning. The sun was setting and no one would risk riding the road at night, because it was so uneven.
    During the day, Maya and Yeta had spent their time cleaning the inside of the farmhouse. Lonny had fussed over Serin, but mainly she spent the day going through the things in the wagon, though she didn’t bring any of them into the house.
    Maya prepared the evening meal and used some of the spices Daniel left her. Teague was pleased with the meal and after he finished every last bite, he burped loudly. “That’s going to put your price up in the slave market,” he told them, laughing after he spoke.
    Yeta shuddered and Maya looked confused. She wasn’t sure whether he was making a bad joke.
    Lonny stroked Serin’s face and looked at Teague with longing, “Can’t we keep this one, please?”
    “I’ve smothered all of yours, but I’ll tell you what. I’ll take this one to market in its fancy crib and see if anybody wants to buy it. If they don’t, I’ll smother it in Buran and sell the crib. Is that fair enough, my dear?” Teague lolled back in his chair and gave every impression of being a very satisfied man. “That was a good bit of business we did yesterday. I won’t need to work for a long while because of the money they will bring.”
    Yeta and Maya were now thoroughly alarmed and stepped towards the door in the hope they might escape. Teague noticed their efforts and laughed.
    “That bar is far too heavy for you to lift, so don’t bother to try. Once my dinner has settled, I think I’ll see what you look like naked. Don’t worry, you are too valuable as you are for me to use you, but there are still things you can do for me short of that.”
    Lonny looked disgusted and hid her face against the