Free Witch Crag by Kate Cann

talking,” said Kita, desperately, “it means nothing. . .”
    â€œIt means something to him !” exploded Arc, and he shoved Raff again, much harder this time, and this time Raff fell, he sprawled on the ground, and Kita knew the next movement would be Arc’s boot in his back, on his head, and she acted swiftly, before her mind knew what she was doing.
    She flung her arms round Arc’s neck. “Are you insane ?” she cried. His mouth was just above hers. “You don’t really think I’d sleep with him , do you? When you said to me that we’d make a good baby. . .”
    â€œYou ran off when I said that.”
    â€œI was shocked.”
    â€œAnd you wouldn’t eat with me.”
    â€œI was shy. Then . Now I’m not. You were right. It was why I came over to you, why I spoke to you, both times, I just didn’t know it at the time.”
    Arc laughed, and put his hands on her waist. “And you know it now?” he asked.
    â€œYes. I do.”
    â€œThen let’s do it now.”
    â€œNo,” she croaked. “Too near sleep time. Tomorrow. After the end-of-day meal.”
    He ran his hands up her body, on to her breasts. “All right, tomorrow,” he said. Then he dipped his head, and kissed her.
    And Kita responded. She told herself she had to, because he had to be convinced she was sincere, she told herself she hated it. But her tongue moved with his, and she held his head as they kissed.
    â€œWe’ve got time, tree rat,” he breathed. “ Now .”
    â€œ No. Tomorrow.”
    â€œAll right. But you kiss like that and then you – you’re cruel.”
    She smiled, and disentangled herself. “See you tomorrow, Arc.”
    â€œYes. And may the time run fast.” Then, amazingly, he pulled Raff to his feet, and said, “Sorry. Just stay away from her, all right?” Then he strolled off.
    A kind of humming silence followed his leaving.
    â€œOh . . . my . . . lord ,” breathed Quainy, at last.
    â€œHe was jealous,” Raff said, shaking his head in amazement. “He was jealous – of me .”
    â€œThat was . . . almost . . . romantic,” said Quainy, sarcastically. “ May the time run fast .”
    â€œHe apologized,” said Raff. “He apologized to me .”
    â€œHe’s got it bad, Kita,” said Quainy. “Are you sure you can bear to leave him?”
    â€œAll right, stop it,” exploded Kita, red faced. “I had to do that or he’d’ve laid into Raff. It was all I could think of.”
    â€œAnd my lord did it work,” said Quainy. “He was totally convinced you wanted him.”
    â€œOne more word,” railed Kita, “I swear, Quainy, one more word, and you’ll end up on the ground like Raff did!”
    There was a shocked silence, then they all burst out laughing and shhhhing each other. “They have so much in common,” murmured Raff. “Really – they’re so alike!”

The hill fort was asleep. Kita (heart pounding so hard she thought all the girls in the sleeping hut would hear it and wake) nudged Quainy. Both girls got silently to their feet and pulled a sheepskin on their backs, woolly side inside so the dark skin would hide them in the dark. They tied them round their necks like cloaks with Raff’s wool rope, looping it through holes they’d made in the skin, and Kita slung the food bag over one shoulder. Then they crept outside and scurried towards the rock face.
    Raff was already there, in the black shadows at its base. “Let’s go,” hissed Kita. “Raff, you follow me and make sure Quainy can see where you put your feet. It looks sheer but there are footholds. Just put your hand exactly where I’ve put my foot, then follow that with your foot. If you think you’re falling, lie flat against the rock, hug it. Understand?”
    They nodded.
    â€œAll right, let’s go