Free Redwing by Holly Bennett Page A

he’s offering.”
    â€œNo matter.” Aydin rippled his shoulders in that elaborate shrug. “If it’s inside and there’s drink to be had, it will be better than this.”
    SAMIK DIDN’T MAKE IT back to the caravan that night.
    A noisy table of young men called them over during their break. “Great music, you lads are just great,” slurred one, already drunk. “Sit down, have a drink!” He motioned to his fellows to pass up the jar they were sharing.
    â€œNo thanks,” Rowan smiled, polite but already easing away. “I never drink while playing.” Typical. Careful, cautious Rowan. Samik suddenly realized how fettered-in his weeks in Prosper had been. He grinned his thanks, grabbed the mug that was offered and sat himself down.
    â€œThanks, don’t mind if I do!” He raised his mug to cheers all round and downed it quickly. His seatmate pounded his back enthusiastically. “Another for our friend, here!”
    â€œBy all means, but I’ll have to go slow with this one,” he warned. “I still need to be able to play.”
    â€œJoin us after,” his seatmate offered. “We’ll be carousing all night.”
    Samik considered the young man: brown hair, blue eyes, nice open grin.
    â€œI’m Heath.” Heath gestured around the table. “That’s Brook, and Toby, and Flint, and…” Samik lost track after that—so many quaint Backender names.
    â€œAydin.” He raised his mug again. “And yes, I’d like that.”
    The table was even rowdier by the end of the night, but no one had become belligerent or sick—a good sign. They all made a show of pushing around to make room for him, filling his mug to overflowing. Once again, he found himself beside Heath, who slung an arm across his back in welcome.
    As Samik looked up from his mug, Rowan caught his eye. He was standing a few feet away, clearly impatient to get home.
    â€œYou go ahead. I’ll catch up with you later,” Samik said. Rowan looked stung, and Samik felt a twinge of regret, but Kiar’s Great Ax, there was more to life than working and sleeping. Samik was overdue for some fun, and if Rowan wasn’t the fun type, well, he would have to find his way home alone like a big boy.
    As for Samik, he would just go where the night led.
    EVERY STEP OF THE WALK HOME the next morning was painful, but Samik was content.
    He hauled himself up the steps of the caravan, fell into the chair at the little table and buried his face in his hands with a groan.
    â€œMother Muki save me, my head.”
    â€œWhat happened? What’s wrong?” Rowan’s voice was sharp. He stood in the galley, his hands dripping from washing up.
    Samik winced. “Your voice is too loud, that’s what wrong. I’m fine. Just royally hungover.” Then he grinned. “Ahh, but it was worth it. At least, I think it was. I’m not sure I remember all of it. God’s teeth, it’s been a long time since I had an adventure.”
    Rowan rounded on him. “You could have told me you weren’t coming home! Do you have any idea how worried I was? I was out with Wolf at dawn, looking for you.”
    Samik cast a pale eye his way. “Who asked you to? What are you, my mother?” A huge yawn overtook him—his bunk beckoned. He heaved himself up from the chair. “I hope you’ve done your practicing already. I’m going to bed for a bit.”
    â€œNot for long, you’re not,” Rowan snapped. “We’re leaving today.”
    â€œWhat? You can’t be serious,” Samik protested. “We’ve barely arrived.”
    â€œEvery night here costs me money. And I need to get to Clifton.”
    Or punish me for my night on the town , Samik thought. A day in a lurching cart would do nothing for his queasy stomach. “What about your mattresses?”
    â€œI’ll pick them up now. Enjoy your