And waited.
“Oh hells, this isn’t going to work, is it?” fretted Fern. “They’re off the boat by now. Fuck.” She plucked nervously at the twine bow of a package that read FAMILY, BUSINESS and DWARVEN POLITICS.
“Give it a little time,” said Viv, although she worried Fern was correct. “Anybody coming ashore probably had things to take care of first. Lodgings. Food. You know … stuff.”
“Maybe you’re right,” replied Fern, but she didn’t sound convinced.
Then, in the distance, a few scattered figures appeared. Fern shaded her eyes and watched anxiously, but they turned into Sea-Song. “Oh,” she murmured, and it broke Viv’s heart a little to see the slump of her shoulders.
When the figures reemerged later, though, they continued up the slope, angling in their direction. Viv was worried the couple—a pair of stone-fey in finely cut clothing—would pass right on by for The Perch, but they approached the tables with interest.
“A mystery book sale?” inquired the lady, whose white hair was pinned in high coils. “I’ve never heard of such a thing.”
“Well,” said Fern, her words tumbling out fast. “I’ve selected several books that fit a theme and gathered them together. And we’ve hinted at what’s inside but … well, it’s a sort of surprise.”
The gentleman hefted one of the packages, his thin brows rising as he scanned the words inked on the paper. “Why wouldn’t I select them myself?” he asked doubtfully.
“Because she’s a genius at picking them,” said Viv, leaning against a boardwalk pillar with her arms crossed. “Never steered me wrong yet. Besides, everybody likes a surprise, right?”
“And you won’t find a better deal,” added Fern. “Only thirty bits for three books.” Her whiskers twitched with nervousness. Even if Viv was pretending to be at ease, she shared the feeling.
“Knitting, murder, and wine,” said the lady. And then she laughed. “Well, that sounds delightful, doesn’t it, Fellan?”
“Mmm,” he replied noncommittally as he moved to examine another package.
“Oh, hush. I’d like this one.” The lady smiled at Fern as she held it up. “We’ve got a four-day journey north to Stellacia after this stop, all the way around the cape. I nearly went mad with boredom on the previous leg. I won’t say I’m desperate, but it’s a near thing.”
“Knowing what’s in that one, I don’t think you’ll be disappointed,” said Fern, as the lady nudged her companion for their purse.
“Treason, clockwork, and horticulture?” said the gentleman, blinking at the bundle he held.
Then a dwarf edged in beside him, examining the table as he tugged on one side of an enormous walrus mustache.
As Fern chattered animatedly with the lady, Viv grinned and stepped up to address the dwarf, forgetting about greatswords and necromancers and Rackam for a while.
She might have only hitched along on this wagon for a few weeks, but there was no reason not to get out and push.
And that was the beginning of a very full day.
28
The procession of customers and the curious wasn’t exactly steady, ebbing and flowing as the sun tracked across the sky, but it never faltered for terribly long. Some bought, some just browsed, but the stacks of packages were slowly nibbled away.
It was clear they were getting more than the passengers from the frigate, as Fern greeted some folk by name. Viv supposed word must have spread, and to be honest, what else was there to do in Murk? Novelty was novelty.
A few hours in, Maylee appeared with a large basket of lassy buns. Her skinny assistant hauled another in her wake.
The dwarf grinned at Viv as she set the basket on the end of one of the tables while Fern scrambled to make room, a look of distracted confusion on her face. The scent of molasses and ginger wafted through the air.
“Thought I’d donate a little somethin’ to the cause,” said Maylee, before the rattkin could ask. She surveyed the tables of wrapped books. “I figure nothin’ predisposes people to stop and look like their stomachs.”
Fern stared back at the dwarf, dumbstruck, until Viv mumbled, “I, uh, may have said something about your plan.”
“I … thank you,” said Fern, as Maylee’s assistant shoved her own basket in beside it.
“Don’t mention it, hon.” Maylee winked at her. “I’ve got this real fine book on gnomish pastries that I think you might’ve had a hand in.” She squeezed Viv around the hips. “Only fair to return the favor.”
“Thanks,” whispered Viv, feeling another stab of guilt. She could still picture Maylee’s hurt expression after Viv’s obvious distraction during their last walk.
“You bet, hon,” said the dwarf, although she didn’t meet her eyes.
Viv was in the process of formulating some kind of stealthy apology when a voice piped up from the far table.
“Spicy? Moist?” Gallina held a parcel at arm’s length with a bemused look on her face.
“You didn’t put that on there!” exclaimed Fern, with a sharp look at Viv.
Viv shrugged. “I think you said I should write ‘passionate’ and ‘love,’ but I thought it was worth the experiment.”
“Oh, hells, yeah, this sounds way more interestin’，” said Gallina. “And I don’t even read.”
“What are you doing here, then?” Viv gave her a flat look.
“Browsin’。 Also it looks like you got sweet buns, so …”
“For paying customers,” said Viv.
“One bun with every sale,” added Maylee with a grin.
“See, you still owe me that story though, remember? So, it’s kinda like I already paid.”
“You won’t sit still for me to read it to you. So now it’s my turn to propose a deal. I’ll pay for what’s in your hands, and then …” Viv plucked one of the lassies out of a basket. “You get your bun. And we’re square.”
Gallina looked from the parcel to the bun with a speculative expression. “Fine. But mostly for the bun.” She shifted her gaze to Maylee and said in a loud stage whisper, “She’s shit at reading out loud. Put me right to sleep.”
Viv sighed and fished thirty bits out of her wallet, dropping the coins in the cash box. She tossed the bun toward Gallina, who whipped a dagger from her bandolier and speared it with a sassy smirk. She took a deliberate bite out of it and waggled the package at Viv. “I can prob’ly come up with a use for the paper, too,” she mumbled through her mouthful.
“Rackam likes the literate!” Viv called after her as the gnome hiked toward The Perch.
“It’s a good bun, Maylee!” hollered Gallina over her shoulder.
* * *
“Highlark!” exclaimed Viv.
“Ah, Viv, what a relief to see you idle and not leaking all over everything.”
“Uh, this is Fern.” She laid a hand on the rattkin’s shoulder. “Thistleburr is her shop. I don’t think you’ve met.”
“Pleasure to meet you,” said Fern as she finished depositing some coins into the cashbox.