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Shadow's Son by Shirley Meier, S.M. Stirling and Karen Wehrstein ...

Shadow's Son by Shirley Meier, S.M. Stirling and Karen Wehrstein ...

Shadow's Son by Shirley Meier, S.M. Stirling and Karen Wehrstein ...

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Generated <strong>by</strong> ABC Amber LIT Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html<br />

Megan slid out of the tent in time to hear the Thane-girl answer, "I followed you,khyd-hird. Zhymata<br />

said I could sail on any ship of the house, so I did <strong>and</strong> waited until you came down to Brahvniki. I knew<br />

you'd go to the Worm. I borrowed some of the money from the petty-cash box <strong>and</strong> left a note for Shyll,<br />

<strong>and</strong> came with a caravan to be safe."<br />

Shkai'ra reacted calmly, burying her h<strong>and</strong>s in her hair <strong>and</strong> trying to tear out pieces. "Sheepshit, girl, that's<br />

nearly a thous<strong>and</strong>kylickz overl<strong>and</strong>—you could have been raped, robbed, killed, skinned <strong>and</strong> eaten<br />

fifteen times. We said it was too riskywith us <strong>and</strong> you did it<strong>by</strong> yourself ?"<br />

Sova stood straight, h<strong>and</strong>s on hips. "Yep."<br />

Shkai'ra stopped, as if she were hearing her own words. "Hai, youdid do it. You all right, girl?"<br />

"Yes, I am all right.You said you were thrown out into the snow with nothing but a bow <strong>and</strong> a knife at<br />

fourteen; I had money <strong>and</strong> things, <strong>and</strong> something almost happened once, but I only had to break his<br />

elbow <strong>and</strong> then he left me alone <strong>and</strong> I made it here <strong>and</strong> I'm fine."<br />

"Baiwun hammer me flat, you did." Suddenly Shkai'ra started laughing, dropping down into a crouch.<br />

"Megan, look who's here: our daughter." She laughed harder <strong>and</strong> pushed herself up with her h<strong>and</strong>s on her<br />

knees. "Gods witness, I'm glad you did, daughter."<br />

"Sova—" Megan started, then closed her mouth. What was there to say? She touched the girl's<br />

shoulder, then hugged her, hard, thinking of all that could have happened.So much easier going into<br />

danger yourself, than watching someone you love do it . She'd noticed that, over <strong>and</strong> over, since<br />

she'd let herself love again.<br />

"Sova." Shkai'ra stood with her h<strong>and</strong>s on her hips. "Three things. This—" she grabbed her <strong>and</strong> gave her<br />

a hug, "—is congratulations for making it here. That took guts <strong>and</strong> smarts. I'll show you how to make<br />

warrior braids tomorrow. This—" she hugged her again <strong>and</strong> planted a smacking lass on her forehead,<br />

"—is because I'm so fucking relieved you're all right, <strong>and</strong> because I missed you. Andthis —" she turned<br />

the girl around <strong>and</strong> kicked her behind, medium hard, enough to make her jump, "—is for disobeying<br />

orders <strong>and</strong> frightening the shit out of your mothers!"<br />

She was grinning when Sova turned around. "Your turn, co-mother."<br />

The Thane-girl seemed more apprehensive facing Megan.She knows who was in favor of her being<br />

here <strong>and</strong> who wasn't . "Come on," said the Zak. "I'll talk to you while we get a fire going <strong>and</strong> breakfast<br />

started." Shkai'ra rolled her eyes with that "here comes the lecture" look, then shrugged <strong>and</strong> rooted into<br />

the tent for a pan. Just then reveille sounded, the gong-beat <strong>and</strong> the call relayed over the camp in fluid<br />

Yeoli, "Rise <strong>and</strong> wi-i-i-i-in!"<br />

"I'll get some water," Shkai'ra said. "Back in a minute."<br />

"You know what could have happened?" Megan said. Sova nodded, shrugging, just like Shkai'ra.She<br />

doesn't; thank Koru, she didn't find out . "You underst<strong>and</strong> why we're both angry?"<br />

"I figured you would be," the girl said, shrugging again.<br />

"Do youunderst<strong>and</strong> why?" Megan leaned forward, fixing her with a stare. "We thought you'd be better<br />

off at home. What would Shyll <strong>and</strong> Rilla have told us when we came back, if you'd disappeared<br />

somewhere on the way here? It would be worse than what happened to my son; at least I knew where to

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