Page 90 (1/2)

Wonda paled "With you … I mean …"

"Out with it, Wonda," Leesha snapped

"In a fahed "Who told you?"

Wonda looked at the carriage floor "Mistress Jizell Said you needed extra looking after, and were too stubborn to admit it"

Leesha puckered her lips "She did, did she?"

"Only trying to look out for you and the little one," Wonda said "Din’t knohat it was, but I seen how sick you been since we left the south It’s the de the girl juain"

"Din’t mean …"

Leesha crossed her arht be sick "Mistress, I …"

"This once," Leesha cut in when she hesitated, "I’ll let it pass This once, for the love I bear you But never again When I want you or anyone else to know my business, I’ll tell you In the meantime, I’ll thank you to keep your nose out of it"

Wonda nodded, her giant woirl she was inside "Ay, mistress"

It was full dark by the tie, but the yard was abustle with apprentices, Gatherers, and theroo a lesson in warding Cloaks of Unsight Leesha wanted every Gatherer and apprentice in the Hollow to have one before winter was out

Vika was seated beside the speaker’s podiu wards onto vellue onto a white screen as hundreds of wo books

"Children are still gathering," Wonda said, "and it’ll take Roni and the girls a while to set the weights and measures Why not nap for a bit? I’ll come knock e need you"

Leesha looked at her "No scolding’s going to keep you fro me now, is it?"

Wonda smiled helplessly "Sorry, retted the harsh tone she had used on the girl Wonda ht only be sixteen, but she carried an adult’s responsibilities with a grace few of any age couldover her

"I’m sorry I snapped at you, Wonda," she said "You’re only looking out for…"

"Stubborn as a rock dehed in spite of herself "I’e door was clear when Wonda moved off tofists over hearts as they gave a sharusahk student’s bow Many of them were older than she was, but nevertheless looked to her as their leader

Leesha quickened her pace, every step drawing her closer to a few stolen moments of peace She would brew a tea to put her out, and have another ready to counter it when Wonda woke her Dare she hope for four uninterrupted hours?