Page 13 (1/2)

They all know I git regular intel about DeMalo an the Tonton an what’s goin on in New Eden They know I cain’t say who or where they are They think Iof contacts, infored to set up before he died that day on the road to Resurrection Jack runs theether we plan I don’t ever meet nobody but him

Creed’s bin ot from Bobby French, a trader pal of his Now, he tries it out fer the first tis

Good gawd, it works, says Ash Where’d you learn to play?

Travellin show, he says Squeezebox, tightrope, fire jugglin … y’know, the usual

Ash looks at him askance Tall tale or truth, with Creed it’s sometimes hard to know You was never a showman, she says

You think I tell you everythin? he says

Huh Well, she says, it would explain a lot

He noodles quietly on the squeezebox while a skin of Molly’s latest brew gits passed around Stink currant rum this time, but it’s always the saive it a miss I need a clear head

Emh’s shirt I know jest how he smells to her Safe Home

An it strikes me We ain’t ever bin like we are at this moment Never I mean, the three of us takin comfert froh, with Em on the outside Fer the very first tih shter somehow He seems … lifted

I cain’t bear to think of sendin Emmi to Auriel Of bein without her But I h in the mornin

As the stars shoot the sky, Creed idles their way on the squeezebox Its ancient sighs fade the echo of harsh words Sht

I ain’t ever known a star season like this one Molly watches ’em, shakin her head in amazement So many shooters, she says If they keep on at this rate, there won’t be none left

Mercy’s bin lookin at Lugh Really starin, like she cain’t help herself It’s makin him flushed an shifty At last she says, It’s uncanny how like her you are Your eyes, they’re just the same The face, the sh’s the spit of Ma He shrugs, but you can tell he’s pleased Time creeps My stummick’s in knots Hurry on, hurry on, I need to see Jack

Ash stands an stretches o relieve Toes Slim with her boot Hey, sleepin beauty, don’t you be late fer ood eye Fret ye not, he says

On silent feet, bow in hand, Ash heads into the shadows

Emmi says, What’s that tune, Creed?