Kingdom of Cages(45)

The dock on the other side was dotted with benches curving around small tables that let you look out over the water and see the boats skimming across the crinkled waves, and a stately dirigible drifting overhead. The cliffs towered over their shoulders, and Chena could see that wind and water had carved dark arches and caves into the rust-red stone.

“I haven’t got much here,” said Farin, setting his basket on the table. “But this is a very informal arrangement. Next time I hope you’ll let me know when you’re going to be in town.”

“Sure.” Chena got the word out without making it squeak, barely.

He lifted the cloth off the basket to reveal a loaf of bread. He picked it up and broke it in half, handing one part to Chena. The inside was full of herbs and cheeses. It smelled fantastic. Once he’d bitten into his, she ate hers and found it tasted even better than it smelled. He also had a cup full of raspberries. He ate a few, then smiled as he offered them to her.

“Contraband from Offshoot.” He winked conspiratorially. “They just don’t grow out here on the sand.”

Chena accepted a few of the sweet, dark red berries and ate them, keeping her attention fixed out across the water. She didn’t want Farin to see her staring at him, even though she wanted to watch the way his red-gold hair rippled across his shoulders.

The silence stretched out until Chena wanted to squirm. She looked for something to say and found only the water in front of her. Well, maybe that would do.

“So, um, this whole thing is a lake?” She swept her hand out in a broad arc.

“That’s right,” said Farin, tearing a piece of bread off of the loaf and popping it into his mouth. He chewed for a moment and swallowed. “It’s the biggest lake on Pandora. They named it Superior after a similar body of water on Old Earth.” He cocked his head toward her and Chena looked quickly down at the remains of bread in her hands. His accent was mellower than the man’s in the food tent and the unfamiliar lilt made the words sound rhythmic, like poetry.

“And those are caves in the cliffs out there?” She nodded to the monoliths.

“They say some of them go on for a kilometer or more.” His smile grew sly again. “Not that anyone from the village has ever gone out to see, of course.”

Chena swallowed hard. Did he mean to say someone had? Had he? Did he know a way around the fences? Could she maybe find a way to ask him?

But before she could think of the right words, Farin said, “So, Chena, what brought you to Stem?”

Chena caught herself halfway through her shrug and dropped her shoulders. “I just wanted to see someplace different, and I thought maybe…” She stopped.

“Maybe what?”

Chena risked a glance at him. Amusement danced in his green eyes, but he seemed genuinely interested.

“I wanted to see if I could figure out a way to make some money. My mom…” Pride stopped her, and she shrugged. “I just thought maybe I could make something extra, you know?”

Farin nodded slowly, seriously. “Yes, I very much do know.” He gave her a fresh smile, this one just a little sad. “It’s hard at first,” he said. “And particularly when on your first working day you get hauled in by the cops.”

His words brought Chena’s head up. “Who told you?”

He just continued to smile gently. “My spies are everywhere.”

Spies? Did he know about that too? Who was this guy? Did he think she was stupid? Chena felt on the verge of panic.

Farin laughed. “Easy, Chena.” He patted her shoulder. “I’m not working for Regan. Nan Elle told me.”

Chena felt her eyes widen. “You know her?”

He nodded. “Yes. I usually see her when I’m in Offshoot. She makes up a regular batch of medicine for me.”

“So, she’s not a poisoner?” Chena asked tentatively. She should have known not to trust the cop, but Nan Elle was so… bizarre …

“No.” Farin pushed his hair back from his forehead. “The cops just want you to think that so you won’t go to her for help. She’s outside the system, see, and the hothousers hate that kind of thing.”

“What kind of thing?”

“People not staying put.” Farin’s gaze drifted out across the water. “People not doing exactly what it’s predicted they’ll do.” He jerked his chin inland. “That’s why they make it so hard to get from place to place, and why no one is allowed to own a private phone or computer. If people are kept separated, they are easier to handle.”

“Somebody said that was to minimize environmental impact.” She said it tentatively, testing the idea.