“I am called Old White. Some know me as the Seeker. The young woman is Two Petals.” He seemed to choke on the words. “A Contrary.”
A Contrary? Trader squinted at the girl. Most Contraries had the reputation of being older individuals who dedicated their lives to the service of Power. And the Seeker? He’d heard of him: the stuff of legends related around fires, a man who traveled the ends of the earth just to see what was there. Trader had never thought him real. But maybe this was a trick? Had Snow Otter told someone of the fabulous copper? Even now were tens of pursuers fanning out on the river searching for him?
“How do I know you’re the Seeker?”
The old man spread his arms, white feathers on his staff fluttering in the cold wind. “Could any other man alive have my kind of luck?”
Somehow, the resignation in the man’s weary voice did more to reassure Trader than anything.
“He has no luck,” the young woman declared. “None at all. He died of starvation when he was a boy. Have you ever seen such a poor wandering corpse?”
“Corpse?” The Seeker cast a nervous glance at the woman. Two Petals, is that what the old man called her?
“You might want to know,” Trader said warily, “according to legend, this place was cursed by a witch. That’s why it’s abandoned. If you value your health, you might want to leave now.”
“Bad curse,” Two Petals agreed. “That’s why you’re here. Evil’s flying all around you.”
Despite himself, Trader couldn’t help but cast uncertain glances at the surrounding darkness.
“She’s a Contrary,” the old man reminded. “If there was danger anywhere about, she’d know.”
“Why are you here?” Trader demanded. The thought of that copper, gleaming in its coating of rock, ate like cactus juice in his souls.
“Not my fault,” the young woman insisted.
“Yes, it is,” the Seeker growled irritably.
“What do you want?” Trader insisted.
“Don’t want to camp here,” the Contrary said as she walked forward, bent down, and began petting Swimmer. “Not a good place at all. Roast duck! Can’t stand it. Wouldn’t eat it if it was the last food on earth.”
The Seeker lifted his staff helplessly. “We mean you no harm. By the Power of Trade, I swear that.”
Memories of Snow Otter lingered in Trader’s souls. “I have recently discovered that sometimes, that’s not enough.”
“He wouldn’t have killed you,” Two Petals said. Was she talking to Swimmer or him?
“We will be happy to add to your meal,” the Seeker offered.
Trader began, “If you wouldn’t mind, I’d prefer—”
“The copper is worried,” Two Petals stated.
“What copper?” Trader and the Seeker said simultaneously.
“The copper that Trader wants us to see.”
Trader and the Seeker gaped at Two Petals.
“How do you know this?” the Seeker asked.
“Not from any vision I’ve ever had.” Two Petals giggled as Swimmer licked her face.
The Seeker came forward, his staff lowered. “It’s a long story, I’m afraid.”
Trader swallowed hard. “You’ve heard about the copper?” He should kill them now. Drive an arrow into the old man, then the girl. Then keep shooting until his quiver was empty.
“I’ve heard of no copper.” The Seeker was peering at him in the darkness. “But whatever you possess, I am bound by the Trade. Besides, I have no use for copper.”
“That would make you a rare man, indeed.”
“Among the rarest.” The old man looked back at the rushes. “Go tend your fire. I’ll get my packs.” Then he turned back into the darkness.
Trader stood, his bow half drawn. Two Petals seemed oblivious, having found the place on Swimmer’s belly that he loved having scratched.
Was this really the Seeker? He searched his memory for the stories. Supposedly the man of legend carried two packs, one of wood, the other something heavy in a cloth bag. But anyone trying to imitate him would know that. Or this could be some elaborate ruse, the girl playing the role of a Contrary to deceive him.
“Demon dog,” Two Petals told Swimmer. “I’ve never seen such an evil one.”
Fox Squirrel! He hadn’t told the story to anyone else. She must have heard of the copper and sent these two after him.
“It won’t work,” he said, drawing his bow. “You can leave now.”
“Going as fast as we can,” Two Petals answered. “Hurry, hurry, run, run.”
“If you’re going to shoot her,” the old man said, emerging from the rushes, “it would be a relief if you did it quickly. Traveling with a Contrary isn’t as soothing as you would think. Of course, I’m not sure what Power would do to a man who murdered a defenseless Contrary. Might take his copper away from him.” As the old man walked past, he added, “On the other hand, it removes a burdensome complication from my life.”