Soldier at the Door(32)
Mahrree glanced at him. “And you know this because . . .?”
He shrugged. “Because he’s a boy, and boys are always hungry?”
Mahrree nodded. “I’ll believe that.” She turned Peto so he faced away from her, and instantly he stopped wailing. “Or maybe he wanted to see where he’s going.” She smiled in relief that her ears now had a break.
The soldier nodded back. “Not much fun never knowing where you’re going, is it?”
Mahrree glanced around her to make sure no one was near. They had left the market and were now heading north along the neighborhoods. “Now that he’s quiet, Private, can I ask you some questions?”
Private Zenos blinked. “I suppose so, ma’am.”
“I want someone else’s opinion. Tell me about Guarders,” she whispered the last word.
Zenos pursed his lips. “Tell you about Guarders? What do you want to know?”
“Do you think all the stories about them are true?”
“Stories?”
“Yes, stories. My husband’s reluctant to share much with me, probably because I tend to go off a bit at times,” she admitted, “But there are always stories. So are they true?”
“Which stories?”
Mahrree grumbled. “How long has my husband been training you?”
“Ma’am?” he looked at her.
“Training you to evade questioning by answering every question with another question!”
Private Zenos smiled bashfully, likely understanding what Mahrree meant by “go off a bit.”
“I’m sorry, ma’am. I didn’t realize I was doing that. Try again. I’ll see if I can give you a better answer.”
“All right then,” Mahrree said. “How fearsome are Guarders, Private?”
Zenos thought for a moment. “I’ve only spoken with one, ma’am, and he’s not too fearsome. He’s a little strange, to tell you the truth.”
Mahrree sighed. “I already know that. Captain Shin told me several weeks ago about some of the odd things he told you.”
Zenos nodded. “Although I think planting corn in small hills with a piece of fish, instead of in rows, is worth trying.”
“Corn?” Mahrree asked. “I didn’t hear about corn. Or fish.”
Zenos just shrugged.
“I guess what I really want to know is,” Mahrree said in a low voice, “can they be negotiated with?”
He gave her an odd look. “Negotiated with?”
Mahrree glared at him for his inadequate answer again.
“Sorry, ma’am.” He cleared his throat. “It’s been my experience you can negotiate with anyone, if you offer the right enticements.”
“But that’s the key, isn’t it, Private?” she groused. “Knowing what to offer so your opponent capitulates to your will? But if you know nothing of your opponent, what do you entice them with? Negotiations are useless, then!”
Zenos smiled and looked at her askance. “Yes, you definitely know more than the average officer’s wife.”
She didn’t notice him looking at her. “I’ve had to negotiate with my husband on numerous occasions,” she murmured. “So how do we find out what they want?” she wondered, forgetting to keep her voice low. “I mean, it’s too late for me, but not for others—”
Zenos squinted, trying to understand what she meant by that.
“—if we can only make it through their lands . . .” She paused, biting her lower lip in thought.
Zenos glanced at her waiting for her to finish her sentence so he could figure out what she might be talking about it. He was going to be disappointed.
When she continued again she had already jumped ahead. “So how do we negotiate with Guarders?!”
Zenos shook his head and shrugged. “I suppose that’s what I’m for, ma’am. I’m trying to learn what I can. We have that lost one I’ve been feeding from time to time. It seems they usually work in pairs, but this one lost his companion and is pretty erratic. Sometimes he’s gone for weeks, then he’s back again for several days.”
“So what else has he told you?” Mahrree whispered earnestly.
He cleared his throat again. “I’m sorry, ma’am. I don’t think I’m allowed to tell you. If your husband won’t tell you, then—”
Mahrree kicked a stone in irritation. “So you have learned something interesting, haven’t you?!”
Zenos exhaled. “I . . . I don’t really know what would qualify as interesting—”
“Come on,” she whispered. “Tell me why they’re here! What do they want from Edge? From the world? What would make them leave the forests?”