Scarlet and the White Wolf [01] - Scarlet and the White Wolf Read Online Free PDF Page A

little, the fights and the bloody noses and elders rapping on my door because you sassed them. Now you want to go tangling with Kasiri.
    Didn't Kasiri kill my family?"
    "Those were Minh raiders," he reminded her gently.
    "Raiders, Kasiri, all the same. Bandits and nomads." She waved his answer away impatiently. "Ai, but you won't listen.
    You're too reckless."
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    Scarlet and the White Wolf--Book One
    by Kirby Crow
    He was stung. "That's not true. I'm careful as I can be, what with who I have to trade with and where I have to go.
    We'd starve if I stayed home, and that's the truth."
    "That's not why you became a pedlar."
    "No," he agreed. "It wasn't. But it's the truth anyway. I had a choice before. I don't now. When was the last time a wagon came through Lysia, or a horse needing shoes or tack?
    There's barely any work here at all for Scaja, and for me, nothing."
    She sagged a little, and then reached out and hugged him fiercely. "I can't lose another child, Scarlet. Promise me you'll be careful. You've just come home and here you are talking about leaving again."
    He kissed her cheek, a little unsettled by her worry. "I won't go today or next week. I'll stay and help Scaja fix the roof and the fence before I wander off into more trouble."
    She smiled and wiped her hands on her apron and shooed him away, and that was the end of it for a while. He sat down with Scaja, who had grown silent and sad, and finished his che.

    * * * *
    It was his second night home. He had gone with Scaja to survey the broken fence earlier, as an excuse to stroll and smoke a pipe or two while they caught up with each other. In the late afternoon, when the brassy sun turned the last drying stalks of hay to golden spikes in the fields, Scaja insisted on visiting the family templon to give thanks for his son's safe return. Scarlet stood beside him while he addressed the little 28
    Scarlet and the White Wolf--Book One
    by Kirby Crow
    stone shrine that was chipped into the shape of a turreted castle no higher than his shoulder. Inside were two paper gods, Deva and Her Consort, He who is never named, dressed in red and yellow paper gowns. It was Scaja's job to clothe the gods and care for their symbolic house, and also to make periodic offerings of incense and fragrant oils. As a chill wind blew from the Iron River, Scaja lit the sticks of incense, placed them carefully in the holders, and then bowed his head over his clasped hands, nudging Scarlet to do the same.
    "On danaee Deva shani," Scaja intoned, and Scarlet followed lead.
    The prayers were short and simple and he had learned them all while he was still toddling. He repeated the cantos after Scaja, made the customary low bow before respectfully backing several paces away (never present your back to a god), and after that they made for home. On the way, Scarlet mused in his head how strange it was that in Heaven a woman should rule, but on plain earth she always chose a man to see to her realm. There must be something to that.
    Thinking about the Flower Prince reminded him that he still had not spoken to Scaja of Masdren's invitation. "Masdren has offered me a place in his shop," he said carefully, broaching the subject as delicately as he could.
    Scaja was surprised. "And do you have a mind to apprentice with him?"
    "I might," he hedged. "That depends."
    Scaja stopped walking. They were on the muddy path bordering Imeno's field, and the rich, loamy earth under their boots was nearly black. "On what?"
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    Scarlet and the White Wolf--Book One
    by Kirby Crow
    "He wants you to leave Lysia. Linhona and Annaya too, of course. He says he'll find a place for us in Ankar."
    Scaja was shaking his head before Scarlet got the last words out. Scarlet sighed and crossed his arms over his chest as he stood facing his father.
    "Not Ankar," Scaja declared. "Never."
    "Where then?" Scarlet demanded. He was beginning to understand Masdren's exasperation. "It's only a matter of time before the Aralyrin get around to