The Dream Widow Read Online Free PDF Page A

sun.
    “What’s wrong?”
    Badger smiled. “Nothing. It’s wonderful––where did you find it? This doesn’t look like tribal jewelry.”
    “It’s wedding present from Jack,” said Wilson. “In the old days they traded rings so I thought, why not?”
    “Good choice. But this is from Jack? It’s not going to blow my arm off or anything?”
    “Would I do that to you? Don’t worry, it’s just a bracelet.”
    Village girls had transformed the circular stone plaza at the center of Station into a bright wedding festival. White and pink ribbons fluttered from wooden poles on the perimeter of the circle. Packs of children played around the poles and ran laughing through the crowd of hundreds of celebrating villagers. Food and drink lay on wooden tables covered in yellow cloth. The traditional sweet cornbread made by Badger and Wilson’s mother the night before had been cut into square sections and covered with blackberry syrup. Wilson’s venison had been added to a carrot-and-potato soup and supplemented by several roasted wild boar. A tea had been brewed from dried dandelion leaves and hawthorn berries.
    An older man in tribal leathers and with a tan, bearded face approached Wilson and Badger. He bowed.
    “Congratulations to both of Your Graces. To Kira, the most beautiful. And to you, Wilson savisto.”
    Wilson smiled. “Thank you, Yishai. But you don’t have to call us that.”
    “I know. It’s simply a habit from your father–”
    Wilson jerked up his palm and looked left and right through the crowd.
    Badger stared at him, wide-eyed. “You still haven’t told her?”
    “Let’s not talk about it.”
    “Suits me. I just want to take off this stupid dress.” Badger pulled at the tight red fabric squeezing her chest.
    “Patience, dear,” murmured Wilson.
    Badger slapped his arm. “Not for that reason!”
    Wilson grinned and turned to Yishai. “Chefa, we haven’t talked recently. How are your people faring here in Station?”
    Yishai watched the eating and chattering crowd around them. “What can I say? Mothers without sons, sons without fathers. We are grateful to you, Wilson savisto, for bringing us here, and for letting us stay. But when you’ve lost so much, it cannot be fully healed.”
    Wilson nodded. He watched a group of teenagers at the edge of the celebration. Many of the citizens of Station celebrated in white or blue clothing, but these young men wore brown hemp trousers and jackets with the white cross of David.
    Wilson pointed his chin. “Any more problems with those boys?”
    Yishai shrugged. “Not in recent days. Too few of us survived the flight from David, and the shock has been especially hard on the young people. It will take time for many of us to feel happy again, even with this new beginning.”
    All three turned at a hoarse bark. The crowd parted and a hideous dog trotted toward Wilson.
    The black fur was patched with mange. The skin was exposed in furry divots and mottled with liver spots and scars. Swollen lumps on his skull and body gave the animal a monstrous, sickly appearance. Wilson rubbed the dog’s floppy ears and a half-missing tail wagged.
    “The beast is disturbing you, savisto. I’ll remove him,” said Yishai.
    A short girl in chestnut braids giggled. “Chefa, you’re so funny!” She stroked the dog’s back. “You can’t forget the dog that saved Wilson’s life.”
    “No, Kaya, I was joking,” laughed Yishai. “It’s hard to forget something this ugly.”
    The girl in braids hugged Badger first, then Wilson. “Congratulations, both of you,” she said.
    “Thank you, Kaya,” said Wilson. “Any disasters in the leather shop lately?”
    A chant from the crowd drowned out Kaya’s response.
    “Speech, speech, speech!”
    Mast climbed onto a chair in the middle of the cheering throng and waved his arms. Wilson groaned.
    “All right! I’ll speak,” said Mast. “Let me tell you a story about my good friend Wilson.”
    The crowd cheered and Mast