204

A WIZABD IN ABSENTIA

“Why, then, I’ll come now,” Gar said, and turned to the corporal. “Show my apprentice where we’ll be quartered, then take him to the stables. He’ll take our saddlebags to the barracks, and he can show me there himself when the day’s done.” He turned back to lan. “Curry the horse and pony first, lad, then stow the saddlebags. After that, go about where you may and make yourself useful. Good enough?”

“Aye, sir!” lan said, though within, he trembled at the thought of being alone in the midst of such noise and such strangeness.

“Good lad. Enjoy the adventure.” Gar grinned, clasped his shoulder, then turned to follow the lieutenant.

lan swallowed heavily and turned to look up at the corporal. “Where are the barracks, sir?”

“Over there, against the south wall.” The soldier pointed. “We’ll follow the curve of the keep—that should get us out of the worst of the jostling. Come along, then.” He strode off down the stair, and lan hurried after him, his heart in his mouth.

205

Gar had taught him how to use the curry comb, so lan was able to see to both animals. He mucked out the horse’s stall too, since no one had done so recently, then took the saddlebags back to the barracks.

He remembered the corporal’s advice, though, so he stayed near the curtain wall, and did indeed move more quickly, even though the route was longer.

When it joined the keep, he turned to follow that wall, so he passed by the stairs at the doorway again.

“Boy!”

lan halted and looked around.

“Boy!” the voice called again, demanding. It was high-pitched and clear, an imperious treble. Looking up, lan saw a girl about his own age leaning over the stone stair-rail. She wore rose-colored satin, and her skirts spread out in a prodigal display of cloth.

“Come here, boy—I want you.”