Greendaughter (Book 6) Read Online Free Page B

for a sling and too small for other uses. We use flat rocks for ten-stone; is this then a playing piece?”
    “It’s a gold coin,” Rivkah explained. “We use them to buy other things we desire.”
    “I had heard rumors that humans traded in bits of metal but had never seen such,” Valann said curiously, sticking out his tongue to taste the coin. “It is like the stuff we pick from some streams to pound out for jewelry, but in not so pleasing a form. See?” He brushed back Chyrie’s short, curling hair to show the small rings in her ears.
    “None of our kind would take this in trade,” Chyrie said scornfully. “It is of no use.”
    “It’s made of gold!” Sharl protested. “Gold is valuable to you, isn’t it, if you use it for jewelry?”
    “I have not the skill of pounding out jewelry”—Chyrie shrugged—“nor has my mate. It is too soft for the making of weapons. Are humans so poor that they have nothing better to trade?”
    “It matters not,” Valann said firmly. “Even if they had all the riches of the Mother Forest they could not buy us. Is it not so?”
    “Indeed,” Chyrie agreed hastily. “It is not a matter of payment. We cannot help you.”
    “Cannot or will not?” Rivkah probed.
    “We cannot, nor would we,” Val said coldly. “My mate needs the attentions of our Gifted One, and we have other business of import to us if not to you.”
    “Perhaps we could help you in your endeavors in exchange for your services,” Sharl suggested, “if you will tell us what you need.”
    Chyrie exchanged flabbergasted looks with Valann, and they both burst out laughing.
    “Have we said something offensive?” Rivkah asked worriedly.
    “Nay, only amusing,” Chyrie choked. “We have come that my mate may plant seed in my womb. I doubt you could offer any assistance in that matter.”
    All four humans reddened darkly, and Rivkah mustered a weak chuckle.
    “In that case I’m afraid you’re right,” Rivkah said ruefully. “But, Chyrie, are you certain you can bear after—well—what happened?”
    Chyrie shrugged.
    “Valann is a fine healer,” she said. “How great the harm was done me I cannot say until we couple next. Still it would be wise that I consult with our Gifted One when we return home, and he can say truly if Valann’s seed has taken root.”
    “And we must go about assuring that,” Val said gently, his eyes sparkling at Chyrie. “It is in my mind that a slow death should befall they who next interrupt our...endeavors.”
    “Sharl,” Rivkah said pleadingly, “don’t you think—”
    “No,” Sharl said regretfully, but firmly. “We may never have this chance again. The risk is too great. Valann, I’ll ask once more: Will you guide us on this common road? We’ll pay you well, I promise. If you don’t want the gold, we will find some other way to compensate you.”
    “And yet again I say we will not,” Valann snapped. “You can say nothing to change our course.”
    Sharl looked old suddenly, and tired. “I’m afraid I can, Valann.”
    Instantly Val’s sword was in his hand, and Chyrie’s was equally ready.
    “Think not to threaten us, human,” he snarled. “My gratitude has its limits, and you fast exceed them.”
    “It’s no threat,” Rivkah said unhappily. “Valann, I’m sorry. I didn’t want to do it, but... I’ve cast a geas upon you. It was in the wine. I’m sorry that Chyrie drank. I didn’t mean for her to be included in the geas.”
    “You lie,” Chyrie hissed. “Valann tested the wine, as did I. There was no potion therein.”
    “It’s not a potion, but a spell,” Rivkah said. “I added nothing to the wine but a few words to seal the binding.”
    “I wanted to avoid this,” Sharl said. “If you had agreed to lead us freely I would have had Rivkah lift the binding. We will still pay you well, I swear it, in gold or trade goods, whatever you like. What is she doing?” he added as Chyrie dropped her sword, crouching on the ground, eyes