It’s #BookQW and Beri ‘aims’ to keep his friends happy.
More from Chapter 2:
Up in the wagon, Oyster of the Estuary bent double behind crates of woolens. His daily swims gave him the muscles to power through anything—including shoving two double-stacked crates, one per hand. The boxes skidded to the back of the wagon, their bouncing skeins of yarn matching his curly, sandy-colored hair.
Before Beri could reach for one of the boxes, Salm arrived and took the closest. He tossed Beri a glare.
What is that about?
As Salm departed, Coral leaned around Willow. “Why is Salm mad? I haven’t done anything this time.”
“That, a fellow doesn’t need to ask,” Raven answered. “He’s been carrying boxes while you tie pretty knots.”
“Ha,” Beri said to Coral. “I’d love to let you take the blame, but he aimed that look at me, and I haven’t done anything either.”
“Shh,” Willow admonished. “Everyone is doing their part.”
Oyster squatted before them. “I thought he was mad at me. Last week, he flew—came down to the Estuary with the dolphins to swim with me like usual. But when I tried to help Willow carry the tent poles earlier, he got huffy and asked what I was doing.”
Raven froze, his eyes narrowing. “What were you doing?” he snapped.
Spells, what had set Raven off?
Before Beri could elbow Raven, Oyster jumped down and picked up a crate. “Not half of what I should be, according to Mother.”
“Hey.” Coral pointed to the crates remaining at the head of the wagon. “Aren’t you going to pass us the rest?”
Without looking back, Oyster left. Beri grabbed a crate and hurried after him. Being the tallest of the lads, he caught up quickly. Oyster, who might surpass Willow in proper behavior, didn’t deserve Raven’s attitude, whatever had brought it on. “Ignore those two and enjoy today.”
Oyster side-eyed him. “You are telling me this?”
“Well, someone ought to enjoy it.”
“Mother agrees with you that this is a dangerous exercise. Lady Lark had to pressure her to allow me to attend.”
“Better with support than thrust into a situation with no experience,” Beri parroted Merlin’s reasoning.
“Mother agreed,” Oyster said dryly. “Yet the only ones of us who have our minds on the task are me, you and Willow. The other three regard this as a frolic.”
Beri shook his head. “Salm has passed this trial previously. He’s come along to help.”
“So his sister could attend, you mean. Coral is too young to be here,” Oyster said firmly. “Mother says the elders have erred in that decision.”
Flights. Some days, talking to Oyster was like dealing with Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde as he wavered between trying to please his mother and being himself.
~~~
Trial at the Faire releases July 1, 2021.
Leave a Reply