Counter Proposal - (Day 4- Early Afternoon)

Over time, the conversation ebbed. Lyen had reined her Sorrel to walk alongside Dorian’s Chestnut. The two horses were beginning to slow a bit. Dorian knew they’d have to get the beasts back to the protection of their stable by sundown, just a few hours away.

By his calculations, Gill and Haddie had been exposed to the knifing cold for roughly twenty hours. At the very least, both would be suffering fatigue. The news that Riley had purchased new winter coats for the children was indeed helpful. A good coat would slow the inevitable creep of cold from the extremities to their cores, but in the end, prolonged exposure would take its’ toll. With each passing hour, the odds stacked further against them.

And of course, there were the wolves to consider. By all accounts, this winter’s number of encounters had risen sharply, evidence of at least one hungry pack who found the courage to venture close to the human settlement. He’d spent this entire ride in a quiet dread over the kids falling prey to a pack of night hunters.

Yazmina shifted against his back. He’d offered her his gloves, but the Companion had politely declined. Eventually, her hands sought the refuge of his coat pockets, their burrowing winning his unvoiced agreement for whatever shelter might be provided. The coat she wore over her gown could best be described as a stylish jacket, offering little warmth. He had to see her safely to shelter soon, as well. Despite her nestling against his back for warmth, conditions would grow decidedly more hostile when the sun tucked itself behind the distant range of high peaks.

Lyen seemed better outfitted. Concerns for her exposure dissipated when he spied the leg of a pair of denims peeking out from beneath her robe. She wore her sturdy new boots, the coat and hat she’d recently acquired. And now, as his gaze turned her way, he found her regarding him with an unwavering eye.

*"Dorian, can I ask you something?"*

“Please.”

*” You mentioned that the widow Schnabel has been assisting you with customers here in New Kasmir. Is that arrangement extending even after we leave here? Because I've been wondering whether you might consider teaching me enough to be useful to you and the crew on the Veil."*

He nodded his understanding, but before he could form a reply, the Sister spoke again.

*” "When we performed that surgery on you in the black--that was the most frightened I'd been in a long while. I was terrified that I'd make a mistake that would cost your sight. But when it was over and you were all right, then I felt exhilarated. Seeing you fix people up, how you mend the broken, that's something I'd like to learn more about. If it wouldn't be any trouble, that is."*

Yazmina turned her head, apparently interested by the question. “Ah ran inta a spot of trouble awhile back,” Dorian explained. “Sistah Lyen was kind enough tah perform a surgery at mah direction. Her efforts saved ma vision.”

All during his account, Dorian’s eyes never left those of the nun. “And Ah shall nevah be able tah adequately repay her fah that,” he concluded. “Yeva Schnabel wishes tah become a boat medic by trade…Ah’m trainin’ her. One day soon, she’ll move on tah anothah boat tah earn her keep. And that will leave me without an assistant,” Dorian smiled. “Ah can train two of yah as easily as Ah can one, but in yah case Ah have a counter proposal.”

Adler turned his head, speaking over his shoulder to include the Companion. “Fahgive mah indiscretion, but since tha war Ah’ve lived mah life as a dead man walkin’…takin’ what succor Ah might in saloons an’ whore houses…not carin’ a bit because Ah knew mah bullet was just around tha corner. That’s changed of late,” he said. “All very recently, Ah’ve discovered there are principles…and people…for whom Ah want tah live…bit of a tall order fah a man of mah ways.”

“So, Sistah,” his smile returned, “Ah propose a barter. Ah’ll teach yah mah trade if yah teach me yours.”