“Yes, Sir,” repliedArik.

“Tanya?” questioned Tedilooking at the young boy watering the horses. “I mean, yes, Sir.Right away, Sir.”

As Tedi moved to help the merchantunload the wagon, Arik walked to the front to help with the horseswith Tedi’s comment ringing in his ears. As he approached themerchant’s helper, he looked more closely. While her face stillsported the glare given to Tedi for his comment, Arik could now seethat she was indeed a girl, a rather beautiful girl if she had notbeen dressed in those rags. “Pardon me, Tanya,” Arik greeted thegirl, “but Master Khatama requested that I offer you assistancewith brushing the horses.”

“As if I required assistance,”snapped Tanya. “You can only brush the horses if you know whatyou’re doing, fisherboy. And if you have any more sly commentsabout my uncle, you’ll lose your teeth.”

Arik stepped back and raised his handto ward off the expected attack. “Tanya, please,” he saidsoothingly. “Tedi did not really mean anything disrespectful. Hejust has a brash way of talking. He thinks if he acts tough, toughpeople will leave him be. I am no horseman, but I do occasionallyhelp out at Master Tern’s stables. I do know how to brush ahorse.”

Tanya tossed a brush to Arik and beganusing one herself. The pair worked on in silence for some minutesbefore Arik spoke again. “Tanya, I really do apologize for Tedi’sremarks. He was anxious about hearing some news of the old timesand he knew the townspeople would be arriving soon.”

After a few more minutes of silence,Tanya finally asked, “What’s your name, fisherboy?”

Arik looked over the horse at the younggirl. “I am Arik Clava,” he finally answered. “And I would preferthat you do not call me fisherboy. You make it sound like aderogatory term and my father is a fisherman. I find nothingdishonest or unsavory in his character because of his profession.He provides the best he can and I’m proud to be hisson.”