When the boys reached Arik’s home, theyleaned against the back of the house in silence. Finally, Tediturned towards Arik. “Did you see her trying to get closer to me,”he wheezed.

“I’d say it was yourimagination,” offered Arik, “but she sure didn’t seem to beinterested in anything the merchant had to sell. What did the old .. . Master Khatama have to say after I left?”

“Not much,” Tedi replied. “Hegriped a lot about youngsters today and their lack of respect fortheir elders. He also asked our ages about three different times. Iguess my big mouth got us off to a rather poor start.”

“I’ll say,” chuckled Arik.“The merchant’s niece practically bit my head off for that onecomment she overheard you say. She’s a bitter one, she is. You hearpeople talk about bitter old maids, well, this girl is around ourage and she already has the demeanor to put those old maids toshame.”

“Well, I guess we won’t haveto bother going back for dinner, then,” Tedi laughed. “The chanceof either one of them knowing anything useful, or telling us ifthey did, is probably out of the question.”

“I don’t know about that,”remarked Arik. “Even the girl knows about Sordoa and the Collapse.She wouldn’t talk about it, but I could tell that sheknows.”

“If I didn’t know better, Icould almost be suspicious of you liking Tanya,” chuckledTedi.

“Forget it!” exclaimed Arik.“She doesn’t even want friends. I tried to be friendly with her andI had to keep an eye on her hands to see if she would pull a knifeon me. That girl is poison and will never have any friends, nevermind boyfriends. Still, she does possess knowledge that I’d like tohave. I’m willing to go back and talk as long you come and keep aneye on her hands.”