Tedi nodded solemnly. “I guess what hesaid about my view being too narrow is probably true. I guess I’vebeen more trouble than help to him. I just thought he didn’t careabout me. You know, the times he beat me, I deserved to be beaten.I just don’t think he knew his own strength.”

“Well, maybe everything willturn out for the better,” hoped Arik.

“Yikes!” exclaimed Tedi. “Iforgot about the merchant. We were supposed to eat with him tonightand find out the secrets of the outside world. If we don’t show,he’ll start looking for us and he may run into thewitch.”

“Forget him,” responded Arik.“The secrets of the Collapse can wait a while longer. We’ll talk tothe next merchant to come to town.”

“You don’t understand,” arguedTedi. “I told him our real ages and where we lived. If he goeslooking and runs into the witch, she’ll know everything. I’ll runup and tell him that we have to leave town in a hurry and he’llpoint the witch northward.”

Before Arik could protest, Tedi leapedover a small bush and disappeared into the forest. Tedi ran as fastas his legs would carry him. The sense of urgency in arriving atthe merchant’s wagon before the witch was the only thought on hismind. When he arrived at the wagon, neither the merchant nor hisniece was visible. Tedi ran around to the rear of the wagon andleaned in to peer into the darkness. Roughly, two hands seized hisneck from behind and hurled him to the ground.

“We don’t give our goods away,ruffian,” snarled a voice.

Tedi rolled over onto his back andgazed up to see the old merchant standing over him. “MasterKhatama,” he groaned, “ I was not trying take any goods. I was justcoming to talk with you and thought you might be in thewagon.”

The young girl came towards the wagonand lowered a torch so that Tedi’s face was illuminated. “It’s oneof the young bucks that was coming for dinner,” sheannounced.