Chapter 16

• AERA
• I had spent the day looking around while Gideon tinkered with my shuttle. By the time the sun began to descend, I had shown up at the skiff-smith establishment.
• "I have good news and bad news." Gideon was wiping his hands on a rag.
• "What is the good news?"
• "She is going to run smoothly for a few more years. Take good care of her and she will take care of you."
• "That is good to know. Now for the bad news?"
• "The under belly is beginning to show her age. There are nuts and bolts that need tightening. A coating to last through the elements and a few pipes that need mending before they become an issue. You are looking at a 12,000 bill. Can you afford that?"
• "I had prepared for a lot worse. Do you want the beastcoin now or when the work is completed?"
• "You have always been good when it comes to payments. After that it is fine with me. Come back in three days and the work will be done then."
• "I am staying with Nora. Send word when the work is done and I will have your payment."
• "Done. Um. I was wondering. Would you happen to have any jerky with you? Ginger has been having cravings. Her belly wants nothing more. Has been bugging me all day to ask you."
• "I knew I should have brought some with me. Was this year's stash that good?"
• Gideon chuckled as he nodded his head. "The folks can't stop talking about it. It has old man Tucker belly aching but even he enjoyed a few sticks himself."
• "Tell you what. If things work out in my favour, I will make a special trip. Just for the residents of Iron Valley."
• Laughing harder, "Don't say that too loud. Folks will hound you."
• "I will remember that." Slightly turning my body, I began waving as I left. "Take care Gideon."
• Reaching the Guesthouse, every candle was lit. The smell wafting from the house made my mouth water.
• "Sit down, love," Nora said from the kitchen. "Your meal will be ready soon."
• "I will, once I have washed up."
• Carrying a pot to the table, Nora said, "How was your day, Aera?"
• "Not as adventful as I had hoped. No movement. On the plus side, Gideon will have my shuttle fixed in three days." I headed to the basin to clean up. "Oh, and the children are not the only ones who want my jerky. It appears that Ginger has cravings."
• "The kits are not even here, and they have good taste in food. You have outdone yourself this year." Nora laughed as the door opened. "Ah, it is good to see you four. Have a seat, the food is almost finished."
• "I never thought I would see you again." Vlad had locked his sight on me.
• "You know each other," Nora's head bounced from Vlad to me.
• "Only in passing." I smiled at Nora. "The moment you said bounty hunters, I figured it was this lot."
• "You know," Vlad began, his hands in the basin. "A little girl like you shouldn't be out by herself. It isn't safe." The three males around him began to chuckle.
• This wasn't the first time my height and gender had been the main punchline to a joke or remark.
• "Oh, Mr. Vlad, you wouldn't be saying that if you knew everything about the town's blessing. Aera has provided when she has no words here. If Jorykos doesn't buy the furs from Aera. She gives them to the orphanage. Sugar Plum Home, two towns over. They have struggled after the emperor stopped all donations." Nora placed the plate of rolls on the table as the children came rushing in. "Aera has been an asset not only to the Silver Viper Territory. But also to the towns in this area. The emperor has forgotten we exist. Aera has not. Small as she might be, we appreciate everything she has done."
• "I never knew that is how everyone felt. So, if that is the case, why does everyone look at me strangely?"
• Nora snorted, "Everyone has a brother or a widowed father or uncle."
• "Oh, no!" I muttered, understanding completely where this conversation was heading.
• Beau smiled at me, "Next year I am old enough to take a mate. If you haven't found a mate then, think of me."
• I opened and closed my mouth. I was sure the terror on my face was why everyone was chuckling.
• "Aera isn't the type to choose a mate. Only her fated mate will swoon her to agreement." Nora pulled out her chair. "No more talking, let's eat."