10 – Aftermath by Asprin, Robert

“Thank you,” she said and noted with some satisfaction that she’d surprised him with her skill

He tipped the wineskin up and maneuvered himself beneath it so his back was almost touching her and he, too, faced the sun Illyra couldn’t imagine why he twisted around that way, when it was apt to make him miss his aim Wine spurted past his ear, landing on the red stone

“Watch what you’re doing,” she snapped, hastily lifting her skirt out of the way as she spoke

But he squeezed the skin again and left a goodly stain across the worn inscription before adjusting his arms and getting a decent mouthful of wine Odd that a warrior, or a shepherd for that matter, would be so clumsy with the wine Hard, even, to believe it had been an accident- especially when she caught him looking back at her and grinning

“Out of practice,” he said, and she did not believe him at all

“I’d best be leaving It’s getting late I live

Illyra hesitated and thought better of telling him where she lived, not that her heart believed it would help her if this stranger took it into his head to pay her and Dubro a visit. She slid carefully from the stone, avoiding him as much as the wine, and put the substantial remains of her lunch in the shawl-sling It seemed prudent to back away from the stone. He was still gnnmng when her heel touched the path, then he laughed and she shot through the gate.

In truth it wasn’t that late, barely past midaftemoon, and she hadn’t intended to return to the Bazaar before sundown The day was still pleas- antly warm, and there wouldn’t be many more like this until the next spring She might still wander along the General’s Road and headed that way-back through the forecourt and along the Governor’s Walk