‘Are you from the Highlands?’ asked Relph.
The woman swung back. ‘I am. Why do you ask?’
‘My friend here had a little bet with me. I said you were mountain bred, he insisted you were a Lowlander. I told him you could always tell a Highland woman.’
‘Tell her what?’ countered the woman, turning her pale gaze on the soldier.
‘No … I mean, recognize one. It’s in the … er walk. Tell me, are you … er … staying on in Citadel tonight? There are some fine places to dine, and I’d be honoured to escort you.’
‘No, I am not staying on. Good day to you.’ She walked on, but Relph hurried alongside, taking hold of her arm. This made the hawk bait once more.
‘You don’t know what you’re missing, sweet-thing. It’s never wise to turn down a good opportunity.’
‘Oh, I never do that,’ said the woman. ‘Goodbye.’
She strode off leaving Relph red-faced. ‘Ah,’ said Will, ‘the sound of five fresh copper coins jingling in my palm. I can almost hear it.’
Relph swore. ‘Who does the bitch think she is?’
‘I told you, she’s a Highlander. As far as she is concerned you are an occupying enemy soldier. And if she doesn’t hate you – which she probably does – she despises you. Now let’s move on, and you can figure out how to pay me.’
‘How’d she get a hawk?’ said Relph. ‘I mean, a woman with a hawk. It’s not proper. Maybe she stole it!’
‘You can put that thought from your mind now, son,’ said Will sternly. ‘Just because a woman doesn’t want to sleep with you, it doesn’t mean you can just lock her up. I’ll not have that kind of wrong-doing in my cells. Put it from your mind, and concentrate on the crowd. It’ll be more than a five-copper fine if there’s a purse cut while we’re on duty. More like five lashes!’
‘Yes,’ said Relph. ‘Plenty more sheep in the field anyway.’ He laughed suddenly. ‘Did you hear that Gryen picked up a dose of the clap from the whorehouse in North Street? His dick is covered in weeping sores. He’s in a Hell of a state. They put bloody leeches on it! Can you imagine that? Must be pretty small leeches, eh?’
‘Serves him right,’ said Will. He stopped outside the apothecary shop and stepped inside.
‘What we looking for?’ asked Relph.
‘My youngest has the whooping-cough. Betsi asked me to pick up some herb syrup.’
‘Always ailing, that boy, ever since the fever,’ said Relph. ‘You figure him to die?’
Will sighed. ‘We lost two already, Relph. One in the plague back in Angosta, and the second when I was campaigning in Kushir. Yellow fever struck him down. I don’t know whether the boy will survive or not. But he’s a fighter, like his dad, so he’s got an even chance.’
‘You were lucky with Betsi,’ said Relph, as Will waited for the apothecary to fill a small blue bottle with syrup. ‘She’s a good woman. Cooks up a fine stew, and your place is always so clean. I’d bet you could eat off the floor and not pick up a scrap of dust. Good woman.’
‘The best,’ agreed Will. ‘I think when summer comes I’ll try to relocate down south. Her folks is back there and she misses them. Might do that.’
‘There’s a rumour we’ll be campaigning in spring. You heard it?’
‘There’s always rumours, son. I don’t worry about them. One of the reasons I came here was for the quiet. Betsi was always worried that I’d be killed in a battle. ‘Ain’t no battles here, so who are we going to campaign against?’
‘The Captain was saying that the Highland clans were getting ready for war, attacking merchants and travellers.’
Will shook his head. ‘It’s not true. There was one attack, but the
Foresters caught the men and killed them. They weren’t Highlanders. No, I’m looking forward to summer, son. I’ll take the family south.’
The apothecary handed over the bottle and Will gave him two copper coins.
Outside Relph tapped him on the arm. ‘How come you pay? I don’t. Bastard townies can afford to look after us. After all, we look after them.’