Very well, he would simply take his cut as discoverer and leave the lion’s share for those who knew how to exploit it. His percentage would be gratefully paid. There was enough here for everyone.
He listened to the music, at once disturbing and infectious, and wished he could understand the scientific terms the old woman was throwing at him.
The sun had started down when they headed back toward the house—cabin, Caitland had discovered, with an adjoining warehouse. Nearly there, Katie stopped, panting slightly. More lines showed in her face now, lines and strain from more than age.
“Can’t walk as far as I used to. That’s why I need Freia, and she’s getting on, too.” She put a hand out, ran a palm up and down one booming young sapling. “Magnificent, isn’t it?” She looked back at him.
“You’re very privileged, John. Few people now alive have heard the sound of a chimer forest except on old recordings. Very privileged.” She was watching him closely. “Sometimes I wonder…” “Yeah,” he muttered uncomfortably. She left the tree, moved to him and felt his chest under the makeshift shirt she’d sewn him. “I mended this clothing as best I could, and I tried to do the same with you. I’m no doctor. How do your ribs feel?”
“I once saw a pet wolfhound work on an old steak bone for a couple of weeks before he’d entirely finished with it. That’s what they feel like.”
She removed her hand. “They’re healing. They’ll continue to do so, provided you don’t go falling out of storms in the next couple of months.” She started on