The Dream Thief, Kari Kilgore [reading well TXT] 📗

walked toward a camp that wasn't flashy, loud, or filled with hangers-on like many of the ones they'd passed, but quiet and organized. The black ship perched on a dark wooden cradle was clean and well maintained. The bottom looked flat enough to land on the ground, and the sides curved out and up. The front narrowed to a point opposite the broad, flat back with the propellers. The red-and-black, three-chambered airbag looked brand new. Karl guessed the main part of the ship was three stories tall, with two smaller flat levels full of windows at the top.

A young man, clearly not yet out of his teens, stood outside a matching red-and-black tent. A pole only a few feet taller than Karl stood in the middle, with four smaller ones around the edges. Flags with crests of different cities of Alterra rippled in the warm wind, with Waldron's Gate highest.

When the teenager saw Loretta walking toward him, he ducked his head under the tent flap.

"Wait here," she said under her breath.

She set the bags she was carrying down at Karl's feet, keeping a smaller purse for herself. After a few seconds, he walked back out to greet her. Karl couldn't hear what they said, but he did see some sort of coin pass between them.

The boy nodded and ducked into the tent again. The pause was longer this time, but when he stepped out he waved Loretta over. She smiled at Karl before she disappeared into the tent.

Chapter 23

Loretta stood inside the tent, trying to see everything without giving away her uneasiness. She'd known Bill for a long while now, but she hadn't spoken to him for nearly a year.

He certainly wasn't aligned with Rhysto, but she had no way to know what other arrangements he might have made. A deep voice floated out of the dim space.

"Loretta Schofield. When my man Rullin told me you were at my door, I was certain he was deceiving me. To what do I owe this distinct pleasure?"

"Bill. Do raise the lights so I may look upon you. It's been far too long."

She heard the rumbling laugh she remembered quite well, and the lamp in the middle of the tent grew brighter. A wiry man with fine, dark features sat on the ground beside a low table. He wore loose clothes not much different from Rhysto's, but these were new and perfectly clean. He got to his feet easily, standing only a few inches taller than Loretta.

"You're looking quite prosperous," he said. "Life in Waldron's Gate must suit you."

"You seem to be doing well yourself. Handsome as ever."

She walked over to him, holding out her hand. Instead of shaking it, he kissed it before pulling her forward into a quick hug.

"I always hope to see you when I'm anchored here," he said. "If anyone could tempt me away from my wandering ways, it would be you. Please, come sit with me. Tell me what brings you to my side again after so long."

Bill poured two glasses of what looked and smelled like his favorite spicy whiskey from the Midlands, and he held his up. Loretta did the same.

"To dear friends," Loretta said.

"To warm memories and new adventures," he said.

"I'm glad to see you, Bill, but I come asking a great favor. One I'll pay you well for, of course. I need transport. To the Northlands."

"Only you?" He smiled as he poured another glass for each of them. "Or you and the great brute of a man with you?"

"Both of us," she said. "He's an associate of mine, helping me with a project we both have serious interest in."

"You know as well as I do that transporting passengers on a shaw is illegal, Loretta. I would stand to lose everything if we're caught."

She smiled and leaned closer to him.

"I've never known you to get caught, Bill. And you know the same can be said of me. We'd prefer to stay off the records of official transport."

"Of course you would," he said. "When do you need to leave on this illicit trip north?"

"Looks like you've unloaded all of your cargo," Loretta said. "Your ship is in fine running order as always. We'd love to depart tonight or tomorrow morning. I can offer you a great incentive to leave tonight."

Bill threw back his head, and that rumbling laugh filled the tent.

"I'm quite sure you can," he said. "Would your gentleman friend object to the incentive you offer?"

"In this case, absolutely not. The incentive I offer is coin. More than enough to make it worth your time and effort."

"Only coin, then?" he said, smiling. "Not even time spent together for old time's sake? Your fellow must be the jealous sort."

"I'm sure he would be," she said. "Alas, he hasn't had the opportunity to find out for himself. Can you manage to see this as a business transaction, one between two friends? Or shall I take my commerce elsewhere?"

Loretta shifted the heavy purse so the coins within rattled.

"You know I'm happy to work with you on whatever terms you set, my dear. Any other cargo to transport, or is it just you and the rather large man?"

"Just us and the bags we carry," Loretta said. "We may have a third passenger upon our return, a small woman who'd be even less trouble than we are."

"If memory serves," he said, "being less trouble than you often have around you isn't all that difficult. Is this woman more likely to want to share the pilot's bed than you are these days?"

"She may very well be willing, Bill, but I doubt you will. She's easily twice your age."

"Ah, well." He got to his feet and helped Loretta to hers. "I must admit, though, I would be the last one to turn up my nose at such vast experience as a woman that age may have. How long will you need before we can return?"

"Give us two days if you can," she said. "We just need to speak to her