Dragon's Kin by Anne McCaffrey Read Free Book Online Page B

set off immediately for their cottage, where he changed quickly. On his way back, he spotted a girl about his own age standing beside a tree, listening to the music. Kindan had never seen her before, so he guessed that she was one of the trader girls.
    “What are you doing here?” he asked, at peace with the world. “There’ll be dancing as soon as the platform’s cleared off.”
    “Dancing?” the girl repeated. “I don’t dance.”
    “A trader that doesn’t dance?” Kindan asked. “I could see a miner’s daughter, maybe, but not a trader. Or are you afraid of the dance platform?”
    “I’ve never been on one before,” the girl admitted.
    “I’m supposed to clear it off,” Kindan told her, and started on his way with a wave of his hand.
    “Wait!” the girl called. Kindan stopped. “Could you bring me down to the party?”
    Kindan turned back and looked at her.
    “I’m a bit shy,” she offered hastily by way of explanation. She held out her hand to him. “If you could hold my hand—”
    Kindan started to say no, but she raised the palm of her hand to stop him.
    “Just until we get there,” she said. She drew a deep breath and a hungry look crossed her face. “The food smells so good!”
    “Well, okay,” Kindan agreed. He took her hand and she stood up beside him. “I’m Kindan, by the way.”
    “I kn—I’m Nuella,” she said.
    “You know?” Kindan repeated. As they approached the torchlit square he got a better look at the girl. “I’ve seen you before! You were with the Harper in the mine! You’re lucky Natalon didn’t catch you, or you would’ve been in a lot of trouble.”
    Nuella nodded and made a face. “I know,” she said. “And I’m afraid he might have heard about it,” she added hastily, “so if you could keep me away from him—I’ve never seen him, you know—I’d appreciate it.”
    Kindan thought for a moment as they continued their way down to the square. He realized that he probably didn’t want to be seen by Miner Natalon, either, just to avoid being sent on an errand or given a chore. Come to think of it, if he could avoid anyone who might put him to work, that’d be just fine with him.
    “All right,” he agreed. “After we get our food, I know of a nice quiet spot where we shouldn’t be seen.”
    Nuella giggled and said, “That sounds perfect.”
    The giggle sounded oddly familiar to Kindan.
    Nuella asked Kindan to explain all the dishes set out on the buffet table. “You’ve never had tuber before?” Kindan asked. “Surely you must have.”
    “Oh,” Nuella responded glibly, “I’ve had it before, but I don’t think I’ve seen it prepared like this.”
    “Huh,” Kindan muttered, surprised that someone had never had mashed tubers before. Shards, if it weren’t for the fact that they were still warm, he would have avoided them in favor of something tastier himself.
    They got their food and Kindan guided her to his special hiding spot. But it was occupied already.
    “What are
you
doing here?” Zenor demanded when he saw them.
    “Hiding,” Kindan replied. “Just like you.” He gestured toward Nuella. “Zenor, this is Nuella.”
    “I know,” Zenor replied sourly, moving over to make room for them.
    “We’ve already met,” Nuella explained. She started to set her cup down beside her, but it spilled. “Oh, dear! Kindan, could you get me another cup, please?”
    Kindan was reluctant to leave—his food was still warm—but Nuella had asked so nicely that, with a shrug, he found himself saying, “Sure.” To Zenor he added, “Be right back.”
             
    Zenor waited until Kindan was out of sight before he turned to Nuella. “Are you mad?”
    Nuella turned quickly to Zenor. “He thinks I’m one of the traders.”
    “You weren’t where you said you’d be when I came by,” he said.
    Nuella nodded. “I met Kindan while I was waiting for you. Anyway, what took you so long?”
    Zenor shrugged. “I had to help set up