Natural Ordermage by L. E. Modesitt Read Free Book Online Page B

the cheese and sell it and some of the steers every year than to spend too much time on growing things. We have a house garden, and that helps.”
    “You must do a lot here, the cooking and helping with the animals.”
    “Ma was a better cook, but Father and Semmelt don’t complain.”
    “I’m sure you cook well, and you probably do everything else well also.”
    Shahyla dropped her eyes, looking down into the tankard mug. After a moment, she lifted them. “You know I don’t read much. I’ve always had to work, since Ma was so sick. I do know my letters.”
    “People make too much over reading,” Rahl said. “Doing is what matters, and you do a lot, more than any woman I know.”
    “You’re a scrivener…”
    “I’m sure you could read what I write, but it wouldn’t help with the cows or the cheese.” Rahl took another long swallow of the ale. It was stronger than what he got at home, but he had to admit that it was good. He reached out and touched the back of her hand just momentarily, caressing it with order. “It’s quiet out here.” .
    Shahyla gave a short, giggling laugh. “It isn’t in the morning. The roosters are crowing, and the cows want to be milked, and Father and Semmelt are shouting about what needs to be done.”
    “Until you get everything in order?”
    She looked down again.
    “You’re the one who keeps everything going, I’d wager.”
    “You’re nice, Rahl,” Shahyla said. “Po you like cows and bulls? Or horses?”
    “I never thought about it. I haven’t ever ridden a horse or driven a team, and we don’t have a dog. They’d chew, on the binding hides, Father says.”
    “They might. We don’t have them because Father says they chase the cows, and it’s not good for the milk.” Shahyla smiled and gave the slightest giggle. “I think that’s because he doesn’t like them. The geese tell us if anyone’s coming, and the cats take care of the rats and other rodents.”
    Abruptly, she looked at Rahl. “You didn’t have dinner today, did you?”
    “I’m fine.”
    “Your stomach was growling. Leastwise, you should have some good cheese and bread.” Shahyla rose. “Come on inside.”
    Rahl wasn’t about to object too strenuously. He was hungry, and his stomach had been muttering its discomfort.
    Shahyla set him in the chair at one end of an ancient table that could easily have seated more than half a score, and then brought out a huge wedge of cheese and half a loaf of bread that was still warm. “We had plenty left after dinner.” Absently, she pressed the side of her thumb against her left eye to stop the twitching.
    “I don’t deserve this…” Rahl grinned at her after several bites of bread and cheese. “But I can’t tell you how much I appreciate it.”
    She seated herself on the end of the dining bench to his right, patting her tankard mug before her. “I made the bread.”
    “It’s very good. What else do you do when you’re not cooking?”
    “Oh… I milk the cows and churn the butter, and take care of the chickens and collect the eggs. The garden’s mine, too, and I do most of the skinning when we slaughter.‘ Semmelt’s too rough, and that’s hard on the hide. Could make a silver’s difference in what we get. I do what needs to be done.”
    “What do they do? Besides feed and chase the cattle?”
    “Everything.” Another giggle-laugh followed her words. “Yesterday, Semmelt and Father worked all day gelding and marking the male calves. They use a special curved knife. It’s real sharp.” Shahyla slipped off the bench and walked to the sideboard. “Here… see.”
    Rahl looked at the knife. It almost seemed to be covered in a shifting reddish white film. Just looking at the knife made him uneasy. It wasn’t the gelding that bothered him; it was the gelding knife. He forced himself to nod. “It looks like it was made for just that.”
    “It’s been in the family for a long time, Father said.” She replaced the knife in the drawer