Redwing by Holly Bennett Read Free Book Online Page A

sir?” he asked.
    The scratching stopped, and Rowan glimpsed the publican’s tired eyes widening in surprise. The button box was a fairly new invention, and there were few with the know-how to make and set the delicate metal reeds and rows of horn buttons. They wouldn’t see one often in the backcountry—and Rowan’s was one of the best. More to the point for this demonstration, it was a beautiful instrument, inlaid on the ends with enamel and mother-of-pearl, the bellows made of supple black kidskin. Without waiting for permission, Rowan began a breakneck version of a popular reel. He wasn’t a flashy-looking player—his father had told him more than once that he hunched over his box like a broody hen—but he didn’t have to be. The box had enough flash for both of them.
    â€œBy the Blessed Brew! Now that’s music!”
    The old boy doesn’t look so tired now , thought Rowan. In fact he was grinning from ear to ear. “I didn’t expect that from a lad so young, and that’s a fact.” Young or old, it wouldn’t be often that this town saw musicians as accomplished as Rowan. But in this case, being underestimated worked in his favor.
    â€œThere’ll be plenty more tonight, and my partner here does a very good job of backing me up,” Rowan assured him. He felt Aydin stiffen behind him at the slight, but it was clear that the publican’s first impression of Aydin had not been good. Better to downplay his role.
    â€œWe’ll play for your best dinner and a silver dallion each,” Rowan offered.
    â€œDinner and a half -dallion apiece,” countered the owner.
    â€œFor a half-dallion each, we’ll play through the dinner rush,” said Rowan. “Then you feed us. If there is enough of a crowd left afterward and you want us to continue, another half-dallion between us.” He stuck out his hand. “Mister…?”
    â€œOh, just call me Burl.” Burl sighed and brushed palms with Rowan. “If I’m going to be bleeding my life savings into your pockets, you’ll hardly be calling me Mister.” He pointed a stubby finger at the boys. “People will come early on account of the rain. Be here by five bells—and you’d better have more than that one tune.”
    They didn’t have all that many more, Rowan reflected as they pelted back to the caravan under a cold driving rain. Aydin was a fast learner but easily distracted. They had less than one hour to cram a few more tunes. He hoped his new partner could beat a drum in time to the pieces he didn’t know.
    I’m having fun , Rowan realized with a jolt, as they dove into the caravan. The bargaining, the practicing, even the challenge of putting together a decent act at such short notice. For the first time since—Rowan rarely finished that phrase in his thoughts. Since had come to stand for just one event. But for the first time since, he actually cared about his craft. He would work hard tonight to make it a good show.
    IN BED THAT NIGHT, Rowan for once felt truly relaxed—tired in a good way, from a long day’s work. “Well fed, well paid and well played,” his father used to say at the end of a day like this. The clenching knot in his belly that had become his constant companion had eased. The tension between himself and Aydin was also—for now—gone. They had done well together, Rowan even managing to drum up the crowd’s interest in a few of Aydin’s pieces by presenting his knowledge of “the exotic music of the Tarzine Lands” as a “rare treat” for their discerning ears.
    Now, in the quiet darkness of the caravan, Rowan finally felt able to voice the questions that had been worrying him.
    â€œAydin.” He blurted it out before he had a chance to change his mind. “About my sister…”
    â€œFinally.” Aydin’s voice floated back to him from the back of the