He watched the bright-haired woman head off on her hunt, the menagerie trailing behind in a curious and delightful train of color and different modes of locomotion. Settling patiently down into the water he soothed his throat and watched the various people passing by with quiet interest until she returned.
Rising up to meet her, he nodded with solemn pleasure at her confirmation. One hand dipped into the pouch at his side and emerged with a bracelet of small circles of mother of pearl which he offered Melita to use in her bartering. "Please. And then let us find some pastries to put in it," he suggested, deep voice suspiciously bland. "For the real gift." But he watched her face as he spoke, hoping she would see the hook beneath the worm.
Rising up to meet her, he nodded with solemn pleasure at her confirmation. One hand dipped into the pouch at his side and emerged with a bracelet of small circles of mother of pearl which he offered Melita to use in her bartering. "Please. And then let us find some pastries to put in it," he suggested, deep voice suspiciously bland. "For the real gift." But he watched her face as he spoke, hoping she would see the hook beneath the worm.
