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. Tika
said, "Inns serve late on full-moon nights. People travel longer. I'd
think you'd know that, from the road."
Hillae laughed. "So I look road-worn? No, don't blush; I HAVE
traveled for years, but customs differ." Tika nodded and backed
away. The woman turned again to Otik. "I would love a meal."
"Certainly." Otik hesitated, glancing at the drovers and at an
arriving stranger with an eye-patch. "If you wish, I could serve
your dinner in a private room, Hillae."
She shook her head. "No such luxuries for me now." She looked
Otik in the eye and said frankly, "And I have eaten more meals
alone than I care to."
Otik smiled back at her now, suddenly an equal. "I know what
you mean, ma'am. I'll seat you in a bright corner; you'll not lack
for company."
"Thank you." Hillae looked back at Tika, who was shyly
watching the stranger with the eye-patch. He winked at the girl,
and she looked away. "The barmaid is lovely. Your daughter?"
"Foster daughter." Otik added suddenly, "If you know much
about young women and romance, ma'am, you might have a word
with her. If you don't mind, I mean. She's got a broken heart every
week, these past few months. I don't know what to say to her, and
maybe you-" He spread his hands helplessly.
"She'll learn about broken hearts fast enough without my help.
They grow up fast at that age." She patted Otik's hand, though Otik
was years her senior. "But send her over when she's free
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