#debukefarmhold

A grunt. "Figured she'd take it that way."

"Well, she's gone from an only child to a dozen paler half sibs, most out to kill her. ..and then there's Jacob who isn't 'tainted' like she is. Remember, Zara thinks that she reminds you of a man you hate and that thus you avoided her. Then here comes Jacob and he's got no paler in him. The perfect kid" a shake of his head "Which is bullshit. Jacob's going to get into trouble, I can tell"

"Yeah, lookin' forward ta that." She is not.

He reads that "Farm as populated as this? You can't get away from childling antics. Kithain, kinian.. and that's TROLLS, we're expected to be the stable ones. THank god we're not a pooka clan"

"I hate him 'cause a what he did to me, an' her."

"Don't much give a rat's ass otherwise."

"I want him dead." Then a sigh "Forget I said that. Look, it's late, Carnivale is starting and I'm not going this year it looks like. I'm going to make some sandwhiches. You hungry?"

"Yeah." She puts the broom away. "Carnivale, huh? How do you guys do it?"

"We go in costumes, scatter about the country, raise hell in snooty noble holds while their lords are forced to play jesters, and run like our asses are on fire after we TP their sacred oaks and steal their best booze. Well, okay, not all of us do that." He wanders out with her explaining "Actually, Carnivale has been special for Zara and I... the first time I saw her..."

(End scene)