He turned in his chair to look at her. "Were you? Why did you come? Were you worried about me?"
"Partly," she admitted. "But mostly because I am looking for something."
"Are you? What?"
"Luncheon," she said. "I don't suppose you could find some, could you?"
"Aye, I suppose I could. Do you want to come along? "
"I'd rather read, if you don't mind."
She looked more unnerved than he'd realized at first. He suspected that she'd come for much the same reason he had, hoping to find something to help her with her dream.
He started to turn, then paused. He had left the book on the table. It wasn't in his nature to be secretive?his current secrecy aside?and he also wasn't one to make decisions for others?his former desire to get Adhémar away from the border aside as well?but he suspected that if Morgan read anything about Gair and the circumstances of his demise, it might be too much for her.
At least for now.
He reached over the table and casually picked the book up. He reshelved it carelessly and covered it with a very strong spell of aversion. Then he started toward the door.
"I'll return soon," he said.
"Miach?"
He stopped and tried not to shiver. It was madness to think about sharing anything with this woman besides a loaf of bread. But there was something about the way she said his name…
"Aye?" he asked, not turning around.
"Will anyone come?"
He did turn then. "Surely you aren't afraid."
"Of course not. But I like to know what to expect." She paused. "Perhaps that is what I do not care for about magic."
Poor girl. "I think no one will come," he said slowly. "You could use your spell if you had to."
"I might." She looked at him thoughtfully. "How is it you knew about this place?"
"Chagailt is famous for its records."
"And lunch?"
"It is famous for that as well. I'll see what I can find."
She stood, rummaged about in her purse, then walked over to hand him a coin. "Pay them for it. "
He took the coin. It was of Neroche strike. "Where did you come by this?"
"Your brothers purse," she said shortly. "We'll thank him when next we see him."
He smiled. "Is this not stealing?"
"Spoils," she said promptly. "I told you before, didn't I? He was following me, no doubt with evil intent. When I felled him, it was well within my rights to take everything."
"Weger's rules?"
"Oh, nay," she said seriously, "those would suggest that I help myself to all his weapons and perhaps his boots if they fit. Of course, I left your brother with far more than I should have, which Weger would have found… unacceptable."
"I daresay," Miach said dryly, vowing to someday see what else the man found unacceptable. "Well, I'll go find something to eat."
