"Itiscomplicated."
"It's efficient. Everything's in the same direction. Market first, moonbright after, then back." Baskets for the flowers, rope for the goat if we get the goat—probably get the goat—cages for the chickens unless I can rig something from spare wood—
She stares at me. The pot's boiling now—should adjust the heat—but neither of us moves.
"I had goats once."
I don't talk about the cottage. Don't think about it unless I have to. But the market, the route—everything pointing back toward the life I built and the life that got burned down, and my mouth's already open.
Kestria's eyebrows go up.
"At the cottage. Years ago. Two of them." Used to follow me around, bump their heads against my legs, steal food right out of my pockets. "I loved those goats. Was going to breed them, have a whole herd. Make cheese. Sell it at the market."
"What happened to them?"
"Wolves ate them."
Silence.
"Came through one night. Killed both. I found what was left in the morning."
More silence. The pot bubbles, steady and oblivious, and a log shifts in the fire.
I look at her. Her hand's over her mouth. She's failing to hide the grin.
"Those were your wolves. Weren't they."
Kestria's face goes through guilt, horror, and the desperate need to laugh—all three losing to each other in turns.
"Mel, I'm so—"
"It's fine."
"It's not fine, we ate your—"
"It's fine, Kestria. I forgive you retroactively. Circle of life and all that." I dump the vegetables into the pot. Water splashes over the side. "Now I'm going to buy goats for wolves. The irony isn't lost on me."
She makes a sound. Half laugh, half choke.
"Don't you dare laugh."
"I'm not laughing."
"You're definitely laughing."
"I'm—" Biting her lip hard, shoulders shaking. "You're just—you're going to buy goats. For the wolves. Who ate your goats."
"Yes."
"And you're fine with that."
"What choice do I have? Stay angry forever? That seems exhausting." I stir the pot, adjusting the temperature down. Finally. Should've done that five minutes ago. "The goats are dead. New goats exist. The pack needs milk. Move forward."
Kestria loses the battle. The laugh comes out bright and warm, and my mouth curves.
"You're the strangest person I've ever met." She's still smiling at the pot.
"We have established this multiple times."
