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“Would you like to come with us?” Jade asked.
“It would be my pleasure to assist you in your voyage,” Nanee-12 said right away. “I can care for your boy, and I also have other useful skills.”
“Like what?” Rafe asked.
“I can also care for orphaned baby animals, repair tears and rips in fabric of all kinds, clean clothing, and many other tasks,” Nanee-12 announced.
Those were all basic childcare activities, but it would still be nice to have someone else on the journey who could help with the baby.
“Perfect,” Jade said. “Thank you for agreeing to come.”
Rafe rolled his eyes and headed outside.
Jade followed, with Nanee-12 at her heels.
The nanny bot locked up the house, while Jade made sure Gus was secure in his sling and then threw on her cloak. The sun was just painting the sky pink, and it was incredibly cold out.
“By the rings, what are you doing here?” Rafe said irritably.
Jade turned to see Tally standing beside the sleigh, a pack on his back, a basket in his hand, and an excited expression on his face that was fading by the second.
“You said we were heading out first thing in the morning,” he said. “Sun’s just coming up.”
“Don’t you have board exams to study for?” Rafe asked.
“I can study anytime,” Tally said. “I can only avenge my father once.”
Rafe scowled.
“You won’t use violence,” Jade said sternly, hoping Rafe wouldn’t try to send the boy away. “This is an investigation.”
“And you’ll do exactly as I say at all times,” Rafe added. “Is that understood?”
“Sure,” Tally said in a hopeful way. “I brought breakfast.”
“Hm,” Rafe growled.
But Jade couldn’t help noticing the way he jogged down to see what was in the basket.
“I stopped by the baker’s on the way here,” Tally said, opening it up. “There’s fresh bread and a crock of butter.”
“Still warm,” Rafe moaned. “Get in the sleigh before I change my mind.”
“Yes,” Tally said, hopping in quickly.
Rafe waited for Jade, but didn’t offer her his hand.
She swung herself in, baby and all, feeling glad for the martial arts training she had done back home. She may not be much of a fighter, but at least she was strong enough not to need his help.
The bench in front of the sleigh was just big enough for Jade and the baby to sit beside Rafe, so Tally settled on a pile of furs on the floor behind them.
“I shall bring up the rear,” Nanee-12 decided, heading to the back of the sleigh.
“Will you be okay walking such a distance?” Jade asked. “I’m sure we can make room in the sleigh.”
“My chassis and energy cell were built for endurance,” Nanee-12 said proudly. “I can march seventy kilometers per day if needed.”
“I guess caring for kids is no joke,” Jade said, surprised.
