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hens,” she nodded again at the fowl. “Do you mind if I set them down? They’re quite fat and heavy.”
    “Eh? Heavy is it?” he said, eyeing her with a smirk. “Well, they don’t look all that large from here. Caught ’em in the woods nearby, did ye say?” He took a step forward and then rocked onto his toes. “Oof! Hold on there,” he said over his shoulder. The young goat butted him again, attempting to wrest the food from his hand. “Ach. Take it, ye pushy youngling.” He let go of the prize and wiped his hand on the leg of his brown woolen trousers. His eyes glinted with humor. “Well, now,” he said, clearing his throat and turning down his mouth at Kira. “Let’s see what yer’ve brought, and I’ll tell ye if they’re worth a naught fer trade.”
    Kira stepped closer, forcing herself not to smile as she held out the game hens to offer the gnome a better view. He grunted. “Not a bad catch for a day’s work.” He took the hens from her and held them up to test their weight. “All together, they might even make a small stew. What is it yer wantin’ for them?”
    Kira wasn’t sure how much she should reveal about herself to this strange fellow, but there were several things she needed. She also knew that the gnomes held a high regard for negotiations and bartering. She tapped her chin with one finger as she thought, taking her time before replying. “Two blankets, a bag of grain, three measures of dried meat and a small cooking pot.”
    “What!?” exclaimed the gnome. “Have ye been eatin’ Sanity’s Bane? All that for some skinny birds?”
    “A moment ago, they were not a bad catch,” Kira said, amused by his reference to the intoxicating herb. “You’ll feed a dozen folk with these skinny birds.” She put a hand on her hip and clamped her jaw shut, waiting for his counter, a smile tugging at the corner of her mouth. Bargaining was a skill she’d learned well from Heresta.
    “A dozen folk,” he sputtered. “Perhaps where ye come from ’tis the way, but folk here are hardy and have need of a proper feed after workin’ in the woods the day long.” He held up the hens and eyed them disdainfully. “I’ll tell ye what,” he said. “I’ve always been a gen’rous soul. I’ll give ye one blanket, and one measure o’ dried meat.”
    “One and one?” Kira scoffed. “Then, I’ll give you one hen.”
    “One for each, then,” the gnome said.
    “All right,” Kira said, with a smile. “A deal. One for one. I have four hens, which I give for a blanket, a pot, a measure of dried meat and a bag of grain.”
    “I never said anything about grain or a pot,” the gnome growled, shaking the hens at her.
    “One for one,” Kira said, standing her ground.
    “Ach.” The gnome tilted his head and smiled. “Agreed,” he said. “It’s what I get for bein’ lax and underestimatin’ ye. Ye bargain like a gnome, ye do.”
    Kira smiled. “I had a good teacher,” she said, remembering Heresta bargaining in the markets as Kira carried their purchases from stall to stall.
    “My name’s Ryospar, and I’m pleased to make yer acquaintance. And truth be told, these are fine healthy hens ye’ve caught.”
    Kira hesitated for a moment, then said, “You may call me Ardea.” She wasn’t sure she should use her mother’s name in such a way, but it was the first name that came into her head. She watched Ryospar’s face, afraid he wouldn’t believe her, but he only nodded.
    “Would ye care to join us fer the evenin’ meal before collectin’ yer goods? Most are off deliverin’ wood, but a few are here with me an’ the youngsters.”
    Kira glanced up at the main building. Warm light spilled out from the windows, and the smell of wood smoke and cooking wafted on the evening air. A part of her longed to say yes, to sit by a bright fire and enjoy a fresh cooked meal, but she knew she shouldn’t. No, she couldn’t stay. Aside from the risk, there was the danger she might bring down