And Back to the Women

Quick, while the creative juices are still flowing. I’ll grab the chance while it lasts.

*****

“Well, when I first encountered Ranid, he seemed funny and kind and he told wonderful stories about the places he’d been.” She grinned at the other women. “Mind you, he had never been out of Destrain. I wonder what he’d’ve made of Chav, if he had been here back then?”

Yummy chuckled. “He might never have gone back across the border,” she said. Nuri simply raised an eyebrow and stayed silent.

Sunshine lifted a shoulder in a wry shrug. “He charmed me, mostly because I wanted to be charmed, I think. I don’t suppose I was thinking very clearly back then. Wanderlust can blind you.”

“So can other forms of lust,” said Yummy. She met Sunshine’s gaze. A light glow came to the cheeks of the Folk woman.

“I suppose it can,” she admitted. Nuri nodded her agreement.

“However, I was young and silly and wanted to travel. Ranid wanted a wife and helper and he promised that I would see wonderful places and meet exciting people and have all the travel I could wish for.” She looked from Yummy to Nuri and then back at the avocado. “I didn’t realize he meant we would live in the caravan year round and never, ever stop in a single place long enough to plant a garden, or put down roots. Not that I wanted children, mind you. I’d not have married someone not Folk, otherwise, but I expected a home to travel from.”

“And you learned too late, is that it?” asked Nuri gently.

Sunshine’s lips twisted in what might have passed for a rueful smile. “I learned many things too late,” she said.