I watched in awe as the next two went for the same kind of sum the first two had. Amazed at Hadron's riches? Amazed now that he was not more wealthy, the prices were incredible. When the fourth went, Jamie called me to him. "I'm getting hoarse," he said, getting a laugh from those closest. "Your go. Do me proud." He sat down and left me to it.

If the crowd had thinned, I couldn't tell the difference. I slood gathering my thoughts, looking out over the people who watched the handsome grey gelding in the ring, and after a short while I found myself scanning the intent faces for a particular one, hawk-nosed, fair-haired… and that's enough of that, Lanen my girl, I thought. I cleared my throat and stepped up onto the stump." Very well, my lords and ladies," I cried, as loudly as I could. It was harder than I thought to make that much noise. "Next is this lovely grey gelding. Four years old, broken to harness and saddle, what am I bid?"

In deference to the change of auctioneer, someone shouted a ridiculously low figure and the others laughed.

Right.

"That'll get you his left foreleg, sir, what'll you bid for the rest of him?" The laugh was louder this time—the one who had spoken joined in—and the real bidding started.

After half an hour my voice was starting to go. Jamie and I took it in turns, until by the time we were down to the last it was my go, and Jamie's purse was full near to bursting. Most astonishing of all, it now held not only a river of silver, but several gold coins as well. Gold, the rarest and most precious of metals, and I had held one. It seemed unreal.

Jamie grinned at me. "I’m off to put this somewhere safe. You sell this last little lass and collect the fee, and I'll be back before you can count it."

The last to go was the little chestnut mare I had told the fair-haired man about. I had saved her for him. I scanned the remaining faces. Many had left, but when I glanced over them he was nowhere in sight. I gestured to the lad who was walking her sedately around the ring, and he brought her to a stand , still. "This is the last, my lords and ladies," I said. I tried to speak loudly, but my voice was almost gone. I described her qualities as best I could, finishing with "She's three and a, half years old, strong and willing, the prettiest lady's mare you'd wish to find. The lightest touch will send her where you want to go, and kindness is her best spur. Now, what am I bid?"

The bidding started high, as those who were left knew this was the last of Hadron's stock to be sold. It reached its limit soon enough, and I was about to announce the bargain struck when a light, melodious man's voice rang out, sending shivers down my back and naming a price full five silvers above the last call. It met with a stunned silence, and after repeating the sum three times, I called out, "Deal! Come forward, sir, if you please."

The crowd dissolved like morning mist, and there he stood.

He was smiling that heart-pounding smile and holding out a purse. By the time I had counted out his silver—a ludicrous sum for the mare, good as she was—all the other buyers were gone. The lad brought her over and tied her to a post on the buyer's side of the ring, then left to enjoy himself.

I had been trying to think of something to say to this man after I was certain he'd paid the bidding price, counting slowly to let my fool heart slow down and my tongue unknot.

"You've quite a bargain even at this, my lord," I managed, giving the little mare a farewell pat and carefully not looking at him. "She's a good lass with a sweet temper—"

"You can stop now," he said cheerfully, "I've already paid for her." He reached out a long-fingered hand and took the reins from me. "I'm sure she'll be fine."

I couldn't avoid looking at him, so close. By daylight he seemed older—the sun found wrinkles the firelight had hidden—but the glamour about him was in no way changed or lessened. Indeed, it seemed that a touch of age sat well on his shoulders, adding an air of wisdom. His eyes perched above that sharp nose seemed only a moment away from laughter. I had to ask.

"Are you a bard, my lord?"

He did laugh then. It was like birdsong. "What a lovely thing to say! No, mistress, I'm no bard, just a Merchant with delusions of grandeur. I was told to find a good lady's riding steed, and I believe this mare of yours will suit perfectly."

I barely heard what he said, lost in the perilous, music of his voice. "I'm glad you found what you sought. I—I never thanked you for the drink last night," I said. "And I fear I left rudely. I hope you will excuse me, I was so weary..."

"Rather I should ask your pardon, mistress—I know not what to call you. Might I ask your name?"

"I am Lanen Hadronsdatter," I said. It was my old name, but in my confusion I forgot the newer one I had taken. "And you?"

"Bors of Trissen," he said. "I am a lowly trader for a great marchant house in the East Mountain Kingdom. Surely, Lanen Hadronsdatter, the youth that abandoned us just now is not your only escort. Who accompanies you?"

"My father's steward, Jameth of Arinoc. He should be back at any moment."

"I would like to meet him," said Bors, sounding as if he truly meant it. He smiled at me again, "Have you ever been yo Illara before, Lanen?"

"No," I said, and something made me add, "I've never been away from home before."

"Ah, so that is why you take everything in with those wide grey eyes of yours. It would be my pleasure to show you the fair," said Bors. I longed to say yes, but hunger and weariness had caught up with me; I would have accepted even then, but I caught sight of Jamie coming towards me and waved to him. Bors, watching, quickly collected up his little mare. "I’ll be wandering round the fair this afternoon; perhaps we will meet then," he said softly. He made a simple walk round the fair sound wondrous desirable.

Jamie came up just then and asked if I was ready to eat. By the time I had turned round again Bors was gone.

Jamie and I walked in silence for a few minutes, heading back to the White Horse. Then I shot a sideways glance at Jamie and found him looking at me from the corner of his eye. We laughed and that thrilling fear I had felt around Bors was gone.

"So, my girl. I hardly saw him. Why did he run off, and why did you blush when I looked at you?" asked Jamie with a grin.

"His name is Bors of Trissen. He's staying at the White Horse, and I seem to spend all my time around him blushing."

Jamie smiled still, but he looked puzzled. "That's not like you, Lanen. You, turning red around a man? I thought you were over that years ago."

"So did I," I said. "But did you hear his voice?"

"Barely. A bit high for a man, I thought."

"Oh, Jamie, how can you say that! It's the most beautiful voice in the world, I've never heard such music, even from the bard who stayed at Hadronsstead all those years ago."

Jamie said nothing to that, but changed the subject to the price we had gotten for the horses. It wasn't until we had eaten and polished off a mug of ale that he brought up the subject again.

"And so, Lanen, where did you meet this Bors of Trissen?"

"He joined me at the table last night after you left." I shivered with the memory. "I've never even imagined a man like that. Every time I see him my heart races and my face turns red. I've never blushed and stuttered around anyone! I swear, Jamie, I feel a complete idiot when he's about. Mind you, he is the most attractive man I've ever met, and that voice, that smile—"

"What?" Jamie seemed startled—or troubled. "Don't you think he's handsome?"

He didn't reply to my question. "Lanen, would you say he had a glamour about him?"

"Absolutely."

Jamie's voice grew hard. "Now would you think about what you just said."