Sunlight was just starting to break through the leaves when Kelton sensed Gossamer approaching. It was just a feeling, the lack of an emptiness a hundred paces away, that identified his coming. A talent that Kelton had honed while growing up in the forest. Gossamer called it an acquired survival skill, though he didn't possess it himself. He trusted it as much as Kelton did. It was useless in crowds, but a lifesaver in the woods.

Kelton moved the pot of water to the edge of the fire. It was tea time and new-leaf day. Almost a moon ago, they stumbled upon a merchant. Gossamer entertained him and his crew as Kelton searched fruitlessly for wealth. Instead of coin, He found tea. South Allyander tea. A most wonderful tea that excited the side of the tongue, just shy of a metallic tang. They had always kept well stocked with the harsher green leaf blends but rarely did they get something as tasteful as the brown leafed South Allyander.

Unrolling a darkly stained cheesecloth they used as a diffuser, Kelton tossed the old leaves into the fire. They typically used leaves for two days as long as they weren't desperate. It had gone to four days a few winters back, mostly due to a bad snow that kept travelers away and had them bogged down. He opened the tea pouch and pulled a thick pinch of new leaf out. This he rolled into the cloth, folded the ends together and tied them off with the thin leather strap. He dangled it in the air for a moment to make sure it was secure.

"Switch the leaf?" Gossamer asked as he came through the brush.

"Just did," Kelton replied, "what took you so long?"

"That woman, Joycelyn, is a wary one. I stayed for some hard biscuits as they reset the wagon for travel to set her mind at ease. Didn't want to look anxious." Gossamer tossed Kelton a biscuit which he caught easily. "Wary, but a good cook."

"I got 3 and 2 of gold. They were well off for farmers." Kelton bit into the biscuit and tasted a buttery tang. He smiled at the pleasant flavor.

"The father has a strong back and the woman a mind. I got the sense they were leaving troubles behind. Probably been saving for a while." Gossamer said calmly. Kelton struggled to suppress the guilt that surged. Thievery was easier when he didn't know anything about the victims.

"Mayhap half was too much," Kelton said.

"Mayhap," Gossamer agreed, "though giving it back isn't a choice." Kelton shook his head and used a finger to quickly test the water. Barely warm.

"Could be that we need to take a break," Kelton added like it was a fleeting thought, "spend some time in town and use a soft bed for a night or two. You work the tavern while I pass the hat."

"The risks are higher," Gossamer said absently as he sat near the fire. Kelton cringed inside and tried to not make it show. He was bored of the trees and wanted to meet other people. An invisible thief was a lonely existence.

"Risks everywhere," Kelton said, shrugging his shoulders.

"The King's Own don't come out here much," Gossamer added. He reached out and shifted the pot closer to the fire as if Kelton didn't know how to heat water. It angered Kelton, so he moved it back. "Tough night, Kelton?"

"I'm tired of this," Kelton said, not taking his eyes off the pot. It was hard to hold on to an argument while looking at Gossamer. His mind had been focused on going to town, and now he felt the idea fading away.

"Tired of tea?"

"Tired of all of this," Kelton said loudly. Rising, he spread his arms apart. "Sleeping here in the forest. I want something new. I'm sick..." He thought better of adding to the end. Gossamer was his father in deeds and his only true friend. Adding the 'of you' would have hurt Kelton as much as Gossamer. It was easier to turn away and stare out at the sunrise flickering through the leaves. He sighed loudly.

"Two, three days tops," Gossamer said, "and you'll follow my lead." Kelton turned quickly, almost tripping on his twisting ankles. His lips curled on their own as he nodded in affirmation. Gossamer pointed at Kelton with his finger of duty, the one that stressed he had better be listening. "We steer clear of soldiers and any of the Brethren. I say move, and we move."

"Yes, Goss," Kelton agreed immediately. A moment ago he thought Gossamer stifling and now he was a fresh breeze. The idea of spending a few days at an inn with different food and new conversation was exciting. This time when Gossamer moved the pot over some hotter coals, Kelton let it stay.

"Now sit back down and tell me how it went," Gossamer said with a smile that was half covered by his scraggly beard. Kelton did. While they made their tea, Gossamer's cup first, Kelton explained the troubles he had in finding the money pouch. They went over strategies that he could deploy next time that would limit his exposure. Ways to not startle horses and a more useful search pattern. It was always the same, each job held training for the next. Kelton sipped his tea and listened to his lesson, his mind half there, the other half in town.

"Someone is coming," Kelton whispered, looking toward where Gossamer had broken through the bush. It was his sense that identified the threat. Gossamer quickly pushed back his cloak, exposing the hilt of a long dagger, his hand wrapping about its pommel. Kelton singled 'one' with his finger and reached for the dagger hidden in his right boot. A woman in a tan homespun traveling dress broke through the brush.

"Joycelyn?" Gossamer said, releasing his dagger and letting the cloak cover it again. Kelton took his cue and let his blade drop back into its boot sheath.

"Two of you," Joycelyn said, shaking her head in disgust. "I watched you like a hawk but never thought of that for a second. And he's just a boy!" Her long curly raven hair swung with her anger, emphasizing each word.

"I'm not a boy..." Kelton began, then let it peter out when Joycelyn's eyes captured his in an evil vise. Her hands found her hips. "I'm not," he whispered, looking away.

"What are you doing here alone?" Gossamer asked.

"You'd prefer my husband, you old thief?"

"Thief?" Gossamer said as if it was an impossible revelation. "I'm not sure I know what you mean." Kelton's traitorous face reddened. He wasn't the skilled liar Gossamer was.

"You think me naive, old man?" Joycelyn continued with sharpness. "Look at that boy's hand." She pointed at Kelton's right hand, the one that had fought and lost with the thorned bush. It had thinly striped scabs across the back. "He dripped a trail in the wagon. Been through everything as best I could tell."

Gossamer tried not to scold Kelton with his eyes, but their long years together failed him. Kelton covered his right hand with the left and tried to look innocent. Gossamer turned back to Joycelyn, this time with more fire in his eyes.

"You're taking a great risk coming out here alone," Gossamer warned. Kelton wasn't comfortable with the veiled threat. It didn't feel right.

"Don't threaten me," Joycelyn returned immediately. "I have no trouble judging men and you sir, are no killer. At least, not of innocents. I'll admit your act is a good one, but your eyes fail you when you need them most." She raised her left arm and pulled back her sleeve. Kelton cringed at the thick scar that ran from below her palm halfway to the elbow. It looked like a horrible burn. "My husband, Cory, did this at my request." her voice lowered, almost a whisper. "It was the only time I've seen him cry. I suspect you can guess why."

Gossamer's face relaxed. All pretense of a show left his eyes as he let go of his breath. Kelton was still staring at the scar, wondering why anyone would have done that, much less at the recipient's request.

"Return her money," Gossamer said. Kelton had never heard words like that come from Gossamer's mouth. They never returned anything they had taken before. There were times when they had to run, other's where it had devolved to a fight. Once, they were even stolen from themselves, which Gossamer had found strangely humorous. Never did they willingly return what was taken.

Joycelyn looked at Kelton with eyes that had suddenly gone soft. She dropped her arm, the sleeve dropping back to cover the terrible deformity. Kelton rose from his seat and fished into his pocket, pulling out the cloth wrapped coins he had liberated the night before. She smiled at him as he approached which grew his guilt. Unrolling the cloth, he poured the coins into her hands.

"I'm sorry," Kelton stuttered. It felt as if he had done some great irreversible wrong. It was the way she stood calmly, and the warmth of her smile that raised his level of shame. He was being punished by forgiveness.

"Would you join us for some tea?" Gossamer offered. The idea struck Kelton as odd, though he now wanted nothing more. He looked at Joycelyn, hoping she would accept, though suspected that the discovery of their seedy nature was offensive to her.

"That sounds wonderful, though I can only stay a moment," Joycelyn replied as she dumped the coins into a pocket of her dress. Kelton stumbled as he turned and ran back to their supplies to fish out a fresh cup. When he returned to the fire, he found Joycelyn sitting comfortably, as if they were all old friends. He was missing something but had no desire to disturb the situation with stupid questions.

"So, you're not his father?" Joycelyn asked as Kelton cut into the conversation that had begun without him.

"No, though I'm proud to be given the chore," Gossamer replied. Kelton's face heated at the praise, more so by Joycelyn's eyes returning him, her smile beaming her agreement. It was so valuable, that smile. So much more than the coins he had returned. It could have been that it was meant for him and didn't come from Gossamer. The newness had a charm about it.

"You have such lovely red hair," Joycelyn said to Kelton. Lovely? He didn't want to be lovely. Strong was what he desired. "The curls are almost girlish cute."

"I'll shave them off then," Kelton said, rethinking why he had liked the woman. His hair had never concerned him before. Mostly because he couldn't see the bulk of it. The idea that someone would see it as girlish was uncomfortable, almost embarrassing.

"Don't you dare," Joycelyn scolded. "It fits your face, complementing those handsome lines. I'm sure all the girls find it very enticing." Handsome was better than lovely. Kelton had no idea why it was desirable to attract girls. Unlike Joycelyn, the few he had met had always been silly, mostly annoying. Too gooey to be of any real value.

"And with it, unwanted attention," Gossamer added. Joycelyn's eyebrows raised. "Our line of work requires anonymity." Kelton poured water into Joycelyn's cup and lowered the wrapped leaves inside to steep for a moment.

"You intend for him to grow old out here?" Joycelyn asked. She turned to Kelton. "Is this how you wish to spend your life?" It never occurred to him that there was another way. He was aware of town life, but it seemed structured with too many rules. It was enjoyable in bursts, but would be difficult to take in the long run.

"I like it out here," Kelton defended his life. His previous claims of being sick of it sounded silly to him in retrospect.

"It's best if he remains unseen out here, with me," Gossamer said. There was a slight emphasis on the word 'unseen.' It wasn't the first time Kelton had heard it spoken that way.

"Him?" Joycelyn asked in surprise. Gossamer nodded. She looked back at me intently. It irritated Kelton that he had again missed the full meaning of the conversation. He didn't want to look stupid in her eyes, so he kept it to myself and tried to look like he knew everything.

"Had him since he was a babe," Gossamer said. Kelton had heard the story before. Gossamer repeated it to Joycelyn as Kelton finished her tea. His parents had cast him out, laid on the side of the road before he was able to crawl. Joycelyn thanked Kelton kindly when he handed her the cup, which made him feel good again. Gossamer continued on with the struggles of how he kept Kelton fed as a little one. Bartering for goat milk mostly. It was a struggle that he rarely let Kelton forget.

"This is some fine tea," Joycelyn said.

"Would you like some to take with you?" Kelton asked without thinking. Gossamer rolled his eyes at him. He gave back the money, so Kelton wanted to give Joycelyn something as well.

"That would be most kind," Joycelyn answered as she took another sip. Her smile was so pleasurable, Kelton considered giving her all of it. He shook out the empty coin cloth and spread it out on the ground. She watched him as he pulled about half the leaf from the pouch and rolled it into the cloth.

"South Allyander," Kelton said with pride as he handed her the tea.

"That is a prize," Joycelyn said, tucking the tea into her pocket. Gossamer laughed, and she smiled knowingly at him.

"What?" Kelton said louder than he should.

"She calls you handsome and gives you a smile, and you're ready to hand over our life earnings," Gossamer said between chuckles. Kelton stood and glared at him.

"He's kind," Joycelyn said warmly, "and even an old grouch can't change that."

"He's smitten," Gossamer corrected.

"Half of it was mine," Kelton growled, "the rest is yours." He threw the tea pouch at Gossamer, tired of being talked at. Gossamer's face went a shade lighter, and surprise grew in his eyes. "You talk past me and then laugh at me. Is it any wonder I wish to befriend another." Joycelyn sipped her tea with wide eyes, looking between Gossamer and Kelton.

"Forgive me. Sometimes I forget you're getting older," Gossamer apologized. The next words Kelton intended to yell got lost in the unexpected apology. "It was in fun and not meant to insult. I too am pleased with the company, as all sane men would be." He nodded to Joycelyn.

"Why, thank you, Gossamer," Joycelyn returned.

"We share in all things, even the gifts." Gossamer tossed the tea pouch back to Kelton. He caught it, which was good since it gave him something to do with hands. Anger always confused him and made him feel out of place, awkward. Joycelyn patted the ground next to her, and he sat back down.

"You two need a change of scenery," Joycelyn commented.

"Where are you going?" Kelton asked.

"North," Joycelyn replied, "A place where no one knows my face. Where we can live in peace. We are at risk in Lord Brandish's land."

"Why is that?"

"I'll explain later," Gossamer told him uncomfortably.

"No," Joycelyn said, "He can learn it now. I did what I did to survive and will not look back on it as failure." She pulled her sleeve back to once again expose the burn.

"This burn covers a mark inked into my skin. It was an image of a wilted rose with thorns running the length of the stem. The cursed mark of a woman of pleasure." Kelton was about to ask what that meant, but Gossamer gave him a slight shake of his head, warning him to remain silent. "You see, I am the daughter of a tanner, and at one time situated to marry well. A fire took the tannery, my family, and my future away. I had no uncles or brothers, no one to turn too. In this land, a girl without family is nothing. When I was hungry enough, I tried to give myself to the Brethren." Gossamer sucked in a tight breath. "They thought me too old, desiring only girls who have been untarnished by the ways of the world. No more than nine winters old they said. I was about your age then," Joycelyn continued, pointing at Kelton. "The Goddess seems to only bless the well situated. Begging worked during that first summer and into the autumn. When winter hit, I finally understood that no one would take in an orphaned girl. With no honest work available, I found myself freezing on the doorstep of a Nighthouse, three days since I'd last eaten solid food. The price for survival was high, but I paid it serving the Mother of the house." Joycelyn smiled. "I traded in my respect and gained my life. It is the Goddess's law that required I be marked so no one would ever mistake me as clean."

"But..." Kelton began. Gossamer interrupted, not wanting him to interject any questions.

"Life sometimes gives people no choice," Gossamer told Kelton, then turned back to Joycelyn "It seems the Goddess did bless you with a family in time."

"Cory and my twins are truly a blessing," Joycelyn said, smiling brightly. "We will find a place where they know nothing of my past and our family can live in peace. I am loved and need little else."

"From great struggles comes great rewards," Gossamer added. It was an old saying he was fond of.

"Truly," Joycelyn agreed. Kelton decided to let his need for knowledge to rest. Her history had brought melancholy to her demeanor, and now a happiness had returned. He had no desire to return her to the previous state. He enjoyed her smile.

"And we have kept you from that reward," Gossamer added, standing. He held out his hand which Joycelyn took an helped her to her feet.

"You have to leave?" Kelton said without thinking.

"I've stayed longer than I should. Cory will begin to worry, and it's best if he doesn't realize we had thieves last night."

"He did have a strength about him," Gossamer said with a chuckle.

"Hard as iron when he wants to be," Joycelyn said, nodding her head. "You two have been a pleasant diversion. It's good to know that life's struggles aren't only on my shoulders."

"Pleasant is exactly the word I would choose," Gossamer said, then bowed slightly, as one would to a royal. It made Kelton smile to see him all formal in the woods. Joycelyn hugged him. Kelton stood quickly, thinking He might get one as well. He was right.

"Listen to Gossamer," Joycelyn whispered in Kelton's ear, "he gives you more than you know." She released him, and the warmth of her embrace evaporated too quickly. She retrieved a silver from her pocket and placed it in his hand. "That's for the tea. Kindness for kindness, I always say." His smile was no longer his own. Her sparkling eyes owned it.

"Good life," Gossamer called as she walked away.

"Good life," Joycelyn returned and headed out the way she came. She turned back to them before disappearing into the bush. "I told Cory it was my moon time so he wouldn't fret me being away. It will delay our travels for a day. You would both be welcome for supper if wish."

"We wish," Kelton answered before Gossamer could decline. Joycelyn smiled and headed back to her family.

Gossamer and Kelton sat in silence for a while. The loss of a night's work didn't weigh on Kelton like he thought it should. Joycelyn's visit, however brief, was worth it and now there was hope for a good supper and conversation. He wanted to ask about everything he didn't understand but felt some time needed to go by. There was still a comfort in the air that shouldn't be disturbed. Something different from when it is just Gossamer and him. Perhaps he needed to work more on storytelling so that he could do the meeting and Gossamer could be the one skulking about. The idea of Gossamer trying to crawl through a wagon made him smile. He'd probably trip on his beard.