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cleaning my face and my clothes at the same time—and washed the dirt off my face. I would live, I decided.
    Fortunately for me, the young couple had headed for the fair a few hours ago, so I could step into my room and rummage through my dresser for fresh clothes. In a few moments, I was clean, I had combed back my wet hair, and I had dabbed ointment onto all the cuts that looked worst. Best I could do.
    When I returned to the kitchen, my mother was gone, and Ayler was sitting at the table eating a late lunch.
    â€œWhat happened to you?” he asked, laying aside his fork.
    â€œIt’s a secret,” I said sourly.
    He laughed, but his face was compassionate. “Someone doesn’t like you much.”
    I shrugged. “Bullies from the schoolhouse. Where’s my mother?”
    â€œOff to the fair to get spices, she said.”
    I nodded. Obviously, she was replacing the ones I’d lost. “Anything else you need?” I asked politely.
    He shook his head. “If you want,” he said, “I can show you how to fight back.”
    I was skeptical. “Against three boys?”
    He gave me that dreamer’s smile. “I didn’t say you’d win.”
    I looked him over. He wasn’t tall, but he was strongly built—probably some muscle hidden under his baggy trousers and loose shirt. “You really know how to fight?”
    He nodded solemnly. “I know the secret methods taught to the soldiers in the royal guard of the faraway kingdom of Foltavi.” I laughed. He smiled and continued, “I also know the basics of boxing. And a few tricks I can show you. It might even up the odds a bit.”
    â€œAll right,” I said. “Let me clean up the kitchen first.”

Chapter Seven
    T he Safe-Keeper and I spent an hour in the back yard while he demonstrated how to make and land a fist, where to strike an opponent, and how to protect myself if I did go down. I was not in the best of shape due to my recent escapade, but I liked the lessons well enough to promise to practice when I had a chance.
    â€œYou’re strong—that’s to your advantage,” Ayler said. “I haven’t met too many girls with that kind of power in their arms.”
    I balled my hand and curled my arm in a boastful pose. “Chopping wood,” I said.
    â€œAnd you’re smart,” he said. “You’ll find that gives you the ability to fight in entirely different ways.”
    I shook my head. “Not smart like Gryffin.”
    â€œWho’s that?”
    â€œMy friend.”
    â€œMaybe you can spar with him. Would he want to come over and learn some of my secret boxing tricks?”
    â€œHe can’t. His legs are bad. He has trouble walking.”
    â€œNo, then, not a boxer, I suppose,” Ayler said.
    â€œHe wants to go to Wodenderry and study law or accounting,” I said.
    â€œI’ve been to Wodenderry many times,” Ayler said. “It’s a wonderful city! Full of trouble and beauty. You might like it yourself.”
    I sighed. We had paused after our exertions to drink about three glasses of water each, for it was midday and hot. I reflected that my second set of clothes had now gotten almost as dirty as the first set. So I dumped water over my head again to help cool me down. Ayler did the same.
    â€œI doubt I’ll ever go to Wodenderry,” I said. “I’ve never been anywhere.”
    â€œNot even Merendon? Or Lowford? Or Tambleham?” he asked, naming the closest major towns.
    â€œNever. Well, I was born in Tambleham, but I was only two days old when they brought me here, and I’ve never left since.” I glanced up at him as he was wiping water from his eyes. “I suppose you’ve been everywhere?”
    He nodded. “I’m an itinerant. I never stay still.” He smiled down at me. “Most Safe-Keepers find themselves a little cottage in some town, and plant their