A musician sat on an overturned pot eliciting caterwauling sounds from a flexible stringed instrument. Jugglers performed in the streets, gamblers placed bets on a game of shells and cups. Nicci walked at a brisk pace, uninterested in the distractions. Two women stirred a steaming cauldron and ladled out bowls of what they called “kraken chowder,” a milky stew with thready seaweed, bobbing onions, and rings of tender suckers that had been sliced from some large tentacle. Bakers offered loaves of knotted brown bread.
Food vendors sold skewers of spiced meat sizzling over charcoal fires. Smoked fish dangled by their tails across wooden racks like succulent battle trophies. Butchers sold slabs of exotic imported meats- ostrich, musk ox, zebra, even a greasy gray steak supposedly from a long-tailed gar- spread out on planks for display, although many of the meats drew more flies than customers. Markets were loud, colorful storms of people, vendors hawking shellfish or live octopus from buckets of murky salt water. It might be just a legend, but I’ve heard that wishpearls are I don’t know that I’ve ever seen a finer one.” “ It’s a wishpearl,” he repeated. Is there some significance other than being a pretty bauble?” Seeing that she had hurt him, Nicci grudgingly softened her voice. Don’t you know what a wishpearl is?” “I do not. “As long as you’re clear on that.” “ It’s a wishpearl. “Why, nothing! I would never ask … that isn’t what I was thinking!” She hardened her voice. “If I accept this pearl, what does it obligate me to do for you? What are you expecting?” Bannon flushed, deeply embarrassed. She rolled it back and forth on her palm with a fingertip.
I fulfilled what I needed to do.” The pearl felt slippery and cold in her fingertips.
Throw it overboard if you like, but I will have done what was right. “If you’ve learned your lesson and taught yourself not to become a victim, Bannon Farmer, then that is demonstration enough of your gratitude.” “Not enough for me,” Bannon insisted, and extended the wishpearl again. She had indeed saved him, although she had not set out to do so. Though Nicci did not want the offering, she understood the complexities of obligations. I’ve seen it with my own eyes.” The sailor laughed again and strolled off. If you don’t treat her well, she’ll crush your windpipe and stop your heart.
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