Role

Chapter 4

--And A While Later Than That--

"My neck hurts. There's bruises," said Iderah, with a pout.

"Oh stop whinin' and put on a scarf. At least you ain't dead."

Iderah chuckled and flashed Coxan a winning smile. "Have I thanked you
for the twentieth time yet?"

"Now, here's your papers. Got your new name on 'em and everything. And
here's a bit of money for the ferry to Hamsah. Now listen, girl, you
really got to get outta this town and stay out. Any of Atavia's folks
spy you around here, you'll get your throat slit. You got me?" asked
Coxan, with his fluffy white eyebrows knit with concern.

"You're too good to me, Coxan. Why are you so good to me?"

"Aw, girl, you just remind me of someone... Someone I hurt a long time
ago. I can't make it right for her, but maybe I can for you."

Iderah wrapped her arms around the old man and bear hugged him.

"Yeah yeah," Coxan grumbled, "Now stop wastin' time and get on the damn
boat! Go live, blend in, color your hair!"

Iderah boarded the ferry and waved to Coxan from the railing. When the
city was almost out of sight, she opened the envelope Coxan had given
her.

"All right, now, what's my name?"

She ran her finger down the page a moment and stopped, then sneered.

"Oirwn Herringbone? Gods, that's rubbish. Even more rubbish than
Horatia. If I had money for another boat, I'd sail right back to Coxan
and have him make up a new one."