stay with my family this time! My mother makes such good food, you’ll cry with joy!”
“My family has the softest beds in all Vesely!” claimed another boy.
“No, they don’t,” said the first boy. “Your beds are just like everyone else’s!”
“No, they aren’t,” protested the second. “My father treats the hay so that it’s soft as wool!”
“No, he doesn’t!” said the first.
Sonya didn’t reply, but only smiled and looked fondly down at the children as they rode through the village. She seemed to enjoy the attention.
Vesely was not large, and they soon reached the center of the village where several adults appeared to be waiting for them. An old man with long gray hair and wearing a long fur robe stepped forward and bowed his head to Sonya.
“You honor us with your presence, Strannik Sonya,” he said in a quavering voice.
“It’s good to be back, Dedushka Yuri,” she said. “I can always count on a warm welcome here.”
“How may we assist you?”
“My friend and I are just passing through on our way to the tundra.”
The old man’s eyes widened. “The tundra? At this time of year?”
She shrugged, as if it was nothing to be concerned about. Jorge was of course still very concerned.
“A Ranger goes where she likes” was all she said.
“Of course, honored Strannik. If you are staying the night, I’m happy to say that you arrived on banya day.”
“Bathing day? That is lucky!” Sonya turned to Jorge. “I’ll bet you’ve never experienced a traditional Izmorozian bathhouse, huh?”
“Eh, no, I haven’t.” In fact, he hadn’t realized that there was any sort of bathhouse tradition in Izmoroz. The baths he had taken at the college had all been in a small, individual tub within the apartment.
She squeezed his shoulder enthusiastically. “Oh, you’re going to love it. I promise, you’ll feel like a new man after.”
“Oh. Great.” Jorge had a number of questions, one of which was whether bathing here was so rare, it was thought of as a special treat.
“So when’s it start?” Sonya asked Yuri.
“The rocks have been heating since this morning, Strannik Sonya. If you would like to join my family for supper, the baths should be ready by the time we finish.”
“Then by all means, lead the way, dedushka!” said Sonya.
Sonya and Jorge dismounted from their horses. When Sonya gave the reins of her horse over to a patient, middle-aged man, she had a great many instructions on how her Peppercorn was to be treated, and Jorge suppressed his amusement at her uncharacteristic seriousness. He suspected that the creature was not merely a means of travel to her, but also a traveling companion. During their journey, he’d caught her more than once whispering quietly to the horse in the same way he had spoken with the family cat at home in Colmo.
Jorge and Sonya followed Yuri into one of the wooden homes. It was pleasantly warm inside, with a small stone firepit crackling in the center. A large cast-iron pot bubbled over the pit and wooden benches surrounded it.
“Please, sit,” said Yuri. “The food will be ready soon.”
Sonya and Jorge sat on the benches while Yuri spoke to an old woman in a kerchief whom Jorge thought might be his wife. They talked in anxious tones and Jorge wondered if he and Sonya were being an imposition on them. After all, they hadn’t been expecting company. Did they even have enough food?
“I must go and arrange some things,” said Yuri. “Please, allow Yelena to offer you a drink while you wait for my return.”
Yuri hurried out and Yelena came over with small wooden cups.
“Ah, Strannik Sonya,” said Yelena as she handed them the cups. “I see the Lady has already blessed you.”
“Oh, yeah…” Sonya looked a little sheepish as she tucked her hair back so that her pointed ears were more evident. “I’m surprised you noticed.”
Yelena chuckled. “It’s also in the way you carry yourself, young one. I’ve been honored to know several Rangers in my long life, and the hand of the Lady marks them in more ways than one.” She paused for a moment, then said, “Please don’t be in too much of a hurry in asking for her favors.”
Sonya smiled at her. “No, babushka. I promise.”
Yelena patted her cheek. “That’s what I like to hear. Now drink up.”
The liquid in the cup appeared to be water, but when Jorge brought it to his mouth, he could smell that it was in fact a generous pouring of vodka. He glanced at Sonya, who drank it down