Shekalane reached around and roused her, and Parvus’ face lit up as Milkweed’s tapered head poked out from her hair and looked at him with sleepy, slanted eyes. White dust billowed slightly as Shekalane drew the drooping shoulder of her garment up.
“Hello, little one ... fear not,” said Parvus, wetting his lips slightly. “She make lot of dust, that one. So, ah, white, and pure ...”
Dravidian cried out suddenly and groped for the elfemale, causing her to squeal and to take flight briefly—directly to Parvus’ shoulder, where she alighted without clawing him and began to coo against his neck.
“Alas, money is all I have to trade,” said Jamais, and took up the oar. “I am sorry we disturbed you.”
“Wait!” said Parvus, touching Milkweed’s wing and running a white finger beneath his nose. “I hav
