Book 3. Chapter 48
Even though he’d only been learning from Aberfa for a few days, it felt like forever and a certain chill was starting to set in. Moving from his dreams into the waking world was a journey from night to day, and not just literally. The cold, empty dreams gave way to warmth, energy, and the noise of a caravan going through their duties. The few children that had joined were up, screaming and laughing as soon as the sun rose, and the normal hustle and bustle of the merchants and guards, oxes and horses gave the real world a quality that Aberfa’s projections could never live up to.
Chatting with his friends over breakfast was completely different than any conversation with Aberfa. Davi could say the wrong thing, and no one would capitalize on it to make him feel dumb. Zilly could tell an off-color joke and everyone would just laugh instead of growing angry. Sion could misunderstand something, and no one would try to make him feel like an idiot. When Brin was a little quiet, Myra would ask him what’s wrong, and not just to get more ammunition to use against him later.
He’d started to forget that people could be this way. It bothered him how quickly he was already starting to fear Aberfa’s moods. How long could he go on like this? At the same time, he didn’t want it to end. Not yet. He was learning so much.
Brin spent a while just basking in the association with non-psychotic people, letting it restore his balance, and made no move to pull away. Davi had to join Jeffrey for music practice right after breakfast, but Zilly, and Myra walked alongside him and Sion while the [Merchant] boy told them stories of his most unusual purchases. It wasn’t until two hours after the caravan started walking that he found a good time to move away for a private discussion with Hogg.
“What’s up? What did you learn this time?” Hogg asked when he pulled him to the side for a private conversation.
“Aberfa wants to make a deal. With you.”
“Tell her no.”
Brin grinned and said, “Just hear me out.”
Hogg curled his lip in disgust. “If I hear you out I’m going to say yes, I just know it. She’s completely nuts but she’s good at what she does; I have to give her that much.”