Page 66 of Hallow Hill at Halloween: Part Two

“I’m quite sure I wouldn’t like what you’re having.”

“That works for both of us then. Goodbye.”

When the shadhavar didn’t move, Skaresh said, “What is it you want to chat about?”

“Anything at all. It’s been quite a while since I was able to converse with anyone.”

“How long is quite a while?”

“I don’t know how to answer that.”

“Well, since I don’t really care, it doesn’t matter. Are you going to leave?”

“No.”

Skaresh shrugged. “Well. I’m eating my lunch regardless.”

“Go ahead,” said the shadhavar as he reached down and bit off a mouthful of lush green fern. “I’ll join you.”

“That’s convenient.”

“What?”

“Being able to eat most everything around you.”

“I suppose. I’ve never really thought about it. You have a very nice singing voice.”

“I do.” Skaresh saw no reason to be humble about what was a well-known fact.

“I’d like to be able to sing like that.”

“So would everybody.”

“Would you like to trade it?”

“Trade my singing voice? What do you mean?”

“I could pay for it.”

Skaresh thought he was engaged in a dialogue of nonsense, but was curious enough to play along. “How?”

“I could trade one of my antlers.”

Skaresh chuckled. “My singing voice for one of your antlers. No thanks.”

The shadavar cocked his head to the side. “I can tell that you don’t know what my antlers will do.”

“Do? Alright. Why don’t you tell me what your antlers will do?”

“If you trade your singing voice for one of my antlers, I’ll be able to sing like you and you will be able to play the horn like a flute.”

“That doesn’t sound like a good trade. I’d rather be able to sing than play the flute.”

“Ah. But in your hands my horn wouldn’t simply make beautiful music. Although it does do that. It can also enchant any listener to do your bidding.”

That got Skaresh’s attention. “You’re making that up.”

The shadavar stomped with a front hoof. “I’m not.” He shook his head, the powerful muscles in his neck flexing.