On day 1154, Neri left Iven a bell so small he nearly lost it in his coat.
It had a square bronze mouth and a clapper made from a bent nail. She tied it to the brass hook inside his right cuff while the northbound freight crew checked their loads. When he moved his wrist, it made a single thin note.
“That’s your good bell?” he asked.
“No. My good bell stays with me.”
“What is this one for?”
“So I can hear you coming when you get home.” She tightened the knot. “Assuming you don’t take it off after the first mile.”
“I’d never do that.”
“I’ve seen you remove a boot because a pebble annoyed you.”
