by Tora Moon
“I’ll do what I can,” Blazel promised, bowing his head.
“That is all we can ever do. Now, go.” The Supreme made a shooing motion. “You have much to do before you leave.”
On the way out, Chariel hung back, walking behind Jaehaas. Rizelya glanced at her and saw her hugging her arms tight against her body. Her face had lost all color and the look in her eyes was pure terror. Once they were in the sanctuary with the murals, Rizelya waved the others to go on and waited for Chariel.
“Hey, what’s wrong?” she asked when Chariel shuffled up to her.
“I’m so scared, Rizelya,” Chariel gasped out. “I’ve never been beyond the Sanctuary’s borders.”
Rizelya frowned. “Surely you’ve gone home to visit. Wisah came back after her initial training and even did her apprentice training in her home temple at Strunland Keep.”
“No,” Chariel shook her head. Her hands twisted together like writhing snakes. “I was abandoned in a temple as an infant and was immediately brought here. I had no home to go to, no other temple to apprentice in. Besides, as you know, I look like our ancient enemy, and although no one remembers the Malvers, there is still prejudice against someone who looks like I do.”
“I’ll be with you, and so will Wisah and Blazel. We won’t let anyone hurt you, and neither will Aistrun or Jaehaas.” Rizelya smiled. Especially not Aistrun.
“But I’m a priestess, not a warrior,” Chariel said. “I can’t fight.”
“Why-ever not?”
Rizelya dragged Chariel to the mural showing the Goddess as warrior. Her face was filled with fierce joy. She stood in a fighting stance with a helbraught in her hands. Her red hair flowed behind her.
“Look at her eyes,” Rizelya commanded. “They are white, the color of the Goddess, of her priestesses. In all her forms, her eyes are white, because no matter what shape She takes, She is always the Goddess. If She didn’t want us to fight, why would one of her forms be a warrior?”
“But that doesn’t mean she wants her priestesses to fight,” Chariel argued, her arms crossed in front of her stubbornly.
Rizelya wasn’t a priestess and so couldn’t answer the allegation. Instead she took a different tack. “Who was the greatest hero of the Great War?”
Chariel frowned, and said slowly, “Shandir.”
“In all the tales about Shandir, one quality stands out and never changes—she was a White Priestess.”
“Oh!” Chariel dropped her hands. “She was, wasn’t she?”
“We don’t expect you to fight,” Rizelya said in a gentle voice. “But there is some reason you need to be with us. Why else would you see yourself on this quest?”
“You’re right. But…I’m still scared.”
“I know. I’m scared too.”
“You?”
Rizelya nodded. “I’ve never been in the Deep Mountains. Nobody but Blazel has. There might not be any Malvers monsters, but there are sabertigers, bears, and other predators. And there’s Phengriffs. Blazel calls them friends, but the tales say they are bloodthirsty beasts who hate humans. I don’t know what I’m getting myself into. But—” she looked directly into Chariel’s eyes “—But I trust the Goddess. I trust your visions are Her gifts. So I’m willing to go, even though my knees are shaking with fear.”
Chariel drew herself up to her full height and threw back her shoulders. “I, too, trust the Goddess and will follow your example.”
“Then come on, let’s go help the others get ready.” Rizelya linked her arm with Chariel’s. “Together we can face anything, even snarly males trying to shove things where they don’t belong.” She’d meant the packing, but an image of Blazel above her, eyes smiling as he thrust within her, flashed through her head. Thankfully Chariel didn’t notice her blush.
Chariel grinned and Rizelya tossed the image away. Laughing, they went to find the others.
The afternoon was spent organizing supplies from the Sanctuary stores. Leistral took charge of requisitioning the winter tents, bedding, and clothing. Food was ordered from the kitchens. Clothing was sent to be laundered.
Rizelya went over to the cloister to help Chariel and Wisah pack, especially Chariel. Practically everything she owned was piled on her bed. Rizelya helped her to winnow it down to just the necessities.
Leistral popped in and whistled. “I hope you’re not taking all of that with you, Chariel.”
“No,” she laughed. “Rizelya will only let me take that.” She pointed to two medium packs.
Leistral raised her eyebrows. “That will be manageable, but it’s still a lot. Rizelya, the support staff has the supplies ready.”
“Try to cut a little more, Chariel.” Rizelya patted her friend’s shoulder. “Then both you and Wisah come spend the night at the pack-house. We don’t want to have to wait for you when we leave in the morning.”
The two nodded. Chariel bent over her bags, mumbling.
Rizelya and Leistral went to the stables. Eidstrun and Blazel were already there, surveying the huge pile of supplies waiting near the doors.
“Let’s get this sorted,” she said. “There’s more here than what we carried across Strunlair Province. It’s a good thing we brought Kressy with us.”
“Once we leave the Sanctuary’s territory, there won’t be any safe houses or Keeps to augment or restock our supplies,” Blazel reminded her. “We’ll need all of this and hope we have enough.”
Rizelya eyed the pile. “That’s more than Kressy can carry. Let’s go find another multa.” She grabbed Blazel by the arm, leaving Eidstrun and Leistral to the sorting.
Blazel led her to a pen with several multas in it. The pack beasts could carry large loads, and their large platter-like cloven hoofs enabled the animals to easily walk on snow. These were still losing their winter coat and had long, curly pelts. Her multa, Kressy, already had her summer pelt in. If it became too cold, they’d put a blanket on her. Rizelya and Blazel chose a multa named Gemmy and took her back to the stable.
By the time they returned, Leistral and Eidstrun already had the supplies packed in the bags for the multas, ready for loading in the morning. The weight needed to be distributed so as not to overbalance the animals.
The new multa took to the horses and Kressy and was soon happily munching hay with them. Nothing was left to do except say good-byes and get a good night’s rest. They would leave the Sanctuary in the morning. Rizelya and the questers would head north, while Leistral and Eidstrun would go south.
* * *
Blazel crawled out of bed while it was still dark. In just a little while he and the others would be heading into the Deep Mountains. He grabbed his toiletries and headed to the necessary room. During his short, but busy, stay he had managed to see his mother and grandmother only twice. Last night he, Chariel, and Wisah had shared dinner with their Sanctuary friends and family. They’d returned to the guest house late, after the others had fallen asleep. Frowning, he remembered how old and frail his grandmother had been. He hoped he’d get to see her one more time before she passed, but he doubted it. He prayed that the Crone would make his grandmother’s passage back into the Goddess’s womb sweet and gentle.
His thoughts turned to the lovely Rizelya. The journey would be dangerous, but perhaps it would give him the chance to get her alone. His stomach fluttered as he imagined her in his arms. It had taken tremendous effort not to kiss her while they worked alone on the fire arrows. The flush of excitement in her face had melted his heart. He’d seen the looks she gave him and hoped it meant she liked him too. But they were always surrounded by people. Blazel admitted to himself he was too shy to be more than friendly with her in front of others. Finished with his morning toilet, he returned to the room he shared with Jaehaas.
Jaehaas was already dressed and packing his few personal possessions in his bag. He glanced over at Blazel and said thoughtfully, “We need to keep our pace slow these first few days. Neither Wisah nor Chariel be used to riding all day.”
“I’d p
lanned on it.” Blazel pulled on a short-sleeved shirt, then pulled a long-sleeved tunic over it. A pair of thin, but warm, long small clothes went on before his thick, sturdy woolen pants. He’d suggested to the others they layer their clothes as well so they could take off or add layers as the day wavered between warm and chilly. He stamped into his boots and stood up.
“I remember how it is,” Blazel said. He started putting his toiletries into his bag. “Not so long ago I had to get used to riding. At least they’ve ridden for pleasure frequently. It had been years since I’d ridden when I was given Lighzel. Those first few days were terrible.”
He threw his bag over his shoulder, along with his bow and quiver, and walked out of the room with Jaehaas right behind him. When they arrived, the stables were filled with the pandemonium of the group getting ready to go. Jaehaas clopped over to the packs that were ready to be tied onto the waiting multas and began laying them out. Blazel hurried to Lighzel’s stall to saddle her. In less than half an octar, everyone’s horses were saddled, and the packs were fastened securely onto the multas. Rizelya led the group from the stables and into the courtyard.
Blazel stopped in surprise to see the Supreme standing in the courtyard.
“My children,” she said in a voice that carried across the open space, “remember the fate of our survival is in your hands. We need an alliance with the Phengriffs if we are to win this war once and for all. Come forward one at a time to receive a blessing from the Goddess.”
Blazel waited until he was the last to kneel in front of the Supreme. He felt a light touch on the top of his bowed head and heard her murmured blessing. Then she tipped his head up to look into his eyes.
“Blazel,” she said in a low voice so only he could hear, “keep my priestesses safe. They are your sisters. Protect them, and bring them safely home to me.” She paused, then added, “Come home safe too.” She placed a kiss on his cheek. Blazel felt the sting of tears in his eyes at the unaccustomed affection.
“I’ll bring them home,” he promised. “Along with our ancient allies. Stay well, Your Grace.”
As she gently patted his face, he turned into the palm of her hand and placed a kiss on it. She was more to him than just a spiritual leader. She had raised him as much as his mother and grandmother had, and he loved her just as dearly. In the morning light, she looked old. He hoped she would live through the coming trials. He stood up, mounted Lighzel, and rejoined the group waiting to leave.
“Go with the blessings of the Goddess,” the Supreme said. “Return home quickly. We need you.” She made the sign of the Goddess in the air before them. As she did, a bright, white light streamed from her fingertips. The symbol stood in bright relief in front of her and then expanded until it encapsulated the group.
Blazel drew in a sharp breath as particles of magic sank into his skin and filled him with energy. He felt stronger and more confident than ever before. He noticed the others sat straighter in their saddles. Then Rizelya urged her horse forward. The others followed until Blazel was the only one left. He saluted the Supreme and prodded Lighzel into a walk.
The horses’ hooves clattering on the flagstones was the only sound in the courtyard. Rizelya disappeared under the gate, then Aistrun, and then the others one by one. He looked back one last time as he passed under the gate. The Supreme lifted a pale hand, then he was on the other side of the gate.
Rizelya continued on the road until they reached the crossroads. There, additional quick farewells were made, and Leistral and Eidstrun turned onto the road heading south. The rest took the road north.
The first few days of travel, the road was smooth, with safe houses strung along it where they could spend the night. Rizelya stopped often to let the girls get off their horses and stretch their legs. By the end of the third day, they were able to stop less often and could travel at a faster pace.
After eating dinner that night, Blazel approached Rizelya. “We’ll leave Sanctuary territory tomorrow.”
“I thought so,” she replied. “The road is getting rougher, less maintained. You’ll guide us then?”
“Yes, it’s why I wanted to talk to you.”
“Good. You know this country. I don’t. Normally Aistrun is my co-alpha, but I think while we’re in the Deep Mountains, you should be.”
Blazel’s mouth dropped open in shock. That wasn’t what he had in mind. He was just getting used to being in a group, and now she wanted him to lead it. He’d been alone for so long he wasn’t sure he had it in him to play the dominant role.
“I can guide you, but I’m not an Alpha. This is the first time I’ve ever been in a pack. Why do you want me to lead?”
“I think you’ll do well. You know the dangers and what we need to watch for, Aistrun doesn’t.”
“But, I can do that as just a guide.”
Rizelya laid a hand on his arm. “No, you can’t. That isn’t how a squad-pack works. Those who lead, in this case, guide, are Alphas. You are more dominant, and more capable, than you believe yourself to be. The others already look up to you, we’re just making this official.”
He swallowed, took a deep breath, and looked around the room, his gaze landing on Chariel and Wisah. The Supreme had made it clear the safety of the two priestesses was his responsibility. In her subtle way, she’d already pushed him toward this role. Did she know this would happen? He couldn’t let her down. He turned back to Rizelya, who had her head cocked to the side and was looking at him expectantly. Being her co-alpha would mean they had to spend more time together. He perked up at that thought.
“Okay, but I’m not part of your squad-pack. Won’t Aistrun be mad?”
“No, I won’t,” Aistrun said, striding to the table and sitting down next to Rizelya. “I tried really hard not to be an alpha. I was succeeding until they stuck me with Little Red, here. I’ll be glad to let you be responsible and have all the headaches.” He raised his voice, “Hey everyone, gather round.”
The others quickly crowded around the table.
“What be going on?” Jaehaas asked.
“We’ve got a change in leadership,” Aistrun said. He put a hand over his heart. “I am no longer the alpha of this little pack. He is.” He pointed to Blazel. “So if you have any complaints or problems, see him. I don’t want to hear about it.”
“This isn’t a surprise,” Wisah said. “Blazel knows where we’re going. You don’t.”
The next day whenever their pace slowed to a walk, Blazel urged his horse alongside Rizelya’s and talked about fighting, magic, and their philosophies about life. Other than Chariel, he’d never talked so openly with a woman before. She looked beautiful in the dappled light, and as she licked her lips, he wished he had the courage to lean over and kiss them, to know what they tasted like. Then he remembered his vow he’d made long ago not to have casual sex and pulled away. He was the result of a casual encounter, and he didn’t want another child to suffer as he had. He understood in the territory keeps it wasn’t a problem, nor were the resultant children. They were all raised in a crèche and rarely lived with their parents, especially if the parents were fighters. But in the Sanctuary, there were few children as the priestesses lived chaste lives; he’d been an anomaly.
That afternoon, the road became a dirt path. A measure farther, a tall pillar marked the boundary of the Sanctuary’s territory and the path gave way to snow. The horses’ hooves crunched through the snow’s icy top layer and sank down past their fetlocks.
“Stop!” Jaehaas called after only a few milcrons. He lifted up his foreleg so the others could see the blood dripping from multiple cuts. “The ice be cutting the horses’ legs.”
Guilt sat like a heavy weight on Blazel’s chest as he realized he’d already failed in being the leader, he was too caught up in his infatuation with Rizelya, and hadn’t thought about the danger from the ice. As he ordered a stop, he vowed to be a better leader. Bandages were brought out and he helped wrap them around Jaehaas’s and the horses’ legs from knee to hoof.
As they climbed higher, the trees grew denser. They rode slowly under trees that were thirty feet around and soared over a hundred feet high. Dim green light filtered through their wide branches. Here the snow lacked the icy coating. Blazel scanned the snow for signs of predators; the blood from the cuts would attract them.
Behind him the group was spread out in a long line. As he’d feared, he caught sight of a fresh large paw print in the snow. Then he saw dark shapes flitting through the trees. Blazel slowed his horse for Rizelya to catch up with him.
“We have a problem,” he said quietly, tilting his head toward the trees. “Highland wolves. The blood attracted them, and I sense it’s a large pack, more than enough to challenge us. We need to gather everyone together.”
“Should we run for it?” Rizelya’s eyes tracked the forms pacing them.
“No, they’d take us down in milcrons. There’s a place just ahead where we can defend against them. We just have to make it.”
“I’ll let Aistrun know; he’ll bring the others.” A faraway look came over her face as she mind-spoke to her pack-mate.
Blazel had forgotten fighters in the same pack could mind-speak to each other. He’d never experienced it before and wasn’t sure he wanted to, but as he watched Aistrun pick up his pace, catch up to Chariel, and together overtake Wisah and Jaehaas, he could see the wisdom of it. There hadn’t been shouting or anything else to alert the wolves they’d been noticed.
They rode in a tight knot, following Blazel as he picked up the pace to a trot. The wolves drew closer, no longer hiding. Ahead, a huge pile of rocks reared out of the snow. The stones resolved into a ruined tower, the lowest branches of the tree it stood under sweeping across the remains of its roof.
With the tower and the safety it offered in sight, he kicked Lighzel into a gallop, and the others followed his lead. The wolves howled and gave chase. Blazel raced toward the single, narrow opening into the tower ruins. Once through, he jumped off his horse. Rizelya raced in after him, jumped off her horse, and ran with her glowing helbraught to guard the opening. Blazel boiled into his warrior form and ran to join her.
