by Pedro Urvi
“That’s because you’re gullible. Your heart’s too big, and you need to get a bit sharper.”
Ikai laughed with her. He knew she was right. Still, what he had lived through had opened his eyes to the cruelty of both Gods and unscrupulous men. I’m no longer so gullible, or so good-hearted. Evil had scratched his soul with its poisoned claws, and now he’d never be the person he used to, however much he might wish he was. Life, experience and suffering: they change you. He hoped it would all be for the better.
They relaxed, enjoying a peaceful interlude which Ikai’s soul gave thanks for as if he were being refreshed by the water of the stream. They ate from their supplies and rationed what was left, since they could not waste time hunting.
Albana checked the contents of the satchel. “There’s barely enough for one more day,” she said.
“Isaz will get us supplies from his village, Three Rivers. He’ll soon be back with them. We’ll get there, don’t you worry.”
“It’s a bit risky. Isaz’s a wanted man, particularly in his village, after what he did to the Proxy…”
“He told me he can still count on friends who’ll help him. Besides, he wanted to visit his sister’s tomb. Who knows when he’ll have another chance?”
“Yeah… I guess so…”
Ikai nodded thoughtfully.
“Where’s Isaz meeting us?”
“At the Cave of Farewell.”
“Funny name for a place. Was it always called that, or is it the name that stuck after we all said goodbye and left the Boundary to set up the Shelter?”
“I don’t know what to say… We all call it that. For me it’s the cave where Maruk freed our people from the Rings. I didn’t think he could do it, but he did, and we were able to escape. My mother was able to cross.”
“Yes, it’s a hidden, symbolic place. Although I think we should find another spot to cross.”
“Why do you say that? We always cross there. It’s safe. Nothing’s ever happened to us.”
“That’s exactly why. You, Kyra, Liriana, the others… too many people always crossing at the same point. I’m not happy about that.”
“You could be right. I’ll think about it…”
They went on with their journey, and Ikai thought about what Albana had said. As always the cat-like brunette was walking a couple of steps ahead of him, as though making a path for him, as if protecting him so that no enemy could reach him. He would have liked to go first, since after all he had been a Hunter, but as far as Albana was concerned that was so much nonsense.
“I’m a better tracker and fighter than you are, and don’t make me prove it,” she had replied with a glare when he had made the suggestion. “And if you dare mention the fact that I’m a woman, I’ll give you my fist to swallow.”
That had put an end to any discussion. Albana went first, clearing a path, and he accepted the fact willingly. They went on all day without stopping to rest again. Night was beginning to fall when she leapt on to some rocks and looked out to the east.
“Hurry up,” she said, and gave him her roguish smile. “You’re like a snail. I can see the cave.”
They made haste. Ikai heaved a sigh of relief when he recognized the rocky formation. Once in the cave they would be safe, and from there to the Boundary it was no more than five hundred paces. He looked behind him, fearful he might find a group of Executors or Hunters on their trail, but there was only tall grass and scrub.
Suddenly Albana stopped, crouched and readied her bow. Ikai followed her example. She raised a finger, then pointed at the entrance to the cave. He understood. She slipped noiselessly to the left of the entrance. He moved towards the right, somewhat more heavily. They tensed their bows.
But nobody peered out. Could Albana have been mistaken? No, she’s never wrong about these things. She has an extra sense when it comes to detecting danger, or maybe a skill she’s learned… Whatever it is, she’s never wrong. He waited, because it was the only logical thing to do. And the wait bore fruit when a silhouette loomed out among the shadows of the cave-mouth. He prepared to release an arrow before they were discovered.
Albana raised her fist. Ikai thought in surprise: They’re going to see us!
And the silhouette came out into the light: the figure of a strongly-built woman.
“Urda!” he muttered.
She looked at Albana, then at Ikai. Albana made an enquiring gesture.
“I’m alone,” Urda said. “Don’t worry, there’s no danger.”
Ikai sighed with relief. They went up to the cave and hugged her warmly.
“What are you doing here?” he asked in puzzlement. “Has anything happened at the Shelter?”
Urda sighed.
“There’s a lot to tell you, Ikai, and you’re not going to like it. We’d better go into the cave.”
“Kyra?”
Urda nodded grimly.
Ikai rolled his eyes. “Let’s go inside. Tell me everything.”
Urda told them what had happened to Solma, then about Kyra’s idea.
“… and they left me behind. I tried to follow as fast as I could. My plan was to reach the city and join them there to help them with the kidnap. But while I was trying to go faster than I could really manage, I tripped and twisted my ankle. It was a bad sprain, and it’s still a bit swollen. I’m big, and clumsy with it! Hell!” She shook her head in real distress. “I had to turn back, and I stayed here to wait for them. They’ll have to come this way. It’s the route we always use.”
Ikai swore. He was getting more worried all the time.
“Don’t blame her, Ikai,” Albana said. “She didn’t know whether we’d get back, and time was pressing.”
Urda nodded. “We didn’t have much of a choice. And asking Kyra to stay put, watching Solma die, was asking the impossible.”
“I know that, I know you’re right, but suppose something’s happened to her? Suppose she’s been captured? We’ve got the medicine now.”
“And we’re not absolutely sure it’ll work,” Albana put in.
Ikai tried to stay calm and think. He went outside, where night had already fallen. I have to get to Mother and save her. Now more than ever, knowing her condition’s worse. I can’t risk it. Kyra will have to make it on her own. I’m sure she can. I’m sure she will. He looked up bitterly at the God Father Moon.
Girlai, protect my sister, don’t let anything happen to her, he begged the husband of the Goddess Oxatsi.
“There’s nothing else you can do today,” Albana said, “either for your mother or your sister. We have to rest, get our strength back and go on at dawn.”
Darkness was swallowing the landscape. Ikai nodded.
“You’re right. We’d better rest. It’s still a long way to the Shelter.”
Urda gestured towards the cave. “I’ll make a fire inside, where it won’t be visible from outside,” she said, and limped away to gather timber.
“Everything’ll be all right,” said Albana with a wink. In the silence their eyes locked. They neither moved nor spoke, her black eyes fixed on his ill-matched ones, sharing a common intensity, heavy with feelings and emotions. They took no notice of the night breeze and its caress, trapped in a moment they hoped would not break.
At last Albana sighed, and the moment vanished. “Do you know you have the eyes of a madman? One blue, the other green.” She did not take her eyes off his.
“And do you know you have a very loose tongue?”
She winked at him, giggled and went to help Urda.
Ikai watched her go, with her sensuous, cat-like walk. How things had changed between them. There had been a time when he had hated her… But now… everything’s different. Now, every morning when I see her my spirit soars. I feel happier, more optimistic, even with her constant attacks, her wild, untamable nature. When she’s with me I feel more sure of myself. Being with her makes me better, and I don’t want night to come and separate us. I don’t know why, but that’s how it is. And I feel it gro
wing stronger all the time.
An hour later, the three of them were enjoying the warmth of the fire. While they finished their supplies of food, Ikai told Urda what had happened with the Witch of the Lake.
“I’ll take the first watch,” Albana said. Ikai did not know what to make of her enigmatic smile. Does it mean friendship? Fondness? Something more? No, it couldn’t be anything more than that. That was his imagination. She was only being a good companion. She watched him for a moment longer and smiled again, almost tenderly this time, then she was gone. And that last smile? What did it mean? It was something… I’m going crazy! He shook his head and decided to forget about the whole business. He was too tired. He lay down by the pleasant warmth of the fire and was asleep, exhausted, almost before his eyelids had closed.
Sounds nearby brought him abruptly out of a deep sleep. He opened one eye with an effort and saw Albana talking to someone on the other side of the dying fire.
He struggled to his feet. “What… what’s going on…?”
“Easy, Ikai, it’s Isaz. He caught up with us.”
Ikai half-closed his eyes and focused on the man’s face. Immediately he recognized Isaz’ smile and weathered features.
“I brought some food,” he said, and showed them a satchel.
“Excellent,” Ikai said. “And now why don’t we all catch up with a bit of sleep?” All he wanted to do was go on resting.
Isaz did not have to be told twice. He lay down by the fire.
The morning cool and the dampness of the cave woke Ikai up with its unpleasant embrace. His body was stiff and sore. He stepped past Urda and Isaz, who were still asleep, and went outside. The sun was already climbing the horizon, tinting fields and forest with gold. He let the sunshine bathe him fully and warm his body. The feeling was so pleasant he could have stayed there for hours.
“Someone’s coming!” came the warning. He turned in every direction, looking for the source. As if she had fallen from the sky, Albana appeared at his side.
“Eh? How…?”
“I was up there.” She pointed to the top of the cave. “We’re in trouble. Riders are on their way.”
“How many?”
“Five.”
“They must be Hunters, or maybe men of the Guard.”
“Whichever way, we’ll have to fight.” she said, and left at a run. “Where are you going?” ‒ but she had already disappeared along the side of the cave.
“Urda! Isaz! Grab your weapons!” Ikai shouted. He crouched at the right-hand side of the cave entrance, where a boulder gave partial cover, and took out an arrow. Urda went to the other side and did the same. Isaz hid in the shadows inside. The sound of galloping horses reached them more and more clearly.
“Get ready,” whispered Ikai as the first rider came into sight.
He drew his bow and aimed at the hooded figure galloping fast towards the cave. Another rider was beside him, with three more following a little behind.
Ikai turned to Urda and held up two fingers. They needed to take advantage of the surprise factor and bring down the first two before they were discovered. She nodded. Ikai pointed a finger at his chest, then two at Urda, who nodded again and aimed. The first two riders stopped their horses in front of the cave under a great oak with massive protruding roots. Ikai held his breath, concentrated and aimed at the first rider, leaving Urda to take down the second. Both riders looked back, but waited for the others instead of dismounting, it was the right moment.
Ikai was about to release his arrow when something caught his eye as the first rider turned. He narrowed his eyes until he recognized what he had glimpsed. A pendant… with a carving…of a sea horse!
“Urda, hold your fire!” he shouted in horror.
But a moment earlier she had let fly.
The shout alarmed the two riders, who turned. The arrow brushed by the head of the second. In an attempt to avoid it, he fell off his horse and hit the ground with a muffled cry.
“Romen!” Kyra cried, and ran to him, taking cover behind her horse.
Ikai got to his feet. “Don’t shoot, it’s Kyra! Don’t shoot!”
Urda and Isaz lowered their weapons in amazement.
Ikai ran to his sister. “Kyra, it’s us!”
She turned to see her brother running towards her. Spreading her arms wide, she stared at him incredulously.
“You almost killed us!” she protested.
“Where the hell are you going on horseback and hooded? What are you doing here?”
“I’ll tell you later,” she said and went across to Romen, who was still lying on the ground unmoving.
“Is he dead?” asked Ikai.
“I don’t think so. The arrow just grazed him. It’s not fatal, but he must have hit his head when he fell. He’s unconscious.”
Ikai gasped with relief. “Thank goodness for that!”
Kyra looked at the biggest of the three other riders. “Honus, could our good surgeon tend to Romen? It looks as though we’re going to need his services sooner than we thought.”
“I’ll make sure he does, with pleasure,” Honus said. He gave Miratos’ back a massive slap, and the surgeon could not even protest for the pain.
“I’m so sorry,” Urda said as she reached them.
Kyra fell on her massive friend and threw her arms around her. “Urda! I’m so glad to see you!”
“We thought you were Hunters, or the Guard,” Urda said. She lifted Kyra off the ground in a bear-hug. “How did you get hold of horses?”
“And who are these people?” Ikai asked.
“Don’t frown like that, brother, they’re friends.” She hugged her brother affectionately and kissed his cheek. “Gedrel got us the horses. He’s a man of resources. He sends you his greetings. That giant there is Honus, and the other one is Karm. They’re fugitive miners, Pariahs, and they helped me kidnap Miratos.” She indicated the Surgeon, who was already tending to Romen amid much grumbling, though the presence of Honus nearby forced him to keep his voice down.
Ikai shook his head. “I can’t believe you did it.”
“Well, you’ll have to think again. And what about you? Did you get it?”
Ikai nodded and showed her the phial round his neck.
“That’s wonderful! We’ve got both options now. Mom will come through, one way or the other.”
“Or both ways,” Albana said as she appeared from behind a tree, bow in hand.
“Yes, or both,” Kyra admitted with a smile.
“So you were there?” Ikai said. There was a trace of reproach in his voice. The brunette had not told him of her plan beforehand.
“Of course. It was the best place for a clear shot,” she said, and the independence in her voice only irritated him further.
“I’m so glad to see you,” Kyra said, and threw her arms affectionately round her.
“I’m glad to see you’re still yourself and still following your instincts,” the brunette replied with a warm smile.
“Thanks. At least you approve, even if my brother certainly doesn’t.”
“That’s usually the case.”
The two girls turned their gaze to Ikai. He felt a desire to douse them with reproaches, but instead took a deep breath and let it pass.
Isaz came towards them with a smile. “I’m happy to see you in one piece too, young hero,” he said.
Kyra greeted him with a smile and a small bow.
“By Mother Sea Oxatsi!” Karm said all at once, and leapt off his horse. “I never thought this day would come, not in a hundred lifetimes.” He drew a long hunting knife from his belt and moved forward.
They looked at him in puzzlement. The hood of the cloak he was wearing partially hid his face.
“What are you talking about, Karm?” Kyra asked.
“Every day and every night I’ve prayed to our mother goddess that one day I might find justice. I never thought I’d see that day. I’d lost all hope, but Oxatsi has decided to grant me my wish, my revenge.”
/> Ikai tensed at the sound of the words and the sight of the knife. He drew his short sword as Karm came forward.
Honus did not understand what was happening. “Karm, what on earth…?”
Karm came up to Kyra and Ikai, who stepped in front of his sister to protect her and raised his sword in warning. Karm ignored them completely and went on, with his eyes fixed on Isaz.
He stopped in front of the tracker, who was watching him with his head to one side, trying to make out his face under the hood.
“Don’t you recognize me, you murderous scum?” Karm asked.
Isaz shook his head. “You must have mistaken me for somebody else.”
“No, I’m not mistaken. I know very well who you are, Isaz of Three Rivers, you treacherous snake, you heartless vermin, liar, and above all, murderer.”
Karm threw the hood back. Isaz’s face lost all color, as though he had seen a ghost from the past coming back from the tomb. He opened his mouth to speak, but could only stammer: “You… you… it can’t be…”
“What’s going on here? What are these accusations?” Ikai asked in confusion.
Isaz had recovered a little from the shock by now. He stepped back and looked at Ikai. “It’s him … Karm, who killed my sister in Three Rivers.”
“I killed your sister? You say I killed her?” Karm cried.
Isaz’s face was distorted and his eyes glared with rage. “You killed her, you swine! And you’ll pay for that!” He drew his hunting-knife.
Ikai took a step towards them. “Stop, both of you!” he ordered.
“I’m going to gut this murderous, lying swine,” Karm cried, and lunged at Isaz.
There was determination in Isaz’ eyes as he brandished his knife. “You killed my sister. Get ready to die.”
“Stop!” Ikai shouted. He recalled what Isaz had told them about his terrible past.
But it was too late. Karm’s knife stabbed towards his opponent’s heart. Isaz stepped aside, and the knife just missed his ribcage. He counterattacked with a blow to the neck, but Karm threw his body back and turned his head. He felt the cold sharp edge cut his chin.
“Stop it!” Kyra shouted. “Both of you! Right now!”
Karm launched two fierce cuts at Isaz’s face, but he dodged them by stepping to one side. He tried another feint to the chest, but Isaz deflected it with his forearm. Taking advantage of his position, he lunged at Karm and caught him in the ribs. He doubled up in pain and took up a defensive position.
