“I don’t know. If you didn’t give him these, then who did?”
“We have to fix this!” Tamyr clutched at Ahren’s hand, dropped it, and jumped up. She ran across the room and dropped to her knees beside the bed. Leaning over, she reached under it. When she withdrew her hand, she held a small wooden box aloft and stood.
"I'll replace these with the same things I put in it to begin with. No one will know the difference." She dropped into her chair and grabbed Ahren's arm. Tears dampened her cheeks when she peered into Ahren's wary eyes. "You won't let them lock me up again, will you?"
Ahren didn’t answer. What was the right thing to do? She wasn’t sure. She bit her tongue as Tamyr removed the toxic herbs and replaced them with medicinals. When she had finished, Ahren tucked the neat leather packet back into her skirt pocket and stood.
“I have to get back before my father realizes this is missing. Are you sure you didn’t try to kill him? You were awfully happy when we thought he wasn’t coming home.”
A new flood of tears flowed from Tamyr’s eyes as she shook her head. She dipped her finger in the ashes at the edge of the hearth and drew three interlocking circles, representing the three moons, on her forehead–the traditional sign of an oath. The old legends claimed that one who made that mark and lied would die within a day.
“I swear,” she whispered. “I hoped the forest would kill him, but I didn’t try to help.”
Ahren nodded and turned to leave. “I won’t say anything.”
She pulled the door open and fled down the hall, rushing through the front door before the house’s other occupants could snare her in conversation. Outside, fat snowflakes swirled on the wind and brushed against her face, an icy counterpoint to the scalding tears that now flowed freely. How did she keep getting stuck in these situations?
26
City
Serik shuffled into the room as Aibek pressed another shirt into his tattered pack. He’d have to see about getting a new one while he was in the city.
“If it’s all the same to you, sir, I think I’d rather stay here this time.”
Without looking up from his work, Aibek grinned. “That’s all right with me. Some of the council members are going, so I won’t be traveling alone.”
Not that he minded being alone. He had often wandered the city by himself when he lived in Xona, but the forest wasn’t the same. It contained dangers different from any he had faced. Sometimes he wondered if he would ever know all the forest’s secrets, and at those times he worked harder to communicate with the Bokinna. She had been quiet lately–perhaps a sign that she was growing weaker.
He finished stuffing his pack. Straightening, he inspected his oldest friend. Serik had lost weight on their journey, and he hadn’t regained any of it since they’d been home. His shoulders hunched forward, his face drooped, and fatigue emanated from him like warmth from the fire. Aibek crossed the room and sat beside the elderly servant, concern etched on his face.
“Are you well? Do you need anything?”
Serik smiled. “I am well enough, just a bit tired and sore. It’s taking me awhile to recover from all the climbing and flying.” He laughed. “What an adventure, though! I never thought I’d outrun an emrialk, let alone ride a dragon. No, all I need is a bit of time and some of Cook’s venison stew.”
“Mmm. You smelled it too, huh?” Aibek chuckled, glancing out the window at the waning afternoon light. A soft layer of snow had fallen overnight, and it reflected and magnified the light, making it feel earlier in the day than it was. “I admit, I’m looking forward to supper tonight.”
Serik nodded. “You leave in the morning?”
“Yes. We’re meeting at the North Entrance at dawn. It’ll be harder traveling in the snow, but we should reach Kainga before the noon meal.”
Serik made a face. “That ferry will be awful in this weather. It was bad enough in the heat!”
“I’ll be sure to wear my cloak.” Aibek laughed. “Maybe they’ll let us ride on the lower deck with the livestock. It’ll be warmer there, but we’ll all smell like oxen by the time we arrive.”
They laughed harder and joked about the upcoming journey until the housekeeper, Giana, summoned them to dinner.
* * *
Heavy clouds dimmed the light of dawn, and the howling wind heralded an approaching storm. Aibek, Kai, Ahren, and Zifa huddled at the North Entrance with a small crowd of family and friends who had come to see them off.
Aibek shook Valasa’s outstretched hand and nodded to the well-wishers. Serik had said his goodbyes at the house, explaining that the cold made his bones ache and he’d rather keep warm by the fire. Aibek had hugged him and seen him settled in his favorite chair in the den before he’d tied on his cloak and stepped out into the frigid morning.
“Let’s get going, then.” Aibek grinned at the small group going with him to the city. “We need to get to Kainga before this storm hits in force.”
The others finished their goodbyes and descended the slippery staircase behind him. When they were all safely on the ground, they set off into the forest, heads ducked and cloaks pulled tight against the howling wind.
Aibek’s eyes watered from the cold and wind, and he pulled his hood lower over his face. He couldn’t see much beyond the path in front of his feet, and he hoped no surprises lurked beyond the next turn. No animals would be out in weather like this, but he couldn’t be sure about the elves and dwarves. There had been no more attacks on hunting parties, but a few traders had reported tense encounters on the trails between the village and the plain. The groundfolk grew anxious waiting for word of their friend that had traveled with the northbound group.
A thin layer of ice covered the trail beneath the snow, and Aibek thanked the forest that his leg had healed as he slipped and slid down the path. The crunch of boots on the frozen ground competed with the whistle of the wind in the trees, drowning out any attempt at conversation, and soon the travelers gave up and walked in silence.
Shivers wracked his body by the time they emerged from the shelter of the trees and stepped into the open grassland beyond. Here, the wind tried to knock Aibek’s feet out from under him, and he took short, choppy steps to stay upright. His fingers and nose were numb with cold as he rushed across the prairie toward the blessed shelter of the city. The wind whipped the sleet and snow about him, stinging his face and arms like a thousand bees. He hurried through the wind and snow at a reckless pace, careful not to leave his friends behind.
His breath came in ragged gasps by the time they reached the tattered, leaning shack beside the river, but disappointment settled heavy on his shoulders. The ferry wasn’t there. He peered over the water, searching for any sign of the hulking vessel, but be couldn’t see anything beyond a few feet of churning black water.
An old woman stepped out of the shack and beckoned them inside.
“The ferry’ll be along shortly,” said a raspy whisper. “Best wait ’nside ’ntil it docks.”
There was no fire inside the small building, but it was sturdy enough to keep out the wind. Aibek rubbed his hands together, warming them with the friction. The women huddled close together to share their warmth, but Aibek stood off to the side. Kai had wrapped himself in a blanket, and bitter envy rose in Aibek’s throat. If only he had thought to bring along a fur. It was early in the season for such weather, and he hadn’t expected such miserable conditions.
The shakes had subsided by the time shouts reached his ears. Aibek ran outside in time to see the deckhands leap from the lowest opening on the large ferry onto the wooden pier. They tied the heavy ropes onto the pilings below. Soon after, a few ragged farmers climbed out of the livestock bay, leading their oxen and cattle behind them. Aibek let out a relieved sigh. They would be allowed to travel inside. He paid the old woman for their tickets.
They hurried up the ladder and into the warmth of the lower deck. Workers mopped at dark stains on the floor, and Aibek resisted the urge to cover his nose. His jokes with
Serik had come closer to the truth than he had expected, and he laughed.
Kai shoved at his shoulder. “What’s funny? This is awful.”
“It’s nothing.” Aibek laughed harder and found a clean area where he could sit against the wall. “We might as well get comfortable.”
Warm and safe in the odoriferous confines of the ferry, Aibek leaned back against the wall and closed his eyes. He had lain awake late into the night, worrying about Serik and wondering why his parents hadn’t been around in the past month. The boat’s gentle rocking and fatigue overtook him and he fell into a fitful slumber.
The ferry’s jolting stop knocked Aibek over, and he jerked awake and stumbled to his feet. The ship swayed underfoot, and he lost his balance, slamming into the solid wooden wall. He regained his footing, staggered, and braced himself against a stack of crates beside him. Ahren, Zifa, and Kai lined up behind him, and they waited for the deckhands to open the outer door. Damp clothes clung to his frozen skin. He shifted and tugged at the offending garments, but the movement only intensified the chill. The broad door swung inward, admitting an icy wind. Aibek shivered and hunched in on himself, pulling his cloak tighter in a desperate attempt to warm himself.
“Watch yer step. It’s slipp’ry t’day.” The broad deckhand warned as Aibek stepped onto the rickety staircase that swayed in the gusting wind.
He gripped the wooden rail and descended as quickly as he could, relieved when his feet landed on solid ground. Once he had gained his footing, he turned and held out a hand to Ahren and Zifa.
“Tie everything up tight, boys!” A booming voice echoed through the riverfront. “Then we’ll call it a day. We’d better get inside before the storm hits.”
Aibek’s eyes widened, but he held his tongue. What did the man mean, ‘before the storm hits?’ How much worse would it get? As soon as Kai’s feet hit the ground, Aibek took off toward his favorite inn, The Lazy Shepherd. He would give them every piece of silver in his possession for a warm fire and a hot bath. He couldn’t remember any time in his life when he had ever been so cold.
He hurried along the deserted streets until he saw the shepherd’s hook tacked sideways above a broad red door. Swinging the door open, he ducked inside and strolled across the empty foyer to the desk pushed against the far wall. A young woman sat, glaring at him over a stack of open ledgers. He was thankful for the fire and didn’t notice her expression. The warm red wood of the walls glowed in the flickering firelight, and Aibek breathed in the pleasant sense of reunion. This was the same inn he had visited when he, Serik, and Faruz had first made the journey to Nivaka, and he had stayed here on several market trips over the past year.
A smile lit his face as he greeted the slender girl. If he remembered correctly, she was one of a set of twins that ran this establishment with her parents.
“Hello. Do you have any rooms available? We require two rooms, if you do.”
The girl assessed the group through narrowed eyes. “Yes, we have space for you. How long are you expecting to stay?”
Aibek flashed a relieved smile. “We’ll be here for a week or so, but we’re happy to work out more details later. For now, we all need a warm room and a hot bath. I’m willing to pay whatever you charge for both.”
Her blonde head bobbed before she rose and led them down a dark hall. They passed the packed tavern, where the aroma of baking bread nearly brought Aibek to his knees. He hadn’t realized how hungry the journey had made him.
She showed them to two rooms and gave the women first choice. They picked the room on the left side of the hall, leaving the other room to the men. Aibek dropped a few coins into the blonde woman's outstretched hand and retreated into the warmth of his chamber. In moments, he had peeled off his wet clothes, replacing them with a dry shirt and trousers. Across the room, Kai did the same, and the friends sank into the chairs arranged by the fire to wait for the servants to bring in the bath.
Once they were warm, clean, and dressed, Aibek and Kai ventured into the hall to check on the women. Ahren and Zifa met them at the door and they all headed to the tavern. The aromas had carried through the passage, and Aibek's stomach twisted in hunger. He seated himself at the first empty table without considering its position in the room.
The serving woman brought their meal quickly, and Aibek handed her several coins in gratitude. He inhaled two helpings of the delicious stew, sat back, and nibbled on a roll while the others finished their meal.
He realized he had given no consideration to the women's abilities and comfort, and a flood of shame coursed through him. He should have moved slower to make it easier for them to keep up. He frowned. No, they had done a fine job of keeping up with the pace he had set. If he had moved slower, they all might have frozen on that awful plain, and they would have missed the ferry's last run of the day. He wouldn't feel guilty. He wiped the last bit of broth out of his bowl with his bread and downed it in one bite, smiling in satisfaction. It had been a difficult journey, but they had made it to their destination without any problems. The next day, he would set about the task of securing a meeting place for the mayors that had promised to attend the first Grand Council meeting, but for now, he would relax and enjoy the accommodations.
* * *
Three days passed in a flurry of activity as Aibek prepared to welcome the Tsari's mayors to Kainga. The Lazy Shepherd had space for ten mayors and their companions, allowing two rooms for each, so Aibek expanded his search. He expected roughly thirty-five villages to send representatives and would need more space. Two inns across the street from The Lazy Shepherd agreed to save rooms for the travelers, and one, The Bard Tavern, offered their dining hall as a meeting place for the newly formed Grand Council.
He returned to his room to clean up for supper when a familiar voice stopped him in his tracks.
“Are you sure you don’t have anything? We can all share a room.” The voice echoed off the walls, drawing Aibek closer. That was Faruz’s voice; he’d recognize it anywhere.
“I’m sorry, we don’t have any rooms available today.” One of the twins stood behind the desk, peering at the log and shaking her head.
“Faruz! You made it! We were worried when you didn’t come home when we expected.” He grinned at his best friend and turned to the young innkeeper. “He’s with our group. Please give them two of your best rooms.”
The weight of the world lifted off Aibek’s shoulders at the sight of Faruz’s flushed face. If Faruz had returned, then he had also accomplished his goal. He would have perished before he’d return without that fruit. Recalling the Bokinna’s warnings, he bit the inside of his cheek and said nothing about Faruz’s mission.
The girl nodded, marked something in the ledger, and waved to the newcomers. “Right this way.”
She showed them to their rooms, and Aibek followed Faruz inside.
Faruz sank into a plush chair, exhaustion and worry written on his face. Lost for words, Aibek struggled to ask what had happened. Five had left. Only four had returned. He pushed aside the joy at seeing his best friend and sat quietly before the crackling fire, wondering when would be a good time to announce Zifa’s presence. He examined the haunted shadows on his friend’s face and decided the reunion could wait a bit longer.
“Do you want to talk about it?” Aibek asked when the fire had burned down to embers.
Shaking his head, Faruz wiped a hand over his face.
“It was awful,” Faruz whispered. “The Saethem’s protector killed him before we could announce ourselves. He died protecting me and Dalan.”
“He’s a hero, then. We’ll have a ceremony for him with full honors when this is all over,” Aibek said.
Sensing Faruz needed some time alone, Aibek left him and Wayra to wash up, returning to his own room to double-check his records and make sure everything was ready for the Grand Council.
After he’d finished his work, he ventured out into the hall and ran into Ahren. A huge smile stretched over his face. He’d given Faruz enou
gh time.
“Is Zifa dressed? I have something for her.”
“Yes, I think so. What’s going on?”
Aibek leaned down and whispered in her ear. “Faruz is back. He’s here, right down the hall, getting washed up for supper.”
Ahren’s squeal of delight pierced the air, and Zifa opened the door to her room. She looked from Aibek to Ahren and back, a frown creasing her brow.
“What’s going on? Why are you both grinning like that?”
Ahren grabbed her arm and dragged her down the hall. She protested with every step, but neither conspirator would tell her what was happening.
“What are you doing? Let go of me! I’ll follow on my own.” She struggled to pull her arm free, but Ahren held firm. Aibek just grinned.
He stopped in front of Faruz’s door, knocked once, and waited. The urge to open the door and walk in was nearly impossible to resist. He held back because he wasn’t sure Faruz and his roommates were dressed, and he certainly didn’t want to embarrass anyone with a naked reunion. His heart pounded in excitement for his friends.
After an eternity of waiting, the door swung open. A freshly-scrubbed Faruz opened the door, his sword held out before him. When he saw Aibek’s group in the hall, he sheathed the sword and grinned. Without a glance at the others, he grabbed Zifa and swung her into a crushing hug.
“I’ll leave you to your…um…reunion. See you at supper?” Faruz nodded, and Aibek closed the door, strolling back toward his own room, humming softly to himself.
He dropped into the chair nearest the fire and settled in to wait. Faruz was there! That must mean he had succeeded. Aibek would have to leave Kainga to take the fruit to the Heart of the Forest, but that shouldn’t take more than a day or so, since Gworsad would fly him into the forest and back to Nivaka. He should be back in Kainga before the rest of the mayors arrived for the Grand Council.
The Nivaka Chronicles Boxed Set Page 54
