The Standing Dead - Stone Dance of the Chameleon 02

by Ricardo Pinto

  She looked up, her face full of concern. She put some of the broth back, wiped the rim and then handed Carnelian the bowl. He looked her in the eyes, thanked her, glad they seemed to be friends again, then carried the bowl away as fast as he could, trying to avoid spilling it.

  'Why does the Master refuse to eat?' pleaded Ravan, following him.

  Carnelian kept his gaze fixed on the hollow. 'He doesn't want to live here.'

  'I've promised him everything I could think of, but he won't even talk to me.'

  Carnelian felt the youth was crowding him, threatening to jostle the precious broth onto the ground. 'He's one of the Standing Dead ... being here ... he can't ... it's hard to explain.'

  Ravan's face darkened. 'It's you, you're killing him. I've seen the way you've been working on my mother. How desperate you must be that you're prepared to humiliate yourself to impress her by working with Fern. The Master would never lower himself to that and so you're getting rid of him. If he dies I'll make sure you're thrown out of the Koppie.'

  Stunned, Carnelian watched Ravan move away. The urgency of Osidian's need made him resume his journey to the hollow. When he reached it, he set the bowl carefully on the nearest root, climbed over and sank into a crouch beside Osidian, who looked no better. Carnelian dug an arm under him and struggled to make him sit. Osidian's eyes opened as Carnelian propped him against the root. Carnelian glanced at the bowl nervously, worried he might knock it over. He retrieved it, balanced it on his knee, dipped a spoon into the broth then held it up to Osidian's mouth. 'Eat,' Carnelian said.

  Osidian's nostrils twitched as the steam rose from the broth. His eyes focused on the spoon. Slowly, wearily, he shook his head.

  'You must eat,' Carnelian pleaded.

  Osidian looked into Carnelian's eyes. 'Let me die. It's better that you should let me die.'

  Carnelian was seeing him through tears. 'I won't let you.'

  Osidian gazed at him.

  'You are my heart,' Carnelian whispered, an echo of the vows of love they had made to each other on that terrible night they had been taken in the Yden. Again he offered Osidian the broth.

  Osidian's lips smiled a little. 'I cannot be less than I am.'

  Seeing the death rings around Osidian's eyes, Carnelian's fear for him heated to anger. 'And what is that? A Master? One of the Chosen? A Lord of the Earth, perhaps? Such claims sound splendid in Osrakum, but looking at you so easily defeated, they are revealed to be nothing more than empty boasts. Any man can be a god behind legions, behind mountain walls. Are you brave enough to be simply a man?'

  Irritation sparked in Osidian's eyes. 'You bait me as if I were a child.'

  'You have been behaving like one.'

  There is no life for me here.'

  Then make one.'

  'Labouring like a slave; living as a savage?'

  These people have no slaves, and though they are poor, they have dignity. If you were to open your heart, you would see they are even possessed of a certain nobility.'

  Osidian looked disgusted. They live in such ghastly squalor.'

  'Are you so much more delicate than they? Or is it fear, Osidian? Are you afraid that you might be less capable of survival here than are these barbarians?'

  Anger had brought Osidian fully back to life. 'What labour do you perform?'

  Carnelian described the work he did.

  'And this you do out of some sense of debt to your savage?'

  'Fern saved our lives.'

  Carnelian watched Osidian frown, then lose his gaze in the sky. He dared not breathe. Osidian's eyes fell on him. 'I shall work with you.'

  Carnelian imagined Osidian, weak as he was, labouring among the flies and heat. His head shook of its own accord.

  'Akaisha will find you something else until you have regained your strength.'

  'Strength is not in the body but flows from the will. I shall share this penance with you.'

  Carnelian did not care to argue. At that moment there was only one victory he sought. He pushed the spoon to Osidian's lips. 'Eat then.'

  Osidian's trembling hands took the spoon and bowl from him and began to eat. As he did so, Carnelian hurried to fetch water from the jar against the tree. When Osidian had drunk enough, he refused any help and lay back in the hollow. He was instantly asleep. Carnelian watched him for a while. Osidian, sleeping, seemed whole again. Carnelian stooped to kiss his forehead, then crept away.

  At the hearth, he sat down in his usual place. When Poppy brought him a bowl, he made sure to thank her. It was Ravan who asked him the question everyone wanted to ask.

  'How is he?'

  Carnelian knew that Ravan would find out some time. 'He's decided to come and join me beneath the Bloodwood Tree.'

  Ravan gaped. 'No! You're lying.'

  Sil looked startled at the violence of Ravan's reaction.

  'Of course he can join us tomorrow, Carnie,' said Akaisha.

  Ravan turned his gape on his mother. 'You must forbid it.'

  Akaisha raised her eyebrows as a mutter of unease went around the hearth.

  Whin stood up. 'Ravan, have you forgotten who you're speaking to?'

  Ravan scowled and looked around him as if he were being assaulted from every side. Jumping to his feet, he stormed off, knocking over one of the children's bowls as he went.

  Akaisha called after him but he seemed not to hear her. Concern mixed with anger as she looked at Fern. 'What's the matter with your brother?'

  Fern looked bitter. The Master has turned out to be a poorer replacement for his father than he had hoped.'

  THE CHALLENGE

  Beware of forcing a locked door unless you know what lies behind it.

  (A Chosen proverb)

  Carnelian woke to find someone lying warm against his chest. Only half awake, he assumed it must be Osidian, but realized he was lying against his back. Carnelian allowed the confusion to sit unresolved in his mind as he turned to regard the dark morning sky through the branches of the mother tree. At last, he found the will to sit up. Whatever it was curled up against him grunted as it adjusted its position. Gently he put his hand out and felt a small head. Peering, he saw it was a child. Poppy. He stroked her hair, drawing comfort from her warmth. He could just make out Osidian, his breathing fitful. Carnelian wondered whether Osidian would have the strength even to stand up, never mind to labour in the heat under the Bloodwood Tree.

  Taking care not to wake either of them, he rose, dressed silently and then picked his way across the roots towards the hearth. Several of the women were already gathered in the pale light filtering down to the hearth. Sil saw him coming and smiled brightly.

  'Breakfast?'

  He nodded and watched her count out enough fernroot cakes for two people.

  'My hollow seems to have acquired another mouth to feed.'

  She looked at him surprised. When Carnelian explained, she looked thoughtful.

  'It was obvious yesterday she'd taken to you, Carnie.'

  'Will anyone mind?'

  'I can't see why they should, do you?'

  Carnelian shook his head.

  She beamed. 'Well then.' She plucked up another cake and gave it to him.

  He thanked her and returned to the hollow. In his absence, Poppy had snuggled into Osidian. Carnelian wondered how Osidian would react to the girl. He woke her gently. Poppy yawned, rubbed her eyes and then came suddenly awake in a stare. He thought of welcoming her, but then considered he should not do so until he was sure Osidian was not going to reject her. To reassure her he gave her a cake with a smile.

  Osidian was next. Carnelian had to shake him. Osidian opened his eyes and for a while could do nothing more than gaze up into the branches of the cedar. When, at last, he sat up with a groan, Poppy looked at him as if he had suddenly come up out of the ground. Carnelian offered him a cake. Osidian's eyes fell on Poppy, who smiled winningly at him. As he turned away from her, Poppy's face fell and Carnelian reacted by cupping her cheek in his hand. She backe
d into his leg, making sure to keep an eye on Osidian. Carnelian offered him the cake again. To Carnelian's relief, Osidian took it and bit into it.

  The cakes were finished by the time Fern appeared. Osidian greeted him with cold eyes. Fern addressed Carnelian as if Osidian were not there.

  'Are you sure he's going to be strong enough?'

  Carnelian was not sure, but was determined he would not allow him to remain in the hollow. When it came time for them to leave, Osidian refused any help. Grimacing, he rose and then stood looking none too steady. 'Where's Ravan?'

  'He'll be on warding duty around the Koppie today with the rest of his hunt,' said Fern.

  Carnelian saw in Osidian's raised eyebrows that he had expected Ravan to join them. Osidian caught Carnelian's look and smiled.

  'So our little friend thinks it too humiliating to work with us.'

  Carnelian was half pleased that this might lead to a break between the two.

  They moved towards the rootstair, Osidian tottering after them. Poppy would not leave Carnelian's side. Together they descended the stair with Fern. Osidian followed them, taking each step as if it were his last.

  His face wet rust, Osidian stood naked beneath the Bloodwood Tree. His pallid skin could have been soaked cloth wrapped around the frame of his bones. Carnelian and Fern looked at each other. Neither could imagine where Osidian was even finding the strength to stand, never mind for the day's work. Akaisha called out to them. Bloodied, she stood by the butchered corpse, the black boulder of its liver bleeding at her feet. Carnelian saw her look of concern as she watched Osidian advancing with them. Sil could not hide her distress. Even Whin's forehead was creased with something like pity.

  Carnelian decided to act. He took Osidian's stick arm.

  'You're too weak,' Carnelian said.

  Osidian pulled his arm free and continued his advance upon the liver. Soon he was wrestling with it. Its blood smeared all across his chest. Carnelian saw Osidian was intent on lifting the whole mass of it himself and rushed in to help. Fern was soon there beside him. As they heaved the quivering mass to the drag-cradles, they had enough of a struggle coping with its weight themselves to have any energy left over to worry about Osidian.

  They toiled in the withering heat. Carnelian had become accustomed to the itch of flies walking upon his sweating skin. The stench no longer seemed unbearable. It was different for Osidian. Carnelian's wonder at his strength dulled into an ache of fear. Osidian's limbs seemed so thin they might snap; his muscles so wasted he should have been unable to move. Yet he worked as hard as Carnelian did, as hard as Fern. Carnelian could not rid himself of the conviction that such miraculous strength was consuming what little life Osidian had left.

  Carnelian almost cried with relief when Akaisha announced their midday rest. He threw down what he was carrying and made a show of moving from the drag-cradles to the welcoming shade of the Bloodwood Tree. As Fern and he headed for it, Carnelian kept turning just enough to make sure Osidian was following them. As soon as Carnelian reached the trunk he sat against it to encourage Osidian to do the same. Osidian slid down painfully. His eyes stared unblinking from his ochred face. Sil and Poppy brought them food and water. At Carnelian's urging, the girl made sure Osidian ate his share. Unable to look at him any more, Carnelian rested his head against the bark of the tree and closed his eyes. He allowed himself to drift away upon the waft of the women's chatter. The leaves of the Bloodwood Tree sighed a soothing air.

  Half drowsing, he became aware of the women calling out a name. It took a moment for his mind to assemble the sound into a name. 'Ravan.'

  Carnelian opened his eyes and searched among the shifting shades until he found the youth. Ravan was standing in the blaze just beyond the shadow of the tree.

  Carnelian followed his line of sight to Osidian. The glint of Osidian's eyes showed he was watching the youth. When Osidian closed his eyes, Carnelian saw the veneer of anger on his face. When he looked for Ravan, he was gone.

  People grew used to seeing the two Standing Dead accompanying Fern down to the Bloodwood Tree. Poppy did not like to leave Carnelian. When Akaisha and the other women of her hearth went away to work upon the ditches, Poppy remained behind. Akaisha was happy someone would be there to take care of her son and Carnie. Sil's gratitude towards the Twostone girl soon turned to friendship. Poppy lost her bony look. As he worked, Carnelian would send her down to help hang the djada ropes out to dry. It warmed his heart when he saw her begin to be welcomed by the other children. She helped them chase the ravens away from the racks back to their nests on the Crag. She made friends. She smiled. Carnelian knew joy the first day he heard her laugh. Poppy did not forget 'her men', as she called them. Every day, as the heat became unbearable, she insisted it was her privilege to bring them their meal. Fern, against his better judgement, grew fond of her. Even Osidian tolerated her, as if she were a pet Carnelian had adopted.

  The fear Carnelian felt for Osidian had abated, as each morning found him stronger. He rarely spoke. Even when they lay together in their sleeping hollow, Osidian revealed nothing of what he was feeling. Exhausted from the work, Carnelian did not have the energy to prise him open. He told himself Osidian needed to make his own accommodation with their new life. In the evenings, around the hearth, he sat in his place on the rootbench between Fern and Carnelian. He ate everything he was given and never asked for more. Neither he nor Ravan acknowledged each other's existence. Mostly, Osidian looked deep into the fire as if he were watching some drama being played out there. At first his brooding presence had unsetded everyone, but after a few days he became as familiar a part of their world as the boulders that sat upon the hillside in the grasp of cedar roots.

  Every three days or so, men would drag a new earther in from the plain. Many aquar were needed to drag the corpse into position under the Bloodwood Tree. The first time a set of hunters came they would look at the Standing Dead only from the corners of their eyes. Carnelian could see himself how terrible Osidian looked. Gigantic, clothed in gore, his blood-matted hair barely concealing the green fire of his eyes. With each succeeding visit, Carnelian began to notice that the men were losing their fear. Seeing the Standing Dead labouring where they themselves would not, they were beginning to feel contempt. For the time being, their disrespect was only in their eyes, but Carnelian knew this could not last and he feared for the effect any mockery would have upon Osidian.

  It was Loskai who started it. He had returned from the hunt with other men, among whom Carnelian could see Ravan busying himself checking the knots on the tow-lines. Krow was gazing at Osidian. The hunters were filthy from days out on the plain. Fierce pride shone from their faces as they delivered the immense horned corpse to the women.

  Loskai moved towards Osidian, pointing. There he is. There's the white bastard who murdered my brother.'

  He turned to survey the faces of his companions. 'Neither looks so impressive now.'

  He swung round and regarded Osidian and Carnelian, his lip riding up his teeth.

  Carnelian bore the goading, his attention on Osidian, watching him, nervous of his reaction.

  The women were gathering round. Mother Mossie appeared among them her hands half-raised, her face hesitant.

  'Please stop this,' she said.

  Suddenly Loskai shoved Carnelian, causing a hot surge of anger.

  'You're not so scary now are you, Master?'

  Before he had time to react, Carnelian felt someone at his side. 'You touch him again and you'll have me to deal with.'

  Loskai stepped back, regarding Fern with an expression of mock fear, and then, spitting in contempt, he advanced on Osidian, taunting him in Vulgate.

  'Loskai, where's your father?' said Mossie.

  Osidian lifted his head and looked at Fern, then Carnelian, as if Loskai were not there. Carnelian felt the green eyes in the red-painted face were asking him a question. Enraged at being ignored, Loskai threw a punch into Osidian's ribs. Osidian hardly flinched, his gaze
remaining fixed on Carnelian.

  'Why's he not defending himself?' muttered Fern.

  When Krow stepped forward, protesting, Loskai turned on him. 'Stay out of this, Twostone.'

  Leering, Loskai threw a harder punch into Osidian that forced a groan out through his clenched teeth. Carnelian relived the slavers' tormenting of Osidian. In a blind fury, he fell on Loskai, punching him, hurling him to the ground. A pair of hands pulled him off. Still enraged, Carnelian fought loose of their grip and felt his elbow connect with bone.

  'Carnie, it's me ...' he heard. He saw it was Fern. With something like surprise, he gazed down at Loskai lying on the stained earth, his face bloody, his eyes unfocused with shock. The Plainsman rolled over, pushed himself up, facing Carnelian. He spat bloody teeth onto the ground.

  'You've only yourself to blame, Loskai,' said Fern.

  Mossie and the other women had their hands over their mouths.

  'You at least are here at an Elder's command, but these two...' Loskai indicated the Standing Dead with his chin. 'Why are they here if it isn't because they fear to be men? Are they scared to leave the safety of our ditches?'

  'What is the savage raving about?' Osidian asked, casually, in Quya. Carnelian translated Loskai's words.

  As Osidian's gaze fell on Loskai, it caused the Plainsman to go pale. 'You should be careful what you ask for, barbarian. If it's really what you want, I'll come with you, tomorrow.'

  Loskai tried a laugh. Tomorrow ... ? Everyone knows tomorrow our hunt rests.'

  Osidian gave Loskai a look of contempt that stung him into saying: Tomorrow it is then. I'll persuade my father.'

  He turned and swaggered back to join his fellows, among whom Carnelian saw Ravan, a turmoil of emotion on his face.

  'I'll be reporting this. I'll tell the Elders all about it,' said Mossie.

  Carnelian felt a hand on his shoulder and turned to see Fern looking horrified.

  The Master doesn't know what he's doing.'

  'He knows exactly what he's doing.'

  'Loskai didn't do this by himself. Why do you imagine his father's chosen not to be here? He sent his son to bait you.'