"You are tired, heart of the land. You must go now, but I thank you. I send you away with a gift. Live well, heart of the land. Live well."
In the next moment, Catrin was back in her body and the bark was biting into her flesh. She pulled away and steadied herself; her legs wobbled and shook. "I don't know your name. Please, tell me your name," she said, and in the back of her mind she heard a voice whisper: Shirlafawna.
"Are you well? Catrin! Talk to me!" Chase said.
"I'm fine. I'm just tired," she said, but then she gasped. From behind each tree peeked a dryad in their physical forms, and they greeted Catrin as friends. Shirlafawna had given her a glorious gift indeed. Looking at Shirlafawna's tree, Catrin sensed the energy field recovering even if her eyes still saw disease; her senses showed a return to health; the physical would follow. Somehow, that she knew. Despite her exhilaration, she was truly weary, and she returned to the cavern to rest.
Chapter 8
Without forgetfulness, forgiveness is incomplete.
--Amelia Kudara, maidservant
* * *
"Do you see that?" Brother Vaughn asked as they walked back from the river.
"I see it," Catrin said as a strange shape flew overhead; it was unlike any bird she'd ever seen.
"The winged foxes are found only here. My uncle brought me here when I was a boy, knowing how much I loved anything that flew, and these were his gift to me. A marvel unlike any other, unique to my homeland."
"They're beautiful," Chase said as another fox leaped an impossible distance between two trees, using its winglike membranes to sail through the air. It was then that Catrin recalled what Brother Vaughn had said about needing a ship where foxes roost, and now she understood his meaning.
Nearby, a violet hummingbird floated around some bushes, looking for one last drink before his migration. Catrin watched him with all her vision, mesmerized by his beauty. He seemed to sense her scrutiny and boldly flew in front of her, weaving back and forth before her face. For a moment she was connected to him, and she lent him energy for the long journey. Extending her hand, she offered a perch, and to everyone's surprise, he landed on her finger, chirped, and momentarily stuck out his translucent, strawlike tongue.
After a brief rest, the bird chirped and seemed to wish them farewell before leaping into the air. He turned and flew straight as an arrow, and Catrin could still sense him long after he was lost from sight, the sensation growing fainter as the distance between them grew.
"That was one of the most remarkable things I've ever seen," Brother Vaughn said. "I've coaxed them with sugar water, but never have I seen one land on a person."
"He sensed me watching him, I think," Catrin said. "When he came to look at me, I offered him a place to rest, and then I lent him energy for his journey."
"Truly astounding," Brother Vaughn said.
When they returned to the cavern, Catrin no longer had to wonder who the intended recipient of Brother Vaughn's message was, for Nora, Kenward, and Fasha Trell waited within, already talking with Benjin. Though Catrin had never met Fasha before, there was no question who she was; the family resemblance was remarkable.
"Good. You've returned," Nora said with a nod. "We've no time to waste. There're still soldiers in these parts, and I want no part of fighting on land."
The greetings were made in haste as everyone scrambled to gather the gear. Catrin felt as if a strong wind were sweeping her away as they marched toward the coast. At the bottom of a rocky ridge, two ships waited in a small cove: the Slippery Eel and the Stealthy Shark.
"When I got Brother Vaughn's message, I knew it was time we did something more," Nora said. "Duty calls us to help in the name of the Vestrana. For many lifetimes the Vestrana has been a useful tool--a convenience--but now it must serve its true purpose. We must help the Herald achieve victory over the madness. I don't need a seer to tell me it's so."
"Thank you, Captain Trell. All of you have my thanks," Catrin said.
"Are you joking?" Kenward said. "Do you think I'd miss the greatest adventure of all? Not me."
Nora smacked him on the back of the head. "You'll behave yourself and follow orders, fool boy."
"Yes, Mother," he said, but then he glanced at Fasha and they grinned at each other.
Nora rolled her eyes. "They'll be the death of me yet," she said. "The real question is how to get to the Firstland. We could spend a lifetime wandering the seas and not find it. What do we know?"
"I've never found anything to prove it," Brother Vaughn said, "but I've always believed the Firstland lies to the south. If we could find the Keys of Terhilian, we would have a much better idea. The old texts say in the great carving of the Terhilian Lovers, the man points to the Firstland and the woman to the Greatland."
"I've always thought the Firstland was to the east," Kenward said. "Past the mountain island and the great shallows."
Fasha scoffed and rolled her eyes.
Nora just shook her head. "I was thinking north, beyond the ice seas. Anyone want to offer up west?" she asked, throwing her hands up in frustration, but an idea began to form in Catrin's mind.
"When hummingbirds migrate, do they make stops along the way?" she asked Brother Vaughn, and Kenward cast her a curious glance.
"If I'm correct, they make the journey in a single flight, as hard as that is to believe. Why do you ask?"
"When we first met, you said you thought the violet hummingbirds migrated to the Godfist, but I'm certain they do not. If they do not migrate to the Godfist, then perhaps they travel to the Firstland."
"How can you be certain? You've not been to every part of the Godfist. Maybe they all go to the eastern or southern coasts," Chase said.
"I'm nearly certain. I can still sense the hummingbird that landed on my finger," Catrin said, and now Nora and Fasha gave her astonished looks. "He grows faint as he gets farther away, but he's that way," she said, pointing, her eyes closed.
"East!" Kenward said, and he did a happy dance that clearly disgusted Fasha.
"I'd say southeast," she said, her arms crossed over her chest.
"Maybe a little south," Kenward conceded, but his grin did not fade.
"I've nothing better to go by. South and east it is," Nora said as they reached the shoreline.
* * *
In a wagon loaded with jars of powdered pyre-orchid, Mirta rode through town, trying to avoid the roadways that were still clogged with snow. On the main thoroughfare, the snow was mostly cleared, and she had to guide her mare around only occasional patches of ice. Along the way, she stopped to see Becka, who was now fully recovered. The spread of illness had been staunched, here at least, but Mirta knew many others throughout the Greatland were at risk. Orman wouldn't tell her who had sent the precious flowers, but Mirta had her suspicions. Wilmer and Jidan weren't talking, and Mirta had to admire their ability to keep a secret. She supposed it was a family trait.
What really mattered was that the gift not be wasted. It had taken time to dry and prepare the powder, then months making sure that the sick were truly cured. Now she knew she could wait no more. In the harshness of winter, there would be many in need. For them, Mirta was leaving her home, her loved ones, what seemed her entire life. Suisa could tend to those she left behind; she was a skilled woman with a kindly manner. Still, Mirta's heart ached as she released herself from responsibility to home and opened herself to responsibility to everyone.
With a wave to the crowd that had gathered to see her off, despite the cold, Mirta chirruped and slapped the leather lines across her mare's rump.
* * *
As the seasons passed, a new sort of normality set in, Rolph Tillerman did as he and his ancestors always had: he worked the land. His efforts provided food for his family and for others around him, but lately his labors seemed almost a waste of time, a poor attempt at keeping starvation at bay. Jessub was a growing boy, but he was not ready to take his place as the man of the farm, and Rolph began to question how much longer he wo
uld be able to hold up under the physical strains of his labors. His father had always said that farming was the work of a young man; teaching that young man to farm was the job of his father. Martik. If only he were here to raise Jessub, to teach him all the lessons he would need to survive, then things would be better.
"I'm just too old," Rolph said to himself as the pain in his back escalated from a dull ache to a sharp, stabbing pain. Forced to admit he could no more, Rolph held a hand to his back and walked slowly to the cottage where Collette waited, her hands on her hips.
"Didn' I tell ya no' to work yerself t'death?" she asked. "Better to git a little done each day, I says, an' then a little more the next. That's what I says, an' look at ya. Come on now. Git in here and let me git a look at ya. Foolish old man."
As Rolph settled himself in the most comfortable position he could, he stayed quiet while his wife lovingly massaged his aching muscles and lectured him about being more careful and listening to her. Rolph closed his eyes and let himself relax. At least some things in his world remained the same. That realization gave him hope. Somehow he would find a way to make things right.
A moment later, though, Jessub charged into the cottage, the door slamming behind him, which was something he'd been scolded about far too many times. Covered in mud, cuts, and scrapes, he looked the part of a scamp, especially with the broad grin on his face. "Gramma, Grampa," he said, "look what I caught!" He held up a small, lizardlike animal that still squirmed in his hand.
"I don't care what it is," Collette said, immediately shuffling the boy back outside. "I want it out o' my house, and yer not t'come back in 'til yer stripped and washed. Understood?"
"Yes, Gramma," he said, and though his eyes were cast downward for a moment, in the next he was running back to the mud hole, presumably in search of more salamanders. "That boy'll be the death o' me yet."
Rolph just shook his head and sighed.
* * *
Staring at the endless waves, Catrin wondered if she would ever see land again. Having long since lost contact with the hummingbird, she was no longer so certain of their course, and they had seen nothing for months--no fish, no birds, nothing but deep water.
Kenward stood nearby watching the Stealthy Shark as she slowed and turned. "What is that woman up to this time?" he said, but then came the mirror flashes, and he cursed. "Prepare to board the Shark. She's wounded and we must capture the crew."
Catrin sighed. Nora never stopped. Rather than simply sail, the entire trip was transformed into a training exercise. Each drill brought new challenges, and Catrin was certain this one would as well. The races and some of the maneuvers had been exciting and even fun, but boardings were brutal. Only practice weapons were used, but they left everyone bruised and welted, not to mention exhausted.
"They've beaten us back twice already," Kenward said. "And they've taken us twice. No mistakes. No mercy. If my mother or sister leave an opening, take it, or they will humiliate you. Trust me on this. Leave them welted and bruised at the end of this day, and there'll be more racing than boarding for the next week."
The crew readied themselves, rallied by his words. Catrin felt her heart pounding, and she gathered her will, wanting to avenge Kenward's losses and her own. His eye was still blackened from a punch his own mother had landed. Strom had already "killed" Catrin by sneaking up on her and hitting her across the back with the flat of his sword. Benjin had forced her to submit twice without ever hitting her. Holding her corner of the boarding net, she waited for Kenward's command, ready to fight.
At ramming speed, he sailed without wavering.
* * *
"What's that boilin' maniac doing?" Fasha shouted. "Raise the--"
"Hold!" Nora said. "Not yet. Stand ready to be boarded. Take no prisoners," she added with a pointed glance at Benjin.
"He's gonna sink both of us," Fasha said but remained at her post. The Slippery Eel charged through the waves as Kenward used every trick he knew to get speed. The crew moved without hesitation, despite what were obviously ludicrous orders. "How does he get his crew to go along with his crazy ideas?"
"They believe in him," Nora said. "Fools and dreamers they may be, but somehow they make it work."
"Kenward will come for mother and me," Fasha said. "He'll be seeking revenge. I'm certain of it."
"Chase and Catrin will come for me . . . together I think," Benjin said.
"Do you think our plan is gonna work?" Strom asked.
"They'll never see it coming," Fasha said. Nora remained silent, anxiously watching the Slippery Eel's daring approach. "Stand ready to repel!" she said as the Eel executed a turn that left it coming toward the Shark sideways, driving a wall of water before it. "Brace yourselves!"
Atop the Eel's wake, the Shark heaved and rolled, her decks thrown far from the Eel's.
"Hold!" Kenward's shout carried above the roaring water. As the Shark rolled on the receding wave, it came back closer to the Eel. Sliding down in the water, her decks dropped below the Eel's. "Now!" came Kenward's command.
Howling like animals, his crew attacked. Catrin and Chase moved toward Benjin, who looked up to see if Osbourne and Strom were in place. Taking a deep breath, he bent his knees. Fasha bounced lightly on the balls of her feet, swaying back and forth like a panther waiting to strike. She gave him a nod. The bait was ready, the trap set.
* * *
Catrin gained the Shark's deck before anyone else and ran, growling, at Benjin. His eyes met hers, daring her to take him. Chase caught up to her and charged alongside. Kenward roared like a madman as he charged Fasha and Nora. "Now!" he yelled only an instant before Benjin did the same.
Using all the quickness and agility she possessed, Catrin turned sharply and rolled. Rising up, she used her momentum to hurl her sword at Strom. Chase executed a similar maneuver, though all Catrin saw was a blur of limbs beside her. With a loud crack, Catrin's sword landed across the backs of Strom's hands, making him lose his grip on the net he held. Chase's sword struck Osbourne so violently, he fell from the rigging, cursing. Their net fell harmlessly to the deck, their trap sprung.
Kenward caught Benjin off his guard and smacked him across the chest with the flat of his blade. Fasha went down in a heap under Bryn, who dropped from the rigging. "Dead!" he yelled. Nora watched it all with an air of detachment, but that changed when Catrin slid across the deck into the backs of her knees. Grabbing Chase's sword as she passed it, Catrin rolled herself in position to stab Nora. "Dead!" she shouted.
"Dead!"
"Dead!" came the call across the deck, and nearly two-thirds of the Shark's crew was down.
"Advantage Kenward," Nora said as Catrin helped her rise. Kenward smiled as he helped his sister from the deck.
"Good fight, Sis."
"Good fight."
"You're a madman, Kenward," Nora said, "but somehow you inspire those around you to equal madness. I'd never have expected Catrin to take me down, nor Bryn Fasha, but you gave them heart and courage. I'm proud of you and your crew. Now get your ship away from the Shark before you sink us all."
Fasha made a disgusted sound in her throat and rolled her eyes.
"Aw, now don't be sore because you lost, Sis."
"Next time," she said. "No mercy. No prisoners."
"Next time," he said, grinning. "Thanks, Mom. See you soon!"
"Fool boy."
* * *
Victory greatly improved the mood aboard the Slippery Eel, and Kenward gathered everyone at the prow. "The words my mother said today were neither trivial nor easily earned. Today you made my mother proud of me, and I thank you for that," he said, a catch in his voice and a tear in his eye. "You made me proud, and you gave Fasha and my mother reason to respect and fear you. You're actually starting to frighten me a little."
Laughter helped ease the tension, and Catrin began to see the wisdom of Nora's drills. Rather than letting the crews consider the unlikelihood of finding the Firstland or worry over the shortage of food, she kept them
busy, honing their skills, while developing teamwork and camaraderie.
Everyone turned when, across the water, sounds of celebration came from the Stealthy Shark. "Seafloor ahead!" the lookout called an instant later. "Land ho!"
Still distant on the horizon, a dark smudge rose above the waterline. Like a bastion of hope, it drew them on. Ahead, dark water suddenly changed to azure, and sandy, white bottom came into view. Mirror flashes flew between the ships, and Kenward paced impatiently. "Drop anchor."
"What?" Chase asked. "Why are we stopping?"
"Mother fears the shallows. She says we'll run aground if we enter now. These are tidal waters, and she wants to wait for the full moon."
"That'll be weeks from now," Chase said, dismayed.
"True, but there should be an abundance of sea life along the shelf. We'll fish and eat whatever we can catch. We can't load our holds; that would only put us lower in the water and increase the risk of running aground. We'll have to do that when we reach the other side."
"How far across is it?" Catrin asked.
"I wish I knew; that would make convincing Mother to move on much easier, but not knowing, I can't argue her logic. Waiting for the full moon will give us the greatest chance of survival. If we were to get caught by receding tides, we could get stuck, at the very least, but more likely, we'd be sunk. For now, we wait."
"I bet we can catch more fish than they can," Chase said, grinning. Kenward grinned back and used his mirror to issue the challenge.
"We'll eat good tonight," Chase whispered to Catrin with a wink.
* * *
In the darkness, Prios climbed. With no light to guide him, he could rely only on the senses his power provided. Climbing without sight, that most primal sense, was disorienting and more terrifying than anything he had ever imagined. The only consolation was that he could not perceive the heights from which he perilously hung.
The Dawning of Power Page 62
