by Dana Davis
Taniras chuckled despite her uncomfortable situation and took in a long breath. Her natural strength was returning now.
“Are you all right to continue?” Snowy put his hand on her arm.
She relished his touch but this wasn’t the place to show how she really wanted to respond. “Yes. I’m not injured.”
Snowy studied her a heartbeat and nodded. “Then we can figure this out later. Right now, we had better get to the mountains. It’ll take most of the night to get across to the other side. That’s where Wil’keive said we’d find the marked tree.”
Camlys adjusted her pack and quiver. Taniras turned on her. “Will you stop fidgeting? I’m nervous enough.”
At least Camlys had the sense to look abashed.
Taniras still didn’t understand what had happened or how she had accomplished such a task with Fetter’s mutt, but she kept her thoughts private and followed Snowy toward Faint Mountains.
* * * *
Fetter’s was the last cottage and they had left it behind a while ago, so Snowy flamed the lantern with his sparker. The mountains were small but rocky and slipping was always a danger, especially in the dark. They began the climb with light from the waning moon and Snowy’s lantern as their only comforts.
As the night wore on, Taniras’s strength returned in full. However, Camlys looked as though she struggled. Taniras would keep an eye on her. It was a healer’s work to keep those around her in good health, whether they agreed or not. Snowy and Greges pulled the women up yet another rocky slope and then helped Birek. The younger man had managed to avoid tripping, unlike the others in the group. Taniras and Camlys had fallen over their dresses more than a few times, until they decided staying on their feet outweighed any embarrassment and tucked the length of their skirts up to reveal their underbreeches. At least now Taniras could see her boots. Actually, she worried more about the wolves she had heard than the men witnessing her in underclothes.
After a while, Snowy announced they were almost to the top of the mountain. Only one more slope. This path leading to the lowest ridge on the mountain was rocky but the packed dirt made it less slippery than the others, and soon all five stood atop the mountain, staring out into the shadowy forest below. Taniras rubbed at her cramping thighs while Camlys and the others nursed their legs in a similar manner. They took a short break for water.
“Now we go down.” Snowy led them across the small plateau. “It looks less steep. What I can see anyway.”
“Bloody better be,” Camlys said. “My legs are ready to scream. If they had mouths, that is.”
Greges chuckled.
Taniras concentrated on the shadowy terrain. The earth vibrated again and she instinctively pulled at the vibration until awareness filled her from her boots to her head, not as strong as before but she knew where everything was located. She could sense her friends, or rather, feel heat from them. The way down was sloped but not as sharply as the climb up. “Don’t worry. This side is less steep.”
Snowy turned on her. “And just how do you know?”
He crossed his arms and Taniras held her breath. His stature meant only one thing. Snowy felt challenged. Since he was the eldest, three years older than Taniras, it was his right to lead their group, which meant he decided the best route and announced what the terrain was like. Taniras studied herbs, not hunting, so she was in no position to offer information about their route. Why had she done that without his permission? And so brazenly? But she saw, or rather sensed, the terrain. Somehow.
Her gaze found his and she shrugged. “I can’t explain it, Snowy. But I know. I can feel it somehow.”
“And just what can you feel, Taniras Ei’sele?” His voice grew dangerous. “If you’re ill and have lied to me—”
She refused to flinch. Weakness would undermine her advice, so she planted her fists on her hips. “I already told you I don’t know how I know. I just know.” She grunted. Blazes, everyone was irritating tonight! “Now, unless you plan on standing here berating me for telling you the truth, Devin Nee’cher, we really should get off this bloody mountain.” Had she actually used his birth name? Only the Elders called him Devin.
Camlys sucked in a breath and Birek and Greges stepped closer to her. Taniras held Snowy’s gaze behind the lantern he held up but her heart pounded against her ribs. Why did she challenge the man like this? He had never backed down before, at least, not that Taniras had ever seen, and she waited for him to berate her.
Snowy lowered the lantern. “All right. Something happened back there at Fetter’s place I can’t explain. But I saw it. I wouldn’t have believed otherwise.” He leaned toward her and she dropped her arms to her side. “But I wouldn’t suggest challenging me again, woman.”
“Yes, Snowy. That was stupid of me. I apologize.” The strength drained out of her like a sieve and took the awareness with it.
“Good. Now, let’s get off this bloody mountain.”
Taniras followed in stunned silence but had a smile on her lips the entire way down. She, Taniras Ei’sele, had challenged Snowy and won! Now, if getting a marriage proposal from him was only that easy. Once at the bottom, Snowy found the Hunters’ mark with little trouble. Wil’keive’s directions had been faultless, and Snowy never forgot a direction, written or spoken, much the way Taniras remembered names and other details. A wolf howled in the distance but her attention was on a darkened area against the mountain. Something was different about it. An opening perhaps? It tugged at her, beckoned her to inspect it. She needed to get closer and started for the shadows.
“Where are you going?” Snowy’s hand latched onto her arm.
“There’s something here. I can feel it. I think we’re supposed to go this way.”
“Wil’keive didn’t say anything about going that direction, Taniras.”
“I know. But something’s there, Snowy.” The pull was so strong that it almost hurt not to move in that direction.
“Snowy?” Camlys said.
“What?”
“I think maybe we should go Taniras’s way.” Her voice had no challenge in it. “We’ve had too many strange things happening tonight to ignore this. It could be important.”
Greges stepped forward. His stance suggested thoughtfulness, not challenge, and no playfulness colored his voice now. “I think she’s right. Would it hurt to take a look?” At least some in her group thought her sane.
Birek nodded but didn’t say anything.
Snowy seemed to contemplate their advice and Taniras held her breath. “All right. But I go first. Taniras, you tell me where you feel this—whatever it is.”
“This way.” Relieved, she led them to an opening in the mountain and pointed a finger. “In there.”
Snowy held the lantern close and looked in. “I don’t see anything. And I would barely make it through that hole.”
He pulled back and started to walk away when Taniras placed a hand on his arm. “Please, Snowy.” Her voice wavered as she fought tears. “We have to see what’s pulling at me.”
He shook his head. “We can come back in the morning, when there’s light. There could be bears or any number of animals in there. Right now, let’s get to the Hunters.”
Taniras nodded. What else could she do? She hadn’t thought about animals. And some bloody cave certainly could wait until morning, couldn’t it? She followed Snowy and the others away from the pull.
When they reached a bend that led to a thick area covered with trees, Hunter forest, she felt uncomfortable, a slight nagging in her gut, but she obediently followed Snowy several more paces until pain ripped through her gut, causing her to double over. She stumbled back toward the pull and the pain receded. Sweat trickled down her temples and Snowy steadied her.
“Blazes.” She tried to keep her voice steady. Another step forward caused the same results. This attempt left her breathless and nearly sobbing and she quickly moved back. Once she had her wits again, she said, “I can’t leave.”
“You’re ill, Taniras.
I warned you not to lie to me.“
“It’s not an illness, Snowy.” Somehow she knew, despite the dull ache in her stomach. Her middle felt tender as though someone had punched her and left her bruised. At least the excruciating pain had gone. “I don’t know what this is, except I’ve got to go back.”
Snowy let out a long string of curses but finally agreed. They made their way back and Taniras stopped them when she felt the strongest pull, near the dark entrance. She quivered and wanted to bolt inside. Snowy insisted he and Birek check out the place first. The younger man had his bow strung.
“Please don’t take too long.” Camlys wrapped an arm around Taniras’s shoulders.
The men were quick and announced the place was empty. Soon all five entered the cavern hole. Taniras quickened her steps and led her friends toward the back and around a bend until they came to a small alcove. A torch, which looked as though it had been neglected for quite a long while, protruded from the wall and Snowy flamed it with his lantern. Instinct pushed her to place her hands on the wall, where she felt a warm vibration, and she began scraping dirt away.
The others assisted without a word and soon Taniras found what she searched for. Beneath the dirt was a gilded circle with the carving of a hand in the center. Without thinking, she pushed her right hand in the carving. The odd warmth filled her and she was suddenly aware of everything around her. But it was brief, only to be sucked out through her hand. The carving gave way. A few hand spans away, an indention appeared and a portion of the wall quivered and swirled to reveal an opening. A brilliant tunnel beckoned.
Taniras crossed through before Camlys or anyone could stop her.
Chapter 21
What had that blasted woman gone and done now? Snowy grunted and cursed as he ran to catch up to Taniras. He looked behind but couldn’t see the way they had entered. Wherever in blazes they were! There didn’t seem to be anything here but a dull tunnel. It wasn’t dark, exactly, just drab, as though all color had been washed away. Taniras had said something about lights but Snowy saw nothing of the kind. He pushed past Camlys and grabbed Taniras’s arm, spinning her around to look at him.
“You’ve gotten us trapped!”
Taniras had a sickly grin on her face as she gazed up at him. “We’re not trapped, you foolish man. The way out is there.” One arm pointed. She pulled away from him, turned and gasped. “Grandmother? Is it really you?” She started forward as though she saw something, but Snowy couldn’t make out anything.
He followed, afraid Taniras had gone completely mad. Camlys, Greges and Birek were on his heels. Birek had an odd look on his face but he said nothing, and Snowy didn’t have the chance to inquire.
Camlys ran past him. “There’s no one there. Taniras, please look at me.”
Taniras reached out to nothing then pulled back with tears in her eyes. “Where did she go, Camlys? She was just here. I saw her.”
“I didn’t see anyone. Please, if you know a way out—”
“But she was here.”
Camlys drew her arm back and gave the woman a slap across the face that sent her to the ground. Though she was younger than Taniras, she was justified. Taniras rubbed her cheek, her only reaction, as she struggled to her feet. Something about this place felt wrong. The way it taunted the woman, fooled her with visions, made Snowy angry and he took her by both arms. He wanted to protect her, coddle her, but that wasn’t what she needed just now.
“Listen to me, Taniras Ei’sele. If you know how to get us out of this place, you’d better do it. Now! Do you understand me?”
That seemed to shake the woman and she nodded. “Yes. I can feel it. That way. Oh, Snowy. This place is—I want to stay here.”
“I certainly won’t let that happen, even if I have to throw you over my shoulder and carry you out like a disobedient child.”
“Birek?” Camlys sounded concerned.
Snowy turned to see the man had an expression of rapture on his face. He had stopped a few paces back. “Not you too. Greges.”
“I’ll get him.” Greges trotted back. After a brief scuffle, Greges got the upper hand and pushed Birek along.
Snowy wanted to get out of this bloody place before they all went mad. He kept one hand on Taniras’s arm and forced her to lead the way. A couple of times she stopped and he yanked on her arm to get her moving again. Soon they stumbled into a thick, cool fog. Snowy, Greges and Camlys remained on their feet but Taniras and Birek were not so fortunate.
Snowy helped Taniras up. “You two all right?” His words were nearly swallowed up as soon as he spoke. Like talking into a thick blanket.
“What happened?” Camlys’s voice sounded muffled too.
Birek stood, adjusted his quiver and retrieved his bow from the misty floor. “I have no idea. Interesting, though.”
“Now what?” Snowy said. “I can’t see a bloody thing.”
Which wasn’t exactly true. He could see his friends quite clearly but nothing else found his eyes except fog. Eerie, considering they had to be somewhere in the belly of the mountain. He turned to the others, who shook their heads, and focused on Taniras. Even with her hair matted slightly and her clothes dirty from the strain of this trip, she was pretty.
Snowy had always thought her nice to look at, and he enjoyed dancing close to her at harvest celebrations. She seemed to be the only one not afraid to stand up to him. He admired her courage and many times had forced himself not to grab her into a hug. Most young people cowered from him, afraid to cross him, all except Taniras.
She would be an excellent healer someday from the way Healer Mag prattled on about her when she was out of earshot. Perhaps she might even make a fine wife, one Snowy could rely on to point out his faults. He had thought of asking her to become his other half but refused to interfere with her healer studies. Perhaps he should’ve approached her before now, taken her in his arms and kissed her. His breeches grew tight and he pushed that thought away for now.
“This way.” Taniras stood a bit straighter and tugged at her skirt. She no longer wore it tucked up and Snowy found he was disappointed not to see her underbreeches any longer. “I apologize for my behavior back there, Snowy. That tunnel—all I wanted to do was stay.” Her eyes turned on Camlys then back to Snowy. “Thank you for convincing me to leave. Both of you.” A slight smile danced on her mouth.
“Lead the way then,” Snowy said in the best commanding voice he could muster, when he really wanted to kiss the woman, something inappropriate for his leadership role just now.
Greges chuckled but stoic Birek hardly seemed to notice, which was completely untrue. The youngest man never missed much, though he had been quieter than usual and just as distracted as Taniras ever since they had entered this place.
They followed Taniras blindly through the fog, wandering this way and that, until the woman stopped.
“What’s wrong?” Camlys looked worried.
Snowy held a hand up to silence her as he stepped close to Taniras. “Are we lost?”
“I’m not certain.” She looked up at him, her black eyes moist. “I can feel the exit but can’t seem to locate it.” She looked frightened, something that jumbled Snowy’s emotions. He’d never seen Taniras truly afraid about anything before tonight.
He placed a firm hand on her shoulder. “If you can feel a way out then we can surely find it.”
She nodded, pushed her long, black hair behind her head, and closed her eyes. She stood that way for several heartbeats. When her eyes opened, she said nothing but began to walk, so they followed in silence.
After a long while, she stopped again and closed her eyes. “This way.” She turned toward her left.
Snowy’s impatience bubbled to the surface and he pushed it down. He truly hoped the woman knew where she was going. At least she didn’t balk about moving on now, nor did she see apparitions. And Birek seemed content to follow.
Taniras stopped on three more occasions before she pointed out a doorway of sorts, just ahead through
a clearing in the fog. Snowy could see shadowy images of trees in the moonlight. Bloody beautiful sight! At last, they would be free of this wretched place. He insisted on going through first, ignoring Taniras’s objections, and stepped onto the grassy area just the other side of the opening.
Don’t move. Don’t fight. He stood very still with arms at his sides. He had no desire to run or fight. Something wrapped around his eyes and mouth but he didn’t mind. Hands placed him on his side in the grass and his wrists and ankles were bound. Hands lifted him onto a wagon, where he rode for a distance. None of this bothered him, though, and he was content to lie on his side, bumping every which way on the hard wood of the wagon bed. There might be bruises. That didn’t matter. Stay calm. Don’t fight.
Hands lifted him again and he could smell logs burning. He stood this time as he was bound to a pole. It was cold against his chest. Where was his tunic? No matter. Stay very still. Fire ripped through his back, cutting into his skin, and he cried out despite the cloth tied around his mouth. Sharp, hot pain struck his back again and he stood there, screaming as best he could, while not wanting to move away. Why didn’t he want to get away from the fire? He should run. Don’t struggle.
He had no idea how long the assault lasted, but the agonizing cuts finally stopped and the desire to remain still suddenly left him. Instead of running, he sank into the pole and sucked in quick breaths against pain and queasiness. What in blazes had happened? Why was he in so much pain? His back burned. Someone removed the coverings from his face, and he groaned as light from several fires hurt his eyes. Soon he was able to focus and saw several men and women standing around him.
The women wore bright, colorful clothing, some in dresses, some in breeches, and the men in browns and greens. Cottages surrounded the area, along with several burning fire pits. He turned his head and another wave of nausea struck him but he held his stomach. Two other poles stood nearby. One had a moaning Greges tied to it. The man’s tunic was gone and five bloody stripes crisscrossed his back. Camlys clung to the third with her bodice pulled to her waist. Five stripes bloodied her back as well and she looked half-conscious. A dark man with gold trim on his tunic and a gilded wreath crowning his head stood nearby. A large man dressed in brown stood next to him with a whip in his hand. Sudden rage filled Snowy at the realization of what had happened and he struggled against the bonds that held him to the pole.
