The elder du-toath, the same who had performed the longest night ceremony with my grandmother, said a prayer. The Biski people repeated the words, and a low keening lament picked up. They wept for my grandmother, pounding the earth and throwing dirt into the air. I kept my gaze down. I will not cry. She wanted me to be strong. I felt Elenna watching me, and for a moment our eyes met. We shared a sad smile. Then the du-toath finished his prayer. I brushed my grandmother’s cold hand. Her skin was soft as old leather. She looked small and fragile lying among her last worldly possessions. Will you visit me in my visions as my mother does? I hope you do; I would be happy to see your face again. Together Elenna and I pushed the raft out onto the lake.
Elenna and I waded back to the shore. My gown clung to my legs, and I struggled out of the water. I stumbled and nearly fell. A hand shot out to catch me before I could smash in the mud upon the shore. I looked up to see Johai smirking at me. I wanted to remove myself from his grasp, but I had to keep up the pretense. I fell into his arms and let him slide his hands down my back. I heard his heart beating, a steady rhythm that was both foreign and comforting. I turned back around as an archer loosed a fiery arrow, which landed upon the raft. It crackled and smoked but did not catch. A second arrow was shot; it missed the raft and guttered out in the lake. A hidden current was starting to pull her away, back into the Mother’s arms. A third arrow was loosed, and this struck and lit. A small flame erupted. It caught upon the bundles of sticks and moss tucked around her body before the entire thing went up in flame. Bright orange light reflected upon the crystalline surface of Mother Lake as my grandmother’s body was taken along to the Mother. I said my own prayer as I watched her body burn. You return to the Mother from whence you came. May your journey lead you back to the first from where our gifts flow.
We broke camp the next day. Those from the Neaux delegation who were coming with the Stone Camp appeared at dawn. They were draped in crimson and gold, carrying the royal banner of Neaux overhead. It flickered in the breeze; the golden horse upon a crimson field danced idly in the winter winds. I saw many familiar faces among them, Beau included. We’d had little enough time to reconnect since we were parted at the river ford. He had not changed. He sat astride, gripping his reins and watching the milling Stone Clansmen, who were herding goats and rolling up tents. Among the other Neaux was Commander Bellhue. It surprised me to see he would be joining the Stone Clan and not Ambassador Buree as he travelled back to Neaux.
We were on our way before the sun was beginning to reflect upon Mother Lake’s surface. I was given a mount to ride. Unlike Thero’s smaller clan, the Stone Clan had many horses, but only those of high importance were given such a privilege as to ride astride. I was flattered but suspected it was Johai’s doing. I avoided him the best I could without seeming to be obvious. I had slept in Johai’s tent every night since my grandmother’s death, and he had been nothing but a gentleman. I remained ever vigilant, regardless. My few possessions were gathered and put upon one of the Stone Clan’s many ox carts. Elenna and I had gone back to my grandmother’s tent and gathered her herbs and the stone basin she had used to scry with. Elenna took many of the herbs and a few other items that I could only guess at their purpose. Everything else, we gave to the du-toath to do with as they wished.
The going was slow, and I found I had much time on my hands as we plodded along the trail. Elenna and Beau were often beside me, the latter never far away. I managed to learn their story of the river ford as we rode.
“I summoned the rapids,” Elenna confessed. “I did not realize you had gotten so close to the shore. I thought to wash away the bandits, but the power of the river was greater than I thought. I’ve never summoned a power that wild, and I lost control. Before I could stop it, you were washed away. Commander Bellhue thought you were dead. I insisted we search for you; we spent two days looking before Ambassador Buree ordered we break camp and head east to find a safer crossing. I knew we would find you at Mother Lake, so Beau and I decided to stay with the ambassador’s delegation. You were more likely to find us in a group,” Elenna explained. Her confidence was to be admired. I was not sure I would survive for a moment there. I wondered who it was that had pulled me from the river. It was a mystery that I had yet to solve.
We rode towards the back of the caravan and spoke in Danhadine. The Biski who walked and rode near us did not seem to know my maiden tongue. I glanced around to make sure Johai was nowhere near. I kept my voice low just in case. “I have been sleeping in Johai’s tent, but I fear he will not be satisfied with sleeping for much longer.”
Beau’s grip tightened on his reins, but other than that he made no other indication that he listened to our conversation. Elenna swayed in the saddle and looked up the column, where Johai rode beside Aland and a few of his chosen men. Johai was never far from the would-be king. They met most evenings in the clan leader’s tent and spent the days speaking in low tones together. What are they plotting? I wondered.
Elenna’s reply was unexpected. “The specter desires you, that much is plain. Perhaps it would not hurt to give him what he wants?”
I flushed from embarrassment and looked at the pommel of my saddle. My thoughts had taken similar paths on more than one occasion. I desire him, and that is the problem. He is a monster wearing the face of the man I love. If I give myself to him, will that be enough to convince him I am true? The very thought turned my stomach in knots.
“I do not think that would be wise,” Beau said. It was the first thing he had said in hours.
Elenna turned her attention to Beau. “Why do you feel that way?”
Beau did not deign to answer her question. I pondered what he’d said. Would I fall deeper into his spell if I gave my body to him? The du-toath women believed that they drew power from the coupling of man and woman. Could it be that my power would increase? This was not the first time I had thought such dangerous thoughts, but now it was harder to escape because come nightfall, I would join Johai in his tent. His bedroll smelled liked him, and I felt every inch between us, and it was never enough. Often enough he went out at night. He seemed to sleep little and eat less, but the promise was there.
Camp was set that night, and I lingered at Elenna’s campfire as long as I dared. My eyes were growing heavy, and my head sagged. Johai would not come for me. However, I knew he expected me to return to him at night. I roused myself enough to trudge back to his tent. I waved off Beau’s offer to escort me. I was safe within the Stone Clan camp. Aland’s people were kind to me, though they kept their distance. I often found children fleeing when I came near. More often the people would smile before scurrying away. I am isolated in a crowd, I thought to myself.
When I approached Johai’s tent, it was lit from within. I saw his form silhouetted against the tent canvas. I paused outside his door, thinking of my conversation with Elenna. I am strong. I will not let his spell capture me. I pushed back the flap and entered the tent. He was seated at the table he used. Maps were strewn about, held down by smooth river rocks. His hair was tied back in a tail at the base of his neck. A few white tendrils had escaped and brushed against his brow. His fingers were ink stained and there was a smudge of ink on his cheek. He looks just like him; he even works like him. He must have heard me enter because he looked up.
“You’ve returned to me.” His lips turned up at the corners. It was a mockery; whether he suspected me false or thought me under his spell, he had to know I would not be able to stay away.
I did not reply and lay down upon the sleeping mat, my back to him. I was curious about the maps upon his desk but did not want to appear so, in case it awakened his suspicions. The paper shuffled and snapped as he rolled his maps and set aside his tomes. His footsteps fell lightly upon the carpet that acted as floor in the tent. He kneeled down beside my bedroll, and I flinched involuntarily.
“You continue to fear me. I promised you I would not hurt you, Maea.” When he spoke my name, it was like a caress. He did not presume to touch
me. He would never touch me within the confines of the tent. It was the only place I was safe from his seduction, it seemed. He is too proud to take me by force. He would have me willing or not at all. It was a small comfort considering I continued to flirt with the idea of letting him into my sleeping roll some night.
“You must miss your bedroll. Perhaps I should stay with Elenna now that she has joined us. It would be more proper,” I said to change the subject.
“I think not,” he said. His voice was hushed. Outside the camp was growing quiet as the others went to sleep. I heard the distant call of night patrols as they passed one another along the perimeter, and the song of crickets. “I need little sleep, despite this mortal form. Besides it soothes him to know you are near.”
I clenched my hands in my blanket. He is playing with my emotions. He thinks to use the real Johai to lure me. I could have laughed if I was not terrified. We are both working to the same end. He wants me to trust him, and I want him to trust me.
Instead I said, “I thought Johai and you were one and the same.”
“Yes and no. His soul lives within me, as I once lived within him. We are one and the same, two souls bound together by fate.” He paused and looked towards the door. I rolled over to regard him better; it seemed he was battling with some unspoken emotions. His eyes darted back and forth but focused on nothing in particular. For a moment, I thought his eyes flashed blue, but it may have been a trick of the candlelight. He shook his head and continued. “As I told you before, I feel as he feels. I know his thoughts, his desires...”
His last word hung on the air, and I brought the blankets closer to me and rolled over once more. “Good night,” I said, and once more sleep did not come for me for quite some time.
Days bled one into the other. We rode during the day and made camp at night. The Biski were cheerful as they rode, singing as we traveled. The children herded goats, sheep, and chickens. The women gathered edible plants as we journeyed, and the men ranged out farther, hunting to keep our supplies well stocked. It was a wonder that we did not strip the land bare. How Aland kept such a roving group fed was a mystery to me.
I spent my days with Beau and Elenna, speaking of everything and nothing at all. At times Elenna would lapse into silence. Once I saw her watching a mother and child riding in the back of an ox cart. The mother nursed the child, who could not be more than a few weeks old. She had a strange wistful look upon her face. When I questioned her, she laughed it off.
The mother and child made me think of Sabine. She would be nearing her lie-in soon. By spring the child of two crowns would be born and with it the prophecy’s final days. I felt time slipping by like water through my fingers. At night, I slept little and was troubled by dreams of fractured images of blood and war. One night I dreamed of a woman with golden hair giving birth. Her labor was long and painful, and there was blood, so much blood. The child she bore wore the mask of the specter, and I woke up panting after seeing it. I did not dream of my mother or my grandmother, but I felt I was headed in the right direction. Despite my sleepless nights, I was gaining Johai’s trust little by little. It started inconsequentially enough; we talked about our days. I brought him food and urged him to eat. We talked little of the past and less of where we were headed. He showed me our place upon his maps once. We were south of the river ford by a few hundred leagues, near to Blackthorn, Duke Wodell’s holdfast. After weeks of this routine, I was finally summoned to Aland’s council.
We had camped along the river, between two forks. It was swollen from rain; the rapids were white peaks rushing past on each end. The camp had been set upon the riverbank, and the Biski set up paddocks for the flocks. Tents were spread out, and women ventured along the river, collecting reeds, and boys fished with nets and sharp spears. Johai told me when I woke that Aland had summoned me to his council. I had been hoping for this moment since I had joined the Stone Clan but feared it as well. What if they see through my deception?
Johai provided me a blue gown in the Biski style. It was a straight silhouette with billowing sleeves and embroidered hems. Along the hems were white stallions rearing, chasing each other back and forth. Elenna came and helped with my hair. We braided my forelocks and twisted in a few amber-colored beads, which contrasted against my hair.
Johai came for me when the council began. He looked me up and down, and for once I did not feel repelled by his gaze. “Come. Aland awaits,” he said. He offered me his bended arm, and I took it.
I had grown accustomed to the fearful way in which the Stone Clansmen ran from me. Now with Johai beside me, they seemed too terrified to even run. A group of men who were carrying a stag stopped and nearly dropped their load as we passed. One of them made a gesture of warning with his fingers. We must seem strange indeed to them, me with my violet eyes, pale skin and dark hair, and Johai with his pale hair and dark eyes.
Aland’s tent was as I remembered from my visions. It was larger in person and seemed to dwarf all other tents near it. I examined the animals painted upon the canvas and was struck by the beauty and detail in the simple animal drawings. The tent flap was opened, and within stood the young woman I had seen in my vision. She saw Johai and smiled. When her gaze fell upon me, however, her expression soured.
“My father awaits,” she said. She stepped aside to let us in.
I felt her animosity rolling off her as I passed by. I will need to be careful of her, I think.
Aland was seated within. Unlike Johai, he sat upon cushions on the ground in front of a short table. Flanking his left and right were two older men with full beards. One had an arrowhead tied in his beard, and the other an orange feather and several beads in his hair. Johai took a seat upon the cushions across from the other two men.
“Welcome, Dreau, Johai.” Aland inclined his head to each of us in turn. “I would like to introduce you to our brother from the Eagle Clan.” He pointed to the man with the orange feathers tied in his hair. “And our brother from the Arrowhead Clan.” He pointed to the man with the arrowhead in his beard.
I bowed my head and greeted them in the Biski tongue as I had learned in Thero’s camp. It was near the extent of what I had learned of the language. I was no master of tongues, unlike Johai, who seemed to have a knack for it. The Eagle Clan leader seemed surprised by my address. The Arrowhead Clan leader looked at me with a shrewd gaze.
“Now that we are all here, we may begin.”
I noticed there was no one representing the Neaux. A creeping feeling stole over me.
“We have come to a place of decision,” Aland began. “Before us lie many paths. We head north, but our scouts have given us little information about the enemies. The Red Queen would have us swing up north and strike at the heart of Danhad. It would be a long march with many enemies to fight before we could meet our real foe. I want you, Dreau, to guide us in our path.”
My mouth felt dry. They want me to tell them how best to attack Danhad. Can I lead them to murder my people? Johai was watching me, and I realized this was a test. He wants to see where my loyalties lie.
“I will look into the waters, if that is what you wish,” I said.
Aland tugged at his forked beard. “Yes. This would be the best path, I think. A wise leader considers all possibilities. We shall give you time to read the waters and then report to us with your answer.”
It was an obvious dismissal. I thanked him again, my tongue and my head thick. I had not considered this outcome when I had thought to join Johai. I only wanted to lure him to the Sea Chamber. I did not want to be the cause of more death. What can I tell them that will not make me suspect? If I lie, Johai will know.
Johai escorted me back to the tent. Before I went within, he touched my shoulder. “I have prepared everything for you. You will not be disturbed as you look within the waters.”
I swallowed past a lump in my throat. “Good, I will need to concentrate to find the correct path.”
He nodded and left me. I watched him stroll away before slippi
ng inside the tent. Within, the basin had been prepared. It lay in the center of the tent, a pillow beside it for me to lean upon. I thought of my grandmother leaning over the basin, peering into the water’s mysteries. I wished she was with me to give me guidance. What should I do? The light was dim within the tent, but already I could see images flickering upon the water’s surface. It called to me, begging me to look within. I kneeled down beside it and placed my hands on the smooth edges of the basin. I leaned in and let the vision embrace me.
It was night. A woman heavily cloaked rode on a shaggy pony. The animal seemed nearly limp and lame. Then out of the shadows of the forest, two men emerged. They were sitting astride sleek warhorses and the one man to the right had a full black beard and black hair, which was pulled back to the nape of his neck.
The black-haired man challenged the woman. “Who are you, and what are you doing here?”
“Please help me,” she cried before falling off her horse into a heap upon the ground.
The man stepped forward, and when he crouched over her, I recognized him. It was Duke Wodell. He was thinner and with fewer lines about his eyes and face. His hair was jet black without a hint of gray. This was long ago.
“Call the magiker. This woman needs help.” He scooped her up into his arms. Her hood fell back, revealing a curtain of midnight black hair. Her skin was pale as moonlight. The duke looked down upon her unconscious expression. She was haggard, dark circles ringed her eyes, and her cheeks seemed sunken. He eased her into the saddle of his horse and rode off as quickly as he could with the unconscious woman in his arms.
The vision blurred and changed. The woman sat in a bed. Her cheeks had filled, and the circles had disappeared. She was beautiful with her milk-pale skin, dark hair and bright violet eyes. I knew those eyes, but I was afraid to admit the truth. She held a book loosely in her hand. Someone knocked upon her chamber door.
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