by P. C. Cast
Mari felt a jolt of surprise as she studied Dove’s serene expression. The torch on the stern of her boat cast a soft light over the eyeless girl, causing her—for just an instant—to appear as if she were glowing.
Perhaps … Mari thought. Perhaps this Dove can see.
CHAPTER 6
They transferred the waterlogged pup to Rose’s boat, where Fala set to work licking and comforting her. Then the Pack bent to the task of stroking up current.
Mari missed the torches. Antreas had insisted that they extinguish them, saying that they were still too close to the cities and the turmoil they’d left not far enough behind. Mari wanted to overrule him, but she knew he was right. And she couldn’t get the image of the massive God of Death from her mind. She was certain He’d seen her, and if there was any chance whatsoever that He might follow her … Mari’s skin shivered with fear.
Better to travel in darkness for a couple more hours than to draw the attention of Death.
But enough was enough. Mari had wrapped her hands in strips of cloth she’d torn from her already tattered shirt, and still they were broken and bleeding. She had just decided to call out to Antreas and tell him that they must stop—if her hands were raw then others’ would be, too—when from the lead position in the line of boats a torch flared, illuminating a small, brush-covered island directly in front of them. It appeared to erupt from the center of the river. After hours of fighting the current, Mari thought it was the most beautiful piece of land she’d ever seen.
Antreas raised his hand. “Pack! We’re in luck! This is Spirit Island, named thus because it tends to disappear—especially in spring. I was hoping it was late enough in the season for it to be above water. So, I want you to untether yourselves and then, one at a time, stroke fast toward the island and ground yourselves. The person in the bow should get out first and help guide his or her boat in. The river is fairly shallow near the island. See those rocks and logs and such?” Antreas pointed at the island’s gentle, sandy bank, which was peppered with rocks and river debris. “That’s what you’ll tie up with. Okay, watch me and then, one at a time, follow me in. You shouldn’t have any problems. The current is mild here.”
One by one, the weary Pack grounded their boats, with a little accidental dunking taking place, but no one being swept away.
Mari and Nik’s boat was last, and it was with enormous relief that Mari clambered from the little watercraft to the sandy island. She wanted to curl up between Rigel and Laru and collapse into much-needed sleep. Instead she dragged herself to her feet, and while Rigel and Laru rolled in the sand, she looked around for Antreas. But before she could find him, or call out for him, there was a flurry of activity a little way down the shore as Fala rushed up to Jaxom, jumping up on him and barking with excitement.
“This should be good. Fala’s thanking Jaxom,” Nik said, taking Mari’s hand as they approached the bemused-looking young man.
“Hey, hi, Fala. Good to see you, too.”
“She’s saying thank you,” Rose said, hurrying up to them. She was carrying the little girl pup Jaxom had saved wrapped close to her skin, in a makeshift carrier a lot like the more permanent one Sora had rigged to carry her Chloe.
“Oh!” Jaxom squatted down closer to Fala’s level. “You are welcome, little mother.”
The Terrier articulated a long series of barks and whines and excited huffs, ending by jumping up on Jaxom and covering his face in loving licks. All the while Fortina was trotting around them, barking and wagging joyfully, as if to say, Look at my wonderful, brave Companion!
Laughing and wiping dog kisses from his face, Jaxom stood, only to have Rose hurl herself into his arms.
“Thank you so much. Fala, this little pup, and I owe you a life debt.” And she kissed him gently on each cheek.
Jaxom’s face blazed with color. “You don’t owe me anything! I’m happy I was there and was able to catch her. Now that I have a Companion of my own, I am beginning to understand just how important these canines are to us. I know any other Companion would have tried to save Fortina, so it’s the least I could do.”
“You are right.” Sora stepped up to Jaxom. “It does take being Chosen by a canine to understand the love and the bond that makes them such an important part of our lives, but that doesn’t make what you did any less heroic. Thank you Jaxom.”
Mari watched Jaxom’s eyes fill with emotion, and understood it was the first time since Leda’s death that Sora had spoken with empathy to him. She hoped it was a beginning for the young Clansman to find true forgiveness for himself.
The Lynx man moved as soundlessly as his big feline, and he seemed to materialize from the center of the island.
“Good job saving the pup,” Antreas said as he joined them. “But you took a major risk. You and the pup could have drowned. Rose, let’s be sure those babies are strapped in better tomorrow.”
“I already have an idea for that. I’ll work on weaving it tonight,” she said.
“Is all the Pack on land?” Mari asked.
“Yes, I’ve counted everyone. No one was lost. So far—so good.”
“It would do wonders for morale if we could light a fire, but only if you think we’ll be safe,” Mari said.
“I agree. That’s why I was so relieved to see Spirit Island above water. We’ve been traveling steadily for almost five hours. It’ll be dawn in another five. Let’s build a fire on the beach, set lookouts, and rest until dawn.”
Mari felt giddy with relief. “That sounds wonderful! Pack!” she shouted down the beach so everyone would hear. “Gather firewood! Light a blaze! We rest for the night here.”
The shout that sounded from her Pack had Mari grinning.
“That’s great news,” Nik said. “I’ll help unload the supplies we need for tonight. I’m starving! Should I also have O’Bryan and Davis drop a few lines in the river to see what we can catch?”
“I don’t know much about river fishing, but I do know we can dig up some wapato roots and bury them in the coals.”
“Wouldn’t you rather have my stew and freshly baked bread?” Sora said.
“That makes me want to kiss you,” teased Nik.
“Oh, I don’t require kisses,” Sora said, grinning. “Just flattery and devotion.”
“If you can produce one of your stews and your bread you’ll have both from me, you gracious, magickal Moon Woman.” Mari bowed to Sora with a flourish that had the two of them giggling.
“It wasn’t that difficult. I baked the extra bread yesterday and packed the makings of stew in the big cauldron from the Birthing Burrow. All I need do is have someone unpack the cauldron and hang it over the fire while I add water. I do hope I wrapped the bread well enough that it stayed dry.”
“Show me where those things are packed and I’ll bring them here,” said Nik. “O’Bryan!” he shouted.
“Cuz?”
“Get that hearthfire made so that Sora’s stew can simmer.”
“I’m on it!” O’Bryan said.
Nik kissed Mari quickly before starting to move toward the beached line of boats with Sora. Mari called after them, “Hey, we’ll need to brew some healing tea for Claudia and Wilkes.”
“Yes, of course. I’ll unpack the baskets with the herbs as well,” Sora said.
“Moon Woman?”
Mari turned to see the young Earth Walker named Spencer approaching her shyly. “Yes, Spencer?”
“I brought as much of the mead as space would allow. Do you think it appropriate to open one of the small barrels tonight?”
“Yes! That’s a great idea—but only a small barrel, okay?”
Spencer’s smile was impish. “Of course, Moon Woman!” And she rushed off.
“Getting drunk tonight would be a bad idea,” said Antreas.
“You’re right, but a small barrel only has enough mead in it for everyone to have about one mug each. And it’ll help those of us who have almost never slept outside our burrows relax and maybe actually sleep,�
� Mari explained.
“Ah, right you are. I need to remember how wise my Moon Woman is,” said Antreas, bowing his head respectfully to her.
“Make that Moon Women and you’d be right,” corrected Mari. “But we’re in this together, and we’ll only make it by working as a team, so if you have something to say about one of our decisions don’t hesitate to speak up. I don’t want to make the same mistakes others before me have made.”
“By not listening?” Antreas asked.
“Yes, and also by thinking that Sora and I have the only opinions that count.”
Davis and Cammy approached them. Davis was carrying a full armload of dry driftwood, and Cammy proudly dragged a log that was almost bigger than the tenacious little Terrier, which had Mari laughing.
“Good job, Cammyman!” The Terrier huffed happily, but didn’t let go of his log.
“Mari, maybe you should remind the Earth Walkers to unpack the new travel cloaks they wove. There aren’t any trees on this island for us to hammock ourselves into with them tonight, but they’re excellent to use as barriers against the ground, too,” said Davis.
“Good idea, Davis,” Mari said. “Go ahead and be sure the Pack understands how to use their cloaks and I’ll check on Wilkes and Claudia.”
“Mari, it would be a good idea for everyone to form a circle around the campfire,” Antreas said.
“Okay, that sounds good,” Mari agreed. “Can you let the Pack know, Davis?”
“Of course! Cammy and I will take care of it. Come on, Cammyman!” Davis headed down the shoreline toward the flat, sandy area where several of the women, along with Mason and Jaxom, were beginning to build a large fire.
“Mari! I need to hug you so I know you’re real” Danita hurried up to Mari, with Bast trotting beside her. She put her arms around her Moon Woman, holding Mari close and whispering, “I was so afraid the Tribe captured you and Nik.”
“Well, the Tribe, or rather Thaddeus, has a tendency to underestimate Nik and me. Tonight I was grateful for that,” Mari said. “You seem to be getting good at maneuvering your boat. I may need you to give me lessons. Nik hates the river and I haven’t made my mind up about it yet, but I’m leaning toward a respectful dislike.”
“No problem, Mari! I had a good teacher.” Danita smiled quickly at Antreas. “I’ll try to be as good a teacher for you.”
“Thank you.” Mari snuck a look at Antreas. He was watching Danita with a sweet and completely besotted expression. Mari cleared her throat. “Um, Danita, would you like to help me check on Wilkes and Claudia?”
“Oh, yes! But before that, what would you like to do about Dove and Lily?” Danita asked.
“Lily?”
“Dove’s friend, who is also obviously her servant, though I don’t think she wants us to know that,” Danita said, lowering her voice. “I helped them out of their boat. They’re over by where the fire’s being built.”
Mari chewed her lower lip, thinking. “Well, Sora has basically welcomed them into the Pack, right?”
“Yes, but only after Dove swore to only tell her, or you, the truth,” Antreas said.
“Then they’re part of the Pack,” Mari said firmly. “And that’s a good thing. We can learn a lot from them. Let’s be sure they’re comfortable. This must be difficult, especially for sightless Dove. As soon as I’m able I’ll talk with them and see what kind of skills they have.”
“I’m going to be sure all the boats are properly moored, and then we should set the watch schedule. Would you like to assign watch duties or ask for volunteers?” Antreas asked.
“Ask. And let no one stand watch alone. They should at least be in pairs. The more eyes watching, the better,” Mari decided.
“And it’s harder to accidentally fall asleep if you have someone to talk to,” said Danita. She scratched Bast’s chin, which had the big feline purring loudly. “I’ll take first watch with Bast.”
“Would you mind if I watched with the two of you?” Antreas asked.
Danita’s gaze met his. She didn’t smile, but her expression gentled. “No, I wouldn’t mind. But you’ll have to ask your Lynx. You know she thinks for herself.”
Antreas snorted. “Boy, do I.”
Bast coughed at her Companion, but Mari thought she saw a mischievous glint in the Lynx’s yellow eyes.
“Come on, Mari. I’ll take you to Claudia and Wilkes. And it looks like Sora and Nik are back with a medicine basket and the food!”
Mari walked through the busy campsite with Danita, nodding at the people who called greetings to her.
“There are salves and bandages in that basket.” Sora pointed to one of the tightly woven supply baskets. “As soon as the cauldron with the stew is set, I’ll start brewing tea for Wilkes and Claudia.”
Mari saw Nik grimace as he dragged the huge cauldron toward the fire, which was already burning cheerily.
“O’Bryan?” Mari called, and Nik’s cousin dropped another load of firewood into the blaze.
“How can I help, Mari?”
“You can be sure your cousin doesn’t rip open his wounds from doing too much,” she said.
“Not an easy job, but I’ll do my best!” O’Bryan said. He winked at Mari and jogged over to Nik, taking the opposite side of the cauldron to help him drag it to the fire and lift it up to hang from the poles he’d already erected.
“Brew enough tea for Nik, too,” Mari told Sora.
“With the juice of the poppy?” Sora asked, waggling her eyebrows.
“Definitely,” said Mari before picking up the supply basket and following Danita past the fire to the far side of a circle that was forming around it where Claudia and Wilkes were resting quietly on their travel cloaks, their Shepherds curled up contentedly beside them. “How are you two feeling?” she asked as she knelt beside Claudia and began checking her pulse and feeling the warmth of her skin.
“So much better!” Claudia said, stilling Mari’s hand by taking it in hers. “Thank you, Moon Woman. You saved our lives.”
“Yes, Moon Woman.” Wilkes bowed deeply to her. “You will always have my gratitude as well.”
“I only ask for your loyalty, if you plan to stay with our Pack,” Mari said.
“We do!” Claudia said. “We’d decided to leave the Tribe even before the Skin Stealers attacked.”
Wilkes’s shoulders bowed in defeat. “I wish I could have understood what was happening. Maybe then I could’ve stopped the Tribe from being taken in by Thaddeus’s nonsense.”
“It wasn’t nonsense,” Mari said as she continued to examine them. “It was hatred and disease. It seems the two are somehow working together to create a new climate of violence and a new type of Tribe—one that leaves no room for compassion. Irrational hatred is as difficult to defeat as the belief that one group of people is superior to another simply because of skin color, or where they prefer to live, and who they prefer to worship. You did what you could—you escaped. You can’t be responsible for the delusions of an entire people.”
Wilkes sighed deeply and lifted his arm so that Mari could begin replacing the old bandages, soggy from river water, with salve and new wrappings. “There are still good people in the Tribe. I have to believe that.”
“You can believe it. I know it’s true. Ralina is one of them. I wish she had accepted my invitation to join us, but she said that she must stay with the Tribe,” Mari said.
“That’s a mistake,” Danita said as she handed Mari a fresh dressing.
“What do you mean?” Wilkes asked. “She is our Storyteller, revered by the Tribe for years. I understand why she stayed. She wants to try to record what is happening, as well as to try to uplift the remaining good people.”
“I understand that, but I still say it’s a mistake,” Danita continued. “Good people don’t make haters like Thaddeus better. They get pulled down to the level of the haters, or they get destroyed by them. Sometimes the only answer, especially when a group has been as tainted by hatred as the Tribe, is to l
eave hate to destroy itself—to segregate it from decent people. Hate is a lot like a disease. When it can’t be cured it needs to be isolated.”
“I’m afraid I agree with Danita,” Claudia said.
“I was there,” Mari said. “I witnessed how Thaddeus’s delusions have been ingested by the Tribe along with the Skin Stealers’ poisoned meat. There’s no curing Thaddeus and his ilk. I tried. I asked if they wanted to be healed. Wilkes, they like being filled with hate. They enjoy making others feel less so that they can feel more. I agree with Danita, too. They should be isolated and ignored so they don’t contaminate anyone else.”
“I do feel for Ralina, though. She’s a good person,” said Claudia.
“Maybe she’ll find a way to escape. Does she know where we’re going?” Danita asked.
“No. Nik and I only told the Tribe that we’ve started a new group called a Pack and that we were leaving to find a new place to live,” Mari said. “But I do hope Ralina and the others of the Tribe who are still kind and caring can escape.” She met Wilkes’s sad gaze. “If Ralina and those like her find us, we will welcome them to our Pack.” Mari glanced over her shoulder to see that Sora was adding a smaller pot to the fire below the cauldron. “Your tea will be ready soon. Both of you are doing well, but you still need to rest. Drink the tea. Eat a large bowl of stew, and then sleep. Tomorrow Antreas and I will reorder the boats before casting off.”
“I’m willing to do my part,” said Wilkes.
“Me, too,” said Claudia. The two Shepherds beside them wagged in agreement.
“We know that,” Mari said, touching Claudia’s shoulder reassuringly. “But when someone in our Pack is injured, the rest of us help them—that’s one thing that makes us stronger together.” Mari paused, suddenly remembering. “There is something you can do now, though.”
“Name it!” Wilkes said.
“Well, you know Jaxom was Chosen by Fortina to be her Companion.”
“Of course! As I said to Nik earlier, I have heard of circumstances where a canine will reject his or her Companion, though it is rare and often the canine wastes away, refusing to eat or to Choose another Companion. Did you want me to talk with Nik about it?”
