Kei's Gift

by Ann Somerville

  “Of course not. He was seventeen when he got here. I was only ten. What in hells do you take him for?” Kei said, grinning at Banji’s discomfort. “I don’t know when. Something just...clicked when I came back from Darshek, and we got into bed and we liked it. I keep expecting him to say he’s found someone in the city, and I’d say good luck to him if he did.”

  “But that would leave you alone.”

  “Yes, I guess it would. But I have no claim on Reji, and I don’t want one. He’s too free a spirit.” He flicked a grass seed at him. “Want to tell me what’s put you in such a mood? Is it this person I’m not allowed to mention?”

  Banji gave him a look that told him Kei was right. “It’s just...if you’ve known someone for a long time, why do you start seeing them differently? Is it just...being close to them all the time? Just convenience?”

  “Promise not to hit me for this...but you wouldn’t be talking about my sister, by any chance?” Banji’s blush was all the answer Kei needed. “By the gods, that’s wonderful!”

  “No, it’s not,” Banji said with a grimace.

  “Hey, you’re not going to malign my sister to me, are you? Myka has her faults—”

  “No, gods damn you! You’re not listening!”

  “You’re not telling me. What in hells is the problem?”

  “The problem is I used to help your mother change Myka’s nappies for her and I’m not sure I’m not just feeling grateful for her being kind after Pa was killed.” Banji’s expression was pure challenge. “Plain enough for you?”

  “Yes, but I still don’t see the problem. Reji cleaned up more than a few skinned knees for me so I didn’t have to bother Ma. It sure doesn’t bother him when we’re making love. As for the other thing...what does it matter why you become interested in someone? Myka doesn’t feel sorry for you. She’s kind, but she’s not that kind.”

  “I know. But I shouldn’t feel like this when Pa’s only been dead three months. I feel like—”

  “Like he would think you didn’t love him? I told you, Ban and Kleta would be the first people to tell you to go on. Myka loved and honoured them, so did I. And you know they loved us.”

  “I know.” But Banji was still troubled.

  Kei slung an arm over his shoulder in comfort. “I know you would never lead my sister on or play with her heart to hurt her. She would never do that to you. You should talk to her. She’s easy to talk to. The hard bit is shutting her up.”

  “Huh, you’re the one to talk. I don’t want to give her expectations, Kei. I don’t know I’m ready for anything. It’s been such an awful year.”

  Kei hugged him closer, and leaned his chin on his shoulder. “I know. So does she. You like her, right? And she must like you if she gave you the bracelet. Has she said more?”

  “No.”

  “So what makes you think she wants more at the moment? She’s had a hard time too. I say, just have fun and comfort each other and see what happens.”

  Banji looked dubiously at him. “You don’t mind? I’m not going to find Fedor telling me to marry her or else?”

  “Are you going to get her pregnant?”

  “No, we’re being careful.”

  Kei blinked at the news that not only had his sister and his best friend been carrying on a little romance behind his back, but they’d been having sex too. “All right, if she catches, Fedor would surely take the child if you really don’t want to wed her, but it will cause ill-feeling for a while. Just don’t rub people’s noses in it, and don’t make it impossible for her to find someone else, if you really don’t love her. That’s all I ask. She’s a sensible girl, and you’re an honourable man. I’d love to call you brother, but don’t let me pressure you.” He squeezed Banji again and let him go. “Now—”

  His words were cut off by the brutal sound of the clan’s summoning horn—his blood ran cold as he heard the code for ‘emergency, all to come’. “Let’s go.”

  They ran as fast as their legs would carry them towards the village, caught up in minutes in the rushing crowd. Fedor stood on a stool at the top of the square, calling for everyone to be quiet. Next to him, Kei recognised Duka, the mind-speaker from Ai-Tuek. Since Ai-Albon didn’t have a mind-speaker of its own, if there was an urgent message from the south or from Darshek, either Duka, or Meko from Ai-Beyto to the north, would ride to deliver it. As it was several days’ ride in either direction, it was only ever undertaken for the most serious of reasons. From the look on Fedor’s face, and the emotions Kei sensed, the reason was indeed grave.

  The clan settled down and Fedor cleared his throat. “Friends, I have serious news from Duka. I’ll let her explain. Please, hear her out. Time is very short.”

  He stepped off the stool and Duka took his place. “The Prij are invading, “ she said. The blunt news sent shock waves through the crowd. “They overran Ai-Rutej eight days ago, and Ai-Vinri five days later. They’re taking hostages, and quartering soldiers on the town. The Rulers of Darshek know about it, and have instructed all the clan heads to send who they can north to Darshek, to keep only enough in the villages to not make the losses obvious—and not to offer resistance.” A murmur of anger rippled through the clan. “No, wait, it’s only until they can mount a defence. They’ll rescue the villages and the hostages, they swear—but they don’t want anyone to die fighting the Prij, and they don’t want an all out war with the Prij while there are still people undefended. They need time to plan an attack and to know what the Prij are planning. On our own, we can’t defeat them. We can only give in temporarily. The healer of Ai-Rutej is a mind-speaker. She reports the hostages are being well treated, and for the moment, are in an encampment at the base of the Treyk Mountains. The Rulers don’t believe they’ll be harmed, so long as we don’t fight back. There’s no advantage to the Prij in doing so.”

  “Are we to just let them take people away without a word of protest?” someone shouted furiously. Kei recognised Reji’s voice.

  “For now, yes,” Duka said. “Fedor, I think you better take over.” She avoided looking at Reji as she climbed off the stool.

  “People, we have no choice,” Fedor said. “We can’t fight the Prij, we can only try and protect the most vulnerable. Reji, how many people can you guide to Darshek, if you take all but two urs beasts and all the wagons? How long would it take you if you have people on foot?”

  Reji pushed his way to the front of the crowd, his expression angry. “I can take everyone! Fedor, don’t let the Prij have them!”

  “If they find the village deserted, not only will they know we know, but the ruse won’t work anywhere else. We can’t move everyone fast enough—the army is coming north at a forced march pace, Duka says. So please, hold your temper, and answer me.”

  “A hundred or so,” Reji said in a tight voice. “It will take four weeks, if everyone’s on foot, longer if we’re unlucky with the weather or a wagon breaks down. Three wagons and six beasts can carry supplies for that many for that long. If we can resupply en route, we can make better time because we can have more riding. We can’t carry enough water, but we’ll have to stop to let the beasts drink anyway.”

  “Do you think you can take them off the regular route safely?”

  “In places. Not all the way, and it will slow us down. It would be better to try and outrun them on the main road. We have to be there before the rains come—the wagons will get bogged.”

  “Very well. Please start the planning, and be prepared to abandon the wagons if you have to finish the journey by beast and on foot. Now, the Prij are only taking men and women between the ages of fifteen and twenty-five. The prime of the clan,” Fedor said heavily. “Therefore, I propose we send away as many of us in that group as we can, and any older children who can handle the walking. No infants, no mothers with children afoot—the Prij apparently don’t want them either. Myka, you’ll go because they’ll need a healer. Please start a list. I want no arguments, and those chosen must be ready to leave in two hours. I have spok
en.”

  Fedor looked very old as he delivered an edict which must have hurt him cruelly. People argued and exclaimed around Kei as he pushed through to his sister’s side. “I’ll fetch paper for making notes. I’ll be staying. I’m infertile—the village can spare me.”

  His sister gave a little cry of distress. “No, you’re our healer!”

  “Another reason to stay. There’s no time to argue. I’ll be back in a moment.”

  Fedor had recruited Peit and Rin to help keep order, but it was still difficult to get through the press of the crowd so he could run to their house and fetch paper. When he got back to the square, Banji and Myka were arguing furiously. “You will not stay, you idiot!”

  “I have to! Some of us have to!”

  Meis and Rin watched the two young people scream at each other, looking upset and conflicted. The rest of the clan ignored them, caught up in their own little emotional storms, trying to determine who should go or stay. Myka wouldn’t be able to do this without help. “Right, listen up!” Heads swivelled at Kei in surprise—he wasn’t one for making his voice heard in public. “Banji, Myka, you both go, as do Pijli and Misek.”

  “Not me, Kei. They won’t take someone damaged.” Misek forced his way forward, and crossed his arms across his chest. “Meis and Rin still have two children safe, and two to comfort them.”

  “All right.” Kei walked around the assembly quickly, nominating the ones to go and to stay. People were so stunned, and perhaps so used to his making decisions affecting their welfare, they let him get away with it, only arguing a little in favour of one child or sibling or other where they thought he had missed something important. By the time he had done, and the names noted, Fedor and Rin had regained control of the situation, able to handle the surprisingly few complaints. There were one hundred and fifteen names in the end, but Reji, returning to the square to check on proceedings, said he could handle it. He said he could maybe squeeze a few more in, but Fedor told him it was better to have a number he could definitely manage. It left two hundred and seventy souls in the village to face the Prij.

  Kei grabbed Myka’s arm and forced her back to their house. “Pack, Mychichi.”

  “I’m not leaving you behind.”

  “You are, if I have to drug you and every other person on the list and have Reji carry you like sacks. Don’t you see? At least some of us are guaranteed to be safe, and you can help Darshek prepare the defence. They’ll come, I know they will.”

  “No!” she yelled. “You’re in that age group, they’ll take you for sure!”

  “So they might. It’s only for a little while. They don’t seem to be harming anyone if they don’t resist. Please, Myka, do your duty. I can’t be in both places at once.”

  “I can’t!” She threw herself at him, sobbing. “I can’t leave you.”

  “And I can’t either.” Kei lifted his head to look at Reji, standing in the doorway. “This is a stupid idea. I’m not doing it.”

  “So you’d rather Myka was taken a hostage?”

  “I’ll go in her place.”

  “You’re too damn old,” Kei said roughly, “and they want women too. Will you two stop being so damn indulgent and get on with it? Reji, you have orders, go carry them out.”

  “So eager to see me gone, Keichichi?” Reji came to him, and put his arms around him and Myka both.

  “I want you to protect my sister, my best friend, and my clan. Your clan.” He seized Reji’s head, kissed him almost cruelly, then pushed him away. “I refuse to discuss this any more. Myka, I order you to pack.”

  Her face had been red from crying but now it flushed in anger. “You’re not my father.”

  “No, I am.” Fedor walked in and stood in front of them. “And I order it too.”

  “I hate you,” Myka spat at him.

  “Myka! Retract that!”

  Fedor held up his hand. “No, let her say her piece. I’m not very fond of me either, right now. Reji, don’t make me beg. You are the only person we can ask to do this. Danak and Bei are too old to make the journey. If you refuse, we’re lost.”

  Reji glared, but then he relented. “All right. Myka, go pack.”

  “I hate you too, Reji. You’re both traitors to Ai-Albon.”

  “Yes, yes. Go pack.” Reji’s shoulders slumped as Myka stomped off. Kei came to his side and lent him his support. “It’s still risky, Fedor.”

  “Tell me something I don’t know. I have faith in Darshek, though. I will rest easier if you have our future safe. We will keep yours safe if you will do the same.”

  “Aye.” Reji hesitated. “What of Ai-Darbin?”

  “I don’t know, Reji. I’m sorry, I wish I had news. There are other groups on their way. We might see the first of them tomorrow. If the Prij stick to their present path, we won’t encounter them for three weeks. You have a good head start, if you go now.”

  “Yes. I’ve sketched a plan. Come to my house and I’ll show you while I pack. Kei? Will you make sure Myka goes?”

  Kei nodded. “I will if I have to tie her up. She’ll be there.” He gave Reji a nudge. “Go on.”

  Reji gave him a troubled look, then walked out with Fedor. Kei collapsed onto a chair, his mind in turmoil. Was it only a few minutes ago his worst problem was negotiating a love match between his sister and his friend? At least Banji was going. Kei was prepared to tie him up too, if he had to.

  Damn, and he was wasting time. The group of refugees would need medical supplies, and Myka was in no state to plan or to pack them. Quickly he went through the stores, dividing drugs and equipments and bandages into unequal piles. He reserved the things Myka had no experience of using, which were few enough, and gave her a larger portion of pain killers and nitre distillation, as it was likely the travellers would suffer more than the usual amount of minor injuries. Kei wished he could go—not for his own safety, but because it pained him to let his patients out of his sight.

  A thump behind him made him turn so suddenly he nearly knocked a canteen of nitre distillation off the table. Myka, her pack thrown on the floor, tears streaming down her face. “Kei,” she whispered, her expression miserable as she stood with her arms wrapped around herself.

  He took her into his arms, and rocked her, tears springing to his own eyes. At moments like this he missed his parents more than ever, because he needed their strength. “It will be all right, Mychichi,” he murmured. “You have a great responsibility, but you’ll be able to bear it, I know.” He let her cry a little longer, but then he made her stand up and wipe her eyes. There was so little time. “Here, you need to check these and make sure you have what you need.”

  Appealing to her professional side stopped the tears, and the way she switched into her healer’s role made Kei’s heart proud. Ma would be so pleased with her. She asked for different bandages, some more sutures, and blister cream, which Kei had completely forgotten. By the time Fedor knocked on their door again, she was calm and as ready as either of them could make her.

  Kei picked up the medical supplies and they headed to the urs beasts pens. There was a bewildering level of activity, and everywhere voices were raised, in anger, in grief. At least the chosen travellers were assembling, and the emotions of the families left behind, while deeply troubled, weren’t excessive. He was confident there wouldn’t be any wild or hysterical scenes. After the first shock, people had accepted the plan’s necessity.

  Reji was too busy to talk, merely directing him to the beast on to which the medical supplies should be packed, and how. Kei had often helped his lover with preparing for his journeys, and so could efficiently and quickly stow the supplies before pitching in to help load the other animals. Much of the food which had been assembled for the feast that evening, was now going into the wagons to feed those who had to travel over six hundred miles before they reached safety. He tried not to think all the things that could happen to Reji or Myka or Banji in that time. It never did any good to dwell on the worst.

  At last, Reji
announced he was ready. Fedor shouted for the travellers to come forward and be marked off, so Reji and Kei could check they were prepared and fit. No one was missing. No one had to be rejected. Everyone was near tears or actually crying. Kei felt almost ready to pass out from the overload of reflected emotion, but he had to force himself to be strong until the travellers left.

  Fedor called for silence. “Clan Albon, today is a dark one, make no mistake. We owe a debt of gratitude to Duka for taking a great risk to come and warn us, and to Reji for agreeing to shepherd our people to safety. Those who go, those who stay, all have a heavy burden to bear—let’s do so bravely. Reji, go with our thanks, return to our joy.”

  “Yes, Fedor. I won’t fail the clan.”

  “Father, I won’t fail the clan either.” Myka came and knelt before Fedor. “And I am truly sorry for my words earlier,” she said in a quiet voice that only Fedor and Kei could hear.

  Fedor laid his hand on her head. “My sister’s child, my daughter, my heart’s heavy, but I’m proud of you.” He urged her to stand, so he could kiss her cheek. “Erte watches over you, Myka. Erte and Keiji both watch over you.” He embraced her briefly, then turned her towards Kei. “Say your farewells. Everyone, a few moments, no more.”

  Kei went to her side and hugged her. “You know I’ll miss you every moment of every day, sister mine.”

  “And I you, brother mine. Please don’t die.”

  Kei laughed, but it felt more like crying. “I will do my very best,” he said gravely. They clung together for a moment or two, but he had other farewells he had to make. “I’ll see you soon. Before the year is out.”

  She pushed him away. “Go talk to Banji and Reji.” She walked away before he could call her back.

  Reji watched him, a grim set to his mouth. Kei was suddenly unsure he was welcome, but then, in a few swift strides, Reji was with him and crushed him close. “Every instinct I have is screaming at me to drag you away. This is so wrong, I don’t know what to say.”

  Kei had no response to this, so he let his lips do something else but talk. There were tears in Reji’s eyes now—hells, in his own too. “Don’t damn well die,” Reji said tightly. “Don’t get hurt, and for the gods’ sake, don’t draw attention to yourself.”