by Shannah Jay
So she said it again, beginning to know the words off by heart, even hear them in her dreams. We want to build a temple which will also be a centre for learning of all sorts and which will include Healers’ Courts and a place to house sick people as they recover. It would form a whole new domain.’
‘Why a place of learning?’
‘We wish to gather knowledge of all sorts, so that life may be better for the coming generations.’ To her surprise, she
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saw that she’d caught other people’s interest as well as Perrissa’s. Conceited, she thought! I’ve been so conceited! How could I have believed I was the only one to care about creating a better world for the generations to come! ‘If you’re interested, perhaps town, circle and healers can build the temple together and then continue to work together for our children’s future . . . ’
‘If it’s ever built!’ interjected Fresler sourly. ‘No permission has been given yet.’
‘It does seem a good idea,’ said another man, moving forward stiffly, as if one of his legs was hurting him. ‘We’ll need more healers in Tenebrak and I for one hope it will grow large enough to truly call itself a city, like the places where our forebears used to live. I remember the old tales well. We breed good story-tellers in my family.’
‘Your family breeds folk with feathers in their heads instead of common sense, Padrith of the River,’ scoffed Fresler.
The owner of the largest barge plying from Tenebrak ignored him. ‘And if someone doesn’t start training more healers, who’ll take over when these good people die? And,’ he shouted as Fresler opened his mouth to interrupt, ‘if Tenebrak doesn’t re-establish itself as a centre of learning, then it’ll be Setherak which will grow into the foremost city, and maybe the Sethrani will try to rule us. I hear their Council has established law and order again, and trade is thriving there. Are we going to let them gain a lead on us?’
There was much muttering and shaking of heads at that. The rivalry between Tenebrak and Setherak had been quite intense before the wars.
‘With all due respect, Deverith, you aren’t a young man,’ Chiralin said, patting his arm, as if fearing he would be offended by this. ‘So Karialla and Padrith are right. We do need to plan for the future.’
Deverith bowed his head. ‘That fact that I’m growing older had not completely escaped my notice, my friends, which is why I’ve already taken on two apprentices and why I’m training Karialla for Recognition within the First Cadre.
She will make the best of healers. She has a very strong gift for it.’
‘First Cadre learning is men’s work,’ Fresler scoffed. ‘You wouldn’t catch me trusting myself to a woman.’
Perrissa rounded on him again. ‘It’s work for anyone as has the gift for it, as you’d know if you didn’t spend all your time praying in that meeting house - when you’re not counting your money, that is! Men’s work, indeed! Work is done best by those with the necessary skills. The only limitations I know are that men can’t have babies - though you’re welcome to try. You’re fat enough to be carrying a child, that’s for sure.’
There was a burst of laughter at this sally and Fresler’s face turned scarlet, but at a warning glance from Rojan, he shut his mouth on the words he’d been about to utter.
‘I like the idea of this temple of yours, Karialla, and I’ll help you all I can with it, whatever this bunch of fools decides,’ volunteered Chiralin, ‘though the only thing I do really well is cook. That’ll build no temple walls.’
‘But it’ll nourish those who can do the building,’ said Deverith gently. ‘They must still eat, so your efforts will be most welcome. Good food builds good muscles.’
Chiralin inclined her head to hide the tears in her eyes. ‘Count on my personal help, then, healer. If you feed me, that’s all I’ll need in payment. I live with my daughter-in-law and her children in a new domain, so I’m well set up and have only myself to answer to.’ She nodded approval. ‘Town, circle and healers, all working together. That’s the best thing I’ve heard anyone say in a good many years. If we have a temple, perhaps Tenebrani children will be able to get proper schooling again, as well.’
Most of the Elders’ faces brightened at that idea.
‘That’s an excellent idea,’ said Deverith softly. ‘You are a woman of sound sense and clear vision, Chiralin.’
Evril stepped forward. ‘I propose we leave the question of making a formal decision about land for the temple until later, when we’ve thought about it carefully. The important thing now, fellow Elders, is to work out how we’re going to deal with Gerrell’s Raiders. We can’t do anything until we’ve got rid of them for good.’
There was much nodding, but Karialla saw Rojan’s lips curve into a sneer and when he bent to whisper in Fresler’s ear, the other man nodded and looked smug. She frowned as a shiver of apprehension ran up her spine. She didn’t trust those two. A dreadful suspicion crept into her mind. Surely they couldn’t have been the ones dealing with the raiders?
After all, Fresner did deal in food and clothing. No, not two Elders. What was she thinking of?
‘Now,’ Evril went on, ‘I’m prepared to give Peto time off to help us plan how to attack these raiders. He knows about such things, whereas I wouldn’t know how to start.’
Deverith slapped him on the back. ‘Actually, I’ve already made a start for you, friend Evril. I’m afraid that after I’d rescued Karialla from Gerrell, I got a bit careless and let a few things in their camp catch fire.’ He paused while people chuckled, then he went on firmly, ‘What we need to do is go out there and deal with the bullies, especially Gerrell, and keep them from ever coming back into our town. We must make a proper end to their mischief, not leave them free afterwards to build up their numbers and plot another attack. Perhaps after we’ve driven them away, we could set up another domain in the valley for the forest workers. It’d be a good place to store and season wood. That would prevent the bullies from returning unnoticed.’
‘Out of evil shall come good.’ Chiralin quoted an old saying, nodding in satisfaction. ‘I like that idea, too.’
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There was no lack of volunteers to help drive away the raiders, each Elder agreeing to bring along other people who would be willing to participate. But at Deverith’s suggestion, only those people who were involved were to be informed of exactly what was being planned. With an air of reluctance, Rojan stepped forward and offered his help, but Fresler stayed where he was.
The fact that neither of these men seemed to approve of getting rid of the raiders was, in itself, food for thought, Deverith decided. After they’d dealt with Gerrell, they must look to Rojan more closely. Something about the man made him uneasy.
CHAPTER 23 Strangers
Late next morning, Deverith, Peto and Evril came to the healers’ house, all looking angry.
Karialla moved to greet them. ‘Something’s wrong.’ It was a statement, not a question.
‘Several people have seen strangers in their domains during the night and early this morning,’ Peto said. ‘And some were threatened by them when they asked what they were doing. One or two were badly beaten. Others had things stolen.’
‘Gerrell’s men?’ she asked, feeling her heart lurch. She knew what it was like to be confronted by those bullies.
He shrugged. ‘It has to be. We reckon they were trying to frighten people. They warned them not to leave the town, said danger was waiting all around Tenebrak and they’d be wise to keep to their own homes.’
Deverith was tapping on the table with his fingertips. ‘Gerrell and his men must have been warned about our plan to drive them out of their hiding place, then.’
‘How can that be?’ demanded Evril. ‘Only the Elders and Peto here knew what we were planning. Should we change our plans about attacking them? Wait for a while before we move, perhaps?’
‘We have to continue.’ Deverith frowned in thought. ‘Yes, it feels right to
me to continue. We must put a stop to this evil as soon as possible.’
Relief ran through Karialla. When he spoke in that tone, what he said usually came true.
Peto gave an irritated shake of the head. ‘Who could have told them, though?’
‘I can’t believe it could be an Elder,’ Evril protested.
‘Perhaps no one has said anything. Perhaps it’s just a coincidence,’ Karialla offered.
Peto shook his head. ‘No, think about it. The raiders haven’t been seen for a long time and then suddenly, just when we’re planning a foray, they reappear? I don’t believe in coincidences like that.’
‘So what are we going to do?’
It was Deverith who answered her. ‘We’re going to change things slightly, leave tonight instead of tomorrow morning. We’ll arrive at their camp at dawn and catch them by surprise. And we’ll tell only those people who’re actually going with us about this change of plan.’
‘Don’t let Rojan find out,’ she said suddenly.
‘Rojan isn’t infected with discord madness,’ Deverith replied. ‘I would have sensed that.’
‘He’s infected with a greed for power, though,’ she retorted.
‘But he’s going with us, so we’ll have to tell him,’ Peto protested. ‘It surprised me, I must admit. He doesn’t usually risk his precious self.’
Karialla grimaced. ‘I don’t like the thought of him coming with us, but I suppose if he’s volunteered, you couldn’t refuse him. And at least that way we’ll be able to keep an eye on him.’ It couldn’t be Rojan who’d warned the raiders, then. But who was it? Fresler was Rojan’s henchman, not the sort to act on his own initiative. How had men like them become Elders?
***
A couple of hours before dawn, a large party of determined men and women, led by Peto and Deverith, set out from Tenebrak. They left quietly, slipping out of their houses and assembling on the ridge.
Karialla, who’d insisted on joining the attacking party, arrived early with Deverith and stood watching people walk up the hill to join them. After a while she moved away from the anxious, twitchy group to stand on her own, looking down on the town from a little further along the ridge. Two moons were sailing across the sky and the other moon was just showing as a gleam on the horizon. Around her the foliage looked dark and mysterious, needing sunlight to paint it with colour.
She saw a man nearby and realised it was Balas. He, too, was armed. She couldn’t help saying, ‘This isn’t your fight.’
‘It’s everyone’s fight. And I, too, have suffered from raiders. They killed all my family and friends when I was a lad, so I’m happy to strike a blow against them.’
‘I’m sorry.’ She laid a hand on his shoulder briefly and for a moment a hint of a smile lifted the corners of his
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mouth, then he turned back to look at the ridge. ‘It’ll be good to have the temple here, watching over the town.’
Someone else touched her on the arm and made a beckoning gesture. Turning, she saw that people were setting out, walking in a long quiet file, holding a motley collection of weapons of their own choice. She could feel their anxiety only too clearly, but she could feel their determination, too. Balas strode over to join them, nodding a greeting as he fell in among them.
If only Gerrell and his bullies had gone away the first time they were driven out of town! she thought as she began walking. She hated the idea of being involved in violence, but knew somehow, knew in that special way Deverith was teaching her to recognise, that she had to be present today.
When she’d told him that, Deverith hadn’t tried to stop her, not even for the sake of their unborn child.
The file of people went down the slope, which was steeper at this part then they walked along the narrow valley which led westwards behind the ridge. On a sudden thought Karialla looked round for Rojan, but couldn’t see him anywhere.
Evril came to join her. ‘If you’re looking for Rojan, you won’t find him. He backed out at the last minute. He says the gods told him last night, as he prayed to them for our success, that their servant, a man in the honoured position of First Elect, cannot participate in violence. And he didn’t send anyone else from the One Circle, either, as he promised, though some came of their own accord.’
‘He won’t help defend his own town?’ Her voice was scornful. ‘I can’t understand him. Why, even a stranger like Balas is with us today.’
‘Well, Rojan’s always kept clear of trouble, all through the Discord Wars.’ Evril wrinkled his brow. ‘And somehow, now I come to think of it, trouble has kept away from him, too. I never considered it strange before, but his house wasn’t damaged in any of the attacks, only the meeting house, yet he lives right next door to it. And he always seemed to have plenty of coin to buy things, even in the bad times. What’s more, he owns quite a few properties in town now.
He bought them cheaply from folk who wanted to leave.’
She stared at him but didn’t say anything. You couldn’t accuse a man of betrayal on a mere suspicion. It wasn’t a crime to become wealthy.
After a while, the path grew narrower, though it was still fairly well defined. Deverith told them to keep absolutely silent from here onwards. He and Peto had been taking it in turns to scout ahead, but had discovered no signs of any raiders watching for them.
An hour later, just as dawn was gilding the sky and the last moon was paling into insignificance, the Tenebrani arrived at the rocky outcrop that concealed the long, narrow entrance to the gully where the raiders’ camp lay.
I must control my fears, Karialla told herself, but she couldn’t. She had a sense that something was wrong and it was throwing her off balance. She turned to look at Deverith and saw that he, too, was frowning.
Peto, who had been scouting ahead, came loping towards them. ‘Looks like them bullies have all left,’ he whispered angrily, ‘so they must have been forewarned. But there are two women still in the camp. Poor sods - never seen such bruised faces. I don’t think they saw me. When we capture them, maybe you can get them to tell us what’s happened to the others, Karialla.’
They entered the camp silently and the women didn’t see them until they were surrounded. Karialla’s unease grew with every step she took. The two captives huddled together in the cooking area, weeping and hiding their faces in their hands when questioned.
‘I’d better go and scout round,’ Peto whispered. ‘I’ve other people spread out around this side - no sense showing them our full force straight away - and there’s certainly no one hiding close enough to attack us.’ He thumped one hand into the other. ‘Damned if I know what’s going on. But I don’t like it. It smells like a trap to me.’
Karialla stood in the centre of the level piece of land, unease rippling around her. Deverith said most people paid too little heed to their intuition, so she tried to give hers free rein now. For some reason, she began to stare up at the rocky walls of the narrow valley. The menace came from up there, she was sure of it. The more she looked, the more certain she felt. She moved forward quietly, trying not to make it too obvious that her eyes were searching the upper slopes.
‘Peto,’ she said in a low voice, ‘have you sent people up the slopes?’
He nodded. ‘They’re approaching from the far side, but they haven’t had a chance to get there yet. Why? Have you seen someone moving on the higher ground?’
‘I’ve seen nothing, but I don’t feel comfortable. In fact, I don’t even feel right standing here. Could we wait somewhere else? I feel we’re very exposed here on the lowest ground.’
‘Thing is, because it’s cleared, we can see if anyone’s coming, so - ’
She shook her head. ‘We should move.’
He looked at her, then nodded, accepting that she had ways of knowing things that he did not. He turned to the man behind him. ‘Tell people to move towards the edges of the clearing, but slowly, as if by chance. We’re too exposed
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here.’
Karialla watched as people began to drift to new positions.
‘I don’t see how anyone could have known we were coming,’ Peto muttered angrily. ‘And what’s more, I had Nyerin the forester scouting ahead of us all the way today. No one else knew about him. He’s good in the woods, Nyerin is, and he made absolutely certain that the raiders didn’t have any scouts out watching for our approach. There was nothing, no ambushes laid, nothing. Otherwise, I’d not have brought everyone in here. But I’ll have another quick look round myself. If you say we should move - ’ He was already striding away.
She edged closer to Deverith. ‘There’s something evil up there on the slopes,’ she said in a low voice that didn’t carry to the rest of the group. ‘I can sense violence hovering there!’
‘I can sense danger, too, but not where it’s coming from.’
They remained close together, watching Peto slip round to the rear of the makeshift huts, followed by one or two of the others. The rest of the townsfolk stood about in groups, as if resting, but Karialla was pleased to see they’d kept their weapons handy.
The waves of unease suddenly escalated and Karialla grasped Deverith’s hand. ‘Something’s going to . . . ’ As she spoke, there was a rumbling sound above them, followed by shouts of triumph. Large rocks and boulders started crashing down the hillside, bouncing and careering towards the level floor of the gully.
The raiders’ two women, who had remained in the very centre of the clearing near the cookfires, screamed and fled, seeming quite mindless with terror. One of them ran the wrong way, towards the oncoming missiles, and was stopped in mid-flight by a boulder which smashed into her and left her lying motionless on the ground.
At the other side of the clearing, her companion sheered away from a group of Tenebrani, raising her arm to protect herself, as if expecting them to hit out at her. She was so confused she’d have run back across the open space again had not a hard-eyed townswoman grabbed her by the hair and dragged her behind a tree.
