Elaria flew out of the house and enveloped him in a hug. “Arcas! You’re home!”
Arcas laughed and held her close. “Obviously.”
“Where’s Vatar?” she asked.
Arcas’s smile faded. “He’s in trouble. As soon as I get the horses taken care of, I need to go down into the city to talk to High Councilor Veleus.”
“Surely, that can wait until morning. You’re worn out.”
Arcas sighed. “Probably, but I don’t intend to tax his patience on this particular issue. It won’t take long, dear. I’ll be back for supper.”
As soon as he closed the gate to the pasture, the dogs ran back out under the lowest rail.
Elaria took a step back, keeping an eye on the dogs. “What are those?”
Arcas patted the male. “Dardani herd dogs. They helped me get the herd here by myself. They’ll make good guards for the farm, too.” He took her hand and held it out for the male to sniff. The dog licked her hand. Arcas then moved her hand to the velvety ears.
“Ooh, he’s soft.”
“He likes you. They’re great dogs around people, very good with children, and they’ll make sure no mice get into your pantry better than a cat.”
“Well . . . I guess they’re all right,” Elaria said, a smile growing on her lips.
“Good. If you really want them to love you, cut up a little raw meat for them while I go talk to Veleus. They’ve worked hard and deserve their dinner. They’ll be fine out here with the herd for now. They’re used to that. We can work out a more permanent spot for them when I get back.”
“Aren’t you at least going to clean up first,” Elaria asked. “I mean . . . he is a High Councilor.”
“I don’t think he’ll mind a little road dust. Not with the news I’m bringing. I won’t be long.”
Arcas walked down to the city and to the Temple, glad the farm was near the Temple gate. He found Cestus just finishing his last lesson of the day.
“Arcas! I didn’t expect to see you.” Then, getting a better look at his haggard face and dusty, travel-worn clothes, he added, “What’s wrong?”
“I need to get a message to Veleus right away,” Arcas said.
“As a matter of fact, he’s due here soon. Sit down before you fall down.”
Arcas slumped onto the nearest bench. “When do you expect Veleus?”
“I’m here.” Veleus answered from the doorway. “What’s happened?”
Arcas explained the situation quickly.
“Lords of Creation!” Cestus breathed.
Veleus rubbed his face. “It was a bold move. But risky. I wish he’d just come back here.”
“Uncle Danar tried,” Arcas said. “Vatar refused.”
Veleus looked at Arcas appraisingly. “I have many more questions. But you’re swaying in your seat from weariness. So I’ll ask just one more, now. Is Vatar safe for a short time?”
“I think so. At least I’ve done what I could. The Modgud may help him. He may not be comfortable, but I don’t think he’ll be in real danger until late autumn or winter.”
“Good, that gives me some time. There’s someone I want to involve in this. But it may take me a little time to get him to Caere. May we come to you at the farm when he arrives?”
“Of course,” Arcas answered.
“I’ll see you soon, then. Get some rest. And thank you for bringing the word to me so quickly. I won’t forget that.”
~
Some seven-days later, Veleus came to the farm, bringing Cestus and another young man with him. Arcas silenced Tiger and Copper, as the dogs were now called and went to meet the visitors at the gate.
The second man was several years older than Cestus. He had a lean, muscular build and his face was weathered from sun and wind. He had an air of physical competence about him, like someone who spent most of his time outdoors. Arcas looked twice because this young man bore a strong resemblance to Boreala. Veleus introduced him as his son, Orleus.
“Good watch dogs,” Orleus commented.
Arcas nodded and showed the visitors into the front room. Veleus and Cestus sat. Orleus prowled the room like a caged cat.
Veleus leaned forward and got directly to the point. “What do you know of this Forest?”
Arcas shrugged. “Very little. The Dardani won’t go in so far they can’t see past the tree line. They’re afraid of it. Maybe with reason, since that’s where the tigers come from. Frankly, that’s enough for me. Whatever those beasts normally hunt, I don’t want to meet it.”
“Describe these tigers.” Orleus stopped pacing and listened intently.
Arcas drew a deep breath. “They’re huge striped cats—waist high at the shoulder and three times as long. Their fangs are as long as my hand. The span of their claws is as wide as a man’s body.”
Cestus nodded his agreement. He’d seen the skins and fangs of the dead tigers, as well as some of the wounds.
Veleus sat back. “Lords of Creation! I thought you said Vatar was safe for the time being.”
“I think he is. At least as long as he doesn’t go too far into the Forest. And, being Dardani, I don’t think he will. The Modgud—the only people I know who actually go into the Forest—say the tigers are deeper in the Forest until deep winter,” Arcas said.
“You don’t know anything more about the Forest?” Orleus asked.
Arcas shook his head. “No. The Modgud know more, but I only stayed with them for a month and I was focused on other things. They know how to survive in the forest edge, but even they don’t go into the deep forest. And it wouldn’t matter much if I did. By the terms of the Ordeal, no Dardani can help Vatar, now.”
Veleus leaned forward. “You’re not Dardani.”
“Yes, I am,” Arcas said. “I was adopted into the Lion Clan three years ago. But I did make a few friends among the Modgud. They didn’t make any promises, but a couple of them may try to help Vatar.”
“Try?” Cestus asked.
Arcas smiled wryly. “Vatar’s been very hard-headed lately. I just hope he doesn’t take it into his head to refuse all help.”
At this, Cestus snorted and Orleus grinned.
Veleus sighed. “It’s a family trait.”
“Why wouldn’t these Modgud promise to help?” Cestus asked.
“They have a very strange sense of honor,” Arcas answered. “In a situation like this, they believe their honor requires them to offer aid to both men or neither. And they really don’t like Maktaz.”
“Didn’t you violate the terms of the Ordeal by asking them to help Vatar?” Orleus asked.
“No,” Arcas answered. “Well, I don’t think so. If I owe an honor-debt, I’ll pay it. But Vatar was given seven days to prepare for the Ordeal. And his family was allowed to help him with that. The restriction didn’t start until the Ordeal began. Until he went into the Forest.”
Veleus leaned forward again. “What are the terms of this Ordeal?”
Arcas shrugged. “It’s fairly straight forward. Vatar cannot come west of the tree line until a year has passed. No Dardani can assist him in any way until then,” Arcas answered.
“Is he required to be alone?”
“Technically, brothers may share an Ordeal. But Fenar is only two—hardly old enough to be much help.”
“Fenar is not Vatar’s only brother,” Veleus said with a smile. “Well, Orleus, what do you say?”
“I’ll go, Father.” Orleus grinned. “It sounds like fun.”
Veleus turned. “Cestus?”
Cestus nodded. “Of course I’ll go.”
“They’ll need a guide. When can you leave, Arcas?” Veleus asked.
Arcas sighed. “Will tomorrow be soon enough?”
Veleus smiled. “That would be fine. And thank you.”
~
Arcas was already saddling his horse when Orleus and Cestus arrived just after sunrise. Fortunately, Tiger and Copper were in the house with Elaria to stop them from trying to follow Arcas, because Orleus had brou
ght two dogs with him. One was a large, sleek hound, obviously built to run down fast game. Orleus called that one Arrow. The other, called Seeker, was also large, but somewhat heavier. Orleus was mounted on the finest stallion Arcas had ever seen, even among the Dardani.
“You aren’t bringing your dogs?” Orleus asked, surprised.
“No. They’ll act as companions and guards for my wife while I’m gone.”
“Ah. I’ll need something of Vatar’s. Something he’s worn or used often,” Orleus said.
After a moment’s thought, Arcas went to Vatar’s forge; he brought out a grimy scrap of cotton. “He uses this to wipe his hands and face when he works at the forge.”
“Excellent,” Orleus answered, taking the scrap and putting it carefully in his saddle bag. “Let’s go. The sooner away from Caere, the better I’ll like it.”
Chapter 42: The Forest
Vatar stared into his fire, absently gnawing on the haunch of the rabbit he had cooked for his dinner. The downside of having a shelter and enough to eat—of not having to spend every minute of the day just trying to survive—was that it gave him too much time to think. He’d never in his life felt this alone. Chitter was the only thing that kept Vatar from feeling so lonely that he’d just give up.
His body was hungry, but Vatar had little appetite. Now that he had enough to eat it all tasted flat eaten alone. Just as his time was empty without anyone to share it with, no matter how he tried to fill it. Vatar yearned to be with his family. Most of all he ached to be with Zavar and Savara.
Vatar stared into the fire. It was almost as if he could picture them and what they were doing. Zavar and Savara asleep next to Fenar. Pa nearby, sharpening the knife Vatar had made for him, while Mother mended the knee of one of the children’s trousers and Kiara practiced weaving a grass mat. Mother hummed as she worked and Vatar found himself humming along. The sound of his own voice startled him. The comforting mental picture faded.
Vatar set the rest of the rabbit aside half-finished and took a drink from his water skin. Just to feel a part of that scene, he quietly sang the little nonsense children’s song that Mother had been humming. He continued, under his breath, singing every song he could think of as he gazed into the fire.
For a moment, he saw his fantasy, the woman with the flame-red hair and green eyes. He heard her voice saying “Why so sad?” Vatar made no attempt to answer before she, too, faded. Proof, as if he needed it, that it was all just a daydream. Anyway, even she couldn’t make him feel better, now. Only more alone.
~
Vatar’s stared at the footprint—definitely too small to be his, in the damp soil by the stream. His breath caught. He wasn’t alone? There was someone else here in the forest? There must be. He couldn’t imagine a Spirit leaving a footprint. Two days later, he found a few threads on a thorn. But though he looked, that was all he ever saw. They must be Modgud, because those were the only people Vatar knew of who came into this Forest willingly. He wished they’d show themselves, maybe talk to him. But even Bron and Clev had never actually talked to him. Maybe they had a reason he didn’t understand. Just knowing that there were people nearby was heartening.
Still, it’d be nice to see another human for a change. With a sigh, Vatar went to refill his water skin and froze in shock. There was a girl about his age or a little younger, bathing there. He turned away discretely, closing his eyes, but his first view kept playing behind his eyelids. She had red hair! Not flame-red. No, her hair was darker than that. Vatar had never seen anyone with truly red hair before. She was definitely not Modgud.
Vatar walked quietly away. He didn’t want to disturb her or even—especially—let her know that he’d seen her bathing. Maybe there’d be a more appropriate chance to meet her later. Meanwhile, he could fill his water skin upstream a little.
Although he kept his eyes open, Vatar saw no more signs—not even a footprint—for a few days. It was like she’d just disappeared into the Forest. Was she a Spirit after all? Was the other girl, the one he sometimes saw in his mind, a Spirit, too?
He went to down to the stream for water again. This time there were two girls bathing in the stream. The same one he’d seen before and another with reddish, almost blonde hair. He only had time to notice that much before he closed his eyes and turned away again. He’d have to meet them some other place—or at least in some other circumstance.
As he stepped back into the trees, he trod on a twig, which snapped with a loud crack. One of the girls screamed.
Before Vatar’s heart stopped pounding, there were three young men surrounding him, circling him. Every one of them had some red in his hair.
“Who are you?
“What are you doing here?”
“How long were you watching them?”
All of the young men talked at once.
“My name is Vatar. I just came down to get some water.” He held out his empty water skin as proof.
“How long were you watching?” The tallest stepped closer to Vatar.
Vatar held out his hands. “I turned away as soon as I saw them.”
“How do we know you weren’t spying on them?” another asked.
“Oh, leave him alone, Keran. He couldn’t have seen much, anyway. Just our backs.” The darker-haired girl stepped up to join them. She was now fully dressed and was wrapping her hair up onto her head.
“He frightened Zoria,” another boy said.
The girl lifted one shoulder. “Startled, really. He wasn’t doing any harm.”
“I don’t like him spying on you,” Keran said.
The girl shrugged again. “I’m sure he wasn’t spying. After all, it wasn’t a very good angle, was it? If he’d wanted to spy on us, he’d have been on the other side of the stream. He’d have gotten a much better view from over there.” She turned to Vatar, looking him up and down. “I’m Lorania. That’s my brother, Loran.” She pointed at the young man who’d spoken second. “This is Zoria, Platan, and Keran.” She pointed to the others in turn, starting with the fair-haired girl. Lorania squinted at Vatar. “I don’t remember seeing you before. Are you from the far side of the Valley?”
Vatar’s brow creased. “Valley? No, I’m from the plains. That way.” Vatar pointed downstream.
Lorania’s eyebrows rose. “The other side of the Forest? No one’s ever met anyone from the other side in here before.”
“My people don’t come into the Forest often,” Vatar said.
Loran lifted his chin. “Well, you can get out now, then. We’re here. And I don’t like you hanging around.”
Vatar shook his head. “No, I can’t. I have to stay in the Forest for a year.”
Loran’s eyes narrowed. “Are you challenging me? I warn you, I was first in my class. What’s your avatar? Mine’s a bear.”
Vatar scratched his forehead. “Avatar? I don’t understand. And it is not my intention to challenge you. I just can’t leave the Forest until next summer. Those are the terms of my Ordeal.”
Loran’s eyebrows drew together. “Ordeal? What’s that? I just asked—”
Lorania interrupted. “Leave him alone, Loran. There’s no need for trouble. We can all just go about our own business. Besides, we have to turn back soon, anyway.” She pulled the others away, across the stream, looking back over her shoulder once.
Vatar sighed as he watched them go. He’d gotten off on the wrong foot, that was certain. He’d have liked to make friends with them. He could use a few friends right now.
And then there was the color of their hair. He’d never seen truly red hair except in his daydreams. Could there be any connection between these strangers and the red-haired woman he had fantasized about for years? Was she real after all? Did they know her? What had she said her name was again? Thekila. That was it.
The next time he saw them, Vatar would try to get on better terms with them. The girl, Lorania, had seemed reasonable. Maybe the others would be, too, once they had calmed down.
Chapter 43: Hostiliti
es
Vatar woke to the sound of malicious laughter in the distance. He sat up and watched by the light of the embers of his campfire for a while, but nothing seemed to be moving nearby. Finally, he drew the tiger skin over him and went back to sleep.
On his morning rounds, Vatar found his rabbit snare torn to pieces—definitely not by a rabbit. Loran and his friends, no doubt. Small mischief. Annoying, but not really dangerous. Nothing he couldn’t fix. Almost childish from his point of view. Something he’d expect of much younger boys, not that any Dardani child would ever consider intentional destruction like this. At least not more than once.
He didn’t think Lorania had actually helped matters any by seeming to show some interest in him. This felt like an act of jealousy as much as anything to him. Well, nothing he could do about that now. He sighed and made a new snare.
The next day, he found his fish trap smashed. The day after that, his new rabbit snare was destroyed. This was getting out of hand. He didn’t want to fight them. The last thing he needed was more enemies. He had to find some way to work this out, get back on civilized terms. He didn’t know how to make peace, though—especially since he didn’t even know where to find them. They obviously didn’t frequent the same parts of the Forest he did—other than the stream, anyway. Maybe he’d get a chance to talk to one of them there.
A few days later, when Vatar went to check his snare, he found the rabbit warren completely trampled and crushed. It looked as though several large animals had used it for an all-night jarai tournament. This wasn’t just mischief anymore. He bent down to check the tracks—prints of a small bear, a deer, and some kind of large dog, possibly a wolf. He stood up and scratched his ear. That didn’t make sense. Those three creatures shouldn’t have been within miles of each other—willingly, anyway.
A chill ran down his spine. Only magic would get a bear, a deer, and a wolf to combine forces on anything. Hadn’t Loran made some comment about a bear? Sky above and earth below! He wasn’t prepared to deal with magic. Not out here, alone, cut off from the protection of the Spirit of the Lion.
The Shaman's Curse (Dual Magics Book 1) Page 23
