by P. C. Cast
“Please don’t say anything against Mama.”
Sora touched Mari’s arm gently. “I’m not. I wouldn’t. Leda did what she thought was best. She protected you. All I’m saying is that she might have overprotected you. I accepted you. Danita accepted you. I think the rest of the Clan would, too, especially if they knew that you are even more gifted than your mother.”
“I’m definitely not more gifted than Leda.”
Sora raised a dark brow sardonically. “I know about the fire.”
“Huh?”
“You caused it. That day Leda died. You did it by using your sun power,” Sora said. When Mari didn’t respond, she prodded. “Hey, you know you can tell me the truth. I’m right about the fire, aren’t I?”
“Yeah,” Mari admitted softly.
“How did you do it?”
“I have no idea. Nik said he could help me with it, but he left too soon.”
“Well, then you have nothing to worry about. That particular male will definitely be back,” Sora said.
Mari said nothing.
“And when he comes back he can tell you how to use your sun power. Then if the males try anything—or, actually, if anyone from the Clan tries anything—just zap them with a little fire. I think that would settle the question of you being accepted by the Clan,” Sora finished with a self-satisfied smile.
“I think there’s a difference between acceptance and intimidation,” Mari said.
“Small difference, and what do you care if you get what you want?”
“What is it you think I want?” Mari asked.
“To be part of the Clan without being isolated and judged,” Sora said.
Mari was mortified to feel her eyes filling with tears. She blinked rapidly and turned toward the hearth. “I’m going to make some chamomile tea. Want some?”
“Not if you make it.” Sora took the herbs from Mari and forced her to meet her eyes. “You’re an excellent Moon Woman, but a really abysmal cook. And you don’t need to be ashamed that you want to be accepted. We all do.”
“Really?”
“Really. Wipe your face. I’ll make the tea. There’s also some bread left.” Rigel lifted his head and padded over to Sora, sitting in front of her and whining softly. “I shouldn’t have fed you. Now you’ll never leave me alone.”
“It’s a compliment to your cooking that he already understands the word bread,” Mari said.
“I suppose you’re right.” Sora broke off an end of the long, slim loaf and tossed it to Rigel, who caught it neatly. She split the rest of the loaf in half and handed one hunk to Mari. “So will you help me?”
“Are we back on the males again?”
“Yes, we are,” Sora said.
“Let me think about it,” Mari said.
“While you’re thinking, consider this—you are part of both worlds—the Tribe and the Clan. I think you should use your powers for good, for both of them.”
Mari’s eyes widened in surprise. “You realize that means you’re okay with me helping the Tribe?”
“If you’ll also help the Clan then I think it’s an even trade,” Sora said. “If your precious Tribe doesn’t take you captive or kill you because you’re part Scratcher.”
“There is that,” Mari said.
“I guess that’s something you can discuss with your Companion when he comes back around here looking for you.”
“You’re pretty sure about that,” Mari said.
“You can cure the blight that has been killing his people for years. He’ll be back,” Sora said.
Mari stared into the fire. “I suppose you’re right.”
“Hey.” Sora bumped her shoulder. “There’s also the way he looks at you. That’ll bring him back.”
“He likes Rigel, too,” Mari said.
“That he does. But he doesn’t look at Rigel like he looks at you.”
“Now that would be creepy,” Mari said.
“Drink your tea and think positive thoughts about your Clan. You hear me, Mari? Your Clan,” Sora said.
“Oh, I hear you perfectly. My Clan has either fled or is completely, brutally, mad.”
“Well,” Sora said, smiling at Mari. “It is your Clan, Moon Woman.”
* * *
“Father, wake up!” Nik shook Sol’s shoulder. Laru was sleeping beside his Companion. He raised his graying head, giving Nik a few sleepy thumps of this tail. “Father, it’s important. You have to wake up.”
Sol blinked several times, recognized his son, and came instantly awake. “What is it? What’s happened?”
“I have to find Mari. Now. O’Bryan doesn’t have any time left. I might already be too late,” Nik said.
“How much of the night is gone?”
“They just rang the midnight bell,” Nik said.
Sol sat up and began pulling on his clothes. “Here’s what we’re going to do—you’re going to sleep for a few hours, and then—”
“Sleep? Bloody beetle balls, Father! Didn’t you hear me? I don’t have time to sleep.”
“You don’t have time not to sleep. How far do you think you’d get alone in the forest at night with your injuries and your state of exhaustion?” Sol said.
“I can’t sleep while my cousin is dying,” Nik said.
“Nik, you can’t drag that girl through the forest at night, even if you were rested and unhurt. You still need daylight to find your way to Mari. Here’s what I propose—you sleep for a few hours. Just before dawn go to the Channel side of the island, close to the bridge. I’ll have a kayak waiting there for you. Take it to the floating houses. Find the girl and get her in the kayak, then I want you to beach as close to the blind as you can.”
“But, Father, the lookout in the blind will see me for sure.”
“He would see you for sure on any other dawn. On this morning, though, he will be praying with his Sun Priest and accepting the rays of the rising sun,” Sol said. “I’ll be sure the lookout will be able to completely focus on his prayers and accepting the sun because I’ll watch the island for him.”
“If the Tribe finds out you helped me steal a woman from Farm Island, you could lose your position as Sun Priest,” Nik said.
“The Tribe can replace me as Leader. They can never take my calling from me,” Sol said. “So, you’re going to beach the kayak by the lookout blind, and then take the most direct route into the forest.”
“I’ll circumvent the Tribe and head straight for Earth Walker territory.”
“Do you know how you’re going to find Mari?”
Nik ran a hand through his hair. “I’m going to hope Jenna can help me with that, but if she can’t I think I know the general area of where her burrow is located. The truth is I’m counting on Rigel’s help.”
“The pup? You think he’ll lead Mari to you like he did before?” Sol asked.
Nik nodded. “I hope so.”
“Okay, so, let’s say you do find Mari and manage to talk her into trading Jenna’s life for your cousin’s. Then what?” Sol said.
“Then I’ll bring her here to heal O’Bryan, if I can assure her safe passage. Can you help me with that?”
“Well, she’s bonded with a Shepherd. Her father was one of our Tribe. Violence against a member of the Tribe is taboo. Our own laws should protect her, but if they don’t I’m willing to take her under my personal protection. That’s the least I can do for her father.”
“What are you going to do when the Tribe finds out her father was Galen? She knows how he died. She doesn’t know it was you who killed him, but she knows he was killed by the Tribe,” Nik said.
“Cyril will probably disagree with me, which is why I’m not going to ask his advice, or permission, on this. I believe it is time for the truth to be told.”
“That could go badly for you, Father,” Nik said.
“It will be no worse than keeping that terrible secret for all these years.”
“You’re a great man, Father. I love you,” Nik said.
/> “What’s the old saying? The cone doesn’t fall far from the pine?” Sol smiled at his son. “Sleep for a few hours. I’m going to put a kayak in position for you, and provision it. I’ll send Laru to wake you before dawn. Do you have a plan to get the girl and, I assume, her Rigel, to the infirmary?”
“I hadn’t thought that far yet. I expected to have more time to figure this all out.”
Sol stroked his chin, thinking. “I think I can help you with that as well. Time your return for dusk or right afterward. Go to that old meditation platform to the east. You know the one I’m talking about?”
“The one Mother spent so much time carving?”
“That’s it. It’s rarely used after mid-evening because of its distance from the Tribe. I’ll be sure there’s a candle and tinderbox there. Light the candle and put it on the railing. When I see it I’ll know you’ve returned with Mari. Wait there until after the dinner lights are extinguished. Then bring Mari to the base of the infirmary trees where the emergency block and tackle lift is situated. I’ll be above, ready to hoist the three of you up.”
“That’s a great plan, though I have a feeling we’re going to get into a lot of trouble over this,” Nik said, looking at his father with newfound respect.
“I haven’t been in any real trouble for decades, and I’m finding the possibility of it makes me feel young again.”
Nik smiled at Sol and shook his head. “And they call me a troublemaker.”
“They call you more than that!” Nik and Sol chuckled. Then Sol clapped his hands together, causing Laru to wag his tail and trot around his Companion in expectation. “Ha! It’s keeping Laru young, too,” Sol said. Then he sobered and pulled his son into his arms for a fast hug. “Nikolas, try not to almost die again. It’s hard on my heart.”
“I’ll do my best, Father.” Nik crawled into the pallet warmed by his father and his Companion Shepherd, and was asleep before Sol left the nest.
* * *
It seemed only minutes had passed when Laru’s cold muzzle poked his neck and Nik’s face was covered with licks.
“Laru, okay, okay! I’m awake—I’m awake!”
The big Shepherd gave Nik one more lick, and then sprinted from the room and out of the nest. Nik wished he could follow his example, but his body ached. For a moment he felt a terrible sinking in his gut and he hastily unwound the bandage on his leg, sure he was going to see the pus and ulcers had returned along with the deadly blight. He had to sit heavily on the pallet as relief made him weak.
There was no blight, only a tender wound that needed rest. He went to his father’s water bucket and splashed his face and chest with the cool, clean water. Fully awake, he hurried from the bedroom to find that Sol had left a new crossbow and a full quiver of arrows for him, as well as two words, written in his fierce cursive: Return Safely.
Nik smiled, grabbed a pair of his father’s thick leather gloves, the cloak Davis had let him borrow, pulled up the hood, and hurried from the nest.
Nik didn’t go to the lift. It would be too easy for another Tribe member to see him, and to ask questions about where he was off to so early, especially as everyone by now must know he was newly returned from the dead.
But the city in the trees had been designed with a myriad of ways for the Tribe to get safely and quickly to the forest floor, and Nik took advantage of the easiest of those. Not far from his father’s nest was one of the many static rappelling stations the Tribe could use in case of emergency. Every member of the Tribe, from the time they were small children, trained until they were proficient in rappelling. It was second nature for Nik to pull back the cape, put on the gloves, and step into the leather harness, lowering himself swiftly and silently to the dark forest floor far below.
Nik tried to jog down the ridge to the Channel, but his battered body could only be coaxed into a limping walk. He gritted his teeth against the pain and the frustration—O’Bryan didn’t have time for this!
By the time he made it to the broken asphalt that used to be a road, the sky was beginning to lighten with the gray that was the harbinger of dawn and he was sweating with pain and effort.
He found the kayak easily. His father had left it right where he’d promised—beached near the bridge to Farm Island. Nik didn’t allow his eyes or his attention to shift to the bridge. He didn’t think about the terror the water held for him. He focused on the task at hand, which was far more difficult than it would have been had Nik’s body been well. First, he checked the kayak. The paddle was tied inside the little boat, along with a basket filled with food and water. There was also a still warm mug of tea nestled in the middle of the basket. Nik smiled and mentally sent a thank you to his father, and then gulped down the tea. It was sweet and strong, and it sizzled energy through his body, which he definitely needed as dragging the kayak into the water had his wounds screaming in protest. When he finally was able to jump into the boat and begin paddling for the floating houses, he could feel a warm line of blood tracking down his back.
More work for Mari, Nik told himself, refusing to let his wounds cost him any more precious time than was absolutely necessary. They’re nothing compared to what my cousin is going through—nothing.
The current in the Channel was unpredictable and could be difficult to traverse, but it hadn’t rained for almost a week and the river was down and sluggish. Nik made good time to the dock, where he quickly tied the kayak, and then hurried to the first of the floating houses.
All was dark and quiet within. He glanced at the door and the thick metal rod that barred it shut from the outside. No, he wouldn’t open it unless he knew Jenna was inside. Nik went to the window and peered inside between the wooden bars.
He’d been wrong. All was dark, but not quiet within. This close, he could hear soft sobs, muffled moans, and low keening that sounded as unending as the wind.
“Jenna? Jenna, are you in there?” Nik called.
There was a scrambling sound from within as the mounds on the floor shifted and formed into individuals. Pale, silver-tinged faces turned in his direction.
“Jenna! Is there a Jenna inside?”
“Not our male!” Came an angry voice. “Go away!”
“I’m looking for an Earth Walker named Jenna. I have to find her,” Nik said. “Please, it’s an emergency.”
The women turned their backs to him and the muffled sounds of despair began anew. Nik was moving away from the window when a whispered voice stopped him.
“Are you going to hurt her?”
Nik grasped the wooden bars in his hands and squinted through the darkness to see the small, round face of a girl looking at him through gray eyes.
“No.” He spoke softly so as not to rouse the other women. “I wouldn’t hurt Jenna. I need her help.”
“Do you keep your word?”
“I try to. What is your name?”
“Isabel. What is your name?”
“Nik.” He smiled at her. “Isabel, I give you my word that I won’t hurt Jenna, and I won’t let anyone else hurt her either.”
“I’ll remember you, Nik. If you break your word the Earth Mother will know.”
“I wouldn’t have it any other way,” Nik said.
“She’s in the last house.”
“Thank you!” Before he turned away he reached through the bars and offered his hand to her, which she took in her small, thin one. “Things are going to change for you. That I promise, too.”
Isabel’s smile was sad and disbelieving. Silently, she lay down and curled into herself.
Nik limped down the dock to the last house. He unbarred the door and stepped inside. Faces turned in his direction and he spoke quickly, with authority.
“Jenna! It’s Nik. Where are you?”
There was a rustling sound as a mound of blankets moved, and then Jenna was blinking up at him.
“Nik?”
He hurried to her, stepping carefully over or around the scattered bodies of weeping women. Nik held out his hand. �
�Come with me.”
She only hesitated for an instant, then she held up her hand. Nik grasped it, pulled her to her feet, and taking her elbow he began guiding her through the room.
They’d almost made it to the door when hands scrabbled for him, pulling at his pants, trying to stop him. Cries lifted from all around him.
“No!”
“Don’t take her!”
“Stop!”
Nik pushed Jenna out the door and faced the room. “I won’t hurt her. I give you my word.”
The women began to keen and turned away from him. Feeling sick, Nik left the house, barring the door behind him. He guided the silent Jenna to the kayak. She didn’t resist as he helped her sit in it. As he paddled away from the dock and made for the far shore, heading for the solitary lookout blind, the sky began to change from gray to the pale yellows and blushing peaches of sunrise. Nik ignored the burning pain in his back and paddled with all of his strength.
“Jenna, we’ll be out of this kayak in a few minutes, then we’re going to have to move fast. We need to get ashore before anyone sees us. Do you understand?”
When she didn’t respond he glanced at her. Her arms were wrapped around herself and she was rocking slowly back and forth. As the sun climbed above the horizon, the silver-gray tinge was fading from her skin, but her eyes were wide and except for a pervasive sense of sadness, empty of reason or emotion.
Grimly, Nik paddled.
When he reached the bank just below the blind, Nik didn’t hesitate. He rammed the kayak into the sandy ground, tossed the basket onto the bank, and then lifted Jenna by her waist and managed to half drag, half carry her to shore. There he picked up the basket and took Jenna’s little hand in his, looking into her dark eyes and speaking quickly and earnestly.
“We have to hurry and be very quiet until we’re out of Tribe territory. Just keep ahold of my hand, and I’ll guide you. Once we’re safe, I’ll explain what’s going on. For now, can you just trust me?”
Jenna blinked like she was breaking the surface after a long dive. “No one killed us.”
“No one is going to kill us,” Nik said. “Not today.”
