Altaica

by Tracy M. Joyce

  ‘Ratilal won’t try anything now.’

  ‘I am going to kill him,’ Baldev ground out.

  ‘Come on, let’s get this agreement finished.’

  ‘Finished? Don’t you mean started?’

  ‘I have half of it already written.’ Karan grinned. ‘We just need to add the games and the fair and it will be done.’

  Baldev shook his head.

  ‘What?’ Karan said. ‘Can’t a man be prepared?’

  * * *

  Shahjahan stood with his arms folded, waiting for Ratilal to speak. Instead, Ratilal turned defiantly from his father, maintaining a sullen silence as his resentment mounted. Shahjahan broke the silence. ‘You are not here to order my men about. You are here to learn.’

  ‘Vikram was disrespectful,’ he ground out.

  ‘What have you done to warrant his respect? Or the respect of any warrior?’ Shahjahan was scathing.

  Ratilal felt as if the whip had struck his back again. I have proven my skills. I am your son. What more do I have to do?

  ‘Next, you are not to use the title of lord. There is only one lord here—me.’

  Ratilal’s jaw was clenched, but he bit out, ‘It seems to me there are two other lords here as well and they seem to be in control.’

  Shahjahan spun him around and slapped him across the face, opening his scabs and making them bleed. ‘Grow up, watch and learn. There may still be hope that you will make something useful of yourself.’ Shahjahan all but spat at him before turning on his heel and marching back to Parlan.

  * * *

  Baldev instructed his warriors to be ready to leave once the treaty was signed. Neither he nor Karan wished to linger in this territory. He was thankful that Ratilal had stayed out of his way; killing him would be entirely satisfying, but would not help peace. Perhaps I can arrange an accident for him? Thinking about it some more, he realised that Ratilal had disappeared for a few hours, then remained by his father’s side—observing, seemingly contrite and dutiful. Perhaps the old man had finally reached him. No, I don’t believe that for one second.

  Baldev had been observing for some time as their strangers were encouraged to leave the lodge and sit under the large tree that dominated the square, where the guards had extra rations for them. Asha was with them, smiling, encouraging them to relax. The guards attempted to mingle with the strangers and appeared at ease, but Baldev knew they would be ever watchful.

  Asha felt Baldev’s scrutiny even from a distance and decided to talk to him. Umniga had always visited the Bear territory regularly. When they were young, Asha had trained with Baldev at Gopindar’s lodge. He was always friendly, never patronising and helped her in anyway he could, but then so did the other young warriors.

  They’d all regularly relaxed at the local tavern. She remembered one drinking game after which she’d learned to loathe kirfir—she’d never had such a hangover in her life. Baldev had snuck her back to his father’s citadel and taken care of her until she was sober so Umniga wouldn’t find out. After that night he had thrown intense looks her way and she wondered what on earth she’d revealed in her drunken ramblings.

  Then his father died, suddenly he was clan lord and everything changed. The boy she knew had been consumed by the role of clan lord—she prayed that boy, her boy, was still there. Sometimes, like now, she caught a glimpse of something beyond the gruff role he’d assumed. As she approached him, she hoped she was right.

  His smile was unguarded. ‘Asha?’

  ‘I just came to tell you it seems to be working.’ She paused, uncertain, embarrassed, sure she was telling him what he could see plainly himself, but she kept talking, willing herself to get over her nerves and ensure the the conversation continued. ‘They were very wary at first, but then glad to walk out.’ I must sound like an idiot. ‘We have been trying to talk with them. We’ve been teaching them words …’

  Overcoming his own case of nerves, Baldev cleared his throat. ‘How are they faring with that?’ They both watched Pio go back to the lodge door and peer in briefly before returning to the others.

  Asha laughed lightheartedly. It amazed and delighted Baldev that she could still do so. ‘He’ll be checking on Isaura.’ Baldev frowned. ‘The girl,’ she explained. ‘Little Pio is a wonder. He seems to simply absorb the new language; his curiosity and thirst for knowledge runs rampant, along with the rest of him.’

  Baldev grinned. ‘You like him?’

  ‘Oh yes! He’ll be fun to teach. You know Umniga thinks he’ll be a Bard Kenati?’

  Baldev shook his head, mesmerised by her expressive face. He knew she would have to return to the others soon, but he longed for her to stay beside him. ‘Once we are in the North, you and Umniga will have a lot to teach them. You will have to stay put for a while to do so.’

  She glanced sharply at him. ‘Of course, if you command it.’

  ‘It is not a command, just a wish,’ he said very softly.

  Asha blushed. He had never seen her blush, and it took a moment before she could meet his eyes.

  ‘What did those left behind do when you took the others out?’ He hoped a change in conversation would alleviate her embarrassment.

  ‘They wanted to come, but we stopped them.’

  ‘Good.’

  ‘I fear it will drive a wedge between them and their fellows. They were clearly resentful.’

  ‘That is good, Asha. It will mean less trouble for us when we leave with them. Remember we don’t want the others.’ She stared at the ground, obviously feeling guilty. ‘They are Shahjahan’s responsibility.’ He wanted to take her hand and raise her face to his, but Karan’s warning rang through his mind. He would not risk her by revealing here how deeply he felt. There will be time later. ‘Asha,’ his voice held a quiet anguish that made her look at him with concern. ‘We couldn’t take them even if we wanted to. We would never have reached a peace agreement if we wanted them all.’

  Asha stared at him, feeling the emotion he put into her name like a ripple of warmth along her soul. Baldev looked apologetic when he broke the sudden stillness between them.

  ‘Does the girl Isaura have family?’

  ‘No, just these ones, her friends.’

  ‘Where did Umniga go?’

  ‘Karan summoned her.’ Another silence ensued, this one awkward. Baldev cursed.

  ‘Baldev? I mean, my lord?’

  Baldev scowled at the term—a reminder of duty and opportunity lost. ‘You do not have to address me as lord. Baldev will do.’ His scowl deepened and he took a great breath before continuing softly, ‘Asha, there is much I would tell you … much I would say to you, but I cannot here amongst my enemies. Just know this, when I heard you had been attacked, I was enraged. I felt as if a great weight had seated itself upon my chest and I have never been more relieved in my life to hear that you lived, save when I saw you again.’

  Asha grinned—she couldn’t help it. Suddenly everything felt right. She began to reach out to him, but stopped herself.

  He nodded. ‘Later … we’ll talk later. Go back to the others.’

  * * *

  Shahjahan had ordered tables set up around the square and all the extra food he had brought to be given to the villagers of Parlan for a feast that night in celebration of the peace treaty, with a promise that any extra food used would be replaced from his personal stores. Several spits were turning—some with hogs, others with goats. Pio and the other children had been regularly checking on the progress of the roast all afternoon until they were finally sent on their way by a fierce-faced Nada wielding a wooden spoon.

  Lucia and Gabriela had approached Nada, hoping to help with preparations. Although they still tired easily, they had both needed something to do, and felt a need to help and show their gratitude to these people who had rescued them. Curro, Nicanor and Jaime had helped the men set up in anyway they could.

  It was now near dusk. The locals of Parlan were gathering and guards intermingled with the crowd. The rest of the strange
rs had been allowed out of the lodge, but Elena found she could no longer enjoy their friendship; after witnessing the special treatment Elena and the others received, they were suspicious and resentful of her. Elena joined Lucia and Gabriela, suddenly desirous of their company.

  ‘They hate us,’ Elena said.

  Lucia said wearily, ‘They don’t hate us. They are just scared. Worried what singles us out, and not them.’

  ‘That’s easy,’ Elena muttered.

  Lucia glared at her. ‘Watch your tone, Elena. Or you can go back to them.’

  ‘At least Daniel has come out now,’ Gabriela said with relief. Now that everyone had exited the lodge, he had no choice but to join them.

  * * *

  Karan peered through a crack in the barn wall. He heard Umniga stir behind him, then join him at his side. He raised an eyebrow in question at her.

  ‘They are there,’ she said.

  ‘Good.’ He moved away from the wall so she could take up his position and look through the crack. Her lips pursed as she saw Baldev and Asha.

  ‘Leave them be, old one.’

  ‘She has a duty to perform.’

  ‘So does he, but leave them be. Her duty and his are not incompatible.’ Umniga ignored him. He put his hand heavily on her shoulder and pulled her away from the spy hole. ‘Umniga, I mean this. Do not interfere with them. Let things take whatever course they will. Let them fall in love.’

  ‘Spoken so well for someone who has never given his heart to anyone.’

  ‘Listen to me now. Baldev and I both had our duty drummed into us when we were children. We have lived our entire lives by doing our duty. In this, we will have freedom. I know you better than you think. You would have us marry and breed for lineage and talent, not love. In this, I will not be denied. But if you interfere with them, you will no longer have my support, but my enmity.’

  ‘You mean this?’ She was wary, but sceptical.

  ‘Umniga.’ His tone brooked no argument and had taken on a sharp, hard edge. She could feel steel against her throat, yet his sword was not drawn. ‘I grant you leeway in your address, because of your age and service, but remember this—I am clan lord, not you. Do not play games with Asha and Baldev.’

  She felt the pressure against her release. ‘You are more like your grandfather than you know.’

  Karan grimaced. ‘Obey me in this. You are very good, old woman, at reminding us of the will of the gods; we are here because of it. I have risked my men because of you. Did you ever think that this, between Asha and Baldev, might be the will of the gods too? Remember your true role.’

  At this, her head snapped up and her eyes flashed in anger. ‘The gods have their own agenda—one that we are not privy to.’

  ‘Asha’s path does not have to be the same as yours. She can still fulfil her duty. Leave them be. Let them be happy.’ Karan slipped from the barn.

  Umniga, thoughtful, took a last look through the crack at Asha and Baldev, tears in her eyes. She watched Karan’s departing back, smiling through her tears. Perversely, she felt proud. How had he gone from boy to clan lord so quickly? She had been treating him as if he was still a green young man when he wasn’t—not at all. He was a clan lord to be proud of, like those of old. She suspected he had talents she didn’t know about, talents he’d kept hidden. Cunning one. She found herself chuckling. He put me in my place. And he was right to do so. She was still smiling as she left the barn to join the others.

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  THE CLAN LORDS had made their pledge for peace before the assembled villagers and guards; now they took turns to sign the copies of the treaty. The observers cheered loudly at the end of the oaths, proud that their little village was host to something so momentous. However, they were solemn as they craned their necks to see the signing. This was a new notion to them. Someone near Deo muttered, ‘Why are they doing this? Don’t they trust our lord?’

  Deo cast them a disparaging look. ‘I’ll bet my life it’s not our lord they don’t trust.’

  Quizzical, the man near him leaned down to whisper, ‘What?’

  Deo rolled his eyes. ‘Ratilal. Would you trust him?’ There were murmurs of assent from those near him.

  Nada thumped his arm. ‘Ssh! You’ll be heard.’

  The signing was complete. Three copies of the treaty existed, one for each lord.

  ‘Now,’ Shahjahan announced, ‘let the feast begin.’ Aside he said quietly to Karan and Baldev, clapping his arms on their shoulders, ‘I know you two wish to be gone, but we must be seen to cement this in celebration together.’

  ‘We will stay for a few hours, then take our leave,’ Baldev replied.

  Barrels of mead and ale were tapped. Local musicians had gathered and began the Ristandia. It was a dance that always opened every celebration night. All the couples held hands and danced in a circle, before the circle came together in the centre and moved back. The couples then paired off to dance, arm in arm until the close of the music where the circle was joined and the danced finished as it had begun. Most of the locals and not a few of the soldiers were dancing; those who were not were clapping and stamping time on the sidelines. The strangers were smiling and clapping, but not dancing.

  Karan approached Nicanor, inclining his head slightly toward him, and held out his hand to Lucia. He kept his eyes on Nicanor, clearly seeking permission. Lucia took a step back smiling, but shaking her head.

  Nicanor grinned at her. ‘Go on. We’ve got to mix.’

  Lucia took Karan’s hand and found herself whirled around in the dance. She was worried about missing the steps, but quickly realised that they were not unlike dances at home. Once or twice she misstepped, but no one seemed to notice, or Karan covered for her. Karan watched as the strangers slowly joined in the dance. Though none would dance for long in their still weakened state, at least it was a beginning. He knew that Lucia was tiring and, his purpose served, he returned her to her husband.

  ‘Well,’ Nicanor said, laughing. ‘You did enjoy yourself after all.’

  Lucia, breathless, replied, ‘Yes. It seems one country dance is just like another.’

  ‘A dance for me?’

  ‘Oh Nic, I haven’t got it in me. I need a rest.’

  With good humour, Nicanor embraced her. ‘Next time, my love,’ he said as he kissed her brow. ‘There will be a next time. I think everything will be fine now. I feel good about this new land.’

  Karan stood beside Baldev. ‘Not dancing?’

  Baldev snorted into his ale, sending foam flying. ‘I have my pride, and falling on my arse in front of this lot would do nothing for it.’ He glared as Vikram tried to encourage Asha to dance.

  ‘Careful, you’ll break the handle off that tankard if you hold it any tighter. I don’t think your pride will cope too well covered in ale either.’

  Baldev growled something unintelligible.

  ‘He just wants to dance.’

  ‘She’s not up to it.’

  ‘Come on.’ Karan grabbed his arm and hauled him off. ‘Let’s make sure that the men are still organising to leave.’

  ‘You know they are,’ Baldev glowered.

  ‘Yes, but if we keep standing here you will make an arse of yourself one way or another—that won’t endear you to Asha.’

  Karan was proud of his men. They had all participated in the celebration in some way, but had fulfilled their orders to the letter—be seen to celebrate, but remain watchful. He had expected no less. None over indulged in alcohol, but he could not say the same for Shahjahan’s men. Vikram and Āsim had kept a tight rein on Asha’s guard, but half the others were drunk. What worried Karan was that fewer of Ratilal’s men were in the same state.

  He had intended to leave earlier, but Shahjahan had wanted to discuss the games, and this had led to him reminiscing. Karan had enjoyed his tales of bygone days and let him continue for a while, but now they must leave. He went in search of Baldev and Umniga.

  * * *

  Pio lay asleep on
the side of the grassy slope near the beach with his new friend. They had left the celebration armed with two large tankards of mead and a plate piled with food. Having devoured the food and mead and spent time chasing rabbits, they had then gone back for more food and ale. Though satiated, they made themselves finish the ale. After all, they had gone to a lot of trouble to procure it—they should finish it. The pair had lain down, giggling at the stars. When the stars began to spin, they had closed their eyes. Moaning, they realised that this did not help—they still felt like they were spinning. Pio had sat up. He felt worse, so he had lain back down, shut his eyes tightly and prayed.

  Lucia was frantic. ‘Pio is gone! I can’t find him anywhere!’

  ‘Last I saw he was with the other children,’ Nicanor said. He was worried but he wouldn’t let Lucia see it. ‘He has plenty of common sense. He won’t go far or get into trouble. He’s probably with Isa …’

  ‘Nic! Don’t you think that was the first place I looked?’

  Lucia marched up to Karan, who was talking with Umniga. She reached out to touch his arm and get his attention. Remembering who he was, she quickly dropped her arm and waited. They both turned to her. ‘Pio?’ was all she got out.

  Annoyed, Karan bit out, ‘Find him, Umniga. We need to leave. We have delayed long enough.’

  Umniga took Lucia’s hand and went to Nicanor. She saw Asha and waved her over. ‘Pio has wandered off.’

  ‘Last I saw he was with one of Deo’s grandsons.’

  ‘Wonderful,’ Umniga said sarcastically. Devi landed on her outstretched arm. Umniga bade Lucia and Nicanor to sit with her. Asha stood behind her protectively as she connected with Devi. Bewildered, Lucia watched the brown owl fly away.

  ‘Pio,’ Asha said, pointing in the direction the bird went.

  ‘That bird is going to find Pio?’ Lucia asked dubiously.

  Curro and the others joined the group sitting on the grass. ‘No luck,’ he said. ‘We can’t find him anywhere nearby. The soldiers haven’t seen him and won’t let us leave to look further away.’

  Lucia gave a slightly hysterical laugh. ‘Oh, it’s fine, really. The old woman’s sent a bird to find him.’