“Aerik, Therkla.” Aveline gestured for Tasha to keep moving as she slowed Socks to pace alongside the Watchman and oroq. “You said you explored some of the mines around here. In this area?”
“Farther east.” Aerik sauntered along, gnawing a stick of dried meat. He offered some to Therkla. “Closer to the coast.”
“That whole area is a maze of box canyons and dead-end valleys.” Therkla slapped away the meat Aerik waved under her nose. “We spent too many weeks lost, and we returned to the river when our food started to run low. Plus, winter was coming. Those mountains are no place to be when the snow comes.”
Snapping the reins, Aveline urged her mount forward to catch up with Tasha and Silvermane. Socks snorted and tossed his head in protest. The area of which Aerik and Therkla spoke, southeast of Curton, provided protection from icy, southern sea storms but little else. The terrain, too harsh for easy travel, rebuked all attempts to mine its hills or harvest its forests.
“Are we there yet?” Tasha rubbed her thighs, wincing, as her friend approached.
“You need to spend more time on horseback.” Aveline glanced at Vasco, who tried to engage Aerik and Therkla in conversation. The pair seemed uninterested.
“I prefer walking to riding, honestly. This little trip reminds me why.”
Looking ahead, Aveline pointed toward a stand of trees in a small valley. “We should be drawing close now. We’ll stop in those trees, and I’ll ride ahead a bit to see how close.”
“I’ve been thinking about that.” Tasha rubbed her talisman. “This morning, when I went off alone, I took a moment to… well, to connect with Gaia again. To see if I could force those feelings from last night back to the surface, so I could figure out what that was all about.”
“That seems unwise.” Aveline regarded the sorceress. Experimenting with power she didn’t understand after unconsciously lashing out at Therkla seemed the height of foolishness.
“It’s fine. Since I wasn’t taken off guard this time, I controlled it. But for a few moments, I was able to see you all in the camp”—Tasha touched Aveline’s arm—“through the crows’ eyes.”
“What?” Furrowing her brow, Aveline shook her head. “Is that… how is that possible?”
“Abarron told me some mystics could communicate with beasts. See the world through their eyes. I don’t know how they did it, but that is what happened this morning. When we stop, I could try again, maybe see if I could get them to fly ahead and scout the mine. It’ll be a lot safer than one of us going ahead alone to see if anyone is there.”
Aveline considered Tasha’s suggestion. She liked the idea of a safer approach. “It’s worth trying, I suppose. We’ll have to make sure you don’t try to flay the oroq with the trees again, even unconsciously.”
“I don’t think that will happen again, but I understand you wanting to take precautions. I feel really bad about that, Aveline.” Tasha stole a glance over her shoulder. “I’m supposed to be better than that.”
“You are.” Aveline rubbed the stallion’s neck. “Everybody has bad days now and again.”
“A bad day like that could get someone killed.”
“I can’t argue with that. Let’s try to have good days from now on, right?” Aveline nudged Socks forward. She wanted to let him run, but she compelled herself to pace with Aerik and Therkla.
The valley, densely forested with beech and poplar trees, seemed the perfect place to hunker down while Tasha communed with Gaia to attempt to connect with the crows. All day, the birds followed the group, disappearing from sight now and again, but always returning within minutes. The sun sank toward the western horizon.
Aveline guided them around the edge of the forest until she judged they neared its eastern tip. After dismounting, she led Socks into the woods on foot. “We’ll stop here for now and scout ahead. We must be close to the mine.”
Therkla sat on a fallen beech. “Who’s going on ahead? Hopefully, one of you who haven’t been walking all day.” She yanked off her boots, then rubbed her feet.
Aerik sat next to her. “Will you rub mine next?”
“Maris take you!” Therkla shoved Aerik, causing him to tumble off the log. “Rub your own damned feet.”
“I’m doing it.” Tasha secured Silvermane’s reins near Socks. “At least, I’m going to try.”
After smoothing her tunic, she collected a handful of oats from her saddlebag to feed Silvermane.
“What do you want me to do?” Vasco leaned on his staff.
“Nothing. Watch my stuff while I’m gone.”
Aveline took hold of Tasha’s arm as she walked past. “Do you want me to go with you? Keep an eye out?”
Tipping her head toward Therkla and Aerik, Tasha shook her head. “Keep an eye on them.”
* * *
As Tasha proceeded into the woods, she heard Therkla and Aerik arguing with Aveline about sending a witch to do a warrior’s job. Ignoring them, she pressed onward, eventually finding an area clear of underbrush. Tasha knelt on the mossy earth, shifting her knees to avoid hidden rocks in the loam, and closed her eyes.
Leaning forward, she placed her palms on the dirt, opening her mind to the life-energy flowing all around her. Abarron’s scrolls provided valuable insight to facilitate the connection. Within moments, Tasha perceived her group of friends. Her consciousness expanded, encompassing them before she searched for the crows. The wind blowing through the branches flowed around Tasha, like water coursing over her body and around her bones.
On a branch overlooking the camp, the crows groomed themselves. Tasha nudged one of the birds with her mind, a slight caress. It took to the sky in a flash, bursting through the canopy and gliding in a gentle circle. The spinning of the forest below and mountains on the horizon dizzied Tasha until the crow gained its bearings.
Mine. Find the mine. Tasha didn’t know if the crow understood her. Her intention must have been clear enough because it turned toward the mountains southeast of the forest valley. Seeing through its eyes, a surreal experience, showed her a world of colors she’d never before experienced.
Ahead, motes of light shone against a dark hole in the side of a hill. As the crow flew closer, she saw timber braces around the hole, the sign of a mine entrance. Scattered tents, two or three, erected just outside of the entrance, sheltered several humanoids. Before she noted more detail, the crow caught an updraft and tilted back, climbing toward the sky. A massive pinwheel filled her vision, the Great Whirlpool of Nethuns, a common sight in the summer skies, rendered in brilliant sapphire detail.
Back, back to the mine. I need to see more. Get closer. The crow obeyed, circling and angling downward. Two humanoid creatures with sinuous tails carried a barrel between them as three smaller figures, draks, pointed toward the mine entrance. One of the draks wielded a whip, cracking it at the two carrying the barrel. A tall figure fell, and the barrel crashed to the ground. It rolled away as the other chased after it.
A drak stared straight at Tasha, or, rather, the crow. Shouting, he pointed just before a ray of flame shot from his finger toward the bird.
Tasha’s eyes snapped open. Briefly, she confused the lack of sensation from the crow for blindness and deafness. The real world seemed muted. She sat up, digging the palms of her hands into her eyes. Smoothing her skirt, she returned to the group.
Aveline brushed her stallion’s mane while Vasco relaxed against the same fallen beech where Therkla and Aerik sat. She glanced up as Tasha approached. “Anything?”
“They’re draks and at least two other creatures I’m not familiar with. Human-sized, with tails.” She retrieved the waterskin from her saddle, then took a drink. “There’s at least one wizard among them.”
“Either they’re so close they can hear us talking, or you’re lying. There’s no way you could have gone all that way and back in that time.” Leaning forward, Therkla sneered. “Unless you can fly.”
“Crows can fly.” Tasha glanced at the sky, noticing only one crow circling
over the camp.
Clapping his hands, Aerik nudged Therkla. “You see? She is the Crow Queen!”
“Nonsense.” Tasha took another drink. “It’s something I decided to try after what happened last night. I’m just a sorceress. I trained at the Arcane University in Maritropa. Old Abarron in Curton taught me a few mystic tricks, that’s all.”
Aveline took Tasha aside, keeping her voice low. “Are you going to be all right if these draks are the culprit? You have such a good rapport with the draks in town.”
Tasha shuffled her feet. “I’ll be fine. If these draks are hurting people, they need to be stopped, just like anyone else. They looked like they were beating the tall ones, the ones with tails. I didn’t get a good enough look to see who they were.”
Just then, the other crow flew into camp. Tasha stiffened when it landed on her shoulder. Aveline stepped away. “New friend?”
“I don’t…” Tasha regarded the bird on her shoulder. Revan. “His name is Revan.” She pointed at the crow still on the overhanging branch. “That one is Korbin. I don’t know how I know that.”
“Cybele’s tits…” Aerik pointed. “They speak to you.”
Therkla scoffed. Aerik glared at her. “Stop telling me I’m mad, woman. I know the stories. The Crow Queen can speak to the birds, make them do her bidding. She is one with the land, and the land is one with her.”
“Caw-caw, caw!” The birds called in unison, bobbing. Korbin landed alongside Revan.
A bead of sweat rolled down Tasha’s spine.
Vasco used his staff to push himself up. “I’ve not heard of this before. Tell me the stories, Aerik.”
“Pacha’s balls, it’s not bedtime.” Therkla smacked Aerik on the hip, glaring at Tasha. “Save the stories for when we’re piss-drunk and finished with this business. Are we going to go to these mines or not?”
Therkla’s crude rejoinder notwithstanding, her point about the mine resonated with Tasha. Aveline agreed. “Yes. We’ll solve Tasha’s bird problem later. We’ll tie the horses up here, then proceed to the mine on foot.”
Pepper whickered at Vasco’s approach. The wizard stroked the mare’s nose. “Should we leave them unguarded? Aren’t there wolves about?”
“Bird girl can watch them.” Therkla pushed Aerik out of her way. “I don’t want that witch around when we start whacking drak’s heads from their necks. She might not remember I’m on your side.”
Her words stung Tasha like an angry wasp. Balling her fists, Aveline approached the oroq, but Tasha lunged between them. “She’s right. I’m not sure we should trust my magic right now. I’ll look after the horses, and I’ll keep watch over you with one of the crows. If you need me, Vasco can send a messenger.” She nodded at the wizard. “They taught you that spell in Maritropa, yes?”
“Yes, of course.” Vasco scowled.
Tasha leaned toward Aveline, lowering her voice. “It’ll be all right. It’s better this way. Therkla won’t be constantly peering over her shoulder if I’m not around, and she looks like she’s good in a fight. Just watch out for the tall ones with tails. I don’t think they’re willing participants.”
Aveline gritted her teeth. “All right. I don’t feel good about leaving you behind, but forcing the issue right now will cause problems. Damn it.” She put her hand on Tasha’s shoulder. “Watch our backs and be careful.”
Tasha watched the group depart. “You too.”
Chapter 17
“All right, let’s stay close.” Aveline crept forward as the mine came into view over the top of the hill. She lowered herself, wincing each time her plate mail clanked.
Upon crawling next to her, Therkla put her hand on Aveline’s arm. “I appreciate heavy steel armor, but there’s no point being sneaky with all that noise you’re making.”
Ignoring her, Aveline peered at the makeshift camp in front of the mine. She did not see the draks Tasha mentioned, but she noted flickering lights coming from within the tents. The lack of cover between the top of the hill and the mine entrance concerned her; leaving her armor behind to enter a potentially dangerous confrontation seemed unwise.
Aerik belly crawled next to Therkla. “Are the kidnapped women there?”
“They won’t be keeping them outside,” Therkla hissed. Vasco joined them at the top of the hill. Dropping to his belly, he crept forward, stopping when he reached Aveline.
“How do we even know they’re the ones we seek?” Vasco regarded the other three. “Has anyone seen any of the missing people?”
“Tasha said it looked like a drak was whipping one of the others.” Aveline watched for any trace of movement within the camp. “That doesn’t sound very friendly to me.”
“You’re going to trust the word of that witch?” Therkla spat on the ground.
Aveline glared. “I trust her with my life. The draks she described sounded like slavers to me, and her word is all I require.”
“Odd, isn’t it?” Vasco scratched his stubble. “That draks would keep slaves?”
“Payback, maybe?” Keeping his eyes on the camp, Aerik held his voice low. “Many draks are kept as slaves in the north, I hear. If I’d been a slave, I’d want to turn the tables on my captors.”
After pushing herself backward until the camp was no longer visible, Aveline sat upright. Clouds intermittently obscured the light from the King and Queen, adding to the gloom of early evening. “The princess may not acknowledge it, but this is still Etrunia. Slavery is not permitted here.”
She rose, mace in hand. “Let’s go.”
Therkla wrapped a meaty hand around her ankle. “You’re going to wake everyone down there, Clanker.”
Vasco held up a finger as green wisps swirled around him. “Not so. Siopi.” He touched Aveline. For a brief moment, a green glow surrounded her.
“What’s that?” Aveline’s eyes widened when she could not hear herself speak.
“I can do the rest of us, if you like.”
Aveline nodded in response. Therkla scooted backward. “We’re quite enough. Besides, lady knight here can’t squawk at us now.”
Bitch. After offering Therkla a rude gesture in response, Aveline leapt to her feet and sprinted down the hill. They can catch up if they want to help.
Halfway down the hill, Aveline realized Vasco didn’t mention how long the spell would last. She hoped it didn’t wear off before she’d subdued the first of the tent-dwellers. Without waiting for the others to catch up, Aveline angled toward the tent closest to the mine entrance. Ridge tents such as these often possessed no means of securing their access flaps. As she drew close, Aveline viewed a drak with his back to her hunkered over a pack. Slowing her descent, she crept up behind him.
Stealing a glance behind her, she observed Therkla, Aerik, and Vasco approaching. After securing her mace to her belt, Aveline gestured toward the others. Smiling, Therkla drew her blade, crouching as she moved forward. When the oroq reached the front of the tent, Aveline dashed forward, clamping her fingers around the drak’s snout and wrapping an arm around his neck.
After dragging the wriggling drak out of the tent, she slammed him onto the dirt, maintaining her grip around his mouth. Therkla emerged from the other tent, her blade dripping blood.
Grimacing, Aveline gestured for Vasco. She pointed at her mouth. While Therkla cleaned her blade, Aerik rummaged through the tent from which she’d emerged.
Vasco touched Aveline’s arm. “Ichos.”
“Handy enchantment, that.” Aveline struggled to keep hold of the writhing drak.
“Very popular among Maritropa’s less savory populace.”
“All right, Drak.” Aveline forced the prisoner’s head toward Therkla. “My oroq companion there just gutted your friend.” By Anetha’s shield, these better not be innocent draks. “I’ve a mind to let her have her way with you unless you start talking. Quiet now, understand?”
Leaning into his throat as he nodded, she released his jaws. “Master will not like you cutting his fingers. He’ll f
eed us your men. Maybe you women will serve.”
Oh good, they’re not just a wandering family in search of a new home. “What are you talking about? Who is your master?”
“Fantastic. Cultists.” Therkla smacked Aerik’s protruding behind with the flat of her blade. “Get out here. We’ll loot their crap later.”
“Master was a man, like you,” the drak hissed. He licked his lips. “Now he is Master Under the Mountain. We fingers find what he needs, and he needs those who can mother.”
Aveline regarded the oroq. “I don’t suppose either of you have rope. I don’t make a habit of traveling with shackles.”
“Sure, we have rope.” She stopped Aerik from digging through his pack. “I’m not cutting it for him, though. Just stick him and be done with it. This is obviously the place we’re looking for.”
“That’s not necessary.” Vasco laid the blade of his staff across the drak’s chest. “Step away, please, Lady Aveline.”
She released the drak.
Emerald tendrils danced down Vasco’s staff, enveloping the drak. “Syndesi somatos. Siopi. That should hold him for several hours. Until dawn at least.”
The drak’s eyes widened, darting back and forth, yet he lay motionless on the ground. Aveline yanked him to his feet. The drak remained rigid, unable to plant his feet to remain upright.
“He can make no voluntary movements nor make a sound.” Vasco took the drak from Aveline. He then laid him in the tent. Removing the candle from inside, he extinguished it.
Therkla grunted. “I wouldn’t trust that not to wear off. I still say we should stick a blade in him. He won’t come after us then for sure.”
“Later.” Holding up her hand, Aveline pointed at Therkla. “You said ‘cultists.’ Do you know what he’s talking about? The Master Under the Mountain. His fingers? What nonsense is this?”
Summer of Crows Page 13
