by Claudia King
“Come,” Netya said firmly. “Your duties begin today. Each morning I expect you to be awake at dawn.”
“They aren't awake,” Kiren replied, nudging her head toward the others.
“They are not my apprentices.”
Kiren lingered for a moment longer, but it was plain from her posture that she had no desire to stay where she was. Had she slept at all? The girl's toes squirmed against the furs, fingers plucking at the edge of her leather tunic. She stood up, set the cover back down over the lamp, then shouldered her way through the rattling beads.
“Can I eat?” she asked.
“Quickly, yes. You may eat and bathe. Tomorrow you must have done both before I come to get you.”
They left the cave in silence. Netya took the spare moment to give Sister Luycia her handful of moths and spiders while Kiren washed in the pool at the base of the falls. As soon as she was done Netya beckoned the shivering girl out of the water, scarcely waiting for her to tug back on her clothes before leading the way out of the den.
“What did you do to make Vaya your enemy?” Kiren called from behind.
Netya winced. She would have preferred the prolonged silence.
“Nothing she did not invite willingly. This is no time to discuss it.”
“How can I learn from someone I cannot trust?”
She was inquisitive. Inquisitive and demanding. Nothing like the timid apprentice Netya herself had been.
“If you know Vaya, Kiren, then you must understand how poorly she thinks of sun wolves like me.”
That prompted a moment of silence before Kiren responded. “That cannot be all of it.”
“Would you believe me if I said it was?” Netya planted her staff in the earth and turned around, giving her apprentice a stony glare. “Yes, there was more to our tale, but it was all born of Vaya's distaste for my kind. I do not know what has changed since then. Perhaps the Vaya I knew is different from the one who joined your clan. I can only hope so.”
“Are you the reason she went out wandering alone?”
Netya pursed her lips, remembering one of the many mantras Adel had repeated to them over the years.
“To wrong a witch is to wrong the spirits,” she said. “Vaya betrayed her honour. She wronged me, and she wronged Adel. Had it been an alpha's wrath she invited, she would not have left our clan alive.”
Finally Kiren's determination seemed to falter. She averted her eyes, gazing up at the southern ridge. “I must speak with her again. I need to know.”
“Keep your focus here, on your apprenticeship. You cannot be a seer if your thoughts are constantly divided.”
Kiren looked far from satisfied with the answer, but she offered a stiff nod and followed Netya down into the valley.
“What is the difference between a seer and a witch?” Kiren asked after a while. “Everyone speaks of you as if you are spirit-talkers without equal.”
Trickery, Netya wanted to say. The power to make the other clans think we are more than mortal women. But it went deeper than that. Yes, they had adopted the guise of witches to frighten their rivals, but fear alone had not won the respect of the other packs.
“A witch touches the knowledge that a seer fears,” Netya said. “We embrace the magic of the dark spirits, knowing that it can be used for both good and evil. Den Mother Adel is fearless in her pursuit of such wisdom, and we seek to follow in her footsteps.”
“Is it true that you can call demons from the spirit world?”
Netya smiled slightly. Newcomers always wanted to hear the truth behind the most outlandish legends about them. In that way, at least, Kiren was no different from the other apprentices.
“Not in the way you think. The spirit world is here, all around us. If we can open the eyes of our enemies to what lies beyond, then they will see demons without us having to call them.”
“Then this valley is full of dark spirits.”
“All spirits are strong here. You will see them too, when you are ready. I will teach you to find clarity in your dreams. The wisdom of the spirits will guide you, and with their aid you will guide others.”
“Is that where we are going? To see spirits?”
“No.” Netya shook her head. “That will come much later. First you must learn your herbs.”
A look of impatience crossed Kiren's face. “Herbs? That is no different from what my clan's elders tried to teach me.”
“Then they were wise, for that is where all seers must start. Once you know the name of every plant that grows in this land, then I will teach you how to gather them. Once you know how to gather, you will learn to make medicine. When you know medicine, I will teach you how to administer it,” Netya continued on, rhythmically listing every step along the path of Kiren's apprenticeship. Medicine and healing, the gathering and preparation of herbs, knowledge of the spirit world, finding an animal guide of her own...
By the time she had finished they were at the edge of the forest at the western end of the valley. Kiren stooped to peer beneath the low-hanging branches, but Netya held out her staff to block the way.
“The huntresses will take you exploring another time. Keep out of the forest until they do. Great Rook makes his den on the northern slopes.”
“Is he a warrior?”
“A bear. This valley is his home too, and while he suffers us to stay, he does not take kindly to trespassers in his den.”
Kiren took a step back, but she continued peering into the trees as if eager to catch a glimpse of the great bear. Netya took her along the edge of the forest until they reached an enclosed overhang, the edges of which had been sealed up with walls of wood and packed earth. The result was a quiet, shaded area within which apprentices could learn privately with their mentors. Netya had seldom visited the spot herself, but she was relieved to see that the racks of herbs and bags of seeds the other mentors used were all there. Some plants would need to be collected fresh, but Kiren could begin learning the basics with what they had here.
Motioning for her apprentice to sit down in front of a well-used work slab, Netya took the first few bundles from the nearest rack and spread them out in front of her. A creeping doubt suffused her thoughts as she saw Kiren rocking back and forth on her knees.
This girl lacks even the patience to sit still.
How would she manage to stare at her work slab day after day, running over the names of all the plants until she could recite them without thinking? And that was only the start of it.
Netya rapped the slate sharply with the butt of her staff. Kiren flinched in surprise, but her wandering eyes snapped back to the array of herbs.
“No more distractions, girl. You are my apprentice now.”
—5—
Old Wounds
Even surrounded by the peaceful wind-rustle of the forest trees, she could tell someone was watching her. Word of her scuffle had spread throughout the pack. Surely it had reached Alpha Orec's ears by now. Perhaps the watchers whose telltale footfalls broke the nearby undergrowth had been sent to bring her back.
Vaya squeezed her lips together, working them back and forth over her teeth as she snapped another piece of wood in half. If they planned on confronting her, they were taking a long time mustering the courage for it. The stupid pup had followed her out here as well, somehow managing to keep up with her long strides despite tripping over every tangle of undergrowth it came across. She was beginning to think the creature was slow in the head, even for an animal.
She tossed half of the broken stick into the shrubs, watching Pup bark as he dashed off to bring it back. What an empty name. Pup. Such a name could never carry the status of a proud hunter. And a hunter the creature was, even if he had not grown into it yet. How were names chosen, anyway? She knew expectant mothers often consulted the seers for guidance when naming their young, but such things were beyond Vaya's realm of understanding. If Pup had a true name, who would know it? Was it even right to name a wild beast in the first place, or would it draw the ire of t
he spirits?
Vaya's attention perked as the young wolf began growling. He had disappeared into the undergrowth in search of the stick, and now something else had caught his attention. She whistled sharply. Still he did not return.
“Stop hiding,” she called into the forest. “I know you are there. If your alpha has sent you to find me, then show yourself.”
Rather than one of Orec's warriors, she was greeted by a face she had not seen in many years. The feeling was surreal, like something from a dream that had set foot in the physical world. Even though she had known many of her old packmates must have been nearby, she had not prepared herself for what it would be like to see them again.
The man who strode out of the trees was Alpha Khelt's childhood friend, Caspian. Curiously, the first feeling he evoked in her was a memory of the time they had spent together as youngsters. She had liked making the boys scared of her back then. None of the other young females could do it. It had been a good feeling. Being respected. Acknowledged. She had even made the great Alpha Khelt cry once, back before he was big enough to lift a spear. But there was one boy who had never been intimidated by her. This one.
She rose to her feet with a snarl when she saw he had Pup in his arms, one hand grasping him firmly by the middle while the other tugged back on his scruff.
“Leave the wolf alone!” she said, fearing that he was about to snap its neck the same way she had meant to the day before.
“I know he is Yunau's pet, Vaya,” Caspian said. His eyes were narrowed, but his tone was as infuriatingly patient as she remembered. Pup whined and wriggled for a moment, then settled down. “How long is it? Six summers since I last saw your face?”
“I did not count,” Vaya lied. “So you serve the witch too? I never have thought you one to betray your alpha.”
“It is not her I serve in being here, only my mate.” When Vaya showed no sign of understanding, he added, “Netya.”
“You and the sun wolf?” The huntress scoffed. “And they said you were wise.”
“I have never cared what people like you think of me, Vaya. I follow my own path, and I came here today of my own accord.”
Vaya jerked her head toward the trees. “What about the others? I know there are more.”
“The alpha wants you watched. I heard you already tried to pick a fight with one of his warriors.”
“Do not speak to me as if you understand these things. You were never a man of honour.”
“Not your kind of honour, no. Nor would I want to be. I did not come here to bicker with you. Sit down.”
Vaya refused, but that did not stop Caspian from easing himself down amongst the undergrowth and letting Pup go. The beast scampered back to Vaya's feet, forcing her to squat down before he scratched her leggings apart in his eagerness to be reunited. Once Pup was tucked safely between her arms she turned her attention back to Caspian.
“What do you want?” she asked.
“Do you still blame Netya for what happened to you?”
“What question is that? Of course I do! Who else is there to blame for my exile? If there is one foe I will never forget, it is that witch, that sun-spawned—!”
“Think carefully about what you say next.” He fixed her with a cold look. “It is not our way to kill without need, but for Netya, I would. If you still mean her harm, you cannot remain here.”
Vaya sneered at him. “Your den mother fancies me her pet, just as she does the rest of you. I know it is her choice alone whether I live or die.”
“Then you know very little of our pack. Remember, Alpha Miral himself met his end when he crossed the witches.”
Vaya's gaze fell to the pup in her arms. She tried to keep her anger in check, remembering her pledge of loyalty to Kiren. “I will never forgive that woman for what she did to me. She and I are enemies to our dying day, and if ever I have the chance to challenge her again, I shall take it.”
“You still hate her that much, even after all you did to her?”
“I am not the fool I was back then. I am a woman of honour. She may be my enemy, but whether by force or by trickery, she still bested me in our last challenge. I respect worthy foes. If you were a warrior, you would understand that.”
Caspian shook his head. “With women like you, Vaya, I never know what to understand. If your honour still matters to you as you say, then swear to me that you will not seek to harm Netya.”
“No. That is a bond between she and I alone. If our paths cross, I will challenge her. If she accepts, we shall fight. You have no right to interfere.”
Despite her outright refusal, the answer still seemed to satisfy Caspian. He gave her a slow nod.
“Thankfully she would never be foolish enough to accept. Your vengeance will not come to you in this life.”
“We shall see.”
Caspian stood up as if to leave, but as he began to turn around something held him back. When he spoke again it was with great care.
“So who will your anger fall on instead? You have already crossed one of Orec's warriors.”
Vaya grinned at him. “Leave the warriors to their ways. Run back to your sun girl.” To her annoyance, the jab failed to provoke him. Just like when they were children.
“When I cannot change Adel's mind, I must make her mistakes as small as possible. If you are to stay here, you cannot keep picking fights with anyone who casts a wrong look at you.”
“Then tell them to stop looking at me as if I am less than them.”
“You think I can convince them that you acted honourably when you poisoned their den mother and tried to kill a helpless sun girl out of spite? That is beyond even me, Vaya.”
She lurched upright, dropping a growling Pup at her feet.
“I won't have you speak to me of honour. You who beds down with witches—”
“Then will you take some advice that may keep your friend Kiren safe?”
Vaya ground her teeth, ignoring Pup's scratching at her moccasins.
“You are not the first of Orec's clan to act like this,” Caspian continued. “Aggression must go somewhere. Better it be used in service of the pack than spent tearing it apart. We end each summer and winter with a great hunt, so that our people may challenge one another without any spilling of blood.”
“Hunts are always the same. Glory for the chosen few while the rest wait their turn.”
Caspian shook his head. “Not this one. The Rainfall Hunt is undertaken in packs of three or less. Everyone chooses their own prey, and the hunter who returns with the most glorious kill claims victory. From dawn till dusk on the first full day of the wet season, Orec's warriors will hunt, and the feast that night will honour the proven victor.”
Vaya gnawed at her lip, considering his offer. “This hunt would win me their respect?”
“If you bested all the others, who would be left to doubt you?”
“They know this land better than me. What time have I to prepare? The rains will be upon us any day now.”
Caspian shrugged, turning to leave once again. “Then keep your low status, if you would prefer. Keep on picking fights and you will find yourself and Kiren exiled before winter.” He glanced back over his shoulder just long enough to take in her reaction, then waded off into the undergrowth.
Cursing under her breath, she dug her fingers into Pup's scruff to give him the firm scratching he seemed to enjoy.
“I am no fool. He is just like the rest of these tricksters,” she muttered to the animal. “Set me on a vain quest... Have me try to win this hunt so that I may be shamed again...”
And yet she realised that it might be her only chance. Her pounding heartbeat slowed. Her anger settled to a simmer. She had already risked Kiren's apprenticeship once, and all the willpower in the world might not be enough to prevent it from happening again. Caspian expected to distract her for a time with the promise of this hunt, only to mock her along with the others when she failed.
Well, she would not fail. She had wandered the land f
or many seasons alone, survived winter by herself, and faced down foes that would make warriors of twice her experience tremble. All her life she had struggled to prove herself, and this was no different.
She would not just win this Rainfall Hunt, she would claim a victory so great that no hunter of Orec's pack would forget it for generations to come.
—6—
Apprentice Kiren
Five days, and already she dreaded the call of dawn beckoning her up out of this dark hole in the rock. She hated caves. The walls were cold around her, thick and stifling, blocking out sun and sound alike. Five days, and already Kiren longed for the familiar flap of her clan's tents. She had expected respite when she arrived here, yet all she had found was a different flavour of discomfort.
It took apprentices years to master their calling. How long would it take her, when she could still barely remember the names of the herbs she had spent the last five days staring at? In the past the prospect of failure might have frightened her, but now it only filled her with a sense of weary dread. Because she would not fail. She refused to let everything she and Vaya had gone through on their journey be for nothing. She would not crawl back to her mother in shame, proving once and for all that she was the disappointment of a daughter they all thought she was.
Even if it took years, she would remain here until she was a witch worthy of her clan's respect. Yet what dismally bleak years those now looked to be...
The light of the lamp on the other side of the chamber stirred, its flame wobbling as one of the other apprentices lifted the cover and poked another glob of animal fat into the clay dish. Sephonie, the only girl who ever woke up before Kiren, tugged on her gown and stretched, casting an aloof glance her way before striding out through the beaded curtain.
It did not help that Sephonie routinely made Kiren's struggles seem so pitiful. Besides Netya, she was apprenticed to the most demanding mentor of them all according to the other girls. Lyucia, Sister of Poisons, had her working from before dawn until well after nightfall, and yet Sephonie still took to her duties like a fish to water. Unlike Kiren she was tall and finely sculpted in her features, walking with a grace that echoed that of the den mother herself. The blonde in her hair was not dirty like Kiren's, but silver like the shimmer of sunlight upon water.
