by Hannah King
“I hate all this business with Warner,” Stalvert shifted in his chair.
“They say he’ll recover,” Tratis offered optimistically.
My thoughts at last flashed back to the sick tent, connecting what I’d just heard with my faint memories. The wounded man, the failed expedition, the ambush at the mouth of Ralstag.
“I’m glad to hear he’s mending,” Lewis agreed, “But I’d hoped the trade would have reached a better end. I’d gotten comfortable with the idea of journeying out of this zignot hole,” he grumbled. “I’m getting sick of eating water creatures.”
“And smelling like them,” Tratis added, making a wry face.
“It’s going to take far too long to make up for the goods we expected from Ralstag,” Lewis scoffed, crossing his arms. “Lead Talrinious makes it sound so simple. ‘Just knock off another caravan or two, have the gatherers work a little harder, send the fielders on some extra hunting trips.’” He shook his head woefully. “Caravan raids risk lives and increase the risk of traitors and snitches thanks to the slaves we release or adopt every time.”
My eyes widened at this piece of news. Would we be stuck here making ends meet for the rest of pel? It was dangerous to delay; the paths in the mountains were treacherous if not reached before the freezing season of temper began.
“Don’t let us bore you,” Lewis realized I was still standing. “This soldier is used to orders, Tratis. Better give her some. Hate to have her standing around looking so doleful.”
Tratis looked at me thoughtfully. “I suppose so. Hm…You can bring your belongings from your old sleeping quarters over here and make yourself at home. Then, why don’t you change into those new clothes? See if they fit. There won’t be much to do today. Take the time to get used to your new surroundings. Read if you like.” He pointed to a stack of books on his desk.
I nodded gratefully and slipped out of the tent, eager to escape their stares.
CHAPTER SEVEN
TALITHA
THE CAMP WAS mostly quiet. Everyone was busy in the training fields or off hunting. I walked by the kitchen tent. The gatherers had set out huge trellises in the back, stringing them heavily with gutted, salted fish. It would dry out in the sun and be packed away, some for the journey and some for our families back home. The smell filled the whole camp, but I’d gotten used to it, mostly.
I hurried to my old tent and began to roll up my bed. I took a few other belongings that I’d forgotten; a second knife, a small, stained leather book of stories, wool socks, extra gloves, and a few other sentimental items I probably wouldn’t need in the captain's tent, but took with me anyway.
“Tali!” Cora greeted me on my way out of the tent. I practically jumped, feeling like I had been caught in the act of a crime.
“Are you ok?” she grabbed my shoulders and surveyed me.
“Of course,” I shrugged, inwardly relieved just to see a familiar face. Her eyes relaxed and she laughed. “The fish smell is pretty bad today, isn’t it,” she teased. “You look sort of green.” She looked at my face first, then at the bedroll and belongings that I was carrying.
“Where are you taking all that?” she asked, a frown of confusion forming on her lips.
“I’m airing it out,” I covered awkwardly. Why am I lying? I chided myself guiltily. She would find out one way or the other, but I didn’t feel ready. Would she see me differently, now that I was a captain? Would she share the other captain’s opinion that Lead Breiden had made a mistake in promoting me? I could bear their disapproval, but I couldn’t bear losing a best friend because of this.
“Airing it out, in this rancid air?” she blinked, “You’re probably better off leaving it in the tent Tali.” She wasn’t buying my explanation, but instead of demanding an answer she was asking me in her own, easy way, as a friend.
“I’m moving out,” I blurted. She would find out sooner or later, and she deserved to hear it from me first. “Can we go inside for a moment?” I gripped her hand nervously and she followed me into the vacant tent.
She let me spill everything out before commenting, but I knew it must have been difficult. Her eyes were sober and confused.
“Talitha...This is really incredible,” she said at last, filling the silence after I had finished. She took my hand in hers and squeezed it hard.
“Is it?” I doubted, fighting back the urge to release tears.
“Well,” Cora began slowly, “Our leads are very wise, especially Lead Breiden. Tali, you might be able to help us, if you really can sense them. Think of how many people it could save!”
“But why can I sense them when the other Lanterns can’t? What does that even mean?”
Cora bit her lip and thought for a moment.
“It must mean that you’re supposed to see them…” she considered thoughtfully. “Maybe someone wants you to.”
“Someone?” I snapped. “Faldir?” I voiced my fear in one name.
“No, of course not!” she hurried, looking at me as though I were crazy. “I meant Lavalt. Perhaps the Code Giver aims to give us an edge over the Parters through you!”
I tried to look excited, but I couldn’t ignore the misgivings in my heart. Faldir, it was rumored, could sense the shazod too, and I wanted no similarity with him.
“Well, you’ll have to sneak back and see me every now and then,” Cora broke through my thoughts.
“Of course I will,” I promised with a weak smile.
“You’re smart Talitha. Don’t worry. I’m sure you’ll be used to everything soon enough. Commander Reblaine is always bragging about you. He says you pick things up faster than the rest of the fielders.”
“That’s news to me,” I mumbled in disbelief. He’d only ever criticized me to my face.
“Well it’s true,” Cora assured me with a shrug. “You’ve always worked hard. He’d be a fool not to notice it.” She pursed her lips, considering something. “I shouldn’t tell you this, but, word was getting out that you were going to be promoted to fourth rank soon.”
My heart skipped a beat excitedly. “Really?” I exclaimed, then laughed at my reaction. I’d dreamed and dreamed of going up a rank this year, fought hard for it. So why was I upset that I’d jumped three? Maybe because jumping so far ahead made me feel as though I’d skipped something, cheated even. I didn’t want to be given anything I hadn’t earned. Cora shook her head, her brown eyes mocking me a little. She knew me too well.
“You’ll make it Talitha,” she sighed, patting my hand again. “And in the meantime, see if you can put in some good words for me,” she teased. “If I could get to fourth rank, I wouldn’t have to craft with Reylard anymore.” We both rolled our eyes.
I did feel a little better after telling Cora my secrets, and when the midday meal bell rang, I decided to go with her and eat my lunch with the old squadron in an effort to delay my loneliness returning. In my regular clothes, no one seemed to look at me twice. I would relish my freedom as long as I could.
Afterwards I reluctantly headed back to where I officially belonged, carrying with me my bedroll and pack. My heart ached as I realized I might never be allowed to eat with my old squadron again.
“Hey, there you are!” I jumped at Wes’ voice.
“What? Are they looking for me?” I panicked.
“You sure are jumpy,” he observed. “And no, I’m just surprised to see you wandering around.”
“I wanted some lunch.”
He laughed, “Didn’t the captains share their lunch with you? They get nicer food than the rest of us you know…”
“I know, I know,” I muttered. “I just wanted to eat with my friends one last time.” I don’t think he understood, but he tried to be compassionate at least.
“Did you get enough to eat?”
“I’m fine,” I sighed.
“Here,” he opened my clenched fist and dropped a handful of bright wild strawberries into my palm. “Found them on my rounds.”
It was sweet of him and for a momen
t I forgot my troubles.
“Thank you, Wes.”
He smiled. “I can walk you back to the tent if you want. Now that you’re a captain I’m supposed to keep an eye on you.”
I frowned. I didn’t like the idea of being watched, but if it had to be anyone, I would have chosen Wes.
“You’ll probably be really good at it,” he said out of the blue.
“At what?”
“Being a captain.”
“They haven’t even told me what I’ll be doing,” I fumed.
“Eh, that’s just like them. You can’t expect them to come out and tell you what’s really going on. They’re too important. You have to watch them and pick up the secrets yourself.” He winked. “That’s what I’ve learned. Sometimes, I won’t even know I’m sending a message until they finish a long rant and then tell me to take it to the leads. I scribe a lot from memory.”
I laughed. I could easily believe that of these people.
“Have you found anyone of them to be less complicated?”
He stole a strawberry from my handful, popped it into his mouth and puzzled a moment over the question.
“Captain Tratis I suppose, he never gets caught up in any nonsense and doesn’t put on airs.”
So, my reading on him is correct, I noted.
“Captain Stalvert won’t help you and would prefer you didn’t ask, he’s got a lot to think about all the time. And Captain Gray, well, she’s kind of intimidating, but not that bad. She really holds the group together.” He was mild in his descriptions of them; perhaps because he knew them better than I did, but more likely it was his optimistic spirit speaking.
“Oh, and Captain Warner,” his mouth formed into a firm line, “I’m sure you’ve heard he was wounded in the Ralstag expedition, but they say he’ll recover. You’ll probably meet him soon.” His frown turned into a silly grin, “He’s actually in love with a girl in the camp, third rank, I think. She pre-occupies his mind a lot, but he’ll play chess with you if you ask him. Captain Lewis is more talkative…likes to rant,” Wes continued, then frowned and fell silent.
“Everything all right?”
“Yeah…” he chewed his lip thoughtfully. “Just remembered something I’ve got to take care of tonight. Watchmen business and such. Well, here you are.”
We’d arrived at the dreaded captain’s tent again. I thanked him and quietly slipped inside, head down, hoping no one would notice me as I passed through the main tent into the sleeping quarters. No one within addressed me or even looked up. Once in solitude, I decided to untie the bundle of clothing I’d been given and try them on. I was surprised by how well they fit. Captain Tratis had been right, Gray and I were of similar build and stature.
The clothes were beautiful. Too beautiful. I was sure I would ruin them within the hour. I felt so regal in the myriad of carefully chosen fabrics. My old clothes had been pieced and patched together by my own clumsy sewing, but these were crafted with immense detail.
The undershirt was soft and cream colored, its sleeves laced with silver ribbon. I tucked this into a pair of doeskin leggings. I covered my old boots with the charcoal colored gaiters she’d given me. Over it all I pulled a forest green, ankle length dress that could be gathered up in the front for freer movement. Twelve silver buttons ran up and down the fitted waist, meeting a thin leather belt with a fine silver captain’s clasp. My fingers trembled as I fastened it. What would my parents think when I returned to them in these clothes this temper? They would be proud, wouldn’t they?
A boar’s bristle brush had been placed in the pack with the clothing, a clear hint that my mess of hair should be remedied. That would not be difficult with a tool so superior to the fragile wooden comb I owned. After a victorious battle with my hair and a good face scrubbing, I at last felt presentable.
With nothing more to do, I perched on the pile of furs that had been begrudgingly lent to me and tried to read one of the books Tratis had pointed out earlier. The afternoon passed by achingly slow. I’d hoped to change into my old clothing and return to my squad once again for dinner, but Captain Gray found me first.
“Dinner will be served here in half an hour and I expect you to join us,” she said, stepping in brusquely. She surveyed me for a moment.
“I see they fit you.”
“Yes ma’am.”
“Be careful not to ruin them,” she warned. “We announce your title tomorrow and you’ll want to look presentable.”
I nodded. What will that announcement be like? Will I have to make a speech? I wondered, and was about to ask her, but she was already gone, as usual.
Dinner was as awkward as I’d imagined. If the food was any better, I couldn’t taste it. Captain Tratis was gone again, apparently at a late meeting, and he’d been my only hope for conversation. Captain Stalvert ate at his desk, pouring over a report. Captain Gray chewed her food in silence, seemingly deep in thought. Captain Lewis at least tried to make conversation by asking me questions about my family, but it was a halting conversation with no one else joining in. This was so different from the ruckus I was used to at mealtimes.
Once I’d finished my plate I got up from the table and went to lay down in the sleeping quarters. There was no lamp to read by, and I didn’t dare ask for one, so all I could do was wait to fall asleep, hoping that I would be prepared to face whatever came tomorrow.
CHAPTER EIGHT
TRATIS
TRATIS SIGHED. AT last the tent was peaceful and quiet, and he was grateful for the time to think. The camp simply hadn’t been the same since the Ralstag trade ambush. Most everyone else had been disgruntled by the huge load of extra work it would take until quotas were met for the return trip.
Without the valuable supplies they’d hoped to trade for in Ralstag, they would have to make do. That meant more work, a longer stay in the stench filled Elm Beds, and slimmer rations on the journey back so as to save more for their loved ones back in the mountains. Everyone in camp was frustrated, but the ambush they’d encountered at Ralstag had troubled Tratis on another level.
They could have been followed. Captain Warner and the soldiers, stumbling back to camp, might have given away the camp’s location. Lucky, they’d called it. We managed to slip away. But did anyone ever truly slip away? Perhaps someone very skilled, but these had been young soldiers. Captain Warner was barely twenty years old and those with him were even younger. They had been panicked, startled, and wounded. As much precaution as he was sure they had taken, he knew it was not a traceless escape.
The leads and captains had shared Tratis' fears, and perhaps anyone in the camp with a good head on their shoulders. They all had a gnawing feeling that if the Parters hadn’t found the sanctum yet, it was only a matter of time before they did. In that case, staying longer to fill quotas was dangerous. Even journeying back to Brawl would be risky. There was always the possibility of being trailed by someone who had followed them from Ralstag.
Still, Lead Talrinious had elected to stay put. It was so late in the season and finding a new sanctum would be difficult. The further they went from civilization, the more danger they would be in. They couldn’t survive in the wilderness once temper struck, not without adequate shelter and food. They needed to fill the lacking supplies quickly and get back to Brawl. The families there were counting on them and couldn’t be let down.
Fearing the worst came naturally to Tratis. If something was going right, he always felt there was something underlying that could go wrong, just as one began patting themselves on the back.
While the others had been bickering over how soon they might return to Brawl and complaining about how much of their diet would consist of dried fish and eel that year, Tratis had been busy thinking and planning for the worst. A sense of urgency had a hold on him, and almost immediately, he’d known exactly what action he needed to take. It was something no one else had thought of, something only he could do.
He hadn’t done much really, just opened a back door to escape, in
case they should need it. He hoped they wouldn’t need it at all, for it would certainly create controversy among his friends and fellow soldiers.
He sighed, crossing one foot over the other and resting them on the makeshift desk in front of him. The journey had settled his mind, as taxing and secretive as it had been. Traveling in the dark wasn’t ideal. He’d much rather see the scenery, and even more so he liked to see any holes that might swallow up his horse’s ankle and send him pitching forward, but he’d encountered none of those misfortunes on his long road the night before. Lucky. Very lucky.
Gray would have scolded him for taking such a risk, but she had always doubted him.
Well, Gray wouldn’t have to know about his journey, unless she already knew by some dark magic. Uncanny. There was no other word to describe her. Poor Talitha Amlai was already at the mercy of the woman. He’d already decided to make things as easy as he could for the girl, but he doubted the circumstances would make anything simple.
It was true, no one really wanted her there. Lead Breiden had unpopularly requested all this fuss over the gifted girl. He liked to trust his leads, and yet he hoped she knew what she was doing, swiftly “dubbing” someone so inexperienced.
Lead Breiden generally had a strong sense of wisdom, and he often consulted her, sometimes even in the stead of Lead Talrinious. Only she knew of the trip he’d taken. She hadn’t endorsed it fully but had sanctioned it and allowed him to keep the mission private. She trusted him. I probably ought to return that trust, he admonished himself.
A throat was being cleared. He looked up. Wes Perimen was standing in front of him. He almost never heard the Swiftfoot approach, but he’d taught himself to be used to the boy’s presence.
“What is it Perimen?” he asked. The expression on his face was hesitant. It made Tratis wonder if there was some sort of bad news, something about Captain Warner perhaps.
The boy took a deep breath.
“I need to talk with you sir.”
“About?”
The boy frowned and swallowed. “About something I saw... the other night.”