The distant horizon darkened, as it had in her dream the night before her death. Now they soared over familiar landscape, the woods and fields of her home. They came, with voices that both quaked and lifted her soul.
The crowd stood to watch the onslaught. There were too many birds to count, but Rhia was sure that Crow had numbered the souls of the fallen and sent an emissary for each one. They called to one another as they flew, a beautiful, terrible chorus.
A chorus of comfort for those left behind.
“Don’t tease the dogs.”
Lycas waved off Rhia’s concern and continued packing food from her father’s kitchen for her return trip to Kalindos.
“I mean it,” she said.
“Marek and Alanka asked me to pack ale. I strapped two barrels on each pony, which ought to last you through the summer.” He turned to her. “You’ll have to come home after that to get more.”
“You can always visit.”
He seized a loaf of bread so hard, crumbs showered over the table. “Yes, I’m sure the Asermon son of a traitor will be welcomed in Kalindos.”
She gently took the bread from him and laid her hand on his arm. “You will if I have any say in it.” She wished she could stay in Asermos longer, to grieve for Nilo with her remaining brother, but her new powers required Coranna’s guidance.
Lycas moved awkwardly, as though he had been cut in half and was getting used to the new number of limbs. “Mali and I are going to live here for a while. Your father will be lonely without you, and he needs help with the farm.”
Rhia understood. The hovel he had once shared with Nilo no doubt had turned into a stranger’s home.
Alanka’s figure shadowed the doorway. She rushed to Lycas and threw her arms around his neck. “I just got to know you.” What was left of her childlike demeanor after Razvin’s death had vanished in the smoke of battle.
“Silly Wolf.” Lycas stroked the back of Alanka’s hair. “I’ll come when Rhia has the baby. Save some of that famous meloxa for me.”
“I will.” She let go of him and looked at the packs on the table. “How much food are we taking?”
“Enough for the journey.” Rhia picked up the closest two packs. “If we stop six times a day for meals.”
Alanka lifted a pack, which was lighter than she appeared to expect. Her face lit up. “Bread?”
They went outside to where Tereus waited with the Kalindons. A line of ponies stood in the early morning sun, tails shooing flies and mosquitoes. Her father stood close to Elora—closer than friends would, but not as near as lovers. Rhia was glad someone’s companionship had eased his loneliness, if only for a short time.
She bid her father and brother farewell and took Marek’s hand. He insisted on walking instead of riding, but she knew he’d change his mind once he discovered how much his injured leg slowed the rest of the party. It would be a battle of his pride versus…his pride.
Before they moved into the woods, she took a last look behind her. In the distance the river shimmered blue in the morning light, already dotted with the white sails of boats come to trade at the village port, now returned to peace.
She put a hand to her belly, feeling the power swell within her. As long as new life grew and flourished, like the leaves and branches of a tree, there was hope. Even Crow, death’s constant companion, had taught her so. Who better to love life than One who existed on its borders, where He could see all its beauty as a whole and perfect vista?
Coranna wanted Rhia to live in such a way, on the outskirts, merely observing the attachments of others. Perhaps it would ease the pain of her burdens. She turned to look at the Crow woman, whose smile must have had a source besides her false distance from humanity.
Rhia walked on with the Kalindons, her hand in Marek’s, until the forest enveloped them in its own lush life.
EYES OF CROW
ISBN: 978-1-4268-0751-0
Copyright © 2006 by Jeri Smith-Ready
All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including xerography, photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, is forbidden without the written permission of the editorial office, Worldwide Library, 233 Broadway, New York, NY 10279 U.S.A.
All characters in this book have no existence outside the imagination of the author and have no relation whatsoever to anyone bearing the same name or names. They are not even distantly inspired by any individual known or unknown to the author, and all incidents are pure invention.
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