by Candy Nicks
She stayed very still. He dipped his head to see if she was listening. “I'll admit I did dream of a confrontation with the man,” he continued. “A chance to prove to him I'm no longer the small boy he terrorised so effectively. Now I wish only to get us both to Wolf's Valley in one piece. We have a future there and I want it."
"You would be better with a dutiful wife. A human wife."
"You're far more exciting a prospect.” He nuzzled his face into the curve of her neck. Found bare skin and sucked gently.
Tian sighed. “If he's near enough, I may have already told him of our destination. I do not feel him, but who knows what magic he may command?"
"You told him we were going to Greendale?"
"Possibly. I may have sent out the thought Sol, I'm sorry."
A child's apology. Contrite yet with a hint of defiance.
"As I said, our life together will never be dull.” A fat snowflake drifted down, settling on Tian's sleeve. More followed. The prelude to a symphony which would last until the spring thaws.
Inside the tent, Sol wrapped them both in a blanket and kept vigil until her breathing slowed and her body softened. He was glad they would have the quiet intimacy of winter to get to know each other. Behind closed doors in front of a blazing hearth, they would talk and learn and plan their life together.
In so far as one could plan out their life.
In his mind, he visualised the route home. Townships along the way that might offer sanctuary to a Free-Settler. Roads least used by the ubiquitous slavers. He fingered the thick, waist-length plait of his much-valued hair. Good sense told him to shave it all off, down to the skull. His vanity was as dangerous as Tian's impetuosity.
Tian shifted. Turned in his arms. Her eyes flashed once in the shadows. The wolf checking to see if he slept. Later it would slip quietly away for one last patrol. Outside an owl called twice. Sol listened, relieved when he heard an answering call. A single owl brought bad luck. Especially when it chose to call within earshot. A silly superstition no doubt, but he was taking no chances. Not when he held in his arms the most precious thing in the whole world. Whatever happened, he meant to keep her there for the rest of his life.
* * * *
Reining in her thoughts was like trying to stop the seasons from turning. Tian chanted rhymes, sometimes in her head, sometimes out loud. She held on to Sol and sang while the horses picked their way over the rocky ground and light scattering of snow. He'd joined in once or twice, though she knew he preferred they travel silently. The song ended and immediately, her thoughts returned to Greendale. Wolf's Valley and her father.
At the top of a ridge, Sol pulled up the horses and dismounted.
"Township,” he said. “Half a day's ride away. We'll find lodgings for a night or two, tend the horses and purchase supplies.” He turned back to her, resting a hand on her thigh. “A feather bed and home-cooked food. How does that sound?"
Tian slid forward into the saddle, unable to stop the surge of anxiety from showing in her face. Her wolf crept forward for a closer look. Dwellings grouped around a central square. The township partly-circled by a stone wall. Further afield, stood randomly-grouped buildings. Farms, perhaps?
Sol held up his arms to help her down. Playing the chivalrous knight to her lady. The idea amused her. Men were sensitive about these things, it seemed. She bestowed a gracious smile and slid into his embrace. Allowed him to hold her for a few moments before wriggling free to take a closer look at the township laid out beneath them.
People. Who would stare and ask questions. When they looked at her, what would they see?
"The story is that you're my wife. We're travelling back to the New Settlements.” Sol moved behind her, laying his hands on her shoulders. Holding her in place with the gentlest of restraints. Her wolf wanted to creep down the slope, to sniff and to see for itself who and what these people were.
"We must stay together,” he said. “If your wolf is spotted it will be shot. Tell it you need to remain human right now."
"What of my eyes?"
"I've sunshades for you to wear. We'll say you damaged your sight watching a solar eclipse. Be careful to wear them at all times.” Sol turned her. Rested his chin on the top of her head. “Best keep you a secret until we're back in the safety of Wolf's Valley."
"So, this is Greendale?"
"We're not going to Greendale."
"You told me Greendale to confuse my thoughts?"
"Yes. Don't be angry with me. You can't tell your father what you don't know. Let's get moving. It's too cold to stand here. Lead Balan, I'll take the mare."
"I'm not angry. Just a little surprised. You'll want the swords if we're walking.” She flicked open a buckle.
"No. I've this,” he said, touching the blast-gun. “And besides, your reactions are a hundred times faster than mine. Vanity should never colour the distribution of weapons."
A born diplomat. She refastened the harness and flexed her shoulders to adjust the now-familiar weight of the heavy metal weapons. Although she lacked his years of practice and finesse in the fight, he could not match her in speed and agility.
The sunshades turned the world the colour of dark storm-clouds and immediately made her feel less vulnerable. A barrier behind which she could observe and learn. Later at the foot of the slope, Sol cautioned her again.
"You don't look able to lift those swords, let alone wield them. Keep it that way."
She understood. In this world, she suspected women played a subtler game, holding their strength in reserve while men strutted and crowed. It did not come naturally to her. For Sol's sake she would learn how best to use her gifts.
"Would it look better if I rode and you walked?"
The sparkle of amusement in Sol's pale eyes warmed her.
"Good idea,” he said. “We've been visiting kin in Arkina province and you, sweet girl, are my secret weapon. Better to invite sympathy than suspicion."
He laughed outright at the picture she made, huddled into her coat, the knit hat pulled down until it touched the eyeshades.
"I can't do this if you laugh at me!” Tian straightened, mortified at his response and at her own outburst.
"I'm only teasing. You can do this perfectly well. Just act naturally, Tian."
"If I acted naturally,” she muttered. “They would all run screaming."
Sol had already gathered up the mare's lead-rein and started walking towards the Township gates. She urged Balan to follow, wishing Sol had given her more clues to normal human behaviour.
She was willing to concede that the nearer they got to civilisation, the more she needed his wise counsel. After being so assertive, she didn't know how to ask for it.
New smells and sounds distracted her. Traces left by the humans who had walked these same paths. Animal dung, midden-heaps, smoke. Her wolf quivered with excitement.
From the saddle, she watched Sol charm the whereabouts of a bed for the night from a middle-aged woman carrying a bundle of sticks. Her hackles rose. Impertinent woman. How dare she eye the mate of a wolf so brazenly?
Sol's aura softened and flowed outwards to entwine with the liquid glow of the simpering female. Tian's own aura spiked in warning. The woman laughed softly and pointed to a cluster of buildings on the far side of the wall.
"Janelle takes in boarders. Tell her I sent you and the password is Friendship. Leave your weapons at the gate-house,” she added. “They'll be safe until you leave."
Sol bowed, smiling widely, quickly schooling his features when he noticed Tian's scowl. He pointed to the swords.
"We need to check the weapons with the guard."
"Is that wise?” Instinctively, she touched the leather straps holding the comforting weight of the swords. “I cannot change into a wolf in front of ... people. If trouble comes, I will need these."
"Security protocol, I'm afraid."
"Does the whole world live in fear behind stone walls?"
"Of stone, or just metaphorically, every
one lives behind some wall or other. A small town like this won't have sophisticated internal security. They're wise to take precautions."
"I don't like it."
"Nevertheless, if you want that bed...” The blast-gun already dangled loosely from Sol's left hand. In his right, he held his short sword. “Keep your knife handy,” he said. “They should allow us eating knives at the very least."
When had she become so reliant on metal and energy? The human had never questioned her wolf's ability to defend them with tooth and claw, agility and speed. Weapons bestowed by nature, not by man's hand. She handed over the swords, angered at the vulnerability caused by their loss and in no doubt that the wolf would appear if danger threatened.
Behind the eye-shades, her amber eyes glowed. Murmured voices carried on the evening air. Muffled footsteps padded through snow. In the shade of the wall, a cat stalked its prey. Senses alert, Tian missed none of it.
When she neared Wolf's Valley, she would feel them, her Lupine kin. With so few walking the world, the link would be strong. How much stronger would be the link with her father? A ripple of anxiety trickled through her earlier bravado.
"One night only,” she whispered. Sol handed her the reins, cautioning her to hold the horses while he located the boarding-house. “I do not like being without weapons. We must make an early start."
"One night of comfort will make little difference.” The sharp crack of Sol's knuckles rapping on the wooden door carried on the evening air. “We're safer here with people than we would be on the road."
Inside the house, a deep bark answered the knock. The door opened, enough to release a long-haired hound that almost matched the mare in size. It leaped through the gap to stand guard, teeth bared.
Hush, now. Tian's wolf flashed in and out so fast only the dog noticed the challenge. Puzzled, it crouched and backed away into the woman standing inside the threshold.
The woman looked no more than twenty summers in age. After a swift appraising glance, she hooked a finger into the dog's collar and ordered him back.
"Friends, Titan. Lie down while I talk to our guests.” She twisted a strand of her hair around her fingers and pushed it back inside her cap. “If someone directed you here, you will have the password. Shall we start with that?"
"A woman, of middle years and wearing a red scarf, told us widow Janelle takes in borders. The password is Friendship. Would you kindly inform your mother that my wife and I should very much like a bed for the night?"
"My mother?” The woman's lips twitched, as if holding back a smile. “I'm Widow Janelle. No, don't concern yourself,” she added at the look of consternation on Sol's face. “Everyone makes the same mistake. No offence taken. None at all,” she said favouring him with another slow sweep of her eyes.
"Bed the horses down in the barn, yonder. Your wife should come into the warm, she looks exhausted. Shame on you, Sir, for bringing her out on a night like this."
A gentle chastisement. Much too familiar for one yet to be properly introduced, thought Tian with a glower. Before she could protest, Sol's fingers curved around her shoulders. He acknowledged the woman's teasing with a small bow of the head and an easy smile.
"Remiss of me indeed. She will welcome the respite. Go in, my dear. Rest while I tend the horses."
Inside, Tian pulled off her hat and absently offered her hand to the snuffling dog. Widow Janelle unhooked an apron from the back of the door and tied it around her ample waist.
"Make yourself comfortable,” she said indicating the leather chairs arranged about the hearth. “Perhaps your husband would bring in more logs while I prepare you a room? Would it be impertinent to ask such a favour?"
"Not at all.” Tian's surveyed the neatly-ordered room, a lump forming in her throat. Her own hut stood cold and empty. Untended and unloved. Nature and the elements would claim her mother's grave, obscuring it from all but those who knew.
She shook off the sad memories. Maudlin thoughts made her vulnerable; that she knew instinctively. Now more than ever, both she and her wolf needed to remain on guard. Mentally strong and alert.
On her way to the kitchen, Janelle stopped to peer into a small mirror hanging on the wall. As Tian watched the woman remove her cap and smooth out her curls with exaggerated care, she realised that her father wasn't the only danger waiting in the outside world.
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Chapter 10
Poor lost soul.
Sol reached for Tian's hand under the table and gave it a squeeze. The bone-crushing rely told him how close to the surface her wolf was. While she groped for the social niceties and the right things to say, it remained watchful and wary. Sol reined in his feelings, careful not to insult the wolf with pity. He let go of Tian's hand and reached for the dish of gravy-covered meat.
"Oh, how remiss of me.” Janelle raised a hand to stop him and picked up the dish. With an apologetic smile, she forked three hefty slices onto his plate before turning to serve Tian. “I'm forgetting my duties as hostess,” she said with a laugh. “Don't get too many visitors this time of the year. Very surprised to see you both, actually. Although you are very welcome. Gets lonely of a night, if you know what I mean."
Sol nodded politely and took a bite of the meat. His turn to fulfil the formalities required of a guest.
"Delicious,” he said. “The best I've ever tasted."
Janelle smiled graciously. “Please, relax and enjoy the meal. Formalities have been observed."
To a man who'd been so long on the road, a meal served at table and on earthenware plates was a veritable feast for the Gods. “I certainly will, this is sublime."
He made a big show of filling his mouth, chewing with relish, aware that Janelle hadn't taken her eyes off him since they'd started the meal.
"Tribes of the Eagle,” he said in response to her unspoken question. “Yellow hair is a genetic trait."
"Oh.” Janelle gave a small laugh and shook her head. “Was I staring? How rude of me. I must admit I've never seen hair like it. It's ... quite something."
He grinned broadly at the compliment and opened his mouth to reply. His words were cut off by a sharp stab of pain as Tian's boot connected with his shin. He coughed to cover his surprise and stole a sideways glance at her.
Jealous? Of Janelle's attention? Wisely, he held back his amusement. More sobering was the reality of the wolf lurking behind the sunshades and the consequences for Janelle if he gave it any excuse to attack.
"Drink,” Janelle urged. “The wine is particularly good this year. Now the trade-routes are better protected, we bring in wine from the south to enhance our vintage."
"The Arundel grape, if I'm not mistaken? Strong stuff."
The first generous goblet had slipped down far too easily. Followed by a second, he was feeling comfortably loose. Regretfully, he refused Janelle's offer of another.
"Need a clear head for tomorrow's journey,” he said covering the goblet with his palm.
"Oh one more, surely? Hostess's privilege.” Janelle held up the jug, as if in challenge. Sol removed his hand.
"He said no.” Tian's palm covered the goblet as Janelle started pouring. Wine splashed onto her wrist to drip onto the table coverlet. Janelle pulled back the jug, her surprise quickly turning to a look of horrified dismay.
Bewildered, she turned to Sol.
"Not a problem,” Sol said swiftly. “I will take another small goblet. Please, go ahead.” he indicated the goblet at the same time, casting Tian a warning glance. She continued to stare at Janelle, her anger barely concealed. With her sheltered upbringing, how would Tian know that one never refused when a hostess invoked privilege?
"My wife is tired.” He appealed silently to Tian with a brush of his knee against hers. Any deviation from normal behaviour would not go unnoticed. Many tribes disregarded the more ancient of protocols these days, but the few remaining were sacred. Tian's knee trembled.
"I'm sorry,” she mumbled. “My husband drinks too mu
ch. I don't want him encouraged."
Well done, he thought and shrugged, gracefully giving in.
"Ahh.” Janelle recovered her composure and made a big show of removing the jug. “Then I shall put this back on the shelf.” She winked at Sol before slapping the jug down on the marble slab beside the table. “A man in his cups is no use to anyone. If your wife is tired, please, feel free to retire when you have finished your meal. I will take no offence."
Sol mopped up the meat-juices with a hunk of bread, pausing momentarily at the memory of happier family meals, everyone crammed around the great oak table, the noise and banter. His father and mother, overseeing the chaos with the wisdom of age.
"Yes,” he said pushing back his plate. “I'm sure you have the most comfortable beds in the province."
"That's what my last gentleman said. He wasn't disappointed either.” Janelle gave a saucy wink. “Let me take away these plates so I can show you to your room. Warmest room in the house for my guests. Next to mine. If you need anything in the night, just knock on the wall."
To Sol's surprise, Tian appeared to have lost interest in Janelle's outrageous flirting. She followed him meekly upstairs to their room, her face set with a puzzled frown.
"Do you think she meant my father?” she said when they were alone. She sat tentatively on the edge of the bed, fists clenched. Anything but relaxed.
Sol flopped down beside her, lying back into the downy quilt. “Oh, this is heaven. Can't wait to get you back to Wolf's Valley and start building our own home. Why would you think it was your father? Janelle very obviously has a lot of gentlemen guests."
"Why obviously?"
Pulling her down beside him, he chuckled into her hair. “I'll explain it to you one day. I doubt your father will have caught up with us this quickly."
"So you do think he's looking for us?"
"I won't lie to you. Even without his affinity with the Crystal, the call of Lupine blood is strong. He could well have been on your trail before I showed him the way. He had no problems in finding Finn when he needed to."