by Candy Nicks
"There you go.” Janelle swept into the room carrying two large platters. Cheese for the women and meat for the man at the table. Enjoy.” With an exaggerated wiggle, she pulled up the dress enough to allow her to sit. “You do like cheese, don't you Tian? I'm low on meat-stocks and men need it more than we do. Keeps the blood nice and red."
"The cheese will do fine. Tell us more of the man."
Janelle raised surprised eyes. “You mean the trader?"
"My wife has been pestering for a new gown,” Sol cut in smoothly. “And I will get no rest until I indulge her. Did the trader have any more on board?"
"Two. Both made for a smaller woman and a bit too fancy for my tastes. They may fit your wife."
"Who should we be looking for?"
Janelle shrugged. “Oh, you know. He looked like a trader. They all seem to have greying hair and straggly beards. And they all smell like refuse carts.” She laughed. “Life on the road doesn't allow for grooming, I suppose. They'll pay handsomely for the occasional home comfort. Can't complain about that. Said he was taking the main route to the Southern Settlements to over-winter. Stopping off for a bit of trading along the way, no doubt.” She stuffed a chunk of bread in her mouth and continued. “You only just missed him."
Tian scraped back her chair. “I need air. I ... excuse me,” she added at the look of concern on Janelle's face. Avoiding Sol's eye, she ran from the kitchen to the front door, wrenched it open and raced across the yard. She barely made it to the barn before her wolf started to manifest.
"Not now,” she ground out. “Please, not now."
Tian, we can catch him. Change and go after him.
The shifting bones reformed. The blur and mist, through which she walked every time her wolf sought freedom, receded. Tian braced both hands against the wall and gulped air into her lungs.
"Thank you Wolf.” She straightened and rolled her shoulders, grimacing at the pain lancing through her abused muscles. Stopping in mid-change was painful both physically and mentally. Sol's footsteps sounded in the doorway.
"Janelle thinks you're with child."
"What?"
"I told her you must have drunk tainted water on the journey. It's soured your stomach."
"You do not like the idea of me being with child?” A wave of dizziness hit, settled. The wolf retreated and for a moment she was completely blind, sound and touch her only connection to the world.
"If he believes you're with child, your father will want you more than ever."
"To exploit?” Beneath her fingers, she felt the cool rush of air forcing itself between the wooden planks. Heard Sol's breathing, his heart gradually slowing to its normal, steady beat. At the other end of the barn, a small creature scurried through the straw. With senses this sharp, she could live without her eyes. Tian dropped her forehead to the smooth wood. Forego her sight and she could live entirely as human.
Sol's fingers, light on her shoulder. Telling her he was there and also that he was there for her.
How could she live and never again see his face?
Wolf, you will have your day,—I promise. Let us agree to that.
Sol's face swam into view. The pale grey of his eyes, each blade of stubble shadowing his cheek. The coming years would change them both, him more swiftly than her. She wanted to see that change.
"It must be him,” she said pushing away from the wall. “The message was clear. He has all but told us where to find him. Hold the Crystal with me. It must have more secrets to reveal."
She fumbled in her pocket for the velvet bag. Tipped the lifeless Crystal onto her palm. “Add your energy. Please. Put me out of this misery."
"No.” Sol picked up the velvet bag. “You're too pale. Put it back. We'll try when you've replenished your energy."
"I'm fine.” She raised her chin, although even that was an effort. When Sol pushed her gently onto a bale of straw and squatted in front of her, she hardly made a protest.
He reached for the eye-shades she'd discarded on the dusty floor. Polished the lenses on his jacket. Giving her time to recover her balance.
"You're strong. And your father knows it. If he's going to play us, this is how he'll do it. Some predators like to weaken their prey prior to the kill. Ask your wolf. It will tell you the same. You father will disorientate and confuse you and make you believe day is night."
She lowered her gaze, feeling the tenuous balance slipping once more.
"Like you did, when you first came?"
"I didn't mean to upset your life.” He took her hands in his. Pressed a kiss to each palm. The world righted itself, once more. “He will prey on your trust. Beware and be ready. Will you come back inside and finish the meal?"
Sol stood and stretched out, arching his back with a muted groan. She stared at his boots, the footprint twice the size of hers. The height and breadth of him, filling her sight. The determined stance as he waited for her to follow him.
"If my father commands magic, all this strength we have between us—it will count for nothing.” She tested her legs. Found them working again.
Sol steadied her. Bent his head for another kiss. “Whatever he has, it won't be natural magic. Bought or stolen magic will weaken him. The Gods always extract a price when man seeks to be like them. My mother was given magic in gift, but it has taken its toll."
"A price my mother also chose to pay.” She swayed, momentarily drained by the memory of her mother's grave, deserted, untended. “She cut short her life to keep him from me. Do I mock her memory by seeking him out?"
"You're asking questions of the dead. Only she can answer that."
"My mother hated him. Told so many terrible tales of his cruelty. I do not think she would have approved of this. Come, I'm feeling better now."
They stepped from the barn into the fading afternoon light. No sign of Janelle. Waiting at the table no doubt, like the well-mannered hostess she was.
"Janelle must think me a mad woman.” She slid on the sun-shades, wondering what would happen the day she forgot to wear them.
"She thinks we're every normal married couple. Protocol dictates we finish the meal, even if we don't want to. And observing protocol will give your father the message that he does not have us rattled."
"He doesn't ... I...” She shook her head. “I do not fear him."
"Good, neither to do I. Together, we're stronger than he is."
"I'm fortunate to have both you and my wolf. Between the two of you, I should feel invincible."
Should, but didn't. She ate the rest of her meal in silence, while Sol and Janelle discussed farming, politics, the things that concerned human-kind. Their words flowed over her head.
Strong though he was, Tian couldn't help feeling that Sol might prove to be her weakness as much as her strength. Love, worrying about someone else, made you vulnerable. The thought of something happening to him, of him sacrificing himself for her caused a flutter of panic low in her belly.
"Tian, it's time to go."
She blinked and snapped out of her reverie, equally excited and nervous at the prospect of facing the man her mother had painted as a demon.
Let it be him, she prayed. Please don't let this be a false trail. Whatever I need to do, Goddess, to win your approval, let it be done. I wish to go home with Sol.
On the road, travellers hurried home before the light faded. Tree limbs bent under the weight of snow and ice. Only the most courageous or the most foolish would start a journey at this time of the day. Which of those they were, Tian hadn't decided. She only knew they had no time to waste. Her father was waiting for them. He'd left a clear enough trail. They would follow it until they found him.
* * * *
Sol sat alone on the weary horse. When the storm hit they'd slowed to a crawl and now he waited. Somewhere out there in the snow storm, Tian's wolf roamed the slopes, seeking shelter. From the depths of his hood, he peered through the whirling flakes which lowered visibility to almost nothing. Though sudden storms weren't unhea
rd of at this time of the year, this one had taken them both by surprise. The wolf more than he and Tian. Without asking, Tian had leaped from the horse, thrown off her clothes and disappeared, shouting back that she'd find them shelter.
He opened his jacket and stuffed Tian's clothing inside in an effort to keep it dry and warm until her return. Twisted the lead rein around his fist to bring the mare closer. Where was she?
When it re-appeared, the wolf stopped short of the horses and shook itself long and hard. Sol slid from the horse and ran to Tian when she appeared, throwing the warmed coat over her shoulders. She let him sweep her up into his arms without protest.
"Dwellings,” she said through clattering teeth. “In a narrow side-valley. No smoke from the chimneys, though."
"Which way?” Sol sheltered her with his body while she dressed and then boosted her into the saddle, mounting quickly behind her.
"Further along and to the left. A trail leaving the main road, hardly used now. Abandoned, my wolf said. Who would abandon a whole village?” She jammed the knit-cap onto her head.
"Happens. Sometimes problems with the land or security. Other times the people move on to build bigger and better elsewhere.” He raised his voice to compete with the howl of the wind. “Whatever it is, we need to find somewhere to sit out this storm."
"I think we were meant to go there."
"Your father?"
"If the storm caught him, where else would he take shelter?"
"Don't get your hopes up. We still don't know if we're following the right man."
"I'm feeling it,” she said in a voice that invited no argument. “More and more. It has to be him."
"Oh sweet-heart.” He kissed her cold cheek and urged the horses forward. Impossible for him to understand what this meant to her when his family had been a constant joy to him.
If she harboured secret hopes of reconciliation, she would know only disappointment.
"Open your mind, Tian. Let him in. If we pinpoint him first, we keep the advantage."
"Can he talk to the wolf?"
"I'm not sure. It may be something only full Lupines do. Where's the trail?"
The landscape was fast transforming into a featureless swathe of white. No signposts or landmarks visible except for the scattered copses of trees. The wolf-prints already obscured by fresh snow. He feared for the horses walking such slippery ground and prayed the traction-powder would live up to its name.
Tian raised an arm to point. “See the dip in the slope? It leads to a false trail which ends at a rock face. If you look closely, you'll see the gap. The village is beyond."
"Take the reins and guide us there. I'll keep you warm. You're shaking."
"So are you."
The wind snatched the words from their mouths and hurled them into the maelstrom. The early storms had little energy to persist beyond a few chaotic hours. Had this been winter-proper, Sol would never have countenanced subjecting the horses, let alone Tian, to its fury. He set his mouth in a grim line and narrowed his eyes, searching for the rise and fall of the land.
"Are you sure it was here? I can't see it."
"I can. See the tree? To the left."
"I see it.” He couldn't hide the relief. The vicious wind sliced through his gloves, his leather pants, his fur-lined jacket, cutting him to the bone. Although Tian trembled, he knew she didn't feel it as keenly. Returning to the Township had robbed them of their advantage. Had they pressed on, they would have outrun the storm and perhaps cleared the snow line too. Leaving winter behind wasn't an option now.
Only a wolf would have found this place. Tian steered them into the forgotten Township. Although the term was too grand for the scattered buildings inside the tumble-down palisade fencing. Wooden huts, most no bigger than Tian's. Basic survival units for the first Settlers. His parents had lived in similar dwellings when he'd been no more than a babe in arms.
At the end of the track between the huts stood a meeting-house, its door slamming against the wall in time to the gusts racing between the huts. Derelict. Sol looked in dismay at the broken windows the caved-in roofs. One of the huts had been burned to the ground.
"Place has been trashed. Wonder what happened here?"
Tian remained watchful, her head moving slowly from side to side, searching. “Father,” she murmured. “Make yourself known."
"Can you sense him?"
"Nothing yet. I don't know what to look for."
"Finn told me he talked inside his head. His father helped him develop the same skill. They used it to swindle many an innocent victim."
"I'll keep trying. Find shelter. I'm cold."
Sol dismounted and pulled the blast-gun from its protective covering. He handed it to Tian. “Arm it and be on your guard. I'm going to check out that cabin. It looks reasonably intact."
She flicked off the safety-catch with her thumb and gave him a shaky smile. “I feel only the ghosts of the past. No flesh or blood except for our own. Perhaps I was wrong."
"Be on your guard, nevertheless. He could be cloaking himself.” He glanced about, looking for tell-tale footprints or wheel ruts and saw only drifts of virgin snow. It told him nothing. In this storm any tracks made earlier would easily have been covered by now.
He stepped over the remains of the fence surrounding the cabin and scrubbed at the frosted glass with his sleeve, shading his eyes with a hand in an effort to make out the gloomy interior. “Looking good, Tian. Dry at least."
When he tried the door, the handle turned without protest. The last occupants had been an army of spiders, judging by the cobwebs festooning the door-frame and every corner of the room. He tore away the sticky threads, and poked his head inside. The room was bare except for an overturned bench and a low cot on one wall. A stone fireplace made up most of the opposite wall, used for cooking by the look of the iron trivet designed to swing over the flames.
At that moment, it looked like a palace.
"Let's get the baggage inside,” he said stepping back into the road. “The saddles, too."
Tian slithered from Balan and set about removing his saddle, a skill she now performed like one who had been around horses all their lives. They worked together, efficiently stowing the precious food and feed for the horses. The wind teased Tian's hair loose and whipped it around her face, dark strands spotted with white. Sol wiped the snow from his eyes and hauled the mare's saddle from her back.
"Take Balan,” he called. “I'll follow with the mare.” If they jammed closed the door of the meeting-house, the horses should be reasonably sheltered for the night. They'd lost too much light to think of moving on when the storm abated.
Balan's flank disappeared into the maelstrom of tumbling flakes. Sol grabbed the mare's reins and followed, tugging at the reluctant horse when she stopped and refused to take another step.
"Easy, girl,” he crooned. The mare eyed him. Shook her head to clear it of snow and then nudged at his pocket with her muzzle. He stroked the soft velvet of her nose, screwing up his own eyes to pinpoint Balan's swaying hind-quarters. “Sorry, lass. Treats galore when we reach civilisation. Get us home and you'll be well rewarded.” They both would. To an Eagle warrior, a good horse was considered family and took its place accordingly.
"Wait at the door,” he called out. “Let me go in first."
"It's dead.” Tian's voice, edged with anger, came back to him. “This whole place is dead. The Crystal sent us here to look at empty shacks and snow."
"Nevertheless, wait for me.” He moved up alongside and handed her the mare's lead-rein. Stole a swift, icy kiss, which immediately stirred a flicker of desire. Their safe return to Wolf's Valley and a bed big enough for the two of them couldn't come soon enough. Tian caught a handful of his coat and tugged him down for another kiss.
"I want you, too,” she said and licked the melting snow-flakes from his nose. “When we have tended the horses, I will need warming up."
Her amber eyes flashed fire, sending his blood racing below his be
lt. Was this not survival at its most basic? Food, shelter and sex with the one you loved. What else did a man need?
"I'll make you burn,” he promised and stepped inside the open doorway. He glanced away only for the time it took to say the words. Settle the horses and then take care of this inferno igniting between them. Sounded like a fine plan. A damned fine plan. Grinning, he turned back to her.
"It's empty, bring ... Oh Goddess, Tian..."
She stood, fingers curled around Balan's rein, unmoving, eyes closed. The blast gun lay at her feet. Behind her, his hands cupping her head, stood the man who'd haunted Sol's dreams.
The sword flashed in Sol's hand.
"Put it down, laddie.” Age hadn't changed the man's voice. The sound of it assaulted Sol with memories. Without realising he fingered his throat, almost able to feel the tight bite of the belt around his neck.
Sol tightened his grip on the sword. “Let her go or I kill you."
Tian's father shook his head, his smile displaying a row of golden teeth. His grip on Tian tightened a fraction. Two tears spilled from her tightly closed eyes to course down her cheeks and splash onto her coat. Sol's sword fell silently to the snow.
"Very wise.” Tian's father shook his head when Sol twitched, as if to move. “No, don't disturb her until I've finished. It could be dangerous. Don't worry, I'm not harming her. Just teaching her a few things she needs to know. Things her mother didn't want her to know."
Sol froze, furious with himself for allowing this to happen. Heart breaking at the sight of the woman he loved in pain. She started to cry, heavy sobs from the very depth of her soul, blindly moving her hands, clawing at an imaginary enemy.
He would die for her. Change places in the blink of an eye. Kill for her without hesitation. The thoughts and feelings flashed through his mind. Answers to questions he'd pondered many times over the years. Pushing back his shoulders he straightened, noting that he now topped the man by a good head in height. Tian's father swept him a slow, appraising glance.
"You grew up,” he said arching an eyebrow. “Hush little one, listen to me.” This he said to Tian, bending close to whisper in her ear, his long fingers grasping her with their relentless grip.