by D. L. Kramer
"Not..." Paki ducked under Jerai's swing, then planted one boot squarely in his friend's stomach, pushing back with all his strength. Jerai was thrown off balance and Paki managed to get out of the corner. "...For much longer," Paki finished.
"That's enough," Othon ordered. "You two won't have any edge left on your swords if you keep this up."
"That's why we sharpen them every night," Jerai responded, recovering quickly and swinging for a narrow opening for Paki's side.
Paki caught the swing with his sword, jumping backwards to avoid the kora's sharply curved edge as it slid off.
"You've got preparations to make," Othon continued.
"And ye've got Sewati to get up," Kile said to Paki.
Paki and Jerai stopped, each lowering their swords. "I'll trade you," Paki offered.
"Sorry," Jerai shook his head. "I'd rather get married a dozen times than to have to wake Sewati up."
Paki sighed and checked his sword for nicks. Seeing none, he slid it into the sheath.
"My son can help me back," Othon said to Kile. Jerai put his free hand on the top corral rail and vaulted himself over. Nodding to Paki, he took his father's other arm as Kile let go and they turned back toward the tower.
Paki walked to the gate and opened it. Kile met him on the other side.
"How did 'e manage to trap ye in the corner?" he asked. "I thought ye'd learned better than that."
"Dumb luck," Paki shrugged. "And I turned one way when I should have turned the other."
"At least ye know what ye did wrong," Kile said. "I trust ye won't let it happen again?"
"Not unless he gets lucky again," Paki said.
The Dwellers were already awake, making their final preparations. Most of their horses were either being fitted with full barding or having ribbons and flowers braided into their manes and tails.
The only horses Paki could see that weren't having anything special done to them were the horses being presented to Jerai and Siara from each family as wedding gifts. Each family was giving at least one horse, and those with larger herds were presenting their new lord with two or more. It was from these horses that Jerai and Siara would breed their own herds, and many families were giving colts and fillies from their strongest lines. Jaron and Tosia chose four of their best, two young stallions and two mares, each of a different color and with different markings. The horses milled about in a corral just north of the tower.
While Kile went to see to other things, Paki went into the tower and up to Bear's room. Paki opened the door only to find Bear was already up and gone. His crossbow was still leaning against a wall, and only his clothes were missing.
Paki closed the door behind him and reached for Chase's mind. Chase responded, sending Paki an image of the stable where he was. Paki walked back downstairs wondering where Bear would have gone. He stopped several servants as they rushed passed, but none could remember seeing him. Leaving the tower, he walked up to Kile and Mo'ani.
"I went to get Bear up, but he's gone," Paki said. "Chase is still in the stable, so he must be around here someplace."
"What about Tiimu?" Kile asked, looking over at him.
Paki felt for the little fox's mind. He found it quickly, but the fox refused to answer him.
"He's okay," Paki said after a moment, but he won't tell me where he is or if Bear's with him."
"Leave it to Sewati," Mo'ani sighed, shaking his head.
"No," Paki came to his friend's defense. He knew more than any of them how badly Bear wanted his cloak, and he wouldn't just throw it away. He turned his head and looked around. "Let me look for him," he said, looking back at Kile. "I got a couple of images from Tiimu's mind, maybe one of the Dwellers can help me find the spot where he is."
Kile considered him for a moment, then nodded. "Don't be too long," he said. "If Bear's gone off explorin' on 'is own, it's his decision."
Paki nodded, knowing what Kile meant. Still, he knew Bear wouldn't be taking any chances right now. Paki turned away from them, looking for any Dweller he knew. He saw Tosia right away, and whistled for her attention. When she looked up at him, he walked towards her.
"What can I help thee with, M'lord?" she asked.
"Not now," Paki shook his head at the title. "Bear's missing, and I got a couple of images from Tiimu, but not enough to find them by myself."
"What type of images?" Tosia asked, her voice concerned.
"Something with leaves," Paki said, trying to remember exact details. "They were shaped like almonds, with red flowers that grow under them."
"Thou hast described a sa'id bush," Tosia nodded. "They grow abundantly in the thickets behind some of the ranches."
"Thank you," Paki said. "Now, which ranches?" He nodded as Tosia listed where he could find the bushes.
The first three ranches he checked behind had nothing in the small groves or thickets he found there. The fourth one, he saw Bear's black hair glistening in a narrow streak of sun. Paki made sure Bear saw him approach, and his friend made no effort to move.
"Mo'ani's thinking you ran off," Paki said, coming up beside Bear.
"He should know better," Bear shrugged. Tiimu was laying under the bush Paki had caught a glimpse of, chewing on a piece of dried venison.
"So what are you doing out here?" Paki sat down.
"Thinking," Bear shrugged, smiling faintly. "What do you do with all that time you spend in the library?"
"Read," Paki answered. Bear was acting strangely quiet, and much more withdrawn than usual. "So what's going on?"
Bear shrugged again. "I was just thinking about Jerai," he confessed after a minute. "He really doesn't want to get married, and he doesn't really want to be the Dwellers' lord. But he's doing it because he respects his father."
"Yeah," Paki agreed, trying to see what his friend was getting at.
Bear shook his head, then looked up. Paki could see the strain around his dark eyes. "Have I been pushing myself for a cloak because I want one, or because it's the best way I can find the people who killed my mother and get even with them?"
Paki sighed. He'd seen years ago how driven by revenge his friend was, and Mo'ani had commented on it a few times during Paki's training with him. Paki realized no one had ever really pointed it out to Bear.
"I honestly don't know," Paki admitted after a moment. "You've talked a lot about revenge for as long as I've known you." He paused, realizing something. "I don't think you've ever really stopped to figure out what you want besides becoming a Mo'ani."
"No, I guess I haven't," Bear tossed Tiimu a second piece of jerky. He looked up at Paki. "What about you?"
Paki's throat tightened immediately. He didn't have any choice in his destiny, and he understood that now. He didn't feel the time was right to tell Bear who he was, and as soon as he made that choice, his throat loosened. "I think, one day," he began slowly. "I'd like to go back to Edgewind and find my parents." He paused as a thought occurred to him, and he knew it was something Bear could relate to. "And maybe make that auctionmaster eat his teeth."
Bear smiled faintly. "You really should be more vindictive than you are," he pointed out. "You accept things far too easily."
"And you argue much more than you should," Paki returned.
"What do you think I should do?" Bear asked, his voice painfully desperate for direction.
Paki considered his friend. Except for Tuketu, he knew Bear better than anyone. He knew what he was going to say would hurt some, but that Bear needed to hear it. Honor was something Sewati took very seriously. "I think you should finish earning your cloak," he began. "Then decide what you want to do with it. If you find out you wanted it for revenge, you can leave and go back to your father as a cloaked Mo'ani Warrior and find the men that killed your mother. If you find out you wanted it for yourself and because you believe in what it represents, you can go back and face your father with pride."
Bear turned away from him, and Paki saw his fists clench. He put one hand on Bear's shoulder as he stood
up, squeezing it slightly.
"I'll tell everyone Tiimu ran off and you're trying to find him." Turning from the thicket, he left Bear alone with his thoughts.
Bear showed up by the tower a few minutes before the marriage ceremony was to begin. Paki raised an eyebrow at his friend, and Bear nodded, telling him he was all right.
A few notes from the musicians told everyone the ceremony was about to begin. Playing flutes quite a bit longer than the short, silver flutes Paki had seen, the musicians began playing a drifting melody one at a time. Paki quickly realized it was impossible to tell when one flutist quit and another began, picking up on the next note or chord.
Jerai appeared at one end of the aisle, while Siara stepped into the center of the far end. Jerai's white linen tunic rippled slightly in the light breeze. His leather vest had been dyed red, and his breeches were a soft suede. Siara's linen dress was simple, with bright ribbons that looked even brighter against the light color of the dress. Her blonde hair was pulled back, with loose hairs framing her face.
Paki picked out Rena in the crowd of people watching, and she nodded to him, smiling.
Jerai and Siara approached each other until they met in the middle, standing before a simple wooden table with a brazier in the middle. The coals in the brazier smoldered, thin trails of smoke drifting skyward.
Othon stood behind the table, supporting himself on his canes while two servants kept hold of his arms. As Jerai and Siara turned to face him, he nodded to one of the servants, who took a silken rope from behind the brazier. Jerai took Siara's hand and held it out, keeping his hand over it. The servant wrapped the rope around their hands while Othon spoke.
"This day recognizes the union of Jerai, son of Othon, grandson of Matyn; and Siara, daughter of Shalyn, granddaughter of Khalea," Othon began. "In a marriage for their mortal lives." He looked at Jerai and Siara. "I would bless thy marriage with the children thy hearts may desire, and that each of thee will find the comfort and advice one in the other that will make thee examples of strength and honor for all thy people."
Jerai nodded his head slightly while Siara smiled. Turning to Siara, they each took their free hand and unwrapped the rope from their joined hands. Moving together, they set the rope into the brazier, offering their marriage to the gods to seal. When the rope was consumed, indicating at least one of the gods approved of the marriage, Jerai and Siara turned and walked back down the aisle toward the tower. When they reached the end, the musicians quit playing.
No one moved, since everyone knew the ceremony making Jerai their new lord would follow immediately. After only a few seconds, Jerai appeared again at the end of the aisle, this time carrying his father's sword. Servants moved the table with the brazier to the side while Othon waited for Jerai to approach him again.
Jerai carried the sword on his open palms, the razor sharp blade toward him. When he reached Othon, he knelt down, offering the kora sword to his father.
"I bring thee thy sword, father," Jerai said, his voice steady. "That thou may strike me down if I have been unfit in thy eyes, or bring me to thy level if thou sees that I am worthy."
Paki looked at Kile.
"It's a very old tradition," Kile said quietly. "I don't think a Dweller lord's cut down his son for close to six hundred years."
"Must have been really fun living here then," Paki sighed, turning back to the ceremony.
"Thy actions hath been favorable to me," Othon replied, leaving the sword in Jerai's hands. "And thy personage a source of pride. I give unto thee thy title of lord, and the power to govern all of this valley that thy eyes may see. Thy people will look to thee for direction and strength in times of trial, and I pray thee to seek counsel with the wisest of our people, giving ear to their experience and advice." Othon's voice seemed to falter for just a moment before he continued. "Rise, my son, and take thy position as lord, governor and teacher of thy people who dwell within this valley. The sword thou carries shall be thy own, to be handed to thy son at such time as thy destiny sees fit." Jerai stood, still holding the sword. Moving slowly, he buckled the sword onto the belt he wore. Bowing his head to his father, he turned and looked at the gathered Dwellers. "As my father before me," he began. "I would appoint a lieutenant." He paused for a moment, his eyes searching the crowd, then stopping toward the front. "Jaron hath always been loyal to our people and to his own family, sacrificing his own desires to preserve his family's herds. If thou would accept it, Jaron, I would like to rely heavily on thee for advice and counsel."
Jaron stepped forward, nodding his head a single time. Paki saw the tears in Tosia's eyes as she stood beside her brother.
Next, Jerai turned to Othon. "And I would ask thee, father, to also be my advisor. Thy years of experience and wisdom would be of great benefit to our people still." Othon nodded his head a single time. Finally, Jerai looked back out at the Dwellers again. "I ask all of thee," he said to them, his voice strong. "To be patient with me while I learn what's expected of me now. If any of thee sees something I might not, I beg of you to tell me, so that any disasters may be averted.
"Lord Mo'ani has made his first journey to our valley since my mother's illness," Jerai continued. "His warriors have long been our teachers and our protectors while we are away with our herds. The Mo'ani warriors will continue to hold their places among us, welcome at our tables, and welcome in our corrals." He paused for a moment. "I cannot guarantee I will be my father's match in wit or strength of spirit, but I promise you all that I will continue to hold us fast to Mo'ani's Way."
As the Dwellers around him cheered, Jerai turned back to the tower and walked down the aisle one last time, disappearing behind the curtain set up at the end. Paki had heard several of the Dwellers wonder what Jerai would do as lord, and what changes he would make. Apparently Jerai was going to play it safe and leave things alone until he was sure what he was doing, and the best way to institute changes.
"That's over with," Kile said, sighing as the crowd broke and the musicians started playing again, this time a lively tune. The Dwellers would spend the next week celebrating and little work would be done.
"We should probably be leaving soon," Mo'ani said.
"Aye," Kile agreed. "The Archbishop might think somethin' serious was happenin' if he got word ye'd left the Stronghold."
"Exactly," Mo'ani nodded. He looked at Paki. "I noticed Bear decided to join us."
Paki nodded, looking for his friend in the crowd.
"I'm not sure where he went now though," Paki replied. "He's around somewhere."
"When you find him," Mo'ani started to walk away with Kile. "Tell him we're leaving the end of the week."
Paki nodded and went to look for Sewati.
Sixteen - "Zakris save us all"
They left when Mo'ani said they would. Paki knew Jerai would probably need several months until he felt things were settling down again. Paki could understand the feeling, wishing he, Jerai and Bear could go back to their twelfth and thirteenth years when things weren't so complicated.
As the small group rode through the Wardsman's Woods, Bear lagged behind--talking with Mo'ani--while Kile, Paki and Rena rode at the front. Paki hoped Bear was telling Mo'ani of the things he'd discovered about himself while in the Dwellers' valley.
This time, game was plentiful and they didn't have to rely on their travel rations. The weeks they were in the Woods, time passed quickly. They were nearing the road leading south to Herridon when Mo'ani decided to head for Aarao. Paki and Bear both recognized the name immediately. Adie claimed they were traveling to the city when she bluffed their way passed the church guards' blockade. Aarao sat just north of Kiril's land, and would give them an opportunity to learn what was happening the two and a half months since leaving the Stronghold. Mo'ani didn't like traveling blindly, and felt they needed to find out about any problems that might be ahead of them.
The road from the Wardsman's Wood was once again unwatched and they paused to hide Paki's and Kile's cloaks at the bott
om of one of the packs. The group made the turnoff for Aarao without incident and reached the city's gates by evening. They were quickly absorbed into the people crowding the farmer's marketplace. Mo'ani stayed with Paki, Bear and Rena while Kile went to have a look around. While the city didn't seem any different than any other Paki had seen--except larger than most of them--there seemed to be a dark feeling all around. Whatever was happening here, it placed Aarao deeply within the Archbishop's power.
For as close as Aarao sat to Kiril's manor and garrison, there were only a few church guards patrolling the city. Avoiding them would be simple enough, and they should be able to pass through without any problems. Within a couple of hours, Kile found them again.
"Kiril's bein' made a BishopLord," Kile said, appearing beside Bear. "He's also placed a rather handsome price on my 'ead."
"Did you do anything to earn this one?" Mo'ani asked, sighing. Paki couldn't tell if he was serious or not.
"Not that I know of," Kile shrugged. "But he might 'ave a better memory than I do."
Mo'ani shook his head. "Any idea why Herridon road isn't being watched?"
"Seems 'is men think the 'aunts from the Woods are startin' to wander around outside the trees," Kile's grin was obvious. "He can't get anyone to stand a post there."
"Maybe when you were twenty I'd have expected you to still be doing this," Mo'ani shook his head. "You're almost fifty now, don't you think it's time to try different tactics?"
"I use what works," Kile shrugged.
Mo'ani shook his head again. "You're as bad as your father was," he muttered. "Anything else?"
"Not really," Kile answered. "Except with the crowd of people in the marketplace, it's almost impossible to backtrack. It'll be faster to circle around inside the city to get back to the road."
Mo'ani looked at Paki, Bear and Rena. "That'll take us past the cathedral here," he considered, not sounding like he appreciated the thought.
"Should be all right," Kile said. "The priests won't be startin' their 'services' for another couple of hours."