“What about Meilin?” Rollan asked, his voice laced with worry. “Someone needs to help her.”
“Agreed.” Jehan’s face seemed to soften as she studied Rollan. “Since the Niloan Greencloak will be gone, I think it’s best if you go to my tent and stay with your friend. The others will stay elsewhere.”
“Thank you,” Rollan said as the Dasat guard handed Abeke her bow and a quiver full of arrows, which she immediately inspected.
“And when does the hunt begin?” Anka asked.
Jehan lifted a single eyebrow and smiled. “It already has.”
“What?” Abeke spun around and noticed that Khai had disappeared into the crowd. He not only had the advantage of knowing the terrain, but now he had a head start.
“But that’s not fair,” Conor protested. “There was no warning.”
Jehan shrugged. “You can waste time arguing or you can begin the hunt.”
Rollan’s eyes met Abeke’s. She gave him a slow nod. She would do this for them. And for Meilin. Failure was not an option.
Crossing the valley, Abeke kept her eyes peeled for any type of movement. She hadn’t spotted any large game during the day, but there would certainly be nocturnal animals wandering the valley floor at night. She remembered seeing a watering hole as they were being brought to camp. That would be a good place to seek out game. The only problem would be if a predator turned the tables on her. This hunter had no interest in becoming the hunted.
The moonlit sky cast enough light for Abeke to see by. Every once in a while, she would hear a noise and pause, but she had yet to detect anything large enough to waste an arrow on. She contemplated shooting a very small warthog she spied hiding near a snapdragon bush, but feared that wouldn’t be enough. It didn’t seem like something the Dasat would consider significant.
She was approaching a clearing not far from the watering hole when she saw it. A lone gazelle stood placidly, foraging for its own bit of food. Abeke silently pulled out an arrow from her quiver and nocked it on her bow. She took aim and waited for the perfect shot.
The gazelle froze, sensing something was amiss.
Abeke held the arrow, watching the gazelle sniff the air.
The way the animal took in its surroundings reminded her of Uraza. Abeke’s fingers trembled. It was like when she had been forced to shoot her beloved spirit animal. Abeke blinked, trying to cast out those thoughts and focus on the task at hand.
A perfectly aimed arrow flew through the night and struck the gazelle in the neck, killing it instantly.
For a moment, Abeke thought she had shot the animal, but then she noticed that her fingertips still held her own arrow.
“YES!” Khai ran past Abeke, toward the dead gazelle. “Your hesitation is my victory!” he called out.
Abeke couldn’t believe it. He’d taken the kill from right under her nose. She wasn’t used to being bested by anyone during a hunt. Now the Greencloaks were in serious trouble. Rollan would have to show Jehan how to use the Heart of the Land, and they would be no closer to finding Stormspeaker.
“Ha-ha!” Khai whooped it up as he tossed the gazelle over his shoulders. “And you didn’t even sense me come up behind you! I’m still the king of the hunters!”
A chorus of laughter followed Khai’s celebration. His eyes widened and he jolted to a stop, his body still.
Abeke knew all too well what was making that sound.
Hyenas.
Khai spun around, realizing too late that he was surrounded. Abeke thought he would toss the gazelle aside and make a run for it, but instead he pulled out his long knife. He was going to try to leave with his kill.
The hyenas pounced, attacking him from all sides. He slashed at the air, knocking a couple of them away before another one jumped on his back, snapping its jaws on the dead animal.
“Khai!” Abeke called out. “Let them have the gazelle! It’s not worth it.”
“Never!” he answered. A hyena bit down on Khai’s leg and he cried out in pain. Khai grabbed the animal by the head and wrestled it off. “Go! This is not your fight!”
“It is now!” Abeke took aim and shot the hyena as Khai stabbed it along its flank. She called out Uraza with a burst of radiance, and the Great Leopard immediately gave chase to several hyenas. “There are too many of them for one person!” she said, firing off two more arrows.
Khai spun around. He faced one particularly determined hyena that didn’t want to give up on its gazelle meal. “This is mine!” he shouted. “I will bring victory to my people or die trying!”
Abeke wasn’t sure if he was speaking to her or the hyena, but it didn’t matter. They were now both in the fight together.
Then, from somewhere behind her, Abeke heard a rustling sound as another hyena raced through the tall grass at full speed toward her. She nocked another arrow but didn’t have enough time to aim. Just as the hyena lunged at her, Uraza leaped through the air, grasping the animal with her powerful jaws. The two fell to the ground, rolling over each other, while Uraza quickly tore at its body. It wasn’t even a close match.
Abeke kept her bow and arrow ready, searching the area for any more attacks, but the night had grown still again.
All the hyenas had disappeared … and so had Khai with his gazelle.
Abeke had failed her friends.
MEILIN SLOWLY OPENED HER EYES. SHE ROLLED HER head to the side and saw Rollan sleeping next to her, his hand holding on to hers. They were both lying on soft mattresses placed on colorful rugs. There was a hint of daylight coming through the fabric of the large tent they were sleeping in.
“Rollan.” Her voice didn’t sound like her own. It was raspy and weak. She cleared her throat and tried again. “Rollan.”
Rollan sat up with a start, pulling at a shackle that chained their ankles together. “You’re awake! You’re awake!” He hugged her, then pulled back to double-check that she was indeed alert. “I’m sorry for arguing with you. I didn’t mean any of it.”
Meilin touched the bandage that was wrapped around her head. She was confused. The last thing she remembered was climbing the mountain with Rollan and arguing about whether she was too bossy. “What happened?”
“You were knocked out for a while, but you will heal,” a voice declared from the opposite side of the tent. “Based on what Rollan’s told me, your spirit animal should help you far better than our herbs.”
Meilin watched as a very pretty girl walked confidently over to the tent’s opening. She pulled aside the fabric and called to someone outside. “Our guests are awake. Bring them some food and fresh water.”
Meilin was confused. Who was this person? How did she know Rollan? And if they were her guests, then why had she shackled Meilin’s leg to Rollan’s? Nothing made sense. “What’s going on?” Meilin asked.
“Her name is Jehan,” Rollan explained. “She’s the leader of the Dasat. They protect these mountains … as we have painfully discovered.” He gave Jehan a sheepish grin and Jehan returned the smile.
Meilin pursed her lips. She wasn’t sure what had happened while she was out, but she already knew that she didn’t like this girl.
Jehan studied Meilin. “Rollan told me some very impressive stories about the Heroes of Erdas last night. Seems you are a formidable warrior.” A honey badger scampered around the tent, climbing on top of several stacked rugs and then curling into a ball to sleep. “That’s why we had to take certain precautions. We couldn’t take the chance that you’d wake up during the night and try to escape.”
Meilin tried to sit up, but everything seemed to spin and she fell back on her elbows. “So we’re your prisoners.” She didn’t understand how things could have changed so much. “How long was I out?”
“About twelve hours,” Jehan answered. “We tried making you as comfortable as possible … under the circumstances.” A guard poked his head into the tent, motioning for Jehan to come outside. “I’ll be right back,” she said.
“You got hit on the head pretty hard,” Rollan said as soon
as Jehan left. “You should have Jhi take a look at you. She’ll help you feel better.”
Meilin nodded, but glanced around the room. No one else was with them. “Where are the others?” she whispered, already trying to think of a means to escape.
“Conor and Anka are being guarded in another tent,” Rollan answered. “You were brought here because you were in bad shape last night. I talked Jehan into letting me stay here, too.”
“I’m sure it took a lot of convincing,” Meilin muttered.
“Huh?” Rollan scrunched his eyebrows together. “What do you mean?”
“Nothing.” Meilin wasn’t sure what she meant, or what she was feeling exactly. “How about Abeke? Is she free?”
“Sort of,” he replied. “We challenged the Dasat to a hunting contest. If Abeke wins, then … ” Rollan stopped talking as Jehan whipped open the fabric covering the tent’s entrance and stepped inside.
“You both need to stay here,” she ordered, her face very stern.
“What’s happened?” Rollan asked. “Something’s changed.”
Jehan didn’t answer him. “Just do as I say and I’ll be back soon. My guards will be here with your breakfast in a few minutes.” She looked at the honey badger. “Livora, we need to go.” She held out her hand and the honey badger darted toward her, disappearing and then reappearing as a tattoo on her wrist.
“Something’s happening,” Rollan observed. “You need to have Jhi get you back to full strength. We may need to move quick.”
Within the hour, Jhi had Meilin feeling better. Rollan apprised her of everything that had happened since her injury. The panda was still licking Meilin’s head when a flurry of activity outside made Jhi stop. Meilin sat up, ready for action.
Outside, loud cheers erupted as the tent panels were thrust open and a guard entered carrying a basket of vines and grasses. “These are for the Great Panda,” he said, placing the basket in the corner. He watched curiously as Jhi ambled over.
“What’s going on outside?” Meilin asked.
The guard smiled. “We’ve received the signal that one of the hunters is returning. Come.” He walked over to the tent panel and pulled it open. “I don’t think there’s any harm for you to see who won.” He glanced at Jhi chewing on a vine. “But your spirit animal should stay here.”
“I don’t think you can tear her away from her breakfast,” Rollan said, offering his arm to Meilin as she stood up.
“I got it,” Meilin said, waving him off.
“I have a bad feeling about this,” he whispered.
Shuffling their feet because their ankles were still chained together, Meilin and Rollan went outside. A short distance away, Meilin spotted Conor and Anka standing in front of a tent.
“Meilin!” Anka shouted and lurched forward before stumbling to a halt. Her ankle was chained to one of the tent posts. “You’re fine?”
“I am!” Meilin answered.
Anka’s face was awash with relief. Meilin could tell how concerned she’d been about her. It was good to have friends who cared so deeply.
“Nice to have you back!” Conor shouted.
“Look.” Rollan pointed to a large man carrying a gazelle over his shoulder. The man was being congratulated by several people. “It’s Khai, the hunter I told you about.”
“Abeke lost?” Meilin was shocked. Abeke was the best hunter she knew.
Khai dropped the gazelle on a wooden pallet as Jehan rushed out from one of the tents. She had a serious look on her face.
“Jehan, I have brought victory once again, but I must tell you—”
“Later. I need to talk to you inside,” Jehan declared, apparently uninterested in the details of Khai’s hunt.
Khai’s expression quickly changed. He scanned the camp, his eyes locking on Meilin. Something was wrong, but it seemed only Jehan knew what it was.
“Khai, tell us the story of your victory!” one of the guards shouted.
Khai gave him a slight smile and waved. “Not now,” he said as others began to sense the unease that permeated the air. The time for hunting challenges was apparently over.
“We need to escape,” Meilin whispered. “They’re planning something.”
Rollan nodded in agreement.
Just then the sound of a ram’s horn being blown in the distance made everyone in the camp stop what they were doing. A second bellowing sound quickly followed.
“Intruders! Take your positions!” a guard yelled, and everyone rushed to grab a weapon.
“Now’s our chance!” Meilin looked back at Jhi, who was chomping away at a bushel of leaves.
But Jehan was already running toward them. “We’re setting you free,” she announced. “You must leave the camp at once and not return.” She pulled out a key and unlocked the shackle around each of their ankles.
“Why? What’s happening?” Rollan asked. Across the camp, Khai was releasing Conor and Anka as well.
“The people you call the Oathbound … they’re approaching from the mountains on the other side of the valley.” She turned to one of the guards. “Bring them their bags,” she instructed, then hustled to grab her own sword and a quiver full of arrows.
“This doesn’t make sense,” Meilin whispered as the camp emptied out and Conor and Anka rushed over. “Why wouldn’t she turn us over to the Oathbound?”
Rollan shrugged; he seemed as perplexed as Meilin.
“What’s going on around here?” a familiar voice shouted.
Abeke entered the nearly desolate camp, her face and clothes covered in dust. Meilin noticed that she was carrying a dead hyena over her shoulder, but they had bigger problems now.
“The Oathbound are coming,” Conor replied. He pulled on his cloak and tightened the holster that once again carried his ax.
“And for some reason the Dasat have decided to let us go,” Anka added.
“If you’d rather we turn you over to the Oathbound, that can still be arranged.” Jehan had returned, holding a small vial in her hand. “Although Khai argued against it.” She looked at Abeke. “He told me what you and your spirit animal did. You’ve proven yourself a worthy friend to the Dasat, and so the challenge is considered a tie. We are granting you passage through our land.”
“Jehan!” Khai called out from a mountain ridge. “We await your orders.”
“Here.” Jehan handed Abeke the glass tube, filled with a scarlet substance. “This is the demon tree sap. Take it and go quickly. We will delay the Oathbound.”
“I’m not sure what to say, except thank you.” Abeke glanced up at Khai, who raised his hand in recognition.
Anka had already faded from sight and Conor had called out Briggan, who stood proudly next to him. His silver fur glistened in the morning sun.
“Hopefully the Oathbound won’t be interested in the Dasat. If pressed, you can say we escaped,” Conor suggested.
Jehan laughed. “That is something no one would believe.” She turned to Rollan. “Last night, you mentioned that you were seeking the edge of the land. I think I know what that is. Follow me.” Jehan took a few steps with Rollan while Livora scuttered behind them. Jehan pointed to a plateau in the distance. “The flat top of that mountain has an overlook. When viewed from a certain angle, it gives the impression that the world beneath you ends. It can feel like you’re at the edge of the land. That might be where you need to go.”
Rollan nodded. “Thank you,” he said. “That’s a big help.”
“All right.” Meilin joined them. She was feeling antsy. They were spending too much time with all this chitchat. “We need to get moving before the Oathbound arrive.”
Livora opened her mouth, revealing her sharp teeth, and hissed at Meilin.
Meilin glared at the honey badger. The dislike was mutual.
Jehan placed her hand on Rollan’s arm and drew closer. “I believe you’re a friend of the Dasat, and I hope you choose to return one day. You’ll be welcomed here.”
“I’d like that,” Rollan said as
Meilin tugged on his sleeve.
“We have to hurry,” Meilin urged. They couldn’t afford to waste any more time. Jhi had already gone into passive state, and Uraza had rejoined the group. They needed to get away from the approaching Oathbound. Plus, if Meilin was honest with herself, she simply didn’t like the way Jehan was speaking to Rollan.
“Of course. I, too, have to go.” Jehan sprinted off to join Khai and the others, who were headed in the opposite direction. “Good luck!” she shouted back. “May Fate and Skill be with you.”
Meilin scowled. This Dasat girl was annoying. But what she’d said was true enough. They would need fate, skill, and a lot of luck to complete their mission of regaining the Greencloaks’ good name.
CONOR AND THE OTHER GREENCLOAKS HURRIED TO reach the plateau that Jehan had shown Rollan. Even if the Dasat slowed down the Oathbound, there was no time to spare. The Greencloaks hiked for most of the day over grueling, uneven terrain and crossed fast, slippery streams, while the blazing sun of Nilo beat down on them. By the time the group reached their final climb, the day had grown cloudy and a heavy fog rolled over everything except the tops of the mountain range. Visibility soon dropped to the point where Conor could only see Briggan if he was right next to him; otherwise the wolf simply disappeared into the mist.
“You think these are the clouds we’re supposed to walk through?” Conor asked. He knew his friends were nearby, but he couldn’t see anything except the gray haze.
“What?” Abeke called out from somewhere in the mist.
“The ones in Tembo’s message,” Conor said. “Didn’t it say that after we passed the valley of death and got the demon’s blood, we’d have to go through some clouds to arrive at the edge of the land?”
“It did,” Meilin answered. “And Tembo said the queen’s glory would then be revealed. I can’t imagine he’d make us come all the way out here if he wasn’t referring to Stormspeaker as the queen’s glory.”
From high above them, Conor heard Essix screech.
“Keep going,” Rollan called out. “We’re almost out of all this fog. It gets clearer as we near the top.”
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