by Andre Norton
“King’s Daughter, an eagerness to learn cannot be bound always by the proper ways. No, to your question. A slippage which was storm-born would not be an attack by evil. However, if that spillage opened a closed path or door it might well be counted so.”
“A path or door,” Kadiya repeated, “in the mountains to the north range—the Vispi? My sister has dealt with those and to good purpose. Do they also range beyond the Uisgu?”
“I do not know,” the Weaver returned. “The Uisgu in all the dealings they have had with us have never spoken of such peoples. However,” she had turned her attention back once more to the strip of weaving, “after this there came no further warnings of trouble.”
“Are there any other records of what the Uisgu feared?”
“The Uisgu may have their own records. When they share with us it is only to warn of a danger all the mires may face. They have sent only this.” She was rewinding the spool of woven records.
“And those mountains beyond the Uisgu, is there much known of them?” persisted Kadiya. She was beginning to realize more and more how very little she knew of the swamp world—she who had valued herself so highly because of her contacts with Jagun and what seemed now her very limited journeying here and there. Her wartime ventures had taken her far beyond anything she had known or guessed existed, and now it seemed even that had been very little with which to push back the boundaries of ignorance.
“We record what we know of the mires, of the lives of our peoples,” the Weaver answered her. “What are the mountains to us? The Uisgu are our kin but we meet with them only for trade or in times of great peril.”
She had taken up the rewound spool to replace it with others which stood in ordered rows on the shelves arrayed on three sides of the room, but at that moment there resounded through the air—
—Or did it come by ear? Kadiya’s hands had moved involuntarily to shut off that wailing. Though she so stoppered her ears the volume of the cry was in no way reduced. It was a mind cry then, so harsh and high-carrying it was like a blow to the head, leaving her wavering dizzily.
The Oddlings in the room had made the same ear stopping gesture and now their faces twisted in pain. This could not be any freak of the storm without.
Kadiya straightened as the sound died away. She had hand to sword and was at the doorway, the Weaver hardly a pace behind.
“Trouble comes,” she heard the Oddling woman mutter.
There was already a crowd in the hall without, more and more feeding into it from every family room and pressing onto the wide platform beyond, where their boats were tied. All of them, Kadiya noted, had taken up arms. There was a forest of spears, blow pipes ready to hand among male and female alike. Only the younglings were herded to the back, sent once more into cover by impatient slaps from their Elders.
Nor was this longhouse the only one so aroused. Kadiya could see the same massing of inhabitants before all the others which formed the village. Some of the defenders were dropping off into their light skiffs, riding the turbulent waters of the lake toward the shore.
She saw Jagun joining one of the groups waiting to disembark and pushed her way to his side.
“What is it?” she demanded, raising her voice to be heard above the hooting and calling of the others, all speaking the mire language now.
He did not even turn his head, rather watched for a chance to take his turn in one of the craft. So she caught him by the arm for fear he would disappear before she could get information.
“One comes. There is a death message!” He freed himself with a sharp jerk.
Kadiya knew better than to try to follow him into the boat he had chosen. She was too heavy of body, too lacking in training with Nyssomu weapons to be of aid at present.
The First and her Council of women were now well to the fore of the open space, none of them paying any attention to the rain which was once more blowing in heavy gusts. In each of the craft already launched, at least one of the boaters was hastily bailing.
To Kadiya’s surprise the boats setting out from all the houses scattered. A number headed for the river opening, but others made for the shores all the way around the lake. And when the first of those reached the mud banks they slid their craft up onto the land and wormed themselves away into the brush. Save for the boats still in sight, the shore in a few moments was bare of life.
Kadiya was well aware of the Oddling ability to make of their waterlogged country a defense. There were enough fighters loosed now in that wilderness of the mire to ensure that any force striving to come to the lake heart of the holding would not find that advance an easy one.
Skritek? Kadiya could not think of any other possible enemy. If some small band of Voltrik’s men was lost still in this wilderness those survivors would not be in any condition to offer any attack. But Skritek were more noted for their ambushes, slyly worming their way into occupied territory to cut off a small body of Oddlings. She had never heard of any of the “Drowners” attacking a village—except under the push of Voltrik’s men during the dire weeks just past. This was not their way of fighting.
The girl moved closer to the First and her Councilors. There had come no other sound to out-scream the storm. The sheets of water sweeping across the lake were like curtains which veiled the shores at intervals. And those Kadiya mistrusted. It could well be that the Skritek had learned new tactics from the invaders and some unusual leader among them was now putting those to the test.
The flotilla of boats which had made for the end of the lake could hardly be seen under these conditions. There were always sentries on duty, not only near the lake but along the stream beyond, as well as a gateway of brush which was normally pulled across that stream as a concealing curtain.
She was straining to see more of those boats, even her vaunted farsight troubled by this need, when there came another of the sounds. This was not so shaking—or perhaps having endured it once she was better able to stand up to it now.
There was movement among the women near her. One of them reached the side of the First and handed to her a curled shell large enough to be used as a horn. Putting it to her wide mouth the First gave breath to a series of hoots, loud as any bugle call but not unlike some of the Nyssomu speech.
Another mental cry and the First made answer. From the far end of the lake two of the house craft swung out into better view, between them a third in which, as they came closer, Kadiya could distinguish two huddled figures.
As soon as she was able to sight the bedraggled and sodden cloaks which weighed them down she knew them for Uisgu. And the very fact that they had come here meant that no small trouble brought them.
Though there was never any dispute between the two Oddling races, neither was there much intercourse. The Uisgu were far more of the wild than the Nyssomu, shy of mingling with those not of their race or caste. Before the war she had seen only a few of them in Trevista, for no matter how far in the mire lands they might range they did not approach any holdings of the humans, using the Nyssomu as their go-betweens.
That these two came here now was a matter for surprise. As the escorted skiff drew in to the house where Kadiya was, she was even more astounded at the nature of the party. The one in the bow of the tiny boat flung back her cloak and raised her head. As all her race she was furred except on the face and that fur had been sleeked so tightly to her body that she looked as if she had been dipped in some dark dye.
The face paint, which was also a matter of custom for those of her people, had been almost washed away, leaving only some faint smears here and there. Her companion was a male—quite young, Kadiya thought—well muscled and from the way he handled the oar of the boat, one who had been travel trained.
The escort boats drew one to each side. Jagun commanded one, Kadiya noted as they nosed in to the platform. The Uisgu boat did not move to tie up, almost as if those aboard were not sure of their welcome.
Once more it was the First who gave voice. Not through the agency of the horn th
is time, but calling out clear enough to be heard above the beat of the rain, though Kadiya could not understand the words she uttered.
Now the Uisgu craft did come in. The male threw a rope which the nearest Nyssomu caught. The boat was hauled carefully in so that the Uisgu woman was able to reach the platform, where one of the waiting clansmen was quick to give her a hand.
She did not stand straight, rather bent a little forward, and there was swiftly passed up to her by her companion a staff which she grasped to steady herself.
One of the boatmen who had escorted her made a swift report and again the First sounded her horn. Then she held out a hand to the Uisgu as if they were clan sisters and led her into the shelter of the house. Her Councilors, Kadiya with them, followed quickly after.
The Uisgu boy shouldered a journey pack of some size and fell into step with Kadiya, glancing at her in wide-eyed surprise. One hand raised and he made a queer gesture Kadiya had seen before. Just so had the Hassitti claws moved when they met. Hassitti, Uisgu—what had those two in common? Another of those endless questions to plague her.
10
This time it was the Uisgu woman who was established on the stool of the questioned visitor while Kadiya slipped in to stand behind one of the benches on which her interrogators were seated. Though she had been offered rest and refreshment, the Uisgu had refused it impatiently and asked for audience with the First at once.
Not only that, but she had insisted that the Firsts of the other five clan houses which made up the village be summoned, too, and it was only while waiting for their arrival that she accepted food and drink.
The youth who was her companion also had slipped into the Council chamber and now squatted a little behind Kadiya, his pack before him, hands resting on it as if the contents were so precious that he must take extra precautions to see it safe.
Perhaps to make sure all would understand, the Uisgu woman used mind speech.
“This one is Salin of the House of Safor of the Clan of Segin. I am one who sees—” She added to her mind speech a hand gesture which was echoed at once by the First of this house.
“There has come such a darkness that has not been seen in hundreds of seasons. This thing kills in a way of great horror. For it we have no name or memory. Thus I come hither, that I may ask your Weavers of past thoughts to seek the nature of this creeping terror. Learning what it may be, perhaps my people can take battle measures against it.”
“This thing of which you speak, of what manner is it?”
“Of this kind.” Without turning her head the Uisgu snapped her fingers. The youth quickly dug into the pack bringing out a shallow basin of that same blue-green metal which Kadiya had seen the Hassitti use.
Into the shallow depths of this he poured a measure of clear liquid from a fish skin bag and then, on his hands and knees, advanced to place the basin at the feet of the Uisgu where she fronted the First.
The latter moved forward on her bench, leaning so that she could see into that container. The Uisgu closed her eyes. Her breathing became slow and deep and there was utter silence in the chamber. Kadiya realized what was in progress. There were foreseers she had seen in Trevista who had “read the water” for petitioners. Some proclaimed they could even see a little into the future by such means, others merely that they could show what was happening in another place at the same time.
Within the basin the water began to move as if stirred, forming a miniature whirlpool. As it swirled so, it darkened, no longer transparent.
Now the color of a peat-dark swamp pool, the water ceased to swirl. The Uisgu held her hand over the basin, well above the surface of that now-quiet pool, and her long fingers twirled and twisted. Her head was well back upon her hunched shoulders and her large eyes were closed.
Then her hands fell limply to her knees. There was movement again on the surface of the basin’s contents—not a swirling this time but rather a seeming flicker of light on the dark surface.
Kadiya edged forward until she could see clearly what picture grew into life there. They were looking down, as if they were as winged as a quim, upon a section of open and solid land, such as were to be found in hillocks of the swamps. These were usually the foundation for ruins. But this was rutted by furrows, and there were signs of a harvest of pulin.
But the wholesome remains of that were being absorbed by a spread of yellowish-green growth shot through with lines of blood red. And the thing appeared to pulsate as if it crawled over the wholesome land like one of the giant slugs of the Golden Mire.
There was something disgusting, utterly alien in that thing. Kadiya swallowed, tasting the rise of her own bile. This had no place in any sane world meant for the abode of human or Oddling. But the worst was not that undulating carpet which lay poisoning the soil: it was the body which lay to one side, curled about itself as if striving to ease some last torture. The victim was plainly Uisgu, yet on the arms which were tightened about bent knees there showed patches of the same green-yellow as the thing on the ground.
The picture in the basin grew larger. They hung now directly above that body and Kadiya saw that those arms and legs so tightly clasped together did not hide the fact that into the chest of the victim had been driven a hunting blade.
Then the water containing the picture came to life, swirled vigorously and settled. They looked at another scene. This time swift running water lapped another island in the murk. There again was the foul yellow-green—this time in splotches, as if spilled out of some giant container. And those splotches grew wider even as they watched.
Another picture, in this a skiff was adrift. Beside it, belly up, floated one of the rimoriks with whom the Uisgu lived in companionship and who drew their boats at full speed when journeys were necessary. Across that bloated belly was a splotch of yellow-green, while in the skiff itself lay an Uisgu.
This was not a static scene. Even as they watched the Uisgu in the craft moved slowly, causing the skiff to dip dangerously. The passenger now displayed his left leg, which from ankle to hip was plastered with the now familiar stain. As they watched he brought out with very apparent difficulty a fish-cleaning, sharp-edged scraper. Then with a last burst of effort he brought it up to slash open his own throat.
The water swirled, the picture vanished; but all those who watched, Kadiya was certain, had seen something which really happened.
No new picture formed. Instead the Uisgu woman’s eyes opened, and she changed the angle of her head so that she could squarely face the Nyssomu clan Firsts.
“So it is with us, wisewomen. This evil spreads across our land as if some monster strides, leaving foul death in every footprint as it passes. There is no hope for any life the yellow poison touches. We lost one whole clan because they strove to help a hunter who staggered home beset with the infection. Now any who fall prey to it take their own lives that they may not carry it to others.
“Weaver records are known to be many and cover hundreds of seasons. Our own have no mention of such a thing nor how it can be fought, but it spreads and this land is threatened. I ask of you, what message can you give me concerning this?”
The Weaver had arisen and come to stand looking down into the now dormant bowl where the darkness was slowly ebbing.
“This is not of my knowledge and I have been Guardian of the storage looms for twice sixty seasons, Sister in Power. Yet you are right, many records are stored here and to seek through them can be done.”
Kadiya, with some of her old impetuosity, came closer.
“Farseer,” she asked the Uisgu, “from what direction does this foul evil come?”
There was a trace of frown on the Uisgu’s face. Her eyes swept Kadiya from head to foot and back again. There had never been ties between her people and the Ruwendians of the Citadel. Could there also be lack of trust?
On impulse Kadiya held forward the sword so that its bulbous-eyed pommel could be clearly seen. In doing so she swung it over the basin. And—
One of those sli
tted eyes opened—that of the Oddling. It appeared to stare straight at the Uisgu wisewoman.
Her small body tensed. One of her hands rose a trifle from her knee. Then she stared at Kadiya. “Holder of Power”—she made that Hassitti-like gesture even as had the youth—“so once more you walk the land. What brings you in answer to this?” She pointed to the basin.
“I do not know. But tell me, wisewoman, does this spread from the western mountains, this trail of death?”
The Uisgu blinked. “Power bearer, it does.”
“And toward where does it appear to head?”
“Toward the Skritek lands.”
The First of Jagun’s clan spoke. “Weaver, a search must be made.”
However, Kadiya had something more to ask. “What lies in Skritek lands that would draw such an evil?”
The First’s mouth twisted as if she would spit. “Who knows of the Skritek—they are a black blot of vileness in this world. Did not those enemies who came upon your own people, King’s Daughter, seek to enlist them in their armies? Were they not people of that Sorcerer who ravaged the land? That some new evil Power would seek them out—that can well be expected.”
Then she spoke to the wisewoman. “Sister in Power, your way has been long and you must be greatly wearied. Let you be at rest while the records are searched. Be sure what help we can give you shall receive. If this plague spreads, let your people come to us for shelter. As against Skritek so shall our spears and darts be united to face this.”
The record room was ablaze with a number of lamps. Under the glow the table had been largely cleared and several stools had been brought in so that not only the Weaver and her two apprentices, but also the First and Kadiya were given space there. The Uisgu Salin and her escort had been fed and were now sleeping off the effects of their hard journey.
It was the Weaver who, with deft touch, unrolled strips of the records. Some she dismissed at once and gave to her assistants to be rewound, but three remained on the table. The fourth piece was that which Kadiya had brought from the city of the Vanished Ones.