Song of the Silvercades

by K S Nikakis

‘They call us the Terak Kutan?’ asked Tierken.

  Caledon nodded.

  ‘Do you know why the Shargh hunt Kira?’ asked Tierken.

  ‘No, but the Shargh are superstitious. They would believe gold eyes to be ill-omened, a belief strengthened by the knowing that the Leader of the hated Northerners also has gold eyes.’

  ‘So they go to war because of gold eyes,’ muttered Tierken.

  ‘War is rarely that simple,’ said Caledon. ‘It’s been many years since the loss of their northern grazing lands, long enough for hatred to fester, and for the next growth of Shargh to forget the bloodiness of their defeat.’

  Caledon paused. The Feailner’s eyes didn’t change like Kira’s, which made him harder to read. His movements were also controlled and his words considered, surprising given his youth, and a stark contrast to Adris’s explosions of speech and energy.

  ‘Kira wants to go south with you to Maraschin,’ said Tierken. ‘I’ll deny her permission.’

  Caledon considered him calmly, but his thoughts whirred. She wants to come with you but I’m keeping her with me. Tierken probably suspected Caledon and Kira were lovers. He hadn’t asked Caledon outright, nor would he, but it would affect all their dealings together. Allowing the suspicion to remain might serve the stars’ purposes, or destroy them, depending on whether the stars intended Kira to be with him, or the northern Leader.

  ‘I spoke with many in the southern forests who love Kira,’ said Caledon, ‘and on one thing they agreed: Kira will go her own way.’

  ‘Not this time.’

  Caledon smiled to ease what he was about to say. ‘Protector Commander Kest attempted to keep her in Allogrenia for her own safety. He failed. Had he not, I would now be dead, for Kira killed to save me. Adris and I tried to keep her in Maraschin for her own safety; we failed.’

  ‘Because of your failure, the Shargh caught her,’ interrupted Tierken. ‘Because of your failure, she screams in her sleep.’

  ‘Our failure meant that she came north – to you, perhaps as the stars ordained.’

  ‘I’m aware of the Placidien’s belief in the benevolence of stars,’ said Tierken, ‘but I don’t share it. Kira’s paid a heavy price for their benevolence.’

  ‘Kira’s arrival in the north opens up the possibility of your peoples being one again,’ said Caledon.

  ‘My people are one: the Terak, the Illians, the Kirs and the Kessomis,’ said Tierken, angered by Caledon’s presumption.

  Caledon bowed, acknowledging the Feailner’s correction, and realising he’d misjudged the northern ruler’s capacity for, or willingness to, accept change. Silence stretched and Tierken rose.

  ‘I thank you for your words, Lord Caledon. I need think on them and take advice. I’d be pleased if the Leader of the Guard and you will join me for this evening’s meal.’

  Caledon rose and bowed. ‘I look forward to it, Feailner,’ he said.

  59

  Kira sat on the edge of the owl fountain, the splash of water seeming loud now Caledon had fallen silent. His words had woken an unbearable longing to be with Miken and Tenerini and Tresen, to walk among the gold-green trees, to hear the whisper of leaves.

  ‘So, there have been no more attacks,’ she said finally.

  ‘No.’

  ‘I delayed too long. If I’d left earlier …’

  ‘The Shargh attack the Tain, and you’re not there. I’ve told you before, Kira, this is not just about you and the Tremen.’

  ‘How many of my people who’ve come will live to go home again, Caledon?’

  ‘I don’t know,’ admitted Caledon.

  ‘They could all be killed.’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘That will be the ending of Allogrenia.’

  ‘Your Allogrenia ended the day the Shargh found you,’ said Caledon gently.

  The shadow of the Rehan Wing crept slowly towards them and Kira stood, easing her cramped legs.

  ‘Come to my rooms, Caledon. It’s warmer there.’

  ‘I don’t think that would be wise.’

  Kira followed his gaze to the Meeting Hall. ‘He doesn’t believe Kasheron went south, or that I carry his blood.’

  ‘You ask the Terak Feailner to declare his peoples’ histories wrong, and publicly acknowledge a blood link that’s long been despised. Your people call his the Terak Kutan, and his have sent yours out of memory and time. Don’t underestimate the gulf that lies between the Tremen and the Terak, Kira.’

  ‘Are you saying that Tierken will never accept who the Tremen are? Who I am?’

  ‘I think it could take more time than has been given.’

  Kira watched the fountain numbly.

  ‘I could be wrong. I’ve been wrong before,’ said Caledon, wincing as he moved his arm.

  ‘Let me see,’ said Kira, unbinding the arm and probing along the bones.

  ‘Nice and clean,’ she said, rebinding it. ‘Tresen’s done well.’

  ‘Did you doubt it?’ asked Caledon with a smile.

  ‘What other injuries did you suffer?’

  ‘Just my leg, all healed,’ he said, ‘and I gashed my forehead.’

  Kira pushed his hair back and peered at the wound, his sweet spice smell rousing memories of their time together. She’d forgotten the clear grey of his eyes and the comforting sense of him.

  ‘All healed too,’ he said, then his gaze jerked to a point over her shoulder and he rose hurriedly.

  ‘Forgive my interruption, Lord Caledon,’ said Tierken. ‘I require speech with Kira.’

  Caledon bowed, and turned towards the Rehan Wing.

  ‘We’ll speak in my rooms,’ said Tierken to Kira.

  Kira followed him up the stone steps and along the balcony, surprised that he hadn’t suggested the Meeting Hall. The configuration of his rooms was the same as hers, with a fire roaring in the room’s large fireplace, pots and bowls of burnished metal winking in its light. The table was set with lamps and there was a platter of fruit, a jug and two beautifully patterned cups.

  ‘You don’t look very happy,’ said Tierken, pouring her some fruit-sweetened water. ‘I thought the arrival of your friend, the Lord Caledon, would have alleviated the hardship of living in the stone city. What did you and your friend discuss?’

  ‘We discussed you – among other things.’

  ‘May I ask what exactly?’ said Tierken.

  ‘That it’s unlikely you’ll ever accept my histories and the Tremen, and because of that, accept me for what I am.’

  ‘That’s not what I said to him!’

  ‘Not in those words, perhaps, but it’s true, isn’t it? I’ve come to realise it’s not your fault, though. There have been too many seasons of separation and bitterness between Terak and Kasheron’s seed for us to mend it. And it’s not a convenient truth. I think our peoples will come together one day, but after our time. In the meantime, I go south with Caledon.’

  ‘You’ll remain within the safety of Sarnia, Kira.’

  ‘I’ve explained to you why I can’t stay here, Tierken,’ she said, and took a deep breath. ‘I am the Feailner of my people, and I need to go to them. If you lock me in my room, I’ll not eat. If you lock me in the city, I’ll remain at the gate until hunger and cold claim me. If you let me out of the city, I’ll ride south alone. But if you allow me to go south with Caledon and the King’s Guard, after I’ve seen my people, I’ll return here. You’ll have no need of locks and keys, and no fear that your woman will embarrass you by dying at the gate.’

  ‘I don’t want you as my woman, I want you as my wife! But you’re not going to offer me that, are you, as part of this trade?’

  Kira’s hand went to the faint scar on her cheek where her father had struck her, and she straightened. ‘I’m willing to bond with you in the Tremen way. That’s all I can offer you as a Tremen.’

  ‘So, what does the Tremen offer the Tallien?’ asked Tierken, sneeringly. ‘The same trade or something else?’

  ‘It’s not what I offer him
, but what he offers me,’ said Kira. ‘He offers me trust, Tierken, something you refuse.’

  Tresen marched beside Arlen in the formation the King’s Guard had ordered, under trees that were both familiar and alien, escorted by men who weren’t Tremen. None of it seemed real, but in another night he’d be in the Tain city of Maraschin with Kira, and it would all have been worthwhile.

  This thought had comforted him in the trek over the awful emptiness of the Dendora. They had journeyed at night with little speech, and no fires, despite the hard, frosty mornings. Even wearing all of the clothes he carried, Tresen had been cold in his sleeping-sheet, shivering and endlessly rehearsing Pekrash’s instructions on what to do if they came under attack. But he’d done none of them when the Guard had stepped from the shadows.

  Tresen was the only Protector who knew more than a few words of Onespeak and this had continued to cause difficulties. When they’d reached Shardos, the Tains had insisted they follow each other rather than spread out through the trees, for good reason. But the order caused confusion, and made Tresen wonder how many other misunderstandings would arise.

  They were nearing the edge of the trees when one of the scouts hastened back, grim-faced, and it was only when they came out onto the grasslands that Tresen saw the cause of the man’s upset. The sky to the west was smudged by a pall of smoke.

  ‘The Westlans burn,’ said the leading Guard. ‘The battle’s begun.’

  60

  It was very late and Kira was sitting at her recordings when there was a brief knock and Tierken came in. She braced herself for another argument, but he appeared calm.

  ‘I’ve reconsidered the trade you offered,’ he said, ‘and have decided to accept it. You can journey to Maraschin to see your people, then return here to Sarnia, where you will remain in safety. You will travel with the Lord Caledon and the Tain Guard, as well as a Terak patrol led by Commander Marin. You will spend seventeen days beyond Sarnia’s gates: seven in travel south, three in Maraschin to rest the horses and for you to speak with the Tremen Commander, and seven to return. Are the terms agreed?’

  ‘Yes,’ said Kira, struggling to take them in, but heart tumbling at the thought of going to Maraschin.

  ‘Then smack hands,’ said Tierken.

  Kira raised her hand and Tierken’s slapped it briskly. ‘You’ll need to prepare your pack and take warm clothes and a cape. Then try to get some sleep. You’ll be leaving at dawn.

  ‘Oh, and I’ll be travelling with you,’ he added.

  *

  Kira was kept wakeful by excitement and by the wind whining over the Domain. Chill rain had joined it by the time she arrived at the stables. Most of the men were already mounted but it was hard to distinguish who was who because of their capes. Kalos was easy to pick, though.

  Then Marin came to her side.

  ‘Your presence is good news,’ said Kira.

  ‘Yes, Lady,’ he said with a small bow, ‘but we have a foul start. It’s a bad time of season for travel on the Sarsalin.’

  ‘The Feailner’s granted me three days to meet with my people in Maraschin, but I have no choice about the timing. Perhaps the weather will improve as we go south.’

  ‘Or worsen,’ said Marin, arranging his cape over the saddle.

  The wind continued to blow steadily from the north, straight off the icy Silvercades, driving the rain into their backs. Despite the cape, the reins were slippery in Kira’s frozen hands and her backside soaked from the rain dribbling down the saddle. Kira caught the words Ges Grove among the patrolmen’s mutter, her heart lifting as she remembered the dense trees. However, it was fully night before they reached there.

  Kira copied Jonred in how he unsaddled his mount, stowed the harness and attached the tether rope, and was halfway to the fires when Tierken ordered her back.

  ‘Tether her like that and she could tangle and burn her legs.’

  ‘I thank you for your help, Feailner,’ she muttered, forcing her numb fingers to undo the rope and shorten it, before hurrying back to where Caledon sat.

  ‘Always he wants his own way,’ said Kira.

  ‘A Terak Feailner must always be that in front of his men,’ said Caledon. ‘At least he’s let you come south, which surprised me.’

  Kira said nothing, thinking of the trade, and Caledon handed her some roasted nuts. ‘Eat, Kira, we’ve a long day ahead on the morrow.’

  They were on their way before dawn, Kira’s request to search for fireweed amid the deeper leaf-fall of Ges Grove refused. She hadn’t noticed any soaks in the Grove, Kira comforted herself, so it was unlikely fireweed would grow there in any case.

  Their second camp was at Breshlin Ford, and Kira unharnessed the mare, rubbing her down and letting her drink, then tethering her next to Jonred’s mount.

  ‘A much improved effort, Tremen Leader Feailner Kiraon of Kashclan,’ said Tierken, before moving off to the fire.

  Tierken had barely spoken to her since they’d set out, not even sharing her fire as they ate. He was angry because she’d given him no choice but to allow her to come. Caledon had hinted that Tierken would brook no challenges to his authority on the trip, and Kira had no intention of being anything but compliant. She spent her time before sleep came, and while they travelled the next day, considering what she must do once she reached Maraschin, and how she was to acquire supplies of fireweed for the north.

  Everything she had seen and heard tell of the Shargh told her that they would pursue their enemies wherever their enemies went. And that meant, inevitably, Sarnia would receive wounded. She must procure fireweed to take back.

  ‘Ashmiri,’ muttered Jonred, jolting Kira from her reverie. She could see nothing, but the men rode with their bows unclipped for the rest of the day, not stowing them again until the first stars were in the sky, and the party zigzagged down the steep, grassy slope of Cover-cape Crest.

  ‘I’ll take the mare,’ said Marin, as they came to a stop.

  ‘There’s no need. I’ll –’

  ‘The Feailner’s orders,’ he cut in, taking her mount, along with Jonred’s and Vardrin’s.

  ‘This way, Lady,’ said Jonred.

  Kira followed him, realising with a sinking heart that she wasn’t going to be able to search for fireweed here either. Some of the Guard built fires and Jonred pitched her gifan close to one, but most of the Terak remained on their feet. Kira sat by the fire, an ache in her belly she hadn’t felt for many moons.

  ‘I need some time alone,’ she said to Jonred.

  ‘You’re to remain here until the Feailner returns.’

  Beyond the fire-glow, the guards kept a constant patrol, and Kira wearily rested her head on her knees. Then frosted grass crunched and she started.

  ‘Jonred says you need some time alone,’ said Tierken. ‘Come.’

  She struggled up and followed him into the grove.

  ‘Here will do,’ said Tierken.

  ‘I’ll turn my back.’

  ‘I need to go to the spring to wash.’

  ‘It’s too cold. You’ll have to accept being grimy for a while.’

  ‘It’s not because I’m grimy, but because …’ By the ’green. Must she beg Tierken’s permission for everything?

  ‘No further,’ he said, hands coming to his hips.

  Kira sat down and pulled off her boots.

  ‘What in Irid’s name are you doing?’

  ‘I need to change my underclothes. To do that, I have to take off my boots and breeches.’

  ‘There’s no reason …’ he began tersely.

  ‘I bleed, Tierken,’ she said.

  ‘Kira, I –’ he started, comprehending.

  ‘Just turn your back.’

  It was dark again before they reached their next stop at Shally Spring. This was where Kira had gathered on the northward journey and where there was the greatest chance of finding fireweed. She also knew that simply asking Tierken for time would be met with refusal. So Kira waited till the fires were set and the men ha
d eaten before approaching him.

  ‘I would have speech with you, Feailner,’ she said.

  He rose and came a little way from the fire. ‘What is it?’

  ‘I need time to look along the ridges for fireweed.’

  He shook his head. ‘The trade was a southward journey of seven days, I’m not extending it to eight.’

  ‘I’ll trade you for the time between dawn and midday.’

  His eyes flashed in the drift of firelight. ‘What are you offering, Kira?’

  ‘The mare.’

  ‘She was a gift!’

  ‘So mine to trade,’ said Kira steadily.

  ‘I thought you had affection for her, but obviously I was wrong. You don’t seem to have affection for anything … or anyone.’

  ‘I need time, Tierken. If you won’t give it, I must trade for it.’

  He rubbed his jaw and when he finally spoke, the anger had gone from his voice.

  ‘Have your time, Kira, but you’ll have the patrol with you. And keep the mare, she’s yours.’

  61

  Despite being aided by the patrolmen, Kira’s search for fireweed elicited nothing more than sorren, silvermint and frost-burned tagenwort. By midday they were on their way again, Kira scanning her surroundings with increasing desperation as she rode. The Tain gatherers might have gathered more fireweed since she’d been gone, but if the fighting went as Caledon predicted, there would end up being wounded in Sarnia.

  That night they camped without shelter and without water, for it was still half a day’s ride to Barrow Soak, Jonred told her. The horses would have to wait till then. No one said it, but Kira knew she’d delayed the patrol at Shally Spring for nothing.

  Cloud rolled in overnight, making the morning grey and misty. They watered the horses at Barrow Soak, and went on. It was drawing on to dusk when the cold silver of the plain darkened in the distance.

  ‘The edge of the Tain lands,’ said Vardrin.

  ‘We’ll reach Maraschin this night?’ asked Kira, impatient to see Tresen.

  Vardrin shook his head. ‘We’ll camp at Mendor Soak but that won’t be till the night’s turned, then pass east of Mendor Spur and cross the Baia Plain. We’ll not reach the Tain city till the morrow’s night.’