She had never remarried, nor had children. Talullah had helped her for over twenty years and Juliasam had grown quite fond of her. So much so she had passed her business on to her when she died.
Sayla had started helping at the shop at fourteen, and often Juliasam spoiled her more than her own mother. Sayla had called her Aunty all her life and she still missed the late owner.
She wasn't looking forward to the first inventory since Juliasam's passing, but then, she'd be alone with her mother, thus they'd have time to talk.
The shop was cramped, well lit, and messy. It smelled of herbs and was quite noisy during the week – especially during the summer – but on Godsday it was officially closed, so it was quieter.
Sayla checked the map shelves and took one, studying it closely, trying to impress it in her memory. She liked to draw and in her free time she copied maps and added things that made them look richer.
"You might be a map-maker like your uncle," Talullah had said once, a few years earlier, watching her work with her tongue between her teeth.
She could certainly recognize her uncle's hand and a few more Sila artists, who signed their maps with symbols since they didn't have a written language. She had even invented her own signature symbol, but she knew she could do much better maps if she could actually see from up above the places shown in them.
She knew her mother came from the Central Massif, but also that there were closer Sila nests. It would soon be the day of the thanks for newborns – that the Sila called Dankotago – and this year Sayla was determined to go. She hadn't seen her winged uncle in almost ten years and she looked forward to mingling with other Sila, even if she didn't have wings.
"Sayla, what are you doing?" her mother chided. "Leave those maps alone and help me check the stock! Do we have ten bronze pickaxes, ten iron hatchets and fifteen knives?"
Sayla went to the weapons display and counted. "Yes," she answered morosely.
"How many backpacks and bedrolls do we have left?"
Sayla turned around and thought she could use one of each to go on an adventure. Maybe with Keenan – he'd tag along for sure. Although she felt she should do this alone, to sort out the turmoil inside her.
"One backpack and three bedrolls," she said, thoughtful. If her mother didn't take her to Dankotago, she'd go on her own. She'd reach the closest nest and join the festivities there. "And six blankets," she added before her mother asked.
"Candles and lamps?"
The shop was fully stocked except for a couple of items that Talullah could get in town from an artisan. The inventory took less time than expected, since both knew where things were in the mess.
"Good, we might join the men coming out of the temple," Talullah said. "In fact your father wanted me to mention a few things to you today."
Sayla raised her eyebrows. "Tell me it's not about marriage," she snapped.
"Actually, yes," Talullah replied, closing the ink bottle and putting away the writing implements. "Since your brother has made up his mind and your father has received a few proposals for you..."
No. I'm not getting married now.
"Who is the lucky chosen that will become my sister-in-law?" she asked, frowning.
"Oldina will be betrothed to Sanylo soon, and they will be married before the summer," Talullah answered. "It would be great if you walked to the altar on the same day. The young men who requested you are all equally suitable, you have a couple of months to choose."
And then she started giving names and rambling about how one was this but the other had that, and then this one could be good for this and that one had that and on and on. Just like a Human mother would do. Maybe Talullah has spent too many years among Humans.
Sayla listened with her lips pursed. She knew all the young men very well, and they weren't like her mother depicted them. But they were good pretenders with parents. She waited with her arms crossed on her bosom for her mother to finish her tirade.
"Think about it," Talullah concluded.
"Mother, I would like to come to Dankotago this year," Sayla said while her mother put the stock list in a drawer with the accounting books. She tried to use her most nonchalant tone, but her heart beat faster at her daring request.
Talullah stared sternly at her. "Honey, wingless beings are not admitted to Dankotago. And you know it. That's why Myckim, Sanylo and yourself can't come with me. Besides, Winged Ashras can carry only me."
Sayla scowled. "Why does he always come alone? Why don't you let us meet him anymore? Why doesn't he come to town ever?"
"Sila hate towns. They don't build anything. And they don't like mingling with Humans. Earthlings have hurt us in the past. I'm living proof of their misdeeds, others weren't so fortunate."
"I know they almost killed you." Sayla rolled her eyes. "But I want to fly too! Why can't Uncle Winged Ashras bring one of his offspring to take me up there for once? Or just take me for a short flight? I yearn to fly and taste the Clouds Nectar and..."
Talullah narrowed her eyes. "Mating?" she asked bluntly.
"Maybe," she snapped. "So take me to Dankotago this year and allow me to meet some Sila."
Her mother averted her eyes. "They'd never look at you," she muttered. "Although..." She sighed. "I guess you're more Sila than I thought."
"What do you mean?" Sayla protested.
"You're nineteen and you're feeling the call of the parigha flugo, or mating flight. Except you don't have wings anymore and this is an impossible yearning."
Sayla opened her mouth, then closed it. Her eyes widened in shock. "What do you mean with don't have wings anymore?" Her voice came out strangled.
Talullah stared at her with a frown. "The scars on your back? They're similar to mine."
"You mean I was born with wings?" Sayla screamed. "And who maimed me?"
"I did." Her mother's blunt tone and stare made her drop her arms and gape in shock. "You are half-Human. I cut off the fluffy small wings on your back as soon as I recovered from the delivery. They wouldn't have developed properly anyway, so I thought I'd spare you the loss later in life. You can't miss what you don't know."
"You cut off my wings at birth?" Sayla screamed again. "How could you? I hate you!"
In spite of being much shorter than her mother, she rushed forward and started beating as hard as she could against her mother's shoulders, bawling desperately. That was why she had always felt so incomplete. She had been maimed at birth! She'd had wings! And her mother had cut them off!
Talullah took her in her arms and held her tight, letting her vent her anger and sorrow, gently patting her back. Her scarred back. As scarred as her mother's back. Sayla wanted to scream even louder.
Slowly she calmed down and the sobs became sniffs, then she was finally in control again. She pulled away from her mother. Talullah's olive skin looked paler than usual. Her doe eyes seemed full of pain.
"I'm sorry, Sayla." Talullah caressed her golden-brown hair, today braided in a single plait. "You better forget the thought of meeting other Sila. Please consider one of the young men who requested you, marry and forget your Sila blood."
Sayla sniffled, glaring at her mother. "I will not marry one of Sanylo's friends only to please you. Especially Duncan, who is ugly, hairy and always stinks of ale! I will not obey you ever again."
She stormed out of the shop, ignoring her mother's call. She'd had enough of Inex. She was leaving. Right now.
She ran home, grabbed her bow, full quiver and dagger, a waterskin and a small backpack in which she threw some provisions stolen from the kitchen along with a pot, a couple of spare bowstrings, her bracer, sewing needle and thread, flint and steel and a small piece of soap, and then she left before her parents tried to stop her.
***
Keenan noticed immediately that Sayla hadn't come to the temple. He waited patiently until the priest finished the rite and quickly slid out of the bench as soon as it was possible to leave without being noticed. Sometimes Sayla waited outside because she'
d been busy with her mother.
The sun shone on the rectangular stone temple that opened on one of the town's squares, but there was no trace of Sayla. Not even under the shadow of the four trees at the corners of the square or by the fountain at the center of it. Weird.
People poured out of the temple behind him, including his family and Sayla's brother and father. Keenan decided to ask the householder first, just in case Myckim was totally against his daughter marrying Keenan. Sanylo shot him a scornful glance and moved on with Duncan and his other friends, but Myckim smiled.
"Yes, Keenan?"
"I, ah... Sayla didn't come to the temple today?"
"She had some inventory to do at the shop. She should be almost finished by now. You might want to go there."
"Ah, all right, I will." Keenan cleared his throat. "Sir, I was wondering... would you mind if I married her?"
Myckim didn't look too surprised. "When did you realize you love her?" he asked.
Keenan blushed. "I think it's been growing inside me for years," he muttered, uneasy.
"And have you told Sayla?"
"I wanted to do it today. But I wanted to make sure you'd allow us to be together. Sanylo doesn't have a high opinion of me."
Myckim chuckled. "I know what Sanylo thinks, but he doesn't know what's best for his sister. Now I need to warn you, young man, I've already received some proposals."
"Who?" Keenan felt his heart in his throat and couldn't ask more.
"Duncan, Jeramy and even Lemuel. Talullah is supposed to tell Sayla today. So you better hurry to add yourself to the list, lest she chooses someone else."
"She despises Duncan but I'm not sure about the other two," Keenan grumbled, frowning. "Thank you, sir. I'll go to Talullah's shop and ask her."
"Good luck. I'm sure you already have her heart..."
I sure hope so. Keenan frowned and left the square walking fast, but as soon as he was out of sight, he sped up and jogged to the shop. He knocked on the closed door, but nobody answered. He tried to look through the thick glass of the one window opening on the street, but it looked dark and deserted.
Huffing, Keenan went to Myckim's house. There he found the householder, his wife, his son, but no daughter.
"Ah, Keenan, I've just learned that Sayla has left," Myckim said, frowning with worry. "Apparently the proposals weren't to her tastes. She made a scene in front of her mother and we don't know where she is right now."
"Can you look for her?" Talullah added with a pleading look on her still beautiful face. She looked paler than usual. "You always seem to be able to find her..."
Sanylo scowled and said nothing. Keenan made up his mind.
"I'll find her," he promised.
He rushed out, walking the narrow streets of Inex as fast as he could with his long legs. Sayla had left? Why? Why the scene? Her mother looked upset. Maybe they weren't telling him everything. Maybe Sayla had fought with her mother.
When I find her, I'll ask her if she wants to run away with me. Maybe we're both sick of this town and its inhabitants. I shall make her my wife somewhere else!
He didn't even realize he had skipped a meal, but after three hours of useless searching from the beach to the competition compound, he gave up. Sayla had left the town. She wasn't hiding with the crows, she was gone.
His shoulders slumped as he slowly went back to Myckim's. Sanylo's smirk at his failure made him want to slap Sayla's brother.
"Thank you, Keenan." Talullah looked calmer now. "We will find her, don't worry. You can go home, now."
Keenan sighed but obeyed. What had upset Sayla so much that she had left without even saying good-bye to him?
CHAPTER THREE
"Where are you going?" the crows asked as Sayla walked quickly away from the walls of Inex. She stuck to the unpaved road that followed the coast for now, but she knew she'd have to get away from it soon if she didn't want to be brought back by force.
"Away from that goddamn town!" she snarled. "I hate them all!"
"What about your mother?"
"What about her? She's worse than the Humans living there!"
The crows cawed and eh-awed, surprised to hear her talk like that.
"But it's dangerous out there!" they objected, fluttering around her and trying to make her go back.
"Get away from me!" she screamed, waving her hands to chase them off. "If you're here to help, scout for me, if you want me to go back to that dump, leave me alone!"
The murder of crows rose and kept flying over her head as they consulted with each other. She ignored them and kept walking as fast as she could. All the maps she had studied and copied flashed through her mind as she tried to figure out the best way to the closest Sila nest.
She had left Inex from the eastern gate and the mountains were far ahead of her. She could see them, so she didn't really need to stick to the road, right out in the open, where there wasn't much wildlife and only lone farms popped up every now and then.
She should head for the forest. There she could hunt for food and stay hidden. Instead of stopping to set up traps, she could hunt rabbits or hares and cook them. Maybe even pheasant.
She could eat chicken, turkey or pheasant, and used turkey feathers for her arrows, but if someone presented her with a roasted flying bird of any size, she simply could not stomach it. Her mother never cooked birds of any kind, not even the non-flying ones, but sometimes during festivities other hunters prepared quail skewers and even the smell made her sick.
The crows glided down again. "We will scout for you," they agreed. "But only so far as that lone farm. Then you'll have to ask other birds to help you."
"Fine," she snapped. "Go ahead. But on the open road there's no need for scouting. I'll find a forest bird to look out for me."
"Where are you headed?"
"The Sila nests over that mountain range." She pointed straight ahead, determined. A thought occurred to her and she stopped, putting her hands on her hips. She waited for the crows to land all around her. "Why don't you do me a favor?" she said. "Scout behind my back. If you see someone following me, just come and warn me. Especially if it's my brother Sanylo, who will surely come hunting for me as soon as he can."
"We shall warn you if your brother comes after you," the crows promised. "What about your friend?"
"What friend? I don't have friends."
"The one with sunshine hair is not your friend?"
"Oh, you mean Keenan!"
She pondered.
Keenan was a much better tanner than Sanylo was a blacksmith – and both young men were following in their father's footsteps, but not with the same results. But of course a blacksmith's son was more popular than a tanner with an odoriferous trade that was kept outside of the town walls. Besides, Keenan was shy and introverted. Sanylo loved to be the center of attention, Keenan hated it.
They were also physical opposites, since Sanylo had dark hair and eyes like their father Myckim (who was gray by now, but Sayla still remembered when he was raven black), who had come from the south with maimed Talullah twenty-five years earlier, while Keenan was blond and blue-eyed like most of the northern populations.
Sanylo's success with women might be due to his unusual looks – Keenan was too plain for their tastes. Some said Keenan stank of his trade, but Sayla didn't mind. The smell of the tannery might be strong, but sometimes it was better than other odors wafting through town or coming from people.
Keenan might have a smelly job, but he bathed more often than others and Sayla enjoyed talking to him. Yes, Keenan was a friend. She did consider leaving with him at first. Keenan could also come looking for her as much as Sanylo. She should have told him why she had left in such a hurry.
"I will leave him a note," she decided. "Can you take it to him?"
"Of course."
She saw a rock on the side of the road and went there. She rummaged in the backpack and found a small piece of parchment and some charcoal. She didn't have much room, but it would have to do.
She folded the note and gave it to the crows. One took it in its beak and they took off.
Sayla watched them leave and sighed. Time to move on. Since she was already off the road, she continued towards the forest, determined.
***
"Where the hell have you been?"
The slap made Keenan's cheek sting. He glared at his father who scowled back with his meaty hands on his hips, ready to hit him again.
"I was looking for Sayla," he answered through clenched teeth.
"All day running after that little bitch?" His father scoffed. "Forget the blacksmith's daughter, Keenan, you'll never have her! And next time you decide to skip a meal and let your mother worry all day, think twice! This won't be tolerated anymore, understood?"
"Yes, Father." Keenan hung his head, looking properly chastised but fuming inside. He should have tried to follow Sayla out of town. Tonight he'd prepare his things and follow her. But he better not let his parents know of his real intentions.
His mother patted his stinging cheek, chiding but not openly angry. "Come, I've saved you something," she said as the sun set outside of the tanner's house.
Keenan was late for dinner. His father grumbled he deserved to go to sleep without eating, but his mother wouldn't listen and insisted he ate his fish and potatoes. Keenan sat alone at the kitchen table, making a mental list of what he needed to follow Sayla's tracks.
Although he wasn't a hunter, or a tracker. He was a tanner. Which way had Sayla gone? North was the beach, but there were plenty of other gates. Had she gone south? East? West? He'd never find her, unless he joined Sanylo's expedition.
Myckim had sent out word about his daughter's disappearance and Keenan knew that the next morning men would go out and look for her. But no, he didn't want to join Sayla's brother. He needed to find her before anyone else.
He retired to his small room under the slanted roof and heard his parents arguing below. They were probably saying he should marry. They were probably choosing for him. Maybe he should tell them that Myckim hadn't sounded displeased by his proposal.
Quests Volume One Page 16