by B N Miles
Theus dropped the flames. The fire sputtered out as he staggered forward and groaned, hands on his knees.
“Damn,” Cam said softly.
“Good job, Theus!” Chesina clapped her hands from her perch on a rock grouping fifty feet away. She waved her hands and cheered.
Cam shot her a look as Theus waved back. “Are you sure you had to bring her?” Cam asked.
“She wanted to watch me work.” Theus grinned and shrugged. “Guess you’re not the only shaman around now.”
Cam laughed and clapped his friend on the arm. “Just be careful. Now that you can touch the priori, you’re going to be a little… addictive.”
“Oh what a horrible curse.”
Cam stretched his arms and cracked his neck. “Seriously though. Did you feel that, while you were channeling?”
“Feel what?”
“I swear, when I’m pulling in priori while touching you, I can almost… push my power along our connection.”
Theus frowned a little. “I’m not sure I felt anything. I mean… maybe a little bit. I’m not sure.”
“We’ll keep trying. I swear, I was so close.”
“I’m feeling a little…” Theus’s jaw clenched. “You know what I mean?”
“Of course.” Cam shaded his eyes and looked toward the Mansion. A figure walked toward them, stepping from the shade of the columns and into the mid-afternoon sunlight. “I think I see a new training partner on his way.”
Theus followed Cam’s gazed and let out a grunt. “Good. Let him deal with you.” He moved away with a wave and called for Chesina.
The girl jumped to her feet and ran over. She was a cute girl, a little too round for Cam’s tastes, but she was good for Theus. She made him happy at least, and that was all Cam cared about. Theus put his arm around her shoulders and walked off as she looked up at him like a puppy.
Cam wiped his sweating brow with his sleeve. Theus got tired much quicker than he did. The difference in their power wasn’t huge, but Cam could handle the power for much longer. He wondered if it was a physical thing. He was bigger and stronger than Theus, and he had a feeling that the priori interacted with his body in particular ways, which was why orgasm seemed to flush it away.
Sirrin raised his hand as he neared. Cam raised his hand in return and rested his palm on the pommel of his sword. Sirrin looked older than the last time they saw each other, back when Lycanica first showed herself. His eyes were sunken and patches of his hair were white. His clothes hung from his body like robes.
Cam wondered if that was the fate that awaited all shaman.
“Out training already,” Sirrin said. “You’ve been back for, what, three days?”
“Can’t help myself.” Cam shrugged and tilted his head. “I’ve been wondering where you’ve been hiding.”
Sirrin made a vague gesture back at the Mansion. “Bottom of a beer barrel in some basement corner.”
“Sounds about right.”
Sirrin gave him a tight smile. “But here you are. Hero of the people.”
“Here I am.”
Cam didn’t move. Sirrin’s tone was light, but his words held a deeper meaning. Cam couldn’t quite understand where this anger was coming from, but he wasn’t interested in pushing it out. If Sirrin wanted to talk, he’d talk.
“I hear rumors that you saw her again.” Sirrin looked at his fingernails like he didn’t care about their conversation.
“And Danua.”
“It’s true then? They fought in the sky?”
“It was like fifty shaman floating in the air and trying to kill each other.”
“Sounds horrible.”
“Horrible, and beautiful.” Cam shrugged and kicked a rock. “Danua wasn’t like Lycanica. She was… quiet. Less angry.”
“I suppose the gods would be a lot like we are. Since we’re made in their image.”
“The godlings are. We’re not.”
“The Ur was a god once. He only left the world.”
Cam grunted in reply, not interested in getting into a philosophical conversation. “What brought you out from under your mug today, Sirrin?”
He gave Cam a hard look as he half turned away and stared back at the Mansion entrance.
“I hear you’re collecting apprentices.”
Cam tilted his head. “That’s true.”
“One from every village. You’re going to be busy.”
“Offering your services?”
Sirrin continued to stare back at the Mansion, but a small smile drifted over his lips. “No, I’m not.”
“Didn’t think so.”
“I came here to warn you, actually.”
Cam snorted. “About what, exactly? How hard it is to drink myself to death?”
Sirrin’s smile faded. “It’s not as easy as you think,” he said. “Training men to do this. And they don’t always take to it. You got lucky with Theus.”
“I’m not sure it’s all luck.”
Sirrin was quiet for a long moment. “I took an apprentice once,” he said.
“I take it that didn’t go well.”
Sirrin grimaced and Cam felt guilty for his flippant tone.
“No, it didn’t,” Sirrin said. “The Need is a hard thing. For some it’s like a never-ending hell, even when it’s been satisfied. The memory of the Need lingers, and the power that comes with it is like a drug that begs for use. You seem to have learned how to deal with the Need better than most, but believe me, your situation isn’t common.”
“What happened to him?” Cam asked, his voice gentle.
“He took his own life after five years of study,” Sirrin said. “He touched the priori for the first time after three years of study, then hung himself from a branch behind his house two years later. I never could ask him why, but I know it, I dream of it. The Need pushed him, the Need took him. And I have to warn you now, before you draw more men into this life, that some might not survive it.”
Cam let out a long breath as he studied Sirrin. The man’s face was drawn and tense, and it was obvious that the memory of his apprentice wasn’t a good one. He could only imagine the sort of pain Sirrin went through, the sort of pain he still carries.
But none of that mattered. The pain of one man, or two men, of a hundred men, none of them mattered, not in the end.
“I understand,” Cam said. “I truly do, but I’m not sure you do.”
Sirrin turned to him and looked stricken. “Cam—”
“You didn’t see them,” Cam said. “The goddesses were something we could never fight against. The greatest army in the world couldn’t hope to stand against a single goddess and all her fury. If Danua hadn’t come, Lycanica would have ripped us all to pieces, no matter how hard I fought or how much power I used.”
“That’s always been the way,” Sirrin said.
“But now the gods are stepping out of the shadows,” Cam said. “Lycanica led her wolves into our land, killed our people, and ravaged the north. She did it for her own personal reasons and for her own selfish desires. She did it once, and she might do it again. There’s no promise that next time Danua will stop her, or if any of the other gods will be interested in stepping in.”
“You don’t know she’ll attack again,” Sirrin said.
“We can’t take that risk. Don’t you understand? The gods are not on our side and the Urspirit can’t protect us. We need power if we’re going to stand up to the gods, and the only power I can think of that might stand a chance is the priori. We need shaman, Sirrin. We need hundreds of them.”
Sirrin turned to Cam. His skin was ashen and his eyes drooped wide. He shook his head and held up his hands like he was surrendering to a stronger opponent.
“That’s madness,” he said. “That’s… hundreds of shaman? Cam, you can’t be serious. We can’t stand against the gods. And to create that many shaman, it would be…”
“Difficult,” Cam said. “But I’ll do it. We’ll learn control. We’ll learn how to fight together.
There’s no other way.”
Sirrin took a step back. “Please, Cam. You can’t do this.’
“I won’t ask you to help. But this is what we’re doing.”
He shook his head. His eyes went wild like a rabid horse. “I’ll stop you,” he said.
“Try,” Cam said. “And I’ll make sure you never return to this place.” Cam took a step toward Sirrin. “We need this, and nothing’s going to get in my way. Do you understand me? I won’t let the gods destroy what I’ve built.”
Sirrin shook his head and backed away. He dropped his hands to his sides and paused like he wanted to speak.
But instead, he turned and walked back to the Mansion.
Cam watched him go with a steady, slow heartbeat. He pictured all the shaman he’d create and all the power they’d wield together.
If he could only learn how to link their magic together, figure out how they could all work in tandem together…
Then they’d be unstoppable.
He turned away from Sirrin’s retreating figure, the conversation already forgotten as his mind worked through the problem of pushing his power to another shaman.
44
Firelight spilled over the pile of furs stacked on the floor. Miuri and Felin lounged next to Cam, their bodies half-dressed and intertwined. A slight sheen of sweat glistened on their skin, and he couldn’t help but run a hand down Felin’s long, lean leg. His body stirred in response, despite having tasted her for the better part of the last hour.
“It’s good to be home,” Felin said.
“Yes, it is,” Cam said. “Although strange how this room is starting to feel like home. It was just yesterday that I was living in Medlar village.”
“Do you think you’ll return there?” Miuri asked.
“I don’t know,” Cam said. He stretched his legs and let out a contented sigh. “I hadn’t thought about it.”
“I think people are starting to head back to their homes already,” Felin said. “I saw groups of them this morning gathered in the main hall. Galla had her Wardens handing out food and supplies for their journey and they were leaving with her blessings.”
“I guess that had to happen sooner or later.” Cam shrugged and leaned his head back. “I’m not sure I could go back though. Would you two want to live in a tiny little village?”
“I wouldn’t mind,” Miuri said. “I’m used to a quiet village life.”
“Me too,” Felin said. “But I doubt Galla will go anywhere.”
“No, she won’t. And I don’t think I can. Not when I’m going to take over responsibilities here.”
Felin narrowed her eyes. “You’re doing what?”
Cam rolled his head toward her. “Taking over responsibilities. Training the shaman, sharing the Lordship. I don’t think I can do any of that from my old village.”
“I didn’t know you were taking on the Lordship,” Miuri said and shared a look with Felin.
Cam waved a hand. “It’s nothing. Ceremonial. Galla’s going to still shoulder the burden of command. I’m just going to have a title so that I can better control and train the shaman.”
Felin let out a little grunt. “I doubt Galla likes that.”
“She doesn’t, but she also knows what’s best for this place. It’s happening tomorrow.”
“And you didn’t tell us?” Miuri leaned forward and put a hand on Cam’s chest. “Maybe that’s a sign of something. You didn’t tell us because you know it’s maybe not the best—”
“It’s for the best,” Cam said, interrupting her. He put his hand on hers and gently pulled it away. He stood and strode across the room, firelight glinting off his naked form. He turned and looked at his girls, at their wide eyes and uncertain looks, and felt a strange anger come over him.
“I don’t know why you all can’t see it,” he said. “Especially you two. You know better than us what the gods are capable of.”
“We know that,” Felin said. “We’re not disagreeing with you.”
“And yet you’re acting like I’m doing something terrible by stepping into power.”
“I don’t think it’s terrible,” Miuri said, her voice soft and calm. “But I do think it’s going to hurt Galla’s feelings.”
“She’s a big girl. She’ll learn to deal with it.”
Felin snorted. “I wouldn’t be so sure. Plus, she’s terrifying. If she wants to make your life harder—”
Cam held up a hand. “Enough of this,” he said. “It’s happening. There’s nothing we can do about it. I’m going to train as many men as I can, and they’re going to train as many as they can, until we have a force strong enough that can defend itself against the gods.”
Felin shrugged and lounged back again. “Whatever you say,” she said.
Miuri gave him a long, concerned look. It made Cam angry, but he forced himself to stay calm. He reached for the breathing techniques his father taught him and slowly kept his center in place. She shook her head and stood, one hand covering her breasts.
“We love you, Cam,” she said. “I just hope you’re being careful.”
“I am,” he said.
She nodded and walked back to the bedroom. She shut the door behind her and lamplight glowed around its edges. Cam stared at the door, his heart beating fast. Miuri had never scolded him before, nor had she ever suggested that he might be doing something for the wrong reasons. It set him on edge to have Miuri suggest that he might be making a bad decision, but it was too late to turn back and change things, the training had already begun and the villages had already sent their shaman.
It was only a matter of time, then.
“Don’t worry about her,” Felin said. “She’ll come around. She’s a little wary of power, I think it’s an Elf thing.”
Cam tilted his head and smiled at Felin. “You’re not?”
“I’m a wolf. My whole life is built around power. You either have it, and you’re top of the pack, or you don’t, and you’re nothing at all.” She sighed and draped her arms over the arm of the couch.
Cam smiled and knelt down beside her. He kissed her lips gently, kissed her neck, her breasts, her stomach. He felt a pulse between his legs again as Felin purred, and he thought he knew the perfect thing to take his mind off Miuri.
The front door rattled then opened just as Cam’s mouth reached Felin’s belly button.
Key came stomping in. She closed the door behind her and leaned her practice spear against the table. Cam stood as Key pulled open the window and shoved her head outside, breathing the fresh air. Felin frowned at her and sat up on one elbow.
“Uh, hey Key,” Cam said.
Key nearly jumped out of her skin as she turned. “Oh,” she said, blinking. “I didn’t see you.”
“What’s the matter?” Felin asked.
“Nothing.” Key shook her head. “Looks like you two are busy. I can leave you alone.”
“You could join,” Felin said.
Key shook her head and took a few steps toward the door.
“Wait.” Cam grabbed a blanket and wrapped it around his waist. Felin groaned and flopped back down on the couch.
“Just when it was getting good,” she muttered.
Cam caught up with Key just as she stepped out into the hall. He gently took her arm to stop her from running off. She lingered as Cam shut the door behind him.
“What’s going on?” he asked. “You’re upset.”
“It’s nothing.” She stared at the ground. Cam tried to meet her eye, but she turned away. “It’s really nothing, okay? I just need a little time to process.”
“Process what?”
“Nothing.” She pulled her arm away. “Can I just go?”
“Key,” Cam said. “You can talk to me. I don’t need another one of you angry with me today.”
She grunted and looked at the door. “Felin doesn’t seem too mad.”
“Miuri,” Cam said, waving a hand at the rooms. “Not happy about my deal with Galla and the Lordship.”
“Why don’t you just talk to me?” Cam asked. “Maybe I can help.”
She finally looked at him. Her eyes sparkled with tears, which took him by surprise. Key was the strongest person he knew, and he couldn’t imagine something that might bring her to tears, especially not since the defeat of the wolves.
He stepped forward and touched her cheek. Her jaw clenched and her body stiffened, and he pulled his hand away like she was an angry dog about to bite.
“Key?” he asked.
“I didn’t mean it,” she said. “It was an accident, okay?”
“What was?”
She chewed her lip. “I’m pregnant.”
Cam took a step back. Surprise flushed through him. Key wrapped her arms around her body, hugging herself tightly.
“You’re… pregnant?”
She nodded, staring at the ground. “It must have happened before the battle,” she said. “I don’t know which time. I didn’t realize, but then I missed my cycle, and I spoke to some women here, and…” She trailed off, blinking rapidly.
“That’s amazing,” Cam said with a laugh. “That’s so amazing. Key, you’re pregnant! This is prefect!”
She looked up. “What?”
Cam laughed as joy rushed over him. He threw his arms around her and pulled her against him. He laughed again and hugged her hard.
“You’re pregnant,” he said. “We’re going to have a baby. We’re going to have a family!”
“Cam—”
“This is perfect,” he said. “Oh, Urspirit, this is perfect. I love you so much, and this baby’s going to have so many moms, and be so loved, and—”
“Cam!” Key pushed him back and stared at him. “Cam, you promised me something, and you haven’t lived up to that promise yet.”
He blinked at her. “I’m sorry. What did I promise?”
She clenched her jaw. “Don’t make me say it, you asshole. I feel pathetic enough as it is.”