plague of light
TRANSCRIPT
ThePathfinderTalesLibrary
Novels
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ISBN978-1-60125-398-9PZOTEB0018
OriginallypublishedinserializedforminPathfinderAdventurePath#37–42.
ChapterOne:OnGlowingWingWhenthejunglespeaks,itnevertellsall.Othersmayhearitswords,orsenseitswants.Ireaditssigns.Theseare
presentinthehootingandcluckingofmonkeytroopsinthetreetops.Ifindtheminthescurryingofinsectsacrosstheforest’sharddirtfloor.Inthechitteringofparrots,thecrackofwoodpeckerbillsplungingintothetrunksoftrees.Intheshiftsofbillowingheatinthepressing,humidair.Thesmellsofrottingfruitandcrumblingbark.
Dawncomes,tradingdarknessformorningshadow.Scantlightpenetratesthejunglecanopyahundredfeetabove.
Thereisdangerhere,thejungletellsme.WhetherIdetermineitsnatureintime—thatismytest.Toprosperamiditshunger,Imustdemonstratemycapacitytosenseandsurvive.Toagainprovemyselftheeater,nottheeaten.
Myeyesseekprowlingbeasts.Asexpected,therearenone.Onlyscatteredscrubbushesdwellintheblanketofshadelaiddownbythegreatsky-seekingtrees.Theyofferpoorhidingplacesforambushingleopards.Aboarorhyenapackwouldeasilyyielditselftoview.Atworst,adanglinglianamightconcealayoungviper,wrappedarounditandsharingitswoodycoloration.
ItiswhatIcan’thearthatalarms:thesoundofpeople.Thoughfaint,Ishouldbeabletomakeitoutbynow.Iamonmywaytomyadoptedvillage,Ngali.Thereshouldbethelowmurmurofdawn-timeconversation.Thegrindingofpestleagainstbowl,asthewomenmakepasterootintoflour.Childrenshouldbelaughing.FromthedirectionofthevillageIhearonlyitschickens,andthedistressedbarkofadog.Andadistanthum.
Flies.Itisthebuzzingofflies.Heartquickening,IspeedmypacetowardtheclearingwheretheNgalihuts
andstorehousesstand.Ioverleapanoutcropofrain-smoothedrock,dashthroughcottonywebbingstrungbetweenlianasbyafist-sizedspider.
WhenIwasexiledfrommyowntribe,theNgaligavemeshelter.Theirgreatfather,M’patika,servedmepalmwineandtoldmeboththeirouterandinnermyths.Theirgreatmother,Nawapo,ladledoutboarsoup,andtoldmemybearingremindedherofherson,beforetheforeignfevertookhim.WiththeNgali’sseniorhunters,Shokamb,Wabara,andBibaang,Itrackedduikers,spearedcrocodiles,andfacedademon-heartjaguar.OnceM’patikaofferedtoperformtheritualofrebirth,andmakemenewagainasaNgali.Thoughhonored,IcouldnotturnmybackonwhoIhadbeenandwhatIhaddone.Hesaidtome,“Youareofthewanderingtribenow,Xhasi,butlater,youwillbe
saidtome,“Youareofthewanderingtribenow,Xhasi,butlater,youwillbeready,andwewillclaimyouthen.”Thenhesmiledandplacedhisrough,firmhandonmyshoulder.
AndnowIrushfrombeneaththecanopyintotheclearingandseetheNgalislaughtered.Theirbodiesliestrewnasiftheyweretakenunawareswhileperformingtheirmorningtasks.Freshcorpsesdanglefromthethresholdsofhuts,andfromthecommunalstorehouse.
Allhavebeentaken.Children,women,andmen.Nodefensewasmounted.Spearshangintheirracks,shieldsproppedbeneaththem.M’patikaliesfacedownontheporchofhistalkinghut;Irecognizehimbythewidthofhisshouldersandhisdeepgreenskirt.Nawaposlumpsinside.Iseehereyelessfaceandshudder.
Noweapon,Mwangiorforeign,performedthisact.Thisisnotthepredationofbeasts.Thebodiesofmyfriendshavenotbeenbitten,clawed,ortrampled.Whatwasfleshisnowredpulp,hangingfromthebone.Onlymagiccouldhavedonethis—andstrangemagic,too.
IseethemagicianstepoutfrombehindM’patika’shut.Hecarriesawizard’sartifact,acomplicatedinstrumentofyellow-brownmetal.Itisawheelfilledwithotherwheels,whichturnuponandinsideoneanother.Theiractionconfusestheeye.
Themanisanoutlander,hispalenorthernskinreddenedandflakedbytheheatofournearersun.HeisnewtotheExpanse:hehasyettoabandonhissteelarmor.Sweatdarkenshisstraw-coloredhair,pastingittohisforehead.Hairlikethehuskofagrobfruitashamedlyhidesthelowerportionofhisface.
WhenheseesmeIhavealreadysprungintotheair.Hereachesforabladeathiship,butbeforeswordcanclearscabbard,Iamontopofhim.Hisdevicefallsintoblood-muddieddirt,andmykneespinhiselbows.Hethrasheshislegs,butIamwellpositionedandstrong,andhecannotthrowmeoff.
Throughahazeoffury,Ibeholdhisprotestingface.Itsputterspleadingwords.Hebabblesintheso-called“commonlanguage.”Theforeignerscredititswordstothemselves,eventhoughitwastheriverotterwhoinventedit,andweZenjofthejunglesthefirsttwo-leggedbeaststolearnit.Icouldunderstandhim,butdonotbother.ThethunderofrushingbloodisallthatIcanhear.
Therageisinme,andIraiseupmyspear,readyforthekillingblow.Inmymind’s-eye,theactofrighteousbutcheryperformsitself.Ienvisionthetipofmybladepiercinghiswinter-bornthroat.Beneathme,thespell-makerwillshudderanddie.HewilldieonNgaliland,andwillgototheNgalighostlands,toservethespiritsofmyfriendsasawretchedslave,untilthatnether-realmdaywhenallspiritsfadeforever.
Itightenfistaroundspearhaft.ButthethoughtofNgaliwaysbringstomind
Itightenfistaroundspearhaft.ButthethoughtofNgaliwaysbringstomindthecodeIwasraisedwith.Despitemyexile,Istillclingtoit.Inthisadherenceliesmylastremaininglinktomyowntribe,theAra.
Alifetakenisadebtincurred.ThisiswhatAra,thefirsthero,taughthisdescendants,whotookhisname.Whenapersontakesanother’slife,heacceptsallofhisobligations,andmustdischargethemuntiltheendofhisdays.Hemustlivehisvictims’livesforthem.
Thekillingpriceweighsheavilyonmealready.TwicehaveIincurredit.TwosetsofobligationsImustshoulder.Thefirstcostmemyplaceinmytribe.ThesecondforcesmetodictatedetailedreportsandhavethemsenttopeopleIwillnevermeet,inadimlyimaginedlandIwillneversee.SuchisthepriceoftakingaPathfinder’slife.
Ofthisspottyoutlandwizard,whosethroatInowstandreadytopierce,Iknownothing.OfthedebtsIwouldbear,Icanonlyguess.Istaymyhand.
I’llfindapunishmentforhimthatcostshimmorethanitdoesme.Wrathdrainingfromshakinglimbs,Ifindthemeaninginhisheavily
accentedjabbering.“Ididn’tdothis!”hecries.Ipinhimtighter.Thebuzzingofcarrionfliesgrowslouder,moreinsistent.
“IfIspareyou,itisn’tbecauseItrustthewordsofforeignsorcerers.”Thenorthernergruntsindisbelief.“Sorcerer?Youspoutnonsense,jungle
man.”Hefollowsmygazetothemysteriousinstrument.“That?Thatwasgivenmebyourprophet-for-hire,tofigureoutwhat’s
causingthis.”“Causingthis?”Thenorthernerstopsstruggling,lettinghisheadwearilyfallbackintothe
mud.“Thefireflyplague.”Iparrothiswords,tobesureIheardthemright.“Yes,fireflyplague.That’swhatkilledthesepeople—aswarmof
carnivorous,glowingbugs.”“Continue,”Isay.“Thisattackisbutoneofmany.TheplaguehashitusinFreeStation,three
timesnow.IamThoroldofUlfven.IworkfortheAspisConsortium.LetmeupandI’lltellyoutherest.”
ThenameoftheConsortiumgrantsmelittleease.Thatorganization’sgreedhasdonemuchtoharmtheMwangiExpanseanditspeoples.Yetinthesewordsringsthepossibilityoftruth.Iremovetheswordfromhisbeltandslowlystand.Hekeepshishandsinviewasheweavestohisfeet.
“Youareup,”Isay.“Nowtellmeofthisfireflyplague.”
“Inthejungle,heatcanbemoredangerousthanblades.”
“Youareup,”Isay.“Nowtellmeofthisfireflyplague.”“Theinsectscomefromthedarkofnight,inglowingswarms.Theyfeaston
flesh,tearingitfromthebone,asyouseewiththesepoorsoulshere.Theywereyourpeople?”
“No.Yes.”Theforeignerreachesouta
consolinghand,thenthinksbetterandwithdrawsit.“IcameherefromUlfvenwithtwoshield-friends,SvadiandHildir.Whentheglow-fliesfirstdescendedonFreeStation,Svadiwasdevoured.Hildir,strongofthewandwithsea-hardenedflesh,lingeredforahorribledayerehedied.HadInotbeeninBloodcoveatthetime,overseeingashipment,Imightnowbefeastingbesidetheminthehallsofthegods.”
Hissadness,Idecide,isgenuine.“Whatbroughtyoutothisspot,then?”
“Plaguesimpedethesmoothconductofbusiness.Myemployerssentanumberofusintothejungles,armedwiththesedevices.”Hepicksuptheinstrument,torubthemuckfromitssurfaces.Nowacceptinghistale,Ilethimdoit.“They’repayingagod-speakertosolvethemystery.Shegavethemtousinhopesoftrackingdisruptionsinthecosmicbalance,orsomesuch.Donotaskmetodecodehermysticalmaunderings.Iamatraderandexplorer,amanofpracticalgifts.”
Thoroldfreezes.Hismilk-weakcomplexionturnspalerstill.Helooksovermyshoulder,behindme.Whatheseesterrifieshim.Iimaginethecloudofflesh-eatingfireflies,comebackindaytimetofinishtheirmeal.Hegesturesforthereturnofhissword.Iturntofacethissoundlessthreat.
Agorillashamblesfromtheforestintotheclearing,gracefulandsilent.Itislargeforitskind,overeightfeethigh.Itwalksnotonitsknuckles,asgreatapesdo,butwithuprightspine,asaman.Itwearsalopsidedsnarlingexpression.Theleftsideofhismuzzlebearsthesignsofpastinjury,partlytornawaytoexposethegorilla’supperandlowerfangs.Thehairaroundtheruinedsideofhisfaceisstreakedwhite,asifbleached.
Thoroldspeakswithoutmovinghislips.“Tossmetheblade.I’lldrawhimthisway;youhithimfromtheback.”
thisway;youhithimfromtheback.”Thegreatapepauses.Resigned,butannoyed,too.“Thatwon’tbenecessary,”Itelltheoutlander.“Thisismyfriend,Arok.We
hadarrangedtomeetupatNgalitohuntwiththepeoplethere,andshareafeast.”
ArokwaitswhileIexplainhimtothenortherner.TheUlfenaskstheexpectedquestions.HefearsthatArokcomesfromthecityofUsaroandworshipsthedreaddemon-apethere.ArokisnoallyoftheGorillaKing,Iassurehim,andcertainlynodemon.Itellhimthatmyfriendwasbornananimalandawakenedbyanature-priest.
“AsIsaid,”theoutlanderrepeats,“Iamamanofpracticalgifts.Thewaysofdruidsarebeyondme.”HestaresatArokforamoment,thenatme,thenathisemptyscabbard.Hisshouldersslumpingrudgingtrust.Onlythendoestheapeventureclose.
ThoroldhasnotinquiredaboutArok’sscars.Thatisaquestiononlychildrendareask.
ThenArokseesthebodies.ThoughhecameherelessoftenthanI,theNgaliwerehisfriends,too.Hedoublesoveringrief.Hescreamsatthesky.Hesniffsaroundtheencampment.Fallingbacktoanimalhabits,hebrieflyknuckle-walks,thenresumeshissky-screaming.
Thoroldwantshisswordback,Icantell.Arok’sbereavedshriekingdampsthefiresofmyanger,butonlyalittle.
WhenArokhasfinished,IhaveThoroldtellArokwhathetoldme.Forthefirsttimesincehisarrival,Arokspeakshumanwords.
“Ifeelitwhencominghere,”hesays.“Verybadfeeling.”Hisdeepvoicepurrs,likeadistantwaterfall.
“Evilmagic?”Heshakeshisworriedsnout.“Biggerthanmagic.”Iwaitforhimtosaymore.Unlikemen,Arokdoesnotspeakbeforehehas
finishedthinking.Whenhedoes,heusesanapeword.Theapesdon’thavemanyofthem.Likeanyanimalword,theyarehardtowriteandimpossibletosay.Let’ssaythewordis“urunr.”Urunrmeanstheworld,butitalsomeansnature.Wehumans,alongwiththedwarvesandelvesandothersofthemortalraces,aren’tofurunr.Wehavesteppedoutsideit.
“Urunrisnotright,”Aroksays.Inod.Thoroldisconfused.IwonderhowIwillexplainthistoanoutlander.The
Mwangipeoplesareclosertobeingofurunrthanothers,orsoArokhashinted.Butifthewordwasafruit,Iwouldonlyunderstandtheoutsidepeelofit.
“Urunrisangry,”Aroksays.
“Urunrisangry,”Aroksays.“Urunrkilledourfriends?”Iask.Arokunhappilytipsforwardhiscrestedhead.No,that’snotit,he’ssaying.WhileThoroldwatches,thetwoofussetaboutdiggingapit.Itislarge
enoughonlyforM’patikaandNawapo.Onlythegreatfatherandgreatmotheraretobeburied.Theywilldigtotheghostlands,andtheotherspiritswillfollowinthetunneltheymake.Itisharmfultothespiritifitsbodyisburied,theNgalisay.Thekingandqueenarestrongenoughtomakeitunscathed.Orperhapstheirspiritswillbeextinguishedbytheeffort,asafinalsacrificefortheirpeople.Oneneverknowsforsurewhathappensintheghostlands.
Therestofmyfriendswillbeleftwheretheyfell,tobeeatenascarrion.Hyenashuddleontheforestfringes,snortingimpatiently.Vultureswaitintheskyaboveus.
“Urunrdidn’tkillourfriends,”Arokfinallysays.“Butitiswrong.Partofitiswrong,andmustberighted.Untilthen,urunrdoesn’tknowwhatenemytostrike.Blindlyitlashes.”
Itisdecided,withouttheneedforspeaking.ArokandIwillgowiththeoutlander.ItmayhelpthiscompanyprophettohearwhatArok’sanimalsenseshaverevealed.Withspearandfangandclawwemayaidthem.Wewillseewhatcanbedonetostopthisplague.
GentlyArokandIcarryM’patikaandNawapotothegraveandlaytheminit.
Aswepushthedirtoverourfriendswithwoodenspades,Irealizewhatwearedoing.WeholdthelastNgalifuneral.
Wearenotfarfromthevillagewhenthehyenasboundin,snarling.
∗∗∗
Thesoundofwatercallsusnorth,tothebankoftheLittleVanji.Thenorthernerwearshisfearlikeacloak.Heleapsintotheair,grabbingathissword,whenashellfruitdropsfromthecanopyabove.Itlandswithacrackonthehardearth.Antsdisgorgefromthegroundinthethousands,asifsuddenlyborn.Theyswarmacrossthebrokenshellofthefallenfruit,carryingitsmeatawayinwetredchunks.
Halfaleagueonwefindabeachedreedboat.Acorpseliesinside,sprawledacrossasetofjaggedfishinggaffs.Fatcrocodilesencircletheboat,readytofightforthecarcass.Afewyardsaway,theirbrethrentearintotheremainsofthreeotherfishermen.Itisnotthecrocsthatkilledthem.All,includingthedeadmanintheboat,bearthewoundsofthefireflyplague.
Distractedbytheeasyfeed,thecrocodilespayusnomind.Weretreatback
Distractedbytheeasyfeed,thecrocodilespayusnomind.Weretreatbackintotheborderingjunglenonetheless,circlingaround.Arokcurlshislip—theunbrokenpartofit—anxiously.Thetwoofusarewellequippedtofightmosthostilecreatureswemightfindouthere.Againstacloudofcarnivorousinsects,wehavenodefense.
ThoroldspeedshispaceastheLittleVanjidrawsneareritsmotherriver.AttheconfluencebetweenthetwoliesthetownofFreeStation.ItssunburnedfoundersbuiltittosqueezethemselvesfreeoftheConsortium’sironhand.ItwouldbebetterthanBloodcove,theysaid,asifthereisadifferencebetweenoneforeigntradepostandanother.TojudgefromtheUlfen’swords,theAspishasburroweditswayinthere,too.Theyareliketermites.Thereisnogoodtrunkonwhichtheywillnotdine.Yettheymightproveusefulalliesagainstthisplague.Termitesaredetermined,andindustrious,andmany.
FreeStationcomesintoview.Arokstopsandlopesbackintothetrees,fortheaperefusestosetfootinoutlandersettlements.Hewillfinduswhenwearedone.
TheUlfengrowstallerandstraighterasweapproachhisadoptedvillage.FreeStationhasgrownsincethelasttimeIsawit.Itishalfaforeigntown,halfaMwangivillage.Housesinbothstylesringthemeetingpointofriverandtributary.TheforeignbuildingsaremadefromMwangiwoods—cypress,ironwood,andkiat.Theirshingledroofsalreadyrotandbuckle,victimsoftherainyseason.Thethatchedcoveringsoftheplatformedhuts,replacedeachyear,arenewandfresh.Theyaremadelikethoseofmypeople—thejungleZenj,ofwhichboththeAraandtheNgaliaresubtribes—butinhabitedmostlybyocean-goingBonuwat.
Ahushofterrorsmothersthetown.FreeStation’stradersandworkersstridequicklythroughFreeStation’ssodden,windingstreets.Theydartfrombuildingtobuilding,readingtheskyforinsectclouds.
“Thefirefliescomeatnight,”Thoroldsays,“Orhavesofar.Thisgivesusnogreatcourage,notevenwiththesunhighoverhead.”
“Howmanydeadinall?”“Severalscore.MyemployersfearBloodcovewillbenext.”Wecrossasmallwoodenbridgeintothetown.AtfirstIamready:even
whenaccompaniedbyoneoftheirown,aZenjmancarryingaspearandwearingaboar-furheaddressmightnotalwaysexpectawelcomeinsuchaplace.Butthefurtivetraderspayusnomind.
Iaskmynextquestionhavingalreadyguessedtheanswer.“Andthisprophetofyours?”
“Shecommuneswithatwo-facedgod.”Hepatshispack,wherethestrangeinstrumentisstored.“Herservicesarecostly,butsheisreputedtoenjoystrongdivinefavor.”
divinefavor.”IamabouttosaymorewhenIseesomeoneIdonotwishtobeseenby.I
shrinkbackbehindanabandonedforeign-stylehut.Builtonapoorfoundation,itsinksalreadyintotheMwangiearth.
Theundesirablequicklytraversesthetown’swidemainlaneway.Hiswarygazetravelsfromsidetoside,notskywards,asifhehasmoretofearfromhisfellowmanthanfromflesh-strippingfireflies.ABekyarheaddressofflowinglinencovershishead.Itssimplecordheadbandhasbeenstrippedofclansymbols.Hiswhitetunicandleggingsaredirtiedandworn,buthewearsanewpairofnorthernboots.Hemuttersasifrehearsingagrudge.
Thoroldproveshimselfwise;hewaitsuntilthemanhaspassedtoinquire.“Whoisthat?”
“Anon-person.TakemetoyourNethyspriestess.”ItisnosurprisethattheConsortiumcountinghouseisthelargestofFree
Station’sbuildings.Thoroldescortsmeinside,pastnervousBonuwatguardsmeninAspislivery.Wecreakupacockedstaircasetoathird-floorroom.Incensecolorstheair:sandalwood,burntnutmeg,cockatriceoil.Hesitantlyheknocksonabattereddoor,itspaintpeeledbyhumidity.
“Enter,”commandsthevoiceinside.Thoroldstepsin,headhalf-bowed.“Miladypriestess,Imetsomeoneinthe
jungle,who—”“Lookwhothecatdraggedin,”saysthewomaninside.“Obai,”Isay.Sheperches,posturearrow-straight,ontheedgeofapaddedwoodenchair.
SheisoftheweirdandancientMauxipeople.Hercheekbonesarehigh,hercomplexiontintedwithash.Drapedandinterfoldedrobesenlargeherskeletalframe,wrappingitindeep-dyedredsandpurples.Aroundhermouthareraisedritualscars,aseriesofdots,eachthesizeofadelicatefingertip.Thoseontheleftsideofherlipscurveup,extendinghermouthintoasmile.Thoseontherightcurvedown,givingthatsideofherfaceafrown.ThescarsdeclareheronenesswiththegreatgodNethys—distantandinscrutableguardianofarcanesecrets,maintainerofcosmicbalance.Herfrown-smilesaysthatsheis,likehim,alwaysherownopposite.“Where’stheape?”sheasks.
“Intheforest,waiting.”“Ofcourse.”“Youknoweachother,”Thoroldsays.Hehasallowedhimselftogivevoicetotheobvious.Obaijudgeshimforit.
Theleftsideofherfaceisamused,therightsidecondemning.Thoroldcontinues.“Thenthetwoofyou—youarebothoftheScarred
Ones.”
Ones.”“Thereisnosuchgroup,”Isay.Obaismilesandfrowns.TheUlfencan’thelphimself.“Andtheman-apeaswell.”Withhisfingerin
frontofhisface,hetracesthepatternofArok’sscars.“YouareallScarredOnes.”
“Haveyouthesextant?”sheaskshim.Heremovestheinstrumentfromhispack.Sheplacesitinastandonawide
table,amongfiveidenticalobjects.Thedeviceswhirlandclick,andObaistudiesthemintently.Withadistractedwave,shedismissesthenorthernerfromherpresence.Hemeeklywithdraws.
ItellherwhatAroksensed,abouttheurunr.Obainods.“Hisperceptionsalignwiththesextantreadings.Thoroldgot
closesttotheimbalance.Itsresonancepartakesofboththedivineandthenaturalrealms.”
“Anaturegod,then.”Thetiltofherheadsuggestsagreement.“Local,butpowerful,andangry.We
mustdowhatmustbedonewhengodsaredispleased.”“Andwhatisthat?”“Appeasethem,naturally.”Herwordsliltwiththeusualamusedcontempt.“Yourgoddoesnotmindyoupleasinganother?”Obaestaresattheinstrumentsagain.SheneatlyinscribesalineofMauxi
hieroglyphicsacrossthesurfaceofanunfurledpapyrusscroll.“Nethys,inhistotality,containsandcircumscribesallothergods,whichare
butcontestingmanifestationsofhissublimebalance.Topleasethedispleased,ortodistressthecontented,istopaymytwin-facedmasterhomage.”
Fromherrobesheproducesafoldedbooklet,itspagesdarkandbrown.“AcodexoftheKembe,”shesays.“Madefromthepressedbarkofafigtree,whichhasnotgrownthereforathousandyears.”
TheKembearealong-departedpeople.Theirruinedcivilizationliesinthejunglestotheeast.
“ByNethys’grace,Ihavedecodeditsoddpictographsandrenderedthemintospeech.”Sheholdsupthebooklet.
Adrawingshowsafireflyhoveringoverasteppedpyramid.Hunterssometimesstumbleacrosssuchstructures,buriedundermoundsofchokingvine.Theyaretobeavoided,aswellsofbadmagic.
“ThisisKitumu,”shesays,“thefireflygoddess.Quitecarnivorous,whenawakened.LikemanyofthejunglegodlingsonceknowntotheKembe,avoraciousdemanderofhumansacrifice.”
Ishiver;sheturnshersmilingsidemyway.
Ishiver;sheturnshersmilingsidemyway.“Ifwearedetectingunstablemysticenergyofadivineandnatural
resonance,andourproblemconsistsofdevouringfireflyswarms,itisreasonabletoconcludethatKitumu,motheroffireflies,hasawakenedandishungry.”
“Wemustfindthegoddessandfeedit?”“Diceywork,certainly.Localgodsaretrouble.Theyletyougetsocloseto
them.”Idon’tlikewherethisisgoing.“Andhaveyouchosenanadequatemeal?”I
ask.Herfacegrowsgrave;onlyherscarslenditexpression.“I’dhopedthe
readingswouldleadmeelsewhere.There’saboywholivesinthejungleoutsidetown.Amemberofanorphanband.”
Suchchild-tribesaretoocommonnow.Theirparentsinterferedunwiselywithforeigntrade,andwereextirpated.
“Hecomesoccasionallytobegforscraps,”Obaisays.“Theotherchildrenmistreathim.Theysayhe’scursed.Apparentlythecurse’ssignisabirthmarkoverhisheart,intheshapeofafly.”
“Afirefly?”“Wewillneedtoseeitmoreclosely.It’sbeenseveraldayssincehewaslast
intown—whenthefirstoftheattacksbegan.Theotherorphansdon’tsharewithhim,sohe’llgrowhungrysoon,andcomein.”
“Andhisname?”“TheorphanscallhimMwonduk.”ItisaZenjwordIknowalltoowell.Itmeans“accursedone.”
∗∗∗
Fortwodays,thepriestessandI,alongwithThoroldandhisfellowAspistraders,fanoutthroughthetown,waitingtocatchthisMwonduk.Weknowhimonlybydescription,andaccostmanyorphans,noneofwhombearhismark.
Onthethirdday,ObaiandIhearaboy-child’sscreamsofprotest.Theycomefromthepatchofscrublandwestoftown,andIboundforward,thepriestesslithelyfollowing.
Bekyarslaverssurroundtheboy.Otherchildrenrushfromthescene,unpursued.Theslave-takerswantonlythissinglescrawnyorphan.
Therearesevenstrong-shoulderedmen,andafatcaptain,armedwithawhip.Withoutwarningorpreamble,Obaicorrectstheimbalanceofforces,scourgingthemwithdivinefire.Themenshriek,theirclothesandfleshconsumedbyNethys’sire.Themenholdingtheboystandoutsidethebursting
“Obaiseeksonlybalance.”
flame,andoneofthemhoiststhechildhighonhishipastheothersturntofight.Iplungeamongthem,myweaponstrikinghighandlow.Theyfall,squealingandgroaning,likethecowardsslaverssooftenare.Iamnotacruelman,buttheirpainisoneIexultin.Theyfleemyhatefulspear.
Theboyisrunning,too.Obaifacesthefat,whip-wieldingone,andIleavehertoit,veeringtointercepttheboy.Hestops,stunned,ashewatchesthepriestesslayhandsonthefatman.Theheavenshowlasthebig-belliedslaverisreducedtodustandbone.
Ontheboy’schest,Iseetheinsectbirthmark.Itisafirefly.
“YouareMwonduk?”Iask.Henods.“We’verescuedyou,”Itellhim.Thisisnotthesameassayingthatweare
hisrescuers,andsoisnotquitealie.ObaiandIdashhimtotheConsortiumcountinghouse,beforemoreslavers
appear.Oncethere,wesequestertheboyinaroomandconverseprivately.“TheBekyarareinvolved,”shesays.“Iknow.”“Theywereinterestedonlyintheboy.”“Yes.”“IftheBekyarareinvolved...”Ishakemyhead.“He’sintown.”“Iknow.Isawhim,comingin.”Obaismilesandfrowns.“Nethysmoveshispawns.Heprovidestoolsto
restorebalance.”“No,”Isay,butthebattleislost,andIknowit.“Ifit’sslaversagainstus,”shesays,andherwordshavetheringoffinality,
“wemustfetchVerkusht.”
ChapterTwo:FriendsandOtherEnemiesVerkushtisasIhadseenhimafewdaysbefore,whenIfirstcametoFree
Station,seekinganendtothefireflyplague.Ishrankback,then,sohewouldnotseeme.NowI,alongwiththebalancepriestessObai,standbeforehim,seekinghisfavor.
Witharaggedfingernail,hepicksatamorseloffoodlodgedbetweenhissmall,uneventeeth.“Isawyou,youknow.”
Westandinthebackparlorofadrunkard’sden.Herenorthernliquorsareserved,alongwithpalmwineandthestrength-sappingmashofthegarutiplant.FreeStationoverflowswithsuchplaces.Itisonethingfortheforeignerstopoisonthemselves.Thatistheircustom.ButitisnottheZenjway,notinaplacethatsmellsofbloodandvomit,awayfromfriendandkinandthesafetyofthefeastingcircle.
Verkushtrepeatshimself.“Isawyoutrytohidefromme.Ididn’tconfrontyou,becauseyouknowhowIhateembarrassment.”Hissharp-endedbeard,waxedinthemannerofanoutlanddandy,bobsupanddown,agreeingwithhim.Asitalwaysdoeswhenhe’saggrieved,Verkusht’slefthandabsentlystrokestheraisedredscarencirclinghisrightwrist.Ifyoueverlookcloselyathisrighthand,youwillseethatthelinesofhisarmdonotquitematchupwiththoseonhishand.
“Itisrighttodislikeembarrassment,”Isay.“Soletusspeaknomoreofit.”“Notsofast.”Heleansforwardinhiswoodenchair.HislinenBekyar
headdressliesoveritsback,exposingtheblackhairslickedtightlytohisskull.“Afterallwe’vebeenthroughtogether,youhideyourselffromme?”
“Whatwehavebeenthroughtogether,”Irepeat.“ThatincludesthetimeoftheMoonPeople?”
“Iexplainedthatathousandtimesalready.Myseemingbetrayalwasmerelyaruse.”
“AttheruinsofShopar?”“Imeanttocomebackforyou.”“IntheVaultoftheLocust?”“Again:seemingbetrayal,merelyaruse.”Thepriestessshrugs.“Inthatinstance,arguablythetruth.”Verkushtremovesadaggerfromhisboot.Withitsrazortip,heexpertly
prieslodgeddirtfrombeneathhisnails.“Letmewastenomoretimewiththisungratefulloghead,”hemutterstoObai.“ThatIregardhimasabrotherevidentlymeansnothingtohim.TellmeagainwhatIstandtogainbykeeping
evidentlymeansnothingtohim.TellmeagainwhatIstandtogainbykeepingcompanywiththosewhodonotvalueit.”
“TheConsortiumgenerouslyrewardsme,”shesays.“Eventhoughyou’rereallyinittostrikethebalanceofNethys.Double
loyalties.”“Ithoughtyou’dapprove.”Shegesturestowardhisraggedattire.“Clearly
youcouldusethesilver.”“Youcomplainofmyfickleness,yetseekmyaidinbetrayingmypeople.”“Isaidnothingaboutfickleness.”“Yousayitwithyourgaze,priestess.Alwayswiththosedamnedeyesof
yours.”“Youarestillanoutcastfromyourpeople,asXhasihereisfromhis.”“Helpingkeepthemawayfromthischildofyourswon’texactlygetmeback
intheirgraces,willit?”“TellmewhatyouwanttheAspistopay,andI’llseetheypayit.Weneedto
knowwhytheslaverssoughttheboyspecifically,andneitherXhasinorI...”“Neitherofyouareeffectivesneaksandbetrayers?”Hebreaksoffmid-
chortle,suddenlyrightinghimself.Thelegsofhischairbangagainsttavernfloorboards.Foreignerspourinthroughthedoorwayandapairofwindows.Theycarryshortswords,cutlasses,andclubswithnail-coveredheads.Morethanhalfadozenofthemfillthedrinkinghall.
“Youwillpaywhatyouowe,”growlsatoweringhalf-human,whoseotherhalfmightbeorcorogre.“Youwillpayingoldorblood!”
“Mygoodfriendsheredisputethejusticeofyourclaims,”saysVerkusht.Heseeksthesmallestofhisadversariesandkickshimbetweenthelegs.
Verkushtvanishesintothescrum.Themeadhallbecomesawhirlofgruntingfleshandswingingswords.Threeofthemareuponme.WithdifficultyIfindroomformyspearandpushthemback.Obai,herbestspellsexpendedagainsttheslaversearlierintheday,laysharminghandsononeopponent,whofallsbackgroaning.Shetakesupherdouble-edgedsword,itshiltdecoratedwiththemasksofNethys,andlaysintothedebtcollectors.Steelringsagainststeel.Theweakerfoesfallbackwhilethestrongerrushin.Thehalf-humanlumberstowardme,hisenormousclubclearinghispath.Hestrikesacomrade,whosinkstothefloor,headbleeding.Ifthemishaptroubleshim,heshowsnosignsofit.
Iduckbeneathhisclub,thoughitcomescloseenoughtodislodgemyboar-furheaddress.Istabathimwithmyspear,buthedeftlysidesteps.Aglancingblowtearsatmyflesh;thetipsoftheclub’sjuttingspikescarvearakingpatternacrossmyshoulder.Iconnectmyspearhafttohisbonyjaw.Thoughtheblowisasolidone,heshakesitoff,hardeninghisfaceintoanidiotgrin.Istepasidefromhisnextblow,thenslashhisfingerswiththespearhead’sedge.Hebleats
fromhisnextblow,thenslashhisfingerswiththespearhead’sedge.Hebleatsoutwhatisundoubtedlyacurseinsomeoutlandtongueashishandunclenches,droppingtheclub.Whenheducksdowntoretrieveit,Idirectahaft-blowtohistemple.Itjuddersacrosshisthickskulltolittleeffect.Hisgreathandsareuponmythroat,thumbspressingdeep.
Thehalf-human’seyesrollbackinhishead.Hisgriploosens,andIstepbacktolethimcollapse.AcurvingBekyardaggerhandleprotrudesfromhisback.Thebladehaspiercedhisheartfrombehind.Verkushtadmireshishandiworkapprovingly,thenducksanenragedblowfromanothercreditor.Hearrangeshisfallsothatitpullshisenemywithhim.Thentheyareonthefloor,withVerkushtbehindtheman,Verkusht’sgarottetightaroundhisneckandthedebtcollectorclawingvainlyatit.
Verkushtbreathesaharshwhisperintotheman’sear.“Orderyourmentostanddown,Zenes,oryou’lllosemoreofthemtoday.”AslashofasmileincisesitselfonVerkusht’sface.“You’vepickedonmorethanjustonebedraggledgambler.TodayyoufacetheScarredOnes.”
Zenes,anolive-skinnedmanwithoiledbeardandhair,triestospeakbuthasn’ttheair.Hewaveshishandsinagestureofsurrender.
Twobroad-armedmeninmotleyarmorstepbackfromObai,whomtheyhadpushedintoacorner.Spreadacrossthefloorarethreemen,theirthroatsslashed.Onestilllives,awhiteninghandpressedhardtokeeptheveinclosed.
“Go,then,”Zeneswheezes.Verkushtisfirsttoleapup,leavingustobearthebruntifhisdebt-holders
choosetocharge.Withadeterminedpullheretrieveshisdaggerfromthebigman’scorpse.Wefollowhim,eyesfixedonthemenstillcapableoffighting.Wewalkbackwardandreadyfromthedrinkinghouse,butthemenremainwithin.
TheBekyarstridesmerrilydowntheroad.“Sorrytokeepdraggingouttheargumentlikethat.IthoughtZenesandhisbunchwouldneverarrive.ItgoeswithoutsayingthatI’llgoalongonthismissionofyours.AssumingtheConsortiumbargainsfairlyformyservices.”
Itisfruitless,butIcannothelpmyself.“Youowethemagamblingdebt?”Verkushtshrugs.“Therearetwosidestoeverystory.”“Youcouldhaveofferedthemthefeesyou’llearnforthemission.”Hisfaceovalsinshock.“Andbeleftwithnothing?Yourjudgmentwounds
me,Xhasi.Youmaywellbeamanofthejungle,contentwithnothingmorethantreesoveryourheadandanoverflowingbasketofgrobfruitandareca.I,however,amapersonofcivilizedvirtues,illsuitedtodeprivationorindignity.Nowontotheimportantquestion:theseslaverswhowereattemptingtotake
“Verkushthasanunusualdefinitionoffriendship.”
yourgod-cursedboy—Idon’tsupposeyousawtheclanmarkersontheirheadbands?”
Ishakemyhead.Noticingthathisbeardwas
bluntedbythefight,herestoresitswaxenpoint.“Nevermind.MostlikelytheyareoftheRostoun.”
“Yourclan,”Obaisays.Verkushtlosessomeofhis
flamboyance.“Indeed,priestess.Yourememberdetailswell.”
“Havetheyseersandmagiciansamongtheirnumber?”sheasks.
“Wearenotinclinedinthatdirection.Asidefromafewminormagicsofobedienceandcoercion.”
“Sotheyareunlikelytohavestumbledacrosstheboy’smythicsignificanceontheirown?”
TheBekyarfrowns,asifwonderingwhetheroffenseshouldbetaken.“Ifit’stheRostoun,they’llbeledbyacousinofmine,Tarood.Amanoftenaciouscruelty,andIsaythatadmiringly.Hisusualpreferenceisforlow-qualitymerchandise.Thatwayifyouloseafewalongtheway,becauseofroughhandling,it’snomatterforconcern.”
“SoifitwashewhosoughtMwondukinparticular,hewaslikelyhiredbysomeoneelse.”
Verkushtconsidersherwordsforamoment.“It’spossible,buttherearemanyifsandguessesatplay.Surelyyoudesireafirst-handinvestigation.Andbeforethatcanoccur,therearetermstobestruck.”
WereachtheAspiscountinghouse.Sheddinghisairofsuddengravity,theBekyarboundsacrossitsthreshold.
∗∗∗
ThegleeisstillinhisstepafterhehasmadehispactwithThorold,theAspisman.Thetwoofuswendthroughthepuddlesofamuddybacklane.Numbersglitterinhiseyes.
“Iknewit,”hesays.“Iknewmyluckwouldturn.Waitlongenoughandit
“Iknewit,”hesays.“Iknewmyluckwouldturn.Waitlongenoughanditalwaysdoes.AndIhavewaited,myfriend,ohhowIhavewaited.”Hewaggleshisfingers,crackingeachjoint.“Yes,whenIlookbackonitall,todaywillmarktheturningpoint.Thetimewhenitallchanged,andVerkushtbegantogethisdue.”
Ihavealreadytoldhimofmyfriends,theNgali,everyoneofthemslaughteredbythefireflyplague.Iremindhimagain.Andofthemanyotherskilledsofar.
Histriangularfeaturesarrangethemselvesintoafrown.Heisannoyedatmeforruininghisjoy.“Xhasi,myfriend,thejungledevours.Devouringisitsreasonforbeing,anditssoleintent.Itfallstoustopickitsscraps.Alongwiththehyenas,thevultures,thelions,andtheotherscavengers.”
Weheadtothenorthsideoftown,whereitsoldestbuildingslie.Orsink,totellitmorecompletely.TherebeltraderswhomadeFreeStationwereexplorers,robbers,andgamblers,notbuilders.TheirfirststoreroomsandwinehouseswerebuilttohugtheVanji’sbank.Theymeanttoshortenthenumberofstepsbetweenthelandingofariverboatandtheunloadingofitscargo.Toseethatnomorethanafewstepsseparatedathirstyrivermanfromhisfreshjugofgrog.
Theriverbankdidnotsympathizewithitscolonizers.Itssoftbankshungered.Theytooktheseinterlopingstructuresanddinedontheirfoundations.Thetavernssank.Thewarehousesfilledwithdisgorgedmud.Abandoned,theystoodtiltingandwheezing,theriverslowlyadvancingonthem.Patientlydevouring.
Verkushtsquintsatthecollapsingbuildings.“IfTarood’shiding—andifheweren’twe’dseehimandhisclanmatesallovertown—he’llbeholeduphere.There’sanoldcountinghouseheusedlasttimeI,er,ranintohim.Ifnotthere,thebackroomsoftheFuneralShip.”
TheFuneralShipistheonlyremainingtaverninthetown’ssinkingquarter.Itspatronsimbibeatanangle.Totakeaseatthere,thedrinkingmensay,istofeelhalf-drunkalready.
“Hewon’tbeinthejungle?”Iask.“Hewon’tbeinthejungle,”Verkushtconfirms.Weadvance.IfollowVerkusht,whosneakswellalonglanewaysand
betweenbuildings.Thecountinghouseisempty,saveforafatconstrictorandascurryofheedlessrats.
Tothebackofthetavernisthechancierapproach.Awideavenueofferslittlecover.Itsmucksoundsawetalarmeverytimewesetafootdown.Finallywereachthebackofthetavern,andVerkushtpressesanearagainstitsgray,weatheredboards.Henodsandpointstohisear.Hehearsthem,inside.
Aboiling,squealingthingeruptsatmyankles.Myspearisready.Itrushes
Aboiling,squealingthingeruptsatmyankles.Myspearisready.Itrushespastme—apiglet,oneoftheforeignkind,foolishlyscreaming.Itcirclesaround,momentarilyintentonnippingmyankles.Itreconsidersandveersoff.
Shuttersslamopen.ABekyarslaverleansout.Iamseen.IlooktomysideforVerkusht.
Heisgone.Slaversleapfromthewindows.Theypourfromtheporch.Iturntorun.My
feetslidebeneathme.Irightmyselfbeforesuccumbingtoapainful,humiliatingfall,butputscantdistancebetweenmyselfandmypursuers.One,propelledbysomekindofleapingcharm,isuponmebeforeIcanmovefurther.Thehaftofmyspearcatchesthebottomofhisjaw,sendinghimsprawlingintothemuck.ThenIamsurrounded.
IwaitforVerkusht’scounterassaulttobegin.Fordaggerstoappearbetweenshoulderblades.Forarrowstozipfromnowheretothinoutmyfoes.Thewaitisinvain.
Itoppleasecondslaver,windathird,cloutanothersohardhefallstohisknees,retching.Itisnotenough.Theyoutnumberme.Slaversshoulderinpastmyspear.Theywrenchitfrommygrip.Thuddingblowsdanceovermyribstograzemykidneys.Thegraydayblackensandtwists.AsIslipintoadaze,Irealizethattheyatleastintendtokeepmealive.Thisgrantsmefaintsolaceasadimawarenessoffloatingseizesme.Theyhaveliftedmeup.ArecarryingmeintothebackoftheFuneralBoat.
Verkushthasgonetogetreinforcements,Itellmyself.Itcannotbethathehasbetrayedmeyetagain.
∗∗∗
Waterawakensme.Thrownintomyface,itrushesupmynoseandintomygapingmouth.Ireturntolife,choking.Itsmellslikerivermud.
Iamlashedtoachair.Itestmybondsandfindthemtight.Thisisexpected,whencapturedbyslavers.Oldmemories,neverburieddeep,surgetothesurface.Thefuryrisesinme.IfIgetloose,Iwillhavetofightnotonlymycaptors,butalsothesirenurgetokill.
Thereareadozenofthem,moreorless.Muckspatterstheirwhiterobes.Bruisescolortheundersidesoftheireyes.Theyrubunhappilyatthroats,armmuscles,legs—placesIhavehitthem.Theysulkincorners,pickattheirteeth,pacesmallcirclesonthefloor.Becauseofwhotheyare,thecrueltradetheyconduct,Itakesatisfactionintheirpain.Iwishonlythattheyfeltitathousandfold.
Themanwhohasthrownthebucketofriverwaterintomyfacelookstohis
Themanwhohasthrownthebucketofriverwaterintomyfacelookstohissuperiorforpermissiontobackaway.AsifIwerecapableofsnappingthewetleatherstrapsthatbindmetothechair,offlyingathimandtwistinghisneckuntilitsnaps.Hecansensemydesire,butoverestimatesmycapability.
ThemanwhonodstohimisaBekyarlikehimself.Heistallerandthinnerthantheothers.Thefamilyresemblanceiseasilyseen.WereyoutoflattenandelongateVerkusht’shead,toextendhisnoseoutwardintoamajesticslope,andthendousehiminaspringofyouth,youwouldhavethisman.ItcanonlybeTarood.Hisrobesareimpeccablyclean;hetooknodirectpartinmycapture.Hismouthopenslikeasnake’s.Thequiveringtipofhistonguepeeksouttosampletheair.Taroodisexcited.Acoiledwhiphangsfromhiship.Heholdshislefthandcurledintoafist.Acrosshisknucklesareloopinglengthsofbarbedwire.Notafightingweapon.Atorturingweapon.
HowlonghaveIbeenunconscious?Itshouldn’tbelongbeforeVerkushtarrives,withObaiandatroopofAspisguardsmen.Mywordsmustkeepmealiveuntilthen.
ItisnotTaroodwhospeaks.Aforeignerstepsfromthegloom.Hisgarbandaccentedspeechdescribehimasanoutlander,butofwhatsortIcannottell.LaterIwillbetoldthatheisaTaldan.
Hetiltshisheadslightly.Taroodtakesadisappointedstepback.Thismanisincommand,nottheslaver.HisskinisnearlyasdarkastheBekyar,thoughlightcomparedtomine.The
crownofhairwreathinghisheadshineslikesunset.Itisdarkernearhisscalp—dyed.Ijudgehimaoncethinandhandsomeman,newlyencasedinrichfoldsofflesh.Threadedwithsilver,hisgarmentssparkleanddance.Heavyringsofyellowmetalcovereachofhisfingers.Amedallion,bigasanoutlanderteasaucer,hangsfromhisneck.Itsgoldenfaceglowers,agrimacing,angrysun.
Noneofthesedecorationsareasstrikingastheman’seyes.Oneisbrown.Theotheririsisdoubled:alightblueringisimprisonedwithinapartnerofdeepviolet.Thestrangeeyeslookmeover,asifIamforsale.Asaprisonerofslavers,somemightsaythatIam.
“Theboy,”hesays.“Tellmeabouttheboy.”IlookagainatTarood’sfistofsharp-edgedwire.“Theboyisneededtoreverseadeadlyplague.”Themancontemplates,hisfacestill.“Yougettoit,don’tyou?Iexpectedto
wastesometimebeforecomingtothenub.FirstyouwoulddenyyouknewwhatIwastalkingabout.ThenTaroodherewouldhurtyou...”
“Whyinviteinjury?”Iask.“Youareanintelligentman,then.AmanIcandealwith.”Iamnotthatlastthing,butintheinterestofdelayIlethischargego
unanswered.
unanswered.“Whatisyourname,Zenj?”“Whatisyours?”Iask.Againhethinksbeforespeaking,hisfeaturesemptyofintent.“Brachantes,”
hefinallysays.“Itisnotanamethatwillbeknownintheseparts.”“IamXhasi,”Iallow.“Xhasi,formerlyoftheAratribe,occasionallyoftheScarredOnes,
improbablyaPathfinder,”Brachantessays.“Tellmewhatbusinessyouhavewiththeboy.”
“Theboy,Mwonduk,isaccursedbyKitumu,thefireflygoddess.Ifyouhaveheardsomuchaboutme,youaredoubtlessalsoinformedaboutthefireflydeaths.”
Brachantesnods.“Toendtheplague,theboymustbedeliveredtothegoddess.”“Andyouhaveastrongdesiretoendtheplague.”“Myfriendswereslainbyit.Manymorewillbeifnooneacts.”Hecomestooclose,peersintomyface,asifreadingatextwrittenonmy
skin.“Itdoesnottroubleyouthatthechildwillbesacrificed?”“Thepriceofmanylivesisonelife,”Isay.“Acold-bloodedthought,”saysBrachantes.“Thejungledevours,”Ireply.Heseizesawoodenchair,findsasafepositionforitonunevenfloorboards,
placesitafewfeetfromme,andsitsdown.“Insteadoflettingagoddevourhim,Iproposetopurchasehim.Nameyourprice.Nobloodneedbeshed.”
“Exceptforthateatenbyfireflies.”Brachantesadjustsoneofhisgoldenrings.“PerhapsifItaketheboyfar
fromhere,thegoddesswillforgetherprize,andreturntoherslumbers.”“Idonotknowaboutyourhomeland.HereintheMwangi,godsand
goddessesareneverforgetful.”Hepointsameatyfingerintotheair.“Youcannotbesureitisso.Yourseer
saysit.Myseers,whosensedthisboy’spresencefromafar,whosevisionsbroughtmeallthewaytothisrottingriverbank,predictedmerelythatIwouldfindaboytouchedbythegods.Yousaycursed,Isayblessed.”
“Yourprophetswillbeprovenright,”Iventure,“ifwetakehimtothegoddessandshechoosesnottotakehim.”
Angerwellsinhisface.“Unlikeyou,Iwillnotseehimharmed.He’llwhiletherestofhisdaysincomfort.”Brachantessoftenshistone,forcesabenevolentsmile.“He’llnotlabor,norwillhewant.Farbetterthanlifehere.Evenifheweren’theldbyConsortiumhirelingswhomeantosacrificehim.”
Itiscleveresttoseemtempted.“Whatdoyouwantwithhim?”
Itiscleveresttoseemtempted.“Whatdoyouwantwithhim?”Hisroundfacewidens,excited.“Iamacollectorofmarvels,Xhasi.My
menagerieisfamedthroughoutthenortheast.Housedinitsgoldencagesarechimeras,basilisks,minotaurs.IincludeinmycollectionthegreatsphinxofSamun,eventheblackdragonÉirma.”
“Howdoesthedragonlikeit?”“Shehasresignedherselftoherlot.Likemostbeingsonthisearth.”“Andnowyouwishtocollectchildren,too?”“AstheBekyarherecanattest,thereisnoraceofpersonthatcannotlegally
beregardedasproperty.Asayoungconnoisseur,Istartedwithobjects—paintings,jewels,arcaneartifacts.ThenIrealizedthatonlylivingwondersareworthowning.”
IrealizetoolatethatIamseething.UnlikeVerkusht,Ihaveneverbeenagoodliar.
Brachanteslaughs.“Youwouldletthisboybedevoured,yetfumewhenIproposetoestablishhiminpermanentsplendor?Hewouldgrowupinelevatedcompany.MypermanentguestsincludeOedes,poetoftheshadowquatrains,andtheformeradventurerStrodai,wholearnedtobreathefireontheelementalplanes.”
“Theytooareresignedtotheirfates?”“Perhapsnot.Theoccasionalescapeattemptkeepsaninmatevigorous,that’s
whatIsay.Itisessentialthatthemindremainsalive.”Hestepsupoutofthechair,kickingitaside.“YetIsensethatmoralargument,asone-sidedinmyfavorasitmightbe,istakingusnowhere.Tarood?”
TheBekyaradvances.Brachantesgesturestohisfistandshakeshishead.Taroodpetulantlyremovesthebarbedwirefromhisfist.Itiswithbareknucklesthathestrikesme.Ireelbackward.Inquicksuccessionhehitsmeagain,andagain.Ifeelbloodtricklingfrommynose,resolvingintodroplets,andfallingontomychest.
Myeyesswellshut.Theoutlander’sreedyvoicecomesfromsomewherebehindme.
“Youwillagreetothefollowing,Xhasi.Youwillchoosearendezvouspointinthejungle.ThiswaywewillnothavetofightourwaythroughanentirecountinghouseofAspisConsortiumguards.Wewillbewaitingforyouthere.Wewilltaketheboyoffyourhands.AndtheBekyartraitorVerkusht,too.Heisnothingtome,butTaroodsaysthatheowesadebttohispeople,whichmustfinallybedischarged.”
Tarood’ssmileisthatofaserpent.Brachantescontinues,stillwhereIcannotseehim.“Iregardmyselfasafair
dealer.Withinreason,Iampreparedtocompensateyouforyoureffortsonmy
“StrongdrinkisSunasuka'sblessing-andhercurse.”
dealer.Withinreason,Iampreparedtocompensateyouforyoureffortsonmybehalf.IpaybetterthanthePathfinders,thatisforcertain.”
“Howdoyouensuremycooperation,onceyouletmego?”Mywordswheezethroughbloodiedlips.
“Let’ssaythatyoudon’twanttofindout,andleaveitatthat.”Hestepsintoview,wincingatwhateverTaroodhasdonetomyface.“Doyouagree?”
Witheffort,Iraisemyhead.“YouknowthatIcan’t.”Brachantesshrugs.Tarood
placeshisbarbedimplementbackinhisfist.Awhininggiggletrapsitselfinhisbobbingthroat.
Thebackdoorslamsopen.ItisnottherescuepartyIhave
beenexpecting.NoObai,noVerkusht.NosquadronofAspisenforcers.
Standingsilhouettedinthedoorwayisasinglehalfling.Herhairisamattedandtangledmess.Hernoseliesflatacrossherface,theresultofmultiplebreakingsandhealings.Shewearsatatteredtunicandleggingsofantelopehide,inthemannerofthehalflingtribesofthejungleinterior.Apowerfulstenchofstalebreathandpalmwineaccompaniesherentrance.Thespattersofmudonherfaceandarmsarelighterthanhergleamingskin.
“Thisisadrinkingestablishment,”proclaimsmyoldfriendSunasukathehalfling,“andbytheforgottengodsandalltheshriekingapes,Iwillnotbebarredfromit!”Theboomingroarofhervoicecontradictshertinyframe.
Sheseesmeinthechair,boundandbleeding.Ahowlofdrunkenindignationescapesherthroat.Sunasukarollsintotheroom,caromingunpredictablyonheroversized,jungle-hardenedfeet.
Theslaversarestartledandsurprised.Iamstartled,butnotsurprised.Myfriendmakesahabitofunlikely
appearancesandfortuitousblunders.Sheutterscommandsintheuniversaltongueofbeasts.Atherbidding,
vermindropfromtheceilings,roilupthroughthefloorboards.RatsdropontotheslaverslikewaterovertheKorirFalls.Wasps,eachasthickasathumb,swarmaroundthem,stinging.Roachesflyattheirfaces,buzzingandvomiting
swarmaroundthem,stinging.Roachesflyattheirfaces,buzzingandvomitingglueyspittle.
Thefewslaversmissedbynature’sonslaughtadvanceonSunasuka’sposition,butherwobblypathconfoundsthem.Theirscimitarsslashtheairwheresheshouldbe,butisn’t.Herdouble-headedclubcatchesandsweepsthemaside,thescreamsofitscarvedmonkeyfacesaddingtothechaos.Duckingcrazilyunderaswungscimitar,shekicksmychair,topplingitonitsside.Itsdamp-rottedwoodcrumblesonimpactandIamfree.
Sunasukacallsupaflamingwalltoseparateusfrommycaptors.Shehelpsmetomyfeet.Togetherwelurchfromthescene.BehindustheFuneralBoatisconsumedbyspreadingflame.Thehalflinglooksbackregretfullyatthelossofyetanotherfavoritedrinkingestablishment.
“Sosomething’sgoingon,then?”sheasks.
ChapterThree:TheCondemnedWestaggerquicklythroughFreeStation’smuddylanes,thehalflingnature
priestessandI,readyforpursuerstoappearatourheels.Sheowesheruneventreadtopalmwine;I,tothebeatingdeliveredbyBrachantes’hiredslavers.
Sunasukascratcheshermaneofmattedhair,withdrawingafatnit.Shefrownsatit,quizzical.“WhatdidItellyou?”sheasks.Sheisspeakingtotheinsect.Ahundredblackdotsemergefromherscalp,gatheronherneck,andcrawlobedientlydownherarm.Sheleansagainstastraysaplingjuttingboldlyfromtheroadside.Thenitsexitontoit.Shezigzagsbacktome.Takingnoteofmyinjuries,shemuttersandwagglesherfingers.
Mymangledlipknitsbacktogether.Inaninstant,mybruiseslighten,turngreenandyellow,thenvanish.Thepaininmyribsgoesaway,followedbythedullthrobinmygut.
InodmythanksandreturntowhatI’dbeensayingbefore.“Youaren’tjokingthen.”
Sheblinks,asifseeingthroughafog.“Aboutwhat?”“Youweren’tsenttorescueme.”“Sent?Bytheothers?Theothersarehere?”Iexplainagainaboutthemission,andVerkusht,andhowheleftmetobe
captured.HowmycomingaccountingwithhimmightbegentlerifitturnedoutthathehadfoundSunasukaandsenthertogetme.
“Theothers!”sheexclaims.Sheisdrunkerthanusual,Ithink.ButthenIseesheislookingahead,andheretheycome—Verkusht,and
Obaithebalancepriestess,andasmalllegionofguardsmenlentbyThorold,ourAspisConsortiumpatron.
Andoneother.Katiiwastridestowarduswithherusualgrace.Neveramovementorgesture
thatismorethanrequired.Herjaggedharpoon,castinanunknownmetalandgleamingazureblue,restsconfidentlyoverhershoulder.Incisedarcanesymbolscoveritssurface.Katiiwawearsthecoral-coloredgarbofherseafaringpeople,theBonuwat.Apatternedheadwrapgathershercoiledhairintoacrownatopherserenefeatures.
Whensheturnstowardus,theearwiththetorn,missinglobebecomesvisible.Paletrails,leftbyabarracuda’steeth,rakedownthesideofherneck.
KatiiwaembracesSunasuka,undeterredbyhercoatingoffilth.Theotherskeepthehalflingatbay.
keepthehalflingatbay.Verkushtapproaches.Iglower.“Naturally,”heexplains,“Ihadtobecarefulnottobeseenonthewayback.
Couldn’tallowanambushatthecountinghouse.Securingtheboywascrucial.Andnotascratchonyou,Isee,soallhasturnedoutwell.Itrustyoulearnedsomethingwhileyouwerethere.”
Weturnbacktothecountinghouse.ItelltheothersaboutBrachantes,ofhisintentiontomaketheboyatrophyinadistantmenagerie.Wedonotspeakofourplansforhim.
NordoIaskhoworwhyKatiiwahasjoinedus.Itisalwaysbetternottoknow.
AsidefromArok,whowaitsforusstillintheforest,nowallofusarehere.“Cometothinkofit,”Sunasukasuddenlyblurts,“it’squiteathingthatthe
placethatrefusedtoservemeanymorehadourXhasiprisonerintheback,isn’tit?”
Obaiisamused.“Quiteathingindeed.”“Coincidencefollowsyouaround,doesn’tit?”Verkushtsays.Hefidgets
withthefoldsofhislinenheaddress.Sunasukaproducesagourdfromherreekingpackandtakesahappyswig.
“Someoneoncesaidtomethatcoincidencedoesn’tfollowme.Ifollowit.”“Isaidthat,”saysKatiiwa.“Thereyougothen,”repliesthehalfling,asifallhasbeenexplained.“Thereisnocoincidence,”Obaisays.“OnlytheactionsofNethys,godof
balance,actinginvisibly.”“Everythingiscoincidence,”saysKatiiwa.“Includingyourpresencehere?”“Especiallythat.”Thereismoreofthis,allthewaybacktothecountinghouse.Oncethere,I
approachtheboy’sroom.AnAspisguardunlocksthedoor.Sunasukafollows.Herinterestintheboymightbringtrouble,butIcan’tsee
howtokeepherout.Therestofusarehard,eachinourownway.WewillbereadytoconsignMwonduktohisfate.Ofthedrunkennaturepriestess,Ican’tbesure.
Theroomislargeandwellfurnished,thoughtheshuttersarenailedshutandthedoorbarredandmanned.Theboydoesnotsitonthebedorinanyofthechairs,buthasinsteadlodgedhimselfinacorner.TheAspishavegivenhimclean,fineclothesintheoutlanderstyle.Hehasnotthrownthemoff,atleast.Thetunicisopen,displayingthefireflybirthmarkonhischest,redandunmistakable.Themarkofhisancestralcurse.Cradledbetweenhishandsisacookedyam.Itisbarelytouched,afewnibblestakenoffthetop.Heholdsitas
cookedyam.Itisbarelytouched,afewnibblestakenoffthetop.Heholdsitasifforcomfort.
“Areyouwell,Mwonduk?”Iask.Henods,hiseyesdeepandwet.Onatablesitsabowl,fulloffruits.Besideit,aroundloafofmashbread.No
signthathe’seatenanyofit.“Isthereanythingyou’dlike,thatwecouldgetyou?”Heshakeshishead.“We’llbeleavingsoon.Takingyouintothejunglewithus.DidObaiexplain
this?”Anod,smallerthantheonebeforeit.Finallyhespeaks.Hisvoiceisa
whisper.Iguessthatitisnotmuchused.“Shesaidyouweretakenbythemenwhotriedtotakeme.”
“Iwas,butmyfriendcametosaveme.”“Likeyousavedme,”Mwonduksays.“Yes.Eatsomefood.We’llbeleavingsoon.”“Beforetheycomeafterus?”“Yes.Eatsomefood.”Heputstheyaminhispocket.
∗∗∗
WeleaveFreeStationsoonafter—thefiveofus,andtheboy.OfferedtheaidofasmallpartyofAspisexplorers,werefuse.Theywouldslowusdown.Somewoulddie.
WhenFreeStationisoutofsight,Arokappearsbesideus.Mwonduk’sfacewidensinwonder.Heissurprisedtogreetatalkingape,butshowsnofearofhim.
Ourroutewilltakeusacrossthegrasslands.WewilltraverseRechiend’sPlains,thenenterthejungle.Theopennessofthevastsavannaputsmeonedge.Iwouldsoonerbeundertheshadeofthehighforestcanopy.Aroksharesmyunease.
Wideswathesofthejungleescapeclaimbyanyclanortribe.Onemaytravelthroughthemwithouttrespassing.Thegrasslandsclans,whosewaysaredifferentfromours,claimbetweenthemmosteveryinchoftheplains.Negotiationisalwaysrequired.Tomovethroughthem,onemustseekpermission,ifnotagrantofhospitality.Theclansguardtheirbordersjealousy,againsttheirneighborsmostofall.Betweenthesixofus,wehavenearlyenoughfriendstopatchworkourwayacrossthegreatplain,connectingthelandsofonefriendlytribetoanother.Butwemayhavefriendsamongtwotribeswhodistrust
“Katiiwadoeswhatmustbedone.”
friendlytribetoanother.Butwemayhavefriendsamongtwotribeswhodistrusteachother.WemayarriveonthebordersofonetribeonlytofindthatithaschangeditsGreatMother,orthatitsWomen’sCouncilnowbarsentrytostrangers.Theboywillposeaproblem,too.Theirspiritswillsmellthecurseuponhim,andtelltheirspirit-talkers.
MyfriendshipwiththeSabuduallowsuspassagethroughtheirlands.Iwarnthemtosteerclearoftheboy.Theyrewarduswithgourdmilkandcuredantelopemeat.ObaiinvokestheeighthtaboooftheBudii,earningtheirreluctantpassage.Wearewarnednottoeatabladeofgrassorstepuponaspiderandsentonourway,watchedfromadistance.TheBudiiwatcherswhoopandbrandisharrowsaswenearCharpaterritory,andcomeuponahuntinggroupontheoppositeshoreofacontestedwateringhole.TheCharpawhoopandthreatenback,untilArokbeatshisbreastandscreams,drowningoutbothparties.Thisseemstosatisfytheircodeofaggression,oratleastconfusethem,andbothwithdraw.TheCharpaallowuspassagebyignoringourpresence.FromtherewedashacrossaspuroflandclaimedbytheUnnameableTribe,whoarenotfleshandbloodbutaremadeofshadow.Thesunishigh,sotheydonotmolestus.
ThenwearefeastedamongtheWalakuf,forwhomVerkushtonceperformedadeadlyfavor,whichneitherhenortheywillname.ThereSunasukabecomesdrunkandperformsanobscenedance,winningherrecognitionasahuyo,orholyfool.Whenshepassesouttheydrapeanamuletaroundherneck,andtellusthatitwillalsoearnuspassageacrossthelandsoftheirsistertribe,theJumvi.NighthascomeandSunasukaisimmovable,sowerest.TheWalakufanointtheboywithprotectiveoils;theprotectionisforthem,nothim.Theytellusthatthefirefliescamelastnight,fortheirhatedneighborstotheeast,theKesh.WewouldbekilledifweventureintotheKeshlands,butitisnotonourroute.InthemorningwearejoyfullyescortedtotheWalakuf’snorthernreach.
Itistherethatthetroublesstart.TothewestlivetheSalipat,whoofferoutsidershospitalityinthewetseasonanddeathinthedry.Itisthewrongtimeofyear,sowecannotgothere.Ourotherchoiceliestothenorth,wheredwell
ofyear,sowecannotgothere.Ourotherchoiceliestothenorth,wheredwellthelionridersofKuta.Noneofusknowthem.Wemustdaretoentertheirlands,waittobeaccosted,andhopetheyrespondfavorablytotheStrangerGreeting.
Findingthemisamatterofbeingfoundbythem.Ifweheadtothenearestoftheirwateringholes,wecanbesuretheywillappeartochallengeus.Ilookforanimalruns.Awarthogtrotscalmlypastus,hishooveskickingupdustonanancienttrail.Ibeckontheotherstofollow.Longbeforeanysignofwater,dotsappearonthehorizon.
ItistheKuta.AccordingtotheprotocoloftheStrangerGreeting,wegonofurther.Iholdupmyshieldinthecustomaryposition,thenmakeashowofsettingitdown.Wewait,arrangingourselvesaroundtheboy.
Verkusht’stwitchingfingerswandernearthehiltofhisdagger.Iscoldhimwithalook.Abeadofsweatgrowsfromthefurrowsofhisforeheadtoslidedownhisnose.
Nearertheycome:eightwarriorwomenandtheirmaleentourage,astridetheirridinglions.TheKutaareoutfittedinfineregalia,decoratedingold,zebrahide,andostrichfeathers,butitisthebeaststhatseizemyattention.
TheyarelikethelionsIknow,buttallerandlonger.Long,blockilymuscularlegsreplacethelithespringinglimbsofanordinarybigcat.Theirfeetwidenintobroad,hardenedpaddles,armedwithwickedyellowclaws.Ihaveneverseenalionthatwouldweighhalfasmuchasthese.Fibersaddlesholdtheproud-shoulderedKutaontheirbacks.Thewomenridelions;themen,lionesses.Thebeaststwisttheirheads,snarling,asifaskingfororders.They’rehopingthattheirriderswillletthemtearusapart.Itisscarcelyaleaptoimaginethattheyhavedonesobefore,topetitioningvisitorswhodispleasedtheirmistresses.
ThoughIhavenotseentheKutalionsbefore,Iknowthemyth.ThefirstoftheKutapeople,ofcoursealsocalledKuta,gatheredherstarvingfamilyaroundher,unabletomakeherwayintheharshnessoftheworld,backwhenitwasallonevastgrassland.Shewenttothetoadgoddess,whocouldnotbearherwailingandburrowedawayfromher,intothesand.Shewenttothebirdgoddess,whotauntedherandflewawayintothesky.Thenshecamebyaccidentupontheproudliongoddess,whosawnothreatinthisspindly,starvingcreature.Drivenbyhungerandloveforherchildren,Kutawageredthatshecouldwrestletheliontotheground.Inherdesperation,shewonout,andsotheliongoddessgavehertheweakestofherbrood,transformingthemintobeastsofburden.Inexchangeforthis,Kutaagreedthatnomemberofherpeoplewouldeverslayanother,nomatterhowfearsomethecrime.
Astheyadvance,IseethatwestandbeforetheKutaqueenherself.Thesevengoldringsinherearandthetattoosonherbrowproclaimherroyalty.Inherrighthandsheholdsthefeatheredcropofauthority.Intheleftshegraspsa
herrighthandsheholdsthefeatheredcropofauthority.Intheleftshegraspsaleash.Itleadstoapatheticandnakedprisoner,coveredonlybyalayerofsandydirt.Thisbatteredwretchmustrunalongsidethequeen’slion,thetallestandmostpowerfulofthelot.
Obaistepsforwardtoperformthecustomaryhalf-bow,whichneitherclaimssuperioritynoradmitssubmission.“Iamastranger,andIgreetthee,queenoftheKuta.Ipresentmytruenametoyou:IamObai,oftheScarredOnes,aclanoftheclanless.Iamastranger,andrequestnaughtelsebutpassagethroughyourgoddess-grantedlands.”
Thequeenreplies.“Youhavespokencorrectlyandsowillnotbeslain.Butpassagewillnotbegranted.”Ahorseflylandsinhermount’sthickmane.Thequeenswatstheflywiththetipofhercrop,andherlionsnarlsitsannoyance.Thebugdrops,smashed,besideitspaw.Onherfibersaddle,thequeenstraightens,risingtoherfullheight.
Obailowersherheadeversoslightly.Toabaseherselftoatribalmatriarchisnotaneasythingforher;Iseeitinthetautnessofherwiryframe.“MayIaskwhy,LionQueen?”
“Wearelions.Thatisalltheexplanationyourequire.”Katiiwamakesabarelyaudiblecluckingsound.Obainotesitandwithdraws,
infavorofthesorceress.Katiiwaleavesherharpoonbehindbeforesteppingforward,stickingitssparklingbluehaftintothedrysavannasoil.
∗∗∗
“IamKatiiwa.Iofferyouthesolutiontoaproblem.”Arattle-shakingwoman,paintedfromheadtotoeintheswirlsandwhorlsof
agrasslandspirit-talker,leanstothequeen’sright.Shesniffstheair,frowns,andwhisperssomethingintothemonarch’sseven-ringedear.
“Youareademon,”thequeensays.Katiiwaisunfazed.“Onlybydistantdescent,QueenLion.TheKuta
subscribetoakillingcode,dotheynot?”“Thecustomsofmytribearenotyourconcern.”“MycomradeXhasiwasoftheAra,andknowswellofkillingcodes,though
hisissurelydifferentfromyours.OneKutamaynotslayanother.Evenaqueenmaynot,notevenwhenthecrimeisthegravestpossible.Isitso?”
Thequeenshiftsinhersaddle.“Whatifitwere?”“Theoutcast.Herearbearssevenholes,whereoncetheringsofqueenship
rested.Isitso?”“Youreyesseewell,demonkin.”“Hercrimeswouldbeterribleindeed,toseeherstrippedofhercrown.
Paradedlikeadog.”
Paradedlikeadog.”Thequeenspits,nearlymissingtheoutcast.“Thedogisawretchedbeast.”“Wereitnotaworsecrimethanhers,youwouldsurelywishthisdog’slife
ended.”QueenLionshudders.“Thisdogcommittedtheworstcrime.First,shekept
foodbackwhenallwerestarving.Gaveittoclosekinonly,evenaftergrantedthelion’sshare.Whendiscovered,sheslewherown,tohidehershame.”
Withoutlookingback,Katiiwaholdsoutherhand.Istepforward,placingherharpooninit.“ThentodayisafortunatedayfortheKuta,goodqueen.FormyweaponandIperformthedirtyworkofjustice.”
Thebedraggledoutcastsilentlyweeps—fromterrororrelief,Icannotsay.“Youarenotofourpeople,”thequeensays.“Norboundbyyourcode.”“Imaynotcommandyoutodoit,whichislikedoingitmyself.”“Youhavenoauthoritytocommandme,goodlion.IfIchoosetomete
justice,itisnotyourdoing.”Thequeendropstheleash.SunasukatakesMwonduk,wrapsherarmaroundhim,andpullshishead
intohershoulder,sohewon’tseewhathappensnext.Theformerqueenstandsquakingforamoment.Thensheturnsandruns,
stumbling,exhausted,kickingupacloud.Katiiwastridesevenlyafterher.Theoutcaststumbles.Katiiwaraises,thenlowers,theazureharpoon.Itisdonewithastroke,withhardlyagurgle.Thedrysandinstantlydrinksdownthedeposedqueen’sblood.
Katiiwaturnsherbackontheslainwoman.Herharpoonhascleaneditselfofhervictim’sgore.Whenshepassesmetoreturntothegroup,dreadskittersspider-likedownmyspine.ThoughIdonotwishto,Iamsensingthedemonpartofher.Fed,itresumesitsslumber.
Thelionschampattheirgrass-fiberreins.Theyquiverinfrustrationwhilethequeenandherretinueslowlydismount.Finallytheyhavecompletedtheirdignifiedclamber,allowingthelionstopounceonthecorpse.Themanedlionsofthewomen’sretinueareallowedtofeast,whilethelionessesriddenbythemenlookoninenvy.
ThisisaKutafuneral.Werethevictimnotdishonored,toastsandceremonieswouldprecedetheeating.Thelionsareconsideredpartofthetribe,andlikeitstwo-leggedmembers,maynotkillitsmembers.Thedivinelawdoesnot,itseems,forbidthemfromeatingthosealreadydead.Whenapersondies,thelionsfeed.Whenaliondies,itisthepeoplewhoconsumeitsroastedmeat.
Thebeaststearapartfleshandbreakintobone.Ofourparty,allbutKatiiwaandArokturnaway.
andArokturnaway.Itisoverinmoments,themealfinishedtothemarrow.Whenweturn
around,onlyscrapsofreddenedboneremain.Thequeenandheraidesclimbbackontotheirmounts.Assembledtribemembers,humanandfelinealike,regardusandourdiscomfortwithhaughtyamusement.Theysayitinthewaytheyholdtheirheads:theyarelions.
Thequeenandherattendantsdepart,liontailsswitchingbehindthem.Weareleftinthecompanyofthelesserfunctionaries.TheyridetheirlionessestowardabareknolltothenorthoftheKutalands.Wefollowthem—toGuestHill,theytellus.Alongtheway,theriddenlionessesgrowllowlyatArok,andhehuffsthreateninglyback.Apesandlionshaveneverlikedoneanother.
GuestHillrevealsitselfasabarrenjutofstoneandsand.AidedbyanenergeticSunasuka,Katiiwasetstoworkerectingacanvasshelter.Iwalkaroundthehill.Whitegrainsandpebblesofunevenshaperisebetweenmytoes.
Boneshards.Mostguestshere,Irealize,remainonthehill,thoughnotinrecognizableform.IreviewthewordsexchangedbetweenKatiiwaandthequeen.Hospitalitywasgrantedwithallthepropertermsandobservances.Itisunlikely,Idecide,thattheKutawillbreaktherulesofhospitalityandfalluponusinthenight.MostprobablythosetakenaspreyonGuestHillareexploringoutlanders,whodonotgivetheStrangersGreetingintherightway,andthusdeserveonlyfalsepromises.
IsharethisjudgmentwithKatiiwa.Ithasbeenalongtimesinceallsixofustraveledtogether,soshereviewsourcustomarysleepingshifts.
Beforeweturnin,IseeSunasukahuddledwithMwonduk.Shehascalledapairofbrightredfinchestowhirlanddiveintheairbeforehiseyes.Theboywatches,entranced.Whenthebirdstireandflyaway,helapsesbackintohisdullquiet,staringatnothing.
Thehalflingrises.Shebrushesdirtfromherhidebreeches,somehowgettingthemmoredustythanwhenshestarted,andamblestowardme.
“Tellmeagain,”shesays,nonetooquietly,“whatcrimetheboyhasdone.”Ileadheraway,downthesideofthehill.“AskObai.”“ObaiwilltalkcomplicatednonsenseandIwillknowlessthanwhenwe
started.Iaskyou,Xhasi.”“Don’tmaketrouble.”“Me?Trouble?”“Itisnotacrime,butacurse.Anangrygoddesscalls.Youareapriestess.I
shouldnotneedtoexplain.”Sunasukaspits.“Theworldcomesbeforethegods.”“AskArok.Hewilltellyoutheworldisoutofjoint.”“Iknowthat!”Shelooksupattheboy,silhouettedbeforethelastpurple
“Iknowthat!”Shelooksupattheboy,silhouettedbeforethelastpurplelightoftheeveningsky.“Iftheapefeelsit,don’tyouthinkIcanfeelittoo?”Thehalflinguncorksagourd.Itreleasesthesharpreekoffermentedmash,refilledattheWalakuffeast.Sheoffersittome;Ishakemyhead.“Itdoesn’tsitright.Theremustbeanotherway.”
“Iftherewere,oneofuswouldknowit.”“He’sjustaboy.”“Don’tmakeitharder.”Shedrinksdeep.“Everynowandagain,itshouldbefair.”Thereisnothingtobesaidtothis,sonothingiswhatIsay.Darknesssettlesovertheplains.Asifinanswertohercomplaint,aglimmer
appearsinthefardistance.Ayellow-greenpinpointshimmersandresolvesintoacloud.
Fireflies.Atfirsttheyseemtobecomingourway,butastheswarmgathers,itsettles
andstopsinthedistance.Ontheflatlands,soundtravelsfasterthananantelope.Wehearshrieks,
groans.Drumspoundout,thengosilent.“IsittheKuta?”thehalflingasks.Bynowtheothersareatourside.“Toofaraway.Aneighboringtribe.”“TheSalipat?”Katiiwaasks.ItwouldbebestifitweretheSalipat,whose
landswedonotintendtoenter.Ishakemyhead.“TheLatari.Theirfirstqueendugupthegourdgoddess
whenshewasburiedunderthehotearthandcouldnotgetout.Lataribreathedherlastbreathintothegoddess,whothenrevivedherandgaveherpeoplelife.”
Theshrieksriseandechoacrossthegrassland,thentaperoff.Soontheyarereplacedbymourningchants.
Mwondukhasjoinedus.HetakesSunasuka’shand.“Whatishappening?”heasks.
Sunasukalooksathim.“We’rebeingtoldtohurry.”
∗∗∗
Dawncomestooslowly.AsweleaveKutaterritory,weseelionridersfromafar,makingsurethatwego.Ifweturnback,itwillbeasprey.
ThesoilgrowsricherasweintrudedeeperintoLatariterritory.Thickgreenvinesappearamidthedrybrownstalksofgrass.Yellowblossomssproutfromcurlsofleaf.Byharvesttimetheywillbegourds,heavywiththeancestralblessingsoftheLatarigoddess.Wetakecarenottouprootthevinesasweenter
“Mwondukisasolemnchild,oldforhisyears.”
blessingsoftheLatarigoddess.Wetakecarenottouprootthevinesasweenteraseaofgrass.Aroktowersabovethetipsofthestalks,buttherestofusareenveloped.
Notlongafter,Verkushthissesawarning.“Visitors.”ArokandIsenseittoo.Therhythmofthewindonthehighgrassesaround
ushasaltered,barely.They’recomingatusfromallsides.Obaicallsout.Theycan’tseeus,butsheperformsthevisualritualsofthe
StrangerGreeting.Awoman’svoice,grief-ravaged,ringsouttotheleftofus.“Surrenderthe
accursedone,andtherestshalllive.”“Neitherhenorweposeathreattoyou,”Obairesponds.“Dozensofusalreadyliedead,slainbythecloudofglowingdeathhesent
againstusinthenight.”“Yourspirit-talkersdivinedthis?”Obaiasks.“Delayusnotwithlies.Conveyhimtoourjustice,sothatnooneelsemay
die.”“Forthattohappen,theboy
mustbetakentothegoddesswhohascursedhim.”
Asecond,deepervoice,alsoawoman’s,comesfrombehindus.“Youareunshakeableinthis?”
“Yourthirstforjusticeisunderstandable,yetcannotbequenchedthroughthemeansyoupropose.”
“Thenallmustdie!”criesthesecondvoice.War-whoopsriseupfromtheobscuringgrasses.LeapingLatariwarriorsareallamongus.Thefightisjoined.
ThreeLatarijumpmyway.Iparrythelungesoftheirthreespearswithmyone.ALatariscreamsasArokliftshimhighoverheadandhurtleshimoutofsight.Verkushthasawarriorfrombehind,hisbladepoisedtocutaredfurrowintohisthroat.Katiiwasummonsacloudofsicklypoisonvapors,readytorollitsdeathintothegrassandoverourfoes.Obaipreparesherownfatalgod-calling.
Thesepeoplecannottaketheboy,buttowanttoisnotwrong.Forthese
Thesepeoplecannottaketheboy,buttowanttoisnotwrong.Fortheseactions,theyshouldnotdie.IuttertheCryOfAra,turninglethalblowstoagiftofslumber.
Arok’srendinghandsturnindistinctastheypassthroughhisopponents.Theydrop,breathinglightly.Verkusht’sknife,shroudedbytheheroofmybirth-tribe,passesintofleshwithouttearingit.Katiiwa’svenomcloudsendsthosetrappedinittotherealmofsleep.
TheretreatingLatariregroup.Sunasukahasfallen,agashfromaspearheadtraversingthelengthofherthigh.
WecanseetheLatarinow.Fearplaysacrosstheirfaces,butisovercomebydetermination.Mightyaswemaybe,thesixofuscannotfightourwaythroughanentiretribe.
Theboypusheshiswaythroughhisdefenders.HefacestheLatari.“IamtheAccursedOne,”hesays.“Hearmespeak.”
ChapterFour:IMustDieTheboystandsbeforetheLatari,whoseekhisdeath.Heunlacesthe
northern-styletunicgivenhimbytheAspisConsortium.Markedonhischestisthefireflybirthmarkthatheraldshiscurse—thecursethathasclaimedthelivesoftheseplainslandtribesfolk.
“IamcalledMwonduk,andIamtheoneyouwant.Killmeifyouwant,butdon’thurtmyguardians.Theymeanonlytopreventharm.”
ThisisthefirsttimeIhaveheardtheboyspeakaboveawhisper.Hisheadisnolongerbowed,hisshouldersnowstraight.Hestandswithhischestthrustout,asifdaringaLatariwarriortothrowaspearthroughit.Someappeartobecontemplatingit.Ienvisiontheboyimpaledonthespot,thesharpedgeofthespearobliteratingandpenetratingthebirthmark.
Verkusht,crouching,catchesmyeye,silentlyaskingifweshouldn’tleapontheboy,claphandsoverhismouth,letObairesumeherroleastalker.Withatwitchofmyhead,IwarntheBekyartostanddown.
Aleather-skinned,white-hairedwomanstands.Hercrownisfashionedfromagourd,thegoddessobjectofhertribe.“Harmhasalreadybeendone.Yourinsectminionsdescendedlastnight.Myhusband,mychildren,murdered.Therearenoneofusstandingherewhodidnotlosekin.Inagonytheyshrieked,torntoshredsbeforeoureyes.Killyouweshall,youngdemon.Yourdeathisoursbyrightofblood.”
MwondukgetsdownonhisbonykneestobowhisheadbeforetheLatariqueen.“Ididn’tsendthefireflies.Iwouldneverhurtanyone.Thefirefliesaresentbyagoddess—theonewhoputhermarkonme.Idon’tknowwhy.LongbeforeIwasborn,myancestorsdidsomethingwrong.Ormaybetheydidn’t.Maybethere’snofairnessinit.”
“Thereisnofairnessinourkinbeingkilled.”Theboyprostrateshimself,touchinghisforeheadtothedirt.“No,thereisn’t.
Thisgoddessisnotfair.Sheishungry.Shehungersforme.SoImustbesacrificed,anddie.”
Thequeenretreatstoconferwithherspirit-women.Whenshereturnsherattentiontotheboy,hecontinues:
“Idon’tknowanythingaboutthisgoddess.Iamignorant.Mywholelifehasbeenfearandanemptystomach.IhavenokinsmentomournmewhenIdie.Sopleaseletmedietherightway.”
Thespiritwomenbreakawaytoargueamongthemselves.Annoyedbytheirharshwhispering,thequeencallsahalttoitwithashrillwhistle.
harshwhispering,thequeencallsahalttoitwithashrillwhistle.Thequeen’smannerhassoftened.“Weknowourowngoddesswell,child.
Sheisbenevolent,butdemandsthatweavengewrongsagainstus.”Mwondukrises,stepstowardthem.“Sowhateveryoudo,youwillangera
goddess.”Thequeenstepsback.Thespiritwomenstepback.TheLatariwarriors,too.“Isthegourdgoddessforgiving?”“AlllifespringsfromChuaka.”Theboyrubsathisdrippingnose.“Kitumu,thefireflygoddess—Idon’t
thinksheisforgiving.Withoutareason,shehurtyoubad.Whatwouldshedoifyougaveherareason?”
Theeldestofthespirit-womenshakesherrattle,togetthequeen’sattention.Angerrisesinherfaceasthequeenignoresthegesture.
“Please,Latariqueen.”Mwondukclaspshishandstogetherandshakesthemtowardher,thegestureofachildbeggar.“Letmydeathmeantheendoftheplague,andnottheworseningofit.”
Thequeenbrandishesherroyalstaff,bothatusandatherquiveringspirit-talkers.“Gothen.Movequicklythroughourlands.Donotstoptosleeporrestordrink.”
Theboybowsagain.“Butboy,ifwehearthatyoulive,thatyouescapedyoursacrifice,my
warriorswilltrackyoudownandcutoutyourheart.Theywillfindandkillallofyourcompanions.TheywillhuntyouuntilthelastLatariisdead.”
Shesweepsintothenearbygrass.Westandstillasherpeoplefollowher.Whentheyaregone,Sunasuka,whoseleghasbeenbadlyspeared,lets
herselfmoan.Sheperformsahealingspellonherself,andseparatedfleshfoldsbacktogether.Theskincrawlsoverthegashandsealsitself,leavingatearinthehalfling’shidebreechesastheonlysignofherinjury.
Mwondukgoestoherandextendsahandtohelpherup.“Youworryaboutme,”hesaystoher.“Butdon’t.Iunderstandwhatyouallmustdo.”
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TheLatarilandsarethelastwepassthroughonthesavannabeforereachingthejungle.Onceunderthecanopy,Ifindastream.Wedrink,fillskinswithwater,andrest.Fromhere,wewillheadnorth,skirtingtheAerieofBloodlettingSongs.Idescribetheroutetotheothers.Werethereanypointinit,Iwoulddrawthemamap.IfIfall,Arokcantakethemtherestoftheway.Shouldthegrouplosebothofus,nosketchorscribblewillhelpthem.
Verkushtnowfeelsfreetocomplain.“Whowasitwhosaidweshouldtramp
Verkushtnowfeelsfreetocomplain.“Whowasitwhosaidweshouldtrampthroughthelandsofthesemadplainsmen,insteadofboatinguptheriverandacrossthejungle?”
Everyoneremembers,includingVerkusht.Itwashim.WhitebridgeStation,wheretherivermeetsthejungle,crawlswithBekyar.Taroodwouldhaveambushersontheriverroute.Verkushtwantsustotellhimthat,asdifficultastheplainswalkwas,wewerestillbetteroff,andhestillindispensablyright.Noneofushavetheenergytohumorhim.
WelieonflatrocksandSunasuka,exhaustedbyherwound,lapsesimmediatelyintoasnoringslumber.ArokandIcollectfruitastheotherstakeshiftsandnap.
Aswelopesilentlythroughthejungleshade,Isensethegorilla’sdisquiet.ItisaworryIshouldshare,thisclosetotheAerie.Concernfortheboyhasdistractedme.NowthatMwondukhasspokenofhiswillingnesstodie,Isomehowfeelworseforit.
ButImustclearmythoughts.TheAerie.Arokfreezes.Alitterofbushpigsspringsfromanestofbrushnearourfeet.
Hesniffstheair.Itsmotherwillbenear.Ameat-feastwillnourishuswellforthehardtrekkingtocome.
Asnufflingsnortandthefastrustleofhoovesannounceshercharge.Arokfrowns.Ireadymyspearandpiercethebeastasitcomesatme,tusksoutthrust.Itfallsandslides.
Arokhangsback.GametakensoclosetotheAeriemustbecarefullychecked.Itfallstometodoit.Iopenitsdeadmouth,checkitstongueandteeth.Itseyesarethepropercolor—nopulsingflakesofredorgreen.Theboar’sfeetareclovenastheyshouldbe,intwoparts,freeofextratoesorprotuberances.
Thesetestsaremadenecessarybytheactionsofaforgottenpeople,takenbackinthevagueBeyondTime.Inthejungletotheeastofhere,theysummoneddemonsandatethefleshofmen.Heroesunknownwipedthemout,butevennowthelingeringresidueoftheirgrislyritualsremains.MadnessrollsacrosstheAerielikemist.Mencannotlivetherewithoutlosingtheirminds.BeastsdwellwithintheAerie,theirformswarpedandcorrupted.There,naturehasbeenreducedtoonelaw—predation.
IfthisboarwanderedfortoolongintotheAerie,itsbloodwillbepoison.Thosewhoeatitsmeatwillsuccumbtovisionsoftortureanddepravity.
Judgingtheboaredible,InodtoArok.Thoughhewilleatonlythefruitwehavegathered,hehoistsitonhismightyshoulderwithoutcomplaint.
Seeingusapproachwithourgame,Katiiwaremovesspadesfromherpack.SheandSunasukadigthepit,whileIgatherwoodforthefire.Theboycomeswithme,findingdriedbranches.Wedonotspeak.Thereisnothingtosay.
“TheBekyarhavepervertednatureitself.”
withme,findingdriedbranches.Wedonotspeak.Thereisnothingtosay.
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Restedandfed,Ileadthepartynorthintothejungle.Whenthemusicofthetreeschanges,Islowourpace.Thebarksofgibbonsandtrillingsoffinchesgivewaytodiscordantshrieking.Itisbirdsong,deformedintoakeening,clatteringwail.ThefuronthebackofArok’sneckstandsup.Unseenparrotschorustogethertoproduceagroaningchant.Theyareimitatingalanguage,butnotahumanone.Itclicksandchittersandscratches.
Obaitenses.“Thosearethenamesofdemons,”shewhispers.
“Ithoughtyousaidwe’dbesafehere,”saysVerkusht.
“I’veneverseenthecreaturessofarfromtheAeriebefore,”Ireply.
“Unnaturalcreaturesgaininstrengthwhenbalanceisdisrupted,”saysObai.Thentheydiveatusfromeverywhere,theblackened,gnarledbirdsofthe
Aerie.Intheirformsarehiddentherecognizableshapesofwildcreatures:parrots,swallows,vultures,hawks.Theyarestrikingus,rakingexposedfleshwithrazorbeaks.Withathump,Iamknockedtotheground.Isenseonlyaswoopoffeathers,andabirdheavierthananyflyinganimaloughttobe.Myspearliesontheground,outofreach.Iwithdrawaknifefrommybeltasanotherofthecreaturesdivesatmyface.Thebirdswoopssidewaystoavoidthewaitingblade.
Iregainmyfooting,swipingattheairwithmyknife.WhereverIstrike,thereisadistortedbirdtohit,butforeachonethatfallsanotherfliesintoreplaceit.
Arokgrabsattheswoopinghorde,pluckingoneofthebirdsafteranotheroutoftheair.Eachhecrushes,thentossesaside.
Chantinganaturespell,Sunasukaattemptstoquellthecreatures.Strippedoftheiranimalinstincts,theyignorehercommands.
Verkushtwatchestherhythmoftheswoopingbirds,matchesit,evadesthem
Verkushtwatchestherhythmoftheswoopingbirds,matchesit,evadesthemastheydropdizzyinglytowardhim.Hisdaggerremainsinhisbelt;thereisnomorepointinkillingthesethingsthaninexterminatingraindropsinastorm.
FromKatiiwa’ssigil-incisedharpoonleapsaconeoffrigidair.Thebirdscaughtintheblastplummet,frozen,totheground.Eachmakesatinythumpasitlands.Thenmoresweepin,andthespaceclearedbytheBonuwat’smagicisfilledagain.
Ilookfortheboy.Afunnelcloudofdarkbirdssweepsdowntowardhim,andhegaspsinpainasbeaksboreintohim.Theyseemdrawntohimmostofall.Seizingmyshield,Ileap,divingintothestreamoffeatheredbeasts.Theyrattleagainstmyshield,nearlyknockingitfrommygrasp.
“Gathertogether!”Obaishouts.Withshieldhelduncertainlyoverhead,IwrapanarmaroundMwondukandcarryhisunderfedbodytowardher.TheattackingbirdsgrowdenserastheothersconvergeonObai’sposition.
ThebalancepriestesschantstoNethys.Ahalf-globeofblindingwhitelightappearsaroundus,butthebirdssmashthroughit,peltingagainstus.Mwondukyelpsastheydartbeneathmyshieldtoslashathim.Obai’schant,firstairilybeautiful,shiftstoagrindingdirge.Asecondhalf-globeofswirlingdarknessappears.Itsettlesintothewhitelight.Lightanddarknessbattle,thensettleintoanaccommodation,blinkingandever-shifting.
Insidetheglobeareafewofthecarnivorousbirds.Arokcatchesthemashecan.Theremainingbirdsbatteragainsttheinsideofthedoubledglobes,knockingthemselvesout.Westompthemuntiltheynolongermove.
Demonbirdsoutsidethesphererattleathunderingpercussionagainstit.Necksbreakandthinbonesfragmentasthecreatureshurlthemselvesatourshield.Afterafewthunderinginstants,thecreaturesrelentandtheonslaughtsubsides.Obaileavesthespheresinplaceforagoodlongtime.Whensheallowsthemtofade,Iprepareforthebirdstoresumetheirattack,butthereisnosignofthem.Eventhedeadoneshaveresolvedthemselvesintoasick-smellingpaste.Theseremnantsleachintothesoil,leavingbehindblacksmudges.
KatiiwacastsanadmiringglanceoverthedecayingfruitsofObai’shandiwork.“Youtwinnedacircleofdestructionwithoneofprotection,”shesays.
Thepriestesstiltsherhead,acknowledgingthesorceress’sadmiration.“Onlyincombinationdotheyevokeandrestorethebalancethatisdouble-facedNethys.”
“Asbeastscutofffromtheiressentialnatures,youreckonedthattheycouldnotabidethecontradiction.”
“Thatisbroadlycorrect.”SheturnsthesideofherfacewiththetattooedsmiletoKatiiwa.
Theirtalkofspellsandspellcastinggrowsimpenetrable.Sunasukahealsthe
Theirtalkofspellsandspellcastinggrowsimpenetrable.SunasukahealsthedeepcutscrisscrossingMwonduk’sheadandarms.
“Werethebirdstryingtokillme?”theboyasks.“Theywerehungryforusall,”Sunasukaanswers.“Butmoreofthemcameatme,”Mwonduksays.Sunasukashrugs.“Theyweren’treallybirds,buthadturnedintosomething
else.Sotheiractionsarebeyondme.”Unsatisfiedbythisreply,theboyturnstome.“Willeverythinginthejungle
trytokillme?”Idon’tknowwhattosay,soIsaythis:“Youmustbebrave.Likeyouwere
withtheLatari.”“Butthebirdsdidtrytogetme,morethananyoneelse.”“Ithappenedveryfast.Therewillbemoredangers.”Frustrated,hekicksatoneofthegreasyspotsleftbyadecayingdemonbird.
“Theyfeltthecurseinme,andwantedtoripmeapart.”Hisstrangedignityhasdesertedhim.Forthefirsttime,heseemslikeanordinarychild.“Ialreadyagreedtodie.Whycan’tIbeletalonetillthen?”
Ilooktotheothers.Theyarethetalkers,notme.Nonecomeforward.“Youmustbebrave,”Istupidlyrepeat.FinallyVerkushtrescuesme,byclappinghishandstogetherandsayingthat
wemustbeonourway.“Wecan’tstayaroundherewaitingforthosethingstocomeback,”hechatters.HeducksdowntomutterintoMwonduk’sear.
Iamnotmeanttooverhear,butmysensesarekeen.Theex-slaversaysthis:“Nothingshamefulinbeingscared.I’mscaredallthetime.”
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Wemovedeeperintothejungle,theairgrowinghotterandwetteraswego.Ourmovementsarequiet,andthatisgood.Theboy,usedtogoingunheard,isbetteratcreepingthanthepriestessorthesorceress.Hewatcheshisstepscarefully,neversteppingonacracklingleaforsnap-readytwig.
Hourspass.Westopbyastreamtodrinkandrest.Murmuringvoicesechofromthetalltrees.Ourweaponsleaptoourhands.
Wearrayourselvesaroundtheboy.Zenjhuntersappearattheedgeofthehollow.Theyhaltastheyseeus.There
areeightofthem,bruisedandbloodied.QuilledheaddressesmarkthemasIndta,awanderingtribe.Overtheirshoulderstheycarrythecarcassesofrat-likeporcupines.Therearemoreofthebrush-tailedbeaststhantheycaneatthemselves.Themaingroupmustbenearby.
TheStrangerGreetingoftheforestsdiffersfromthatoftheplains.Noone
TheStrangerGreetingoftheforestsdiffersfromthatoftheplains.Nooneownsthejungle.Whenpartiesmeet,eachmustshowhispeacefulness,orbereadyforwar.
Inourclickinglanguage,theIndtahuntleadersignalsthatheisneitherpredatornorwillingtobepreyedupon.Istepforwardtodothesame,identifyingmyselfastribeless.
“Weare—”Ibegin.“Weknowwhoyouare,”saysthehuntleader,whohasintroducedhimself
asAntemba.TheIndtafearus.“Wewillnotharmyou.”Insayingso,Iamrepeatingmyself.Bygivingthe
JungleGreeting,Ialreadypromisednottopreyuponthem.Theirweaponsaredown,ascalledforbytheprotocolofthegreeting,but
theirmusclesremaintight,preparedforflightorforbattle.“Youarehurt.”Theslashesontheirbodiescomenotfromtheteethorclaws
ofjunglebeastsbutfromblades.“Whodidyoufight?”Althoughtheybeartheinjuriesofdefeatedmen,Idonotshamethembyimplyingtheylost.
“Theywereashim,”Antembasays,pointingtoVerkusht.HemeansthattheywereBekyar.
“Slavers?”“Garbedasslavers,yettheytooknoneofusprisoner,evenwhenwewere
helpless.”“Theyattackedyou?”“Theydidnotgivethepropergreeting,andsowewerejustifiedinfalling
uponthem.Theyweregreaterinnumberthanwefirstknew.”“Howmanywerethere?”“Morethanten,lessthantwenty.”“Thesemenyoufoughtareourfoes.”“Wewishyougoodfortuneagainstthem.”“Whatmorecanyoutellus?”“Therewasapalemanwiththem—anoutlander.Andtheycarriedstrange
cauldronsthatreekedofbadmagic.”“Cauldrons?”“Theywereofacoppermetal.Insidebubbledsometerribleliquid.Asifthey
wereheatedbyflame,yetnoflamecouldbeseen.”Furtherquestionsyieldlittle.Iofferthemhealing.Antembatakestimeto
weighhisfearofusagainsttheconditionofhismen.Henods.SunasukaandObaimoveslowlyuptherisetowardthem.Theylayonhandsandchanttheirflesh-mendingchants.TheIndtanodtheirthanksandmeltintotheforest.
“CoulditbeanyoneotherthanTaroodandBrachantes?”Katiiwaasks.
“CoulditbeanyoneotherthanTaroodandBrachantes?”Katiiwaasks.Itisnotreallyaquestion,butVerkushtanswersanyway:“Whatother
Bekyarwouldwinafightandtakenocargo?”“Howdidtheyknowtocomehere?”saysSunasuka.“Brachantesclaimedtohaveseers,”Isay.“Perhapsheknowswhere
Kitumu’stemplelies.Perhapshehasmagicthatletshimfindtheboy.”Mwondukreadsourconcern.“Thisisbad?”“Themenwhotriedtocaptureyoubeforeinthevillage,theyarenearby.”“Theywantmedead,likeeveryoneelse?”Theanswercatchesinmythroat.Brachanteswantstoputtheboyinagolden
cage.Hemaybetheonlypersonwhodoesnotwanthimdead.Iwanttogivetheboyachoice—gowithusandperish,oracceptimprisonmentinBrachantes’menagerie,andlive.ButIcannot.Theplaguemustend.
Obailies,sothatIdon’thaveto:“I’mafraidso,myboy.”Sheturnsthefrowningsideofhertattooedfacetowardus.“Shallwetakethehunttoourhunters?”
Katiiwaheftsherarcaneharpoon.“I’dbewilling.”Verkushtmassagescrampedfingers.“Tarood’stough,andaseasonedslave-
taker.Thesewoodsarehishuntinggrounds;heknowsthemaswellasXhasiorArok.Ifthere’sachanceofnotmeetingupwithhim,Isaywetakeit.”
Sunasukasays,“I’mwiththeBekyar.Igetintoenoughfightsbyaccident.Nopointcourtingthemonpurpose.”
Iamunsure.WewillmeetBrachantesagain,ofthatIamcertain.Anditistemptingtoputthebattleonourterms.Butthen,fightingmenoftenoverratethebenefitsofsurprise.InsuchmattersIhavecometorelyonArok’sanimalwisdom.
Theapeshufflesuncomfortably.Hefoldshisupperlipupoverhisyellowfangs.“Fightandkillonlyifyouhaveto.Bettertosneak.”
Itisdecided.Sneakwewill.Iplotatwistingcourse.Weavoidthebeststreams,theflattestapproaches,
andanyplacewithgoodforage.Alongrockswedragourselves.Wemovewhentheairishottestandrestwhenitcools.
Still,aftertwodaysofstealthytrekking,theyfindus.Arrowssnickthroughtheairbehindus.Weturn,dropprone,lookforbetter
cover.Sunasukahaspushedtheboydownandnowlieshalfontopofhim.Asearingflashburnsinmyleftcalf.Thentheleggoesnumb.Anarrow
protrudesthroughtheflesh.Ireachdown,snapoffthefeatheredendandbloodyhead.Theshaftwillhavetowait.
ThearchersareBekyar.They’veabandonedtheirusualrobesforthosebettersuitedtojunglehunting.Flowingwhitesgivewaytoamottleofgreensand
suitedtojunglehunting.Flowingwhitesgivewaytoamottleofgreensandbrowns.Metalclipssecuretheirsleevesandheaddresses.
Asecondvolleyofarrowsfallsaheadofus.Thearchershavecompensatedtooheavilyforourpronepositions,cuttingofftheirrange.
Katiiwa,Verkusht,andObaicrouch-walkupward,skitterbehindthick-trunkedtrees,andreturnfire.Verkushtreleasesflyingdaggers;theyfly,tumblingthroughtheair,towardtheirtargets.Onelodgesinatrunk,sendingshardsofbarkintotheairandforcingthearcherbehinditoutofsight.Anotherstrikesanarcher’shand,pinningittothebowitheld.Themandrops,shrieking.Athirddagger,hangingbehindthefirstpairasifwaitingfortheopportunity,thenseeksandfindshisneck.Hediesgurgling.
Tothedeadman’sleft,demonictentacles,conjuredfromthevoidbyKatiiwa,seizehisfellowarchers.AsObaisummonsawaspswarmtodriveofftherest,thetentaclesholdtheirtrappedarchersoutforVerkusht.Hissecondroundofflyingdaggerseasilyfinishesthem.
Havingprovedoursuperiorityfromadistance,Iexpectasecondwaveofcloseattackerstochargeus.Ireadymyspear.
Thewindshifts,bringingaterriblestenchuponus.AtfirstIfearthecloudspellIhaveseenKatiiwacast,butthesourceisbehindme.Arokboomsoutanxiousape-talk.Iturnonmyheels.
AnotherdozenBekyarhuddleinagroveoftrees,justoutofthrown-spearrange.Strappedtotheirbodies,asifpregnantwithmetalbulges,theycarrythecauldronstheIndtadescribed.Thoughclearlycooltothetouch—orelsetheslaverswouldbeburnedbythem—aboilingblackliquidbubblesfromtheirornaterims.TheBekyareachpourthecontentsoftheircauldronsontothebaseofaseparatetree.They’vechosenthetallestofthem.
Thetarryliquidsinksimmediatelyintothetrees.Fromtherootsup,thetreestremble.Beneaththeirlayersofbark,theywrithe.Therippleofmovementstartsattheroots,makingitswayuptothecanopyleavesahundredfeetup.
Therootswrenchthemselvesfromhard-packedsoil.Theyresolvethemselvesintowide,clawedlegs.Corruptedandoily,thetreesthundertowardus.
TheairisfilledbyArok’smournfulhowls.Thetreesbenddown,lashinguswithbranchesturnedsharpandscaly.Sunasukabellowsasatreeseizesherandhurlsherthroughtheairintothe
whip-sharplimbsofanother.Adistortedobechetreechargesmeonwide-rootedfeet.Ileaptoavoidit,
jabbinguselesslyupwardwithmyspear.Idiveandroll,narrowlyavoidingastompthatwouldhavecrushedmybones.Regainingmyfooting,wobblingon
“Arokisbeautifulandterribleinhisrage.”
mywoundedleg,Ihoptofindshelterbehindaclosertree,onenotdespoiledbytheBekyarcauldrons.Themonstertreeproducesafuriousrattle,shakingwhatremainsofitsleafytop.Alreadyitsleaves,exquisitelyshapedtocaptureandfunnelthejunglerains,havedriedtobrown,deadcurls.Thecorruptedtreewrapsitsbranchesaroundtheoneshelteringmeanduprootsitwithasavagetug.Ifallback,looseddirtsprayinginmyface.Wipingfranticallytoclearmyeyes,Ibarelyevadeanotherstomp.
Nearthepointwhereitstrunksproutsintoavastheadofbranches,Iseeabulbous,heart-likeshapepulsingunderthebark,andmakeachoice.Asthenextstompingroot-footcomestowardme,Ireachoutandgrabhold.Theobechetriestoshakemeoff.Iclamberupitsmonstrouslegandontothetrunk.Itlashesdownatmewithitsbranches,attemptingtodislodgeme.Iwinceateachhit,butitsangleiswrong,anditstrikeswithonlyafractionoftheforceitcouldotherwisemuster.I’vedroppedmyspear—theretheclosenessworksagainstme—buthavemydaggerinmybelt.Shimmyingup,Iseebriefflashesoftheothersastheystruggleagainstthemonstertrees.Sunasuka,withhernaturepowers,seemstohaveturnedhertreeonitsmakers.Obaihasignitedthedeadleavesofanotherwithdivinefire;theseflamesnowspreadtothetreesthreateningArokandVerkusht.
Ihavereachedthethrobbingknot-heart,andnowdrawmydaggertostabintoit.BeforeIcanaimandlandmyblow,thetreeshudders.Itsgreasybarkturnstoslime.
Themagicofthecauldronshasexpired.Thetreefallsapart,rottedtosludgefromtheinsideout.Ileapoutofitasitcollapses,intothewaitingbranchesofanuntouchedtree.
Wesprawlamidpilesofsmokingmire,whichmomentsagoweremajestic,healthytrees,toweringhighabovethejunglefloor.Adozenotherslieuprootedbytheonslaught.
Arokgazesattheholesleftbytheirabsence.
Arokgazesattheholesleftbytheirabsence.Helooksattheslavers,whonowregroup,scimitarsinhand,bracedforthe
nextengagement.Whathegrowlsnextintheapetonguecan’tberenderedforascribetowrite.
Itspeaksofnaturedespoiled,oftherighteousguardian,ofsurrendertoberserkwrath.
Beforeanyofuscanmove,Arokisuponthem,leapinginsudden,shockingbounds.Shieldedbyanger,heshrugsscimitarsaside.Theape-manhitstheformationofBekyarlikeaflashflood.Thosenotcaughtinhisgraspstandstupidlystaring,untilhereachesthem.Whenhedoes,theyaredisassembled.Withbarehands,withterriblestrength,hetearsthroughthem.Inseconds,eachmanbecomesamangledcorpse.Hetearslimbsfromsockets.Twistsnecksfromtorsos.Hebiteshisfangsdownintoskullsandtearsopenribcagesasifflingingopenpairsofshutters.Hefeedstheforestonthebloodofitsenemies.NolongerishemerelyArok,awakenedape.Naturehasenteredhim,madehimanextensionofitswrath.
Momentslater,thereisnotalivingBekyarinsight.Astheape’sragecrests,ashedanceswiththeentrailsoftheslainwrapped
aroundhisneckandarms,Ilooktotheboy,toensurethatsomeoneshieldshimfromthissight.
Heisgone.Theirslaversmaynowallliedead,butBrachantesandTaroodhavewhat
theycamefor.TheyhavetakenMwonduk.
ChapterFive:JusticeintheRuinsWeapproachtheruinsofKembe.IhavetrackedMwonduk’skidnappersto
itsboundariesofcrumbledstone.BrachantesandTaroodhavelosttheirretinue—torntoshredsbyArok,for
theirtrespassesagainstnature.Strippedofservitors,theyseekshelterherewhiletheyplottheirnextmove.
Theirweakenedpositioncannotbetakenforgranted.Tarood’scousin,Verkusht,testifiestotheslaver’sabilities.Hismenusedweirdmagics.WeassumethesewereprovidedbyBrachantes,andthathehasotherarcanesurprisesinstoreforus.Ifnothingmore,he’lllikelypossesssupernaturalmeanstocontactmoreofTarood’smenandeffectarescuefromthisplace.Thismaybewhytheyhavechosenit:comparedtotracklessjungle,theruinswillbeeasyforreinforcementstofind.
Evenifwearelucky,andtheirthreathasbeenspent,wemuststillretrievetheboyquickly.Everyextradaywespendhereisoneinwhichthefireflyplaguecontinuestorage.ThereisnosayinghowmanylivesBrachanteswillhavecost,bydelayingusaswetaketheboytothetempleofKitumu.
Thereisnothinkingofthefatethatawaitshimthere.Theboyisresignedtoit.Weservenature,andthisseasonitthirstsgrimlyforblood.
Wewillthink,then,onlyofourtask.Onlyofourtask.
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ItisourgoodfortunethatTaroodmadehisescapefromusalongsideanoutlander.Ahardenedslave-hunter,heknowsmovementinthejungleaswellasanyZenj.ButBrachanteserrsashejourneys,leavingfootprintsinthesoftmudandbreakingthestemsoflowbushes.Mwondukmayhavetriedtoleavecluesinhiswake.AlongthepathIfindshavingsfromayam,whichhehadonhimwhenhewastaken.Mostofthesewouldbecarriedawaybyantswithinmomentsofhittingtheground,butafewremaintokeepusonthepath.
AndnowwereachKembe,hoursbehindthem.Welosttimeasthespellcastersrestoredtheirmagics.IwouldresteasierifI’dpersuadedthemtoforgeaheadregardless,butIhaveyettohearanargumentthatwouldpromptamagiciantoheadintodangerwithoutherhexes.
AsensiblepersondoesnotheadintoKembeonawhim.Allthetribesknowitasaplaceofbadluckandsuddendoom.YetIhavebeenherebefore.Sohas
itasaplaceofbadluckandsuddendoom.YetIhavebeenherebefore.SohasTarood,orsoVerkushtclaims.
“Hesometimeskeepsaholdingpenhere,whenhecapturesmoreslavesthanhecantakehomeinonetrip,”theBekyarsays.“Thelocalsdon’tliketocomehere,sothat’sgoodfor,uh,slavingoperations.”Hewinces.Looksatmefromthecornerofhiseye,toseeifIcouldtellwhathewasabouttosay.
Ican.Hewasabouttosaythat’sgoodforus.Hadheachoice,hewouldstillbeaslaver.
LianasandedgevinescoverKembe’sgraystonewalls.Greatblocksofstone,hauledfromdistantquarriesbymeansunknown,lielikefallensoldiersacrossitsgrassylandscape.Crumbledclodsofmasonryattachtothemstill.Wepassthroughastonegate,thetopofitsarchwaymorethantwentyfeetaboveourheads.Vinesreachdowntobrushatus;wepartthemlikeacurtain.
Kembe’sremainingwallsstandinthreecircles.Theinnercircleisthetallest,scaledforgiants.Weventuretowardit,hackingourwaythroughclingingbushesanddensestandsofspearthistles,andcomeuponthesecondring,thebonesofacitybuilttohumanproportions.Ifweturnedaroundandsearched,Iknow,wewouldfindthethirdringthatwepassedoverwithoutnoticing—atinyversionoftheinnertwocities,fadingfromhalflingsizeintominiaturestoosmallforuse.Youmightthinkitanidolormodeloftherealcities,exceptthatitscrumbledhearthsshowthesootofancientflames.Shatteredpotshards,sizedforbeingsnomorethanafootinheight,coverthefloorsofthesetinybuildings.
Fragmentsoftileclingtothewallsofallthreecities—thegiant,theman-sized,theshrunken.Somebearascriptfoundonlyhere.Figuresappearonafew.Theyhavetheshapesofmen,thoughwithfewerfingersandcuriousheads.Theheadsmaybeheaddresses;thehandsmightbedrawnthatwaybecauseitiseasierthanmakingfourfingersandathumb.
Somesaythattheywerenothuman,norweretheyelf,dwarf,oranyotherracestillknown.Fromthesebrokenimages,menhavemadeastorytoexplainKembeanditsvanishedbuilders.TheysaythattheKembecamefromthesky,ridingsilverchariots.Oncehere,theycouldnotleave.Perhapstheylostthemagicthatpropelledtheirskyvehicles.Morelikely,theybroketaboosandwerepunishedbythegods.ForeignersassumeitwastheKembe’sowngodsthegiantstransgressedagainst.Thelocalssayitwasours.
Eitherway,theKembeshrank.Theystoppedbeinggiants,andbecamemerelymen.Theyrebuilttheircitytosuittheirreducedstature.Formanymoreyearstheymusthavesurvivedatthisheight.Thentheyshrankagain,tobecomethebeingsoccupyingthelast,tinycityontheouteredges.
Theyshrankonelasttime,thestorysays,untiltheyfellbetweenthecracksofthisearth,intoanother,smallerworld,whereperhapstheydwelltoday.
ofthisearth,intoanother,smallerworld,whereperhapstheydwelltoday.Sometimesyou’llhearthattheycamenotinsilverchariotsfromthesky,butfelllikerain,havinglivedonceinanother,largerworld,wheretheywerebiggerthananythingthisonecouldhold.
Whenthistaleistold,itisalwaysasawarning.Behaverightly,itsays.Obeythegods,upholdingtheirtaboos.DonotbeliketheKembe,oryouandyourswillshrinktonothingandvanishfromsight.Peoplelikethestorythisway.TheKembedeservedwhattheygot,itsays.Wecanavoidtheirfatethroughrightfulaction.
ButwhenIseetheKemberuins,Ithinktheywerelikeanypeople.Somegood,afewbad,mostinbetween.Yetstilltheyweredoomed,becausetheworlddevours.
TheyweredoomedasMwondukisdoomed.Throughnomisdeedofhisown,andforreasonswecanneverexactlyfind.Whenitisover,Obaiwilltrytomakesenseofit.Shewilltalkofbalancerestoredandcosmicthisandcosmicthat.
Thatis,ifwesucceedingettinghimbackatall.Ifnot,therewillalsobedoom.Itwillbeofadifferentsort,andsufferedbymanyinsteadofone.Still,theworldwilldevour,andfromabigenoughdistance—fromthegiantheightoftheoriginalKembe,perhaps—itwillbethesameonewayastheother.
MydarkthoughtsseemtoleapacrosstoSunasuka.Orperhapsitishermelancholy,dimlysensed,thatsetsmetobrooding.Thehalflinghasagourdofmash—howshesaveditforthislongIcannotguess—andnowswigsdeepfromit,muttering.“Idon’tlikethisplace,”shesays.
“Putthatdown,”Katiiwahisses.“Idon’tlikethismission,”Sunasukasays,alittlelouder.Weclingtothesidesofanancientwall.Aboveusjuttheremainsofbroken
steps,andatopthewallisahighwalkway.AsSunasukastompsandgrumbles,Iwrestlewithathought:iftheKembeweregiants,whodidtheyhavetobuildgiantwallsagainst?
“Whatarewedoing?”thehalflinggrunts.Withoutournoticing,shehasmadeherselfverydrunk.“Wearen’thuntingtheevilones.Wearetheevilones!”Shespinstofaceus,faceredandbleary.“They’resavingtheboy.Wewanttotakehimtohisdeath.”
Obaiholdsupplacatinghands.“Youknowwhywemust.”Sunasukaturnsaway.“Iknowwhywehaveto,butnoneofyoucanmake
melikeit!”Shefinishestherestofhergourdandtossesitaside.Itlandsonafallenstonewitharesoundingcrack.“Ifwe’retobeslaughterersofchildren,let’satleastdoitquickandgetitoverwith!”Sheboundsheedlesslythroughthechokingvegetationandarounderodingblocks.Hervoicebouncesoffthewalls,
“WhenTarooddies,notevenhiswiveswillmourn.”
chokingvegetationandarounderodingblocks.Hervoicebouncesoffthewalls,collideswithitself,growinglouderassheforgeson.
Wehavenochoicebuttochaseourdrunkendruid.Weboundafterher.Behindus,inthespotwherewehadjustbeenstanding,landsavastchunkof
stone.Itsimpactthrowsupashowerofdirtandpulverizedvineleaves.Afinesnowofpowderedmortardustsdownafterit.Thestoneoccupiesawidecrater.
Hadwenotrunafterourimpetuousally,allofuswouldhavebeencrushed.
Aboveus,behindafresh,yawningholeinthewalldefenses,lurkstheslavercaptain,Tarood.
Verkushtlauncheshimselfatthewall.Deftlygrabbingatitsraggedhandholds,hescampersuptowardhiskinsman.“Snake!Betrayer!”hecries.“Toomuchthecowardtomeetusfaceon?”
TheBekyarcaptainlaughs.“Coward?You’reonetotalk,Verkusht!Whendidyoueverkillaman,exceptwhenhisbackwasturned?”Withslowconfidencehedrawsabowfromhispack.
“WhateverImayormaynothavebeenforcedtodo,Ihavedonetosurvive.”Verkushtclamberssideways,zigzaggingupthewallwithsurprisingspeed.“I’mnottheonewhoextractsathick,greasythrillfromtheinflictionofpain.”
Taroodspeedshisactions.Hefumbleshisarrowashedrawsit.“IdowhatImusttoenrichourclan,”hesnarls.
Verkushtpauses,hangingprecariouslyfromonehand,towhoopandchortle.“Isthathowyouthinkothersseeyou,Tarood?Everyoneknowsyou’dsoonerstickaknifeinamanthanbedawoman!”
Taroodfiresanarrow.Despitetheseemingeaseoftheshot,itfliesfarwideofthemark.“Youdarespeaktomethus?Iamclan-captain.Youstolefromyourown.”
Verkushthastakenthetimetozipseveralyardshigher.“Yes,Tarood,andwereItoreturn,they’dtakemorethanmyhandthistime.”
Anotherarrowflies.Ithitsclosertothemark,butisstillawild,careless
Anotherarrowflies.Ithitsclosertothemark,butisstillawild,carelessmiss.“Youmadeyourselfdoublyapariahwhenyouhaditreattached!”
Verkushtcrabshiswayclosertohistarget.“Indeed,andifIdidgohome,asourkinfolkburnedmealiveorhadmequarteredbygallopinghorses,they’dshedatearatmydemise.Whereasyou,forallthegoldyoubringthem,theperfumesyoudousethemin,allthegloryandwealth—noonelikesyou,Tarood.”
Heswingswidetododgeathirdarrow.Foramoment,heseemssuspendedinair,thenfindshishandholdagain.Thecreakingsoundofbendingcartilageaccompanieshimasheretainshisholdonthewall.“Thedayyoudie,alldueceremonieswillbeheldinyourhonor.You’llberememberedasaheroandashrewdmanwithacoin.Butnoonewillweepforyou.Yourbrotherswillvieforyourtitle.Yourwiveswilldrinkteaandwipetheirbrowsinrelief.”
Verkushthasnearlyreachedthetopnow.Tarooddropshisbowandquiver.Hedrawshisscimitar.Itflashesangrilyinthesunlight.
“You’veflungyourlastinsult,clown,”Taroodsays,throughclenchedteeth.Verkushtreachesthecrumbledbattlementandstrugglestofindpurchase.“That’syou,Verkusht.Fullofdefianceandbravado,untilthetimecomesto
win.Thenyoufalter.”MortarturnstosandunderVerkusht’sclawingfingers.Taroodraiseshis
scimitar,readytochopatthem.Tarood’stonguedartssnake-likebetweensalivatinglips.“Wheedleandbeg,
Verkusht.Doasyoualwaysdo.Wheedleandbeg.”Verkushthugsthebattlement,wincing.“Listen,there’ssomethingyouneed
toknowabouttheboy.”Taroodleansbacktoenjoyhisvictory.“Alwayssomethingtoofferatthe
lastmoment,eh,Verkusht?Well,thistimeitwillavailyounot.Let’sstartwiththathandwhichissupposedtobesevered.”
Heraiseshisblade.ThebluepointofKatiiwa’sjaggedharpoonpricksthebackofTarood’s
neck.Shecommandshimtodropthescimitar.Itrattlestothestonecatwalk.Verkushtstoopstoseizeitup.Hepausestoadmiretheexpensivegiltwork
onitscurvedpommelbeforestashingitinhisbelt.“That’sthedifferencebetweenyouandme,Tarood,”hesays.“Ihavecomrades.Theymaynotrespectme,andhalfthetimetheydon’ttrustmeatall.ButtheyarefriendsandIcancountonthemnonetheless.”
∗∗∗
Someonemustguardtheprisoner;Katiiwaclaimstheright.Verkushtagreeswithsurprisingease.“Couldn’ttrustmyselfwithhim,”hemutters.
withsurprisingease.“Couldn’ttrustmyselfwithhim,”hemutters.“Icanrestoreyourpositionintheclan,”Taroodsaystohim.“Pronounceyou
redeemed,asismycaptain’sright.”“Who’stheclownnow,alwayswiththelasthumiliatingnegotiation?”says
Verkusht,histonecuriouslyflat.“Brachanteshastheboy?”Iaskhim.“Telluswhere.”“Whatconsiderationwillyougrant?”Taroodasks.“WhenIwastheprisonerandyouthecaptor,Iwastorturedandthreatened
withworse,”Iobserve.Taroodshrugs.“Heisintheplacethatitwouldmakesensetobe.”“Inabuildinginthemiddlecircle?”Theslavernods.“Istherealandmark?”HelooksatVerkusht.“IfIwereabetrayerwhowheedlestosurvive...but
findityourselves.Thenboastswillbetested,andtruemeasurestaken.”“Whatdoyoumeanbythat?”Taroodsaysnothingelse.
∗∗∗
WefindBrachanteswaitingforus,outsideoneofthefewintactKembebuildingsofthemiddlecity.Thestructureisroundandtoppedwithaconicalroof,likeacuringhutoftheIkihingorHatangu.Wheretheirsaremadefromreedsandplanks,thisisbuiltfrompiledandmortaredstone.Eventheoddslopingshinglesonitsroofareofsolidrock.
Brachantesstandsamidacircularpatchofbrownedandflattenedvegetation.Acridsteamrisesfromthefreshlyclearedearth.HehasusedthemagicalliquidTarood’sslaversusedtoarraythejungletreesagainstus,orsomethinglikeit,toclearthegroundforbattle.Yethecarriesnoweapon,eitherinhishandorinhisbelt.Feetapart,headcocked,hegreetsus,smilinglikeachildwithasecret.
Mwondukkneelsnearby.Aleathercollarhasbeenwrappedaroundhisneck.Ashortlengthofleashattachesthecollartoawoodenstake,whichhasbeendrivendeepintotheground.Theboycouldnotstandifhewantedto.Hisarmsaretiedbehindhisback.ReliefstrikesmewhenIseethathebearsnosignsofinjury.Hisheadisbowedinshame.Atthesoundofourapproach,helooksup.Hopecomessuddenlyuponhim.
Brachantesoffershimslavery;we,death.Theboyhaschosenus.“YouhaveTarood?”Brachantesasks.Havingmetthenorthernerbefore,Iamtheonewhospeaksforthegroup.
“Yes.Giveustheboy,andwewillhelpyoutoaplaceofsafety,ifyoudesireit.
“Yes.Giveustheboy,andwewillhelpyoutoaplaceofsafety,ifyoudesireit.OrwewillleaveyousuppliestowaitformoreofTarood’smentocomeandgetyou.Whicheveryouprefer.”
“Ipresentacounteroffer.Turnyourbacksnow,admityourselvesoutmatched,andIwillnotharmyou.”
“Youspeakconfidentlyforaweaponlessman.”“Myweaponsarefarawayfromhere,onmyisland.Yetifyoutakeone
furtherstepagainstme,youwillfeeltheirstingallthesame.”“Yourthreatisunconvincing.”“TrustmewhenIsaythis,jungleman:youdonotwanttoseea
demonstration.”Verkushtreachesforhisdagger,Obaiforherdouble-facedholysymbol.Brachantesaddressestheothers.“TheZenjisastubbornman.Isensethathe
nursesagrudgeagainstme,becausehedislikesthecompanyIkeep.Fairenough.Also,helostfriendsintheso-calledplague,andthuslacksperspective.Therestofyou,Iwillassume,aresensiblepersonsandopentoafairoffer.”
“Talkaslongasyouwant,”saysObai.Shemeansforhimtorevealmoreoftheinvisibleweaponswithwhichhethreatensus.OrsoItrust.
“Balancepriestess,whatisittoyouthatafewhavediedfromthisfireflyplague,andthatafewmoremightdosountiltheboyiswellawayfromhere?Thesejunglesareaplaceofrotandpestilence.Inthecosmicschemeofthings,whatmatterisonemoreplague?”
Obaipresentshimwithbothsidesofhermouth,thefrownandthegrin,andremainsinscrutable.
“Verkusht,withyourcousinacaptive,itseemsthatthepositionofcaptainmightbemadeavailabletoamanofambition.”
TheBekyarsnorts.“Maybehedidn’ttellyou,butmyclanandIarenotonfriendlyterms.”
“Yourclanisafamily,butalsoacommercialenterprise.Theywillpresentnoobjectionsthatmoneycan’tfix.”
Verkushtstrokeshisbeardasifcontemplatingadeal.“Let’simaginethattheirvisionofprofitandlossalignswithyours.Youhavenosimilarinducementtooffermyfriendshere.”
“Thenstepaway.Orbetteryet,fightbymysidewhentheyproveintransigent.”
“Thatwouldbemylastchancewiththem,I’mafraid.”“Whocountsformore?Yourclan,orthesemightyragamuffins?”Verkushtchuckshisheadfromsidetoside.Weighingoptions.“Halfling.Ididn’tknowwhattodanglebeforeyou,untilIsawyougaze
upontheboyjustnow.Youdon’twanthimdead.Stillyouhopeforhis
upontheboyjustnow.Youdon’twanthimdead.Stillyouhopeforhissalvation.YethelivesonlyifIamallowedtotakehim.You’reonmysidealready,youjusthaven’tadmittedittoyourself.Fightforhislife,world-priestess.Followyourheart.”
Sunasukawipeshermouthwiththebackofherhand.BrachantesturnstoArok.“Ape-man,ofalltheso-calledScarredOnes,only
youareofgenuineinteresttome.IofferyouwhatIofferthechild—aplaceinmysanctuary.Allthefruityoucaneat.Ormeat,ifthat’swhatyoufancy.Alifeledincomfortandfreefromfear.”
Arokchargeshim.Theoutlanderbracesfortheimpactasthegorillabarrelshisway.Around
him,theairpopsandshimmers.AcracklinghissrisesfromBrachantes’flesh,andthetasteofmetalhangsinthebackofmythroat.
ArokswipesatBrachantes.Betweenthelaunchingoftheblowanditslanding,Brachanteschanges.Hisskinturnstostone.AterriblecrunchresoundsasthebonesofArok’smightyfistbreakagainsthisgraniteflesh.Brachantes’stonefistcatchesArokunderthechin.Theapestaggersback.Brachantesseizeshim,hurlingthegorillawhooutweighsmebydoubleortripledozensoffeetbehindus.AroklandswithathudonthecollapsedremainsofaKembewall.
“Whatishe?”IaskObai,asweruntowardtheoutlander.“Idon’tknow,”shesays,callingthedarktouchofdivinedeath-dealinginto
herhand.Herfingerscurlintoaclaw,wreathedbyswirlingbrimstone.TherippleofdisturbedspaceagainsurroundsBrachantes’body.Stoneflesh
meltsbackintoskinandbone.Leatherwingssproutfromhisshoulders.Obaiswipesathimwithherdeathlyhand,butherisesintotheair,leavingherleapingfruitlesslyupathim.Ipoisemyspearforthrowing.
AtailappearstotwistitselfaroundBrachantes’risingbody.Fromitsbulbousendsproutdozensofspikes.Thebulbpointsatus;spikesflythroughtheair.TheyhitbothObaiandme.Welurchback,piercedinthearmsandchest.
FlyingdaggersvolleyatBrachantes,slicingthemembranesofhisfreshlygrownwings.Hejuddersdown.Againcomestheripplingair,thecracklinghiss,thetangofmetalinthebackofthethroat.Newwingsreplacetheold;blackreptilianscalesrisetoblotoutmammalianskin.Heopenshisthroat.Abelchofacidrainsdownonus.Thestinkofvomitcoatsmyburning,bubblingskin.Iglanceback;VerkushtandSunasukahavebeenhit,too.
Ilooktotheboy:Brachanteshasaimedhisspraytomisshim.Mwondukhideshisfaceinthecrookofhisarm.Heweeps,shaking.
Arokhasalsobeenspared,butliesunmovingonhispileofoldstones.Sunasuka,herhidetunicstillsmoking,stepsforwardtoinvokenature’s
power.Theflying,reptilianBrachantesshuddersinmidair.Heshrinks,
power.Theflying,reptilianBrachantesshuddersinmidair.Heshrinks,transformedbyhermagicintoashrew.Asasmallgrayrodent,hedropstotheground.
Thehalflingsurgesahead,readytostomptheshrewwithherpan-likefeet.AnelectriccracklesurroundsitasBrachantesshakesofftheforcedshape-change.HerisesasacolumnofflameandwrapsburninglimbsaroundSunasuka’sthroat.
Idasharoundthisnewfieryformtoplungeaspearintothebackofitshead.Heatradiatesfromit.Thehairsonmyarmwithdrawintocurlsanddropoff,singed.
ObaiswingsatthefieryBrachanteswithheriron-shodclub.Itshead,castwithNethys’smockingandmourningfaces,swipesdeepintotheflame-form.Itreels,momentarilydissipated.Asitcomesbacktogether,thecracklingaurareturns.WhenBrachantesreforms,itisnolongerasacreatureofflame,butashimself—exceptthatnowpatchesofhisskinarecarpetedwithatiger’sstripedfur.
AlightningboltburstsforthfromBrachantes’palm,whichishalfhand,halfpaw.Itarcsintome,knockingmeback,thensizzlesintoSunasuka,whohasdroppedtoherknees,andtoVerkusht,behindher.
Obaiisleftastheonlycombatantstandingagainsthim.“Iknowwhatyou’redoing,”sheshouts,assheaimsaclubblowagainsttheoutlander’shead.Itbouncesoff,strikingashimmeringhelmetoftranslucentarcanearmor.
“Congratulations!”Brachantesroars,baringtigerfangs.“Yourdistantmenagerie—you’redrawingpowerfromthecreatures
imprisonedthere,”Obaisays,assheandherfoecircleoneanother,seekingopeningstostrike.Clawsdescendfromtheoutlander’spartlyfurredfingers.“Youhaveadragonthere,yes?Andastonegolem,afireelemental,arakshasa...”
Brachantes’answerisafelinegrin.“Waittillyouseethenextone.”“Thisiswhyyouwanttheboy?”Istaggerforward,chestblackenedandblistered.Obaiscoffsathim.“Idiot!Whatpowerdoyouhopetoleechfromone
cursedbyagod?”“Youarethefool,priestess.”Brachantesrakesherwithhisclaws.“Theboy
isn’taccursed.Heisgod-touched.ThroughhimIcangainthepowerofagod.Perhaps,intime,becomeonemyself!Andnoneofyoupatheticspecimenswillinterfere.”
Asquare-cutboulderofKembestonecomescrashingontothebackofhisskull.Arokstandsbehindhim,havingcreptsilentlyupasObai’swordsdistractedhistarget.
“Brachantes'arroganceknowsnobounds.”
distractedhistarget.Brachantes’legsbuckle.Histigerfeaturesblurintosomethingelseashe
weavesoverscorchedground.Arokraisesapawtosmashathimagain,butIgivethesignalandhefollows
—weareallbadlyhurt.Onlythespiritsknowwhatpowerstheoutlanderwillnextsummon.Wewilltaketheboyandflee,whileBrachantesremainsaddled.
VerkushtslashesMwonduk’sleash.Hedipstolifttheboyintohisarms,butMwondukrunsahead,fasterthananyofus.IpullSunasukatoherfeet.Sheblinks,dazed;thelightningstrikehasleftaspreadingbruiseacrossherchest.
WithaneyecastbacktoBrachantesandhisstill-changingform,wecutamaze-likepaththroughtheconfusingshelterofKembe’swalls.
∗∗∗
Katiiwahearsuscoming.Whenshetellsitlater,shewillsaythatshehearsMwonduk’svoice.IttellsusthattherestofushavenofurtherneedofTarood,andthatshemaynowdowhatshehascomefor.
“Doyouknowofme?”sheasksTarood.
Hervoicestartleshim.Shehasstoodsilentwatchoverhimsinceweleft.“Knowofyou?”
“YourclanhasbeensearchingforVerkusht.Haveyoulearnedaboutthosewhosometimestravelwithhim?”
“Theso-calledScarredOnes?”helaughs.“Youflatteryourself.Therearemoreprofitableoccupationsthanseekinggossiponmisfitmercenaries.”
“Ithoughtasmuch.”“Isthatsupposedtomeansomething?”“Ifyouknewofus,you’dbenervous.”“Nervous?”“Tobeleftwithme.”Hesweatsthesamewayhiscousindoes.Beadsofitbloomonhisforehead,
amassofthemalltogether.“WhatshouldIknowaboutyou?”“ThatIamKatiiwa,oftheAzureHarpoon.Thatthebloodofademonflows
“ThatIamKatiiwa,oftheAzureHarpoon.Thatthebloodofademonflowsinmyveins.Thatithungers,andthatIfeeditonthesoulsofthejustlyslain.Thattheworldneedsexecutioners,andIamone.”
Hisfinecomplexionturnstomottledash.“Thename...isfamiliarnowthatyousayit.”Heturnstofaceher,beggingwithwristsbound.“Thereisnojusticeinslayingme...ahelplessprisoner...incoldblood...”
“Fouryearsago,youorderedanattackonthevillageoftheWaliyopeople.Youtooktheiryoungmen.Youtooktheiryoungwomen.Yourclanstoletheirprince,theirprincesses,theirapprenticespirit-talkers.Thosewhoopposedyouwereslain.Sowerechildren,andoldpeople,whomerelyannoyedyou.Orwhoyouthoughtitpleasurabletoharm.”
“Donotlistentomycousin’sliesaboutme.”“ItisnotfromVerkushtthatthistestimonycomes.Itisfromthosewhowere
onceWaliyo.Whocannolongercallthemselvesbythatname,becausesomanyoftheWaliyoweretakenthattheirtribecannotcontinue.Thefewsurvivorshavetoiledeversincetoaffordmymodestfee.Youslewanentirepeople.Now,intheirname,Idothesametoyou.”
HeisstillimploringwhentheAzureHarpoonpierceshisthroat.Katiiwathrowsherheadback;thedemoninsideherdrinksitsfill.
ChapterSix:SacrificialRightsWelimpthroughhumidjungleair.Brachantes,whocandrawonthepowers
ofanynumberofgreatbeastsandmortalslaves,heldcaptiveonhisdistantisland,maybepursuingus.Planningtohitusbeforewearefullyhealed.Orhemaywait,toambushusatourdestination.Heknowsthattheboyiscursed—god-touched,hecallsit—sowemustassumethathecanalsofindthepyramidofKitumu.Hisabilitytotracktheboy,Obaimuses,mustbeastolenpower,too,takenfromanenslavedseerorprophet.
SheandSunasukahavehealedasmanyofourwoundsastheirmagicwillallow.Thehalflingnature-talkeristheworstoffofanyofus.Weache,andstillbearthecutsandbruisesofourbattlewiththeoutlander,butouropenwoundshavebeenhealed,ourburnedandmeltedskinrestored.Weconsiderstopping,torestandregainthehealingfavorsofNethysandnature.Insteadweforgeon.ThebestwaytodefeatBrachanteswillbetobeathimtothetemple.Todelivertheboytohisdestinedsacrifice,aswehaveintendedsincethebeginning.Robbedofhisquarry,Brachantesmightresignhimselftothelossanddepart.Orhemaystilltrytokillus.Ifhedoes,andifwedie,itisbettertodosohavingcompletedourmissionandsavedthepeopleoftheExpansefromthefireflyplague.
Asweplungeclosertothereputedsiteofthefireflytemple,Ilooktotheboyandtotheothers.AngerstillflushesArok’sface.HehaswornaresentfulsilenceeversincewepulledhimawayfromBrachantes.Theoutlanderkilledthetrees.HetoldArokhebelongedinamenagerie,asifofferinghimagift.Ihaveseenthislookontheape’sscarredfacebefore.Myfrienddoesnoteasilygivehimselftomurderousrage,butwhenitseizeshim,itdoesnotletgo.
Katiiwaseemsatpeace,hertaskaccomplished.TaroodtheBekyarisslain,thedemoninherbloodcontentwithitsmeal.
Obai,asunreadableasever,bothhappyandsad.Verkushtwatchesmewatchingtheothers.Hehadthechancetobetrayus
anddidnottakeit.ItellhimIamproud.Hewavesmywordsaway,foroncenotwantingthepraisehetypicallyseeks.
Sunasuka,whohasbeenwarmesttowardtheboy,proceedswithfeaturesbleakandhaunted.Shewon’tlookathimnow.Iguessthatshehasresignedherselftohisfate.
Iwonderwhoamongusismostlikelytofalter.Tobalkatthelastmomentandtrytorescuehimfromhisappointmentwiththedivine.
AsifstruckagainbyaboltofBrachantes’lightning,Irealizewhoitis.Me.
Me.I,Xhasi,whotakeprideinmyacceptanceofthejungle’sdemands,cannot
abidethethoughtofwhatmustunfold.Theboyhasbeenbrave.Hasassuredusthatheisreadytodowhatisaskedofhim.Hewillstepintothegoddess’smaw,sothatmanyothersmightlive.Itisthisthatcannotbeborne.Werehepetulant,ifhesoughttothwartfate’sdecrees,Icouldreluctantlyusherhimtothebloodyaltar.
WouldIgosoreadily?Wouldanyoftheseothers?No,wewouldscreamandschemeandkickandfindawayout.WereArokgod-doomed,Iwouldriskanythingtosavehim.
Iwillthinkofsomething,Idecide.Butwhatthismightbe,Icannotenvision.Andnowthetempleheavesintoview.
Inmymind’seyeIhadpictureditinaclearing,proudlyjuttingtothesky,theforestgatheredarounditatafearfuldistance.Insteadwefinditamidthetrees,chokedentirelybybushes,trees,andvines.Thetempleappearsasaconicalmoundofvegetation.Onlyastiflingtranquilitymarksthisnamelesspatchofjungleasdifferentfromanyother.Birdsongisabsent.Soisthescreechingofcanopymonkeys.Iscanthetreesforsignsofanimallifeandseenone:nosnakes,nomice.Idropacrumbfrommyrationpackonthehardforestfloor,waitingforantsortermitestoswarmaroundit.Itstaysunclaimed.
InothercircumstancesObaimightlectureusonthehiddenruins.Shewouldtelluswhatextinctpeoplebuiltthem,andwhen.Todaysherespectstheweirdhushthatblanketsthisplace.
ItisVerkushtwhospeaks.“Areyousurethisisit?”Obaiponders,butthejungle-priestessandtheapebothnod.Natureisstrong
here.Asiftoconfirmit,aglowarisesfromthemantleoftreesobscuringthe
goddess’spyramid.Itissoftandgreen.Acloudoffireflies.Thisiswhytherearenoothercreatureshere.Thisplacebelongstothem,and
themalone.Verkushtisthefirsttofreeze.Therestofusdothesame.Isthishowitwillhappen?Willthefirefliesdescendanddevourtheboy,as
theytookmyfriendstheNgali,andsomanyotherinnocents?Thebeatingofmyheartbecomesapoundingdrum.Willtheyeathis
deliverers,too?Andiftheydo,willitnotbefitting?Astheglowingcloudoffirefliesdriftsslowlytowardus,Iseenocourseof
action.Nowaytosavethechild.“Mwonduk...”Ibegin.Theboystepsforward,shushingmewithagesture.
Theboystepsforward,shushingmewithagesture.Thefirefliesfloattowardus.TheysettlefirstonVerkusht.Theylandonhis
foreheadanddrinkfromthesweatpoolinginitsfurrows.Otherscloakthepriestesses,thenKatiiwa,thenArokandme.Ilosemycautionandslowlymovemyarm.Theyfollowit,formingaglowinggarment.
Rejectingus,theyswarmontotheboy.Iwait,ashamedofmyinabilitytopreventthis,forthedevouringtobegin.IfeellikethegiantbuildersofKembe,fallingbetweenworlds.
Themomentextendsagonizinglyastheluminousveillingersovertheboy.Asone,thefirefliesglidebacktothepyramid,leavingMwondukunscathed.“Thatcan’tbeit,canit?”Verkushtasks.Thegroundrumbles.Thereismovementatthepyramid’sapex.Treestopple
fromit.Cloudsofsoildislodgefromtheirexposedrootsastheytumbledownthesides.Afissureappearsinthetopmostblocks.Thefirefliesswarmintoit.
Comprehensiondawns:theinsectscametoseeifwehadthesacrificedesignatedbythegoddess,whodwellsinside.Nowshewillcomeouttodevourtheboyherself.
Ihaveheardspirit-talkerssaythatnonemaylookonthefaceofagodandsurvive.Dependingonthestory,thefoolishwatchermaybestruckdead,ordrivenmad.ButofcourseIhavenevermetanyonewhohasbeheldagod,exceptindreamsandvisions.Thewiseactionwillbetoturnmyhead,andwaituntilitisover.Thesoundsofthedevouringwillbebadenough.Idecideotherwise.Iwillforcemyselftolook,evenifitcourtsdestruction.IfIcannotsavehim,Iwillatleastbearwitness.
Likeapairofseparatinghands,thetopofthepyramidpartsintotwo.Avoicebellowsouttoshatterthescene’ssolemnity.“No,youmindless,pettygodling,”itbooms,“thisoneyoucannothave.”Animmense,distortedcreaturethatspeakswithBrachantes’voicebreaks
throughtheunderbrushtochargeatMwonduk.Heisastallasagiant,asgrotesqueasademon,asponderousasamokele-mbembe.Thefeaturesofhisfaceswirlandscudacrossthefrontofamisshapenskull.Hisfleshisinplacesfurred,orscaled,orplated,ordrippingandgelatinous.
Verkushtgasps.“Whatinthenameof...?”“Hehasovertaxedhispowers,”Obaisays.“Beforehedrewononlyone
creatureatatime.Hehasmixedthem,andislost.”Brachantes’monstrouseyesbloatintoone,thenseparateintoseveral,
obliteratingtherestofhisface.Asprayofbrilliantcolorblastsfromthem,rakingthegroundatourfeet,thenstrikingusdown.Obaiisliftedfromthegroundandhurledintothepyramid.Verkushtisstoppedinmid-stride,encasedsuddenlyinstone.AthunderingblastsendsKatiiwaandSunasukasprawling,
“Brachantes'passionisall-consuming.Andconsumehimithas.”
suddenlyinstone.AthunderingblastsendsKatiiwaandSunasukasprawling,theazureharpoonandscreamingmonkeyclubflyingfromtheirgrasps.Arokyips,seizedbymadness,andboundsawayintotheshadows.
Iaminsideacolumnofflame,groaningasitlicksawaymyflesh.
FirefollowsmeasIleaptowardthemonstrousinterloper.HelungesatMwonduk,grabbinghiminagiant’sgrasp.Theboywrigglespartiallyfree,andBrachantesliftshimfurtherup,leavinghimdanglingbyoneleg.Ireachthemonster’snearestfootandplungemyspearintoit.Itrootshimtotheground.Ithrowmyselfontohisthigh.Suddenlyitiscoveredwithhairyspineslikethoseofanenormousinsect.Theyjabandscrapeatmyblisteredskin.Wrackingpaintellsmetostop,todropawayandlieinaheapinthedirt.Iignoreit,untilsuddenlyIfeelnopainatall.ThelossofsensationtellsmethatIamgravelyinjured,butthisthoughtIalsodismiss.IkeepclimbingupasBrachantesbucksandweavestothrowmeoff.
Knivesthunkintohischestaboveme,whereheiscoveredincoarsebrownfur.HangingwithonearmfromtherippedremnantsofclothingwrappedaroundBrachantes’waist,Iseekhiskidneysandplungemydaggersindeep.Bloodgoutsfromthewound,blackandbubbly.Itspraysintomyface,blindingme.Mygriponhimturnsslippery.
Heflingsmeaway.Thetrunkofatreeendsmyflight.Mwondukisonthegroundagain,runningforshelterbehindthepriestesses,whothemselveshavefoundcoverbehindthefootofthepyramid.Brachanteshaseitherdroppedtheboyorlethimdown,realizingheneedsbothhandsforthefight.
Sunasukawillsathornwallintobeing,arrayingitaroundBrachanteslikeahedge.Hepullsbothfootandspearclearofthegroundandstepsoveriteasily,butthisactionleaveshimoffbalance.Katiiwapopsuptopointherharpoonathim.Aboltofbluelightningarcsfromittostrikehiminthechest.Theelectricboltzigsbetweenthemetaldaggerhiltsjuttingfromhispectorals.Theforceof
boltzigsbetweenthemetaldaggerhiltsjuttingfromhispectorals.Theforceofthestrikeknockshimdownandintothejabbingthornsringedbehindhim.Hebraysinprotestandforaninstantseemstobedownforgood.
Momentslater,herisesagain,hisbodyencasedingleamingsteel.Helaughs,untilthetransformationofhisheadintoaserpentineshapemufflesthesound.Heblowsacloudofchokinggasatus.IrunforwardandgrabMwonduk,tumblingwithhimintothewoods.
Thespellcastersreelasthegassurroundsthem.Verkusht,brokenfreeofhisprisonbythewomen,hasrunupthesideofthe
pyramid.Heshoutsdownintothefissure.Irealizethatmyearsareringing,andwonderwhichofBrachantes’assaultshasstolenmyhearing.FromhisgesturesandthefewwordsIcanmakeout,theBekyarseemstobeexhortingthegoddesssupposedlylurkinginsidethepyramid.Hedemands,orsoIimagine,thatthegoddesscomeoutandsmitetheonetryingtostealhersacrificefromher.
Ifsheintendstointerveneonourbehalf,Kitumugivesnosignofit.Itisthewayofgods,tostanddistantwhilemortalsactforthem.WereItoaskObaiaboutit,shewouldgivealongexplanation,oneofbalanceandtheturningofthecosmicwheels.Whatisclearisthat,withBrachantes,weareonourown.
Verkushtreachesthesameconclusion,andwithunusualbraveryleapsontothemonster’shead,knifeoutthrust.Itlandsinthebackofhisskull,whichisnowelongatedandhassproutedaspiralinghorn.Verkushtswingsfromthehiltuntilswatteddownbyajellied,fingerlesslimb.Helandsonhisback,howling,asasoapyresidueleftfromBrachantes’strikeattemptstocrawldownhisthroatandchokehim.
Ifeelsmallhandsonme;itisSunasuka,healingmywounds.SheseesthatI’veleftmyspearbehind,andhandsmeherdoublemonkey
club.Itswoodenfacesyowl.Theyseemafraid.
“We’rerunningoutofspellstothrow,”shesays.Brachanteshasaspearinhisfoot,andknivesstickingfromhischestandthe
backofhishead.AsheloomsoverVerkusht,Iwatchforsignsthattheseinjurieshavelefthimvulnerable.Whenfightingananimal,orsometimesanunnaturalbeast,itispossibletojudgetheharmyou’vedone.Observingthisever-shiftingmonstrositytellsmenothing.
WithSunasukafollowingclosebehind,Iscuttletothepyramid,toKatiiwaandObai.Weneedaplan.
Butthen,wemustalsohelptheBekyar.Verkushtrollsawayfromastompingfoot,plantingaserratedskewerin
Brachantes’ankle.ThemonsterkicksVerkushtlikeamanshooingasideanannoyingdog.Verkushtliesdazedonhisback,alineofbloodcreepingfromhis
annoyingdog.Verkushtliesdazedonhisback,alineofbloodcreepingfromhisnostril.
I’mreadytochargeovertoassisthimwhenArok,recoveredfromthefearray,leapsdownfromthecanopy.Heplotshispointofimpactexpertly,sothatBrachantestopplesface-firsttotheforestfloor.Arokpoundspercussivelyonthebackofhisneck,thenyanksoutaBekyardagger.HeusesittosawattheveinsofBrachantes’neck.
Brachantesrespondsbychangingagain.Theslashedjugularresealsitselfashisformshiftstosomethingfishyandhellish.HeslamsArok.Thecrunchofshatteredboneechoesthroughthetrees.
Obai’sthinlipspursetogether.Hertattooedfrown-smilelendsheranairofderangeddetachment.“Hedrawspowerfromthecreaturesofhisfarawaymenagerie,yes?”
“Thatiswhatheclaimed.”“Thentheremustbeunseenchannelsofarcaneforce,spanningthemiles
betweenhimselfandhisisland.Theyarethesourceofhismight.”“Youaretheonewhoknowssuchthings.”ButalreadyIamfollowingher
logic.“Yourglobes,fromtheBloodlettingAerie.”Shenods.“Itisnothowthemagicsaresupposedtowork.Butperhaps,with
Nethys’sfavor,theconflictingenergiesmayseverthebondbetweenBrachantesandhismenagerie.WhenIdothis,allofyoumusthithimhardandfast.”
“Willitcuthimdowntosize?”“SoIhope.”Idashintothefray,swingingSunasuka’smonkeyclub,rallyingmyallies’
attentions.Thestrange,carvedweaponyammersinpanickedapespeech.ArokandVerkushtarraythemselvesaroundBrachantes,forcinghimtodefendagainstblowsfromallsides.Katiiwaorbitsfromaremove,firingarcanedartsfromherharpoon.Theymaterializeasorbsofacid,eachbearingademon’sgrinningface.Wheretheyland,theyscourgeandpuckerhiswrithinghide.
Obai’stwincirclesshimmerintobeingaroundhim—thelightfirst,thenthedark.UnliketheperfectorbsummonedattheAerie,thisonebucklesandisinstantlymalformed.
Brachantes’featuresbecomerecognizableagain.Foureyesresolveintotwo.Asetofyellow-browntentaclesretractsintohisjaw.AnnoyancegiveswaytodreadasheseemstounderstandObai’sscheme.Helashesoutatthecombinedglobesoflightanddark,andtheylosetheirshape,threatentodissipate.
ObaicriesouttoNethys.“Maintainthebalance,Ogreatestgod!”Thecirclesreformandstabilize.Brachantesseemstofoldinonhimself,
rapidlylosingheightandheft.Withinmoments,hehasshrunkfromagiant’ssizetothatofanogre.Heisstillbiggerbyfarthananyofus,evenArok,butfor
sizetothatofanogre.Heisstillbiggerbyfarthananyofus,evenArok,butforthefirsttimeIbelievewecanbeathim.
Nolongerdoeshisformchange.WherebeforehetookonthetraitsofcreaturesIknoworhaveheardof,nowheisatonceallandnoneofthem.Heisacolorless,misshapenmockeryofaman,hismusclespuffy,theskeletonbeneaththemwarpedandimprobable.
Aroktearsathim.Verkushtsticksalongknifeintohisspine.
Withagreatglobofafist,Brachantesstrikesme.Ifeelmyteethrattleintheirsockets.BackwardIspin,landingonmyshoulderinthehardeneddirt.Theclubgoesflying.Itrytogetup,butmyfeetwon’tgowhereItellthem.
Thereisstillfightinourenemyyet.Arokrearsback,surprisedbyasimilarblow.
VerkushtkicksatBrachantes’back,hittingthehiltofhisdagger,drivingitfurtherin.Heducksaswipingreturnclout,yellingindisbelievingprotest:“Don’tyourealize,youTaldanexcrement,thatI’veseveredyourstinkingspine?”
Iwobbleup,headstillringing,towadebackin.Arokdoesthesame,hisjawhangingatanalarmingangle.Katiiwa,outofspells,staggerstojoinus.
Brachantesspotsmyabandonedspear,itsheadandhaftstillwetwithhistarryblood,andseizesit,parryingjabsfromthesorceress’sharpoon.
Behindus,Sunasukamouthsthefamiliarchanttosummonaswarmofstingingwasps.Hercalltonatureyieldsnoresult.AsIbashatBrachantes’rearing,unstableform,Irealizewhyithasfailed:Kitumuallowsonlyfireflieshere.
Thentheleavesandvinesreflectasoftgreenglow.Inateemingmass,Kitumu’sinsecthordesreemergefromthepyramid.They
surroundBrachantes,tearingintohisfleshastheydidtomyfriendsintheNgalivillage,tothetradersofFreeStation,totheLataritribesmenofRechiend’sPlains.ThefireflyplaguenowvisitsitselfonBrachantes.Theluminousbugsfindthepartsofhimthatarefleshyandhuman.Theyburrowdeep,boringthroughhimliketermitesthroughwood,antsthroughthepulpoffallenfruit.Abloodrainfallsashisfleshistornfromhim.Heopenshisthroattoscreamouthisagony,butnosoundcomes.
Hestaggers,fallingtooneknee.Brachantesissmalleragainnow,perhapsreturnedtohisnativeshape.Itishardtosayforsure,withsomuchmeatpulledawayfromhisbones.Icanseeribcage,andapatchofexposedskullabovehislefteye.
“Youarebeaten,Brachantes,”Itellhim.“Yes,”hesays.
“Yes,”hesays.Thespearisstillinhishand.Hedropstotheground,musteringonelast
reserveofstrength,andhurlsit.Theshaftsailsthroughtheair.Idiveatit,meaningtodeflectitfromitscourse,butthegesturehassurprisedme,andIstrikeonlyemptyair.
Ihittheground,roll,andlookuptoitsdestination.Mwondukstandsstaringdullyatthespearthathaspiercedhischest.The
headprotrudesfromhisback,gobbetsofheartmusclehangingfromitssharpenedtip.Thecolordrainsfromhimashecollapses.Sunasukarunstohisside.Theslumpofhershouldersconfirmsit:heisdead,andnothingcanbedone.
ThenIamonBrachantes,kneesdiggingintohisruinedchest.Ishoutathim,stupidly,uselesslyrepeatingtheonequestionthatneverhasananswer.Iamaskinghimwhy.Whydidhehavetokillthechild?
Bloodfoamsfromtheoutlander’sruinedmouth.“IfIcan’thavehim,noonecan.”Hesaysitsimply,asifnostatementcouldmakemoresense.Thereisnomockery,nogloatinginit.Hehasactedaccordingtohiscode.DefeatforBrachantesmustbedefeatforall.
Timestops.Thereisnooneintheworldexceptformeandthiscreaturehelplessbeneathme.Ithinkofhowclosewehavecometoreachingourgoal.Ofthedeathstocomefromthefireflyplague,whichwehavelostthemeanstoend.Oftheboy,andhowhewaswillingtodieforthegoodofothers,butnotlikethis,notpointlessly.
Myhandsclosearoundthegore-slickedneck.Hiswoundscouldeasilyprovefatal,evenwithoutmyintervention.ButI
wanttobetheonewhokillshim.Whosqueezesthelastbreathsfromhislungs.Pressesshuthiswindpipe,untilhissoulfluttersfromhimanddepartsforwhateverhellawaitsit.
Iconsidermyowncode,whichforcesuponmetheobligationsofthoseIslay.Whatdebtsdoesthismancarry,thatallowedhimtoconstructhisislandofcages,tocollectsomanycaptivecreatures?Atthismoment,theydonotseemsounbearable,notcomparedtothetwolife-pricesIalreadypayeachdayofmylife.Iwillgotohisisland,Idecide.IndischargeofhisresponsibilitiesIwillflingopenhiscages.Grantfreedomtohisslaves.
Myfingerstighten.Thenrelax.Iriseandstepback.TheCodeofAraisnotatrader’sledgersheet,withcosts
weightedagainstgains.Thelife-priceisapunishmentforacrime,forbreakingtheholiestofancestraledicts.
“Lethimdieonhisown,”Imutter.
“Lethimdieonhisown,”Imutter.Sunasukacallsmyname.Iturntoseetheboy’sbodyconvulsingfrom
within.Atfirst,myheartleaps,asIthinkhimmiraculouslysaved.ThenIseethatheiscomingapart.Brachanteskilledhimwithmorethanathrownspear.Somebanefulmagicnowdestroyshisremains.Thesightofitnumbsme.Limbswizenandshrivel.Afissureopensinhischest.Theheadlollsoff.
Thepyramid,whichstoodonthevergeofopeningbeforeBrachantesappeared,resumesitsrumbling.Thegap,arrestedbefore,widens.Acrimsonglowescapesfromit,bathingfirstthecanopydirectlyoverhead,thentheentirejungle.
Fromtheopening,avast,blood-redformarises.Itisshapedlikeafirefly,itsbeetlewingsspanninghundredsoffeet.Thegoddesshascometopunishourfailure.
Shehoversaboveus,thebuffetingforceofherwingsthrowingupacloudofdirtandleaf-dust.
AcreaturestirsinsideMwonduk’scorpse.Itcrawlsfromhistorso,leavingtheremainderemptiedoutandhollow.
Ittooisacrimsonfirefly,areducedcounterparttoKitumu,overhead.Theinsectisatmostthreefeetlong,fromthetipofitssearchingfeelerstotheglowingbulbattheendofitsbody.Itopensupitshardoutershelltorevealthewingshiddenbeneath.Tentatively,itbuzzesthembackandforth.Itliftsitselfintotheairandcirclesaroundus.Thecreaturestopsinfrontofeachofus,startingfirstwithVerkusht.Itwavesitsantennaegently,almostcaressingly,ateachofus,asifmakingafarewell.ItscircuitendswithmeandfinallySunasuka.
ThenitspiralsdowntoBrachantes.Nowhelaughs,butthejokeisruefulandaimedathimself.“Thisiswhy...wantedhim.Notcursed,”hegasps.“Agod.Ayounggod.Icouldhavehadthepowerofa...”
Withred,segmentedlegs,theinsectthatwasonceaboyseizesBrachantes,piercingdownintotheoutlander’sremainingflesh.Brachantesregistersthepainasasoftexhalation.TheMwondukbugtugshissquirmingbodyupintotheair.Strainingathisweight,itbuzzesuptoitsmother,Kitumu,whocirclesabove.Itfliesoverherbeetleface.Kitumuclickshermandiblesandopenshergullet.Herchilddropsinthesacrificialoffering.Brachantesmustersonelastwailasheisconsumed.
TheMwondukbugcirclesitsmotherassheretreatsintothepyramid.Withoutagestureofdivinegratitude,orthemerestacknowledgmentofourpresence,shevanishesintothetempledepths.Thesmallerinsectseemstopause,toflutterwingsatus,beforefollowingthegoddessinside.
Thegroundrumblesasthetemplesealsitselfup.Asmortals,wehavedonewhatwasexpectedofus.Weservedthegoddess.
Thatsheslewhundredsofpeoplesimplytoattractourobedienceisofno
“Whocansaywhetheranewborngodremembershisfriends?”
Thatsheslewhundredsofpeoplesimplytoattractourobedienceisofnoconsequencetoher.Mortalsaredisposable,especiallytonature’sdevouringgods.Despitemywounds,mystill-spinninghead,thesicklyfeelingofhavingcometooclosetoanancientandindifferentdivinity,Ifeelalightness.
Inmymarrow,Iknowit:theplaguehasended,andwillnotreturn.Verkushtclapshishands
together.“My,my.Thatwentbetterthanexpected.”Seeingthatnooneelseshareshisjollity,hetriesharder.“Forexample,noneofustriedtokillanyoftheothers.Surelythat’safirst.”
Withoutwarning,SunasukahurlsherselfatObai,spittingunintelligibleaccusations.ArokcomesatherfromtheleftandIfromtheright.Wewresttherecovereddoublemonkeyclubfromhergrasp.Obaiinterruptsthespellshe’dbeenpreparing.
“Whyfightnow?”Isay.“Allisforthebest!”Sunasuka,stillstrugglingtofreeherselfofourcombinedgrip,shouts:“You
saidthechildwasaccursed!”“Iwasnotwrong,”Obaisays,thecontradictoryscarsonthesidesofher
mouthfrowningandsmiling.“Thechildwasaccursed.”Sunasukaloosesastreamofprofanities,bothforeignandMwangi.“Igrant,”Obaisays,“thatIwasimpreciselyinformedastothecurse’strue
nature.”HottearsstreamSunasuka’scheeks.Shecanseeonlythebalancepriestess.
“Youhadusthinkingwe’dhavetomurderthechild!”“Ofallofushere,naturepriestess,youknowthatgreatforcesspeaktous,
butneverrevealall.Andclearly,theboywascursed.Ratherthanamortalcursedtobedevoured,hewasadeificbeing,cursedtoekehisfirstmiserableyearsinmortalform.Muchlikeanactuallightningbug,spendingitsearliestdaysasaglowing,toxicworm.”
SunasukatakesafreshlungeattheNethyspriestess;theapeandItightenourholdonher.“Theentirejourney,myhearthasbeenacoldfistinmychest!”
“Wewerenevergoingtokilltheboy.Weweremerelyinstrumentsofcosmicbalance,allowingagodtoworkherwill.Andthisshedid.”
cosmicbalance,allowingagodtoworkherwill.Andthisshedid.”Sunasukacalmsherself.Weletherstormtoanearbybrook,whereshe
splasheswateronherface.ApensivelookcrossesKatiiwa’sface.“DoyouthinkMwondukwasborn
mortal,sothathewouldunderstandourfearsandcares?”Obaichuckles,musicalandcold.“Nothingsoromantic,I’msure.Whatdoes
agodlingoffirefliescareaboutmortalexistence?”
IgazeuponthepyramidofKitumu,nowclosed,andwonder.
AbouttheAuthorRobinD.LawsistheauthorofthePathfinderTalesnovelTheWorldwound
Gambitandsixothernovels,aswellasvariousshortstories,webserials,andcomicbooks,plusalonglistofroleplayinggameproducts.HisnovelsincludePiercedHeart,TheRoughandtheSmooth,andtheAngelikaFleischerseriesfortheBlackLibrary.RobincreatedtheclassicRPGFengShuiandsuchrecenttitlesasMutantCityBlues,Skulduggery,andthenewlyredesignedHeroQuest2.ThoseinterestedinlearningmoreaboutRobinareadvisedtocheckouthisblog.