Shadowfell: Raven Flight Part 7

He swam up to the surface, the sun lending him a sudden brightness. Above, the dark shadow of a gull, hovering.

aMy creatures are efficient hunters,a came the Hagas voice from beside me. aKeep your wee one safe. Keep him alive.a It was the hardest call I had yet attempted. The small one was in a panic, every sense attuned to flight, deafened by fear. He darted one way, then the other, deeper, shallower, in and out of the light. The gull was in no hurry; it kept pace, beating its wings a few times, then gliding above the prey, waiting for the right moment to s.n.a.t.c.h. My call had no words in it. I was the sea current was.h.i.+ng the small one toward the concealment of the reef; I was a wavelet moving a tiny raft of floating debris over to hide him. I was a watery embrace, cradling him, bearing him to safety. Not much farther. Come, come on.

aYour wee one is flagging. Do not let him die.a He was exhausted. His mind was blank with terror, adrift and helpless. The gull hovered, ready for the strike.

I was not aware of making a choice. I called Come up! and in my mind was Himself, a powerful and ancient island presence, grave and good and kindly. Come up and save this wee one from death. All that I had learned, all that the Hag had taught me, and all that I knew before, I put into the call. The words in my mind were simple, but my intention included far more: Do no harm as you come, to yourself or to any creature. I hope you will see this as an amus.e.m.e.nt, not as an imposition. I tried to hold both selkie and fishling in my mind: great and small, strong and weak.

I did not see what happened, exactly. Even if my eyes had been open, we were too far away, too high up. But I felt it. The water moving, the selkie cleaving a powerful path through the waves, the little fish finding itself washed sideways under a projecting shelf of rock, where it sheltered in a minuscule cavern. The selkie pa.s.sing by to surge up from the water and plunge down again in play, and the gull in its neat boots flying high, swooping low, until it became quite obvious the whole thing was a game. I opened my eyes to find that both selkie and gull were indeed visible, down below us in the sun-touched waves, dancing about as if mightily pleased with themselves.

I swayed, suddenly dizzy.

aSit down.a The Hag took hold of my arm, moved me back from the cave mouth, and helped me sit. aEat, drink, rest awhile.a She fetched the food herself, making sure I drank from the waterskin, dividing the supplies into two portions. I could hardly summon the strength to pick up a piece of bread, let alone take a bite of it.

aEat,a she said again. aYou surprised me. Took a harder path. You could have called the bird. What if Himself had decided not to cooperate?a aThen I would have made an error in thinking I had learned enough to summon him.a Herself smiled, revealing her sharp white teeth. aNone of those tricky answers, la.s.sie. Itas not the Master of Shadows youare dealing with. Say plainly why you made that choice, and donat mince your words.a aI thought you were testing me. It seemed a good time to try a another step.a aTesting yourself, aye?a I could not tell if she was pleased or offended by what I had done. aI meant no disrespect. Even though Himself does not talk to me, not in words, I sense he is very wise. And I think he enjoys a joke. If I had not known that, I would not have called such a powerful being when this was only an a exercise.a I hesitated. aNo, thatas not quite right. There was a life in the balance, and every life matters. It burdens me that some were lost along the path of my learning. Every life is precious, from the smallest to the most powerful. From a wee fish to a yourself.a The only thing I did not add, would not, was that I thought maybe she and the selkie were a team in more than one way; that perhaps he moderated her magic and her choices, even to the extent of being her equal in power and influence. This was a deep kind of knowledge, one that lay beyond words.

aAye,a was all the Hag said. aOh, aye.a We shared the food in silence, then she made me rest awhile, lying on the cave floor breathing in slow patterns until I had recovered my strength. It was a long time before she spoke again.

aDo not be concerned about overreaching yourself. You understand the natural order of things; youare in no danger of forgetting it. If you were, I would not be teaching you. Itas a balance you must always keep, Neryn, for a Caller must on the one hand be sure and confident in the use of the gift, and on the other hand have no desire for personal power, no ambition to rule or to dominate. You know the perils that could lead to.a aI do.a aYou understand, donat you, that if you should fall into the hands of the king, head likely not want to destroy you, but to use your gift for his own ends?a aYes. Weave known that from the first.a aThen take the greatest care on your journey, for although your gift is not yet fully developed, it is strong. The risks are high. You carry within you the power to save Alban from this kingas tyranny. You carry also the potential for great harm, should others seek to turn you to their will.a aI understand.a aWell, then,a she said. aYouall be off to the north, and good luck to you.a It took me a moment to understand. aYou mean a I am finished here?a And on my lips was the word Already? though that was quite the opposite of what Tali would have said. It did not seem possible that I had learned all the Hag had to teach me.

aFor now. I think we will see you in the isles again someday. But youave a long journey ahead of you before that time comes. The Lord of the North a they say his folk cannot wake him from sleep, for heas sunk deep in sorrow. They may welcome you, if they believe you can rouse him. The White Lady has long kept her light veiled; she will be hard to find. As for the Master of Shadows, he is a wayward creature. Thereas no knowing what to expect from him.a I was still recovering from the startling fact that I was released from training and free to go. I knew these were good tidings. If we moved quickly, we could be at Shadowfell in time to see the others; with luck, I might complete my training with the Lord of the North before winter. But a aYou look less than delighted,a the Hag observed dryly.

aI am a pleased. Surprised. And sad that I will be leaving the isles. Youave given me a rare gift. The learning has been hard at times. Testing. Different. But I will miss it, and I will miss you.a She grinned. aNow, that does surprise me. Should I have been harder on you, I wonder? Crueler? Or is it not me youall be missing, but Himself, with his quiet way of getting into folkas hearts?a aI will miss both of you, and I will miss the isles and the fine people who live here. This place is like the Alban of old, Alban as it should be. I never lived in that Alban; Keldec became king in the year of my birth. If we win our war, if we restore peace and justice and ordinary lives for everyone, I would like to settle here. With a with my man. But I shouldnat say that. I shouldnat even think it. Thatas perilous. Itas forbidden.a Her grin had faded. aYou need your dreams,a she said. aYou need hope. Go on now, tell your friend the good news, for it is good, and say your farewells to the folk who have helped you.a aWeall have to arrange a boata"a aOne of the lads will ferry you over. Wead best send a bird to eye out the situation at Pentishead, make sure itas safe for you. Tell your guard not to rush into anything. Wait for my word.a aOf course. And thank you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.a aAch, away with you! Be brave, be strong, be wise. That will be the best thanks for me.a On the sh.o.r.e at Pentishead, a boat was burning. I saw the smoke as we headed northward on a fis.h.i.+ng vessel crewed by a pair of taciturn islanders, and Tali with her sharp eyes told us what it was. There were Enforcers in Pentishead, so our boatmen would be dropping us at Darkwater instead. I sat in the stern, keeping out of the way, my mind full of the night my father died. In a boat moored at the Darkwater jetty. A boat all aflame. As my belly churned with sick memory, I told myself, Be brave, be strong, be wise.

Tali had not offered to help sail the boat, but sat beside me wrapped in her own thoughts. I could guess what was troubling her. From Darkwater our path would be longer. Every delay made it less likely we could reach Shadowfell by midsummer. I imagined she was revising her strategy, calculating what paths we might take, perhaps whether we would risk crossing Keenanas land again to win ourselves a few days.

Far Isle slipped away behind us; the plume of smoke became a ribbon, then a thread picked apart by the wind. Grim-faced, the fishermen kept their gaze northward. Particles of ash floated in the air around us.

The boat moved on through sea mist and smoky shadows, bearing us to Darkwater. We left the isles behind.

OUR BOATMEN PUT US ASh.o.r.e NEAR THE MOUTH of Darkwater Loch, some distance from the settlement. As soon as they had unloaded us and our belongings, they turned the boat and headed back out to sea in the gathering dark.

We made camp in the remains of a ruined croft. We had supplies, thanks to the kindness of the islanders, and if we could avoid peopleas notice on the way, so much the better. As it was, when I rose next morning, it was to find Tali gazing eastward along the loch and muttering to herself.

aWhat?a I asked, trying not to snarl. My back was aching; I had become used to the comfortable bed on Far Isle.

aEnforcers. Rode into the settlement at first light. At least three of them; I can see horses that donat belong to any local farmer. We wonat be going that way either. Pack up quickly, letas be gone before anyone decides this would be a nice spot for a morning walk.a Her tone softened a little as she looked at me. aIt should be safe to go down to the water and wash your face, wake yourself up a bit. Iam sorry if you wanted to go up there and say your goodbyes. Itas not to be.a It was less than a year since the night my father died. It felt as if an age had pa.s.sed. aIave said my goodbyes,a I told her. aHeas with me wherever I go. Tali, there is no other path. Only the main track, and the little one that goes up the hill right behind the settlement, the one Flint took me on last time.a aIall find a track. Get moving, wash, and pack your things. Weall eat later, when weare safely away from here.a She did not say it, but it was in my thoughts as I splashed my face in the salt water of the shallows, threw on the rest of my clothes, and stuffed my belongings in my bag. There were Enforcers in Pentishead; there were Enforcers at Darkwater. Might they not have a presence all the way from here to Summerfort?

There was no going by the main track. The kingas men were everywhere. Tali took me north, then inland, planning to come back southward to the track Flint and I had once used. But the way was all steep rocky climbs and sudden treacherous drops, a landscape full of perils even for the most seasoned wayfarer, and painfully slow to traverse.

Days pa.s.sed, precious days, with little ground gained. Our supplies ran low again. What woodlands existed here were small and spa.r.s.e, not like the forested hills farther east, where a skillful person could trap rabbits or forage for herbs and roots. Any creatures who survived in this place were fast runners and expert hiders. We rationed what we had, refilled our waterskins whenever we could, and kept on going.

Tali did not like admitting she had made a mistake. She was seldom wrong, and to err on such an important matter was galling to her. But the path she chose, at some points the only possible path, led us farther and farther north and became harder and harder. One morning, after a night spent sleeping among barren hills, we climbed to a vantage point and looked out over a landscape of daunting wildness: high mountains to the north, a deep valley to the east with more mountains beyond, lower hills to the west, and beyond them the gray expanse of the sea. As the raven flew, we had not come far at all. And there was no way ahead.

aAll right,a Tali said, as if the thing had been settled between us already, though I had held my tongue and let her lead me, believing that if she said she could find a path to the Rush valley, she could do just that. aWeare going back. If I thought there were a way to get straight to your Lord of the North from here, Iad suggest we change the plan and do that. But thereas no way we can cross those mountains.a aGoing back. You mean back to Darkwater.a aWhat do you think I mean?a It was a snarl. I knew her well enough to realize her anger was not directed at me.

aThe Enforcers might be gone by now, I suppose.a I offered this tentatively, wondering if silence might be a wiser option.

aIave no intention of taking you right through the settlement, Neryn. Iam not stupid. Iall find another path.a A silence. Perhaps she was waiting for me to say, Iave heard that before.

aWead better be moving, then.a This was a disaster either way. Make good time, and we would arrive on the road to Summerfort when everyone was heading for the Gathering. Be slow, and we would meet them coming back. Go to ground somewhere until they had pa.s.sed, and we had no chance of reaching the Lord of the North before winter.

It was much later, when we had been walking all day and were starting to look for a place to settle for the night, that she said, aIam sorry, Neryn. I was sure I could do this.a When I did not reply, she went on, aThank you for not saying what you might have said. Iall get you to the Lord of the North in time. I promise.a aDonat promise,a I said. aYou canat control the Enforcers. Or the weather. I know youall do your best, and thatas enough. Now letas find somewhere to camp before my legs give up and you have to carry me.a By the time we reached the Darkwater area again, we had stopped talking about getting to Shadowfell by midsummer. Quite clearly that was now impossible. Looking down on Darkwater settlement from the concealment of the forested hill behind, we saw Enforcers patrolling there, masked figures on long-legged dark horses. Signs of last autumnas raid still marked the place: the jetty was half-burned, and there were houses with patched-up doors and shutters. I whispered a prayer for my father, whose bones lay down there in the bay somewhere, washed by the endless tide. We hastened away, turning our steps eastward.

For the next two days we made good progress, following a snaking path through the hills. At night we camped without fire, for although we were off the main way, this region had more farms and settlements than the north, and we did not want to attract attention any sooner than we must. On the third day, as we drew closer to Silverwater, it became impossible to go unnoticed even in the forest. Folk were on the move and headed in one direction only: toward Summerfort. They went mostly in small groups, carrying bundles on their backs. Here and there we saw a child in arms or a dog running alongside. The travelersa faces were not bright with the antic.i.p.ation of feasting and entertainment, but wary, as if we were not the only ones wis.h.i.+ng to avoid attention.

There were some exceptions. A group of young men, joking and laughing, stopped to greet us at a fork in the track, asking if we wanted company on our way. It seemed they had been drinking ale, and perhaps that explained their boldness. Tali managed a laugh in response and said no thank you, her husband would not be happy with the idea. To my great relief the lads did not press the point, but went on their way. We waited until they were out of sight, then took the other fork.

Our story had changed to suit the circ.u.mstances. Calla and Luda were from a tiny settlement north of Darkwater, and had been allowed time off from their farmwork to attend the Gathering. It was the most plausible reason for heading east: a reason n.o.body could question, since half of Alban seemed to be doing the same thing. Once close to Summerfort, we would seize the first opportunity to head up into the woods again and bypa.s.s the Gathering altogether. What better time to get up the Rush valley unnoticed than when the eyes of Keldecas court were on the midsummer spectacle? The Enforcers would all be there; the settlements of Alban would be spared their ominous presence, at least for a while.

Eventually Silverwater came into view, a long, s.h.i.+ning expanse of freshwater amid tracts of pine and oak forest. The trees were in full summer garb, lush and green; it should be easy to find concealed paths through that woodland, which was the place where I had first met Sage and Red Cap last autumn. Would they be anywhere near? With so many men and women on the road, it seemed unlikely the Good Folk would come out. Most people carried knives for their own protection, and few, if any, would trouble to s.h.i.+eld them with charms, even if they knew how. To uncanny folk, the very air must reek of iron.

We sat awhile on a flat rock, high on a hillside, looking out over loch and forest. The day was fair, the sky a sweet blue with scudding clouds like tufts of swansdown.

aNeryn.a aMm?a aIave been thinking. From this point on we might be safer on the main road, in the crowd. On these side tracks weall be noticed every time we encounter other travelers. If we walk with a bigger group, or at least near one, weave a better chance of blending in.a aThere will be kingas men down there, keeping an eye out for anything unusual.a aWeare not unusual. Weare just two more women on the road. Keep to the story, say no more than we absolutely must, and we can get through safely. We should be on the sh.o.r.e of Silverwater by tonight. Easier to join the crowd now than suddenly appear just before Hiddenwater, where weave no choice but to use the only track.a aAll right. If thatas what you think is best.a aYou donat sound convinced.a I did not tell her the thought of sharing the road with Enforcers made me feel sick. It was all very well for her; she had not seen her brother impaled on an enemy spear and choking on his lifeblood. She had not seen her grandmother turned into a witless sh.e.l.l at the hands of an Enthraller. She had not been captured and believed herself about to undergo the same fate. But no, that was unfair. I did not know Talias story. Alban being the place it was, very likely her past had its own share of horrors. aI know we have to do it sometime soon,a I said. aBut Iam afraid. I canat help it. If something goes wrong, I wonat be able to call, not down there.a aIndeed, so make sure youare not tempted. Whatever happens. I mean that, Neryn. Whatever happens. Do you understand? The kingas men mustnat get the slightest sniff of the fact that youare a Caller. Not the least hint.a The look on her face terrified me. aI know that,a I muttered.

aI can keep you safe in most situations, though if Iam supposed to be a farmworker, itas clearly best if I donat have to fight.a Her weapons traveled rolled up in the bedding, apart from one knife concealed on her person. She had her staff, of course, which I had cause to know she could employ with great skill in both attack and defense. In a fight against a single Enforcer she might well win, even so lightly armed. To do so would be almost as perilous as my using my gift, for such acts never went unpunished, and the kingas punishments were delivered with both speed and savage efficiency.

We camped in the woods one more night. The next morning we joined the crowd on the road. Here the foot traffic was supplemented by ox-drawn carts, by small groups of highborn folk on horseback, and by the occasional flock of sheep or herd of goats that still had to be moved along, Gathering or no Gathering. Even here the mood was subdued, for wariness and distrust had worked their way deep into the fabric of Albanas people during the years of Keldecas reign. In the main, folk gave us sideways looks, then ignored us. The most we got from anyone was a nod, a word or two on the weather or the crowded road. We returned these cursory greetings in kind. Making friends was not part of the plan.

Talias theory proved to be correct: despite the press of folk, progress was quicker on this more direct path. I hated it. I could see from the tight set of Talias body that she was uncomfortable too. Every word and every gesture had to be guarded. We walked all day, and when the fading light made going on impossible, we did what everyone else did: found a suitable spot by the road to make a rudimentary camp. The distrust between folk was not so great as to prevent each encampment from sharing a fire: everyone helped gather wood, and everyone enjoyed the warmth. Our supplies being scant, we went down to the loch and fished, competing with many others. We were lucky; or maybe we were more practiced. We shared our catch with a family that had been keeping pace with us on the road, a farmer and his wife with two shy daughters. The girls were close to the age I had been when the Enforcers came to Corbieas Wood and tore my world apart. I wondered why their parents would choose to take them to the Gathering.

In time we came to Hiddenwater, where the warrior-ghosts had recognized in Tali the proof that their chieftainas n.o.ble line lived on. She walked by that lonely loch with her raven markings hidden, and folk stretched out before and behind, eyes uneasy, tongues silent. Everyone knew the place was haunted. Perhaps only Tali and I were aware of how close those presences were, though we saw nothing of them, only heard, in the chill wind that whistled through the bowl-shaped valley, the echo of pipe and drum.

aWe greet you,a I whispered into a fold of my shawl. aWe honor you. Today we must pa.s.s on by.a Beside me, Tali strode forward, her eyes s.h.i.+ning with the memory, her jaw set like a fighteras. I jabbed her in the ribs, scowling. aYouare walking too fast for me, Luda.a She rounded her shoulders, slowed her pace, became more of a girl and less of a warrior before my eyes.

aI hate this,a she whispered. aEvery wretched step of it.a aMe too. I hope itas not too much farther.a She blinked at me, then fell silent. Calla and Luda, after all, were going to the Gathering for the very first time. The closer we got to Summerfort, the more important it became to play our parts every moment of every day.

By Deepwater we encountered the group of noisy young men again. They camped near us and kept everyone awake with their oaths and ribald stories. The couple with the two daughters settled as far from the youths as they could, and Tali and I spread out our bedding alongside them, well away from the fire. We ate cold fish left over from the previous night, then settled to sleep. But the voices went on, loud, combative, slurred by too much ale.

aA pox on you, good-for-nothing maggot, I can beat you anytime!a aJust try it, you sick whelp! Youall get whatas coming to you.a aCall me names, would you? Iam more man than you are!a aGet up and show us, then! Letas see the size of you!a aCalla.a The sharp whisper was Talias. A fight had broken out among the youths and was drawing in other men from the encampment. Someone ran across the area and fell over one of the two young girls, who screamed in fright; her father rose to his feet, fists bunched. aGet up, back away quietly.a Into the shadows, she meant, out of sight and out of trouble. I scrambled to my feet.

The farmer had stepped in front of his daughters and was confronting the fellow who had woken them. aKeep your distance, lout. And hush your noise; thereas folk here need their sleep.a aCalla, move.a I backed away, beyond the circle of firelight.

aWho are you calling a lout, old man? Hit me, go on, hit me!a aCalm down,a the farmer said, not giving an inch. Behind him his wife had put an arm around either daughter, like a hen spreading her wings to protect her chickens. aYouave had too much ale, lad, thatas about the size of it. Take a breath, back off, leave the rest of us alone. There are children here.a It was an impressive display of self-control.

aYou mean those girls hiding behind you? Children? Those are fine big la.s.sies, ripe for the taking. One for me, one for my friend herea"a The farmeras blow landed on his jaw and he went down like a felled tree. That should have been the end of it, but with roars of outrage the other youths surged forward, and suddenly what had been a foolish sc.r.a.p became something far more dangerous. The farmer was strong and sober, but angry; the youths were slowed by drunkenness, but there were six or seven of them to the one of him. The other travelers retreated into the shadows, as we had, not wanting to get involved. The woman and her two girls stood paralyzed with fear as the farmer took one blow after another. Now he was reeling, staggering, his punches wide of the target, his face red with effort. Two men held him back. Two more moved in on the mother and daughters.

I couldnat use my gift, not here among so many folk. But how could I stand by while an innocent man was hurt and two little girls were a.s.saulted? A man was grappling with the farmeras wife, trying to prize one of the girls from her arms. One of the youths seized the other girl and threw her, shrieking, over his shoulder.

aThis oneas mine!a he shouted.

The farmer was down, with two men kicking his p.r.o.ne form. I quivered with anger and frustration, desperate to run out there and do something.

aLeave that man alone!a Tali strode forward, staff in hand. aStep back and be quick about it.a Her voice cut through the din with calm authority. With the firelight making a flickering pattern of gold and gray on her strong features, she might have been a vengeful G.o.ddess from ancient times. Almost before I could draw a shocked breath, she executed a precise sequence of movements with booted feet and staff, and the two attackers were lying on the ground beside the farmer. aYou! Put that girl down right now or youall be joining them. Back off, the lot of you. Your behavior is a disgrace.a The youth set the girl on her feet and she ran to her mother, who was on her knees beside her husband now, checking his injuries. The other girl, showing considerable presence of mind, was fetching a waterskin and a cloth from their belongings.

aWhat sort of woman are you?a The young manas voice was shaking with bewildered fury. He advanced on Tali. Behind him, one or two of the othersa"perhaps less drunk or with better judgmenta"hovered as if uncertain whether to support him. aIad say thereas something wrong with you, thatas what Iad say.a He cast a glance around the firelit encampment, as if to draw in the silent onlookers. aSomething not right. No woman fights like that. No ordinary woman. Give her a knife, someone. Letas see how she does in a real fight.a Tali had not moved. She stood relaxeda"I knew from experience how deceptive this pose wasa"with her staff upright by her side, held loosely with one hand. One of the youths pa.s.sed the combative one a knife; another held out a similar weapon to Tali.

aI have my own knife,a she said levelly. aBut I shouldnat think Iad be needing it.a She laid the staff down carefully, then walked forward. aAre you quite sure you want to do this?a she asked politely. aMight it not be wiser to pack up and leave this place, so the rest of us can get some sleep before tomorrowas walk?a The young man surged toward her, shouting abuse and slas.h.i.+ng with his knife. Tali scarcely seemed to move, but a moment later the weapon was flying through the air and the a.s.sailant was sprawled on the ground at her feet, wheezing. The knife landed among his companions; they shrank back to avoid injury. Tali made play of dusting off her hands.

aPack your things and go,a she said quietly. aI donat care if itas the middle of the night. These good people donat want your company. You sully the ground you walk on. You pollute the air you breathe. Is this the best you can do, drinking and quarreling and taking your anger out on ordinary folk whoave done you no harm? You should be ashamed of yourselves. Go. Now. And think on my words. Youare young, youare strong, youare healthy. Make something better of your lives.a In the hush that followed, I heard the older girl sobbing quietly and the groans of the farmer as he came back to consciousness. And I heard, as the young men gathered their things and walked out of the encampment, someone muttering, aWhat ordinary woman fights like that? Something wrong there.a Later, while the encampment slept, Tali and I lay close together and conducted a conversation in whispers. I did not chide her for breaking our self-imposed rules. She did not apologize for drawing attention.

aMaybe we should head up into the hills.a aNow, in the dark?a aTomorrow, early. Those men might talk.a aThere are people everywhere, Neryn. You saw them. Running off now is more likely to create suspicion. It would look like an admission of guilt. We should stick to the plan, stay with other people, blend into the crowd.a To this, I had nothing to say. If that was her idea of blending, we were in serious trouble. But I understood entirely why she had done it.

aAnother few days and weall be close by Summerfort. Thatas the time to break away, when peopleas attention is on something else.a aIf we went now a they could hide us, maybe. Sageas clan. I could ask them.a aNo!a The protest was sharp, and there was a sleepy mumble from someone nearby, reminding us of the peril of unguarded words. aYou canat bring them out, Neryn, not with so many people around. Itas too risky. Now wead better be quiet. Try to get some rest.a We headed on eastward. Today the farmer and his family were giving us a wider berth. They did not speak to us, nor did they offer to share their food, but turned their faces away rather than meet our eyes. Even among themselves they werenat talking much. The others who had camped alongside us had dispersed into the greater crowd, and on the next night we slept beside strangers, apart from the farmeras family, who established themselves on the opposite side of the encampment. No doubt they knew Tali had taken a risk to defend them, though just how much of a risk only the two of us understood. No doubt they were grateful. But folk feared trouble, and with Summerfort so close and Enforcers out on the road in increasing numbers, they dared not be seen speaking to us in case the young men had been right, and Talias outstanding combat skill was a canny gift. If we had not been so on edge, we might almost have laughed at that.

On the second morning after the attack on the farmer, the throng on the road was so big that it became hard to make any progress at all. A cart got its wheels stuck in the ditch ahead of us and overturned, spilling a cargo of flour sacks, some of which burst as they landed. We were trapped in a crush of people behind this obstacle, waiting for a group of frazzled men to clear the way. I had never felt so tempted to bolt up into the woods and hide. I longed to be by a campfire with my fey friends, listening to Sageas wise advice and watching as Red Cap tended to his precious infant. The wee one must be almost a year old by now; I hoped it was thriving back in its home forest, if indeed they were here and not out spreading the word across the west. I missed them. I missed the Hag and Himself. I wondered where Flint was now. It was a long time since I had dreamed of him.

aHold still there!a A manas shout, deep and commanding, snapped me out of my reverie. The crowd fell silent. A rider threaded his way through, coming from behind us: a masked rider on a tall black horse, the harness jingling with fine silver. Behind him came two more. Suddenly, everyone was standing very still indeed. And although, before, there had hardly been room to move, somehow room was made for the Enforcers.

They rode up to the fallen cart and halted. Two got down and began issuing crisp orders; the third stayed on his horse, his gaze moving over the crowd. After a moment he bent down to speak to someone standing beside him.

aCalla.a Talias voice was an urgent undertone.

aWhat?a aTake this. Take my knife. Vanish into the crowd. Now.a No time for questions. I managed to s.n.a.t.c.h the bag as she slung it off her shoulder. I grabbed the knife and stuck it in my belt. As I shrank back into the press of bodies, thankful that folkas attention was all on the kingas men, I heard the sound of hoofbeats behind me, and the Enforceras voice, closer now.

aIs that the woman you saw?a aThatas her.a I knew that second voice; it was one of the boorish youths from our encampment. Nausea rose in my throat. I clenched my teeth on a cry of protest.

aYou! Halt!a Not me; Tali. This was what shead antic.i.p.ated. Shead spotted the young man close to the Enforcers and known what was coming. And since theread be no getting herself out of this particular tight corner, shead stepped away from me so that I would not be taken too. For Tali was not Reganas secret weapon: I was.

I could not move farther away without pus.h.i.+ng people aside and drawing attention to myself. I must hope n.o.body chose to identify me as her traveling companion. I watched, my belly churning, as the Enforcer swung down from his horse and seized her by the arm. This time she chose not to fight. She stood silent, pa.s.sive, as the kingas man delivered a brutal blow to her jaw, sending her reeling; as he pinned her arms behind her back and bound her wrists together; as he flung her up over his horse, on her belly, and remounted behind her. She hung there limp and silent. I cursed the promise that would not let me use my gift to save her.

The cart and its spilled contents were cleared from the track. The Enforcers rode off eastward, and Tali was gone. Taken for the king. Taken for the Gathering. Why didnat you fight back? I asked her silently, but I knew the answer. Not because one woman against three Enforcers would be ridiculous oddsa"that wouldnat have stopped her. Shead reasoned that the less of a scene there was, the more likely I could slip quietly away.

The crowd followed the riders; I was drawn along with everyone else, heading toward Summerfort. All day I walked, until my back was on fire with pain and my legs were shaking with weariness. There were moments when I might perhaps have made a run for it, headed up a side track without attracting too much attention. But it was never truly safe. Carrying the two bags, I would not be able to climb quickly to the cover of thicker woodland, and if I stopped to repack, folk would notice. There might be someone here who had seen me and Tali walking together earlier. One of those young oafs might think to amuse himself by turning me in as well.

So I plodded on, stopping briefly to drink and to force down a mouthful or two from our meager rations. When the glittering water of the loch began to darken and a wash of violet-gray spread across the sky, I drifted after a group of folk who were looking for a place to camp, and settled myself on the northern edge of the spot they chose, a narrow strip of level ground between the road and the steep wooded hillside. It was not the most comfortable place, but that was good; with luck, no more would come to join them.

As the dusk deepened, I unpacked Talias bag and transferred the contents to mine. Her knives I rolled in a shawl and stuffed into the bottom; it seemed unlikely I would be using them. Iall keep them safe for you, I told her. Iall keep them oiled and polished and ready. I folded her clothing as flat as I could; when she escaped, she would want her trousers, her boyas tunic, her gauntlets, her wrist braces. In an inside pocket of her bag something small was tucked away. I drew it out, and in the pale light of the rising moon I saw that it was a tiny bird carved from oak wood, a raven, wrapped in a square of soft woolen cloth. You will fly again, I told her, and now I could not hold back my tears; they flowed hot down my cheeks. Youall fly swift and straight as the raven. n.o.body can bring you down. They would take her straight to Summerfort. A fine, strong fighter. If shead been a man, shead have made a perfect Enforcer, once they rendered her loyal. But women did not become Enforcers. What would they do to her?

What comes next, Tali? I asked her. What is the plan now? I knew what she would tell me. On your own, youall be safer in the forest. Get off the road and head straight back to Shadowfell.

aSorry,a I whispered, tucking the little raven into my own bag. aYouare not just a comrade, youare my friend. And Iam not leaving you behind.a MY FATHER HAD TOLD ME ABOUT THE MIDSUMMER Gathering. Before Keldecas reign it had been a celebration of all things good in Alban, an opportunity for the chieftains to speak with the king and his councillors, a chance for ordinary folk to show their mettle in games and tests of skill and strength. There had been music, dancing, feasting. The gates to Summerfortas practice area had been flung open so people could go freely in and out from the great encampment that sprang up on the banks of the Rush, close to the place where it flowed into Deepwater. The Gathering had been held over three days and nights. It had drawn folk from all over Alban, and when it was finished, they had headed home with new heart.

Some things remained as before: the opening of the gates, the folk camped by the river, the three-day festivities. There were still games. But the nature of those games had changed. For Keldec had seen in this fine old celebration an opportunity to display his power to the chieftains and to anyone else he thought needed a reminder of what loyalty meant. He saw in it a chance to offer entertainment and mete out punishment at the same time. There was strength and skill enough on show. What had vanished was the heart and soul of the old Gathering, where prowess and courage went hand in hand with friends.h.i.+p and honor. Keldecas Gathering was a travesty.

Still, I was here, camped along with many other folk in one of the tentlike shelters that had been erected for the purpose on the open ground outside the walls of Summerfort. The fine old willows that had graced the river mouth when Iad pa.s.sed this way with my father had been felled, leaving only sad stumps.

What else had Father told me? That all the clans would be represented at the Gathering, each wearing a color or symbol by which their allegiance could be recognized. That if a chieftain was not present in person, he needed a very convincing excuse or he would soon be the target of Keldecas wrath. Sending a senior member of the household, such as the chieftainas wife, eldest son, or senior councillor, might suffice if that representative said the right things to Keldec or to Queen Varda. It might just as easily swing the other way, with the person taken hostage against the chieftainas ongoing loyalty.

The Gathering also gave king and queen the chance to test the allegiance of their own household, including their fighting forces. For that reason, every troop of Enforcers would be at Summerfort right now, along with many of the men-at-arms of the attending chieftains. The encampment was vast; alongside the shelters for ordinary travelers, there were grander, private pavilions and well-organized horse lines. Smoke curled up from cooking fires. Grooms led animals down to the river to drink; serving folk pa.s.sed by with bags of feed on their shoulders. With so many folk sharing the shelter, it was not too difficult to avoid undue attention, provided I kept my head down and my mouth shut. Only once, when I was pondering how I would feed myself until the Gathering was over and I could bolt up into the woods and forage, I was startled out of my reverie by a polite little cough. Looking up, I saw the younger of the farmeras daughters, the one whose sister had been a.s.saulted, standing there, holding out a bread roll. Over her arm she had a basket, in which more rolls nestled in a cloth.

aTake it,a the girl murmured, glancing one way then the other. Before I could stammer out a surprised thank-you, she thrust the roll into my hand and was gone.

There were places where foodstuffs could be bought for a copper or two: rolls, bannocks, griddle cakes, fried onions, sometimes fish. I did have a small store of coin, but going up to the food stall seemed too great a risk. That girlas act of kindness had reminded me how dangerous this was for me. Her family knew Iad been Talias companion on the road. It was only one step from that to someone telling the Enforcers.

I broke the roll into three, ate one piece, and tucked the others away. My own supplies were down to almost nothing. I could not afford to let hunger make me weak and confused. Whatever happened here, I needed my wits about me. If Tali was still alive, I was sure shead make an attempt to escape. I must be ready to help.

She would be furious if she knew Iad come here instead of heading straight for Shadowfell. Iad never be able to explain to her why Iad taken such a risk. It was beyond foolish, Neryn. You put the cause in peril. I prayed that I would get the opportunity to hear her lecture me once more. I tried not to dwell on the strong probability that there might be nothing I could do to save her.

It was the eve of the Gathering. In the morning Iad have to go through those gates and mingle with the crowd inside; there would be Enforcers everywhere. Already they patrolled the perimeter of the encampment, eyes watchful over the half masks that concealed their ident.i.ty. None of these men was Flint. I knew I would recognize him immediately, even masked and hooded.

But he would be here somewhere. He might even be in his old place at the kingas right hand. Had he seen Tali brought in? Was there any way he could help her? Tali had told me every rebel would put the cause before a comradeas life. Flint had proved that wrong when he raced back to the isles after his dream of me alone on the skerry. Our night together had been precious indeed; I could never wish it had not happened. But his action could have led to disastera"he would at the very least have had more difficult explanations to make on his return. Tali had been right. The only way to win this fight was by shutting off our feelings, by making ourselves into weapons for the cause. Feelings weakened us. They created complications and traps. Why, then, was I not on the way to Shadowfell, seizing the chance to get safely up the Rush valley while the eyes of the kingas men were on Summerfort? Why was I still here?

aA demonstration of loyalty,a the king said. aThat is what I require.a aYes, my lord king.a Owen Swift-Sword kept his voice quiet, his breathing steady. What would it be? A fight to the death? An order that he inflict punishment on the innocent before a cheering audience? I am become a travesty of a man, he thought. I sicken myself.

aOwen,a the king said. His tone was softer now; he spoke not as ruler to subject, but as friend to trusted friend. aYou understand the need to go through with these performances, so authority is maintained among the people. There are those who have questioned some of your recent actions. Raised doubts. Doubt breeds unrest. You comprehend how vital it is that everyone close to me is seen as entirely loyal.a aYes, my lord king.a aOwen. Look at me.a He lifted his head, looking up from where he knelt on the hard stone floor at Keldecas feet. They were alone in the small council chamber, while beyond bolted door and shuttered window the household worked late into the night, preparing for tomorrow. The king did not care for surprises. Every element of the Gathering would be under tight control.

Keldecas expression was benign. His narrow features were softened by a half smile; there was a conspiratorial twinkle in his eye. aYou know I would prefer not to go through with this,a he said. aYou know I want to trust you. Even now. Even after this.a aYes, my lord king.a aOwen. We are friends, are we not?a aWe are, my lord king.a aYou were not the only Enforcer to stray beyond the boundaries of acceptable behavior this year. You must be seen to face appropriate punishment, as the others will. I could require you to do battle with another of your kind. That would provide fine entertainment; my people enjoy a display of strength and skill, and nothing surpa.s.ses a fight to the death between peerless warriors.a A pause, carefully judged. aOr I could require you to excel in a feat of endurance or a test of will.a A longer pause. aBut I have devised something special for you: something that will remind my people what power this court can wield. I want that message to be clear to my chieftains. You understand the importance of that.a aI will be ready, my lord king.a I had seen Keldecas forces at work before. I had seen my village burned, my brother killed, my grandmother destroyed. I had watched as the Cull swept down on Darkwater; I had seen a boat go up in flames with my father aboard, along with other innocent men. I had been on the hillside above Silverwater looking on, the day a good chieftain and his wife were slain before their entire household. I should have been prepared. But nothing could prepare me for this.

Within the stone wall that encircled Summerfortas practice area, a second barrier had been erected, a waist-high fence of woven wattles to keep the crowd from the area where games and contests would be held. Folk poured into the section behind the wattle fence and I went with them, carrying my belongings. Not what Tali would want me to do; surely not where Flint would want me to be. But I knew in my bones that Tali would be part of todayas so-called games. If she had a chance to make a break for it, somehow to slip from her captorsa clutches, I must be here to help her. Foolish; ridiculous; unlikely: yes, it was all those and more. But she was my friend, and I could not abandon her.

With such a press of folk, it was impossible for a short person like me to see much other than the backs of those in front. People kept saying Move over! and Sit down! but n.o.body was listening.

I stood there with my bag and staff, wondering if I would spend all day trying to guess what was happening out in the open area. Then a burly young man standing near me leaned over with a smile.

aLittle thing, arenat you? You should be up in the front. Move, you fellows, let the la.s.sie through!a He elbowed forward, clearing a path for me all the way to the wattle barrier, and there I was, like it or not, with the best view anyone could hope for, and him right behind me. Iad be visible to anyone who might remember I was Talias companion on the road; visible to Flint, if he made an appearance. Still, it was a big crowd and the distance across the practice area was two hundred paces, at least. There would be plenty to hold peopleas attention.

A blare of trumpets, and the crowd fell silent. Then the trumpets sounded again, and now through the open gates of the fortress came a long procession of folk. Blocks of colora"a group dressed in red, another in blue and white, a third in brown and yellowa"suggested these were the households of Albanas eight chieftains, though I counted only six groups. I guessed Lannan Long-Arm was not here; another too had chosen to risk the kingas ire by staying away.

Behind the richly clad chieftains, their families and councillors, came men-at-arms wearing the same hues. The n.o.ble folk moved to the raised seating and their warriors stationed themselves around it. My mind went to next midsummer and the challenge. This was a formidable array of fighting men. There were Enforcers all around the open area too, standing guard, watching the crowd, ready for anything. And now from the fortress came the rest of them in their uniform black, but with one difference: today they wore tunics bearing their troop emblems in silver on the breast: Bull, Hound, Eagle, Horse, Wolf, Seal. And there was Flint, marching at the head of Stag Troop. Masked, like the others, but unmistakable. I made myself look away. I felt his presence so strongly that it seemed I must draw his eyes to me; I realized the full enormity of my being here, at Summerfort, on my own within the walls. If Tali was brought out, if against the odds she had a chance to get away, what could I possibly do? Step up, and I would identify myself as a troublemaker at the very least. Use my gift, and the rebellion would be in jeopardy. And I might endanger Flint. Too late now; the crowd was in and though the gates out to the encampment still stood open, they were guarded.

The Enforcers stationed themselves around the circle, blocks of black amid the color. I willed Stag Troop not to come close to me, and they did not, but placed themselves directly in front of the raised seating. And now, as the trumpets sounded again, along with a rattle of drums, the royal party came out from the fortress.

In my imagination, King Keldec had long been a kind of monster, a man eaten away by his fears and weighed down by years of cruel acts. I had not been able to see him as human. But the man who moved with leisurely pace to seat himself in the center front of the raised area was nothing remarkable to look at. Head come to the throne at the age of twenty; that made him six-and-thirty. He looked younger. His hair was brown, his face thin; his features held an expression of surprising mildness. He wore a richer version of his warriorsa black garb. It startled me that a man who wielded such power and authorized such evil acts could appear so a ordinary.

Queen Varda was beside her husband. She was small, about my own height: a pale woman in a red gown, with her dark hair swept up high. She reminded me of a bird of prey, perhaps a merlin. There was an unnerving intensity about her features, as if she were only waiting to spot her quarry and strike. The last empty places filled up with folk who must be the kingas inner circle: councillors, advisers, courtiers. Perhaps Enthrallers and other canny folk.

A court official with a booming voice made a short speech of welcome; then the king rose to his feet. The crowd, hushed already, grew quieter still.

aWelcome, good people of Alban, to my fifteenth midsummer Gathering!a Keldecas voice was strong, ringing out across the open area. aThis is a time of celebration, a time for our subjects to show their strength and skill, a time for all who live in our fair realm to demonstrate their loyalty. Our chieftains will renew their promises of service for the coming year. There will be displays of prowess and endurance, contests in which both men-at-arms and ordinary folk will partic.i.p.ate.

aYou know, my people, that the Gathering also provides an opportunity for reward and punishment. Not all of you have pleased your king since last we met in this arena. Not all have acted with perfect loyalty. At this Gathering, those who have offended me will receive their just deserts. And those who have pleased me well will be generously rewarded. Prepare for three days of matchless entertainment, three days of challenge, three days unparalleled in the year. You have traveled far to be at Summerfort. In recognition of that effort, when each dayas events are over, my household will provide roast meat enough to feed you all, and a cup of ale apiece.a Applause from the crowd, along with some cautious shouts of acclaim.

aLet us proceed,a Keldec said. aMy people, show me the best of Alban!a The dayas events began with quite ordinary contests of strengtha"bouts of wrestling, a tug-of-war, a race in which men carried sacks of graina"and I began to wonder if Father had been wrong about the dark side of the Gathering. The court official announced each event in turn. It soon became plain that the onlookers were required to demonstrate their enthusiasm with shouts, whistles, and screamsa"encouragement or abuse seemed equally acceptable. Folk who were too quiet found themselves singled out by armed men, pulled from the crowd, and subjected to what looked like uncomfortably intense questioning. One or two were taken away and did not return. Very soon everyone around me was yelling.

And then things began to change. Feats of strength, such as an active young farmer or fisherman or a man-at-arms might be expected to excel in, became feats of impossible endurance. The tug-of-war was run again, this time with a different rope, crafted from something that made the compet.i.torsa hands bleed. Anyone who let go was dragged out of the way by two Enforcers and pelted with missiles by the crowda"someone had provided a supply of rotting vegetables, and when that ran out, folk threw stones. A hardy or desperate few saw out the contest to the end, their faces white with pain, their b.l.o.o.d.y hands slipping on the rope. Queen Varda laughed. At least, at the end of that display, both winners and losers were allowed to return to their places. I could not pretend enjoyment; I failed even to mime shouts of enthusiasm. I hoped the folk around me were making enough noise to cover my silence.

There was a contest in which men had to heft a log above their heads, the victory going to whoever held it there for the longest count. There were some twenty brawny fellows competing, and at first it was done with goodwill, the crowd applauding winners and commiserating with losers. Contestants were paired in a series of man-against-man challenges. One by one they dropped out of the compet.i.tion, wheezing, red-faced, slick with sweat.

The king leaned forward to speak to his official; the official held up his hands for silence.

aThe king wishes this man and this man to meet in the final challenge.a He indicated a tall, dark-haired individual and a shorter, stockier fellow. The two of them looked pleaseda"there had been eight other men still left in the contest. The others made to return to the crowd, but there were Enforcers in the way now, and heavier logs were being wheeled in on a low cart. Much heavier logs; they looked far too big for one man to lift. aThe king wishes the stakes to be raised,a the official said as a pair of Enforcers manhandled each log in turn off the cart, standing them upright on the ground. aHe is sure you, Morr of Glenbuie, are keen to make amends for certain remarks that were brought to his attention, remarks suggesting some concerns about the Cull in the east of Glenbuie territory. Your chieftain has nominated you to be his champion in this contest, in recognition that a grave error of judgment was made. If you prevail, your kin will remain safe at the next Cull.a Even across the distance, I saw that the dark-haired Morras face had blanched. After one quick glance up at his chieftain in the stand, he squared his shoulders and set his jaw, ready for what might come. He had not known, it seemed, that being chosen for this contest was anything but a recognition of his strength.

aAnd you, Dubhal of Scourie.a The official turned to the shorter, broader contestant. aYou have a daughter whoas a fine spinner, donat you? Living in Bright.w.a.ter settlement? Known all across Scourie for her talents, or so the king has heard.a I hugged my shawl around myself, knowing where this was headed. The folk next to me were hushed with antic.i.p.ation.

aI have a daughter, yes, my lord.a Dubhal rubbed his hands on his tunic, stared down at his boots.

aLook at me!a The official nodded toward one of the Enforcers, who stepped forward and delivered a ringing blow to Dubhalas jaw. He reeled, then steadied.