“You’re more powerful than you or I know, I suspect,” Rastaban said. He tilted his head to one side, and the arrowhead spun lazily in the air. “Show me what you have, and I will do my best to show you more.”
“If you don’t know what I am -” Andrev began.
“Let us just say that you aren’t my first student,” Rastaban said. He cast a significant glance at Kana, who was showing some of the children how to make sculptures of ice.
In the summer.
“What is the simplest thing you can do?” Rastaban asked. “We’ll try that first.”
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Who, What
Andrev was weaving snares to catch rabbits when Rastaban sat beside him.
“Tell me,” Rastaban said, and held up an arrowhead, “can you speak to any animal?”
Andrev blinked at him.
Rastaban let go of the arrowhead - and it remained floating in midair, over his palm. “Or is it just animals you can see?”
Andrev lifted his head and pushed his hair out of his eyes. “Kana told you.”
“Only some. I wish to know more.”
“Are there others like me?” Andrev asked. “Someone once said that - five horns is rare. Most have three. Most who, Rastaban? What am I?”
“Tell me,” Rastaban said, and held up an arrowhead, “can you speak to any animal?”
Andrev blinked at him.
Rastaban let go of the arrowhead - and it remained floating in midair, over his palm. “Or is it just animals you can see?”
Andrev lifted his head and pushed his hair out of his eyes. “Kana told you.”
“Only some. I wish to know more.”
“Are there others like me?” Andrev asked. “Someone once said that - five horns is rare. Most have three. Most who, Rastaban? What am I?”
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Teach and Listen
“Kir doesn’t seem very jealous,” Rastaban said.
Kana shrugged and sharpened her sword with easy strokes. “Andrev showed me some of his power when he thought I was in danger - I suspect he would be more likely to use it to protect than in anger. He’s spent so long suppressing his anger.”
“Which means that when he finally becomes angry, his power will be magnificent - and out of control,” Rastaban said. “We don’t want to end him too early.”
“Maybe you should try to teach him,” Kana suggested. “I think he still thinks me faintly mad. He’ll listen to you.”
Kana shrugged and sharpened her sword with easy strokes. “Andrev showed me some of his power when he thought I was in danger - I suspect he would be more likely to use it to protect than in anger. He’s spent so long suppressing his anger.”
“Which means that when he finally becomes angry, his power will be magnificent - and out of control,” Rastaban said. “We don’t want to end him too early.”
“Maybe you should try to teach him,” Kana suggested. “I think he still thinks me faintly mad. He’ll listen to you.”
Other Things
The rest of the dinner passed in uncomfortable silence, occasionally broken by Kana’s inane chatter. Kir retreated back to Savva’s camp without making any further pursuit of Kana, but Andrev recognized the determination in Kir’s eyes.
Once Kir was gone, Kana and Andrev returned to the Wanderer camp.
“You can’t just go telling people things about me,” Andrev said.
Kana shrugged. “He didn’t believe me.”
Andrev knew she was was wrong, had seen Kir’s gaze fix on Andrev’s forehead, on his horns unseen when Kana made her declaration.
Kana asked, “Why don’t you see what other things you can do?”
Once Kir was gone, Kana and Andrev returned to the Wanderer camp.
“You can’t just go telling people things about me,” Andrev said.
Kana shrugged. “He didn’t believe me.”
Andrev knew she was was wrong, had seen Kir’s gaze fix on Andrev’s forehead, on his horns unseen when Kana made her declaration.
Kana asked, “Why don’t you see what other things you can do?”
Friday, December 4, 2009
She Jests
Andrev promptly choked on a piece of chicken at Kana’s easy declaration of his power.
Kir blinked. “Pardon?”
“Andrev. Speaks to animals. They bend to his will. How do you think he always knows where to find food? The animals speak to him and he finds them and they sacrifice themselves for him because they respect him,” Kana said, and she sounded so utterly rational that Andrev might have believed her if she didn’t have it so utterly wrong.
Shadows crossed Kir’s face and Andrev knew he was thinking the worst.
“She jests,” Andrev said lightly. “I’m only a hunter.”
Kir blinked. “Pardon?”
“Andrev. Speaks to animals. They bend to his will. How do you think he always knows where to find food? The animals speak to him and he finds them and they sacrifice themselves for him because they respect him,” Kana said, and she sounded so utterly rational that Andrev might have believed her if she didn’t have it so utterly wrong.
Shadows crossed Kir’s face and Andrev knew he was thinking the worst.
“She jests,” Andrev said lightly. “I’m only a hunter.”
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Also
Kir opened his mouth to speak, then snapped it shut. He wouldn’t dare say it aloud, that everyone in the tribe thought Andrev was demon-born. Savva’s tribe had been living the lie so long, pretending that they were blessed to have taken on a child who was a gift from the gods, that even now, when Kir so desperately wanted Kana’s favor, he could not bring himself to speak the words.
Finally Kir settled on, “What did he do to earn your favor?”
“He went hunting with me,” Kana said. “And he is kind. Also, he speaks to animals.”
Finally Kir settled on, “What did he do to earn your favor?”
“He went hunting with me,” Kana said. “And he is kind. Also, he speaks to animals.”
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Why Wouldn't He
Kir swallowed hard. “Where did you get that?” he asked.
Andrev glanced down at his wrist, doing his best to keep a straight face. “Kana gave it to me.”
Kir slewed a glance at Kana, who was delicately picking her drumstick apart and laying the bare bones in a neat row at the bottom of her bowl. “Is this true?”
“Is what true?”
“That Andrev wears your favor,” Kir said.
Kana smiled, that brilliant, blindingly sweet and utterly lucid smile of hers that made it hard for Andrev to breathe. “Of course it is. Why wouldn’t he wear my favor?”
Andrev glanced down at his wrist, doing his best to keep a straight face. “Kana gave it to me.”
Kir slewed a glance at Kana, who was delicately picking her drumstick apart and laying the bare bones in a neat row at the bottom of her bowl. “Is this true?”
“Is what true?”
“That Andrev wears your favor,” Kir said.
Kana smiled, that brilliant, blindingly sweet and utterly lucid smile of hers that made it hard for Andrev to breathe. “Of course it is. Why wouldn’t he wear my favor?”
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
On His Wrist
“Of course,” Kir said and reached for the pheasant, but Andrev was faster.
He plucked off a drumstick and held it out to Kana. “Ladies first,” he said.
Kir gaped at him. Men always ate first - that was the way of the tribes. Andrev resisted the urge to smirk, because that was not the way of the Wanderers.
Kana smiled. “Thank you.” She set the drumstick in her bowl and then plucked off a wing, handed it to Kir. “Please, eat.”
Andrev served himself, watching Kir with wary eyes. He noticed the moment Kir spotted Kana’s bracelet.
On Andrev’s wrist.
He plucked off a drumstick and held it out to Kana. “Ladies first,” he said.
Kir gaped at him. Men always ate first - that was the way of the tribes. Andrev resisted the urge to smirk, because that was not the way of the Wanderers.
Kana smiled. “Thank you.” She set the drumstick in her bowl and then plucked off a wing, handed it to Kir. “Please, eat.”
Andrev served himself, watching Kir with wary eyes. He noticed the moment Kir spotted Kana’s bracelet.
On Andrev’s wrist.
Monday, November 30, 2009
Between Them
At dinner that night, by the fire Kir had built between Savva’s camp and the Wanderer camp, Kana was disturbingly helpful, flitting here and there, arranging the food and woven grass mats on which to sit, pouring cool water into drinking bowls and smiling sweetly whenever Kir tried to help her.
He and Andrev sat opposite each other beside the fire, glaring at each other. This far from the Wanderer camp, Andrev kept his head bowed, kept his hair in his eyes. Kir held his head high and tried to smile at Kana.
She sat between them. “Ready to eat?”
He and Andrev sat opposite each other beside the fire, glaring at each other. This far from the Wanderer camp, Andrev kept his head bowed, kept his hair in his eyes. Kir held his head high and tried to smile at Kana.
She sat between them. “Ready to eat?”
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Frighteningly Lucid
After Andrev spoke to Rastaban, he spent the rest of his day with the reindeer he usually tended with Savva’s tribe, avoiding humans at all costs. He was utterly confused; a girl wanted his favor.
Kana was a beautiful girl, and Andrev knew that he and Kir weren’t the only ones who had noticed; Andrev had seen the way the other hunters stared that night at the feast when Kana had danced by the fire.
And maybe - maybe Kana wasn’t entirely mad. She had her frighteningly lucid moments when she did things like - like kiss him.
And she had magic.
Kana was a beautiful girl, and Andrev knew that he and Kir weren’t the only ones who had noticed; Andrev had seen the way the other hunters stared that night at the feast when Kana had danced by the fire.
And maybe - maybe Kana wasn’t entirely mad. She had her frighteningly lucid moments when she did things like - like kiss him.
And she had magic.
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Like
“Because I like you,” Kana said. She reached out and sketched a couple of lines in the dirt, murmured a soft word, and then the logs in the fire pit blazed.
Andrev stared at her hand.
She turned to stare at him. “I like you,” she said, “and I’m like you.”
“I can’t do that,” Andrev said.
“I wouldn’t ask you to,” Kana said. Then, before Andrev knew what was what, she leaned in and kissed him squarely on the mouth.
Andrev’s eyes fluttered closed, and he reached for her, but she pulled back.
“Rastaban’s calling you. I’ll finish cooking.”
Andrev stared at her hand.
She turned to stare at him. “I like you,” she said, “and I’m like you.”
“I can’t do that,” Andrev said.
“I wouldn’t ask you to,” Kana said. Then, before Andrev knew what was what, she leaned in and kissed him squarely on the mouth.
Andrev’s eyes fluttered closed, and he reached for her, but she pulled back.
“Rastaban’s calling you. I’ll finish cooking.”
Friday, November 27, 2009
Token
Andrev blinked. “You want me to wear...?”
“One of my tokens,” Kana said. She slipped the bracelet off her wrist and over his knuckles, onto his wrist before he could protest. Then she beamed at him and proceeded to spit the pheasant with a sharpened, cleaned stick.
Andrev stared down at the trinket on his wrist, confused. “Kana, surely you know tonight that Kir is seeking your favor.”
“I do know,” Kana said, “but it’s not his favor I want.”
Andrev swallowed hard. Something strange was going on. This had to be a joke. “Why would you want my favor?”
“One of my tokens,” Kana said. She slipped the bracelet off her wrist and over his knuckles, onto his wrist before he could protest. Then she beamed at him and proceeded to spit the pheasant with a sharpened, cleaned stick.
Andrev stared down at the trinket on his wrist, confused. “Kana, surely you know tonight that Kir is seeking your favor.”
“I do know,” Kana said, “but it’s not his favor I want.”
Andrev swallowed hard. Something strange was going on. This had to be a joke. “Why would you want my favor?”
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Memories of a Most Elaborate Lie
“You work very slowly,” Rastaban said.
Kana cast him a look. “These things take time to build.”
Rastaban closed his eyes and thought of the time he’d lived in Kana’s village, the most peaceful time of his life, and how it had been a most elaborate lie. “You’d know better than I would.”
And then Andrev knelt down beside the main fire and handed Kana the plucked and cleaned pheasant. She smiled at him, and together they set to cooking.
As they worked, Kana said, “Tonight, will you wear this?” She stretched out one hand and showed him a bracelet.
Kana cast him a look. “These things take time to build.”
Rastaban closed his eyes and thought of the time he’d lived in Kana’s village, the most peaceful time of his life, and how it had been a most elaborate lie. “You’d know better than I would.”
And then Andrev knelt down beside the main fire and handed Kana the plucked and cleaned pheasant. She smiled at him, and together they set to cooking.
As they worked, Kana said, “Tonight, will you wear this?” She stretched out one hand and showed him a bracelet.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
If Kana Weren't
Kir shot Andrev a look, silently ordering him to refuse.
Kana, however, had intercepted the exchange and was waiting, poised to dash off after another butterfly should she find Kir uninteresting.
Kir took a deep breath. “Of course. Any friend of the Wanderers is a friend of ours.”
“He should be your friend already,” Kana said. “After all, he’s from your tribe.”
If Kana weren’t so pretty and such a challenge, Kir might have struck her by now. Instead, he hefted the rabbits and started to walk away, calling over his shoulder,
“I’ll see you tonight.”
“Tonight,” Kana agreed quietly.
Kana, however, had intercepted the exchange and was waiting, poised to dash off after another butterfly should she find Kir uninteresting.
Kir took a deep breath. “Of course. Any friend of the Wanderers is a friend of ours.”
“He should be your friend already,” Kana said. “After all, he’s from your tribe.”
If Kana weren’t so pretty and such a challenge, Kir might have struck her by now. Instead, he hefted the rabbits and started to walk away, calling over his shoulder,
“I’ll see you tonight.”
“Tonight,” Kana agreed quietly.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Sharing
Kana reached out and prodded one of the rabbits thoughtfully. Then she tilted her head to the side and considered Kir. And then she prodded the pheasant Andrev was carrying.
“Thanks but no thanks. We caught a pheasant! See? You shouldn’t let your clan you hungry,” she said.
Kir’s smile tightened. “My tribe is well-fed. I brought these for you.”
Kana’s face screwed up in an expression of adorable confusion. “I can’t eat all of those by myself.”
“You could share them, if you like,” Kir said. “I would be willing to share my fire.”
“Could Andrev share too?”
“Thanks but no thanks. We caught a pheasant! See? You shouldn’t let your clan you hungry,” she said.
Kir’s smile tightened. “My tribe is well-fed. I brought these for you.”
Kana’s face screwed up in an expression of adorable confusion. “I can’t eat all of those by myself.”
“You could share them, if you like,” Kir said. “I would be willing to share my fire.”
“Could Andrev share too?”
Monday, November 23, 2009
Laborious Fruit
Andrev killed the pheasant to avoid conversation, and then he led Kana through the grass to where several more roosted.
They headed back to the Wanderer camp by midday. Kana’s lucid interlude seemed little more than a dream as she gamboled beside him, in pursuit of a hummingbird.
Andrev kept playing her words over and over in his head, and he was so distracted that he almost walked into Kir.
Who sneered at him.
And then flashed a charming smile at Kana.
“Maiden,” Kir said, “I offer you the fruits of my labors.”
He held out a brace of rabbits.
They headed back to the Wanderer camp by midday. Kana’s lucid interlude seemed little more than a dream as she gamboled beside him, in pursuit of a hummingbird.
Andrev kept playing her words over and over in his head, and he was so distracted that he almost walked into Kir.
Who sneered at him.
And then flashed a charming smile at Kana.
“Maiden,” Kir said, “I offer you the fruits of my labors.”
He held out a brace of rabbits.
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Surprisingly Lucid
Andrev wrenched himself away from her. Something in his chest, something that wound tight whenever Kana came too close, shattered. He could feel the shards in his lungs, stabbing every time he took a breath.
“Why do you say things like that?”
Kana shrugged. “Because they’re true.” She smiled at him, the expression gentle and surprisingly lucid. “What else can you do? Do animals talk to you?”
Andrev opened his mouth to explain that animals didn’t talk per se, didn’t have words like humans did, and then he closed his mouth so sharply his teeth clicked. He couldn’t tell her.
“Why do you say things like that?”
Kana shrugged. “Because they’re true.” She smiled at him, the expression gentle and surprisingly lucid. “What else can you do? Do animals talk to you?”
Andrev opened his mouth to explain that animals didn’t talk per se, didn’t have words like humans did, and then he closed his mouth so sharply his teeth clicked. He couldn’t tell her.
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Some Kind Of Beautiful
Andrev shook his head. “Power? No. A curse? Yes.”
“Savva told us you are a gift from the gods.”
“They actually think I’m demon spawn.” Andrev sighed and considered the pheasant. He didn’t think it was sporting, to kill it when he had a hold over it.
Kana stepped closer to him, brushed the hair out of his eyes. He flinched and drew back, went to ward her away, but she reached up and actually touched his forehead.
Most people shied away, as if his horns would burn them, but Kana didn’t care.
She said, “You’re some kind of beautiful.”
“Savva told us you are a gift from the gods.”
“They actually think I’m demon spawn.” Andrev sighed and considered the pheasant. He didn’t think it was sporting, to kill it when he had a hold over it.
Kana stepped closer to him, brushed the hair out of his eyes. He flinched and drew back, went to ward her away, but she reached up and actually touched his forehead.
Most people shied away, as if his horns would burn them, but Kana didn’t care.
She said, “You’re some kind of beautiful.”
Friday, November 20, 2009
What It Means
The pheasant froze mid-peck, then obediently plopped down into the grass and fluffed her feathers as if she were nesting.
Kana stared at Andrev some more. “Did you do that?”
Andrev crossed the grass, picked up his spear. He swallowed hard. “Do what?”
“Talk to the bird. Make it stop.” Kana prowled closer to him, and she had that look on her face again like he was some bright, colorful butterfly.
“What if I did?” Andrev knew he was being defensive and mean, but couldn’t she just be grateful and move on?
“It means you have power,” Kana said.
Kana stared at Andrev some more. “Did you do that?”
Andrev crossed the grass, picked up his spear. He swallowed hard. “Do what?”
“Talk to the bird. Make it stop.” Kana prowled closer to him, and she had that look on her face again like he was some bright, colorful butterfly.
“What if I did?” Andrev knew he was being defensive and mean, but couldn’t she just be grateful and move on?
“It means you have power,” Kana said.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Second Reaction
As a general rule, Kana was a very fine hunter for a girl, and none of the Wanderers seemed to care that a girl hunted, but her ability to get distracted by the slightest thing - in this case a tiny blue blossom swaying in the tall green grass - was dangerous.
Because she almost got killed.
By an angry pheasant.
Andrev acted first, whipped his spear through the air. No good - the pheasant was faster.
His second reaction was perhaps the better one - reaching out, tamping into the animal’s mind and ordering it to halt.
It did.
Kana stared at him.
Because she almost got killed.
By an angry pheasant.
Andrev acted first, whipped his spear through the air. No good - the pheasant was faster.
His second reaction was perhaps the better one - reaching out, tamping into the animal’s mind and ordering it to halt.
It did.
Kana stared at him.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Scream Or Weep
Andrev didn’t know how to ask, wasn’t sure if he wanted to know the answer.
“Kana.”
She was trotting ahead, gamboling in the grass and likely scaring away any game they might find.
Andrev sighed. “Kana.”
She turned and trotted backwards, grinning at him like a puppy, like it was a game.
“Are you going to let Kir court you?” Andrev regretted the words as soon as they fell from his lips.
Kana paused, tilted her head to one side quizzically. “Kir? The hunter? Maybe. He is a fine hunter.” And she darted on.
Andrev wanted to scream - or weep.
“Kana.”
She was trotting ahead, gamboling in the grass and likely scaring away any game they might find.
Andrev sighed. “Kana.”
She turned and trotted backwards, grinning at him like a puppy, like it was a game.
“Are you going to let Kir court you?” Andrev regretted the words as soon as they fell from his lips.
Kana paused, tilted her head to one side quizzically. “Kir? The hunter? Maybe. He is a fine hunter.” And she darted on.
Andrev wanted to scream - or weep.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
A Girl So Scary
Andrev awoke sharply, one hand going for his spear, the other for his flint knife.
Kana stood over him, holding her own spear and smiling quizzically at him.
“Is a girl so scary, hunter-friend?”
Andrev rubbed at his eyes and then realized that it was still dark. “It’s the middle of the night. What d’you want?”
“Pheasants,” Kana said. “The women told me so.”
Andrev squinted at the skyline and saw that Kana wasn’t entirely mad; the sun was on its way.
“I thought we had more than enough pheasants.”
“Not after the feast. Come on! Time to hunt.”
Kana stood over him, holding her own spear and smiling quizzically at him.
“Is a girl so scary, hunter-friend?”
Andrev rubbed at his eyes and then realized that it was still dark. “It’s the middle of the night. What d’you want?”
“Pheasants,” Kana said. “The women told me so.”
Andrev squinted at the skyline and saw that Kana wasn’t entirely mad; the sun was on its way.
“I thought we had more than enough pheasants.”
“Not after the feast. Come on! Time to hunt.”
Monday, November 16, 2009
Green-Eyed Demon
“You would have me draw in Kir and see what of his gifts Andrev offers up in return?” Kana couldn’t keep the skepticism out of her voice.
“You think my plan unsound?” Rastaban asked.
Kana shrugged, hunched her shoulders. “You’re in command - it’s time to prove yourself as a tactician, after all.”
“I think I proved myself the superior tactician during our last battle,” Rastaban said.
“And yet here you are, working with Old Master, one of the undying.” Kana smudged the kohl away from her eyes; in the firelight she looked tired. “The green-eyed demon it is, then.”
“You think my plan unsound?” Rastaban asked.
Kana shrugged, hunched her shoulders. “You’re in command - it’s time to prove yourself as a tactician, after all.”
“I think I proved myself the superior tactician during our last battle,” Rastaban said.
“And yet here you are, working with Old Master, one of the undying.” Kana smudged the kohl away from her eyes; in the firelight she looked tired. “The green-eyed demon it is, then.”
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Drawing Out the Boy
“You told him you have magic?” Kana asked. She and Rastaban sat by the fire long after the others had gone to sleep.
Kana glanced over her shoulder toward the small pallet of furs were Andrev made his bed, still on the border between two camps, two worlds.
“What else would you call it?” Rastaban asked.
“A gift that’s certainly not magic,” Kana said.
“You have magic, I have gifts - I didn’t want to overcomplicate things,” Rastaban said.
“What’s your plan, then?” Kana was slowly unfastening the yards of silk and coins.
“Draw the boy out - see what he’s got.”
Kana glanced over her shoulder toward the small pallet of furs were Andrev made his bed, still on the border between two camps, two worlds.
“What else would you call it?” Rastaban asked.
“A gift that’s certainly not magic,” Kana said.
“You have magic, I have gifts - I didn’t want to overcomplicate things,” Rastaban said.
“What’s your plan, then?” Kana was slowly unfastening the yards of silk and coins.
“Draw the boy out - see what he’s got.”
Saturday, November 14, 2009
No Token From Me
Andrev felt his blood run cold when he saw Kana snap back to attention, reach down and fiddle with one of her bracelets.
But then she shook her head and giggled once more. “Silly boy,” she said, “you’re a hunter, not a Wanderer. You will take no token from me.” And she skipped off into the crowd.
Kir stared after her, angry and determined.
Andrev knew that look; it was the same look Kir wore when prey escaped during an important hunt. The prey never escaped for long.
Andrev turned away and did his best to vanish into thin air.
But then she shook her head and giggled once more. “Silly boy,” she said, “you’re a hunter, not a Wanderer. You will take no token from me.” And she skipped off into the crowd.
Kir stared after her, angry and determined.
Andrev knew that look; it was the same look Kir wore when prey escaped during an important hunt. The prey never escaped for long.
Andrev turned away and did his best to vanish into thin air.
Friday, November 13, 2009
A Token for the World
The dance ended, and the others surged up to crowd around the fire, congratulated all the performers, the dancers and acrobats and singers. More than one woman was admiring Rastaban and his sword. Andrev instinctively ducked his head to hide behind his hair, waded through the crowds to find Kana and congratulate her.
When he found her, Kir was speaking to her, but she was her usual distracted self, giggling at the coins jangling from the hem of her skirt.
“Give me a token and I will give you the world,” Kir said, and reached for one of Kana’s bracelets.
When he found her, Kir was speaking to her, but she was her usual distracted self, giggling at the coins jangling from the hem of her skirt.
“Give me a token and I will give you the world,” Kir said, and reached for one of Kana’s bracelets.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Mad With Magic
Andrev wasn’t sure how he played his pipe, how he managed to keep the melody going when Kana began to spin and whirl in front of the fire. The silks rustled around her as she moved, and someone somewhere was keeping rhythm on a tambourine.
For one heart-stopping moment Kana balanced on one foot, leg outstretched behind her, arms extended in front of her, and had there been a sudden gust she would have fallen. Should’ve fallen.
But her eyes were golden in the firelight, and when she smiled at him, he knew she was mad with magic too.
For one heart-stopping moment Kana balanced on one foot, leg outstretched behind her, arms extended in front of her, and had there been a sudden gust she would have fallen. Should’ve fallen.
But her eyes were golden in the firelight, and when she smiled at him, he knew she was mad with magic too.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Not The Only One
Rastaban tilted his head to one side quizzically. “I am unfamiliar with your kind of magic, however. Perhaps sometime you’ll show me.”
“Does everyone in this camp have magic?” Andrev asked. Please, he begged, let me not be the only one.
Rastaban shook his head. “No. Magic is a rare gift. But here we embrace it. And you are the son of no demon - whoever’s son you are, your sire was powerful.” He smiled. “Now, aren’t you meant to be playing the pipe for a certain girl right about now?”
Andrev heard the drums and cursed, scooped up his pipe.
“Does everyone in this camp have magic?” Andrev asked. Please, he begged, let me not be the only one.
Rastaban shook his head. “No. Magic is a rare gift. But here we embrace it. And you are the son of no demon - whoever’s son you are, your sire was powerful.” He smiled. “Now, aren’t you meant to be playing the pipe for a certain girl right about now?”
Andrev heard the drums and cursed, scooped up his pipe.
Monday, November 9, 2009
Demons and Boys
“Am I a monster?” Andrev asked.
Rastaban looked up from where he was sharpening a sword. “What makes you ask?”
Andrev lifted a hand to his forehead. “These are the marks of a demon, are they not? My mother was some sort of harlot who lay with a demon, but they keep me and say I’m a gift from the gods because I can hear the way animals think and I always know where they are and I never have to hunt because the animals let themselves be killed and --”
Rastaban shook his head. “You’re no demon; you’re a boy.”
Rastaban looked up from where he was sharpening a sword. “What makes you ask?”
Andrev lifted a hand to his forehead. “These are the marks of a demon, are they not? My mother was some sort of harlot who lay with a demon, but they keep me and say I’m a gift from the gods because I can hear the way animals think and I always know where they are and I never have to hunt because the animals let themselves be killed and --”
Rastaban shook his head. “You’re no demon; you’re a boy.”
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Fought the Urge
Some of the other hunters looked alarmed as well. Andrev fought the urge to duck his head as he always had, let his hair fall into his eyes. Some of the other Wanderers fell in to flank him, and Andrev wondered, for the first time, if he had friends.
Were the Wanderers really so carefree that they thought nothing of the boy marked as a demon in their midst?
“He won’t have time to watch the show - he will be playing my song,” Kana said.
Kir blinked. “Kana --”
“Come along, Andrev, we must rehearse.” Kana tugged on his wrist gently.
Were the Wanderers really so carefree that they thought nothing of the boy marked as a demon in their midst?
“He won’t have time to watch the show - he will be playing my song,” Kana said.
Kir blinked. “Kana --”
“Come along, Andrev, we must rehearse.” Kana tugged on his wrist gently.
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Stopped Hiding
Andrev wanted to ask more, wanted to know more, but then some of the other Wanderers were tugging at his elbows and shoulders, demanding he come learn to play a song for a dance.
Kana’s dance.
Andrev turned to them and would have dared a smile, but then he saw Kir and the other hunters coming toward them. Few of the others ventured into the Wanderer camp. What did they want?
“Are you watching the show tonight, Andrev?” Kir asked. His sneer faltered, and Andrev was conused; Kir was never nervous.
Then Andrev realized - he’d stopped hiding behind his hair.
Kana’s dance.
Andrev turned to them and would have dared a smile, but then he saw Kir and the other hunters coming toward them. Few of the others ventured into the Wanderer camp. What did they want?
“Are you watching the show tonight, Andrev?” Kir asked. His sneer faltered, and Andrev was conused; Kir was never nervous.
Then Andrev realized - he’d stopped hiding behind his hair.
Friday, November 6, 2009
Learn Of Yours
Before Andrev could call after Kana and protest that he didn’t know the song, Rastaban appeared at his side.
“I saw you watching me earlier.” Rastaban’s tone was easy, casual.
Andrev swallowed hard. “You were working. I was distracted. I apologize.”
“No need to apologize, lad.” Rastaban grinned. “Our kind should stick together, hm?” And he opened his fist, showed the shining silver coin that spun in midair over his palm.
“What do you mean ‘our kind’?” Andrev asked warily.
“Oh, I don’t have horns like you have, but I have magic of my own. You should learn of yours."
“I saw you watching me earlier.” Rastaban’s tone was easy, casual.
Andrev swallowed hard. “You were working. I was distracted. I apologize.”
“No need to apologize, lad.” Rastaban grinned. “Our kind should stick together, hm?” And he opened his fist, showed the shining silver coin that spun in midair over his palm.
“What do you mean ‘our kind’?” Andrev asked warily.
“Oh, I don’t have horns like you have, but I have magic of my own. You should learn of yours."
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Playing the Piper
“Will you play the pipes for my dance?” Kana asked.
Andrev looked up from where he’d been weaving nets to snare pheasants. “Pardon?” And his heart stopped in his chest.
Kana was dressed in a dazzling array of silks. Silver and gold glittered in her hair, and someone had lined her eyes with kohl. She looked like the Sky Goddess from the stories Andrev had heard as a child.
“The pipes. For my dance. Will you play?”
Andrev tried to make himself nod. Before he could respond, something shiny caught Kana’s eye, and she thanked him before she dashed away.
Andrev looked up from where he’d been weaving nets to snare pheasants. “Pardon?” And his heart stopped in his chest.
Kana was dressed in a dazzling array of silks. Silver and gold glittered in her hair, and someone had lined her eyes with kohl. She looked like the Sky Goddess from the stories Andrev had heard as a child.
“The pipes. For my dance. Will you play?”
Andrev tried to make himself nod. Before he could respond, something shiny caught Kana’s eye, and she thanked him before she dashed away.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Knowing Who Knows
One of the tools lying on the ground flew into Rastaban’s outstretched hand as he reached for it.
Andrev blinked. But then he saw it again, saw Rastaban hold an empty hand toward his tools on the ground, saw wooden pegs leap onto his open palm.
Rastaban had magic. He used his hands to fasten the pegs into place, to help the other man hoist the frame, but when the frame began to falter, Andrev was sure he saw more of Rastaban’s magic keeping it in place.
Partway through the job, Rastaban smiled at Andrev.
Rastaban knew that Andrev knew.
Andrev blinked. But then he saw it again, saw Rastaban hold an empty hand toward his tools on the ground, saw wooden pegs leap onto his open palm.
Rastaban had magic. He used his hands to fasten the pegs into place, to help the other man hoist the frame, but when the frame began to falter, Andrev was sure he saw more of Rastaban’s magic keeping it in place.
Partway through the job, Rastaban smiled at Andrev.
Rastaban knew that Andrev knew.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Maybe a Trick
Kana’s words lingered in the back of Andrev’s mind. One day, when the women told him he had hunted enough for the week, he sat on the edge of the wanderer camp, making delicate wooden whistles for the children, and he saw Rastaban helping one of the other men build a tent frame for the upcoming Wanderer feast. Every year the Wanderers danced for the tribes.
Andrev had always been banished from the show.
This year would be his first chance to see it.
And then maybe it was his eyes playing a trick on him, but he saw it.
Andrev had always been banished from the show.
This year would be his first chance to see it.
And then maybe it was his eyes playing a trick on him, but he saw it.
Mod Post
Over the weekend I had the plague. And I have a terribly important (read: makes or breaks a law student, which means it's not important to anyone else but those involved) trial competition coming up, so updates will be...sparse. But should hopefully pick up after the madness has ceased.
Until then...happy imaginings.
Until then...happy imaginings.
Monday, November 2, 2009
Just A Hunter
“Watch him sometime,” Kana said, gazing across the flames to where Rastaban was wooing some of the Wanderer women. “He can do things no other man can.” Then she glanced at him slyly out of the corner of her eye. “Can you do magic?”
Andrev shook his head roughly, let his hair fall into his eyes. “No. I’m just a hunter.”
“A hunter who always knows where there is food and can catch fish with his bare hands.”
“No one wishes to speak to me - I have time to practice,” Andrev said.
Kana brushed his hair out of his eyes.
Andrev shook his head roughly, let his hair fall into his eyes. “No. I’m just a hunter.”
“A hunter who always knows where there is food and can catch fish with his bare hands.”
“No one wishes to speak to me - I have time to practice,” Andrev said.
Kana brushed his hair out of his eyes.
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Would Call a Curse
“You know Rastaban does magic?” Kana sat down beside Andrev at the fire where he was finishing supper.
He’d had a good run of hunting earlier that day, and the Wanderers seemed to be pleased with whatever he brought back.
“Many of your clan know sleight-of-hand,” Andrev said. It seemed Kana was content to be sane for once. He’d take it where he could get it.
“Rastaban knows better magic than that,” Kana said. “You should ask him and see. Our Clan loves magic.”
Andrev wondered if she knew what she called magic others would call a curse.
He’d had a good run of hunting earlier that day, and the Wanderers seemed to be pleased with whatever he brought back.
“Many of your clan know sleight-of-hand,” Andrev said. It seemed Kana was content to be sane for once. He’d take it where he could get it.
“Rastaban knows better magic than that,” Kana said. “You should ask him and see. Our Clan loves magic.”
Andrev wondered if she knew what she called magic others would call a curse.
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Rastaban's Words
Rastaban’s words ricocheted through Andrev’s skull, and he blinked rapidly.
“Pardon, sir?”
Rastaban’s smile turned puzzled. “You do play the pipes, don’t you? Of course, Kana lies to me all the time, so you don’t have to perform if you don’t want to --”
Andrev swallowed hard. He didn’t dare ask to hear those words again. He tried to will his feet to move, to carry him away to safety, but then children were clamoring around him, begging him to carve toy whistles and other charms.
“Brother, brother, please?” they piped up, dancing in eager circles around him.
Andrev smiled. “Yes.”
“Pardon, sir?”
Rastaban’s smile turned puzzled. “You do play the pipes, don’t you? Of course, Kana lies to me all the time, so you don’t have to perform if you don’t want to --”
Andrev swallowed hard. He didn’t dare ask to hear those words again. He tried to will his feet to move, to carry him away to safety, but then children were clamoring around him, begging him to carve toy whistles and other charms.
“Brother, brother, please?” they piped up, dancing in eager circles around him.
Andrev smiled. “Yes.”
Friday, October 30, 2009
One Of Us
Andrev paused. His heart stuttered in his chest. Rastaban stood with some of the other Wanderer Elders, probably discussing what magical performance they would put on for the midsummer feast.
“Pardon?” Andrev asked.
Rastaban looked at him, puzzled. “The feast tonight. You haven’t been to one yet. You absolutely must come.”
Andrev shifted his spear from hand to hand. “Sir, I don’t think I --”
Rastaban grinned. “I understand - there’s a maiden in the main camp, isn’t there?”
Andrev shook his head quickly. “No, but --”
“Then come to our feast! You’re one of us. I hear you play the pipes well.”
“Pardon?” Andrev asked.
Rastaban looked at him, puzzled. “The feast tonight. You haven’t been to one yet. You absolutely must come.”
Andrev shifted his spear from hand to hand. “Sir, I don’t think I --”
Rastaban grinned. “I understand - there’s a maiden in the main camp, isn’t there?”
Andrev shook his head quickly. “No, but --”
“Then come to our feast! You’re one of us. I hear you play the pipes well.”
Thursday, October 29, 2009
The Feasts
There were glorious feasts almost every night in the main camp. Andrev avoided them, sitting on the edges of the firelight learning from the reindeer and other animals he tended for the night.
Andrev had heard of the feasts in the Wanderer camp, but he’d never thought to attend one. Kana was with the women, helping them skin and prepare the antelope they’d caught. When he passed, she smiled at him.
He couldn’t help but attempt to smile faintly in return. He would sleep under the stars and away from the humans tonight.
But Rastaban called out. “Andrev! Join us!”
Andrev had heard of the feasts in the Wanderer camp, but he’d never thought to attend one. Kana was with the women, helping them skin and prepare the antelope they’d caught. When he passed, she smiled at him.
He couldn’t help but attempt to smile faintly in return. He would sleep under the stars and away from the humans tonight.
But Rastaban called out. “Andrev! Join us!”
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
One Barb
Andrev felt blood drip from his palms onto the grass. He wanted to say that Kana was no distraction for any man, but Kir was smirking at him knowingly, and Andrev knew better than to protest. Anything he said would turn into a weapon on Kir’s lips when Kir threw his words back at him.
Andrev settled on one barb. “Perhaps she could teach you to hunt.” And he started off toward the sunrise where he knew the antelopes were.
A few moments later, Kana fell into step beside him. She said, “Thank you.”
A butterfly fluttered in her hair.
Andrev settled on one barb. “Perhaps she could teach you to hunt.” And he started off toward the sunrise where he knew the antelopes were.
A few moments later, Kana fell into step beside him. She said, “Thank you.”
A butterfly fluttered in her hair.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
A Very Fine Distraction
Kana giggled and nodded. “Very cute!”
She danced around Kir, skirts swirling, and Andrev was sure he’d drawn blood with how tightly his hands were curled into fists. Kir looked Kana up and down with obvious appreciation, and Andrev could hardly fault Kir for it. Despite her mad giggling and being easily distractible, Kana was very lovely.
Then Kana caught sight of a butterfly, and she dashed after it.
“She’s quite mad,” Kir said.
“Yes.”
“But lovely.” Kir tapped his chin thoughtfully, and Andrev saw he was wearing several trinkets. “She would make a very fine distraction, would she not?”
She danced around Kir, skirts swirling, and Andrev was sure he’d drawn blood with how tightly his hands were curled into fists. Kir looked Kana up and down with obvious appreciation, and Andrev could hardly fault Kir for it. Despite her mad giggling and being easily distractible, Kana was very lovely.
Then Kana caught sight of a butterfly, and she dashed after it.
“She’s quite mad,” Kir said.
“Yes.”
“But lovely.” Kir tapped his chin thoughtfully, and Andrev saw he was wearing several trinkets. “She would make a very fine distraction, would she not?”
Monday, October 26, 2009
Just Like a Baby Bird
Kana’s eyes lit up, and Andrev’s hands curled into fists. Of course she would find Kir attractive, just like every other girl roaming this camp. One year Andrev really would leave the humans and live on his own with the animals. Animals had horns too.
Kir smirked, ran an appreciative gaze over Kana.
She waved her knife in some approximation of a greeting. “Awww, it’s Andrev’s little friend! Isn’t he cute? Just like a baby bird!” She circled Kir, cooing and attempting to pet his hair.
Kir’s smirk vanished. Then he attempted to reassert some confidence.
“You think I’m cute?”
Kir smirked, ran an appreciative gaze over Kana.
She waved her knife in some approximation of a greeting. “Awww, it’s Andrev’s little friend! Isn’t he cute? Just like a baby bird!” She circled Kir, cooing and attempting to pet his hair.
Kir’s smirk vanished. Then he attempted to reassert some confidence.
“You think I’m cute?”
Sunday, October 25, 2009
At The Rate You're Going
Andrev flinched. No one in his tribe had asked that, not like they’d been asking Kir, but then no one would ever ask him. It was understood by all that the boy who was called a gift from the gods was too cursed to take a wife.
“No,” he said shortly.
Kana smiled brightly, oblivious to his discomfort with the subject. “Don’t worry - one will find you. After all, you are the mightiest hunter.” She peered into the distance. “What sort of animals will we find, do you think?”
“None, at the rate you’re going. Hunting with a girl, Andrev?”
“No,” he said shortly.
Kana smiled brightly, oblivious to his discomfort with the subject. “Don’t worry - one will find you. After all, you are the mightiest hunter.” She peered into the distance. “What sort of animals will we find, do you think?”
“None, at the rate you’re going. Hunting with a girl, Andrev?”
Saturday, October 24, 2009
She Was Mad; He Was Cursed
“What is that supposed to mean?” Andrev asked. But he could sense a decent crop of small antelopes toward the east, and he started walking.
Kana trotted beside him. “Rastaban only asks for the best hunter each year. You are the best of everyone.”
“Everyone?” Andrev echoed, voice laced with heavy skepticism.
Kana flung an arm wide to indicate the entirety of the summer camp and almost stabbed Andrev with her knife. “Everyone. You are the best of them all. You’re special.”
He shook his head. She was mad.
He was cursed.
“Have you chosen a maiden yet?” Kana asked.
Kana trotted beside him. “Rastaban only asks for the best hunter each year. You are the best of everyone.”
“Everyone?” Andrev echoed, voice laced with heavy skepticism.
Kana flung an arm wide to indicate the entirety of the summer camp and almost stabbed Andrev with her knife. “Everyone. You are the best of them all. You’re special.”
He shook his head. She was mad.
He was cursed.
“Have you chosen a maiden yet?” Kana asked.
Friday, October 23, 2009
Of Course
The girls in Andrev’s tribe didn’t know how to hunt at all. Maybe because The Wanderers had no hunters of their own, everyone knew how to hunt a little. It didn’t seem like a bad idea until a girl like Kana was allowed to hunt a knife.
Mid-hunt she’d probably get distracted by a butterfly and accidentally cut off her own hand or something equally horrible.
“Which way?” she asked.
“What makes you think I know?”
She tilted her head to the side and studied him, like a curious bird. “You hunt for us. Of course you would know.”
Mid-hunt she’d probably get distracted by a butterfly and accidentally cut off her own hand or something equally horrible.
“Which way?” she asked.
“What makes you think I know?”
She tilted her head to the side and studied him, like a curious bird. “You hunt for us. Of course you would know.”
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Certainly
They summoned Andrev before dawn, pressed a heavy spear into his hands and pushed him toward the edge of camp. Andrev wasn’t even sure when his pallet of furs had been moved into the Wanderer camp, but suddenly he was standing at the edge of the camp, half-awake and searching the air for the whisper-voices of animals that no one else seemed to hear.
“Take Kana with you,” Rastaban said.
Andrev blinked. Kana held a long knife and grinned like an eager kitten. Andrev was quite sure she was mad.
“Can you hunt?” he asked.
She nodded. “Certainly.”
“Take Kana with you,” Rastaban said.
Andrev blinked. Kana held a long knife and grinned like an eager kitten. Andrev was quite sure she was mad.
“Can you hunt?” he asked.
She nodded. “Certainly.”
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Not People
Andrev was floored. No one was horrified by how he looked. His grip on his spear tightened. Then, he said, carefully,
“You’ve seen people...like me...before?”
“Not people,” the little boy said.
Andrev swallowed hard, bowed his head to let his hair cover his face one more.
“They’re very special, whoever they are,” the woman said kindly. “If you are as good a hunter as they say, then you must be one of them.”
“Don’t hide,” Kana said brightly. “You’re so pretty!” She ducked down and tried to peer into his eyes. “Smile, pretty boy!”
Andrev closed his eyes.
“You’ve seen people...like me...before?”
“Not people,” the little boy said.
Andrev swallowed hard, bowed his head to let his hair cover his face one more.
“They’re very special, whoever they are,” the woman said kindly. “If you are as good a hunter as they say, then you must be one of them.”
“Don’t hide,” Kana said brightly. “You’re so pretty!” She ducked down and tried to peer into his eyes. “Smile, pretty boy!”
Andrev closed his eyes.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Who You Are
One curious child took a swipe at Andrev’s face, and he jerked back, but he was too late - the damage was done. He froze, naked under the Wanderers’ questing gazes, as his hair was shoved back to reveal his shame, his disgrace, the mark of his demonic nature.
The little child who’d shamed him blinked his wide eyes, and then he spoke. “Oooh! He has five horns! That’s way better than three.”
And then his mother shushed him. “Show more respect for the lovely hunter we’ve found.” She smiled at Andrev. “Those Dolgan don’t know who you are, do they?”
The little child who’d shamed him blinked his wide eyes, and then he spoke. “Oooh! He has five horns! That’s way better than three.”
And then his mother shushed him. “Show more respect for the lovely hunter we’ve found.” She smiled at Andrev. “Those Dolgan don’t know who you are, do they?”
Monday, October 19, 2009
Wanderer Camp
The Wanderer camp was alive with sight and sound, girls wearing brightly-colored dresses twirling and tumbling in the grass, boys balancing spears on their noses and using staffs to vault themselves through the air. A child danced around Andrev’s feet, playing merry music on a wooden pipe.
Rastaban swept into the camp, and everyone cheered.
“This is Andrev, our loyal hunter for the season.”
The people cheered again. Andrev cringed at the wall of sound that hit him, but then they were all surrounding him, shouting hellos and reaching out to pat him on the shoulder, touch his hair.
Rastaban swept into the camp, and everyone cheered.
“This is Andrev, our loyal hunter for the season.”
The people cheered again. Andrev cringed at the wall of sound that hit him, but then they were all surrounding him, shouting hellos and reaching out to pat him on the shoulder, touch his hair.
Come With Us
“I hunt,” Andrev said warily.
Rastaban seemed oblivious to the way Andrev was doing his best to radiate hostility; the reindeer noticed and began stamping their hooves and snorting.
Rastaban clapped Andrev on the shoulder. “We’re glad we found you. Come along and meet the rest of the Wanderers.” And Rastaban spun on his heel.
Kana laughed sweetly and rose up in one smooth, graceful motion. Then she offered a hand to Andrev. “Come with us?”
Andrev pushed himself to his feet, careful not to touch her. “Go on, then.”
She smiled at him and turned, skipped across the grass.
Rastaban seemed oblivious to the way Andrev was doing his best to radiate hostility; the reindeer noticed and began stamping their hooves and snorting.
Rastaban clapped Andrev on the shoulder. “We’re glad we found you. Come along and meet the rest of the Wanderers.” And Rastaban spun on his heel.
Kana laughed sweetly and rose up in one smooth, graceful motion. Then she offered a hand to Andrev. “Come with us?”
Andrev pushed himself to his feet, careful not to touch her. “Go on, then.”
She smiled at him and turned, skipped across the grass.
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Mod Post
So I decided to simplify the tagging system (since, upon reflection, some characters are going to go through a lot more lives than others) and now there are, quite simply, tags by name and/or interlude notices. Maybe at a later date when I'm feeling ambitious I'll tag things so people can find individual lives, but in the meantime, simplicity is best. Or so I'm told.
Usually
“I’m Andrev.” He shook Rastaban’s proffered hand. The Wanderers came to the Market every year to perform - music, acrobatics, sleight-of-hand - and though they were well-loved by the children, they were scorned by the adults. After a while, Andrev understood why, but that had never stopped him liking them.
Rastaban’s smile brightened. “Just the man we’re looking for - your chief Savva said you’re an excellent hunter.”
The Wanderers lived off the work of others, as it were, and every year they commissioned hunters from the tribes. Usually it was something of an honor to hunt for them. Usually.
Rastaban’s smile brightened. “Just the man we’re looking for - your chief Savva said you’re an excellent hunter.”
The Wanderers lived off the work of others, as it were, and every year they commissioned hunters from the tribes. Usually it was something of an honor to hunt for them. Usually.
Friday, October 16, 2009
The Wanderers
Andrev blinked, suspicious, when Kana smiled at him.
“Your reindeer love you. You take good care of them,” she said.
“Thanks,” Andrev said. She could tell that by looking at them? Something about the cheerful light in her eyes was...off. Was she mad?
She reached out. “Let me see your eyes.” She went to push his hair out of his face.
He recoiled.
“Kana, don’t run off.” A man trotted toward them, smiling apologetically. “Don’t worry - she’s harmless.”
“I’m sure,” Andrev said.
The man offered a hand. “I’m Rastaban of the Wanderers.”
Andrev’s eyes widened. The Wanderers were here.
“Your reindeer love you. You take good care of them,” she said.
“Thanks,” Andrev said. She could tell that by looking at them? Something about the cheerful light in her eyes was...off. Was she mad?
She reached out. “Let me see your eyes.” She went to push his hair out of his face.
He recoiled.
“Kana, don’t run off.” A man trotted toward them, smiling apologetically. “Don’t worry - she’s harmless.”
“I’m sure,” Andrev said.
The man offered a hand. “I’m Rastaban of the Wanderers.”
Andrev’s eyes widened. The Wanderers were here.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Kana
Andrev was on his feet in an instant, ducking his head to hide his horns, and there she was, a girl.
She was kneeling beside one of the reindeer and petting its nose, laughing delightedly. Andrev could only stare, confused, when she smiled at him. She was lovely, unlike any girl he had ever seen, with dark skin and curly dark hair and eyes the color of fire.
How had she sneaked up him like that? Andrev knew better than to let anyone get the drop on him.
“What are you doing here?” Andrev asked warily.
Someone called out, “Kana!”
She was kneeling beside one of the reindeer and petting its nose, laughing delightedly. Andrev could only stare, confused, when she smiled at him. She was lovely, unlike any girl he had ever seen, with dark skin and curly dark hair and eyes the color of fire.
How had she sneaked up him like that? Andrev knew better than to let anyone get the drop on him.
“What are you doing here?” Andrev asked warily.
Someone called out, “Kana!”
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Always Tired
One of the reindeer nosed at his shoulder while he sat, sharpening his spearheads.
Andrev lifted his head, made a wordless sound of questioning. Something akin to motherly concern drifted over him, and Andrev shook his head. He wasn’t upset or lonely; he was tired. Always tired.
He glanced over his shoulder and watched the camp bustle with life and activity, set in a rhythm different from his own. No one was paying attention to him, so he lifted his head and shook his hair out of his eyes.
And then he heard laughter.
A girl’s laughter.
Right beside him.
Andrev lifted his head, made a wordless sound of questioning. Something akin to motherly concern drifted over him, and Andrev shook his head. He wasn’t upset or lonely; he was tired. Always tired.
He glanced over his shoulder and watched the camp bustle with life and activity, set in a rhythm different from his own. No one was paying attention to him, so he lifted his head and shook his hair out of his eyes.
And then he heard laughter.
A girl’s laughter.
Right beside him.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Every Woman a Mother
Andrev led the reindeer to his chosen spot along the edge of the riverbank. He wouldn’t have to tether them; they listened to him and would obediently graze nearby while he pitched his tent.
He made quick work of his lean-to, a patchwork of furs and skins. His bed was another pallet of furs he’d collected over the years, more from his own hunting and scavenging than Savva knew; the women had never wanted to give him clothes or blankets despite the shaman’s insistence that every woman was mother to the boy who was a gift from the gods.
He made quick work of his lean-to, a patchwork of furs and skins. His bed was another pallet of furs he’d collected over the years, more from his own hunting and scavenging than Savva knew; the women had never wanted to give him clothes or blankets despite the shaman’s insistence that every woman was mother to the boy who was a gift from the gods.
Monday, October 12, 2009
Summer Plains
It took another four days to reach the summer plains, but once the massive encampment came into sight on the horizon, Andrev felt hope soar. He could take the reindeer to the edge of everything, just by the river, and hide for all three months. As long as he brought his share of food back to the tribe, he could roam free and study the animals, trees, plants how he chose.
Savva didn’t look twice at Andrev to dispatch him to set the reindeer for grazing; Savva cared about the massive market built in the midst of all the tribes.
Savva didn’t look twice at Andrev to dispatch him to set the reindeer for grazing; Savva cared about the massive market built in the midst of all the tribes.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Savva's Son
The tribe caught up with Kir and the other hunters mid-morning the next day. Most of them wore shiny new trinkets and exchanged sly grins. Andrev walked at the rear of the caravan, driving the reindeer.
“Kir, you positively glitter with jewelry,” Savva called out, proud of his son.
Kir tossed his head and preened. “There are many lovely girls in our sister-tribes.”
Andrev resisted the urge to make a low remark that there were many people in Kir’s own tribe who’d gone without food the night before. But everyone was pleased for Kir; he was Savva’s son.
“Kir, you positively glitter with jewelry,” Savva called out, proud of his son.
Kir tossed his head and preened. “There are many lovely girls in our sister-tribes.”
Andrev resisted the urge to make a low remark that there were many people in Kir’s own tribe who’d gone without food the night before. But everyone was pleased for Kir; he was Savva’s son.
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Shelter from the Midnight Wind
The matrons of the tribe looked up, surprised, when Andrev set down a rack of fresh, unconscious but still-living fish for gutting and cleaning.
“Where are Kir and the others?” one woman asked.
“Fetching trinkets from girls,” Andrev said. “The nearest tribe is half a day’s journey. Expect Kir and the others home tomorrow.”
The women exchanged looks; they knew that Andrev would never receive a trinket from a girl. Andrev shouldered his spear and headed toward the edge of camp where he’d made his own bed for the night. The reindeer would shelter him from the midnight wind.
“Where are Kir and the others?” one woman asked.
“Fetching trinkets from girls,” Andrev said. “The nearest tribe is half a day’s journey. Expect Kir and the others home tomorrow.”
The women exchanged looks; they knew that Andrev would never receive a trinket from a girl. Andrev shouldered his spear and headed toward the edge of camp where he’d made his own bed for the night. The reindeer would shelter him from the midnight wind.
Friday, October 9, 2009
When They Think I Can't Hear
Kir wanted him to be ashamed of what he was. Andrev had spent his whole life being ashamed. Sometimes, he was so ashamed that he became angry.
“They only say that because I hunt so well,” he said coolly. “But when they think I can’t hear they call me the spawn of a demon. Too bad I don’t have demon powers.” And he lifted his head, deliberately shook his hair out of his eyes.
The girl couldn’t even scream.
Andrev handed Kir his spear. “I’ll be at the river getting fresh fish for the women. See you back at camp.”
“They only say that because I hunt so well,” he said coolly. “But when they think I can’t hear they call me the spawn of a demon. Too bad I don’t have demon powers.” And he lifted his head, deliberately shook his hair out of his eyes.
The girl couldn’t even scream.
Andrev handed Kir his spear. “I’ll be at the river getting fresh fish for the women. See you back at camp.”
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Not Quick Enough
The exchange of trinkets - bracelets, necklaces - was the first step in courting. Kir usually received the most trinkets, but he still had yet to take a girl to wife. Andrev lingered at the rear of the pack, spear in hand. The river wasn’t far - he could slink off, catch some live fish, and return to Savva’s camp.
Only he wasn’t quick enough.
One lovely girl with hair like the midnight sky and skin the color of warm earth smiled at him, toying with her necklace. “This one is new, Kir.”
Kir’s smile turned cruel. “He’s a gift from the gods.”
Only he wasn’t quick enough.
One lovely girl with hair like the midnight sky and skin the color of warm earth smiled at him, toying with her necklace. “This one is new, Kir.”
Kir’s smile turned cruel. “He’s a gift from the gods.”
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Their Girls
The best thing about spring was that it meant the big migration - along the river, toward the summer plains. The summer plains meant crowds and crowds of people where it would be easy for Andrev to blend into the shadows and go about his tasks unnoticed. He liked seeing the other animals the other tribes brought, hearing about the places where they roamed most of the year.
But this year he was a hunter. That meant running ahead and scouting, bringing back food. That meant meeting other tribes and trying to court their girls.
He always made their girls scream.
But this year he was a hunter. That meant running ahead and scouting, bringing back food. That meant meeting other tribes and trying to court their girls.
He always made their girls scream.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Fishing
“I know your secret,” Kir said as he and Andrev stood side-by-side in the river, armed with spears.
“Oh?” Andrev asked.
“You’re half demon. That’s why you hunt so well,” Kir said.
“Maybe I’m a gift from the gods, destined to bring this tribe to greatness,” Andrev said dryly. He set his spear on the riverbank and reached into the clear water, hands poised.
Kir gaped. “What are you doing?”
Andrev closed his eyes, waited, listening for the tiny heartbeat, the frantic animal thoughts. And then he opened his eyes and closed his hands over a live fish.
“Oh?” Andrev asked.
“You’re half demon. That’s why you hunt so well,” Kir said.
“Maybe I’m a gift from the gods, destined to bring this tribe to greatness,” Andrev said dryly. He set his spear on the riverbank and reached into the clear water, hands poised.
Kir gaped. “What are you doing?”
Andrev closed his eyes, waited, listening for the tiny heartbeat, the frantic animal thoughts. And then he opened his eyes and closed his hands over a live fish.
Monday, October 5, 2009
What To Believe
That night, around the fire, Andrev sat away from the others as he always did, gnawing on his share of the antelope meat and steadily avoiding everyone’s gazes. He could hear the men and women whispering.
“Perhaps he really is a gift from the gods,” one of the women whispered. “If we’d had him hunt for us before, we never would have wanted for food.”
“I don’t trust him,” another woman said. “He might try to poison us.”
Andrev dared to glance at Kir where he sat with Savva and the other hunters. Now no one knew what to believe.
“Perhaps he really is a gift from the gods,” one of the women whispered. “If we’d had him hunt for us before, we never would have wanted for food.”
“I don’t trust him,” another woman said. “He might try to poison us.”
Andrev dared to glance at Kir where he sat with Savva and the other hunters. Now no one knew what to believe.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Aren't I?
Andrev strode into the camp and laid the antelope carcass at Savva’s feet. Savva stared.
Kir, who had leveled the butt of his spear at Andrev as if to strike him, almost dropped his spear.
“Will this please the women?” Andrev asked, voice low. He kept his head down, let his hair obscure his features.
“I - where did you find it?”
Andrev couldn’t keep the bitter, sardonic twist out of his voice. “Apparently the gods favor our tribe, my chief.”
“You killed it yourself?” Kir asked.
In reply, Andrev leveled the bloody spear at him. “I’m a hunter, aren’t I?”
Kir, who had leveled the butt of his spear at Andrev as if to strike him, almost dropped his spear.
“Will this please the women?” Andrev asked, voice low. He kept his head down, let his hair obscure his features.
“I - where did you find it?”
Andrev couldn’t keep the bitter, sardonic twist out of his voice. “Apparently the gods favor our tribe, my chief.”
“You killed it yourself?” Kir asked.
In reply, Andrev leveled the bloody spear at him. “I’m a hunter, aren’t I?”
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Before He Threw
He walked toward the trees, toward the place where he knew the antelope went to drink every morning. Most days, he did his best to ignore the chatter of the animals around him, hyperaware of the fact that others could not hear what he heard. But he knew when rabbits nested underfoot, when a falcon soared overhead, when a fox was protecting new cubs in her den.
He came across an antelope and her young, and he lifted his spear. It should have been to heavy for him, but he wasn’t like the other boys.
He apologized before he threw.
He came across an antelope and her young, and he lifted his spear. It should have been to heavy for him, but he wasn’t like the other boys.
He apologized before he threw.
Friday, October 2, 2009
Opposites
Andrev murmured a soft farewell to the reindeer and rose to his feet, crossed the camp, kept his head bowed so his long hair obscured his face.
Savva handed him a spear. “It is almost daybreak. Go with Kir and the others. Come back with something big and fat to please the women, yes?”
Andrev took the spear in one hand, tested its weight. It was heavier than most, designed for an experienced hunter.
Kir started for the edge of camp. “This way, Andrev.” He spoke as if he addressed a dog.
Andrev turned and walked in the opposite direction.
Savva handed him a spear. “It is almost daybreak. Go with Kir and the others. Come back with something big and fat to please the women, yes?”
Andrev took the spear in one hand, tested its weight. It was heavier than most, designed for an experienced hunter.
Kir started for the edge of camp. “This way, Andrev.” He spoke as if he addressed a dog.
Andrev turned and walked in the opposite direction.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
He Will Hunt
Andrev heard the tribe council whispering, wondering what to do with the cursed child.
“He will never marry, never learn a trade - no one would trade with a demon,” Savva said.
“Perhaps,” his son Kir said, “he will hunt. Look at him - he is weak and frail. A large animal would kill him easily.”
Andrev pretended he heard nothing and continued feeding the reindeer. Kir was his own age, professed to be a loving step-sibling, but his cruelty was blatant, if ignored by the elders.
Savva called out. “Andrev, come over here and take a spear, hunt with Kir.”
“He will never marry, never learn a trade - no one would trade with a demon,” Savva said.
“Perhaps,” his son Kir said, “he will hunt. Look at him - he is weak and frail. A large animal would kill him easily.”
Andrev pretended he heard nothing and continued feeding the reindeer. Kir was his own age, professed to be a loving step-sibling, but his cruelty was blatant, if ignored by the elders.
Savva called out. “Andrev, come over here and take a spear, hunt with Kir.”
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Sleeping Outside Camp
The answer was messy hair. If Andrev ducked away from the shearer’s knife for long enough and let his hair grow, let it tumble into his eyes, no one could see the horns. They could pretend they didn’t know what he hid, pretend they had forgotten what he really was.
The other boys picked on him when the adults weren’t watching; tripped him up as he walked, flung stones, tried to dunk him in the river. He learned not to fight back, but he learned to get away.
He learned, over time, that it wasn’t so bad, sleeping outside camp.
The other boys picked on him when the adults weren’t watching; tripped him up as he walked, flung stones, tried to dunk him in the river. He learned not to fight back, but he learned to get away.
He learned, over time, that it wasn’t so bad, sleeping outside camp.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Talking Back
People disliked Andrev, but he disliked them right back, so he didn’t mind eating alone on the edge of the firelight or sleeping curled up with the deer who pulled the sleds across the Steppes. The deer liked him - he fed them, watered them and pulled burrs out of their pelts when they walked through prickly brambles.
Sometimes, when other people weren’t around, the deer talked to him, told him when a storm was coming or when they were going the wrong way, that they usually headed a little more easterly.
Sometimes, when other people weren’t around, Andrev talked back.
Sometimes, when other people weren’t around, the deer talked to him, told him when a storm was coming or when they were going the wrong way, that they usually headed a little more easterly.
Sometimes, when other people weren’t around, Andrev talked back.
Monday, September 28, 2009
Only a Child
Andrev had known the story for as long he knew what knowing was: they found him in a cave, abandoned by his dead mother’s side. Some whispered that his father was a demon, but never when he could hear. They’d smile weakly at him and tell him he was a gift from the gods, and they were all blessed to have him.
He knew he wasn’t blessed - he was cursed. The five tiny bony bumps on his forehead were a curse. He was the son of a horned demon, and they were afraid of him.
But he was only child.
He knew he wasn’t blessed - he was cursed. The five tiny bony bumps on his forehead were a curse. He was the son of a horned demon, and they were afraid of him.
But he was only child.
Interlude 5
Rain turned his colorless hair into moonlight-white. Lightning flashed in the sky, sharp slashes of energy reflected in the momentary pitch-black of his eyes.
The mother’s cries pierced above the ominous veil of thunder, and he had to strain to hear the voice of her child. The third wound in his shoulder began to tingle and itch when he heard the first lusty cry of infant life.
He sensed it, moments later, when the mother’s life flickered, then faded, as if swept away in the driving wind. In the distance, a caravan approached. They would find the child.
The mother’s cries pierced above the ominous veil of thunder, and he had to strain to hear the voice of her child. The third wound in his shoulder began to tingle and itch when he heard the first lusty cry of infant life.
He sensed it, moments later, when the mother’s life flickered, then faded, as if swept away in the driving wind. In the distance, a caravan approached. They would find the child.
Saturday, September 26, 2009
First Demonstration
“Where’s Old Master?” Rastaban asked.
“He’s gone.”
“As in dead?”
“As in doing necessary work.” Shanka hoisted her pack. “We have to go.”
“Where? Why?”
“You don’t want it to be just the three of us forever, do you?”
Rastaban leered. “If it were just the two of us --”
“We have a fourth to summon.” Shanka faced him squarely. “Now, it’s been long enough that people have forgotten Shanka’s army. You’ll have to pretend you’re in charge. Consider this your first demonstration of your tactical skills.”
“So you have to call me Master?”
“Hardly. Although you will call me Kana.”
“He’s gone.”
“As in dead?”
“As in doing necessary work.” Shanka hoisted her pack. “We have to go.”
“Where? Why?”
“You don’t want it to be just the three of us forever, do you?”
Rastaban leered. “If it were just the two of us --”
“We have a fourth to summon.” Shanka faced him squarely. “Now, it’s been long enough that people have forgotten Shanka’s army. You’ll have to pretend you’re in charge. Consider this your first demonstration of your tactical skills.”
“So you have to call me Master?”
“Hardly. Although you will call me Kana.”
Friday, September 25, 2009
Infiltrate and Retrieve
“I spoke to my colorless friend,” Old Master said.
Shanka stirred the pot of stew idly with a stick. “And?”
Old Master tossed a map at her. “You won’t have to go far.”
“This one’s next?”
“He didn’t say. Just pointed it out.”
“What’s the plan?”
“Infiltrate and retrieve, of course.”
Shanka nodded.
Old Master caught her gaze. “You know what you’ll have to do.”
“Yes.”
“The legends of Shanka’s Women have faded.”
“I know.”
“He’s going to enjoy this too much.”
“I won’t let it get to his head.”
“Good.” Old Master stood up. “I’ll be on my way.”
Shanka stirred the pot of stew idly with a stick. “And?”
Old Master tossed a map at her. “You won’t have to go far.”
“This one’s next?”
“He didn’t say. Just pointed it out.”
“What’s the plan?”
“Infiltrate and retrieve, of course.”
Shanka nodded.
Old Master caught her gaze. “You know what you’ll have to do.”
“Yes.”
“The legends of Shanka’s Women have faded.”
“I know.”
“He’s going to enjoy this too much.”
“I won’t let it get to his head.”
“Good.” Old Master stood up. “I’ll be on my way.”
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Completion
“If you pass this final test,” Old Master said, “you will have completed your training.”
Rastaban grinned at Shanka and settled into a fighting stance. “Completion, here I come.”
Shanka bowed. Old Master gave the signal, and before Rastaban knew what was what, she was on him, driving a fist into his ribs. He spun away before she could throw him, and then they fought, blow for blow. He chased her up a tree, across a river, down the side of a mountain and through a valley.
When he finally caught her in a kill hold, she’d caught him too.
Rastaban grinned at Shanka and settled into a fighting stance. “Completion, here I come.”
Shanka bowed. Old Master gave the signal, and before Rastaban knew what was what, she was on him, driving a fist into his ribs. He spun away before she could throw him, and then they fought, blow for blow. He chased her up a tree, across a river, down the side of a mountain and through a valley.
When he finally caught her in a kill hold, she’d caught him too.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Acting Lessons
He slid closer to her, leaned down so his breath tickled her ear as he spoke. “Maybe I just wanted some time with you alone.”
A knife blade slid cleanly between his ribs. His breath hitched, but he couldn’t breathe. He was choking. He could feel --
Shanka let go of the knife and stepped back, let him fall. He lay there in the darkness and stared up at her. Her expression didn’t waver. “Let’s see how well you act. I’ll fetch the package and meet you back at Old Master’s.”
Rastaban felt his vision go gray, but she was gone.
A knife blade slid cleanly between his ribs. His breath hitched, but he couldn’t breathe. He was choking. He could feel --
Shanka let go of the knife and stepped back, let him fall. He lay there in the darkness and stared up at her. Her expression didn’t waver. “Let’s see how well you act. I’ll fetch the package and meet you back at Old Master’s.”
Rastaban felt his vision go gray, but she was gone.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Become the Same
“Old Master said you wanted to come with me.” Shanka tugged the folds of her cloak closer. They stood at the edge of the crowd around the bonfire.
“I’ve been training like this for over a year. I’m as capable as you are.” Rastaban lifted his head defiantly.
“If you say so.” Shanka turned and studied the crowd.
In this entire year, Rastaban hadn’t seen a single instance of Kana in her, none of her sweetness or gentleness. It was as if Kana had never existed. Shanka was a soulless soldier and nothing more.
Rastaban refused to become the same.
“I’ve been training like this for over a year. I’m as capable as you are.” Rastaban lifted his head defiantly.
“If you say so.” Shanka turned and studied the crowd.
In this entire year, Rastaban hadn’t seen a single instance of Kana in her, none of her sweetness or gentleness. It was as if Kana had never existed. Shanka was a soulless soldier and nothing more.
Rastaban refused to become the same.
Monday, September 21, 2009
Trying to Survive
“Where’s Shanka?”
“Focus, young man,” Old Master said, gesturing at the smattering of black and white stones in the dirt.
Rastaban sighed and turned his attention back to the game. Every time he was sure he’d learned all the rules, Old Master would surprise him with something new. He placed a finger on a white stone, surveyed the ‘battlefield’, moved the stone, sighed when Old Master locked it into place with a smooth swoop of a black stone.
“What am I trying to do again?”
“Survive,” Old Master said. He was grinning.
Rastaban groaned. “Why can’t I go with Shanka?”
“Focus, young man,” Old Master said, gesturing at the smattering of black and white stones in the dirt.
Rastaban sighed and turned his attention back to the game. Every time he was sure he’d learned all the rules, Old Master would surprise him with something new. He placed a finger on a white stone, surveyed the ‘battlefield’, moved the stone, sighed when Old Master locked it into place with a smooth swoop of a black stone.
“What am I trying to do again?”
“Survive,” Old Master said. He was grinning.
Rastaban groaned. “Why can’t I go with Shanka?”
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Catch Up
“You want me to what?”
“Beat me to the top of the mountain,” Shanka said.
Rastaban craned his neck, peered up through the flurries of snow. The peak of the mountain was beyond his view, lancing high into the winter-white sky.
“What did you call this again?”
“The rooftop of the world,” Shanka said. “The locals call her Sagarmatha, goddess of the sky.” She wore only a simple shift and seemed unconcerned with the frigid air.
“So I have to climb this?”
Shanka started forward. “Faster than me.”
“You’ve been doing this longer.”
“You have time to catch up.”
“Beat me to the top of the mountain,” Shanka said.
Rastaban craned his neck, peered up through the flurries of snow. The peak of the mountain was beyond his view, lancing high into the winter-white sky.
“What did you call this again?”
“The rooftop of the world,” Shanka said. “The locals call her Sagarmatha, goddess of the sky.” She wore only a simple shift and seemed unconcerned with the frigid air.
“So I have to climb this?”
Shanka started forward. “Faster than me.”
“You’ve been doing this longer.”
“You have time to catch up.”
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Makes Perfect
Rastaban stood in the mouth of the cave, shivering, dripping wet.
“I can’t do it - you’re faster than me!”
Shanka crossed her arms over her chest. “Because I practiced.” She pointed. “Make a fire and dry yourself off.” She stepped around him and shrugged off the makeshift raincoat of leaves she’d fashioned earlier. “You’d better be at my side before the moon reaches the Sky Hunter’s Belt.” And she sped into the rain.
Rastaban, dripping wet again, found Shanka standing beneath and outcropping of rock, completely dry despite the torrents from the sky.
“How can you run between raindrops?”
“Practice.”
“I can’t do it - you’re faster than me!”
Shanka crossed her arms over her chest. “Because I practiced.” She pointed. “Make a fire and dry yourself off.” She stepped around him and shrugged off the makeshift raincoat of leaves she’d fashioned earlier. “You’d better be at my side before the moon reaches the Sky Hunter’s Belt.” And she sped into the rain.
Rastaban, dripping wet again, found Shanka standing beneath and outcropping of rock, completely dry despite the torrents from the sky.
“How can you run between raindrops?”
“Practice.”
Friday, September 18, 2009
As I Taught Her
Rastaban eyed Old Master and Shanka speculatively.
“So...basically, I can’t die, and you want me to come with you and do...what?”
“I shall teach you as I taught her.” Old Master nodded at Shanka. “You will learn warfare and subterfuge, politics and languages, things you’ve never learned before.”
“I already understand warfare,” Rastaban said.
Shanka’s smile was dangerously serene. “Your sense of war changes when you take into account the fact that you cannot die.”
“Why would you teach me these things and trust that I won’t kill you once you finish?” Rastaban crossed his arms and smirked.
“So...basically, I can’t die, and you want me to come with you and do...what?”
“I shall teach you as I taught her.” Old Master nodded at Shanka. “You will learn warfare and subterfuge, politics and languages, things you’ve never learned before.”
“I already understand warfare,” Rastaban said.
Shanka’s smile was dangerously serene. “Your sense of war changes when you take into account the fact that you cannot die.”
“Why would you teach me these things and trust that I won’t kill you once you finish?” Rastaban crossed his arms and smirked.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Lack of Permanence
Old Master sighed. “Be gentle with him, Dakshana. He’s not as strong as you are yet.”
Shanka released Rastaban and stepped back.
Old Master smiled gently at him. “I know this is a lot to process, lad, but we have work to do, and you have much to learn. Understand that you can die, and you will die many times, but your death will not be permanent. You will just sleep as long as it takes to heal, and then wake up. You will not grow old, and you will never grow ill. However, everyone you know will pass on.”
Shanka released Rastaban and stepped back.
Old Master smiled gently at him. “I know this is a lot to process, lad, but we have work to do, and you have much to learn. Understand that you can die, and you will die many times, but your death will not be permanent. You will just sleep as long as it takes to heal, and then wake up. You will not grow old, and you will never grow ill. However, everyone you know will pass on.”
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
At Least, Not Permanently
“You were a general,” Shanka said. “Between the three of us, you’re the least experienced. Now you’re just a grunt until you earn your place.”
Rastaban lunged at her. “How dare you speak such to me, you insolent woman --”
Her hand closed over his throat, and she squeezed. Fire raced through his limbs, and he struggled to breathe.
“You’d think, after the war you just fought, you’d know better than to insult me on the basis of womanhood,” Shanka said, her tone disturbingly casual. She rolled her eyes. “Stop squirming - lack of air won’t kill you. At least, not permanently.”
Rastaban lunged at her. “How dare you speak such to me, you insolent woman --”
Her hand closed over his throat, and she squeezed. Fire raced through his limbs, and he struggled to breathe.
“You’d think, after the war you just fought, you’d know better than to insult me on the basis of womanhood,” Shanka said, her tone disturbingly casual. She rolled her eyes. “Stop squirming - lack of air won’t kill you. At least, not permanently.”
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
A While Yet
Rastaban stared at her. “How old are you?”
“Older than I look.” Shanka seemed uncaring of his shock. “Which way?”
Old Master patted down his pack, drew out a folded piece of hide. “I have a map.”
“What did your colourless friend say?” Shanka leaned over to check the map.
“It’ll be a while yet before the next one comes along,” Old Master said. “We have time to get this one all trained up and ready to help with the cause.”
Rastaban threw his hands up. “Wait just a moment - train me? What cause? I’m a soldier and a general.”
“Older than I look.” Shanka seemed uncaring of his shock. “Which way?”
Old Master patted down his pack, drew out a folded piece of hide. “I have a map.”
“What did your colourless friend say?” Shanka leaned over to check the map.
“It’ll be a while yet before the next one comes along,” Old Master said. “We have time to get this one all trained up and ready to help with the cause.”
Rastaban threw his hands up. “Wait just a moment - train me? What cause? I’m a soldier and a general.”
Monday, September 14, 2009
Madness and Reality
“I have to get back to my men, make sure they’re all right.” Rastaban pushed himself to his feet cautiously, and was surprised to realize that he felt perfectly fine.
Shanka shook her head. “You’ve been unconscious for nearly a week. They’ve all headed back to their own villages; the war is over.”
“Khouri and Rhajj --”
“Think you’re dead,” Shanka said. “I let them check your corpse.”
Rastaban’s stomach roiled at the word corpse. “This is madness.”
“This is reality.” Shanka shouldered her pack, handed another to Old Master. “And I wasn’t joking when I said I knew your mother.”
Shanka shook her head. “You’ve been unconscious for nearly a week. They’ve all headed back to their own villages; the war is over.”
“Khouri and Rhajj --”
“Think you’re dead,” Shanka said. “I let them check your corpse.”
Rastaban’s stomach roiled at the word corpse. “This is madness.”
“This is reality.” Shanka shouldered her pack, handed another to Old Master. “And I wasn’t joking when I said I knew your mother.”
Sunday, September 13, 2009
A Favour
Shanka shrugged, sheath her sword. “Then we’re the same kind of monster, we three.”
Rastaban shook his head, and then he remembered the wound at his throat. He reached up and touched the stickiness of dried blood again, and he knew what had happened.
“No.” He shook his head. “Impossible. I’d have noticed if I were one of the unkillable!”
“It doesn’t quite work like that,” Old Master said. “You have to completely die once to realize your full potential. The lass did you a favour.”
Shanka was ignoring the conversation and packing provisions into a sack of animal hide.
Rastaban shook his head, and then he remembered the wound at his throat. He reached up and touched the stickiness of dried blood again, and he knew what had happened.
“No.” He shook his head. “Impossible. I’d have noticed if I were one of the unkillable!”
“It doesn’t quite work like that,” Old Master said. “You have to completely die once to realize your full potential. The lass did you a favour.”
Shanka was ignoring the conversation and packing provisions into a sack of animal hide.
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Monster
Horror ricocheted down Rastaban’s spine when he saw Shanka standing in the corner, holding her sword.
“I am Shanka and he is Old Master,” she said.
Rastaban closed his eyes. “I’m dead, and this is hell.”
“Open your eyes and watch. I’m only going to do this once,” Shanka said.
“It’s important, lad,” the old man said.
Rastaban opened one eye. Shanka drove a her blade into her own hand. She flinched only slightly, then held out her hand. As Rastaban watched, the wound closed.
Rastaban sat bolt upright. “I knew I’d shot you!” Then he recoiled. “You’re a monster.”
“I am Shanka and he is Old Master,” she said.
Rastaban closed his eyes. “I’m dead, and this is hell.”
“Open your eyes and watch. I’m only going to do this once,” Shanka said.
“It’s important, lad,” the old man said.
Rastaban opened one eye. Shanka drove a her blade into her own hand. She flinched only slightly, then held out her hand. As Rastaban watched, the wound closed.
Rastaban sat bolt upright. “I knew I’d shot you!” Then he recoiled. “You’re a monster.”
Friday, September 11, 2009
Not Anymore
Rastaban blinked slowly, trying to clear the haze from his vision. An old man with white hair and a white beard - Vishnu? Shiva? Rama?
“I thought I was dead,” he said.
The old man smiled. “You were. But you’re not anymore. In fact, it’s probably going to be a while before you’re dead again.” He offered a hand. “In the meantime, we should probably get you some clean clothes.”
Rastaban lifted a hand to his throat. It was sticky with drying blood, but - there was no wound. Then he realized precisely what the old man had said. “Who is ‘we’?”
“I thought I was dead,” he said.
The old man smiled. “You were. But you’re not anymore. In fact, it’s probably going to be a while before you’re dead again.” He offered a hand. “In the meantime, we should probably get you some clean clothes.”
Rastaban lifted a hand to his throat. It was sticky with drying blood, but - there was no wound. Then he realized precisely what the old man had said. “Who is ‘we’?”
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Join Us
Rastaban was sure that he was dead. Whenever he even thought about trying to move, echoes of the firebrand at his throat from where Shanka had cut him shot through his body like hot sparks. But he was definitely dead. If he managed to open his eyes, he’d be greeted with the afterlife. He’d see Rami and his mother and the soldiers he’d fought with over the years. There would be food and drink, music and dancing.
Or there’d be an old man leaning on the shaft of a spear, peering at him.
“So good of you to join us.”
Or there’d be an old man leaning on the shaft of a spear, peering at him.
“So good of you to join us.”
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Worth It
“What did you do with the troops?” Old Master asked.
“I turned command over to Malia. She’s leading them home. Feigned a little shame and tears so she left me alone.” Shanka stared down at Rastaban’s body. He hadn’t moved since she’d slit his throat, and she’d checked his pulse, but he was still firmly dead.
Old Master arched and eyebrow. “You don’t have to feign shame, you know. In fact, you ought to feel some shame. You led those women into a trap.”
Shanka slewed him a glance. “I know what I did. You’d better hope he’s worth it.”
“I turned command over to Malia. She’s leading them home. Feigned a little shame and tears so she left me alone.” Shanka stared down at Rastaban’s body. He hadn’t moved since she’d slit his throat, and she’d checked his pulse, but he was still firmly dead.
Old Master arched and eyebrow. “You don’t have to feign shame, you know. In fact, you ought to feel some shame. You led those women into a trap.”
Shanka slewed him a glance. “I know what I did. You’d better hope he’s worth it.”
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Interlude 4
He stood on a slender outcropping on the face of a sheer drop, overlooking the valley. The sheer number of dead made something twist in his gut. That so many of them were women made it all the worse. But watching her in all her battle glory made the fractured pieces in his soul want to sing, a discordant ballad of longing and love.
Pain lanced through his shoulder, and he looked down, checked the wounds there. Another had healed; five more to go. His colorless eyes flashed brown momentarily, and then he stepped off the edge and into nothing.
Pain lanced through his shoulder, and he looked down, checked the wounds there. Another had healed; five more to go. His colorless eyes flashed brown momentarily, and then he stepped off the edge and into nothing.
Monday, September 7, 2009
Warm, Sticky, Sweet
Shanka gazed down at the valley, at the scattered bodies of men and women alike. She’d never wanted it to come to this. She’d spent years building and training an army, creating a new life. And now it had to end.
She’d much rather have killed Rastaban in his sleep.
“You’re so stubborn,” she said.
Battle exploded across the valley. Dying screams and clashing metal rang toward the sky.
Rastaban writhed, and Shanka saw him straining, reaching for his sword.
Not strong enough, Shanka thought, and drew the blade across his throat. Warm life spilled across her hands, sticky, sweet.
She’d much rather have killed Rastaban in his sleep.
“You’re so stubborn,” she said.
Battle exploded across the valley. Dying screams and clashing metal rang toward the sky.
Rastaban writhed, and Shanka saw him straining, reaching for his sword.
Not strong enough, Shanka thought, and drew the blade across his throat. Warm life spilled across her hands, sticky, sweet.
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Fight On
“I’d applaud your general for all he’s taught you,” Shanka said, and her voice rang across the valley. “Unfortunately, the one thing he never learned was how to take care of himself, and a soldier who cannot keep himself alive has no business telling others how to do the same.”
Rastaban thrashed, humiliated and furious, but Shanka’s grip was immovable.
“Lay down your weapons, or your leader dies.”
Rastaban closed his eyes. This was his demise, then. At the hands of a woman. And then fire burned in his veins once more. He yelled. “Fight on! Fight for your honor!”
Rastaban thrashed, humiliated and furious, but Shanka’s grip was immovable.
“Lay down your weapons, or your leader dies.”
Rastaban closed his eyes. This was his demise, then. At the hands of a woman. And then fire burned in his veins once more. He yelled. “Fight on! Fight for your honor!”
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Good Of You To Listen
Shanka threw her head back and shrieked.
Rastaban shuddered, disoriented. Shanka was strong and fast and - he squirmed, tried to crane his head. Her grip was immovable. He squirmed some more, and then he saw - the wound on her arm where he’d struck her was gone.
What was she?
Shanka shook him like he was a disobedient cub and let loose with another shriek, a volley of words he couldn’t understand.
Fire exploded across the valley floor. Burning arrows. Rastaban heard them zip through the sky.
Then slowly, inexplicably, the cacophony of battle ceased.
“So good of you to listen.”
Rastaban shuddered, disoriented. Shanka was strong and fast and - he squirmed, tried to crane his head. Her grip was immovable. He squirmed some more, and then he saw - the wound on her arm where he’d struck her was gone.
What was she?
Shanka shook him like he was a disobedient cub and let loose with another shriek, a volley of words he couldn’t understand.
Fire exploded across the valley floor. Burning arrows. Rastaban heard them zip through the sky.
Then slowly, inexplicably, the cacophony of battle ceased.
“So good of you to listen.”
Friday, September 4, 2009
Too Fast
“I do have lovely hands,” Shanka said. She struck.
Rastaban stepped back, fists up to guard, but she was fast. Too fast. Inhumanly fast. She closed the distance between them in the moment between two breaths, and then she planted a fist in his gut.
Rastaban staggered back, winded and struck with the sudden urge to retch. Shanka caught him by the shoulders, and then she swept his leg out from under him. Rastaban’s world went head over heels and he was on his knees on the ground, Shanka’s arm locked across his throat and a blade tickling his pulse.
Rastaban stepped back, fists up to guard, but she was fast. Too fast. Inhumanly fast. She closed the distance between them in the moment between two breaths, and then she planted a fist in his gut.
Rastaban staggered back, winded and struck with the sudden urge to retch. Shanka caught him by the shoulders, and then she swept his leg out from under him. Rastaban’s world went head over heels and he was on his knees on the ground, Shanka’s arm locked across his throat and a blade tickling his pulse.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Like A Real Soldier
“Might makes right,” he said, and struck.
Shanka was fast. She dodged, but his blow landed true, caught her across the upper arm in the gap between her armor and bracers. She shrieked in fury and stepped back.
“You cut me!”
“I could do worse,” Rastaban said.
Shanka’s eyes flashed. “You can try.”
He smirked. “I will.”
Shanka set down her sword and her knife and stepped back, curled her hands into fists. “Then fight me like a real soldier.”
Rastaban paused. Then he set his sword down. “I’ve been waiting to get my hands on you, my lovely warrior.”
Shanka was fast. She dodged, but his blow landed true, caught her across the upper arm in the gap between her armor and bracers. She shrieked in fury and stepped back.
“You cut me!”
“I could do worse,” Rastaban said.
Shanka’s eyes flashed. “You can try.”
He smirked. “I will.”
Shanka set down her sword and her knife and stepped back, curled her hands into fists. “Then fight me like a real soldier.”
Rastaban paused. Then he set his sword down. “I’ve been waiting to get my hands on you, my lovely warrior.”
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Just As Fast
“Your women are dying,” Rastaban said.
Shanka spun, slashed at his ribs.
He dodged, struck back, but she sidestepped neatly.
“So are your men.”
“By the time this night is done, your army will be gone.” Rastaban lunged and caught her across the ribs, but her armor took most of the blow. “Shouldn’t you be leading them?”
Shanka switched her sword to one hand, drew her knife with the other. “Only because your men fight on vengeance and lies. My women fight for their nation.”
Rastaban was surprised she was that strong, but he was just as fast as her.
Shanka spun, slashed at his ribs.
He dodged, struck back, but she sidestepped neatly.
“So are your men.”
“By the time this night is done, your army will be gone.” Rastaban lunged and caught her across the ribs, but her armor took most of the blow. “Shouldn’t you be leading them?”
Shanka switched her sword to one hand, drew her knife with the other. “Only because your men fight on vengeance and lies. My women fight for their nation.”
Rastaban was surprised she was that strong, but he was just as fast as her.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Never Looked More Beautiful
“What are you waiting for?” Rastaban asked.
Rhajj drew his sword and led the second wave down the hill.
Khouri signalled the archers for another volley. Rastaban drew his sword and waited. The last of Shanka’s phalanx fell beneath the second wave of men, but Rastaban was unsurprised when she emerged from the slaughter with a severed head in one hand and murder in her eyes.
Her hair was wet with blood and her armor was stained with gore, but she’d never looked more beautiful.
She flung the head aside and lunged at him.
He blocked her strike and laughed.
Rhajj drew his sword and led the second wave down the hill.
Khouri signalled the archers for another volley. Rastaban drew his sword and waited. The last of Shanka’s phalanx fell beneath the second wave of men, but Rastaban was unsurprised when she emerged from the slaughter with a severed head in one hand and murder in her eyes.
Her hair was wet with blood and her armor was stained with gore, but she’d never looked more beautiful.
She flung the head aside and lunged at him.
He blocked her strike and laughed.
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