They had to pull apart to gasp for air, and then Kana sank against him, shivering and giggling. She leaned in, brushing her lips along the line of his throat, the shell of his ear.
“Where did you learn to kiss like that?” she asked.
“I - don’t know,” Andrev stammered.
Kana ran a hand up the curve of his spine. “Well, kiss me again.”
He did.
When Andrev opened his eyes, he was tucked into his bed of furs and Rastaban was standing over him holding a torch and roasted rabbit.
“Your turn on watch,” he said.
Andrev nodded, dazed.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Heartbeat
The wind coming off the river pushed through the grass around them, swirling it around their knees. Andrev stared at Kana, surprised and confused. Though he would never admit it, he’d imagined kissing her, if only because he imagined she was the only girl who might let him. But something in her golden eyes was hypnotizing.
Andrev swayed forward, almost against his own volition.
Kana stepped into meet him, and then she was kissing him, brushing her lips against his. She wound her arms around his shoulders and tugged him close, and then he could feel her heartbeat against his.
Andrev swayed forward, almost against his own volition.
Kana stepped into meet him, and then she was kissing him, brushing her lips against his. She wound her arms around his shoulders and tugged him close, and then he could feel her heartbeat against his.
Monday, January 18, 2010
Like Kiss
“Who are you?” Andrev asked. He couldn’t quite believe it was her.
She just tilted her head to one side and smiled, and Andrev’s heart lurched. He knew that smile. She pressed one finger to her lips and glanced pointedly at Rastaban, then beckoned again.
It was too easy to slide out of the bed of furs and onto the grass, to slip into the shadows after Kana.
“You’re dead,” Andrev said.
“Apparently you dreamed me back to life,” Kana whispered.
“Why would I do that?”
“So we can do what we never got to do,” Kana said, “like kiss.”
She just tilted her head to one side and smiled, and Andrev’s heart lurched. He knew that smile. She pressed one finger to her lips and glanced pointedly at Rastaban, then beckoned again.
It was too easy to slide out of the bed of furs and onto the grass, to slip into the shadows after Kana.
“You’re dead,” Andrev said.
“Apparently you dreamed me back to life,” Kana whispered.
“Why would I do that?”
“So we can do what we never got to do,” Kana said, “like kiss.”
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Dreams and Miracles
Even though Andrev and Rastaban had discovered that they didn’t need nearly as much sleep as normal people, every few days they had to rest, so they took turns, one sleeping, the other guarding.
When it was Andrev’s turn to sleep, he dreamt of Kana.
At first he thought it wasn’t a dream at all but a miracle, seeing Kana crouched in the shadows beyond the glow of the fire. Andrev glimpsed her just through his eyelids as he closed his eyes, and he had to open his eyes, sit up, peer.
Rastaban was looking away from him.
Kana beckoned.
When it was Andrev’s turn to sleep, he dreamt of Kana.
At first he thought it wasn’t a dream at all but a miracle, seeing Kana crouched in the shadows beyond the glow of the fire. Andrev glimpsed her just through his eyelids as he closed his eyes, and he had to open his eyes, sit up, peer.
Rastaban was looking away from him.
Kana beckoned.
Still
“Yes,” Andrev agreed. He gazed into the golden depths of the flames and imagined, for one moment, they were the same color as Kana’s eyes had been when she laughed. “There is no one like her.”
“It would seem that there is no one like you either,” Rastaban said.
Andrev frowned. “You saw Dalinor.”
“Yes, but even he agreed you’re not like him.” Rastaban cast a pointed look at Andrev’s forehead where he’d let his hair fall messily as before. “You are much more powerful than him, it would seem.”
“But far less controlled.”
“We still have work to do.”
“It would seem that there is no one like you either,” Rastaban said.
Andrev frowned. “You saw Dalinor.”
“Yes, but even he agreed you’re not like him.” Rastaban cast a pointed look at Andrev’s forehead where he’d let his hair fall messily as before. “You are much more powerful than him, it would seem.”
“But far less controlled.”
“We still have work to do.”
Friday, January 15, 2010
Like No One
“The Wanderers aren’t really my people,” Rastaban said.
Andrev turned that over in his mind, remembered how the people had looked up to him as a leader and a friend. “They seemed to think they were your people.”
“I led them for a time, but they are not my people. My people are...different.” He levitated a small pebble over his open palm to make his point.
“Are there more like you?” Andrev asked. “There are more like me.”
Rastaban shrugged. “In all my wanderings, the only one I ever found like me was Kana. And she’s like no one.”
Andrev turned that over in his mind, remembered how the people had looked up to him as a leader and a friend. “They seemed to think they were your people.”
“I led them for a time, but they are not my people. My people are...different.” He levitated a small pebble over his open palm to make his point.
“Are there more like you?” Andrev asked. “There are more like me.”
Rastaban shrugged. “In all my wanderings, the only one I ever found like me was Kana. And she’s like no one.”
Thursday, January 14, 2010
With Me
Andrev came back to himself as the sun set - some animal forms cared little for day and night, seeing almost equally well during both. Rastaban sat beside a fire, bed-furs laid out in two pallets, two fish roasting on a spit.
“How long was I out there?”
“All day,” Rastaban said. “You scared most of the local wildlife, I think.”
“Why didn’t you stop me?”
“I wasn’t going to get in the way of a dire wolf.” Rastaban prodded the fire with a stick.
Andrev hunkered down beside him, reached for a fish. “Why did you come with me?”
“How long was I out there?”
“All day,” Rastaban said. “You scared most of the local wildlife, I think.”
“Why didn’t you stop me?”
“I wasn’t going to get in the way of a dire wolf.” Rastaban prodded the fire with a stick.
Andrev hunkered down beside him, reached for a fish. “Why did you come with me?”
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Human-based
Andrev closed his eyes and took a deep breath. When he let the world fade away, he could hear Kana’s voice in his mind, whispering and laughing, Pretty butterfly, pretty boy.
Pretty monster.
The first time he’d done it, he’d been terrified out of his mind, excited and confused. Now it was a mechanical task. It was agonizing, too, the shift of bones and muscle, sinew and tendon. Every time Andrev’s body changed shape, it reaffirmed what he was - a monster.
Maybe a human-based monster, because he had to anchor himself in human form between every change.
Not anymore.
Pretty monster.
The first time he’d done it, he’d been terrified out of his mind, excited and confused. Now it was a mechanical task. It was agonizing, too, the shift of bones and muscle, sinew and tendon. Every time Andrev’s body changed shape, it reaffirmed what he was - a monster.
Maybe a human-based monster, because he had to anchor himself in human form between every change.
Not anymore.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Give It A Try
“What’ll it be today?” Andrev asked.
Rastaban stood on the edge of the camp and watched Andrev limber up. Silvery scars marred the flesh of his back, his limbs, reminders of all the forms he had earned.
“You should work on speed,” Rastaban said. “Can you get from one form to another without having to go human in between?”
Andrev hummed thoughtfully, stared off into the distance as he built his focus. As far as Andrev knew, Rastaban’s talent was little use in battle, so Andrev would have to carry most of the battle.
“I can give it a try.”
Rastaban stood on the edge of the camp and watched Andrev limber up. Silvery scars marred the flesh of his back, his limbs, reminders of all the forms he had earned.
“You should work on speed,” Rastaban said. “Can you get from one form to another without having to go human in between?”
Andrev hummed thoughtfully, stared off into the distance as he built his focus. As far as Andrev knew, Rastaban’s talent was little use in battle, so Andrev would have to carry most of the battle.
“I can give it a try.”
Monday, January 11, 2010
Learning To Become
The first few attempts were disastrous and nearly cost Andrev his life. They tracked a large beast across the steppes - Rastaban noticed the tracks first, though Andrev had been dubious that anything that left a mark that big had feet and was not a rolled boulder instead.
They found a giant woolly beast with a snake-like nose and tusks. They found a white-striped tiger and a black-furred wolf. They found snakes and birds of prey that wheeled high in the sky and dropped on prey like lightning from the gods.
Andrev learned to become all of them.
They found a giant woolly beast with a snake-like nose and tusks. They found a white-striped tiger and a black-furred wolf. They found snakes and birds of prey that wheeled high in the sky and dropped on prey like lightning from the gods.
Andrev learned to become all of them.
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Said And Done
Andrev and Rastaban sat side-by-side, staring into the flames.
Finally, Rastaban said, “When this is said and done, you will be a greater hunter than all of them combined.”
Andrev nodded jerkily, once, and stood up. He rolled up his bed furs and secured them with a piece of twine. “I don’t think Kana would have wanted me to kill them. Kir made her laugh, after all.”
Rastaban studied the taut line of Andrev’s spine. “What does it matter, what Kana would want?”
“Do you think it hurt, when she died?”
Rastaban knew the answer, but he lied.
Finally, Rastaban said, “When this is said and done, you will be a greater hunter than all of them combined.”
Andrev nodded jerkily, once, and stood up. He rolled up his bed furs and secured them with a piece of twine. “I don’t think Kana would have wanted me to kill them. Kir made her laugh, after all.”
Rastaban studied the taut line of Andrev’s spine. “What does it matter, what Kana would want?”
“Do you think it hurt, when she died?”
Rastaban knew the answer, but he lied.
Saturday, January 9, 2010
In One Breath
“What makes you ask?” Andrev asked.
Rastaban gestured vaguely. “You’re not really human. You’re stronger and faster. It stands to reason that you heal faster than most humans and are harder to kill. Perhaps Dalinor, who has fine-tuned his power, survived the attack.”
“I doubt it,” Andrev said. “For all their cruelty and idiocy, Kir and Savva are skilled hunters. They have slain many fierce beasts.” The first of his kind he had ever met, and the people who claimed to have saved him, the people who called him blessed and cursed in one breath - they had killed him.
Rastaban gestured vaguely. “You’re not really human. You’re stronger and faster. It stands to reason that you heal faster than most humans and are harder to kill. Perhaps Dalinor, who has fine-tuned his power, survived the attack.”
“I doubt it,” Andrev said. “For all their cruelty and idiocy, Kir and Savva are skilled hunters. They have slain many fierce beasts.” The first of his kind he had ever met, and the people who claimed to have saved him, the people who called him blessed and cursed in one breath - they had killed him.
Friday, January 8, 2010
Quickly
Andrev awoke to find Rastaban tending a fire and roasting a rabbit on a spit. He blinked and rubbed his eyes.
“When did you hunt?”
“While you slept,” Rastaban said.
“It’s early yet. The sun barely shines.”
“I couldn’t sleep,” Rastaban said. “Eat. We seek animals today.”
“Animals to use as weapons against Kir and Savva for killing Dalinor?”
Rastaban’s gaze shifted away, and Andrev sensed unease in him, possibly deception.
“You think Dalinor survived?”
“Perhaps,” Rastaban said. He took a deep breath. “When you were injured as a child, did you heal quickly? More quickly than others? Unnaturally quickly?”
“When did you hunt?”
“While you slept,” Rastaban said.
“It’s early yet. The sun barely shines.”
“I couldn’t sleep,” Rastaban said. “Eat. We seek animals today.”
“Animals to use as weapons against Kir and Savva for killing Dalinor?”
Rastaban’s gaze shifted away, and Andrev sensed unease in him, possibly deception.
“You think Dalinor survived?”
“Perhaps,” Rastaban said. He took a deep breath. “When you were injured as a child, did you heal quickly? More quickly than others? Unnaturally quickly?”
Good Way to Break a Man
“Foolish boy will think it’s my spirit looking out for him,” Kana said.
Rastaban shrugged. “It will be you, won’t it?”
“Yes, but...” Kana shook her head. Rastaban had no idea what she meant.
Or maybe he did. “At least he wasn’t in love with you. That would have hurt more.”
“This is true,” Kana said.
Rastaban hummed thoughtfully. “That would be a good way to break a man - make him fall in love with you, and after he loses you, if I pick up the pieces, give him a cause to live and fight for --”
“I’ll go find animals.”
Rastaban shrugged. “It will be you, won’t it?”
“Yes, but...” Kana shook her head. Rastaban had no idea what she meant.
Or maybe he did. “At least he wasn’t in love with you. That would have hurt more.”
“This is true,” Kana said.
Rastaban hummed thoughtfully. “That would be a good way to break a man - make him fall in love with you, and after he loses you, if I pick up the pieces, give him a cause to live and fight for --”
“I’ll go find animals.”
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Watching Over
Rastaban glanced over to make sure Andrev was still asleep. “You have to help me,” he said.
Kana bit her lip, but then bobbed her head in assent. “You’re still on point for this. What do you need me to do?”
“I need you to find me animals. Big ones. Fierce ones. Large ones.”
Kana stared at him. “I don’t have his power.”
“But you have power.”
“Not his. Hence this exercise.”
Rastaban huffed. “Go. Find scary animals. I’ll track you.”
“He’ll be able to track me to.”
“Well, maybe he’ll think he has some guardian spirit watching over him.”
Kana bit her lip, but then bobbed her head in assent. “You’re still on point for this. What do you need me to do?”
“I need you to find me animals. Big ones. Fierce ones. Large ones.”
Kana stared at him. “I don’t have his power.”
“But you have power.”
“Not his. Hence this exercise.”
Rastaban huffed. “Go. Find scary animals. I’ll track you.”
“He’ll be able to track me to.”
“Well, maybe he’ll think he has some guardian spirit watching over him.”
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Avoiding The Issue
Rastaban awoke when someone clapped a hand over his mouth and dragged him away from the camp he shared with Andrev.
Kana knelt over him in the darkness.
“So whatever plan you had just went to hell in a handcart,” she said. “Savva and the others kept Dalinor alive long enough to learn that Andrev is the most powerful of his kind to have existed in a hundred years, and Dalinor is summoning his kin to help hunt Andrev. What’s your new plan?”
“Did they give you a proper burial?”
“I had to dig myself out. Stop avoiding the issue.”
Kana knelt over him in the darkness.
“So whatever plan you had just went to hell in a handcart,” she said. “Savva and the others kept Dalinor alive long enough to learn that Andrev is the most powerful of his kind to have existed in a hundred years, and Dalinor is summoning his kin to help hunt Andrev. What’s your new plan?”
“Did they give you a proper burial?”
“I had to dig myself out. Stop avoiding the issue.”
Rastaban Said
“What do we do now?” Andrev asked.
Rastaban looked at him for a long time. Then he said, “We chase down some of the biggest, meanest, fiercest animals we can find, and you take them on, just like Dalinor said. And then we face Savva and Kir.”
“What about Kana?” Andrev asked. “Will they give her a proper burial? And what of Dalinor?”
“I don’t know,” Rastaban said.
Andrev stared out at the deep river waters as they flowed past, deceptively still on the surface. “Do you think we can find more of my kind?”
“I don’t know,” Rastaban said.
Rastaban looked at him for a long time. Then he said, “We chase down some of the biggest, meanest, fiercest animals we can find, and you take them on, just like Dalinor said. And then we face Savva and Kir.”
“What about Kana?” Andrev asked. “Will they give her a proper burial? And what of Dalinor?”
“I don’t know,” Rastaban said.
Andrev stared out at the deep river waters as they flowed past, deceptively still on the surface. “Do you think we can find more of my kind?”
“I don’t know,” Rastaban said.
Monday, January 4, 2010
Everything
They ran and ran until it was light and then until it was dark, and Andrev, who had finally given into the urge to weep, sank down by the side of the river. They couldn’t even see the smoke from the campfires behind them.
“What happened?” Andrev asked. He scrubbed his hand over his face, but the tears kept on coming, and he couldn’t breathe properly, and he realized that the dried blood on his hands was Kana’s.
Rastaban’s face was pale, and his lips were pressed into a thin line. “I don’t know what happened. Everything just went wrong.”
“What happened?” Andrev asked. He scrubbed his hand over his face, but the tears kept on coming, and he couldn’t breathe properly, and he realized that the dried blood on his hands was Kana’s.
Rastaban’s face was pale, and his lips were pressed into a thin line. “I don’t know what happened. Everything just went wrong.”
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Inexplicably
And then someone launched into his back. Andrev pitched forward. The spear drove toward Kir. Hot wet stickiness, copper-scented, exploded across Andrev’s back. He roared and spun, ready to shake off his attacker - only Kana fell into his arms, and her golden eyes were wide, surprised, and she said,
“Sorry, I had to save you.”
Inexplicably, she died.
Andrev lifted his head and saw one of Kir’s hunters staring, wide-eyed, horrified. Everyone else, even Dalinor the wolf, went still. Andrev turned. Rastaban wore an expression akin to terror.
Then he seized Andrev by the hand and they ran.
“Sorry, I had to save you.”
Inexplicably, she died.
Andrev lifted his head and saw one of Kir’s hunters staring, wide-eyed, horrified. Everyone else, even Dalinor the wolf, went still. Andrev turned. Rastaban wore an expression akin to terror.
Then he seized Andrev by the hand and they ran.
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Could, Now
Andrev laughed. “Really? Is that the best threat you can manage?” He whipped his spear through the air. “I’ve always been a better hunter than you.”
“Kill the monster,” Savva said, and drew his arm back to throw.
Dalinor tossed his head, howled.
As one, the hunters lunged. Andrev followed. Whatever Rastaban had asked of him, done to him, had awakened something inside of him, and suddenly all of Andrev’s motions were smoother, quicker than ever before.
One moment, Andrev was frozen with indecision. The next, he had Kir on the ground at spear point.
“I could kill you now.”
“Kill the monster,” Savva said, and drew his arm back to throw.
Dalinor tossed his head, howled.
As one, the hunters lunged. Andrev followed. Whatever Rastaban had asked of him, done to him, had awakened something inside of him, and suddenly all of Andrev’s motions were smoother, quicker than ever before.
One moment, Andrev was frozen with indecision. The next, he had Kir on the ground at spear point.
“I could kill you now.”
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Only You
“I’ll come back for them,” Rastaban promised. “Andrev, please. It’s not safe here.”
Andrev was torn between keeping his life and letting Dalinor die. Maybe Dalinor was a monster, but he was the same kind of monster Andrev was, and Andrev wasn’t going to let Kir and Savva and the other hunters just murder him like they’d always wanted to do to Andrev.
No.
Andrev stood up, scooped up a fallen spear. It was finally his time to fight.”
“Leave him alone,” he said, “before someone gets hurt.”
“The only one who’s going to get hurt is you,” Kir said.
Andrev was torn between keeping his life and letting Dalinor die. Maybe Dalinor was a monster, but he was the same kind of monster Andrev was, and Andrev wasn’t going to let Kir and Savva and the other hunters just murder him like they’d always wanted to do to Andrev.
No.
Andrev stood up, scooped up a fallen spear. It was finally his time to fight.”
“Leave him alone,” he said, “before someone gets hurt.”
“The only one who’s going to get hurt is you,” Kir said.
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Right Back At You
Hunters swarmed out of the tallgrass, ululating into the night, spears whistling through the air. Andrev leapt at Kana and knocked her down, shielded her body with his. Wolf-snarls broke over the din above him, and then Rastaban tugged on him.
“Come on - we have to get out of here!”
Andrev dared to lift his head. He saw Dalinor encircled by hunters. Their spears dripped with blood. Dalinor was limping.
“We have to stop them,” Andrev said. “They’ll kill him.”
“And they’ll kill you right back,” Rastaban said. “We have to run. Now!”
“But - the other Wanderers,” Kana began.
“Come on - we have to get out of here!”
Andrev dared to lift his head. He saw Dalinor encircled by hunters. Their spears dripped with blood. Dalinor was limping.
“We have to stop them,” Andrev said. “They’ll kill him.”
“And they’ll kill you right back,” Rastaban said. “We have to run. Now!”
“But - the other Wanderers,” Kana began.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Chaos Followed
It was Kir. Dalinor strode out of the shadows, carrying Kir by the neck as if he were a disobedient kitten.
“This one was skulking about with a spear. I think, Andrev, he meant to kill you.”
“Monster!” Kir shouted. “My father should have let you die!”
Dalinor shook him. “He’s right, you know, about the monster bit. Perhaps you should show him just how much of a monster you are.” And then he flung Kir aside.
Kir managed to roll and scramble to his feet, spear at the ready, but then Dalinor was a giant wolf, and chaos followed.
“This one was skulking about with a spear. I think, Andrev, he meant to kill you.”
“Monster!” Kir shouted. “My father should have let you die!”
Dalinor shook him. “He’s right, you know, about the monster bit. Perhaps you should show him just how much of a monster you are.” And then he flung Kir aside.
Kir managed to roll and scramble to his feet, spear at the ready, but then Dalinor was a giant wolf, and chaos followed.
Monday, December 28, 2009
The Tell-tale Rustle
Andrev awoke to the sound of footsteps in the grass. They were so soft that he might have imagined them, but after all those tests with Rastaban Andrev’s control of his senses was better, and he was sure he’d heard something. He reached for his spear and then rose to his feet as quietly as possible.
He heard it again, the tell-tale rustle of tall grass.
“How many are there?” Kana whispered.
Andrev almost jumped out of his skin.
Kana was on her feet beside him, clutching her own spear.
“I don’t know,” Andrev said.
“I think it’s Kir.”
He heard it again, the tell-tale rustle of tall grass.
“How many are there?” Kana whispered.
Andrev almost jumped out of his skin.
Kana was on her feet beside him, clutching her own spear.
“I don’t know,” Andrev said.
“I think it’s Kir.”
What She Sees
“This isn’t going to look good on your field report,” Kana said.
She and Rastaban walked under the stars.
“My field report? You’re the one who hasn’t made him fall in love with you,” Rastaban said.
Kana tossed her head. “The heart is a fickle thing. Besides, a good general has a back-up plan. What’s yours? I haven’t seen it. All I’ve seen is Dalinor derail it.”
“What have you seen?” Rastaban asked.
“You don’t get to know what I see unless Old Master says,” Kana said.
Rastaban eyed her. “How did you learn to see like that, anyway?”
She and Rastaban walked under the stars.
“My field report? You’re the one who hasn’t made him fall in love with you,” Rastaban said.
Kana tossed her head. “The heart is a fickle thing. Besides, a good general has a back-up plan. What’s yours? I haven’t seen it. All I’ve seen is Dalinor derail it.”
“What have you seen?” Rastaban asked.
“You don’t get to know what I see unless Old Master says,” Kana said.
Rastaban eyed her. “How did you learn to see like that, anyway?”
Sunday, December 27, 2009
What None of Them Saw
Between Rastaban’s charm, Kana’s guileless madness, and Andrev’s stubbornness, the strange man - whose name was Dalinor - agreed to sleep in the tent nearest to Rastaban’s for security’s sake.
That tent was Kana’s, which made Andrev feel sympathetic for about two seconds before she gathered up her nest of furs and announced that she would sleep under the stars with Andrev, a respectable distance away from his fur pallet.
Andrev saw Dalinor smirking.
None of them saw Kir and his fellow hunters lingering on the edge of the camp, watching the argument unfold.
One of the hunters ran to tell Savva.
That tent was Kana’s, which made Andrev feel sympathetic for about two seconds before she gathered up her nest of furs and announced that she would sleep under the stars with Andrev, a respectable distance away from his fur pallet.
Andrev saw Dalinor smirking.
None of them saw Kir and his fellow hunters lingering on the edge of the camp, watching the argument unfold.
One of the hunters ran to tell Savva.
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Greater Than Those
“The humans will not accept you for much longer. Your power is growing,” the man said. He cast Rastaban a look. “Perhaps some have their own peculiarities, but no human can compare to the gods of the sky.”
“Gods of the sky?” Andrev asked.
The man smiled. “Indeed. The dragons are the gods of the sky.”
The tension, the hope and anger and fear that had been building in Andrev’s chest, dissipated. “A dragon? That’s what I am?”
“You have no tail and no wings,” Kana said, and sounded like a puzzled child.
“A dragon is greater than those things.”
“Gods of the sky?” Andrev asked.
The man smiled. “Indeed. The dragons are the gods of the sky.”
The tension, the hope and anger and fear that had been building in Andrev’s chest, dissipated. “A dragon? That’s what I am?”
“You have no tail and no wings,” Kana said, and sounded like a puzzled child.
“A dragon is greater than those things.”
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
So Convenient
“If we had known of you, we would have raised you as one of our own, trained you,” the man said. “Something must have happened to your father when you were born, for we would not have let you slip through our grasp.”
Andrev stared at him for a long time. “And if I had been found as a child?”
“We would have claimed you.” The man offered a hand. “Come with me now, and I’ll take you back to your people - your family.”
“So convenient of you,” Kana said, “to seek him now that he is so very powerful.”
Andrev stared at him for a long time. “And if I had been found as a child?”
“We would have claimed you.” The man offered a hand. “Come with me now, and I’ll take you back to your people - your family.”
“So convenient of you,” Kana said, “to seek him now that he is so very powerful.”
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Rare Treasures
“Who are ‘they’?” Kana tilted her head to one side, quizzical.
Andrev pushed past her, ignored her sound of kitten-hurt. “How many others are there like me?”
“There are none quite like you,” the man said. “None with the same raw power and potential. None with the same - crippling disabilities.” He slewed a sidelong glance at Kana as he said this.
Kana clutched at Andrev’s arm, but he shook her off.
“How many more of our kind?”
“Little more than a hundred,” the man said. “We survive as best we can. Younglings are rare treasures.”
“Why was I left behind?”
Andrev pushed past her, ignored her sound of kitten-hurt. “How many others are there like me?”
“There are none quite like you,” the man said. “None with the same raw power and potential. None with the same - crippling disabilities.” He slewed a sidelong glance at Kana as he said this.
Kana clutched at Andrev’s arm, but he shook her off.
“How many more of our kind?”
“Little more than a hundred,” the man said. “We survive as best we can. Younglings are rare treasures.”
“Why was I left behind?”
Monday, December 21, 2009
Great Power, They Said
The man hit the ground with an ignoble thump. Andrev scrambled to see if it was all right, Kana on his heels ready to tug him back at the first sign of trouble.
The man sat up, rubbing his head ruefully. When he spoke, his tone was light, but he eyed Rastaban with deep suspicion.
“I wouldn’t have hurt the lad,” he said. “It’s just that I was summoned, and I came to seek my kith and kin.”
“Summoned? By what?” Kana asked.
The man looked her up and down, expression unreadable. “Great power, they said. Great power has risen.”
The man sat up, rubbing his head ruefully. When he spoke, his tone was light, but he eyed Rastaban with deep suspicion.
“I wouldn’t have hurt the lad,” he said. “It’s just that I was summoned, and I came to seek my kith and kin.”
“Summoned? By what?” Kana asked.
The man looked her up and down, expression unreadable. “Great power, they said. Great power has risen.”
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Not Limited
Andrev searched his memory, desperate, gasping for breath, but he was a hunter, not a warrior. He didn’t go out of his way to fling himself in the path of a ravenous beast just to get a handful of its fur.
The air hummed with energy, and then the tiger midair was a man once more.
“Are you going to behave?” Rastaban asked. His dark eyes flashed. “My powers are not limited to holding you still.”
And the man in the air began to scream.
Andrev flinched at the sound; it was raw fury and pain.
“Stop it! Free him.”
The air hummed with energy, and then the tiger midair was a man once more.
“Are you going to behave?” Rastaban asked. His dark eyes flashed. “My powers are not limited to holding you still.”
And the man in the air began to scream.
Andrev flinched at the sound; it was raw fury and pain.
“Stop it! Free him.”
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Anything Bigger
And then the world was filled with the scent of death. Predator.
Andrev bucked, trying to writhe out of Kana’s arms. She screamed and leapt, shaking his entire existence, and the roar of a giant cat-beast rent the air.
Andrev screamed. Then he was on his back in the grass, human again, staring at the giant white-and-black striped tiger suspended above him in midair. Rastaban had one hand outstretched and his spear poised to throw. The tiger made a half-growl in its throat; it was utterly immobile.
“Andrev,” Kana said, “can you turn into anything bigger?”
Andrev bucked, trying to writhe out of Kana’s arms. She screamed and leapt, shaking his entire existence, and the roar of a giant cat-beast rent the air.
Andrev screamed. Then he was on his back in the grass, human again, staring at the giant white-and-black striped tiger suspended above him in midair. Rastaban had one hand outstretched and his spear poised to throw. The tiger made a half-growl in its throat; it was utterly immobile.
“Andrev,” Kana said, “can you turn into anything bigger?”
Friday, December 18, 2009
Oh Dear
The world went white, then blazed silver, and suddenly everything was...bigger.
Kana’s voice was loud and disjointed. Andrev was tempted to ignore it, go in search of food, because he could smell some tasty beetles, but part of his brain insisted he listen to her.
“Oh, dear, he’s a rabbit,” Kana said.
Another voice joined her’s. Familiar. Rastaban. “We don’t want anyone thinking he’s dinner. Pick him up and - pretend he’s your pet or something. I’ll deal with this man.”
This man, whoever he was, was making sounds that made Andrev’s fur stand up on end.
He was laughing.
Kana’s voice was loud and disjointed. Andrev was tempted to ignore it, go in search of food, because he could smell some tasty beetles, but part of his brain insisted he listen to her.
“Oh, dear, he’s a rabbit,” Kana said.
Another voice joined her’s. Familiar. Rastaban. “We don’t want anyone thinking he’s dinner. Pick him up and - pretend he’s your pet or something. I’ll deal with this man.”
This man, whoever he was, was making sounds that made Andrev’s fur stand up on end.
He was laughing.
Thursday, December 17, 2009
A Single Touch
Kana said, “He can speak to animals. He’s faster and stronger than most mortals. He can see like a falcon, hear like a cat. What can you do? You only have three horns.”
“I can take the shape of any living creature I lay hands on,” the man said, and reached for Rastaban.
Andrev cried out, but Rastaban was fast, faster than should have been humanly possible, and ducked out of the man’s reach.
The man laughed. “Come now - it doesn’t hurt. All it takes is a single touch.”
A single touch.
Andrev thought of all the animals he’d touched.
“I can take the shape of any living creature I lay hands on,” the man said, and reached for Rastaban.
Andrev cried out, but Rastaban was fast, faster than should have been humanly possible, and ducked out of the man’s reach.
The man laughed. “Come now - it doesn’t hurt. All it takes is a single touch.”
A single touch.
Andrev thought of all the animals he’d touched.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Ignorance and Power
The man arched an eyebrow at Rastaban. “Are you his father?”
Rastaban laughed. “Hardly. I’m not so decent a man as to be anyone’s father. But I consider him one of my own, and I protect him. What do you want of him?”
Andrev gritted his teeth. They were talking about him as if he wasn’t there.
“We sensed gathering power in an area, and we tracked it here,” the man said. “We had not expected another of our kind. I suspect you are ignorant of his power.” He grinned, the expression cruel. “Do you know what power he has?”
Rastaban laughed. “Hardly. I’m not so decent a man as to be anyone’s father. But I consider him one of my own, and I protect him. What do you want of him?”
Andrev gritted his teeth. They were talking about him as if he wasn’t there.
“We sensed gathering power in an area, and we tracked it here,” the man said. “We had not expected another of our kind. I suspect you are ignorant of his power.” He grinned, the expression cruel. “Do you know what power he has?”
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Like You
“Of course not.” The man smiled patiently. “You’ve almost come into the measure of a man.”
Andrev gripped his spear. “What are you?”
“I am the same as you,” the man said. “Though, perhaps, not as powerful.”
“I am not like you,” Andrev said. He took a step back, instinctively tugged Kana in to stand behind him. “Stay away.” He took a deep breath, ready to raise the cry, call the alarm on a monster, but the man raised his hands in a gesture of surrender.
Rastaban put a hand on his shoulder. “Hold your peace for a moment, Andrev.”
Andrev gripped his spear. “What are you?”
“I am the same as you,” the man said. “Though, perhaps, not as powerful.”
“I am not like you,” Andrev said. He took a step back, instinctively tugged Kana in to stand behind him. “Stay away.” He took a deep breath, ready to raise the cry, call the alarm on a monster, but the man raised his hands in a gesture of surrender.
Rastaban put a hand on his shoulder. “Hold your peace for a moment, Andrev.”
No Longer a Leopard
As Andrev stared, the black leopard sprang. Rastaban reacted first, grabbing his spear, but something happened mid-air. The leopard - rippled, became formless quicksilver, and when it landed it was no longer a leopard but a man, tall and pale-skinned, with dark wavy hair. He tossed his head, shook his hair back from his face, and Andrev saw that he had three small, bony protrusions on his forehead.
Horns.
Just like Andrev’s.
Then the man spoke. “I’d heard rumors of another, but I had to see for myself. You have five horns, child?”
Andrev said, “I’m not a child.”
Horns.
Just like Andrev’s.
Then the man spoke. “I’d heard rumors of another, but I had to see for myself. You have five horns, child?”
Andrev said, “I’m not a child.”
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Black Leopard in the Grass
“What would you suggest?” Andrev asked.
“I have heard talk of gods from the sky who have the bodies of men but the heads and wings of falcons,” Rastaban said. “Or perhaps those shape-changers of old, who are leopards and wolves and foxes, sliding out of the shadows in the night to seduce young, innocent mortals.”
Andrev’s brow furrowed. “You think I could turn into an animal?”
“Why not?” Rastaban asked.
“That’s hardly possible,” Andrev said.
“Say that to him,” Kana said.
Andrev and Rastaban turned.
“Him who?” Andrev asked.
Kana pointed to a black leopard in the grass.
“I have heard talk of gods from the sky who have the bodies of men but the heads and wings of falcons,” Rastaban said. “Or perhaps those shape-changers of old, who are leopards and wolves and foxes, sliding out of the shadows in the night to seduce young, innocent mortals.”
Andrev’s brow furrowed. “You think I could turn into an animal?”
“Why not?” Rastaban asked.
“That’s hardly possible,” Andrev said.
“Say that to him,” Kana said.
Andrev and Rastaban turned.
“Him who?” Andrev asked.
Kana pointed to a black leopard in the grass.
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Something New
“Have you ever tried anything new with your gifts?” Rastaban asked.
“Tried anything new how?” Andrev knelt beside Kana in the grass, helping her weave nets.
“Sometimes I try to lift something bigger than ever before, just to see if I can.” As if to make a point, Rastaban stretched forth one hand, and water arced out of the river, curved across the sky, and spilled back down.
Kana darted a nervous glance over her shoulder, but they were too far from the camps for anyone else to have noticed.
“What would I try?” Andrev asked.
Kana said, “Something new.”
“Tried anything new how?” Andrev knelt beside Kana in the grass, helping her weave nets.
“Sometimes I try to lift something bigger than ever before, just to see if I can.” As if to make a point, Rastaban stretched forth one hand, and water arced out of the river, curved across the sky, and spilled back down.
Kana darted a nervous glance over her shoulder, but they were too far from the camps for anyone else to have noticed.
“What would I try?” Andrev asked.
Kana said, “Something new.”
Friday, December 11, 2009
So Are You
“Well,” Rastaban said, plopping down on the grass next to Kana and watching Andrev tumble across the obstacle course he’d made, “he has better reflexes, strength, and stamina than your average mortal, but he’s still no match for you and me.”
Kana nodded, watching Andrev with appreciative eyes. “He seems to trust you,” she said.
“That’s because I’ve given him a degree of trust in return,” Rastaban said. “I cannot fathom why he trusts you. Of course, he’s a shy lad, and you’re a lovely girl, and he’s flattered.”
“I’m nice to him.”
“You’re lying to him.”
“So are you.”
Kana nodded, watching Andrev with appreciative eyes. “He seems to trust you,” she said.
“That’s because I’ve given him a degree of trust in return,” Rastaban said. “I cannot fathom why he trusts you. Of course, he’s a shy lad, and you’re a lovely girl, and he’s flattered.”
“I’m nice to him.”
“You’re lying to him.”
“So are you.”
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Senses
“Can you hear me now?” Rastaban shouted.
Andrev nodded and waved his make-shift flag - a spear tied with one of Kana’s bright scarves. Then he opened his eyes and saw how far Rastaban was.
“How many fingers am I holding up?” Rastaban shouted.
Andrev signaled with his flag, saw Rastaban nod.
Kana sat on the grass beside him, idly weaving flowers into a crown. “Most people couldn’t hear or see anything at this distance,” she said. She smiled. “But you’re not most people.”
Andrev nodded and smiled back at her. For the first time, he was comfortable with himself.
Andrev nodded and waved his make-shift flag - a spear tied with one of Kana’s bright scarves. Then he opened his eyes and saw how far Rastaban was.
“How many fingers am I holding up?” Rastaban shouted.
Andrev signaled with his flag, saw Rastaban nod.
Kana sat on the grass beside him, idly weaving flowers into a crown. “Most people couldn’t hear or see anything at this distance,” she said. She smiled. “But you’re not most people.”
Andrev nodded and smiled back at her. For the first time, he was comfortable with himself.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Communication
Andrev sat in the middle of the grass with his eyes closed. One of the reindeer was curled on the grass beside him.
“All right. Ask the reindeer where I am.” Rastaban’s voice hovered distantly on the air from some indeterminate spot. Andrev had better hearing than most, but Rastaban was using some of his magic to confound that.
Andrev reached toward the reindeer’s mind, received an image of Rastaban perched, comically, on the edge of the riverbank on one leg.
He laughed.
“I think that answers that,” Rastaban muttered.
The reindeer nudged Andrev, communicated more.
Andrev laughed. “You’re strange.”
“All right. Ask the reindeer where I am.” Rastaban’s voice hovered distantly on the air from some indeterminate spot. Andrev had better hearing than most, but Rastaban was using some of his magic to confound that.
Andrev reached toward the reindeer’s mind, received an image of Rastaban perched, comically, on the edge of the riverbank on one leg.
He laughed.
“I think that answers that,” Rastaban muttered.
The reindeer nudged Andrev, communicated more.
Andrev laughed. “You’re strange.”
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Simplest First
“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.”
“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.”
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.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)