Andrev gazed, awed and confused, at the people who stood on the edge of his camp, an array of strangers dressed like foreign kings and queens from fairy stories, all of them with their heads held high, horns unhidden.
None of them had more than three horns.
“What brings you here?” he asked. “Dalinor is dead --”
“Kinslayer,” the woman spat.
“He was no kin of mine, that he abandoned me to these mortals,” Andrev said.
“You’ve ruined the balance of what should be,” the woman said, “and we are here to punish you.”
Then the air was filled with crows.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Monday, February 15, 2010
Understanding
On the eighth day, Andrev woke when a rock landed near his head. He’d dodged in his sleep, inhuman reactions lightning-fast, and then he saw a little girl standing at the edge of his camp. Her mother handed her another rock.
Andrev rose up, uncurling carefully. He twitched his hands, and then he had claws, ready for slashing.
“I thought we had an understanding,” he said.
A woman said, “You don’t understand anything. Not your power, not who you are. You waste your gifts - a petulant child.”
She was tall, lovely - but for the three horns marring her brow.
Andrev rose up, uncurling carefully. He twitched his hands, and then he had claws, ready for slashing.
“I thought we had an understanding,” he said.
A woman said, “You don’t understand anything. Not your power, not who you are. You waste your gifts - a petulant child.”
She was tall, lovely - but for the three horns marring her brow.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
The Waiting
The next seven days that followed were fraught with even more tension than before, with the mortals tip-toeing around Andrev’s nest of furs and his cooking fire. On the second day, some of the hunters from various tribes began leaving kills by Andrev’s pallet - a brace of coneys, a pheasant, a string of half a dozen fish. Sometimes Andrev accepted them, sometimes not. Sometimes he lounged in tiger form, eyeing the mortals lazily, tracking them with his eyes, making them twitch as if they sensed his hunger, and others he was humanoid, a boy, weaving grass mats.
He waited.
He waited.
Saturday, February 13, 2010
One Authority
The answer, of course, was to break the sky. Clouds blotted out the sun, and the first peals of thunder were a pleasant counterpoint to the humans’ screams. Lightning struck, and fire broke out across the different camps, and people scattered.
Andrev headed toward the center of the camp, head held high. The humans darted out of his path.
“Hear me, mortals,” he said, and his voice carried over the din of the storm. “The time has come for you to reap what you have sown. From now on, there is one authority in this nation, and that is me.”
Andrev headed toward the center of the camp, head held high. The humans darted out of his path.
“Hear me, mortals,” he said, and his voice carried over the din of the storm. “The time has come for you to reap what you have sown. From now on, there is one authority in this nation, and that is me.”
Friday, February 12, 2010
An Accord
Andrev hit the ground and rolled, shifted, and the spear was gone, the pain fading as the power washed over him. He rose to his feet in human form, and glee skittered down his spine when he saw the horror on the hunter’s face.
“Did you think you could wound me so easily?” he asked.
“Monster!” the man yelled.
Andrev rolled his eyes. “Yes, yes, why do you people insist on repeating yourselves?” He cracked his knuckles, curled his hands into fists. “We had an accord - you left me in peace, I left you in peace. That peace is broken.”
“Did you think you could wound me so easily?” he asked.
“Monster!” the man yelled.
Andrev rolled his eyes. “Yes, yes, why do you people insist on repeating yourselves?” He cracked his knuckles, curled his hands into fists. “We had an accord - you left me in peace, I left you in peace. That peace is broken.”
Thursday, February 11, 2010
As Good a Time as Any
The woman began to wail. She swept her son into her arms and rocked back and forth, pleading.
Andrev gazed at them and wondered at how easy it would be, to become the monster they had always imagined him to be. Had they been right about him, or had their words been self-fulfilling prophecy? They had never seen him as human, and he supposed that now was as good a time as any to stop trying.
He leapt at the woman, changed midair. Teeth bared, jaws wide - he’d break her neck in an instant.
A spear pierced his side.
Andrev gazed at them and wondered at how easy it would be, to become the monster they had always imagined him to be. Had they been right about him, or had their words been self-fulfilling prophecy? They had never seen him as human, and he supposed that now was as good a time as any to stop trying.
He leapt at the woman, changed midair. Teeth bared, jaws wide - he’d break her neck in an instant.
A spear pierced his side.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Don't You?
Andrev caught the stone midair before it could hit him; even now his own speed and reflexes surprised him. He studied it, curious, fascinated by the way the light glinted off the flecks of crystal buried in it. Then he looked at the little boy.
“Demon!” the boy shouted.
“Human,” Andrev said. He smiled when the ground shook. The boy’s mother screamed.
“Please, have mercy on my son!”
Andrev tilted his head to one side, curious, laughed. “How easily you ask for mercy, yet how unwilling you are to give it. I think this constitutes a broken truce, don’t you?”
“Demon!” the boy shouted.
“Human,” Andrev said. He smiled when the ground shook. The boy’s mother screamed.
“Please, have mercy on my son!”
Andrev tilted his head to one side, curious, laughed. “How easily you ask for mercy, yet how unwilling you are to give it. I think this constitutes a broken truce, don’t you?”
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Should Have Known
The truce lasted for a week, which was a full seven days longer than Andrev had expected it to last, or wanted it to last. Kana was dead, Rastaban was dead, and he’d had enough of these petty mortals and their hatred. He wanted to see if he could split the sky, and he was just waiting for them to give him an excuse.
The problem with these people was that they had learned to hate from childhood, so he should have known it would be a child who broke the truce.
A child who cast a stone at him.
The problem with these people was that they had learned to hate from childhood, so he should have known it would be a child who broke the truce.
A child who cast a stone at him.
Monday, February 8, 2010
First Command
Kana and Rastaban lay in the grass, watching as Andrev sprawled out across his own luxurious bed of furs on the edge of Kir’s camp. The hunters had buried Savva, and the rest of the tribes had been alerted. The demon in Andrev had been awakened, and the humans had a tenuous truce with him.
Kana had seen the hunters rattling their spears, and she suspected the truce wouldn’t last for long.
“Nice job you did on your first command,” Kana said. “Now he thinks we’re both dead.”
“Like you did so well,” Rastaban protested, defensive.
“You’re here, aren’t you?”
Kana had seen the hunters rattling their spears, and she suspected the truce wouldn’t last for long.
“Nice job you did on your first command,” Kana said. “Now he thinks we’re both dead.”
“Like you did so well,” Rastaban protested, defensive.
“You’re here, aren’t you?”
Sunday, February 7, 2010
To Yours
Andrev considered her request. As an experiment, he held his breath, focused, and he was pleased when he felt the ground shake again. He could control it. Good. Maybe a bit of practice would sharpen the skill - and make the others keep their distance.
“I will let you live,” he said finally, and he saw Kir’s grip on his spear tighten. “Make no mistake, however, that I am letting you live. I could end you all at a moment’s notice.”
The hunters bobbed their heads.
“Good,” Andrev said. “Then leave me to my peace, and I’ll leave you to yours.”
“I will let you live,” he said finally, and he saw Kir’s grip on his spear tighten. “Make no mistake, however, that I am letting you live. I could end you all at a moment’s notice.”
The hunters bobbed their heads.
“Good,” Andrev said. “Then leave me to my peace, and I’ll leave you to yours.”
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Mercy?
Ket screamed and flung herself to the ground. Several hunters cried out, toppled over. Andrev roared again, felt the earth shake, and he realized he was the one doing it. He closed his eyes and felt energy - ten times the energy he felt when he changed - surge through him, and then he opened his eyes, look at Kir and Ket and the men who’d tried to kill him.
“Maybe I am a demon,” Andrev said. He stretched forth one hand, and the ground rumbled again. “What are you going to do to stop me?”
“Have mercy,” Ket begged. “Please, Andrev.”
“Maybe I am a demon,” Andrev said. He stretched forth one hand, and the ground rumbled again. “What are you going to do to stop me?”
“Have mercy,” Ket begged. “Please, Andrev.”
Friday, February 5, 2010
Earth, Sky, World
His last ally. Dead. Andrev watched Rastaban’s body fall, and he paused. The hunters noticed his stillness and paused too. Andrev shimmered back into his human form and stared. Then he turned to the other hunters.
“You call me a monster, but I have never killed a defenseless man.”
“Demon!” Kir shouted. “You killed my father!”
Andrev pinned Kir with his gaze and was pleased to see him flinch. Then he threw his head back and screamed. He let the rage and grief pour out of him, into the earth, into the sky, and then he felt the world shake.
“You call me a monster, but I have never killed a defenseless man.”
“Demon!” Kir shouted. “You killed my father!”
Andrev pinned Kir with his gaze and was pleased to see him flinch. Then he threw his head back and screamed. He let the rage and grief pour out of him, into the earth, into the sky, and then he felt the world shake.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Sweeter Than Wine
Andrev threw his head back and roared, the sound utterly inhuman. He leapt, changed midair, and tackled Savva to the ground. The other hunters cried out as a wolf bore down on their leader.
It was simple to paw Savva’s jaw to expose his throat, to sink teeth into the soft flesh.
Hot blood tasted sweeter than wine.
Savva was dead before the hunters recovered enough to take a stab at Andrev, but he was already in a different form, on a different target.
Rastaban waded into the fray, calling for the hunters to stop.
One of them killed him.
It was simple to paw Savva’s jaw to expose his throat, to sink teeth into the soft flesh.
Hot blood tasted sweeter than wine.
Savva was dead before the hunters recovered enough to take a stab at Andrev, but he was already in a different form, on a different target.
Rastaban waded into the fray, calling for the hunters to stop.
One of them killed him.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Neither Are You
Savva raised his spear, poised to throw.
Andrev let his power curl through him once more, and then he had the claws of a tiger. He reached out, placed his foot squarely on Kir’s throat, and smirked when he thrashed.
“Kill me and your only son dies,” he said.
“Savva,” Ket pleaded.
“He’s a demon! He’d kill us all!’
“You tried to kill me first,” Andrev said.
Rastaban looked aggrieved. “Please, everyone, can we just calm down? We can talk about this like rational people --”
“He’s not a person,” Savva said, jabbing his spear at Andrev, “and neither are you.”
Andrev let his power curl through him once more, and then he had the claws of a tiger. He reached out, placed his foot squarely on Kir’s throat, and smirked when he thrashed.
“Kill me and your only son dies,” he said.
“Savva,” Ket pleaded.
“He’s a demon! He’d kill us all!’
“You tried to kill me first,” Andrev said.
Rastaban looked aggrieved. “Please, everyone, can we just calm down? We can talk about this like rational people --”
“He’s not a person,” Savva said, jabbing his spear at Andrev, “and neither are you.”
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Only If
“Because he is my son!” Ket said.
“That’s no excuse,” Andrev said. “After all, I was supposed to be as your son. Am I not a gift from the gods? Did I not always bring bounteous food? Or am I a demon? You called me a demon for so long - perhaps your words made it so.” He let his power rip through him, and then wings - massive hawk wings - burst from his back.
His experimentation had earned him skills Dalinor had not known.
“Spare him!” Ket begged.
“I will,” Andrev said, “only if you spare me and the other Wanderers.”
“That’s no excuse,” Andrev said. “After all, I was supposed to be as your son. Am I not a gift from the gods? Did I not always bring bounteous food? Or am I a demon? You called me a demon for so long - perhaps your words made it so.” He let his power rip through him, and then wings - massive hawk wings - burst from his back.
His experimentation had earned him skills Dalinor had not known.
“Spare him!” Ket begged.
“I will,” Andrev said, “only if you spare me and the other Wanderers.”
Monday, February 1, 2010
Not Far Off
“Andrev!”
Rastaban’s voice broke over the din.
“His Wanderer accomplice!” Savva cried. “Kill him.”
Two hunters pivoted, loosed their spears. Rastaban lifted one hand and both spears shattered midair as if they’d been flung against a wall. Andrev blinked. He hadn’t realized Rastaban’s gift was that powerful.
“Andrev, don’t become a murderer, not for her,” Rastaban said.
“I’m already a monster,” Andrev said. “A murderer is not far off.”
“Please!” Ket, Savva’s wife, broke into the circle of hunters. “Please don’t kill my son!”
“Why shouldn’t I?” Andrev asked. “He would have killed me. Why does he deserve to live?”
Rastaban’s voice broke over the din.
“His Wanderer accomplice!” Savva cried. “Kill him.”
Two hunters pivoted, loosed their spears. Rastaban lifted one hand and both spears shattered midair as if they’d been flung against a wall. Andrev blinked. He hadn’t realized Rastaban’s gift was that powerful.
“Andrev, don’t become a murderer, not for her,” Rastaban said.
“I’m already a monster,” Andrev said. “A murderer is not far off.”
“Please!” Ket, Savva’s wife, broke into the circle of hunters. “Please don’t kill my son!”
“Why shouldn’t I?” Andrev asked. “He would have killed me. Why does he deserve to live?”
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Evil, Powerful
“Did he not tell you who I am?” Andrev asked. He tossed his head to get his hair out of his eyes, lifted his chin. “I am the most powerful of my kind in over a hundred years.” He nudged Dalinor’s body with his foot, tilted the lifeless head so they could see the three horns on Dalinor. “What you thought marked me as evil has marked me as powerful.”
“We’ll kill you,” Kir said.
“No,” Andrev said. “I shall kill you. Because you killed an innocent girl, and would have killed me out of your petty hate and ignorance.”
“We’ll kill you,” Kir said.
“No,” Andrev said. “I shall kill you. Because you killed an innocent girl, and would have killed me out of your petty hate and ignorance.”
Friday, January 29, 2010
Resumed
Andrev leapt free of the twitching, writhing body and changed midair to a hummingbird, wings beating rapidly, darting too fast to be a target.
As he hovered, tiny heart racing, he saw Dalinor convulse on the ground, shifting through a hundred, a thousand different forms, scaled and feathered, leathery and furry, large and small, until he lay dead in the grass, a bare-skinned man, eyes wide with fear.
“The dragon is dead,” one of the hunters whispered.
“Catch him! Catch the monster!” Savva yelled.
Andrev darted out of a hunter’s grip and landed on the ground, resumed human form.
As he hovered, tiny heart racing, he saw Dalinor convulse on the ground, shifting through a hundred, a thousand different forms, scaled and feathered, leathery and furry, large and small, until he lay dead in the grass, a bare-skinned man, eyes wide with fear.
“The dragon is dead,” one of the hunters whispered.
“Catch him! Catch the monster!” Savva yelled.
Andrev darted out of a hunter’s grip and landed on the ground, resumed human form.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
For Dalinor
A snake had coiled around his hind leg and sunk fangs deep, deep into the muscle. Andrev howled, writhed, twitched desperately to dislodge, but to no avail.
Rastaban’s words echoed in his mind.
Bigger isn’t always better.
Another shimmer-change, and the snake collapsed. Andrev crept through the grass, watching with his multifaceted eyes, hairy legs testing the air as he paused, considered his target.
The pulse.
He leapt.
He had his buried deep fangs in Dalinor’s throat before one of the men noticed and began to shriek like a woman.
“Spider!”
The poison was fast, too fast for Dalinor.
Rastaban’s words echoed in his mind.
Bigger isn’t always better.
Another shimmer-change, and the snake collapsed. Andrev crept through the grass, watching with his multifaceted eyes, hairy legs testing the air as he paused, considered his target.
The pulse.
He leapt.
He had his buried deep fangs in Dalinor’s throat before one of the men noticed and began to shriek like a woman.
“Spider!”
The poison was fast, too fast for Dalinor.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Shimmer, Shift, Change
White-hot pain lanced his side, and Andrev snarled, turned. Kir had stabbed him with a spear, and he was drawing back, cautious triumph on his face. Andrev felt the pulse of blood, sticky as it dripped down his forepaw.
“Monster!” Savva yelled.
Andrev leapt. He shimmered mid-air, shifted, changed, and then the pain was gone, and it was a massive dog that landed on Kir, snapping with its jaws. Kir cried out, beat at him with the butt of the spear, but Andrev ignored the pain in his side and went for the throat.
Something bit him. Hard.
“Monster!” Savva yelled.
Andrev leapt. He shimmered mid-air, shifted, changed, and then the pain was gone, and it was a massive dog that landed on Kir, snapping with its jaws. Kir cried out, beat at him with the butt of the spear, but Andrev ignored the pain in his side and went for the throat.
Something bit him. Hard.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
No Natural Creature
Andrev bared his fangs, snarled, his heat-seeking senses drawn to the most important part, the pulse, fluttering beneath the tender flesh of a throat, of a wolf.
A massive, black, dire wolf.
Dalinor.
He was still alive.
And speaking in Andrev’s mind.
Step down, little one, lest you lose your life.
Andrev shook his head, confused. Why do you fight me? Fight the humans. The ones who mock us and hunt us, call us demons and wish us dead.
You are a demon, Dalinor said. No natural creature should be that strong.
Andrev threw his head back and roared.
A massive, black, dire wolf.
Dalinor.
He was still alive.
And speaking in Andrev’s mind.
Step down, little one, lest you lose your life.
Andrev shook his head, confused. Why do you fight me? Fight the humans. The ones who mock us and hunt us, call us demons and wish us dead.
You are a demon, Dalinor said. No natural creature should be that strong.
Andrev threw his head back and roared.
Monday, January 25, 2010
On His Feet
Andrev didn’t think a first attack was supposed to feel this fun, but instead of being shot through with nerves he was running on sheer bliss. The weightlessness, formlessness, freedom of shifting from form to form was indescribable, and as he bounded toward the camp - first an ant, then a beetle; a snake, then a sparrow; a hawk, a cat, dog, wolf, tiger - he realized he had the world at his feet.
Including the people.
Kir screamed first, and he screamed like a girl.
Then something slammed into Andrev’s side.
He hit the ground, rolled.
And landed on his feet.
Including the people.
Kir screamed first, and he screamed like a girl.
Then something slammed into Andrev’s side.
He hit the ground, rolled.
And landed on his feet.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Beautiful, Unsettling
“Today’s the last test,” Rastaban said.
“I know.” Andrev studied the horizon. Perhaps Rastaban thought Andrev was lost, roaming the plains in so many different forms, wheeling across the sky or scurrying through the grass, but Andrev was a hunter, and these were his hunting grounds.
“Are you ready for this?”
“Are you?” Andrev shot back.
Rastaban’s grin was beautiful, unsettling. “I wasn’t always a Wanderer, you know. I know more tricks than juggling and making scarves disappear.”
“You’ve taught me some of them, perhaps without realizing,” Andrev said. “Even I saw that no mere Wanderer knows so much warfare.”
“I know.” Andrev studied the horizon. Perhaps Rastaban thought Andrev was lost, roaming the plains in so many different forms, wheeling across the sky or scurrying through the grass, but Andrev was a hunter, and these were his hunting grounds.
“Are you ready for this?”
“Are you?” Andrev shot back.
Rastaban’s grin was beautiful, unsettling. “I wasn’t always a Wanderer, you know. I know more tricks than juggling and making scarves disappear.”
“You’ve taught me some of them, perhaps without realizing,” Andrev said. “Even I saw that no mere Wanderer knows so much warfare.”
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Too Many Words
“But I’m not human,” Andrev said. He pushed his hair out of his eyes, tilted his head back so the moonlight threw his alien features into stark relief. Five little horns covered with baby-soft skin, nothing like the terrifying protrusions on the deer and rams that roamed the wastelands around them.
“I’m inhuman.”
Kana leaned up, pressed a quick kiss to his temple.
“No,” she said, “you’re superhuman.”
“Perhaps, once their blood stains my hands, I’ll be subhuman.”
Kana sighed. “Too many words,” she said, ran a hand up his chest, felt his pulse at his throat. “Kiss me.”
“I’m inhuman.”
Kana leaned up, pressed a quick kiss to his temple.
“No,” she said, “you’re superhuman.”
“Perhaps, once their blood stains my hands, I’ll be subhuman.”
Kana sighed. “Too many words,” she said, ran a hand up his chest, felt his pulse at his throat. “Kiss me.”
Friday, January 22, 2010
Making the Man
“I miss you during the day,” Andrev whispered, “but I know you’re not really here.”
Kana stroked a hand through his hair, and Andrev had to swallow hard, because it felt real.
“I miss you too,” she said. “But don’t be so quick to join me. You have work to do, don’t you?”
Andrev nodded, nuzzled closer to her. “I know I do,” he breathed against her skin. “But if I do it - if I kill Kir and Savva and the rest, doesn’t that make me the monster they always said I was?”
“No,” Kana said. “It makes you human.”
Kana stroked a hand through his hair, and Andrev had to swallow hard, because it felt real.
“I miss you too,” she said. “But don’t be so quick to join me. You have work to do, don’t you?”
Andrev nodded, nuzzled closer to her. “I know I do,” he breathed against her skin. “But if I do it - if I kill Kir and Savva and the rest, doesn’t that make me the monster they always said I was?”
“No,” Kana said. “It makes you human.”
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Not Pride
“So your plan is to have him kill off most of his tribe, the rest of his kind, and then you’ll train him as one of us?” Kana skinned the rabbit with easy hands.
Rastaban flinched at the flash of steel and blood in her hands. “That’s about the size of it.”
“What do you need me to do?”
“The boy needs motivation. He’s not a killer at heart - he needs a reason to fight.”
Kana arched an eyebrow. “You’d know about that, wouldn’t you?”
“I’m pretty sure you became a killer first.”
“As a matter of survival, not pride.”
Rastaban flinched at the flash of steel and blood in her hands. “That’s about the size of it.”
“What do you need me to do?”
“The boy needs motivation. He’s not a killer at heart - he needs a reason to fight.”
Kana arched an eyebrow. “You’d know about that, wouldn’t you?”
“I’m pretty sure you became a killer first.”
“As a matter of survival, not pride.”
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Again
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.
“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.
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.
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