Destiny's Star (17 page)

Ezren finished the roll and looked about for the leather ties that Bethral had said were by her pallet. There was no sign of them. The cat had probably dragged them off someplace. Or perhaps there were more in her pack.

“Here, let’s see if your prey is in here.” Ezren reached over and started to empty the pack, piling the contents on Bethral’s pallet.

No mouse. The cat pawed around the various items as he worked, then pounced on a bundle of leather in the middle of the heap.

“Ah.” Ezren picked out the cluster of leather strips and started to return the other items to the pack. “Not the neatest job, but everything will at least be in the bag.” He glanced at the cat. “Now what is that you are playing with?”

The leather bundle lay open, and there, in the middle of a ragged bit of cloth, lay a dagger with a horn handle and a blade of stone.

The sacrifice blade.

A vision flashed before Ezren Storyteller’s eyes.

 

 

SOMETHING bumped Ezren’s ankle, and he looked down; the cat was twining itself around his feet.

Ezren swallowed hard, his mouth as dry as dust. He felt flushed and chilled at the same time, and he sank to the ground and sat for a moment, trying to breathe.

The stone dagger lay there in the cloth and leather as if it had never plunged into his chest.

Red Gloves had told them the rest of the tale. How she’d killed the mage and then each of his men. How she’d pulled the dagger free from his chest and the magic had surged up and out, restoring his life and the lives of their friends.

Ezren remembered awakening to her wide eyes with a sense of heat and power, and looking over to see Bethral lying there, her body tossed aside like a rag doll. Remembered extending his hand, and asking . . . wanting . . .

Ezren swallowed hard.

Lord High Mage Marlon had said that he carried the wild magic within him, and that the dagger was not magical. But Ezren wasn’t sure he believed that.

There was something else . . .

The cat was batting at the bundle of leather strips now, as if it were prey. Ezren closed his eyes and forced himself to remember, to see again what had happened.

No emotion in their eyes, as if they were doing a simple chore.

Too late. He had known she could not stop them, known she needed surprise . . .

He could see the man’s sharp face and his cold, dead eyes. So cruel, and yet it was as if the soul behind those eyes was frozen in pure ice.

Ezren opened his eyes, and stared at the leather walls of the tent.

He’d been willing. Willing to die to give her the chance to avenge them. Willing sacrifice, willingly made.

Wild Winds’s voice echoed in Ezren’s head.
“Magic was taken from the Plains. Only the blood of the Plains can restore it, in a willing sacrifi ce. Willing blood, willingly spilled.”

Lord of Light and Lady of Laughter, what did it mean?

A rustle at the tent flap was the only warning he got. He looked up, and saw Bethral staring at the dagger.

Her blue eyes took him in with concern. “Did you touch it?”

Ezren shook his head. “No. The cat—”

Bethral knelt, and wrapped the dagger in the cloth and leather. She crammed it into the saddlebag with a sharp thrust. “We’ll talk about this later. Haya is just behind me.” She paused, looking at him. “I . . .” She looked away. “I didn’t pack it. I wouldn’t—”

Ezren drew a breath, caught by the fear now plain in her eyes. “I think,” he whispered, “I remembered—”

Footsteps outside brought them to their feet as Haya pushed aside the flap. “Let’s see if this fits you.”

“Who?” Ezren asked, confused at the sight of the leather armor in her hands. Bethral was already dressed in her plate.

“You, Storyteller.”

 

 

DAWN was well past when they gathered before the tent with horses, remounts, and gear.

The rite had ended, and the new warriors had emerged into the sun to be greeted by the tribe with loud rejoicing. Wild Winds and the other warrior-priests who had conducted the ceremony had left immediately, destination unknown.

In the distance, sounds of celebration came from the main camp. The drums were signaling the start of the dancing. Bethral looked for disappointment in the young faces around her, but all she saw was fascination.

Rare to have such an audience for horseshoe removal.

Bessie lifted her last hoof at Bethral’s command, then leaned in on her. Bethral grunted, and dug an elbow into the horse’s side. “Not so much, lazy girl.”

Bessie snorted, but straightened a bit. She bore only her normal saddle and saddlebags. The barding had been packed away, distributed between the packhorses. Bethral had tried to gift it to Haya, but she had refused. “Our horses would not tolerate it,” Haya had said. “Besides, I suspect you’ll need it at some point.”

Bethral was afraid she was right. But for now, for a full-out forced run, Bessie didn’t need the weight.

Bethral worked the shoe loose and let it drop to the grass. Gilla picked it up, examining it. “All the horses wear these?”

“Yes,” Bethral said shortly, checking Bessie’s hoof for splits before she released it. “It protects their feet in the cities.”

“But why remove them?” El asked, his brown eyes intent.

“Think,” Seo commanded.

El frowned. Arbon elbowed him in the side. “Tracks.”

“Tracks,” Haya confirmed as Bethral put her tools in her saddlebags. “Now, warriors, to me.”

Bethral watched as the young ones gathered close to Haya, surrounding her. They all wore newer armor and all had been given weapons. The tribe had equipped them with the basics they needed to start their new lives as warriors. Their horses were saddled and packed, and each warrior bore a bow with arrows and a quiver of lances. Anything else they would have to earn from their military service.

Haya lowered her voice, and they leaned in and listened intently, nodding.

Bethral gave the lances another look. They were about four feet in length, with deadly stone tips and feathered ends. The tips were designed to break off in the enemy’s body, causing terrible wounds. She’d like to try her hand at using one, if she had the chance.

She’d thought of going without her plate and arming herself as one of the Plains. But the plate was her best defense . . . and a Plains warrior or a warrior-priest might think twice before attacking a warrior wrapped in metal.

Haya stepped back, away from the young warriors. “So. The tribe has provided you with your needs. Honor the tribe with your deeds and your truths. Mount and away. Seo and I must return to the celebrations before we are missed.”

“Orient me,” Ezren said. “Which way is the Heart?”

Everyone pointed north.

“So Palins is—”

Everyone pointed south.

Ezren muttered something under his breath that sounded like Elvish. Bethral suppressed a smile. Knowing him, it was probably something fairly rude.

Ezren reached for the reins and turned to mount his horse. Bethral took a moment to appreciate the view as he put his foot in the stirrup.

They’d found hardened leather armor for him to wear. It was an older set, and the brown showed signs of use. But the color suited him well, echoing the reddish tint of his hair. And the leathers . . .

Bethral swallowed as they tightened over his buttocks when the Storyteller swung into the saddle.

Haya had insisted that he be armored. Her concern had been more for arrows and lances then for sword fighting. “The armor isn’t as good as Bethral’s,” she’d said, “but it’s better than plain cloth.”

Yes, Haya was right. The leathers had been a fine idea.

Bethral flushed a bit at the fact that she was ogling Ezren, but she could not tear her eyes away as he settled in the saddle. So she caught an odd look in Ezren’s eyes when he gathered the reins and looked to the north.

“Storyteller?” She moved closer, and saw a haunted expression in his green eyes.

“You didn’t tell me he couldn’t ride,” Haya said.

“What?” As Ezren spoke, the odd look disappeared, to be replaced with indignation. “I can ride.”

“The way you sit—” Seo frowned.

“Maybe he could ride double?” Haya asked.

“He’ll be fine.” Bethral swung up in her saddle. “All he has to do is stay in the saddle.”

All eyes turned to her, and Seo nodded in satisfaction. “Now, she can ride a horse.”

“I can ride.” Ezren gave them all a glare. He gathered the reins, clicked his tongue, and urged the horse on.

Nothing happened.

Bethral had to bite her lip hard and look away at the outrage on the Storyteller’s face.

“Double, I think.” Haya confirmed. “With Gilla. She’s the smallest.”

Now Bethral had to look away from Gilla’s face before she laughed right out loud. “Storyteller, lean forward and use your toes under the horses’ front legs, instead of your heels.”

Bethral looked over at Haya. “We use different signals with our animals, that’s all.”

Ezren’s horse moved a few steps, but Haya frowned just the same. “His seat is pathetic.”

“Look here,” Seo asked, “the last warrior to join the party, eh?”

Bethral looked down and saw the cat at Seo’s feet. The cat thumped down on its side and curled up, showing its belly. “Don’t fall for—”

Too late. Seo had already bent down, reaching for the enticing softness. “You’ve grown fat on our mice, Warrior.”

The cat bit his finger.

Seo jerked his hand back, and the cat leapt for the bedroll attached to Bessie’s saddle. It kneaded the cloth for a moment, then sank its claws deep and settled down with a smug look.

“Ha!” Seo shook his head with a rueful look. “I should have known a fierce warrior wouldn’t show its belly that way.”

“Looks are deceiving,” Bethral agreed, relieved to note that the skin of his finger was unbroken. She looked around the group. “Ready?”

The Storyteller was facing north, but he turned to her and nodded. The rest of the warriors gazed at her, their faces eager.

Bethral looked down at Haya, who also gave her a nod. “Time, and past. Storyteller, when you tell this tale, speak of the honor of the Tribe of the Snake, and those who have dealt with you fairly.”

“I will,” Ezren promised.

“Bethral of the Horse”—Haya stepped close and lowered her voice—“you ride with unblooded warriors. We have offered you one of our most precious resources, the lives of our young.”

“I am their warlord in all things,” Bethral said softly. “Their flesh is my flesh, their blood is my blood.”

“Then ride.” Haya stepped back, and raised her voice for all to hear. “May the elements guide and protect you all.”

Bethral started Bessie off at a trot, and the others followed.

 

 

THE sun was high before Wild Winds signaled to the others to make camp in a thicket of alders by a wide stream.

He swung down from his horse and had to clutch at the saddle, willing his legs to support him. The rite had taken much of his strength. He closed his eyes against the weakness. He should have left it up to the younger warrior-priests, he supposed, but he’d always enjoyed bringing the young to adulthood. Something about their eager faces . . .