Strange Attractors (42 page)

I’ve got your back, Maudi. Lead the way.

She ran ahead, her stride long, unhampered by the logs and brambles that covered the forest floor. In wolf form she could leap them in single bounds. It was a good day’s run down to the Corsanon gorge and her ears were pricked, ever alert for the High Priestess of Treeon Temple, La Makee. Glamour or no, she intended to find the woman and confront her. If she had indeed killed Jarrod, shoving his body off the quarry steps, Rosette planned to show the other witch exactly what that felt like.

Vengeance, Maudi?

I’m thinking of it more as an initiation…

An’ Lawrence galloped to the head of the line, signalling Teg to keep the Lupins back. Most of the horses were still unused to the shape-shifters in their wolf form and he didn’t want to risk a stampede. He was still getting them accustomed to his own familiar.
Scylla, how far south of Dumarka would you say we are?

The temple cat loped beside him, her nose lifting to test the air.
A day and a half at the run.

Thank you, lovely.

We aren’t going to run for a day and a half though, are we, Rowan?

Not at all. We camp at the next sheltered valley. Teg can search north and you and I’ll go east. Once we spot the Corsanons, we’ll call Kreshkali and…

I think she’s already spotted them,
Scylla interrupted.

An’ Lawrence caught sight of the falcon riding the thermals high above them.
That’s good news.
He brought his horse down to a halt and waved Teg in. The lad shifted as he approached, tipping his head skyward. He’d spotted her too.

‘Any word?’ the Sword Master asked the Lupin. There was no point in both of them bombarding Kreshkali with questions. He suspected Teg was already speaking to her. The lad had his eyes closed. An’ Lawrence didn’t miss the serene expression that crossed his face.

She’s his mentor, Rowan. He’s bound to have a deep reverence.

I’m Rosette’s mentor and I’ve never seen that look on her face when she speaks to me.

She was never in love with you.

My point exactly, though the confirmation isn’t particularly comforting.

‘She has news from Temple Dumarka,’ Teg said,
cutting into his thoughts. ‘She asks when you plan to camp.’

‘As soon as we find a decent valley.’

Teg closed his eyes again. ‘She says there’s one ahead, over the next ridge and to the south. Grazing for the stock and several springs.’

You could tell me directly.
An’ Lawrence tipped his head towards the sky.

This is more fun, don’t you think?
Kreshkali’s voice warmed his mind.

Not really.
He turned to Teg. ‘That’s where we’re headed then, over the ridge and south.’ An’ Lawrence gave him a quick nod and waved his riders on. ‘Pass the word. We camp at the next valley.’

He urged his horse forward as Teg morphed back into wolf form and darted away. It wasn’t far to their destination and within an hour the expansive valley was inhabited like a small village. Rows of tents had gone up, a picket line enclosing the far end where horses grazed. Smoke rose from cook fires and a hunting party had already gone out. He made certain Teg was leading one of the groups. The lad was an excellent hunter.

Is that the only reason, Rowan?
Scylla asked him.

Hush, lovely, she comes.

Kreshkali back-winged onto his outstretched arm, leaping away the moment her talons brushed his wrist. She morphed into human form, the ripple hitting his face, stinging his skin. He shut his eyes, waiting for the shock wave to pass.

‘Nice spot,’ she said, shading her eyes as she surveyed the valley. ‘And your warriors impress me. If they fight as well as they pitch a tent, we’re in good shape.’

‘It’s not the fighting I’m worried about, Kali.’

‘Me neither.’

She filled him in on her meeting with the High Priestess Saphon.

‘Saphon? That name’s not in the archives.’

‘Not even in Timbali?’

‘Not that I’ve ever heard.’

Kreshkali tapped her lips. He wanted to kiss them but looked away instead.

‘If the plan works, it’s a perfect result,’ she said. ‘There will be no trace of the temple at all. Corsanon can’t touch them.’

‘Unless we can’t get them back.’

‘Not an option.’ She brushed dust from her cloak, blowing a small down feather from her shoulder. ‘You sent my apprentice hunting?’

‘I didn’t know you’d mind.’

‘Hardly. Sounds a grand idea.’

Before he could say another word, she dropped to one knee then launched herself into the air, morphing as she cleared the ground. She flew over the treetops, her long shrieking whistle coming back on the wind. It was answered in the distance by a wolf’s howl.

Not quite the exchange you were hoping for, Rowan?

Scylla, I…

He comes. The lead Lupin.

An’ Lawrence didn’t finish his thought but turned to face Hotha. He stiffened at the Lupin’s grin and his fingers twitched, pausing for a moment over the hilt of his sword. The action wasn’t missed but it only made Hotha’s grin widen.

‘What are the odds, eh, Sword Master?’ he said. His voice was a little too cheerful. ‘I send her the most troublesome whelp under the mountain and she takes to him like a bee to honey.’

‘I hadn’t noticed,’ An’ Lawrence said. He crossed
his arms, staring into the other man’s eyes. ‘Did she speak to you?’

‘Too busy on her escapade, it seems.’ Hotha shook his head. ‘What I would give to have her hunt again with me.’

He said the last bit under his breath and the Sword Master lifted his brows. It wasn’t the words themselves that surprised him, but the frankness, the honesty. He gave the smallest nod of agreement. ‘Join me at the cook fires?’ An’ Lawrence invited him, waving towards the centre of the valley. ‘I’ll fill you in.’

Hotha pulled his eyes back from the sky. ‘I’d appreciate that.’

Making friends, Rowan?

Scylla, lovely. I know you hold a grudge. I do too, when I’m not mindful. But this is Hotha. He’s on our side, and he really did try to stop the others that day.

The operant word being ‘try’. I don’t forgive him, nor any of the demon wolves. Except sweet Teg.

Sweet Teg?

That’s what Drayco calls him. Picked it up from Rosette.

Rosette calls him that? Is every priestess from Treeon to Los Loma smitten with the man?

She yawned.
Pretty much.
Her bobtail twitched and she bounded away.

Where are you going?

To join them.

Hunting with the Lupin?

Why not? Like you said, he’s the best there is.

Thank you, Scylla. Good to have the reminder.
An’ Lawrence led the way to the central tent, focusing on the campaign. It would be good to discuss it with Hotha. It would be better still to fight.

When Kreshkali returned, she and Teg joined them. The hunt had been successful and several deer were already dressed and turning on spits, the aroma drifting over the camp. Kreshkali leaned close to Teg and whispered something. The lad glowed, whispering back. An’ Lawrence clenched his jaw. Was she trying to annoy him? Why didn’t she just use a mind link? He preferred not to witness their every little exchange.

‘Even if Saphon’s idea works, we need to engage the Corsanons before they set foot in Dumarka,’ Kreshkali said aloud.

‘You’re right.’ Hotha turned to her, clinking his mug against her own. ‘Five hundred brute warriors, man and woman alike, charging through the forest would decimate the place.’

‘It’s sacred ground. We have to protect it,’ Teg added.

‘You’ll get no argument from me,’ An’ Lawrence said, holding up his hand. ‘Besides, we need to keep them busy while we get to the bottom of the gorge.’ He’d lowered his voice to a whisper. ‘Where’s La Makee? Have you spotted her?’

‘We haven’t,’ Teg and Kali said at the same time.

The Sword Master looked at them both. ‘I thought Nell was tracking her?’

‘She was,’ Kreshkali said. ‘But when Nell took Rosette to Dumarka, Makee slipped away.’

Shaea clucked to the bay mare, leaning forward in the saddle as they climbed another hill. When they reached the top, a meadow spread out before them, a silver-blue sea in the moonlight. She slumped back into the saddle and groaned. ‘How much further, Rall?’

They’d been riding east for several hours and though she loved being on horseback the novelty had quickly worn off. She wasn’t used to it and she certainly wasn’t fit for it. Her legs ached, her hands were cold and her bottom sore.

Rall pointed in the distance. ‘Just over that knoll. We’ll stop there for the night.’

‘Are we camping in the wild?’

‘Hardly.’

‘But all I can see is grass and trees.’

‘There’s plenty more than grass and trees about us, girl. Just ahead. Come on.’ Rall broke into a brisk trot, the warhorse cresting his golden neck, lifting each hoof high off the ground.

The mare took little urging to keep up though Shaea thought she would be churned to butter if they didn’t arrive soon. She imagined being jarred right out of the saddle, falling to the ground and blending into the blue moon lit grass—disappearing forever. She saw it clearly in her mind’s eye, a vision of her jouncing along, the mare stumbling and her falling forward, hitting the ground hard. The tall grass would cover her head like water closing over its victim. Rall would eventually turn around to find the mare trotting behind—riderless with her reins slack and stirrups flapping against her sides.

Careful what you focus on, girl. Thoughts are powerful things.

Shaea startled. ‘How do you do that?’

Do what?

‘How do you get your voice inside my head?’

With clear intention. You can do it too.

‘I don’t think so.’

You can. It’s in your blood.

‘Nothing’s in my blood but chill and ache, I promise.’

Give it a chance. Concentrate.

‘I don’t want to. I can’t, anyway.’

Rall chuckled, a grating sound.
You do it the same way you used to speak to Xane.

Shaea looked at her hands, the reins sliding through her fingers when the mare tossed her head.
I don’t want to talk about Xane, to you or to anyone else.
She sent the words like an arrow to the target.

‘Well done!’ Rall said aloud. ‘You’re a natural.’

Shaea glared at the back of her head and didn’t reply.

When she crested the rise, a village appeared underneath the stars. It spread out from a single street, the lights still on in many buildings. There was a central bakery with a warm yellow glow, the multiple chimney stacks high and smoking. Shaea’s mouth watered. There were other establishments—a stable, a bank, a barber and a pub. Farms appeared in the distance dotted with sheep, everything blue-white in the moonlight. She could hear voices above the music. A few horses were tied up outside the pub, light pouring out from the double doors. The animals had their heads down, a hind foot cocked.

‘Don’t people go to sleep around here?’ Shaea asked, yawning.

‘Not when there’s music on. This is where Treeon apprentices come to play and the place is usually fully awake until near dawn. Lucky for you, if it’s supper you’re after. Stay alert, and don’t give anything away.’

How would I do that, Rall? I don’t know anything to give away. I don’t even know what we’re doing here.

Excellent communication, girl! But you need to shield your thoughts and keep your face smooth. You’ve got consternation written all over you.

‘I don’t know what that word means, and what’s a mind shield for demon’s sake?’

Think of it as a secret door, one that lets messages in and out at your command, and keeps the source hidden.

I have no idea what you’re on about.

Rall lifted her brows. ‘Don’t you?’ she said aloud. ‘Then what were you doing when you chatted to Xane, him all the way over at the military yards and you behind the bakery, snivelling in the street?’

I said I don’t want to talk about Xane. And that was private.

You see? Private. Use your mind shield to keep the thoughts private.

Rall continued to explain but Shaea tightened her fists and turned away. She was cold, tired, hungry and displeased. She tuned the witch out, closing that imaginary door with a snap.

‘That’s perfect. Well done.’ Rall jumped off the warhorse. ‘You’re definitely a natural.’

Shaea dismounted, shaking her head. If the Entity hadn’t insisted she follow Rall, she might still be in those lovely woods. She wished the Entity was close to hand. She’d ask why. Or perhaps give it a kick.

‘Take the horses to the stable and see that they are rubbed down, fed and watered.’ Rall tossed her a coin.

‘And where are you going?’

‘To the pub, of course.’ Rall cocked her head towards the door. ‘Meet you there.’

Shaea led the horses to the stables. She was greeted by two girls lounging on hay bales. They were playing a game with dice and cards but got up the moment they eyed the warhorse and the lovely mare. They went to work on the animals and Shaea watched for a while
until she felt satisfied they knew their business. She patted the bay mare’s rump and handed over the coin.
We’ll be back for you two. Hopefully not until we’ve all had a proper rest
. She braced her back, pushing her palms deep into her spine.

‘Saddle sore?’ one of the girls asked.

‘It’s been a long ride.’ Shaea returned her smile.

‘Stay a while.’ The other girl winked. ‘We’re good at getting the knots out.’

Shaea kept her grin in place. ‘I would, but my mentor…’ She tilted her head towards the pub.

‘Slip away, if you can.’ The girls held hands for a moment before returning to their tasks.