With a sudden burst of power, the hawk launched itself off the branch, its wings flapping strongly as it rose above the canopy. The hawk no longer paid any attention to the floor of the forest. It flew swiftly in a straight line to the center of its imaginary circle. When it reached the center, it dove powerfully through the canopy. Only then did the hawk’s eyes focus once again on the ground. It scanned the large group of assembled people below until it found the tall Sakovan who had raised it. The hawk let out a screech as it dived downward, flaring its wings only at the last moment to land squarely on HawkShadow’s shoulder.
“We have company coming,” HawkShadow announced to the rest of the group. “Leaders see to your people. Goral, SkyDancer, come with me.”
HawkShadow flicked the hawk off his shoulder as SkyDancer and the giant gathered around HawkShadow. The Sakovan assassin watched the group leaders instruct their people before he turned to follow the hawk. Goral and SkyDancer flanked HawkShadow without the need of instruction. The trio moved swiftly into the forest for several hundred paces before HawkShadow signaled for a halt. SkyDancer immediately faded to the left while Goral moved to the right. HawkShadow selected a large fargi tree in the center and waited. Sakovan stars filled his hands.
They waited in silence for several minutes before HawkShadow heard the telltale sounds of a choka. The sounds were soft, but to HawkShadow they were unmistakable. He raised a hand and signaled silently to his two partners. Another sound accompanied the choka, and HawkShadow closed his eyes as he strained his ears to identify it. After a few moments, HawkShadow opened his eyes and shook his head. He thought he had identified the sound, but it made no sense to him. The group approaching was too close to dwell on it further. HawkShadow silently signaled his partners again and prepared to meet the intruders.
“I recognized your hawk,” a voice called softly. “Do not attack us, HawkShadow. I travel with a Chula shaman.”
HawkShadow recognized StormSong’s voice and stepped around the tree. He gazed at StormSong and the man next to her, who was riding on a tiger.
“I thought it was a large cat,” announced HawkShadow, “but I could not imagine one accompanying a choka. Have you come to join the party?”
“We have,” replied StormSong as she halted her choka and slid off. “HawkShadow, this is Ukaro. He has Lyra’s blessing to join in the fun.”
The Sakovan assassin watched as the shaman slid off the tiger. Ukaro approached HawkShadow and extended his arms in greeting.
“I am honored to be allowed to join you,” declared Ukaro. “Are there only the three of you?”
HawkShadow was dumbstruck for a moment, as Goral and SkyDancer had not yet revealed themselves. Suddenly his face broke into a broad grin as he extended his own arms and welcomed the Chula.
“You must tell me how you knew,” smiled HawkShadow. “Perhaps there are some tricks we can use to remain more invisible next time.”
“There are a few tricks that I can share with you,” grinned Ukaro, “but your people are well trained. Even most Chula shaman would not have noticed them.”
“Ukaro is the head shaman of the Zatong tribe,” announced StormSong. “Lyra has a great deal of faith in him.”
“Then we shall as well,” nodded HawkShadow. “Goral, SkyDancer, come meet our new friend.”
Ukaro’s eyes widened as he watched the giant approach. HawkShadow chuckled under his breath.
“So you didn’t actually see them?” questioned HawkShadow.
“No, I didn’t,” admitted the Shaman. “I sensed them, but even that did not forewarn me of the stature of Goral. You grow them large down here.”
“Goral is unique,” laughed HawkShadow. “Come and let me introduce you to the rest of the group. We have over a hundred Sakovan warriors assembled. The fun will start tonight when the Omungans camp, but the real battle will be in the morning. I need to know what skills you possess. I am sure that we can make use of them.”
As the group began walking back to the campsite, SkyDancer approached StormSong.
“Where is Lyra?” SkyDancer asked. “I thought you were assigned to guard her.”
“I was,” scowled the female warrior, “but our Star has other ideas. She has already left for Gatong without an escort. She has forbidden anyone to accompany her.”
“That sounds dangerous,” frowned SkyDancer. “I do not like it when she goes off on her own.”
“Nor do I,” agreed StormSong. “She said I would be more useful here.”
“You will certainly be useful here,” nodded SkyDancer, “but she could have allowed someone else to guard her.”
Ukaro heard the conversation behind him. He stopped and turned to face the two female Sakovans.
“Your love for your Star has not gone unnoticed,” he said to StormSong, “but you worry needlessly. Lyra is quite capable of protecting herself. In fact, traveling alone will have advantages for her. Put your mind at rest regarding her welfare. Your skills will be much needed here.”
“I think I know her better than you do,” snapped StormSong. “My place is at her side.”
“There is little doubt that you know her better than I do,” conceded Ukaro, “but I know the prophecies better than you do. Lyra will not fall to an Omungan. Her real test will be against the forces of evil.”
“Lyra has given her orders,” interjected HawkShadow. “There is little that you and I can do about it. We may not like the way she does things, but we are bound to obey her. You must trust that Kaltara will guide her to her destination and safely home again. To do otherwise is to trouble your mind during the battle to come. You know better than that. I am glad that she sent you here, StormSong. Tomorrow marks the beginning of the battles that you have trained so hard for. Your skills will be sorely needed.”
“You will have my full attention,” promised StormSong. “I cannot help wondering if I have offended our Star in some way, but I have trained to put such matters out of my mind when battle is called for. I will succeed at whatever you assign to me.”
“I know you will,” smiled HawkShadow. “I also know that you are incapable of offending Lyra, so put it out of your mind completely.”
StormSong nodded silently, and HawkShadow turned to lead the group back to the campsite. Within minutes they arrived. The campsite was empty, but as HawkShadow gave a signal, the Sakovans started entering the campsite from their hiding places. They all looked curiously at the Chula shaman and his tiger. As HawkShadow started the introductions, Ukaro petted his tiger and sent him away. The tiger disappeared silently into the forest.
The campsite returned to normal as groups separated to eat or plan for the battle. HawkShadow brought a large helping of venison and handed it to Ukaro. The Chula shaman smiled and nodded.
“You mentioned some kind of action this evening,” Ukaro said between bites. “What size force are you opposing?”
“There is a group of a thousand Imperial Guards that have been making their way slowly into the Sakova,” answered HawkShadow. “SkyDancer, Goral, and I have been doing our best to keep them on edge and slow them down. They are pretty nervous now. I want one more chance to frazzle them before the attack tomorrow. A few of us will sneak into their camp tonight. We will hack off the hair from as many as we dare. That is all we plan to do.”
“Interesting,” mused Ukaro. “I take it that the loss of their hair is significant?”
“It is,” nodded HawkShadow. “It serves two purposes. First it lets the soldiers know that they could have been killed just as easily. Second, it troubles those who still have their hair to see a great number of their brethren without their tails. We have been doing this for some time with this group. The plan for tomorrow is to attack them. If we do it correctly, the majority of them will run screaming.”