“We have not survived here for centuries by taking such risks lightly,” StormSong retorted. “I think we should have a hearing on this.”
“You have a right to demand a hearing,” StarWind soothed, “but not until we return with the youngsters.”
“That will be too late,” StormSong returned. “The damage will have already been done.”
“Storm,” interjected SkyDancer with her usual soft and meek voice, “there is no violation of law until we return with the youngsters, and when we do, it will be we who have violated the law.”
StormSong’s pale face flushed crimson. “But we are being ordered to break the law,” she shouted. “I will not be ordered to do such a thing. We should kill them all and be done with it.”
“I have been chosen as leader of this expedition,” declared StarWind, “and as such, I, and I alone, will be responsible for any violations of the law. RavenWing did not order me to bring the youngsters back, he merely told me what he wanted and why. I am aware of the security risks and I accept the responsibility for my own actions. Just do not kill the youngsters without my authorization. You may demand a hearing on my actions when we return and I will absolve the three of you from any responsibility. Is that acceptable to all of you?”
“No,” stated Goral.
The three women looked at the bearded giant with confusion. “Why not?” StarWind asked.
“You chose us because you respect our skills and because you trust your life to us,” Goral explained. “That trust should not be thrown away for personal convenience or comfort. I do not like the idea of bringing the youngsters back here, but we are all Sakovans and we all want the same thing. I trust RavenWing and I trust you. If both of you want them brought back here and you think it is important to our future, then that is what I will do and I do not need you to absolve me of anything.”
SkyDancer shook her head after listening to the longest statement she had ever heard Goral utter. “He’s right!” she exclaimed. “I don’t like it either, but RavenWing has guided us safely through troubling times. I will accept this risk the same as the risk I accept each time I go into battle for my people. I will stand with you, StarWind.”
“Darn!” shouted StormSong. “You didn’t even take a breath in there Goral. I am impressed. I will be damned if I am going to let mealy-mouth and the hairless-giant outshine me. I will help you bring them back. I may even drag the three of them by their hair for you. If I can’t talk sense into you three at least I can go along so you don’t hurt yourselves.”
StarWind chuckled and shook her head. “At least this trip is not going to be dull,” she laughed. “StormSong, see to the weapons and add in some goodies for surprises for the assassins. SkyDancer, you select the provisions, medical supplies and climbing gear. I do not want to leave anything out of our supplies. If in doubt, bring it. Goral, you get the chokas ready. I want two extra for our people already out there and three more for the Omungans that we will be bringing back.”
“I would prefer to trust my own feet, if you do not mind,” Goral countered. “I do not get along with chokas. They are nasty and they do not like carrying my weight.”
“They can carry thrice your weight, Goral,” StarWind insisted, “and can run thrice the speed of your feet. We need their speed on this journey and using them will make carrying the youngsters back much easier. As for the chokas being nasty, well, they are supposed to be nasty, but not to their rider. I am sure you will survive.”
Goral nodded and StarWind informed them that they would be leaving at first light and dismissed them. SkyDancer could not suppress a giggle as Goral headed off towards the stables. Goral always tried to avoid riding on the large warbirds and everyone knew it was because Goral thought he was too big for the chokas and might hurt them.
Jostin saw Goral coming and ran over to open the gate. “How many chokas do you need?” the red-haired boy asked, always happy to do something for Goral.
“I don’t need any,” Goral frowned. “What makes you think I would need a choka?”
The disappointment on Jostin’s face was evident as he said, “I just figured that is why you came. A message from HawkShadow and then a call for StarWind and you go off with her a lot.” The boy’s face suddenly brightened. “You came over to tell me another story?” he blurted out, anxious for an exciting tale even though he still had work to do.
Goral smiled and shook his head. “Not today Jostin. Today we are about making new stories. I must have nine chokas ready for the morning and one of them must be sturdy enough to carry me. So much for security around this place. You should talk to RavenWing about being an apprentice to StarWind one of these days. You have a knack for putting together disparate information and following things to a logical conclusion.”
“I have already asked RavenWing a hundred times,” frowned Jostin as he led the way to the choka pens. “He says I am too young yet. I thought you said you didn’t need any chokas?”
“I don’t need any,” Goral reiterated, “but I have been ordered to requisition them anyway.”
Goral’s huge hand ruffled Jostin’s red mop as he stopped and stared at the chokas. Goral shuddered at the thought of the small boy tending the ten-foot tall warbirds. The choka was a wingless bird, which stood upright with long legs and small forelegs, each ending in razor sharp talons. The birds were meat eaters and their beaks had a sharp tip, which could easily puncture a shield. The early Sakovans used to raise and race them, but their numbers had dwindled swiftly after the Sakovans withdrew into the stronghold. For generations now, the choka had been trained as warbirds, an occupation that fitted them well.
A large choka came over and lowered its head and nudged Goral and he reached and ran his large hand gently down its neck.
“I guess you will want Bertha for yourself?” Jostin murmured. “She really likes you.”
“Yes,” Goral sighed. “Sorry, girl, but you are the only one big enough and stupid enough to let me ride you.”
“How come you don’t like to ride chokas?” inquired Jostin. “The rest of the stronghold clamors for a chance to take them out.”
Goral stood and stared at Jostin for a while, seemingly deep in thought. Eventually, he stooped down and looked Jostin in the eye. “When I go off to fight for Sakova, it is because I have chosen to,” he explained. “I know that I may fall in battle and I have already weighed the risks in mind before I accepted the call to fight. Bertha has no choice in the matter. She goes to fight whenever we want her to. I do not like imposing my risks on her without her agreeing.”
“But she was born to fight,” objected Jostin.
“Yes she was,” agreed Goral, “but that was not her choice either.”
Jostin stared back into Goral’s eyes. “You are wrong, Goral,” the little boy declared. “The chokas enjoy fighting. It is what they live for. You may ride them into battle, but I get to stay with those left behind. I know their moods and the rejected ones are disappointed, the returning warbirds are the happy ones.”
Goral raised one eyebrow and stroked his beard as he looked from Jostin to Bertha and back again. Silently, he rose and walked out of the pen.
Chapter 10
Magic Lesson
Lyra sighed as she tried to concentrate on the bobbing text. All day she had been browsing through one of the books she had grabbed from Master Malafar’s study and when she finally found the spell she wished to learn, the terrain had gotten rougher. She closed her eyes and tried to picture the page she had been reading. She had used this trick before to recall information she needed for tests at the Academy and she had been very successful at picturing the image of information she could not remember otherwise. This time, however, the trick failed. All she pictured was a blur and she opened her eyes in frustration.
Antello was still leading them through the sevemor forest, just as Syman had yesterday. She enjoyed this forest much better than the dark fargi woods they had left behind. Animal life was plentiful here and the birds sang out from early morning to dusk. They had even managed to kill a couple of rabbits yesterday for dinner. The trip was much more peaceful without having to worry about pursuit by the invaders, although Lyra still had the nagging suspicion that they were always being watched by something. Only Syman believed that the invaders were still behind and about to catch up to them. At least she was sure they were really heading eastward now. The sun was easily seen through the sevemor trees and she was delighted as well to see the sunlight dance upon the forest floor once again.