"The Shama does not need to explain herself." Nyori folded her arms and hoped she gave the impression of being unperturbed. Rhanu looked quite dangerous when angry. "It is enough that you know what you know."
Rhanu's frown deepened, and he lifted a warning finger. "Listen to me, Shama. Listen very closely. I am not one to—"
An explosion of sopping white spray snapped his head to the side. When he regained his balance his headdress was askew, and snow plastered half his face. Blustering, he looked to his assailant.
"I thought you might need to cool off." Meshella laughed as she rode up on her auburn filly. Another snowball bounced in her hand. "Surely you do not mean to threaten a Shama."
Nyori covered her mouth to contain her amusement at Rhanu's incredulous face.
"No…" He sought to retain a shard of dignity as he straightened his headdress and wiped the snow away. "It is…not safe out there for a woman to ride alone. Shama Ayna should have someone escort her, or remain with us until we get to a hospitable town."
"Shama Ayna didn't have the look of someone who could not take care of herself. And if she could not, she has her brother, remember? Maybe you should concentrate your efforts on escorting the Shama Nyori instead of threatening her." Meshella smiled sweetly.
Rhanu's expression soured further when he looked at Nyori. "Why do I have a feeling our plans have suddenly been changed?"
"They have. I must go to Glacia now. If you don't want to escort me, I understand. I will find a way myself."
Rhanu shook his head wonderingly. "All the way on your own? If you don't get lost in a day, you will end up dead just as quickly. I said that we would escort you. Rhanu's word is good, Shama. Why not go to the edge of the world? I am sure we haven't seen enough snow." He glowered and flung his wrap around his mouth. "I will tell the others." He turned his horse to where Han and Dradyn rode nearby.
Meshella laughed softly. "Men and their pride. Tell me, Shama, — is that staff a weapon of yours?"
Nyori looked at the glassy rod lashed to her saddle. The memory of the battle in Kaerleon was still strong in her mind. Other memories were there as well. Battles she had never seen, where Eymunder summoned lightning and flame into hosts of bestial creatures. The threads of memories previously owned by the Theurgist were like that at times.
"Yes. It can be a weapon. But it also has other uses." She was reluctant to use the remaining commands she remembered, but one was very simple. She traced a Glyph in the air, then lifted the orb to her face and whispered the command.
"Gistuku."
When she pointed the orb at the group of men several spans away, their voices became audible as though there was no distance. She and Meshella could hear every word the men said.
Meshella smiled. "I think I'm going to like you, Shama."
They listened as Dradyn spoke to the others. "The winter looks to be a harsh one, and going to Glacia will only make it worse on us. Are you sure you mean to do this?"
"The Shama means to go." Rhanu looked at their snow-covered surroundings. "I gave her my word, and mean to keep it. Besides, the answers to the mystery of the odji may be answered through her quest. I have been killing them for years, and I am weary to the bone. Whatever vengeance I have sought has been paid a hundredfold, yet I still find myself on their trail. Perhaps by following her I can close these wounds and find a way to move on, or find the death I seek. I cannot do this forever."
"We will need shelter along the way," Shiru said. "Our path must be well planned, or we all may perish in the storms."
Dradyn gave Shiru an odd look. "I know of places we can take shelter at. There are a number of small villages along the way. Settlers from Norland and Brumar. They are good people, and will take us in."
"Any place we stay will be threatened," Han said. "Best to keep to ourselves."
"We cannot escape from threats. If the akhkharu have infiltrated Kaerleon, there is no safety anywhere. We'll have to take our chances."
"Very well." Rhanu glanced at Marcellus, who stood apart from the others, staring into space. "What do you think of him?"
Dradyn smiled. "I'm relieved he is alive and well. I'd feared the worst when he disappeared."
"What I mean is, can he be trusted?"
"If you trust me, you can trust him." Dradyn's large shoulders stiffened. "I was there when he lost everything he cared for. He's suffered as much as any of us, maybe more."
Rhanu held up his hands. "All right, kemsa. I had to ask, though."
Shiru gave Marcellus a thoughtful gaze. "I believe he means us no harm, but he has not told us everything."
Han nodded. "You found his story a bit shallow as well?"
"There wasn't a single footprint visible when he disappeared. I can track pretty well. You can too. We found nothing." Shiru gave Marcellus another discerning glance. "He has his secrets. That much is for certain."
Dradyn glowered. "We all have our secrets. Can you be trusted? Why were you really in Kaerleon, attached to an akhkharu who took the guise of the king? What haven't you told us about yourself?"
Shiru took the accusations with unflappable calm. "What haven't you told us about your remarkable knowledge of the kuang-shi? The story of fighting them while soldiering rings false, considering all you seem to know. Perhaps there is something you'd like to share?"
Dradyn's expression darkened. "All you need to know is that I'm watching you. If you mean us any harm…"
"Easy, kemsa." Rhanu clapped the big man on his shoulder. "We cannot be at each other's throats. Han vouches for Shiru, and that is enough for me. We mean no harm toward your comrade. He is a lucky man to have you guarding his back. Now, you are the former ranger. I will trust you to lead us to Glacia."
Dradyn exhaled a cloud of vapor with a resigned expression. "And so I will."
Nyori's breath caught in her throat as the chill of the harbinger left her trembling.
"What is it?" Meshella placed a concerned hand on Nyori's shoulder.
"Nothing. It is nothing." The lie felt raw in Nyori's throat. Because she knew that death approached once again. And just like before, there was nothing she could do that would alter its arrival.
Chapter 34: Alaric
The Consultium said nothing. The gathered council members simply sat and collected their thoughts. It was much different than the Gathering with the Speakers and their Sects. The Gifted were still human in mind and motivation. Their tendency was to rush into things with little forethought. The Speakers were a conniving lot; pebbles that thought basking in the sun would turn them into lunestones. It was a relief to be rid of them and be among the Blood again.
Normally Alaric felt at peace among his kin, lulled by the perfect precision of the circular surroundings. The room and everything in it was perfectly rounded, from their soft molded seats and table to the glowing orbs that illuminated the room in sunset colors.
The spherical mugs before them had been filled with a brewed herbal elixir that filled the room with the scent of honey and cloves. The arrangement was purely ceremonial, an ode to the times when such a concoction would please the palate and warm the innards. Presently it was at best a mirage. Only pran, the life-force from humans, could be ingested for nourishment now. The domestics in Aceldama gave of themselves without protest, of course.
Were but the world that way.
His mind felt remarkably focused. It was as if he needed the current storm of problems to occur in order for him to be challenged by it. For the first time in literal ages, his fog of self-imposed listlessness had dissipated, replaced by a rush of determination as he contemplated his plan of action. The others could not help but notice how he had changed. He saw it on their faces when he broke the silence.