'My Lord does not seem to have made as much progress as I expected.'
Carnelian stared, paralysed by the Quya and Osidian's presence.
'Is there something wrong with your voice, Carnelian?'
Krow had moved to the aquar and, making her rise, he led her away so more riders could come in. Carnelian's eyes were drawn to them searching. Ravan had dismounted and was coming towards them.
The ditch, my Lord?'
Carnelian focused on Osidian, who was frowning. The conditions under which the Bluedancing have been working are almost unbearable.'
'I need no lectures about the conditions. I have been riding across that plain for ten days.'
Then,' Carnelian said, stung to anger, 'you will understand it all.'
His heart leapt into his mouth when he saw a figure moving behind Ravan, whose height proclaimed it to be Fern. Carnelian became aware of Osidian turning to see what he was looking at.
'Ravan,' he said, trying to deflect Osidian.
'And Fern,' said Osidian, as Ravan gave Carnelian a curt bow.
Carnelian tried to appear calm. 'Is the Tribe well?'
For answer Ravan looked away. Carnelian thought the youth aged and worn. His eyes met Fern's and, feeling the intensity of that link, he broke it. A commotion was breaking out along the Homing, where Osidian's dusty men were meeting up with Carnelian's men. Osidian observed this with a furrowed brow and turned on Carnelian.
'Something has happened.'
Carnelian found it hard to return Osidian's piercing gaze. 'I took the men you left me to the koppie of the Darkcloud.'
Osidian's eyes flamed. 'I do not recall giving my Lord permission to indulge in expeditions.'
Carnelian felt trapped. ‘I took it anyway. Do you imagine, Osidian, that seeing smoke rising from their home I could have stopped the Darkcloud from going to investigate? I bowed to the inevitable and went with them. Thank the Two I did or else they would most surely have been annihilated by the Marula.'
Osidian's eyes grew wide. 'Marula, you say?'
Carnelian explained and as he did so he watched Osidian's eyes. There was no doubt he was shocked. This was an element that had clearly not formed part of his calculations. Carnelian sensed something else. Momentarily having lost his Masterly composure, Osidian's emotions were open to scrutiny. Carnelian saw a wariness in the way Osidian was regarding him.
'You were victorious then?'
'We fell on them like raveners.'
'Did any Marula survive?'
'One. There were two others but he bit out their throats.'
Osidian raised an eyebrow.
'I have imprisoned him on the summit of the Crag awaiting your return.'
Osidian resumed his impassivity. 'What has he told you?'
'Once he learned of your existence, he would say nothing to me.' 'Indeed.'
Carnelian sensed that Osidian's apparent amusement was only a front. Osidian turned to Ravan. 'Go gather me a twenty of Darkcloud.' Ravan bowed and went off. Fern was puzzled by the commotion among the Plainsmen. Carnelian watched them too, so as not to have to look at either Osidian or Fern.
When Ravan returned with the twenty, Krow was with him. Osidian motioned the two youths to stand on either side of him and the Darkcloud to surround them as they began to climb the rootstair. Carnelian was left with Fern. Desperately, he wished his friend were able to read hand-speech. They gazed at each other but dared not speak.
Osidian paused on the stair. 'I would like both of you to come with me.'
Obediently, Carnelian and Fern began climbing. Osidian turned to Krow.
'When I am finished with our guest, I might give him to you. Tell me, what torments might you like to inflict on him?'
Looking apologetic, Krow glanced at Carnelian. The other Master has already promised the Maruli to the Darkcloud.'
The men around them nodded.
'Has he indeed?' said Osidian.
Though Morunasa stood his ground as they came up onto the summit, his yellow, slitted gaze flitted from one to the other, quickly settling on the towering figure of Osidian. Under the pressure of Osidian's regard, Morunasa eventually ducked a bow.
Fern and Ravan stared, startled at the black man.
As Osidian advanced on the Maruli, Krow cried out: 'Beware, Master, he's a ravener.'
Without turning, Osidian made a gesture of dismissal. Carnelian saw he did not overtop Morunasa by much. The two were facing each other near where the bones of the dead lay bleaching upon the funerary trestles. Carnelian strained to pick out words from the mutter of their talk.
'Carnie, where did this Maruli come from?'
Carnelian turned to see Fern and Ravan waiting for an answer and he launched into the story, every so often glancing off towards Osidian and Morunasa. Both winced and glanced at the Maruli when Carnelian described the two dead with their throats torn out.
'Were these the same Manila who massacred the Twostone?' asked Ravan.
‘I found the same damage in the koppie of the Darkcloud.'
Krow, who had been gazing at the Master throughout, suddenly moved forward in response to his beckoning. The Maruli looked dejected. The Darkcloud were watching him as if he were a piece of meat they were salivating to consume. The black man exclaimed, pointing at Osidian's face. Osidian's affront softened as Morunasa said something. In response, Osidian pushed his uba from his forehead to expose his birthmark. As Morunasa rose on his toes to examine it, Carnelian felt a thrill of unease which only increased as the Maruli and Osidian began to talk together like conspirators. Watching them reinforced Carnelian's desire to overthrow Osidian.
He turned his attention back to Fern. His friend indicated Ravan with his eyes. They could not talk while he was there, but they could hardly move away without it being noticed.
'How is your mother?' Carnelian asked, hoping to find a way through innocent conversation to communicate with Fern.
'Well enough,' Fern said and proceeded to talk about their journey to the mountains. 'Everyone was miserable that we had to return here.'
Carnelian nodded. Fern continued, and from what he said, Carnelian became convinced there was unrest among the men; that many were growing uneasy with the new ways.
'The Master,' said Krow.
Osidian was coming towards them with Morunasa at his side. Carnelian saw immediately that the Maruli was possessed of a new confidence which dismayed Krow and the Darkcloud.
Osidian regarded them all as if from on high. 'Go, ready yourselves and the others. Each man should take enough djada for nine days; water for six. We march south at nightfall.'
THE VOICE OF GOD
Gods speak without words
Air mouthed by the branches of trees, by hills
Flame tongues whispering
Rain hiss and pattering rhythms
Water rumbling rolling against rock and shore
Gales screaming scouring, lifting precipices of sea
That roar as they consume
Carnelian followed Osidian down to the porch of the Ancestor House.
'What has the Maruli told you? What is it that is in the south?'
Osidian smiled. The reason why the Manila have been launching attacks into the Earthsky.'
Carnelian waited for more, but still smiling, Osidian shook his head. Carnelian glanced up to the summit where they had left Morunasa. 'You cannot trust him.'
'Do you not find that ironic coming from you, Carnelian?'
Knowing it was true just made Carnelian angry. The men will not follow you.'
There will be unrest, but they will follow me. Besides, it will be amusing to see my enemies reveal themselves.'
He turned away to look down into the clearing, which was filling up with Plainsmen. Carnelian's stomach clenched when he saw Fern was at their head. There was no way to warn him.