Osidian's trembling hands took the spoon and bowl from him and began to eat. As he did so, Carnelian hurried to fetch water from the jar against the tree. When Osidian had drunk enough, he refused any help and lay back in the hollow. He was instantly asleep. Carnelian watched him for a while. Osidian, sleeping, seemed whole again. Carnelian stooped to kiss his forehead, then crept away.
At the hearth, he sat down in his usual place. When Poppy brought him a bowl, he made sure to thank her. It was Ravan who asked him the question everyone wanted to ask.
'How is he?'
Carnelian knew that Ravan would find out some time. 'He's decided to come and join me beneath the Bloodwood Tree.'
Ravan gaped. 'No! You're lying.'
Sil looked startled at the violence of Ravan's reaction.
'Of course he can join us tomorrow, Carnie,' said Akaisha.
Ravan turned his gape on his mother. 'You must forbid it.'
Akaisha raised her eyebrows as a mutter of unease went around the hearth.
Whin stood up. 'Ravan, have you forgotten who you're speaking to?'
Ravan scowled and looked around him as if he were being assaulted from every side. Jumping to his feet, he stormed off, knocking over one of the children's bowls as he went.
Akaisha called after him but he seemed not to hear her. Concern mixed with anger as she looked at Fern. 'What's the matter with your brother?'
Fern looked bitter. The Master has turned out to be a poorer replacement for his father than he had hoped.'
THE CHALLENGE
Beware of forcing a locked door unless you know what lies behind it.
Carnelian woke to find someone lying warm against his chest. Only half awake, he assumed it must be Osidian, but realized he was lying against his back. Carnelian allowed the confusion to sit unresolved in his mind as he turned to regard the dark morning sky through the branches of the mother tree. At last, he found the will to sit up. Whatever it was curled up against him grunted as it adjusted its position. Gently he put his hand out and felt a small head. Peering, he saw it was a child. Poppy. He stroked her hair, drawing comfort from her warmth. He could just make out Osidian, his breathing fitful. Carnelian wondered whether Osidian would have the strength even to stand up, never mind to labour in the heat under the Bloodwood Tree.
Taking care not to wake either of them, he rose, dressed silently and then picked his way across the roots towards the hearth. Several of the women were already gathered in the pale light filtering down to the hearth. Sil saw him coming and smiled brightly.
'Breakfast?'
He nodded and watched her count out enough fernroot cakes for two people.
'My hollow seems to have acquired another mouth to feed.'
She looked at him surprised. When Carnelian explained, she looked thoughtful.
'It was obvious yesterday she'd taken to you, Carnie.'
'Will anyone mind?'
'I can't see why they should, do you?'
Carnelian shook his head.
She beamed. 'Well then.' She plucked up another cake and gave it to him.
He thanked her and returned to the hollow. In his absence, Poppy had snuggled into Osidian. Carnelian wondered how Osidian would react to the girl. He woke her gently. Poppy yawned, rubbed her eyes and then came suddenly awake in a stare. He thought of welcoming her, but then considered he should not do so until he was sure Osidian was not going to reject her. To reassure her he gave her a cake with a smile.
Osidian was next. Carnelian had to shake him. Osidian opened his eyes and for a while could do nothing more than gaze up into the branches of the cedar. When, at last, he sat up with a groan, Poppy looked at him as if he had suddenly come up out of the ground. Carnelian offered him a cake. Osidian's eyes fell on Poppy, who smiled winningly at him. As he turned away from her, Poppy's face fell and Carnelian reacted by cupping her cheek in his hand. She backed into his leg, making sure to keep an eye on Osidian. Carnelian offered him the cake again. To Carnelian's relief, Osidian took it and bit into it.
The cakes were finished by the time Fern appeared. Osidian greeted him with cold eyes. Fern addressed Carnelian as if Osidian were not there.
'Are you sure he's going to be strong enough?'
Carnelian was not sure, but was determined he would not allow him to remain in the hollow. When it came time for them to leave, Osidian refused any help. Grimacing, he rose and then stood looking none too steady. 'Where's Ravan?'
'He'll be on warding duty around the Koppie today with the rest of his hunt,' said Fern.
Carnelian saw in Osidian's raised eyebrows that he had expected Ravan to join them. Osidian caught Carnelian's look and smiled.
'So our little friend thinks it too humiliating to work with us.'
Carnelian was half pleased that this might lead to a break between the two.
They moved towards the rootstair, Osidian tottering after them. Poppy would not leave Carnelian's side. Together they descended the stair with Fern. Osidian followed them, taking each step as if it were his last.
His face wet rust, Osidian stood naked beneath the Bloodwood Tree. His pallid skin could have been soaked cloth wrapped around the frame of his bones. Carnelian and Fern looked at each other. Neither could imagine where Osidian was even finding the strength to stand, never mind for the day's work. Akaisha called out to them. Bloodied, she stood by the butchered corpse, the black boulder of its liver bleeding at her feet. Carnelian saw her look of concern as she watched Osidian advancing with them. Sil could not hide her distress. Even Whin's forehead was creased with something like pity.
Carnelian decided to act. He took Osidian's stick arm.
'You're too weak,' Carnelian said.
Osidian pulled his arm free and continued his advance upon the liver. Soon he was wrestling with it. Its blood smeared all across his chest. Carnelian saw Osidian was intent on lifting the whole mass of it himself and rushed in to help. Fern was soon there beside him. As they heaved the quivering mass to the drag-cradles, they had enough of a struggle coping with its weight themselves to have any energy left over to worry about Osidian.
They toiled in the withering heat. Carnelian had become accustomed to the itch of flies walking upon his sweating skin. The stench no longer seemed unbearable. It was different for Osidian. Carnelian's wonder at his strength dulled into an ache of fear. Osidian's limbs seemed so thin they might snap; his muscles so wasted he should have been unable to move. Yet he worked as hard as Carnelian did, as hard as Fern. Carnelian could not rid himself of the conviction that such miraculous strength was consuming what little life Osidian had left.
Carnelian almost cried with relief when Akaisha announced their midday rest. He threw down what he was carrying and made a show of moving from the drag-cradles to the welcoming shade of the Bloodwood Tree. As Fern and he headed for it, Carnelian kept turning just enough to make sure Osidian was following them. As soon as Carnelian reached the trunk he sat against it to encourage Osidian to do the same. Osidian slid down painfully. His eyes stared unblinking from his ochred face. Sil and Poppy brought them food and water. At Carnelian's urging, the girl made sure Osidian ate his share. Unable to look at him any more, Carnelian rested his head against the bark of the tree and closed his eyes. He allowed himself to drift away upon the waft of the women's chatter. The leaves of the Bloodwood Tree sighed a soothing air.
Half drowsing, he became aware of the women calling out a name. It took a moment for his mind to assemble the sound into a name. 'Ravan.'
Carnelian opened his eyes and searched among the shifting shades until he found the youth. Ravan was standing in the blaze just beyond the shadow of the tree.