Carnelian followed his line of sight to Osidian. The glint of Osidian's eyes showed he was watching the youth. When Osidian closed his eyes, Carnelian saw the veneer of anger on his face. When he looked for Ravan, he was gone.
People grew used to seeing the two Standing Dead accompanying Fern down to the Bloodwood Tree. Poppy did not like to leave Carnelian. When Akaisha and the other women of her hearth went away to work upon the ditches, Poppy remained behind. Akaisha was happy someone would be there to take care of her son and Carnie. Sil's gratitude towards the Twostone girl soon turned to friendship. Poppy lost her bony look. As he worked, Carnelian would send her down to help hang the djada ropes out to dry. It warmed his heart when he saw her begin to be welcomed by the other children. She helped them chase the ravens away from the racks back to their nests on the Crag. She made friends. She smiled. Carnelian knew joy the first day he heard her laugh. Poppy did not forget 'her men', as she called them. Every day, as the heat became unbearable, she insisted it was her privilege to bring them their meal. Fern, against his better judgement, grew fond of her. Even Osidian tolerated her, as if she were a pet Carnelian had adopted.
The fear Carnelian felt for Osidian had abated, as each morning found him stronger. He rarely spoke. Even when they lay together in their sleeping hollow, Osidian revealed nothing of what he was feeling. Exhausted from the work, Carnelian did not have the energy to prise him open. He told himself Osidian needed to make his own accommodation with their new life. In the evenings, around the hearth, he sat in his place on the rootbench between Fern and Carnelian. He ate everything he was given and never asked for more. Neither he nor Ravan acknowledged each other's existence. Mostly, Osidian looked deep into the fire as if he were watching some drama being played out there. At first his brooding presence had unsetded everyone, but after a few days he became as familiar a part of their world as the boulders that sat upon the hillside in the grasp of cedar roots.
Every three days or so, men would drag a new earther in from the plain. Many aquar were needed to drag the corpse into position under the Bloodwood Tree. The first time a set of hunters came they would look at the Standing Dead only from the corners of their eyes. Carnelian could see himself how terrible Osidian looked. Gigantic, clothed in gore, his blood-matted hair barely concealing the green fire of his eyes. With each succeeding visit, Carnelian began to notice that the men were losing their fear. Seeing the Standing Dead labouring where they themselves would not, they were beginning to feel contempt. For the time being, their disrespect was only in their eyes, but Carnelian knew this could not last and he feared for the effect any mockery would have upon Osidian.
It was Loskai who started it. He had returned from the hunt with other men, among whom Carnelian could see Ravan busying himself checking the knots on the tow-lines. Krow was gazing at Osidian. The hunters were filthy from days out on the plain. Fierce pride shone from their faces as they delivered the immense horned corpse to the women.
Loskai moved towards Osidian, pointing. There he is. There's the white bastard who murdered my brother.'
He turned to survey the faces of his companions. 'Neither looks so impressive now.'
He swung round and regarded Osidian and Carnelian, his lip riding up his teeth.
Carnelian bore the goading, his attention on Osidian, watching him, nervous of his reaction.
The women were gathering round. Mother Mossie appeared among them her hands half-raised, her face hesitant.
'Please stop this,' she said.
Suddenly Loskai shoved Carnelian, causing a hot surge of anger.
'You're not so scary now are you, Master?'
Before he had time to react, Carnelian felt someone at his side. 'You touch him again and you'll have me to deal with.'
Loskai stepped back, regarding Fern with an expression of mock fear, and then, spitting in contempt, he advanced on Osidian, taunting him in Vulgate.
'Loskai, where's your father?' said Mossie.
Osidian lifted his head and looked at Fern, then Carnelian, as if Loskai were not there. Carnelian felt the green eyes in the red-painted face were asking him a question. Enraged at being ignored, Loskai threw a punch into Osidian's ribs. Osidian hardly flinched, his gaze remaining fixed on Carnelian.
'Why's he not defending himself?' muttered Fern.
When Krow stepped forward, protesting, Loskai turned on him. 'Stay out of this, Twostone.'
Leering, Loskai threw a harder punch into Osidian that forced a groan out through his clenched teeth. Carnelian relived the slavers' tormenting of Osidian. In a blind fury, he fell on Loskai, punching him, hurling him to the ground. A pair of hands pulled him off. Still enraged, Carnelian fought loose of their grip and felt his elbow connect with bone.
'Carnie, it's me…' he heard. He saw it was Fern. With something like surprise, he gazed down at Loskai lying on the stained earth, his face bloody, his eyes unfocused with shock. The Plainsman rolled over, pushed himself up, facing Carnelian. He spat bloody teeth onto the ground.
'You've only yourself to blame, Loskai,' said Fern.
Mossie and the other women had their hands over their mouths.
'You at least are here at an Elder's command, but these two…' Loskai indicated the Standing Dead with his chin. 'Why are they here if it isn't because they fear to be men? Are they scared to leave the safety of our ditches?'
'What is the savage raving about?' Osidian asked, casually, in Quya. Carnelian translated Loskai's words.
As Osidian's gaze fell on Loskai, it caused the Plainsman to go pale. 'You should be careful what you ask for, barbarian. If it's really what you want, I'll come with you, tomorrow.'
Loskai tried a laugh. Tomorrow…? Everyone knows tomorrow our hunt rests.'
Osidian gave Loskai a look of contempt that stung him into saying: Tomorrow it is then. I'll persuade my father.'
He turned and swaggered back to join his fellows, among whom Carnelian saw Ravan, a turmoil of emotion on his face.
'I'll be reporting this. I'll tell the Elders all about it,' said Mossie.
Carnelian felt a hand on his shoulder and turned to see Fern looking horrified.
The Master doesn't know what he's doing.'
'He knows exactly what he's doing.'
'Loskai didn't do this by himself. Why do you imagine his father's chosen not to be here? He sent his son to bait you.'
Carnelian had already come to the same conclusion. Glancing at Osidian, Carnelian could tell his mind was made up. 'Nevertheless, I will have to go with him.'
Fern clasped his hands over his head. 'Can't you see they're just trying to get you away from my mother's protection so they can kill you?'
At that moment, Poppy appeared, all eyes and concern.
Carnelian picked her up and reassured her. 'Everything's fine. Really.'
He regarded Fern over her shoulder. His friend looked miserable. Carnelian shrugged and put Poppy down. 'Look, I've gone and covered you in blood.'
He sent her off to wash herself. Carnelian saw the bruise already developing on Fern's jaw and indicated it with a grimace. 'Did I do that?'
'It doesn't matter,' said Fern, morose.
Osidian was already returning to the drag-cradles. Brooding, Carnelian followed him.
At the hearth that night, Carnelian was agonizing over whether he should go with Osidian or not when he felt a tugging on his robe and saw it was the boy, Blue, wide-eyed. 'Carnie, is it true you almost killed Loskai today?'
Fern leaned out past Osidian. 'All he did was make him lose a couple of teeth, Blue. Loskai had it coming, he started it.'
'Yes, he started it,' said Poppy fiercely, making Carnelian laugh.