The Standing Dead

'It seems the Standing Dead are unaware of much of the suffering they inflict upon the world.'

Carnelian burned with shame. 'Couldn't we hide him?'

She gave a hollow laugh. 'If we did, they'd take a child in his place.'

How small was the mesh of the net the Masters had cast over these people. 'Will they… punish him here?'

'Most likely they'll take him to Makar where, as an example to others, they'll hang him, mutilated, upon a cross.'

The flat resigned tone of her voice was chilling. 'If that's all?' Akaisha said.

Carnelian saw her shape begin to turn away and reached out and fumbled in the darkness for her hand.

'Perhaps, my mother, while I'm away you might take care of Poppy for me.'

He felt some tensing in her hand and then it was gently pulled away. 'You shouldn't care for her so much, Carnie.'

'I don't share your prejudice against her,' he snapped.

Akaisha took him by the arm. 'It's not that… It is only that when the Gatherer comes she might be selected for the tithe.'

Carnelian felt he could bear no more pain. 'Fern told me the same thing. But surely she's Twostone.'

'She ceased to be that when I accepted her into my hearth.'

Then why did you risk her by…?' He paused remembering Ebeny. 'You don't want to lose more of your kin?'

'My grand-daughter is my heart.'

Carnelian knew it was cruel to say more but could not help himself. 'And Poppy has the kind of prettiness the Gatherer likes.'

She snatched her hand from his arm. 'I'll look after her for you,' she said and walked away.

When Carnelian returned, he did not want to go to the hearth where he would have to face Fern and made his way instead to his hollow. Osidian was there already asleep with Poppy. Carnelian lay down between them. Poppy moulded herself into his side. Her warmth stirred a panic in him that she might be taken away to Osrakum. Panic turned to anger. How could Akaisha be so selfish? She was no better than Harth and all those others who hated him and Osidian.

Carnelian's heart beat faster as he imagined the dangers the next day would bring. Above him stars twinkled in and out of existence as the breathing night stirred the branches of the cedar. He saw again Osidian breaking Ranegale over his knee. Loskai had had to witness that. How could he judge him; judge his father and mother's desire for revenge? Plainsmen had to endure, repeatedly, the rape of their people. It tore at him that, in spite of this, Akaisha had taken them both in. How could he think it was she who threatened Poppy? Was it she who forced countless barbarian tribes to pay a tithe of their children to become the playthings of the

Masters in Osrakum? What right had he to blame any of them when it was his own kind who were the root of the world's evil?

Shame cooled to despair as an image of Fern crucified thrust into his mind. Struggle as he might, he could not dislodge it. He turned in to Osidian desperate for the comfort of their love. Feeling him coming awake, he mumbled into his neck: 'I'm afraid.'

'And you accuse me of cowardice?' Osidian said, his body unyielding.

Carnelian edged away, as chilled as if he had been embracing marble, and lay as far from the warm comforts of the world as any of the Wise.

BREAKING EGGS

Everything begins with an uncurling.

(a precept of the Plainsmen)

Carnelian woke feeling ragged. He lay listening to the Grove coming awake, glad to lie in the hollow as long as he could. He was reluctant to face the day. He wished he could go back to not knowing about Fern's impending fate. A desire came over him to stay behind, to go down to work under the Bloodwood Tree as usual. But he knew that, even if it led them both to death, he could not allow Osidian to go alone, curse his pride.

It was Osidian rising that flushed Carnelian from his warm hiding place. As he drew himself out from under the blanket, he took care not to disturb Poppy. There lay another goodbye he was not looking forward to. He pulled on his robe and made for the hearth. As he approached its mutter, he found the smell of smoke and breakfast comforting. He took his place on the rootbench. Around him, people were scratching, yawning. Mothers were kissing the children that appeared tousle-headed, rubbing the sleep from their eyes, grinning at gentle teasings. Carnelian looked round at Osidian, whose gaze was already fixed on the fire. Fern appeared. As he came to sit down beside him, Carnelian watched the light run along his brass collar. Carnelian had never noticed how tightly it clutched his throat. Fern was aware of where he was looking.

'Forgive me for not working with you today,' Carnelian managed to say.

Fern leaned close. 'Just make sure you take care today.'

'What're you two whispering about?'

They pulled away from each other, guiltily, and looked across at Sil. The smile on her face faltered. Disturbed, she looked from one to the other.

'I'll tell you… later,' said Fern.

Sil put on a smile for him.

Carnelian became aware Osidian was watching him. The look in his eyes intensified Carnelian's feeling of guilt. He was glad Akaisha chose that moment to begin passing out the gruel.

'Carnie, you and your brother make sure you eat well.' Her face was smiling but her eyes were filled with concern. Even Whin seemed troubled as she looked at him. This only served to make his stomach churn with anxiety. He was not sure he was going to be able to keep anything down. He stirred the gruel in the bowl that was passed into his hand. Something cast a shadow over his feet. Glancing up he saw it was Poppy. She sidled up and was soon sitting on his knee cradling her own bowl. He watched each spoonful she put into her mouth as if it was the last time he would ever see her eat. He had to resist the desire to hug her hard. He put off speaking to her until she was finished. At last, he nudged her with his chin and she turned to look up at him.

'I'm going away today.'

Her eyes widened with alarm. 'I'm going too.'

He shook his head. 'You can't. I'm going to fetch water.'

'I can't see why I can't go with you.'

Someone stood over them making them both look up. It was Akaisha. 'You know well enough, girl, that fetching water is men's work.'

Poppy's lower lip began trembling.

Akaisha cracked a smile. 'Today, you can come with me instead.'

Poppy looked at Carnelian and he could see she was on the verge of tears.

'You want me to be proud of you, don't you?'

Poppy gave a slow nod.

'Well then, Poppy, thank Mother Akaisha.'

When the little girl did, Carnelian planted a kiss on the crown of her head and then rested his chin on her hair. He looked into Akaisha's eyes and smiled his gratitude.

'About last night. I'm sorry -'

Akaisha stopped his lips with her fingertips. Carnelian could see the warmth in her eyes. She crouched to look Poppy in the face.

'Do you want to come with me now and sit at the head of the hearth?'

Poppy lit up and wiggled her way off Carnelian's knee onto the ground. Akaisha offered a hand and Poppy took it. Carnelian glanced up at Akaisha to thank her and found she was looking down the length of the hollow. Ravan was there standing in the gloom. At first Carnelian thought the youth was looking at him but he quickly realized his attention was fixed on Osidian.

'Come and have your breakfast, my son,' Akaisha called to him.

Ravan shook his head. 'I've come to get the Standing Dead.' He stared even more intensely at Osidian. 'If they're still coming, that is…'

'But you should eat before you go.'

'Are you coming, Master?' Ravan said in Vulgate as if his mother had not spoken.

Osidian rose and passed in front of Carnelian, who had no choice but to join him. People grumbled as they looked from Akaisha to Ravan. Osidian loomed over the youth, both of them waiting.