The Standing Dead

Relief brought more tears. He lifted her hand in his and kissed it.

Carnelian became aware of Poppy's stony fist wedged between them. A part of him did not want to read what was written there. He realized he had not seen Akaisha. He searched for her.

'She's with the other Elders talking to the child-gatherer,' said Sil.

'Does that always happen?'

Sil grew pale as she glanced at Fern and then looked back up the slope the way they had come. Carnelian realized with a jolt his friend was still in danger.

Poppy shifted against him and when Carnelian looked down it was directly into her eyes. He took his leave of Sil and Fern and carried Poppy to their hollow. He laid her down upon a blanket. They sat looking at each other while she clutched her left fist in her other hand. She released it and opened it for him. He stared at the cloth blushing blood. It was obvious what she wanted. He took her hand in his and carefully peeled off the cloth. He used it to wipe away the blood. He saw the two tattooed spots and his heart stopped.

She saw the colour leave his face and drew back terrified. 'This year?'

'No,' he cried, shaking his head.

The next then?'

It was unnecessary for him to nod; she saw her fate in his eyes.

Akaisha's face was gaunt when she appeared beside Carnelian's hollow. He disengaged from Poppy who had been sleeping in his arms and rose to face Akaisha.

'I don't know what to say, my mother, about your loss.'

She glanced at Poppy. 'All have suffered loss.'.

Carnelian was withered by shame. 'Come with me,' she said.

He followed her. When they reached the deepest shade of the mother tree, she fixed wild eyes on him. 'Where is the Master?'

'On the plain.'

'But where?'

He half shook his head. 'Perhaps returned to the earther we were bringing here when we saw the signal.'

She frowned, looking at the ground, her eyes moving in thought, her hand gently stroking the bark. She looked up.

The Master was right. The Gatherers are looking for you.'

Carnelian swallowed hard. They asked about us specifically?'

The Gatherer claimed to be seeking two white marumaga renegades. He told us that any tribe handing them over or giving information resulting in their successful live capture will have their tithe rescinded for a full eight years.'

Carnelian could see the desire for such a prize was a passion in her which she was having difficulty suppressing. It promised the salvation of her granddaughter.

They're trying to trick you,' he said.

Akaisha's eyes flamed. 'Do you believe, Master, that we are fools?'

His contrition calmed her. The Tribe's survival depends on you not being found. We're sure we didn't give anything away. Our terror is of the Master out there…' She glanced away towards the plain. 'If he should be seen by another tribe…'

'I could go out and try to bring him in.'

She looked back narrow-eyed. 'So Crowrane was right. The Master fled knowing what might happen to him here.'

Carnelian felt almost relieved that it had come at last. 'We are to die, then.'

Her eyebrows raised. 'I won't deny there are many now who wish it and I can no longer protect you. Not now.' She frowned and examined his face. 'Was I wrong to take you in?'

The pain of doubt in her eyes forced Carnelian to speak. 'I deluded myself with the hope the Master would settle here. I lied to you, Akaisha, to protect him. He is not my brother.'

She gave a snort. 'You only tell me what I knew already. No mother could produce two such different sons.'

Considering Fern and Ravan, Carnelian found that a strange statement.

'You are lovers?'

Carnelian was embarrassed by her directness. 'We have grown apart.'

She nodded as if she had known that too. 'Go on with what you were saying.'

'I believe he may never settle here. He's unable to let go of his old life. Dark passions move him.'

To what end?'

Carnelian frowned. Tm not sure, but before the Gatherer came, I was already fearing that his growing influence among the young men might harm the Tribe.'

Akaisha looked deep into his eyes. 'You tell me this even though you love him?'

'I love the Tribe too.'

She examined him for some moments, then smiled. 'Everything you say, Carnie, I already knew in my heart, but you renew my faith that you are indeed my sister's son.'

She grew grim. 'We still have to deal with the danger the Master poses to us.'

'I could go out,' Carnelian offered again.

Akaisha shook her head. The other Elders would not allow it.'

Carnelian bowed his head, questioning his desire to tell her everything. He raised his eyes to mesh with hers. 'He threatens Ravan.'

The colour drained from her face. 'Is this why you abandoned Fern?'

Carnelian nodded. He saw her fighting temptation. 'No,' she said firmly. The decision must be left to the Assembly. We'll meet tomorrow night when Galewing, Crowrane and the others return from escorting the Gatherer.'

She looked at him. 'What will we do with you until then?'

'Might I be permitted to return to the Bloodwood Tree?'

She smiled wanly. 'My son's reprieve is the only joy that has come from this dreadful day. I know they'll come for him. At worst, next year when we had expected it, but who knows, perhaps we mightn't see a Gatherer for a full eight years. There's much living that can be done in such a span of time.'

Carnelian's heart grew heavy. It had been foolish to hope that any system administered by the Wise would be fallible enough to overlook the punishment of a deserter.

'No doubt Harth and others will be horrified, but I trust you, Carnie. Go spend tomorrow with my son. Today, both you and he, each in his own way, have had to face death and suffered the certain loss of a daughter.'

Something woke Carnelian. He sat up. Though it was still dark, he could feel morning was near. Akaisha's voice spoke and was then answered by a man's. Footfalls faded into the creaking of the cedars. He waited listening for a while but there was nothing more. In the darkness it was harder to be brave. He was scared for those he loved and for himself. Death was close enough to suffocate him. To cheat the terror, he drank deep of the perfumed exhalations of his mother tree. Her branches embraced the air he breathed. She soothed him with her sighs. He lay down again, nuzzling into Poppy.

When the hearth awoke, Akaisha was nowhere to be seen and the older men were absent too. People breakfasted in silence, stealing glances at Carnelian and Poppy, at Fern and Sil and her mother. The horror of the previous day lingered like a chill in the air.

They were getting ready to disperse to their various tasks when Akaisha appeared. Though weary, her face was not so haunted with fear. She saw the question in their eyes.

'He's gone.'

The Mother be praised,' said Whin with a sigh and everyone echoed her. Carnelian could see the tension leaving their shoulders. Some even smiled. The sun had risen high enough to slip its rays down into the hearth. It seemed a kind of hope.

'Carnie?'

Carnelian looked at Sil. Their eyes met.

'Your hunt are warding today,' she said.

'I thought today I might work with Fern.'

A sadness came into her eyes, but then she smiled. 'He'd like that.'

Carnelian returned her smile, then leaned back trying to see round to the sleeping hollows.

'He's gone already,' said Sil. 'He's taken to missing breakfast.'

'I'll go down now, then,' he said, rising.

Poppy clutched his hand. He saw how anxious she was to go with him. They might only have a few days left. He looked at Akaisha, who cleared it with a nod. Carnelian put his hand on Poppy's head. 'Come on then.'

Together they ran down through the sun dapple among the cedar shades and out into the ferngardens. They caught up with Fern on one of the stretches of the Blooding path.