Last of the Wilds

23



Pain and movement assailed Imi as she woke. Her skin burned, her joints ached, and her stomach clenched. Someone was lifting her. A voice drew her attention—a male voice speaking quietly and soothingly. It sounded like her father.

She jolted toward full awareness. Could it be? Had he come to rescue her at last? Opening her eyes, she stared up at a strange face. The man’s skin was pale and fur grew from both face and scalp.

He was a landwalker, but not the landwalker who had put her here. He stared back at her, the two furry lines above his eyes drawing close together as he frowned. There was a sloshing sound below her and she realized he was standing in the pool. He began to lower her. She felt a moment of panic and struggled weakly. The pool was too deep and she had no strength to drag herself out again. She would drown.

A moment after she felt water on her back she felt the solid surface of the pool’s bottom. The landwalker let her go, but remained squatting beside her. He began to splash water over her. It stung her skin, then cooled it. There was a good smell in the air—the smell of the sea. It came from the water. She lifted a hand to her mouth and tasted it.

Sea water. They’re trying to make me well again.

The thought ought to have been a relief, but it brought only fear, heightened by the realization that she was naked. Where was her shift? Would they give her new clothes? What would they do with her once she was healthy? What would they make her do? Maybe it would be better if she didn’t get well. Maybe it would be better if she died.

No. I have to get well, she told herself. I have to get better and be ready when father comes… or when I get a chance to escape by myself.

The landwalker stopped splashing her with water. He stood up and moved to the side of the pool. Picking up a large platter, he sloshed back to her side.

He began to speak again, his voice quiet and cheerful. Taking something from the platter, he held it out to her.

It was raw fish. She grimaced. At once he returned it to the platter.

Next he offered her a piece of cooked fish. She felt her stomach growl and reached out to take it, then hesitated.

What if it is poisoned? she thought. She looked at the man suspiciously. He smiled and murmured more strange words. Trying to reassure her.

What does it matter? she thought. If I don’t eat, I’ll die anyway.

She took the morsel and put it into her mouth. It tasted wonderful. She swallowed and a deep relief spread through her body.

The landwalker offered her more, piece by piece, then set the tray aside. She was still hungry, yet her stomach felt too… busy… for much more. He moved closer. She felt a stab of fear as he kneeled in the water beside her. He spoke earnestly, then glanced over his shoulder at the closed metal gate of the room. Turning back, he stared into her eyes and spoke again. This time his voice was quiet, but strong with emotion. She recognized anger, but knew it was not directed at her. He gestured at the room. He pointed at her, then himself, then waggled his fingers like two pairs of walking legs.

The meaning swept over her like a current of cool water. He was going to rescue her.

She felt tears come to her eyes. Overwhelmed with gratitude, she threw her arms around him and began to sob. At last. He might not be her father, but he was going to rescue her. She felt hands patting her back like her father did when she was hurt or upset. The thought brought more tears.

Then she felt his back stiffen, and he gently pushed her away. She wiped tears from her eyes. As her sight cleared she saw a figure standing outside the metal gate, and her blood went cold.

It was the landwalker who had put her here, and he was scowling.

Had he heard the nice landwalker talking of rescuing her? She searched the nice landwalker’s face. He patted her gently on the shoulder and gestured at the tray, inviting her to eat more, then he turned to face her captor. They exchanged words. The nice landwalker climbed out of the pool and walked to the gate.

They exchanged more words. She could hear the restrained anger in their voices. Lying down in the water, she felt her hopes begin to shrivel up as the two men’s voices rose in what was clearly going to be an argument.


Thunder grumbled ominously in the distance as Auraya, Speaker Sirri and the other Siyee landed in the Open. They were welcomed by an anxious crowd, including the Speakers and tribe representatives who had stayed behind.

“The Pentadrians are leaving,” Sirri announced. Whistles and cheers followed and she had to raise her voice to be heard over the noise. “They claim to have entered Si in order to make peace with us, but Auraya saw in their minds their true intent. They wished only to persuade us to worship their gods. We have sent them away.”

“How can we be sure they will not turn back and attack us?” a Speaker asked.

“We can’t,” Sirri answered. “We have scouts watching them. We are as prepared to deal with an attack now as before, except we now have Auraya’s help.”

Auraya managed to avoid frowning at this. Now that the Pentadrians appeared to be leaving would Juran want her to return to Jarime? As the Speakers crowded around she leaned closer to Sirri.

“They’ll want the whole story,” she murmured to Sirri, “but you, Iriz and Tyzi are exhausted. Why not suggest we gather later tonight to tell the tale over dinner?”

Sirri glanced at her and smiled crookedly. “Good idea,” she said out of the corner of her mouth. “It has been a long journey,” she said to the crowd. “For now, I think my fellow travellers would appreciate some time to rest and refresh themselves. Shall we meet again after dinner, in the Speakers’ Bower?”

The tribal leaders nodded and murmured agreement. Auraya sensed a wave of relief from friz.

“We will speak to you then,” Sirri finished.

The crowd began to disperse. As Auraya started toward her bower Sirri joined her.

“I feel like I could sleep for a week,” Sirri admitted when they were out of the crowd. “I’m not used to travelling long distances. My position keeps me here.” She paused. “Despite that, I doubt I’ll sleep at all.”

“I wouldn’t sleep well if my son was leading the scouts watching the Pentadrians. However, Sreil is a sensible young man. He will not take any risks.”

Sirri looked at Auraya anxiously. “Do you think the Pentadrians will leave?”

Auraya shook her head. “I can’t be sure. I caught a mind conversation between the leader and her superior. His orders were to leave, but he did warn her that his orders might change. I do not think it likely. I doubt they’d start another war by attacking Siyee, but I would not dismiss the possibility completely.”

Sirri sighed. “I don’t like that we won’t know of an attack for days.”

Auraya nodded. “I don’t like it either.”

“The sooner we have priests and priestesses the better.”

“Yes.”

They had arrived outside Auraya’s bower.

“Do try to rest at least,” Auraya told the Siyee leader gently. “Even if you have to slip away to a hiding place to get some peace.”

Sirri chuckled. “Might have to.” She glanced around. There were few Siyee around. “Yes. That’s another good idea. I’ll see you after dinner.”

Auraya smiled as Sirri strode away, heading deeper into the forest. She pushed past the hanging of her bower and stepped inside. As she moved toward the seats in the center of the room she focused her mind on her ring.

:Jur—

Something fell onto her shoulders. She jumped, then gasped in relief as a high voice spoke uncomfortably close to her ear.

“Owaya! Owaya! Owaya!”

“Yes, Mischief,” she said, unwinding him from around her neck. “I’m back. I’m alive and safe.” He clutched her arm, whiskers quivering. “And, yes, I’d like to play with you, but right now I need to talk to Juran.”

As she sat down he let go of her and curled up in her lap. Taking a deep breath, she sought Juran’s mind again.

:Auraya? I thought that was you.

:Yes. I have just reached the Open. Juran had watched the confrontation telepathically. I thought about what I learned there all the way back. Are you free to discuss it?

:Yes. So what were you thinking?

:This woman we met believes her superior—Nekaun—is the leader of the Pentadrians. They have elected a replacement for Kuar already.

:It appears so, Juran agreed. Either the Pentadrians breed powerful sorcerers at a frightening rate, or they have elected a less powerful sorcerer in order to regain their people’s confidence.

:The latter does seem more likely. These Pentadrians were sent to Si to befriend the Siyee in order to turn them from the Circle of Gods to their own five gods. Would he have sent similar groups to other Ithanian lands for the same purpose?

:It is possible. We will have to be watchful.

:I would say they had little chance of success if I was sure the Pentadrian gods did not exist. Have the gods discovered anything more?

:They have not spoken of it. What of Chaia? Is he still “chatting” with you?

:Yes. He has said nothing on the subject, however.

:Have you asked him?

:Yes, but he is remarkably good at ignoring questions he doesn‘t want to answer.

:He would tell you if he could.

:Do you think so? He can be a frustrating companion at times.

:You are fortunate that he favors you with his presence so often. He regards you highly, Auraya. Enjoy it; it may not last forever.

She winced. Was she being ungrateful? She couldn’t reveal the reason she found Chaia’s visits so… so… She could not think of a word to describe the mix of annoyance and curiosity she felt.

It’s all very well for Juran to tell me to enjoy Chaia’s visits. He’s probably never had a god murmuring seductively in his ear before, she thought. Then she frowned. Or has he? She shook her head. Get back to the subject, she told herself.

:I would like to stay here until we are sure the Pentadrians have left Si.

:Yes, you should.

She sighed with relief. After his earlier resistance to her going to the Siyee’s aid she had expected him to order her back to Jarime.

:I will return when they are gone.

As she drew back from Juran’s mind, she paused to scratch Mischief. She should see how Danjin was faring next. Something in the room had changed, however. Just as she realized what it was, a voice spoke in her mind.

:Danjin is busy, Chaia said. And as you said yesterday, work comes before play. You have done enough for now—or are you going to work without pause for the rest of eternity?

Auraya smiled.

:Not unless you want me to.

:That was never my intention. Our Chosen ones ought to enjoy themselves from time to time. Even better if we enjoy each other’s company.

She felt a fleeting touch of magic on her shoulder. It sent a shiver down her spine. It was impossible not to think of the potential such sensations might have if they were stronger, or if they roamed from her neck to other places…

:You need only ask, and I will show you.

She thought of Juran’s words. You are fortunate that he favors you… Enjoy it; it may not last forever.

But he could not have meant this.

:No, but he is right about one thing: I do favor you as no other.

An invisible finger touched her lip and slowly traced a line down her neck and chest to her stomach… then faded away. She found she was breathing quickly.

A god, she thought. Why not? Am I resisting just because I don’t want to attract another inappropriate lover?

:Not inappropriate, Chaia corrected. Unusual, perhaps, but nothing to be ashamed of.

Not like Leiard, she thought. But still… complicated.

:Not as complicated as you fear. I will not run away from you as he did, Auraya.

She felt his touch on her shoulders and closed her eyes.

:Send him to the past to be a memory you can look back on fondly, Chaia whispered.

His invisible fingers ran down the sides of her breasts.

:Come with me into that place between dreaming and waking…

She felt his mouth against hers. At first it was the faint touch of magic, but it became something more tangible as she sank into the dream trance.

:… and begin a new time with me.

:Yes, she whispered, reaching for the luminous figure before her. Show me how it could be.

A wave of pleasure more intense than she had ever experienced swept over her.