Gambit of the Gods Page 16

  “What do you think you’re doing?” I demand, chin raised to look him in the eye. This doesn’t faze him in the least, I see. I feel his amusement again; he takes a step closer. I immediately feel uncomfortable and take a step back. His smile, maddeningly, grows wider. I refuse to look away, but it’s difficult.

  At last he glances away, running a hand through his hair, ruffling it up endearingly.

  “I’m standing here looking at you, Lady Kella.”

  He turns back, his eyes gentle on mine, drawing me in. I sense curiosity from him, and warmth…and something like…hope?

  “You’re going to get yourself into trouble,” I caution, but my knees feel suddenly weak. How is this happening? I’m fighting not to wobble. What power is this that he has over me?

  Jaereth’s hand reaches up and brushes a few stray strands of hair away from my face, his fingers brushing my temple lightly. “I can take care of myself, but thank you for your concern, Lady Kella.”

  This close to him, I catch his scent again, clean and slightly spicy, reminding me of the scent of my favorite roses. There’s a charge running between us, like lightning, felt but unseen.

  “Why are you doing this?”

  I take a deep breath, realizing I’d been holding it. Am I afraid of what his scent will do to me? How strange. Jaereth’s emotions now seem turbulent, but I can’t pick out any details. I wonder what he’s sensing from me.

  He looks almost sad. The charge between us changes suddenly, and the intensity in his eyes dims. Almost…vulnerable?

  “Because you’re in danger,” he blurts, his eyes serious on mine, “and I need you to trust me so I can help you.”

  I back away from him as if he just threatened me, but his emotions only speak of sadness, fear, and determination. He turns and wordlessly walks toward a stand of trees. I watch him go, feeling oddly bereft.

  Halfway to the copse of trees, Jaereth turns to look back.

  “Let me show you something. I promise no harm will come to you.” He gestures for me to follow him.

  If he tries to hurt me, I can push him away with the breath of the Goddess, I remind myself, following him. When I reach him, he turns and we walk side by side into the trees. A few steps in, he kneels beside a tree and pushes aside the pile of leaves there. Beneath them, I see glints of metal. I recognize a knife, an old ax, and some long staffs sharpened to a point at one end. Dumbly, I stare for a moment.

  “These are for you, in case you need them,” he explains matter-of-factly, his emotions somber. When they’re once again hidden from view, he says, “Danger is coming, whether you believe me or not. You may need to protect yourself until I can come to you. I…you seem like a good person, and I want you to be safe.” Again, I feel his fear.

  I study him, there in the quiet wood. He’s afraid for me. I can see the delicate sweep of his lashes where the sunlight’s last rays catch them. His hand reaches tentatively toward me again. Mine reaches too, and catches his…holds it. His hand tightens on mine. His other hand reaches out, and when it meets mine, I feel a pulse of energy race from my hand up my arm, though my chest, and down my other arm. He reacts as if he feels this invisible current, too. My lips part. He leans in and kisses me.

  My eyelids flutter closed. He tastes amazing—salty and sweet. His stubble rubs against my face, but the sensation isn’t unpleasant. Jaereth’s arms go around me and I melt into him, his lips moving on mine. I feel like a rag doll in his strong arms, but I kiss him back, wanting more.

  He pulls away after a long moment, still holding me, and whispers gruffly, “I…I needed to do that.”

  My face feels flushed, but my lips feel cold now, missing his. I step back unsteadily, and he lets me, still holding me loosely.

  “Will you meet me here tomorrow?” is what I finally say when words come back to me.

  His slow smile dawns like a sunrise, his emotions spilling over with joy.

  Chapter 13: Spark

  I watch Little Squirrel go, wondering, Will I ever see her again? before quickly snuffing out that thought. Of course I will. She’s a fighter. She knows how to watch her back; she’ll survive on her own.

  Taking the seat Fiery Grace insisted on saving for me, I give her a grateful smile and turn my attention to the Elders. Will they listen to Swift Blaze and the other youths, or will they uphold tradition and the Old Ways?

  Truth Seeker stands.

  “The Elders will hear those who would like to address us now.”

  Unsurprised, I watch Swift Blaze stand. All the young, unmated women and girls stare at him, and I almost imagine I hear a longing sigh going up among them. He and Striking Talon always have this affect.

  “Esteemed Elders, I come before you to ask that you consider what some of us have come to believe is a necessary change to our rules of choosing a mate. Many of us have no viable mate within our Clan, as you know.”

  Several young men and women around us murmur in frustrated agreement.

  “We’d like to be able to choose a mate from the others who face similar lacks within their Clans,” Swift Blaze continues. “We respect the long-held values of our People and we promise to raise our children to uphold them when they come of age. But the People are facing a crisis, and such times call for change and growth, not stagnation.”

  His voice strengthens, his eyes gleaming with fervor, looking over at his secret love, Dancing Shadow. She stares back from the Hunting Cat Clan section.

  “We deserve the right to mate, just as you all have. We believe we’ll be strengthened by mating between Clans, not weakened by it, as some fear.” Looking back to the Elders, he implores, “The Spirit Over All saved us when we faced a similar crisis in the past; it’s up to you to save us now.”

  He sits. His best friend Grey Spear, also of our Wolf Clan, stands and begins to speak. His usually jovial face is serious, but his voice is mild.

  “Esteemed Elders, not all change is bad. We used to live in cities, but now we live free. We used to be only men, but now we’re joined with our Spirit Animals and are so much more. The Spirit Over All Changed us. I truly believe he’s calling us to change once again.”

  He retakes his seat. The crowd murmurs again, louder this time, then quiets. For a moment, no one moves. Then Twitching Whisker of the Raccoon Clan stands.

  “Why should anyone have the right to dictate to us who we can choose for a mate? What a man does in his own hut is his own business. We’ve given the Elders too much power and it has gone to their heads, I say.”

  The crowd begins to mutter at the blatant disrespect of his words, but the Elders don’t react. Whisker’s father is an Elder, and whenever Whisker looks his way, resentment blooms in his eyes.

  “Who brings down game and forages for the fruits of the land—is it the Elders? No! We who are young and strong are the future of the People. Why debate over whether change is necessary—change is here! We will not bow to the Old Ways just because they are old. Why fight our destiny when we can embrace it, instead?”

  By the end of his speech, he’s almost shouting, his hands fisted at his sides. He sits, his back stiff. Swift Blaze and his friends look concerned, wondering, no doubt, if Twitching Whisker’s obvious disdain of and open rebellion against the Old Ways has hurt their cause.

  No one else stands to speak. At last the Elders rise and walk away from the fire, far enough to confer with one another without being overheard.

  The crowd is silent except for a few whispered exchanges. Twitching Whisker sits alone, staring at nothing. I imagine how the conversation will go when he and his father go back to their hut for the night and wince in sympathy, though he brought it on himself.

  The Elders confer for a long time, each one getting a chance to speak, as is our way. At last, they seem to come to a decision. They make their way back to their seats near the fire. All but Truth Seeker, that is. He stays standing to deliver their decision to us, his voice calm and measured.

  “The Council of Elders are all in agreeme
nt on this matter. We believe the Old Ways are old for a reason. They are tried and true, handed down by the Spirit Over All for our well-being. Our last ten summers have been difficult, but the People have faced similar hardships in the past and survived. Babies are being born to us again. Eventually they will mate and increase the Clans. Some may have to sacrifice their desires or wait for a younger mate to come of age for the good of their Clan, but we believe mating between the Clans will only disrupt Clan purity and water down our Spirit Animals’ presence within us. This, we cannot risk. Mating between Clans must continue to be forbidden, if our way of life is to continue.”

  The other Elders stand, signaling the end of the Council meeting. There will be no discussion allowed now that they have made their final decision. Swift Blaze comes to my side, lifting me easily to carry me back to the family hut.

  “Wait, please,” someone says behind us. My brother turns toward the voice. Surprised, I recognize Artan. What could he possibly have to say to us? I wonder, frowning.

  He addresses Swift Blaze. “I need to speak to Sudden Spark for a moment, in private. You don’t need to wait. I can carry him back to your hut when we’re finished.”

  “I can walk on my own,” I argue, annoyed because there’s no way I’m letting this Outsider carry me anywhere. I gesture to Swift Blaze to go on without me. He shrugs and joins his friends, who are standing off to one side. They’re talking quietly amongst themselves, no doubt about the Elders’ decision.

  “Quickly, please. I need my rest if I’m to heal,” I snap impatiently when Artan hesitates.

  He sweeps his dark hair back from his eyes nervously, straightens his shoulders, and begins in a determined voice, “We believe Little Squirrel is in danger.”

  Shocked, then immediately derisive, I snort. “Danger? Are you joking? And who is this ‘we’?”

  “My father and I,” he answers, unfazed by my tone. “He had a true dream.” He waits for my reaction, as if this explains everything.

  “A what?” I ask, genuinely curious now, but still impatient.

  “A true dream. It’s a very rare gift among my people, given by the One True God. Sometimes when my father dreams, the One True God gives him a…a vision of what will happen in the future. Last night, my father dreamed that Little Squirrel went on her Quest and was followed by someone who wanted to hurt her. Who or why, he couldn’t discern. Look,” Artan says, and his voice hardens, “I know you don’t like me, and I don’t, ah, you’re not my favorite person either. But Little Squirrel is, and I know you care for her too. If there is any chance that she’s in danger, we have to do something.”

  “We?” I ask, suddenly bitter. “I’m a cripple, and you’re no warrior. What can we do to protect her? We can’t ask her not to go, if that’s what you’re thinking.”

  “I know. My father has continued to pray for you since he began the Healing in your hut. He says that by morning, you should be strong enough to travel. As for me,” I see anger flash in his eyes, “I’ve been trained in the ancient arts of self-defense by my father, and I can use those arts to protect Little Squirrel, as well.”

  I laugh at him, not bothering to hide my scorn. “Self defense? What good will that be? You’ll just be in the way.” But part of me whispers that I don’t want him along in case Little Squirrel might see him as a man instead of a brother when he comes to her defense.

  “My father says we both must go if we want to protect her. The true dream showed him this. Believe me, I’d rather go without you, but unlike you, I’d do anything it takes to make sure Little Squirrel is safe.”

  He says this last defiantly. Oddly, it softens my heart a little to see some backbone in him…for maybe a moment, anyway. I sigh, resigned. “Fine. If Little Squirrel is truly in danger, I could never forgive myself if I didn’t do whatever I could to save her.”

  Resolutely, I hold out my forearm to him as one man to another. He grips it firmly, then we quickly let go, our new respect for each other fragile.

  “When do you propose we leave?”

  “My father told me to wait until the first bird begins to sing, so she gets a head start but doesn’t get too far ahead of us. It would be best if she doesn’t know we’re there, unless…”

  I nod, finishing the sentence in my head. Unless she needs our help.

  “Until tomorrow morning, then.” I start to walk away.

  “Let me help you,” Artan says, reaching for my arm. But I shake him off, not willing to show weakness to someone I still consider a rival.

  “I don’t need your help,” I mutter, reaching for the staff I was using earlier to move around with when my brother was off dancing with his friends. Wordlessly, we turn and go our separate ways.

  I limp back to the family hut, noticing that my leg is in fact feeling stronger. My wound gives me no pain. A good night’s sleep, and I should be able to travel. The others are already asleep when I enter, so I find my way to my bed in the dark and fall into it, asleep as soon as I land.

    

  I wake in darkness, my instincts triggered by the barest sound of a footfall. Immediately, I feel several sets of hands pin me down in my blankets while another set shoves a rag into my mouth. I’m wrapped up tight. Something’s pulled over my head, smelling of old, musty corn cobs. I fight as hard as I can, but too many hands hold me and my injury has sapped my strength. Soon I’m being carried, immobile and exhausted, with one captor grasping my feet while another pinions my arms.

  A small light flares to one side through the weave of what must be an old sack over my head. Hearing an occasional twig snap under my captors’ feet, I realize we’ve entered the forest. The river murmurs to my right, which helps to orient and calm me. Who are my captors, and what do they want with me?

  We travel for some time in relative silence. The only sounds I hear are the breathing of my captors, their passage through the forest, and my own uneven breathing within the sack. At last, I glimpse another flash of light, growing brighter as we draw near. Soon, my captors sit me down in front of a crackling fire and let go of me.

  Thrusting away my blankets and throwing off the sack, I rise into a defensive crouch. The fire’s brightness blinds me momentarily; then I see people to either side of me, seated on logs around the fire. I struggle to focus on the one closest to me. It’s Swift Blaze. He’s smiling.

  “Sudden Spark,” he says, his tone deep and serious with formality, “you’ve been chosen to join a sacred fellowship. We’ve brought you here, swaddled in your blankets like a child, to birth you among us into a new life and a new family.”

  I blink in surprise and confusion, but he’s not finished.

  “You’ve been chosen because you have a special purpose to fulfill and a worthy, warrior heart. Here, you’ll be loved and accepted as you have never been before, an invaluable member of our order. We are The Higher Path.”

  My brother stands in unison with the others ringing the fire. I quickly lose count of the shadowed forms around us, though I recognize several of the nearest: young men and women of the Wolf, Hunting Cat, Bear, Fox and Raccoon Clans, including Grey Spear and Twitching Whisker.

  “We are The Higher Path,” they solemnly intone as one, their hands crossing over their hearts. The fire flares briefly as if in acknowledgement.

  They’re all looking at me, smiling, gauging my reaction. I keep my face smooth, but inside, I feel torn. I already have a family. What’s the purpose of such a group, and why have I never heard of it before?

  Swift Blaze turns to me once more.

  “The Higher Path has been a secret society within the People for two generations,” he explains proudly, though I don’t see many older faces among those around me. “Its purposes are many. We seek to serve the Lady and spread the glorious light of Her love, first to us, but in due time to the rest of our People and eventually, to all humankind.”

  Secret? Even from the Elders? Who is this ‘Lady’ he speaks of?

  “You have been chosen,” he con
tinues, “because the Lady sees in you the seeds of greatness. She’s been watching you for some time now, waiting until the time was right to welcome you into The Higher Path. She is our Mother, our guiding light, our inspiration, our queen of all knowledge, and our battle leader. She’s the author of all our dearest hopes and dreams, worthy of all our love and devotion. She is in all, and through all.” At that my mind reels, trying to understand what he’s saying. Is she one of the Queensrealm goddesses? “And she is here right now, to welcome you herself.”

  Once again the fire leaps up. Impossibly, a woman appears, floating among the flames. I gasp, she smiles…and I am utterly transfixed. She is more beautiful than my mind can grasp, her dark wings arching up behind her. They seem to fill the sky, glittering with captive stars. Her face is perfect, somehow both warmly mothering and sweetly sensuous at once, framed with dark hair that falls to her waist in lustrous waves. And her eyes…colors I’ve never seen before, radiant as twin suns. I could never dream of tearing my eyes away from her.

  But it’s how she makes me feel that causes me to fall forward to my knees in awe and wonder. From her streams unspeakable love, peace, joy, hope, pleasure…enough to shake my heart to its foundations. Tears flow down my cheeks in twin rivers.

  “Welcome to The Higher Path, Sudden Spark.” Her voice sounds more exquisite than any music I’ve ever heard. “Everything that Swift Blaze has told you is true. I have chosen you because of your potential for greatness. It outshines that of anyone else here. You are very special, with an ability that can save your people and bring about a new era of peace and love to this world.”

  My heart quakes in amazement at her words. Me? Save my people? From what? How?

  Hypnotically, those incredible eyes bore into mine. “But first, I must ask this one question of you.” The waves of pure love and ecstasy emanating from her intensify. “Are you willing to do what must be done to bring this to pass? Will you serve Me and let Me guide you toward perfecting your gift and sharing it with the world?”