Мария Снайдер - Fire Study - Study 03

The rumble of hooves interrupted Leif’s tale. Kiki’s face was a welcome sight, although her blue eyes looked tired and mud covered her copper-colored coat. Garnet and Rusalka hadn’t fared any better.

Leif and I fed and watered the horses. I wanted to groom them and let them rest, but Leif insisted we get to the market first.

“Too many predators at night,” Leif said. “The horses will attract every tree leopard in the jungle.”

Market not far, Kiki said. Jungle smells…odd.

We mounted and galloped toward the market. Being with us, the horses didn’t have to hide and we groomed them near the Zaltana campfire behind the market buildings as the sun began to set. Many clans had built permanent sites for their members to stay while trading or purchasing goods.

The Illiais Market did not close until late into the evening hours. An array of torches was lit to allow business to continue, although the commotion of customers bidding, arguing and shopping quieted in the evenings.

After the horses were settled, I strolled quickly through the collection of bamboo buildings topped with thatched roofs. Most of the owners had the bamboo shade walls down to block the cold night breeze. When I had been here before, it had been the beginning of the hot season, and the shades had been rolled up to help cool the workers.

Scanning the people at the market, I searched for Moon Man. I stopped a few customers and asked if anyone had seen my friends. One stand owner recalled spotting some men running through the market a few days ago, but he couldn’t describe them.

My imagination kicked in and visions of Moon Man, Tauno and Marrok staked to the ground for the Kirakawa ritual filled my mind. Hidden behind a null shield, I wouldn’t be able to find them, and every minute we delayed was another minute for Cahil and Ferde.

Focusing on the task at hand, I breathed in the market’s smells to ease the tightness in my chest. The exotic spices offered by the Greenblade Clan mixed with the smell of roasting meat. My stomach growled with hunger. Before I could stop to eat, I delivered the package of clothes to Fern. The small woman huffed with relief.

“I thought Nutty wouldn’t have them done in time,” she exclaimed from behind a table piled with bolts of cloth.

“I thought you sold fabric,” I said.

“I’m expanding my business. Nutty’s getting quite the reputation.”

“Is that good or bad?” I asked.

“Both. A few of the Greenblade women have gotten tired of their plain green tunics and leggings and wanted a more colorful wardrobe. They’ve been buying every single one of Nutty’s shirts, dresses and skirt/pants. I supply the cloth and we split the profits. However, the clan elders are not too happy about the break with tradition.”

As a forest-dwelling clan, the Greenblades usually wore the colors of the forest. I glanced around and, sure enough, spotted a few women wearing Nutty’s bright cotton creations. I had assumed they were Zaltanas, but upon closer examination, I could see the lighter maple coloring of the Greenblade’s skin.

In Ixia, I knew which Military District someone lived in by the color of their uniform. Here, it was all a matter of knowing how each clan preferred to dress. Interesting.

“Yelena, do you need some new material?” Fern asked. She pulled out a bolt of fabric from under her table. “I just finished this beautiful green pattern. See?” She held it up to the torchlight. “Just a hint of gold woven through the fabric. Matches your eyes perfectly.”

I laughed. “You’re quite the saleswoman. But Nutty just made me another outfit.”

Undaunted, Fern found another bolt. The rich gold color caught my attention as soon as she spread it out. “This would be for the shirt.” She watched me for a moment. “Should I send this to Nutty for you?”

“You’re evil,” I said.

She grinned. “I’m only thinking about what’s best for my customers.”

“And your cash box.”

A predatory smile flashed on her face. I paid her for the material and left before she could convince me I needed another set. I bought some Avibian honey for the Stable Master before buying some grilled beef to eat as I searched through the other market stands. Items displayed for sale or trade included handcrafts, clothing, fruit and baked goods.

I stopped for a minute to examine an intricate silver ring that held a black moonstone. Putting it down, I dismissed the thought of purchasing the ring. Only a few coins remained of the money I had earned as a Magician’s Aide.

Besides, I already wore a butterfly pendant and snake bracelet. Both had been carved and gifted to me by Valek. I fingered the pendant on my chest, wondering about Valek.

Was he in his carving room, creating another animal statue? Perhaps he was discussing military tactics with Ari and Janco or dueling with Maren. She had taught me how to fight with a bow, and Maren’s own skills had improved. Perhaps she was with Valek right now, working on some complicated project that required them to be together every day. Maybe Valek would forget about me. Be content to have Maren by his side.

No. I forced myself to ignore those thoughts. I had plenty to worry about without creating phantom worries. Determined, I headed back to our campsite. Perhaps another magical sweep of the area would reveal Moon Man and the others to me.

Leif and I waited another day for some sign of Moon Man. I prowled around the market, cursing under my breath. Each minute we delayed reduced the possibility of recapturing Cahil and Ferde. I scanned the forest with my magic, connecting with the woodland creatures. The area remained serene. Undisturbed.

That night we discussed our next move. Sitting by the fire, I stared at the flames. My bow was within reach, but I didn’t believe the weapon would do much damage against the Fire Warper.

“We should go back to the Citadel,” Leif said. “That makes the most sense.”

“What about the Sandseeds? They left their clan unprotected in the plains. They might need help, and we should tell them about Moon Man and Tauno.”

“Tell them what? That we lost them? I’d rather tell them Tauno is afraid of heights and Moon Man is claustrophobic.”

And I would rather have them with us. Delaying the decision, I said, “Our direction of travel is the same for either the Citadel or the plains. Tomorrow we’ll go north.”

Leif agreed. He spread his bedroll by the fire and lay down. Using Kiki’s saddle as a pillow, I put my cloak on and tried to get comfortable on the cold ground next to Leif.

“You should move closer to the fire. You’ll freeze,” Leif said.

“I’m fine.”

He was quiet for a while. “Perhaps Moon Man and the others are lost.”

“Doubtful. If they were lost in the jungle, I would have found them.”

“Marrok’s afraid of getting lost,” Leif said in a soft voice. “And you’re afraid of—”

“Leif, go to sleep. We have a long day tomorrow.” I rolled over, turning my back to him. I didn’t want him to put a name to my fear. Naming it made it true.

Cold and uncomfortable, I tossed and turned, trying to sleep. Disturbing dreams of fire and death invaded my mind. Flames would spark in a benevolent dream, here and there until they multiplied and consumed the picturesque scene, burning the images into a storm of black ash. I woke coughing on imaginary smoke, my body coated with sweat.

To avoid the nightmares, I watched the moon rise above the forest’s trees. When Ferde had been on his soul-stealing rampage, the Master Magicians and I theorized the timing of his ritual murders were linked to the phases of the moon. We were wrong. He just needed enough time to torture his victims into submitting their wills to him so he could steal their souls when they died. The old Efe symbols and ritual he used to collect their souls would have made him the most powerful magician in Sitia if he been able to gather all twelve of them.

Valek and I had stopped him from absorbing Gelsi’s soul and completing the ritual, but now he was free to try again. And Cahil helped him. How could he? I couldn’t really believe Cahil would get involved after witnessing what Ferde did to those girls. But he had assisted with Ferde’s escape from the Keep’s protective cells, and now traveled with him. Was he that greedy for power? He could no longer claim the Ixian throne. Did he want to rule Sitia instead?

I studied the moon. Waxing toward full, the bright disk lit the landscape. I wondered about the moon’s power and why certain things like the Kirakawa ritual needed the moon’s presence to work. I could feel the invisible layer of power blanketing the sky, but I felt nothing from the moon.

In a subtle flicker of the light, Moon Man coalesced out of a blue shaft of moonlight as if he had been summoned by my thoughts. He stood next to our fire without clothes or his weapon.

Are you a dream? I asked him.

Deep lines of exhaustion etched his face, but he managed a weary smile and said, Perhaps I have always been a dream. What do you think?

I think I’m too tired to discuss Story Weaver philosophy with you right now. And if you’re not real, then, at least, make yourself useful and tell me where you really are!

I am here. Moon Man slumped to his knees.

I JUMPED TO MY FEET and ran to Moon Man’s prone form by the campfire. Wrapping my cloak around Moon Man’s muscular shoulders, I shared energy with him.

“Are you all right? What happened? Where are the others?” I asked.

“Everyone is fine. I will explain later.” He pulled the edge of my cloak closer to his face.

“Will you? Or will you just spout some vague details in typical Story Weaver style?”

He answered with a soft snore.

I suppressed the desire to share more power with him and wake him. Sleep was the best way for Moon Man to recover his strength after using magic. Unfortunately, I couldn’t sleep. I grabbed an extra blanket from Leif’s saddlebags and spread it over Moon Man. My cloak didn’t seem adequate protection for him against the chilly night air. Despite my reluctance, I added some logs and coaxed the fire into a warm blaze.

As I stared at the dancing flames, I wondered what other surprises waited for me. The answers would be revealed in time, but my ability to deal with them remained uncertain.

Even with the loud calls of shoppers and stand owners from the bustling market, Moon Man didn’t wake until the sun reached its apex. By the time the Story Weaver finished eating the meal Leif had thoughtfully prepared for him, my impatience had built up enough energy that I could probably scale a smooth tree without the aid of a rope.

“Tell us everything,” I demanded before he could swallow his final bite.

He smiled at my agitation. Weariness still pulled at his features, but his eyes sparked with an amused glint.

“And don’t try any of that cryptic Story Weaver mumbo jumbo or I’ll…”

“What?” Moon Man asked.

“I’ll hurt you. Bad. So talk.”

Moon Man glanced at Leif.

My brother shrugged. “I’ve seen her swinging that stick around. Now, if you had your scimitar…”

“Too risky,” Moon Man said. He saw the rising fury in my eyes and wisely began telling us what had happened.

“After you and Leif distracted the Fire Warper, we chased the Vermin through the jungle. And would have caught them if you had not needed my help.” Moon Man aimed a pointed stare at me. “How is the scout?”

“Alive and well,” I said.

“Back to his old self?”