Fire in the Sky

6

Melitoлh, Meklo Fen, mid-morning

Denchok and Fior trickled into the fen a few at a time but the trickle never stopped or even slowed, Though so many people around made them profoundly uneasy, the swampies came out of the twilight under the trees to guide them and help the newcomers get settled. They faded into the heart of the fen as soon as they could, but came back again and again when they were needed, bringing food and other necessities for living in the swampland.

Leoca looked up as Engebel ducked under the overhang of the stem and leaf roof that Porach had taught them how to make. Xe’d been off all morning getting leaves to repair that roof and had been fiddling with it for an hour after Leoca got back from the swampie meet with fish for supper. “Fixed?”

“Hope so. We’ll know in a minute. Starting to rain again.” Xe shivered, dropped to xe’s knees beside the tiny fire. “If I get much wetter, I’m coming down with root, rot.” Xe glanced at the fish. “Any news from

“Nothing yet. I saw Ceam. He’s just back from a run to outside, gone silent. Won’t answer the harp calls. Ceam says he thinks it was putting too much on him. He reminded us that Danor said Ilaцrn had gone soft in the middle. He said we shouldn’t rely on him, that he’d go squish on us.”

“Cha oy, Danor wasn’t all that sane himself. Think he got all the way to the Meruu? The Eolt don’t say anything about seeing him.”

“Who knows.” Leoca reached behind her for the pot they’d got from the mesuch traders, lifted her head. “Listen to it come down. This is going to be a drencher.” She stretched out her arm, held her hand under the spot where the leak had been. “Looks like you fixed it.”

Banikoлh, Guest House

Shadith set her cha mug down when a Denchok came into the room where the University group members were breaking their fast, a short wiry Keteng with a lichen web so thick that his eyes looked like beetles burrowed into bark. She suppressed a weary sigh, expecting to be summoned to another day of questions and endless arguments.

“I greet you, Scholar, Singer, Aide. I am called Daizil. I am Metau of the House of Knowledge and Speaker for the Meruu of the Earth.”

Aslan stood, Marrin left his chair to stand behind her. Shadith brushed toast crumbs from her mouth and joined them.

Aslan dipped her head in a sketch of a bow. “We greet you, Metau Daizil. May we ask why the honor of this visit?”

He inclined his upper body in answer, a stiffer move, his neck too thickly imprisoned in lichen to make a nod feasible. “The Meruus have conferred throughout the night and have reached a decision, Scholar. You yourself will remain as advisor, explaining to us the soul of the Chandavasi and giving us what knowledge you have of means of defense. We accept your characterization of Shadowsong and Marrin Ola and honor their gift of their skills to the preservation of our people… Whatever they will need in the way of supplies, they have but to ask and we lay Chel Dй’s blessing on their search. We are winnowing our own for those with landskills that we may send forth two or three small bands of searchers. If nothing else, these might serve to drive the spy into the arms of your people. The Scholars of the Meruu will welcome you, Aslan aici Adlaar. A student will wait in the hall outside to guide you when you’re ready.” He inclined his torso again, marched out.

Aslan stood watching, silent, frowning.

Shadith stretched, rubbed the back of her neck. “So it begins,” she said.

Melitoлh, the Kushayt, after moonrise

Ilaцrn dug the packet from under the delseh mint, closed his hand on it, closed his eyes. After a minute, he thrust it into his sleeve and moved on to the next cache. He hadn’t resolved anything. He didn’t know what he was going to do. But he wanted to be ready if the resolve ever came. He knew it would be a matter of seconds. The indrawing of a breath. If he couldn’t act before that breath was gone, he never would.

When he had them all, he stood a moment looking speculatively at the wall, wondering about the hidden door. He shook his head. It was bound to have some kind of mesuch latch that only Hunnar could open. He moved his eyes along to the kerre tree where Eolt Kitsek had dropped the packet. There was cord in the garden shed… if he could get up that tree onto the top of the wall… the cord would be strong enough to get him down without breaking his legs… if he chose the right time… when the wall watch was past…

17. Killing Games