Chapter 6

Tal told Milla how he had felt and he told her of his resolve to make this work.

"Promise me Milla. Please promise me that we will make this work. I want to change the way things are," Tal begged.

Milla was silent as he looked into her eyes. He was sincere, more sincere than she had ever seen him. Milla had heard his story and to be honest she had not expected anything different. Tal may have a better view on Icecarls because of the time he had spent with them but he was simply one person. Milla had not expected to be treated any differently by anyone except Tal.

Tal's request was one that was sincere on his part. Milla knew that it was for her to seal this promise but her mind simply screamed to wait. Such a promise was not made lightly. Tal may have been ready but Milla was not.

"We shall see," Milla said. "Sleep now. Worry about your Castle problems no more for tomorrow you shall be an Icecarl," she said trying to console his troubled mind.

"I don't think I can," Tal said looking away.

"Look at me Tal," Milla said taking his face in her hand.

Tal was forced to look at her. He peered into her eyes and before he knew it, he felt pressure on his neck and he was unconscious. Milla had pressed her thumb to a pressure point in his neck quickly three times. Tal slumped onto her shoulder and Milla let him lie there for a while as she brooded.

She suddenly felt a deep admiration for him as she looked at his sleeping face. To defend her people against his relatives was something not easily done. Milla thought about his request and she wanted to seal the promise but it was not in her to decide just yet. As much as she admired him, Tal was still a Chosen at heart. Milla gently laid him down on her sleeping fur and she laid close to him for heat. Tal had indeed changed over the years they were apart.

He seemed more sure of himself. It was not arrogance. It was confidence. His looks were also very different. He was more appealing even by Icecarl standards. He had such a clean look. His face was shaven and his hair was not the same mess it was when they were children. It naturally fell back although it stopped short of his shoulders. Milla looked down at his body and saw how much bigger it was than she last remembered.

Touching his chest experimentally, she was amazed to find it solid. Moving her hand down towards his belly, Milla felt the smooth bumps of his muscles. Tal had indeed grown into a man. Milla was surprised when his hand reached out for her. He muttered something incomprehensible before he rested his hand on her hip. Milla found such behaviour odd but didn't move to remove his hand. He was just troubled. Besides, Tal wasn't exactly conscious of what he was doing.

Milla let her hand fall to his and she felt surprised to feel calluses. Milla recognised such calluses for she had similar ones on her hands. Milla thought of the weapons Tal could have possibly trained with, it was probably with nothing crude such as Icecarl weapons. Milla thought back to an image of the Castle guards. Besides sunstones, Milla had also noticed that they wore long sword at their hips. Maybe Tal had trained with the Castle guards in swordplay. Readjusting herself under Tal's arm, Milla closed her eyes as she fell into counting her breaths.

At fourteen hundred breaths, Milla awoke to find Tal had curled up into a ball. Milla was reminded of an innocent baby as she watched Tal breathing peacefully. Rising, Milla went to wash her face in the washbasin that was supplied. She took a few bites of the cold bread and nibbled fruit that was also available. As she ate her fill, Milla wondered what the Crones would do with him when they reached the Ruin Ship. The Crones probably had a plan for him, plans that probably involved her as well.

After packing everything but her sleeping furs, Milla decided to wake Tal. She took his right hand and lightly rubbed a pressure point in between the joint of his thumb and index finger. Tal's eyes slowly fluttered open and Tal awoke to see Milla crouching over him. Noticing how she was rubbing his hand, Tal raised an eyebrow.

"I'm making sure you don't get a headache," Milla explained as she continued to rub his hand.

Tal frowned in thought when he remembered what she had done to him the previous night. Tal rubbed his neck and found the beginning of a bruise welling up.

"You know that's twice that you've done that to me. You have to show me how to do it," Tal said getting to his feet.

"If you can survive what the Crones have planned for you, then I will teach you," she said.

"You spoke to the Crones?" Tal asked pulling away from her.

"No," Milla answered.

"I suppose that they would have something planned," Tal said walking to the washbasin.

"We will leave soon so when you are ready, meet at the Welcome Hall," Milla said as she packed her sleeping fur and left with her pack.

Tal sighed as he remembered last nights events. He had to do this. He had to show the Chosen that the Icecarls were friends and not just savages. After a quick breakfast, Tal met Milla and her cadets in the Welcoming Hall. The cadets didn't look as if they were briefed on the situation. They knew who he was but besides that, they were pretty much just as confused as he was. Most of them simply greeted him with their knuckle salute out of respect by beyond that they remained silent.

"Emperor Tal I have orders to bring you to the Ruin Ship safely. From there we will meet Crone Malen. She will give us further instructions," Milla said stiffly.

Tal wondered why she was being so formal when he realised that she was trying to be commanding in front of the cadets.

"Lead the way," Tal said equally formal.

Milla gave a very slight nod of approval and made hand signals for two cadets to lead on. The trip down the mountain pass was an experience that Tal found exciting. He had never been down the pass since he had witnessed its construction. Tal found that he could tolerate the cold if he wrapped his coat around him but eventually the sleet dampened his clothes and he had to rely on his sunstone to keep him warm.

"We will get you furs to wear when we reach the Ruin Ship," Milla said as she moved closer to him.

"Thanks," Tal said through chattering teeth. "I think I know what you mean when you said the Chosen have impractical clothing,"

Milla didn't reply. It must have been because she couldn't be seen speaking casually. When the group reached the outpost, the Castle guards saluted Tal stiffly as they rushed to stand at attention. Milla received the same stiff welcome. After resting for a while, the group made the final trek down to the Ruin Ship. As Tal approached the ship, he realised how much he had missed the magnificent view of the huge icon. The massive ship was covered in luminous moss that twinkled like miniature stars.

"It's beautiful," Tal murmured.

"Yes this is home," Milla said.

"Home huh? Is his where I will live for the next circling?" Tal asked.

"Most likely but we won't know for sure until we talk to Malen," Milla said quietly.

The entrance to the Ruin Ship was lined with Shield Maidens holding torches. Milla dismissed her cadets as Tal and Milla marched up to the huge doorway where Malen was waiting.

"Greetings Emperor Tal," Malen said as she saluted.

"Greetings Malen," Tal said returning the salute.

"Please follow me we have much to discuss," she said leading the way through the labyrinth corridors of the Ruin Ship.

When the three of them finally reached a fur furnished room, they sat and Malen started to speak.

"It has been a long time since we last met Tal," she said casually.

"Yes it has. I tried to contact you but I was busy," Tal replied.

"As a Crone I have been able to see what the Castle has become since your reign. It is a very prosperous time," Malen said.

"For both our people I hope," Tal said finally finding a familiar friend to talk to.

"Of course," Malen replied.

"What have the Crones decided for us?" Milla asked cutting through the small talk.

"The Crones have decided to make Tal an honorary Icecarl," Malen replied a little sourly.

"How will they do that?" Tal asked curiously.

"First you must enter our way of life. That usually starts with an initial Joining," Malen explained.

"What's a Joining?" Tal asked.

"To which Clan?" Milla asked at the same time.

Malen smiled as her eyes grew bright before dimming back to their usual lustre. Tal found that disturbing but decided not to mention it. The one thing he did learn about Icecarls was that it was best not to insult them and Tal didn't know enough about them to distinguish what an insult would be.

"A Joining is a ceremony that makes you part of a Clan. In normal circumstances, it would be done at birth so you would not have a choice in which Clan you would Join but this is not a normal circumstance," Malen said.

"Have the Crones chosen a Clan for me?" Tal asked.

"We have not," Malen replied.

"What? So which Clan do I Join? Do I get to choose?" Tal asked surprised.

"The Crones thought it should be of your choosing," Malen went on.

Tal looked to Milla for advice.

"The logical choice would be the Ruin Ship since I am part of that Clan," Milla said.

"That makes sense," Tal said.

"Actually I have news for you Milla," Malen interrupted. "You are to follow Tal to which ever Clan he chooses,"

"How is that possible? I have my duties here as Shield Mother," Milla protested.

"Temporary Shield Mother," Malen corrected.

Milla fell silent. Tal could only imagine what she was feeling right now. Tal wasn't able to read her expression so he didn't know if she was sad or relieved or just feeling a mixture of emotions.

"The Crones have found a replacement for you," Malen went on trying to get the details over with. "You will Join the Clan that Tal chooses and leave your duties as soon as Tal is ready to announce his choice,"

"Milla are you alright?" Tal asked as Malen finished the conversation and left.

Milla had stared off into space ever since she had heard the news of the new Shield Mother. Milla looked at Tal at the mention of her name but didn't respond. Tal moved closer to her and took her hand. He gazed deep into her eyes and spoke softly.

"Milla. I don't know what you're thinking or how you're feeling right now. You have to tell me or I can't help you," Tal said trying to coax her from her shock.

"I…I am fine," Milla began. "Do you know which Clan you want to Join?" Milla asked quickly turning the conversation around.

Tal smiled warmly. Milla continued to look blank.

"I have one idea," he replied squeezing her hand gently.

"How do you feel about returning to the place where we first met?" he asked.

Milla looked at him in genuine surprise. Then she smiled and nodded her agreement.