Chapter 13
Resolved to find the underlying cause of the mystery that plagued her, Malen shipped out from the Ruin Ship under pretences that she was just travelling the Ice to find an ideal place to practice deeper meditation. In actuality, she was going to see the Crones of the Far Raider Clan. She was careful to heed Fendlir's warning. She did not dare return to the common meeting place of the Collective, the Sacred Room.
Hitching a ride aboard the courier class ship, the Soarer, Malen made good time in catching up to the Far Raider Clan. Their ship had only moved twice since Malen's last look at the massive Crone monitored map, the Reckoner. Malen left the Soarer near the entrance of the Smoking Mountains, which was several hundred stretches away from the Far Raider Clan ship. She didn't want to arouse suspicions so she resolved to walk to the ship after the Soarer was out of sight.
Much to her luck, Malen encountered a sleigh approaching her after only a quarter of the way towards the ship. Increasing her high spirits, she noticed that it was Tal and Milla riding towards her. They looked safe from harm, which was a good sign that trouble had yet to befall them. Malen waved her hand and spoke an incantation. The mist around her shifted away from her with a massive gust of wind. Milla and Tal noticed her and changed their direction.
"Malen is that you?" Tal asked as the sleigh came to a stop next to the wandering Crone.
"Malen? What are you doing here by yourself?" Milla asked cautiously looking around for trouble.
"I am looking for a secluded place to practice deeper meditation," she answered.
Milla and Tal looked at her as she finished her sentence. They didn't seem to believe her lie.
"You came all the way out to the Far Raider's hunting grounds to find a place to sit and sleep?" Tal asked sceptically.
"Meditate," she corrected.
She was determined to keep up the lie.
Milla gave her a suspicious look. She was behaving oddly, even for Malen's standard. Something didn't sit well with Milla and she was determined to find out Malen's reasons for acting as such. Holding the reigns high mockingly, Milla prepared to ride off to the Smoking Mountains when Malen stopped them.
"Wait! I lied. I am here to make sure you two are alright," Malen confessed much to Milla's satisfaction.
"As you can see we are fine," Milla said bluntly.
"Yes you are thankfully," Malen said disturbing Tal.
"Why wouldn't we be alright?" Tal asked suspiciously.
"It is not something I can discuss openly," Malen said resolved to say no more the subject.
Milla shared a look with Tal. They didn't know what was going on but to find a Crone so far from her ship with no escort was ominous enough.
"We will take you to the ship after we visit the Smoking Mountains. Come join us so that we may guard you while we bathe," Milla said making room for Malen in the sleigh.
Malen nodded her gratitude and hopped in. It was crowded with three people in the sleigh but fortunately, they weren't far from their destination. Milla parked the sleigh directly outside the cave entrance and secured the wreska while Tal helped Malen feed them. After collecting a small sack from the sleigh, the group marched into the cave. It wasn't long before they came upon natural luminescent walls that were warm to the touch. The walls were made of stone and glowed with bright orange hues that reflected of many faceted stalagmites, which provided light for the whole cavern. Tal moved closer to the large spikes and found that they were made of crystal.
"Keep up Tal. We still have far to go," Milla called from further inside the cave.
Tal trotted to catch up to the women. Milla and Malen marched on in silence seemingly unamazed by the natural beauty surrounding them. Tal looked around in awe as they passed through several large caverns that were filled with bubbling pools of sludgy sulphur. The smell was pungent enough to make Tal's nose wrinkle. After traipsing through a filed of stalagmites, the group finally reached their destination.
Tal stood in amazement as he took in the awesome view of the hot springs. He had never seen anything of the kind in his life. Water steamed deliciously in deep pools everywhere. Light was in abundance from the walls and stalagmites so Tal could see the huge pillar at the center of the cavern that seemed to stretch on forever. Tal noticed that water dripped from the ceiling far above them. Large shadowy spikes could be seen hanging around the large pillar from which water continuously dripped.
Tal assumed that they were large icicles that had formed from the large summit of the cave's opening above. He could feel air circulating so the place was ventilated somehow. His suspicions were confirmed as he realised theta the water from the large icicles were dripping water into the already formed pools of heated water. From the depths of the pools, Tal guessed that it had taken them hundreds of years at least to form such a depth.
Malen and Milla moved towards the nearest pool with Tal in tow. His gaze was still wondering the immense cavern ceiling so he didn't notice the two women stripping their furs. He realised too late. Standing in front of him were two naked Icecarls in all their glory. Tal looked away quickly and tried to hide his embarrassment.
"We can explore the caves some other time. Take off your furs, they need to be cleaned," Milla called.
If only he could. Concentrating on the ground, Tal took off his outer furs and laid them out on the ground as the others had done. He tried very hard not to look up at Milla as he spoke.
"How do you clean the furs?" Tal asked pretending to look at the furs with interest.
"We salt them with Balta Spice. This salt removes germs and keeps the furs from smelling," Milla explained as she threw a musky scented dust over the coats.
"So what is this Balta Spice made of?" Tal asked as he tried to stall.
Milla finished salting the furs and gave Tal a knowing look. He was embarrassed to be seen naked. He was still clinging to his Chosen ways.
"Tal take off your clothes…now," Milla said a little more firmly than she had meant.
Tal looked at her habitually to discern her tone before he quickly looked away in embarrassment.
"Maybe I should just salt my clothes over at the other pools further away," Tal said his cheeks slightly pink.
"Then who will scrub your back?" Malen asked in a matter of fact tone.
She was already bathing in the pool.
"Tal we are wasting time. We must get Malen back to the ship. Now stop your fussing and take your clothes off before I do it for you," Milla said trying to keep the slight excitement from entering her voice.
Weighing up both embarrassing scenarios in his head, Tal decided to be a man and just do it himself. He had to come to terms with being an Icecarl. Icecarls didn't frown on nudity. It was just a necessity to them. Tal stripped his clothes at a moderate pace whilst reminding himself repeatedly that it was just a necessity and nothing more.
His heartbeat quickened as each lace came undone. After laying his clothes down, Tal quickly slipped into the hot water. His embarrassment ebbed away slightly as he walked stiffly to the edge and slowly sank into the pool. Milla joined him after salting his clothes. Tal tried hard not to notice the two women in his company as he busied himself by scrubbing his body.
"Take some balta spice and rub it into your skin. It will mix with the water and cleanse your body," Milla said handing him a small oil skinned pouch.
Tal took a small amount of it and rubbed it into his arms. It had a grainy consistency at first but as Tal dipped his arms into the water, the salt dissolved and turned into a kind of soap substitute. Tal was amazed at the ingenuity of it but his awe was cut short as Milla began to lather his back with the spice. Tal tried not to let his mind wander as he felt her hands rub against his skin. He managed to control himself with difficulty. He hoped Milla didn't notice.
As she rubbed his back with the spice, Tal noticed that she was carefully avoiding the cuts on his back. His curiosity was a welcome distraction.
"Why are you avoiding the cuts? They've healed haven't they?" Tal asked over his shoulder.
Milla let a small amount of the spice touch the edge of one of his cuts and pain started to flair from the initial stinging. Milla jabbed a wet finder at the area and the pain slowly ebbed away as the spice washed out.
"The salt is very powerful. It is used for almost everything. It preserves our meats for long voyages, it cleans our furs and bodies and it is used in keeping wounds free from rotting," Milla said.
"How is it made?" Tal asked as he tried not to flinch as her hands moved lower.
"We mine for it but there is only one place that you can get it and it is simply too far for many clans to travel. So we do what most clans do. We trade selski meat for it," Milla explained.
"I see. Is there a specific Clan that mines for it?" Tal asked.
"Yes. They are called the Balta Clan. They are the only clan that do not follow the Living Sea," Malen cut in as she waded towards Milla.
Pulling Milla's wet hair aside, Malen started to scrub her back with spice.
Milla took this as normal behaviour, which startled Tal. He watched as the two beautiful women rubbed themselves down in front of him. It was an arousing sight but Tal managed to keep his excitement down as he thought of the embarrassing position it would put him in if he was leave the pool with such an obvious sign of his arousal for them to see. As much as he wanted to, it was difficult to stop staring. After Malen was done scrubbing, Milla returned the favour without a word. Malen chose this time to turn her attention to Tal.
"How do you find the Ice now that you have spent some time with your Clan?" Malen asked.
"It's definitely different from where I come from," Tal replied trying to find delicate words.
"I would assume so. Have you had any trouble settling into the Far Raider Clan? I have heard that it was the Clan that first came to the Ice. It must have been easy settling in with familiar faces around,"
"There wasn't much trouble that I didn't expect," Tal said guardedly "Thankfully Milla has been taking care of me," Tal added quickly.
"In what ways has she been helping you?"
"She's been teaching me how to fight," Tal said trying to think of something substantial to say without giving away anything sentimental.
"Anything else?" Malen pressed on.
"What else is there?" Tal asked nonchalantly.
"Back at the sleigh I saw you two look at each other and share thoughts without words. Anyone would assume that it was because you have given yourselves to each other…Ahh?!" Malen yelped.
Milla's hand slipped and left a thin trickle of red across Malen's shoulder. Tal looked away in embarrassment and wondered if Malen was the only Crone who lacked tact. Milla quickly busied herself washing off Malen's back as the Crone scowled her annoyance.
"We have done no such thing," Tal said still not looking at Malen or Milla.
"It would appear so," Malen said rubbing the small cut in her shoulder "But surely you know that you must eventually do it? Everyone expects that you will give into your lust. I'm surprised you have resisted your urges this far," Malen said.
"Everyone expects it?" Tal asked incredulously.
"Enough! This is hardly the time to speak of such things! We must get back to the ship. We have all finished bathing. Time to go," Milla said getting out of the pool quickly.
Tal watched as she stormed out of the pool. It was rare for Milla to display such emotions and Tal was at a loss as to why she had just exploded. Tal looked to Malen for answers and saw her eyes glowing brightly. Malen was looking at Milla but if Tal knew better, it was not a simple gaze at Milla's well toned body. Malen's eyes dimmed and she smiled a knowing smile.
"I knew it," she said to herself before she left the pool and retrieved her clothes.
"What's going on?" Tal muttered as he too went to retrieve his clothes.
After dressing quickly and with a certain amount of discretion on Tal's part, the group left the caves and headed for the ship. After boarding, Tal and Milla escorted Malen to the Crone's Cabin. As they entered the cabin, they found an old man sitting on a stack of furs. His face was wrinkled with age and a fur cap was worn low on is brow. The three entered the room and clapped their fists to Fendlir before they inspected the man closer. Tal saw something familiar about the oddly tall skinny old man and couldn't quite place his face until the large nose struck a sudden realisation.
"Ebbitt!" Tal and Milla exclaimed together.
"Nice to know that you haven't forgotten me," he said adding more wrinkles to his face as he smiled broadly.
"What are you doing here?!" Tal asked as he went to hug him tightly.
"Easy boy! My body has grown fragile in my old age!" Ebbitt said freeing himself from Tal's grip.
"Why are you here?" Milla reiterated.
"Always to the point as usual," Ebbitt sniffed "When I heard the news that Tal was on the Ice I set out to find him," he answered.
"Where have you been all this time? You didn't send any word. We thought you were dead," Tal said.
"Come now boy. You know I'm hard to kill," Ebbitt retorted a little hurt.
"Where's the Codex?" Tal asked suddenly remembering the last image of Ebbitt before he left for the ice.
Ebbitt had left to explore the Ice with the Codex under an armour chest plate.
"I sort of lost it," Ebbitt said evasively.
"Lost it?! After all the trouble we went through to get the damned thing, how could you lose it?!" Tal burst.
"I didn't lose it exactly…It kind of ran away from me," Ebbitt said quietly.
"The Codex doesn't like being contained," Ebbitt said in a weak defence.
"I knew we should have left it in the Castle. I can't believe I trusted you to keep it safe! What happens if it falls into the wrong hands?" Tal said dreading the thought.
"Now is not the time for blame," Fendlir said interrupting the reunion, "We have more pressing matters to attend to," she continued getting everyone's attention.
"Firstly I must ask you two not to leave the ship without escorts," she said looking from Tal to Milla, "You are to have bodyguards with you at all times when you leave the ship. If anything should happen, come back to the ship at once. Do not delay or try to fight back. That is an order …Understood?"
Milla and Tal nodded. They knew better than to question her. Still Milla and Tal wondered what had provoked such agitation.
"Ebbitt and Malen stay. You two may leave," Fendlir said waving a hand dismissively.
Sharing a troubled look, Milla and Tal obeyed. As soon as they left, Fendlir spoke to her two remaining guests.
"I warned you not to interfere. Now you may have endangered yourself," Fendlir said addressing Malen.
"I know. I mean no disrespect by disobeying your warning but I had to make sure that those two are safe. They are my friends and I have shared much with them since the fall of Sharrakor," Malen said in her defence.
Fendlir looked hard that the girl. She was resolved to stay. Sending her away would only make her follow. She didn't look like she'd accept anything else either.
"You must stay here on this ship at all times. It is one thing to risk Tal and Milla, it is another to risk the life of a Crone of your talents," Fendlir said seeing the steely resolve in Malen's bright eyes.
"Thank you for understanding," Malen said bowing deeply.
"Go to the Mother Crone's cabin and wait for me there," Fendlir said dismissing the girl.
"Yes sister," Malen said before leaving with a satisfied smile.
"The young are such impulsive types," Ebbitt said making sure Malen had left before speaking.
"They will learn caution when they reach our age but until then it is our duty as their seniors to guide and care for them," Fendlir agreed.
"So what do I owe the pleasure of your summons?" Ebbitt asked.
Ebbitt had been exploring the Ice on a messenger ship for several circlings. Before he was summoned to the Far Raider Clan, he had managed to visit most of the clans. During his journey, he had extensively experienced and studied the Icecarls way of life making him an expert on Icecarls. While he never exactly Joined a Clan, Ebbitt was treated as an Icecarl. With the expressed permission of the Crone Collective, Ebbitt was granted care and safe passage on the Ice.
"We have a problem that I believe concerns both of us. I wanted to know if you were willing to help," Fendlir started.
"If it concerns my great nephew then I am at your service. From what stories I have heard during my travels, I believe he is to be bound to Milla correct?" Ebbitt asked.
Fendlir nodded "That is not what I speak of but I believe you can help in that regard. Tal is very brave for coming out onto the ice and giving up his ways. He has shown me that change can come for the betterment of our people. Our ship is graced with his sunstone and the light he brings to our Clan's hearts," she said solemnly.
"That's Tal's sunstone on the mast?" Ebbitt asked surprised.
"Indeed it is. At first, I too was worried about what he has given up but I have seen his resolve and it is strong. Fear not, your great nephew has come to accept the terms and so should you. However, that is not why I have summoned you here. I need your help to educate Tal. You have explored the Ice and seen our ways. You have studied our people so you are able to aid Tal in his time on the Ice. The faster he is educated the safer he is,"
"What danger has he trapped himself into now?" Ebbitt asked knowingly.
"He has done nothing to provoke any malice towards him. It is simply a case of prejudice…on my people's part," Fendlir said struggling to admit the fault.
"Tal and Milla's union has caught the attention of many ears. They are safe from harm by order of the Crone Collective but they are still hunted by some of my people who do not agree with such a union," Fendlir explained.
"I understand. I have heard such talk on my travels and I do not approve of it. Had I known that my great nephew was in danger over his actions I would have come sooner,"
"Then let us not waste anymore time. Ebbitt, I ask that you stay with our Clan for the rest of the circling. There is much you must teach Tal and I fear we are running out of time. The people who hunt them are relentless and I fear that we are all that stand between them. We cannot ask aid from the Collective. This must be handled delicately and quietly. One false move and we may find ourselves at war,"
"Politics…" Ebbitt growled.
"We must leave our fate with Tal and Milla," Fendlir sighed thinking of the pair "It is they who will change history. We can only protect them until they do so,"
"Light help us…Our fate lies in the arms of two young hard-headed and impulsive love sick idiots!"
It was not a comforting thought.