Author's Note:
This fanfic is set in the distant past, Tortall. Some content belongs to Tamora Pierce, and other content I have taken liberties with. If you are concerned with what belongs to me and what belongs to Tamora Pierce, please email me at cyclepinsetter@yahoo.com
Other note:
I'm up to at least part 10 in the real world...maybe more by now...but I'm posting to give you all time to read it in parts...if at any time you would like to read Yoric's Tale in its natural enviornment (with all the fancy HTML bells and whistles that I enjoy) and get ahead, please go to Steelsings (www.geocities.com/tfoth)
Yoric's Tale: The Gathering
Four
Ellisyn
stood on the bank of the great northern lake, frowning at the
frozen waters. She scowled at her water skin, also frozen.
She shivered, knowing she was underdressed for the northern
winter. She hadn't been expecting snow this far from
the mountains. By now the mountains were probably buried
under feet of snow, but was the first snow of the season on the
plains. Ellie squinted at the early evening sky. Those
are blizzard skies. Come on. She whispered. The icy waters gave no answer.
Her mind was alive with questions. Where are they? Am I at the wrong bank? Are they coming?
The sound of a twig snapping brought Ellie out of her
thoughts. She turned around to see a group of men standing
silently behind her.
You are the one that asks to speak with us? A
tall young man about Yoric's age with brown hair spoke in a
firm and commanding tone. His brown eyes met Ellie's
directly.
Ellie nodded. But let us find shelter. I have
much to discuss.
The brown haired man's eyes never left Ellie's. They
stood transfixed in the snow for a full minute. After that
minute was up, the man spoke calmly.
She has the Gift. Some of the men narrowed
their eyes.
Ellie narrowed her eyes. A gift for what?
Never mind. He told her. We can
trust her. He told the other men with him. They
let out sighs of relief; their unease in the chilling
temperatures was quite noticeable to Ellie.
Follow quickly. The temperature is dropping. We'll
be frozen if we don't make it back by sundown. The
man wasted no time in crossing the snow and starting off through
the trees around the circumference of the lake.
Ellie shivered as she strained to keep up with the group of men
in the heavy snow. Even her leg muscles, used to the heavy
snow of Tortallan winters, tired easily. Her toes began to
grow numb as her teeth chattered. Someone covered her in a
warm fur cloak as the sun began to set. Her eyelids grew
heavy with fatigue.
After what seemed like years, they arrived at a group of what
appear to be embankments of earth, covered in snow.
Where are we? Ellie asked through chattering
teeth.
The brown haired main spoke. Welcome
to our clan village. Ellie looked around in disbelief. You must be crazy. They're only piles of dirt
cut out of a hill. Very big and abundant piles of dirt, but
dirt none the less.
The man's brown
eyes sparkled. Look again.
Are you expecting me to see anything—
She stopped in mid sentence. She thought she saw a door in
one of the piles. She slowly moved towards the door and
touched it. As her fingers met the rough wood, it opened.
A woman about her
height and a little older than her greeted Ellie. Hurry
up, come in before you let all the heat out. Ellie was
dumbfounded and had no choice but to obey. She stepped
through the wooden doorframe and entered the earthen dwelling. She peered around the dimly lit hut with interest. This
structure was far from the long log houses she had grown up in
with Clan Conte.
The brown haired man entered the hut.
Welcome to my home. I am
Gaither, the headsmen of Clan Naxen. This is my wife, Regan.
Ellie had many questions to ask, but she
had business to attend to.
I am Ellie of Clan Conte. I
come to ask for your help in uniting our people. We are
bitterly divided. The warring must stop. I have heard
that you also wish for peace. She paused for a moment. Gaither looked unconvinced.
Our headsmen shares the same loss as
you. His father was killed a year ago. He is no older
than you are, Sir Our clans can band together. We
can share knowledge and stop this fighting before our people are
wiped from existence. Ellie pleaded.
Gaither nodded solemnly. After a few
minutes, he spoke.
We safe where we are. The other
clans cannot find us.
I found you.
We let you find us.
You will discuss it at council in the
morning Gaither. Regan cut in. The girl
is obviously tired and we are all hungry. Let the men rest. Nothing is going to change over night.
Ellie was treated to a small meal of smoked
hare. Ellie could sense the hunger from Regan, but she ate
silently. Curiously, she couldn't sense anything from
Gaither. Toward the end of the meal, she cleared her throat.
You said something about a gift? What did you mean? It had been nagging her since
Gaither had mentioned it back at the lake. Gaither and
Regan exchanged glances.
People have been developing powers—I
can't quite explain, but I know you understand, because you
have them yourself. Ellie nodded and Gaither
continued. Some powers are for healing, some for
battle, and some for knowing another's thoughts. More
children are manifesting these Gifts—as we call them. If
we can train these Gifts, maybe the tables can be turned in the
war.
I can help the training. I know
some healing. Ellie sighed. "Before anything
else, solid combat skills are vital." Her eyes were fierce
with emotion. "I cannot guarantee anything by way of
training with the Gift, but I can teach the foundation of
physical attacks. I was a member of the Conte Clan fighting force
for a while, and I have been training all my life...I have
learned some valuable lessons.. Gaither listened solomnly.
"I agree with you."
Then what is there more to ask? Discuss it with your council. If they agree, follow me back
to Clan Conte and we will unite the land.
By joining together, we can stop the
meaningless deaths. Ellie pleaded to the council. At this moment, my clan is being slaughtered. We are
weak in numbers, but strong in will.
A stocky middle-aged man stood up. Its
too dangerous. He said stubbornly. We are
content where they cannot find us.
But we have the Gods' blessing. Ellie looked across the skeptical countenances of the Naxen Clan. I have felt it. Have you not?
The Council hut was silent. Their
eyes were full of doubt, overshadowed with fear. Women held
their children protectively in their laps, as if Ellie was trying
to kill them.
You are content in hiding? And
what will you do when the stronger Clans find you? Will you
plead for your lives? They have no mercy. I have seen
men brought down while pleading for their mercy.
We cannot help you, said the
stocky man. We have no one to fight. We lost
our sons in a surprise attack from Clan Goldenlake last summer. What fighters that remain are crippled, or disturbed. And
who do we have left to train fighters?
Bring me your daughters then. And
I will train them.
The room was alive with outrage. Voices
cried out in anger as all eyes were focused on Ellie. Everyone
in the hut was talking at once.
She
speaks the truth. Eyes turned to a dark haired young
man in the back of the crowd. He was standing with the
support of a walking stick. We cannot go on hiding. They will find us soon. And when they do, they will not
only kill your sons, but they will rape your daughters and your
mothers, and torture your fathers until we are no longer. There
is strength in numbers, and if we have the numbers, there can
also be peace in numbers.
Ellie raised her eyebrows. Yes. He is right. What is your name?
The dark haired man looked to where she was
standing. I am Connor my lady. I will join you
in your cause.
A murmur of surprise issued from the crowd.
Then help me convince these people
that they will die if they don't join us.
Ellie and Connor were able to convince the
people of Tribe Naxen to let her stay and train fighters, but for
days, the women kept their children away from the Council hut.
Why should they be afraid of me? Ellie asked Connor.
Your ideas. He answered. And its not just you, it's me.
They are afraid of you? Why?
They are bitter. They think I couldn't possibly understand. He motioned to his right leg. I was born deformed. I wasn't able to fight against tribe Goldenlake. I couldn't possibly know what it is to lose all of my friends, my father and Uncles. He spoke bitterly. I want this to end. I don't want my mother to die while hiding. My sisters are strong. They can learn.