After her strange conversation with Sord, Rue forgot to sign her speech
when she returned to the cart and Karm.
Karm! I've found a lake and. she shouted in her head. She trailed off. Karm was sleeping, breathing rhythmically. Rue sighed and quietly began to collect some spare planks from the massacred remains of the cart. Thinking logically, she arranged them into a crude shelter for herself and Karm. She dragged Karm into the shelter where she wriggled into the loam and settled again. She constructed a similar one for Farsu and Luania. Pleased with her laborious afternoon, she stepped aside, her palms punctured with many splinters, and admired her work. The golden orb of sun threw dimming rays from the horizon before disappearing altogether.
Rue discovered three blankets under the many shards of wood that were not frayed beyond repair and scrambled up the trees where the two traders slept. She layered them both in warmth for the night, propping Farsu's injured leg on a protruding branch. It was starting to worry her now that the adults had not woken. After the past experience, sleep would be an odd way to forget it and repair the damage. She pushed these worries to another area in her head to be thought of later. Then she crawled exhaustedly into the hut with Karm and slept.
*
Two-hoof! Two-hoof wake! Quetzals come! Reluctantly, Rue opened her eyes to a blur. Scrubbing her eyes to disperse it, she asked what Sord was doing.
Quetzals come! Bad for two-hoof and friends! Quetzals come from Nasiacorttquos and seek blood: hungry quetzals kill! Hurry, run!
Rue was surprised that the young centaur could pronounce the name of the ancient lake so well, better than she could certainly, but the urgency behind his warnings was enough to stir her from her bed.
How far away are they?
Not far, next valley! Hurry, hurry two-hoof! Wake friend. Rue rocked Karm forcefully to wake her, expecting her to take over and not ask questions about the mysterious appearance of a myth standing beside her. But she didn't wake. Sord whinnied and kicked the pale misty atmosphere, his pale skin glowing in starlight.
Try that cliff thing, Sord! Hurry!
Canyon no good! Sord too small, won't work! Go, canter! Like a frightened steed, he reared and tugged Rue's coarse tunic with his teeth, urging her on. Rue refused to part with Karm and eventually resorted to dragging her from the dwelling with Sord's help.
Put on Sord's back! he whinnied anxiously, the whites rolling around his pupils.
But you're not strong enough! Karm's too big, I.
Hurry! He stamped persuasively and Rue believed him. She propped Karm's limp frame over his haunches and sprinted with him into the forest. He was surprisingly fast for his size and didn't seem to notice the weight on his back.
Where do we go, Sord?
Away from quetzals.
Anywhere in particular? He looked at her and stopped. It was obvious he hadn't thought about it, probably expecting her to direct him as Rue hoped Karm would direct her. The situation needed some authority to move along, usually issued by an adult. But the two young creatures were lost without authority of an elder which they had suffered for the previous years of their lives. Harsh squawking reverberated around the clearing and flapping of wings.
Sord broke down, his courage failing rapidly.
Help! he screamed, Help, Herd help Sord! Quetzals coming! Thoroughly panicked, he cantered off into the trees, forgetting his package who slid off during his wild frenzy.
Sord! Rue yelled. She knelt to inspect Karm but to her horror, the quetzals entered the clearing. Before her logical thinking deserted her, she threw Karm unceremoniously into a bush.
The quetzals were huge, with wing-spans like the leaves of the trees. They were nothing like the merlee; so human with legs, arms, hands and huge eyes, disturbing eyes, like all the half-creatures she had encountered. They blinked often and quivered to dislodge some tears of dew from their plumage . The colours were startling and vibrant, blues, yellows, reds, a kaleidoscope of colour. As the feathers spiralled down into the loam, Rue noticed they had wings, beaks and clawed feet. Flocks of them landed and squabbled for space in the small clearing. Wary and scared, Rue watched as more came. But the scariest aspect of the creatures was their spears, made of glittering black crystal and ivory handles it seemed. They looked terrifying and intimidating.
Their leader advanced on Rue and confronted her. She wasn't sure if it planned to communicate with her but remembered that they were a solitary species and wouldn't communicate even if they could, quoted from Karm's lectures. She bowed her head respectfully, preparing to think as hard as she could of how to get out of the situation. She hoped Sord was nearby for her only company was a doped healer sleeping in the undergrowth at that moment.
It took her thoroughly by surprise when the quetzal spoke to her, in her own language, not inside her mind in the little depression she didn't even know she had. It was clear and thoughtful, unlike the harsh caws that the others made as they quarrelled.
"Little human lost. Scared." The eyes stared at her for what seemed like an age. She was petrified that the quetzal might see her perspiration and hear her guilty silence and anything else that might offend the quetzal and provoke it to find Karm. Then his crest flattened. "I leader! I see little human as no hurt! No danger! No threat to flock! Why kill little human? We look for centaur scum. Flock follow Amber Crest!"
Rue collapsed and sobbed in relief as the quetzal took off, a little apprehensive if anything. Amber Quill remained behind and inspected her for another age. She could see confusion in his eyes. Then he spiralled upwards into the impending gloom among a flurry of leaves. As he broke through the canopy, a single amber feather twirled down and landed in the loam at Rue's feet. She stared then tucked it away in a pocket.
Then she was alerted by a frightened whinny and remembered the quetzal's orders: find centaur scum. She was very scared for Sord because he was only a youngster. And no champion kick could disperse a hungry flock of quetzals.
She layered Karm in more leaves and sprinted deeper into the undergrowth, pausing to remember characteristics of the forest so she could trace her way back. She could hear the caws of the quetzals and the shrieks of a frightened horse. Spurred to a greater speed, she ran.
She ended up by the lake again except the stillness was disturbed. A lone horse and rider were thrashing unsuccessfully in the shallows against several quetzals, thankfully not the whole flock. The rider was a woman with hair flailing everywhere and eyes gleaming with enthusiasm. The horse, however, was not so happy. Flailing legs dripping with murky water, it screamed and snorted. She heard the thwock as its legs connected with the quetzals. It wasn't even a horse: it was a pony.
Rue joined the fight reluctantly with a broken branch, if only to save the pony. The woman didn't even recognise her presence as she thrashed out with her branch and scored a few blows. Eventually, the quetzal tired of the game and retreated.
Rue heaved with exhilaration. The woman watched her in surprise and urged the shaking pony onto dry ground. She pushed it gently to the ground, against little resistance, and dabbed with her sodden clothes at its neck. It settled.
She beckoned for Rue to come out onto the bank. Unsure, Rue stumbled out and sat on the bank under her instructions. She could feel her eyes watching her too. Everyone was staring at her today.
"Who are you? Why you help Spur and me?" Rue reacted with wild speech instantly but realised the woman couldn't hear it. She shook her head, pointing at her throat and making her little sorrowful noises. Surprisingly, the woman understood.
"You cannot speak. Can you speak to half-creatures?" It was a strange question under the circumstances but she answered in wild- speech while nodding.
Yes, but I don't know how. The reaction was scary. The woman gasped and stood up, shaking her head wildly and making noises like a horse. She flailed her feet in imitation of Sord's precision. Then she calmed down.
Two-hoof.two-hoof speak to Shaiala. But no speak two-hoof.call Herd. Talk. Rue panicked. No! Please don't! I've had enough of half-creatures for one day!
Shaiala seemed doubtful and shook her head. Have too. Herd not hurt you. Shaiala friend. Part of Herd.
Rue found this unbelievable and set her mind against meeting the Herd and for escaping. Shailala turned and fiddled with something around her neck on a thongh. Rue, curious as ever, leaned sideways and saw it was a green emerald, very pretty. Shaiala scanned the sky and unloosed the emerald from around her neck, tilting it into the starry glimmers of night. A shocking green beam emerged from the stone which reflected on the lake like fireworks. Rue heard Shaiala call, Herd, come to me! Important! Please come! She shone the emerald for a few more seconds then swiftly looped it about her neck. Apprehensive as she was, Rue was very curious and decided to stay put until there was a suitable time to escape.
Shaiala busied herself while she was waiting. She filled a gourd with water from the lake and fiddled with her emerald. She offered Rue some food but she refused, still doubtful about the wild woman. Then Shaiala practised some kicks. Rue was astounded. They were identical to those which Sord had demonstrated to her, except using two legs. She even performed a decent Canyon, at which the forest replied with a groan as it shook the boughs of the trees. Rue realised that Shaiala wasn't that old; about seventeen. She wore a headband of bright colours and had a small dagger strapped to her ankle. Her feet were bare.
When the centaurs came, Rue was again shocked. The many pairs of eyes that scooped out her soul with their gormless stares were phenomenally bright. They all had the emeralds around their necks and they were all different pastel colours - from palest lilac to deepest grey. They all knelt like horses do in a circle and one centaur approached her. He was very dark with a sweeping mane of black that dulled his emerald. The young stallion had a hushed discussion with Shaiala and eventually a younger lilac female joined them. Then the female approached.
Shaiala say understand but you no speak. Can hear? Rue nodded. She reacted in much the same way as Shaiala did, as if disturbed at their unnatural communication. She decided, a bit cruelly perhaps, to spook them even more by talking. After all, they had trapped her and insisted on scrutinising her.
I'm Rue. What's your name? Fortunately, the whole herd heard and shifted uncomfortably.
Where are Singers? They say bring her us? several demanded.
Where you come from? inquired another.
HERD, HUSH! yelled Shaiala. Shaiala not know why Singer no bring her to Herd. Must be reason.
But she born us! One of Herd! exclaimed a stormy squat centaur. Singers lie.
It's no big deal! cried Rue. Why can't I speak both? I can speak to all half-creatures but I don't know why! It's like your blaming me for it. And it's not my fault! Or your just ignoring me and talking about me. Isn't it a good thing I can speak to everyone?
The centaurs looked at her in horror. But Shaiala looked pitying. Young two-hoof know nothing. We take young two-hoof to Erihan. Know what do. She packed her belongings in a small satchel including the gourd. Rue stared hungrily after it. We go Rivermeet. Erihan there twilight. Come little one. She held out a welcoming palm. Rue stammered.
Er.no. Not yet. There's a human in the bushes. She's my friend. We've got to go and get her. Shaiala frowned. She leaned forward. No time. We go. Human safe.
What about the quetzals? she cried, wrenching her wrist out of the way as Shaiala attempted to grab it. They'll kill her! They nearly killed me and Sord out there.
This triggered another reaction from the centaurs. They whinnied and stamped their hooves, shifting around in the crowd. Several urged a little figure forward to the front. He protested and wriggled in their grasp, his blue mane flicking everywhere. But it was unmistakably Sord. Rue gasped. She didn't realise how sparse the remaining centaur Herdserds were.
Sord glistened with perspiration. He knelt at Shaiala's bare feet, not out of respect. More exhaustion. It was clear he was still flustered from the quetzal attacks and had been trying to hide it, until now.
Shaiala knelt too and stared into his guilty expressive face. Why tell no Shaiala? she asked, as if speaking to a much younger child. No trouble. You know prophecy. One who speak to all creatures not two-hoof one of us. Two-hoof use kicks. Shaiala tell from injured leg. She had spotted the scratchy bandages that Karm had applied to her ankle earlier, scared of an accidental growth on the new bone after all the running and jumping she had performed. Sord was ashamed and he inspected the ground with interest. Never thought she special. Surprisingly, his face turned towards her with dark hatred. Two-hoof threaten Sord with two-hoof tequanology and chase round lake of snake-people. Rue was startled that the lake she had found was Nasiacorttquos, despite her suspicions that it was. She tapped Challa with her feet, more for her own benefit.
The centaurs were shocked. Several advanced on her on their rear legs, hooves flailing. She scrambled up and shimmied rapidly up a nearby tree, the bark gouging her legs with scratches. The centaurs wailed and drummed their hooves against the tree, shaking foliage from the branches. Rue hung on grimly and communicated as best she could under the conditions.
Would you all listen to me? I don't have any weapons! I don't have any on me, and I never did. Sord's lying! Then she turned to Sord and tried to focus her speech on him. Sord, why are you lying? You know I didn't chase you weapons! I just followed you because you tried to run a way.
But Sord was silent and shamefully trying to get up from his crumpled position. The centaurs hammered the trunk like a thunderstorm.
Herd stay here all of day! Mercy no!
Karm! I've found a lake and. she shouted in her head. She trailed off. Karm was sleeping, breathing rhythmically. Rue sighed and quietly began to collect some spare planks from the massacred remains of the cart. Thinking logically, she arranged them into a crude shelter for herself and Karm. She dragged Karm into the shelter where she wriggled into the loam and settled again. She constructed a similar one for Farsu and Luania. Pleased with her laborious afternoon, she stepped aside, her palms punctured with many splinters, and admired her work. The golden orb of sun threw dimming rays from the horizon before disappearing altogether.
Rue discovered three blankets under the many shards of wood that were not frayed beyond repair and scrambled up the trees where the two traders slept. She layered them both in warmth for the night, propping Farsu's injured leg on a protruding branch. It was starting to worry her now that the adults had not woken. After the past experience, sleep would be an odd way to forget it and repair the damage. She pushed these worries to another area in her head to be thought of later. Then she crawled exhaustedly into the hut with Karm and slept.
*
Two-hoof! Two-hoof wake! Quetzals come! Reluctantly, Rue opened her eyes to a blur. Scrubbing her eyes to disperse it, she asked what Sord was doing.
Quetzals come! Bad for two-hoof and friends! Quetzals come from Nasiacorttquos and seek blood: hungry quetzals kill! Hurry, run!
Rue was surprised that the young centaur could pronounce the name of the ancient lake so well, better than she could certainly, but the urgency behind his warnings was enough to stir her from her bed.
How far away are they?
Not far, next valley! Hurry, hurry two-hoof! Wake friend. Rue rocked Karm forcefully to wake her, expecting her to take over and not ask questions about the mysterious appearance of a myth standing beside her. But she didn't wake. Sord whinnied and kicked the pale misty atmosphere, his pale skin glowing in starlight.
Try that cliff thing, Sord! Hurry!
Canyon no good! Sord too small, won't work! Go, canter! Like a frightened steed, he reared and tugged Rue's coarse tunic with his teeth, urging her on. Rue refused to part with Karm and eventually resorted to dragging her from the dwelling with Sord's help.
Put on Sord's back! he whinnied anxiously, the whites rolling around his pupils.
But you're not strong enough! Karm's too big, I.
Hurry! He stamped persuasively and Rue believed him. She propped Karm's limp frame over his haunches and sprinted with him into the forest. He was surprisingly fast for his size and didn't seem to notice the weight on his back.
Where do we go, Sord?
Away from quetzals.
Anywhere in particular? He looked at her and stopped. It was obvious he hadn't thought about it, probably expecting her to direct him as Rue hoped Karm would direct her. The situation needed some authority to move along, usually issued by an adult. But the two young creatures were lost without authority of an elder which they had suffered for the previous years of their lives. Harsh squawking reverberated around the clearing and flapping of wings.
Sord broke down, his courage failing rapidly.
Help! he screamed, Help, Herd help Sord! Quetzals coming! Thoroughly panicked, he cantered off into the trees, forgetting his package who slid off during his wild frenzy.
Sord! Rue yelled. She knelt to inspect Karm but to her horror, the quetzals entered the clearing. Before her logical thinking deserted her, she threw Karm unceremoniously into a bush.
The quetzals were huge, with wing-spans like the leaves of the trees. They were nothing like the merlee; so human with legs, arms, hands and huge eyes, disturbing eyes, like all the half-creatures she had encountered. They blinked often and quivered to dislodge some tears of dew from their plumage . The colours were startling and vibrant, blues, yellows, reds, a kaleidoscope of colour. As the feathers spiralled down into the loam, Rue noticed they had wings, beaks and clawed feet. Flocks of them landed and squabbled for space in the small clearing. Wary and scared, Rue watched as more came. But the scariest aspect of the creatures was their spears, made of glittering black crystal and ivory handles it seemed. They looked terrifying and intimidating.
Their leader advanced on Rue and confronted her. She wasn't sure if it planned to communicate with her but remembered that they were a solitary species and wouldn't communicate even if they could, quoted from Karm's lectures. She bowed her head respectfully, preparing to think as hard as she could of how to get out of the situation. She hoped Sord was nearby for her only company was a doped healer sleeping in the undergrowth at that moment.
It took her thoroughly by surprise when the quetzal spoke to her, in her own language, not inside her mind in the little depression she didn't even know she had. It was clear and thoughtful, unlike the harsh caws that the others made as they quarrelled.
"Little human lost. Scared." The eyes stared at her for what seemed like an age. She was petrified that the quetzal might see her perspiration and hear her guilty silence and anything else that might offend the quetzal and provoke it to find Karm. Then his crest flattened. "I leader! I see little human as no hurt! No danger! No threat to flock! Why kill little human? We look for centaur scum. Flock follow Amber Crest!"
Rue collapsed and sobbed in relief as the quetzal took off, a little apprehensive if anything. Amber Quill remained behind and inspected her for another age. She could see confusion in his eyes. Then he spiralled upwards into the impending gloom among a flurry of leaves. As he broke through the canopy, a single amber feather twirled down and landed in the loam at Rue's feet. She stared then tucked it away in a pocket.
Then she was alerted by a frightened whinny and remembered the quetzal's orders: find centaur scum. She was very scared for Sord because he was only a youngster. And no champion kick could disperse a hungry flock of quetzals.
She layered Karm in more leaves and sprinted deeper into the undergrowth, pausing to remember characteristics of the forest so she could trace her way back. She could hear the caws of the quetzals and the shrieks of a frightened horse. Spurred to a greater speed, she ran.
She ended up by the lake again except the stillness was disturbed. A lone horse and rider were thrashing unsuccessfully in the shallows against several quetzals, thankfully not the whole flock. The rider was a woman with hair flailing everywhere and eyes gleaming with enthusiasm. The horse, however, was not so happy. Flailing legs dripping with murky water, it screamed and snorted. She heard the thwock as its legs connected with the quetzals. It wasn't even a horse: it was a pony.
Rue joined the fight reluctantly with a broken branch, if only to save the pony. The woman didn't even recognise her presence as she thrashed out with her branch and scored a few blows. Eventually, the quetzal tired of the game and retreated.
Rue heaved with exhilaration. The woman watched her in surprise and urged the shaking pony onto dry ground. She pushed it gently to the ground, against little resistance, and dabbed with her sodden clothes at its neck. It settled.
She beckoned for Rue to come out onto the bank. Unsure, Rue stumbled out and sat on the bank under her instructions. She could feel her eyes watching her too. Everyone was staring at her today.
"Who are you? Why you help Spur and me?" Rue reacted with wild speech instantly but realised the woman couldn't hear it. She shook her head, pointing at her throat and making her little sorrowful noises. Surprisingly, the woman understood.
"You cannot speak. Can you speak to half-creatures?" It was a strange question under the circumstances but she answered in wild- speech while nodding.
Yes, but I don't know how. The reaction was scary. The woman gasped and stood up, shaking her head wildly and making noises like a horse. She flailed her feet in imitation of Sord's precision. Then she calmed down.
Two-hoof.two-hoof speak to Shaiala. But no speak two-hoof.call Herd. Talk. Rue panicked. No! Please don't! I've had enough of half-creatures for one day!
Shaiala seemed doubtful and shook her head. Have too. Herd not hurt you. Shaiala friend. Part of Herd.
Rue found this unbelievable and set her mind against meeting the Herd and for escaping. Shailala turned and fiddled with something around her neck on a thongh. Rue, curious as ever, leaned sideways and saw it was a green emerald, very pretty. Shaiala scanned the sky and unloosed the emerald from around her neck, tilting it into the starry glimmers of night. A shocking green beam emerged from the stone which reflected on the lake like fireworks. Rue heard Shaiala call, Herd, come to me! Important! Please come! She shone the emerald for a few more seconds then swiftly looped it about her neck. Apprehensive as she was, Rue was very curious and decided to stay put until there was a suitable time to escape.
Shaiala busied herself while she was waiting. She filled a gourd with water from the lake and fiddled with her emerald. She offered Rue some food but she refused, still doubtful about the wild woman. Then Shaiala practised some kicks. Rue was astounded. They were identical to those which Sord had demonstrated to her, except using two legs. She even performed a decent Canyon, at which the forest replied with a groan as it shook the boughs of the trees. Rue realised that Shaiala wasn't that old; about seventeen. She wore a headband of bright colours and had a small dagger strapped to her ankle. Her feet were bare.
When the centaurs came, Rue was again shocked. The many pairs of eyes that scooped out her soul with their gormless stares were phenomenally bright. They all had the emeralds around their necks and they were all different pastel colours - from palest lilac to deepest grey. They all knelt like horses do in a circle and one centaur approached her. He was very dark with a sweeping mane of black that dulled his emerald. The young stallion had a hushed discussion with Shaiala and eventually a younger lilac female joined them. Then the female approached.
Shaiala say understand but you no speak. Can hear? Rue nodded. She reacted in much the same way as Shaiala did, as if disturbed at their unnatural communication. She decided, a bit cruelly perhaps, to spook them even more by talking. After all, they had trapped her and insisted on scrutinising her.
I'm Rue. What's your name? Fortunately, the whole herd heard and shifted uncomfortably.
Where are Singers? They say bring her us? several demanded.
Where you come from? inquired another.
HERD, HUSH! yelled Shaiala. Shaiala not know why Singer no bring her to Herd. Must be reason.
But she born us! One of Herd! exclaimed a stormy squat centaur. Singers lie.
It's no big deal! cried Rue. Why can't I speak both? I can speak to all half-creatures but I don't know why! It's like your blaming me for it. And it's not my fault! Or your just ignoring me and talking about me. Isn't it a good thing I can speak to everyone?
The centaurs looked at her in horror. But Shaiala looked pitying. Young two-hoof know nothing. We take young two-hoof to Erihan. Know what do. She packed her belongings in a small satchel including the gourd. Rue stared hungrily after it. We go Rivermeet. Erihan there twilight. Come little one. She held out a welcoming palm. Rue stammered.
Er.no. Not yet. There's a human in the bushes. She's my friend. We've got to go and get her. Shaiala frowned. She leaned forward. No time. We go. Human safe.
What about the quetzals? she cried, wrenching her wrist out of the way as Shaiala attempted to grab it. They'll kill her! They nearly killed me and Sord out there.
This triggered another reaction from the centaurs. They whinnied and stamped their hooves, shifting around in the crowd. Several urged a little figure forward to the front. He protested and wriggled in their grasp, his blue mane flicking everywhere. But it was unmistakably Sord. Rue gasped. She didn't realise how sparse the remaining centaur Herdserds were.
Sord glistened with perspiration. He knelt at Shaiala's bare feet, not out of respect. More exhaustion. It was clear he was still flustered from the quetzal attacks and had been trying to hide it, until now.
Shaiala knelt too and stared into his guilty expressive face. Why tell no Shaiala? she asked, as if speaking to a much younger child. No trouble. You know prophecy. One who speak to all creatures not two-hoof one of us. Two-hoof use kicks. Shaiala tell from injured leg. She had spotted the scratchy bandages that Karm had applied to her ankle earlier, scared of an accidental growth on the new bone after all the running and jumping she had performed. Sord was ashamed and he inspected the ground with interest. Never thought she special. Surprisingly, his face turned towards her with dark hatred. Two-hoof threaten Sord with two-hoof tequanology and chase round lake of snake-people. Rue was startled that the lake she had found was Nasiacorttquos, despite her suspicions that it was. She tapped Challa with her feet, more for her own benefit.
The centaurs were shocked. Several advanced on her on their rear legs, hooves flailing. She scrambled up and shimmied rapidly up a nearby tree, the bark gouging her legs with scratches. The centaurs wailed and drummed their hooves against the tree, shaking foliage from the branches. Rue hung on grimly and communicated as best she could under the conditions.
Would you all listen to me? I don't have any weapons! I don't have any on me, and I never did. Sord's lying! Then she turned to Sord and tried to focus her speech on him. Sord, why are you lying? You know I didn't chase you weapons! I just followed you because you tried to run a way.
But Sord was silent and shamefully trying to get up from his crumpled position. The centaurs hammered the trunk like a thunderstorm.
Herd stay here all of day! Mercy no!