10. Astray

I could have very easily died that night. Falling asleep out in the open in the winter cold might have left me in an eternal sleep. However, no wind entered whatever small haven I had stumbled upon. I did not wake until the sun had risen above the mountain ridge and warmed my numb body. It managed to melt the crystal frost on the ground, but the air remained crisp.

When I searched for the path from last night, I quickly found that the narrow crack in the rock and been blocked by fallen stones. Not large ones, but there would be no way for Peachblossom to climb over them with the load he had to carry. I would have no thoughts on leaving him behind, so we would have to find some other rout. I unrolled the mess I had made with the tent and equipment from the night before and found the back containing food.

Digging up the peat made from grasses dying and being packed down for years and years, I lit it and began boiling water to soften the jerky I had brought to make a sort of stew. The birds shared Peachblossom's feed as Jump waited to share with me. As it cooked, I looked around my new designated path. This valley was nothing like the one we had left the day before. Instead of a strange powdery blue/green, the grass was a more natural brown and green, frostbitten and limp. The mountains had been carved by a narrow stream which now trickled half frozen along the east side of the rock barricade. It wound a twisted path through rock outcroppings and was quickly hidden from view.

I dished out the food to a very eager Jump and half heartedly picked up my own bowl. After watching me stare into space for minutes, Peachblossom snorted and stomped a front foot at me, ordering me to eat. I wrinkled my nose at him.

"Yes, Mother."

Cleaning up took only a moment, then we were on our way. Every new step taken left me with a deeper feeling of dread. I had no idea where this small valley would lead us. I had lost the small lead I had gained on the Scanrans and quite possible would not find them for some time.

Hungry...

So hungry...

Nothing below, no food in sight.

Stupid female human - she drives us from fat, lazy, defenseless animals good only for food.

What that? A lone human, dangerous, but not as dangerous as many. To eat? Risk? Too hungry to be careful. Food.

Wait... wait for night. Stupid human make fire. No, fire burns. Burned once... not again. Wait till morning, first light.

Wait...

We made good time despite fighting narrow gaps in the streamed and slick mud. I estimated about fifteen miles before making camp for the night. The way was dim and cold for the sun could only reach the deep canyon for a few hours in the middle of the day. The air was thankfully still, and the only sounds came from the water as we splashed through it on occasion. For one moment Peachblossom acted uneasy, ears alert and snorting at the air. I quickly pulled out my hunting bow and scanned up and down the path but could find nothing. Before I could worry further, he had lowered his head and was carefully picking his way over the slick mud of the bank. I sighed, slinging the bow over my shoulder and followed.

There would be no fire tonight. Without even peat for fuel, it would be cold provisions. I set up my tent canvas like a lean-to against the stone wall of the canyon. Pulling out the half-eaten travel bread full of dried fruits, nuts, and honey, I cut off a chunk and fed bits to a begging Jump as I ate. To finish off, we also shared a generous strip of jerky. Bedding down was simple, Peachblossom had no room to lay down, but stood guard nearby and finished his oats. The sparrows chose to curl up with Jump who had confidently made his bed in my spare blanket. Nari fluffed up between his front paws, Quicksilver against his flank, and Arrow perched on his neck until giving up on the slick hold and coming to me. I lay on my back, looking up at the sky and let Arrow tuck himself next to my ear.

I stared up at the sky. The stars hung in the cold air like chips of ice. Some bards compared them to diamonds, some thought them to be spirits of heroes gone on to the afterlife. I preferred to think them as tears. Cold tears of those who have lost love, lost hope, and somehow managed to survive without them.

Why am I doing this? Why did the gods see it fit to put such a challenge to their subjects? With a sigh I rolled over and looked over the valley, pulling the blanket tighter around my shoulders. Perhaps I had been asking too many of those sorts of questions. I know that the gods tested their subjects. For what reason was their own. All we could do was pray that they watched over our loved ones and protect them until someone could save them.

"Keladry, whatever is happening to you, I hope you know I won't give up."

With that self-reassurance, I fell asleep.

How long I slept, I had no idea. The only warning that something was wrong came with a battle cry from Peachblossom and a vicious shrieking. The sparrows shot into the air, immediately followed by Jump. Bleary eyed, I fumbled for my sword and rolled out of my blankets.

Peachblossom was engaged with a hoof to claw battle with a hurrok nearly the size of the large gelding. Long red scratches grew beneath the mauling immortal as the horse gave as good as he received. However, Peachblossom only had hooves, not razor sharp claws. The sparrows had joined the fight, darting in and out at the hurrok's eyes and dodging its snapping beak. There was no time to get out my bow. Three parallel gashes appeared on Peachblossom's shoulder, followed by another four on his neck. The horse reeled. I ran towards them, cursing. A blur of white leapt onto the injured Peachblossom and launched into the air. The hurrok shrieked and batted at the dog latched onto its throat. I placed myself between the creature and my horse friend, sword ready.

Jump let go and almost made it to the ground but was swatted midair into the stone wall. Before I could check to see if he had made it alive, the hurrok swept down on me. Slashing a reaching claw, I tried to stab it in the chest. It twisted just enough to receive a gash on the neck. The hooked beak caught me across the side of my head, disorienting me for a moment. The sparrows continued their assault, but the creature either didn't care, or was simply mad. The hurrok grabbed my sword arm and began hauling me up into the air. Talons dug deep, making it impossible to keep hold of my weapon. In despair I watched it flash as it fell. Pain lit my entire arm and shoulder as I dangled a good twenty feet in the air. Where we were going, I had no idea, but I did not intend on being a meal. Gritting my teeth, I drew out my belt knife. Reversing it in my left hand, I swung at the claw holding me prisoner. The hurrok screamed and kicked at me with its hind feet. I slashed again, this time at the chest and buried the blade just in front of the left shoulder. Gasping for breath, I waited for something to happen.

A swish and thud startled me. The immortal screamed in pain, wings faltering. Another had it spiraling to the ground. On impact, I was released and nearly knocked senseless. I was in a small field, an opening of the narrow valley thankfully padded with thick grass. The hurrok continued to thrash nearby, in immense pain. I dragged myself away, cradling my arm. Out of the corner of my eye a person climbed over a rock and ran towards me. Before they reached me, I passed out.

I was warm - warm and quite comfortable. For a moment I thought I was back in the Steadfast barracks until I tried to roll over. Fire flashed through my entire right arm and all the memories came flooding back. With a start, I opened my eyes.

Thatching - a roof? Who brought me here? Where are the others?

A whine turned my attention to the foot of the bed I had been place in by the unknown rescuer. Jump looked mournfully up at me, one back leg wrapped in white bandages. His tail thumped a few times before he nosed at a small bundle resting on his front feet. My heart sunk. A sparrow lay there, neatly bound in the same bandages as its canine friend with only the head visible. It was either Quicksilver or Arrow, for Nari had speckles on her head. Gently I picked up the pitiful body and unwound the cloth. The distinct black wedge on the bird's chest named it as Arrow. Swallowing hard, I gently rewrapped him. Nari and Quicksilver fluttered in from somewhere, peeping softly. Both landed on my hand holding their companion and pecked at the shroud.

"I'm sorry."

Nari gave a long keening cry and let her wings drape down till they brushed my hand.

"Well I must say that you have the most odd behaving animals I've ever seen in my life."

We all jumped. In the doorway stood a woman carrying more bandaging and a bowl of something which smelled delicious. I blinked, trying to keep my composure and being very conscious of the fact that my shirt seemed to have disappeared and only strips of cloth covered my ribs.

"Your horse is fine, if not mis-tempered. I had to tie him on short tether before I could take care of those claw marks. The dog was better about it. He insisted on keeping that dead bird with him, so I wrapped it up to keep blood from staining the quilt."

She sat on the bed, all business.

"Hold out your arm."

I did so, watching her.

She couldn't have been older than thirty. Long, curling blond hair was twisted back from a rather charming face with blue eyes and freckled nose. To my greater surprise, she wore a man's clothing, though it hardly covered the fact that she was a most definitely a woman. She peeled back the bloody bandage on my torn arm and smeared something yellow from a small jar directly over the four gouges. I couldn't help hissing at the sting. She smiled sympathetically.

"I've used that on myself and my sheep. That hurrok has been pestering me and the flock for about a month. I was hunting it when I came across you."

Not knowing what to say, I held out my hand for her to finish her ministrations.

"Thank you. I don't know what might have happened if it kept flying with me."

The woman didn't answer. Tying off the bandage, she picked up the bowl and held it to my mouth.

"Drink."

I did so after finding that there was no way I could manage without her help. It was a broth of some sort. Dark tasting and surprisingly filling. When I finished, I wiped my mouth and tried to explain myself.

"My lady, I -"

"You're Tortallian."

I stiffened. She calmly watched me.

"Yes."

She began changing the wound on my side which I assumed came from the hurrok's back feet. She was silent until the task had been completed. Standing, her blue eyes bored into mine.

"My name is Anita Karr. I live alone, five miles from Cairo village in Scanra. You may stay until you and your animals are healed." Her eyebrow arched as she looked me over. "I will warn you that I am more than capable of defending myself."

I started. "Lady Karr, I wouldn't even think -"

"Don't do that!" She looked uneasy. "Are you a noble?"

I couldn't help laughing. "Last time I checked, no."

"Military?"

"Sergeant."

She nodded. "Thought so. What with a sword and dagger, you had to be above the commoners. But don't call me 'Lady'. I'm Anita."

I gave her my best bow from a sitting position. Luckily I've had a lot of practice. "Sergeant Domitan of Masbolle. But known mostly as Dom."

A smile slipped past the stern mask and Anita dipped a short curtsy