Title: The Fire

Author: Arianllyn

Date: 10th May 2005

Notes: Dagger's point of view, thought as events happen. At the camp fire on

the evening of Tealin's birthday.


He's built the fire too high again.

Every time he does that I think, I could do better. Of course. But I decided a long time ago that all men are tronkers, even the Hulta chief.

His bird's not bad though. She's always recognised I know better than her.

Won't tell /her/ that, obviously.

I kind of feel sorry for her. I've known Claidi for years, and she's always been a bit, well - odd. But she just grows odder and odder. Oh, she'll join in the fires and all, but there'll be a couple of days when she'll just . . . disappear. But Argul doesn't worry about it, so of course, we don't.

Here she comes - not Claidi, Tealin. She's paler in colouring than us all - all that foreign blood. But she's as brave as almost anyone.

As me? Nah.

No ceremony, of course - well, it's only a birthday. We all have them. She's fourteen though, so won't be long till she starts looking for a husband. I just hope -

I can't believe Mehmed just told that joke. I said to him, I said, that things all very well for out hunting, but on a nice familiy gathering -

Thank goodness no-one here's a seer - they'd laugh, to hear me (me!) lecturing people on proper behaviour.

We've gone quiet (yes, even me), because of Argul. He hasn't stood up, or asked for silence. Or raised his hand even. He wants to speak, and us - we know, and we listen. That's 'cos we're Hulta.

I'd expected a speech, I suppose, don't know why. He's never been a one for that sort of thing.

It's a story.

And the best thing about Argul's story is that they're all true.

I haven't heard this one before. A disguise, a wild chase through a frozen land to the top of the world, just to get Claidi back . . .

Well, maybe Argul isn't a tronker.

But he stops, mid-word. A figure stands, just outside the circle of firelight. I can't see their face, but Claidi and Argul obviously can, because their faces show they recognise the figure.

"Is this a private gathering," it drawls, "Or can anyone join?"