Chapter 9

CHAPTER NINE

By morning, the storm had broken and we made for Swelan. Bran fit the saddle from the horse Fenling had provided onto Yaran, and once again, we were reunited. Despite the lightly falling snow, and the continual chill, all felt right with the world.

The path to the city was narrow, along the side of a cliff, and to our left was a steep dropoff that overlooked a rugged rockslide below, now covered with snow. The path was wide enough for two horsemen, but we rode single file, taking no chances of anybody slipping over the edge. The snow was so thick that it was difficult to tell whether there was ground below it, or whether it had frozen into an overhang.

Around noon, the skies cleared and the sun broke through, sending pale, warmthless rays down to dazzle against the snow. I caught sight of a great bird, watching us from a craggy peak, and pointed it out to Fenling.

"That's an osaga—it's a predator and it feeds on small creatures that have burrowed deep into the soil before the snows," she answered. "They have to come out to eat, and the osagas wait and watch. They're territorial, and are few and far between. The People of the Winds consider it bad luck to shoot one, so under no circumstances—unless one attacks you—take it in mind to kill one."

I nodded, my bow strapped to my back for easy access. My quiver was attached to the saddle and I fastened the dagger sheath to my belt. I thought about Ashera and how much she'd done for me, and decided if we made it out of this, I'd go back and make certain she was all right.

"What are you thinking about?" Fenling asked, glancing back at me.

"Ashera, and how much she did for me. If I ever get the chance, I want to make certain she's safe. I keep thinking what Karehl would do to her if he found her and found out she helped us." I sighed, shading my eyes against the glare. We'd been in storms for so many days that the weak sunlight was blinding me.

"She'll be all right," Fenling said. "She's probably far more powerful than you know. But once we have the chance, I'll go with you to make certain she's all right."

"How far to the town?" We'd been riding since early morning.

"We should reach Swelan by tomorrow night. We'll have to bivouac tonight, but we can dig into the snow and the cliff face on our right, and pray that no one comes down the mountain." She adjusted her cloak, blinking.

"Is something wrong?" I asked.

"I haven't had a good run in ages. In my wolf form." She said it shyly, and I realized that she must truly trust me.

If I had learned anything about wolf shifters, it was that they were private in their shiftings—most of the talk was kept in the family, or community. Anyone who saw them in their beast form was considered either an honorary family member, or it was unintentional. That Fenling would even talk about that side of herself meant she trusted me.

"I wish I could experience what it must feel like—to run like a wolf," I said, feeling shy myself. "It must be incredible."

"It's such a freedom," she said. "But I'd love to fly—that seems like true freedom."

"I guess we always want what we don't have," I said, laughing as we went back to riding in comfortable silence.

Up ahead, Bran led us, followed by Quen, then San. Then came Fenling and after her, me. The rest of the men followed behind me. I stared at the snow on the ground, watching as the sun melted a thin layer, even in the chill that surrounded us. It would freeze during the night and become slick, and tomorrow, the road would be that much more dangerous. The dropoff to the left was a dizzying drop, and anybody who went over the edge would be bashed to pieces on the rocks below.

"This is going to be a mess tomorrow morning," I said.

Fenling nodded, not turning around. I wasn't offended—one misstep could lead to death. "We'll have to be cautious tomorrow, but at least we should reach the town by tomorrow night. But we have to pass through Fenkar's Pass first, and that's where we face the most danger."

"Fenkar's Pass? I've never heard of it."

She paused, halting her horse, and turned around. "Fenkar's Pass is the home to rock elementals, and they hate people. We'll have to hope they're asleep. So tonight, sleep as well as you can. We have to be alert."

By evening, we found a place that was a little more level to our right, on the side of the mountain, and did our best to make camp. It wasn't very comfortable, but we were able to make a small fire in one of the fire buckets and heat water for tea and warm our hands.

Bran settled down beside me as Fenling went to help Quen feed the horses. Apparently, they had devised some sort of food that was so concentrated in nutrients that a handful could keep the horses going, but Quen had told me it was difficult to make, and so they kept it for extreme situations.

Bran leaned back on the hides we'd spread out against the chill of the snow. We had all done our best to erect a shelter—more of a lean-to against the wind, and it offered some protection. But the chill still penetrated every bit of skin open to the elements.

Bran slid his arm around my shoulders. "Lean in. It's going to be an uncomfortable night. I wish we'd had time to bring more supplies."

"Did he hurt you? When you were in jail?" I asked, leaning my head against his shoulder. He was warm, and I leaned into his heat.

Bran hesitated, then shook his head. "Geoff was ordered to beat me, but he didn't do it. I fear for his life, but if he's still standing when I… if I am able to supplant my brother, then I'll make him retire, give him a pension fit for a lord, and see that he's comfortable for the rest of his days." He paused, then quietly said, "I need to ask you something, and it's uncomfortable. I know you told me my brother didn't touch you, but if he did…it's okay to tell me. I want to know the truth."

I paused, then said, "Karehl didn't rape me. He kissed me, and I let him because I didn't want to give him a reason to go further. But eventually, he would have. He said he'd be coming back. I wasn't about to let it happen. If I hadn't found a way to escape, I would have killed him when he returned. By the way, that tower that he trapped me in? Has a secret stairwell that leads outside."

Bran relaxed. "Thank the gods. I'll make sure he never gets another chance. I give you my word. It's dangerous to leave your enemies alive."

"Do you really think you can take the throne from him?" I shivered as, somewhere, a nightbird shrieked from higher up. "This is a barren land. Do the winds ever stop?"

Ever since we'd crossed the Eiralpine Line, the wind had constantly moaned, from gentle and soft to a piercing shriek that bit deep to the core. The land was devoid of most vegetation, and seemed to be crafted from rocks and dirt and snow and ice, and the ever-present wind.

"No. They're part of life here. All day and all night, they sweep through the barren peaks at the top of the world. I've been near the top of the tallest peak once, and it's terrifying. It makes you giddy, watching down from the top of the world, and yet…I remember staring at the sheer drop, thinking how easy it would be to fly. I raised my arms, but my father stopped me. He grabbed hold of me and shook me out of it."

I shuddered. "I thought life with the People of the Snow was rough. Now, it seems like a slow, easy life compared to what living conditions here must be. So, my people worship the Bear. What about the People of the Winds?"

"They worship the sky, they worship the clouds and the eagles and all birds of prey. And when their people die, they stack them on a high pyre of rocks and burn them under the night sky. They believe that the spirit flies free, but if the body is buried, then the spirit is trapped and will haunt the family. If they were killed, and it wasn't an accident, they'll haunt the murderer until they're vindicated, dug up, and set free by fire."

Bran pulled a blanket over us.

"I'm not going to sleep with you," I said. "Not yet."

"Do you want to?" he asked.

I nodded, cautiously leaning forward to place a kiss on his lips. "I think I do. I've never known a man that way before—I've never been interested. But you…I want you in ways I normally never think about. But now is not the time. Especially when I could conceive and have no way to prevent it."

"Then we'll wait. I would not flaunt you in front of my men, either, when their loved ones are distant. They're all worried about those they've left behind." He wrapped his arms around me, leaning me back. "But a kiss…a kiss is acceptable."

And then he kissed me, long and deep, with a delicious growl in his throat. His eyes burned like golden fire, and the pull to rip off his clothing was strong. I wanted nothing more than to ride him like a horse, to feel his bare flesh against me, to press my breasts against his chest. But I let the sensation wash over me, then gently pushed it away, sitting up again to shake off the desire.

"Soon," he whispered. "As soon as we can…but until then, sleep in my arms. You need not fear that I'll take advantage of you, and we'll stay warm."

I wanted to say yes, but I also knew how powerful passion could be when it woke up. I'd seen it in others, though not in myself. "I'd like that but no, Bran. I'll sleep next to Fenling."

He laughed. "You know she loves women, correct?"

I nodded. "Yes, but she loves me as a friend. I can tell the difference. It's not that I don't trust you, but I don't necessarily trust myself."

And so I called to Fenling when she returned, and Bran left to talk to San and Trin. Fenling snuggled down beside me on the furs, pulling several covers over us. Despite the cold and wind and the fact that we were open to any danger that might come creeping by, I slept deep. My dreams were of warm spring mornings out in the woods, and in them, Bran was by my side and two children ran laughing around us.