Beyond the Prophecy (12 page)

Theklan let his breath out in a burst. It had been a near
thing there for a moment, but it had worked. He nearly jumped out of his skin
at a light touch on his arm.

“That’s the bravest thing I’ve ever seen.” Kiara’s face was
flushed and her eyes were brighter than Theklan had ever seen them. Her lips
parted slightly as she smiled at him.

Her smile sent his heart skipping in an entirely different
rhythm. His breath caught as she leaned forward and pressed her lips lightly to
his. For a moment, he was too stunned to move. Then his arms came up to pull
her closer. Her lips were soft under his and tasted like berries. Not the
little red berries he’d come out here for, or any berries he’d tasted on the
plains. Sweeter. Like the deep purple berries that grew on the hillsides above
the Academy and ripened just as spring merged into summer. Theklan felt warm
despite the frigid air.

His eyes sprang open as he let her go and took a step back.
He gulped. Kiara’s eyes slid to the side. The corner of her mouth flickered up
and back down, then up, like she couldn’t make up her mind if she was happy
about that kiss or not. Theklan knew how she felt. He wanted to do it again. At
the same time, the whole idea terrified him.

He cleared his throat. “Well . . . uh . . . we should get
out of here before that tiger comes back.”

Kiara’s smile stuck a little longer this time. “Yes. We
should.” She opened her hand, stained pinkish where she’d crushed the berries
she’d been holding when they ran. “I . . . think we lost all your berries.”

“That’s okay. I think I’ll just ask Vatar to bring some dye
from Caere.” Purple. The one made from shells. Anyway, he couldn’t give her the
bridle now. Not after . . . It’d feel much too serious now. Maybe . . . maybe
after his manhood test. If he was brave enough by then.

As they walked into the colder air of the hollow, Theklan
took a step closer to Kiara—just for warmth. Her hand reached out to take his,
their fingers entwining. That felt right. And much safer than a moment ago.

Just as Vatar had anticipated, spring thaw brought more
reports from Orleus and Quetza about the movements of the Themyri and the
Exiles that seemed to be leading—or driving—them. Father came up to the farm
often to discuss the latest news with Vatar and Thekila, like today.

“It still seems to be mostly testing raids as far as I can
tell,” Father said. “That’s what Orleus thinks, anyway. Like they’re trying to
determine how much resistance the Tysoeans will put up to keep the Land between
the Rivers. But it’s not likely to stay that way for long. Besides even testing
raids disrupt the farmers trying to plant this year’s crops. And we can’t
afford that.”

Vatar swirled the cider in his mug and said nothing.

Thekila’s brows furrowed. “I can’t imagine Nertan or Wartan
really caring about taking what is essentially undeveloped land. A few
scattered farms. It wouldn’t be very appealing to them.”

“If they’ve been living in the wilderness—Lords of Creation
only know where—for three years, it might look very good to them,” Father said.

Vatar shifted in his seat. “I don’t want to sound like I
think
everything
is all about me. But you didn’t see Wartan after the
Valson Council exonerated me. The others blame me for their exile. Wartan
blames me for his son’s death. And he wants revenge for that. In my gut, I know
that
he’s
not trying to take territory. He’s trying to get to me.”

“Is that a Fore Seeing?” Father asked.

Vatar shrugged. “I don’t know. No, I don’t think so. It
doesn’t feel the same as when I saw the tidal wave. Maybe I’m just being—”

“No,” Thekila interrupted. “Wartan hates you that much. But
what we don’t know is whether Wartan is in charge or how much influence he has.
I always thought Nertan was more likely to be the leader of that group.”

Vatar shrugged. “Nertan hates me, too.”

“True,” Thekila said. “But both of
his
children
returned alive. I don’t doubt he’d help Wartan if they could get at you easily.
I’m just not sure he’d go to any great lengths to get to you. He was always
more . . . canny. Always looking for the best opportunity. Maybe that’s the
Land between the Rivers. And maybe he’s hoping to find something better on the
other side of that border. How much would the Themyri be able to tell him about
what’s beyond their former lands?”

Vatar chewed his lip. “Not much, I think. They’d know that
it’s Dardani territory, of course. They raid across the river sometimes. And
they’d know about Tysoe, because they raid in that direction sometimes, too.
Nothing beyond that, I think.”

Thekila nodded. “So. Maybe Nertan would really be after
Tysoe. That would still seem fairly primitive to him, I think. But at least it
has permanent structures and walls. It’d make a good base of operations while
he tried to find out more. And, as far as that goes, it’d be a step closer to
finding you, if that’s Wartan’s goal.”

“That’d make sense,” Father said. “Unfortunately, we can’t
afford to lose either Tysoe or the Land between the Rivers. We need more farms
there, not more strife. As long as trade with Kausalya is still blocked, we
need to find a way to bring Tysoe’s produce here. We need to build that road we
discussed last year. Come to that, the road would provide a means of sending
reinforcements to Tysoe, too.”

Arcas smiled and pulled forward the map he’d had copied from
the one Cestus had brought. “I’ve already agreed to take a small group to scout
the likely routes later this summer, after we get back from Zeda. We’ll go down
to Narycea Lake by the more direct route, across to Tysoe to consult with our
counterparts there, and then back up by the coast, so we can determine which
route would be best. Of course, for this year and maybe next, it would have to
be essentially a caravan route. A proper wagon road will take longer.”

“Would that endanger Caere if the Exiles do manage to get
past Orleus?” Father asked.

Vatar studied the map. “I don’t think so.”

“Why not?”

“First, with only the Themyri for troops—they still use
flint-tipped weapons, you know—Caere would be too hard a nut to crack. Second,
if it’s a city they’re looking for, Kausalya would be closer and likely less
heavily defended.” Vatar’s expression darkened as he said that.

Arcas finished the thought he didn’t voice. “But, if they
ever did manage to conquer Kausalya, they’d have the manpower and the
weapons—and the ships for transport—to pose a threat to Caere and to our trade
farther up the coast.”

Vatar nodded. “Could they get to Kausalya without first
taking Tysoe?”

“I doubt it,” Father said. “Tysoe is perhaps not as well
fortified as Caere, but the farmers and woodsmen all know how to fight. During
raids, they’ve had to be ready to hold off the Themyri until the Guard can get
there.” Father tapped the map thoughtfully. “Still, some means of sending
reinforcements to Orleus at Tysoe would be good.” He looked up at Vatar. “Do
you think the Dardani could be persuaded to help with that? Orleus seemed to
think your people could make a fine cavalry, if anyone ever taught them proper
military discipline.”

Vatar shook his head. The individual fighting style of the
Dardani was an old argument between him and Orleus. “I’m not sure I’d recommend
that. The Dardani know how to fight the Themyri well enough, but they would not
react well at all if either side started using magic.
That
could turn
into a disaster.”

Father nodded. “Well, I’d appreciate it if you’d discuss it
with your stepfather, anyway. And . . . didn’t you say you plan to go on to the
Valley this year?”

Vatar shot a quick look at Thekila. That was the plan last fall,
but he was starting to wonder how wise it would be with the Exiles loose
somewhere in the south. “That’s the plan—unless the situation changes enough to
make that unsafe.”

Father nodded his understanding of that. “If you do go to
the Valley, I think the Council would like you to carry a formal appeal for
their assistance in this, too. We should make a closer connection with the
Valson anyway. But if these are renegade Valson, then Thekila’s people could be
of great help.”

Thekila looked out the window for a moment. “Of course we’ll
carry such a message for you—or for the High Council. I just don’t know . . .
My people have been isolated so long. We literally knew nothing about any
people beyond our valley before Vatar arrived in our midst. Most probably still
don’t. I don’t know if they’ll see it as their problem.” She squeezed Vatar’s
hand under the table. “They might at least agree to send an ambassador to the
High Council.” She turned her head back to Father and shrugged. “All we can do
is try.”

“That’s all we can ask.”

~

Several days later, Vatar sat in the front room, sheltered
from the rain outside, and worked the spear blade over his whetstone,
sharpening it to a fine edge.

“You’ve spent a lot of time on that spear blade,” Thekila
said, looking up from the game the twins were playing. She stood up and came to
his side. “You know, that blade reminds me a little of yours, somehow.”

Vatar smiled and touched two fingers to the blade, right
where the charging lion, symbol of the Lion Clan—and his master’s mark—was
worked into the center of the blade. “A little. It’s nowhere near as strong. I
didn’t have the fear of Forest tigers to drive me. But I did sing protection
and defense into this blade as I forged it.”

“Why?”

Vatar grinned and turned the blade over. The Eagle Clan’s
soaring eagle symbol was worked into the reverse side. “It’s for Theklan. I
thought I’d give it to him for his manhood test this summer.”

“Is that usual? To give gifts to the boys . . . young men at
the time of their test?”

Vatar shrugged. “No, not really.” He looked over toward the
twins. Theklan had fought alone to protect them just over a year ago. “But I
think Theklan has earned this.” He looked into Thekila’s eyes. “He’s not going
to like leaving the plains to go back to the Academy, to be so far away from
what’s happening and so isolated from all of us. And at his age two or three
years sounds like forever. Maybe this will give him something of the plains to
hold onto.”

Thekila touched the Eagle Clan symbol. “He’ll love it.” She kissed
Vatar lightly. “And I love you.”

Vatar pulled her gently to a seat beside him. He looked over
at Zavar and Savara playing on the rug before the fire. “I wonder if we should
take them with us this year.”

“Why wouldn’t we?”

“Don’t you remember the ambush last year? I do. And this
time we won’t have Orleus and Quetza with us.”

Thekila put her arm around him. “Gerusa isn’t here. She
can’t possibly know when we leave this year. Anyway, it’d be a long way to send
her minions all the way from Kausalya.”

Vatar snorted. “Just because she’s not here herself doesn’t
mean she doesn’t have sources of information. I’m sure she’s still got spies
here.” He couldn’t help thinking of Selene. He hoped for Father’s sake that he
was wrong about her. “And they can communicate with Far Speech as easily as we
can.”

“We don’t usually spread the word about when we leave. Only
a few people, like your father and Boreala will know.”

“And yet, somehow, Gerusa knew last year,” Vatar said. “And
then there’s the question of going on to the Valley. That’ll take a lot longer
than going to Zeda. And most of it will have to be on foot.”

Thekila paused. “Well, we can leave the twins at Zeda with
your family. I’m sure your mother and Kiara will be more than happy to look
after them for us.”

“That would work, I guess.”

~

Vatar paused on his way out to his forge the next morning at
the familiar tingle of Far Speech. It felt like . . . Orleus. He opened his
mind to the contact.
“Orleus?”

“Yes.”

“Has something happened?”
Vatar asked.

“No. Or nothing more than usual. Father said you’d agreed
to go to the Valley to ask for help from the Valson.”

Vatar wondered why that was of such interest to Orleus, but
there was surely no reason to keep it a secret from him.
“Yes. We were going
to take Theklan back to the Academy anyway. Thekila doesn’t think there’s much
chance the Valson Council will agree, though.”

“Yes,”
Orleus responded.
“Quetza doesn’t seem to
think there’s much chance, either. But any help would be welcome. I’m going to
send Quetza to meet you before you enter the Forest.”

“I thought Quetza had made herself indispensable to you.”

“More than you know. And she’s been invaluable in the
fighting, too. But she’s seen what’s really happening here. And she can testify
to having seen Wartan and Nertan. If her account can help persuade the Valson
Council to send help, then that’s going to be even more valuable. We’ll just
have to get along without her for a little while. Quetza’s been drilling me in
Far Sight lately. We’ll manage.”

Vatar blew out his breath. He had the distinct feeling there
was more behind this than Orleus was saying. He hoped there wasn’t trouble
between Orleus and Quetza, but it wasn’t his business to ask if Orleus didn’t
feel like saying.
“I won’t deny I’ll be glad to have Quetza with us. And
maybe what she has to say will make a difference.”

Kiara sat in the shade of a big oak and watched Fenar
playing with one of the herd dog puppies. Ever since that day last winter when
she and Theklan had come back from the wrong side of the huts, red-faced,
Mother had taken to suggesting that they take Fenar along on their walks. Which
actually helped to make things much less awkward.

The Lion Clan’s spring village was in the same location as
the autumn village, but neither she nor Theklan had so far suggested riding out
to the waterfall. It felt somehow too . . . charged. Something neither of them
was quite ready for, yet.

She glanced at Theklan, sitting just an arm’s length away,
deep in thought. He’d rarely come closer than that since that day. Sometimes,
she thought that was a good thing. Sometimes, not. Right now, it didn’t seem
like he even remembered she was here. Kiara swallowed and searched for
something to break the silence. “We’ll be moving to Zeda soon.”

Theklan nodded without looking at her. “Yeah. And the
manhood test won’t be long after that.” He let out a breath. “I . . . I don’t
think I’m ready for that. It’s not . . . not the test itself. Just . . .
what’ll happen
after.
” He looked up at her. “I know
things have been a little awkward between us since . . . since winter. But I’m
not ready to lose you.”

Kiara froze. She fought to keep her voice steady. “Why would
you lose me?”

His throat moved as he swallowed. “Well, you’re considered a
woman now. And you’re beautiful. I bet there’ll be a dozen young men—”

Kiara breathed out. She shook her head. “Probably not. Not
unless I let one of them know that I want to be courted. I mean, I’m still
really a year or two younger than is usual.” She shot him another look. “And,
what with being unable to chew Uza leaf, I’m not ready to rush into anything.”

Theklan’s mouth twitched up into a brief smile. “Neither am
I. That’s probably what scares me most about the manhood test. But . . . if I were,
it couldn’t be anyone but you.”

Kiara grinned and let out a breath she didn’t know she’d
been holding. “I feel the same way.” She swallowed. “You know, after your
manhood test, if you want, we can . . . there’s no rules that say a couple have
to start digging their own hut right away. I’d . . . I’d rather wait awhile
anyway. But everyone—even Mother—would expect us to spend a little more time
together. We wouldn’t have to—”

Theklan closed his eyes. “I wish we could. But it wouldn’t
be fair to you.”

Kiara’s nose scrunched up. “Why not?”

“When . . . when Vatar brought me back here last autumn, the
arrangement was that I’d stay here until the manhood test this summer. Then
they’d take me back to the Valley, to the Academy, to finish my training.
Thekila’s concerned that I’ve been falling behind in learning magic. There’s no
way they’re going to have forgotten that.”

Kiara felt all her joy evaporate, like a too-shallow
waterhole in the summer sun. “But you’ll be a man, after the test. You don’t
have to do what they say.”

He shook his head. “I promised.”

Kiara drew a ragged breath and looked down to hide her face.
“Then you have to keep your promise.”

Theklan scooted a little closer to her. “I’d thought that I
could go, stay for a year, and come back next summer. They couldn’t stop me
then and it would redeem my promise. But, Kiara, there’s more than just my
promise and my honor at stake now. Vatar has been sending messages through me
to Danar about some people who are causing trouble down around Tysoe.”

“I know. I’ve heard you . . . relaying what Vatar says.”

Theklan nodded. “Those people, they’re like me. They have
magic. But they’ve thrown aside the Tenets . . . the rules that tell us how we
may honorably use our magic—and what we shouldn’t do with it. They use their
magic to control and . . . and to fight. If they come here, like Vatar thinks
they will, the Dardani will need other people who can use magic to defend them.
People like me. But I can only do that if I really learn how.”

Kiara looked up, eyes blazing. “I wish I had my magic so I
could help, too.”

His smile was a little sad. “So do
I
.
Not because of that. If you had magic, I could bespeak you from the Valley. It
. . . it wouldn’t be like being completely separated from you.”

Kiara wished that, too. Fiercely. “Will you do something for
me, Theklan?”

“Anything I can.”

“When you get to this Academy, ask your teachers if they
know how to get my magic back. Then you can teach me when you return.” She
blinked. “You are coming back aren’t you?”

Theklan nodded. “Nothing could keep me away. This is my real
home.”

“How . . . how long will it be?”

“I don’t know. A couple of years, most likely. I’ll study
hard and try to make it back as soon as I can.” Theklan looked down and back
up. “Will you . . .” He stopped and shook his head. “It’s not fair to ask you
to wait for me.”

That he wanted her to wait was almost as good as having
magic to reach him across the distance. “I’ll wait.”

Theklan smiled. “I . . . I made something for you. It’s not
a courting gift. I’m not even allowed to offer a courting gift until after the
manhood test. More . . . more maybe something to remember me by?”

Kiara smiled. “I’ll keep it for you.” The traditional reply
to an accepted courtship gift. She looked around. “What is it?”

Theklan laughed. “It’s not here. I hid it in my bedroll.
It’s a bridle with a pattern of lions and eagles worked on it.” Unaccountably,
he blushed. “That’s what I wanted the berries for . . . that day. To make a dye
to bring out the pattern.”

“Pity we lost them all.”

His eyes blazed as he looked into hers. “No. Vatar’s
bringing a purple dye from Caere. That’ll be better. It’ll last longer and . .
. the other would have been pinkish. That’s not really the right color for you.
You’re more . . . vivid than that.”

Kiara sucked in a breath. Then she leaned forward and
pressed her lips to his, just briefly. A promise for another time. In a couple
of years. When they were both ready. It would seem like a long time, but maybe
it was better this way.