The Shaman's Curse (Dual Magics Book 1) (24 page)

Arcas tightened the straps on the last packsaddle. There was
no more reason to stay here and he was anxious to get back to Elaria. Away from
the poisonous atmosphere here, too.

Uncle Danar stepped up to his side. “Arcas, I want you to do
something for me.”

Arcas turned toward him. “If I can, you know I will.”

“When you get back to Caere, tell Veleus what’s happened. I
. . . I promised as payment for my honor-debt in stealing Vatar from him that
I’d keep Vatar safe—and let Veleus know if ever I couldn’t.”

Arcas smiled. “You didn’t have to ask. I was already
planning to go to Veleus when I got back.” He whistled and two of the Dardani
herd dogs ran up, panting, a sturdy brown striped male, and a smaller, faster
red-brown female.

“Better send them back,” Uncle Danar said.

Arcas shook his head. “No. I traded for them. They’re coming
with me. I’ll need their help to move the herd all the way to Caere by myself.”
With another whistle and a gesture, he sent the dogs out to collect the small
herd of horses and cattle he’d be taking back to Caere. Despite their short
legs, the dogs quickly and efficiently brought the larger animals under
control.

“I’d thought of sending someone along to help you with
that,” Uncle Danar said. “I . . . can’t leave Lucina right now, but . . .”

“No need. The dogs will do the work. They’ll make good
guards at the farm, too. And company for Elaria.”

Uncle Danar nodded. “Fair skies, then.”

~

Arcas dismounted stiffly. It had been a long ride and he’d
pushed himself and the herd to get back as quickly as possible. While the dogs
held the herd in the pasture, he systematically unsaddled his horse and the
pack train, turning each horse into the paddock as he finished. He dumped
saddles and loads on the ground. There’d be time to come back and deal with
them later.

Elaria flew out of the house and enveloped him in a hug.
“Arcas! You’re home!”

Arcas laughed and held her close. “Obviously.”

“Where’s Vatar?” she asked.

Arcas’s smile faded. “He’s in trouble. As soon as I get the
horses taken care of, I need to go down into the city to talk to High Councilor
Veleus.”

“Surely, that can wait until morning. You’re worn out.”

Arcas sighed. “Probably, but I don’t intend to tax his
patience on this particular issue. It won’t take long, dear. I’ll be back for
supper.”

As soon as he closed the gate to the pasture, the dogs ran
back out under the lowest rail.

Elaria took a step back, keeping an eye on the dogs. “What
are those?”

Arcas patted the male. “Dardani herd dogs. They helped me
get the herd here by myself. They’ll make good guards for the farm, too.” He
took her hand and held it out for the male to sniff. The dog licked her hand.
Arcas then moved her hand to the velvety ears.

“Ooh, he’s soft.”

“He likes you. They’re great dogs around people, very good with
children, and they’ll make sure no mice get into your pantry better than a
cat.”

“Well . . . I guess they’re all right,” Elaria said, a smile
growing on her lips.

“Good. If you really want them to love you, cut up a little
raw meat for them while I go talk to Veleus. They’ve worked hard and deserve
their dinner. They’ll be fine out here with the herd for now. They’re used to
that. We can work out a more permanent spot for them when I get back.”

“Aren’t you at least going to clean up first,” Elaria asked.
“I mean . . . he is a High Councilor.”

“I don’t think he’ll mind a little road dust. Not with the
news I’m bringing. I won’t be long.”

Arcas walked down to the city and to the Temple, glad the
farm was near the Temple gate. He found Cestus just finishing his last lesson
of the day.

“Arcas! I didn’t expect to see you.” Then, getting a better
look at his haggard face and dusty, travel-worn clothes, he added, “What’s
wrong?”

“I need to get a message to Veleus right away,” Arcas said.

“As a matter of fact, he’s due here soon. Sit down before
you fall down.”

Arcas slumped onto the nearest bench. “When do you expect
Veleus?”

“I’m here.” Veleus answered from the doorway. “What’s
happened?”

Arcas explained the situation quickly.

“Lords of Creation!” Cestus breathed.

Veleus rubbed his face. “It was a bold move. But risky. I
wish he’d just come back here.”

“Uncle Danar tried,” Arcas said. “Vatar refused.”

Veleus looked at Arcas appraisingly. “I have many more
questions. But you’re swaying in your seat from weariness. So I’ll ask just one
more, now. Is Vatar safe for a short time?”

“I think so. At least I’ve done what I could. The Modgud may
help him. He may not be comfortable, but I don’t think he’ll be in real danger
until late autumn or winter.”

“Good, that gives me some time. There’s someone I want to
involve in this. But it may take me a little time to get him to Caere. May we
come to you at the farm when he arrives?”

“Of course,” Arcas answered.

“I’ll see you soon, then. Get some rest. And thank you for
bringing the word to me so quickly. I won’t forget that.”

~

Some seven-days later, Veleus came to the farm, bringing
Cestus and another young man with him. Arcas silenced Tiger and Copper, as the
dogs were now called and went to meet the visitors at the gate.

The second man was several years older than Cestus. He had a
lean, muscular build and his face was weathered from sun and wind. He had an
air of physical competence about him, like someone who spent most of his time
outdoors. Arcas looked twice because this young man bore a strong resemblance
to Boreala. Veleus introduced him as his son, Orleus.

“Good watch dogs,” Orleus commented.

Arcas nodded and showed the visitors into the front room.
Veleus and Cestus sat. Orleus prowled the room like a caged cat.

Veleus leaned forward and got directly to the point. “What
do you know of this Forest?”

Arcas shrugged. “Very little. The Dardani won’t go in so far
they can’t see past the tree line. They’re afraid of it. Maybe with reason,
since that’s where the tigers come from. Frankly, that’s enough for me.
Whatever those beasts normally hunt, I don’t want to meet it.”

“Describe these tigers.” Orleus stopped pacing and listened
intently.

Arcas drew a deep breath. “They’re huge striped cats—waist high
at the shoulder and three times as long. Their fangs are as long as my hand.
The span of their claws is as wide as a man’s body.”

Cestus nodded his agreement. He’d seen the skins and fangs
of the dead tigers, as well as some of the wounds.

Veleus sat back. “Lords of Creation! I thought you said
Vatar was safe for the time being.”

“I think he is. At least as long as he doesn’t go too far
into the Forest. And, being Dardani, I don’t think he will. The Modgud—the only
people I know who actually go into the Forest—say the tigers are deeper in the
Forest until deep winter,” Arcas said.

“You don’t know anything more about the Forest?” Orleus
asked.

Arcas shook his head. “No. The Modgud know more, but I only
stayed with them for a month and I was focused on other things. They know how
to survive in the forest edge, but even they don’t go into the deep forest. And
it wouldn’t matter much if I did. By the terms of the Ordeal, no Dardani can
help Vatar, now.”

Veleus leaned forward. “You’re not Dardani.”

“Yes, I am,” Arcas said. “I was adopted into the Lion Clan
three years ago. But I did make a few friends among the Modgud. They didn’t
make any promises, but a couple of them may try to help Vatar.”

“Try?” Cestus asked.

Arcas smiled wryly. “Vatar’s been very hard-headed lately. I
just hope he doesn’t take it into his head to refuse all help.”

At this, Cestus snorted and Orleus grinned.

Veleus sighed. “It’s a family trait.”

“Why wouldn’t these Modgud promise to help?” Cestus asked.

“They have a very strange sense of honor,” Arcas answered.
“In a situation like this, they believe their honor requires them to offer aid
to both men or neither. And they really don’t like Maktaz.”

“Didn’t you violate the terms of the Ordeal by asking them
to help Vatar?” Orleus asked.

“No,” Arcas answered. “Well, I don’t think so. If I owe an
honor-debt, I’ll pay it. But Vatar was given seven days to prepare for the
Ordeal. And his family was allowed to help him with that. The restriction
didn’t start until the Ordeal began. Until he went into the Forest.”

Veleus leaned forward again. “What are the terms of this
Ordeal?”

Arcas shrugged. “It’s fairly straight forward. Vatar cannot
come west of the tree line until a year has passed. No Dardani can assist him
in any way until then,” Arcas answered.

“Is he required to be alone?”

“Technically, brothers may share an Ordeal. But Fenar is
only two—hardly old enough to be much help.”

“Fenar is not Vatar’s only brother,” Veleus said with a
smile. “Well, Orleus, what do you say?”

“I’ll go, Father.” Orleus grinned. “It sounds like fun.”

Veleus turned. “Cestus?”

Cestus nodded. “Of course I’ll go.”

“They’ll need a guide. When can you leave, Arcas?” Veleus
asked.

Arcas sighed. “Will tomorrow be soon enough?”

Veleus smiled. “That would be fine. And thank you.”

~

Arcas was already saddling his horse when Orleus and Cestus
arrived just after sunrise. Fortunately, Tiger and Copper were in the house
with Elaria to stop them from trying to follow Arcas, because Orleus had brought
two dogs with him. One was a large, sleek hound, obviously built to run down
fast game. Orleus called that one Arrow. The other, called Seeker, was also
large, but somewhat heavier. Orleus was mounted on the finest stallion Arcas
had ever seen, even among the Dardani.

“You aren’t bringing your dogs?” Orleus asked, surprised.

“No. They’ll act as companions and guards for my wife while
I’m gone.”

“Ah. I’ll need something of Vatar’s. Something he’s worn or
used often,” Orleus said.

After a moment’s thought, Arcas went to Vatar’s forge; he
brought out a grimy scrap of cotton. “He uses this to wipe his hands and face
when he works at the forge.”

“Excellent,” Orleus answered, taking the scrap and putting
it carefully in his saddle bag. “Let’s go. The sooner away from Caere, the
better I’ll like it.”

Vatar stared into his fire, absently gnawing on the haunch
of the rabbit he had cooked for his dinner. The downside of having a shelter
and enough to eat—of not having to spend every minute of the day just trying to
survive—was that it gave him too much time to think. He’d never in his life
felt this alone. Chitter was the only thing that kept Vatar from feeling so
lonely that he’d just give up.

His body was hungry, but Vatar had little appetite. Now that
he had enough to eat it all tasted flat eaten alone. Just as his time was empty
without anyone to share it with, no matter how he tried to fill it. Vatar
yearned to be with his family. Most of all he ached to be with Zavar and Savara.

Vatar stared into the fire. It was almost as if he could
picture them and what they were doing. Zavar and Savara asleep next to Fenar.
Pa nearby, sharpening the knife Vatar had made for him, while Mother mended the
knee of one of the children’s trousers and Kiara practiced weaving a grass mat.
Mother hummed as she worked and Vatar found himself humming along. The sound of
his own voice startled him. The comforting mental picture faded.

Vatar set the rest of the rabbit aside half-finished and
took a drink from his water skin. Just to feel a part of that scene, he quietly
sang the little nonsense children’s song that Mother had been humming. He
continued, under his breath, singing every song he could think of as he gazed
into the fire.

For a moment, he saw his fantasy, the woman with the
flame-red hair and green eyes. He heard her voice saying
“Why so sad?”
Vatar made no attempt to answer before she, too, faded. Proof, as if he needed
it, that it was all just a daydream. Anyway, even she couldn’t make him feel
better, now. Only more alone.

~

Vatar’s stared at the footprint—definitely too small to be
his, in the damp soil by the stream. His breath caught. He wasn’t alone? There
was someone else here in the forest? There must be. He couldn’t imagine a Spirit
leaving a footprint.  Two days later, he found a few threads on a thorn.
But though he looked, that was all he ever saw. They must be Modgud, because
those were the only people Vatar knew of who came into this Forest willingly.
He wished they’d show themselves, maybe talk to him. But even Bron and Clev had
never actually talked to him. Maybe they had a reason he didn’t understand.
Just knowing that there were people nearby was heartening.

Still, it’d be nice to see another human for a change. With
a sigh, Vatar went to refill his water skin and froze in shock. There was a
girl about his age or a little younger, bathing there. He turned away
discretely, closing his eyes, but his first view kept playing behind his
eyelids. She had red hair! Not flame-red. No, her hair was darker than that.
Vatar had never seen anyone with truly red hair before. She was definitely
not
Modgud.

Vatar walked quietly away. He didn’t want to disturb her or
even—especially—let her know that he’d seen her bathing. Maybe there’d be a
more appropriate chance to meet her later. Meanwhile, he could fill his water
skin upstream a little.

Although he kept his eyes open, Vatar saw no more signs—not
even a footprint—for a few days. It was like she’d just disappeared into the
Forest. Was she a Spirit after all? Was the other girl, the one he sometimes
saw in his mind, a Spirit, too?

He went to down to the stream for water again. This time
there were two girls bathing in the stream. The same one he’d seen before and
another with reddish, almost blonde hair. He only had time to notice that much
before he closed his eyes and turned away again. He’d have to meet them some
other place—or at least in some other circumstance.

As he stepped back into the trees, he trod on a twig, which
snapped with a loud crack. One of the girls screamed.

Before Vatar’s heart stopped pounding, there were three
young men surrounding him, circling him. Every one of them had some red in his
hair.

“Who are you?

“What are you doing here?”

“How long were you watching them?”

All of the young men talked at once.

“My name is Vatar. I just came down to get some water.” He
held out his empty water skin as proof.

“How long were you watching?” The tallest stepped closer to
Vatar.

Vatar held out his hands. “I turned away as soon as I saw
them.”

“How do we know you weren’t spying on them?” another asked.

“Oh, leave him alone, Keran. He couldn’t have seen much,
anyway. Just our backs.” The darker-haired girl stepped up to join them. She
was now fully dressed and was wrapping her hair up onto her head.

“He frightened Zoria,” another boy said.

The girl lifted one shoulder. “Startled, really. He wasn’t
doing any harm.”

“I don’t like him spying on you,” Keran said.

The girl shrugged again. “I’m sure he wasn’t spying. After
all, it wasn’t a very good angle, was it? If he’d wanted to spy on us, he’d
have been on the other side of the stream. He’d have gotten a much better view
from over there.” She turned to Vatar, looking him up and down. “I’m Lorania.
That’s my brother, Loran.” She pointed at the young man who’d spoken second.
“This is Zoria, Platan, and Keran.” She pointed to the others in turn, starting
with the fair-haired girl. Lorania squinted at Vatar. “I don’t remember seeing
you before. Are you from the far side of the Valley?”

Vatar’s brow creased. “Valley? No, I’m from the plains. That
way.” Vatar pointed downstream.

Lorania’s
eyebrows rose. “The
other side of the Forest? No one’s ever met anyone from the other side in here
before.”

“My people don’t come into the Forest often,” Vatar said.

Loran lifted his chin. “Well, you can get out now, then.
We’re here. And I don’t like you hanging around.”

Vatar shook his head. “No, I can’t. I have to stay in the
Forest for a year.”

Loran’s eyes narrowed. “Are you challenging me? I warn you,
I was first in my class. What’s your avatar? Mine’s a bear.”

Vatar scratched his forehead. “Avatar? I don’t understand.
And it is not my intention to challenge you. I just can’t leave the Forest
until next summer. Those are the terms of my Ordeal.”

Loran’s eyebrows drew together. “Ordeal? What’s that? I just
asked—”

Lorania interrupted. “Leave him alone, Loran. There’s no
need for trouble. We can all just go about our own business. Besides, we have
to turn back soon, anyway.” She pulled the others away, across the stream,
looking back over her shoulder once.

Vatar sighed as he watched them go. He’d gotten off on the
wrong foot, that was certain. He’d have liked to make friends with them. He
could use a few friends right now.

And then there was the color of their hair. He’d never seen
truly red hair except in his daydreams. Could there be any connection between
these strangers and the red-haired woman he had fantasized about for years? Was
she real after all? Did they know her? What had she said her name was again?
Thekila. That was it.

The next time he saw them, Vatar would try to get on better
terms with them. The girl, Lorania, had seemed reasonable. Maybe the others
would be, too, once they had calmed down.