Laiden returned with the water, and Ferf informed him that he would have to make another trip to the desert floor for more sword leaves. “You can leave first thing tomorrow morning.” Ferf smiled.
Ferf’s voice rambled on, and Dethina tilted her head, listening. He told the most outrageous stories that she was sure were false. But more importantly, as long as he stayed, she did not have to go to the Water God. Dethina was sure that as soon as Ferf left so would Laiden. Then she and her new boots would have to make the sad trip to the pond. She put the thoughts of the future out of her mind and concentrated on twisting the cord and listening to Ferf’s entertaining stories.
For two more days, Laiden made the journey collecting the sharp, pointy leaves. Finally, there appeared to be enough leaves. It would take Dethina a couple more days to twist them into the finished product.
The pile of coils grew, and Laiden thought surely they were almost long enough. While Ferf made a short trip to his sled, Dethina whispered to him, “Laiden, I think we’re low on food. Do you think you could catch something to eat?” In an angry mood, he stomped off to see Treefrog. While he had been out collecting sword leaves, Ferf had been relaxing on his rump consuming their food and water without making any contributions.
Laiden arrived at Treefrog’s hut, and found the young father straightening the shaft of an arrow as he watched the old couple, Orey and Mora, herding the twins around the village. Laiden nodded to the slow-moving group. “How are things working out for you and the family?”
Treefrog shrugged. “Okay.” He waited a few moments before he continued. “I’m going to miss her forever. But I guess somehow we’ll survive.” He seemed resigned to make the best of the unhappy circumstances.
Laiden nodded. “It’ll take time before we can all settle into a comfortable routine again. I’m waiting for our visitor to leave. He’s kept me busy.”
“So I’ve seen. He doesn’t do much while you’re gone.” Treefrog put the stick up to his eye and sighted down the length for trueness.
Laiden’s lip curled. “If he weren’t making Dethina happy, he would be on his way by now.” He changed the subject. “I came to ask you about the sharprock.”
“I already got it.” Treefrog gestured with his head. “It’s out back.”
Laiden felt guilty that Treefrog must have made two trips by himself to retrieve it. “Thanks.” The family wandered in, and Laiden watched as Treefrog lovingly scruffled the head of one of his sons. Which one Laiden didn’t know; they still looked the same to him. “My hut’s out of meat,” Laiden said. “I thought I’d get some sharprock, make some spear points, and do a little hunting.”
“We’re out too,” Treefrog responded. He leaned into a basket next to himself and pulled out a finished spear point. He turned it in his hand, examining it before he handed it to Laiden. “Here, take this one. I’ve already made plenty. Why don’t we hunt together? Let’s go on a night hunt when my boys are asleep. We can leave as soon as the stars come out.”
Laiden hesitated; he was reluctant to leave Dethina alone at night while Ferf was still around. There was no telling what that cousin of a cockroach would try. Still, he compressed his lips in frustration; they needed food. “I guess that will work,” he finally agreed.
By the time Laiden returned to Dethina, Ferf had resumed his lazy perch next to her. “Treefrog and I will go hunting tonight,” he said. He looked at Ferf’s satisfied expression. “Stay away from Dethina,” he warned the merchant.
Ferf raised his eyebrows. “Are you two bonded?” he asked innocently. He knew darn well they weren’t. Laiden bared his teeth and raised a fist. In return, Ferf mimicked a comical face of mock horror then shook with silent mirth.
“I’ll hunt you down,” Laiden threatened.
Dethina paused in her work. Something passed between the men that she couldn’t understand.
Chapter 18
It was a surprise and pleasure that Laiden discovered the merchant was gone when he and Treefrog returned from hunting. But to his dismay, Dethina seemed to have reverted back to the sad melancholy creature she had been before Ferf’s arrival. She sat lifelessly on her usual log, her hands idol and still. Furthermore, she no longer wore the boots; she must have put them in the hut. Laiden wondered if she had fallen in love with Ferf. She certainly seemed to miss him.
The thought depressed Laiden. Ferf had done nothing but relax on his tail end during his stay. And he, Laiden, had done all the work, collecting the sword leaves, food, and water. And now, the small cuts on his hands had started to fester, making finger movement painful.
Despite Laiden’s resentful feelings, he was determined that Dethina shouldn’t learn about the small wounds. When he brushed her hair, put a cape around her shoulders, or handed her a plate, he carefully avoided contact with her hands. It had been a little tricky, but he believed he had been successful. When refilling the water jug, Laiden took time to soak his hands in the cool pond. Some sap from the healing plant would be beneficial, but Laiden was reluctant to make the long hike to get it while Dethina was in such a sad mood.
The sun climbed from behind the mountains into a bright clear sky. Laiden coaxed Dethina outside for breakfast. Carefully, he handed her a cup of morning tea. She made to grasp the cup in a clamshell motion, and Laiden had difficulty in moving his hands away fast enough. The clumsy maneuver resulted in some of the hot liquid spilling onto her. “Ow,” she yelped.
“Oops, sorry,” he said as he brushed awkwardly at her shift.
Keenly aware of every movement, Dethian decided his rough strokes were cross and hostile. She noticed that he avoided contact with her. He must be annoyed at having to care for her. He had angry hands.
He was probably planning his departure now. But this morning she could feel the sun. It was going to be a warm day, perfect for lying in the sand. She would lie in the sand one more time, then she would be ready to go to the pond when told to. And fate cooperated, Laiden announced he was going to check on his snares. Now she would be able to go to her secret place alone and undisturbed.
Even though Laiden hadn’t been gone long while checking his snares, Dethina was missing when he returned. In a panic he searched for her—at the pond, the path toward the desert, the pile of sharprock. He was getting ready to request Treefrog’s help when he found her lying in her secret place, the sandy riverbed. His hands hurt, and he was annoyed that she had come to such a dangerous place by herself, and when she asked him if he was Deer Rider, what could only be a secret lover’s name for Ferf, his anger flared and he snapped at her. “Did you love Ferf so much?”
She didn’t answer for a long time. “I loved Deer Rider. I’m sad he’s gone.”
Deer Rider! Ha. Laiden sneered silently. The only thing Ferf would ever ride was a slug. And Laiden could have told her where Ferf went to, to make dishonest trade with unsuspecting villagers.
Chapter 19
Since Birdsong’s death, Orey and Mora had moved into Treefrog’s hut to help care for the twins. That meant only two huts where occupied. Hardly a village, Laiden thought. No one mentioned Bront and Sodi, perhaps afraid they weren’t returning. So it was a surprise one morning when he went to get water that he met Bront and Sodi returning to the village.
Dropping the water jug, Laiden ran out to meet the buoyant pair and hugged them warmly. Sodi held him a moment. “It’s good to be back, Deer Rider. I knew you’d still be here.”
Taken back, Laiden responded, “Deer Rider!”
Sodi laughed. “Oh, shh, I guess it’s still a secret. It was Dethina’s pet name for you.”
Laiden frowned. “I think you mean someone else.”
Sodi looked at him curiously then shrugged.
Laiden took the travel pack from her. “How’s your daughter?”
Bront grimaced. “A false panic. But since we were already there, we decided to stay for a visit.”
“I’m glad she’s fine then. Is it your plan to stay here rather than return to you
r daughter’s village?”
“We like it here. A small, close village,” Bront said.
Sodi looked at her bonded and affectionately took his hand. “We’ll stay here. We can always go visit. That village is so big, so many huts.”
“And so many rules,” Bront added.
Laiden stopped. “Before we get to the others, there’s something I need to tell you.” He related the deaths of the three villagers.
Bront’s eyes widened in horror, and Sodi staggered under pale skin . She took a few moments to absorb the news before asking, “What about Dethina?”
“She’s unhurt, Sodi. She’s taken her parents’ deaths very hard. I’ve been unable to breathe any life back into her.”
“Oh, the poor girl. She needs me.” Sodi rushed ahead.
“Spirits,” Bront moaned. “I should have been here. I should never have left the wisent…”
Laiden put a hand on Bront’s shoulder. “Treefrog and I should never have left.” He put Sodi’s pack over his shoulder and turned toward the village. “No one’s to blame. So many steps led to this path.”
“Treefrog.” Bront shook his head. “He can be an impulsive young man. What will he do without Birdsong?” Laiden knew it was a rhetorical question and didn’t answer. Bront mumbled on, “He loved her very much.”
They continued toward the village at a sedate pace, no longer eager to return. Laiden remembered Treefrog’s harsh words the day they buried Birdsong. “Treefrog took the news badly. But since then, I believe he’s put his own pain aside for the sake of his sons. Mora and Orey help when they can; the boys are a handful.”
By now they had reached the pond, and Laiden picked up the water jug. Bront waited while he filled it.
Bront wiped at his eyes. “Dieth was a good man and a loyal friend. I’ll miss him.”
Laiden let him reminisce for the rest of the walk back to the huts. They were almost parting before Laiden said, “We had a traveling merchant while you were gone. I believe you met him. Ferf.”
Bront grunted. After a few moments, he finally said, “Yeah, we met him. He was quite taken with Dethina’s cord. He wanted to trade for ours, but we needed it. He asked us where we’d got it, so we told him about Dethina. Of course, we had no idea about the circumstances here, and at the time we were worried about our daughter.” Bront paused, weighing his next words. “Seemed a two-edged blade to me. Good with a story though.”
Laiden handed Sodi’s pack to Bront. “I think normally there would have been some sort of festivities for your return, but if you will forgive, though pleased to see you, I suspect no one is in a celebratory mood.”
Bront nodded. “Neither are we.”
Chapter 20
They entered the lingering bleakness of the village. Sodi sat next to Dethina. “There, there,” she soothed. She held Dethina as she might hold an injured child. “I’m here now.” She rocked the grieving girl in her big arms.
Laiden watched in envious resignation. He had wanted to hold Dethina and be the one to offer comfort. But she had distanced herself from him. Somehow she had fallen in love with the man Ferf, the cave-dwelling snake.
“I have a good idea,” Sodi said. “Why don’t you move into my hut?” When Dethina didn’t answer, Sodi continued, “Just for a while, until you’re feeling better.”
Laiden crossed in front of the women and put the water jug at the door where it was always kept.
“And look, Deer Rider’s still here.”
Dethina’s voice sounded hollow. “No, that’s Angry Hands.”
The painful stab hit home. Blindly Laiden stalked off, and his angry steps led him out of the village. How could he be so in love with a woman who loved a tail eater like Ferf? The man told amusing stories and traded fancy boots. So what?
Laiden hiked mindlessly to the same rock he had found once before. He climbed onto the boulder, put his head back, and closed his eyes. Maybe he could sleep. He wanted to numb his mind from the pain. But like an itch that won’t go away until you scratch it, a persistent thought kept surfacing. So he examined it. Odd how Sodi had known about Deer Rider, she had already left before Ferf arrived. Laiden sat up. That must mean... Dethina had told Sodi about Deer Rider before she left. So Ferf couldn’t be Deer Rider. It must be someone else. Himself? Yes!
At some point, he had turned from Dethina’s hero Deer Rider to Angry Hands. He couldn’t say how it happened, perhaps the stress of losing her parents or his jealous behavior over Ferf.
Laiden jumped up. He considered himself a man of action. Sitting on this rock wasn’t going to bring him any closer to clearing this tangle with Dethina. Feeling more hopeful than he had in many days, he ran back to the village. He had no plan in mind; he trusted the right words would come to him when he saw her.
When Laiden entered the village, he could see Dethina sitting in front of Sodi’s hut. So she must have moved he surmised. No matter. He went directly to Dethina. He stopped a body length from her. “I know it’s you,” she said listlessly.
“Who do you think it is?”
Dethina tilted her head away. “I’m sorry I called you Angry Hands,” she said.
He sat next to her. “Dethina, I have a question. If Angry Hands left—”
“Laiden, there you are,” Sodi boomed. “I need some help replenishing my wood pile. Would you be so kind?”
Laiden sighed silently. He realized the problem; it seemed he could never talk to Dethina without being interrupted. But, he smiled at Sodi. “Sure. Where should I stack it?”
After that, Laiden seemed to disappear from the village. He came in at night and left early in the morning. Dethina was sure he was preparing to leave. He had been going to ask her a question but never finished. It had been something about Angry Hands leaving. Dethina hadn’t changed her mind about giving herself to the Water God. She had made a pact with herself. When Laiden left the village, she would visit the pond.
Chapter 21
After three days of the secretive comings and goings, Laiden arrived at Bront’s hut during the morning meal. Bront stood in greeting. “Laiden, we haven’t seen you for a couple of days; you’ve been busy.”
“Yes.” Laiden nodded.
“Sit down and join us,” Sodi invited.
“Thank you,” Laiden said. He sat next to Dethina and took her hand in his.
“You’re not leaving, are you?” Sodi asked.
Laiden shook his head.
Dethina tilted her head at the silent response. The answer had been deliberately nonverbal. Someone didn’t want her to know what was going on.
When the food was finished, Laiden stood up. “Thanks for the meal, Sodi.” He put a hand on Dethina’s shoulder. “Will you come on a walk with me?”
Dethina quaked. Was he going to take her to the pond before he left? Did he have an agreement with the others? She didn’t answer him. She couldn’t.
“Go on now,” Sodi said helpfully. “I don’t need any extra help today.”
Dethina’s legs shook as she rose. “Okay. I’ll just put my new boots on.” She wanted to be wearing the boots when she entered the spirit world.
Laiden took her hand as they walked, and she was surprised when they passed the ponds without stopping. They walked late into the morning before they started up an unfamiliar mountain trail. Laiden didn’t speak but continued to hold her hand. The trail became steep, and after a while Dethina was breathing hard.
“You’re tired. Let’s stop.”
“Yes.” Dethina panted. “We’ve been traveling for many hands of time. I’ve never been this way before.”
Laiden gave a short laugh. “I know it’s steep, but we’re almost there.” She heard him rustling around. “I’ve brought water.” He put the water satchel in her hands.
She took a long drink then handed it back. “I’m ready,” she said boldly.
Laiden took up her hand again. She tried not to dwell on its warmth, the strong fingers so securely holding hers. They were rough f
rom work, but she’d felt their gentle side.
The path leveled out, and she smelled meadow flowers. “We’re here,” he said.
“Oh.” She listened for the sound of water.
“We’re all alone,” he whispered.
“I know.” She felt the tapping stick removed from her fingers. Her heart beat wildly.
“Are you hungry?”
“No.”
There was a rustle as Laiden lowered his pack. “Dethina, you must be thinking about your future.” She felt like she couldn’t breathe, and wrapped her hands around herself.
Laiden suddenly sounded anxious. “Dethina, what’s wrong? Was the hike too strenuous?”
“I know you’ve brought me up here to leave me with the Water God.” The words tumbled out.
Laiden stepped back as if she had pushed him. “What are you talking about? Spirits, what gave you that idea?”
“You’re preparing to leave the village, but before you go, you’re going to give me to the Water God.”
Laiden took hold of her shoulders. “Dethina, you couldn’t be more wrong. I brought you up here so we wouldn’t be interrupted. No one’s going to send you to the Water God. No one’s even thinking of it.”
“But you started to tell me you were going.”
“No, I started to ask you, if Angry Hands left, would you want Deer Rider to stay?” She furrowed her brow. Laiden continued, “You once told me you loved Deer Rider. Could you love him again?”
Suddenly very confused, Dethina’s mind seemed to be working slowly. “You didn’t bring me up here to leave me with the Water God?”
“No. I brought you up here to ask you if you could ever love me again.”
She hesitated. “I never stopped loving you,” she admitted.