in an angry red welt from where she had hit the altar.
Zolne looked down at Leela for a long moment. “She’ll never make it, Wayfinder.”
“Still it,” Nali snarled.
Illa came back over, one of the pre-treated bandage in her hands. She held it out to the Wayfinder.
Nali grabbed it, placing the merima-soaked material over the Gar’Mel’s wounds. “We’re going to get her out,” she said. “Zolne, you take her legs.”
The Gar didn’t move.
“Now,” Nali said.
Zolne reached for the Gar’Mel’s legs.
The trip out of the ruins was agonizingly slow. Zolne and Nali carried Leela’s unconscious form between them. Illa limped alongside. They emerged into the warm rain of the rainforest, and set Leela down as gently as they could on the jungle floor.
Meera came up to them. Her helmet was off, and a merima patch was wrapped around the side of her head. Smeared green blood ran from the bandage down her face and neck.
“Is it dead?” she asked.
Nali nodded, collapsing into a pile of ferns. “The Fallen’s gone. We need to make a litter, quickly.”
Meera glanced at Zolne, then back at Nali. “Veel’na is several watches’ travel away, Wayfinder—”
“Don’t lecture me on distances,” Nali broke in sharply. “Have the slaves gather branches, stout ones.”
Meera straightened, then nodded. She and Zolne headed back towards where they had left the greelaks.
Illa touched Nali briefly on the shoulder, then followed after them.
Nali leaned back against a tree, and closed her eyes. She was tired, more tired than she could remember being in cycles.
Leela groaned quietly and opened her eyes. “Is…is it…dead…?”
Nali nodded. “It died after I destroyed the heart.” She looked down at the Gar’Mel’s body with a frown. Dark red blood was already seeping through the merima patch.
“Good.” Leela leaned her head back with a sigh. She coughed violently, her whole body trembling.
“I’m having the others make a litter,” Nali said quickly. “We’ll get you back to Veel’na. Once we’re there we’ll get a message to Reteel and have them send out a life mage.”
“Good,” Leela repeated. Her voice sounded drowsy and far away.
Nali looked back towards where the greelaks were, but saw no sign of the others.
“Nali, look,” said Leela suddenly. She coughed again. “Can you see them?”
“See what?” Nali glanced around, confused.
“The moons.” Leela stared upwards, her voice soft and quiet. “There in the sky. Bel’oris is chasing Veluuna.”
Nali looked up. A tangle of knotted branches and ferns blotted out all sight of the clouded night sky. She took a deep breath. “I see them,” she said.
There was no response. The sound of Leela’s ragged breathing had ceased.
Nali closed her eyes, feeling the rain falling on her face.
“This was a pack of karani. That’s the story that will be told to whomever asks. That’s what will be told to the villagers.”
Acting Gar’Mel Too’na stared at Nali from across the conference room table. “A pack of karani…that killed over fifty people? What about the dead Gars? Are we supposed to tell their families they died nobly in combat fighting karani?”
Nali returned the woman’s gaze. “That’s not our decision. The Jala herself will decide how much of what happened here will come to light, and when. For now, though, the truth can’t leave this room. That’s the price we pay.” She looked around at the silent Gars and hunters. “The price we all pay.”
Sullen and exhausted faces stared back at her.
“You heard the Wayfinder,” said Too’na at last. “No one speaks of this, to anyone. Understand?”
There was a mix of nods around the table.
“Dismissed,” Too’na ordered.
The women filed out of the room. Too’na and Nali both remained behind.
“Congratulations on the promotion,” said Nali after the last Gar had left.
Too’na scratched the side of her face. “Not exactly a promotion. I’m the senior Gar in Veel’na right now, but after Daycome I have no doubt that a new Gar’Mel will be sent out from Noom’Tela to take command.” She glanced up at Nali, her face grim. “You know we can’t sit on this secret forever, Wayfinder. The descendants of the Highborne are rising again. People deserve to know.”
“They will know, when the Jala decides it is time.”
Too’na shook her head. “I suppose that has to suffice for now. Are you heading back to Reteel soon?”
“At the beginning of next watch. I’ll have House Hesdeen send out a floatship with supplies for the village and a life mage for the wounded. They should get here before Daycome.” Nali gave a bitter smile. “Who knows? Perhaps the Jalara will even send Tal’Noomren to protect Veel’na after this.”
“No chance, Wayfinder,” Too’na responded. “The Azure Hawks have shed too much blood defending this village to give it into the hands of a bunch of arrogant House Tals now. I’ll make sure your greelak is saddled and provisioned for you by the beginning of next watch. If there is anything else you need before you leave, let me know.”
“Thank you.” Nali paused. “What will happen to Gar’Mel Leela’s things?”
Too’na shrugged. “They’ll be returned to Noom’Tela and sold, I suppose. The Gar’Mel had no family that I know of, and not many possessions. No husband, not even a gosnan. She had a single house slave, I believe.” She gave Nali a curious look. “Why? Was there something you were interested in?”
“She had a stone pipe,” Nali replied, “carved like a dragon. If it’s just going to be sold or thrown away, I wouldn’t mind having it.”
“I didn’t know you smoked,” said Too’na.
“I don’t.”
“Well, it makes no difference to me. After everything you did for this village I suspect it’s the least we can do. I’ll have it packed in your baggage before you go.”
“Thank you.” Nali walked towards the corridor leading out of the room. She felt suddenly tired.
“Wayfinder,” Too’na said.
Nali turned.
Too’na gave her a curious glance. “You knew Gar’Mel Leela before you arrived?”
Nali shook her head. “No.”
“She was a fine officer, and a courageous warrior.” Too’na looked Nali straight in the eyes. “But she was no daughter of Llathe.”
Nali stood still and silent for a long moment. She turned towards the passageway, and headed out towards the open walkway and the hammering rain.
###
The Adventures in the Two Rings continue in:
Tales of the Two Rings: Volume 1
Containing Three Novellas:
“Profit and Loss”
“Point of Egress”
“Flesh and Blood”
The Following Excerpt is from
“Profit and Loss”