FORBIDDEN TALENTS (36 page)

Baruq turned his nose up, which he had to do anyway to give Ragni a withering stare.
“
No, I am not lost. I’m just not completely sure of where we are. A moment’s reflection in a quiet spot will correct that.
”

Ragni made a sweeping gesture forward.
“
Then by all means. Lead on.
”

It got worse before it got better. The trail did indeed narrow, as Baruq had said. They had to unload the packs from the reindeer, distributing the gear among them. By mutual unspoken assent, they gave Celia only enough to satisfy her pride. They roped themselves together in groups of three and four, and traveled single file for a long space. Loose rocks kept slipping from under their feet, while screaming winds threatened to push them off into the crevasse on their left.

Finally, their way widened again and began to descend. They repacked the animals. The wind dropped to a merely annoying level. The powder beneath their feet grew deeper and they put their snow shoes back on. Before long they turned into a close cut valley where an ice-rimmed stream flowed down the middle and firs grew close on either side. The wind sang through the tops of the trees, but didn’t reach them at the ground. The nearly quiet air felt almost warm compared to what they’d suffered on the mountain.

Baruq led them to a small clearing, not far from the water.
“
You can rest here. I’ll be back.
”

Ragni intercepted the small creature just as he entered the tree line.
“
Remember, Baruq. You gave your oath.
”

“
I know it well,
mortal
. I do not need
you
to remind me of my honor.
”

Ragni nodded, feeling a twinge of embarrassment for his doubt. He didn’t think Baruq had deliberately set them up to be attacked in the cave, and he probably wasn’t abandoning them now. But he didn’t apologize.

Masale built a fire and they all had hot
chaco
to drink. Ragni stepped aside to speak with Rovdir and Fender.

“
That Masale is a warrior, true,
”
Rovdir said.
“
And Che’veyo. Did you see him swing that battle club back in the cave? He can fight by my side anytime, and patch me up afterward.
”
He gestured slightly with his bandaged arm.

Fender nodded.
“
But I’d rather not go into battle again with the women at hand.
”

“
Aye. Too distracting,
”
Rovdir said.

Ragni glanced behind at the three women, then turned back.
“
How are they holding up? Utta’s good, but the other two?
”

Fender looked down at his feet. Ragni felt his reluctance to speak.

“
Fender?
”

“
Tiva’ti is drylands born and bred. She isn’t used to this cold. She’s suffering, but she’s holding up. Lady Celia
…
”

“
Go on.
”

“
I’ve trained her. She’s tough and determined, my lord.
”

“
But she’s not doing well.
”

“
No, my lord.
”

“
What’s to be done about it? She’s slowing us all.
”
Rovdir said.

Ragni looked at both men. He was used to having others defer to him. He was the son of the Kon, and the Overprest’s Second.
The responsibility was his.
Gods. This is why I don’t want to be Jarl. If we live through this, Dahleven had better hurry up and get Celia with child and secure the line
.

He might have the rank, but he hadn’t led men in the field before, as both of these men had. He valued their opinions and wanted them to know it.

“
What do you suggest?
”

Rovdir clamped his mouth shut and looked away.

“
There is nothing to do, except let her rest when we can,
”
Fender said into Rovdir’s silence.
“
We’re here. There are no settlements near enough to leave her, and even if there were, the Tewakwe think her destined to be on this trip. For all we know, they’re right.
”

Ragni nodded.
“
I agree. Help her as much as you can.
”
Then he checked on Utta. Magnus may have assigned Rovdir to guard her, but she was his betrothed.

“
How are you?
”
he asked as he leaned against a tree next to her. She was perched on the edge of a boulder and he bent to see her face.

She was in better spirits than most of the others. Not at all afraid. Only concerned compassion rippled her serenity.

She cocked a wry glance up at him.
“
I’m fine, as you well know.
”
Then she smiled.
“
But thank you for asking.
”

Ragni shrugged, then his attention was caught as Che’veyo moved from talking quietly with Tiva’ti to sit next to Celia on a fallen tree.

“
Are you better now, Lady Celia?
”
the Shaman asked.

Celia smiled, but her eyes looked pinched and weary.
“
Much. You’re a healer, right? If you have anything to make this easier, I’ll take it.
”

The Shaman shook his head. Ragni felt the other man’s regret and sorrow.
“
I might help you feel it less, but that would only allow you to push your body past its limits. Except in dire need, such a thing is not wise.
”

Celia nodded, hiding her disappointment with a smile.

“
She is not well,
”
Utta said, keeping her voice low.

“
Has she said anything to you about what’s wrong?
”
Ragni asked softly.

“
No, nothing.
”

“
Is she breeding?
”

Utta’s brows lifted, and Ragni felt the need to justify the question.
“
You women know things about each other. My mother knew before Ingirid did when she was expecting her first.
”

“
She had experience,
”
Utta said.
“
Of which I have very little. Besides, would Celia come on this trip if she were?
”
She shook her head.
“
No, that’s not likely the problem. Even if she is breeding, it wouldn’t affect her this way. Not so early.
”

Baruq returned over a candlemark later, seeming to pop out of the ground at their feet, his approach was so quiet.

Che’veyo was the first to speak.
“
What have you learned, Small One?
”

“
My best guess is—
”

“
Your
guess
? You don’t know?
”
Rovdir took a step toward Baruq.

“
The
Lios Alfar
have wardings, fool! And this isn’t the way I would have brought you!
”

“
Are you saying we’re lost?
”
Tiva’ti asked in a soft voice.
“
That you don’t know where to lead us?
”

Fender put a hand on her shoulder.
“
We’ll be all right. We’ll get through this.
”

Tiva’ti said nothing to that, but she didn’t pull away from Fender’s touch.

Baruq clamped his mouth shut and looked away.

Che’veyo knelt in front of Baruq.
“
We are all one, with one purpose on this quest. Speak your truth. We will hear it.
”

“
I’m saying it will take me more time to find the way. I don’t know this part of the land.
”

“
Rovdir, can’t you Pathfind your way to the Elves?
”
Celia asked.

Rovdir shook his head while waves of frustration and thwarted pride rolled off him.
“
I can Pathfind our way home, sure as snow, my lady, but I can’t lead us to a place I’ve never been. I’m sorry.
”

“
I could try to Find them,
”
Celia said.

“
No!
”
Fender exclaimed.

Ragni said,
“
That’s not a good idea.
”

“
I don’t think that’s wise,
”
Utta said at the same time.

For the barest moment Ragni glanced at Utta, amused by their instant accord, then he turned his attention fully to Celia. She’d pulled back, stung by their response to her suggestion.

“
Absolutely not,
”
Fender declared.
“
Lord Dahleven charged me with your welfare, my lady. He’d have my hide if I let you use your Talent when you’re dead on your feet. It wasn’t that long ago that you nearly died in Emergence.
”

“
That was six months ago! And this is hardly the same thing at all.
”

“
You’re right, Celia, this isn’t the same,
”
Ragni agreed.
“
We have no idea why you’re tiring more quickly than the rest of us, and so you should take care. Besides, I doubt your Talent could help us. Mine tells me nothing of Baruq. I think the Fey must be able to hide themselves from us.
”

Ragni had no trouble feeling Celia’s reluctant acquiescence. She nodded once and glanced at Fender.
“
For the sake of your hide.
”

“
I will petition the Spirits,
”
Che’veyo said quietly.

Everyone looked at him. Ragni remembered the way the bird had come to his ceremony and carried away the prayer sticks.

“
Will that tell us what we need to know?
”
Rovdir asked.

Che’veyo’s lips twisted up in a slight smile.
“
We may not get the answer you seek, but it surely won’t hurt.
”

After clearing a small area of snow, Che’veyo drew a pattern on the ground with corn meal. He lay two
pahos
within the design before pulling out his pipe for a smoke. He gestured to the other men.
“
All of you. Smoke. Think on this. The smoke will carry our prayers to the gods.
”

Ragni shook his head. He’d seen for himself that Che’veyo’s prayers were heard, but the answers were even more cryptic than the rune stones.
“
I have my own way.
”

Ragni went to one of the reindeer and pulled a bag from the pack. Near the largest of the trees ringing their clearing, he sanctified a boulder as an impromptu altar and knelt, putting a small sprig of mistletoe on the stone. He felt Utta’s calm but curious presence behind him, but he didn’t turn around. Ragni pulled off one mitten and drew a small silver knife from a sheath that hung from his neck, then swiftly nicked the side of his hand with the tip of its very sharp blade. He shut out the spike of surprise he felt from Utta and forced himself to concentrate. He didn’t usually do this sort of thing with an uninitiated audience. At least the others were all watching Che’veyo. Chanting softly, he squeezed several drops of blood onto the mistletoe.

Utta moved behind him, but he didn’t turn, didn’t stop his incantation. He continued his murmur, calling upon the magic that was his as a priest, as a gift of Baldur, repeating his request, offering his service. Fisting his hand, he dripped more blood onto the makeshift altar.

A soft hum blanketed all sound. Freyr’s golden boar flashed between the trees, leaving no tracks on the snow. Ragni closed his eyes in thanks and finished the ritual.

He looked around. Che’veyo’s prayer sticks were gone.

The Shaman met his eyes.
“
Redbird took them to the Spirits.
”

Ragni nodded.
“
They are coming.
”

The corner of Che’veyo’s mouth quirked.
“
Redbird will guide them to us.
”

“
They’d better get here soon,
”
Fender said.