[Shadowed Path 01] - A Woman Worth Ten Coppers (21 page)

When Yaun neared the main entrance, a side door opened and a servant emerged. He bore a torch and was accompanied by two armed men. Yaun halted before them. The elderly servant called out in a timorous voice. “Who goes th…” He moved the torch closer to Yaun’s face and squinted. “Is that you, Master Yaun? I thought you were off with Alaric.”

“Yes, it’s me, Nug,” replied Yaun. “Alaric’s slain. I’ve returned with news.” Yaun dismounted and handed the reins to one of the guards. “My horse is wounded. See that it’s tended.” Then he followed Nug into the manor.

“Your father is at his meat, sire,” said Nug. “I’ll announce you at once.”

“Is my brother there, too?”

“Yes, sire.”

“That’s good,” said Yaun. “Both have been much on my mind.”

Owing to the aftereffects of magic, Honus slept through the day and into the next morning. When he awoke, Yim was gone. He wondered if she might have fled, having learned that a trail is best hidden in daylight. Looking at the sun, he judged that she could have a long head start. As Honus considered what to do, Yim emerged from the forest. She was limping slightly, but her face showed no pain. In fact, she looked jubilant.

“Master,” she called out. “I’ve brought breakfast!”

Honus noted that she was carefully carrying a large leaf, folded to make a package. She sat on the ground close to him, and with a bit of drama, opened her makeshift bundle. When Honus saw what it contained, he shrank back in revulsion.

“Wood grubs!” said Yim. “I found a log full of them.” She picked up a finger-sized larva from the writhing mass on the leaf. Holding it by its dark round head, she placed its plump white body between her teeth. Then she bit down to burst the skin and suck its contents before discarding the head and limp body.

Honus felt the blood drain from his face.

Yim looked at him in surprise. “Haven’t you ever tasted them?” she asked. “They’re like mushrooms, only creamy.” Yim lifted another from the leaf and held it out. “Here, try one.”

As far as Honus was concerned, she might as well have been holding an adder. When he backed away, a look of amusement came to Yim’s face. “I thought Sarfs were brave.”

“That’s disgusting!” exclaimed Honus.

“No, that’s breakfast. I take it you’re not having any.” Yim placed the grub in her mouth and made quick work of it.

“How can you eat
caterpillars
?” asked Honus, as he backed farther away.

“They’re wood grubs,” Yim replied. “Caterpillars aren’t in season.”

Honus turned his back to Yim, but he could still hear her eat. He felt she was exaggerating the sucking sounds for his benefit. Then Yim giggled and said, “If I ever have to fight you, I’ll know how to arm myself.”

Honus didn’t reply to her teasing, but walked down to the riverbank and gazed at the water while Yim ate. After a while, he looked in her direction and saw her herding the remaining grubs toward the center of the leaf. Then she wrapped them up, using some grass to tie the bundle. After placing the grubs in the pack, Yim called out, “Shall I forage for something more to your liking?”

“It’s not necessary. I’m used to fasting. How’s your leg?”

“Much better.”

“I saw you limping. Do you feel well enough to travel?”

Yim seemed surprised that Honus had bothered to ask. “I’ll be fine,” she said. “I’ll ready the pack.”

For a change, the sky was clear and the weather mild. Honus set a leisurely pace as they traveled toward the ford. When they reached the road that led to the ruined castle, he noted that Yim appeared anxious. Honus suspected that she feared that he had seen through her ruse. “I’ve been thinking about what happened here,” he said. Although he couldn’t penetrate Yim’s thoughts, he observed that she grew tenser. “In all my travels, I’ve never encountered anyone like that man in the castle. Surely, he had unnatural powers. Did you learn anything about him before I slew him?”

“No, Master. I was asleep from the moment he surprised me here until you saved me.”

“Asleep?”

“It felt like sleep, only with horrible dreams. I’d rather not think about it.”

“I had strange dreams myself after I beheaded him. I’m glad you came to wake me.”

Honus saw Yim relax. Once again, the idea of confronting her crossed his mind.
What would be the purpose? She won’t tell the truth. At least this way she can’t hold me in her debt.

Edmun rode under the same blue sky that spanned Yim and Honus, but unlike them, his heart was untroubled and all his thoughts were cheerful. His aging father was slowing down, and Edmun had assumed many of the count’s duties. The afternoon’s obligation was a pleasant one—to bless a wedding in a nearby village. As his horse moved through a field flush with spring blossoms, he was happy for the bride and groom. Such a fair day seemed an auspicious time to start a new life.

The sound of a galloping horse interrupted these thoughts. Edmun turned and recognized Yaun. “Brother!” he called. “I’m glad you’ve come.”

Yaun reined his horse alongside Edmun’s. “I had to get out of the house.”

“You’ve seen too many grim things,” said Edmun. “This festive day will do you good.”

“Anything to be away from Father.”

“Why do you say that? He was overjoyed at your return.”

“Don’t play with me, big brother. Last night, I heard rebuke in his every word.”

Edmun looked at Yaun in astonishment. “Were we sitting at the same table? I recall no such thing.”

“That’s because you were unconcerned. Soon you’ll have your fortune.”

“A falling-down house and a title? My principal inheritance will be a good name.”

Yaun sneered. “Am I a fly to be snared with honeyed words?”

“Brother, let’s not quarrel. I’m happy you’ve come home.”

“Then my ruin satisfies you. I know you opposed my going.”

“My satisfaction lies solely in your safe return. It’s true I advised against your leaving. War is gruesome and perilous. You know that now. I feared Alaric had turned your head with his grandiose tales.”

“I wanted glory. Shouldn’t I have ambition?”

“A warrior’s glory is but a trinket—one for which many trade their real treasure. I think Alaric would forsake all his renown to once more feel a spring breeze. Be glad to enjoy what he cannot.”

“Well, Father was pleased to be rid of me.”

“You seem to forget that joining Alaric was your idea. Remember how you wheedled for days until Father gave his blessing? And when he relented, he spared no expense in outfitting you. He could ill afford that jeweled sword.”

“A man must bear a worthy weapon.”

“If I had my way, swords would look as ugly as the work they do. To adorn a weapon must affront Karm.”

“Oh, spare me your sanctimony. I care not what the goddess thinks.”

“I wish you wouldn’t talk like that,” said Edmun. “She’s the source of our good fortune.”

“
Your
good fortune. You love her because she smiles on you. To me, she’s but a strumpet, tupping with some and denying others.”

“My good fortune could be your good fortune,” said Edmun. “When I become count, I’ll share everything. You need only settle down and earn true glory, not through bloody deeds, but by good works.”

“Those are loving words, brother,” said Yaun, “and I repent my hard ones. In truth, my tribulations have opened my eyes. I swear things will be different between us.”

Edmun smiled. “You don’t know how happy that makes me. You’ve been dealt a hard blow, but your life will change. I’m sure of it.”

Yaun smiled, too. “I’m certain also. Let’s take our horses to the river. There, we shall bless our new life.” In response to Edmun’s puzzled look, Yaun said, “It’s a charm I learned in Lurwic. The flowing water washes away the past.”

Edmun gladly agreed and they rode to a small river and had their horses wade into it. There, Yaun began his oath. “River, river, wash away the past and receive my blood in promise of a better future. Edmun, draw your dagger and cut my hand.”

“I don’t wish to draw your blood.”

“You need only prick me, a few drops will do.”

Edmun reluctantly complied. Then he held out his own hand to Yaun. “Now draw my blood in token of our bond.” Yaun drew his dagger and nicked the back of his brother’s hand.

Edmun jerked his hand back. “That burns!”

Yaun grinned. “I thought only women were afraid of pricks.”

Edmun, oblivious of his brother’s coarseness, stared aghast while his fingers curled and stiffened, transforming his hand into a rigid claw. The hand turned numb and gray as the affliction traveled up his arm, which twisted into a grotesque shape. When he looked at Yaun, his eyes were filled with fear. “What have you done to me?”

Yaun abandoned his pretense and laughed. “Why, brother, I’m changing my life.”

The poison prevented Edmun from responding with other than gurgling gasps. His features contorted until only his eyes remained unchanged. As they peered from his graying face, they were filled with disbelief and despair. For an instant, Yaun was horrified by what he had done. He recalled his boyhood and the older brother who always took his side. But those recollections were followed by thoughts of Lord Bahl’s venomed words. They washed remorse away, replacing them with maniacal hatred.

Then Yaun exulted in his deed. “Where’s Karm now?” he asked, as he kicked his brother’s leg from the stirrup and pushed him from his horse. Edmun splashed into the muddy water. Yaun watched him slowly drift away. Then he grabbed the reins of Edmun’s steed and led it from the river.

“Oh, Father dear,” he said to the empty landscape. “I went riding and found Edmun’s horse. I traced its tracks to the river, where I fear my brother has been thrown! Call out the household! We must search for him at once! Oh my! Oh my! They have such dreadful news! That stinking, bloated thing is your sweet, precious Edmun!” Yaun giggled at his little drama. “Oh how you’ll weep for your favorite son, the one you always loved best. Poor, poor Father. I’m afraid your grief will poison you.”

After Honus and Yim returned to the main road and traveled awhile, Yim’s spirits lightened. Her thigh ached, but the pain was not as sharp as before, and she willingly endured it to leave the castle behind. Not only was her ordeal there over, her secret seemed safe. Honus showed no sign of suspecting her. Secrecy had a renewed importance to Yim, for she had come to believe that Karm hadn’t forsaken her after all. The goddess had aided her twice during her confrontation with the dark man: First, when she had appeared to Honus and told him that Yim was in the castle. Later, when she had told Yim to throw the skulls into the fire.

Although Yim didn’t understand why she had the horrific vision at the pass, she repented her initial reaction to it. She recalled crying “I can’t do it!” and “Karm asks too much!” and the memory shamed her. Yim resolved to have more faith in the future.
Perhaps the vision’s meaning will be revealed in time,
thought Yim. However, she found that hard to imagine.
What could it have to do with finding the man who’s to father my child?

Honus was another mystery to Yim. The Wise Woman had told her that Karm sent both trials and aid. Honus seemed both. His skill with arms had saved her life, and his desire had jeopardized her quest. Yim’s brief encounter with his spirit had exposed a complex and contradictory nature, and she felt leery of trusting him until she understood him better. With that goal in mind, she recalled his promise to be more open and began asking questions. “Master, when we waded that stream, I noticed a scar on your leg. Where did you get it?”

“What scar?”

“It was on your lower calf.”

“I forget. I no longer keep track of my scars.”

“Scars?” Yim said, feigning surprise. “You have more than one?”

Honus smiled ruefully. “I have a whole collection. More than I’d care to count.”

“How’s that possible? When you fought those bandits, you looked invincible.”

“If you fight often enough, you get wounded. In my early years with Theodus, I fought all the time.”

“
That’s
what you did for him—fight? I thought he was a holy man.”

“He was. You should understand that the emperor’s justice is more memory than reality. His authority fades rapidly beyond Bremven. Powerful men make their own rules, and bandits disregard even those. Theodus thought he might use my skills to lend strength to the side of the goddess.”

“So you fought for the sake of Karm?”

“Everything from bandits to armies.”

“And was the Balance truly served?”

Honus sighed. “It seemed that way, and yet…”

“And yet what?”

“It never ended,” said Honus. “Theodus came to feel we were seeking to sweep back the tide and despaired of bringing justice to the world. He stopped entering disputes and began to visit Luvein in a search for the root of evil. It was forsaking fighting that led to his death.”

“How?”

“He was drawn to study Lord Bahl. He got too close, and I…I failed him.”

Yim caught the anguish in Honus’s eyes, and changed the subject. “Tell me a happy memory. Something from your childhood.”

Honus thought a moment. “The garden.”

“What garden?”

“The temple in Bremven contains more than a sanctuary. Many live there. I grew up within its walls. In the center of it all, there’s a huge garden. It looks like a patch of the world, if the world were perfect. Everything seems natural. Yet each rock, tree, and plant is carefully tended. It was so peaceful. No matter how I felt, it calmed me.” Honus’s voice grew dreamy. “There was a rock I used to sit upon. It was in a pond, close to the bank. The times I spent there were always tranquil.”

Honus smiled slightly. “And you? What memory shines in your childhood?”

“When I was little, I had a goat. Her name was Rosie.”

“A goat?” teased Honus. “What of your mother and father?”

A cloud passed over Yim’s face. “You said you’d reveal yourself to me. I made no such promise to you.”

Honus showed no reaction, but fell into a thoughtful silence. Yim followed suit. As she limped down the road, she observed the countryside. It was thoroughly desolate. The few hovels she spied were falling down and appeared long deserted. The fields about them had reverted to scruffy woodland choked with thorny vines. Yim wondered if the absence of people was the dark man’s work. Whatever the cause, it was a disquieting landscape, as if its violent past had poisoned it. Toadstools and nettles hemmed the road. They crawled with black spiders. Brambles snagged her limbs and clothing. Creatures were scarce, as were wholesome plants. The longer Yim walked, the more her surroundings affected her. She grew jumpy without knowing why, and when Honus went hunting, she was anxious for his return.