The World Weavers (16 page)

Ava shook her head stubbornly. “We can't do this without him. We need him. You have to find a way to bring him back. He's still alive.”

She'd refused to leave the statue and Clay's body when the rest of the Chosen left the Obsidian Temple. She'd spent the entire night resting against the stone as the guards wrapped his body.

“He needs it,” Ava said. “If they burn his body, where will he live?”

Sulis put her hand on Parasu's statue for the first time since the ceremony. Clay's warm presence was inside.

You must convince her to allow this,
Sulis told him.

His voice filled her mind, but not her ears.
I have been trying. She is a stubborn one, our Ava. Since I told her to let me go, she has refused to touch the statue again, to communicate with me. Tell her I do not wish to go back to that empty shell. Even if you could put me in that body, it has been dead too long. I would be crippled in mind and body.

Sulis relayed that information and Ava burst into tears and turned away from the body. Dani hugged her as Sari motioned for the guards to carry Clay's body out.

“You cannot force me to draw the pattern to chase him out,” Ava said stubbornly. “I will not kill Clay. He's my best friend.”

Alannah glanced quickly over at Sulis. “You won't have to draw that pattern,” she promised.

Amon approached them and Sulis braced herself for a nasty comment from him. If he upset Ava, Sulis wouldn't wait for the One to knock him off balance. A fist to the chin would work as well.

He looked at Ava and knelt beside her, taking her hand. “I am so terribly sorry,” he told her. “I did not know what would happen. I know now why the Southerners did not empty the statues. The empty statues are a deadly trap for energy users. I am so sorry that a wise advisor died because of my ignorance.”

“He isn't dead,” Ava said. “He's still alive in the statue.”

Amon opened his mouth, caught Alannah's glare and wisely closed it again. He patted Ava on the back. “Yes, well,” he said awkwardly, and walked away to study the stone around the Altar of the One.

“No chalk lines,” he pointed out to Sulis and Ashraf. “They were absorbed with the energy. The stones are swept clean. Ava's hand is completely healed as well.”

Sulis came closer to study the rock. He was right. Her memory of the previous day was jumbled, so she could not say if the lines disappeared after the ceremony, or overnight.

“What do we do about Ava?” Amon whispered to Sulis. “We need her whole, so I don't want to force her to send Clay to the One. But we also need to empty the statue to trap Parasu. And we need to empty the other three before the deities come.”

“Alannah says Ava won't be necessary to connect Clay to the One,” Sulis said. “He is willing to move on.”

Amon looked relieved.

“But he won't move on until Ava is ready,” she warned, and he frowned. “He thinks forcing her to accept his death before she is ready will make her more unstable. He will convince her; give him time.” Sulis tried to sound certain. Sulis wasn't certain she herself would ever be ready to let Clay go. Ava would have an even harder time.

“Sari told me the army is on the move,” Amon said quietly. “I know the Chosen need to rest, but it is urgent that we finish emptying the statues and prepare for the deities.”

Ashraf said from behind Sulis, “Do we have to empty Parasu's vessel before we perform the ceremony on the other statues?” he asked. “Sending Clay to the One could be the last thing we do, after all the other vessels are empty.”

Amon frowned, not liking that option, but he nodded reluctantly.

Giggling made them turn. Sanuri had her hands pressed against Parasu's statue and was whispering loudly to it. She giggled again.

“You leave him alone,” Ava shouted, standing to grasp Sanuri's arm roughly.

Dani stepped forward, alarmed, but Sanuri grabbed Ava's other arm. She leaned forward and kissed Ava on the cheek, and then placed her hands against the statue.

“You talk,” she said. “We all talk.”

Ava sank down, leaning her cheek against the statue. She closed her eyes and tears streamed down her face. She nodded a ­couple of times, as though responding to Clay. Sanuri sat beside her, reached over, and wiped tears from Ava's face.

“Not sad,” Sanuri whispered. “Happy. Love.”

Sulis turned away, into Ashraf's chest, choked up from Ava's grief. Ashraf put his arms around her and she cried onto his chest.

“You need to rest some more,” he told her softly. “Away from this place. You are still exhausted from yesterday. We don't have to make any decisions today. Just let everything go.”

Sulis let him lead her out of the temple, his arm around her waist. She didn't look at anyone, hoping they wouldn't judge her for her weakness.

They exited the temple and nearly ran into Master Anchee and Lasha, who were arguing in the courtyard.

“Why can't you take my energy?” Lasha was protesting. “Why do you shut me out?”

“I take as much as I can without . . .” He trailed off, seeing Ashraf and Sulis.

“Without what?” Lasha persisted, unconcerned with witnesses. “Ava takes fully from Dani, even though she tried to kill him once. Why can you not connect with me?”

“You are so young,” Master Anchee said.

“So you don't trust me to give you energy?” Lasha asked.

“No,” Anchee said, shaking his head. “It just feels wrong, stealing energy, stealing life force from a girl who could be my daughter.”

Sulis felt fury rising in her. She rounded on Master Anchee.

“Are you stupid? Are you so ungrateful?” she growled, unleashing her anger.

“Sulis,” Ashraf warned.

She shrugged it off. “Her energy is a gift she is giving you. It is precious and beautiful and you scorn it. You endanger the rest of us with your idiocy.”

Master Anchee was staring at her, his eyebrows high in his forehead. Lasha had her hand clamped over her mouth to stifle a giggle, her eyes dancing. Sulis pushed past them both and stormed off.

Her angry energy didn't last long, and she slumped against the food hall building when they were out of sight, feeling drained.

“Perhaps we should find a bed we can slump into?” Ashraf suggested, grinning.

Sulis pushed off the wall wearily. “No offense, love, but I lack the energy for romping.”

“Then I'll simply hold you until you sleep,” he said quietly. “I'll tell you stories about our Hasirof clan and the empire we'll build after this is all over.”

Sulis's eyes filled with tears again. “I would like that,” she said. “Very much.”

 

CHAPTER 13

“T
here's another troop of Forsaken.” Onyeka pointed toward the encampment as they hid on the ridge. “That group is
geased
as well.”

“Why do you say that?” Kadar asked. He couldn't see much difference between the cohorts of the army.

“It's a huge group, three times larger than the rest. But in spite of that, the fighters are doing exactly what a model fighter should do—­no pranks, no joking around. When they're done with the tasks assigned, they simply sit. One of our spies had reported seeing a cohort like this. He and the other troops were told the men in it were criminals, so they would not befriend the
geased
men. We'd never put two and two together before. Look, see, their commanders are with them all the time.”

“Commanders?” Kadar peered through his eyeglass to confirm that several of Voras's men were with the group. “There's more than one. Aaron said that only one person controlled the
geased
fighters.”

Onyeka shrugged. “They would have learned from their mistake up north. They will spread the command to make it harder to free the Forsaken. We have seen many more Knights and soldiers come into camp the past ten-­day.”

“They're getting ready to move the army, aren't they?” Kadar asked.

There was more activity in the camp beside the endless drills they'd observed. When not drilling, fighters were taking down clotheslines, grooming horses, and sharpening weapons.

“Yes,” Onyeka said. “It begins.”

She squinted, and then put the glass to her eye, scanning the far side of the ridge they were on as she saw movement. “Time to go. I see a
feli
patrol scouting the ridge.”

She and Kadar slipped down the steep trail on the ridge to where another warrior guarded their horses. They silently mounted. The veil of desert magic slipped over them, hiding them as they rode into the dunes.

Gone were the days when they could spy on the army at will. Soldiers now regularly patrolled the cliffs with their
feli
. The Tigus still snuck up to the ridge to assess the camp, but they were far more wary and could not stay long. It was now a longer ride to their main camp to report to the elders and warriors of the One.

A
bram felt self-­conscious as he
farspoke
with his cousin. Kadar had interrupted Master Tull's meeting with her commanders and all eyes were upon Abram as he relayed the information from the Tigu elders.

We have located the
geased
fighters in the camp. We wish to know when we should attack their controllers to release the spell,
Kadar sent to Abram.

Abram waited for Master Tull's response to the elder's request, and then relayed it to Kadar.

Our commanders believe the army will move to the waystation south of Illian to await the Voices of the deities,
Abram sent
. We wish you to attack the army and free the Forsaken once the troops reach the waystation.

Master Tull paced while they waited for the elder's reaction. Master Gursh drummed his fingernails on the table. They knew this would put the Tigus in greater danger. The Tigus' desert magic would not conceal them as readily outside of the Sands. If the Tigus refused, the masters would have to send most of the warriors of the One north, at a time when they needed to be southbound, preparing for the weather working and battle.

Why not free the slaves earlier, before they leave here?
Kadar sent after a moment.

If the Forsaken are released too far into the desert, they will not revolt because they'll fear dying in the desert. If they are closer to home, we expect them to run away from the camp and toward their former homes.
Abram relayed Master Tull's answer.

A tense moment, then Abram was able to announce, “The Tigus agree. They will travel ahead to the waystation and free the Forsaken there!”

The commanders sighed with relief, and Master Tull produced one of her rare smiles and sat down.

Have you heard anything from Tsangia?
Kadar sent, hesitantly.
I was wondering how Datura was doing.

Sorry, Kadar,
Abram said, sympathetically.
All the
farspeakers
are here, and no caravans are running so we haven't gotten mail.

I'm not surprised. Blessings, Abram, I must go see what the elders want.

Keep safe, Kadar,
Abram sent before he cut their connection.

The other commanders began to file out of the office, but Master Tull held up a hand to stop them.

“The army is on the move. It is time for Ursa, Bento, and I to leave for the northern desert oases in their path. We will take a cohort, who will then meet the Tigus at the waystation to render any aid necessary. Gursh and Sandiv will take charge here. Tell your warriors that we go to protect the cities in the path of Voras's army. We will stop by and personally speak to each of you before we leave.”

This sobered the group, and they filed out silently, leaving just Masters Tull and Ursa.

“Why don't you and Casia take a break?” Master Tull said to Abram.

Casia brightened, but Abram knew why they were dismissed. Casia still did not know how the masters would reset the waymarkers. The masters wanted to talk without her learning the plan.

As they walked toward the meal hall, Casia bumped his shoulder. “You look like you bit a lemon,” she said. “Did breakfast disagree with you?”

“Actually, yes,” Abram said, stopping and looking back. “I'm not feeling well. You go ahead. I'm going to duck back into the office to let the masters know, then sleep it off.”

Abram rushed back to the office, and both masters looked at him. For a moment he couldn't say anything and his eyes filled with tears.

“Abram . . .” Master Tull began, her tone exasperated.

Abram interrupted her. “I wanted to let you know it's been an honor to serve under you,” he told her. “Both of you. My children and their children will sing songs of your bravery and generosity. You will not be forgotten.”

He touched the back of his hand to his forehead, then bowed himself out of the room, unwilling to see their faces. He dashed tears out of his eyes and went to find a quiet corner in which to grieve.

T
he Sepacu tribe was not among the tribes the elders sent ahead to scout out the lands around the waystation. The Sepacus would scout and report what the army's movements were, shadowing the troops as they organized their march. Even the elders packed their camp to move.

“You are to go with the elders while we track the troops,” Onyeka said, sitting down at late meal beside him. “We will send a rider if they do anything unusual, but your place is with the tribes as they prepare to liberate the Forsaken.”

Kadar glanced over at her. “And I suppose you'll be here, having all the fun playing with the army while the rest of us work,” he joked, trying to hide his regret at being parted from her.

“It's too bad you'll have to sleep on a rock-­hard mat, with just a cat for company,” Onyeka teased.

“Ha, that's what you think,” Kadar said. “I grabbed one of the softer mats before Desial could send it to the city on the pack horses. And I'll be able to keep it all to myself rather than being pushed off in the middle of the night when some warrior has bad dreams.”

She opened her mouth, but looked around as her name was called. “One more night before the elders move, and they are being needy.” She sighed, getting up.

“That means I have a night to make certain you don't forget me when I ride off,” Kadar said.

Onyeka shot him a smoldering look. “I look forward to your efforts.”

In the morning, Onyeka helped him pack his humpback as he tied Asfar in line behind the beast. They were silent as the rest of the camp shouted and cursed, packing the last of the tents onto some of the supply humpbacks. Most of the horses were staying on the front, closest to the army for faster battles and nearer the sources of water the Tigus could sense. Humpbacks were better pack animals for the region they would be traveling, which had fewer water sources. Asfar was useless for other riders, permitting only Kadar on her back, so he would lead her. She would be useful if he needed to make quick scouting trips closer to the waystation.

Kadar's humpback knelt and he turned to Onyeka, wanting to say many things, but resisting an emotional farewell that would make her uncomfortable.

Her face was solemn. “Go, warrior, protected by the One. If we do not meet again in this life, we will meet in the embrace of the One.” She intoned the formal blessing spoken by parting Tigus.

Kadar grabbed her shoulders and pulled her in. She melted into his passionate kiss, giving as much as he gave. They pulled away to the appreciative hoots of the other warriors. She gave him a quick hug.

“I will miss you sorely,” she whispered into his ear and then pushed him away and walked off.

“And I, you,” Kadar whispered to her back, as she dodged a humpback and disappeared into the chaos of a camp being packed. He mounted the humpback and prepared to ride.

“I told you my daughter would break your heart,” Turo said, riding up beside him.

“You told me we should get together, make babies,” Kadar said, mock-­frowning at him. “There was no mention of broken hearts.”

Turo shrugged. “Perhaps I forgot to mention her independent nature?” he mused. “You will never tame that wild heart of hers. Ah well, she likes you very much—­that is something.”

“Why are you traveling with us and not staying with the Sepacu tribe?” Kadar asked.

“Too slow, too old.” His voice sounded mournful, but Kadar thought he looked pleased. “They are assigning me to the elders. I will be their messenger.”

No wonder he looked pleased. Being assigned to the elders meant he was a revered warrior, apprenticed to them. He would join their counsels soon, once they were certain he'd learned their laws.

They rode for three days, traveling far south of the road that marked the line between the Northern and Southern Territories. They stopped only once, at a watering hole so the humpbacks could drink and rest. Kadar filled the large skins of water tied to each side of his humpback for Asfar to drink on the days they did not find water.

They reached an encampment of the Duradin tribe on the fourth day and the elders took it over, setting up their large command tent and widening the basin their spring fed into. The summer was cooler now, not the intense blasting heat of midsummer.

“We are about a day's ride south of the final waystation of the Northern Territory,” Turo said. “It is where our spies say the deities will ride to join the greater army.”

The elders summoned Kadar that evening. Amber demanded that she be picked up, so he arrived with his suncat perched on his shoulder.

“The troops should be here in less than a ten-­day,” Elder Turin told Kadar. “We will slip some warriors in to kill the Knights holding the Forsaken captive after the army arrives, but before the Voices of the deities come. We would like you to contact the warriors of the One so we can discuss strategy with them.”

Kadar made contact with Abram, who spoke with his leaders. It was strange being the go-­between as the two groups discussed numbers and tactics. But in the end, they'd decided upon a plan.

“Almost half of Voras's army is
geased
,” Turin concluded. “If our assassins can free even a quarter of those Forsaken troops, the Tigus and warriors of the One will be better matched to the army in numbers. We will have a better chance of winnowing down the army as they march across the desert.”

Jesah nodded. “We will ask the tribes to send their most skilled fighters to assassinate the Knights.”

“But how do we know the deities won't simply turn and return to Illian if their army's numbers are decimated?” one of the elders asked.

“The warriors of the One believe they are too invested at this point,” Kadar said, relaying the message. “To turn back would be to lose the war and the deities' chance at regaining what they lost. The warriors of the One believe the deities will push on to get to the temple and regain their power. If that happens, they will be able to take energy from any human, not just their acolytes.”

“What happens if the deities do push through and the Chosen cannot contain them?” someone asked. “What if they regain their full powers?”

“It is not for us to question,” Turin said. “We are warriors and we will fight!”

The other elders nodded and rose, the meeting breaking up.