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TheLifeSiphon
KathrynSommerlot
Book1of2intheLifeSiphonduology
SmashwordsDistributionISBN9781370075089
Coverillustration2016byJennyatSeedlingsDesignStudio
SmashwordsEdition,LicenseNotes
Thisebookislicensedforyourpersonalenjoymentonly.Thisebookmaynotbere-soldorgivenawaytootherpeople.Ifyouwouldliketo
sharethisbookwithanotherperson,pleasepurchaseanadditionalcopyforeachrecipient.Ifyou’rereadingthisbookanddidnotpurchaseit,
oritwasnotpurchasedforyouruseonly,thenpleasereturntoSmashwords.comoryourfavoriteretailerandpurchaseyourowncopy.Thank
youforrespectingthehardworkofthisauthor.
TableofContents
One
Two
Three
Four
Five
Six
Seven
Eight
Nine
Ten
Eleven
Twelve
Thirteen
Fourteen
Fifteen
Sixteen
Seventeen
Eighteen
Nineteen
Twenty
Acknowledgements
AbouttheAuthor
One
Theknockonthedoorcamejustashefinishedrefillinghisquiver.Tatsufroze,bloodrunningcold.
Hekepthishandontheleatherpackforalongmomentbeforehewasabletoswallowdownthelumpin
histhroat.Hishousewastoofarandtooremoteforanyonetosimplystumbleacrossit,sowhoeveritwas
hadmeanttoarrive.Astheairinthesmallhousehungstillandheavy,hishandslidtotheuneventable
withthebrokenleghe’dnevergottenaroundtofixing,fingersfindingthefamiliarandwell-wornhiltof
hisskinningknife.Itwassharpenoughtotakeapartajackhare.Hehopeditwasalsokeenenoughto
defendhimself.
Hewaitedamoment,andthenanother,beforetakingafewstepstowardsthenoise,hisfeet
unconsciouslyfindingtheirwayaroundthelong,loosefloorboards.Hewasalmosttothedoorwhenthe
knockingcameagain,impatient.Thenewroundofknockingwaspairedwithafemalevoice.“Tatsu?”
TheanxietylefthisbodyinarushthatfeltlikethehotstingofChayd’ssummeragainsthisskin,
monthstooearly.
“Alesh?”herepliedandopenedthecreakingwoodendoor.“Whatareyoudoinghere?”
Hisfirstthoughtwasthatshehadtobeinjured,sick,orsomethingworse.Afterall,ithadbeena
longtimesinceshehadlastbotheredtotravelallthewaytohishutintheouterwoods.Butsheappeared
tobeinonepiece,herhairbraidedbackintothreesimpleplaits,andsheseemednoworseforthewear.
Thatsentapangofirritationthroughhiscore.Knowingthatshehadbeenfinebutnotvisitingmadeher
suddenreappearancecutdeeper.
“Please,”shesaidand,atonce,heknew.TherewasonlyoneotherreasonthatAleshwouldmake
thejourneytoseehim.Sheneededafavor.
Hehadhalfamindtoshutthedoorrightinherface,hisstomachstilluntanglingitselffromthetight
knots,buttherewasaflashofmovementbehindAlesh’sshoulder.Ralwaswithher,digginginthe
constantscourgeofweedsthatgrewinfrontofthehousewithoutanycaretothedirtembeddingitself
underhernails.TheyoungwomanwaslaughingatTatsu’swildflowers.Already,darksmearsofmud
werevisibleagainstthelighterbrownofherdressfabric,markingherasenol:baseborn.
Hedidn’tclosethedoor,buthedidn’tedgeitopenanyfurthereither.
“Hearmeout,”Aleshstarted,havingthegoodgracetoflinchwhenTatsusnorted.
“Isn’tthatallI’veeverdone?”heasked.
“Ineedyourhelp,”shesaid.
Helpwasnotawordthatcameeasilyfromher,thoughTatsuguessedthattheyhadwildlydifferent
definitionsofit.Helptohimmeantaidandafriendlyearandsomeonepresent,offeringsuggestionsand
findingsolutions.HelpwasnothingAleshhadeverallowedhimtodo.
“ThelasttimeItriedtohelpyou...”hewarned.
Herhandmadecontactwiththewoodofthedoorwithasurprisingamountofforce,theripplesofit
shakingTatsu’sarm.“Listen,thisisn’tforme,youknow.Ican’tleaveheralone,andIdon’thaveanyone
else.”
TatsupeeredoverAlesh’sshoulderagain.Ralhadgottenahandfulofthereedyflowersandpulled
themupbytheroots,laughingwithdelightatthewhitetendrilsshehadexposed.WhenTatsulethisgaze
flickerbacktoAlesh,herdarkeyeswerestillfocusedonhim,narrowandunflinching.
“Please,”shesaidagain,thoughthistime,itsoundedmuchlesslikearequest.Sheknewshehad
alreadywonhimover.
Tatsusighedandcalledout,“Ral,wouldyouliketocomein?”
Ralcomplied,thoughsheleftatrailofdirtbehindherashermovementloosenedtheclumpsthat
clungtoherskirt.Shemighthavegottentaller.ShewastallerthanTatsu,atleast.Sheseemedpleasedto
beinthehouse,andTatsutriedtokeephalfhisattentiononherasshemovedaroundthespaceincaseshe
gotherhandsontheextrasnareslyingaround.Ifhehadknownhewasgoingtohaveahouseguest,he
mighthavedonesomethingwiththeplace.
“It’sonlyforafewdays,”Aleshpromised.“ThisisthesafestplaceIcouldthinkof.Imean,whois
goingtocomewayouthere?IhavesomebusinessIneedtoattendto—”
“Otherpeople’spossessions,youmean?”Tatsucutheroff.“Oristhereanewlineofcriminal
mischiefyou’vefoundthatpaysbetter?”
Shefrowned.“That’snotfairatall,andyouknowit.”
“DoI?”Tatsuasked.“HowcouldIknowit,whenthelasttimeyoubotheredtoshowuphereand
tellmeyouwerestillalive,thefirstsnowhadjustfallen?”
Herbrownfacepinchedtight,mouthhard,beforeitslackenedagainindefeat.Shesighed,equal
partsexasperationandresignation,andranahandthroughthefewdarkstrandsofherhairthatwere
hangingwildandwavyaroundherface,tooshorttoplaitback.
“Look,canyou…sparemethewholespiel?”shesaid.Hergazesankdowntoaspotnearthe
entrancewherethebeamsofthehousewereembeddeddeepinthedirt,andthenitstayedthere.“I
promiseyoucanlecturemeallyouwantwhenIcomebacktopickherup.Butfornow,Ireallyneedto
go,andIdon’thavetimeforthis.”
Tatsuleanedagainstthedoor.Behindhim,Ralhaddiscoveredtheutensilsforcookingandwas
excitedlygoingthroughthemall.Tatsucouldheartheclangofthecopperspoonsandmugsagainsteach
other.Foramoment,Aleshlookedverytiredasshestoodonhisdoorstep;theweightoftheworld
seemedtohangonhershoulders,hobblingher.Sheseemedsmallerthanthelasttimehehadseenher,
underthesameskyandamoontingedwithred.Hethoughtaboutsayingsomething,somethinglikestay,
butwhereverthatwascomingfrom,themomenthadlongsincepassedbetweenthem.Ithadbeentoo
manywintersandtoomanysummers.Theworddiedonhistongue.
Instead,henodded.“Fine.Butonlyforafewdays.”
“Thankyou,”Aleshsaid,andhermouthtwistedupintoaruefulsmile.“She’slearnedtocounttoa
hundred—youshouldaskhertodemonstrateforyou.Shelovesshowingitoff.”
Behindthem,asifinagreement,therewasasharpcrashwhentheyoungwomaninquestionbanged
Tatsu’sladleagainstthebigironpot.
“Iwill,”Tatsureplied.
Aleshtuckedabitofunrulyhairbehindoneear.“Itwon’tbelong.”
“No,”Tatsuagreed.“Itneveris.”
Hewasathomeinthewoods.
Itdidn’tmatterhowmanytimeshewalkedthroughthesamestretchofthick-barkedtrees,healways
foundsomethingbothcalmingandnew:abird’sneststretchedacrossbranches,ananthillatthefootof
upturnedroots.Hisfeetcouldfindhisfootinginthedarkestcornersoftheforest,rainorshine.Afew
momentsmotionlesswithhiseyesclosed,earskeen,andheknewwhichanimalswereslinkingaround
him,eagertogetlostintheshadowsawayfromhissnares.
ThedailychoresthroughthetreesweremademoredifficultwiththeadditionofRal.Whilethe
youngwomanwascheerfulandbright,shealsowasn’tquitecapableofkeepingherfootstepsquiet.
Hunting,itseemed,wasoutofthequestionuntilAleshreturned.Ralseemedtoenjoymovingthroughthe
almostnever-endinggreenofthetrees,evenifshedidmarchthroughasiftryingtoalerteverycreatureto
herexistence.Aroundthemboth,thetalltrunksofthetreesexpandedabovetheirheadsintoasplayof
branchesandcoarseleaveswithnotchedsides.Thefurtherawayfromthecottagetheywent,themorethe
woodsaroundthemchanged,darkened,andgrewthickerwithpinesandthesweetsmelloftheirneedles.
Chaydmighthavephysicallyownedthewoods,butTatsuknewtheirsoul.
“Ral,let’sfindsomeberriesfordinner,”hesuggested,andshefollowed,singingasongthatwas
moregutturalnoisesthanactualwords.Shetrailedherfingersalongtheleavesastheypassed.Thelossof
huntingwasfrustrating,buthistrapswouldfeedthemwellenoughiftheycouldfindsomethingto
supplementthecatch.
Ithadrainedthenightbefore,andthegroundwasstillwetwiththeaftermath.Tatsu’sbootssank
intothedirtashepushedhishandagainstoneofthetrunksandwaited.Thisareaofthewoodswasn’t
knownforbeingrichwithedibleberries,buthehadafeelingtherewassomethingnearby.Ithadbeena
longtimesincehe’dchecked,andtheoddswereinhisfavor.
Overhead,aravenflewastheywalked,screechingoutitssonginsporadicbursts.Inthemud,the
remnantsoftheforest’snightsceneremained,half-buriedbeneathfallenleavesandcreepingground
vines.Tatsucouldseetracksfromalong-gonedeerandtheerraticpathofarabbitescapingitsowl
predator.Henotedallofthemastheytrekked.Evenifhecouldn’tgoafterthedeerwithRal,knowingthat
itwasaroundsignaledthepossibilityofthisareabeinggoodhuntinggroundinthedaysafter.
Hefoundwhathewaslookingforwithinthehour:acacheofberries,plumpandred,clusteredon
thebranchesofabush.Theplantcreptuplikeathiefaroundthesideofoneoftheweaker,crookedtrees,
barelyholdingontoitsplaceintheforest.
“Ral,comelook,”hesaid,kneelingdowntocaptureafewofthejuicyorbsbetweenhisfingertips.
Shekneltdownbesidehim,faceopenandexcited.
“Sopretty,”shemurmuredasshereachedforthesplashesofred,brightagainstthebackdropof
green.Hepickedafewfromthebranch,thejuicesplashingonhisskinandrunningdownhisfingers,and
heldouttheburlappouchhe’dbroughtwithhim.Ralhadotherideas,however.Sheinsistedondepositing
alltheonesshepickedintoherskirt,whichshepillowedoutoverherfoldedknees.Astheycollectedas
manyastheycould,stainingtheirhandsmaroon,shelaughedandlaughed,andTatsucouldn’thelp
laughingwithher.Whenshestood,shemanagedtokeepmostoftheirbountywithinthefabric,thoughhe
knewtherewouldbenohelpingtheredstain.
IftheycutbackeasttowardstheTurendMountains,Tatsucouldchecktherestofhissnares,setup
aroundhisusualcircuit.HelethisfingersrestlooselyonRal’swrist,smearingherskinwithsomeofthe
berryjuice.Hestartedforhislocation,saying,“Onefinalcheckandthenwe’llgoback,allright?”
Shedidn’tprotest,thoughherstepswerestillasloudaseverthroughtheunderbrush.
Hehadcollectedanabundantbountywithhistraps.Twoharesandagroundsquirrel,allrelatively
freshanduntouchedbytheraptorsthatmadetheirnestsoverhead.Hetiedhiscatchesupbythelegsand
swungthemoverhisshoulder,onebyone,carefullyresettingthewiresandtriggersdisguisedbythelong
grassesaroundthebumpytreeroots.Finishingthelastone,hestood,pleasedwithhowthedayhadgone
despiteeverything.Heturned,expectingtofindhiscompanionalreadysnackingontheberryhaul.
Ral,however,wasgone.
Tatsuturnedandthenturnedagain,allthewayaround,andsawonlythetreetrunksheknewby
heart.Hesawnosignoftheyoungwoman.How,hecursed,couldshehavedisappearedsoquietlywhen
alldayshe’dscaredoffhisgame?Toslipawayinthewoodswhilehewasotherwiseengaged…Tatsu
cursedhimselfanddartedforwardbeforehestoppedagain,crouchingdownandattemptingtocalmhis
racingheart.Heknewthewoodsandshedidn’t.Hepressedhisfingersdownintothedryingdirtand
closedhiseyesforamoment,steadyinghimselfwiththescentofthestill-moistmudanddeadleaves.
Whenheopenedhiseyesagain,hecouldseethetracksleftinthemudandtheleavesshe’dbentasshe’d
passedthemby.
Hetookoffinthedirectionhertrailled.Inhishaste,hedroppedoneofthehares,andwhilehewas
loathtoleaveit,Ralwasmoreimportant.Thepredatorsinthetreesdidn’tbotherhim,butshewas
unarmedandvulnerable,andtheclosertheymovedtothecliffs,theclosertheycametotheterritorythe
wolveslikedtopatrol.
“Ral!”hecalled,sharpandalmostangry.
Helosthertrailand,afterawildmoment,founditagain,boltingforwardlikeavoleevadinga
falcon.Hewasmovingtooquickly,andheswervedtooclosetoalow-hangingbranch.Itsbarkmade
contactandstungagainsthischeek,buthedidn’tevenbothertowipethebloodaway.Hekeptmoving
untilhislungsburnedandhishandsshook.Then,allatonce,hewasoutofthetreecoveratthesideofa
cliff,overlookingthemountainsthatstretchedoutlikerockyrootsprotrudingfromtheground.
Ralstoodwithherskirtswhippingaroundherbody.Theberrieswerestrewnacrossthegrassin
frontofher,abloodstainonthegreen,forgotten.
“Stop,”shesaid.Shelookedfrightened,butshewasn’tgivinghimanorder.IttookTatsuafew
stepstoseewhatshewastalkingabout.
Themountainsweredying.
Itwasn’tthecliffsthemselves,ofcourse,butthevegetationonthem.Ithadoncebeenlushand
green,pinesformingstripesofyear-roundcolorthatwereaconstantwhenautumncameandcoloredthe
otherleavesgold.Itwasalldead.Whatlittlewasleftofthetreeswasdarkenedtoalmostblack,limbs
twistedovereachotherandhuncheddowntowardsthesoil.Itwasn’tjustasmallsection,likeavictimof
atreeblight,butallofit.ItcontinuedasfarasTatsucouldseeuntilthelifestoppedalongtheuphillclimb
ofthemountainsthemselves.
Thesightshockedhimsomuchthathestumbledbackastepbeforehecaughttherealhorrorofit.
Therewasalineinfrontoftheminthegrass.Itwasanalmostperfectlinebetweenthewitheredbrownof
thedeadbladesandthestill-livinggreenoftherest,justneartheedgeofthecliff.Theghastlycontrastof
colorscontinuedalongthelineuntiltheclearingendedandthemountainslopeddownward.Thebrownof
thedeadgrasssliddownintothevalley,andthegreencontinuedbackintoTatsu’swoods.
“Whatisthis?”Tatsuwhispered.“What’shappening?”
Ralwhimpered,weakatfirstandthenmoreforceful.Herhandsclutchedthesidesofherheadas
shesankdownintothegrassandtheremnantsoftheberries.
“Scary,scary,scary,”sherepeated.“Bad!Stop,stop!”
“Ral,”Tatsusaidandreachedforher,nearlymissinghershouldersbecausehershakingwasso
violent.“Ral,stop!Comehere.Let’sgetawayfromthis.”
Sheallowedhimtoleadherbackintotherelativesafetyofthetrees.Oncetheybegantoput
distancebetweenthelineofdecayandthemselves,herconditionseemedtobetter,butTatsucouldn’t
purgewhathe’dseenfromhismind.Thosemountainshadoncebeenathrivingecosystem.Ifthatline
meantwhathethoughtitdid,itwasonlygoingtoexpandfurtherandfurther,reachinghiswoodsand
swallowingthemwhole.Ifthatwasn’tbadenough,hedidn’tthinkthattheforestwouldstopit.
Beyondthetrees,beyondhissnaresandtraps,Chayd’scapitalofDradelasatdirectlyinthepathof
theunnaturaldestruction.
Thebirdswerechatteringabovethemontheirwalkbacktothehouse,butallTatsucouldhearwas
theroarofthewarningagainsthisears,awhitenoiseoffearanddreadthatsilencedeverythingelse.
RalwassilentasTatsumadedinner.Sometimes,shewassimplymotionless,staringatnothingon
thefloorboards,andothertimes,hereyesdartedaroundtheroomasifshewastakingstockofinvisible
enemiesfloatingabovetheirheads.Tatsuwasn’tsurewhattodoaboutit.Themilesandmilesofdead
forestwouldn’tleavehismindeither,evenasheskinnedthenewestprizesfromhissnaresandcooked
theminarich,starchyvegetablebrothuntiltheyweretender.
WhenheservedtheconcoctiontoRalinaslightlycrackedclaybowl,hergazefinallymethis.She
didn’ttaketheofferedbowl,though,sohesetitonthetableinfrontofherandthenseatedhimselfacross
fromher,feelingequallyqueasyabouthisownportion.
“Iknowwhatwesawtodaywasvery…strange,”hesaid,stirringbitsofthemeataroundwithhis
woodenspoonuntiltheystucktothesides.“Butyoudoneedtoeatsomething,soplease,tryandeata
little?”
Hereyesflittedacrossthetable,fromthebowltothespoon,andthenshewrappedherfingers
aroundtheutensil.
“Whatdoyouthinkallofthatwas?”Tatsuasked.
“Bad.Scary,”Ralrepliedaroundthespoon.Herhair,whichwasalwaysdownandwornlooselike
ayounggirl’s,wasfallinginwavesaroundhershoulders.Assheate,abitofthestewescapedfromher
spoonandsplashedacrossherchin.Grabbingatowel,Tatsudabbedattherivuletsforherashereyes
trackedhismovement.Hersmilewaswaterywhenhewasdone,andhecouldmanageonlyaweaksmile
back.
“Itwasscary,”heagreed.“Andyouknowwhatthescariestpartwas?”
Shedidn’tanswer,buthedidn’texpectherto.
“Ithinkthatdeadpartiscomingthisway,”hesaid,mostlytohimself.“Whatwouldhappentome
andthesewoods?”
Ralgrinnedagain,spooningbiggerbitsofthestewintohermouth.“Yummy,”shetoldhim.“Like
thisfood.”
Forawhile,Tatsuwatchedher.She’dbeensmallforheragewhenyounger.Itwasareaction,they
hadsaid,totheplaguethathadstruckwhenshewasstillababyandkepthermindfromgrowingupwith
therestofher.ShewasolderbuthadalwaystrailedbehindAleshinheight,yearafteryear.Suddenly,she
hadsproutedup,tallandwillowy,likeatreethathadfinallyfoundthesun.Shewaseverybitawoman
now,withthebrowncoloringnativetoChayd.Herskin,nexttoTatsu’s,wasawarm,richsepia.
Self-conscious,Tatsupulledhisarmback,absentlyrubbinghisskinasifhecoulddarkenhisown
tomatch.Ral,oblivious,onlysmiledathimagainthroughmouthfulsofdinner.
“Eatup,”hetoldher,eventhoughhepushedhisownbowlaside,appetitelost.
Whentheyweredone,hecleanedupeverythingwiththebigpotofwarmedwaterandletRalsiton
thefloor.Shelikedplayingwiththeoldoddsandendsthatneverseemedtomakeitoutofthehouse.She
likedthewoodencarvingsintheshapesofanimalsandthescrapsthatgotcutwhenhewasmakingnew
fasteningsforhissheathandquiver.Shestayedclearfromthebootsinthecorner,andTatsuwasgladfor
it.Theywerenearlycoveredindustsothickithidtheleatherinamottledwhiteshroud.Theywerethe
lastthinginthehousehisfatherhadtouchedbeforehe’ddied.
Tatsuhadneverfoundthestrengthtomovethem.
Itwasn’tuntilhewasalmostfinishedwiththewashingthatheheardthekeeningnoisefromthe
centeroftheroom.Whenheturned,Ralwasshakingherhandsinfrontofher,eyeswildandwhite,
dartingfromsidetoside.
“Ral?”heasked.Foramoment,hethoughtshewashavingaseizure.
Hereachedforherbutnevermadeit—thethudandsmackagainstthedoorstoppedthembothcold.
Forasecond,therewasnothing,andthen,barelyaudiblefromtheothersideofthewoodenpanels,came
alowgroanofpain.
Tatsurantothedoorandthrewitopen,andtherewasAlesh,bleedingalloverthedoorstep.
“Tatsu,”shemanaged,andthatwasitbeforehereyesrolledbackinherhead,strengthfading,and
shepitchedforwardintothehouseandhisarms.
Two
Shewasheavywhenhecaughther,barelyabletokeepherkneesandknucklesfromhittingthe
floorboards.Tatsu’skneesbuckled,andhegrunted,thoughhemanagedtokeepthembothsomewhat
upright.
“Ral,”hegroundoutbetweenclenchedteeth.Shewasupsetandrattled,stillfloppingherhandson
limpwristsintheair,butshemovedtohissideandreachedforhersister,anditwasenoughtohelp
balancethedeadweight.“Helpmegethertothebed.”
Somehow,theydid.Aleshleftatrailofbloodontheboardsbeneathher,butitwasn’tasmuchas
Tatsuhadinitiallythought.Darksplashesofithadsoakedintothesideofherbrownshirt.Theflow,
however,hadebbed.Theredspotsonherarmsandface,whilenodoubtpainful,wouldblossomonly
intovividbruiseswithinadayortwo.Whateversparkhadkeptherawaketomakethejourneythrough
thetreestoTatsu’shousehadclearlydisappeared.
Hepushedasidethefabricofherstainedshirt,whichwassostickythatittuggedatherskin.Tatsu
whisperedanapology,eventhoughheknewshewasfarbeyondhearingit.Thewoundwasclean,which
wassomethinggood,atleast,andnotterriblydeep.Theknifehadgoneinandmissedhittinganything
otherthanveinsandskin,andthebloodhadalreadybeguntoclot.Theairlefthislungsinanalmost
painfulrush.
“Ral,Ineedyoutotakethisclothandpressitagainsttheredpart,”TatsusaidandguidedRal’s
handstowherehewantedthem.Herfingerswereshakingandthereweretearsonhercheeks,butshedid
asshewastold.Whenheremovedhishandsfromhers,shewasabsolutelystill,asidefromherterrified,
shudderingbreaths.
“Good,”Tatsubreathed.“Juststaythere.”
Hewenttothewaterpotandsetitoverthefire.Already,thetightnessinhischestwasrelaxing,
soothedbyfamiliar,usefultasks.He’dpatchedupworsewoundsonhisfatherbeforetheageoffourteen:
thetimethemanhadnearlybeentakendownbyalonewolfthatstrayedtoofarfromthepack,andtwice
whenthetrapstheyhadbeensettinghadmalfunctionedduringplacement.Still,hedidn’twanttotakeany
chances.
Therewasasewingkitontheclutteredshelveshangingnearthefires,andTatsugrabbedit.It
didn’ttakelongtosterilizetheneedleintheflames.
BythetimehereturnedtoAlesh’ssidewithhistools,Ralwasshakingharder.Hershoulderswere
slumpedoveronthemselvesinamiserablearch.
“Help,please,”shewhispered.TatsureachedforherhandsandpulledthemawayfromAlesh’s
injury.Gettinganotherlookatithelped—hewassurethatthewoundwasn’tdangerouslydeep.
OnceRalhadsatback,herfaceturneduptowardshim.“Tatsu,help?”
“Yes,”Tatsutoldher.“I’mgoingtohelpher.”
Hecleanedthewoundwiththewarmwaterandterrycloth.Oncethewaterwaspinkwithblood,he
hunchedoverandpeeredclosesohecouldstitchuptheskininaneat,evenrow.Itwaseasierthan
workingonhimself.Evenso,whenhewasdone,hisbackwasscreamingfromtheunnaturalbend,andhis
handswerestiffandtrembling.Alesh’schestwasrisingandfallinginrhythmic,ifshallow,breaths,and
Tatsuallowedhimselftositbackandsteadyhisownbreathing.
“Why?”Ralasked,hervoicesmall.
Hecouldn’tthinkofanythingtotellher.Fromhiskneelingpositiononthefloor,hestaredatthe
angryredstainonthepartsofAlesh’sshirtthatwerestillintact.Herblackhairremainedbraidedand
wrappedwithcord,butatumbleofthewaveshadfallenfreeandwerehangingoffthesideofthebed.
Whenhestilldidn’thaveananswerforRalafterafullminute,hemovedtowraphisfingersaroundher
skinnywrist.
“I’mscared,”Ralsaid,andhershouldersshook.
“Metoo,”Tatsuadmitted.
Thefloorwasn’tthemostcomfortableplacetosleep,butTatsudoubtedhewouldhavegottenmuch
restanyway.Hisneckachedfromtheawkwardcurveinwhichhehadfirstmanagedtodozeofffor
perhapsonlyhalfanhour,andafterthat,hecouldn’tgethismindtocalmdownenoughtodriftaway
again.Hestaredattheboardsoftheroofabovethem.Crackshadlongsincebegunsplittingthewood
grainsandsplinteringthepanels.He’donceknownthemallandhadnamedthem,creatingelaborate
storiesforthem,backbeforeAleshandRalhadbeenpartofhislife.Backthen,hisfatherhadbeenthe
onlyonearound.
Inthedimlightofthecandle,thesamecracksseemedforeignandfaraway,unreachable.
Hesighedandturnedover.Lookingbeneaththebedonthefloor,hecouldseethelayerofdustthat
hadaccumulatedbeneaththestrawmattress,whichshouldhavebotheredhimmuchmorethanitdid.
“Tatsu?”cametheweakvoicefromthebeditself.
Hepushedhisweightupontohiselbowssoquicklythathebangedbothjointsagainstthefloorand
wincedfromthejoltthatshotuptohisshoulders.“Alesh?”
Scramblingtohisfeet,hefoundherwithblearybutopeneyes,registeringandfollowinghis
movements.
“You’reawake,”hesaidandinstantlyfeltstupidfordoingso.“Imean,wewereworriedabout
you.”
“Ral?”Aleshrasped.Therightsideofherfacewasstartingtotakeonagreentint,nodoubtthe
precursortothewidespreadbruisingTatsuknewshewouldsoonhave.Itseemedtoimpedeherspeecha
bit,likeitwaspainfultomoveherjaw.
TatsucheckedoverhisshouldertotakestockofRal’ssleepingfigureonthefloorboards.“She’s
fine.We’refine.”
Heknewherwellenoughtodecipherthelookofreliefthatflashedacrossherfeatures,nomatter
howswollenandinflamedtheywere.Hereyelidsflutteredclosedforamomentasshebreathed,perhaps
tosteadyherself.Whenhereyesopenedoncemore,hergazeseemedstronger.
“Alesh,”Tatsustarted,andpartofhim,apartofhimthathedidn’tquiterecognizeanymore,wanted
toreachforhershoulder.Anunblemishedanduninjuredbitofbrownskinwasvisiblefrombetweenthe
tatteredremainsoftheshirtshewaswearing.Itwasanoldmemorythatstuckinhisthroat,bitterand
rotting.“Whathappened?”
Hermouthscrewedtothesideabit,evasive.“Jobwentbad.”
“Youshowuponmydoorstep,bleedingandalmostunconscious,”hestarted,andthen,withapang
ofguiltwhenhesawthewaysheflinched,softenedhisvoicetofinish,“IthinkIdeservealittlemorethan
that.”
Thelinesatthecornersofhermouthdeepened.Shemusthavebeenfeelingabitbetter,becauseshe
turnedherheadtothesidetostareattheknotsinthewoodofthecottagewall.Shewasquietforalong
time.IfTatsuhadn’tbeenabletoseehereyes,stillopenandfixeduponnothing,hewouldhavethought
shehadfallenbackasleep.
Afterwhatfeltlikeaneternity,shesaid,“YouknowyouaretheonlypersonthatIcanreallycount
on.”
Tatsudidn’tanswer,mostlybecausehewasn’tsurehow.Aleshstraightenedherneck,looking
straightathimwithinkyshadowsonherskinflickeringanddancingblackfromthecandlelight.“AndI
knowthatIdon’treallydeservethat,aftereverything.”
“Stop,”Tatsusaid,halfheartedatbest.
“Youknowit’strue,”shesighed.“AndI’msorry.”
StaringatRal’sform,half-coveredbyathreadbareblanketunravelingononeedge,Tatsutriedto
ignorethefamiliartwistinginhisstomachandreplied,“Youalwayswere.”
“Andthat’swhatalwaysmadeithurtsomuch,”Aleshagreed.
Theysatinsilenceforseverallongminutes,listeningtotheconstanthumoftheinsectsoutside.
Alesh’sreturnhadbroughtuplong-dormantfeelingsandoldpainhe’dbeentryingtoignoreforyears.The
cottagewassuddenlytoosmallforthethreeofthem,trappedinastrangewaltzoftiptoeingaroundthe
past.
“Alesh,”Tatsutriedagain,hisvoicelow,“whathappened?”
Resigned,herheadlolledtoonesideagain,againstthefibersofthepillow.“Guardsshowedupon
thejobandgotmostofthehands.Imanagedtogetaway,butnotbeforeoneofthemgotafewhitsin.”
Itwaslikely,then,thatthecolorsslowlybrighteningonherfacewerefromtryingtofleeratherthan
beingtheaggressor,whichmadeTatsufeelalittlebetter.
“Itwasstrange,though,”shecontinued.“Theyhadanentirecompany.Theymusthavebeentipped
off,becausewhyelsewouldtheyhavesomanyguardsforaroutinetradeinspection?”
“Youthinksomeonesoldyouout?”Tatsuasked.“Fromtheinside?”
Shewashalfwayintoashrugbeforethepainoftheactionseemedtoregister.Shestoppedquickly,
andittookawhileforherbodytorelaxagain,herfacepinched.“Orelsewewerebeingwatched.”
“Youneedtogetout,”Tatsutoldher.
Aleshlaughed,harshandbarking,andthis,too,appearedtobepainful.“YouknowIcan’t.They’ll
comeafterme.AndRal.They’vegottoomuchonmetoletmegonow.They’llkillmebeforetheyletme
go.”
“Atthisrate,you’regoingtodieanyway,”Tatsushotback,bloodheating.“Whatgoodareyouto
Ralifyou’rekilledpullingsomestupidjob?”
Aleshdidn’tanswerhimbutheldhisgaze,eyeslockedonhis.Therewasalotthere,murkyinthe
depths,andhecouldn’tquitegetahandleonitall.Butsomewhereinthere,buriedbeneaththepainand
wallsusedasashield,helikedtobelievetherewasstillatwingeofaffection.Thelongburned-out
embersofwhattheyusedtohavesettledbetweenthem.Stung,somehow,andtootiredtounderstanditall,
Tatsuwrenchedhiseyesaway.
“I’mnotapologizing,”hemumbled.
“Ididn’taskyouto,”Aleshreplied.“Ideserveit.”
“I’mstillallowedtocareaboutwhathappenstoyou,”Tatsusaid.
Herfingerswerecoolwhentheythreadedthroughhisown.“You’regoodlikethat.”
HesnuckanotherglanceatRal,whowasstillasleep.Hopefully,shewaslostindreamswhereher
worldwasmuchdifferentfromthereality.“Whatwasthejob?”
Aleshseemedsurprisedbythechangeintopic,pausingwithpursedlipsbeforeanswering,
“SmuggledgoodsfromJoesar.I’mnotreallysurewhatitwas—potions,maybe,orpoison?Somethingin
glassbottles.Thedistributorsweren’tparticularlyforthcomingwithdetails,butIcouldheartheglass
clinkingaswemovedit.”
ShesighedwhenshesawthedarklookonTatsu’sface.Hepulledhishandfreeasshesaid,“Look,
Iknow.I…I’mtryingtobehonest.YouaskedmewhatIknewaboutit.”
“Well,bringingpoisonintothecityisn’texactlysomethingthatIwouldbeproudof,”hesaid.
“Neitheriswatchingmysisterslowlystarvetodeath,”Aleshsnapped,cheeksflushedwithire.
Tatsusighed,staringdownatthecallusesonhisfingers.“Hereweareagain.”
“Yeah,”Aleshwhispered.“Seemsfamiliar.”
Shedidn’tsayanythingelse,andTatsucouldn’tforceanapologypasthislips,sotheysatinsilence
untiltheybothfellintoanuneasy,restlesssleep.
Hewokeearly,momentarilycomfortedbythesongofthebirdsoutsidethehouse.Theywerethe
sametrillsheheardeverymorning:thesoundofhome,ofstability.Hemovedaroundtheextrablankets
andRalonthefloortogethisknifeandhisboots,lacingupthelatterwithpracticedefficiency.Theair
outsidewascool,butnotcold—thekindofspringbreezethatnipsatcheeksbutinvigoratessteps.Itfelt
goodafterthenightofstaleairinthehouse,andTatsusuckedinafewdeeplungfuls.Lookingdown,he
sawthattherewerestillsplotchesofspilledbloodattheentrancetothehouse,andherubbedthetoeof
hisbootagainstoneofthem,makingamentalnotetocleanituplaterintheday.
Beingoutinthetreesalonefeltgood.Itfeltrighttoweavethroughthetrunksandbrush,findinghis
almostinvisiblesnaresintheweedsthatsprangupflatneartheexposedroots.Heduckedunderlow-
hangingbranchesthatscrapedacrossthegrass.Tatsufeltmorelikehimselfagain,steadied,andhismood
waslightwhenhereturnedhomewithhiscatchandapouchfullofherbs.Heevenfoundhishouseguests
awakewhenhegotthroughthedoor.
“Stillupandmovingearly,Isee,”Aleshsaidwithasmilefromthebed.Shewassittingupagainst
thewoodenheadboard,whichwasapositivesign.Thebruisesonherfaceandleftarmwereintensifying,
butwhenTatsuapproachedtocheckherinjury,hefoundacleanwoundfreefrominfection.Theedgesthat
hehadn’tsewnseemedtohavealreadybeguntostitchthemselvestogether.
“Breakfast!”Ralexclaimedwithabrightpealoflaughterandaclapofherhands.
Tatsu’sstomachgrowledinresponse.Thestressandenergyofthepreviousnighthadburned
throughhisstaminastores.
“Ral?”heasked.“Wanttolearnhowtoskinahare?”
Despitegivingtheanimalapatonitsunmovingheadbeforetheystarted,sheseemedtotaketothe
taskwithrelish.Hemodeledthemotionsbeforegivinghercontrolandfoundthatshewasanaturalat
gettingacleanslicewithallthefurremoved.Shedidn’tevenseemconcernedbythebloodsettlingonher
skin.
Astheydividedtheanimalandstrungitonthespitoverthefire,Aleshsaid,“I’msorrythatwe’ll
havetobeherewithyoulongernow,thebothofus.”
“Idon’tmind,”Tatsutoldher,anditwasn’talie.Itwasnice,initsownway,tohavepeoplewith
himthathefeltcomfortablearound.Havinganotherpersontotalkwithmadethedaysgobyquicker.
“Still,”shereplied,“Ihadn’tmeantforeitherofustobeherethislong.”
“Theremightstillbeahitoutforyouifyourgangwasbetrayed,”Tatsuwarned.“Theydon’tseem
likethesorttojustletsomeonego.”
Shefellsilentforamoment,watchingRalandTatsuwork.“No,”shefinallyagreed,andhervoice
hadlostmostofitsedge.“Isupposeyou’reright.”
TheyateincompanionableeaseandRalwaseagertohelpTatsucleanup,forwhichhewas
grateful.Butoncetheyhadfinishedstackingthecleanbowlsandplatesonthericketyshelves,shestarted
tobackaway,grabbingforbitsofherhairandtuggingdownonthestrandswithhard,anxiouslittlenoises
comingfromherthroat.
“Ral,”AleshsaidbeforeTatsucouldrespond.Shedidn’tsoundconcerned—shesoundedscared.
“Ral,whatisit?”
ItwasthesecondtimeTatsuhadseenRalbehaveinsuchamannerinonlyamatterofdays.There
wasatwitchinginhisgut,awarningashisbellyconstricted.Somethingtriedtoconnectinthebackofhis
mindwherehecouldn’tquitereachit.Thentherewasaknockatthedoor,justlikewhenAleshhad
arrived,onlythisonewasapounding,incessantandauthoritative.
“Openthisdoorbyorderofthequeen’sguard!”cametheangryshoutfromtheotherside,shaking
Tatsu’sresolveasmuchastheknockingwasshakingthewalls.Alesh’spanickedeyesmetTatsu’s,and
hermouthopenedtoresist,maybe,ortotellhimnottoopenthedoor.Buttherewasnothingeitherofthem
coulddo,andheknewhedidn’thaveachoice.
Hehadbarelyedgedthewoodenpanelsapartbeforetheguardswerestormingin,pushinghim
asideandheadingrightforthebed.TheywentpastthedistraughtRal,whowasstillhalf-cryinginfright.
Eveninthelowlight,theirgold-paintedarmorseemedtosparklelikethesun;hardandbrightand
impossibletoescape.
“Youareherebyplacedunderarrestbytheorderofthequeenonthecountsofsmuggling,resisting
arrest,andinjurytoamemberoftheroyalguard,”saidthefirstone,abig,stockymanwiththecropped
Chaydbeardthatseemedtobeinfashionlately.“Itisforyourowngoodnottosayanythingstupidthat
mightgetyouinevenmoretrouble.”
Aleshdidn’thaveanytimetoprotestbeforetheothertwoguardsweredraggingherupandoutof
thebed,ontoherfeet,whichweren’tsteadyanddidn’tseemquiteabletosupportallherweight.Hertoes
slidacrossthewoodabitbeforeshestraightened,herfaceverypale.
“Howdidyoufindme?”Aleshaskedthroughclenchedteeth.
“Oneofyour‘associates’gaveyouup,”thefirstguardsneered,leaningintowardsher.“Whenyou
weren’tintheshackyoucallahome,weaskedaround.Youraddledneighborskeptmentioningsome
cottageoutinthewoods.Ittookusawhiletofindit.Whointheirrightmindwouldliveallthewayout
here?”
“She’sinjured.Sheshouldn’tbestanding,”Tatsusaid,andheinstantlyrecognizedhismistake.The
headguardroundedonhimnext,toweringimpossiblywide.
“Youarealsounderarrest,”hesaid.
TheroomseemedtospinoutofcontrolasTatsu’sstomachdroppedoutbeneathhim.“Onwhat
charges?”
“Harboringafugitive,”theguardsneered,“andfailingtoturnherovertothequeen.”
“Stopit!It’snothisfault!”Aleshcried.
Shestartedforward,maybetohelphimortopushbackagainstthemen,butherbodycouldn’tquite
handleit.Shepitchedforwardontotheground,barelymanagingtocatchherselfbeforeshehittheboards.
Sheletoutasharpcryofpain,andthentheguardsdraggedherbackuptoherfeet.Sheseemedtohave
smackedthebruisesonherfaceagain,butherwound,Tatsuwasrelievedtosee,hadn’treopened.
“Don’tdothis,”shecontinued,blooddrippingdownfromthefreshcutonherlip.“It’snothisfault.
Icamehereand—”
“Goahead,”thebigguardsaidtoTatsuandnottoAlesh,ignoringhercompletely.“Addresisting
arresttothecharges.It’salwaysagooddaytobagaRunonian.”
HeheardAleshgaspinsympathy.Heturnedhisheadawaytolettheguardsclamptheironshackles
aroundhiswrists.Hewantedtomeltintothefloorboardsthemselvestogetawayand,unabletoleave,
trappedinshame,hisearsburned.Ithadbeenalongtimesincehe’dbeenaroundpeoplewhodidn’t
alreadyknowhim.Tohaveitshovedinhisfaceastheywerearrestinghimwasmorethanhecould
handle.Hismindshutdown,strugglingtoblockouteverythingaroundhim.Shouldersslouching
dejectedly,hedidn’tresistanythingfurther,evenashewasmanhandledtothefrontdoor.
Behindhim,Aleshdidtheoppositeandfoughtagainsttheguards’holdonher.
“Shecan’tstayherealone.She’snotallrightonherown!”shesaidoverandover.Asthemen
pushedherpasttheentrywayanyway,shecalledbackoverhershoulder,“Ral!Ral,stayhere!There’s
food.Youcaneatforawhile.Don’trunaway.Doyouhearme?”
Ralwasweepinganddidn’tanswer.Shewasfrozenasshewatchedthetwoofthembeinghauled
away.
“No,youcan’tleaveheralone!”Aleshcriedout.“Please!”
Tatsutrippedonthewayoverthefrontstoop,overthedriedbloodstain.Hislastthoughtasthemen
shovedhimawayfromtheonlyhomehe’deverknownwasthathewishedhe’dgottenthetimetocleanit
up.
Hedidn’tthinkhe’dbecomingbacktogetthatchanceagain.
“Ral!”Aleshkeptscreaming,hervoicerawandvulnerable.“Ral!Juststayhere!Stayalive!I’ll
comebackforyou,Ipromise!”
Three
Bythetimetheyreachedtheendofthewoodsatmidday,Tatsu’sshoulderswereinagony.The
shacklesonhiswristsdemandedhisshouldersbeslumpedforward,andthepainofitwasbunched
beneathhisneck,throbbingintimewithhisfootsteps.Besidehim,Aleshwascrying.Tearsstreamed
downhercheeksanddrippedontotherippedcollarofhershirt.Theshirtitself,tatteredand
bloodstained,hunginwideswatcheswideenoughtocovermostofherskin,butwhenthebreezepicked
up,thefabricbillowedoutbehindherform,andTatsucouldseetheaftermathofhisstitchinghandiwork.
Everyfewminutes,shewouldstrainagainsttheshacklesonherwristswithfrustratedgrowls,thoughit
wasalostcause.Herarmswerelitteredwithangryredsplotches,theextentofhersuccess,andshe
didn’tpaythemmuchnotice.Tatsukeptquiet,afraidmoreoftheimmediateretributionthanthesentence
waitingforhimuponreachingtheirdestination.
Astheywalked,TatsuwonderedwhatRalwoulddobyherselfwithnoonetohelpher.Leavingthe
forest,itwastheonlythinghismindcouldseemtosettleon,flittingaroundinapanic.Hewasso
unsettledbythegnawingworrythathelosthisfootingasthelastgnarledrootsfadedawayintoaneven
field,speckledwithwillowygrassandreddishrocks.Chayd’sdry,clay-strewnplainscoveredmostof
thecountry’slandandflattenedoutfurtherbeneaththecapitalofDradela.He’dwalkedthispathmany
times,butneverhaditfeltsoforeboding.
DradelawasChayd’slargesttradehub.Hometomostoftheartificersanddistributors,itservedas
acentralcoginthegearsthatkeptthecountryrunning.Theestatesnearthepalacewerewherethenobles
lived,andifatravelersawonlythose,theywouldthinkChaydoverflowingwithriches.Themajorityof
thefieldswerekeptontheoutsideofDradela’sofficialjurisdiction:rowsoftreesyieldingdatesand
palmoil,heavilyexportedacrosstheseabeyondDradela’ssoutherntip.
ThenoblesinDradelakeptlargegardensandblockedthemoffwithwhitesandstones,putting
sharpenedpikesonthetoptokeeptheundesirablesout.Theykepttheirownschoolsandtheirown
bathhouses.Theywouldhavekepttheirownroadsiftheyhadbeenallowed.Accordingtothenobles,
therewere“thewrongsort”ofpeoplewithinthecity.Thosesortslivedneartheedges,wherethehouses
werebentsofarinwardwithagethattheywerenearlytoppling.Therewerenogleamingwhitestonesin
theIahdistrict,onlyunevenplanksthatweresecuredwithrusty,leftoverironandmuddystreetsthat
alwaysstankoftoomanybodiesclosetogether.
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