Earth Called, page 41
“If He does, Mari and I will just Wash the poison from it again,” said Sora firmly.
“Yes, but let us hope Death believes one sick bison will suffice,” said River. “It is wonderful that our Moon Women can heal the lake, but we still must think of the creatures that will be poisoned and the toll that will take on our lands.”
“Even after the Great Goddess embraces Death and takes Him back to the womb of the earth with Her we will have to remain vigilant,” said Dove.
Ralina nodded grimly. “I agree. We cannot allow Him to turn these fertile lands into the poisoned nightmare our forest became.”
“We will be vigilant,” said River. “And we will also be grateful for our Moon Women. Mari, Sora, do you need the Pack with you when you Wash the lake?”
“No,” Mari said. “Sora and I need to Wash the lake quietly.”
“We’ll be careful and not draw any attention to us when we heal the lake,” added Sora.
“We should call down the moon as the sun sets,” said Mari to Sora. “The moon begins to rule the sky then, but it will still be light enough that a sudden flash of silver on the lake won’t be visible to Death through the trees.”
“If He has returned to His camp,” said River.
“Oh, He has,” Ralina assured them. “He’ll be celebrating and blustering and completely unaware of what Mari and Sora do. That is one good thing about His ridiculously inflated ego—it often makes Him blind to the abilities of others.”
“And in His blind arrogance He will not bother to watch and be sure the poisoned waters of the lake keep pouring into the valley,” said Dove. “Yes, I agree with Ralina. What Death has actually done is give us several days’ reprieve.” She slid her arm around River’s waist. “Now, beloved, let us break our fast with the Mare Council and update them. We have extra days to come up with a plan that does not involve sacrificing our Lead Mare Rider.”
“Would you mind if I came with you?” Ralina asked. “Perhaps there is some piece of information that I learned from my time with Death that might help with an alternative plan. I don’t know what it could be at the moment, but if I continue to talk about it and think on it maybe I will remember something I have forgotten—or not realized was important.”
“Of course,” said River. “That’s an excellent idea.” She turned to Mari. “When I thought of a lake attack, I only imagined Death’s army attempting to get within our walls through the sluiceway, not through poison. Again, thank you. You have saved the Herd and Pack from terrible illness.”
“Thank the Goddess,” said Mari quickly. “She is the reason I was there.”
“We shall,” said Dove with a smile.
As Dove, River, and Ralina walked toward the building that housed the Mare Council, Mari stared into the campfire and slowly stroked Rigel’s soft head.
“Is something wrong?” Sora asked quietly, for her ears alone.
Mari startled and then shook her head, forcing herself to smile at her best friend. “I am just sad for River and Dove.”
“You do not think they’ll find another way for the Goddess to incarnate?” Sora said.
“No. I do not think they will,” said Mari.
“Mari, Rigel, there you two are.” Nik stretched and scratched the stubble on his chin as he and Laru joined Sora and Mari. “Where did you get off to so early?”
“Mari caught Death trying to poison us,” said Sora. “Pull up a log, Nik. O’Bryan should be joining us any moment. We’ll fill you in when he does, but until then I have bread and cheese and robust morning tea with which to break our fast.”
“That sounds delicious.” Nik grinned and sat on a log near where Mari and Rigel stood looking into the fire. Laru went to Rigel, sniffed him, and whined softly. Nik tilted his head and studied his Companion’s son. “Mari, is Rigel feeling okay?”
Mari forced herself to shrug and respond as she normally would. “What we witnessed upset him.”
“Did Death do something to you? To Rigel?” Nik stood and hurried to Mari’s side.
Mari stepped into his arms and rested her head against his chest. “Death did not even know we were there, but what He did reminded us of how He destroyed the Tribe of the Trees. It was a lot for Rigel and me.”
“Of course it was!” Nik held her close and stroked her back. “Hey, Rigel, it’s going to be okay. Promise.”
Rigel looked up at Nik and whined before he sighed heavily and lay next to Mari, careful to remain in physical contact with her as if touching her could keep her there—alive—with him.
Mari closed her eyes and wished more than anything that she could freeze the four of them in that moment and keep them all safe, together, and alive.
* * *
Just before sunset Sora and Mari, Nik and O’Bryan walked along the ledge that framed the walled city. Rigel was the only Companion with them, as there was little room on the narrow ledge, but Mari refused to leave him beyond. As they reached the area where wall met lake, River greeted them. She was there with two odd-looking rope contraptions, which instantly intrigued the Tribesmen.
“I see what these are.” Nik held up one of the two wide wooden planks onto which ropes were securely attached. “Look at this, O’Bryan.”
O’Bryan studied the things and nodded. “This is good, but we can definitely help them create a cage system like the Tribe used, which would be better.”
“Cage system?” River asked.
“That sounds ominous,” said Sora.
“Oh, I know what Nik and O’Bryan mean and it’s not ominous at all,” said Mari. “I’m assuming Sora sits on one of these planks and I sit on the other and then you lower us to the bank of the lake, correct?”
River nodded. “Yes, exactly.” She pointed to wooden wheels that had been built into their side of the wall. “We wrap the ropes around the wheels and this lever system allows one person to lower another easily to the ground. We created it to make quick repairs and checks of the sluiceway.”
“Nik and O’Bryan and the Tribe of the Trees had a much more elaborate system,” said Mari. “It allowed one person to lift or lower several people inside something that looked like a beautiful carved cage for giant birds.”
“We can show you how to replicate it,” said Nik.
“It would be our pleasure,” added O’Bryan.
“That would be wonderful,” said River. “Until then let us strap the two of you in and lower you to the bank.”
“We won’t fall?” Sora looked at the contraptions dubiously.
“No, you sit on the planks and wrap the shorter ropes around your waists to secure you. Then if you slip you will not fall to the ground,” said River matter-of-factly.
“That does not actually make me feel better,” said Sora.
O’Bryan put his arm around her shoulders. “I will not let you fall.”
Sora gazed up at him and sighed. Her hands trembled as she sat on the planks and O’Bryan strapped her in, but she bravely only squeaked a tiny terrified sound as they lowered her and Mari side by side while Rigel whined softly from above them.
When they reached the ground, the women untied the security ropes, waved to River, Nik, and O’Bryan, and made their way quickly to the nearby bank.
“Ready?” asked Mari.
Sora nodded. “Ready. And we need to hurry because the sun has set.” She jerked her chin toward the forest, where the sun had disappeared beneath the horizon—though the sky still held its dying light in watercolor swatches of coral and flaxen.
“Completely ready,” said Mari. Then she had to clear her throat of phlegm before she began, though when she began speaking the magickal invocation her voice was firm and clear.
“Moon Women we declare ourselves to be.
Greatly gifted we bare ourselves to Thee.
Earth Mother, aid us with Your magick sight.
Lend us strength this moon-touched night.”
Sora took up the invocation from there.
“Come, silver light—fill us to overflow
so that which has been poisoned your healing touch shall know.”
The two Moon Women lifted their hands to the gloaming sky and finished the invocation together.
“Through right of blood and birth channel through me
that which the Earth Mother proclaims my destiny!”
Cold, silver power flowed down into Mari. She gritted her teeth and fought against her natural instinct to keep some of it—to allow herself to be healed of the sickness that had already taken hold within her body—but Mari did not keep the power. Within her mind she painted an elaborate picture of silver power flowing down and through her and into the lake.
“Now!” Mari told Sora.
The Moon Women flung the silver magick out into the lake, which blazed like a shooting star for a moment, and then that light, and the light in the sky, faded to darkness.
“Wow, that was a lot easier than I thought it would be,” said Sora as she looked up at their eagerly watching group and gave then a victorious wave.
Mari coughed, cleared her throat, and nodded. She forced herself to smile and lightened her voice. “I wouldn’t have imagined a lake would be easier to heal than a Clan, but it seems it is.”
Sora watched her as they returned to the chair lifts and began strapping themselves in. “Would you like to do this again inside the walls? I could draw down a little more power and channel it through you. You seem off.”
Mari waved her hand dismissively. “It’s nothing. Rigel’s having a tough time. Seeing Death poison the lake brought back all sorts of feelings about the Tribe of the Trees and their forest being poisoned.”
Sora seemed satisfied by Mari’s explanation but continued to watch her.
I need to avoid Sora between now and when I leave the city, Mari told herself as Nik and O’Bryan worked the wheels and they lifted to the wall. Sadness filled Mari at the thought of not being able to say a proper goodbye to her best friend. She’ll understand when it’s over. Nik will understand when it’s over. They’ll be alive. They’ll thrive. It will all be worth it. In the darkness Mari wiped away a tear as Rigel whined softly.
CHAPTER 35
The Great Goddess of Life followed Her innate connection to Death and slipped into His dream. She took Death into Her soft arms and pulled Him close to Her naked body. The God moaned with desire.
Ah, My love, You have returned to Me. Death spoke against her lips.
I have never left You, beloved. It is You Who left Me.
But only temporarily. It is You Who has been reluctant to be awakened so that We can be together again. He stroked Her hair and let His fingers trail down Her throat and over Her full breasts, where He lingered on Her dark, firm nipples.
The Goddess gasped with pleasure and when She spoke Her voice had become husky with desire. That is why I come to You this night, beloved. I understand now that You will not return to sleep within My arms, and I cannot bear to be without You any longer.
In the dream Death raised Himself from Her lush body and met Her eyes. My love! Is it true? Are You ready to awaken?
I will not lie to You, My own. You know that.
Then I shall awaken You as soon as I defeat the Wind Riders. I have found the perfect vessel for You within their city. She is moon and sun touched—and a beauty as well as a Warrior.
She sounds perfect. But, beloved, I miss You so terribly that I would choose not to wait. Can none other be My vessel? None of the women with You on Your journey?
Death scowled. Those foolish women allowed themselves to die. They were unworthy of You, My love.
So, there are no other women with You?
No. But there are women aplenty within the walls of the Wind Rider city.
The Goddess paused. Her full lips formed a pout. But I have waited long enough. Then she smiled and said in a happy rush, I know, beloved! Tell Me the name of the vessel You have found for Me. I shall attempt to enter her dreams and compel her to leave the walls of her city so that You may capture her and awaken Me sooner.
Death scratched the thick pelt that was His beard. She is Mari—a leader and magick worker. She may, indeed, listen to You, especially after she is infected.
Infected?
Nothing to concern You, My love. Just the first step to awakening You.
The Goddess nodded with enthusiasm. Beloved, if she is a magick worker she will be familiar with healing plants. I could compel her to search for an obscure healing plant outside the walls of the city. If she is ill, that could be enough to get her to leave her fortress.
Indeed, agreed Death, especially as she will not be the only person to have been infected with the sickness.
Beloved, could she be ill already?
She could be. It happens quickly.
The Goddess threw Her arms around Her lover and pressed Herself against His mutated body. Then I shall go to her dreams this very night. Watch for her, beloved. Watch for her …
As Her body began to fade away from Him, Death still attempted to hold His goddess tightly. I shall, My love, and then I shall awaken You.
Yes, beloved, yes …
* * *
Mari felt horrible, and what was even worse than feeling horrible was having to hide how she felt and avoid the people with whom she most wanted to spend her final hours.
Thankfully, Nik and O’Bryan had already begun instructing the Herd carpenters on how to build a Tribe of the Trees lift, which was keeping both men busy as well as absent.
She coughed wetly and wiped her nose on the back of her sleeve—and then scratched the inside of her elbow. Rigel looked up at her and whined, and Mari stroked his head.
“Sssh, it’s going to be okay, remember? The Great Earth Goddess will make it all okay, sweet boy.” She coughed again and then realized what the itchy pain in her arm—in both of her arms—meant. Mari had been heading to see Jenna, Danita, and Davis one last time, but she froze, looked around her, and stepped into the shadows behind a large tree. Quickly, she pulled up her sleeves.
They were there. Pustules that would soon turn into open, weeping sores she would not be able to hide. Her stomach twisted, and she bent at the waist and vomited the tea she’d recently drunk to try to keep her cough under control.
Rigel whined again, and Mari went to him and dropped to her knees. She put her arms around his neck and breathed in his warm, familiar scent. “I love you so much,” she whispered into his thick fur. Then she stood and brushed her hair back from her sweaty face. “I can’t see them like this. Danita and Jenna know me too well. They’ll realize I’m sick. And Davis is Goddess-touched, which means he is more observant than most men. I must leave without seeing them.” Mari glanced up at the sky and breathed a sigh of relief. Dusk wasn’t far away. “It’s tonight,” she said softly. “Ralina said after the sores appear is when the cure is administered.” Mari attempted to smile at Rigel. “I know how to go without worrying anyone—or at least not worrying anyone at first. But I must say goodbye to Nik, even if he won’t understand that it is goodbye. He will later, though.” She coughed and had to take several long breaths to stop from vomiting again. Then Mari straightened her sleeves, wiped the sweat from her fever-heated face, and she and Rigel began to make their way slowly to the area where Nik and his cousin were working with the Herd carpenters.
Strangely, it seemed to take forever and no time at all to reach the big, open-sided tent that smelled of freshly cut wood and the sweat of the men fashioning it into what would eventually be a lift that was beautiful as well as functional.
“Mari! I was just going to send Laru to find you and Rigel.” Nik grinned and walked toward them with Laru padding at his side. He was carrying a thick hunk of bread that had meat and cheese stuffed within it. “Sora brought us all dinner so that we could keep working.” He gestured at the rest of the carpenters, who were talking as they ate. O’Bryan caught her eye and waved, which Mari returned. “Sorry that we won’t be eating with you.”
Just the thought of food had Mari’s stomach churning. She swallowed quickly and forced a smile. “Well, that’s actually good. Rigel and I are going to go soak in one of the mineral pools.” She lowered her voice and Nik leaned down to her. “Rigel has been really upset since Death poisoned the lake. He needs to spend some alone time with me.”
Nik nodded and kissed her cheek. “Laru agrees. He says Rigel is extremely upset but won’t share with him exactly why.”
Mari hated lying to Nik, so she tried to tell as much of the truth as she could. “He probably doesn’t want to share with him because he knows how troubling it would be for any of the Tribe to have to relive what Death did.”
Nik rubbed Rigel’s head. “He’s underestimating us.” Then he squatted down in front of the Shepherd. “Hey, boy, you don’t have to carry this alone. Laru and I can share it with you.”
Rigel whined and licked Nik’s face. Nik laughed and stood, putting an arm around Mari. “Well, I tried. You should definitely Wash him next Third Night.”
“That’s a good idea,” said Mari. Unable to stop herself, she turned away from Nik and coughed.
“Hey, are you feeling okay?” Nik touched her face and frowned. “Your skin is hot.”
Mari forced a bright smile. “I’ll be fine, but you might want to stay away from me. I may have caught a cold from one of the Herd children who like to hang around the nursery building.”
Nik hugged her close. “I am not afraid of a little cold. My Moon Woman can Wash that away, but only after she Washes herself first.”
“I will definitely remember that next Third Night,” Mari said. “But take your time tonight. I’ll soak in a mineral bath and sleep early.”
“There is a lot of work to do here, not that I’m complaining. I thought it might be upsetting to teach the Herd how to build our lifts, but instead I find that it’s soothing and nicely nostalgic. I know Father would approve.”
“I know he would, too.” Mari looked up into his kind green eyes and searched his face, wanting to memorize every detail of it. “Nikolas, Companion of Laru, Sun Priest of our Herd, son of Sol, I love you completely.”
