Asena Blessed, page 8
part #2 of Altaica Series
‘Perhaps someone else should teach me,’ Isaura muttered.
‘No,’ he said forcefully. ‘You’ll have no other teacher until you reach the lake.’
Though she held the reins, they drooped. She lifted her foot a few inches off the ground and Toshi’s head swung at her. ‘Hey!’ He stopped and swung his head away. With dread, she lifted her foot, keeping one eye on him. As she put her weight in the stirrup he began to walk off. Isaura hopped on her bad leg, unable to get on, and grimaced in pain.
Karan stopped smiling and grabbed the reins, halting Toshi.
Embarrassed, Isaura mumbled, ‘Sorry.’
Karan steadied her, while his thumb rubbed comforting circles on the small of her back.
Isaura began to relax, but stopped herself. Why can’t you just make up your mind? One moment you’re ordering me about, the next you’re nice. Irritated, she shrugged him off.
Karan stiffened, his tone perfunctory. ‘Try again. Shorten the reins a bit and keep this one, your inside one, much shorter—force him to turn his head. That way if he moves he’ll move in a circle. You won’t have to chase him. Stand here, side on, your back to his head. Try again and be quick.’
Isaura placed her foot in the stirrup, pushed off and swung her leg over the saddle. She thrust her other foot quickly into the stirrup. Uncomfortable and nervous, she held the reins tightly. Toshi walked backwards; Isaura squealed.
‘You’re making him walk backwards. Just relax the reins a bit,’ Karan said.
‘Are you mad? This animal hates me!’
Karan ground out, ‘He doesn’t hate you.’ Toshi was backing himself into the bushes. Soon he’d have nowhere to go, except perhaps upwards. ‘He just doesn’t respect you. But …’
‘And you want me to let go of the bloody reins?’
‘Not let go, loosen. You are making him go backwards!’ Isaura frowned, finally comprehending the sense in this. Karan raised his voice. ‘Do it now! If you don’t he’ll run out of room and either lose you in the bushes or he’ll rear and dump your stubborn arse on the ground!’
‘Rear!’ Isaura dropped the reins. Toshi backed himself under a low bush. ‘I hate horses!’ she said as she lay clinging to Toshi’s neck.
Annoyed, Karan strode forward and led the horse out of the bushes. ‘Next time do what I say, when I say it.’ Before Isaura could retort, Karan spun on his heal with the parting comment, ‘You’ve got enough twigs in your hair for a nest.’
Isaura gritted her teeth, barely restraining her temper. Keeping the reins loose, she glowered at Toshi. Slowly a wicked smile crept over her face. She emitted a low menacing growl. ‘Move a muscle and I’ll turn you into a thousand meat pies, understand?’ Toshi’s ears flicked. ‘Stand.’ He stiffened, terrified. ‘Good.’
She removed one hand from the reins and felt her hair. Damn it! Cautiously she raised the other hand, leaving the reins draped over the horse’s neck. Tense, waiting for Toshi to exact revenge upon her, she tugged the twigs free from her hair. Finished, she hastily grabbed the reins. Isaura carefully observed the little horse. It was as if he were frozen. Triumphant, she grinned, giving him a perfunctory pat in reward. ‘Good lad. Now, remember who’s the boss.’
Isaura was still grinning when Karan returned upon a horse. She said sardonically, ‘One twig doesn’t make a nest.’
‘Gave you something else to think about though, didn’t it?’
Her eyes narrowed; her lips twisted in irritation.
Karan indicated the loose reins. ‘You’re very brave all of a sudden.’ He looked at Toshi closely, pushing his horse forward into him, yet Toshi remained immobile. Karan’s wry grin vanished. ‘What have you done?’
Isaura gave him a smug smile. ‘We had a little chat.’
Karan opened his mouth to rebuke her, but Āsim rode up before he could comment.
‘Everyone is ready. The newcomers are each partnered with a warrior,’ Āsim said.
‘Problems?’
Āsim chuckled. ‘None that a day’s riding won’t iron out. I’ll take the rear.’
‘Come on, Isaura, we’re up front. We can have a little chat,’ Karan said coldly.
Annoyed, Isaura kicked Toshi, harder than she intended. He shot off at a rough trot after Karan. Bouncing awkwardly, one hand on the pommel of the saddle and one on the reins, Isaura cursed. ‘It’s going to be long day.’
CHAPTER NINE
Vikram grinned as he eyed the small column of his troops as they turned down the street that led to Pramod’s brothel. He had sent a messenger to summon Paksis, the head of the Masons’ Guild, to attend him in the watch house at the citadel. Paksis had declared that he was unable to attend at the watch house at the requested time and would call by later. Damn Paksis. I know that bloody man has a lot to answer for. I want him there when I inspect the city walls.
Vikram rode through the winding streets of Faros to the section of the city that housed all the masons. Located as they were on the very outskirts of the lower city, they had ease of supply of raw materials. He drew to a halt before a long low stone building with a slate roof. The sound of chisels clanging against stone filled through the air.
Vikram entered the workshop of Master Māhir, who ran the second largest masonry workshop in Faros.
‘Master Māhir, I would have the benefit of your expertise this morning,’ Vikram said.
Māhir looked up briefly from the drawings he was perusing. His desk was the only surface not covered with a film of stone dust. ‘It’ll take longer than that.’ Vikram frowned and quirked a brow at him questioningly. Māhir sighed. ‘You want to go over the fortifications, yes? Well, it’ll take longer than a morning to cover it.’
‘I see. I should have come to you first.’
‘Keep your flattery, Captain Vikram. I assume I’ll be paid for this?’
Vikram’s lips twitched. ‘The rewards will be great.’
‘I want more reward than the inner glow of knowing I’m helping my clan and this city—though someone should have a long time ago.’
‘You’ll be in better standing with the high lord than Paksis. Who knows what will happen from that? It may benefit us both.’
‘Paksis is an idiot to refuse you.’
Vikram gave a wry smile. ‘News travels fast.’
‘We both know that. Paksis can’t see which way the wind is blowing. Though I note you haven’t talked about payment.’
Vikram grimaced. ‘I’d be surprised if you weren’t paid. However, I wouldn’t presume to negotiate away the treasury’s funds.’
Māhir snorted. ‘Well at least you’re honest and it’s better to be seen to be willing.’
Vikram smiled softly and inclined his head in acquiescence. Māhir looked back at his plans for one last time, rolled the scroll up and tucked it away. He disappeared into the workshop, bellowed instructions to his foreman and reappeared with a grin.
‘That ought to keep them busy.’ Standing beside Vikram he fumbled as he put on his hat and coat, using the time to murmur, ‘Did you see Sarala?’ Vikram shook his head. Māhir looked grim. ‘Do you think she is well? Alive?’
‘I would’ve had word if she were not.’
Māhir nodded sadly. ‘I know she made the right choice. The Horse and Bear didn’t kill the old lord, did they?’
Vikram’s mouth turned down and his gaze grew hard. He couldn’t keep the disgust from his tone as he whispered. ‘No. It wouldn’t have served their purpose, but it did serve Ratilal’s.’ Māhir looked at him quizzically. ‘Our lord was going to make many changes,’ Vikram added. His eyes darted to the door to the workshop, before he laughed loudly. ‘Do you always take this long to get ready? It’s a wonder you make it to your workshop before noon. Come.’
On their way to the citadel they joined the troops who, surrounding Paksis, were escorting him to the watch house. Vikram ignored him, but Māhir smiled in greeting as he passed, moving to head to the small column beside Vikram.
Vikram heard Paksis spluttering in indignation and muttering imprecations upon them both. He wheeled his horse around, stopping the column and faced Paksis.
‘Paksis, enough! You brought this on yourself. Now, you’ve a choice: shut up or, rather than allowing you the dignity of a private conversation, we will have one here on the street for all to see.’
‘I resent this treatment. I’ve done nothing wrong!’
‘You refused to attend me this morning in the watch house. You dolt! We’re at war! The masons must start on repairs to our defences. In refusing, you defy the high lord, you fail your clan, you bring shame upon yourself. Gods help you when the high lord hears of this.’
Paksis’s eyes darted at the crowd and he licked his lips nervously. ‘I …’
‘Quiet! Save your breath until we reach the citadel.’
‘Y …’
Vikram cast him a scathing look, silencing him. Paksis subsided, but cast a poisonous glance at Māhir.
Māhir shrugged at him, falling in beside him as they rode. ‘Don’t blame me,’ he said quietly. ‘You should’ve got out of bed … one of Pramod’s girls, was it?’ Māhir laughed as Paksis grumbled in affirmation. ‘He does have the best, doesn’t he?’
Paksis remained mute until they were in Vikram’s office, where the head of the Master Carpenters’ Guild waited patiently. He raised his brows in disbelief as Paksis vented his anger.
‘I say again, I resent this! If I had known the reasons then I …’
‘I command the City Watch. I am not accustomed to giving my reasons for a summons to appear; nor may I add is the high lord. You refused us both, so you could dip your wick.’ Paksis opened his mouth. ‘Stow, it Paksis, just stow it. You dig yourself a deeper hole with every word.’ If I’m lucky when Ratilal gets back you will no longer be Guild Head, but Māhir will be.
The young soldier, Jabr, stood waiting in the corridor. ‘Good lad, on time. Come gentlemen, the day is gaining on us.’
They walked the outer battlements. Vikram peered at the sprawling web of the outer limits of Faros. They should never have been allowed to build right up to the wall.
‘The hoardings will all need your attention, Master Carpenter, and that of your guild,’ Vikram said. Together they inspected the nearest one.
‘It’s not too bad. There are always timbers needing replacement in these things, but considering …’ the master carpenter paused, looking sheepish.
‘I know, you don’t need to say it. Despite everything we tried, we only got the basics done. There were never enough resources allocated to do the work properly.’
The carpenter nodded sympathetically.
Māhir peered over the wall, inspecting the masonry and paying attention to the stonework around the hoarding. Frowning, he walked to over to a guard. ‘Lad, lend me your spear.’ Leaning back over the wall, Māhir used the spear to gently probe at the mortar lower down. The mortar drifted away like dust.
He spun toward Vikram. ‘When were the last masonry repairs done to this section of the wall?’
‘Last summer, why?’ Vikram’s narrowed his eyes and cast a glance at Paksis.
Māhir followed his gaze. ‘He did them, yes?’ Vikram nodded and Māhir launched himself at Paksis, knocking him to the ground. Vikram and Jabr hauled them apart as Māhir vehemently cursed Paksis. ‘You greedy, lazy, son of a bitch!’
Paksis climbed unsteadily to his feet. ‘How dare you!’
‘What have you found?’ Vikram demanded.
‘The mortar there …’ He pointed, showing Vikram the crumbling state of it. ‘It’s disintegrating into powder!’
Vikram nodded to Jabr and the guard; they seized Paksis. ‘Bring him.’
Paksis rallied. He stared at the section Māhir indicated. ‘’Tis nothing, Captain Vikram, merely the dregs of old mortar left at the edge—that is all.’
Māhir growled. ‘Really? How can you tell?’
‘I cannot, but nor can you.’ Paksis shot back.
‘Do you care so little for your work?’
Paksis’s lips thinned to a tense line. ‘Of course not!’ he spat.
‘Liar!’ Māhir roared.
‘Peace, Māhir. How, Paksis, do you explain this?’ Vikram interrupted.
‘It must have been an apprentice.’
‘So, you do not supervise your apprentices? Even when they’re working for the clan lord, on the clan’s main defences?’
Paksis began to sweat; he said no more.
‘We’ll investigate this further and if necessary you’ll answer to the high lord.’
They continued their inspections, finally coming to the southern gate which exited to the harbour. This wall withstood not only battering by gales and storms, but at times high seas. Vikram watched Māhir and Paksis inspect the stonework. It was obvious, even to him, that serious repairs needed to be undertaken here. Māhir looked up at Vikram, shaking his head in disgust.
‘Paksis,’ Vikram said. ‘This was the main purpose of your work last summer—explain.’
‘I wasn’t aware …’
‘You were the one who was responsible for this; you should have been aware. Māhir, what caused this?’
‘The mortar mix ratios were probably all wrong. Lime, sand and ash—the right ones, mind you, must be used. They must also be in the right quantities. Whatever they did was probably cheap, knowing this one,’ he said scathingly.
‘It would’ve worn quickly here anyway,’ Paksis retorted.
‘Not this quickly.’
‘And the wall? The same problem, you think?’ Vikram asked.
‘Most likely, Captain,’ Māhir said.
‘Paksis, you leave me no choice but to report this to the high lord.’ The gods smile upon me, this will be easier than I thought.
* * *
Līna stood amongst Baldev and his men. She had drawn a rough map in the dirt. ‘The nearest farmsteads are here and here. There’s a creek below a rocky hill—Bald Bluff, we call it. It has a thin covering of sheoaks along the base and in a section across the middle. The children think it looks like a fat man’s bald head, with a beard.’ She smiled. ‘You can’t mistake it. The country’s all undulating here abouts, but that sticks out and it’s really one of the few rocky outcrops around here.’
Baldev nodded. ‘The other side?’
‘There are only a few farms towards the north.’ Līna hesitated. ‘Until recently our clan … er … we’ve been reluctant to settle too near to … the Falcontine.’
‘You mean too near to the Bear Clan.’
‘Yes, my lord.’
‘You’re under our protection now. To all intents we consider you part of our clan, though you’re free to keep your Boar traditions and ways.’
‘I understand. There are a few families who’ve moved up there, but old habits …’
‘Die hard—I know. Do you know where they are up there?’
‘I heard rumour that a couple of families, burnt out from closer to the Divide, moved north of the Vale of Safa, because they hoped the Forest of the Asena,’ she shuddered, ‘would protect them.’
Baldev laughed sardonically. ‘Another old habit, yet one they seem to be overcoming. The Asena haven’t been seen here in years. They stick to the Plateau.’
‘Our tales remain strong, Lord Baldev. The tales of the Asena are still told as a warning to children.’
‘So they hoped that the fear of the forest would keep Ratilal’s men away. I doubt that will work. The old ways and tales may be strong here, yet they are all but forgot in Faros. My thanks, Līna.’
She bowed and turned to leave, but Baldev’s words halted her.
‘We’ll be using your farm as a base of sorts. You’ll regularly see mine and Lord Karan’s warriors.’
Līna turned to face him fully, her voice flat, yet her eyes reproachful. ‘You’ll make us a target.’
‘You were already a target. You don’t even have the fear of the Asena to keep you safe here. This way you’ll have some protection.’
Baldev looked at the map, now ignoring her. ‘Send a pair of riders there.’
Shaking her head, Līna stalked to her house.
‘Foolish,’ the captain said as he watched her leave.
Baldev grunted. ‘She knows her options, her choices are on her own head. Come, we’ve more to discuss.’
* * *
Isaura had lost count of the ways she’d devised for killing, skinning and cooking Toshi. Damn horse would probably be tough as old leather.
The ride had commenced with Karan’s edict, ‘You are not to use the Undavi on that horse again. You have to learn the same way as the others. Only a poor horseman or commander rules by fear.’
The only other words from his mouth were orders.
Isaura had hoped today would give her a chance to talk to Karan, yet looking at him she wondered, What happened to the man I kissed last night?
Karan drew the column to a halt near a creek on the edge of the forest. ‘Time for a break. Kick your feet out of the stirrups and swing off, like this.’
‘Please stand still, little monster,’ Isaura said as she swung from the horse. Her legs touched the ground, nearly buckling underneath her. Oh, damn! Just stand still, she silently pleaded as she leaned heavily on the little horse.
‘Legs?’ Karan was brusque, yet he stood right behind her with his hand at her waist.
‘Wobbly. As if they don’t belong to me.’
‘That’s normal,’ he said dismissively.
Do you actually care? She walked around, barely limping, but with a type of rolling gait. Karan kept pace with her and grinned.
‘What?’ Isaura asked him curtly.
‘Nothing,’ he replied with feigned innocence. Karan took the reins from her and tied the horses to a tree branch. Annoyed, she arched her brow at him. He laughed. ‘You’re walking like you’ve got a barrel between your legs.’
One minute you’re detached and the next you’re laughing. Damn you! Isaura resisted the urge to hit him. Why did I ever kiss you?
Isaura watched Pio kick his feet out of the stirrups and slide down the side of the horse. Hanging by arm’s length, his feet wiggled in the air several inches off the ground before he let go and dropped to earth. Pio stood on tiptoes, trying in vain to flick the reins over the horse’s ears. Isaura watched, amazed, as the horse lowered its head for him, and then gently nuzzled his tunic. Pio ran to his parents, grinning. Lucia and Nicanor seemed as stiff and sore as she was.
