Atissa sat leaning against a tree at the very tip of a small peninsula. Darkness was close but there was still enough light to see across Logger’s Lake. Beyond the opposite shore, she could see the flickering lights of many fires. She had tried to count them but quickly lost track.
Since she had taken up her vantage point their number had steadily increased. Two boys Ipras had sent to watch returned shortly after her group had reached Tepras’ place, reporting that more enemy troops of different sizes were arriving at the village. They had begun to set up a camp.
Tepras’ house stood close to the shore of an inlet formed by the peninsula, which was elevated and covered with tall trees, making it impossible to see from the village’s side of the lake. Nevertheless, the men had agreed to leave before dawn.
When Atissa, Mark, and uncle Tatros had arrived there had already been over fifteen people at the house. More had come as the sun started to go down. Most of them were families that lived outside the village. They’d seen the smoke, grabbed what they could carry, and fled.
Tepras’s place was the only house on this side of the lake. Since the enemy had come from the southeast, it was natural for the people to want to put the lake between themselves and the impending danger. The question was, where to go from here?
Atissa stood up. As the last dregs of light faded, there was nothing useful to observe from here. She had offered to go out and watch the path that led around the lake, in case the enemy send men out. Tatros had said no. Ipras had already placed his grandsons to watch all approaches.
Walking back to the other side of the peninsula, Atissa noticed some of the women washing pots in the lake. She shook her head. There was grave danger across the lake, and they were just going about their normal chores as if nothing was wrong.
Two men came her way along the shoreline, indicating the council meeting had ended. As it was only open to family heads and older men to attend, she had been excluded. And of course, they had requested Mark to participate as well.
“Anything to see on the other side?” Ipras asked, approaching her with a smile that did not reach his eyes. Mark walked next to him, trying not to look too uncomfortable in his new clothing.
He hid it well, but Atissa had observed him for two days and knew he was used to wearing much softer materials. She had touched his cloth and still couldn’t believe a fabric could be so smooth.
Tepras’ wife had offered him her husband’s best tunic immediately after he had been introduced. The one he had borrowed from uncle Tatros in the morning had become quite dirty during his fight with the warrior. Mark had offered some polite resistance, but the woman insisted that the distinguished guest could be allowed to run around in Tatros’ patched-up clothes.
“More fires. Nothing else.” They had sent Atissa to watch, but she knew they did not expect her to observe anything important.
Ipras grunted.
Atissa liked the big man. He and uncle Tatros were similar in some ways. Open, direct, and honest. And he always treated her with respect when she brought game to his camp.
“The council meeting has ended,” Ipras said. “We will move the people to the mountains tomorrow.”
Atissa nodded. “I understand.” It was the only thing to do. The only direction they could turn. Sneaking the whole group past the enemy scouts was too dangerous.
“We will send out messengers to all the camps to guide everyone to the entrance of the western pass.” Ipras crossed his arms, watching the women work. “It will take time. Moving with the women and children. The messengers will tell them to only bring food and warm clothing”, his expression became resigned, ”but many won’t listen.”
Atissa could understand his feelings. Ipras was one of the oldest people in the logger community. One of the founders. He knew everybody and everybody knew him. He felt responsible for every family here.
“They will have to circle around the village,” she said. “Take the paths closest to the mountains. That will cost them even more time.”
“Yes. We will see how long we can wait. Maybe we send the main group across and leave just a couple of men behind to help stragglers.”
The women carry their load back to the house. One of them had washed uncle Tatros’ good tunic.
“The only reason, I’m not sending everybody over right away, is food,” Ipras said. “We will need to gather supplies, or we won’t make it over the mountains. Not with this many people. Tepras’ stores aren’t big enough to feed us all.”
“I will go before first light,” Atissa said. “I might be able to catch our dinner before you arrive. I know the area around the western pass.” Uncle Tatros had shown it to her years ago and she had found herself drawn to it many times. She had dreamed of crossing the mountains one day. To see Riadnos.
“No,” Ipras said, turning to her. “I will send out some of my boys that are good with the bow tomorrow.”
Atissa flushed. “None of your boys are good with the bow. Not like uncle Tatros and I. And he’s hurt!” It had come out more heated than she had intended. But I am right, she thought. I know I am. She was the best hunter they had left. Her skill was needed.
Ipras raised an eyebrow. He was the head of the biggest family in the valley. Built like a tree and over sixty years old, he still led a small army of loggers into the woods every day. No one dared to talk to him like that. Except his grandsons when they got carried away, but even then, they usually regretted it. After the woke up, that was.
They locked eyes. Atissa had to tilt her head back to meet Ipras’ stare.
“You will accompany me,” Mark said, interrupting their silent duel. “The council has asked me to bring a warning and their request for help to the anax of Riadnos.”
Atissa looked back and forth between the two men, her burst of anger forgotten. I will leave the valley! She was too shocked to think beyond that.
“Ah, yes,” Ipras said, bowing awkwardly to Mark. “The master was so generous to agree to our request. To go speak to the anax…on our behalf.” To his embarrassment, he seemed to have forgotten the magi’s presence over their staring contest. “Tepras’ son Iristos will guide the boat. He made the Drive last year but was sick when the men left in autumn. He knows where the men are staying and can guide you there.”
Atissa was still recovering from the news that she was to leave the valley. She just nodded.
“Lepras will want to return straight away,” Ipras said. “He’s a hot head, and his wife recently gave birth to his first son on top of that. Tell them to meet us on the mountain path. And to bring extra food and clothing.” Lepras was one of Ipras’ grandsons. He had brought a wife from last year’s Drive and established his own house. This year he had been elected as one of the leaders together with the older more experienced Tepras.
“Why me?” It just burst out. Atissa had almost no experience on the water. She had never made the dangerous river journey between the higher and lower lakes. Most men and even some of the boys here would be better suited.
Ipras threw a glance at Mark. There was a hint of uncertainty, a rare sight in the massive man.
“The magi asked for you,” he said, his tone declaring that this should be enough.
Mark cleared his throat. “Ipras assures me of Iristos’ ability to guide the boot safely. But we cannot know what might happen during the journey. If we have to forage for food, if we have to abandon the river for any reason, your skills as a hunter and tracker will be invaluable.”
Ipras nodded, almost eagerly. “As the master says. With your uncle hurt, you are the best hunter here. This is a very important task!”
Atissa could barely believe Ipras’ behavior. Maybe Mark is a greater man than I realized, she thought. Indeed, anybody he met treated him with the utmost respect. She had never seen something like that before. Even the Assanaten magi had given ground to him. Was she behaving in an inappropriately familiar way with him? He had never indicated anything.
“I hope you will agree to accompany us?” Mark’s question interrupted her jumbled thoughts.
“I…ah… .”
“Of course, she will master Mark,” Ipras said, quickly interjecting.
“I’ll have to ask my uncle,” Atissa said. She felt overwhelmed and wanted to buy herself some time. Ipras could not argue against her seeking uncle Tatros’ permission.
“Your uncle said it’s up to you,” Mark said. “But maybe you want to talk to him first before you decide.”
“Yes”, Ipras said, “that’s a good idea. Go talk to Tatros. He’s resting in the house. But hurry! You must cross Logger’s Lake before dawn.”
Atissa bowed to the two men and hurried off.
Ipras was right. During the day the enemy would easily spot them on the water. And there were other boats in the village.
She hurried along the shore of the peninsula. A group of men and boys were pushing a boat down to the water. It was a very narrow vessel, only broad enough for two people to sit next to each other right in the middle.
She crossed the beach and took the winding path to Tepras’ house. Along the way, she passed women whose arms were filled with supplies. The loggers were generous and unless something unforeseen happened, they would definitely have enough food.
Tepras was a talented carpenter and his house was proof of that. He was one of the few real craftsmen in the valley. Whenever he had time to spare, he would work on his home. It was much bigger than his family needed.
Passing the entrance, she ran into a tired-looking Bazia. Her eyes were red and swollen from crying.
“Oh…hello. It’s not dry, yet” she said in an apologetic tone.
Atissa looked at her questioningly.
“The magi’s tunic,” Bazia said, holding up the cloth in her hands. “We washed it, but it’s still wet. You’re leaving soon, right?” She looked at her hands as if trying to figure out how to solve this problem.
Atissa wasn’t sure how to react. “It’s fine. Tepras’ wife gave him another. You can leave it.”
“But Reva told me to wash it. It’s important.” There was something in her voice. Desperation?
“Bazia, have you finished your task?” Reva asked from deeper inside the house. Atissa turned to the older woman. She looked as resolute as ever. With Ipras’ household lost, she seemed to have taken over Tepras’.
“Yes, Reva,” Bazia said quickly. “But it’s still wet.”
“That’s fine. Take it behind the house and hang it with the rest. Afterwards you can help with the food.”
“Yes,” Bazia said. She hurried off without giving Atissa another look. She had seemed almost relieved.
Reva turned to Atissa. “Your uncle is here. Follow me.” She led Atissa to the back of the house. Compared to their hut it was immense. The furniture looked like what Atissa knew from other houses but somehow better. As if every piece had been made with the room it stood in mind. Here and there it was even decorated with beautiful carvings.
Another woman carrying sheets of fabric crossed their path.
“Is this really necessary?” Atissa asked. “The washing and the cleaning.”
Reva looked over her shoulder. “You disapprove?”
Atissa knew she had no right to question the older woman. But tonight, she just didn’t care. “Bazia’s eyes were red. She must have cried the whole time.”
Reva stopped. For a moment, her shoulders sank. Walking behind her, Atissa couldn’t see her face.
“On the way here, we saw… some of the families must have run into enemies,” Reva said in a low voice. “And not all from our camp are here yet.”
Reva didn’t need to say anymore. Then the moment had passed, and Reva straightened again.
“Chores need to be done,” Reva said, her strict tone returned. “A lot of things need to be prepared for tomorrow.”
“Washing clothing?” Atissa asked before she could stop herself.
Reva didn’t answer right away. They stopped in front of a curtain, giving the room behind it some privacy.
“We keep everybody busy, as best as we can,” Reva said, shaking her head. “Ipras would have the boys cut a tree or two, if he wasn’t afraid of making too much noise. Hopefully, the tiredness will help them sleep tonight. The gods know, they will need their strength tomorrow.”
Atissa swallowed. Reaching the mountain pass would be a hard journey for the women and children. And passing the mountains even more so. There would be no shelter and very little food.
Reva turned away from her. “Tatros, Atissa is here!”
“Send her in already!”
Reva nodded to Atissa and left.
Atissa’s eyes followed the older woman. Reva’s words had made her feel embarrassed. Immature. She didn’t like that feeling.
Shaking her head, she stepped through the curtain.
Tatros lay on a mat and blankets in the corner of the small room. Atissa could barely see him in the darkness. Tepras’ family had to house a lot of people tonight. Most would have to sleep under the stars. It was kind of them to give this room to Tatros so he could recover as best as possible.
“Come over here!” Tatros said. He sounded better.
After their arrival, the women with healing skills had looked at his knee. It wasn’t broken, but the swelling had them very concerned. They had made a wrapping of smelly herbs, spoken prayers, and told Tatros to keep his leg still.
For once he hadn’t complained. The journey had taken a lot out of him.
“I feared you would be asleep,” she said, sitting down next to him.
“They wanted to give me some brew, but I refused it. I had to participate in the council meeting.”
Atissa nodded to herself. Of course, he had. “They want me to go to Riadnos.”
“Yes,” Tatros said. “Master Mark requested it.”
“And everybody agreed?” Atissa asked. She could not believe that the men would trust her, a young girl, to accompany Mark. At fourteen, she wasn’t even an adult yet.
Ipras smiled. “Not even Ipras would argue with the magi.”
“I have never been on the river,” Atissa said. “It would be safer to send two experienced men to guide the boat.” She could hear the doubt in her own voice.
“They wanted to do that,” Tatros said. “But master Mark said that…taking you would make the river journey safer. A precaution against the unforeseen? Something like that. It sounded much wiser when he said it.”
Atissa stared at her uncle. In the darkness, she couldn’t see his face, but his voice sounded genuine. Tatros had never called anybody wise. And Mark had asked for her.
“When we ran into the troop in the woods, I… sensed them from far away,” Atissa said slowly.
“Your Gift.” It wasn’t a question. Her talents for tracking, and her instincts, had shown early and had only become stronger over time. If Tatros ever had any doubts about teaching a girl, her Gift had made them void. It would have been an insult to the gods.
“Yes. But then I wanted to take the other route.” She hesitated. It was hard. She felt confused and ashamed about it. “I wanted to go to the village. To warn them. I thought the warriors would pass by the path to the house. If Mark hadn’t been there….” She had been wrong. And uncle Tatros might have died.
For a long moment, Tatros did not say anything. When he spoke, there was no anger or disappointment in his voice. “Did your instinct tell you to go to the village, first?” he asked.
“I… I’m not sure. I don’t think so. It just felt right. There were so many people there…” She broke off.
Uncle Tatros reached over to her. She took his hand in both of hers.
“Look, Atissa, only the gods know what is going to happen. And maybe the magi. If he wants you to go with him, that is probably where the gods want you.” Tatros grunted. “By Horto’s beard, I don’t want to send you off, but master Mark is right. Something goes wrong, you are the best chance they have to survive in the wilderness. With me hurt.”
“I always wanted to leave the valley. To see Riadnos and….” She broke off.
“To find out where you’re from?” her uncle asked. He sounded neither surprised nor hurt. “Come now, girl. I’m not a fool. I told you what I could. About your aunt and the night, we fled from the army.” He shook his head. “I don’t think there is anything to find. Or that it is a good idea to look. But I knew, I could not stop you forever. I mean, you hardly going to marry one of Ipras’ boys.”
Atissa smiled. “They are a simple bunch,” she said.
“Yeah”, Taros said with a sigh, “and they like girls with big breasts.”
She punched his shoulder. He responded with a grunt.
They fell silent for a while. Atissa felt torn. She had wanted to see the world on the other side of the mountains for a long time. On the other hand, she was afraid to leave her uncle behind. She still felt shaken up at what she had witnessed at their home.
“Uncle, at the house…when Mark confronted the Assanaten magi, and he just set you free…” She wasn’t sure what exactly she wanted to ask.
“I smelled like a battlefield the day after,” Tatros murmured. “I almost gaged.”
Both glanced towards the small alter next to the door at the same time. It was bigger, the statues much more elaborate than theirs.
“Have you ever experienced something like that before?” Atissa asked.
Tatros looked grim. “Curses, sure. You can find somebody in any village to help you with that. But not so strong that you can smell the death. I have heard stories, though.”
“Mark”, Atissa whispered, “he seemed completely unfazed. He looked almost oblivious. The other magi...”
Uncle grunted, rubbing his chest.
“What is a sage?” Atissa asked, leaning forward.
“They are a group of very powerful magi, I think,” Tatros said. “Very old. Very mysterious. There is a story that one helped Memnostis defend Riadnos back then.” He shook his head. “Here, take this.” He reached into his bag and handed her the little figurine of Horto from their house altar.
Atissa raised an eyebrow but took it.
Tatros shrugged. “The Assanaten are intruders in his domain after all. He might protect you until you leave the valley.”
“Right,” Atissa said, carefully storing the figurine in her belt pouch.
They talked for a while longer until a boy came to fetch her. The boat was ready.
She kissed her uncle’s hand and said her goodbyes. With his knee, he wasn’t able to her off.
Alone, Atissa walked the path to the beach to begin her journey, accompanying a magi on a mission to save her home and her people. She would leave the valley for the first time in her life, and she didn’t feel ready.
Atissa sat leaning against a tree at the very tip of a small peninsula. Darkness was close but there was still enough light to see across Logger’s Lake. Beyond the opposite shore, she could see the flickering lights of many fires. She had tried to count them but quickly lost track.
Since she had taken up her vantage point their number had steadily increased. Two boys Ipras had sent to watch returned shortly after her group had reached Tepras’ place, reporting that more enemy troops of different sizes were arriving at the village. They had begun to set up a camp.
Tepras’ house stood close to the shore of an inlet formed by the peninsula, which was elevated and covered with tall trees, making it impossible to see from the village’s side of the lake. Nevertheless, the men had agreed to leave before dawn.
When Atissa, Mark, and uncle Tatros had arrived there had already been over fifteen people at the house. More had come as the sun started to go down. Most of them were families that lived outside the village. They’d seen the smoke, grabbed what they could carry, and fled.
Tepras’s place was the only house on this side of the lake. Since the enemy had come from the southeast, it was natural for the people to want to put the lake between themselves and the impending danger. The question was, where to go from here?
Atissa stood up. As the last dregs of light faded, there was nothing useful to observe from here. She had offered to go out and watch the path that led around the lake, in case the enemy send men out. Tatros had said no. Ipras had already placed his grandsons to watch all approaches.
Walking back to the other side of the peninsula, Atissa noticed some of the women washing pots in the lake. She shook her head. There was grave danger across the lake, and they were just going about their normal chores as if nothing was wrong.
Two men came her way along the shoreline, indicating the council meeting had ended. As it was only open to family heads and older men to attend, she had been excluded. And of course, they had requested Mark to participate as well.
“Anything to see on the other side?” Ipras asked, approaching her with a smile that did not reach his eyes. Mark walked next to him, trying not to look too uncomfortable in his new clothing.
He hid it well, but Atissa had observed him for two days and knew he was used to wearing much softer materials. She had touched his cloth and still couldn’t believe a fabric could be so smooth.
Tepras’ wife had offered him her husband’s best tunic immediately after he had been introduced. The one he had borrowed from uncle Tatros in the morning had become quite dirty during his fight with the warrior. Mark had offered some polite resistance, but the woman insisted that the distinguished guest could be allowed to run around in Tatros’ patched-up clothes.
“More fires. Nothing else.” They had sent Atissa to watch, but she knew they did not expect her to observe anything important.
Ipras grunted.
Atissa liked the big man. He and uncle Tatros were similar in some ways. Open, direct, and honest. And he always treated her with respect when she brought game to his camp.
“The council meeting has ended,” Ipras said. “We will move the people to the mountains tomorrow.”
Atissa nodded. “I understand.” It was the only thing to do. The only direction they could turn. Sneaking the whole group past the enemy scouts was too dangerous.
“We will send out messengers to all the camps to guide everyone to the entrance of the western pass.” Ipras crossed his arms, watching the women work. “It will take time. Moving with the women and children. The messengers will tell them to only bring food and warm clothing”, his expression became resigned, ”but many won’t listen.”
Atissa could understand his feelings. Ipras was one of the oldest people in the logger community. One of the founders. He knew everybody and everybody knew him. He felt responsible for every family here.
“They will have to circle around the village,” she said. “Take the paths closest to the mountains. That will cost them even more time.”
“Yes. We will see how long we can wait. Maybe we send the main group across and leave just a couple of men behind to help stragglers.”
The women carry their load back to the house. One of them had washed uncle Tatros’ good tunic.
“The only reason, I’m not sending everybody over right away, is food,” Ipras said. “We will need to gather supplies, or we won’t make it over the mountains. Not with this many people. Tepras’ stores aren’t big enough to feed us all.”
“I will go before first light,” Atissa said. “I might be able to catch our dinner before you arrive. I know the area around the western pass.” Uncle Tatros had shown it to her years ago and she had found herself drawn to it many times. She had dreamed of crossing the mountains one day. To see Riadnos.
“No,” Ipras said, turning to her. “I will send out some of my boys that are good with the bow tomorrow.”
Atissa flushed. “None of your boys are good with the bow. Not like uncle Tatros and I. And he’s hurt!” It had come out more heated than she had intended. But I am right, she thought. I know I am. She was the best hunter they had left. Her skill was needed.
Ipras raised an eyebrow. He was the head of the biggest family in the valley. Built like a tree and over sixty years old, he still led a small army of loggers into the woods every day. No one dared to talk to him like that. Except his grandsons when they got carried away, but even then, they usually regretted it. After the woke up, that was.
They locked eyes. Atissa had to tilt her head back to meet Ipras’ stare.
“You will accompany me,” Mark said, interrupting their silent duel. “The council has asked me to bring a warning and their request for help to the anax of Riadnos.”
Atissa looked back and forth between the two men, her burst of anger forgotten. I will leave the valley! She was too shocked to think beyond that.
“Ah, yes,” Ipras said, bowing awkwardly to Mark. “The master was so generous to agree to our request. To go speak to the anax…on our behalf.” To his embarrassment, he seemed to have forgotten the magi’s presence over their staring contest. “Tepras’ son Iristos will guide the boat. He made the Drive last year but was sick when the men left in autumn. He knows where the men are staying and can guide you there.”
Atissa was still recovering from the news that she was to leave the valley. She just nodded.
“Lepras will want to return straight away,” Ipras said. “He’s a hot head, and his wife recently gave birth to his first son on top of that. Tell them to meet us on the mountain path. And to bring extra food and clothing.” Lepras was one of Ipras’ grandsons. He had brought a wife from last year’s Drive and established his own house. This year he had been elected as one of the leaders together with the older more experienced Tepras.
“Why me?” It just burst out. Atissa had almost no experience on the water. She had never made the dangerous river journey between the higher and lower lakes. Most men and even some of the boys here would be better suited.
Ipras threw a glance at Mark. There was a hint of uncertainty, a rare sight in the massive man.
“The magi asked for you,” he said, his tone declaring that this should be enough.
Mark cleared his throat. “Ipras assures me of Iristos’ ability to guide the boot safely. But we cannot know what might happen during the journey. If we have to forage for food, if we have to abandon the river for any reason, your skills as a hunter and tracker will be invaluable.”
Ipras nodded, almost eagerly. “As the master says. With your uncle hurt, you are the best hunter here. This is a very important task!”
Atissa could barely believe Ipras’ behavior. Maybe Mark is a greater man than I realized, she thought. Indeed, anybody he met treated him with the utmost respect. She had never seen something like that before. Even the Assanaten magi had given ground to him. Was she behaving in an inappropriately familiar way with him? He had never indicated anything.
“I hope you will agree to accompany us?” Mark’s question interrupted her jumbled thoughts.
“I…ah… .”
“Of course, she will master Mark,” Ipras said, quickly interjecting.
“I’ll have to ask my uncle,” Atissa said. She felt overwhelmed and wanted to buy herself some time. Ipras could not argue against her seeking uncle Tatros’ permission.
“Your uncle said it’s up to you,” Mark said. “But maybe you want to talk to him first before you decide.”
“Yes”, Ipras said, “that’s a good idea. Go talk to Tatros. He’s resting in the house. But hurry! You must cross Logger’s Lake before dawn.”
Atissa bowed to the two men and hurried off.
Ipras was right. During the day the enemy would easily spot them on the water. And there were other boats in the village.
She hurried along the shore of the peninsula. A group of men and boys were pushing a boat down to the water. It was a very narrow vessel, only broad enough for two people to sit next to each other right in the middle.
She crossed the beach and took the winding path to Tepras’ house. Along the way, she passed women whose arms were filled with supplies. The loggers were generous and unless something unforeseen happened, they would definitely have enough food.
Tepras was a talented carpenter and his house was proof of that. He was one of the few real craftsmen in the valley. Whenever he had time to spare, he would work on his home. It was much bigger than his family needed.
Passing the entrance, she ran into a tired-looking Bazia. Her eyes were red and swollen from crying.
“Oh…hello. It’s not dry, yet” she said in an apologetic tone.
Atissa looked at her questioningly.
“The magi’s tunic,” Bazia said, holding up the cloth in her hands. “We washed it, but it’s still wet. You’re leaving soon, right?” She looked at her hands as if trying to figure out how to solve this problem.
Atissa wasn’t sure how to react. “It’s fine. Tepras’ wife gave him another. You can leave it.”
“But Reva told me to wash it. It’s important.” There was something in her voice. Desperation?
“Bazia, have you finished your task?” Reva asked from deeper inside the house. Atissa turned to the older woman. She looked as resolute as ever. With Ipras’ household lost, she seemed to have taken over Tepras’.
“Yes, Reva,” Bazia said quickly. “But it’s still wet.”
“That’s fine. Take it behind the house and hang it with the rest. Afterwards you can help with the food.”
“Yes,” Bazia said. She hurried off without giving Atissa another look. She had seemed almost relieved.
Reva turned to Atissa. “Your uncle is here. Follow me.” She led Atissa to the back of the house. Compared to their hut it was immense. The furniture looked like what Atissa knew from other houses but somehow better. As if every piece had been made with the room it stood in mind. Here and there it was even decorated with beautiful carvings.
Another woman carrying sheets of fabric crossed their path.
“Is this really necessary?” Atissa asked. “The washing and the cleaning.”
Reva looked over her shoulder. “You disapprove?”
Atissa knew she had no right to question the older woman. But tonight, she just didn’t care. “Bazia’s eyes were red. She must have cried the whole time.”
Reva stopped. For a moment, her shoulders sank. Walking behind her, Atissa couldn’t see her face.
“On the way here, we saw… some of the families must have run into enemies,” Reva said in a low voice. “And not all from our camp are here yet.”
Reva didn’t need to say anymore. Then the moment had passed, and Reva straightened again.
“Chores need to be done,” Reva said, her strict tone returned. “A lot of things need to be prepared for tomorrow.”
“Washing clothing?” Atissa asked before she could stop herself.
Reva didn’t answer right away. They stopped in front of a curtain, giving the room behind it some privacy.
“We keep everybody busy, as best as we can,” Reva said, shaking her head. “Ipras would have the boys cut a tree or two, if he wasn’t afraid of making too much noise. Hopefully, the tiredness will help them sleep tonight. The gods know, they will need their strength tomorrow.”
Atissa swallowed. Reaching the mountain pass would be a hard journey for the women and children. And passing the mountains even more so. There would be no shelter and very little food.
Reva turned away from her. “Tatros, Atissa is here!”
“Send her in already!”
Reva nodded to Atissa and left.
Atissa’s eyes followed the older woman. Reva’s words had made her feel embarrassed. Immature. She didn’t like that feeling.
Shaking her head, she stepped through the curtain.
Tatros lay on a mat and blankets in the corner of the small room. Atissa could barely see him in the darkness. Tepras’ family had to house a lot of people tonight. Most would have to sleep under the stars. It was kind of them to give this room to Tatros so he could recover as best as possible.
“Come over here!” Tatros said. He sounded better.
After their arrival, the women with healing skills had looked at his knee. It wasn’t broken, but the swelling had them very concerned. They had made a wrapping of smelly herbs, spoken prayers, and told Tatros to keep his leg still.
For once he hadn’t complained. The journey had taken a lot out of him.
“I feared you would be asleep,” she said, sitting down next to him.
“They wanted to give me some brew, but I refused it. I had to participate in the council meeting.”
Atissa nodded to herself. Of course, he had. “They want me to go to Riadnos.”
“Yes,” Tatros said. “Master Mark requested it.”
“And everybody agreed?” Atissa asked. She could not believe that the men would trust her, a young girl, to accompany Mark. At fourteen, she wasn’t even an adult yet.
Ipras smiled. “Not even Ipras would argue with the magi.”
“I have never been on the river,” Atissa said. “It would be safer to send two experienced men to guide the boat.” She could hear the doubt in her own voice.
“They wanted to do that,” Tatros said. “But master Mark said that…taking you would make the river journey safer. A precaution against the unforeseen? Something like that. It sounded much wiser when he said it.”
Atissa stared at her uncle. In the darkness, she couldn’t see his face, but his voice sounded genuine. Tatros had never called anybody wise. And Mark had asked for her.
“When we ran into the troop in the woods, I… sensed them from far away,” Atissa said slowly.
“Your Gift.” It wasn’t a question. Her talents for tracking, and her instincts, had shown early and had only become stronger over time. If Tatros ever had any doubts about teaching a girl, her Gift had made them void. It would have been an insult to the gods.
“Yes. But then I wanted to take the other route.” She hesitated. It was hard. She felt confused and ashamed about it. “I wanted to go to the village. To warn them. I thought the warriors would pass by the path to the house. If Mark hadn’t been there….” She had been wrong. And uncle Tatros might have died.
For a long moment, Tatros did not say anything. When he spoke, there was no anger or disappointment in his voice. “Did your instinct tell you to go to the village, first?” he asked.
“I… I’m not sure. I don’t think so. It just felt right. There were so many people there…” She broke off.
Uncle Tatros reached over to her. She took his hand in both of hers.
“Look, Atissa, only the gods know what is going to happen. And maybe the magi. If he wants you to go with him, that is probably where the gods want you.” Tatros grunted. “By Horto’s beard, I don’t want to send you off, but master Mark is right. Something goes wrong, you are the best chance they have to survive in the wilderness. With me hurt.”
“I always wanted to leave the valley. To see Riadnos and….” She broke off.
“To find out where you’re from?” her uncle asked. He sounded neither surprised nor hurt. “Come now, girl. I’m not a fool. I told you what I could. About your aunt and the night, we fled from the army.” He shook his head. “I don’t think there is anything to find. Or that it is a good idea to look. But I knew, I could not stop you forever. I mean, you hardly going to marry one of Ipras’ boys.”
Atissa smiled. “They are a simple bunch,” she said.
“Yeah”, Taros said with a sigh, “and they like girls with big breasts.”
She punched his shoulder. He responded with a grunt.
They fell silent for a while. Atissa felt torn. She had wanted to see the world on the other side of the mountains for a long time. On the other hand, she was afraid to leave her uncle behind. She still felt shaken up at what she had witnessed at their home.
“Uncle, at the house…when Mark confronted the Assanaten magi, and he just set you free…” She wasn’t sure what exactly she wanted to ask.
“I smelled like a battlefield the day after,” Tatros murmured. “I almost gaged.”
Both glanced towards the small alter next to the door at the same time. It was bigger, the statues much more elaborate than theirs.
“Have you ever experienced something like that before?” Atissa asked.
Tatros looked grim. “Curses, sure. You can find somebody in any village to help you with that. But not so strong that you can smell the death. I have heard stories, though.”
“Mark”, Atissa whispered, “he seemed completely unfazed. He looked almost oblivious. The other magi...”
Uncle grunted, rubbing his chest.
“What is a sage?” Atissa asked, leaning forward.
“They are a group of very powerful magi, I think,” Tatros said. “Very old. Very mysterious. There is a story that one helped Memnostis defend Riadnos back then.” He shook his head. “Here, take this.” He reached into his bag and handed her the little figurine of Horto from their house altar.
Atissa raised an eyebrow but took it.
Tatros shrugged. “The Assanaten are intruders in his domain after all. He might protect you until you leave the valley.”
“Right,” Atissa said, carefully storing the figurine in her belt pouch.
They talked for a while longer until a boy came to fetch her. The boat was ready.
She kissed her uncle’s hand and said her goodbyes. With his knee, he wasn’t able to her off.
Alone, Atissa walked the path to the beach to begin her journey, accompanying a magi on a mission to save her home and her people. She would leave the valley for the first time in her life, and she didn’t feel ready.
