The Brightest Shadow, page 15
It was the Dawn of Spirit. Usually, Tani considered it a day of ceremony and mostly empty promises, good for food and family but not serious conviction. This year, that would need to change.
~ ~ ~
Crossing the bridge no longer made her nervous, Tani merely hoped that she could get in to see Kolanin without difficulty. The guards mostly recognized her now, not requiring her to show papers to cross or taking her weapons. Kolanin's office was usually busy, however, and she might not be able to speak with him.
On her way in, she had to step back as Ghakin emerged, ducking under the doorframe. He smiled when he saw her and, to her mild embarrassment, reached down to ruffle her hair. "Tani! I suppose it's too much to hope you came to visit me instead of Kolanin?"
"Don't fluff my hair like a child." She smiled when she said it, though, and Ghakin grinned back.
"I can't help it. All humans look small to me, and you're shorter than most. I respect you, though, even if I can never remember whether you're Rhen or Oken."
"I am Nelee Rhen."
"That was it. Sorry to say I tell you all apart by your hair, so I get you dark-haired ones confused. If you wore a wig, I wouldn't even recognize you."
Realizing he wasn't serious, Tani merely rolled her eyes. Ghakin held the door open for her, which seemed a strange courtesy, but she accepted with a nod. Fortunately, the room on the other side appeared empty and no one stopped her on her way to the second floor and Kolanin's room.
She discovered him working, bent over a book. He didn't seem as heavy as usual, however, and to her surprise he occasionally took a few dags from a bowl on his desk and popped them into his mouth. When he heard her, he looked up and smiled kindly.
"I confess I do not know the proper courtesy, but I hope you enjoyed the Dawn of Spirit."
"You know about that?"
"Learning about local holidays is important when administering a city, though it can be difficult with so many groups. At least the Rhen holidays are consistently spaced throughout the year. The Coran days seem distributed at random, and the Nol days are so clustered no one works for an entire season..." He waved the issue aside and focused on her. "What can I do for you? Are you ready?"
"I'd like to approach the Yevee again, yes. I know there were trade issues, but..."
"But some warriors are growing restless. I know. I was thinking about approaching you, so this is good timing." Kolanin ran a hand through his hair and smiled ruefully. "Unfortunately, I cannot go with you. The best I can do is send a small group as a show of good faith. Perhaps if all goes well, the Yevee can send a representative to Bundlin afterwards."
"Thank you, that is what I wanted to ask." Tani was surprised to get approval so quickly, but not disappointed. Before she could withdraw, however, Kolanin continued speaking.
"I know that you may need to return home once you have completed your obligation to me - and trust me, I will consider it more than completed even if negotiations do not conclude perfectly. I would be happy to give you funds to return home... but I would be happier if you considered staying here. I need more young humans strong enough to take care of themselves, but sensitive enough to the region not to cause any problems."
Tani watched him carefully and saw that he was entirely serious. Though she had thought about staying in Bundlin, those had always seemed like irrational thoughts. There was certainly no question that she wanted to return home, but she also felt some desire to stay. Perhaps if a Confederation of Tribes was called, it would be located nearby. Her master would be sure to attend, and then...
Realizing she had been silent for a long time, Tani cleared her mind and met Kolanin's gaze. When she had arrived, she had been afraid of red Deathspawn eyes, but now she saw only the gentleness in his. "That is a kind offer, Kolanin, but I cannot stay. First I must complete my Farwalk."
"I understand. But even if it takes several years, I am likely to still be here." Kolanin sat back and stared over the work on his desk. "This peace will be the work of decades, after all. I trust that you will work toward it no matter where you live."
"Thank you." Tani smiled at him and departed swiftly to keep her emotions in check.
So she would finally be returning to the Yevee. Though she was sure they would be glad to receive their texts, she had no way of knowing how much trust it could truly build. Still, she would find out soon.
And then her time in Bundlin would be over. Tani found herself walking faster.
Chapter 9
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"The leaders of the Deathspawn are known as Seinans, notable for their silver hair and nearly human features. All other races of Deathspawn obey them automatically as a matter of pure instinct. Contrasting this with the belligerence of human peasants, this is one of the only points where Deathspawn society might compare favorably."
- excerpt from On the Deathspawn, written by Haneval, First Scholar to the King of South Corah
-
As she pushed through the blinding sun and sweltering heat, Tani reflected that though she was returning to meet with the Yevee again, the feel of everything was different. Before, she'd had a far less clear view of the conflict and the stakes. She had hoped the Yevee would meet with her and had a vague goal of learning about the fundamental problem. All of that had changed.
Now she knew that the mansthein were not the Deathspawn from the stories. They might still be an invading army, but she had hope of a peaceful resolution if Kolanin and others like him led negotiations. The problem was Aryabaus and the other warlords seeking bloodshed. His arrival in the Chorhan Expanse had been what caused the mansthein to act aggressively toward her tribe, the Yevee, and others. If he could be replaced or taught to value peace, the invasion might end.
Instead of just two of them, they approached with a full group. She and Slaten took the lead since they would be familiar to the Yevee guards, but they were joined by many others. Eight mansthein: Ghakin for power and several guards Kolanin had said were level-headed. They'd also brought along two Coran traders to discuss plans if the Yevee were receptive, and Eraes to make it clear this was no simple group controlled by Deathspawn. She had complained, but agreed to come along since she was still awaiting orders.
In some ways, having so many people was less pleasant. It took them longer to approach the Yevee's current location, but in theory it would be worth it. Presuming that she could get the first step right and gain their trust. Tani swallowed and tried not to think about the responsibility.
The Yevee tribe had moved over the course of the dry season, as was their way, but she still estimated that they should be getting close. Last time they had been approached early as a potential threat. While their group was larger and more threatening this time, they should also be expected. With any luck-
She spotted them in the distance, only three warriors approaching over the grasslands. That was a group sent to meet them, then. Not a bad start. Tani straightened her back and brushed off the wooden case again, though it was spotless. It wouldn't do to give it to the scouts, but hopefully they would take her straight to a master or someone else who could accept it.
When the warriors came closer, she was surprised to see that they were all familiar. The young man and woman had been among the scouts last time, and the lean man in the back had been the one she had seen throwing knives three at a time. She resolved to thank him for the idea, though for now there were more important things.
"Have you returned because you have succeeded?" The leader looked at her skeptically, so Tani lowered her head and held up the wooden case.
"I requested it from the Deathspawn and they gave it freely as a peace offering. All those who follow me are representatives who desire to speak with the Yevee."
"We are perfectly willing to work with Corans and... others. The trouble with trade is not peace, but the uncertainty of the roads. But that is not a matter for warriors." The lead scout extended his hand toward the case, then pulled it back. "Our master is currently traveling outside the tribe, but the keeper of the texts is prepared to check them."
Tani smiled and straightened. "Then let us travel there at once. May my companions join us?"
"They may follow, but we are not going to the camp. A secure location has been set up for... conditions like this." His gaze shifted to Ghakin, who to his credit was trying not to look threatening. It was a noble but futile attempt. Tani repeated the Nelhae conversation to the others in Coran and they all headed to follow the scouts.
She had plenty to occupy her mind, but on the way the scout with the knives approached to walk alongside her. He smiled broadly as he spoke. "I never expected that you would be able to return with our texts, and I do not say that as an insult. I am impressed."
"In a sense," Tani said, "I was able to accomplish it in part because of you."
He stared in surprise at that and she told him briefly how her efforts to imitate his technique were useful during the fight. As she spoke, she looked over him more carefully. The young man was several years older than her, with a traditionally handsome face, unremarkable clothing, and a normal male warrior's haircut, yet the overall effect struck her. His large dark eyes watched her seriously, making it slightly difficult to retain her focus. Though he seemed calm, she noticed that he was fidgeting with his knives. He had unusually long, slender fingers.
When she finished telling her story, he nodded with another smile. "If there is anything I can do to help with the technique, I feel I owe it to you. But unless you are having trouble with the grip, I do not know that I can be helpful."
"I think I understand that part, but you can check it." As they walked Tani showed him how she held both knives at once.
"It looks like you have it right. If you shift your fingers, you might be able to fit three even with a smaller hand..." She hoped that he might show her by touching her hand, but instead he demonstrated with three of his own knives. He did have a point, and thinking about the technique was a welcome distraction from those thoughtful eyes.
"I will work on that. But the most difficult part for me was managing my sein. I do not know if my control is simply inadequate, but two separate movements in quick succession seems difficult."
"No, do not concern yourself with that. What you need at this stage is simply overall development in sein training - it is remarkable that you were able to accomplish so much without it." He replaced his knives with deft practice, eyes shifting ahead. "Truthfully, I think many of the things our masters give us to struggle with can be resolved with further sein training. But it seems difficult to rush that as well."
"I am Tani of the Nelee, by the way."
"Kanifor of the Yevee." He extended a palm and Tani hesitated. It would have been exceedingly awkward to try to slide her palm against his while walking, but also very strange to stop. She settled for putting her hand somewhat near his and giving a warrior's bow. He returned it with a grin, so perhaps that was what he intended. Tani was glad she had made the right choice, but wondered how his hand would have felt.
Given the pace of the merchants, the group had yet to reach their destination. Tani wouldn't have minded, except she couldn't think of what to say. Fortunately, Kanifor spoke up first.
"I also crossed the Chorhan Expanse for my Farwalk. I know some say it is best to cut them short to return to training, but it felt appropriate to take a longer journey."
"Oh? Did you go far enough west to visit the Nelee?"
"Yes, though perhaps not your tribe. I think I would have remembered you." He said it with utmost sincerity, not as a ploy. Tani dropped her gaze away from his.
"I might not have been there, even if it was my home. My master is eccentric and often has me training in the wilderness."
"Interesting. Our master is very orthodox, though we have had trouble with masters latel-" He cut off and Tani worried that something might be wrong, but it was only one of the other scouts approaching. They had drawn close to a large cluster of boulders that Tani suspected was their destination. Kanifor gave a brief apology and left with the others to scout the region again.
The entire experience left Tani with a strange thrill she hadn't felt in a long time. She closed her eyes, refocused, and quenched it. Though she wanted to know Kanifor better, such thoughts had absolutely no place in the work she was about to do. With luck everything would go smoothly, but it would be unwise to count on luck. She needed to be at her best for the encounter.
A middle-aged woman sat on one of the smaller stones, slowly getting down as they approached. She moved as if her back hurt her, without the grace that Tani associated with trained warriors. Getting closer, Tani saw that her hands were stained from many years working with ingredients. She was likely to be the one who would verify the case of texts.
Though Tani wanted to rush forward, she held back while everyone else moved into position. More Yevee warriors approached, enough to make the two groups relatively equal but not to threaten. Soon the Yevee were arranged in one cluster and the mansthein opposite them, with Slaten and the other humans off to the side. For a time there was silence, both sides staring at one another.
"The texts." The woman stepped forward and raised her hands as if to accept a gift.
This was her moment, then. Tani stepped out between the groups, wishing that all eyes weren't on her. The role she had played in the whole process wasn't so large, after all. Without Kolanin's letter she would have accomplished nothing, and everything would have fallen apart without the work of others. But there was no one else to do this.
Tani extended the case into the woman's hands and bowed as low as she could. The woman's face might as well have been the rocks behind her, for all the hint of emotion she gave. "Honored mother, I present to you the Yevee texts. Another removed them and I have done a feeble job of reordering them, but I hope no lasting harm has been done."
In response the woman merely snatched the case, removed the cover, and began to look through the pages.
As she moved through many pages, the Yevee behind her began to relax. Tani took a step back and let the tension drain away... and that was when the woman slammed the case shut and shot her a look of fury.
"What trickery is this? Three pages of forbidden techniques are missing!"
The Yevee warriors jolted at the accusation, relaxation vanishing. Tani was grateful to see that Kanifor and the head scout looked more curious than suspicious, but the atmosphere was undeniably tense. Worse, the Yevee woman had spoken in Nelhae, and the angry incomprehensible shouting made the mansthein begin to reach for weapons. Both sides began to move forward...
Tani threw herself onto the ground, forehead against the grass. "Honored mother, please! I swear to you that I did not steal any of the pages!"
"Why should I believe you?" The woman scowled down at her and Tani rose, though she remained on her knees.
"Many present can confirm that I am but a humble novice. Why would I steal forbidden techniques far beyond me?"
"The order was amateurish." There was still a suspicious gleam in the woman's eyes, however. "But I do not think you stole them for yourself. More likely you were instructed by some other master, perhaps even a Deathspawn. Or most likely of all, you were hired by a wayward Yevee who wishes to steal techniques they have not earned."
This accusation rocked Tani back slightly. Such a thing was incredibly rare in Nelee society, and she thought rare in Yevee society as well. Accusing of her of working for someone with more training would have been enough, why the specific accusation? But that was irrelevant - she needed something to reverse this terrible direction. Tani wracked her mind for words and spoke quickly.
"Honored mother, as I said, the texts were removed from their case. It is possible that in my carelessness I failed to retrieve some of the pages. If so, I can only beg your forgiveness and hope that you see fit to grant it."
After staring at her sourly for a moment, the woman gave a reluctant nod. Several of the warriors moved up to her and they spoke in low voices. Tani remained on her knees, lowering her head and doing her best to look humble.
If they really did hold her accountable for the loss of the texts, that was a debt that she could never repay. Tani trusted that it would not come to that. She had said what she hoped would resolve the conflict, but the most likely true answer was that the mansthein who stole the case had lost or destroyed some of the pages. Better that she be blamed than to wreck the fragile chance of peace.
Eventually, the woman gave them all a nod and spoke in Coran. "Your gift is accepted and the wrong is righted. You may discuss your business." With that she turned swiftly, carrying the case back to safety. Tani rose and gave the appropriate bow.
By the time she straightened, the two sides were beginning to move together. There was still tension between them, but at least some of the human merchants had begun speaking to their counterparts. Ghakin and the Yevee warriors eyed one another, though not so viciously as before.
Tani breathed out heavily and tried to take a step back. Her leg nearly gave out and she might have fallen if Slaten hadn't caught her. He seemed surprised to have done so, but gave her a friendly nod.
"Well done. What happens now?"
For all her thinking about what would happen after, she hadn't thought through this part. Tani shook her head. "Depending on how seriously they take the missing pages, there might be some more investigation. But if the two sides start talking to each other now, that will be enough. This sort of thing won't matter to those who aren't warriors."
"Missing pages? Was that what her anger was about?"
"I can give you the details later. I need to speak with someone." Tani moved away from Slaten to find Kanifor, wanting to speak with him further before he was given any duties that might take him away.
Maybe it was just the stress, but the sun felt oppressively hot. Though it was approaching noon, she thought she had become used to the heat. Tani looked around for Kanifor and managed to spot him only after shielding her eyes from the glare. He wasn't looking at her, though... his gaze turned upward, toward the boulders beside both groups.
