The Brightest Shadow, page 77
For the first time since he arrived, Teirsan paused, looking at her with what almost might have been a smile. He sat back, his posture more relaxed than before. "Your brevity is to be commended, but this is not a matter conducive to simplification. Please, report in greater detail."
She nodded and took a moment to compose herself. Thankfully, Teirsan didn't seem impatient. He turned to the neth supplies on the table and mixed in the powder, then he touched the side of the pot. It boiled instantly. The intense smell hit her soon after and she barely hid her wince. It might have been intended to be intimidating, yet he didn't seem to consider anything amiss about it.
"I will tell you what I can, Zeitainan, though I fear I may neglect some details."
"You may submit a written report later." Teirsan sat back and looked at her, golden crystal in one hand, cup in the other. "There's value in hearing it from you directly. Please, begin."
Celivia began explaining her experience, nervous at first but slowly growing more comfortable. When she accidentally wandered too far into topics unrelated to the Hero or Legend, Teirsan asked careful questions that focused her again. It was unnerving whenever his gaze fell on her, but he also spent much of his time gazing down at the crystal and sipping from his cup. Yet judging from his sharp questions, he listened extremely carefully.
When she finished, he was silent for a moment longer. Then he made the crystal vanish into his robe and shifted back to her. "Thank you, Seinan Celivia. This has been very productive."
"Zeitainan..." Asking a question might be risky, but she felt she needed to. "Everything about the Legend... it's real, but how is it real? What actually is it?"
"That is a good question." He said nothing else, as if that was a self-evident answer.
"The Legend ends with mansthein and humans killing each other violently and the Hero winning. Is that inevitable, then?"
"Another good question." Teirsan took a sip from his cup, eyes fixed on her. "At this time, we do not have adequate answers. You may be able to assist. Go through your Catai rebirth and prepare to be transferred."
Did he expect her to accomplish those things easily on her own? Since he seemed relatively pleased with her work and report, Celivia hoped that he wouldn't get angry. "I was refused my request to become Catai. Right now I'm a warrior second class. They told me I needed to return to the Chorhan Expanse to serve a full term."
"How tedious."
Teirsan shot a glance of pure scorn in the direction Pelolin had gone and something in his tone left her certain that he understood. But as much as she loved him for that scorn, it also left her nervous again. Though Teirsan had established the program that lifted them out of the pits, he was not ultimately their ally. Whatever agenda he pursued, he pursued it to the exclusion of all else.
"Then I present you with an alternative, Seinan Celivia. You could join my personal service, effective immediately. Once details of training and rebirth are past, you could work with these issues more directly."
She stared at him, not sure if she'd understood. Serving under a Zeitai directly was a great honor, but... "You mean... leave the military?"
"Obviously."
"Then..." Celivia closed her eyes, not quite believing her life could change that quickly. This proposal offered many advantages, but it would mean stepping away from everything she'd built so far. And it would certainly mean leaving both her friends and the humans, becoming caught up in something greater...
"You have hesitations. That's acceptable." Teirsan set down his cup and rose to his feet. "Return to the Expanse. Locate the Hero again if you can. If you show the same capacity you have demonstrated so far, I doubt that you will remain in that position for a full term."
Though Celivia felt a bit of disappointment that her chance had already passed her by, she also felt relief. Quickly getting up after him, she bowed politely. "Thank you, Zeitainan Teirsan."
He vanished without saying farewell, air rushing toward the point where he had been standing. Celivia stayed there for some time, staring. She felt as though she had kept up a little during their conversation, but now she reeled and struggled to catch up from the barrage of quick words.
When she turned back, to her surprise she found Reina entering the courtyard. This time she approached slowly instead of rushing, looking up at her seriously. "What did he say?"
"A lot of things." Celivia shook her head slowly. "I'm still going to be working here. I meant to ask, Rei, where are you stationed now?"
"I wanted to talk about that." Reina looked away from her nervously. "I'm actually on leave. I came to see you, and I was hoping I could go with you. Not for long, but for a while at least."
Celivia looked over to the supplies left at the side of the platform and realized that Reina's pack was much larger than it needed to be. She also saw the woman's pair of over-sized cleavers attached to it. So that was the reason she hadn't volunteered information with everyone else.
"Alright." Celivia hadn't meant to accept, but she didn't want to lose everyone so soon after meeting them again. "We'll need to talk about the details, but we can try to make it work. But let's not talk about that for now, alright? I want to enjoy the time we have with Ghalia and Lurimin."
"Oh, me too! We talked before we came to meet you - Lurimin has learned some really interesting things, and Ghalia has a lot of good stories..."
Reina explained all about it as they headed down the path, met with the others, and then walked down to the village. For a time, Celivia tried to forget about anything else.
Chapter 56
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"Gray is gathering information regarding overall operations. I understand she is attempting to contact you as well regarding concerns brought by a number of commanders in central Breilin."
-
When Tani had made her plans, she had failed to consider how long it would take them to travel back to the tribe, since Laeri couldn't truly run. She had continued her training while traveling, but it rankled to spend so much time in the endless grasslands when she was so close. Soon she would return home, her Farwalk finished, finally be a true Nelee warrior... if Laeri could just pick up the pace.
To be fair, the healer did the best she could without complaint, marching onward until she collapsed of exhaustion. Though Laeri tried to hide it, Tani had seen the horrible blisters she healed on her feet each night. She had also done her best to learn some running arts so they weren't plodding along at an even slower rate, though it hadn't gone terribly well. Laeri had deep wells of sein, but they weren't conditioned for physical exertion.
Now, at long last, they neared their destination. There had been clusters of trees for some time, slowly giving way to true forest. Tani smiled and started to pick up the pace before she heard Laeri's heavy breaths.
"You seem... happy." Laeri tried to speed up, coming along beside her. Despite her heavy breathing, she smiled. "Are we almost there?"
"Yes, very nearly. Then you should have a long time to rest."
"Good." Laeri's fingers clenched tightly around her staff, however. "How am I supposed to introduce myself? I'd feel so strange saying 'Laeri of the Estronese' but do you think anybody would know about our specific clans? I don't want to seem arrogant..."
"You'll be fine, Laeri. No one expects you to introduce yourself like a Nelee."
"But I'd like to be polite, you know? If I'll be here for such a long time, it would be nice to be on good terms with everyone."
That brought up the old issue. This close to home, Tani just ignored it and avoided fighting that battle. Nothing could shake Laeri's certainty that they would be returning to meet Melal in time, while Tani felt tired just considering the question. What she wanted was to speak to her master and spend a long time not thinking about the Hero or the Legend in the slightest.
"Do you think the food will be okay? We've gotten by on Coran bread this far, but I've heard that Rhen food is really different. I don't mind if it's just bland, but I hear-"
"Laeri, really. Please relax." Tani turned and took her gently by the shoulder. "I haven't been home in a long time. Everyone will be friendly to you, but they'll leave you alone. Let's get some rest before we worry about anything else."
"I'll try not to worry until then." Laeri nodded and followed after her quietly, letting Tani enjoy her approach to home after so long.
Before they got close, she saw the first sign they were near: scouts coming out to meet them. Tani slowed to a halt and waited for them while Laeri shifted to stand behind her. Though the scouts looked very Nelee, Tani remained on guard, not letting herself relax just because she was home.
The leader of the group approached first, carrying knives in both hands. "You've entered Nel-" Her eyes grew wide. "Tani? Is that you?"
"Janemi!" Tani raised her arms wide, unable to hold back her smile. Janemi sheathed her knives in a flash and rushed forward to hug her fiercely, switching to Nelhae.
"I cannot believe it. We lit offerings for your safe return, but when we heard of the great violence with Deathspawn across the Chorhan Expanse..."
"I know. At times I was uncertain if I would survive, but I am back." Tani embraced her tightly. Though Janemi was not exactly a dear friend, absence and years far from home had given the relationship new weight. The years seemed to have treated Janemi well, with gorgeous woodwork on her jacket and a headband of flowers that suggested she was newly partnered with someone.
At last they pulled away from each other, Janemi looking her over as well. "I presume that it did not take you this long to cross the Expanse."
"No, I was delayed by many obstacles." Tani stepped aside and switched to Coran as she gestured to Laeri. "This is Laeri, an Estronese healer who has saved me from many injuries. We're traveling together for the time being and she would welcome your hospitality."
"Welcome!" Janemi's smile was significantly less than it had been before but appeared honest. Tani noted that a few of the other scouts seemed uncomfortable with the switch to Coran. She'd forgotten how insular some Nelee could be. "We would be happy to let you stay with us for several days as Tani's guest, but Nelee must support themselves."
"Oh, um." Laeri fumbled with the pouches at her belt. "I can pay, don't worry. Are Easterns fine? Just... give me a moment to find..."
"I was thinking you could pay with your skills, but money is fine too." Janemi promptly turned away from Laeri and focused her attention on Tani again. "Now, I am sure you have much to tell, but many others will want to hear your tales. I will restrain myself for now."
"I would like to hear what has happened since I have been gone."
Janemi helped her catch up with the latest as they walked back, covering both gossip and serious affairs. It seemed that they had fewer direct conflicts with Deathspawn than before, but the threat of serious war increased day by day. Many remained nervous and some argued for striking first. Calls for a new Confederation of Tribes remained constantly on the wind, never quite coming together. In a sense, it seemed that little had changed.
As they drew closer, Tani felt her body shedding tension that she hadn't realized she still carried. The images and scents of home that she had experienced solely as sein for so long actually existed around her again. Soon even individual trees became familiar and when she saw the first of the houses she felt joy well up in her heart.
Despite herself, Tani embraced Janemi again. The other young woman hugged her back without making anything of it, instead smirking. "I take it after your Farwalk, you have chosen to leave the Nelee permanently? I will tell the masters."
"Do not even jest of it. Please, find Master Yanumi so I may tell her of everything. While I wait... does Panior still make that delicious dish of chopped herbs?"
"I think he was working on some today. Let me see... he moved into the westernmost house since you were last here, so go that way. I will find your master, if I can." The twitch at the corner of Janemi's lips suggested that might not be an easy task. Another thing that hadn't changed.
Tani was grateful when the scouts returned to their task, leaving her truly among the Nelee again. She turned back and gestured for Laeri to follow her as she took an arcing route through the village, absorbing the sights on her way. Though the tribe was not so small that everyone knew her well, they knew her by sight and she received a chorus of greetings on her way that she happily returned.
"Everyone really likes you," Laeri said. Her large eyes seemed perpetually all the way open as she stared at everything.
"I wouldn't say that, they're just glad to see I'm not dead. Given how dangerous the world has become, there are even some who say the Farwalk tradition should be ended."
Laeri nodded and said nothing else, padding quietly behind her. Soon they had neared the westernmost house, which it seemed had been extended by several paces. Though Tani wasn't sure how Panior would have partnered into the house, all that mattered right now was that he hadn't lost his skill. She saw smoke rising from the chimney and smelled spices in the air, pulling her inward swiftly.
At this time of day the building lay mostly empty, making it easy to find Panior. He sat with his legs crossed before the fire, examining his pot seriously. Though he had a few more gray hairs than before, his body remained hale and hearty. She didn't see any signs that he had become a master, but most said it was only a matter of time. More importantly for her at that moment, he was a master of cooking.
When he heard them pass through the bead curtain, he turned with mild interest, then his eyes went wide. "Tani! You have returned!"
"Panior." She started to smile but was interrupted when he rushed up to her, grabbing her shoulders and lifting her into the air just as he had when she was a child. A strand of discomfort wormed into the warm familiarity of home and Panior must have seen something in her expression, because he swiftly set her down.
"You look older and wiser, Tani. And much stronger."
"I expected to walk, but I have had no choice but to fight." Setting aside the momentary discomfort, Tani grinned at him. "Right now, I would like to eat."
"Of course, of course! Sit down, today the meal will be my treat! And invite your friend to sit and eat as well - I will not embarrass you with my poor Coran."
They spoke of little important while he finished his work, Tani's mouth watering more and more each time he opened the pot to add ingredients or stir it. As much as she wanted to devour all of it, she trusted him to know exactly when it was ready. Finally he spooned the mixture out into two large dishes, set it in front of them, and gestured expansively.
"Please enjoy! I will go and gather some other ingredients... we must eat well tonight to celebrate your return!"
With that, Panior left them alone in the house except for a mother who was busy nursing her child. Tani handed Laeri one of the spoons before taking one for herself and finally digging in.
The first bite brought tears to her eyes. Better than she had remembered, and her sein sang within her at the resonance. It might make no difference in terms of power, but the familiar taste did her soul a great deal of good. Tani sat and ate happily, savoring the rest.
Meanwhile, Laeri took a bite. She chewed several times with a smile on her face, then recoiled so swiftly that she dropped her bowl. Tani lunged out to catch it before it could fall while Laeri leaned over and sucked air into her mouth.
"So... so spicy!"
"This was always one of my favorite dishes, but it may be too spicy for you." Tani waited for her to recover and then handed her the dish again. "When Panior returns, ask him to mix in other greens. It will make the dish much cooler."
Laeri balanced a very small amount on her spoon and brought it to her mouth as if she was poisoning herself. After she swallowed, her face flushed and she shook her head. "It's too much for me. If this is all there is to eat, I... I fear I'll starve."
"Don't worry, there are many different Nelee dishes. I'll find something you enjoy, trust me."
Meanwhile, Tani didn't let the incident distract her from her enjoyment of home. Even the smell of the smoke from the fire, never quite leaving the chimney perfectly, felt comfortable and familiar. This wasn't a Coran hut, a Deathspawn military building, or a resistance cavern. Just home.
When she finished, she found herself starving and considered eating Laeri's dish or taking more from the pot. Panior wouldn't mind, even ignoring the fact that she could easily pay for it. Just when the temptation began to overwhelm her, she heard a familiar cough.
Tani looked up and finally saw her. Master Yanumi didn't look a year older than she had before, still with gray and black hair that belied her strangely ageless face. Like many of the masters, it was difficult to pinpoint her exact age, and Tani had long ago given up trying. Defying the usual conventions, her master wore robes of mixed green and brown that blended with the forest around them. She also wore a hood that shadowed her face, but pulled it back as Tani looked up.
"So you didn't die after all. Huh."
"Master!" Tani leapt up to embrace her and her master suffered through it with a sigh.
"Yes, yes, I'm glad you're so happy to see me. I expect an explanation for why your little trip took so long."
"Of course, master!" Tani pulled back and started to drop forward to fully bow with her head to the ground.
Her master had always hated that and tripped anyone who tried so they faceplanted directly into the ground. She said that those who wanted to kiss the earth should do so wholeheartedly. But this time, Tani could see her master's foot lashing out, even if she couldn't stop the blur from sweeping her feet out from under her.
As she fell forward Tani tucked into a roll, managing a rough somersault. Except midway through she saw another forest-colored blur come at her from the other side. This one she could only block by raising her arm in the way. She managed to deflect the kick, but it still sent her tumbling awkwardly onto her back instead of landing on her feet again.
Master stood over her, a wry smile transforming her face. "Well, you have clearly been training. Unless you somehow manage to bow to me anyway, I will be impressed."
