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Without pausing she answered,  I had been watching your camp from a hiding
place. I came to see who was here, but you are not my people. You are
invaders.
 Then why did you free me? Dreibrand asked. The images of the rampaging beast
burned in his head, and he still could not quite believe he had escaped.
Miranda glanced at him.  It was not right that you would have to suffer and
die like that. I took a risk and came to cut your bonds. I did not think you
would follow me.
 May I follow you? he said.
 You are Atrophane? she demanded.
 Yes.
 You came here to conquer Droxy. You are an enemy, Miranda stated.
 I will not harm you. I owe you my life, Dreibrand said earnestly.
Miranda considered his words, but her hesitant features showed that she made
no conclusions.  This is not the place for talk. I have to go, she said.
 To a safer place I hope, Dreibrand said.
He followed her. Even though she had not actually given her consent, Miranda
tolerated him. Each of them thought more about the frightening beast they had
just encountered than about each other. On a subconscious level both of them
welcomed the security of human company.
Miranda hiked straight for the cliffs, and the stony heights soon loomed over
the trees. A long rocky slope came down from the cliffs to meet the woodland,
and Miranda picked her way up the debris of erosion toward her cave.
Ignoring Dreibrand, she raced the last few steps to the cave and darted inside
it. At the back of the cave Elendra clutched her little brother, but the
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shadows could not dim the relief in her eyes upon seeing her mother.
Miranda embraced the children and allowed herself one shaky sob.
 Mama, I heard an awful sound while you were away, Elendra reported.
Miranda nodded absently, trying to cope with the existence of such a creature.
She knew she could not defend her family from such a thing.
 It is not safe out there, she said.
Dreibrand darkened the cave entrance and Elendra screamed.
Miranda s already shredded nerves rattled with the child s shriek.
 It s all right. It s all right, she soothed.  This is& Dreibrand. He was at
the camp I went to see.
Looking around with dismay, Dreibrand said,  You are alone with two children?
Miranda faced him proudly and explained,  We are hiding in the forest from the
Atrophane.
He could not miss her accusatory tone, and he did not know how to respond to
it. Dreibrand was aware that people fled before the Horde, especially
desperate women and children. He wanted badly to gain her trust and tell her
he was no longer a part of the invading army, but he felt suddenly ashamed of
everything about himself.
 I will get your fire going again, he said and went outside.
Miranda lingered by the cave. The noon sun fell warmly on the cliff, and she
watched Dreibrand forage among the abundant brush, gathering wood. She was
content to let him do it. At that moment she lacked the courage to go near the
forest. She had not expected the warnings about the Wilderness to become so
vividly true.
7~ Partnership ~
Dreibrand assembled a mighty supply of wood and intended to keep a hearty
blaze going all night. As he set down his last armful of firewood, he almost
toppled to the ground.
 I hope that thing is afraid of fire, he said breathlessly.
Standing in the cave entrance, Miranda observed the smear of dried blood on
his head. He did not look well, and she had little hope that he would leave.
 Why is he here? Elendra whispered.
 I think he needs help, Miranda whispered back.
 I am scared of him. Make him go away, Elendra insisted.
Miranda hushed her daughter. Leaving Esseldan in his basket, she shyly
approached the new member of her camp.
 Thank you for gathering all that wood, she said sincerely.
Dreibrand nodded painfully and gingerly touched his temple.
 What was that thing? he said.
Miranda looked at the forest and the cliff shadow creeping across the trees.
 I think it must be a fenthakrabi, she answered hesitantly as if saying the
name of the beast would make it appear.
 How do you live with such a thing? Dreibrand wondered.
 I have never seen it before. I have heard stories. But I never really
believed. Miranda explained.
 Believe what? Elendra asked impatiently.
Miranda had not realized the child could overhear and answered carefully,
 There was a wild animal in the forest today. I& I did not get a good look at
it. She held back a shudder as she recalled the dreadful creature.
Dreibrand realized Miranda was trying to spare her daughter the gruesome
details, and he dropped the subject. His exertions of the past days had caught
up with him, leaving him dizzy.
 I heard you say fenthakrabi, Elendra boldly pressed her mother.
 Say no more. Go sit by your brother, Miranda ordered.
Elendra pouted and obeyed slowly.
 She s a strong-willed girl, Dreibrand commented.
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 She wants me to make you go away, Miranda said abruptly.
Dreibrand did not blame her for that reaction. Although he did not feel
threatening, he had come to this country as an invader, and as Miranda had
said, he was an enemy. This woman had no reason to help him further. Saving
his life had been remarkably generous. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]