TheLifeSiphon

KathrynSommerlot

Book1of2intheLifeSiphonduology

SmashwordsDistributionISBN9781370075089

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TomyhusbandMasaki—myofficialpartnerinthezombieapocalypse

TableofContents

One

Two

Three

Four

Five

Six

Seven

Eight

Nine

Ten

Eleven

Twelve

Thirteen

Fourteen

Fifteen

Sixteen

Seventeen

Eighteen

Nineteen

Twenty

Acknowledgements

AbouttheAuthor

One

Theknockonthedoorcamejustashefinishedrefillinghisquiver.Tatsufroze,bloodrunningcold.

Hekepthishandontheleatherpackforalongmomentbeforehewasabletoswallowdownthelumpin

histhroat.Hishousewastoofarandtooremoteforanyonetosimplystumbleacrossit,sowhoeveritwas

hadmeanttoarrive.Astheairinthesmallhousehungstillandheavy,hishandslidtotheuneventable

withthebrokenleghe’dnevergottenaroundtofixing,fingersfindingthefamiliarandwell-wornhiltof

hisskinningknife.Itwassharpenoughtotakeapartajackhare.Hehopeditwasalsokeenenoughto

defendhimself.

Hewaitedamoment,andthenanother,beforetakingafewstepstowardsthenoise,hisfeet

unconsciouslyfindingtheirwayaroundthelong,loosefloorboards.Hewasalmosttothedoorwhenthe

knockingcameagain,impatient.Thenewroundofknockingwaspairedwithafemalevoice.“Tatsu?”

TheanxietylefthisbodyinarushthatfeltlikethehotstingofChayd’ssummeragainsthisskin,

monthstooearly.

“Alesh?”herepliedandopenedthecreakingwoodendoor.“Whatareyoudoinghere?”

Hisfirstthoughtwasthatshehadtobeinjured,sick,orsomethingworse.Afterall,ithadbeena

longtimesinceshehadlastbotheredtotravelallthewaytohishutintheouterwoods.Butsheappeared

tobeinonepiece,herhairbraidedbackintothreesimpleplaits,andsheseemednoworseforthewear.

Thatsentapangofirritationthroughhiscore.Knowingthatshehadbeenfinebutnotvisitingmadeher

suddenreappearancecutdeeper.

“Please,”shesaidand,atonce,heknew.TherewasonlyoneotherreasonthatAleshwouldmake

thejourneytoseehim.Sheneededafavor.

Hehadhalfamindtoshutthedoorrightinherface,hisstomachstilluntanglingitselffromthetight

knots,buttherewasaflashofmovementbehindAlesh’sshoulder.Ralwaswithher,digginginthe

constantscourgeofweedsthatgrewinfrontofthehousewithoutanycaretothedirtembeddingitself

underhernails.TheyoungwomanwaslaughingatTatsu’swildflowers.Already,darksmearsofmud

werevisibleagainstthelighterbrownofherdressfabric,markingherasenol:baseborn.

Hedidn’tclosethedoor,buthedidn’tedgeitopenanyfurthereither.

“Hearmeout,”Aleshstarted,havingthegoodgracetoflinchwhenTatsusnorted.

“Isn’tthatallI’veeverdone?”heasked.

“Ineedyourhelp,”shesaid.

Helpwasnotawordthatcameeasilyfromher,thoughTatsuguessedthattheyhadwildlydifferent

definitionsofit.Helptohimmeantaidandafriendlyearandsomeonepresent,offeringsuggestionsand

findingsolutions.HelpwasnothingAleshhadeverallowedhimtodo.

“ThelasttimeItriedtohelpyou...”hewarned.

Herhandmadecontactwiththewoodofthedoorwithasurprisingamountofforce,theripplesofit

shakingTatsu’sarm.“Listen,thisisn’tforme,youknow.Ican’tleaveheralone,andIdon’thaveanyone

else.”

TatsupeeredoverAlesh’sshoulderagain.Ralhadgottenahandfulofthereedyflowersandpulled

themupbytheroots,laughingwithdelightatthewhitetendrilsshehadexposed.WhenTatsulethisgaze

flickerbacktoAlesh,herdarkeyeswerestillfocusedonhim,narrowandunflinching.

“Please,”shesaidagain,thoughthistime,itsoundedmuchlesslikearequest.Sheknewshehad

alreadywonhimover.

Tatsusighedandcalledout,“Ral,wouldyouliketocomein?”

Ralcomplied,thoughsheleftatrailofdirtbehindherashermovementloosenedtheclumpsthat

clungtoherskirt.Shemighthavegottentaller.ShewastallerthanTatsu,atleast.Sheseemedpleasedto

beinthehouse,andTatsutriedtokeephalfhisattentiononherasshemovedaroundthespaceincaseshe

gotherhandsontheextrasnareslyingaround.Ifhehadknownhewasgoingtohaveahouseguest,he

mighthavedonesomethingwiththeplace.

“It’sonlyforafewdays,”Aleshpromised.“ThisisthesafestplaceIcouldthinkof.Imean,whois

goingtocomewayouthere?IhavesomebusinessIneedtoattendto—”

“Otherpeople’spossessions,youmean?”Tatsucutheroff.“Oristhereanewlineofcriminal

mischiefyou’vefoundthatpaysbetter?”

Shefrowned.“That’snotfairatall,andyouknowit.”

“DoI?”Tatsuasked.“HowcouldIknowit,whenthelasttimeyoubotheredtoshowuphereand

tellmeyouwerestillalive,thefirstsnowhadjustfallen?”

Herbrownfacepinchedtight,mouthhard,beforeitslackenedagainindefeat.Shesighed,equal

partsexasperationandresignation,andranahandthroughthefewdarkstrandsofherhairthatwere

hangingwildandwavyaroundherface,tooshorttoplaitback.

“Look,canyou…sparemethewholespiel?”shesaid.Hergazesankdowntoaspotnearthe

entrancewherethebeamsofthehousewereembeddeddeepinthedirt,andthenitstayedthere.“I

promiseyoucanlecturemeallyouwantwhenIcomebacktopickherup.Butfornow,Ireallyneedto

go,andIdon’thavetimeforthis.”

Tatsuleanedagainstthedoor.Behindhim,Ralhaddiscoveredtheutensilsforcookingandwas

excitedlygoingthroughthemall.Tatsucouldheartheclangofthecopperspoonsandmugsagainsteach

other.Foramoment,Aleshlookedverytiredasshestoodonhisdoorstep;theweightoftheworld

seemedtohangonhershoulders,hobblingher.Sheseemedsmallerthanthelasttimehehadseenher,

underthesameskyandamoontingedwithred.Hethoughtaboutsayingsomething,somethinglikestay,

butwhereverthatwascomingfrom,themomenthadlongsincepassedbetweenthem.Ithadbeentoo

manywintersandtoomanysummers.Theworddiedonhistongue.

Instead,henodded.“Fine.Butonlyforafewdays.”

“Thankyou,”Aleshsaid,andhermouthtwistedupintoaruefulsmile.“She’slearnedtocounttoa

hundred—youshouldaskhertodemonstrateforyou.Shelovesshowingitoff.”

Behindthem,asifinagreement,therewasasharpcrashwhentheyoungwomaninquestionbanged

Tatsu’sladleagainstthebigironpot.

“Iwill,”Tatsureplied.

Aleshtuckedabitofunrulyhairbehindoneear.“Itwon’tbelong.”

“No,”Tatsuagreed.“Itneveris.”

Hewasathomeinthewoods.

Itdidn’tmatterhowmanytimeshewalkedthroughthesamestretchofthick-barkedtrees,healways

foundsomethingbothcalmingandnew:abird’sneststretchedacrossbranches,ananthillatthefootof

upturnedroots.Hisfeetcouldfindhisfootinginthedarkestcornersoftheforest,rainorshine.Afew

momentsmotionlesswithhiseyesclosed,earskeen,andheknewwhichanimalswereslinkingaround

him,eagertogetlostintheshadowsawayfromhissnares.

ThedailychoresthroughthetreesweremademoredifficultwiththeadditionofRal.Whilethe

youngwomanwascheerfulandbright,shealsowasn’tquitecapableofkeepingherfootstepsquiet.

Hunting,itseemed,wasoutofthequestionuntilAleshreturned.Ralseemedtoenjoymovingthroughthe

almostnever-endinggreenofthetrees,evenifshedidmarchthroughasiftryingtoalerteverycreatureto

herexistence.Aroundthemboth,thetalltrunksofthetreesexpandedabovetheirheadsintoasplayof

branchesandcoarseleaveswithnotchedsides.Thefurtherawayfromthecottagetheywent,themorethe

woodsaroundthemchanged,darkened,andgrewthickerwithpinesandthesweetsmelloftheirneedles.

Chaydmighthavephysicallyownedthewoods,butTatsuknewtheirsoul.

“Ral,let’sfindsomeberriesfordinner,”hesuggested,andshefollowed,singingasongthatwas

moregutturalnoisesthanactualwords.Shetrailedherfingersalongtheleavesastheypassed.Thelossof

huntingwasfrustrating,buthistrapswouldfeedthemwellenoughiftheycouldfindsomethingto

supplementthecatch.

Ithadrainedthenightbefore,andthegroundwasstillwetwiththeaftermath.Tatsu’sbootssank

intothedirtashepushedhishandagainstoneofthetrunksandwaited.Thisareaofthewoodswasn’t

knownforbeingrichwithedibleberries,buthehadafeelingtherewassomethingnearby.Ithadbeena

longtimesincehe’dchecked,andtheoddswereinhisfavor.

Overhead,aravenflewastheywalked,screechingoutitssonginsporadicbursts.Inthemud,the

remnantsoftheforest’snightsceneremained,half-buriedbeneathfallenleavesandcreepingground

vines.Tatsucouldseetracksfromalong-gonedeerandtheerraticpathofarabbitescapingitsowl

predator.Henotedallofthemastheytrekked.Evenifhecouldn’tgoafterthedeerwithRal,knowingthat

itwasaroundsignaledthepossibilityofthisareabeinggoodhuntinggroundinthedaysafter.

Hefoundwhathewaslookingforwithinthehour:acacheofberries,plumpandred,clusteredon

thebranchesofabush.Theplantcreptuplikeathiefaroundthesideofoneoftheweaker,crookedtrees,

barelyholdingontoitsplaceintheforest.

“Ral,comelook,”hesaid,kneelingdowntocaptureafewofthejuicyorbsbetweenhisfingertips.

Shekneltdownbesidehim,faceopenandexcited.

“Sopretty,”shemurmuredasshereachedforthesplashesofred,brightagainstthebackdropof

green.Hepickedafewfromthebranch,thejuicesplashingonhisskinandrunningdownhisfingers,and

heldouttheburlappouchhe’dbroughtwithhim.Ralhadotherideas,however.Sheinsistedondepositing

alltheonesshepickedintoherskirt,whichshepillowedoutoverherfoldedknees.Astheycollectedas

manyastheycould,stainingtheirhandsmaroon,shelaughedandlaughed,andTatsucouldn’thelp

laughingwithher.Whenshestood,shemanagedtokeepmostoftheirbountywithinthefabric,thoughhe

knewtherewouldbenohelpingtheredstain.

IftheycutbackeasttowardstheTurendMountains,Tatsucouldchecktherestofhissnares,setup

aroundhisusualcircuit.HelethisfingersrestlooselyonRal’swrist,smearingherskinwithsomeofthe

berryjuice.Hestartedforhislocation,saying,“Onefinalcheckandthenwe’llgoback,allright?”

Shedidn’tprotest,thoughherstepswerestillasloudaseverthroughtheunderbrush.

Hehadcollectedanabundantbountywithhistraps.Twoharesandagroundsquirrel,allrelatively

freshanduntouchedbytheraptorsthatmadetheirnestsoverhead.Hetiedhiscatchesupbythelegsand

swungthemoverhisshoulder,onebyone,carefullyresettingthewiresandtriggersdisguisedbythelong

grassesaroundthebumpytreeroots.Finishingthelastone,hestood,pleasedwithhowthedayhadgone

despiteeverything.Heturned,expectingtofindhiscompanionalreadysnackingontheberryhaul.

Ral,however,wasgone.

Tatsuturnedandthenturnedagain,allthewayaround,andsawonlythetreetrunksheknewby

heart.Hesawnosignoftheyoungwoman.How,hecursed,couldshehavedisappearedsoquietlywhen

alldayshe’dscaredoffhisgame?Toslipawayinthewoodswhilehewasotherwiseengaged…Tatsu

cursedhimselfanddartedforwardbeforehestoppedagain,crouchingdownandattemptingtocalmhis

racingheart.Heknewthewoodsandshedidn’t.Hepressedhisfingersdownintothedryingdirtand

closedhiseyesforamoment,steadyinghimselfwiththescentofthestill-moistmudanddeadleaves.

Whenheopenedhiseyesagain,hecouldseethetracksleftinthemudandtheleavesshe’dbentasshe’d

passedthemby.

Hetookoffinthedirectionhertrailled.Inhishaste,hedroppedoneofthehares,andwhilehewas

loathtoleaveit,Ralwasmoreimportant.Thepredatorsinthetreesdidn’tbotherhim,butshewas

unarmedandvulnerable,andtheclosertheymovedtothecliffs,theclosertheycametotheterritorythe

wolveslikedtopatrol.

“Ral!”hecalled,sharpandalmostangry.

Helosthertrailand,afterawildmoment,founditagain,boltingforwardlikeavoleevadinga

falcon.Hewasmovingtooquickly,andheswervedtooclosetoalow-hangingbranch.Itsbarkmade

contactandstungagainsthischeek,buthedidn’tevenbothertowipethebloodaway.Hekeptmoving

untilhislungsburnedandhishandsshook.Then,allatonce,hewasoutofthetreecoveratthesideofa

cliff,overlookingthemountainsthatstretchedoutlikerockyrootsprotrudingfromtheground.

Ralstoodwithherskirtswhippingaroundherbody.Theberrieswerestrewnacrossthegrassin

frontofher,abloodstainonthegreen,forgotten.

“Stop,”shesaid.Shelookedfrightened,butshewasn’tgivinghimanorder.IttookTatsuafew

stepstoseewhatshewastalkingabout.

Themountainsweredying.

Itwasn’tthecliffsthemselves,ofcourse,butthevegetationonthem.Ithadoncebeenlushand

green,pinesformingstripesofyear-roundcolorthatwereaconstantwhenautumncameandcoloredthe

otherleavesgold.Itwasalldead.Whatlittlewasleftofthetreeswasdarkenedtoalmostblack,limbs

twistedovereachotherandhuncheddowntowardsthesoil.Itwasn’tjustasmallsection,likeavictimof

atreeblight,butallofit.ItcontinuedasfarasTatsucouldseeuntilthelifestoppedalongtheuphillclimb

ofthemountainsthemselves.

Thesightshockedhimsomuchthathestumbledbackastepbeforehecaughttherealhorrorofit.

Therewasalineinfrontoftheminthegrass.Itwasanalmostperfectlinebetweenthewitheredbrownof

thedeadbladesandthestill-livinggreenoftherest,justneartheedgeofthecliff.Theghastlycontrastof

colorscontinuedalongthelineuntiltheclearingendedandthemountainslopeddownward.Thebrownof

thedeadgrasssliddownintothevalley,andthegreencontinuedbackintoTatsu’swoods.

“Whatisthis?”Tatsuwhispered.“What’shappening?”

Ralwhimpered,weakatfirstandthenmoreforceful.Herhandsclutchedthesidesofherheadas

shesankdownintothegrassandtheremnantsoftheberries.

“Scary,scary,scary,”sherepeated.“Bad!Stop,stop!”

“Ral,”Tatsusaidandreachedforher,nearlymissinghershouldersbecausehershakingwasso

violent.“Ral,stop!Comehere.Let’sgetawayfromthis.”

Sheallowedhimtoleadherbackintotherelativesafetyofthetrees.Oncetheybegantoput

distancebetweenthelineofdecayandthemselves,herconditionseemedtobetter,butTatsucouldn’t

purgewhathe’dseenfromhismind.Thosemountainshadoncebeenathrivingecosystem.Ifthatline

meantwhathethoughtitdid,itwasonlygoingtoexpandfurtherandfurther,reachinghiswoodsand

swallowingthemwhole.Ifthatwasn’tbadenough,hedidn’tthinkthattheforestwouldstopit.

Beyondthetrees,beyondhissnaresandtraps,Chayd’scapitalofDradelasatdirectlyinthepathof

theunnaturaldestruction.

Thebirdswerechatteringabovethemontheirwalkbacktothehouse,butallTatsucouldhearwas

theroarofthewarningagainsthisears,awhitenoiseoffearanddreadthatsilencedeverythingelse.

RalwassilentasTatsumadedinner.Sometimes,shewassimplymotionless,staringatnothingon

thefloorboards,andothertimes,hereyesdartedaroundtheroomasifshewastakingstockofinvisible

enemiesfloatingabovetheirheads.Tatsuwasn’tsurewhattodoaboutit.Themilesandmilesofdead

forestwouldn’tleavehismindeither,evenasheskinnedthenewestprizesfromhissnaresandcooked

theminarich,starchyvegetablebrothuntiltheyweretender.

WhenheservedtheconcoctiontoRalinaslightlycrackedclaybowl,hergazefinallymethis.She

didn’ttaketheofferedbowl,though,sohesetitonthetableinfrontofherandthenseatedhimselfacross

fromher,feelingequallyqueasyabouthisownportion.

“Iknowwhatwesawtodaywasvery…strange,”hesaid,stirringbitsofthemeataroundwithhis

woodenspoonuntiltheystucktothesides.“Butyoudoneedtoeatsomething,soplease,tryandeata

little?”

Hereyesflittedacrossthetable,fromthebowltothespoon,andthenshewrappedherfingers

aroundtheutensil.

“Whatdoyouthinkallofthatwas?”Tatsuasked.

“Bad.Scary,”Ralrepliedaroundthespoon.Herhair,whichwasalwaysdownandwornlooselike

ayounggirl’s,wasfallinginwavesaroundhershoulders.Assheate,abitofthestewescapedfromher

spoonandsplashedacrossherchin.Grabbingatowel,Tatsudabbedattherivuletsforherashereyes

trackedhismovement.Hersmilewaswaterywhenhewasdone,andhecouldmanageonlyaweaksmile

back.

“Itwasscary,”heagreed.“Andyouknowwhatthescariestpartwas?”

Shedidn’tanswer,buthedidn’texpectherto.

“Ithinkthatdeadpartiscomingthisway,”hesaid,mostlytohimself.“Whatwouldhappentome

andthesewoods?”

Ralgrinnedagain,spooningbiggerbitsofthestewintohermouth.“Yummy,”shetoldhim.“Like

thisfood.”

Forawhile,Tatsuwatchedher.She’dbeensmallforheragewhenyounger.Itwasareaction,they

hadsaid,totheplaguethathadstruckwhenshewasstillababyandkepthermindfromgrowingupwith

therestofher.ShewasolderbuthadalwaystrailedbehindAleshinheight,yearafteryear.Suddenly,she

hadsproutedup,tallandwillowy,likeatreethathadfinallyfoundthesun.Shewaseverybitawoman

now,withthebrowncoloringnativetoChayd.Herskin,nexttoTatsu’s,wasawarm,richsepia.

Self-conscious,Tatsupulledhisarmback,absentlyrubbinghisskinasifhecoulddarkenhisown

tomatch.Ral,oblivious,onlysmiledathimagainthroughmouthfulsofdinner.

“Eatup,”hetoldher,eventhoughhepushedhisownbowlaside,appetitelost.

Whentheyweredone,hecleanedupeverythingwiththebigpotofwarmedwaterandletRalsiton

thefloor.Shelikedplayingwiththeoldoddsandendsthatneverseemedtomakeitoutofthehouse.She

likedthewoodencarvingsintheshapesofanimalsandthescrapsthatgotcutwhenhewasmakingnew

fasteningsforhissheathandquiver.Shestayedclearfromthebootsinthecorner,andTatsuwasgladfor

it.Theywerenearlycoveredindustsothickithidtheleatherinamottledwhiteshroud.Theywerethe

lastthinginthehousehisfatherhadtouchedbeforehe’ddied.

Tatsuhadneverfoundthestrengthtomovethem.

Itwasn’tuntilhewasalmostfinishedwiththewashingthatheheardthekeeningnoisefromthe

centeroftheroom.Whenheturned,Ralwasshakingherhandsinfrontofher,eyeswildandwhite,

dartingfromsidetoside.

“Ral?”heasked.Foramoment,hethoughtshewashavingaseizure.

Hereachedforherbutnevermadeit—thethudandsmackagainstthedoorstoppedthembothcold.

Forasecond,therewasnothing,andthen,barelyaudiblefromtheothersideofthewoodenpanels,came

alowgroanofpain.

Tatsurantothedoorandthrewitopen,andtherewasAlesh,bleedingalloverthedoorstep.

“Tatsu,”shemanaged,andthatwasitbeforehereyesrolledbackinherhead,strengthfading,and

shepitchedforwardintothehouseandhisarms.

Two

Shewasheavywhenhecaughther,barelyabletokeepherkneesandknucklesfromhittingthe

floorboards.Tatsu’skneesbuckled,andhegrunted,thoughhemanagedtokeepthembothsomewhat

upright.

“Ral,”hegroundoutbetweenclenchedteeth.Shewasupsetandrattled,stillfloppingherhandson

limpwristsintheair,butshemovedtohissideandreachedforhersister,anditwasenoughtohelp

balancethedeadweight.“Helpmegethertothebed.”

Somehow,theydid.Aleshleftatrailofbloodontheboardsbeneathher,butitwasn’tasmuchas

Tatsuhadinitiallythought.Darksplashesofithadsoakedintothesideofherbrownshirt.Theflow,

however,hadebbed.Theredspotsonherarmsandface,whilenodoubtpainful,wouldblossomonly

intovividbruiseswithinadayortwo.Whateversparkhadkeptherawaketomakethejourneythrough

thetreestoTatsu’shousehadclearlydisappeared.

Hepushedasidethefabricofherstainedshirt,whichwassostickythatittuggedatherskin.Tatsu

whisperedanapology,eventhoughheknewshewasfarbeyondhearingit.Thewoundwasclean,which

wassomethinggood,atleast,andnotterriblydeep.Theknifehadgoneinandmissedhittinganything

otherthanveinsandskin,andthebloodhadalreadybeguntoclot.Theairlefthislungsinanalmost

painfulrush.

“Ral,Ineedyoutotakethisclothandpressitagainsttheredpart,”TatsusaidandguidedRal’s

handstowherehewantedthem.Herfingerswereshakingandthereweretearsonhercheeks,butshedid

asshewastold.Whenheremovedhishandsfromhers,shewasabsolutelystill,asidefromherterrified,

shudderingbreaths.

“Good,”Tatsubreathed.“Juststaythere.”

Hewenttothewaterpotandsetitoverthefire.Already,thetightnessinhischestwasrelaxing,

soothedbyfamiliar,usefultasks.He’dpatchedupworsewoundsonhisfatherbeforetheageoffourteen:

thetimethemanhadnearlybeentakendownbyalonewolfthatstrayedtoofarfromthepack,andtwice

whenthetrapstheyhadbeensettinghadmalfunctionedduringplacement.Still,hedidn’twanttotakeany

chances.

Therewasasewingkitontheclutteredshelveshangingnearthefires,andTatsugrabbedit.It

didn’ttakelongtosterilizetheneedleintheflames.

BythetimehereturnedtoAlesh’ssidewithhistools,Ralwasshakingharder.Hershoulderswere

slumpedoveronthemselvesinamiserablearch.

“Help,please,”shewhispered.TatsureachedforherhandsandpulledthemawayfromAlesh’s

injury.Gettinganotherlookatithelped—hewassurethatthewoundwasn’tdangerouslydeep.

OnceRalhadsatback,herfaceturneduptowardshim.“Tatsu,help?”

“Yes,”Tatsutoldher.“I’mgoingtohelpher.”

Hecleanedthewoundwiththewarmwaterandterrycloth.Oncethewaterwaspinkwithblood,he

hunchedoverandpeeredclosesohecouldstitchuptheskininaneat,evenrow.Itwaseasierthan

workingonhimself.Evenso,whenhewasdone,hisbackwasscreamingfromtheunnaturalbend,andhis

handswerestiffandtrembling.Alesh’schestwasrisingandfallinginrhythmic,ifshallow,breaths,and

Tatsuallowedhimselftositbackandsteadyhisownbreathing.

“Why?”Ralasked,hervoicesmall.

Hecouldn’tthinkofanythingtotellher.Fromhiskneelingpositiononthefloor,hestaredatthe

angryredstainonthepartsofAlesh’sshirtthatwerestillintact.Herblackhairremainedbraidedand

wrappedwithcord,butatumbleofthewaveshadfallenfreeandwerehangingoffthesideofthebed.

Whenhestilldidn’thaveananswerforRalafterafullminute,hemovedtowraphisfingersaroundher

skinnywrist.

“I’mscared,”Ralsaid,andhershouldersshook.

“Metoo,”Tatsuadmitted.

Thefloorwasn’tthemostcomfortableplacetosleep,butTatsudoubtedhewouldhavegottenmuch

restanyway.Hisneckachedfromtheawkwardcurveinwhichhehadfirstmanagedtodozeofffor

perhapsonlyhalfanhour,andafterthat,hecouldn’tgethismindtocalmdownenoughtodriftaway

again.Hestaredattheboardsoftheroofabovethem.Crackshadlongsincebegunsplittingthewood

grainsandsplinteringthepanels.He’donceknownthemallandhadnamedthem,creatingelaborate

storiesforthem,backbeforeAleshandRalhadbeenpartofhislife.Backthen,hisfatherhadbeenthe

onlyonearound.

Inthedimlightofthecandle,thesamecracksseemedforeignandfaraway,unreachable.

Hesighedandturnedover.Lookingbeneaththebedonthefloor,hecouldseethelayerofdustthat

hadaccumulatedbeneaththestrawmattress,whichshouldhavebotheredhimmuchmorethanitdid.

“Tatsu?”cametheweakvoicefromthebeditself.

Hepushedhisweightupontohiselbowssoquicklythathebangedbothjointsagainstthefloorand

wincedfromthejoltthatshotuptohisshoulders.“Alesh?”

Scramblingtohisfeet,hefoundherwithblearybutopeneyes,registeringandfollowinghis

movements.

“You’reawake,”hesaidandinstantlyfeltstupidfordoingso.“Imean,wewereworriedabout

you.”

“Ral?”Aleshrasped.Therightsideofherfacewasstartingtotakeonagreentint,nodoubtthe

precursortothewidespreadbruisingTatsuknewshewouldsoonhave.Itseemedtoimpedeherspeecha

bit,likeitwaspainfultomoveherjaw.

TatsucheckedoverhisshouldertotakestockofRal’ssleepingfigureonthefloorboards.“She’s

fine.We’refine.”

Heknewherwellenoughtodecipherthelookofreliefthatflashedacrossherfeatures,nomatter

howswollenandinflamedtheywere.Hereyelidsflutteredclosedforamomentasshebreathed,perhaps

tosteadyherself.Whenhereyesopenedoncemore,hergazeseemedstronger.

“Alesh,”Tatsustarted,andpartofhim,apartofhimthathedidn’tquiterecognizeanymore,wanted

toreachforhershoulder.Anunblemishedanduninjuredbitofbrownskinwasvisiblefrombetweenthe

tatteredremainsoftheshirtshewaswearing.Itwasanoldmemorythatstuckinhisthroat,bitterand

rotting.“Whathappened?”

Hermouthscrewedtothesideabit,evasive.“Jobwentbad.”

“Youshowuponmydoorstep,bleedingandalmostunconscious,”hestarted,andthen,withapang

ofguiltwhenhesawthewaysheflinched,softenedhisvoicetofinish,“IthinkIdeservealittlemorethan

that.”

Thelinesatthecornersofhermouthdeepened.Shemusthavebeenfeelingabitbetter,becauseshe

turnedherheadtothesidetostareattheknotsinthewoodofthecottagewall.Shewasquietforalong

time.IfTatsuhadn’tbeenabletoseehereyes,stillopenandfixeduponnothing,hewouldhavethought

shehadfallenbackasleep.

Afterwhatfeltlikeaneternity,shesaid,“YouknowyouaretheonlypersonthatIcanreallycount

on.”

Tatsudidn’tanswer,mostlybecausehewasn’tsurehow.Aleshstraightenedherneck,looking

straightathimwithinkyshadowsonherskinflickeringanddancingblackfromthecandlelight.“AndI

knowthatIdon’treallydeservethat,aftereverything.”

“Stop,”Tatsusaid,halfheartedatbest.

“Youknowit’strue,”shesighed.“AndI’msorry.”

StaringatRal’sform,half-coveredbyathreadbareblanketunravelingononeedge,Tatsutriedto

ignorethefamiliartwistinginhisstomachandreplied,“Youalwayswere.”

“Andthat’swhatalwaysmadeithurtsomuch,”Aleshagreed.

Theysatinsilenceforseverallongminutes,listeningtotheconstanthumoftheinsectsoutside.

Alesh’sreturnhadbroughtuplong-dormantfeelingsandoldpainhe’dbeentryingtoignoreforyears.The

cottagewassuddenlytoosmallforthethreeofthem,trappedinastrangewaltzoftiptoeingaroundthe

past.

“Alesh,”Tatsutriedagain,hisvoicelow,“whathappened?”

Resigned,herheadlolledtoonesideagain,againstthefibersofthepillow.“Guardsshowedupon

thejobandgotmostofthehands.Imanagedtogetaway,butnotbeforeoneofthemgotafewhitsin.”

Itwaslikely,then,thatthecolorsslowlybrighteningonherfacewerefromtryingtofleeratherthan

beingtheaggressor,whichmadeTatsufeelalittlebetter.

“Itwasstrange,though,”shecontinued.“Theyhadanentirecompany.Theymusthavebeentipped

off,becausewhyelsewouldtheyhavesomanyguardsforaroutinetradeinspection?”

“Youthinksomeonesoldyouout?”Tatsuasked.“Fromtheinside?”

Shewashalfwayintoashrugbeforethepainoftheactionseemedtoregister.Shestoppedquickly,

andittookawhileforherbodytorelaxagain,herfacepinched.“Orelsewewerebeingwatched.”

“Youneedtogetout,”Tatsutoldher.

Aleshlaughed,harshandbarking,andthis,too,appearedtobepainful.“YouknowIcan’t.They’ll

comeafterme.AndRal.They’vegottoomuchonmetoletmegonow.They’llkillmebeforetheyletme

go.”

“Atthisrate,you’regoingtodieanyway,”Tatsushotback,bloodheating.“Whatgoodareyouto

Ralifyou’rekilledpullingsomestupidjob?”

Aleshdidn’tanswerhimbutheldhisgaze,eyeslockedonhis.Therewasalotthere,murkyinthe

depths,andhecouldn’tquitegetahandleonitall.Butsomewhereinthere,buriedbeneaththepainand

wallsusedasashield,helikedtobelievetherewasstillatwingeofaffection.Thelongburned-out

embersofwhattheyusedtohavesettledbetweenthem.Stung,somehow,andtootiredtounderstanditall,

Tatsuwrenchedhiseyesaway.

“I’mnotapologizing,”hemumbled.

“Ididn’taskyouto,”Aleshreplied.“Ideserveit.”

“I’mstillallowedtocareaboutwhathappenstoyou,”Tatsusaid.

Herfingerswerecoolwhentheythreadedthroughhisown.“You’regoodlikethat.”

HesnuckanotherglanceatRal,whowasstillasleep.Hopefully,shewaslostindreamswhereher

worldwasmuchdifferentfromthereality.“Whatwasthejob?”

Aleshseemedsurprisedbythechangeintopic,pausingwithpursedlipsbeforeanswering,

“SmuggledgoodsfromJoesar.I’mnotreallysurewhatitwas—potions,maybe,orpoison?Somethingin

glassbottles.Thedistributorsweren’tparticularlyforthcomingwithdetails,butIcouldheartheglass

clinkingaswemovedit.”

ShesighedwhenshesawthedarklookonTatsu’sface.Hepulledhishandfreeasshesaid,“Look,

Iknow.I…I’mtryingtobehonest.YouaskedmewhatIknewaboutit.”

“Well,bringingpoisonintothecityisn’texactlysomethingthatIwouldbeproudof,”hesaid.

“Neitheriswatchingmysisterslowlystarvetodeath,”Aleshsnapped,cheeksflushedwithire.

Tatsusighed,staringdownatthecallusesonhisfingers.“Hereweareagain.”

“Yeah,”Aleshwhispered.“Seemsfamiliar.”

Shedidn’tsayanythingelse,andTatsucouldn’tforceanapologypasthislips,sotheysatinsilence

untiltheybothfellintoanuneasy,restlesssleep.

Hewokeearly,momentarilycomfortedbythesongofthebirdsoutsidethehouse.Theywerethe

sametrillsheheardeverymorning:thesoundofhome,ofstability.Hemovedaroundtheextrablankets

andRalonthefloortogethisknifeandhisboots,lacingupthelatterwithpracticedefficiency.Theair

outsidewascool,butnotcold—thekindofspringbreezethatnipsatcheeksbutinvigoratessteps.Itfelt

goodafterthenightofstaleairinthehouse,andTatsusuckedinafewdeeplungfuls.Lookingdown,he

sawthattherewerestillsplotchesofspilledbloodattheentrancetothehouse,andherubbedthetoeof

hisbootagainstoneofthem,makingamentalnotetocleanituplaterintheday.

Beingoutinthetreesalonefeltgood.Itfeltrighttoweavethroughthetrunksandbrush,findinghis

almostinvisiblesnaresintheweedsthatsprangupflatneartheexposedroots.Heduckedunderlow-

hangingbranchesthatscrapedacrossthegrass.Tatsufeltmorelikehimselfagain,steadied,andhismood

waslightwhenhereturnedhomewithhiscatchandapouchfullofherbs.Heevenfoundhishouseguests

awakewhenhegotthroughthedoor.

“Stillupandmovingearly,Isee,”Aleshsaidwithasmilefromthebed.Shewassittingupagainst

thewoodenheadboard,whichwasapositivesign.Thebruisesonherfaceandleftarmwereintensifying,

butwhenTatsuapproachedtocheckherinjury,hefoundacleanwoundfreefrominfection.Theedgesthat

hehadn’tsewnseemedtohavealreadybeguntostitchthemselvestogether.

“Breakfast!”Ralexclaimedwithabrightpealoflaughterandaclapofherhands.

Tatsu’sstomachgrowledinresponse.Thestressandenergyofthepreviousnighthadburned

throughhisstaminastores.

“Ral?”heasked.“Wanttolearnhowtoskinahare?”

Despitegivingtheanimalapatonitsunmovingheadbeforetheystarted,sheseemedtotaketothe

taskwithrelish.Hemodeledthemotionsbeforegivinghercontrolandfoundthatshewasanaturalat

gettingacleanslicewithallthefurremoved.Shedidn’tevenseemconcernedbythebloodsettlingonher

skin.

Astheydividedtheanimalandstrungitonthespitoverthefire,Aleshsaid,“I’msorrythatwe’ll

havetobeherewithyoulongernow,thebothofus.”

“Idon’tmind,”Tatsutoldher,anditwasn’talie.Itwasnice,initsownway,tohavepeoplewith

himthathefeltcomfortablearound.Havinganotherpersontotalkwithmadethedaysgobyquicker.

“Still,”shereplied,“Ihadn’tmeantforeitherofustobeherethislong.”

“Theremightstillbeahitoutforyouifyourgangwasbetrayed,”Tatsuwarned.“Theydon’tseem

likethesorttojustletsomeonego.”

Shefellsilentforamoment,watchingRalandTatsuwork.“No,”shefinallyagreed,andhervoice

hadlostmostofitsedge.“Isupposeyou’reright.”

TheyateincompanionableeaseandRalwaseagertohelpTatsucleanup,forwhichhewas

grateful.Butoncetheyhadfinishedstackingthecleanbowlsandplatesonthericketyshelves,shestarted

tobackaway,grabbingforbitsofherhairandtuggingdownonthestrandswithhard,anxiouslittlenoises

comingfromherthroat.

“Ral,”AleshsaidbeforeTatsucouldrespond.Shedidn’tsoundconcerned—shesoundedscared.

“Ral,whatisit?”

ItwasthesecondtimeTatsuhadseenRalbehaveinsuchamannerinonlyamatterofdays.There

wasatwitchinginhisgut,awarningashisbellyconstricted.Somethingtriedtoconnectinthebackofhis

mindwherehecouldn’tquitereachit.Thentherewasaknockatthedoor,justlikewhenAleshhad

arrived,onlythisonewasapounding,incessantandauthoritative.

“Openthisdoorbyorderofthequeen’sguard!”cametheangryshoutfromtheotherside,shaking

Tatsu’sresolveasmuchastheknockingwasshakingthewalls.Alesh’spanickedeyesmetTatsu’s,and

hermouthopenedtoresist,maybe,ortotellhimnottoopenthedoor.Buttherewasnothingeitherofthem

coulddo,andheknewhedidn’thaveachoice.

Hehadbarelyedgedthewoodenpanelsapartbeforetheguardswerestormingin,pushinghim

asideandheadingrightforthebed.TheywentpastthedistraughtRal,whowasstillhalf-cryinginfright.

Eveninthelowlight,theirgold-paintedarmorseemedtosparklelikethesun;hardandbrightand

impossibletoescape.

“Youareherebyplacedunderarrestbytheorderofthequeenonthecountsofsmuggling,resisting

arrest,andinjurytoamemberoftheroyalguard,”saidthefirstone,abig,stockymanwiththecropped

Chaydbeardthatseemedtobeinfashionlately.“Itisforyourowngoodnottosayanythingstupidthat

mightgetyouinevenmoretrouble.”

Aleshdidn’thaveanytimetoprotestbeforetheothertwoguardsweredraggingherupandoutof

thebed,ontoherfeet,whichweren’tsteadyanddidn’tseemquiteabletosupportallherweight.Hertoes

slidacrossthewoodabitbeforeshestraightened,herfaceverypale.

“Howdidyoufindme?”Aleshaskedthroughclenchedteeth.

“Oneofyour‘associates’gaveyouup,”thefirstguardsneered,leaningintowardsher.“Whenyou

weren’tintheshackyoucallahome,weaskedaround.Youraddledneighborskeptmentioningsome

cottageoutinthewoods.Ittookusawhiletofindit.Whointheirrightmindwouldliveallthewayout

here?”

“She’sinjured.Sheshouldn’tbestanding,”Tatsusaid,andheinstantlyrecognizedhismistake.The

headguardroundedonhimnext,toweringimpossiblywide.

“Youarealsounderarrest,”hesaid.

TheroomseemedtospinoutofcontrolasTatsu’sstomachdroppedoutbeneathhim.“Onwhat

charges?”

“Harboringafugitive,”theguardsneered,“andfailingtoturnherovertothequeen.”

“Stopit!It’snothisfault!”Aleshcried.

Shestartedforward,maybetohelphimortopushbackagainstthemen,butherbodycouldn’tquite

handleit.Shepitchedforwardontotheground,barelymanagingtocatchherselfbeforeshehittheboards.

Sheletoutasharpcryofpain,andthentheguardsdraggedherbackuptoherfeet.Sheseemedtohave

smackedthebruisesonherfaceagain,butherwound,Tatsuwasrelievedtosee,hadn’treopened.

“Don’tdothis,”shecontinued,blooddrippingdownfromthefreshcutonherlip.“It’snothisfault.

Icamehereand—”

“Goahead,”thebigguardsaidtoTatsuandnottoAlesh,ignoringhercompletely.“Addresisting

arresttothecharges.It’salwaysagooddaytobagaRunonian.”

HeheardAleshgaspinsympathy.Heturnedhisheadawaytolettheguardsclamptheironshackles

aroundhiswrists.Hewantedtomeltintothefloorboardsthemselvestogetawayand,unabletoleave,

trappedinshame,hisearsburned.Ithadbeenalongtimesincehe’dbeenaroundpeoplewhodidn’t

alreadyknowhim.Tohaveitshovedinhisfaceastheywerearrestinghimwasmorethanhecould

handle.Hismindshutdown,strugglingtoblockouteverythingaroundhim.Shouldersslouching

dejectedly,hedidn’tresistanythingfurther,evenashewasmanhandledtothefrontdoor.

Behindhim,Aleshdidtheoppositeandfoughtagainsttheguards’holdonher.

“Shecan’tstayherealone.She’snotallrightonherown!”shesaidoverandover.Asthemen

pushedherpasttheentrywayanyway,shecalledbackoverhershoulder,“Ral!Ral,stayhere!There’s

food.Youcaneatforawhile.Don’trunaway.Doyouhearme?”

Ralwasweepinganddidn’tanswer.Shewasfrozenasshewatchedthetwoofthembeinghauled

away.

“No,youcan’tleaveheralone!”Aleshcriedout.“Please!”

Tatsutrippedonthewayoverthefrontstoop,overthedriedbloodstain.Hislastthoughtasthemen

shovedhimawayfromtheonlyhomehe’deverknownwasthathewishedhe’dgottenthetimetocleanit

up.

Hedidn’tthinkhe’dbecomingbacktogetthatchanceagain.

“Ral!”Aleshkeptscreaming,hervoicerawandvulnerable.“Ral!Juststayhere!Stayalive!I’ll

comebackforyou,Ipromise!”

Three

Bythetimetheyreachedtheendofthewoodsatmidday,Tatsu’sshoulderswereinagony.The

shacklesonhiswristsdemandedhisshouldersbeslumpedforward,andthepainofitwasbunched

beneathhisneck,throbbingintimewithhisfootsteps.Besidehim,Aleshwascrying.Tearsstreamed

downhercheeksanddrippedontotherippedcollarofhershirt.Theshirtitself,tatteredand

bloodstained,hunginwideswatcheswideenoughtocovermostofherskin,butwhenthebreezepicked

up,thefabricbillowedoutbehindherform,andTatsucouldseetheaftermathofhisstitchinghandiwork.

Everyfewminutes,shewouldstrainagainsttheshacklesonherwristswithfrustratedgrowls,thoughit

wasalostcause.Herarmswerelitteredwithangryredsplotches,theextentofhersuccess,andshe

didn’tpaythemmuchnotice.Tatsukeptquiet,afraidmoreoftheimmediateretributionthanthesentence

waitingforhimuponreachingtheirdestination.

Astheywalked,TatsuwonderedwhatRalwoulddobyherselfwithnoonetohelpher.Leavingthe

forest,itwastheonlythinghismindcouldseemtosettleon,flittingaroundinapanic.Hewasso

unsettledbythegnawingworrythathelosthisfootingasthelastgnarledrootsfadedawayintoaneven

field,speckledwithwillowygrassandreddishrocks.Chayd’sdry,clay-strewnplainscoveredmostof

thecountry’slandandflattenedoutfurtherbeneaththecapitalofDradela.He’dwalkedthispathmany

times,butneverhaditfeltsoforeboding.

DradelawasChayd’slargesttradehub.Hometomostoftheartificersanddistributors,itservedas

acentralcoginthegearsthatkeptthecountryrunning.Theestatesnearthepalacewerewherethenobles

lived,andifatravelersawonlythose,theywouldthinkChaydoverflowingwithriches.Themajorityof

thefieldswerekeptontheoutsideofDradela’sofficialjurisdiction:rowsoftreesyieldingdatesand

palmoil,heavilyexportedacrosstheseabeyondDradela’ssoutherntip.

ThenoblesinDradelakeptlargegardensandblockedthemoffwithwhitesandstones,putting

sharpenedpikesonthetoptokeeptheundesirablesout.Theykepttheirownschoolsandtheirown

bathhouses.Theywouldhavekepttheirownroadsiftheyhadbeenallowed.Accordingtothenobles,

therewere“thewrongsort”ofpeoplewithinthecity.Thosesortslivedneartheedges,wherethehouses

werebentsofarinwardwithagethattheywerenearlytoppling.Therewerenogleamingwhitestonesin

theIahdistrict,onlyunevenplanksthatweresecuredwithrusty,leftoverironandmuddystreetsthat

alwaysstankoftoomanybodiesclosetogether.

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