[Prologue] [Chapter 1] [Chapter 2] [Chapter 3] [Chapter 4] [Chapter 5]

CHAPTER FOUR

     At first rise Talbor grabbed a handful of jerked meat and saddled his beast. Without speaking he mounted and kicked the beast in the flanks. Fearing for the old woman's safety, he rode the beast hard, ducking to avoid low branches. The others, unsure where he was going, fought to keep up. After a few hours the beast's coat began to lather. Talbor knew he had to slow down of he would cause the beast's heart to give out. Slowing to a fast trot, a clearing came into view. Emerging into a clearing, Talbor studied the rocky ravine. The trees hiding the soothsayer's dwelling appeared undamaged. Relieved, the big man settled back in his saddle.
     In his father's house, Talbor heard stories of how the soothsayer choose not to be influenced or conform to the outside world. In some of these stories he heard, the soothsayer, Natar used the environment to survive. Her dwelling was not only practical but blended into its surroundings. The dwelling was built between three trees. The tree trunks served to form and support it. Originally the walls and roof were woven grass, hides, branches, and sun baked mud. However, over the cycles, falling leaves, and branches caused the dwelling appear to be a high mound of decaying vegetation and soil between the trees. Though three sided, the dwelling appeared to be just over a meter in height.
      It was rumored she often gave sanctuary to those fleeing Sensoul. One story told of the old woman hiding a royal guard during one of the abbey's search for those in need of cleansing. From these stories, Talbor knew there was supposed to be two rooms. Most of the dwelling was underground. It was either a small cave or had been dug out. Between the storage and living area, it was large enough to hold a cycles worth of supplies along with the countless items she had collected during her cycles of isolation. Only if someone knew what to look for would they see the mound for what it truly was.
      Patting the neck of his beast, Talbor studied the area. Perhaps the stories he heard were partly true. He wondered why the woman chose this isolated, almost barren land to live and practice her calling. Talbor's beast nervously sniffed at the air. The beast's eyes widened, its nostrils flared as it lied it ears back. Fear griped the beast. It began to paw at the soft dirt and snorted. The mount nearly bolted when a breeze rustled through the trees.
      Talbor fought to regaining control. The beast reared, catching the big man off guard. Loosing his grip, Talbor was thrown to the ground. Girmer, reaching him, fought to control her own beast.
      "What in the name of Darcon's dwelling is wrong with these beasts?"
      Casaron and Iritha, having dismounted, walked up the ridge. Both their beasts appeared overly calm. Talbor, studying the beasts, saw their eyes were glazed over. The big man realized Casaron had spellbound them. Reaching Talbor, Casaron gentle patted the beast and spoke softly. Within seconds the beast was calm. The Maji repeated his actions with Girmer's beast. Star Danc, reaching the ridge, sniffed the air and let out a shrill yowl. The yowl was unlike any Girmer heard before. It was one of recognition. The giant cat's yowl was quickly answered.
      Everyone glanced in the direction of the second yowl. A raspy voice called to them. "Well it be taking you long enough to get here. I best be getting you inside before they see you. That abbey be madder than a rutting stag."
      "Are you Natar?"
      "It be many cycles since I be called that. I be known as Me'Shaw."
     "Are you all right? There was some trouble in the forest."
     An old woman supported by a crudely carved walking stick limped toward them. Dressed in a tattered dress, a homespun shawl drapped her shoulders. She glanced at Talbor and grinned. "I be well. But two of fool mark's that use to stay at that blood thirsty abbey aren't."
     She glance at the emerald robed man and sensed an unfelt breeze. She frown slightly. The old woman motioned for someone or something to come out from the rocks that camouflage it. Two giant cats, nearly as black and large as Star Danc stood beside the old woman.
      Both cats walked toward Casaron and began swishing their tails. They laid their ears back, and rumbled softly. Instinctively Girmer drew her sword and positioned herself between Casaron and the cats. Star Danc rumbled as he walked in front of Girmer. He positioned himself in front of Girmer. He stopped facing the two cats.
     Unconcerned by Star Danc's presence, Me"Shaw limped toward the cats and studied the tattoo on the ebony woman's temple. "That be unwise painted woman." Stroking the smaller cat, her voiced crackled. "My friends' eyes soon be changing to the color of burial flock."
      Girmer studied both cats' eyes. She recognized the gazed look their eyes held. Their pupils still held the reflected horror of their recent victims. Though she didn't resheath her weapon, she did lowered it. Uncertain of the existence two other Death Cats, she chose her words. "You are neither Aszian or a Protector. How is it Death Cats stand by your side?"
      Stroking the smaller of the giant cats the old woman answered. "This be Tulela. The larger one be Ethnal. There be time for stories latter. The abbey doesn't like strangers." The old woman glanced around. "You be safer inside, when the Searchers be about."
      Girmer turned to Casaron. He answered her unspoken question. "She was summoned to be the Keeper. And this," Pointing to the smaller cat, "is Star Danc's mate." He remained silent about the othe cat.
      Unsure of what was meant by the title Keeper, Girmer glanced at both cats. Casaron gave her an almost unseen nod. She raised an eyebrow slightly and resheathed her weapon.
      The three cats watched each other. Star Danc moved toward the smaller cat. The smaller cat moved timidly allowing Star Danc touched her nose. The feline rumbled softly as he started rubbing against her head and slowly made his way to her flank. The smaller cat let out a throaty yowl before returning to the rocks. Star Danc started to follow but stopped and looked to Girmer. Seeing his mistresses nod of approval he followed, the female, leaving the other male standing between Girmer and Me'Shaw.
      Me'Shaw eyed the pack beasts. "Let the cats learn of each other. It be time to eat." She turned and hobbled toward her dwelling.
      Iritha, letting nothing go unnoticed, observed a small natural corral a few meters from the dwelling. It was larger than necessary. It held three milk goats, a sow and five of the sow's young and a half a dozen chickens. The corral's northern wall was part of a ridge. It was pocketed with several small caves. Though less than caves, they appeared large enough for a big cat to claim for its den. Near the west wall of the dwelling, protected from the elements was two piles; one of small stones, the other, a small mound of finely sifted dirt.
      Iritha pointed at the piles. "What'er they for?"
      Talbor squeezed her shoulder. "The old woman's calling is that of pessomancy."
      The young woman cocked her head. "Huh, what's that?"
      Realizing she didn't know what the calling of pessomancy was, he explained. "Pessomancy is the practice using small pebbles and finely sifted dirt to foretell events that will happen."
      "Fortune telling with rocks?"
      "Not exactly. By tossing a handful of pebbles in a freshly drawn circle she can see what will be. But a new circle must be made for each prediction."
      "Oh, ya mean she's like a Teller of Dreams?"
      "No. A Teller of Dreams is offered the same protection as a priest because their calling is sanctioned by the Four Lord and Masters. No one knows how a soothsayer possesses this gift, or if it is sanctioned. Perhaps, like Users, they are born with this gift," He glanced at the old woman and whispered. "or curse."
      Laying her head on his shoulder, she shrugged. "How do ya know all this stuff?"
      "From stories told in my father's house."
      "Ya must have some good story tellers."
      Talbor frowned causing Iritha to smile. "Sorry 'bout that."
      Listening to the small woman, Me'Shaw limped to Talbor. "Who be she? A concubine?" She grabbed Iritha's right wrist and hand. "By that marriage symbol, I think not." She slapped Talbor on the back. "You have the face of one I be seeing many cycles back. Perhaps you be related?" Her eyes moved to Girmer and Casaron, and back to Talbor before continuing. "Unlike he, maybe you have brains. But you be traveling with strange friends. A blackened woman and a man with the aura of a User but the thoughts of a priest. Perhaps he be both but neither, eh?" She shrugged, "This be one of many things we will talk of." Glancing skyward, she chuckled. "This world be changing." She hurried toward the camouflaged hide covered doorway and signaled for the remaining cat to follow.

[Prologue] [Chapter 1] [Chapter 2] [Chapter 3] [Chapter 4] [Chapter 5]