Seduced by the cadence of her breathing, Jakal dozed, his cheek nestled in the cascade of Sala's hair. The young woman's deep, dreamless sleep, a result of the magic contained in the old healer's concoctions, provided a respite to them both, relieving her of the pain accompanying her waking moments, and bringing him brief periods of stolen slumber.
Despite his exhaustion after two days of little rest, the Light-Eye resisted all offers to spell him of the near-constant care his mate required. Only the Fox Clan's spiritual leader held sway sufficient to tear him away from her side and even then only for a short while.
Still, he knew he must depart soon and track down the man who attempted to kill her. The Spiritwalker may have perished as a result of his injuries, but Jakal had to see it with his own eyes. No matter what, he would ensure the shaman never touched her again.
A melee of shouting jarred him awake. Certain the disruption was significant, the Light-Eye broke his own rule and left her alone, rushing outside.
He discovered his people pressed together in a tight mass, crying out in confusion, their voices growing louder and louder. His heart pounding as a streak of energy rushed through his body, Jakal pushed through the noisy crowd, fighting to uncover that which he already knew lay ahead.
Flanked by Belak and Dosat, the Spiritwalker stood with arms pulled behind his back, his eyes wide and darting with alarm at the upheaval surrounding him. His body was filthy, covered with dirt, scratches and streaks of dried sweat. His lopsided face, wrapped with blood-stained strips of leather, swelled hideously.
The Light-Eye scarcely noticed his condition. Overcome by rage, he acted on instinct, and before anyone knew what was happening, his hand wrapped around the shaman's throat.
People shouted, pulling at his arm, his body, begging him, demanding him to stop, but he neither heard nor saw them. The Spiritwalker rasped, pleading for his life as Jakal denied him of breath.
Thrown backwards with great force, the young man landed with a grunt against the inner perimeter of the crowd. Stunned, he looked down to see an enormous hand pressed against his chest, holding him stationary.
"Stop, Jakal."
Lifting his eyes toward the man towering above them all, Tejed, the great Leader of Fox Clan, peered down at him with an expression both kind and serious.
"That is not our way, young Light-Eye."
A sharp whistle cut through the cacophony.
Keta stood in the center of the throng, arms raised, calling for quiet. "My people, you must remain calm. You can see for yourselves the Spiritwalker is injured. Before doing anything we must tend to his wounds. Please, go back to your dwellings; I promise we will gather as a Clan soon."
Reluctantly the people of Wolf Clan dispersed. Clustering in front of dwellings, they gossiped and speculated and debated the greatest controversy to face their people in many generations.
Acts of violence were known to occur from time to time, but by and large they were a peaceful people, preferring to solve differences through debate or humor or over cups of fermented beverages. The brutality inflicted upon Sala was extreme and exceedingly rare, so rare even the eldest of the elders had no memory of incidents like it. But never before had a Spiritwalker been suspected, let alone accused, of perpetrating such an offense.
~*~*~
Though Tejed's massive figure prevented Jakal from attacking the shaman, it did little to cool his anger.
Keta placed a hand on the young man's rigid arm. "When I asked the others to go back to their dwellings, that included you as well."
"I am not letting him out of my sight, not as long as he breathes."
"Then who will look after your mate?"
Startled, he turned around. The old Spiritwalker hobbled toward them, peering at Jakal with her shining black eyes.
She glanced at the shaman. "Your Clan Leader is correct; the Spiritwalker's injuries must be attended to."
"Why? He deserves death."
"Perhaps. But this is not the time to make such determinations. Now go, young Light-Eye. Go to your mate."
He hesitated, torn.
"Jakal, I promise you, the Spiritwalker is going nowhere. I will ensure he is confined at all times."
"I do not wish to go anywhere, Clan Leader," the shaman interjected, breaking his silence. "I cannot even remember how I ended up outside the settlement."
"Quiet." Belak jabbed him hard in the back with his elbow. "It is all right, Jakal. Go home to Sala. I will take the first watch."
Dosat glanced sidelong at his companion. "Keta, I believe it might be helpful to speak with the Lead Hunter about organizing the men into shifts. I am confident the other Hunters would be willing to help."
She nodded. "I agree. Please, find Nerin; tell him I wish to speak with him right away." After the Hunter left she addressed Belak. "Are you certain you wish to take on the first watch? You must be tired after traveling all day."
"Thank you for your concern, Clan Leader, but I am fine."
"That may be. But I must tell you I am concerned about acts of aggression against—"
"You are worried about
his
wellbeing? What about my mate's? What of her safety?" Jakal blurted.
"Neither of you need worry about anyone's safety," Tejed cut in. "I will join Jakal's friend on the first watch. Do not forget my people's spiritual leader will be in his company this night; I have no intention of leaving her alone with him."
"Sala's dressings will need to be changed soon, child. I suggest you return to her side before she wakes."
Even though the old woman was right, Jakal could not help feeling a little manipulated. With a reluctant nod he acquiesced.
"If you wish it, my friend, I can stop by your dwelling as soon as my watch is over. I would like to see Sala, and perhaps we could discuss everything that has happened since we parted company."
"I would appreciate that, Belak. It does not matter when you come." He stared at the Spiritwalker until he looked away. "I will not be sleeping."
~*~*~
Upon returning home Jakal found Sala moaning quietly. He raced to her side.
"I am with you, my sweet woman," he crooned, slipping his fingers between hers. With his free hand he caressed her bruised face. "Are you in pain?"
She shifted her body and winced. "Not much."
"It is a little early, but I think it would be all right to give you your next dose."
Sala made a face, remembering the taste. "No, I wish to wait." A groan escaped her lips as she tried to sit up. "Will you help me, my mate? I am hungry and wish to spend some time in your company."
After Jakal eased her into a sitting position the young woman reached out her hand, exploring the landscape of his face with her fingertips. His eyes flitted closed, savoring her touch.
"I have missed our pleasures," she confessed. "More than anything I want to feel you against my skin, feel you inside me."
The Light-Eye groaned, his manhood tightening. "It has only been a few days," he teased, "but I, too, miss our shared pleasures." He took her hand in his and kissed her silky skin. "I have some soup Nefa brought over earlier. Give me a moment and I will put it over the fire to warm."
"Jakal," Sala began when her mate returned from the other room, "there is something I wanted to talk with you about."
"Of course. What is it?"
"The Spiritwalker told me you would not come for me. He said he had allies who had given you magic which would prevent you from finding us. He obviously was lying to me, for you did come, but the thought of him having allies among our people worries me. The Spiritwalker is a liar, but he also mixes the truth in his lies. Do you...do you think there are people in our Clan who are working against us?"
"In this instance he did not lie to you." Jakal sat on the edge of the platform and cleared his throat. "I was given something, a beverage containing powerful magic which sent me deep into the Spirit World. But Veba forgot to add all of the ingredients—"
"Veba?
But why? Why would she do it? I know she does not like me, but why would she want to hurt you?"
"I do not know that she wanted to hurt either of us. I think the Spiritwalker did something to her, made her feel she had no choice. When I figured out something was wrong and confronted her, she seemed genuinely afraid of him."
"Has anyone spoken to her, questioned her? She must know things which would help us."
"She is...not well. The old Spiritwalker describes it as a waking sleep. She believes Veba drank a combination of powerful magic, including, perhaps, what had been intended for me. She cannot speak, nor hear, nor see others even though she is awake. I am sorry she is in that...condition, but I am grateful her forgetfulness prevented her from doing the same to me. It was difficult enough searching for you in the Other World."
He leaned over and kissed her forehead. "I believe more than ever the Spirits led you to the sacred mushrooms. If we had not taken the sacred journey together, I never could have found you."
Sala pressed herself against him. "I did not know what to believe, but I had hoped, if it were true, that our shared experience would help you withstand being sent there without your knowledge."
The couple spoke for a time about the events which transpired during their separation. As more details unfolded, they grew ever more convinced of the Great Spirits' intervention on their behalf.
"Now that we have spoken," she said, smiling at her mate, "I feel confident the Spirits are protecting us. Perhaps you were right, and the Spiritwalker is dead. How could he have survived injured, without a fire?"
Jakal's neck and shoulders went stiff, tension drawn tightly across his face.
"Jakal, what is it?"
He took a deep breath. "He is not dead. Belak and Dosat captured him; he is here, at the Camp, under guard."
Reaching for his hand, Sala shook as she struggled to stem her rising fear. "In my heart, I knew he was not dead, that this time would come," she admitted, voice quaking. "What...what are they going to do with him?"
"He is badly injured where I struck him in the head with the paddle. Keta insists he must be treated before questioning. The Fox Clan's spiritual leader is with him now, as are Tejed and Belak. I intend to see to it the Spiritwalker's stay is brief."
"What are you planning to do?"
The Light-Eye stood up. "It is time to change your dressings. I need to steep the herbs and prepare a new poultice for your leg." Lifting her hair, he kissed her neck. "I will be right back."
Watching her mate at work in front of the hearth, Sala sat in silence, troubled by his lack of response to her question. She knew she could not bear to live among their people if the Spiritwalker were permitted to stay, but she also wondered if Jakal could bear to live with the consequences of what he was considering.
~*~*~
The Spiritwalker grunted while the white-haired shaman worked in silence, cleaning the dirt from his wounds.
She had not spoken to him since his arrival. The sight of Sala had filled her with great anger, but for the sake of the people, who were already in turmoil, she restrained her emotions and channeled her energy into healing the young woman. Still, her counterpart never strayed far from her thoughts, and she considered often the many things she wished to say to him. But now that he sat before her she found herself lost for words.
He broke the impasse.
