33

***

Thank you all for reading along with me so far.

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I've stopped responding to comments on Lit because of the delays in posting them. There's just such a long delay that I feel awkward attempting to offer replies. If you'd like a response then you can find me elsewhere, if not, just know that I see you.

***

Chapter 31

Sati and I slipped out of our camp after dark, her presence draped around us. The technique she'd learned from Ket wasn't quite the same as the veils I was familiar with, it was more of a fully formed spell. There was an inner bubble of condensed mana, similar to the more familiar wards and veils, but then the edges of her presence softened again, hazing into the mana around us, imbued with the intent to divert prying eyes.

I knew from practicing against her that the technique wasn't perfect, but it was highly effective. I doubted anyone in the Ootrin camp would notice us, but even if they did it hopefully wouldn't matter too much. In the worst case scenario, Batu might be forewarned and on alert about the duel with Hati. In the best case, the Ootrin might attack us, turning the entire moot against them.

It was an excellent scenario for Sati to get practice. Not that I wanted her to know that there was so little pressure. An attack by the full group of Ootrin raiders could still injure or kill us, even if I found it unlikely.

Their camp was a riot of noise and light, and if I had any doubts that these men were experienced raiders, they were dispelled in short order. There were six of them, all clearly warriors, the maximum number of fighters that wouldn't immediately be viewed as an assault by the moot. They sat around an overly-large bonfire, drinking from leather skins that clearly contained some kind of alcohol.

All six were weathered, equipped with the standard leathers and weapons of the Ootrin tribes, though they had removed most of their furs due to the much warmer climate. I was just glad that they didn't have the small herd of horses such warriors normally traveled with. Those animals would quickly alert the men to our presence, veil or no. Neither Sati nor I were experts in mundane stealth.

Focusing, I sent out the barest wisps of my own presence through Sati's veil. Normally this would be impossible, but my vas and I had spent some time on the road testing this ability to mix our mana. Sati's veil rippled and distended slightly, but didn't break. As long as our targets weren't paying attention right at that moment, it should go unnoticed.

With my presence extended, I was able to sense the leader of the Ootrin group clearly, or at least the one who most spiritually powerful. He was a match in strength for Hati, but his spirit was unbalanced. A mix of fire and solar mana that hadn't quite found harmony. I was pulling at Sati's sleeve, gesturing for us to leave, when I heard the name 'Ishantur' mentioned.

I knew that name, it was how Entreyu had referred to Myta. I didn't speak their language, but the raucous laughter and crude gestures of the men made the context of the conversation clear. I was briefly awash in rage, my vision whiting out at the edges from the intensity of my reaction. When I recovered control of myself, I realized that Sati had her hand over my mouth. Presumably to muffle whatever noise of rage I was making

With a nod of thanks I led us away, still struggling to center myself. It was worrisome that these men were speaking about Myta, though not really surprising. Entreyu must have told them to look for us, specifically. This wasn't a surprise, but it made me wonder what he knew or guessed of our intentions. And what he planned to do in response.

***

"His spirit is as strong as yours, though far less stable," I told Hati the next morning. "I doubt he has less than stellar fighting skills, however."

"Ootrin raiders are all the same." She scoffed derisively. "You forget, Esur, I was fighting them for years before I became a guard. Most are better with a bow than a sword, and all of them are more used to fighting on horseback than on foot."

"That may be," I allowed. "But even unstable, a combination of fire and solar mana will be incredibly destructive. And these men will probably have been trained in another fighting style."

She nodded, but seemed distressingly blasé about the subject. Myta hit the larger woman on the back of her head.

"Take this seriously, sergeant. These men have been trained by the same people who trained me. Do you think you're prepared to face me in earnest?"

"No Mytan! I am taking this seriously, I swear it! It's just... you have faced most of the enemy champions. I'm eager to get a true measure of my growth." Hati was earnest, but I could tell that Myta was still concerned. She was still wrestling with the idea of risking the health and safety of others, especially as she stood by. Though the company had fought many times now, she had almost always been in the thick of things before.

"His unstable spirit is a large advantage for you." I interjected, to relieve some of the tension. "If you can anger or otherwise upset him, his sorcery will suffer more than normal. Even if his power matches yours, his control will become weak. Just stay focused at that point, and you can easily overpower him."

Hati nodded, but her eyes remained focused on Myta with a calm and resolved expression. Myta nodded as well, and we set out without further delay.

Our plan wasn't complicated. The Ootrin were clearly trying to provoke these duels, and they were already on the lookout for our group. We simply needed to remain near them, and look for an excuse to offer or take insult. It proved to be even easier than I had imagined. As we walked near their camp, we were interrupted by raucous cheers. The group of raiders had burst into uproarious laughter as they watched us pass by.

"Do not mind us!" Their leader was a giant of a man, with brilliant red hair. I could feel the harsh light of his solar mana against my presence like a sunburn. "We love to watch the animals walking about!"

"Crude, as taunting goes. If your wit is so shallow, then I'm surprised you've managed to provoke any duels."

"Are you offering? I've heard that you are dangerous, that you were once one of the Pure. But I think you're just one of Ramana's weak-wristed flunkies. Maybe your slave can fight me?" He smirked at Myta, his tone condescending. There was absolutely no pretext that he didn't know exactly who we were.

"Myta leads our company, I doubt you're worth her time." I affected a bored tone. "Perhaps you could fight her second. You'd probably have a chance against her."

I hid my nervousness. This man might not be particularly powerful, but he was undoubtedly a skilled warrior, despite Hati's confidence. The tribes of Ootrin valued little besides fighting ability. The sergeant stepped forward eagerly, and despite my caution I was optimistic. If she could defeat the leader of the Ootrin delegation decisively it would be a great show of strength to the clans.

"When I defeat her, you slave will be forced to face me next. The more I take from you now, the more Entreyu will favor me, heretic."

"Heretic, that's a new one. Has Entreyu grown so arrogant he needs to call anyone unwilling to lick his toes names? What do his toes taste like?" I honestly hadn't expected the man to flush purple in rage at my childish jibe, but before he had a chance to respond I raised my voice in a shout. "Elders! We have a challenge before the moot!"

Immediately there were answering shouts from the various camps. Although it was a certainty that many people were tied up in negotiations of all kinds, they would all drop what they were doing to witness a challenge. A crowd quickly formed, and people started marking out a large ring with steaks and rope.

"What terms?" A voice called out from the crowd. Challenges in Metic could be anything, although most were physical combat with weapons, to the point of surrender.

"No limits!" Batu shouted. "When I kill this one, her warleader will fight me next!" Hati grinned and shrugged her acceptance, and her pleased expression seemed to anger him further.

"Agreed!" Her return shout was echoed by Myta a moment later. Without another word he charged forward, unsheathing a heavy scimitar and slicing at Hati's neck in one swift motion.

His attack was permissible by Metic standards. The challenge technically began the moment terms were agreed upon. But Hati's back was partially turned as she waved casually to the crowd, and the viewers hissed in disapproval at his move. Hati hadn't yet even unslung her glaive. His weapon trailed a streamer of deadly light as it rent the very air with a sound like tearing cloth.

My throat clenched in alarm, causing me to choke on a warning cry. It was just as well, for Hati was not as unprepared as she seemed. With an awareness born from a hundred bar fights and back alley brawls she twisted, catching the blade on her forearm. Her skin showed the texture of granite, and the blade was deflected with the ring of metal on stone. The sergeant glanced at her arm, seeming puzzled by the small nick she had received.

For his part, the Ootrin warrior stared in utter disbelief. Unable to understand how she had blunted his blow. Hati went to unsling her glaive, but her opponent was quick to recover, lashing out with a flurry of attacks. His aspect allowed him to unleash strikes with such speed that Hati only had time to defend, but her training served her in good stead. Her condensed presence sapped his mana from every strike, and her infused skin turned potentially lethal blows into minor wounds.

Even so, she was unable to even attempt an attack of her own. Eventually the little wounds she was taking would add up.

She must have realized the danger, but Hati bore a wide, feral grin. Her lack of fear seemed to unnerve her opponent, and she laughed in his face as he screamed in frustration. Batu must have become complacent, used to winning his battles in a single strike or two. No one, not even an awakened fighter, could maintain such a pace for long.

The intensity of their clashes were such, that I barely caught the sergeant's gambit. She weakened her defense to suffuse some of her presence into the ground around her. The ground beneath her opponent's feet.

A hand of earth emerged from the ground, snagging her opponent's foot. With Hati's attention divided, he was able to cut into her bicep, but his stumble left him wide open to a counterattack. Hati's other hand caught his arm at the elbow, and squeezed with force of a collapsing boulder. The crunch of his bone was audible even through his scream.

Now forced to wield his blade in one hand, and slowed by his pain, the man was unable to maintain his speed. His companions watched the battle grimly, clearly looking for some chance to intercede. But the elders had been invoked. If they interfered then the spirits of the clans would tear them apart.

Now wracked with pain, rage, and fear, the Ootrin champion was unable to focus his mana effectively. He was so unstable that his skin began to redden under the effects of his own spirit, cooking slowly. That kind of self harm was normally only possible in demons, or those who were on the cusp of becoming one.

Hati didn't give him the chance for his instability to progress further. With his control faltering, Batu was unable to penetrate her defenses at all. The sergeant ignored the scimitar's next strike, to grab her opponent's forearm instead. Another squeeze, and crunch, and he fell to his knees with a gurgling scream, both arms now in ruins.

She waited, pausing for a long moment to see if his companions' resolve would break. Batu glared at her with hate-filled eyes, while drool fell from his open, panting mouth. Without his incoherent noises of wrath, the fighting circle had fallen nearly silent. When it was clear that the other Ootrin wouldn't be lured into intervening, Hati ended the duel with a single, unceremonious blow.

Neck snapped, and skull partially caved in, the lifeless body of the raider collapsed on the dry grass. When his spirit tried to rise, she crushed it under her boot.

Chapter 32

For a moment after Batu fell, there was silence. The gathered clansmen all waited with bated breath, eyeing the other Ootrin to see if violence would break out. Unfortunately the remaining Pure patsies controlled themselves, though their anger and disbelief was clear. They withdrew without another word, moving to pack up their camp, seething.

Once they began to withdraw, a celebratory air settled on the moot. A tension that I had felt, but not recognized, was dispersed. Many warriors offered their respects to Hati, and many clan heads and advisors spoke to Siobhan, presuming that we were attached to Clan Ket. Which we were, to an extent.

"She'll need to make a show of considering you now." Saoirse's voice was a surprise to me, not least because of her tone. For the first time she didn't sound as though she was angry and hated me. Instead she sounded resentful, and resigned. I found that I preferred the anger.

"Consider me for what? Our aid?" I couldn't recall if I had even spoken to Siobhan about an alliance against the Pure yet. We'd been here so little time, that we hadn't gone into much detail as to my purpose.

"Fucking," Saoirse replied, causing me to choke. "She has no daughters, and I've no patience to lead. Right now, clan Ket ends with us."

"That's why all the warriors she brought are men," I realized. "They're all hoping to be the father of the next UnKet. Can't Ket just grant her aspect to another, if Siobhan doesn't have a daughter?"

"It isn't so simple, and isn't something that should be discussed here." The older woman from Clan Ket, whom I'd seen but not been introduced to, approached us. Saoirse shrugged off the admonition, her face settling into a disinterested mask.

"I am Riona," the woman said. "Druid of Clan Ket. And I hear that you wish to aid us against the Pure, and to learn of our runes." Her manner was brusque and professional, setting me immediately at ease. I wasn't surprised that she knew my aims. I'd been clear about my goals with Airt, and what one druid knew, you could assume all druids knew.

"That is mostly correct." I responded. "I need an understanding of the runes that I have found the Pure using. I don't know how runes function, so I do not know what the differences might be."

She frowned and nodded. "If you are able to help our clan, then I will teach you what I am able to."

I hesitated, "And what can you teach me? That seems like a very specific way to phrase things." She smiled, looking pleased at my question.

"I won't know until I try. But know that I am considered very good at teaching the use of runes. I taught many of those who are now considered masters of the art."

It struck me as odd that she didn't reference her own skill with runes, just her ability to teach. Then again, it was the teaching that I needed. Despite her prevarication, I had a good feeling about Riona, so I gave her a respectful nod.

"I will do my best to aid Clan Ket," I said. "I have my own reasons to fight the Pure, so I would already have done my utmost, but I am grateful for the promise of your instruction."

"Already set then, is it?" Siobhan wandered up to us, Petad and Myta in tow. The broad grin on her face, and the harsh expression on our quartermaster's, made me realize that perhaps I had spoiled their negotiations.

"It seems you're coming to face the raiders regardless." UnKet crowed. "Then I see no need to give you anything. Perhaps you should offer me a toll to camp in our lands?"

Our quartermaster looked as though she had just bitten into a lemon, but I stepped forward before she could respond.

"Our presence amongst the clans, to aid against the Pure, is guaranteed. My goodwill toward Ket and your clan is strong. But we cannot be an ally to anyone who would fight our presence."

"I was just having a laugh," Siobhan pouted. "Your mother here wanted to negotiate like a merchant. So I returned it."

"She is a merchant," I replied dryly. Petad bristled, though I wasn't sure if it was from the dismissive tone or being called 'mother'. "Ramana suggested that we use our aid as leverage, to obtain a better deal, and more resources, but I want your respect and goodwill more."

"We could be friends to your clan." Sati spoke up, stepping forward to take a place in our conversation. "Not mercenaries, but true friends. We've brought goods, animals, and warriors. All to support the clans."

The way she said it, made me think that Sati was speaking of something more formal than simply a suggestion of aid. As if being a friend to the clan or clans was a designation like ambassador or vassal. But I wasn't familiar with it, so I stayed silent as a speculative expression crossed Siobhan's face. She looked at Ket with a raised brow, and the spirit blinked slowly in approval.

"We're in a bad way, and could use the aid." She finally allowed. "Ootrin has been raiding hard the past two years, the tribes are gathering now to push us hard, and many of our best warriors have disappeared. Now the other clans are pushing us too."

"Why would the other clans push you?" My brow furrowed as I tried to make sense of that one. "With Ootrin and the Pure threatening them all, shouldn't you be working together?"

"Aye, you'd think so." She spat on the ground. "When war comes, the clans join forces. But too many say that this isn't war. They say Clan Ket is just weak, that we've been weak for years now. Never mind that they're all losing shifters too. Some of the others are saying that they should hold the... the border. That we should be pushed out of our land for the good of all."

Sati spoke again before I could ask about the verbal slip.

"A clan with powerful friends is a powerful clan." The apsara noted calmly. "What would it take to prove our strength to the other clans?"

"Too broad a question." Siobhan snorted. "Each clan respects different things but,,. Mealla UnMath will stand for us if she knows that we are able to protect and care for the land. She's widely respected. If she supported us, the others would as well."

"What does that mean?" I asked. "Caring for the land. And how would we show it?"

"Mialla is a druid, the only druid to lead a clan directly. She'll know, whether we speak to her or not." Siobhan hesitated, searching for the right words. "Caring for the land is complicated. Our clan needs to live in harmony with nature, protect it."

"So this is where those rumors of not killing animals or cutting down trees comes from." I said dryly. "But I ate plenty of meat here, and I know you use wood furniture."

"Those are nothing but children's stories," she scoffed. "We cut trees and hunt, even mine just as anyone else does. The point, is that we try not to take too much, and help the land recover. It's not religion, or superstition, it's just sense. Take too much one year, and you won't have enough for the next.

"What farmer kills their entire herd? Only the most foolish. Even a desperate man can see that slaughtering them to the last means ending your own future early."

"An easy thing to understand," I nodded slowly. "But the world is full of the desperate and foolish. And sometimes the choice is between death now, or death later.

"Not as often as people claim." Siobhan sounded bitter. "Most often people don't need more, they just want it. And they are willing to sell not just their own future for it, but that of those around them."

I could feel Myta's grim agreement, and knew that she was thinking of her father, and Petad's bark of laughter was undoubtedly for the same reason. What surprised me was the sudden spike of shame that came from Sati. It shouldn't have, I supposed. I'd chastised her before, pushing her about her callous disregard in the past for the people she'd hurt in her bid for more power. But she had been more adversarial then, far less open to hearing my criticism. It seemed that having someone new phrase it differently had hit home with her.