Hell or High Water (5 page)

“Isn’t this about where you turn north, if you’re returning to Haa-Ok?”

“I am not returning yet. I owe you—”

“No, we’re even. I was repaying a debt.”

“Yes, you accompanied me as repayment. But then you saved me, when it would have been wiser to make your own escape from the White Leech.”

“I’m not keeping count. And I have my own tasks, Seyusth.”

“And I will assist you.”

“You owe me nothing, shaman. Go home.”

The huntress began to walk once more, and this time she did not look back.

∗∗∗

“Go home.”

It sounded nice enough. But Seyusth wasn’t certain he had a home any longer. The visage of every relative would be Issisk’s dying face; every glance, his eyes; every raised voice, an accusation.

Issisk had been right. He’d felt guilt before, but not until it was one of his own family had he felt like a traitor.

Seyusth had meant to save Issisk, he truly had. But the tribe must be protected. Haa-Ok was safe. The people still believed the spirits disapproved of the Terwa Lords. They were in no danger of losing their identity, their culture, their souls to those monsters. And Seyusth’s own apprentice could serve their spiritual and mystical needs for many moons to come.

I can do more good here. Allies among the humans will prove useful, someday, when the Terwa do come to Mwangi.

So he told himself again, and again, in the hopes that he would start believe. Because responsibility was easier to bear than guilt.

Seyusth sighed a very human sigh, and set off after his distant companion.