[Shadowed Path 02] - Candle in the Storm (31 page)

When Yim arrived at the house, her guide didn’t fly off immediately, which was puzzling. Curious why the house was apparently abandoned, Yim entered it. A family awaited her inside. They were lying on the floor. The mother and father had been hacked and stabbed to death. Their seven children lay beside them, arranged in a neat line according to age, from an infant boy on the far left to a girl of thirteen winters on the right. Each had his or her throat slit. Yim burst out sobbing at the sight, distraught by such wanton cruelty. She ran outside, and Kwahku flew off.

The crow soared over homes and abundant fields in a straight line, alighting far away in an apple tree heavy with fruit. Yim had an easy time reaching him, for a well-used road went in that direction. As soon as Yim reached the tree, the bird took off, leading her farther down the road. Though
 it was a relief to travel easily, Yim was devastated by the certainty that Kwahku chose the route because all the valley’s inhabitants were dead.

By the time night fell, Yim had made good progress. Though there were empty homes nearby, Kwahku chose a sleeping spot in the woods. Yim was relieved that he did, marveling over the bird’s insight.
 
How can a creature that kills only from necessity grasp human evil?
 
Yim saw no reason for the destruction within the valley.
 
All the crops here will rot and the houses will tumble down, and who will gain from it?
 
The chilling answer arose in Yim’s mind.
 
The Devourer 
. Then it seemed more urgent than ever to reach Honus in time.

The following day, Kwahku continued leading Yim down the open road until midmorning, when he led her back into the wilds. Afterward, the way he took her became wildly irregular, causing Yim to believe that she was skirting danger and it was nearly everywhere. When night fell, the crow didn’t stop, but continued to guide Yim. Following a black bird at night wasn’t an easy task. Frequently, Kwahku had to call out so Yim could find him, even though he had alighted only a short distance away. It was well past midnight when he finally stopped. Yim gave the crow a few handfuls of grain and dozed off without eating.

Shortly after Yim commenced traveling again, she crossed a barren hilltop and saw mountains. They appeared quite near, and Tor’s Gate was near also. It seemed that she would reach it before noon, and the prospect invigorated her. Yim picked up her pace, but when she next viewed the mountains, they seemed only a little closer. She ended up spending the night in the woods and rising at dawn determined to complete her journey before sunset. Throughout the day, Kwahku guided her on a circuitous route that seemed evidence that the countryside was rife with danger. Then at dusk, the bird alighted on a tree branch above the first living
 man that Yim had seen since leaving Faerie. He was a soldier standing guard.

The soldier spied Yim and drew his sword. “Who goes about?”

Yim advanced as Kwahku flew away. “I’m Yim,” she said.

“So what? That means naught to me.”

Assuming the soldier was new and wouldn’t know Honus either, Yim simplified her reply. “I’ve come with news for your general. Will you take me to him?”

“I ken na leave my post, so ye must wait awhile.” He raised a wooden whistle to his lips and blew a short series of notes that imitated a birdcall. Soon afterward, another soldier appeared. He didn’t recognize Yim either. “This lass asks to see the general,” said the first soldier. “Says she has news.”

The new arrival regarded Yim suspiciously. “Mayhap, ye do. Mayhap nay. Why are ye dressed as a Bearer?”

“Because I am one.”

The soldier appeared dubious. “Well, Bearer or nay, drop that pack and hold up yer arms.”

Yim did as she was told, and the soldier pushed the pack away with his foot. Then he felt Yim for hidden weapons before shouldering the pack himself. “The countryside’s gone mad with feuding. How’d ye get here?”

“Through Karm’s grace,” replied Yim.

The soldier snorted. “Well, I’ll take ye to our general. He’s a shrewd one and sees through lies. Fer yer sake, ye best na be bearing one.” The soldier drew his sword and led Yim over open ground flanked by steep, wooded hills. As Yim walked, she spied a few soldiers but no encampment until her escort led her into a gap between two hills. There she saw a collection of tents, and also men who seemed to be living in the open. It was dark, but it appeared that there had been fighting already, for Yim spied some wounded men and passed one dead one.

Yim’s guide took her to a cluster of large tents, which Yim assumed was Cronin’s headquarters. She feared that Cronin would want to talk with her awhile before taking her to Honus. So close to her goal, the thought of a further delay grated her.
 
Be calm 
, she told herself.
 
Soon I’ll be with Honus 
. But anticipation was agony, and Yim flushed with nearly unbearable excitement.

Her escort halted before a tent that was flanked by guards. “This lass claims she has a message for the general,” he said. “I’ve checked her. She’s unarmed.”

“I’ll take her from here,” said one of the guards. He grabbed Yim by the arm and led her into the tent. Inside was a sort of vestibule, with the far end of the tent shut off by a cloth partition. Yim could hear men’s voices behind it.

Unable to contain herself any longer, Yim called out. “General Cronin! It’s me, Yim!”

The cloth partition parted and Honus stepped out. “Cronin’s dead,” he said in a controlled voice. “I’m general now.”

THIRTY
-
TWO

OVER THE
past days, Yim had imagined her reunion with Honus in countless variations, but none of them was like the actual moment. Honus struggled to keep his face neutral, but Yim saw a range of emotions pass over it. The first was shock, followed by concern and then sorrow. Suffused through them all was love, but she never caught a glimpse of happiness.

The guard still gripped Yim’s arm. “General, do you know this woman?”

“I do.”

Yim heard a hint of tenderness in Honus’s voice. Then the partition parted further, and a dozen men peered at her. Some she knew as Cronin’s officers, but most were strangers. In the presence of those men, Honus’s face stiffened, and when he spoke again, his tone was formal. “Why are you here?”

“The clan hall was attacked. Cara was wounded but has recovered.”

“You came alone to tell me this?”

“I’ve come because Karm sent me,” said Yim, also conscious of her audience. “The matter is both urgent and personal.”

“We’re deploying for battle tonight. It’s a matter that can’t be postponed. I’ll speak with you as soon as possible.” Honus addressed the guard. “This woman is my Bearer, so honor her. Billet her in General Cronin’s tent and see to her comfort.” Then he stepped behind the partition and rejoined his officers.

The guard bowed respectfully. “Please come, Karmamatus. I’ll see to your needs.”

As she was being led away, Yim said, “General Cronin was my friend. Do you know what happened to him?”

“He fell to a traitor with a poisoned blade,” said the guard. “The man was a clan chieftain whose mind was twisted by the black priests. He came to offer aid and instead slew the general and over half his staff. He would have killed them all if na for Honus.”

“And why is Honus general now?”

“He was made so by acclamation. Na soldier can match his experience or wisdom.”

The guard opened the flap of a good-sized tent that was furnished with a folding cot and table. Cronin’s possessions were still there, and Yim had the impression that they had
 been left untouched. Gazing at them, she envisioned Cara’s grief upon hearing of her brother’s death. That image increased her own grief for the man who had treated her with kindness when she had been only a slave.

“Can I get you anything, Karmamatus?”

“My pack, please,” said Yim, “and some water for washing.”

After the guard bowed and left, Yim sat on the cot. She was so disappointed and anxious that she feared she might burst out sobbing. However, the presence of strangers within earshot was inhibiting, and she certainly didn’t want Honus to find her weeping. So she waited and tried to follow Honus’s example by putting on a calm mask. A short while later, the guard returned with her pack, a small cooking pot filled with water, and a reasonably clean rag. After he departed, Yim washed the dirt from her hands, face, and arms before cleaning her legs and feet. Then she waited for Honus.

Time passed with agonizing slowness, and whenever Yim heard footsteps, she thought they were Honus’s. As her wait dragged on, Yim’s fatigue got the better of her. She grew drowsy and lay down upon the cot. Then without intention, or even awareness that it was happening, she went to sleep.

The delicate touch of fingers upon her cheek woke Yim. A lantern illuminated the tent, and Honus was kneeling beside the cot, his eyes rimmed with tears. “Why did you come?” he asked in a mournful voice. “This is a deadly place.”

Yim didn’t answer. Instead she seized Honus and kissed him hungrily as pent-up passion overwhelmed her. Honus responded in kind, but after they kissed awhile, Yim sensed that he was fighting to rein his feelings. Then Yim broke off from kissing. “Honus, Karm has sent me here because I’m the Chosen. It’s you, Honus! You!”

“What?”

“It’s 
your 
child I’m supposed to bear.”

“You’ve had a vision?”

“I didn’t need a vision. When Karm helped me restore
 your life, your spirit and mine mingled on the Dark Path. That’s when I came to love you. Our love is Karm’s gift. It’s also her sign. I see that now.”

“Yim, I must set the lines tonight. My officers are waiting outside.”

“Don’t you understand?” said Yim. “I’ve traveled for days so we could couple. It’s important. I believe it’ll change everything.”

“Shouldn’t our child be conceived in tenderness, not haste? Yim, I must leave for a little while.”

“Why? Tell me what’s so important.”

“Five days ago, Lord Bahl seized the fortress before Tor’s Gate. He always follows the same pattern. First, he establishes a base to ravage the countryside and gather men to join his forces. Everyone else is butchered. A period ensues while growing madness enrages the recruits. Then Bahl’s army bursts forth again, and the rampage begins anew. That time draws nigh. Tomorrow or soon after, Bahl’s men will surge through this narrow way. If we’re to stop them, here’s where it’ll be. There’ll be no second chances, or hope if we fail.”

“Our child will be that hope.”

“Not if its mother is hacked to pieces. Oh, Yim, I fear for you!”

“Have faith, not fear. Father our child.”

“I will. Tonight, if Karm permits.” Honus embraced Yim and tenderly kissed her. “Sleep while I arrange my forces. I’ll return before dawn. Then we’ll have our time together and hopefully beget a miracle.”

As Honus rose, Yim could see that he was torn between love and duty. As his Bearer, she could command him to stay and he would. But that would reduce her time of bliss to a matter of breeding, a quick tup while Honus’s officers waited outside. Yim didn’t want to settle for that. She rose to give a parting kiss. “Come back as soon as you can,” she whispered. “I’ll be here, dreaming of you.”

When Honus departed into the night, Yim lay down on the cot. Her entire body felt alive with excitement, and she couldn’t imagine how she could possibly sleep. Yet somehow she did.

A presence in the dark tent woke Yim. “Honus?” she whispered. But the silhouette was that of a woman, not a man. Yim froze. Then the figure became more visible, glowing with inner light until Yim beheld Karm. As she had been in Yorn’s moonlit courtyard and outside Bremven’s gate, the goddess was stained by the blood of those she mourned. She regarded Yim with an expression that combined deep love and sadness.

Karm smiled. “I chose well. You’ve endured and overcome much to reach this moment.”

Yim bowed her head. “It was worth it. Thank you, Goddess.”

“There’s no cause to thank me. You made the choices that brought you here. You might have fled from the Seer and lived your life as a servant girl; or let the dark man steal Honus’s soul; or remained Commodus’s ward.”

Yim smiled. “But you knew I wouldn’t abandon my path.”

“I never know the future,” Karm said. “My children are free to find their way, although I know where each path leads. Even now, I don’t know if you’ll accept the man who should father your child.”

“Accept him? Of course, I will. I love him!”

“No. You love Honus.”

Yim felt a sudden, icy shock. Her hands began to tremble, and when she spoke, her quiet voice quivered. “But my love for him was your gift!”

“It was. Everything you’ve seen and everything you’ve endured has been for a purpose. You shouldn’t choose your path blindly. You had to see everything; what will be gained and what will be lost through your choice.”

“The Wise Woman always said that you’d reveal the father. I thought that you had.”

“I have not, but I’ll do so now.”

“Who?”

“Lord Bahl.”

Upon hearing those words, the world seemed to fall away for Yim, and she felt suspended over an abyss. There seemed to be no future other than endless despair. For a long time, she couldn’t speak; she felt too numb. Then a spark of anger flared in her chest. It grew to resentment approaching rage. “All my life! All my life for 
this!”
 
For a long while, Yim’s outrage silenced her. When she spoke again, her voice was taut with bitterness. “If you can foresee where a path ends, how could you think I’d bed a monster?”