See Chapter One (A) for Disclaimers

Chapter Five

"She has absolutely no faith in me whatsoever!  Does she really believe that I would kill her entire tribe, including her daughter, for something that someone else had done years ago?" Curupira exclaimed in annoyance as she and her mother watched the young queen finish the preparations.

"She knows not what else it could be.  And your mysterious remark about 'righting a wrong,' could be taken in many different ways, Curi.  For all she knows, you could be taking revenge," her mother answered.  Curupira rolled her eyes, and Pelagia added, "You know I'm right, Curi.  If you had just told her the truth, she wouldn't be so afraid."

"Tell her the truth?  That her half-formed suspicions have been correct all along?  I cannot do that, Mother!  This isn't just about the BeastMaster and Mira.  It's time the Varoni understood everything about their queen," Curupira answered.  But she knew that wasn't what her mother meant.

She admitted grudgingly, "All right, maybe I was too mysterious.  But I never thought she would . . . I mean . . . doesn't she know by now that I would never hurt her, or anyone else she loved, unless they had harmed one of my animals?  After all these years, does she really believe I'd hold her responsible for what went on before her arrival?"

"Curi, darling . . . you don't understand.  She isn't thinking logically.  Well, she is, but she isn't, at the same time.  When she doesn't understand something, her mind begins manufacturing reasons.  Such as for this feast.  And she is afraid . . . she senses that something is about to happen, and she's right," Pelagia explained.

Her mother took a deep breath, then continued, "Each time that sense of hers begins nagging her, something bad has happened to her.  She had that sense when she went into the forest with Dar, all those years ago, and she had that sense just before the hunters struck.  She has no reason to believe that for once, her sense could be telling her that something good is about to happen to her."

Curupira sighed.  Even after twenty years of friendship with Carrin, she still didn't understand the young queen.  Her mother added, "You don't understand Dar, either.  You love him, but you don't understand him.  But we will discuss that later.  Are you ready to show the Varoni what must be seen?" Curupira nodded . . . it was almost time.

~*~*~*~

Once Tao seated him on the ground and the respective animals parked themselves in a protective semi-circle around him, Dar began relaxing.  Tao said, "I need a word with Marinde . . . I know these four will look after you."  Kodo and Podo ran across Dar's legs, chirping excitedly.

"Marinde, is it?" Dar teased, grinning broadly at his friend.  Tao rolled his eyes, and Dar continued, unable to resist the temptation, "Well, she  is a beautiful woman.  So, what exactly would she see in you?" Tao rolled his eyes again, then trotted over to the pale-haired warrior.  The BeastMaster grinned to himself.  Despite Tao's exasperated expression, Dar had seen the relief in Tao's eyes.

Dar absently stroked Ruh's mane.  During the last ten days, he had found himself in a strange position . . . that of being an invalid.  He still couldn't remember the attack, but Dar couldn't doubt that it had taken place.

It had been a good ten days, despite the pain.  He hadn't expected to enjoy being around so many people, but Carrin and her people didn't make a fuss over him.  Carrin was in and out, between governing her people and practicing her skills as a warrior.  As was Gereon, and their daughter Arduinna.  Dar smiled, thinking of the little girl.

"Reminds you of your sister, does she?" a familiar voice asked and Dar turned to look at Curupira.  He stared at her in shock, and the young demon burst into laughter, saying, "I do spend time in villages.  Well . . . only the Varoni village.  They're the only humans who aren't totally stupid.  At least I can have an interesting conversation with Carrin."

"Yes, Ari does remind me of my sister.  What Mira must have been like when our mother was alive.  Ari smiles a lot more than what I remember of Mira.  I never realized just how little Mira smiled, until I met other children," Dar answered sadly.  His sister had grown up quickly, to take care of him.

"And yet, you don't believe your sister could have survived that night in the forest.  Why, BeastMaster?  Because she never found her way back to you, to the Sula?  Why is it impossible that she survived and created another family?" Curupira asked in that mocking way she had.

"Because I spent a night in that forest, and the only thing that saved me was Kyra's father and the other warriors searching the forest for me.  That, and remembering Mira's favorite hiding place," Dar answered.  Curupira just smiled mockingly and Dar asked, "Why are you asking me about this, Curupira?  Why has this suddenly become important to you?"

"There is no 'suddenly' about it, BeastMaster.  Your sister's fate resulted in your father approaching me.  As you suspected, he believed that if he could have communicated with the animals, he could have found your sister.  I have long had an interest in the children of Sula," Curupira answered.  Dar frowned.  What did that mean?  

The youthful spirit added, "And you didn't answer my question, BeastMaster.  If your sister did survive, why do you think she never found her way back to you?" Dar didn't understand . . . why was she asking about this?  Why was it so important to her?  Curupira added impatiently, "Come now . . . I know you're just a stupid human, but this cannot be such a difficult question to answer!"

"My sister is dead, Curupira," Dar answered quietly.  Mira had to be dead.  There was no way a ten year old girl could have survived that night in the forest.  And the memories flooded back once more . . . locked in her arms as she ran through the forest, feeling her heart pound against his cheek.  Being placed on the ground . . . 'run, Dar.  RUN!'

He looked up at Curupira, feeling tears burn in his eyes and not caring if she thought him weak.  He repeated, "My sister is dead.  She died nineteen years ago, because she was trying to protect me from hunters.  And even if the hunters didn't kill her, the smell of her blood would have drawn hungry animals.  She is dead.  Leave her memory alone."

Curupira drew back, startled.  Then she said softly, "How can I, BeastMaster?  How can I leave her memory alone, when it was her fate which brought both your father and then you to me?  How can I forget the child who was willing to sacrifice her life, to save her brother?  How can I forget, when you never will?"

Dar started to answer, but Curupira added, "I cannot leave her memory alone, Dar.  There is more than what you remember.  And you haven't allowed yourself to remember everything.  But you will . . . oh yes, you will remember everything."  And with that, she was gone.

~*~*~*~

"Was that really necessary, daughter?" Pelagia asked reproachfully as her daughter joined her.  Curupira had once more made herself invisible.  There had been no one around Dar . . . the two friends had been early . . . so there was no need for her to worry about detection.

And she didn't understand why Curupira insisted on this sort of behavior.  Pelagia knew how her daughter truly felt about Dar . . . why did Curi insist on being so cruel to him?  Her daughter said, "I'm trying to help him, Mother . . . so when he remembers everything, it doesn't hurt so much."

Pelagia just rolled her eyes at her daughter, and replied, "Please, Curi.  I've lived longer than I care to remember.  I know that you're so cruel to him to keep him from guessing how you really feel about him.  I don't understand it, but I know that's why."

"Mother, this isn't about how I feel!  Dar has forced himself to forget what happened that night!  That's why he can't accept that Mira might have survived!  If he was just to think through the block . . . and if I have to hurt him to make him get past the block, then I will," Curi answered.

"And if by hurting him, you make the block stronger?" Pelagia asked.  Curi looked away, and Pelagia added, "That's what I thought.  Something you hadn't considered before.  Then consider this, daughter.  When you start your memory play, you explain exactly why you wanted everyone there.  So you put Carrin's mind at rest.  You have caused those children enough pain.  Is that understood?" Curi hesitated, then nodded.  It was time.

~*~*~*~

Surprisingly enough, the feast went well.  It seemed that Carrin was the only Varoni who questioned the feast . . . and Gereon and Marinde questioned her concern.  No one else, although when she looked at Dar and Tao, Carrin noticed Dar looking confused.

After all had eaten, the lights dimmed.  Carrin tensed, though it was customary when a deity joined them.  When the candles flamed once more, Curupira and her mother stood in the middle of the Great Hall.  Curupira said with an impish smile, "Varoni!  I greet you and thank you for joining me tonight, on this most special and wonderful night!"

Pelagia looked over at Carrin and smiled at her reassuringly.  Carrin tried to return the smile, but her heart wasn't in it.  What was going on????  Curupira continued, "I know you are wondering why I called you for this great feast.  As many of you know, it is the anniversary of Carrin's adoption into the Varoni tribe."

There was a murmur, and Carrin realized with a start that the goddess was right.  Exactly nineteen years earlier, she had arrived in the Varoni camp with the other children.  Curupira continued, "I chose this day with that in mind.  It is only fair, then, that on this anniversary of a gift, you should finally understand that gift."

Now Carrin's foreboding was replaced with dread.  Curupira continued, "It is time the Varoni understood exactly who . . . what . . . their queen is.  Where she was born . . . what her family was like.  And perhaps then, they will learn to appreciate her all the more."

And with a wave of her hand, Curupira conjured up a scene which Carrin knew well.  It was the forest, just outside the Sula village.  It was daylight.  Slowly, they were drawn through the forest, until the Sula village was visible.  Carrin's breath caught in her throat as she saw herself, nineteen years earlier.

As ever, Dar was balanced on her hip as she went about her chores.  Three year old Kyra, the daughter of a Sula warrior and a woman from another tribe, toddled along valiantly at her side.  Carrin blinked back tears, recalling the little girl whom she had viewed as a baby sister.  The girl who would have become Dar's mate as an adult.

Then Kyra's mother returned, scooping the little girl into her arms, and thanking Carrin . . . Mira, as she had been called then . . . for looking after the child.  Mira had smiled and answered there was no need for thanks, then went into the hut she shared with her father and brother.

For the first time, Pelagia spoke, "This is the village of the Sula.  The child with the little boy on her hip is

called Mira.  She is ten years old, the daughter of a respected warrior among the Sula.  And the child she carries with her is her younger brother, Dar."

Carrin grasped Gereon's hand tightly as she saw her father tell her child-self that she had to take Dar into the forest with her, before the ceremony was completed.  Mira had protested, telling him that the forest was no place for a small boy.  She had said that it felt wrong to her.

Her father had countered that she couldn't leave Dar behind, that he would feel as if she had abandoned him.  He adored her, Mira knew that.  And with the death of their mother, Dar needed her.  Mira had bowed her head, then picked her brother up again once again.

Carrin's grip on Gereon intensified as the little girl took her brother into the forest.  There, the two children played for the next several hours, while the adults finished preparing the village for this ceremony, which would mark the beginning of Mira's womanhood.  Carrin smiled in spite of herself . . . she had gotten her first blood the week before.  Kyra's mother had hugged her, told her that it was a great honor to be blessed with first blood at so young an age.

Kyra's mother had told her that the gods had great things planned for her.  And Mira, being young and innocent, had just smiled happily.  As the children played, it became dark.  Realizing that it would soon be time for the ceremony, Mira had swung her brother into her arms and began hurrying back to the village.  Only to encounter the horrifying sight of skins draped over the trees, and Curupira herself.

The young demon-goddess-spirit had told the two children they had nothing to fear from her, and bade Mira to return to safety.  And that was when the nightmare began.  Carrin watched the past unfold before her through wet eyes.  She saw her child-self picking up the pace, until she was running through the forest with her little brother in her arms.

They were within sight of the village when Mira's foot caught on a limb.  She had just enough time to shift Dar in her arms before she hit the ground.  She glanced over her shoulder . . . the hunters were gaining on them.  Mira pushed herself to her knees and settled her brother on his feet.

The little girl made a painful decision in that moment.  She cupped his face in her hands, whispering, "You must go, little brother.  No, you can't stay with me, you have to go.  These might be Terrons, and someone has to warn the village.  I'll stay here, and buy you some time."

"I don't want to go!" the little boy sobbed, tears running down his cheeks.  Mira kissed his forehead, memorizing his features, stroking the dark brown hair which was so like her own.  Dar repeated through gasping sobs, "I don't want to go, Mira!"

"I know, I know, little brother.  But you must.  Someone must warn the village.  I love you.  Never forget that, Dar.  I love you," Mira had whispered, hugging her little brother fiercely.  She glanced over her shoulder . . . she couldn't see the men, but she could hear them.  She could hear their feet on the twigs and branches, and could hear the silence of the animals.  It was unnaturally silent.

She kissed her brother one last time, then said, "Now go!  Run, Dar . . . RUN!"

(continued)

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