See Chapter One (A) for Disclaimers
'Little brat' am I, Maya thought to herself, stifling her giggles with growing difficulty, I wonder what that makes you, dear uncle? She had been here for the last day, ever since Curupira had returned with the wolf cub to their mother. At the request of her mother, Maya hadn't caused too much trouble for her uncle.
But the mischievous guardian of children, human and animal, had found ways to irritate him, without his knowledge of her presence. It was a gift which her grandfather had given to her many decades earlier. Or was it centuries? Maya had lost count so long ago . . . but, her grandfather had given her the gift of remaining invisible to her uncle's sight. He could not see her, he could not sense her. Which made certain of her games a great deal of fun.
During the last day, Maya had entertained herself by moving various objects about the chambers. Nothing obvious. Maya left that to her twin sister, who could never boast of subtlety. Instead, Maya would move an item from its original position to another, a very minute distance away.
A small distance, but just enough to drive her uncle crazy. It also gave her the opportunity to observe him. And her grandfather's appearance had left her practically rolling on the ground laughing. It also gave her a chance to hear her uncle muttering about what he would do to the people she loved most. Maya stopped laughing, her blue eyes flashing with rage. Harm someone she loved, would he? Well, they would just see about that! Perhaps it was time dear Uncle Math found out Curi was the gentle twin!
~*~*~*~
"I don't know why we always get this duty," Stavros grumbled, only loud enough for his companion to hear him. His feet hurt, his hips hurt, his back hurt, and Stavros knew there was a better than even chance they'd get their asses kicked. Again. The man bobbed his head, and Stavros continued, "How many times will it take before our dear commander realizes that bravado alone will not do the job?"
"Be still your tongue, Stavros," the other man murmured. "Or it'll be cut out. I still say if we ganged up on the BeastMaster, we'd have a better chance of taking him. That's what the Lothians did, and they would have succeeded in capturing him if that Varoni bitch hadn't interfered."
Almost a month earlier, the Lothians had struck a deal with the Terron king, Zad, after seeing two young men pass through Lothian lands. It was quickly established that one was the BeastMaster . . . and Zad wanted the BeastMaster. For reasons which Stavros still didn't understand, the Lothians had waited almost until the BeastMaster and his servant were on the border to the Varoni lands before they attacked. And as rotten luck would have it, the Varoni queen had been nearby with her consort. The plan to capture the BeastMaster had failed. Spectacularly.
Worse yet, according to a trader-spy who often traded with the Varoni, it turned out that the queen was the BeastMaster's sister, long thought to be dead. So there was another Sula who would cause trouble for the Terrons, Stavros had learned from his commander. Another Sula to be killed. Stavros had not grown up as a Terron. He had joined them four years earlier, in order to survive. But as he drew closer to thirty, Stavros wanted more than just to survive. While he followed Zad, that wouldn't happen. And unlike his companions, Stavros did not hate the BeastMaster. In fact, Stavros envied the young BeastMaster for surviving without harming others. Stavros couldn't say the same for himself.
But to keep himself and his woman alive, Stavros had to help capture or kill the BeastMaster. Gosia was six months pregnant with his child, and Stavros had a vivid idea what would happen to her if he failed. And just as terrifying, what would happen to their child. Once the child was born, since King Zad wanted more boys to be trained as soldiers.
"Shhh . . . there he is," one of the men said in a loud whisper. Stavros rolled his eyes. Two reasons why they hadn't won a skirmish against the BeastMaster yet, though he was usually out-numbered. In the first place, most of the other Terrons were poor fighters. And in the second place, he thought he was the only intelligent one among them!
Not for the first time, Stavros considered switching sides. After this skirmish was over, taking Gosia and training villagers how to fight Zad. According to the rumors he had heard, the BeastMaster's sister ruled Varoni as a sanctuary, a haven for animals and humans. A place where a weary warrior like himself could find a home. Then he shook his head. No. That was just a beautiful dream.
Instead, Stavros focused on the boy. He knows we're here, Stavros thought, he isn't sure where we are, but he knows we're here. And then the others were crashing down the hill, and Stavros shook his head in annoyance. So much for the element of surprise, and so much for success this time!
Still, Stavros ran down the hill after his compatriots, cursing them roundly all the while. They're fools, he thought, they're all fools! Why am I fated to always travel with fools? But what other choice did he have?
~*~*~*~
Dar had known of the Terron war party, even before Sharak told him. Even before they crashed down the hill toward him and Tao. Dar told his friend in a low voice, "Find a place to hide." Tao started to protest, but Dar shook his head furiously. There wasn't time for this!
He looked around in concern. No hiding place. Only the forest behind him. And an idea was born. These were still Curupira's forests . . . and she had already spoken for Aveta as her own. Which meant . . . Dar nodded to himself as a plan began to form in his mind. But first he had to get Tao and Aveta to safety.
"Tao, listen to me! One of us has to protect Aveta, and I can't! You have to find a safe place to hide, and protect her!" the BeastMaster said softly. Ruh was padding toward them, the lines of his body telling Dar he was ready for the attack. Tao stared at him, his green eyes reflecting worry, and Dar added softly, trying to ease his friend's unspoken question, "If the baby wasn't with us . . ."
If the baby wasn't with them, it would have been different, since Tao had been showing noticeable improvement. Especially with the tutoring he had received from Mira, Marinde, and Gereon in the time before their departure from the Varoni lands, and Dar had practiced with his friend in the weeks since their departure.
At last, Tao sighed and nodded his acquiescence. Dar breathed a sigh of relief as Tao murmured, "Be careful, Dar." The BeastMaster nodded with a grim smile, and Tao ranged into the forest with Aveta. Dar only hoped that he could fend the Terrons off, keep them away from Tao and Aveta. And then the first of the Terrons reached him.
Fortunately for Dar, the Terrons hadn't learned from the example of the Lothians, who had ganged up on Dar, and once more, they rushed him one at a time. Dar didn't understand the logic behind that, since Terrons knew nothing of honor. But he would use it to his advantage. One thing he had learned from his father. Use any advantage you could get.
~*~*~*~
Atalla, Ryf, and Daneurth had been travelling for a little over an hour when they heard the sound of men yelling. Daneurth stopped in his tracks, putting his hand on Atalla's shoulder, and murmured, "Listen. That sounds like Terrons." Atalla froze, despite the courage she had shown recently.
They all remembered the destruction of their village. They all remembered what had happened when the Terron war party had ridden through their camp. And despite the passage of time, that memory would remain for all eternity.
Daneurth looked at his younger sister, as her young face hardened with resolve. She lifted her chin defiantly once more. If it hadn't earned him a thwap, Daneurth would have laughed at her almost comical determination. Ryf said softly, "We were hoping the BeastMaster could teach us. I suppose there are some lessons we learn on our own."
Strangely enough, Daneurth had been thinking the exact same thing. He looked at his younger brother and younger sister, warning, "We have no weapons. And it's likely they will kill us . . . the BeastMaster didn't kill us because it wasn't necessary to him. Terrons kill because they're Terrons. They need no reason." Atalla's shoulders straightened, and Daneurth looked at Ryf.
The younger boy said quietly, "Well, either we die with the rest of our tribe . . . fighting. Facing the enemy. Or we live as cowards, as we have lived since they died. Unable to face ourselves, until someone else puts a mirror in front of our faces." Ryf paused, looked at Daneurth and Atalla, then continued, "Now, someone needs help. I won't let them, whoever they are, down. The BeastMaster gave us a second chance. We shouldn't waste it. I say we go."
Daneurth nodded. He already knew what his sister would say. So he told his two younger siblings, "Then let's go." One way or another, their destiny would be decided within the next few minutes. Both Ryf and Atalla nodded, Atalla slipping her hand into Daneurth's. Thus, the three siblings strode purposefully in the direction of the fighting.
~*~*~*~
Against his better judgment, against his will, Tao found a safe hiding place for himself and Aveta. He knew Dar was right . . . someone had to take care of the little one, and since Dar was occupied at the moment, that responsibility fell to Dar. Tao found a spot where he could watch the fighting at the same time. He didn't know why he would want to do that, except to learn by example.
As yet, the Terrons hadn't learned from their sometimes-allies, the Lothians, and mastered the art of ganging up on their opponent. Not, of course, that Tao was complaining. While he enjoyed spending time with the Varoni, they were still a long way from the Varoni lands, and he really didn't like the idea of carrying both Dar and Aveta, if the Terrons happened to get in a lucky blow.
He had spoken too soon, however. As Dar engaged the last Terron . . . what Tao had thought was the last Terron, a second attacked from behind. It took all of his self control to keep from crying out as the Terron's mace slammed into the small of Dar's back. Tao, who had felt the sting of such weapons, couldn't suppress a gasp.
His friend stumbled forward, but managed to keep his footing . . . briefly. At least until the Terron whom he had been fighting back-handed him, and Dar had two battles to fight at the same time. This did NOT look good. And Tao wasn't about to let anything happen to Dar, not after everything they had been through.
Tao gently placed Aveta on the ground, and prepared to run to his friend's aid, but a scream of pure rage stopped that. He leaned forward, lips parting with surprise, as a tiny, red-haired Fury exploded from a copse of trees and hurtled toward Dar's attacker.
It took less than a second for the worried Eiron to recognize the figure as belonging to Atalla. A split second after that, she was joined by her two brothers, but Atalla reached Dar's attacker first. Wielding only a fallen branch, the girl attacked the Terron, screaming obscenities at him.
One of the Terrons had pushed himself to his feet, evidently shaking off the effects of the trouncing he had just received, but the younger of Atalla's two brothers immediately engaged him. Meanwhile, the eldest brother said, "Atalla, I've got him! See to the others!"
By the 'others,' Tao assumed that he meant the still-unconscious Terrons who remained on the ground. And perhaps, that was what he meant. But instead, she ran to Dar, gasping, "Are you all right, BeastMaster?" The adrenaline rush was starting to leave Dar, and he sank slowly to his knees. That was all the signal Tao needed. He picked Aveta up once more and raced out to Dar.
Dar was having a hard time speaking, and Tao didn't know if it was from the pain, or the end of the adrenaline rush. He dropped to his knees beside his friend, and whispered to Atalla, "Here, take the little one." Atalla took the baby, cuddling Aveta against her body, and Tao put his hand on Dar's shoulder, asking as he checked his friend over for any injuries, "Are you all right? Are you hurt anywhere?"
"I'm fine," Dar answered after several gasping breaths, "I'm fine. Where did these three come from?" He turned his head as he spoke, and Tao saw a familiar, mischievous smile lighting his friend's face. The Eiron smiled as well, laughing in relief. He rocked back on his heels, flashing a smile at the worried-looking young girl.
"BeastMaster, what do we do with these men? We could kill them," the oldest boy inquired, indicating the men who now lay on the ground. Dar pushed himself to his feet, and Tao saw his friend grimacing. The Eiron started to protest, then saw a mischievous grin appearing on the boy's face.
"We could kill them . . . or maybe find a wild animal and send them back to King Zad on the backs of the animals. No, we can't do that. That would be too cruel to the animals, and too pleasant for these scums," Atalla said from her position beside Dar and Tao. She pursed her lips.
"What about the Demon Curupira? Do you think she would want them? Perhaps for her collection of Terron heads? Or is that another demon, I get them confused constantly," the middle child observed. Tao barely hid a smile as the conscious Terrons blanched.
"Curupira isn't interested in the heads of humans, and she doesn't keep the skins of the humans she has killed. No, we'll have to deal with them ourselves," Dar observed. Tao helped him rise to his feet, still watching over his friend anxiously. Atalla tapped her foot, her brow furrowing as she considered her own ideas for the fates of the Terrons.
Then she said slowly, "Well . . . why don't we just leave them here? Tied up . . . I wouldn't suggest them as meals for the wild animals around here. They would make the animals sick, and then Curupira would be angry with us. We learned that it's not wise to anger her, didn't we, brothers?" Both of the boys nodded vehemently, and the girl continued, "Daneurth, Ryf, do we have anything to use as rope?"
Ryf started to answer in the negative, but his older brother observed, "Actually, we do. We have our belts. We can use those as rope, and make new ones when we reach the Varoni camp. Still, that will leave a prisoner or two free, since you don't have a belt, Atalla."
"We'll think of something . . . but we should get started before more of them wake up," Dar interposed. Atalla bobbed her head with an adoring smile. Tao grinned wickedly as Dar blushed in response. This time, his friend had noticed! And Tao always enjoyed having a reason to tease Dar about something. Not that he really needed one.
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