“When I return to my land,I will be forced to leave the priesthood because ofthis.”
“Why? It is notblood—”
“It is unclean!” Anteroshouts accusingly as he continues. “You forced me to do that,knowing that I did not want to!”
“Let’s get somethingstraight,” I growl, stopping the boy’s accusations immediately. “Ihave already told you once, but I will say it again. I will dowhatever it takes to survive. So will you, even if I must force youto do it. This was easy compared to everything else that’s coming.”I toss him a dried strip of venison. “Here’s your next trial,Panther.”
“Antero. And I am noteating that,” he sniffs at the jerky with disgust. “I have nevereaten meat a day in my life.”
“Well, get ready to makeup for lost time, because that is nearly all you’ll be getting fromnow on. Forget your real name too; you are Panther now.”
Antero picks up the pieceof jerky and flings it into the river, a look of triumph on hisface. I watch the piece float with the current a few seconds. ThenI feel the corners of my mouth lift in triumph as I use my power tocommand once more. Go retrieve thatvenison from the river. Eat every bite of the soggy flesh,Antero. Then I settle on a rock to waituntil my orders are obeyed.
Without a whisper ofhesitation, Antero flings himself into the current, diving deep tocatch the strip of jerky that is sinking as it reabsorbs water.He’s under for a long while, so long that I begin to wonder if Ihave killed him. Well, at least Wolf’spack will be safe if he’s dead. All the fears of war will beover.
Antero emerges suddenly, sputteringand coughing as he swims to the shore. The piece of meat isclenched tightly in his fist. It squelches in his hand, drooping atthe edges with the weight of the added water. My stomach turns atthe thought of eating that. Antero raises it toward his mouth, alook of disgust on his face. “Please,” he begs as the dribblingmeat inches closer. “Don’t make me do this.”
I look away so that hedoes not see me gagging. “I am truly sorry. But you need to learnthis lesson now before we return to the House of Vultures. I am incharge of everything you say or do. If you fail to deceive the restof my House, we are both dead.” I reiterate my command in ourbond. Eat every bite. I listen as he chews through the sodden lump, no doubt likechewing leather. It smacks sickly between his teeth. Tears streamdown his cheeks as he swallows and tears off another hunk, waterspurting down his chin. When it is done, Antero immediately beginsheaving, his body revolted by the meat.
“I hate you,” he gasps inbetween heaves.
“I know, and I don’t blameyou for it. But at supper time, you will eat meat even if I have toforce it every day. Wolf’s pack would, Lion’s House too. Yourhesitation will be a clear marker that you are not truly from thisland.”
“All I ever wanted was tobe in the priesthood,” Antero confesses to me when he has calmeddown. “Can you imagine how I feel? I realize you hate me now,knowing what you do about my father, but can you empathize even theslightest bit? The one dream that I ever had is nowdestroyed.”
“This place will do thatto you.” I prickle at the emotion in my heart, the ache in my chestas I remember the life I could have had. Untying the mask from thesaxifrax leaves, I try to explain my perspective to the boy, “Youknow, it’s no picnic for me either. Imagine what it’s like to forme to realize that I have saved the son of the man who took myfamily from me. Knowing that I have allowed you to survive, whenyour people are the ones that turned the world I loved into thisstinking, rotten cesspool.” I fling the uncovered mask at Antero’sfeet when he does not speak. “Put this on. Tie it to your face withthese.” I toss some scrap pieces of leather from my pocket.“Remember the rules?”
Antero nods as he picks up his newpersona. I know it is the last time I will ever see his real face.My eyes cannot tear away from his pure, clean skin as Antero fitsthe mask over his nose. I almost want to cry when he is covered,and Panther is truly born.
***
That night as I hobble up to the Houseof Vultures, Goldeneye is waiting at the door. “Well, well, well,the prodigal’s finally returned! We were certain you had left usfor Wolf’s pack.” His brilliant yellow eyes sharpen their focus onthe stranger behind me. “You’ve taken to bringing home strays now,too? Naughty girl—I kinda like it!”
“You know as well as I dothat Grouse would have my hide if she knew you were flirting withme. She—”
“Doesn’t have to know,spoil sport!” Goldeneye winks, and I find myself almost laughing.Despite myself, I find him charming. “You know I have to get Condordown here. We can’t let in this kid without his approval.” Pointingto Panther, Goldeneye whispers, “If you leave now, I’ll say nothingto our leader. You’ll be able to go without any trouble from us.You could say that you got lost in the woods or you were sloweddown by injury. Wolf would take you into his pack without question.Or, for a couple of hours of your time, Mynah, I will not mentionthis to Condor at all.”
If it were that easy, Iwould take you up on your offer, I almostsay, knowing that I cannot do what he wishes. “Call him down,Condor. This one wants to stay.”
“Too bad, Mynah.”Goldeneye almost sounds disappointed as he calls for ourleader.
“What are you screamingabout?” Condor yells as he kicks the door open. When he notices meholding Panther upright, he chokes with mockery. “What? No Wolfhounding you tonight? I hear you and he are aligning your assetsnow.” He swaggers down
