stench wafted over the djada field. But it was the east wind everyone feared most, for then the hill of offal soaked the air with its miasmas and Carnelian and the Bluedancing would be forced to slave even in the hottest part of the day with their faces swathed in cloth.
The men whom the Master sent to bring them water brought also news. The warriors of the Tribe and their allies the Woading were digging another earthwork, to the north-east, at the crossing of the lagoon nearest to the koppie of the Smallochre. From this earthwork they daily harried them when they came to fetch water. Scuffles had already broken out. It was only a matter of time before the Smallochre would be stung into giving battle.
Carnelian was down in the Eastgarden watching the Bluedancing braid the heavener djada into rope when, pointing, Poppy let out a cry. Smoke was rising from the Crag. Fern and the others returning, thought Carnelian, and began running towards the Blooding. Poppy's shouts pulled him up short. Turning, he saw she was running after him. He returned, scooped her up and ran on.
They found the gate to the Grove unguarded. They met Sil and some others of his hearthmates halfway up the rootstair moving at Akaisha's pace. Anxious as he was to find out if the signal really meant their men were back, Carnelian walked the rest of the way with them. He glanced furtively at Akaisha. He could not bear to see how fragile she had become.
When they reached the clearing before the Ancestor House they found many of the womenfolk gathered there and, near the Crag steps, many of the Elders craning to listen to a woman up on the summit. Her words were passed back.
The Master and Ravan.'
The woman on the summit was shouting something else. Her words came accompanied by a murmur of fear. They're bringing dead.'
People began to move to the opposite side of the clearing where a path led to the Lagooning, but Ginkga climbed the first few steps up the Crag and urged them to wait. Her face hardened when her words were ignored by many. Carnelian decided it would be better if he waited.
At last a massive figure appeared at the edge of the clearing repelling the crowd. It was the Master and, beside him, Ravan. Together they walked through the Elders to the steps and began to ascend them. Behind them came a procession carrying drag-cradles on which lay shrouded bodies. No one could tell who they were because their faces were hidden by ubas. As the crowd moved back to let the drag-cradles be set down, their murmuring began tearing into sounds of grief.
'Why do you mourn when you should be joyous and proud of your noble dead?' said Ravan from the porch of the Ancestor House. Behind him the Master was just a shadow.
'Fern?' said Carnelian beginning to move forward but Sil's hand stayed him. Til go.'
'See here,' cried Ravan and from his hands hung tresses of grey hair loaded with salt beads. This is the tribute the Smallochre pay you as the Woading did before them.' He shook the tresses and they could hear the beads tinkling. This salt and more like it means our men will never again have to go and serve in the legions.' He pointed with his fists at the dead. These heroes died to bring this blessing to the Tribe. Honour them.'
Sil returned pale from the women swarming the dead. She shook her head. 'He's not there.'
Carnelian, Akaisha and Sil shared the relief. A pale movement made Carnelian look up to see Osidian's hand signing.
Come up and talk to me.
Still worrying about Fern, Carnelian began moving towards the steps.
'Where are you going?' asked Akaisha. The Master summoned me.'
Akaisha looked from him up to where Osidian was climbing up to the summit. 'What sorcery could let you know his thoughts?'
'None, my mother.' He lifted his hands meaning to explain, but Sil caught them.
'Find out about Fern.'
Carnelian looked into her eyes and nodded, before he began pushing his way through the mourning crowd.
Ravan was waiting for him at the Ancestor House. He had transferred all the beaded hair to one hand. Carnelian examined it distastefully, almost expecting to see bloody fragments of scalp attached to the roots.
'Where are the rest of the men?'
Ravan smiled. 'You mean my dear brother?'
Carnelian searched the youth's eyes for Fern's death.
'Oh, he lives. The Master left him commanding a joint force of Woading and Ochre in the Woading earthwork.'
Carnelian caught some resentment in the youth's voice. 'Not you?'
Ravan scowled. 'He needs me as his interpreter.'
The youth lifted his empty hand towards the steps leading up to the summit and Carnelian took the lead.
Climbing up onto the summit, Carnelian saw the signal fire was still smoking. Osidian was there with some guards. As Carnelian approached him, the guards put themselves between Osidian and the edge. Carnelian ground his teeth, angry at that reminder of his failed assassination.
'So you have absorbed another tribe into your empire, Osidian.'
The first of many.'
They stood gazing at each other; only their eyes exposed. Carnelian felt Ravan standing behind him.
'How goes the curing of the heavener meat?' Osidian asked.
'Well enough.'
'If the slaves have been worked hard then the process should be nearly complete.' 'It is.'
'Good. I have other work for them.'
Carnelian waited, dreading it already.
They will cut a new ditch to annex more of the plain. The ferngardens must be greatly expanded if I am to pasture the multitude of aquar I intend to gather here.'
Osidian turned and swept his arm round, pointing out an arc as far from the Newditch as the Newditch was from the Grove.
'Surely you don't mean to take this ditch all around the Koppie?' Work on the margin of the Killing Field had taught Carnelian what a vast labour that would be.
Osidian nodded.
'But that would take for ever.'
T have calculated it will take four years if they work without ceasing.'
They are not to accompany us on the migration?'
That would be impractical.' Osidian sketched some gestures in the air. Aquar, the valley, many impediments…
'How do you expect them to stay here without water? The cistern would not hold nearly enough to give drink to so many mouths.'
'We shall dig new cisterns.'
There's not enough time.'
'You are in error.' He pointed out along the Lagooning. 'We shall dig them there where my men can most easily fill them. If we put them close to the path they will be in the shade of the magnolias.'
He looked back at Carnelian. The cisterns will hold enough for the Bluedancing but also for the warriors of the Ochre and the four other tribes I shall rule before the migration.'
Carnelian knew there must be reason behind this madness but he could not see it. The Tribe has to be escorted to the mountains. You must see that.'
'All my tribes will be escorted. Their warriors will take them as far as the mountains and then return here.'
'Why would you want…' He fixed Osidian with a stare. 'You fear that in the mountains their Elders and their women might work them free of your dominion.'
There, you see, you can think like one of the Chosen when you want to.'
Carnelian knew what was to come and raised his hand. 'Please, Osidian, spare me your threats. I will do as you ask.'
