This done, Carnelian and Krow returned to Akaisha's hearth. They allowed themselves the luxury of a little water to wash with. To Krow's amusement, Carnelian prepared a meal. They spent the evening huddled round a fire reminiscing about their journey to the Earthsky. Krow asked what life was like in the Mountain and Carnelian was happy to indulge him. It seemed to them both an improbable fairytale.
It was days later that Osidian came out of the desert, swiftly, with the dawn, his men behind him in a column. News of his arrival was spread by shouts across the Koppie. Carnelian heard the commotion as he was walking wearily down through the Grove on his way to another day's toil among the Bluedancing. He could not make out any words, but knew what it must mean. He ran down the last few rootsteps to the Homing, but then slowed. He walked the rest of the way to the Lagoongate so as to have time to prepare himself. His heart was hammering. He yearned to see Fern alive, but feared him dead. There was Morunasa and the expedition to explain. He tried not to think about Osidian, for he knew he might soon have to kill him.
Standing at the gate waiting for him, Krow lit up. The Master has returned.'
Carnelian put on a smile and tried to appear pleased. Krow was too excited to see through the performance. Through the gate, the morning was hot but not yet unbearable. Carnelian saw his men in the ferngarden and a mass of riders riding up the magnolia-shaded avenue. Osidian rode at their head. Carnelian searched the many dark shrouded shapes behind him. Osidian rode through the waiting men, across the bridge, and Carnelian and Krow had to jump out of the way as he brought his aquar right into the Grove. The creature knelt and he vaulted easily onto the ground.
'My Lord does not seem to have made as much progress as I expected.'
Carnelian stared, paralysed by the Quya and Osidian's presence.
'Is there something wrong with your voice, Carnelian?'
Krow had moved to the aquar and, making her rise, he led her away so more riders could come in. Carnelian's eyes were drawn to them searching. Ravan had dismounted and was coming towards them.
The ditch, my Lord?'
Carnelian focused on Osidian, who was frowning. The conditions under which the Bluedancing have been working are almost unbearable.'
'I need no lectures about the conditions. I have been riding across that plain for ten days.'
Then,' Carnelian said, stung to anger, 'you will understand it all.'
His heart leapt into his mouth when he saw a figure moving behind Ravan, whose height proclaimed it to be Fern. Carnelian became aware of Osidian turning to see what he was looking at.
'Ravan,' he said, trying to deflect Osidian.
'And Fern,' said Osidian, as Ravan gave Carnelian a curt bow.
Carnelian tried to appear calm. 'Is the Tribe well?'
For answer Ravan looked away. Carnelian thought the youth aged and worn. His eyes met Fern's and, feeling the intensity of that link, he broke it. A commotion was breaking out along the Homing, where Osidian's dusty men were meeting up with Carnelian's men. Osidian observed this with a furrowed brow and turned on Carnelian.
'Something has happened.'
Carnelian found it hard to return Osidian's piercing gaze. 'I took the men you left me to the koppie of the Darkcloud.'
Osidian's eyes flamed. 'I do not recall giving my Lord permission to indulge in expeditions.'
Carnelian felt trapped. ‘I took it anyway. Do you imagine, Osidian, that seeing smoke rising from their home I could have stopped the Darkcloud from going to investigate? I bowed to the inevitable and went with them. Thank the Two I did or else they would most surely have been annihilated by the Marula.'
Osidian's eyes grew wide. 'Marula, you say?'
Carnelian explained and as he did so he watched Osidian's eyes. There was no doubt he was shocked. This was an element that had clearly not formed part of his calculations. Carnelian sensed something else. Momentarily having lost his Masterly composure, Osidian's emotions were open to scrutiny. Carnelian saw a wariness in the way Osidian was regarding him.
'You were victorious then?'
'We fell on them like raveners.'
'Did any Marula survive?'
'One. There were two others but he bit out their throats.'
Osidian raised an eyebrow.
'I have imprisoned him on the summit of the Crag awaiting your return.'
Osidian resumed his impassivity. 'What has he told you?'
'Once he learned of your existence, he would say nothing to me.' 'Indeed.'
Carnelian sensed that Osidian's apparent amusement was only a front. Osidian turned to Ravan. 'Go gather me a twenty of Darkcloud.' Ravan bowed and went off. Fern was puzzled by the commotion among the Plainsmen. Carnelian watched them too, so as not to have to look at either Osidian or Fern.
When Ravan returned with the twenty, Krow was with him. Osidian motioned the two youths to stand on either side of him and the Darkcloud to surround them as they began to climb the rootstair. Carnelian was left with Fern. Desperately, he wished his friend were able to read hand-speech. They gazed at each other but dared not speak.
Osidian paused on the stair. 'I would like both of you to come with me.'
Obediently, Carnelian and Fern began climbing. Osidian turned to Krow.
'When I am finished with our guest, I might give him to you. Tell me, what torments might you like to inflict on him?'
Looking apologetic, Krow glanced at Carnelian. The other Master has already promised the Maruli to the Darkcloud.'
The men around them nodded.
'Has he indeed?' said Osidian.
Though Morunasa stood his ground as they came up onto the summit, his yellow, slitted gaze flitted from one to the other, quickly settling on the towering figure of Osidian. Under the pressure of Osidian's regard, Morunasa eventually ducked a bow.
Fern and Ravan stared, startled at the black man.
As Osidian advanced on the Maruli, Krow cried out: 'Beware, Master, he's a ravener.'
Without turning, Osidian made a gesture of dismissal. Carnelian saw he did not overtop Morunasa by much. The two were facing each other near where the bones of the dead lay bleaching upon the funerary trestles. Carnelian strained to pick out words from the mutter of their talk.
'Carnie, where did this Maruli come from?'
Carnelian turned to see Fern and Ravan waiting for an answer and he launched into the story, every so often glancing off towards Osidian and Morunasa. Both winced and glanced at the Maruli when Carnelian described the two dead with their throats torn out.
'Were these the same Manila who massacred the Twostone?' asked Ravan.
‘I found the same damage in the koppie of the Darkcloud.'
Krow, who had been gazing at the Master throughout, suddenly moved forward in response to his beckoning. The Maruli looked dejected. The Darkcloud were watching him as if he were a piece of meat they were salivating to consume. The black man exclaimed, pointing at Osidian's face. Osidian's affront softened as Morunasa said something. In response, Osidian pushed his uba from his forehead to expose his birthmark. As Morunasa rose on his toes to examine it, Carnelian felt a thrill of unease which only increased as the Maruli and Osidian began to talk together like conspirators. Watching them reinforced Carnelian's desire to overthrow Osidian.
He turned his attention back to Fern. His friend indicated Ravan with his eyes. They could not talk while he was there, but they could hardly move away without it being noticed.
'How is your mother?' Carnelian asked, hoping to find a way through innocent conversation to communicate with Fern.
'Well enough,' Fern said and proceeded to talk about their journey to the mountains. 'Everyone was miserable that we had to return here.'
Carnelian nodded. Fern continued, and from what he said, Carnelian became convinced there was unrest
