'He's there somewhere,' said Krow. 'I'm certain of it.' The anxious way he was searching suggested otherwise.
Ravan pulled back from the edge. 'We must cut the Ladder.'
Fern rounded on him.
Ravan ignored his brother's glare. 'Am I the only one who can see those are Manila warriors?'
Fern turned frowning to Carnelian. 'He's right.'
They both eyed the Plainsmen and saw how uneasy they were.
Carnelian knew it was true. If Osidian was there then it seemed he did not trust them and was sending up these warriors in advance of him. Warriors? There had been no talk of warriors.
Ravan had moved towards the anchor trees. 'Are we all just going to wait here to be slaughtered?'
As most of the Darkcloud moved to Ravan's side, Carnelian could see they meant to support the youth.
'We can't ignore the threat,' said Fern.
Carnelian nodded. 'Ravan is right, we must take precautions. You all have your spears. Let's form a hornwall.'
Ravan gaped, confused, as Carnelian formed the Plainsmen into a crescent surrounding the head of the Ladder. He interspersed their line with Ochre who had experience of the formation from the battle against the Bluedancing. Then they waited, hearing the approach of the Manila in the vibrations of the Ladder cables.
SCREAMING
Pleasure can stir a voice to song. At the extremes, pain will always exceed pleasure in intensity. How much more powerful, then, is the impetus pain can give a voice? Do the Wise not teach that the sounds of agony are the vocal mode the Dark God most prefers? If this is so, then it follows that the most sublime form such a performance might attain is that in which the vocalist is skilfully excruciated and held shimmering at the very brink of death.
At the centre of the hornwall, Carnelian watched the Marula spill out from the chasm. Gleaming black, massive limbs banded with wood, bodies hidden beneath beaded corselets that rose up behind their heads like the backs of chairs. They bared their teeth and hissed as they saw the hedge of spears awaiting them.
Carnelian felt the hornwall losing cohesion and steadied it with a bellow. More and more of the Marula were coming up, until he began to fear that should he not act now, his men would be overwhelmed.
Then he saw a taller figure at their rear.
A murmur rose from the hornwall. The Master.'
Carnelian glanced round at Fern. They shared the same deadly intent. Carnelian faced the Marula and Osidian, ready to give the order to push them all back into the chasm.
Osidian's Quya carried clear across the tumult. There is something strange in the way you look at me, Carnelian.'
A hush settled as everyone listened to the beautiful voice.
The reading of faces is an art practised in the House of the Masks. You, my dear, unlike many of the Great, have not acquired the skill to conceal your thoughts.'
Carnelian tried to blank his face, almost unmanned by its betrayal. More and more Marula were swelling the wall before Osidian. Ashen Oracles were gathering round him.
'You have perhaps become more Chosen than I expected, Carnelian.'
'Carnie?' cried Fern, shocking Carnelian free of Osidian's mesmerizing voice.
Glancing at him, Carnelian saw Fern's urgency to settle the matter. Before he could think, Osidian spoke again.
These Marula have been told that should any harm befall me… or the Ladder, then their kin shall all be given to the Oracles for sacrifice. This, not to mention that they have their backs to the chasm, should ensure they put up a vigorous fight.'
Carnelian went cold. Not only had Osidian become aware of his intention to kill him but, worse, he now saw the enormity of his mistake: Osidian had returned with an army of his own.
'Excellent, you have understood the new balance of. power.'
Carnelian sensed the men round him wavering. The Plainsmen are still more numerous than your Manila.'
Osidian inclined his head. 'Mounted, they might prevail. With me to lead them, however, I believe my Marula would have a decisive advantage.'
Carnelian felt sick. The time for rebellion had passed.
Perhaps if he had charged when Osidian had first appeared
'Come now, Carnelian, shall we two really do battle and cause such unnecessary bloodshed?' Carnelian was crushed.
'Have your men put up their spears and retire.'
A desperate hope made Carnelian look towards their fortified camp. His glance took Osidian's gaze to the knoll.
'I would starve you out and then would take the most terrible reprisals.'
Carnelian hoped at least to save his men. This was all my doing.'
'Really?' The humour in Osidian's voice was chilling. 'You need have no fear for them.' He glanced at Fern. 'Not one of them will suffer as long as they serve me.'
Carnelian knew it was finished. He ordered the Plainsmen to stand down. As here and there along the wall spears fell, Fern spoke out, anguished.
'What's going on, Carnie?'
Fearing for him, Carnelian snarled: 'Retire with the rest.'
Scowling, Fern obeyed him and, as he did so, the horn-wall dissolved.
With a gesture, Osidian sent the Manila swarming forward to take control of the anchor trees and the Ladder ropes. As they unblocked the top of the Ladder, a tide of tiny, honey-brown men was released, struggling under baskets densely packed with fernroot. Distracted by these pygmies, Carnelian started retreating but stopped when he saw Osidian beckoning. Carnelian hesitated, seeing Morunasa and other Oracles around Osidian like pale crows.
'What, my love, do you fear I will harm you?' Carnelian marched towards him his spear still in his hand, a desire beating in his chest to plunge it into Osidian.
'Carnelian, cast aside your weapon.' Osidian sounded alarmed. 'The Marula are not fully under my control. They might kill you.'
Carnelian came to a halt, confused that after all that had happened, Osidian might still care for him.
Osidian spoke again. 'Even were you to slay me, the Marula would destroy your Plainsmen.'
Carnelian saw how merciless were the yellow eyes of the Marula. As he threw away the spear, their ranks responded by opening before him. He advanced into their midst. As he closed on Osidian, it felt strange to look into green eyes again.
'Since we are being open with each other,' Osidian said, 'did you enter the caves that lie beneath our feet?'
Carnelian nodded.
'I thought you might. Does anyone else know what they contain?'
Carnelian considered lying but knew it would soon be found out. 'Everyone.'
Osidian's eyes widened. 'It amazes me you could be so stupid.'
Carnelian almost blamed Kor, but he felt this unworthy and decided he could bear Osidian's contempt.
Osidian moved forward. 'Well, it seems then there is no reason why the Plainsmen should not help load the pygmies with salt.'
