It'll be perilous to leave the Darkness-under-the-Trees unfed.'
Morunasa lifted his head and Carnelian was horrified to see him gazing up towards the makeshift camp the Plainsmen were making on the escarpment above the knoll.
'I shall send enough captives to sate your god's appetite for blood,' said Osidian.
Morunasa fixed him with fevered eyes. 'And will the Master also provide the Upper Reach with fernroot?'
That and meat.'
'Where will these captives come from?' Carnelian demanded.
'Do you believe, Carnelian, the Plainsmen will accept my yoke willingly?'
Carnelian grew morose imagining the war Osidian was preparing to launch against the Earthsky. 'When will you leave?'
Tomorrow, at first light.'
Beyond the baobab wall, in the bleak encampment of the Plainsmen, Carnelian sat in the rain chewing djada with others of Akaisha's hearth. It was too dark to see but Carnelian could feel Poppy's hand in his and knew Fern was sitting near.
'Sweet Mother, what I wouldn't give for the shelter of a proper tree; a little fire,' groaned Hirane and was answered by a mutter of agreement.
'How's Mother Akaisha?' Carnelian asked.
'A little worse,' replied Fern.
Carnelian became concerned, suspecting Fern was hiding something. Later he would question Poppy, quiedy. 'Sil and Leaf?'
'Both well.'
Carnelian could hear some grief behind the words. The Tribe?'
It was Poppy who answered. 'Everyone's miserable, Carnie.'
The salt we brought back seemed to cheer them up quickly enough,' said Ravan.
Poppy's hand stirred in Carnelian's grip. 'We were happy to have our men back.'
Ravan spoke over her. 'If the people are unhappy it's because the old have been poisoning their contentment. The Tribe were happy enough with the power and wealth our victories brought them.'
'Power?' exploded Fern. 'Don't you mean slavery?'
Carnelian expected Ravan to fly into a rage but, instead, he fell silent. The main thing's that the Tribe's now safely back in the Koppie,' he said, longing for its homely comforts. *Safe,' said Ravan with a snort. 'How can they be safe when all our strength is here save for a few feeble old men?'
'Who'd dare attack the Koppie?' said Hirane. 'We're the Ochre, first of all the Master's tribes.'
'And is he going to feed our people?'
'He did last year.'
'And who's going to fetch water? Who's going to protect our women from raveners when they work in the ditches?'
'You mean the Bluedancing?' said Carnelian.
'Shows how much you know.'
Carnelian was horrified. 'Did their water run out?'
Fern's hand gripped his arm. 'When we returned, we found them well enough, but the Master commanded that they should be sent off to the koppie of the Tallgreen.'
'Why?'
'He didn't say.'
No doubt Osidian intended they should dig a killing field in the home of the Tallgreen with which to slaughter another heavener herd.
As if that thought had summoned him, Carnelian felt his presence.
'How pleasing,' drawled Osidian in Quya, 'my Lord must find the company of savages.'
Carnelian could just make him out, an immense shadow in the night accompanied by his guards.
'I came to hear news of the Ochre,' Carnelian said.
'I. could have provided you with all the news you seek, Carnelian.'
As the clear voice faded, Carnelian became aware that across the escarpment he could hear nothing but the pattering of rain.
'You shall be left to rule this place in my stead.'
'What about the Oracles?'
They will keep to their island: the rest is yours.'
The rain began falling more heavily.
The sartlar must continue to cut salt.'
'What of the Ladder?'
'Make sure you understand, my Lord, the production of salt must be your paramount concern.'
'But you still wish to have the Ladder repaired?'
'With whatever labour you have left. Besides, it is best to wait until the rain stops. Currently, the cables will be sodden and heavy.'
Carnelian considered his next question carefully. 'Who will be left here, my Lord, to oversee the sartlar?'
'I will leave you Plainsmen.'
'Ochre?'
'Oh no, my Lord…'
Carnelian could hear the smile in Osidian's voice.
The Ochre will all be coming with me.'
Carnelian knew more harm than good was likely to come from arguing. Clearly, Fern and the rest of the Ochre would be hostages to ensure his good behaviour.
'I trust we understand each other, my Lord?' 'I understand,' Carnelian said, resigned. Waiting for more, it was a while before he realized Osidian was gone.
'What did he say?' Poppy whispered.
That tomorrow you all leave with him.'
'And you?' asked Fern, the resigned tone of his voice suggesting he already knew the answer.
‘I am to remain behind again.'
Then I'm staying with you,' said Poppy.
'No,' said Carnelian, outraged at the thought.
'Surely he intends to leave some of us here with you?' said Fern.
'No Ochre.'
Their talk was spreading murmurs across the encampment.
'Why are none of us to stay here?' said Hirane. 'Doesn't he trust us?'
'Have you forgotten the riches beneath our feet?' said Ravan. 'Did he mention Krow?'
'He mentioned no one by name.'
'Are we returning to the Koppie?' Ravan demanded, rancour loud in his voice.
'I have told you everything he said, Ravan.'
'I'm sure,' the youth said, bitterly.
Carnelian felt Poppy stroking his hand. 'Why can't I stay with you, Carnie? Please, let me stay. I've been so unhappy.'
He reached out for her, found her head wrapped in soaked cloth and leaned his cheek on her. 'You know I'd have you here if I could. It'll make things much easier for me if I know you're safely at home.'
Beneath a frowning sky, a vast tree caged a darkness Carnelian was terrified to enter. A yearning drew him in to search for his loved ones. It was only when he tried to cry out their names he realized he had forgotten them. Pulsing anguish, he could not even see their faces in his mind. He wandered, a blind betrayer, within the caverns of the tree that were hung with overripe fruit. Feeling a warm hand slip into his own, he saw Poppy looking up at him. Her eyes were an anchor in his despair. Hunted, they fled away across raw, red earth.
He awoke and saw her leaning over him, alarmed.
