spite of this, Akaisha had taken them both in. How could he think it was she who threatened Poppy? Was it she who forced countless barbarian tribes to pay a tithe of their children to become the playthings of the
Masters in Osrakum? What right had he to blame any of them when it was his own kind who were the root of the world's evil?
Shame cooled to despair as an image of Fern crucified thrust into his mind. Struggle as he might, he could not dislodge it. He turned in to Osidian desperate for the comfort of their love. Feeling him coming awake, he mumbled into his neck: 'I'm afraid.'
'And you accuse me of cowardice?' Osidian said, his body unyielding.
Carnelian edged away, as chilled as if he had been embracing marble, and lay as far from the warm comforts of the world as any of the Wise.
BREAKING EGGS
Everything begins with an uncurling.
Carnelian woke feeling ragged. He lay listening to the Grove coming awake, glad to lie in the hollow as long as he could. He was reluctant to face the day. He wished he could go back to not knowing about Fern's impending fate. A desire came over him to stay behind, to go down to work under the Bloodwood Tree as usual. But he knew that, even if it led them both to death, he could not allow Osidian to go alone, curse his pride.
It was Osidian rising that flushed Carnelian from his warm hiding place. As he drew himself out from under the blanket, he took care not to disturb Poppy. There lay another goodbye he was not looking forward to. He pulled on his robe and made for the hearth. As he approached its mutter, he found the smell of smoke and breakfast comforting. He took his place on the rootbench. Around him, people were scratching, yawning. Mothers were kissing the children that appeared tousle-headed, rubbing the sleep from their eyes, grinning at gentle teasings. Carnelian looked round at Osidian, whose gaze was already fixed on the fire. Fern appeared. As he came to sit down beside him, Carnelian watched the light run along his brass collar. Carnelian had never noticed how tightly it clutched his throat. Fern was aware of where he was looking.
'Forgive me for not working with you today,' Carnelian managed to say.
Fern leaned close. 'Just make sure you take care today.'
'What're you two whispering about?'
They pulled away from each other, guiltily, and looked across at Sil. The smile on her face faltered. Disturbed, she looked from one to the other.
'I'll tell you… later,' said Fern.
Sil put on a smile for him.
Carnelian became aware Osidian was watching him. The look in his eyes intensified Carnelian's feeling of guilt. He was glad Akaisha chose that moment to begin passing out the gruel.
'Carnie, you and your brother make sure you eat well.' Her face was smiling but her eyes were filled with concern. Even Whin seemed troubled as she looked at him. This only served to make his stomach churn with anxiety. He was not sure he was going to be able to keep anything down. He stirred the gruel in the bowl that was passed into his hand. Something cast a shadow over his feet. Glancing up he saw it was Poppy. She sidled up and was soon sitting on his knee cradling her own bowl. He watched each spoonful she put into her mouth as if it was the last time he would ever see her eat. He had to resist the desire to hug her hard. He put off speaking to her until she was finished. At last, he nudged her with his chin and she turned to look up at him.
'I'm going away today.'
Her eyes widened with alarm. 'I'm going too.'
He shook his head. 'You can't. I'm going to fetch water.'
'I can't see why I can't go with you.'
Someone stood over them making them both look up. It was Akaisha. 'You know well enough, girl, that fetching water is men's work.'
Poppy's lower lip began trembling.
Akaisha cracked a smile. 'Today, you can come with me instead.'
Poppy looked at Carnelian and he could see she was on the verge of tears.
'You want me to be proud of you, don't you?'
Poppy gave a slow nod.
'Well then, Poppy, thank Mother Akaisha.'
When the little girl did, Carnelian planted a kiss on the crown of her head and then rested his chin on her hair. He looked into Akaisha's eyes and smiled his gratitude.
'About last night. I'm sorry -'
Akaisha stopped his lips with her fingertips. Carnelian could see the warmth in her eyes. She crouched to look Poppy in the face.
'Do you want to come with me now and sit at the head of the hearth?'
Poppy lit up and wiggled her way off Carnelian's knee onto the ground. Akaisha offered a hand and Poppy took it. Carnelian glanced up at Akaisha to thank her and found she was looking down the length of the hollow. Ravan was there standing in the gloom. At first Carnelian thought the youth was looking at him but he quickly realized his attention was fixed on Osidian.
'Come and have your breakfast, my son,' Akaisha called to him.
Ravan shook his head. 'I've come to get the Standing Dead.' He stared even more intensely at Osidian. 'If they're still coming, that is…'
'But you should eat before you go.'
'Are you coming, Master?' Ravan said in Vulgate as if his mother had not spoken.
Osidian rose and passed in front of Carnelian, who had no choice but to join him. People grumbled as they looked from Akaisha to Ravan. Osidian loomed over the youth, both of them waiting.
Carnelian saw the upset on Akaisha's face but could think of nothing he could say. He glanced at Fern and they exchanged nods, then he left the hearth and did not look back once.
Every one of the men waiting with aquar at the earth-bridge turned to watch the approach of the Standing Dead. A group came out to meet them, among whom Carnelian could see Loskai with his swollen lips. As they came closer, Carnelian recognized Crowrane and Galewing, both of whom he remembered from his appearance before the Eiders. Galewing seemed much younger than the other Elder.
'My fathers,' Ravan said bowing his head and Carnelian did the same.
Galewing regarded both Standing Dead with a frown. Without taking his eyes off them he turned. 'You're sure you want to risk taking them with us?'
'Yes,' said Crowrane, his face wooden.
Loskai's eyes were burning with a malicious hunger. A fixed grin showed his missing teeth.
Galewing looked into Carnelian's eyes and then into Osidian's. 'You ride out of the Koppie under the authority of Father Crowrane,' he said, in Vulgate. 'If you disobey him, if you try to escape, you will be killed. You understand?'
Glancing at father and son, Carnelian was sickened at the thought of delivering himself into their hands.
'Do you accept?' demanded Galewing.
Osidian shrugged. He was gazing off towards the brightening plain. Carnelian searched his eyes for any sign that he was aware of the danger they were putting themselves in.
'Answer Father Galewing,' barked Loskai, making Carnelian jump.
Carnelian saw there was going to be no backing out and so gave Galewing his nod.
The Elder turned away, bellowing. 'Mount up.'
