The Last of the Wilds

prepared.

“Take enough to last a few days - you can never be sure how long it will take to get to the next village. Take nothing perishable and make sure everything is well wrapped. It can be hot out on the sea and everything will get wet if a storm blows in. Have you got any oilskins? No? You had better take me back to the boarding house with you. I’ll look over what you’re bringing and tell you how to pack it. And you’ll need something for seasickness...”

Feeling more cheerful than she had all day, Emerahl led the family out of the market. She didn’t have to give up her boat, and she might even make a profit out of transporting this family to Karienne.

Six more Siyee were sick from Hearteater at Temple Mountain by the time Auraya returned, and another two Siyee had reported members of their families sickening since then. Auraya had used her new healing Gift many times already, but the Temple Mountain Siyee were less willing and able to keep separate from each other. There were already signs of re-infection.

At the same time, news had come of sick Siyee in tribes that had escaped the disease so far. She was all too aware that her efforts would be more effective in tribes that were less crowded and more cooperative, but she was determined to leave the Temple Mountain tribe in a better state than at present.

“This disease is determined to test every one of us,” Speaker Ryliss said resignedly as he topped up the oil heater.

“It will, if given the freedom to spread,” Auraya agreed.

“How can we stop it?”

“Send everyone who has recovered from the disease away.”

He frowned. “You said people could not catch the disease from those who had fully recovered from it. I’d be sending away people who are of no risk to others here.”

“Yet they take up too much space, preventing us from properly isolating the sick. If you sent away those who have not been ill, you risk that some of them may be sick and not showing symptoms yet.”

“But sending people away... is that necessary?”

“Your village is overcrowded,” she told him, not for the first time.

“No more than others, surely.”

“Most villages have reduced in size in the last year, having lost members in the war. Many of the Siyee here have moved to this tribe recently, haven’t they?”

Ryliss nodded. “Yes. They came here to learn about and serve the gods.”

She looked up at him in surprise. “Why didn’t they go to the priests in the Open?”

He shrugged. “They came here before the priests arrived. And... not meaning to give offense, but some Siyee feel they should learn Siyee ways of worshipping from other Siyee.”

She smiled. “I can understand that. Would it help if priests came here? Would the Watchers be willing to teach alongside landwalkers?”

“I will ask them.”

“Thank you.” Moving away from one patient, Auraya approached the next. “These newcomers are young and strong. Their bodies are fighting the disease.” She straightened and met his gaze. “So will you send some of the people here away?”

His face wrinkled with reluctance, but Auraya did not hear his answer. Another voice filled her mind.

:Auraya. Come to the Temple.

As abruptly as it had arrived, Huan’s presence flashed away. Ryliss was still talking. Still making excuses, she noted.

“I’m sorry, Speaker,” she interrupted. “I must leave you now. I have been summoned by Huan.”

His eyes widened. “Best not keep her waiting.”

“No.” She strode out of the room and into a corridor. The cave system was shallow, and she reached an opening to the air in a few moments. She glanced upward, making sure no other Siyee was about to leap from an opening in the cliff face above and collide with her, then concentrated on her sense of the world and propelled herself toward the closest mountains.

Wind buffeted her face, cool and pleasant. As she drew closer she was able to make out the Temple. Though she had seen it several times now, she always felt wonder at the sight of the small structure carved out of the mountain peak. How it had been made was a mystery. Ryliss had told her it was far older than the Siyee race. Whoever had made it must have been either a talented climber or capable of flight. Why they had done it was an even greater mystery.

Five columns supported a domed roof. Auraya landed in the center of the circular floor. She took a deep breath and looked around, her heart beating quickly with anticipation. Though she had grown used to Chaia’s company, the prospect of being in the presence of the other gods was still both thrilling and daunting.

:Huan, I am here, she called.

Auraya concentrated on her sense of the magic around her. She felt a presence approaching at a rapid speed. The magic in the world roiled in its wake and she had to resist an instinctive urge to back away. It stopped abruptly just a few steps from her and the air about it began to glow. The light formed the figure of a woman, her expression stern. Auraya prostrated herself.

:Rise, Auraya, Huan said. We have a task for you.

“What must I do?” Auraya rose to face the goddess.

:We have discovered a great mistake, made long ago. You must correct it - but be warned: it will not be easy or pleasant. We have discovered that an enemy we believed long dead is alive. Not only does he still live, but he has been meddling in the affairs of the world.

Auraya’s heart skipped as she realized who this enemy must be. “Kuar! But how did he survive? How am I to defeat him?”

:It is not Kuar. If Kuar had survived we would not set you against him. He was more powerful than you. This is a lesser enemy and an older one. Juran was the last to face him. His name is Mirar.

Auraya stared at Huan in astonishment.

“Mirar? How can this be?” Then she realized what the gods wanted her to do and felt her heart sink. Oh, Leiard. Will you ever forgive me?

:He won’t, Huan told her. Leiard is Mirar.

“Leiard?” Auraya exclaimed. For a moment she could not think. Then she laughed in disbelief. “That can’t be. I’ve seen his mind. Well, I did before he—”

:Mirar is Leiard. He deceived us. He deceived the White and, worst of all, he tricked and used you. We are not sure how he managed to hide behind the persona of Leiard, but we are certain of his true identity. When you linked with him to learn his healing Gift, I saw the truth.

“You were there...?”

:Yes.

Auraya shook her head in disbelief. She had caught glimpses of Leiard’s thoughts during the link. None of what she had seen had revealed anything but healing knowledge.

:While you were distracted he let his guard down, believing he was safe.

She searched her memories of Leiard. First she recalled him as he had been when he had lived in the forest near her village, teaching her about cures and the world. Had there been any sign that he was really Mirar? She couldn’t recall any.

Next she considered the man who had been her adviser in Jarime. He had been so uncomfortable in the Temple. She had assumed any Dreamweaver would be. Was his fear of all things Circlian an indication of his true identity? He had overcome that fear and become Dreamweaver Adviser. It hadn’t been his idea, however; it had been hers. Dreamweavers had benefited from his work, but there was nothing unusual or wrong in that. Any Dreamweaver would have aimed to do the same.

Unless he had somehow used his position to gain other advantages without her knowledge...

:You are not seeing the depth of his deception, Auraya. Leiard does not exist. He never did. The