So I knelt and took up his hands, crossing them, though not on any sword hilt. And, last of all, I kissed him as he slept, for he had desired and served me to the utmost, even if I could not be to him as he wished.
Then I went forth from the star place and I broke off ferns and sweet-smelling herbs which grew here as if in a Wisewoman’s garden. These I brought, and with them I covered Toross, save for his face, which I left open to the night. And I petitioned whatever Power lingered in this place that he indeed rest in peace. Then I turned and left him, knowing within my heart that with Toross now all was well, no matter what lay elsewhere in this war-riven and tormented land.
Beyond the edge of the star I hesitated. Should I retrace my way or strive to travel on, using the wood for cover, hoping beyond that to find some trail my people had taken? In the end I chose the latter.
Here the trees stood thicker and there was no path, nor, could I be sure that I headed straight. I was no woodsman and I might be wandering. But I did my best.
When I came at last to that screen of thick brush which was the outer ring of the wood, my mouth was dry with thirst I wavered as I walked from weariness, being faint with hunger. But before me was the narrowing end of the dale and the heights over which the refugees from Ithkrypt must have fled.
The light of pre-dawn was in the sky, my only lamp, for the glow had gone from the globe. It was dead, and I was alone, and the burden of a heavy heart weighed upon me as much as my weariness.
I reached a spur of rock behind which there was a hollow, and I knew I could go no farther. Around it grew sparse patches of berries, some of the fruit ripe. It was tart, mouth-twisting, what one would not usually eat without meat, for which it would be a relish. But it was food, and I stripped the ground-hugging bushes quickly, stuffing the fruit into my mouth as ravenously as anyone who knows bitter hunger.
That I could go on without rest I doubted; nor did I think I could find a better biding place than this hollow. But before I crept within, I used Toross’ knife to change my clothing for this wilderness scrambling. My skirt was divided for riding, but the folds were so thick and long they had nearly proved my undoing. Now I slashed away, tearing off long strips. These I used to bind down the “legs” of my shortened skirt, narrowing the folds and anchoring them as tightly as I could above my boots. The garment was far more bulky than a man’s breeches, but I had greater freedom of movement than before.
Having done this, I huddled back into the hollow, sure my whirling thoughts would not let me sleep, no matter how deep my fatigue. My hands went to my breast, closing about the globe, without my willing.
It had no warmth now, yet there was something about the smooth feel of it that was comforting. And so, clasping it, I did fall asleep.
All men dream, and usually upon waking one remembers such dreams only in fragments – which may be of terror and darkness or, at long intervals, of such pleasure that one longs to hold on to them even as they fast fade. Yet what I experienced now was unlike any dream I had ever known.
I was in a small place, and outside swept storm winds – but winds of far more than normal fury. There was someone with me in that place. I caught a suggestion of a shoulder outline, a head turned from me, and there was a strong need that I know who this was. But I could not see a face or name a name. I could only cower as those racking winds beat by the opening, of the crack in which we sheltered. As it had been in the place of the star, so was it here, the knowledge that had I only the gift, the ability, I could gain what I needed and that good would come of it. Yet I had it not, and the dream was gone – or else I could not remember more of it then or ever.
When I roused, the sun was almost down, and the shadows long about me. I sat up, still weary, still thirsty and longing for even as much water as I had shaken from the leaves in the wood. There was a dull ache in my middle, perhaps from the berries, perhaps from lack of food. I got to my knees and peered down-slope for any sign of the enemy.
Thus it was I spied those two making their way along as scouts do. My hand was at knife hilt in an instant. But in a moment I saw these were dalesmen. I whistled softly that call that we had learned for just such a use as this.
They flattened themselves instantly to the earth, then their heads rose a little at my second whistle. Seeing me, it took them only a few moments to join me, and I knew them for Toross’ armsmen.
“Rudo, Angarl!” They could have been my brother-kin, so rejoiced was I to see them.
“My Lady! Then the Lord Toross brought you forth!” Rudo exclaimed.
“He did indeed. Great honor he cast upon his House.” The armsman looked beyond me into the hollow, and I saw that he guessed what dire report I must make now.
“The invaders have a weapon that can slay from a distance. As we ran, the Lord Toross was struck. He died in the safety to which he brought me. Honor to his name forever!” Did it help that at this moment I could use the formal words of a warrior’s last farewell?
Both these men were well past middle age. What Toross might have been to them, or what ties – perhaps of almost kin-friendship – he might have had with them, I did not know. They bowed their heads at my words and repeated harshly after me, “Honor to his name forever!” Then Angarl spoke. “Where is he, Lady? We must see to him-”
“He lies in a holy place of the Old Ones. To that we were guided, and there he died. And the peace of that place shall be bis forever.”
They glanced from one to the other. I could see their sense of custom warred in them with awe. And I added, “That which abides there welcomed him, yes, and gave him to drink in his final hour, and offered sweet herbs for his bedding. He rests as becomes a proud warrior, and on this you have my oath.”
That they believed. For we all know that while there are places of the Dark Power to be shunned, there are others that offer peace and comfort, even to interlopers. And if such a place welcomed and held Toross now, he was indeed laid to rest with honor.
“It is well, Lady,” Rudo answered me heavily, and I could see that indeed Toross had meant much to these two.
“You have come from the dalespeople?” I asked in turn. “And have you aught to eat – or drink?” My pride departed, and I wanted badly what they might carry.
“Oh – of a certainty, Lady.” Angarl used his good hand to unstrap a bag from his belt, and in it was a bottle of water and tough journey cakes. I had to use all my control to drink sparingly and eat in small bites, lest my stomach rebel.
“We are of the band that went with the Forester Borsal. My lady and her daughter were also with us. But they turned back to see Lord Toross. We have been hunting him, since he did not join us by moonrise – “
“You are on this side of the river then – . Those demons hunt over the dale. If our lord had lived, this would have been the only free way,” Rudo said simply.
“They are in all the dale now?”
Angarl nodded. “Yes. Two bands of our people were captured because they moved too slowly. Also, few of the flocks and herds got away. The beasts refused the climb to the pass, and the herders and shepherds could not force them to it. Those who tried too long – “ He made a small gesture to signal their fate.
“You can find your way back?”
“Yes, Lady. But we had best be on our way quickly. There are parts that are hard going in the dark. Were it not summer and the dusk later in coming, we could not do it” Their food heartened me, and their company even more. Also I found that the precautions I had taken to turn my skirt into breeches aided my going, so I was able to set out at a pace I could not have held the night before. Before I went, I returned the gryphon into hiding under my mail, for to me it was a private tiling.