Brand and Vaeol - Chapter 8

6. Vealae – 3rd day on the Treepaths Homeward Bound (16th of Scoutfare)   Slow dayfare and little else to bewrite. I have set the legless man on Shota-back and have him riding. Even so, we would go less swiftly, for he is still weak and such a wantsome ride that we must tie him to the saddle and have a rider lead him, since without soul-knack he cannot tame the steed.   Today our archers caught a twain of fade-deer, which we hastily skinned and roasted. Fresh meat never tasted so good. Our Aslanta guests were even more thankful, as was I when I beheld how it gave all hope. Remaue brought me supper, and I thoughtlessly kissed her. None said anything, but I felt Brand and the Aslanta watching.     8. Lamashan - 5th Day Captive, 18th Day on Castrovel   Our progress continues toward the Lashunta’s city, as so they tell. I have gotten belief, however, that our plight is more worrisome than our captors like. If I had to guess, they were already toward their patrol’s end and ready to head homeward when they found us, and the add of a dozen more bellies has put their supplies at risk. We are going slowly, with scouts ranging wide, and at any sign of food we halt and reap it.   Yesterday I caught a wonderful sight. While we climbed along the limbway, I looked off to the right. There on a far bough stood a small hoofless goatlike beast. With its spots I almost bethought it a fawn. While I pointed, its toes nimbly trotted along its perch. Then it faded out of sight.   My gesture had not gone unwitted by our captors. Straightway we camped, and anyone with a bow scampered to the outlying boughs. Their efforts bore fruit when two hunters came back bearing the small, toed goats. The Lashunta swiftly built a fire upon a cross-limb, skinned and butchered their game, and roasted it. They kindly shared the spoils with us. It was good, red venison, barely enough to go around, and not as much as we wanted, but hearty and juicy enough to remind us of home, and not toad, eel, or grubflesh. Nothing has ever tasted so good.   While we feasted like paupers, I watched Buxom Blue bring a cutlet to Lady Knight. This kind of thing has often happened, almost as if Buxom Blue is her squire. When they did, I watched them bow near each other. Then their brow-feelers touched. The gesture struck me as intimate, especially as it lingered. For the first time I wondered what their lives are like, how they feel, how they love. I confess the two women’s sight has stayed burned into my mind.   Today while we broke from travel, Bikker had wandered along a limb to relieve himself. One of the apish bowmen came after him, bleated reprovingly, and pointed back to the group. Bikker mistakenly ignored the order, which I admit was fairly obvious. While I watched, the squat archer grabbed Bikker’s nape, balled his other fist, and punched my man’s gut. If the warrior hadn’t been holding him, I reckoned Bikker might have fallen off to his death. As it was, the stout warrior let him drop retchingly to his knees and yelled. Then he drew axe from his belt.   I was already moving toward my man when Lady Knight and the bronze-skinned sergeant reached them first. They rebuked the guard, who left, and together helped Bikker afoot and led him back to the group. When I joined, they made sure he was alright and left him with us.   Lady Knight turned to me. She asked me to watch over him and the men, and keep them near. I agreed, especially when she reminded that we are prisoners, as her voice sounded in my head. Why she chose to switch from voice to mind-speech at that moment I know not, other than its eeriness still makes me jump.   Bikker is well, though angry. He claims he did nothing wrong, and I agree. Still, Lady Knight’s point is unlost. We are living at their mercy, which I know doesn’t sit easily with the men. Yet we need to hold on to their goodwill.     8. Vealae – 5th day on the Treepaths Homeward Bound (18th of Scoutfare)   Today we had our first fight between the Aslanta and my warriors. How it began I saw not until I witted a Korasha hit an Aslanta, and drew blade. Tae and I stepped in swiftly and bade them stand down. Then she sent the warrior out on long watchtide to let him soothe. Anon I spoke with Brand to learn what the bother was. It outcame his man had been slow heeding a beck from the warrior, who had grown unforbearing. I reminded Brand his men are bondthralls, even if listful, and must heed. He yaysaid and swore his utmost for his men’s behavior. I came back to my warriors, read their mood, and hoped for no further such strife.     9. Vealae –6th day on the Treepaths Homeward Bound (19th of Scoutfare)   It is now a month since we left Son. We are out of food. I have bidden us stay and have outsent scouts to find whatever they can: game, saptrees, bloodmoss, whatever will do. We wait and tighten belts. By my reckonship, Oshis need another four days to reach Son.   Right ere eventide, a scout came back with word of a goldsap tree. We dare not go in the darkness. We will wait a hungry night and then go tomorrow.     10. Vealae –7th day on the Treepaths Homeward Bound (20th of Scoutfare)   We reached the goldsap tree and have halted. The Aslanta were reckful, but then glad when we showed them the tree’s fruits. We throw the Shota the rinds and toss more down for them. We cannot harvest enough to get us home, but it will buy us another day.     10. Lamashan - 7th Day Captive, 20th Day on Castrovel   After a sparse yesterday, today brought us, of all things, an orange tree, the biggest I’ve ever seen. We spent the better half clambering boughs and picking fruit. We worked right alongside the Lashunta. Then we tore them open and gorged on the sweet, sappy pulp. Afterward, we made a game tossing the rinds to the Shota-lizards, who snapped them from air like horse-size dogs after treats. Watching them leap from limb to limb is amazing, especially when one reckons a lone lizard easily weighs half a ton. More than half of what we harvest went straight to them, for that kind of bulk doesn’t feed on empty bellies.     12. Lamashan - 9th Day Captive, 22nd Day on Castrovel   Yesterday the Lashunta and their lizard-steeds hunted a flock of good-sized lizards, and out of twenty caught a dozen. We feast on chickenlike lizardflesh, which could be better only if it had been oil-fried in egg.    From where we waited while the hunt began, the din sounded as if full battle had broken out. Then one of the little goose-lizards came bough-hopping to where we hid. I saw a birdlike, pear-shaped body with slight forearms, and then mighty, knife-long talons on each foot. Despite its size, this thing was a killer.    The little lizard leapt into our midst. It froze when it witted us, and then glared and screeched straight at me. It rushed forward while I dodged aside. Then it leapt down to another limb and fled into the tree-gloom. When our captors brought back and roasted its ilk, I happily dug my teeth into their flesh.   Today, for the first time since we met, the Lashunta led us back down to the forest floor. Having gotten used to the tree boughs, I admit we were reluctant. Yet down a ramped deadfall we found a small river, which heartened them as well as us, for the bed-nets found another use in catching fish and eels. We were grateful to eat well, even with the slimy things croaking in the darkness. The Lashunta built the fire high, which drew fireflies, but kept scarier things away.   I think the stream is important to Lady Knight, who swiftly sent scouts downstream, and I can guess why. Hopefully, we are nearing their home.     13. Vealae –10th day on the Treepaths Homeward Bound (23th of Scoutfare)   Today we went hungry, though the Shota found some fodder. If we are lucky, today Oshis’s foursome may reach Son. I pray Burning-Mother they are safe and home. If so, that relief host may soon head our way. Also, if we reckon right, we may soon reach Father-Yaro.