Strange Attractors - Kim Falconer [173]
But what if the vision were true? He rubbed his neck, picking at the wound. The witch beside him rode closer, her face unreadable beneath the dark cowl. ‘What frets you?’
‘Senneca, leave him.’
‘But he’s seen something. Look at him. He’s sweating.’
The lead witch called a halt, motioning Xane to her side.
‘What do you see, lad?’ Her voice was not unkind—like an elder speaking to a foolish child.
‘Up ahead,’ he said, pointing into the distance. ‘Can you see them?’
She didn’t answer.
‘There are more…wolves, Mistress.’
The temple witches scanned the horizon, turning left and right, taking in the rolling terrain. It was scattered with oaks, brambles and tall gums with clusters of thistles, pale green with mauve flowers. The sun slipped further behind the clouds and the land lost its colour, the leaves a carpet of mist. Fog rolled in from the North Seas and the air became moist, their voices echoing.
‘How many?’ she finally asked.
Xane tightened his fists, dew heading on his horse’s mane. ‘I can’t see them any more, but there were many. Over a dozen.’
The High Priestess didn’t move. They had to have been conversing with each other but Xane couldn’t hear them now, if he ever had.
‘Back to the road. There’s nothing here but a boy’s illusion.’
They turned as one, galloping north. Xane didn’t like the choice. They would make faster time to Dumarka by road, but the Lupins would get there first in any case. He scratched his head. Why did that make him feel better? A falcon whistled again, long and mournful in the distance. He couldn’t find an answer that made any sense. He turned his mount and followed the priestesses.
Rosette had the edge of the woods in sight. Drayco ran ahead, his instincts leading him through the thick fog as he raced towards his ancestral home. Teg ran with her, shoulder to shoulder. They jumped a fallen log, landing lightly on the opposite side, covering the miles effortlessly. Lupins were made to run.
Horses were made to run as well but Clay and Shane had fallen behind. She’d told them to stick to the road—the fog would be too difficult to navigate otherwise. She also knew that Shane’s horsemanship wouldn’t handle the woods. There were too many fallen trees, culverts and ravines. She hoped the bards didn’t meet any trouble. Why Nell would send them to her she couldn’t work out.
Teg, did Kreshkali mention anything about those two?
The bards? Not that I recall.
Strange, don’t you think?
It’s all been strange for me, this whole venture. Ever since Kreshkali took me on…nothing but strangeness.
They crossed a stream, leaping up the far bank, running on.
I feel the same way. Rosette couldn’t see the sun dropping to the horizon but she felt it. Darkness came quickly and they slowed their pace. When Drayco halted, Rosette sighed. They’d reached the borders of the Dumarkian Woods ahead of Corsanon.
Straight to the temple, Drayco?
This way.
They followed him, the air thick, the trees closing in. Tall redwoods surrounded them, interspersed with the pines. The forest floor was covered with deep leaf mould, silencing their footfalls. There wasn’t a sound save for their panting.
We’re close, Maudi. I’ve found the waterway that surrounds the temple.
How far downstream are we?
A short sprint. Drink first? Refresh?
She tested her hearing, ears pricked before shape-shifting back into human form. ‘Good idea.’ Rosette wrapped her arms around Drayco’s neck, covering his eyes with her hands as Teg morphed.
He was breathing hard, smiling. ‘Great run!’
‘You’re in a particularly good mood, Teg, considering how close you came to being skewered by the temple witches.’
‘I am.’ He smiled wider.
‘And also considering we have half of Corsanon bearing down on us, no idea if Hotha’s clan will get here before them, have had no