The Crystals of Mida

19 A plague of strokes—and a further search

The new light brought the beginnings of much difficulty. Truly angered was Ceralt when he awoke to find that I slept upon the cloth before the fire. No sleep had come to me upon the platform, for thought of its height had kept my eyes wide till Ceralt had slept. Silently had I moved from his side and warmth to the fire, and there had slept well and easily. The reason for taking sleep upon a platform was beyond me, and further so with the floor cloth to be had by city folk. Should they not wish leather to sleep upon, as was proper, the cloth was there for use in its stead. Ceralt would not consider that, and gave his word that next I would be bound upon the platform, should I again attempt to leave it in the darkness. No word did I address to the matter, for already had I spoken, and Ceralt took a fresh covering, of a blue like the skies, and we both descended for a meal.

When we had fed, again was I plagued with strokes and the learning of them. No meaning could I find within the charcoal marks, and quickly fled my temper with Ceralt’s speaking of them, yet Ceralt refused to fall to anger. Again and again did he repeat the strokes and their callings, insisting that I, too, take charcoal in hand and attempt their forming. My attempts seemed the scratchings of a lellin upon the dirt, of no likeness at all to those of Ceralt, yet did Ceralt nod and smile most happily, as though something had been accomplished. For hind, then, I moved the charcoal about quite aimlessly, to Ceralt’s vast enjoyment, then did we feed once more. Immediately following our meal, Ceralt found the need to leave the dwelling, and firmly did he insist that I continue with the charcoal, yet no sooner was he gone than I abandoned useless waste of time, and considered the means by which my warriors and I might leave the city.

Ceralt returned in darkness, and once more did we go to the platform within his room. Most completely did the hunter see to the needs of both of us, yet was he not asleep when I rose to leave the platform. Quickly was I seized and held, and then was the hated collar placed about my throat and chained to the metal of the platform. Wildly, I struggled to remove it, yet was naught accomplished save the movement of a cover of cloth, which Ceralt had placed upon us. Ceralt rescued the cloth from loss, then was I taken in his arms for the matter of sleep. Little sleep did I find through the darkness, and Ceralt wakened before the new light, used me well once again, and then departed, the collar in place as it had been. The entire fey did I spend upon the platform, for Ceralt had taken a party of hunters to the forests, and most miserably did I note the passage of the light. Inala brought something to feed upon, and also brought the stiffened cloth and the charcoal. All did I cast from me in anger, and full fury was I filled with upon the return of Ceralt. The hunter cared little for my temper, placed himself beside me once again, and then used me despite my struggles. By deep fury was I held, yet sleep found me rather quickly.

The new light brought release, though no satisfaction. Ceralt vowed most solemnly that should I again attempt to leave the platform in darkness, two feyd would I pass chained so. I refused to speak on it, for already had I spoken my word upon the matter. No platform would Jalav pass the darkness upon, not if she could choose otherwise. Only just had we completed our meal, when two armed males in leather and metal were brought before us by Inala. They had come to inform Ceralt that the female Jalav was required by the High Seat, therefore did we all leave the dwelling and walk toward that of Galiose, before which many males and warriors were beginning to gather. Though the light was bright, the air was cool, yet did each of my warriors, like myself, appear in clan colors. Not easily were clan colors taken from Hosta.

Galiose waited before the entrance to his dwelling, therefore did we mount the steps to approach him. Easily might it be seen that the High Seat was displeased, and Ceralt walked quite near to me as the attention of Galiose centered upon my arrival. Galiose stepped forward to meet me.

“Now!” said he quite briskly, placing his hand upon my shoulder. “When all of your wenches have gathered, Jalav, you shall order them to cease this—this—activity of the darkness, and immediately! I shall not have dark-roving females in Ranistard!”

“Jalav may say naught,” said I with a shrug. “The Hosta are no longer hers.”

The anger deepened upon the features of Galiose, and his hand left my shoulder at the reminder of my previously stated position. “You refuse to address them?” he demanded, his anger quite cold.

“Have I not said so?” I asked most reasonably. “Is Galiose now prepared to face me with sword?”

The male stared at me for a moment, then he turned angrily to another who stood beside him. “When the wenches have gathered,” he snapped to the second male, “I, myself, shall address them!” Then he walked from all to stand alone, his gaze lost among those who continued to arrive.

Ceralt, beside me, uttered a small sound of surprise, and I turned to see that he, too, gazed upon my warriors, yet was there little to be seen among them to cause surprise. One group of perhaps two hands of warriors stood somewhat apart, and happily engaged themselves in a game of stone casting. The game was one for young warriors-to-be, ones who had not yet learned the full way of weapons, and my warriors, having had their weapons taken from them, used the game to keep hand and eye well honed. They each held large stones in both hands, and circled warily, watching in all directions, for one must cast as well as evade during the game. To be hit meant loss of game, and each might choose her target as she would. Those who succeeded in scoring hits while remaining untouched themselves formed a later, smaller set, to produce the winner of all. Once had I seen two excellent warriors facing one another, each well skilled in meeting her mark, each as fleet of movement as a nilno on the run, and then did the game take on a true beauty, a dedication to the glory of all Midanna. As I watched, Gimin, who played as well as one might, cast her stone and threw herself to the left, thereby evading a stone cast at her. Her stone landed well and truly, striking a tall, light-haired warrior upon the forehead, and the warrior fell senseless to the ground, as yet unknowing that her place in the game had been lost. Three others were quickly struck as well, the game proceeding slowly as was to be expected when played by warriors of skill, yet were there suddenly males among them, seizing the stones left to the players and angrily casting them aside, then roughly pulling my warriors away to stand beside them as they spoke more angrily yet. Those warriors who lay upon the ground were anxiously tended to by other males, who seemed quite beside themselves at the condition of the fallen. Most annoyed were the others at their game having been disrupted, and well was I able to appreciate their view, yet Ceralt nodded in approval of the disruption, and then folded his arms.

“Well halted,” he muttered. “The foolish wenches would all be senseless, were it to be allowed to continue. It is easily seen that all the Hosta require those with wits to guide them.”

“The Hosta require only their freedom and weapons,” said I. “Had their weapons not been taken, little need would there have been for indulgence in a child’s game.”

“A child’s game!” exclaimed Ceralt. “You cannot mean that children are permitted so dangerous an activity?”

I gazed with puzzlement upon him, for his meaning was unclear. “Children are not permitted such activities,” I informed him slowly. “The Hosta young are taught such games, preparing them for the battles of adulthood. How else are warriors to be made?”

Quite long and soberly did Ceralt gaze upon me without speaking. “The making of warriors,” he muttered faintly. “Praise be to the Serene Oneness that such is no longer to be done.”

Frowning, I was about to pursue such an odd statement, yet Galiose chose then to approach, grasp my arm, and roughly lead me to the edge of the set of steps. Nearly all of my warriors stood before us with the males who had taken them, and many eyes watched the actions of the High Seat, and listened for the words he would address to them. Galiose stared about at warrior and male alike, and then his head raised slightly as his hand still grasped my arm.

“Heed my words!” said he in a voice which carried easily to all. “The city of Ranistard has welcomed the presence of Hosta wenches, yet have these selfsame wenches returned the welcome with ungrateful and shameful rovings in the darkness! The activities which the Hosta have indulged in shall cease, and cease immediately, else shall their leader, Jalav here, be punished for their actions! Should you not wish to see this wench hung by the wrists in the city’s center and beaten, pass the darkness in peace with those men who have claimed you! I, Galiose, High Seat of Ranistard, have spoken, and shall not speak again upon the matter!”

An angry mutter arose from my warriors, and a growl grew as resentment against such reference to a war leader fired my warriors’ blood. The males among them attempted to silence them, but they were unwilling to be silenced. Movement was there, here and there among the throng, and Galiose frowned mightily at such reaction to his words, Foolish, indeed, was the High Seat of Ranistard—thought he that Hosta warriors would be pleased to hear of proposed pain to be given their war leader? No more than a moment did I stand in such silent consideration of the throng, then I, too, raised my voice.

“The Hosta have ever been free to act as they would!” said I above my warriors’ growls. “Let it continue to be so as long as they live!”

Cries of, “Jalav!” and “War leader!” came in salute from my warriors, in concert with their laughter, and the fingers of Galiose tightened about my arm.

“Bravely spoken,” said he for my ears alone, and his dark eyes showed hard and grudging respect. “Yet, should the matter come to it, wench, the lash shall be given unstintingly. Best you hope that it may be received with equal bravery.”

Briefly, I shrugged as I met his gaze. “Should Mida wish it so,” said I, “it shall be so. Jalav lives in accordance with the will of Mida.”

“And I in accordance with the will of the Serene Oneness,” said Galiose, and his hand left my arm. “Perhaps they shall, at some future time, move us both in concert.” Then his eyes left me, to touch Ceralt and Telion, and one or two others. “Return your wenches to your homes,” said Galiose to them, “and then attend me in my study with your full force. Plans have been made, and I would have you know of them.”

The males nodded in obedience to Galiose, and soon were my warriors and I separated once more, with no opportunity for speech among us. Most anxious had I been to speak of my thoughts upon leaving Ranistard, yet were none allowed to approach me, though Larid and Gimin and Fayan wished to do so. All were taken firmly away by the males who stood beside them, and I saw with amusement that Fayan still refused to acknowledge the presence of Nidisar. Quite irate did Nidisar appear to be at such a condition, yet, despite the fact that Fayan limped somewhat, as though in pain, she was Hosta warrior enough to discount that and continue as she would. Most pleased was I with the warrior Fayan, and pleased, too, was I to learn that the dwelling of Telion lay closest to that of Ceralt. Larid was taken there as I was led by Ceralt to his own entrance, and once inside, Ceralt laughed at the evidence of the chill upon me, then left once more, saying he would return as soon as might be, and I was to remain within the dwelling. Most happily did I remain within, for I wished to think further about leaving Ranistard, and also to speculate upon the plans which Galiose had spoken of. Did the males concern themselves with that which would interest the Hosta? That they sought the third Crystal, I well knew, yet were they prepared to act in an attempt to reach it? Slowly I mounted the steps which led to Ceralt’s room, and thoughtfully I stretched myself upon the cloth before the fire. The hind passed in silent contemplation of the future, only once disturbed by the arrival of Inala with something to feed upon. I fed as silently as I had lain, and then returned to my thoughts alone.

I knew naught of Ceralt’s arrival till the hunter’s arms circled me and pulled me to him, and so eager was he for the use of Jalav, he took me there, upon the cloth before the fire. Most surprising were these actions, yet Ceralt refused to speak of it. His need well seen to, we descended to the room of red silk, partook of the meal set before us by Inala, then returned once more to the room. Firmly was I lifted to the platform, and small chance had I to descend again, for the darkness was filled with Ceralt’s need, which seemed to be immense. No understanding had I of why, yet was I used to satisfaction and beyond, without halt, till the new light was little more than a hin away, then was I held to the broad chest of Ceralt, as the hunter knotted his fingers within my hair. My face was raised by the pull upon my hair, and the hunter pressed his lips to mine with great heat, then he chuckled.

“The memories of this darkness must remain strong within me,” said he quite softly, his face no more than a finger from mine. “I shall not again have the use of my wench till my return, which may be quite some time.”

“Where does Ceralt go?” asked I, knowing the question must be asked, yet nearly lost in the nearness of the hunter. So strong was the heat within him, such pleasure was he able to give!

“I ride with others in search of the third Crystal of power,” Ceralt replied in a murmur, his lips upon my face. “We have heard of a place where it might be found, and shall make our way there as quickly as may be. My hunters shall provision the party as it goes, and aid as best we may upon our arrival there.”

Speaking presented great difficulty, for my hands stroked the strong back of him as his hands held me to him by the hair, yet was I able to say, “I shall accompany Ceralt upon his journey, therefore shall he find no lack of Jalav. To whence do we ride?”

Again Ceralt chuckled, and his head moved in negation. “Jalav does not ride,” said he with amusement. “Jalav shall remain within the house of Ceralt, there to practice the reading and writing of her letters, and there to greet him properly upon his return. Truly great shall my need be then, therefore I give you warning now: rest well in my absence, wench, for little rest shall you find upon my return.”

“I care little for letters and rest,” said I quite firmly. “Already have I decided to accompany you. To whence do we ride?”

“You, my girl, do not!” said Ceralt with equal firmness, his face a shadow in the dark. Again he pressed his lips to mine with strength, then were his hands gone from my hair, and to my fury was the collar again clapped about my throat! Little sense was there in struggle, yet struggle I did as the Mida-forsaken male laughed at my outrage, then pulled me to him once more. A final memory he took unto himself, then he arose and clothed himself while I lay, angry, upon the platform.

“You shall remain as you are till our party has gone,” said he, smug in his satisfaction. “I shall leave the key to the collar with others, though you well deserve to be left upon the bed till my return. Galiose has given me his word that no lash shall be taken to you till I am able to see what may be done with your stubbornness, yet his patience grows exceedingly thin. Behave yourself in my absence, Jalav, else shall I find the need to add to the hidings you have already received.” He paused and approached me slowly, then his hand touched my cheek. “Better a hundred hidings, my girl,” said he, “than one taste of the lash. Never again shall you be beaten while I live.” Again he hesitated, then his hands raised to the leather which held my life sign about his neck, and quickly he removed the life sign and slipped it again about my own neck, in its accustomed place. I was speechless at such an action, yet Ceralt left it so, gave his lips to me a final time, then hurriedly left the room.

The silence of the darkness sat heavily upon me as I lay there, the metal of the collar tight about my throat, the strong male smell of Ceralt still upon me, my hand clasped firmly about my life sign. The chain of the collar did not allow a sitting position, so short was it, therefore did I lie upon the platform as I had been, my eyes upon the swing of the door by which Ceralt had departed. Again had I my life sign about my neck, my soul again secure, and thus did I know that Mida once again smiled upon her warrior. Yet was I disturbed that Ceralt had returned it then, as he prepared to ride in search of the Crystal, for surely did such action mean he thought it possible he would not return. Great pain was there in the thought of the loss of him, and he had even refused to speak of where he rode! Quickly must I find myself and my warriors free, so that I might ride to his aid. Blessed be Mida that she had already revealed to me the location of the Crystal!

Many hind passed before my release, so many hind that I fell asleep where I lay upon the platform. At last I awakened to the presence of Inala beside the platform, and with a smile she showed the small bit of metal upon her hand.

“The key was brought but moments ago,” she informed me as she reached toward the collar. “You are now allowed the freedom of the house, yet are you forbidden to leave it.”

“None save Mida may forbid the actions of a Hosta,” said I, pleased as the collar opened and fell from me. Briefly, I rubbed my throat, then rose to find and don my clan covering.

“There are Guardsmen here to see to your obedience,” said Inala softly. The female stood quietly in the white of her covering, and deeply concerned did her dark eyes appear. “Mistress shall find the need to obey,” said she, “for the Guardsmen have been instructed by the High Seat.”

“Galiose does well in adding to my annoyance,” I muttered. “Much pleasure would I find in facing him with sword. What number of males has he sent?”

“There are three,” said Inala with a frown. “Surely, Mistress will not attempt to....”

“All shall be seen to,” said I with a gesture of my hand, which silenced her. “Let us now look upon these emissaries of the High Seat.”

Without further speech, Inala proceeded to the lower level, I in her wake, and there we found the three males, each in leather and metal, each armed with sword and dagger, and each with a grin upon his large, broad face. Larger were these males than any I had ever seen, larger, even, than Telion, Ceralt, or Galiose. Full amused were they that I saw weapons before me, yet was unable to make them mine. With dignity and lack of concern I passed these males, and allowed Inala to lead me to the room of red silk, where awaited my provender. The males entered as I seated myself, and watched silently as I partook of the foods and drink, yet when their eyes were upon my pot of renth, I sipped but slowly with the thought that had come to me. The thought seemed an excellent one, therefore did I call to Inala and hold high the pot of renth when she appeared.

“I would have this drink brewed before I partake of it further,” said I to her. “Do you know the manner of doing so?”

At her indication of ignorance, I explained the proper manner of brewing, then ordered her to brew an amount sufficient for the balance of the fey. At these final words a light began to gleam within her dark eyes, and most hastily did she withdraw to do my bidding. The males watched her departure with smiles of approval for her grace, yet they remained within the room as I fed quite slowly, awaiting the brewing of the renth.

Some reckid later, the female returned, a large pot held carefully before her, the strong aroma of brewed renth arising from it. Not as pleasing as daru was the aroma of renth. yet the males fastened their eyes to the pot, and watched carefully as my drinking pot was filled therefrom. I sipped at the brewed renth with satisfaction, and then smacked my lips most heartily.

“Excellent,” said I to a smiling Inala, who stood beside me with the pot. “It still has not the body of daru, yet has brewing done much to improve it.”

“I have prepared much of it, Mistress,” Inala said, again in innocence. “Your slave hopes that there shall not be too much.”

“It shall be seen to,” I assured her, taking a further, much pleasing, sip of the renth, and the males glanced upon one another in indecision. The largest of the males, he in the center, drew the back of his hand across seemingly dry lips, and then he stepped forward.

“Fetch three more flagons, slave,” said he to Inala, his eyes upon the pot she held. “My men and I shall sample that creation, and perhaps we shall find it acceptable.”

“Brewed renth is not for males,” said I, and again sipped from my pot. “Best you bid the slave fetch unbrewed renth, and leave the other for warriors such as I.”

“The cheek of the she!” growled another of the males, and all stood forward to frown. “Leave the other for warriors such as she indeed!”

“The wench begs to be taught a lesson,” said the third, quite coldly, his light eyes hard upon me. “A shame we have been forbidden to touch her.”

“Yet, naught was said of what she might be made to drink,” mused the first. “A lesson would be taught, I think, should the wench be made to match us cup for cup.”

“Aye!” laughed the others in full agreement; and so it was decided. The males, seated all about me, tasted of the brewed renth and found it most pleasing, and then was I forced, by dire threats, to drink as did they, one for one, many pots of the renth. The hind passed with the drinking of the renth, and though the light had been high when first I had begun to feed, full darkness had nearly descended when the last of the males dropped his head and his pot of renth together, with a thud, to the platform top. The others slept quite soundly, loud noises emergent from their opened mouths, their bodies sprawled upon the seats about me. Somewhat dizzy did I also feel, for brewed renth was not like unbrewed renth, but I was able to take my feet and stand.

“Mistress, are you in difficulty?” Inala asked quite anxiously from beside me as I shook my head to rid it of the mists. Much renth had the males withstood, and unsteady was I upon my feet.

“The air without the dwelling shall clear my head,” said I to the female, and then I turned to the first of the males, silently asking the aid of Mida as I removed the weapons from about him. I turned from placing the weapons upon myself to find the female Inala busily engaged with another of the males, his dagger already upon the platform, his swordbelt nearly in her possession. I smiled at the eagerness of her assistance, then turned to the third of the males, and when all of the weapons had been removed, Inala and I faced one another again.

“Jalav thanks the female Inala for her assistance,” said I with sincerity. “Perhaps we shall one fey meet again in the sight of Mida.”

“You shall leave the city,” said Inala, her eyes large and somewhat tragic. “I beg you, Mistress, take me with you!”

“We shall go as warriors,” said I, with a small headshake and smile. “Inala does not know the way of warriors, nor would she find the pace to her liking. Remain here, city female, for Mida has not blessed you with soul nor life sign to guard it.”

“Here, I be slave!” said she most forcefully, and then she took a step forward. “I need not ask of your love for the collar, mighty Jalav, for I have seen your fury with my own eyes! Take me no farther than without the gates, and then abandon me if you must! Sooner would I die in the forests in freedom, than live longer as slave!”

Her band reached toward me beseechingly. Truly did Inala wish for freedom, and this was I able to understand, yet was there another thing which puzzled me.

“Should it be true that death is your preference to slavery,” said I, “how is it that you have not sought it sooner?”

“But I have,” said Inala quite bitterly. “By the former High Seat was I declared slave, for the terrible crime of having no family here in Ranistard, nor a male relative of any sort to speak for me. Most earnestly did I seek death then, attempting attack upon all who approached me, yet was I given, in its stead, many strokes of the lash, for a female slave is too useful to destroy. When I persisted in my search for destruction, the former High Seat grew exceedingly wroth, and ordained that I was to be given to his Guard for three feyd as punishment. The memory of those three feyd shall ever be with me, and not again have I had the courage to disobey.”

Her voice had dropped quite low, and pained. Fully taken with the renth must I have been, for my hand touched her shoulder as she stood, head down, before me. “Without the gates shall you find yourself,” I said, only then aware of the decision I had made. “May Mida guard you from then on.”

Her head raised, and her eyes shone with happiness. “I thank you,” said she quite simply, a twisted smile upon her lips. “I shall thank you for eternity!”

“No thanks need yet be given,” said I with a grin, “for we still stand within the city. Let us see if Mida smiles upon our venture.”

We gathered up the weapons then, and carefully departed the dwelling, Inala close behind me in my track. Much noise did the city female make in moving; however, there were none about to hear her. Not far was the dwelling of Telion, and I looked within a lighted window to see Larid, two armed males within the room as well. Larid saw me as I moved quickly aside, and she smiled with pleasure briefly. Leaving Inala without the dwelling with the excess weapons, I silently entered the dwelling and moved to the door behind which were Larid and the males. I placed myself with dagger in hand beside the door, then made the smallest of sounds. No notice did the males take, therefore did I find the need to repeat the sound, albeit louder, and then I was finally able to draw one to me. Through the doorway he came, sword in hand, back toward me, and the hilt of my dagger cracked his head quite nicely. As he crumpled to the cloth at my feet, I was quite sure that never again would he scorn the wearing of his head protection. Quickly, then, I entered the room, only to find the second male sprawling like the first, and Larid grinning with a length of firewood in her hand. I, too, grinned at the sight, and Larid stepped forward toward me.

“Most pleased was I to see you, Jalav,” said she, and then she rid herself of the firewood. “These males kept me prisoned here, while that misbegotten Telion rode off Mida knows where! Ceralt, I take it, accompanied him?”

“Most assuredly,” I nodded my agreement, “yet do I know their destination as well. They ride in search of the third Crystal of Mida—which we must reach before them.”

“I had forgotten the existence of a third Crystal.” Larid frowned, and most pleased was I to see that she, too, wore her life sign once again.

“We must gather others and leave the city quickly,” I said, moving toward the fallen male. “Let us take their weapons and bind them, for they do not sleep as soundly as those in Ceralt’s dwelling.”

With a nod Larid aided me, and soon were we ready to depart the dwelling. Most surprised was Larid at Inala’s presence, yet was she unquestioning of her war leader, as was proper. We continued on through the darkness, and in two hind there were five of us upon the roof of a dwelling close by the city gates. Fayan we had found in the dwelling of Nidisar, guarded by two unarmed males, therefore we were unable to add to our stock of weapons. Gimin and Binat were two of those prowling in the darkness, seeking males, and eagerly did they join our set. The others also wished to join us, but that was contrary to my thinking. Long would be the journey to Bellinard, and it would be best if none there knew of our presence. Unarmed Hosta would be easily taken captive, and our presence would be known to all should we obtain arms for our set in Bellinard. But a single hand of Hosta must do to obey the will of Mida.

Upon the roof of the dwelling, we concealed ourselves from those who moved below, then we used the knotted leather we had taken to scale the walls. Some difficulty was there in raising Inala to the sharpened metal atop the wall, yet was it, and her lowering, at last accomplished, and we stood without the city of Ranistard, armed and in possession of climbing leather. Most rapidly, then, we moved off to the south, for in such a direction did Bellinard lie. Inala hesitated briefly, then trotted in our track, attempting our pace, her slight form shivering from the chill. I silently wished her well, though I was unable to offer further aid. Mida had given her warriors her word, and this time it would be obeyed.