Heritage Of The Xandim

  Esmon cleared a space in the centre of the campsite, brushing away twigs, leaf litter and other debris from the area. Then he built a fireplace using stones from the riverbed. This first night, there would be no cooking, for they had plenty of supplies, including meat for Iriana’s animals and grain for the horses, which they had bought from the farmer’s wife with whom they had stayed the night before. The fire would be for light and safety rather than cooking, though they did want to boil some water to make taillin.

  To Iriana’s surprise, the warrior turned down her offer to use Fire magic to light the campfire. ‘Thanks, but no,’ he said. ‘You’re supposed to be keeping those abilities secret, remember?’

  ‘But we’re in the middle of the forest,’ Iriana protested. ‘There can’t be anyone around for miles.’

  Esmon looked at her with raised eyebrows. ‘You know that for sure, do you?’

  ‘As a matter of fact, I do. If anyone were around here trying to spy on us, the animals would have let me know by now.’

  ‘Nevertheless, it’s better safe than sorry,’ Esmon told her. ‘Much as I’d like to use your powers, Iriana, we should avoid it if possible.’ He grinned. ‘Though when it’s pouring with rain, ask me again. But the Phaerie can go a long way on those flying horses of theirs, and we know the Hunt has been trespassing in our part of the woods. If we start developing slipshod habits we’ll give ourselves away sooner or later, so let’s save your magic for emergencies, shall we? Besides, it will only take me a couple of minutes to do this. I’ve been lighting campfires for years.’

  Kneeling before the fireplace, he assembled the materials he needed: moss and dead leaves for tinder, twigs, then small branches and finally the bigger boughs close to hand. In no time he had a cheerful blaze going, and his two younger compatriots found it difficult to resist settling down close to the source of light and warmth to rest bones that were weary from a long day on the trail.

  There were still plenty of chores to be completed, however. As well as foraging for more firewood, Avithan went to fill up the water bags. Iriana, who was alternating between the eyesight of Melik, whom she had lifted up onto Dailika’s back, of Boreas, who had flown down and perched on a branch above her, and of the horses themselves, saw to the comfort of their mounts - brushing and feeding them, and unloading their packs, which Esmon carried to the fire.

  Once these tasks had been completed, they pitched their small, lightweight tents made of the silken moonmoth fabric, while there was still light to see. Esmon got supper ready and set water to boil for taillin, while Avithan helped Iriana to feed her animals, including the owl, who was now out of her basket and perched on a low bough, fluffing her feathers as she prepared for the night. Then, their work finally done, the three Wizards sat down around the fire. The heat was very welcome, for the weather was growing colder by the day as they progressed towards the northern mountains.

  ‘There’ll likely be a frost tonight,’ Esmon warned them. A shiver went through Iriana at the thought, but she stiffened her spine. She was finally having the adventure she had longed for all her life, and hardships were an important part of that experience.

  They ate a meal of bread, cheese, hard-boiled duck eggs and some wonderful pasties that had been freshly baked early that morning by their former hostess the farmer’s wife who, like her soulmate, had been born in Tyrineld. They had wanted a different life and, like the other farmers in the northern regions, had settled in the rough frontier country, using their Earth magic to nurture livestock and grow crops. She was truly adept at kitchen magic, Iriana decided. It wasn’t only the appetite worked up on a long day’s ride that made the supper so delicious.

  As the travellers ate, they chatted inconsequentially about this and that, sipping their hot taillin and relaxing after a long day in the saddle. Iriana knew she would never forget that night: the sharp tang of woodsmoke; the rustle of the wind in the leaves and the crackle of the fire; the crowding of shadows beyond the light of the flames; the upward drifts of sparks as the burning wood collapsed in the fireplace; the flicker of flame and the play of firelight on faces; Melik’s blue eyes as he purred in the warmth. Everything around her combined into a moment of pure enchantment.

  After a time, their talk drifted down into a thoughtful silence, and Esmon said, ‘Let’s clear up, then we’ll get some sleep and make an early start in the morning. Now, because of the dangers in the forest - not only from wild animals but also feral slaves, who’ve been known to creep into camps and murder people for their food and equipment - we’d better set watches tonight. Iriana, you take the first turn—’

  ‘But surely—’ It was out of Avithan’s mouth before he could stop himself.

  ‘Yes?’ Though she spoke quietly, Iriana’s voice was a whetted blade. ‘Were you about to say I can’t keep watch because I’m blind?’

  ‘I didn’t mean—’

  ‘Then what, exactly, did you mean? Are you saying that just because I can’t see in the normal way, I’m no use for anything? Because that’s how it sounds to me. You’re always hovering, always watching, waiting for me to make mistakes—’

  ‘Iriana, I’m just trying to take care of you—’

  Even though she could not use them in the normal way, Iriana’s eyes were blazing. ‘Who in all Creation appointed you my keeper?’

  Esmon intervened, heading off the quarrel. ‘As a matter of fact, Avithan, Iriana may be best equipped of all of us for keeping watch at night, because she can use the senses of her animals, which are far more acute than ours would be in the dark. Pay close attention to all your creatures, Iriana, not just the one currently helping you to see. The owl will spot anything moving around the encampment in the dark long before the rest of us, and the horses will soon warn you if there’s anything dangerous around.’

  He took a deep breath and looked at Avithan and Iriana. ‘Now listen carefully, both of you. You’re on watch tonight. That means you are responsible for the safety of the camp, yourself and your companions. You’re not in the city any more - it’s dangerous out here. It’s time to grow up, the pair of you, and forget about squabbling. If you see or hear anything - anything - suspicious, wake the others at once. It doesn’t matter if it turns out to be a mistake. Never, ever try to deal with trouble on your own. If you lose, the rest of us will have no warning. I would rather have an interrupted sleep than be attacked in my bed by a bear or a slave because some idiot has tried to play the hero. Always, if you’re on guard, your first responsibility is to wake the others. Do you understand?’

  ‘Yes, Esmon,’ they chorused.

  The Warrior got to his feet. ‘Right. Avithan, go to bed - oh, and just before you go, there’s one more thing. When you’re on guard, don’t sit facing the fire. Put your back to it and look out into the woods. If your eyes are used to the firelight, you won’t see anything in the darkness. Remember to get up and move around from time to time. It’ll give you a fresh perspective and help keep you awake.’

  He turned to Iriana. ‘Iriana, wake me in three hours. You know how to set up a charm to sense the passing of time . . . And don’t, on any account, let that cat go wandering off, even though you may be tempted to send him out to scout. Remember, here in the forest, he’ll be prey for all sorts of wild creatures, and we certainly don’t want him attracting any bears to our campsite.’

  Startled, Iriana put a protective hand out to Melik. ‘Don’t worry, I’ll keep him close.’

  They all said their goodnights, then Avithan went to bed, though Iriana could plainly see that he was reluctant. She wished that she could somehow explain to him, and make things right between them, but how could someone who had enjoyed the privileges of sight all his life ever be made to understand just how important it was to her not to feel she was a burden on their group?

  Esmon, who had lingered, squatted down beside her and spoke softly, so that only the two of them could hear. ‘Iriana, I meant what I said about raising the alarm if you see or hear anything suspicious. I kno
w you want to show Avithan that you can manage every bit as well as those of us with ordinary vision - I would feel the same myself, were I in your position - but he’ll learn that as time goes on. Don’t risk all our lives to prove a point. Only an idiot would do that.’

  Iriana felt her face burning with embarrassment at having been so easily found out. How had Esmon known what was on her mind?

  The warrior gave her a wry grin. ‘I thought as much,’ he said. ‘It’s just exactly what I would want to do.’ Then the smile vanished abruptly. ‘Just don’t, that’s all.’

  With that, he scrambled to his feet and ducked into his tent, leaving Iriana in charge of the camp. Within each of their shelters, the Wizard could see a soft glow as her companions kindled a ball of magelight to light their way to bed. After a short while, the lights went out: Esmon’s first, followed by Avithan’s a little later. Iriana was alone on watch, thrilled that Esmon had believed her capable of handling such responsibility, and enjoying every moment of her solitary vigil. She looked around the campsite, switching between the eyes of Melik and the horses, then sent Seyka to glide into the surrounding forest on silent wings, circling the area around the clearing and scrutinising anything that moved.

  Though she’d had a long day’s ride, Iriana had no trouble staying awake. She was far too aware that the safety of the camp depended on her, too excited at the novelty of it all - and too determined to show Avithan that she could keep watch every bit as well as he could. With great firmness, she had expunged all encroaching thoughts of Challan from her mind. She had vowed that she wasn’t going to think of him any more, and with so much else to distract her, she seemed to be succeeding. It wasn’t so easy, however, to get Avithan out of her thoughts. She just couldn’t shake off the irritation she had felt when he’d protested against her keeping watch. She knew he liked her - as, for that matter, she liked him. But somehow she just couldn’t seem to make him believe that she could take care of herself, and until he understood that he didn’t have to protect her all the time, she wouldn’t let him come any closer to her. She wanted a partnership of equals when - and if - she finally chose a soulmate, and her pride wouldn’t let her settle for anything less.

  Iriana shrugged. Well, she would show him - and the best way to achieve that would be to give all her concentration to what she was supposed to be doing. Subsequently, she passed the time switching from the eyes of one of her animals to the next, utilising all the various differences in their vision to keep a careful watch, and she spent a good long while sharing the sights of the moonlit forest as Seyka flew her patrol. Using the senses of the owl and the cat, she soon found that she could put together a very accurate picture of all the living creatures in the surrounding area.

  Sure enough, there was a family of bears in the vicinity, and Iriana’s heart beat faster when Seyka spotted the mother and two young cubs. She was just about to wake Esmon when she realised that the owl had flown a wider loop this time, and the bears were almost a mile away. Furthermore, Melik’s more advanced sense of smell could detect the wet-dog odour of the bear very clearly, and she perceived that the encampment was well downwind of the mother and cubs, so there was little risk that the Wizards would be discovered. Nevertheless, Iriana used the owl to keep a close eye on the bears until they had wandered far away in the opposite direction, leaving her very pleased with herself that she had discovered the potential threat. Avithan or Esmon would never even have known that any dangerous predators had been close by!

  Sadly, she realised that she couldn’t tell them. No one who saw in the normal way seemed to be able to understand her unique link with her birds and animals. Esmon would be angry that she hadn’t awakened him, and probably wouldn’t trust her to keep watch again, and Avithan would agree with him. Iriana ground her teeth in frustration. She would just have to find another way to prove herself to Avithan - and one way or another, she meant to do just that.

  The object of her thoughts couldn’t sleep. For one thing, this was the first night they had camped out on their journey, and Avithan wasn’t used to a tent. His feet were frozen, and he was sure that the others must have saved all the lumps and bumps in the clearing, and put them under his blankets. What was worse, he felt very insecure with only the thinnest of fabrics between himself and the manifold dangers of the forest. The discomfort wasn’t really the problem, however. It would not have mattered if he had been staying in the most expensive and luxurious inn in Tyrineld, with a feather bed to sleep on, while Iriana was on his mind. He was vexed and baffled by her behaviour. Why did she have to be so antagonistic? All he wanted to do was take care of her. Was that so bad? Did she really find him so unattractive that she just kept shutting him out, in the hope that one day he would take the hint and leave her alone?

  After an hour or so of squirming around on his uncomfortable bed, it occurred to him that a different perspective might help. Esmon had plenty of experience with women - there always seemed to be a cluster of admiring females hanging around him when he was at home in Tyrineld. Maybe he would have an answer? Avithan hesitated for a while, reluctant to bring an outsider into his private business - as the son of the Archwizard, he had learned the hard way that there were very few people in whom he could safely confide. Also, if Iriana ever found out that he had been discussing her with Esmon behind her back, she would never forgive him. Eventually, however, his need for understanding overcame his scruples. He addressed the other man in mindspeech, shielding his thoughts very carefully so that Iriana should not overhear. ‘Esmon? Are you awake?’

  ‘I am now,’ the warrior replied, with a touch of irritation. ‘What’s wrong?’

  ‘I wanted to talk to you about Iriana.’

  Esmon sighed. ‘When you’re trading night watches, the idea is to GO TO SLEEP when it’s not your watch. Otherwise, when it is your turn on guard, you won’t be able to stay awake. And, unless it’s an emergency, you do not wake your comrades - who ought to be getting their sleep. Is that clear?’

  ‘I’m sorry,’ Avithan said. ‘But—’

  ‘Oh, all right. Tell me what the problem is, then with a bit of luck we can all get some rest.’

  ‘Well, you’ve seen the way Iriana acts towards me? What makes her so angry with me, Esmon? I only want to take care of her. Why is she always pushing me away when I’m trying to help her?’

  Esmon thought for a moment before he started to speak. He had a feeling that this matter, trivial as it first appeared, would have far-reaching consequences, and he had learned long ago to trust his instincts. ‘Put yourself in Iriana’s position,’ he said at last. ‘All her life she’s had well-meaning people - especially Zybina and your parents - trying to protect her, when all the time she wanted to be independent and do things for herself. How would you have felt, growing up with such restrictions?’

  Suddenly the Warrior began to mimic the overanxious tones which, when Avithan came to think about it, his parents and Zybina had always used around Iriana. ‘Don’t climb that tree, Iriana, you might fall. No, you can’t learn to swim, you might drown. Don’t run, dear - you might trip over something. Be sure and wrap up warm, we don’t want you catching cold. Here, let me get it for you, let me take you there, hold my hand so you don’t get lost. Let me cut your food up, let me help you with those buttons. You can’t go travelling, it would be too much for you to manage, and far too dangerous besides . . .’ His voice went back to normal. ‘Is any of this sounding familiar?’

  ‘Oh.’ Avithan’s own thoughts from earlier that evening echoed in his mind: She can’t take a watch - it isn’t safe. How often had he been guilty of doing exactly what his parents and Iriana’s foster-mother had done?

  ‘Like any child growing up,’ Esmon went on, ‘Iriana wanted to make her own decisions, and learn how to do things for herself, and because of her amazing affinity with her animals, she’s made a truly remarkable job of doing exactly that. But she just can’t win. No matter how much she accomplishes, well-meaning people still want to do thin
gs for her, to protect her from taking any chances - and without a little risk now and again, it’s impossible to achieve anything useful or exciting in life. With this overprotectiveness, they are denying Iriana her precious, hard-won independence and, at the same time, they are robbing her of her self-respect and undermining her confidence by implying that she’s not good enough to manage on her own. And the tragedy is, they’re only trying to help. Is it any wonder that she gets frustrated and annoyed?’

  Avithan thought of all the times he’d acted just as Esmon had described. ‘I’ve known her all her life, and it never once occurred to me—’

  ‘That’s the problem,’ the Warrior told him. ‘Most people have independence as a matter of course, so they don’t think anything of it, and don’t attach the same value to it, because they don’t have to fight tooth and nail, every hour of every day, to preserve it. It would be much easier for the Irianas of this world - and when you look around, there are plenty of them - just to lie back and let other people do everything for them. Why do they fight so determinedly to do things the hard way? It’s to preserve their self-respect. Without that, they might as well be dead.’