Part 16 (1/2)

”One, and Andalor's pack horse.”

* * * By the end of the tenday, they reached the pa.s.s over Stone Mountain. Dark clouds filled the sky and made the sun appear as a pale circle. Brader chose to camp inside the pa.s.s where tumbled rocks s.h.i.+elded them from the worst of the wind. Disa rubbed her arms and stamped her feet. She huddled near the small fire. Brader strode to the end of the pa.s.s. When he returned, he took the mug of kaf she handed him.

”There's a problem,” he said. ”The trail down the mountain has been obliterated by rock slides.”

Andalor smiled. ”So we must retrace our steps.”

”How bad?” Liara asked.

”Hard to tell. Most of the trees are gone so there'll be little wood for fires.”

”And the caves?” Liara asked.

”Appear to be untouched.”

Andalor opened a skin of tragon and added some to his mug before pa.s.sing it to Stilenta. ”Have ye been this way before?”

Liara shook her head. ”The details are from a map.”

”Do ye have a copy?”

”In my head.”

”And mine.” Brader prodded the ponies until they lay on their sides and formed another barrier against the wind. ”When morning comes, we will decide if we can make the trip down.” He looked at Andalor. ”I'm not sure your horse will survive.”

”I won't abandon him. He's served me well.”

Valmir looked up. ”Mayhaps we should divide the supplies; in case one of the beasts is lost, we will still have food and firewood.”

”And medicinals,” Stilenta reached for that pack and began to distribute the packets.

Disa was dismayed to see how their store of dried foods had dwindled. The absence of game had forced them to use more than they had planned. ”The chakla's mine.”

Brader laughed.

Andalor rolled his eyes. ”Someday, I'll write a song about the tavernmaid who scorned the offerings of the tavern for chakla, sweet chakla.” ”I can't wait to hear it.” She wished this moment would last. For a short time, Andalor had become one with them. Then his expression changed and he again became the man who'd tried to force her to leave her friends and join the Queen. * * * Dark clouds again covered the sky. Disa stared down the steep rubble-strewn slope. There was room for but one pony to move through the narrow way that had once been a wide opening. She glanced upward and saw huge boulders on the slopes near the peak of Stone Mountain.

”What happened?” she asked.

”Rockslides,” Liara said. ”Caused by melting snow followed by freezing rain. Makes the rocks s.h.i.+ft.”

”Will we be safe?” Disa asked.

Brader cupped her shoulder with his hand. Amazing, she thought. She felt the warmth through the many layers of clothes she wore. 'Twas as warm as flesh to flesh.

”Ye must move with care. Liara will go first. If the caves are there and useable, she'll wave her kerchief. Then Valmir will follow. There is another pa.s.s but it's kils from here and close to where I think the dire wolves are laired.”

Disa shuddered. She had no wish to face those beasts again. Liara led the pony through the opening and started down the rock-strewn slope. Disa tried to memorize her friend's route. Right around the ebon boulder. Then left to go between the pair of jagged rocks. After what seemed like forever, Liara waved a red kerchief.

”Valmir,” Brader said.

The Desert Rider followed the path Liara had taken. Disa's heart pounded. She would be next. Did she have the courage to follow when she knew the destination was a cave?

When she received Brader's nod, she tugged on the pony's reins. A dislodged stone rolled ahead of her and gathered speed. She nearly froze but the pony tapped her back with his nose. Finally, she reached the ledge where Liara stood. Her panic must have shown. Liara smiled. ”Well done. 'Tis a double cave. We'll camp in the right and the mounts will be in the left. Valmir has started a fire. Ye might want to start a kaf and ryn porridge.”

Disa took two pans from her pony's pack and filled them with snow. She strode into the cave where a fire provided the only light. After placing the pans on the stones jutting over the flames, she returned to the ledge.

”Will we all fit?” she asked.

”We'll be cozy but we'll need the warmth.” Liara pointed to the sky. ”Those clouds promise snow or freezing rain.”

Though Disa would prefer to spread her blanket on the ledge to sleep beneath the open sky, she knew

that would be a foolish move. As she stared at the slope, a chill mixture of rain and snow began. Disa clenched her hands. Would Brader and Andalor be all right? She s.h.i.+vered.

”Go in by the fire,” Liara said.

”'Tis not the cold.” She wrapped her arms across her chest. Mayhaps this day would see her return the

life to Andalor. Stilenta arrived. ”'Tis a bit slick. Andalor's horse has balked. Brader will bring him.” Disa stared toward the peak. A bolt of lightning struck the rocks above the pa.s.s and sent a boulder toward the figures on the slope. Then Andalor's horse rolled past, followed by one of the ponies. ”Brader,” Disa cried. Liara grasped her arm. ”They will be fine. Brader has experience with rock slides.” The thunderous noise of the falling debris stilled. Disa saw Brader supporting Andalor. The two men reached the ledge. ”Something's not right,” Brader said. ”This isn't the kind of storm that draws lightning.” Andalor sank to his knees. ”I owe ye a life.” Brader shook his head. ”Of what use would a life be to an armsman? We do not hold to that code.

Keep your life and give it elsewhere.” Disa turned and yelled. A bolt of lightning struck the mountain. This time, a great wave of rocks and snow rolled down the slope. She shoved Brader into the cave. He grabbed Andalor's arm. The noise obliterated their voices. When Disa turned, she saw the cave opening was blocked. She pushed against the barrier with her hands, but the ma.s.s was solid. ”We will die,” she cried. ”I can't breathe.” Tears streamed down her face. Brader put his arms around her. ”Ye will be all right. We will get out in the morning.”

”I know it's foolish to fear closed s.p.a.ces but when I was a child, Fancher used to lock me in a chest as a punishment.” Brader stroked her cheek. ”'Tis all right to have fears. I nearly drowned and I still fear water that's deeper than my chest.”

”For me, 'tis being alone,” Stilenta said.

”Crowds for me,” Valmir said. ”And sea storms.”

”For me, 'tis the mages.” Andalor opened his lute case. ”Since they took my brother, I have chills when I

see one. I fear they will know...” Stilenta raised the Blue and focused it on the ma.s.s of snow, rock and ice. Slowly, a hole appeared and cold air touched Disa's face. She looked at her friend. ”My thanks.” Liara stood at the entrance to the second cave. ”Come, there is ryn porridge with fruit and kaf. We must eat and then sleep. Tomorrow will be soon enough to dig ourselves out.” Though Disa wished for chakla, she accepted a mug of kaf. As she sipped, she wondered how long it would be before they could replenish their supplies. How much had been lost on the horse and pony? After eating, she curled into her blankets and fell into a light sleep.

* * * ”Reena, 'tis Andalor. I travel with the Blue...” ”Nay,” Disa screamed. ”Ye will not betray us.” She hit his hand. A dark object fell on the cave floor and she crushed it with her foot. Andalor screamed and collapsed.