Call of the Herald (28 page)

Nat retrieved his staff from the sand. Then
he stood before Catrin, facing those assembled. "Behold the Herald
of Istra! She calls you to your duty. Will the tribes of Arghast
answer her call?"

Catrin was startled by the ululating cry that
rose from the throats of the Arghast and was overwhelmed when she
saw that the horses, too, had gone to their knees. And her mentor
and strength, Benjin, was prostrate on the ground.

Her power and accomplishment would have
exhilarated her at any other time, but the day's events had been
exhausting and she was lightheaded. Her vision fading, she grew
dizzy and fell to the sand.

* * *

Standing before the fountain, where before
had been nothing more than sand and rock, Vertook was in awe. No
power could have been more moving to him than to bring water to the
desert, no feat more seemingly unachievable. All his life he had
waited for this moment, waited for some event to prove his life had
meaning. Now that he had witnessed that event, he realized his
entire life had been wasted, wandering from one dried up hole to
another. For him, nothing would ever be the same. The things that
had meant the most to him in life, besides his wife and his horse,
suddenly were meaningless. All that mattered now was to serve
Catrin, to protect her so that she might bring water to all the
world.

He made in a moment a decision that should
have been agonizing, yet it was surprisingly simple. "Harat!" he
said without taking his gaze from the water. Only a moment later,
he felt Harat by his side, sensed the calm determination and sense
of honor that had always marked him as a leader. Without saying a
word, Vertook untied the sash that looped over his left
shoulder--passing directly over his heart. He'd taken reassurance
from it many times, knowing that the sash of the leader would
protect his valiant yet frail heart. Now he no longer needed it,
but even more, he could no longer uphold the responsibilities that
came along with the sash. Remaining silent, he handed the sash to
Harat, who hesitated to take it. Vertook thrust the sash into
Harat's hand, his final command as tribal leader. Harat took a step
back, placed his hand over his heart, and when he bowed down, tears
fell from his eyes.

As Harat walked away, Vertook pulled his gaze
from the fountain long enough to watch the man who would now
protect and guide those he loved. Tears fell from his own cheeks as
he released the responsibilities he had worked so hard to obtain.
Harat placed the sash underneath his garment, as of yet unwilling
to reveal Vertook's wishes. He walked quietly through the crowd as
if nothing out of the ordinary had occurred, and Vertook breathed a
mighty sigh of relief; he had chosen well.

* * *

Not far from where Vertook stood, Chase,
Strom, and Osbourne gathered.

"When she said to dig, I wasn't expecting . .
. I mean . . ." Strom began, but he just trailed off and
shrugged.

"I know," Chase said. "I can't believe it
either."

"How did she know?" Osbourne asked, looking
at the fountain. "How does she do these things?"

"I don't know," Chase said. "I don't
understand any of it, and I really want to. This whole thing just
keeps getting bigger, and I don't know where it'll stop." He knew
he should try to be more positive for the sake of the others, but
he couldn't help but speak what was on his mind. "I just don't want
to see Cat get hurt. You know how she is."

"The first time I ever met her," Osbourne
said, "she was all dirty and scraped up from catching one of our
pigs that got loose. The pig was nearly as big as she was, but she
carried him all the way across the field to bring him to us. Looked
like she took a tumble or two on her way too. She cried 'cause she
thought he was hurt."

"I met her at Master Jarvis's lessons," Strom
said. "She always looked sad and fragile after her mom died." His
words were met with silence heavy with emotion.

"I know I've said this before," Osbourne said
without looking up, "but I'm really sorry about your mom and
Catrin's mom and Strom's dad. I wish they didn't die."

Chase kicked the sand in front of him. He
chastised himself for letting a tear gather in his eye. The pain
should be forgotten, he thought, those wounds long since healed,
but they were not. When he noticed Strom struggling with pain of
his own, it made him feel no better.

Osbourne shifted his weight from foot to foot
in the uncomfortable silence. "What do we do now?" He asked, his
voice betraying his anxiety.

Chase put a hand over his growling stomach,
"I think we should try to track down some food."

Chapter 18

Of all the varied life forms on the planet
Godsland, the pyre-orchid is the most curious, only blooming in the
wake of forest fires.

--Sister Munion, Cathuran monk

* * *

Catrin opened her eyes for a moment, adjusted
the pillow beneath her head, and pulled soft blankets over her
shoulders. The morning air was cool, and she closed her eyes to
drift back to sleep when voices awakened her. When she became fully
aware, she noticed her surroundings. She lay on a light, fluffy bed
with a similarly made pillow, which she guessed were both stuffed
with down.

A small tent, made of sheer material, shaded
her. The breeze passed through the fabric, but bugs could not. It
was artfully made and was doubtless the finest the Arghast had to
offer. Still dressed in the clothes she'd lived in for days, she
was in desperate need of a good bath. Pushing back the tent flap,
she walked out into a bright glare that momentarily blinded her,
and she heard the sudden murmur of many hushed voices. When her
vision cleared, she found all of the Arghast watching her intently.
She was not sure what they expected, but their stares were intense
and disconcerting. It took some time for her to decide what to say
to the assembled crowd, and what came from her mouth was the plain
truth.

"If I could trouble someone to help me, I am
quite hungry. Is there any food left from the morning meal?" she
asked almost timidly. The activity resulting from her request was
astounding, and it seemed they all felt compelled to try to help.
Some men scrambled to set up a small table; others made a
comfortable seat for her from several large cushions, and still
others erected a makeshift sunshade made of the same material as
her tent.

She sat at the table and waited. People began
to approach her with a lavish array of foods. Women were now part
of the group, some in typical female clothing and others dressed
like the men. Catrin had seen no women the day before and was
surprised to see them now. The crowd was now nearly double the
number she recalled. Men and women offered fruits, meats, breads,
and one elderly man brought her more of the drink she remembered
Vertook had given her. Catrin recognized him from his castigation
of the tribal leaders, but he gave her a kindly smile.

"What is this drink?"

"Desert mist," he responded with a wink. "How
to make is secret, something only spoke in private. We speak alone
soon, yes?"

"Yes, of course, and thank you." She paused
to take a sip of the desert mist. "What are you called, sir?" she
asked.

"Called Aged Goat by most," he said with a
toothless grin, "but true name is Mika. You call me Mika. Yes?"

"Indeed, Mika, I will," she responded warmly,
and Mika retreated through the masses. Catrin had never been served
in such a way, and she found it disquieting; it felt wrong to
accept their generosity, to be selfish and indulgent, but it seemed
just as wrong to refuse their gifts.

Her hunger sated, she wanted a nap, but more
than that she desperately wanted to get clean. As if someone were
reading her mind, several women approached Catrin with soft towels
and scented soaps. One motioned for her to follow and walked toward
the towering fountain Catrin had created. She was delighted to see
a pond forming outward from the fountain, and she hoped it would
continue to grow. She envisioned a lush oasis nestled in the
valley, full of life and vigor--a jewel in the desert.

Two women unfolded a large, thick cloth,
which they held up for privacy. Catrin took soap that smelled of
peppermint then undressed and dipped her toes into the water. It
was bitterly cold, and the frigid spray made her shiver, but she
was thankful for the opportunity to get clean. The shallow water at
the edge was not quite as cold, and she used it to wash herself.
The soap created a rich, aromatic lather, and Catrin lavished in
the fragrance as she washed off the grime of many days.

When she emerged from the pool, the same
woman who had led her to the pond brought her a soft towel. She
dried herself and looked for her clothes, but they were not where
she had left them. Another woman approached with clothes similar to
Catrin's. She knew that it had taken them much thought and effort
to find these for her, and she felt almost unworthy. She put on the
borrowed clothes, and they were a fair fit. The shirtsleeves were a
little long, but she rolled them up, insisting that it was just the
way she liked her sleeves.

There was more food and drink when she
returned from her bathing, and Benjin and the boys were there too.
In the flurry of the morning, she had not thought of them, and she
was relieved to see they were fine--just dirty. The women offered
the towels and soap to them, and they wasted no time in getting to
the fountain.

The leaders had congregated nearby, looking
subdued and clearly waiting for her to speak first. With her hunger
satiated and her friends attended to, Catrin turned her attention
to them.

"Leaders of the Arghast tribes, will you sit
with me?" Slowly the men began to come forward and seat themselves
on the ground around her. As Catrin lowered herself to the ground,
several rushed to get her a cushion, but she declined with a smile.
"I've not come here to rule you or to be worshipped by you. I'm a
simple girl, not a goddess or a queen. I don't place myself above
you. Speak freely and know your worth."

There was confusion in the crowd, and Vertook
approached Catrin. He repeated what she said in his own words and
she nodded. With Vertook translating, Catrin continued, trying to
find simple words to express complex things. "I praise your leaders
for their devotion to truth, for they did not blindly accept my
claims or the words of Nat Dersinger. They chose to make me prove
myself, just as I would have done. I've now proven my power to you,
and we need to reach an understanding. We must put aside any
mistakes we've made and forgive others for hurting us," she said,
pausing. Murmurs passed through the crowd as Vertook translated.
When she addressed them again, she spoke louder.

"Will the tribes of Arghast protect the
Herald of Istra?" she asked. The people raised their voices in a
high, ululating cry and shook their fists above their heads before
Vertook even spoke. Catrin raised her hands to them, requesting
silence. She spoke again.

"Tribes of Arghast! Embrace your duty and
take pride in what you have already done. You answered the Call of
the Herald, and your valor will not be forgotten. You have pledged
yourselves to the Herald, and she calls you to battle. How do you
answer?" Their cries echoed off the mountains and reverberated
along the peaks.

"The Godfist is under attack. Invaders have
come to destroy us. The Godfist needs a defender, and the Herald of
Istra calls on the tribes of Arghast because they are strong, they
are fierce, and they will prevail!" she said, the words spilling
forth from her heart. Vertook translated her words with as much
emotion as she had expressed, and then he started the crowd
shouting "Catrin" in unison. The chanting grew louder and louder.
She raised her arms, and the crowd hushed.

"I thank you for your bravery and honor. Take
great pride in yourselves and your mighty nation. I will meet with
your leaders, and we will make our plans. Many blessings to you
all!" As the crowd dispersed, Catrin returned to her seat.

"You very gracious, Lady Catrin. We honor and
support you. We have many gifts to give upon you, and we have
sorrow for doubting of you," Vertook said then took a deep breath.
He continued hesitantly. "I been asked again to speak for all
Arghast. Others not understand your talk as much."

"Please speak how you feel, Vertook, and so
will I," she said, smiling. Turning to the men closest to her, she
said, "Please tell me your names and the names of your people."

The leaders smiled and nodded, and each
introduced himself: Harat introduced himself as the chief of the
Viper clan. Catrin cast a confused glance at Vertook, who had
previously claimed to be chief of the Viper clan, but he said
nothing. Halmsa was chief of the Wind clan, Irvil of the Sun clan,
Malluke of the Horse clan, Spenwar of the Scorpion clan, and Cheslo
of the Cactus clan.

"I am honored to know the names of the
revered leaders of the Arghast. As you have received me, I pledge
to protect you with all of my strength. But now I have to ask for
your help. I must leave the Godfist on a boat, and the enemy
soldiers will try to stop me." She knew she could be risking the
entire Arghast nation by involving them in a war, but she did not
know what to do but follow her instincts and hope they were
right.

"I need some time with my Guardians," she
said, and as Vertook started to stand, she asked, "Vertook, would
you please stay here and plan our escape? We can meet again
later."

"Vertook is glad to do that," was his reply,
and he turned to the group and began to talk with the leaders.

"Greetings, Lady Catrin," Nat said as he
walked toward her. He wore clean clothes, and his hair was not as
wild as usual.