The Myatheira Chronicles: Volume Two: Beyond the Veil (57 page)

“Listen to your wife,” Uttae grunted. “She is capable of conducting business while you rest.”

“I know she is capable, however, I prefer to remain by her side. Her safety is my sole responsibility and her family is counting on me to bring her home in one piece,” Callum argued. Uttae covered the room in a few long strides, gripping Callum by the shoulders to press him onto his back. Callum groaned in pain, breathless from the sudden motion.

“Do not question my ability to keep the lady safe from harm. Broken bones will not mend if you don’t let them. If you want to get home, I suggest you lie still and allow them the time they need.”

It came as no surprise to Aiva. With the bruising on Callum’s skin, broken bones were to be expected. While the thought of leaving him to go off alone was unnerving, she knew it was for the best, and she was grateful for Uttae’s commanding words to insist Callum stay behind.

Uttae didn’t give Callum a chance to argue. Swiftly he moved toward the hall, taking Aiva’s arm to guide her from the room, closing the door behind them. “Come,” Uttae said, tugging her somewhat harshly along behind him. “I will take you into the village. We can talk on the way.”

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Chapter Eighteen

Uttae led her down the hallway, brightened by the sunlight filtering in through the thinly curtained windows. In the daytime the building resembled that of a well-constructed tree house. The floor was uneven in places, branches from some large tree creating odd shapes along the walls where the structure was built. When they reached the door he paused, motioning Aiva to come closer. “It will be faster this way,” he stated matter-of-factly.

She stared at him in confusion, unsure of what he wanted her to do. They were at a door. Could they not just walk outside? “I don’t understand.”

“Hold onto me unless you want to climb yourself. Though I must say, I doubt you could make the descent without me. No offense,” he chuckled, the sound seeming out of place for a man of his size and demeanor.

Tentative, Aiva stepped forward. Uttae was a tall man. Although Vor’shai women tended to be taller than those of the human races, she lacked several inches next to him. His upper body was bare, glistening with a layer of sweat from the heat and humidity already in the air despite the early morning hour. Standing on her tiptoes she reached her arms around his neck where he stooped down, allowing her to get a firm grip. She didn’t know what to expect. Climbing wasn’t something she was familiar with. Especially not like this. With her arms in place, Uttae straightened, his hands grabbing onto Aiva’s legs. She let out a yelp at the gruffness, embarrassed by the feeling of his long fingers wrapped around the lower part of her thighs, just above the knees. It wasn’t an area she was used to having a man anywhere near. Uttae seemed oblivious to her discomfort, positioning Aiva’s legs around his waist to keep her secured on his back.

There was barely enough time for her to adjust to the awkward placement before Uttae leapt through the open door, wind blowing in Aiva’s face from the speed and power of his jump. Frightened by the sudden drop she tightened her hold on Uttae. He was unaffected by her desperate hands clutched around his neck, his arms outstretched to the branches, swinging effortlessly amongst them. They were in the upper levels of a massive tree which loomed far above the ground. From the room where she and Callum stayed it had been obvious they were up high. She never suspected the height to be so great. The paths below looked miniature from where they began their descent, quickly increasing in size with every reach of Uttae’s arms and legs, guiding them through the trees with practiced ease. His long fingers and toes gripped the branches until they were within a few feet of the ground, releasing his hold to drop with a perfectly controlled landing on the balls of his feet, absorbing the impact of the fall.

Once on solid ground Aiva unclenched her whitened knuckles, sliding down Uttae’s back to stand rigid, shaking from the mere thought of the height from which they had just fallen. Lifting her gaze to the sky, she tried to make out an outline of the house, finding it lost among the dense green foliage. “Is that the only way down from your home?” she inquired, hoping he wouldn’t notice the tremble in her voice.

“There are other ways,” he replied absently, waving his hand to direct her forward. “That is merely the quickest.”

Following Uttae’s direction Aiva fell into step beside him on the path. They were deep within the jungle. The plant life was unfamiliar with leaves wide and long, creating a lush canopy overhead. “It is beautiful here,” she breathed, awed by the vision of the land around her. So many plants looked foreign, almost fake, as if they traveled along a masterful painting to create the backdrop. Occasionally her hand reached out to touch the leaves, verifying that they were in fact real.

“The village of Iachoor is not far from here,” Uttae explained. “I will see that you and your husband are outfitted for the time you remain. Our clothing will not be like your own, but it will be sufficient. If I am able to get you before King Ihklos, I cannot have you looking like you do.”

“Your King?” Aiva blinked. “You believe he will have an audience with us?”

“It is very possible. Etiquette expects him to at least entertain you long enough to hear your reasons for being on our land. To deny the daughter of an ally would be unlike him. He takes political friendships very seriously.” Uttae glanced over to Aiva sternly. “I need to know what you ask of us before I approach him. How much assistance do you require in seeing you safely from our shores?”

Aiva drew her shoulders back proudly. While she hated to ask for help, it was somehow easier to discuss matters with Uttae than it had been with Phaezut. Uttae was a known ally and friend of her family. It would take less effort to convince him. “We require very little,” she replied, confident. “My husband and I need only to reach the shores of the islands to the north. Any further arrangements for transportation can be handled there. My father and General Zerne will have a ship on the mainland of Luquarr to carry us the rest of the way home to Tanispa.”

Thinking over her words Uttae gave a slight nod. “That is a reasonable request. The islands to the north are no more than a day’s journey. If King Ihklos agrees to assist, it would take little effort to see you to the trade ports. I should warn you, however. Your husband will not be ready to travel for a while. He needs to remain off his feet for at least a week before I will even consider letting him onto a boat. I would prefer he stay immobile longer. How soon do you hope to be on your way?”

“Regrettably we must be on the water as soon as possible. You see… it is not a mere vacation which brings us south.” Aiva nibbled her lip thoughtfully. She wasn’t sure if it would do any good to make the Tunirons aware of their predicament with the pirates, yet she felt compelled to explain the reason for their intrusion. If she could garner greater sympathy from him and his people, it would increase the chances of King Ihklos’s approval. “A particular band of pirates kidnapped my sister. We have been traveling for weeks to catch up with them. It was an unfortunate accident which led to our ship falling prey to the divastru, but the rest of the surviving crew has continued on to the Luquarrian mainland where we believe my sister to have been taken. The sooner we rejoin them, the more help we can offer my father and the General in getting her back.”

“The pirates are not people you want to make enemies of,” Uttae frowned. “They are elusive and many are skilled fighters, for their kind. Even more reason why your husband should allow his body time to heal.”

Aiva gazed ahead. It would be Uttae’s decision in the end. Nothing she said would convince him to let Callum go before he was ready. Her concern was in the amount of time they had already lost. The days on Tunir blended together and Uttae discussed plans to keep them for another week. Possibly more. If he held them much longer, there would be no chance of catching up with the others. If Edric was still alive, he would be nearly halfway to Luquarr by now.

A pressure inside her chest struck at the thought of Edric and her uncertainty of his fate. He and the others had been boarding the lifeboats, but there was no way to be sure they ever reached them. What if the divastru found them? On the tiny wooden crafts Gadiel and Edric would be no match for a creature of such size and strength. Aiva had seen what it did to Callum. While he miraculously survived, it would be unlikely such a miracle would be granted again.

Saddened by the possibility, she let herself continue onward, eyes downcast to the soft soil at her bare feet. She couldn’t let herself give up. Not after she’d come so far. Edric had to be alive. If he wasn’t, she believed she would somehow know. In her heart she felt he was still on the water. After the length of time at sea, he would be starved and exhausted, but alive. Their father would see him back to health once they reached Luquarr. There was nothing Aiva could do for them now. She had to focus on Callum. If she could find a way to improve his condition, they would be on their way soon enough. It was just a matter of how. Broken bones would be more complicated to heal even with the teachings she learned from Faustine.

Voices could be heard drifting on the air around them, drawing Aiva from her reverie. Lifting her head, she saw they had entered a clearing; ramshackle buildings littering the outer border. Larger structures dotted the inner paths of the village, the thatched roofs appearing sturdy and well-constructed. Newer than those around them. She covered her mouth with her hand to conceal her shock at the sight of the people wandering throughout the clearing. The men resembled Uttae, dressed in nothing but varying lengths and styles of loincloths, their bare chests exposed to reveal the strong muscles. It was the women which caused Aiva to blush, finding many of them dressed in similar styles to the men, uncovered aside from a strip of cloth at their waists.

In disbelief she turned to Uttae, suddenly fearful of what clothing he intended to provide. She was not going to bare her body in such a way to everyone around her. It would be disgraceful. Beyond inappropriate for a lady of the Vor’shai. Her mouth opened in protest, a memory of her first conversation with Uttae causing her to close it again. Anything she said would sound insulting toward their people and culture the way it had when she mentioned Uttae’s grasp on a common dialect. While among the Vor’shai it was improper for a lady to show so much skin, it was common in Tunir. If she argued it to be indecent, Uttae might believe her to consider their women indecorous. She would have to think of a more tactful way to inquire of her wardrobe.

“Your women do not wear much for cover. I must say I am surprised, after seeing the way your daughter conceals her body.”

A wide grin flashed over Uttae’s features. “My daughter conceals herself as part of her profession. She is the local witch. Her dress sets her apart so she is recognized by the villagers.” Out of the corner of his eye he stole a glance at Aiva, his smile widening. “Do not worry yourself. We will find something suitable for your modesty. I know you Vor’shai lack the confidence and maturity to don the clothing of my people without creating a stir.”

Offended by the remark Aiva found herself unable to prevent a retort. They may be in his land, but if he was not going to show respect for the practices of her people, she felt no need to sugarcoat her comments regarding his. “The Vor’shai do not suffer a lack of confidence and maturity. It is simply a difference in standard practice. Your women dress the way they do for whatever reasons of heat and simplicity. The ladies of Tanispa dress the way we do because we consider it inappropriate for a woman to show herself to anyone other than her husband.”

Uttae came to an abrupt stop, turning to look Aiva over appraisingly. “A proud specimen you are,” he mused. “That is an admirable trait. I expected you to hold back.”

“It matters not what country I am in. I will defend my people. If you were in my position, I believe you would do the same,” she nodded, averting her eyes to stare toward the village once again. “While I intended no offense, I refuse to let anyone speak poorly of those in the country which my parents govern.”

Resuming his brisk pace toward the center of the clearing Uttae gave a sharp nod. “You and your husband share many of the traits your parents exhibited during my time in your land. With your courage and tenacity, I have no doubt you will find your sister and take down every pirate in your path along the way. May the spirits have mercy on their souls.”

Surprised by the compliment Aiva fell silent. There was nothing to be said in response. If he thought so highly of her, she didn’t want to risk doing anything more which might lessen his praise.

He beckoned her forward to one of the buildings, pausing just under an overhang out front to wait for Aiva to join him. Through the door Aiva stared in awe at the sight of the interior. Walls were lined with weapons and hunting accessories. Blades polished to a brilliant sheen while the belts and quivers were made of the finest leather and animal hide to create a sturdy product. A younger Tuniron woman sat behind a makeshift desk, her head lifting to greet them with a smile as they entered.

Uttae struck up a conversation with the woman in their native tongue, leaving Aiva to listen in confusion to the odd grunts and noises which comprised their language. She didn’t need to know what they discussed. If Uttae felt it necessary for her to know, he would translate.

Distracted, she began a slow circle around the shop, admiring the wares set out for sale. If only Callum could be there! He would appreciate the craftsmanship of the daggers and swords. They would need something more than his lone blade to defend themselves in a battle against the pirates. When Callum was better, they would have to see about returning to this store before leaving for the islands.

The young woman approached Aiva with a look of concentration, a piece of string in one hand and a long wooden rod in the other. Blackened slashes could be seen across varying points on the instrument as the woman stood it beside Aiva, notching it with a knife to mark some unknown measurement. With the string, she wrapped it around Aiva’s waist, nodding to Uttae in agreement of something, her words quick and sharp to discuss whatever it was she had found.

Fascinated by the scene Aiva let her eyes wander back to the two, watching them intently. It didn’t require words for her to determine that they spoke of clothes. Was Uttae having something fashioned for her? Specific to the tastes of the Vor’shai? Aiva doubted whether their seamstresses would be familiar with how to cut a dress of such foreign design. They had no need for wearing so much fabric in Tunir. It would only add to the heat and cling to the skin from sweat caused by the wretched humidity. She couldn’t blame them for wearing so little. If she had to live there for an extended period of time, she believed her modesty would be overruled by a desire to maintain a cooler temperature and leave her just as exposed as the Tuniron women.

“It is done,” Uttae stated suddenly, the words piercing through Aiva’s thoughts with their clarity. “By nightfall we will have you out of those rags and into something more fitting. For now we should get you back to the house. I must leave with my men tonight and will be gone for a few days. While I am away, you can make yourself useful by assisting Enokih in her work.”