Sekali, "The Sister City"
Chapter 31
As Uther kept the watch, his hand strayed unconsciously to the shaft of his broad-bladed axe. He stepped to the edge of the camp, the sound of the wolves unnerving him. He was from the Iron Hills of Tremor Keep, where wolves grew unnaturally large and vicious, claiming the unwary and the careless, not to mention many livestalk that wandered outside the protection of the guard. He looked over at Finyat, holding up the burning branch, peering with his keen eyes into the darkness. The dwarf grunted and stalked over to where Sekali lay sleeping.
"Elf! Get up. Wolves surround us."
Sekali rose instantly, coming out of his wolf dream as Mabuhi shot Uther a despairing look. But Sekali turned toward the sound of the last howl, eyes wide, a look on his face that Mabuhi grew curious about. She neared his side and looked out into the night.
"What is it, Sekali?" she whispered.
Without looking at her he raised a finger to his lips and whispered, "Shhh, never have I beheld such a land."
Sekali motioned toward the western sky. "I believe the wolves are allies. I'm not sure how I know, but I just know. I feel excitement in their songs, and enjoy the dreams I have of them."
He stood in silence, noticing her posture, the set determination, and her confidence. She was unafraid, as she was in his dream.
"Mabuhi, those are your wolves."Raising an eyebrow, she looked up at him. She nodded once, with scarcely a move.
"Yes," she whispered. He did not seem surprised.
Sekali came to full alert as Uther turned and glared at him, the dwarf thumbing his axe. It would have to be quick, Uther, then Finyat. Sekali blenched, correcting his thoughts instantly. He turned to her.
"I stir from a dream in which you and I walk among wolves. When I wake, half my dream is true. I believe in signs." Sekali walked to the center of camp and built up the fire.
As evening turned into the early hours of predawn, the flames died down, leaving the glowing embers amidst the cooling ashes. He cooked breakfast for Mabuhi and took it to her. Gratefully she accepted it, and asked him to eat with her. He accepted and knelt beside her, yet not touching her blanket.
"Sekali, tell me about your dream. Give me all the details.”
He recited the entire dream to her, especially detailing the scene with the black wolf. "Mabuhi, it looked to be the same wolf as the other night.”
She nodded slowly, as if caught in a waking dream. "You are right, sir. It is a sign. I need to go, now. Gather up camp and let us be gone."
Sekali stood and bowed, taking her traveling dish, leaving her to gather her belongings. Once packed, he knelt again at Mabuhi's side, listening to everything around him. Mabuhi peered out into the darkness, hands shaking slightly.
The wolves were calling to her.
Sekali walked over to the other two. He stopped, eyeing them critically. As if dumbfounded, with a tinge of insolence as their only personality trait, they stared back at him.
"Be ready to travel soon,” Sekali said as he turned and left them.
He approached the coals of the fire, thinking about the company he traveled with. Kneeling, he lowered himself to the ground and began blowing on the embers. When they heated sufficiently, he warmed his hands, staring at the fire’s glow, fanned to life by small breaths of wind. The sight of the bed of coals, coming to life with every shift of the wind's current threatened to propel him into that nightmare once again.
Finyat rose to his feet in absolute silence, staring at him, distinguishable thoughts of unkindness in his eyes.
"Who in the underworld does he think he is?" His words passed between his teeth like a snake's hiss. Uther shrugged and whispered so that just Finyat could hear. Mabuhi walked out of camp folding her arms about her thin waist as Uther eyed her critically.
"Should we kill them?"
Voices of the wolves drifted steadily upon the gentle morning wind, helping Finyat to make a quick decision. He shook his head.
“We shall see, Uther, we shall see.” Finyat looked out into the darkness, then at the dwarf still sitting on his bedroll.
Uther looked unconcerned about the wolves, though his axe was in hand. He watched Sekali warming his hands over the coals.
Sekali heard their conversation, the brightening of his eyes his only reaction. He contemplated the match between himself and them. The dwarf first, then the Shallant; it will take no more than a few moments. But his given oath came to mind, and he abandoned the thought. He grimaced at the coals. Never before have I given such an oath! At night, when he would try to sleep, he had felt the fool for trapping himself. But she was nigh her destination; his oath would be fulfilled.
The hearing of words with murder in them caused him to shift position around the fire, feigning to warm his hands where some coals were giving off more heat.
"Elf! Let's kill the woman and be on with this adventure of yours!"
Sekali flinched at the dwarf’s words. He looked over at him as he rose to his feet. In challenge, Uther stood and walked over to stand in front of him.
"What say you?" the dwarf growled. "She is bad luck. Listen to those wolves out there. She tricked us into coming out here. Her goal is to kill us all and take everything we have."
Sekali moved close to the dwarf and bent down into his face. "Your thoughts reveal your heart. Touch her not," Sekali moved closer, his face almost touching Uther's, "Touch -- her not." He straightened, glaring at the dwarf. Once his oath was fulfilled, he would rediscuss this issue.
Uther growled dangerously, causing Finyat to jump to his feet. The Shallant came and placed himself between the two. He glanced up at Sekali and smiled nervously, then turned to Uther.
"Uther, when we finish this escort, we will have all the time in the world to explore the ruins. Think about it, wealth untold!"
Uther hastily glanced at Finyat, that dangerous look still in his eyes.
"I hate elves!" he spat. He turned, and stalked off pretending to finish packing.
Finyat turned and almost put a hand on Sekali, then decided against it. Sekali said nothing as he watched Finyat. The Shallant whispered, "The witch makes him nervous. You understand.” Finyat walked away.
The three were unaware of Mabuhi’s return. She was standing at the edge of the camp, and whether she had heard everything, they did not know. There was a deep concern in her eyes as she brushed and smoothed her traveling robes. Sekali noticed her and immediately walked to her side, standing sentinel as she made sure her pack was situated acceptably.
While she did so, Sekali watched the other two. He thought of Uther's adept nature with an axe as the howling of the wolves filled his ears. He could smell them strongly now . . . near.