Page 62 of Corvak's Challenge

"The sa-khui—those are the natives, the descendants of the mesakkah that were stranded here generations ago—go on long hunts. They fill the caves in the area with extra skins and food and supplies. The hunters make sure that these caves always have weapons and skins and fire-making implements, so no one is caught in the wild without supplies. There's one in particular that's a half a day's brisk walk south of here, in a valley that's thin and shaped like a crescent. Do you know the one I'm speaking of?"

I have to think for a moment. There are many valleys and crevices all around the mountains. The most narrow one I can recall was in the south, and I have to think for a moment. "The one with the hot stream flowing through it?"

"That's the one." Valmir seems relieved that I recall the location. "Excellent. It will take me and Aidy a little longer to get there, but I know there are supplies and weapons. It's a safe spot, and they shouldn't notice us if we're that far away."

I nod slowly. "I like that idea. I want Aidy to be safe, more than anything."

"I understand, trust me." Valmir's expression is sober for a change. "I'll look after her until you join us. And since there's already a good deal of supplies there, we don't need to wait any longer. I can manage walking on my ankle. We've got the scent plants and enough food for a day or two. We're ready to go."

Are we? I want to turn back to where Aidy is bathing in the warm pool. She's been floating on her back, just relaxing in the water. Today is one of her bad stomach days, and she says the heat helps her. She can float all day if it makes her happy. I just want to take care of her. Even so, I'm not sure if we're ready to go just yet. There is more we can do. More weapons to be crafted, more herbs to be gathered to mask scents, more reminding the metlaks that I plan on leaving. Aidy and I have been piecing together a costume that looks a bit like the carvings, so I can wear it when I lead them out and reinforce the idea that I am their Great One…and that I am leaving. But the costume is not done. I rub my jaw, thinking. Valmir is far too eager to leave and it makes me want to stay for that reason alone. "I will need to talk with Aidy."

Valmir pushes up from his seat, as if he can launch himself in the air. "About what? There's nothing to wait on? Are we leaving or not?"

I scowl at him, readying my reply?—

Snarls break out on the ledge. The hooting escalates to a furious degree, and there's a sharp yelping sound followed by scuffling and what sounds like a high-pitched, animalistic scream. Another fight is breaking out. I rush to the entrance, ready to step in. I'm shocked to see that the snow-people have piled onto a smaller one and are ripping him apart. Blood spatters the snow, and they hiss and hoot and tear the weaker one to shreds.

"Stop!" I bellow and signal at the same time. "Stop it!"

They ignore me, still fighting. The snow turns red around them, and I'm revolted at the sight. No one is stopping the attackers—because they see them eating, and now they want a bite. They don't care that moments ago the murdered creature was one of them. They just want fresh meat.

How did I ever think this would be a good army? They might be people, but they are not like any people I care to know.

"Corvak?" Aidy asks in a soft voice.

"Don't come out here," I say, turning around to face her. She has a thick fur wrapped around her, cloaking her naked body. There's a look of confusion on her face, and I stride across the cave to her side. I don't want her to see what the snow-people are doing. She has a soft heart and it will hurt her. She will feel responsible. "Don't look, Aidy."

"Are they fighting?" she asks, gazing up at me when I block her view of the entrance. "Is everything okay?"

I shake my head. "You don't want to see it, love. Trust me."

Her expression falls. "Oh." There's another pained yelp from outside and she flinches.

"They are beyond listening." I want to cover her ears, because the sounds they make are horrible. "I'm so sorry."

She is quiet, leaning against me for strength. "It's our fault. We created this problem. I'm worried, Corvak."

I stroke her wet hair back from her face. The time for waiting is over. I can prepare forever, but no amount of prepared food will win against the savagery of what they're doing outside. What if they decide that they should enter the cave? What if they tear Aidy to pieces? The thought makes my blood cold. "That is why you are leaving in the morning. You and Valmir will head out once I lead the snow-people away. He knows the place to go."

In the distance, I hear Valmir sigh with satisfaction. "Keffing finally."

She looks up at me, startled. "What? Tomorrow? We're not ready?—"

"We're not staying. Not while the snow-people get more violent. We're ready enough." I hate the sight of her panic. Her gaze roams over me, her body tense, and I know she's going toprotest. "You and Valmir will go to a cave full of supplies and I will lead them away and fake my death. Just like we planned."

"But…" She trails off, as if realizing her protests are not going to get anywhere. Then she bites her lip. "I hate this."

"I do, too, but it is the only way we extricate ourselves from a problem of our own making."

She nods, then pulls away from me and heads into our room. Her shoulders are slumped, defeated.

I follow after her. "This will work. I will come back to you."

"I know. I have faith in you." But she doesn't sound convinced. Everything about her screams defeat, misery. "I'm just not ready. I don't want you to go. It feels like…if I let you out of sight, I'm never going to see you again."

She drops the blanket, revealing her naked body, and I can see how much thinner she is than when we first arrived. The scratches on her skin, the gouges haphazardly bandaged on her arm. This is no life for her, and I feel even more remorse that I thought I could make this work.

"You will not be able to get rid of me that easily, Aidy." I move behind her, rubbing her bare arms as I pull her against me. She leans into my embrace, but she is trembling. She is on the verge of tears, I realize, as she sniffs. "Come now. Do you think I would give up my coveted prize to Valmir without a fight?"

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