Warsong (Chronicles of the Warlands, #6)(82)

“I’ll set wards,” Rhys said quietly, and he and Sidian walked off together.

“I’ll gut,” Cadr offered. A messy job, but with the pond close he’d be able to wash himself after. A few of the others moved to help, and it didn’t take long before the carcasses were cut up. Cadr hauled the offal out a distance from the camp. The cats followed him, making odd chirrips and mews, eager for their reward.

The pit was finished, and the fire started. It would have to be tended all night once the meat was racked for drying. Cadr went to the pond, stripped and plunged into the icy water, using the sand to scrub himself. It felt good to get clean.

The sun was lowering when he returned to the fire, his armor and gear in his hands. The warmth felt good as it dried his skin.

Rhys was seated there, and kept averting his eyes from Cadr’s nakedness, just like a city-dweller would. Cadr chuckled, but Gilla gave him a shove, so he donned his leather trous.

They all set to work cutting the leaner bits of meat into strips for the drying rack. Lightning Strike and others set up tents.

Cadr sighed with satisfaction. He’d take a night watch, eager to make up for his lack while he’d been recovering.

Night Clouds and Moon Waters approached the fire, their arms filled with ogden roots for roasting.

“Oh, these will taste good,” Gilla said, starting to clean the roots.

“There’s more,” Moon Waters settled next to her, pulling her dagger. “Plenty for all and enough left in the ground to grow.”

“Night Clouds,” Rhys piped up. “I have an idea I want to try. Would you show me how you scry?”

“Sure,” Night Clouds wiped his hands on his trous. “I’ve a scrying bowl in my pack.” He trotted off, returning in a moment with a bowl filled with water. He knelt beside Rhys, and placed the bowl on as level a space as he could find. “What shall I scry?” he asked.

“The Heart,” Lightning Strike came up behind them, soaking wet from bathing, his gear in his hands. He shrugged at their looks. “Easiest to focus on. That’s what we all learned at first.”

Cadr went over and stood shoulder to shoulder with Rhys, just as curious as anyone. They both leaned over the bowl, looking down.

“The Heart,” Night Clouds whispered. He was staring at the bowl, talking under his breath. The water was still and dark within. For long moments, nothing happened, and then Cadr squinted. There was an image, a vision.

Suddenly he was looking at the Heart, as if standing on the rim. The circular grey stone arched around either side, and there in the center lay the body of a dead wyvern, covering half the stone. Ravens pecked at its eyes and back.

“Skies,” Cadr breathed.

“I can see it too,” Rhys said softly.

Lightning Strike came over, Sidion close behind. “Is that a wyvern?”

Cadr nodded. “The one that was killed, when Simus and the gathered warriors rescued the Elders.”

Sidion whistled, peering down. “That is some creature,” he said. “Is that a stinger on the end of that tail?”

“It’s vivid and detailed.” Rhys crouched for a better look. “I might be able to portal—”

“No,” Cadr interrupted. “Night Clouds, can you change it? Show us the shore?”

Night Clouds said nothing, just turned his head slightly. The image fluttered and moved. The shore appeared, seething with wyverns. They were all tearing prey, and feeding young in rocky nests. The young ones had their wings spread, and Cadr could almost hear their cries for food.

“So many,” Lightning Strike breathed. “I didn’t realize.”

“And vicious,” Cadr said. “That sting is a deadly poison that eats flesh.”

“No portal,” Sidian said.

“No portal,” the others agreed.

“Night Clouds,” Sidian continued. “Does there need to be water in the bowl? To Scry?”

The image faltered and then disappeared. Night Clouds looked up, eyes wide. “I don’t know,” he said.

“Try it,” Sidian suggested.

This gained them more attention as other warrior-priests gathered. Cadr gave way his place, more interested in making sure the roots got roasted. Gilla also backed away. But those not on watch gathered around, all talking as Night Clouds dumped the water from the bowl, and dried it.

It must have worked, from the soft exclamations that came after a while. Next thing Cadr knew, everyone was trying it, pulling out their own bowls. Then those with metal shields were using those, clearly pleased with the results.

It was only at Cadr’s second call that they stopped and started eating.

“It takes more power,” Night Clouds said as he blew on his ogden root to cool. “And it’s harder to keep the image stable.”

“I wonder,” Sidian said. “Can you do it while moving?”

Night Clouds looked at him with wide eyes, and then jumped up.

Sidian laughed. “Finish your food, then try.”

“Why do you ask?” Lightning Strike asked.

“For the next spike of power,” Sidian said. “If they can get an image…”

“I could portal,” Rhys continued. “Might link us to your Hanstau.”

Cadr brightened.

“Might get us in more trouble,” Lightning Strike countered then he shrugged. “Still, a good skill to learn while we continue on.”