Page 105 of Wind Rider

“Yes. I have seen enough to believe that He is truly the God of Death. He is horrible beyond imagining. He defeated our people by poisoning the animals of the forest. The Tribe ate the tainted meat and was infected with the disease of the Skin Stealers.”

Dax grimaced in disgust. “That horrible skin-sloughing disease? Great Stormshaker! Is that the stench I smell? I thought the Tribe was tanning hides—that’s why I asked for pelts as my bonus.”

“What you smell is the stench of disease and death. It’s why the God is insisting we leave the forest. It’s poisoned—probably forever.”

“People need to be warned about this,” Dax said.

“People need to be warned about a lot more than just the disease. Listen to me carefully—youmust notguide Death and his people anywhere.”

Dax sighed. “I tend to agree with you, but I’ve accepted the job. If I renege on the deal my Chain will punish me, and it will be almost impossible for Mihos and me to get any other job.”

“What would your Chain say about you guiding an invading army up the Umbria? An army that can procreate and swell in size on the way as they poison everything they touch—and that means you as well. One bowl of stew and you will be infected and be faced with the same choice my people had—take The Cure and mutate into something unthinkable, or die. And as you will be our guide, I promise you Death won’t give you a choice.”

Dax looked pale. “We are forbidden to get involved in wars. My people would never agree to guide an invading army anywhere.”

Ralina felt some of the tension in her body begin to relax. “Thank you. You can’t imagine how glad I am to hear that.”

“Hold on. I need to know more.” He studied her carefully. “You don’t look ill. Did you take The Cure?”

Ralina shook her head. “No! And I will never. It’s vile. I’m only healthy because I refuse to eat meat.”

“Why is The Cure so horrible?”

“When a person is infected, part of the symptoms are pustules that form at the creases in our bodies, like at our elbows, wrists, and knees.”

Dax nodded. “Yes, I know that. Years ago I had a run-in with Skin Stealers while I was guiding a small party up the Willum River. I’ve seen what you’re talking about up close, and it isn’t pretty. But what about The Cure?”

“To cure the disease Death flays strips of flesh from the body of a living animal and packs that flesh inside the pustules.”

Dax grimaced in disgust. “And that actually works?”

“Depends on what you called ‘cured.’ It stops the progression of the disease. It also changes the person, drastically—and from all I’ve seen, not for the better.”

“Is that why the God looks like he’s the human version of a stag?”

“Yes. The God brags often about how the mighty king of the forest, a huge stag, sacrificed himself for Him. Didn’t you wonder why you saw only one Skin Stealer with the God, and why the others were kept at a distance?”

“Thaddeus explained that on the way into camp. He said that he and Death were in charge, and that the Skin Stealers were basically servants. So, it made sense that I didn’t see many Skin Stealers—except those serving the God.”

“Lies. Everything that comes out of Thaddeus’s mouth is either a lie or a manipulation. The Skin Stealers are called Reapers, and they make up the bulk of Death’s army. If you saw a group of them up close, you would never have entered camp—or at least you wouldn’t have entered it of your free will. They’re all taking on animalistic characteristics.”

Dax shuddered. “Skin Stealers have always disgusted me. I was shocked when Thaddeus said their God was now leader of the Tribe of the Trees.”

“The Tribe is no more. And it isn’t just the Skin Stealers who have mutated. Thaddeus kept his cloak on and his face partially hooded. Had he not you would have seen an oddness about him that is the perversion of a Terrier mixed with a man.”

“Are you telling me Thaddeus took strips of flesh from his Companion and packed his own flesh with them?”

“I am. He did it, and many Hunters followed him, as well as far too many Warriors.”

Looking like he was either going to be sick or pass out, Dax slid down the side of the nest to sit hard on the woven floor. “Great Stormshaker!It is almost unbelievable.” His gaze caught Ralina’s. “I didn’t see Thaddeus’s Terrier. Did the flaying kill him?”

“I’m not sure what killed him. None of us witnessed his death. I wouldn’t be surprised if the God had a hand in it. It was Thaddeus who surrendered our people to the Skin Stealers—Thaddeus who caused Sol’s death, as well as the forest fire that made the Tribe vulnerable to invasion.”

“Sol was a wise leader.” Dax shook his head. “This is bad. Very bad.” He wiped a trembling hand across his face, and his Lynx pressed into his side, staying always within touch as he tried to comfort his Companion. “He has created an army of monsters.”

“And Death will make more!”

“That’s what He was talking about when He said I’d be surprised at how persuasive He could be. He isn’t going to persuade anyone. He’s going toinfectthem!”