Page 141 of Wind Rider

“I will ask this once. Which of you would like to guide us up the river and across Lost Lake?” Death inquired in a pleasant voice.

One young man stumbled forward. “I-I can guide you.”

Thaddeus grabbed him by the collar of his robe and pushed him to his knees before Death.

“A volunteer. How fortunate for you. What is your name, young man?”

“B-B-Brother Joseph,” he stuttered. His body was trembling so hard that Ralina was surprised he was able to speak at all.

“Ah, Brother Joseph. You are an expert on the river?”

“I-I am. B-before I chose to enter the priesthood I was a River Driver.”

“And you also know how to cross Lost Lake?”

“I have n-not c-crossed it, though I d-do k-know its d-dangers and how long it w-will t-take to cross. B-but n-none of our people have traveled over Lost Lake. W-we do not leave our river.”

“Then what good is he?” Thaddeus sneered, kicking Brother Joseph in the side.

Death raised His hand. “Do not abuse my new guide! Canyouguide us past all of the ruins between here and Lost Lake? Canyoutell us intimate details about each of the Saleesh villages we will be conquering on our way there?”

Thaddeus blew out a long breath. “No, my Lord.”

“Well, then, Brother Joseph shall join us. Now, please stand over there, beside my Storyteller, where you will be safe.”

Brother Joseph tried to stand, but his legs didn’t seem to work, so he crawled between the bodies of the reanimated dead—who were still staring with milky eyes at their God—to come to a whimpering halt at Ralina’s feet. There he curled within himself, clutching his knees to his chest.

“Very good. Now that our guide problem is settled, let us make short work of the rest of this so that we may rest and relax.” Death raised His voice, looking out at the silent, stunned village. “All of you who wish to join me, put down your weapons and go to your knees.”

The God waited. A few of the men closest to their reanimated brothers dropped their lances and went to their knees, but the others were being joined by men running from all over the village—some robed, some bare-chested River Drivers. They held lances. They formed a half circle around the altar and began closing in, weapons held at the ready.

Death smiled his terrible smile. “I am so glad to see that you aren’t all eunuchs like your priest. Warriors, Reapers—kill them all!”

Ralina swallowed her fear. “My Lord, what of the women and children?”

Death’s head swiveled so that he could meet her gaze. “Thank you for reminding me, Storyteller.”

“The women and children are spoils of war. Use them as you would, my People!” Death shouted. “But have care with the food cooking over the campfires. Battle makes me ravenous.”

And then Death spread His arms wide again, touching the spirits that hovered around Him like wisps of noxious smoke.

“Spirits of the dead—you may claim any body you wish and be free to join my army!”

With the battle roar of a stag in rut, Death strode forward, lifting men and snapping their spines. The moment they slumped lifeless to the ground, spirits claimed them, reanimating the bodies with otherworldly moans—and then they joined their God as Death consumed the village.

***

Thus began a chapter in Ralina’s life so horrible that at times she believed she would lose her mind. Had it not been for the stabilizing influence of Bear, Renard, Kong, and Daniel, she would have given up and quietly slid over the side of her boat one night and let herself drown.

But she couldn’t do that—wouldn’tdo that to Bear.

She could have escaped—though it would’ve been without any supplies—but she knew Death would come after her immediately, recapture her, and then she would lose the small amount of status and freedom the God currently allowed her. Renard and Daniel would be infected and made to join the Warriors, and who knew what terrible things He might do to her Bear should He become angry with her.

So Ralina kept moving forward—taking one day at a time. She was grateful that the Saleesh villages were several days apart—one slaughter right after another would have been too much for her. When they arrived at the second village Ralina asked the God to allow her to remain with the boats, guarded by Renard and Daniel. Thankfully, Death agreed, saying that as she had already witnessed the most dramatic of His Saleesh victories she should have enough material for this part of His tale.

But remaining with the boats did not shield Ralina from the screams of the dying men or the terrified, gut-wrenching wails of women being raped and mothers trying to save their children. When she walkedthrough the second decimated village, she asked Bear to lead her, intending to keep her eyes focused on her canine, but then Ralina remembered herself and found her courage. She lifted her head, blinked her eyes clear of tears,looked, and remembered.Just as she’d forced herself to watch the burning of her Tribe, she would not turn away from the atrocities Death and His army of mutants and reanimated corpses committed.

Ralina would tell this story, and the world would never forget.