Page 171 of Wind Rider

“I BID YOU COME TO ME!”Death said.

The white mist lifted with the God, and as it coalesced it formed the shape of the doe—only this doe’s eyes weren’t brown and gentle and glassy from the God’s spell. They were empty of any emotion at all, oddly reminding Ralina of the Milks.

“You will guide me through these mountains,” Death commanded the spirit of the sacrificed doe. “You will not let me out of your sight until we reach the plains beyond the mountains and I free you. Then, and only then, shall I allow you to join my Goddess and be reborn.”

Ralina did see an expression in the doe’s eyes then. Just before the doe bowed to Death, her spirit met Ralina’s gaze, and the Storyteller saw despair—utter despair. Then the deer dropped her head and touched her muzzle to the bloody ground at the God’s feet, and Ralina had a jolt of understanding.

Not even Death’s call could keep the doe from showing sadness at being kept from the Goddess. That is something I must remember—something I might be able to use.

Death stretched His arms above His head, sighing dramatically.

“It is so very good to be on dry land again!” He tossed Thaddeus’s bloody knife back to him.

“It is!” Thaddeus said, speaking to Death as if the two of them were equals—friends even. “That was really something you just did. So, this spirit is going to guide us through the mountains?”

Death slowly turned His massive head to stare at Thaddeus. “Did I not just command the doe to do just that?”

“Well, yes.”

“Then do not waste my time with idle questions. Dress the doe. Thescent of her blood has made me hungry for venison steaks.” Death glanced around them at the lovely valley. “We will camp here tonight while the Milks repack our supplies. We begin our trek through the mountains tomorrow at first light.”

Ralina turned with Renard to go back to the beach, but Death’s voice stopped her.

“Storyteller, do you realize what day tomorrow is?”

Ralina considered before answering, but each day had bled into another to make weeks that multiplied into months in the unending misery that had become her life, until she had lost all track of time.

“No, my Lord. I’m sorry, but I do not.”

“No matter! I will educate you. Tomorrow the dawn brings the last day of summer. Quite auspicious, don’t you think?”

Only in that this trip has taken too long because of your self-indulgence and your belief that you are indestructible,Ralina thought, but aloud she said, “Yes, my Lord. Very auspicious. I will be sure to note it in your tale.”

“Excellent! And do not leave me, Storyteller. I would that you build a fire while your lover returns to the beach and relays my orders to Iron Fist and then gathers my Attendants. Boy,” he addressed Renard. “Bring my women here quickly. I find that I am ravenous for more than venison.”

“Yes, my Lord,” Renard said. He squeezed Ralina’s hand one more time before jogging back up the trail.

“I hear a stream close by. I will find it and bathe. My Attendants are energetic young women, but they have an odd aversion to blood. Be sure the fire is built by the time I return. I will need to warm myself! And prepare yourself. Tonight while I feast on sweet doe flesh I wish to hear your ‘Tale of Endings and Beginnings’ once more. It has become one of my favorites.”

“Yes, my Lord,” Ralina said, dread filling her. The God had completely ruined that beautiful story with His obsession of hearing her retell it over and over. He particularly liked the parts describing how the world of the ancients destroyed itself.

Death headed across the valley, leaving behind the spirit of the slaindoe. She remained motionless by her corpse, her head lowered and her eyes filled with despair as she stared after Death while Thaddeus began dressing her body—spilling guts onto the already blood-soaked ground and then ripping flesh from hide.

Thaddeus ignored the spirit of the doe and Ralina, turning his back on them both. Moving silently, Ralina went to stand in front of the spirit. The ethereal doe lifted her head and looked at the Storyteller.

“I am so sorry,”Ralina whispered to the spirit.

The doe closed her eyes as transparent tears trekked down her misty face, and then, with a jolt, the spirit of the doe staggered after Death before the God left her sight, and Ralina turned and began collecting firewood—all while the Storyteller altered her silent mantra.

It is more than just information and I will use it to stop Him… It is more than just information and I will use it to stop Him… It is more than just information and I will use it to stop Him…

CHAPTER 25

PLAINS OF THE WIND RIDERS—RENDEZVOUS SITE—STALLION RUN

River woke before everyone else the morning of the Stallion Run. Anjo’s eyes began to flutter open, and the mare lifted her head from her spot beside River’s pallet.

“Ssh,” whispered River. “Sleep. I’ll wake you and Ghost when it’s time.”