Page 76 of Wind Rider

“Then it seems odd that the ancients would feel the need to come to Dove to warn us,” Nik said. “They must be acquainted with you, which means they would recognize you as a guide and not a settler.”

“The warning was not about settling,” Dove said.

Mari felt a cold finger trace a line down her spine. “Then what were they warning us about?”

Dove shook her head, causing her long, straight hair to wave around her waist. “I do not know. I only know that there is much more to it than warning us not to settle here.”

“Maybe they’ll come to you again,” Mari said.

“And if they do you could try to communicate with them—ask them what it is they’re warning us about,” Sora added.

“Moon Women, I will try. I will do my best for the Pack,” Dove said, bowing her head reverently.

“That is all Sora and I ask from any of our people,” Mari said. Her gaze swept the Pack. “Is that it? Are we ready to launch now?”

The Pack members nodded their heads and, with Antreas leading, began to launch the boats. The day was almost completely cloudless and there was little wind, which meant the current wasn’t too terrible to struggle against. Mari could already see that the Pack was growing increasingly more confident with the boats—herself included—and she was able to look around as she matched Nik stroke for stroke.

The land on either side of the incredibly wide river was mountainous, rocky, and covered with enormous pines. In the clear day theylooked like jewels crowning the land, and Mari imagined how cool and inviting it would be under their protective canopy.

“Wow, a beautiful City in the Trees could be built anywhere along here,” Mari said, more to herself than Nik.

“I was thinking the same thing myself,” Nik mused. “It’s odd that this was never spoken about among the Tribe, especially as we had outgrown the ridge. Before everything went sideways when Thaddeus killed Father, the Elder Council was planning to expand farther west into the higher elevations. That’s what brought me to the Skin Stealers’ city the day they attacked and almost killed me—I was on a salvage mission to try to find more metal for the pulleys and lifts required for the expansion.”

“Your father must have known about the ghosts.”

“He had to have—and so must the Council have—though they didn’t speak publicly of it.”

Mari gazed around them at the pristine forest. “It’s so lovely. I wonder why the ancients haunt it. I hope Dove can find out.”

Nik snorted.

“Hey, give her a chance—the same chance we’d give to anyone else,” Mari admonished.

“I do not think you’d give an enemy, someone like Thaddeus or even Maeve, a chance,” Nik said stubbornly.

“You’re right. Both of them have used up their chances with me. Dove has not. So, I’m giving her a chance. Do we have to argue about this? Again?”

Nik sent a chagrined look over his shoulder to Mari. “Sorry. You’re right. I’ll work on my attitude.”

“Thank you,” Mari said.

Antreas and Danita’s small boat paddled smoothly up to them, and Antreas said, “Mari, Nik, after the next bend in the river the current is going to get rough. We have about another hour of stroking against it before we reach the Saleesh checkpoint. We can stop for a break before tackling it, but the truth is the sooner we get to the checkpoint the better. We’ll need all the light left today to get through the village and past the Of the Gods ruins.”

Mari and Nik had maintained their position at the rear of the Pack, so Mari gestured to the boats that were spread out in front of them, skimming along the river. “I think a full night of rest last night is working well for us today. I say we keep going. What do you think, Nik?”

Nik nodded. “We’ve been keeping a good pace—not so fast that the Pack is worn out, but steady. I think we should just push through.”

“Good, I’m glad to hear it,” Antreas said.

“But I think Antreas and I should let everyone know that it’s going to be rough going for the next hour or so, don’t you? It’s better they know what’s ahead, and that there’s an end to it,” said Danita.

“That’s a good idea, Danita,” Mari said. “Let the Pack know—and tell them that soon we’ll at least be on dry land.”

“Thank the Goddess,” Nik muttered.

***

The next hour was horrible. Antreas hadn’t exaggerated. As soon as they turned the sharp bend in the river, the current came at them, battering the boats and slowing their progress. Mari was instantly glad they’d decided not to take a break, though by the time Nik pointed to a signal fire ahead on the right bank, sweat was dripping from her arms, rolling down her back, and getting in her eyes. She made a mental note to be sure to check everyone’s hands, as her own were aching with sweat and blisters.