Page 77 of Wind Rider

“Beach here!” Antreas was standing waist deep in water near the bank, helping a group of strangers guide in the Pack boats and help people from them and onto dry land.

Nik and Mari brought up the rear, so as she was waiting their turn to beach their little boat, she studied the Saleesh. They were a handsome people—tall, skin the color of the fertile earth that bordered the river, long, straight dark hair that had streaks of blue within it. Tattooed into their smooth skin in deep sapphire were intricate symbols that Mari couldn’t decipher, but that intrigued her. She saw no women—only bare-chested, muscular men.

“Mari! Nik! Your turn!” Antreas called.

It only took a few minutes to paddle to the beach and depart the littleboat, with Rigel and Laru splashing through the water beside them. A tall Saleesh man, whose long dark hair was streaked with silver along with indigo and whose lean body was covered in a long, free-flowing tunic that trailed the ground and had big, bell-like sleeves, nodded his head slightly to Mari.

“Mari, I’m going to remain with the boats and be sure everything is securely tied down. I’ll join the Pack on the other side of the village,” said Antreas. “You’ll be in good hands with Father John.”

“Do you need help?” Nik asked.

“No, not at all. The Saleesh know what they’re doing. I just like being extra careful.”

“Okay, see you on the other side,” Nik said.

“I am Father John, senior priest for all of our villages.” He spoke respectfully, addressing Mari. “I will lead you to the rest of your people, who are waiting just ahead. Friend Antreas says that you are Mari Moon Woman, and the other leader of this Pack. Blessing be with you, Mari Moon Woman.”

“And also with you, Father John,” Mari said. “This is Nik. He is our Sun Priest.”

Father John nodded to Nik as they began up the rocky path that seemed to run parallel to the river. “Blessings be with you, Nik Sun Priest.”

“And also with you,” Nik intoned.

“Come this way, please.”

They climbed the steep, rocky path with Father John, joining the rest of the Pack where they’d stopped to stare at the Saleesh village. Mari’s breath caught as she took in the incredible sight. The Saleesh village spread out around them, beginning at the end of the path and climbing in magickal tiers up the side of the pine-covered ridge. The colors were what struck Mari first. The pines were brilliant green and stood out in stark relief against the brown front of wooden homes that appeared to be built directly into the ridge. As far as Mari could tell from her initial look, each home had an intricately carved idol standing at the doorway, and it was those idols that held the most striking of the colors. Even froma distance, Mari could see that the idols were all female, though each of their bodies were completely covered, head to toe, in a hooded robe the color of a cloudless summer sky. Blue flowers cascaded from hanging baskets, and wind chimes of precious blue glass tinkled musically from the arms of the pines. All across the ridge tongues of smoke curled from braziers hanging from intricately carved posts, so that the entire village smelled of sweet incense and flowers.

“It’s amazing, isn’t it?” Sora’s voice was hushed as she moved through the Pack to join Mari and Nik.

“And I thought the City in the Trees was breathtaking,” Mari said. “But this—this is beyond even that.” She turned to Father John. “Your village is spectacular.” She breathed deeply. “And it smells wonderful.”

Father John’s lips tilted up. “That is our incense—something sacred to the Mother.”

“Then you’re going to love the gifts Sora made you,” Mari said.

“We very much appreciate your offerings. Please come to the chancel so that you may leave them on the altar.” Father John moved through the Pack so that he could take over the leadership from one of the younger men who had guided the boats to docking, and that young man immediately jogged back down the path to rejoin the others.

The Pack, walking single and double file along the narrow, rocky pathway, followed Father John to an area that looked like a marketplace, which is when the women and children began to appear.

The Saleesh women filled the market. Most of them were working with fabrics and hides in various stages of being dyed their distinctive blue, and each woman wore a long, flowing tunic that brushed the ground—usually of a light color, from white to yellow—and over their long tunic they each had a shawl, draped around their shoulders and sometimes even over their heads. Unlike the men, they weren’t tattooed—or at least none of the tattoos could be seen—but they were swathed in jewelry.

There were children everywhere—running around the marketplace, playing at rolling a leather ball with sticks, dancing and skipping around flat stones in what looked like a complex game of tag, singing in a circlewith adult women—with the younger children toddling around and just generally being underfoot.

“I’ve never seen so many kids,” Mari said.

“I’ve never seen so many things that sparkle,” Danita whispered to Mari, making her laugh.

Bast was by Danita’s side, which didn’t surprise Mari. One look at the half-naked, powerful Saleesh men and Mari would’ve done the same thing Antreas obviously had done—told Bast to stick close by. The Lynx prowled beside the girl, her intelligent yellow gaze continually scanning around them for signs of danger.

“My mother had a necklace made from Saleesh silver,” Nik said, keeping his voice low as well. “My father gave it to her as a mating gift. He told me how he’d had to trade two crossbows and a piece of glass for it, but it was incredibly beautiful—silver wire holding a blue stone carved in the shape of a heart. She wore it always, and when Father placed her on her funeral pyre, she wore it to greet the sun.”

“Your father came here?” Mari asked.

“Yes, when he was a young man. I never thought I’d see this place for myself—especially with my aversion to river travel—but I’m glad I’m here. I like walking in Father’s steps.”

Father John faced the Pack. “Friends, the chancel is there, guarding us from the river. You may place your kind offerings before the Mother. Then if you feel so inclined you may make trade with our women. You have but a few minutes to tarry, as you will need to meet your boats more than a mile upriver, but know you are welcome here.”

“Thank you, Father John,” Mari said. “Your hospitality is greatly appreciated.” She glanced at Sora and under her breath said, “Who has the gifts?”