Page 90 of Wind Rider

“I will keep that in mind as well,whenyou fall ill, Storyteller.”

Ralina had to swallow quickly to keep from vomiting.

“Now, you asked about how I came into being, and I shall tell you. But first I am curious about how Shepherds and even those small, insignificant Terriers first began bonding with your people. Thaddeus tells me there is a tale called ‘Endings and Beginnings.’ Is that true?”

“It is, my Lord.” Ralina’s answer was flat, but she wept inside. She’d thought her heart couldn’t break any more, but Death’s question had her remembering the last time she’d performed the “Tale of Endings and Beginnings” before their wise Sun Priest, Sol, and their prosperous Tribe. She longed to recapture those days when she stood before an eager Tribein her rabbit fur cloak and her tunic that had stories beaded into it for decoration.

“Well, then, what is it you wait for? Or must you get your canine to tell the tale?” He didn’t wait for Ralina to answer, but as usual, barreled on without a thought for anyone but Himself. “That is a splendid idea! You have my leave to get your canine and then return to—”

Feet scuffing the circular stairs up to the God’s platform interrupted Death, who brushed away the piece of rabbit the girl was trying to feed Him as He turned to glare at whoever was interrupting.

Ralina had to school her face as Thaddeus entered the platform. In just three days, the Hunter had changed drastically. He no longer hid his preternatural abilities, but stalked through the campsite, reminding her of a rabid dog that needed to be put down for his own good. His body had changed. He had always been short, but powerfully built. Now there was a hunch in his back; his increasing muscle mass had apparently bowed his spine as it attempted to accommodate the man’s unnatural strength. His hands were more claw-like than finger-like. It seemed he’d quit bathing completely, and his eyes were perpetually red.

“My Lord!” Thaddeus dropped to one knee before the God of Death.

“Thaddeus, why do you interrupt my storytelling time? You know how important it is to me.”

“Forgive me, my Lord, but I assumed you would want a status report on the tainted meat.”

Death sighed. “Yes, yes, of course.” He pulled his hooves from Feather’s grasp. “Girl, find Iron Fist and bring him to me.” As she scurried away the God added, “You should know this as well as my Blade. Be certain you tell your Warriors and Hunters that the Storyteller is free to come and go as she wishes.”

Thaddeus’s cruel eyes found Ralina. She stared back at him steadily, trying to focus her disgust for him in her gaze.

“Do you think that wise, my Lord? Ralina has long been—”

Death came to His feet, planting his cloven hooves wide so that he towered over the much smaller man. “Did you just question me?”

Ralina watched the exchange eagerly.Kill Thaddeus,she wishedsilently.Without his traitorous leadership we might be able to form a true resistance.

But as usual when Thaddeus was confronted by someone stronger than him, he backed down. Bowing deeply, Thaddeus said, “I apologize, my Lord. It is just that you do not know the Tribe as well as I do, and I thought it wise to warn you that the Storyteller has been known to—”

“The Storyteller is under my protection. Is that clear enough for you?”

“Yes, my Lord. Of course.” Thaddeus sounded servile, but when his gaze flicked to Ralina she saw raw hatred smoldering there.

“My Lord, I must see that Bear is fed, and I’m sure you and Thaddeus have things of great import you must talk about. Might I have leave to go?”

“Not quite yet.” Death smiled at Ralina. “If Thaddeus does have something of importance to discuss with me, you should hear it. Perhaps you could devote an entire scene to our conversation. Just sit quietly and listen.”

Ralina nodded. She backed to the railing and finally allowed her legs to give way so that she slid to a seat. The God’s smile did not fool her—nor did His proclamation of protection.

His happily ever afters all end in death.

“Now, Thaddeus, go ahead with your status report.”

While the God sat and nibbled more succulent rabbit from the girl’s fingers, Thaddeus paced before Him, speaking in quick, short sentences. Ralina almost expected him to start yapping like his poor, dead Terrier, Odysseus.

“People are being reinfected. Each day more and more. Though my Hunters go deeper into the forest for game, they only find tainted animals.”

The God shrugged His massive shoulders, causing the deer pelt he wore as a cloak to fall from Him so that His naked chest and back were visible. Ralina had to stifle a shudder.His chest is covered with the fur of a stag.

“Why should this interest me?” asked Death.

“The people sicken. Your people. My people. And there are morefights. Daily. My men are stronger and faster, but it is getting difficult to control those infected. There are just too many of them.”

“Then use my Reapers. They can control them.”

Thaddeus ran his fingers through his greasy hair. “It isn’t just that. My Lord, you know my first position was as Hunter to the Tribe, and that now I perform the same service for you.”