Ice Blink

28: Spirit-Touched

Iki devoured a dried meat cake like a starving man while the rest of them plucked and butchered Amarok's catch, a belt of geese. Nuna couldn't look away from his hair, and his eyes were piercing. Although his skin was like theirs and he had the slightly rounded face of a North or Mid-Ice inhabitant, she had only ever met people with brown or black colouring. She knew it was rude to stare, but he was extraordinary. What had happened to him? Had he been born like it?

"The Circle of Illulik sent us north to stop the blizzard," Amarok began.

"And we want to find the Nualik Tribe, who were captured by Annoatok," Toklo added. He sat with his arms tightly folded and looked at Iki with distrust.

Iki took in the blue and white bands on his sleeves, and the maroon ones on Nuna's. "You're from Mid-Ice, which means you're a long way from home. I doubt you'll find the tribe. Mortu could have hidden them anywhere."

A muscle feathered in Toklo's jaw.

"We've also been looking for the spirit temples. We found the first one, the Temple of Shadows." Niju quickly changed the subject and Iki paused mid-chew. Now they clearly had his attention. He was younger than he'd first seemed, his clothes ragged and travel-stained. The way Amarok and Niju had described the Inua had made Nuna think of noble knights with magnificent fur uniforms... and Iki did not fit that picture.

Was Niju certain Iki was this 'Ghost'? Did Niju really trust the rumours he'd heard? What if Iki was part of Annoatok?

"You found it?" Iki's eyes widened. "I thought they were myths. So the Circle has decided to start creating new Inua without knowing the others have fallen?"

"We meant to send a summons to the remaining Inua, where we would use their insight to discuss the best way to tackle the threats to North Ice before setting out on a journey, but Annoatok attacked. We had to flee."

"Fate works in mysterious ways. The last remaining Inua, at your service." He gave a little bob which might have been a mocking bow if he had been on his feet.

"You said they were gone." Amarok brushed white feathers off his lap and leaned forwards. "What happened? They were our last hope."

Iki laughed humourlessly. "You must be desperate, if they were your last hope. I'm sure you know the Inua weren't what they used to be. When I joined I was dismayed to find out they were just a band of ragged wanderers, nothing like the valiant stories of old. And now they're all dead or missing."

"We're sorry," Toklo said. "But how? How did it happen?"

Iki shrugged. "They scattered, and one by one seemed to disappear. Some died in fights or skirmishes, others got caught in this spirits-forsaken blizzard and never made it to their destinations. And some have quite literally vanished – imprisoned, probably. I've been searching for them for months, but there's no hope. I gave up. Now I just help villages under threat... and here I am."

Pity stabbed Nuna's heart. How long had Iki been alone for, searching for his broken brotherhood? Why had he joined the Inua in the first place? Had he no family or tribe?

Meriwa once told her that humans were very similar to wolves. Both worked best in groups, where they could support each other and hunt together. Both loved their partners and family fiercely. Her mother's absence was like a knife in her gut, always twisting. It was unbearable, so she couldn't begin to imagine how Iki felt.

"We're sorry," she said.

Iki stood up abruptly. "Your friend already said that. No need to repeat yourselves. Thanks for the food, but I must be on my way. I need to deliver these supplies to a village under siege. Annoatok wants them to yield, but they're going to fight to the death. I'm doing what I can to help."