Ice Blink

55: Crow Falling

The Crow clawed his way through ice as the glacier collapsed around him. The ground fell away beneath his feet and he dropped into a crevice – only to slam onto an ice floe, the current tugging it along as pieces of glacier rained around him. He hung on for dear life, letting the floe drain the heat from his body, letting the waves batter him. He was tired. Too tired to go on.

Niju descended into dark dreams.

*

"Viggo, what are you doing?" he shouted. "There's no need to torture these villagers. We have subdued them enough."

"Going soft, Niju?" the captain sneered. "Is that why Mortu always sends you off on your own? Are you turning into a disappointment?"

"Mortu did not order you to do this."

The battle raged around them, but they took no notice of it.

"Mortu told me to do whatever it takes to claim new territory. If you don't like it, you can run back to that spirits-forsaken enemy city and bury your head in books. When we come for it, we'll burn you along with the traitors."

"I only tagged along to ensure you get the job done."

"And I have. Leave, or complain to Mortu if you're unhappy with my methods."

"I outrank you, Captain." Niju's hand twitched towards his blade.

"Not for long, if Mortu hears about this. Go run to daddy if you want to tell on me, Niju. He'll congratulate me and probably punish for you the inconvenience."

Niju turned away, his jaw set. He couldn't challenge Viggo now, not like this. He walked from the village, the screams of the villagers fading as he passed into the cool darkness of the woods.

Eventually he reached the side of the island, where a lone figure struggled towards the shore across the sea ice. It was the girl from the hunting party, the one who had escaped. Her father and friends had not lasted long when Niju and Viggo's reinforcements had arrived, but she had slipped through their clutches.

She walked at the side of a great white bear, and Niju watched in fascination.

He watched them walk together like age-old partners as snow spiralled past his face. Perhaps he should go after her, or tell Viggo, but after their argument he didn't want to. He had to get back to Illulik, and if the bear was with the girl, no one would be able to touch her.

He turned away. She would find the empty village and the cold and her despair would kill her.

His vision blurred and reformed.

He was in Illulik, the Nigak pulling him through the streets. A tiny flicker of panic warred against the barriers of calm he had put up in his mind. Did someone suspect...? But no, how could they?

"Bring her back!" a boy screamed from out of sight. "Nuna!"

"Over here, Niju."

Siru strode briskly towards him, her antlers slicing the sky. "We've captured some spies, but one of them is dying. We need them alive to find out what they know. The healer's busy – we had to come to you."

"As you wish. Do you have herbs?" They ducked through the doorway of a hut. Niju smothered the panic in calmness. This wasn't about him. Of course it wasn't. He had covered all his tracks meticulously.

If this spy recognised him, he would have to kill him quickly and cleanly. They would never know.

Two members of the Nigak crouched over a figure on furs, but they drew back when they spotted Niju.