Alone Together

Chapter Twelve

        It was warm when Ivory-Veins to wake us up. There was a cool breeze fluttering past that kept us from getting too warm, and Ivory-Veins gave us clothes she'd gotten from town. I was confused, for a moment, upon waking, until I remembered. Today was the day of the peace conference. It was scheduled for midday. Ivory-Veins handed us some of the good soap, and sent us to go bathe. As we'd bathed together before, just after we'd healed, we didn't have any problems bathing together now. I didn't even think about it until Astrid and Serana had made teasing remarks afterwards, Serana suggestively wiggling her eyebrows at me. They had me blushing harder than Helios had ever made me. Ivory-Veins whisked me away and helped me into a dress. It had been a long time since I'd worn one of these. After she'd wrestled the thing over my head, she began brushing my hair vigorously. My eyes began to water, but Ivory-Veins had promised me she'd done the same thing earlier. Sure enough, her hair was brushed and swept on top of her head, a hairstyle she copied for me. She dabbed warpaint on my face, using it to make me look much harsher than I felt. After she finished with me, she had me put war paint on her. 

We weren't allowed to take weapons, but Ice-Veins didn't feel comfortable being completely unarmed. He picked out four of the warriors who were best with a bow, and he instructed them to wait in the shadows, out of sight. I didn't see Helios again until we were leaving. He seemed to have undergone similar preparations, but his face was clear of warpaint. I took a deep breath as we walked out of the gates, Lily-Shine, Fog-Veins, Soft-Stream, and Crooked-Fang melting into the shadows. I knew they were there, and I knew who they were, but the hair on the back of my neck stood up from the feeling of being stalked. Helios must have known, because he reached over and linked his fingers in mine, squeezing my hand gently to reassure me. 

The Tesera warriors were already there. They had a party of four as well, their chief standing in front. I had never seen the chief of the Tesera, and I had previously counted myself fortunate for it. However, the warrior woman was proud and beautiful, and a determined look was set onto her face when we'd arrived. "Chief Ishla of the Tesera," Ice-Veins greeted, bowing his head. Ishla bowed hers in reply. "Chief Ice-Veins of the Akiire," she responds. "I have come to give you a chance to end this feud between our people without more bloodshed," Ice-Veins announces, his voice calm and clear, ringing out in the hollow. Despite the warmth of the sunshine, and the breeze making the trees bend and wave, I felt uneasy. As inconspicuously as possible, I looked around the edges of the hollow and I noticed archers that were not ours stationed, an arrow pointing at each of us. I squeezed Helios's hand, flicking my eyes in the direction of the shadow fighters. His fingers twitch in mine, and I think he understands my message. 

Chief Ishla was silent for a moment, her hands clasped behind her back. I pay no attention to her, but stare at the archers hidden in the trees. Seconds later, they twitch, taking careful aim. My muscles tense, and when an arrow comes flying towards Helios, I just barely manage to pull him out of the way. The arrow misses him by a hair's width, nearly grazing his cheek before sinking into the tree behind us. Fury flashes in Ice-Veins' eyes. He stares directly at Ishla, who now has a furious scowl on her face. The archer who missed is probably going to pay for his life later, if half the stories about the Tesera are true. "You have violated the peace we both agreed to. This means war, Ishla. The Akiire will slaughter you, and your people will become slaves," he says, his eyes boring into Ishla's. Her hand twitches, and another arrow flies out of the bushes, sinking into Ice-Veins' shoulder. Had he not jerked out of the way just in time, the arrow would have pierced his heart and killed him instantly. 

Helios and I reacted first. While we hadn't been allowed to bring weapons, he was still proficient in magic. I wasn't nearly as good as he was, but I readied flame spells in both hands, blasting the warriors standing on either side of Ishla. Helios sent a bolt of ice flying at Ishla, and she barely dodged. It shattered on the tree behind her head, and while she was distracted, he sent another one that pierced her stomach. She let out a shriek as she fell, and I glanced over my shoulder at Ivory-Veins holding her husband in her arms. Two of the warriors Ishla had brought fell, and I approached the last, getting dangerously close. Flames danced in my hand, and I was sure I looked quite demented as the stench of burnt flesh tainted the sweet scent of summer. "You will send a message to your people. All of you will die," I growl, before grabbing his arm. His forearm burns until he's crippled and his flesh has turned black before I release him. Ishla is still barely alive, but her warrior ran like a coward and left her. 

Helios and I rush over to Ice-Veins, each one of us grabbing him under his arms and hauling him back to camp. Ivory-Veins ran ahead of us. While the wound had not pierced his heart, there was a large chance it had been poisoned. The sickly green of the skin around the edge of the wound only served to confirm my fears. Helios and I tried to move as fast as we could while being gentle, but by the time we got back to the camp, the sickly green had moved to his shoulder and his breathing had gone ragged. The medicine men were waiting for us, and took Ice-Veins off of us as soon as possible. We followed them to the medical bay, where they worked furiously. The sinking feeling in my stomach grew as they began to slow, and finally stopped all together. Ivory-Veins was the first to give up. "I'm sorry," she whispers to her husband, gently stroking his face. "Need to name new chief," he grunts, barely conscious. "Yes, that would be for the best. Who do you want to replace you?" she asks gently. Her fellow healers stop working beside her, and Moon-Song disappears to get something for the pain. 

Ice-Veins looks up, forcing his eyes to focus. "Ari. It'll be a slap in the face to the Tesera. It's only fitting that she destroy them," he gasps. I freeze in shock until he motions for me to come forward. "He needs to make a formal announcement," Dawn-Stream whispers. "I'm afraid I'll need the help. Call a tribe meeting and get me on my perch," he orders. I help Ivory-Veins assist Ice-Veins to his perch and get him comfortable. By the time everyone had gathered around, he had composed himself. "I'm afraid I can't get much louder," he says, but he trusts his tribe to pass on the news to those who can't hear. "The Tesera have performed an act of war. Now, their leader is dying, just as I am. My time grows short, and before I leave I must name my successor. I have chosen Ari, the outsider the Tesera chased here. Follow her through war, and when you are triumphant you have my permission to challenge her," he announces. I shift uncomfortably, feeling all their eyes on me. Helios is behind me, all of a sudden, and he squeezes my hand once more. Wolf-Wing speaks up, from near the back of the gathered tribe members. "We'll follow her," he says. One by one, the tribe members voice their approval of his choice. 

I know it's almost like a slap in the face to them, as well. I was still the newest tribe member, aside from children that had been born, and the rule of the tribe shouldn't be handed off to an outsider. They all seemed to support me though, and soon after his announcement, Ivory-Veins and Moon-Song helped him back to the sick bay. Wolf-Wing approaches me. "You won't rule alone. You would look weak if you stepped down after the war, so none of us will challenge you. We all like you, A. You're family. We'll support you and help you," he promises. 

One by one, all the adults of the tribe approached me and offered their support. We were still grieving over the lives lost in the first attack, and my first order was for the gates to close.