The Lioness of Shadi

21 - The Edge of the Forest

The Kharsaanu Saquutu was said to be the greatest of all the world's forests in both breadth and beauty. Standing at its edge, watching it stretch off beyond the horizon in either direction like an endless parade of emerald statues, Ilati could believe the truth of it. Every footfall on the soft, rich earth beneath these branches sent up the perfume of cracking cedar needles and fragrant wildflowers that grew amongst the loam. Birds sang symphonies in the branches, more than she had heard even among the rushes. They filled an otherwise silent air with golden notes that lingered in the sunbeams like chimes echoing through the halls of a temple. The songs and stories of its beauties and mysterious depths could only come to a fingernail's worth of its truth, as immeasurable as the endless grains of sand in the Desert of Kings.

As much as she wanted to stay merely staring spellbound into the maze of trunks and branches, Ilati knew that this first glimpse would only be improved upon by entering the wood. Besides, after Eigou's hint at his possible origins, she was curious what his reaction might be.

The old man was as transparent as a mudbrick, humming to himself as he brushed Ankhu's coarse hair. The mule who had endured so much, including the pace of much swifter horses, was taking his opportunity to rest and bask in Eigou's care while Shir Del and Roshanak said their goodbyes to their people. They had made a small camp at the very edge of the wood, stopped at the mouth of a path weaving through the great cedar trunks.

"We will not be able to see the stars," Menes commented, testing the edge on his sickle-sword carefully. "You will have to be our guide, Eigou. This is not the Kingsroad."

The sorcerer shrugged, apparently unconcerned that their navigation would not be so easy. "Until we know how far the Nadaren have spread, I thought it wiser to avoid a known thoroughfare. Besides, with the fall of Kullah, if there is an absence of Nadaren on the eastern half of the path, there will undoubtedly be unsavory people ready to fall upon travelers."

"We do not look like a caravan," Ilati murmured, tearing her eyes away from the woods. She stepped over to Youtab's side, running a fond hand along the arch of the horse's neck. Her equine friend was calm at the moment, clearly content in her company. Eigou was right to take the time to prepare, and part of that meant caring for their four-legged companions. Menes had taught her how to check a horse's hooves and care for them. Years of working with a chariot's team had made the dark-skinned man excellent at handling horses. Even Tahmasp grudgingly respected the man's knowledge.

Ilati clicked her tongue against her teeth, running her hand down Youtab's front leg and then tapping the back of it. Sut Resi only used whistle cues and tactile signals, feeling no need to jerk their mounts about with reins or prods. Youtab shifted her weight, then lifted her hoof for Ilati to look. The priestess supported the hoof with one hand, taking the stiff-bristled brush that Menes held out to her. She used it to gently clear all the earth away, checking each part of Youtab's foot in turn. Mercifully, there was no sign of a stone or thorn or other discomfort to trouble her. Ilati still made her rounds diligently, checking each hoof and brushing away dirt and stones wherever needed to ensure her friend was well enough to run all she pleased.

"She is so gentle with you," Menes observed with a smile. "It's hard to remember sometimes that she would bite off my fingers if I tried to touch her."

Eigou grinned as he sensed an opportunity. "I agree. Ilati is being most well mannered."

Ilati snorted at that, looking up at the one-eyed man. "I thank the one who shaped you that you are a better sorcerer than a jester."

Menes just shook his head in exasperation before looking toward the Sut Resi tribe. Whatever ceremony they were doing was hopefully almost at its completion, hidden at the center of the circle of their tents. "He cannot resist being a pest when in a good mood."