Shadows in the Trees: Book 1

Chapter 38

Rhiannon huddled against Jaida, trying to ignore the chafing of the ropes on their wrists. She prayed to Cet for warmth and Cai for peace. She was grateful for the cloaks Yaya had given them. Though the sun kept her warm during the day, once it slipped under the horizon the air had a biting chill that she wasn't used to. 

Their captors had left their rope anchored to a stake near the wolves. Though the roaring fire lit most of the camp, they were just far enough away to be deprived of most of its warmth. The wolves, having already been fed, lay all around them, sleeping or chewing on the remaining bones. Though Khepri had no shortage of large animals with pointy teeth, the wolves unnerved her. She had never seen one in person before. 

The Tolish were eating around the fire and talking quietly. Rhiannon looked down the line at her companions, hoping that Cerridwen was divining some brilliant plan to help them escape. Vess sat next to her. Her rage charged the air, and Jubil was whispering in her ear. Rhiannon frowned and wondered what he could possibly be saying to hold back her wrath. She couldn't decide if she was grateful or outraged that Jubil was suppressing their most terrifying asset. Julian leaned on Jaida's other side and snored against her shoulder, much to Jaida's annoyance; though Rhiannon noted that she didn't shove him off. Malik and Freya were at the other end of the line. 

Freya's breathing was ragged, and her face looked gaunt and pale as she leaned against Malik. He had begged the Tolish to bandage her injured wrist, and they had wrapped it in a strip of wool once they had reached the camp. Dark stains were already blooming on the gray fabric. Freya shivered, and Malik scooted closer, urging her to pull his cloak around her with her uninjured hand for extra warmth. Rhiannon shifted away from Jaida and tried to scoot closer to Freya to offer some of the medical knowledge she had studied at the Library of Hiawatha. The wolf nearest to her opened its yellow eyes and uttered a low growl. She decided it was wisest to stay put, and huddled against Jaida once more. Rhiannon leaned into her, angling her head so that she could speak into her ear while her hair covered her face. 

"We must escape," she whispered. Jaida pulled back, her eyes wide. 

"Have you gone mad?" Jaida hissed. "We're surrounded by wolves! How do you propose we escape?" 

"I'm certain we could come up with something," Rhiannon said, looking around her. Perhaps she could seduce a guard, find a stick on the ground and saw at each other's bonds while the wolves were sleeping . . .

"No. We wait for the chieftan, like Vess agreed," Jaida said, settling back against the rock they leaned against. 

"Since when does Vess rule our decisions?" 

"Since she's a terrifying goddess of death." 

Rhiannon huffed. "Then why hasn't she used that power to break us free? We can't rely on her. We have to escape on our own. I can't sit and wait for some chieftan to come along for gods-know how long." A horn sounded, and the Tolish stood. The wolves around them stirred, but did not leave their post. 

"Perhaps we won't have to wait that long," Jaida said, raising an eyebrow. 

The Tolish that had been sleeping emerged from their tents, gathering around the fire in their woolen nightclothes. The crowd parted, and a tall man draped in furs emerged, flanked by two enormous white wolves with red eyes. He approached the prisoners, who were now awake and watching him carefully. With his back to the fire, his face was hidden in shadows, but she could tell that he was tall and well-built underneath the furs. He crouched down in front of them and snapped his fingers. Someone ran over with a torch and placed it in his outstretched hand. He held the light to each of their faces, pausing when he came to the three Sylph. He kept the light on Freya for a long moment, and Malik did his best to tuck her against him with his bound hands. The chieftan reached forward and grasped a pendant hanging against Freya's collarbone. 

"A wolf," he said. His voice was deep and echoing. The torchlight illuminated his pale face and dark hair. A long scar ran down his cheek, the white, puckered skin gleaming in the light of the torch.  

She saw Freya swallow. "I like wolves," she said weakly. He stared, tilting his head. 

"The wolves don't like you," he said, glancing at her wrist. 

"They had orders," she said with a shrug. The chieftan let out a short chuckle. 

After a seemingly endless silence, he said, "You are very strange looking, Wolf Girl." 

"I know," she said. He smiled and cocked his head, seeming unable to know what to make of her. 

"You and your friends have a lot of explaining to do, wandering into Tolish territory unannounced, with three monsters no less." 

"They're not monsters," Freya said. Though her voice was quiet, it was steady and even. Rhiannon admired her courage. "They are Sylph. And they are here to save us."

The Tolish gathered around them murmured. "Save us from what?" the chieftan asked. 

"The end of days," Freya said.  

The Tolish huddled around them gasped, and they began speaking quickly to each other in their guttural language. The chieftan blinked. 

"Well, Wolf Girl," he said. "It seems we have much to discuss."