The Collectors of Peyka

Chapter 11

I trotted beside Phelim while he tugged the sledge through the forest. Whenever he'd get stuck on a rock or an upturned root, I'd help him out by lifting the rear end. It didn't happen often, but the occasional glance from his peripherals made my hair stand on end. I'd known men to make false promises, but that man really was watching my every step.

We came upon the stream that tipped over the crag into darkness. When we got close to the bank, Phelim dropped the sledge's handles and bent down to scoop some water to his lips. While I watched him, he looked vulnerable. Every third scoop he would attempt to wash away some of the day's sweat. It was then when his eyes were shut and he was rejoicing in the cool, that I could've nocked an arrow. I may not have had the training, but he was lousy when it came to caution. For someone that claimed he didn't trust me, he sure didn't mind showing me his back.

"So, what happens when you reach the north?" Phelim asked while he shook the water from his hands. I dispersed the idea of killing him when I remembered that I gave my word. I wouldn't tarnish the last thing I had left.

"I regroup and heal. When the fight comes to me, I'll be ready." I squatted down beside him and filled my palm. The stream wasn't as sweet as Clionna's petal water, but it satisfied my foamy tongue. "It's true. She won't stop coming for me. She'll send her best men, but she'll underestimate me. Just like she's always done."

"So you intend to fight for the rest of your life?" He sat back on his rear and rubbed his calves. I guess even the woodland ranger got tired. "How many will have to lie at your feet before you're satisfied?"

"Is there an alternative that I'm overlooking?" My question made him uneasy. His right temple waggled with his thoughts. When he didn't say anything, I continued. "You could tell me how you escaped. You say my presence endangers your people, but so does yours."

"No. I paid the price. My sacrifices have already been made." He stood up and stomped over to the sledge. When he plucked up the handles, he continued on without me. I hurried to catch up.

 As I followed behind him I studied his composure. His shoulders were high, his eyes scanned the gapped trees ahead of us. When we came to a small mountain, he turned his head toward each crevice. Something I said had him on high alert. Maybe I'd said the truth everyone else refused.

"You don't have to kill anymore," he said after we cut away from the stream. The last of the mountains came into view. The valley Feywa rested in was just on the other side. My time alone with Phelim was almost over, and I was ecstatic. "You can find a peaceful way that doesn't involve such dire sacrifice. You can live with people instead of harming them."

"Just like you do? You expect me to find my own small village to hide away in? Not everyone has sacred ground they can rely on." The words were harsher than my tone. When he glanced over his shoulder, his eyebrow quivered in a sympathetic gesture. I shook my head. "Don't you dare pity me. I can survive this. As I said, you can't be the only one."

"My survival wasn't my choice," he admitted. The shock rippled across my face as each muscle took flight. "I wasn't always so strong. After our chieftain paid my debt, I had a big role to fill. Feywa was on the verge of ruin before the elements chose my mother to become the harbinger. She says when the time is right, the elements have selected me to lead. But I don't even know what that means."

"You'll lead well," I said. That was a fact I couldn't deny. His people responded to his words. It was something Alayna could achieve, but it was the direct result of the worry that encompassed our daily lives. We were in constant fear of her whip and what it was capable of. With Phelim, he didn't need to pry obedience out of his people. They listened because, like Clionna, they followed him by choice. "It's rare that Alayna would let your chieftain take your debt. She likes to form alliances. Not start rebellions."