Michael Foster - She Who Has No Name

‘That’s what I’m afraid of,’ Samuel said.

‘I thought the Koians were going with you, also,’ Orrell said. ‘At least, that’s what I assumed from how Master Celios was speaking. Perhaps you can speak to him about this.’

With that, the two men departed, leaving Samuel and Eric to sip quietly at their tea. Samuel looked at the sunny blue sky outside and hoped the weather would hold. With Tudor gone and Celiosminushis senses for most of the time, it seemed Balten was now taking steps to be in charge. Then so be it for now, he thought. The air was full of turmoil and his magician’s senses could not foretell what was to come.

Their party assembled in the middle of the town, where Captain Orrell and Lieutenant Valiant were directing a handful of their men, loading and checking several sturdy ponies that had been piled with sacks and bags, andexaminingothers that had been saddled and prepared for riding. Balten was there, dressed in sturdy boots and practical climbing clothes. Sir Ferse was similarly adorned, with a knitted scarf of local make flapping around his neck to keep out the chill. Master Celios was dressed as always-thick black robes over black shirt and trousers-and he seemed to be muttering to himself, biting at his nails nervously. They would need to worry least about the weather for,as magicians,they were resistant to such things and could use their spells to warm themselves.

‘Foolish Order lackeys,’ Balten said to the magicians, noting their dress. ‘We climb to the frigid heights and you come dressed like this. Let’s see how comfortable you feel when your spells start growing thin. Such clothes, black or otherwise, will do little against the snow.’

Samuel ignored him and instead spoke loudly into Master Celios’ hood, ‘Master Celios?’ to which the old maninterruptedhis apparent daze and looked at Samuel with the calm of a doting grandfather. ‘Why are the Koians coming? I thought they were only needed as far as Ghant?’

‘Alas, I cannot say for sure, Samuel. My dreams tell me many things, some true, some false. I am less sure about the fate of theseOutlanders, but they are still keen to accompany us and I am not sure of anything these last few days. Let them come.’

‘It will only cause more trouble for us,’ Samuel said, trying not to let his voice carry to the nearby Koians. ‘What will we do with them once we get to the desert?’

‘I cannot see. Nevertheless, they will come,’ Celios stated.

The Koians milled about together, each dressed in locally-sourced garments, for it seemed almost everyone had lost their belongings in the citadel. Strangest of all was the god-woman,for she was entirely without make-up and was dressed the same as Lady Wind beside her, with an ankle length skirt over sturdy trousers and with a thick,hooded coat. The woman was looking about nervously, peeking out from her hood and obviously uncomfortable out of her traditional costumes.

‘Who is that girl?’ Eric asked of Samuel.

‘That’s the Koian woman, Eric-their god.’ But Eric continued to look at her dubiously.

‘Who?’ he said,for it seemed difficult to believe.

A man, dressed in the local style of a wide-brimmed hat and a red, green and white striped shawl across his shoulders came striding up to the group and began checking over their pack animals, looking into their loads and peering into the sacks, with the interest of someone at market. He was whistling a merry tune all the while and Samuel could not help but think he had seen the man before.

‘Samuel!’ Eric said, beside him. ‘That’s the manwhonearly killed me! Remember? He was in the tower with Ash. He stabbed me in the stomach!’

Samuel had to peer closely at the man, for if it was indeed him, he did look quite different. The local style of clothing made him difficult to recognise. ‘Are you sure?’

‘Of course I’m sure!’ Eric said. ‘He tried to kill me.’

‘What’s all this fuss?’ Balten said, noticing the two in discussion.

‘We know this man,’ Samuel said. ‘He was working for Ash. What’s going on here?’

‘Of course he wasn’t-at least, not to my knowledge-although, I suppose it is possible now that you mention it. He’s quite a handy sort and much in demand. Let me bring him over and we can see. Daneel!’

The man paused from his inspecting and pulled his arm out from one of the packs, where it was buried up to the shoulder. He looked over to the three upon hearing his name. He trotted over and gave the pair a flourishing bow. ‘A pleasure to meet you two again,’ he said. Then, turning to Eric, ‘I was wondering if you would remember me, but a sword in the belly tends to etch a face into one’s memory, wouldn’t you say? At least you survived our last encounter. I must apologise for leaving you in such a state, but you had left me with little choice.’

At that, the pair of magicians turned to Balten with furious scowls.

‘Hold on,’ Balten said, holding his palms up in defence. ‘I didn’t know there was bad blood between you. I have used Daneel many times and you will be glad to know he is a frustratingly honourable sort. It’s pure coincidence that he lives here and I was as surprised to see him here as you-although I was pleasantly surprised and you two don’t seem quite so pleased. Anyway, it is the good Captain Orrell who has hired him, not me. It turns out that Daneel is the only one willing to take us through the mountains and he has worked for General Mar many times.’

‘I find that curiously convenient,’ Samuel said with his arms folded tightly.

‘Please, please,’ Daneel implored them. ‘What he says is true. Your good captain has hired me to guide you through the mountains. That is all. There is no misdirection at work here. Before, I was only hired to guard a set of stairs. If you hadn’t been so insistent on passing,I wouldn’t have been forced into the difficult position of attacking you. I had no idea the whole city was in peril. It seemed like a simple job.’

‘And you have no qualms working for such scoundrels?’ Eric asked darkly.

The man smiled. ‘Half the world works for the Circle, my good friend, directly or indirectly. I admit I do so knowingly, but they seem no different to anyone else: the Order, the Gartens, the Turians. I’ve worked for everyone at one time or another, but I never volunteer for the work that many of the city folk seem to enjoy: the murders and so forth. I have no time for such tasteless behaviour.’

‘It’s true,’ Balten said guiltily. ‘Daneel is one of those irritating sortswhodoes everything exceedingly well, but he has a set of morals that leaves me shaking my head. Although, no matter how much I try, he somehow always manages to get the better of me. And watch your pockets. He may be no cutthroat, but he’s an irrefutable pickpocket. I keep everythingtuckedaway tight just in case,’ and,with that,he patted his buttoned waist pocket to illustrate. ‘They have a loose definition of ownership in these parts.’

‘So, please, let me introduce myself a little more politely and perhaps you can forgive me for our previous disagreement. I am Daneel of Highmeadow. Welcome to my home. Let’s put the past behind us. We will need to trust each other and cooperate if we are to survive the coming journey. If you truly do not wish for my services, I will be happy towithdraw, butyou should also knowthat no one else can get you across the mountains at this time of year.’

Samuel and Eric had little choice and agreed with a sigh.

As they readied to leave, Ambassador Canyon gathered them together, away from Lady Wind and their god. ‘We have lost all our traditional costumes that protect our god from the world around her, and the world from her. Such a thing has never happened before. Please try not to stare at her or make her feel uncomfortable. Remember that while she looks like a young woman, she is still a vessel for a god, and must be treated as such. I hope you can appreciate this.’