Battle Magic

That got the attention of the two green mages. They stared at her.

Riverdancer smiled and passed each of them a seed cake.

“Hengkai has entered the temple of the Yanjing goddess Kanzan. He hopes the goddess will forgive him his many killings and keep him safe from cave snakes and peak spiders, he says.” Riverdancer and her translator took stools and nibbled on their own cakes when Rosethorn and Briar relaxed.

“It is too bad, in a way,” Riverdancer went on. “If he had gone home to Yanjing, he would have forgotten them, except for some dreams.”

Rosethorn looked sharply at her friend. “What?”

The translator nodded. “The gods protect Gyongxe,” she said, and translated her words for Riverdancer. The older woman spoke. The translator said, “Surely you have heard no tales about the things you have seen? Nothing about the creatures that showed themselves to you or to the emperor?”

Rosethorn and Briar both nodded. “You’re right,” said Rosethorn. “Not a word.”

“The gods do not want folk from the world over coming to disturb their peace,” the shaman said through the translator. “A veil will fall between you and these memories when you leave us. You will remember the humans, but the nagas, the cave snakes, the ice lions?” Riverdancer shook her head. “Only in dreams. They will be rich dreams.”

Briar scratched his cheek and heard a rasping noise. He would have to start shaving more often. “I’m surprised the emperor let Hengkai stay.”

“The emperor blames his defeat on Hengkai. He took away Hengkai’s lands and fortune. He wanted to take Hengkai back to Yanjing a prisoner, but the God-King left him no choice about any of Yanjingyi who wished to remain.” Riverdancer smiled. “A number of mages and generals also stayed.”

Briar whistled softly. “Weishu won’t forgive the God-King any time soon.”

“The emperor will have signs to remind him of his fate if he thinks he will take revenge,” Riverdancer said, and shrugged. “Maybe he will die of a long illness. I do not think it will be that. Many of his nobles are unhappy with his wars. He will have enough to keep him busy.” She tousled Briar’s hair. “But you have finished with your seeds, yes? It is time for you three to go home.”

“And we’ll forget?” Rosethorn asked wistfully.

“You will dream of the nagas, the spiders, the cave snakes,” Riverdancer said. “We would be sad indeed if you were to forget those of us among the humans. We will certainly remember you.”

THE TEMPLE OF THE GODDESS RIVER

KANPOJA PASS

Two weeks later the twins accompanied Rosethorn, Briar, and Evvy to the Kanpoja Pass leading to the Realms of the Sun. Jimut and Luvo came as well. Jimut wanted to pay his respects to the river that was worshipped in Kombanpur as the goddess Kanpoja. Like the twins, who meant to work for the God-King for two more years to earn a nest egg for their coming war against their uncle, Jimut was remaining in Gyongxe.

Luvo had come to say good-bye to Evvy. One of Diban Kangmo’s daughters would carry him back to his mountain afterward.

“You’re the only thing I’ll miss about this place, really,” Evvy told him as they watched the river tumble by. It seemed less personal than watching Parahan and Rosethorn. “I mean, I’ll miss Parahan and Souda, but they’ll be riding all over the country and getting rid of any soldiers left behind. I don’t want that. No fighting, no war. I wish I could have stayed with you and learned more.”

“I wish you could stay, too,” Luvo said. “This traveling is so odd. We mountains never stray. It astounds my kin that I went to Garmashing.”

Parahan came over to Evvy and crouched before her. “I owe you everything,” he told her quietly. “You know this, don’t you?”

Evvy flapped her hand at him, her way of saying, “Forget that.”

“I would heap you with jewels were I at home, but here I am only a poor soldier. The God-King hasn’t even paid me yet!” Parahan smiled at her. “The gods bless you in your journeying, and give you sweet dreams.” He put his palms together before his face and bowed. Evvy hugged him fiercely. She would never get another chance.

When they let each other go, Souda was waiting. She, too, bowed to Evvy, her hands pressed together before her face. “Thank you for helping my brother to escape the emperor,” she told Evvy. She looked at Briar, who had come over with Jimut. “Briar, my thanks to you both. If our prayers count for anything, you will reach your home in health and safety.”

Rosethorn led her horse over to them. The peak spider followed her.

“Please count my prayers, too,” Jimut added. He had splashed river water over his face and head for what seemed like the dozenth time since they had reached the pass. “Because of you I have seen the place where the beautiful river crosses into the Realms of the Sun!” He looked at Parahan and Souda, then grinned at Briar and Evvy. “Don’t worry. I will take good care of them.”

“Then we should all go,” Rosethorn said, swinging into the saddle. Evvy and Briar did the same. “We have a long journey ahead. Emelan is almost half a world away. Luvo, your spider friend is ready to take you home.”

Luvo had been rocking back and forth on his stubby feet as everyone talked. Now he turned to the peak spider. “I thank you, but no,” he said with his usual courtesy. “You do not need to return me to Kangri Skad Po.”