//------------------------------// // 834 - Wisdom of the Elders // Story: Lateral Movement // by Alzrius //------------------------------// “I found Bloodletter.” Kneeling down next to Yotimo, Solvei gently pressed the spear into his uninjured hand, the old warrior managing a wan smile from where he was propped up against a rock, leaning on Toklo. “I’m just glad you didn’t stab yourself with it again.” The corners of Solvei’s lips turned upward. “If I’d known I was going to have to listen to you try and crack jokes, I would have.” Yotimo managed a few quick breaths that might have been a chuckle, his eyes fluttering closed as though even that had exhausted him. Not that Solvei could blame him; his wounds were severe, and unlike herself he hadn’t received any magical healing. As it was, he looked like he was barely hanging on, and she could tell from Toklo’s nervous twitch that she wasn’t the only one who was concerned about him. “Are you sure Paska’s not coming back?” murmured the younger adlet, giving her an anxious look. “If he was going to, he would have done it by now,” she replied, sounding more confident than she felt. She wasn’t sure why Paska had attacked Yotimo, but the fact that Lex was apparently mortally wounded even though Hvitdod’s poison had been removed from his body didn’t strike her as a coincidence. Thankfully, he hadn’t bothered to finish off anyone else, though in Yotimo’s case it had been a close thing. “Besides, after the beating your dad gave him, I doubt he’s in any shape to try anything else.” “I still can’t believe he lured me in with his armor like that.” Yotimo’s voice was thick with embarrassment. “If any one of my warriors had fallen for that kind of trick, I’d have them eating half portions for an entire season.” “Give them a break, and yourself too for that matter.” Akna canted her head at where the other members of his war band were dozing; with her and Yotimo returning safely, the last of the immediate danger had passed, and she wasn’t surprised that they’d passed out. “They’ve been through a lot in the last few days, and you’ve been through worse. No one would fault you for making a mistake.” “That mistake could have cost you your life.” This time there was no mistaking the recrimination in Yotmo’s voice. “When you collapsed, I was sure you were dead, and that he was coming to finish you off. I was the only one in his way, and I lost.” Solvei made sure to keep her expression composed, glad that Yotimo was apparently buying the story she’d fed him about passing out when it looked like Lex had died – and that Hvitdod’s poison had merely paralyzed him instead of taking his life – rather than having to explain to him that they’d both actually gone to afterlife, only to immediately be revived. He’d already supported her a great deal by refusing to condemn her when she’d admitted to worshiping a deity. Even if he’d done so out of love for his son, she still regarded it as a deeply moving gesture, considering how serious an offense that was to their tribe’s traditions. Telling him a confusing tale about how they’d died, only for some death goddess he’d never heard of to confront them and say that Hvitdod hadn’t really been Hvitdod, and because of that time had sort-of-but-not-really reversed itself, bringing the two of them back to life, would only have made it more difficult for him to continue encouraging her. After all, she couldn’t very well ask him to understand a story like that when she herself barely understood it. And she’d experienced it personally! Not to mention the fact that, for all she knew, Paska would have done worse to Lex – or her, or Toklo, or the others – if Yotimo hadn’t confronted him. Which was why she didn’t have to fake her smile as she leaned forward and gently grasped his shoulder. “That you fought for me at all is more than I deserved, since I’m the reason this happened to you.” Toklo’s ears flickered back, an uncomfortable look on his face. “Akna-” She shook her head, cutting him off. “No, it’s true. I know I had nothing to do with what happened to Panuk’s scouting party, or with your father coming to look for you, but I insisted on involving myself after that.” Biting his lip, Toklo swallowed. “But-” “I made a deal to guide Lex through the forest,” she continued. “That’s why all of you were waiting for me. If I hadn’t, you’d have gone back to our village, and Sissel and her sick little family never would have encountered you. So even if I didn’t start this, it’s still my fault.” In contrast to his father’s placid expression, Toklo whimpered a little. “That’s not-” “And don’t think I’ve forgotten that you both supported me when I prayed to the Night Mare. I know that I can’t go back to the tribe anymore, but if there’s anything I can do to make it easier for you when you have to go back and explain what happened-” “You already have,” cut in Yotimo, another thin smile crossing his lips. “Though I think Toklo appreciates it more.” Solvei cocked her head at that, glancing at the youth in question. Rather than looking thankful, he was having trouble meeting her eyes, keeping them lowered...directly toward her chest. Following his gaze, she glanced down and saw that her halter top was split almost completely down the middle – her having pierced the fabric when she’d skewered herself with Bloodletter, with the tear subsequently growing – causing her to show off a great deal of cleavage as the garment threatened to burst apart. Yelping, she threw her arms in front of herself, causing Yotimo to let out another chuckle as Toklo blushed. “I was trying to tell you about that,” muttered the youth weakly. Solvei groaned, mortified. Why did this keep happening?! The last of his mirth fading, Yotimo nudged his son. “Toklo, cover your ears for a moment. I want to talk to Akna privately.” The order made Toklo cringe. “I really was trying to tell her-” “I know you were,” interrupted his father. “And you’re not in trouble. Not with me, at least. But you reminded me of something I wanted to talk to her about, so cover your ears.” Toklo’s eyes flickered to her for a moment, and Solvei could see him trying very hard to keep his eyes on hers, before he gulped and nodded, reaching up to put his hands over his ears, squeezing his eyes shut for good measure. “You could have told me I was putting on a show,” huffed Solvei. Yotimo shrugged, a ghost of a smile crossing his lips. “One of the greatest joys of being a parent is getting to watch your childrens’ embarrassment while talking to someone they have feelings for.” Despite herself, Solvei scoffed. “Toklo doesn’t have feelings for me!” Yotimo gave her a rueful look. “Every young bachelor in the village has feelings for you, Akna. They may not be entirely honorable feelings, but they’re very real. Which is what I wanted to talk to you about.” Solvei cocked a brow. “This doesn’t seem like the time for a lecture about my having a duty to give birth to another shaman.” “It’s not that,” replied Yotimo with a shake of his head. “I’m going to swear all of my warriors to silence about what you said before, about this ‘Night Mare’ you worship now. That won’t make it much easier for you to leave, but at least that way you’ll be able to come back and say goodbye to everyone without them trying to kill you and eat you. I hope.” This time both of Solvei’s eyebrows rose. She’d known that her life in the tribe was over for some time now, although she hadn’t accepted it until the Night Mare had admonished her. But hearing Yotimo state it so calmly like that nevertheless threw her for a loop. “What...hold on...you’re saying-” “I’m glad you’ve found someone to give your heart to,” he interrupted, canting his head back toward where they’d left Lex. “I’ll admit that I never thought it would be to a pony, let alone a pony like him...but if he’s the one you want to start a family with, then I want you to have a chance to do that.” “Yotimo!” It was all she could do not to yell his name, clenching her hands to her chest tighter. “It’s not like that!” The smile he gave her then was one of patronizing disbelief. “You called him your master.” Her cheeks flushed, hearing the undertone in his voice. “That’s...a religious thing...” It wasn’t technically a lie, since the Night Mare was the one who’d made their connection possible. “You stabbed yourself on the off chance that it would make your goddess help him in battle.” Her ears flattened. “That was because Hvitdod would have killed us all if Lex had lost!” This time Yotimo waited a moment before speaking, his smile slowly melting away into a serious look. “When the clouds began to fall, and you thought he was about to die, I recognized the look on your face. It was the same one Toklo’s mother made whenever I told her that I needed to go and fight.” There was nothing Solvei could say to that, swallowing as she shook her head. “Yotimo...it isn’t like that between us. He already has someone in his life. You’ve seen her; she was the pegasus – the winged pony – in that group he was with when you first met him.” “You’ve defied our traditions, put yourself in danger more times than I can count, and offered up your own life...all for him. You’re really going to tell me that his being with someone else is what frightens you off?” “That’s not the same-, no, what am I saying?! He and I are different races! We can’t be together!” “Because the tribe would never approve of such a union?” She ignored his sarcasm. “Because I want to make his life easier! Not complicate it more!” “Someone who cared about living an easy life would have run away from all this,” he shot back, weakly waving a hand at the debris surrounding them. “Or he would have tried to cut a deal with his enemies to stop it from ever getting that far. Or simply pushed the responsibility for it all onto someone else...probably whoever the ponies consider their leaders. Instead, he took the option that was most difficult, carried the most risk, and offered the most pain.” “Meaning what, exactly?” muttered Solvei, looking at the ground. “Meaning that if you want to do something for him, don’t try to simplify his life. Try to make it better. And as someone who’s watched you grow up, I’m confident that being with you would make anyone’s life better.” “This has got to be your head wound talking.” Standing up, she turned away from the elder adlet. “Just rest there for a little while, maybe get some sleep, and if I’m lucky you won’t remember any of this when you wake up.” She didn’t wait for a reply as she started back toward where she’d left Lex and Nenet; it would be better to check up on them than to listen to more of Yotimo’s unwanted advice. “Akna. One last word of wisdom.” Despite herself, she slowed as Yotimo called out to her. Letting out a slow breath, she reminded herself that this was someone who deserved her respect. Not only was he urging her to do what made her happy – no, what he thought would make her happy – but he’d also gone above and beyond in supporting her, despite all the taboos she’d broken. Not to mention that he was doing it all even after having suffered so much hardship and abuse, to say nothing of how badly he’d been terrified for his son. Yotimo had earned the right to speak his mind, and until her master called her back, she owed it to him to listen to what he had to say. Nodding to herself as she regained her equilibrium, Solvei slowly turned around. “Yes?” “If all else fails, flash your goods at him like you did for Toklo just now. His pegasus doesn’t have a chest like yours.” She paused just long enough to call upon her ice magic, dumping several buckets’ worth of snow on his head before stomping away. Stupid, dirty, meddling old fool! Like I’d ever do something so shameless! Solvei fumed to herself as she trudged back toward Lex and Nenet, still holding her halter top together. What does he know anyway? It’s not like Master’s ever given any indication that he likes bosomy girls! She was still ruminating as she circled past a large outcropping of frozen clouds, sensing that Lex was just past them- And she stopped dead as she took in the unfamiliar figure next to him. She had the figure of a winter tiger, but her fur was the color of the setting sun. Wings like those of a falcon were at her sides, the feathers having the same hue as chestnuts. Long hair like burnt gold tumbled past her shoulders. Even her tail, with spikes protruding from its end, was arresting, adding a touch of danger that somehow only heightened her appeal. But what captured Solvei’s attention most was the mark on her flank. The same mark that was on her own. Lex’s mark. “Solvei, allow me to reintroduce you to Nenet,” announced Lex, his glowing eyes turning toward her from within the mass of shadows as the winged beauty beside him cringed. “Like yourself, she’s now my soul-bound companion, and I’ll be sending her to retrieve what was taken from me.” A dozen questions clawed their way to the front of Solvei’s mind then, but she found herself unable to give voice to any other them, either verbally or in her thoughts. Instead, she could only stare at her master’s new servant. Or rather, she could only stare at his new servant’s chest, which was voluptuous to a degree that put her own bust to shame. ...okay, maybe a little indication.