CHAPTER 42

Katarina saddled her horse, who seemed to prefer the saddle to the harness and traces of the cart, packed her saddlebags, and swung into the saddle. She had the smaller girl ride forward of her, and they set off at an easy pace.

As they travelled, Katarina was uncomfortably aware of the girl in the saddle in front of her. Her closeness unsettled the Witch Hunter. The girl's smell, a blend of dirt and sweat and campfire smoke wafted into her nose, the pressure of her body, her warmth radiated against Katarina's chest.

Katarina's mouth twisted. Ever since her 'massage' at Arlene's hands, she'd become aware of herself in a way she hadn't paid attention to in the past. As much as Katarina enjoyed Arlene's tender ministrations, she pondered as she rode, there was something missing. Oh, the girl knew her craft well, was attractive and likable, there was no doubt of that, but it was missing an essential component. Arlene treated her sexuality as a commodity, which wasn't something Katarina could do with any degree of comfort. What would it be like to couple with someone that she shared feelings with? She wondered. Probably as magnificent as the poets spoke of. She entertained herself with her thoughts as she rode to town.

Sleeping with Sasaki- she couldn't do that. Oh, she could, and Sasaki would likely enjoy it, but Sasaki was too much a comrade, a partner, an ally rather than someone she could feel a romantic connection with. The thought of sleeping with Araya was just plain terrifying. As much as she liked the girl, there was an element of uneasiness around her. She radiated an aura of strangeness, of otherworldly alienness that set her on edge. Who else could she see herself sleeping with? Unbidden, the trusting smile of Frederika came to mind and Katarina struggled with the image. On the one hand, Frederika had been a sister, a confidant, a friend, and the only person Katarina had ever allowed to call her 'Kat'. On the other, there was this slippery panting red lust that coiled in her lower belly as she thought of the girl. She couldn't reconcile the two. Araya had revealed Rika's affections for her, and Katarina struggled with it.

She would have to let it go, she decided. She thought about the chaplain in Aston, Gared. He was attractive to her in the same way her master Donald had attracted her, but she simply couldn't picture coupling with a man that was shorter than herself.

"This is getting me nowhere." She muttered. "I liked it better when I didn't think of such things." she complained, and Indigo twisted a little, looking back at the Witch Hunter.

"Nothing, nevermind." Katarina replied to the unasked question as they turned to follow the river north. "We'll go further up the river a bit, and cross over. There should be a meadow, and if the Children are there, we'll say our greetings." Katarina informed her.

"All right." Indigo agreed. "But why?" She asked, and Katarina smiled a little. "I met them here ten years ago. I just want to see them." She replied simply, and Indigo nodded, and adjusted her seat in the saddle, pushing her rump into the fork of Katarina's legs. Katarina herself gritted her teeth and rolled her eyes and forced her attentions forward.

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The side of the river Katarina was on was relatively flat and level, on the opposite bank there was a short but sheer cliff of about fifteen to twenty feet. Katarina kept her eyes up and alert, but desperately hoped for no trouble. While she could move her right arm a little, it was still functionally useless. She would have to contend with any problems with only one arm.

As the cliff receded, Katarina began looking for the place to cross.

"Lady Katarina, there, on the cliff." Indigo indicated with a twitch of her head.

Standing among some of the boulders was a young girl, not much older than perhaps twelve or thirteen. She had a straight wooden spear with a stone tip, and she wore an animal hide wrapped around her hips. She watched Katarina and Indigo with a quiet solemnity, her golden hair flowing in the breeze.

"She's dressed as bad as you are." Katarina observed lightly, but inwardly she was worried against trouble, conscious of her useless right arm and Indigo's body blocking Katarina's access to her gun. The girl made no threatening moves towards them; in fact she didn't move from her spot at all, simply turning her head to watch them pass.

"Please. I cover up more than that." Indigo retorted hotly.

"Why aren't you wearing trousers?" Katarina asked. "I'd meant to ask you that earlier." She asked, and Indigo laughed. "I am, sort of. Under my dress. Cotton hose. Quite scandalous if I take my dress off, though if I'm taking my dress off, I'm probably already doing something scandalous." she added. "With this type of dress and hose I can sit astride a horse and everything is covered appropriately and demurely." She added with a chuckle.

Katarina wrinkled her nose. A woman wearing hose? That was obscenity. She caught herself and grinned. If that were the case, then her own wearing of trousers was just as bad.

She turned her horse and urged it across; the river was still broad, but it was shallow here.

After they rode up onto the opposite bank they reached the meadow that Katarina had mentioned earlier, and a smile broke out on her face at seeing the double ring of tents. She stopped her horse and urged Indigo down, restraining the urge to put her hands on the girl's hips as she slid down. Katarina herself dismounted with some difficulty, and led her horse towards the camp.

As they approached, a young man intercepted them, eyeing the two of them warily.

"Who are you two?" He asked, suspiciously eyeing them. "What business do you have in our camp?"

"My name is Katarina. I'm a Witch Hunter in service to the Golden Lady." Katarina replied comfortably, gesturing at her belt. "This is Indigo, an Initiate." She added, indicating the smaller girl.

He smiled at her, and barely glanced at Indigo.

"It's been ten years since I last saw you, Katarina." He said, relaxing instantly. "You probably don't remember me, but I'm Ancha."

Katarina laughed gaily. "I haven't forgotten you; but look at you, all grown up!" She marvelled, and he blushed at her.

"Is Aleima still around?" Katarina asked, and he gave her a nod. "Mother Aleima is still very much alive." he affirmed, stressing the title.

"So she leads, then?" Katarina asked, and he nodded. "I'll take you to her." He offered, and Katarina nodded.

"I'm guessing you knew him from ten years ago?" Indigo asked, and Katarina nodded. "He's handsome." Indigo observed, and Katarina smiled a little.

Mother Aleima immediately enfolded Katarina in a warm embrace without any pretext of introduction. "Katarina!" She exclaimed warmly, hugging the taller woman. "You grew up to be so beautiful!" Aleima exclaimed, holding her at arm's length. "No husband?" Aleima asked curiously, to which Katarina shook her head.

"Master Donald set a very high standard, Mother Aleima." Katarina replied, and the older woman wrinkled her nose. "You measure your men very high indeed." Aleima praised, and Katarina nodded.

"Who's this?" Aleima asked, and Katarina gestured. "This is Yasmine. She's a Witch Hunter Initiate."

"Not your Apprentice?" Aleima asked, and Katarina shook her head.

"I imagine this isn't a social visit?" Aleima asked, and Katarina laughed. "Actually, that's exactly what this is." She replied. "I was... in the neighborhood." Katarina added, and Aleima nodded.

"You're welcome here, of course. You and your initiate friend both." She replied. "We've got plenty of food, and of course you're welcome to stay in our tent." She offered kindly. Katarina nodded.

"Do you have a healer?" Katarina asked, and Aleima nodded. "Of course. Are you all right?" She asked, and Katarina nodded.

"I..." She froze. "I ran into a problem, and I got a bullet in my shoulder for my trouble." Katarina began. "It's still there, and I think it's killing me." She managed after an internal struggle.

"Oh!" Aleima started, alarmed. "Of course, of course." She blurted, flustered. "Hurry, please. Lie down. I'll build up the fire." She urged.

The sawbones was a portly old man with a puffy white beard that hung to his chest that started just below his eyes. Balanced on his nose was a pair of glasses.

"Lady, I think I can dig out what ails you." He began as Katarina swam back into consciousness. Apparently at some point they'd removed her vest and shirt, exposing her chest. There was no helping it, she supposed, though they could have just cut away the part of her shirt around her arm and shoulder, she complained bitterly.

"I just need to know what it looks like." He added.

"It's a lump of lead." She whispered. "About the size of my pinky fingertip." She added. "It might have... broken up." She added. He nodded a couple times, jerkily. "Lady, this'll hurt a lot." He added, and then apologized. "Sorry."

She nodded, and he splashed some brandy across her shoulder, and she drifted away on a cloud of agony.

She came back to herself as he dragged out a dripping chunk of metal from her shoulder. Looking at it made her feel queasy and she drifted off again.

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"I'm dying, I think." Katarina stated. "My arm doesn't work."

The Goddess of the Dawn shook her head. "That was the bullet. It's been removed. Their prayers have been answered, Katarina, you will not die." She paused. "You could have prayed, you know." She reproached.

"Would you have answered me if I had?" Katarina breathed, and the Lily of Spring smiled warmly down at her. "Of course. You've taken my communion, after all."

"The lily bulbs?" Katarina asked, and the woman nodded. "These things must be done in order: First you take the communion. Then you receive the oath."

"What comes after that?" Katarina asked.

"Everything else." The woman replied with a guileless smile that somehow seemed predatory and hungry.

"Tell me about the 'everything else' you just mentioned." Katarina demanded. "I want to know everything."

"The oath, first." The Goddess replied.

"I'm not swearing an oath until I know what it entails." Katarina replied, and the Goddess smiled at her. "It's not your oath I need to hear, Katarina." She replied. "It's my oath to you that you need to hear. The same oath I have sworn to all the others who have sought after me."

Katarina's mouth fell open at this.

"You are surprised that I swear an oath to the people who seek me?" She asked. "If a Goddess should be needed, the Goddess should be the first servant, just as the mother cares for her child." She stated authoritatively.

Katarina shook her head, baffled.

"You're not stupid, Katarina. You understand what I mean." The woman encouraged. "Now hear my oath, and then sleep for real." She stated. "We will not speak again like this for some time."

The woman took a breath, and spoke.

"I kill, I give life. I injure, I heal. There are none who escape from my hands. There are none who escape from my eyes. May it be so that you are shattered.

The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

I welcome the defeated, the aged. Surrender to me, learn from me, obey me. May you be at rest.

Do not forget the song, do not forget the prayer, do not forget me. I relieve you of all burdens. May it be so that there is no deception.

Retaliation unto forgiveness, betrayal unto belief, despair unto hope, darkness unto light, death unto life. May you rest in my hands. Let there be a mark of your sins.

Eternal life is found only in death. Forgiveness is before you, and so my incarnation vows."

There was an echo to her voice that repeated her words in a scrawling, throaty language; Katarina recognized it as the Divine language.

A silvery pain blasted through her mind; she could feel her nerves sizzling, she couldn't tell if she were screaming. burning raced through her veins, molten magma gushed through her heart with every beat, fire breathed itself from her lungs. The pain obliterated everything.

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"I don't see why we should give her a Drake. Just order her to stay." Phoebe declared truculently. The Grand Cardinal eyed the blonde-haired woman with long-suffering patience. Lady Cardinal Phoebe was responsible for a number of territories on the continent of Rothgar, and as far as she was concerned, anything having to do with the savage continent of Hesperia was beneath her attention.

"She will find some way of slipping away. She's done it before. Look at how she's consistently ignored her summons to Darnell to be invested as a Justicar." Lady Cardinal Olivia observed, reading over Katarina's file.

"A woman like her simply should be married. She's strong, she's capable, she's intelligent; we need more like her- marrying her off would benefit everyone involved. Who knows how memorable her children would be?" Lady Cardinal Gabrielle remarked.

"From all reports she's about as interested in marriage as she is in tilling crops." Olivia replied dryly, turning a page.

"That's no good. She's what, twenty-six? A woman her age needs babies." Gabrielle replied, and Celeste and Phoebe rolled eyes at each other at this.

"I should very much like to see the Book of the Golden Lady order a Witch Hunter to marry. That would be the pinnacle of absurdity." Lady Cardinal Constance replied acerbically.

"We could offer her a teaching position." Olivia replied.

"You've forgotten? We tried that. She refused and then fled the city. We lost her for almost a year that time." The Grand Cardinal replied. "That's why I'm proposing we give her a drake." she added. "She'll be forced to stay for at least a month just to learn how to fly the thing. From there we can segue into transitioning her into a more... sedentary lifestyle."

"I disagree with giving her a drake. I have been approached by members of our Inquisitors who wish to open an investigation into Katarina. The fact that she's outlived her contemporaries can be interpreted as a testament of her skill... or damning evidence of her corruption." Celeste spoke up, and ignored Phoebe's significant look and furtive gestures.

"You think she trucks with mages? Absurd." The Grand Cardinal replied caustically.

"All the more reason to put her to the question, I should think." Celeste replied. "I submit the following accusations: She routinely defies protocol. She routinely refuses to return to Darnell, the seat of authority. She has an unusually long track record as a Witch Hunter. I'm assuming you've seen the reports from the mayors and pastors of the shanty towns she's shown up in? Blatant and contemptuous disregard for the authority of the Church. There have been reports from the Wardens of her prowess in combat situations that border on the obscene- no human could have those sorts of abilities without... help." She paused. "There are also reports- consistent reports- of her refusing to bathe with others. That suggests to me she bears the stigmata of corruption or mutation."

"Preposterous and absurd." The Grand Cardinal retorted irritably. "You understand that Katarina received her inquisitorial training from Alayne herself?" She was wholly unable to keep the scathing tones from her voice. "With that outlook, at best she's a heretical usurper, at worst it's damning. Either way, it's a death sentence. Do you have something against the girl?"

"I submit your judgement is clouded by bias." The other woman replied comfortably.

"Please. I know her file." The Grand Cardinal remarked contemptuously. "Katarina's "supernatural" abilities come from the fact that she, like just about every other Witch Hunter, uses magical implements to complement her natural abilities." The Grand Cardinal replied caustically. "It's no surprise that an uneducated forester would think her unnatural in that context."

"Perhaps." Celeste replied. "Perhaps. And what of the rest? Can you easily and effortlessly explain away the other accusations?" She asked. "And where is your proofs to refute these accusations?"

"And where are proofs for yours?" The Grand Cardinal asked angrily.

Celeste rolled her eyes. "There are stacks of reports on her constant disrespect, from the lowest pastor to Cardinal Bishops. She simply does not respect the authority of the church."

"All right, what is your plan?" The Grand Cardinal offered. "If you're wrong you will have irrecoverably and irretrievably destroyed a valuable asset."

"I've learned of a ... moderated investigation regarding a certain Knight-Errant. I offer that as an example of a possible investigation: Mortification of the Flesh and second-level Interrogation of the Soul."

"Oh, you heard about that?" The Grand Cardinal observed drily. "From whom did you hear of this?" She wondered in a dangerous voice. "If state secrets are being leaked I think that we should open an additional and far more comprehensive interrogation into those that have disbursed these secrets and those that have received them."

There was a long lapse in conversation.

A guard stepped into the High Court and passed a missive to one of the Cathedral guards, who in turn approached the Bench and presented it to the Grand Cardinal. The older woman broke the seal and sighed. She was going to have to choose her words carefully.

"She was confirmed to be operating out of Norn, correct?" She asked. "Send the warrant. You can put her to the question, if you feel so inclined, though if you attempt anything beyond a second-level Invocation of the Torch or Mortification of the Flesh, You'll join her."

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Katarina opened her eyes, and saw a woman at the foot of her bed. She wore a long black dress that blended with her black and silver hair. The woman turned and smiled warmly at her.

"Have you ... come for me?" Katarina asked, and the woman shook her head. "You called for me, Mistress." She replied. "I have been beside you the whole time. I will not let you fall."

Katarina glanced around her ostentatiously, a smile on her lips. "I think the only thing I could fall from at this point would be the bed." She replied, and Simurgh dropped a curtsey.

How much time had Katarina spent healing? Her mind boggled under the questions.

"Mistress." Katarina focused her attention on the wild-eyed woman at the foot of her bed. "I need a new home." She urged.

"New home?" Katarina replied, baffled. The woman nodded. "When you hear the names 'Foe-hammer', 'Last Words' and 'Storm Falcon', I want you to ask for 'Serenity' instead."

"What? What's 'Serenity'?" Katarina asked, confused, and suddenly she realized she could see through the woman to the wall on the other side of the tent. The woman faded and disappeared. Katarina shook her head, bewildered.

Katarina glanced at her shoulder, expecting to see a ragged wound, stitched and healing. Instead she saw smooth unbroken skin, punctuated by the scar she'd received as a child when she'd taken a javelin through the shoulder. She flexed the fingers of her right hand and nearly cried when they bent easily. She took several breaths, holding tears back, and then rolled out of bed gracefully.

When Aleima came into the tent, she didn't expect to see Katarina out of bed, twisting and flexing.

"By the Goddess!" She exclaimed in shock. "What're you doing out of bed?" She didn't hesitate, she moved over to the taller woman. "Let me see your wound." She demanded, and Katarina allowed the other woman to examine her. "By the Goddess." She breathed. "She answered our prayers." She whispered, tears in her eyes.

Katarina nodded. "Yes she did."

"This is momentous news, Katarina." Aleima replied. "You know that, before I left, I was a Pastor in the Church of Begierde." She reminded, and the Witch Hunter nodded. "I will have to go and make a proper report."

"Mother Aleima..." Katarina began, and Aleima shook her head. "This is something that needs to be told, Lady Katarina." She insisted, and then paused. "For me to speak it truly, I need all the details."

"I don't like the idea of talking about it." Katarina replied and wiped her eyes. "It's a thing of pride." she added. "It's hard to admit that any can be seduced from the Goddesses' side, and harder still to admit that one of your own turned away from her light." Katarina sat down on the bed.

"So that gunshot, as I feared, it was-" Aleima asked, and Katarina nodded.

"Morgan Blackhand turned away from the Golden Lady." She replied. "He shot me. I killed him, but not before he got me." she explained. "I wandered. I don't know how far away from Norn I am or... how long it'll take to go back."

Aleima patted Katarina on the shoulder. "Frankly, you're closer to Begierde than you are Norn, dear. You might want to consider travelling with us."

Katarina shook her head. "I can't. I know how quickly your group moves, but..." She trailed off. "I'm a lot quicker. I don't have to haul tents and livestock and kids and whatall." She offered with a smile.

Aleima nodded. "I figured as much." She replied simply. "Then, Katarina, I have a favor to ask of you."

Katarina blinked. "Anything." She replied simply.

"It's impractical for me to ask the whole of the tribe to migrate to Begierde for me alone. I'm asking if you will escort me."

"Have you a horse?" Katarina asked, and Mother Aleima nodded. "Not a fine warhorse like yours, but she'll keep up." she advised, and then smiled. "I'd thought you'd object."

"I just said 'anything', so it would be ridiculous to refuse. I admit I don't much like the idea of going so far out of my way... but I gave my word." She finished. "Let me drop Yasmine off at that valley and retrieve my cart and we'll be off."

Aleima shook her head. "She's a witness, child. She'll come with us. It's unfortunate for her, because she's going to have problems of her own, but for something of this importance, it's better this way."

"You're certainly used to getting your own way." Katarina remarked, and Aleima smiled warmly at her. "Perhaps that's so. Now put your tits away, girl. If Ancha were to come in and see you like this, I'm certain he would lose his mind." She advised, and gestured at the clothes next to the bed.

"Can't have that." Katarina responded, and began winding the sarashi Sasaki had given her around her chest, relishing the restored mobility of her right arm.

"He likes you, you know." Aleima replied.

"He's a good kid." Katarina replied absently.

"He's a man, now." Aleima urged gently.

"You know that's impossible. I can't get married." Katarina replied.

Aleima nodded at that. "You can't fault me for trying. It's my responsibility to look after everyone under my care, after all." She replied.

"Gotta find Ancha a wife." Katarina observed, shrugging into her shirt and doing up the buttons swiftly.

"I'm talking about you, Katarina." Aleima replied with a simple smile. "You cannot tell me you forgot our kindnesses ten years ago. We haven't forgotten yours, after all. You're as much a member of our people as Ancha. I want you to be happy." She remarked as Katarina negotiated the hooks for her vest.

"I appreciate it, Aleima. You have no idea what it means to hear you say that." Katarina replied gently. "I've... recently I've lost my way. It's hard to remember ... how to love. How to appreciate the simple, everyday kindnesses. It's easier to just... focus on the next job, the next Witch."

"I'm surprised and disappointed, Katarina." Aleima replied, getting up and prodding the fire. "Having that sort of focus narrows your vision and encourages rigidity and an inflexible zeal. It ultimately blinds you. Witch Hunters are supposed to be known for their flexibility."

"What do you know of Witch Hunters, Aleima?" Katarina asked, a touch angry.

"A lot." She replied. "I was a pastor of Begierde, remember?" Aleima asked gently. I've worked with my share of Witch Hunters, not just that irascible old wolf you called 'Master'." She chided gently.

"I've been meaning to ask, and forgive me for changing the subject," Katarina began, causing Aleima to turn and face her.

"On the way in, I saw a young blonde girl with a spear. Maybe twelve or thirteen?" Katarina asked. "Who is she?"

Aleima frowned. "I don't recognize her by the description." She allowed. "Certainly there's plenty of children around, but none I think with blonde hair." She reached out and touched the lock of golden hair that had appeared on Katarina's head significantly.

Katarina frowned more at the information than she did at Aleima's silent mention of her recent inexplicable hair color change. Both Katarina and Indigo had seen the girl.

"Think I should get some air." She remarked shortly, and turned to the older woman. "I'm going to wander the camp. Let me know when you're ready to go." She advised, and opened the flap to nighttime torches.

"How long was I out?" She asked, shocked. Aliema smiled. "A couple of days. You should probably get something to eat." Katarina nodded at this, and stepped outside.

Once outside, she very nearly ran into Indigo, who was playing some sort of hand-clapping rhythm game with a little girl.

"Having fun?" Katarina asked, and Indigo nodded.

"Easy stuff." She replied.

"Good. I'm gonna have a quick ride out to where we saw that girl."

"What? Why? It's been a couple of days since then." Indigo replied, stopping the game with the little girl and sending her on her way with a kiss and wave.

"Because Mother Aleima hasn't seen that girl before." Katarina replied. "She's the matriarch of the tribe." She added, and Indigo nodded. "Makes sense. Let's go."

Katarina shook her head. "You've probably eaten, but I haven't." She replied. "I'm getting food. Plenty of time to ride out and look for tracks tomorrow." She replied. Indigo nodded, and they went in search of food.

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Katarina rode out to the cliffs in the early morning light alone. She didn't have any reason to leave Indigo behind; when she awoke in the pre-dawn light, it simply just didn't occur to her to wake the girl.

She rode out while the sentries were yawning into their fists, a warm smile and a small wave as she passed.

The ride to the cliffs didn't take very long. She reached the cliffs themselves and began climbing up on foot, hopping from one boulder to the next, hands and toes seeking holds, spurs jingling. When she reached the cliff's edge, she spotted the girl. She sat on the edge, spear propped up next to her, feet dangling over the edge.

She looked up at Katarina as the taller woman approached and gave her a guileless smile. She had long, wavy blonde hair and a wild sort of beauty with a heart-shaped sort of face, rather wide with high cheekbones, a well-defined jaw, and a narrow chin. Curiously, she seemed to wear the hide of an animal wrapped around her hips and nothing else.

"Who are you?" Katarina asked, settling herself down next to the girl.

"Anya." The girl replied simply.

"You look ...cold." Katarina offered, and the girl shook her head slowly. Left, right, back to center.

"Where are your parents?" Katarina asked. "Back there?" She asked, and the girl gave no response.

"What are you doing out here?" She asked.

"Waiting." The girl replied calmly.

"Waiting for...?" Katarina asked. There was something wrong with the girl, she decided. It would be rough getting her down from the cliffs, but if she knocked the girl out, she could carry the girl down, Katarina surmised.

"Find the crown." She stated to Katarina, eyes narrowed. She used her spear to hoist herself to her feet.

"I don't know what that means." Katarina replied.

"Find it." the girl repeated, and disappeared. There was no flash or fanfare; one moment she was there, a second later she was not.

Katarina jolted with shock and nearly tumbled off the cliff as she struggled to her feet, hand on her gun. What crown was the girl talking about?