For a little boy, the tumultuous events that began to shape the tribe of the Tenakth were mostly outside of his purview. He heard rumours, snatches of information and of the deeds of the Marshalls but for the most part, his world consisted of the Bulwark, the orphan lodge, his best friend Jayko, Gerrah and the Pit. For someone who had lost everything, Kotallo was beginning to learn to laugh again.

When he reached the age of twelve he was moved to the unbonded male lodge. Those that lived in it were young men who were not old enough to bond or had not yet met someone with which to do so. Kotallo felt like a child again, though he was much older and taller than when he’d first come to the Bulwark five years earlier. He was thankful that Jayko, who was a little older, had been able to remain at the orphan lodge with him and moved across to the male lodge.

It helped to have a friend, especially when Amenka was in the same lodge. He was not an orphan but he was of age to be in the male lodge. He had a couple of friends who were of the same personality, intimidating and cruel and Kotallo had to suffer some of their stupidity however, there were grown males in the lodge also, including Tekotteh when his squad was at the Bulwark and most of them were not so bitter and foolish.

Kotallo missed Gerrah. Now that he was twelve, he was out of her guidance and fully beneath Atikka’s boot. However, Gerrah’s insight and training had given him the confidence and experience he needed to hold his own. Atikka’s comments of how Kotallo and Jayko had been ‘coddled’ under Gerrah’s influence did not last long when they continued to advance and succeed in the Pit.

Kotallo did recognise that while Atikka was deeply critical of everyone and vocal about it too, Gerrah kept such thoughts to herself. He remembered her wisdom as he’d dug the latrine so while he did not like Atikka much, he realised that being critical and bitter showed more about the person saying it than the one it was directed at. He watched his words, the way he spoke and the reason behind the things he said. He was dubbed ‘the strong but silent’ type. Only with Jayko was he truly himself, laughing and joking, their friendship as tight as any machine cord.

He, Jayko, twins Alaika and Arakko, had been dubbed the title Orphan Squad and worked together as an unofficial squad. Alaika and Arakko were older and Arakko was a fine fighter while his sister had a head for strategy, however, neither of them could hold a handle to Kotallo and Jayko’s climbing prowess and speed. Perhaps they were not the best of the best when it came to squads but they were a good team that worked well together, recognising that each other had strengths to utilise.

And it seemed that, though a shaky establishment of peace had begun, it was as if the machines had decided to adopt the offense that the clans were attempting to leave behind. They started to become agitated, stories of machines that had once spooked and run now turning and fighting the hunters that were trying to bring them down so that they could be stripped for parts. Even Grazers, the flightiest of machines and the least likely to attack anyone, became aggressive.

Derangement.

It was a big word used to describe the changes within the machines.

Only when a machine had been damaged, like the Fanghorn Kotallo and his father had dealt with years before, had they become a problem.

Kotallo wondered what could have damaged the machines so to cause them to turn on humans? And not just Tenakth but there were tales of the Utaru who lived in Plainsong in No Man’s Land having to fight machines that turned hostile.

At one point Hekarro sent a Marshall to the Bulwark to summon warriors to deal with a herd of Behemoth that had stormed a Desert Clan settlement, trampling it to dust.

Kotallo watched as Lankatta called for volunteers. He was sure Tekotteh would vouch his blade but he remained silent. When he asked him after the volunteers had left why he had not joined the warrior party, Tekotteh had huffed.

“You have to know when a fight is worth the risk of dying.”

It seemed the derangement was all anyone could talk about. That and Hekarro’s changes to Memorial Grove, turning the Arena into a proving ground for future Marshals and trials against machines. If that wasn’t enough, he even started to include Sky and Desert Clan soldiers in his Chief’s Guard, a squad dedicated to the Grove and his own protection. If he had not been such a renowned warrior, this might have seemed excessive but Hekarro’s legend was nothing if not replete with great deeds and incredible conquests.

Then, a couple of years later, new stories began to emerge.

New machines had been sighted.

Some were aberrations of machines that they were used to and others were new…and all of them were far more dangerous than anything else that had come before them. There was one called a Sawtooth with claws and fangs that ripped soldiers to shreds. A year later, Ravagers began to appear, armed with lasers and faster than anything they’d faced before. And beyond the Bulwark, tales of larger than all imagining machines…the kind of thing to give Kotallo nightmares.

“We’re safe behind the Bulwark.” Tekotteh reassured him when he noticed the shadows before Kotallo’s eyes. “We can wait out any attack, weather any storm here…fear not little ‘Tallo.”

Kotallo’s only knowledge of the outside world came from hearsay and rumour and for a time, the stories of skirmishes with humans ebbed to nothing. Hekarro’s Marshals exacted his will when required. Tekotteh was sceptical of this.

“Why can the clans not discipline their own?” He remarked as a Marshal who originally hailed from the Lowland Clan, listened to the case of a supposed murder between two Sky Clan soldiers.

“What does a Lowland Marshal know of anything other than the sludge he wallows in?” Atikka sneered, his tone dripping with scorn. “Lankatta should not permit this…”

The trial was a hard one and the Marshal, probably painfully aware that his actions and verdict would be closely scrutinised, listened and deliberated carefully before declaring that it was not deliberate murder but manslaughter. However, even that brought with it a dangerous sentence.

“I understand you have a dangerous climb as a right of passage to becoming a soldier?” The Marshal looked at Lankatta.

Tekotteh snorted. “If he had been of the Sky Clan, he would know.”

“The March of the Ten.” Lankatta confirmed.

“Hear this as the will of Hekarro,” the Marshal turned to the accused, “though your actions were not deliberate, they have still resulted in death, tainting your reputation. You have a choice before you. Join the ranks of my bodyguards and know that you will rarely see the Bulwark again…or climb the March of the Ten without a partner…or shoes.”

Atikka’s expletive was a hissed one and Kotallo gasped softly as the whole Sky Clan watched the trial.

The soldier hesitated. “I will climb the March of the Ten as you say.”

“If you survive, all responsibility for this crime are dispelled. You will no longer be held accountable for it.” The Marshal looked around at the audience, taking in the Sky Clan’s steely eyed gazes. “And those who exact any form of vengeance will suffer the same punishment.”

Kotallo watched the soldier walk with heavy shoulders with the Marshal and his bodyguards to where the March of the Ten began.

“Will he make it?” Kotallo asked Jayko.

“It’s a hard climb when you have a partner and shoes, let alone without.”

Kotallo swallowed. “You have to climb it though, don’t you…to become an official member of a squad.”

“To receive your soldier’s mark, yeah.” Jayko nodded.

Kotallo shivered. “Then I’m going to have to climb it one day.”

“There’s no rush. You climb it when you are ready to and I’ll be your partner. I won’t let you fall.” Jayko hip bumped him. “I hope you’re not willing to try to beat Lankatta’s record.”

“What’s that?”

“The youngest to climb it. She was seventeen although I reckon Olenka has a shot at it.”

“Olenka…does she train with us?”

Jayko snorted. “Olenka is trained by her aunt, Lankatta. One day she’ll be in the pit with us and when she is…”

Jayko’s words had a remarkable prophetic lilt to them for not a month later, Olenka did join the soldiers in the pit. She was lean with long dark hair and bright blue eyes. Her skin was marked beautifully with sharp pink and white dashes, befitting the Sky Clan Commander’s niece. She was very confident and sure of herself and her time training with Lankatta had only increased her experience. There was something captivating about the way she walked, as though the whole world belonged to her.

There was quite a ripple of reaction in the pit that resulted from Olenka’s presence. Amenka suddenly began to look after his appearance, preening and making sure his muscles were visible no matter the armour he wore. Another young woman, Inala, saw Olenka as a rival and despite Olenka’s advantages of training, Inala’s skill and experience were comparable. It was a pleasure to watch them fight although Kotallo found himself watching Olenka more than any other.

He was at an age where the talk of boys about great warriors and mythical creatures turned to the talk of men, still filled with talk of grand conquests but now, some of those stories and dreams began to include women.

Kotallo and Jayko were too young to fully comprehend all of it but they could not remain completely ignorant forever and one day, Gerrah explained the nature of physical union between a man and a woman.

Kotallo was relieved he had received enough paint on his skin to cover his deep blush.

“And that is how a child is conceived.” Gerrah gestured to her body then to her son who played with doll warriors, cutting down a machine made from sticks. “But boys, I urge you…do not be hasty or flippant in these matters. For you, the moment is over and you continue to function but a young woman who is with child must abstain from fighting for a year so that she has time to carry the child and nurse it if there is no wetnurse available. Think upon the consequences of your actions and only even take a willing mate that you wish to bond with.”

Kotallo felt like Gerrah was gazing at him specifically at that moment, as though she could see Olenka’s beautiful face, her sparkling eyes, appearing in his mind.

He swallowed and looked away.

He told no one, not even Jayko of his crush which began to become all consuming. In the pit, Kotallo was suddenly aware of Olenka’s presence, how simply by being there caused his palms to become slippery, his mind to become fractured and his chest to tighten. These things only served to make him clumsy and always in her presence. Atikka delighted in taking out his growing frustration with Lankatta’s deference to Hekarro’s command over the clans out on foolish and incompetent soldiers.

Then…the time known as the Red Raids began.

It started so suddenly that it was difficult to comprehend the brutality of it.

The first news of it came from the Desert Clan.

They existed in the barren and dry places of the west where water was more precious than any other substance. The Desert Clan had always fought the other Tenakth clans with a bloodthirsty violence that surpassed all yet they had a strangely peaceful alliance with the Utaru tribe who lived in the north/eastern plains where food grew in abundance due to machines tilling the soil and producing bountiful harvests. The general opinion of the Utaru was that they were lazy leaf eaters, unable to defend themselves against any attack, so sure they were safe in their grand homes on enormous dishes perched high above the ground.

The Desert Clan, though scornful of the Utaru’s abundance and laziness, were in ever need of water and food. They traded with the Utaru, building an uneasy alliance based on necessity. And so, when a bloodied and desperate Utaru collapsed at Arrowhand, rambling wildly about raiders from the east who had dragged a dozen Utaru back where they had come from, the Desert Clan knew there was serious trouble.

Watika, the Desert Clan’s Commander, sent out several squads to deal with these impertinent intruders. She was less concerned with the Utaru as she was about the gall that anyone thought they could cross over into the west and simply take what was not theirs. She also didn’t want to jeopardise the food supply treaty with the Utaru.

Only a handful returned. They had tracked the Utaru prisoners and the war party to a fortress called Barren Light that was kept as safe as the Bulwark by high cliffs and a façade of stone blocks. Any attempt to scale the wall or cliffs was cut down by archers from the fortress. In the end, the soldiers could do nothing but leave, unable to rescue the Utaru.

Watika wanted to exert strength while being wise so she sent a Marshal back to the Grove with the news of the raiders then added that the Desert Clan would deal with them should they dare to cross into the west again.

And they did…and again and again and again, their attacks increasing in brutality. They were not content in attacking soldiers but rather, they started raiding settlements, family groups, even pushing into Desert Clan territory and grabbing unprepared Tenakth. Those that submitted were dragged back to Barren Light in chains. Those that fought back were gutted in the most violent ways that even had the Desert Clan reeling. Some were even burned to death, tied to stakes in the ground. It was said that the howl of one particular Marshal, a former Desert Clan warrior called Regalla, could be heard across No Man’s Land when she found the scorched bodies of her brothers.

Watika’s refusal to ask for help saw her command of the Desert Clan challenged. She was struck down by Yarra, a young woman as tough as the desert grasses that clung to barren rock around Scalding Spear. Yarra went to the Grove herself and petitioned Hekarro for help. Hekarro sent his Marshals to the larger settlements of the clans to call forth warriors to deal with the Carja, as they had become known.

“What has this fight got to do with us?” Atikka demanded as soldiers of the Sky Clan volunteered for the fight. “It’s a Desert Clan matter!”

“We are all one tribe, united under Hekarro.” Lankatta retorted.

Atikka looked fit to blow his temper until Tekotteh put his hand on his shoulder. “Surely, with the Sky Clan’s mighty warriors, trained by Atikka, the tide will turn against these raiders.”

Kotallo admired Tekotteh’s peace keeping words. He watched as the soldiers followed the Marshal to the lift and descended to the valley. Kotallo flexed his muscles and sighed. He wasn’t ready yet to climb the March of the Ten. He hated that he wasn’t ready. Amenka had already made the climb and was off to bring glory to his name against the Carja.

“Next year,” Kotallo vowed, “I will make the climb next year in the season when the Blood Crest are in full bloom and get my soldier’s stripes.”

His ears, naturally attuned to Olenka’s voice, heard her speaking angrily with her aunt. He was drawn closer to the space in which they spoke, attempting to keep their disagreement private for all the good it did.

“I could be one of them if you would only let me attempt the march!”

“Olenka, you are too young.”

“I am fifteen!”

“You are not ready.”

There was a pause. “Are you sure that is the real reason, aunt? Or are you afraid I might beat your record of the youngest climber?”

There was a hard sound, like skin on skin and a sharp gasp.

“Don’t test me, Olenka. You will perform the climb when I say you are ready.”

A body stormed past Kotallo and he caught a whiff of Olenka’s natural scent as she strode towards the back of the Bulwark, one hand clenched, the other against her cheek. He followed her and saw her kneel in the snow, scooping some onto her palm to hold to her face. He studied her, wishing he knew what to say or do.

When she stood up and turned, she caught sight of him.

“What the hell…have you been here the whole time?” He nodded, mutely. “What happened to your words, orphan squad? Did Atikka cut out your tongue?” She sneered, her eyes glassy with anger and pain. “Stop staring at me!” She flounced away and Kotallo’s shoulders sagged.

He wanted to tell her he was sorry.

He wanted to say that he thought she was remarkable.

He wanted to speak words that would cause her to melt into his arms…

Instead all he could do was stare.

“Women respond to strength and confidence.” Tekotteh told him when he noticed Kotallo’s unusually introverted demeanour in the unbonded male lodge that evening. Tekotteh was healing from a gash on his leg which was why he hadn’t volunteered to go up against the Carja.

“I’m not good at talking to her.” Kotallo muttered, still angry with himself for missing an opportunity to do more than just stare. His voice had finally broken into a deeper tone making it less likely that he would suddenly squeak but he still lacked the assertiveness to speak in her presence.

“Sometimes you can be strong and confident without words.” Tekotteh reassured him. “Lean into your strengths, Kotallo.” Kotallo nodded and stood up, going to return to his bed. “Little ‘Tallo, you haven’t told me who she is.” Kotallo blushed. Tekotteh chuckled. “Keep her name to yourself then…and enjoy your warm dreams.”

The Tenakth prepared an ambush for the Carja, their ranks swollen with the soldiers of three clans at Cinnabar Sands in the shade of a Tallneck that marched around the southern flank of Plainsong. They were able to fell a Carja raid on Utaru land and chased those who retreated all the way back to Barren Light. They even took a prisoner. According to Amenka, Regalla would have happily visited upon him the same death sentence that her brothers had suffered but the other Marshal in the war party, a former Sky Clan soldier called Fareak, decided to drag him back to Memorial Grove, half dead.

Amenka doubted he would survive the journey.

Kotallo saw Olenka’s eyes brighten as she listened to him tell the tale and he knew Amenka was enjoying her attention. Inala was also there and several other young women. Kotallo found himself wishing he’d had more ambition and had climbed the damn cliff and found the bloom this year rather than putting it off until next. Then, perhaps, it would have been him that relayed the tale of the Cinnabar Sands conquest and Olenka would be listening to his words with rapt attention.

However, the elation of conquest was short lived.

If the Tenakth held any hope that they would dissuade the Carja from stepping foot into No Man’s Land again, let alone Tenakth territory, they were badly mistaken. There were Carja scouts tracking the soldiers who returned to their settlements…and while the Tenakth guard was down for they thought they had dealt a finishing blow to the Carja, raiders ripped through the vulnerable settlements. Not one clan was left without Carja violence.

It was a message.

Nowhere was too far.

Nowhere was safe.

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

“Except behind the Bulwark.” Tekotteh reassured Kotallo. “There is no other place that has withstood clan wars, machine stampedes and Carja raiders. Even Memorial Grove was attacked yet here we are safe.”

“Not while Lankatta sends our people out to be slaughtered!” Atikka fired up, unable to eat his portion, his eyes glittering, dark and fixed on the Sky Clan Commander who spoke at length with Gerrah and Olenka.

“Do what you must and know that those who believe as you do, support you.” Tekotteh remarked.

Atikka stood up, walked to Lankatta and threw his spear down at her feet.

She looked up at him, unsurprised.

“Finally worked up enough courage to put action behind your snivelling words?”

“You are not worthy to be the Sky Clan Commander!”

“If that is so,” Lankatta stood up, “then I will fall. Come, let us get this over with.”

The Sky Clan gathered around the Pit where Atikka and Lankatta prepared their blades. Jayko and Kotallo pushed to the front of the line, their eyes wide with anticipation.

“Lankatta will cut him down…I’m sure of it.” Jayko whispered.

Kotallo was not so sure. Lankatta didn’t look as well as she had a few years ago when the last challenger had faced her. There was a lot of grey in her hair and shadows beneath her eyes. Her skin had an unhealthy lustre, dull and even a little grey. Kotallo looked around the Pit and found Tekotteh’s face. He nodded at Kotallo.

He swallowed…and the fight began.

Despite her ailing body, Lankatta fought bravely and boldly…but Atikka was carrying a great deal of suppressed rage and bitterness. He was also the Pit Master for a reason. He was not a weak warrior and had trained the best the Sky Clan had, including Tekotteh.

Several times both of them came close to a fatal blow until Atikka, when Lankatta’s body faltered, ran her through up to the hilt.

Olenka’s gasp was sharp and loud. Kotallo looked for her on the other side of the Pit, her eyes wide and her beautiful lips, parted in shock. Gerrah put her hands on Olenka’s shoulders. Kotallo wished he had thought to stand behind her so that when Olenka had needed comforting, he’d been there…

…then the gravity of the situation occurred and he looked back into the Pit.

This had not been a training exercise and the blades had not been padded…

This was real…and Lankatta was already dead.

Kotallo had never seen anyone killed before. The only dead bodies he’d seen were his parents and though he’d been scant feet from them when they’d been killed, he hadn’t seen anything and his hands had been clapped over his ears in terror.

This…death…was altogether different.

In a way, Kotallo felt his childhood die…

Atikka lifted his blade and shouted a victory cry.

“I will see the Sky Clan returned to glory once more!”

“You will only bring about its demise.” Everyone turned to see Tekotteh stepping into the Pit. He knelt, closing Lankatta’s open eyes then stood up once more. “I challenge you in Lankatta’s honour.” Tekotteh sighed. “Of course…if you need to rest first…”

Atikka’s mouth fell open before his lips curled into a dark sneer. “So…that’s how you planned it…cunning as a snake. I’ll not shy away from your challenge. I can kill you as easily as I did Lankatta.”

Tekotteh took up Lankatta’s blade. He looked at Olenka. “If I die, remember me with fondness. If I live, it will be in Lankatta’s name of watching over the Sky Clan.”

He roared and lunged at Atikka. Kotallo’s eyes didn’t blink once as they battled it out all over the Pit, slamming each other with furious strokes. Tekotteh headbutted Atikka and blood poured out of his nose. Tekotteh staggered backwards, falling onto his knee, dizzy from the assault.

“No!” Kotallo cried as Atikka forced himself upright and raised his blade. Tekotteh suddenly rolled out of the way, bringing his blade up, gashing through Atikka’s abdomen.

He gave a gurling groan before slumping forward.

Tekotteh stood up and spat blood out of his mouth.

“All here bear witness to the Sky Clan’s new Commander, Tekotteh!” Gerrah called and the clan bellowed their acknowledgement before the dead were taken care of. Kotallo sprinted to Tekotteh, his long legs carrying him further than they ever had before. The new leader of the Sky Clan looked up at him, giving him a reassuring smile with blood in his teeth.

“Commander…” Kotallo began.

“Kotallo, you watched the fight?”

Kotallo nodded. “I was worried Atikka would kill you.” He admitted.

“He thought he could not lose…yet I prevailed.” Tekotteh put his hand on Kotallo’s shoulder in the presence of all the soldiers and the young man’s shoulders squared and his chest puffed out. “Atikka would have led us to war against the clans, splintering the peace and dividing us against the Carja. I could not let that happen.”

“I understand.”

Tekotteh chuckled and squeezed his shoulder. “You really are filling out little ‘Tallo…or perhaps not so little anymore.”

No…not so little.

Kotallo had watched death take not one but two people from him. Yes, others had wielded the weapons but it was death that consumed their bodies.

He was not sure what it would take for him to kill a person. He hoped fervently that the Red Raids would be over by the time the last of the winter storms had passed and the season for the bloom of the Blood Crest flowers began. Yet he knew, should Tekotteh call on him to defend the Sky Clan, Kotallo would stand with his fellow soldiers, blade drawn and do what was necessary…

…but first he had to climb the damn cliff.

As he and Jayko lay in their beds that were so close they could whisper without being overheard, Kotallo praised Tekotteh’s boldness.

“He’s the youngest commander of the Sky Clan, possibly of any Tenakth clan.”

“You said that already.” Jayko chuckled, rolling his eyes.

“It’s something to be proud of. He risked his life to keep the Sky Clan out of Atikka’s clutches.” Kotallo saw Jayko’s forehead furrow and sat up. “What’s that look for?”

“What look?”

“You know exactly what look I’m talking about. You don’t agree with what I said.”

Jayko sighed and sat up so he could lean even closer. “You don’t think the way Tekotteh went about it was a little…”

“Bold? Daring? Tenacious? Courageous?”

“Sneaky? Dishonest?”

Kotallo gaped at his friend. “What are you talking about?”

“He challenged Atikka immediately after an intense fight with Lankatta…shouldn’t he have waited a reasonable amount of time, let Atikka get his strength back?”

“Would you honestly have wanted Atikka in charge for more than five minutes?” Kotallo challenged. Jayko pulled a face. “I didn’t think so. Besides, he offered Atikka the chance to rest first.”

“More like goaded him into it by making a rest look weak.”

Kotallo sighed and lay back down. “You seem to turn everything Tekotteh does into something underhanded.”

“And you follow blindly,” Jayko waved his hand before Kotallo could protest, “no, that’s not the way I meant it to sound. I mean…” He paused and looked up at the rough ceiling, gathering his thoughts. “You follow without question when you’ve found a place to pledge your loyalty. It’s admirable and honestly I wish I could trust the same way that you do.”

Kotallo stared at the open countenance of his friend. “You don’t think he’ll make a good leader?”

Jayko shrugged. “Who am I to say? He’s only been the Sky Clan Commander for a few hours…and yet I miss Lankatta already.”

“Tekotteh will honour her memory.” Kotallo insisted.

Jayko frowned again. “Maybe…but Tekotteh rarely agreed with anything Lankatta said or did. He might not have been overt in his attitude but I could see him resisting it.”

“You don’t have to agree with someone to honour them.”

“No, of course not,” Jayko rolled onto his side, “but whenever Atikka spoke, Tekotteh agreed with him…”

“Doesn’t that make his challenge all the more remarkable?”

“Perhaps…except that Atikka’s words and the look on his face said something entirely different. It was as though Tekotteh had betrayed him.”

Kotallo lost a great deal of sleep that night, pondering Jayko’s words. He peered as closely as he could at his memories of Tekotteh but could not see the petty schemer that his friend implied that he was. Where Jayko saw betrayal, Kotallo saw boldness. Where Jayko heard dissent, Kotallo heard tenacity.

Arguing with Jayko was the last thing Kotallo wanted to do. His friend was dear to him and the time was approaching that they would attempt the March of the Ten. They had to work in unison and they practiced on smaller cliffs in the Sheerside Mountains, each supporting and helping the other.

Thankfully in the winter, the Carja seemed less inclined to make the journey across No Man’s Land and they certainly didn’t trespass into Sky Clan territory. For a while there was a reprieve but it was short lived as the temperature began to rise.

The time for the climb had come.

Kotallo and Jayko talked at the campfire the evening before, deciding to stay the night at the foot of the mountain before beginning the March of the Ten.

“That means we don’t have to leave until midday.” Jayko handed some fermented goat’s milk. Kotallo took a gulp, feeling his insides buzz warmly. “We can hunt on the way there.”

“There’s a few machine sites between the Bulwark and the climb…”

“We can sneak past those easily enough. Don’t want to jeopardise the climb by attacking machines unnecessarily…” They both looked up as Arakko descended upon their conversation, already bearing his soldier mark.

“Guess what lead feet of the Orphan Squad?” He squatted down with them. “I just volunteered to escort you all to the climb so when you come down and we can make Orphan Squad official…”

“Wait…we’re really going to let ourselves be called that after Amenka and the rest mocked us with it?” Jayko demanded.

“I say use what they saw was a weakness and show them that Orphan Squad are the toughest, sharpest, meanest bunch of…are you going to share that ferment or not?”

Kotallo looked at Arakko who slurped at the bitter goat’s milk. “Who is all?”

“Huh?”

“When you said you’re escorting us all to the climb…who is ‘all’?”

“Us.” Jayko laughed.

“Then why didn’t he say, you two…why ‘all’?”

Arakko wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. “Not silly, are you Kotallo? I’ll be escorting you two and Olenka and Shenay. They’re attempting their climb the same day as you.”

Kotallo swallowed. “Uh…I thought Olenka was forbidden from attempting it too early…”

“That was Lankatta’s doing and she’s not around anymore…may she fly on the Wings of the Ten.” Arakko said solemnly. “We’ll head out together. Sound alright?”

Kotallo’s palms began to sweat. The climb just got a whole lot harder.

The distance from the Bulwark to the climb was not extensive but there was always the chance of gaining the unwanted attention of a machine herd. And, as Jayko had said, it would be foolish to take on the machines when the climb was the objective. So they had to do a little sneaking around. Olenka had the litheness of a serpent, able to move her body with fluidity and Shenay followed her every move. Arakko was older but nimble and Jayko was as thin as a rake, built like a stick. Kotallo was starting to wish he’d never hoped he’d grow as tall as Tekotteh. It was that much harder to hide in the grasses. His head always managed to protrude. He had to compress his height and shuffle along in an ungainly manner in the presence of his all consuming crush.

It was humiliating.

For the first time he was relieved that Olenka was not paying him any attention.

When they reached the base of the climb, grey clouds were swirling overhead. Even Olenka, with her need to beat her aunt’s record of youngest climber, recognised that a storm would make a perilous climb a near suicidal attempt. She reluctantly agreed to wait until the morning to begin.

Pilo, the climb master and the one who had announced that the Blood Crest was in bloom, welcomed them to his small hut. The youths gathered around the fire, warming their hands.

“How do you know that the flower is blooming?” Jayko asked Pilo who reclined at the back of his hut. He liked his solitude and unless youths were trying for their soldier mark, he was left mostly alone, only residing at the Bulwark during the worst of the winter storms.

“I look for the signs of bird migration and when they have flown overhead, I climb up and see the blooms with my own eyes.”

“You climb the cliff every year?” Kotallo was aghast.

Pilo’s nose crumpled into scorn at Kotallo’s question. “A true soldier of the Sky Clan would not balk at such training.” Kotallo’s neck burned hot with shame. “If I was Pit Master, I would make every soldier climb the pass once a year to show that they had not lost what it took in battle to be a warrior that would bring the Sky Clan honour. You would do well to follow Amenka’s example. He only climbed the cliff yesterday and without a partner.”

Kotallo looked at Jayko whose eyes were troubled.

“He climbed just yesterday?”

“That’s what I said. You got snow in your ears, boy?”

Kotallo leaned towards Jayko. “What do you think it means?”

“I dunno,” Jayko glanced at Olenka and Shenay whispering, “but I think we’d better get an early night…”

The March of the Ten was not at the base camp. Pilo led them along a snowy path that was all uphill and ended at the foot of the climb. The way was marked by the colours of the Sky Clan, the white and blue of the ink blending into the Sheerside Mountains with only the pink standing out. Kotallo hoped the path up the cliff would be so clearly marked.

“This is where the March of the Ten begins,” Pilo announced at a sheer façade of rock with just a few handholds to be seen, “if you complete this, you will have performed the same feat as those whose courage and strength have guided our clan to becoming the greatest of all Tenakth. If you die, you won’t be around to bring the Sky Clan shame.” Kotallo felt his eyes rest longer on him than anyone else as he said this. “Go and do not forget to claim the Blood Crest at the top of the mountain to prove your worthiness of the mark of a soldier.”

Olenka and Shenay wasted no time. They immediately flung themselves at the cliff and began to climb. Kotallo gazed at Olenka as she climbed, his concentration at risk. He felt a sharp dig in his ribs.

“I need you to be my partner on this, not her imaginary one.” Jayko whispered.

Kotallo closed his eyes and nodded. “I am with you, Jayko.” He held out his hand and his best friend clasped it. “I won’t let you fall.”

“Hey, that’s my line.” Jayko chuckled and they began to climb.

All their training had helped but nothing prepared any of them for the sheerness of the cliff or the sharpness of its handholds. It was like gripping ice, biting into their skin and snapping at their senses. Olenka and Shenay were lighter in form than the two young men and even they found the going difficult. At least, Shenay did, slipping at one point, grasping the edge of an outcrop at the last second and if she hoped for a kind word of encouragement from Olenka, she was met with disappointment.

“For goodness sakes, Shenay, move your ass!”

Jayko sent Kotallo a look and laughed, pulling himself up further to a ledge, holding out his hand for Kotallo.

“I’ll take point for the next section.” Kotallo offered.

“Just…take a moment to catch my breath.” Jayko puffed. “I dunno how Olenka does it…she’s always on point.”

“I am surprised Olenka did not choose a more capable partner.” Kotallo admitted.

“I think it has something to do with Shenay being a good follower and she’s not so young as to take the title of youngest soldier to climb the March of the Ten from Olenka.” Jayko cleared his throat. “Right, ready?”

At one point the climb flattened out into a large clearing but if they thought that they were at the end of their journey, they were sorely mistaken. They had to find the markers at the back of the clearing and discovered the most dangerous part of the climb was yet to come. Kotallo decided not to risk the handholds, choosing to cling to rock instead of failing wood. He grunted and heaved until he dragged himself over the edge, turned and offered Jayko his hand.

“No, no…I’d like to do this one myself…” Jayko scrambled to the pinnacle and collapsed into the snow, his chest heaving. “Please tell me…we made it…”

Kotallo leaned down, hands on his knees. If he sagged into the snow, he knew he would struggle to get back up again. He couldn’t give in to his exhaustion.

“We made it. Now for the Blood Crest.”

“I’m coming…” Jayko held out his hand and Kotallo hauled him to his feet. “Right…petals as red as blood. Can’t be too hard to find.”

The pinnacle of the climb was not very large. Kotallo could throw a spear from one end to the other. Olenka and Shenay had arrived just before them and were already hunting for the prize. Kotallo walked to where the rappel point was that would get them down much faster and far more safely than the climb up. Before him stretched the expanse of the Sky Clan territory. He forgot about Jayko, the Blood Crest and even Olenka as he gazed at the extraordinary world he lived in.

“I spent most of my life at the Bulwark…I never knew the world was so…big.” He breathed.

“Kotallo…there’s a problem.” Jayko called out, breaking through Kotallo’s unusual reverie.

“What is it?” Kotallo turned, expecting to see Jayko brandishing a red bloom. But his hands were empty.

“There are no Blood Crest blooms on the pinnacle.”

Kotallo stared at him. “But…that’s impossible. Pilo said they were here…”

“I know.”

“He climbed up and then sent word that we could pick our own blooms.”

“I know.”

“Then…Amenka climbed two days ago…” Kotallo closed his eyes. “He…”

Jayko’s jaw tightened. “That bastard! He must have heard us planning our ascent and climbed the March of the Ten, not to sharpen his prowess…”

“But to pick and discard all the blooms…” Kotallo breathed. “He’s…paying me back for his humiliation in the Pit all those years ago. Jayko…I’m sorry…”

“Don’t!” Jayko snapped hard at him. “Don’t apologise for that arse’s actions. We’ll find a bloom. We have to. He can’t have gotten rid of them all.”

With the way Olenka and Shenay were searching, it seemed the young men were not the only ones to have realised the despicable actions of Amenka. Their searching became frantic. Snow was scattered from the pinnacle as they dug through to barren rock with frozen fingers, hoping to find a bloom hidden from sight.

But there were none.

Kotallo closed his eyes and tried to think. “The Blood Crest…it’s red…”

“I know!”

“But when turned into the ink that inscribes our skin with the soldier mark, it becomes the pink hue that has become part of the Sky Clan signature…”

“I know!” Jayko sighed and looked up. “What are you getting at?”

“The inker…the old one we used to help with when we were at the orphan lodge,” Kotallo concentrated, “he told us that the Blood Crest…it was the hardiest of plants because it bloomed in the snow…in the smallest dashes of dirt amidst the rocks…Jayko,” his eyes ripped open, “we have to look down the sides of the cliff.”

“The cliff we just climbed up?”

“The other side.” Kotallo pointed. “Amenka would have pulled any from their grasp upon the earth as he climbed but he wouldn’t have thought to check on the far side.”

They lay on their bellies and leaned precariously over the edge of the pinnacle, eyes hunting for a dash of red anywhere.

“Hey…hey! I found one!” Jayko cried, his arm straining to its utmost limits before he sagged. “It’s too far!”

“I’m taller,” Kotallo took Jayko’s spot, “brace and hold my legs.”

Jayko nodded, banking down hard into the snow. “I won’t let you fall.”

Kotallo, trusting his friend implicitly, pushed out over the edge of the pinnacle, Jayko’s hands gripping his ankles tightly. Kotallo not see the bloom at first then a breeze wind whipped past and fluttered its petals. He had to inch out even further, his hips and legs now the only things against the rock, Jayko holding him tightly. Kotallo reached down, the bloom having found a place to nestle in a tiny alcove of rock.

“Got it?” Jayko hissed.

“Almost…I can’t reach the stem.”

“Screw the stem, grab one of the petals!”

“I will return to the Bulwark with a whole Blood Crest to make Amenka die of humiliation!” Kotallo grunted and almost lunged, his fingers curling around the base of the bloom. “Jayko!”

His friend heaved on his legs and Kotallo, who had felt himself beginning to tip over, was dragged back onto the pinnacle and collapsed in the snow.

“Tell me you got it!” Jayko huffed hard. Kotallo said nothing and just lifted the bloom for Jayko to see. “You mad fool…” Jayko punched him and laughed. “I can’t wait to see Amenka’s face.”

They stood together, the precious bloom in Kotallo’s hand but resting between them.

“According to the rite of passage, we ought to have one each.” Jayko admitted.

“Be my guest,” Kotallo gestured to the cliff, “I’ll hold your legs this time.”

“You know what? With Pilo’s witness of blooms and Amenka’s unorthodox climb…I think we’ll chance only having the one.” Jayko slapped him on the shoulder. “Come on…let’s start back down, soldier. Kotallo?”

Kotallo was no longer listening. He’d caught sight of Olenka kicking through the snow, swearing as she dug and searched while Shenay did the same. They had not found a bloom to take back.

Kotallo could see Olenka was distraught. Her fingers were hooked through her hair and she was huffing with emotion. He felt himself take a step towards her.

“Don’t even think about it…” Jayko hissed. “Kotallo…it’s your mark!”

“There will be more Blood Crest next year.” Kotallo whispered softly.

To the sound of Jayko’s moan of despair, Kotallo approached a distraught Olenka. She was so consumed with angry panic that she did not notice him until he was close. When she did she pulled her hands from her hair then her eyes fell to the bloom in his grasp. Her mouth turned into a snarl.

“Congratulations to you!” Olenka’s voice was soaked in sarcasm.

Kotallo swallowed, his words lost once more in her presence. Instead of words, he held out the bloom towards her.

She hesitated, confounded by his gesture, her face still hard and angry. “What? You think I need your pity? I will get a Blood Crest, I swear it! I won’t have it handed to me.”

“Then pluck it from my hand as you would have from the snow,” Kotallo heard himself say, relieved his voice had finally kicked in, “for you have made the climb.” He held it out in his fist for her to take. Olenka paused, her eyes hungry for the bloom but she lifted them to study his face.

“But…it’s yours. What about your mark?”

Kotallo shrugged. “It means more to you than it does to me.”

Olenka’s fury disappeared. Her eyes widened and her lips parted. Kotallo nearly found himself lunging forward to kiss her but held himself back. Her fingers reached out for it and he noticed she was trembling.

“Olenka! I found one! I found one!” Olenka’s hand recoiled and she took a step back as Shenay dashed forward, too elated by her discovery to notice the exchange that had almost happened. She thrust her bloom into Olenka’s face. “We’ve done it, Olenka! You and I!”

“Yes…we have.” Olenka nodded, turning away from Kotallo. “Well done, Shenay.” The follower of Olenka beamed with pleasure at the rare praise. “Come, we should return to Pilo…and let him know of Amenka’s despicable actions.”

She didn’t meet his gaze once as she led Shenay to the rappel point. Kotallo, still holding onto the Blood Crest, watched her walk away. He felt Jayko lean against him.

“Never gonna happen…”

“What?”

“She’s never going to open those legs of hers for you.”

“Jayko!”

“You were thinking it.” Jayko chuckled and Kotallo flushed. “Look, all jokes aside…that was pretty noble of you and I’m sorry you didn’t get the girl…but I really didn’t want to climb this bloody mountain again so can we go now?”

They rappelled down the side of the cliff, making several controlled drops in order to reach the base and then walk to the camp where Pilo and Arakko was waiting for them. Kotallo let Olenka and Shenay approach Pilo first as Arakko came up to them.

“Well…does Orphan Squad have a full compliment at last?” Kotallo held out the Blood Crest. Arakko slapped them both on the back. “Well done! Let’s show it to Pilo and then get back to the Bulwark. I’ve got tags already engraved with your mark on them.”

Their successful completion of the March of the Ten was commended by Tekotteh who looked as though he’d been successfully leading the Sky Clan for years and not months. He was reclined with effortless ease upon Lankatta’s old ‘throne’ for lack of a better word but he stood up the moment they were announced.

“As Commander it gives me great pleasure to officially welcome you as soldiers of the Sky Clan, the greatest of all the Tenakth.” He said grandly and Kotallo’s chest puffed out with pride, his shoulders so straight he might snap. “Olenka…you now hold the official record of the youngest climber of the March of the Ten.” She lifted her chin, her eyes sparkling with success. “Tomorrow you will receive your soldiers mark and join a squad…but I would hear your requests now.” Tekotteh looked at Olenka.

“I respectfully request the right to lead my own squad.” Olenka announced.

“I would have expected nothing less from you,” Tekotteh said warmly, “however, you are too young…”

“I climbed the March of the Ten. I am the youngest to have ever done this.” Olenka protested. “Even my aunt, may she fly on the Wings of the Ten, was older than I. It is only right…”

“As Sky Clan Commander,” Tekotteh said with a slightly warning tone to his voice, “it is I who will decide what is right.” Olenka clamped her lips shut tight, a muscle twitching in her jaw as words and protestations struck the back of her teeth, trying to get out. “However,” Tekotteh’s tone softened, “if you were to have your own squad, what would you call yourselves?”

“The Blood Rush Squad.”

Tekotteh’s mouth turned up in an irrepressible smile. “Only females need apply?” She nodded. “Well…I look forward to hearing the exploits of Blood Rush Squad…but not yet.” Olenka ground her teeth. “Tomorrow you will present me with the names of the soldiers who wish to join your squad. Bring it to my chambers first thing in the morning and we can discuss it over breakfast.”

“Yes Commander.” Olenka saluted him and Shenay did the same. With a nod they were dismissed.

Tekotteh turned to Kotallo. “Well, well…you’ve come a long way since my squad found you all those years ago…I am very proud of your achievements, Kotallo and you too Jayko. You will serve the Sky Clan well. Do you have a squad?”

“We respectfully request to join Arakko’s squad with his sister, Alaika.” Kotallo declared strongly.

“We’re going to be known as the Orphan Squad,” Jayko added proudly, “only orphans need apply.”

Tekotteh laughed outright at this. “Granted…although I do recall you wanting to join my squad a long time ago, Kotallo.”

Kotallo cleared his throat. “You…your squad are your bodyguards…I would like to make my mark on the world beyond the Bulwark.”

“Of course, of course,” Tekotteh chuckled, “and mark it you shall. Go, soldiers of the Sky Clan…the world awaits.”

Jayko stretched his arms and flexed his muscles as they left the Commander’s lodge, heading down the steps to the lower portion of the Bulwark.

“Soldiers at last! That feels good.”

Kotallo smiled. “Yes, it does.”

“I notice you didn’t tell Tekotteh about Amenka’s little trick?”

“Pilo said he would inform him. To be honest,” Kotallo nodded towards an argument between two familiar persons, Olenka’s hand slapping Amenka’s face as hard as she could, “that is probably better than anything else I could do to him.”

“I dunno,” Jayko leaned on a railing, “you don’t want to see him on latrine duty for a month?”

“Why argue with a petty vindictive idiot?” Kotallo looked at Jayko. “We’re soldiers from here on. We should get a drink…now that we’re actually allowed to.”

“Hey, that goat’s milk brew could hardly be called contraband it was so weak.”

Kotallo laughed and he and Jayko joined Arakko and his sister around a campfire and they told the tale of how they had finally conquered the March of the Ten.