I eye him for a moment, then look between Joy and Peace, silently inviting further explanation.
“Well, he’s not wrong,” admits Joy, almost reluctantly. “A new Evolved joining our ranks is certainly an opportunity for celebration, and one which all the village joins in on. It’s one of the few times where no distinction is made between Evolved and Unevolved – an acknowledgement that a villager has passed from one to the other. And Herbalist does give us all something to drink.” She gives the Pathwalker in question a look.
The herbalist seems reluctant to speak but does so after a moment of silent urging that I don’t think I’m the only one engaging in.
“It is a concoction designed to enhance the ability of all drinkers to connect with the world around them. It has long been believed that a newly-Evolved being can offer insight to their kin in the first day after making the leap. Indeed, sometimes even those who have been Evolved for a long time can benefit, though it is more likely to benefit those who haven’t yet Evolved.”
That actually sounds pretty interesting, I reckon. I still don’t know how my own Energy channels and levelling fits in with what seems to govern the natives of this world – and wherever Kalanthia is from, I guess too. However, given what I’ve theorised and observed about Wisdom and the way it affects my connections with everyone and everything in my environment, this potion might still be useful to me.
Assuming it actually works and isn’t just some psychedelic magic mushrooms equivalent, that is. And that it would work as intended on someone with a completely different physiology than a samuran.
On second thoughts, maybe I shouldn’t even consider taking part without some extensive testing.
“Though whether the usual celebrations will happen given the current situation, I don’t know,” muses Joy, breaking through my thoughts. Iandee stares at her with clear dismay written all over him. The Unevolved adults closest to us, and apparently eavesdropping on the conversation, do the same.
“You can’t cancel the post-Evolution celebrations!” Iandee almost shouted, his clicks and grunts loud enough to make me hush him. “You can’t!” he repeats at a slightly lower volume.
Though they don’t say anything – perhaps accustomed to not having a voice – I can tell the rest of the Unevolved adults around me feel the same way.
“Think about it, Eats-dirt,” Peace says with a hint of irritation. “Not only is the village in a tense temporary truce with an unknown threat,” he sends me a hint of apology down the Bond which I reply to with understanding, “but the Evolved in question is a bit of a difficult subject. Remember that we were sent to capture him for causing the death of a Pathwalker.”
“That wasn’t him, though,” I interject. “I’m the one who killed the Pathwalker.”
“We know that,” Joy replies, briskly. “But, like it or not, you are not part of our village – or at least have not yet been accepted to be so. Runs-with-the-river is still one of us unless a judgement is rendered which changes that, and is both the one who brought you into the village and who let you…well, who released you to actually do the deed. Thus, in our eyes, he is the one responsible for Mover’s death. We were sent to capture Runs-with-the-river: killing or capturing you would have been a bonus, but not an objective,” she tells me, not shying away from the hard truth.
As if he’s somehow aware of the growing tension, Catch drifts over to stand behind at my shoulder. I abruptly feel the lack of River at my side. While the rest of the samurans had definitely been more loyal than I feared they might be last night, in the light of day, it’s clear to see where their true loyalties lie – and it’s not with me. Or not entirely so, anyway.
Then again, I suppose I can barely expect them to do so – and if they did, it would almost certainly be more to do with the effect of the Dominate Bond than a genuine change of heart. Which makes me feel guilty for missing River since, until and unless he decides to support me without the Bond forcing him to do so, there’s no guarantee that any of his previous support was genuine. In that sense, I can only really trust Bastet, Catch, and Lathani which…actually, is more reassuring than I thought it might be.
It helps put things a little into perspective for me.
“Well, let’s hope that you and your sisters manage to sort things out quickly enough that you will still get your celebration,” I tell them calmly, but firmly. “If it helps the Unevolved in particular, I would hate for this situation to get in the way.”
“There’s no point in putting the kill ahead of the hunt,” grunts Lee with a hint of a growl – apparently he’s been following the conversation through the Bond since I don’t think he’s been close enough to hear it most of the time. “Runs-with-the-river may not survive yet, or even if he does survive, he may not have been sufficiently successful to become either Warrior or Pathwalker. In that case, this conversation is irrelevant.”
You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.
We all send him a glance, though a number of different emotions are represented, I’m surprised to see that both the herbalist and mine are full of irritation.
“Don’t underestimate Runs-with-the-river,” the herbalist says just as I speak too.
“I have full faith that he will complete the process.” We share a slightly startled look. Considering how much else we disagree on, it’s good to see that at least we both want the best for the samuran currently undergoing Evolution.
On that note, we wordlessly agree to table the discussion. The outline of Runs-with-the-river’s form is becoming clearer – it will soon become clear whether his Evolution has or hasn’t become successful.
What do you think are his chances? I ask Bastet privately.
Good, she answered promptly. We have discussed my Evolution. I gave him the advice Kalanthia gave me.
I take a moment to parse that, then find myself reassured. At least he’s not doing it blind.
We watch in silence, all anxious to know how things will turn out. As the outline of the Evolving samuran becomes clearer, more details appearing, grunts and clicks ring out across the clearing. I know why.
Instead of the hulking form of a Warrior like Lee, or the still big but more lithe form of a Warrior like Peace, River has actually got smaller. Unless something has gone wrong with his Evolution – which by the indications seems unlikely – then River is actually becoming another type entirely.
“A Pathwalker,” I hear breathed by someone near me, though I can’t tell who it is, and don’t bother to look around to check. I’m too focussed on watching exactly what is happening in front of me.
Just like with Bastet, the Energy around Runs-with-the-river is slowly absorbed bit by bit until finally his…her form is revealed. She – I can already tell it’s going to be hard to get used to that – pushes herself to her feet, brushing her hands over her form, investigating her own appearance for the first time.
I suddenly wonder if we should be watching this: shouldn’t Runs-with-the-river have the chance to get to grips with her own, very much changed body without our gawking? But she doesn’t seem uncomfortable, nor do any of the other samurans around indicate any need to give privacy – they should really know best in this situation.
So, I instead cast my eyes over her changed form. She has got smaller and slimmer in all ways – even her jaws are slightly narrower. Her ear flaps seem thinner, her spikes are shorter, and even her claws seem more dainty. From what I understand, physical strength and advantages have been traded out for magical ones. Though why that should necessitate losing the physical abilities he – she – had to begin with, I don’t know.
Within a short space of time, she looks up at us with a challenging gaze. I notice that it’s particularly focussed on the two beside me: Joy and the herbalist.
“I am a Pathwalker,” she says. Even her voice has changed: the grunts becoming slightly lighter, probably because the parts that make them have reduced in size.
“You are,” acknowledges Joy.
“Congratulations,” responds the herbalist, rather warmer than Joy had been.
“Then you will agree that I am owed a seat around the carcass as we discuss what our village should do about the proposition posed to us,” she announces, a statement; not a question.
The samuran around listening – which is all of them – fall absolutely silent and still. The two Pathwalkers exchange looks, and then flash simultaneous ones at Lee.
“She’s…not wrong,” Lee says slowly.
“She’s not acknowledged,” Joy shoots back at him.
“Does that matter?” he asks. “She’s a Pathwalker, and one of our village. I see no reason why she should not be given a seat around the carcass.” From the repetition of the odd phrase, despite the automatic translation of both the Bonds and Animal Empathy, I have to guess that it’s similar to ‘a seat around the table’ or something like that.
“It shouldn’t, I don’t think,” answers the herbalist slowly after a short pause. “However, it is likely Wind-whisperer or Wood-shaper would have more issue with it. Perhaps Shrieks-loudly would object too.”
Runs-with-the-river shifts her jaws into an expression which I recognise even on her new features – an anticipatory grin on a human.
“Then let us go ask them.” She starts walking back towards the village and the whole group shifts to follow her. I’m left behind, looking at Bastet in a little amusement.
Should I be concerned? I ask her half-joking, half-serious.
No, she answers with a sense of nonchalance. I wonder what she knows that I don’t. If Runs-with-the-river sets herself against me, it’s evident that I’ll have a fight on my hands even among my own Bound – my fault, perhaps, for setting her up as a leader before she even became Evolved. Now, with the final barrier removed from them being able to see her as worthy of leadership, all I can hope is that she ends up at least not obstructing me.
Alright then, I say finally with a shrug. Ultimately, I can’t do anything more than I’m already doing right now: the ball is in the newest Pathwalker’s court. Come on, everyone, I instruct, extinguishing the fire in the circle with a thought. Compared to taming the inferno of the vine-strangler forest, it’s child’s play to overcome the fire’s objections.
Following the rest of the samurans, I increase my pace so I get to the front before we approach the gates. On the one hand, being at the front is the most vulnerable position if they decide to attack us. On the other hand, not being at the front might be a fatal concession of authority. When I find all three Pathwalkers and four Warriors in the vanguard, I know that my instinct was right.
I’d like to cast an Inspect at Runs-with-the-river, but reckon that there’s a better than good chance that she’ll detect it. I’m still debating whether I should ask her permission to cast it when the village gates come into view and I lose my opportunity.
Showtime.