Call of the Rift: Flight by Jae Waller

Author:Jae Waller
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: ECW Press
Published: 2018-03-15T00:00:00+00:00

19.

SPRING EQUINOX

Deep snow kept us at the cabin for a month. The frozen fog felt like a bubble that would burst if I moved too quickly. In the evenings, Tiernan and I took turns reading folk tales aloud. Sometimes I caught glimpses of strength and grace in his voice, only for it to disappear like a star that vanished the second I looked at it. He asked once, quietly, if there was any way I’d help with his research. He dropped the subject when I said no. Giving him a way to leave this world, to leave me, would be like putting my hand on a chopping block and letting someone else decide whether to swing the axe.

Marijka brought news from Crieknaast after the paths cleared. The military was taking hard losses, driven back by storms every time they tried to breach Dúnravn Pass. Suriel’s men struck fast and retreated fast. People had started calling them Corvittai, a mix of the Ferish word for blackbirds and the Sverbian word for ghosts. I’d asked Marijka to search for Ingard, and she found him still at the tannery shop. His brother, Dåmar, had found work tending horses for the military. I thought about visiting, but after itherans attacked Airedain and me in Caladheå, I was afraid what they might do in a town hit so hard by Suriel.

The days grew longer. The first patch of yellow grass was covered by sleet within a day, but the melt had begun. Cold, clear water spilled over the creek bank. Blue and purple buds pushed through the snow like delicate spearheads. An idea blossomed with them.

I brought it up one evening while I swept woodchips around the fireplace. A crisp breeze made the flames sputter. “So . . . I was thinking about going to Toel Ginu.”

Tiernan looked up from the bridle he was oiling. The smell filled the kitchen, savoury like broth. “To see your cousin?”

“Yeah. Airedain suggested I come for the spring equinox festival. It’s the one night people from outside the jouyen are allowed in the shrine.”

“Then you should go.”

I twisted my hair behind my back. “I was hoping you’d come.”

“Would I be welcome?”

“There were itherans at the vigil for Baliad Iyo. I’m sure no one will mind.” I leaned on the broom, the straw crunching on the slat floor. “Please. It’d mean a lot to me.”

Tiernan rubbed the bridge of his nose. “Very well. For your sake.”

My lips twitched. “Don’t look so grim. It’ll be fun.”

“Should we bring anything?”

I shook my head. “It’s rude. A jouyen is proud to offer food and shelter to anyone who visits, even after a long winter.”

“I should do something about this.” Tiernan scratched his beard. “Make myself somewhat presentable.”

“Nei, leave it. I like it.”

“Maika says it makes me look like a lumberman.”

“You’re an educated lumberman.” I giggled as he threw a handful of woodchips at me.

•

The Roannveldt plain was silent except for the squelch of hooves.

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