Chasing Lightning by D M Fike

Author:D M Fike [Fike, D M]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Avalon Labs LLC
Published: 2020-05-26T22:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 10

“WHAT DO YOU mean, you won’t report her?”

Tabitha’s shouts came out loud and clear despite echoing through the lodge’s closed front door. I sat on the front stone stoop, awaiting my fate. Guntram had kicked me out, saying he would talk to Tabitha “in private.” He should have told Tabitha he wanted a confidential conversation. I’m sure Darby could hear her augur down at the hot spring pools.

Maybe I should be more sympathetic, given that I’m the one who almost got Darby killed, but the little blond cheerleader had no problem trotting back to the homestead at a decent pace. She only acted like a concussed football player when they sought out Guntram. If that didn’t smack of community theater, I don’t know what did.

Guntram replied to Tabitha’s outrage, his voice more muted. “Every eyas makes mistakes. It’s my job as Ina’s augur to guide her through the process to full shepherd. The Oracle need not be involved for every minor infraction.”

I should hope not. The Oracle is the highest ranked shepherd in all the Talol Wilds, above even augur. She ultimately calls all the magical shots in the Pacific Northwest. I’ve only met her a few times in passing at major events. A Native American woman, she had the wrinkles of a centenarian with the physical movement of someone my age. She generally wore a slightly amused expression on her face, and her eyes consumed every detail around her. I couldn’t decide if she was someone I wanted to have a drink with or stay clear of at all costs.

Tabitha did not agree with Guntram’s assessment. “Risking the lives of fellow shepherds is not a minor infraction! She should be bound for this.”

My jaw tightened in anger. So that’s why she tried to involve the Oracle. Shepherds who wander too far from Nasci’s teaching can have their magical power turned off in a process called binding. It permanently shuts down a shepherd’s pithways for good, rendering them normal people again. It is generally reserved for the worst infractions: those who abuse sigils, exploit pith for personal gain, or betray nature in some horrific fashion.

“She was banishing a vaettur,” Guntram pointed out. “Her sacred duty. You would punish her for that?”

“If she were my eyas, I’d wring her neck for disobeying orders.” Hadn’t Tabitha half done that already? “You told her to stay away from the breach, and she obviously did not.”

“I do apologize for that,” Guntram said softly, his voice humble. “I will speak to her on this matter.”

Tabitha snorted. “You can’t reason with her. She’s out of control. Everyone realizes it. If we had trained her sooner—”

“Stop.” Guntram never raised his voice, but I could hear that hard edge, the one that meant you shouldn’t cross him. “Do not rehash this, Tabitha.”

I sat up straighter, waiting for Tabitha’s response. I imagined Tabitha leaning forward in a threatening stance toward Guntram. She was as agile as the deer she often imprinted with, but Guntram could fly on hurricane winds, no easy feat.

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