Beyond the Prophecy by Meredith Mansfield

Author:Meredith Mansfield [Mansfield, Meredith]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Goodreads: 26065574
Published: 2015-09-07T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 28: Avatars

As they set up camp on the fourth night, Vatar watched Balan with some concern. So far, with his natural athleticism and affable good nature, Balan had been the best of the group. Zoridan had done fairly well, too. At least as well as Thekila had, when she’d first come onto the plains. Vatar still wasn’t sure about Zoria.

Something was clearly bothering Balan, now, though. He stood staring dejectedly at the small waterhole. Vatar had caught him looking at Zoria several times over the last few days. And there was that short walk they’d taken together the night before. Among the Valson, that didn’t mean exactly what it would to a Dardani. Still . . . there was more than one way Zoria could cause trouble.

Vatar walked over to join Balan. “Is there a problem?”

Balan jumped as if he hadn’t heard Vatar approach. “No . . . well, it’s just . . .” He swept an arm out including the drying grasses of the prairie and the shallow waterhole. “Is it all like this?”

Ah. That’s it. It took Thekila a little time to get accustomed to the plains, too. “Different from what you’re used to, isn’t it? Well, I’ve never been to Tysoe before myself. Quetza would be a better one to ask about what it’s like there. I know there’s a lake and a forest.”

Balan visibly brightened at that news. “A lake? That’ll be nice. How long will it take to get there?”

“By tomorrow or the day after we’ll reach the Gna River.” Vatar suppressed a shudder at the thought of visiting the place where his childhood friend had been swept away to his death. He squatted and used a stick to draw a rough map in the soft ground. “We’ll cross at a ford Quetza knows. That’ll put us in the Land between the Rivers, where all the fighting has been. Unless things change, the plan is to follow the river to the east end of Lake Narycea and from there to the bridge across the Maat River. Then the south shore of the lake will lead us around to Tysoe. Probably another four or five days’ travel. Maybe as much as a seven-day.”

“The lake’s that big?”

“Several times the size of the one in the Valley,” Quetza said, coming to join them. “And a whole lot deeper, according to the fishermen.”

Balan grinned. “That does sound fun. I’ll finally be able to get my fur wet.”

Vatar blinked. “What?”

Balan shrugged. “My avatar’s a giant lake otter. None of these waterholes have been big enough to justify the change. I miss my daily swim.”

Quetza laughed. “Well, there’ll be plenty of room to swim at Tysoe. Though, if the Exiles press us as hard as last year, you may not get as much time for it as you like.” Her eyes narrowed. “Though, the Maat River is deep. You might be able to do some reconnaissance in that form.”

Balan grinned at the idea.

Vatar studied the sky to the west. “We’re all likely to get wet tomorrow, anyway.

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