The Cat's Eye
Book I, Part X
The next morning saw Kion’s band quickly pulling up camp and loading everything into their ox-drawn wagons. The clouds that had loomed overhead days before had finally cleared with not a drop of rain, giving way to the pale light of a deep autumn sun, the winds calm. Many of the soldiers had shed their coats, and their talk had the ease of friends on an idle stroll as they set out on the road.
Traleau couldn’t recall anything more surprising in his life than the casual way in which the warriors all throughout their caravan approached him. He’d met hardly any of them the night before, but word spread quickly, it seemed, and men and women came by in groups to satisfy their curiosity about ‘the circus boy.’ He’d imagined having to prove himself at first, he’d imagined disdain from hardened killers; the best he’d dared to hope for was disinterest.
Yet, as they marched along, he could not help but notice that The Priest had not spoken to him since he’d decided to join up with the group. He’d sought him out as soon as he’d woken up, but when he found him, the young man wouldn’t meet his eyes, and ignored his voice. He couldn’t begin to guess what that meant, but it grated at the back of his mind.
For that matter, none of those he was actually familiar with had come to speak to him. He knew Kion was well up the road, leading the caravan personally, with Silvertongue close at hand, but the others who’d gathered around that fire to welcome him into the band--the ‘Named,’ Kion called them--were nowhere to be found. He wondered if, after everything he’d gone through in such a short time, he’d be expected to fade into the ranks like any other recruit, and was anxious to know what the leaders had in mind for him.
“Spare some words for your thoughts?” someone asked.
“Huh?” Traleau noticed the people he’d been talking to had melded back into the crowd, and now only one man kept pace with him. He had a weather-beaten face, dark brown eyes set deep into it, his smile yellowed but big. He was, Traleau guessed, younger than he looked.
“You’re looking like you’re thinking real hard about something. I’m wondering what.”
Traleau considered him for a moment, then shrugged. “Just wondering what’s next.”
“More marching. Really, that’s most of the job,” the man replied.
“I mean . . . for me. I left everything to join because Kion said he could help me, but I don’t know what I’m supposed to do now.”
“Nothing, I don’t think,” the man said. “If the boss says he’d help you, he will, don’t you worry about that. He’ll tell you what needs doing when the time comes. The name’s Soln, by the way.” He thrust his meaty hand out, taking Traleau’s and shaking it in his rock-solid grip.
“Traleau.”
“Yep, our famous circus boy. Word ‘round the group is you’re a fine hand with a knife, and not just for show.”
“Where did you hear that from?”
“Well, all ‘round, really, but Stonebreaker’s the one that started it. You must be something special to get him to take a shining to you.” Traleau had to fight hard not to shiver at the name, to keep the boiling in his blood down. “He says he thinks you’ll be Named for sure.”
“What do the names mean?” Traleau asked.
“It means you’re one of the strongest in the band. You prove that, Kion gives you a name that fits, and you throw away your old one.” Soln grinned. “It’s an honor, but it’s a different sort of person as can earn it in this lot.”
“Different how?”
“Well, I’m no philosopher,” Soln began, clearly settling into something he’d thought over many times, “but the way I see it, not everyone ends up doing what they’re made for. The gods make us good for some things, but that doesn’t mean we do that. So, you see, this lot’s plenty strong, strongest in the world I’d dare say, but some of us weren’t made for fighting, and some of us are.”
“Me, I just couldn’t hack it as a farmer, but I know my way around a spear and an axe, so I signed up with Kion to make some coin, and when I’ve enough I’m settling down and getting a wife. But the Named, they’re the kind that’re made for it. They’ll keep on fighting, and they’ll die fighting.”
Soln looked quite satisfied with himself, but Traleau couldn’t appreciate his sense of the dramatic--the thought of a life meant only for fighting sat heavy on his heart. He was relieved to remember other, less laden questions as quickly as he did.
“How big is this group?”
“Something like a hundred-twenty, but it changes quick enough. Biggest I ever saw it, we had near a hundred-fifty.” Soln threw his hands up quickly. “It’s not like you’re thinking, though. Most folk leave this band alive. Usually only four or five dead in a year, I think. But folk tire out, get too old, get enough money or join up with some other lot. It’s not hard to find able hands looking to replace them, what with the boss’s reputation.”
“I’ve been a lot of places with the circus and I’ve heard his name all over.”
“Oh, sure. Even saying you’re working for him changes how some folk treat you.”
Traleau wasn’t sure what to make of the difference between the reputation and the man. Even though he kept to himself, he had spent years observing others, sizing them up for the sake of his act--a process that had become instinct--and yet Kion barely gave any impression at all, let alone a commanding one. He reminded himself he had to have some way of keeping someone like Stonebreaker in line, but it defied his imagination.
“Do you know where he comes from?” he asked. Soln chuckled.
“There are more stories about that than you can guess. I like the one that says an old war god shot a fireball from his ass and Tshio Kion came bursting out of it with a sword in each hand, thirsting for blood.” A few of the mercenaries in ear shot snickered, and Soln played at gnashing his teeth. “Truth is, far as anyone knows, he just showed up in the north and had people telling stories inside a year.”
“Medicine Man was with him from the start, right?” a man nearby asked.
“Ah, yeah, true, not that he’s ever said a damn thing about it. But next thing you know, he’s taking on hands. Guess I was younger than you, back then.”
The stories. It always came down to stories. Traleau was all too familiar with the way stories grew, took on lives of their own; there were enough well-worn stories about his own past to make that clear.
“Whoa, hey big guy, come to see the new kid?” Soln waved to someone up ahead.
‘Big guy’ just wasn’t enough, Traleau thought. His travels with the circus had afforded him chance enough to see plenty of exotic people; some of the people of Kumsari in the Southwest hadstood near a head taller than their--Brogyr’s--strongman. But they’d been of normal build, and their welcoming demeanors seemed to curb their great stature.
Helmkeeper, on the other hand, looked like part of the land had woken up angry. He was far, far taller than any person he had ever even heard of, let alone laid eyes on. The crowds of warriors parted as he took his long strides, their heads barely coming to his chest. His stature wasn’t the only thing that beggared belief to Traleau; he was broadly built, every bit covered in muscle. Seeing him for the first time in darkness had made it all seem surreal somehow, but the giant body that came to a stop before him was no lie.
He noticed other warriors stopping to watch, whispering amongst themselves. The giant’s face was hard, blank as a stone, but Traleau had the feeling he was expected to say something. He tried, but words seemed to die in his throat as he stood in that vast shadow. Instead, they stood there silently staring at each other. He waited for some sign in the giant’s body language, but his stillness he was like a mountain’s.
“You likely have many questions for Tshio Kion. He has sent me to hear you,” he finally said, deep voice rolling out from his mouth like thunder. The sound was so abrupt and unexpected that Traleau nearly jumped back a pace, but when he realized what had been said, he nodded.
“Thank you.”
“I will walk with you.”
“Yes, that--” Traleau swallowed hard, shook his head and started walking. Helmkeeper kept pace with him, limiting himself to short, shuffling steps. Though they walked side-by-side, the giant looked only straight ahead, still unreadable. To his dismay, he saw Soln excusing himself to talk to a different group of men, and though they were surrounded by warriors on all sides, he was effectively alone with a man who could crush the life out of him single-handed. Whatever comfort he’d felt before was replaced with a mix of fear and awe.
“So . . . I . . .” He paused. Helmkeeper showed no signs of acknowledging him. Still, there was nothing for it but to press on. “Do you know where we’re going?”
“It is deep autumn. Before the snow comes, we retreat to Dregal. We will stay there through the winter.”
“Dregal--that’s far west, isn’t it?”
“Yes. No one will seek us there. It is too far, and the pass will close after we cross.”
“Seek us?”
“Warriors are often hunted.”
“Oh.”
A long moment passed as Traleau tried to think of how to approach what he truly wanted to ask. Suddenly, Helmkeeper’s voice cut through his thoughts like a heavy axe.
“That is not what you truly wanted to ask.”
The boy’s head jerked around to the giant, but those eyes were completely still, focused yet on some point near the front of the caravan, betraying no secrets. However it was, he seemed to understand something different about him than Stonebreaker had.
That man could see that strange feeling he’d kept locked up in the far back with all those memories. That was why he’d pressured him, shown him violence, egged him on. That was why he’d left the circus, but . . .
“Why are you here?” he asked. Helmkeeper nodded slowly, as if in appreciation.
“Good.”
Traleau could see dark green eyes turning to him under that proud brow now.
“I joined with Tshio Kion when my elder brother did.”
The very idea that someone like Helmkeeper could have a brother seemed absurd, but even so, he knew whom it was right away.
“Stonebreaker?”
“Yes. He is my warchief. I have always fought for him.”
Of course, physically, it made sense. Though much smaller than Helmkeeper, Stonebreaker was still the next largest man in the band by a head, and their skin and light hair gave them away for northerners, but he could hardly imagine two people leaving more different impressions.
From the very moment he’d first seen Stonebreaker, the man had seemed like a vicious beast, just waiting for a reason to attack. Everything about him screamed ‘danger,’ his very presence put Traleau in a bloody mood. Yet there beside him walked Helmkeeper, terrible might obvious in every fiber of him, somehow held completely calm. Standing in the giant’s shadow gave him the same feeling as high places.
He realized they had been quiet for a long time when he saw the sun halfway up the sky, though the activity of the caravan had carried on undisturbed. They were passing through the sparsest tracts of land that formed the fringe of the Duchy of Scembre, with few farms on either side of the road. Without any other foot traffic, the warriors had spread to fill the whole road, but Helmkeeper still walked beside him. If he’d noticed the silence, he gave no sign of it, nor did he make any effort to revive their conversation.
Traleau was grateful, turning his thoughts to the night before. That young woman--Chaku, was it?--hadn’t protested his choice, but didn’t seem entirely convinced he wasn’t mad. Sitting around that fire and getting a close look at his new comrades, he’d felt that he couldn’t really blame her. Though he only knew The Priest’s--and now Helmkeeper’s--reasons for fighting for Kion, he could clearly tell that every last one of the ‘Named’ had one, something they wanted that meant enough to them to fight.
And then, there was Traleau, the circus-boy-turned-mercenary because . . . he didn’t know what else to do. It sounded like the start of a bad joke, he thought. It made enough sense when he remembered slitting that young man’s throat, or the way Stonebreaker pressured him, but he felt none of that heat as he let his gaze roam over the long procession of men and women. Except for the weapons--and those were casually held--they looked a friendly crowd, scarcely different than the circus troupe he’d just left behind.
“Are all these people really warriors?” he muttered to himself.
“No,” Helmkeeper replied. “Most are not.”
“They don’t all fight?”
“A fighter isn’t always a warrior.”
“Soln said something like that.”
“He is a good man,” Helmkeeper nodded.
That surprised Traleau, ‘good’ was not a word he heard associated with mercenaries. He wondered what it meant to them.
“I don’t know what a warrior is, I guess, but Stonebreaker thinks I could be one.”
The giant narrowed his eyes, and his bellow-like breath held for a moment, but he said nothing. Traleau wondered if he’d said something wrong, and wished The Priest would talk to him, he seemed to be the only person ‘in on it’ who was willing to explain things clearly. Helmkeeper spoke much less, but was just as confusing as his brother, and when he thought of the other Named, he didn’t hold out much hope. Wind, he thought, would probably bite his face for asking him a question.
The day continued much as it had gone, marching quietly as the strange mixture of confusion and acceptance settled on Traleau’s mind. Morning passed into mid-day, mid-day into evening, and the wide dirt paths gave way to untouched grass. An order to stop was sent up and down the length of the caravan, the exhausted oxen turned out to feed and the whole band set about putting up camp.
These tasks were familiar to Traleau, and small tents for a few people were far easier work than a great circus tent for thousands. The warriors took a shine to him for the speed of his hand and his willingness to help, but he was just grateful for something to quiet his thoughts. He had just finished one of the last tents when he saw Soln with another man and a woman, waving him over.
“So, this here is our new hand, Traleau,” Soln said, looking to the others.
“Funny name, that. Western, yeah?” the man asked.
“Sure he’s never been asked that before. Come off it,” the woman said, shoving past him. “Welcome to the family, Traleau.” She struggled her way through the sounds of his name, but flashed a toothy grin.
“Oh yes, family, yes, give us a kiss then, sister?” the man said.
“Not likely.”
“Right, so Traleau, meet Rehmo and Finele, my dearest drinking partners,” Soln said. “You, ah, drink? Not some breakfast wine that’s half water. I mean drink,” he asked.
Traleau could feel a sinking in his chest; yes, this was familiar. Too familiar. Had anything really changed, he wondered, or would this day--and the next, and the next--be just like every day before?
“Not really, no,” he said, trying to think of an excuse when he noticed the three mercenaries perking up.
“Hey boss, drink with us for a spell?” Soln called.
“I don’t see why not.” Tshio Kion’s voice. The grey-haired man strolled easily through the bustling little camp, that same casual half-smile on his face. “Though, first I need to borrow Traleau for a little while.”
The man put a firm hand on Traleau’s back and quickly led him away from the camp, out over the dry grass. After a short walk, he stopped and looked him over.
“So, first day. What do you think?”
“Of?”
“My little band. Don’t tell me you didn’t talk to anybody.”
“Soln, a few other people. I’m bad with names,” Traleau admitted. “Helmkeeper walked with me for a while. He doesn’t talk much, though.”
“Well, no, I suppose not,” the aging man nodded. “Well, I hope whatever he did say was worth hearing.”
It was confusing, Traleau thought, and I want somebody to just talk straight. “He gave me something to think about,” he said.
“Heh. Listen. I know you’re wondering why you’re even here after today, or what’s different now,” Kion said, scratching at the back of his head idly. “Happens to everybody their first time joining up with a soldiering lot. Happened to me, when I was a boy.”
“It did?”
“Gods yes,” he said, shaking his head. “I didn’t know soldiering from wiping my own ass. You think it’s all blood and swords and bad facepaint, but it’s a lot of marching, talking, planning and a tiny bit of fighting.”
“Oh.” Traleau knew his face gave away exactly how he felt.
“But, you know what else happened after a while?” Kion folded his arms over his chest and smiled. “You start liking the planning, you learn not to mind the marching and the talking, and one good fight can stick with you for years. You can ask anyone in the band, really, even the ones who think they’re just in it for the money. Even Soln over there has some stories to tell, though they all sound better when he’s drunk.”
“You said . . . that you could help me find a use for my . . . you know.”
“Just call them what they are, boy, instincts. So they’re a bit bloody, that’s nothing to apologize for. But yes, I’m going to teach you how to make cutting a man’s throat something more than just violence.”
Everything he had heard and seen in years among the common folk tried to tell him this was dangerous, this was wrong, but even if he recognized it, he didn’t feel it. Kion’s words were calming.
“How long do I have to wait?” Traleau asked. His hands twitched, longing to curl around the grip of a knife.
“Not long, boy, not long. Anyone told you where we’re going?”
“Helmkeeper said we’ll be in Dregal for the winter.”
“Believe me when I say that it’s the perfect place for you to find out just what you’re made of.”
Traleau let his curiosity show, but Kion chuckled and shook his head.
“You’ll see what I mean when we get there. It should take us fifteen, sixteen days. In the meantime, I want you to settle in, talk to some people. This is your band now. Now, come on, I could use a drink.”