They wrinkle their noses, trying.
“All I can smell is some big animal,” Wen says.
I frown, because the scent catches my nose at that moment.It's the smell of wet fur and blood, and the combination sends tension running through me.I reach out, and with a rush of fear, I sense the creature that’s coming.
A razor tusk comes out of the foliage.It's similar to a boar, but easily larger than even the largest out there.Its tusks are infused with iron, while it has spiny plates on its back that look razor-sharp.It growls as it comes into the clearing.
Another growl comes to match it, a sleek form slinking from the shadows of one of the trees.My shadow cat has taken to living in the forest, wanting to be near me but also staying away from too many people.It must have sensed my fear, stepping from one shadow to another to be close to me and protect me.Its inky black fur means it's almost lost in the shadows, except for the gold of its eyes.
I know I could set the shadow cat on the razor tusk and use its teeth and claws to defend me, but I'm not sure I need to.The last thing the children with me need is to see two great beasts fighting one another to the death.Already, the children are shrinking back in fear.
“It's all right,” I say.“This is just to show you some of the dangers that can be in the forest as well.Creatures like this are why you mustn't come up here alone, but you're perfectly safe with me.”
I keep any hint of fear out of my voice, knowing that if I sound scared, then the children will only be terrified.They might even run, and that would give the razor tusk targets.My shadow cat is still waiting in the trees, and I can feel its expectation, assuming that I'll send it to kill the threatening creature.
I don't, though.Instead, I use my powers to reach out for the razor tusk, flowing into the beast's mind.I see the world as it sees it.I can feel its fear and its instinct to lash out.The creature is lost in an unfamiliar place.I can feel the memories of the hunters who chased it this way.It sees me and the children, and it sees reflections of the shapes of those who tried to hurt it before.
I can feel the pain in its side as if it’s my own flank.There is the broken end of an arrow sticking from its flesh, causing the creature pain but not slowing it down.
I soothe it as best I can with my powers, walking over to it and placing one hand on its flank.Smoothly, carefully, I pull the arrow from its flesh.The razor tusk makes a sound of pain, but stands still to allow me to do it, held in place by the power of my magic.
“You can go,” I whisper to it, sending the urge to flee along with the words.I send it away from the village, hoping it will go far enough away that it won't bother anyone.
The razor tusk looks me in the eye for a second then turns and flees, crashing through the trees, splintering one as it slams into it.Somewhere above my shadow cat makes a sound of disappointment, like a kitten denied the chance to chase a mouse.I know I won't be able to hold it back forever from the fleeing beast, so I let it go and it slips into the shadows, already stalking its prey.
My hope is I've given the razor tusk enough of a head start to get away.I don't want any blood to be spilled today.I want what I always want: peace.I turn back to the children, expecting to see them terrified still, but instead they're looking at me with wonder.
“How did you do that?”Lily asks.“Can you show us?”
I shake my head.“It's not something I can teach anyone.It's just something I was born with.But I can still show you where the wild strawberries are.”
That's one of the joys of small children: they're easy to distract from their fears.And maybe they knew they were always safe with me.I stand there for several seconds, enjoying their trust.I like that I can keep them safe without having to kill.I never have to kill, anymore.There's another kind of joy in that, one I've learned to appreciate in the last year.
When we get back, there will be more lessons for me to teach, but for now there are just the strawberries and the enjoyment of the forest.
CHAPTER TWO: LYRA
It's starting to get dark by the time I return home.I've spent the whole day teaching the children.Perhaps I'm not the best teacher the village has ever had, but it's better than nothing.I head back, weary and hungry, heading inside and finding Alaric at the kitchen table.
“Where have you been all day?”he asks.
I shrug.“I told you yesterday I was going out to help teach the children about the ways and creatures of the forest near the village.”
“Did you?”Alaric says.“And what did I say?”
He's slurring his words.I frown.
“Are you drunk?”I demand.
Alaric makes a non-committal gesture.“Drunk is such a strong term.Have I been drinking, yes.Am I completely drunk, no.Am I as drunk as I want to be?Now that's the key question.”
“And we both already know the answer to it,” I say.
Alaric drinks more and more these days, seeming to have little else to do.At first, I used to join him in it, and our evenings would turn into revels where we would both lose ourselves in one another.In those heady first days after we overthrew the emperor, we felt entitled to our celebrations.
But Alaric doesn't seem to have moved beyond that.It's like he's stuck in wanting to party, or maybe he’s afraid of building a life here.
“Did you at least make food while I was gone?”I ask.I certainly can't smell any food cooking on the fire.
