Page 88 of The Summer Pass

“Earth’s heart, I hope not. I didn’t know it was a story.”

“I mean, people say it like it’s true, but usually when they’re talking about how tough the men of Ungara were and how we’re not as tough nowadays.”

“Mm, yeah. Those types of stories usually sound fake to me too.” He flashed Firuduna a grin. “Hey, you’re pretty good at that.”

“What?”

“Cheering me up, like. Thanks.”

Something felt warm in Firuduna’s chest, and he turned away hastily because he wasn’t altogether sure he wasn’t blushing.

Darma didn’t seem to be giving any orders, just inspecting the defences. He and his followers descended from the wall and milled around in the open space inside the gate, by the barricade.

“I tell you, Lord Vanu is here in the fortress now!” came a voice from below. It was a vaguely familiar voice.

Firuduna looked down and spotted the source, in a white cloak, standing on the edge of the crowd and facing off against a group of local men.

He nudged Barda and pointed. “Isn’t that your shaman?”

Barda turned and looked.

“I saw him with my own eyes!” the shaman was declaring.

“Yeah, that’s Padunu. What the shit is he doing?”

“He is the rightful lord of Tagra Degra, and he has come to take back what is his!” The shaman had an impressively loud voice, and he was using it to full effect. “If you don’t believe me—shame on you for doubting the word of a shaman—but you may see for yourselves. I saw him at the great house!”

“Is he … insane?” Firuduna asked doubtfully, looking at Barda. He didn’t want to speak ill of a shaman, but …

“Uh. No?”

“Then what’s he doing?”

“I dunno. But … ”

Tirtu came running along the wall and pushed past them, heading for the stairs.

“What’s the rush?” Barda called.

Tirtu glared back over his shoulder and waved a hand. “Do you not hear Padunu going off like an idiot down there? I’ve got to stop him!”

“I dunno, Tirtu, I think he’s probably—” Barda broke off with a growl of frustration as Tirtu rushed away.

Firuduna glanced between Barda and Tirtu and the shaman, still shouting at the crowd below. He came to a decision and took off after Tirtu, stopping him before he got to the stairs.

“Barda has something to say to you.”

“What?” Tirtu tried to shrug him off, but Firuduna was much bigger, and the walkway along the wall was narrow and not a good place for a struggle. “Let me go! I have to shut Padunu up.”

Barda came jogging over.

“Thanks, Firu,” he said. “Tirtu, I don’t think you should stop him. What if Vanu told him to do that?”

“What? Why would Lord Vanu—Don’t be ridiculous! You know what Padunu is like. Someone said they doubted his word, and he’s gone off like an angry goose. He was doing it earlier, too. Old men were throwing shoes at him, he was making such a spectacle of himself.”

“I know,” said Barda soothingly, “I get that, but—he’s not that dumb, Tirtu. And he wanted to help. Remember? I think this is something he’s doing because Vanu wants him to. Let’s let it play out.”

Tirtu looked at Firuduna, and Firuduna realized he had to make the decision here. If he sided with Barda, it would make Tirtu’s mind up. He barely knew Barda and had made a fool of himself once already following Barda’s advice. He didn’t know Tirtu, either, but anyone could see that Tirtu was the more sensible of the two of them.