Free The Silk Map by Chris Willrich Page B

ashamed. It’s not for everyone, not even every Karvak.”
    Steelfox did not take the bait. “You seem different, sister.”
    â€œA good difference, I hope.”
    â€œYou seem like a honed blade.” And a bloodied one .
    â€œGood. Yes, I have been learning much of the wider world. My horizons go on and on. I’ve seen the outlying nations at Rocklion’s side. Like Mother, I’ve entertained poets and scholars.” Jewelwolf hesitated before leaning close. “Unlike Mother, I’ve treated with sorcerers, and learned much from them.”
    â€œI will not repeat that.”
    â€œThank you. I hoped you might understand, you who know the Reindeer Folk and their strange ways. I’ve searched for knowledge farther afield. I’ve encountered a cabal of sorcerers, one from the frozen North, one from the steaming South, the last from the stormy West. They’ve convinced me that an alliance might be beneficial.”
    â€œTo whom?”
    â€œHa! Their lands are far too remote to threaten us, but my generosity aids them in securing various rare substances for their works. And they for mine. Already their assistance has improved the training of my Wind-Tamers. I could take matters further. Much further. But for now I think Mother would be squeamish.” Jewelwolf shook her head. “Alas for foolish taboos. We’re willing to lose thousands in battle, when a single human offering to higher powers could secure us a bloodless victory.”
    Something was agitating Qurca. His claws dug painfully through Steelfox’s thick sleeve. She could hear her own heartbeat. “Father forbade such things.”
    â€œSister, no one respects Father’s memory more than I! But he tried the scrupulous path toward conquest. He failed. We nearly lost the empire. His methods will keep sacrificing honorable Karvaks to the cowardly schemers of Qiangguo and their ilk, time and again. Mother hides from the truth, but she knows the world laughs at us. Perhaps that is why she’s willing to support Rocklion.”
    Qurca’s mind was shrieking at Steelfox now. Images blew into her mind like evocative clouds ahead of a storm: a broken wing, a beak crushed against the ground, an egg cracked before its time, a peregrine turned to carrion. If she could translate the images into Karvak they might say, Wrong, wrong, wrong!
    At the same moment, Aughatai was staring at the bird. Steelfox clicked her tongue and raised her arm, and after a moment’s reluctance the falcon flew off.
    â€œTrouble controlling your gift-beast?” Jewelwolf said.
    â€œIt is morning and I haven’t been letting him hunt.”
    â€œHe’s always caused problems for you,” Jewelwolf said thoughtfully. “I remember his hatching.”
    â€œNaturally.”
    Steelfox remembered the calm, grave voice, so much more devastating than any shout. Look, my daughter, look how your falcon has emerged into the light. Let your fears ease. I know now, what I should have realized. You are not a baatar. Not a hero. There is no shame in that, my beloved girl. Take your bird and go now to your mother. Jewelwolf, attend me.
    â€œSo here you are, sister, a baatar . . . talking of human sacrifice.”
    â€œSay what you will, our shame shall be ended, sister, whatever it takes.” Jewelwolf paused and gazed south. “As it was at Hvam, so shall it be in Anoka, and Yao’an, and all the rest, if we are defied. And perhaps, for one example city, it shall be as Hvam whether we are defied or not. We’ll claim their feeble fortifications and ring them round as we would the prey in a great hunt. All that breathes within shall live only at our sufferance. We’ll let some escape: those with wit to flee and others who have talent. The rest we’ll destroy, and the skulls of men, women, children, and animals will rise as monuments, and the smoke of their former flesh will writhe as a black banner