Free Treva's Children by David L Burkhead

TREVA's CHILDREN
     
    by
     
    David L. Burkhead
     
    The wind howled down off the mountain, blowing snow into Talisa’s eyes.  She pulled her ice-encrusted scarf higher over her face and held up a hand to block the tiny frozen daggers. On the slope below the few remaining people of her household struggled single file through the knee deep snow.
    “Milady!” Embron, her huntsman, shouted over the roaring wind. “We need to find shelter and build a fire.”
    “Fire will draw the Schahi,” Talisa said. “They will...”
    “This storm will kill us all,” Embron said.
    Talisa found herself smiling despite their plight. Embron had grown bold in the last few days. “There are many ways to die, Huntsman.  Some better than others.”
    Embron shielded his eyes and stared through the snow back the way they had come, as if to conjure an image of their pursuers. “The storm will have covered our trail.  Perhaps...”
    “We must be sure.”
    “Let me go back and check, milady.  I will be sure.”
    Talisa considered. “And if you are seen?”
    Embron bowed. “Then I will lead them away.  But I will not be seen.”
    Talisa smiled again. “No, I suppose you will not.  Very well.  We will take shelter in the next copse...and build a fire.  I rely upon you.”
    Embron bowed again and then hastened down their back trail.  The pine boughs tied to his feet allowed him to walk over the snow.  She turned and trudged down the hill, wishing she could use Embron’s trick.  Every time she tried, she tripped over the branches and fell.
    “Kailin!” she called when she neared the first of the group.
    “Milady?”
    “Next stand of woods, Kailin,” Talisa extended her arm in the direction of their march. “We’ll take shelter there.  Hang on that far.”
    “Yes, Milady.”
    Talisa stood by and waited as each of her remaining people passed.  To each one she offered a few words of encouragement, telling them that soon they could rest.  When the last had passed, she turned and followed in their wake.

    Talisa did not know how much time passed as she marched.  The sky grew dark, whether from thickening clouds or the setting sun, she did not know.
    She blinked.  Something was wrong.  She looked down.  The snow ahead of her was unbroken.  She shook her head and turned around.  There.  The column of people had turned.  She trudged back through the snow and followed them toward a small stand of evergreens.
    The trees blocked most of the wind.  Only a light dusting of snow drifted into the wood.  Talisa wiped at her face, feeling ice crystals flake off her eyebrows.  She bowed her head and leaned against one of the trees. “Thanks be unto you, Koreb and Mira, in granting us the strength to reach this place.  And Holy Treva, I give thanks to you that this copse be here in our time of need.  I beg you to be with us, and to strengthen me and grant me wisdom as I try to protect my people.” She kissed her fingers and touched them to the tree, then stood and walked deeper into the wood, following the people of her household.
    The wind died down as she moved deeper into the woods although she could still hear it groaning through the treetops.  She ducked under a branch and entered a small open area, not large enough to be called a clearing.  It seemed to be large enough for everyone.
    “Everybody,” she called. “Back here.”
    Word passed up the line and people started trickling back.  Talisa counted as people gathered around her.  Fifteen.  Her gaze fell on a boy, Embron’s son. “Marek?”
    “Yes, Milady?”
    She looked him up and down.  Ten summers and already he assisted with Embron’s duties as huntsman. “Run ahead.  See if anybody didn’t get the word to gather back here.  But don’t go too far.”
    “Yes, Milady.” Marek bowed and dashed off.
    "Shago!" Talisa pointed. "Keep those dogs on a tight leash.  You know what will happen if they get loose, and the Schahi find them."
    Shago, mute,