As the marksman of the five men, Vin took over training the villagers to use the crossbows they would be collecting from the dead bandits during the skirmish. His current pupil was the Andolan Elder, Eban. He held up the crossbow to the older man. "You ever fired one of these before, Eban?"
"They don't give weapons to slaves."
Vin paused. "Well, you're not a slave anymore. Okay." He began guiding the man through the proper way to hold the crossbow so it remained steady. "Now, take aim at that target. Bring it back a bit. Right there. Rest your elbow... right there. Now, take aim at the target and squeeze that trigger gently."
Eban did as Vin instructed, moving stiffly to rest his elbow against the rock in front of him, sighting carefully along the weapon. He pulled on the trigger, stumbling slightly when the powerful weapon kicked back against his shoulder, to send the bolt into the brush behind the target.
"Whoa! Kicks like a mule, don't she? You okay?"
"I am fine."
"Good. Who wants to go next?" Vin started to take the crossbow to hand it to the next in line, but Eban held onto it stubbornly.
"No! I can do this."
**********
Not too far away the children of the village worked on making stuffed figures of straw to use to confuse the enemy. The falcon perched on the fence rail next to them. Occasionally he would fly off and return with an article of clothing clutched in his talons or something else that they would find useful.
The youngest of the children would coo at him and gently stroke his feathers for a few minutes before he chased them back to work. When it came time to paint the faces of the straw men he watched them clumsily paint x's for eyes and a squiggly line mouth. Clicking at them, he hopped to the arm of young Paolo, carefully arranging his talons so as not to hurt the boy. Somehow he managed to communicate to the child to bring the bowl of paint closer to him. Using his wing as a brush, he began to carefully create eyes, nose, and lips on the dummies.
**********
Vin patiently showed Eban once more how to hold the crossbow. "Pull it tightly against your shoulder. You got it? Tighter. You get the kick back when you don't have it pulled tight enough against your shoulder. Squeeze the trigger. No. Squeeze, not pull. That knocks your aim off. Just gently squeeze it."
Eban tried to do as Vin instructed but once more the bolt when wide. This time it ricocheted off a rock and grazed a tree, before heading in the direction of where the children and the falcon worked.
The falcon squawked and instinctively ducked when the bolt flew past his head. Leaping into the air, his flapping wings sent paint all over the place as he shrieked in indignation. Vin watched him fly off, a slight smile on his face at the choice thoughts from the falcon.
**********
Nathan came up next to Josiah where he was shifting large rocks once more, this time into the shape of a fence. "You still doing your penance, Josiah? Well, how high you going up?"
"Oh, high enough to make a sensible horse think twice about jumping. Collecting firewood, my friend?" he asked, indicating the bundle of sticks under the healer's arm.
"Mm-hmmm. We got a battle coming. Boiling some water. Going to be plenty of men wounded up in here."
"And dead," Josiah murmured. They both looked up at the shriek of the falcon, wondering what had set the bird off.
*********
Just before dusk Vin grabbed his saddlebag and started to head into the surrounding bluffs. Chris came up next to him, walking with him.
"Headed somewhere?"
"Walk," Vin shrugged.
"Why take the bags?"
"In case I come across a decent stream. Might take a bath or at least wash. That all right with you?"
"Fine by me. Just asking. That partner of yours really going to show up?"
"Yeah. He'll be here right after sundown."
"Uh-huh. Have a nice walk." Chris watched Vin disappear into the brush, wondering why he felt the younger man was hiding something. It wasn't that he didn't trust him; he'd trusted the tracker on sight. He just felt there was something more going on.
***********
A good distance from the village Vin shed his clothes, then stood watching the sun slowly dip beneath the horizon. Just before he felt the Change begin to overtake him he heard the shriek of the falcon.
As it always, did the Change left him full of energy and he took off through the brush at a run. It was odd in a way. The Change left him energized, but Ezra was left exhausted and weak. This was a large part of the reason why the falcon hated having his morning slumber disturbed. While he ran to burn off the excess energy, he knew Ezra would slowly dress and then rest for a short period. It was a ritual they followed every evening and would continue to do so until their curse was broken. Vin ached for the day when he would be able to hold his lover's *human* body in his arms again.
Ezra was having similar thoughts as he watched the cougar disappear. He'd long ago given up on feeling jealous of Vin for the energy he always seemed to get from their Curse. He knew Vin would do anything to fix this, as would he, but the likelihood of finding a cure seemed impossible after two years of being on the run. As usual he shied away from thoughts of the events that led to their being Cursed. Despite Vin's reassurances, he still felt responsible for what had happened.
A sense of Vin's love washed over him and he smiled. One of these days he really had to talk to Vin about the concept of privacy. An amused laugh rippled through his mind. Ezra conceded the point. He could be just as bad about eavesdropping on Vin's thoughts. Settling back against a tree, Ezra closed his eyes for a nap while awaiting the cougar's return.
It seemed like only a few minutes passed before a warm furry face was nuzzling him awake. After a moment he opened his eyes, smiling at the golden cat. "Evenin', darlin'. Enjoy your run?"
Another nuzzle and a rumbling purr were his answer. He smiled burying his face in the thick ruff of the cougar's neck, inhaling the scent that was Vin, human or cougar. Then the cougar was pulling away, the image-thoughts he sent Ezra telling him it was time to go to the village. Reluctant, Ezra rose to his feet, slung the strap for his pack over his head and followed the cougar.
Reaching the village they found the evening meal in full swing. The closer they got the more people stopped to stare. Mothers pulled children behind them while men stepped in front of their women. Just as Larabee and the others rose to their feet to calm the villagers, Tastanagi stepped forward.
"We welcome you, Kadalri, other half of Vin," he said in his native Eloni language. Tastanagi spoke loud enough for the gathered villagers to hear and they began to relax.
"We thank you for you welcome, venerable one. We are Ezra and Cougar," Ezra replied in the same language. The villagers visibly relaxed and the meal resumed.
The four men took their seats again, exchanging questioning glances. A few of the braver children ran up to Ezra and the cougar with plates of food and a mug of water. One particularly brave little boy tugged on Ezra's shirt. With a smile he squatted down next to him so they were face to face. This time he spoke Common. "And what's your name, good sir?"
"Paolo."
"Well, Master Paolo, what can I do for you?"
"Is Cougar hungry? We can bring him some food too."
"Cougar thanks you for thinking of him, but he has alreay hunted for the evening. He couldn't eat another bite. Not even a tasty young morsel like yourself," he grinned and lightly tickled the young boy, setting all the children to giggling. The sound of sharp handclaps and a woman's voice calling the children's names had them scampering away.
Tastanagi walked with him to the table. "You have a way with children."
Ezra shrugged. "They like me well enough and I like them.... It's a gift I suppose."
"It is a good gift. Eat. Enjoy your food. We will talk later."
Tastanagi nodded his head and disappeared into one of the adobe huts. Ezra continued on to the table where Larabee and the other three sat. Josiah slid over, opening up a space at the end, which Ezra slid into, placing his plate and mug down. He nodded to them before digging into the simple meal before him. He would have preferred something less common than the bean enchiladas, but he'd learned in the past couple of years to take what food he could get when he could.
"I was beginning to wonder if you were going to show," Chris said after a moment. The words were spoken lightly, almost indifferently, but Ezra heard the censure behind them.
"I told you last evening that I would not be here until after dusk and I believe Mr. Tanner reminded you of that fact this morning. Was there something you did not understand?"
"No, I understood. Just curious as to why."
"Hey, did you get your horse put up?" Buck interrupted, redirecting Chris's attention before his temper could begin to simmer. Ezra shook his head.
"I don't have a horse."
"How'd you get here then? Walk?" Nathan asked, his look of disbelief clear.
"I flew."
The men stared at him for a moment before Buck began guffawing. Chris and Josiah smiled while Nathan just shook his head.
"Where is Vin by the way?" Chris asked.
"Around. I'm sure you'll see him later."
"How did you know the Eloni language?" Josiah wanted to know.
"I have an aptitude for picking up languages and Mr. Tanner knows several native languages." Ezra shrugged off-handedly. No sooner had he finished eating than Tastanagi was once more by his side.
"We will talk now. As your day begins, mine ends."
Ezra nodded and rose from his seat. Taking his empty plate and mug with him, he followed the Elder, the cougar close on his heels. One of the village women took his plate and mug as he walked by. Tastanagi led him to one of the small adobe huts. Inside he gestured for Ezra to take a seat. The cougar sat next to him, shoulder resting against his knee.
"Do you know why you both were cursed?" the older man asked, settling into a chair as well.
"Vin and I were hired to track some people down. When we discovered they were not who we were led to believe they were, we refused to continue the hunt. Our employer demanded we resume or else. This is the 'or else'." Ezra's hand dropped to the cougar's head while he spoke, his fingers now curled loosely in the golden scruff, seeking the comfort the small contact provided.
"I see," said Tastanagi, nodding his head. He knew there was more to the story than the younger man had told him, but it was obvious that it was distressing to him so he did not push. Getting to his feet, he stepped closer to Ezra. "There have been many shamans born in my family, although I fear I may be the last. We have the ability to see the exact nature of a curse. To know something is to be able to bend it to one's will. May I?"
"Be my guest," Ezra nodded.
Tastanagi smiled slightly as he placed his hands on Ezra's head. Ezra felt as if he'd been dropped into a swirling maelstrom as thoughts, memories, and emotions he'd thought long buried rushed to the surface. The next thing he knew he was reaching out to grab the older man before he fell to the floor. Supporting most of Tastanagi's weight, Ezra helped him to his bed.
"I'm sorry for that. I didn't know that was going to happen. Is there anything I can get you? Is there someone I should call for?"
"It's alright, child. I will be fine. I have learned much tonight. We will talk again tomorrow. It will be alright. Please ask my daughter to come in on your way out."
"Of course," Ezra said softly, nodding and headed for the door, the cougar once more following at his heels. Stepping outside, he was greeted by a young woman with a baby.
"Does Father need my assistance?"
"Yes, he does." Ezra held open the door for her. She was actually the old man's daughter-in-law, but the Eloni did not think in such terms. Once she married Tastanagi's son she became his daughter. Returning to where the others sat, he repressed a sigh of annoyance and managed to keep his facial expression bland when he noticed their curious looks. He'd known this was a mistake from the start. They never should have come on this foolhardy mission. A sharp stinging pain in his leg had him scowling down at the cougar.
"That hurt you know," he growled down at the feline. The cougar just stared up at him, eyes narrowed, as he imparted what he thought of Ezra's last thoughts.
"You all right? Did that cat bite you?" Nathan asked, starting to rise to his feet. Ezra waved him back down.
"I'm fine, Mr. Jackson. He was just expressing his displeasure over a thought I'd had."
"You two can communicate like Vin does with that bird?" Buck asked.
"First of all, Mr. Wilmington, it is a falcon not just a bird, and yes, we communicate in the same way. Animal minds do not work quite the same as humans'."
"That falcon is pretty big for its' kind," Josiah said. "The largest I can remember ever seeing was only half his size and no where near as intelligent."
"The falcon is far from ordinary, just as the cougar is far from ordinary. Such is part of why we are bonded to them."
"Vin said he's been bonded with the falcon for about two years now. How about you and the cougar?" Chris asked.
"The same. We were bonded at the same time." He held up a hand. "Before you ask I've known Vin for a year longer than that. Now, rather than speak of the past, it would perhaps be best if we concentrated our energies on future events? Say the arrival of these bandits?"
"All right, Ezra. Let's talk about the bandits. We know Vin's a tracker and a sharpshooter. What about you? How are you going to be able to help us? Play cards with them? Talk circles around them?" Chris drawled. His tone was light but the gleam in his eyes was hard.
"I can do more than gamble, sir." Ezra smiled benignly, tapping the table twice. Buck yelped as the table suddenly disappeared. Nathan and Josiah grabbed at their plates before they realized they hadn't fallen. Chris continued to rest his arm on the now invisible table.
"Nice trick."
"I'll say," Buck muttered tentatively touching the air where the table should be, surprised when he met resistance. "It's still there?"
"Of course," Ezra said. He tapped the table once more and it reappeared. "It was only an illusion which made you think it was not."
"Huh. Hey, can you make me invisible?" The lascivious twinkle that appeared in his eyes let them know exactly why he'd want to be invisible.
Ezra shook his head. "No. Inanimate objects are no problem. Living creatures, things that move of their own accord are almost impossible for me to mask. Vin, the cougar, and the falcon, yes, but only because we were quite desperate at the time and we share a bond. I have Power, yes, but only a small amount. I barely even qualify as a Lesser Mage," Ezra said, trying to hide the bitterness he still felt over that.
Josiah, however, caught the slightly bitter tone and the way the cougar immediately pressed against the younger man in an attempt to comfort. He had to wonder if Ezra had tried to get schooling for his gifts, only to be turned away because he would never become a powerful mage.
"What else can you do?" Chris asked, challenging Ezra with his hard gaze.
"Are you done with your meal?" he asked politely. Chris nodded. There were some bean scraps and gravy left on the plate. As they watched it slowly began to smoke and finally burst into a small flame that quickly burned itself out.
"That another illusion?" Buck asked.
"No. The flame is real, which is why it is more difficult for me to produce. I can only start small fires. If it happens to be beneath something extremely combustible then..." Ezra shrugged, letting them draw their own conclusions.
"Maybe you will be useful after all," Chris drawled.
Ezra glared at him and rose stiffly to his feet. The sarcasm was fairly dripping when he spoke, "Thank you so much for your approval, Mr. Larabee."
"Where do you think you're going?"
"To relieve the young man standing watch. I have excellent night vision. Much better than yours I'm certain."
"Really."
"Really," Ezra replied then stalked off. The cougar looked at the four men for a moment before seeming to shake his head at them, then followed Ezra into the dark.
"You sure now how to sweet talk'em, pard."
"Shut up, Buck," Chris growled absently, watching the Southerner and the cougar disappear into the dark. Something just didn't fit.
*********
Just as the morning sun came up over the horizon Chris, who'd been awake for a little while, decided to check on Ezra. He frowned as he stepped into the small area they were using as a lookout point. Neither Ezra nor the cougar was in sight. "Damn Southerner," he muttered angrily, taking up the post himself.
"Talking to yourself, pard?" Vin asked, stepping out of the trees.
Chris turned to glare at him. "Where've you been all night and why wasn't your 'partner' on lookout just now?"
Vin frowned, ignoring the caustic feelings from the falcon. They'd known the others would question their constant disappearances, he'd just hoped it would be later rather than sooner. Finally he just shrugged. "I was out doing some scouting, and as far as keeping the lookout the falcon is right over there. He was here when Ezra left so there was no problem."
Chris looked to where Vin pointed and spotted the falcon nestled among the branches. The bird regarded him steadily for a moment before closing his eyes and hunching down to sleep. Looking back to the tracker, he watched him use a spyglass to scan the valley. The morning sun bathed him in a soft light, turning his skin and hair to a light golden-brown color. For a brief second Chris had the unsettling vision of the man with a feline-shaped shadow cast over him. He blinked and it was gone.
Vin glanced over at Chris who'd turned to look out over the valley. "Some reason you feel the need to goad Ezra like that?"
Pale green eyes snapped towards him, hardening as the lips twisted in a frown. "He talked to you?"
"Didn't have to. What he knows, I know and the same for him. Though he's asleep right now so he don't know I'm talking to you. Let me tell you something 'bout Ezra. He's a good man. Ain't sayin' he's a saint or even a real good man, but he's got a good heart. Cares about people though he tries to hide it. His momma never was much of one to him. As a child he was more of a tool to her for her schemes and cons. Then when he was older a partner in crime. You don't lose a lifetime of bad habits overnight. Not even in three years," Vin chuckled. "All I'm sayin' is cut him a little slack. Past two years have been real hard on him. On the both of us."
"Why does that number keep coming up? You both keep talking about the past two years but you never actually say anything about them. What happened two years ago? Ezra said that's when you bonded with the falcon and he with the cougar."
"Ayeah, that's when we were bonded to the falcon and the cougar. That's also when we went on the run."
"From what?"
"Past employer. Ezra and me, we're a Hunting Pair."
"What? You're kidding, right?"
"Nope. I know Ezra doesn't look it, but he's got the Blood in him somewhere. I can sense it. He's a crossbreed. Hunters aren't supposed to be Mages or the other way around, but he is. Anyway, this guy, Eli Joe, hired us. Some sort of village official in Tascosa. Wanted us to hunt down some bandits who'd attacked the village. Them folks were scared, just didn't realize at the time it was Eli Joe they were scared of. When we did figure it out it was already too late. Turned out the bandits we were hired to find were two families that had tried standing up to Eli Joe and lost. When we found we were hunting children, hell, I thought Ez was gonna start the whole forest ablaze he was so mad."
"I thought he could only start small fires?"
"He never could start real big fires, but something's been draining his Power. Ain't as strong as he used to be. So, when we wouldn't keep hunting those families Eli Joe put a bounty on our heads. 500 marks each."
Chris whistled at the sum. 500 marks was a lot of money. A man could do a lot of things with it. Not that he would betray Vin, nor the Southerner, no matter how annoying he might be. All that for refusing to kill children.
"If something happens to me, Chris," Vin paused to look at the still sleeping falcon before turning back to him, "you have to take him, take the falcon, and run as far as you can by nightfall. I don't care if you gotta tie him up in a sack. You take him and go. Promise me."
"What about Ezra and the cougar?"
"Ezra will find you. Promise me, Chris."
"I promise."
"Thanks." Vin looked away again, his features still pensive. A whimpering-type sound had both men on their feet and Vin heading towards the falcon. With a sudden shriek the falcon's eyes flew open and he back-winged off the branch he was on. Apparently Vin had expected that to happen and was right there to catch the falcon before he did himself harm. Once the falcon was steady on his arm he held him close to his chest, the falcon huddling close and making that odd whimpering sound again. Vin crooned soothingly, gently stroking the ruffled feathers.
After a time the sound stopped and Vin moved his arm with the falcon away from his body. Lifting his arm until he was eye-level with the bird, they stared at each other for a brief moment. The falcon rubbed his head against Vin's cheek briefly before taking wing. Watching the falcon wheel and dip, riding the air currents, Vin resumed his lookout position.
Chris stood a moment longer mulling over what he'd learned. This had seemed like such a simple job when Tastanagi and Eban first approached them in Four Corners. With each passing hour things seemed to get more complicated and the bandits hadn't even shown up yet. Now he had a Hunting Pair with significant prices on their heads, though he had yet to see them together. Something he found odd because what little he knew of Pairs said they rarely left each other's side.
********
Nathan wiped the sweat off his brow, glancing up at the mid-morning sun through the trees. It was going to be a real hot day. He would have to keep an eye on everyone when he returned to the village, make sure no one got sun-sickness. He picked a few more of the herbs he was going to need, carefully placing them in his pouch.
A branch snapping nearby had him drawing his knives as he looked around. He didn't see anyone, but you never knew. It could be a bandit or even Ezra and his cougar. They'd disappeared again this morning and Vin wouldn't say where they went, just that they were around. Finally he called out, "Come on out of there now. You don't want me coming after you."
He took a couple of steps towards where he'd heard the noise. Suddenly his feet were yanked out from underneath him and he found himself swinging upside-down through the air. When the motion began to slow and he didn't think he was going to be immediately sick Nathan opened his eyes. A few feet away he saw a small group of women who were obviously from the Eloni/Andolan village, though he didn't remember seeing them before. "Cut me down."
One of the women was particularly bold and edged closer. "My father told us they hired white men to protect our village."
"Cut me down, now." Nathan tried again.
The woman ignored his demand. "They sent us here because these men cannot be trusted."
He sighed in frustration. "That was probably real smart of them."
She came even closer and finally reached out and grabbed his shirt, stopping his slight spinning motion. Now he was facing away from her. He felt the touch of air against his back, then her fingertips tracing the whip scars. "You were a slave?"
"A long time ago."
"Then you are one of us. Many runaways sought refuge with our tribe. Now we are one people." She gestured at the women gathered behind her.
"Now you going to cut me down?" Nathan asked hopefully.
She felt his biceps. "You are strong. You have a woman?"
"Um, no, ma'am."
"Opa Locka is looking for a husband." All the woman giggled while Nathan gulped nervously.
"That's real sweet, ma'am, but uh... Can y'all please cut me down here? Please?"
Once they stopped giggling, the women gently lowered him to the ground. The bold young woman helped him gather up the herbs that he'd dropped while the others retrieved their things from the caves where they'd been hiding.
"I am Rain," the young woman held out her hand.
"Nathan Jackson, ma'am. Uhm, thanks for the help."
She nodded and smiled, then followed as he headed back down to the village.