Page 77 of Tiger's Tale
“Maybe,” Nik mused. “But I don’t recall any mention that the White Shaman was a man. Besides, there’s no way for Stacia to really know, is there?”
“Perhaps not,” Zakhar agreed, waving the hand holding the quill. “Please, go on.”
Iriko translated, “The voice, which to her sounded like a man, not that it matters, told her there is a final trial and that we’d all need to consult together to find the right path.”
“Work together,” Danik said, rubbing a hand over his new beard growth. “That sounds fun.” He sighed and considered their surroundings, then brushed the snow from his pants and stood. “Shall we do some reconnaissance, then, and figure out where these paths are?”
“Might I venture,” Zakhar asked, holding up an ink-stained fingertip, “that we stay together? Perhaps wandering apart from one another may lead to unfortunate consequences.”
“Okay. We’ll wait until we’re all ready,” Danik said.
As they spoke quietly together, recovering from the ordeal of scaling the mountain, Nikolai and Danik took a moment to look out over the cliff at the surrounding countryside. To the south, the land stretched out as far as their eyes could see, only blocked by puffs of fog and cloud. In the distant west, they could see the Ural Mountain range, with bits of blue and green and white. And the little bit of north in their view that wasn’t blocked by trees was white with blueish blobs of taller white, which they surmised were likely glaciers.
The sky was clear and crisp and black, with the brightest, coldest stars, and it was lit with waves of color—purple, green, yellow, and blue. To Stacia, Nik, and Veru, it was the most beautiful thing they’d ever seen. Zakhar was too wrapped up in his work to notice. As for Danik, he had seen such visions before, though never at such a height. To him, the dancing lights were creating a song he was desperate to pick out on an instrument. There was no time for it now, and it pained him somewhat. Music always helped him organize and calm his thoughts.
As for Iriko, his reflections were not on his surroundings but with his mother. He sensed she was not long for the world. The tiger inside him was mourning. Matriova was cold, growing quiet and still. Within the next day, she would be gone. Another member of his family would soon join their ancestors and become one of the sky people. What would she think of him then, when she could see him all the time—see all his mistakes and shortcomings. Would she love him as she said she did, or would she reject him, once and for all? Perhaps if he succeeded in passing the tiger on to someone worthy, she could somehow forgive him at last.
Nik distracted him from his thoughts by placing the boots on the tigers. They grew into the sleds as before, and silently the men took their places. This time the tigers didn’t seem to know the right direction. Veru started one way, while Stacia tried another. Almost reluctantly, they followed Iriko’s suggestion and went in the same direction, though none of them were certain of its validity.
They headed off toward the south only to find the path led nowhere. Another path up the back of the mountain seemed to have great promise, but again came to a dead end. They returned to their starting place and discussed what to do.
“Perhaps it’s time to use our strengths and work together instead of relying on magic,” Danik said.
“Or the instinct of a man cub,” Nik joked half-heartedly. The fact that Iriko paid neither him nor his comment any mind was a certain indication the man was distracted. But instead of asking him what was wrong, he turned his back to the others and bent down next to Veru. “What do you suggest?” Nik asked as he removed the boots from the tigers.
Addressing Zakhar, Danik said, “You have an artist’s eye. Take a good look at our surroundings. What do you see?”
After studying the view carefully, he took out a fresh sheet of paper and dropped down to quickly sketch out some trees and the large mountaintop behind them. “I see five possible paths,” he said, drawing them between the trees.
“Are you certain?” Nik asked with interest, crouching down beside him. “I only saw the two.”
“Oh yes. There are indeed five. Three are hidden by branches or trees, but they do lead out of this clearing.”
“So which one do we take?” Iriko asked. “You’re the hunter,” he said, lifting his chin to Danik.
“Yes, but I’m not sure those skills apply. Besides, you hunt as well.”
Iriko simply shrugged and turned his head away as if he no longer cared about the journey.
“We’ve already been down two of them, and they led nowhere,” Nik said.
“The voice also said it’s a test,” Iriko reminded them after Stacia insisted he speak for her.
Show us, Veru said.
What do you mean?Iriko asked silently.
Let’s see each path and then get a feel for each one. Then we can return here, discuss it together, and decide, Stacia suggested.
“The tigers want to see all the paths, then we can talk about it further,” Iriko translated.
“Fine. It’s a good idea.” He leaned down to pick up his pack and handed one to Nik. “I think we should walk at this point. Are you ready, Zakhar?”
“Yes.”
“Then show us where to go.”
They set off as a group with Zakhar leading the way, his map open in front of him as he plodded awkwardly through the snow.
