Page 25 of Tiger's Trek
Normally, Nik should have been able to outpace the other man, even without the boots. His legs were much longer, and he was younger and trained in such things. But his body was tired. He’d already used up most of his energy. “Faster, boy!” the likho warned. “You’ve got to run faster!”
The bolotnitsa was out of the trap before they’d gotten far and was soon crashing through the trees behind them. They could hear her quickly catching up to them. The swamp was her territory, and the boggy ground was thick and wet and didn’t easily release its grip on their feet. Nik didn’t think he could run much longer. If they split up, one of them might make it, but not both. He didn’t know what to do. Then, suddenly, he did.
Reaching over, he grabbed the likho’s arm. “Stop,” he said. “I know how we can hide. You’ll have to trust me and remain very still and quiet.” Ever practical, Nik had long ago fashioned several pairs of breeches as well as shirts that were made to be worn inside out and backward but didn’t appear as such to any but the most careful of observers. He now made it a habit to always wear his clothing in a such a way. He’d also learned that being butted and kicked by various animals wasn’t nearly as important as the tunic created for him by the old kikimora—though it did help.
When he’d sewn his special breeches, he also included a secret pocket, and that’s where he always kept his magic tunic. Quickly, he unbuttoned it and pulled it out. He told the likho to stand very close to him and then slid it over his head. Once he yanked it into place, it covered both of them.
The woods went silent around them as the magic did its work, making the two of them invisible. They moved together quietly, slowly, until they found the shadow of a great tree in which to hide; then they waited, hoping the magic would work on a creature of the dreamworld—a being of magic herself.
Sweat broke out on Nik’s face as he heard the screams of the frustrated bolotnitsa. She hissed and slithered through the swamp, her claws and scales scraping and making a sucking sound as she moved. She came very close once, so close they could see her yellow eyes glance at the spot where they were hidden, but her reflective eyes passed over them, and she soon moved on, screeching and angry.
When they could hear her no more, they finally stepped out of the shadows, and Nik removed the tunic, carefully folded it, and placed it back inside the hidden pocket of his trousers. Then he flipped his shirt right side out and put it back on. The likho stared at him thoughtfully with his one eye, stroking his chin.
“I’m wondering how a lad such as yourself came by leshi and kikimora magic. They don’t often bless wayward youths with gifts like that. Tell me, boy. Did you steal it?”
“What? No!” Nik said, offended. “They... they loved me in their own way.”
The little man grunted. “Interesting. Very interesting. Well, seeing as how I owe you a boon myself, are you certain there’s no one you’d like me to curse?”
“Is cursing all you can do?”
“It’s mostly all I do.”
“Can you help me find my friends?”
“Probably not. But I can help you find the nearest settlement and get you some grub.”
“I suppose that’ll do. What’s your name, anyway? I can’t call you the likho.”
“Why not?”
“I usually know the given names of my friends, not just their, er, species or, I guess, kin.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes.”
“Well, I don’t have any friends.” He turned and began walking.
Nik followed. “I thought you said you were out tonight wooing a girl. Wouldn’t you call her a friend?”
He snorted. “There’s no such thing as a woman you can be friends with. Any woman claiming to be your friend has other plans for you, son.”
“Really? I hope that’s true.”
The one-eyed man gave Nik a long glance. “I never said those plans included marriage. Lots of reasons a gal might have to keep a fellow on a chain. Could be she’s got no one else better at the moment. Or maybe he’s a good hunter or can fix up her house. You follow?”
“But shecouldintend to further the relationship, couldn’t she?”
“Yes. I suppose that’s true. But a woman who intends to do that lets the man know fairly quickly. If she doesn’t, you can be certain she has another reason for keeping him around. Move on or move out. That’s my motto. Never waste time being friends with someone of the feminine persuasion. Come to think of it, I don’t much consider it worth my time consortin’ with anyone, male or female, lest I’m looking for something permanent like. A friend, in my opinion, is just someone waiting around to ask favors of you. Borrow your favorite axe and then leave it out in the rain. That sort of thing. Don’t need none of their kind hanging around, if you know what I mean. I prefer the solitary life, in most cases.”
Nik nodded distractedly, thinking about his relationship with the tsarevna.Could Veru have been using me all this time?He didn’t like to consider the possibility. Even the thought of it made him sick. But what the likho said made sense. It felt right.
Then he began mentally listing the reasons why he loved her. She was a kind person. Generous. She wouldn’t hurt him in such a way. It wasn’t in her nature. Also, Nik wasn’t that naive. He’d seen abuse, experienced it personally. Veru cared about him. She was just careful. He understood careful. Her position made their relationship complicated. That was all.
Settled, Nik asked, “Well, you can consider me a friend, if you like. And I promise not to borrow your axe or leave it out in the rain. The only thing I ask is that you tell me your name.”
The little man blew air out his nose. “Don’t want to.”
