23. When Many Take Hold, the Load Isn’t Heavy
23
WHEN MANY TAKE HOLD, THE LOAD ISN’T HEAVY
I’ll mush him , Stacia thought, before grunting and beginning the hard pull up the mountainside, taking the lead.
They climbed for several hours. The ascent was easy at first. Snow was packed along a trail that led up a winding, gradual climb. As long as they stayed single file, they were safe enough, so there wasn’t any danger of a fall or a snowslide.
When Iriko said the tigers needed a break around midday, they ate and boiled enough snow to refill their waterskins. The tigers drank heavily of the snowmelt they poured out for them and ate enough deer meat to energize them without weighing them down.
The daylight disappeared quickly, but they continued with the light of the stars and the moon to guide them, and they arrived at a stopping point that had obviously been used by others before. The trail ended abruptly in the clearing, and the moment they stopped, the magic boots began to retract from the sleds and harnesses they’d created and changed into boots once more.
Danik and Iriko explored the area, while Nik and Zakhar began assembling a fire in a circle of blackened rocks that had seen a great amount of soot in days gone by. By the time Danik and Iriko returned, the others had a crackling blaze going.
“What did you find?” Zakhar asked.
“Nothing good,” Iriko replied.
“There’s no place we can see with a path to the top,” Danik explained. “At least not one that can accommodate tigers.”
“That’s not exactly true,” Iriko said, contradicting Danik’s report.
Glancing at him in confusion, Danik asked, “What do you mean?”
Iriko rubbed his jaw and turned to the sheer rock wall behind them. “I think this is the turning point.”
“Turning point?” Zakhar said, dusting his hands on his robes and standing up. “What do you mean?”
“A turning point. A choice. Most tigers can change back and forth between human and cat. But not us. Something’s wrong with the three of us. We don’t know what. Maybe it’s our upcoming trials, or that we weren’t meant to be tigers in the first place. But true cats can go back and forth. They can retain the power of the tiger even when taking their human form. A cat can’t scale a sheer rock mountainside like that one behind us, but a man with the strength of a tiger could, at least in theory.”
“Hold on. I thought getting up the mountain was the trial,” Danik said.
“Oh no,” Iriko explained. “That’s only the beginning. Some ascend the mountain, some don’t. All trials begin and end with a dream. Let’s just say, you’ll know your trial when it happens.”
“But didn’t your sister go through them?” Nikolai asked.
“No. Like me, she had the power of the tiger, only she could transform at will. But she hadn’t come to the Dreaming Mountain for her trials yet. Our goal is to remove the tiger, not go through the trials. That’s why we don’t want to fall asleep. Get it?”
“Wait, Iriko,” Zakhar said. “Let me understand. So even without the trials, you have the tiger’s gifts?”
“That’s right.”
Zakhar pressed, “So you’re implying you could scale that rock there, even blind, and get up to the next ledge, however high it may be, just by climbing? And that your people could do this without the aid of ropes or tools or other such helpful implements? Second, you are indicating that this particular ledge may be some sort of choice?”
“I believe so. It might have been a test, not a trial but a... well, like I said, a turning point. Those who lay down and go to sleep end up back at the bottom. They have a dream. One that will guide them in their duty, help them navigate their lives, but they never reach the shaman. Those few who are determined, who conquer the mountain, may in fact attain their goal. It hasn’t happened often that any are successful, but there is a record of it happening.”
“Ascend the Dreaming Mountain...” Zakhar mumbled to himself. “Wait just a moment.” He pulled out a paper from his bag and scanned it, then read, “It says, ‘Learn from those who came before, should you ever start to drift...’ Perhaps that means drifting asleep. We should take a lesson from those of your people who have been here before. I agree with Iriko’s summation. I think we should climb.”
“Wait just a minute. Let’s assume you two are correct, and those of us who aren’t filled with the strength of a tiger somehow manage to climb this rock face and survive it. How are we going to get Stacia and Veru up there?” Nik asked. “There’s no way a tiger could climb that.”
Iriko walked over to the rock and put his fingers into a crevice, feeling carefully for a handhold. Then he placed one foot and a second. He scaled the cliff wall three or four feet, testing each hand and foothold carefully, then he turned and let go, falling gracefully into the snow twenty feet below.
“Easy,” he said, dusting his hands in such a way that caused his arm and chest muscles to ripple, which made Nik roll his eyes in disgust. “I’ll harness them to me and carry them up.”
Absolutely not.
No , Veru said to him in protest.
“Now, ladies,” Iriko said out loud, holding up his hands. “Just listen to my idea.”
“See? They don’t like it. Let’s stop and consider our options,” Danik said. “He does have a good thought, just not a well-executed one.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Iriko said, crossing his arms over his chest.
“Obviously you have the ability to scale the cliff. But you can’t see where it ends or how high it is. That’s both good and bad. You have no fear of it, and that’s good. For you. And yes, we’ll need you to climb it—in fact, probably more than once. But there’s no need to risk everyone’s life in the process. First, are we certain this is the only way up?”
Iriko cocked his head, listening to the tigers and consulted with them silently before addressing the group. “Stacia and Veru are in agreement. This feels right,” he announced. “But they are also in agreement with Danik that we should examine every option.”
“Fine.” Danik then turned to Nik. “Nikolai, do you think your magic can be guided at all? Can you try to direct the action in some way? Say to make harnesses to carry the tigers such as Iriko suggests?”
“Possibly. But why? I thought you said it was dangerous.”
“Oh, it still is, but my thought is to have him go up and then use those muscles of his to support us by using harnesses and ropes he ties off up top as we climb. That will help us in the ascent since we aren’t tigers. Once we have two or three of us up there along with our supplies, then one can remain here, harness a tiger, and the rest can pull her up.”
“Yes!” Zakhar said. “That should work much better than carrying one while climbing and risking two lives at once.”
“Fine,” Iriko said. “I suppose I ‘see’ the logic. Of course, all that depends on our budding shaman. We’re assuming he can make it work.”
Nik said, “You all are assuming a lot. As far as I can tell, the boots work how they want. Did you forget I said it was possible, not probable?”
“Sounds like a trus’s way of avoiding risk, if you ask me.”
“You talk as if you know me. You don’t. You have no idea what I’d be willing to risk, so don’t assume anything!” Nik got in Iriko’s face and poked him hard in the chest just to make certain he got the message. “I’m not afraid of you. In fact, I’ve faced far, far worse than a spoiled soplyak like yourself and lived to talk about it, so bring it on.”
Iriko’s white grin was wide. “You want to fight? It’s been some time since I tossed a man down a mountain, but I’d be happy to see the tail end of you.” He laughed. “That is, I’d relish ‘seeing’ the tail end of you flipping over your head again and again and again as you tumble and bawl like a detka through the eyes of your podruga.” Iriko started throwing a fake temper tantrum, then stopped himself by sucking his thumb loudly.
Nikolai’s face tightened with anger, then, to everyone’s surprise, instead of attacking the man, he grabbed the boots, ran to the cliffside, and, after yanking them on his feet, leapt onto the rocks and began climbing.
Everyone’s mouths dropped open in shock, including Iriko’s. His thumb fell out, the mocking forgotten as he turned toward the sounds of a still-livid Nik climbing the rock face. Somehow, though he was an amateur climber at best, Nik managed to ascend thirty feet in just a few seconds. When he started to slow down, and the adrenaline wore off, his body trembled, his foot slipped, and he dangled by just his hands for a dangerous moment before finding another foothold.
Both Stacia and Veru panicked and screamed in Iriko’s mind to hurry and help their friend, but the young man was already moving before he heard them. Thanks to the tsarevnas’ trained gazes on their friend, Iriko was halfway to Nik when the magic shoes decided to lend aid of their own accord.
The laces grew into strong cords that pounded into the cliff, making powerful rings, while others wrapped around his torso and legs, creating a belt and harness. Then others stretched high above his head, disappearing into the mist, and he could feel when they tightened on something far above him and began to pull him upward.
Soon Iriko was next to him, climbing slowly alongside. The ropes didn’t stretch out to help him like they did with Nik, but Iriko didn’t seem to care about that. His only thought was to ensure Nik’s survival. As they continued to climb, he carefully coached Nik on how to locate the best places or what he should look for when he needed to rest for a moment. With his enhanced strength, he could support Nik when his arms or legs trembled or pass him a length of cord that was too far out of reach.
There was one point, near the top, where even Iriko needed to pause. It would require a literal leap of faith. Only a tiger could do it, and even Iriko couldn’t sense what waited for him. Would he land safely atop the cliff on an outcropping or hit another ledge and plummet to his death? There was no way to be certain.
Nik felt that they were surely at the top. The cords created by the boots ended in the fog bank just above them. Iriko wasn’t so sure, and he was too far above the tigers to use their eyes. The two men clung nearly upside down on a section that widened and spread over their heads in a ledge, but there were no other options for them. He knew he must somehow leap over it, or they had to turn back and go down.
Nik wasn’t able to pull his body up and over a ledge curved in such a way using only his arm strength. With his legs dangling beneath him, he wouldn’t have the upper-body muscle, even as a trained soldier. Iriko wasn’t even certain he could do it with the strength of a tiger to aid him. Especially when he wouldn’t be able to see what waited for him over the ledge. Was it another section of sheer rock cliff, or was it a resting spot? Had they finally come to the end of their journey, or would this be the end for them?
Legs shaking, Iriko shut his eyes and thought about his sister. She’d been so brave. Baikali hadn’t hesitated when it came to saving his life. He’d never thought of himself as being in the same league as her, but maybe if he at least tried, she might someday be able to forgive him for what he’d done. Maybe his ancestors would perhaps give him the opportunity to be a servant to her in the afterlife. He thought he might like that. Gathering his courage, he leapt.
Nik watched in awe as Iriko’s large body moved in the air. His legs dangled in space, and then somehow, by the sheer force of his will, he drew himself up and over the incline, twisting and managing to get a leg over the edge. Then he was up and enveloped in the fog above them. Waiting for the sound of Iriko’s landing up top or, even worse, the sound of a crash, and his body falling and hopefully not brushing against his own since such a thing would absolutely cause Nik to lose the fragile grip he had on the cliff himself, Nik held his breath. But there wasn’t a sound.
A moment later, the cords shifted, moving violently. Nik cried out, his hands and feet slipping from their holds as he grasped the rope for dear life. If it wasn’t for the belt around his legs and waist, he would have surely fallen. Then he was being yanked up, and quickly.
Within just a few moments, he was unceremoniously dragged over the lip of the rock and into the fog, where he was embraced by a very large, very sweaty bag of muscles that smelled slightly like raw fish and moss.
“Get off me,” Nik mumbled against Iriko’s fur vest. “I’m glad to be alive too. Try not to squish me in the process of celebrating.”
Iriko grabbed Nik’s shoulders and shook him, too hard. “Who knew your temper would get the both of us up here?”
“Yeah. Well... now that we’re here. What do we do next?”
Cupping his hands, Iriko shouted down. “We made it! Send the priest!”
Irritated again, Nik asked, “How do you expect Zakhar to climb up here in robes?”
Iriko shrugged. “I’ll help him. Take off the shoes and we’ll see.”
Bending to remove the boots, Nik grumbled, “I don’t like the casual way you play with people’s lives.”
“Maybe I do it because I don’t care that much about mine,” Iriko answered as he caught the magic boots Nik tossed in his direction. The laces had retracted when Nik removed them. He hoped for Zakhar’s sake that they would work to help Zakhar just as they’d saved Nik.
“Don’t care? Why would you say that?” Nik asked.
“Because it’s true.” Iriko walked over to the edge and glanced down as if judging the distance. Nik didn’t know if he could actually see using Stacia’s or Veru’s eyes from where he stood.
“If I could die, I would,” Iriko said softly. “I’ve tried to. Repeatedly. Turns out it’s not as easy to kill a tiger as one might believe. It isn’t right that my sister is gone, and I got to live. The people needed her, and I was foolish. She shouldn’t have saved me. End of story. If there was a way to trade places with her, I would.”
“Is that why you left? To try to end your life?”
“You sure ask a lot of questions, don’t you?” Iriko said. Then he grinned and took a step off the edge of cliff, with the magic boots in hand. As Nik ran to the edge to peer down, he realized he couldn’t see a thing through the fog, but he did hear Iriko’s whooping scream of delight on his journey down.
* * *
Good. It seems like they’re cooperating after all. They’re going to make it to the top. All they need to do now is figure out which trail is the right path to the top, and we’ll be seeing them in just a few short hours. Then we can start them off on their real journey—the trials that await each of them.
But surely, it would be kinder to offer them guidance now, Vesako, and not expect them to face such hardships on their own.
Bah. You cannot teach a baby to walk by moving his legs for him, can you?
No. But ... you can still encourage. Offer open arms and hope and catch them when they fall.
Sometimes the pain of falling is necessary for growth.
Not always.
The two mentors floated out of body in the fog, watching the progress of the young people. The one from another world, Anik Kadam, appeared to be very concerned over the possibility of their demise. He cared about them already. Anik’s emotional connection to them was interesting to the White Shaman, Vesako Alingida. The two men had spent the equivalent of a lifetime together, drifting through the cosmos in thought, though in the physical world it had only been a few days. Vesako had not only come to admire and respect Anik but trusted him completely.
Do you not believe there is growth to be found in the trials we have prepared? Vesako asked.
Of course , Anik answered. I only ask that you consider our involvement. Instead of watching from a distance and allowing the universe or the cosmos, if you prefer, to deal out cards at random, isn’t it nobler to give just a tiny push from time to time, a gentle nudge, so that instead of unwanted consequences they each become their best selves? In so doing, they might all have an opportunity to forge a life of happiness and joy.
Does that not take away their freedom of choice?
Not as I see it , Anik replied. They are who they are. We do not manipulate them, only drop in clues or aid from time to time so they might have their best chance to grow.
You are playing at being God , Vesako said.
No. I am being a father. But perhaps you are right, in a way. Many religions think of God as a father.
I thought your religion believed in many gods and goddesses.
Let’s just say that over the decades I have become vastly open to the idea that I might not know everything.
It seems to me you know a great deal.
Ah. You yourself have taught me there is so much more. So very much more.
And you have taught me the same. Very well. With this group of young people, I agree to take on a more... parental role than I have in the past. Perhaps you will join me on this adventure. I sense you aren’t yet prepared for your journey home.
No. I still haven’t found Nilima.
At least we’ve recovered your physical form as we journeyed through the great expanse together. Though you aren’t ready to travel home with your corporeal form as yet, we will continue to practice until you are. It won’t take you long, my friend.
The astral version of Anik smiled at his friend. I still have much to learn from you. Thankfully, walking through the cosmos as we do doesn’t affect the timeline. I don’t know how to repay you for your kindness.
You will repay me when we save my world from this villain, and my young people are safely journeying on the path they need to be walking after having passed the trials we’ve developed for them. Then you’ll be ready to help your own tigers.
Yes. I will help you, and you’ll train me at the same time. Thank you, Vesako.
Spasibo, Anik.
Good , Vesako said. The men are on top, and they’re bringing up the tigers now.
* * *
The first tiger had reached the top, but the ascent was far from complete. When the second was harnessed, there was a frightening moment when the rigging began to slip. Stacia teetered, her heavy front half falling out. Though Iriko tried desperately to right her, and she clawed his arm and chest deeply, opening his skin all the way to the bone, it was very apparent she was going to fall and from a very high place.
The rope tried to reweave itself, but she was so heavy the cords snapped repeatedly, and in her desperation, she severed many of them. Stacia scratched at the cliff and shouted in her mind, Help me! to Iriko, who screamed various instructions and concerns back to her. At that moment, she felt like she was going to die. Stacia wasn’t ready. She was supposed to die in battle, in some moment of glory, not dangling from bootstraps on the side of a snowcapped mountainside in Siberia as a tiger.
At least she’d see her beloved mother and father again. There was some comfort in that. Her heavy body dropped several feet, and a piteous roar escaped from her throat. She dangled now by only a cord wrapped painfully around her back paw. It hurt. She moved her tail back and forth, instinctively trying to right herself. Iriko moved down slowly, trying to line up his body with hers. She could smell the blood dripping off him.
Hold on . I’m coming , he said to her mind. But it didn’t matter. It was over. She’d already given up.
Then there was a different voice in her head. It was comforting and familiar somehow. She felt a warm presence near her too. It was as if someone was touching the ruff at the back of her neck, calming her.
The voice said, Clear your mind. Focus. Tell the laces how to lift your body. You know where your equilibrium is found, where your tiger form is heaviest. That’s right. Instruct the cords. Fashion a harness that suits you. Do not forget—you are in control, not the magic. Around the chest. Very nice. Now have them gather you up, slowly, turning your body in just the right way. Good. When you reach the top, tell the others there is a final challenge that awaits you before you get to the top. You must decide together which path is the right one. Remember: when you work together and listen to the experiences of all, in most cases, you will find the right way.
Vesako returned to Anik, and they watched until everyone reached the top and then the two men returned to Vesako’s body. They still shared one form for the time being, as Anik hadn’t yet learned how to jump forms, but Vesako kept Anik’s body in order until the other man was strong enough to return to it.
You did very well with her , Anik said.
It felt right. I’m happy you were here to advise me. Perhaps my universe was calling out to you, and that’s why you’re here. I fear I haven’t been a good mentor these past decades. I’ve sent the dreams, yes, but been largely uninvolved with the lives of the young people. I certainly never thought of taking a direct role, such as yourself.
I disagree with your self-assessment. I think we are both here to learn from one another. Without you, I don’t believe I will be able to serve my tigers well either. I must confess—I’m eager to see the next phase of your tigers’ journey.
It will be difficult for them.
As the experiences my tigers have faced have been. But I would hope that in the end it’s worth the effort.
Yes. Learning is the point of life, is it not?
Indeed, my wise friend, indeed.