24. Go to the Verge of Destruction and Bring Back
24
GO TO THE VERGE OF DESTRUCTION AND brING BACK
“Tell me what the voice said exactly,” Danik requested as the little group came together at the top of the high cliff.
It was dark and all of them were exhausted, but none of them dared sleep. They were far too frightened of entering a dream and then ending up back where they’d started at the base of the mountain and being forbidden to try again.
Patiently, they waited as Stacia communicated to Iriko what she’d heard and felt as she dangled on the side of the cliff, fearing for her life.
“After the voice told her how to save herself, it said there was a final test waiting for us,” Iriko explained.
Zakhar had pulled paper and ink from the supplies and was quickly scribbling details as they were discussed. “Would you say the voice was male or female?” he queried.
“Does it matter?” asked Iriko.
“I only ask because I suspect it might have been the shaman. He is described as the One Who Hears All—Above and Below. Perhaps this means he can know what’s happening on the mountain and can lend aid or not, depending on his whim.”
“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.
“Aren’t your legs freezing?” Nik asked, after seeing the priest’s damp robe hemline trailing along behind him.
In answer, Zakhar lifted the edge of his robe and showed off a pair of breeches tucked into his boots. “They belong to Danik,” he said. “He loaned me an extra pair some time ago.”
“Then why continue wearing the robe? Why not dress as warm as the rest of us?”
“I’m warm enough,” he answered in response to Nik’s question. “Besides, when I put my robes on, I made a promise to God. Breaking it feels wrong. Bending it a bit, I think He’d understand. It’s the heart that makes one worthy in His esteem more than what one wears, don’t you think?”
Nik blinked and wiped a bit of snow from his face. “I don’t believe I’ve ever given consideration to the thoughts or intentions of God. I guess I always figured if He was aware of me, or of anyone, assuming we were worth His notice, then He’d have stopped all the evil in the world. Seems to me He just doesn’t care all that much.”
“Perhaps He cares more than you think. Did you ever consider the possibility that evil has a purpose?”
“No. Evil is just evil. It’s wrong. It shouldn’t be here.”
“Ah,” Zakhar said. “Here is the third path. Do you see it leading up past the tree line?”
As the others walked around the path, looking for some type of clue, Zakhar put a hand on Nik’s shoulder. “Consider a tiger, for example. To the deer who is chased down and eaten by one, it might be seen as a monster, a villain, or evil. Is such a thing evil to you?”
“No. It’s just survival. The tiger wouldn’t kill unless it was hungry or afraid.”
“What about an animal plagued by sickness? It strikes out and kills for no reason other than the madness in its mind. Is this evil?”
Nik thought for a moment, then answered. “No. All animals are innocent. They can’t control what happens to them. If they are sick due to having eaten something wrong or have become rabid, then it’s not their choice. They aren’t thinking rationally.”
“But would you not agree there are some people born who, not of their own choice, might be sick in their mind? Who might do things they cannot control and would not do if their mind or environment were healthy? There are many scriptural examples of Christ cleansing lepers or ridding people of demons, which allowed them to reintegrate with society. He did not see them as evil or as bringing this condition upon themselves.”
“Maybe not,” Nik answered. “But surely some people become evil due to their nature or their choices.”
“I would agree with that. Keep in mind that I’m not trying to bend your thinking to one way or another. Just to allow the idea that some things we might think of as evil may simply be that we don’t understand what has happened to that person to cause them to behave in such a manner. Shall we proceed to the next path?”
Nik nodded, and they walked on, continuing to speak of one thing or another, but not of the thing Nikolai really wanted to talk about. Deep inside, he’d always had a suspicion that because of what his father had done, it meant there was something wrong with him too. What kind of a boy could kill his own family and feel nothing?
Wasn’t he, by definition, evil?
Certainly, he was broken, at least.
Though his mother and siblings were gone and had been for a long time, he felt haunted by his past. Perhaps it was all the talk of sky people from Iriko and Matriova, but it was almost as if ghostly specters hung above them in the air, watching them, and the idea filled him with nervous energy. He was also exhausted, just like the rest of them. But they still had a long way to go before they could rest.
After checking the next two trails, they reconvened and discussed their options. Danik, the hunter, felt like the fourth trail was the one to take. He recognized some broken tree limbs and other signs that indicated someone had passed that way before.
Iriko had no preference, but generally agreed with Danik. Veru and Stacia were deathly afraid of the fifth path. It closely skirted the side of the mountain and appeared to be very treacherous. They didn’t care which of the other paths the group attempted as long as they avoided the fifth path.
Nik and Zakhar liked the third path—it seemed to have the most upward trajectory. This made sense to both of them, as they assumed the White Shaman would be at the top of the mountain.
“Why do you think the White Shaman lives at the top?” Danik asked.
Zakhar shrugged. “I just assumed we were heading to the top.”
Chiming in, Nik added, “No. He’s right. Not necessarily. Iriko, are there any particular things a shaman uses or would like to have around?”
“He’d need food,” Zakhar said.
“And wood,” Danik added. “There’s plenty of that on the north side of the mountain.”
“Also water,” Iriko said, growing animated for the first time. “He’d need mushrooms, herbs, sunlight, and... and a fire!”
They all froze. Both tigers lifted their noses, Iriko imitating them as well.
It’s that way , Stacia said.
The path we don’t want , Veru added.
“I think you’re right,” Iriko replied out loud. “They believe it’s the fifth path. The most dangerous one. There’s a tinge of smoke on the air, and it’s not coming from the top. It’s possible the White Shaman doesn’t live on the mountain but inside it. There might be a cave opening around this way.”
“It feels right to me too,” said Nik.
“And me,” Danik and Zakhar responded together.
“If we’re all in agreement, I suppose we should go. We’ll have to go single file,” Iriko said.
“This time we should go first,” Danik said, indicating the other regular human men. “We’ll do our best to clear the path of snow and watch out for dangerous ice patches. You follow with one tiger in front and one behind. Use their eyes to help your footing. Hopefully, the path will widen soon.”
The group set out, and though the trail was steep and slick, they made it successfully up to a series of caves with only a minor slip, which happened when Veru stepped awkwardly on a rock that gave way. Luckily, Iriko caught her in time and pressed her body against the side of the cliff until she could find her traction once more.
It was fairly obvious which cave was the one they were seeking, as it had a series of stone steps cut out, leading to the opening. They wove back and forth up the side of the mountain, arriving at the cave entrance just as the sun broke over the horizon.
Inside, the cave was pitch-black, but they heard a scuffling that could have been from an animal of some type. Danik took a step back, searching for his hunting knife, but Iriko held out a hand to stop him and shook his head slightly. “It’s not an animal,” he whispered with near reverence.
“S priyezdom,” they heard a voice say. “You made it—how wonderful.” Then the shuffling grew closer, and the person added, more quietly, “I know. I know. You said they would. I suppose you win that one.” This was followed by a soft chuckle.
Then whoever was inside the cave made several noises. This was followed by a tiny blaze of light and a crackling sound. Soon not one but two fires blazed to life. When Danik’s eyes adjusted, he looked up, wondering where the smoke would leave the cave, and to his surprise, he found not one but a few of what seemed to be natural evacuation points in the ceiling. Though the walls were blackened, the White Shaman’s home was fairly warm, considering the temperature outside and the fact that it was open to the elements.
“Come. Come in,” the shaman said. “You must be tired. I’ve prepared some small repast, but I’m afraid I don’t have much. If you’d like to hand over that last, large piece of deer meat, I’d be more than happy to roast that for you as you sleep. You’ll all need the energy where you’re going.”
“Going?” Nik asked, removing his bag. “But we just arrived.”
“Yes. You did, young soldier. And quite a trip you’ve had too. Met some interesting characters along the way, did you? One even tried to eat you. Good! That experience will serve you well.”
“How do you know so much about us? Have you been watching us?” Zakhar asked.
“Not in the way you’re thinking. I’m not omniscient. It’s my purpose, you see. I oversee all things related to the tigers. Have been doing so for quite some time now.”
The White Shaman stopped and tilted his head as if he were listening to something. “No. It’s fine that they know that. Everyone here knows that.” There was a pause, then he continued. “Yes. I agree. It may be different on your world. You might have to... what was the phrase you used... ‘keep your cards close to your chest’? Well, I’ve never gone with them before, so how would I know exactly what to say? I usually keep my distance. Allow the air of mystery to impress them, as it were.”
Danik cleared his throat. “I’m sorry to interrupt, but were you addressing us?”
“He was not,” Zakhar said. “He is conferring with someone we cannot see. At least not with our senses.”
“So he’s... a bit off?” Nikolai asked, whispering quietly to the priest.
“I wouldn’t think so,” Zakhar replied. “He doesn’t seem to be lacking in any way otherwise. Incidentally, just because someone is communing with the unseen does not indicate a lack of mental function. There are many religions, not just my own, that believe in beings that exist beyond the span of our own mortal view.”
The White Shaman chuckled. “You’re right. This is going to be fun.” Then he spread his hands and smiled. “Forgive me,” he said. “I haven’t addressed a group this size in... well... ever. Please sit and make yourselves warm by the fire.”
When Iriko and the tigers came in, the White Shaman took an extra moment to peer into the eyes of Iriko. He had to look up, since the shaman was on the shorter side, and Iriko was rather tall. The younger man bore the scrutiny and proximity of the other man with uncharacteristic patience. When he was finished with Iriko, the shaman turned his attention to both of the tigers.
After this, he held out his hands to Danik, who blinked in stupefaction for only a moment before figuring out what the man wanted. Opening his bag, he took out the last wrapped piece of deer meat and handed it over.
“Very nice,” the shaman said almost gleefully, before placing it on a spit over the fire. “I needed to put some meat on these old bones.” He then giggled at his own words and began going about the business of brewing some tea.
Zakhar, meanwhile, intended to work more on the prophecy or at least ask some questions and take notes while he had the opportunity, but as he sat there in the warm little cave, allowing his body to relax at last, he could feel the exhaustion taking over. “Would you mind terribly if I rested my eyes for just a bit?” he asked the White Shaman. “I mean, will it make a difference if we sleep now? Or will sleeping mean we end up back at the base of the mountain? Because I don’t think I can do that again.”
The White Shaman gathered some mugs and began filling them with his hot brew. “Why don’t you all drink some hot tea first? It will warm your bellies before the food is ready. Then you can sleep. I promise you won’t end up back at the base of the mountain. I have a pile of extra furs near my cot if you’d like to borrow them.”
Zakhar stood and distributed some of the furs while the rest made themselves comfortable using their own belongings. Only Iriko and the tigers sat stiffly at attention. The White Shaman passed around steaming mugs, and all the men began to sip. Then he brought two large dinner bowls over and set them before the tigers.
“You two need warm bellies as well,” he said, pouring a large pot of tea into each one.
Stacia and Veru stared at their bowls, with little bits of floating herbs and dark blobs of mushroom. They sniffed, and the herby smell wasn’t unappealing. They tentatively lapped up and swallowed a bit, surprised to find it was sweet. By the time they’d finished, they looked up to find Zakhar, Danik, and Nik were already sound asleep, and Iriko was even beginning to look drowsy, his lids half closed.
Stacia slumped down. Her body felt so heavy. She looked at her sister, heard steady breathing, and saw the golden tiger’s eyes had fluttered shut. Only at that moment did she begin to suspect there was some sort of sleeping potion in the tea and was relieved that whatever it was had not killed her sister.
He’s done something to us, Iriko. Iriko?
The tiger stuck in the form of a man was fast asleep now as well.
“They cannot hear you any longer, young tsarina,” the White Shaman said. “But don’t despair. You’ll be joining them soon.”
Are you killing us? she asked, only slightly concerned that the idea of her demise didn’t cause her as much despair as she thought it should.
“Absolutely not!” the shaman replied with an offended tone. “I’m simply aiding you in the acceleration of the quest you so recently began. In this manner, time will be of no consequence, and I will be able to guide and watch over you in your trials. I should think you might be comforted to know that when you rise, you will be that much wiser, that much more prepared for the mortal journey that awaits.”
But we don’t want the trials. We only want ? —
“I am well aware of your aims, young lady.” The White Shaman sighed. “Do not misunderstand. I do not take away your choices. You still have them. But life is meant to be a series of experiences. Trials and errors and opportunities to stretch and strengthen yourselves. This is simply...”
The red tiger began snoring.
The White Shaman cleaned out his pot and began brewing a new batch of tea, this time only adding a tiny portion of mushrooms while trying to ignore the quirked eyebrow he sensed from his friend.
It’s only a bit , he said, justifying his own potion. Besides, we’ll need to watch over them for some time before returning to check our own physical form . He wrinkled his nose. And these young men will need a bath. I daresay the tigers smell better . And that’s not something I say often.
As his companion laughed, Vesako turned the meat, his mouth watering at the smell of the delicious roast. Why do you think the young always want what’s easy? the White Shaman asked.
That’s an easy one. It’s human nature , Anik replied. Everyone prefers the easy path. No one relishes the climb.
But climbing is how your body gains strength , Vesako said.
Yes. But there are different kinds of strength, aren’t there?
They’ll need all of them, I fear, if they are to face what lies ahead , Vesako mused.
Anik asked, Tell me again: What have you designed? How are these trials different than the challenges my tigers have and will face?
The White Shaman pulled off a tiny section of roasted venison and popped it into his mouth. Chewing with relish, he answered, It is similar in many ways. They must endure obstacles, opponents, work together, and are granted certain gifts or powerful items along the way. Unlike in your world, instead of obtaining items for a goddess, they must conquer their own fears and learn to work with the tiger in order to best be a guardian or servant of their people. If they choose to abandon their task or remain stuck in place, not moving forward but forever remaining in a state of...
Limbo?
Limbo ... that’s an interesting word. I like it. Then the tiger eats away at them, until they become something that haunts the living. Much like the one they must face in the end.
My tigers, too, must face a demon. It really doesn’t seem much different.
And yet it is, isn’t it? On the surface, at least.
I suppose all things are. The two of us eat different foods, don’t look alike, speak different languages ? —
And yet we are the same at the core, are we not?
Yes.
The two men who shared one body were quiet, each keeping to their own thoughts as they listened to the breathing of the young people. When his tea was ready, Vesako bustled about the cave, arranging each young man and woman and tiger in a comfortable position; then he took his time dining on a nice piece of deer meat, preserving the remaining portion for when he next woke to tend to the bodies; then he returned to his sleeping cot, covered his own body carefully with his fur blankets, and said out loud, “Are you ready, Anik, my friend?”
I am.
“Then let’s get started.”
Raising his cup of tea to salute his sleeping companions, the White Shaman of the Tundra, the One Who Hears All—Above and Below, the Storyweaver of the Sky, downed the contents of his mug in three large gulps, feeling it warm him all the way to his belly. Then he closed his eyes and began to drift. With his new companion, Anik, at his side, he began to weave a story, the greatest tale he’d ever fashioned. Into it he placed not only himself and the one from another world but he also added a hunter, a priest, a soldier, an outcast, and two tsarevnas, one with hair as golden and soft as morning sunshine, while the other’s braided crown was as red as Russian poppies.
Yes , he thought as Vesako hummed softly, allowing himself to enter the story at last. This one will indeed be the finest tiger tale I’ve ever woven .
At that final thought, the White Shaman of the Tundra began to snore.
Outside the Dreaming Mountain, the sun had already disappeared, and the Arctic lights commenced telling a story of their own, but tonight they sparked with a new kind of magic, one that wove brilliant shapes and colors not seen in a millennia, an indication that something new, something special, had just begun.