An Ancient Song: The Kaerling, #3

By Freya Pickard

Escaping Aura Vere and the kaerlings under cover of the Suryan Exodus, Otta discovers a dark side to her character.

 

"This story had me feeling close to Otta and I felt her discomfort as though she was my friend." C Birmingham

 

Otta's internal conflict makes for an uncomfortable journey as her brother Erl finds his loyalties tested to the extreme.

 

When the twins are banished from the Suryan wagons, they find themselves in a race against time to find the unicorn's trail as one of the kaerlings pursues Otta through her thoughts.

 

An Ancient Song continues the epic fantasy saga that is The Kaerling.

 

The Kaerling is a series of linked novellas that can be read individually as well as in chronological order.

 

Warning: contains scenes of a sexual nature and some violence which some readers may find upsetting.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Freya Pickard
• Release date: Mar 27, 2019
• ISBN: 9781536506044

Freya Pickard

Pushcart Prize nominee, Freya Pickard, is the quirky, unusual author of The Kaerling series, an epic fantasy set in the strange and wonderful world of Nirunen. A cancer survivor, she writes mainly dark fantasy tales and creates expressive poetry in order to leach the darkness from her soul. Her aim in life is to enchant, entertain and engage with readers through her writing. She finds her inspiration in the ocean, the moors, beautifully written books and vinyl music (particularly heavy metal and rock). She enjoys Hatha Yoga, Bhangra and Yogalates and in her spare time creates water colours and pastel drawings of the worlds in her head.

Book preview

for Christy

Year of the Unicorn Ascending

First Bud to Summer Fire

Chapter One

Otta left a pile of coins on the table in full view and put the rest in the pouch which she then tucked into one of the leather bags. Her hands were shaking slightly and she took several deep breaths to calm herself. Controlling her fear was difficult but she did not want to show any of it to Nidia. Swiftly she packed the few belongings they had and appropriated several items of underwear and the brush Nidia had lent her. Nagaru emanated disapproval but she ignored him, disrobing and putting on her doeskin tunic and trousers. Her boots felt heavy after months of wearing delicate cloth slippers. She checked her two knives for sharpness and rust. Satisfied, she replaced them in their sheaths and tucked them into her boots. Braiding her hair she felt more optimistic. A hesitant knock sounded at the door and she bade the person on the other side to enter. Nidia minced in, staring with dismay at the signs of leaving.

My lady, I hope we have not offended you in any way... She started to say.

Otta fixed her with a cold glance and the woman fell silent. She had seen Luella use this trick many times, particularly with Ram and quarrelsome women. Otta had never tried it herself, but so far it seemed to be working.

We are leaving. It is necessary to go now. But you and the servants must not say anything to anyone. I want you to continue as if you still have me as your guest.

For how long, my lady? Nidia’s eyes slid away from Otta’s slender form as if she could not bear to look at her, dressed as a man.

Until the other kaerlings leave.

When will that be, my lady?

Otta shrugged. They will leave at some point.

And what about Derri, my lady? You cannot be thinking of taking him with you surely?

Otta felt a warm wave of relief surge through her. No, indeed, Nidia. It might be too dangerous for me to take the child along. I want you and Corbin to look after him. I have money for his keep until I return. She waved at the pile of coins on the table.

Oh no, my lady! I couldn’t take money! The council are providing money for expenses whilst the kaerlings are here...

You will take this money, Otta cut across her, enforcing her words as she had witnessed her mother do many times. And you will not draw any from the council until after the kaerlings have left. Do you understand?

Nidia’s china blue eyes widened and her face paled. Yes, my lady! she squeaked.

You will not let Derri out of the house or the garden at all. No one is to speak of his presence. If, by chance, anyone should see him and ask about him, just tell them that, ‘The lady will come for him at the right time’.

Nidia’s skin had a pale sheen of sweat on it. Yes, my lady! she said hoarsely.

That is all. You may go!

Nidia staggered back and fumbled for the door handle. Her hands were trembling. Otta felt a great sense of triumph and pride as Nagaru stirred uncomfortably in her mind. At that moment the door burst open and Derri ran in.

Otta! Tears streamed down his face. Erl says you’re leaving! And I can’t come with you!

Otta bent down and embraced the boy. He sobbed into her neck and clung to her. Blinking back the tears, Otta kept her head lowered, not wishing Nidia to see her weakness. She heard Erl enter the room and talk quietly to the lady of the house.

It’s too dangerous to let you come with us, Otta murmured soothingly. You will be safe here with Nidia. She and Corbin are your guardians now. You must not go out at all and you must stay away from any visitors. And if you see any bad people you must hide from them.

Derri sniffed. I want to come with you.

You can’t, I’m afraid.

You will come back, won’t you? He looked up at her, tears still pouring down his pale cheeks.

I promise I’ll come back and take you away. She looked him in the eye and knew she would return to find him again, once the unicorn’s trail had been found and followed to its end.

Derri sighed and wiped his face. Goodbye then, Otta. I love you! He kissed her cheek and fled.

I’ll look after him, she heard Nidia say.

Otta brushed the tears from her eyes and stood up. Erl closed the door behind Nidia and held out a sack.

Provisions, he announced. It takes a while to get used to Suryan food.

A COLD, SEEPING RAIN filled the air as Otta stepped out into the back street beyond Nidia’s house. Erl led the way, carrying his pack and Otta’s longbow. The dampness penetrated her clothes slowly, until she was shivering.

Can’t we walk a little faster? she whispered.

Erl shook his head. Those who walk fast at night are viewed with suspicion, that’s what Mahesa taught me.

Otta sniffed her disapproval at the Suryan teaching. She was cold and frightened and wasn’t looking forward to travelling with Erl’s friends at all. She followed him down a maze of twisting alleyways filled with the stench of months' old sewage and she was sure at one point they walked past a corpse. The veil she had taken from Nidia’s house soaked through quickly and was plastered against her face. Visibility was poor but Otta was aware of Erl just ahead of her. As long as she knew where he was, she couldn’t get lost. He emanated guilt at leaving his newly-promoted position at the coach house and at the same time he radiated excitement at the prospect of travelling with the Suryan. Otta found him annoying.

The smells of heat and spices increased and as they made their way to the lower regions of  Aura Vere, the sound of voices and metal on metal reached their ears.

I thought you said they were a peaceful people? Otta wrinkled her nose at the stench.

They are. It’s the blacksmith shoeing their horses for the Exodus. See?

They turned a corner and the street they now entered was lit with the glow from a forge. A large, over-weight man pounded a small object held in pincers on his anvil.

That’s Mynor.

He’s gross! Otta could smell the sharp acrid aroma of hot metal overlaid with stale sweat.

It’s all right, he’s not a Suryan.

Thank goodness for that. Otta knew the Suryan would be awful to travel with. Not only did they stink, but the food was terrible. Why, even Erl smelt like a Suryan when he’d been eating with them. She wondered at her thoughts. Why did she think these things? Luella and Alvar had always taught their children to be open-minded, to see what people were really like before judging them. Why couldn't she do that any more? Otta thought of the kaerlings and how arrogant they were. They talked as though anyone who wasn't a kaerling was inferior to them. She wasn't as bad as that, though, was she?

This way, Mahesa’s wagon isn’t far from here.

Wagon? Otta hurried after her brother. Why don’t they live in houses, like normal people?

They’re Suryan, they travel.

So why don’t they travel all the time?

They do, except in Winter.

Either they travel all the time or not at all. Otta knew she was being unreasonable but she felt scared of the kaerlings and apprehensive of the Suryan.

They reached a wide plaza filled with wagons in orderly rows. There were cream canvas covered wagons, wooden boxes on wheels and wide open carts. The Suryan hurried around, shouting and calling to each other. Women were bundling food sacks together and pushing children into their homes. Men were harnessing horses or leading them on a short rein towards Mynor’s forge. The smells overwhelmed Otta’s nostrils and she felt sick. Erl led her to a large, ornate wooden wagon in the centre of the plaza. He actually looked pleased to see the little grey-haired man standing on the steps at the back of the wagon.

Young Erl! Welcome! Is this your sister?

Dirty old man, Otta thought, and wondered once more, why was she thinking like this?

This is Otta. Otta, this is Mahesa.

The old man bowed his head. Pleased to meet you at last, Otta.

Please can Otta hide amongst your daughters? I fear we’re in danger and need to keep my sister safe.

Otta bristled at the possessive tone in Erl’s voice.

Of course. I will take you to the Wagon of the Virgins immediately.

Otta sent silent messages of disapproval to Erl, who ignored her, chatting away to Mahesa as if they really were good friends. How could he be so talkative to such a low-born person? Otta wasn’t sure why she thought Suryan were low-born. They were dark and not originally of this land, so they must be inferior. She shivered. She really was starting to behave like a kaerling. Several rows away from Mahesa’s home stood another large wooden wagon, where a line of young women waited. The wooden walls were high and the structure looked somewhat ungainly.

Kona! Mahesa called, and a slim Suryan woman emerged from the wagon.

I know you’re busy, Kona, but we have a couple of refugees we need to hide.

In the torchlight, Kona appeared angular compared to the rounded frames of the other females around.

Oh, father! What am I going to do with you? Why must we always hide refugees!

Because we are refugees in a strange land and know what it is like to be unwanted.

Otta felt annoyed at the old man’s self-righteous tone.

This is Kona, one of my daughters. She is in charge of the Wagon of Virgins this Exodus. Otta will be safe amongst them. He waved Otta forwards.

Chapter Two

M y bow, Erl, she demanded .

No, my dear. I’m sorry, but the virgins do not carry weapons. Mahesa reached out a hand and touched her sleeve.

Otta snatched her arm away from the Suryan immediately, feeling rage that he should dare to touch her. Mahesa’s expression changed from a pleasant smile to sorrow and immediately her rage melted into guilt.

This way, Otta, Kona said smoothly. You will be able to see your brother some evenings when we make camp.

Otta stomped up the wooden steps with bad grace, ignoring Erl’s farewell, feeling annoyed at her reactions to the old man. The other girls waiting to enter giggled behind her back. She shook with fury. She would show them. If she took off her veil they’d soon stop treating her like this. Nagaru hinted strongly that that would be an extremely bad idea. Into her mind came a picture of the Suryan throwing her out