The wind howled that night. I turned and tossed in my bed trying to sleep. My palms itched and I found myself scratching and scratching until the skin rubbed raw and red.
I heard footsteps outside my door and looked out to see Ny-An.
I ran to the door and leaned down to whisper in her ear, "What are you doing?"
"I had to warn you," She whispered, "They plan to kill you."
"When?" I whispered back.
"Someone is coming," Ny-An shrunk back, "Be safe."
I saw the deep red glow before I heard the footsteps.
"She'll be fast asleep," Came the woman's voice.
"Are you sure, Mari," Came another.
"I saw it in my visions, the child will cause the death of Los," Mari replied, "I cannot let this come to pass."
"We will do it tonight then, whilst Los and Clo are absent," Came another more nervous voice.
"Los will not wish for this," Another voice added, "This goes against his morals."
"Do not forget I am still the tribe master," Mari answered harshly.
I wasted no time getting back into bed and pretending to sleep. If I could surprise them I might be able to make a run for it or find Mother.
"Be silent, she sleeps," Mari hissed.
The second I heard the door open I shot out of bed. I raced toward them with all the speed and courage I had.
"Don't let her escape," A girl cried out.
I felt all their hands on my limbs holding me back.
"You can't do this," I begged, I tried to kick my way out, "I'm innocent."
"Traitor," Mari hissed, "Innocent now, guilty later. I will be doing us all a favour."
"Los won't forgive you," I said, "Even if you think you're saving his life. Los is a good Licnine."
"Quiet," Mari screamed, "Los is a good son, but he is still young and idealistic. Tie her hands and feet and leave her with me."
I felt them tighten their ropes around my ankles, I tried to slap them away but then they had my hands. Suddenly I was aware of how weak I was. I really wasn't a match for all these grown Licnine so I stopped moving. I let myself become dead weight.
When they finished Mari waved them away. She waited until we were alone in my cell before she spoke.
"I was lying before," She waved a hand dismissively.
"Why?" I asked.
She smiled cruelly, "Los has all the people convinced that the way back is to return ourselves to status quo. He favours old ways and traditions."
"He wants what's best for the people," I spat, I half didn't believe I was now defending my captor.
"He doesn't know what it was like," She waved a dismissive hand, "Here in the North we were constrained by our neighbours to the west and threatened by the south."
"So you want to take over all the tribes," I said, I shook my head back and forth laughing.
"Don't look so amused," Mari snapped, "Like Qui I am a spell castor and I see right through your little disguise. I know what you are, shapeshifter."
A shiver ran up my spine, "I won't help you."
"Not willingly, but I have a remedy for that too," She cooed, she studied my face, "Don't look so down, you'll get glory too, in a sense."
I twisted my hands in their binds trying to reach my palms.
"When I execute you for being a traitor, I won't just kill you," She leaned into my face and her breath smelled sickly sweet, like dying roses. She tapped the staff, "I'm going to take your essence, and then I will be more powerful than any other Licnine."
I felt a surge of anger, "You won't dare, the sky forbade this."
"The sky goddess has done nothing to save our people," Mari replied coolly.
"You're wrong," I shouted, finally my hand found my palm and I felt a glow engulf me, "She would never allow this and she did do something!"
"Enough of this," Mari snarled, she swept her staff across my body and I screamed in pain. It felt like a million boiling needles stabbing my skin.
"Skies above, please help me," I prayed.
Mari seized me by the ankles and dragged me out the door. My face scraped against the stones and I continued to cry. Mari did not stop.
We finally came a rest, I lifted my head only to have it bashed against something hard.
When I came to I was on top of a table. I felt the binds on my hands and feet, though they felt looser. When I glanced up I saw the stoney face of Mari and my eyes went to her glowing staff.
"We gather here to witness the death of a traitor to our kind," Mari shouted, "This Licnine has pledged herself to the Others and promised the death of the great leader Los and his wife and children."
"That's not true," I protested.
Mari lowered the staff to my face. I felt the tiny pricks of the horrible pain. It danced on my skin promising agony.
"As tribe master of the North I make it my solemn duty to protect its people, even when it is unpleasant," She made a mock pitying smile. I felt her hand smooth out my hair.
She raised her staff high above her head, "Bless us goddess, lead us to victory!"
The crowd stayed silent.
I felt Mari waver for just a moment, then I heard it.
It was Licnine running.
"Mother!" I heard Los scream.
"Lit-An," Screamed Ny-An's voice.
I had never been so happy to hear anyone. Ny-An must have gone to find help, she must have overheard everything.
I owed her my life.
Los stopped mere feet from Mari, when he spoke it was in a quiet hurt voice, "What are you doing?"