"This is infuriating," announced Jekavi, sitting down heavily on the ground and glowering at Flax, who had trotted away, shaking his mane, and come to a halt about twenty feet away. Flax watched Jekavi for a few moments and then settled down to grazing again. Jekavi picked one of the long grasses and chewed it, looking at the three packbeasts.

"You can't blame them, really," said Tarke, sitting down next to him. "The last time they were handled they were castrated."

"I know. But they were asleep when it happened."

"Doesn't stop them feeling sore when they wake up," Louka pointed out. "They're not going to want to be caught."

She looked over towards the fire, where Nemeth sat, cross-legged, watching them and grinning.

– Don't just sit and grin, said Louka. Think of a bright idea.

Nemeth stood up and came over, seating himself by the others.

"Why don't you just dart one of them?" he asked.

"Because you and Sherath are the only ones with darts, since you won't let anyone hunt any more without at least one of you," Tarke said.

"True. But you could always have asked. Which one do you want? And why?"

"Flax," said Jekavi. "I want to try this backpack on him to see if it will fit comfortably."

"Okay," said Nemeth. "Go and get some grain or something, and a halter. If you give him something good to eat as soon as he wakes up, and then maybe hold him and brush him while he eats, he might settle down enough to realise that you're not going to hurt him. I'll wait till you get back."

Nemeth sat, watching the packbeast grazing. The others left him.

– You're a fool, Flax, thought Nemeth. If you just gave in gracefully we wouldn't have to dart you. And you're not really scared at all. He looked over to the two unicorns grazing close together. Hey, big fella! he called. Moondust lifted his head, shaking his forelock away from his eyes, and looked over. You could make life much easier if you'd only tell them we're not going to hurt.

Moondust snorted, shaking his mane, and returned to his grazing, his muzzle close to Moonwind's.

– Not without a direct order from Farinka, eh? said Nemeth. Well, since she's still asleep, nothing doing. He looked up at the sun, now well past zenith, and then over to the roundhouse where they were sleeping. They should be awake soon.

– Nemeth? called Tarke.

– Yeah, what?

– You can get nearer to dart him if we keep back, she pointed out.

– Good thinking. Nemeth quietly sorted out his blowpipe and a thorn dart, and stood, watching Flax out of the corner of his eye. He walked vaguely in Flax's direction, not directly towards him but on a diagonal line that would take him fairly close. Every now and then he crouched to pretend to look at something in the grass. Flax stopped grazing, his head down, watching Nemeth curiously. Nemeth sat down, still watching the packbeast slantwise through his eyelashes.

He turned his head slowly, the blowpipe to his lips, looking for the soft skin behind Flax's elbow, and waiting for the beast to take a step forwards to expose it. Flax moved on, rolling his eye backwards to keep Nemeth in sight, but still grazing. It took one fast, hard puff – and seconds later Flax's legs buckled. He hit the ground heavily, and rolled onto his side. Nemeth was by him in a flash, his hand on the light dun neck, stroking him.

– Okay, come on over, he called.

They had Flax haltered swiftly, the nose-loop fixed in a free-running noose that could be tightened and loosened quickly. Jekavi cradled Flax's head in his lap, one hand full of honey-covered oats, waiting for him to wake up. Tarke checked through Flax's fur for ticks, removing a couple.

"Do you think he'll go nuts when he wakes up?" she asked Nemeth.

"No ideas. He might do. But there are enough of us to handle him if he does."

***

The harmonics of Farinka's dream brought Sherath slowly awake. He sighed, his eyes still shut, and ran his Awareness lightly through the dream. Farinka woke, and rolled over.

"Oh, rats," she said under her breath.

"You were dreaming," said Sherath quietly.

"Yes, I know. It's not ethical to listen in on other people's dreams." She screwed her eyes up and pressed her knuckles against them.

"I was thinking if it was a nightmare I could stop it for you," he said. "Open your eyes, Domina."

She opened them and saw him propped up on one elbow, looking at her with a half-smile in his eyes.

"It wasn't a nightmare," she said.

"No. Strange feelings, but not unpleasant."

"No, not unpleasant. Just frustrating."

"Why?"

"Sherath, you may be three-hundred-odd years old, but believe me you are not old enough to understand that one. And don't laugh at me, either!"

"Why are you cross with me?" he asked with a grin. "It's not my fault."

"No. And I'm not really cross. You just caught me off-balance." She sat up, running her fingers through her fringe, and looked down at him. His eyes were still full of laughter.

"I do understand," he said.

"No you don't." She shot a bolt of wound-up Awareness at him, almost viciously. He blinked, then lay back, his hands clasped together behind his head, laughing almost silently.

"Sorry. Can't help." He opened one eye and looked at her.

"You sod! You wait, sunshine; I'll get my own back for that one."

"How?" He was still laughing.

"Wait and see."

"I can wait." – and you'll have to, he added. She threw one of his boots at him. He stopped laughing and sat up. "I really am sorry. Believe me." He put the boot on and reached for the other one, his sea-coloured eyes looking sympathy at her. There were acres of warmth in his Awareness. "Would if I could, Domina. But I can't." He sighed.

"Okay; I forgive you. Let's go and find out what the world's been up to while we weren't looking."

"Stay here. I'll bring you some danchic," Sherath said, ducking out of the doorway.

He jogged over to the fire and filled two mugs, glancing up at where Flax was tied.

"What time do you call this?" asked Tarke, coming over to the fire.

"Not too late, all things considered," he answered. "I had a hell of a day yesterday."

She ruffled his hair affectionately, running Awareness through his mind. "I can tell. You're still not really back together again. Nemeth said it was a cougar."

"And men," said Sherath. "Look, I'll tell you about it later. Okay?"

"Okay. Is Farinka awake?"

"Yes. Just." He grinned.

"Good. We could do with some help to catch the other packbeasts. Jekavi's made packs for them; Flax's seems to be okay but he wants to try all of them."

"How did you catch Flax?"

"Nemeth darted him," Tarke replied with a grin.

"Not a bad move. He seems quiet enough now," Sherath said.

"He wasn't at first. He tried kicking out, standing up and boxing, threatening to bite – you name it!"

"Anyone get hurt?"

"No. Moondust intervened. Flax quietened down pretty well after that."

"Why won't Moondust help you with the others?"

"Not a clue. Perhaps he'll only do it for Farinka or if he thinks someone's about to get hurt."

"Could be. I promised Farinka a drink. I'll catch up with you in a bit."

He stood, and took the mugs of danchic back to the cot. Farinka was sorting her hair out, having rolled up the hides and left them by the doorway.

"Here, Domina." He sat cross-legged by her, handing the mug of danchic over.

"Thanks. Sorry I was cross."

"'S okay. Sorry I wound you up."

"That's okay too. Just don't do it too often, right?" She grinned. "What are they doing?"

"Trying packs on beasts. Or to be more accurate, on Flax. Nemeth had to dart him before they could get near."

"How does he look?"

"Seems sound enough, from what I could see. There's not many people about this afternoon. I think Sienne's taken the little ones out gathering goodies. I'm going down to the pool for a swim – yesterday left me a bit sweaty."

"You're not the only one. I just wish the pool was warmer. I'm used to hot baths, not cold ones."

"Wait till we get down to the heatstack cliffs. There are hot pools there."

"When will we get there?"

"In about a month. Depending on when we leave."

"When do you want to leave?"

"As soon as the beasts can be fitted with packs and are sound – and sane – enough to travel. Which will be when?"

"Sound enough to travel? Slowly, perhaps, in a couple of days. It depends more on how long it will take them to be dependable – how long they need to get used to packs, and to us."

"And how long will that take?"

"I really don't know. If Moondust can get it through to them, it might only take a matter of minutes. Otherwise, it could take days," Farinka replied.

"Days would be okay. But we can't afford weeks, Domina." Sherath finished his danchic and stood up. "Come down to the pool with me?"

"You go ahead. I want to get some warmer clothes than these. And I could ask Moondust to make those beasts co-operate."

***

– Domina! The Voice was Sienne's, and frightened.

Farinka sprang to her feet, listening.

"What's up?" asked Nemeth.

"Quiet!" she waved a hand at him.

– Sienne? What's the matter? Farinka called.

– It's a boar. A big one.

– Is anyone hurt?

– No. But we can't get away. He's got us treed, and he's as mad as fire.

– How far away are you?

– I could show you where, but it won't mean anything to you. I can't make anyone else Hear me.

– Don't worry; I think I can. She opened up her Hearing, trying to project the picture Sienne was showing.

"That's down in the beeches," noted Jekavi. "What's wrong?"

"A boar's got them treed," Farinka replied. "I'll call Moondust."

"No, don't," said Tarke quickly. "A boar's one of the few things that just might attack a unicorn, if it was mad enough. We'll go on foot."

"All of us?" Farinka asked. The others were already on their feet.

"The more the merrier," said Nemeth. "Come on. It's not far."

"We could do with the bacon," remarked Louka thoughtfully.

"I'm more interested in getting us all home safe," said Nemeth drily.

"Too right," agreed Sherath. "Is this too fast for you, Domina?"

"Not a bit. If it's really not far."

"Only about half a mile," said Jekavi. "I hope they really are okay."

Half a mile was less than three minutes good run. They could hear the boar before they saw him.

– How do you want to handle this one, Nemeth? asked Sherath.

– Fan out. In a wide circle. We can distract his attention away from the little ones. There are enough of us to confuse him totally.

They spread out between the trees, silently at first, but as the circle widened they began to make noise, hitting at branches, shouting, rattling bushes. The boar turned slowly away from the tree where the little ones sat huddled in the branches. He had gouged raw weals in the trunk with his tusks. He lowered his head, looking first in one direction and then another. Farinka shuddered as she looked at him. His tusks and jaws were covered with froth where he had been champing his jaws, his small eyes mad, a constant low grunty-growling sound coming from him. He trotted round the tree, swinging his head from side to side as he eyed them, making short rushes first in one direction and then in another.

– He really is wild, said Nemeth. Be careful, everyone. Wild means very unpredictable.

– Can't you dart him? asked Farinka.

– Thorn dart wouldn't go through that hide, said Nemeth. I tried that game when I was a lot younger. Still got the scar to show for it, too. You need an iron dart at least for a boar. Or a dozewort-tipped arrow. Neither of which we've got, unfortunately.

– Which way's he going to break? asked Tarke, rattling a bush loudly about ten yards to Farinka's right. The boar swung round and charged.

– There's your answer. RUN, TARKE! There was near-panic in Nemeth's Voice. Oh ye Gods! He's faster than I am! Run, please run.... his Voice trailed off as he put all his effort into running, flashing past under the trees and trying to cross the boar's line of sight. He put in a last burst and crossed the track inches in front of the boar, swatting its snout as he passed. The boar swung its head round viciously and sent him flying to land heavily on his back across a tree root; the boar's sight locked back onto its target. Tarke dodged and weaved between the trees; the boar dodged and weaved behind her. Farinka's lungs felt close to bursting as she tried Nemeth's trick, yelling at the boar and swiping at its rump with a branch as it passed her. For a second it hesitated, rolling its eyes back at her.

– Oh no ... Domina, be careful, PLEASE be careful ... Nemeth's and Sherath's Voices were mingled in her mind. There was pain in Nemeth's Voice. Farinka could tell that he still hadn't got to his feet.

– Nemeth, are you okay? Sherath asked, still sprinting.

– Yes ... okay. Just don't let him come back to me. And get him off Tarke, please ... his Voice trailed off into a faint whisper.

– Tarke; bring him back round to me, called Sherath. Ahead of the boar, Tarke was running out of speed; she had already lost the ground that she had gained from the boar's hesitation earlier.

– If I can. Her Voice was tired.

Farinka ground to a halt, spots before her eyes, her legs trembling, her chest heaving. She was vaguely aware, through the dizziness, of Louka, Jevann and Jekavi slowing as the pace got to them. She cast her Awareness forward, seeking Tarke; Tarke was still running, having come round in a wide circle, heading back towards Sherath.

– Good girl, bring him here. Farinka could feel the pain in Sherath's chest and legs as she extended the Awareness to him. Tarke was running on sheer fear alone, oblivious to pain and exhaustion, but she was close to failing. The boar was about twenty yards behind her. – Come past me, Tarke, said Sherath. I'm going to take over. He joined in and ran beside her. Go for that branch. Ready? He reached over and half lifted, half threw her up, then shouted at the boar, zig-zagging across in front of it.

– Get treed, all of you, called Sherath. There was a chorus of protest from the others. Don't argue, just DO IT! There was enough Command in his Voice to make Farinka wince; it was like a slap in the mind.

– Sorry, can't, Nemeth's Voice whispered.

– Oh, shit. Okay. Sherath was tiring; the boar didn't seem to be.

Farinka ran back to where Nemeth had fallen. He was lying curled up by the tree roots, both hands clasped round his leg. His eyes were shut. Farinka ran Awareness through him, wincing as she felt pain; from the leg, from the ribs, from the head; and world-swirling dizziness. Nemeth was using as much Control as he could muster to stay conscious. She crouched beside him, her own chest heaving, and pulled his hands gently away from the torn trouser-leg. The boar had caught him with a tusk as it threw him; the blood spurted up, splattering her jacket.

– Farinka, for Dominn's sake get yourself into a tree, Nemeth whispered.

– Don't be so bloody daft. That's an artery that's gone there. She was stripping her headband off as she spoke, and folding it into a small pad. Nemeth's headband made a bandage; she wound it and tied it as tightly as she could around the leg, feeling Nemeth's consciousness wavering, and his Control being pumped up a notch to compensate.

The sounds of crashing through the undergrowth faded as Sherath led the boar away. Farinka felt the last burst of effort from Sherath as he jumped for a branch just feet in front of the boar, pulling his legs up and dragging himself onto it to collapse lying along it, his heart pounding, as the boar raced past underneath him and slowed, confused at the suddenly disappeared quarry.

Farinka sent Awareness over to where Sherath lay on the branch, his eyes closed.

– Are you okay, little one?

– Bigger than you are, Domina. Yes, okay. It just came a bit soon after yesterday.

She extended Awareness cautiously, feeling for the boar's mind, and was amazed at the single-minded kill thought in its head. And the total insanity. She looked down at Nemeth's leg. He had drifted into near-blackout. She covered him with her jacket, shivering against the cold.

I hope to God it's not rabid, she thought, probing with the Awareness and heaving a sigh of relief. Not sick – just furious. The wind gusted uneasily around, veering to the east.

She was Aware of the instant that the boar caught the scent of blood; Aware of the way its snout swung round tasting the air; Aware of the moment when its puzzled walk broke into a purposeful trot and the kill instinct switched on again; and Aware of Sherath's plunge into hopeless frustration as he dropped from the branch and tried to catch up.

The boar came crashing back through the undergrowth, the trot turning into a gallop as the scent of Nemeth's blood filled its nostrils and its brain.

She stood up and turned to face it as it came towards them, feeling the anger and the Power boiling through her like magma through a volcano. She threw Command at it like a bullet.

– DIE, YOU BASTARD!

The Power whipped through her mind like a high-voltage current before spinning out to the boar, dropping it in its tracks.

Then there was total blackness.

----