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  Her next words were spoken in a softer but no less challenging tone. "It bids me to do all in my power to find a cure."

  "Cure!" Grey's voice boomed off the walls of the small chamber. "Cure? Have you gone completely mad female? You can't cure a disfigurement. You forget yourself. You're a Healer, not the Prime Mover."

  Soffen's voice overflowed with indignation at his attack. "You doubt me Grey? Knowing my powers as a Healer, you doubt me?"

  "Of course I doubt you," he snapped back. "You're too near this thing to realise what you're saying. I have no choice, I must inform the Council at once. I just can't imagine what—"

  Grey sputtered to a stop and shook his head. By Homer, this infuriating female had made him forget why he'd come searching for her in the first place. The stranger Brock was still lying out there in the forest!

  "But Grey, you can't tell the Council." Soffen's eyes blazed with anger. "If you do that, then Raffen will have died for nothing."

  A confused look clouded the old badger's eyes as he stared at her and Soffen hurried on.

  "Raffen was going to tell the Council about my cub, just as you intend doing. But the storm killed her before she could do that. Don't you understand? Can't you see? It was no accident. The storm sought her out and killed her. She died because she was going to tell the Council about my cub."

  "ENOUGH!"

  Soffen jumped as the old Custodian reared up at her.

  "Enough I say. I have no time for this arguing. Something more urgent has to be attended to."

  Hurriedly explaining about his meeting with the stranger on the forest path, and how he had been forced to leave him to the mercy of the storm, Grey ordered Soffen to see to her wounds quickly and accompany him back to where he'd left the boar.

  Soffen heard the old Custodian out, then slowly shook her head. "No Grey, I won't come with you."

  "Now listen to me female, this badger is injured." Grey did his best to stem his rising anger, realising that losing it now would do little good. "You're a Healer, he needs your help. It's your duty to attend him."

  "And why should I help a Teller of The Way, when The Way commands me to kill my cub? Tell me that, Custodian."

  "Soffen, where's your compassion? This badger has seen his whole sett perish, would you deny him your help as well?"

  Soffen's emotions boiled over into an angry spate and she reared back, spitting her words at him with great bitterness. "How dare you! How dare you question my ethics. You . . . you—"

  Taking a breath, she steadied herself. "You come here, ordering me to kill my cub, and then . . . then you have the audacity . . . the insolence to question my compassion. If I weren't so offended, I'd laugh in your face."

  Grey drew himself to his full height, staring hard at Soffen. "We waste time arguing female and in the meantime the badger suffers, maybe even dies. You're a Healer and your sworn duty is to help those in need. Are you turning your back on your responsibilities?"

  Soffen studied the old boar for a moment, the angry glint in her eyes subsiding a little as she searched for a lever, any small advantage that might save her cub.

  "If I come with you Grey, I want your sworn word that you'll delay telling the Council about my cub." Holding up a paw to forestall any objections, she hurried on. "Just two moons. That's all I ask. Two moons."

  Grey hesitated before answering. Being a Custodian, he was bound by his word, there could be no going back once it was given. In the end he agreed, as he could see little harm in the Healer's request.

  "Get yourself ready," he said, reading the triumph in her eyes.

  *

  The journey back to the spot where Grey had left the Teller was slow and dangerous, the storm lashing them all the way. They were near the end of their strength when Grey finally stopped, nodding at a slight hollow in the ground.

  "I left him there," he said.

  "Well he's not there now. Are you sure this is the place?"

  Grey nodded, looking about for signs of the missing badger. Stumbling off the path, he thrust his stout body into the wet foliage and a short while later Soffen heard him call.

  "Over here. Quickly, I've found him."

  Hurrying to his side, Soffen saw a badger lying under a fern, his fur streaked with mud, sodden from the heavy downpour. Pushing Grey aside, she quickly examined the unconscious boar, poking and prodding him until she was satisfied she knew exactly what was wrong.

  The boar had a nasty wound on his leg, the skin blackened and hard. Although she'd never seen such an injury before, she had heard about them. It was a burn, caused by contact with fire.

  As well as the burn, the badger's body was covered with numerous cuts and bruises, most of which were superficial. More serious was the fact that he was in deep shock, and Soffen knew there was a good chance he might die if she did not get him back to her burrow, where she would be able to treat him properly.

  Leaning close to Grey, Soffen shouted into his ear. "He's in a pretty bad way. We'll have to get him back to my burrow. There's a nasty wound on his leg and he's suffering from shock. Keep an eye on him for a moment, I won't be long."

  When Soffen reappeared a short time later, she was carrying a piece of fungus and a strange root between her teeth. Instructing Grey to hold the boar's mouth open, Soffen chewed on the root, allowing the juices to flow from her mouth to his. It was a slow process but she persevered until the very last drop had been extracted.

  After this, she set about treating the burn on the Teller's leg with the fungus she'd gathered. And when Soffen was finally satisfied that she had done all that she could, she tipped her head to one side, studying the unconscious badger intently, a puzzled expression lining her snout.

  "What have you given him Soffen?"

  "It's a special root. It should stimulate him. It's very potent, so he should respond fairly quickly."

  "Will it make him better?" Grey prodded at the remnants that Soffen had spat onto the forest floor.

  "No, but it should revive him enough to help us get him back to my burrow. I can treat him properly once we've got him there."

  Grey looked up into the storm and the black turbulent clouds above them. "It's a long way."

  Soffen smiled. "Don't worry about the storm, it won't harm us now."

  Brock moaned, his eyes flicking open as he looked about in confusion, his gaze settling on Soffen.

  She stroked his head and shouted against the wind. "Come on badger, that's it. We can't stay here. You've got to get up now. Come on." Slowly, she coaxed the boar to his feet and he staggered slightly as he took his full weight on his unsteady legs. Soffen moved closer, supporting him. "Slowly now, there's no need to hurry."

  As the anodyne circulating through the Teller's body took full effect, a wave of vigour swept over him, his aches and pains easing. Shaking the water from his fur, Brock laughed aloud, tossing his head back and forth.

  Grey shot Soffen a worried look. "What's he doing?"

  She smiled confidently. "Don't worry, it's just the effects of the root I've given him. Come on, let's get him back to the burrow before it wears off."

  As the trio staggered along the slippery path, Soffen's mind was in a whirl. Ever since the stranger had regained consciousness, she'd been overcome by the strangest feeling that she had met him somewhere before.

  But Soffen knew that had never happened.

  Chapter 4

  Grey's gaze wandered back to Soffen's cubs. One looked normal, its coat already changing from the early silver-grey of the new-born cub, to the dull brownish-yellow of the young badger. It would take some time yet for the darker blue-grey coat and the black cheek stripes to develop, marking the cub's passage into adulthood.

  Grey flicked his gaze to the other cub, turning it over onto its back for a closer inspection. It wriggled, giving a high-pitched whicker, paddling its feet in the air. He studied the white coat intently, then turned his attention to the unnatural pink colouration of the cub's nose and eyes. It was an abominatio
n!

  Grey had heard of such cubs of course, the stuff of tales and warnings given to young badgers who did not behave themselves, but he had never had the misfortune of seeing one before. Watching the small creature squirming on its back, he felt affronted, a flicker of unease running along his spine.

  Unsheathing his claws, Grey placed one on the tightly rounded belly, allowing a smile to touch his lips. It would be so easy to correct this filth. One quick slash and the balance would be restored.

  But instead he reluctantly turned away, shaking his head at the Healer's actions. What was she thinking of? Whatever, he'd given his word and could do nothing about it for now, but in a few cycles-

  The Custodian's thoughts were interrupted by Soffen's return.

  "Is everything alright Grey?" Soffen entered the small chamber in a bustle. Not waiting for an answer, she crossed to her cubs, smiling down at them. "I've treated Brock's wounds, and fed him a grouse egg and a few acorns. He'll probably sleep for some time now, until the effects of the Henbane I gave him wears off."

  Grey chuckled. "I thought he was going mad back there in the forest." He cocked his head at the entrance tunnel. "Did you see him trying to climb that tree?" Another chuckle, but less prolonged, bitten off with a short bark as a touch of scorn slipped into his voice. "Flying indeed! Who ever heard of such a ridiculous thing?"

  Soffen turned from her cubs, her eyes widening. "The root I gave him alters the way we feel things. It's a bit like having a dream, where you see and hear things that aren't there."

  The old badger almost missed her next words, leaning forward to catch them.

  "I tried it once." Shaking her head at the memory, Soffen continued in a subdued voice, "It was very frightening." She looked away self-consciously, as the bare patch just above her nose turned bright pink. "You know how it feels when you finally manage to corner that adder you've been hunting?"

  "When it turns, ready to strike, you mean?"

  "Yes, that's it." Pausing for a moment, gathering her thoughts, Soffen wrinkled her snout. "Well that's the sort of feeling I had when I ate the root, a feeling of exuberance and strength. Total power, but at the same time an uneasy awareness of how frail we really are."

  Soffen hesitated again, staring at the roof of the chamber, beyond such confines in her mind's eye now, out amongst the forest canopy.

  "I've always thought it must be similar to how the kestrel feels when she swoops down to make her kill." Dropping her gaze, Soffen stared at the damp floor. "Or perhaps the acorn as it falls to the ground, strong in the knowledge that it will eventually grow tall enough to touch the moon."

  Grey shifted uncomfortably, breaking the mood. "That's all very well," he said, nodding at the sleeping cubs, "but let's talk about them. You've forced me to keep your secret for the time being and I had no choice because I needed your help. But I want you to know that you've put me in a very awkward position with the other Custodians. The power of the sett is built on trust and I've broken that trust. By Homer sow, it doesn't sit easily with me. Not easily at all."

  Soffen frowned, studying the old Custodian closely, unsure whether the creases furrowing his snout were anger or frustration.

  "And the other Custodians, do they share your touching preoccupation with trust?" she asked.

  Grey's eyes narrowed. "And what exactly is that supposed to mean?"

  "You know very well Grey. The Custodians have been abusing their powers for many seasons now." Her stubby tail flicked angrily. "Why, only this winter, Harbrock used his position to get his brother moved to a better sleeping chamber."

  "That was a special case."

  Soffen barked a short laugh. "Yes, just like all the other special cases." There could be no mistaking the contempt in her voice.

  "Enough!"

  Grey's retort carried an edge of anger, the hackles rising along his back, and Soffen realised she may have pushed him too far.

  Swinging his head towards her, the old badger growled threateningly, his snout wrinkling in agitation. "You're on hazardous ground, sow. That really is quite enough."

  Carefully avoiding eye contact, Soffen went to Grey, touching him lightly on the flank. "You're a good badger Grey, and I respect you for that. But sometimes you're too trusting for your own good." Holding up a paw to forestall any protest, she moved away, then turned back to face him, a sudden determination surging through her. "I have something that I must do now, away from here. It'll take some time, will you look after my cub while I'm gone?"

  Grey's anger subsided and he nodded in sullen agreement. "I can hardly leave them here to fend for themselves, can I?"

  He surreptitiously studied the small white creature asleep on the bed of leaves, flexing his claws slightly.

  As much as I'd like to, he thought.

  Soffen picked up the object of Grey's scorn by its scruff, making ready to leave the sett.

  "But surely you're not going to risk your cub's life in this terrible storm?" Grey said, missing the irony of his statement.

  Seeing the old Custodian's concern, Soffen put her cub down, answering him slowly, her voice carrying a conviction that surprised both of them.

  "No Grey, the storm won't harm him." Gazing down at the wriggling youngster with a tenderness that belied the emotions raging in her mind, she smiled. "When he dies, it will be at a time of his own choosing. Not yours, not mine, not the Council's."

  With these words still ringing in the chamber, Soffen picked her cub up again and padded out into the storm, leaving Grey to reflect on her words.

  *

  Grey sat at the entrance to Soffen's burrow for a long time after she'd left, allowing her after-image to fade from his mind. He realised the Healer was a fine-looking badger, even though her coat was lighter than usual, and that thought came as something of a surprise, because, like others, Grey had shunned the Healer, only acknowledging her existence when he needed her help for some mishap or other. He smiled, recalling the time– last winter was it– when he'd gone to her with a sore foot.

  Grey was helping block the side tunnels of the sett with dried grass– a yearly duty undertaken to keep out the winter's raw winds– when a vicious thorn had buried itself deeply between the pads of his foot. No matter how hard he tried, Grey could not dislodge it, and in the end, after much probing and nibbling with his teeth, he could stand the pain no longer.

  Grey had reluctantly visited the Healer, who welcomed him warmly, openly, chatting about the things that were happening around the sett. Leading him to a comfortable bed of bracken, the Healer enquired what the problem was, and for all the years that he was her senior, Grey felt as though it was his mother tutting softly beneath her breath as she gently probed his foot.

  After removing the thorn and treating the wound with a soothing paste made from crushed Hemlock leaves, Soffen asked Grey to stay awhile and the pair talked for a long time, just as old friends might.

  Grey had been grateful for Soffen's help and as he hobbled away up the entrance tunnel, he turned back to face her. "I'll bring something for you, as a thank-you for what you've done," he promised.

  But when the pain subsided, so had his gratitude, and the 'thank-you' was forgotten.

  *

  Because Soffen used the powers of The Way in her healing, Grey– like most badgers in Brockenhurst Sett– felt uneasy around her. In general, magic was discouraged by the Council and it was only because the Healer was so skilled that she was allowed such latitude.

  Pushing these uncomfortable thoughts aside, Grey returned to the sleeping chamber, looking about for something to do. Soffen's unexplained departure was making him edgy. Picking up a stray leaf, he dropped it onto a pile already neatly stacked in one corner, then sat back on his haunches, sighing.

  Even though the burrow was obviously a temporary one, Soffen kept it tidy, unlike his own, which was always in a mess. He could see the Healer had done her best to make the burrow as comfortable as possible, working the packed earthen floor with deep grooves t
o draw off any water percolating into the sett. The walls themselves had strange patterns scratched into their surfaces, a reminder that this was the burrow of a Healer, and Grey looked away, quickly turning his back on the marks, studying the two short tunnels leading off the main chamber instead.

  One tunnel, lined with leaves and dried grasses, contained the sleeping form of the stranger, Brock, with Soffen's remaining cub snuggled between his forefeet. Grey's gaze wandered to the other tunnel, which was filled with herbs and strange plants he couldn't identify. Wrinkling his snout as the different fragrances caught his attention, the Custodian wandered over, absent-mindedly poking at some of the dried plants, until the cub mewled quietly in its sleep, attracting his attention.

  Looking at it, Grey's thoughts roamed.

  Whoever had sired these cubs was keeping very quiet about it, which was no surprise. After all, who in their right mind would confess to mating with a Healer?

  No, the surprise was the Healer's attitude. He could make no sense of it. Why hadn't she followed the mores of the sett? And what was all this about destiny?

  Grey's thoughts were interrupted when the cub mewled again, turning restlessly in its sleep.

  His constant pacing seemed to be disturbing the sleeping badgers, so Grey decided leave the cramped chamber. He would lay in the entrance tunnel and wait for the Healer's return.

  The wind howled across the narrow opening, echoing down the tunnel with an undulating groan that set Grey's teeth on edge. Even so, he found himself drawn to the eerie sound.

  He lay in the entrance, unmoving, lost to his thoughts, unaware of the lashing rain and howling winds that blew small bushes and shrubs through the moving sheets of water.

  As Grey's thoughts roamed, an uneasiness stirred in his mind. Where had Soffen taken the cub? Had she decided to kill it after all?

  The old Custodian considered this idea at length. Yes, it made sense, she'd come to her senses and had taken the cub out to kill it.

  *

  Soffen had made good progress through the storm, standing now on the higher reaches of Fire Rock, her cub dangling limply from her mouth. Looking about for the best assent, her feelings were in turmoil, the certainty that had driven her thus far, waning. So too, her confidence that the storm was her ally. She felt alone and frightened, a deep-rooted fear that was hard to ignore.