Relic

XXII: Aprilus 10 Year 242, A.H.

I break ranks and head due south. In order to extract the artifact safely from my Claim, I need to build a scaffold and, for that, I need wood. Wood. Out here, in the treeless Tundra. It’s almost laughable.

All my hopes are pinned on the small patch of birch trees that I spotted on my way to the Testing flag. I whisper a small prayer to the Gods that I properly recall the trees’ location. Otherwise, I could spend siniks out here searching. I don’t have siniks to spare.

Nearly two bells from the first horn, I see a tiny smudge in the whiteness of the Tundra. Could it really be the trees? It might as easily be a resting animal pack, a flock of snow geese, or a frozen-in iceberg. Pulling out the welded metal tubes Lukas made me, I push up my goggles and press the tubes close to my eyes. The outline of the birches is unmistakable.

Although I want to let out a whoop of excitement, I don’t want to scare my team. I whistle to them instead, and the sled picks up speed. A few ticks later, I am counting my blessings when I hear the distinctive sound of another sled’s runners coursing over the snow. Who else could be out here? Suddenly, I think of Jasper, and I pray that he hasn’t risked his chances to follow me. And my chances too.

Sliding out my mirror from the side bag, I don’t see Jasper in my wake. What I do see makes me wish Jasper had trailed me into the Tundra: a pair of Scouts. They motion for me to halt. I engage the claw-brakes, and stop my team’s eager progress. Hiding my mirror as I dismount, I stand to face the elder Scout and Scout Okpik. I’m not shocked that Okpik wanted to track me down, but I’m surprised to see that he dragged the elder Scout along with him.

“Are you Forsaking, Testor?” the elder Scout asks.

“No, sir. I am not Forsaking my Commitment,” I say.

“Then, what in the Gods are you doing out here in the Tundra?” he demands.

“I am gathering wood, sir,” I say, even though I know it sounds ridiculous. What else can I offer up? It’s the truth.

“Wood?”

“Yes, sir. Wood.”

“In the Tundra?”

“Yes, sir. It’s just to the south.” I gesture toward the patch of birch trees. When they don’t say anything else, I babble into the silence, “Sir, The Lex says—”

Scout Okpik interrupts me. “I don’t want to hear anymore of your Lex quotes to cover up your lies. Why would you leave behind a fully staked-out Claim? Are you meeting someone out here?”

The elder Scout shoots him a glance. “Testor, you have the right to leave the Testing camp and Site to acquire materials for your dig. It is uncommon to do so, but you are correct that The Lex allows it. You have declared your intention. We will watch while you proceed.”

I can’t help but smile. Scout Okpik seethes, but he cedes to his superior. The Scouts’ oath requires obedience, or pareo. They stand by as I mount my sled, and I hear them follow as I take off toward the trees.

We dismount near the birches. The Scouts stand by as I hoist my heavy axe into the air. I wince in embarrassment, missing the trunk with my first swing. Even though I hit my mark with the next attempts, it feels strange and awkward to have the Scouts watch idly as I struggle to fell the birches and split their thick trunks. If we were in the Aerie, they’d rush to help Eva the Maiden. Or they’d think I’d gone insane. Or both.

When we return to the Testing Site almost five bells from the first horn of morning, I do my best to pretend that I don’t have a Scout escort. Some of the other Testors sit or stand near the crevasse as they break for food, and I refuse to meet their inquisitive gazes as I dismount. I hold my head high, put on my climbing gear, and strap my packet of wood onto my back. As I do, I notice that Scout Okpik is standing next to Aleksandr, watching me. I swear I see their mouths move, quietly whispering to each other. What in the Gods are those two talking about? What secrets do they share?

I shake off my suspicions and descend into my Claim. I won’t allow myself to become distracted. Even though I’ve tied the wood into the smallest bundle possible, the extra weight makes it hard to control my descent at first. I dig my boots and axe into the crevasse wall, and grip onto my sealskin rope with all my strength. In a few ticks, I establish a rhythm, and soon I reach my Testing stakes.

As I harness into place and light my naneq, I allow myself a glimpse upward. I spot Jasper above me and to the right, and I see the bottoms of two unfamiliar pair of boots above me and to the left. All three Testors are strapped into their ropes and digging hard with their pickaxes. There might be a few Testors below me, but I’ve learned not to look down. And I try to ignore the presence of the Climbers.

Holding my naneq close to the ice wall, I’m almost afraid at what I’ll find, or rather what I won’t. What if the grey shadow is just that—a shadow? What if I haven’t located an artifact, and all I’ve managed to do over the past sinik and a half is enrage the Scouts and waste precious ticks?

Inhaling deeply, I place the naneq as closely as I dare to the ice. At first, all I can perceive is the wavy, outer layer—the nutaaq. Realizing that I’m holding the naneq too close to distinguish the inner layers, I pull the light away from the crevasse wall. Only then can I discern the outlines of the grey shadow quite clearly.

I swear it’s the outline of a body.