Conflict Read Free Page B

color and myth, passed down by the elders from generation to generation. They were the people of the prairies, the lords of the plains, whose destiny was to rise someday as one and rule over the steppes from north to south and east to west. Many and rich were the legends of her people, they spoke of great warriors, of a free folk, strong and proud. It saddened Iruki to think that unfortunately her people lived only a hair’s-breadth away from being enslaved.
    They’re no more than legends to feed the spirit of the Masig, to create hope in their broken hearts, to kindle the fire of life so that it doesn’t die under the tyrant boots of those empires which aim to crush our soul. Perhaps they’re only legends, but they bring hope, the seed of yearning. And who knows, perhaps one day it might sprout into a strong oak on which a great leader might stand up to the powerful enemy nations.
    She stopped to dry the perspiration on her forehead with the edge of her suede shirt. She filled her lungs with the cold pure air of the mountain, which cleared her mind even though it did not relieve the exhaustion of her legs. She looked back to make sure that the silent assassin was following her. The stranger smiled wide and honestly, which comforted her. This enigmatic foreigner with slanting eyes was not a great talker, but physically he was a wonder. He had climbed without the least apparent effort, and seemed impervious to tiredness. In fact Iruki was convinced that the Assassin was immune to the elements, as well as to exhaustion. His breathing was always relaxed and regular, and the strain of the climb seemed to make no dent in his impressive resilience.
    Iruki went on carefully towards the west along the narrow ledge, no more than two hand-spans wide. The cliff looked as if it had been carved out of the vertical mountain-side. On her right was the cold rocky wall of the mountain. On her left: the abyss, an endless precipice which threatened them at every step.
    She went on, slowly and warily, until she reached a stretch which had sunk towards the abyss. The danger triggered the Masig’s senses, adrenalin ran through her whole body. She stared at this black hole into nothingness. The width to be crossed was no more than six hand-spans; she knew she could make it, but fear overpowered her. She tried to calm herself and focused on the situation. All she had to do was stay calm and concentrate . I can do it. It’s a small leap, just a small leap …across the void…across an endless fall to the abyss. Don’t be a fool! You can do it! Keep your balance and jump smoothly. Come on! Do it! Don’t think about it anymore, just do it!
    She pointed at the danger with her hand and looked at her companion who nodded in understanding. Iruki fingered the cold grey rock on her right. She crouched and launched herself across the void. At once she recovered her balance and stood still for a moment, as if frozen in time. I did it! I managed! She was overjoyed. She breathed out in relief and relaxed. She had cleared the jump like a true Masig, her ancestors would be proud of her. She moved on and turned just in time to see the Assassin clear the obstacle with cat-like lightness. Iruki could sense his lethal instincts. Dressed in black he resembled a deadly wild panther. Where others stepped clumsily he appeared to float, as if his feet never touched the ground, as if it were impossible for his body to lose its harmony or balance for a single moment. He was a truly intriguing man. When he wrapped himself in his black cloak, he looked like a shadow from the world beyond.
    Iruki smiled at him, shaking her head, and the Assassin replied by shrugging his shoulders and giving her an impish grin. The Masig continued the treacherous climb along the narrow ledge. She stopped a few steps away from a vaguely familiar turn. She searched for some sound in the space around her, for a whisper of distant happy times. And as if in reply to her wishes, an echo