by S E Turner
Thorne looked at the two fragile flowers in his hands, withered and limp outside their natural surroundings. Without protection, they would be dead in a few days. He remembered his own wife and child, and his eyes filled with tears. He looked at the two vulnerable women and his heart melted, for without their basic needs, they, too, would succumb to the elements. His eyes softened and the weathered years of age took on a different guise. The assembly waited with bated breath, for most of them thought they would be put to death on the spot.
'Ajeya, come here.' He held out his hands to the youngster.
Trusting this man with her child, Eujena released her to him. Gasps abounded and hands flew up to shocked mouths. The little girl ran over and as he bent down to her level, she wrapped her arms around his neck.
'Would you like to stay until the bad weather has passed?'
She nodded her head.
'And if I let you stay, can we sit on that boulder and talk from time to time.'
She nodded her head again.
He looked at her disfigured face and he touched it gently. Now he knew why this beautiful child with the smile of an angel had been sent by the spirits to him—she was a symbol of life and beauty, not of death and misery. No more would the weeping caves take disfigured babies to die in there alone. Naked on cruel slabs of rock. Waiting for the death to take them in the dark. Numbed with cold and hunger and crying for safe caress of their mothers. Ajeya had shown him that this ancient practice was wrong, and the spirits had frowned on it. But she was a tool of the spirits, and he knew that he could not keep her. She was not his to keep. He was only borrowing her. He would have to let her go to other clans and do the spirits work, but he had to keep her safe. The old man pushed himself up and looking at the concerned expressions around the camp, heralded his decision.
'The spirits have guided these two women into our care. The spirits have already decided that these two women should live. They have let Ajeya survive where many others like her have died. If we let them go into the wilderness to face the freeze alone, we will be contravening those wishes, and we will anger the spirits. Therefore, I agree, you can remain until the thaw.'
Hagen let out a long sigh of relief and Ukaleq bowed low to the great Thorne and ushered her charges in to the safety of her hut.
Chapter Eleven
It was only one week since the leader had cast his decision, and the full brutality of the unforgiving northern hemisphere was under way as the biting east wind was preparing its gusts of icy blasts. By day, the sky was a shimmering blue gauze that sprawled out over the horizon, and by night, the sky was full of grey swollen clouds. A polished drizzle scattered over the surface of the ground, making most areas impassable and dangerous. Life stood still in these torturous winter months. Everything had to conserve its energy until the thaw.
It had been a long summer and the harvests were bountiful. The spirits had been generous that year and there was enough laid by to see the clan through the harshest of winters. The tribe were ready for the chill by stocking up with their regular supply of meat, fish, eggs, berries, nuts and vegetables. The orchard trees had been stripped of their fruit, ready to be made into wines. Fish and meat had been dried and salted and wrapped in layers of animal hide.
The smaller mammals were brought in from the pastures and put in the barns. Some families kept a few in their huts for added warmth, even using their droppings as a heat catalyst on the open fires. The mighty aurochs, with their thick hide and woolly coats, were undaunted by the biting winds, and gathered in groups when the temperature plummeted. Their breath loomed in clouds; hovering, momentarily suspended in the freezing air. The mountain range of the Giant's Claw was arched in a series of majestic peaks, and it sparkled like a gigantic luminous amethyst when the sun was at its highest and hollowed into a huge white orb when the moon was at its fullest.
The first snow had sifted in silently during the night. Pristine whiteness softened the contours of the familiar landscape, creating a magical dreamland of fantastic shapes and mythical plants. Bushes appeared to grow tall hats of soft snow overnight while the grand old conifers were draped in exquisite glistening soft plump robes. Clouds of smoke hung in plumes above the thatched roofs, and frigid icicles clung like jewelled pendants from every eave and crevasse. For those who ventured out in their huge oversized coats of animal pelts, crunching the snow with well-padded feet; the biting air fought hard to chaff their skin, and ice-cold flakes found uncovered patches and froze instantly wherever they landed.
The second snowfall had no magic at all for the clan, and the temperature dropped sharply. This was going to be a harsh winter, and as the cold took a grip, the squalls grew, and with the squalls and the freeze came the blizzards.
This blizzard lasted for many days and imprisoned most of the clan in their huts as it unleashed several feet of snow. For those who had to go out and rescue stranded animals, the deep snow drifts left them exhausted. Many of them took hours to return home, as the driving sheets caused temporary loss of bearings. By the fifth day, the blizzard howled with an unrelenting full force, and a number of hardy animals had already perished. Many trees and bushes would never recover; and the lakes, rivers and streams would surely flood.
'Thank the gods you found the strength to ask to stay,' said Ukaleq for the hundredth time. 'You would have surely perished by now. Without food, shelter, and warmth, you would have frozen to death or become entombed in a snow drift… or even been taken by wolves.'
'I know, Ukaleq. That's why I had to appeal to Thorne. I knew that we would never have survived a winter here in the north.'
'Where do you get your strength from, dear lady. What are you guided by?'
Eujena looked over to her daughter who was sitting by the fire mending baskets. 'She guides me, Ukaleq, and everything else that I need in life.'
There was a long pause while the two women digested her words and looked at the young girl with a deep affection.
'Do you remember anything about your roots? We know you are not clan by the clothes you wore, so do you remember anything at all now. What about the winters—what were they like?'
For the first time in days, Eujena shivered. 'I really can't remember anything, but I don't recall being imprisoned in mountains of snow for days on end.' She drew a thin smile.
'Yes, our winters can be particularly cruel, though this has to be one of the worst. And I have seen some harsh ones.' She handed Eujena a mug of meaty broth. 'Here take this, you need to keep your strength up.'
They both looked over to Ajeya who was still mending baskets with dexterity and precision.
'She learns quickly, doesn't she?' noted the Shaman.
'She certainly does, and she is both perceptive and strong.' Eujena sipped on the broth. 'But she needs to be, doesn't she?'
After seven days, the storm had finally blown itself out. When the wind finally stopped blowing, the last of the snow sifted down. A scraping could be heard outside their hut. Hagen appeared at the door like some hideous monster draped in a heavy winter coat with an oversized hat covering his head and a scarf that was stuck to his face. He had a wooden shovel in his hand and had cleared a path for the women.
'It's good to see you, Hagen,' said Ukaleq with a jubilant smile. 'Is everyone from the camp safe?'
'Yes, the tribe is safe, though we have lost a few animals, sadly. Some to the weather and many to the wolves.'
'That's too bad,' said Ukaleq shaking her head.
Eujena swallowed hard, as that could so easily have been her.
Keao followed his father in. 'Would Ajeya like to play in the snow?' he asked Eujena. 'I have brought a warm coat for her.'
Ajeya stood up excitedly. She hadn't been out for several days and really needed to run about.
'Of course,' said Eujena. 'Thank you, Keao. It will do her good to get some fresh air.'
Eujena wrapped up her daughter, and putting on a few more layers herself, she watched from the entrance as Ajeya took her first f
ew tentative steps on the glistening spread of snow. She observed Ajeya looking at her own footprints that left an indentation in the freshly fallen blanket and laughed out loud at her first attempt to build a snowman. She chuckled, watching her run about with Keao, throwing mis-fired snowballs at him and trying to dodge his perfectly aimed ones. She had never seen her child laugh so much and roll around so happily. Keao was so very good with her. Even her own brother hadn't played with her like this.
Though perhaps it had been forbidden.
She wondered what Cornelius was doing now. How was he faring without her? Was he all right on his own? She shivered again and pulling her shawl around her, shook those thoughts away. There was nothing she could do about it, and it did her no good to reminisce.
At that moment, she felt a glow transcend around her as Hagen approached, and holding a mug of broth, stood beside her to watch the two children play.
'It's good to see them getting on so well.' He sipped from the mug that was piping hot, spouting small wisps of condensation into the chilled morning air.
Eujena looked up to him and smiled. 'It really is, Hagen. It warms my heart to watch them.'
The sight of them playing and the sound of laughter had the two adults spellbound for a long time, but Hagen had something to say, and his mind kept playing it over and over until at last he could hold it in no more. 'You know, I have been thinking...' he breathed out heavily and waited for the right moment again. 'I have had a long time to think during this bad weather.' A thin smile crept across his chiselled face.
Eujena looked at him, wondering what he was going to say.
'I'm thinking of coming with you when you have to go,' he blurted out in a single breath.
Eujena was stopped in her tracks momentarily, slightly unsure of what she had heard. 'Leaving here with me?' Her tone was one of shock and surprise.
'Yes, leaving here with you.' His smile was broad.
'But Hagen, please, these are your people. This is your life. Your son has his friends here. Please consider what you are saying.'
'Eujena, I have done nothing else since Thorne passed his judgement. I have been to talk to him about it, and he agrees that I should go with you, to take care of you and Ajeya, and make sure that no harm comes to either of you.'
'Hagen...'
But he stopped her. 'Eujena, Thorne has spoken, he believes that you and Ajeya have a higher purpose to play here. That you are both instrumental in bringing about change and that we can leave nothing to chance. We cannot leave you to wander the wilderness again, exposed to dangers and battling the elements. No, we cannot allow it. I was the one who found you and saved your life, and it is my destiny to continue to protect you.' He thought long and hard while Eujena took it all in. 'But it in all honesty, I want to take care of you, not just because of what Thorne says, or what the spirits expect of me. I want to.' He sighed as he recalled a past life. 'I have been on my own for twelve long years, Eujena. My son and I, we look after each other, just like you and Ajeya. But both of us are continually reminded of a dreadful past—probably a bit like you—where we have lost a part of us, and we are trying to find our way again.'
She put a hand on his arm.
'People have supported us and been good to us, especially Ukaleq and Thorne, but I can't sit back and watch you venture out the wilderness on your own and risk your life out there again.' He looked to the mountain still weighted down with snow and eased his own heavy heart. 'The spirits have brought you to me, Eujena, just like the spirits brought Ajeya to Thorne. It is my destiny to protect you.'
She was moved and tried hard to stifle her emotion. No one had wanted to take care of her for such a long time, and she feared for the safety of her child more than she did for herself.
'I don't know what to say, Hagen,' she began. 'I cannot express how I feel. This is most gracious of you, giving up your home for us, and I cannot find the words to thank you enough.'
'Do not thank me, dear lady. It is I who has to thank you for giving me my life back.' He took her hand and kissed it, and as a spark of something ignited in both of them, a freezing cold orb suddenly exploded on his face and the sound of laughter trailed away as they watched Keao and Ajeya running off into the distance.
Chapter Twelve
The winter finally released its frozen grip and the last icy breaths that covered the land were exhaled. Fresh ripe buds on the trees heralded spring, and the pulse of the earth quickened as life started to pump through the soil once again. New shoots and a variety of colours patch-worked the contours of barren grey moors. The sun made a welcome appearance and beat off the blistering attack of winter. Rivers thawed and ran freely. Shivering transparent icicles slowly dripped away.
Evergreens pumped up their sagging branches, shaking off their top hats of moulded snow. Mythical plants robbed of their identity were exposed once again, and bushes that had been concealed for months reappeared. The animals were back in the meadows now, and a spring cleaning ritual began in the huts.
Many hands helped with burning the stagnant stale straw, the old embers, and the animal hairs. The chimney was brushed. The floor was scrubbed. The eating area was cleaned. All the animal hides used for keeping out the driving rain and bitter cold were hung out and beaten rigorously to get rid of the accumulating mould and the stench of confined herbivores. Doors were left open to welcome in the new season and the fresh air burst in. But a change in the weather meant it was time for the group to leave.
'I said I would ask no more of Thorne, so I have to keep to my word,' said Eujena, packing away her few belongings.
'I know, Eujena, you can't ask any more of him. But your being here has made such a difference.' Ukaleq was pouring various potions into vials, and sorting out roots and herbs into baskets that would come in handy over the next few days.
'Really! How so?' Eujena stopped for a moment.
Ukaleq looked up. 'Because the ancient laws on leaving disfigured children in the weeping caves to die will be stopped immediately.'
Eujena smiled at the revelation. 'That is wonderful news, Ukaleq, and I am so very pleased. And I will pray for all those children and their mothers who have had to endure such unnecessary suffering.'
Ukaleq sighed with a thin smile and carried on with her sorting.
'You see how strong Ajeya is,' continued Eujena. 'Yes, she may have a weakness on one side of her face, but she has the strength of a gale to bring about change.'
Ukaleq's smile grew with admiration and she came over to give Eujena the tonics and medicines. 'Thorne believes that it is Ajeya's destiny to make a difference in the way people view life, so he will want you to keep on your path to seek out other clans and civilisations.'
The herbs were accepted with appreciation as Eujena continued. 'Yes, I believe that, too. Ajeya has a purpose to play here. She is more than a precious daughter that I have been blessed with—she is a gift from the spirits.'
Ukaleq searched through her cupboards and rooted through drawers. 'That she is, to be sure, and now you have Hagen to look after you both.' She stopped to face Eujena. 'And I know you are resourceful and strong in your own right, and you are a wonderful mother that Ajeya is blessed to have, but even you need looking after occasionally, Eujena.' She carried on searching for something. 'Mother nature is a force to be reckoned with, and out there on your own is not easy.'
The Shaman's words were honourable and well meant. At last she found the jar of comfrey oil that she was looking for. 'My favourite herb. It has so many properties, you know.'
Eujena took her friends hands and kissed them. 'I will never forget you, Ukaleq. You have saved me.'
'I have enjoyed every minute of it, and it is my honour to have had two great women in my care.'
The two older women embraced as Hagen came in through the flap in the doorway. Eujena smiled at him and gave once last hug to her friend and went over to Ajeya to let Hagen say his own goodbyes.
He took Ukaleq by the hand. 'Dear lady, there are so
many words I could say right now, but only one will cover it all, and that is thank-you.' He sighed with appreciation. 'Thank you for everything: your kindness, your compassion, your guidance, your friendship.'
He wiped away a tear, and the great Shaman hugged him.
'Who is going to be my sight for sore eyes now, eh?' She tried to make light of the situation, but sniffing back a runny nose made it impossible. 'Just you take care of these two women, my dear friend, and the spirits will take care of everything else.' She hugged him again.
'You know I will,' he assured her.
Eujena carried out her small bindle and Hagen lifted Ajeya up into his arms. Keao was already on the front seat of the wagon where Coal, the black gelding, was fidgeting noisily with the snaffle between his teeth.
'You help your father, now, won't you?' shouted out Ukaleq to where he sat.
'I will, I promise.' He beamed back at her.
Thorne had already heard the roll of the wagon disturbing the well-trodden path and could be seen making his way towards them. Ajeya saw him and struggled to get down. Hagen released his hold gently, and she ran up to meet him. Though unsteady and shaky, the great man was still able to bend down to her level and pick her up. She felt his cheek, just like the first time she had met him, and placed a kiss on his old wrinkled skin. Then she threw her arms around him and squeezed his neck. Everyone was out now and smiling at the spectacle.
Thorne was aware of the tear running down his face. 'You know, I might not have been blessed with any children of my own, but to have spent these last few months with you is all that I needed to give me hope for the future.'
Ajeya didn't fully understand the sentiments, but she was aware of the kindness in his voice.
Eujena heard him, though, and moved forward. 'Thank you so much, Thorne, for everything.'