The Edge of Hope: Wrak-Ayya: The Age of Shadows Book Eleven

by Roberts, Leigh

  Chapter 4

  The rest of the travel toward the Brothers’ village was happily uneventful. With his grandmother fully recovered, Oh’Dar concentrated on keeping from the usual route to avoid any other travelers, however unlikely. He was cautious not to go so far out of the way that he got them lost, however. They made frequent stops, as saddles and the hard wagon seat had their limits comfort-wise.

  Each evening when they made camp, he took pleasure from hearing his grandparents talking between themselves as he cared for the horses. He was anxious to get to the village but wanted them to arrive as rested and as healthy as possible; he knew that emotions would run high once they arrived and the strangeness of everything hit them. When she was not looking, he studied his grandmother for any sign of weariness.

  One evening, the horses cared for, Oh’Dar finally joined them at the fire. When he sat down, his grandmother draped a blanket around his shoulders.

  “How much farther do you think?” she asked as she patted it around him.

  “Based on our rate of travel, I believe about four more days.”

  “Oh, Ben, I’m a little frightened now that it’s all becoming real,” she exclaimed, sitting next to her husband and resting her head on his shoulder.

  The stars sparkled in the dark night sky overhead. Oh’Dar stretched out on his back so he could look up at them. Without thinking, he started tracing the patterns his father had taught him and named them to himself. The cold night air bit at his nose. He could hear the yipping of coyotes in the distance beyond the backdrop of the crackling fire.

  Ben had insisted on bringing his rifle. Hearing the coyotes a little closer than he would have preferred, Oh’Dar was grateful that Ben had it handy.

  Oh’Dar saw his grandmother look around nervously. “I will be glad when we’re indoors again,” she said.

  “Why don’t you sleep in the wagon tonight, if that would make you feel safer?” Oh’Dar asked. “And yes, you won’t feel so vulnerable once we get to the Brothers’ village. For one thing, there will be many people there, and that will bring you comfort, I’m sure.”

  “We won’t be able to understand them,” Miss Vivian pointed out to him.

  “No. But the People do have a hand sign language, and we can work on that. Also, my wife, her siblings, and her mother, Honovi, speak English. Honovi’s mother was married to a white man.”

  “So your wife is partly white?” his grandmother asked.

  “Yes, and she probably understands even more English than she can speak. But Honovi was raised mostly in the village, so she has no experience of your world.” Oh’Dar sat up and moved closer to the fire. “Please don’t worry, Grandmother, the horses will warn us if there’s any trouble from the coyotes.”

  “Grayson is right, Vivian,” interjected Ben. “There’s far easier game out here for them than us. But I think we should turn in. No doubt the upcoming days are going to be taxing.”

  In the end, both Ben and Miss Vivian decided to sleep in the wagon, up off the ground and buried under a mountain of blankets. Oh’Dar smothered the fire and enjoyed the heat radiating from the stones he’d banked it with.

  Before long, it was morning again—time to tend to the horses and get back on their way.

  The next four days passed without incident. Oh’Dar breathed a sigh of relief when he first saw the familiar landscape of the Brothers’ territory. He knew that before long, the scouts would spot them and take back word of his return.

  Acise and her sister came walking into the village, bundles of twigs and sticks for the fire in their arms. They chatted happily as they walked, kicking up clumps of dead leaves and disturbing the dusting of snow on the ground ahead of them. As they stopped to drop off their gatherings, they heard the rapid hoofbeats of someone riding in haste.

  “Oh’Dar is returning! Oh’Dar is returning!” shouted the young brave. He pulled his pony to a halt and dismounted in a hurry. Acise ran toward him, her skirt whipping around her hide boots.

  “Where? How far away?”

  “Close. I will run and tell Chief Is’Taqa!” and the man took off, running toward the Chief’s shelter.

  Before long, everyone was gathered at the far end of the village from which direction the travelers were expected. Finally, over the hill appeared the wagon, pulled by a beautiful team of sturdy horses, with Oh’Dar in the lead on Storm.

  Some of the children started to run toward the wagon, but the littlest ones were quickly snatched up by their parents. Slowly the group came close enough for the Brothers to see that, indeed, there were two older Waschini in the wagon.

  Oh’Dar brought Storm in and quickly dismounted. Within moments, Acise was in his arms, and they clasped each other tightly. “I have missed you so,” she whispered into his ear. “And I have missed you,” Oh’Dar said, nuzzling her neck and squeezing her tighter. He released her and led her back to the wagon, which had come to a halt a few feet back.

  Oh’Dar introduced his grandmother first, before turning to Ben. Both children and adults could not help staring curiously at Miss Vivian’s hair coloring.

  She smiled warmly at Acise. “I’m so happy to meet you. My grandson has told us how much he loves you.”

  Oh’Dar helped her from the wagon as Ben jumped down from the other side. Just then, the crowd parted as Chief Is’Taqa and Honovi came forward.

  Miss Vivian looked at the magnificent Chief standing before her. His long straight black hair; his eyes shining with wisdom; his natural hide clothing that made him look as much a part of nature as everything surrounding them. He nodded to her and said something which she assumed was a welcome.

  Then Oh’Dar introduced them to the woman standing next to the Chief.

  She smiled and said, “We welcome you to our village. I am Honovi, wife to Chief Is’Taqa, and mother of Oh’Dar’s wife, Acise.” She indicated the beautiful young woman still standing next to Oh’Dar. “We have been waiting for you. Come, let us make you comfortable.”

  Miss Vivian looked at her grandson, who nodded his encouragement.

  “I’ll bring the wagon around, and we’ll offload your things in a few moments,” he said.

  Two braves volunteered to take care of the horses, so Ben took his wife’s arm, and as they walked, a parade of children followed along beside them. Miss Vivian could not help but keep looking down at them and smiling. The smell of cooking fires brushed her senses, and the cold air stung her face.

  Honovi led them to what looked like a brand-new construction. “This is the place belonging to my daughter and your grand—grandson.” She stumbled a bit before finding the correct word. “You will have privacy here and can rest as much as you wish.”

  As Honovi held the flap open, Miss Vivian and Ben stooped down to enter. Once inside, they straightened up and looked around. It was sparse yet welcoming. The sloping walls were made of wood lashed together and covered with stretched hides. The ground had been swept clear, with several colorful blankets and animal hides scattered about. In the center was a fire pit and light shone in from above around the edges of the covered smoke hole.

  Acise and Oh’Dar followed them in.

  “It’s very cozy,” Miss Vivian observed.

  Oh’Dar showed them how the flap at the top of the shelter let the smoke out when there was a fire going inside. “Why don’t you and Ben sit down. I’ll bring some of your blankets in here, and you can wrap up until I can get a fire going.”

  Miss Vivian nodded and suddenly felt all the wear and tear of the journey closing in on her. She asked which mats they should use, and Oh’Dar showed her two newer-looking ones. When she sat down, she realized they were softer than she had thought, with soft gatherings of leaves and grasses beneath.

  Comforted by the welcome feeling of enclosure, Miss Vivian started to cry.

  Ben wrapped his arms around her and pulled her into him. “Oh no, what’s wrong? Tell me please,” he begged her.

  “I’m so tired. And I didn’t realize until now j
ust how much I missed being inside,” Miss Vivian answered, her voice muffled by his embrace.

  “We’ll stay inside here as long as you wish. These people seem to be very understanding. You need to rest and get something warm to eat. Things will seem better after a few days,” he comforted her.

  Just then, Honovi entered with a wooden bowl in her hands. When she saw the tears in Miss Vivian’s eyes, she moved quickly to kneel down in front of her.

  “You are tired. It must be very hard, leaving everything you know. Here, this will help you feel better.”

  With her handkerchief, Miss Vivian dabbed the tears from her eyes and nodded. She reached out and took the bowl that Honovi was now offering her. Honovi left and quickly returned with a portion for Ben and a gourd of water.

  Miss Vivian was sure the meal was a mixture of pumpkin, corn, and some type of cooked meat. She was surprised at how delicious it was and ate heartily.

  Now that the stress of the trip was receding, both Ben and Miss Vivian realized how tired they were. They scooted their sleeping mats as close to the fire as they dared and stretched out and fell asleep.

  Oh’Dar peeked into the shelter to see how they were doing, and when he saw them both sleeping, he retreated and went to find his life-walker.

  Instead of sitting at their family fires, Acise, Honovi, and Noshoba were with Ithua at the central village fire. Others were also seated around the circle. Oh’Dar squeezed in and sat next to his life-walker. He put his arm around her and took comfort from her warmth leaning against him, the feel of her inviting body causing him to wonder how they could be alone together.

  “How are they doing?” asked Honovi, leaning forward to see around her daughter.

  “Sound asleep,” he said.

  “Try not to worry.”

  “But I do. I fear I made a mistake bringing my grandparents here. I think they already miss their comfortable life.” Oh’Dar ran a hand over his face. “And I picked the worst time. The weather is cold, and even though Kthama is warmer than being directly outside, it will not be the heated environment they are used to.”

  “Change is always hard. If they had the imagination to come, they will see it through. You said they were bored with their life, and they have not even met your people yet,” Honovi smiled with a twinkle in her eye.

  Oh’Dar laughed. “Yes, you are right. Now they are exhausted. In the end, what started out as a grand adventure turned into an ordeal. Once they are rested and meet my parents, their passion will flare again.”

  As they all sat together, Honovi told him about the bonding of Pajackok and Snana and how the couple had just recently returned from the camp Pajackok had built.

  A little later, Chief Is’Taqa showed up and sat down on the other side of Honovi. The others nodded at his presence to honor him, as was customary.

  Acise leaned into Oh’Dar and whispered in his ear. “I have good news, life-walker. I am with child!” she glowed, pulling aside her winter wraps to show him her tummy.

  Oh’Dar’s mouth dropped open. “Oh, that is wonderful. How long have you known?”

  “I suspected before you left, but I wanted to wait until I was sure.”

  Oh’Dar pulled her closer to him and hugged her. Then Acise turned to the others and announced, “I am bearing Oh’Dar’s child!”

  Many came over to congratulate them, and once things had settled down, Acise said to Oh’Dar, “You must tell your grandparents. It may give them great pleasure.”

  Oh’Dar felt a sense of calm wash over him. If I had not gone when I did and had stayed long enough to learn she was having a baby, I would not have been able to leave until after it was born. That would have meant next summer. How could I have stayed away from my grandparents for almost two years, with no way to get word to them? They would have been frantic with worry. Despite my concerns, my timing was right.

  Having slept a while, Ben awoke close to twilight. He looked over at his wife, who was still sleeping. Gingerly rising, he stepped out of the shelter.

  A way off was a large fire around which sat many of the villagers. He stood watching for a while. Looking up to see Ben standing there, Oh’Dar rose and went to him.

  “Your grandmother’s still asleep. It’s going to be dark soon; is there any way to light the shelter other than by the firelight?” Ben asked.

  “No, I’m afraid there isn’t—only the fire. Everything here runs by the rising and setting of the sun. ”

  “I’m worried that if she wakes in the night and the fire’s out, your grandmother won’t remember where she is.”

  “I’ll stay with you tonight if you wish, and keep the fire burning,” Oh’Dar offered.

  “It’s your first night home with your wife. I can’t ask you to do that, Grayson.” Ben had a sudden thought. “While we’re here, shouldn’t we address you as Oh’Dar?” he asked.

  “That would make sense. The Brothers don’t know me as Grayson,” Oh’Dar grinned.

  “Now, return to your wife. I’ll know if Vivian awakes,” Ben said.

  Oh’Dar thanked him and returned to the fire. He knelt down and whispered something in Acise's ear. She got up, and as they scampered away, Acise looked back pleadingly at her mother. Honovi nodded and waved them off. She glanced across at Is’Taqa, remembering the pleasure of their reunions whenever she returned from helping Adia at the High Rocks.

  The next morning, after they had eaten, Oh’Dar and Acise entered their shelter together to tell his grandparents their good news.

  Instead of Grayson Stone Morgan the Third, Miss Vivian saw Oh’Dar of the People standing before her. She took a moment to assimilate the hide tunic covering his tall frame and the deerskin leggings that led down to fringed foot coverings. He looked appropriate next to Acise, but Miss Vivian struggled for a moment, wondering if Grayson Stone Morgan the Third would ever again appear in her world.

  Oh’Dar broke into her reverie, “Grandmother, Ben, we have good news to share. Acise is expecting a baby.”

  Miss Vivian’s face broke into a large smile. She did not know if it was proper to hug Acise but did so anyway. Acise smiled at the embrace, happy that her news had brought such joy.

  Then Oh’Dar took them on a tour of the Brothers’ village. He showed his grandparents the different shelters and where the group fire was. He explained that many families kept their own fires at night but that many came to the group fire when it was lit.

  After a while, Oh’Dar left his grandmother sitting with Ithua and Honovi at the morning fire and took Ben to see the horses and ponies. They stood for a while discussing the stock and how the horses they had brought could improve the Brothers’ lines. While they were there, they checked in on Beauty, Storm, and the wagon team. And their thoughts naturally turned to the two they had left with the Webbs.

  “Once you and Grandmother are settled and comfortable at Kthama, I’ll make a trip back to the Webbs’ town. I placed an order and will need to return to pick up the items anyway. Then I can bring back Rebel and Shining Rose. Storm will have to stay here this trip. And by then, you may have thought of something you want me to pick up in town while I’m there,” he added. As he was talking, Oh’Dar wondered if there would ever again be any other trips in that direction.

  The two men returned to the group fire, little children running alongside them, partly with joy that Oh’Dar had returned but also with curiosity about the older Waschini man.

  Honovi and Miss Vivian seemed to be having a pleasant conversation. Oh’Dar listened in while the others around the fire cocked their heads and smiled at the unfamiliar Whitespeak.

  Soon the children became bored and ran off, at which point Honovi turned to Oh’Dar. Switching from English, she said, “At their camp, Pajackok and Snana were visited by three Waschini riders. That is why they returned early.”

  Oh’Dar kept his face neutral. “Was there trouble?”

  “There could have been, but Pajackok said one of the Waschini told the others to back down. But they als
o made some threat about owning the land someday,” she added.

  Oh’Dar frowned as a worrisome thought crossed his mind. He set it aside and asked, “You are worried that they followed Pajackok and Snana here?” He felt he was being a little rude by leaving his grandparents out of this conversation, but he did not want to disturb or confuse them.

  “No, but I do know you are worried about your grandparents being discovered. Miss Vivian told me the story of how you set it up to look as if they had died. I understand the need for the deception—to keep others from looking for them.”

  “None of us liked the deceit, but we felt it was the only way to end any curiosity about where they went.” Oh’Dar sighed. He looked over to see his grandmother watching him with love in her eyes.

  He turned back to Honovi. “I need to get them to Kthama. I cannot risk their being discovered here. Even though the riders would not recognize them, word could be carried back that two older Waschini were living in one of the villages.” Then he added, “But they have not yet even adjusted to here. How do I introduce them to the People?”

  “I would start with your mother,” suggested Honovi. “The People’s females are not that much different from us, other than in size and strength. It will be easier for them to adjust to Adia than to your father.”

  Oh’Dar thought about what she was saying. Yes, his mother would seem like a large darker-skinned Waschini. Not nearly as intimidating as Acaraho or the other males. He nodded, his decision made.

  Then he turned to his grandparents, “I know you haven’t yet settled in, but I want you to meet my mother as soon as you’re up to it.”