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

by Roberts, Leigh

  Mapiya and her helpers had done their best to make it welcoming. As they had for Adia and Acaraho at the Leader’s Quarters, they chalk-washed the walls, and from the ceiling, they hung decorative dried flowers and calming herbs. They picked out the most luminescent fluorite stones they could find and placed them under the sunlight that streamed through the overhead ventilation shafts. An assortment of gourd bowls and cups were brought in. Some of the females had even tried making some flatter forms that Oh’Dar had described one day, to replace the large leaves that the People usually used to serve their food.

  An oversized sleeping mat was in a far corner, close to the personal-use area. The females stood in the doorway as Acaraho inspected everything.

  “We do hope they will like it,” said Mapiya.

  “They will, and Oh’Dar will be grateful for your kindness,” Acaraho told her.

  Just then, a messenger arrived to tell Acaraho that Oh’Dar had asked for help to carry his grandparents’ belongings to Kthama. He had also asked that Adia return with the carriers, as hers was a familiar face.

  Acaraho turned to the messenger. “Go and alert the High Protector, Awan. Ask him to assemble four of his best guards and meet me in the Great Entrance. I will find my mate and be there momentarily.”

  Soon, Adia and the males were assembled, and they set off to the Brothers’ Village.

  The village had awoken, and the Brothers were going about their day. Oh’Dar explained to his grandparents that Adia was on her way back with help to cart their belongings to Kthama.

  As they were speaking, there was a rustling from the brush not far away. Miss Vivian and Ben turned to see Adia stepping out from the shadows. She gestured at whoever was behind her, asking them to wait. Oh’Dar went to show his mother where the trunks were that held his grandparents’ belongings.

  Adia then stepped toward Ben and Miss Vivian, who greeted her warmly. Oh’Dar explained to them that she had brought helpers.

  The Healer turned and called out, and those who had come with her slowly came out of the shadows.

  Miss Vivian stifled a gasp. “They’re huge,” she whispered to Ben.

  “They’re— I don’t know what to say,” he stumbled. “Giants, really. Very much like us, only so much larger. Well, except for all the fur. Or hair. Or whatever it is.”

  Oh’Dar directed the males to where the trunks were, explaining that they were fragile and must be carted carefully.

  Miss Vivian and Ben waved their goodbyes to the villagers present, checked the shelter for anything they might have left, and prepared to leave with Oh’Dar.

  Honovi stepped forward, “May I come with you and stay for a few days? It might help, having another translator.”

  “That would be wonderful,” said Adia. “You know you are welcome any time.”

  With everything gathered, they made their way to Kthama, frequently stopping to accommodate the slower pace and shorter strides of Oh’Dar and his grandparents.

  Though nearly all the leaves had fallen, the profusion of trees was comforting. Sunlight sprinkled down through the tangle of branches overhead. A few forest creatures scampered across the path, and the group traveled in silence, leaving the grandparents to their own thoughts.

  As they approached Kthama’s Great Entrance, Adia turned to address both Ben and Miss Vivian. “We are almost there. When we enter, you will see only my mate, Acaraho. He has ordered nearly everyone to evacuate the halls and passageways to give you time to adjust to Kthama itself without other people around. Oh’Dar has told me it will be very different from how you have always lived; we do all recognize that this will be a huge adjustment for you.”

  Ben took his wife’s arm and searched her expression, stepping forward only after she nodded; she was ready.

  Together they both picked their way up the incline. Years of use had packed it into a hard surface, worn and easily followed. Even so, they barely looked up, so carefully were they watching their footing. Finally, they stopped and saw Adia just inside a large opening, waiting for them to join her.

  They stepped inside.

  Ben looked across the vast expanse of the Great Entrance, at the smooth worn rock floors, at the walls that rose to a nearly unimaginable height. Stalactites dripped moisture from the ceiling, creating small puddles and rivulets of water along the perimeter. The air was cool with a tinge of humidity that made it feel warmer than outside.

  As they were taking in the size of the entrance, a large figure stepped out of a tunnel opening toward the back and off to the left.

  Both Ben and Miss Vivian froze, seeing as magnificent a creature as they had ever seen in their lives. From his towering stature, his wavy raven hair, finely chiseled features, broad shoulders, on down to a darkly haired chest, nipped waist, and bulging thighs, neither could take their eyes off of him.

  “This is my mate, the Leader of the High Rocks, Acaraho.”

  Honovi translated, her female voice matched to Adia’s.

  Acaraho walked over to them, and this time, Oh’Dar translated. “Greetings. You are welcome here.”

  Ben and Miss Vivian thanked him. Acaraho motioned for them to continue on and down into the corridor where Mapiya was waiting to show them to the quarters that had been prepared.

  “Come,” said Adia. “I will explain some features on the way to your quarters.”

  As they walked, Adia talked about the tunnel system connecting the different levels of Kthama and showed them the markings, which they would learn to understand in time. She took them through the Great Chamber, where Mapiya was waiting to tell them about general eating times and so on. Honovi and Oh’Dar took turns translating.

  Along the way, Ben remarked, “How is the air so fresh? I’d have expected it to become stale and harder to breathe the farther in we went.”

  Oh’Dar told them about the Mother Stream, and the Gnoaii where the People kept captured live fish to augment their winter meals.

  “Later, I will tell you about the storerooms, water storage, and other things. But for now, we are simply taking you to your quarters,” Acaraho said as he indicated a wooden door ahead of them.

  The door was constructed of saplings lashed together with vines and leather strappings. Ben looked it over as he and Miss Vivian stepped through the entrance.

  Miss Vivian looked around the large quarters. “Much bigger than I’d have thought,” she whispered to Ben. “And charming, really.” She stepped a few feet further inside, her eyes taking in the light rock walls, the adornments hanging from the ceiling. She spotted the large stuffed mat over toward the back, immediately realizing it was a sleeping area.

  “This is beautiful,” she gushed. “Thank you so much.”

  Acaraho nodded and looked across at his mate.

  “Honovi will be staying a while to help with communicating,” Adia explained, and Mapiya, who had joined them, hastily left to prepare another living space.

  A few moments later, the males carrying the luggage came down the hallway. Ben and Miss Vivian stepped aside as the three trunks and the blankets, pillows and other items were brought in and gingerly set down against a far wall.

  “Take some time to settle in,” said Adia. “We will send someone when it is time for the evening meal. If you are hungry now, there is an assortment of foodstuffs in the work area over there.”

  “I’ll stay with you a little while and explain some of the other features,” offered Oh’Dar. “Then you can rest.”

  Once they were alone, Miss Vivian exclaimed, “I wasn’t just being gracious, Grayson. Oh, dear. We should be calling you Oh’Dar, shouldn’t we?” she caught herself.

  Oh’Dar grinned. “If you wish, yes.”

  His grandmother continued. “This is beautiful. I can see they went to a lot of trouble to make it comfortable for us. I didn’t realize until now how much comfort I take from being inside. I’ve always enjoyed the outdoors, but it was in the house that I felt the most at ease.”

  “In time, perhaps th
is will feel like home, of a type,” he answered.

  Oh’Dar then explained how the water baskets worked and how the refuse containers were emptied every day but that for now, someone would take care of those. He explained how others would not enter their quarters without invitation and would use the rock on the floor just outside the door to draw attention to their presence.

  Miss Vivian was listening but could not wait any longer and went over to the trunks, lifting the lids, trying to find the one with her personal belongings in it. She pawed around a bit until she found her favorite teacup, so carefully wrapped by Oh’Dar. Letting out a long breath, she smiled widely when she discovered it had survived unscathed.

  She carefully put it back before running her hands over the inner rock wall.

  “Not as cold as I’d have thought,” she murmured. Then she walked into the private area, came back out, and announced, “I just figured out what that room is for!” and they all laughed.

  Oh’Dar watched her as she continued around the room, running her hands over the large rock slab that served as the work counter and food preparation area, noting the boulders and wood stumps placed for seating. She peeked into the lidded gourds and baskets, learning that some held water, some held dried meat, and others held nuts. She looked up at the hanging baskets overhead.

  “What a beautiful pattern. From the size of the People’s hands, I wouldn’t have thought they could produce such a tight weave,” she commented.

  Oh’Dar replied, “I wove those at first. Then I taught the youngest possible offspring, with the smallest hands, to do the same. They hold your daily water supply. Those in here are smaller than the others use, because water is surprisingly heavy. The smaller baskets on that counter hold enough for a day’s supply. Anyone would be glad to help you refill them if you need help with the hanging baskets.”

  Ben’s eyes never left his wife as she explored their new home.

  “There’s a great deal to learn,” said Oh’Dar. “Tonight, in the Great Chamber, you’ll be among many of the People. That’s where most of our social events take place. I suggest you both get some rest as this has probably taken more of a toll on you than you realize,” he cautioned.

  Miss Vivian nodded, and Oh’Dar left them to make themselves at home. As he was leaving, his mother was coming back down the passage.

  “I wanted to give them this in case they are cold.” She held up a large wolf hide. “I know Kthama often feels cold to you when the rest of us are still comfortable.”

  Oh’Dar hugged his mother and stepped aside to let her pass.

  She called out before entering.

  “I meant to bring this earlier but forgot. Here, in case you need it.” As Oh’Dar translated, Adia draped the beautiful fur covering over one of the seating stones.

  “Wait, please,” said Miss Vivian as Oh’Dar continued to translate. “Before you go, I must thank you again for saving my grandson. And for raising him. He’s a fine young gentleman, and I owe that to you. How can I ever thank you?”

  “I cannot imagine what you have been through,” said Adia. “All those years. Praying that your grandson was still alive but having no real hope that he was. Yes. I went through trials to protect and raise him. There were many nights I cried, pleaded for wisdom, prayed I would be able to help him make a life for himself here. But, despite my efforts, he would never physically be one of us, and there was a hole in his spirit that longed to find a place with others of his kind, where he might better fit in.”

  Adia paused a moment, “When he left to look for you, it took all my strength to find the faith that he would return to us someday. And then, when he did, the burden of who he was had been lifted, only to be replaced with a new one. And that was his anguish over longing to be in two worlds. When he was here, he worried about you. When he was with you, I have no doubt he worried about his family here. Now you are with us, and his heart is finding its peace. So the only thanks I could want from you is that you find your way to be happy here. Though we cannot fully comprehend what has changed for you, everyone respects that you have made a huge commitment in giving up your elder years of comfort and familiarity for the love of Oh’Dar. And for that, I owe you a huge debt of gratitude.”

  Tears in her eyes, Miss Vivian reached out and took one of Adia’s hands. Separated in experience by two different worlds, but joined at the heart by the same love for Oh’Dar, and both united in their commitment to do all they could to help him find peace, the two smiled at each other.

  Once they were truly alone, Miss Vivian exclaimed, “Oh my. They’re all magnificent. So healthy, so vibrant. So alive and filled with—something. I’m exhausted and excited at the same time.”

  Ben sat down on the sleeping mat. “Come here, my dear.” He reached for her. “I can see how excited you are, but I also know that Grayson is right; you really do need to rest. We both do.”

  Miss Vivian reluctantly calmed down and went and sat next to her husband. She let out a huge sigh, “Yes, now I do see how tired I am. You’re right; we need to rest.” And she lay down next to him. Both she and Ben were asleep within moments.

  Pakuna came to collect them when it was time for the evening meal. She could not introduce herself, so she had stopped first to collect Honovi.

  Oh’Dar’s grandparents were ready and waiting, though Miss Vivian was fidgeting on her seat and jumped when they clacked the announcement stone.

  Honovi introduced Pakuna. “She will be coming to get you if I am not here. She will also be working with others to help you maintain your quarters, such as bringing you water, disposing of waste, and other tasks. Pakuna was one of those who cared for your grandson directly. She was his wet nurse.”

  I hadn’t imagined anything like this, marveled Miss Vivian. Nor thought about all those who banded together to help raise and protect Grayson. I’m anxious to get back here tonight to talk to Ben. He’s probably seeing even more details than I am.

  “Pakuna is taking you early, so the Great Chamber will be mostly empty,” Honovi said. “Everything has been planned as best as possible to ease your transition. Before you came, their Leader, Acaraho, met with the entire community and told them about you. Of course, everyone wants you to feel at home, though they have as much curiosity about you as I am sure you have for them.”

  In her nervousness and excitement, Miss Vivian had not considered that, though in hearing it, she was ashamed of herself for being so self-absorbed. This is a big change for us all.

  Ben observed closely as they made their way to the eating area. He was counting the steps and turns, eager to be independent as soon as possible. They walked into the Great Hall and saw the rows and rows of rock slab tables, seating benches, and individual seating boulders. He looked around at the huge cavern, empty except for a small group of three and some females who were watching them enter from behind a counter.

  Pakuna led them over to the females. Along the counter’s surface, various fruit and nuts and dried meats were spread out with large leaves stacked in between. Pakuna gestured for them to select what they wanted. When they hesitated, Honovi went ahead and helped herself before turning for them to do the same.

  Ben looked around, noticing there was no water anywhere. Guessing at what he wanted, Pakuna picked up a gourd from a nearby table and handed it to him.

  When they were finished, they followed Pakuna over to a seating area near the back.

  With Honovi translating, Pakuna explained, “Families have their usual tables. The Leader and his family sit over there. If you are comfortable at the back here, this can be your place. On other occasions, it would not be unexpected that you sit with the Healer Adia at the Leaders’ table, as Oh’Dar is her son.”

  They all sat, and Ben and Miss Vivian hungrily ate everything they had selected. Seeing their servings gone, Mapiya brought them some more. They looked up to thank her, and she smiled, revealing her sharp canines.

  At that moment, the reality of their situation came crashing in on M
iss Vivian, and she started to cry. Just then, Oh’Dar entered, and seeing his grandmother in tears, came running over. He slipped in next to her and pulled her into his arms. “Grandmother, what’s wrong? Why are you crying?” He looked at Ben for help.

  “I don’t know son, everything was fine until a second ago.”

  “A second ago,” Miss Vivian murmured, still in Oh’Dar’s embrace. “A second ago. What does that mean? It doesn’t mean anything any longer. I don’t even know what time it is. What day it is. Where’s my clock?” She pulled her head from his embrace, “Grayson, Ben, where is the clock? I don’t know what time it is!”

  Seeing that she was becoming hysterical, Oh’Dar put his hands on her shoulders and turned her to look at him.

  “Grandmother. Look at me. This has been too long a trip, and it’s too much of a shock; I see that. I know you’ve been brave and put up a strong front, but you’re only now realizing just how much everything has changed for you and Ben.”

  She nodded through her tears, trying to find her handkerchief to wipe her eyes.

  Wanting to help, Pakuna handed her a piece of hide of the kind that they used as cleaning cloths. Miss Vivian took the foreign object, looked at it, and started crying harder.

  Just then, the offspring of the other family sitting there came slowly walking over. She stood quietly to the side, waiting for Miss Vivian to notice. When she did, the little female said, “You are the Miss Vivian. Please, the Miss Vivian, do not make tears. Do not be afraid. We are here to love and help to you. We wait for you with eager wanting.”

  Miss Vivian’s crying eased, and she stared at the little female who stood in front of her. Dark tangled hair framed her face, and the deep brown eyes were filled with kindness. Her little hands remained at her side, yet she was leaning toward Miss Vivian just enough to signal that she wanted very much to hug the Waschini woman.