Tucker scowled at him, “Alright. But if you aren’t back soon, I’m leaving without you. I don’t have enough supplies for both of us if I must wait too long. Although, if something happens to you, I’ll have more than enough.”
“Yes, but no money, so don’t get any ideas. And don’t follow us; this is none of your business, and I’ll make it as quick as I can.”
And so Storgis remounted his horse and followed the braves.
Tucker paced around a bit, collecting more firewood, then angrily kicked at those he’d stacked.
The village activity came to a standstill when Pajackok, Isskel, and the other braves rode into town with a Waschini among them.
Mothers gathered their children and hurried them into the shelters. Chief Is’Taqa told Honovi, Acise, and Snana to take Noshoba and do the same, but shortly after, Honovi returned to Is’Taqa’s side.
He frowned at her, to which she responded, “And just who is going to translate?”
Pajackok and the others remained on their horses while Storgis dismounted and slowly walked over to the Chief. Not knowing what was appropriate, he bowed and started speaking very slowly.
He used the same gestures to describe Oh’Dar, at which Chief Is’Taqa looked sideways at Honovi, who nodded.
“Do you understand me at all? I need to see him. I know you know who I mean. He is tall with straight black hair. Eyes the color of the sky. Please, it is important. Where is he?” and Storgis looked around.
“He does not look well; I pray he is not ill,” said Honovi.
Chief Is’Taqa looked Storgis up and down and said, “Tell him he can stay here with us. We will bring the one he seeks to him. But he is not to leave the shelter. He must wait patiently, and we will take care of him and his horse while he does.”
Honovi spoke to Storgis, whose eyes widened at hearing one of the locals speak English.
“You can understand me!”
“Yes, I can. Did you understand me?” Honovi asked. “Did you hear what our Chief just said?”
“Yes, yes. Thank you,” said Storgis.
One of the braves dismounted and took Storgis’ horse away to be looked after. Chief Is’Taqa ordered one of the other braves to locate a place for the Waschini to stay. Before long, Storgis was sitting in front of a blazing fire, a fresh blanket around his shoulders, clutching a gourd of some type of stew and feeling very grateful for the kindness he was being shown.
Honovi and Is’Taqa stood in the background watching.
“He does not seem to be a threat, but what do we know of them? Can it be possible that he is someone Oh’Dar knows?” Honovi pondered.
“We must let Oh’Dar know he is here,” Is’Taqa said. “I will send a message with one of the People’s watchers.”
“There is no room for misunderstanding,” Honovi pointed out. “I shall write a message for one of their watchers to deliver.”
A while later, Honovi stepped into the woods and whistled as Adia had taught several of the Brothers to do if they needed help from one of the People. Within a few moments, a huge form stepped out from around a tree trunk. He stood blinking, and Honovi stepped forward with the piece of birch bark. After a short conversation, the watcher nodded, and within moments, he was on his way with the message.
Oh’Dar stood holding the strip of bark on which Honovi had scribbled, “Waschini man called Storgis here waiting for you.”
He turned to his father. “I have to leave for the village. Now. My grandparent’s lawyer—helper—has shown up looking for me!”
By the time Oh’Dar made it to the village, Storgis had been able to get some rest. He’d been so exhausted from the trip and concern about Tucker’s real motives in bringing him there that he’d ceased worrying about the villagers. They’d been nothing but kind to him.
He started when he heard someone enter the tent and looked up to see young Mr. Morgan towering over him.
“What are you doing here, Mr. Storgis?” Oh’Dar asked.
Storgis looked him up and down, noting that the young man no longer wore regular clothing but seemed dressed more like the locals than anything.
“Where are Miss Vivian and Ben Jenkins?” he demanded, rising to his feet.
“Is that why you’ve come?” Oh’Dar asked.
“I know they aren’t dead, so don’t waste my time. I delivered the paperwork you asked me to draw up for the Webbs, and they mentioned you’d stopped there and weren’t alone. Now, where are they, and why did you fabricate their deaths?”
Having heard the raised voices, Chief Is’Taqa and Honovi also entered the shelter.
Oh’Dar turned to them and said in their language, “This man worked for my grandparents. He has come looking for them. But I cannot tell him where they are as it would only lead to more questions.”
“Stop that,” Storgis said. “What are you saying? I demand you bring them to me at once. They’re not here, so they must be staying with you somewhere else, or it wouldn’t have taken you so long to arrive. Take me to them or bring them to this village; either way, I’m not leaving until I see them.”
Oh’Dar thought for a moment. “I can’t do as you ask; I’m sorry. It does not matter where they are. They’re safe and healthy,” he said. “You must trust me, Mr. Storgis. The sheriff told me you weren’t just a business acquaintance—that you had a personal relationship with them. I believe you’re here out of concern for their welfare, but I assure you they’re not in any trouble. For personal reasons, they decided to leave behind their life at Shadow Ridge. Please respect their wishes.”
As Honovi translated, she and Chief Is’Taqa exchanged glances.
Just then, there was a commotion outside. Pajackok was riding into the village leading a horse with a scuffed up Waschini rider mounted atop. The brave dismounted and gestured that the other should also get down. Tucker slid off his mount, and Pajackok handed the reins to one of the braves and asked him to take care of it.
“What kind of man treats an animal like this?” Pajackok said in Tucker’s face, motioning wildly, even as he knew that the Waschini could not understand a word. Then he spat on the ground just in front of Tucker’s feet. Turning to the crowd that had gathered, he explained. “I found him trying to sneak up on us. Only he was so noisy and smells so bad that he could never have gotten away with it.”
Storgis left the shelter and stomped over to Tucker, “What are you doing here? I told you to stay put!”
Tucker ignored Storgis and turned to Oh’Dar. “So, you must be that Morgan kid everyone was looking for about twenty-five years ago? Seems to me they searched this here village back then. If the law finds out they were hiding you, then it could go hard for your friends here—even after all this time. Why, they might even be driven off and their land taken as punishment.”
Oh’Dar frowned and stole a glance at Honovi and the Chief. She had been quietly translating the conversation.
“There’s nothing more to be done here.” Oh’Dar looked at Storgis and shot an icy glare at the other man. “I suggest you stay another night, allow your horses to rest and be properly fed, and then go on your way. I promise you, Storgis, my grandparents are not in any danger.”
Storgis frowned and shook his head. “Why should I believe you? Maybe you’re just like your uncle Louis. What if you faked their deaths to get to their money!”
“That’s preposterous, and you know it!” said Oh’Dar. “You drew up the papers to leave Shadow Ridge and a fortune to Mrs. Thomas!”
“Yes, but that was just a portion of it. What about the rest? No, this isn’t over, Morgan. I’ll get to the bottom of this somehow.”
Then the lawyer turned to Chief Is’Taqa. “Thank you for your hospitality. We will leave in the morning, but first, I will uncover the truth.”
Pajackok gladly escorted both Waschini back to Storgis’ shelter.
Oh’Dar turned to Chief Is’Taqa and Honovi. “I do not know what to do. Should I have gone and fetched my grandparents? If he only
wants to know they are alright, perhaps I should have appeased him.” He ran a hand over his face.
“It is difficult to know which is best,” said Chief Is’Taqa. “It is possible that if this man could speak with them and see they are healthy and content, that it would be the end of it. For the other Waschini, though, I do not know.”
Oh’Dar shook his head. “I have brought trouble to us. Here. To our home. You have done nothing but care for me and help raise me, and I have repaid you with this. I must go and talk to Storgis. It is a difficult trip for my grandparents, but the less information I give, the more it will pique curiosity.”
“Perhaps the man would be satisfied with speaking to one of them,” Chief Is’Taqa suggested.
Oh’Dar nodded and left for the men’s shelter.
He pulled open the flap and stepped inside. Ignoring Tucker, he spoke directly to the lawyer.
“If you can speak with Ben Jenkins, would that convince you they’re happy and well?” Oh’Dar asked.
Storgis got to his feet. “Why not both of them?”
“You’ve traveled this area. You know it’s a difficult journey. I wish to spare my grandmother the hardship,” Oh’Dar explained.
Storgis thought for a moment, “I don’t mean to cause trouble. I only want to know they aren’t being held somewhere against their will. So yes, if I can speak with Ben, I’ll accept this was their decision, and they weren’t coerced. But I’m warning you, I’ll know if you’re forcing him to lie.”
“I’ll be back sometime tomorrow,” said Oh’Dar, still ignoring Tucker. “We agree then, that after you speak with Ben, you’ll leave and not look back. You’ll leave them to the life they have chosen?”
“Yes.”
It was mid-morning by the time Oh’Dar returned with Ben. As they entered the village, he spotted Storgis and Tucker sitting at a fire, eating.
Out of the corner of his eye, Storgis saw them coming. He set down his meal and jumped to his feet.
“Ben Jenkins,” he said, grabbing the older man’s hand.
“Newell,” said Ben. “Grayson explained to me why you’re here. I’m sorry for the ruse. Come, walk with us.” The three men stepped away, out of earshot of Tucker.
Tucker also stood up, but Pajackok stepped in front of him and glared until the tracker sat back down.
“What’s this all about, Ben?” asked Storgis.
“We’re both fine. This is what we wanted. And I’m sorry you had to be put through believing we’d died. But it was the only way to prevent—just this. Well-meaning people following us and not giving us the privacy to make our own choices.”
“You could simply have said you were leaving Shadow Ridge,” Storgis objected as they walked together.
“I’m sorry, but you’re proof we couldn’t. People are curious about anything that smacks of mystery, and we wanted to put an end to any ideas of revenge that Louis might have had,” Ben explained. “I hear he was arrested at the funeral, but he might not have been. Again, this was the best way for all involved.”
He stopped and turned to face the lawyer. “And so my question now is, will you let it go? Will you accept that Vivian and I are happy? That we chose this to be close to our grandson and his new wife. You’re still young enough, Newell. In time you’ll understand the importance of family. Of feeling that you’re a part of something bigger than yourself.”
Ben put his hand on Storgis’ shoulder, “Now, who is that rough-looking fellow with you?”
Storgis let out a long sigh. “I hired him to follow young Mr. Morgan. When I learned from the Webbs that you were still alive and that Mr. Morgan was coming back for supplies, I hired Tucker to follow him. Then, I paid him to bring me here, to find you.”
“Grayson explained a lot of this to me on the way here. I believe, though, that he threatened to bring trouble to these people here, after all these years,” said Ben.
“He’s a sly one, always looking for an angle. But I can handle him. Is there anything I can do for you and Miss Vivian?”
“Just respect our privacy. How is Mrs. Thomas doing?” Ben asked. “How are things in Millgrove?”
“Mrs. Thomas is doing very well; her son and his family have moved into Shadow Ridge. As far as Millgrove goes, it isn’t the same without you and Miss Vivian. My business has pretty much dried up. I am thinking of moving to Wilde Edge.”
“That’s the Webbs’ little town,” said Oh’Dar, absentmindedly.
“They don’t have a lawyer. Found that out when I was dealing with the banker over the Webbs’ mortgaged land. And the Webbs were very kind to me. Perhaps, in a way, being around them makes me still feel a bit connected to the Morgans,” he added, very honestly.
Oh’Dar looked at the lawyer and felt a pang. Perhaps I’ve misjudged him. He seems sincere, and he does seem to care about my grandparents.
“So, you’re living somewhere else? With another tribe then?” asked Storgis.
Ben pursed his lips, “I will tell you that we’re healthy and happy and cared for. And that’s where it has to end. We’ve trusted each other since we first met. Please trust me again and allow us our privacy.” He searched the lawyer’s face.
“I will,” said Storgis. “I’ll collect Tucker, and we’ll be on our way.”
When they were ready to leave, Storgis extended his hand to Oh’Dar and said, “If there’s ever anything I can help you with, please, find a way to get in touch with me at Wilde Edge. I’ll be moving there directly.”
“Well, yes, you might be able to help me,” said Oh’Dar. “Also, when you do get settled in Wilde Edge, please contact the banker there and let him know we’re connected. It might come in handy someday for you to have an established business association.”
Ben and Oh’Dar watched while the men mounted their horses and were led away by Pajackok and a few other braves.
“Do you think he’s satisfied with having seen Ben?” asked Honovi, walking up to them.
“I hope so,” said Oh’Dar. “I certainly hope so.”
Before turning back to the village, Pajackok and the other braves kept a careful eye on the two forms until they were well out of sight.
“So, you got what you wanted. And I expect you to pay me that extra when we return to Wilde Edge,” said Tucker.
“You’ll get your money, don’t worry. But after that’s settled, I expect us never to speak again,” Storgis said, eyes straight ahead.
“I’ve served my purpose then? Is that it?” Tucker taunted him.
“Something like that. Look, there’s no reason for us to quarrel. Other than not staying away from the village as I told you, you did your part.”
“You’re moving to Wilde Edge then?”
“Yes. And once we get back, we’ll go our separate ways and speak no more of this. Whatever business we had is completed, and the matter is over and settled as far as I’m concerned,” Storgis answered.
If it’s so settled, then why do you keep sneaking away and making that little map of yours, thought Tucker. And it may be over and settled as far as you’re concerned, but it sure as hell isn’t as far as I’m concerned.
Chapter 13
Everything was as ready as could be. Excitement was running high in anticipation of the visitors. At mealtimes, the People would be mingling with the Leaders and other guests from the other communities. Often these visitors carried news of loved ones who had been paired to members of those communities, or for some other reason, had relocated, and socializing was a special event in itself. But in addition to the usual excitement, unlike other gatherings, this time the community would be allowed to hear some of the High Council proceedings.
The first to arrive were Chief Is’Taqa, Honovi, and Ithua, who was still the senior Medicine Woman. Acaraho and Adia were at the entrance, waiting to greet them. At their side stood Nootau, heir to the leadership of the High Rocks. Adia warmly wrapped her arms around Ithua in greeting.
Chief Is’Taqa and Honovi stayed with the group at
the front to greet the Chiefs of the other villages. A feeling of respect and reverence hung in the air as they waited for their honored guests to arrive.
Second to reach Kthama was Chief Cha’Tima from a village south of the Little River. It was a high tribute to the importance of the event that the Chief and his companions would travel so far. Then arrived Risik’Tar, his mate, Icider, and his Healer Tapia, followed by Harak’Sar with his mate, Habil, and lastly, Urilla Wuti and Iella. Iella quickly stole a glance at her beloved Nootau as they walked past. Adia’s eyes filled with tears of joy at again seeing her friend Urilla Wuti.
Slowly everyone filed in, and as each arrived, Mapiya and other females were waiting to show them to their quarters and tend to any needs. Older offspring had been recruited as runners to help carry messages. Those chosen took their role seriously and treated everyone with the utmost respect and courtesy.
The rest would trickle in over the next two days. If everyone arrived as planned, the first assembly would take place in two mornings’ time. That left some space for acquaintances and friendships to be renewed before the official program started.
When her formal greeting duties were over for the day, Adia immediately sought out Urilla Wuti. As soon as she was given permission to enter, she pulled open the wooden door and ran over to hug the older Healer.
“I have missed you so!” Urilla Wuti exclaimed.
“And I have missed you! I am so glad you came; we have a great deal to catch up on.” Adia disengaged herself and turned to hug Iella, who was sitting across the room.
“Where is An’Kru?” Iella asked.
“Nadiwani is watching him at the moment.”
“I was helping Urilla Wuti get settled; now that you are here, I will go and find your son!” And Iella left with a smile.
After Iella had gone, Adia looked Urilla Wuti over, head to toe. “You look well. I am pleased.”
“Oddly enough, being Overseer does not take up as much time as I had thought,” she chuckled. “But I can sense you are troubled. What is it, my dear friend?”
The Edge of Hope: Wrak-Ayya: The Age of Shadows Book Eleven Page 16